Everypony is Celestia
Chapter Two: The Farmer

"That'll be 2 bits ya hear?"

The life of the farmer was not suited for her.

"Twenty barrels of cider in the first week of cider season? It'll be close, but I think we'll have enough for ya."

The hours were long, the food was repetitive and there was too little actual pony to pony interaction for her liking.

"Why go ahead Big Mac! I can handle the farm for a day, besides! I know how much you enjoy that Smartie Pants book series that you've been talkin' so much about!"

While it did have it's moments, she vary much would have preferred something more complex and artistic.

"Aw hayseed! Only 4 Bushels today? Any less and the Carrot family would have beaten us! That's it! We'll need to bust out the special crop of Golden Delicious! Applebloom! Go tell Big Mac."

A Baker would have been nice.

" Hey Granny? Why don't I take over for tonight's meal, I had a recipe I wanna get right."

But what she wanted didn't matter, it was trivial compared to the work she was actually doing. The moment's she was given she cherished and made it all worth it.

"No no, it's alright Granny! I'll go to the town hall meeting! You just rest and get better!"

She owed it to them.

It was shaping up to be another long summer day of work on the farm for Applejack. Apples needed to be collected, barrels needed to be topped off, and trees need to be watered all before the mark opened up in town. Big Mac was helping Applebloom get ready for school so that left her with the prep work on top of her usual load.

Lucky her.

Thankfully most of the tasks were mainly physical ones so with any luck, the time would fly by as long as she kept her mind preoccupied on other things.

Yes good morning Shoe Shine! I just felt like getting an early start today.

Applejack slowly hitched herself up to the wagon full of supplies, checked the wagon once over to make sure she had everything. and set off, eager to distribute them to the proper locations on the farm.

Raven? Could you check if it's possible to meet up with Blueblood over breakfast instead of lunch?

Applejack made it to her first stop and unloaded the gardening tools at the fence post before setting off again.

Oh no reason, I just feel like I need to get more done today, the fiscal crisis in Fillydelphia took quite a lot of my time yesterday.

Time passed, and Applejack continued to work relentlessly, pausing only for a moment to watch the sun fully rise before continuing on her errands. With Applejack's mind on other matters, she didn't notice pothole in the road until a wagon wheel was already firmly entrenched in it.

"Fiddlesticks!" She swore before unhooking herself to examine the damage. The entire back axle was completely detached from the right side of the cart.

Hmm? Oh! I am terribly sorry Ambassador, I've appeared to have lost my whe- train of thought, please give me a moment.

Applejack glanced around at her surroundings, she was right in the heart of the West Acres, Honey Crisps surrounding her. She surveyed the items in the cart, hoping that one of them might be able to aid her in the repair. If she had the tools it'd delay her by an hour at most. If not...

Nothing.

Applejack sighed again, then surveyed the field again, a new light in her eyes. Big Mac had already left the farm and it was unlikely that Granny Smith would come out this far to check on her, and Applebloom was with her friends...perhaps if she...?

She slowly began to remove her hat from her head, a small satisfied smile forming on her mouth.

Applejack suddenly froze, staring at the hat she held in her hooves, the weathered material coarse against her coat. With a sigh, she hooked herself back up to the broken cart, and slowly began pulling it back to the barn, inch by inch, her hat pulled low over her head.

So sorry for that, I don't know what came over me. Raven? Could you fetch some water for me and the Ambassador? I feel like its going to be a long day.

She wouldn't have done it if it wasn't necessary. That is not to say that she hadn't fantasied of it before. Watching the Apple family grow, year after year. A web of kinship stretching across her country. Keeping in touch in a way none of her other little ponies had managed to do with their families. Being able to visit and be so close, after years had passed. Even the daughter, Blossom Smith Apple, still greeted her with the same warm eyes as the day when she gave the land to the Apple Family. Celestia turned as green as her friend as she envied the Apples.

Many times she had wondered what it was like. To have so many ponies acknowledge you as close family and greet you with such love.

She hadn't felt it for so many years. Of course she would have taken the chance when it was offered.

What probably was the most unusual part of the scenario, that didn't go as planned for Celestia was the older brother. It was a novel experience that didn't quite match up to anything else she had experience. The best she could make out, the role of a brother was a sort mixed bag containing traits from several ponies in her life previous to this situation. The Royal Guards had been just as watchful of suitors, her sister was just as mischievous, some caring traits from the few memories of her father. Yet they all seemed to be encompassed and covered seamlessly together into the role of older brother.

And yet, to Celestia, there was something more there that she couldn't quite identify. A bond that seemed to transcend the mask she had worn long before he was born and let him see directly to her core.. Whenever something was on her mind, he would be there offering support.

For anything.

Either with a mug of cider or just an open set of ears, he knew exactly what to say, when to hug, and when she was out of her depth. Even when it came to the issues that Celestia could never share with him. Matters of politics and legislation, things he could never have known weighted on her mind. He still knew when she needed him.

It was beautiful, comforting, unnerving, agonizing and perfect all at the same time.

Celestia wasn't quite sure what to think of the role of 'Older Brother' and the stallion who occupied it.
It scared her.

Applejack loved him for it.

"Are you kidding me? Carrots are root vegetables! Apples come from trees! Trees! They need much more water than just 42 hectares!"

If there was one part of the weekly paperwork needed to run a farm that Applejack actually enjoyed it was the haggling over resources and supplies. Water rights, boarder issues, a tree between two properties, it didn't matter, Applejack loved throwing down and haggling at a level rarely seen in the day to day market sales.

The same could not be said for Mayor Mare.

The poor exhausted mare ran a hoof down her face and checked the time, "Alright! Alright! Lets remain civilized here ponies! We will take a fifteen minute break and settle the cloud disbursement issue afterwards!"

Mayor Mare needed her tea break.

Light grumbling was heard as the different business ponies and legislators filed out of the room. What was left was two equally orange/yellow contrast ponies and an equal am mount of determination.

"You know you won't get it."

Applejack glared at the smug mare across the room, "Aw, shut your trap Carrot Top, your crops go only a foot down into the soil , you don't need that much water to fully water your fields!"

Carrot Top grinned back, "True, but carrots don't have the shade cover that apple trees have with their branches and leaves, with a full canopy you won't need that much water to maintain field capacity."

Applejack scowled.

"Plus, with that extra water I could add some cover-crops and stop the rabbits from eating the first batch!" She continued happily.

"Now you know the apple leaves transpire over a hundred gallons a week! We need the excess to reach full saturation for the entire season! Otherwise they hit wilting point a week before Harvest season!" Applejack retorted.

"Well of course I know that." Carrot Top Lazily replied, "But does Mayor Mare know it? Of course you could always just cut back your fields by a fifth and redistribute your water that way."

Applejack grit her teeth as ponies began to filter back into the room.

"Best of luck to you Applejack!"

As her view of Carrot Top was slowly blocked by the moving bodies, Applejack's glare relaxed and settled into a brilliant competitive grin.

It was so refreshing to not have ponies bow over you or constantly taking your side. To have an actual opposition who was willing to go horn to horn and tell you that you wont get your way. Arguing with Carrot Top was one of the highlights of her day.

"Alright then," said Mayor Mare, considerably more energized after the tea break, "Lets say we hammer this out in the next half hour and focus on the funds for the new train station next, sounds good to everypony?"

It was a perk of this role that Celestia cherished.

It was certainty an...adjustment when she first tried bargaining during the town meetings. Jade from generations of Canterlot nobles had made her the most cutthroat pony in the room. Sweet Apple Acres ended up with double the amount of water they actually required that year.

It was a rough adjustment. Carrot Top had actually left the room in tears the first time and Granny Smith had lectured her for hours on end about decency and considering others.

It taught Celestia a lot. It had also horrified her to think that such a basic lesson had been forgotten by the Alicorn. Just what else had she forgotten?

Over time, she learned.

The Apples taught her.

"AJ?"

Applejack stiffened before letting out a sigh, "Applebloom, what are you still doing up?" she asked, turning away from the papers on the living room floor to glance towards the youngest member of the household.

The little filly peered up at her, her wide eyes watery and red,

"There's a monster under my bed,"

At this a peculiar expression overtook Applejack's expression, and she raised a hoof to pull her hat further down over her head,

"There ain't no monster there L-Applebloom." she replied, staring firmly into the fireplace, "Just go to sleep and you'll be fine."

Applejack remained staring into the fireplace until she heard Appleblooms hoof steps move from the door way. She let out a sigh and relaxed her shoulders leaning back into the couch, only for a bundle to block her flank.

Applejack whipped her head around, "Wha- Applebloom? I thought I told ya to get to bed!"

"You said to get to sleep," the foal replied, snuggling down into the space between Applejack and the couch, "So I am."

Applejack's mouth gaped wordlessly for a few moments before turning back back to the papers in font of her, "Fine." She replied, "But you better actually sleep instead of trying to stay up later,"

"Okay," the Applebloom replied, letting out a yawn, "Hey Applejack?"

"Yes? What is it?"

"Can you sing me a song like Granny does?"

Applejack turned and peered down at the filly with a blank expression, "A song."

"Yes."

"Like Granny does."

"Uh-huh,"

Applejack stared at her with an expression Applebloom couldn't quite identify in the flickering fire light before she sighed, "Alright, one song."

Applebloom sleepily beamed, "Thanks Sister!"

Applejack paused at Applebloom's words and looked down at her, Applebloom was about to ask her what was wrong until Applejack started singing.

Stars in the sky, Moving so slow...

And as Applebloom drifted off to sleep to the unfamiliar song, she didn't see the embers of the fireplace slowly go out, she didn't hear the growing waver in Applejack's voice or the few tears that fell into her mane as the night passed on.

Then the tears stopped.

It was good to have a sister.

Luna's return was the first thing to start some changes. Leaving your sister of blood in Canterlot to play big sister in a different family. Who could call themselves a good pony when they could do something like that? So she switched out. A magical golem for Ponyville while she spent time helping Luna recover and get caught up with modern history.

Not only that, but Celestia found herself actually paying attention to Luna. Listening to her fears, taking baths together like they used to. Being actual sisters. Being a better sister. The kind of sister who grew up with an older brother and a baby sister.

That's not to say it didn't cause any problems. It did. Celestia was balancing two lives and it was just too darn tricky. Everypony in Canterlot just saw Luna as... as some kind of bad seed!

Luna needed what Celestia had needed. Support, trust, comfort and love.

A family.

The Apple's had become her family.
She wanted that family for Luna too.

Applejack pushed open the door to the farm house, "Granny! I'm back!" she called as she walked into the kitchen to unload her saddlebags.
She was just putting the bread on the top shelf when she paused.

"Granny?"

Applejack found her in the living room, one of the family albums open in her lap. Granny Smith was fast asleep in her favorite rocking chair.

Applejack smiled and slowly took the photo album from the sleeping mare, She was about to shut it to put it away it away when a photo caught her eye.

It was one of the first photos taken by the Apples after Twilight came to Ponyville, the five of her friends and her enjoying some Apple juice after a long day of work. She flipped through a few more, grinning at the photo's taken the memories they represented.

Applejack during the Running of the Leaves, her Birthday party, Applebloom's First Day of School, Grannies completion of her 100th quilt. She smiled warmly as she stopped on a photo from the last Family Reunion, all the apples grinning back up at her from the page.

"That there was one of the best reunions in awhile, least for this branch of the Apple family."

Applejack's head snapped up from the book, "Granny! I didn't know you were still awake."

Granny Smith grinned sleepily at Applejack and took the photo album from her grasp, "Nah, I was just resting my eyes for a sec. Lot of memories to think back on in here."

She flipped to the next page portraying a group of cousins sharing a pie in front of a newly built barn.

"But this one, this was one of those special memories."

Applejack peered at the photo, "But why? Outside my... incident with the fruit bats, nothing really happened at this one."

"Ahh," said Granny Smith, "But it was most defiantly a special one. You were positively glowing at this one!"

Applejack stared at the old mare.

Granny Smith grinned toothily back.

"Granny, What are you talking about?"

Granny Smith looked back to the photo album and began to flip backwards through the pages, "Now ever since you came back from your Manehatten trip when you were a filly, something was on your mind."

She settled on one of the first pictures, taken at Applejack's cute-ceañera celebration. "Now I know about your story about the rainbow and all but I always felt like you had another reason for coming back to us. One of those big important reasons ponies get."

Granny Smith looked up into Applejack's shocked face, "Now I know enough that a pony needs to figure out these things on her own, but that didn't stop me from watchin and waitin trying to see when you'd figure out what got you tail all in a twist."

Granny Smith turned back to the reunion photo, "And it was right there, that day," she whispered, touching the photo with a hoof fondly, " That whatever it was, it wasn't botherin you anymore."

The album went flying as Applejack took her Grandmother in a tight embrace and began to sob.

Applejack approached the hill with a somber expression, it had been exactly eight years since and every anniversary after it had been the same. Despite all the change and how far they had come, it all happened the same. Big Mac would take Granny early in the morning while Applejack was working and they would then stay in the house for the rest of the day, Granny telling Applebloom stories and Big Mac throwing himself into his work with a ferocity rarely seen from the gentle stallion.

Leaving her to come alone.

She took the flowers out of her saddlebags and stared for a time, tracing over the words with her eyes,

Here Lies Johnny Seed and Honey Crisp
Father, Mother, Apples
Apples forever, Apples together
963-992, 961-992

Applejack placed two flowers on the gravestone and bowed her head for a second. She then continued past the graves, down to the base of the hill on the other side.

There at the base, covered by other trees, right on the border of the farm and the Everfree, was an apple tree. It wasn't a particularly large apple tree, it was a modest young one, with only a handful of branches and only just under the height of a normal apple tree.

Applejack slowly approached the tree as though it was a dangerous predator, looking to snack on a pony. She lowered the flowers to the base off the tree and take in the picture.

"You're doing well, I see."

The Tree gently swayed, some leaves falling to the ground as though replying.

"Ponyville's doing well, Applebloom and her friends are still Crusading and Twilight Sparkle started reading the Daring Doo series with Rainbow Dash now that she's caught up, I've told you about the Hospital visit right?"

The tree continued to sway in the breeze.

"Quite a lot has happened this year, in fact, just the othe-"
Applejack stopped, her voice trailing off as she stared at the tree, her eyes wide.

Behind the swaying of the tree branches was a patch of red.

Taking deep, quick breaths, Applejack nervously approached the tree, and very lightly bucked the tree.It wasn't a hard buck. Far from it, a hoof bump had more power than what Applejack put into her hooves.

But it was enough.

The bright patch fell at her hooves to reveal itself to be a large apple, the shine of the skin apparent without any pits or bruises.

Applejack picked up the apple and stared into it's surface, her orange freckled face reflected back at her.

It was the first time the tree had fully born fruit. And although Celestia had handled many apples over the years, this was the first one that scared her. Nervously she took a bite.

The flavor was sharp, clear, and stronger than any apples she'd tasted on the farm. In it lied endless potential for apple dishes that would be made exponentially better if it was made with this apple instead of a normal apple. The taste was both of an apple and of something so much more. This Apple tree had the potential to produce a new kind of apple unlike any that she had ever tasted.

In the dying light of the day, with her mouth holding the lingering aftertaste, Celestia began to cry.

It wasn't right. She should had been here instead to experience this. To live long enough to fully become part of the Apply Family. She shouldn't enjoy this, it was a tragedy a horrible accident. It was wrong for her to enjoy this li-

Yet Celestia loved the life of a farmer and cherished every moment. It had brought her and Luna closer together and had brought her closer to her little ponies.

It was the life of a farmer.

The life of Applejack

Author's Note

Stars in the Sky,
Moving so slow,
Like tines fragile flakes,
Drifting in the snow,
Little Apple foal,
Comes trotting home,
Honest Apple foal,
Please come back home,

Not to many changes but meh.