Chapters Early the next morning, the train pulls into Canterlot. Not long after it pulls in, Annie gets up and goes and wakes up her siblings before going and joining Billiard and Franklin in the dining car. In the dining car a few minutes later, Annie and her siblings sit down with Buffalo Billiard and Franklin Flankler.
"So, are you ready for the show today, the princesses are going to be there?" asks Franklin Flankler.
"Yes! I'm excited! Very excited!" replies Apple Annie as she crams a hay biscuit into her mouth followed by some fresh carrot seed muffins. "I have even been practicing a new trick for this show."
"That's great news!" replies Buffalo Billiard ecstatically.
"Sure is!" agrees Franklin. Annie then crams some more food into her mouth then swallows. As she does so, the men can't help but laugh. They're glad to see that she's so eager to please the princesses. In their business, that definitely means a lot.
Three hours later, Franklin and Apple Annie prepare for the show. Annie practices her new trick, perfecting it after several goes, while Franklin works on his set of tricks. As he does, he can't help but feel that maybe he's falling in love with Annie. "Am I, could I, am I falling in love with her, could I be falling in love with her? Every time I see her, my heart skips a beat. When I see her smile, I feel like I'm floating off my feet. Am I really that into her? Does she even see? Does she mean that much to me? Every time I see her, a smile always appears on my face. Every time I see her, I feel like I've won a race. Every time I see her, I feel like I belong, I feel I'm in the place I'm meant to be. Am I, could I, am I falling in love with her, could I be falling in love with her? I think I am. What should I do now? I'm so confused. I've never been in love before. Do I tell her? Do I let her know? I guess I'll just ask her later, but for now, on with the show!" An hour later, the two take the stage. Annie shoots off the tops of several apples and then off several watermelons and then she does her trick she'd been practicing for hours: her tri-lasso duel pistol apple shoot extravaganza, which gets much applause from everypony including the princesses. As they clap their hooves for her, she can't help but smile. She can't believe she managed to please and delight the princesses. It's yet another one of her dreams come true. She then retreats back to the rooms and goes inside for a breather while Franklin does his performances. She can hardly believe it. Her trick, her trick, not Flankler's, but her trick, was noticed by the princesses.
After the show comes to a close, Annie is approached by the princesses, who congratulate her on her spectacular trick. "I'm glad y'all liked it," replies Apple Annie with a smile. "That really means the world to me."
"Well, you're an amazing sharpshooter, Apple Annie, we expect great things from you," replies Celestia.
"Sister is right," responds Luna, "you are going to be a star someday Annie. Keep up the good work!" The two princesses smile as they walk away and Annie smiles as she runs off to find Franklin and Buffalo Billiard. She can't wait to tell them that she just got to meet the princesses face to face.
The next day, Apple Annie and Franklin Flankler join the royal sisters for a pancake breakfast at the castle. "Hello, we're glad you two could join us, especially you, Annie," says Celestia as the two sit down in their seats. "I hope you enjoy the pancakes. I bake them myself."
"Thanks," replies Annie as she cuts a piece of the pancake stack and sticks it in her mouth, swallowing it down with a smile. The other three soon follow suit and do the same. As they eat, they begin to talk. "What's your hometown like?" Celestia asks Apple Annie with a grin on her face.
"Ponyville, it's a quaint little town. My family helps run the local farm. I used to work there before I joined Buffalo Billiard's show. Back at home, I have two dogs named Tilda and Junior. I couldn't bring them with me, but my cousin Ed is watching them. Oh, how I miss those little dogs!" replies Annie.
"Well, we have a Phoenix named Filomena, she's a real handful sometimes," replies Celestia.
Apple Annie just laughs. "That's cool!"
"Yeah, we love her, now, how do you enjoy the pancakes?"
"They're amazing!" replies Annie shoving another bite into her mouth then swallowing it down with a smile. Celestia giggles a little bit as she watches.
"Now, how about you tell us about your siblings," suggests Luna.
"Agreed, tell us about your siblings," adds Celestia.
"Well, I'm the eldest of five and when maw and paw died, I took on their role in the family as well. My siblings come everywhere with me, including on this tour. They're my heart, my soul, and my life. I don't know where I'd be without them."
"That goes for us too," replies Luna as she looks up at Celestia, "without my sister, I'd still be a horrific monster." A smile appears on Celestia's face.
"And without my sister, I'd be lost, alone, and not able to go on," responds Celestia. The two sisters share a hug. Annie watches with a smile. Ponies may say the princesses are not relatable, but right now, she doesn't feel like that is true at all. The princesses are ponies just like her and that's something that will stay constant no matter mortality or immortality.
A few hours later, the princesses wave Apple Annie and Franklin Flankler off. Annie waves back as they walk back towards the train station. As they get back on the train, Apple Annie can't help but think about their breakfast with the princesses and how relatable it turned out to be. Alas, no time for that, it's time to get back to practicing for their next performance in their next stops: Fillydelphia, Manehattan, and Over and Under Falls (modern day, Rainbow Falls).
A few hours later, Annie and Franklin begin their Fillydelphia show, once again with Annie's amazing trick included in the act. All the ponies ooo and awe as she pulls off the tri-lasso duel-pistol apple shoot extravaganza. They then proceed to cheer for her afterward. Annie can't help but smile. She's famous for doing what she loves and what she's good at and she couldn't ask for anything more than that. After the show in Fillydelphia, the two head off to their next stop: Manehattan. Annie can't wait for this stop, personally, because some of her cousins live there and she hopes they'll come to the show. That afternoon as the train chugs on, Annie can't help but think about reuniting with some of her family again. After all, it's been far too long since she last saw them. She even tells Buffalo Billiard and Franklin this much. "I can't wait to see my family again. I haven't seen them in forever. I have oh so many kin including in Equestria's big apple. I can't wait to see them again! I hope they come see the show. I can't wait to see them again! I hope they come see the show."
"I hope they come to see you perform too," replies Franklin with a smile, "after all, you are amazing!"
"Thanks," replies Annie with a smile.
Annie and Franklin then walk off and get everything set up for their trip to Manehattan. As they pack up the train, they are approached by Buffalo Billiard. He talks to them about their big show in Manehattan and how the Indian Chief: Great Buffalo will be there observing them alongside his daughter Little Bird. This causes Annie to get a little bit nervous, which Billiard notices and he goes over and calms her down and comforts her. Apple Annie is glad that Buffalo Billiard always has her back. She honestly couldn't ask for more than that from him.
Around midnight, the train pulls into the station and Apple Annie, her siblings, Franklin Flankler, and Buffalo Billiard hop off, grab their things from the luggage car, and head for the Mane Elite Hotel, where they plan on spending the night. A few hours later, after dropping their stuff by the venue for the night and locking them up, the three arrive at the hotel, where they check in and go to their rooms.
In their room that night, Annie tells her siblings about the fact that their aunt and uncles and a few cousins will likely be coming to tomorrow's show. As she says this, their eyes widen and they get excited. Eventually, she gets them settled down and tucked into their beds and they fall asleep. She then goes to her adjoining room and kicks off her boots, takes off her hat, and goes to bed herself. She can't wait until tomorrow's show, so much so, that she can't help but dream about it as she sleeps.
The next morning, an excited Apple Annie gets up before the sun and gets back into her hat and boots. She then goes outside for some fresh air and takes a deep breath. "Today's the day! I'm excited! Today I get to perform for all of Manehattan including some of my own kin."
Around 7:00, she goes inside and joins Franklin and Buffalo Billiard for breakfast. She gulps down her food because she's ready to get to the venue to practice. "Excited much," laughs Franklin.
"Eeyup," replies Annie with a grin as she finishes her last carrot muffin.
A few hours later, the three arrive at the venue and Franklin and Annie go off to practice while Billiard gets everything set up. After everything is set up, Buffalo Billiard goes off to introduce himself to Big Buffalo and Little Bird before the show begins. Meanwhile, another pony pulls out a poster with Annie's face on it, right smack dab in the center with the words: Greatest Sharpshooter in Equestria written right above it. As Annie comes out of practice, she sees the poster and lets out a squeal. "I've made it now! I have a poster with my face on it! I can't believe it!"
"I'm glad you like it," says Buffalo Billiard from behind her.
"Thanks so much!" replies Annie jumping on him and giving him a hug. Billiard just smiles. He's so glad that his shining star is happy.
Three hours later, the show begins and in the crowd, sits several of Annie's kin alongside Big Buffalo and Little Bird. As she performs her special trick, Annie smiles up at them, but she doesn't lose focus. She still pulls off the trick flawlessly. She's just glad her kin came to see her perform.
After the show draws to an end, Annie runs off to greet her kin. She embraces all of them in a hug. "Hey cousin Amber, cousin Apple Belle, cousin Cinnamon Swirl, Auntie Apple Lace, uncle Rich Apple!"
"Hey to you too, Annie," they reply, "it's good to see you. We never knew you were a country star!"
"Well, it's a relatively new title," replies Annie rubbing her neck.
"Well, you're good at what you do. That trick of yours is especially impressive," replies Apple Lace.
"Awe, don't make me blush, auntie," replies Apple Annie.
"Well, it looks like someone else wants to talk to you," says Uncle Rich Apple as he points behind Annie at the two buffalo. Annie turns around.
"Hello, Mr. Big Buffalo, Little Bird, nice to meet ya."
"Nice to meet you too, Annie," replies Big Buffalo.
"Hey, Annie," replies Little Bird, "nice to meet you."
"You new daughter," says Big Buffalo, putting his hoof on Apple Annie's shoulder. This makes Annie Blush. "We have joining ceremony later tonight."
"Uh, yes, yes, of course, Papa Big Buffalo," replies Apple Annie, a smile sliding across her face. She is more nervous now than anything else.
That evening while at dinner on the train, Franklin gets up to answer a phone call, much to Annie's surprise. She gets up and canters after him. She soon finds him and overhears his call. He's talking with Buck Tooth Billiard. This shocks and worries Annie. She hopes he doesn't plan on leaving Buffalo Billiard.
"Please tell me you're not leaving," says Annie when Franklin hangs up.
"No, I'm not leaving," replies Franklin, "not yet at least."
"Please never leave me," replies Annie.
"You have nothing to worry about, I promise," replies Franklin as he comes over and kisses Annie on the lips. Annie accepts the kiss, even so, she can't help but feel like Franklin is lying to her. She hopes it isn't so, but alas, she can't truly know for sure.
A few minutes later, the two return to dinner but don't talk to each other for the rest of the night. They don't even say good night to each other as they go to bed two hours later. In her room, Annie lies on her bed and sighs. She really hopes and prays that Franklin won't leave them for Buck Tooth Billiard and his show. Alas, for now, that's all she can do.
Author's Note
Buck Tooth Billiard=Pawny Bill
A few days later, Apple Annie and Franklin Flankler go off to the Billiard Ball hosted by Buffalo and Buck Tooth Billiard. As they enter the ballroom, Annie smiles as she puts her head on Franklin's shoulder. The two then get into position on the dance floor and begin to slow dance along with everypony else. As they dance, Annie can't help but smile as Franklin swings her across the floor. The two twirl and spin and Annie can't help but giggle all the while. She's so glad that Franklin chose her to come to the dance with him.
A few minutes later, the music comes to an end and Annie and Franklin stop dancing. They two then share a kiss before Buffalo and Buck Tooth take the stage. "Ponies! We are announcing that we are rejoining our shows once again. The Billiard Brothers Show is back!" Franklin sweeps Annie into an air and brings her down and gives her another face. The two couldn't be happier. Franklin then does something unexpected. He gets down on one knee and pulls out a beautiful bracelet. "Annie," asks Franklin with a smile on his face, "will you marry me?"
"Yes!" replies Annie with a smile on her face. "Yes! Yes! Yes!"
Two hours later at the ballroom dinner, Annie and Franklin talk with Buffalo and Buck Tooth Billiard, smiles on their faces. The two are glad the shows have rejoined. It is definitely better than the two competing all the time. They can all agree to that.
Three days after the dinner, they. all get together and put on the reunion show which all of Equestria comes out to see. Annie happily does her tri-lasso duel-rifle extravaganza to the delight of everypony in the crowd. Franklin pulls off his newly perfected cider barrel toss and shoot, which also gains a round of applause. The two couldn't be happier together. Now, all they have to do is plan their perfect wedding with help from their friends of course.
A few days later, Annie and Franklin hop back on the train and return to Ponyville, where they are greeted by two very excited dogs and several of Annie's excited family members. As they see the bracelet on her hoof, they congratulate her with smiles on her engagement. "Thanks!" replies Annie with a smile on her face. She's so glad they're happy for her and approve of Franklin. She couldn't ask for more.
Back at Apple Annie's house that evening with the dogs at their feet, she and Franklin sit down and begin to plan their wedding. "What kind of wedding do you want?" asks Frank. Annie then begins to sing.
"I want a big, glitzy wedding. A giant white cake with bride and groom on top. I want a dress with poofy sleeves and a sweetheart collar. I want a big, fancy wedding. I don't want something simple. I want something unique from every other wedding. I want a big, glitzy wedding. That's what I want or I don't want one at all."
"Well, I'd prefer a simpleton wedding," replies Franklin. He begins to sing. "I want a simple wedding. One like a farmer would have. One with only close friends and family. What do you think of that? I want a simple wedding with a three layered square cake. I want a simple farmhouse wedding. If that's not what I get, I don't want one at all."
"Hey, maybe we can combine both ideas?" suggests Annie.
"Yeah, I think that will work, I think we can make that work," replies Franklin with a smile as he touches her hoof. Annie smiles then blushes. She's glad they can combine their ideas to get the perfect wedding that they both desire.
A few days later, Annie goes to the pastry shop run by Chiffon Swirl's great grandmother, Butter Cake and puts in her order for the cake. Meanwhile, Franklin is off ordering the invitations from the mail service. He makes sure to watch and see if the information is put in correctly, which, by a miracle, it is. Once he gets them ordered, he heads off to get fitted for a suit while Annie is now at the dress shop getting fitted for a dress. Everything is coming together without a hitch and the two couldn't be happier.
Fifteen days later, Annie and Franklin return home from Honeysuckle Hollow and their two-week long honeymoon. As they enter the town, they are greeted by all their friends and family. Annie smiles as she embraces all her family in a hug. She then lets go of the embrace and follows Franklin back to their house, where they are joined a few hours later by Annie's younger siblings, who embrace their big sister in a hug with smiles on their faces.
"How did the honeymoon go?" asks Annie's little brother, Johnny.
"It went splendidly," replies Annie. "Love, love is a wonderful thing. A honeymoon after a wedding is a tradition that shows how much so, love is a wonderful thing. Love is a wonderful thing, love is a wonderful thing. I could never ask for anything more, anything better because love is a wonderful thing. Love is a bond shared between man and woman, it's been that way since the start of time. No reason love is so strong, it's the most perfect thing around. Love is a wonderful thing, love is a wonderful thing, I will always know this truth, the one truth that will never change, love is a wonderful, yes love is a wonderful thing."
"Did you have fun?" ask Annie's sisters, Melody Joy, Sweetheart, Catty, Lilac, Honey Hay, Lil Lil, and Emeralda.
"Of course, I had the time of my life," giggles Apple Annie, a smile appearing on her face. She then proceeds to tell her siblings all the details about her two weeks away on honeymoon, which they listen to with eager smiles and open ears.
Author's Note
Siblings of Annie Oakley aka Phoebe Moses's Pony Equivalents
Melody Joy=Mary Jane Moses
That afternoon, Franklin, not able to handle it anymore, grabs his stuff and hops on the first train back to Ponyville. Two hours later, he arrives back in Ponyville, grabs his stuff, hops off the train, and dashes at full speed back towards his home. A few minutes later, Franklin busts through the door of their home. Annie smiles at him and lets out a laugh. "Did you have fun in Canterlot?" she asks.
"Yeah, not really, I missed you and our daughter too much," replies Franklin. He comes over and takes the happy, cooing filly from Annie's arms and begins to tickle her, causing her to laugh. He smiles. "I'm glad to see you, my little darling Apple Jam," sighs Franklin. He tickles her again and then tosses her in the air before promptly catching her in his hooves, her laughing all the while. Annie just smiles as she sits in her seat sipping her hot green tea. She's glad he's home, having fun with their daughter, and hopes he doesn't plan on leaving again anytime soon.
A few hours later, Annie takes little Apple Jam from Franklin and puts her down for her nap. She then comes out and she and Franklin go off on a walk across town with the dogs to the Ponyville Dog Park. As the dogs play with the other dogs, the two talk and Franklin tells her everything about performing for all of Canterlot and all of Equestria, her eyes wide as she listens. Franklin smiles as he sees she's enjoying his story. He couldn't ask for anything more. He has Annie, they have their family, and that's all he ever wanted and he knows she feels the same.
Two years later, Annie is back on the road alongside her husband, little Apple Jam staying with her family that lives in Ponyville. As little Apple Jam is helping her aunties in the kitchen, she finds an empty jar and brings it over to her aunties and says "fill it, fill it," her first words. Her aunts just smile as they take the jar from the little filly and fill it with apple preserves. They then go over to the oven and pull out a loaf of apple raisin bread, which they put on a rack to cool. Around noon, Melody Joy goes and puts Apple Jam down for her nap before returning to the kitchen to help pop the bread out of the tin.
Meanwhile, in Appleloosa, Annie and Franklin are putting on shows for adoring crowds with smiles on their faces. They do their favorite tricks and even some new ones, much to the delight of the crowd. Annie can't help but smile. She's glad to be back in the game. She can't help but feel she's been gone for too long though. The two, once they finish the show two hours later, return to the tent to sit down and catch their breath. They then get back onto their hooves as they go outside to practice for the next show in three hours time. Annie hugs Franklin and sighs, "I'm so glad to be back."
"We're glad to have you back, too!" replies Buffalo Billiard as he walks up behind them. Annie, surprised, turns around and embraces Billiard in a hug. He happily smiles as he pats her on the back. She's so glad to see Buffalo Billiard again. She missed him most of all, but she doesn't plan on letting Franklin know that little fact any time soon.
A few weeks later, Annie and Franklin return home from their tour of Equestria. As they pull into the station, they are tackled down by their daughter and Annie's siblings. Annie smiles as she takes the three-year-old Apple Jam up in her arms and pushes her siblings off of her. "We're just so glad you're back!" says Melody Joy.
"Yeah! We're glad you're back sissy!" adds Johnny, grasping to her leg. Annie walks over to the park across from the train station, sits down, Franklin beside her, her siblings on the ground, and tells them the entire story of their tour across Equestria. As she shares, her siblings and daughter listen on intently. After three hours, the story finishes and they all go off to get lunch.
At lunch, Annie continues to tell them other stories about other things they did while on the road when they weren't doing the tour. She tells them about the things they ate, the sights they saw. As the children down their sandwiches, they can't help but smile. They always love listening to Annie's stories. Annie smiles. Everything is truly perfect. She couldn't ask for anything more in life.
That night after dinner, Annie sits Franklin and Apple Jam down and tells them the good news. "Franklin, Apple Jam, I'm with foal!"
Apple Jam begins to flip out. "I'm gonna be a big sister! I'm gonna be a big sister! Yay! I'm gonna be a big sister! I can't wait!" Annie breathes a sigh of relief, she's glad they're happy with the news. She then plops down in the chair behind her.
A few days later, while Apple Jam is over at Cinnamon Bun's helping him in the kitchen, his flank begins to shine and his cutie mark appears. "Cinnamon," she says, "your cutie mark, it appeared." Cinnamon Bun looks down. He then squeals.
"I got my cutie mark! Finally! I got my cutie mark!"
"I'm happy for you," replies Apple Jam with a squeal. She embraces him in a hug as the two pop the cinnamon rolls and honey buns into the oven to bake. The two are then greeted by Cinnamon Swirl, whose eyes are filled with tears of pride and joy.
"Congratulations, sonny boy!" she says. "I'm so proud of you!"
"Thanks, mom!" replies Cinnamon Bun as he runs over and embraces her in a hug.
The next day, they all meet back at the bakery once again and celebrate Cinnamon Bun's cutesenera. All the while, Cinnamon Bun is smiling. He even gets a little too happy and kisses Apple Jam on the lips, which shocks her and leaves her speechless. She's just glad he's happy. That's all she could ever want for him.
Later that afternoon back at home after Cinnamon Bun's cutesenera, Apple Jam grabs her lasso and goes out to the backyard to practice for the Lil Tikes Rodeo. Annie watches her daughter through the window, a smile on her face. She's glad her daughter is giving this a go, after all, she enjoyed doing the Lil Tikes Rodeo at her daughter's age too. Annie then puts down her coffee and goes outside and joins her daughter. "Tighten up on the throw a little bit, you're too loose."
Apple Jam nods and tightens up her throw, landing it right on the barrel in front of her. She squeals. "Thanks, mom!"
"Don't mention it," Apple Annie replies with a smile. Apple Jam then goes and loosens the rope from the barrel and continues to toss it over and over again, landing around the barrel every time. She squeals with a smile on her face. She can't wait to do the rodeo!
"Mom, the other event I signed up for was the hurdle race, any advice on that?"
"Nope, I never was one for hurdles, go ask your father." Apple Jam nods off and runs off to find her dad, whom she soon finds in the back orchard shooting at old juice cans.
"What can I do for you, sweetie?" asks Franklin with a smile.
"Can you teach me to jump hurdles for the Lil Tikes Rodeo?" asks Apple Jam.
"Of course, follow me to the far side of the orchard, I have a hurdle course set up there." Apple Jam nods and runs up to her father and the two head to the back orchard, where Apple Jam observes as Franklin jumps the hurdles. She then follows his lead and jumps them herself, only hitting down two. "Good job!" exclaims Franklin, "go again! You can do it this time! I believe in you!" Apple Jam nods and goes over the hurdles once again, this time not hitting any down. She smiles and squeals.
"Thanks, dad! You're the best!" squeals Apple Jam as she runs off to go inside for a snack.
"Don't mention it," replies Franklin before heading back to the main orchard to do some more shooting practice. He's glad his daughter is getting involved in the rodeo. After all, being show ponies definitely runs in the blood.
A week later, Annie and Franklin watch from the sidelines while Apple Jam lines up on the rodeo grounds alongside twelve other foals: six fillies and six colts named Mist Swirl, May Heart, Cranberry Sweet, Helena, Violet Raven, Cherry Heart, Cardamom, Chile Pepper, Sloan, Marshall, and Brickman. The young ponies then begin to jump the hurdles when the horn goes off, with Apple Jam soon taking the lead. She continues to hold the lead until they're across the last barrel. She smiles as she jumps over it and onto the winners' podium.
An hour later, after a nice and filling lunch, the young ponies line up for the apple bucking event. Right from the start, Apple Jam sends twelve in a row into the target. The other ponies only manage to get five to hit the target within the time constants. Apple Jam squeals as she takes her second gold medal. She couldn't be happier. Now she has one event left to do, trick lassoing.
Two hours later, Apple Jam lines up alongside the other ponies and begins her trick lassoing. She pulls off a swan shape, a flower shape, a dog bone shape, a heart shape, a duck shape, a dog shape, a cat shape, a unicorn shape, a pegasus shape, a dolphin shape, and a star shape. The judges stare in awe as they give her a score of 10 out of 10. The next ponies then go scoring 9 out of 10, 8 out of 10, 9 out of 10, 9 out of 10, 7 out of 10, 6 out of 10, 7 out of 10, 9 out of 10, 9 out of 10, 8 out of 10, 5 out of 10, and 4 out of 10. A few minutes later on the podium, Apple Jam happily accepts her third gold medal. Once she has all three, she gets her picture taken and goes off to join her parents.
"Great job, sweetheart! We're proud of you!" says Apple Annie with a smile.
"Thanks, mom," replies Apple Jam with a smile. "I'm glad you came. I'm so happy you're proud of me." She gives her mom a great big hug. The three then head off to enjoy the complimentary milkshakes along with everypony else. As they enjoy their shakes, Cinnamon Bun comes over and gives Apple Jam a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"Apple Jam," says Annie, "anything you want to tell us?"
"Fine," sighs Apple Jam, "Cinnamon Bun and I are a couple."
"How long have you two been a couple?" asks Annie.
"For the last five years," replies Apple Jam, "but to be fair, mom, you ran off with a man you beat in a shoot off, so you shouldn't be judging my relationships."
"I guess you're right," sighs Annie, "I'm sorry I overreacted, sweetie."
"It's fine, mom," replies Apple Jam giving her mother a hug. "It was a simple mistake, a simple misunderstanding." The four then happily continue to talk for hours on end before being joined by Cinnamon Swirl, who jumps in on the conversation with such fluidity and flow. They all go on to chat for three more hours before all going out to dinner together at the Hay Cradle, a new, little diner in town.
At the restaurant, the waiter comes over and takes their drink orders: two lemonades, a hot tea, and two coffees. As they sip their drinks, they talk about the day's events, the foal that's on the way, and the upcoming Grand Equestria Rodeo, which Annie and Franklin are especially excited about.
"Yeah, we both plan on being in the Grand Equestria Rodeo," says Franklin with a smile. "We're both very excited!"
"What events do you plan on doing in the rodeo?" asks Cinnamon Swirl curiously.
"I'm doing trick lassoing," replies Annie.
"And I'm doing the bull wrestling and hay bale throwing events," replies Franklin.
"Well, I plan on going and watching from the bleachers with my son, while my husband leads the rodeo parade," Cinnamon Swirl responds with a smile.
"Sounds like fun!" replies Apple Annie.
A few minutes later, the waiter returns. "What would y'all like to order?" he asks.
"Two children's hay tenders," says Cinnamon Swirl, "and the apple sweet cake over rice."
"The apple salad with walnuts, pecans, and honey dressing," says Annie.
"And I'll have the hay steak dinner plate with a loaded baked potato," says Franklin.
"Sure thing, I'll be back with that soon," replies the waiter as he goes and relays the orders to the chef.
Around thirty minutes later, the waiter returns with their food and places it in front of each of them and then tells them to enjoy and walks off. Franklin then happily cuts into his steak and begins to enjoy and the others go on to do the same with their meals, taking little time to talk. Everything about today was exciting and now, it's time to enjoy a simple lunch, and they couldn't ask for anything more.
Around 11:00 that night, after tucking in Apple Jam for the night, Annie goes back downstairs and plops down on the couch, falling asleep there two hours later. Meanwhile in the bedroom, not realizing that Annie hasn't come in, Franklin falls asleep next to an empty pillow. Around 2:00, Annie wakes up and goes into their bedroom, puts herself under Franklin's arm, and falls right back asleep.
The next morning, Annie and Franklin rise with the sun and go outside to practice their events they are going to be doing in the rodeo in the next two weeks. Annie pulls off several fun shapes with her lasso with everything from an apple to a dog to a heart and even a star. As he watches his wife enjoy himself, Franklin can't help but smile. He then begins to send his lasso over a hay bale and hurls it onto a stack of bales. Annie cheers at him as it lands. She can't help but smile. She's so proud of her husband. She's so glad they're doing the rodeo together in two weeks time.
Meanwhile, at school, Apple Jam and Cinnamon Bun work on their water cycle poster with Honey Dew and Lemon Citrus. A few minutes later, the four finish and present it to the class and are then followed by Lime Citrus, Gold Collar, Silver Plate, and Copper Chain. Each group then promptly gets a one hundred presentation grade from their teacher Miss Honeywillow. They then go and return to their seats. They smile, satisfied with their grades. Now, all they have to do is pass their test on the water cycle at the end of the week.
That afternoon, Franklin gets on the first train back to Ponyville. As he pulls out of the station, he smiles as he waves goodbye to Annie. He wishes he hadn't had that accident. He wishes he would've listened to her about not doing the bull wrestling. He frowns as the train pulls away from the station.
A few hours later, he hobbles off the train and into the Ponyville station, where he is taken home by one of his work hands, Bentley Buckson. He continues to frown as he rides in the cart back to the farm. He can't help but feel he let Annie down, the princesses down, everypony down. They were expecting him to perform perfectly. He just hopes they know that accidents happen, especially his dear Annie.
Once he is back home, Apple Jam rushes out to help Bentley carry her father inside and sit him down on the couch. "What happened, daddy?" asks a concerned Apple Jam.
"My hoof got busted while I was bull wrestling at the rodeo," sighs Franklin.
"Yikes, that's not good," replies Apple Jam as she goes and gets him a glass of water and a sandwich and brings it back to him. Once she gives him his sandwich and drink, Apple Jam grabs her saddlebag and dashes out of the door. She is meeting up with Cinnamon Bun for the Children's Comic Book Show. She's excited. The only downside is that they have to be looked over by Cinnamon Bun's big brother Cinnamon Roll.
At the Children's Comic Book Show, Apple Jam and Cinnamon Bun converse with all the authors, character creators, and actors that are there. They smile as they share a kiss. Cinnamon Roll looks away in disgust. He is bored, but alas, his mother wanted him to keep an eye on his brother, so he really has no choice in the matter.
Three weeks later, Annie returns home from the Great Equestrian Rodeo Tour. As soon as she enters the house, she is greeted with a hug by Apple Jam. "Hey mommy, glad you're home!" sighs Apple Jam with a smile.
"And I'm glad to be home, it was far too long to be away from y'all," replies Apple Annie. She then walks over to the chair and plops down.
"How'd the rest of the rodeo tour go?" asks Franklin curiously.
"It went well. I enjoyed myself, but I am really tired out now," replies Annie with a smile. "The ponies loved and adored my trick lassoing. I also did my tri-lasso duel-rifle trick for them, which got tremendous applause. I had fun!" She then goes to the fridge and grabs out some leftover hayburgers and heats them up. She then brings one over to Franklin and Apple Jam and the three enjoy their dinner as they sit on the couch and chairs. Apple Annie just smiles as she enjoys her burger. In eleven months time, she can't wait to add a new little member to the family. She couldn't be more excited!
At school, the foals are soon released for recess. At recess, Apple Jam and Cinnamon Bun play hopscotch on the far hill, laughing all the while. The two are having a splendid time. They continue to play hopscotch for another thirty minutes before returning inside along with the teacher and rest of the fillies and colts. Back inside, the students sit down in their desks and Miss Honeysuckle begins to explain their upcoming project.
"Students," says Miss Honeysuckle, "you have a project that needs to be done before next Wednesday. You can work in groups of two or three for this. The project is to come up with a craft celebrating the first founding of Equestria and the ponies who founded it or you can do one celebrating the time the princesses first came to rule. You can do anything as long as it is hands on. This will be a 100 test grade if done properly. Now, go on and choose your partners then come and tell me who you are working with!" The first two to jump up and tell her who they want to be partners with are Apple Jam and Cinnamon Bun.
"Miss Honeysuckle," say Cinnamon Bun and Apple Jam, "we want to work together!"
"Great! Good job being the first to tell me who your group is! Way to take initiative!" replies Miss Honeysuckle with a smile. The next two to choose their group are Angelshy and Soara, who also chose to work together. By the end of the day, everyone tells Miss Honeysuckle who they want in their groups and then they all go to their different locations to start on their projects. Cinnamon Bun and Apple Jam especially know exactly what they want to do.
At Cinnamon Bun's house that afternoon, Apple Jam and Cinnamon Bun happily work on their project. It's a quilt of the original Equestrian flag-the one featuring the two princesses. The two are being helped with the needles by Cinnamon Roll and Cinnamon Swirl. The two are confident that they are likely to get an A+.
Meanwhile, back at their house, Apple Annie is chatting with a friend of hers named Chatty Gallant while Golden Apple plays in a corner with his teddy bear. Apple Annie smiles and lets go of a little giggle. "He's such a little cutie," says Chatty with a smile.
"Yeah, Apple Jam absolutely loves him," replies Annie with a smile. "I heard you were expecting your own foal soon."
"Yeah, I'm going to be foaling a little filly in around seven months time," replies Chatty Gallant with a smile. The two then change the subject. "Where's Apple Jam, I haven't seen her since she got her cutie mark?"
"She's at her friend Cinnamon Bun's working on their school project," replies Apple Annie.
"Oh, okay," replies Chatty as she takes a sip of her tea. Annie does the same. The two then bite into apple cinnamon scones. As the two munch on their scones, they listen to the Equestria News over the rodeo. The two are glad just to have this time to themselves to catch up. "So, how did the Equestria Rodeo Tour go?"
"It went well, I enjoyed pulling off my lasso tricks and my special tri-lasso duel-pistol trick for all the ponies," giggles Annie with a smile stretching across her face. "Franklin, though, he got hurt the first day and wasn't able to continue the rest of the rodeo, which totally bummed him out."
"Well, I'm glad he is back to his normal self, I'm glad his hoof is no longer hurt," replies Chatty, "and I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. I do feel sorry for Franklin, though."
"Yeah, so do I."
Back over at Cinnamon Bun's house, the two add another background patch of white and pink to the quilt, the last one before the flag squares go on. Cinnamon Swirl pulls the thread tight and Apple Jam and Cinnamon Bun then place out the flag squares in the center and begin to sew them on with Cinnamon Swirl's help. The two smile as they hoof bump. They can't wait to show it to their teacher.
One day while Apple Jam and Cinnamon Bun are finishing up their project over at his house, Annie gets a letter from Princess Celestia. "Hello Annie," says the letter from Celestia, "my sister and I are putting on a big birthday bash for my nephew, Blueblood. He's turning four on Friday and we'd love if you'd come perform. He loves all your tricks especially that one you do with the three lassos and two guns. So, will you please do it? He's a huge fan of yours."
Annie sits down and writes Celestia back. "Sure," writes Annie, "I'd love to. I'll see y'all on Friday!" She then puts it in an envelope addressed to Royal Palace, Canterlot and then puts a stamp on it and sticks it in the mailbox to be picked up. A few hours later, a pegasus stops by and picks up the letter and flies it to the castle and drops it in Celestia's hoof. Celestia opens it and begins to read the response. As she does, she can't help but smile. She's so glad that Annie agreed to do the party.
Meanwhile back at the Oak Tree-Flankler house, Annie tells Franklin about her latest show opportunity. "So," says Annie to Franklin, "I'm heading out to Canterlot in the next few days to put on a birthday show for Prince Blueblood's fourth birthday. I'm so excited!"
"Good for you!" replies Franklin as he sweeps her into the air and sets her down again. "Putting on a show for the prince is a very high honor indeed!"
A few days later, Annie packs up bright and early and hops on the first train to Canterlot as Franklin and her children wave her off from the station. Annie hopes to arrive in Canterlot before dark, so she left super early. Franklin, however, sees it as the perfect time for some father children bonding time, something they haven't had in a very long time. As soon as he sees the train is gone, he turns to the children and asks with a smile, "what do you want to do this weekend now that your mother is gone?"
"The fairgrounds, ice cream, maybe the pottery shop!" exclaims Apple Jam. "After all, my project for school is done! I get to present it today since, after all, today is only Thursday!" Apple Jam then gives her father a hug and dashes off from the train station to the school since she doesn't want to be late.
"Goo," says little Golden Apple. Franklin just smiles. They can have fun together today once Apple Jam is finished with school. Actually, it totally slipped his mind that today was even a school day or that it wasn't even Friday yet at all. He grabs the little colt up in his hooves and walks home. For now, all he can do is play toys with his son and listen to the news on the radio. He sighs. He can't wait for the school day to be up so he can enjoy better quality time with both of his children.
Meanwhile, on the train, Annie sighs as she eats some freshly made pancakes in the dining car. She hopes the children will be alright without her home this weekend. Then again, they're used to her traveling, especially Apple Jam. "I just hope they'll behave for their daddy," she says to herself, letting out another long sigh. She then returns to just eating her pancakes because they're just so good, she then downs a second plate of them. On the bright side, the train food is good. She can definitely say that much for sure right now.
Around midnight, the train pulls into the Canterlot station, where Annie is greeted by Princess Luna herself, who lets her hop into the royal chariot alongside her and the two take back to the skies together. Annie smiles as she chatters on and off with Luna over the course of the trip back to the castle. As far as she knows, this'll be her first time actually staying at the castle. After all, someone would remember well being picked up by one of the princesses before, but for Annie, this definitely felt like a first.
A few minutes later, the two touch down in the castle courtyard and Luna shows Annie to her room. As Annie enters, she looks around awestruck. This is definitely her first time staying in the castle. She knows that for sure now. "Thanks for picking me up," says Annie to Luna as Luna slips out of the room.
"No problem," replies Luna with a smile. "It was the least I could do." Luna then leaves the room and heads to her own, where she smiles as she casts the spell to go into the dream realm.
Meanwhile, back in her room, Annie gets into her night gown then plops down on the bed, pulls up the sheets, and falls fast asleep. This is definitely the comfiest bed she's ever slept in. As she sleeps, she can't help but dream of all the fun she'll be sharing with the prince come tomorrow morning for his birthday.
The next morning, Annie wakes up before the sun and showers and gets into her show garb, a nice pink fringe dress with matching hat and boots and goes outside to practice. While outside, Annie does her rope tricks and even her special tri-lasso duel-pistol trick, a smile on her face all the while. The party starts at noon so she has a good solid seven or so hours to practice as it's already 7:00 in the morning, the sun finally in the sky.
Around two hours later, Celestia walks outside while Annie is in the midst of doing her swan shape with her rope. "I see it's coming along well," says Celestia with a smile.
"Yes, yes it is! I'm so excited for later!" replies Annie with a smile. "Who else is working the prince's party, if you don't mind me asking?"
"His favorite band: The Four Hoof Boys," replies Celestia, "they're doing the music."
"That's cool," replies Annie, the lasso falling down and her strapping it back to her belt with her teeth. "Anything else?"
"Yeah, there's a balloon animal guy coming and he is getting a mega cake in the shape of a dragon, yeah," giggles Celestia. "There's also a puppeteer coming that does medieval stories, so he has lots of dragon props."
"Yeah, he's definitely going to love all of this party!" replies Annie with a smile and a giggle. Celestia then says a see you later and flies off to finish off the special mega stack of pancakes with her trademark faces. It's Blueblood's favorite meal and something he asked her to do for his birthday to which she happily agreed.
In the castle kitchen, Celestia mixes together the pancake batter and then gets it going on the skillet. She then adds in the blueberries and then flips them. She then does around fifty more before stacking them and flying up to put the face on the very top. She then takes out the stacks of pancakes and places them alongside the rest of the food for the party. Everything is coming together perfectly.
Early the next morning, Annie packs up her bags and hops on the first train back to Ponyville. She's eager to see her foals and husband again. About an hour later, Annie hops on the train, the princesses waving her off. She waves back with a smile before ducking back inside the car and sitting down on her seat. She then pulls a picture out of her bag and smiles. It's a picture of her with the young prince at his birthday party. She's so glad she was able to make his birthday fun and exciting. She puts the picture back in her bag and then grabs out a small bag of cinnamon nuts and begins to munch on the tasty treat.
Meanwhile, back in Ponyville, Franklin is helping Apple Jam prepare for the Young Ponies Lamb Roping competition. He smiles as he helps her guide the rope around a bale of hay. Apple Jam smiles back at him as she tugs it tight. She then loosens it up and throws it again on her own with no help. She continues to do this for several more hours before turning in for the day. Tomorrow is the competition, she gulps, she hopes she does well. Her father assures her she'll do fine, but, even so, she can't help but be nervous.
Three hours later, Annie arrives back in Ponyville and hops off the train and into the hooves of Franklin, who embraces her in a hug. "How'd it go?" he inquires as he lets go of her.
"It went well, young Prince Blueblood enjoyed my tricks as did his friends and the royal sisters. I enjoyed myself! The smiles on all their faces were totally worth it!" replies Annie with a wide smile on her face. Franklin then throws her bag on his back and the two head home. A few minutes later, they arrive at home and drops Annie's bags inside. She is then rushed by Apple Jam and little Golden Apple jumps into her hooves and gives her a great big hug. Annie smiles and lets out a giggle. She's so glad to be home. "How'd the Young Ponies Lamb Roping competition practice go?" inquires Annie.
"It went off well, daddy helped me, but I got it down after two or three goes," replies Apple Jam with a smile.
"Good for you, I'm so proud of you," replies Annie as she ruffles Apple Jam's hair.
"Thanks, maw," replies Apple Jam, "that means the world coming from you! Are you coming to watch me tomorrow?"
"I wouldn't miss it for the world," replies Annie with a smile.
The next day at noon, Annie and Franklin go and sit in the crowd as they watch Apple Jam get her rope and go line up alongside several other foals to await their sheep. The buzzer then sounds and the young ponies then are greeted by their lambs, which they lasso around the neck and then tie it around their feet and tackling them to the ground. Apple Jam gets hers down within ten seconds flat. Annie and Franklin cheer with pride. A few seconds later, the rest of the foals tackle down their lambs and get their scores.
Once all the scores are taken, Apple Jam comes out in the top three in second place. She's thrilled. She can't help but smile as she stands on the winners' podium alongside the first place and third place winners, a colt named High Side and another filly named Pear Bud. The three then stand there for a picture with their newly handed out medals around their necks. The three foals then go out for ice cream along with their families and the other participants. Annie and Franklin are so proud of their daughter and they tell her that much over giant milkshakes.
A few days after the prince's party, Annie gets another letter from Celestia. This time it's one asking if they want to come and watch the Regal Flyers Gallery perform. Annie immediately writes back. "Sure! We'd love too!" she writes. She then takes it to the mailbox outside her door where a pegasus pony picks it up and flies it to the castle and drops it into Celestia's hoof. She opens it with a smile, glad to know they are wanting to come and see the Regal Flyers Gallery perform.
A few hours later, Apple Annie, Franklin, and their children hop on the first train to Canterlot. Apple Jam is especially excited. She's always wanted to see the Regal Flyers Gallery perform and now she finally gets that chance. Annie, in the meantime, is trying to keep her daughter pinned down to the seat so she doesn't go flying out a window in a flood of excitement. Franklin, on the other hand, giggles at the two all the while. Around three hours later, the four hop off the train and head for the castle grounds and take their seats in the castle arena where they are soon greeted by Celestia and Luna.
A half hour later, the Regal Flyers Gallery are led into the sky by their captain: Captain Dart Wind. Apple Jam looks up in amazement, eyes wide. Her parents and the rest of the ponies soon do the same. The Regal Flyers Gallery does twists, turns, dips, and spirals, the ponies cheering them on all the while. The show continues on for several hours before coming to an end, the ponies rushing to greet them and get their autographs as soon as they land. Even Apple Jam stands in line and gets an autograph, which she shows to her parents through squealing teeth. The three, with a sleeping baby in hoof, then go into the castle along with the princesses and talk for the rest of the afternoon about the great show they had just witnessed. It's truly the most fun they've had in awhile. All of them can agree to that, especially Apple Jam.
Author's Note
Regal Flyers Gallery is Pre-Wonderbolts btw
That night after making sure the children were fast asleep, Annie and Franklin snuck out into the orchard to do some friendly late night shenanigans including an apple bucking competition. As they ready themselves, they begin to sing. "Any apple you can buck, I can buck faster, I can buck any apple faster than you," sings Annie.
"No you can't" sing Franklin in response.
"Yes I can."
"No you can't."
"Yes I can! Yes, I can!"
"Anything you can be, I can be greater. Sooner or later, I'm greater than you!" sings Franklin.
"No you're not!"
"Yes I am!"
"No you're not!"
"Yes I am!"
"No you're not!"
"Yes I am, yes I am!"
The two break out singing at the same time. "Yes I can!!! No you can't!!!" They then finish it and get back to apple bucking. Annie ends up bucking twenty-nine trees before sunrise while Franklin only gets twenty-five!" He then admits, "Yes you can!" The two then head back inside and plop down on the couch and fall asleep. Annie can do better than him at some things and clearly, apple bucking is no different. That is plain to see now. Franklin just doesn't know why he didn't see it before.
Annie manages to hold onto life for another two months before finally dying in her hospital bed, three days later on November 3rd. Franklin and the children are grief stricken. Annie meant everything to them and now she's gone. Three weeks later, they invite all their friends together for Annie's funeral and it's a mighty sad one indeed. Even the princesses managed to make it. That's how important Annie was to them. After the funeral, Franklin and the children go home and just cry and cry and cry some more. They don't know what they're going to do now that Annie is gone.
In class the next day, Miss Honeysuckle notices that there's something not quite right with Apple Jam. She walks over to the young filly. "You're taking your mother's death rather hard, aren't you?" she asks. Apple Jam sniffles and nods her head.
"Mm hmm," she replies as tears begin to form in her eyes.
"Well, I too, know what it's like to lose my mother around your age. I was twelve when my mother passed away," replies Miss Honeysuckle. She holds Apple Jam in her hooves and comforts her the best she can. Apple Jam, on the other hoof, is just glad somepony understands her pain and her grief.
Meanwhile, back at the farmhouse, Franklin just sits at Annie's gravestone and cries. She was his world and now she's gone and he doesn't know what to do. He doesn't know how he can move on without her, but he has to try, for the children's sake. After all, he is still their father. That's one fact that will never change.
Author's Note
PS: November 3rd is Annie Oakley's death date along with my birthday, so yeah.
A few days after the funeral, the Cinnamon family stops by to see if Franklin and the children are okay and he gladly lets the three inside and sits them down on the couch to talk.
"So," says Franklin, "I'm glad someponies came by to see how we were doing."
"Yeah, we were wondering if y'all were okay," replies Cinnamon Swirl, "especially after Cinnamon Bun told me he saw Apple Jam crying in class a few days ago."
"We're glad you came by, you want any coffee?" asks Franklin.
"Sure," reply Cinnamon Swirl and Cinnamon Roll. Franklin gets up and brews a pot for the three of them and then brings over the cups and hands them out and then sits back down in his chair. Franklin then begins to talk with Cinnamon Swirl and Apple Jam begins to talk with Cinnamon Bun. She's glad he cares so much and Franklin's glad Cinnamon Swirl also cares so much. There's a reason they are all the closest of friends, times like these are why. Now, they're about to move on through this hard time together just like good friends do.
It was a normal, sunny day in Ponyville when Franklin Flankler came into town. As he approached, he approached with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. Then, one pony who was standing in the background with her rifle, cleaning it, noticed him. That pony was Apple Annie Oak Tree. As he took his spot in the square, she approached him with her gun. "I challenge you to a shoot off," she says with a grin on her face.
"Well, challenge accepted little filly," replies Franklin Flankler.
The two aim their guns and begin to fire off, one after the other, each time Apple Annie starting it off. The two went at it for hours before Annie finally came out on top.
"You've sure got some shootin' finger," says Franklin to Annie after the shoot off.
"Thanks," replies Annie.
"So, I was thinking," says Franklin, "how would you like to join me on my tour across Equestria?"
"Oh! I'd love too!" replies Apple Annie. "But I'll need to bring my siblings along if you don't mind."
"Not at all," replies Franklin with a smile.
That afternoon, Annie loads her and her siblings' luggage onto the train with help from Franklin. She then hops on the train followed by her younger siblings. A few minutes later, the train pulls out of the station. Apple Annie then begins to sing.
"I'm on my way, my way across Equestria. I'm going to gain some fame, ponies are going to notice my skills. Just imagine my name in the headlights 'The Great Apple Annie Oak Tree'. Just imagine it now. I can see it now. I can't wait for this new life, this new life, I'm jumping into the deep end, here I go! I'm going to be a big name. I can see it, see it so clearly. I'm on my way, my way across Equestria. I'm going to gain some new experiences. Ponies are going to notice my skills, love all my stunts, I can't wait. I'm on my way! I'm on my way! Soon I'm going to have it all, a new life, a new job, a big name. I'm going to have it all, including the fame!" She then gets back to just staring out the window at the blue sky and sees a rainbow overhead. She smiles. She's about to make her name and she couldn't be happier.
Later that night, Apple Annie goes back to the bed car and tucks in her little sisters and brother for the night. As she tucks them in, she smiles. "Annie," asks her little brother, "are we going to be famous? are you going to be famous?"
"Yes, yes, we're all going to be famous," Apple Annie replies with a smile. "Now get some sleep. All of you." The four little ones nod and then snuggle under their sheets and fall asleep. Annie smiles as she leaves the car. She can't wait to start doing the show with Franklin. Her life is finally going uphill and she couldn't be more excited.
Author's Note
Apple Annie Oak Tree=Annie Oakley
Later that night, Franklin introduces Annie to Buffalo Billiard. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Billiard!" says Annie with a smile on her face as she shakes his hoof.
"Nice to meet you, too, Apple Annie," replies Buffalo Billiard.
"You realize this is a big step, small town girl to big time star, don't you, Annie?" say Buffalo Billiard and Franklin in unison. "But we can help you get there!" The two break into song. "Apple Annie, don't you see, there's no business like show business like no business I know, everything about it is appealing, everything the ponies will allow, and nothing is more pleasing than stealing that extra bow. There's no ponies like show ponies they smile when they are low. Now, let's go, on with the show!" Annie then joins in and the three begin to sing together. "There's no business like show business like no business we know, everything about it is appealing, everything the ponies will allow, and nothing is more pleasing than stealing that extra bow. There's no ponies like show ponies they smile when they are low. Now, let's go, let's go, on with the show! Let's go on with the show!" The three finish up the song and get back to just talking about the week's performances and stops. As they do, Apple Annie continues to get even more and more excited. She then begins to sing.
"I've wanted to be a star since I was a wee lass, now I finally get a chance. I get a chance to be a shining star. If maw and paw were alive, they'd be proud I got this far. Just imagine it now, I can see it now, I'm a star now and I'm going to be, the brightest star in the sky. I learned to use a pistol when I was five, a rifle when I was nine. I was using a lasso since the day I was born. Now I get to put those skills and tricks to use, now I only have more to win than lose. I'm gonna be a big star soon, I can't believe it, I can't believe it, my dream has finally come true!"
Once she finishes singing her song, she wishes the men a good night then heads off to bed. She may be excited, but she is tired. Once in her bedroom car, Annie takes off her hat and boots and hops into bed and falls fast asleep. Tomorrow is her first day working alongside Franklin and with that thought in her mind, she begins to fall into a deep, dream filled sleep.
That evening, Annie goes with Papa Big Buffalo and Little Bird back to their Indian grounds and join her into the family. Once she's accepted into the Indian tribe, Annie begins to sing. "Big horn, little horn, I'm an Indian too, I'm an Indian too, I'm an Indian too, thin hoof, thick hoof, wide shoulder, broad shoulder, I'm an Indian too. I'm an Indian too, yes I'm an Indian too!"
Big Buffalo smiles as he goes over and kisses Annie on the head and responds, "yes, you're an Indian too."
A few hours later, Annie returns to the hotel where she finds Franklin sitting outside her room. "What are you doing outside my room?" asks a shocked Annie.
"I was waiting for you to get back, I want to talk," replies Franklin.
"About what?" inquires Annie.
"Let's go in your room and I'll tell you." Annie nods and lets Franklin into her room. He sits down in the bed across from her bed. "Annie," he says with a smile on his face, "I love you. I think I've loved you since that first day we met, the day you beat me in the shoot out."
"I love you, too," replies Annie as she walks over and gives him a kiss on the cheek. "I was hoping you'd tell me you felt the same."
"You were?" says a confused Franklin.
"Yes, I was," replies Annie. "Now, let's grab the rest of them and go down to dinner." Franklin nods and the two grab her siblings and Buffalo Billiard and they all go down to dinner together. At dinner, Annie and Franklin smile at each other as they eat. Buffalo Billiard just rolls his eyes. The two may be in love, but they don't have to show it at the dinner table.
After dinner wraps up, Annie's siblings return to their room while Annie and Franklin stay downstairs for hours on end and sit outside in the cool night air. Buffalo Billiard, meanwhile, sits at the hotel bar and downs several shots. He's glad the two are happy together, he's glad they're a couple. He just doesn't want to see them kiss and goo goo at each other all the time.
The next day, Annie goes off to hang out with some of her relatives for a few hours before pack up time for them to head off to their next stop.
"I'm so glad you could come!" says Aunt Apple Lace's son as Annie walks through the door.
"Don't mind, Washington, he's just happy to see his big cousin," replies Apple Lace. Washington steps back into place behind his mother as Annie comes into the main room of the apartment.
"I don't mind little Washington, why didn't he come with y'all to the performance?" asks Annie.
"Oh, he was on a field trip with school," replies Apple Lace.
A few minutes later, cousin Apple Belle walks through the door with a smile on her face. "Hey Annie, good to see you. I thought you had left already."
"Nah, we leave in three to five hours since the train got held up by some broken tracks half way down the line," replies Annie.
"Oh, well, I'm glad you're here!" replies Apple Belle.
"Where's Uncle Rich Apple?" asks Annie curiously.
"He's at work at the family business: Apple and Sons," replies Aunt Apple Lace with a smile.
Annie is then sat down for coffee by her aunt and cousins. They then talk for a few more hours before Annie heads back to the train station and boards the train, the tracks now fixed. As the train pulls out, Annie can't help but think about the amazing time she got to spend with her family, just catching up. She couldn't ask for more than that. She just wishes she could've told them that she and Franklin were a couple. She makes up her mind about it and decides she'll write them about it later. She goes off to the reading car to practice her reading with her little brother. After all, she did promise him.
A month later, with their friends, family, and even the princesses watching on, Annie and Franklin are wed. As the two say their vows, they look into each other's eyes with smiles on their faces. Once vows are said, the two share a very long kiss which lasts around a minute. "I love you," sighs Annie.
"And I'd be nowhere without you," replies Franklin. He then begins to sing. "Annie, you brought so much joy into my life. You showed me it could be more than just a show. You showed me, there was so much more to do and see and even taught me the importance of the closeness of family. Annie, Apple Annie, I'd be nowhere without you. You made me who I am today, and I can't help but thank you. I am so lucky now that I'm your man. I'll keep you happy, that's the promise, the plan. Annie, oh Annie, I'll always love you. You'll continue to teach me new things too. Annie, you brought so much joy into my life. I couldn't ask for more. Now, what are we waiting for! Let's show the world what Apple Annie Oak Tree Flankler and Franklin Flankler can do, let's show them all what we are capable of, all the things that we can do!"
"Only one thing for me to say," replies Annie with a grin, "Okay." The two then dash down the aisle and into an awaiting carriage. The two are then off on their honeymoon to Honeysuckle Hollow, the premier honeymoon destination for all newly weds in Equestria. As they get on the train to head to their destination, Annie can't help but smile. She's so glad she gets to spend the rest of her life with Franklin. She'd honestly have it no other way.
Two days later, they arrive in Honeysuckle Hollow, where they grab their stuff and hop off the train and head towards the hotel in the middle of the grove. There, they check in and go to their room on the third floor, where they drop off their stuff before going off to do the activities on the grounds. The two chuckle as they toss horseshoes out back and they even do the spa together and even go swimming together, having a blast. The two are so glad they get this time alone together, after all, they definitely need the break.
A few hours later, they get out of the pool and return to the room and get ready for dinner. Once she's done in the shower, Annie gets into her best blue fringe dress and matching hat and goes and meets up with Franklin, who was sitting on the couch waiting. He then gets up and the two head off to the Magical Hill Restaurant.
A few minutes later in the Magical Hill Restaurant, the two are seated by a waiter named Sebastian. Once they're seated, he brings them menus and asks for their drink order. "I'll have a sweet apple tea," says Apple Annie with a sweet voice and smile on her face.
"I'd like a coffee, black," replies Franklin.
"Sure thing, I'll be right back with those," replies Sebastian as he goes off and gets the drinks. A few minutes later, he returns and places the drinks in front of them. "Do you know what you want to order yet?"
"No, not yet," replies Franklin. "We still need a few minutes." Sebastian nods and agrees to come back in a few minutes as he walks off.
About fifteen minutes later, Sebastian returns to their table and takes their order. "What would you like to eat tonight?" asks Sebastian, pulling out his pad and pen.
"I'll have the haysteak with mushrooms," says Franklin. Sebastian writes this down.
"And for you, Mrs.?" asks Sebastian.
"I'll have the Apple salad with the wheat croutons," replies Annie. Sebastian writes this down.
"I'll be right back with those in around twenty minutes or so," replies Sebastian, trotting off.
"Annie," says Franklin once Sebastian is gone, "when we get back from the honeymoon, we need to think about starting a family. You know that, right?"
"I know," replies Apple Annie. "That's what has me nervous."
"Well, you shouldn't be nervous, after all, you practically raised your sisters and brother," replies Franklin with a smile.
Twenty minutes later, Sebastian walks back over with their food and places it in front of them. The two then dig in right away. They're that hungry. Sebastian slides back over to the kitchen to grab the food for the other tables in his section. As they eat, they do so with quiet as they savor every single bite. They can both agree that there's a good reason this restaurant has three stars. Its food is just that amazing!
An hour later, the two finish up their meals and pay then leave the restaurant and go out for a walk through the fountain garden out back of the hotel. Everything is perfect as they walk, Annie's head on his shoulder. Franklin just smiles. He's so glad Annie agreed to marry him. After all, without her, he would've left to join Buck Tooth Billiard in a heartbeat. It's her that got him to stick around and for that, he couldn't be more grateful!
Three months after the wedding, bright and early, Annie shakes Franklin awake. "Why'd you wake me up Annie, it's only 6:30?!"
"Because the princesses are on our doorstep," replies Annie. Franklin blinks and soon the fog lifts from his eyes. The princesses are indeed on their doorstep. He stumbles out of bed and into the closet and into a hat and boots and neck pull. He then walks over to Annie's side to greet the princesses.
"Hello your majesties," say Apple Annie and Franklin in unity.
"Hello, Annie and Franklin," replies Celestia.
"Good to see you again," adds Luna.
"You too!" replies Annie with a smile. "It's been too long!"
"I can agree to that," replies Luna with a giggle. Celestia giggles too.
"Please come in for tea," replies Annie. The princess nod and come inside and sit down. A few minutes later, Annie enters the room and pours tea for the princesses and brings them freshly baked biscuits with apple preserves. She then sits down with them and Franklin follows suit. The four then begin to talk.
"So, anything new?" inquires Celestia. Annie smiles over at Franklin and he nods, showing to her that it's okay that she shares the good news.
"Well," replies Apple Annie with a soft smile on her face, "we're expecting our first foal."
"Congratulations!" exclaim the princesses.
"Thanks," replies Annie blushing. "We're excited."
"And rightly so," replies Luna. "This is a big step!"
A few hours later, the princesses thank the two for tea and fly off back towards Canterlot. Annie sighs as she walks over and falls down into the chair and falls asleep. Franklin smiles as he goes out back to check on the dogs. Now outside with the dogs, Franklin laughs as he plays fetch with them for hours on end. He can confidently admit the dogs are sure to love their foal once it's born. A few minutes later, he returns inside and goes off to give his and Annie's boots a good and thorough cleaning and polish. He smiles as he takes the rag to the first pair of boots. He really and truly can't wait to be a father.
Eight months later, Apple Annie gives birth to a healthy little filly, whom she names Apple Jam. Apple Jam will go on to be Granny Smith's mother someday several years down the road. Right now, though, she's a sleeping infant in Annie's arms. As she rocks her daughter, Annie begins to hum a little song: "My dear little Apple Jam, my little star, the apple of my eye, I'll always be here for you, I'll always protect you, that's a promise that will never change, yes that's a promise that will never change."
A few minutes later, Franklin enters the house after getting back from walking the dogs. He then goes to their bedroom, where he kisses Annie on the head as he takes the sleeping filly from her hooves and rocks it in his own, smiling all the while. "She's beautiful," he whispers. "She looks just like her momma, her aunties, and her uncle."
"Awe, thanks," replies Annie blushing. The baby begins to cry and she takes it back from Franklin and nurses it back to sleep. Franklin goes back outside to do some pistol shooting and rifle shooting practice. After all, he still has a show to put on at the end of the week for all the ponies of Equestria. He did promise the princesses and he can't back out now. He just hopes Annie and their daughter will be okay on their own while he's gone.
Bright and early Friday morning, Franklin gets out of bed, kisses Annie on the head, grabs his bags and heads for the train station. An hour later, he hops on the train for Canterlot. He sighs as he looks out the window. He then sighs as he looks at the picture of his wife with their baby in his hooves. Three hours later, the train pulls into Canterlot and Franklin grabs his stuff and hops off and goes and checks into the hotel. Once he's checked in, he goes off to grab some lunch at the highly recommended Big Buffalo Hay Steak Grill. There, he orders the hay steak plate which comes with a side of coleslaw and strawberry apple salad, which he happily enjoys. As he eats, he still can't help but think about his wife and daughter and how they're home alone without him. He soon finishes his meal, pays, and leaves. He goes to the venue to shoot a few rounds to try and get his mind off of his wife and his little baby girl. As he shoots his guns, he still can't get his family out of his mind.
That afternoon at the big performance, Franklin lets out a tear as he performs his tricks for the princesses and everypony else. He does his signature trick, the double Dutchman shoot. As he does this one, he gets applause from everypony. A few hours later, the show comes to an end and Franklin goes back to his hotel room and cries. He just wants to get home to Annie and little Apple Jam. He misses them so, so much and is just ready to get home and see them.
Five years later, while helping her aunts and uncle in the kitchen making jam, little Apple Jam's flank begins to glow and is soon followed by a cutie mark of an apple preserve jar. She smiles giddily as she prances around the kitchen. "I finally got my cutie mark! Momma! Daddy! Come quick! I got my cutie mark! I got my cutie mark!" Annie and Franklin come running to the kitchen. They smile as they look at Apple Jam's flank.
"Congratulations, sugar cube!" says Apple Annie. "I'm so proud of you!"
"Thanks, momma!"
"That's my girl!" says Franklin as she sweeps her off her hooves and onto his shoulders and trots around the kitchen, her laughing all the while. Eventually, Franklin wears himself out and drops Apple Jam back down onto the floor and ruffles her hair. Annie then goes and grabs a loaf of apple raisin bread and cinnamon cream and makes them all a slice to celebrate Apple Jam getting her cutie mark. They'll have her cutesenera over the weekend.
The weekend soon rolls around and everypony gathers at the bakery to celebrate. Apple Jam wears her best bright blue ribbon in her hair and its matching dress as she chatters along with her friends. Apple Annie and Franklin smile as they talk with the other adults in the corner. "Wow! It's about time she got her mark, it suits her too," says Apple Jam's best friend Cinnamon Bun's mom, Cinnamon Swirl.
"Yeah, I'm so very proud of her," replies Annie with a smile on her face. She then takes a sip of her coffee. "I have another secret to tell her later, too." She whispers into Cinnamon Swirl's ear. "I'm expecting my second."
"Really, congratulations," Cinnamon Swirl whispers back.
The two then get back to idle chatter while Franklin is off talking with Cinnamon Swirl's husband, Hickory Smoke, the local woodsman and his pals. Annie smiles over at them then gets back to talking with Cinnamon Swirl.
Meanwhile, Apple Jam jokes around with her friends and tells them every detail about how she got her cutie mark. "So, I was in the kitchen making preserves with my aunts and uncle," explains Apple Jam, "when I got my cutie mark! I knew I loved making jams and preserves, but I never knew it would be my special talent!"
"I think that's how it tends to go," replies Cinnamon Bun. "I haven't gotten mine yet, though."
"You'll get it in time," replies Apple Jam. "I promise." She gives him a kiss on the cheek. "I know you will." Cinnamon Bun blushes. He knows Apple Jam is right. He will get his mark soon enough and at the time he realizes his talent is baking just like hers.
Two weeks later, Apple Annie and Franklin arrive in Appleloosa for the Great Equestrian Rodeo. First up is trick lassoing, which Annie does alongside three other mares and one stallion. She smiles as she makes one shape after another, first a rabbit, then a bird, then a dog, a heart, a star, an apple, a boot, a hat, a swan, then a unicorn, a pegasus, an earth pony, a diamond, a cat, and a crown. The ponies stare on in awe, including the regal sisters from their seats in the top stand. They then stand up and cheer, clapping their hooves together. Annie smiles as she takes a bow, the other four then follow suit. They then trot off back to the back, while the bull wrestlers take the floor, including Franklin. Annie stands behind the others, a frightened look in her eyes as Franklin jumps onto the bull and begins to wrestle it. She then stares in horror as he falls to the ground, crushing his hoof on the hard packed dirt. He is then carried off by the medic ponies. Annie's eyes begin to fill with tears as she runs off after the medic ponies and her beloved Franklin.
In the medical tent, Annie watches on, still shocked, while the medic ponies support and wrap Franklin's hoof. "Franklin, what were you thinking?" asks a disappointed and angry Annie.
"I was thinking I could stay on, but you see how that went," says Franklin looking at his hoof then up at her. "So much for my other events. I can't even compete anymore." Franklin then gets an idea. "Annie, you have to throw the hay bales into the stack on my behalf. You can do it! I believe in you."
"Okay, I'll do it," replies Annie, a nervous tone in her voice. "I'll do it for you."
Annie then goes back to the main arena and lines up in Franklin's spot alongside the other hay bale throwers, all stallions. She gulps. She can't help but feel a little intimidated. The event soon begins. She throws one bale, then another, and another, and another until all of her ten are on the stack. She then falls down and collapses. Throwing those bales really took a toll on her. The medics come and grab her off the arena floor and to the side and give her a glass of water and begin to fan her to cool her off. Annie sighs weakly, "I did it, honey." She then faints. The medic ponies take her to the medical tent to get some rest, rest she very much needs.
In the medical tent, Annie is placed on one of the beds and falls to sleep almost immediately, but not before whispering to Franklin next to her, "I did it, honey." Franklin smiles over at her as she falls asleep.
"Good job, now get some sleep," replies Franklin. "You definitely need it."
As Cinnamon Bun and Apple Jam continue to enjoy the Children's Comic Book Show, Cinnamon Roll goes to stroll around on his own where he soon bumps into a beautiful young mare, only two years younger than him, named Cherry Sweet. The two begin to talk and then go off on their own, leaving Cinnamon Bun and Apple Jam unattended and on their own. Apple Jam soon notices that something is wrong. "Cinnamon Bun, where's your brother?" asks Apple Jam.
"I don't know, he was here with us a few minutes ago, I don't know where he could've gone," replies Cinnamon Bun.
"Well! Let's go find him! C'mon!" hollers Apple Jam. Cinnamon Bun nods and the two run off in search of Cinnamon Roll. They look all up and down the comic show for several hours on end before they finally find him in a corner kissing a mare. The two look on, both disgusted and in shock. They can both agree they wish to unsee all of this, alas, they both know that is impossible.
"Cinnamon Roll!" hollers Cinnamon Bun. "You were supposed to watch us! Mom told you to!"
"Who cares what mom says? I'm a grown stallion. You're ten, you can take care of yourself!" replies Cinnamon Roll, slightly ticked off by his little brother. He then groans as he kisses Cherry Sweet goodbye and then apologizes for the behavior of his little brother. Cherry just smiles as she waves goodbye to him. Cinnamon Roll groans once again as he walks back to the comic tables to talk to the creators alongside his little brother and Apple Jam. He can't help but feel grounded. All he wanted was some time alone with his new girlfriend. Was that really too much to ask? Clearly, it was. He can't feel but he's the go to foal sitter for his mother and that is something he absolutely hates.
Eleven months later, Annie gives birth to a healthy little colt, whom she names Golden Apple, who will later go on to be the father of Goldy Delicious. Excited to be a big sister, Apple Jam is the first one to hold her little brother. As she rocks him, she can't help but smile. She's so glad to be a big sister. Annie just smiles all the while.
An hour later, Apple Jam is picked up by Cinnamon Swirl and taken to school. Annie can't thank Cinnamon Swirl enough. She's always around when she needs an extra hoof and for that, she's grateful. Apple Annie just lies back and begins to nurse the sleeping little colt. She then begins to sing a simple lullaby. "Sleep my little Golden sweetheart, sleep, my little boy. Sleep, sleep, sleep on, your dreams watch over you. Sleep my little Golden sweetie, sleep, my little boy. Sleep, sleep, sleep on, your dreams watch over you. Your dreams watch over you. Your dreams watch over you." Annie finishes nursing little Golden Apple and goes and lays him down in his crib. She then goes off and gets a glass of milk from the fridge and drinks it. She's so glad to be a mother once again. She honestly couldn't ask for more.
Meanwhile, at school, Apple Jam is taking a math test alongside her fellow classmates. As she sits there and does her test, she can't help but think about her new baby brother. Around fifteen minutes later, Apple Jam turns in her math test along with her other classmates. She also manages to score a 99. This makes her squeal in surprise and shock. She's just relieved she passed.
Five hours later, Apple Jam returns home and is greeted by her mother before going off to play with her little brother in the playroom. As Apple Jam plays with her little brother, Apple Annie can't help but smile as she stands in the doorway. She loves her children and is glad the two are going to get along splendidly.
A few hours later, noon arrives and Annie goes into the main hall of the castle to join the rest of the entertainers for the young prince's party. As the band plays in the background, Annie begins to show off her tricks for the young prince with the lasso. She then pulls off her tri-lasso duel-pistol trick for him with fake nonexplosive ammunition. As she pulls off this trick, the young prince Blueblood and his friends cheer. The two then go off and get themselves some balloon animals, face painting, and pancakes. Prince Blueblood can't help but smile; so far, his birthday is going perfectly. Once they have their pancakes and balloons, the prince and his friends sit down and listen to The Four Hoof Brothers perform, cheering and smiling all the while. Celestia and Luna also can't help but smile, they're so glad their nephew is happy.
About an hour later, all the ponies gather around for cake and the band begins to play and sing their rendition of "Happy Birthday!" As they do, little Blueblood can't help but smile. Once the song is done, Celestia happily slices the cake and passes it out to her nephew and all of his friends and hands it to them with a smile. She's so glad he's happy. After all, he is her responsibility now that his mother, Anya Treasureblood is dead. She died not long after the Prince's second birthday, which scarred him immensely, hence why she never brings her name up with the young prince. For now, it's time for the prince to just enjoy his birthday without her bringing up anything about his mother. After all, who would ever want to end his fun? Definitely not her.
Later that night after Celestia tucks in Blueblood for the night, Celestia goes to the kitchen and makes hot cocoa with unicorn and pegasus shaped marshmallows for herself and Annie to enjoy as they talk before walking out and joining Annie in the royal courtyard under the stars. She hands Annie the mug and Annie takes a giant sip. "Thanks for doing this amazing party!" says Celestia with a smile.
"No problem, I enjoyed doing it!" replies Annie with a smile. "I love making foals smile especially now that I have two of my own!"
"You had another one?" inquires Celestia.
"Yes, a colt named Golden Apple," replies Annie, "he's such a sweetie. Apple Jam absolutely loves him."
"Yeah, siblings are the best, like I've said before, I'd be a nervous wreck if it wasn't for Luna."
Annie takes another sip of hot cocoa and Celestia does the same. "If you don't mind me asking, what ever happened to Blueblood's mother?"
"She passed away two days after his second birthday," says Celestia, "her name was Anya Treasureblood. She was a really nice mare, loved by everypony. When she died, it absolutely destroyed little Blueblood. When I saw him in tears, I couldn't help but rush to him and sweep him up in my hooves. We never talked about his mom after that and we likely never will, well, at least, not until he's older. He's still very scarred by her death. Honestly, I don't blame him. After all, he is just a foal."
"Yeah, I don't know what my children would do if their father died, it would probably destroy them too. Our jobs may be dangerous but they're not deadly, that's the good thing." Annie finishes up her cocoa and then turns in for the night, Celestia does the same. The two are just glad they got a little time to themselves to talk especially after the busy day working at the prince's birthday party.
One day as she's out working in the orchards, Annie falls to the ground in pain. She then screams in pain and agony for Franklin and he immediately comes running. "What's wrong, Annie?" he asks as he plops down by her side.
"My stomach, it hurts so much, it's definitely worse than a stomach ache, you need to get me to Doctor Trueheart immediately," replies Annie, wincing in pain. Franklin nods, go grabs their cart, loads her into it with a blanket and pillow, and heads towards town Annie groaning all the way there.
A few minutes later, the two arrive at Doctor Trueheart's and Franklin carries Annie inside and to the emergency room where they are greeted by Doctor Trueheart. "Hello Franklin, hello Annie, what seems to be the problem today?" she asks kindly.
"So much pain," replies Annie.
"Let's run a few scans then, shall we," replies the doctor. Annie nods as she is placed in the machine and scanned. As she is being scanned, the scanner brings up something frightening. There are tumors in her stomach along with b12 deficient blood cells. "Annie," says the doctor in a worried almost scared yet concerned voice, "you have pernicious anemia and stomach cancer."
"Oh no," replies Annie in shock. "What does that mean for the future of our children? Does it mean little Golden Apple will grow up without a mother to care for him?" She immediately breaks out in tears of fright. She's not ready to go, but alas, she knows, she probably won't be able to shake this anytime soon.
Over the next few days, cancer continues to spread until it eventually engulfs most of her stomach and part of her liver and kidneys. Annie begins to cry in horror and agonizing pain. Franklin is watching on all the while. "Isn't there anything you can do to help save her life?" he demands of Doctor Trueheart.
"I'm trying," replies the doctor, "but her cancer keeps resisting anything I throw at it."
Meanwhile, back at the farm, Apple Jam and little Golden Apple are being foalsat by one of their good neighbors, Miss Cherry Redpit. She does her best to keep the children calm and their hopes up. "Where's momma?" asks Apple Jam concerned. "What happened to her?"
"Sweetie," replies Miss Cherry, "your mother might not live much longer I'm afraid. She has stomach cancer and it's spreading quickly."
"No, no, no, it can't be!" replies Apple Jam shakily. "She can't be dying. She just can't be." She breaks into tears and Miss Cherry does her best to console the poor filly. Little Golden Apple, on the other hand, has no idea what is going on. He's too young to understand the concept of death. Miss Cherry is kind of relieved at this, however, but on the other hand, she sees it as him not truly knowing what is going to happen to his mother in the next few days or even month if they're lucky. His mom is likely going to die and the poor colt has no concept on how to grasp such a scary and traumatizing idea. For now, all they can do is hope and pray the doctor somehow manages to find a way to save Annie's life before it's too late.
