The Result of War

Applejack walked through the front door, wiping her brow as she went to the kitchen. Dropping the mail onto the table, she casually glanced from letter to letter: bills, ads, spam. Thank Celestia she got the mail before Granny Smith could look through it; she had a tendency give bits first, read the fine print never. While Granny was asleep in her chair and Applebloom was at school, AJ was left on her own to do chores and attend to the farm. Without Big Mac around, her responsibilities had drastically increased; grabbing the mail gave her a much needed break to relax and unwind... Even if it meant just reading through mail.

Looking from bill to bill, she noticed a different letter mixed into the bunch. The edges of the envelope were striped blue and red, and it bore the official stamp of the E.Q. Military. It was addressed to Sweet Apple Acres and had her name on it; the return address was the Baltimare military base, where Big Mac had been stationed.

Without delay, Applejack opened the envelope and proceeded to read the folded up letter inside.

Recruit: _______Big Macintosh_________________

_2nd_ RTBn __E__ Co. Plt. ___1005____

MCRD Baltimare, EQ 54322

Dear Applejack

Hey y'all. Sorry for not writing sooner; the Drill Instructor's been working us double time to prepare us to ship to the front lines. Hoof Camp ain't as tough as ah expected; we're up by 0500 and have our beds tidied by 0505, so ah sleep in a bit. Yesterday, Time Turner didn't make his bed proper, and the D.I. looked like he was right gonna have a fit. He was so mad in fact that we all made our beds again, then didn't get any breakfast. Had to trot double miles too, so we ended up doing twenty. End of the day came and we were right ready to kill 'im, mahself included. Still, it's a good laugh now. The food here is alright, but ain't got nothing on yer home cooking. Ah'm craving some fritters right now.

Applejack considered sending Big Mac a few fritters, then knitted her brow. She didn't know if they'd make the trip, much less if they'd even reach him; lots of food and supplies were being shipped to soldiers. Who could tell if Big Mac would get receive them himself, or if they'd just be rationed out? She decided to simply read on for now.

Mah drooling aside, how's the farm? Are ya able to keep up with those orders from Mr. Rich? Ah wish ah could help ya; ah know Applebloom is still in school and can't buck too well, and Granny is starting to lose her touch, but ah've got faith that you can handle yourself. Ya always get the job done, and ah know yer friends are always happy to help ya in a pinch.

Aj smiled. Sure, it was harder than before, but she could manage. It wasn't the first time she'd taken care of Big Mac's chores, and she doubted it'd be the last. She remembered when they were younger, and she'd dared him to try eating an unripe Zap Apple. When he got sick, all his chores ended up (quite rightly so) being dumped on her. She gave a small chuckle at the memory as she continued to read.

Some of mah buddies found a picture of you and just wouldn't stop gawkin. Had to wrestle your picture away from one of em. They all say you're the "prettiest farm gal they done ever seen." Nearly bucked one of em into next Tuesday when he tried to get me to ask for more pics of ya. Let's just say that he won't be gone till next Tuesday, but he'll certainly be feeling it in the morning.

Applejack laughed a little, blushing.

How are yer friends, anyways? I assume ya told em about mah getting drafted. Be sure to tell Twilight ah said thank ya for the book, and sorry it didn't last all of five seconds before the D.I. snatched it from me and ripped it to shreds. Hadn't even been in camp twenty minutes yet; ah'm sure he'll regret it more when he finds out who it belonged to.

Another thing ah learned is how great mah bed was. Never thought ah'd miss it, with how it always creaked when ah turned. The beds here (if'n you can call em beds) are so hard and small ah can't right lay on em without bending my head down, since my hoofs just hang off the side. That said, if ah could make just one complaint, it's the lack of apples. In the last nine weeks, ah ain't seen a single one! Seen oranges, seen cherries, and ah've even seen pears, but not a single darn apple! Anyways... ah'll be deployed to Neighagra Falls, right by the front lines with Pvt. Time Turner (he likes adding the Pvt. part even though we're all Pvts) and a few my other friends. So if'n yer feeling up to it, ya can send letters to the Neighagra Falls E.Q. Military Base. There's just the one, so shouldn't be much trouble to find... Please, write back. Ah hope to hear from ya, all of ya. Dunno when ah'll be able to write ya next.

Love ya,
Big Macintosh

Finishing the letter, AJ places it close to her heart and sends a silent prayer to Celestia, to bring her brother home safe. After a moment, she carefully folds the letter and places it back in its envelope, setting it on the kitchen table and heading back out the front door. As she looked up to the blazing midday sun, she had a smile on her face.