Parents

by MLPGal

Rating: everyone
Tags: Big Macintosh, Slice of Life, Alternate Universe, Granny Smith, Sad, Applejack, Apple Bloom, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Other
Length: 8159

What happened to AJ's parents?

I'm working hard to take this off of hiatus.

This is in the same universe as Stage Fright

The Apple Family Part 1 (meaning there is 2 more stories to finish this one)

What Happened to Applejack's Parents?

After the newest addition to the Apple clan, life seems to be looking up. Young Applejack, especially, is thrilled to have a new baby sister to shower with the same love which she feels for her parents. But when tragedy strikes not long after little Apple Bloom's birth, the family must learn how to cope with the massive weight which now rests upon their shoulders. This is their story.

WARNING!!! In chapter Manticore, there is mention of blood. Not too gory or anything.
Edited and proofread by atronosthelast
Found the beautiful pic on DevianArt

Notes: There might be a possible sequel!

Want to see the trailer?

My YouTube Channel!
My Facebook page!
Art inspired for this story
My Story Library!
My Discord Server!

Published 2016-11-14 02:20:01 UTC
Last updated 2017-02-12 01:39:44 UTC

(1) Apple Bloom

Apple Spice stared at his newborn filly, tears of joy forming in his eyes. He kissed his daughter's forehead before turning to his wife.

"She's so beautiful..." he said quietly, pure happiness almost emanating from his body.

Sweet Apple gave her husband a tired smile. Smiling back, he walked over to his wife and hooved her the newborn filly.

"I just know that one day, she will bloom like a flower." Sweet Apple said as she looked back up at her husband with a smile.

There was a knock on the door as it opened, revealing Applejack, Big Mac and Granny Smith walking in. Upon entering the room, their eyes quickly found their new little sister. Sweet Apple handed Applejack the filly and she stared at her newborn sister. A smile quickly grew on her face.

"What's her name, Ma?" she asked.

Sweet Apple looked at her husband.

"Apple Bloom." she answered.

Apple Bloom opened her eyes, She smiled when she saw her older sister staring down at her. Applejack tickled her sister and she let out a giggle.

Applejack knew that she was going to be the best sister in the world.

A few days passed and Applejack was holding her sister in her hooves. She was feeding her a bottle of milk as her mother walked in.

She took Apple Bloom into her hooves, feeling the sudden change, Apple Bloom opened her eyes, letting out a coo and giggle when she laid eyes on her mother. Sweet Apple smiled.

Granny Smith sat in her rocking chair rocking Apple Bloom. Applejack and her parents were going to go out and take a walk, so Granny decided to watch Apple Bloom and Big Mac. But little did she know what was going to happen.

"Ya'll go ahead and go enjoy the air. I got these two youngins." she told them.

"Thanks, Ma. We should be back in an hour." Sweet Apple responded.

Applejack tugged on her mother's tail impatiently, causing her mother to roll her eyes with a smile and quickly move out of the door.

Author's Note

Okay, so this one started off a little fast... I WAS JUST EXCITED TO POST THIS STORY!!! I'll make it up next chapter!

(2) The Accident

Applejack skipped along the ground ahead of her parents. It wasn't long before she came to the bridge to the nearest town.

"Be careful now, Applejack." her mother warned.

The bridge had been there for years, with next to no maintenance which had left it fragile. Applejack slowed down when she got to the bridge. She stepped on a loose board, but the extra weight proved too much for the old bridge, ending with her hoof falling through. She let out a scream before managing to get her hoof out and run off the bridge before it fell.

She stared at it as it dangled. She looked at her parents.

"Mama!" she yelled.

"Hold on Applejack, we're coming!" she said.

The ground under Applejack cracked, causing her to fall. She quickly grabbed onto the edge of the cliff and tried to pull herself up, but she managed to only fall onto a ledge in the ravine. She let out a sound of pain as she grabbed her hoof and squeezed it. Tears fell down her face.

"Pa, help! I can't get up!" she yelled. The ledge she was on began to crack.

Apple Spice and Sweet Apple took action. They grabbed the bridge and pulled it up to get the rope. Apple Spice quickly threw one end of the rope to a tree on the other side. The ground cracked more.

"Pa!"

Trying to not fall, he clung to the rope and moved over to grab his daughter. He held out his hoof. Applejack looked at her father with tears in her eyes. She reached out with her hoof.

The cliff couldn't take her weight any longer. It broke, causing her to fall. Her father caught her just in time. The rope began to break. Apple Spice threw his daughter over to the side of his wife. Sweet Apple struggled to keep him from falling.

Applejack tried to help pull.

"Applejack, go! We'll be fine!" Sweet Apple lied, trying to get her daughter away from danger.

"I wanna help!"

Sweet Apple shut her eyes tight. Tears fell down her face.

"I'm sorry Applejack..."

Sweet Apple kicked her filly away. Applejack hit the ground with a grunt, still holding her leg. She stared at her mother.

Sweet Apple gave Applejack a soft smile as she fell into the ravine. Applejack reached out her hoof.

"Mama!" Tears fell from her eyes.

The sounds of her parents screams echoed in her head.

Granny Smith and Big Mac found her there crying after dark. Her face was red and her arm was bleeding. She clung to it, but that wasn't what was hurting her the most.

Granny told Big Mac to go and grab them a wagon so that they could take Applejack back before sitting Apple Bloom down carefully and moving to hold Applejack.

"It won't hurt as much once we get help, youngen." She uttered.

Applejack continued sobbing. "That doesn't hurt most."

"Where's ma and pa?" Granny asked.

Applejack only sobbed more. "They're…" she struggled, trying to say the word. "They're… they're… gone. I tried to help em, but ma kicked me out of the way. I could have saved them!"

Applejack cried into Granny's chest. Big Mac arrived with the wagon. He picked up Apple Bloom and Granny picked up Applejack.

Big Mac noticed his father's hat and mother's bow. . He picked them up and put them in the wagon with his sisters.

Applejack clung onto her father's hat. Granny held onto her as Big Mac pulled them off into the night.

Applejack laid in a bed in the hospital asleep. She still clung to her father's hat. Her arm was in a cast. Granny sat in a chair next to her holding her hoof, Big Mac holding Apple Bloom beside her.

"Do you think she's gonna be okay, Granny?" Big Mac asked.

"She's stronger than this." Granny uttered. As she put Sweet Apples's bow on Apple Bloom.

(3) Denial

Applejack and her family had been given the all clear by the doctor and where allowed to go home. Thankfully, Applejack hadn't been hurt too severely and a little magic had fixed her right up.

When they arrived, Applejack went straight into her room and did nothing but lay on her bed. Granny would come in and check on her every once in a while and would bring her something to eat, but only to find the previous meal untouched. She would hardly get any sleep, and unfortunately, this went on for a few days.

Granny couldn't stand this. She walked into her grandfilly's room with a bowl of soup, hoping to get through to her this time.

She knocked on the door as she walked in. Applejack turned to face her grandmare. She saw the bowl of soup and turned away.

"Could you at least eat a little bit?" Granny asked hopefully.

Applejack let out a sigh. "Fine." she uttered.

Granny walked over to her bed to hoof her the food. She took the bowl and stared at it for a moment.

Apple Soup, her mother's favorite. She pushed it forward, refusing to eat it.

"Come on, you need to eat."

Reluctantly, Applejack took the spoon into her mouth. She tasted nothing but sorrow. She quickly put the spoon down and turned away. Signing in defeat, Granny took the bowl away.

"Go get some rest, you'll need it for tomorrow." Granny walked out of the room and closed the door behind her.

Applejack stared at a picture of her with her parents by her nightstand.

She shut her eyes.

A few hours passed. Applejack fell asleep.

Applejack tossed and turned. The memory of the tragedy kept playing in her mind.

She woke up in shock, Tears in her eyes as she breathed heavily. She wasn't any way she could go back to sleep after that, so she decided to go out for a walk. She got out of bed and grabbed her saddlebag then walked out of her room.

She tried her best to be quiet so she could sneak out. She slowly walked down the stairs to the door and opened it quietly.

Applejack walked for a few minutes until she came up to where the bridge used to be. She stared at the gap where the entrance once was before it had fallen since the tragedy. She sat herself down, and waited.

The wind blew in her mane. She shivered as she pulled a blanket out of her saddlebag.

"You aren't gone…" she told herself.

Rain started to fall from the sky.

"You aren't gone..."

The rain started to fall faster.

"You aren't gone..."

Small claps of thunder came.

"You aren't gone..."

Granny opened the door to Applejack's room to wake her, only to find she wasn't there. She frantically looked for Applejack. She looked all over the farm, but she was nowhere to be found. She sent Big Mac out to go and find her while she went to double check the house.

Big Mac returned about an hour later with Applejack asleep on his back, sneezing and mumbling something occasionally.

Granny picked her up and brought her upstairs back to her room and tucked her in.

She slowly opened her eyes. She let out a sneeze.

"I think you'll be staying home today." Granny said.

Applejack nodded slowly before going back to sleep.

Granny stroked her mane as the filly fell into a deep sleep.

The next day, Applejack felt far better. She got up to get ready for school.

She began on making her bed, before going downstairs to eat some breakfast. She got her things ready, and gave granny a hug before she left.

"You have a good day now." Granny told Applejack.

Applejack let out a sigh as she shut the door behind her.

She slowly walked away from the farm, wondering who would be teaching the class now that her mother was gone.

Author's Note

I'm sorry this story is starting off slow. I'm doing my best to start it up. I hope to have the chapters a little longer by the next few chapters.

(5) Danger

Life wasn't the same for Applejack after that day. She buried her pain deep down inside of herself and moved on with her life. It's been about three years now and Applejack still grieves for her parents, but she tries to just keep going through.

Applejack kicked a tree and a few apples fell into the buckets beside it, she was trying to harvest the latest batch of apples before they spoiled. As she pulled some empty buckets beside the next tree she heard a familiar scream. Looking towards the direction of the scream sharply, she ran off the farm and went in search of the sound. Applejack stopped where the cries were coming from, but saw nothing. As she searched she heard a whimper. She hurried over to the nearby ravine that ended with water, 50 feet below. She looked over the edge and couldn't believe what she saw.

"Apple Bloom?" she said.

Apple Bloom, struggling to keep holding on to the edge, looked up at the voice and smiled with hope.

"Applejack, help!" Apple Bloom cried.

Applejack stared at her little sister's eyes. While her weak smile conveyed hope, her eyes were filled with fear. There was no time for questions right now. Applejack leaned over and reached out her hoof. As she got closer to her sister, the memory of her parents death flashed in her mind. She shut her eyes tight, pulling her hoof away before letting out a grunt.

"Applejack!"

Tears fell from Applejack's face. She was afraid.

"Applejack!"

Applejack opened her eyes. She reached out her hoof again. It shook with fear. However, just as she got close, the rock that Apple Bloom was hanging onto broke free. She let out a scream as she fell down into the water.

"No!" Applejack yelled. She didn't know what to do, so she did the first thing came to mind.

She jumped after her sister. As she fell, she reached out her hoof.

"Apple Bloom, take my hoof, it's going to be okay!"

Apple Bloom opened her eyes. Tears were flying out of her eyes. She reached out her hoof grasping it quickly. Applejack pulled her close, tightening her grip. They took a deep breath before they hit the water.

The water burst into Applejack's ear, causing It to ring. Her grip on her sister was quickly lost with the flowing water. She got caught from the current.

Apple Bloom panicked, Applejack wouldn't move. Apple Bloom surfaced. She took a big breath and let out some coughs. When she recovered, she saw her sister floating down the stream.

"Applejack!" she yelled.

No response.

Apple Bloom grabbed Applejack by the tail and grabbed a rock. She let out some more coughs.

"Applejack, we need to get out of this!"

Applejack still didn't respond. Apple Bloom's grip was slipping from the water. Her hoof lost grip on the rock and the current took her away, however, She still managed to cling onto her sister with fear.

Her head made impact with a rock and hit it hard, causing her to grow dizzy. She let go of Applejack in her daze and watched as her sister was taken away by the other current.

Applejack slowly opened her eyes. She saw her hooves in the water. She got up and rubbed her head. As her mind became less fuzzy, she remembered her sister.

"Apple Bloom?" she mumbled.

No response.

She looked around alarmed. Apple Bloom was nowhere to be found.

"Apple Bloom?!" she yelled.

Heeeeeeelp!!!

She knew that voice. She ran as fast as her hooves would go.

"I'ma comin' Apple Bloom! Hang on!"

A waterfall came into view. Apple Bloom was holding onto a tree branch that was jutting out of the edge. Applejack ran faster. She ran up the path to the waterfall.

"Hurry! This branch can't hold me much longer!"

Applejack walked to the edge. She reached out her hoof towards Apple Bloom.

The memory flashed into Applejack's mind. She flung her hoof back, causing it to hit her sister. The branch cracked.

Applejack found light surrounding her. She saw two ponies walking toward her. They were blurry and indistinguishable.

"Who are you?" she asked.

The figures came closer. They became visible. Applejack's eyes opened wide.

"Ma, Pa...?" Tears formed in her eyes.

Her parents smiled at her. Getting up quickly, she ran up to embrace them. Tears fell from her eyes. As she clung to them, they suddenly disappeared. She stopped in front of an image showing the day of Applejack's parents death.

"No!" she yelled.

She curled into a ball and cried, shutting her eyes tight, refusing to see it again. She heard her mother's voice.

You must face it, Applejack, don't be afraid...

Applejack slowly moved her head to the image. She watched it with tears in her eyes. She watched as the scenario she had never wanted to witness again played out before her.

When it had finished, the image faded.

"That could have been me..." Applejack muttered under her breath.

"But it wasn't you." her father said walking up to her.

Applejack looked at her father. "But it could have been."

"That's why we saved you."

Apple Bloom appeared in front of her.

"She needs you, Applejack. Stop fearing the past."

Applejack stared at her parents. Tears fell from her eyes. She hugged them before a bright light ignited in the room.

Applejack opened her eyes to the sound of her sister's scream. She jumped after her and grabbed her hoof.

"Hold on!" Applejack yelled.

She threw herself to the edge of the wall where there was a cave. They hit the ground hard, letting out a few grunts.

Applejack and Apple Bloom panted heavily. Applejack looked at her sister. She had a few cuts from landing on the rocks along with no small amount of bruises. She smiled and slowly put her head down to the floor and shut her eyes.

"Applejack..." Apple Bloom said. She turned to her sister who was also covered in bruises and cuts. Her breaths were slow. Apple Bloom got up and walked over to her sister.

"Applejack. Please, get up. I wanna go home, Applejack." she cried. Tears fell from her face.

"Applejack..."

Her voice faded.

Applejack hugged her parents.

"Thank you, ma." she smiled.

She heard Apple Bloom's voice.

Applejack....

Another image appeared in front of her. It showed Apple Bloom shaking her with tears in her eyes.

Applejack, wake up. I need you... Big Mac needs you... Please, wake up...

Applejack put her hoof to the image. She watched Apple Bloom sob into her coat.

I need you, Applejack...

Applejack woke up hearing sobs.

"Apple Bloom...?" Applejack mumbled.

Apple Bloom got up and stared at her sister. A smile grew on her face.

"You're okay!" Apple Bloom exclaimed. "You're okay!"

Applejack stared at the entrance to the cave. Celestia was setting the sun. Apple Bloom hugged her sister.

A few hours passed before Apple bloom finally fell asleep, as she slept her sister looked

down at her with a smile before joining her in sleep.

Author's Note

There were some difficulties with adding the edits to this chapter and might be a few mistakes in here witch is my fault.

(6) Manticore

The sun rose as Applejack laid with Apple Bloom. She slowly opened her eyes as the sun reached her coat. She forgot her sister was there and bumped her as she stretched and rubbed her eyes.

The unexpected contact quickly reminded her of who she was beside. "Applejack...?" she mumbled.

"Hmm?".

"I wanna go home."

"I know Apple Bloom, but it might take us a while to get back to Sweet Apple Acres."

Apple Bloom stared into the horizon. A Tear fell from her face.

"I want Granny... I miss Big Mac..."

"I know."

Applejack pulled her sister closer to her chest and hugged her.

"We'll find a way back. I promise."

Many hours passed. Applejack and Apple Bloom didn't dare leave the cave, for they didn't wish to find a creature and get into more trouble. As they waited, the sun slowly set and the moon rose.

Apple Bloom stood at the entrance of the cave. As she stared at the sky, Two shooting stars fell from the sky. She knew in her heart that it was her parents. Applejack walked up to her sister and gave her a hug.

Applejack and Apple Bloom huddled close together. It was colder than the night before.

Applejack heard something out in the distance.

Applejack! Apple Bloom! Where are you?

Applejack carefully got up so she would not wake up her sister. She looked out of the entrance and her eyes opened wide at who she saw.

"Granny, Big Mac, up here!" she yelled out, flailing her arms to get their attention.

All the ruckus woke up Apple Bloom. She walked up to her sister and had the same reaction.

She also began to flail her arms and try to get their attention.

Big Mac turned to their direction before looking behind him to call out, "They're over here, Granny!"

He got out his rope and lassoed it to Applejack. She caught it and found a rock to tie it on.

Applejack hurried and climbed down the rope. She began to lose her grip from being too eager to get down and slipped. She clung to the rope.

"Big Mac!" Applejack yelled.

Apple Bloom tried to climb down to help her sister.

"I've gotcha, Applejack!" Big Mac stood under the rope. Applejack slowly opened her eyes. She let go of the rope and fell on top of her brother. He let out a grunt as she made impact. Apple Bloom made her way down and Applejack caught her.

She smiled. The two sisters turned to their Granny Smith. They ran up to her with tears in their eyes and hugged her close. They knew if they were with Granny and Big Mac, they were safe.

"We were so worried about you two youngins! We thought we lost you too!" Granny cried.

Apple Blooms face had worn a frown since she first ran up to her Granny.

"I'm so sorry, Granny! I shouldn't of gone out too far! I... I... I'm so sorry!" she cried.

"I missed you so much Granny!" Applejack sobbed, "I was so scared of loosing her too! I should of gotten you or Big Mac!"

They hugged granny tighter.

"Why are you two apologizing? Don't be sorry for what you did. You're here now, safe and sound."

Big Mac joined in the hug. When they all grew apart, Applejack stared at her brother. Without a warning, she pounced onto him for a hug. After a few seconds she finally let him go.

With the reunion over, they turned to the direction of home.

But before they could even go a few feet forward there was a loud roar. A manticore jumped out of the bushes. Granny jumped in front of it.

"Go!" she yelled. "Get to the farm! I'll be fine!"

"I won't let you do this alone!" Big Mac yelled. He stood up next to Granny.

"Go, we'll catch up!"

Applejack picked up her sister and ran as fast as her hooves could go. They could hear the roars and grunts from behind them.

A few minutes passed, that felt like hours.

(Meanwhile...)

"Granny look out!" Big Mac pointed out.

Granny looked behind her. The manticore swiped his paw at him. Big Mac jumped in the middle of the two. The manticore made contact with his body. Big Mac let out a cry of pain but managed to buck the monster in the face. The manticore whimpered and ran off into the forest.

Granny looked at her grandson.

"Big Mac, are you alright?!" she asked, hoping he wasn't hurt too badly. There was no response.

Blood was all over his coat. His breaths were slow and weak. Granny Smith tried to carefully carry him back to the farm.

When she was in eyesight of the farm, she saw Applejack and Apple Bloom waiting at the entrance.

Apple Bloom tried to run up to them, but was stopped by her sister's hoof.

"Stay here." she said. Applejack walked up to granny, she could tell something was not right.

Applejack froze once she saw her brother. His breaths were even shallower. Granny carefully laid him down on the ground.

"I'll get him a blanket granny." Applejack said rushing into the house.

Applejack ran inside, soon returning with a blanket in her hooves. When she arrived back she placed it around her brother.

Apple Bloom walked up to them.

"What's goin' on?" she asked.

"Go get somepony at Instant Care!"

Apple Bloom hesitated for a moment.

"Now!"

She ran as fast as she could. Applejack stared at her brother. Tears fell from her face onto his cheeks.

Author's Note

Speaking of stretching, *stretching* Ah that feels good... :twilightsmile: :rainbowwild: I was wanting to have this chapter be named lost, but maybe for another story... oh, well...

(7) Family's Love

Applejack sobbed into the blanket. Big Mac's breaths were growing slower by the minute.

"Big Mac, please don't go... we need you..." she cried.

Apple Bloom arrived with a medic pony. They were carrying a wagon to put Big Mac on. Granny helped put him on and Applejack and Apple Bloom watched as the wagon drove away.

Apple Bloom clung to her sister's leg.

"What's goin' on, Applejack?" she asked, tears falling from her face.

"Big Mac... is in trouble..."

Apple Bloom stared blankly out into the horizon. She would never forget the sight of her brother.

Applejack and Apple Bloom went inside and went ahead and went to bed.

Apple Bloom tossed and turned. She couldn't stop moving. After a while, she woke up screaming.

Applejack rushed into her room since granny was away at the Insta Care with her brother.

"Is everything okay?" she asked, anxious for her sisters safety.

After a quick look around the room to make sure everything was okay, Applejack saw Apple Bloom crying into her pillow. She walked up to her sister's bed and held her close to her chest, something that her mother always did to her to make her feel better. Applejack knew her sister saw Big Mac, which was probably the reason she was in this state. Apple Bloom lay there sobbing into her chest.

Applejack laid herself next to her sister and held her closer. She gently stroked Apple Bloom's mane as she fell asleep.

Applejack laid with her sister. She did not get much sleep from the night before thanks to the fact that Apple Bloom would occasionally wake up frightened. But she was happy to help her little sister.

Apple Bloom opened her eyes and yawned. She looked at her sister and smiled.

"Morning." she mumbled.

"Morning." Applejack smiled. She tickled her sister and receiving a giggle from her in return.

"When is granny coming back?" Apple Bloom asked.

"She should be back by lunch, I think."

After a few hours they heard the door open downstairs. They walked down to greet their granny and gave her hugs. They didn't notice the look on her face.

"How's Big Mac doin'?" Applejack asked.

Granny pulled her grandfillies close and hugged them as tears fell from her face.

"He's hurt real bad." she said quietly.

Applejack hugged her granny close. She was tired of having her family always getting hurt.

It would be about 5 months till they could have their brother return to the farm...

Apple Bloom didn't want to sleep alone. So Applejack slept alongside her. Applejack didn't mind, she didn't want to be alone either. Most nights Applejack would wake up in a panic thinking that Apple Bloom or Granny would be gone, but she knew Granny would be able to take care of herself and would always find Apple Bloom at her side.

Most nights when this would happen, Applejack would cry herself to sleep. Granny would always check in with her and would find her pillow wet. She would replace it with another dry one.

Applejack often worked in the fields with her sister since Big Mac was gone and there was lots of work to be done. Apple Bloom would frequently buck to far from the tree or an apple would fall on her head.

Applejack just broke down with frustration most of the time. One day, she took it out on her sister.

"I wish that you never went out too far!" she yelled. "Big Mac would still be here if you didn't go out!"

Applejack's words stung for the little filly, she had never been yelled at like that. Applejack realized what she had done.

"Apple Bloom, I didn't mean that." she reached out her hoof, trying to stroke her mane, but Apple Bloom turned away running into the house, tears falling from her face.

Applejack fell to the ground, sobbing.

'Applejack, why do you always say the wrong things?' she asked herself.

Granny walked up to her and put her hoof on her shoulder. She looked up to her Grandmare and Granny looked back at her. Applejack jumped off the ground, pounced onto her and hugged her sobbing.

"Why do I always say the wrong things?" she sobbed. "Why, Granny?"

Granny Smith stroked her mane and held her close.

"We all make mistakes, Applejack. There is a way for you to fix this one."

Apple Bloom laid out on her bed sobbing. There was a knock on her door.

"GO AWAY!" she yelled.

"Apple Bloom, someone would like to talk to you." Granny told her, opening the door.

Applejack stared at her sister, still crying into her pillow. She walked into her room as Granny shut the door. Applejack sat herself next to Apple Bloom.

She made no sign that she even recognized her presence and continue to sob.

"Apple Bloom, I didn't mean what I said." Applejack uttered after a short pause. "I've just been so stressed with all the farm work and since Big Mac isn't here, it's been difficult. I am really sorry."

Apple Bloom sobbed into her pillow.

"You're just sayin' that!"

"No, I'm not. I really am sorry." Applejack broke down into tears. "I am sorry, I shouldn't of taken it out on ya'. I'm really sorry.... and, I want you to know that I will always love you. No matter what. If you want to hate me for the rest of my life, go ahead. I don't care. I deserve it 'cus I've been a terrible sister. You're my baby sister, and I will always love you. I'm sorry."

Applejack cried more in that moment more than she ever had in her entire life.

Apple Bloom didn't move. Applejack sobbed into her hooves, giving up. She felt something thump against her. She turned to look.

Apple Bloom hugged her tightly, sobbing into her coat.

"I'm sorry too, Applejack. I love ya too. I just really miss Big Mac and want our family to stop having all these problems." She cried.

Applejack hugged her back before kissing her forehead and crying with her.

"You know what, Apple Bloom?"

"Hmm?"

"I've gotta thank ya for running out too far."

Apple Bloom looked at her sister confused.

"You saved my life." Applejack stared right into her sister's eyes. "I was to the point that I missed Ma and Pa so much, I didn't want to move on. You saved my life Apple Bloom." Applejack smiled.

Apple Bloom smiled back at her sister.

It had been a long five months, but Big Mac had finally returned home.

Granny went to go and pick him up. When they arrived back at Sweet Apple Acres, he saw that the trees were not finished. Applejack and Apple Bloom were in their room resting from working so hard. Quickly coming to a decision, Big Mac walked into the barn and went to grab his yoke. But before he could lift it up, Granny put her hoof on top of it. Big Mac looked at her.

"I need to get to work, Granny. We're behind in our farm work." he said, trying to get the yoke out of her grasp.

"You need to rest." Granny said. "You are still healing from the attack. You need to take it easy for a few weeks."

"I'm fine, Granny! I can work now!"

"You need to rest!"

"Granny, I'm fine! I can do this!" He grabbed the yoke, putting it on and walking out of the barn.

"Now that's enough!" Granny yelled. She grabbed him by the hoof.

Big Mac stared at Granny with a glare in his eye. He flung her hoof off of him, taking off the yoke and throwing it in frustration.

"There is work to be done, Granny. Applejack and Apple Bloom can't do it on their own."

"You will not do anything to help the farm until you are healed. That is final."

Big Mac let out a grunt of frustration and ran out of the barn, straight into his room. Granny could hear the door slam. She sighed shaking her head.

"Why is that colt always so stubborn...?" Granny mumbled.

There was a knock on Big Mac's door.

"Big Mac? I was wondering if I could talk to you." Applejack asked behind the door. She opened it after hearing Big Mac telling her to come in.

She sat next to her brother.

"Sorry Apple Bloom and I couldn't get the work done as fast as you do, but I just wanted you to know that I'm happy you're okay." She gave her brother a hug.

The room was silent for a moment.

"I could hear you fighting with Granny."

Big Mac looked at his sister. "Really...?" he asked.

"I was nearby. I don't want to fight with you, but I want you to know that Granny is right. Apple Bloom and I got this."

With a final look, Applejack got off the bed and left the room. Big Mac stared at the old picture of his parents with his family the day before their death.

It didn't take long for Big Mac to run to the door and slam it open.

"Applejack?" He called, hoping she hadn't already gone.

Applejack, who had just reached the end of the hallway, turned around at the mention of her name. Big Mac gave her a smile.

"Thank ya." he said. "For the talk."

Applejack smiled and turned around to get back to the work.

A small tear fell from Big Mac's eye.

My lil' sister is growin' up... Big Mac thought.

Author's Note

Here it is! I have been working on this chapter since I posted the other one. I hope you enjoyed it!

(8) Old Memories

Big Mac watched Applejack bucking the trees. She would hardly miss the trees now. Smiling triumphantly, Applejack turned to Apple Bloom.

She tried to buck, but missed, pushing herself to land hard on her flank. Realizing her failure, her face quickly grew a frown. Applejack walked over to her sister, putting a hoof on her shoulder before giving her a demonstration, and telling her how far she should be from the tree.

Apple Bloom tried a second time and let out a cry of pain. Applejack instructed her a second time. Apple Bloom tried again.

All of the apples fell from the tree, piling on top of them. Their heads popped out. They both looked at each other before bursting out laughing.

Big Mac smiled at his sister. He felt as if she was growing up too fast.

It felt like it was only yesterday that he taught her how to buck, along with the memory of his father teaching him. He frowned in thought.

"You okay, Big Mac?" Applejack asked, jolting him out of his thoughts.

"I'm fine." Big Mac uttered. "I'm just thinking about the time I taught you how to buck."

Applejack burst out laughing. "Yeah, I remember that." she chuckled. "You remember when I would try to sneak out into the orchard as a foal?"

Big Mac chuckled at the memory. His face turned to another frown.

"Is something wrong, Big Mac?" Applejack asked.

Big Mac shook his head. "Yeah, I told you, I'm fine." he lied. "I'm just a little tired."

"Then go ahead and get some rest, Apple Bloom and I will take care of the work." Applejack said as she turned around and walked back toward the trees.

"Applejack! Look at how many I bucked by myself!" Apple Bloom exclaimed.

Applejack chuckled on her way up.

Big Mac turned toward the house and went inside. He went into the living room and turned to the bookshelf. He never really bothered to look through the family photo album very often but he felt like now would be a good time.

He pulled the book from the shelf and sat down before opening the first page.

As he flicked through the pages, memories flooded back into his mind.

When he first came home, first bath, first words, when he got his cutie mark, all types of memories of him and Applejack. The picture of Apple Bloom coming home made him slam the book shut, refusing to look at more pictures. He honestly didn't know why he shut it so hard. He put the book back, walking away from the book case. He decided to go for a walk and clear his mind.

Big Mac sat at the graves of his parents. His ears were flopped back and tears were streaming down his face. Rain had started to fall from the sky since he left the house.

"Big Mac?"

Big Mac turned his head, finding Applejack. She walked toward her brother and sat with him. Soft thunder was audible.

"Tell me what's wrong." Applejack said.

Big Mac let out a sigh, giving up on keeping it inside. "I miss them, they won't be able to see Apple Bloom growing up, and it just makes it seem unfair to me."

Applejack put her hoof on his shoulder. Big Mac turned to his sister. He couldn't tell if she was crying or if it was rain falling from her face.

"I miss them too. I wish they could be able to see the rest of things with us, but we can't always rely on the others in the family." Applejack let out a few sniffs. Big Mac knew she was crying at this point. "Apple Bloom is one of the luckiest fillies in the world. You know why?"

Big Mac shrugged and shook his head.

"She has us. She needs us. She doesn't have ma and pa."

Something came over Applejack. She stared at her parents graves. All of that pain from those years ago came back to her at the same time. She burst into tears. The memories from her years with her parents came back into her mind.

Big Mac hugged her. "You see it too, don't you?" he asked.

"I'm s.. I'm sorr..." Applejack choked. "I'm sorry Big Mac, I don't know what's comin' over me."

Big Mac squeezed his sister. "It's okay, Applejack. You helped me realize something today."

Applejack looked at her older brother. "We can make new memories with our family. No matter what."

The rain slowly stopped falling. Big Mac and Applejack stared at the sky. Two stars shot through the sky.

"Did you feel it too?" Applejack asked.

Big Mac nodded.

The sky turned bright pink. Applejack and Big Mac turned around toward the farm. Applejack turned back before she left.

She followed her brother off to the farm.

Big Mac sat with his sisters showing Apple Bloom old pictures.

Applejack spotted one and pointed to it, chuckling.

"Remember this one, Big Mac?" she asked.

Big Mac looked at the photo and chuckled. It was one of Applejack trying to buck the apples from the tree.

Apple Bloom looked at the next page. It showed a picture of her when she was born. A frown grew on her face.

"I think that I'm gonna head off to bed, I'm a little tired from all the work." she uttered walking out of the room.

Applejack stared at her brother, a look of confusion written across her face.

Author's Note

With the beginning with Applejack and Apple Bloom, I just wanted to add in something cute...
I found the picture on DeviantArt.

(9) Rescue

Apple Bloom slowly walked down the hall toward her room. As she walked, she stared at the pictures of her and her family. Tears quickly formed in her eyes, but she didn't pay them any attention. Instead, she opened the door to her room and walked inside.

She sat on her bed, staring at the picture that was placed on her bedside table. It was a photograph of her family when she first came home as a foal. While reminiscing, she heard a knock on her door.

Applejack came in, and when she saw the state her sister was in, she sat next to her.

"Somethin' wrong, Sugar Cube?" she asked, Apple Bloom stayed silent, not even looking up at her, "Come on, you can tell me." Applejack pulled her sister close.

Apple Bloom let out a sigh. "I miss Ma and Pa..." she sniffed.

"Have I ever told you what happened to me the day you ran off?" Applejack asked. Apple Bloom shook her head in response, "I was scared of the memory of the memory of them dying, 'cus I thought it would happen to me. I would try to brush it off but would wake up every night in a panic. After a little time, it wouldn't happen as often. But the day you ran off, I had to face my fear. I saw Ma and Pa that day, and they told me somethin', and you know what?"

Apple Bloom stared at her sister in silent interest, her eyes pushing her to keep going.

"They saved me, 'cus you, Big Mac and Granny need me. I have to be here for you." she hugged her sister closer. "And that's the truth."

Apple Bloom gave a soft smile. "I don't know what I'd do without you guys..." she wiped her face with a foreleg and looked back up.

After a few more minutes of talk, they went back into the other room.

Applejack sat Apple Bloom in her lap as she went through the rest of the memory book together.

They both laughed at the old photo's of the memories they had in the family, some brought up some sadder memories, but the plethora of nostalgic stories dulled the sadness that they felt fairly quickly.

As they sat there, they heard a bark in the distance. Curious, Applejack closed the book and walked outside to get a better listen.

Whatever it was, it was obviously in trouble.

Applejack and Apple Bloom hurried out of the door and ran after the sound as fast as they could.

After a few minutes of running, they saw a small puppy on a small loose ledge of a cliff. They ran faster to help the poor thing not fall to it's death.

When they arrived at the top, Applejack held on tight of her sister as she lowered her down to grab the dog.

Apple Bloom took hold of the dog, putting a good grip on the animal while being careful not to hurt it.

Applejack lifted Apple Bloom, setting the puppy back down on the ground.

But before they could say anything, there was a loud crack.

The ground gave away under Apple Bloom. She let out a scream as she tried to cling to the edge of the cliff, but slipped. Applejack jumped after her sister to help pull her to safety.

Applejack clung to a piece of the edge, holding her sister's hoof below. She gathered all of her strength and threw Apple Bloom to the top of the cliff.

Apple Bloom let out a grunt as she landed on the ground, her bow falling out of her mane. Apparently realizing what had happened, the dog started licking her face.

Applejack started pulling herself up, but the cliff's edge kept breaking away. Apple Bloom tried to help her sister get onto the safe side of the cliff but was pushed away.

Applejack gave her sister a smile; it looked like she was going to say something, but was cut off when the cliff gave way. She started falling, letting out a scream as she plummeted towards the ground.

Apple Bloom just stared blankly at the cliff where her sister was, tears filling her eyes. Her bow sat still on the ground, but that was the least of the things on her mind. She sat there for what, to her, felt like forever.

Finally, she got up and slowly grabbed her bow, tying it back in her mane, and with one last look towards the edge, she turned around and ran back to the farm.

Applejack shut her eyes tight as she fell, not wanting to see her death rush towards her. But instead of her hitting the ground, she opened her eyes to find herself in a relatively large river. She surfaced quickly, taking a huge breath and gasping for air.

She managed to swim toward the edge of the river and get out of the water to catch her breath. As she regained her strength, her legs began to hurt. Apparently, she had gotten large cuts and bruises from the landing, and the adrenaline and cold water had dulled the pain. With both of these factors gone, the pain was beginning to set in.

She sat alone by herself, staring back at the top of the cliff. It was too far away for her to see the top, unfortunately, but she could still watch the sky. The sun had already started to set, so Applejack got back onto her hooves and tried to find some shelter. Hoping to get some treatment for her legs.

She managed to find a cave before the sun set. She gathered a few old tree branches and used some large plants to cover the cuts as best she could. When bandaged to the best of her ability, she curled up into a ball to try and stay warm. She stared at the beautiful night sky, watching the stars twinkle.

She watched as two shooting stars flew through the sky.

"Goodnight, Ma and Pa..." she whispered. "Apple Bloom, Big Mac, Granny."

She shut her eyes, but thoughts kept running through her mind, keeping her from sleeping. She let out a soft sigh, tired from the day she had of bucking Apples and working on other chores she had.

While she tried to stay warm, the wind blew into the cave from outside. Applejack shivered, but opened her eyes when she felt something around her, keeping her warm. She turned to look, finding a faint image of somepony on top of her, trying to keep her warm. The sight put a smile on her face.

"Thanks, Ma and Pa..." Applejack whispered. She laid her head down once more, trying once more to fall asleep.

All the thoughts from her mind suddenly vanished from her mind, putting her at ease. She could hear a faint voice in the distance as she drifted to sleep.

Sweet dreams, Sweetheart... See you in the morning...

(4) The Funeral

Applejack was sitting on her bed, thinking, when a knock on her door pulled her out of her deep thought. She looked to the door to see Granny smith walk in with a somber look.

"Applejack, it's time to go." she uttered. "You ready?"

Applejack slowly got up from her bed. Her eyes were puffy from crying and she hadn't put on her dress yet. Granny went ahead and and helped her put it on, her cast kept getting in the way but she finally managed to put it on.

After a quick check over from Granny to make sure the dress was on correct, she walked out the door with her brother and sister.

Applejack looked over her parents, without a words, she took hold of her mother hoof and clenched it one last time before returning to her seat. Granny Smith was giving the talk for the funeral.

"My daughter, Sweet Apple was one of the most caring ponies I knew." she said. "She loved her family like any other. Apple Spice was one of the kindness and loving fathers I have ever seen. He always knew what to do when someone needed him. They both..." Applejack refused to listen to the rest of the speech, but once her trailing thoughts shifted got to that one fateful day, she couldn't help but go back to listening.

"Whenever the family was in danger, they would do anything that they could do to save them. That's what true family means to me."

Applejack was filled with tears. She couldn't help herself but run up to her granny and hug her. Granny held her close as tears fell from her cheeks.

"I wish they were still here, Granny." Applejack sobbed.

"I know, youngin, I know... but it's time for your song with Big Mac now."

Applejack slowly walked away from her granny and wiped her tears off of her face. Her brother quietly walked up next to her as Granny went back to her seat. When she sat back down she gave Applejack a soft smile.

Applejack took a deep breath while her brother put a leg around her.

"We can do this, Applejack." he whispered.

Applejack started the song for their parents.

Applejack stared at the graves where her parents were. Tears wouldn't stop falling from her eyes.

Granny Smith hugged her and Big Mac tight before dropping a rose on the grave. Applejack put down her rose on the grave, other ponies following suit. When she had accomplished this she slowly walked away. Her brother quickly ran after her. Upon reaching her, he put his foreleg around her.

"It will be okay, Applejack." he said quietly.

Author's Note

This chapter is dedicated to my Grandmother who passed away recently...