Happy Birthday Applejack

Keepsake

…lead Applejack to a small hut where he was staying. The place was cold, damp and smelled like something was molding. She sat down on a couch in the corner. Keepsake offered her cold mush in a cup but she refused.

“I’m not hungry.” She then felt a sharp pain in her chest. She was hungry but she didn’t want to eat the mush. “Pa why did you leave?”

“I didn’t want to leave.” Keepsake sat down on a seat across from Applejack.

“Then why did you leave?”

Keepsake didn’t answer. He just stared at the floor.

“You missed so much. Big Mac and I growing up and getting our cutie marks, the birth of your third child. Mama was so sad when you left. She would cry at night because she was so alone. At one point, she got up and left, looking for you I bet. We haven’t seen her in years.”

“She knows why I left, she knows she can’t find me, so why did she go looking?”

“Because she loves you! And if I found you, why can’t mama?”

“It’s your boots, they are made from the magical golden apples. They give you the power to find this location and the power to not be detected by the Pale Pony.”

“Who is the Pale Pony?”

Keepsake didn’t answer.

“I asked you a question Pa!”

“Applejack do you remember what happened before I left?”

“No…wait, I think it was a few days before my birthday. I think I was ill or something.”

“Yes, you were very ill. Each day you got sicker and sicker. There was no cure for what you had. Ma and I worried that you were not going to make it. I then left to search for a cure. But no pony ever heard of your illness. I was getting very desperate, that is when I came across the Pale Pony. When I first met him, he was in the form of a normal pony. He told me he could cure any illness. So I asked him to help me cure my daughter. He said he would do it for a price. I had to buck his orchard of apples. I agreed, thinking the deal was fair. But I was a fool, I was making a deal with a demon from Hell. I didn’t know these apples were in an enchanted land. I didn’t know I would not be able to leave unless he wanted me to. But maybe it is worth it. You are alive.”

“Yes, I remember now. On my birthday, I suddenly felt better. Ma was happy but…it would have been even better if you were there.”

“I know, but if I try to leave, the Pale Pony said he would take back his deed he did for me. So in other words, if I leave, you die.”

Applejack then got a sick feeling in her stomach. Her parents were gone because of her. “If I died back then, Big Mac and Apple Bloom would have parents. But because of me, they grew up almost like orphans.”

“Don’t talk like that! Your life is worth more then anything to me. I would do deeds much worse then this to make sure you stay alive.”

“But what about mama, she could be dead!’

“Mama is alive, I know.”

“How could you know, she disappeared years ago and hasn’t been seen since.”

“I know because the apples tell me. They tell me many things. They told me when Apple Bloom was born and when you got your cutie mark. They tell me about your life and your friends. Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, they sound like wonder ponies and you are fortunate to have friends like them.”

Applejack then felt a warm feeling within her heart. Her father was always there watching over her. She then started to cry tears of joy, “Oh shoot, there I go crying.”

Keepsake then chuckled, a huge smile appeared on his face. “Though, having you here in the flesh is much better.”

All of a sudden, a hissing noise filled the air.

“Oh-no, It’s the Pale Pony! He mustn’t see you, if he does he might kill you.”

“But you didn’t leave why should he punish you?”

“It’s because of your boots, if he finds out I used his apples to make them for you, he will freak. You have to get out of here.”

He rushed out of the hut, Applejack following close behind. They ran by the orchard and down the tunnel to the cave’s opening.

“This is as far as I can go. Follow the rainbow back to Ponyville. When night falls it should still be visible.”

The hissing came again.

“I guess I must get going.” Applejack was about to jump.

“Wait!” Keepsake called out.

Applejack turned around, “What is it pa?”

“Happy Birthday Applejack.” He said then kissed her on the forehead.

She then turned and jumped back in the direction of the rainbow. Applejack started to cry. She then whispered to herself as she jumped, “Thank you.”

To be continued.