"HMPF!"
Applejack grunted as she bucked the last apple tree of the forest. "T-that..." She panted heavily as she got the cart around her waist, letting out another grunt as she did so. "-should do it."
The country pony then gave a small sigh and began to take the long walk back to the farm. Sure, she hadn't been doing the applebucking all on her own this time, but it was still a tiring job.
However, she could smile with the knowledge that it was her talent; where she belonged.
The reason that the orange mare had been so exhausted lately had been due to the fact of Granny Smith being unable to work as much. Being old like she was, Applejack and Big Macintosh had to start pulling all the weight around the farm. Apple Bloom was a bit of help as well, but the yellow filly was simply too young to do the heavy work just yet.
Applejack then huffed a bit as she thought back on the past week. It was tiring, yes. She always had to collapse for a nap right afterwards, yes. And there was always that bit of soreness that never quite went away when she got up, yes. However, she felt that it was worth it, and that it'd be selfish to let her big brother do all the heavy stuff by himself. So, she dealt with it, as any hard-working pony should.
"Ah'm back everypony!" the orange mare called as she entered her home.
Then, less than a split-second later, a certain yellow filly came charging down the stairs, nearly knocking the hat off of Applejack's head as she gave her a tight hug.
"Big sis, you're back!" the red-maned pony cheered, wiggling her legs joyfully as her big sister wrapped a loving hoof around her, returning the hug.
"Yup. Just finished all mah work for the day." Applejack explained, looking out the window to see a sunset, indicating that it was late-afternoon; Pinkie Pie had been hosting a party that started a few hours ago, but the orange mare had told her how she'd be too busy to make it. The deflated expression on the pink pony's face in that moment had tugged at her heart.
"You're always too busy to come to my parties...it's not fair Applejack!"
The country pony frowned a bit as she reflected on those words.
...Maybe it ain't...but that's what ah gotta do.
Turning her attention back to the filly who still had her in a tight hug, she smiled and patted at her little sister's red mane.
"Ya seem excited Apple Bloom." she said plainly.
"A'course ah am! After all, ya promised me just last week that we'd hang out today, remember?" the yellow filly asked, grinning innocently.
Instantly, Applejack felt a weight hit her heart. It was true; she had promised that. She had told Apple Bloom that they'd hang out together; just the two of them.
"Ya said that ya'd take me anywhere ah wanted to go! Don't tell me ya forgot!"
"A-ah... n-no... ah didn't..."
She was exhausted, wanting nothing more than to pass out on the couch and sleep. She couldn't break her promise to her little sister though, could she?
"...A-Apple Bloom... ah-"
"Applejack."
The country pony flinched at the firm voice, then turned to see Granny Smith standing at the kitchen doorway; probably having been listening in.
"Y-yeah Granny?" the orange mare asked, putting her little sister down and focusing on the elderly mare.
"Why don't cha come and talk to me for a little bit?"
"U-uh... a-alright."
After taking one last look at Apple Bloom, the tired earth pony followed her grandmother into the kitchen, then closed the door behind her for privacy.
"What is it Granny? Did ah do somethin' wrong?" Applejack asked, puzzled as she wondered about what the green mare had wanted to tell her.
"'Course not deary." the elderly earth pony assured, smiling an odd smile as she gazed at her granddaughter.
"Oh... then what'd ya wanna talk to me about?" the orange mare questioned, staring curiously at her grandmother's face. Her smile seemed... a bit sad; as if she felt that she was going to make somepony upset.
Ah'd never be upset with ya Granny Smith...
"Well... ah'm gettin' old ya know," the green pony began, her smile fading as she took a small glance towards the door; which led to the outside. "...and ah just can't help you an' Big Macintosh as much as ah'd like to-"
"-A-ah don't mind Granny, really!" Applejack interjected, feeling as though her grandmother felt guilty.
The elderly mare paused for a moment to gaze at her, then just smiled and patted the country pony's head.
"Ah know... ah know..." she said softly, knowing how lucky she was to have such an understanding granddaughter. "But as much as ya think that the three of ya can handle it on your own, that ain't the case."
Applejack stiffened at those words, her eyes shrinking a bit as she stared her grandmother down. "G-Granny... ya didn't! Tell me ya didn't! This... this is a family busine-"
"Ah know; but you, Apple Bloom, and Big Macintosh could all use some he-"
"We can handle it all on our own Granny!"
"Without collaspin' at the end of the day?"
The orange mare grunted a bit. It was true. She was always exhausted...
After giving the older mare a brief stare, Applejack then looked away, getting the feeling that she had failed as a granddaughter for being unable to perform her duties in top condition.
"Now... don't you worry dear... you'll have plenty more time to relax once he starts helpin' out." Granny Smith told her with a wide grin.
"...He?"
Only one pony?
Applejack looked back up as she wondered about her grandmother's words. "...Who is it Granny? Who'd ya get?" she asked, skeptical of this 'new helper'.
"He's right here." the elderly green pony told her, staring over at the door she had been looking at earlier. "C'mon in Caramel!"
"B-beg pardon?" the orange mare questioned with a huff.
She couldn't mean... THAT Caramel... could she?
Sure enough though, the door opened and in trotted a familiar-looking amber earth pony, who stared at Granny Smith with a big smile. "Hey there!"
"...Beg pardon?" Applejack repeated with a grunt.
"Applejack, meet Caramel. He'll be helpin' ya out from here on out."
...
"...BEG PARDON!?"