Resistance

For four generations the Apple family has been prosperous in everything that they do. And for that, the name Apple has become a very popular name and is known all over Equestria. But the most famous part of the Apple name, isn't the name itself, it's the Apple Farm residing in Ponyville. The Apples were once pioneers and walked all across Equestria starting communities, including Ponyville, and became the foundation of such communities. That is what the Public eye of the Apple Family is. Not everypony knows the real reasons starting those communities. There is a reason why, though, that rumours of rebellion started in those towns that the Apples founded. Ponies just called it coincidence.

But for generations, the Apple Family has been the leaders of the rebellion. Starting with Granny Smith's pa and her uncles, and now passed onto their children's children, and grandchildren. Apple Jack is the leader of Ponyville. Big Mac is the leader of Manehattan, Apple Dumplin is the leader in Baltimare, Braeburn is the leader in Appleoosa, Apple Sprite is the leader in Cloudsdale, Gala Apple is the leader in Los Pegasus, but there are more still. And each month the leaders all go to the Apple Farm to discuss future plans. That is where Apple Jack is now. Greeting all her family members. "Big Mac, good to see you. How are the foals?" she asks.

"They're fine, Zap Apple is a little sick, but he's a champ. He will be better soon," Big Mac explains.

"What about Sour Apple?" Apple Jack asks.

"He's fine too, starting to take responsibility for his own chores," Big Mac explains.

"Oh really? Awe, they've grown up so fast," Apple Jack comments.

The Apple Siblings had lost their parents at a young age. Granny Smith did all that she could, but she was very old and died only two years after. Apple Jack was sent to live with their aunt and uncle Orange in Manehattan, Big Mac went to live with their Aunt and Uncle Green in Dodge Junction, and Apple Bloom went with Cousin Ginger in Trottingham. The farm was given to Apple Jack when she was old enough. It was run by Apple Fritter and Apple Pie before that.

"Cider! How are you?" Apple Jack greets, seeing the pregnant mare walk through the door. She walks towards her and gives her a hug.

"Apple Jack! I'm great! A little sick, but overall not bad," she explains.

"How far along are you? Seven months?"

"Eight. Last month was seven," Cider explains. "What about you, Apple Jack? Any colt friend yet?"

"No, not yet. But that's okay, Apple Bloom is going to be taking over after me anyway," Apple Jack explains.

"I guess that's true. Honeycrisp was supposed to take over from me, but he decided to not be apart of this anymore, and now he is taking an extended vacation in Yak Yakistan," Cider explains.

"I heard, my condolences," Apple Jack comments.

She continues to greet everypony until they all arrive and ready to begin.

"So, who wants to begin?" Apple Jack asks.

"Appleloosa is almost ready. We just need a few more weeks," Braeburn says.

"Manehattan is looking promising, but we're not quite ready yet," Big Mac explains.

"Same with Cloudsdale. Though, I'm sure we'll be ready in the next couple of months," Apple Sprite adds.

"Los Pegasus is locked and loaded. We are just waiting on everypony else," Gala reports.

"Same in Baltimare."

"In Dodge Junction too."

"Rainbow Falls needs a few weeks."

"Winsome Falls is days away."

"Fillydelphia is ready."

"Trottingham is ready also."

"Seaward Shoals is lacking. I'm unimpressed, but there is nothing I can do at this point."

"Same in Maretonia."

"Maretania is all set."

"As for Ponyville, we were ready, but this idiot unicorn thought that she's avenging the death of her friend, and my second in command talked to an unknown. So I'll need a few days to set everything straight," Apple Jack admits.

"Whinnyapolis has just gained two new recruits. We need time too," Sunny Apples adds.

"Hoof City is accounted for," Sweet Tart finishes the run down.

"I gotta say, this is better than the last two months we had meetings," Apple Sprite says.

"Yeah! Barely enough were ready, but now the majority is either ready or close to being ready," Cider agrees.

"Do you need help with your recruits, Sunny?" Big Mac offers.

"I would, actually. The pegasus is stubborn as hell, and the unicorn is lacking in everything but strength," Sunny explains.

"I'll be there in a few days to help then," Big Mac explains.

"What about you, Apple Jack? Do you need help?" Cinnamon Apple, Leader in Winsome Falls, asks.

"No, I'm fine. I can deal with it quickly," Apple Jack states.

"What about Seaward Shoals?" Cinnamon asks her brother.

"No, I can deal with my problem too. I'll report back next month, and it will be better," Cinnamon Treats explains.

"Good. Is that all we need to report?" Apple Jack asks.

"Actually, I am noticing a high level of arrests in Appleoosa, mostly of the ponies claiming to be in the rebellion. Of course, none were apart of the rebellion, but After Shining, Octavia, Caramel, Cherry Jubilee, Upper Crust, and now Bonbon, we need to be more careful. So those who are training new ponies, be on high alert," Braeburn explains.

"Braeburn is right. That is a high number of ponies to be caught and executed. Though all very brave and died of honour, the less deaths we have the better. So y'all stay safe out there, especially you, Cider, what you carrying a foal and all," Big Mac says. The family nods in agreement.

"I plan to, Cousin. You as well," Cider explains.

"Are there any other issues or concerns that we need to address?" Apple Jack asks.

They all shake their heads in response.

"Great, so we're all good with the plan. I tell you, Apple Family. We are so close to living our great grandfathers' dream. We worked hard, for many generations, and a lot of us are no longer here, but very soon we will be freed," Apple Jack says.

"Yeah!" Is her response.

"Too long we've lived under the moon!"

"Yeah!"

"Too long we've hidden our faces and kept secrets!"

"Yeah!"

"Too long has our family's bloodline worked until perfection!"

"Yeah!"

"But we are Apples! And finally, WE. ARE. READY!"

"YEAH!"

"Almost!" Apple Sprite points out, causing silence suddenly.

"Give er take a few months!" Apple Jack shouts.

Another "Yeah!" rings through the house. With that, the meeting was adjourned and conversation became more casual.

"Are you leaving already, Ginger?" Big Mac asks.

"Yeah, my ol' legs got a lot to do before reaching Trottingham," he explains.

"Say 'hi' to Apple Bloom for us, Cousin Ginger!" Apple Jack calls to the old stallion.

"Will do, Apple Jack!" he calls back.

"See yah next month, Cousin Ginger," Big Mac says.

"You too, Cousin Big Mac!" he says, waddling out like the old horse he is.

One by one the Apple Family leaves and Apple Jack is once again alone. She walks silently to the top of the stairs. On the wall is a picture of a red stallion with orange hair and green eyes. Beside him is an orange mare with red hair and eyes all the colors of a sun rise. They are smiling in the sunlight in front of an orchard. Beside that picture hangs another picture. This picture is inside with no other light but a fire light and the flash of the camera. In the picture, is an old mare, light green with white, tangled hair in a bun. She is looking at a pony behind the camera, smiling warmly at him with her old, orange eyes as he takes it. Apple Jack looks at each photo and smiles sweetly at the ponies in each one. "Don't worry, you three," she says. "Your little foals will bring everypony the freedom you always wanted," she finishes. "I love you, Ma, Pa, and Granny," She whispers. She turns her back to the photos and heads to her room.

She walks in and walks excitedly to the bed, sleep crawling faster around her body than a rat crawling away from a trap. Tomorrow she'll have to test Fluttershy, receive reports from Zecora, Vinyl, Sunset, and any other department head that wants to keep their job, which should be all of them. But for now, sleep. And so Apple Jack does just that.