//------------------------------//
// A Most Welcome Respite 
// Story: An Apple Alone 
// by Blue Thrush 
//------------------------------//

Apple Bloom hadn’t budged an inch from where she’d fallen asleep the previous evening. Her legs remained tucked up against her body, with the cocoon of a blanket gently nestled around her, head squashed down against the cushion that served as a pillow. The twinkle of morning sunlight that bypassed the wagon cover shone against her head, and it showcased a pony with a smile brimming along the corners of a still-open mouth. The wagon was one of many traveling along the mostly smooth dirt road, with the country autumn air serving the sleeping farmpony well.

Steady sounds of hooves hitting dirt and the wagon were a constant, which further served to drown out anything that threatened to wake her up. After a particularly-jostling bump rocked the wagon about, the hooves and creaking wagon wheels and morning sun all worked in concert to coax Apple Bloom awake. Her eyes remained shut, but she was conscious of every little sound and bump in the road. Of how dry and stale her mouth felt, with it hanging open all night. Of how stiff and strained every last muscle of her exhausted body felt. The waking pony’s first act was to close her mouth, and even that felt strenuous. She smacked her lips and huddled more tightly under her blanket when the chill of the morning coming into sharp relief.

Apple Bloom embraced the cold after a moment, letting it wake her up. When her mind whipped into a trot, Apple Bloom recalled where she was going and what she had done. She lifted her head slightly and peered about the covered wagon, before flopping it back down and sighing gratefully. For the first time in what felt like ages, Apple Bloom awoke without burden. The apples were harvested, her task complete. Waves of joy flooded the young mare, which is what ultimately roused her from her weary state. She had to fight hard against sore, stiff muscles that refused to budge, but she managed, crawling out from her warm blanket to take a peek out the back of the wagon.

Apple Bloom rested her chin on crossed forelegs and smiled. Behind the covered wagon was the train, hitched together and bumping along, carrying bushels upon bushels of freshly-picked apples. She allowed herself to bask for several minutes, ceding to her body’s desire to remain immobile and soaking it all in. Her heart soared thinking about the welcome she was bound to receive upon arriving at Green Apple Grove. Along with– 

“Applejack! Big Mac!” she exclaimed. Fatigue was tossed by the wayside with the pony leaping to the front of the wagon. Apple Bloom’s head popped out to find two hardworking ponies diligently hauling the wagon train along. Both had their heads turned to face their little sister, smiles brimming from their tired faces.

“Well look who it is,” Applejack greeted. Big Macintosh stifled a yawn but let loose a smile but otherwise remained silent and stoic. “Slept soundly all last night, sis. Didn’t hear a peep from ya’ either, did we Big Mac?” The stallion shook his head and let that stifled yawn escape that set off a wave of yawns. Apple Bloom took a deep whiff of fresh air and languidly lazed over the edge of the wagon.

“Nice to get some proper shuteye without havin’ apples danglin’ over mah head, that’s for sure. Y’all look beat, meanwhile. Didn’t stop fer anythin’?” 

Big Mac shook his head again. “Wanted to get back to the grove as quick as we could,” Applejack offered. “Even if it means me and Big Mac not catchin’ a wink there and back. But don’t you worry ‘bout us” She gestured to the long train of wagons they were hauling and smiled. “You did all the hard work. We’ll catch some shuteye once we make it back. Plenty a’ ponies there to help us unload.”

Apple Bloom just managed to not blush. “Well good. Ah’ll probably join y’all. Reckon Ah could sleep a week after pushin’ so hard.” Apple Bloom backed up into the wagon and proceeded to gingerly stretch her legs, one at a time. “How far’s the grove now? Can’t wait ta see the family again.”

“Hour or so,” Big Mac answered with a weary strain to his voice. No wonder he’s been quiet, Apple Bloom thought, finishing her stretches with a flick of the tail. She gave her brother a concerned look, but he only shook his head some and smiled back. A pang brought Apple Bloom’s attention back to herself. Her body was beginning to throb slightly. What else is new? Apple Bloom’s relief far outpaced how she felt, proving as much by climbing out the back of the wagon and catching up to the other two. 

Applejack glanced over to the joining Apple Bloom and lingered. “Ah know that look. Stop fussin’, Ah’m fine.” She knew all-too-well that Applejack was going to send her right back to the cart if she looked too tired or hurt, but her gait and posture were as good as ever. Her older sister shrugged a guilty shoulder while the trio trotted in silence.

“Brothers and sisters always gotta look out for each other, you know that,” Applejack chided with a smile. “‘Specially big sisters to their little sisters. Though Ah reckon you’re not so much littler than me now.” Apple Bloom beamed and held her head up high.

“Actin’ more like yer big sister too,” Big Macintosh added. “All pride and strength in that trot a’yours.”

“Aw, c’mon already you two. Gettin’ more attention than a prize pig at a carnival.” Apple Bloom couldn’t stop herself from blushing, though she hid it well when Applejack playfully plopped her hat over the abashed pony’s head. Apple Bloom laughed and didn’t have to adjust it, the hat settling comfortably between the ears.

Only at that moment did Applejack’s brows raise, eyes tracking over Apple Bloom from head to tail. “What’s with the makeover?”

Apple Bloom smirked. “Well since Ah had so much free time, figured Ah’d let Rarity do a little ‘sperimentation on mah looks. What do you think?” Apple Bloom fluttered her eyes, but burst into a fit of giggles after being given the stink-eye back. “Well it’s sorta true, Applejack. Rarity did have to touch it up at market. An’ this is what she came up with. I kinda like it.”

Now Applejack smirked. “Well doncha just look precious. I’m sure a couple a’ ponies in particular will be a might pleased to see you and your new looks.”

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. “Oh Ah’m sure Aunt an’ Uncle Orange will be all over me draggin’ mah bow ‘cross the ground.”

“Thinkin’ she means Ma an’ Pa,” Big Macintosh interjected. “They’re gonna be over the moon to see ya’ Apple Bloom.” A flurry of emotions fired through Apple Bloom simultaneously. Most were positive, though some considerably less-so. Apple Bloom realized she must’ve exposed those feelings, making Big Macintosh ask, “ain’t too resentful?” He watched her climb back up into the wagon, trying to get a bead. He got it when Apple Bloom flopped back down, chin hanging over the wagon edge, and sighed through a smile.

“Nah, not too much. Plum forgot about ‘em honestly,” she admitted. “Past few days’ve been so hectic… Ah know what they asked of me was a tall order, ta say the least. Thinkin’ you’re right though Big Mac.” She smiled. “They’re gonna be mighty happy to see me. To see all of us.”

“Mostly you,” Applejack chuckled. “We’re just haulin’ yer work, Apple Bloom. All this was your doin’.”

“Yeah… Guess it was, wasn’t it?” Apple Bloom allowed herself to admit. Sure Ah had plenty of help, and Ah’m grateful enough for it, she thought, letting it all sink in. But in the end Ah was able to pull through everythin’ thrown at me. Tall order, injuries, illness, family all dependin’ on me ta do what normally takes three Apples ta do… Apple Bloom smiled inwardly, and with a flick of her tail continued her trot in a much more exuberant gait, while keeping pace with her wagon-hauling siblings.

The three Apples concluded the journey in silence, with only the rhythmic squeaking of wheels and the occasional animal chirp interrupting. Applejack and Big Macintosh were fighting to stay awake and pouring all their efforts into getting to the grove as quickly as possible. Apple Bloom, meanwhile, was giddy but appreciative to not be in a rush for a change. Peace and quiet were two toys she’d been denied throughout her toiling week at Sweet Apple Acres. She knew she’d get precious few moments of it at Green Apple Grove with the extended family there. With dozens of thoughts flickering through her mind, Apple Bloom looked to her siblings, back to the wagon train, down to her previously-injured hoof and the bow adorned on her tail, then back to the road. Basking in the blanket of quiet that one could only achieve on a cross-country road trip.

Apple Bloom was so preoccupied that familiar land snuck up on her. She hadn’t been to Green Apple Grove in years, but the surrounding area was all-too-familiar to her. She climbed out of the wagon again, trotted ahead of the others and peered down, laying her eyes on the grove for the first time in a good while. She’d expected to the large farmhouse and barns standing tall. What see saw was a place still in the throes of recovery. Barns stood mostly complete but still with work to be done, and the trees were on the mend. There was more green along the grass than several days ago, but the patches of yellow and brown were apparent even from this distance. “Well… At least the house survived,” she remarked to her siblings as they caught up to her. “Ah’ve seen Parasprites do worse.”

Applejack fanned herself with her hat. “She’s a sight for sore eyes no matter what state she’s in.” She rolled her shoulders and bumped Big Macintosh back. “We made it. And Ah’ can here bed callin’ from here. Aaaplejaaaack.”

“Yup.” Big Mac nodded, giving an extra strong tug to get the wagon train moving again. While they carted the load Apple Bloom scanned the grove.

“Ain’t nopony up yet?” she wondered, peering at the sky. It was well past dawn and farmponies rose with the sun.

Applejack yawned and ruffled Apple Bloom’s mane. “We ain’t done quite as much work as you Apple Bloom, but the ponies ‘round here have had a lotta work nonetheless. Gettin’ some well-deserved shuteye Ah reckon. And we’re gonna wake ‘em. Changin’ of the guard and all that.” 

The Apple siblings, along with their wagon and the apples they were burdened with, pulled into Green Apple Grove proper. Applejack and Big Macintosh gratefully unhitched themselves and took a moment to stretch. Apple Bloom peered around and took a deep breath and released it with a pleasured sigh: Even though she wasn’t pulling the load herself, the fact that the apples were finally at their destination was a weight off her shoulders and mind. It was like the first day of summer vacation. She had no chores, no-one depending on her at this point. Her job was done.

Apple Bloom practically pranced as she followed followed zombie-like Applejack and Big Macintosh into the house, the hallway empty. The exhausted pair each gave Apple Bloom a hug, before heading upstairs to wake the others and enjoy a day-long rest. Apple Bloom had a desire to join them, but something caught her attention: The teasing scent of some breakfast frying up in the kitchen across the way. Apple Bloom’s stomach sounded off and her mind was made up in an instant: It was time for food.

The young mare marched her way across the hall quietly but with purpose. She clip-clopped into the kitchen and gasped at the sight of the two ponies within. A gold-braided mare briskly moved from countertop to stove to countertop, heaping piles of pancakes and eggs from one to the other as she went. Her tail flicked idly behind a pair of orange cutie marks. The large stallion, clad in a large straw hat, was following suit in the assembly line mass-producing breakfast, apart from the other pony so as to not collide. They worked in tandem, never getting in each others’ way and frying up enough food to put a diner out of business.

Jonagold and Valencia were so busy with their own morning routine of making breakfast for 50 that they didn’t notice a gawking Apple Bloom in the doorway. Apple Bloom fell back onto her haunches and closed her gaping mouth. A flood of emotions swirled through her, taking in the sight of her parents that she’d not seen in so long. Her chest tightened, and her eyes threatened to well up. What should she say? How was she going to break the ice?

Groooooooan…

Ma and Pa Apple froze and turned to face the rumbling interloper. The ravenous roar of an Apple pony belly was more than enough to garner their attention. Apple Bloom blushed a tinge and raised a timid hoof in greeting. “H-hey Ma. Hey Pa. Ah made it.” Valencia stood frozen. Jonagold dropped a spatula and blinked several times.

Her mother broke first. “Oh, Apple Bloom!” She was on her daughter in an instant. Strong legs squeezed around her and threatening to cut off her air supply. Apple Bloom returned it with a crushing hug of her own, really straining to fight back tears as she nuzzled against her mother. Jonagold lumbered forward and plopped his too-large hat over Apple Bloom, before gripping to both ponies at once and squeezing them in a vice-like grip, hauling them off the ground, not saying a word. He held the cuddling ponies up for a moment, before another protesting grumble from Apple Bloom’s stomach snapped them out of it. The hug ended and the three shared a laugh, relief and sorrow mingling in the kitchen air.

“It’s so good to see you, mah little appleseed.” Jonagold finally broke the silence. Apple Bloom quirked an eyebrow, and Jonagold belted out a short laugh that threatened to wake the whole orchard. “Right. Ain’t so little no more.” Valencia beamed with pride at the comments, Apple Bloom’s cheeks tinging red. 

Ma and Pa fawned over their daughter. Jonagold tucked a hoof up under her chin to lift it, studying her face for a moment. “Lookin’ like ya got freckles now too. Ain’t that a thing.”

“Is this the new modern mane style in Ponyville?”

“Bow on the tail eh? Ah honestly thought ya’ would outgrow it ‘fore too long...”

“A-aw Pa, Ma, stop fussin’,” Apple Bloom said half-heartedly through a meek smile. “Ah’m still little ol’ Apple Bloom.” She gave them each a separate, firm hug again, and was about to gush about how hectic her last week had been, but… “That’s a mighty-large breakfast y’all got cookin’ up back there...” Fighting back the urge to drool was nearly as hard as fighting back tears, Apple Bloom discovered. Pa laughed again and adjusted the hat on her head.

“An’ given what ya’ did yer probably fittin’ ta eat it all up yerself.” Apple Bloom let out a breath when her father yanked her off the floor and plopped her on a seat at the table. Just as she settled Ma had fixed her up a plate piled high with pancakes and scrambled eggs, sliding a glass of orange juice and pitcher of piping-hot maple syrup up next to it. Before Apple Bloom could say a word in response she had the largest breakfast she’d encountered in some time staring her down.

“Where’d y’all get all this food?” Apple Bloom mumbled, doing her best not to drool at the delicious breakfast served before her. “Ya’ had me fill that huge order...”

“And it’s gonna turn the tide in the food shortage we’d been havin’ here,” Ma assured with a chuckle. “Got a small town’s worth of ponies to feed here, though, an’ supplies have been steadily growin’ over the past few days. Poor ponyfolk here have been breakin’ their backs with little more than dry grass. An’ that’s just plum not healthy.” Valencia nudged her daughter towards the food. “Go ahead darlin’, eat up,” Ma insisted. “We gotta get more fried up for the others ‘fore it’s proper time for breakfast fer them. They’ll demolish all this ‘fore you’d get a chance, and ya’ earned yerself a big breakfast.”

Apple Bloom was tearing into the piping hot food before Ma even finished saying “up”, needing no more encouragement, sating inner hungers no longer restrained by stress. Her parents stared blankly, seeing their youngest child destroy a literal pound of breakfast food. They eventually tore their way from the mesmerizing sight when the sizzling pancakes started to burn, forcing themselves back into their cooking duties. With Apple Bloom devouring away they threatened to produce at a loss.

Apple Bloom lost herself in the mechanics of eating. Nothing stood in the way of a hungry farmer and their breakfast. She’d cleaned her plate and drained her glass in the space of five minutes, already chewing her last bite. Just as she was about to meekly ask for seconds, a fresh plate replaced her old and her glass was refilled. Valencia kissed her cheek with a smile, Apple Bloom muffling out a noise in thanks. Apple Bloom managed half the second large helping before she was past the initial surge of pure hunger. She slowed down as thoughts and feelings returned, playing with her food more than eating it.

Jonagold peeked behind while frying more food and asked what the matter was. “Gettin’ full?”

“Naw. I mean sorta,” Apple Bloom corrected. “Just thinkin’ ‘bout stuff.” She ran a bite of pancake through a puddle of syrup and took a bite. “Been a loooong week. Felt like years.” At that remark she stretched her legs out in front of her and rotated her neck about her shoulders. “Don’t know if Ah’ll ever feel rested again.”

Valencia and Jonagold shared a look. Ma peeled away from the breakfast line and took a seat by Apple Bloom, stroking over her back gingerly. “Why don’tcha tell us all about it, Apple Bloom? Applejack shared that letter ya’ sent but Ah’m sensin’ there’s more to the story.”

There was, and Apple Bloom obliged, spilling everything that was bouncing around her head and giving every detail she could remember. From how she felt about the ever-increasing amount of work to how she transitioned into the work regardless. How everything in the world seemed to be playing against her with multiple illnesses and injuries to tend to. Being bed-ridden and thinking all was lost. “And Ah couldn’t help wonderin’ so many times if Ah was even capable...” She fell silent after that.

Her parents shared another glance over their daughter, not sure what to say. Apple Bloom broke the silence herself again a moment later. “But...” The euphoria from being done was an eternal source of positivity within her. “Ah did. Nopony doubted me… ‘cept myself.”

Pa grinned and pulled the straw hat over her eyes. She fidgeted with it while shoveling more food in. “An’ everypony was right. Not like we were settin’ out ta test you or anythin’. The apples fell from the tree just so.”

“We tried everythin’,” Ma agreed. She slid her hoof around Apple Bloom’s side to yank her into a comforting embrace that the yellow pony reluctantly sank into. Ma gave Pa another look before staring at Apple Bloom face to face. “Ya’ went through a lot of tough times. An’ we wanted to apologize for puttin’ you through all that...”

Jonagold chose his words carefully. “Ya’ ain’t… upset with us, are ya’?”

Apple Bloom looked between the two ponies, frowning. They sat in the stretched silence with baited breath as their daughter reached with a hoof… to take another bite and gulp it down. “If Ah’m bein’ completely honest, there were times Ah was. With all y’all. Granny an’ mah brother an’ sis included.” Ma gripped her a little tighter. Pa cringed some. “But that was mostly the stress. Everythin’ pilin’ on top of each other. Assumin’ the beasts of Tartarus would get loose if’n Ah couldn’t do it.” Another bite. “It ain’t… Ah never blamed y’all, really. May have said some things but Ah never meant it. And now...” She took another bite then let go of her utensil, wrapping hooves around her gripping mother and squeezing. “Ah’m stronger for it. Made new friends.” She pressed a cheek against her mother and nuzzled slightly, peeking up at her father. “Made ponies proud. Made family proud. What more could a girl ask for?”

Both parents mentally sighed in relief. They were ready for a storm. But their daughter did not hold any resentment. Jonagold covered his muzzle and cleared his throat steadily. He sniffed a little, and did all he could to not shed a tear in front of his daughter. Pride in one’s children did things to a pony. “Well ya’ have that right,” he said finally. The large stallion embraced the other two ponies in a strong hug. “We couldn’t be more proud of you, Apple Bloom.”

Apple Bloom wished the moment would last forever, lost in the embrace of family. No pressures or responsibilities to tend to immediately after. It did in fact last for some time. Up until a clock somewhere began to chime. Ma was the first to recover when all three flinched at the sudden noise. “Alright Apple Bloom. Go ahead and finish up. ‘Bout time we wake the farm an’ get everypony fed and movin’. Still a lotta work ta do.”

Apple Bloom’s eyes widened. Pa chuckled. “Not fer you. Ya’ did more than enough a’ your share. We’ll get to unloadin’ and finishin’ up our work ‘round the grove.” The two parents stood and started prepping plates of hot breakfast for the many ponies still slumbering.

“Can Ah alert the masses?” Apple Bloom volunteered, also standing (after clearing her plate). Valencia, already headed out the kitchen, paused and nodded.

“Go ahead, sweetheart. Sound the alarm,” she smiled. Apple Bloom grinned fiercely and trotted out the back door. Many picnic tables were outlined in the back yard, and in the middle of it all was stationed a dinner bell with a rope dangling from it. Apple Bloom wasted no time trotting up to that bell and giving its rope a yank.

After a solid 10 seconds of ringing, leaving her ears ringing too, Apple Bloom sucked in a deep breath and bellowed to the world: “Soooup’s on, everypony!” A Pavlovian cacophony of hooves pounding on wood thundered through the grove, ponies rifling through the large farm house in droves. They’d fallen into a routine over the course of repairing the grove and that morning was as unremarkable as the rest to them at first. That was, until they caught the scent of pancakes and eggs frying in the kitchen. A proper farmpony breakfast was something they’d not had all week, and spirits rose considerably at the prospect of working on a fuller stomach.

Apple Bloom had since taken a seat at the edge of a picnic table, looking over the state of Green Apple Grove while ponies emerged from the back door of the farm house alone or in pairs. From what she could see, things were taking a turn for the better. An army of farmponies working to recover land hit by disaster over the course of days would do that. Structures were mostly complete. The land itself only looked as if a bad storm had blown through as opposed to a swarm of voracious insects.

Apple Bloom wondered how much more there was to be done, and how many mouths there were to feed with the bounty she brought, while ponies continued pouring out from the farm house. Most were initially concerned about waking up and enjoying a proper hot breakfast for once, filling out the benches and chowing down. When Apple Bloom turned to pony-watch, she saw mostly familiar faces. Apple family reunions were not-irregular in her life and the sudden requirement to fix up Green Apple Grove was practically one, minus all the fun and games associated with them. A few did catch Apple Bloom’s presence and said hello. For most of breakfast Apple Bloom idly mingled, answering the same few questions on repeat as ponies left to finish breakfast and others came up to interrogate. How was your week? Did you bring the order? When did you get a new manecut? That hat looks just like your dad’s; where’d you get it?

Apple Bloom reveled in the casual family chatter. Moments like these were the kind she lived for.

An hour passed before everypony was finishing with waking up and eating breakfast, the picnic tables full of conversation. Apple Bloom mostly listened, just taking the whole scene in and sighing softly with a smile. As she expected, about the only ponies she didn’t see were Big Macintosh and Applejack. With their overnight trip those two were still slumbering away. The chit-chat died down when Jonagold stood and cleared his throat to get their attention, Valencia at his side. He doled out the morning tasks for them all. Unlike previous days, several pairs were assigned to take the recently-arrived bushels of apples to various locations of need around the countryside where the Parasprites had rampaged.

“An’ lastly, ‘fore we start, Ah wanted y’all to give special thanks ta Apple Bloom. Without her tireless efforts we’d be ‘bout a thousand bushels short of stock ‘round now. Let’s give her a hoof!” Jonagold started the applause, stomping his hooves to the ground. Apple Bloom flushed deeply, sinking in her seat as a chorus of whoops and stomps rattled through the back yard. She received a hearty pound on the back from the mare seated next to her, nearly knocking her from her seat. It was almost too much for her to take in.

Shortly thereafter the ponies got up and set out to do their work. Several passed Apple Bloom, giving her additional remarks of gratification, hugs, back-poundings, or simply a grateful smile. Apple Bloom’s cheeks were still rosy when she got up herself, following others around the house to the front, where the wagon train awaited. Everything was still there, no bushel disturbed, when the Apple ponies set siege to it. The train was dismantled, reins were distributed, and pairs of earth ponies got themselves attached. It all happened in a flash, and before Apple Bloom knew it the hundreds of bushels of apples were headed their separate ways. All that work she did was being ferried off in several directions, ponies taking known roads and trails, anywhere they knew a wagon could be safely driven. Apple Bloom sat and watched her week’s worth of effort dwindle down to nothing, dots representing wagons eventually shrinking off in the horizon against the rising sun.

When the last apple-laden wagon trundled off, Apple Bloom stood and stretched. In an odd way she’d felt an attachment to those apples. She farmed most of them and was ultimately responsible for them being here. And just like that, all that work was gone for good. Apple Bloom swore it was all the fatigue and burdens she carried that made her feel that way. It took a lot more energy than she realized for her to turn away from the last of the disappearing bounty and rejoin the remaining workers and family in the back yard.

It was the sort of attachment only farmponies would understand.

Once back in the yard Apple Bloom lounged in the grass, watching everypony work. Nopony begrudged her rest. Except for Apple Bloom. It wasn’t long before the young mare was more bored than anything. That combined with the smallest twinges of guilt at seeing everypony else slaving away prompted her to get up and ask for what she could do. Despite some gentle objections from both of her parents she set out, promising to not work too hard. Apple Bloom wandered from place to place across the grove, chipping in wherever she could lend a hoof. From transporting building materials or tools around, to planting a fresh tree or two, to helping put the finishing touches on a silo that needed repairs, Apple Bloom was able to throw herself into the work and be useful.

By the time afternoon rolled around for a break Apple Bloom was coated in sweat, but wasn’t slowed at all. Despite all the work she was doing, Apple Bloom wasn’t bucking trees. With her hooves – previously-injured or otherwise – given the day off, Apple Bloom felt great. She was contributing, mingling, and helping Green Apple Grove get back together. Most importantly: She wasn’t facing a looming deadline of any sort. Ponies, including herself, took short breaks whenever needed.

All things considered it was a relatively light working day for Apple Bloom, but the afternoon was growing long and others were requiring rest. Ponies slowly amassed in the back yard once more to grab a bite as the dinner hour approached. It was light fare, basic salads that couldn't compare to the hearty breakfast earlier, but with the hard-working ponies still coasting on that morning meal, it sufficed.

And salads tasted much better than grass.

Most ponies were well into dinner conversation when Applejack emerged from the house, rubbing an eye and balancing a salad bowl on her back. She spotted Apple Bloom chomping away and moved to join her. Apple Bloom caught her sister’s approach and made room on the picnic table bench, the older sibling plopping down and throwing a hoof around her. “Howdy.” She tipped the brim of her hat, then tugged Apple Bloom’s over her eyes with a giggle. “Holdin’ up?”

Apple Bloom giggled and pushed the straw hat back up, nestling into the hug a moment before returning to her salad. “Yep. Everythin’s great Applejack. If a day like this is s’posed ta be difficult, Ah can say a life a’farmin’ll be a walk in the park.” The sisters shared a laugh and sighed in tandem, Applejack scanning the grove and waving to the occasional passer-by.

“It ain’t all been sunshine an’ daisies, y’know. Neither here er’ back home. Not that you don’t know,” Applejack chuckled. “But we’ve turned a corner here. Last day for a lotta folk. Us included.” Apple Bloom peeked up from her salad. “Me an’ Big Mac got plenty a’ shuteye to pull another all-nighter. Still some work that needs doin’ round here but the locals can finish up.”

“So you two’ll be pullin’ again? Ushering your royal little sis in her pillowy palanquin?”

“Not jus’ you,” Applejack replied. “Ma an’ Pa too.” Apple Bloom nearly choked on her next bite.

“R-r-really?” she stammered after managing to gulp it down. Apple Bloom had been all set to say her goodbyes. “B-but Ah thought they had ta stay ta run things here.”

“That was the plan initially,” Applejack nodded. “But Ma got her sis and brother-in-law ta take over. Them Oranges ain’t much fer manual labor but they excel at tellin’ other ponies what to do.” The pair laughed again. “But hey, they’re here an’ they have been all week. Gotta give ‘em credit.”

“An’ they’re lettin’ ‘em come home too,” Apple Bloom agreed. The siblings finished their salads and chatted the rest of the afternoon away.

Evening sprung upon the grove after supper and a bit more work was done. It all flew by for Apple Bloom, and before she knew it she was making to go home. The youngest Apple and her immediate family were setting up in the same wagon Apple Bloom rode up in. Big Macintosh and Applejack got the reins hooked up to themselves. Valencia climbed up into the wagon proper, with Jonagold following suit. Apple Bloom was last, saying goodbye to a few family members before leaving. She went out of her way to hug Aunt and Uncle Orange, the two stifled under her strong grip. After that, the yellow farmpony climbed into the wagon herself, nearly stumbling on the way up, but two hooves steadied her. Apple Bloom’s folks helped her in and the three settled.

“All set back there?” Big Mac called, testing his harness.

“All set, son,” Jonagold replied, poking his head out and scanning over Green Apple Grove one last time.

“Ready as we’ll ever be!” Apple Bloom chirped, poking her head out too. She reached up and plucked off the straw hat and plopped it between Jonagold’s ears. He laughed and rustled her mane.

Valencia nudged her head out too, sandwiching Apple Bloom between her parents. She looked not at the Orchard but to her family. “Let’s go home.”


*    *    *


Apple Bloom was up most of the night. Not feeling tired or worn out from the work of the day coupled with having no need to awaken early the next day, she had little incentive to sleep in lieu of spending some quality time with her family. Many stories were swapped between the five traveling Apples. They told jokes and sang songs and caught each other up on the events of their lives over the past several years, something nopony had time for while working in the grove. It wasn’t until long after the moon had risen did Jonagold and Valencia retire for the evening, settling down in the back of the wagon, nestled against one-another under a shared blanket and pair of pillows. Apple Bloom stayed up later still with Big Macintosh and Applejack, who diligently led the wagon to Ponyville. Even when they fell silent, Apple Bloom kept at it (albeit at lower volumes to let their parents rest in peace). Her older siblings didn’t mind the company at all: They enjoyed seeing Apple Bloom relieved of her stress and having somepony else to talk to while they pulled the wagon along.

It was past midnight when Apple Bloom finally petered out. Her voice was hoarse from talking so much, body hanging limp over the edge of the wagon. Big Macintosh craned his head back and gently nudged Apple Bloom into the wagon proper. She waved a hoof feebly in protes, but then made a nest out of the remaining available bedding and settled down. She yawned deeply, and could just make out the silhouette of her slumbering parents in the moonlight. Apple Bloom fell asleep peacefully. She wasn’t dead tired from sheer exhaustion nor fraught with worry. Apple Bloom was content, and slept without burdens or fears. She slept soundly, letting the ambient hoofsteps and wood creaking wash over her.

The wagon at large was quiet for the rest of the night. Applejack and Big Macintosh got everypony home safely about an hour before dawn the next morning. The two were mostly awake and not strained at all. Pulling a single mostly-empty wagon was a cinch compared to the wagon train they had to haul the night before, and this time they were acting off a good night’s rest instead of playing against a 24 hour shift between grove work and wagon-pulling. Jonagold and Valencia had awakened shortly before arriving home, the two huddled next to each other and looking out the back of the wagon together. Occasionally they checked on Apple Bloom, still slumbering peacefully, but they spent most of the time setting their sights on their home town and countryside.

Apple Bloom was lost in a deep, dreamless, peaceful sleep well into morning. She would’ve kept sleeping there in the wagon, had a large hoof not gently jostled her awake. “Whozat?” She sat her head up, eyes closed against the morning light as she cut loose with a large yawn. She stretched and chanced a peek open, spying Big Macintosh looming over her.

“Mornin’ sleepyhead,” he greeted gently. The stallion reached down with his head and pulled away the blankets Apple Bloom was nestled under. “Almost noon.”

Apple Bloom started to confirm what she heard, stalled by a stammering yawn. She ran a hoof through her mane and shook her head, opting to take his word for it. “Guess Ah’m still a bit tuckered from all that work the past week.” She smiled sleepily up at her big brother and, with his help, stumbled on out of the wagon. She idly thwacked a hoof through the air to shield her eyes, as if she could bat the light away, but otherwise was mostly awake. “S’pose Ah missed breakfast too? Good thing it’s about time for lunch. Ah’m starvin’.”

Big Macintosh chuckled. “Right this way, yer royal highness,” he teased. Apple Bloom giggled and toddled on after the stallion. She took a deep breath of fresh Sweet Apple Acres air and looked around. She was home. The apples were delivered. Her job was done. More happy thoughts were interrupted as the red earth pony turned not towards the house, but the barn. “Big Mac? Where we goin’?” The stallion merely turned his head to look at Apple Bloom and smirked, remaining silent. Apple Bloom quirked and eyebrow but shrugged. Whatever he had to show she’d oblige for a time, but the creeping hunger was already starting to tug at her.

Big Macintosh strode forward some extra paces and opened the barn door, gesturing for Apple Bloom to enter first. It was dark. Apple Bloom was in the middle of a yawn when– “SURPRISE!” Light flooded the barn, Apple Bloom gawking at all the ponies inside cheering, lining the stalls and walls. There were balloons and streamers flinging through the air, and a large spread of tasty party food along a large table down the middle. Apple Bloom rubbed her eyes and blinked to focus while Big Macintosh trundled by her and joined Applejack, Jonagold, and Valencia. Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and several others from Apple Bloom’s class stood around a smiling Cheerilee. Sir Colton Vines III and Gale Force stood by each other, toasting Apple Bloom with glasses of apple cider.

Granny Smith was standing by an excited Winona near the entrance. Until the collie charged forward and pounced the shocked Apple Bloom, showering her in affection. Apple Bloom laughed and gently pushed the dog off, petting her while everypony else laughed. “Welcome back, youngin’,” Granny smiled.

“Turns out Granny Smith was plannin’ ya’ a little shindig fer all your hard work,” Applejack said. “So when we got home we helped get everything all set up. Luckily you gave us all plenty a’ time ta get ready.”

Apple Bloom laughed. “Probably woulda’ slept through the day if’n Big Mac didn’t wake me.” She smiled brightly to all her friends and family in the barn. “Ah’m touched, everypony. Really. Don’t know what Ah can say… Without all y’all’s help, Ah dunno if I coulda’ done what I did...”

“Oh sure you could’ve,” Gale piped in. “You just would’ve found some other way if we weren’t around. Well, maybe you needed my help specifically...” 

“Daaad!” Scootaloo groaned, but giggled along with the rest.

“Alright, that’s enough,” Granny insisted. “This is a party, ain’t it? Let’s party!” Winona let her agreement be known with a bark, and the festivities began in earnest. Ponies mingled. The younger ones (Apple Bloom especially) got at the food and stuffed themselves silly. Apple Bloom made her rounds with the ponies present, thinking this was what celebrities must go through all the time. Everypony wanted to greet and talk with her, the mare of the hour. Apple Bloom was all-too-happy to oblige. Eventually ponies began mingling with one-another and settling down with their food, giving Apple Bloom a moment’s peace with her own. Whileshe was working on her third slice of cake, settled in a corner of the barn, Scootaloo perched up on a stall fence just behind her. Sweetie Belle found a seat on the earth pony’s opposite side. All three featured icing stains on their lips.

“Sooo I’m guessing everything went good?” Scootaloo chirped, leaning over her perch and flicking her tail. “Got enough apples there safe and everything?”

“Mmf,” Apple Bloom assented through a large bite of cake.

“And are those your folks?” Sweetie Belle asked, pointing over to her parents.

“Mmf.”

Scootaloo squinted at them. “Yeah I can kinda see that.” She turned her gaze down towards Apple Bloom’s flanks. “You know, after doing something as monumental as this I was sure you were gonna get your cutie mark.”

“Mmf?” Apple Bloom finally swallowed, then looked down at herself. “Huh. You know, never crossed my mind.”

Sweetie Belle rubbed her chin, deep in thought. “Well that’s how it usually works right? Nopony stares at their cutie mark when it appears right?”

“Yeah! Like Dad says: A watched cloud never boils! Or something like that...”

The other two Crusaders theorized while Apple Bloom just listened and had a revelation of her own: Strangely enough, she didn’t care that her cutie mark hadn’t appeared. She didn’t need the mark to tell here where she belonged or what she was good at. She knew. Apple Bloom was positive she demonstrated it plenty over the past week. Apple Bloom finished up her cake and set the plate down. Grinning to her chatting Crusaders, she leapt up and yanked Scootaloo down. The pegasus yelped as Apple Bloom clutched the two together in a big group hug. “Thanks girls. Fer real.”

Scootaloo protested the physical display of affection, but quickly gave up. Sweetie Belle was all too happy to oblige. They broke the eventually and Apple Bloom excused herself, aiming to get a glass of cider. On her way to the punch bowl she nearly tripped over a small filly returning from it. “Whoops!” Apple Bloom yelped, managing to keep her balance. “Oh… hey Sweet Pea!”

The tiny filly only just barely managed to not spill her glass and blushed some. “H-hey Apple Bloom! I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

“Course not.” Apple Bloom dusted Sweet Pea off and giggled, following her back to the gaggle of students enjoying all the free sugary treats. “Really glad y’all made it out for this. Really ‘preciate it.” Sweet Pea smiled and settled among the students. They all glanced up to Apple Bloom. “...All y’all really. Meant what I said earlier. All the help y’all gave...”

A purple hoof rested on Apple Bloom’s shoulder. “Think nothing of it, Apple Bloom. That’s what friends are for.” Apple Bloom looked up over her shoulder and beamed at Cheerilee. The teacher took a seat by Apple Bloom and started in on her own piece of cake while the farmpony took a sip of her drink. “Now that your extra farm work is over, I expect you back in class first thing tomorrow.”

Apple Bloom blinked. Another thing she didn’t consider. She nodded though, knowing that things were indeed settling back to normal.

“And don’t worry. We saved all your missed work for when you get back too.” Cheerilee took another casual bite.

A tiny choking sound was heard. Cheerilee smirked down at Apple Bloom, cheeks puffed out with cake, and winked. The students surrounding them giggled, Apple Bloom eventually catching on and joining in. Apple Bloom spent the next bit answering a sudden onslaught of questions from the curious foals. Most hadn’t so much as thought about farming before they spent some time helping Apple Bloom out. Now they seemed to have a keen interest. They kept up seemingly-incessantly before Cheerilee intervened. “Alright that’s quite enough. Apple Bloom can give a little Q&A at the schoolhouse all about farming when she’s up to it. For extra credit, of course.”

Apple Bloom hadn’t minded the questions but was grateful for the intervention. “That’s right,” she smiled, downing the rest of her drink in a gulp.

“You did a good job, Apple Bloom,” Cheerilee said, smiling to her pupil. “The whole town’s proud of you.”

“I… The whole town?”

“Of course. You know how you all can get.” Cheerilee gestured to the giggling students. “Couldn’t resist telling everypony how they got to play farmer. And, naturally, questions were asked. Don’t be shocked if… this isn’t your last surprise party.” Apple Bloom laughed. Then yelped as she was suddenly abducted. Her glass tumbled to the straw with a dull thunk.

Apple Bloom felt the rush of air stop as soon as it started, finding herself settled on a support beam up in the rafters. Gale Force flared his wings and furled them up, perching beside Apple Bloom. “Everypony’s just dead set on just hogging the belle of the ball. Had to resort to desperate measures.” He winked. Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. “You’re welcome by the way.”

“Fer what?” She squinted with a smirk.

“Making the weather nice. Had to call in a favor with Cold Front to forestall the planned thunderstorm.”

Apple Bloom gawked. “Another one? Didn’t that monsoon a few days ago make enough fer the year?”

“Weather’s complicated,” Gale shrugged, grinning broadly down at the young mare. “Point is: You’re welcome.”

The earth pony stood up on the beam and bowed deeply. “Thank you, gracious Gale, fer fixin’ the weather ta be so nice… fer this indoor party.”

“Hey! You know how humid it’d get in here?” The pegasus huffed. He ruffled her mane with a laugh then pulled her into a hug. “You did good kid.”

“So Ah keep hearin’… an’ appreciatin’,” Apple Bloom admitted, hugging back. “An’ thank you for yer help. Ya’ make a great apple picker an’ taxi.”

The pegasus giggled like a colt, a gleam of mischief in his eye. “Little scamp. Can’t say I’d make a good taxi. Would any taxi pony bail on their clientele?” he asked as he leapt off, spread his wings, and glided to the barn floor.

“Hey!” Apple Bloom found herself abandoned up in the rafters. She rolled her eyes again and marched along the railing with ease, making her way over to a stack of bales near the back. The Crusaders spent many an hour getting to places they shouldn’t be. The rafters of the Sweet Apple Acres barn was hardly a challenge to overcome. A hop skip and a jump led Apple Bloom back down to earth safely, the pony landing on four sure hooves with a flick of the tail. The little stunt was all it took for the pony to crave more cake. She was about to fetch it when a voice stopped her.

“Neat trick. Sure you aren’t an acrobat?”

Apple Bloom turned on the spot and snickered. “Ah dunno. Would that make you the rodeo clown?” Apple Bloom trotted forward and gave Colton a warm hug, squeezing just enough to make the stallion wince.

“Alright alright, I give,” Colton relented. Apple Bloom loosened her grip and flicked her head towards the table.

“How ‘bout some cake?” she offered. Colton agreed and the two fed themselves another slice. “Now let me guess: Yer gonna say ‘you did good’?”

“You did well.” The two farmponies took a seat near the table and worked on their respective slices of cake. “So how was the trip?”

“Uneventful.” Apple Bloom stretched casually. “Delivered a ton-a’ bushels of apples on time. Saved the day. No big deal.”

“Ohh that’s it? Hm. Guess it’s good you don’t use those superpowers for evil.” He took a bite and chortled through it.

“See? Such a clown ya’ even laugh at yer own jokes.” Apple Bloom nudged against her friend. They both laughed, and sighed. “S’pose another nice thing that happened outta all this is that Ah got ta meet ya’.” Apple Bloom admitted after a while. “...And totally outsold ya’ at the marketplace.”

“Hey! I let you win!” he defended mockingly. “Sounds like a rematch is in order. How’s next weekend sound?”

“Done.” She held up a hoof that Colton bumped back, sealing the deal. “Look forward ta outsellin’ ya two ta one!”

“Right back at you,” he hummed, busying himself with his cake amid his smirking. He glanced up only when something else caught his attention, then tapped Apple Bloom on the shoulder and nodded in a direction. “Looks like your folks want a word with you.”

Apple Bloom glanced up, cheeks full of cake, seeing Valencia waving her over. “S’pose so! Catch up with you later Colton?”

“Sounds good Apple Bloom. See ya’ around.” Apple Bloom finished her cake and snuck a last quick hug in and left Colton at the table. She walked on over to the Apples, all gathered together near the open barn doors and basking in the afternoon sunlight. Jonagold was idly chatting with Granny Smith, looking up to smile at Apple Bloom. Big Macintosh was busying himself running a hoof over Winona’s upturned belly, the dog lolling out in the sunlight with her tail wagging away slowly. Apple Bloom sat down by Applejack, who smiled to her sister and tossed another hoof over her shoulder. Their mother sat on Apple Bloom’s other side. “So uh… Family meetin’?”

“More like a family reunion,” Valencia said gently. “Complete with a family photo.” Apple Bloom’s mother pointed out of the barn where a tripod had been set up, complete with a pony fussing behind it. The entire Apple Family re-seated themselves to get in position. Winona even sat up for the occasion, perched on the edge of the line of ponies. Apple Bloom tried to make the brightest smile when the camera pony indicated, and she held it until long after the flash went off.

Jonagold adjusted his hat. “Perfect,” he judged. He turned to face his three children with a big smile. “Now as me and Granny were discussin’, me an’ yer mother don’t have too much in store fer us anytime soon, so it’s lookin’ like y’all’ll have a couple extra sets of hooves this Applebuck Season. Hearth’s Warmin’ too.”

“Really?!” Applejack exclaimed. The other two siblings expressed similar sounds of joy. “Well if that ain’t the best present fer this lil’ party I dunno what is!” Before Jonagold got another word out he found himself pounced by two mares and a stallion. Valencia and Granny joined, with Winona perched on top, all laughing uproariously. The other party-goers inside joined in on the laughter that carried about the farm for a good 30 seconds.

Apple Bloom managed to wiggle her way out the bottom of the pile halfway, resting a hoof on her cheek and staring out at the orchard and all the trees it possessed. “Ah’m so proud ta be in this family...” She yanked herself free, looking back at the others all sorting themselves out from the pile. Applejack helped Valencia and Granny Smith up. Winona assisted by not getting in the way, bounding around them all. Big Macintosh and Jonagold rose together, with the red pony fighting back tears as the news really sunk in for the stallion. He and his father shared a tight embrace, leaving Apple Bloom with a warm smile on her muzzle. With nopony paying attention to her for the moment, she took the opportunity to slip away into the orchard.


*    *    *


Apple Bloom could just make out the sounds of the party still going on down at the barn. Her apple tree was there waiting for her when she arrived. Apple Bloom groaned as she lowered herself down to the ground and rotated to lean her back and head up against against the bark. The Red Delicious tree she’d planted all those years ago held firm, sparsely dotted with its namesake fruit. She idly stretched her legs one at a time and wiggled her shoulders to get comfortable while staring over Sweet Apple Acres. The mid-afternoon sun blanketed the land and the burden-free earth pony in a gentle, caressing warmth. Apple Bloom soaked in the sun’s rays and watched the shadows of her tree’s branches dance over her coat and mane. She glanced down to her hooves, no one distinguishable from the other, showing clear signs of labor but by no means injured any more.

Separated from all the noise and her body desiring rest after so much food and a very long week, Apple Bloom pondered a nap. She pursed her lips in thought with her eyes fighting to stay open. “This is where Ah truly belong,” she spoke with absolute authority. There wasn’t a single doubt in her mind. “Ain’t no place Ah’d rather be.” The not-quite-so-young mare stretched once more, arching her back in the process, then flumped completely limp, allowing her eyes to close and her mind to drift. Her tree provided shade while standing among all the others dotting the farm, diligent and unwavering. “Standin’ alongside all my fellow Applies. My family...” Apple Bloom’s head slouched with one final resolution in her head and her heart. Never Alone.

The earth pony soon slept silently in the grass, an autumn breeze making the trees hum softly all about her and filling the air with the sweet scents of apples.

Never alone...

A bright shimmering light hummed into existence under the Red Delicious tree, emanating from the napping earth pony. That glow faded as quickly as it was wrought, twinkling sparkles falling to earth, Apple Bloom snoozing contentedly through it all. What was left after the display was a single red apple, shining on each of Apple Bloom’s flanks. Another little breeze cut through the orchard, loosing an apple from the tree above. It tumbled down and rolled to a stop near a twitching hoof. The color of Apple Bloom’s cutie mark shone as vibrantly as the apple that now rested beside it.

Apple Bloom napped away her afternoon up in the orchard, accompanied by her tree and the sights and sounds of Sweet Apple Acres. She’d found herself. Discovered and fought against her limitations. Pushed herself to the brink. When the chips were down and those fears and challenges were faced head-on: She conquered. She rested easily knowing that family was always there for her.

Apple Bloom was never truly alone.