Epilogue

Exactly 258 barrels of apples were piled up to the roof of the barn at Sweet Apple Acres.

“I reckon that’s all fer applebuckin’ season, y’all!” shouted Applejack through the warm summer night air. The whole Apple Family cheered heartily.

Everyone in the family was gathered in front of the barn after a hard day of working from 5 in the morning to sundown, with Applejack, Big Macintosh, Granny Smith, and Apple Bloom in front facing the crowd, as the family-in-residence. It was impossible to not smile, as every single individual had worked hard to get those hundreds of barrels of apples filled to the brim.

“It’s been a mighty good one too, don’t ‘ya think so, big sis?” said Apple Bloom.

Applejack smiled as she addressed her little sibling. “I’d guess it qualifies as one of the best seasons for apples ever.” She turned to the crowd again. “Y’all can go on home now, unless ‘ya want to stay fer the birthday party or the reunion we're hosting over the week!”

Little chunks of the family broke off, said their goodbyes, and left for the night. Others went straight to the barn for the party.

Soon it was just Applejack and Big Macintosh on the lawn.

“Any minute now she should be comin’,” Big Macintosh had said earlier.

The “she” in question came less than a minute later.

“Howdy, Fluttershy!” Applejack waved, and Big Macintosh greeted his wife with a rare smile.

“I’m so sorry I’m late – Angel was being difficult again,” replied Fluttershy. “I heard that it’s Apple Bloom’s birthday today!”

“That’s right!” said Applejack proudly. “I heard that it’s your daughter’s first birthday, though.”

“Oh, yes. But I came to celebrate with everyone for the first time, and for your sister’s birthday. Pinkie Pie was absolutely devastated when she realized it, so she’s been working really hard to plan a party for little Lavender’s birthday.”

“I bet.”

Suddenly, a loud rumbling noise reverberated around the lawn.

“Oh, excuse me,” said Fluttershy. “I haven’t had anything to eat in a while.”

“Well then, by all means, head into the barn!” Applejack laughed.

Big Macintosh opened his mouth to say something when an abrupt burst of white light lit up the darkness.

It materialized into the form of Princess Twilight Sparkle herself, clumsily holding a stuffed bear in one hand.

“Twilight? What in tarnation--?!” Applejack started, stunned. All three bowed instinctively.

“Sorry I’m late! Princess Luna gave me Pinkie Pie’s invitation, and—what are you three doing here, and why are you bowing?” Twilight gestured to Applejack, Big Macintosh, and Fluttershy, who stood at the movement.

“Er, what do you mean, Twilight?” Fluttershy timidly asked.

“Wait, isn’t there a party at Sugarcube Corner?”

“That’s tomorrow, Twilight,” Applejack pointed out. “You’re welcome to stay and celebrate Apple Bloom’s birthday, though.”

Twilight furrowed her brow. “Shouldn’t that be tomorrow, too?”

“No, actually,” interjected Fluttershy. “Pinkie Pie was too caught up in financial business with her apartment and the Cakes that she lost track of time and forgot that Lavender’s birthday was today, too.

“She sounded really disappointed when I was talking to her an hour ago,” finished Fluttershy.

Twilight nodded. “Understandable. Her and parties are synonymous.”

“Anyway,” said Applejack, “wouldja’ care for some cake?”

“I’d love some, Applejack.”

The four walked inside the barn, where the remaining family was just gathering around the birthday mare and the red velvet cake. The only light was the candles on the cake, but there were luminarias loosely circling the room.

Apple Bloom had requested specifically not to be sung to, so everyone said “Happy Birthday” at what was supposed to be the same time. The candles were blown out, plunging the room into total darkness. Twilight sighed in relief. Now at least no one will bow to me.

Granny Smith, being the workaholic she was, went around and lit the luminarias with a match. The room was still dimly lit as the first slice of cake was cut. Apple Bloom devoured it as if she hadn’t had anything to eat in hours; as she watched, Twilight’s stomach rumbled in concealed jealousy.

“I totally approve!” shouted Apple Bloom, causing some of the older members of the family to wince, but everybody smiled nonetheless.

The room quickly filled with noise, and Twilight and Fluttershy quickly lost track of Applejack and Big Macintosh, but they stuck together as they wove through the crowd, greeting everyone they recognized. A familiar face smiled warmly as they passed.

“Hey, Braeburn!” Twilight grinned.

“Howdy, girls!” said Braeburn. “I can’t recall the last time I saw you two, much less the whole gang together!”

“Well, it’s been a while,” admitted Twilight. “We’ll all be together tomorrow at Pinkie Pie’s party, though.” Inside, she thought, This is shaping up to be a relatively bow-free day.

“I heard you were earning a doctorate degree at the old Canterlot University. Any luck with that?”

“I don’t have school again until October. Besides, I’m studying with Celestia on the weekends,” Twilight replied.

“All right, then.” Braeburn looked at Fluttershy. “You haven’t told me how you’ve been, Miss Fluttershy.”

“I didn’t want to interrupt,” Fluttershy pointed out.

“That’s just fine. So, what’ve you been up to?”

“I think you’ve heard by now I married Big Macintosh over at my cottage last year.” Braeburn nodded and smiled, letting Fluttershy continue. “Lavender was born shortly after; in fact, today’s technically her first birthday!”

“That’s wonderful, congratulations!”

“Up until now, I’ve just been taking care of my animals. Big Macintosh wants me to live with him, in his private estate up on the north end, but I can’t bring myself to leave my critters in someone else’s care! I know it had to happen sometime, but I didn’t want it to happen so soon…”

“’S all right, Miss. I reckon it’s the right thing to do,” said Braeburn. “If I might ask, who’s moving in?”

“I don’t know them very well, but it’s someone from the Appaloosa Zoo that needed to retire,” Fluttershy explained.

“I know her! Her name’s Rosemary, ain’t it?”

“Well, I’d suppose so.”

“And how have you been feeling, Braeburn?” said Twilight.

“To tell the truth, ever since I moved out of the house last year, I’ve been feelin’ a little bit down.” He paused before continuing, “My parents have just about gnawed off a quarter of my mind about havin’ their grandchildren. I just don’t know who it is it’ll be, though.”

“Didn’t you say something about your neighbor who lives down the street from you?” Twilight pressed.

“That’s not going to work out,” Braeburn cut her off. “She—very kindly, I might add—turned down my offer for goin’ to the gathering tonight a couple weeks back, and I haven’t heard anything from her since…” He trailed off dejectedly.

Fluttershy spoke up. “Have you asked her about it yet?

Braeburn looked at the ground. “I just assumed that she didn’t want to hear from me anymore, and left it at that.”

“Really?” inquired Twilight. “When my brother Shining Armor and Cadence got together, for the first few months there was virtually no contact, other than weekly letters back and forth. Shining finally worked up the courage to escort her to a fancy restaurant in Canterlot, and everything fell in place.”

Braeburn hesitated. “Well…I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to ask. I mean, maybe she’s got other things goin’ on in her life. Things such as...” A spark of realization hit Braeburn full in the face. “…such as movin’ into your very cottage, Miz Fluttershy!”

Fluttershy was very taken aback by this sudden development. “Um…well, uh...”

“It’s a small world, isn’t it?” said Twilight, finishing for Fluttershy. All three smiled.

“I suppose I better go say something to the birthday filly over there.” Braeburn nodded at Applebloom.

“OK, Braeburn. Goodbye for now,” said Twilight, waving as Braeburn disappeared into the crowd.

A large, red barrel chest brushed Fluttershy’s side. She squeaked and jumped away before realizing it was Big Macintosh.

“Hello, sweetie.” Big Macintosh was whapped in the side playfully by Fluttershy’s wing. “Don’t scare me like that!”

Twilight had gone off into the crowd to find Applejack. “Hmmm…where could she have gone--?”

A creak of the barn door alerted her to a blonde-colored tail rapidly disappearing.

Applejack?

Twilight decided to follow her friend.

It was only when she realized that Applejack was heading towards the Canterlot train station that she knew something was wrong.

“Applejack! Slow down!” called Twilight. The physical advantage that Applejack had over Twilight was beginning to show, and in just a couple of minutes she had lost her.

Twilight decided that, even though she would likely faint once she got there, she had to try to get to Canterlot before Applejack.

A clear picture of the open front gates with two negasi guards keeping watch formed in her mind. With a burst of bright, white light, she popped out of Ponyville, leaving nothing but a soft, brown stuffed bear behind on the orchard grass.