Wise Words of an Apple

Chapters

The Filly and the Apple Tree
Core Values
Far from the Tree
Bruises
Seeds
Standing Tall

The Filly and the Apple Tree

Sweet Apple Acres: the stronghold of the Apple Family. For generations the ponies of the sprawling and industrious family have cared for the orchard. Many lessons have been learned there, and many are sure to come.

One brisk and lovely day on the farm, Applejack and Apple Bloom were out applebucking in the shade of the older apple trees. Birds sang little ditties for the farm fillies as they worked and the breeze carried the cool scent of fall. Apple Bloom had been unusually quiet that day. So Applejack decided to see what troubled the little filly.

“You’ve been mighty quiet, sugarcube.” She said, giving another tree a strong kick.

The yellow filly gave a shrug. “Ah’m... thinkin’,” she mumbled.

“‘Bout what?” Applejack tossed some stray blonde hair from her face and looked over to her little sister.

Apple Bloom bit her lip and looked around at the orchard. “I... Ah was just thinkin’ about the stories, y’know, the ones from old tahms, how the Matriarch came an’ made Equestria. An’ then she left.” She plodded over to their stack of empty baskets.

Applejack smiled. “Well she had other things ta do. She couldn’t stay all the tahm.”

“But, why would the Matriarch leave like that? Doesn’t she care about what happens to us?” Apple Bloom brought another basket over to Applejack and placed it under the tree. AJ bucked the tree, sending a cascade of apples neatly into the basket before answering.

Apple Bloom already knew most of these stories, it seemed like she had never thought about what they meant. “Sugarcube,” AJ said, placing a foreleg around her little sister, “it ain’t like that. She didn’t leave any more than we leave these here apple trees.”

“But, we never get to see ‘er! The trees get ta see us all the tahm.”

Applejack chuckled. “Okay, maybe Ah gotta explain it a bit better. Come ‘ere, Ah got somethin’ ta show yah.” She started walking to the edge of the orchard.

Apple Bloom’s little hooves quickly brought her to her sister’s side. “Do yah think that, well, cuz Ah don’t understand, that’s why I don’t have my cutie mark?”

“Nah, understandin’ somethin’ doesn’t make you get a cutie mark, hun.”

Apple Bloom huffed at the ground.

“That don’t mean it don’t help to understand,” Applejack added hastily.

“Where’re we goin’ anyways?” the little filly asked, glancing around at the trees. This was a part of the orchard they didn’t frequent all too often. The trees here were very old and had stopped producing as much fruit as the others. But they were strong trees; they had been here as long as the Apple Family, some of them even longer.

Applejack smiled at the old grove. “There’s a tradition in our family that when an Apple gets ‘er cutie mark, she gets a tiny appleseed.” She swallowed a lump that had suddenly grown in her throat. “Now, Pa, he gave me mah apple seed and he said to me, ‘Applejack, you take good care of this tree. If yah do a good job, you can be sure ta make this family grow.’” She paused as they approached their destination. One grand old tree shaded the whole clearing where they stood. She sat under its spreading branches and patted the ground next to her. Apple Bloom sat next to her and leaned into her sister.

“Ah wanted to do a good job, trust me. There wasn’t a doubt in mah mind I could take care of an apple tree. Ah’d been helpin’ Ma and Pa, Big Mac and Granny, ever since Ah could remember, out in the orchard. Ah fancied m’self mighty good at it, yah see. Ah thought Ah knew all there was ta know. So Ah thought ta m’self, ‘I reckon this little tree’d do real good out with the old, strong ones in the west fields.’ An’ that was mah plan. I did ev’rythin’ Ah was supposed ta; potted the seed in the nursery, gave it pleny a’sunshine and water, fertilizer an’ all that. Before Ah knew it, it was all ready ta plant. Ah took the little feller out here and found a nice spot with these here old trees.”

She put a foreleg around Apple Bloom again. “Now, Ah didn’t want nothin’ bad ta happen to mah tree. Ah was gonna take care of it, right and proper. So Ah spent all day out here, makin’ sure no weeds got too close, scaring off all the critters who’d wanna eat its leaves. Haha! I even spent the night with mah tree when the timberwolves were about, had a pot and everythin’ to keep ‘em from takin’ the little branches. I made sure to keep the ground nice an’ soft so the roots could spread out an’ make mah tree strong like this feller here.” She rubbed a hoof over the rough bark of the old apple tree.

“It looked like all mah hard work was payin’ off too. Mah tree grew nice an’ tall and had plenty a’ leaves. I was right proud of it. Well a couple years went by, an’ it was time for mah tree to start havin’ apples on it. It had so many blossoms on it, ‘twas a sight ta see. But, there was somethin’ wrong. The flowers didn’t look quite right. Ah didn’t worry about it too much at the tahm, Ah was sure Ah’d done good and made that tree as good as any other out here on the farm. Ah came back the next day an’ found the ground covered in little white petals. Mah poor tree had too many flowers. It couldn’t keep ‘em all cuz they took too much energy ta keep around. It still had plenty on it, so Ah didn’t worry none.”

“What... what happened?” Apple Bloom’s eyes were wide with interest, she leaned into Applejack and stared up at her big sister.

AJ smiled down at the little filly and stood up. “Follow me. You gotta see it.” She led her little sister through the old grove of dappled shadows and crackling tree litter. She figured nopony had been out here since she left the place all those years ago. “Harvestin’ tahm came, an’ well, this is what Ah found.” the trees parted slightly and they came upon a clearing bathed in golden sunlight. In the center of the clearing stood a single, frail, dead apple tree. Its skeletal limbs were dry and empty, little bits of bark had fallen to the ground, littering the ground around it with chunks of brittle mulch.

“Wh-What happened?!” Apple Boom exclaimed. She stood at the edge of the clearing, staring at the dead tree. “You’re the best applebucker in th’ world, Sis! How could this happen?”

Applejack went over to the dead tree and placed her hoof on the trunk. “Everypony makes mistakes, Apple Bloom. Even me. Ah didn’t think about th’ consequences of puttin’ a new tree with old trees. Y’see, these trees are real old, they’ve seen a lot and they’ve been through a lot. They’ve got this whole place to themselves. Look around, Apple Bloom. What do yah see?”

The little filly glanced at the straight rows of old apple trees. “Just a bunch of old apple trees,” she said perplexed.

“Tha’s right. Just a bunch of old apple trees. Y’see how there ain’t any other trees growin’ here? Ah reckon not a soul’s been here in more than ten years, ‘sides us, and this here grove is takin’ care of itself. These trees are so big, their roots are all over this place. They’re so strong that anything bigger than a bush gets choked out by them.”

“Mah little tree, heh, it didn’t stand a chance. What’s more, these trees are survivors, there was a big ol’ tree plague a long tahm ago, killed half of Sweet Apple Acres. It was a fungus, like mold, no way to cure it. Well these trees stuck it out, they survived. It hurt ‘em, they weren’t the same afterwards and eventually they couldn’t make any more fruit. They stuck around though, and we didn’t cut ‘em down ‘cuz we know that if another plague comes around, these trees got it first an’ we can use ‘em to save the other trees.” Apple Bloom gave her a doubtful look. “Same way you get a shot from the doctor fer th’ flu each year. Ah’ll explain more later.”

She sat in front of the dead tree and motioned Apple Bloom over with a hoof. “There’s more to it than that though. Y’see, ‘cuz Ah was out here all th’ tahm with this tree, scarin’ away critters and diggin’ up the ground, Ah made it too dependent on me. It caught the tree plague, and ‘cuz its roots were being choked and ‘cuz I was diggin’ up the ground, it didn’t have the strength to fight it off. The mold got to the roots too, makin’ it hard for it ta get water and all the stuff it needs from the dirt. Ah didn’t let any critters near it, but if I did, they would a’ broken off the branches that weren’t strong enough to hold ‘em. The tree could a’ been spendin’ its energy to fight the mold, but instead it was tryin’ ta grow branches that couldn’t even hold an apple.”

“Doesn’t the tree know when to stop growin’ an’ fight for itself?” the filly asked while looking at the sad tree.

Applejack shook her head. “Nope. The tree only knows how to grow, that’s all it wants ta do. It’s up to us ta teach it the best way to grow but we can’t baby it none either. That’s what Ah meant when Ah said the Matriarch ain’t left us. She’s got a whole big world ta take care of, she can’t always be here. She’s got other places to make an’ plant, an’ grow. If she was around all the tahm, we’d never learn anythin’ fer ourselves. We’d want her to take care of us. But she cares, Apple Bloom. She didn’t want us to be alone, so she left the Princesses here to look after things, just like...” Her voice faltered, a tear collecting in the corner of her eye.

“Just like how Ma an’ Pa left you and Big Mac to look after me,” Apple Bloom finished for her, nuzzling into her sister’s shoulder.

“That’s right, sugarcube,” Applejack said, holding the filly close. She sniffed. “That’s right.”

Core Values

Ponyville Square: where one can always go to see friends and friendly faces. Hellos and goodbyes, laughter and cries; everything has happened at least once within the colorful confines of this happy place.

Our tangerine friend was managing her apple stall on a busy day. It was a pleasant sort of busy. Apples sold in a steady stream. Short conversations and well-wishings changed hooves just as often as bits and goods. And today was a lovely day for being busy. Applejack had seen Rainbow Dash flitting from cloud to cloud, directing her weather team, setting up the clouds and wind for tomorrow’s weather. She worked hard to make sure everything went to plan.

The perfect morning brought friends and neighbors by and soon became a perfect afternoon which, as the stand ran out of apples, turned into a perfect evening. The sun slowly fell to the west, casting its slanted light across the town. The farm filly loaded up her cart with the apples that didn’t make it to a pony’s shopping bag, bade a good evening to Roseluck, Daisy, Carrot Top and Mayor Mare, and set off for home.

She wasn’t far along the road before she came upon a familiar cerulean figure. Rainbow Dash walked slowly down the road, her head hanging low and tail swinging limp. Applejack set a determined smile on her face and hurried to her friend’s too-lonely side.

“What’s up, RD? Y’all did a great job with the weather t’day, lot’s a’ ponies turned out. Nearly sold all my apples,” she bantered in a jovial tone.

Rainbow only looked up momentarily and though her eyes were still sad, a little smile quirked her lips. “Oh, hi, AJ. Thanks. Uh, glad to hear you sold some apples,” she mumbled at the road.

The tangerine mare shot a quick glance at Rainbow’s wings. Tucked under the blue feathers of one, she caught a glimpse of the white corner of an envelope. The top had already been torn open and a little sliver of sky blue stationery peeked out. “Got a response from ‘em, did yah?” she asked, but she already knew what it was.

Rainbow wasn’t the type to send letters often, but for the last few weeks, AJ had seen the weather pony intercept the mail ponies any time they came to town. The blue daredevil squeezed her eyes shut. “Yeah,” she sighed.

Applejack let her friend take her time.

Rainbow Dash inhaled sharply. “They said no... again.” A pitiful laugh escaped the pegasus. “At least this time Spitfire wrote it. She gets my name right, their manager never does.” She lifted her head up and adopted a silly expression with a snooty-sounding voice. “‘We currently have no spots on the main performance team. We have some openings for the junior fliers. Better luck next time. How come you never catch a break Rainbow Dash? Cuz, you’re a swell flier and all.’” Her expression instantly soured as she stuck her tongue out at the trees. “I dunno, AJ. I just... I just want a chance. They’ve seen what I can do. Is it too much to ask for? Just one chance?” She looked up at Applejack through her multi-colored hair.

“Aww, buck up, sugarcube. It ain’t the end a’ the world if yah can’t fly with ‘em. You got plenty a’ ponies here who appreciate yah. ‘Sides, what would Ah do with m’self if yah weren’t around?” She gave Rinbow a friendly nudge and a smile. “Look, Ah know you’ve been wantin’ ta fly with them Wonderbolts yer whole life. That’s a mighty fine goal ta have, not everypony can dream as big as you.” The farm filly stuck her tongue between her teeth. “Have Ah ever told yah about the tahm Big Mac went on a rodeo tour with th’ Rough n’ Rowdies?”

A cerulean ear perked up and swiveled toward her. “The Rough n’ Rowdies? Aren’t they the ones who claim to be ‘Tougher than Tough and Stronger than Strength’?”

AJ nodded with a smile. “The very same. Y’see they were in town a few years ago an’ they were stayin’ at the farm. Claimed there wasn’t a buildin’ made by ponykind that could hold ‘em, that is except an Apple Family barn it turns out. Ah think they just wanted a chance ta have some a’ Granny’s famous apple pies. Anywho, they used some of our open space ta practice an’ whatnot before the rain came that day, and Big Mac an’ me were headin’ in from the orchard. Y’know, Big Mac, he ain’t the type ta show off, but he was hawlin’ quite a few carts of apples that day. Applebuck season was underway and we were workin’ as fast as we could to harvest all them apples in tahm. Now, them rodeo ponies got ta guessn’, tryin’ ta figure out how heavy that cart train was. They figured it couldn’t be too heavy, Big Mac didn’t have a problem with it at all and he wasn’t even one o’ them. And like the kind a’ ponies they are, they started makin’ fun of eachother sayin’ one or the other couldn’t pull that there train. Finally, one of ‘em decided he had to prove he could. He marched right up ta Big Mac and asked ta be hitched up. Well, Big Mac didn’t say a word, just let ‘im into the harness and guess what?” She grinned.

Rainbow grinned back. “He couldn’t do it could he?”

AJ chuckled. “Heh, you darn tootn’ he couldn’t. He didn’t get a sceptre with that train, just dug a rut with ‘is hooves. Ohh, boy, it was a hootin’ hollar. Well o’course all of ‘em had ta try it and not a single one could move that train farther than a few sceptres. They were mighty impressed with Big Mac and asked ‘im to go on a tour with ‘em. It was a short one, just ta Phillydelphia an’ back, hittin’ all the little towns on the way. Yah gotta understand, Big Macintosh had never left the farm before then, an’ well, he’d never had a reason to. He said he’d think about it, and think he did. He was up all night thinkin’ about what they said. He could be famous, meet lots a’ ponies, heck, maybe even get rich. Ah thought that he wasn’t up fer it, but he surprised us all the next mornin’ when he said he wanted ta go. Heh, Apple Bloom, bless her little heart, almost talked ‘im out of it but in the end, Ah encouraged him ta try it out. Well, off ‘e went with them Rough n’ Rowdy roadies all set ta be famous.”

Rainbow shook her head ruefully. “I bet he had a great time, huh?”

Applejack snorted. “You kiddin’? He was downright miserable.”

RD did a double-take. “What? But he was out being famous and doing stuff he liked to do and getting paid for it. That sounds like the dream life to me.”

“Well, it might just be, but to Big Mac, he felt like he’d left behind what ‘e loved the most. He said he met plenty a’ friendly ponies and everypony was nice to ‘im. I bet they were. But it just wasn’t the same as bein’ home on the farm. He did his little tour an’ then high-tailed it straight back here. Hahaha! He came a gallopin’ up that road with the biggest grin on his face. Ah never did find out how many bugs he got stuck in ‘is teeth, but I bet he was chewin’ flies fer a week!” She and Rainbow Dash chuckled at the image of Big Mac spitting flies out of his mouth.

“Every once-in-awhile we get a pony from around those parts, comes by ta see Big Mac an’ get his autograph and what-all. Embarasses the poor fella somethin’ awful but he does it anyway. Even though he was all famous and got ta see some new places, he says that he’d never done anythin’ more worthwhile than when he was here.” She slowed to a stop and put a hoof on her friend’s shoulder. “Rainbow, it’s all fine and dandy ta have yer name up in lights and havin’ everypony know who yah are. But what matters the most to yah?”

The blue pegasus took the rejection letter from under her wing and held it in the golden sunset. She stared at the Wonderbolt emblem emblazoned on the heavy, expensive paper. After a few moments, she gave a sharp nod and looked up at the farm filly. “Y’know what, AJ? You’re right. I shouldn’t let this get me down. I’ve got better things to do. Like have fun with my friends and make sure you get the best from me. I don’t need the Wonderbolts to prove I’m a great flier, I’ve got friends like you who know, and that’s good enough for me.” She dropped the letter and gave AJ a big hug.

Applejack laughed as she returned the embrace awkwardly with one leg, still being strapped to the cart and all. “Well, yah can’t give up on yer dreams either, RD. Ah think you’d do a bang-up job, flyin’ with ‘em. You could even show ‘em a trick or two, I bet.”

Rainbow gave a snort and stood up, proudly sticking out her chest and spreading her wings. “You bet I won’t give up! I just gotta wait for my chance. Hmm, maybe I could give their junior team a go, worth a shot I guess.”

“Heheh. Well whatever yah choose, Ah’m behind yah one-hunnerd percent. You still gonna practice tomorrow?”

“Uh-huh! You better get ready, you’re gonna see some wicked-awesome stuff. I even built a new launch pad!”

“Oh boy...”

Rainbow waved a hoof. “Don’t worry, this one’s better than the last one. I made sure to get some padding on it and Twilight showed me some stuff about how to make it even more powerful than that simple little thing I made before. It looks pretty darn cool, if I do say so myself. The best part is, you don’t have to jump off of a platform for it to work. All you gotta do is pull this lever and it does the rest. Ha! This is gonna be sooo awesome! See yah there?”

“Bright and early, sugarcube.”

Rainbow Dash smiled and took off into the air. “Thanks, AJ!”

“Yer welcome!” She waved at the retreating contrail of color. With a smile that always seemed to get stuck on her face, she picked up the discarded letter and tossed it into her cart of second-chance apples. A perfect ending for a perfect day.

Far from the Tree

Carousel Boutique: ‘Where everything is chic, unique, and magnifique’ as the white-coated proprietor would say. Visions take form and dreams coalesce in this humble fashion shop, and not just those of the gem that is Rarity.

It was on a misplaced principle that Applejack once avoided the establishment that also served as her friend’s home. They had known each other for most of their lives and had gone to school together as fillies. Back then, they just never hit it off. Applejack had never taken well to the prissy white filly and Rarity had never understood the reasons behind the rough exterior of the tangerine workpony. It took magic to bring these two together but every day they made the most of their friendship, almost as if making up for lost time.

Applejack trotted down the road in the wake of a recent snowstorm. The clouds were thinning ever so slightly, alleviating some of the winter grey. In little patches, the sunlight peeked through, making the ground sparkle like a massive diamond. The wind was scarce to be found, and the road was bereft of sound, save for the crunch of snow underhoof. Her breath curled before her in little wisps of cloud, quickly sucked away by the thirsty air. She sang snatches of Hearth’s Warming carols as she went on her way, a scarf around her neck and a large sack on her back. Other ponies called out happy holiday greetings from time to time, that she returned in kind, but she never slowed in her trek.

Snow piled on the fanciful roof of the Boutique like powdered sugar, giving it the look of one of Bon-Bon’s candy houses or Pinkie Pie’s elaborate gingerbread castles. The farm filly marched right up to the front door and quickly went inside, making sure the door shut firmly behind her. The warmth washed over her, producing a relieved sigh from her chilled lips, but it was the melodious “Be with you in a minute, darling!” that put a smile on her face.

Applejack stomped her hooves on the rug to rid them of snow and loosened the scarf around her neck. Normally, she wouldn’t bother with the snow that had frozen to her coat but this was Rarity after all, so she made sure to scrape it off with Rarity’s purpose-made brush stand. The white unicorn came downstairs just as AJ finished getting the last bits of melting snow off.

“Oh, Applejack, what a pleasant surprise! It’s always nice to see a friendly face.” She helped AJ out of her scarf and gave her a quick hug.

The tangerine mare chuckled. “Ah reckon there’s pleny a’ those ‘round here.”

“A face that belongs to a friend, then,” Rarity amended. “Come on in, Applejack. I have spiced tea, fresh and hot. Just the thing to take the chill out. Honestly, I wonder if it was such a good idea to give the management of winter to ponies impervious to the cold,” she bantered as she led her friend to the dining room just beyond her work room.

It was a familiar little dance now, bantering with Rarity. AJ couldn’t help but grin at her friend. “Well, Ah don’t know about that. If they didn’t make it so cold, why, where’d we get all our snow?”

The white unicorn nodded absently. “I suppose. Hm, I wonder if we could convince Twilight to come up with a spell to make snow a little warmer.” She levitated the steaming teapot from her stove and set it on the table. Two porcelain teacups, chased with silver and royal purple, floated from the cupboards with little saucers, silver spoons, a sugar cup and laced napkins. The various implements for a proper tea set followed each other through the air in a neat line of azure magic. “But I guess if it wasn't cold at all I wouldn’t have a reason to make winter fashion and I must say, it is one of my favorites.”

“Well, there yah go, there’s a reason for everythin’, sugarcube,” Applejack said as she set her burden down by the doorway.

“Ever the optimist, Applejack,” Rarity tittered, letting the magic fade from the various dishes and implements. Applejack joined her at the table, sitting in one of the chairs cushioned with a spiral patterned red and green pillow. Rarity seemed to have new cushions and decorations every year, though she made most of them herself. Applejack always wondered where all those decorations went. She was on the verge of complimenting Rarity on the decorations, to use it as a segue into the whereabouts of last year’s, but she saw a furrowed brow and inward-looking eyes in the other mare’s expression that gave her pause. It was there for only a moment, quickly wiped away and replaced by a smile as Rarity poured the tea. “I see that you have quite the tote over there, have some ‘old duds’ that need some seeing to?”

The workpony blushed as she warmed her hooves on the teacup.

“Tsk, tsk, come now, Applejack, no need to be embarrassed for asking a favor. It’s my pleasure to be of service. So what’s the occasion?”

“Well, uh, mah cousin is gettin’ hitched, always a good reason to have a little family get-together, y’know? She’s got a seamstress out there in Manehattan but she can’t make a dress for everypony. Ah was thinkin’ that you could, uh, modify the dress Ah wore to th’ Gala.”

Rarity took a contemplative sip of tea, considered the proposal, then finally shook her head. “That simply won’t do. You need another dress, one for a wedding...” She got a dreamy far-away look in her eyes, as if she could see patterns and cloth materializing into some grand garment. In fact, she did. “And I know just the thing!” She beamed across the table at her. “Did your cousin send any swatches?”

AJ rose an eyebrow at her over the rim of the teacup. “What in tarnation would she send me watches for?”

The white unicorn giggled. “Not watches, Applejack, swatches. They are little squares of cloth or paper that they use as samples to keep the patterns consistent.”

“Ah gotcha, yeah. Brought ‘em over with me.”

“Splendid!” She gave another excited giggle. “So when is the wedding? How soon will you need them?”

“Whoah now. Them?”

“But of course, you are all going to the wedding, right? A family get-together? Naturally, Apple Bloom, Big Macintosh, and Granny Smith will need outfits, it’s only proper.”

The tangerine pony waved her hooves in a defensive gesture. “Yeh don’t have ta go through all that trouble, Rarity. It’s fine, really.”

“It most certainly is not fine. A wedding is a special thing and you deserve to dress for the occasion. Honestly, Applejack it doesn’t take much to make you stand out in a crowd. Why not indulge a little and wear something special for a change, hmm?”

“B-but, that dress you made fer the Gala was special, why can’t yah use that?”

“Because darling, that is a ballroom dress, completely the wrong statement to make at a wedding. Besides, what I have in mind for your family could go well with just about anything and yet be formal enough to impress. Please, Applejack, don’t make me beg for this.” Her eyes grew wide and she thrust out her lip in a pout.

She was doomed the moment she walked in the front door. “Alright, Rarity, you win.” The fashionista’s face instantly became the portrait of smug delight. “Ah don’t want you workin’ yerself too hard though, sugarcube,” Applejack admonished. “Ah reckon you have all sorts a’ things ta be doin’ this tahm a’ year.”

“Not at all, not at all. My commissions always dry up around Hearth’s Warming.” She waved a hoof dismissively while floating the teacup to her lips. All the while, she avoided looking the other mare in the eye. Applejack may not be very good at the so-called cultured bantering, but she had an eye for body language. Not for the first time, the farm filly thought that Rarity could have done well in an acting career.

Applejack narrowed her eyes. “Yah sure, Rarity? Seems like somethin’s been on your mind.”

“Hm?” she replied as a tendril of azure magic snaked its way over to Applejack’s bag.

“Ah said,” the tangerine mare leaned over the table to get into the unicorn’s line of sight, “that you’re a bit distracted. Anythin’ the matter?”

Rarity blinked at her, a split second of confusion and panic flashed across the seamstress’ face before she could reign it in. “What ever gave you that impression, dear?” The ties on the bag quickly undid themselves, allowing the little squares of color to escape along a blue corridor to the table. “Ohh, these are lovely colors! My compliments to the one who picked this palette. I do quite enjoy the play between the emerald and pastel blue, and the silver is a nice touch. Very workable. So the wedding isn’t until Mudanaes, I gather.”

It was now Applejack’s turn to be confused. “How’d you know?”

“Oh, this is a classic late-spring palette, darling. There is always a pastel and a solid along with a metal. Usually, I see pastel lavender or a darker color but I like the blue, very fetching. It’s almost like she picked them just to set off your coloring.” Rarity smiled, patting AJ’s hoof with her own. There was a hint of guilt in that smile.

The workpony snorted. “Yer not allowed to change the subject.”

“Hm? What subject? I didn’t change anything. I’m more than happy to make you a new dress, dear, you know that.”

Applejack shook her head and fixed a hard stare on her friend. All this trotting around the tree was getting her nowhere. To get the apples, you had to get right up to the trunk. “Rarity, Hearth’s Warming is less than two weeks away, Midwinter Moon is this week. Don’t you have plans with yer family? Ah don’t wanna keep yah from that by makin’ yah work on a dress Ah won’t need fer months. Ah only came by t’day ‘cuz I’ll be right busy an’ Ah wanted you ta have pleny a’ tahm ta go at yer own pace.”

If sighs were apples, Applejack would have a hefty basket from the one that deflated the white unicorn. “No, Applejack. There wasn’t anything I was planning on doing with them. It isn’t a bother at all.”

“But they are doin’ somethin’... aren’t they?”

Rarity let the colored squares fall to the table, her face blank. “I’m sure they are.” Her voice was hollow.

“But you aren’t goin’.”

The tea cooled in the silence. Rarity gazed into her cup as if the secrets to life lay hidden beneath the amber liquid. “I haven’t done much with my family since I came back from college. When I left, Sweetie hadn’t even been born yet. I don’t think I got to see her until she was a year old already. I’ve always felt... apart from my family, as if I weren’t really one of them. They do what they do. I do what I do. That is just the way it has always been. Even when I moved back home, it didn’t feel like home. That’s why I bought the Boutique, you know. I never thought about it, it was just a fact of life. And to tell you the truth, Applejack, it didn’t matter to me that I was so distant from them. Not until last summer and the Sisterhooves Social, that’s when I realized how much I was missing.”

“Why not just jump back in? Ah’m sure they’d love ta have yah.”

The white unicorn let out a single, defeated laugh. “It’s not so simple, I’m afraid.”

“Well, Ah’m not needed anywhere fer awhile. Go ahead, sugarcube, Ah’m all ears.”

Another bumper crop of apples flew across the table. “I suppose it won’t hurt. Several years ago, just after graduation, I let my parents talk me into going to a reunion. I had forgotten how... strange... my extended family was.” She shifted uncomfortably in her chair and took a quick sip of her tea. “I didn’t set out to make a scene, understand, but I couldn’t take much more of their... antics. Tempers got out of hoof. Regrettable words were said. I vowed to never return. Basically, I told them what I thought of their behavior, in no uncertain terms, and left. I haven’t spoken to any of them since.” Porcelain clinked faintly as she poured more tea into both of their cups. “After cutting myself off so thoroughly, I’m doubtful that I could just trot right back like nothing ever happened.”

Applejack sat back in the chair. “You think you’ve fallen pretty far from th’ tree, huh?” The white unicorn nodded. “That’s not always a bad thing.”

Rarity raised an eyebrow at her. “No? That just sounds like you’re trying to cheer me up, which is kind of you, darling, but.... I see you, and your family, so happy, so close,” she hung her head, “and I wonder if perhaps I’m depriving Sweetie Belle of something important. I see too much of myself in her, I don’t want to lead her into making the same mistakes I did.”

“Rarity,” Appljack said gently, “you are somethin’ special. There’s no way you’d be bad fer your sister. Take it from me, it ain’t such a bad thing you’re different from the rest of yer kin. Not every family has ta be like mine ta be happy. I’ll tell yah a little secret about apple farmin’. Y’know that phrase ‘the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree’? Well that may be true, but it doesn’t mean that’s the best thing fer the seeds inside. We’ve learned a thing or two about how things grow, and there’s no better way to hurt an orchard than t’ plant seedlings too close to their parent. If yah hadn’t a’ left, Rarity, yah probably wouldn’t have this here Boutique, and yah might not be as happy as yah could a’ been.” She leaned over the table and laid a hoof on the other mare’s shoulder, peering into her eyes. “What’s important is that yah know there’s somethin’ that’s gotta change. Tahm’s on yer side, sugarcube. Sweetie’s still a filly and you’ve got lots left ta teach ‘er. It’s great that you can go on yer own, that’s what makes an apple tree strong, gotta have its space. But yah can’t forget yer roots; without those, you’ll shrivel up and get blown away by the first little puff o’ wind that happens on yer way. You’ve got a good heart, Rarity. Ah think that yer kin’ll see that and forgive yah, if yah only try. Ain’t nothin’ like family, an’ that’s the honest truth.”

Rarity smiled. “Thank you, Applejack. It’s just what I needed to hear.”

“Ah mean every word of it.”

“I know.”

With a few last sips of tea and another hug, Applejack was wrapped up in her scarf again, leaving the Boutique much warmer than she arrived. All the way home, it was like the cold wasn’t there at all.

Bruises

Fluttershy’s Cottage: a refuge and haven for more than the multitude of critters that can be found inside. The mare who lives there has done her best to be a living balm to others, but to whom can she turn when she is in need of comfort?

Ponyville bustled with activity in the balmy spring morning. Ponies ran hither and thither, getting this or that. Winter Wrap Up went like a dream this year, thanks to Twilight. The residents of Ponyville suddenly found all sorts of time at their disposal, and spring cleaning was well underway. Applejack had finished her work on the farm for the morning and decided to make her way to town to see if any of her friends could use a helping hoof. She wandered the bright and colorful roads of Ponyville with no particular destination in mind. Through the rest of the morning and into the afternoon, she helped Roseluck with a new flowerbed, Rarity with some dirty rugs, and the Mayor with a dusty closet. Her helpful wanderings brought her to the edge of town and the road to Fluttershy’s cottage.

Fluttershy herself was out on her side yard, cleaning out the chicken coop, when Applejack trotted up the path. “Hey there, Fluttershy! Anythin’ Ah can help yah with?”

“Hello, Applejack,” the yellow pegasus said, poking her head through the opening of the chicken coop. She brushed some straw from her mane. “Um, I guess if you want, there’s some boards on the side of the chicken coop that need to be replaced.”

“Gotcha.” She glanced at the side of the coop and, sure enough, there were a few rotted boards at the bottom. The replacements leaned against the back of the coop along with a bag of nails and a bucket of paint.

Fluttershy wearily swept another pile of straw through the little opening of the coop out onto the yard. Her mane seemed a little disheveled, more than a day of cleaning would account for, and she had bags under her eyes. Applejack thought about a way to find out what troubled the quiet mare as she wedged the back of a hammer between the first rotten board and the frame of the coop.

“Ah imagine you’ve been busy lately,” she said as neutrally as possible.

“Oh, I guess... This year isn’t so bad. Twilight did a great job making sure everything got done on time, the animals have been able to take care of most everything by themselves.”

“Well, that’s good ta hear. Everythin’ fine at the hospital too then?” Fluttershy worked at the pet hospital as a nurse. She had recently opened up her home as an outpatient and long term care location, it meant some late nights with poor animals in pain. That could drain a pony, AJ had firsthoof experience with it herself.

Another pile of straw spilled out of the coop just as Fluttershy crawled out. She shook herself, flapping her wings in order to dislodge the little bits of straw that fell lazily to the ground. “Uh, well it hasn’t been too busy there either... it’s next week I’m not looking forward to.” A light sigh followed her words.

“What’s the matter, sugarcube?” Applejack grunted, giving the hammer a good kick to dislodge the rotten board. The offending lumber yielded with the screech of rusted nails, separating from the frame of the little building.

She glanced over at the pegasus in time to catch a grimace. “There’s a conference for veterinarians in Canterlot...” She fished her broom out from the coop. “They want me to go....”

“Well, that sounds like it’d be all sorts a’ fun. How come yah don’t wanna go?” Applejack glared at the board as she wedged the hammer into the other end.

“I guess. But, they want me to be a keynote speaker at the conference. I don’t know why...” Fluttershy hovered above the ground, sweeping the straw into a larger pile. As she continued her explanation, the sweeping became more forceful and her voice turned into a panicked whisper. “It’s not like I really know anything about anatomy or illnesses. I just make the animals comfortable, it’s the doctors that do all the work.... What if they don’t like what I say? What if I say the wrong things? They’d throw me out! I wouldn’t get to work at the hospital anymore! What would I do after that? It’s going to be a disaster! They’ll take away my license and I won’t even get to take care of woodland creatures.... Princess Celestia would be so disappointed... I-I can’t do it Applejack!”

“Whoa, now. Calm down, sugarcube. What makes you think you can’t do it? Ah happen ta know fer a fact that you know all sorts a things about helpin’ critters.”

Fluttershy shook her head vigorously. “It’s not the same thing, Applejack. They want me to teach them something... I don’t really understand what it is I do, it just happened that day I got my cutie mark. I’ve never been good at anything before, now I have something I love, and-and If I don’t do this right... I-I-I’ll lose it...” She sank to the ground, dropping the broom and covering her face with her hooves.

“Fluttershy, you are a great pony an’ don’t you let me catch yah callin’ yerself otherwise. It don’t matter a mole-hill to a mountain what them other ponies say, Ah believe you’re just the mare fer th’ job. Now, Ah know yer life ain’t been easy, but take it from me, sometahms it’s the bruises that make us better. Listen... it may sound silly ta ask but, have yah ever bit into a bruised apple?”

“Well, yes...”

“What was it like?”

“Um, uh-it wasn’t one of your apples, Applejack...”

AJ waved her hoof, she couldn’t fight the smile creeping onto her face. “It don’t matter if it was one o’mine, just tell me what it tasted like.”

“Uh, it-it didn’t taste very good...” she mumbled into her mane.

“Exactly,” the yellow pegasus jumped at Applejack’s enthusiastic affirmation. The farm filly blushed slightly and moderated her tone. “Exactly, it tasted that way ‘cuz the apple got hit a little too hard. There’s a more complicated reason behind it not tastin’ so great an’ what-all, but that ain’t important. What’s real important is what yah did with it after that first bite. So, what’d yah do with it Fluttershy?”

“I, um, threw it away?”

“Why’d yah do that?”

Fluttershy tried to duck even further into her mane. “I’m sorry, was that the wrong thing to do? I’ll, um, go get another one, if that’s what you want, that is, um-uh--”

Applejack swept the demure pegasus up in a hug. She trembled in her grasp, but for only a moment. “Listen, sugarcube, it ain’t about the apples or the doctors or the bullies or anythin’. Sometahms things just ain’t what we expect ‘em ta be, so we throw ‘em away. There ain’t nopony, nowhere, that would throw you away, Fluttershy. Just because that apple wasn’t that great fer eatin’ like normal, doesn’t make it useless. Apples like those are all Granny uses in her pies. Ah asked her why one day an’ she said, ‘a bruised apple is just an apple that knows a bit more than the others in the barrel. Them apples are the ones who know more about bein’ apples, so they’re better at it.’ You know what it’s like ta be hurt...” Applejack tightened her hug, blinking back a tear. “That’s why yer so good at makin’ others feel better.”

“Thank you, Applejack,” the pegasus whispered.

Applejack held her friend for a few moments longer, then pulled back just enough to look her in the eye. “Now, let’s head on over to Twilight’s an’ get that speech all sorted out, hmm?”

“Will you come with me?”

“Ah’m with yah all the way, Fluttershy.”

Seeds

Golden Oaks Library: a center of learning, an oasis of knowledge. The library has served Ponyville for as long as most ponies can remember, but it wasn’t until recently that it became a popular gathering place. Though there were times that the librarian would rather be left alone, she was always more than happy to lend a scholarly hoof.

And so it was that our tangerine heroine found herself in need of a little help. It was a lazy summer day, not much needed seeing to. The air was hot and a little more humid than usual; the pegasi were shifting things around in preparation for the rainy season. Few ponies ventured outside to brave the sun and humidity, the few that did were hurrying to other places, anxious to get out of the heat. As Applejack passed Sugarcube Corner, she caught a glimpse of a crowded interior and the sounds of a delighted Pinkie Pie. She could go for a nice bowl of ice cream but the commotion of the confectionary ultimately turned her away. The farm filly was out walking in an attempt to clear her head, but the heat and lack of something to do were clouding things up even more. The events of the past year occupied almost the whole of her attention and shadows of old things crept behind her.

As she had left her hooves to decide where to go for themselves, she didn’t notice where she was until she nearly walked into the book-emblazoned sign. Blinking slowly at the door, she came to a conclusion. Namely that the library was a much better, and cooler, place to sort out her thoughts. She pushed open the door, taking in the smells of sweet tree sap underneath the dry scent of paper and ink.The interior of the library brought a smile to her lips and her thoughts seemed to clear almost of their own accord.

The librarian herself emerged from the cellar just as the farm filly shut the door. “Hello, Applejack! What brings you in today?”

“Oh, nothin’ in particular, just out fer a walk and wandered over here.”

She could have been mistaken, but AJ thought she saw a slight flicker of disappointment fly across Twilight’s face. “Okay then. I was just reorganizing a few of my shelves, um, if you need anything, I’ll be around.” She turned back to the other room with several books floating in her magical grasp.

For a moment, her own problems disappeared as she watched her friend go about her task. It had taken awhile for Applejack to figure out the reclusive unicorn; she may be open hearted but she could clam up when she wanted. It was the little things that told her something bothered the other mare. A slight shift in her gaze, the overly cheerful tone of her voice, the clearly scientific tomes she was attempting to shove into the Fiction section of her shelf. Applejack looked around and noticed a missing piece to the library.

“Uh, where’s Spike, sugarcube?”

“Hm?” Twilight said, pausing in her glare at the shelf. “Oh, he’s out helping Rarity gather gems. I think.” She tried once again to shove the large books onto the shelf, sticking her tongue out in concentration.

Applejack approached the unicorn cautiously and tried to put just the right amount of friendly concern in her voice. “Uh, yah alright there, Twilight? You seem a bit... out a’sorts.”

“What makes you think that?” she replied in the same out-of-place tone as before.

“Well, on account that yer tryin’ ta put a big ol’ book on chemistry in the Fiction section.” AJ laid a hoof on one of the mare’s purple shoulders.

“What?” Twilight turned the book over and inspected the cover. She tsked at it. “That wasn’t what I meant to pick up at all.” She continued to mumble under her breath as she glared at the other books she had brought from the basement.

Applejack gave her a worried look. As she studied her distraught friend, a glint of blue caught her eye. On the desk next to the window, sat a number of books, the covers and pages of which seemed rather strange. She ambled over to the desk, unnoticed by Twilight, and put her hooves up on the polished surface. Papers were strewn over it, each one full of neat, flowing script. A few of the books lay open so she nosed through a few pages. None of it made any sense at all. Applejack was no lay-pony, but she would still rather read in Cutieform if she could help it. There were lots of big words all over some pages and on others, complicated diagrams showing circles, angles and spheres dominated the thick paper.

The book that had originally caught her eye was obviously quite important. The front was covered in an ultra-marine blue silk and embossed with silver. The corner mounts boasted little rubies that seemed to glow in the sunlight. The title read; Celestial Arts: Scrying for the Everyday Mage. The workpony knit her brow at the tome and turned over another book, this one dressed in red satin, to read its title. Time and Spectra: Everything You Thought You Knew About Time but Were Too Afraid to Actually Test. She slid a golden book, quite worn with age, out from under a pile of loose sheafs. The Starswirl Papers Vol. 14: Harmony and Time Travel. She didn’t like the looks of all this.

“Uh, Twilight?” Applejack said over her shoulder. The studious unicorn sat on the floor, staring at the bookshelf. The books that once floated in clouds of magic were strewn around her, as if she had forgotten them. “Twilight?”

The unicorn blinked. “Hm?” she said, turning to Applejack.

“Are you alright, sugarcube? Somethin’s been botherin’ yah. You ain’t yerself.” She cocked her head to the side, indicating the books on the desk. “An’ what’s all this about?”

All of a sudden, the other mare looked extremely tired. Her shoulders sagged, the corners of her mouth drooped, her ears laid back and her eyes lowered. The transformation made Applejack take a step forward. “It’s alright, Twilight... yah don’t have ta say anythin’ if yah don’t want ta.”

“It’s okay, Applejack,” she sighed. “I’m... studying. I’m trying to figure out a way to look into the future but... as far as anypony knows, that’s impossible.” She droned out her explanation in a way that made it sound like her failure to do the impossible sealed the fate of a loved one.

“Why would you want ta see the future? Ah mean, everypony’d love to know what’s comin’ next but...”

Twilight shook her head. “I can’t stop thinking about it...”

“What, the future?”

“Yes... and the door.”

AJ sat next to Twilight, gently moving a book out of the way and directing her full attention to the purple unicorn.

“King Sombra’s door showed me my greatest fear. I know it was just a trick but... I can’t shake the feeling that there’s truth behind it. I’ll be moving on to the next phase of my studies... and I-I’m so afraid that I’ll make another mistake. I need to know what’s coming, Applejack.” She turned to the tangerine pony, desperation and fear evident in her features. “I put Spike in terrible danger. I put the entire Crystal Empire at risk, all because I didn’t think ahead. I should’ve known that Sombra had more traps, that he wouldn’t just leave the Crystal Heart at the top of that tower. What if I can’t do whatever it is the Princesses are preparing me for? How am I supposed to prepare without knowing what’s going to happen?”

Applejack smiled at her friend. “Twilight, there ain’t nothin’ you can’t do when yah put yer mind to it. Listen, Ah know it’s hard ta be where yah are. You’ve got responsibilities, an’ the Princess expects a lot of yah. Ah know what it’s like, havin’ others depend on yah. An’ Ah want yah ta know, there ain’t any other pony Ah trust more than you.” She put a foreleg around Twilight’s hunched shoulders. “Yah ever think that maybe the Princess trusts yah too? That all of us trust yah? Ah’ll tell yah a little secret Ah’ve learned from the apple trees. It ain’t any kinda guarantee that the sun’ll keep risin’, as far as they know. An’ the weather ain’t gonna be nice forever. They know less than Ah do about what’s gonna happen, but they keep growin’ and they try their best to make apples.”

Twilight gave a dry chuckle. “But Applejack, they’re plants, that’s all they know how to do.”

AJ nodded. “Yer right, sugarcube. But the way Ah see it, feelin’s are a lot like plants. If yah plant the right seeds, they’ll grow, an’ keep growin’ ‘til something changes. Yah can’t let these seeds a’ doubt take root, Twilight. Ah got faith in yah, and so do the Princesses. Yer friends are with yah. Don’t yah think yah oughtta have a little faith in yerself? If yah do what needs doin’ now, the future’ll take care of itself.”

Some of the tension left Twilight’s shoulders and her expression brightened. The wonders a smile could do for a face demonstrated themselves before the tangerine mare’s eyes. “Thank you, Applejack. It feels good to know I have friends like you.”

“Aw shucks Twilight, Ah’m the one who’s lucky.”

“Why’s that?”

“Well if it weren’t fer you, Ah’d never have gotten ta know the other gals. An’ there’s no place I’d rather be right now than here with you.”

As the words left her mouth, she was surprised at how true they were.

Standing Tall

Hey there, it’s me, Applejack. It’s been awhile since Ah came by an’, Ah just wanted y’all ta know, Ah’m doin’ alright. But, Ah guess y’already knew that.... It’s been hard. Nopony gets strong without a little push n’ pull, Ah s’pose.

So much changed when you left. It was like havin’ the ground pulled right from under mah hooves. We’ve been workin’ hard, trust me. Even if y’all couldn’t be with us... at least we could keep Sweet Apple Acres. Big Macintosh, heheh, he’s still big an’ he’s still quiet, but he’s always been there when we need ‘im. Ah know y’all are right proud of ‘im, ‘cuz Ah am. An’ sweet Apple Bloom, what Ah wouldn’t give t’have y’all see her now. She’s a good filly, Ah’ll have yah know, always ready ta help. Even if she lets ‘er friends carry ‘er away with silly ideas, she’s got her head on straight. Granny... well, she’s Granny, Ah hope she never changes. An’ me...

Ah’ve been thinkin’ lately, ‘bout what what y’all have taught me. When Ah heard it, well, Ah guess Ah never thought about how much it would help me. Ah never could’a thought it would help so many others, too. Y’know, Ah was angry fer a long tahm. Ah thought that y’all leavin’ was somethin’ against me. Ah used ta think that it was just th’ way it had ta be. Ah wasn’t s’posed ta have it easy, not like everypony else. Ah was gonna meet that challenge, an’ Ah was gonna do it by m’self.

But... it wasn’t ‘til later, after bein’ mad, an’ hurt, an’ lonely, even with family all around... that Ah realized it wasn’t about me at all. Ah was livin’ a lie, an’ Ah knew it. But Ah’d been doin’ it so long, well, it felt like a yellah thing to take a step back, like I was admittin’ defeat.

Right about then, I met Twilight. Ah could tell she wasn’t from around here, had the sound a’ Canterlot to ‘er, an’ she looked plumb lost. Ah know a pony who don’t wanna be someplace when Ah see one an’ Ah needed somethin’ to distract me from mah thoughts. The whole family was in town fer the Summer Sun Celebration an’ it’s always tough around that tahm. She was there an’ she looked like she could use some help, so Ah put to practice what you’d always said ta me, ‘Greet a stranger with a smile, an’ walk with ‘em fer a mile.’ Heh, after all this tahm, Ah still remember yer silly rhymes, Ah guess that’s why you made ‘em up.

Well, Ah started walkn’ with that mare, and Ah haven’t stopped since. It’s been almost two years since Ah met ‘er, an’ Ah gotta say, it’s changed mah life. All a’mah friends, old an’ new, have made me a better pony. It’s hard fer me to imagine what it’d be like without ‘em. Ah guess Ah’m startin’ ta see that Ah need them as much as they need me.... Listen tah me, goin’ on like this. I-Ah guess what Ah’m tryin’ ta say.... Wh-what Ah came here to do... was... I didn’t think it was gonna be this hard... Get ahold of yerself, Applejack! ... Ah wanna say... Ah wanna say, I’m sorry... sorry fer all the tahm that went by, wasted in bein’ angry. Ah’m sorry... I couldn’t... couldn’t be the daughter you wanted me to be... sorry it took so long to remember.... I’m doin’ better now, tryin’ ta make it up to yah. Ah’ll do mah best ta stand... stand tall like the trees. Ah miss y’all, by golly do Ah miss yah... but I can’t be angry no more... can’t be thinkin’ ‘bout my own self.

I... I... Ah want ta... oh heyseeds, Ah don’t know what I want. Ah want ta see you... hear yer silly rhymes and soft songs, but... I know Ah can’t.... I wanna say... thank you, but Ah can’t even do that. The best Ah can do... is to keep goin’. Life ain’t easy, but it does nopony no good ta give up and stop ‘cuz it’s hard. I’m gonna do mah best ta make y’all proud, Ah’m gonna do what y’all taught me ta do.

I... Ah’ll try ta visit more. This... is a nice place.... Ah’ve learned so much... Ah can’t right explain it all, but if there’s one thing Ah know, it’s love never lies.

Soft hoofsteps left the grassy knoll. A large apple tree stood behind two headstones, simple monuments to the lives that touched so many. The warm summer breeze rustled the bright and healthy leaves, played with the blades of grass and tousled the departing pony’s blonde mane. She walked with a bounce to her step, suddenly lighter than she had been in years. Though the world was full of confusion, disappointment, fear, doubt and pain, it was also full of love. All it took was knowing where to look.