//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: Friendship Existed: The Previous Generation // by MrAquino //------------------------------// It was a few months after the Apple siblings learned about their parents, and with Grand Pear coming back to let go of the old feud between him and Granny Smith to instead be the grandfather they need. Old habits die hard, as they say, but Grand Pear and Granny Smith agree that both the Apples and the Pears should set aside their grudges by arriving to Sweet Apple Acres. Of course, Applejack, Big Mac, and Applebloom were willing to help end a long feud, but even they knew they needed some help. The obvious party manager was Pinkie Pie, with the help of Twilight to keep everything organized, as well as Rainbow Dash making sure the weather was perfect, Rarity in making everything presentable, and Fluttershy in keeping the critters out and not disturb the get together. “Alright, that takes care of that.” Rainbow said, landing near Applejack. “No rain’s going to fall on you and ruin your gettogether.” “Ah appreciate it, Rainbow,” Applejack replied. “Ah’m just so worried that this here party won’t just fail, but bring an all out war between the Apples and the-” “All done!” Pinkie announced, popping out between the two. “We have equal parts apple related stuff with equal parts pear related stuff! All Rarity needs is directions to the thing your parents left.” “... Yeah… right… forgot about that...” “... Hey, it’s alright,” Rainbow spoke, placing a supportive hoof on AJ’s right shoulder. “I’m sure when everypony sees it, they’ll understand and be friends… or, at least, try.” “... Yeah, yer right… hopefully. Know where Twi, Rarity, and Fluttershy are at?” “Twilight’s triple checking after double checking the supplies needed, Rarity’s hanging the last of the decorations, and Fluttershy is checking the vampire fruit bats.” Pinkie replied. “...Right. Care to get them here?” Pinkie saluted. “On it!” She zoomed away, leaving only a pink cloud that was in her silhouette. Applejack lead the way with Twilight right behind her, followed by the rest with Pinkie leading a trail. “Oh, I can’t wait to see what they left behind!” Twilight spoke. “It must’ve been quite the sight when you first saw it, Applejack.” “It was,” Applejack replied. “Not just me, but fer everyone.” “I’m sure it’s going to be splendid, darling.” Rarity added. “I might need to spruce it up just-” “Don’t!” Applejack turned with a bit of venom in her tone. Twilight walked between the two. “We won’t,” she spoke. “Rarity, I don’t think we should do anything. This is personal for AJ, and we should respect it.” She turned to Applejack. “And I think you could’ve said it in a better tone.” “... Sorry ‘bout that,” Applejack said, turning and leading again. “I just want to show it as it is. Something like that shouldn’t be changed just to appeal to everyone, just-” She paused and stared ahead. “Oh dear,” Fluttershy began. “I thought I told the Vampire fruitbats to stay in their are and-” She paused and stared with Applejack. The rest followed and stared with a gasp. Standing around the tree were some other ponies, but not just any random ponies, but their parents! Bow Hot Hoof & Windy Whistles, Hondo Flanks & Cookie Crumble, Igneous Rock Pie & Cloudy Quartz, Nightlight & Twilight Velvet, and Cumulus & Vipassana stood around the intertwined apple and pear tree that had an opening in the shape of a heart. Tears could be heard, which came from Bow Hot Hoof from the others. “I-It’s been such a long time.” Bow Hot sniffled. “C-can’t b-b-belive it’s been… been…” “It’s okay,” Windy spoke, patting her husband. “Nopony’s judging you here.” It didn’t take long for the large stallion to bawl hard and hug his wife. “Truly, thousest was a great friend thy could ever have.” Igneous spoke, taking his hat off in a respectful way. “Thouest also agrees.” Cloudy Quartz added. Twilight Velvet walked and hugged Cloudy Quartz. “I’ll never forget our adventures together.” She spoke. “Remember the time when she and Cookie Crumbles had a bake off?” “Oh yes, I remember,” Cookie spoke with a nervous chuckle. “Hard to believe that I almost ended my friendship over a silly competition.” “Speaking of competitions,” Nightlight added. “Remember how Hondo and him were in that trivia game?” “Lost by one point!” Hondo groaned. “And we were doing so well!” “We know,” Cumulus spoke, patting him on the back very gently. “But you were still our winners in our eyes.” Very quietly, Fluttershy walked to the group and stood next to her mother. “Um, mom, what’s going on?” She asked. “We’re just having a get together, sweetie.” Vipassana answered. She paushed and turned to her. “F-Fluttershy!?” “Fluttershy!?” Cumulus added. “Fluttershy!?” Bow Hot Hoof and Windy Whistles added, then turned to see the others. “DASHIE!?!?!?” Everyone turned to see their own daughter standing at the ‘entrance’. “TWILIGHT!?” “RARITY!?” “PINKAMENA DIANE PIE!!!” Igneous Rock and Cloudy Quartz sounded more angered than surprised. The entire group of parents grouped up together and took a few steps back as their daughters walked up to them. “What the hay’s going on!?” Rainbow Dash asked to the group and her friends. “I don’t know,” Twilight replied before turning to her parents. “You never told me about this.” “... Uh… Sweetie,” Her father began. “This is… just a mishap.” “Yes,” her mother added. “We got lost from our vacation spot and-” “We were standing there for about 5 minutes.” Twilight interrupted. “We heard everything.” Rarity added. “W-wait!” Windy began. “You don’t understand! We-” “Ooh! I think I know!” Pinkie began. “You were all a group of friends that lived in Ponyville before any of us were born who kept in close touch with each other, but after having us and our siblings, you had to move on your separate ways, but come here annually because AJ’s parents were that close to each of you!” She smugged as everyone stared blankly. “... That’s… it, actually.” Bow Hot sighed in defeat. “Hang on a minute!” Applejack shouted. “So all of you were friends to my parents!” “And to each other.” Igneous replied. “How come I didn’t hear about this!?” “Did you read the Apple History Volume 138?” Twilight Velvet asked. “Uh… no… but-” She shook her head. “Looks like I’m going to have to go back to Goldie Delicious sooner than expected.” “But why did you hide it from us?” Fluttershy asked. “Surely, there has to be a good reason.” “... It was just personal to us.” Igneous answered. “All of thy parents didn’t think thouest should know thy past. Thy parents have moved on with their lives, not wanting to look back too much, but focus on thy children.” “Of course, not all of us moved away too far.” Windy Whistles added. Cookie Crumble and Vipassana nodded in agreement. “Alright,” Applejack spoke, clearing her throat. “Ah just want one question answered.” “Yes?” All the parents asked in unison, leaning their necks to her. “...How did ya’ll meet up?” “Oh! I remember that very well!” Hondo Flanks replied. “And from it’ll sound like, it’s a bit like you and Rainbow’s Iron Pony competition.” “And I brought snacks, in case anypony got hungry.” Cookie Crumbles added, levitating a bag of cookies. “... Want me to bring in some chairs?” Rainbow Dash asked. “The get together won’t be for a few hours, so I guess so.” Twilight replied.