Among the Apple Trees

by Apple Belle Stories

Rating: teen
Tags: Tragedy, Slice of Life, Alternate Universe, Dark
Length: 3073

Rarity is murdered. Sweetie Belle moves to Sweet Apple Acres.

Rarity is murdered during Apple Bloom's tenth birthday party. Sweetie Belle moves in with the Sweetapple family. Before Rarity is killed, Sweetie Belle receives an Apple pendant. Are they related?

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2016-01-16 14:39:54 UTC

1. Ten Years of Bloom

Don't you love getting invited to parties? Today was Apple Bloom's tenth birthday party. Me and Scootaloo were heading up to Sweet Apple Acres to celebrate with her and her family. Today was the day that we met a good portion of her family, which was apparently huge. I knew a lot of them from my two years living at Sweet Apple Acres. Rarity had an extended mission from the Mane 6 and she felt I should stay with Applejack until she returned. Me and Scootaloo walked into the house were I was instantly grabbed by two sets of hooves for a hug. Apple Strudel and Granny Smith. Scootaloo laughed.

"Hey... Guys..." I muttered as I was suffocated by their hugs. They let me go and Granny Smith looked at me.

"Ah wish we still had y' around. Ah miss all the fun we had" She said to me. We had went to amusement parks weekly, out to eat every other day. Nowadays they stayed at home and so didn't I. "Belle, are y'all staying tonight?" Granny Smith said to me.

"I am, but Scootaloo isn't." I responded to her.

"Well, y'all get 'yer old room back again" Granny said gleefully. I smiled at her. She stuck something around my neck. It was an Apple pendent. I had seen a lot of Apple family members wearing one. "Its 'yer pendent now. Ah hope it brings you good luck!" I hugged her and ran with Scootaloo to find Apple Bloom.

We found Apple Bloom in a crowd talking to everyone, right next to Applejack and Big Macintosh. She eyed my new pendent. "Y' have one of the pendants?" She asked me.

"Granny Smith just stuck it on me, told me to keep it and hoped it would give me good luck." I said as I looked down. The area where the pendant touched me felt very tingly. I thought it was just me getting used to it.

The party went on. We ate lots of food, gave Apple Bloom presents, and Scoots went home. After many hours of this, I laid down in bed and crashed. I woke up with my hoof on the pendant. I decided to take the pendent off so I could take a shower. I couldn't get it past my neck. My hooves wouldn't move any further. It was as if it was anchored to me, I let it drop, maybe I was just tired. After my shower I went downstairs, mane still slightly wet, and sat next to Apple Bloom at the table, to wait for breakfast. Applejack came into the room looked at me in confusion.

"Belle, 'yer up early, Ah have something to say." She sniffled and then broke into tears. "Ra-Rarity got stabbed this mornin', she died." I teared up and got hugged by Apple Bloom. My first thought was who would do such a thing, my next thought, where was I going to live?

"Wh-Why!?" I cried, Apple Bloom hugged me "Where will I stay?"

Applejack washed the tears off of her eyes. "'Yer with us. That room's 'yer room now." Big Macintosh and Granny Smith walked in as I walked up the stairs, oblivious to the whole situation. I heart Applejack start to explain to them what happened, Big Macintosh came upstairs with Granny Smith and they came into my room. By this point I was crying hysterically and beating my pillow until it was only a pile of feathers. Big Macintosh picked me up by the horn. I was squirming for him to put me down.

"Ah'm sorry 'fer 'yer loss, but can y' consider not taking 'yer anger out on the pillow." I was about to take it all out on him because of how little he seemed to care. I knew he cared, but to me at that moment, I didn't think he did. Holding me by the horn he brought me downstairs, than outside, than put me on the grass. "Even if. 'yer depressed 'yer gonna get some fresh air. Y'all ain't stayin' inside on mah watch." He walked back inside. I laid on the grass, looking up at the sky. Was Rarity watching over me?

The next week I didn't go to school, Big Macintosh laid me on the grass for some fresh air daily. After that week I got up and felt well enough to go back to school. I also decided to help out. Applejack said "Its not helpin' anymore, y'all live here so its chores. Y' usually did less than Apple Bloom, now y'all are doing the same amount. Y' can still do less than Apple Bloom, but if y' want, do the same."

I had a lot of fun doing things around here, I don't know why, but I just got a huge bit of enjoyment from it. It seems when I use my hooves and don't use magic to help me, I get more done and enjoy it much more. I got four baskets of Apples from the orchard, just like Apple Bloom. Applejack was impressed and told us to go out into the town and have some fun. We scared Scootaloo who was just walking around minding her own business. "I went to your place to find you Sweetie Belle and nopony answered. I couldn't find you in school, everypony was asking about you. Apple Bloom said she knew but didn't say. Where were you this week."

"I live with Apple Bloom now. Nopony answered because nopony was there. Rarity died a week ago. I was to depressed to even get up." I responded to Scootaloo

"Ah didn't want to say because its 'er privacy. And Ah would have laughed at the fact Big Macintosh kept picking' her up by the horn and putting her outside for fresh air." She laughed.

"He is so annoying." I said

"Well he's also 'yers now for life. And 'yer mine." She hit me on the side. I hit her back. Scootaloo looked at my pendent and tried to touch it. She jolted back.

"OW!" She yelled "It bit me" Me and Apple Bloom laughed until we saw a mark on Scootaloo's hoof.

"It didn't bite you, it burned you." Apple Bloom stated. "What the buck, how did it do that?" Apple Bloom and me said at once. Than we saw a mare come over.

"Swearing I see." He grabbed me, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo by the ears and brought us to Applejack. Who grabbed a paddle and proceeded to hit me and Apple Bloom on the bottom, but not Scootaloo.

2. The Sweetapple Sisterhood

Me and Apple Bloom couldn't sit for two days afterwards. When I stayed here before Applejack had hit us, but not for small things like this. "We only swore." I said to Apple Bloom. "She has never been like this before."

"She changed recently, she was beaten into submission by a priest. That bucking pony forced her to follow a strict code. Now he is on her about getting us to follow it, he learned about you and is now going on about some surgical procedure. Applejack will try to make us follow the code, but will make sure she has your permission for the surgery. Ah don't know what it is but Ah heard it's painful and possibly deadly." I cringed as Apple Bloom said that. "She wants us to go to church every Sunday. Ah guess that's not much to ask. She'll take care of it." I was nervous now that she mentioned a surgical procedure. I needed advice, so I went straight to the source.

"Applejack? I have a few questions." I said to her

"Let me guess, one is about that damned procedure. Well wha-" I cut Applejack off.

"Yes that, I am more curious to what this is made of." I pointed to the pendant. "I feel I can't take it off, I try and it feels to heavy to move, once I let it down though, it weighs nothing."

"That is made of Applium. It's what makes and breaks Apple family members. What happens is it gets handed down from an elder to a foal. The foal is usually busy doing something else and won't think of taking it off. After a few minutes it starts to tingle." I remember it tingling. "Than six hours later it may bond with you. If it bonds, you are officially declared an Apple family member for life, if not, you are executed. You got lucky. If you try something against the family, for example living with a non-Apple family member, it will take control of your body and put you straight." I touched it "And if someone tried to take it off you, it will burn them." That was why it burned Scootaloo. "And the procedure is a dehorning. Your horn gets cut off and your magic system will get removed from your body. Its painful, but your choice." I was scared. I would think about it. I nodded and walked away. "See y' later Apple Belle." I ran to Apple Bloom and told her the whole story.

"Well congratulations, Apple Belle." She started to laugh. I hit her as hard as I could. She fell clutching where I hit her.

"Mah name... is... not... Apple Belle. Get it right." I said to her sternly.

"'Yer accent says different." Apple Bloom said to me.

"Ah-A- Ah give up. Ah can't even think with this darned headache." I said and went upstairs to lay down. The pain was coming from my horn. I slowly fell into a deep sleep. Before I fell asleep Apple Bloom came into my room and cuddled up next to me, she held me as if she knew something I didn't.

I woke up and asked Apple Bloom about why she hung out in my room in the morning. I almost cried, not only because of my headache, but because of her response. "The appointment for your dehorning is scheduled, the pendant stopped the magic flow in your body, it is causing your extreme migraines, once 'y are dehorned, no more headaches or hassles."

"Ah need to find my parents and stay with them," I said to Apple Bloom. I got up to leave, but she promptly stopped me.

"Applejack won't let that happen, Apple Belle," I hit her, "When Rarity passed 'yer parents were nowhere to be found, if they had been here they would have gotten 'yer custody, but Applejack was second choice, and in order for them to get it in Equestria now, Applejack will have to legally sign all of the papers and go through the Ponyville Administration Office. Besides, Applejack always wanted you back, ever sense the Apple Family Reunion and 'yer two year stay. She got what she always wanted, you think she would let that go, Apple Belle, do you really think she would?" I teared up, she was right, who would give up what they always wanted, Applejack had me and that's all she wanted, I was happy for her, but concerned for my own well being all at once.

The day of the dehorning, I walked into the hospital with only Applejack, nervous, but confident. Applejack had spent the last few hours explaining every aspect of the procedure and what would occur. She said she would be beside me the whole time, keeping those surgeons in check. I was lead onto a hospital bed and was told to lay down. They said a few things to Applejack and finally asked me if I was okay with the procedure.

"Yes," I said quickly. They saw the pendent and asked Applejack if it was the initial reason for the dehorning, Applejack said no. I said,  "It was my idea," The Doctor nodded and put a needle in my arm, I fell asleep. When I awoke I was in a hospital bed still, now with unbearable pounding in my head. Applejack leaned down to speak.

"Apple Belle, it was a success. 'Yer gonna stay here for a bit so they can watch y'. After about a week y'll be home with us. We will keep y' in bed for a few months, than you will be with no pain, no headaches. They also did a quick bone rearrangement, that will make y'all physically stronger, and y' were given blood so y' are now an official Earth Pony. Jus' wait it out and y'll be fine." Applejack said to me.

I waited my time and stood up painlessly.

3. Family Portrait

As I got up I was brought outside by Apple Bloom. She dragged me to Applejack and Big Macintosh. She had me on her back and suddenly I was on top of Applejack when she dropped me.

"She's up. Let's get that picture, we need that picture for her room. Apple Belle, we are getting a portrait of you and a family portrait for your room, to replace the old photos. The family photo will have just me, you, Applejack, Big Macintosh and Applejack." Apple bloom said happily. She was in a great mood as it seems Applejack told me to pose for my portrait, they took that. Then we all sat together, me and Apple Bloom hugging me and everypony else holding us. These pictures definitely replaced my old photos.

I had only one feeling right now, that was welcomed. Once again I successfully adapted into the Apple family, though under harsher circumstances this time, I will still given a happy and warm welcome.

"Th-thank you all!" I said as I began to cry tears of joy. This is when I realized something. In my entire life noponies have cared more about me than the Apple Family. "Ah've never been so happy. Nopony cares more about me than y'all. Even more than Rarity ever did," Apple Blooms eyes opened wide, "Thank you!" I said finally. It's than that a family hug occurred. I felt something I never felt before, like I had a family who cared and would never leave me, and I would never leave them.

We went inside and ate some breakfast before Applejack let out a surprise.

"So the fair is in Appleoosa again, and Ah decided as a celebration of Apple Belle now officially being a Sweetapple, we should all go and have a day of pure fun," Applejack said. Me and Apple Bloom jumped in excitement and Big Macintosh cheered. Me and Apple Bloom ran up to our rooms to get ready, I dressed up in a denim jacket over a tea shirt, some slightly worn boots, and some jean pants. I put my hat back on and grabbed my cross. I put on the cross and went downstairs. Once I got downstairs I stole Big Macintosh's sunglasses right off his face and stole the small piece of grain from his mouth and put it in mine. He just grabbed another. Applejack watched this like it was a normal occurrence.

I went into the kitchen and grabbed a sandwich. As I was eating Apple Bloom came downstairs. Big Macintosh took this moment to get me back, he took my sandwich, took a bite and put it back in my hoof. I just kept eating. Apple Bloom did exactly the same before she grabbed some BBQ ribs for lunch. As she started to take bites, I took a bite of a rib, gave it to Applejack who took a bite, who gave it to Big Macintosh who took a bite, who gave it back to Apple Bloom who finished it. Granny Smith watched in awe. She lived with a bunch of crazies.

With insanity proven, we headed out to Appleoosa. The first thing that happened there was Applejack handing us bits. "Go have some fun! Just stay out of trouble, and stay together. Meet here at lets say, eight." We nodded and ran.

We ended up buying a candied apple to share. The last bite still managed to make its way into Big Macintosh's stomach. Our second event, Ferris Wheel. We went on it and managed to get stuck at the top. I pulled out my phone and started playing on some apps. Apple Bloom started playing on my phone too. Finally we began to move again and I put it away. The rest of the time passed so fast, at eight we met up and me and Apple Bloom looked like two beaten puppies. We wanted to stay, but we went home. At home we were achy, so we pushed Big Macintosh onto the floor and decided to use him as a pillow for a few minutes, while unimpressed, he didn't want to get into an argument.

We went to bed and in the morning we awoke to a delightful scent. We temporarily became wingless Pegassi as we flew downstairs to follow the smell. Chocolate chip pancakes, with a chocolaty coating on the top as well.

"Everypony, eat!" Applejack said.

Me and Apple Bloom fought for the first bites, I got it and ate it all up. Every pancake in my stomach. The end result to the fight was Apple Bloom nibbling on my ear hoping for some chocolate as I cried of laughter and tried to throw her off me. Applejack eventually detached Apple Bloom from me after her laughing fit seized. Big Macintosh and Granny Smith walked in to see the sister pretzel and slowly walked away in the process.

We got to work, never have I been able to carry so much weight without an issue. Apple Bloom was right when she said no hassle. More work was done than usual that morning before school. When we went to school I managed to push Apple Bloom into a fountain, she grabbed me and took me with her. Miss Cherilee walked by and laughed. She seemed to already know about my dehorning. We walked into the building both dripping.

"I don't know how, but these two managed to both end up in the Ponyville fountain this morning, you honestly made my day." Miss Cherilee said pointing at us. She was laughing hysterically. "And.. A- And Belle is back! I can't even talk! That was the best thing I've ever seen!" She yelled.

The rest of the day went as normal. It seems as the surgery has made my life not only better, but more complete!