Oh Sister, What Happened to Thee?

by A_Mormon Brony

Rating: everyone
Tags: Apple Bloom, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Mystery, Braeburn, Horror, Main 6
Length: 15376

M'Big sis died twenty years ago. But, how, and why?

A great tragedy happened in Appleoosa more than a decade ago, one that left half of the element bearers dead, and left the town abandoned. The incident has been left uninvestigated, until now.

Applebloom, third bearer of the element of honesty after her sister Applejack and brother Big MacIntosh, goes to Appleoosa to investigate the town, looking for information that will lead to the solution to the mystery of why her sister died there.

While she's on her own, she has tools with her to help her: a camera that takes animated pictures, and a crystal to record what she says. What will she discover about her big sister and her cousin? Will she want to remember what she learns?

Published 2017-06-27 10:20:05 UTC
Last updated 2017-11-14 11:40:27 UTC

Introduction

Howdy. This is Applebloom, third Bearer of th' Element of Honesty after m' brother, Big MacIntosh, and m' sister, Applejack.

Fer the past ten er so years, Ah've wanted t' go back t' Appleoosa t' find out what happened t' my big sis. But, Ah've been forbidden from goin' by my Granny Smith 'n' Big MacIntosh. Now, Ah'm finally old 'nough, but m' big brother's still a-hangin' ont' th' Element of Honesty. Ah've also been ordered by the Princesses t' go t' Appleoosa, or what's left of it, t' 'vestigate what happened to m' big sis 'n' cousin Braeburn, 'n' Ah've been given an en-chanted camera and crystal by Princess Celestia to help me in my 'vestigation.

'Cardin' t' Princess Celestia, the crystal will re-card what Ah say, so Ah won't have t' write nothin' down. All Ah have t' do is talk 'round the crystal, 'n' it'll re-card what Ah say.

Also, 'cardin' to the Princess, the camera will do more than just take pictures. The images in the pictures Ah take with it'll move, tellin' me, 'n' anypony who sees 'em, the story of what happened t' whatever er whoever Ah take a picture of.

As much as Ah look forward to findin' out what happened t' my big sis, Ah gotta admit, Ah's little fear'd, too. Whatever happened in Appleoosa was 'parently so bad that ever'pony that lived there moved away; 'n' nopony ain't been back there since. But ponily, Ah can't rest 'til Ah know what happened to m' big sis, 'n' why she died there.

Well, since Ah've got time before Ah 'rive, maybe Ah better tell the story of why m' big sis went t' Appleoosa in th' first place.

Y'see, a year after we last visited Braeburn, he met a mare 'n' got married; 'n' the two of 'em had a colt they named Apple Butter.

A few years later, they en-rolled 'im in school, where 'e seemed really happy. Then, one day, he came home a-throwin' up. The next mornin', he woke up, throw'd up, 'n' collapsed again.

Braeburn 'n' his wife tried t' wake him up again, but they couldn't; 'n' Apple Butter died.

From what Ah heard, it were one o' Sheriff Silverstar's dep'ties started 'vestigatin' Braeburn 'n' his wife, even threw 'em in jail.

Apple Butter's body was sent to Canterlot to find out how he died, that's how Ah learned what'd happened. 'N' all that was said 'bout that was there was somethin' a-blockin' food from gettin' from his stomach to his large in-testine.

The 'vestigations into Braeburn 'n' his wife didn't stop, in fact they got worse. He 'n' his wife were 'cused o' beatin' up on Apple Butter.

Now, this didn't make no sense to me, 'n' still don't. Ah know m' cousin Braeburn, 'n' Ah know he wouldn't do nothin' t' hurt nopony. Y' know, Ah wouldn't be s'prised if somepony at the school'd done all the beatin' up on Apple Butter. Either that, 'r maybe it were the food at the school that killed 'im.

[sigh]

Ah d'know, maybe my own 'speriences at school are a-colorin' my thoughts 'bout what happened. If that's so, then Ah can live with takin' c'rrectin' fer that. But, the whole thing's left me with so many questions, Ah ain't been able to mourn proper fer Apple Butter. What all was he a-throwin' up? If'n somethin' was a-keepin' food from gittin' t' 'is in-testines from 'is stomach, where could such a block be that'd cause the problems that lead to Apple Butter's death, 'n' so quickly? 'N', how does ever'pony know that it were Braeburn 'n' his wife that killed their colt, 'n' not somepony, some bully, at the school? Or, if it weren't no bully, what if it were the food at the school that killed 'im?

[sigh]

Anyway, m' big sis decided she better go t' Appleoosa t' find out exactly what happened, 'n' defend 'er cousin. 'N', since then, Ah ain't never heard from her 'gain, 'cept maybe a week 'r two later when m' big bro, m' Granny Smith 'n' Ah got word she'd been killed.

Well, Ah just 'rived at the train station, 'n' the train'll be back t' pick me up in a week 'r two. So, Ah have that much time t' find all th' clues Ah can 'n' try t' solve th' myst'ry 'bout what happened here.

Oh, big sis, what happened t' y'all?

Author's Note

The story of Apple Butter is based on the story of a relative of mine, known as Braden; and Applebloom is to Apple Butter as I am to Braden. I'd learned about Braden's death from my mother, who'd gotten the call, and his body was sent to Pennsylvania, where the blockage had been discovered.

As far as I know, Braden's case has gone cold now. But, while I plan on fully writing out this story, I may decide to leave it marked "incomplete" for as long as the mystery of Braden's death remains unsolved.

The reason why I haven't pursued this mystery myself is not because I worry about ending up the way Applejack will. I just don't know where to start. Still, if I don't see the solution to this mystery in this life, I expect I'll see it in the afterlife. In the mean time, I hope you enjoy this story.

Day 1

During the Day

It's really somethin' here. Ah've 'splored this whole town, at least the streets 'n' the orchard, 'n' Ah ain't found nothin'. No bones, no red stains, no life, no nothin'.

Right now, Ah'm here at the sheriff's office. Maybe Ah'll find somethin' here.

Ah'm inside, lookin' 'round, 'n' there's papers ever'where. But, the papers don't have nothin' Ah can read on 'em.

Ugh!

Fine'ly, Ah got this file cabinet open. Now, Ah can look inside 'n' see if'n the sheriff had any re-parts on m' big sis.

Aargh!!

There ain't nothin' in these re-parts 'bout my big sis! There's this big folder with info 'bout Trouble Shoes, 'nother 'bout some colt named Petty Theft, but nothin' 'bout no Apples!

Huh!

Maybe Ah should look in th' town hall. All vital records are stored there. Maybe there's where Ah'll find info 'bout my big sis.

[a few minutes later]

Well, here Ah am, at Appleoosa's town hall, 'n' the door's locked! How am Ah s'posed t' 'vestigate my big sis's death, when Ah can't even git in the front door!?

Y'know, Ah suppose Ah could kick the door in. There ain't nopony here t' try t' stop me. 'N', since the town's 'bandoned, there won't be no pony to catch me 'n' throw me in jail. But still, would that make it right?

Urrgh!

A locked door in an a-bandoned town, 'n' the one thing that's stoppin' me's my conscience!

{sigh}

Alright, Ah'll save the town hall fer later. Ah'll 'vestigate the houses in town, startin' with Cousin Braeburn's house. Then, if Ah have time, Ah'll go back t' th' town hall 'n' kick down that door. But, only if'n Ah don't find no clues nowhere else.

[a few minutes later]

{Yawn}

Just m' luck. Ah walk int' Uncle Braeburn's house, 'n' Ah'm gittin tired. Ah gotta git some sleep. Maybe this evenin' Ah'll be able t' c'ntinue the 'vestigatin'.

During the Night

{Scream}

Ah'm sorry. Ah jest got waked up by this strange breezy. Ah ain't seed nothin' like it. It's this deep red color. 'N', it's actin' like it wants me t' follow it. At least, it keeps pullin' at m' mane like it wants me t' go with it.

Well, Ah ain't tired no more, so Ah s'pose Ah may's well.

[A few minutes later]

That strange breezy dragged me back t' the train station. But, Ah don't understand. Does the breezy want me t' leave town already? Well, Ah can't do that. Ah came here t' find out what happened t' m' big sis, 'n' Ah ain't leavin' 'til Ah find out.

Wait, there's somethin' a-glowin' jes' off the deck. Maybe Ah should take picture 'v it.

[A few minutes later]

Well, that didn't tell me nothin' Ah could use. Ah jest saw m' big sis a-leavin' the train. 'N', course she was a-lookin' worried. After the news that Apple Butter'd died, 'n' Braeburn 'n' his mare were bein' 'vestigated, why wouldn't she be? But, why show me that?

Ouch! That breezy pulled m' mane 'gain. Ah guess it wants me t' go with it 'gain. Well, whatever it wants me to see this time, it better be good. Ah hate gettin' m' mane pulled, 'specially fer nothin'.

[A few minutes later]

Now that breezy leads me back t' uncle Braeburn's home again? What's it a-gonna show me this time? Uncle Braeburn servin' m' big sis dinner? Huh! Well, if all Ah'm a-gonna see is m' big sis bein' treated good by Cousin Braeburn, then maybe Ah should go back t' Ponyville. That, 'r maybe Ah should do m' own 'vestigatin'.

Wait, there's a spot a-glowin' at the front door. Well, since Ah saw what happened the first time Ah taked picture o' one o' them glowin' spots, Ah may's well take picture o' this one, 'n' see what it's a-gotta show me.

[Perhaps ten minutes later]

{sigh}

Well, Ah guess it's somethin', least. Ah jes' saw cousin Braeburn open the door, then shout 'citedly when he saw m' big sis there a-wantin' t' come in. He lead m' big sis in the house, 'n' Ah watched 'em talk 'bout what happened t' nephew Apple Butter, how 'e died. Then Applejack said she's there t' help out. Jes one problem. All this is stuff Ah already knew!

{sigh}

Ah'm a-beginnin' t' wonder if Ah'm ever a-gonna know what happened to m' big sis. Ah ain't learned nothin' so far.

Ow!

Look, ya little pest! Y'all ain't show'd me nothin' since y' woke me up! Don'tcha dare glare at me like that! All Ah seed so far was m' big sis at the train station, then a-talkin' t' Braeburn at his house! How's that showin' me anythin' that happened t' her, huh? What're ya gonna show me next? Harses drawin' harse-drawn carriages?

{sigh}

Ah'm sorry. It's jest that, well, Ah came all the way here t' find out what happened to m' big sis, 'n', well, Ah ain't seed nothin' Ah didn't already know 'bout. Ah know m' big sis died here, but Ah don't know how. 'N', what happened here that was so bad that it made ever'pony leave? Somethin' really bad happened here t' m' big sis, 'n' t' m' cousin Braeburn, 'n' Ah jes' wanna know what it was. Will ya please show me what it was?

Please, don't do the face-hoof thin'. Jes' lead the way, 'n' Ah'll follow, 'right? Ah won't ask no more questions. Ah'll shoot any glowin' spot Ah come 'cross, too. If what'cha show'd me 'til now's jest part o' the story, Ah won't complain no more.

Huh.

Who'd'a thought Ah'd be 'pologizin' to a bug? 'N', it's a-gesturin' to the picture Ah jes' took. Maybe there's more ta that picture than Ah first thought. Ah guess Ah'll have 'nother look.

[After another ten minutes]

Hmm.

Nope, nothin' Ah didn't already know. But, that glowin' spot was there fer a reason. 'N', there's so much more Ah don't know right now.

Well, Ah guess Ah better follow this breezy t' wherever it wants me t' go next.

[A minute or two later]

Well, here Ah am, at the sheriff's office. 'N', there's 'nother glowin' spot on the ground. Ah better git closer, so Ah can git a good picture 'v it.

Wait a minute. The spot was a-glowin' so bright, then it jes' went out. Am Ah too close? Lemme try backin' off, 'n' see if it'll come back.

Ah was right, it did come back; or least it started a-glowin' again. But, why did it stop glowin? Was Ah a-gittin' too close to it? Why the hay would that make so much difference? Well, Ah guess Ah better take a picture 'v it.

Huh? What the hay ... ? Braeburn, why 're y'all bein' dragged t' the sheriff's office?

Y'all ain't gonna believe what Ah jes' saw. 'Parent-like, Braeburn 'n' m' big sis was dragged t' the police station by the dep'ty. Why'd she do that? No, Ah know why, Ah jes' don't believe it. Braeburn 'n' m' big sis wouldn't never kill nopony, they wouldn't do nothin' bad. Th' Appleoosans is all wrong, 'specially th' dep'ty!

There's more t' this picture. Ah'm a-goin' inside.

Huh? Hey!

You can't 'cuse m' big sis 'n' m' cousin o' murder like that! They ain't killed nopony, 'n' you can't prove they did! They wouldn't do such a har'ble thin'! 'N', m' big sis couldn't'a killed Apple Butter nohow! If y'all gotta 'vestigate somepony, go 'vestigate the school! Don't nopony 'n this town know nothin'?

Ah'm sorry Ah got all worked up like that. It's jes, well, Ah jes saw m' big sis get throw'd in jail fer murder, 'r somethin' like it, 'n' Ah know she wouldn't, she couldn't, 'a done nothin' like what they was 'cusin' her of. 'N', neither'd cousin Braeburn. 'N', t' drag 'em outta Braeburn's house 'n' throw 'em in jail like that, it ain't right!

Wait, that breezy done gone disappeared on me. Was that all it wanted me t' see? Well, if that's all fer t'night, then Ah better go back t' uncle Braeburn's house 'n' sleep the rest o' the night. Tomorrow, Ah'll git t' studyin' these pictures, 'n' hopefully git more information on what happened here. Maybe Ah better write t' Princess Celestia, 'n' see if Ah can't git more info on what happened elsewhere whiles things was a-happenin' here.

Y'know, Ah seem t' remember it were Sheriff Silverstar come back 'n' told me 'n' the rest o' th' family what happened t' m' big sis, m' cousin Braeburn, 'n' Pinkie Pie 'n' Rainbow Dash; or at least that they all died. He even brought back the bodies o' Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, 'n' cousin Braeburn. That stallion was so loyal, he was considered t' take over repr'sentin' th' element o' loyalty. 'N', Princess Celestia had t' call Cheese Sandwich in so he could repr'sent laughter 'stead o' Pinkie Pie since she was dead. 'N', when m' big brother was chosen t' repr'sent the element o' honesty, his first 'sign-a-ment was to come her 'n' find out what happened. But, he 'fused. He didn't wanna know.

Well, Ah'm her', 'n' Ah've found out somethin', anyway. 'N', Ah'm too tired to figure it all out right now. Ah've made it back t' uncle Braeburn's house now, so Ah'll go inside 'n' sleep fer th' rest o' th' night. So, 'til t'morrow.

Day 2

During the Day

Ah'm sorry fer startin' this 'part so late. This mornin', Ah went t' the arch'rd t' git breakfast, then studied those pictures Ah took last night. Ah jes' got back from havin' lunch.

Ah'm really feelin' sorry for shoutin' at that breezy last night. Ah understand it was only a-tryin' t' help me. It showed me three spots, 'n' Ah took pictures o' all three of 'em.

Well, after carefully a-studyin' those pictures, Ah'm still not sure why m' big sis didn't come back with ever'pony else, dead or 'live. As much as Ah don't like it, Ah ... Ah have t' assume ... she's dead now. Ah jes' wanna know, Ah jes' need t' know, how she died. 'N', these pictures don't tell me nothin' 'bout that. All Ah git from these pictures is that as soon as m' big sis arrived, she went t' visit m' cousin Braeburn at his home, 'n' they talked 'bout how m' nephew died. 'N', it was while they was a-talkin' that the dep'ty came in 'n' 'rested 'em, 'n' throw'd 'em both in jail. But, why'd she 'rest m' big sis and m' cousin? What made her think they was both 'sponsible fer nephew Apple Butter's death? What made 'er think either of 'em would do somethin' so bad as murder a foal?

Ah'm a-gonna keep these here pictures. Maybe Ah'll understand better t'night. Ah jes' hope that deep-red breezy shows up again. 'Til then, Ah'm a-gonna git some sleep.

During the Night

{sigh}

Well, looks like that deep-red breezy's back. 'N', Ah must 'mit, Ah'm happy t' see it again. Ah'm a-gonna follow it now, 'n' hope Ah can find out more 'bout what happened t' m' big sis.

[A few minutes later]

Well, that breezy jes' lead me to the court house. 'N', ... you ain't gonna believe this, but that breezy jes' went right through the door. It didn't open it or nothin', jes' went right through it. That little breezy's jes' full o' surprises. Ah wonder if Ah can do the same.

Ouch!

Ah guess not. That door's too solid fer me. But, how could that breezy git through when Ah couldn't?

Maybe Ah can jes push the door open.

Hmm. Well, Ah'll be. The city hall's locked, but the court house ain't. Why's that? Ain't the court house valuable 'nough? Well, Ah may's well go inside.

Huh. The breezy's a-waitin' fer me on th' other side. Now it's a-headin' to one o' the rooms.

Well, Ah'm inside a room with a bunch o' tables in the middle, surrounded by chairs. 'N', there's a glowin' spot on one side. Ah guess Ah better take picture o' that spot.

[Approximately half an hour later]

Well, Ah ain't sure Ah c'n believe what Ah jes' saw. M' big sis 'n' cousin Braeburn was arguin' with Sheriff Silverstar. Ah guess Sheriff Silverstar let 'em outta prison. Well, good fer him. They ain't deserved t' be there no how.

Wait, there's a letter here on this here table. 'N', since there ain't nopony t' stop me, Ah s'pose Ah c'n read it 'loud.

"To Princess Celestia:

"If you can't come yourself, please send somepony here as soon as possible. We need any help you can send.

"In my previous letters, I informed you of our need for a mayor here in Appleoosa. But, I have no time for that right now. Since the death of Braeburn's son, Apple Butter, he's been under suspicion of murdering the little colt. And, since we got the autopsy report from Canterlot, things have only gotten worse. Most recently, my deputy arrested Braeburn and his cousin, the bearer of the element of honesty, Applejack, and imprisoned them. I was able to release them because of my status as sheriff, but the two are calling for justice against my deputy. And, they aren't the only ones, neither are they the first.

"This is a situation I'm not prepared for. Please, Princess Celestia, like I said, if you cannot come yourself, please send somepony to help me here. I fear that if nothing is done somepony's going to get hurt, or maybe even killed.

"The sheriff of Appleoosa, in need of your help,

"Sheriff Silverstar."

Well, seems like things here went worse than Ah thought. Why'd the dep'ty 'rest m' big sis, jes for talkin' t' m' cousin Braeburn? That jes don't make no sense. Ah need to do more 'vestigatin'.

Woah!

That breezy jes' came b'tween me 'n' the letter Ah was a-readin'. Ah guess it wants me t' follow it 'gain. Well, Ah guess Ah better follow it.

[A minute or so later]

Well, Ah'm back at the town hall. 'N', there's a glowin' spot on the steps in front o' the front door. Ah don't wanna git too close, case the spot dis'pears again, like that one did last night. Well, this looks good 'nough. Ah may's well take the picture.

[A few minutes later]

'Right, this is a-gittin' way outta hoof! Why's ever'pony gotta be so stubborn 'n' mule-headed? Can't nopony see that m' cousin Braeburn 'n' m' big sis ain't killed nopony? Th' only way m' cousin Braeburn's connected t' Apple Butter's death is he helped 'im start livin'! Is they too feared t' 'vestigate the school? Why they gotta d'stroy Braeburn 'n' m' big sis?

{sigh}

Ah's sorry. Ah ain't mean t' get worked up like that 'gain. It's jes that, ... well, Ah know m' big sis. Ah know she wouldn't'a killed nopony, 'specially not no foal. 'N', neither'd cousin Braeburn. So, why 'cuse 'em o' somethin' they ain't done? Why keep 'cusin' 'em when they ain't done nothin'? Why does Appleoosan's gotta be so stubborn?

{sob, sigh}

Ah's sorry, little breezy. Is there somethin' else you wanna show me? Then, lead the way. Ah'll follow y'all.

[a few minutes later]

Well, we're back at Braeburn's house. 'N', in the front yard, there's 'nother one o' them glowin' spots. But, this one's a-glowin' brighter than th' others ah see'd. Why? What makes this spot so im-portant? Well, if'n Ah'm a-gonna find out, Ah better take picture.

[ten or so minutes later]

Well, Ah can't say's Ah blame m' big sis fer a-wantin' t' git m' cousin Braeburn outta here. After how th' Appleoosans, 'special-like that dep'ty, treated her 'n' m' cousin. If'n Ah was her, Ah'd wanna git out soon as possible, too. But, there's somethin' else Ah see'd in this picture. Sev'ral other ponies came to here 's well. Ah guess Braeburn 'n' m' big sis weren't th' only ones that was a-bein' picked on by th' dep'ty.

M' big sis 'n' cousin Braeburn talked t' ever'pony, 'n' seems they all wanted t' leave. Maybe there's some good ponies a-livin' here after all.

Well, little breezy, if'n y'all wanna show me one more thin', please lead me t' whenever 'n' wherever y'all want so Ah can see it.

[a few minutes later]

Well, now we're jes outside o' th' apple orchard, 'n' there's 'nother o' them glowin' spots on the ground. Ah guess Ah better take picture o' that spot. All these spots've show'd me more 'n' more o' what happened here. Did m' big sis really leave with cousin Braeburn 'n' all 'em ponies? If so, 'n where'd they all go? Well, if'n Ah'm a-gonna find out, Ah better take that picture.

[a minute or so later]

Yeh, like Ah thought, m' big sis did lead m' cousin 'n' all 'em other ponies outta Appleoosa. 'N', like Ah said, Ah don't blame 'er. Ah wouldn't'a tol'rated none o' that 'cusin' o' murder neither. But, where'd they all go? Did Applejack go a-lookin' fer the buf'lo? Ah wouldn't blame 'er if she did. But, 'z far 'z Ah know, Rainbow Dash, PInkie Pie, 'n' Spike're the only ones that know'd where the buf'lo lived, 'though from what Ah hear'd, the buf'lo don't stay 'n one place too long. Applejack 'n' ever'pony else could be a-wanderin' in th' desert fer ... Celestia knows how long.

Wait, where'd that breezy go? It were here jes a moment ago. It jes' dis'peared again. 'N', Ah don't dare go out int' th' desert t' search fer no more clues. Ah guess Ah better go back t' m' cousin Braeburn's home 'n' sleep th' rest o' th' night. Well, 'til th' mornin', Ah'm a-gonna have t' sign off now. Good night.

Day 3

During the Day

Ah've kep' a-searchin' Appleoosa, ex-plorin' house-by-house, searchin' fer clues. But, Ah ain't findin' nothin', 'n' Ah'm a-runnin' outta hope o' findin' any kinda clues that-a-way, least durin' the day. Ah'm a-thinkin' m' best chance is t' let that deep-red breezy lead me t' those glowin' spots durin' the night.

Ah've also been a-lookin' at those pictures Ah took since Ah got here. So far, Ah know m' big sis came here 'n' went t' m' cousin Braeburn's house 'n' talked t' him 'bout how m' nephew Apple Butter died 'n' what happened since then, 'n' then they was 'rested by the dep'ty 'n' throw'd in jail.

Ah don't blame m' big sis fer bein' angry. After all, the dep'ty had no right t' do that t' her 'n' m' cousin Braeburn. 'N', if'n Ah was her, Ah would'a taken m' cousin Braeburn 'n' left jes' like she did. But, Ah wasn't ware'd that so many ponies was also anger'd with the dep'ty. Ah guess it weren't jes' m' big sis 'n' cousin Braeburn that was 'prison'd by 'er. But, lookin' at these pictures, Ah never did get the dep'ty's name. Maybe it don't matter nothin'.

Maybe what does matter's Ah know more 'bout what happened here than Ah did when Ah first got here.

Ah better git some sleep now. If'n Ah'm a-gonna git more clues from that breezy, Ah better be rested 'n' ready. So, 'til then.

During the Night

{yawn}

Well, Ah's 'wake again. 'N', there's that breezy 'gain.

Where we a-goin' now, little breezy?

Ah jes' saw that breezy fly out the front door. Ah guess we're a-goin' outside 'gain. S'pose that makes sense.

[a minute or two later]

Well, that breezy jes' lead me back t' th' train station. Ah doubt m' big sis left b' train, otherwise she'd still be 'live.

Wait, there's 'nother one o' them glowin' spots jes' o'er them steps. Ah guess Ah better take picture.

[five or so minutes later]

Ah know'd 'ready that Applejack's friends headed t' Appleoosa the day after m' big sis left. 'N', jes' now, Ah saw 'em a-leavin' th' train station, a-talkin' 'bout what they was a-gonna do 'bout how the law was a-treatin' m' big sis, m' cousin, 'n' ever'pony else.

Jes' minute, little breezy, Ah'm almost done.

Ah guess that breezy wanted t' show me th' next spot. But, Ah'm not quite finished talkin' 'bout this-a-one.

Anyways, 'parent-like, Pinkie Pie decided she was a-gonna head off on her own t' find m' big sis.

{sigh}

Ah must 'mit, there's somethin' 'bout this worries me. Ah 'member, Pinkie 'n' Rainbow Dash came back dead. But, Ah don't rightly know how or why they died. That's part o' the reason why Ah'm here. Ah doubt Pinkie died out in th' desert. After all, Ah 'member m' big sis a-talkin' 'bout when she 'n' her friends was a-takin' Bloomberg t' m' cousin Braeburn, 'n' Pinkie 'n' Rainbow Dash met up with th' buf'los 'n' spent th' night with 'em. If'n anypony could find their way t' th' buf'lo herd, it'd be Pinkie Pie. 'N', if'n she did leave Appleoosa searchin' fer m' big sis, she could'a guided 'er 'n' those with 'er t' them buf'los, 'sumin' they met up.

Well, Ah better follow that breezy a-fore'n it loses all patience with me. Maybe it'll fine-like stop a-glarin' at me.

[two or three minutes later]

That breezy jes' lead me t' th' road t' th' apple orchard, jes' outside o' town. 'N', Ah gotta tell yeh, Ah thought Ah see'd ever'thin'; but Ah ain't see'd nothin' like a-this.

There's 'nother one o' them glowin' spots, but this one's a-movin' toward th' orchard. 'N', this's the first time Ah see'd a glowin' spot that moved. Ah better take picture 'v it a-fore'n it dis'pears on me.

[a minute or two later]

Well, like Ah thought, Pinkie went out on 'er own t' find m' big sis. 'N', nopony follow'd 'er. Why didn't nopony follow Pinkie? They trust 'er that much?

Now, Ah know she's got ex-perience out in the desert, but coudn't nopony go with 'er? Er, was that part o' Twilight's plan, fer Pinkie, 'nother earth pony, t' go out on 'er own t' find m' big sis 'n' bring 'er back? Whatever the plan was, Ah know'd that somethin' went wrong.

Oh, it looks like that breezy wants me t' follow it 'gain. Ah wonder where we're a-goin' this time.

[perhaps ten minutes later]

Ah didn't ex-pect t' leave Appleoosa this time. 'N', Ah had t' gallop t' keep up with th' breezy. That little bug's surpisin'-like impatient all of sudden. Ah wonder why.

Oh, thank Celestia, we fine-like stopped. Ah c'n catch m' breath now.

'R, maybe not. There's 'nother o' them glowin' spots on th' ground. Ah guess Ah better take picture 'v it.

[five to six minutes later]

Ah was right, somethin' did go wrong.

Parent-like, Pinkie found m' big sis, m' cousin Braeburn, 'n' all the ponies from Appleoosa that follow'd 'em here out in th' desert. 'N', when Pinkie 'n' m' big sis met, m' big sis told 'er 'bout how she 'n' m' cousin Braeburn was treated. 'N', m' big sis con-vinced Pinkie t' join 'er. 'N', Pinkie 'greed t' lead m' big sis t' th' buf'los.

Did Twilight know this was a-gonna happen? Somehow, Ah doubt it. Er, least, Ah hope not. 'Cause, if'n she did know, if'n it was part o' her plan, well, Ah don't wanna think 'bout it. Ah ain't feelin' good 'bout Pinkie's d'cision.

Looks like that breezy wants t' show me somethin' else. Ah hope ah c'n keep up with it this time.

[half an hour later]

Ah 'member stories Pinkie, Rainbow Dash, 'n' Spike told 'bout the buf'los camp when they come back from Appleoosa after comin' back from bringin' Bloomberg there. Ah don't see no teepees, but Ah do see a campfire pit, 'n' lots o' circles that, Ah guess, was where them teepees was. 'N', where the campfire pit is, Ah see 'nother glowin' spot in th' middle. Ah'm a-gonna take picture 'v it.

[ten minutes later]

Ah can't believe what Ah jes' saw. Big sis, how couldja? How couldja kill Chief Thunderhooves like-a-that? 'N', Pinkie Pie, how couldja not notice?

'Cordin' t' what Ah jes' saw in this picture, Pinkie 'n' m' big sis found the buf'lo herd; 'n' Applejack poked Chief Thunderhooves in th' back o' th' leg with a needle er somethin' like-a-that. She ex-plained why she was there with Pinkie 'n' all those other ponies; 'n' all that time Chief Thunderhooves was a-lookin' worse 'n' worse. Then, when m' big sis was done talkin', Chief Thunderhooves fell face first in th' campfire, 'n' … 'n' m' big sis … blamed it on … old age. She know'd well as Ah do that it weren't no old age that killed Chief Thunderhooves. She's the one … the one that … oh, Ah can't say it. Ah can't even believe she did such a thin'. M' big sis was the element o' honesty. How could she kill somepony, some buf'lo, then lie 'bout it like-a-that? Ah's as angry 'bout how she 'n' cousin Braeburn's treated as she was. But, that were back in Appleoosa. These buf'los ain't gots nothin' t' do with it, special-like not Chief Thunderhooves.

Anyways, then m' big sis gave Little Strongheart t' m' cousin t' take care of. She took o'er the buf'lo herd.

Wait, there's a little more t' th' story.

[two minutes later]

Now, this is a-goin' way too far. M' big sis jes' 'signed some ponies 'n' buf'los t' Pinkie, 'n' told her t' go 'tack Appleoosa!

Ah ain't sure … Ah ain't sure Ah recognize … this orange mare … as m' big sis no more.

{sob}

Ah came here t' find out what happened t' m' big sis, but Ah don't like what Ah'm a-findin' out.

Little breezy, Ah see'd 'nough. If'n that's all yeh wanna show me, couldja please lead me back t' Appleoosa?

[an hour later]

The little breezy did what Ah asked, 'n' lead me back t' Appleoosa, back t' m' cousin Braeburn's house 'gain, then dis'peared.

After what Ah see'd m' big sis do, Ah don't know if Ah'll be able t' sleep fer th' rest o' th' night. Ah's really fear'd right now. Ah don't know if'n Ah should stay 'n' learn more, er maybe jes' go back t' Ponyville. Well, if'n Ah had that option, which Ah don't. Ah gotta stay here 'n' learn all Ah can 'bout what happened 'til the train comes back 'n' gits me.

{sigh}

This is Applebloom, … a-signin' off.

Day 4

During the Day

Ah spent most o' the day ex-plorin' all the buildins' Ah gots left t' ex-plore, even had t' buck in some doors t' do it. But, Ah ain't found nothin'.

Ah dunno, maybe there ain't nothin' t' find no more. Maybe all th' clues Ah could'a found've all been destroyed by now. Maybe the only way for me t' find anythin' 'bout what happened here is b' followin' that strange, deep-red breezy durin' the night; 'n', durin' the day, maybe Ah should jes' stick t' reviewin' what Ah've learned from a-studyin' those pictures Ah've been takin'.

So, here's what Ah know so far: From what Ah c'n tell, when m' big sis 'rived on th' train, she went 'n' visited m' cousin Braeburn at his house; 'n' there they talked 'bout how m' nephew Apple Butter died, 'n' how the dep'ty'd been a-treatin' 'im 'n' his wife since then. Then, the dep'ty came 'n' throw'd 'em both in jail fer no good reason.

Y'know, come t' think of it, why ain't Ah never see'd m' cousin Braeburn's wife? Did she leave 'im? Did she 'fuse t' go with 'im 'n' m' big sis? Did she move outta Apploosa, 'n' go t' live with other family elsewheres? Course, maybe that ain't important right now.

Whatever the case is, Sheriff Silverstar got 'em outta jail; but m' big sis wanted justice fer how she 'n' m' Cousin Braeburn was a-bein' treated. 'N', when she couldn't git it 'mediate-like, she 'n' m' cousin Braeburn went back t' his home, where she took all o' his stuff she could 'n' moved 'im outta there. But, as it turns out, Braeburn weren't th' only one that'd been treated bad by the dep'ty. 'N', Ah still ain't got the dep'ty's name. Maybe it jes' don't matter none. Maybe right now, it's as 'portant to th' story as m' cousin Braeburn's wife.

Anyways, when th' other element bearers 'rived, Pinkie went out t' find m' big sis 'n' those that went with 'er, then joined farces with m' big sis when she told 'er 'bout all she 'n' cousin Braeburn'd been through. Pinkie lead th' heard t' th' buf'los, where, … 'n' Ah still can't believe she did this, … m' big sis … poisoned Chief Thunderhooves; 'n', after he died, she gave Little Strongheart t' m' cousin Braeburn t' raise like 'is own foal. Then, she gave Pinkie a herd o' buf'los 'n' ponies 'n' sent 'er t' 'tack Appleoosa.

{sigh}

Ah ain't sure Ah wanna learn no more 'bout what happened here, but Ah guess Ah ain't got no choice now. Ah came here t' find out what happened t' m' big sis, 'n' that's what Ah'm a-doin'. But, the things Ah learn'd so far, … Ah's fear'd. Ah ain't know'd m' big sis could kill a buf'lo, 'specially th' way she did. If'n Ah could go back home t' Ponyville, Ah would; but, like Ah said a-fore, Ah can't, not 'til Ah know what happened here, 'n' the train comes back t' git me.

Then, … there's Pinkie. Ah know she ain't th' brightest pony Ah ever met. But, t' lead m' big sis t' th' buf'los fer her t' kill Chief Thunderhooves th' way she did, what were she a-thinkin'? Yeh, Ah know, that dep'ty ain't treated m' big sis no good, but she done gone did much worse since then! Ah, Ah don't … Ah don't recognize 'er like m' big sister no more!

{sob}

Ah's sorry. Ah need t' calm down now. Maybe Ah oughtta try 'n' git some sleep. But, Ah don't know if'n I can. Much as Ah don't wanna no more, Ah gotta be ready when that breezy shows me more o' what happened. So, 'til t'night.

During the Night

Ah couldn't git much sleep o'er th' past day, not since Ah learn'd m' big sis murdered somepony, some buf'lo. But, Ah guess Ah's ready now, 'n' that breezy's ready t' show me more o' what happened.

Ah'm a-followin' th' breezy t' past th' orchard, 'n' Ah c'n see 'nother o' them glowin' spots on th' ground. Ah guess Ah better take picture 'v it.

[approximately one hour later]

Oh, Celestia, Ah wanna go home now! Ah don't wanna know no more 'bout what happen'd 'ere! Ah's too fear'd!

[about ten minutes later]

Ah's so sorry! Ah'm a-gonna try t' tell y'all what Ah see'd 'n this picture.

Ah jes' see'd a big fight 'tween m' big sis's herd, th' one m' big sis gave Pinkie, 'n' th' Appleoosans, led b' Shinin' Armor. 'N', Ah ain't see'd nothin like it. No pies this time, jes' ponies a-fightin' agin buf'los 'n' other ponies 'n' killin' each other 'n' 'em. A-fore Ah came 'ere, Ah never thought Ah'd see ponies killin' buf'los; but Ah see'd m' big sis kill one first, then more ponies killin' more buf'los jes' now in this picture. 'N', there's more.

After Shinin' Armor 'n' th' Appleoosans drive'd Pinkie 'n' m' big sis's herd back, 'ways from Appleoosa, Shinin' Armor told ever'pony t' stop fightin', 'n' said th' r'mainin' ones could go back if'n they promised t' never fight no more.

Pinkie charged at Shinin' Armor, but then Flash Sentry came outta nowheres, 'n' … 'n' … he … he … he pulled out 'is sword 'n' … chopped off the top o' Pinkie's head! Ah see'd her skull 'n' ever'thin! Her ears was … her ears was—

{gag, splatter}

Ah's sorry. Ah ain't … feelin' no good … after a-seein' what … Flash Sentry did … t' Pinkie.

Thank yeh, breezy. Ah needed that.

That breezy jes' m'sajied m' back.

Well, anyways, Pinkie dis'pear'd in th' herd that came with 'er, 'n' the herd de-cided t' promise t' not fight no more. So, they was sent back.

Ah'm a-hopin' Ah don't have t' see no more o' what Ah jes' saw. Ah don't wanna see no more fightin', 'special-like none o' ponies 'n' buf'los a-killin' each other. But, there's one more thin'. Ah saw th' dep'ty 'mong the dead ponies, 'n' Ah jes' learn'd 'er name. 'Parent-like, 'er name were Dep'ty Cowboy Diplomacy.

{sigh}

Well, Ah guess it's time fer me t' find out somethin' else. That breezy's a-movin' again.

[approximately an hour later]

We's back at th' buf'lo camp, what's left 'v it, 'n' Ah c'n see a glowin' spot in th' middle o' one o' th' circles where a teepee was. Ah'm a-gonna go 'n' take picture 'v it.

[ten or so minutes later]

Wait, sis, ain't y'all 'least gonna call somepony t' take care o' Pinkie? Ain't she yer friend no more?

No, … Pinkie.

[a few minutes later]

W-well, Ah jes' saw … Pinkie come int' th' tent 'n' tell … Applejack … what happened. 'N', … Applejack … weren't happy 'bout it. She jes' kicked Pinkie down 'n' left 'er t' die.

Ah can't believe my own sister's name don't taste no good to me no more. Once 'pon time, m' big sis were a good pony, somepony Ah looked up to. Now, … Ah don't even know who she is no more. Why'd she stop bein' good? Were it 'cause she was throw'd in jail? Could she still be good? Ah don't know no more. Ah wanna believe she's still good. But, after watchin' her murder a buf'lo, then send a friend t' murder ever'pony in Appleoosa, then kick that friend 'n' leave her t' die way she did, Ah jes' don't know no more. Ah jes' can't believe she could do the things Ah see'd 'er do.

Oh, that breezy wants t' show me somethin' else, Ah guess. Well, Ah better git goin'.

Well, that breezy 'n' Ah's back at th' campfire pit, 'n' there's a glowin' spot 'n th' middle o' th' pit again. Well, may's well take one more picture. Least, Ah hope it's jes' one more.

[at least five minutes later]

This orange mare … ain't m' big sis no more. Ah don't even know who she is, but she ain't m' big sis no more.

Ah jes' saw m' … that orange mare … gather up th' buf'los 'n' ponies that're still ready t' fight 'n' trot off t' Appleoosa 'gain. Ah guess she's a-gonna fight agin Appleoosa now.

Don't she know that Dep'ty Cowboy Diplomacy's dead now? Ah s'pose not. Ah don't think Pinkie Pie knew. 'N', 's much 's Ah hope she finds out so she don't have t' fight no more, somethin' tells me she don't; or, if she do, it's when it's too late fer her.

Little breezy, Ah think Ah see'd 'nough now. Could y'all take me back t' Appleoosa, t' m' cousin Braeburn's house now? Thanks.

Th' breezy looks like it's a-gonna take me back t' Appleoosa.

[half an hour later]

Like Ah hoped, that breezy lead me back t' m' cousin Braeburn's home in Appleoosa. Then, it jes' dis'peared 'gain. Well, it's good t' know it's a-takin' care o' me. It ain't such a bad bug after all.

Well, Ah's a-gittin' tired now, so Ah better try t' git some sleep. That is, much as Ah can after what Ah see'd. So, 'til t'morrow, this is Applebloom, a-signin' off.

Day 5

During the Day

Ah jes' got finished searchin' ever' buildin' in Appleoosa, 'n' Ah ain't found nothin' t' help me in my in-vestigation. Either there ain't nopony know'd nothin' 'bout what happened t' m' big sis, 'r those that did know didn't r'card nothin'. Or, maybe they did, 'n' they done gone took their records with 'em. Whichever the case is, there ain't nothin' left here fer me t' find. Ah guess all Ah c'n do is wait 'til night t' git more information from that breezy, 'n' tell what Ah learn'd so far durin' the day.

So, here's what Ah know'd so far.

When m' big sis 'rived here in Appleoosa, she went to m' cousin Braeburn's house, where they talked 'bout what happened to m' nephew Apple Butter, 'n' what happen'd t' 'em after 'e died; 'n' both o' them was 'rested by th' dep'ty 'n' throw'd in jail. Sheriff Silverstar got 'em released, but m' big sis de-manded justice for what she 'n' m' cousin Braeburn went through. But, she couldn't wait fer it t' happen; 'n' so she went back t' m' cousin Braeburn's home, packed up all his stuff, 'n' left town with him 'n' all th' ponies in town that was treated bad by the dep'ty.

When m' big sis's friends 'rived, Pinkie Pie left town a-lookin' fer m' big sis, 'n' found 'er 'n' ever'pony else out in the desert, where m' big sis told 'er 'bout how she 'n' Braeburn was treated, 'n' convinced 'er t' join 'er. 'N', Pinkie Pie lead 'em t' th' buf'los.

When they got t' th' buf'los' camp, 'n' Ah still can't believe she did this, m' big sis poisoned Chief Thunderhooves 'n' let 'im die in th' fire pit. Then she took o'er the buf'lo herd 'n' sent Pinkie with a bunch o' ponies 'n' buf'los t' Appleoosa t' attack th' town.

Pinkie fought agin Twilight's brother Shinin' Armor 'n' lost, 'n' was scalped by Flash Sentry. Then, when she 'turned t' m' big sis 'n' told 'er 'bout it, m' big sis kicked 'er real bad 'n left 'er t' die. 'N', after that, she went back t' Appleoosa with 'nother group o' ponies 'n' buf'los, cause those that went with Pinkie wouldn't fight no more. They had promised Shinin' Armor, after all.

She might'a killed Chief Thunderhooves, kicked Pinkie 'n' left 'er t' die, but Ah still wanna b'lieve Applejack is still m' big sis. Ah don't wanna give up on 'er 'til Ah know she's either dead or else a lost cause.

Ah also found out the dep'ty's name, Cowboy Diplomacy, 'n' that she died in th' fight agin Pinkie Pie. But, Ah guess there ain't no way m' big sis could'a know'd 'bout it. Maybe, if'n m' big sis could'a know'd 'bout that, she would'a gone back t' Appleoosa 'n' made things right, stead o' tryin' t' take o'er the town like she did.

Well, that's all Ah got 'n m' r'part right now. Ah might be fear'd 'bout what Ah'm a-gonna find out, but Ah gotta take a nap right now so Ah'll be ready fer whatever that breezy's a-gonna show me t'night.

During the Night

Yeah, little breezy, Ah'm 'wake. 'N', much as Ah ain't lookin' forward to it, Ah'm a-guessin' Ah'm a-gonna find out what fine-like happened t' m' big sis.

Ah'm a-followin' that breezy outside again, 'n' it's a-leadin' me int' town. Ah'm a-guessin' that whatever it wants t' show me must be there.

[a minute or two later]

Ah ain't s'prised t' find m'self in th' middle o' town, 'n' Ah ain't surprised t' see 'nother o' them glowin' spots again. But, there's somethin' 'bout this one that really scares me this time. Is this where m' big sis died? Ah guess Ah'm 'bout t' find out. So, here goes nothin'.

[an hour later]

No, … Rainbow Dash, … no!

[another hour later]

Ah's so sorry. Applejack, big sis, Ah's so sorry.

Ah … was right. M' big sis … is dead. 'N', Ah jes' found out how she died.

Turns out, when her group was a-fightin' agin Shinin' Armor 'n' th' Appleoosans, m' big sis was a-fightin' agin Rainbow Dash.

All m' big sis's friends wanted t' know why she was a-doin' what she was a-doin'. 'N', only Rainbow Dash was willin' t' confront 'er 'bout it.

Rainbow Dash reminded m' big sis that she was still th' element o' honesty, 'n' asked 'er why she wasn't bein' honest no more.

M' big sis told 'er 'bout how she 'n' m' cousin Braeburn'd done been treated by th' dep'ty, 'n' that was why she left.

Rainbow Dash said m' big sis was a-takin' things way too far, 'n' that she's becomin' a traitor.

Well, Ah gotta 'gree with Rainbow Dash on that.

Anyways, m' big sis … m' big sis said she killed Pinkie Pie, 'n' … 'n' … Rainbow Dash … she … she killed … m' big sis!

Ah was a-hopin' m' big sis was still 'live, 'n' was jes' a-hidin' somewheres. But, now Ah know she ain't. She's dead, 'n' Ah can't do nothin' t' help 'er no more.

Oh, big sis, why couldn't y'all jes' wait fer yer friends t' come? They could'a help'd y'all, 'n' yeh wouldn't be dead right now!

[another hour later]

{sigh}

W-well, now Ah know what happened t' Pinkie Pie 'n' m' big sis; but Ah'm left a-wonderin' what happened t' Rainbow Dash 'n' m' cousin Braeburn. But, Ah guess Ah still got a few more days t' find that out. Ah's tired right now, 'n' Ah ain't feelin' too good. Ah'm a-goin' t' m' cousin Braeburn's house t' sleep fer a while. Ah'm … a-signin' off now.

Author's Note

On the subject of my nephew Braden, once the mystery of his death is fully solved, I may very well end up celebrating his life. At least, I'm hoping that'll be the case. After all, he died at six years of age; so he was never accountable for any mistakes he might've committed, and never qualified for baptism.

Day 6

During the Day

Y'all need t' ex-cuse me fer bein' so late. Ah knew Ah said Ah had t' 'sume m' big sis was dead. But, 'sumin somethin' 'n' … actually knowin' it, … that's two diff'rent things. After ever'thin' Ah learned 'bout m' big sis up to yesterd'y, Ah, … Ah jes … Ah didn't ex-pect it t' hit me so hard.

{sob}

Ah guess it's a good thin' Ah don't need t' ex-plore Appleoosa no more, least not durin' the day. Ah jes' need t' d'pend on that breezy t' help me ex-plore durin' the night.

Well, Ah guess Ah better git t' what Ah've learned 'bout th' incident so far.

When m' … m' big sis … 'rived in Appleoosa, she visited m' cousin Braeburn; 'n' the two talked 'bout m' nephew Apple Butter, how he died, 'n' how he 'n' his mare was treated since. Then, the dep'ty, Cowboy Diplomacy, 'rested 'em both 'n' throw'd 'em in jail.

Sheriff Silverstar 'leased 'em, but m' big sis de-manded justice 'n' couldn't wait fer it, so she went back t' m' cousin's house t' git his stuff 'n' git 'im outta there. 'N', they was joined by other citizens o' Appleoosa who was treated bad by Dep'ty Cowboy Diplomacy too.

By th' time m' big sis's friends 'rived in town, she was already gone, 'long with m' cousin Braeburn 'n' ever'pony that went with 'em. So, Pinkie Pie went out a-lookin' fer 'em. She found 'em out in the desert 'n' lead 'em t' th' buf'los' camp, after m' big sis told 'er 'bout how she 'n' m' cousin Braeburn was treated by th' ponies o' Appleoosa, 'specially th' dep'ty, 'n' convinced 'er t' join 'em 'n' lead 'em there.

When they 'rived, m' big sis killed Chief Thunderhooves 'n' took over th' buf'lo herd. She sent Pinkie back t' Appleoosa with some ponies 'n' buf'los t' attack th' town.

Ah don't think nopony really won that battle, but Pinkie came outta it th' worst. What ponies 'n' buf'los survived th' battle promised not t' fight no more, 'n' Pinkie got scalped b' Flash Sentry when she tried t' 'tack Shinin' Armor.

After she got back 'n' gave 'er 'part, m' big sis jes' kicked 'er in the throat 'n' left 'er t' die. Then, she got 'nother group o' ponies 'n' buf'los t'gether 'n' went back t' Appleoosa t' fight.

M' big sis 'n' her friend, Rainbow Dash, fought 'n' talked in the middle o' town, 'n' Rainbow Dash … she … killed m' big sis … when she said she killed Pinkie Pie.

That's all Ah know 'bout what happened here so far. Ah know how Pinkie died, 'n' Ah know … Ah know how … m' big sis … died. Ah jes' don't know how Rainbow Dash 'n' m' cousin Braeburn died, least not yet. Ah s'pose Ah'm a-gonna find all that out by th' time Ah'm done here. In the mean time, Ah'll jes' try t' git some sleep, so Ah'll be ready t' learn more fr'm that deep-red breezy that's been a-helpin' me all this time.

During the Night

Well, Ah's 'wake 'gain, 'n' … Ah think that breezy's actu'lly a-groomin' m' mane. It's a-carin' fer me.

Thanks, little breezy. Is there somethin' you wanna show me now?

Th' breezy jes' flew off t' th' front door 'gain, 'n' Ah guess it wants me t' follow it somewheres.

Ah jes' made it t' th' door, 'n' the breezy's a-headin' down th' street toward th' apple orchard. M' guess is it wants t' show me somethin' outside o' town 'gain. Ah don't know how fast Ah'll have t' go t' keep up with it, but Ah guess Ah'm a-gonna find out.

[half an hour later]

Well, we're back in the 'bandoned camp o' th' buf'los 'gain. 'N', wouldn't'cha know it, there's 'nother one o' them glowin' spots in the fire pit again. Ah guess Ah better take picture 'v it.

[a few minutes later]

{sigh}

Ah don't blame y'all, cuz. It's been more than ten years, Ah done gone hear'd 'bout m' big sis sis's death jes' yesterd'y, 'n' it hit me hard, too.

[half an hour later]

Ah jes' got finished watchin' th' picture, 'n' Ah see'd m' cousin take the news of m' big sis's death real hard. Parent-like, he took over th' herd o' buf'los 'n' ponies, 'n' decided t' take 'nother group o' ponies 'n' buf'los back t' Appleoosa 'n' 'tack it. Much as Ah hope he don't do what m' big sis did, Ah don't wanna ask. But, same time, Ah can't help wonderin' if'n m' cousin Braeburn died th' same way, in th' same place, as m' big sis did.

Hmm. Looks like that little breezy wants me t' leave now. Ah wonder if'n we're a-headin' back t' Appleoosa 'gain.

[half an hour later]

Yup, jes' as Ah thought, we're back in Appleoosa 'gain. 'N', there's 'nother o' them glowin' spots on the ground, 'n' it's a-movin' 'long th' main street. Ah guess Ah better take picture 'v it.

[an hour later]

Well, Ah must 'mit, Ah'm s'prised. Ah 'spected m' cousin Braeburn t' attack the town jes' like m' big sis did; but, 'stead, it looks like he jes' robbed the town 'n' took prisoners, 'cludin' Rarity 'n' Fluttershy. Ah don't know what he was a-thinkin' when 'e did that, but Ah 'spect t' find out. The breezy wants me t' follow it 'gain.

[another half hour later]

Well, we's back in the 'bandoned buf'lo camp 'gain. 'N', there's 'nother o' them glowin' spots, this time in one o' them circles. Ah'm a-gonna take picture 'v it.

[ten minutes later]

Ah'm a-guessin' m' cousin put 'nother pony, 'r maybe one o' them buf'los, in charge o' th' prisoners so he could write a letter t' Shinin' Armor. 'N', based on what Ah hear'd him a-sayin', he wanted t' trade his prisoners fer the prisoners in th' Appleoosa jail.

Well, Ah guess, in a way it makes sense. Parent-like, he's a-riskin' makin' Appleoosa little stronger so he c'n git more strength fer himself. Least, that's what it looks like he's a-doin'. Ah wonder if'n it worked fer 'im.

Wait. Ah woulda thought that spot woulda disappeared b' now. If'n it did, it was prob'ly re-placed by 'nother glowin' spot. Whatever happened, Ah guess Ah better take 'nother picture.

[another ten minutes later]

Parent-like, th' deal m' cousin was a-tryin' t' make with Shinin' Armor didn't work out none after all. Fact, Shinin' Armor 'fused. So, m' cousin Braeburn sent 'nother letter t' Shinin' Armor, 'mandin' the town o' Appleoosa fer 'is prisoners.

{sigh}

Ah's confuse. What m' cousin Braeburn's a-doin' don't make no sense t' me. Since th' death o' m' nephew Apple Butter, m' cousin Braeburn weren't treated no good. Why'd he want the town where he was treated so bad? Is he a-thinkin' good?

{sigh}

Ah'm a-gittin' a headache fr'm all o' this. Ah don't wanna stay here, 'cause Ah ain't 'fended good here. If'n Ah'm here when th' sun comes up 'gain, Ah'm a-gonna git too hot 'n' dry.

Little breezy, if'n that's all you're a-gonna show me, can we go back t' Appleoosa now? Least Ah c'n git some shelter there.

[half an hour later]

Ah'm a-guessin' that was all that little breezy wanted t' show me.

Ah don't know if'n that breezy repr'sents somepony that really cares fer me, Ah jes' know it's been a-carin' fer me fer th' time Ah been here. Least, Ah'm willin' t' see that now.

Mean time, Ah'm a-gonna git some sleep now. This is Applebloom, a-signin' off.

Day 7

During the Day

Since Ah searched Appleoosa 'n' didn't find nothin', Ah've decided not t' search no more, since Ah'm a-guessin' Ah ain't gonna find nothin', least not durin' th' day. Stead, Ah'm a-gonna dedicate m' time durin' th' day t' eatin' 'n' givin' m' 'part on what Ah've learned 'bout th' incident after watchin' those pictures Ah been a-takin'.

My only problem is Ah ain't sure no more if'n Ah should tell the story from the beginnin', or jes' tell 'bout m' cousin Braeburn now. Ah know now that 'n' how m' big sis died, 'n' how Pinkie Pie died; 'n' Ah already 'parted on 'em. But, maybe jes' t' keep things from gittin' too confusin', Ah should jes' keep tellin' th' story from th' be-ginnin'. Yeh, Ah'll keep a-doin' that.

So, here's what Ah have so far: When m' big sis 'rived here in Appleoosa, she went 'n' visited m' cousin Braeburn. They talked 'bout how m' nephew Apple Butter died, 'n' how Braeburn 'n' his wife was treated since then, 'til the dep'ty, Cowboy Diplomacy, came 'n' 'rested 'em fer no good reason 'n' throw'd 'em in jail.

When Sheriff Silverstar got 'em outta jail, m' big sis 'manded justice fer how she 'n' m' cousin was treated. 'N', when she didn't git it 'mediate-like, she went t' m' cousin Braeburn's home, a-draggin' 'im with 'er, got all his stuff, 'n' left town with 'im. 'N', they wasn't th' only ones that was treated bad by Dep'ty Cowboy Diplomacy. Other ponies joined up with m' big sis t' follow 'er outta town.

If'n m' big sis'd jes' waited 'nother day, she could'a got help from 'er friends. But, as it turned out, she was gone by th' time 'er friends 'rived in Appleoosa.

Pinkie Pie went out into th' desert t' look fer m' big sis, 'n' found 'er 'n' ever'pony that went with 'er. Then, out there in th' desert, m' big sis told Pinkie Pie all that happened t' 'er 'n' m' cousin Braeburn, 'n' convinced 'er t' lead 'er 'n' ever'pony else t' th' buf'lo camp. 'N', once they all got there, m' big sis poisoned Chief Thunderhooves 'n' let 'im die in the campfire, blamin' it on old age 'stead o' 'mittin' she's the one that killed 'im.

Course, if'n she'd been honest with ever'pony, I don't think nopony'd want a murderer t' lead 'em. Ah still gotta wonder, though, didn't nopony see m' big sis poison Chief Thunderhooves?

Anyways, after takin' over the buf'los, m' big sis gave a herd o' ponies 'n' buf'los t' Pinkie 'n' told 'er t' go 'n' 'tack Appleoosa.

Well, Pinkie's 'tack didn't go no good, least not fer her. Actu'lly, Ah don't think nopony really won that fight. Lot's o' ponies 'n' some buf'los died in that fight, 'n fact.

Shinin' Armor fought Pinkie 'n' 'er group outta Appleoosa, 'n' told 'em he'd let 'em go if'n they'd promise t' not fight no more.

Pinkie tried chargin' Shinin' Armor, 'n' got 'erself scalped b' Flash Sentry.

After that, ever'pony that was with Pinkie 'n' survived th' fight 'greed t' not fight no more, 'n' left.

When Pinkie gave 'er 'port t' m' big sis, she kicked 'er real bad 'n' left 'er t' die. Then, she gathered 'nother herd t'gether 'n' went t' 'tack Appleoosa.

In th' streets o' Appleoosa, m' big sis 'n' 'er friend Rainbow Dash fought 'til m' big sis said she killed Pinkie Pie. After that, Rainbow Dash killed m' big sis.

...

Ah can't believe Ah said that so easy-like. Ah don't know if'n Ah 'cepted it jes' yet, so Ah don't know why it came out o' me so easy-like.

Anyways, after th' death o' m' big sis, Braeburn took over 'n' gathered 'nother herd 'n' went back t' Appleoosa. But, 'stead o' 'tackin' th' town, he went 'n' robbed it. Even took a bunch o' ponies prisoners, 'cludin' Fluttershy 'n' Rarity. Then, after 'e got back t' th' buf'lo camp, he wrote t' Shinin' Armor, 'mandin' all th' prisoners from th' jail in trade fer th' prisoners he took. 'N', when Shinin' Armor 'fused, he 'manded Appleoosa fer 'is prisoners.

Ah's still c'nfused why he'd 'mand Appleoosa, where 'e weren't treated no good. 'N', there's one more thin'. What 'bout his mare? What was 'er name? What happened t' her? Maybe it don't matter none here.

'Course, last time Ah thought that, Ah found out th' dep'ty's name. Ah don't know if'n Ah'll have th' same luck with Braeburn's mare 'r not, Ah jes' can't help thinkin' 'bout 'er.

Well, that's what Ah got so far. Ah guess Ah better git some sleep now, so's Ah c'n be ready fer that deep red breezy when it shows up 'gain.

During the Night

Well, Ah's 'wake 'gain, 'n' that breezy's back 'n' wantin' me t' follow it. So, Ah guess Ah better tag 'long, 'n' find what it wants me t' find.

[one minute later]

Ah's back at th' town hall, in one room, 'n' there's this glowin' spot on th' table. Ah guess Ah better take picture 'v it.

[ten minutes later]

Ah gotta 'gree with Shinin' Armor, Braeburn ain't doin' nothin' right makin' these d-mands on Shinin' Armor 'n' Appleoosa. 'N', Ah ain't s'prised none that Shinin' Armor 'fused 'is d-mands 'gain. Ah'm a-havin' t' wonder if Braeburn was 'spectin' t' be turn down.

Somethin' tells me that m' breezy friend's a-gonna lead me back t' th' buf'lo camp 'gain. It's actin' like it wants t' lead me outta town now anyways, 'r least outta the town hall. Ah'm a-gonna follow it now.

[a half hour later]

As Ah 'spected, we's back in th' camp o' th' buf'los. 'N', as Ah 'spected, there's a glowin' spot in one o' the circles where a teepee once was. Ah'm a-gonna take picture 'v it now.

[an hour later]

Somehow, Ah ain't s'prised none that m' cousin didn't like bein' turn'd down 'gain. But, Ah is s'prised that Braeburn went t' Pinkie Pie's herd 'n' asked 'em t' join his herd.

They said they wasn't a-gonna fight no more, 'cause they promised they wasn't. But, when Braeburn said they wasn't a-gonna fight nopony, they wasn't ready jes' yet t' join up with 'im. Looked t' me like he talked 'n' talked 'til they final-like decided t' go with 'im jes' so he'd finally shut up. Ah'm a-guessin' there's more than one way t' c'nvince somepony, 'r some buf'lo, t' join a cause that ain't no good.

Well, looks like that breezy wants me t' follow it 'gain. Ah don't know if'n it wants t' show me somethin' else, 'r maybe it's jes' a-gonna git me back t' Appleoosa 'gain. Whatever it wants t' do, Ah'm a-gonna follow it.

[a half hour later]

Ah reckon that little breezy show'd me all it wanted t' show me. It lead me back t' m' cousin Braeburn's home, then dis'peared.

Ah's c'nfused by m' cousin Braeburn's b'haver. Did m' big sis's death hit 'im that hard? Why's he a-doin' all that crazy stuff? Ain't 'e thinkin' straight no more?

Whatever happened t' him, it don't look no good. But, that don't matter none too much t' me right now. Ah'm a-gonna try t' git some sleep fer the rest o' th' night. This is Applebloom, {yawn} signin' off.

Day 8

During the Day

Well, Ah jes' had breakfast, 'n' there ain't nothin' else fer me t' do. 'N', while Ah understand why that is, or Ah'm a-beginnin' to, there ain't nopony here other th'n me; 'n' it's really borin'! There ain't nopony t' talk to, there ain't nopony t' play with. Least Ah ain't got more th'n a few days left 'til Ah c'n go back home 'gain.

Well, 'nough c'mplainin', time fer me t' give m' report on what Ah learned fr'm those pictures 'n' fr'm followin' that deep-red breezy fer th' past seven nights.

When m' big sis 'rived here in Appleoosa, she went 'n' visited m' cousin Braeburn, 'n' they talked 'bout m' nephew, Apple Butter, how 'e died, 'n' how m' cousin 'n' his mare was treated after that. Then, the dep'ty, Cowboy Diplomacy, 'rested both of 'em 'n' throw'd 'em in jail.

Sheriff Silverstar got 'em out 'gain, but m' big sis 'manded justice fer how she 'n' m' cousin Braeburn was treated. 'R, that's what she called it, was justice. Seems more like r'venge t' me. Anyways, when she couldn't git it when 'n' how she wanted, she took m' cousin Braeburn back t' his house, got all 'is thin's, 'n' left Appleoosa, takin' ever'pony in Appleoosa with 'er that was also treated bad by the dep'ty.

M' big sis's friends 'rived after she left, 'n' Pinkie Pie headed out int' th' desert t' search fer m' big sis. When she found 'er, m' big sis told Pinkie 'bout how she 'n' m' cousin was treated 'n Appleoosa, 'n' got 'er t' join up 'n' lead 'er 'n' ever'pony with 'er t' th' buf'los. There, m' big sis poisoned Chief Thunderhooves 'n' let 'im die in the campfire. She took over th' herd, 'signed a herd o' ponies 'n' buf'los t' Pinkie Pie, 'n' sent 'er t' fight agin Appleoosa.

Things didn't go no good fer Pinkie Pie. Fact, Ah'm a-thinkin' things didn't go no good fer nopony. Lot's o' buf'los 'n' ponies died when Pinkie fought agin Appleoosa. Didn't help Pinkie none that Twilight's big brother Shinin' Armor was there t' defend th' town.

Shinin' Armor drove Pinkie Pie 'n' 'er herd outta Appleoosa, then made 'er army a deal that he'd let 'em go if they'd stop fightin' 'n' promise not to fight no more. Then, when Pinkie tried t' 'tack Shinin' Armor, Flash Sentry stop'd 'er b' scalpin' 'er. After that, Pinkie 'n' 'er herd went back t' th' camp o' th' buf'los after promisin' they wouldn't fight no more, 'n' Pinkie told m' big sis what happened.

M' big sis, after a-hearin' th' 'part, kicked Pinkie Pie real bad 'n' left 'er t' die, then got 'nother herd t'gether 'n' went t' 'tack Appleoosa herself.

While m' big sis's herd fought agin ever'pony else in Appleoosa, m' big sis fought agin 'er friend Rainbow Dash. It weren't 'til m' big sis said she killed Pinkie Pie that Rainbow Dash killed m' big sis. 'N', after that, 'er group went back t' th' camp o' th' buf'los 'n' told m' cousin Braeburn 'bout what happened.

M' cousin weren't none too happy 'bout m' big sis bein' killed, so he took over th' herd, got 'is own fightin' herd t'gether, 'n' went t' Appleoosa 'n' robbed th' place, 'n' took a lot o' ponies prisoners, 'cludin' Fluttershy 'n' Rarity. Then, when 'e got back t' th' camp o' th' buf'los, he 'manded th' prisoners fr'm th' Appleoosa jail fer his pris'ners. When Shinin' Armor 'fused, m' cousin Braeburn 'manded Appleoosa itself fer 'is pris'ners.

When Shinin' Armor 'fused 'is last offer, m' cousin Braeburn 'nited his fightin' herd with those o' m' big sis 'n' Pinkie Pie.

Ah didn't know m' cousin Braeburn 'n' m' big sis was so close. Course, we's all Apples, so it makes sense we's all close. But, did th' death o' m' big sis really make m' cousin Braeburn go crazy?

Ah ain't tired right now, but Ah ain't got nothin' to do, neither. Ah s'pose Ah could study those pictures Ah been takin, 'n' see if'n Ah c'n find somethin' ah ain't see'd a-fore. 'Til t'night, Ah'm a-gonna sign off now.

During the Night

Ah jes' woke up fr'm m' nap, 'n' that deep-red breezy's back. Ah'm a-gonna git up now 'n' follow it where it wants me t' go.

[half an hour later]

We's back at the camp o' th' buf'los, 'n' Ah c'n see the whole camp a-glowin'.

This ain't somethin' Ah'm used to. Should Ah jes' walk 'round th' camp takin' pictures? Should Ah step outside camp 'n' take picture o' the whole thin'? Does it matter, now, where Ah take th' picture 'r pictures?

Th' glow ain't goin' 'way, so Ah guess Ah better jes' take picture, 'n' see what happens fr'm there. Maybe it won't matter none.

[one hour later]

Th' picture Ah took show'd the whole place active. Ever'pony 'n' ever' buf'lo was a-gatherin' stuff up, n' m' cousin Braeburn was a-leadin' the whole thin'. 'Parent-like, m' cousin Braeburn ordered ever'pony t' gather ever'thin' so's they could go 'n' 'tack Appleoosa. So, that's what ever'pony was a-doin'.

Wait, th' camp jes' stopped a-glowin', 'n' now there's a glowin' trail fr'm here. Looks like it leads back t' Appleoosa 'gain.

Well, since th' camp ain't a-glowin no more, 'n' since there's a trail a-glowin back t' Appleoosa, Ah'm a-wonderin' if'n th' same thin's a-gonna happen here. Well, there's jes' one way t' find out.

[half an hour later]

Well, Ah's back in Appleoosa with that breezy. Stead o' followin' th' breezy, Ah follow'd th' glowin' trail, after a-takin' that picture. Ah guess what's 'partant is that m' cousin Braeburn lead 'is com-bined fightin' herd fr'm the buf'los' camp back t' Appleoosa. Ah guess he's 'tendin' t' either rob 'r 'tack th' town 'gain.

Why ain't nopony 'ported this a-fore? Weren't this 'portant t' nopony? Why'd it have t' be me that come here 'n' found out what happened here?

Well, right now, Ah guess it don't matter none. Ah got two days left, 'n' Ah c'n put this whole thin' b'hind me. But, mean time, since Ah's back in Appleoosa, Ah guess Ah c'n sleep fer th' rest o' th' night, less'n th' breezy wants t' show me somethin' else.

Nope, guess not. Ah don't see that breezy no more. So, Ah guess that's all fer t'night. So, 'til t'morrow, this is Applebloom, a-signin' off.

Day 9

During the Day

Ah been a-studyin' those pictures Ah been a-takin', 'n' Ah's still confuse 'bout what m' cousin was a-thinkin' when he was a-doin' the things 'e did. Ah c'n only guess m' big sis's death hit 'im real hard. Else, Ah can't 'magine 'im a-doin' the things Ah see'd 'im do.

Well, here's m' re-part on what Ah learned from what Ah see'd in th' places th' deep-red breezy took me, 'n' th' pictures Ah been a-takin:

When m' big sis 'rived in Appleoosa, she went 'n' visited m' cousin Braeburn; 'n', they talk'd 'bout m' nephew Apple Butter, how 'e died, 'n' how m' cousin 'n' his mare was treated since then. Then, th' dep'ty, Cowboy Diplomacy, came 'n' 'rested 'em 'n' throw'd 'em in jail.

Sheriff Silverstar got 'em out; but m' big sis 'manded justice fer how she 'n' m' cousin was treated. When she couldn't git it when 'n' how she wanted, she went back t' m' cousin's house, where she took all o' his thin's 'n' left Appleoosa with 'im 'n' all the ponies that lived there 'n' was also treated bad by Dep'ty Cowboy Diplomacy.

M' big sis's friends 'rived after she left, 'n' Pinkie Pie left town t' find m' big sis. Then, when she found 'er, m' big sis told 'er 'bout how she 'n' m' cousin was treated, 'n' convinced 'er t' join 'em 'n' lead 'em t' the buf'los' camp. Then, once'd they got there, m' big sis poisoned Chief Thunderhooves, 'n' left 'im t' die in th' campfire, sayin' 'e died o' old age. She took over th' herd, gave Little Strongheart t' m' cousin t' raise like 'is own foal, then gave Pinkie Pie a herd o' ponies 'n' buf'los, then sent 'er t' Appleoosa t' fight agin it.

Ah still don't think nopony really won that fight, but Pinkie Pie came outta it th' worst. Lots o' ponies 'n' some buf'los died that she lead, while maybe one 'r two ponies a-livin' in Appleoosa died. Pinkie 'erself was scalped b' Flash Sentry when she tried t' 'tack Shinin' Armor. When it were all over, Shinin' Armor let Pinkie 'n' 'er herd go if'n they promised t' not fight no more, which they did.

When Pinkie gave 'er report, m' big sis kicked 'er real bad 'n' left 'er t' die, then went 'n' gathered 'er own herd o' ponies 'n' buf'los 'n' went t' 'tack Appleoosa. Then, while ever'pony else was attackin' Appleoosa, m' big sis 'n' Rainbow Dash fought agin each other.

Rainbow Dash tried t' talk some sense int' m' big sis, said she was a-betrayin' 'er element. But, when m' big sis said she killed Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash went 'n' killed m' big sis.

One o' th' pictures Ah took'd shows Dep'ty Cowboy Diplomacy a-dyin' in Pinkie Pie's fight agin Appleoosa, but Ah ain't see'd no picture 'bout nopony tellin' m' big sis 'bout it. Ah don't think Pinkie Pie know'd 'bout it.

Well, anyways, when word got back t' m' cousin Braeburn 'bout what happened, Ah guess that's when 'e went crazy. He gathered 'is own herd o' ponies 'n' buf'los, 'n' went 'n' robbed Appleoosa 'n' took some ponies hostage, 'cludin' Rarity 'n' Fluttershy. Then, when 'e got back t' th' buf'los' camp, 'e wrote t' Shinin' Armor, sayin' he'd 'turn 'is prisoners if'n he'd send 'im all th' prisoners in th' Appleoosa jail. Then, when Shinin' Armor 'fused, m' cousin Braeburn 'manded Appleoosa itself fer 'is prisoners. Then, when that didn't work, he c'nvinced m' big sis's herd 'n' that o' Pinkie Pie t' join up with 'im, 'n' headed t' Appleoosa t' 'tack ever'pony there.

{sigh}

Ah's gittin' fear'd 'gain. Ah know Ah's got few days left, 'n' Ah know how m' big sis 'n' Pinkie Pie done gone died. Ah also know Ah done gone said Ah wanna know how Rainbow Dash 'n' m' cousin Braeburn died. But, now, Ah's a-gittin' t' that point, 'n' it's like when I learned how Pinkie 'n' m' big sis died. Sudden-like, Ah ain't sure Ah wanna know. But, same time, Ah guess Ah ain't got no choice. Ah's here now, 'n' Ah gotta learn what happened.

Well, 'til t'night, Ah's a-gonna sign off now.

During the Night

Well, Ah's 'wake 'gain, m' second-last night 'ere in Appleoosa. Ah can't rightly say Ah's a-gonna miss this place when Ah go back t' Ponyville; but, same time, Ah's a-wishin' things hadn't'a gotten so bad.

Well, there's that breezy 'gain. Ah guess Ah better follow it.

We's outside now, 'n' th' breezy's a-leadin' me t' some place in town. Looks like th' town hall.

Ah's right. We's in th' town hall now, front o' th' table, 'n' there's a spot a-glowin' in middle. Ah guess Ah better take picture.

[one hour later]

Ah, Rainbow Dash, Ah ain't got no idea you felt that way.

{sigh}

Ah jes' saw conversation 'tween Rainbow Dash 'n' Twilight. Y'know, Ah guess there weren't nopony else t' 'tend th' meetin'. Pinkie Pie 'n' m' big sis's dead, 'n' Fluttershy 'n' Rarity's prisoners.

Anyways, Ah see'd Rainbow Dash arguin' with Twilight, talkin' 'bout what she done been goin' through.

Turns out, Rainbow Dash didn't wanna kill m' big sis, but she felt she had t' when m' big sis said she killed Pinkie Pie. 'N', she don't wanna kill no more Apples; but she also don't wanna fight no more. 'N', if'n she let's m' cousin Braeburn live, she gonna have t' fight him 'n' 'is herd.

Looks t' me like Twilight didn't make nothin' no more easy fer Rainbow Dash when she talk'd 'bout th' herd m' cousin Braeburn brought with 'im t' Appleoosa, 'n' that she, that is Rainbow Dash, even broke'd down over it.

Ah's wonder if'n Rainbow Dash ended up a-killin' m' cousin Braeburn after all.

Wait, Ah ain't seein' that breezy no more. Ah guess Ah see'd all that breezy wanted me t' see. If'n m' cousin Braeburn was still 'live, Ah'd a-know'd b' now. But, since Ah's still here in Appleoosa, Ah s'pose Ah c'n go back t' m' cousin Braeburn's house 'n' sleep fer th' rest o' th' night. So, Ah's a-goin' back there now. This's Applebloom, a-signin' off.

Day 10

During the Day

Well, it's m' last day here in Appleoosa, as well as m' last chance t' find out how m' cousin Braeburn died. Ah'm a-guessin' ever'thin' that deep-red breezy's been a-showin' me's been a-leadin' up t' that. 'N', Ah'm also a-guessin' it's 'cause, much as Ah don't wanna 'mit it, m' big sis lead 'im to it. If'n m' big sis'd jes' been patient 'n' waited fer 'er friends, she'd'a still been 'live t'day. Not only that, m' cousin 'n' a bunch other ponies, as well as buf'los, would'a still been 'live, 'n' Appleoosa wouldn't be a ghost town now, 'n' Ah'd be more willin' t' stay here.

Then, there's the buf'los themselves. They'd still be here, followin' their migratin' trail 'stead o' leavin' fer some other place 'n' stayin' there. Since Ah been here, all Ah ever see'd o' them was what's left o' their camp. If'n Ah miss anythin' 'bout bein' here, it's seein' them. Ah see'd 'em lots in the pictures Ah been a-takin', but that's all. But, same time, Ah s'pose it's best they ain't here no more. After what Ah learn'd fr'm bein' here, Ah'm a-gonna be glad t' leave this place, 'n' Ah don't wanna never come back here no more.

{sigh}

Well, here's m' last r'port on what Ah learned fr'm th' places that breezy lead me to, 'n' th' pictures Ah been a-takin':

{sigh}

When m' big sis first got here, she went 'n' visited m' cousin Braeburn; 'n' they talked 'bout m' nephew Apple Butter, how 'e died, 'n' how 'e, that's m' cousin Braeburn, as well as 'is mare, was treated since then. Then, the dep'ty, Cowboy Diplomacy, went 'n' 'rested both m' big sis 'n' m' cousin Braeburn 'n' throw'd 'em in jail.

Y'all know, Ah s'pose if'n it weren't fer Dep'ty Cowboy Diplomacy, maybe none o' this would'a never happened. But, same time, Ah guess sometimes it takes a 'sperience like that t' teach us what we is. Then, once we find that out, we c'n de-cide if'n we wanna keep a-bein' that, or if'n we wanna change. Un-fortunately, m' big sis wouldn't change.

Anyways, m' big sis 'n' cousin Braeburn was let go b' Sheriff Silverstar; but she 'manded justice fer how she 'n' m' cousin was treated. Then, when she couldn't git it when 'n' how she wanted, she took m' cousin back t' his home, where she gathered 'is thin's 'n' left 'longside 'im, 'n' all the ponies that was treated bad by Dep'ty Cowboy Diplomacy.

Then, like Ah said a-fore, m' big sis was gone by th' time 'er friends 'rived. So, Pinkie Pie went out t' find 'er. 'N', when she did, m' big sis told 'er 'bout ever'thin' that happened t' 'er since she got t' Appleoosa, 'n' how m' cousin Braeburn was treated, 'n' con-vinced 'er t' join 'em 'n' lead 'em t' th' buf'los' camp.

Then, once they got there, m' big sis poisoned Chief Thunderhooves 'n' left 'im t' die in th' campfire, sayin' it was old age that killed 'im. She gave a herd o' ponies 'n' buf'los t' Pinkie Pie 'n' sent 'er t' Appleoosa t' 'tack th' town.

Like Ah said a-fore, Ah don't think nopony really won that battle; but Pinkie Pie got th' worst 'v it. She were scalped b' Flash Sentry when she tried t' 'tack Shinin' Armor.

Anyways, lots o' ponies 'n' buf'los died in th' battle, 'n' Pinkie's herd was drive'd outta Appleoosa, 'n' Shinin' Armor only let 'em go after they promised they'd go back 'n' not fight no more. 'N', 'parent-like, Dep'ty Cowboy Diplomacy was killed in th' battle; but nopony in Pinkie's herd know'd 'bout it.

When Pinkie got back t' the buf'los' camp 'n' told m' big sis 'bout th' battle, she kicked 'er real bad 'n' left 'er t' die, then went 'n' got 'nother herd 'n' went t' 'tack Appleoosa herself.

In Appleoosa, while ever'pony else was a-fightin', m' big sis was a-fightin' agin Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash tried t' talk some sense int' 'er, told 'er she was a-betrayin' 'er element. Then, when m' big sis told Rainbow Dash she'd killed Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash killed m' big sis.

When m' cousin Braeburn learn'd 'bout m' big sis's death, he got 'is own herd t'gether, went t' Appleoosa, 'n' robbed th' place 'n' took lots ponies prisoners, 'cludin' Fluttershy 'n' Rarity. Then, 'e tried t' make deal with Shinin' Armor, sayin' he'd 'turn his prisoners if'n he could have all the prisoners in th' Appleoosa jail. But, when Shinin' Armor 'fused, Braeburn said he'd 'turn his prisoners in trade fer Appleoosa. Then, when that didn't work, Braeburn com-bined 'is herd with that o' m' big sis 'n' Pinkie Pie 'n' went t' Appleoosa t' 'tack 'n' de-stroy it. Ah learn'd 'bout that last part th' last time Ah see'd that picture.

Anyways, back 'ere in Appleoosa, Rainbow Dash was a-havin' problems with decidin' if she wanted t' kill 'nother Apple. Ah learned watchin' that one picture that she was fear'd 'bout me a-hearin' 'bout how she'd killed m' big sis, 'n' havin' t' kill m' cousin Braeburn would'a made it all the worse. She brought up 'er problems with Twilight, who didn't help matters none b' sayin' Braeburn 'n' 'is herd was camped outside o' Appleoosa, ready t' 'tack.

Ah's a-beginnin' t' wonder if'n Rainbow Dash had t' kill m' cousin Braeburn after all. 'N', honest-like, if'n she did, Ah wouldn't hold it agin 'er. He weren't thinkin' no good since 'e hear'd 'bout m' big sis's death. 'Parent-like, they was close. Ah know it ain't nice t' say that Ah wouldn't hold it agin Rainbow Dash fer killin' m' cousin Braeburn, but it's true.

Y'know, come t' think 'bout it, m' big sis take'd m' cousin outta Appleoosa 'n' to th' camp o' th' buf'los. Then, she done got 'erself killed. Ah begun t' wonder what Ah would'a done if'n Ah'd'a been in 'is place. Ah's a-wonderin', did m' cousin feel trapp'd 'mong th' buf'los? Did 'e feel like 'e had no other ways out? Ah dunno how stallions think, but Ah know Ah would'a jes wanted a way outta there. 'N', maybe that's what Braeburn was a-lookin' fer.

Also, Ah know Ah done said th' report Ah gave was m' last, 'n' Ah'm sure it'll be th' last Ah'll r'card here in Appleoosa. But, after t'night, Ah may have more info t' add t' th' r'part. Ah guess Ah'll jes' have t' see.

Anyways, Ah got stuff t' do, then Ah'm a-gonna take nap. So, mean time, Ah'm a-gonna have t' sign off now.

During the Night

Ah's jes' woke'd up now, 'n' Ah's seein' that deep-red breezy. Ah guess Ah better git up 'n' follow it t' wherever it wants me t' go.

We's outside now, 'n' th' breezy's a-headin' outta town 'gain, it looks like. In fact, if'n Ah'm not mistaken, th' breezy's a-headin' t' where m' cousin Braeburn camped jes' outside Appleoosa.

Ah's right. We's jes outside Appleoosa, 'n' there's a glowin' spot not too far 'way. Ah'll jes' take picture.

[two hours later]

Well, … Ah guess Ah's right. Rainbow Dash did kill m' cousin Braeburn. She went 'n' found 'im in 'is tent, 'n' woke'd 'im up t' try t' talk t' him. But, when m' cousin Braeburn wake'd up, 'e went 'n' called ever'pony t' come 'n' kill Rainbow Dash. So, jes' a-fore she was killed by buf'lo, … she front-bucked m' cousin Braeburn t' death. She hit 'im three 'r four times.

Ah think it was Little Strongheart that killed Rainbow Dash, then found out m' cousin Braeburn was already killed. Then, she went out 'n' told ever'pony, ever' buf'lo, what happened.

'Parent-like, the buf'los didn't wanna fight no more anyways. When they hear'd 'bout Braeburn bein' dead, they left th' camp 'n' went back t' their own.

When th' other ponies wake'd up 'n' found Braeburn 'n' Rainbow Dash dead in Braeburn's tent, Braeburn's herd, 'r what was left 'v it after th' buf'los left, was lost fer what t' do. They was 'rested 'n' tried fer the things they done gone did wrong, 'n' 'prison'd. But, turns out that not long after that, th' town o' Appleoosa was 'bandoned, 'n' the prisoners done gone went free.

Ah guess th' buf'los also 'bandoned th' place, 'n' done gone went someplace else. They ain't never come back here no more.

Wait, looks like th' deep-red breezy has some other place fer me t' go.

[two hours later]

Ah's sorry it take'd me so long t' git back t' this. Th' … th' breezy … it done gone lead me t' the morchiary, t' one room where dead ponies' bones is kept. 'N', Ah … Ah jes' … found … m' big … sis's skull … in one box. Ah guess … Ah c'n take it back with me … when Ah give m' r'part back in Canterlot. Ah's jes' … Ah's jes' … a-feelin' bad all this had t' happen.

That breezy done gone dis'pear'd now. But, … it done gone learn'd me ever'thin' Ah needed t' know since Ah got here. If'n Ah'm a-gonna miss anythin' 'bout this place, 'side fr'm what Ah learned a-bein' here, it's … a-gonna be … that breezy.

{sob}

Ah's a-gonna sleep at th' train station now. But, first, Ah's a-goin' back t' m' cousin Braeburn's house t' gather up all th' pictures Ah been a-takin'. Ah's a-lookin' forward t' bein' back home 'gain. This is Applebloom, … a-signin' off.

Conclusion

Applebloom's friends, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, rode on the train to meet her at the station, and helped her pack up and board the train.

On the ride back, Applebloom made her final report:

“Well, here's what Ah learned durin' m' time in Appleoosa:

“When m' big sis got t' Appleoosa, she went 'n' visited m' cousin Braeburn; and the two of 'em talked 'bout m' nephew Apple Butter, how 'e died, 'n' how m' cousin Braeburn 'n' 'is mare was treated like murderers since then. 'N', while they was a-talkin', the dep'ty, Cowboy Diplomacy, came 'n' 'rested 'em 'n' throw'd 'em in jail fer no good reason.

“Sheriff Silverstar got 'em outta jail, but m' big sis weren't satisfied. She wanted 'venge fer how she 'n' m' cousin was treated, 'n' she wanted it 'mediately. But, when she couldn't git it when 'n' how she wanted, she went with m' cousin Braeburn back t' 'is home, packed up all 'is thin's, 'n' moved 'im outta there, 'long with all the ponies in Appleoosa that was treated bad b' Dep'ty Cowboy Diplomacy.

“By th' time m' big sis's friends 'rived, she done gone left. So, Pinkie Pie went out int' th' desert t' find 'er. 'N', when she did, m' big sis told 'er 'bout how she 'n' m' cousin Braeburn was treated b' th' dep'ty, 'n' con-vinced 'er t' join 'er, 'n' take ever'pony t' th' camp o' th' buf'los.

“Then, once they 'rived there, m' big sis poisoned Chief Thunderhooves 'n' let 'im die in the campfire, 'n' said it was old age that killed 'im. She took'd over th' buf'lo herd 'n' gave Little Strongheart t' m' cousin Braeburn t' raise like 'is own foal. She gave a herd o' ponies 'n' buf'los t' Pinkie 'n' sent 'er t' Appleoosa t' 'tack ever'pony.

“Ah don't think nopony really won that fight, but Pinkie got th' worst 'v it. When Shinin' Armor chased Pinkie's herd outta Appleoosa, 'long with her, he said he'd let 'em go if'n she 'n' 'er herd promised not t' fight no more. Then, when Pinkie tried t' charge Shinin' Armor, Flash Sentry scalped 'er. Pinkie's herd promised not t' fight no more, 'n' Shinin' Armor let 'em go. Oh, also, in that 'tack, Dep'ty Cowboy Diplomacy got killed.

“When Pinkie d'livered 'er report, m' big sis kicked 'er real bad 'n' left 'er t' die. Then, she went 'n' got 'er own herd t'gether 'n' went t' 'tack Appleoosa. Whiles ever'pony else was a-fightin' 'round 'em, m' big sis fought agin Rainbow Dash, who told 'er she was a-betrayin' 'er element. Then, when m' big sis said she killed Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash killed m' big sis.

“When m' cousin Braeburn heard 'bout m' big sis a-gittin' killed, 'e got 'is own herd t'gether 'n' went t' Appleoosa 'n' robbed th' place, even took'd prisoners, 'cludin' Rarity 'n' Fluttershy. Then, when 'e got back t' th' camp o' th' buf'los, he wrote t' Shinin' Armor a-sayin' he'd 'turn 'is prisoners if'n Shinin' Armor'd send 'im all th' prisoners in th' Appleoosa jail. Then, when Shinin' Armor 'fused, m' cousin Braeburn 'manded th' town o' Appleoosa fer 'is prisoners. 'N', when Shinin' Armor 'fused that, m' cousin Braeburn got th' c'mbined herd o' his, m' big sis's, 'n' Pinkie Pie's t'gether 'n' went t' 'tack Appleoosa.

“Mean time, Rainbow Dash was a-feelin' bad fer havin' t' kill m' big sis, 'n' didn't wanna kill no more Apples. So, after a-talkin' 'bout it with Twilight, she went t' Braeburn t' try t' talk 'im outta fightin' ever'pony. But, when m' cousin Braeburn called fer 'is guards, Rainbow Dash killed 'im. 'N', after that, she was killed b' some buf'lo. Ah ain't sure which, 'though Ah think it was Little Strongheart.

“After that, ever'pony that followed m' big sis 'n' cousin Braeburn was 'rested 'n' throw'd in jail, 'n' ever buf'lo 'turn'd t' their camp. Th' prisoners m' cousin took'd was let go 'n' 'turn'd t' Appleoosa, 'n' the buf'los left 'n' ain't never been back since.

“Ah don't blame 'em. Ah don't wanna never go back t' Appleoosa neither. But, least Ah know what happened there. Ah got a part o' m' big sis with me, 'n' Ah c'n git 'er element.”

While she was recording her report into the crystal, she set the pictures she'd taken in order based on when she'd taken them.

When Applebloom and her friends arrived in Canterlot, Applebloom's first order of business was to find the identity of her cousin Braeburn's wife. She found out, from Princess Celestia, that the mare her cousin had married was called Pumpkin Spice, and had left to live with her family because of the problems she'd been facing in Appleoosa after the death of the colt she'd had with Braeburn.

Applebloom delivered her report in Canterlot, along with the pictures she'd taken and the crystal that had been recording her report. Then, once the report and all had been officially recorded, the ceremony was held, in which Applejack's spirit was summoned through the skull that Applebloom had brought back, and Applejack's right to the element of honesty was transferred to Applebloom.

After that, Applebloom, with the last remnant of her older sister, returned to Ponyville, where she had a tearful reunion with the rest of the element bearers and her family, before returning, with her family, to Sweet Apple Acres. There, Applejack's remains were buried in the family cemetery next to the grave of her mother.

Appleoosa remains undisturbed by the living, but haunted by the memories and spirits of that fateful event.

As for the bison of the Appleoosa area, there is a report of a herd of bison near Dodge Junction that, at some point, had gotten an unexpected increase. And, since none of the ponies in the area have visited the herd, there is no explanation as to why that herd had the sudden increase. Outside that herd of bison, there are only theories.

Author's Note

The mystery of my nephew Braden's death remains unsolved, but I just thought I'd let the readers of this story know about the things I, as a Mormon, know about life.

Our birth into this world wasn't the beginning of our existence, as we were spirits living with our Heavenly Father before we were born. Our death isn't the end of our existence, as our spirits will live on after we are separated from our bodies. The time will come when those of us born into this world, after we die, will be reunited with our bodies, never to be separated from them again. This will be because our bodies will be incapable of being corrupted. And, depending on how we've lived this life, we will achieve some level of glory, perhaps even eternal increase.

This is why I hope, once this mystery is solved, to be able to celebrate Braden's life rather than mourn his loss.