What is Fair?
“….” the pony moved her mouth but her voice failed. She struggled to form the words in the quiet, somber moment that lingered in her room. Apple Bloom wiped the tears from her eyes. Soon, the tense air broke after a firm knock on the door to her bedroom. With a deep breath she said, “It’s open.”
“Apple Bloom,” a voice said as the pony entered, “are you going to be alright? I know this isn’t easy.”
Princess Celestia entered into the earth pony’s room and sat beside her. The two mares fixated on the images inside the oak picture frames that lined the dresser. For the earth pony, the time she dreaded had finally come.
“It should have been special. Today would be the very first pie delivery on mah own.” The mare said. She felt a lump in her throat while her eyes watered, “W-we lost mah big sis about five years ago. I still remember the day, and how it broke granny’s heart. Now, now Big Macintosh is alone on the farm whenever ah leave, the same for me whenever he leaves. Ah knew we would lose granny one day, but losin’ mah big sis…”
“You know, Granny Smith and her family were so full of spirit when I first met them. I saw that little filly peeking out from behind her mother to look at me. You should take heart—“
“I know. I know! I should ‘take heart in our memories’ like Twi said, but it ain’t that easy. Taint fair!” The earth pony said as her hooves began to tremble. “Why did this happen?!”
“I’m sorry Apple Bloom. It would be wonderful if each and every pony in Equestria had a happy ending for their life’s story. Some of us aren’t so lucky. Me, Princess Luna, Princess Cadence, and Princess Twilight, we don’t have the power to change the past. Despite what ponies believe, we aren’t all powerful beings. The power to re-write history escapes even Discord’s powers.” Princess Celestia said. The royal pony unfolded her beautiful regal wing but Apple Bloom moved away, causing the regal mare to retract her soft embrace towards the mare. “For some of us, there are no such things as happy endings. I’m sad to say that it is time for the ceremony. You are the one who must deliver the eulogy for your departed grandmother. If you like, I can accompany you on your pie delivery.”
“Please, give me a moment.” Apple Bloom said in a melancholic tone. She sat in her room, staring at the pictures of Applejack, Granny Smith, Big Macintosh and her as a little filly, ignoring Princess Celestia’s quiet departure. A picture showed Applejack putting her precious hat on Apple Bloom; both ponies smiled as they stood in front of the barn in the timeless memory. After a final wipe of her tears, Apple Bloom tied her bow around her mane. She stared at the Stetson hat that rested on the back of her door, removed it gently from the hanger and put it on before exiting her room. “A mare can’t cry forever. There’s work to be done.”
The pony made her way down the memory laden hallway, proceeding towards the stairs. Apple Bloom stopped for a second to look at a picture before she continued towards the kitchen where her friends made some snacks.
“You okay, Apple Bloom?” Sweetie Belle said. The unicorn caught a glint from a drop that rolled down her friend’s cheek before it hit the floor. “Can’t you pass on the responsibility of the eulogy? I know Big Macintosh has a lot to do, but can’t he help you with it?”
“Yea, I mean, he’s a strong stallion. He can handle it. Right, “Scootaloo said before she saw her friend raise her head.
“No. Mah big brother has a lot on his plate right now, just like you said Sweetie Belle. He had to take over Applejack’s work. Big Mac I’m worried about the most since he dealt with Ma and Pa passin’ away as well. For him to hear about Applejack goin’ missin’ on her delivery — those fields are just starting to recover from the damage.” Apple Bloom said as she moved towards the fridge. She grabbed a jug of Sweet Apple Acres Apple Juice from the back, took a quick drink, and placed it back in the fridge before slamming the door shut. The earth pony opened the door to the back of the house. With her head raised she said, “We better get moving. The skies are already darkening again. RD is just as broken up about this as ah am.”
“She is broken up.” Scootaloo said with a crack in her tone. “I helped her survey those burning swamps when I was a filly. Rainbow Dash never stopped searching. Even after it hit the third week, she continued the search. I’m sorry that all we could find was Applejack’s hat.”
A dark, grim sky overshadowed the funeral in front of the barn while Apple Bloom delivered her eulogy. Throughout the house, the grandfather clock’s eleven chimes went unheard by the ponies attending the service. Four hours had passed since the earth pony mare woke and prepared for the funeral. It was with the last word spoken that Big Macintosh and Apple Bloom steadied their hooves. They lifted the coffin. Both ponies carried their departed family member towards the eastern field.
“Bloom…” Big Macintosh said.
“It ain’t fair big brother. I’m not a little filly anymore, yet ah feel like curlin’ up into a ball in my bed when I first heard our sister went missin’.” Apple Bloom replied, interrupting her brother before he could continue. A sound entered into the mare’s ears. She turned briefly before re-fixating her gaze on the headstone that sat peacefully under the large apple tree. “Princess Luna, I thought you went back to Canterlot with yer sis?”
“I consulted with my sister, Princess Twilight and Princess Cadence. Since your family is close to the Royal family, we felt it best if one of us remained here to see if you needed any assistance. It is your choice though,” Princess Luna said with a half-hearted smile. “I do not want to interfere with your business. As princesses, we cannot—“
“Can’t what? You can’t do what exactly, ‘Princess’ Luna?! You alicorns and yer immortality, along with your ‘harmonious’ bodies that have all three race’s abilities at the tips of your horns, wings, and earth pony strengthened hooves. You princesses and yer nigh godlike power and ‘infinite’ wisdom…” Apple Bloom said with a callous tone.
The hairs on Big Macintosh’s coat stood on end after he heard his sister speak. He bowed to the regal mare that stood near him and turned to his sister, “Bloom, show some respect! I’m just as angry and saddened as you are right now. All of ponyville and beyond lent a helping hoof to us in our time of need. Even Princess Celestia and Princess Luna assisted us, along with Princess Cadence and Princess Twilight.”
“That is alright Big Macintosh. I don’t blame the poor pony. Her words, I’m sad to say, carry an amount of truth in them. As alicorns, we princesses lead rather ‘different’ lives from other ponies. With that said, there are times when we are powerless in this world. In all of her heart, Princess Twilight wanted to find Applejack. She wanted to find her dear friend and bring her back. That alicorn’s determination was beyond what I have ever seen in the time I had and have been by my sister’s side.” Princess Luna said before she turned away. “Me, my sister, Cadence, Twilight, we are all here if you want to talk to us. Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy are also here, along with your friends from school.”
“Just leave. Leave before I say something ah might regret,” Apple Bloom said.
After a polite bow by Big Macintosh, Princess Luna flew off into the distance. The earth pony stallion and mare sat near the headstone at the base of the apple tree. Apple Bloom walked towards it, turned around and raised her left hind leg. A loud bang resonated in the still air. Several moments passed before a single apple fell onto the soft soil that now covered the wooden coffin.
“It’s time Big Macintosh.” Apple Bloom nodded at her brother, “I promise to stay safe on the pie delivery.”
“CCW,” Big Macintosh said in a quiet tone.
“Chair. Cheese. Whip. I got them already packed away with my flame proof attire and other necessities,” Apple Bloom said.
A gentle wind blew through the leaves of the tree that watched over the site of the Apple Family memorial plot. The two ponies departed each other company and reached their destinations. It was with the wagon hitched up that Apple Bloom looked at the lifeless house. The wheels on the wagon groaned and creaked with that massive pull from the strong equine. Apple Bloom moved toward the forest she had seen her sister travel so many times before.
*** *** ***
Bubbles burst. Flames shot up towards the darkened sky. The wagon’s wheels continued to creak and groan as Apple Bloom pushed her hooves into the thick mud. With a heavy sigh the mare said, “This place is awful. Applejack was right.“
“Apple Bloom, are you sure you do not require assistance?” Princess Luna said as she materialized from behind a tree. The regal mare levitated three rocks out of the ground and stepped onto one that hovered above the ground. “I could fly you to your destination. Perhaps even better, I could tele—“
“Mah big sister told me that a day would come when ah needed to be a ‘big pony.’” Apple Bloom said as she pushed her hooves against the thick sludge, moving herself forward. She breathed a small sigh of relief after the path had reached solid ground. The earth pony mare watched the alicorn step off the rock onto solid ground beside her. Apple Bloom gritted her teeth – and under a growling tone – said, “Please, leave.”
“As you wish, but I ‘will’ be watching you.” The royal blue pony said before she vanished in a flash of light.
The earth pony mare stopped for a second before she took a deep breath. “You should have been ‘watchin’’ over mah big sister!”
Apple Bloom’s words intermingled amongst the natural sounds of the swamp’s bursting bubbles and fiery columns. The earth pony mare didn’t have to look in order to feel the presence of the creature her sister talked about so much.
“My, if it isn’t a tasty morsel,” The chimera’s tiger voice said with a sly tone. “She smells delicious, just like those sweet pies she’s carrying in the wagon.”
The mare moved to the side and passed the creature. Before the earth pony could proceed further, the chimera jumped in front of her. The snake hissed at her. Apple Bloom raised her head and looked at the creature, giving a sinister stare back to it. “Get out of mah way. Today is ‘not’ the day to be messin’ with me, ya freak.”
“Freak, how callousssss of you.” The snake said to Apple Bloom, sticking out its forked tongue. “We are not a ‘freak’ by any ssssstretch of the imagination.”
“Hey, at least give me a chance to talk.” The goat said to her sister. It caught sight of the pony moving off to the other side to pass her. “Enough with the pleasantries then, let’s get her.”
A thunderous sound overshadowed the swamp. The trio of heads caught a devilish grimace from the earth pony before the end of a whip raced towards them. Apple Bloom clenched the whip in her mouth for a second before she put it back into her saddle bag. “This is the last warnin’ to you ‘freakssss’ behind me. Ah ain’t in the mood right now. Do you understand me?”
Apple Bloom continued on her way, but the sound of a snarl reached her ears. A crack of the whip licked the top of the tiger’s head, removing a small bit of fur to leave a lined bald spot. The earth pony removed the folding chair from her saddled bag and shoved it into the tiger’s mouth, watching it being chewed to bits.
“I soaked that chair in a special cliente sauce I bought at the local hot shop. I’ve also perfected my whip cracking technique.” Apple Bloom said as she watched the tiger head lick the mud, tears pouring from its eyes. “You want to try your luck at my song, missss sssnake? Perhaps you would like to try baaaacking off before I use the ‘unique’ cheese I made just for you, goat girl? You know what? You don’t get a choice!”
Sweat began to pour from beneath the pony’s Stetson as she lunged at the chimera. Each of the three heads begged for forgiveness. After the pony said “never bother me again,” the creature darted down the path and out of sight.
“You held back.” a voice said. Apple Bloom shrugged at the all too familiar voice and continued onward. Princess Luna materialized behind the pony and soon trotted alongside her. “Apple Bloom, I’m rather proud that you showed restrain in that moment. I beg you though, learn to let go of your pain. It will consume you down to your very core if you don’t.”
“With all due respect ‘Princess’ Luna, this isn’t a game anymore. Ah was a foolish little filly. Me and my friends, we played. We laughed. All of us had fun. In the end, it was just stupid nonsense. The reality of the situation is Applejack is gone. Granny Smith is gone. Ah need to do what is necessary to protect myself so Big Macintosh doesn’t lose another family member.” The mare said as she continued to push herself.
“There is more than physical loss.” The regal mare said. She pointed towards the horizon with her right hoof, “It looks like you arrived at your destination.”
Music came from the end of the path, and several ponies greeted both mares.
“Can ah confide in you, Princess Luna?” Apple Bloom said as she started back down the path towards Sweet Apple Acres. She stopped for a second and raised her hat. “Ah wish with all of my heart that this was a nightmare. Ah want to wake up from all of it. Things are just too really for it to be a dream.”
Princess Luna nodded as Apple Bloom let out a yawn. The regal mare’s horn began to glow as she said in a calm voice, “In somnis veritas, my little pony.”
*** *** ***
“Did you say something, Princess Luna?” Apple Bloom rubbed her eyes. “How did ah get back in mah room? Stupid teleportation magic, at least those pies got delivered. It won’t change anythin’ though. Granny Smith is gone.”
“What ya’ mean I’m gone, youngin? I left just to visit the little filly’s room. Can’t a gal get a moment to herself?” The elderly pony said as she stared at the pony.
Apple Bloom’s eyes widened. She darted towards the window curtains, yelling “ghost” at the mare before she could open the window.
“Watch who you callin’ a ghost missy, or I’ll ground you till the saplings in the south field turn to trees.” Granny Smith said with a squint. “I don’t have one single hoof in the grave just yet.”
“Granny!” The little filly lunged at the old earth mare. “This better be some trick, som-some hallucination. Please, please tell me this is real.”
Both ponies walked down the memory laden hallway. Apple Bloom and Granny Smith proceeded in unison down the stairs, the stars and moon still out. The grandfather clock’s pendulum swept back and forth as the little filly yawned at her grandmother. The two entered into the kitchen where the clock on the wall showed it to be five o’clock in the morning.
“Where’s AJ? I had the worst dream about her going missin’.” Apple Bloom said. The filly grumbled as she stood on her hind legs to reach her jug of apple juice in the back of the fridge. “This was easier as a mare, but I’ll deal with it if ah still have mah family.”
“Child…” Granny Smith said with a melancholic tone. “Big Macintosh came back from his delivery but Applejack is missin’.”
The jug’s contents poured onto the floor. Apple Bloom froze in place, and her eyes began to water. As Granny Smith placed her hooves around the pony, the filly pushed away and stamped her hooves in the juice that lay in a puddle on the floor.
“We’re doin’ all we can.” Big Macintosh said as he came into the kitchen. “Bloom, we need you to remain strong.”
“No! No, no, no, no,” Apple Bloom said, shaking her head from side to side. “This ain’t fair! It’s like time rewound itself from that dream I had.”
A firm knock on the front door broke the moment. Apple Bloom meandered towards the door after she cleaned up the mess on the floor, her hooves barely leaving the wood floor. The filly’s eyes watered as the door opened in front of her.
“Applejack!” The filly said with a shout that woke the hens in the hen house near their home. “Ah thought I would never see ya again!”
“Apple Bloom, I just got a little lost. There’s nothin’ to worry about. Strangest thing though, I saw an older mare that appeared to be wearing a hat like mine in the swamp when I was headed home. I’m just glad that Princess Luna helped show me the way home on one of her patrols.” Applejack said as she entered into the home with Princess Luna behind her. “Thanks again for the help, Princess Luna. Those misty maze woods never gave me so much trouble before.”
“You are most welcome, Ms. Applejack.” Princess Luna said as she looked at the family.
Apple Bloom twirled her hoof on the floor before she moved closer towards the regal mare. “Princess Luna, ah umm… ah want to apologize for mah behavior. I shouldn’t have said those awful things.”
“Your apology is accepted, but it isn't necessary little filly.” Princess Luna said as she and Apple Bloom walked outside. The regal mare gave a stern expression as she made eye contact with the little filly. “I must caution you about what you experienced though. It’s a powerful vision that only earth ponies can have, blurring the line between dream and what occurs in the future. That is why I said I ‘will’ be watching you. I grew concerned that hatred would fill your heart. What you saw may still occur. Or it may never come to pass. Just be mindful of the lesson you learned.”
The alicorn mare’s wings opened suddenly as the filly darted towards her. Apple Bloom grabbed Princess Luna around the neck in a kind embrace. “Ah will be. In mah heart, ah know there will come a time when ah need to be a ‘big pony.’ To be honest, ah don’t want that to happen for quite some time. Right now, it’s great to have mah big sis back. Shoot, I didn’t see what mah cutie mark was in that dream. I didn’t see what Sweetie Belle or Scootaloo’s cutie marks were either.”
“I’m glad that you have your sister back,” Princess Luna said with a smile as the two ponies made the short trek towards the house entrance. “I wouldn’t worry about your Cutie Marks right now.”
It was back at the entrance that Apple Bloom raised her hoof towards Princess Luna, “Ah just have one question to ask you, Princess Luna. In that ‘dream’ or whatever it is called, you were pretty friendly with Big Macintosh. Did you give mah brother a smooch? O wait, does that mean yer dating him?”
“What?!” The alicorn mare said. Her ears lowered, and her face turned red. She looked at the stallion, and then turned to look at Granny Smith. After the elderly pony told her that the stallion was single, Princess Luna looked at Big Macintosh and blushed. The regal pony stammered, “Big Ma-Macintosh is umm, I uhhh…”
“Thanks. Thanks for helping out my sister. Both of the— ” Big Macintosh said. A quick smooch came to the stallion’s cheek before he could finish. He watched the regal pony bolt for the door and fly off into the night’s sky.
“Well I’ll be. Looks like you got some style there, lover colt.” Applejack said with a coy, devilish grin towards Big Macintosh.
Laughter filled the house as Apple Bloom poured some fresh drinks for her sister, brother, and grandmother. She looked towards the setting moon and smiled, giving one last thanks to Princess Luna under a quiet breath before she joined in the festivities. For the little filly, time stood still just as she had hoped for in her heart.
Author's Note
I will warn readers that the transition and ending are rushed due to time constraints for the Equestria Daily writing event. My original ending would have stopped the story as Apple Bloom sets off on her journey into the forest. That end felt as though it would have left things on a sour note/cliff hanger of sorts. I'm not sure if the ending I gave here is a proper ending or a rather corny one, but I wanted to add something that would be indicative of the show and a "slice of life" style ending.