As the twelve-year-old Dusk and his friends returned home from school, they found themselves splitting up. Dazzle had to help Rarity showcase some of her designs for a fashion critic, Purple had a one-pony comedy show to practice for, Honeysuckle was looking after her little sisters, and Thunder and Rainbow were due to practice flight maneouvres with their parents. That left Dusk and Crab.
"So, how are things on the farm, Crab?" Dusk asked.
"Not good." Crab sighed.
"What's up?" Dusk inquired.
"Mah ma and uncle Mac had a disagreement." Crab explained.
"What about?" Dusk asked.
"It's kinda about cousin Aple Polisher." Crab told him.
Apple Polisher was the son of Big McIntosh and Cheerilee. A studious young colt, he was in the same class as the others, but he was so quiet, they barely noticed he was there.
"What happened?" Dusk pressed on.
"AP had a li'l tumble, sprained a hoof." Crab explained. "So uncle McIntosh stayed home to look after him, and couldn't help mom and dad with the apple harvest. Thing is, ma ain't too happy 'bout uncle Mac blowing her off over a li'l scratch like that - her words, not mine."
Dusk reflected on Apple Polisher's physical state. He had definitely not inherited his father's brawny physique. In fact, he was quite scrawny for his age. From what Crab had told him over the years, it seemed Big McIntosh was a tad overprotective of his son because of this. It made perfect sense for him to want to look after his son after any injury, no matter the size.
"And what do you think?" He asked.
"Ah really can't blame uncle Mac." Crab admitted. "He wuz jest doin' his fatherly duty. Ma don't see it that way, though. She's actin' like uncle Mac betrayed her, or something. Uncle Mac didn't take too kindly ta that; He saw it as meanin' ma thought apples were more important'n her nephew. So now, neither one's talkin' tah the other."
"That's rough, buddy." Dusk said sympathetically. "How's AP, anyway?"
"He's good." Crab answered. "His ankle healed up a couple days ago."
"Speak of the windigo." Dusk noted.
Apple Polisher was walking up the street towards them. He had a bright red coat, a pale purple mane, and wore thick, round glasses over green eyes. His cutie mark was of a gleaming apple.
"Hey, guys." He said, in a slightly nasally tone of voice. "How's it going?"
"Okay." Dusk nodded. "Crab told me about your little accident. I'm surprised your dad's let you out by yourself so soon."
"He hasn't." Polisher sighed. "He's back at Sugarcube Corner, buying some cupcakes for us."
"Eeyup." Big McIntosh announced his arrival. He extracted the cupcakes from his saddlebag, and gave one to his son.
"Thanks, dad." Polisher smiled.
"Howdy, uncle Mac." Crab said tentatively.
"Howdy, Crab." Big Mac nodded curtly. Clearly, he didn't hold Crab in contempt for his mother's actions.
"Crab Apple!" Applejack's voice rang out as she marched down the street. "What in tarnation is takin' ya so long? We got apples ta- Oh." She noticed her brother. "Big Mac."
"AJ." McIntosh retorted, making the nickname seem more like an insult.
For a moment, the two stood perfectly still, staring daggers at each other, while the colts watched apprehensively.
"C'mon, Crab, let's go." Applejack said finally. "We got important, vital work ta do back home. The kinda work that can't be put aside for an itsy-bitsy sprain."
"Time we headed for home too, Polisher." McIntosh growled. "Back where there's a carin', nurturin' environment."
The two parents practically dragged their offspring in opposite directions, leaving Dusk alone.
"Well, then." The young alicorn said to himself awkwardly. "Guess I'll be going home now."
The next day, at school, Dusk found the two together, looking forlorn.
"That bad, huh?" He asked.
"Eeyup." Polisher imitated his father. "Our parents still aren't speaking to each other."
"Darn tootin'." Crab said sadly. "They don't even let us see each other. Only time we can hang out is at school."
"There's got to be a way to settle things between your folks." Dusk mused. "What does your mom think of all this anyway, Pol?"
"She's not happy." Polisher declared. "But she just can't get dad to budge on it."
"Pa ain't having any luck with ma, either." Crab added. "Sometimes, we Apples can be as stubborn as mules... no offense."
"None taken." Said a mule that was standing in the nearby field.
"The Apples are supposed to be one big, happy family." Crab said sullenly. "This here mess just ain't right."
Dusk had never seen Crab so low before. He had to do something to help. The young prince mulled things over for a moment. Suddenly, he was struck by an inspiration.
"I've got an idea!" He declared. "Parent's Day's this friday, right?"
Parent's Day was something of a tradition at the schoolhouse. One day in every semester, the student's parents would go with them to class.
"Yeah, so?" Crab asked.
"So, I've got a plan." Dusk smiled. "One that should (hopefully) mend the fences. But we'll need your mom's help to do it, Pol. Think you can get her onboard?"
"I'll think I can swing that." Polisher nodded.
"Great." Dusk smiled. "Now, here's what we're gonna do..."
Parent's Day arrived in due course. Every student had their parents with them; Dusk and Starlight had Twilight and Flash, Crab had Applejack and Caramel, Honeysuckle had Fluttershy and Forrest, Thunder and Rainbow had Rainbow Dash and Thunder Clap, Purple had Pinkie Pie and Cherry Fizzy, and Dazzle had Rarity and her father, a former high society unicorn named Orion. He had a midnight blue coat, a black mane, brown eyes, and a constellation Cutie Mark.
As they all stood outside the main entrance, Cheerilee greeted each of them in turn, McIntosh right beside her. When she got to Applejack and Caramel, there was a distinct chill in the air as Applejack and Big Mac glared at each other. After that tense moment, the colts decided to put their plan into action.
"Hey, ma, check this out!" Crab called. As Applejack and Caramel came closer, Crab bucked a tree, causing a tremor that dislodged several leaves.
"That's ma boy!" Applejack chortled.
"Nice buck, son." Caramel agreed.
It was time for phase two of the plan. Dusk caught Cheerilee's attention, inclining his head towards the classroom. Cheerilee, having agreed to being a part of the plan made a small nod to indicate she understood.
"Big Mac, could you join me in the classroom, please?" She asked her husband. "Polisher and I need your help with something."
"Eeyup." Big Mac answered, following his wife and son inside.
A few moments later, Crab and his parents returned.
"Where'd Cheerilee mosey on off to?" Applejack asked.
"Oh, she wants you, Mr. Caramel and Crab to meet her in the classroom, miss Applejack." Dusk declared. "You know, for some parental discussion."
"Fair enough." Applejack shrugged, as she and Crab went into the school. Dusk followed behind them, preparing to implement phase three.
As Applejack entered the room, she quickly saw Big McIntosh.
"What in tarnation?" She gaped.
Dusk slipped into the closed the door, using his magic to lock it.
"Dusk, what do y'all think yer doin?" Applejack growled.
"It's for your own good, ma." Crab said solemnly.
"Crab?!" Applejack gasped. "Yer in on this?"
"Sorry, dad." Polisher told Big Mac. "I'm part of this, too."
"I don't blame you, son." Big Mac declared. "You've obviously been led astray by a bad influence."
"Whoa there." Applejack grimaced. "You ain't talkin' 'bout mah boy, are ya?"
"And what if Ah am?" Big Mac said threateningly.
"Okay, that's enough." Dusk stepped forward. "Until you two make up, I'm not unlocking that door."
"Ya got a lotta nerve, Dusk." Applejack said harshly. "Meddlin' in other ponies' business like this. Ah got half a mind to tell your ma about this."
"I'm sorry, miss Applejack." Dusk apologised. "Crab is my best friend, and this family feud of yours was really getting to him. I could see that, but why can't you?"
Applejack's anger receded a little.
"Is that true, Crab?" Applejack asked.
"Yeah." Crab nodded. "Ah love you, ma. But Ah also love uncle Mac and cousin Pol. Seein' you an' uncle Mac at each others' throats like that just don't sit well with me."
"Me either." Polisher added. "In fact, I think it's just plain awful."
Applejack and McIntosh looked at each other, a hint of regret on their faces.
"I may not be an Apple, but I know what family's about." Dusk declared. "Family looks out for each other. They accept each other's faults. They may disagree sometimes, but they always patch things up."
"It's like I've been saying, Mac." Cheerilee chimed in. "You two need to bury the hatchet."
"Come on, love-core." Caramel pleaded with Applejack. "For the kids' sake."
Applejack looked at Big Mac. Big Mac looked at Applejack.
"Y'know, they're right." Applejack declared.
"Eeyup." Big Mac nodded. "Ah'm sorry I put off the harvest."
"Ah'm sorry too." Applejack sighed. "Yer boy was hurt, and ya had to look after him. Ah'd;ve have realised that, if I weren't so busy thinking about apples."
"Ah forgive ya, baby sis." Big Mac hugged her.
"Same here, big bro." Applejack beamed.
The other ponies looked on in joy at their reconcilliation.
"Way to go, Dusk." Crab smiled.
"Your plan worked perfectly." Polisher added.
"With a little help from all of you." Dusk said humbly.
Dusk unlocked the door, and they all went outside, where they had to explain to the others where they'd been. Twilight and Flash were quite impressed with Dusk's plan.
"Our son, the peace-maker." Flash smirked. "I know he didn't get from my side of the family..."
"I'm proud of you, Dusk." Twilight smiled. "You did everything you could to help a friend."
"Thanks, mom." Dusk smiled.
"And like a true prince, you mediated a peaceful resolution to a dispute between two parties." Twilight added.
"Way to go, champ." Flash chuckled.
"Thank ya kindly, Dusk." Applejack declared. "Sometimes, we Apples are just too goldurn stubborn for our own good. Lucky we got ponies like you to help us find our way."
"It was nothing." Dusk blushed.
"Nnnnnope." Big Mac shook his head.
"We just decided to make you an honory Apple, pardner." Crab patted Dusk on the back.
"Really?" Dusk gasped.
"Really." Crab smiled. "It's the least we can do."
"Congratulations." Polisher smiled.
Dusk smiled widely. Doing good was usually it's own reward, but sometimes, a pony could gain something special, just by helping others. Dusk was willing to settle for seeing his best friend happy again, but being made an honorary Apple was a nice bonus. Even so, he would have done the deed a hundred times over, without ever thinking of getting a reward. That was just the kind of pony he was.