With a shrill screech of the brakes, the train slowly pulled into the Ponyville station, the carriages lit in the early morning by the magic lanterns. The train waited at the empty platform. Empty, except for five ponies.
With a sigh, Applejack turned to her family, putting on a brave face for them, "Ah'll be back before ya know it."
Running up to her, Applebloom hugged her older sister like her life depended on it, "Promise ta write me everyday sis, promise!"
Smiling sadly and holding the young filly close, the orange pony petted the red mane, "Ah promise 'Bloom, ah'll write ye every morning."
Carefully taking the crying pony from Applejack's embrace, Granny Smith gently smiled at her granddaughter, "Ya'll stay safe, ah know ya will, but tell me ya'll will."
"Ah will Granny."
Applejack smiled softly as she was enveloped in a tight hug and gently hugged her brother back, "Ya'll look after the farm while ah'm gone Mac?"
"E-eeyup."
Smiling gently as the stallion let her go, Applejack finally turned to the mare who had stolen her heart.
"AJ...I have something for you." Without any warning, Rainbow Dash wandered to Applejack's flank, and tied a new tail tie onto the blond, silky locks. It was red, just like her other one, but on it were two charms shaped like zap apples, along with a charm shaped like each of their cutie marks. Looking up at her lover, Applejack watched as a rare blush snuck onto the cyan pony's cheek. "J-Just a little something, you know."
Smiling as tears ran down her cheeks, the blonde quickly gave Dash a kiss, before looking into her eyes, "Ah love you Dash."
"I love you too AJ... goodbye Applejack..."
Gently nuzzling the saddened mare, Applejack put on a brave smile, "It ain't goodbye sugar, it's see ya later."
The porter coughed sharply and tapped his hooves, and the five knew, it was time. With a quick hug and kiss to all of her family, and to her mare, she turned and boarded the train, seconds before it began to pull out of the station. The train gave a shrill whistle, and began its moonlit journey.
