POV: Apple Bloom
Apple Bloom was looking at the mirror to fix the bow on her head. Not that it mattered much anymore but she liked a semblance of normalcy. This big ol’ farm was now all hers.

“Winona”, Apple Bloom called, “c’mon, it is time to go outside.”
Winona ran over to Apple Bloom who was rewarded with a pat on the head. Her dog couldn’t do much with regards to apple bucking but Apple Bloom was happy for the company.
The two walked outside. Fifty days had passed, and Apple Bloom was still at unease whenever the sun and moon were left awkwardly moving amongst one another in the sky. This occurred four hours a day. However, everypony knew that Luna was doing her best with the sun and the moon. Everypony had to chip in given the losses.

Apple Bloom was determined to ensure that the remaining half of Ponyville still got delicious apples from Sweet Apple Acres. She diligently looked amongst the trees. At least it seemed the apples were growing faster than Apple Bloom could handle them. But the filly grew stronger day by day. She would someday be strong as Applejack and Big Mac. Granny would have been so proud of her. Too bad they would never be able to see it.

“Eeyup”, said Apple Bloom sadly to herself.

Winona nuzzled her nose onto Apple Bloom and made a soft whine.

“I know, I know, I miss them too – Winona. We want to make our family proud for when they come back.”
Winona barked happily at the thought that they could come back.

Apple Bloom bucked tree after tree trying to get the apples to fall. She wasn’t so good at kicking the trees. However, Apple Bloom got better thanks to some old steel boots she found in the attic. They belonged to her father – a stallion who died shortly after she was born. Apple Bloom certainly had faced far too much tragedy for a foal – but the filly was strong and determined.

She kicked the trees aggressively with the boots and apples would fall from the sky. Winona would try to catch as many apples as she could. Apple Bloom smiled to herself. They were both getting better at this job every day. Ponyville would get its apples.

Suddenly, Apple Bloom heard somepony shouting – “Apple Bloom, Apple Bloom! We know how Tirek did it.”

She turned towards the source of the voice. Apple Bloom saw Spike, Bon-Bon, and Rarity were approaching her.

Spike was a small purple dragon who had suffered great loss when his best friend – Twilight Sparkle - had turned into dust right at Canterlot with most of the princesses. Spike organized a fervent and focused library session. Apple Bloom helped a couple of times and was the fastest and best reader of them all, but her duty was to her farm.

Rarity was a gorgeous and fashionable white unicorn with a purple mane. Like many other ponies, Rarity was most distraught by the tragedy. The two of them shared a deep and thoughtful night discussing good memories of Sweetie Belle – one of Apple Bloom’s best friends and Rarity’s younger sister. However, Apple Bloom was impressed that Rarity seemed to look put-together even though she knew the mare was still grieving on the inside.

Bon-Bon had lost her marefriend, Lyra, to Tirek. Bon-Bon had told everypony the story of the Iron Man who spoke to Lyra. Bon-Bon held a massive amount of guilt, but Apple Bloom knew there was little Bon-Bon could have done to stop things. Apple Bloom felt a tinge of hope though when she saw that Bon-Bon smiled at Apple Bloom. Bon-Bon must have not smiled once in the past fifty days.

“Bloom”, said Rarity, “I think we have discovered the apparatus Tirek used to wipe out half of Equestria.”

“In a book or in real life”, asked Apple Bloom.

“It’s only in a book for now but at least we have an answer”, said Bon-Bon. She took the book out of her saddlebag and opened to a page which showed a massive gold gauntlet with six circles on the top.

“This is the Infinity Gauntlet”, said Spike, “once a pony collects all six stones – that pony can use it for one wish with a snap. Anything…including….”

“It’s all right, my dear”, said Rarity, “you don’t need to speak of it.”

“This must have been what caused havoc in Iron Man’s world”, said Bon-Bon, “too bad we don’t have any idea where it is. But Tirek must have it!”

“If he can use it again – who knows what other havoc he can do? We need to do something”, said Apple Bloom, “but….”

“But what”, asked Bon-Bon nervously.

“The Apple farm”, said Apple Bloom, “that’s why ah couldn’t help y’all much with your research.”

“No but you did”, said Spike, “remember all that reading you did on the stones.”

“I’m glad it helped”, said Apple Bloom, “seems like an awfully perverted way to use such noble stones.”

“The stones are only as good as the one who handles them”, said Rarity.

“Wait a minute”, said Apple Bloom, “what if we can get our hooves on the gauntlet and the stones? Couldn’t we bring every pony back?”

“Theoretically, I think so”, said Bon-Bon with a bright smile, “looks like we are going to have to kick Tirek’s ass and get them.”

Bon-Bon’s smile shortly faded, “Too bad most of the powerful magical ponies have been dusted – Twilight Sparkle, Celestia, Cadence. And it’s far too important for Luna to make sure we have a semblance of normal days or we will die that way.”

“I can get in touch with Shining Armor and ask him to rally up the Royal Guard”, said Rarity, “admittedly, it would be awfully nice to get back to Canterlot.”

“We will need all the help we can get”, said Spike.

“Spike, have you heard from Starlight at all?”, asked Apple Bloom.

“No”, said Spike despondently, “after half of Equestria was wiped out – Starlight just kind of disappeared. I think she went back to her hometown but I’m not sure.”

“Good”, said Bon-Bon, “Starlight failed us all. She should have listened to Lyra.”

Apple Bloom didn’t want to argue with Bon-Bon on the matter – but she knew she would have reacted similarly to Starlight. Perhaps with a little more politeness and finesse, but Apple Bloom wouldn’t have believed Lyra until it happened.

“There is hardly any pony alive who is more powerful in the magic realm as Starlight Glimmer”, said Rarity, “I know many of us are upset with her – but we should try to see if she will help.”

“She’s probably out there trying to find Tirek to join him”, said Bon-Bon.

“Bon-Bon”, said Spike, “we have been through this a million times. Starlight has changed for the better. She has helped us and saved Equestria more than once after her redemption. She has learned a lot from Twilight.”

“I don’t know”, said Bon-Bon, “I guess we can just agree to disagree.”

“Sounds good to me”, said Apple Bloom, “we need to gather as many living ponies as we can. Ah will meet y’all at the castle once Winona and I are done bucking apples.”

“Shoot”, said Bon-Bon, “that reminds me. Rich wanted me to do an inventory count of the farm. I think I’ll stay with you for now.”

“Ah appreciate the company”, said Apple Bloom with a smile.

Apple Bloom saw Rarity giddily whisper something in Spike’s ear and the two of them ran off.
Oh my, thought Apple Bloom, ah suppose the rumors are true.

Author's Note

Can they pull this off? To be continued..