Twilight opened the door to the throne room, her eyes scanning the circle of monolithic stone seats. She spotted Applejack looking up her the apples on her throne. Hoofsteps echoed through the nearly empty room as Twilight approached, she didn’t need to announce her presence, but Applejack didn’t look over.

“Twi? I came here ‘cause there’s somethin’ important I gotta tell ya’, and I reckon it’s the sort of important thing this room’s here for.” Applejack turned to her. Her expression seemed serious.

“Sure!" Twilight said, smiling nervously. "This room should be good for something, right? It’ll probably work best for important things… these thrones aren't very comfortable.”

Applejack smirked and eyed her throne. “I reckon they ain't, but somepony’s gotta sit on ‘em. That’s why I’m here. I made up my mind.”

“About… what?”

“This.” She nodded toward the throne. "Twi, I always been a friendly pony, but havin’ best friends takes time. My element was kinda… a rope, pullin’ me towards you. A reason I had to make the time. Then my cutie mark was a rope in the other direction, towards my work. With both of ‘em, I could balance, I was just as much in one direction as the other.

“When we gave up the Elements, I had to try and balance myself, makin’ sure I was givin’ as much to y’all as I was to my farm. I reckon it was workin’. Maybe not as easy, but I was gettin’ by. Then this heap of rock popped up, and Princess Celestia said you’d need us all, bein' Princess of Friendship, and there’s that throne there with my cutie mark… it’s big, ain’t it? This is bigger than bein’ a good friend to you girls and sometimes slappin’ on my element.”

As Applejack spoke, Twilight's heart went out to her. Applejack’s work wasn’t for fun or ambition, other ponies depended on her. That she still found time to be such a good friend was admirable, and they had no idea what being a part of Twilight’s… well… court would entail.

Twilight swallowed. “It might be.”

“That’s a decision for me, Twi. Things are outta balance, and they ain’t goin’ back. Something’s gotta come first. Sweet Apple Acres is my home, and I gotta take care of things for my family,” Applejack said, full of certainty. “On the other hoof… I always been pretty hooves on there. I reckon a pony that’s got a throne oughta learn when to tell somepony else what to do and leave ‘em to do it.” Applejack gave a snort.

“This isn’t what you want.” Twilight said softly.

Applejack shrugged. “It ain’t what I expected, that’s for sure. As to what I want… I want my farm and my family cared for. But... I ain’t the only pony who can make that happen. And I wanna help you be the princess you oughta be, and spread magic all over Equestria. This magic castle seems to think I oughta be doin’ that, my cutie mark’s right here.”

She looked Twilight in the eye. “So, that’s what I wanted to tell ya’. I’m still gonna be livin’ on the farm, and runnin’ it best I can, but… I’m at your service. First. All the way, when you need me. Magic friendship stuff is my business, and on my down time I’ll get to farm some apples.”

“Wow. I-- I guess I do need to ask you for that… thank you,” Twilight said sincerely. “I know how hard this decision was for you. You and the other girls didn’t just help me become a princess, you’re what makes me a princess.”

“I reckon if I was gonna make a princess, you’re just the princess I woulda made. I got no regrets there.” Applejack grinned and nuzzled Twilight. “Now, I better get back to the farm. I gotta bunch to work out.”

She left, and in the empty room Twilight looked at the other thrones. Applejack was just the first, she realized. She already had a life that demanded her attention, the kind of life that some of her other friends hoped for. What would happen if this got in the way of Rarity’s fashion career? Or… she actually felt sick thinking of Rainbow Dash having to decide between her role here or the Wonderbolts. She never meant to do this to them…

But those worries were for the future. Right now, she knew she had at least one pony by her side, no matter what.