Chapters Apple Bloom stretched out and remembered that today was her second day of being officially 16. She jumped up and got ready to start her chores around the farm.
Applejack was in the kitchen making breakfast when she walks in. "Mornin` Sugarcube." Applejack says cheerfully.
"Good morning, Sis." replies Apple Bloom.
Applejack turns around and stops dead.
"What`s wrong?" asks Apple Bloom.
"You, you got yer Cutie Mark!" Applejack exclaims
"I did?!?" Apple Bloom spun around. "I did!! Oh my gosh, this is so exciting! I have to go tell the girls!"
"Now hold on Sugarcube, Don`t you have chores to do?" Applejack asked.
Applebloom wilted. "Oh, yeah, I guess I`d better get those done. Then can I go? Pleease?"
"Oh, alright, just make sure yer home in time for supper."
"Oh, I will, I promise!"
"Alright run along now and do yer chores so you can go."
Apple Bloom raced excitedly through her chores then dashed off to see her friends.
"Hey everypony! Guess what?" She she said, jumping up and down.
"What? What is it?" they asked together.
"Ah got mah cutie mark, that`s what!"
"You did?!?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"What is it?" Scootaloo asked.
Apple Bloom turned so they could see her flank.
They both gasp. "It`s beautiful Apple Bloom!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed.
"That..Is.."
Both girls look at Scootaloo.
"AWESOME!!!"
Apple Bloom wiped her hoof across her forehead. "Thank goodness, I was afraid you would both hate me for getting my cutie mark."
"What? Don`t be ridiculous!" Exclaimed Sweetie Belle.
"Yeah! we`re the Cutie Mark Crusaders, we stick together!" Adds Scootaloo.
"Aww, thanks you guys! Hey, now we can spend more time working on yer cutie marks!"
"Yeah!!" Exclaimed the other two. "Cutie Mark Crusaders Forever! " They yelled.
Author's Note
Okay, so, here`s the cutie mark Applebloom got in the story:https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiFtKjYlfHLAhXBHR4KHR4WBS8QjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbig-mac-a-brony.deviantart.com%2Fart%2FApple-Bloom-Cutie-Mark-Again-502439365&psig=AFQjCNGRsRcG4wOlIF0V78b8A16k_LN0bg&ust=1459728236047574
I do not own this Cutie Mark, I just thought it fit.
Apple Bloom rushed through a day filled with activities, constantly surrounded by ponies congratulating her about finally getting her Cutie Mark.
"Ooh, I can`t believe it!" Exclaimed Sweetie Belle.
"Yeah, me neither!" Added Scootaloo.
"Ah know! I`m still getting used to it myself." Replied Apple Bloom.
"So.. What exactly is your special talent?" Asked Sweetie Belle.
"Well, ah was out in the orchard helpinBig Mac bring in the harvest when he showed me a sapling that we were gonna have ta cut down cause it was too weak ta bear fruit, and ah started singin about big strong trees and it started growinapples. So thats how ah found out mah talent is makinapple trees grow with mah singin!" Apple Bloom said, her accent growing more pronounced with her excitement.
"Wow, Apple Bloom, that`s-"
"Totally awesome?" Apple Bloom interrupted before Scootaloo could get carried away.
"Yeah!" Replied Scootaloo.
Suddenly, Applejack started making her way towards the girls. "Come on, yall, you two cant keep Apple Bloom to yerselves fer the whole party, besides, there`s somepony here to see you Applebloom."
"Really? Who?" Applebloom asked excitedly.
"It`s me." Said a white filly with a red mane.
"Twist!" Exclaimed Apple Bloom, almost knocking her fillyhood friend over. "How are you? What have you been doing? Where have you been?" Not giving her friend a chance to answer.
"Whoa nelly. Dont bowl her over Sugarcube." Applejack laughed. "And let her answer before askin another question where are your manners?" Applejack tried to scold, but there was a twinkle in her eye.
"Oh, go on Applejack, go mother somepony else for a change." Apple Bloom said impatiently.
She saw her sister flinch and remebered her bizarre behavior from breakfast, and was about to question her about her jumpiness again when Pinkie Pie popped up.
"There`s the party`s pony of honor! Come on Apple Bloom, you have to show off your new Cutie Mark!"
Apple Bloom looked at her sister.
"Go on Apple Bloom, it is your Cute-Ceneara after all." She encouraged.
Applejack and Big Mac were sitting on the sofa in the living room relaxing after dinner when Applejack started to talk.
"Apple Bloom, we've got somethin` very important to tell you, and we need you to hear us through. Okay?" Applejack asked seriously.
"Sure, what`s up?" Asked Apple Bloom.
Applejack patted the couch with her hoof "Come sit with us, we're looking at some of the old photo albums from when you were a filly."
"Aww, Applejack, I thought we got rid of those silly old pictures." Apple Bloom said.
"Now why in Equestria would we get rid of somethin` as important as your fillyhood pictures?" Applejack asked.
"Anyway, what did you wanna talk about?" Apple Bloom asked, remembering why she had joined them.
Applejack fidgeted, looking to Big Mac for support.
He spoke up. "Well Apple Bloom, this is kinda difficult to tell you, but I guess we just have to get it over with." Big Mac said.
"Well, what?" Apple Bloom asked impatiently, watching them avoid her eyes.
"Well, it's like this." Applejack finally replied. Yknow how we told you when you were real little how we were raising youcause our folks had died?"
Apple Bloom wasn't sure were Applejack was headed. "Yeah, why?" She asked.
"Well that's not true. Actually, the truth is, well..." She looked at Big Mac imploringly.
"The truth is Apple Bloom I'm actually your dad, and Applejack is your mom." He said.
"What?" Apple Bloom asked incredulously. "This... This is a joke right? Right?" She added desperately. "Applejack, please tell me that it's not true. That I haven't been living a lie all these years!"
"I'm sorry Sugarcube, we wanted to tell you, we just didn't want to tell you until we thought you were old enough to understand." Applejack said sadly.
"I don't believe you!" Apple Bloom screamed. "Besides, if you're my parents, then who are they?" She asked, pointing at a picture in the photo album.
"Those are my parents." Applejack said. "They actually did die, that's why Granny Smith raised me."
"Well, how can you be my dad, Big Mac, when you both have apple Cutie Marks?" Apple Bloom asked desperately.
Applejack spoke up again. "Big Mac and his family lived next door to mine in Appleloosa, and he would come over and help haul apples into town for us. That's how he got his mark, because he's so big and strong." She said, leaning against him.
"But, but... What about Granny Smith!" Apple Bloom said triumphantly. "You said you and your 'folks' lived in Appleloosa, how come Granny says she's always lived in Ponyville?"
"Granny Smith moved to Ponyville when she turned 18, and has lived here ever since. When Mama and Daddy died when I was 5, I was sent to live with her here in Ponyville." Applejack said.
Apple Bloom thought desperately, trying to think of a way to make the story not make sense. When she couldn't find one she started to cry, quietly at first, and then sobbing.
"Shh, don't cry Apple Bloom, please don't cry." Applejack pleaded, pulling the filly close.
"Don't touch me! All you've ever done is lied to me, I hate you!" Apple Bloom ran out the front door, slamming it behind her.
"Apple Bloom! Come back!" Applejack buried her face in her hooves. "Oh, what am I gonna do?" She cried.
Apple Bloom galloped aimlessly for several hours, slowing only when she realized she was far away from the ranch. She looked around and saw that she was at the old Cutie Mark Crusaders clubhouse, where she and her friends had spent all so much time trying to get their cutie marks.
Suddenly, she heard a sound behind her and whirled around. "Applejack? If that's you, go away!" She yelled. The pony that stepped out from behind the trees however, was Twist.
"Apple Bloom? Are you alright?" Asked her old friend, seeing her swollen eyes and tear-streaked face.
"I'm just fine!" Retorted Apple Bloom. "Why do you ask? Ah mean, Ah just found out everything Ah ever believed was a total lie! So yes, Ah am just perfectly fine !"
Twist blinked, confused by the outburst. "Apple Bloom, what do you mean, 'everything you've ever believed is a lie'?" She asked.
"A-Ah don` wanna talk about it." Apple Bloom sniffed.
"Are you sure?" Twist asked. "It might make you feel better." She added.
"Ah said Ah don` wanna talk about it!" Apple Bloom all but screamed. "Leave me alone!"
Twist turned away, stung and more than a little confused by her friend`s behavior. "Okay, I'll leave you alone, I was just trying to help."
Apple Bloom, filled with remorse for her actions, reached out. "Don't go Twist, Ah'm sorry Ah shouted at you." She said. "Besides, yer probably the only pony Ah can trust right now."
"What in Equestria are you talking about Apple Bloom?" Asked Twist. "You've got your brother and sister, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders." She said the last part in a slightly bitter tone.
"Don't mention that liar Applejack in front of me!" Apple Bloom snarled. Then Twist`s inflecton when mentioning the Crusaders penetrated, and she remembered what had happened at that fateful Cute-Ceneara. Suddenly, Apple Bloom's eyes filled up with tears again. "Oh, Twisty, Ah'm so sorry!" She sobbed.
"For what?" Twist asked, both confused about the tears and startled to hear her fillyhood nickname.
"For everything! For dumping you for the Crusaders, for not letting you help, for being Applejacks daughter, everything!"
"WHAT?"
Twist-A-Loo's shocked screech stopped Apple Bloom's hysterics in their tracks.
"Oops, Ah didn't mean ta say that." Apple Bloom said sheepishly.
"You, you mean it's true ?" Twist asked in shock.
"Ah knew it! Ah just knew everypony would see me as a freak!"
"Nononono, you misunderstood me Apple Bloom, Applejack is one of the coolest, most amazing ponies I ever knew, and if you're her daughter, that means that you're twice as amazing!"
Apple Bloom sniffled. "Really, the coolest ever?" She asked hopefully.
"Really." Twist responded with a smile.
Apple Bloom sniffed, then gave a watery smile. "Well, Ah guess the chimera's outta the bag. Ah was trying to keep it a secret, but maybe Ah'm just bein' silly."
Twist hugged Apple Bloom, then sat up and asked the question that Apple Bloom had been wondering all afternoon. "So... Why didn't Applejack tell you that you're her daughter, instead of raising you like a sister, and..." Twist's voice trailed off. "Never mind."
''Ah don't know why Applejack didn't tell me. What else were you gonna ask?" Apple Bloom said.
"Well.. I don't really know how to ask politely, but... Do you know who your dad is?" Twist asked, then she ducked her head and added: "It's okay if you don't want to tell me, or if you don't know."
"Ah do know, and Ah'll tell you, but you have to promise to hear me out, and not...judge...anyone... Oh, no! What have Ah done? They must be worried sick about me!" Apple Bloom turned around to go home.
"Wait! Aren't you going to tell me?" Twist asked.
"Oh, yeah! It's Big Macintosh!" Apple Bloom yelled over her shoulder as she galloped away.
Twist blinked, sincerely hoping she had misheard Apple Bloom, and she hadn't just told her that her father was Big Mac, Ponyville's most confirmed bachelor, not to mention Applejack's brother !
Back at Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack was pacing frantically. "Where is she? Why didn' Ah go after her? Why didn' Ah tell tell her sooner?" She was thinking to herself over and over.
Suddenly, Big Mac stepped in front of her. "Come on and sit down. Worryin' and pacin' aren't gonna bring her home any faster."
"Ah know, but Ah feel so guilty for not goin' after her an' tryin' to explain why we raised her like a sister, then maybe she'd understand."
Just then, Apple Bloom came racing in the door and launched herself at Applejack. "Ah'm so sorry Ah ran off! Please forgive me!"
Applejack staggered back, startled by the sudden appearance of her daughter. "Apple Bloom! Are you alright? " She asked, then she added: "What do you mean, forgive you? Ah'm the one who should be apologizin' for not tellin' you the truth sooner."
Big Mac came over and led both of the girls over to the sofa. "We have somethin' more to tell you about why we brought you up like a sister."
Apple Bloom drooped. "Well, let's get this over with."
Applejack squared her shoulders and looked Apple Bloom in the eye. "Please let us finish before you say anything, can you do that Sugarcube?"
Apple Bloom nodded. "A'm really sorry Ah ran off before, Ah should have heard you out."
Applejack took a deep breath and began. "Well, before you ran off, we were about to tell you why exactly we raised you like our little sister."
Apple Bloom looked ready to apologize again, but Applejack put up a hoof. "Let me finish please." She admonished gently.
Applejack continued. "When Ah first moved to Ponyville, Ah was grieving the loss of mah folks, and Ah wouldn't talk to anypony or eat much. So Granny Smith decided to send me to live with mah cousins the Oranges. Anyway, you know the story from there. When Ah saw the Rainboom, Ah decided to come to Ponyville and work on the farm, earning mah cutie mark."
"But what's that got ta do with me?" Apple Bloom spoke up, unable to hold her tongue.
"Ah was gettin' to that, if you can listen quietly." Applejack replied. "Anyway, about 14 years after Ah moved back to Ponyville, Big Mac came and found me. He said that he'd been looking for me ever since mah folks died, but he couldn` get a straight answer cause everypony thought Ah was with somepony else."
Big Mac spoke up. "Eeyup. When I couldn' find her in Fillydelphia or Appleloosa, I came to Ponyville to ask her grandmare if she knew where she was, and do you know what I found?" He asked Apple Bloom.
"No, what?" She asked.
"He found me, workin` out in the orchard to bring in the apples. Ah was trying to buck an especially stubborn tree when he came up behind me and asked 'Need a hoof?' Ah turned around to say no thank you and came face to face with mah fillyhood neighbor!"
Big Mac chuckled. "She was so surprised to see me that she dropped all the apples she was carrying, and made me pick them up!"
Applejack poked him with her hoof. "There's no reason to tell her that ." she said indignantly "Anyway, Ah was so happy to see him that Ah dragged him all the way back to the farmhouse so he could meet Granny Smith. When Granny Smith saw him, she assumed he was a long-lost Apple family member when she saw his cutie mark and heard how he got it."
"I tried to tell her I was just a friend of Applejack's, but Granny just wouldn't believe it, she just kept saying It's so nice to meet another Apple, you folks hardly ever come to Ponyville anymore. So finally we just started going with the story." Big Mac said.
"When ponies started askin' about him, we just said that he was mah older brother, and that he had decided to move here to Ponyville to help out on the farm." Applejack said. "Not that Ah need any help around here, Ah can handle it just fine by mah self." She added.
"Nnope." Was all Big Mac said, remembering the time Applejack had tried to take care of the fall harvest all by herself because he was hurt.
Applejack just glared at him in response. "Well anyway, over time Big Mac and Ah began to fall in love, only now the word had gotten out that he was here and everypony believed he was mah brother, so we had to keep it a secret."
"But what about Granny Smith? Ah mean, she would have noticed you were gonna have a foal." Said Apple Bloom.
"Well, when ah got pregnant, we had to tell Granny Smith the truth about Big Mac, which took some work. Then Ah decided to take a trip to Baltimare until Ah had you, and Big Mac came with me."
"But Ah donremember ever bein in Baltimare!" Apple Bloom protested.
"Well, we came back to Ponyville before yer first birthday, so ya probably wouldn't remember much anyhow." Applejack responded. "Well, we knew that we couldn't tell nopony about having a baby, on account of we're supposed to be brother an' sister, so we told anypony that asked that you were the daughter of mah mamma's sister, and we were gonna raise you."
Apple Bloom looked at her mother nervously. "Uh... Applejack? Please don't hate me, but Ah kinda told mah friend Twist-A-Loo that ya'll were mah parents."
The next weekend, the Apple family invited all their friends to Ponyville for Apple Bloom's Cute-Ceneara.
Dear friends of the Apple family:
"Ooh, I`m so excited!" Exclaimed Apple Bloom, jumping up and down.
"Simmer down, sally." Applejack said. "You don` wanna wear yerself out before the party even starts."
"Are you joking?" Apple Bloom asked. "I feel like I could climb Mount Rushmare!"
"Well, before you go off mountain climbin, why dont you have some breakfast." Applejack said patiently.
"But I`m not hungry!" Apple Bloom said, prancing around excitedly.
"Apple Bloom..." Applejack said warningly.
"But..."
"No buts." She said firmly.
"Oh all right." Apple Bloom replied.
"Now, we have applesauce, oatmeal, or alfalfa. Which would you like?"
"Ah guess alfalfa, please?"
"Comin` right up." Applejack said happily.
Apple Bloom started rushing to finish her food so she could get to Sugarcube Corner.
"Whoa, nelly, settle down or you`ll make yerself sick." Applejack warned her.
"Oh, you sound like a mother hen!" Applebloom accused.
"What? What are you talkin` about, a mother?" Applejack asked defensively.
"Uh, are you alright Sis?" Apple Bloom asked, looking at her sister.
"Fine, I`m fine." Applejack said hurriedly.
Apple Bloom looked at her suspiciously. "Is somethingoin on?" She asked.
Applejack thought quickly. "Hey, shouldnt ya be gettin ready for yer party?" She asked, trying to distract Apple Bloom.
It worked. "Ya mean I can go?" Apple Bloom asked.
"You can go." She replied. "But make sure you finish yer chores first."
"Yes Ma`am!" Applebloom replied, rushing out of the house, half-finished breakfast forgotten.
Applebloom galloped the whole way to the bakery. But when she walked in, she didn`t see anypony.
She had turned to go outside to see if anypony was out there when suddenly she was bombarded by her friends.
"Congratulations!!" Yelled everypony at once.
"Wow!" Exclaimed Applebloom. "You all came to my Cute-Ceneara?"
"Well of course we all came!" Replied Rarity regally.
"Let`s get this party started!!!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, setting off her party cannon.
The day after the party, Apple Bloom was so exhausted from all the activities that she could barely lift a hoof to do her chores around the farm.
Applejack caught her dozing off and gently shook her awake. "Apple Bloom! Are you alright? Are you sick?"
"Huh, what?" Apple Bloom shook herself. "Oh! Sorry Applejack, Im jus so tired from runnin` around so much yesterd-day." Her sentence interrupted by a yawn.
Applejacks heart went out to the tired filly. "Howbout this, you finish feedin` the hens and Ah can do the rest of yer chores so you can go take a nap."
"Really? Thanks Applejack you`re the best!" Apple Bloom exclaimed.
"Run along now and feed the hens, Ah reckon theyre gettin mighty hungry." Applejack said with a smile.
As soon as Apple Bloom ran off, Applejack let the smile slide off her muzzle. Big Mac came up beside her.
We`re gonna have to tell her soon." He said in his blunt, methodical way.
"Ah know, but Im just so worried how shes gonna take it." Applejack sighed.
Big Mac put his hoof around her shoulder. "She`s a strong filly, she can handle it."
"Ah know she can, Ah jusdon know if Ah can deal with it." Replied Applejack.
Later that afternoon, Apple Bloom came downstairs completely refreshed from her nap, and saw her siblings making dinner.
"Whats fer supper? Im starvin`" Said Apple Bloom.
"Snapdragon salad with a side of daisies, and apple strudel fer dessert." Replied Applejack.
"Really? Apple strudel is my all time favorite dessert!" Apple Bloom said excitedly, bouncing up and down.
"Ya donsay?" Replied Applejack with a smile. "Well, then, hows about you sit down and eat, and we`ll see about getting you some strudel."
Apple Bloom zoomed over to the table and started eating. "This is delicious!" She said.
"Well, Twilight was kind enough to bring back the Snapdragons from Canterlot, so make sure you thank her next time you see her."
"Oh, I will!" Replied Apple Bloom.
After dinner, while everypony was eating their dessert, Applejack turned to Big Mac "Should we tell her now?" She asked.
"Now`s as good a time as any." He said solemnly.