Apple Jack's POV

I woke up to the smell of cracklin' bacon and sweet syrupy apple streusel pancakes. My nose practically carried me into the kitchen and sat my flank down. I started stepping down the hall as quick as I could, but then stopped at the familiar shrill voice of my Auntie Applesauce.

"Hello Apple Jack." She smiled with those fake teeth.

"Uh- heya Auntie," I pushed my hat down in front of my eyes like I was tired, but I just didn't wanna look at her.

"Anyway Granny, I'm sorry about your granddaughter."

"Well what'd ya expect? She's only seventeen and got a son."

"That grandson of yours…"

"That ain't your place!" I warned. They both turned their heads to me and it was quiet.

"Anyway, about Apple Bloom. She moved out last night…and I'm worried about her." Granny changed the subject fast, just protecting Big Mac's not-so-good good name.

"Well what do you expect from a two feet tall whore? She's been that way since she learned to walk, which was yesterday right?" Auntie Applesauce asked.

"Now you listen here!" I tried to interrupt, but granny stopped me.

"No, you listen HERE. My granddaughter is my granddaughter! Mistakes'n all!"

"That's right, and if yall don't like it then we don't want ya here!" I slammed my hoof down in anger and she stepped away.

"Well I see how it is Granny. You're going to let all of your grandchildren turn into criminals and thieves and sass-mouths. My little Appletini just won the spelling bee."

"Well when your great-great-great granddaughter Appletini is Apple Bloom's age she'll have a lot more problems than runnin' away and havin' a baby! Ever wondered why her name is Appletini? Cause her mother was drinkin' about eightee-"

"Apple Jack!" Granny scolded. "She's Auntie Applesauce's great-great-great-GREAT granddaughter."Auntie Applesauce left in a huff and Granny and I just laughed.

"Granny, where do the years go?" I asked feelin' low. I grabbed the picture I kept starin' at across the room of Apple Bloom. It was a picture of her in third grade picture with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo by her side. All innocent; All kind; All pure.

"I ask that question every day Apple Jack…" She looked down at her old hooves and then back at me. "Mostly because I never remember the answer." She joked.

"Well Big Mac is home, and I guess If we're patient Apple Bloom will be back real soon."

"That's the spirit Apple Jack! Now if ya don't mind helping me clean up the kitchen…I made a huge mess with these darned pancakes."

Sweetie's POV

"Rarity! It's already nine O'clock! Why are you still sleeping?" I called. I saw my sister walk like a dead-pony down the stairs.

"Nine in the morning? Sweetie Belle why do you insist on waking me so early?" She complained.

"Before your memory "regressed" you always woke up at seven to help me with the foals, but now I feel bad because you obviously don't want to help, and I obviously am not good at this on my own." I referenced to Minnie's new artwork on her sister's face.

"I am no mother of the year Sweetie Belle." Rarity insisted sticking her nose to the clouds. "I'm just a simple hoofs-off auntie."

"You didn't used to be." I mumbled cleaning off Pearl's face.

"Auntie Rarity," Minnie baby talked. "Breakfast!" She demanded.

"You didn't feed these children?" Frustrated, she walked to the cabinet and grabbed a jar of foal food.

"She never eats in the morning!" I argued. Rarity fished a spoon from the drawer under the counter and started feeding my daughter.

"Well it's morning and I'm doing YOUR job." She shoved a spoonful in Minnie's mouth and made her cry.

"What is wrong with you?" I picked up Minnie and threw down the spoon with my magic. "I know you clearly can't remember, but you used to love my children. Now you're just a bitter old mare with no sense of compassion for these abandoned little girls. They have NO ONE but you and me. Mom and dad want nothing to do with them, they're too young for friends, their father is on death row, and now the only person besides their mother that ever acknowledged them as normal fillies can't even wake up to feed them the RIGHT way."

"Sweetie I…"

"Save it Rarity." I snapped picking up Pearl too. "You can't remember them, and I know I said I'd help you, but you're going to have to help yourself first." I walked up the stairs and started chucking all the girl's belongings into bags. I know someone who will actually help me with these foals. I know someone who knows a thing or two about my journey with them.

"Sweetie Belle there is no need to ruin our strong sister relationship over two young mistakes!"

"Rarity the sister I made my sisterly bond with is clearly not the mare standing in front of me. If you don't want to see my babies anymore, than you won't be seeing me either!" I demanded leaving the room and carrying both my foals.

Twilight's POV

"I don't understand…"

"I didn't have the heart to see that family break anymore. I let him go, but now there are reports of Apple Bloom missing."

"Well Princess, don't worry: Apple Jack told me all about where Apple Bloom was going and she's fine." The princess sat directly in front of me, and I'd never seen her look so unhealthy before. She was worried about the situation I was in with my friends. She was worried about Sweetie Belle and her foals, and the fact Rarity wasn't speaking to them. She was terrified of ponies finding out she let out Big Macintosh. I'd never seen Celestia worry about anything before, so this was really out of the ordinary.

"So how are you going to stop ponies from finding out you let Big Mac go?"

"It's simple Twilight. I told him to tell his family he broke out, and that way they don't know, and they won't let anypony see him roaming around free. Our deal was I'd let him out if he'd remain on the farm. If he ever steps hoof off that farm he'll be straight back in prison."

"Well I'm sure they wouldn't be able to thank you enough Celestia." I grinned. I waited for her to smile back at me, but she kept the same dulled expression. "What else is wrong?" I didn't want to know, but I needed her to tell me.

"Sweetie Belle is…" this was the longest moment of silence I'd ever witnessed. In these few seconds I felt an anvil drop onto each of my shoulders and hold me in my seat with anticipation. "She needs to get things sorted out now."

"W-what are you talking about Celestia?" I asked. She stood up and scrambled to the door.

"I've said too much already Twilight." She said sternly. "I have to leave, but you mustn't speak to anypony else about this situation."

"But, Princess, I can't just-"

"Twilight I mean it!" She snapped. "Not one word." She stepped outside and took a deep breath. She had told me she needed Sweetie and Rarity to reconcile and to get the twins back in Rarity's memory. She called it "The biggest lesson in friendship" I'd ever learn. When she took the final glance back into my eyes I knew what she meant: and I knew what I had to do.

Apple Bloom's POV

"Thanks for letting my son and I stay with you. It really means a lot to know somepony actually wants to help me out."

"Little Mac and you are always free to stay; just know that always when you need I have a bale of hay."

"Thanks Zecora, but do you think Little Mac could get a bottle?"

"There is something I could fix, an old brew of mine. Little Mac will be all full in just a little time." Zecora's so kind for letting Little Mac and me stay in the Everfree forest with her. I get worried that he'll be snatched up by some creepy thing or something but I try not to think about it all too much.

"Mama!" I heard him from the next room wailing and crying for me, and it sounded like he wasn't in the mood for cheering up.

"Shhh. What's wrong little colt?" I tried soothing him by rocking him back and forth. "Don't cry, uhh…umm." I didn't know what to do! My son can barely say mama, let alone anything else.

"In need of assistance Apple Bloom? You look like you've been sentenced to doom."

"Zecora," The tears swelled in my eyes and I felt my heart speed up. "I can't take care of Little Mac."

"Your son is well taken care of, there's not a need for fear. Don't you know his place is right here?"

"Ya know Zecora…as much as I love it here and appreciate you letting us stay I don't think I can raise Little Mac without my sister…"

"I was hoping you would realize family will always dry your eyes." she smiled. "No need to run away from home, there's no more need to roam."

"I'm gonna feel kinda dumb goin' home right after I left."

"No need to worry now be in a hurry." She handed me my bad and hugged me goodbye.

"Alrighty, well thank you for your hospitality!" I smiled runnin' back home. My sister and Granny probably won't be happy with me for leaving a whole day, but at least I'm coming back and we had enough time to blow off some steam.

Sweetie's POV

"Sweetie, please stop crying." Twilight begged stroking my back. "She'll remember. I'm going to set up a meeting between you two, and I'll be the referee."

"N-no!" I stood up and looked over at my foals. "Twilight look at those girls. They've rarely ever seen Rarity and I fight before today and they're getting to the age where it could affect them later in life." I sighed.

"Sweetie Belle, you know that I'm here to help you right? I have your family's best interest at heart."

"My family and I will figure things out Twilight…I know we can!" I'm just fooling myself. Rarity can't remember all the tolerance she's gained, and she surely can't remember how attached my foals are to her.

"Sweetie, why don't you take a minute to calm down and we can call your sister together?" I shook y head and Twilight sighed. "Sweetie please you have to call her."

"Why are you so concerned about Rarity and me?" I huffed.

"You're sister Sweetie Belle. I know siblings have fights and hard times, but come on Sweetie Belle!"

"Twilight, I'm going out for a little while. When I come back I'll call Rarity." Before I could pick up the babies she stopped me.

"Just…" she sighed and facehoofed. "Leave the babies here. You'll clear your head a lot faster alone."

"Thank you Twilight." I had to smile, but when I walked out something didn't feel right. A lot of things didn't feel right.

Apple Jack's POV

Big Mac and I started dinner and set a place for Apple Bloom and Little Mac.

"She called me and promised to be home." I smiled at Big Mac, but he didn't smile back.

"How is she?" he asked with a shaky breath.

"She's doing really good health wise, and she's going through some phases right now, but that's to be expected."

"What about the kid?"

"Your nephew is doin' just fine Big Mac." I sighed. "You excited to meet him?"

"Excited ain't the word." He walked back to the table and placed the food on all the plates.

"We're home!" I heard my little sister come through the front door.

"There you are!" I ran to the door and hugged her. "Don't you ever leave this house like that again!"

"Hey, hey I came back didn't I?" she giggled. "About time too, because I smell somethin' good." She waltzed into the kitchen, and her excited screams followed. I joined the mini reunion and hugged my two siblings that were already mid-hug.

"Big Mac! How did you- when did you-"

"Don't ya worry about all that right now. Why don't you sit down and have somethin' ta eat?" he asked.

"Big Mac, ain't ya forgetting somethin'?" I asked.

"Nope." He sat down and started eating, completely ignoring his nephew. I feel like I just had this fight with Apple Bloom and now I have to have it with Big Macintosh. It ain't gonna be easy, but at least we're all back together again.

Twilight's POV

"She just insisted on me waking up before noon, and another thing: she wouldn't stop watching the foals for five minutes to help me with my designs! What kind of sister does that? It's like she's married to them or something. Twilight, I'm not crazy for wanting my sister to put down the blanket and binkies for five seconds and help me right?"

"Well Rarity, Sweetie's a mother now and her foals come first, and as interesting as the squash and tomato soup story was, she really needs a big sister's help."

"Well I repressed them for a reason Twilight, and it will not be long before I repress them again. Maybe when they're nice young ladies I'll be able to-"

"Rarity, how will they become nice young ladies without the proper help?"

"What are you suggesting, Twilight?"

"I'm just trying to tell you that these twins are in the hands of your little sister, and they'll be raised by her beliefs only if you're not involved."

"Oh come to Auntie Rarity my precious Pearl!" She picked up Minnie and squeezed her tightly.

"Rarity that's not…well close enough." I didn't want to kill the moment.

"We're going to grow up the right way aren't we darlings?" She smiled kissing them each on the nose. "Even if you do have to live in my house with your…running noses, and germy hooves and…we'll start working on it when we get home." She laughed.

"It's nice to see you three getting along, and as for Sweetie Belle: she'll be back any time now."

"Well Twilight, maybe she doesn't want to speak to me. I didn't control myself in that little spat we had. Some of the things I may have mentioned could have been taken as unforgivable."

"Rarity, we'll talk it out, just try to relax, alright?" I smiled. My phone started ringing and I excused myself, but right before I answered I peered back secretly into the room to see Rarity playing with the foals. "Hello?"

"Twilight! Oh thank goodness I got a hold of you! Your brother wanted me to call you right away. You know Shadow String right?"

"Do I? Cadence what's wrong? Please tell me he's still in jail."

"Oh, he's not in jail he's in the hospital. You have to come defend Shining! He told me that Shadow was attempting to break out and to harm Shining, but he managed to get out of his cell and attacked my husband!" I'd never heard Cadence angry like this. "Thank goodness Shining took out his sword in time, but they put Shadow in the hospital, and until he is stable enough to be off life support they'll keep Shining in jail!"

"What?! Why would they do that?"

"Princess Celestia and Luna went to some sort of convention, and they won't listen to me because I'm his wife and they think I'm lying too, but if you can come tell these guards how bad Shadow is, maybe they'll understand."

"I don't understand why they're not listening. If anything this sounds more like a mutiny if they're not listening to my brother about the truth. Hang on Cadence I'm confused, we're princesses, and he's the captain of the royal guard, why in the world don't we have more authority than a bunch of guards?"

"I think they're taking advantage of Celestia being gone, but please Twilight. You must hurry." She begged. The phone line went dead before my response, and I ran back into the room with Rarity.

"Twilight darling you look as if you've seen a ghost." She frowned.

"Get the girls and go find Sweetie Belle, you two will be able to work this out, but I have to go to the royal guard." I rushed to grab my saddle bag.

"Oh, dear Twilight is there anything I can assist you with?"

"No, thank you, but no. Please go work things out with your sister Rarity. It's more important." I opened my front door, and standing there swaying back and forth looking worse than I probably did, was Sweetie Belle. "S-sweetie?" I asked.

"Twilight I can't move." She looked like she'd been throwing up, and I saw this discoloration in her completion.

"Rarity change of plans! Leave the girls with Spike and help me get Sweetie to the hospital."

"You said you needed to talk to the guards!"

"I do!"

"Well then you go talk to the guards and I'll take Sweetie to the hospital."

"Rarity why don't we take her to the hospital and I'll…" I sighed and looked back at Sweetie. "We'll take her to the Canterlot hospital and then I'll go talk to the guards."

"Canterlot?" She practically squeaked with joy. "Let's go Twilight I can't wait to…" When she got to the door and saw the condition Sweetie was in her expression changed and a light must have gone off in her head. "Get my sister to the hospital." She picked up Sweetie in her magic and begged me to use my transportation spell, which I happily obliged.

"It looks like she's suffering from some kind of wear and tear of her anorexia." I said out loud.

"Anorexic? MY sister?" She asked in awe. "I feel faint."

"Not you too," I demanded. "No more medical problems from you or anypony else."

"Well the doctors are tending to her now, and when they come back I'm sure it will be good news all around."

"That reminds me," I remembered from the false hope that I needed to go talk to the guards. "I need to go speak with somepony, but keep me updated Rarity." I asked.

"Will do, Twilight." I saw a smile on the outside, but even when I looked away I felt her frowning expression. Rarity might not remember all the bad things that Sweetie went through, but there was no denying this was serious.

Author's Note

Only two chapters until Auntie Rarity is officially ended! Stay tuned :D