The Origins of an Apple's Blossem

The doctor flipped through the folder containing the blood-work results from Apple Bloom, quickly bringing a number of papers to the front of the folder before speaking. "Well Applejack, while no results came back of anything foreign being in her blood nor DNA during the very through tests, I discovered...something else. Please come here, we have some things we need to discuss." the doctor said, ushering Applejack over to look at the results and to speak with her more privately.

Applejack and the doctor spoke quietly to each other for a while, Applejack visibly getting more and more uneasy as the conversation went on. When he and Applejack finished discussing whatever it was they were speaking about a number of minutes later, Applejack immediately after moved to pick Apple Bloom up from the bed and place her on her back before then walk out into the hall, heading towards the front of the building and the exit.

~

Applejack was unusually quiet as the quartet walked back to Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack having let Apple Bloom walk herself once she'd learned she was able. Something was clearly on her mind now after talking to the doctor and the world was silent as they walked - the only noises their hoofbeats on the cobblestone then dirt paths, an odd gust of wind, and the quiet fluttering of Scootaloo's wings when she'd occasionally adjust them. Applejack had a look of deep though on her face as she headed back to Sweet Apple, clearly thinking about what the doctor had told her.

Apple Bloom noticed the change in her sister's demeanor soon after they'd left the hospital, but couldn't bring herself to ask what was the matter.  Applejack was clearly upset about something, but Apple Bloom wasn't sure if she should ask about it. It wasn't until they reached the gate-arch of Sweet Apple Acres that Apple Bloom finally found the courage to speak.

"So sis, what's-a matter?" Apple Bloom asked Applejack in a timid voice, the orange farm-mare visibly jumping at the sudden noise her speech had caused.

"Ah need to go... talk t' Big Mac, then make dinner. 'Fore Ah go, y'sure you're alright Apple Bloom?" Applejack asked with a distant, distracted voice - making Apple Bloom more concerned with her sister's odd behavior.

"Ahm OK, but-" Apple Bloom started, only to be interrupted by Applejack.

"OK 'at's great Apple Bloom. Ah gotta go. Go play with yer friends an' Ah'll call ya'll in fer dinner." Applejack said before starting to walk away, only to stop a moment later. "An' Apple Bloom? Dun be doin' any more dumb stuff, alright? Ah love ya, and Ah don't think I could take you gettin' hurt more then once today." Applejack said dismissively, then walking directly into the main house and leaving a very confused trio of filies behind her.

~

"What was that all about?" Sweetie Belle asked Apple Bloom once Applejack had gone inside, noticing the mare's very odd behavior.

"Yeah, she was acting like a zombie-pony i saw in that movie Rainbow Dash let me watch. It was awesome... 'tiI I dreamed I was being chased by a horde of zombie ponies!" Socctaloo said, then shivering as she remembered the bad dreams that had followed her viewing for about a week.

"Ah don't know - but it's somethin' involvin' me, mah blood and DNA, and mah family. Let's go see if we can listen in of what Applejack and Big Mac are talkin' 'bout an' see if we c'n get any clues."

The trio then looked excitedly at each other, Scootaloo's wings flittering excitedly before all three shouted as one-

"CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS EAVESDROPPERS! YAY!"

~

As she entered the main farmhouse, Applejack sighed as she hung her Stetson up on the hat-rack, then scratching her blonde mane before proceeding on up the stairs. She stopped right outside her brother Big Mac's door, raising her hoof to knock before lowering it again without touching the door. She instead moved her hoof to her forehead as she rubbed it and sighed exasperatedly, rubbing her head as she felt a stress headache coming on.

This was gonna suck. Applejack had hoped that this day would never come, yet she'd always know deep inside that it eventually would. She needed to talk to Big Mac and find a way to break this to Apple Bloom.

Applejack moved her hoof from her forehead a moment later and instead tapped it three times on Big Mac's door before lowering it to the floor,  waiting for a response. She then sighed as she saw the door open and Big Mac's large form standing in the doorway - looking into his emerald-green eyes, his red coat still visible in the dim light of his room.

Applejack rose her hoof to her muzzle again as she felt a wave of nerves take her again, almost wanting to walk away before stopping herself. She instead took a deep breath and steeled herself as the words finally left her lips

"We need t' talk. About...Apple Bloom's parents..."

As Applejack said that, Big Mac visible tensed.

"Ah know this's been a secret since 'fore she was even born but...she deserves t' know the truth after so many years a' avoidin' tellin' her, Big Mac. We owe it to her."

The stallion stepped back into his bedroom, then held his hoof extended into the room to tell her to come inside as well. Once she entered, he closed the door behind her and sighed, knowing that much needed to be discussed tonight.

"So how d' we tell 'er, Applejack?"