Life of an Appleby Charcoal BreezeChaptersApplejack's BirthBulliesApplejack's DepartureThe Sonic RainboomThe Bad NewsApple BloomRarity's StayA Friend LostVisiting ParentsThe New School YearApplebuck SeasonManehattanApplejack's ReturnPinkie Pie's PartyApplejack's Birth Big Macintosh waited anxiously in the barn. His parents were due home any moment with his new younger sibling. Grandpa and Granny Smith waited with him, resting on the burgundy couch. They kept glancing at the clock. Suddenly, the barn door was thrust open. Big Macintosh immediately recognized his parents. Apple Drops was standing beside Redstreak, holding an orange bundle in her forelegs. "That's the baby?" Big Macintosh asked, bounding up to his parents eagerly. Apple Drops nodded. "We've named her Applejack," she sighed happily, admiring the dozing orange foal. Redstreak rustled Big Macintosh's short, orange mane. "You're a big brother, Mac," he said, smiling. Big Macintosh nodded excitedly. He looked at his mother. "Can I hold her?" he asked. "I want to hold her. She's my little sister now." Bullies Big Mac and Applejack were in two seperate classes. When Big Mac left the building to take Applejack home, he found her being cornered by two unicorn fillies, one Applejack's age, the other a bit older than Big Mac. The younger, with a white coat and a dark violet curly mane, was smirking. "It's no wonder you have no friends, Applesack. Your mane's so sloppy." She looked up at the other filly, looking identical but with a dark blue mane. "Sapphire Shine always has a perfect mane." Sapphire nodded. "You live on that farm, don't you? This shouldn't be too much of a surprise." "A drab pony in a drab town," the younger filly sighed. Big Mac stormed up to the fillies. "Hey! Who do y'all think you are?" The fillies turned. "Look, Rarity," Sapphire sighed. "It's Applesack's cowpony brother." Rarity rolled her dark blue eyes. "What are you going to do? Lasso us?" Big Mac thumped a hoof on the back of Rarity's neck, surprising her. He yanked the unicorn closer. "Listen, little filly. This girl here's my sister. She has me to handle things that go wrong." "Applesack needs training wheels?" Sapphire taunted from near Applejack. Big Mac ignored her. "And if you don't leave her alone right now...we Apples do much more than lassoin'." Rarity narrowed her eyes. "And, do tell me, what is that?" Big Mac slammed Rarity to the ground with his hoof. Rarity crashed on the ground harshly, which was a surprise to Big Mac. Her right ear began to bleed. Her eyes were narrowed in pain. "Y-you're a horse," she murmured. Sapphire glared at Big Mac with her dark blue eyes. "You are!" she yelled. Before the earthpony knew it, Sapphire was galloping toward him and slamming him back. With her horn, she prodded the colt's neck roughly and slashed it deep. Things soon became black. Applejack's Departure Apple Drops and Redstreak had slept in, so only Big Mac and Granny Smith were there to say goodbye. Big Mac had to suppress his tears. Applejack, with her things packed over her shoulder, seemed pretty happy to be starting a new life with Aunt and Uncle Orange. It then occurred to Big Mac that Applejack still had not acquired her cutie mark. Big Mac earned his the other day, a while after Applejack told him her decision. He realized that he belonged in Sweet Apple Acres, bucking apples, not in a fancy city like Manehattan. Would Applejack be different? She really seemed to want to do this for herself. He knew he should've been happy for his sister, but he felt like sobbing instead. As Applejack headed off into the distance, farther away from Sweet Apple Acres and Ponyville, Big Mac asked Granny Smith, "Will she come back?" "Only time will tell," the old, frail green mare replied softly. The Sonic Rainboom Applejack had not yet sent any letters to the Apples. Big Mac was angry at himself for letting his little sister go. He took out his anger by bucking the apple trees. He kicked harshly again with his hind legs, and instantly green apples rained down around him. He didn't bother placing buckets today. Redstreak then came outside. His orange eyes widened as he noticed Big Mac. "No need to be so rough, Macintosh!" he shouted. He galloped over to the red colt, who was still fuming. After calming his son down, Redstreak asked softly, "Are you mad at Applejack?" "I'm mad at me," Big Mac replied. "I shoulda stopped her. She belongs here. Her name's Applejack, not Orangejack." Redstreak gave a sad smile. "I couldn't bear to see her leave. I always thought we'd grow up together, one big happy family. Momma and I, Granny Smith, and you, Applejack and our unborn filly." He blinked. "What did you do with your hat?" "I buried it," Big Mac said. He had, a few feet down behind the barn. It reminded him too much of his sister. Big Mac tried to push the memory out of his mind, but it still replayed. It was a couple years before Applejack started school. She had stolen Big Mac's hat and was wearing it, giggling, when her brother found her in his room. "Look, Big Macintosh!" Applejack had squealed. "I'm you!" She tried kicking his bed with her hind legs, but stumbled to the ground. For a moment Big Mac was angry at his sister for stealing his hat. Then he laughed it off with her. Now, Redstreak sighed. "I understand. You wanna get rid of those memories, don't ya?" Just then, an enormous explosion happened in the sky. A flaming ring of color expanded with a strong force of wind below it. As the force hit Sweet Apple Acres from his left, Big Mac and Redstreak clung to apple trees, even though they were nearly pulled sideways from the ground. Windows in the barn shattered. Part of the roof fell to the gusty ground. Big Mac glimpsed his mother and Granny Smith escaping and hurrying toward them. Big Mac shut his green eyes tightly, waiting in fear for the chaos to be over. It was a minute or two before his surroundings were still. He opened his eyes to see Apple Drops and Granny Smith letting go of a nearby apple tree. The colt turned to see his father's crimson body sprawled unconscious on the ground. "Redstreak!" Apple Drops cried, hurrying over to her husband. She stroked his dark brown mane quickly. "You're okay, you're okay, you're okay..." She continued whispering the words to herself. Big Mac trotted over to Granny Smith. Her amber eyes held concern. "He must've let go by accident," she murmured. "What was that?" the red colt asked. Granny Smith held him close. "A sonic rainboom," she whispered into his ear. "I didn't know it was possible. Who coulda done that, I wonder?" The Bad News When the barn door opened later that day, only Apple Drops came inside. Her green eyes were puffy and red. Granny Smith went to talk to her, she'd only moan. Applejack and Big Mac watched as Granny Smith cradled her crying daughter. They could only imagine what could've happened in the hospital, and what they imagined brought tears to their green eyes. They broke down when their mother finally spoke. She sniffled and looked up at Granny Smith. "Redstreak's dead." Applejack and Big Mac glanced at each other. Both saw that the other was trying hard not to cry. Unable to hold it in anymore, Applejack suddenly ran out of the barn. Big Mac looked from the running Applejack to his sobbing mother. He lay down on the ground, forehooves in front of his face. Tears silently splashed on his coat. He didn't know what to do anymore. Finally, Big Mac headed out after his sister. It was nighttime, the full moon in the sky glowing above them. Fallen leaves crunched under his hooves. He found Applejack soon. She was sitting on the path to Ponyville, her hat over her face. He galloped over. Applejack noticed his presence but didn't turn her head. Instead, she lifted her hat up and said, "I just wanna die now." "Don't say things like that," Big Mac immediately responded. "We're never gonna see Poppa again," Applejack sobbed. Big Mac could to nothing but hug her, hold her as her body racked. Not that he wasn't crying as well. Apple Bloom Nine months after Redstreak's death, they moved on. Big Mac and Applejack still grieved every day, but they were able to look past their father's death and move on with school and work. Applejack could buck apples now. She was very strong, too. Big Mac enjoyed watching his sister grow into a strong pony, inside and out. Apple Drops, however, had problems. Granny Smith told Big Mac that she thought Apple Drops might have been going "wacko." She acted as if Redstreak were still alive. She talked to him. When she did it, her voice was shaky, like she was terrified of something. "R-Redstreak, where are the eggs?" she asked one morning suddenly, while Granny Smith was scavenging for ingredients and the foals were waiting at the table. They all stopped and watched as Apple Drops paused, as if Redstreak were right there answering her question. Then she fell backwards. Granny Smith hurried to take her to her room. A few weeks later, Apple Drops stopped into Applejack's room to tell her, "Happy birthday, sugarcube." "It's not my birthday," Applejack told her. Now, Big Mac, Applejack, and Granny Smith were waiting anxiously in the waiting room of Ponyville Hospital. Applejack cringed at Apple Drops' screams of agony as she gave birth to their new sister. She looked up at Big Mac. "Will she live?" Big Mac sighed. "I hope so." Suddenly the screams stopped short. The ponies' ears perked up at the sound of rapid galloping. Then a white mare shot into the waiting room, her blue eyes alarmed. She spoke to the alerted Apples. "Apple Drops...she...you have to come in!" The ponies galloped after the nurse. The mare was laying in a hospital bed, blood staining her blanket. Her eyes were narrow. She beckoned for her visitors to come. They hurried over. "I'm gonna die," Apple Drops whispered. "What?" Applejack screeched. Big Mac blinked rapidly. "But Momma, the baby--" "The baby's okay." Apple Drops smiled weakly. "Don't worry about her. But I ain't. The doctors don't know how much time I have left, but it's not too much." Applejack shook her head. "But it's only been nine months--" "That's what I wanted to tell y'all. Redstreak. He told me that he woulda liked it if the baby was named Apple Bloom. Personally, I woulda preferred Apple Slice. But now that he's gone...I want him to have what he wanted. Name your sister Apple Bloom." "Where is she?" Big Mac asked. "The doctors are cleaning the blood off her. They tried with me, but they soon knew I wasn't gonna make it." She looked over the three ponies. "I want y'all to take good care of Apple Bloom. Alright? Don't let her go through something like this. Stay strong, ya hear?" Applejack looked away. "I can't." "'Course you can, sugarcube. It'll just take a bit of time is all." Granny Smith leaned over. "Apple Drops...I never thought your death would be like this. I'm so sorry." Apple Drops blinked slowly. "Momma...it's not your fault. I'm sorry. You've lost so much. And me. But...you'll see us all in the foals. Big Macintosh has the strength of Redstreak. Applejack has the kindness of myself. I'm sure Apple Bloom will have something too. Trust me." Applejack was crying. Granny Smith sighed. "We'll take good care of her well as yours for them." Apple Drops smiled again. "Thank you so much. I don't want her to go through anything like this." Big Mac had too many questions to ask. "But what do we tell 'er about you and Poppa?" Apple Drops hesitated, her eyelids drooping. "That we'll be watching her live the best life a filly's ever had." Now Big Mac and Granny Smith were crying with Applejack. Any moment now, Apple Drops would close her eyes for the last time. "I hope you can stay strong without me or Redstreak here," she continued. "And take care of Apple Bloom, ya hear?" "Why can't you just stay, Momma?" Applejack turned back, tears streaming from her green eyes. "It's time. I'll be with Redstreak now, making sure you'll live a much better life with no more troubles." Big Mac closed his eyes, afraid to see the moment. Then he opened them again. He would see every last second of his mother's life. Apple Drops sighed. "I just don't know...don't know how to end. Ya know? I love you, and I'm sorry. Just give Apple Bloom that...happy life that we lost..." The mare was still. Her green eyes were sightless. The heart monitor let out a long, endless beep. Doctors rushed over. One, a unicorn stallion, headed over to the Apples, carrying a yellow bundle of fur with his blue levitation. He looked straight into Big Mac's eyes. "I'm so sorry about this. I really am. There was just too much blood..." Rarity's Stay When Rarity heard what had happened to Applejack's mother, she and her parents offered to stay and help out for a while. Granny Smith was getting frail, and Big Mac and Applejack had no experience with a baby, so they had to accept the help. Rarity's mother, Pearl, was several months pregnant. Rarity had confessed to Applejack that she feared her younger sister would end up dead like her older one. Big Mac didn't talk much anymore. His friendship with Othello and other colts had faded. He was the type of pony who sat in the corner and watched others. A shy colt. Applejack now always wore the sloppy ponytails from her first day of school in her mane and tail. She also worked hard at her apple bucking. She helped her grief by bucking trees as hard as possible. She was working harder than an average filly. Once Big Mac found her curled up asleep near a tree, a red apple beside her. It was one of the rare moments when Big Mac would smile. Magnum, Rarity's father, and Pearl took care of Apple Bloom. Gradually, Big Mac began to help out more. But Applejack was afraid to go near the foal. Rarity was eager to talk to the filly, but Applejack was afraid Apple Bloom would hate her. "Why in the name of Celestia would you think that?" Rarity asked one day. Applejack had shrugged and replied, "I dunno. I just do." Big Mac, Applejack and Rarity were sitting in Applejack's bedroom. Pearl was giving birth at Ponyville hospital. They were all so worried about what would happen to Pearl or the baby. Apple Bloom was sleeping on Applejack's bed. Big Mac smiled at the snoozing bundle of fur. Apple Bloom was oblivious to the troubles her family were going through, which was a good thing for her. "Do you think she will survive?" Rarity murmured. "I dunno," Applejack sighed. "I really hope so. And your sister." Big Mac nodded. Rarity climbed up on Applejack's bed, and began gently stroking Apple Bloom. "Your sister is so darling," she sighed. "I hope mine is as well." Applejack joined Rarity on the bed, being close to Apple Bloom for the first time. Big Mac was surprised when she began stroking the foal. Apple Bloom then blinked open her orange eyes. She was wearing her usual pink bow on the back of her head. She looked up at Applejack curiously. The ponies then heard the barn doors open. They all sighed with relief when they galloped downstairs, Applejack carrying Apple Bloom on her back, and saw the white foal with Magnum and Pearl. A Friend Lost The following day, while Big Mac was waiting outside the schoolhouse for his sister. He then saw two familiar fillies leaving the school. They didn't notice him. "Well, you should be rather grateful I stayed with you at all!" Rarity was shouting. "For the last time, I'd take ya if I could!" Applejack shouted back in reply. "But you just weren't invited, and ya have to deal with it!" "If you were truly a friend, you wouldn't go without me!" "If you were a friend, you'd let me do what I want and stop controllin' everything!" With that, Applejack stomped away from Rarity. When she noticed her brother, her green eyes widened. "How much did ya hear?" she asked softly. "All of it." Applejack's ears lowered. "What's she mad about?" Big Mac asked as they began to walk. "You know how I said yesterday that Pinkie Pie was inviting ponies to some party? I was invited, but Rarity wasn't. We got in a fight about it." "Why wasn't she?" "I never really paid much attention to how she and Pinkie talked to each other. Maybe they don't like each other. Or Pinkie forgot her." "Are you still going?" Applejack shrugged. "Rarity'll be mad either way." She glanced back at the schoolhouse, sadness in her gaze. Big Mac was wishing she hadn't lost the long friendship she'd had. Visiting Parents Years passed. Apple Bloom started school. She had made some friends, but they never visited the barn. Big Mac and Applejack had seen them, though. Peppermint Twist, Silver Spoon, and Diamond Tiara. They all seemed like nice fillies. As for Applejack's friends, she never made up with Rarity, as Rarity had moved away to Fillydelphia. But she grew a stronger friendship with Pinkie Pie, as well as a pegasus named Fluttershy, whom Big Mac hadn't met. Big Mac woke up one morning to find Applejack and Apple Bloom missing from their bedrooms. He headed downstairs to inform Granny Smith. "Where are they?" he asked. "Do you know?" Granny Smith sighed. "They headed out a while ago. They said they were going to the cemetery." Her head was down. Big Mac knew why they were there, but he wanted to find his sisters anyway. After hurriedly telling Granny Smith where he was going, he headed out of the barn and down into Ponyville. He walked the paths until he reached the cemetery. He already saw spots of yellow and orange in the corner of his eye; he turned and, sure enough, there were his sisters, standing by each other and two familiar gravestones. "She said," Applejack was telling Apple Bloom, "that Poppa chose your name before he died. She said she wanted you to have the happy life we lost." Apple Bloom looked up at her older sister, and Big Mac, who was quietly trotting over, saw her amber eyes were shimmering. "She said that?" Applejack nodded sadly. "It took a while to get used to our parents' deaths and a new baby. Ra--" Applejack stopped herself, as if her old friend was too painful to mention. "--somepony's family helped us out till their own baby was born." Apple Bloom stared at her pale yellow hooves, looking ashamed. Applejack turned her head and saw Big Mac. "When did you get here?" she asked, a bit startled. "Just a bit ago." He approached them and sat by Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom looked up at her brother. "Big Macintosh? Do ya think Momma and Poppa are watching us?" Big Mac thought for a moment. Apple Drops had promised she'd go up to the sky with Redstreak and watch her three children grow up happily. She was the type of pony to keep promises. He trusted her words, and he knew that his mother and father were looking over him, looking out for him and his sisters, loving them all more than ever. He gave Apple Bloom a small smile. "Eeyup." The New School Year It had been a few years since Applejack was born. She'd grown into a hardworking filly with a blonde mane and tail and pale freckles on her cheeks and between her bright green yes. She and Big Mac had a close bond. Today was Applejack's first day of school. Apple Drops had finished fashioning Applejack's blonde mane into a ponytail. She laughed at the result. "It's so sloppy," she told Redstreak, who was preparing lunches nearby. Applejack turned her head slightly to look at her "ponytail." "I like it," she told her mother. "I like it sloppy." She then whipped up her blonde tail in her mother's light orange face. "Do my tail, too!" Once it was time to leave, Big Mac led his sister to the Ponyville Schoolhouse. On the way, other ponies with brighter colored coats turned to stare. "They're staring at us," Applejack whispered up to her brother. "That's because we're farmers," Big Mac replied, glancing up at his brown cowpony hat. "There aren't a lot of farmers in Ponyville. Only at Sweet Apple Acres. They reached the schoolhouse, where several other fillies and colts were playing. One of the colts, a mint-green one with dark hair about Big Mac's age, approached them. "Hey, Macintosh," the colt greeted him. "You should come and--" He then noticed Applejack. "Who's that?" "I'm Applejack!" the filly squeaked. "Today's my first day here!" The colt laughed. "I'm Othello." He turned to Big Mac. "Your sister?" "Eeyup!" Big Mac replied. "Should we show her around?" Othello shrugged. "I guess." Applejack smiled up at Othello, her green eyes gleaming. "Is school fun?" she asked. "We learn stuff, right? Like how to add things! Big Macintosh told me about that!" Othello laughed and nodded. "Yep! You'll learn to write, too, Applejack." Applejack nodded. "Can I go make friends?" Othello glanced at Big Mac. "You want her to meet some of ours, Macintosh?" "Maybe later," Big Mac said. "Let's let her find friends on her own." "Yay!" Applejack shouted. "Thanks, Big Macintosh!" She bounded off to where other fillies were playing. Applebuck Season Big Mac kicked the apple tree. It was Applebuck Season now, and a few relatives who didn't have their own orchards had come to help out, since the Apple parents were at a hospital for a pregnancy test. The brown cast was still on his neck. It was permanently injured, but it didn't stop him from his apple-bucking duties. "Th-they're rich fillies," Applejack had sniffled at the hospital to her brother. "They think I'm a h-horse. What does that mean?" "I hate that word," Big Mac told her. "Poppa told me it means you're dirty and sloppy and rude." He smiled. "I think that those unicorns--Rarity and Sapphire--are beatin' you up so they can feel better. Now, his sister was watching him, yearn in her eyes. "I wanna buck apples too," she pouted. Red apples fell in the cart Big Mac had attatched. Redstreak had added two silver prongs to turn his son's neck cast into a yoke. Now Big Mac could still pull carts even with his injured neck. He looked at his sister. "Then why don't you?" Applejack sighed."'Cause I can't. See?" She trotted up to the tree next to his, and kicked it with her hind legs. No apples came down. Big Mac gave her a reassuring smile. "No worries, AJ. It takes time." Applejack tried kicking the tree again. Still no apples. Without saying a word, the orange filly stormed back into the barn. Big Mac sighed. One day, he thought. Manehattan Later, Big Mac headed into a barn to check on Applejack. What he saw was his sister and a familiar white unicorn with a dark violet mane. Big Mac had to stop himself from gaping. Rarity didn't seem sinister, though. She looked up at Big Mac with sorrow in her blue eyes. "I'm s-sorry," she stammered, a tear escaping one. "Rarity's sister died," Applejack explained, sadness in her voice as well. "She just came to tell me, and to apologize." Big Mac stared at both fillies. Just then, Apple Drops returned, Redstreak behind her. She nodded. "I'm havin' a filly," she announced. Despite the sad atmosphere, Rarity and Applejack smiled up at the mare. Apple Drops noticed Rarity. "Is this one of your friends, Applejack?" Applejack and Rarity exchanged glances. "Kinda," Applejack replied. She looked at Rarity. "I have a bedroom. You wanna go in it?" "Alright," Rarity replied, and the fillies headed to Applejack's room. Redstreak glanced outside. "Seems the apple-buckin's goin' well." "Apple Fritter met Applejack," Big Mac told him. "She had to leave, though. I forget why." Apple Drops smiled at her husband. "Redstreak, you can go on and help them out. I can manage. I've been pregnant twice before this." Applejack entered Big Mac's room. The colt looked up at her. "Do we have relatives in Manehattan?" she asked. Big Mac nodded. "Aunt and Uncle Orange live there. Why?" "I want to live there." Big Mac's green eyes widened. He stared at his sister. "What?" "I want to live in Manehattan," Applejack repeated. "Rarity's family's so sophist'cated and formal and stuff. She said there's more ponies like that in Manehattan." Big Mac still had trouble proccessing this. "You--you want to move away from us?" "I like y'all," Applejack reassured her brother. "It's just I don't like being an uncouth farmer. I wanna be refined and sophist'cated like Rarity. An' she said there's ponies like that in Manehattan." Big Mac sighed and looked away. "You should talk to Momma and Poppa and Granny Smith." Their grandmother had been living with them since Grandpa Smith passed away. Applejack nodded. "I love you," she told her brother. "I'll write letters." Applejack's Return It was later, while Apple Drops was still at the hospital with Redstreak, when Big Mac was gazing out a glassless window and saw a familiar orange shape coming closer. Big Mac couldn't believe it. He rushed to find Granny Smith and told her, "Applejack! She's comin' back!" They both ran outside to greet the filly at the entrance. Applejack ran straight into their forelegs, hugging them like never before. She looked up at both of them, green eyes shimmering. "You wouldn't believe it! It was a rainbow that pointed me home!" "I'm glad you're back, AJ," Big Mac told his sister. "But why'd ya want to?" "Bein' fancy is harder than I imagined!" Applejack told him. "They didn't even know what a rooster was! They dressed up my mane and made me speak in this accent! And y'all wouldn't believe how little the ponies eat there!" Granny Smith chuckled. "You've found your place," she told her granddaughter. "One of these days you'll be buckin' apples with your brother." Applejack suddenly sulked. "No I won't." Big Mac then noticed something. "Look at your flank," he told his sister. Applejack did, and gasped with delight. Three small, red apples appeared in a triangle on the orange fur. "I will!" Applejack squealed. "I will buck apples with you, Big Macintosh!" Big Mac couldn't be happier. His sister was staying after all, and here to see the new sister. But there was something she needed to know. Applejack glanced around. "Where's Momma and Poppa?" Granny Smith sighed. "They're...they're in the hospital, Applejack." Applejack's face fell. "What? Why?" Big Mac sighed. "Uh, an explosion happened in the sky. It hurt Poppa. Momma took him to Ponyville Hospital." Tears came into the filly's green eyes. "P-Poppa's hurt...?" Big Mac nodded. Then he had an idea. "Wait here, 'right?" He hurried back to the partially destroyed barn. Surely debris hadn't covered the spot he'd buried his hat. He managed to find the place very easily. He dug deep enough in a short time and soon found the old brown fabric of the familiar hat. Smiling, he pulled it up with his teeth, shaking the dirt from it. He then galloped back to Applejack and Granny Smith. "Hey, that's your hat!" Applejack exclaimed. Big Mac dropped the hat at his sister's hooves. "I...I want you to have it." Applejack gasped. "Really?" "Eeyup!" Big Mac smiled. Applejack hugged her brother tightly. "Thank you!" Pinkie Pie's Party Months passed after Sweetie Belle's birth. Rarity and her family soon went home. The Apples were beginning to cope better. Applejack spent more time with Apple Bloom every day. Big Mac was satisfied. While the Apples were eating dinner, a knock sounded on the doors. Big Mac got up to get it, leaving his soup on the table. When he opened one of the barn doors, he saw a pink filly, about Applejack's age, with a poofy dark pink mane and tail. She had glimmering ice blue eyes and a wide smile. "Hi!" she greeted Big Mac, in a high-pitched voice. "I'm Pinkie Pie! I just moved to Ponyville with my Granny Pie! I'm giving goodies to everypony!" She gestured to a small cart behind her. Big Mac could see it was filled with pastries. Applejack, curious, joined Big Mac at the doors. She opened the other one. "Who's this, Big Macintosh?" She smiled warmly at Pinkie Pie. "I'm Pinkie Pie!" the filly told her. "I just moved here! Do you want some cupcakes, or biscuits, or doughnuts, or rolls, or cake...and it's free! I'm not looking for money!" Big Mac chuckled at the pink filly's excitement. He looked down at his sister. "AJ?" "Uh, no thanks," Applejack told Pinkie. "We're eating dinner, and I don't wanna spoil it." Pinkie shrugged. "Okey-dokey! If you change your mind, go down to Sugarcube Corner. That's where I made these." Applejack's green eyes widened. "You made all of these?" But the filly was bouncing off, her cart rolling behind her, humming cheerfully. Big Mac and Applejack looked at each other. They shrugged, closed the doors, and went back inside. The next day, when Applejack and Big Mac were trotting home from school, Applejack said, "I saw that pony from yesterday in my class...Pinkie Pie, I think. She was inviting everypony to a party at her house." Big Mac blinked. "For what?" "I don't have the slightest idea." When they were inside the barn, Apple Bloom trotted up to them. Her foal legs were wobbly, but she didn't fall. She smiled a toothless grin up at her siblings in welcome. "Hi, Bloomy!" Applejack cooed at her sister. She let her saddlebag drop on the floor and sat down to talk to the filly. "Appleshack! Macin'osh!" Apple Bloom squealed. She dropped to a lay-down position, giggling. Big Mac loved Applejack when she was born, and Apple Bloom was no different. She was an adorable baby. He smiled a bit whenever he looked at her. He hoped Apple Drops would have her wish granted, for Apple Bloom to have a good life. Soon, though, Big Mac noticed Applejack seemed upset. When he asked her if anything was wrong, she lied, "No, I'm fine."
Applejack's Birth Big Macintosh waited anxiously in the barn. His parents were due home any moment with his new younger sibling. Grandpa and Granny Smith waited with him, resting on the burgundy couch. They kept glancing at the clock. Suddenly, the barn door was thrust open. Big Macintosh immediately recognized his parents. Apple Drops was standing beside Redstreak, holding an orange bundle in her forelegs. "That's the baby?" Big Macintosh asked, bounding up to his parents eagerly. Apple Drops nodded. "We've named her Applejack," she sighed happily, admiring the dozing orange foal. Redstreak rustled Big Macintosh's short, orange mane. "You're a big brother, Mac," he said, smiling. Big Macintosh nodded excitedly. He looked at his mother. "Can I hold her?" he asked. "I want to hold her. She's my little sister now."
Bullies Big Mac and Applejack were in two seperate classes. When Big Mac left the building to take Applejack home, he found her being cornered by two unicorn fillies, one Applejack's age, the other a bit older than Big Mac. The younger, with a white coat and a dark violet curly mane, was smirking. "It's no wonder you have no friends, Applesack. Your mane's so sloppy." She looked up at the other filly, looking identical but with a dark blue mane. "Sapphire Shine always has a perfect mane." Sapphire nodded. "You live on that farm, don't you? This shouldn't be too much of a surprise." "A drab pony in a drab town," the younger filly sighed. Big Mac stormed up to the fillies. "Hey! Who do y'all think you are?" The fillies turned. "Look, Rarity," Sapphire sighed. "It's Applesack's cowpony brother." Rarity rolled her dark blue eyes. "What are you going to do? Lasso us?" Big Mac thumped a hoof on the back of Rarity's neck, surprising her. He yanked the unicorn closer. "Listen, little filly. This girl here's my sister. She has me to handle things that go wrong." "Applesack needs training wheels?" Sapphire taunted from near Applejack. Big Mac ignored her. "And if you don't leave her alone right now...we Apples do much more than lassoin'." Rarity narrowed her eyes. "And, do tell me, what is that?" Big Mac slammed Rarity to the ground with his hoof. Rarity crashed on the ground harshly, which was a surprise to Big Mac. Her right ear began to bleed. Her eyes were narrowed in pain. "Y-you're a horse," she murmured. Sapphire glared at Big Mac with her dark blue eyes. "You are!" she yelled. Before the earthpony knew it, Sapphire was galloping toward him and slamming him back. With her horn, she prodded the colt's neck roughly and slashed it deep. Things soon became black.
Applejack's Departure Apple Drops and Redstreak had slept in, so only Big Mac and Granny Smith were there to say goodbye. Big Mac had to suppress his tears. Applejack, with her things packed over her shoulder, seemed pretty happy to be starting a new life with Aunt and Uncle Orange. It then occurred to Big Mac that Applejack still had not acquired her cutie mark. Big Mac earned his the other day, a while after Applejack told him her decision. He realized that he belonged in Sweet Apple Acres, bucking apples, not in a fancy city like Manehattan. Would Applejack be different? She really seemed to want to do this for herself. He knew he should've been happy for his sister, but he felt like sobbing instead. As Applejack headed off into the distance, farther away from Sweet Apple Acres and Ponyville, Big Mac asked Granny Smith, "Will she come back?" "Only time will tell," the old, frail green mare replied softly.
The Sonic Rainboom Applejack had not yet sent any letters to the Apples. Big Mac was angry at himself for letting his little sister go. He took out his anger by bucking the apple trees. He kicked harshly again with his hind legs, and instantly green apples rained down around him. He didn't bother placing buckets today. Redstreak then came outside. His orange eyes widened as he noticed Big Mac. "No need to be so rough, Macintosh!" he shouted. He galloped over to the red colt, who was still fuming. After calming his son down, Redstreak asked softly, "Are you mad at Applejack?" "I'm mad at me," Big Mac replied. "I shoulda stopped her. She belongs here. Her name's Applejack, not Orangejack." Redstreak gave a sad smile. "I couldn't bear to see her leave. I always thought we'd grow up together, one big happy family. Momma and I, Granny Smith, and you, Applejack and our unborn filly." He blinked. "What did you do with your hat?" "I buried it," Big Mac said. He had, a few feet down behind the barn. It reminded him too much of his sister. Big Mac tried to push the memory out of his mind, but it still replayed. It was a couple years before Applejack started school. She had stolen Big Mac's hat and was wearing it, giggling, when her brother found her in his room. "Look, Big Macintosh!" Applejack had squealed. "I'm you!" She tried kicking his bed with her hind legs, but stumbled to the ground. For a moment Big Mac was angry at his sister for stealing his hat. Then he laughed it off with her. Now, Redstreak sighed. "I understand. You wanna get rid of those memories, don't ya?" Just then, an enormous explosion happened in the sky. A flaming ring of color expanded with a strong force of wind below it. As the force hit Sweet Apple Acres from his left, Big Mac and Redstreak clung to apple trees, even though they were nearly pulled sideways from the ground. Windows in the barn shattered. Part of the roof fell to the gusty ground. Big Mac glimpsed his mother and Granny Smith escaping and hurrying toward them. Big Mac shut his green eyes tightly, waiting in fear for the chaos to be over. It was a minute or two before his surroundings were still. He opened his eyes to see Apple Drops and Granny Smith letting go of a nearby apple tree. The colt turned to see his father's crimson body sprawled unconscious on the ground. "Redstreak!" Apple Drops cried, hurrying over to her husband. She stroked his dark brown mane quickly. "You're okay, you're okay, you're okay..." She continued whispering the words to herself. Big Mac trotted over to Granny Smith. Her amber eyes held concern. "He must've let go by accident," she murmured. "What was that?" the red colt asked. Granny Smith held him close. "A sonic rainboom," she whispered into his ear. "I didn't know it was possible. Who coulda done that, I wonder?"
The Bad News When the barn door opened later that day, only Apple Drops came inside. Her green eyes were puffy and red. Granny Smith went to talk to her, she'd only moan. Applejack and Big Mac watched as Granny Smith cradled her crying daughter. They could only imagine what could've happened in the hospital, and what they imagined brought tears to their green eyes. They broke down when their mother finally spoke. She sniffled and looked up at Granny Smith. "Redstreak's dead." Applejack and Big Mac glanced at each other. Both saw that the other was trying hard not to cry. Unable to hold it in anymore, Applejack suddenly ran out of the barn. Big Mac looked from the running Applejack to his sobbing mother. He lay down on the ground, forehooves in front of his face. Tears silently splashed on his coat. He didn't know what to do anymore. Finally, Big Mac headed out after his sister. It was nighttime, the full moon in the sky glowing above them. Fallen leaves crunched under his hooves. He found Applejack soon. She was sitting on the path to Ponyville, her hat over her face. He galloped over. Applejack noticed his presence but didn't turn her head. Instead, she lifted her hat up and said, "I just wanna die now." "Don't say things like that," Big Mac immediately responded. "We're never gonna see Poppa again," Applejack sobbed. Big Mac could to nothing but hug her, hold her as her body racked. Not that he wasn't crying as well.
Apple Bloom Nine months after Redstreak's death, they moved on. Big Mac and Applejack still grieved every day, but they were able to look past their father's death and move on with school and work. Applejack could buck apples now. She was very strong, too. Big Mac enjoyed watching his sister grow into a strong pony, inside and out. Apple Drops, however, had problems. Granny Smith told Big Mac that she thought Apple Drops might have been going "wacko." She acted as if Redstreak were still alive. She talked to him. When she did it, her voice was shaky, like she was terrified of something. "R-Redstreak, where are the eggs?" she asked one morning suddenly, while Granny Smith was scavenging for ingredients and the foals were waiting at the table. They all stopped and watched as Apple Drops paused, as if Redstreak were right there answering her question. Then she fell backwards. Granny Smith hurried to take her to her room. A few weeks later, Apple Drops stopped into Applejack's room to tell her, "Happy birthday, sugarcube." "It's not my birthday," Applejack told her. Now, Big Mac, Applejack, and Granny Smith were waiting anxiously in the waiting room of Ponyville Hospital. Applejack cringed at Apple Drops' screams of agony as she gave birth to their new sister. She looked up at Big Mac. "Will she live?" Big Mac sighed. "I hope so." Suddenly the screams stopped short. The ponies' ears perked up at the sound of rapid galloping. Then a white mare shot into the waiting room, her blue eyes alarmed. She spoke to the alerted Apples. "Apple Drops...she...you have to come in!" The ponies galloped after the nurse. The mare was laying in a hospital bed, blood staining her blanket. Her eyes were narrow. She beckoned for her visitors to come. They hurried over. "I'm gonna die," Apple Drops whispered. "What?" Applejack screeched. Big Mac blinked rapidly. "But Momma, the baby--" "The baby's okay." Apple Drops smiled weakly. "Don't worry about her. But I ain't. The doctors don't know how much time I have left, but it's not too much." Applejack shook her head. "But it's only been nine months--" "That's what I wanted to tell y'all. Redstreak. He told me that he woulda liked it if the baby was named Apple Bloom. Personally, I woulda preferred Apple Slice. But now that he's gone...I want him to have what he wanted. Name your sister Apple Bloom." "Where is she?" Big Mac asked. "The doctors are cleaning the blood off her. They tried with me, but they soon knew I wasn't gonna make it." She looked over the three ponies. "I want y'all to take good care of Apple Bloom. Alright? Don't let her go through something like this. Stay strong, ya hear?" Applejack looked away. "I can't." "'Course you can, sugarcube. It'll just take a bit of time is all." Granny Smith leaned over. "Apple Drops...I never thought your death would be like this. I'm so sorry." Apple Drops blinked slowly. "Momma...it's not your fault. I'm sorry. You've lost so much. And me. But...you'll see us all in the foals. Big Macintosh has the strength of Redstreak. Applejack has the kindness of myself. I'm sure Apple Bloom will have something too. Trust me." Applejack was crying. Granny Smith sighed. "We'll take good care of her well as yours for them." Apple Drops smiled again. "Thank you so much. I don't want her to go through anything like this." Big Mac had too many questions to ask. "But what do we tell 'er about you and Poppa?" Apple Drops hesitated, her eyelids drooping. "That we'll be watching her live the best life a filly's ever had." Now Big Mac and Granny Smith were crying with Applejack. Any moment now, Apple Drops would close her eyes for the last time. "I hope you can stay strong without me or Redstreak here," she continued. "And take care of Apple Bloom, ya hear?" "Why can't you just stay, Momma?" Applejack turned back, tears streaming from her green eyes. "It's time. I'll be with Redstreak now, making sure you'll live a much better life with no more troubles." Big Mac closed his eyes, afraid to see the moment. Then he opened them again. He would see every last second of his mother's life. Apple Drops sighed. "I just don't know...don't know how to end. Ya know? I love you, and I'm sorry. Just give Apple Bloom that...happy life that we lost..." The mare was still. Her green eyes were sightless. The heart monitor let out a long, endless beep. Doctors rushed over. One, a unicorn stallion, headed over to the Apples, carrying a yellow bundle of fur with his blue levitation. He looked straight into Big Mac's eyes. "I'm so sorry about this. I really am. There was just too much blood..."
Rarity's Stay When Rarity heard what had happened to Applejack's mother, she and her parents offered to stay and help out for a while. Granny Smith was getting frail, and Big Mac and Applejack had no experience with a baby, so they had to accept the help. Rarity's mother, Pearl, was several months pregnant. Rarity had confessed to Applejack that she feared her younger sister would end up dead like her older one. Big Mac didn't talk much anymore. His friendship with Othello and other colts had faded. He was the type of pony who sat in the corner and watched others. A shy colt. Applejack now always wore the sloppy ponytails from her first day of school in her mane and tail. She also worked hard at her apple bucking. She helped her grief by bucking trees as hard as possible. She was working harder than an average filly. Once Big Mac found her curled up asleep near a tree, a red apple beside her. It was one of the rare moments when Big Mac would smile. Magnum, Rarity's father, and Pearl took care of Apple Bloom. Gradually, Big Mac began to help out more. But Applejack was afraid to go near the foal. Rarity was eager to talk to the filly, but Applejack was afraid Apple Bloom would hate her. "Why in the name of Celestia would you think that?" Rarity asked one day. Applejack had shrugged and replied, "I dunno. I just do." Big Mac, Applejack and Rarity were sitting in Applejack's bedroom. Pearl was giving birth at Ponyville hospital. They were all so worried about what would happen to Pearl or the baby. Apple Bloom was sleeping on Applejack's bed. Big Mac smiled at the snoozing bundle of fur. Apple Bloom was oblivious to the troubles her family were going through, which was a good thing for her. "Do you think she will survive?" Rarity murmured. "I dunno," Applejack sighed. "I really hope so. And your sister." Big Mac nodded. Rarity climbed up on Applejack's bed, and began gently stroking Apple Bloom. "Your sister is so darling," she sighed. "I hope mine is as well." Applejack joined Rarity on the bed, being close to Apple Bloom for the first time. Big Mac was surprised when she began stroking the foal. Apple Bloom then blinked open her orange eyes. She was wearing her usual pink bow on the back of her head. She looked up at Applejack curiously. The ponies then heard the barn doors open. They all sighed with relief when they galloped downstairs, Applejack carrying Apple Bloom on her back, and saw the white foal with Magnum and Pearl.
A Friend Lost The following day, while Big Mac was waiting outside the schoolhouse for his sister. He then saw two familiar fillies leaving the school. They didn't notice him. "Well, you should be rather grateful I stayed with you at all!" Rarity was shouting. "For the last time, I'd take ya if I could!" Applejack shouted back in reply. "But you just weren't invited, and ya have to deal with it!" "If you were truly a friend, you wouldn't go without me!" "If you were a friend, you'd let me do what I want and stop controllin' everything!" With that, Applejack stomped away from Rarity. When she noticed her brother, her green eyes widened. "How much did ya hear?" she asked softly. "All of it." Applejack's ears lowered. "What's she mad about?" Big Mac asked as they began to walk. "You know how I said yesterday that Pinkie Pie was inviting ponies to some party? I was invited, but Rarity wasn't. We got in a fight about it." "Why wasn't she?" "I never really paid much attention to how she and Pinkie talked to each other. Maybe they don't like each other. Or Pinkie forgot her." "Are you still going?" Applejack shrugged. "Rarity'll be mad either way." She glanced back at the schoolhouse, sadness in her gaze. Big Mac was wishing she hadn't lost the long friendship she'd had.
Visiting Parents Years passed. Apple Bloom started school. She had made some friends, but they never visited the barn. Big Mac and Applejack had seen them, though. Peppermint Twist, Silver Spoon, and Diamond Tiara. They all seemed like nice fillies. As for Applejack's friends, she never made up with Rarity, as Rarity had moved away to Fillydelphia. But she grew a stronger friendship with Pinkie Pie, as well as a pegasus named Fluttershy, whom Big Mac hadn't met. Big Mac woke up one morning to find Applejack and Apple Bloom missing from their bedrooms. He headed downstairs to inform Granny Smith. "Where are they?" he asked. "Do you know?" Granny Smith sighed. "They headed out a while ago. They said they were going to the cemetery." Her head was down. Big Mac knew why they were there, but he wanted to find his sisters anyway. After hurriedly telling Granny Smith where he was going, he headed out of the barn and down into Ponyville. He walked the paths until he reached the cemetery. He already saw spots of yellow and orange in the corner of his eye; he turned and, sure enough, there were his sisters, standing by each other and two familiar gravestones. "She said," Applejack was telling Apple Bloom, "that Poppa chose your name before he died. She said she wanted you to have the happy life we lost." Apple Bloom looked up at her older sister, and Big Mac, who was quietly trotting over, saw her amber eyes were shimmering. "She said that?" Applejack nodded sadly. "It took a while to get used to our parents' deaths and a new baby. Ra--" Applejack stopped herself, as if her old friend was too painful to mention. "--somepony's family helped us out till their own baby was born." Apple Bloom stared at her pale yellow hooves, looking ashamed. Applejack turned her head and saw Big Mac. "When did you get here?" she asked, a bit startled. "Just a bit ago." He approached them and sat by Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom looked up at her brother. "Big Macintosh? Do ya think Momma and Poppa are watching us?" Big Mac thought for a moment. Apple Drops had promised she'd go up to the sky with Redstreak and watch her three children grow up happily. She was the type of pony to keep promises. He trusted her words, and he knew that his mother and father were looking over him, looking out for him and his sisters, loving them all more than ever. He gave Apple Bloom a small smile. "Eeyup."
The New School Year It had been a few years since Applejack was born. She'd grown into a hardworking filly with a blonde mane and tail and pale freckles on her cheeks and between her bright green yes. She and Big Mac had a close bond. Today was Applejack's first day of school. Apple Drops had finished fashioning Applejack's blonde mane into a ponytail. She laughed at the result. "It's so sloppy," she told Redstreak, who was preparing lunches nearby. Applejack turned her head slightly to look at her "ponytail." "I like it," she told her mother. "I like it sloppy." She then whipped up her blonde tail in her mother's light orange face. "Do my tail, too!" Once it was time to leave, Big Mac led his sister to the Ponyville Schoolhouse. On the way, other ponies with brighter colored coats turned to stare. "They're staring at us," Applejack whispered up to her brother. "That's because we're farmers," Big Mac replied, glancing up at his brown cowpony hat. "There aren't a lot of farmers in Ponyville. Only at Sweet Apple Acres. They reached the schoolhouse, where several other fillies and colts were playing. One of the colts, a mint-green one with dark hair about Big Mac's age, approached them. "Hey, Macintosh," the colt greeted him. "You should come and--" He then noticed Applejack. "Who's that?" "I'm Applejack!" the filly squeaked. "Today's my first day here!" The colt laughed. "I'm Othello." He turned to Big Mac. "Your sister?" "Eeyup!" Big Mac replied. "Should we show her around?" Othello shrugged. "I guess." Applejack smiled up at Othello, her green eyes gleaming. "Is school fun?" she asked. "We learn stuff, right? Like how to add things! Big Macintosh told me about that!" Othello laughed and nodded. "Yep! You'll learn to write, too, Applejack." Applejack nodded. "Can I go make friends?" Othello glanced at Big Mac. "You want her to meet some of ours, Macintosh?" "Maybe later," Big Mac said. "Let's let her find friends on her own." "Yay!" Applejack shouted. "Thanks, Big Macintosh!" She bounded off to where other fillies were playing.
Applebuck Season Big Mac kicked the apple tree. It was Applebuck Season now, and a few relatives who didn't have their own orchards had come to help out, since the Apple parents were at a hospital for a pregnancy test. The brown cast was still on his neck. It was permanently injured, but it didn't stop him from his apple-bucking duties. "Th-they're rich fillies," Applejack had sniffled at the hospital to her brother. "They think I'm a h-horse. What does that mean?" "I hate that word," Big Mac told her. "Poppa told me it means you're dirty and sloppy and rude." He smiled. "I think that those unicorns--Rarity and Sapphire--are beatin' you up so they can feel better. Now, his sister was watching him, yearn in her eyes. "I wanna buck apples too," she pouted. Red apples fell in the cart Big Mac had attatched. Redstreak had added two silver prongs to turn his son's neck cast into a yoke. Now Big Mac could still pull carts even with his injured neck. He looked at his sister. "Then why don't you?" Applejack sighed."'Cause I can't. See?" She trotted up to the tree next to his, and kicked it with her hind legs. No apples came down. Big Mac gave her a reassuring smile. "No worries, AJ. It takes time." Applejack tried kicking the tree again. Still no apples. Without saying a word, the orange filly stormed back into the barn. Big Mac sighed. One day, he thought.
Manehattan Later, Big Mac headed into a barn to check on Applejack. What he saw was his sister and a familiar white unicorn with a dark violet mane. Big Mac had to stop himself from gaping. Rarity didn't seem sinister, though. She looked up at Big Mac with sorrow in her blue eyes. "I'm s-sorry," she stammered, a tear escaping one. "Rarity's sister died," Applejack explained, sadness in her voice as well. "She just came to tell me, and to apologize." Big Mac stared at both fillies. Just then, Apple Drops returned, Redstreak behind her. She nodded. "I'm havin' a filly," she announced. Despite the sad atmosphere, Rarity and Applejack smiled up at the mare. Apple Drops noticed Rarity. "Is this one of your friends, Applejack?" Applejack and Rarity exchanged glances. "Kinda," Applejack replied. She looked at Rarity. "I have a bedroom. You wanna go in it?" "Alright," Rarity replied, and the fillies headed to Applejack's room. Redstreak glanced outside. "Seems the apple-buckin's goin' well." "Apple Fritter met Applejack," Big Mac told him. "She had to leave, though. I forget why." Apple Drops smiled at her husband. "Redstreak, you can go on and help them out. I can manage. I've been pregnant twice before this." Applejack entered Big Mac's room. The colt looked up at her. "Do we have relatives in Manehattan?" she asked. Big Mac nodded. "Aunt and Uncle Orange live there. Why?" "I want to live there." Big Mac's green eyes widened. He stared at his sister. "What?" "I want to live in Manehattan," Applejack repeated. "Rarity's family's so sophist'cated and formal and stuff. She said there's more ponies like that in Manehattan." Big Mac still had trouble proccessing this. "You--you want to move away from us?" "I like y'all," Applejack reassured her brother. "It's just I don't like being an uncouth farmer. I wanna be refined and sophist'cated like Rarity. An' she said there's ponies like that in Manehattan." Big Mac sighed and looked away. "You should talk to Momma and Poppa and Granny Smith." Their grandmother had been living with them since Grandpa Smith passed away. Applejack nodded. "I love you," she told her brother. "I'll write letters."
Applejack's Return It was later, while Apple Drops was still at the hospital with Redstreak, when Big Mac was gazing out a glassless window and saw a familiar orange shape coming closer. Big Mac couldn't believe it. He rushed to find Granny Smith and told her, "Applejack! She's comin' back!" They both ran outside to greet the filly at the entrance. Applejack ran straight into their forelegs, hugging them like never before. She looked up at both of them, green eyes shimmering. "You wouldn't believe it! It was a rainbow that pointed me home!" "I'm glad you're back, AJ," Big Mac told his sister. "But why'd ya want to?" "Bein' fancy is harder than I imagined!" Applejack told him. "They didn't even know what a rooster was! They dressed up my mane and made me speak in this accent! And y'all wouldn't believe how little the ponies eat there!" Granny Smith chuckled. "You've found your place," she told her granddaughter. "One of these days you'll be buckin' apples with your brother." Applejack suddenly sulked. "No I won't." Big Mac then noticed something. "Look at your flank," he told his sister. Applejack did, and gasped with delight. Three small, red apples appeared in a triangle on the orange fur. "I will!" Applejack squealed. "I will buck apples with you, Big Macintosh!" Big Mac couldn't be happier. His sister was staying after all, and here to see the new sister. But there was something she needed to know. Applejack glanced around. "Where's Momma and Poppa?" Granny Smith sighed. "They're...they're in the hospital, Applejack." Applejack's face fell. "What? Why?" Big Mac sighed. "Uh, an explosion happened in the sky. It hurt Poppa. Momma took him to Ponyville Hospital." Tears came into the filly's green eyes. "P-Poppa's hurt...?" Big Mac nodded. Then he had an idea. "Wait here, 'right?" He hurried back to the partially destroyed barn. Surely debris hadn't covered the spot he'd buried his hat. He managed to find the place very easily. He dug deep enough in a short time and soon found the old brown fabric of the familiar hat. Smiling, he pulled it up with his teeth, shaking the dirt from it. He then galloped back to Applejack and Granny Smith. "Hey, that's your hat!" Applejack exclaimed. Big Mac dropped the hat at his sister's hooves. "I...I want you to have it." Applejack gasped. "Really?" "Eeyup!" Big Mac smiled. Applejack hugged her brother tightly. "Thank you!"
Pinkie Pie's Party Months passed after Sweetie Belle's birth. Rarity and her family soon went home. The Apples were beginning to cope better. Applejack spent more time with Apple Bloom every day. Big Mac was satisfied. While the Apples were eating dinner, a knock sounded on the doors. Big Mac got up to get it, leaving his soup on the table. When he opened one of the barn doors, he saw a pink filly, about Applejack's age, with a poofy dark pink mane and tail. She had glimmering ice blue eyes and a wide smile. "Hi!" she greeted Big Mac, in a high-pitched voice. "I'm Pinkie Pie! I just moved to Ponyville with my Granny Pie! I'm giving goodies to everypony!" She gestured to a small cart behind her. Big Mac could see it was filled with pastries. Applejack, curious, joined Big Mac at the doors. She opened the other one. "Who's this, Big Macintosh?" She smiled warmly at Pinkie Pie. "I'm Pinkie Pie!" the filly told her. "I just moved here! Do you want some cupcakes, or biscuits, or doughnuts, or rolls, or cake...and it's free! I'm not looking for money!" Big Mac chuckled at the pink filly's excitement. He looked down at his sister. "AJ?" "Uh, no thanks," Applejack told Pinkie. "We're eating dinner, and I don't wanna spoil it." Pinkie shrugged. "Okey-dokey! If you change your mind, go down to Sugarcube Corner. That's where I made these." Applejack's green eyes widened. "You made all of these?" But the filly was bouncing off, her cart rolling behind her, humming cheerfully. Big Mac and Applejack looked at each other. They shrugged, closed the doors, and went back inside. The next day, when Applejack and Big Mac were trotting home from school, Applejack said, "I saw that pony from yesterday in my class...Pinkie Pie, I think. She was inviting everypony to a party at her house." Big Mac blinked. "For what?" "I don't have the slightest idea." When they were inside the barn, Apple Bloom trotted up to them. Her foal legs were wobbly, but she didn't fall. She smiled a toothless grin up at her siblings in welcome. "Hi, Bloomy!" Applejack cooed at her sister. She let her saddlebag drop on the floor and sat down to talk to the filly. "Appleshack! Macin'osh!" Apple Bloom squealed. She dropped to a lay-down position, giggling. Big Mac loved Applejack when she was born, and Apple Bloom was no different. She was an adorable baby. He smiled a bit whenever he looked at her. He hoped Apple Drops would have her wish granted, for Apple Bloom to have a good life. Soon, though, Big Mac noticed Applejack seemed upset. When he asked her if anything was wrong, she lied, "No, I'm fine."
