Applejack suddenly awoke to the sound of heavy hoof-steps outside her door. Within mere seconds her eyes shot open as she sprang out of her comfy, warm bed and hurried to the door as fast as her aged body could manage. She had become hunched over from years of gravity pushing down on her spine and not to mention long and harsh sessions of apple bucking. Her once bright tangerine colored coat had faded to a shade of Persian orange. Her hair was comparable to a stream frozen over in winter, accompanied by bags hanging below her eyes and her old worn out brown hat which now had small patches of fabric sown into it, as to hide the holes and dents in it.The floorboards beneath her creaked and rattled as she opened the door, revealing the dark and eerie hallway. The hoof-steps clacking against the wooden floor outside had faded until they were no longer audible, but the old mare knew the pony who had caused the racket. Every morning at exactly 1:16 AM, the so-called 'ghosts' of her deceased family members ran through the farm house's old halls, and they certainly weren't quiet about it. AJ knew this must sound like gobbledygook, but it presented a reason behind what those noises were and who made them. No, she didn't particularly believe in the supernatural but it was kind of nice to think her long gone loved ones were staying around to keep her company.
Applejack had lived to be the oldest member of her family, outliving even her beloved grandchildren. She had almost outlived the entire Apple family name, leaving only a few distant relatives whom she had never met before. Her life's longevity was caused by over-exposure to Twilight's powerful magic, unfortunately it seemed to have also left an affect on the other members of the mane 6 although with their age they seemed to have grown slightly delusional, but Applejack harbored suspicion she had also become deluded as well. Even worse it seemed some of them didn't even recognizing Applejack. Twilight of course still remembered her but they didn't talk at all really, with Twilight's crowded schedule and responsibilities as a princess there wasn't much time. Of course you can't blame anyone for that. AJ didn't really mind living this long to be honest, she always believed, and still does, that life is a blessing to be cherished and thankful for.
She had all she needed in her home, hired workers to take care of the farm for her, and continued living a happy life. But she always missed the Apples, with their crazy traditions and family closeness. The workers were quite frankly, very dull. They weren't even close to family, the sudden change from strong family bonds and warmth to the feeling of no common ground with the people around her had left a long affect of loneliness on AJ. Sometimes when Applejack felt especially lonesome, she talked to the spirits of her dead ancestors and descendants, hopeful they would maybe one day respond. She sometimes wondered if maybe she was also delusional for thinking they could hear her but she couldn't help it, it made her happy and filled her with comfort as well as hope.Applejack sighed as millions of thought raced through her head, leaving her with a headache. She was to old for ghosts and make-believe, but maybe this was a exception? She smiled weakly and looked upwards, her eyes beginning to water as she pictured her younger sister Apple Bloom there next to her.
"Apple bloom, how are ya? What's it like bein' dead?" the old mare rasped quietly as she sat just outside her door, tears forming at the corner of her eyes as she silently waited for a response. She sat still, waiting for a reply with a small smile, but the smile soon faded and the mare lowered her head a bit looking downwards at the old floorboards. She longed to speak with her little sister. Apple Bloom had died too young. Everyone had seemed to have died too young. This long life was cruel in a certain sense, but life is too beautiful to not live long. Not that you can really decide. Applejack sighed as she gradually and calmly rose from the ground, accepting the fact that Apple Blooms sweet voice wouldn't grace her ears like it used to. Her friends wouldn't come to the farm and invite her out to play. Granny Smith wouldn't be up to her usual shenanigans, Applejack only had memories of the simple things her peers and friends would do.
She hobbled her way back over to her bed, for her old bones had gotten too weak to just sit on the cold ground and think for so long. She crawled back into bed, still warm from her body heat. She closed her eyes and thought about her family. She rolled onto her side as she was suddenly flooded with memories of her brother, Granny Smith, and Apple Bloom. She choked back a tear as she remembered the day Apple Bloom received her cutie mark. Everything became fuzzy, she felt like she was floating as the memories began to all blur. She embraced the warm darkness surrounding her, and gladly accepted her death, a tear slowly falling down her cheek as she smiled lightly. As she was being consumed by the warmth around her, the memories slowly clarified. She was suddenly surrounded by all her long dead relatives, Caramel Apple, Red Delicious, Apple Strudel, Big Mac, Apple Bloom, and even Granny Smith appeared before Applejack. As they stood around her smiling, she realized this wasn't any event she experienced in Equestria. She grinned and a new surge tears streaked her face as she realized she had finally returned to the family she missed so dearly. All the ponies around her looked magnificent, far better than the ever had at any moment in Equestria. As she felt all the burdens and pains that had piled up in her past life slip away, she slowly trotted up to those ahead of her. She closed her eyes and thought one last time of her past and those she had left behind. Applejack then slowly disappeared as she took her place among the long dead. She had lived a full and pleasant life so it was only appropriate to accept death as a blessing, just like life is.
