An Apple Will Sparkle

by Autum Breeze

Chapters

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

___________________________________________________________

Twilight nodded to herself as she checked the last room in her castle for anything out of place.

She winced as a very loud clap of thunder followed a flash of lightning, seeing it from the nearby window.

“Talk about a rough storm,” she murmured, turning out the magical lights in the room and heading back into the main foyer so she could go to her room. She hated when the pegasi decided to let Everfree storms roll over the town to save having to schedule a few others later on. Even after the forest had somewhat settled since returning the Elements to the Tree of Harmony, it still held some of the magic that had made it infamous in the thousand years of Luna’s banishment.

Spike was already in bed (though how he could sleep through this storm the Alicorn would never understand, though he had technically slept through worse) so it was just her. She’d been up late reading and lost track of time.

She blushed as she realized the insulting thoughts she’d just had towards Spike about sleeping through the storm could be implied to her with her reading. Then again, after having had the entire library from the Castle of the Two Ponies Sisters moved to her own, she couldn’t help getting lost in her readings. There were just so many books she hadn’t read. Some were outdated, but so much history had been packed into her head since she’d gotten them.

Shaking her head to clear it, Twilight turned to head upstairs and join Spike in sleeping through the storm, when she stopped, frowning.

Over the sounds of the storm outside, she could’ve sworn she’d heard knocking.

She shook her head and was about to return to her prior thoughts of sleep, when she could swear it happened again. The faintest of knocking being heard over the pounding rain and thunder.

Her frown returning, Twilight cast a sound amplifying spell on her ears and stood still, listening. The spell finished just as the third set of knocking finished, before another, quieter sound followed it. Sobbing. Quiet sobbing.

Curiosity and slight worry overriding her desire for sleep, Twilight turned and walked to her doors, opening them. Doing so welcomed a large gust of air, blowing rain into her face and the sounds becoming deafening.

However, after reopening her eyes from the sudden wind against them, they widened further at what, or rather who she saw as the light from inside bathed outward, looking like they’d been leaving.

Apple Bloom was standing in the rain, her back to Twilight, a suitcase clutched in her mouth. The suitcase dropped as she turned around at the sudden light playing over her.

Her mane was flattened against her body due to the rain and her bow was sagging from the water it had absorbed. However, it was the look in the filly’s eyes that caught Twilight’s attention.

Her eyes were dull and filled with a sorrow she’d never seen in the youngest Apple.

They just stood, staring at each other for a few moments, time seeming to freeze in that one moment.

The moment was broken by another flash of lightning, startling both ponies. It was enough though to cause the filly to hurry forward and grab hold of Twilight, holding her tighter than Twilight had ever felt before.

It took Twilight several seconds to catch up with herself enough to think properly. Grabbing the suitcase in her magic, she pulled it inside, closing the doors and locking them, shutting out the storm.

Once this was done, Twilight took notice of a new sound. Sobbing.

Looking down, Twilight saw Apple Bloom was crying into her fur, her body shaking with each sob.

Not sure what had happened or why she wasn’t at Sweet Apple Acres, but not wanting the filly she thought so fondly so distraught; she wrapped her forelegs and wings around the sobbing form, quickly casting a spell to dry and warm the two of them from the water that had poured onto them from outside.

They stayed that way for a long while, Twilight letting Apple Bloom cry whatever her sorrows were out.

When Twilight couldn’t hear Apple Bloom’s sob, or feel her shaking against her body, she pulled a little away so she could look down at the farm pony.

Apple Bloom looked back up at her with bloodshot eyes, still sniffling every few moments.

Twilight gave her a concern, yet caring look. “Apple Bloom, what’s wrong? Why were you out in the storm, especially this late at night?”

The yellow pony gulped several times, clearly trying to get a hold of herself, before she leaned into Twilight’s embrace, sobbing a little. “Th-they kicked me off the farm.”

It took Twilight several moments to process not only those words, but there meanings and implications. She looked back down at the upset filly, a slight frown on her face.

“They... kicked you off the farm? Apple Bloom, maybe you just got into a fight and everypony said something they didn’t mean. It happens, believe me. I can’t count the amount of times when I was little that my parents and I got into huge fights and I told them I wished thet weren't my parents and that Celestia would've loved me more. I never meant it, but, in anger, we say things we don’t mean.”

“AJ wasn’t angry,” Apple Bloom replied, her voice quiet. “Not completely. Just... disappointed.”

Twilight frowned, before pulling back and looking down firmly at the bloodshot eyes. “Okay. Start from the beginning. What happened?”

Apple Bloom nodded, and recited the events that had led her to Twilight’s Castle.

___________________________________________________________

“And where’s your apple mark?” Applejack asked, her brow raised.

Apple Bloom blinked, before looking back at the red hammer on her flank. “Uh... was Ah meant ta have one?”

Applejack shook her head, then looked behind her at the Everfree as clouds moved from it quickly, moving across the sky. “Storm’s a comin’,” she turned and walked inside, not even looking back to see if the filly was following. “Come on, Bloom.”

Uncertainty crept up Apple Bloom’s spine. Why was Applejack acting like this? She’d gotten her Cutie Mark! Wasn’t that a good thing?

“Maci! Granny!" Applejack called out. "Burnt apple!”

Apple Bloom frowned. Burnt apple? Either somepony was at the farm she hadn’t known, somepony who sounded like a member of their family, though she’d never heard of a Burnt Apple before, or that was some kind of code for something she didn’t know about, though a nagging about her fears from before, the ones Luna had helped put to rest, resurfacing, trying to creep into her mind.

The aforementioned ponies came into the room. They all stopped, standing in front of Apple Bloom, who wilted under their gazes.

She noticed Granny glance at her flank, before closing her eyes. “All Apples that work on the farm have an apple mark. Others who don’t, don’t.”

Apple Bloom blinked. “Huh?”

“Aunt and Uncle Orange,” Granny said simply, not paying attention to the confused looks on her other two grandchildren. “They don’t work on an Apple farm.”

Apple Bloom frowned. “Well... yeah. Ah know that. AJ went ta stay with ’em when she was young. Ya told me this, sis.”

Applejack nodded, glancing to her sister before looking to her grandmother. "Granny, where're ya goin' with this?"

Granny Smith sighed, before looking to the yellow filly. “Ya’ll can’t work on the farm as ya used ta, Bloom.”

Apple Bloom wilted. “Ya... Ya mean...?”

Granny Smith nodded. “Since yer Cutie Mark ain’t got nuthin’ t’ do with apples, ya can’t just live like ya used ta. That ain’t no apple, no how. It’s that simple.”

“But...” Apple Bloom looked sadly between them as the storm started up outside. “It’s red like an apple.”

Applejack's eyes narrowed. "Granny, would ya'll explain yerself. Ya told me after Ah got my mark that any Apple that got a non-apple mark is a burnt apple, but ya never explained it further. What's goin' on?"

“Pack yer things, Bloom,” the elder mare ignored Applejack's questions, turning away, a look of sad disappointment passing over her face in the moment Apple Bloom saw it. “Yer leaving the farm.”

Applejack and Big Mac stared at their grandmother with wide eyes and open mouths.

The orange mare hurried and stood in front of the elder. "Granny, what in tarnation are ya talkin' about? Apple Bloom's a member o' this family. Why're ya sayin' she's gotta go?"

Granny Smith just gave her granddaughter a firm stare, one that caused the younger mare to wilt a bit. "It's tradition, Applejack. An Apple without an apple mark can't live on the apple farm, 'nless they're marryin' inta the family somehow that it won't seem wrong. Apple Bloom ain't got an apple mark. She's gotta leave the farm."

Applejack's eyes narrowed as Big Mac came and joined her, them both glaring down at the mare that had cared for them since their parents had died.

"Are ya'll saying yer kickin' Bloom off the farm, just cos o' her Cutie Mark?" Mac growled, snorting.

Granny Smith just replied with a glare and snort of her own, it being intimidating enough coming from the elderly mare that both wilted. "It's the tradition, Bic Macintosh. Been that way since afore mah great, great, great, great grandpapi. Are ya'll saying ya want me to go against our family traditions?"

That caused the other ponies to cringe. Family traditions were a very touchy subject in their family. It was dangerous to try and reason against them with the older generations of Apples. But... but this...

"Ya'll never told us being a burnt apple meant havin' ta leave the farm!" Mac said, shaking his head. "Ya just told us if'n an Apple ever got a non-apple mark they were a burnt apple and everypony in the family would have ta know. An' now Apple Bloom's one."

"Granny, ya... ya can't really be alright with sending yer youngest granddaughter away, can ya?" Applejack asked, her voice holding a slight bit of desperation.

Granny Smith closed her eyes, a few tears sliding down, before she looked back at Applejack with a resolute expression. "O' course Ah don't. But it ain't mah place t' go against somethin' our family's been doing since long afore Ah was even born."

Apple Bloom sobbed, looking between her three family members, in particular at her big sister. “B-b-but ya said nopony was gonna make me move out.”

Applejack cringed against at the look in her sister's eyes, having to look away. "Ah... Ah didn't think they would. Ah... Ah honestly didn't." She sighed again. “Ah’m sorry.”

Tears were pooling around Apple Bloom’s hooves. “AJ...?”

“Ah’ll bring sum food up to ya fer yer dinner,” she walked into the other room. “Ah’ll take ya out, later. Ah... Ah wanna at least be with ya when...” she trailed off, her head bowed, her Stetson covering her eyes as she moved out of sight.

___________________________________________________________

Apple Bloom sniffled against Twilight’s coat. “Ah never even got that dinner. Granny took me out afore AJ brought it up and then left me standing in front of the Ponyville orphanage.”

Twilight was stock-still, her mind unable to believe what she just been told. Applejack, one of her best friends, had just kicked her sister out of their family, leaving her at an orphanage, all because her Cutie Mark hadn’t been apple related?

She’d accepted many of the quirks of the AJ and her family simply because she knew her friend and had respected that the Apples liked keeping to traditions. But this? Sending a filly out on her own just because she didn’t have an apple Cutie Mark?

Twilight felt a resentment she’d have never expected to feel towards her friend's grandmother building up within her. She was an Element Bearer and yet she’d gone let her grandmother leave her little sister to fend for herself?

However, she pushed those thoughts aside for now. Apple Bloom needed somepony and she was clearly the only one she could count on.

“Come on, Apple Bloom,” she said, pulling from the embrace the two had been in, but keeping a wing over her, ensuring comfort for the fragile filly. “Let’s find a bed for you.”

Apple Bloom pressed herself closer to Twilight as her wing held her. “C-can Ah sleep with you, Twi?” she stuttered, her voice betraying her true feelings despite trying to put on a tough front “Ah... Ah...”

Twilight silenced her with a gentle nuzzle. “I understand.”

She led Apple Bloom back to her own room. Spike was still sound asleep, snuggled up under the covers of his bed.

Twilight guided Apple Bloom to her own bed, got in, then helped the young filly in with her, pulling the covers over them.

Once they’d settled down, Apple Bloom snuggled as close as she could against Twilight, holding her as if she feared she’d disappear.

Twilight returned the gesture by wrapping her forelegs around the Earth Pony. “Goodnight, Apple Bloom.”

The filly sniffled, before whispering, “G’night, Twi.”

They stayed that way for a long while, Twilight remaining awake as she held and silently comforted Apple Bloom.

After a while, Apple Bloom’s breathing quietened, until they were the gentle breaths of a sleeping filly.

Twilight gave a warm, yet sad smile, for she scowled. She’d be talking with Applejack tomorrow morning, with more than a few choice words for the pony so heartless she’d toss her sister out into a stormy night.

Author's Note

Phew. Been meaning to get this one out for ages.

Now, like many others that have recently come out, this is something I'm putting out now so it's out of my head so i can focus on Five Score. Once i'm done with that, i can return to things like this and my others fics.

So, how're things gonna go from here? How's Twilight talk with AJ gonna go? Will she use the Royal Canterlot Voice?

You'll have to wait and see.

As always, i hope you like this and , til next time, later everypony

Chapter 2

___________________________________________________________

Apple Bloom shifted as she returned from the land of sleep.

What a weird dream, she thought. Ah can’t believe Ah still dreamt mah family would kick me out jus’ cos mah Cutie Mark ain’t an Apple.

She suddenly became aware that she was resting against a warm body. By the feel of it, it was a mare.

She chuckled inwardly. Guess during mah dream Ah sleepwalked inta AJ’s bed and snuggled up against her.

Considering the nature of her dream, she reasoned it made sense that she’d move in her sleep to be close to her sister.

Grinning to herself, she opened her eyes, expecting to see AJ’s sleeping face across from her.

What she saw made her heart clench as reality hit her like a runaway cart.

Twilight Sparkle’s sleeping face was staring back at her as the Alicorn slept soundly, Apple Bloom now feeling the lavender-feathered wings draped around her.

If Twilight was in the bed that meant this wasn’t AJ’s bed. If it wasn’t AJ’s bed, that meant last night wasn’t a dream. If last night wasn’t a dream, that really meant that—

Apple Bloom burst into tears, wailing as she realized her worst fears were indeed a reality. Her family had abandoned her, left her alone.

Her wail seemed to rouse the Alicorn from her slumber, as she heard a snort, followed by the lavender mare’s concerned voice. “Apple Bloom? What’s wrong? Did you have a nightmare?”

Apple Bloom just buried her face into the older pony’s fur, not able to speak through her sobbing wails.

She felt the wings around her take a firmer, yet also gently hold, followed by forehooves wrapping around her in a warm embrace. As she sobbed into the fur of the pony holding her, she felt a warmth inside her.

She always felt different whenever Twilight comforted her as opposed to Applejack. It wasn’t the hug of a big sister. It was warmer... gentler.

After she had managed to calm down some, basking in the warm feelings she got from the hug Twilight was giving, her thoughts became sad once more.

Where would she go now? Her family clearly didn’t want her on the farm, or their lives, since Granny dumped her in front of the orphanage in the rain.

She supposed she could go live with Babs in Manehatten. She didn’t have an apple mark either, since hers was a pair of scissors. Maybe she could stay with Babs family and then, when they grew up and Babs was running her own hair salon, Apple Bloom could do the maintenance on the machines?

She tried to feel happy about that idea... she really did. But, to go live in Manehatten would mean leaving Ponyville and all her friends. Sure, her family had kicked her out, but she still had her friends. She didn’t want to leave them behind, but she couldn’t see how she could really stay in Ponyville anymore.

Sure, one of her friends might offer to let her stay at their place, but how long would it be before she just became an hindrance to them. They all had their own lives to live. She had no right to ask them to let her live with them now until she could get her own place when she was older.

And it wasn’t like she could ask Twilight to let her stay with her at the castle. Twilight was a princess and really, could she deal with a freeloading filly hanging around? Should she need to?

Apple Bloom felt more tears slide down her muzzle and onto the Alicorn’s fur. It looked like Manehatten was the only place she could go. She’d have to leave everything behind, all because her stupid Cutie Mark couldn’t have at least had something to do with apples.

“When should Ah go?”

She didn’t even realize the words had softly left her mouth until Twilight’s grip slackened a little and she looked up to see the Alicorn giving her a puzzled and concerned expression.

“What are you talking about?”

At the question she looked down again so she wasn’t meeting the princess’s eyes. “Well... Ah can’ just live with ya. That’d be wrong. Ah don’ wanna bother ya none, Twilight.” She started sniffling, despite trying not to. “Ah... Ah guess Ah could live in Manehatten, with Babs. Ah-Ah mean... Ah-Ah don’ wa-wanna leave Ponyville, b-but—”

The grip that had slackened before became firmer as she was pulled closer into Twilight’s fur, her words halted by the sudden movement.

“You don’t have to leave, Apple Bloom,” Twilight whispered. She sounded like she was trying not to cry, but there was something else in there too that Apple Bloom couldn’t place right now.

“But, Ah... Ah don’t got no family that wants me no more,” she said, her voice muffled by the fur she was being pressed against.

The grip around her tightened that little bit more, but wasn’t uncomfortable. In fact, Apple Bloom was struggling a little not to fall asleep again due to the warmth around her.

“You do now,” Twilight’s words were almost missed.

Apple Bloom felt her heart leap, but tried to keep it calm. Twilight couldn’t have been saying what she thought she was saying. “Twilight...?”

She felt Twilight’s head rest upon her own. “I’ll adopt you. If Applejack really doesn’t want you, then I do.”

Sad as she was at the mention of her sister, Apple Bloom felt her heart swell at what she’d heard and allowed herself to drift into the warmth, not fighting back.

She still had a family. She could stay in Ponyville. She wouldn’t have to lose her friends. And, as consciousness left her, she realized she now had something even more wonderful. She had... a mother.

___________________________________________________________

Twilight held the filly in her forelimbs, keeping her close, while fighting the urge to scream with rage at what Bloom family, one of her own best friends, had put this filly through.

She was not lying. She would adopt Apple Bloom and make her a part of her own family. She deserved better than a family who’d abandon her and exile her from their own just for her Cutie Mark. She would make sure Apple Bloom was raised with the loving family she needed, one that would love her no matter what the circumstances.

By the time she’d gotten her emotions under control, Twilight realized Apple Bloom had fallen back asleep in her embrace, a smile on her muzzle.

This warmed the Alicorn’s heart and she leaned down, nuzzling the sleeping filly.

A shift of movement from the next bed made her look up to see Spike sitting up and stretching, her maw open in a wide yawn.

“Good morning, Spike,” she whispered.

The baby dragon turned, clearly confused by the whisper, before he looked far more confused by the filly in Twilight’s grip.

“Uh, Twilight?” he asked, lifting a finger. “Why...?”

Twilight gave him a summary of what had happened last night and what Apple Bloom told her. Once she’d finished, the baby dragon wore a glare not many got to see from the small drake.

“She just left her at the orphanage, in the rain, all because of her Cutie Mark?!” it was clear he was struggling not to shout, not wanting to wake the Earth Pony.

Twilight nodded, her expression firm, until she looked down at Apple Bloom and it softened a little. “Spike, can you keep Apple Bloom company while I’m gone?”

“Where’re you going?” he asked, quirking an eyebrow in genuine curiousness.

Twilight sighed, stroking Apple Bloom’s mane with a hoof. “First, I’m going to visit the school and let Cheerilee know Apple Bloom won’t be there today.” Her face darkened. “Then, I’m going to go have a few words with Apple Bloom’s so-called loving sister.”

___________________________________________________________

Applejack bucked the nearest tree with no enthusiasm, the tree rewarding her for her efforts with nary an apple.

She sighed heavily. She’d never thought it would hit her so hard. Sure, once she’d seen the mark, she’d realized what it meant, but she’d never expected it to get to her this much. Then again, she'd never known what not getting an apple mark would really mean for the one who got it.

She remembered what had happened after Apple Bloom went upstairs last night.

~~~~~~

Applejack walked into the kitchen, hearing Apple Bloom slowly making her way upstairs.

She didn’t like this, in fact she hated it. With every fiber of her being she wanted to tell Granny Smith that she didn't care if it was tradition, she wasn't going to send her little sister away. But... it was tradition and if there was one thing Apples were known for, even if it caused them pain, it was their traditions. It was why the FlimFlam Brothers had lost in the end, since they hadn’t gone by tradition in the ways of cider making, resulting in that awful concoction that had come from it.

She started fixing the best apple fritters and soup she ever had. With this being the last meal her little sister would be able to enjoy as a member of the household, she intended to make it a the best she’d ever had.

“Wanna talk?”

She sighed as Big Mac entered, coming up beside her.

“Not sure, really,” she said quietly as she stirred the pot.

“Where’re we gonna send her?” he asked, the question painful both for her to hear and him to say.

Applejack shook her head. “Ah don’ wanna break up this family.” Her eyes were downcast. “Ever since Ma and Pa died, we’ve been orphans. If not fer Granny, we mighta ended up at the orphanage.”

A few moments later she heard the sound of the stairs creaking and guessed Granny was going upstairs to help Apple Bloom pack and comfort her.

She wanted to comfort her sister too, to let her know that they would always love her, despite her needing to leave, but she couldn’t bring herself to. The look on her sister’s face was fresh in her mind. The fact that she had been the one to call out the damning phrase that would take her away still eating at her mind.

Had she known this was what would happen to a burnt apple, she'd have forced Apple Bloom to hide the mark. Maybe she could've gotten Twilight to cast an illusion spell or something, to make it look like Apple Bloom's Cutie Mark at least had something to do with apples, then she wouldn't have to leave.

“So, we gonna send her ta Manehatten?” Big Mac asked as he started to help her sister by slicing apples and other fruits for a fruit salad.

She sighed, shaking her head. “We can’, Mac. Sure, she’d love bein’ with Babs, but could ya really send her all the way t’ Manehatten? Would ya really wanna separate her from her Crusader friends?”

Mac’s eyes moved downward and he gave the tiniest shake of his head. “Nope.”

“Me neither,” Applejack tossed a few more spices and herbs into the soup for more flavour. “Ah was thinkin’ Carrot Top’s farm? It’s only a little ways down the road and Bloom could visit us anytime she wan’ed.”

“Ya sure Carrot Top and her husband would be willin’ t’ look after Bloom permanently?” he asked, his eyes glancing at her for a moment before returning to the orange he was slicing. “They’ve already got their own filly. Ya sure they’d be okay with suddenly caring for another.”

Applejack was silent for a moment. “They’re distant members of the family, Mac. They know the tradition. Ah never understood sum o' what they said cos Ah didn't know it meant..." she sighed again, taking a deep breath before continuing. "And think about it. Bloom and Dinky will get along great.”

Mac shook his head. "This is just so sudden, ya know. Ah... Ah don't like that this is her last night."

Applejack continued to look into the pot.

Once dinner was ready, Applejack called out to Granny and Apple Bloom. When neither responded, she went out of the kitchen. Looking around, she saw a note on the living room table.

Gone out. Be back soon. Keep dinner warm for me.

Granny.

Applejack rolled her eyes at this. Of all the weird quirks her grandmother had, her desire for going for strolls in the rain was one of the many she would never fathom.

She suddenly worried, knowing this was an Everfree storm. However, no sooner had she thought this than she heard the loud bang of the front door and a voice shouting, “Hooweeee! Nothin’ like a run in the rain to make ya feel young again.”

She rolled her eyes, before putting the note down and went upstairs to talk with Apple Bloom. If Granny had decided to go for one of her Rain Walks, she must have been confident in Apple Bloom’s emotions.

“Apple Bloom?” she asked, knocking on the door to the filly’s room.

There was no response.

Applejack frowned, confused. “Li’l’ sis? You okay in there?”

Silence was her answer.

Applejack raised an eyebrow, then sighed. Bloom didn’t give the Silent Treatment often. But when she did, it could last for hours, sometimes days. She just hoped they’d be able to talk before she took her to Carrot Top’s place.

Applejack went downstairs and returned with a tray. On it was a bowl of fruit salad, a plate with some apple fritters and a bowl of soup, plus a glass of water.

Whenever Apple Bloom was giving the Silent Treatment, she refused to eat with the family. This saddened AJ, because this was the last night they’d all be living in the same house. True, Apple Bloom might sleepover from time to time, but it wouldn’t be the same.

“Look, Apple Bloom,” she called to the door, imaging her sister sitting on her bad, both angry and sad, “Ah’m sorry about all this. Ah swear Ah didn't know ya wouldn't be staying even if ya didn’t get an apple mark, but it’s not like we’re makin’ ya move away. Ya’ll be living with Carrot Top. She’s only down the road, s-so ya can still visit if’n ya want. Tain't like yer not allowed to visit, ya just can't... live here no more is all.” She had to take a moment to get control of herself again. “A-an’ they've got a daughter, Dinky. Ya both get along so well, Ah remember how ya both had so much fun at the reunion when Twilight first came ta Ponyville.”

Silence answered her.

“Remember how ya’d say ya wish Dinky could stay over longer?” she tried, not liking how her sister wouldn’t respond. The Silent Treatment was her sister’s second most powerful weapon after her pout and puppy-dog eyes combo. “Well, now ya’ll can have a sleepover at her house every night. How about that?”

She got no response.

Sighing in defeat, Applejack turned to head back downstairs. “Eat yer dinner while it’s still warm, okay, Bloom?” she called, trying to keep the sadness from her voice, before she went back to join Mac and Granny.

~~~~~

Applejack sighed. That morning, when she’d gotten up to get Apple Bloom and take her to Carrot Top’s, she’d found the room empty, devoid of her sister, the dinner she’d left for her untouched and cold.

When she’d gone downstairs and asked, Granny told her she’d already dealt with it.

Applejack wasn’t sure how she felt about Granny getting Bloom up so early to take her to Carrot’s like that. Bloom should’ve gotten to at least get a little more rest.

Still, it was better this way, she guessed. She might have not been able to bring herself to leave her sister had she taken her herself.

But, despite telling herself this was what had needed to be done, it had affected her mood. She’d barely bucked half the number of apples she was meant to today and Granny had made it clear that Applejack could only go visit Apple Bloom after the bucking was done, though she did wonder why Bloom hadn’t been seen this morning. She’d have expected to see her on her way to school with Dinky, who she’d seen walking on her own.

Was Carrot Top letting Apple Bloom stay home to get used to living with them? It would make sense and Cheerilee would understand.

She sighed, rearing up to give the tree another buck—

“APPLEJACK APPLE!”

The booming voice not only scared Applejack out of her skin, but the force of it sent her unbalanced body soaring sideways, tumbling and tossing along the ground until she was stopped by another tree, one of the few she’d managed to buck properly.

Looking up in a daze, she saw a purple blotch streaking through the sky towards her.

“What the hay, Twi?” she said, figuring out the owner of the voice. “Why’re ya shoutin’ so loud? Done scared the fur right off my—”

“I COULD CARE LESS ABOUT YOUR FUR RIGHT NOW!” the purple Alicorn bellowed, her voice forcing Applejack against the tree as she landed in front of her. “YOU’VE GOT SOME SERIOUS EXPLAINING TO DO!”

Shaking her head to clear it, Applejack could now see Twilight’s expression. Her lips were curled back into a snarl, her nostrils were flaring and her eyes were filled with bloody rage.

What the heck had wound her up tighter than a hay ball in August?

“Yer gonna have ta be less vague there, sugar—” she began.

“DON’T YOU DARE SUGARCUBE ME, YOU HEARTLESS CROW!” Twilight cut her off, pushing her face up against the farm mare’s. “HOW COULD YOU DO THAT TO YOUR OWN SISTER?!”

Now how in the hay did Twilight find out about that? Was she at the school and had asked Dinky why she was speaking about Apple Bloom staying home and learned it from her as to Bloom’s new living arrangements?

"Tain’t really yer concern, Twi,” she said calmly, moving to stand.

“OH, I THINK THIS IS MY CONCERN!”

“Would ya stop it with the Canterlot Voice? Yer gonna make me deaf?”

“YOU’LL BE LUCKY IF THAT’S ALL YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH ONCE I’M FINISHED!”

Applejack’s brows narrowed. “Now, hold on a minute there, Twi. We Apples have our own way o’ handlin’ things. True, Ah ain't happy 'bout it, bu t'was time Bloom left the nest. Ah’m sure she’s gonna be just fine where she’s living now.”

“CONSIDERING I’M GOING TO BE THE ONE ADOPTING HER, I KNOW IT!” Twilight looked even angrier than when she’d landed, if that were even possible.

Applejack was about to retort, when the oddness of Twilight’s statement caught up with her. “Adopt her? Now why in the hay are ya adopting her?”

Twilight’s right eye twitched and her horn sparked. “MAYBE BECAUSE I ACTUALLY CARE ABOUT HER, WHERE AS IT’S OBVIOUS YOU DON’T!”

That flared Applejack up right there. “Now, hang on one cotton tickin’ minute there, princess,” a small part of Applejack was shocked she’d dare to use that word as an insult to Twilight, “Ah never said Ah don’t care ’bout her. An’ the fact ya’ll would dare t’ even suggest... What in the hay’s gotten int’ ya, Twi? What’s got ya so wound up?”

Applejack didn’t think the Royal Canterlot Voice could be any louder. Somehow, Twilight proved her wrong.

“ARE YOU SERIOUS?” she exploded, her eyes promising death to the farm mare. “SHE COMES TO MY DOORSTEP IN THE RAIN, TELLS ME YOU ABANDONED HER IN THE STORM AT THE ORPHANAGE JUST BECAUSE SHE DOESN’T HAVE AN APPLE CUTIE MARK, SPENT THE NIGHT AND MOST OF THE MORNING COMFORTING HER AND YOU HAVE THE GALL TO ASK ME WHAT’S GOT ME SO WOUND UP?! SERIOUSLY?!”

After she’d recovered from that vocal barrage, Applejack deciphered exactly what Twilight had said.

“Last night? What are ya talkin’ ’bout, sugarcube? Apple Bloom spent the night sulking in her room, not talking t’ anypony.”

Twilight stepped closer. “Well, then I guess I just dreamed about finding her outside my door, her crying into me, her telling me you’d kicked her out and waking up to find her crying into my chest.”

The sudden return to normal speaking was actually more unnerving to the farm mare than if she’d kept yelling in the Canterlot Voice like before.

However, she kept calm. Whatever Twilight thought, she would set the record straight.

“Twilight, it’s an Apple tradition. One Ah ain't happy 'bout, but one none the less. Any Apple that don’ get an apple mark doesn’t live on the farm anymore. It’s the same on every Apple farm. We didn’ abandon her. She’s living with Carrot Top now, Granny took her this mornin’ afore Ah woke up. Ya’ll could go an’ see fer yerself.”

The look on Twilight’s face caused her to shiver. It was like a scowl and a smirk mixed into one. “Oh, I think I will. And you’re coming with me.”

Author's Note

There's chapter two. Sorry for ending it on a cliffhanger. I'll try to get more done tomorrow, then i can get back to pushing the other fic ideas whirling around in my head out and onto the page.

Now. Don't think for a moment Applejack's getting off easy. Oh no. While there won't be any violence, she's gonna be feeling the brunt of this a fair bit.

Also, if you're wondering why i made Dinky Carrot Top's daughter for this fic, i've thought it over and there are a lot of hints as to dinky's real family.

Like this

this

and while not from the show, this still made me chuckle a little

And, before anyone gets on my back about this cropped image from a certain scene in the show

Look closely at the mane. That isn't Sparkler. It's DD or whatever that pony that looks like Sparkler but has two dolphins for her Cutie Mark's name is, i don't know.

Anyway, hope you liked this chapter and it helped explain a few things.

and, since it's late, i won't be contiuing tonight, so, til next time, goodnight everypony

Chapter 3

___________________________________________________________

“Twilight, Ah’m tellin’ ya,” Applejack said as she knocked on the door to Carrot Top’s house, “Apple Bloom’s here and ya’ll are gonna feel right dumb when ya learn it was all a misunderstandin’.”

“I highly doubt that,” Twilight replied coldly.

Applejack couldn’t help shivering. After Twilight said she’d be coming to see Apple Bloom with her, Twilight had yanked her up in her magic and carried AJ along in the air.

Now, AJ hadn’t being carried in magic about as much as Rainbow did under normal circumstances, this time, however, she felt fear for it. She’d felt the magic holding her very tightly. She’d been terrified that Twilight might accidentally crush her. She’d been able to tell Twilight was restraining herself from doing so, and it had terrified her.

She was thankful when they’d arrived and now they could sort this whole thing out once and for all. She wouldn’t hold it against the Alicorn, she’d misunderstood and, being the Princess of Friendship and one who cares so much for Apple Bloom, her reactions were understandable, even if misguided.

They waited a few moments as the sounds of somepony moving around inside were hear, before the door opened to reveal a unicorn stallion with a grey coat, purple mane and tail, green eyes and an unrolled scroll for a Cutie Mark.

He blinked, looking very surprised. “Applejack?” Then he saw the fuming Alicorn standing next to her, his face blanching as he made a quick bow. “P-Princess Twilight. Um... m-might I ask why you’ve come here this morning?”

“Uh, mornin’, Written Script,” Applejack said, not sure how to react to that. Though she supposed seeing a fuming princess on one’s doorstep would be a fright. “Guessin’ yer wife’s at the market?”

He nodded, still looking a little shaken as he continued to bow to the Alicorn.

Applejack closed her eyes. “Okay, okay. Listen, can Ah speak with Apple Bloom?”

At this, Script stood, looking slightly puzzled. “Um, what do you mean?”

That reaction was not quite what she’d been hoping for and she suddenly felt Twilight’s eyes boaring into her. She gulped.

“Listen, Ah know she must’a stayed home in order ta get used t’ her new livin’ arrangements, but Ah need t’ see her. Twi thinks she found her outside last night. Could ya set the record straight?”

The stronger confusion on his face only made Applejack start to sweat as she thought about what Twilight had told her. Had Granny really kicked Apple Bloom out last night, like Twi said she'd told her? Would she really have left her in front of an orphanage? She didn’t like to think about it, but the thoughts came unbidden, regardless.

“Why don’t you talk to her, then?” Script asked, glancing between Twilight and Applejack, fear entering his eyes when they fell on the princess before shooting back to the Earth Pony. “She’s your sister.”

Applejack gulped. “N-now, Script,” she said shakily, “Ah didn’t see her headin’ t’ school with Dinky, so she must’a stayed behind, right?”

He cocked his head. “Well, wouldn’t you know that better than me?”

Applejack openly began sweating. “Sc-Script, p-please tell me Granny brought her over here this mornin’?”

His confusion only seemed to rise at that. “Um... why?”

“Apple Bloom didn’t get an apple Cutie Mark,” Twilight answered, her voice devoid of emotion, causing the other two to shiver.

Script’s eyes widened when he realized what she’d said and he looked to Applejack sadly. “I’m sorry to hear that, AJ. So, are you hear to ask if we’ll let her live with us? She’s family, so we wouldn’t turn her away and I’m sure Dinky would be happy to live with her cousin.”

Applejack’s gut dropped. “Y-ya... ya mean ya didn’ know ’bout this til now?”

He nodded slowly. “Why wouldn’t I?”

She gulped, her legs starting to shake. “C-cos Granny brought her over this mornin’ an’ explained it to ya already?” she almost begged.

He shook his head. “Sorry, AJ. I haven’t seen Granny since yesterday afternoon at the market. This is the first I’ve heard of it.”

Applejack’s legs almost gave out under her as what he said and its implications punched her in the guts. Twilight hadn’t misunderstood. She really had found Apple Bloom in the rain, Apple Bloom really had told her she’d been abandoned...

Wait. Why an orphanage?

Before Twilight could react, Applejack bolted back towards the farm, praying one thing and one thing only and hoping she was right.

___________________________________________________________

Applejack shot inside, heading for the medicine cabinet. Just as she opened it and began rummaging inside, Twilight appeared next to her in a flash of light.

“Believe me now?” her words were cold and filled with restrained fury.

“Come on,” she whispered, her search becoming frantic. “Please don’t let it be— Ah ha!” she cried, pulling out a small bottle and holding it up triumphantly.

Twilight’s expression didn’t change. “And what is that?”

“Granny’s medication,” Applejack said, starting to open the bottle. “She’s old, Twi. One’a the oldest members o’ the family alive and her mind ain’t quite what it once was. She needs these t’ keep her mind in check.”

Twilight’s expression softened the tiniest bit with curiosity. “Why hasn’t she just gone for the magical operation? Those are permanent.”

Applejack rolled her eyes. “Tradition, Twi. She’ll back off and take these, but refuses those fancy shmancy magical operations. Ya know how stubborn she is.”

“Yes,” Twilight said, somewhat seeming to forget her anger as she began to ponder. Then her anger returned, quick as a flash. “Wait. Are you going to tell me this medication Granny’s meant to take could be the problem? That’s a bit convenient, Applejack?”

“Twi, Ah promise, Bloom was meant t’ go live with Carrot and Script; Ah was gonna take her there mahself. Ah don’t know why Granny would—” the lid finally popped off and Applejack tipped it, expecting to spill a few tablets onto her open hoof.

What she saw made her eyes widen in horror and annoyance at the same time. Instead of the purple tablets she’d seen Granny taking for the last couple years, she saw three bonbons, unwrapped.

Twilight’s anger was now mixed with confusion. “Granny’s medication is bonbons?”

“That little weasel,” Applejack’s eyes narrowed. “Ah was wonderin’ where she was gettin’ all them sweets. She’s in for it this time.” She looked upstairs angrily. “Apple Bloom, get down here! Ya’ll know better than t’ hide yer candy in Granny’s medicine cabinet. Ya’ll realize what ya coulda done, don’t ya?”

“Applejack,” she turned to see Twilight looking at her, deadpanned. “Apple Bloom isn’t here, remember?”

Applejack blinked, before her face lost a bit of colour. She’d defaulted to that thought pattern because it was common when Bloom caused mischief. But... if Bloom had hidden some of her secret candy in Granny’s...

“Sweet... Celestia...” she whispered, dropping the bottle, it clattering to the floor, spilling the remaining bonbons within it.

“Applejack?” Granny’s voice called from the living room. “What was that noise?”

Said mare bound into the living room, her eyes wide with horror. “Granny, when was the last time ya got yer medication replaced?

The green mare blinked at her, raising an eyebrow in confusion. “Applejack, Ah ain’t been handling that since ya started getting me them sweet tastin’ ones. Far better than those other ones Ah’d alway get.” She snorted. “Ah don’ know who came up with the notion that we old folk enjoy the taste o’ prunes so much. Dang things taste nasty.”

Applejack’s heart beat in her chest. “Granny, where’d ya take Apple Bloom?!” she begged as she stared at the elderly mare.

Granny looked to her granddaughter, a slight frown etching her wrinkled face. “Took her? What in tarnation are ya’ goin on about? Ah jus’ got back fr’m mah visit with Apple Rose. What’s this about my little Bloom?”

Applejack faltered. “What? Granny, ya were here last night. Ya got back fr’m Apple Rose's yesterday mornin’, remember?!”

Granny Smith scoffed. “Mah memory ain’t what it used ta be, but Ah’m pretty sure Ah’d remember comin’ home early.”

“But ya were! Ya were the one that told us burnt apples—?”

She stopped as it caught up with her. Granny hadn’t been taking her medication since Bloom had switched them with candy. How long had that been going on? She couldn’t even remember the last time Granny said she was off to buy medication since shortly after they visited Golden...

Her legs gave out and she flopped to the floor. No. Please, Celestia, no.

Twilight’s horn glowed and Applejack felt herself being lifted and turned around til she was looking the Alicorn in the eyes. “Well?”

Applejack felt the world caving in around her. Her baby sister... what must she be feeling? Left out in the rain, at night, in front of an orphanage?

Tears welled in the farm pony’s eyes as she stared into the cold ones of her friend. “Ah... Ah gotta see her. Ah gotta explain—”

“No.”

That one, two letter word stopped her, her eyes staring into those of her friend with hurt and confusion. “What?”

Twilight just glared back at her. “Do you really think Apple Bloom will want to even see you right now, let alone talk to you?” there was a coldness, yet a pained sound to her voice. “She’s hurt, Applejack. Hurt so, so badly. She feels like you just abandoned her.”

“But, Ah didn’t—”

“She doesn’t know that,” Twilight cut her off. “And I’m pretty sure, even when I tell her, she’s still going to feel hurt.” Her magic released Applejack, who dropped to the floor with a thud, before the Alicorn turned to leave. “I’ll arrange for Granny to get the best unicorn doctors to give her the operation.”

“Now, Twilight, that’s mighty kind o’ ya, but Ah don’t need—” the elderly mare began softly.

“Oh, yes, you do!” Twilight snapped, whipping her head to glare at Granny Smith, who faltered and squirmed back under the harsh expression. “You went and caused traumatic harm to your youngest granddaughter, all because you refused the operation to help you, going instead for the meds because you’re stubborn! Well, I’m ordering you, Granny Smith Apple, as a princess of Equestria, have the operation, or else, so help me, I will do everything in my power to make sure you never come within ten metres of Apple Bloom ever again!”

With that, the lavender mare stomped out of the room, slamming the front door behind her a few moments later, leaving the farm house in an eerie silence.

___________________________________________________________

“I wonder why Twilight told Miss Cheerilee that Apple Bloom wasn’t coming to school today,” Sweetie Belle said as she, Scootaloo and Dinky all sat together by a tree, eating their lunches.

It had been an unusual school day surprise that was for sure. They’d been studying maths quietly, when there had been a knock on the door. When Miss Cheerilee had answered it, Twilight had been on the other side. She’d spoken with Miss Cheerilee outside the classroom for a few moments, before their teacher had returned.

When asked what the princess had spoken to her about, she’d said that Twilight had come to say that Apple Bloom wasn’t going to be in school today and that was all.

“Maybe she’s sick?” Dinky suggested. She hadn’t seen her cousin that morning as she’d past Sweet Apple Acres, so her being sick seemed likely to the Apple unicorn.

“More like embarrassed to be seen at all.”

All three groaned, turning around as a pair of fillies not one of them liked approached.

“Can you go even one day without insulting somepony?” Scootaloo asked Diamond Tiara as she and her ever-present cohort stopped by them.

Tiara gave a gasp. “Insulting? I’ve never insulted anypony. I merely just say it how it is.”

The three fillies stood up, Dinky levitating their stuff and moved to walk away.

“What’s the matter?” Silver Spoon asked in a mockingly worried tone. “Does the truth hurt, Blank Flanks?”

“Sometimes, I really wish Princess Celestia would banish them to the moon,” Scootaloo grumbled as they walked away with the sound of the two fillies laughter following them. “Then maybe we could have some peace around here.”

“I know they’re annoying and mean, but that’s a bit harsh, Scoots,” Sweetie Belle said, glancing over her shoulder and scowling at the cruel fillies. “Though it would be nice if something could shut them up for once.”

“Hey,” Dinky began as they took seats near the playground, “do you think we should asked Twilight about it after school?”

“Seeing as she’s not an Apple, I don’t see why, but...” Scootaloo scratched her chin in thought, “then again, I don’t see why not either. It’d probably be smarter to ask her big sister, but I suppose Twilight must know if she came.”

The three nodded, deciding that, after school, they’d go and ask Twilight why she had been the one to tell Miss Cheerilee about Apple Bloom not coming to school instead of one of the Earth Pony’s family.

Author's Note

there's chapter three.

Now maybe this doesn't seem like much, but i really need to get a bunch of other fics out of my head, or else other fics suffer for it do to my not being able to properly focus, so this will not get another update for a while

~~Hope you liked this and it helps to explain things a bit better.~~

Edit 10/5/2018: Decided to change things up a bit. I realized, with the way i'd written this, i'd backed myself into a corner i couldn't get out of, so i'm going with a slightly different approach from here on that will make more sense.

So, does Granny really not remember taking Bloom to the orphanage because she hasn't been taking her medication, or is there something else at play here? Look forward to finding out... hopefully before August :twilightsheepish:

Til next time, later everypony

Chapter 4

___________________________________________________________

Apple Bloom yawned, stepping out from Twilight’s bedroom. She looked around the long crystal hallways and felt herself shiver a little. She hadn’t realized how big the castle was til now.

“Wonder where Twilight an’ Spike are,” she murmured to herself, quickly trotting down the hall, looking from one side to the next for any indication as to where to go.

“So, that’s it?” Spike’s voice asked from behind a door.

Pushing it open, Apple Bloom found herself in the castle’s throne room. Her heart leaped in her chest. All the seats around the table Map were filled, including her sister’s.

“Ah, good. You’re here,” Twilight said, her tone seeming jovial… but something about it made Apple Bloom uneasy. “We all just finished discussing what to do with you.”

Apple Bloom blinked, confusion and worry blending together. “Wh… What d’ya mean?”

“Frankly, darling, we’ve all decided Ponyville isn’t the place for you, after all,” Rarity said, sounding rather uninterested.

The filly’s eyes widened. “What?!”

“Well, you’re not really an Apple anymore and it’s clear your extended family don’t want you either,” Rainbow Dash said casually, shrugging. “And you can’t actually expect Twilight to take you in, do you? She’s a princess. She doesn’t have time t’ raise a brat like you.”

“Not to mention the damage it would do to her reputation,” Rarity waved a hoof in a shooing manner. “A princess taking in a reject farmer filly? Completely ridiculous.”

“But… but…” Apple Bloom wilted as she looked desperately around at the ponies and dragon gathered. “Wh-where will Ah go? Where will Ah live?”

Twilight shrugged. “Not our problem.”

“I hate goodbyes,” Pinkie said sadly, before smiling wide, grabbing Apple Bloom and shoving her into what took Apple Bloom a second to realize with horror was her Party Canon. “So, let’s skip the goodbyes and just send you off! Weee!”

Apple Bloom’s eyes widened in horror as the canon was aimed at a window and firing.

She screamed as she was flung into the air, soaring higher and higher—

“ENOUGH!” a loud, familiar voice boomed.

Apple Bloom stopped screaming and opening her eyes… only to find herself floating in mid-air.

Glancing around, she frowned as she saw the moon was suddenly in the sun’s place, before it seemed to open up and a dark-blue Alicorn with a star-filled ethereal mane stepped out of it.

“P-Princess Luna?” she asked, before blinking and looking around, before going, “Ooooooh. Ah’m dreamin’?”

The Alicorn nodded. “Indeed, young Apple Bloom.” Then she frowned. “I do not understand. What is this dream?”

The filly looked down at her hooves as their surroundings turned into the apples fields of the farm. “Ah don’t have an Apple Cutie Mark… an’ mah family kicked me out fer it.”

There was silence for a moment, the Lunar princess wearing a very confused expression, before frowning slightly. “You… jest, yes?”

The filly didn’t answer, wrapping her tail around herself.

Luna’s jaw dropped. “What? But… since when does…? And why would…? Does my sister know of this?!”

Apple Bloom shook her head. “Not likely. It only happened last night.”

The princess frowned, in puzzled thought. “I had noticed something odd about your dreams last night, but it was so busy that night I failed in finding time to look into them. Why would such a loving family even do this?”

Apple Bloom briefly explained what she’d learned about the Apple Family’s tradition of Burnt Apples. Once she was finished, Luna look torn between understanding and confusion.

“Well, I can see why such traditions are still upheld and how they actually can benefit the Apple clan… but that is so out of character of Granny Smith. From what Tia has told me, your grandmother would never do such a thing.”

“But, she did,” Apple Bloom whispered quietly. “Ah wouldn’t be sleepin’ at Twi’s castle if’n she hadn’t.”

Luna frowned, rubbing her chin in thought for a few moments. “I shall look into this myself, dear Apple Bloom. While I do not deny you are correct in what was done to you, I feel there must be something else among this. Something we cannot see openly.”

Apple Bloom sniffled, wiping her nose on her foreleg. “Ah… Ah wanna believe that, Princess Luna, Ah do… but…”

The older pony nodded, gently nuzzling the anxious filly. “Rest easy, Apple Bloom. Things will make sense soon, I am sure.”

___________________________________________________________

Apple Bloom stirred, opening her eyes and looking around to find herself back in Twilight’s bedroom. Spike was sitting next to her, his back turned and seemed to be reading over a scroll of some kind.

Had Princess Luna sent a message to him as soon as the dream ended?

“Spike?” she asked, failing to hold back a yawn.

The dragon jumped, before turning around and smiling, pulling the filly into a hug. “I’m an older brother! Welcome to the family, little sister!”

Still partially asleep, Apple Bloom felt very confused. “Huh?”

He pulled back and showed her the scroll he’d been reading. It had a lot of fancy words, but two words caught her eye right away: Adoption Form.

“Twilight sent it over right after she visited the school,” the drake said eagerly, hugging the filly again. “It’s isn’t official til tomorrow afternoon, but you’re a member of the family now, Apple Bloom.” He smirked. “Or should I call you Apple Sparkle?”

Apple Bloom blinked, before giggling, then laughing, Spike joining alongside her.

___________________________________________________________

“I cannot believe you failed so dismally,” the elderly griffon said, glaring at the green Earth Pony mare as she walked into the clearing of the Everfree.

The mare returned his glare. “Hey, mah mission was just t’ get the filly outta the house an’ away fr’m her family. Ain’t mah fault you messaged up the pickup location. Ah was just t’ bring ’er there, then leave the family as soon as their grandmother got back.”

“By the time we got there, she was gone,” the griffon growled. “And now the purple princess is looking after her. All that work for nothing.”

The elderly mare scoffed. “At least Ah didn’t try t’ replace a griffon in Griffonstone and failed to get the fledgling.”

He snorted. “How was I supposed to know griffons wouldn’t be like ponies?” He grumbled. “They didn’t even think my being overly mean would be seen as just Grandpa Gruff being Grandpa Gruff. Fledgling didn’t even seem phased and just kept doing as usual. Couldn’t get her alone enough to steal her not matter what I tried.”

“Let’s just get out of here, already,” the mare grumbled, walking passed him. “That wimp Kevin’s going to keep hanging around and could squeal on us at any time.” She snorted. “I don’t know who’s more pathetic, him or that traitor... whatever his name is. Do you remember his name?”

The griffon scowled. “You think I would remember? Why would I wanna remember a traitor like him?!”

With that, the two walked off into the forest, arguing with each other as they were consumed by green flames and vanished from sight.

Author's Note

Decided to finally get a new chapter of this out, if only because many people keep messaging me about it.

now, before anyone says going with what i've gone with was a cop out or anything like that, this was going to be the original plan. i just failed to originally write the past chapters to reflect that, which is why the chapters were edited a little while ago to better fit the narrative i was going with.

next chapter, Princess Apple Bloom meets up with her friends and tells them what's happened. as for AJ and the rest of the Mane 6, that'll happen in time.

So, will Granny give in to Twilight's orders last chapter for the sake of her granddaughter, or will she be so stubborn, being punished for something she didn't do, that she'll refuse, failing to fully realize what that would mean?

And just what will happen when Twilight's parents find out they're grandparents, but not from their married offspring? And how will Shining and Cadance react when they learn they know has a niece?

you'll have to wait and see. as for how long you'll have to wait... i honestly have no idea. i honestly barely was able to string this chapter together because i need for time and drive to think where to go from here.

Edit 11/8/2018 but technically spoilers if you didn't catch on to what was going on in the chapter, so to stay spoiler free, don't read: after reading several comments, i need to clarify something. The Changelings do NOT have a major part in this story. their plans were to steal foals/children of whichever race they were impersonating as, to take back to the hive and feed on their love.

as that plan failed big time in Ponyville and Griffonstone, they won't be returning to try again. the only way they'll be returning is if i continue the story all the way to the season 6 finale, reasons why for then being pretty damn obvious.

just because there was a misunderstanding doesn't mean Granny wouldn't still have made Apple Bloom leave (though obviously not to the orphanage nor the very night they found out she's a burnt apple), and thus leading to Twilight learning about this tradition and putting it into question.

anyway, hope you enjoyed this chapter and, til next time, later everypony