It has been three weeks now, since Matt had started helping Chrysalis’ epically long letter to Princess Celestia, and three weeks since Applejack had been visiting Lyra for some counseling. Neither one is aware of what each one is doing, but they both suspect that the other is hiding something. Despite continuing to smile and joke on the days where they are not rendezvousing with their other appointments, tensions run high between them, to the point where they are practically smiling through their teeth. Their friends have noticed this as well, especially Pinkie Pie, who can sense whenever somepony is unhappy.

As for progress with their respective subjects, Matt and Chrysalis are on the right track; moving on into the years where she and Celestia first met, and were continuously locked in battle. Of course, the way the Changeling Queen talked about their little fights, she would word them in a way where it sounds like more of a dance. A dance of explosions, cliff destruction, and some blood, but a dance nonetheless. Matt, as usual, would find himself more enthralled in her story than the writing, but would catch up whenever the Queen would notice him staring in awe.

For Applejack, she continues to tell Lyra about her troubles with Matt, and how she hesitated to talk to him about her concerns. Lyra would nod and take notes, and also give advice the best that she can, though she admits that progress might go smoother if Matt was present, but Applejack refuses to get him involved.

The days go by, and the two of them look at each other with more mistrust, as their stories about their days become flimsier by the second. Both of them are aware that if they don’t fess up, something is going to happen soon, and neither of them is going to be happy with the ultimate outcome.

The fourth Wednesday has arrived. Matt gets ready to go, tells Applejack goodbye, and then leaves. Applejack proceeds with her routine. The foal is due in a little over a month, and the weight of the young one inside of her is heavier than she expected, but she manages to endure the uncomfortable sensation.

Walking in to Lyra’s office, she can see the Psychiatrist pony look at her with tired eyes, upset that she really wants to make some progress with the stressed Farmpony, but for the first time in a very long time, is coming up with less and less thoughtful things to say.

“How are you feeling today, Applejack?” she asks.

“I’m fine. A bit nervous.”

“Tell me about it.” Lyra floats the pen and paper up to take notes.

“The foal is going to be due soon. On the one hoof, I’m happy, because I’m finally gonna be able to give birth. Ah always wondered what it’s goin’ to be like, and now ah will be able to experience it.”

“And on the other hoof?”

“On the other hoof, I’m scared. All this time of being so separate from Matt, ah don’t know if he’ll want to stay with me, once the foal is born.”

“You think he’s going to leave you?”

“Ah…ah don’t know honestly. ”she admits, “ A part of me thinks he won’t. He might stick around to be there for the foal, take care of it, and be in its life. Another part…is somethin’ ah don’t want to think about.”

“Applejack. It’s okay. You have to tell me everything that is going on with you.”

“I’m afraid…that he’s seein’ another mare.”

“What?” Lyra stops taking notes, legitimately shocked at this assumption. “How do you figure?”

“It’s somethin’ ah have been suspectin’ for a while now. Ah would see him talking to the other mares; laughing and having fun with them. At the family reunion, ah saw him dancin’ with Trixie the same way we were dancin’ that night at the hoedown. Ah also saw him with Chrysalis; touchin’ her shoulder like he really cared about her. Not to say that he shouldn’t care about her, it’s that it felt like they were…really close, ya know?”

“Have you ever asked Matt about his relationship with Chrysalis?”

“Not really. Ah asked him how he knew her, and he said that they met one time in the Everfree Forest, but he didn’t divulge much after that. But, every time ah would see him talkin’ to her, it felt like they were more than just friends.”

“I see. You said that there were other mares that he would talk to. How is he in relation to your friends?”

“He’s fine, ah suppose. Ah didn’t see too much trouble there, except maybe Rarity. Matt didn’t tell me about the time him and Rarity went out for a few days.”

“He did?”

“He said it was only a false relationship, so he can help her out. But to have me find out on the day we had that interview…it was embarrasin’. Ah saw mah face on the television, and it made me so upset. It’s…after all we’ve been through…ah thought that there would be no more secrets between us.”

“Applejack…” Lyra puts her pen and paper down, looking at her with serious eyes. “I’m going to be serious with you, right now.”

“You haven’t been serious with me before?” she chuckles with a hint of depression.

“I mean I have to be MORE serious with you, now. Applejack…are you afraid he doesn’t love you anymore?”

“A little.” she confides, “Ah mean, there is love in his eyes, whenever ah would see him. But…there are times, where ah feel that he’s doin’ this out of some obligation to me and the foal.”

“And what about you? Are you still in love with him?”

“Ah…” the question elicits a pause from her. She sits still for a long time, to the point where Lyra seems to know the answer. Applejack notices her hesitance, making her upset that she cannot give out an answer. On any other day, she would say yes, but on this day…she says…”Ah don’t know anymore.” The answer causes her eyes to water. “Ah feel like I should…like ah do, but…”

“Okay, you HAVE to talk to him about this.” Lyra says with determination to fix this issue.

“Lyra…”

“No. You’re concerned, I get that. But I feel if you let these thoughts fester, it might come out worse than you ever imagined. Listen to yourself; you aren’t sure if you love him, because you suspect that he might be cheating, not if he IS. When I saw you two at the wedding, there was so much love in your eyes that I thought that there was nothing that can separate you two. Now you are here, telling me that you’re not sure.” Lyra has ceased being a psychologist, and has taken on the role of a friend. Applejack realizes this, catching her off guard.

“But…”

“There are no buts here, AJ. Here’s the thing; it’s natural for a mare in your condition to have feelings of jealousy towards others when they interact with their husbands. Your hormones are firing on all synapses, making you think something is wrong, even when there isn’t. I almost hate to ask…but when was the last time you two had…relations?”

“We haven’t been intimate for months.”

“What?!” Lyra’s eyes go wide, “How is that possible?”

“Nopony ever told you?” she asks, “Whenever a pregnant mare has sex close to term, it could lead to a premature birth?”

“Who told you that story?”

“Some mares at the grocery store, why?”

“AJ…as much as I’m already not being a doctor right now, I have to tell you…that story is NOT true…like AT ALL.”

“What…what do you mean it’s not true?” Applejack questions, her mind racing with emotions ranging from confusion to regret. “That’s the whole reason why ah told him that we shouldn’t sleep together! It’s the whole reason why ah kept pushing him away! You’re telling me none of it is true?!”

“I took a major anatomy class that went through everything about the pony body, including pregnancies. What you heard…was nothing but an old mare’s tale, meant to scare those who are expecting. It’s not true. Being intimate while pregnant is a healthy thing. Yes, you have to take a few precautions, like comfortable positions and whatnot, but premature birth? Not even close to fact.”

“Ah…oh mah gosh.” Applejack puts her forelegs over her eyes, in utter embarrassment that everything she had heard was a lie. “Ah can’t believe it. All this time…” she gets off of the chair, racing towards the door as best she can. “Ah got to go, Lyra.”

“Where are you going?”

“I got a night to plan!” she calls out, as she makes her way out of the hospital.

Applejack hobbles out into Ponyville, doing her best to look natural while also trying not to exert herself for what she has planned in store. While Lyra’s confirmation made her more than a little embarrassed, as she had pushed away Matt for months due to the silly rumor, she is also extremely happy that she can now spend a potentially magical night with her husband.

As she heads for the path leading to her house, she spots a pony she did not expect, leaving the bakery of Sweet Apple Acres. Twilight Sparkle, with a smile on her face, and a box of goodies hanging from a string in her mouth, trots out the door, also heading for the path.

“Twilight?” Applejack says, slowing down on her clumsy gallop.

Twilight turns, spotting the Farmpony walking towards her. She puts the box down, so she can speak comprehensibly.

“Hey. Applejack! Long time, no see! I was just heading down to the farm to visit Big Mac.” she looks down at Applejack’s very pregnant stomach. “What are you doing outside? You should be at home, cuddling up with Matt.” she says in a sly voice, with an elbow prod.

“He’s over at Canterlot, right now.”

“Oh? What is he doing there?”

“What do ya mean? Ah thought he was going there to help at the library.”

“Well, if he was doing that, he’s not doing the greatest of jobs. I haven’t seen him in as long as I haven’t seen you.”

“But…weren’t ya on vacation?”

“AJ, I’ve been at the castle all this time.” Twilight takes note of Applejack’s ever so confused expression. “Applejack? Are you okay?”

“Ah…” she can only say, as she trails off in deep thought. She always suspected Matt might have been hiding something, but outright lying to her about his Wednesday activities? Mere moments ago, she was on her way to plan their first night together in a long time, and now…all she can think about is what Matt is omitting from her. “Sorry, Twi…” she finally says, breaking the uncomfortable silence, “Probably got a little mixed up, there. You go on and tell Big Mac that Matt and ah said hi.”

“No problem. I’ll see you two as soon as I can.” Twilight takes the box, unfurls her wings, and takes to the skies.

Applejack drops her fake smile, and has the look of a pony who is both sad and angry. She near gallops out of town with a sense of purpose, heading back home to figure out just what is going on.

She makes it home as quick as she could, walking through the door, and proceeding to pace around the house, attempting to make sense of it all.

“Why would Matt lie to me?” she says to herself, “Ah know he hasn’t been completely forward with me, but ah never expected him to lie. What could he be hiding? What is there to hide? Is he even goin’ to Canterlot? How can he? If Twi’s there all the time, she should have spotted him eventually. Just what in the hay is he up…” her pacing has led her to the bedroom, where she knocks over the laundry basket, containing Matt’s dirty clothes. “Dang it! Stupid, AJ! Yer becomin’ as clumsy as Matt!”

She kneels down, shoveling the clothes back into the basket. As she reaches for the last item, a black shirt, the light shimmers on a strand lying on the shirt, illuminating it from the otherwise darkened piece of clothing.

“What the hay?” Applejack looks closely, putting the article of clothing on her foreleg to bring it closer. Upon further inspection, the strand isn’t a stray piece of string, but of a shiny green mane; one that is familiar to the eyes of Applejack.

“This…this looks like Chrysalis’ mane. How did it…” a realization dawns. Her eyes widen at such a terrible thought. She doesn’t want to believe it, but to her, there is a strong possibility that it might be true.

Could Matt be cheating on her…with the Queen of the Changelings?

Matt sits at the desk in Chrysalis’ room, writing down more of her story. The tale has gotten way more interesting to him now, if it wasn’t already. She gives the details on how her feeling for Celestia started, way before her siege of Canterlot that happened years later.

At first, it began as a something more deviant, more lustful; something that she could use to give in to her more abnormal desires. As time went on, she felt genuine care and love for her, despite continuing to maintain her more evil persona, which frustrated her greatly.

The day she struck down Celestia at the wedding of Shining Armor and Cadance, she found as an exhilarating moment in her own strange way, as she let out her frustrations, which in turn knocked out the powerful Princess. Of course, if she wasn’t so easily defeated by Shining Armor and Cadance’s magic, she would have let Celestia go, and told her of her plans.

Just as Matt finishes up the last sentence, ending the chapter of the Canterlot attack, Chrysalis puts a hoof on his hand, stopping him.

“I think that’s all for today.” she says.

“Really?” Matt cranks his head to the side. Looking at the clock, he sees that his two hours are up. “Oh, man. The time just flew by, didn’t it?”

“It did. I’ll be sure to look it over tonight and see if there’s anything that needs correcting. I hope I didn’t go too fast for you.”

“Nah, you did fine.” he cracks his wrist, “Though I’m sure the carpal tunnel will arrive faster than I thought. Well, time to go back to AJ.” He turns for the door.

“Is something the matter?” Chrysalis asks, noting his unenthusiastic tone.

“It’s nothing.”

“You’re normally happy to be in the company of your wife. What’s wrong?”

“It’s…” he sighs, “She’s been acting weird lately. More than usual.”

“In what way?”

“It feels like she’s hiding something. Granted, I’m hiding something from her, since she’s not aware of my true purpose for visiting the castle, but it feels like it’s more than that. I catch her staring at me, about to say something, but whenever I’d ask, she'd say nothing. I want to know what’s on her mind. I want to help her, and make her happy again, because it sure doesn’t feel like she’s been all that happy these days.”

“Oh.” Chrysalis considers, walking closer to him. “I don’t have much to say in regards to this, Celestia is way better at this counsel thing than I am.” she chuckles, so does he. “However, I am sure you will be able to figure something out. You still love her, yes?”

“Of course, I do. I would do anything for her.”

“Then, maybe you should show her that you still feel that way about her. Buy her something nice, give her a night she’ll never forget.”

“That could be difficult, considering she won’t let me touch her.”

“Because of the whole intimacy during pregnancy thing?”

“I’m surprised you remembered that.”

“Yeah, only because it was so strange. I haven’t seen a thing about it in any of the book I’ve read, and believe me, I have read every book in the Canterlot library; even the stuff that Twilight brought over from her place!”

“Wow, really?”

“Yes. I may not look it…” she floats a book over to them. On the cover, is the familiar image of Daring Do making another dramatic escape, “…but I LOVE Daring Do. She’s so dangerous, and fun, and se…” she looks back at Matt’s smug grin, clearing her throat. “I mean…they’re pretty good books.”

“Yeah, I can tell.” Matt says with a chuckle.

“At any rate, if Applejack doesn’t let you get close…CONVINCE her.” Chrysalis leans in, “Just…try not to be creepy about it.”

“Are you kidding? I’m going to be SUPER creepy about it!” he jokes. The two share a nice laugh, as he thinks about what she said. “You know what? You’re right. I’ll buy her some flowers, take her out for a nice dinner; tell her that I still love her very much. If it doesn’t lead to me sleeping in her bed tonight, I’ll at least take a kiss or a hug.”

“That’s the spirit.” she taps him on the shoulder, “You can do it.”

“Thanks, Chrysalis.”

“No, thank you. Without you, my letter would have been a mess of garbled nonsense. With you here, I feel comfortable telling my story, and making it coherent.”

“I can’t wait to write the rest of it.” Matt heads back for the door. Feeling he’s forgotten something, he turns back around. “Chrysalis?”

“Yes?”

Matt gets closer to her, and brings her in for an embrace. This catches the Queen off guard, before settling into the hug, and putting a hoof around him.

“I know that our friendship started on unusual circumstances, but I want to let you know, that I consider you to be one of my best friends.”

“As do I, Matt.” she smiles. “You are a wonderful individual…at least…for a human.”

“That’s one of the best compliments I ever received from you.”

“It’s the best you’re going to get.” she chuckles.

As they separate, she gives him a friendly kiss on the cheek, and a pat on the head, which ended up more like a soft noogie, messing up his hair a little bit. He laughs at the sight of himself in the mirror.

“Now, go on. I’ll see you next week.”

“Okay, see you Chrysalis.” he waves, rushing out the door and leaving her in the room.

Chrysalis shakes her head with a small chortle, walking over to the stack of papers. She looks over at the pages, noting their perfect handwriting and spelling. He managed to catch up with her with great precision. Even she couldn’t help but be impressed. She looks back at the door, as if he’s still there.

“Go get her, Matt.” she smiles.

Matt rushes to get home. He practically leaped onto the train as it was exiting the station, dove out of it once it arrived in Ponyville, and rolled into Roseluck’s flower shop to buy a bouquet of fresh Gerber daisies for Applejack. After making his purchase, he sprinted off onto the path home, determined to ask Applejack out for a romantic night on the town.

After a few minutes of running, he makes it home; opening the door with a smile on his face.

“AJ? I’m home.” he calls out. No response. “AJ?” he looks around, before spotting AJ at the dining room table, awaiting his arrival. “There you are. I bought you flowers.” he presents the flowers. “Your favorite, remember?” She doesn’t respond. “Alright…” he says, confused. “Look I know we haven’t gone out for a long time, and I was wondering…”

“Matt…shut up for a second.” Applejack interrupts coldly, nearly knocking Matt back for a loop.

“Um…okay?”

“What is this?” she points down at the shirt on the table.

“That’s my shirt. I wore it last week. So what?”

“No!” she nearly shouts. “What is that…ON the shirt?”

Matt is bewildered, maybe even frightened by Applejack’s sudden anger. He’s done a lot in the previous weeks to make sure she wouldn’t have a sudden anger attack, but now he’s wondering what he did. He leans down to take a closer look at the shirt. He spots the stray strands of Chrysalis’ mane on it. He carefully picks it up with his fingers, bringing it in for a closer look. Realizing what they are, he alternates between looking at Applejack, and the strands of mane.

Putting the two together, he realizes what’s going on. She’s accusing him of infidelity. After everything that has happened, she throws this accusation at him. The very thought strikes a chord with him…a very painful cord, with only one natural reaction; anger.

“Are you kidding me?” Matt says; his happy attitude replaced by one of great annoyance. He puts the flowers down on the table. “Are you ACTUALLY accusing me of cheating on you? Are you serious right now?”

“Answer me, Matt. Are you, or are you not…sleepin’ with Chrysalis?”

“No.” Matt says definitively, “The fact that you asked that INSULTS me.” He flicks the strands away.

“Then, why did ya lie to me about yer reasons for visitin’ the castle? Ah saw Twilight today. She told me she’s been in Canterlot all this time.”

That, Matt cannot argue her on. It’s a legitimate lie that he felt bad about. Running his hand through his hair, he looks back at her.

“Look, I didn’t want to tell you, because Chrysalis wanted to keep it a secret, but here it goes. You remember at the family reunion when I said she was having relationship troubles?”

“Yeah.”

“Good, because that’s true.” he gives her a light smile, “She wants to take her relationship with Celesita to the next level, so she asked me to help her out.”

“Why would she need yer help?” she asks with a condescending tone.

“She was inspired by that letter I wrote to Celestia, and wanted me to help her with a letter of her own. So, for the last few Wednesdays, I’ve been helping her out. That’s it. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, but that’s it.”

Applejack stares at him in annoyance. Despite being the absolute truth, she doesn’t believe a word of it.

“That’s the dumbest thing ah ever heard of, Matt; and ah heard a lot of dumb things come out of yer mouth lately.”

“But that’s the truth!” he says. “I thought you were the element of honesty! You of all ponies would be able to tell when I’m lying!”

“And you are!”

“No, I’m not!” he scoffs, turning his back to her. He walks over to the shelf of movies, placing his hand on the top, and positioning himself into a thinking stance, trying to find a way of convincing her.

“Do ya think she’s pretty?” Applejack asks.

Matt ponders the question for a couple moments, before chuckling in disbelief. He moves his gaze back to her, wagging his finger side to side.

“Uh-uh.” he chortles, “I’m not falling for that one.”

“It’s an honest question.”

“It’s also a trap. If I say no, you won’t believe me. If I say yes, the follow up question would be if I ever had any indecent thoughts about her.”

“And the answer would be?”

“No! But if I say that, you won’t believe me! But, that’s what you do! You take the truth, and you twist it around to make yourself think you are winning this argument, but in reality, you are acting really crazy right now!”

“Am ah not allowed to be suspicious of mah husband when he lies to me?”

“Am I not allowed to hang out with other mares, just because it makes you jealous?!” he fires back. “That’s right! I know you, AJ! Every time you see me with another mare, you get angry, because YOU think I’m thinking about being unfaithful. I saw it in your eyes when you asked me about Trixie, I saw it when you asked me about Chrysalis! You know what? YES! I admit it! I think Chrysalis is a very attractive changeling!”

“So, ya have thoughts about her?!”

“THERE YOU GO!” he yells, “That’s exactly what I was expecting! Good job, Applejack! You lived up to my expectations!”

“Don’t talk to me like I’m stupid, Matt! Ah am NOT stupid!”

“No, you’re not stupid. You…are…CRAZY! There’s a difference! Am I really that untrustworthy?”

“You are when ya lie! What’s the point of bein’ married, if yer goin’ ta keep secrets like that?” she looks away from him, “Are ya even happy with me?”

“I…” he sighs, “Wouldn’t say happy.”

“Why not?”

“Why not?” he says, “For the past few weeks, I’ve been sleeping on the couch. That’s why not. I can’t touch my wife, I can’t kiss her at any point in the day or night, I can’t hold her in my arms. Every time I even come close to making contact with her, she shudders and gets angry at me. That’s why not.”

“Ya think ah enjoyed that? Ah didn’t! Ah would look over at your side of the bed, every night, upset that you weren’t there! Ah wanted you with me, Matt! Ah wanted you ta hold me like ya always wanted!”

“Then, why didn’t you? Oh right, because of a stupid story you heard from some mares!”

“There ya go! Callin’ me stupid again!”

“I’m not calling you stupid! I’m calling the story you heard stupid! I would never call you stupid! Never!”

“Well, forgive me for being cautious! Do you…do you even love me anymore?”

“Applejack…” his voice gets soft, “What kind of a question is that? Of course I love you. I will love you for as long as I live. I’m not going to stop loving you every time you drive me crazy.” he lets out a small chuckle. “What brought that question on?”

“Nothin…” she looks away again, “Was just thinkin’.”

“AJ…” he catches on, “What?”

“Ah…uh…I’ve been hiding something from you too. I’ve been seeing Lyra.”

“Lyra?” he remembers that she’s a psychiatrist now. “You’ve been seeing a shrink?”

“Don’t say it like that. I’ve been legitimately worried about ya, Matt! Ah didn’t know how you still felt about me! Ah had to talk to someone!”

“Why didn’t you talk to me?”

“Ah couldn’t. Ah didn’t think ya understand.”

“Understand what? That you miss us being together? That you suspected me of cheating? When were you having these visits?”

“Wednesdays. Around the same time ya leave to see Chrysalis.”

“So…you’re mad that I hid something from you, when you’ve been hiding something yourself.”

“It’s different.”

“No. It’s not. A lie is a lie. Don’t go accusing me of things I didn’t do. It works both ways, sweetheart. What if I didn’t believe your story, and accused you of being unfaithful?”

“You wouldn’t dare. Ah have been nothin’ but faithful to you!”

“And so have I! I have done everything I could to make you happy! I slept away from you, I reigned my desires in, I took off work to be with you!”

“Ah didn’t ask you to do that!”

“I DID IT ANYWAY! Because I wanted to be here, so that if you went into labor, I would take you to the hospital! I gave up everything to make you happy!”

“So that’s it then, huh? I’m just a liability?! A party pooper, who is no fun to be around?”

“Don’t twist my words, AJ.”

“I’m sorry ah got pregnant, Matt! Ah didn’t ask for this to happen! Ah didn’t know this was even possible!” she paces around the kitchen, making occasional angry glances at him. “Ah can’t believe ah thought you actually loved me…”

“Don’t say that…”

“You know what? I DON’T KNOW IF AH LOVE YOU ANYMORE!!! How about that?!”

A stunned silence fills the room. Matt stares at her like he had just seen the scariest thing in his entire life. His skin turns pale, and his eyes water on the verge of pouring tears down his cheeks.

“You don’t mean that…” Matt says quietly.

“Maybe ah do!” she shouts. “Every day, I’m wonderin’ what is goin’ on in that head of yours. Every day, ah wonder if you’re hidin’ somethin’ from me! Yeah! Ah get jealous at you sometimes! Seein’ ya put yer hand on Chrysalis’ shoulder, watchin’ ya dance with Trixie! That gets me riled up! EVERY DAY I feel separate from you, even if we’re together! Ah feel like ah don’t know you anymore!”

“Look, I’m sorry, okay?! I’m sorry I lied to you! I’m sorry that I hid where I was going! I’m sorry for any grief that I might have caused you! But, to say that you don’t think you love me anymore? Please tell me you don’t mean that.”

Another silence. The length of time passing between his sentence and her reply is unbearable. He turns away from her, unable to comprehend what is going on inside her mind. He shakes his head, not believing that he’s having an argument with her, hoping that it’s some kind of terrible dream.

Finally, she responds.

“You never answered mah question.”

“What question?”

“If ya thought about Chrysalis in THAT way.”

“Come on.” he silently scoffs. “Are you seriously still on this? For the fifty seventh time, no. I have never had any deviant thoughts about Chrysalis, or even Trixie for that matter, just in case you bring that up.”

“Then, why did ya lie to me about goin’ to the castle?”

“AJ, please. I told you. She needed help with her letter.”

“Ah still don’t believe you.”

“Fine. You know what? Believe what you want. The truth of the matter is that there is nothing going on between me and Chrysalis! Not for a long time!” As he finishes that last sentence, a realization dawns. Applejack never knew about him and Chrysalis’ night. His eyes widen, and a hand slaps itself on his mouth.

It’s too late. Applejack caught on to what he said. Her eyes narrow to him, eyebrow raised and irises dilating.

“What did ya say?” Applejack asks, in the tone that more than suggests that she is trying not to explode in rage.

Matt slowly turns around, knowing that he’s been caught. He looks into her enraged expression, aware that when he tells her the truth, she won’t like it. He can only hope that she understands that it happened a long time ago.

“Okay…Applejack. I know what you’re thinking. It happened a really long time ago; well before you or I even thought about getting together. It happened during my first week here.”

“What…happened?”

“Me…and Chrysalis. We met in her cave, and we started talking, and…”

“Did ya sleep with her?”

“We…” Matt winces at what he’s about to say next, “Didn’t do much sleeping.”

Seconds pass. The tension could be cut with a knife. Suddenly, Applejack rushes to Matt with a blind fury, pushing him against the shelf as hard as she could before backing away from him. Tears pour from her eyes and fall to the floor.

“AH KNEW IT! YOU CHEATED ON ME!!!”

“NO, I DIDN’T I TOLD YOU! IT WAS A LONG TIME AGO!”

“YOU DID IT! YOU CHEATED ON ME, AND THIS WAS JUST AN EXCUSE TO GO BACK TO HER! YOU LIED TO ME, SO YOU COULD GO TO THE CASTLE, AND FINISH WHAT YA STARTED!!!”

“THAT IS NOT TRUE AND YOU KNOW IT!!! I LOVE YOU, AJ!”

“DON’T SAY THAT! YOU DON’T MEAN IT! YA DIDN’T MEAN ANYTHIN’! YA DON’T EVEN WANT THIS FOAL! AH KNOW YA DON’T!”

“AJ…no…”

“YA ONLY STAYED WITH ME BECAUSE YA FELT SORRY FOR ME! YOU KNOW WHAT?! YOU DON’T HAVE TO ANYMORE!!! GET OUT!!!”

“What?” his voice cracks.

“YA HEARD ME! GET OUT! AH CAN TAKE CARE OF MYSELF WITHOUT YER HELP! GO BACK TO YOUR QUEEN! KEEP ON WRITIN’ THOSE LETTERS, IF THAT’S WHAT YA WANNA CALL EM’!”

“Applejack…please…” he inches closer to her.

“FALLIN’ IN LOVE WITH YOU WAS THE WORST MISTAKE OF MAH LIFE!!! YER NOTHIN’ BUT A LYIN’…GOOD FOR NOTHIN’ ….CHEATIN’…ASSHOLE!!!” she yells her first real curse with all she’s got.

“Look…calm down. You’re not thinking straight. You’re angry, I understand. But, if you just calm down…”

“AH DON’T CARE ANYMORE!!! AH NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN!!! AH DON’T WANT TO SEE YOU HANGING AROUND MAH FRIENDS NEITHER!! AH WANT YOU GONE! YA HEAR ME?! GONE!!!! GO BACK TO YOUR WORLD, AND GET OUT OF MINE!!!”

“Applejack…if you please…” he puts a hand on her shoulder.

“DON’T TOUCH ME!!!” her eyes go practically bloodshot.

She turns around, and with all she has, she BUCKS Matt in the face, sending him backwards into the shelf, breaking it, and bringing their entire collection down upon him.

The bout of quiet that ensues goes on for far too long. Applejack breathes heavily, staring at the still breathing but limp body of Matt. The impact caused his arm to be cut from the broken shelf, and at the top of his right eye is a bit of a gash, with blood trickling down from the side of his head.

With a small groan, Matt regains consciousness. His vision is blurry, but he can see Applejack still standing there, with rage continuing to cloud her eyes. He doesn’t look at her with hate or anger, but with a look of sadness, pity…yet also love. He cannot bear to see her like this; it’s breaking his heart.

Applejack stares at him for a long time. The realization at what she just did soon hits her with the force of a million sledgehammers to the heart. Gradually, her expression of hate goes away, as her eyes continue to pour tears down her cheeks.

“Matt…” she says quietly.

He interrupts her; raising his hand in the form of a stop signal, as he gets up off the floor, moving wood splinters and movies off of his body. He says nothing, but instead walks towards their room.

Applejack follows him, wondering what he is planning to do. He reaches into the dresser drawer, pulling out his band, and placing it on his wrist.

“Matt…please…” she pleads.

“Canterlot.” he whispers.

In a FLASH…he’s gone. Applejack collapses to the floor in tears, sobbing uncontrollably at the results of her violent action against him.

“Matt…I’m so sorry….please come back…” she cries, “Don’t leave me….”

Chrysalis lays on her bed, enjoying a nice cup of hot chocolate, as she reads another entry in the series of Daring Do books. From the look on her face, she is enjoying it immensely, letting out an excited hum as she takes sip from her drink.

“Oh, I wonder how she’s going to get out of this?” she asks to no one in particular.

KNOCK KNOCK. Somepony is at the door, snapping her from her attention on the book, and on the source of the noise.

“Who could that be?” she wonders, getting up from the bed and onto the floor.

She trots over to the door, opening it up with her magic. On the other side, she is surprised to see that it’s not somepony at her door, but someBODY.

Matt stands before her with a cut on his arm, and blood running down his face. She gasps upon seeing him.

“Oh my goodness! Matt! What happened?”

“Hey, Chrysalis.” he smiles weakly, “Can I come in?”