Resting under the leaves of Bloomberg Jr. had become something of a birthday tradition for Applejack. It did not matter that the trip up the relatively stout hill was becoming harder and harder on her creaky old legs; whenever she reached the top and felt that firm bark on her back, those strong roots under her legs, she was content. It gave her a chance to really think back on the day…and on the years that stretched out wider and wider before it.
This year’s party in particular had been quite an experience; even though Pinkie was no longer around to help throw them…even as old faces left and new ones came…she could still smile at the warm memories and happy moments shared with loved ones. Apple Bloom’s gift had been especially wonderful: she had officially announced her engagement! Even now, Applejack was beaming with pride strong enough to bring a gleam of her old orange back to her faded brown coat. She simply could not wait for the Wedding.
But as she entered Bloomberg Jr.’s comforting shade, the aged Earth Pony found herself face to face with a vision she knew could not possibly be real.
“Happy Birthday, darling,” Rarity greeted in her all-too-familiar sing-song voice, a strange ethereal echo to it. ”It’s been too long.”
Applejack stared at the unicorn lying in front of the tree with eyes wide and unbelieving. Her coat was even more white now than Applejack remembered; it practically glowed in the mid-day sun. ”You…you can’t be here….” the Earth Pony whispered, even as her mind shouted a thousand different things instead; I’ve missed you so much. Even if you’re not real, I am so happy to see you again. You left too soon.
She received an all-too-Rarity smile in reply. ”Come now, dearie, if all our adventures together taught us anything, surely it’s that anything is possible?”
“Not…not this,” Applejack replied, “No matter…no matter how much I wish it were.”
Nonetheless, she found herself settling down next to the unicorn. ”Perhaps I’m simply just in your mind, then,” Rarity said, nestling her head on Applejack’s haunch, “or maybe I’m just the messenger telling you what you know in your heart. Either way, you know it means something when I say it’s time. To be with me, and Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie.”
“I’d…I’d like to be, truly,” Applejack said softly, and she did; no matter how close she got to the specter before her it felt too far away, and it drove her aged body wild. ”But…I can’t go just yet. Apple Bloom…she’s gettin’ married soon. And I ain’t leavin’ without makin’ sure I see her through it.”
The unicorn laughed a little, letting her snout nuzzle along Applejack’s back. ”Stubborn as ever, I see,” she said. ”But I understand. Do take care, darling. ’Til next we meet….”
And suddenly Applejack was alone.
A few birthdays later, and Apple Bloom had been happily wed. The ceremony had been magical to say the least; Princess Twilight Sparkle herself had officiated, and every last Apple in all Equestria had managed to attend. That had been a couple years ago, and now Applejack once again found herself trekking up to Bloomberg Jr., ignoring how much each step hurt. It was nothing in comparison to the happiness she felt at getting to see how much her sister glowed alongside her husband.
And again, she found she was not alone by the tree.
Big Macintosh was there waiting for her, his red hide glowing softly just as Rarity’s had, his voice carrying that same gentle echo. ”H’lo there, sis,” he greeted calmly. ”Happy Birthday.”
This time, surprise only lasted for a moment; instead, she was quicker to embrace the joy of seeing another familiar face she had been forced to say goodbye to long ago. ”Hello t’you too, brother,” she replied, sagging down to the ground as she crested the hill.
“Heard our littlest Apple went ‘n’ got hitched,” the clydesdale said proudly, “Only wish I coulda been there myself.”
“It was somethin’, Big Macintosh,” Applejack sighed happily, blowing a frayed strand of graying hair out of her face. ”I think it mighta been a bit too loud for ya, though.”
He shrugged, tousling her hat playfully. ”Seems like a pretty high note t’go out on,” he told her, a strange mix of love and firmness to his words. “‘Specially since I can tell how tired ya are.”
Applejack groaned a little as she stretched out. “‘Tired’ is undersellin’ it,” she said, “but…well, I ain’t ready just yet. Apple Bloom ‘n’ her new hubby…they’re thinkin’ ‘bout havin’ foals soon, ‘n’ she’ll need me there t’help her figure out what’s what.”
Big Macintosh sighed a little, giving his sister a gentle push to the shoulder. ”Stubborn as the day is long,” he said. ”Some things never change.”
The younger sibling felt her eyes fluttering closed. ”I promise,” she said, “you ‘n’ Granny ‘n’ the girls…I…I’ll be with ya soon. Just…just a little longer.”
And Applejack was again alone.
A few more birthdays passed. The leaves had begun to fall off Bloomberg Jr., and the fields of Sweet Apple Acres found themselves regularly played through by the wild pair of fillies Apple Bloom had mothered. It was, admittedly, a little hard for Applejack to make out their latest antics through her one good eye, but she could see enough to smile as wide as her cracking lips would allow. ”Good kids…” she wheezed as she made her annual trip up the hill.
And as she had come to expect, there was somepony waiting for her. This time, though, it was two someponies.
Where Rarity and Big Macintosh had glowed, this pair shined like shooting stars, and Applejack felt her cheeks already lined with tears as she croaked out, “I…I was hopin’ it’d be you this time.”
“Happy Birthday, sweetheart,” one of them spoke with a father’s love. ”Did ya have a good one?”
Applejack nodded as she nestled between them; she was older now than they had been when she had lost them, yet she still felt like a foal in their presence. A mother’s caring voice said, “You ain’t wearin’ my hat today, darlin’.”
“I…gave it to Apple Bloom this mornin’,” Applejack said, each word wispy, each breath strained, “Told her…told her we was both ready for that.”
“And are you?” the father asked.
“I think so…” Applejack answered, focusing her good eye out on the farm as best she could. ”Apple Bloom’s marriage is goin’ swell, her kids’re doin’ great…I don’t think there’s anythin’ left she needs from me.”
She felt a lump in her throat. ”I…I’ll miss her, though. I wish…I wish there was more time….”
Her mother nestled against her cheek. ”That’s the thing ‘bout time, Sugarcube. Ya always wish ya had more.”
Again, Applejack nodded. But she took comfort as her eyes closed and her breath slowed. She would see Rarity again. And Big Macintosh. And her parents. And one day, Apple Bloom too.
And so she left with a smile on her face.
Author's Note
Another short story written for "Thirty Minute Pony Prompts", for the Prompt "The guide between life and death." I was initially less than enthused with how it came out, but I have to admit reading it over I'm actually pretty happy with it. I hope everypony else is too. :)
