Among the Apple Trees

Me and Apple Bloom were told not to talk about religion in school. I especially knew not to do this because my aunts son Glitfaxi was staying and I knew not to get him involved, if I did my aunt would find and flip shit on me. Miss Cherilee was talking about evolution, this was getting me and Apple Bloom a tab bit antsy, me and Apple Bloom believed that evolution wasn't true. After almost the entire lesson of us being zoned off, Miss Cherilee called us out "Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom! If your not going to pay attention then just leave!" I shot her a dirty look and mouthed Why would we learn something we don't believe in? to her. She turned dark with rage and yelled "SWEETIE BELLE GET OUT!!" I heard Apple Bloom say Bitch! and heard "APPLE BLOOM YOU TOO!!" We both grabbed our stuff and walked out. As we walked out she said "I DON'T CARE HOW EITHER OF YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS, YOUR LEARNING IT AND THATS THAT!!" Apple Bloom freaked

"SHUT 'YER TRAP AND LISTEN! WE DON'T HAVE TO DO SHIT! TAKE YOUR STUPIDITY AND LEAVE US THE FUCK ALONE!!" We both walked out as she turned a bright red and the whole class laughed.

Applejack saw us come home early and asked what happened. I told my part, Apple Bloom told hers. Applejack said "Well yes you both did get kicked out of school for the day, yet Ah wouldn't be mad if y'all had kept your mouths shut"  she took a paddle and hit me and Apple Bloom in the flanks so hard we hit the ground "don't talk back to her again, and we are good." That's what Apple Bloom meant when she was surprised I didn't get hit. Applejack sent us to work the farms and orchards until dinner. "Ah will go knock some sense into her tomorrow morning, in front of everypony, just like she did to y'all, take the day off, but come see this, it may get interesting!" My first thought was This is going to be good!

That morning at the schoolhouse we watched through the window as Applejack walked in and started talking. The kids were talking to each other as Applejack ranted about Cherilee's disrespect for our religion. I heard my cousin say to Diamond Tiara "My cousin lives with her? And I thought I hit a low on life. I feel bad that she has to deal with that!" I got up because I wanted to go fight her, but Apple Bloom held me back keeping me just out of sight of the doorway. I was mad Apple Bloom wouldn't let me knock some needed sense into that kid. After a while Miss Cherilee and Applejack both started yelling, I couldn't understand either of them, than to end it all, Applejack gave a speech on how we were her fillies and if we did not feel comfortable learning something in school, than she would defend us because we should not have to learn it, after that rant Applejack smashed Miss Cherilee in the face with her hoof, leaving a good sized bruise. My cousin said "I take it back, I would love somepony who would protect me like that!" I smiled. As Applejack walked away she shot my cousin a special smile, a menacing one at that, one that said 'if you tell anyone, you're next.' Applejack walked out of the school and brought us home with pride.

"She said she's done for now, if not, tell me, Ah will knock her with a paddle and force her into work next time." Me and Apple Bloom cheered as the class laughed at Miss Cherilee and we walked home.

"Thanks Applejack!" Me and Apple Bloom both said to Applejack. She just smiled.

"You're welcome, and Sweetie Belle, that cousin of yours, Ah heard her talking crap, and Ah saw you get up to hit her, thank you for that. Ah love you truly, Apple Belle." My jaw dropped, and so did Apple Bloom's, to be given an Apple name was a true honor, it namely took a lot of work to earn one. "Y'all earned the name, Ah think if y'all love an Apple, y'all are an Apple." I smiled, and Apple Bloom cuddled up next to me, as if cold.

"Congrats, Sissy!" She winked and I rolled my eyes.

Braeburn came to our place not an hour later, he asked Applejack why we were home. Her response made his jaw drop "Their teacher insulted the lord, so Ah kept Apple Bloom and Apple Belle home for the day." She put emphasis on the Apple in my name.

"How did she earn the name, Apple Belle? She did earn it, right?" Braeburn stuttered as he spoke.

"Yes she did, Ah was arguing with their teacher and 'er cousin said something bad about me, she got up to go fight that girl, whether it was 'er cousin or not she got up to keep her from talking crap about me, say hi to 'yer new cousin Brae." He smiled as she spoke.

"Welcome to the family, Apple Belle!" He said in a welcoming voice "Everyone in Appleoosa will be thrilled to meet you soon, Ah will make sure they hear about their new family." He said something to Applejack and walked back out.

"Wow, everyone is so... Warm and... Welcoming. It's great to know that I have ponies who care. I still miss Rarity, don't get me wrong, but my happiness overshadows that sadness." I said to Applejack as Big Macintosh and Granny Smith walked in. "I guess I'll keep Apple Belle." I said jokingly.

"And Ah get to keep sissy." Apple Bloom said. I gave her a look of 'I love you' mixed with 'You better run'. She ran and I chased her. I eventually caught her. I jumped on her back and not only landed on her, we knocked down Big Macintosh to. He dumped a cup of apple cider on our heads and walked away laughing. He left us on the ground laughing to the point of tears.