Being Brave part II

It was the end of the day in Ponyville. The sun was just about to make its descent in the distant mountains. The moon was ready to glisten its white glow over the land, and Cory was now heading back to Sweet Apple Acres from his first real birthday party. Oh how much joy it brought inside his soul, how much memory it implanted in his brain and how much trust that healed in his heart. The day swarmed with a vast array of moments and memories that included balloons, confetti, cotton candy, music, and other optimistic subjects. It was clearly a morning and afternoon he would never forget.

Now it was time for shut eye. An end to perhaps the greatest day of his life. Much there was to think about for tomorrow. Chores to do, Work to solve, and artwork to create. But he enjoyed every minute of it, no matter how hard it was. Plus, what was a home without its thoughtful residents: Applebloom, the playful one, Big Mac, the strong one, Granny Smith, the wise one, and of course, Applejack, the true protector of the farm. Yet, tonight would be different for Cory. And this moment that was soon to come, would go on in his brain for as long as he lived.

Inside, as he entered the house, he had noticed how dimly lit the interior seemed to be. On most days, the light flooded the inside of the barn, making any tired traveler welcome and secure from a long journey. The only light source was to his right where sat a few occupants waiting at the dinner table: Applejack, Granny Smith, Big Mac, Applebloom, Twilight, Cadence and Shining Armor. On all them were worried yet confident looks. Upon noticing his arrival, they all flicked their heads up at the same time. In spite of how much these ponyfolk filled up the house, it all seemed a little empty. Not empty as in loneliness empty, but empty as in a feel of uncertainty falling across the atmosphere.

"Hey Cory." Said a sympathetic Applejack.

"What's wrong? What's happening?" he asked worriedly as he closed the door.

"Nothing's wrong pal." replied Shining Armor. "By the way. Happy birthday."

"Yep. Happy Birthday hopeful grandkid." Added Granny Smith.

"Thanks G...grandkid?"

Cory could not believe what she just called him.

"Cory." Said Twilight "We all came to talk to you about something, and see if you'd be ok with it."

At this point, a shiver fell down Cory's back. What was going to happen? Did someone die? Would he need to become a pony? Was he getting married? Probably not. So he walked towards the ponyfolk and took a seat at the vacant chair. Everypony was staring at him with a few concerned looks, as if ready for him to answer something. For a time being, there was a silence so pure and quiet, one could literally hear a hay gently falling from a barrel.

" What's this about?" he asked after what seemed like forever.

"Well," Answered Twilight as her hoof touched the back of her head "I went into your world today, and was able to get into contact with your parent.."

"How did you do that in one day?" Cory interrupted

"Apparently the timespan fluctuates between our worlds."

"Oh. I see. And...What did they say?"

"So I tried to reason with them which led to a ferocious debate, the result didn't end as precisely as I planned ...and...well..."

"They..." Applejack interrupted as her eyes filled with tears "They still don't want you anymore.

Cory bowed his head in shame as Applejack came over to rub her hoof on his back.

"It's alright." Said Cory as he wiped his tears. " You don't need to comfort me. I kind of expected that sort of response from them."

"But that's not important." Said Twilight "What's important now is what were about to ask you. Applejack, why don't you start."

Applejack got out of her seat and went up to Cory like a big sister.

"Cory," Applejack started as she cleared her throat. "We know you don't have a family and uh..."

"The Apple Family is only one of the biggest in Equestria." Added Granny Smith.

"But we always got room for one more in our apple clan." Added Applebloom

"Eeyup." Added Big Mac.

"Plus I always wanted to have a little colt by my side." Added Shining Armor. "You know, to teach some of the ways of the royal guard."

"Also," Added Cadence "I kind of always wanted to be an aunt to somepony, and, for the record, you're the closest to being on

"So, to come directly to the point," Said Twilight "we were wondering if we could all jointly adopt you."

Everypony was now staring at Cory with a sincere smile. At that moment, his hands were shaking, sweat began to fall down his brow, and his face turned white as caulk. All his life, Cory wished for someone to ask him this, but he never thought this moment would actually become a reality.

"You mean......be.....be my family?" he asked with a timid voice.

Everypony nodded in unison.

"Applejack could be your sister, and I could be your mom." Twilight explained.

"Yeah!!" Shouted Pinkie Pie as she popped out of nowhere "And since I'm technically Applejack's fourth cousin twice removed by a fifth cousin, I'll be your family too!!!"

She then gave a grin that fell across the entire bottom of her face.

"Well...I..."

Cory tried to think of the right words for this moment. Never in his years had he thought someone, or anyone in that matter, would've liked him that much. For the first time, he knew he had found his family. He just never thought it would be with another species. So, he thought of the best thing to say for the occasion.

"Why bother. You're already family to me."

"So..." Said eager Applebloom. "Is it..."

"Yes." Answered Cory who was on the verge of choking up "It's a yes."

In one split second, the entire room burst into an uproarious applause of smiles and tears. Cory, found himself surrounded by 7 ponies who were hugging him like a teddy bear. At that moment Applejack cheerfully trotted Cory to the back door of the kitchen and turned on the back light.

"HE SAID YES EVERYPONY!!!" Applejack shouted with glee.

From out of the darkness appeared a humongous crowd of cheering earth ponies and unicorns great and small. Each one of them had a distinct color scheme, a different cutie mark, yet a smile and cheer all the same.

"Whats this?" Asked a surprised Cory.

"Hey y'all!!" Cried Applebloom as she jumped onto Cory's shoulders "I'm gettin a new brother!!"

"Welcome to the family little brother." Said Applejack as she plopped Cory on her back. Then she took a big whiff of air and stretched out her lungs with pride.

"Do you smell that sweet apple air?" She asked as she carried Cory towards the crowd

"not really." replied Cory.

"That's rhetorical. Of course you smell it. You're an apple now, and you made the best choice of choosing our family."

"And our family too." Added Twilight with a motherly look as she approached the scene.

"UNICORNS!! FRONT AND CENTER!!!" Yelled Shining Armor.

Every unicorn in the crowd gathered around Cory and lifted him in the air with magic.

"Don't be frightened son." Said Twilight as she flew up to him and threw him on her back "This is all part of how we welcome new family members."

"And our family members too." Applejack added with pride. "All right y'all. Everypony head on down to the center of the farm for the birth-a-doption celebration." To which she kicked her hooves in the air and galloped in that direction.

Twilight flew Cory through the orchard while everypony else followed. Cory could hear Applebloom off in the background shouting "This is the best family ever!!." For the first time ever, Cory had tears of joy in his eyes. Then, there was a feeling he had never experienced before. It felt so good and yet so foreign. It was something that words were too feeble to describe, as if he was the first to have this feeling. Then, after a moment, he finally knew what it was: LOVE.