The air smelled sweet of fresh apples and tree bark. Apple Bloom wiped the sweat off her brow as she was doing her daily chores around the farm. She was sure her sister had finished her share before leaving for the afternoon. Bloom wasn't sure where she had gone but it didn't bother the mare anymore. She was completely capable of tending to the farm for herself, as she assured her sister many moons before.
"There," she let out a sigh of relief, "all done." The mare paused and looked around one more time. Sighing, her ears pulled back as a wave of melancholy swept the yellow pony. Time really does fly, and before she knew it, her friends would be gone. So much for the Cutie Mark Crusaders staying together forever; but, perhaps that was just their foalish dreams. She wasn't sure who she would turn to for fun once they were gone. Everypony else already had their dreams and ambitions, and most were moving away.
Sure, she had her family of course, but they too had their own lives. Apple Jack often hurried her chores to go hang out with her friends and even Big Mac seemed to stay busy. "Ah never imagined mahself out on mah own-" she headed on to the barn, "the Cutie Mark Crusaders have always been my home." She enters and makes her way into the kitchen, grabbing a jar of apple jam. Plopping herself on the couch, she indulges herself in the homemade jam, glancing at the far wall. It was lined with family photos, awards the farm had earned (mostly from Apple Jack, being the competitive apple in the family), and two neck accessories; one an orange handkerchief dotted with red apples, and the other was a pink band with a blue emblem with a white pony head.
With a sniffle, Apple Bloom pulls herself from the half-devoured jam and gingerly grabs the handkerchief. Feeling the soft cotton with a free hoof, Bloom mutters shakily, "One more year Granny....just one more year." In a solemn gesture, she ties the fabric around her neck, tying it tightly.
Some time had passed when the door to the barn swung open, startling the earth mare out from slumber. "Oh, Apple Bloom! Ya home from school yet? Ah got a surprise fer ya,"
"Surprise bitches!" said a familiar Manehattan accent.
Gasping, Apple Bloom darted over and embraced Babs in a tight hug. In response, Babs chuckled and wrapped a hoof around her, softly nuzzling. As Bloom pulled away, she noticed her sister giving Babs a disapproving glare for cursing but Bloom ignored it. "But wait, it's the start of the week! What about school?"
Babs shrugged casually, "Somethin happened with mah sister, so she contacted Jack an asked if ah could stay with you guys fer a bit. Hope that isn't an issue."
"Of course, it isn't! This is great! Thank you Apple Jack," AB exclaimed.