Chapter 4

~Hopes~

It had been a long day. A glorious sunset colored the sky in a variety of hues. The wind causing the leaves of the apple orchard to whisper. Applejack, having finished her daily chores, was relaxing under a small grove of trees close to the barn. After a short time her dog, Winona, walked over and lay down beside her. They remained there, enjoying each others presence, until the wind grew cold, and Celestia’s sun sank behind the tree line. The slight burning sensation of her muscles remained despite the growing cold. She loved that feeling, it reminded her of what she had done to feel tired, an honest hard day’s work. This thought brought a contented sigh to the earth pony as she made her way to the house. The school bags by the door indicated that Applebloom, her younger sister, had gotten back from school safely. Sometimes after running the stand, she would walk back with her from her school. She didn’t call out to her sister, however, as she should be asleep by now. Instead she quietly made her way to the kitchen. Sitting at the table was a large red stallion who watched her enter with mild interest. “Finished yer chores Big Macintosh?” She asked her voice little more than a whisper on the night air. “E’yup” came the reply. Applejack smiled ‘Same old Mach’ She thought. She made her way to the cabinets as quietly as possible and removed a large glass. “So what’re ya doing out of bed?” Having successfully placed the glass in the sink and turning the knob she turned to the table to her his reply. “Was doing the numbers.” He lifted a hoof to reveal a spreadsheet filled with neat rows of numbers. The farms finances were her responsibility, but she sometimes got help from her brother. He didn’t look like it but he had a head for numbers. “How we doing?” Big Macintosh turning the papers to face her as she sat down replied with a simple “Look.”

It was as the orange pony thought it would look; all the numbers came out nicely with the exception of one column. “Sales.” She muttered aloud, bringing a solemn nod from the red pony. Having expanded the orchard and fields a few years ago, she was never able to sell all the crops her farm produced. She was sure she would have enough to make ends meet. She always did. However it didn’t stop her mind from wandering where it willed.

The sky, visible from the holes in the roof, was overcast. A sickly pair of earth ponies, one no more than a filly, with a bow in her hair, sat around an old oak table. Their bodies were covered in sores. They had no money for doctors. The wind from the holes in drafty old house brought shivers down their spines. The smallest one trembles, whether from the cold or the sickness it is unclear, as she bites into an apple that no one would buy.

That particular nightmare had haunted Applejack many times in the past however with this one came another that she hadn’t thought about in a while.

It had to be the largest Apple family reunion the Apple family has ever seen. Music hummed in the air as the ‘Little Pony River Band’ poured out their souls onto the stage some of the ponies of the Apple family were dancing and moving to the rhythm. Granny Apple was closest to the band, dancing with a laughing Applebloom. She had her surgery only a few months ago and already she was moving like a young filly again. The others of the family were eating hearty and bountiful country food, while chatting amiably with each other. She had done it. All of it. With the funds from the harvest, the best doctors, the best band, and the best foods. For her family only the best would do.

The vision faded softly, not leaving entirely, just lingering like the sweet taste of a cold crisp apple cider. “This year Mach” Applejack said, gazing into the distance “This year were going to sell our apples.” Her eyes focused intently on the opposite wall before turning her head to face her brother, clearly iterating each word “Every. Last. One.” Macintosh lifted an eyebrow “The gala didn’t go so well.” Applejack sighed. She knew her brother was right, but nothing could extinguish that lingering feeling, the feeling of hope. “Not all the ponies in Canterlot can be as hoity-toity as the nobles.” She said with a serious expression. “Mach We can do this.” A smile formed on her face. “Were going to Canterlot.”

Author's Note

If the family name is ‘Apple’ shouldn’t that name be last? Or is her full name Applejack, Apple? Sounds A little redundant don’t you think? Or maybe they just read the last/family name first as part of their culture… so… Jack, Apple? Isn’t Jack a guy’s name? It doesn’t really matter I guess, but if you want to leave a response go for it.