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Convergence Series: Journeys

by TheGreatEater

Chapter 24: Chapter 23: Apple Jack: Friends on a Hill

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Apple Jack had been working on rebuilding her hind legs to what they were before Twilight’s casting of Starswirl’s unfinished spell. Having still not worked up to what she used to be made carrying her friend much harder than she thought. Ah’m not gunna leave her behind. Especially not after facin’ down that thing masquerading as Pinkie. Her face will probably haunt me till the end o’ mah days. Ah mean I knew that girl had problems, but Ah didn’t know she had demons like that. And Ah meant what Ah said Ah’m gunna make up how Ah’ve been to all mah friends. Starting with this’n right here.




As she walked into the next room carrying Pinkie Pie like she used to carry Apple Bloom when she was a foal. She looked at her shivering friend and cried silently. Pinkie Pie still was unconscious and broken. At least the cut marks and missing body parts grew back when we left. Ah’ve never seen so much blood in all mah life.




She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn’t notice the room shift before her. She was surprised to find herself in a the hill outside Ponyville where a lot of events take place. She wondered why she was here of all locations when she saw a version of her walking up the hill with a different Pinkie Pie. They both radiated an aura that mimicked the same color as their coats as their eyes were gentle flames that leaked tranquilly from their eye sockets. Apple Jack sat Pinkie Pie on the ground and took a defensive posture in front of her.




“After what ya did ta mah friend Ah ain’t lettin’ ya take one step closer y’all hear ya pink abomination. That goes double for ya, ya let this happen ta her. One more step and Ah’m gunna buck ya so hard y’alls great, great grandchildren will be born with mah hoof prints in their flanks.” Apple Jack said as she dug her hooves into the ground and glared daggers at the two approaching figures.




“We aren’t here to hurt either of ya. Ya are able ta know when others are lyin’ ta ya. So ya know Ah’m bein’ honest when I say we’re here ta help. Y’all purified us when ya passed through that room. From here on out we’re here ta help heal ya from the horrors y’all faced. Well Pinkie Pie rather than yer self, well at least until ya went to save yer friend.”




Apple Jack mulled over this she was able to see when others were uttering false hoods. She didn’t know weather it came from being to Element of Honesty or if it was a skill she was just born with. But she knew that this version of her wasn’t lying. Listening to the warmth and kindness that radiated from it and Pinkie’s Double. She looked at Pinkie Pie and then back at their doubles. “ Alright, just fix Pinkie Pie. Ah promised that Ah’d be here with her and we’d leave together. Ah’m dedicated to keeping that promise no matter what.”




“I wouldn’t have it any other way. No let’s all cuddle together. She could use the comfort, and Apple Jack, thank you for being there for her.” Pinkie’s double suggested.




“Fine. As long as ya don’t try any funny business.” Apple Jack said with a huff. She laid down beside Pinkie Pie pulling her close to her. Apple Jack noticed now that her adrenalin had died down a little she noticed just how cold Pinkie Pie was. Nuzzling her neck she heard her muttering something unintelligible. Oh Pinkie Pie, please be ok. Ah never knew that Ah was being a judgmental pony. Ya are one a mah BPFFs, Ah need ya ta get better so Ah can apologize ta ya.




Her double lay behind her laying a hoof on Pinkie’s hip as her double lay across from Apple Jack and wrapped her body around Pinkie Pie. Pinkie’s double looked at Apple Jack and whispered. “Don’t worry I’ll be helping Pinkie Pie as your double will be helping you.”




Before she could ask she meant her double whispered in her ear, “ Ya’ll see soon enough. Ah’m gunna take ya for a little journey, but don’t ya worry none. Everythin’ will be better ya’ll see.”




******************




Apple Jack sat holding a two year old Apple Bloom in her arms. She had just gotten over Pony Pox only to get the flu right afterwards. To say that Apple Bloom wasn’t happy was an understatement. Having just rocked her to sleep Apple Jack’s face spread in a soft grin. “Hey little filly,”She murmured, “Ya have some bad luck getting not only sick with the Pox but the flu afterwards. Don’t worry though, Ah’ll be here for ya.”




Apple Bloom stirred nuzzling closer to her chest. Her little legs kicking in the air in tune to her dreams. Apple Jack 'awwwed’ at the overdose of cuteness. Ah’m so glad that Ah came back ta the farm. Ah know ya’ll never know what it’s like ta have a ma. But hopefully Ah’ll be enough. Ah love ya little sister. Ya will be better in no time. Big sister Apple Jack’ll be right here for ya.




*******************************




Apple Jack held Pinkie Pie closer while smiling at the memory. Giving Pinkie a consoling nuzzle she noticed that Pinkie Pie’s coat was a greyish pink and some measure of warmth had returned to her. “It’s gunna be better sugarcube. Ah promised to stay by your side, yer mah friend and ah love ya like a sister. Ya’ll be ok.”




**********************************




The girls had gotten together for their weekly pet playdate. It was two months after Discord had been reimprisoned in stone and Rainbow Dash had just gotten her pet. Apple Jack sat next to Twilight as Winoa tested the waters with the new pet by playing tag with Tank.




Apple Jack laughed as the other pets joined up and inspected Tank in their own way. Looking at her friends she was temporarily hit with how lucky they all were to have known one another. Even though they had their differences, and even though they didn’t always see eye to eye. They were almost as close as family. And even though they met hardships, some more than others. Every time they over came those hardships they only grew closer together. Their friendship more solid from the tests of character they overcame together.




“Girls Ah don’t mean ta get all girly on y’all, but Ah just want to say how happy that we all became friends. Ah don’t think Ah’d be as happy as Ah am right now with y’all. Just sayin’.”




“Awwww! AJ’s getting all frou-frouy now. Quick Rarity get a dress ready for her.” Rainbow Dash laughed.




“Now now Darling. Just because she is in touch with her emotions doesn’t make her frou-frouy,” The last word was dripping with sarcasm. “It just means that she is mature.” Mature was given as much emphasis as Rarity could muster.




“Just saying Rares. That plus AJ knows I’m joking right?” Rainbow Dash said wiping a tear from her eyes.




“Of course sugar cube. But that means that Ah owe ya one down the road when ya least expect it.” Apple Jack said with a wink.




“Wha-What does that mean?”




“Ya’ll find out when ya find out.”




Rainbow Dash blushed and looked at her friends as if looking to see what Apple Jack was hinting at. Just as Apple Jack broke out laughing. “And now we’re even.”




The rest of the girls broke out laughing with Rainbow Dash joining in shortly afterwards. The rest of the picnic was less eventful but was still filled with friendship. It’s days like this that really make me glad ta be alive. Ah really am grateful for mah friends. Apple Jack thought to herself as she smiled and contemplated how lucky she was to have friends like the ones sitting around her.




***********************




“Yes ya were awful ta yer friends, but those ya had good moments like that too. Ya stood by yer friends when ya could, and ya never backed down when they needed ya. Ya need ta remember that.”




“But it’s true though Ah was unfairly judgmental. Not just ta them but ta a lot of ponies. It’s true that mah parents wouldn’t be proud of a pony like me.”




“That’s not all true. Yes they wouldn’t be proud that ya are too stubborn, pride filled, and judge others. But they’d love and be proud of the pony that was like a mother to apple bloom. Took up the responsibilities of the mare of the house when ya were no more than eight. Was a dependable, and reliable friend when ya were needed. And ya have an amazing work ethic that’d make them proud. There’s something ya need ta remember.”




********************************




“Now Apple Jack, did ya break ma’s favorite vase?” Cider Apple said a stern look on his face.




“Ah’m sorry pa. Ah didn’t mean ta. I was just tryin’ ta clean up the house since ma’s gettin’ big with the baby in all. Ah’ll work extra hard ta save up mah allowance ta pay it off.” Apple Jack said with tears in her eyes. Not because she broke the vase, but because she was scared that she disappointed her father. The only thing keeping her from lying was her learning her lesson as a foal that no matter what you do. As long as your honest you won’t be in as much trouble than if you lie.




“Well Ah must say that yer ma’ll be disappointed that her vase broke. But it’s important ta know that every pony makes mistakes. Me, Ma, even Granny Smith. Heck Ah even bet Celestia as wise as she is makes mistakes every now an then. But what is important isn’t the mistakes it’s what ya do afterwards that’s important.”




********************************




“And Ah must say that ya’ve made a lot of good decisions. Heck ya even came ta this place just ta follow Twilight. Even though ya were angry with her. When push comes ta shove and ya know yer in the wrong ya always try ta do the right thing. So Ah reckon they’re mighty proud of ya. Ya just need ta grow more as a pony and as a friend that’s all. But that’s life though. Growin’ up and makin’ choices.”




This with the memory had restored Apple Jack from her own trials, but what she had witnessed from Pinkie Pie’s had weighted heavily on her mind. Looking at her friend she was glad that she was almost better, and had turned into Apple Jack and wrapped her in a tight hug.




“Is there any way for me ta heal from what Ah saw in Pinkie Pie’s area?”




“Unfortunately ya weren’t meant ta see that. It was yer closeness ta her and yer friendship. As well as Pinkie Pie’s ability to warp reality that allowed ya ta go into her area. So the only thing that can heal ya is time. That and talkin’ ta yer friends.”




“Well double when Pinkie Pie here is better Ah’ll be goin’ with her if that’s ok?”




“That’ll be fine.”




Apple Jack held Pinkie Pie close rubbing her hoof through her mane comfortingly as she had done with Apple Bloom when she was scared or sick. It wasn’t something she’d done for a while know other than during the sister-bonding camping trip. She eventually fell asleep stroking Pinkie’s mane whispering soft nothings onto the top of her head.




She was awoken who knows how much longer by her double shaking her. As she opened her eyes she looked into the tear streaked face of Pinkie Pie. “Well howdy Pinkie. Are ya feelin’ better?”




She looked not as broken as she had before, although a trace of sadness still lingered in her face. “I’m feeling much better. Listen Apple Jack, I just wanted to say thank you for staying with me and what you said to me earlier. I’m happy that you think of me as a sister.”




“Well your welcome. Ah promised ya Ah’d stay with ya, and Ah did. As for what Ah said earlier. Ah meant every word. Ah reckon it’s time to mosey on out’a here.”




“I think so too. Well bye bye other me. Well the nice me. Since your not a meanie mcmeanpants anymore. Anyways I’m sorry for being mean to you too and I promise to visit when I have the free time or would that you be visiting me since your in my own head. Well what that doesn’t matter, not that you don’t matter what I meant to say was ...” Pinkie started to say before her double cut her off with a hoof in the mouth.




“I know Pinkie I’ll always be with you. Just don’t forget what you learned. Even if they way I did it was atrocious. I’ll see you later.” She said before withdrawing her hoof.




A large door appeared before them and opened up showering them with light. As they walked through it the light engulfed them, but not before Pinkie Pie turned back waving. “Okie Dokie Lokie.”

Author's Notes:

Next up is Rarity. Something interesting I found out. I'm using a blank template of the bodies for the Dark Side canvas and I never appreciated the fact that Rarity's and Pinkie Pie's faces are more circular than the others making their faces look fat. So a heads up that their faces might look odd.


As always she'll be ready in one to two weeks. I hope y'all are enjoying the story so far.

Next Chapter: Chapter 24: Rarity: Fears Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 9 Minutes
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