It was a bright and sunny morning. Clear blue skies with only a few clouds specifically placed for aesthetics, birds merrily chirping to one another, and general peacefulness abound. It was just another perfect day in Equestria, a perfect day to buck some apples. Applejack got out of bed with righteous gusto, ready to get out into the fields and gather the Apple family’s namesake.
However, loud growl from her stomach reminded Applejack of certain priorities. The farm pony grabbed her hat and trotted down the stair to fuel up for the long day ahead. Upon reaching the kitchen, Applejack noticed a certain tension in the air. Her family was already gathered around the table, everyone looking at her with baited breath.
“Mornin' ya all.”
“Morning' AJ.” replied Big Mac stoically.
“Mornin' sis!” Applebloom said with her usual cheerful demeanor.
“Good mornin'” Granny Smith said with a twinkle in her eye.
Applejack sat down at the table next to her big brother.
“Ya ready ready for another day of some good ol' apple bucking?” Big Mac asked.
“I'll tell ya what, after a day like yesterday, I'm just happy to be back home. Still can't believe what happened with Pinkie Pie. It took us over an hour just to pull Rainbow Dash out of the that log after she agreed to test Pinkie's new trampoline-cannon. Sometimes I worry about her.”
“Eeyep.”
“I mean, what in tarnation was she thinking? Combining a trampoline with a cannon! That's just plum crazy.”
“Eeyep.”
“And Rainbow Dash! She actually agreed to test it! Pinkie said she tested it with a bag o' flour, but that don't make it right to just test it on a live pony next.”
“Eeyup”
“You sure are awfully talkative this mornin' Big Mac... ya all hidin' something?”
“Ee-nope.” Big Mac answered.
Another growl of her stomach reminded Applejack of why she came down to the kitchen in the first place, besides to spend time with her wonderful family.
“Whoo-wee, I cannot tell ya how hungry I am this morning. What's on the menu fer today?”
Granny Smith smiled as Applebloom all but jumped out of her seat.
“Oh oh! I'm in charge of breakfast today, sis!” The youngest Apple announced eagerly.
Applejack responded with unease, “Oooh? Ya all ain't trying to get a cutie mark in cooking again are ya?”
“Fer the last time, that was mostly Sweetie Belle's fault. Besides, nopony got seriously sick.”
“Uh-huh...” Applejack thought back to what was referred to as 'the incident' amongst the family. Applebloom huffed in frustration, thinking Applejack had finally gotten over the food poisoning by now, but apparently, her older sister was just as hesitant as ever.
“Well, if it makes ya feel better, it's just cereal and toast.”
“Well, I suppose-” Applejack began.
“Now, come on Applejack; give yer little sister a break. She just wants to help around the house more. Why, I remember back when you were her age. You tried to juice an apple like it was an orange or something. Isn't that right Macintosh?” Granny Smith berated Applejack.
“Eeyup.”
Applejack tried to hide behind her Stetson, feeling ashamed for being so critical of her little sister and embarrassed of her own mistakes in her youth. The clattering of wooden bowls onto the table snapped her attention in front of her and she peered down at the already full bowl of tan loops sprinkled with bits of red. This wasn't anything she was familiar with. Before she could ask about it, a plate of toast was placed in the middle of the table along side a pitcher of milk, a stick of butter, a few strawberries, and of course, some apples.
“Golly! You sure did work hard on this one, Applebloom. This is just what the doctor ordered!” Applejack said with praise as she reached for some toast. Little did she know that her toast wasn't the only thing being buttered up at the moment.
“Ah, thanks big sis. I just wanted to show ya all how much I love ya.” Applebloom said as she poured milk for Granny Smith, who was busy suppressing a chuckle.
Applebloom made her way over to Applejack and poured milk into her bowl, before immediately rushing over to give Big Mac's bowl its share of moo-juice. Applejack was happy to see her little sister being so helpful. Maybe I'll get her an ice cream this afternoon, she thought to herself as she scooped up a spoonful of cereal. A rush of apple and cinnamon flavor assaulted her taste-buds. The tartness of sweet juicy apples along side the crisp taste of cinnamon proved too delicious to resist. In her desire to get out to bucking and to quell her ravenous stomach, she quickly devoured the rest of her breakfast.
“Whoo-wee! That sure was good, Applebloom. Thank ya for breakfast.” Applejack said.
“Oh, yer welcome sis. Glad to see ya enjoyed it.” Applebloom replied with glee.
“Eeeyup.” Said Big Macintosh with a smile.
“Thank ya Applebloom, breakfast was delicious. I'm fuller than blue ribbon pig at the state fair.” Granny Smith added with a laugh.
Applejack grabbed an apple to top off her breakfast before turning to her sister.
“By the way, Applebloom, what cereal was that? Is it something new?”
“Sure is.” The yellow filly answered.
Meanwhile Granny Smith was still chuckling to herself while Big Macintosh did his best to hold his infamous poker face. Applejack suddenly felt her stomach descend, fully aware now that some kind of trick was being pulled on her.
“Applebloom... what did I just eat?” the orange pony asked with dread.
Applebloom ran to the the kitchen and brought out a box of cereal and placed it on the table. At this point Granny Smith was all out laughing while Big Mac grinned. Applejack blinked . She blinked again. In front of her sat a box of Apple Jacks. Without a word, Applejack stood up from the table, put on her stetson, and left to buck trees.
“Thanks fer helping everypony. Can I be excused? I wanna meet with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo to think of funny things to say fer dinner.” Applebloom asked Granny Smith.
“Have fun darling.” Granny Smith excused the little filly as she rushed to the club house.
Granny Smith and Big Macintosh sat quietly at the table for a few brief minutes before the green elder looked at her grandson and said, “Ya all thinking of funny things to say at dinner too, ain't ya?”
“Eeyup!”
Author's Note
I promise, the joke sounded funnier in my head.
Maybe this is why you shouldn't write after skipping breakfast.
