Applejack trotted gently past several ponies bucking trees around her. A sunset drew a crimson curtain over the landscape, making everything rosy and dreamlike. In the distance, Pinkie Pie sang a quirky song, and it brought chuckles to most of the adults and teenagers sweating it out.
Applejack looked to her left. Golden Harvest and the rest of her family waved kindly at the teenager.
Applejack waved back. She looked to her right. Distant relations worked on another row of trees. One petite pony in particular looked at her: a gentle stallion, or perhaps a brown mane'd mare. Applejack couldn't make the figure out in the sunsetlight, but the bashful smile and gentle hoof-wave she received was as sincere as ever.
Applejack returned the gesture. Then, with a heavy breath, she looked straight ahead at the target of her stroll.
Big Macintosh was busy heaving several stacks of baskets into the back of a wagon. The effortless way in which he tackled the laborious task made Applejack instantly jealous. But that wasn't why she was here.
"Ahem..." Applejack managed.
Big Mac finished with one last shove of the wooden containers and turned to look down at his younger sister. He smiled delicately.
"So..." Applejack rubbed the back of her neck. "...Granny Smith talked you out of yer funk, huh?"
"Mmmmm..." Big Mac nodded. "Eeyup."
"And..." Applejack bit her lip. "...yer not mad at me for tryin' to tackle so much on my own?"
Big Mac shook his head. "Eenope." He suddenly squinted, then leaned forward to bat the golden end of her single ponytail.
"Eheh..." Applejack fidgeted, toying with her mane. "Guess you ain't the only apple tryin' on a new coat of shine. Huh?"
Big Mac nodded in silence.
Applejack looked up at him, smiling. The smile faded—however—as she asked: "Did... did you ever fix Grandpappy's old rusted plow?"
Big Macintosh sighed, his eyes falling to the floor. "Eenope." His ears drooped. He sniffled.
Applejack drifted forward. She raised two forelimbs.
Big Mac's eyes teared up. He leaned forward instantly and scooped Applejack into a deep hug. As soon as he felt her tender warmth, he shuddered... tears rolling down his red face.
The two siblings hugged each other tightly as their quiet sobs formed a mutual melody.
"We're gonna m-make it, Big Mac," Applejack whimpered, her voice tempered by a strong tone beyond the shudders. "Ya hear?" She patted his side as the two rocked in each other's embrace. "We're all gonna be just fine."
"Mmmm..." Big Mac nuzzled her neck, squeezing her shoulders. "E-eeyup." He sighed again, sniffling. "Eeyup."
The apples fell. As did the sun. And not long after darkness had washed over the land...
...the harvest was completely finished.