Death in the Family

"Do ya' think she's in a better place, Big Mac?" said Applebloom looking up at her big brother.

Big Mac stared blankly in the distance his tranquil neutrality was now replaced with a sudden feeling of grief, his suave demeanor conflicted with his unexpressed lost and he remained silent.

"Big Mac," she began tearing up, "say somethin'!"

Memories began flooding into his mind: he remembered the first day he met Granny Smith, the time Granny Smith taught him how to 'properly' buck a tree, the time she taught him how to bake a pie, or the time

she taught him how to handle his cider.

"W-what do you want me-- to say," He choked out, clearing his throat several times.

"Big Mac..." Applejack butted in, she motioned him over, he got up and sat by her side.

"Big Mac, the girl needs her big brother right now. Try an' be nice to her."

"I dun' know what to say. Your good with these kinds of things." he whispered, momentarily making eye contact with Applebloom and then darting back to Applejack.

"Tell her how ya' feel, it'll help her healin' process along."

Applebloom wept furiously as she buried her head in her hooves. Applejack nudged at Big Mac cueing him to move back to Applebloom, he put his worn hoof over Applebloom as her heartbroken wails tugged at his stoic persona.

"I know kiddo. I'm going miss her too." he murmured, he looked down at the disturbed earth and he began to sob.

An indifferent Applejack watched the two as they mourned their grandmother -- Applejack -- the last one to talk to Granny Smith felt a sense of lose, but was unable to shed a tear.

She glared at the gravestone. Their last conversation seemed so meaningless; they had bickered about how unproductive this year's crop was, how to pay off their farm's encroaching debts, how they were going to send Applebloom to Manehatten to live with relatives. All that time wasted over nonsense, Applejack looked away from the grave and slowly walked towards the barn leaving Big Mac and Applebloom sobbing in each other's hooves.

[The day before]

"O' boy! O' boy!" It's Hearts and Hooves day ya'll!"

"Eee- nope. Give it a day Abby, ya' been wakin' me an' yer' sister for this old holiday fer' a week now," yawned Big Mac, "an' if ya' keep it up, then I'll make sure ya' miss it!"

Applebloom gulped and laid back down,

"I'm jus' havin' fun is all. Sheesh!"

The day began as usual. Applebloom woke up first and prepared for school while Big Mac and Applejack slept in, Granny Smith already awake and alert walked Applebloom to school. The two were always the first ones there and

this is when they bonded.

"So, youngin' watcha' wanna learn about t'day?"

"Uh. Um..uh-- why is there school?

Granny Smith paused for a moment.

"Well. Look at it like this sugar, you go to school fer' choices!"

"Choices, Ma?"

"Yessiree! Ye' dun' wanna work on the farm with Big Mac an' Applejack all yer' life do ya'?

"Whatcha' mean? That sounds funner than a barrel full er' rattlesnacks!"

Granny Smith chuckled, "Golly, Applebloom. You sound more an' more like yer' sister everyday." Granny Smith ended her chuckling with a satisfied sigh and looks at the school.

"Applebloom, the possibilities  er' endless. The farm ain't no place fer' ya, you see you haven't gotten yer' cutie mark for it maybe it jus' ain't yer' callin'."

"My callin'?"

"What yer' meant to do."

"Oh. Alright Granny, I'll stay in school fer' ya' until I find my c-calling!"

Granny Smith smiles and wraps her wrinkly hooves around Applebloom in a hug. The Kodak moment is ruined when the school bell rings louder than usual, the two end their embrace and Granny Smith walks Applebloom to the school door. The two part ways, as Granny Smith walks away she turns around.

"Remember what I said, sugar! See ya' when ya' get home!" she yells to Applebloom who's halfway passed the door. Granny Smith smiles at the door and walks home.

The walk seems harder than usual today. Granny Smith decides to walk through town, the colorful houses and the friendly folk of Ponyville always put a smile on her aged face.

(Unfinished)