Applejack had found the cart in the barn. She thought Big Mac might’ve been bucking already, but he had probably done all he could already today. The bucking felt good. Each buck sent shockwaves through her. She was probably bucking too hard, and her rear hooves chipped as she bucked. The pain in her hooves grew with each buck, but it felt right.
“Applejack?” Big Mac said behind her.
Applejack turned around. “Howdy.”
“You…” Big Mac began. “Granny and I have been looking at the books.”
“Nothing good, I expect?”
“Enope.”
“How bad?”
“With the loss, even if we have a good crop this year, we’re not going to make enough money to be able to pay taxes this year.”
Applejack nodded.
“I think we should sell to Filthy.”
“But Granny doesn’t?” Applejack asked flatly.
“I think she wants to keep what’s left.”
Applejack sat down. “I don’t disagree with her.”
“I want you to mediate.”
“I’m barely old enough to be an adult.”
Big Mac didn’t respond.
Applejack sighed. She looked out over the trees towards the East fields.
“Alright, I will.”
After a moment, Big Mac walked slowly up to her and sat down in front of her. “The investigation go well?”
“Fool’s errand.”
Big Mac looked away.
“I’m… sorry I didn’t go in with you.”
“Nah, we didn’t turn up anything in the investigation.”
“I meant into the fire.”
Before Applejack could respond, she heard a refined voice call out. “Applejack? Big Mac? You over there?”
“Over here, Filthy.” Big Mac replied, standing up. Applejack followed his direction.
“I was coming over to inquire about the offer I mentioned to Applejack. I wanted to make sure both you and your Granny heard it from me.”
“We appreciate that, Filthy,” Applejack said.
“I know money is tight right now.”
“It is,” Big Mac said.
“But it is still our farm.”
“I’m sure it’s a very difficult time, for all of you. And I don’t mean to put pressure on you now. I just wanted to formally reoffer this.”
“Well, I—”
“Hiya, Applejack! Hiya, Big Mac! Hiya Mr. Rich!”
“Pinkie?” Applejack replied. “What are you doing here?”
Pinkie walked out from behind some trees. “Not just me, silly.” Behind her were Strawberry, Tree Hugger, Bosc, and Straight.
Applejack’s stomach sunk at seeing them all.
“Straight? What are you doing all the way out here?” Filthy asked. “I thought you were on stocking duty today.”
“No, Felt is on duty today. My shift ended a little bit ago, and Pinkie offered me a cupcake if I came with her.”
“Pinkie,” Applejack growled, “what is going on? I thought—”
“Can’t tell you Applejack! I don’t have most of the answers.”
“Well then—”
“Rarity’s on her way now.”
Applejack felt the stinging pain in her hooves. She looked at Big Mac near her, a look of confusion on his face.
“Alright Pinkie,” she said, sitting down, “we’ll wait.”
Applejack went back to bucking a few trees. She did so slowly, stopping to watch her guests every once in a while.
Bosc’s eyes were shifting back and forth. She was fidgeting occasionally.
“You’re… Bosc, right? The Pear in town?” Big Mac asked her.
“Oh, uh, yeah. I… hope it’s okay I’m here.”
Big Mac didn’t respond.
“You must be their son… uh, Big McIntosh?”
“Eyup.”
“How… how’re you holding up?” she asked sheepishly.
“Fine.”
“That’s good.”
Applejack gave a hard buck, everypony jolted to look at her.
She didn’t say anything to them.
A few birds chirped nearby and the apple tree she was under rustled in the breeze.
“Sorry about earlier this afternoon,” Tree Hugger said.
Applejack grunted.
“Oh, you were fine today.”
Tree Hugger nodded slowly.
Applejack gave a harder buck. The crack made even Big Mac jump, and he glared at Applejack.
Applejack tried not to meet his gaze.
“Pinkie, what’s taking Rarity so long?”
“I’m sure she’ll be here soon. She… she’s probably galloping here now.” Pinkie gave her a soft smile.
Applejack bit her tongue. She moseyed her way over to a new tree. Crouching down, she prepared to buck.
“Did we have to be somewhere with such a strong apple smell?” Strawberry asked.
Applejack flinched, and her buck missed the tree. She fell onto the ground, which everyone turned to see. “Alright, that’s it, Pinkie—”
“Yoo-hoo!” Rarity called from behind a few trees. She was still wearing her wide-brimmed hat, and her immaculate makeup. How she managed to keep herself so put-together Applejack would never understand.
“Rarity! There you are,” Pinkie said.
“I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long. But, I had to get the guards here from the other side of town.”
Each of them came trotting. The Captain and Lieutenant spent a moment taking off their helmets.
Applejack noticed Rarity seemed to be a little out of breath, rather than pausing exclusively for dramatic effect.
“Ah, Mr. Rich. I’m glad you’re already here. I think this will make it all much more convenient.”
“I’m not sure I follow,” he said.
“Rarity, I thought I said I was done with this.”
“Indeed you did, darling.”
“Then why,” Applejack shouted, “does it seem like your about to claim you’ve solved the arson?”
“Doesn’t seem like you’re done with that, AJ,” Big Mac interjected.
“I have as much an idea why she’s here as you do.”
Big Mac didn’t respond.
“Believe me, Applejack,” Rarity said, drawing her attention, “I don’t believe for a second that I can prove anyone here committed the arson.”
Applejack groaned.
“Sorry to bother you, Rarity. I’m just a little confused why you had me bring all the arson suspects, then.”
“I’m sorry, suspect?”
“Not this garbage again.”
“Wait, was that why you came to my cottage today?”
“Wait, why am I a suspect?”
“Sorry, what’s going on?”
“You can’t really think I did this.”
“Was that what the tinderbox was about?”
“I swear, Mr. Rich, I didn’t do anything like this! I would never jeopardize your business relationships!”
“This is just because I don’t like apples, isn’t it.”
“I—”
“I assure you,” Rarity said loudly, “no one here is being accused of arson. In fact,” Rarity paused, “you are all witnesses to the crime I believe I can easily prove culpability for: destruction of property.”
Applejack exhaled loudly. “Is this some sort of weird legal hubbub? Listen, Rarity, I don’t care what crime you call it. The arson is the arson.”
“Of course it is, dear. But I’m not proving anything to do with the arson. Rather, what I can prove is who convinced a swarm of bats to destroy the property of many farms around Ponyville.”
Applejack’s confusion only grew, but before she could respond, Strawberry interrupted her.
“Wait, that was intentional? Who in Celestia’s good name would go through all that trouble just to get rid of somepony else’s crop? It’s not like you can sell bat-digested strawberries or something.”
Rarity smirked. “All in good time, darling.” She turned to Tree Hugger. “Dear, could you remind us what happened to the bats you were looking after?”
“It was you?” Strawberry shouted. “You knew about the bats?”
“Wait, I can—”
“I lost more crop than I could handle! I—”
“Yes,” Rarity interjected, “you did, but why don’t you let Tree Hugger explain.”
“Well… I…” Tree Hugger swallowed. “I found the swarm of fruit bats last month, but I kept them near my cottage and kept them well-fed. I… I didn’t want them eating anypony’s crop. So, I always gave them more than they needed. And—and I’ve got the paperwork to prove it.”
Strawberry still eyed her suspiciously, but refrained from saying anything.
“Straight, I know we’ve upset you a bit, but could you confirm that there was fruit missing from Filthy’s storeroom?”
“Wait, did you use that fruit to lure out the bats? To steal my crop?”
“I—”
“You absolute—”
“Strawberry!” Applejack shouted. Strawberry turned to her. “Can we please just let him finish? He seems more nervous than a cornered mouse without you yelling at him.”
Strawberry opened her mouth, presumably to bite back, but exhaled slowly instead. After a moment, she nodded.
Straight, however, was still a stuttering mess.
“Take your time, dear.”
Straight took a minute to calm down. Eventually, though, he was able to confirm the missing fruit.
“Can you also tell us about the puppet in Filthy’s shop?”
“Y-yeah. He had it installed a couple of years ago. He… said he was having a puppet phase, I think. He had it done by a puppeteer in… Canterlot, I think?”
“Intriguing,” Rarity said.
Applejack felt the thoughts forming in her mind, but she didn’t want to ask. She didn’t want it to be real.
“Applejack, darling, did you hear some squeaks in Filthy’s home?”
“Yes—”
“How interes—”
“—But I thought they were ponies moving around the house.”
Rarity’s eyes flashed wide for a moment. But they settled back into smug confidence just a moment later.
“Pinkie, did you hear any squeaks in Filthy’s home?”
“Yes, though I don’t think they were boards squeaking. Boards sound hollower than what I heard.”
“What did you think they were, then?”
“I just thought Filthy had some secret he didn’t want to share.”
“I, for the record, also wasn’t initially able to place to sound. But it certainly wasn’t any board I’ve ever heard.”
“That certainly is a very specific accusation,” Captain Spear Point said. “But could you clarify what you’re accusing Mr. Rich of?”
“Well then.” Rarity took a deep breath. “I hereby formally accuse you, Mr. Filthy Rich, of the destruction of property on Sweet Apple Acres and Sunrise Fields.”
“And Carrot’s field, and Sour’s orchard, and Strawberry’s field and Rind’s patch,” Pinkie helpfully supplied.
“Yes, and those. I believe that you’ll find the bat swarm in Filthy’s attic.”
“There should be an albino bat as part of the swarm,” Tree Hugger said.
“And, I believe you should search for documentation regarding large puppetry pieces of the Flaming Timberwolf.”
Spear exhaled. “I’m not convinced about that creature. It’s more likely just an unrelated incident than some conspiracy.”
“But,” Rarity’s confidence quickly waned from her face. “He clearly has a motive if he’s destroying crops using bats. Surely that's enough?”
“Don’t forget about the tendon and the tinderbox!” Pinkie said.
“While it is all very suspicious, it’s very possible the Flaming Timberwolf is a phenomenon that the Everfree produces.”
Rarity tried to speak a couple times, but nothing came from her mouth.
Applejack sat down, not quite sure what she wanted: Filthy not to be responsible or to know how her parents died. She was sure, however, that she wasn’t getting either.
“Miss,” an elderly voice said panting, “Miss Rarity… I’ve got… I’ve got your research for you.” Well Sorted said, huffing and puffing into view.
“My research?” Rarity asked. “Oh! Yes, from Canterlot!”
“Yes, I tried to follow you from town. But these bones aren’t what they used to be,” he said. He unfurled a letter. “Now, a pair of research assistants at Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns, researchers in the field of cryptozoology, scoured tomes and records for such a creature. While all kinds of snuffed Timberwolves were found, no Pyrewolf or any creature matching that description was found. They go on to say they’d like to come down and record any credible statements of such viewings and would like to investigate themselves.”
“My goodness, they did that in only a few days?”
“Apparently, they’re very interested in new accounts of cryptids.”
“Filthy,” Applejack interjected, “why?”
His face hadn’t changed at all during the entire conversation. He still had on his usual slight, content smile. Still stood up straight. Still had his clothes unwrinkled.
“I’m sorry, but I have no idea what all you’re talking about. These claims are clearly farcical. In fact, I am wildly scandalized that anyone would make them about me—I do so much for this town.”
“Yeah, you work with our family. You ate our food. You sold our food. You did all that, and yet you still found it in your heart to kill my parents!”
“He what?” Granny Smith asked from behind some trees. “Is it true?”
“Well, ma’am, it seems it might be that way,” Lieutenant Nightstick said.
Granny Smith stared at her business partner for a few moments. “I can’t believe you. You absolute scumbag! You killed my son! You killed my daughter! In law. Oh, who cares, they’re dead now. I… I’ll… I’ll do something.”
“Granny,” Big Mac said, “why don’t we sit down.”
“No! I don’t want to. I want this stallion’s hide!” She began to sob.
“We’ll do what we can, ma’am,” the captain said. “Nightstick, go present the evidence to Judge Gavel. Get a few warrants and bring some men into the Everfree. Send another group to the mansion.”
“Aye-aye, sir.” The lieutenant flew off towards Ponyville proper.
“You can probably also sue him,” Bosc said, “might recoup some of the damages to the farm.”
“The rest of you can leave now,” the captain said as he left with Filthy in tow.
Strawberry was the first to leave. She muttered something about the stench of apples; Applejack didn’t have the energy to argue with her.
Straight looked a little unsure what to do. But, eventually, he excused himself and wandered off the farm.
Tree Hugger apologized to Applejack’s family for the circumstances. She asked them to stop by, and hoped she could come to the funeral.
Bosc stayed behind, but didn’t make any moves to say anything. Instead, she stood awkwardly inspecting anything she could.
Rarity walked over to Applejack. “I hope that wasn’t too intrusive for you.”
“I’ll manage,” Applejack said flatly. “Why’d you bring Bosc?”
“I came of my own volition, actually. I got a letter today. A lot of the Pear family wanted to come to the funeral. We… I know we haven’t been on the best of terms, but I think they genuinely wanted to come to pay respects to Pear Butter and Bright McIntosh.” She paused a moment, then added, “I can hold them off though, if need be.”
Applejack looked at her family. Granny’s face, still wet with tears, was scrunched up in anger. Big Mac looked worriedly between Granny and Bosc. Applejack herself wasn’t sure she wanted to say anything.
Granny Smith took a deep breath. “It’s probably best if we let bygones be bygones.”
“Well, I’m glad we can… make something of this.”
“Yes… I think they’d be happy with a conclusion like this.”
They shook hooves, both a little hesitant.
Rarity put a hoof around Applejack in front of the awkward, heartwarming scene.
Applejack pulled on her long black dress. She thought the collar was too tight, but Rarity assured her it was traditional. If there was one thing Applejack wanted for this, it was certainly traditional.
The heavily clouded sky felt right for today. The weather team had graciously agreed to bring the clouds for the funeral, to help with the mood.
Rarity sat down on the bench next to her. “Only a few more hours.”
“Yep.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Better than yesterday, I think. Not by much. But maybe a little.”
“Did Pinkie’s cooking help at all?”
Applejack chuckled. “We cooked together. I think that helped. I also promised Apple Bloom I’d finally bring her to the park tomorrow.”
“How’s she handling it? I haven’t seen her in a few days.”
“Eh, not well. I think she’s at the point she understands why she’s so sad, but not exactly what to do about it. I’d help her through it. But…”
Rarity nodded.
They watched a few children playing in the park in front of them for a moment.
“Do you think I made the right decisions? Talking to everyone? Accusing him like I did?”
“Well, it was very dramatic, so it was certainly you.”
“Oh, you.”
They chuckled together.
“I’m glad we figured it out, of course. But I don’t feel like I helped all that much.”
“We couldn’t have done it without you. We wouldn’t have even had suspects.”
“I think you could’ve figured it out faster if it weren’t for me.”
“Oh no, I needed to focus on the bats. I was too focused on the arson. I wouldn’t have even gone to Tree Hugger’s if you didn’t seem so desperate.” Rarity blushed. “Sorry, I didn’t mean—”
“I know what you meant.”
They didn’t look at each other for a moment.
“How’s dressmaking this week?”
“Oh, it doesn’t matter. Why don’t you ask me tomorrow?”
Applejack smiled and shook her head.
“Pinkie thought the investigation might’ve been doing more harm than good for you.”
Applejack exhaled lightly. “I wasn’t really… thinking about my parents. I got a little caught up in trying to blame somepony. Especially Strawberry.”
“I’m sure Tree Hugger was difficult as well.”
Applejack nodded.
“How’s everypony feeling?” Pinkie asked from behind them.
Both she and Rarity jumped.
“Goodness Pinkie!”
“Landsakes, don’t sneak up on us like that!”
Pinkie giggled to herself. “No promises!” She smiled broadly. “So, how are you feeling.”
Neither she nor Rarity spoke.
Pinkie sat down gingerly.
“The dressmaking business isn’t going as well as I thought it would; I’m struggling to find clients both in and out of Ponyville. I have to send dresses to contests. I have to pay to ship them. I have to pay for entries. And don’t get me started on judges. All they do is complain, never even criticize.” Rarity sighed. “I feel like I’m spinning my wheels. Maybe, if I moved to a bigger city, I’d get more customers.”
Applejack’s stomach lurched a little.
“But, I think the grass will always be greener. Besides, I still feel like I have a life I’d like to keep here in Ponyville.”
Applejack and Pinkie both smiled.
“I think the farm is going to have a tough few years. The suit against Filthy might go well. It’ll take a while. And it’ll be awful expensive. Not to mention Filthy will probably have the best lawyers money can buy. Or at least close to that the best. It might be hard to replant the orchard without an influx of cash. Maybe some of the Apples will be able to help us swing it, but money’s still going to be tight.”
Rarity and Pinkie nodded.
“I do wish I knew why he did it… He was such a close family friend.”
“He did want to buy your farm, dear.”
“Yeah, but that doesn’t tell me why wanted to buy our farm so bad.”
“Hm… I know it’d be harder for me to make the dresses I do if I couldn’t find the gemstones I needed.”
“Apples aren’t gems, Rarity. Plus, he usually got the cream of the crop.”
“You can make a lot more profit when you own a larger portion of the business, Applejack.”
“I suppose… I just… can’t quite believe he did it.”
Pinkie started to ask, “Do you—”
“No, I remember the evidence. I just… didn’t think it would be him.”
“Sometimes ponies do things for reasons we can’t understand,” Rarity said. “That we’ll never understand.”
Applejack adjusted her collar.
“How about you, Sugarcube?” Applejack asked Pinkie.
“Oh… ya’know…” Pinkie pawed the ground, “I’m doing just fine.” Her smile looked a little too tight.
“Are you sure, darling? When your Pinkie Sense told us about… the incident… you seemed to think it had something to do with the Cakes.”
“Well… it’s not really that impor—”
“Course it is. You’ve spent too much time helpin’ out me and my family to just brush this off.”
“I…” Pinkie pawed the ground with her hoof. “I’m not sure living with the Cakes was such a good idea.”
“Oh dear, did something happen recently?”
“No… it’s not… them, per se. I just… I feel weird staying with them, I guess.”
“Are they good to you?”
“Yeah, but…”
Applejack rolled her hoof.
Pinkie let out an exasperated breath. “I don’t know what it is, exactly.”
“Do you miss your parents?” Rarity asked.
“Of course she misses her parents.”
“Y… no… not really,” Pinkie said. “I miss Maud.”
Applejack wasn’t sure what to say to that, so instead she kept silent.
Rarity kept silent, too.
“I’m… sure it’ll be alright.” Pinkie said flatly. “Are you ready for the funeral, AJ?”
Applejack took a deep breath. “No,” she said, “But, I think that’s what funerals are for,” Applejack said as she stood up.
“You know, you two, we really did a good job on this mystery. Maybe we should make a detective agency.”
Applejack guffawed. As she wiped tears from her eyes, she noticed Rarity frowning at her. “Aw shucks, sugarcube, we barely did anything. You were great, but I’m not a detective, at least.”
“I meant it when I said I couldn’t have done it without either of you.”
“I’d do it again,” Pinkie said. “I’d prefer something less sad, though. Maybe a jewel theif?”
“There might be some money in it for the farm.”
Applejack considered the offer. On the one hand, she didn’t feel like she had the skills. But, on the other hand, the farm had bills to pay.
“I’ll think about it. But, I want to talk with my—with Granny and Big Mac about it first.”
Rarity nodded, at least placated for now.
The clocktower chimed twelve times.
“Come on,” Applejack said, standing up, “we need to get to the funeral.”
“One more thing, darling.”
Applejack turned back to Rarity.
“I thought you might want to wear a hat, finally.”
“This again?”
Pinkie was clearly hiding a smile.
“I’m not wearing some silly black hat. Hats don’t fit me.”
Rarity clutched her chest. “Oh, darling, you wound me. To think, I would suggest something so garish. And to think I would be accused of such a crime by my dearest friend.” Rarity went limp on the bench.
Pinkie’s laughter left her rolling in the grass. Applejack rolled her eyes.
“Oh, and what would you have me wear, drama queen?”
“Why, I was thinking,” Rarity pulled a familiar brown stetson out of her bag, “you would wear your father’s hat.”
Applejack’s felt her fur stand up. “Rarity, I can’t wear Tallulah… it’s… not mine.”
“Oh, isn’t it?”
“Wouldn’t… wouldn’t Big Mac have that instead? Or, what about Apple Bloom?”
“I have it on good word that it was left to you in the will. Something about it ‘fitting your head right’.”
Applejack hesitated. “I… I don’t know. I feel like…”
“It would be a good way to synthesize the future and the past of the Apple family, don’t you think?”
Applejack watched the soft material sway in Rarity’s hooves. Her father always said it was a sturdy hat. Apparently, he wore it for twenty years.
“Alright,” Applejack relented, “I’ll wear it. But don’t think I’ll keep wearing it after today.”
Pinkie giggled a little.
“What’s so funny?”
“Oh, I’ll tell you in a month.”
Applejack wasn’t happy about the ominous warning, but, feeling late already, began trotting off toward Town Hall.
“I can’t believe I’ve finally done it, Pinkie. Three years and she’s finally got a hat on.”
“Yep,” Applejack said, “All it took was a massive unspeakable tragedy and I’ll have it on for three hours.”
“Don’t remind me that you’ll take it off.”
The three chuckled as they made their way into town.