A Year In Manehattenby Furious47ChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 5Chapter 6Chapter 7EpilogueChapter 1It was an ordinary day at the Ponyville train station. Some ponies came and went, others waited for the arrival of their trains, while some got off the cars arriving at the station, some locals of Ponyville, others visiting to meet family or friends. Really, it was just another day. But not for the Apple Family. One year ago, Applejack, the element of honesty, and one of the most hardworking and honest ponies in Equestria came to this train station with a one-way ticket to Manehatten, a faraway land where she would spend a year with some other family. Today was the day she would finally return. Apple Bloom was standing in front of her family, her hooves tapping, unable to contain her excitement. She was older now. She had her cutie mark, and the giant ribbon she once wore as a young filly was replaced by two long ponytails topped off with miniature ribbons. She was probably the closest to Applejack, being her little sister after all, and she could not wait to finally have that missing piece of her family back in her life. Apple Bloom had long since gotten used to her sister’s absence, but not a day went by where she missed her. The farm just wasn’t the same with Applejack. Apple Bloom supposed what her granny said was true, that you don’t know how good you have something until it’s gone. But it didn’t matter. Not anymore. Applejack was coming home today, and everything would return to normal in the Apple family once more. She couldn’t wait to tell her sister everything that had happened when she was gone: Being taught by her brother Big Mac to buck apples now that she was big enough to do so, getting her cutie mark, starting middle school, and accidentally getting Diamond Tiara expelled. Actually, maybe she would keep that one a secret. Apple Bloom watched, her breath catching in her throat as she got a little closer to the track, watching as a train pulled up gradually to the station, coming to a stop. The breaks hissed, and the doors swung open. Apple Bloom was smiling so wide that she almost looked a little insane. She couldn’t wait to see her sister. The very SECOND she saw her, she was going to give her the biggest hug imaginable. Ignoring the strangers getting off the train, she looked excitedly for that familiar orange coat and brown stetson. Finally, the crowd died down as the train emptied. Suddenly tired of waiting, Apple Bloom hopped onto the train. The wait was unbearable, she just had to see her big sister, she had waited a year, for Celestia’s sake, she deserved this! “Sis!!” Apple Bloom called, her smile brighter than Celestia’s sun. “Apple Bloom!” Turning around, Apple Bloom was ready to spread her hooves and leap at her sister for that hug she had been longing for ever since she learned she was coming home. She knew that when she saw her sister, it was going to be like nothing changed at all, it would be like she never left… What she saw however was… Not what she was expecting in the slightest. Applejack, who has usually kept her mane in a ponytail, was now donning a… Honestly, Apple Bloom wasn’t sure what it was. Her mane was longer, puffed up, and rounded at the front in a bouffant style that was popular in Manehatten. Her tail was curled, long, and flowing, she wore makeup: light blush on her cheeks, concealer to hide her freckles, and eye shadow on her eyelids. She had two golden earrings in her ears she realized her now pierced, and come to think of it, she had a LOT of jewelry on! She had bracelets on each hoof, a shining necklace with an orange-shaped pendant, and a frilly dress that covered her cutie mark which she always wore as a badge of honor, proud to be a member of the apple family… Was she halunincating? Was she talking to the wrong pony? “Applejack, dearie! There ‘ye are!” Apple Bloom jumped at the voice of her grandmother behind her, “We were startin’ to get worried when Apple Bloom hopped on the train and didn’t come out!” “Eeyup.” Said Big Mac, her brother. Apple Bloom looked back at both of them. They seemed unphased by this. This pony was not her sister! Applejack giggled softly, “Thank you so much for the warm welcome.” Apple Bloom wrinkled her snout. Where was that country twang that every member of her family had? Her southern accent had morphed into some fancy, pish-posh nonsense, like that voice her friend Scootaloo used when mocking their boring new teacher. “What happened to you?” Apple Bloom asked, finally deciding to pop the question that was begging to be answered. She looked back at her family for support, but they hardly seemed to notice anything was different about her. “Mm. I was getting a touch bored of my usual attire. Honestly, I looked like some good-for-nothing country bumpkin.” She twirled around showing off her entire outfit, “Don’t I look just ravishing?” Apple Bloom, despite her obvious confusion, tried to smile. Maybe this was just some joke. She had once joked about how residents of Manehatten were just like this. Maybe she was just trying to be funny? “Very funny, sis. What’re gonna do next? Pull out a fan and ask Big Mac to take your luggage?” “Oh! Thank you for reminding me.” To her surprise, she actually did pull out a fan, covering her muzzle just a little as she walked past them, “Could somepony fetch my bags? I would be very grateful.” Pfft right. She didn’t bring any bags with her. Once again, Apple Bloom was proven wrong. Applejack has brought home four suitcases filled with Celestia knows what. Big Macintosh and Apple Bloom had to carry two of each, with Granny Smith unable to help much with the labor. The bags both weighed a ton, and the walk back to the orchard was torture, it didn’t help that Applejack did nothing but occasionally tell them to hurry up. What had gotten into her? What was in these bags? Apple Bloom remembered a week-long camping trip they went on years ago, Applejack hadn't bought anything but one small backpack, and she was just fine! Maybe they had picked up the wrong pony? Apple Bloom kept looking over her shoulder, expecting to find Applejack chasing after them, but she had no such luck. Maybe she was still playing a joke on them, and she’d snap out of it when she realized none of them were fooled. She hoped her time at Manehatten hadn’t changed her sister forever… When they returned to the Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack’s muzzle wrinkled in disgust as she saw her home for the first time in months. “I see I still have to live on a farm like some animal. How unfortunate.” She shrugged, “Oh well. I suppose it’ll have to do.” Apple Bloom stopped, resting her head on the suitcases she was forced to push back. Big Mac stopped beside her, sweating from the hot sun and the physical activity. “What the hay has gotten into her? What did those city ponies do to her?” Big Mac shrugged in response, “You’re worried about her too, right?” “Eeyup.” He said curtly. “Well, we gotta do something about it then!” Apple Bloom said with determination. Big Mac, who was about to start pushing the bags down the path towards the barn, shook his head no. “No. Leave her alone. She’s been living with those city ponies for a year, Apple Bloom. She’ll be back once she spends the rest of the day in her home.” It was a rare occasion whenever Big Mac, who usually hardly spoke at all, said that many sentences. Despite this somewhat almost frightening situation, Apple Bloom found some comfort in his words. She couldn’t keep this charade up forever, right? Apple Bloom sighed in relief as she finally made it into the house and was able to abandon her sister’s luggage and sit down. As she was sitting there on the couch, recovering her energy after the short walk which felt like a mile-long hike, she was quickly startled as the door swung open, and a fuming Applejack came inside. “Do you seriously expect me to relieve myself OUTSIDE like an animal?” She snarled, looking at Big Mac, who was the closest to her. “Eeyup?” He said nervously. “We have a bathroom upstairs, sis. Don’tja remember?” Apple Bloom said, undoing her ponytails and letting her mane down. Applejack seemed relieved, “Oh thank goddess. Oh! And while I’m gone, would you be a dear and bring my luggage to my room?” She said to Big Mac. “I would greatly appreciate it.” “Eeyup.” He said, grabbing the handle of the first bag, following behind her as he started hauling it to her bedroom. Applejack would NEVER ask Big Mac for help with something like that! She’d do it herself in a minute flat! Apple Bloom thought. “Thank Celestia she’s gone…” “Now don’t you go sayin’ things like that, child. That there’s your sister, don'tcha know?” Apple Bloom jumped as Granny Smith spoke, piercing the silence as she placed a bowl of apples on the table with old, shaky hooves, “Now I know she’s taken on the ways of a Manehattenet, and I know it’s a lil’ strange, but that don’t give you an excuse to treat her any different. I want you to do your best to welcome her back home, ya hear?” “Yes, Granny Smith.” Apple Bloom said obediently, wondering how the half-deaf elderly mare even heard her mumbling in the first place. Satisfied she got the message, Granny Smith retreated to the kitchen, no doubt going back to make lunch for the now reunited family. Big Mac finished his chore, and with a light sigh, he sat down on the sofa in front of Apple Bloom. Knowing he never was much for conversation, Apple Bloom got up to help her grandmother with lunch. Ten minutes later, the table was all set, and the Apple family was sitting all together, just like how they used to. Everything about this was normal, except for the fact that Applejack was still dressed like she was about to go to a gala in Canterlot. “So where’d your hat go?” Apple Bloom said, curious as to where AJ’s most prized possession had gone. That hat had been with the country mate through thick and thin, and despite all the activity it’s seen, the leather stetson still seemed brand new, “Ah’ve never seen ‘ya without it.” Applejack shrugged. She seemed too busy with her meal to concentrate on what was being said. She savored each bite of her food so long that it was almost painful to watch her eat. By the time Apple Bloom had cleaned her plate, Applejack was just getting started with hers. “That old thing? Oh, I tossed it.” She waved a dismissive hood. “You what?” Applejack covered her muzzle as she giggled politely, “I’ve been wearing that filthy thing since I was a little girl. The style is so old, honestly, I couldn’t be seen with it! I refuse to go out in public wearing something like it!” “‘Pa gave you that hat! You can’t just go and throw it away like a piece o’ garbage!” Apple Bloom said, suddenly infuriated that her sister would throw away such a meaningful artifact. “Now now, I’m sure it’s in one of those suitcases she brought home.” Granny Smith interrupted, “Tell her, AJ!” Applejack tapped her chin, “Hmm… No, I am pretty sure I threw it away in the bin outside the park.” She said, “Besides, I knew I might want to bring that style back for old time's sake, so I bought a few more just like it!” Apple Bloom sputtered, tripping on her words, refusing to believe what she was hearing! She didn't know her father, but she knew better than anybody that Applejack cared very deeply for the memory of her parents. Before she left, she remembered there were days when she would find her talking to a framed photo of her parents holding her as a young filly, desperately clinging on to the times she had with them. She remembered the time when Diamond Tiara made fun of her for not having parents, and how AJ was so mad she screamed at her father for almost an hour about how much of a brat she was. This ain’t… This ain’t my sister. Apple Bloom thought, the mare’s words silent to her as she looked at the orange pony who she no longer recognized. It was just a hat, an object, but the fact that she would just go up and throw away something she knew meant so much to her… What in Celestia’s name did they do to her? Chapter 2After lunch, Applejack excused herself to go and unpack. She went to her room and didn’t come back until supper time, where she quietly ate her food and talked about her time in Manehatten, reminiscing about the memories she made there. Apple Bloom didn’t listen to a single word, she didn’t care what this imposter had to say. She had convinced herself that this pony was not her sister. Maybe she was a changeling, or maybe she was playing a prank on her like she originally thought, whatever it was, it wasn’t very funny. When she did decide to listen, she was greeted with tales of going to parties, wine tastings, living in a fancy home, walking into a boutique and walking out of there with countless dresses, makeovers, spa visits, skincare routines, dieting, even the idea of a potential cutie mark removal surgery to give her a more natural look, which according to her, was a fashion craze at that moment, having one’s cutie mark removed. Every word she heard further convinced her that Applejack was a changed mare. Granny Smith was very interested, but that was nothing new, she’d listen to any of her children, and Big Mac didn’t contribute much other than a nod every time she turned her head in his direction. Finally, dinner was over, and usually around this time of night, the family would remain together for an hour more, doing something fun together like just talking or playing a game. Fortunately for Apple Bloom, Applejack decided to excuse herself to get ready for bed, which Granny Smith happily agreed with, seeing as she had quite a long trip. Normally, Apple Bloom herself liked to stay up a little bit longer than she was allowed to in secret to draw, but tonight she couldn’t wait to get to bed. The sooner she went to bed, the sooner she would find out whether or not this was just a bad dream or a horrible new reality where her sister she loved was gone and replaced with this city mare. As she laid her tired head on the soft pillow, her body under the covers, her eyes met a photo of her and Applejack on her wall. It was a picture of them together during cider season. She remembered that day, it was the day they had almost lost their farm and their home after those two businessponies came by with a giant hunk of junk that would make cider in seconds, effectively making the family unnecessary. Apple Bloom reached her hoof out and turned off the lamp, turning her back towards the picture and casting it out of her mind. Though she was angry, Apple Bloom truly hoped that when she woke up tomorrow, they would go back to the train station, and the country mare would get off that train like she was supposed to… The next morning, Apple Bloom woke up not to Applejack nudging her awake to get ready for school, but to nothing at all. Sunlight shone in her eyes, and Apple Bloom woke up from a dreamless sleep. Covering her head with the blanket, she enjoyed one last moment of warmth and safety in bed. In a minute, Applejack would come in and wake her up. Might as well get up. Apple Bloom yawned, pushing the protective covers off of her, her head turning to the clock like usual. When she saw the time, however, her eyes almost popped out of her head with how wide she raised her brows. 9:42! She was late! Applejack must’ve forgotten!! Her mane still a mess from her rest, Apple Bloom hurried out of bed and downstairs to the dining room, however instead of finding some breakfast she hoped to quickly inhale before leaving, she found… “Apple Bloom, sweetheart! There you are!” Apple Bloom found the dining room filled with Applejack and three unfamiliar mares, all around AJ’s age, and dressed similarly to them as well. One of them was a white unicorn with a mane so long that Apple Bloom knew it couldn’t be natural. The other was a pegasus the color of earth. She was lithe and skinny, thin as a promise. “What’s this all about, sis?” Apple Bloom asked, ignoring the company as she made her way to the pantry for some cereal. “Oh, nothing much, just a little get-together.” Applejack said, smiling at her as she left the pantry, “This is Beauty Mark, and this is Glorious.” She pointed to the unicorn and the pegasus respectively. They both gave her cheerful little smiles. Apple Bloom uncomfortably made her way towards her saddlebag left by the door, taking the box of cereal with her. “Very nice to meet ya’ll!” Apple Bloom said, picking up her saddlebag, trying to sound as genuine as possible, “But ‘ah got to go to school, so if ‘ya don’t mind…” “Ya’ll.” Beauty Mark giggled, mimicking her accent, “isn’t she just adorable.” “I know, right? I don’t know where she gets it from.” Applejack said. Apple Bloom frowned, glaring daggers at her, “That ain’t true and you know it! You had an accent too, y’know! It used to be so bad ‘ya got angry when ponies couldn’t understand ya!” Her friends looked at Applejack, who smiled as she waved a hoof, “Oh, she’s talking about the days when I worked and dressed like a beatnik.” Beauty Mark chuckled “Work?” “I know!” Said Applejack, “I have no idea what I was thinking! It was probably my parents.” “You really should have left a lot sooner, darling. Don’t your parents know how unbecoming it is for a mare to work?” As they all laughed, Apple Bloom made her escape, bringing the box of cereal with her, thankful she had packed extra snacks for lunch the previous night… Apple Bloom got lucky. She had a substitute teacher that day, and this one didn’t seem to be very interested in actually teaching. The teacher hardly even looked up from her book as she walked inside the classroom. Nonchalantly walking to her desk, she sat down at her seat sighing in relief. The two young ponies sitting next to her, her very best friends who had all earned their cutie marks together, scooted closer to her so they could carry out a conversation without making too much noise. Apple Bloom didn’t even notice them when one of them spoke. “What's goin’ on? Why are you so late?” Sweetie Belle asked in a whisper. The unicorn had changed her appearance somewhat as well. She wore golden studded earrings in each ear, and small curved brown glasses after she found out she was far-sighted, which led to bullying and a friendship lesson when she first got them. “You’ve never been late before! You know how strict your sister is about being punctual.” “You said it. You’re lucky we have a sub today. That old stallion would have your tail off if you showed up late without an excuse.” Said Scootaloo, the pegasus of the pack. Nothing much changed about her, except she was fairly skinnier in comparison to the other two ponies. Her wings had grown larger as well, but she could still not fly. Ponies were certain she would never fly. Apple Bloom sighed, placing her saddlebag on the desk. She had been longing to collect her thoughts for so long, that she found she was actually glad to be at school. With her two friends waiting for a simple explanation, she almost wanted to hide what was going on, but these were her friends. She never kept secrets from them. So with all of them gathered together, Apple Bloom told them everything that happened. To nobody’s surprise, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were dumbfounded. They knew Applejack well, lots of ponies did, and to hear she had changed like this was boggling to them! It didn’t feel good to relieve it all again, but in the end, Apple Bloom was glad to get it off her chest. “Maybe she’ll get over it?” Sweetie Belle suggested. “‘Ah don’t think so.” Apple Bloom said, her head sitting defeated on the desk, “She really thinks she’s some… Fancy-Schmancy tea-drinkin’ pretty mare. She’s forgotten everythin’ about bein’ honest and loyal, she’s forgotten all about her family or about how we live, just this mornin’ I found her in the dining room chattin’ it away! They’re probably still there right now!” “Maybe she’s under a magic spell or something?” Scootaloo suggested. “I doubt it. If I was living in a different place for that long, I’d probably pick up some things too.” Sweetie Belle said. “Yeah. Like, if I stayed at your place, Apple Bloom, and did all the stuff you did, buck apples, do farm pony stuff, and talk in an accent for a while, some of that would probably stick with me.” Scootaloo’s eyes glowed. “Why do so many folks have problems with my accent!! I don’t got no accent!!” Apple Bloom glanced at both of her friends, realizing she had said that far too loud. The substitute didn’t seem to mind, having decided to take a nap while they were supposed to be teaching. Apple Bloom put her head on the desk, and Sweetie Belle put her hoof around her, nudging her cheek. “I’m sorry, Apple Bloom. That must be really hard for you. I know how much you love Applejack.” “‘Ah hate it.” She muttered. “‘Ah hate it that my family don’t seem to care, they all pretend it’s normal but it ain’t!” Scootaloo looked away, unsure of what to say, meanwhile, Sweetie Belle kept offering comforting words. Sweetie Belle always knew what to say to her friends whenever they were feeling down, but today even Apple Bloom didn’t want to hear what to say. Nothing she said would ever bring her sister back to who she was before. If only she knew more magic, but even then, it felt to Apple Bloom that no matter what she did, her sister would never return. When her friends realized that Apple Bloom was not in the mood to talk, they left her alone, hoping that all she needed was to be left alone. The school day dragged on as it usually did. Another teacher found their substitute still napping, and they were promptly escorted out of the classroom, and the students were sent home early for the day. Apple Bloom walked home with her friends, and it was during that time they started to talk about other things, leaving Apple Bloom’s problem behind. It was just the distraction she needed, and when they reached the orchard, Apple Bloom was far less bummed out than before. It was a nice day, and the little ponies had a day to do whatever they wanted. Who could ever ask for more? Hurrying behind the barn and deep into the rows of apple trees, the girls spotted their clubhouse in the distance. Back when they were little, they had restored it to a base of operations for when they were on their crusade for their marks. With their blank-flank cards revoked, their secret society wasn’t needed anymore, but the clubhouse remained. It was their escape, their home away from home (and for one of them, pretty much their only home.) As they neared, however, Sweetie Belle stopped. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom were slowly walking ahead, focusing on each other as they happily joked around, completely missing the sight in front of them. “Our clubhouse!” Sweetie Belle shrieked. “Huh?” Apple Bloom finally looked up, gasping as she saw the construction ponies dismantling the treehouse bit by bit, two of them hauling out all of their stuff, and standing on a blanket, watching them work, was none other than… “What in tarnation are you doin’?!” Dropping her saddlebag as quick as a flash, Apple Bloom raced over, her friends galloping behind them. At the sight of the unfamiliar mares, the construction ponies stopped just as one of them, a unicorn, tore off a chunk of the roof with his magic, placing it down on the grass. “What the hay are you doin’!? This is our clubhouse, ya can’t tear it down!!” Apple Bloom yelled, turning to her sister, “Get them to stop, sis!” Applejack looked at her with utter confusion, like she had completely forgotten all the sleepovers Apple Bloom and her friends had there, or those long hot summer days they had spent planning intricate schemes to try and find their special talents. “Whatever for?” She said, “Surely you don’t have a use for it anymore, you aren’t little fillies anymore!” “We are still fillies! I only just started middle school a few weeks ago!” Apple Bloom protested. As the conversation evolved into an argument, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo looked on in shock. Not at the argument, but at the sight of the pony before her. AB was right. She was a changed pony. “O-Oh wow.” Sweetie Belle said. “H-How do you even get your mane to look like that?” Scootaloo asked, leaning over to Sweetie Belle to whisper: “Do ya think she could put stuff in there?” “What do ya even need with our clubhouse? What use could you ever get from here?!” Apple Bloom shouted. Applejack shrugged, “I was thinking of turning it into a little lounge. All this nature and sun is dreadful, a nice place out here would improve this dreadful wasteland quite a bit, wouldn’t you say?” “We’ll don’t!” Apple Bloom said, “This is our clubhouse! You gave it to us! You played in it when you were our age!” Applejack snorted, “And what a right proper mistake that was. Honestly. What got into me as a child? In fact, why was I cursed by country bumpkins as parents? I should’ve been sent to Manehatten when I belong.” “YOU TAKE THAT BACK!!” Apple Bloom cried. Noticing her cue to step in. Sweetie Belle used her magic to grab her friend’s ponytail to hold her back to buy her some time to wrap her hooves around her to restrain her. “Apple Bloom, take it easy!” Sweetie Belle said, fighting to pull the earth pony away to keep her from attacking her sister. “Ya take that back!! You take that back about ‘ma and ‘pa, you-you snooty little-” Sweetie Belle’s hoof covered her mouth before she could say anything more that she may regret. As she was dragged away by her two friends, Applejack merely watched in confusion, like she had no idea what she had done that was so bad, and that only made Apple Bloom’s anger worse. Not Sweetie Belle’s iron grip keeping her from bucking her sister all the way to the Crystal Empire, but the fact that her sister’s brain was so clouded by the Manehatten ways that she couldn’t even see the thing she knew she valued the most. With her sister out of sight, and her anger mostly spent, extinguished like a candle out of wax, Apple Bloom escorted her friends back to her home and into her bedroom. All sitting in a circle on Apple Bloom’s bed, they all tried to mend their friend’s mood. “I know!” Scootaloo said, “Let’s go to Sugarcube Corner and eat until we throw up!” “You’re not helping, Scootaloo.” Sweetie Belle said, using her magic to float a tissue toward Apple Bloom’s teary eyes, “Could you find us a new box of tissues? This one is starting to run out.” Scootaloo nodded, Apple Bloom looked up, watching the blurry figure of Scootaloo race out the door which had been left open a crack. Apple Bloom blinked the tears from her eyes, and said in a shaky voice: “S-Sweetie Belle?” “Yes?” “...Ah’m awfully sorry she tore down our clubhouse.” She sobbed. Sweetie Belle gasped, her body instinctively coming closer to comfort her friend, “Oh, Apple Bloom. You know we don’t care about the clubhouse. Right now we care about you.” She shook her head, “B-But all our best memories and stuff. We made it all there… We got our cutie marks thanks to the work we did here! And now it’s gone… Ah’m so sorry…” “Apple Bloom!” Sweetie Belle scolded, “That clubhouse doesn’t matter. Sure, it was pretty cool, I’ll admit, but our friendship is more important! Look!” She pointed at her cutie mark, “This is a reflection of everything we’ve ever done together! The clubhouse is just an object, this cutie mark is forever, okay?” She gave her the biggest hug she could give, squeezing tightly as if she were trying to wring the sadness out of her. Apple Bloom cried in her arms, feeling guilt… but also relief. Relief that her friends once again had her back… She didn’t deserve them, they were too good for a pony like her… Sweetie Belle pulled away, wiping her tears away with a hoof, “Don’t be sad, Apple Bloom. We’re going to find a way out of this together, okay?” Apple Bloom nodded, holding Sweetie’s hoof, filled with the newfound hope that maybe they could fix this problem, just the three of them. “Oh bother.” Suddenly the door creaked open, and Scootaloo came back in, a box of tissues on her head, “I leave you alone for two minutes and you’re both holding hooves? Great.” Apple Bloom looked at Sweetie Belle with a smile as Scootaloo stuck out her tongue. Chapter 3Dear Princess Celestia Howdy! My name is Apple Bloom, I’m Applejack’s sister, you know, the element of honesty and all that. Listen, I got a big, big problem, and me and my fellow cutie mark crusaders think you would be the best pony to come to. My sister, Applejack, went to Manehatten for a year to visit some family. I didn’t see her for a very long time, and just yesterday she came home. But when she got off the train… She was a changed pony! She had her mane done all fancy, she was talking like Rarity a bit, and she even threw away our ‘pa’s hat! She wondered why she was ‘cursed with country bumpkins as parents.’ This ain’t our AJ!! Listen, Princess. I love my sister. I would do anything for her… But this ain’t right and we both know it. Those Manehatten folk have brainwashed her or something. We need advice. No, we need a solution. We’ve always been taught to have faith and trust in the princesses of Equestria, so please, please help me. Help the Apple family, I’ll do anything. P.S. - We also have 162 bits from selling Cutie Mark Crusader Cookies(™) at the schoolyard if ya need more persuading. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo Chapter 4Dear Cutie Mark Crusaders I am afraid my dear sister is unable to answer your letter for the time being, as she is on a nice getaway somewhere. That must be nice. So your letter was sent to me, Princess Luna, Princess of the Night. I sincerely apologize, and I will do the best I can to help with your problem. I was never good at these ‘friendship,’ problems, but fear not! I am sure my sister’s ways have rubbed off on me. For starters, I spent some time in Manehatten for some royal business some time ago. Indeed, their customs are frankly a bit odd for somepony such as myself. During my time there, a couple passing me by told me that I was quite plump, and kept walking as if they did not just insult a princess directly to her face. But back to the issue at hoof. I never expected your Applejack would spend so much time away from Ponyville, with her orchard and such business, nor would I ever expect her to change every single detail about her, but it is likely the old Applejack was not enough for those ponies, and with time, she converted into one of them. Perhaps she did it to fit in, or perhaps she genuinely likes this style of living, we will never know. Unfortunately, I am not at liberty to cast any mind-altering spells on her, nor am I able to cast any time-travel spells or any other magic you may suggest to fix this situation. I am sure you have heard this already, but perhaps you simply need to give her time. One year is a long time, and time marches on every day. She will need to return to work, and perhaps soon she will have to start bucking apples again or make trips to Ponyville Square to sell her fruit. Once she discovers the joys of what she once loved, and learns that she can be herself without fear back in your little Ponyville, she will gradually revert back. I do hope so, anyway. I do know it is not uncommon for ponies to permanently change their ways, either to fit in or because somepony else forced their hoof. If Applejack is unhappy with this, I do hope she sees right from wrong soon. However, my little ponies, if she is indeed happy with her ways, having taken after a true Manehattenet, then I am afraid there is next to nothing you can do, and no, I do recommend trying to force her back either. I do hope I was able to help just a little bit. I will monitor your dreams for a few nights, watching for any unpleasant dreams. Perhaps a face-to-face chat would be more helpful than a letter. Good luck, and keep in mind what I said Keep going to bed on time Princess Luna P.S. - I will be returning the 162 bits since we do not require bribery or payment. P.P.S. - While I found it quite humorous, please do not mark the parchment as: ‘For Sunbutt.’ Chapter 5“‘Ya just gotta listen to me!” Apple Bloom begged, “Applejack has gone all fancy! She’s destoryin’ our clubhouse, saying horrible things about ‘ma and ‘pa, she all thinks we’re country bumpkins, whatever the hay that means! She’s crazy!” Granny Smith shook her head, her back turned on Apple Bloom as she busied herself fixing supper, “What in tarnation has gotten into you, child? That there’s your sister, ‘ah know better than anypony you love her more than you love anypony else, and as I said before, you are gonna do good at making her feel welcome AND accepted now that she’s back home.” “But Granny, ‘ah-” “I know you’re upset about the clubhouse dearie, yes, that wasn’t a very nice thing for her to do, destroying somethin’ of yours without your permission, and I know you’re upset AJ has gone all fancy, but well, darling, ponies change. Someday, you will as well.” “Cursadin’ and being with your friends may be on your mind now, but who knows? In a few years, you might start thinkin’ only about stallions.” She turned, winking at her, having been a little girl herself once back in the day. “What?!” “But that’s not all. Perhaps you’ll do what your great great uncle applesauce did when he was about your age: Dye his mane black, get so many piercings that he was more metal than pony, listen to angry music, and be miserable all the time.” She chuckled. “Granny! You ain’t listenin’ to me!” Apple Bloom snapped, “This isn’t just some typical phase, Applejack actually believes she’s a Manehattenet, but she ain’t! She’s an apple, and that thing out there ain’t an apple!” “Now really, darling. How bad could she really be? I’m still there’s a smidge of the old Applejack still in there.” Granny Smith said, retreating from the stove to start lecturing her kin again, but just as she did, the door to the kitchen leading outside opened, and all at once their jaws hit the floor at the sight. Applejack strutted in, not wearing a dress like she usually did now, instead wearing her usual jewelry. She hardly had anything flashy or fancy on her, except for that ridiculous manedo. She was almost nearly donning her natural look. There was one thing though that told Apple Bloom that she was far from natural, that she had done something horrible, awful, irreversible, forever rendering her a member of the Apple family no longer. “Your cutie mark!!” Apple Bloom gawked at her sister’s new blank flank, remembering those years ago when she too was a blank flank and constantly teased at school because of it. Getting her cutie mark was the best day of her life, and she knew that was yet another thing she had in common with her sister. Their cutie marks told a story of key moments of their life. Of family and friendship. Now that story was permanently gone, and in its place, a blank flank with stitches hardly even visible, she had to squint to see them! “Oh great Celestia… What did ‘ya do?” Applejack came closer, walking like a pony on a catwalk as she showed her blank flank, “‘Ah had it removed, of course! Cutie marks are so last year. Don’t I look so natural?” “Oh dearie me!” Granny shouted, “Your freckles!” Apple Bloom gasped one more time as she saw that her freckles were indeed also nowhere to be seen. Praying that she was using some really good makeup or something, Apple Bloom reached forward and rubbed her sister’s face, hoping to wipe that mess away, but no matter what she did, nothing came out. “I had those removed too, darling. A strong chemical peel and some magic from a very talented unicorn. I hardly felt a thing.” She batted her eyes, “What do you think?” Granny Smith answered by promptly fainting on the spot, and Apple Bloom too thought a nice nap on the floor would be a good way to cope with this situation. “Why did ‘ya do it?” Apple Bloom said through shock and fury, “Why did ‘ya remove your cutie mark? How could you ever do that?! Of all the foolish, stupid, nonsensical stunts you could’ve pulled, this is what you do?” Applejack shrugged, “Oh relax, darling. It’ll come back. The surgery is still relatively new.” Apple Bloom almost spat, “You will not ‘get another one,’ DARLING. Everypony gets ONE cutie mark, and that’s it. ‘Ah’m glad to see that our family means so little to you.” She turned away, the thought of even seeing her sister revolted her. “Darling, me not having my cutie mark doesn’t mean I am not a part of this family anymore, that’s just silly. Abd besides, if I ever want it back, tattoos are always an option, I heard of this experimental treatment where the ink is applied magically so it never fades. I even-” “SHUT YOUR TRAP!!” Apple Bloom yelled, nearly stepping on her comatose grandmother as she walked towards Applejack, her eyes balls of fire as she unleashed all of that pent-up anger at her sister, “Don’t ‘ya get it?! Our cutie marks are more than our special talents in this family. They’re marks. They’re the mark of a pony from the Apple family. With yours gone, you know what that means? You’re no longer a part of this family, you’re done. You’re the odd one out.” Applejack’s brows furrowed in an emotion she never thought she would see again from her: Anger. “Well fine!” She turned around, hitting her with her tail. She cringed as she saw the spots on her flank where the cutie marks should have been, “If ‘ah’m honest, all of my friends in Manehatten told me to stay there forever, but do you know what ‘ah told them? No! ‘ah told them no!” In her anger, her southern accent slowly crept back into her voice. “...And what a mistake that was! Ya’ll are just a bunch of good-for-nothin’ country folk who live paycheck to paycheck, workin’ hard when you can have other ponies do it for ‘ya. Well, I’ll tell you what. This ain’t the place for me. I belong in Manehatten.” “FINE!!” Apple Bloom screamed, “Then go back to Manehatten, see if we care!” “Thank you for the invitation, I was going to do just that!” She muttered something under her breath as she walked towards the door. “‘Ah beg your pardon?!” “‘Ah said: ‘Stubborn blank flank!’” Apple Bloom gasped, suddenly taken back to those times back in school when other ponies pointed and laughed at her for being a blank flank, egged on by those two bullies. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she’d hear it from AJ. “Hmph.” Applejack turned her head as she walked outside. Slamming the door shut, she never returned again. At last, Granny Smith came to. Any other pony would be worried if their elderly relative straight up just fainted, but Apple Bloom was not concerned, Granny Smith always fainted when something like that happened. It’s why they didn’t have a television anymore, “What happened? Where did she go?” “She’s gone, granny…” Apple Bloom said dejectedly, “She said she’s goin’ back to Manehatten.” “Oh dear…” Granny Smith shook her head, “This reminds me of the time your mother went through something similar.” Apple Bloom perked up, excited at the prospect of a possible fix to this, her grandmother was a little strange, but she had been around the longest, maybe she had an idea that Apple Bloom didn’t, “What did you do?” “Nothin.’ I just waited a week and she grew out of it when she started working on the orchard again. I guess that ain’t going to work here…” Well, that’s helpful. Suddenly, Apple Bloom got an idea. She grew out of it when she started working on the orchard again… “That’s it!” Granny Smith jumped at her sudden proclamation, “We just need to teach her the apple family way again! There’s nothin’ in this world that gives AJ more joy than good, honest work. We just gotta show her that!” Granny Smith thought about this for a moment or two, the dismay on her face replaced with determination when she concluded that it just might work, “By golly, child, you’re right. Come on, let’s go reteach that filly what it means to be an apple.” “O-Oh! Now? But ‘ah got homework!” “We ain’t got time! Just tell them the dog ate it, come on, let’s ride like the wind!” Grabbing her cane, she prepared to take off, and with a deep breath, she veeeery slowly began stepping towards the door… Chapter 6ROUND 1 - Applejack VS. Apple bucking It took a lot of begging and pleading (mostly from Granny Smith, Applejack refused to listen to Apple Bloom very much after their fight, but she was finally able to convince her to come back to the orchard and help with some work. According to their plan which they made in two minutes, they would bring her to do some tasks aiding the barn, she would realize how much she missed it, she would beg for forgiveness, there would be a long and perhaps even emotional apology, the two sisters would hug, reunited, and then life would finally return to normal. Nothing could be simpler! Dragging Applejack back to the farm, she brought her to the inner orchard where Applejack spent most of her day bucking apples. “This dirt and sun is terrible,” Applejack complained, taking quick steps as if the floor was acid. Apple Bloom ignored her, “Alrighty, sis. Why don’t ya help me buck some of your apple trees!” She demonstrated, kicking the first tree in range of her back legs, causing the apples to fall from the tree into baskets Big Mac had placed that morning for collection at noon. Granny Smith clapped her hooves proudly, remembering the first day Apple Bloom bucked her first tree when she grew strong enough. “This is stallion’s work. Ladies do not work.” She turned up her snout in disgust. It took all the Apple Bloom’s willpower and strength to not stomp over there and slap some sense into her. She rolled her eyes, “Come on, sis! Just one, please?” She stood next to her grandmother with wide pleading eyes, quickly getting the message, Granny looked at her with the same expression. “Come on, dearie. It won’t bite ya.” Granny Smith said, “At least not here.” Outnumbered, or maybe realizing she didn’t have a choice, Applejack sighed. “Fine. But I’m not going to like it. Here it goes, I suppose.” Mumbling things under her breath, Applejack approached an unharvested tree. Assuming the position, she relaxed her body, looked behind her, and bucked the apple tree with confidence… …Before promptly falling to the floor, screaming in agony. “Oh my Celestia, are you okay, dearie!?” Granny Smith said, limping over to Applejack as quickly as she could. Applejack cried out so loudly that one could probably hear it in Canterlot if you listened hard enough. The thing was, this wasn’t a scream of pain. There was no pain in her voice. She was screaming the way Rarity sometimes did during her episodes when she had lots of clients to make things for. She wasn’t hurt. “Get up, sis.” Apple Bloom said with another roll of her eyes. “My leg! My leg, it’s broken!!” She yelled, “Oouuhhh This is All your fault, oh Celestia it hurts so bad!” “Oh, brother.” Apple Bloom said as her grandmother checked both of Applejack’s back legs, though she didn’t need to. She had bucked that tree with perfect form; exactly the way she had done it hundreds and hundreds of times before she left. Perhaps she still had that knowledge stored in that giant bouffant of hers, and maybe her natural Earth Pony strength just died away after she grew soft from city life. “You’re as fit as a fiddle, dearie.” Granny Smith said, “‘Ah reckon you’re just a tad rusty, give it another go.” “Oh Celestia I’m laying in the grass, there’s dirt everywhere…” Applejack whimpered, “Ya have to take me to the hospital, I can’t move all of a sudden, I think I broke my legs…” Granny Smith smiled, “You know we don’t have insurance, dearie.” “OHHHHH what am I going to DOOO!?” Applejack cried, with about as much dramatization as Rarity often had, except worse! “Okay, okay fine! We’ll go to the hospital. Apple Bloom, go get the first aid kit, we need to make a split for her.” “No. Get Big Mac.” Applejack whimpered. “Have him carry me…” ROUND 2 - Applejack VS. Apple bucking Thankfully, they were turned away, no matter how much Applejack pleaded for treatment. When they refused to see her, as her ‘broken legs’ were probably just a pulled muscle from the strength of her kick, Applejack told them that she was being forced to work like an animal against her will, to which the receptionist said: “We are animals, miss. Please get out of my waiting room.” And threw them out. Good thing too, because Granny Smith was not kidding about the insurance thing. An hour later after apple-bucking proved to be disastrous, Granny Smith executed phase two of their plan: Selling their apples in the Ponyville square. Applejack scoffed at the sight of all the ponies walking by, most of which she knew by name, and often waved to or exchanged friendly words with on other sale days. Apple Bloom remembered fondly of the times AJ brought her along when she was still very little. Either to help sales or because she didn’t want to leave her alone with Granny, she didn’t know. She didn’t remember any of it, of course, but whenever Applejack told the story, she always said: “Folks always have a soft spot for fillies, sugarcube.” Apple Bloom sighed, those days were long gone. “How can anypony even live in this town?” She said, looking down at her hooves that were touching the dirt road. Scandalous. “Never you mind, dearie. Look, it’s a great day, lots of ponies out shoppin,’ ‘ah reckon we’ll make lots of bits!” Granny said cheerfully, and she was right. This was one of the better days for sales. Celestia’s sun was out and shining, and the market was packed with ponies, more so than usual! On normal days, Applejack wouldn’t be wasting a single second of the day, selling as many apples as she could to provide for her family. This is it. Apple Bloom thought hopefully as a brown Earth pony approached their little stand, This will show her how much she missed being a part of our family! After all, providing money to keep us fed and the lights on brings her no greater joy! Straightening her body, Applejack tried to look the least bit interested as the customer greeted them. “Oh, Applejack, you’re back, I almost didn’t recognize you!” The pony said happily. She didn’t recognize the stallion, working sales wasn’t her thing, but she knew he was probably a regular. Applejack put a hoof in her mane, “And I almost didn’t recognize you! What do you think about my new look? Don’t I look simply ravishing?” Apple Bloom and Granny exchanged a look with one another, they were conversing, and maybe she would make a sale. The plan was working! “Well, you certainly did spend time in Manehatten, that’s for sure.” He chuckled, “Is it nice?” “Oh, it’s absolutely divine! I have been thinking of going back again soon.” Applejack said, “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m afraid I must ask you to leave. I cannot be seen around you.” “What?” The station said. “What?” Said Apple Bloom. Applejack sighed, “I’m sorry, I have a disease where I cannot talk to boring ordinary stallions such as yourself, so I will have to bid you farewell. Good day.” Making a shooing motion with a hoof, Applejack only watched with a judgemental stare as the friendly face shifted from confused to insulted until I finally turned around and walked away grumpily. “Well, that went well. Honestly is there a single mare or gentlecolt I can relate to in this town?” Applejack complained. “Applejack what the hay is wrong with you?” Apple Bloom said, “That’s the writer of the newspaper!” Applejack scoffed, “Relax, darling~ He’ll be a little mad for a bit, but then he’ll come to understand.” She said, the tone of her voice making it seem kike she knew she was right and would not be persuaded otherwise. “‘Ah hardly think so.” The following day, on the way to school, Applebloom found a copy of the newspaper discarded on the street in the middle of town. This was on the front page: BREAKING NEWS: Applejack: Element of dishonesty? Local hero of Ponyville turned spoiled and rotten after a year-long trip to Manehatten. Some time ago, the Apple family bid farewell to their beloved Applejack, a hard-working Apple farmer, as she left her home here in Ponyville to visit her family in Manehatten. Last week, she finally made her return, and ponies rejoiced to have her back. But in a stunning turn of events, the country mare that we all know and love has completely changed! That hardworking and responsible pony has changed into what can only be described as your run-of-the-mill Manehattenet. As a frequent buyer of her produce and an enjoyer of her pastries, I was looking forward to seeing her in the market again, but I was surprised to find not Applejack, but some snobby entitled child. This… Pony which I regretfully have to say was Applejack, looked completely different that I didn’t even recognize her! Her mane was all done up in some fancy style that looked hideous, she was covered in makeup and jewelry, and I even noticed that her cutie mark was gone, and in its place, a ring of stitches, meaning she had undergone the controversial surgery doctors are now referring to as ‘cutening.’ “Cutening is a procedure where the patient is sedated, and the skin on the flank is cut and removed. Then, little bits of skin from other places on the body are removed, and placed to cover the wound. The wound is then stitched, and the other areas where skin was taken are cauterized.” A doctor who wishes to remain anonymous says. “The removing of the cutie mark is a topic that has been debated for a long time actually, I never thought I would see the day ponies would resort to having them removed surgically.” Ponies are urged to talk to a REAL doctor if they wish to have their cutie marks removed, and ponies are also urged to avoid Applejack. It seems Manehatten has corrupted her mind, like it has done so many others, leaving ponies to wonder: “Is Applejack being honest with HERSELF?” That night, the family was discussing the paper at dinner. Usually, they never did such a thing, never caring to do so, but it was a different story when it was talking bad about a member of your family. “Told ya he would stay mad about it.” Apple Bloom, who had been waiting all day to say ‘I told you so.’ said. “It really is a darn shame he took it out on you, dearie. I always thought he was a mature stallion.” Granny Smith said, who had told Apple Bloom in secret that she understood why he did it, being unhappy with AJ’s behavior himself. “Eeyup.” Said Big Mac. “I don’t know what’s all the fuss about. He can’t change the way he is.” Applejack said dismissively, “He’s boring and common like dirt. Everyone in this town is. Even this family. It isn’t anything like Manehatten.” She looked at her fork as if she was wishing it was made of gold. That was enough. She had crossed the line. Apple Bloom had been waiting for so long, spending a year without a sister, without an important member of her family, and after all of that time, after all of that waiting paid off, she was brought back this!? This Manehatten scum? She was done. She had enough. She couldn’t look at her. She couldn’t be in the same room as her, no, she couldn’t even be in the same HOME as her anymore. Apple Bloom was a small pony, and there was only so much anger she could hold inside of her, so, unleashing the anger she she had hidden inside her, she said everything she wanted to say to that beat ever since she stepped off the train: “SHUT YOUR TRAP!!” She slammed her hooves on the table and stood up. Granny Smith looked startled, Big Mac just kept eating, “AH’M TIRED OF YOU!! I AM SO TIRED OF YOU!! I HATE WHAT YOU’VE BECOME!! AND ‘AH AM SO TIRED OF HEARING ABOUT MANEHATTEN!! YOU LOVE IT SO MUCH? GO BACK!! GO BACK AND WE’LL ALL BE HAPPY!!” Applejack gritted her teeth, getting up, ready to yell back at her, “I AM!!” She said, “I’M LEAVING IN TWO DAYS, I JUST GOT TICKETS.” She reached into her mane and pulled out a train ticket, and there it was: a one-way ticket to Manehatten. Guess she really did want to go back. But wait… Something about this made Apple Bloom’s blood run cold. “Where did ya get the money for this…?” Apple Bloom asked cautiously. Applejack raised her head, “Well I needed money for a train ride and this beautiful home I was eying during my last trip, so I sold the farm.” And that’s all Apple Bloom needed to hear. Her heart jumped into her stomach. Granny Smith fainted once more, and this time, Big Mac came with her, leaving the two clashing siblings alone with their rage. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to the boutique. They might have a decent dress for me to take as a souvenir.” She dabbed her muzzle clean with a napkin, pushed back her chair, and walked out the door… Chapter 7Dashing out of the barn as fast as she could, Apple Bloom chased after Applejack as her life depended on it before her sister made any more horrible mistakes. She didn’t have time to wait for the rest of her family to come too. She needed to be quick. She needed to confront her sister and get her to fix her mistake somehow! Spotting the bouffant-maned pony in the distance with what little light there was left, she rushed down the path to her sister cutting her off so that she would have no choice but to listen. “Why the hay did you sell the farm?!” Apple Bloom shouted, when she finally caught up to her, her exhaustion suddenly forgotten. “That ain’t your decision to make, y’know!” Applejack stomped her hoof like a filly, “Great Celestia, give it a rest! I’m sure this family has a lot of money stored somewhere, I know you aren’t THAT poor.” “We ARE poor, AJ!” Apple Bloom yelled, glad this argument was taking place on the farm and not in Ponyville where everypony would hear them. She sighed, “AJ, you realize that this not only puts us out of business, but it also makes us homeless.” “Then sell your blasted apples! I don’t care!” Applejack retorted. Apple Bloom couldn’t believe she was having this argument with Applejack. Heck, she couldn’t believe she was having an argument to begin with! She and Applejack were as close as peanut butter and jelly. She never fought, aside from a few little disagreements now and then… But that was normal sibling stuff, it was guaranteed to come with every family! Apple Bloom was lost, she didn’t know what to do. She knew there had to be a way to get her elder sister to see reason! But how? She’s just so stubborn! Apple Bloom thought. She recalled all of the events of the week. Her early excitement about seeing her sister again, her disappointment when she found that she had changed, the destruction of her clubhouse, the schemes she tried to pull off to bring her back to what was right… Day by day she drifted away from the dream of ever having her sister again, and now, she had no more hope. But wait… She was a cutie mark crusader, she should believe! She had to believe! She and her friends had conquered lots of challenges before, this was just another challenge. A challenge she was going to overcome, a challenge she HAD to overcome. Forget the barn, if they sold it, then so be it. She’d rather be homeless with her sister by her side than homeless and all alone. As Celestia as her witness, she was going to make Applejack see reason. Apple Bloom took a breath, gathering all of her courage into hearts she began the hardest conversation she would have to have in her life, “Sis, this ain’t right and you know it!” She began, “This ain’t you, you and ‘ah both know that. I know you went to Manehatten before when you were my age, but you came back because you knew you belonged here, at the Sweet Apple Acres in Ponyville! You tell that story all the time! ‘Ah don’t know what happened in Manehatten but ‘ah know for a fact that you would NEVER change the way you are. Never ever, ever! You and ‘ah are Apples, AJ! Right from even the smallest detail.” She turned her head towards her apple-shaped cutie mark for emphasis. Applejack looked at her now-blank flank with a blank expression. “‘Ah admit, ah’ can’t say ‘ah like this new style ‘o yours, but if it makes ‘ya happy if dressin’ up all pretty and drinkin’ tea and wine and criticizing ‘common’ ponies are your thing now, then that’s fine. But sellin’ our home is just too far.” She continued, “‘Ah understand that a year is a whole lotta time and all that, but ‘ah still don’t understand why ‘ya… Had to change. ‘Ah just get this feeling that deep inside, the real you is still there, and ‘ah know I should be happy that you found a way of livin’ that makes you happy but…” Her knees felt weak, and her vision blurred as her eyes filled with tears. She blinked, letting these tears fall. “‘Ah miss you, Applejack. The real you.” Applejack was taken aback as her sister broke down, closing her eyes as tears spilled from her eyes like how ran slid down the barn’s rooftop on a rainy day, “‘Ya just feel so different now, like a stranger, ‘ah don’t know ‘ya anymore, and it’s HARD! I-I miss even the littlest things ‘ya used to do, like wakin’ me up for school, or checking my room every night before ‘ya go to bed to make sure ‘ah haven’t snuck out again. ‘Ah just… ‘Ah want my sister back!” She sat on the ground, the dirt brushing against her fur as she sat and sobbed to herself, letting out not her anger, but the feeling she had been hanging onto since she came back. Sadness. Where had her sister gone? Why did she feel this way? Why did she feel like her sister would ever return to her old ways? She was happy now, she should learn to accept that! But little did young Apple Bloom know… Something wrong was happening. Something very wrong. Applejack, struck with a sudden realization, piercing through her like an arrow, raised a hoof to her mane, undoing her bouffant until her mane fell. Once she did, something amazing happened. Applejack was swallowed by a bright white ball of light, reason and sense flooded back into her as a terrible curse was broken until she was released from those chains that had bound her, and there she stood. Applejack. Ponytail, freckles, and yes, her father’s stetson. Apple Bloom found herself scooped up in the tightest hug a pony could give. Confused and afraid, Apple Bloom opened her teary eyes, blinking rapidly, feeling as if her eyes were deceiving her. “A-Applejack?” Applejack smiled wearily, taking off her stetson, “‘Ah’m here, sis.” She said, tears forming in her eyes also, “‘Ah was stupid. ‘Ah let them trick me into givin’ me a new manedo. When they did, ‘ah could see and hear and stuff, but everythin’ ‘ah did was outta ‘ma control.” Magic. Apple Bloom thought She was… Right all along? “B-But how? How did ‘ya snap out of it?” Apple Bloom cried as her sister wiped away her tears. “‘Ah reckon it was all you, AB.” Applejack said, putting her hat back on, “‘Ah guess the power of family and sugary-sweet sentiments was all ‘ya needed to break ‘ma little curse.” Apple Bloom thought about everything one more time, and yes, now that she did… It all made sense. She knew it from the very beginning! She knew she would never do any of those things, not her Applejack! Apple Bloom smiled, Applejack chuckled, “‘Ah got a lot of problems ‘ah gotta fix… But Apple Bloom… ‘Ya did it. ‘Ya saved me. ‘Ah don’t think ‘ah could ask for a better sister.” She pulled her into a tight hug, and Apple Bloom was brought back to all the good times they had shared, and suddenly remembered that those times would never stop. Not anymore. She had saved the day, and that was nice and all, but she didn’t care. She had her sister back, that was all that she wanted. She didn’t even care about the clubhouse, nothing mattered anymore. She had Applejack. The Apple Family was now back to the way it should be… …The farm was still something they needed though. That was something Applejack needed to fix as soon as possible. “I love you, Applejack.” Apple Bloom said, feeling safe and secure near her sister’s warm fur. Applejack smiled, trying her hardest not to cry, happy she was free from her year-long prison and with her family again, “‘Ah love you too, sugarcube…” EpilogueDear Princess Celestia Today I learned a very powerful lesson about… I don’t know what I learned! When Applejack went to Manehatten, they put a curse on her, forcing her to act all fancy and stuff. I thought I was the only one to suspect something fishy, but soon, after she cut off her cutie marks, destroyed my clubhouse, and sold our home, it became obvious to my family something was up. And so, using the power of family, I was able to break my sister’s curse. Applejack, the real Applejack is back and better than ever, and so is our family. We were able to cancel the sale on the farm, and my clubhouse was rebuilt. Applejack told my brother and grandma everything that had happened and told the folks of Ponyville too. Everything is slowly going back to normal, and the relatives that cursed AJ were recently arrested for the use of dangerous and mind-altering magic. That said, it’s unlikely we’ll ever be going back there again. I guess I did learn something this week. I learned that you never know how good you have something until it’s gone, and the same goes for ponies you love. Love and cherish your ma, pa, sister, brother, whatever, because they’re the only ones you may have, and you may never know when something might happen to them. Well, that’s all I gotta say! Come down to Sweet Apple Acres for some apple pie sometime! With love Apple Bloom P.S - Sorry for calling you Sunbutt, that was my friend Scootaloo’s idea ~~The End~~ Author's Note It's not a good MLP story if it doesn't end with a letter to the princess. Thanks for reading!! I'm still not sure if I'm going to write all of my pony stories on this platform, but I guess time will tell if this is a good place for my pony nonsense.
Chapter 1It was an ordinary day at the Ponyville train station. Some ponies came and went, others waited for the arrival of their trains, while some got off the cars arriving at the station, some locals of Ponyville, others visiting to meet family or friends. Really, it was just another day. But not for the Apple Family. One year ago, Applejack, the element of honesty, and one of the most hardworking and honest ponies in Equestria came to this train station with a one-way ticket to Manehatten, a faraway land where she would spend a year with some other family. Today was the day she would finally return. Apple Bloom was standing in front of her family, her hooves tapping, unable to contain her excitement. She was older now. She had her cutie mark, and the giant ribbon she once wore as a young filly was replaced by two long ponytails topped off with miniature ribbons. She was probably the closest to Applejack, being her little sister after all, and she could not wait to finally have that missing piece of her family back in her life. Apple Bloom had long since gotten used to her sister’s absence, but not a day went by where she missed her. The farm just wasn’t the same with Applejack. Apple Bloom supposed what her granny said was true, that you don’t know how good you have something until it’s gone. But it didn’t matter. Not anymore. Applejack was coming home today, and everything would return to normal in the Apple family once more. She couldn’t wait to tell her sister everything that had happened when she was gone: Being taught by her brother Big Mac to buck apples now that she was big enough to do so, getting her cutie mark, starting middle school, and accidentally getting Diamond Tiara expelled. Actually, maybe she would keep that one a secret. Apple Bloom watched, her breath catching in her throat as she got a little closer to the track, watching as a train pulled up gradually to the station, coming to a stop. The breaks hissed, and the doors swung open. Apple Bloom was smiling so wide that she almost looked a little insane. She couldn’t wait to see her sister. The very SECOND she saw her, she was going to give her the biggest hug imaginable. Ignoring the strangers getting off the train, she looked excitedly for that familiar orange coat and brown stetson. Finally, the crowd died down as the train emptied. Suddenly tired of waiting, Apple Bloom hopped onto the train. The wait was unbearable, she just had to see her big sister, she had waited a year, for Celestia’s sake, she deserved this! “Sis!!” Apple Bloom called, her smile brighter than Celestia’s sun. “Apple Bloom!” Turning around, Apple Bloom was ready to spread her hooves and leap at her sister for that hug she had been longing for ever since she learned she was coming home. She knew that when she saw her sister, it was going to be like nothing changed at all, it would be like she never left… What she saw however was… Not what she was expecting in the slightest. Applejack, who has usually kept her mane in a ponytail, was now donning a… Honestly, Apple Bloom wasn’t sure what it was. Her mane was longer, puffed up, and rounded at the front in a bouffant style that was popular in Manehatten. Her tail was curled, long, and flowing, she wore makeup: light blush on her cheeks, concealer to hide her freckles, and eye shadow on her eyelids. She had two golden earrings in her ears she realized her now pierced, and come to think of it, she had a LOT of jewelry on! She had bracelets on each hoof, a shining necklace with an orange-shaped pendant, and a frilly dress that covered her cutie mark which she always wore as a badge of honor, proud to be a member of the apple family… Was she halunincating? Was she talking to the wrong pony? “Applejack, dearie! There ‘ye are!” Apple Bloom jumped at the voice of her grandmother behind her, “We were startin’ to get worried when Apple Bloom hopped on the train and didn’t come out!” “Eeyup.” Said Big Mac, her brother. Apple Bloom looked back at both of them. They seemed unphased by this. This pony was not her sister! Applejack giggled softly, “Thank you so much for the warm welcome.” Apple Bloom wrinkled her snout. Where was that country twang that every member of her family had? Her southern accent had morphed into some fancy, pish-posh nonsense, like that voice her friend Scootaloo used when mocking their boring new teacher. “What happened to you?” Apple Bloom asked, finally deciding to pop the question that was begging to be answered. She looked back at her family for support, but they hardly seemed to notice anything was different about her. “Mm. I was getting a touch bored of my usual attire. Honestly, I looked like some good-for-nothing country bumpkin.” She twirled around showing off her entire outfit, “Don’t I look just ravishing?” Apple Bloom, despite her obvious confusion, tried to smile. Maybe this was just some joke. She had once joked about how residents of Manehatten were just like this. Maybe she was just trying to be funny? “Very funny, sis. What’re gonna do next? Pull out a fan and ask Big Mac to take your luggage?” “Oh! Thank you for reminding me.” To her surprise, she actually did pull out a fan, covering her muzzle just a little as she walked past them, “Could somepony fetch my bags? I would be very grateful.” Pfft right. She didn’t bring any bags with her. Once again, Apple Bloom was proven wrong. Applejack has brought home four suitcases filled with Celestia knows what. Big Macintosh and Apple Bloom had to carry two of each, with Granny Smith unable to help much with the labor. The bags both weighed a ton, and the walk back to the orchard was torture, it didn’t help that Applejack did nothing but occasionally tell them to hurry up. What had gotten into her? What was in these bags? Apple Bloom remembered a week-long camping trip they went on years ago, Applejack hadn't bought anything but one small backpack, and she was just fine! Maybe they had picked up the wrong pony? Apple Bloom kept looking over her shoulder, expecting to find Applejack chasing after them, but she had no such luck. Maybe she was still playing a joke on them, and she’d snap out of it when she realized none of them were fooled. She hoped her time at Manehatten hadn’t changed her sister forever… When they returned to the Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack’s muzzle wrinkled in disgust as she saw her home for the first time in months. “I see I still have to live on a farm like some animal. How unfortunate.” She shrugged, “Oh well. I suppose it’ll have to do.” Apple Bloom stopped, resting her head on the suitcases she was forced to push back. Big Mac stopped beside her, sweating from the hot sun and the physical activity. “What the hay has gotten into her? What did those city ponies do to her?” Big Mac shrugged in response, “You’re worried about her too, right?” “Eeyup.” He said curtly. “Well, we gotta do something about it then!” Apple Bloom said with determination. Big Mac, who was about to start pushing the bags down the path towards the barn, shook his head no. “No. Leave her alone. She’s been living with those city ponies for a year, Apple Bloom. She’ll be back once she spends the rest of the day in her home.” It was a rare occasion whenever Big Mac, who usually hardly spoke at all, said that many sentences. Despite this somewhat almost frightening situation, Apple Bloom found some comfort in his words. She couldn’t keep this charade up forever, right? Apple Bloom sighed in relief as she finally made it into the house and was able to abandon her sister’s luggage and sit down. As she was sitting there on the couch, recovering her energy after the short walk which felt like a mile-long hike, she was quickly startled as the door swung open, and a fuming Applejack came inside. “Do you seriously expect me to relieve myself OUTSIDE like an animal?” She snarled, looking at Big Mac, who was the closest to her. “Eeyup?” He said nervously. “We have a bathroom upstairs, sis. Don’tja remember?” Apple Bloom said, undoing her ponytails and letting her mane down. Applejack seemed relieved, “Oh thank goddess. Oh! And while I’m gone, would you be a dear and bring my luggage to my room?” She said to Big Mac. “I would greatly appreciate it.” “Eeyup.” He said, grabbing the handle of the first bag, following behind her as he started hauling it to her bedroom. Applejack would NEVER ask Big Mac for help with something like that! She’d do it herself in a minute flat! Apple Bloom thought. “Thank Celestia she’s gone…” “Now don’t you go sayin’ things like that, child. That there’s your sister, don'tcha know?” Apple Bloom jumped as Granny Smith spoke, piercing the silence as she placed a bowl of apples on the table with old, shaky hooves, “Now I know she’s taken on the ways of a Manehattenet, and I know it’s a lil’ strange, but that don’t give you an excuse to treat her any different. I want you to do your best to welcome her back home, ya hear?” “Yes, Granny Smith.” Apple Bloom said obediently, wondering how the half-deaf elderly mare even heard her mumbling in the first place. Satisfied she got the message, Granny Smith retreated to the kitchen, no doubt going back to make lunch for the now reunited family. Big Mac finished his chore, and with a light sigh, he sat down on the sofa in front of Apple Bloom. Knowing he never was much for conversation, Apple Bloom got up to help her grandmother with lunch. Ten minutes later, the table was all set, and the Apple family was sitting all together, just like how they used to. Everything about this was normal, except for the fact that Applejack was still dressed like she was about to go to a gala in Canterlot. “So where’d your hat go?” Apple Bloom said, curious as to where AJ’s most prized possession had gone. That hat had been with the country mate through thick and thin, and despite all the activity it’s seen, the leather stetson still seemed brand new, “Ah’ve never seen ‘ya without it.” Applejack shrugged. She seemed too busy with her meal to concentrate on what was being said. She savored each bite of her food so long that it was almost painful to watch her eat. By the time Apple Bloom had cleaned her plate, Applejack was just getting started with hers. “That old thing? Oh, I tossed it.” She waved a dismissive hood. “You what?” Applejack covered her muzzle as she giggled politely, “I’ve been wearing that filthy thing since I was a little girl. The style is so old, honestly, I couldn’t be seen with it! I refuse to go out in public wearing something like it!” “‘Pa gave you that hat! You can’t just go and throw it away like a piece o’ garbage!” Apple Bloom said, suddenly infuriated that her sister would throw away such a meaningful artifact. “Now now, I’m sure it’s in one of those suitcases she brought home.” Granny Smith interrupted, “Tell her, AJ!” Applejack tapped her chin, “Hmm… No, I am pretty sure I threw it away in the bin outside the park.” She said, “Besides, I knew I might want to bring that style back for old time's sake, so I bought a few more just like it!” Apple Bloom sputtered, tripping on her words, refusing to believe what she was hearing! She didn't know her father, but she knew better than anybody that Applejack cared very deeply for the memory of her parents. Before she left, she remembered there were days when she would find her talking to a framed photo of her parents holding her as a young filly, desperately clinging on to the times she had with them. She remembered the time when Diamond Tiara made fun of her for not having parents, and how AJ was so mad she screamed at her father for almost an hour about how much of a brat she was. This ain’t… This ain’t my sister. Apple Bloom thought, the mare’s words silent to her as she looked at the orange pony who she no longer recognized. It was just a hat, an object, but the fact that she would just go up and throw away something she knew meant so much to her… What in Celestia’s name did they do to her?
Chapter 2After lunch, Applejack excused herself to go and unpack. She went to her room and didn’t come back until supper time, where she quietly ate her food and talked about her time in Manehatten, reminiscing about the memories she made there. Apple Bloom didn’t listen to a single word, she didn’t care what this imposter had to say. She had convinced herself that this pony was not her sister. Maybe she was a changeling, or maybe she was playing a prank on her like she originally thought, whatever it was, it wasn’t very funny. When she did decide to listen, she was greeted with tales of going to parties, wine tastings, living in a fancy home, walking into a boutique and walking out of there with countless dresses, makeovers, spa visits, skincare routines, dieting, even the idea of a potential cutie mark removal surgery to give her a more natural look, which according to her, was a fashion craze at that moment, having one’s cutie mark removed. Every word she heard further convinced her that Applejack was a changed mare. Granny Smith was very interested, but that was nothing new, she’d listen to any of her children, and Big Mac didn’t contribute much other than a nod every time she turned her head in his direction. Finally, dinner was over, and usually around this time of night, the family would remain together for an hour more, doing something fun together like just talking or playing a game. Fortunately for Apple Bloom, Applejack decided to excuse herself to get ready for bed, which Granny Smith happily agreed with, seeing as she had quite a long trip. Normally, Apple Bloom herself liked to stay up a little bit longer than she was allowed to in secret to draw, but tonight she couldn’t wait to get to bed. The sooner she went to bed, the sooner she would find out whether or not this was just a bad dream or a horrible new reality where her sister she loved was gone and replaced with this city mare. As she laid her tired head on the soft pillow, her body under the covers, her eyes met a photo of her and Applejack on her wall. It was a picture of them together during cider season. She remembered that day, it was the day they had almost lost their farm and their home after those two businessponies came by with a giant hunk of junk that would make cider in seconds, effectively making the family unnecessary. Apple Bloom reached her hoof out and turned off the lamp, turning her back towards the picture and casting it out of her mind. Though she was angry, Apple Bloom truly hoped that when she woke up tomorrow, they would go back to the train station, and the country mare would get off that train like she was supposed to… The next morning, Apple Bloom woke up not to Applejack nudging her awake to get ready for school, but to nothing at all. Sunlight shone in her eyes, and Apple Bloom woke up from a dreamless sleep. Covering her head with the blanket, she enjoyed one last moment of warmth and safety in bed. In a minute, Applejack would come in and wake her up. Might as well get up. Apple Bloom yawned, pushing the protective covers off of her, her head turning to the clock like usual. When she saw the time, however, her eyes almost popped out of her head with how wide she raised her brows. 9:42! She was late! Applejack must’ve forgotten!! Her mane still a mess from her rest, Apple Bloom hurried out of bed and downstairs to the dining room, however instead of finding some breakfast she hoped to quickly inhale before leaving, she found… “Apple Bloom, sweetheart! There you are!” Apple Bloom found the dining room filled with Applejack and three unfamiliar mares, all around AJ’s age, and dressed similarly to them as well. One of them was a white unicorn with a mane so long that Apple Bloom knew it couldn’t be natural. The other was a pegasus the color of earth. She was lithe and skinny, thin as a promise. “What’s this all about, sis?” Apple Bloom asked, ignoring the company as she made her way to the pantry for some cereal. “Oh, nothing much, just a little get-together.” Applejack said, smiling at her as she left the pantry, “This is Beauty Mark, and this is Glorious.” She pointed to the unicorn and the pegasus respectively. They both gave her cheerful little smiles. Apple Bloom uncomfortably made her way towards her saddlebag left by the door, taking the box of cereal with her. “Very nice to meet ya’ll!” Apple Bloom said, picking up her saddlebag, trying to sound as genuine as possible, “But ‘ah got to go to school, so if ‘ya don’t mind…” “Ya’ll.” Beauty Mark giggled, mimicking her accent, “isn’t she just adorable.” “I know, right? I don’t know where she gets it from.” Applejack said. Apple Bloom frowned, glaring daggers at her, “That ain’t true and you know it! You had an accent too, y’know! It used to be so bad ‘ya got angry when ponies couldn’t understand ya!” Her friends looked at Applejack, who smiled as she waved a hoof, “Oh, she’s talking about the days when I worked and dressed like a beatnik.” Beauty Mark chuckled “Work?” “I know!” Said Applejack, “I have no idea what I was thinking! It was probably my parents.” “You really should have left a lot sooner, darling. Don’t your parents know how unbecoming it is for a mare to work?” As they all laughed, Apple Bloom made her escape, bringing the box of cereal with her, thankful she had packed extra snacks for lunch the previous night… Apple Bloom got lucky. She had a substitute teacher that day, and this one didn’t seem to be very interested in actually teaching. The teacher hardly even looked up from her book as she walked inside the classroom. Nonchalantly walking to her desk, she sat down at her seat sighing in relief. The two young ponies sitting next to her, her very best friends who had all earned their cutie marks together, scooted closer to her so they could carry out a conversation without making too much noise. Apple Bloom didn’t even notice them when one of them spoke. “What's goin’ on? Why are you so late?” Sweetie Belle asked in a whisper. The unicorn had changed her appearance somewhat as well. She wore golden studded earrings in each ear, and small curved brown glasses after she found out she was far-sighted, which led to bullying and a friendship lesson when she first got them. “You’ve never been late before! You know how strict your sister is about being punctual.” “You said it. You’re lucky we have a sub today. That old stallion would have your tail off if you showed up late without an excuse.” Said Scootaloo, the pegasus of the pack. Nothing much changed about her, except she was fairly skinnier in comparison to the other two ponies. Her wings had grown larger as well, but she could still not fly. Ponies were certain she would never fly. Apple Bloom sighed, placing her saddlebag on the desk. She had been longing to collect her thoughts for so long, that she found she was actually glad to be at school. With her two friends waiting for a simple explanation, she almost wanted to hide what was going on, but these were her friends. She never kept secrets from them. So with all of them gathered together, Apple Bloom told them everything that happened. To nobody’s surprise, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were dumbfounded. They knew Applejack well, lots of ponies did, and to hear she had changed like this was boggling to them! It didn’t feel good to relieve it all again, but in the end, Apple Bloom was glad to get it off her chest. “Maybe she’ll get over it?” Sweetie Belle suggested. “‘Ah don’t think so.” Apple Bloom said, her head sitting defeated on the desk, “She really thinks she’s some… Fancy-Schmancy tea-drinkin’ pretty mare. She’s forgotten everythin’ about bein’ honest and loyal, she’s forgotten all about her family or about how we live, just this mornin’ I found her in the dining room chattin’ it away! They’re probably still there right now!” “Maybe she’s under a magic spell or something?” Scootaloo suggested. “I doubt it. If I was living in a different place for that long, I’d probably pick up some things too.” Sweetie Belle said. “Yeah. Like, if I stayed at your place, Apple Bloom, and did all the stuff you did, buck apples, do farm pony stuff, and talk in an accent for a while, some of that would probably stick with me.” Scootaloo’s eyes glowed. “Why do so many folks have problems with my accent!! I don’t got no accent!!” Apple Bloom glanced at both of her friends, realizing she had said that far too loud. The substitute didn’t seem to mind, having decided to take a nap while they were supposed to be teaching. Apple Bloom put her head on the desk, and Sweetie Belle put her hoof around her, nudging her cheek. “I’m sorry, Apple Bloom. That must be really hard for you. I know how much you love Applejack.” “‘Ah hate it.” She muttered. “‘Ah hate it that my family don’t seem to care, they all pretend it’s normal but it ain’t!” Scootaloo looked away, unsure of what to say, meanwhile, Sweetie Belle kept offering comforting words. Sweetie Belle always knew what to say to her friends whenever they were feeling down, but today even Apple Bloom didn’t want to hear what to say. Nothing she said would ever bring her sister back to who she was before. If only she knew more magic, but even then, it felt to Apple Bloom that no matter what she did, her sister would never return. When her friends realized that Apple Bloom was not in the mood to talk, they left her alone, hoping that all she needed was to be left alone. The school day dragged on as it usually did. Another teacher found their substitute still napping, and they were promptly escorted out of the classroom, and the students were sent home early for the day. Apple Bloom walked home with her friends, and it was during that time they started to talk about other things, leaving Apple Bloom’s problem behind. It was just the distraction she needed, and when they reached the orchard, Apple Bloom was far less bummed out than before. It was a nice day, and the little ponies had a day to do whatever they wanted. Who could ever ask for more? Hurrying behind the barn and deep into the rows of apple trees, the girls spotted their clubhouse in the distance. Back when they were little, they had restored it to a base of operations for when they were on their crusade for their marks. With their blank-flank cards revoked, their secret society wasn’t needed anymore, but the clubhouse remained. It was their escape, their home away from home (and for one of them, pretty much their only home.) As they neared, however, Sweetie Belle stopped. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom were slowly walking ahead, focusing on each other as they happily joked around, completely missing the sight in front of them. “Our clubhouse!” Sweetie Belle shrieked. “Huh?” Apple Bloom finally looked up, gasping as she saw the construction ponies dismantling the treehouse bit by bit, two of them hauling out all of their stuff, and standing on a blanket, watching them work, was none other than… “What in tarnation are you doin’?!” Dropping her saddlebag as quick as a flash, Apple Bloom raced over, her friends galloping behind them. At the sight of the unfamiliar mares, the construction ponies stopped just as one of them, a unicorn, tore off a chunk of the roof with his magic, placing it down on the grass. “What the hay are you doin’!? This is our clubhouse, ya can’t tear it down!!” Apple Bloom yelled, turning to her sister, “Get them to stop, sis!” Applejack looked at her with utter confusion, like she had completely forgotten all the sleepovers Apple Bloom and her friends had there, or those long hot summer days they had spent planning intricate schemes to try and find their special talents. “Whatever for?” She said, “Surely you don’t have a use for it anymore, you aren’t little fillies anymore!” “We are still fillies! I only just started middle school a few weeks ago!” Apple Bloom protested. As the conversation evolved into an argument, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo looked on in shock. Not at the argument, but at the sight of the pony before her. AB was right. She was a changed pony. “O-Oh wow.” Sweetie Belle said. “H-How do you even get your mane to look like that?” Scootaloo asked, leaning over to Sweetie Belle to whisper: “Do ya think she could put stuff in there?” “What do ya even need with our clubhouse? What use could you ever get from here?!” Apple Bloom shouted. Applejack shrugged, “I was thinking of turning it into a little lounge. All this nature and sun is dreadful, a nice place out here would improve this dreadful wasteland quite a bit, wouldn’t you say?” “We’ll don’t!” Apple Bloom said, “This is our clubhouse! You gave it to us! You played in it when you were our age!” Applejack snorted, “And what a right proper mistake that was. Honestly. What got into me as a child? In fact, why was I cursed by country bumpkins as parents? I should’ve been sent to Manehatten when I belong.” “YOU TAKE THAT BACK!!” Apple Bloom cried. Noticing her cue to step in. Sweetie Belle used her magic to grab her friend’s ponytail to hold her back to buy her some time to wrap her hooves around her to restrain her. “Apple Bloom, take it easy!” Sweetie Belle said, fighting to pull the earth pony away to keep her from attacking her sister. “Ya take that back!! You take that back about ‘ma and ‘pa, you-you snooty little-” Sweetie Belle’s hoof covered her mouth before she could say anything more that she may regret. As she was dragged away by her two friends, Applejack merely watched in confusion, like she had no idea what she had done that was so bad, and that only made Apple Bloom’s anger worse. Not Sweetie Belle’s iron grip keeping her from bucking her sister all the way to the Crystal Empire, but the fact that her sister’s brain was so clouded by the Manehatten ways that she couldn’t even see the thing she knew she valued the most. With her sister out of sight, and her anger mostly spent, extinguished like a candle out of wax, Apple Bloom escorted her friends back to her home and into her bedroom. All sitting in a circle on Apple Bloom’s bed, they all tried to mend their friend’s mood. “I know!” Scootaloo said, “Let’s go to Sugarcube Corner and eat until we throw up!” “You’re not helping, Scootaloo.” Sweetie Belle said, using her magic to float a tissue toward Apple Bloom’s teary eyes, “Could you find us a new box of tissues? This one is starting to run out.” Scootaloo nodded, Apple Bloom looked up, watching the blurry figure of Scootaloo race out the door which had been left open a crack. Apple Bloom blinked the tears from her eyes, and said in a shaky voice: “S-Sweetie Belle?” “Yes?” “...Ah’m awfully sorry she tore down our clubhouse.” She sobbed. Sweetie Belle gasped, her body instinctively coming closer to comfort her friend, “Oh, Apple Bloom. You know we don’t care about the clubhouse. Right now we care about you.” She shook her head, “B-But all our best memories and stuff. We made it all there… We got our cutie marks thanks to the work we did here! And now it’s gone… Ah’m so sorry…” “Apple Bloom!” Sweetie Belle scolded, “That clubhouse doesn’t matter. Sure, it was pretty cool, I’ll admit, but our friendship is more important! Look!” She pointed at her cutie mark, “This is a reflection of everything we’ve ever done together! The clubhouse is just an object, this cutie mark is forever, okay?” She gave her the biggest hug she could give, squeezing tightly as if she were trying to wring the sadness out of her. Apple Bloom cried in her arms, feeling guilt… but also relief. Relief that her friends once again had her back… She didn’t deserve them, they were too good for a pony like her… Sweetie Belle pulled away, wiping her tears away with a hoof, “Don’t be sad, Apple Bloom. We’re going to find a way out of this together, okay?” Apple Bloom nodded, holding Sweetie’s hoof, filled with the newfound hope that maybe they could fix this problem, just the three of them. “Oh bother.” Suddenly the door creaked open, and Scootaloo came back in, a box of tissues on her head, “I leave you alone for two minutes and you’re both holding hooves? Great.” Apple Bloom looked at Sweetie Belle with a smile as Scootaloo stuck out her tongue.
Chapter 3Dear Princess Celestia Howdy! My name is Apple Bloom, I’m Applejack’s sister, you know, the element of honesty and all that. Listen, I got a big, big problem, and me and my fellow cutie mark crusaders think you would be the best pony to come to. My sister, Applejack, went to Manehatten for a year to visit some family. I didn’t see her for a very long time, and just yesterday she came home. But when she got off the train… She was a changed pony! She had her mane done all fancy, she was talking like Rarity a bit, and she even threw away our ‘pa’s hat! She wondered why she was ‘cursed with country bumpkins as parents.’ This ain’t our AJ!! Listen, Princess. I love my sister. I would do anything for her… But this ain’t right and we both know it. Those Manehatten folk have brainwashed her or something. We need advice. No, we need a solution. We’ve always been taught to have faith and trust in the princesses of Equestria, so please, please help me. Help the Apple family, I’ll do anything. P.S. - We also have 162 bits from selling Cutie Mark Crusader Cookies(™) at the schoolyard if ya need more persuading. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo
Chapter 4Dear Cutie Mark Crusaders I am afraid my dear sister is unable to answer your letter for the time being, as she is on a nice getaway somewhere. That must be nice. So your letter was sent to me, Princess Luna, Princess of the Night. I sincerely apologize, and I will do the best I can to help with your problem. I was never good at these ‘friendship,’ problems, but fear not! I am sure my sister’s ways have rubbed off on me. For starters, I spent some time in Manehatten for some royal business some time ago. Indeed, their customs are frankly a bit odd for somepony such as myself. During my time there, a couple passing me by told me that I was quite plump, and kept walking as if they did not just insult a princess directly to her face. But back to the issue at hoof. I never expected your Applejack would spend so much time away from Ponyville, with her orchard and such business, nor would I ever expect her to change every single detail about her, but it is likely the old Applejack was not enough for those ponies, and with time, she converted into one of them. Perhaps she did it to fit in, or perhaps she genuinely likes this style of living, we will never know. Unfortunately, I am not at liberty to cast any mind-altering spells on her, nor am I able to cast any time-travel spells or any other magic you may suggest to fix this situation. I am sure you have heard this already, but perhaps you simply need to give her time. One year is a long time, and time marches on every day. She will need to return to work, and perhaps soon she will have to start bucking apples again or make trips to Ponyville Square to sell her fruit. Once she discovers the joys of what she once loved, and learns that she can be herself without fear back in your little Ponyville, she will gradually revert back. I do hope so, anyway. I do know it is not uncommon for ponies to permanently change their ways, either to fit in or because somepony else forced their hoof. If Applejack is unhappy with this, I do hope she sees right from wrong soon. However, my little ponies, if she is indeed happy with her ways, having taken after a true Manehattenet, then I am afraid there is next to nothing you can do, and no, I do recommend trying to force her back either. I do hope I was able to help just a little bit. I will monitor your dreams for a few nights, watching for any unpleasant dreams. Perhaps a face-to-face chat would be more helpful than a letter. Good luck, and keep in mind what I said Keep going to bed on time Princess Luna P.S. - I will be returning the 162 bits since we do not require bribery or payment. P.P.S. - While I found it quite humorous, please do not mark the parchment as: ‘For Sunbutt.’
Chapter 5“‘Ya just gotta listen to me!” Apple Bloom begged, “Applejack has gone all fancy! She’s destoryin’ our clubhouse, saying horrible things about ‘ma and ‘pa, she all thinks we’re country bumpkins, whatever the hay that means! She’s crazy!” Granny Smith shook her head, her back turned on Apple Bloom as she busied herself fixing supper, “What in tarnation has gotten into you, child? That there’s your sister, ‘ah know better than anypony you love her more than you love anypony else, and as I said before, you are gonna do good at making her feel welcome AND accepted now that she’s back home.” “But Granny, ‘ah-” “I know you’re upset about the clubhouse dearie, yes, that wasn’t a very nice thing for her to do, destroying somethin’ of yours without your permission, and I know you’re upset AJ has gone all fancy, but well, darling, ponies change. Someday, you will as well.” “Cursadin’ and being with your friends may be on your mind now, but who knows? In a few years, you might start thinkin’ only about stallions.” She turned, winking at her, having been a little girl herself once back in the day. “What?!” “But that’s not all. Perhaps you’ll do what your great great uncle applesauce did when he was about your age: Dye his mane black, get so many piercings that he was more metal than pony, listen to angry music, and be miserable all the time.” She chuckled. “Granny! You ain’t listenin’ to me!” Apple Bloom snapped, “This isn’t just some typical phase, Applejack actually believes she’s a Manehattenet, but she ain’t! She’s an apple, and that thing out there ain’t an apple!” “Now really, darling. How bad could she really be? I’m still there’s a smidge of the old Applejack still in there.” Granny Smith said, retreating from the stove to start lecturing her kin again, but just as she did, the door to the kitchen leading outside opened, and all at once their jaws hit the floor at the sight. Applejack strutted in, not wearing a dress like she usually did now, instead wearing her usual jewelry. She hardly had anything flashy or fancy on her, except for that ridiculous manedo. She was almost nearly donning her natural look. There was one thing though that told Apple Bloom that she was far from natural, that she had done something horrible, awful, irreversible, forever rendering her a member of the Apple family no longer. “Your cutie mark!!” Apple Bloom gawked at her sister’s new blank flank, remembering those years ago when she too was a blank flank and constantly teased at school because of it. Getting her cutie mark was the best day of her life, and she knew that was yet another thing she had in common with her sister. Their cutie marks told a story of key moments of their life. Of family and friendship. Now that story was permanently gone, and in its place, a blank flank with stitches hardly even visible, she had to squint to see them! “Oh great Celestia… What did ‘ya do?” Applejack came closer, walking like a pony on a catwalk as she showed her blank flank, “‘Ah had it removed, of course! Cutie marks are so last year. Don’t I look so natural?” “Oh dearie me!” Granny shouted, “Your freckles!” Apple Bloom gasped one more time as she saw that her freckles were indeed also nowhere to be seen. Praying that she was using some really good makeup or something, Apple Bloom reached forward and rubbed her sister’s face, hoping to wipe that mess away, but no matter what she did, nothing came out. “I had those removed too, darling. A strong chemical peel and some magic from a very talented unicorn. I hardly felt a thing.” She batted her eyes, “What do you think?” Granny Smith answered by promptly fainting on the spot, and Apple Bloom too thought a nice nap on the floor would be a good way to cope with this situation. “Why did ‘ya do it?” Apple Bloom said through shock and fury, “Why did ‘ya remove your cutie mark? How could you ever do that?! Of all the foolish, stupid, nonsensical stunts you could’ve pulled, this is what you do?” Applejack shrugged, “Oh relax, darling. It’ll come back. The surgery is still relatively new.” Apple Bloom almost spat, “You will not ‘get another one,’ DARLING. Everypony gets ONE cutie mark, and that’s it. ‘Ah’m glad to see that our family means so little to you.” She turned away, the thought of even seeing her sister revolted her. “Darling, me not having my cutie mark doesn’t mean I am not a part of this family anymore, that’s just silly. Abd besides, if I ever want it back, tattoos are always an option, I heard of this experimental treatment where the ink is applied magically so it never fades. I even-” “SHUT YOUR TRAP!!” Apple Bloom yelled, nearly stepping on her comatose grandmother as she walked towards Applejack, her eyes balls of fire as she unleashed all of that pent-up anger at her sister, “Don’t ‘ya get it?! Our cutie marks are more than our special talents in this family. They’re marks. They’re the mark of a pony from the Apple family. With yours gone, you know what that means? You’re no longer a part of this family, you’re done. You’re the odd one out.” Applejack’s brows furrowed in an emotion she never thought she would see again from her: Anger. “Well fine!” She turned around, hitting her with her tail. She cringed as she saw the spots on her flank where the cutie marks should have been, “If ‘ah’m honest, all of my friends in Manehatten told me to stay there forever, but do you know what ‘ah told them? No! ‘ah told them no!” In her anger, her southern accent slowly crept back into her voice. “...And what a mistake that was! Ya’ll are just a bunch of good-for-nothin’ country folk who live paycheck to paycheck, workin’ hard when you can have other ponies do it for ‘ya. Well, I’ll tell you what. This ain’t the place for me. I belong in Manehatten.” “FINE!!” Apple Bloom screamed, “Then go back to Manehatten, see if we care!” “Thank you for the invitation, I was going to do just that!” She muttered something under her breath as she walked towards the door. “‘Ah beg your pardon?!” “‘Ah said: ‘Stubborn blank flank!’” Apple Bloom gasped, suddenly taken back to those times back in school when other ponies pointed and laughed at her for being a blank flank, egged on by those two bullies. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she’d hear it from AJ. “Hmph.” Applejack turned her head as she walked outside. Slamming the door shut, she never returned again. At last, Granny Smith came to. Any other pony would be worried if their elderly relative straight up just fainted, but Apple Bloom was not concerned, Granny Smith always fainted when something like that happened. It’s why they didn’t have a television anymore, “What happened? Where did she go?” “She’s gone, granny…” Apple Bloom said dejectedly, “She said she’s goin’ back to Manehatten.” “Oh dear…” Granny Smith shook her head, “This reminds me of the time your mother went through something similar.” Apple Bloom perked up, excited at the prospect of a possible fix to this, her grandmother was a little strange, but she had been around the longest, maybe she had an idea that Apple Bloom didn’t, “What did you do?” “Nothin.’ I just waited a week and she grew out of it when she started working on the orchard again. I guess that ain’t going to work here…” Well, that’s helpful. Suddenly, Apple Bloom got an idea. She grew out of it when she started working on the orchard again… “That’s it!” Granny Smith jumped at her sudden proclamation, “We just need to teach her the apple family way again! There’s nothin’ in this world that gives AJ more joy than good, honest work. We just gotta show her that!” Granny Smith thought about this for a moment or two, the dismay on her face replaced with determination when she concluded that it just might work, “By golly, child, you’re right. Come on, let’s go reteach that filly what it means to be an apple.” “O-Oh! Now? But ‘ah got homework!” “We ain’t got time! Just tell them the dog ate it, come on, let’s ride like the wind!” Grabbing her cane, she prepared to take off, and with a deep breath, she veeeery slowly began stepping towards the door…
Chapter 6ROUND 1 - Applejack VS. Apple bucking It took a lot of begging and pleading (mostly from Granny Smith, Applejack refused to listen to Apple Bloom very much after their fight, but she was finally able to convince her to come back to the orchard and help with some work. According to their plan which they made in two minutes, they would bring her to do some tasks aiding the barn, she would realize how much she missed it, she would beg for forgiveness, there would be a long and perhaps even emotional apology, the two sisters would hug, reunited, and then life would finally return to normal. Nothing could be simpler! Dragging Applejack back to the farm, she brought her to the inner orchard where Applejack spent most of her day bucking apples. “This dirt and sun is terrible,” Applejack complained, taking quick steps as if the floor was acid. Apple Bloom ignored her, “Alrighty, sis. Why don’t ya help me buck some of your apple trees!” She demonstrated, kicking the first tree in range of her back legs, causing the apples to fall from the tree into baskets Big Mac had placed that morning for collection at noon. Granny Smith clapped her hooves proudly, remembering the first day Apple Bloom bucked her first tree when she grew strong enough. “This is stallion’s work. Ladies do not work.” She turned up her snout in disgust. It took all the Apple Bloom’s willpower and strength to not stomp over there and slap some sense into her. She rolled her eyes, “Come on, sis! Just one, please?” She stood next to her grandmother with wide pleading eyes, quickly getting the message, Granny looked at her with the same expression. “Come on, dearie. It won’t bite ya.” Granny Smith said, “At least not here.” Outnumbered, or maybe realizing she didn’t have a choice, Applejack sighed. “Fine. But I’m not going to like it. Here it goes, I suppose.” Mumbling things under her breath, Applejack approached an unharvested tree. Assuming the position, she relaxed her body, looked behind her, and bucked the apple tree with confidence… …Before promptly falling to the floor, screaming in agony. “Oh my Celestia, are you okay, dearie!?” Granny Smith said, limping over to Applejack as quickly as she could. Applejack cried out so loudly that one could probably hear it in Canterlot if you listened hard enough. The thing was, this wasn’t a scream of pain. There was no pain in her voice. She was screaming the way Rarity sometimes did during her episodes when she had lots of clients to make things for. She wasn’t hurt. “Get up, sis.” Apple Bloom said with another roll of her eyes. “My leg! My leg, it’s broken!!” She yelled, “Oouuhhh This is All your fault, oh Celestia it hurts so bad!” “Oh, brother.” Apple Bloom said as her grandmother checked both of Applejack’s back legs, though she didn’t need to. She had bucked that tree with perfect form; exactly the way she had done it hundreds and hundreds of times before she left. Perhaps she still had that knowledge stored in that giant bouffant of hers, and maybe her natural Earth Pony strength just died away after she grew soft from city life. “You’re as fit as a fiddle, dearie.” Granny Smith said, “‘Ah reckon you’re just a tad rusty, give it another go.” “Oh Celestia I’m laying in the grass, there’s dirt everywhere…” Applejack whimpered, “Ya have to take me to the hospital, I can’t move all of a sudden, I think I broke my legs…” Granny Smith smiled, “You know we don’t have insurance, dearie.” “OHHHHH what am I going to DOOO!?” Applejack cried, with about as much dramatization as Rarity often had, except worse! “Okay, okay fine! We’ll go to the hospital. Apple Bloom, go get the first aid kit, we need to make a split for her.” “No. Get Big Mac.” Applejack whimpered. “Have him carry me…” ROUND 2 - Applejack VS. Apple bucking Thankfully, they were turned away, no matter how much Applejack pleaded for treatment. When they refused to see her, as her ‘broken legs’ were probably just a pulled muscle from the strength of her kick, Applejack told them that she was being forced to work like an animal against her will, to which the receptionist said: “We are animals, miss. Please get out of my waiting room.” And threw them out. Good thing too, because Granny Smith was not kidding about the insurance thing. An hour later after apple-bucking proved to be disastrous, Granny Smith executed phase two of their plan: Selling their apples in the Ponyville square. Applejack scoffed at the sight of all the ponies walking by, most of which she knew by name, and often waved to or exchanged friendly words with on other sale days. Apple Bloom remembered fondly of the times AJ brought her along when she was still very little. Either to help sales or because she didn’t want to leave her alone with Granny, she didn’t know. She didn’t remember any of it, of course, but whenever Applejack told the story, she always said: “Folks always have a soft spot for fillies, sugarcube.” Apple Bloom sighed, those days were long gone. “How can anypony even live in this town?” She said, looking down at her hooves that were touching the dirt road. Scandalous. “Never you mind, dearie. Look, it’s a great day, lots of ponies out shoppin,’ ‘ah reckon we’ll make lots of bits!” Granny said cheerfully, and she was right. This was one of the better days for sales. Celestia’s sun was out and shining, and the market was packed with ponies, more so than usual! On normal days, Applejack wouldn’t be wasting a single second of the day, selling as many apples as she could to provide for her family. This is it. Apple Bloom thought hopefully as a brown Earth pony approached their little stand, This will show her how much she missed being a part of our family! After all, providing money to keep us fed and the lights on brings her no greater joy! Straightening her body, Applejack tried to look the least bit interested as the customer greeted them. “Oh, Applejack, you’re back, I almost didn’t recognize you!” The pony said happily. She didn’t recognize the stallion, working sales wasn’t her thing, but she knew he was probably a regular. Applejack put a hoof in her mane, “And I almost didn’t recognize you! What do you think about my new look? Don’t I look simply ravishing?” Apple Bloom and Granny exchanged a look with one another, they were conversing, and maybe she would make a sale. The plan was working! “Well, you certainly did spend time in Manehatten, that’s for sure.” He chuckled, “Is it nice?” “Oh, it’s absolutely divine! I have been thinking of going back again soon.” Applejack said, “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m afraid I must ask you to leave. I cannot be seen around you.” “What?” The station said. “What?” Said Apple Bloom. Applejack sighed, “I’m sorry, I have a disease where I cannot talk to boring ordinary stallions such as yourself, so I will have to bid you farewell. Good day.” Making a shooing motion with a hoof, Applejack only watched with a judgemental stare as the friendly face shifted from confused to insulted until I finally turned around and walked away grumpily. “Well, that went well. Honestly is there a single mare or gentlecolt I can relate to in this town?” Applejack complained. “Applejack what the hay is wrong with you?” Apple Bloom said, “That’s the writer of the newspaper!” Applejack scoffed, “Relax, darling~ He’ll be a little mad for a bit, but then he’ll come to understand.” She said, the tone of her voice making it seem kike she knew she was right and would not be persuaded otherwise. “‘Ah hardly think so.” The following day, on the way to school, Applebloom found a copy of the newspaper discarded on the street in the middle of town. This was on the front page: BREAKING NEWS: Applejack: Element of dishonesty? Local hero of Ponyville turned spoiled and rotten after a year-long trip to Manehatten. Some time ago, the Apple family bid farewell to their beloved Applejack, a hard-working Apple farmer, as she left her home here in Ponyville to visit her family in Manehatten. Last week, she finally made her return, and ponies rejoiced to have her back. But in a stunning turn of events, the country mare that we all know and love has completely changed! That hardworking and responsible pony has changed into what can only be described as your run-of-the-mill Manehattenet. As a frequent buyer of her produce and an enjoyer of her pastries, I was looking forward to seeing her in the market again, but I was surprised to find not Applejack, but some snobby entitled child. This… Pony which I regretfully have to say was Applejack, looked completely different that I didn’t even recognize her! Her mane was all done up in some fancy style that looked hideous, she was covered in makeup and jewelry, and I even noticed that her cutie mark was gone, and in its place, a ring of stitches, meaning she had undergone the controversial surgery doctors are now referring to as ‘cutening.’ “Cutening is a procedure where the patient is sedated, and the skin on the flank is cut and removed. Then, little bits of skin from other places on the body are removed, and placed to cover the wound. The wound is then stitched, and the other areas where skin was taken are cauterized.” A doctor who wishes to remain anonymous says. “The removing of the cutie mark is a topic that has been debated for a long time actually, I never thought I would see the day ponies would resort to having them removed surgically.” Ponies are urged to talk to a REAL doctor if they wish to have their cutie marks removed, and ponies are also urged to avoid Applejack. It seems Manehatten has corrupted her mind, like it has done so many others, leaving ponies to wonder: “Is Applejack being honest with HERSELF?” That night, the family was discussing the paper at dinner. Usually, they never did such a thing, never caring to do so, but it was a different story when it was talking bad about a member of your family. “Told ya he would stay mad about it.” Apple Bloom, who had been waiting all day to say ‘I told you so.’ said. “It really is a darn shame he took it out on you, dearie. I always thought he was a mature stallion.” Granny Smith said, who had told Apple Bloom in secret that she understood why he did it, being unhappy with AJ’s behavior himself. “Eeyup.” Said Big Mac. “I don’t know what’s all the fuss about. He can’t change the way he is.” Applejack said dismissively, “He’s boring and common like dirt. Everyone in this town is. Even this family. It isn’t anything like Manehatten.” She looked at her fork as if she was wishing it was made of gold. That was enough. She had crossed the line. Apple Bloom had been waiting for so long, spending a year without a sister, without an important member of her family, and after all of that time, after all of that waiting paid off, she was brought back this!? This Manehatten scum? She was done. She had enough. She couldn’t look at her. She couldn’t be in the same room as her, no, she couldn’t even be in the same HOME as her anymore. Apple Bloom was a small pony, and there was only so much anger she could hold inside of her, so, unleashing the anger she she had hidden inside her, she said everything she wanted to say to that beat ever since she stepped off the train: “SHUT YOUR TRAP!!” She slammed her hooves on the table and stood up. Granny Smith looked startled, Big Mac just kept eating, “AH’M TIRED OF YOU!! I AM SO TIRED OF YOU!! I HATE WHAT YOU’VE BECOME!! AND ‘AH AM SO TIRED OF HEARING ABOUT MANEHATTEN!! YOU LOVE IT SO MUCH? GO BACK!! GO BACK AND WE’LL ALL BE HAPPY!!” Applejack gritted her teeth, getting up, ready to yell back at her, “I AM!!” She said, “I’M LEAVING IN TWO DAYS, I JUST GOT TICKETS.” She reached into her mane and pulled out a train ticket, and there it was: a one-way ticket to Manehatten. Guess she really did want to go back. But wait… Something about this made Apple Bloom’s blood run cold. “Where did ya get the money for this…?” Apple Bloom asked cautiously. Applejack raised her head, “Well I needed money for a train ride and this beautiful home I was eying during my last trip, so I sold the farm.” And that’s all Apple Bloom needed to hear. Her heart jumped into her stomach. Granny Smith fainted once more, and this time, Big Mac came with her, leaving the two clashing siblings alone with their rage. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to the boutique. They might have a decent dress for me to take as a souvenir.” She dabbed her muzzle clean with a napkin, pushed back her chair, and walked out the door…
Chapter 7Dashing out of the barn as fast as she could, Apple Bloom chased after Applejack as her life depended on it before her sister made any more horrible mistakes. She didn’t have time to wait for the rest of her family to come too. She needed to be quick. She needed to confront her sister and get her to fix her mistake somehow! Spotting the bouffant-maned pony in the distance with what little light there was left, she rushed down the path to her sister cutting her off so that she would have no choice but to listen. “Why the hay did you sell the farm?!” Apple Bloom shouted, when she finally caught up to her, her exhaustion suddenly forgotten. “That ain’t your decision to make, y’know!” Applejack stomped her hoof like a filly, “Great Celestia, give it a rest! I’m sure this family has a lot of money stored somewhere, I know you aren’t THAT poor.” “We ARE poor, AJ!” Apple Bloom yelled, glad this argument was taking place on the farm and not in Ponyville where everypony would hear them. She sighed, “AJ, you realize that this not only puts us out of business, but it also makes us homeless.” “Then sell your blasted apples! I don’t care!” Applejack retorted. Apple Bloom couldn’t believe she was having this argument with Applejack. Heck, she couldn’t believe she was having an argument to begin with! She and Applejack were as close as peanut butter and jelly. She never fought, aside from a few little disagreements now and then… But that was normal sibling stuff, it was guaranteed to come with every family! Apple Bloom was lost, she didn’t know what to do. She knew there had to be a way to get her elder sister to see reason! But how? She’s just so stubborn! Apple Bloom thought. She recalled all of the events of the week. Her early excitement about seeing her sister again, her disappointment when she found that she had changed, the destruction of her clubhouse, the schemes she tried to pull off to bring her back to what was right… Day by day she drifted away from the dream of ever having her sister again, and now, she had no more hope. But wait… She was a cutie mark crusader, she should believe! She had to believe! She and her friends had conquered lots of challenges before, this was just another challenge. A challenge she was going to overcome, a challenge she HAD to overcome. Forget the barn, if they sold it, then so be it. She’d rather be homeless with her sister by her side than homeless and all alone. As Celestia as her witness, she was going to make Applejack see reason. Apple Bloom took a breath, gathering all of her courage into hearts she began the hardest conversation she would have to have in her life, “Sis, this ain’t right and you know it!” She began, “This ain’t you, you and ‘ah both know that. I know you went to Manehatten before when you were my age, but you came back because you knew you belonged here, at the Sweet Apple Acres in Ponyville! You tell that story all the time! ‘Ah don’t know what happened in Manehatten but ‘ah know for a fact that you would NEVER change the way you are. Never ever, ever! You and ‘ah are Apples, AJ! Right from even the smallest detail.” She turned her head towards her apple-shaped cutie mark for emphasis. Applejack looked at her now-blank flank with a blank expression. “‘Ah admit, ah’ can’t say ‘ah like this new style ‘o yours, but if it makes ‘ya happy if dressin’ up all pretty and drinkin’ tea and wine and criticizing ‘common’ ponies are your thing now, then that’s fine. But sellin’ our home is just too far.” She continued, “‘Ah understand that a year is a whole lotta time and all that, but ‘ah still don’t understand why ‘ya… Had to change. ‘Ah just get this feeling that deep inside, the real you is still there, and ‘ah know I should be happy that you found a way of livin’ that makes you happy but…” Her knees felt weak, and her vision blurred as her eyes filled with tears. She blinked, letting these tears fall. “‘Ah miss you, Applejack. The real you.” Applejack was taken aback as her sister broke down, closing her eyes as tears spilled from her eyes like how ran slid down the barn’s rooftop on a rainy day, “‘Ya just feel so different now, like a stranger, ‘ah don’t know ‘ya anymore, and it’s HARD! I-I miss even the littlest things ‘ya used to do, like wakin’ me up for school, or checking my room every night before ‘ya go to bed to make sure ‘ah haven’t snuck out again. ‘Ah just… ‘Ah want my sister back!” She sat on the ground, the dirt brushing against her fur as she sat and sobbed to herself, letting out not her anger, but the feeling she had been hanging onto since she came back. Sadness. Where had her sister gone? Why did she feel this way? Why did she feel like her sister would ever return to her old ways? She was happy now, she should learn to accept that! But little did young Apple Bloom know… Something wrong was happening. Something very wrong. Applejack, struck with a sudden realization, piercing through her like an arrow, raised a hoof to her mane, undoing her bouffant until her mane fell. Once she did, something amazing happened. Applejack was swallowed by a bright white ball of light, reason and sense flooded back into her as a terrible curse was broken until she was released from those chains that had bound her, and there she stood. Applejack. Ponytail, freckles, and yes, her father’s stetson. Apple Bloom found herself scooped up in the tightest hug a pony could give. Confused and afraid, Apple Bloom opened her teary eyes, blinking rapidly, feeling as if her eyes were deceiving her. “A-Applejack?” Applejack smiled wearily, taking off her stetson, “‘Ah’m here, sis.” She said, tears forming in her eyes also, “‘Ah was stupid. ‘Ah let them trick me into givin’ me a new manedo. When they did, ‘ah could see and hear and stuff, but everythin’ ‘ah did was outta ‘ma control.” Magic. Apple Bloom thought She was… Right all along? “B-But how? How did ‘ya snap out of it?” Apple Bloom cried as her sister wiped away her tears. “‘Ah reckon it was all you, AB.” Applejack said, putting her hat back on, “‘Ah guess the power of family and sugary-sweet sentiments was all ‘ya needed to break ‘ma little curse.” Apple Bloom thought about everything one more time, and yes, now that she did… It all made sense. She knew it from the very beginning! She knew she would never do any of those things, not her Applejack! Apple Bloom smiled, Applejack chuckled, “‘Ah got a lot of problems ‘ah gotta fix… But Apple Bloom… ‘Ya did it. ‘Ya saved me. ‘Ah don’t think ‘ah could ask for a better sister.” She pulled her into a tight hug, and Apple Bloom was brought back to all the good times they had shared, and suddenly remembered that those times would never stop. Not anymore. She had saved the day, and that was nice and all, but she didn’t care. She had her sister back, that was all that she wanted. She didn’t even care about the clubhouse, nothing mattered anymore. She had Applejack. The Apple Family was now back to the way it should be… …The farm was still something they needed though. That was something Applejack needed to fix as soon as possible. “I love you, Applejack.” Apple Bloom said, feeling safe and secure near her sister’s warm fur. Applejack smiled, trying her hardest not to cry, happy she was free from her year-long prison and with her family again, “‘Ah love you too, sugarcube…”
EpilogueDear Princess Celestia Today I learned a very powerful lesson about… I don’t know what I learned! When Applejack went to Manehatten, they put a curse on her, forcing her to act all fancy and stuff. I thought I was the only one to suspect something fishy, but soon, after she cut off her cutie marks, destroyed my clubhouse, and sold our home, it became obvious to my family something was up. And so, using the power of family, I was able to break my sister’s curse. Applejack, the real Applejack is back and better than ever, and so is our family. We were able to cancel the sale on the farm, and my clubhouse was rebuilt. Applejack told my brother and grandma everything that had happened and told the folks of Ponyville too. Everything is slowly going back to normal, and the relatives that cursed AJ were recently arrested for the use of dangerous and mind-altering magic. That said, it’s unlikely we’ll ever be going back there again. I guess I did learn something this week. I learned that you never know how good you have something until it’s gone, and the same goes for ponies you love. Love and cherish your ma, pa, sister, brother, whatever, because they’re the only ones you may have, and you may never know when something might happen to them. Well, that’s all I gotta say! Come down to Sweet Apple Acres for some apple pie sometime! With love Apple Bloom P.S - Sorry for calling you Sunbutt, that was my friend Scootaloo’s idea ~~The End~~ Author's Note It's not a good MLP story if it doesn't end with a letter to the princess. Thanks for reading!! I'm still not sure if I'm going to write all of my pony stories on this platform, but I guess time will tell if this is a good place for my pony nonsense.
