Ponyville Parents Day

by Black Kyurem


Chapter 1: Princess of Ponyville

"Why Twilight, I think this is a most splendid idea!" A week after Twilight's coronation ceremony, Mayor Mare of Ponyville and Princess Twilight Sparkle were having a discussion on hosting a special event.

"You see, madam mayor," said Twilight. "I've been thinking that a lot of ponies wouldn't be where they are today without the love and support of their parents. That's why I wish to hold a special day of festivities to appreciate and honor what parents have done for their children to help them come so far."

"But of course, Twilight," said the mayor. "Now do you wish to host this yourself?"

"Oh, I couldn't do that," answered Twilight. "Not without you. Sure, the princess asked me to be Princess of Ponyville after my coronation so I could stay with my friends, but you help run this town too and I just hope being a princess doesn't mean I should be treated any differently."

"You are most modest," replied the mayor. "And certainly, we will ask nothing more or less of you if that is what you wish. But you do know many ponies come to you more than they come to me when there's a problem. And that's because ever since you've helped us with our last winter wrap up, we all looked up to you as the pony who would come to hold us together in any hard times." Twilight blushed.

Soon, the denizens of Ponyville, including Spike and Twilight's friends, all gathered outside the town hall where the mayor started to make her planned speech.

"Attention, mares and gentlecolts!" she announced. "We have gathered to inform you of a special event that our new princess and myself wish to host and arrange for all of you. To help sponsor this event, here is our princess of Ponyville... Twilight Sparkle!" The ponies all cheered as Twilight made her way to where the mayor was standing. She then started to speak into the microphone.

"Hello, everypony," she said. "It's real great to see you all here today. I am here to inform you that the mayor and I wish to hold a series of festivities in a week's time to celebrate the importance of parents all over Equestria." There was an excited buzz amongst the crowd. "Every pony has a special talent and every pony grows up to do something amazing, but surely many of us would not have been able to do such amazing things without the love and support of our parents. To young fillies and colts, they are role models to look up to, but to all of us, they are family. And family time is one thing that matters over a lot of things. It is one of the most important things to us. When I first became Celestia's personal student, I had been away from my parents for years, barely making contact. But now, I will invite my parents to come to Ponyville next week to take part in the wonderful festivities the mayor and I will throw together to celebrate and appreciate parents everywhere! I'm really excited and looking forward to seeing all of you and your parents! Thank you, my fellow ponies!" The audience of ponies applauded and cheered and soon there was talk of almost nothing else but the excited prospects of ponies bringing parents.

"Ha!" sneered Diamond Tiara, who was talking with Silver Spoon. "My dad's the richest pony in Ponyville! He's better than any goody-two-shoes princess!" Both of the rich fillies had a giggle at this, but one Earth pony was not pleased to hear this.

"Goldarn it!" snapped Applejack. "Shut it, you little varmints! That princess is mah best friend and that's no way to talk about mah friend! Y'all hear me?!"

"Oh yeah?" retorted Diamond Tiara. "What are you gonna do about it? My dad's got friends in high places! What have you farm ponies got?" This made Applejack seriously pissed off and rightfully so. She stomped both her front hooves hard on the ground.

"Need ah remind y'all that the Apple family has had ties to the Riches for generations ever since Granny Smith was a little filly," grunted Applejack. "Ah'm sure Filthy Rich will do whatever it takes to keep Barnyard Bargains in business, so we Apples could always break the ties at anytime if it means not putting up with you dirty little rascals. One more rude remark and ah'm gonna have a good, long talk with yer parents! Now, scat!" The two fillies had no choice. But Diamond Tiara looked as though she wasn't done yet. Just you wait, she thought. Apple family or not, you're messing with the wrong pony.

Twilight then went to her best friends to talk to them. She was elated and believed that things would go well, not to mention she had been longing to get together with her parents.

"Oh, darling, this is going to be exciting!" exclaimed Rarity. "Sweetie Belle will be so happy!"

"I know," said Twilight. "I'm looking forward to this!"

"Ponyville Parents Day party!!!!" shouted Pinkie Pie, throwing confetti and balloons everywhere while bouncing around in circles.

"Where does she keep all that?" asked Rainbow Dash, despite having known Pinkie Pie for a long time now.

"You know her," answered Twilight. "She's just being Pinkie Pie."

"Of course. Well anyways, I can't wait to bring my dad to Ponyville! After my endeavors at the Wonderbolts Academy, he must be so proud of me!"

"Oh, yes," Fluttershy added. "I would love to have my parents come to my cottage and meet all my lovely animal friends."

"I'm gonna throw my parents the bestest Ponyville party ever!" squealed Pinkie with delight. "I can't imagine how boring that rock farm must be for my family. They need a vacation." The pony friends laughed with each other, but Applejack started to walk away. Ah suppose ah should just be happy for mah friends, she thought. But ah hope those stuck-up rich fillies don't go ruinin' things. They've been pickin' on mah sister fer too long as a start. That's when Twilight noticed Applejack walking off by herself.

"Hey, Applejack," she said, catching up to her. "What's up? Is something wrong?"

"Hm? Oh, hey, Twi," said Applejack. "It's nothin' really."

"Are you sure? Aren't you excited?"

"Well... it's just..." Applejack took a deep breath to compose herself. "Ah'm afraid mah parents won't be comin'." Twilight looked a bit perplexed.

"What do you mean? We don't start the festivities for another week. They got plenty of time to..."

"You don't understand, Twi."

"Hm?"

"..." Applejack hesitated at first, but it seemed that she just couldn't keep this from Twilight any longer. Even on the day they first met when she gave her the most hearty welcome as she would for anypony visiting Sweet Apple Acres, she knew still and had known, but never wanted to swallow her pride and lose face. And it was possibly a good reason behind her cheery personality and unshakable honesty. Well now, it was time to be honest with Twilight once more. "They're dead, Twi." Twilight gasped and could not believe her ears.

"Wh-what? What did you say?"

"Mah parents are dead."