Chapter Four

Applejack

(AN: We're skipping back a few minutes. Just so you know. Also, if my typing-Southern Accent is a fail, blame Across Five Aprils.)

I'm one of the last ponies in line, and I'm happy fer it.

I don't know what to do.

Of course, the other Apples gave me the same crap they give every sixteen-year-old. "We have enough farmhands as it is; pick whatever ya want. We'll miss you, but you'll be happy." Well… surprise! It's just as hard to choose between leaving your family and stayin' with it since when y'all were sixteen.

Amity. Candor. Amity.

Of course, my choice isn't limited to Amity or Candor. I know I kin choose from whatever I want. I'm not smart enough to be an Erudite, though, and I'm certainly not selfless enough to be an Abnegation. Dauntless? There's the other problem. I'm certainly brave enough fer them. Jumpin' off trains? I think it's fun!

I hear Twilight's name called, and I look up. Twilight just cut her hoof… why does she look confused? She's always wanted to choose Erudite, so why isn't she?

Finally, Twi puts her bleeding hoof over the bowl of water for Erudite. The Erudites let out a cheer. Twi gives me a startled-yet-shocked glance and canters over to stand behind them. She's the first Erudite initiate, though there are so many ponies that I'm sure there'll be more to come.

I can't pay attention to any other ponies, as I pay attention to the three factions I kin choose from.

Our family have always respected Candor. They're all sittin' in their seats, clappin' quietly when an initiate bleeds onto the glass.

Amity clap for everyone. I wonder how everyone else is so obviously happy all the time.

Dauntless go positively wild when an initiate joins 'em. I wonder how I could choose them, them being all wild and insane, but then I also wonder how I could not choose to join 'em.

It's Rarity's turn. She goes up shakin' like a leaf, and she cuts her skin gently. Knowin' her, she's probably goin' to cry if it scars. She looks between Candor's glass and Amity's dirt, and then sticks her hand above Amity, her eyes shut tight.

Candor mumbles. Amity raises a cheer. Rarity canters over to the other Amity initiates. I figure she'll be happy there.

Rainbow Dash is immediately next. She flies up and cuts her skin without hesitation or sign of pain. She doesn't hesitate when she sticks her hoof over the burning coals for Dauntless, either.

The Dauntless go absolutely berserk. Rainbow flies over to them and gives a holler.

A few more ponies go, and then it's Pinkie's turn. She bounces over and cuts her skin without paying attention. I'm sure it didn't even hurt. She looks between the Abnegation pebbles and the Amity dirt, and I see a brief moment of confusion on her face. It's soon replaced with glee after she sticks her hoof over the dirt.

I'm happy fer her. I know she'd have been miserable in Abnegation, anyway. And now she'll get to hang out with Rarity, one of her best friends. That's more than I kin say fer most of us.

I watch many more ponies go by. One Dauntless, Lightning Dust, does a hoof-bump with Rainbow Dash when she joins her in initiation. Two twin earth ponies both choose Amity and immediately start a clapping game. I feel I should know their names, but I'm completely lost.

Fluttershy then goes up. She cuts her hoof and flinches as the tiniest cut is made. She looks worried. Her eyes dart between the Dauntless coals, the Abnegation rocks and the Amity dirt. Finally, she shudders and puts her hoof over the rocks.

Abnegation lets out a cheer. She's their third transfer, and eleventh initiate. I notice that Amity and Erudite have more initiates than them.

I'm so lost in thought that I barely hear "Applejack!" I realize that it's my turn and I walk up slowly, my decision still weighing heavily on my mind.

Marcus, the Abnegation in charge, hands me the knife. I cut my wrist and toss the knife aside. Now's the time to choose. Dauntless. Candor. Amity.

Adventure, Honesty or my Family.

I am about to put my hoof over the dirt when I glance up at the Amities. I can see Big Mac and Granny Smith. They look at me, and Granny Smith gives me a small nod. She knows I can't be an Amity.

My hoof flies over to the glass, and blood falls onto it.

I have my eyes closed. Other ponies start cheering. I sigh and walk over to the other Candor initiates. There are thirteen of 'em, counting me.

We watch as the others leave before us. Abnegation leaves solemnly and respectfully, holding the doors open for other ponies. I see Fluttershy grinning at a few other Abnegations. She'll be alright.

The Dauntless canter off, screaming and throwing their hooves in the air. They're followed by the Amity, who are skipping along. I know my friends in those two factions choose right.

The last to go- besides us- are the Erudites. Twi looks happier than I swear I've ever seen her.

Am I the only one doubting my choice?

I look to the other initiates. Six of 'em are from Candor by birth. I see one from Amity- Goldengrape, I think- eying the others nervously. Two are from Erudite- I think their names are Cherry Fizzy and Thunderlane. One is from Dauntless… James, I think? There's two from Abnegation, as well… Berryshine and Crescent Moon. Then there's me.

We go last, as the Abnegation close the doors behind us.

As we board a bus silently to get back to the Candor Borders, I have to wonder what my family thinks of me.

And whether I made the right choice.