Flashback to 11 years ago

She had waited for them for a while. They were supposed to be back yesterday. What could possibly keep them being so late? Why haven’t they contacted them? It wasn’t like them to do this.

3 days ago, Bright Mac and Pear Butter had traveled to Manehatten for a business trip. Pear Butter had talks of putting a factory in Manehatten. This very factory would be a produce factory housing all kinds of apples, oranges, pears and bananas. This was to help out other members of both the Apple and Pear families.

Granted, the Apple/Pear rivalry was still technically a thing, however the heat from that feud had died down over the years of marriage between Mac and Butter. Pear felt that if she truly wanted this rivalry to end, she would do so by offering members of the Apple, Orange, Pear and Banana families, as well as some their friends, a job that would bring fresh produce for all families members to their farms.

Yes, they’d still grow their own produce on their farms, but extra factory based produce wasn’t bad either. And, with members of the four families, as well as friends of those families, maybe they all could get to know each other. Find out things they have in common. Things they don’t. Similarities. Differences.

Mainly, she wanted to do this so her three children could meet and be friends with those very families. Instead of learning to hate them, like how the Pears had learned to hate the Apples, and vice versa.

Of course, she always knew better. She never hated the Apples. Hell, she fell in love with one, married him, and had three kids with him.

Bright Mac was a bit hesitant at first, but he eventually agreed. He also wanted the feud to end as well.

Hell, maybe Grand Pear and Pear Butter could reconcile, like she so DESPERATELY wanted.

11 year old Applejack had just put her 1 year old little sister down for a nap. With help from her Granny Smith, of course. Big Macintosh, aged 16, was out in the fields with his stallion made plow. She knew both of them were starting to get concerned, just like she was.

Applejack was about to head out into the orchard to buck some apples, when she saw two ponies coming up toward the house.

They both were dressed in uniforms. Police uniforms. One was a rather large pony with a really thin mane line. She could almost see his scalp perfectly. The other one was a, pretty well in shape pony, with a police hat covering a black mane.

She felt her heart start to race.

“Excuse me, little filly, is there anypony else here living with you?” The large pony asked.

“Uh, yeah. Mah big brother. And my Granny. Why?” She asked in the most innocent tone of voice they would ever hear.

Before the two police officers could say anything, Granny Smith had appeared on the front porch. She had appeared to have heard everything.

“Can I help you two boys?” She asked out loud as she made her way toward them.

The two officers had a look of compassion on their faces. The large pony had his head down in sadness, while the well built one took his hat off and held it to his chest.

Now Granny Smith felt her heart race.

“Ma’am” The well built officer said “We have come to, unfortunately, bring you some bad news.”

“W-W-What?” Granny Smith asked, now sounding worried. It was even worse with her first born granddaughter here too.

“Your son and daughter-in-law are dead.” The large one said.

As minute that sentence left his lips, Granny Smith felt her legs go numb. Her heart pulsed. She a cold chill run over her whole body.

Applejack, on the other hoof, reacted differently.

She punched the large officer as hard as she could.

“LIAR! LIAR! NO, IT AIN’T TRUE! WHERE IS MOMMA AND DADDY?! THEY AIN’T DEAD! THEY AIN’T DEAD!” She yelled, cried, and screamed at the officers while repeatedly punching the large one in the stomach. It didn’t hurt him, but he did have to try and get her to stop.

Thankfully, Granny Smith held her hoof out and put it on Applejack’s shoulders. Either to level herself at such a devastating reveal, or to try and calm her granddaughter down.

Granny Smith looked deep into the well built officer’s eyes and asked, in a pleading voice.

“It’s not true. Please. Please tell me it’s not true.” She asked with tears rolling down her face. Sobs choking from her mouth.

It can’t be true. Her only child. Her son and his wife. Dead. No. No, it’s not true.

The well built officer, with the most sorry and compassionate look on his face uttered the two words which she desperately didn’t want to hear.

“It’s true.”

Once that was said, Granny and Applejack burst out wailing and moaning. They held each other and just cried. Weeped for their now fallen family member.

“What’s going on over here?” A voice said. The two officers looked at a 16 year old stallion.

They both sighed in sadness.

-/- End Flashback -/-

I felt my heart ache hearing that story. She told me that her parents were apparently mugged at gun point by some random bum. Bright Mac defended his wife, taking a bullet for her. But unfortunately, she also was shot instantly after Bright Mac was shot. She was in shock seeing the love of her life being gunned down by somepony. She didn’t have time to run or give him any of her bits.

The police and ambulances were called. But, sadly, it was too late. Bright Mac and Pear Butter were pronounced Dead on Arrival on their way to the Hospital.

They didn’t even make it to any local business offices to pitch to them their whole family factory idea.

So fucking sad.

She also told me that the funeral was really, really tough for her. Every Apple Family member there was just bawling and crying their eyes out. She even told me that she was hugging and crying with Granny Smith and Big Macintosh the whole time. They never left each other’s sides.

And poor little Apple Bloom was only a year old when this horrible tragedy happened. She never got to know who her parents were. She was, pretty much, raised by her siblings and grandmother. Mostly her siblings, due to Granny Smith’s old age.

Guess Applejack had to grow up a lot quicker then she would’ve wanted to. In order to raise her little baby sister.

Huh. Kinda like my big sis Melody had to.

Thankfully, the piece of shit who killed her parents was caught. And he OBVIOUSLY got a life sentence. Hopefully, he’s rotting in whatever prison he’s at.

I held Applejack in my arms as she cried her eyes out onto my shoulder. I just hugged her for about 5 minutes, before she started to calm down.

“I’m so sorry Applejack. I had no idea.” I whispered to her, as she let go of me.

She sniffled and wiped the tears from her now puffy face with her hoof. Her eyes were also red from the crying as well.

“What if Gavin is crazy?” She asked me out of nowhere.

“What?” I asked in a confused voice.

“I know he deserves to be in jail. But, his Daddy was taken from him by a Zebra. I could understand if that’s why he hates them. He has a reason.” She told me.

I shook my head at her. “Believe me, Applejack. I’ve seen crazy. And I’ve seen psycho. This guy is as perfectly sane as my sister is when she gets ready teaching a class.”

She looked confused. “What?”

“Never mind.” I said. “Look, even if Gavin’s Dad WAS taken from him, that’s still no excuse to hate and be racist toward Zebra’s.”

“But, don’tcha understand where he’s coming from?” She asked me.

“Of course I do.” I said to her in a stern voice. “I absolutely see where he’s coming from. However, he is ultimately responsible for his actions. No pony forced him to act in that way. Even if he IS mentally unwell, he still has enough sense to know what right from wrong is.”

Applejack shuttered. “What if I am like Gavin?” She asked.

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “What?” I asked her in an unbelieving tone.

She sniffled again. “My parents were murdered. His Pa was murdered. I feel like I’m kinda condoning his actions because I feel some type of empathy for him. Does this mean I’m exactly like him?” She asked.

I shook my head in disbelief. “Applejack, not to sound mean, but are you that fucking naive and stupid?” I asked her.

She gave me a cross look. That question didn’t set well with her, I guess.

“Yes, both you and Gavin lost a family member, or in your case, family members. Yes, they were murdered. And I’m absolutely sure that both of you can feel some type of empathy for having your family members taken away from you.” I told her. Her glare seemed to fade a little bit. Even if it was still very visible.

“However, just because you share those horrible experiences, and just because you can feel empathy for him for losing his Dad, like you your parents, that doesn’t mean you and him are alike at all. If anything, that makes you and him MORE different than you think.” I said, as I could feel my voice start to raise a little bit. I even saw her shake a little bit at that.

“Applejack, the truth is, things in life are very, VERY fucking complicated. Things aren’t as simple as ponies make them out to be. You suffered a horrible, terrible tragedy, as he did too. However, YOU-“ I poked her chest with my hoof. “-didn’t let that define you. YOU chose to allow your siblings, your Granny, your other family members, your friends, you allowed yourself to let them in to help you during that horrible time. YOU chose a healthy way to grieve your parents.” I told her. Her head was down in a feeling of guilt and shame.

“Now, Gavin on the other hoof, HE chose to deal with his Dad’s murder by NOT talking about it. By bottling everything up. And, most of all, by blaming and CHOOSING to target Zebras as his source of anger and sadness for his father’s death. Grief and Sorrow can be dealt with in many ways, Applejack. YOU chose a healthy way. HE chose a not-so-healthy way.” I explained to her. Her head was still down.

I wanted her to look at me. So, I put my hoof under her chin and raised it to my face. I could see there were some leftover tears on her face.

“You and Gavin DO have some things in common. But you are NOTHING alike. Stop thinking you’re a racist or anything like him. Like I told you earlier, every pony DOES have SOME type of prejudice in them, even if they don’t want to admit, or even KNOW they have it. But, just because that’s the case, to me anyway, that doesn’t mean that every pony is the same. And you two aren’t the same either. Got it?” I said, kinda yelling that last part.

She breathed in a big sigh. And then nodded, wiping those leftover tears away from her face.

“Good. Now stop acting like a dumbass and follow me back to the farm. I have something I need to say to you and the rest of your family.” I said, as I starting walking back toward the farm.

She was right next to me in a matter of seconds. We were silent for a little bit before she said this to me.

“Thanks for knocking some sense into me, Shadow. I guess I needed that.” She told me, with a bit of a shy smile on her face.

I even smiled. Felt weird that I did. “Just doing my job, Applejack.” I said, as we both continued to the farm.

-/- A Few Moments Later -/-

When we walked inside the Sweet Apple Acres home, Apple Bloom instantly walked toward the front door where Applejack and I walked in. She looked relieved and concerned for her big sister, especially after seeing her looking upset when she came home from the Detention Center.

“Sis? You okay?” She asked her in a sweet tone of voice.

“I’m okay, Sugarcube.” Applejack said, now pulling her little sister into a hug. That surprised Apple Bloom, but she hugged back.

“I just got a little emotional with this case. Thankfully, Shadow here knocked some sense into me. So, now, I’m all good to put this varmit in jail where he belongs.” She said, now sounding super confident.

Very similar to a certain blue Pegasus I worked with not too long ago.

We took a few steps into the living room, where Happy Hayburger, Sugar Belle, and Granny Smith were sitting. The dog, Winona, was laying on the carpet near the couch where Sugar Belle and Happy Hayburger were sitting.

“Hey Applejack.” Sugar Belle said with a touch of sympathy in her voice. “You feeling okay?”

Applejack nodded. “Yeah, I’m good. I just needed a moment. That’s all.” She reassuringly said.

“Did you go see THEM, deary?” Granny Smith asked her, also with sympathy in her voice.

Applejack waited a minute before she nodded her head yes. I patted her shoulder with my hoof for comfort. She looked at me and gave me a thankful smile.

Through my gaze, I saw Sugar Belle look at her husband and then cock her head at me. As if telling him to say something to me. And I think I know what it is.

Big Macintosh sighed. “I’m sorry I overreacted, Detective. I just-“ He paused, trying to find the right word to say. He doesn’t know what Applejack told me. So, I guess it’s only fair that I tell him and every pony here.

“Applejack told me about your guys’ parents.” I said to them.

The mood in the room seemed to change to a bit of a depressing one. Every pony, except Applejack, had their heads down in sadness. Even Apple Bloom. And she barely even KNEW her parents. Just based on the timeline of how old she was, and when they were murdered.

“I’m truly sorry that happened to you all. My condolences.” I said.

They were still silent for a bit, before Big Macintosh spoke again.

“I know it wasn’t right for me to do that, Detective. It’s just, I love my two little sisters. Anytime I see them cry or look sad, I just feel like I have to do something. And, when she came back all crying and everything, I just assumed that YOU said something that made her cry. And I felt I needed to confront you about it.” He explained to me.

I guess I understand that. Big Macintosh is an over reactive dumbass, but he’s a good big brother. He had to have stepped up his game as a big brother when his parents died. He also must’ve had to grow up a little bit faster too. Granted, not as fast as Applejack, due to the age difference, but still. I guess I can respect him for that.

“Wait a minute?” Applejack asked. “What happened while I was gone?”

Big Macintosh sighed. He explained everything to her what me and Big Macintosh almost did. When he was done, she gave him a very cross look.

She shook her head slowly and said, “We’ll talk about that later, Big Brother.” He just looked like he felt bad for what happened.

She then looked over at me. “So, Shadow, what did y’all need to talk to us about?” She asked.

“I’m glad you asked.” I said, as I now have my attention to every pony in the room.

“We have a problem with this case. A lawyer named Major Matlock is presiding over Gavin. The Griffon who assaulted Zecora and Zakwani.” I told all of them.

“Who?” Granny Smith said, looking confused.

“He’s a lawyer, who managed to convince a jury about 6 and a half years ago, to give a stallion only 10 years in prison, after he brutally murdered his wife.” I said to them.

Applejack looked disgusted, while every pony in the room just looked surprised.

“I think I read about that case in the papers. Didn’t that guy then get released after only 5? For good behavior?” Sugar Belle asked. It appears she’s warming up to me. That feels…good. Nice.

I nodded. “He’s going for an insanity plea. And even Captain Stone, the police captain, believes there’s a chance Gavin could get a jury to buy it.”

Apple Bloom stood up. “Y’all mean he’s gonna walk?” She asked, sounding angry. Guess I can’t blame her for being just that.

“Not necessarily.” I said, attempting to relax her. “However, he could get a light sentence, and even be put in a mental institution, instead of a prison where he SHOULD be.” I told her.

Granny Smith shook her head in disappointment. “That, unfortunately, doesn’t surprise me. With all I’ve seen these past decades, Zebras have always been treated lower than ponies. I’ve seen racial treatment of Zebras during my time. It always made me sick.” She says to us.

Her grandchildren looked surprised. “How bad was it?” Apple Bloom asked.

She had a scowl on her face. “My great uncle…he was a racist piece of shit. He was the outcast of the family for a reason.” She said in a disgusted tone.

“I heard about Great-Great-Great Uncle Apple Cobbler. From Great Auntie Apple Sauce.” Applejack told her. “But, she didn’t go into much detail. Why was he an outcast?” She asked.

Granny looked at Apple Bloom. I guess she was wondering if her youngest granddaughter was old enough to hear this. She was 10. Not that young, but not exactly old enough to hear stuff like this.

She was silent a few more seconds before she told all of us.

“He was a member of the Klu Klux Klan.” She said in anger.

Every pony in the room gasped in horror. I didn’t, but I did give a surprised expression.

“O-O-Our Great-Great-Great Uncle was a KKK member?” Big Macintosh asked, sounding genuinely surprised.

Granny Smith nodded. “He was the only one, that I know of, that was apart of all that. The entire Apple Family kicked him out of the family. I even heard he was involved in some hangings of Zebras. It made me sick to know that I was related to him.” She sounded genuinely disgusted with her great uncle’s actions.

It just proves that I’m right. You can be related to some pony, you can relate to and empathize with some pony, and you can even agree with some pony.

However, that all doesn’t mean you are a racist like them. Granny Smith and this Great-Great-Great Uncle Apple Cobbler were blood related, but that doesn’t mean they are ANYTHING alike. And ponies who think that should be ashamed of themselves for thinking that.

The mood of the room changed again. This time to uncomfortable. Now is as good a time as any to continue what I was saying.

“Anyway, there is gonna be a court date. I’ll be given the information as to when that date takes place.” I told them.

“What does that have to do with us?” Applejack asked.

“Well, I’m thinking we’re gonna need all of the resources we need to put this guy behind bars. Prison bars at that. And, that’s why…” I turned my gaze to Apple Bloom. She looked surprised when I did that.

“What?” She asked.

“Apple Bloom, do you think you’d be willing to testify in court?”

Author's Note

Yeah, this chapter got kinda heavy. Especially, toward the end. I hope all of you are enjoying this story so far.

Anyway, if you guys like this story, make sure to comment, like, favorite and follow for future updates. Thank you all and goodnight everybody.