Labour is another form of Love

by Shiloh

Rating: teen
Tags: Big Macintosh, Main 6, Mrs. Cake, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Other, Romance
Length: 2833

After PinkiePie's Father and Mother fall ill, PinkiePie asks AppleJack to come with her to help with the rock farm. After staying with PinkiePie for a few weeks, she relises she has feelings for PinkiePie she can't can't explain.

After PinkiePie's Father and Mother fall ill, PinkiePie asks AppleJack to come with her to help with the rock farm. Staying with PinkiePie for a few weeks, taking long walks with her, finding out that PinkiePie isn't all fun and carefree, she begins to have confusing feelings toward her, that she can't seem to come into terms with. Not wanting to scare PinkiePie off, she starts to shelter herself from her, not knowing that PinkiePie has had the same feelings toward her for years.

Published 2012-12-25 13:20:01 UTC
Last updated 2012-12-26 11:05:41 UTC

PinkiePie's Request

It was a cloudy day in PonyVille. The sky was covered with clouds, full of water, ready to rain. The Pegasus had planned a downfall yesterday, but missed it due to a complaint from some ponies, about over drowing their gardens.

RainbowDash was just waking up. She rubbed her eyes with her hooves. Her mane was messed, all over the place. She rushed to her mirror, quickly brushing it out. She never brushed it out completely, just enough to look presentable. She flew out of her house, flying to the peak of CloudsDale. She glanced down, looking to see who she could.

"Fluttershy... On the way to the spa." She lightly gagged to her self. "Hoofacure." The mumbled rolling her eyes. "Why do ponies even like those things?" She asked herself.

"Rarity," She began, watching the mare walk to the door of the spa to greet Fluttershy. She usually secretly judged her friends when she was alone. She loved every one of them, but each had their faults.

"Preppy.. Bit of a snob." The mumbled under her breath. She lightly snickered, catching Twilight in the corner of her eye. She watched Twilight trot over to the Quil and Sofa store, walking in.

"Must have used all her quills writing all those letters to the Princess." She covered her mouth, flapping her wings. "Been awhile since she's written a letter. Let's not hope she has another break down." She blinked several times, watching AppleJack walk into the same store, chasing up to Twilight.

"I'm bored." RainbowDash mumbled, leaping off the cloud, flying down to the ground. She folded her wings, looking around her. She looked for PinkiePie, knowing that she would be around.

But in fact, she hadn't seen PinkiePie in awhile. Two days to be precise. Which was weird. PinkiePie had always come to visit her up in CloudsDale, or to pull a prank to two, but she wasn't around at all lately.

She rushed into the Quil shop, nearly knocking into Twilight. "Hey Twilight. A.J." She said, folding her wings again.

"Oh, hey R.D." AppleJack said, turning around. "You seen PinkiePie?" She asked, picking up a few quils.

"You're looking for her?" RainbowDash asked, giving the mare a suspitious look.

"Me and Twilight. She hasn't come see any of us. Twi said after we get quils, we'll go over and see if she's at SugarCube corner. Wanna come with us?" AppleJack said, starting to walk out.

"Sure." RainbowDash replied, starting to follow her.

"Wait for me ponies!" Twilight said, following them, placing her quills in her saddle bag.

The three ponies walked over to the SugarCube corner. They walked in, Twilight placing three bits on the counter.

"Oh, hello girls." Mrs.Cake said, rushing in and out of the kitchen. "How can I help you dearies today?" She asked, stoping at the counter.

"Three cupcakes please." She said, smiling slightly.

"Of course dear." She said, taking the bits, rushing to the Kitchen.

"Have you seen PinkiePie around Mrs.Cake?" AppleJack asked, leaning on the counter.

"Fraid not. She left on Friday." She said, passing the three cupcakes. RainbowDash took her, shoving it in her mouth.

"Last Friday?" Twilight asked, picking up the cupcake. "Where did she go?" She asked, also leaning on the table.

"Yes, she said something about her parents being ill. She didn't say much, but she seemed really worked up. I hope the little darling's alright." She said in a worried voice.

"It's funny Pinkie never mentioned anything." AppleJack said, raising a hoof in a shrug.

"I'm sure she was just in a rush. She said she should be returning any time this week." Mrs. Cake said, cutting in and out as she rushed in and out of the Kitchen.

"Alright. Thanks Mrs. Cake." Twilight said, taking a bite of the cupcake.

"No problem deary. You and you're friends have a wonderfull day." She said, rushing back into the kitchen.

RainbowDash wiped the incing off her mouth with her wing, flinging it on the floor. She stood on her hooves, looking over to the other two.

"So, I guess we'll be seeing her when she gets back." RainbowDash sputtered, cupcake still in her mouth.

"I guess so. I just hope her parents are alright." AppleJack said, walking out of the shop.

"Looks like it's about to rain." Twilight said, looking up at the sky. "We should all be getting home before were stuck in the storm." She paused, starting to walk away. "See you ponies later!" She said, her slow trot turning into a quick rushed run.

"She's right." RainbowDash said, covering her head with her wing, as it starts so sputter. "I'll see you later A.J." She said quickly, flying away.

AppleJack looked side to side, and shrugged. She slowly started her walk home. Her farm wasen't that close to SugarCube corner as the other's houses were. By the time she got home, the rain was pouring down, and she was soaked. Her mane hung infront of her eyes, making it hard for her to see. She walked in her house, shaking the water off. She quickly grabbed a towel, drying herself off.

A few days pass, and PinkiePie still hadn't returned home. Everypony had wondered why PinkiePie was gone for so long. They tried not to think of the worst thing that could happen, but it always crossed their mind. Would they have to attend a funeral soon?

AppleJack turned on the tap, running some water. The only thing on her mind was PinkiePie's whereabouts. Was she on her way home? Was she still there? She sighed, filling up a mug of water, taking a gulp. She slammed the mug onto the table, her eyes droopy from just waking up. She grabbed her hat, placing it on her head. She lightly smiled, looking at her reflection.

Just then, a light tap was on the door. The sun had just rised, and usually AppleJack never had company this early. AppleJack trotted to the door, slowly opening it.

"PinkiePie!" AppleJack exclaimed, completely opening the door. "Everypony was so worried. How are you're parents?" She asked, welcoming the pink mare in.

"Oh there better I guess." PinkiePie paused, turning toward AppleJack. "AppleJack, my parents are sick and I was wondering if you would be able to come help on the rock farm for awhile. Until they get better." PinkiePie said quickly, not wanting to ask for help, but it had come to that.

"I.." AppleJack stuttered, knowing she has her own responsibility on the farm, but she understood that her parents were ill, and couldn't do anything.

"I can talk to big Mac. But I'm perdy sure I can come help ya'll out until you're parents get better." AppleJack said, walking toward the door. "I'll be right back Pinkie." She said, closing the door behind her.

"Big Mac. I need to talk to you." AppleJack said, trotting up to the stallion. He was bucking some trees, harvesting some apples. He turned to AppleJack, blinking several times.

"What's on you're mind Sister?" He askes, chewing on the wheat twig he had in his mouth.

"PinkiePie's parents are awefully sick. She wants to know if I can come down and help out for just a few weeks. Until they can get better." She said, staring at the red stallion.

Big Macintosh nodded. "Theres not many apples left to be harvest. I can handle the rest on my own." He paused. Turning away. "Hope her parents will get better. Tell her I said that alright?" He asked, bucking another tree.

"Thanks Big Macintosh." She replied, turning away, trotting to the house.

AppleJack walked in, closing the door. She grabbed another mug, filling it with a bit off AppleJuice. "Here ya go Hun." She said, sliding the mug to PinkiePie.

"Thanks AppleJack." She said, in a low, less happy voice.

"Big Macintosh says he can do the rest of the harvesting himself. So, I can help out at the farm until you're parents get better." AppleJack says, grabbing herself some AppleCider.

"If they get better." PinkiePie replied, staring down at the juice.

AppleJack looked up in shock, lowering her ears. She opened her mouth to speak, but she couln't think of anything to say.

"PinkiePie, don't say that." She managed to sputter. "You're parents are going to get better. They have alot of life left in em'." She said with a smile. She poured a liquor cider for PinkiePie.

"Here SugarCube. Numbs the pain." She said, slightly smiling.

"Oh AppleJack. How can you handle not having any parents?" PinkiePie asked quickly. This caught AppleJack by surprise. None of her friends had ever asked about her parents.

"I know there happy somewhere else." AppleJack quickly responded. She didn't know what to say.

"But don't you miss them?" PinkiePie asked, looking at AppleJack with pleading eyes.

"Of course I do SugarCube. But I know they wouln't want me to spend the rest of my days greiving. I've had my share of tears, but sometimes you just have to let go of somepony. You understand?" AppleJack replied, placing her hoof on Pinkie's.

PinkiePie nodded, taking a sip of the Cider.

"Well Hun, let's get you home. Get all packed, and we'll leave whenever you want to." AppleJack said, opening the door.

Author's Note

Hehe, first chapter! :D

"Theres a storm coming."

Applejack quickly gathered her things together. She kept peering out the window, watching for Pinkie Pie to come up the trail. Everything was rushing through her head. She didn't know how to work on a rock farm. She was a hard worker yes, but just the thought of messing something up on their farm gave her the shivers. She quickly shut the lid to her suitcase, carrying it downstairs. She grabbed one last quick drink of cider, knowing it would probably be her last one in awhile to come.

She trotted outside, placing her bag in a small wagon, small enough to be pulled by only one pony. Her creme mane swayed, as she wing blew violently. She looked up to the sky, noticing a storm coming in. Maybe Pinkie Pie wouldn't want to leave now that a storm was setting in. But then again, it was her parents they were talking about.

Applejack got into the straps of the wagon, starting to walk down the trail to downtown of Ponyville. She slowly trotted, not being able to keep her mind off Pinkie Pie's parents. There were so many situations she had been in with her parents being ill, and one was the last them they ever were. How would Pinkie Pie react if her parents were to pass?

"Hey Applejack. Seems like you've gotten a big load. Anywhere specific your heading?" Twilight asked, trotting up to Applejack. Her purple and pink mane swayed in the wind, sometimes covering her eye, but she didn't seem that bothered by it.

"Just heading over to Sugar Cube corner. Me and Pinkie are going out to her parents. She asked me to help out at the Rock Farm until her parents get better." Applejack replied, pulling herself out of the strap, lightly placing it down.

"Pinkie Pie's back? When did she arrive?" Twilight asked, lightly tilting her head, giving a cocky smile.

"Sometime this morning. She was - seemed very stressed." Applejack replied. She took her hat off, putting it in the wagon, not wanting it to blow away.

"Oh dear." Twilight responded. "Well, the storm is pretty bad. Are you sure she wants to leave today?" She asked, glancing at the sky, then back at the orange mare.

"Not sure. That's why I came to ask." Applejack said, walking past the mare. "Well, I'll talk to you later Twi."

"Don't forget to write!" Twilight said, watching the mare walk into the store.

Most of the lights were out in the Sugar Cube corner. The cakes had several candles out, awaiting the storm that would possibly cut the power.

"Howdy Mrs. and Mr. Cake!" Applejack hollered, walking in. "How are ya'll?" She asked, coming to the counter.

"Just fine deary. Just getting ready for the storm that's a - brewing." Mrs.Cake said with a smile. Mrs. Cake was always cheerful, just like Pinkie Pie. Maybe that's why they took Pinkie Pie into their home, and adopted them as a daughter. Mrs. Cake had the same attitude as Pinnkie Pie, though she was more mature, and a bit more serious then her.

"That bad huh?" Applejack asked, tilting her head. "So you reckon that Pinkie Pie will want to wait and leave tomorrow?" Applejack asked, leaning on the counter.

"Oh.. No." Mrs. Cake replied slowly. "She still wants to go." Mrs.Cake said, with a hint of fear in her voice. "She wants to get to her parents as soon as possible. She's upstairs packing now. If you want her, you can go up deary." Mrs.Cake said, holding the door to the stairs open for Applejack.

"Thank you kindly." Applejack said, trotting upstairs.

"Pinkie?" Applejack called, coming to the top of the stairs. She kept walking, not hearing any response.

"Pinkie Pie?" She called again, waiting to hear a response. Still, nothing. Applejack continued to walk, the sound of a shower running coming into the clear.

"Shower." Applejack thought, heading to the bed. She sat down, waiting for the mare to come out. Her eyes wondered around the room, looking at the walls. Pictures of all their friends. Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, and herself, Applejack. She smiled, looking to all the group pictures they were, remembering all the good times they had. One thing caught her eye. Most of the pictures that were just one pony were her. One..Two.. Twelve.

Applejack uneasily sat on the bed, nervously keeping her eyes on the ground. She continued to glance around the room, noticing the two backed saddle bags, along with three other bags. Pinkie Pie had packed for a very long stay. It seemed as if she packed for a month or two. But, it wasn't possible that they were going to be there that long? Is it?

"Hey Applejack!" Pinkie Pie said, walking out. She had a towel on her head, rolled up into her mane. "Didn't expect you here so early. Got everything packed?" She asked, using her hooves to rub her mane with the towel, drying it.

"Mmhm." Applejack responded, nodding. She glanced at the pictures, then back at Pinkie Pie. "Don't you think we should wait for another night? When it's not so.. stormy?" Applejack suggested, raising a hoof while she talked.

"I want to be with my parents as much as I can!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, her mane poofing up into her curly, cute state. "I mean. If something happens to them when I'm not there, then I'll feel super bad!" Pinkie Pie paused, looking at the ground. "You see, they are there alone now. My Sisters can't make it in to help take care of them, and I'm the only one close enough. I wanted to stay, but I couldn't take care of the farm myself. That's why I needed your help!"

"I understand perfectly Pinkie." Applejack said, not really wanting to argue with the mare. "My family is spread all across Equestria, and it's hard to stay in contact with everypony. But don't you worry SugarCube. You're parents will get better in no time."

"Then let's get going!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, clapping her hooves together. "Despite the reason we are going, this is going to be fun - a -fun fun!" She said, smiling brightly. Her grin slowly turned to a slight frown. Her excitement from wanting to be with Applejack and spend time with her, had almost blinded her from the reason they were going. Her parents were very ill.

"Come on Pinkie." Applejack said, walking toward the door. She glanced back, noticing Pinkie Pie struggling with her luggage. "Need help?" She asked.

The mare slightly giggled. "Yes, please." She said, smiling sheepishly. Applejack walked over, grabbing a saddle back off Pinkies back, placing it on her own.

"Well, let's get a move on, shall we?" Applejack said, trying to make eye contact with the mare. Her mind was elsewhere. It seemed like she popped in and out, happy one second, sad the next. The mare was always so optimistic, and always looked to the bright side. But she seemed to have a hard time, coming into terms with her feelings.

The two mares walked out, saying their goodbyes to the Cakes, before walking out into the brewing storm, ready for the two day walk to the Rock Farm.

Author's Note

Thanks for all the notes on Grammar etc.
I've tried to watch my typing, and I hope I've gotten better at the names, grammar.
As for the pre-reader, I don't know how to go about that, because I'm pretty new here. So, if anypony would help me out with that, it would be appreciated! Thanks!!