The Last Queen of the Blaze

The next few months was not what Apple Bloom was expecting. One could even say she was woefully underprepared for her new life. The crying, the feeding , the changing... it all felt like she was hit by a set of bricks. So much of her life suddenly felt as if it had been thrust into a blender.

Firstly, there was the feeding. Despite having seen the uniqueness of Autumn's diet firsthand, she wasn't ready for just how hungry the little kirin could be. It seemed as if the infant could stomach the entirety of the Pie family's rock farm if Apple Bloom allowed it. Of course, she didn't.

Rarity had lent Apple Bloom the entire box of unused gemstones to keep the little rascal satiated, which often would last about a month before Apple Bloom had to call again. Thankfully, Rarity was always a busy mare. Working at her boutique, designing dresses and sewing left many scrapped gemstones that Autumn was happy to consume.

Still, it was awkward to see an infant bite on rocks of all things to stay hungry. Thankfully, living on the Apple Family farm meant that Autumn developed an appetite for the juicy fruit that hung from their orchards. Big Macintosh often offered to help pick the apples each morning for Autumn, alongside Apple Bloom.

The two of them were up at the crack of dawn each morning. The dew of the morning fell from the grass as they trotted through the trees. Macintosh would often looked at his sister, noticing the new way she carried herself. Her movements in the past weeks had been more resolute, as if her soul had suddenly been energized. He had a strong hint as to why this was, if her smile was anything to go by now.

A wave of nostalgia washed over Big Macintosh. The magical sensations of comfort and joy that one could only feel in the, perhaps objectively, mundane parts of life, had warmed up the entirety of the Apple family.. As the sun rose over the horizon, warming their backs as they gathered their fruit, Macintosh could feel his face plastered with a gentle smile, watching Apple Bloom go up and about. His mind faded to distant memories -

"Hey."

A voice snapped him out of his thoughts. He glanced down from the top of his later, to see Apple Bloom holding Autumn in her hooves, and baskets full to the brim with apples being towed behind her.

"I'm going the marketplace," said Apple Bloom. "Do you want anything?"

He tapped his chin thoughtfully. "....Bread."

Apple Bloom nodded, smiling. "Got it." She turned and hoisted Autumn onto her back. By now the little foal had developed a strong grip, and would often cling to her mother for hours on end. Apple Bloom found it funny, and a little convenient, since she no longer had to carry around a basket to carry her in.

She winked at her brother as she turned around, with Autumn waving farewell to her uncle as she sat firmly on Apple Bloom's back. Macintosh found his mouth curled up into an uncontrollable smile, as he tried to take in the sight without turning redder than he already was.

They were happy. It took a while, but if finally happened. Macintosh could finally say what he always wanted to say.

They were happy.

____________________________________________________

The market still ran at full speed all the time. Ponies walked around the stalls, bargaining, chatting, or even arguing with the stall owners. The clip-clop sound of hooves on the newly-placed cobblestone path, combined with the often brought about a relaxing sensation of sounds to Apple Bloom and Autumn. The little kirin sat patiently on the counter, happily gnawing on one of the fresh apples from the basket, charming and attracting many of the ponies passing by. Apple Bloom smiled, watching Autumn giggle as other ponies went up and greeted the little filly. Many of them left the stand with a smile and bag of apples in their hooves.

By the time the sun had risen to it's peak, Apple Bloom was down to her last basket of apples. Autumn was happily drinking from her bottle, filled with a blended mixture of apples and milk. Her hooves (if that's what they could be called for a kirin) swayed happily in the air as she drank. Apple Bloom couldn't help but chuckle as she patted her head, ruffling the kirin's mane, and gently stroking her scales.

"Thanks for all your help, Autumn," said Apple Bloom. "I couldn't have sold this many apples without you".

She playfully booped the tip of Autumn's horn. For a moment, she could've sworn that Autumn squeaked in response, causing her ears to perk up. The sound of Autumn's giggles and her bottle tumbling off her lap echoed in the stall. She reached for her mother with her hooves, babbling and giggling. Her eyes shone upon making contact with Apple Bloom's, causing her heart to melt.

"Who's a good little filly? You are! Yes, you are!~" Apple Bloom playfully tickled Autumn's belly, nuzzling her. In the almost empty market, their laughs rang out like bells, signaling the joy that they were experiencing to the whole of Ponyville. Autumn clung to her mother's back, squeaking happily. The shaky movements on Apple Bloom's back, however, had an effect Apple Bloom had nearly forgotten about. Autumn froze, gurgled, before letting out a small burp.

Apple Bloom placed her hoof on her own forehead, frustrated by her own forgetfulness. "Aw, dammit. You still need to be burped, huh?". She gently hoisted Autumn over her shoulder, patting the little kirin's back.

Though Apple Bloom couldn't see it, Autumn's face turned slightly green, before letting out a short belch. A hint of residue splattered onto Apple Bloom's hooves, causing her to wince.

"Shoot. I forgot the towel, too."

She grumbled, glancing around the stall to look for anything to wipe herself off with. Autumn, on the other hand, seemed very satisfied with her actions, smiling innocently.

"Bloom".

A voice suddenly caused Apple Bloom to freeze up. She turned to see a familiar orange pegasus staring back at her.

"Scootaloo...."

A heavy silence fell over the area. Autumn stopped babbling, tilting her head in confusion at the newcomer. Apple Bloom noticed just how empty the marketplace had become, leaving just the three of them almost entirely alone. A few ponies glanced their way, but they were too far away to see the expression on Apple Bloom's face. She swallowed hard before speaking.

"I-"

"Who's kid is that?"

Scootaloo's sudden question caught Apple Bloom off guard. She blinked twice, stammering as her brain tried to piece together an honest answer.

"T-this is Autumn Blaze. Well, that's the name I gave her."

Scootaloo raised her eyebrow. "The name.....you gave her?"

Apple Bloom nodded. "Yes. I'm her mother."

At this, Scootaloo widened her eyes. The corner of her eye twitched, as the orange pegasus tried to keep a straight face. Apple Bloom adjusted her hat, trying to alleviate the awkwardness of the situation.

"I'm her ADOPTED mother..."

Scootaloo seemed to relax her shoulders. She snickered for a second, then burst out laughing. Apple Bloom tilted her head.

"Hey! What's so funny?" said Apple Bloom. Autumn tilted her head in confusion as well, curious about the situation they had found themselves in.

"I'm sorry!" she said, laughing between words. "I was worried that you had finally gone off the deep end and kidnapped some poor random foal!"

At this point, Scootaloo was clutching her stomach from laughing so heartily. Apple Bloom, on the other hoof, was not at all amused. "Wha- Hey, that's not funny!" said Apple Bloom angrily. Autumn joined in on the laughter, giggling despite having no clue what was happening. The infant's squeaks rang true through the stalls and the empty marketplace, and suddenly Apple Bloom felt a tad bit warmer.

Her mouth couldn't help curl into a smile, before she herself began to crack up. There was a certain strangeness about their current that made them laugh. It was difficult to put into words. Perhaps the sudden shock of the accusation, or the realization of the absurdity of said accusation, was the trigger to this difficult-to-explain laughter. Whatever the case, all of a sudden, Apple Bloom felt as if a massive weight had been heaved off her soul.

After a minute or so, Scootaloo wiped the tears that had formed from her laughter. "Okay, okay, to be fair, you didn't really give me any confidence after last time."

Apple Bloom sheepishly rubbed the back of her neck. She could feel her cheeks turn red. "About that..." She took a deep breath, mentally preparing herself.

"I'm sorry-" "I'm sorry about-"

The two of them froze up when their voices overlapped each other. Apple Bloom noticed the red blush on Scootaloo's cheeks and her attempts to avert eye contact. Apple Bloom couldn't help but stifle a laugh before continuing.

"I'm sorry about the other day," she said. "I.... I might've overreacted."

"That's the understatement of the century," Scootaloo smirked.

"Hey, I'm -"

"I know, I know," the orange pegasus flapped her wings in sheepish delight. "You're trying to be sincere, and I'm not taking it seriously."

Apple Bloom huffed in indignation. Still, she couldn't help smiling. Scootaloo chuckled softly before she brought her eyes to meet Apple Bloom's.

"I'm the one who should be apologizing."

Apple Bloom raised her eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"

Scootaloo sighed. Both Apple Bloom and Autumn watched as she pursed her lips, doing her best to put her feelings into words. Eventually she relented and blurted out.

"I missed you. The old you."

Apple Bloom was taken aback by this. Of course, she knew what her friend meant. A part of her wanted to make excuses for her recent behavior-

No. It wasn't recent. In fact, looking back, Apple Bloom realized just how long it had been since Applejack's passing. And by extension, the day more than just the tone of her coat changed.

A part of her still hated herself for splitting herself away from her friends.

Scootaloo continued. "So, um... Sweetie Belle and I had been talking... after that day. She immediately wanted to help you, y'know... with stuff. But when you yelled at us like that, I felt like I had lost you forever."

Apple Bloom eye's widened. The sight shocked her. Scootaloo's tears were apparent, despite her best attempts to hide it.

"And I hated you for it. Even though I get why you were like that. And I'm sorry."

Autumn tilted her head at her mother's next actions. Apple Bloom's speed almost made her look like a blur to Scootaloo, who felt her friend wrap her hooves around her, embracing her tightly.

The dam broke. Scootaloo felt her tears well up and spill over, falling onto the cobblestone path beneath them. She hugged Apple Bloom right back, never wanting to ever let go.

Apple Bloom herself found herself tearing up, smiling softly. "I missed talking to you, too."

Scootaloo's only response was a quiet sob.

Autumn, as most infants tend to do, had somehow climbed down from the countertop, landing on on her rear with a soft "plop". She crawled over to where her mother was, tugging at her tail.

Apple Bloom wiped her eyes before picking up the little foal. "Autumn, this is your auntie Scootaloo."

Autumn giggled and reached out to the surprised pegasus, who realized what the foal was asking for.

"Oh. Oh-ho-ho, no. No, no. I am not ready to-"

Apple Bloom smiled, guiding her friend's hooves. Before Scootaloo knew it, she was holding the tiny little filly in her arms. Her eyes widened as she looked into the big, doe-like eyes that shone before her. She felt her heart pound in her chest.

"She's....she's beautiful."

Scootaloo couldn't stop the words leaving her mouth. She glanced at the crooked horn and the scales. "Hey, I don't mean to be rude, but....your kid's got....scales."

Apple Bloom giggled. "Wait until you see what she spews out of her snout."

Scootaloo turned and raised her eyebrow. ".....you mean, beside puke and stuff?"

Apple Bloom burst out laughing. "We've got a lot to catch up on."