We never truly realize how important someone is until they're gone. We never truly realize how we need someone until they're gone for good.
. . .
The sun had just set and the moon is beginning to rise over Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack was still in the orchard though, bucking away and collecting bushels of apples while Big Macintosh took them up and too them back to the barn. Princess Luna flew over the night, making sure everyone followed the curfew that was now set in all of Equestria, when she saw the commotion at Sweet Apple Acres. She glided seamlessly through the trees and floated gently onto the ground next to Applejack who was still bucking trees. She collected one more bushel of apples before stopping and facing the Princess of the night.
"Evenin' Princess," Applejack said with a note of exhaustion in her voice as she bowed. She then went back to bucking apples and putting them in baskets as Big Mac cam back and forth to take them away.
"Good evening to you Applejack," Princess Luna said with her regal demeanor. She stood for a moment, watching the brother and sister working hard through the night. "You do realize that it is pass curfew. I should have to report you the Princess Celestia."
"I'm sorry princess, it's just that I need to get this here apple quota filled for the troops," she said with grunts in between from bucking. "Ever since that changlein' army invaded Equestria, more troops have been sent to the front lines, which means more food, which means..."
"I understand Applejack and I truly appreciate your dedication to helping out the cause. I appreciate your entire family for doing this. You may finish up here but you truly need to go to sleep soon, for if any other patrols find you, they may not be as forgiving as I." With that said, Princess Luna gave a royal bow of her head as she shot up into the sky and soared away.
Applejack sighed as she kicked another tree. She kept bucking until the moon was directly above her, lighting the orchard with a soft, pale blue glow. Walking with Big Mac, Applejack headed to their home, ready to turn in for the day. With bags underneath her eyes, she gave off a mighty yawn as they reached the front door. She opened the door, and with only a smile as a goodnight, they went to their separate rooms. Applejack flopped onto her bed and fell asleep so fast she couldn't remember closing her eyes.
With a rooster's cock-a-doodle-doo, Applejack woke up. What she wouldn't give for one day off, but she needed to get more apples. Today was the day when the apples were due. Still exhausted from the night before, Applejack rolled out of bed and hit the floor with a thud. Laying there for a moment, she looked around the room and saw the orange beams of the new day sun come in through her window and onto the hardwood floor. She gave a small sigh and stretched her four legs out and got up. She went over to her little sister's room to wake her up, but when she cracked open the door, there wasn't a filly in the bed.
"Guess she's already downstairs," Applejack whispered to herself when suddenly a loud banging came from down the staircase. She hurried on down the stairs to see a mess of pots and pans strewn across the floor, with little Applebloom, with a bright, radiant red on her face, looking down at the mess which she obviously caused.
"I'm real sorry Granny," Applebloom said sheepishly.
"It's alright ya' silly filly, just clean this mess up right quick, we got some baking to do!" Granny Smith said. She still had a lot of enthusiasm in her voice despite baking continuously for a few weeks now. A ding rang out in the kitchen, telling Granny Smith that the morning's first batch of pies were done. She held an oven mitt between her teeth and slowly took the pies out one by one. Big Mac was sitting at the table eating a hearty breakfast of, none other than, apples. Applejack sat down with her older brother and began eating herself.
"We best get hurrying. We need to get the rest of these apples picked." Applejack said inbetween mouthfuls.
"Eeyup"
"The pony pickin' up the apples ought to be here 'round 3 or so."
"Eeyup"
"We better get to it then" Applejack said, pushing her plate out of the way and standing up.
"Nope,"
"Pardon?"
"You've been workin' too hard without a single break. You're gonna run outta steam at this rate. Remember the last time you overworked yourself? You need to take a break and I won't take nope for an answer."
"But the apples are du..." Applejack began.
"I can handle the rest," Big Mac interrupted, "Why don't you go on and meet up with your friends, they haven't seen ya in awhile. Y'all can get lunch while you're at it." With that said, Big Mac stood up and walked towards the door. "And I don't wanna see you buck a single tree." Big Mac said as he walked out. Applejack stood there for a moment before setting out for the door. Once outside, the sun beamed directly in her face. Once her eyes adjusted to the bright sunlight, she began her way into town.
Applejack walked through the town of Ponyville. It was the typical town it always was, but with a few minor changes. Propaganda posters were hung up around the towns promoting donating and rationing for the troops and small victory gardens were planted all around the town, growing things like lettuce, kale, and tomatoes. Other than this and less food for the town, everything was normal. Everyone was still happy and living well. Luckily for Applejack and everyone else, Ponyville is in the middle of Equestria and further away from the fighting to the west. There was no need for a large force of troops to guard the town, although there were a couple sentries posted.
Applejack was headed for Sugar Cube Corner to see if her friends were there. When she entered the sweet shoppe, the place was completely empty save for Mr. and Mrs. Cake and Pinkie Pie. Other than that, there wasn't a soul. Ever sionce the war started, sugar prices skyrocketed and the Cakes had to raise the price of there products as well. Luckily for the Apple family, Canterlot supplied them with their own supply of sugar for the pies and other baked apple goods.
