//------------------------------//
// Chapter Ten: Applejack Returns 
// Story: Big Macy 
// by Foal Star 
//------------------------------//

Three days later…

One morning, Applejack was looking over the side of a massive pirate ship, puking her guts out. The orange-coated farm mare looked somewhat exhausted and worn out, with her blonde straw mane and tail a ragged mess, her orange coat covered in dirt, along with several bruises and bits of seaweed clinging to her body. She also sported a rather interesting attire with a red skull cap on her head, a white bandage wrapped around her right eye, and a worn black leather jacket with a yellow-green sweater underneath. After a long and treacherous journey, she was finally returning home to Ponyville. But she couldn't tell with the cloud's coverage blocking her view, so all she could see were whisps of white clouds rolling through as they were lowering in altitude. Despite having a hangover, Applejack felt rather good this morning. She let the wind wisp through her mane, feeling rather proud of herself as they came home from a grand adventure. She then heard hoofsteps from behind her and turned her head to see that somepony else was coming towards her. It was none other than Captain Celaeno. The pirate captain was unlike any creature Applejack had seen before, being a bipedal parrot. The captain was covered from head to toe in white feathers, with a flowing light green mane from her head and a similar colored hair flowing from her backside. The parrot-like creature sported gold armor that covered her upper torso and a pair of brown trousers around her waist. Captain Celaeno stood tall and proud with her piercing violet eyes and a gold-colored beak. She was also dressed rather boldly, sporting a broad captain's hat placed squarely on her head, a cutlass strapped to her left side, and a jeweled peg leg being where her left leg used to be. The captain came right up to the railing and laid her head over as she also seemed to just want to take in the scenery after a rather wild party from the previous night. Still, Applejack was rather curious about why she came over and asked, "so uh…what's up?"

"Hey, just wanted to say thanks before ya go back to your pony friends," Captain Celaeno explained as she laid her head on one of her claws and then said rather solemnly. "You helped me make peace with my dad, and I can't thank you enough for that."

"No problem; I mean, I get it yall seem to not like each other at all. But he can't be lying to you about how things are run back in the Roost. Heck, if he never told ya the truth, there would always be a wall between you two."

Captain Celaeno turned her head towards the sky as she seemed to reflect on what Applejack said, "yeah, I get it; it doesn't mean I agree with him. But that's my burden to bear."

Applejack wanted to say more, but she knew it wasn't her place to intervene; this was a journey that Captain Celaeno needed to take on her own. But the mare's thoughts were interrupted as she had the urge to suddenly vomit again and hurled the contents of her stomach over the railing. Applejack felt embarrassed as Captain Celaeno couldn't help but laugh, "I'm assuming you ponies don't drink rum, eh?"

"Of course not, we drink ale and hard cider, but nothing as strong as that," The farm mare mumbled with a sheepish look. She was embarrassed and frustrated that she could not take on all the rum she had drunk the night previously.

"Well, I'm sending ya home with a cask of it anyway; just don't go drinking it all in one night," Captain Celaeno added as she slapped Applejack on the back.

The farm mare sighed, knowing why the Capitan was so charitable, seeing she rescued Captain Celaeno from being eaten by a Kraken the other day and said, "I already told yall that I don't need nothing for saving your life."

"Well, not just anyone would dive into a kraken's jaw either," Captain Celaeno replied as the ship finally broke through the cloud cover.

Applejack could now see her hometown from a bird's eye view. It was breathtaking to see Ponyville as she had never done before. She had ridden a hot air balloon a few times before, but she's never seen her town this high up in the clouds before. From her point of view, Ponyville looked like a foal's playset, with the buildings and houses looking like they were made for dolls. She could see the tiny colorful blobs milling about who obviously were her fellow townponies milling about their business. With Applejack being absorbed in the scene below, she didn’t initially respond to the captain taking in the moment before saying, "maybe, but I think Rainbow Dash should've tagged along; she would've been much more useful in that fight."

The farm mare chuckled to herself as she thought about how jealous Rainbow Dash would be after talking about the swashbuckling adventure she and Captain Celaeno had.

"Well, I would love to meet this Rainbow Dash and the rest of your friends," Captain Celaeno replied she then looked downward towards the ponies below and said, "If the Storm king keeps advancing, and with Talon still out there, we'll need all the help we can get."

Applejack lowered her gaze a little, remembering the storm king's devastation and his minions wrought on others. The devastating wrecks of ships that defied him and those enslaved by him. She knew his conquests were hundreds of miles away. The farm mare turned her gaze towards Ponyville and saw how small and vulnerable her hometown was. She knew that it wouldn't be long until he set his eyes on Equestria and that this problem wasn't just going to go away anytime soon. Applejack wanted to reassure her new friend that they’ll have her back when she needed them. She then turned to face the captain and said, "that's right; when yall are ready to take them on, let us know; my friends and I will back you up."

Captain Celaeno flashed a smile back at her and said, "thank you I feel quite relieved that we have you guys on our side."

As the ships descended onto the Townsquare, everypony with the shadow of the pirate ship fell over the crowd of ponies below. The ponies there were surprised to see a pirate ship coming down from the clouds and heading right towards them. The ponies then all looked upward in awe and disbelief; most of the ponies in the crowd started to freak out, shouting, "pirates!" as they began to run for their lives. As the ship landed right above the town, Captain Celaeno was concerned about what was happening. The bipedal parrot took a rope and landed on the ground as she started waving her arms and shouting, "wait! We're not here to pillage or anything! We're just dropping off your fellow ponies!"

But of course, nopony was listening as they all started shutting their doors, curtains were drawn, and the clicking of locks reverberated across the town. Applejack just shook her head, seeing that her fellow towns ponies still are too skittish.

"We're home already?" Somepony grumbled loudly, and both Applejack and Capitan Celaeno turned to a tired and worn violet alicorn, with her mane a mess and eyes bloodshot red. She stumbled out from the ship's hold and wobbled back and forth as she made her way across the deck, muttering to herself. "Why is the rum always gone?"

Applejack put a hoof to her mouth, trying to hold off from bursting out laughing, while Captain Celaeno leaned into her ear and whispered, "maybe she should stay off the rum."

"Yeah, I'll keep that in mind," the farm mare snickered, unable to shake the feeling of being amused seeing Twilight drunk. Applejack then took Twilight by the hoof, and the two jumped off the ship, landing on all fours on the ground below. The farm mare looked up and saw that all of Celaeno’s crew of bipedal birds came out waving their arms in the air as the captain exclaimed, "Well, take care! And thanks again!"

"Wait, don't yall want to see Rainbow Dash and my other friends!?" Applejack shouted seeing that Captain Celaeno wanted to meet her friend Rainbow Dash.

"Maybe some other time! We gotta get back; this ship is a loner from my dad," Captain Celaeno explained as she waved a claw back at her friend.

"Ok then! Just come by and visit any time! You know where to find us!" Applejack shouted back as she waved a hoof and then watched as it disappeared into the clouds above once more. The farm mare felt somber as she did enjoy the captain's company. But Applejack knew deep down they would see each other again, for now, she needed to get Twilight safely to her castle for now. The ship then rose in the air and flew off once more into the sky. The farm mare turned around and headed towards Twilight's castle to drop her off before making her way to her house (along with the cask of rum strapped to her back).





Applejack was making her way home as she was slowly trotting along the dirt road in Ponyville. She headed towards her house, carrying rum over her shoulders. The weight of the rum was heavy, making her trek much more rigorous than usual. The mare continued her way through town, with many ponies coming out (with most still being somewhat cautious), appearing to be stunned at Applejack's attire. The farm mare didn't concern herself with what the other ponies thought of her appearance. Instead, she turned her attention to her apple orchard stretching out before her she turned to admire the beauty of the apple orchard with the smell of apples wafting over her. She couldn't help but feel relief being home again after a long journey. Applejack continued to trot towards her home with the thought of a nice warm bed pushing her forward until she finally arrived at the door. The farm mare then gave the door a few knocks and then waited for a few grueling minutes, grumbling angrily, waiting for the door to open. As the door opened, the farm mare was stunned to see a giant, red-coated mare standing right in front of her. Before the farm mare couldn’t even react, she was suddenly scooped up in two massive, red-coated legs and slammed right into the plump breast of the mare standing before her.

"Oh, hello! You must be Applejack!" the mysterious mare exclaimed suddenly.  

"What the ha-" Applejack cried out as she squirmed about in the strange mare's embrace. The farm mare was flustered and pissed as she couldn't be able to get out of the embrace. The giant mare's grasp was so tight that she had to wheeze. "Get off of me!"

"Oh, sorry, I got carried away," Orchard Blossom squeaked as she stepped back with a sheepish smile.

"So, you're the mysterious Auntie Orchard Blossom I've heard about?" Applejack mumbled as she was still trying to catch her breath. She then turned her head upward and was able to look the red-coated mare over. She had to take a moment to look up at the massive mare standing over her and really take in this odd aunt that had come to assist with being Apple Bloom's partner in the Sisterhooves Social. She was plump and had this "motherly appeal," but what made her suspicious was that Orchard Blossom looked way too similar to her brother Big Mac. To the point it was almost uncanny, with her hair looking identical in color to her brother's golden-blonde mane and tail, they both had the same round green eyes, and their cutie marks were similarly being half of a green apple with the only difference is that Orchard Blossom's cutie mark was the shape of a heart. If Applejack had to guess, this "Auntie Orchard Blossom" was her brother in disguise, but how he could look this good as a mare was a mystery to her unless he changed his gender through some magic mojo. One question that plagued Applejack’s mind was why this mysterious aunt came of nowhere to compete in the Sisterhooves Social with her sister and why she looked virtually identical to her brother.

"Yes, I am! Now come on, everypony's been waiting for you!" Orchard Blossom exclaimed. The chubby mare then waddled through the house as Applejack followed behind, snickering behind a hoof, getting a full face of Orchard Blossom's rump. Thinking that if this was her brother in disguise, she was definitely going to comment on his fine ass as a mare. Applejack kept her thoughts to herself as she continued to trot behind her aunt. After placing the cask of rum down, the farm mare went to the quaint little dining table already set up with breakfast. She then sat down on one of the chairs, and her eyes narrowed; here, they had a lovely breakfast of apple cinnamon pancakes and coffee. Everypony was buried in their food, but Apple Bloom instantly shouted, "so tell us all about your adventure, please! It just sounds so cool! I mean look at you you're a pirate!"

"Yeah, I'll get to that; let me just eat a little first," Applejack mumbled as she started to dig into her meal. Applejack didn't realize it, but she was rather hungry, having her diet mostly consisted of dry biscuits and some fruit for the past few weeks. After a few minutes of gorging on the delicious pancakes, she wiped her mouth with a hoof; then started to tell her tale.





It was a long tale, and it started with Applejack and Twilight heading far south into the badlands, where they found a pirate crew led by a pirate named Captain Celaeno. They sailed on her flying pirate ship at first, but it also sailed well in the sea, where they eventually landed at a place called the Roost. They find out that Captain Celaeno was being accused of attacking her fellow pirate captains and raiding their ships. Her father believed she did it out of spite as they all worked for her dad, a pirate named Black Gizzard. The two basically hated each other's guts, Twilight, and Applejack realized the only way to clear Captain Celaeno's name was by investigating the issue. They then had to steal one of Black Gizzard's ships and then snuck onto another ship that belonged to a fleet of pirates led by a pirate named captain Talon. We then learned by accident that her father has been keeping the secret of a treasure he buried a long time ago. Applejack and Twilight couldn't figure out what the treasure was. Still, they learned that Black Gizzard, alongside his First mate Talon his former second in command.

The two had a falling out as Talon became more violent and brutal in his pillaging, and Black Gizzard hid a treasure the two found and locked away the map. But while they were on that ship, they were caught, and then they had to break out of a jail cell and fight their way out. Then after they came back to the Roost, they cleared Captain Celaeno of the charges she was being accused of, and she and her dad sort of made up. Captain Talon, however, sent an envoy to discuss terms as he threatened to destroy his island if he didn't give him the map to this treasure. He refused, and then Talon sent a Kraken at them. That was where they had a giant battle with dozens of pirates fighting this massive creature, and they were eventually able to drive it away. Throughout the tale, there were many interruptions from her sister and "aunt," all asking questions and wanting to know more. Applejack did her best to answer them, and she seemed to be somewhat humble in her exploits. But she could tell that her family just looked at her in awe as she concluded her tale and realized it was indeed quite a story. But, knowing that Captain Talon was working for a tyrant named the Storm King she made it clear the story was far from over. At the end of telling her tale, Applejack finished her coffee. She turned her attention to Aunt Orchard Blossom and eyed her as she asked, "ok, now I've answered all of your questions; it's about time you answered some of mine."

Orchard Blossom sat back on her seat, crossed her hooves across her chest, and said, "ok, go ahead, ask anything you want?"

Applejack lowered her gaze as she decided it was time to unveil this "Aunt Orchard Blossom" and said, "who are you really? Because I know many family members from Manehattan, but I've never heard of an Auntie Orchard Blossom in my life."

Granny Smith rolled her eyes as Apple Bloom and "Orchard Blossom" exchanged smirks. The big red-coated mare then rose up and threw her mane back. She struck a pose while flashing her eyelashes and said, "Oh, come now, you don't recognize your brother Big Mac?"

Apple Bloom burst into laughter as Applejack's mouth just dropped; she assumed that she was indeed her brother, but the realization and shock that he swapped genders while gone was a bit overwhelming. "You dressed in drag before, but I never would imagine you would go this far!?"

Big Mac looked rather embarrassed as he sat back down and said, "it's a long story, but I did this for Apple Bloom so we can compete in the Sisterhooves Social." Then in a grumpier tone continued, "little did I know I could've gone as a stallion this whole time."

Granny Smith cackled as she slammed a hoof on the table, "damn straight! I told ya that a week ago, but nope ya didn't listen!"

Applejack couldn't help but join in the laughter, but she saw her brother looking pouty. Despite him going too far, he changed his gender for his sister and made sure she had an enjoyable time at the Sisterhooves Social, which made her proud of her older brother. The farm mare then rose, trotted over, gave her "sister" a hug, and said, "Well, it's touching. You would go this far for your family, but are you gonna change back?" Big Mac was a bit stunned but returned the embrace and wrapped his hooves around her. After they broke off, Big Mac gave Applejack's question some thought as he tapped a hoof to his chin and said, "Maybe? But I thought that "Auntie Orchard Blossom" could visit now and again.

"That would be so cool! Please, I would love to have Auntie Orchard Blossom visit!" Apple Bloom squealed as she started to jump up and down in excitement.

Applejack couldn’t help but daww, seeing how excited Apple Bloom was about having a mysterious aunt. But at the same time, she wanted to make sure Big Mac was ok with it. She didn't want to have him feel pressured to go through with being a mare again and said, "you do what you feel comfortable doing ok? Either way, I'm really proud of how well you two bonded."

Big Mac gave a nod and with his cheeks growing a shade of pink then gave a, "ey'yup."

“Yeah, the Sisterhooves Social was great! Now that you told your story let me tell you mine!” Apple Bloom cheered.

This time Orchard Blossom became quiet as Apple Bloom started telling all about the event and how Big Mac was treating her like a “little filly” throughout the race. The tale was silly and a bit overdramatized, but Applejack couldn’t help but laugh and smile throughout her sister’s telling of what happened at the social. But a wave of drowsiness came over the farm mare as she felt her eyelids growing heavy. As Apple Bloom concluded with how they got last place Applejack raised her hooves and gave a loud yawn. "Well, all that matters is you two had fun. I had a long week, so I'm going to hit the hay, ok? We can talk more about this after a nap."

“Ok, sure! Besides the rest is boring, Big Mac and I fought, made up, then we planned this big breakfast for ya!” Apple Bloom cheered as she seemed unable to contain her excitement.

Waiting to thank her sister Applejack rose from the table and gave her sister a hug. “Thank you sugarcube; I appreciate all of this.” The farm mare then began to trot upstairs but she was then suddenly hoisted onto her brother’s back.

"Hold on, let me help tuck you in!" Big Mac chirped as he trotted upstairs with his sister bouncing up and down on his back. Applejack wanted to protest, seeing she could make her way to her bed independently. But she was too tired and worn out to fight back and instead just grumbled, "fine, whatever."

Big Mac trotted upstairs to her quaint bedroom, exactly as she left it a few weeks ago. Her "sister" then laid the farm mare in her bed and had the sheets pulled over her. Applejack then snuggled under the covers, feeling content, warm, and comfortable. She then looked up into "Auntie Orchard Blossom's" eyes, and that warm fuzzy feeling that she missed from her mother hit her like a bull ramming its horns into her. Applejack choked back tears and she sort of wished that Big Mac could stay a mare judt for a little while longer. However, there was something else on her mind as she was also curious about how many ponies knew Auntie Orchard Blossom's secret identity and asked, "how many ponies know the truth?"

"Only you guys, and maybe one of the judges. But everypony else thinks I'm just an aunt visiting."

"Well, I assume that ya don't want the whole town knowing; I'm not one for lying or deceiving, but for your sake, I guess we gotta make it look convincing that you're really my aunt."

"Right, and that's why Apple Bloom and I came up with a plan, and we're gonna need your help."

Applejack wanted to know more, but she could feel her eyelids being heavy. She couldn’t help but yawn and then asked, "ok, let's talk about it after my nap, ok?"

"Alright, sugarcube sleep tight," Big Mac cooed as he turned off the lights and slowly closed the door behind him.

Applejack's cheeks flushed red, feeling like a school filly as Big Mac left the room. Again, that feeling of that void that her mother left when she died was filled a bit by "Orchard Blossom's" presence, and it was something that she wanted to keep for a bit longer. But she knew better than to pressure Big Mac to stay as a mare, so she snuggled deep under the covers and drifted off into a deep sleep dreaming of her mother and the open sea.