Chapter 4

Applejack casually walked to the Ponyville library, sporting a shiny coat and a newfound feeling of determination. The talk with Rarity at the spa had been exactly what she needed. Applejack reluctantly admitted that the spa treatment itself had been strangely fun and relaxing. Perhaps she would ask Rarity to go to the spa again someday. She had to admit the treatment made her coat shine like the outside of a freshly picked Macintosh apple, which might end up impressing a certain somepony. All of her thoughts were shattered when she opened the door to the Ponyville library, noticing the frantic look on her friend Twilight’s face.

“Howdy Twi, is there somethin’ goin’ on ya look all outta sorts.”

“Oh…uhmm…hi Applejack, yes I’m having a bit of a situation right now.”

It was then that Applejack noticed Iron Cross was also in the library and he too was wearing a look of concern. Applejack couldn’t imagine that such a commotion could be caused over picking up a book. It was just a book on pulleys, not some ancient tome bound in pony hide containing the darkest of magic incantations.

“Umm Twi, do ya mind bringin’ me up to speed, cause I’m mighty confused right now.”

“Sorry Applejack, Iron Cross and I were just doing some research on the amulet he had around his neck. It turns out that it belonged to a powerful sorcerer seven hundred years ago.”

“So a fancy magic caster decided he wanted to accessorize, why in the hay is that so important?” Applejack asked.

Twilight facehoofed and made a grunting noise. “Applejack you don’t understand, this sorcerer was the son of Starswirl the Bearded. He was personally tutored by one of Equestria’s most powerful magic casters. I haven’t tried to use my magic on it the further analyze it, because it might be imbued with powerful ancient magic. We must go straight to Princess Celestia and give it to her for safe keeping; she may be the only pony in Equestria who understands its nature.”

Twilight’s horn lit up with a lavender glow and suddenly all three of the ponies were standing in front of Canterlot Castle’s main gates. Applejack and Iron Cross both looked like they had been on a tiny sailboat in the middle of rough seas, the feeling of nausea threatening to make them spill their breakfast.

Twilight let out a nervous chuckle. “Oh sorry guys, I should have warned you I was using a teleportation spell, it can be disorienting to anypony who isn’t used to it.”

“Ughhh…ya don’t say Twi. Ah reckon we just need ta git our bearings fer a second.”

“Don’t worry about us Twilight; you did the right thing by teleporting here. I am as eager to know what kind of power this amulet has…and to keep out of the wrong hooves” Iron Cross replied.

As the three ponies approached the throne room, there were two guards standing at attention in front of the doors. Neither guard appeared to be willing to let anypony through. Most of the time when anypony wanted to see Princess Celestia they had to schedule an appointment; these appointments would often be scheduled months in advance. Celesita was a very busy ruler after all. It would have been difficult for just about anypony to request an impromptu audience with the solar princess, anypony that is except Twilight. Twilight generally didn’t like throwing her status around like the Canterlot aristocrats did, but this situation demanded it. It was well known around Canterlot that she was the apple of Celestia’s eye and even the guards knew better than to deny Princess Celestia’s protégé.

Twilight hated being bossy even if it was to serve a purpose. “Excuse me gentlecolts, but I have an urgent matter that I need to discuss with the Princess. It concerns the safety and well-being of Equestria, so could you please let us through?”

The two guards saluted and opened the doors for Twilight and her two companions. “Proceed Ms. Sparkle; the Princess is currently on the second floor enjoying her daily bubble bath.”

Twilight went up the stairs with Applejack and Iron Cross in tow and proceeded to the rather large bathroom where the guards said Princess Celestia was in. The door was slightly ajar, suggesting that Celestia did not expect any disturbances, let alone visitors. Celestia sat in a large porcelain tub filled to the brim with bubbles happily playing with a rubber ducky.

Twilight couldn’t help but feel embarrassed seeing Celestia playing with her rubber ducky. “Umm…excuse me Princess I don’t mean to disturb your bath but I have an urgent issue I need to discuss with you.”

The princess just smiled with poise practiced over a thousand years. “Hmm it seems that I will have to play with Mr. Quackers some other time. Now what is you need my faithful student?

“Princess, I found an amulet that might contain a large amount of magic and its very old you see. I figured if anypony knew about old magic it was you. I didn’t want to try using my magic on it because it might cause and accident.”

Celestia daintily lifted herself out of the tub and used a spell that made her body glow with the sun’s energy, thus drying herself off. “Why don’t we take this conversation into my private chambers?”

Celestia sat on a large ornate bed that had carvings depicting various horses running around. “Ah Twilight I see you brought a couple of your friends as well. Hello Applejack and I don’t believe I’ve met you sir.”

Iron Cross gave a quick bow. “No, your majesty we have not met. My name is Iron Cross and I am the one who found the amulet in question.”

“I make it a point to know all of my subjects Iron Cross. I do not know you, so therefore you must be new to Equestria.”

“Yes your majesty, I hail from a distant land and came to Equestria by accident. Despite being new to this land I have started working for Sweet Apple Acres, so that I may become a productive citizen.”

Celestia appeared to be thinking something over. “You hail from a very distant land indeed, far more distant than the borders of Equestria. I suspect the amulet has something to do with it.”

Iron Cross couldn’t believe it. He hadn’t told anypony about his true origins, out of the fear that ponies would think him to be crazy. He had to admit this Princess Celestia was extremely perceptive, perhaps it was because she was such a powerful magic being. Iron Cross decided that if anypony was going to understand his true origins, Celestia would.

“Your majesty, Applejack, Twilight, I have a confession to make. It’s probably best if you sat down for this.”

Iron Cross explained that he had once been human and was transported to Equestria via the amulet he found. He tried to omit as much of his military experiences as he could, not wanting to frighten or upset his new equine friends. When he finished explaining his story he felt oddly relieved, as if a weight off his chest had been lifted. Celestia was the first to speak.

“That would certainly explain your unusual cutie mark. I have never seen such a symbol here in Equestria. I have always wondered if the fabled human world of Mundus existed, now we have living proof. Many a crazed unicorns would claim to have visions of a world dominated by strange two legged creatures that used machines to do their bidding. Often times they were dismissed as lunatics, now I see there was some truth to their visions.”

Applejack despite hearing the strange news had steel resolve in her eyes. “Ah can’t believe ya were a human Iron, now ah know why ya didn’t understand things just like a little foal. As far as I’m concerned yer still as Iron Cross as ya ever were and it don’t make one bit o’ difference ta me. Mah offer still stands.”

Twilight mulled over the information, but didn’t appear to be upset either. “Well stranger things have happened in Ponyville. You seem like a perfectly nice stallion to me, so I see no reason not be your friend.”

“It seems you’ve made some powerful friends Iron Cross. You may have come from a different universe, but now Equestria is your new home. I welcome you as one of my subjects, so long as you promise to cherish and protect this land.”

“Thank you, your majesty this means a lot to me. I’m sorry that I had to keep all this information from you…it’s just I didn’t want to upset anypony. I felt terrible having to lie about my previous life, I’m just glad that all of you were so understanding.”

“If you don’t mind Iron Cross, I’m going to have to insist that you give me the amulet for safe keeping. I sense that there is a large amount of dark magic pulsing through it, which could be hazardous to you and anypony near it” Celestia replied.

Celestia got off her bed and stared out the window. It looked like she was reminiscing about something; she also seemed a bit pained as well. “I do recognize the amulet. You were correct Twilight, it belonged to the sorcerer Frostmere the Fierce. Frostmere was the adopted son of Starswirl the Bearded, one of the most powerful wizards to have ever lived. Starswirl was my court mage and trusted advisor at the time. I often took his advice for he was extremely wise for a mortal. It all happened so many centuries ago. They got along so well…but then the invasion came and it all fell apart.”

Tears began to well up in Celestia’s eyes and her voice became strained. “Forgive me, my little ponies it’s just such a tragic tale and I remember it as if it were yesterday. Perhaps I shall tell it to you another time. For now I believe I shall place the amulet in the Canterlot Gardens under guard for safe keeping, away from prying ponies.”

Applejack, Iron Cross and Twilight teleported yet again back to the Ponyville library. After saying their goodbyes Iron Cross and Applejack started heading back to Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack seemed to be concerned.

“Woo-wee, this has been one hay of a day. First we got a dimension travelin’ human who turns into a pony and then some ancient evil jewelry that’s got Princess Celestia’s feathers in a ruffle. Ah have to admit though ah ain’t never seen the Princess upset like that before.”

“Applejack I’m so sorry for having to lie to you. I feel like I’ve betrayed your trust. I…just couldn’t say what I really was, there was no way anypony would have believed me.”

Applejack just smirked. “It’s alright sugarcube, ah would’ve thought you were nuttier than a squirrel if ya had said what ya really were. Ah believe honesty is the best policy, but sometimes ponies can’t handle the truth. Its real sweet of ya ta consider mah trust as somethin’ important.”

Applejack trotted closer to Iron Cross and gently grabbed his face with her hooves. She proceeded to give him a deep kiss. Iron Cross was initially shocked from the kiss but returned it in kind by using his tongue to wrestle hers.

After a few moments Applejack pulled away wiping a trail of saliva from her mouth. She blushed slightly from the heat of the moment, but nonetheless had enough composure to speak. “That was mah personal thanks fer all the things you’ve done. Judgin’ by the amount of tongue I got, I’d say ya were mighty pleased with it.”

Iron Cross stood there completely at a loss for words. Never in his wildest dreams did he think Applejack would do such a thing. That kiss was no ordinary thank you, much like how women would give a quick peck on the cheek for helping with some menial task. There was passion in it, a longing. Iron Cross was very much attracted to Applejack by this point, but he’d feared it was one sided. The kiss they shared suggested otherwise. Maybe there was hope that he and Applejack could be together, after all it wouldn’t be difficult to maintain a relationship considering they lived in the same house. Iron Cross decided he wanted Applejack but perhaps it would be better to ask her out when they weren’t so caught up in the heat of the moment, it had been a decidedly crazy day.

“Aww horseapples ah forgot that the east side of the field needs to be weeded. Ah promised Big Mac it would git done today. He can’t do it right now cause he’s tendin’ the potatoes and carrots.”

“Don’t worry Applejack I can come along and help. There’s still a few hours before dinner time and with my help we could easily get it done within two hours.”

“Hmm well alright, ah reckon two ponies are better than one. Just as a warnin’ it’s mighty hard work and dirty too.”

Iron Cross laughed. “Believe me Applejack I’ve been covered in far more disgusting things than dirt.”

Applejack suddenly looked ashamed. “Dang it, I’m sorry ah forgot ya were a soldier back in yer world. That was mighty insensitive of me.”

“Don’t worry about it Applejack, you said nothing wrong. You must understand that if I didn’t try to make light of my experiences they would tear me apart. I saw many men who could not cope with the horrors of war and it broke them. They were nothing more than hollow shells of their former selves, dragging their bodies around day to day. The important thing is that I’m here in Equestria now and there is no war, and even if there was I would protect everypony with my very life. That is what it means to be a soldier, to be willing to sacrifice yourself for what you care about.”

“Ah didn’t realize ya felt so strongly about us, after all ya just got here.”

“Applejack I loved my homeland and was proud to serve in its army, but now Equestria is my home and everyone I care about lives here. I do not care to go back to my homeland, if it even exists anymore because I have everything I ever wanted right here.”

“Alright, I’m glad ya feel that way. We sure are lucky ta have ya here then. Now ah reckon it’s about time we do some weedin’.”

On that note Applejack and Iron Cross made their way to their way to the left side of the apple orchard to do some weeding.

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725 years ago: Castle Canterlot, Kingdom of Equestria

The throne room of Castle Canterlot was absolutely massive with its high arched ceilings made of marble, decorated with pegesai and suns. There were several hoof woven tapestries that adorned its walls depicting the glory of Celestia and her Solar Knights. Large panes of stained glass showing various stages of Equestrian history were set in the walls, also allowing light into the chamber. A lone unicorn stallion entered the chamber, he was dressed in dark purple robes adorned with stars and sported a pointy wizard’s hat. He had been summoned by Princess Celestia herself, for what reason he did not yet know. One never questioned a summons by the Princess. Princess Celestia sat on a carved ebony throne inlayed with various jewels. She was dressed in her full regalia of polished gold armor and a red cape. Her armor bore the royal crest of the sun on the breastplate; she had her hair coiled in a single long braid off to the side. The robed unicorn knelt beneath the throne.

“What is your bidding Shining Majesty?”

“Rise Lord Starswirl, I have an important task for you.”

“Of course milady, I am but your humble servant.”

“Late last evening I received a disturbing report from one of my scouts. They tell me that one of the cottages outside town caught fire. Normally I would dismiss this as a simple accident or a possible crime of arson, save for one detail. The fire that consumed the cottage was blue.”

Starswirl furrowed his brow in thought. “Do you think it to be the work of pyromancers milady?”

“Yes, Lord Starswirl I do. Know that I would not send you to investigate if I didn’t believe there to be something out of the ordinary. I trust your wisdom concerning the ways of magic. If this is indeed the case, then I cannot allow crazed pyromancers to terrorize my kingdom. As a precaution I shall send a contingent of my personal guards to accompany you.”

“Shining Majesty you surely cannot mean…the Solaris Oculatus?”

“I do, Lord Starswirl. They are the best soldiers I have to offer. It is well within their duty to investigate matters of state security.”

A few moments later two pegasai clad in orange-gold armor appeared before Starswirl. The emblem on their breastplates was an eye with flames around it, symbolizing that they saw everything that went on in the kingdom as Celestia’s elite guard and reconnaissance unit.

Starswirl bowed again and directed his attention back to Celestia. “I shall investigate the matter with the utmost care and haste milady.”

“I expect nothing less Lord Starswirl. Now be gone with you, I have other important matters to attend to.”

Starswirl the Bearded and the two Solaris Oculatus agents galloped towards the edge of town. The stench of charred flesh and wood clung heavily in the like a dense fog. In front of them they witnessed a small cottage burned to cinders. Any normal pony would have assumed it was a normal fire, perhaps and accident caused by an overactive fireplace. Starswirl knew better, for one the burning embers of the wood glowed blue and the distinct trace of magic was in the air.

Amidst all the chaos Starswirl heard something. It sounded almost like crying. This was completely unexpected because in situations where magical fire was involved there were usually no survivors. Starswirl trotted over to the source of the crying to find a foal bundled in a rough brown blanket. It was a unicorn foal; the poor thing must have belonged to the peasants who lived in the cottage. Noticing that the Oculatus agents were busy examining the wreckage, Starswirl decided to attend to the orphan foal.

Starswirl cradled the foal in his arms and spoke in a soft, reassuring voice. “Shhh everything is alright little one. It must be hard for you to lose your parents in such a horrible way. I know what will calm you down.”

Starswirl’s horn glowed a deep shade of brown. The magic he poured into the air vibrated it, producing a rich melodious tone akin to a flute. The sounds of his music lulled the foal to sleep. While the foal was asleep he decided to examine it closer to determine its sex and color. He pulled the blanket back to discover it was a unicorn colt. The colt’s coat, mane and tail were completely white, extraordinarily rare for even a unicorn. His eyes were a deep shade of blue, not unlike a sapphire. It was then that Starswirl noticed some strange things. The foal already had a cutie mark; it was a large blue colored burst of magic surrounded by stars. The foal also reeked of magic, the very same magic he felt in the remnants of the fire. Starswirl then looked up into the night sky noticing an incredibly large, blue comet.

Starswirl looked in horror back at the foal as he collected his thoughts. “By the Solar Goddess…you are star-born. It was you who started the fire, there can be no doubt. Being but a foal you have no control over your immense magical strength. Her majesty would certainly put you to the sword if she found out what you are. Do not worry child I shall claim you as my own and train you to use your magic so that you never accidently slaughter ponies again.”

One of the Oculatus agents called out to Starswirl. “Milord, are you finished with your investigation? We have finished our sweep of the building.”

“Yes, I am done investigating. I have found an orphaned foal beside the wreckage. It would be barbaric to leave a foal to die so I will claim him as my son.”

As Starswirl and the agents galloped towards Canterlot village, Starswirl smiled and whispered to the foal he held in his arm. “From this day forth you are my son, but know this little one your life will not be without its challenges. Why your coat reminds me of the first winter frost. I believe I shall call you Frostmere.”