The coming of a new year.

As I walked into my sister's boutique I was met by an onslaught of falling fabrics and gems.

"This is the WORST possible thing that could've happened. Twenty dresses in 3 weeks?! I'm going to be working non-stop to make this deadline!" I heard from the back of the shop.

As I moved further into the shop I noticed a pile of bills that looked like they'd been stacking up for weeks now.

'What's happened since I left?' I wondered to myself.

I looked around at the various disrepair the shop was in. The curtains looked like parasprites lived in them, the tables were starting to rot at the base, and the kitchen was full of take-out and dirty dishes.

"Rarity!" I shouted into the back room.

"Is that you Sweetie?" I heard Rarity ask.

"Yeah!"

"Oh I'll be right out dear I just have to clean up my inspiration room a bit. Go ahead and make yourself at home!"

I walked over to one of the tables and flipped through the stacks of bills and letters.

'Hmmm.' I thought to myself.

"Oh Sweetie don't bother yourself with that." Rarity says walking over and taking the papers from the table and putting them in her inspiration room.

"You know if you're having financial troubles I could help? Lyra and Octavia wouldn't mind lending their singer a few extra bits."

"No no, I'm fine I actually just got a huge commission today from the very famous Sapphire Shores."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes yes don't worry yourself with me I'll get by."

"So how has ponyville been since I left?"

"Oh it's been such a bore. Twilight finally managed to graduate from being Celestia's apprentice and now teaches at the Canterlot University, Rainbow became a wonderbolt as you know and Pinkie opened her own party agency, Applejack is still at the farm although after Granny Smith passed sales dropped slightly because of the zap apple jam never being the same. But she gets by. Fluttershy opened a sanctuary down in Appleloosa but even with her best efforts the buffalo are still declining in numbers. And myself isn't doing as hot as I used to." Rarity said walking around rolling up the cloth rolls and picking up fallen gems.

"Why didn't you ever tell me what happened?"

"I didn't want you to worry about me while you were touring with your group."

I sighed. "Your generosity is getting the best of you sis."

"I know, I know, but I just feel so bad about the ponies who come in for a dress and it's just sometimes some of them can't get the funds for their dresses and I can't just say no."

"If you keep doing this you're going to go bankrupt. I don't want to see your life's dream just waste away because you couldn't say no."

"Listen, why don't you go visit Applejack while I clean up? I'm sure she'd love to see an old friend."

"Alright, but don't think this topic has been dropped."

"Yes yes we'll talk about it later now go see Applejack."

As I left the shop I noticed a small tear in my sister's eye.

About ten minutes later I walked up to the old red farmhouse of Sweet Apple Acres.

"APPLEJACK!" I yelled.

"Now Whatcha goin' yellin' about now?" I heard from inside.

"Is that you Applejack?"

"Now who's askin'?"

"It's me Sweetie Belle."

"Sweetie? Hmmm lemme think. Oh yes! Apple Seed let young Sweetie Belle in."

'Apple Seed?'

As the door creaked open it revealed a small filly around 8 or 9 years old. She looked remarkably similar to Granny Smith in her young age except without the strange hairstyle.

"Howdy!" The filly said with a huge grin on her face.

"Good morning young one could you take me to Applejack?"

"Sure 'nuff! Follow me!" The filly said scampering into the house.

I noticed a slight deterioration in the old farmhouse but nonetheless it looked as good as ever.

"Sweetie Belle!" Applejack said standing up from her matriarchal chair.

As we embraced in a good old Apple family style hug I noticed Apple Seed run off to another room.

"How are ya then?" Applejack said in her usual drawl.

"I've been doing brilliant since Hoity Toity signed my group onto one of his labels."

"Ain't that good." Applejack groaned as she sat back down and grimaced.

"So how has the farm been doing? Rarity said you were having a little trouble keeping up lately."

"Well I obviously can't applebuck anymore and Big Mac is out on the animal preserve with Fluttershy so I'm left all by my lonesome except for Caramel. Not many ponies buy zap apple jam since Granny died. I still miss her. We all do."

"I'm sorry I couldn't make the funeral." I said with downcast eyes.

"Now don't you be gettin' all sad Granny knows ya would've been there if ya could but ya have yer own life to live. She wouldn't want ya dwelling on hers."

"I know. But I feel bad about leaving you guys to grieve."

"Our grievin' is over. We all moved on and so'll you."

"Thanks Applejack. Well I would like to stay longer but I should probably get back to Rarity seeing how she told me give her ten minutes and it took me that long to get here."

"Alright but make sure ya come back now ya hear?"

"Yes Applejack. Goodbye for now."

As I left the farm she couldn't help but have a bad feeling about what was to come.