//------------------------------// // Showdown at Sweet Apple Acres // Story: The Rotten Pear // by Catrina37 //------------------------------// Chapter 2: Showdown in Sweet Apple Acres Applejack, Big Mac, and Megan gave first aid to the two injured farmers, a white medical kit with them to help with their mission, such as putting bandages on what hurt the most from the cart crashing. While they did, Grand Pear was sitting nearby, looking at a puddle containing his reflection. The puddle contained not just his reflection, but also an expression of melancholy. As if he could barely look at himself anymore, he stamps one of his front hooves down into the puddle, causing a splash, and making the water ripple. He closes his eyes as he kept his hoof in the water. “Oh, my son,” he muttered to himself, “Why did things have to come this way?” “Applejack!” a female voice suddenly calls out. His ears perked high, he stands up and turns himself around to find Twilight and the rest of the Main 6 and Spike approaching Applejack, while Big Mac and Megan continued attending to the injured. “Applejack, I heard there was trouble in the Farmer’s Market,” Twilight said with concern, “What happened?” “It’s a long story, Twi. Kinda hard to explain, really.” Applejack said. “I can explain it for you, Applejack,” Grand Pear speaks up. The entire Main 6 turn their attention towards Grand Pear. “You must be Grand Pear.” Twilight said. “Indeed I am, Princess Twilight.” Grand Pear says with a bow. “Applejack told us about the delightful love story of her parents,” Rarity quivered, “So much romance and feels.” “Well...there are some parts about me that I could have rewritten,” Grand Pear dropped his head glumly. “Hey! Your mistakes are all in the past, Old Timer.” Rainbow Dash consoles. “Besides, what’s a love story without a nemesis to test the love of the lovers.” Pinkie said. "Oh yes.” Fluttershy agrees. “Forget the love story,” Spike speaks up, “Who was the pony that attacked the Farmers’ Market?” With a sigh, Grand Pear decides to go ahead and tell them. “The one causing trouble all the trouble here...was my son, Peary Bits,” Grand Pear said, “I’m very sorry, Princess Twilight.” “You don’t have to apologize, sir,” Twilight says to him, “But, why would your son do all of this?” “He’s been that way ever since I left for Van Hoover,” Grand Pear said, “I’ll explain everything at Sweet Apple Acres.” **** A little while later...At Sweet Apple Acres... Granny Smith was in the kitchen with Apple Bloom. They were making some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch for when the others got back from all the hard work at the Market. Just after Granny finished using a knife for spreading peanut butter on a piece of bread, she heard the front door open. Apple Bloom heard it as well. They saw Applejack, Big Mac, and Megan, with Grand Pear and the rest of the Mane Six close behind. “Applejack, if you’re gonna bring company over here, help me make more lunches next time.” said Granny. “Hi, Granny. Apple Bloom,” Grand Pear said. “Grand Pear!” Apple Bloom exclaims, running over to give him a big old hug. Grand Pear returns the embrace. “Well, how ya doin’, you prickly pear?” “Pretty good, you old crabapple.” The two elders gave each other a hoof bump. “Granny, a stallion came and knocked over every fruit cart in the Market, including our cart!” Applejack said. “What?!” Granny screamed. “Was anypony hurt?” Apple Bloom asked. “Eeyup. But he didn’t care.” Big Mac said. “Our biggest shock however is what Grand Pear told us about him while we were there.” Megan said. Granny Smith raised a confused eyebrow at what she was just told. “I’m sorry about what he did to the cart, Granny,” Grand Pear said, “I’ll pay the damages.” “The cart vandal someone you know?” Granny asked. “Yes. He’s my son, Peary Bits.” “Peary? You mean that youngin’ who snuck into my farm once to taste my apple butter? That Peary Bits?” Grand Pear nodded yes. “Strange. Even for a pear, he was a sweet kid.” Granny said. “So you knew our uncle, Granny?” Applejack asked. “You’re darn tootin’,” she responds, “I never told anyone, but, even though the Apples and Pears were rivals at the time of his youth, after the day he was about to taste my apple butter, he and I interacted every now and then to where we grew very friendly with one another.” Grand Pear chuckled, “And even though I would’ve stopped it, I actually decided to let it keep going. I felt that it was good for my son.” “For that I was much obliged,” Granny Smith commented, “But, Grand Pear, what happened to him that caused him to change from a sweet kid to a cart vandal?” "Well…” Before Grand Pear could say anything, a ruckus was going on outside. There was the sound of struggling and tussling, as well as the sound of shouting. “There he is! Get him!” a voice shouts. “Take your hooves off of me!” another voice shouts. “We won’t let you get away with this!” a third voice shouts. “What’s that?” Megan asks. The Mane 6, Megan, and Grand Pear run outside to see what’s going on and saw Flim and Flam getting into a fight and dog-piling over Peary Bits. “I’ll buck you into Tartarus, for this!” Peary Bits yells angrily at the brothers. “Yay, well even if you did, we could use our horns blindfolded!” Flam warns Peary. “Quite right, brother of mine!” Film agrees. “Hey! What’s goin’ on!?!” Applejack shouts as she runs over to the three. The three ponies turn their attention to see Applejack running towards them. “Applejack! Thank Celestia. We just came by for a visit when we caught this hooligan trying to spray black paint all over your barn.” Flim said. “It’s just a barn belonging to sour apples!” Peary Bits said. “Watch your tongue, boy! One apple helped me mend fences with my brother back in Las Pegasus!” Flam said. Peary bucked the two off himself and faced Flam. “You lookin’ for trouble, Apple Lover?” Peary mouthed, using a hoof to kick dirt back. “I’d be obliged!” Flam said, readying his horn. The two ponies charged at each other, but before they could, Flim and Grand Pear blocked their path while glaring at them. “Don’t get this stallion started, Flam,” Flim said, “Besides, fighting does nothing except cause messes!” “Listen to this pony, Peary!” Grand Pear said, before grabbing Peary by the ear, “Now it’s time to go home to your mother!” He drags his don out of Sweet Apple Acres, all the while Peary screamed “OW!” as he was dragged away. “Be right back!” Grand Pear said. Finding that everything seemed to be under control, the Main Six and Megan head back inside of the house, with Flim and Flam following close behind because it seemed like they were here for more than just a visit. What everyone didn’t know however is that Apple Bloom was also outside with them, hiding behind a barrel. Having grown curious about what was happening, she followed everyone outside. “I better follow Grand Pear,” Apple Bloom said to herself. With careful footing, careful hiding. as well as excellently being quiet, Apple Bloom followed her grandfather, with the pulled-on-the-ear Peary Bits in tow of him.