Fantasy's Chosen

Fantasy’s Chosen

    Chapter 3: An unfamiliar apple

The next morning, Applejack, Big Mackintosh, and Applebloom all went outside to do their daily chores: Big Mackintosh (or Big Mac, as they always call him) was carrying a cart ready to place apples in, Applejack used her hind legs to kick the tree so hard, apples started falling from it. After all the apples fell into the bucket, she picked the bucket up and put it inside the cart her brother was pulling. Applebloom made sure one of the apples didn't fall from the cart, but she was called to go to school that very same time.

That is also the morning that Applejack saw a new farm family come in.

“I just don't understand, big brother,” A little white colored colt with pale yellow mane and tail said to his older brother, who had a lime green coat, and a golden mane and tail. “Why did we have move here? Shouldn't we have stayed home?” “No, Hearty,” said the young one’s brother, “Mama said in her last letter that there was a patch of land that hadn’t been touched in years, and that our apple trees would grow strong here.” “But, Heart Apple,” the young colt replied, “The farm was in your name, can't we just grow new trees there?” “Well, little feller,” replied an elder stallion with a brown coat and white mane and tail, “Remember when Mama Heart ran the orchard? She told me that when she dies, she'd give the orchard to her first born. And that happened to be him. He made this decision as the stallion of the orchard. And as the father, Ah agreed to his decision.”

As the new family moved in, Applejack, Big Mac, and Granny Smith, all looked over in confusion. “What in tarnations is goin’ on?” Applejack asked, confused. “Hmm… there seems to be a new family movin’ in…” Granny Smith replied. Big Mac agreed, as he usually would, with a simple “Eeyup!” Applejack looked at both of them, “Do ya think it would be wise to just go in there and say hello without even knowin’ their names? I sure don't think so…” “Nnope.” Big Mac said. “Ah would just wait until they settle in first, then then we'll meet ‘em.” Granny Smith said, agreeing with Big Mac.

Three days later, the family that just moved in started plowing through the field, while the young colt, whose name is Hearty Appleseed, started planting apple seeds that look like little white hearts. He planted them carefully, not the usual “Toss ‘em into the spot” thing, making sure that they are well placed where they will work their magical growth when they are watered.  When the stallion of the new orchard, called Heart Apple, finished plowing through the new field, he hung up a sign with what looks like an apple in the shape of a heart. Then, all of the seeds were watered, and they started to grow in an instant. It starts as little flowers when they are seedlings. The next day came, the trees took the places of the little flowers. Then they started bearing the heart shaped fruit. And that is how the heart apples began.

One day, when Heart Apple was working on the Heart Apple Orchard, early, he saw Applejack and her family working on an apple orchard close to his. He went over to the farm and introduced himself and his family. “Howdy y'all.” he said. “Mah name’s Heart Apple. Ah’m the caretaker of Heart Apple Acres, and this,” Heart Apple pointed to the field with the heart apple trees “this is our family farm.” His family showed up just then. “Oh, let me introduce you to mah family.” Heart Apple goes to his dad first. “This here is my dad. We call him Papa Heart. He knows slot about things.” Papa Heart nodded in agreement. “Why, Ah could tell ya the foundin' of our very farm, and how we made our secret recipe cider.” All of the other Apple family were amazed at his knowledge, especially Granny Smith, who would like to know more. Then a light red mare, half his size, with a light pink mane and tail, walked beside him. “This is Leslie Heart, mah little sister. She may be a mare, but she is strong as a stallion. She doesn't talk much, so sometimes we speak for her, but she says she's pleased to meet ya. Right, Leslie?” Leslie agreed with a simple “Mmhm.” Big Mac was impressed. Save for Marble Pie, he's not alone when he's not talking much. Then the little colt came towards his big brother, jumping on his back. “And this here is mah littlest brother, Hearty Appleseed. He's a playful little fella, but he helps out too.” Hearty nods.

The Apple family have never seen apples like this before. Heart Apple shows them all of his orchard and the many wonders of it. The Apple Family couldn't imagine growing apples in the shape of a heart. Applejack and her family were so amazed at this. But the one who adored it the most was Applejack. She liked it more than anypony else. “Wow! Heart, Ah never known y'all had such glorious apples like these. Where did ya get the seeds?” Applejack asks, amazed at all the apple trees. Heart Apple hesitated for a second. “Well, my mama, Mama Heart as Ah called her, found the rare seeds in a magic cave and saw what it could become. In fact, back when Ah was a little colt, even littler than Hearty, Ah saw my mama sew the seeds into that perfect little patch of soil. She ran the farm before me, and Papa Heart helps her out by plowin the rich, fertile soil back in Appleoosa, where we moved from… but then, the unthinkable happened… Mama Heart died of an illness that would not go away…” Heart Apple sheds a tear… “Mama taught me everything Ah need to know about these apples, and the farm itself…”

Applejack felt sorry for him, having the same experience with the death of a family member. “I know how ya feel, Heart. Both my parents died too, and Applebloom, my little sister, was only a baby… It was hard not telling her about our parents to our younger siblings…” Heart Apple agreed to her. “Yeah, ah suppose so..” he looked into her eyes. “Ya know, you're the first pony that truly has something in common with me.” “Ah... Ah am?” Applejack asked. Heart Apple smiles. “You sure sugar are. Besides my mama, you truly have a way with honesty. I like that in ya.” Applejack blushed at this “Aww shucks, I know there is some honesty in you too.” Heart Apple blushes back.

Eventually, the two fell in love and started visiting each other daily, talking while helping each other out.

What they didn't know that there was a start on a new generation of the element of honesty.

(end chapter)