//------------------------------// // New Beginnings // Story: Post-Reception Stories // by sister_mike //------------------------------// New Beginnings The past month had been hard. In some ways, Applejack thought it was even harder than when her parents had passed away. Back then, Applejack had just been a little filly, only a few years younger than Apple Bloom was now. While she understood what death was, there was some part of her that still didn't grasp it quite properly. So for a long time during her life, it just felt like her parents were away on a trip. Apple Bloom had never known them. Big Mac had taken it hard, but had coped well. And as time went on, Granny Smith became their only known parent, the one who was always looking after them. And now she was gone. There were many ponies suffering from what had happened during the war. Many ponies who had lost lives and lost loved ones. Applejack had seen all of the other tormented, grieving faces at the community funeral. Granny Smith was mentioned among the names. It was even harder for Apple Bloom, who had not only lost her grandmother, the only parent she'd ever known, but one of her best friends as well. After the community funeral, the Apples had held an intimate funeral of friends and family for Granny Smith. All of Applejack's friends had come, and so did almost all of her relatives from around Equestria. None of the other relatives of the Apple family had suffered, like Granny Smith. Once the intimate funeral was over, Applejack had wandered around the next few days in a sort of haze. She didn't know what to do or what to say, to anyone about anything. Her heart too much. It was silly, since she had so many friends, and many of her relatives had stuck around to help repair the farm, but Applejack felt so alone. It had taken her a week to snap back to reality and press on. Big Mac had taken up a lot of the slack in the meantime. He was now head of Sweet Apple Acres, and while he was quiet and shy, he knew his more outgoing younger sister wasn't up to snuff, that she needed time to herself. Big Mac and other relatives rebuilt the barn and the house. By the time Applejack came back to reality, the only thing left was to fix the orchards. Babs Seed had stayed with them since the funeral. Apple Bloom needed someone to take her mind off of Scootaloo. Sweetie Belle was over almost every day as well. Eventually, as a month since the war began to roll around, most of the extended Apple family had gone back to their homes. Applejack had greatly appreciated her extended family's help, especially since she had zoned out for a lot of the rebuilding. But part of her wished that they could have stayed. Not just for the familiarity and the company, but because now that they were one pony short, the work on the farm was suddenly overbearing. Sure, Granny Smith hadn't really helped out in the orchards, since her body could no longer bare the consistent hard labour, but she helped out in all other aspects. She did all of the household chores, made all of the meals. And now without her, Applejack began to notice that there were times when she and Big Mac would come into the house after a long day of fixing up the orchard, only to realize that now they had to make dinner. They had to clean the house. Apple Bloom tried to help out as much as she could, but they were also training her for work on the farm. The main point was that the Apple family needed help. They needed at least one extra pair of hooves around the farm. Even if they did put Apple Bloom on household duties, she was still in school. Applejack toyed with the idea of asking her friends for help, but they wouldn't be able to come every day, especially not with Rainbow Dash starting up a new recreational activity group for the fillies and colts in town. And then strange enough, almost a day to the first month after the short war, help arrived. Applejack was bucking apples from trees that hadn't suffered from the changelings. There weren't many trees that had survived their wrath, but some of them still had apples growing on them, and once they had planted all of the new tree saplings and seeds, it was time to get down whatever apples they could salvage. Plus zap-apple season was coming up soon and they had to prepare for that. There was the steady hammering of Big Mac fixing up their new porch on their renovated house. Apple Bloom and Babs Seed were playing a few rows down from Applejack. Something caught Applejack's eye to the left and she was surprised to see Fluttershy approaching the farm. "Hey there, Fluttershy! What brings you here?" Applejack asked cheerfully. Since the death of her grandmother, Applejack became very thankful that all of her friends had survived the war, and now whenever she saw them, she couldn't help but feel happy. "Oh, hi Applejack," Fluttershy said. Her eyes glanced at something behind Applejack. "I, just... I was just... um... in the neighbourhood and..." Applejack stared at Fluttershy waiting for an answer. She turned her head to see what the shy pegasus was looking at, but all that was behind them further up the road was Big Mac. He had stopped hammering and had waved. Applejack turned back to Fluttershy. "You ok, Fluttershy?" she asked, breaking the silence. "Oh, yes, um, of course," Fluttershy said. She took a deep breath and said, "I'm actually here to talk to Big McIntosh." "Oh, well that's just dandy," Applejack said, "You want him to help you rebuild your chicken coop? I remember you sayin' somethin' about it last time we saw each other. I'm sure he wouldn't mind at all! Just go on over and talk to him, he don't bite." Fluttershy's cheeks reddened. She nodded and walked towards Big Mac. Applejack stared after her friend for a minute, a small smile on her face. She had always thought that Fluttershy would be a good match for her brother, but never dared bring up the subject to either of them, since they were both so shy. But after Big Mac had dove off the broken bridge to save Fluttershy, Applejack had wondered when something might spring between them. Applejack turned back to her work and walked further into the orchard. She saw Sweetie Belle approach Apple Bloom and Babs, and the three of them ran off towards their clubhouse. Applejack hummed to herself slightly as she bucked apples. Another yellow pony caught her eye off to the left. At first she figured it was Fluttershy going back into town, but then she saw it was a tall stallion. Applejack muttered something to herself and put her basket of apples on the ground. The stallion was heading towards the house. Applejack didn't want him to interrupt Fluttershy and her brother, so she cut him off. "What are you doin' here?" Applejack asked, trying to be polite, but failing. Flim jumped slightly, obviously not have having seen her. He took his hat off and held it in his hooves. His eyes looked serious. Applejack gave him a perplexed look, waiting for him to answer. "Hi, Applejack," Flim said finally. His voice was quiet and a little grave sounding. "I'm not quite sure where to begin." "From the beginning maybe?" Applejack asked. "I don't remember much of what happened with the changelings, at least, not much after they scrambled me," Flim said, "but from what my brother has told me, we all worked together, and we won. It took him a couple of days to remember where he had left me, but apparently some of your friends helped him and they freed me. I've been in the hospital since then, and was just released a few days ago." "Save me the pity story and tell me why you're here," Applejack said. Anger was beginning to boil inside her. All she could think of when she saw him was their stupid competition. Which made her think of Granny Smith. Which made her feel sad. It made her heartache. "I wanted to come here and apologize," Flim said, "For our competition last year." "Shouldn't your brother be here apologizin' as well?" Applejack snapped. "Yes, I guess he should," Flim said quickly, "But it was mostly my fault. He was always more the brains behind the invention and I was the sales man. Yes, we always worked as a team, but the way I see, I pushed the stakes and I made the unfair deal. I threatened to put you and your family out of business, and for that I am deeply sorry." Applejack stared long and hard at him, looking for any sign that it was a lie, a joke. After a few tense moments, she relaxed a little. He was telling the truth. She could tell. Being the Element of Honesty, she could tell when people were telling the truth better than others could. "Well... you're forgiven, I guess," Applejack said. She turned to walk away when Flim spoke again. "I'm not done. I...I heard about what happened to Granny Smith. I'm deeply sorry for your loss. She was a fiery old mare, and I liked her spunk," Flim said. Applejack froze in her tracks, unable to move. Tears began to well in her eyes. When she didn't say anything, Flim continued, "When I heard about what happened to her, I just... I just really felt more terrible about our competition." Another moment of silence passed. Applejack slowly turned and faced him again, tears in her eyes. "What I'm trying to say, why I'm here, is that I'm offering to help around the farm. With anything that you need," Flim said, "No tricks, no games, no cons. My brother and I don't have a real home. We'd like to stay here with your family—we'll sleep in the barn if you want us to—and we'd like to help. Be farmhooves." Applejack looked over her shoulder. Fluttershy was still talking to Big Mac, but Applejack could see that he was looking towards her. She waved at him to come over. "Let me see what my brother thinks. What kind of pay are you guys expectin'?" Applejack asked, a slight edge back in her voice. She could tell Flim was being sincere, but she still couldn't help but not trust him entirely. But they needed the help. They really did. And if both of the brothers came, that would be more than enough help. They could create a schedule, and everyone could take turns with the household chores. "Whatever you think is fair," Flim said earnestly. Big Mac approached them. "What's going on?" he asked. Applejack stared long and hard at Flim, the way he was holding his hat in respect, the way it made him look almost vulnerable. He was telling the truth. He wanted to help. He was looking for honest work. And they could give it to them. Slowly, a small smile appeared on Applejack's face. While Flim had been out of it for most of the war, Flam hadn't. She had seen how they were in fact, decent stallions and that they could work for the benefit of others. "We've just hired two helping hooves," Applejack said slowly. She extended her hoof and hesitantly, Flim shook it. "We'll figure out the pay and whatnot when your brother is here too. Where is he, by the way?" "I think he's trying to ask one of your friends out on a date..." Flim said. Applejack wasn't sure why, but this made her laugh out loud. And she couldn't stop laughing. Once she had gained control of herself again, she explained everything to Big Mac. Big Mac was faster to accept the offer than Applejack had been. Big Mac said that there was some damaged land where apples wouldn't grow any more, and they could build a small house for Flim and Flam there. The two of them began walking and talking of plans. As Applejack watched them walk away, she couldn't help but feel happy. A little relieved even. She looked up to the sky, sure that Granny Smith was watching down at her from heaven, her parents at her side, proud that she had reached out and given the brothers a chance. And she didn't feel so alone any more.