A Day in the Incredibly Boring Life of Fluttershy

Applejack glanced at Apple Bloom chatting with Corn Cobb about how to improve her swing and potentially earn her baseball cutie mark.  McIntosh was laughing with “Moonlight” Graham Cracker over… something.  He could be so difficult to read most of the time.  Applejack turned her head as Horseshoeless Joe called out to her.

“Hey, we’re gonna call it a night,” the ballplayer said.

“Okay,” Applejack replied.

“Good night,” Daring Do called from the bleachers.

Joe began to trot toward the rows of apple trees, but paused for a moment in contemplation.

“Say,” he began, “Do you want to come with?”

“M-me?” Applejack stammered.  Her eyes lit up with wonder.  “Do you really mean it?”

“No, not you.”  The ballplayer pointed a hoof at Daring Do.  “Her.”

“Her?” Applejack’s eyes narrowed at the author.

“You want me to go with you?” Daring asked.  Now it was her turn to gaze longingly at the rows of trees.  “What’s out there, anyway?”

Joe gave her a mischievous smirk.  “Why don’t you come along and see?”

“Wait just one apple pickin’ minute,” Applejack fumed.  “Why can’t I go?”

“Because you weren’t invited,” Joe said laconically.

“But you’re inviting her?  I don’t understand,” Applejack gritted her teeth.

“Applejack, you’ve got family and friends here.  You know me, Daring Do, I always work alone,” she smiled weakly.  “Besides, I’m a writer.  Think of the opportunity that this could be.”

“I am,” Applejack snorted.  “I’m thinking that ever since this started, I’ve been giving everypony else their dreams, and throughout it all, I’ve never once questioned it.  Never once asked ‘what’s in it for me?’”  She crossed her hooves angrily.

“What are you trying to say, AJ?” Joe prompted.

“I guess I’m asking… what’s in it for me?”

“How about an autographed copy of ‘Daring Do and What Lies Beyond?’” Daring suggested.

“You’re really gonna write it?” Applejack grunted.

“You betcha.  The title’s a work in progess, though.”  Daring flashed a smarmy grin.

“I want a full account,” Applejack demanded, finally returning the grin.  Apple Bloom and Big McIntosh cantered up beside her.

“What’s going on?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Daring Do’s been invited to go with them,” Applejack explained as the ballplayers and the author slowly disappeared into the orchard.  The grin never left Daring’s face even as she faded away.

Horseshoeless Joe was wearing a similar grin as he stared at Applejack.

“What’s so funny, ghostie?” Applejack suppressed a giggle.

Joe said nothing, but simply pointed at the only other player remaining on the field.  The player hadn’t been there a moment before, that much was obvious.  This player was putting her gear on, as if she were getting ready for a game.  Horseshoeless Joe took his leave, and exited the field in the same manner as the other ballplayers and Daring Do had.

“Merciful Celestia,” Applejack breathed as she recognized the green mare.

“Who is she, sis?” Apple Bloom asked.

Applejack did not answer right away.  The ballplayer trotted up to the three siblings, stopping directly in front of Applejack.

“I just wanted to thank you kindly for putting up this field,” she said, her long blonde braids bobbing as she spoke.  “My name’s Granny Smith.”

Apple Bloom looked at her oddly.  “I didn’t know there were two ponies named…” A gentle nudge and a shake of the head by Big McIntosh silenced her.

Applejack found her voice.  “I’m Applejack, this is my older brother Big McIntosh, and our little sister Apple Bloom.  It’s nice to meet you… Granny Smith.”

“I’m gonna bring Apple Bloom inside.  It’s late,” Big McIntosh said, giving Applejack a wink.  “Very nice to meet you ma’am.”

Apple Bloom gave a squeaky protest, but McIntosh simply scooped her up onto his back and ambled toward the homestead.

“I never knew you played ball,” Applejack commented.

“Well, my ballplaying ain’t as good as my baking, but I’m a hay of a lot better at it than seven legged races.  Never won a single one of them things,” Granny replied.  “Mind if I ask you something?”

“Shoot,” Applejack said.

“Is this heaven?”  The expression of Granny Smith’s face was filled with innocence and hope.

Applejack looked hard at the green coated mare in front of her.  She glanced around at the various apple trees.

“It’s Sweet Apple Acres,” she replied blandly.

“Oh,” Granny’s reddish orange eyes looked at the ground.  She shrugged.  “I could have sworn it was heaven.”

Applejack pondered the statement for a moment.  “Maybe it is,” she mused.  “How are mom and dad?” she asked.

“They send their love,” Granny Smith smiled.  A pair of shooting stars crossed over the two mares’ heads.  She started to walk back toward the orchard.

“Say, Granny Smith,” Applejack called out.  Granny Smith paused in anticipation.  “You wanna have a catch?” Applejack tossed a ball to her grandmother, who caught it and returned the throw.

“I’d like that,” Granny Smith beamed.

They continued back and forth for a while bathed in the glow of the floodlights surrounding a baseball diamond in the middle of an apple orchard.