The Apples Secret

"Promise me, promise me AppleJack!"

"I promise, Granny" Granny smiled, closed her eyes as she took her final breath of life. Apple Jack woke up in tears. Her final memory of Granny Smith has been playing in her dreams for 6 months, ever since her grandmother's death. Apple Jack stretched, jumped out of bed, brushed her mane, tail, and teeth before heading downstairs to make breakfast for her and her siblings. She yawned as she turned the corner and saw Big Mac, her older brother, making pancakes, and her little sister, Apple Bloom, sitting at the table.

"Morning big sis!" Apple Bloom greeted.

"Mornin' AJ," Big Mac said, his back still to Apple Jack as he continues to flip the pancakes.

"Mornin' y'all. I -uh- I slept in again, didn't I?"

"Yup" Apple Bloom and Big Mac said in unison. Apple Jack sighed, lowering her head as she sat down.

"I'm sorry, guys. I don't understand why this keeps happening." Big Mac passed out the pancakes, quietly thinking to himself.

"Are ya still dreaming of Granny?" Apple Bloom asked, a concerned look on her face. Apple Jack nodded,

"It's been six months, but I still can't get over the fact that she's-" Apple Jack choked back her tears.

"That's enough, AJ" Big Mac spoke, his deep voice serious and calming. "We know it's been rough, but Granny wouldn't want you to be like this and you know that better than anyone. Perhaps it's time to consult one of yer friends." Apple Jack sighed, getting up from the table and heading to the door.

"I reckon ye're right. I'll be back soon" Apple Jack left the farm in search of one of her friends.

Apple Jack thought of who she could go to; Rarity was in Canterlot checking on how the boutique there was doing. Rainbow Dash was busy with the Wonder Bolts, prepping for another show, and Twilight was with the princesses, why, she didn't know. Apple Jack decided to go see Fluttershy, hoping the calmness of nature and her tea would help. Upon arrival, Apple Jack saw Fluttershy was nowhere to be seen. She approached closer to the door to see a note: "At a tea party with Discord. Will return at sundown." Apple Jack lowered her head in disappointment and decided to go see Pinkie Pie. Before entering Sugar Cube Corner, Apple Jack hesitate. Before Granny's death, rumors were floating around about Pinkie Pie, saying that she is the reason for many disappearances. Apple Jack shook those thoughts out of her head and walked right in. Behind the counter, Mrs. Cake had set down a box of sweets. Mrs. Cake looked up at Apple Jack and greeted her with a warm smile,

"Well hello there, Apple Jack. Haven't seen you in a while" Mrs. Cake's demeanor changed to pity after seeing Apple Jack's bloodshot eyes due to crying every night.

"Hello, Mrs. Cake, is Pinkie Pie around?"

"Afraid not, she went home to throw a birthday party for one of her sisters. Is there something you need, dearie?" Apple Jack sighed, defeated once again.

"No thanks, I'm good" Before Apple Jack could turn to leave, Mrs. Cake gave her a piece of apple-pear pie on the house. Apple Jack thanked the blue mare and walked out of the sweet shop.

As Apple Jack walked past Twilight's castle, she heard somepony call out to her, "Hey Apple Jack!" She looked over to see who was calling to her to see it was Starlight Glimmer. The lilac-colored unicorn hurried over to Apple Jack with a big smile, "It's so good to see-" The unicorn's words stopped short, noticing Apple Jack's appearance. Although she was well kept, the atmosphere around her was depressing. Apple Jack put on a small smile,

"Hey there, Starlight. How's it been?"

"Are you ok, Apple Jack? You don't look so well"

"I'm fine, Starlight" Apple Jack lied. Starlight saw right through Apple Jack's lie and ushered her inside. They went to Twilight's library and sat down.

"What's going on, AJ? You don't look so well." Apple Jack stayed silent. "Is it about Granny Smith's death?" Apple Jack bit her bottom lip, holding back the tears.

"It ain't right" Apple Jack mumbled.

"What?" Starlight asked, confused.

"I said it ain't right!" Apple Jack yelled. Slamming her hooves down on the table, beginning to scare Starlight. "She didn't have to die! Sh-she was so strong. If not for those stupid-" Apple Jack clamped her jaw shut.

"Woah, AppleJack, slow down. What are you talking about?"

"Ever since Granny died, I've been dreaming about that day." Silence filled the library.

"That's not all, is it?" Apple Jack's hat covered her face, not wanting to show her emotions.

Suddenly, the library door opened, and in walked Twilight Sparkle. Twilight's look of defeat was suddenly changed to surprise when she saw Starlight and Apple Jack. "Apple Jack?" Apple Jack stood up and turned to Twilight,

"Twilight," Apple Jack's voice broke, "I really need to-" Apple Jack was cut off by Twilight's sudden embrace.

"You had us all worried. You stopped coming to town and-"

"Now Twi," Apple Jack interrupted, "That ain't entirely true. I..." Apple Jack didn't finish her sentence. She refused to tell anyone where she had been going in the late hours of the night.

"I'll leave you two be-" Starlight said, exiting the room before Apple Jack stopped her,

"Now wait a minute, Star. I began talking to you, so, I'd like to talk to you as well. After all, it's time I talked to somepony, right?" Starlight returned to the table along with Apple Jack and Twilight.

"So, what's been going on? I saw Apple Bloom along with her friends a couple of days ago and she told me she was worried about you. You've been having nightmares?" Twilight asked. Apple Jack sighed and nodded.

"It started right after Granny died. When they started, it was just all the earlier memories I had of mah parents, siblins, and Granny. But then, after some weeks, I kept watching my last conversation with Granny right before she died. It's been like this up until-" Apple Jack stopped, her face went pale from remembering.

"Until what?" Starlight asked.

"Apple Jack?" Twilight inched her hoof closer to Apple Jack's. Apple Jack drew in a deep breath,

"I don't think I'm ready to have this discussion" Apple Jack stood from her spot.

"Apple Jack, you have to talk about-" Twilight cut off Starlight.

"It's alright, Apple Jack. Take your time, we'll be here when you're ready." Apple Jack walked out. Starlight turned to Twilight,

"Why did you do that? She needs to open up otherwise she'll never feel better"

"Sometimes, it's best to wait. Apple Jack doesn't show these kinds of emotions often and if she needs time, we need to respect that." Starlight sighed,

"I just hope she'll be ok."