I started to think that I was going to outlive ALL of my family. I really am too old to be stressed like this.
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The next morning was a grim one to me. I couldn't get a wink of sleep, knowing that one of my grandchildren was going to end let her life end that day. If only I was a bit younger, Pando probably would've taken my life in Applejack's place. But he's by no means stupid, as I probably don't have too many years left in me anyway. While I was horrified by the idea that I would lose Applejack, I was certainly proud of her for doing it to protect Apple Bloom.
Surprisingly, Applejack looked very happy that morning and was making flapjacks with enthusiasm. She wasn't normally that happy unless it was cider season, and considering what had happened the other night, I wondered if it was all a dream or something.
"Food’s on the table, everypony! Who's hungry?"
Apple Bloom and Big Macintosh both sat down with weird expressions on their faces, since they also thought that Applejack was acting strange, especially after last night. They both felt she was confident about the idea that hit her the other night, so they just decided to trust that their sister had everything under control and started eating. My own flapjacks were even cut up in advance, to make it easier for me to eat. That was certainly a nice touch.
Most of us were rather silent, with Apple Bloom and Big Mac wondering about what would happen, while I was worrying about what was about to happen to Applejack, but Applejack herself was rather lively that morning, looking like she didn't have a care in the world.
"So, is Pando not going to bother us anymore, sis? I've been worrying about it all night. I couldn't even sleep good," Apple Bloom asked, who had the same thoughts as I did.
"Never again, Apple Bloom. Never again. But whether you got sleep or not, you're going to have to go to school today. In fact, as soon as you’re done your breakfast, you need to get ready. You don't want to be late."
"Um... Okay," Apple Bloom said, who was still worried, and for the right reason too.
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Big Mac went straight to work after he ate, as he had a busy day of farming and repairs to in front of him, so he didn't see Apple Bloom head off to school like me or Applejack. Applejack had everything taken care of for ‘Bloom’s departure. Having a lunch made, and whatever she normally needed packed into her saddlebag, she was ready to leave right away.
"Now, you be sure to have a great day, you hear?" Applejack said.
"I'll try," Apple Bloom answered, not feeling too confident about what her sister had promised earlier. "So you're sure that Pando won't be attacking us or anything anymore?"
"Of course I'm sure!. Now get moving."
"Are you sure? You seem to be acting a bit odd today."
"I'm fine, Apple Bloom. Now get going."
Apple Bloom wasn't buying what Applejack was selling off, knowing that something was wrong. She was sure that Applejack was lying about something, but couldn't put her hoof on it. Not being the untruthful type, Applejack had tried to satisfy Apple Bloom's curiosity the best she could.
"When you get home from school, you'll find our farm perfectly safe and sound, and you'll be able to sleep soundly tonight without fearing those timberwolves. Alright?"
"I... guess so," Apple Bloom answered.
"Alrighty. Now give your big sis a hug and get going. Be sure to say hi to Cheerilee for me."
Although she didn't completely trust her big sister, Apple Bloom accepted it and gave her sister a small hug before heading off. For the first time that morning, I saw what Applejack was really thinking. As Apple Bloom couldn't see her face, Applejack face suddenly turned grim as she knew that it would've been the last time Apple Bloom would ever see her. As a tear dropped down Applejack's face, I realized that all of the happiness she was showing before was an act, more than likely try and to keep Apple Bloom from knowing about her plan. I suppose that if Apple Bloom knew the truth, she would've objected to what was about to do.
After a quick hug, Apple Bloom left the farm to head to the school. Unknown to either of us at the time, she had also dropped a tear. My guess was that she had an idea on what Applejack was planning to do. She's by no means dumb, so it probably didn't take much for her to come to such a conclusion, seeing how the only way Pando would halt his attack on the farm and family was if Apple Bloom were to sacrifice herself. She felt worse then ever because of how her curiosity over the golden apple was how this whole thing started. I will never have hard feelings for her for this though, since the same thing happened not only to Applejack herself, but a lot of the Apple family.
After seeing her little sister heading off to school, Applejack decided it was time.
"Granny Smith, if any of my friends ask, tell them something like I protected the farm from timberwolves or something. We can't have them knowing about Barkface. And if you decide to tell Apple Bloom about what I'm about to do, be sure to go easy on her, will you?" she asked me.
"I'll tell her you only did what you wanted to do," I answered. "The problem will be telling Big Mac. He's too soft hearted to bear such news like this."
"Yeah, but he'll realize that I'm doing everything for the sake of the Apple Family. He'll be strong. It's Apple Bloom who I'm worried about."
"Applejack, it pains me to see you go like this, but what you're willing to protect your family is something I'm glad you got from your parents. I've been proud of them since then, and I'm sure they're proud of you right now. It'll be sad though when... well... when they see you."
"I'll be sure to say hi to them for you. I just hope they'll forgive me for leaving Apple Bloom like this."
For the final time, Applejack and I gave each other one final hug. After that, there were no further words that could be said. She knew I loved her, and knew that Apple Bloom would be safe, so without any further hesitation, she turned around and made her way to the Everfree Forest. From the moment she left, until the moment she met up with a pack of timberwolves, who were there waiting for her. I kept my old eyes on her, wanting to keep a mental memory of that moment embedded in my brain for the rest of my life. Applejack was literally walking to her death.
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Applejack walked deep into the forest with the pack of timberwolves closely by her side, making sure she that she was escorted to their master. During this time, she thought about everything that had happened in her life. How she proudly got her cutie mark, how she made so many wonderful friends, all of the adventures she had with them, and even the memories of her parents that she kept. She cried about how she would never see any of them again, and how they would never see her again either, but she knew what she was giving up and didn't hesitate to give it up for the sake of her family, especially her little sister.
"You aren't the one I expected to come."
She eventually reached Pando Everfree, who was surprised to see Applejack, as he was expecting Apple Bloom. Applejack wasn't afraid of Pando from their first encounter, and the second was no different.
"Yeah, well we can't all have what we want," she answered. "You said you wanted one Apple pony for taking of your trees from you, right? Well here I am."
"Why do this though? It's like an insect flying into a spider's web. What do you have to gain from this?"
"The same reason my parents did for me, my brother, and my sister. To protect my loved ones, for I value them more than my own life!"
Pando had let out a light chuckle from Applejack's comment. "Yes, that was exactly why those two ponies took your place. They were loving parents who only wanted their children to be safe. They knew how I myself felt. You, my little pony, now understand how I feel. For that, I will gladly accept you as the child's substitute, and for your selfless act, I shall make this as quick and painless as possible."
From directly underneath Applejack, a giant root emerged and quickly wrapped itself around her. From out of Applejack's field of vision, another root, one with a very sharp tip, also began to emerge. Sadly, that was what Pando considered to be the quickest and most painless form of execution. As he was getting ready to kill Applejack, he decided to take a moment to talk to her.
"So tell me, do you blame ‘Smith for feeding you the Orphan tree's golden apples, despite the history behind them?"
"Have you ever tasted those apples? They could've been stolen by royalty and I would gladly eat them. And I certainly know Apple Bloom enjoyed them as well."
"It's a shame though. It was because she enjoyed my fruit so much that your life will now come to an end," Pando said, as he had the sharp root fly towards Applejack at a high speed.
"Yeah, well, she ate the apple to its core and savored every single bite, so at least there's a consolation to it."
At that moment, the sharp root was inches away from the back of Applejack's head, but as she finished her last sentence, the root came to a sudden stop. She turned her head to see the root was right behind her, then turned back to look on the face of the giant tree that was Pando Everfree. Something came to Pando's mind that he had never thought of before, and the pleasantness that Pando had been emitting to Applejack immediately turned back into anger.
"Repeat yourself, little pony," Pando demanded.