Ponyville Hospital was unusually silent today, this was because the Apple Family matriarch Granny Smith had been taken to the hospital after a terrible accident on the farm:
A few days earlier, Applejack was on Sweet Apple Acres bucking apples and Big Mac was plowing fields to make room for crops. Both of them looked over to see Granny Smith playing in a field with Apple Bloom and Winona.
Applejack smiled, "Aren't they adorable having fun together Big Mac?"
"Eeyup."
Apple Bloom had taken Granny Smith out to play fetch with Winona and get her away from her farm duties for one day.
"Isn't this fun Granny?"
Granny Smith hugged her granddaughter, "Applebloom, this is the most fun I've had in months." she said, "but you must know that it's still hard to keep up with you and Winona in my old age."
Applebloom smiled, "That's okay Granny. I'm just so happy you're out of the house and having a great time with me."
Winona barked in agreement.
"Aww, shucks."
Applebloom said, "Are you up for a game of tag Granny?"
"Sure thing Applebloom,"
Applebloom tapped her grandmother, "Tag! You're it!" Applebloom started running around Sweet Apple Acres.
Granny Smith chased after her granddaughter and dog, "Slow down, Sugarcube. I'm gonna get you!"
She and Applebloom began laughing as Winona was barking with glee.
Applejack looked at Big Mac and told him, "Look around Big Mac. Our little Applebloom and Granny Smith are playing together. It's so beautiful.” She smiled and then turned to her big brother. “Do you remember back when Ma and Pa were still alive?"
Big Mac nodded.
"Well there was that one time when they went on vacation for their wedding anniversary and Granny Smith was left to babysit us. We didn't want to do our farm chores and wanted to spend the whole weekend playing."
Big Mac began to talk, "Yeah. Granny spent the whole time trying to keep us in line, 'Get yer flanks back to work. Yeh can have playtime later!' We managed to convince Granny that a little fun wouldn't kill her. She reluctantly gave in and the three of us played on the field until the sun set."
Applejack sighed, "I'm so happy Applebloom gets to experience these fun times with Granny. These are the little things she'll remember for the rest of her-"
"APPLEJACK! BIG MAC! COME HERE! GRANNY FELL AND SHE NEEDS HELP!"
The older siblings ran over to find Granny Smith lying on the ground clutching her chest and moaning in pain.
"What happened?"
Applebloom started crying, "We were only playing tag when Granny Smith started to grab her chest. Next thing I know, she was on the ground moaning. We have to get her to the hospital immediately!"
Big Mac put his ailing grandmother on his back and Applejack ran inside to call an ambulance.
"911, what’s the emergency?”
Applejack said into the phone, "Hello, it's Applejack. I'm calling from Sweet Apple Acres. Granny Smith was just playing with my youngest sister and our dog when she just collapsed out in the field! Please send an ambulance and tell them to be here as soon as possible!"
"We're on our way Applejack. Don't worry."
Pretty soon, the ambulance from the Ponyville hospital arrived and loaded Granny Smith into the vehicle.
An ambulance worker told the panic-stricken siblings, "Don't worry about your grandmother. The hospital workers will take good care of her. She'll be back on her hooves in no time."
But that would not happen: when Granny Smith was at the hospital, Dr. Stable learned that she had a massive heart attack while playing tag with Applebloom and Winona.
None of the hospital staff could make Granny better no matter how hard they tried. Her heart had taken a lot of damage and it severely weakened her.
Nurse Sweetheart looked over at Granny Smith, who looked pale and sick, "We're so sorry, Miss Smith. We've tried everything to make you feel better since you went into cardiac arrest, but it looks like we can't do anymore."
Granny Smith sighed, "So I'll be dead soon?"
Nurse Sweetheart took a tissue and blew her nose, "We're so sorry. It's best that you call over your grandchildren so you can say your goodbyes."
In the present day, Applejack paced around nervously in the waiting room, Big Mac was trying not to cry, and Applebloom was nervously clinging to her fellow Crusaders.
Applebloom sighed, "Thanks for coming to the hospital with Applejack, Big Mac, and I for emotional support. I really didn't want to say goodbye to Granny Smith alone."
Scootaloo put her hoof around Applebloom, "This is no problem Applebloom. Everyone in Ponyville has been supporting you through this. We will all help you."
Despite the reassurance, Applebloom was still worried, "I'm just worried what will happen afterwards. What if nopony you shows up to the funeral? What if Sweet Apple Acres shuts down? What if foal services split me up from my siblings and place me in a foster home far away from Ponyville?"
She started hyperventilating.
Sweetie Belle hugged her, "You know that's not true. Granny Smith founded Ponyville. Everyone will come to say goodbye to her. We'll all help you out on managing the farm."
Applejack interrupted, "And everybody knows Big Mac and I are responsible adults. No foal services will take you away. Right Big Mac?"
"Eeyup."
Dr. Stable walked up to the family, "Excuse me. I hate to interrupt your conversation but Granny Smith wants you to come to her room to say goodbye."
Applejack said to her siblings, "Come on guys. We have to go see Granny."
Sweetie Belle asked, "Can we come to?"
Applejack nodded, "Sure, I don't see why not."
Dr. Stable led the five to Granny Smith's hospital room.
Applejack was shocked at the sight: Granny Smith was lying down in her hospital bed, her heart monitor was beeping at a slow, steady rate.
"It's worse than I thought."
Dr. Stable led them to her bedside, "I'll leave you five alone to do your business." he then walked out of the room.
Applejack was the first to speak, "Howdy, Granny. How are you feeling?"
Granny Smith said in a weak voice, "Hey Applejack, I'm so glad you come visit me. The doctors said my heart had severly weakened from that heart attack."
Applebloom ran up to her grandmother and hugged her, "It's all my fault! I should have never asked you to play tag! You wouldn't be here!"
"It's not yer fault Applebloom, things like these happen when you least expect it."
"Ah don't wanna lose you like we lost Ma and Pa."
Granny Smith smiled, "Don't worry sweetheart. I won't be out of your life altogether. I'll be going up to the Elysians where I'll reunite with yer folks."
Big Mac walked up, "Goodb-b-b-bye Granny." he said as his voice quavered.
All three siblings hugged Granny Smith and Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo joined in.
"Aww shucks kids. This isn't goodbye, think of it as a 'see you on the flip side'."
Applejack wiped her eyes, "We'll take good care of Applebloom and Sweet Apple Acres for you."
Granny Smith smiled, "I know you will sugarcube, I know you will."
She slowly closed her eyes and her heart monitor flatlined.
Applebloom hugged the Crusaders tightly and Big Mac instantly broke down and ran out of the room.
He passed by Dr. Stable and Nurse Sweetheart.
Dr. Stable took of his glasses to wipe away a tear, "I'm really sorry for your loss. You're free to leave as we prepare the body for the funeral home."
Applejack said, "Thanks doc. We have to go report this to Princess Twilight."
Applejack led the younger fillies out of the room but stopped to look at Granny Smith for the final time before Nurse Sweetheart put the sheet over her head.