//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: The Ones She Left Behind // by tatony //------------------------------// “No Applejack, yer too little and ya can’t just leave yer family.” McIntosh said to his little sister. Even angry he managed to control the volume of his voice “Now I’m sorry ya feel that way Mac, but I’ve made up ma mind. I can’t live at this muddy old apple farm ma whole life.” Applejack told her brother. “It’s just sumin’ I need to do." “But AJ, you don’t know no one in Manehatten, and what’ll ya do there anyway? Not t’ mention, who’ll help me with the farm?” McIntosh questioned his little sister. "Now don’t be silly, Uncle Mosely and Aunt Tangerine live there, I already wrote to them an’ they said I can stay with ‘em, an' I don’t know what I’m gonna do, I haven’t got’n ma cutie mark yet.” She said “An’ you’re a big pony Mac, you can take over ma chores.” Applejack had already planned almost everything, except how she was going to tell her family and what their reaction was going to be. “She seems t’ be prepared for all this McIntosh and she has a right to live 'er own life.” Granny Smith, calmly told her grandson. “But she’s just a little pony.” McIntosh responded “I’m not a baby Mac.” Applejack said to her brother. “Hush and let the big ponies talk.” McIntosh told her with authority. “I am a big pony.” Applejack whispered. “Granny say something to her, tell ‘er she can’t just leave.” McIntosh pleaded with his grandmother. “McIntosh, hush up with that talk. Applejack we love ya and we’ll always welcome ya back with open hooves, if'n you decide t' come back.” Granny Smith said to her young granddaughter. “Thanks Granny” Applejack said with a smile. She looked at her big brother, he wouldn’t lose his frown. “I think it’s time, we all went t’ bed, Applejack yer gonna need t’ get up early for yer trip tomorra.” Granny looked at Applejack and noticed she was a spitting image of her at that age. “Okay. Ga’night Granny Smith, ga’night McIntosh.” Applejack said as she headed to her room, she was sure it would be for the last time. Granny Smith responded with goodnight, McIntosh stayed silent and walked to his room. ---- “Goodbye ya’ll, I’ll make sure ta write.” Applejack said as she hugged her granny and big brother one last time. “Goodbye Applejack” Granny Smith said as she started to cry. McIntosh hadn't said a word all morning. He stood stoically and comforted his grandmother. McIntosh and Granny Smith watched as Applejack left their farm on her way to live in the big city with her Aunt and Uncle Orange. “Why does she want to go granny?” McIntosh asked Granny Smith. He had been thinking about it all night. He never thought about leaving the farm, trips are fun, but he could never say goodbye forever. It was his home. Sweet Apple Acres is where the Apple clan had gotten its start. He could never turn his back on it like his sister just did. "I dunno know McIntosh, I guess she thinks she’s missing out on sumin living here, she’s a big pony though, don’t you worry about her.” Granny Smith said trying to reassure her grandson. She wiped away her tears; she had to be strong for him. Her bad eyes lost track of her granddaughter as she walked further and further away. “But we need her here, we love her. You could’ve told her to stay; she would’ve listened to you.” McIntosh said, trying not to sound angry at his grandmother. He wanted someone to blame, but it was nopony’s fault and he knew it. “Now hush up. I know we love ‘er and she knows it, but she has t’ make her own choices in life. ‘Sides she woulda just hated me fer it. Do ya want that?” “Nope.” McIntosh responded, losing sight of his little sister. “Granny, what if she don’t come back?” The young pony asked his grandmother, his voice cracking. “She’ll still be yer sister and my granddaughter and we’ll love ‘er just the same.” Granny Smith said. She hadn’t actually thought of the possibility that Applejack wouldn’t come back. Applejack had told her granny she wanted to try out the sophisticated life. Granny Smith never saw much in a life without hard work and the farm, and neither did McIntosh, but now she began to wonder, what if Applejack did. Both ponies walked side by side as they returned to the house. “Mac, I know yer worried, but this is for the best, she’ll come back and the she’ll be happier than ever to be here. You’ll see.” McIntosh walked silently. Both ponies heard crying coming from inside the house. “Oh no, Apple Bloom’s awake. McIntosh, can ya check up on her?” “Eeyup” McIntosh said quietly as he rushed into the house to check on his baby sister. “Oh ‘nd another thing.” She called out to her grandson. “I’m gonna need extra help running the farm, now that we’re a hoof short.” Her grandson responded with another eeyup. Both of them would need to work harder now that Applejack was gone. She walked to the front porch and sat in her rocking chair. She could hear McIntosh’s baby talking to Apple Bloom. “What about Apple Bloom?” Granny began to think, “She’s gonna grow up without a sister, without Applejack.” She heard Apple Bloom giggle. “Well, McIntosh is a good big brother, he took care of Applejack after what happened to their folks, ‘nd she turned inta a fine pony, he’ll do the same for Apple Bloom. An’ maybe she’ll just want to leave when she’s older too.” McIntosh walked out of the house with a cooing foal on his back, her coat was the same color as her big sister’s mane. Granny Smith began to tear up again. McIntosh saw his grandmother wipe her eyes. He knew he needed to be strong for her. “Now don’t you worry ‘bout a thing granny,” he said with a weak smile “I can do Applejack’s chores and we can both take care of Apple Bloom. We’ll be alright.” Caring for a foal is a full time job, but Applejack somehow managed to look after her little sister and work on the farm, even being as small as she was . “I know we will Mac, now give that little filly here.” Granny Smith said as she took Apple Bloom from McIntosh. The foal fell asleep as her grandmother’s cradled her. “This one has the right idea McIntosh, I think I’m gonna take a nap too.” Granny Smith told her grandson as she dozed off. “Okay granny, I’m gonna go get started on ma chores.” McIntosh whispered to his sleeping grandmother. He looked out at the road Applejack used to leave them; he began to cry as made his way toward the apple orchard.