Chapters "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."
It had been 3 weeks since the conversation between the three ponies and Apple Jack's dreams had escalated. She had found herself waking up by her Granny's tree each morning. Apple Jack's appetite had been dropping as she started to take over everyone's chores to make her forget the nightmares, but nothing helped. On this day, Apple Jack decided enough was enough and went to Rarity's to go to the spa and relax. However, the light silver unicorn had the same idea and they met each other on the road. Rarity trotted up to Apple Jack and saw how skinny and dirty she was, "Oh my Celestia! Apple Jack, darling, what's happened to you?" Rarity gasped.
"Nothin', just been working hard and I guess I've lost my appetite in the process"
"Well then, there's no time to waste. We are going to the spa and fix you right up!" Apple Jack agreed happily and followed Rarity to the spa. Upon arrival, they had Apple Jack clean up before joining Rarity to the steam room. Apple Jack walked in and saw Rarity waving her over. "Apple Jack, are you ok? You look terrible! You know, you can always tell me anything" Apple Jack sighed,
"I know, Rarity. It's a matter of fact, I was hoping to come to the spa with you today"
"Oh? Well, this is a first. I'm the one usually asking you to come here. Is everything alright, darling?"
"No, nothing is alright. Granny's death has been playing in my dreams since... well, ya know"
"Have you talked to Twilight?"
"Not exactly" Apple Jack looked away, "I told her and Starlight the same thing I told you, but not everything."
"Apple Jack," Rarity scooted closer to Apple Jack to comfort her, "You should go and talk to her. She can help you-"
"She can help me, but can she understand what I'm going through? You know us Apples, we're connected. If she can't understand, then how do ya know it'll work?"
"It's worth a shot, isn't it?" Apple Jack sighed and gave in.
After their spa day had finished, Rarity invited Apple Jack to stay the night with her so she would have a friend there with her. Apple Jack accepted the invitation and went to Rarity's boutique, her home. After a day full of fun and helping Rarity with her work, they went to bed. "Don't forget your promise, Apple Jack" Rarity reminded Apple Jack.
"I won't" Apple Jack yawned, "Goodnight Rarity"
"Goodnight Apple Jack, sweet dreams" Rarity closed her eyes and went to sleep. Apple Jack took a deep breath and relaxed, hoping for a good night's rest. However, the minute she closed her eyes, she felt a light breeze. She opened them to find herself in her orchard, but something was very wrong. She looked around at the trees and saw what looked to be dark sap trailing down the bark. Apple Jack walked up to one of the trees and touched the sap and sniffed it, it was no sap she ever smelled before, but the smell was familiar to her. The moonlight lit through the branches, making the dark liquid more visible to see. Apple Jack backed away from the tree horrified, it was blood. She stumbled into the tree behind her and jumped away, the trees had pony faces screaming in agony. She ran from the trees, trying to get away, but the farther she ran the deeper in she went. She couldn't escape. "Somepony! Anypony! HELP ME!"
"Oh Apple Jack, no one's coming to save you" Apple Jack stopped dead in her tracks. That voice , she thought, i-it couldn't be! Apple Jack slowly turned around to see who the voice belonged to. It was Granny Smith. Apple Jack's eyes were filled with tears, she ran to her grandmother and hugged her tightly. Granny comforted the orange mare, calming her down.
"Oh, granny! What's happening to me?!"
"A warning, my child. When I discovered the zap apples, we made them in every baked good we could think of plus the jam. However, my sister, Honey Crisp, made them into a tea, but she could never get it right. So, she took some honey from the flash bees and she thought she had finally made it right."
"Honey Crisp?" Apple Jack never knew she had a great aunt named Honey Crisp nor did she ever hear of her.
"We tried to take her to a doctor, but when we got on the outskirts of the orchard, it was already too late" Apple Jack hadn't realized she and Granny Smith had walked to a very old tree and stopped. The tree was a light brown with yellowish-green apples beginning to turn red. In the bark, a young pony face was barely showing. "That's when we cut off this part of the orchard. Many ponies tried to steal our apples, but they picked these instead thinking they were safe enough to eat."
"So that's why there are so many trees here." Apple Jack looked around, realizing how many ponies had lost their lives to one single apple.
"The process for a pony to turn into a tree was sped up by zap apples."
"This is why you made me promise you. Why haven't you told us before?!" Apple Jack asked, still processing all of the new
"Big Mac knows, that's why he barely ever speaks. Apple Jack," Granny turned to look at Apple Jack, staring into her eyes,
"Protect our family and guard this orchard with your life. No one must know of the orchard, not even your friends" Apple Jack's eyes widened.
"Granny, what do I tell my friends then? I can't just lie to them"
"They mustn't know the truth!" A light appeared behind Granny Smith, it seemed to be calling to her. Granny Smith noticed and smiled at Apple Jack, "It's time for me to go, Apple Jack" Apple Jack began to cry as she embraced her grandmother one last time.
"I'll miss you granny" Granny Smith comforted her, embracing her as tight as she could.
"I'll always be watching over you. Take good care of the family. I love you Apple Jack" Granny Smith kissed Apple Jack's forehead.
"I love you too, granny" Granny let go and walked into the light.
Apple Jack woke up and looked over to see Rarity was gone. She yawned and stretched her limbs, got up, and walked downstairs. Rarity was humming to herself as she cooked breakfast. "G'morning darling, did you sleep well?" Rarity asked. AppleJack made her way over to a seat at the table.
"I uh- slept fine" AppleJack said, not knowing how to respond to the question. Rarity turned around and served some strawberry cheesecake stuffed french toast for Apple Jack and herself.
"No nightmares?" Rarity asked as she passed some syrup to AppleJack. She took it and poured it on her french toast, thinking of a response.
"Uh no... No nightmares"
"That's good! Once we're done, I suggest we head over to Twilight's immediately"
"Right..." AppleJack still processed what she had seen in her dream, still unsure if it was real or fake. If it was real, what would she tell her friends? What could she tell them? She didn't like having to lie to them for something that could possibly be just a dream. As she finished her french toast, she thanked Rarity and helped her clean up.
Once they arrived and entered the castle, they were surprised to see Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash in the main room talking to Twilight Sparkle and Starlight Glimmer. They turned to see Apple Jack and Rarity entering the room, "Apple Jack" Twilight said surprised. Before anything else, Pinkie Pie tackled AppleJack into a hug and cried.
"We were so worried about you!"
"Is everything ok?" Fluttershy asked, concerned. AppleJack pushed Pinkie Pie off of her and sighed.
"What're y'all doin' here?" She asked.
"We were worried about you, duh. I came to visit you and your brother told me you were busy with chores, HIS chores!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, "I was hoping to catch a game with you and chat, but he said it wasn't a good idea because you've been having nightmares."
"Once I came back to Ponyville Mrs. Cake told me you stopped by to talk to me and that you looked really tired. On my way to you, I ran into Twilight who filled me in" Pinkie Pie explained before bouncing back over to Twilight. Fluttershy spoke up as well,
"Apple Bloom and her friends brought Winona over concerned for her health. When I asked The girls where you've been, they told me you've been working in the orchard nonstop"
"Applejack," Twilight came forward and stood in front of AppleJack with a concerned expression, "I know it's difficult to discuss, but it's time to talk about how you're feeling. It's going to eat you up if you keep holding it in. We're all here for you, please" AppleJack began to tear up, she knew this fact all too well, but she had promised her grandmother to not tell them the truth. She drew in a deep breath,
"I've been dreaming of mah life with Granny Smith's and-... And, the day she died. She didn't die of natural causes" The girls were shocked.
"What happened to her?" Fluttershy asked. AppleJack turned away from them.
"We don't know, Granny refused to see a doctor. Right before she died, I arranged a day for a doctor to come to see her, but it was too late. Big Mac took her body to be buried with our family." Apple Jack broke down crying. Rainbow Dash landed by her side and brought her in for a hug, the other girls walked over to her and embraced her as well. AppleJack was thankful for the group hug as a part of the weight on her shoulders was lifted. Starlight then got a thought, hoping it was a way to set AppleJack's mind at ease. Once the hug broke, Starlight whispered to Twilight and they headed to the library.
After being comforted by her friends and spending some much-needed quality time with them, she went back home to Sweet Apple Acres. As much lifted as she feels, the dream from last night still weighed on her mind. She had to know if the secret part of the orchard truly existed. She entered the back of the orchard, walking through the woods until she had entered the orchards. Sure enough, after passing a few normal apple trees, she found a wooden fence around a small part of the orchard she used to be warned to stay away from. She took a deep breath and ran back, readied herself, and charged at the fence, jumping over it. It was higher than any other fences built on their property, but with her strong legs she had made it over. She walked forward and saw the ponified apple trees just like the ones from her dreams. Applejack felt sick to her stomach and nearly threw up. It really exists, she thought, my granny was right. It really does exist! "A.J.?!" Apple Jack whipped around and saw her big brother staring at her in disbelief. "What're you doing here?! You know ya ain't s'posed to be here!" Big Mac was upset and confused.
"I-it's okay Big Mac! I know about the secret" Big Mac was taken aback.
"Y-ya do? How?"
"Granny told me. About Aunt Honey Crisp, the accident, everything" Applejack looked down at the ground, Big Mac sighed and walked up to her.
"Then... it's time for you to know about Granny's death" Applejack's head shot up at her brother. He knew how Granny Smith had passed away. He waved his head, signaling for her to follow. She followed close behind him to a tree set off from the rest, a tree with an old resting pony face. Applejack gasped,
"Granny Smith?!"
"Granny was poisoned by somepony, somepony who knows about this orchard. Course, she didn't turn as fast as the other ponies. That's why she fell ill, someone tried to replicate the tea that Aunt Honey Crisp made all those years ago. " Applejack turned to look at her brother, her eyes filled with curiosity.
"A-are our parents here too?" Big Mac shook his head. She sighed with relief and asked another question. "Do you have any idea who could've done this to her?"
"Nope, that's what makes this whole thing odd. I went to Goldie Delicious to ask if Granny or the Apples had any enemies, but even she didn't know."
"Does she know about the secret?" AppleJack grew curious as to how many of her family members knew about this secret or if it was just them. She tried to prepare herself for his answer, but even that seemed hard to do.
"She does along with the rest of our older relatives" AppleJack approached Granny Smith's tree and reached out, but hesitated to touch the tree. Something about this place still didn't sit right with her.
"Ma n' Pa knew about this place too, didn't they?" Big Mac gave a nod. Applejack turned to her brother and looked at him sternly, "But that's not all, there's more to it, isn't there?"
"Now hold on there sis-" AppleJack cut him off before he could finish. She had so many questions and all she had were few answers.
"Why don't we just cut these trees down? Get rid of this part of the orchard! If we get rid of the apples, no one will be in danger again!"
"I'm afraid we can't do that" Big Mac stopped AppleJack from continuing. He walked up to her, he had looked more serious
"What do you mean?" AppleJack's voice quivered a little, afraid of the answer she was about to receive.
"Think, AppleJack, why doesn't Ponyville have a graveyard?" AppleJack's world had stopped. She looked around the orchard, all terrified pony faces that were in her nightmare were at peace right before her, not a single face held anguish. However, as she looked closer at some of the faces, she had recognized some familiar faces that had been dead for years. It was then she understood, this was Ponyville's graveyard. "When Granny and the rest of our ancestors first settled here, the Everfree Forest wasn't as tame as she lead us to believe when we were younger. After they planted the zap apple trees, the forest grew restless and started to take over the orchard. Granny and them tried to stop it, but nothing seemed to work as the vines weren't the same ones from the forest. Due to the new plantation for the trees, the vines had changed. After Aunt Honey Crisps' death and burial, a new tree emerged and this part of the orchard and the vines had disappeared back into the ground. That's when this part of the orchard was deemed a graveyard." Apple Jack and Big Mac had walked to Honey Crisps' tree that sat on the very edge of the Everfree Forest. It stood as a symbol and warning for everyone who knew the secret of the Sweet Apple Orchard.
"You said ma and pa weren't buried here. Where are they buried?" AppleJack had never known the true location of their
"Not even I know that." Apple Jack sighed, unsatisfied with Big Mac's answer. Big Mac reached a hoof out to his sister and they turned to walk out of the orchard graveyard. Apple Jack rubbed her head as it began to throb, she had learned so much in such a short amount of time, it was hard to process. Big Mac looked at AppleJack, making a note of her physical state. AppleJack saw his worried expression,
"I'm ok, just don't feel well" Once they arrived back on the orchard path, darkness had already consumed the sky leaving only the moonlight to guide the way. AppleJack soon became grateful to be in a familiar area and sped up to reach home with Big Mac right behind her. Once inside their childhood home, they saw Apple Bloom had left them a note explaining that she would be staying over at Rarity's place with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. Apple Jack thanked Celestia that Apple Bloom didn't have to see her terrible state. She didn't want to worry her little sister any more than she already had. She decided to jump in the shower to wash off not only all the dirt and mud on her but the feeling of death and disgust. She did not want to think about that part of the orchard anymore and hoped that once she laid down, she would have a good night's sleep. Who am I kiddin'? Learnin', this new truth ain't gonna make me sleep any better than before when I was just dealin' with Granny's death. Applejack thought defeated once again. Once dried off, she went into her room and took off the old hat her dad gave her when she was still a young filly. She remembered the fond memories she had with her parents and wished to see them even for just a moment. She yawned and walked over to her bed to crawl in. She let her eyes close and relaxed her body ready for whatever would appear in the dream realm.