//------------------------------// // A new year, same regret's // Story: Dictators of Ponyville : A Ponyville confidential story // by ALoneWolf //------------------------------// A whole year has passed and today now marks the beginning of the new year for the citizens of Ponyville, however non were in the most festive mood despite it being a new year for everybody. No one was in the best spirit's as every citizen had the least bits of spirit as their minds were on one priority...................... the CMC's. After a whole year of looking, filing a missing pony report, Celestia's letters, and asking around there was still no sign of the three runaway fillies and each citizen was full of nothing but guilt and worry about the thought of something bad happening to them, but no one felt more guilty then the main 6. After a year of searching with no luck or even a clue to their whereabouts's the 6 friends guilt increased even more knowing that they were out there lost, hungry, and alone, and worst of all it was their fault. Throughout the year nobody was in the most cheerful moods with there being little signs of the crusaders, no one in town even bothered to celebrate birthdays, Hearts and hooves day, nightmare night, thanksgiving ( I don't know what thanksgiving is known as in the MLP universe) Hearts warming, or even New years eve as it just wasn't the same without the CMC. Each of the elements had their own level of guilt throughout the year for their harsh actions towards the young girls. Twilight hasn't written any friendship reports to Celestia since as she felt that she failed the importance of friendship by driving three of her youngest and closest friends out of town the only time she writes is to ask if there's been any news about the crusaders and Spike felt just as guilty for being harsh as well, Rainbow Dash berated herself for stooping so low towards the girls especially towards her biggest fan and younger sister figure even her coworkers on the weather team berated her for pouring rain on them and acting like a bully which she didn't blame them for her actions were harsh and outright mean, Angel felt ashamed of himself for slamming the door in their faces and not even giving them a chance to hear them out the poor bunny even went as far as to try and starve himself out of guilt but this was quickly stopped by the other animals and Fluttershy who reassured him that they will find them and he will get the chance to make it up to them, Rarity hasn't made a single dress all year as her creativity and inspiration went away just like how she drove her little sister away when her parents found out about it she begged them to hate her and even slap her as it's what she felt she deserved but instead they brought their daughter into a hug and assured her that they would never hate her and that they will find Sweetie belle no matter what, Pinkie pie made a vow that she would never throw a party or have her hair poofy again until she found the CMC so she would throw them the biggest " I'm sorry for not listening to you and being a big fat meanie instead of hearing you guy's out and making you guy's runaway from home" party, however non took it more harder than the apple siblings. Throughout the year Big Mac and Applejack felt worst of all especially since his harsh word's practically drove the three young fillies off and Applejack felt guilty for not even hearing them out like an asshole, they wished so badly that they could take it all back but they knew there was no reversing this. their little sister and her friends were out there alone and scared and it was all their fault but that's not the worst thing to happen to the sibling's. Granny Smith after hearing what had happened and how harsh her grandchildren acted towards Apple bloom showed true disappointment towards the pair, while Rarity's parents showed no ill towards their daughter, the Apple family matriarch was another story. She subjected the sibling to extra and I mean EXTRA chores around the farm throughout the year as punishment throughout the year and would find the time to let them know how disappointed she was at the pair and how ashamed their folk's would have been if they were alive and found out what they've done even though most of the fault was towards Diamond Tiara for blackmailing the crusaders. There were even nights where she made them go to bed without dinner, the abuse was so severe that Big Mac was even considering moving out along with Applejack but they knew they couldn't escape their guilt. Now it was early January and not one pony or creature in town even did the traditional and screamed 3, 2, 1, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!! as it just wasn't the same knowing that three of the citizens were missing and that there was still no sign's of them. Meanwhile Sitting on the lush green field of the Apple tree field we find the element of honestly looking out on the quiet sun filled morning with her mind literally in the clouds, with Granny Smith continuing her punishments towards the siblings she prohibited any break's and even taking a breather without her permission but with her in the kitchen prepping the zapp apple jam AJ figured that a quickie wouldn't hurt. Her guilt grew more and more each day wishing that her sister would come home or at least give her a sign that she was alright, she prayed to Celestia each day for a sign to her sisters whereabouts so that she could go up and give her the biggest hug imaginable. As she continued to think a voice soon interrupted her train of thought's. "Howdy AJ" said a voice. Applejack then looked up and found her boyfriend Caramel looming over her and looking worried seeing his girl in such a depressing state. "Hey babe" She said quietly not even bothering to crack a smile. Caramel then took the opportunity to sit next to Applejack and wrapped a comforting hooves around the sad earth mares back as she continues to look all gloomy. Applejack after calming down a little bit then planted a quick kiss which he returned as well, after the kiss ended the farm girl spoke. "What brings ya here?" She asked. "Well I haven't seen you much lately and was starting to get worried" He replied. " Especially since Big Mac told me that you barely go into town as much anymore" 'Yeah I'm sorry for being distant babe" She said gloomily. " Granny's been working us like slaves and most of the time were not even allowed to leave the farm until all of our chores are done" "Ah I see" Caramel replied. " So she's still pissed off?" "Oh yeah" She answered. " I tell ya I have never seen her get that angry in my life, it was almost terrifying whenever she showed her disappointed towards us and honestly I couldn't blame her what I did to Bloom was outright selfish" Aj's body then shook and quivered a little looking as if she was ready to cry at any moment, Caramel wasted no time and wrapped his hooves around Applejack bringing her into a warm embrace which she quickly returned. "It's ok Applejack it's ok, let it all out" He said in a comforting voice as he rubbed her back gently. "I'm sure Bloom knows you and Big Mac didn't mean it, I'm sure she just needed a period of time to cool off" Caramel reassured. " Who knows maybe she and the others are just crashing with a relative?" "I doubt that Sugarcube" She answered. " I've been asking around the whole Apple family and even the pears but no ones seen her either. It's been a whole year and there's still no sign of her, who knows what she's getting herself into or worse what if something terrible happened to Bloom and her friends? If she got herself kidnapped or worse some monster or creature ended up devouring her and her friends I would never forgive myself" "Come on AJ don't talk like that" Caramel said. " I'm sure Apple blooms safe you cant give up now. She's gotta be somewhere around equestria so don't give up on your little sister, cause even though she might be a little angry with ya she know's that she cant live without her family and friend's" "Yeah I guess" Applejack said as caramel released her from the hug. " But I can't help but worry babe" "Your not the only one lil sis" Came a voice, and out of nowhere Big Mac walked right up and sat next to the couple. " We all feel bad about how we talked to them, hell I acted like a cold blooded monster when I told them to go away. But we shouldn't let our guilt stop us now. Their still out there somewhere I can feel it, and I for one am not repeat not gonna rest until our baby sister and her friends are home safe and sound" After his lecture Applejack began to perk up a bit knowing that her older brother was right while still having a bit of doubt. "I know Big Mac" She replied. " I'm not gonna give up on Bloom either, but given our harsh treatment's I doubt saying sorry is gonna......................................................" "GET BACK TO WORK YOU TWO!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Came a voice which made the trio jump slightly. They then turned around to find the matriarch Granny Smith walking towards them looking all kinds of pissed. "I thought I made it clear, no breaks without my permission" She said angrily. "Granny come on" AJ jumped in. " You've been working us like packmules since last year , what's wrong with having a little breather during jobs?" "What's wrong with it is that your not pulling any extra weight and putting us behind schedule missy!!!!!" Granny Smith shouted. " And ya'll should have thought about that before driving your lil sister away like a couple of monsters" "Ms smith , don't you think your being a little harsh?" Caramel asked. "STAY OUT OF THIS KID!!!!!!" Granny retorted. "Don't talk to my boyfriend like that!" Applejack fought back which only made Granny's blood boil more. "Don't you use that tone with me young lady!" She shot back. " It's bad enough your sisters missing because of your stupidity, but now were nearly low on schedule on the zapp apple jam especially since ya only bucked 10 tree's today and they'll be out of season in a couple of week's! And to top it all off I'm sitting in the kitchen trying to wrestle up enough jam that's not even enough for the week, do you know how annoyed that's gonna make the eager consumers who are thirsting for genuine apple product's?" "Granny we're trying our best!" Big mac jumped in. " But with your new rules and lack of breaks it's making it harder for us to get behind schedule we're tired!" "Was your sister tired when you guy's told her to go away?" She coldly asked. "OH COME ON!!!!!!!!" Applejack shouted. " You think me , Big Mac and everyone else don't feel bad enough as it is for how we talked to them. Your not exactly making it easier on us by reminding us about how terrible we were to them Granny" "Well you should be" She shot back. " I tell ya I have never been so disappointed in you two in my entire life. Out of all the stunt's you pulled throughout the years especially that little lie ya told Mr Rich year's ago I would never think that you would stoop so low and drive your little sister away, I can not even imagine how hurt and heartbroken the poor filly was after what you and her friend's did. Don't get me wrong I'm just as furious at Mr rich's daughter for pulling the stunt in the first place but your word's are what drove her away. You two shamed the Apple family in so many ways, I'd expect better from the two of you. You and your friends saved equestria from every threat not one but two times and yet you pulled off such an evil act yourself? Honestly if this is how you treat family you and your friends don't even deserve the element's of harmony and I'm sure your ma and pa would agree with me as well" That did it, after hearing that last line a part of Applejacks mind snapped completely as a angry snarl began to form. while a part of her was fighting the urge to not say or do anything she'll regret but Granny's scolding word's made it harder and harder for the farm girl to control her emotions and soon she'll make her biggest mistake. "And another thing....................................................................................." "shut up" Applejack quietly interrupted earning a shocked look from not only Granny but Big Mac and Caramel as well. "What did you say to me?" She asked nearly shouting. "I SAID SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Applejack shouted increasing the shocked looks from everyone. " You think I don't feel bad enough about this whole thing ya hag?! Yeah I screwed up with how I acted towards my sister and I should have heard her out first but I didn't. I chose to just let my anger get the better of me and just ignore everything she had to say to me like a coward. But low and behold I did, what I did was wrong and it'll haunt me for the rest of my life but you don't have to remind me and big mac every single day about how we messed up! Instead of scolding and berating us you should have been comforting us, saying that it wasn't all our faults and not to blame ourselves, not treat us like a couple of criminals being subjected to manual labor across a highway or a freakin rock quarry!!!!!!! I'm sorry I messed up alright?! But I don't need you mouthing and scolding me and barely letting me have a breather after nearly passing out from these damn extra chores you've subjected to, If you honestly haven't forgiven us by now Granny than I am done trying to make it up to you!!!! If you wanna continue to hate us then go the hell ahead but do us all a favor old women, keep your nasty word's to yourself and SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" After her outburst Applejack panted and exhaled heavily her snarl still visible. Big Mac and Caramel remained silent and shocked at the element of honesty's outburst, while she did have a point about how cruel Granny Smith has been for quite a while the farmgirl's words were still too far even for her hell not even Rainbow dash would have said anything like that regardless of how angry she would have been. However Granny's shock later turned into burning rage at the thought of her granddaughter having the nerve to tell her to shut up and to snap at her like that, after a minute long growl the matriarch then spoke. "How dare you" She began quietly as her face began to turn red with anger. "HOW DARE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" You have the nerve to speak to me like that missy?! Me !? The women who's been taken care of ya since your folks died , ME?! You little brat, you think you can talk to the family matriarch like that? Well you don't!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why I have a good mind to............to.............................................................................tooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo" Suddenly the old woman found herself being unable to finish her outburst and found herself struggling for breath and began coughing heavily while clenching her chest. "Granny what's wrong?!" Big Mac asked worried. " ARE YOU OK?!" But after a few seconds the matriarch collapsed on the grassy field her breathing slowly stopping as the trio looked on in shock and fear. "GRANNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Big Mac, caramel, and Applejack said in unison and ran over to the old mare to check if she was alright. "Granny wake up!!!!!!!" Big Mac screamed. "Ms Smith are you ok?!" Caramel shouted in worry. "Granny wake up please!!!!!!!!!!" Applejack jumped in as fresh tears started to form . " I'm sorry i didn't mean it I really didn't mean it, please wake up PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" "Caramel get your uncle over here.........................NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Big Mac shouted to his best friend. "Ok I'll be back as soon as I can" The stallion said as he began to make his way towards his uncles hospital to go get help leaving the siblings who were still trying to keep their grandmother alive long enough until help arrived. "Granny please wake up please!" Applejack said as she continued to plead for the old matriarch to wake up as her tears fell down and dripped on her face. "Please wake up Granny. Wake up please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please,please,please,please......................................................................................................................................................................