Author's Note

Because this universe's version of "Wonderbolt Academy" has to be saved for a later point in time, a replacement episode is being created.

Chapter 35 - Keeping the Flame Alive (Unique Episode)

It wasn't even that long after Applejack dropped her major bomb shell that the rest of the Main Six were trying to think of ways to make Applejack feel better.

But what Applejack didn't know, was that there was some pony much, much different listening.

Some pony who was willing to lift Applejack from the pits of depression and give her hope.

And that pony was willing to act fast.

Keeping the Flame Alive

Applejack was at the farm now, she looked out at the various apple trees. She was going to have to get to harvesting a few soon. And that's when she felt some pony there and turned. "Oh. It's you White Flame." Applejack said, noticing the black unicorn colt.

"...I was going to be hanging with Button Mash and Rumble today now that Trixie's sister is not going to cause any trouble. But as I was heading over to Rumble's place, I couldn't help but overhear a few things." White Flame said.

"Oh. You heard that huh?" Applejack asked.

"I wish I could tell you I know what you're going through, but I don't. But I think it's too soon to be dropping the aspect of never being able to have kids." White Flame said.

"Are ya suggesting some kind of magical solution? Look, call me old fashioned, but that's just not for me." Applejack said.

"I wasn't going to suggest that. Never assume Applejack. Doing so will only make an ass out of you and me." White Flame said.

"...That some kind of saying you picked up when you were Gareth?" Applejack asked.

"That's a little bit of a low blow, but yes. Doesn't matter anyways. That's not important for what I wish to talk with you about." White Flame said.

"Right. Listen, ah've raised Apple Bloom to the best of my ability in place of our ma and pa. Ah'm the closest thing to a mother she's been able to have." Applejack said.

"And you've raised her well. I hope your mother and father will return soon so they can see just how good of a job your doing. Oh but wait, that's me jumping the gun isn't it?" White Flame asked.

"Huh? What do you--" Applejack started.

"...I couldn't help but notice a couple of gravestones on the edge of the farm's boundaries. Bright Mac and Buttercup...a loving father and mother. That was the inscription." White Flame said. "...How did it happen?" He asked.

"Timberwolves. A whole fifty of them. Apple Bloom was only two months old at the time." Applejack said.

"I see. I apologize for your loss." White flame said.

"Ya got nothin' to apologize for. It ain't your fault." Applejack said.

"It's a thing. It's about letting some pony know that their thoughts and prayers are with them." White Flame said. "...Not everything I picked up when I was Gareth was bad you know." He added.

"I think we're getting off topic. Why bring up the fact I raised Apple Bloom like ma own daughter?" Applejack asked.

"Right. Back to the real topic at hand." White Flame said. "I'm sure Scootaloo really appreciates that she was basically adopted by Rainbow Dash, and I'm sure that any court would see that Rainbow Dash has proven to be a better parent then Scootaloo's biological parents ever considering they didn't even show up with Scootaloo's aunts died." He said.

"What's that got to do with--" Applejack started to say.

"You may not be able to have a child be related to you through blood, but I'm certain there might be a colt or filly in the orphanage you could raise instead. Just look at how Apple Bloom turned out if you want an example of how good of a mom you'd make. And I'm sure any child would love to call you their mom just like how Scootaloo calls Rainbow Dash her mom." White Flame said.

"...Ya wanna know something White Flame? Ah may not have initially trusted you, but yer right. Yer one hundred percent right. Ah should take a page out of Rainbow's book and adopt my own foal." Applejack said.

"I'm glad I could be of service then." White Flame said.

"And despite the fact you've got a horn on yer head, you've got the heart of an earth pony in ya. Don't matter if I can't birth my own foal, ah can still be someone's ma anyways. Guess ya can be real mature at times White Flame." Applejack said.

"Part of that comes from having a past life you know." White Flame said.

"Don't care. As far as I'm concerned, yer an honorary Apple. So if you want to continue hanging out with Apple Bloom, ah'll support you two 'till the day ah die." Applejack said.

White Flame was stunned. "Th-that's...wow..." White Flame said. "I'm not used to this kind of treatment." He added.

"Ma little sister was right: Your not Gareth. Yer White Flame." Applejack said. "And you most certainly kept my flame alive." she added.

A bit later, White Flame was invited to dinner with the family, and afterwards, Granny Smith approuched him.

"Ya did a fine good job with my grand daughter ya know. Really cheered her up." Granny Smith said.

"It wasn't nothing special Granny Apple Smith. I just did what came naturally to me." White Flame said.

"Ya got a way with words ya know that. Yer welcome over anytime as far as ah'm concerned." Granny Smith said.

"Th-that's such an honor. I promise you won't regret it." White Flame said and then left.

"No ah won't whippersnapper. No ah won't." Granny Smith said.