Nightmares and Harmony

The path to Sweet Apple Acres was a decidedly long one, as Dawn was a sedentary pony, and the orchard sat just outside the opposite edge of town. She tried to focus on happy thoughts, like the cafe she was going to stay in, the nap she was going to take, and the preparations she was going to make. It didn't quite bring a smile to her face, but it sure made it easier to fake one. Finally, a big red barn came into view. Truly, it was impossible to miss. with head held high and a smile plastered, Dawn walked confidently into the farm.

Before she could open the gate, Dawn was distracted by a pair of mares racing across the field. In near unision, they bucked twin apple trees, causing the fruit to fall neatly into the prepared baskets below. The two mares began to bicker--perhaps about who was fastest or who collected the most apples. Whatever it was, Dawn could not, nor cared not, to decipher it. She opened the gate, alerting the farmers to her presence with its squeakiness. They quickly ceased their debate and trotted over.

With a deep breath, Dawn gave it the ol' college try and introduced herself. "Hello, my name is Pinkamenia Dawn Pie--" Her greeting was cut short as she found herself vibrating from the strong hoofshakes both mares were giving her.

"Well howdy-do there, Miss Pinkamenia. It's a pleasure makin' your acquaintance. I'm Apple Jet, and this here's my sister." The orange pegasus greeted with a heavy accent. Dawn could tell she was more of a racer than a farmpony due to the way she kept her hair. Apple Jet let her blonde mane fall loose, quite ragged and wind blown. Even her tail, which she kept in a braid like her sister, was messy with loose strands everywhere. It looked like it hadn't been brushed and had been kept in formation for days with all the twigs sticking out.

"Name's Rainbow Dash," The blue earth pony introduced herself. She was dressed much more practically. Her hair was neatly tied up in a braid, and she wore a classic cowpony hat upon her head.

"It's Rainbow Zap." Apple Jet corrected, "No pony calls you Dash." Her face twisted in disgust at the second name. She turned towards her sister, her face a mix of anger, disappointment, and hurt. "You gotta stop callin' yourself that, Rainbow. You're an Apple, through and through."

Apple Jet turned back to the newbie, forcing a happy-go-lucky smile back to her face. Her emerald eyes still held some pain, but it was crystal clear that it would not be addressed. "We here at Sweet Apple Acres sure do like making new friends!"

"Friends? Uh-". Dawn was cut off guard as Gummy forcefully stopped her shaking forehooves. It had been a full minute since the mares had let go, why was she still shaking?

"So what can we do for you?" Rainbow asked, taking control of the conversation.

"Well, I am here to supervise the Summer Sun Celebration." Dawn replied. She shook her head pushing herself to focus on the task at hoof. She had a mission and a (self-imposed) deadline to meet. "You are in charge of the food, correct?"

"We sure as sugar are! Would you care to sample?" The Apple Jet offered. Was it just Dawn, or was this pegasus going way over the top with her niceness?

Dawn nodded hesitantly. She really did not want to get involved in this family's drama. "As long as it's not too much trouble, though just seeing the variety should be adequate."

"Oh, you got to try the goods the family made." Rainbow insisted, grabbing Dawn and rushing her over to a nearby gazebo with a picnic table underneath it.

Meanwhile, Apple Jet called towards the house, ringing a triangle as she did so. "Soup's on everypony!"

More ponies then Dawn thought even lived in Ponyville, let alone one residence, rushed out of the house, barn, and in from the fields. Each pony carried a food item of some sort, and they eagerly gathered around the table (Although there was no way in Equestria they could all fit around it like a normal family).

There was suddenly an additional presence to Dawn's right. It soon became clear it was the pegasus as she asked, or more accurately stated, "Now, why don't I introduce y'all to the Apple family?"

"Thanks, but there's really no need to--". Dawn started before quickly being cut off by the many names of the Apple Family.

"This here's Apple Fritter. Apple Bumpkin. Red Gala. Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Caramel Apple, Apple Strudel, Apple Tart, Baked Apples, Apple Brioche, Apple Cinnamon Crisp..." She stopped to take a breath. "Big McIntosh, Apple Bloom, and Granny Smith. Up'n'attem, Granny Smith, we got guests."

The old green made wobbled out of her rocking chair. "Wha..? Soup's on? I'm up, here I come, ahm comin'."

'Wait. Rocking chair? When had that gotten there?'. Dawn thought nervously.

"Why, I'd say you're already part of the family!" Rainbow Zap exclaimed, throwing her hoof around the unicorn's neck in what seemed to be a friendly manner. However, the squeeze was a little too tight. Was it just her imagination, or was Rainbow Zap purposely pulling her farther away from Apple Jet? The tension in the area was thick, but nopony else seemed to notice it.

Dawn spit out the apple juice she hadn't quite realized she'd been drinking. When had that made it into her hoof? She shook the thought from her head as she promptly removed Rainbow's hoof with her magic. There were more important things to worry about. "Okay, well, I can see the food situation is handled," She started, backing away from the table. Surely she could get out of this situation naturally. She had seen noble ponies do it a hundred times. "So we'll be on our way."

The small yellow filly, Dawn believed her name was Apple Blossom or something, looked up at the pink pony with big puppy dog eyes. "Aren't you gonna stay for brunch?"

Puppy dog eyes. Every grown pony's greatest weakness. "...But we have an awful lot to do..." Dawn tried to resist. She really did, but when the whole family let out a unanimous disappointed sigh, it was difficult. Mothers, Fathers, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, distant cousins...and not one of them wanted to see her leave. Did they seriously consider her part of the family already? Could she really convince herself to give up on them like everypony had done to her. After all, with this many ponies in one place, with happy faces, decorated atmosphere, and so much food, it.....it was almost a party.

"...fine."

The whole Apple family cheered. Some quickly running back to the house to bring out even more delicious treats.

Dawn really hoped she wouldn't regret this.