Four ponies lowered Applejack's coffin into the dirt at Ponyville's graveyard. Everypony Applejack knew, friends, family were all there, all sobbing. So many were sobbing that you couldn't hear the bells ringing that were signalling the end of a pony's life. Everypony was dressed in black and the sky was grey, representing a bad day. About an hour later, the funeral service was over and everypony went home, still sobbing, but there was not only sadness in the crowd, but also surprise, as the pony who was meant to be strongest pony of them all and was told to stay strong, was the most hurt and damaged by the events of the day that seemed cursed for him. This pony was Applejack's loyal, older brother, Big Macintosh. He was the last one out of the graveyard and would be the last one to recover, and probably the last of anything since the untimely death of his younger sister had slowed him down so much because a huge chunk of his life had been taken away from him. He walked home, back to Sweet Apple Acers, depressed and feeling empty. When Big Mac got home, Apple Bloom, Granny Smith and the family pet, Winona was waiting outside the house. Big Mac wondered what they were doing outside. It's not the best place to be on a windy, dark and gloomy day like this one. Apple Bloom stepped forward with a scroll in her hoof. Big Mac approched her.
"What are you three doing outside on a day like this?" Big Mac asked.
"Waitin' for you, there was a letter for ya in the livin' room, it's addressed to you." Apple Bloom replied.
"Who's it from?" Big Mac asked again.
"We don't know, it's just addressed to ya, that's all we know." Granny Smith answered.
"Let's find out then shall we." Big Mac suggested. He opened the long letter that after read, would put him in more depression.
"What does it say?" Apple Bloom asked.
Big Mac read out the mysterious letter that no pony knew it was sent by. It read:
Dear my beloved brother, Big Mac,
By the time you read this, I shall be gone, buried in the dirt after the wall of the new barn fell on top of me and crushed me. The wall fell and broke most bones in my body and I am struggling to write this. I only wrote this letter in case I would pass away and if given to you by Apple Bloom as instructed. I realise that you are already upset by my passing and this might make it worse as my final words are spoken to you on a piece of paper. But do not fill your heart will sorrow and bad emotions because at least we did some good things together, as good brothers and sisters should do.
One thing Granny Smith thought was strange about us is that we never bickered and never fought each other like other brothers and sisters normally do. We always loved each other and never had one single argument. That was one strange thing of many.
Remember when I was bullied by those blank flanks at school because they were jealous that me and you had a cutie mark and they didn't and you stood up for me and they ran away from you because they were scared of you. That was a brilliant day and it was the day I finally started to bond with you as a sister.
Remember years back when the zap apples came but nopony was at Sweet Apple Acers and it was down to us to buck the whole of Sweet Apple Acers, we gathered so much that it was our biggest profit ever. Then we went up to the highest peek of the hills and had a picnic as a job well done for both of us. We were so young, I don know how we did it. Those days were the best times of our lives, but we also had the worst times and still remained best brother and sister.
Remember when we lost mom. The last time we saw her was when she was going to make a delivery of apple pies to Canterlot. We wondered where she was for about a week and Princess Celestia came to Sweet Apple Acers to tell us the bad news that she had fell of one of the mountains surrounding Canterlot. Granny Smith cried for days and never spoke once, the house was silent for days as well.
And remember when those weird ponies, Flim and Flam came to our farm and tried to win our farm, but with the help of our friends and their weird cider making machine, they lost because they didn't take care in what they did. And even after the troubles we still were best brothers and sisters.
Anyway, the whole point of we writing this letter is to ask you something important. Now that I'm gone, dead and buried, they farm will be dull and apple bucking will take longer to do now that you're down a pony. Now that I'm gone I would like you to take charge of the farm. This includes apple bucking, organising family reunions that come to Sweet Apple Acers, look after Winona, Apple Bloom and Granny Smith, everything that I do including what you do, this is just in case the farm slows down and you need to keep up, you are now the one in charge of everything. I'm sorry, but this will also require you to say more than "eeyup" all the time.
Thank you, Big Mac and please keep this as a reminder and a memory of me and how I died and to make sure that no pony has to experience what happened to me ever again.
Love from your loving sister, Applejack.
A tear fell from Big Macs cheek, he was sad that his younger sister had tragically died but also happy that she finally got to say a goodbye to him and to hear her final words. He looked at what was left of his family. "Now all of you inside! Today has been long, tiring and emotional. We need to prepare for what tomorrow might bring..."
They entered the house and closed the door and all windows to escape the sun set of the dark and gloomy day and enter an even more evil, dark night, hoping that tomorrow will bring something better that what they had to go through today. Something Alive and not something Dead.
Remembrance Of A Good Mare
It was twenty three weeks exactly since Big Mac's beloved, younger sister, Applejack died before her time. Big Macintosh was the bravest, the strongest, and yet, the most devastated by Applejack's death. Even Apple Bloom, the youngest, the smallest and the most easily upset by an event of death, especially with a family member, and she was taking it better than Big Macintosh. Everypony else had just about gotten over the accident, but Big Macintosh was still hanging on to the memory of the accident and the funeral by a thread. The red stallion was up in the attic where Applejack's former possessions were kept save from harm. Filled with all of Big Mac's and Applejack's old memories to the brim. Boxes stacked high with photographs, diaries, all of her favorite books and other things including her final letter to her older brother made only a few months ago. He was digging, and remembering the times they had together. He picked up Applejack's final letter and pushed it aside. Big Mac decided it was time to dig deeper into the mountain of boxes. He picked up an old photo album. He opened it to see the old pictures that were gathering dust inside. He knew that looking at these photos would make him emotional again, but he couldn't resist, he wanted to recall the memories.
Some photographs stood out more than others, because in Big Mac's mind, he knew others were more precious than others. The first picture that stood out was a picture of Applejack herself as a new born baby. It was taken only a few hours after she was born. He started thinking of that moment, he could remember most of these events that were put into the form of picture quite clearly.
"Now, Mrs Apple, it's been a few hours now since this beautiful baby was brought into this world. Have you thought of any names yet?" the mare asked.
Big Mac's mother looked at his father thinking of a name for their smiling, bright new born. "Hmm... Ah think Applejack would be a nice name." his mother smiled.
"Applejack it is!"
His mother passed the new born with a new name to carry with her though out her whole life over to their father. It was the first time he had held her. "Hey little Applejack!" their father giggled. "Big Macintosh, do ya wanna hold her?" he asked.
The six year old Big Macintosh help his hooves out to grasp the small orange fluff ball. Applejack looked into Bag Mac's eyes and laughed as Big Mac looked into her's and smiled. The heart warming moment was boosted with even more warmth when the little Applejack booped Big Mac's muzzle and simply smiled.
He smiled at the picture and flipped a page to the next row of paper memories. The one that stood out the most was the one on the bottom right of the page. A photograph of Applejack taking her first steps. Bouncing around trying to keep balance on four legs. She still looked like a little fluff ball, but still, in that picture, she was a little fluff ball taking her first steps of her life.
Their mother put the plate of chocolate chip cookies on the small table beside Applejack. Her mother stood her on four legs to get her ready to walk.
"Get ready, Applejack!" she played. "And... Go!" She let go of Applejack carefully.
She was quite a fast walker, it was like she was racing. She obviously wasn't perfect, she did need to hold onto things to balance herself out. She balanced on the wall, Granny Smith, back to her mother, and she finally walked over to Big Macintosh, used his left hind leg to hug tightly, not to balance on. Pretty soon, she got bored and distracted, something else. Applejack let go and quickly walked back to the Chocolate chip cookies that were taunting her before her mother could move the plate to a different spot.
Big Macintosh was in a deep daydream. After remembering the wonderful events with Applejack in his early days of bonding as brother and sister. He quickly switched what he was looking at. He put the photo of Applejack bouncing around, overloading with happiness down, picked up a photo of Applejack and himself standing outside of Ponyville school house. It was Big Mac's third year at school while it was Applejack's first day.
"Smile!" cheered Applejack's mother as she took the photo of Applejack and Big Macintosh standing outside of Ponyville school house, both at opposite sides of the door way. The picture was perfect to be kept as a perfect memory to help recall.
Big Macintosh walked inside the school house first as he had been at the building plenty of times. He sat in his usual seat next all of the older ponies in the class, while Applejack waited outside. It's time to meet ya new teacher, Applejack! her mother smiled. Applejack was nervous. As every young filly was when their first day of school crept up on them in their early years of life. "Here she comes!" her mother announced.
A dark pink pony with a lighter pink mane trotted her way out of the doorway and stood in front of Applejack. "Hello, cute little filly! What's your name? she asked.
"Ap-Applejack." Applejack stuttered.
"Ooo! What a lovely name that is! Well my name is Mrs. Cheerilee. I'm your new teacher. It's lovely to meet you!" she said with one of the biggest smiles Applejack had ever seen. Mrs. Cheerilee turned to Applejack's mother and father. "It's alright, Mrs and Mr Apple. I'll take it from here." Mrs Cheerilee said. She turned and took Applejack inside and shut the door.
Applejack looked blank when she saw everypony looking at her. She was the new kid. It could go one way or another for her. Badly or surprisingly good.
"It look's like there is only one spot in the class where you can sit. You'll have to sit next to Pinkie Pie and you're in luck. She is one of the nicest ponies here." Mrs. Cheerilee pointed at the seat.
Applejack walked over to her seat. The frizzy pink pony glared at Applejack with a smile that out-smiled Mrs. Cheerilee. "Um... Hello?" she asked quietly.
"Hi! My names Pinkie Pie! You're Applejack! I like your mane! Do you like playing dress up and styling your mane? Ooo! I love your accent! Those freckles on your face make you look so cute! Wanna be friends?!" Pinkie Pie screamed in excitement of being in the presents of a new pony.
Applejack took some time to take in all the statements and questions that were blown at her face by Pinkie Pie. She was suprised that she got that big of a reaction from the one word; "Hello." Little did she know that, that moment was the start of a wonderful friendship which also kicked future friendships into action. Not only that, bu Big Macintosh was watching the whole thing.
Big Macintosh turned the page again. Yet another picture started to shout for attention on the page. It was a picture of Applejack going insane. Not 'inane asylum' insane, but sort of very, very happy insane. She was jumping around with her first apple delivery behind her. One thing stood out from this photograph, unlike the ones before that. This was the day she got her cutie mark, that's what was different.
Applejack and Big Macintosh arrived at the small village that the Apples needed to be delivered to. Big Macintosh had done this many times before, but this was Applejack's first time. Big Macintosh was strong enough to do this job perfectly. But the delivery was delayed slightly by Applejack, attempting to do the job like her older brother, but wasn't strong enough. She was out of breath, she almost suffocated because she tried so hard.
"Take ya time, little sis'." Big Macintosh warned.
Applejack didn't take any notice, she still tried to hard. She ended up spilling the cart upside down, she felt humiliated and disappointed in herself for trying to do her brothers normal job better. She was hanging upside down still strapped to the cart.
"This is stupid! Ah thought it would be more fun to do than it actually is. The work is to hard. How do ya manage to enjoy this anyway!? Applejack moaned.
Big Macintosh unstrapped her from the cart and placed her the right side up. "Oh, come on, sis'! It's not that hard. Ya just need to get used to it, that's all!" Big Macintosh explained. Applejack ignored him. "Besides, it's not that bad. Look!" Big Macintosh smiled as he pointed to a brand new cutie mark with three red apples on it. Suddenly, Applejack's eyes grew extremely wide along with her smile.
"Ah got my cutie mark! I got my cutie mark!" she screamed. The shouting of joy was so loud, it woke up most of the sleeping village that they were visiting.
Big Mac returned the picture to its original state in the album. He flipped the page for another photo. The more he looked, the deeper he was caught up by his past. He was so deep in his remembrance that he blocked out the sound around him. He couldn't hear the small sound of hooves on the wooden floor behind him. The photo that met his eyesight this time was probably the most beautiful, most heartwarming and the cutest photo of them all. This single photo was the one that beat every other Apple family memory. It was filled with happiness and nothing negative at all. It was his family, everyone who lived in Sweet Apple Acres crowded round a single hospital bed with Big Mac's mother wrapped warmly inside of it. She was holding a small yellow pony with a red mane and tail. This was the birth of his youngest sister, Apple Bloom.
A now teenage Big Macintosh and a slightly older Applejack were sitting outside the delivery ward at Ponyville Hospital. Granny Smith and Big Mac's and Applejack's farther were both supporting their mother as she was screaming in pain caused by the new life coming into the family. Nothing but noise coming from that room that terrified Applejack. She had no clue what was going on in there. She didn't know how this stuff worked. She was to young to know about the birds and the bees.
Suddenly, all the noise stopped and left only one source of sound still making deafening screams. Big Macintosh smiled. For he knew what was going on and what had just happened. He glanced down at Applejack. She looked like she was having a battle in her mind. It seemed her emotions were having a fit until she worked out what had just happened. Her eyes widened, almost popping out of her head and a huge smile growing slowly on her adorable face and her eye's now sparkling with excitement and joy. The nurse who helped the Doctor deliver the baby opened the door and called us in. Applejack whizzed passed Big Mac without a care in the world to see the presents of a new born sister. When she pushed Big Mac over, he fell on his leg. He quickly got back up and limped into the room.
"Say hello to your younger sister you two, Apple Bloom." their mother said calmly, comforting the new born in her hooves.
That was where Big Macintosh broke himself. Tears of mixed feelings of happiness and sadness came rolling off his face and forming a puddle beneath him. Crying silently. His daydream was disturbed when he came back to reality to hear a voice coming from behind him.
"Do ya realize how much damage ya doing to ya self?"
The voice startled Big Macintosh as he spun round in shock. He looked in front of him to discover the culprit who disturbed his daydream. It was Apple Bloom. Her eyes were watering, like she was also about to break down.
"Big Mac, I know this is hard for ya. But ya need to let go! We're all devastated by what happened. But as a family, we need to stick together, support each other and try to move on." she said very calmly. Big Mac's expression on his face started to turn from mixed feelings of happiness and sadness to anger as Apple Bloom said those things. Apple Bloom spoke again. "Look Big Mac, you being sad, make's me said. And ah don't like it. When you're not moving on, it effects all of us. Don't ya understand?" she asked. Big Macintosh gave a small nod at that. "Come on, come down stairs and we'll help you. While ya keep coming up here. We're helping each other, and it's worked. Now you need to allow us to help you. You need it." Apple Bloom said as she cracked a small smile.
Apple Bloom and Big Macintosh walked out of the attic and closed the door and headed downstairs, getting ready for a family meeting for desperate help for Big Macintosh. And for the first time ever, Big Macintosh had finally agreed to opening up and accepting help. Little did he know that this would make a big difference in his life when he would finally get over something that has haunted him for months and Applejack would be a mere wonderful memory of Sweet Apple Acres and the Apple family.
