Hooves United

Twilight Sparkle slowly made her way to Apple Acres. The news she was bearing was important, although a bit confusing, even to herself. Once she reached the door, she knocked twice, waiting for somepony to answer, preferably Applejack, as the news was intended for her. The wooden door creaked open, revealing the yellow-orange pony Twilight was hoping for. Twilight was about to speak, but Applejack began to talk first.

“Howdy, Twi. What brings ya to these parts?” Applejack inquired. “Are ya here for some of my apple tarts? Everypony's been wanting 'em lately, for some reason.” Twilight shook her head. “Well then, what are ya here for?” Applejack asked.

“Well you see Applejack, I have some... interesting news.” Twilight replied. “I was trying to study more into the properties of various sources of magic, when I came across a old book that seemed to be related to Ponyville history. It had some information about family relations in it, and I came across a section that had the Apple in it. Your family.” Twilight glances at Applejack nervously, unsure to how she'll react to the impending news.

“Well go on, then.” Applejack stated, an expression of confusion starting to creep onto her face.

“Right.... so I came across your family, and I noticed something.... odd.” Twilight pauses again, causing Applejack to give her a look. “Well, I came across... Fluttershy.” Twilight glances at Applejack again, feeling puzzled.

“Fluttershy? In my family tree? Maybe they placed her picture in the wrong place? I mean, how could such a... timid pony be in my family tree? My family ain't scaredyponies." Twilight frowns at this word, but continues nonetheless.

“No, I don't think so they're mistaken. The Ponyville archives have been conformed to be almost one-hundred percent correct. Applejack, I'm pretty sure Fluttershy is... your sister.” Applejack just frowns, highly confused by the new information.

“Well, if y'all are sure...” She replies. “Have ya told her, yet?” Applejack asks.

“No, I haven't. Not yet, anyway.”

“Then if ya don't mind, I'd like to be the one to tell her.” Twilight nods, understandingly.

“Go right ahead. I'm not sure how she'll react, though...”

Applejack thanks Twilight for the information, and then makes her way over to Fluttershy's cottage, going from her farm to Ponyville, and then moving through the twists and curves of the pathway toward said house. She knocks on the door much like Twilight did on her own, waiting for Fluttershy to answer. The door suddenly squeaks open, and Fluttershy stands in the doorway, staring somewhat timidly at Applejack.

“Oh. H-hello, Applejack. Did you want something?” Fluttershy asks, obviously surprised by her sudden visit.

“Hey there, sugarcube. Um... Twilight came ta me today, and she told me some... news.” Applejack says, eying Fluttershy nervously.

“Oh.” Fluttershy states, frowning slightly. “I-is it bad news? I don't know if I want to hear bad news...” Fluttershy whispers, suddenly cringing.

“Ahm... depending on how ya take it, I 'spose it could be bad news... but it;s not, relatively speakin'.”

“Oh, that's good.” Fluttershy says, relieved, standing upright again. “Well then, please tell me this news. I mean, if you want to...” She states, unsure.

“'Course I want to, Fluttershy,” Applejack says. “It's just, I hope you won't be upset...” Applejack mutters, under her breath.

“Why would I be upset at good news?” Fluttershy wonders, frowning at Applejack slightly. Applejack sighs, not meaning for her to hear.

“Well, Twi was diggin' round in the Ponyville archives, or whatever it was, and she said she'd found my family tree. And you were in it.” Applejack confesses, hoping for a good reaction.

“Oh... that's... confusing.” Fluttershy frowns slightly. “But, why would I be mad? That's wonderful news!” Fluttershy says, a hint of cheerfulness in her voice.

“Really? That's a relief. Well,” Applejack states, unsure, “Welcome to the family, I 'spose.” She holds out her hoof to Fluttershy – who accepts it – and they both give a hoofshake.

“Just think, Applejack,” Fluttershy cheers, excitedly. “I could teach you all about animals, and we could care for the bunnies and birdies and squirrels-”

“Ahm,” Applejack says, lightheartedly, “That's quite alright. I'll just stick to my... apples. Oh, but you're surely welcome around the farm. We can harvest apples, eat apple pie, eat apple tarts, have mud races,” Applejack lists, somewhat proud of her apple-oriented nature.

“Um, that's alright. I mean, if you don't mind. I like caring for my animals...” Fluttershy explains. Realizing what they both just did, Applejack laughs, and Fluttershy joins in.

“Ooh, I forgot to ask,” Fluttershy says, suddenly. “What am I? In relations?” She asks.

“Oh, yer my sister, sugarcube!” Applejack responds, cheerfully.

Fluttershy slams the door behind her, all the while heavy sobbing could be heard.

***

Twilight Sparkle watches silently from a distance, in the bushes, as Fluttershy slams the door in Applejack's face. She has gone all out; having camouflage gear, and binoculars, along with a notepad and pencil.

“Perfect!” Twilight mumbles, an edge of insanity present in her voice. She takes off her army-esque hat and pushes her frazzled mane out of her face. “Bwahaha! Thankfully, since I'm such a good friend, I had no trouble getting Applejack to believe me!” Twilight squeaks, grinding her teeth together, while doing the same with her hooves. “Now, all we need is someone to solve this friendship problem.” Twilight concludes, suddenly teleporting away towards Apple Acres once more.

Twilight swiftly arrives at Apple Acres, having been there only a while ago. She walks up to the wooden door and knocks, again. The door opens, revealing Applejack behind it. Again.

“Twilight? Um, what are you doin' here?” Applejack questions, a hint of annoyance in her voice, as well as her having a bored expression on her face.

“Oh, nothing, just to tell you that I lied! Fluttershy isn't related to you at all!”  Twilight reveals then swiftly teleports away once more, towards Fluttershy's house, leaving Applejack standing in her doorway open-mouthed. Once she arrives, Twilight walks up to Fluttershy's door and knocks, only to be greeted by a loud and tear-filled 'Go away!'.

Twilight ignores this and opens the door anyway.

“Hey Fluttershy, I just wanted to say... I lied! Applejack isn't related to you!” She cheers, in her insane-like way. Fluttershy stops crying and manages to get out “Oh, that's a relief.” before Twilight teleports away, back towards the library. Twilight, now content with her actions, retrieves a piece of parchment, ink, and a feather from a nearby cabinet, and begins to compose a letter to princess Celestia.

“Wait 'till Celestia hears about this friendship problem!”