Apples for Ebony 8: It's Magic.
 
 
Applejack continued to buck the next tree, another look of anguish in her eyes as she got the next apple load. In the distance, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, and a still deflated Pinkie Pie watched in sadness. They knew what was going on. It had been a mere week since what happened at FTs home, and Applejack had already buried herself in another harvest, while in town Ebony was brewing potions while SHODAN was who sold them. All Ponyville knew the two were an item so they also knew something had happened.
 
Course it helped that the map had called for help yet again.
 
****************
 
Starlight was wide eyed as she saw the map up again in so short a time. The fact it had called someone already was phenomenal after so long, then calling out again after only a few days. It was so momentous an occasion that even Twilight, despite having just moved into the royal palace in Canterlot, had returned immediately to check it out.
 
"Wow.... the map is really specific this time!" Starlight said with excitement, pointing as the cutie marks settled over two locations. Twilight was nodding as well, given how amazing it was.
 
"I know right!" The Princess said. Then... she saw where the map was pointing. "Wait a sec.... so.... they are the problem then?!"
 
Rainbow Dash was not at all surprised when she found out, given what had happened thanks to some kind of jealousy based spell, so she had a hunch who was needing help. It looked like she had been right. She had also been right about who was to help solve it.
 
**********
 
Rainbow Dash sighed some as she continued to watch Applejack with her friends. She had tried to see Applejack given it was where the map sent her, but Applejack refused to listen, too heartbroken to consider hearing anyone out. And her stubbornness didn't help, since she was determined to work out the frustration and forget Ebony. So, here Rainbow Dash was with her friends, watching sadly as Applejack worked.
 
"Goodness, it really is bad isn't it." Rarity said.
 
"Yeah." Rainbow Dash confirmed. "And I tried to talk, tried to shout, heck I even tried to use my speed to force her. She knocked me into the skies over Canterlot with the resulting buck she gave me!"
 
Fluttershy sighed. "I know we were not called, but you think we can help?"
 
Pinkie Pie, still deflated, sighed some. "Well I don't know what I can do... honestly ever since what happened... I dunno... I just feel so... down."
 
Everyone sighed some. Course it was not just Rainbow who had been called. Also called out was her mate FT, who had been called to Ebonys home. And over there... things were not fairing much better.
 
*************
 
Ebony sighed some as he made another batch of his potions. They were coming out at a high rate now, and sold still... but he was no longer on the sales floor, leaving the sales for SHODAN to do while he seemed to hide from public. And when a few days FT could not get in.
 
Finally...
 
"So this is how your going to waste your life?"
 
Ebony looked over and saw the green dragon. He crossed his arms and tapped his foot. Ebony chuckled some.
 
"You remind me so much of a Fatal Tragedy I knew a long time ago. Same race, same tastes, same concerns." Ebony sighed. "But you forget I was the one who hurt her."
 
"Oh I did not forget." FT said, motioning to his slightly charred tail. "But I did forgive. And I know Applejack does to. You were not yourself."
 
Ebony sighed. "But I can't say that. It was based on jealousy I felt when it seemed like I could never be with her given our schedules."
 
FT groaned. "Wow are YOU ignorant! We all have those feelings! You seriously think I'm not jealous when Rainbow is a meal for another, or off saving some distant area of the world, or flying with the wonderbolts? Of course I am! But that doesn't mean it is the source of any problems. What happened to you was a straight up spell!"
 
**********
 
"Ah know it was a spell RD, but ya have ta admit it was not too hard ta make happen. I have been busier than a two legged mule at a rodeo lately, an we both haven't been nothing but frustrated." Applejack said, kicking a tree so hard it fell over. Rainbow Dash groaned.
 
"So you come to us! Ypu know we would help you Applejack! We have before everytime you had an issue right? Besides, isn't he your special somepony?"
 
Applejack snorted. "Some special somepony we turned out as. Besides, if this causes us to break up... maybe we were never meant to be."
 
Rainbow Dash took hold of Applejacks face. "Of course you are! Your both hard head stubborn mule faced idiots too shut up in their own anger to admit what we all know: You two are good together!"
 
****************
 
"Yeah real good for each other." Ebony said as he stocked more potions. "We have vore as a major center of our relationship. How can we make that work?"
 
FT just gave a stare, crossing his arms.
 
"OH. Yeah. Right. Whoops."
 
"Besides," FT said, "aren't you the one always saying that it shows devotion to another?"
 
**********
 
"Yea..... and it is a fun thing for us..."
 
Rainbow came close. "Heck, even without it, your shine like a rainbow around him!"
 
Applejack chuckled. "But.... he said that..."
 
**********
 
"Come on, you and I both know you did not mean it in the slightest. Eb you love her and she loves you. And not just because you eat each other either. You like working the farm, you like the country life, you like the things you do... you like and love her."
 
Ebony shed a tear. "But what if I get jealous again?"
 
*********
 
"Eh if you guys do something stupid well just pop you in a stew pot and make you pudge on FT for a while until you cool off."
 
Applejack laughed. "OK RD.... I'll go see him."
 
*************
 
Ebony set the last potion down. He turned to the monitor. "SHODAN, you mind closing up? I need to see Applejack and make this right."
 
"About time master." SHODANs digital voice said, not hiding the sarcasm. "And if you ever act so stupid about her again I will turn you into a new host for a new breed of Annalids."
 
FT blinked. "Uhhhhhhh... what?"
 
Ebony shrugged. "Eh, SHODAN. trust me she wouldn't." He headed out as SHODANs monitor faced FT.
 
"Thank you FT. If I had arms I'd hug you."
 
FT smiled. "What can I say except... your welcome?"
 
**********
 
Soon Ebony and Applejack were both heading toward the same location: the tree where they had first met. Alongside them was Rainbow Dash for Applejack, and FT for Ebony Alchemist. Soon they were in sight of one another again, and slowly Ebony approached.
 
"Applejack... I..." He started as she came closer.
 
"I...." was all Applejack replied before the two embraced. They held each other for a few moments before finally Ebony spoke.
 
"I'm so sorry about what happened... and what I said. I lied when I said I do not love you... because I DO love you."
 
Applejack gave him a nuzzle. "Ah know you do. And ah feel the same way Eb. Your mah special somepony and no one can say different."
 
Ebony and Applejack looked in each other's eyes, then kissed. Nearby FT and Rainbow gave a fist and hoof bump.
 
"Nailed it." Rainbow said, looking at her flank. Both of them expected it to glow, showing their job was done.
 
But... it didn't.
 
"Wait.... what?!"
 
Applejack and Ebony looked over at Rainbows cry of shock.
 
"I... I don't get it! They made up! They are in love! They...."
 
".... were never meant to be together."
 
Another voice as the four turned. A form came from behind the trees. A tall form, a feline one.
 
Catrina.
 
"Well well well. Still trying to have this little romance are we? I find that hilarious considering what happened."
 
Ebony growled. "What you made happen you mean!"
 
Catrina laughed musically and shook her head. "Your imagining things Ebony Alchemist. The most I ever did was show how envious and selfish you are, and how impatient and single-minded your supposed lover is."
 
Rainbow Dash had heard enough! She flew at the feline.... only for her to slip down into her shadow. "What the...?"
 
She came up by another tree in the orchard, giving a shake of her head. "Tsk tsk tsk. Such impulsive little deviants you ponies are. You all claim to have love at your center but I know better. And apparently so did your map." She looked at Rainbow Dash's cutie mark. "Seems like you failed to solve the friendship problem after all."
 
Rainbow Dash looked at it, confused. "But.... they..."
 
"Were never meant to be together. He's from another dimension, and she was your intended ship. This interloper has ruined you both. You know what you were supposed to do? Get rid of him and force her to forget him! He doesn't belong here!"
 
Rainbow Dash shook her head and sweated profusely at the accusation, Applejack and Ebony watching her. Then...
 
"Shut up."
 
Everyone turned and saw FT, standing at his full height and looking very imposing.
 
"So he is from another world. Look at Rainbow Dash and me! You going to say next we shouldn't be in love? Well guess what kitty, we are. And I do not care what circumstances brought Ebony here or why he came here. He is a Ponyville resident now."
 
Catrina went to speak when Ebony spoke next.
 
"FT is right. Yes I am a dimensional traveller.... or was. But now I want to live here, with these friends I made and this mare I love. So I was jealous when I could not be with her. But I understand that is how life is, regardless of where you are. Life isn't just the snuggles and cuddles. Nor is friendship or even love. It's the rough times and the good, the kindness and the sadness, hard work and happy tears. What defines it goes beyond any rules of any nation on any world in any dimension. That is why it is magic... because it can do anything."
 
Applejack nodded sincerely and stood by Ebony. And that was when it happened. Just as Catrina went to retort... the cutie marks glowed. Rainbow Dash got a smile and did a hoofpump.
 
"Aw yeah! That's what I'm talking about!"
 
Catrina yowled in anger. "NO! IT ISN'T POSSIBLE! MY SPELL SHOULD PREVENT THIS!!!"
 
FT chuckled some and crossed his arms, rightfully smug. "Guess love and friendship trump your pathetic tricks any day kitty."
 
Catrina began to glow. "Fine! Celebrate your victory for now, but I WILL have my revenge and my desires! I will have my REVENGE!!!!"
 
And with a final blast of smoke and angry screams, she was gone, the four cheering and embracing.
 
"I knew you two were meant to be." Rainbow said with a wink.
 
All of them laughed.
 
**********
 
Starlight shone a light from her horn on the map and smiled. "Well there WAS a spell on it... but it was demolished thanks to your love Ebony. Nicely done."
 
Everyone was gathered in the map room. Applejack was snuggled next to Ebony as they listened. Nearby, a very worried Twilight pondered the events of the day.
 
"Still I do not know WHO this Catrina character is. And until I get more info you better be careful."
 
Everyone nodded.
 
"Now, I think this calls for a celebration. Starlight?"
 
Starlight nodded and shone her magic on the ceiling, causing an array of magic to fill the room. From nowhere Pinkie Pie appeared and somehow began playing music. Everyone began to dance and enjoy the company and each other, bound by love and friendship.
 
And amidst it all, Ebony swore never to doubt that love ever again. From now on, no more giving up on love. That was done and overwith.
 
 
Forever.
 
 
**********
 
With the issues of Catrina done for now, everyone decided it was time to relax. Unfortunetly... peace and quiet were not on the itinerary as down the road ran two familiar looking gingerbread ponies, bites out of them both, with a grinning Rainbow Dash giving chase.
 
"Get back here you hasty tasties!"
 
Let the fun begin!
 
 
TO BE CONTINUED, AND ENJOYED!
 
 
BIG THANKS TO FT AND STAGE WHO INSPIRED THIS, AND TO STAGE WHO MAKES THE ART. YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME!