You’re Where I Belong
Appleloosa had long since disappeared over the horizon, a horizon now tinted with pink as Celestia’s sun headed inexorably towards it. Applejack laid her head against the window and sighed imperceptibly, her hat laid neatly on her back as she curled up on the bench seats of the Appleloosa Express. Night wasn’t far away, but nor was her hometown of Ponyville. Successive stops along the way had emptied the carriage of ponies; Dodge Junction had been and gone, full of memories. The orange mare was alone, bathed in the sun’s light, flickered with shadow. It felt lonely in the railway carriage.
It seemed a long time since her cousin Braeburn had waved goodbye at the station platform, seeing her safely off on her journey home. There had been a multitude of ponies waving goodbye to loved ones, relatives or just good friends as their visits to the frontier town came to an end. Braeburn’s new wife had smiled and waved just as well as her husband, with the newest member of the Apple family cradled in her hooves. With all the work of raising a foal, Braeburn had needed a helping hoof with the planting. Applejack was more than happy to help him, and she’d enjoyed a few days of honest hard work amongst the friendly townsponies. But the time had come to return to Sweet Apple Acres and to her usual chores and responsibilities.
At first the scenery flashing past the windows of the carriage had been the greys and browns of the desert, the upright cacti still filling her with a childish delight, as if she was on a film set or inside her favourite book. This had given way to greenery, with trees and grass slowly coming to life as the railway snaked its way into the more fertile valley beneath Canterlot. Deep down, she knew that she preferred the sight of meadows and parks to the drab desert, and part of her was happy to be back amongst them. She wasn’t exactly homesick; it was more like relief, back amongst her home comforts on the farm and back to her normal routine.
The week ahead promised excitement. Fluttershy was in a flap about some birds and their nests, probably nothing of any concern to anypony but her. It was always nice to help a friend, and Applejack hoped that she could be of assistance, even if it was only for a few homeless birds. Rainbow Dash would probably laugh at the sight of the cowpony arranging tiny nests, which would earn the pegasus a piece of her mind, but they’d laugh it off and take Winona and Tank for a walk later on, possibly as far as Rarity’s boutique if Tank didn’t crash into any buildings on the way, which was a distinct possibility. If he crashed into Sugarcube Corner that might not be such a bad thing; an excuse for a cupcake or a piece of flapjack with Pinkie Pie. Perhaps they could invite Twilight too, if she wasn’t too busy with her royal duties.
The idea of a day with her friends gave Applejack a warm feeling inside which helped to fight off the loneliness of the carriage, which was turning progressively more orange and pink as the sun moved through some low cloud and touched the horizon, the perfect circular disc sinking slowly. The light filtered through the foliage of the trackside trees, throwing the occasional shadow across Applejack’s body and her eyes.
“Next stop, Ponyville,” the conductor said to Applejack as he passed, giving her a friendly wink. She smiled back and he moved on, and she was left wondering if there were any other ponies on the train except her. Appleloosa to Ponyville wasn’t exactly a common journey for ponies to make.
The train rounded a corner and the mare thought she could make out the top of Ponyville Town Hall, but it was a fleeting glimpse and it soon disappeared as the train straightened out. She went back to admiring the sunset, her thoughts drifting to the walk home from the train, through her beloved hometown and up the winding path through the orchard. There would be a smell of freshly dug earth, and of the wildflowers that had sprung up. Then she’d pass through the gate to Sweet Apple Acres, with the barn and the farmhouse in view, and she’d be home at last. Her imagination thought of a fresh apple pie cooling on the windowsill, her family awaiting her return before starting their dinner. A good, home-cooked meal was exactly what she needed.
Apple Bloom would be excited, fresh from a day’s crusading with her friends, her cheeks rosy and her mane ruffled. She’d be the first to grab her sister for a hug, probably ready to tell her all about all of the adventures she’d found without the watchful eye of her big sister to steer her away from the pitfalls. The tree sap incident was still recent enough to bring a slight laugh to Applejack’s face. Still, Apple Bloom’s enthusiasm was nothing to be deterred; her friendship with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo had given her a direction, and while it didn’t exactly keep her out of trouble, it brought her an excitement which couldn’t be explained.
Big Macintosh would sit back, more reserved, but betrayed by the sincere smile that would grace his features at his sister’s return. He always took a while to find his emotions, deep beneath the surface, but that warm smile would be all she needed. They’d been through so much together that it didn’t take much for sibling affection to appear between them, and many an afternoon had been spent in the shade of an apple tree, not talking but just dozing and taking in each other’s company, the orchard stretching before them.
Granny Smith would creak her rocking chair and make a comment about her unbrushed coat, but there would be a maternal note and Applejack knew she’d end up smiling and giving her grandchildren all an extra slice of pie. For all of her windbagging and complaining, she always had a soft spot for them and Applejack had heard the pride in her voice when she answered questions about them at the last family reunion. There was a special place in her heart for Apple Bloom, whose determined enthusiasm for making Zap Apple Jam was giving the old mare a new lease of life.
With these thoughts in her head, the train couldn’t arrive fast enough. It was beginning to slow, but Applejack remained in the seat, watching the sun finally slip beneath the far-off horizon and light the sky only with its dying rays, the orange fading into vibrant pinks with a touch of deep blue forming. A truly beautiful sunset over Ponyville, which Applejack realised she’d missed more than she’d realised.
“Alight here for Ponyville,” the conductor’s voice said, and Applejack heaved herself out of her seat, hat placed firmly back onto her head. She gave the conductor a nod and made her way to the doors as the train rumbled to a final halt. With a final look, she took in the empty carriage. There were the first twinkling of stars in the east, the onset of Princess Luna’s night, but Applejack only had eyes for the orchard that stretched out on the hill overlooking Ponyville. Home was not far away.
The platform was deserted, and Applejack was the only pony in sight. She took a deep breath of fresh Ponyville air, crisp compared to the dry heat of the desert. With a smile, she crossed the platform towards the exit, pleased that her solitude would soon be coming to an end.
“Well howdy stranger!”
Applejack looked around for the voice and found Apple Bloom leaping up, hooves around her neck for a tight hug. The orange mare pulled her close.
“Apple Bloom! Ah didn’t expect yah to come all the way out here!”
“Well ah was gunna eat mah dinner first, but Big Macintosh insisted.”
There was that shy yet happy smile on her brother’s face that she loved so much, and as soon as Apple Bloom had got down, she pulled the big red stallion into a hug.
“Well thanks bro. Mighty kind of yah.”
He said nothing, but as they turned for the road to Sweet Apple Acres, she could see the smile persisting on his features.
“Granny Smith didn’t want tah walk, so she’s in the farmhouse makin’ a nice hot dinner,” Apple Bloom explained. “Should be ready when we get there.”
“Any chance of a pipin’ hot apple pie for yer big sis?” Applejack asked with a mischievous smile.
“I knew yah’d ask for one. Granny and ah made one up just this afternoon.”
Smiling happily, Applejack let her sister jump up onto her back for the remainder of the walk, her brown hat balanced precariously on Apple Bloom’s ears. There was definitely magic in friendship, but something about family was extra-special.
