Applejack's dignity dilemma

by Art Luckyman

Rating: everyone
Tags: Sad, Tragedy, Slice of Life
Length: 1137

AJ has to get more apples but her trees can't produce enough at current and so she goes to the kings of conniving claims: The Flim-Flam Brothers

When Applejack discovers that Sweet Apple Acres is low on apples right before Filthy Rich is ready for applesauce season, Applejack has to decide between admitting "she can't" and risk a reduced payment or violate her moral compass and get help from The Flim-Flam Brothers :pinkiegasp:

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2015-03-19 03:20:09 UTC

Incase y'all were wonderin'...

Dear Princess Celestia

I've run into some real trouble. I'm a little bit fearful of asking because I thought I could handle this myself. I thought, like heaps of my other problems, I could handle myself. But maybe... I do need help.

It started out like any other day. Big Mac and I were out apple-bucking some delicious apples, and little Apple Bloom was with Granny Smith learning about accounting. But then, things started to stir. Filthy Rich came by looking incredibly grim, he once we said our howdies, "Hello, Apples. It pains me to say this, but it seems applesauce season has apparently come early. And I need your apples for market.”

"Oh, My stars and garters! Granny Smith! Why didn't you tell us applesauce season has begun?"

"Eh! What was that?" to Applejack's chagrin.

"Okay," I said to calm myself, "Filthy! Can we still make the same profit as every year?"

"I'm afraid not Miss Applejack,” he said with remorse, “And if you can't get the profits high enough, I may have to terminate my relationship with your family. Well, I have an appointment to attend to with those forgetful weather ponies, so I bid you adieu." Filthy Rich said as when he departed.

I will admit, I did start to go a tad loony once Filthy left. So I attempted to ask Big Mac what to do:

“Big Mac! Do you think we make enough applesauce for the season?”

"Nnnope."

“Are you sure Big Mac?” I asked, getting even more worked up.

"Eeyup.”

I then sighed all glum-like for fear of losing our orchard. I knew that it would be impossible for me to ask any of our family members for their apples, even if they were family. So I hung my head with defeat. Until Apple Bloom said

"Isn't there some way we could get more apples?" I said then reluctantly

"Well...I think I got something but... I don't know." Granny Smith then woke up to say

"ANY CHANCE WE HAVE OF SAVING THE ORCHARD WE SHOULD TAKE." I sighed because I knew Granny Smith was right so I suddenly thought of a plan

"I think I may know some-ponies that could possibly help us." I said trying to sound brave but I was really scared. Then Apple Bloom says

"I'm coming too! For Sweet Apple Acres!" Even though Apple Bloom had the purest of intentions, I honestly wish I left her behind. From what both of us have seen, I... I just... I regret...

"Are you okay AJ? should I stop writing?" Spike said concerned for his friend.

"No, no" Applejack said between sobs before pulling herself together "I have to keep going"

After calling up my relatives, Braeburn told me my some-ponies were in Appleloosa, so I took Apple Bloom with me on to the first train to Appleloosa. I thought that I should keep what was happening to the farm away from my friends, I thought that this was family business.

While on the train ride, I decided to talk with Apple Bloom on what we would do

"Now remember Apple Bloom, all you have to do is to spend some time with Braeburn, while I go talk to Sheriff Silverstar about my some-ponies."

"But Applejack, I want to help you. That's why I'm here. To help you" At that point I began to cry because of how brave but naive Apple Bloom was. Apple Bloom then said "Big sis, are you okay? I've never seen you this broken." I could tell Apple Bloom was scared, but so was I, but I had to reassure her. So I tried to suck in my tears and said

"Apple Bloom *sniffle* you're being so brave right now, I feel extremely proud right now *sniffle*. But I'm afraid right now I can't tell you. Maybe after all this is over and you're a little older, *sniffle* you'll understand what's happening."

We spent the night in the train-car. We needed our rest for what was to come. The next morning we arrived in Appleloosa to be greeted by none other than my cousin Braeburn

"Welcome to Appleloosa!..." Braeburn said as similarly to what he did the last time.

"BRAEBURN! We don't have time to explore your town this time! Can you please take us to see Sheriff Silverstar.”

“Well don’t you worry about that cous! Cause I’m the deputy.” Apple Bloom was all excited by this and then said

" Wow that's great Braeburn." I was flabbergasted and said

"Since when were you the deputy?"

"Well it was right after the family reunion. What happened was..." Braeburn said enthusiastically, I then exclaimed

"Nevermind Braeburn! So can you take us to Sheriff Silverstar's station?"

"I sure can! And while we walk you two can delight in the wonders of AAAAAAA-pple-LOO-sa!" I then sighed.

After taking twice as long as necessary, we finally arrived at the sheriff station. Braeburn took Apple Bloom to show off his office and Sheriff Silverstar lead me to the meeting room! While trotting there I was having doubts about what I was doing. I was thinking “Was it the best choice, and was even the right choice? Were there going to be any repercussions for what was about to happen? And how far was I willing to go?”. But at the last few moments I knew I had to push those doubts aside, I had come this far and it was just like Granny said, "Any chance we have of saving the orchard we should take." So there I went, to save my family’s farm... There I went to take the opportunity to save my family community... There I went, to meet with The Flim-Flam Brothers!

Spike gasped at this after he wrote it and accidentally burned some of the extra paper, he then exclaimed

"WOW! That was so shocking! You... purposely going to the Flim-Flam brothers like that." Applejack then said perturbedly

"Spike! I said in the beginning that Flim and Flam were involved. That's one of the reasons we're writing this letter." Spike then said defensively

"Well... Yeah. I understand that but still the build-up to whoever was your aforementioned some-ponies helped to increase the suspense. Plus considering you Applejack, it would probably come as a surprise to anypony that you would align yourself with The Flim-Flam Brothers. Now I'm going to go get some more paper.