A Dark Night

Big Macintosh:

Big Mac was awoken by the early sun.  Getting up he looked out the window towards the orchard at the remaining apples that needed bucking from the trees.  Stretching himself out and popping several joints in his back and legs he quietly headed downstairs.

The clock in the kitchen only read 5:45; he let out a sigh and got out a piece of paper and a quill. Jotting a quick note down then leaving it on the table he headed to the closet to get a scarf. Then it was off to the barn to grab the cart and pails he would need for hauling the apples back.

He headed out to the first tree and with a great kick he managed to knock most of the apples off.  Picking them up and setting them in the cart one by one.   This continued for several hours before he noticed his hunger taking over.  Seeing it about time he started heading back to the house.

Scootaloo:

Winona trotted into the room sniffing around investigating the smells within.  Coming across the bed she noticed a small lump in the covers.  Jumping up she started to inspect further into her finding.  Awaking Scootaloo as she came across her ear while sniffing.

Getting up Scootaloo stretched out and headed down the hall.  Taking note that Big Mac’s room was empty she headed next to the bathroom.  Afterwards she headed down to the kitchen with Winona following every step of the way.  As soon as she arrived Winona headed to her food dish in the corner and started pawing at the empty bowl.  Scootaloo looked around for her food also taking note of the piece of paper on the table. After a few minutes she found it in a nearby cabinet.

Once she had fed Winona she headed to the table and sat down.  Picking up the letter she read.

Dear Scoots,

I am outside in the orchard clearing the rest of the apples.  I will be back for breakfast around 9:30.  We need to talk about last night though.  Don’t worry its ok!  Winona is around if you wake up early, just tell her to find me and let her outside.

Big Mac

Deciding to just wait till he comes back Scootaloo trotted into the den and sat down.  A photo album was sitting on a nearby table so Scootaloo grabbed it and started shuffling through it out of boredom. On the cover of the book was two ponies one a stallion with a Green coat and Yellow mane and a mare with a tan coat and dark golden mane.  Both cutie marks were not shown in the photo but Scootaloo guess it had something to do with apples.

The first page of the album was mostly Big Mac and his parents but as she went further she was introduced to applejack as a foal, eventually came photos of them as young fillies.  Eventually her friend Apple Bloom as a foal came into the photos. After that most pictures of events and family gathering didn’t have the two ponies on the front cover, most were replaced with Granny Smith.  Scootaloo assumed that was where they passed away.

“Sad how these two worlds come together” a voice behind her stated.  Scootaloo jumped as she notices Big Mac next to her.  She didn’t even hear him come inside, yet alone the room.

“How?” She stuttered.

“I came in for breakfast and had seen that you fed Winona so I assumed you were nearby.”

“I didn’t even hear you?”

“Well Apple Bloom is usually still sleeping till I make breakfast, so I guess it is just a habit.”

“Oh, I see; I was just looking at this album here and I just don’t know how you are so happy?” she said with a sigh.

Staring down at the floor Big Mac looked like he was thinking hard about something. Finally replying “Well let me tell you something then;”

Big Macintosh:

“…Well throughout both Applejack and my foal-hood our parents were there for us, they did everything to make our childhood memorable.  Then when Apple Bloom was born there were complications that caused our mother to have to travel to Canterlot over and over again to get treatment.  About a year after as you can see,” pointing to the first of the photos were there was mainly Granny Smith.

“What Happened?” Scootaloo asked.

“Well just a little after Apple Bloom had her first birthday our mother had to go for another surgery.  Or father went along with her,  according to the doctors it was a success and the good part was she was finally back to full health when she was done, but it was the train ride home,” sniffling and shedding a tear of sadness.  “It was the train ride home, heavy snow caused the train to derail, most of the passengers were declared dead.  Most of the others couldn’t be rescued in time.  My father was found alive but didn’t make it back to the nearest town in time, and passed away”.

Scootaloo:

Just sitting there taking in every word.  Finally thinking back to her original question, “so why are you always happy?”

“Well at first I was a wreck and so was Applejack, Apple Bloom too little to understand yet.  Granny Smith actually lived across town at that point and volunteered to watch over us as our guardians.  When we got older Applejack and I have taken guardianship over Apple Bloom as to how bad Granny’s mind can be now. Don’t remind me of what happened during crab apple season this year. Well over time I will get hit hard with sorrow from what happened but unfortunately as you grow up you learn to look forward.  Like the love for the rest of your family or a special somepony”.

Scootaloo’s stomach started to grumble and was not easy to ignore. Big Mac got up and Scootaloo followed him into the kitchen taking a seat at the table.  He quickly threw together some oat meal and toast with jam and served it to her.  Making a bowl of oat meal for himself he sat down with her at the table and they started to chow down.  Finally Big Mac looked up at Scootaloo and asked the question that was pestering him all morning.  “So if you don’t mind me asking what did exactly happen to your, umm, parents?”

Scootaloo’s mouth went dry as the thought crossed her mind and she wasn’t too fond of talking about it, but she guessed that it finally had to be told. Taking a drink of water to sooth her muzzle she finally took a deep breath and began.

“Do you remember of the fire that was in the news paper early this summer?” She asked him.

Thinking about it for a second he nodded yes, so she continued.

“Well it was mine and my parent’s home; I knocked one of the lamps over and started an oil fire.  It started spreading fast.  I was near the kitchens back door and was able to get out, but they both were upstairs at the time and couldn’t escape.  They were dead before they were able to be rescued” she stated as she started to shed tears.

Giving her a few moments to calm down before he asked his next question, “Mind I also ask how you been living these past few months then?” Big Mac asked.

“I have been mostly staying at friends houses at night, trying to space them far enough apart that nopony noticed anything strange, when all else fails I usually sleep in the club house or in the schoolyard under the shrubs near the school house. Getting as cold as it has been lately, I have been spending the nights when I can’t find a friend’s house in the club house.  I was lucky that my parents had a small fund set up in my name that allows me about 50 Bits every week if they were to pass away, so at least I can eat and buy a few things here and there.  I also eat a lot of the free school lunches”.

“So nopony else was claimed to be a guardian then?” he asked.

“I had a small family, my parents were only-childs, and my grandparents are already dead”.

Big Mac got up and cleared the dishes as she finished up.  “Well the girls don’t get back till tomorrow afternoon and I would appreciate it if you would stay here until I can talk to Applejack.  I do have some more work this afternoon so you are welcome to go hang out with another friend as long as your back her at a reasonable hour”.

He wanted her to at least enjoy her day so she could take her mind the situation.  Scootaloo didn’t feel like being with anypony but guessed it didn’t hurt to at least see what Sweetie Belle was doing.  Responding back “Thanks Big Mac, I will see what Sweetie is up to today”

She headed out the door towards Rarity’s shop to see if sweetie Belle was there, if not Rarity knows where their parent’s house is and that is where she could find her.  “See you later” she said to Big Mac as she left out the door.