The afternoon sun shone above the orchard workers at Sweet Apple Acres. Bright Mac was proud of his little son giving the apple tree another kick.
"Yeah, that's it! You're awesome!" – He scratched the boy's head
"Hah, stop, dad!" – Big Mac said, laughing. "It was just a stronger kick."
"Yeah, but it was the strongest so far. And we've been doing this for hours. Oh, how thirsty." – He sighed heavily, until he looked to the side. Like a miracle, their special mare brought them a bucket of water, and at the same time carrying they little baby on her back.
"Well, fresh water for my two boys." – She smiled as they both drank the water quickly.
"Heh, that's much better. Thanks there!" – Brigth got up poking Pear Butter's cheek with her snout.
"Wow, it's been such a quiet day." - He said.
"Yeah...really. That's weird." – Pear Butter looked around, observing everything, a little worried. – It's too quiet... More than it should."
Only half a minute passed of absolute silence, even Big Mac had closed his eyes very serenely. This silence was interrupted by a fight between Grandma Smith and a worker. This worker was holding Jackie by the hooves.
"I was working, she started messing with all the harvest!" – He said, with a frown.
"I... Ah didn't do anything! You don't watch where you're going... Hmm... I was going to get a cutie mark, but you showed up just in time!" – Jackie replied, stamping her little hooves on the ground.
"Cutie mark of someone who drops BUCKETS FULL OF APPLES INTO THE PLACE OF PIGS?!? THAT?!"
"You will NEVER understand!" – Jackie whimpered because of that scream. - "Let go of me!"
"Well, I guess you shouldn't complain about that to me." – Said Grandma Smith – "You know I'm the owner of the farm, but I'm old, damn it!"
"That's it, we should talk to your dad!" – The worker turned to Jackie, he still didn't let her go.
But soon, some footsteps could be heard, and a now thick voice of a strong stallion broke the worker's morale. – "Tell me what exactly?"
The worker hesitated a little, but then said something. – "Ah, yes, your daughter helped me a lot! To drop a bucket full of apples into the pigsty!"
At that moment, Jackie shrank back, not knowing where to hide her own snout.
"Ya know. Yelling at her won't make the apples come back. If it's about the salary, I pay more. But you won't mess with my daughter anymore."
Jackie smiled at her father, but was reprimanded without another smile in return, which made her ears twitch back. - "And even?" – continued the worker. – "What about all my wasted work?"
"You want a vacation and you don't know how to ask for it." – Brigth Mac quipped. – "Okay, you're free for today. Let's go home, Jackie. Just follow me now."
She hesitated, hearing the worker suppress some laughter. She felt so much less than everyone at that moment. Just following.
"But, daaad..." – She lowered her head, but still tried to protest.
"Sit here." – Brigth Mac said after giving a tired sigh. – "This, right here next to me." – She obeyed, sitting on that rock at his height.
"Look, I know what he said, but you can tell your point of view."
"Point of view?"
"Yeah, it's, like, your side of the story."
"Oh!" – She thought for a moment. – "I was trying to get my cutie mark, but this time I ran! You know, like, as fast as that... Pegasus! I wanna be like them!!"
"You could have tried something that wouldn't have been so much trouble. Or at least gotten a lot closer to the workers." – He thought about what to say at that time. – "Why didn't you try it in your treehouse?"
"It's just that being trapped is really bad... It's so small there! I wanna explore! Explore everything!!" – She wagged her tail a little, still excited, but soon regained her regretful mood.
Brigth Mac understood her daughter's point of view to a certain extent. But he didn't want to say that she was half right, after all that would harm the teachings.
"But Jackie, anyway, don't come any closer to the workers." – This time he smiled, swaying his mane back. – "Well, that guy is so annoying... He used to pick on me when he was your age!" – He laughed a little, encouraging her to lighten the mood.
Jackie didn't seem to understand very well, she was just pretending, actually. She laughed more at her father's sudden enthusiasm.
"Well, you must not have understood anything, I imagine." – He gave a calm sigh. – "Let's walk a little, Applebloom needs to see more of the world."
"Woah, can she come out to play now?" – Jackie cheered up again, even getting down from the rock and shuffling a little on the ground, and his smile was still there.
"Not yet, at least not like you and Mac."
Then they both walked to the rest of the family, where Pear was teaching Mac some plant uses. It wasn't his type, but he was really interested in it.
"Ah, hi dad. How was it with that guy?" – Little Mac asked, his ears perking up.
"Boring and, such and such...as always." – He laughed, messing up his hat a little. – "Well, who wants to go for a walk today?"
"Mee!"
"Meee twooo!"
The children said in unison, giving Pear Butter an idea, which made her walk home for a bit, but decided against it.
"What's wrong, honey?" – He asked his wife.
"Hhmmm... It's... Kinda weird talking about it. I wanted to make it a picnic..."
"Hm? And what's the problem?" – He laughed softly, covering her with a hoof.
"B-but..." – She was intimidated, speaking a little quietly just so he could hear. – "Yeah... I'm a little... Fat. I should even go on a diet... " – She lowered her snout.
"Oh, darling..." – He stopped himself from laughing – "That's not necessary, as long as your health is good. You will always be beautiful to all of us."
But I, I... I'm getting fatter and fatter." – She leaned against him.
"Did you know that I think you're cuter this way?" – He blushed – "And look, you can't even notice much, then it disappears." – He hugged her.
"Honey..." – She remained very close to him, while they kissed again. How did a silly conversation suddenly turn into a romance?"
"Bleeep!!" – Jackie stuck out his tongue. – "Kisses!"
"I thought that was so... Cool!" – Big Mac, on the other hand, thought it was the most beautiful thing in the world.
"Heyy! Don't peep!" – Brigth Mac joked while his wife laughed softly.
"I have a better idea...how about we go swimming?" – Pear Butter still seemed undecided.
✦︾︾︾︾︾︾︾︾︾︾︾︾︾︾✦
And after so many conversations, there they were; admiring the breeze that afternoon, while the children played with each other, climbing trees, running, it was really fun for them.
"Woahh" – Brigth Mac yawned – "You know that stuff?"
"Ah, the magican apple?" – She answered him with another question.
"Yeah, yeah. I found a way to go get it, actually." – He continued. "Even though the forest is so dangerous, the timber wolves are hibernating this week. Then we'll be able to get some of those apples!"
"Yeah... I think it could work, yes. I've done it with other subjects." – She lifted her nose, still enjoying the breeze.
"Me too!" – He responded with more confidence. – "So it's decided, this week we're going to collect that apples there."
The little Applebloom cooed on her back, so she picked her up in her arms.
"Awee, how are you?" – She said in a thin voice to caress her girl, who giggled in response. – "She's so pretty! I can't wait to see her playing with her siblings..."
"No need to wait!" – Jackie jumped almost out of nowhere, causing a little scared to her parents.
Then Jackie rubbed her snout lovingly and affectionately against her little sister's plump belly.
"I'm the big sister, and of coooourse I'm going to play with you and take care of you!" – she puffed out her chest, proud. This earned a light chuckle from his parents.
"Eeyup!" – Big Mac also came – “Me too”
"Me two more timeee!" – Jackie continued to be proud.
Big Mac rolled his eyes. Wow, who knew that Applejack would be so annoying after gaining an additional role in the family, huh?
"You're kind of annoying." – He frowned.
"You're annoying two, more timeee!"
"You two are annoying." – Pear Butter said, getting a little bored with his silly fight.
"How about a fight?" – Jackie started again.
"Hah, only if you're going to lose."
They both snorted, making a playful fight, where Mac would let Jackie win on purpose. His father admired this attitude, giving him a wink.
✦︾︾︾︾︾︾︾︾︾︾︾︾︾︾✦
Author's Note
Another peaceful day after work. ;)
A week had already passed. The day hadn't even dawned, and the couple was already preparing to bring that magical apple. The buttery pony stretched a little, but soon had the courage to go to her mother-in-law.
"Our Mac is going with us, ma'am." – She continued – "Then I think you can take care of Applejack."
"Ah, don't you think she's big enough to go with you?"
"I even thought about it, but you know. It's scary to take so many ponies. I am scared..."
"Then you can stop being so cool, right?" – Grandma always seemed rude to her daughter-in-law, but now it seemed more so. – "Applejack is always getting me into trouble. I'll just stay with Applebloom if I want!" – The old pony dried another bowl, while leaving Pear Butter thinking.
But the plan was made, all the family members were waiting for that harvest. It no ordinary apple; the seed will opened and bore good fruit for almost forever, in the most beautiful and strongest tree they would ever see. Do you have any idea, actually? That would be enough to feed an entire generation of ponies.
"Wake up, children." – That strident but affectionate voice filled the siblings room. They slowly opened their eyes. Mac was the first to wake up and go to his father, but Jackie was still biting the pillow. I probably dreamed she was eating something, nobody knows for sure.
"Hmm... Eyuup..." – Little Mac rubbed his eyes, but then smiled. – "Good morning, dad. I slept badly tonight, i was a little anxious waiting."
"Oh, no problem." – His father replied. – "How do you think the day will be with just you and me? You know, no girls, besides mom."
"Really? Woaah!" – Suddenly he left his usual tone.
"Changes of plans! Changes of plans!" – Pear Butter entered the room, waking Jackie, who groaned sleepily in response. – "You have to go with us." – She caressed the girl while smiling, only to be surprised with another jump and a happy scream. – "Adventureee!"
"Ah, no..." – Mac hit his face a little tiredly.
"Okay, you just need to go have breakfast while everything is ready. When you're done, you guys come outside." – Brigth Mac informed, leaving with his chest puffed out and looking his usual self. At that time Granny Smith grabbed and pulled his ear. – "Oowch! What in tarnation?!"
"Don't walk around like a fool in the forest!" – Grandma Smith said, angrily. - Last time you came with a bunch of burrs on your hooves!"
"It won't happen again, alritgh?" – He adjusted his hat, smiling sparkling as always. His mom only rolled his eyes, smiling.
"Ah, right. You enchanted me again, boy. Seriously now, good luck. Take plenty of water and... plus this..." – She filled his backpack with so much stuff that it was too heavy to carry. "Ok, its all here. I guess..."
After a while, the children finished their coffee and went outside as expected. Applebloom started crying again.
"Don't cry, little sister!" – Big Mac smiled.
"Oh, yes! When we get back we'll play." – She laughed softly as she kissed her sister's cheek.
They walked quietly into the forest, the children playing and running ahead. The couple seemed more intent on getting the apple.
"Well, if there are magic apples, there are magic pears too, right?" – Pear Butter twisted his snout.
"I don't really know." – Brigth Mac laughed softly – "I don't know, there must be everything waiting in this world."
"Oh yes, I just remembered that I sent another letter about Applebloom to my father. Ahh... it doesn't even feel like it's only been two weeks since our daughter was born. " – She touched her face, thinking about the time. – "But, he still didn't respond the letter. I think I've lost hope, honey."
"He'll answer you one day, and I'll be there with you, okay?" – He brought his beloved's face closer and gave her one more kiss, stopping along the way.
"Heh, you don't miss an opportunity..." – She blushed from corner to corner. He could see it slightly, as its fur is very light.
At that time, the children climbed the trees.
"Yeah! I'm the apple princess!" – said Big Mac
"And im the apple prince!" – Jackie retorted. They both laughed to themselves, having fun along the way.
"You'll see, Jackie! I will grow wings and horns! even if it's a dream!" – His eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Woaah!! I REALLY want to see this!" – She knelt down greeting the 'new princess', and had an idea. – "I know! Let's play royalty!"
"Yes, yes! Then my wings will be multicolored! and... and my horn will be very shiny!" – He cheered up, fitting into the role.
"Ahem, um, your majesty?" – Jackie tried to change her country accent to a more chic style, like Rarity says.
"oh yes, my prince?"
"Let's put a law in town! Earth ponies will have wings and powers!"
"That's a good idea, my prince." – After that, Little Mac changed his expression, breaking character. – "Wait, how are we going to do this?"
"With magic! lots of magic. Duh! unicorns use magic for everything!" – Jackie replied.
"But we're alicorns... so we have stronger magic?" – He had this great chance, and was filled with joy.
"Yes, like Princess Celestia!" – Jackie daydreams. – "It would be really cool to meet her! She raises the sun! And I bet she would turn you into an alicorn, Mac!"
"Oh, she would also turn you into an alicorn, too! The princess of red apples! and I would be the green apple princess."
"Yes, just like your cutie mark!" – She saw his side, touching his hooves.
"I prefer to call it a manly mark.'" – He puffed out his chest.
"Hehe, I'll call it that now." – She laughed kindly. – "But... if my manly mark be a green apple?"
"What's the problem?"
"Its, like, i can't be the princess of red apples without red apples in mah manly mark!"
✦︾︾︾︾︾︾︾︾︾︾︾︾︾︾✦
Then they arrived. The kids and Brigth Mac were so calm... why? Pear Butter didn't understand why her heart felt so heavy. Was it fear? concern? They looked for that apple in many corners, it was very difficult. They were having fun, why wasn't she? Why were your pupils shaking so much?
"Hey boys! Be careful out there, there are dangerous thorns. Burrs, ugh..." – he trembled just remembering it. – "You know, darling, even the devil trembles when he remembers that. Darling?"
She didn't listen. She couldn't speak. She saw the eye of that timber wolf hidden behind the bush. That was brilliant. Until that creature attacked Pear Butter. In shock, she backed away, but the creature knocked her to the ground, leaving several scratches on her face. It didn't take that long for Brigth Mac to reason and attack the wolf, breaking it into pieces. His wife's eyes were bleeding as she fell to the ground again. Drops fell onto his pale fur, staining them. She cried like never before as Bright helped her, trying to stop the bleeding. Soon his children saw it, and they were also in agony.
"Mooom! nooo!" – Jackie screamed in tears while Mac just cried in fear, trying to calm his mother.
"These bastards... weren't they hibernating...? what happened?" – He still covered his wife's bleeding with a cloth. – "Please, honey, hold on, we're going home."
"I can't see! it hurts, it hurts... it hurts..." – She cried as Brigth Mac carried her out of the forest, but some more wolves ended up appearing. – He was soon attacked by a larger one, which he was unable to fight off. He was just protecting his beloved mare as much as possible. – "What the hell... Kids, run away! hide! do something- AHHHH! "
That scream of pain was blood-curdling, he was bitten hard on the rib. Mac tried to hide, but Jackie wanted to help. She didn't want to, she needed to, she NEEDED TO DO THIS, but she ran too. Brigth Mac tried to fight for himself and for Pear Butter, who was already stunned. Meanwhile, Jackie and Mac were running in different places. Mac quickly hid, but some wolves managed to give him scratches and he was heavily injured in his escape.
"Please go away..." – He whispered softly, crying and sobbing. He was safe now, but he still thought about his parents a lot. He no longer felt the best like he always did. He just collapsed right there, hoping it was a nightmare.
While for Jackie, things didn't work out very well. On the way she was attacked by more vicious wolves, even getting deep cuts. His skin was already bloody, but she didn't stop running. She was almost leaving the forest, but that wolf bit and sank its teeth into her flesh, her thigh. She cried so much that she quickly ran home. It took a long time, but she managed to escape and walk normally. Or almost, since he was almost dragging himself due to his injuries. She saw her grandmother and her oldest uncle, who soon ran to help her. Close behind came Mac, she didn't know that. They tried to explain everything, but no words came out. Meanwhile, after a while the wolves left the couple, after a spark of sunlight entered the forest and scared them away. Some species tend to be scared by daylight, this was actually lucky.
"Honey, please don't go away... don't leave me alone..." – He hugged her tightly as he bled. Its paws were only connected by a thread of flesh, and its stomach was destroyed.
"Hmm... Brigth Mac?" – her eye, which was not injured, looked at him weakly. Half dead, I would say. " – "I'm not going to do that, I don't want to..." – She was having emorrhage and unbearable pain, just like him. – "Oh, I'm so worried... my kids... they might be dead... I don't want that, Mac." – She cried hard, her heart racing in her severed chest.
"No, they're strong... I don't want to believe it... we'll find each other. As soon as my legs get better... I can..." – ... – "Honey? Why don't you answer me ?" – She died, right there. His eye became empty, it seemed soulless. His breathing and movements stopped. He understood that. – "I'll see you on the other side... let's be together again, I want that." – He cried bitterly, wanting to scream right there. But I didn't want to attract any more wooden demons. He hugged her once again, tight as always, but soon his eyes weakened... his breathing became heavy. He couldn't speak anymore. A rescue team arrived minutes before, only to see both of them dead, still together, hugging each other until the end. They took the body to make a dignified burial.
The team returned to the farm, where they also took care of the children, giving them vaccines and dressings. And the children had to be forced to see their parents almost torn apart, the flesh hanging off their bodies.
"ah...ahhh!" – They both cried loudly, wanting to hug their dead parents. Grandma Smith soon regretted whatever situation she did. Repent is a very weak expression. She was feeling enormous guilt. A silence with crying and tears filled the place. The doctors tried to hold the children, who just wiggled, wanting to get out of their hooves. They wanted to give medicines but they just wanted to stay aside. They just wanted to try to say goodbye.
"I abandoned them... they died because of me... I ran away." The boy's pupils narrowed more and more, with incomprehensible fear. He completely ignored his scratches compared to the others. Jackie, for example, was almost dying, but couldn't stop crying loudly.
"I should have fought... I'm not strong... I can't..." – Jackie fainted, alone while the doctors did their best to treat the surviving siblings.
