> One less Apple
>  by dumbficwriterisdumb
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Good days gone
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Granny Smith looked out serenely from her rocking chair at Sweet Apple Acres as Big Mac, Applejack, and Applebloom were working the fields, preparing for harvest. Not a single fruit bat or injury disturbed their work, but Granny felt useless that all she could do was watch them idly. She had been a sprightly young mare back in her day, but she sighed as she thought about her bad hip and how she couldn't buck apples anymore. After spending what seemed like several hours sitting in her chair, she finally got up and addressed the three ponies.
"Well, it's about time you young'uns took a break," Granny Smith called out to them. "You come on over to the barn and I'll get the cider going."
Applebloom raced ahead, excited to taste Granny's famous cider, while Applejack and Big Mac ambled along behind her, exhausted from the days work. It wasn't long before everypony was sitting down at a picnic table downing large mugs of fresh cider. Granny Smith sat besides Applebloom as she drank hers. 
"Your cider is always the best, Granny," Applebloom chirped enthusiastically. "It's no wonder everypony lines up to our barn for cider season."
"You're darn tootin'," Granny Smith replied. "This recipe has been going on for generations, and it will go on for generations more."
"Eeyup," Big Mac said heartily.
"I'm just glad that nothing bad has happened so far," Applejack commented. "It's not unusual for some bump in the road to happen during harvest season, but I'll be darned! Nothing's been happening so far and I couldn't be happier."
"Don't jinx it, Applejack," Applebloom replied jokingly. All of them laughed and had more hearty servings of cider.
"Well, don't the time just fly so fast?" Granny Smith commented. "Fiddlesticks! If we're going to have a good harvest, y'all best be gettin' back to work. I sure wish I could help you with the bucking, but my hip just ain't what it was when I was younger." Applebloom sighed, but Big Mac and Applejack seemed relieved to be getting back to work.
"If you young'uns need anything, I'll be right here making more cider for y'all," Granny Smith called out as they headed back to the fields. "And I won't forget about that zap apple jam either. Y'all can come back now and have it on toast when you're ready." Applejack and Big Mac waved back to Granny Smith as they returned to the orchard and continued bucking the trees until sunset.
Six days had passed since their initial start of the harvest, and Applebloom returned home from school. Despite that she was tired after a long day at school, Applebloom was excited to begin another days work for harvest; she always had fun bucking the trees with her siblings, and Granny Smith always made the best cider when they took breaks. When it came time for a break from their work, Applebloom hurried ahead to meet Granny Smith at the barn. When she arrived at the barn, Granny Smith wasn't there. 
"Applejack? Big Mac? Where's Granny?" Applebloom asked with worry in her voice. Applejack and Big Mac were silent for a few moments before she thought of a gentle reply.
"Applebloom, Granny Smith ain't feeling well right now," Applejack replied. "She's up in bed resting."
"Oh no, really?" Applebloom asked with sad confusion. "She told me yesterday that she'd be making more cider for today."
"That was yesterday. This is now," Big Mac said bluntly. Applebloom looked on at Applejack and Big Mac hopefully.
"It's ok. She's going to get better and then we'll make some more cider, right?" 
Applejack sighed. "We'll see, Applebloom," she replied, "She'll probably be ok after a visit with the doctor."
"Probably? What's that supposed to mean?" Applebloom asked anxiously.
"Nothing. Now, why don't you and Big Mac get back to harvesting? I've got some chores I should do around the house."
"But what about you, Applejack?"
"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. Now get going, if you want to get a good harvest."
Applebloom sighed, but she followed Big Mac back into the orchard. Applejack stayed behind to help take care of Granny. Over the last few days, Granny's hip had gotten a lot worse. She could hardly stand on her own at this point and was almost bedridden that day. Granny should have stayed in bed for several days before, but it was only today that she finally relented and swallowed her pride. Granny Smith had always been a stubborn mare. It was also a miracle that Applebloom hadn't noticed Granny's decreased mobility as Granny had kept her pain hidden very well; it was even hard for Applejack to tell until she had fallen over earlier today. After giving it much thought, Applejack called one of the Ponyville doctors and scheduled an appointment for Granny. Even though Granny was proud and might resist, Applejack knew that she needed to see a doctor. 
The next day, Applejack took Granny Smith to the Ponyville hospital as scheduled to see the doctor, much to Granny Smith's chagrin. Though Granny was able to amble along with Applejack, she protested heavily almost the whole trip.
"Doggonit, Applejack," Granny grumbled. "It was only one day of hurting. One sick day is nothing to get worked up over."
"I know Granny," Applejack replied, "But that darn hip of yours has been hurting for far too long now. Try as you might, I've seen you struggle to move, and there's no hiding anything from me."
"And I'm telling you that this is a waste of time," Granny Smith said. "I've been sore for quite some time now, and I've never complained, and I don't plan on complaining about it now." 
"And that's just the problem. You shouldn't have to be so sore for that long. This is why I'm taking you to the doctor."
Granny Smith grumbled, but didn't say anything more. She knew that once Applejack set her mind on something, it would get done no matter what. She supposed that her stubborn nature ran in the family because she remembered her father being the same way. When they finally arrived at the hospital, they waited in the waiting room for what seemed like a very long time, but in reality they only waited for approximately 45 minutes. 
"Granny Smith," one of the nurses called out. "The doctor is ready to see you."
The old mare got up unsteadily, and Applejack helped Granny Smith into the physician's room. When Applejack was sure that Granny Smith was ok to be alone in the room, she went back into the waiting room, uncertainty plaguing her mind.
Granny Smith sat on the doctor's bench and glared at him.
"Now listen here, young'un," she said to the doctor indignantly, "You and I both know that this is a waste of time. I'm as dandy as a dandelion and don't need no help."
The doctor smiled politely and said, "I'll take your word for it, Granny. We're just here to fix what ails you and send you on your way." He was used to old ponies proudly refusing his help, and Granny Smith was no different than the others.
"Fine. Just get this over with so I can go back to the farm. I've got cider to make, and it ain't going to make itself," Granny Smith said reluctantly. 
The doctor pulled out his clipboard and began to ask her several questions. "So how long would you say your hip has been bothering you?" he asked politely.
"Gosh, I don't even know. It's probably been years, but for some reason it's been worse than usual. Probably because of all that cider making."
"Is there anything else that bothers you other than your hip?"
"Well, my front legs have begun to get a little unsteady, but it ain't anything bed rest can't cure."
"I see. Come with me, and we'll get you an X-ray right away."
Granny followed the doctor into a large white room with a huge machine in it. She put on a standard hospital gown as she stepped into the large machine to take her X-ray. "This had better not take long," Granny Smith thought to herself. "I've got to get home to oversee the harvest."
After several minutes, the X-rays were complete. The doctor looked at the X-rays and didn't find anything too unusual other than severe arthritis in her hip. Then the doctor took a closer look.
"Oh dear," he said soberly. What he had found in Granny Smith's front legs were a lot of small tumors. When he looked at the X-ray of Granny's hip again, he found several larger tumors gathered there, and some smaller tumors on her back legs as well. There was no easy way of getting this information to either Granny or Applejack.
"So what do you see, doc?" Granny Smith asked slightly impatiently. "Am I fine as pie, or what?"
"Granny, you should come and see these X-rays," the doctor replied sadly. "You need immediate medical attention." The doctor showed Granny Smith all of her X-rays, and Granny Smith gasped with fear.
"I'm afraid that you have cancer, and it appears to be very malignant. At this rate, you may only have a month to live at most. I'll go get Applejack," the doctor said soberly. Granny only looked on with sad fear and sat on the ground.
The doctor returned to the waiting room and called out for Applejack, and Applejack immediately followed. The doctor showed Applejack the X-rays and delivered the terrible news. Applejack cried and hugged Granny Smith. 
"We'll have a bed prepared for Granny right away," the doctor said. "It's best that she get some rest in the hospital while we figure out a treatment plan." Applejack nodded solemnly in agreement as she left the hospital, head hung low.
When she returned home, Big Mac and Applebloom greeted her.
"How did the doctor's appointment go?" Applebloom asked curiously. "And where's Granny?" Applejack couldn't answer; she only hung her head low to hide her tears. Big Mac, sensing her distress, hugged Applejack. 
"Applebloom," Applejack said sadly, "Granny's not coming home."
"What? Why not?" Applebloom asked in disbelief. Applejack sighed heavily as she tried to tell the truth.
"Applebloom," Applejack said, "Granny Smith is dying."
> Sadness and sorrow
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	It had been two weeks since the doctor's initial diagnosis, and Granny Smith had gotten a lot worse. There were multiple IV drips in her veins to keep her hydrated as she became too nauseas to eat or drink. Applebloom, Applejack, and Big Mac came over to visit her. Though Granny resented having to rest in a bed all day, she was very happy to see them.
"Well, lookie here," Granny Smith said happily. "How are my favorite ponies doing?"
Applejack tried to muster a smile, but Applebloom and Big Mac were visibly upset to see Granny in her current condition. Applebloom walked besides Granny's bed.
"It's not fair Granny!" Applebloom said as she tried to hold back her tears, "You said you'd come home from the doctor's as soon as possible!"
"I know what I said, Applebloom," Granny Smith said sadly, "But it appears that we've had a change of plans. I hate not being able to see you every day. It just breaks my heart."
"And you said that we were going to have cider together," Applebloom cried, "You promise that you'll come home, won't you?"
"That's enough, Applebloom!" Applejack said firmly. "You know we can't change the way things are." 
Applebloom glared at Applejack. "You jinxed it!" Applebloom said angrily to Applejack. "You said that nothing would go wrong at harvest, and now look!" Applejack wanted to make a comeback, but Big Mac motioned her not to do it. Applejack and Big Mac just watched sadly as Applebloom ran out of the hospital room in tears. They turned soberly to Granny Smith, who was watching everything. Despite their obvious sadness, Granny smiled at them.
"Don't mind her, Applejack," Granny said gently. "She'll come around eventually. This is hard for all of us, especially for a little filly. Poor Applebloom." 
"Eeyup," Big Mac replied.
"I'm so glad to see you're doing well, um, despite everything," Applejack said as she mustered little enthusiasm. Granny simply smiled back at her, too tired to talk. Shortly after, one of the nurses came in and told them that visiting hours were over. Big Mac and Applejack said their goodbyes tentatively, not sure if they would see her again. 
Meanwhile in the waiting room, Applebloom was crying. Even though she logically knew that Applejack couldn't have really jinxed the situation, it was the only plausible explanation that she could come up with in her mind. It had seemed that the minute Applejack had commented about the harvest, everything started to go downhill. Applebloom tried to think about a logical explanation for Granny's sudden sickness, but in her warped emotional state, she couldn't think of anything. The more she tried to think about it, the only conclusion she could come up with was that there was nothing logical about Granny's illness. Granny Smith had been just fine for the past five days, so why was she dying now?
When Applejack and Big Mac finally left the hospital room, they found Applebloom crying in the waiting room.
"It's not fair. You jinxed it," she kept repeating to herself. Applejack looked at her sister sadly as she eventually cried herself to sleep. Big Mac picked her up and put her on his back, and they walked home, unsure of what to do next.
The call from the doctor came two days later. He had told Applejack that Granny had died peacefully in her sleep. Applejack and Big Mac were besides themselves with grief. Granny had raised the three of them ever since their parents were gone, and it was a fresh blow to hear that their most prominent mother figure in their family was gone. 
"How are we going to tell Applebloom? She's a wreck as it is," Big Mac said worriedly to Applejack. Applejack paused for a moment as she tried to think of ways to break the bad news as gently as possible. In the end, Applejack couldn't find any good solutions.
"We're just going to have to tell it to her in a matter of fact manner," Applejack replied. "There's just no getting around it."
When Applebloom had gotten home from school, Applejack and Big Mac were there to greet her. Applebloom looked puzzled for a moment.	
"Applejack, aren't we supposed to go visit Granny?" Applebloom asked. Applejack and Big Mac hugged her tightly.
"I'm so sorry Applebloom," Applejack said as she tried holding back tears, "But she's gone."
"Gone?!" Applebloom exclaimed. "No! She can't be gone! We were supposed to visit her today!" Big Mac looked at her sadly as tears started to stream down her face.
"I know," Big Mac said solemnly, "But she's not suffering anymore." Applejack tried to say something, but couldn't think of anything as she watched Applebloom cry. All she could do was listen sadly as she continued to sob, and soon both Applejack and Big Mac found themselves crying together as well.
The funeral was held two days after Granny had died. There was a viewing, but Applejack didn't want Applebloom to go. She thought that seeing her in the coffin would trigger an emotional roller coaster in Applebloom, so Applejack stayed with her as Big Mac and other members of the Apple family paid their respects. Applejack treated Applebloom to ice cream down at Sugar Cube Corner while the viewing was going on shortly before the funeral. Even though Applejack got Applebloom her favorite flavors, she still pouted; not even the best ice cream or sugary treats in all of Equestria could get her out of the dumps. Applejack didn't order anything; she was too sad to be hungry. Applebloom had also hardly touched her ice cream before throwing it away.
"I'm sorry for the way things have been, sugar cube," Applejack said gently. "But I'm positive that Granny Smith is in a better place."
"But what place is better than Sweet Apple Acres, or even better than Ponyville?" Applebloom asked sadly. Applejack looked at her with kind eyes.
"You'll understand when you're older, Applebloom," Applejack said gently. Applebloom looked up at her sister.
"But I don't want to understand when I'm older," Applebloom whined. "I want to understand now."
"The truth is, Applebloom, is that nopony can really understand it. We just have to learn to accept it and move on." 
Applebloom pouted. She was very accustomed to Applejack's honesty, but not even the clearest truth could clear the confusion building up in her head. 
"Come on, Applebloom," Applejack said solemnly. "The service will be starting soon." Applebloom followed her sister, and more and more questions started building up in her head. Why didn't anypony notice Granny was sick? Why couldn't the doctor make her better? How could Granny seem perfectly fine one day, and then be dead the next? These questions rolled around Applebloom's head like heavy rocks banging in her brain, and it only grew more painful as they continued to walk. When they finally arrived for the service in the park, neither Applebloom nor Applejack could hold back their tears anymore. Big Mac just zoned out the entire service, seemingly unaware of what was going on. At the end of the service, Granny Smith was buried next to the oldest tree in Sweet Apple Acres in her honor. The three siblings sadly walked back to the barn and tried to continue on with the harvest.
	
> The aftermath
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	It had been five days after the funeral, and a heavy air of sadness hung over the Apple siblings like a perpetually dark cloud. Applebloom was now constantly getting in trouble at school, Big Mac was working himself to the bone all day, every day, and Applejack couldn't bring herself to buck a single tree or eat one apple. Applebloom came home from school exhausted from the long day and wanted nothing more than to go upstairs to her room to be by herself. Applejack apprehended her as soon as she walked in.
"Good to see you here, Applebloom," Applejack said. "Big Mac has been working the harvest all day, and he could really use your help."
Applebloom glared at Applejack. "Then why aren't you helping him?" Applebloom asked angrily. "You've been here all day and you've done nothing!" 
"Don't talk that way to your big sister!" Applejack huffed, "And I have been doing things. I've been taking care of all of the chores around the house today while you were getting in more trouble at school! Why, you ought to be grounded for your attitude!"
"You're not my mom!" Applebloom shouted, "And you ain't Granny, neither!" Applebloom stormed off to her room as Applejack was seething downstairs. Big Mac finally came into the house for a glass of water. He looked very pale and tired, and also looked unusually thin. Applejack looked at him worriedly.
"Big Mac! Haven't you gotten any sleep over the past five days?" Applejack asked. Big Mac simply shook his head, too exhausted to form words.
"You need bed rest now," Applejack said firmly. "You've been harvesting all the livelong day! Just at least promise me that you'll take a break." 
Big Mac ignored her as he got himself a glass of water and went straight back to the orchard. Applejack continued to call out for him, but to no avail. As she watched him leave for the orchard, Applejack felt completely helpless. She tried to continue to do her chores half-heartedly, but all she was able to do was look out the window listlessly in the chair that Granny Smith used to sit in.
Applebloom continued to become more and more unhappy. Life could never be the same again after Granny Smith had passed away, but sometimes Applebloom had forgotten she was gone. Though Applebloom didn't mean to be rude to her siblings, she found that she couldn't help it and lashed out often. Applebloom often sat in the Cutie Mark Crusader clubhouse by herself and tried in vain to look for Granny Smith on the days she had forgotten that she was gone. One day, as Applebloom was looking hopelessly out of the clubhouse window, Applejack came up to check on her.
"You ok up there, sugar cube?" Applejack asked with concern, calling up to the window. Applebloom peeked through the window down at Applejack.
"I'm fine," said Applebloom. "I'll come down in a minute."
"You've been up there all day," Applejack replied firmly. "You need to come down here now."
Applebloom glared at Applejack down the window. "Leave me alone!" she shouted down to her. "I don't want you here!"
Applejack tried to think of something to say, but she couldn't think of anything that would comfort her sister. Though she continued to worry about Applebloom's well-being, she walked away from the clubhouse, dejected and defeated. When Applebloom saw her leave, she continued to look down from the clubhouse, tears blurring her vision.
The next day when Applebloom came home from school, she was covered in bruises. Applejack saw this and immediately ran up to her, her fear building up inside of her like a volcano about to erupt.
"Applebloom! What in tarnation happened to you?" Applejack exclaimed with fear. Applebloom sighed with exasperation.
"Nothing," she replied curtly. "I just tripped." 
Applejack sighed sadly. "Look, sugar cube," Applejack said, "I know you miss Granny. We all miss Granny very much, but I need you now more than ever to be completely honest with me. I'm sorry if I've hurt your feelings by being too hard with you, but you don't know how worried I am about you. We're all worried about you, and I can't help you unless you tell me the truth." Applebloom looked up at her sister, and tears started to form in both of their eyes. 
"I got in another fight at school," Applebloom said as she finally relented, "And I got beat up pretty good." Applejack gasped, but tried her best not to get angry with her.
"A fight? Why on earth did you get in a fight?" 
Applebloom sighed. "I don't know. It just sort of happened. Well, me and this other filly were arguing over who should go first to play hopscotch, and I guess it escalated for no real reason." Applejack looked at Applebloom, puzzled, but she did her best not to pass judgment. 
"I know it sounds a might silly," Applebloom continued, "But I've just been getting angry for the dumbest reasons. Applejack, does that make me a bad pony?" Applejack looked down at her sister with affection.
"No, it don't," Applejack said gently. "It's normal to feel anger after you lose somepony you love, but you have to promise me that you won't get into any more trouble, you hear?" Applebloom was surprised at how gently Applejack was treating her; normally Applejack would have grounded her on the spot for such insolence.
"I'm sorry for the way I've been treating you," Applebloom said sadly. "I know you mean well." Applejack hugged Applebloom tightly.
"Would a nice cup of cider cheer you up? I made it myself," Applejack said soothingly. Applebloom hung her head low.
"But it ain't Granny's cider," she replied. "I want Granny to make the cider. I want Granny to come and tuck me in at night like she always did. I just want her back." Applejack looked down at her sister sadly.
"We all wish Granny was still here," Applejack said. "Believe me."
After Applejack and Applebloom had talked, the fighting between them became less frequent. Though Big Mac was finally getting some sleep due to sheer exhaustion, he still worked almost the entire day and never took any breaks. Applejack watched helplessly as the life that she had built for her family continued to fall apart, and all she could do was look listlessly out the window. One night, when all hope seemed lost, Applebloom came down from her room and sat next to Applejack, who was still looking out of the window.
"Applejack, I can't sleep," Applebloom said tiredly. Applejack looked at her with equally tired eyes.
"Don't know what I can do for you there, sugar cube," Applejack said. "Just go back upstairs and go back to bed."
"But I can't," Applebloom said sadly. "Can you tell me a story?"
"A story? Aren't you a little old for bedtime stories?"
"I know, but can you do it anyways?" Applebloom pleaded, "Like Granny used to do?"
Applejack sighed, but relented; the last thing she wanted to do was start a fight in the middle of the night over something so trivial. "What story do you want me to read?" Applejack asked.
Applebloom paused for a moment. "Actually, can you make up a story? About Granny?" Applebloom asked sadly.
"Make one up? I'm no good at that," Applejack said. Applebloom looked up at her with sad eyes, and then Applejack said, "I'll try, but it won't be any good." With that said, Applejack began her story.
"Once upon a time, there was a mare named Granny Smith. She was the envy of all of Equestria because she was smart, talented, and beautiful. Granny Smith was a pioneer pony back in the day, and she had founded Ponyville and created zap apple jam. Everypony she met adored her. When Granny was older she married our grandpa Applepie. They lived a long and happy life together, and she gave birth to our mother, Candyapple. Granny Smith loved Candyapple with all her heart, and raised us when she and dad were gone. Granny would always play games with us, and read us stories. Her cider was the best in all of Equestria, and there was nopony who didn't want to taste it. Granny Smith loved all of us very much."
Applejack began to trail off as tears formed in her eyes, but much to her relief, Applebloom had fallen asleep. Applejack picked her up and carried her back to her room. "Sleep tight, Applebloom," Applejack whispered as she lay her in her bed.