Alternate Beginnings: Year Two

by Doug Graves


26 Epilogue: Five Years Later

June 30th, 1000 Domina Solaria

Doug plops down on the couch inside the farmhouse, already tired of watching the seven foals. At least Applejack has taken Apple Bloom, the mare showing her first born the ropes as everything gets prepared for the upcoming Summer Sun Celebration. The foals are starting to get hungry, and hopefully they would have a bit extra prepared, what with all the extra Apples that are in town today. Pretty much all of them are busy helping with the preparations, though fortunately none of them have tried to entrust their foals with him. Although, that might not be a good thing, it shows they still don't fully trust him. He sighs; one of these days, maybe it'll happen.

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle drag over their favorite game, Junior Ponopoly. Doug smiles and moves over as the two pull the lid off from the box, starting to gather the other foals for a quick game. Something to draw their attention away from their stomachs, which he can hear a few start to grumble. A loud shriek startles him as Sweetie Belle levitates her favorite piece, the top hat. The filly shouts, "Meringue! What did you do!" as the piece clatters to the ground. Sweetie Belle charges her sister, the young foal quickly overpowered by her older sister. Doug looks at the fallen piece; somepony (he strongly suspects Meringue) has decorated it with colorful stripes and a tiny fancy feather. He laughs, placing the piece on the board with seven others as Lemon comes to her sister's defense. The wrestling comes to a standstill as Sweetie Belle realizes her difficulty wrestling with two of her sisters, even if they are two and four years younger than her.

The rest of the foals gather around the board, four year old Applebaum complaining that they are playing this silly game again, taking her spot as banker. Scootaloo helps Doug sort the money into piles for each foal before moving to the rest of her sisters. Sweetie Belle, Lemon, and Meringue take their places, each foal rolling to see who goes first. Doug helps them with counting their money and moving the pieces.

An hour into the game and things are neck and neck between Applebaum, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Meringue. Lemon sits off to the side, disappointed at her early elimination but still fascinated by the rest of the players. Pomarbo, the two year colt not disappointed at all at his elimination, is sitting next to Applebaum and helping her count money. Hedge, Fluttershy's three year old filly, is taking a nap off to the side.

Applejack's voice rings out from outside, "Soup's on, everypony!"

Doug starts to get to his feet, saying, "Alright, I think this is a good time for a break," but is loudly overruled by the four players still in the game. He sighs, settling back down and watching as they keep playing, a bit more haste in their rolls.

A while later the game comes to its conclusion: Applebaum and Scootaloo agreeing to a tie, having eliminated everypony else. Doug wakes Pomarbo, the rest of the fillies impatiently waiting at the door to go get food. Doug walks the crowd of fillies outside, heading to the tables of food, and waves at Applejack. As he gets closer he asks, "So, were you able to meet the organizer?"

Applejack laughs, "Oh, you just missed her. Apple Bloom here managed to convince her that she should stay, sample a couple of our more delicious treats. You did a great job, girl!"

Apple Bloom smiles shyly, "Oh, it weren't nothing. By the way, daddy, aren't you gonna stay for brunch, too?" She looks up at him, her sad eyes growing large, tears forming in the corners.

Doug laughs, "Oh, I could never say no to you. Any fritters left?"

The gathered ponies laugh, quickly piling all sorts of apple delicacies on the table in front of Doug, the human and his fillies quickly digging in to the offered treats.