//------------------------------// // Arc XXV Episode I: Starting Things Up // Story: Family Begins With You // by Jmaster49 //------------------------------// The next day… Sunset decided to pay Applejack a visit to see how she was doing. The apple gal was busy picking apples from one of the trees in the farm as usual which put Sunset at ease as she approached her. “Hey, Applejack,” she called out to her, “Adagio told me how you were doing and I wanted to come check on you. Is everything okay?” “Yeah I feel a bit better knowin’ there’s lots’a folks out there workin’ on findin’ the truth about…mah parents,” Applejack rubbed her neck as she sat beneath one of the trees. “It’s somethin’ I wasn’t prepared’ta deal with mahself.” Sunset would then join her and sit next to her in the grass. “...does anyone else in your family know about this little operation?” “Are you kiddin’?” she asked sarcastically, “Ain’t no way I’d subject Applebloom, Big Mac, or Granny Smith’ta bein’ stressed out over our parents…and her son.” She removed her hat from her head and glanced down at it with a somber frown, “That’s the last thing I’d ever want for any of ‘em…” “I understand…but don’t worry. From what I heard, it sounds like Flash is already on top of things…as nervous as that makes me,” Sunset admitted as she hung her head. Applejack placed her hat back on her head and gave her own perspective. “...Honestly, I think this has been a long time comin’.” “What do you mean by that?” “Think about it, Sunset. Imagine how he feels after bein’ on the sidelines all this time. He and his friends were what saved us from that love potion a few months back, so I think he wants’ta continue to show how useful he can be.” Despite this, Sunset was still visibly shaken by the idea. “I…guess, but--I dunno. I just feel…guilty? Scared?” she said while holding both of her hands up and raising each one upon saying each word, “Because well--it’s my fault that he’s got wrapped up in all this stuff anyway. If he were to get hurt now, I’d…well I don’t know what I’d do.” Applejack paused, then chuckled as she patted Sunset on the back. “Hm…guess yer feelin’s for him haven’t waned after all these years, huh?” Sunset let out a small squeal akin to the noise a horse would make as her cheeks turned red. “Hegh!--what? No, I just…I’m…worried about him, that’s all.” But Applejack--being the Element of Honesty--could see right through her and simply glanced at Sunset with half-lidded eyes to tease her. “Mm-hmm…well, if you say so. Point is, I think he would’ve joined in to help at some point or another regardless. Don’t fret yerself over it, sugarcube.” Sunset huffed, puffing her cheeks out for a moment then exhaled. “Argh…yeah I guess you’re right. I can’t keep everyone from fighting since this world is all of our homes. Especially since the professor’s been teaching everyone how to use magic--even during summer vacation.” “Well that’s a nice’a him,” Applejack replied, “Glad’ta know some’a yer folks from Equestria are decent folks. Between him and Keiji, things are lookin’ much better than they were last year.” “Hey, don’t forget the Sirens,” Sunset remarked with a snarky tone, “They managed to improve themselves too ya know.” “I was gettin’ to ‘em!” Applejack protested with a snicker. Just then, Sunset’s phone started to buzz, playing the Post Crush ringtone. “Hm?” She looked at the contact and it read, FlishFlash Applejack simply continued snickering while Sunset glared at her in disapproval. “Not a word.” “Hehe--I ain’t said nothin’,” Applejack sputtered through self-contained laughter. Sunset rolled her eyes and answered the phone. “Wassup?” “Hey, it’s me, Sunset. This may sound crazy considering everything that’s happened: But I actually need your help this time around. And Sci-Twi if she can come along as well.” “...Applejack told me everything,” Sunset replied while looking at the farm gal in question, “Do you want her to help out too or…?” The line was quiet for a moment, indicating Flash’s hesitation. “...It’s up to her. But I’d really rather her not get involved just yet if she can help it.” “It’s alright,” Applejack confirmed with a nod, “This is a bit…rough fer me, and it’d be hard for me’ta stay focused in the middle of a fight if things got messy. Ya’ll go on ahead. I need’ta spend time…to mahself.” With that, she got up and continued her work for the day, leaving Sunset alone. “...She buries her emotions so much…I feel bad for her,” Sunset muttered. “Yeah. I know what that feels like,” Flash replied over the phone, “Not easy when you have to try and keep up a strong face for everyone else.” “...Hey, uh…wanna meet up somewhere so we can discuss what you have planned?” Sunset asked as she nervously bit her lip, “If you want, that is. No pressure.” “Yeah that might be a good idea,” Flash replied with an uncertain tone, “I think my dad is getting a bit antsy with girls in the house. Stupid old man…” “Let’s meet up at that diner where Pinkie works,” Sunset suggested, “I’m kinda hungry and can’t think on an empty stomach anyway.” “Alright. See you there.”