"Hey...Bloomberg?"
A hushed country voice tapped nudged at the branches of the sapling tree. It rustled; it was only from the movement of the train cart, but Applejack tried to think otherwise.
"If...if ya can hear me, ah..ah wanted ta say...ah'm sorry."
The sound of the train moving over the tracks amplified the silence that pervaded the room.
"Ah'm sorry I can't keep ya. But you know Ponyville's jus' not safe enough for ya. Yall'll be happier in Appleloosa. Ah promise."
Applejack's green eyes kept still upon the unmoving apple tree in the bed before her.
She sighed.
"Big Mac?" the little voice questioned.
"Eeyup?"
"Where do apple trees come from?"
"..."
An innocent question from an even more-so innocent filly. Big Mac held his tongue; not unusual for him, but in this case it wasn't without purpose. He may be older than her, and bear more responsibility as thus, but it was not his decision to make. His next few words were chosen carefully.
"You'll find out when it's time, lil sis. Please trust me on this."
"O-kay big brother."
Her words were saccharine but they did nothing but tear at the soft-hearted colt. He had not taken well when he learned, and he didn't believe his little sister would either. There were still three more to go, and he dreaded thinking about how everyone would react. Instead, he didn't. He blanked his mind, and went back to hauling apples back to the barn.
"But thr's no more room een the south feeyulds!" whined a feeble old voice, as Granny Smith scratched her head perplexedly.
"I assure you, if you are worried about space, I can give you mo-..." the elegant voice stopped as a creak was heard outside the door. Soft magenta eyes caught sight of a shadow. The room went silent. Granny Smith took a moment then perked up and looked where her guest was eyeing.
"Come on in, ya scamp. Whadidja want?" Her rough old accent at first struck a little guilt at the peeping filly, but soon enough she nudged the doorway open and walked in, head low as it could be. She almost appeared to be shaking. Her grandmother questioned, "what's the matter, dear?"
Before the filly could respond, the elegant voice spoke up, "I believe it's because of me." Regal eyes gazed down at the grovelling Applejack, who whimpered as though being punished. A smile crossed the guest's lips.
"It's alright, dear. I am here on business; there is no need to treat me like royalty now." as the words fell sweetly from her mouth, Applejack dared look up at the guest. The magnificent Alicorn towered in the room, her majestic mane rolling continuously from magics unknown to earth ponies like her. At her age, at least.
"Ah...I..s-sorry for i-t-t-ntrupting, y-yer majesty," words came out in a frightened twang, which softened the Princess' heart a little.
"My dearest...it is quite alright. I..." the soft-hued mare looked down, pausing. She returned her gaze suddenly, "I suppose it is time, anyhow."
A cider mug hit the table with all the elegance of a dropped hammer, "She's justa filly f'land-sakes!" Granny Smith's eyes bulged a bit, and a colt sitting in a corner seat shrunk a little.
"An Apple Family filly. Miss Smith, I know you are aware of the traditions," gentle-yet-piercing eyes settled upon the older mare, "and that every Apple must learn eventually. I like to believe in fate...and so, yes, though she is a filly, this is the time. I'm sorry if this upsets you, Miss Smith."
The old green mare stared intently at the rug, hoof holding the cider mug's handle as tight as it could grip.
The little orange filly stared up meekly at the Alicorn Princess, legs still shaky, but now her eyes were filled more-so with confusion and question than with fear.
Big Mac gulped.
"I'm NOT GUNNA BEYA PARTA THIS!" Applejack's voice cracked in a shrill shriek at everyone in the room. Celestia had told her the truth. The truth about being an Apple. The truth about her destiny.
"Dearie, it'll---"
"AH'M LEAVIN!" she shouted as she teared up, bucking the door closed as her hoofsteps sounded towards her room. There was a silence in the room, alongside the ticking of a clock. Tears welled-up in Granny Smith's eyes. Big Mac stared at his lap, deep in thought. The Princess stared at the closed door quietly for an entire minute, before she finally broke the delicate, pained solace of the group.
"She will come back. They all do."
"Did ah ever tell ya how lucky ya'll are, Bloomberg?" Applejack wiped a hoof past her cheek, catching a stray tear that had tried to escape to the floor. The tree, as would be expected, did not respond, and so she continued, "Ah am so jealous of you."
A hoof caressed the trunk of the tree, up and down, as one would comfort a friend in need. More tears ran down her cheek, this time leaving wet marks upon the wooden floor.
"Ah mean, ah understand...ah do. What would we do with all the bodies? They...they're better this way. Don't you think?"
The tree moved a little as the train hit a bump.
"Celestia always knows what's best."
Applejack rested her chin on the bed beside the small apple tree.
"Ah'll keep you safe. Always. Even if you're not a pony no more. You're still..." her words choked in her throat as she held back a sob. Words shivered out.
"Ah..ah love you. You and all the others. No one else understands, but we do. We'll protect all o' y'all.. We all appreciate ya. Every one of us...the Apple Family sticks together...through thick and thin. And besides..."
She sighed weakly.
"We always make the best apple trees."