//------------------------------// // Goes Away in the end. // Story: A Bushel of Apples // by dramatic_spoon //------------------------------// Sweet Apple Acres Big Macintosh sighed as he and Lyra continued to the barn. “Everypony there?” “Eeyup,” Lyra responded, “…Mac, are you sure you know what you’re doing?” “Nope,” the stallion honestly responded, “I… I don’t know if this is the right way to do it, but it’s still something that I have to do.” “…This is going to end in tears,” Lyra shook her head. “I know,” Big Macintosh responded as he pushed open the barn door: all twenty of the kids and most of their mothers stood there waiting, “That’s why I invited everyone.” “Hi Dad!” all the fillies and colts beamed at him. “Macintosh, this better be important,” Rarity stated, “I have orders I need to fill.” “Trust me, Rarity, it is.” The stallion sighed as he stopped in front of the group. Silence reigned as the stallion stared at the ground, building up his courage. “Kids… ou can’t come here anymore.” Everypony’s expression changed to shock and surprise, as they glanced at one another. As everypony opened their mouths to speak, Big Macintosh held up a hoof. “Let me explain. I just got word from Princess Celestia about it. According to her, every time you hop between your home and this one, it damages the barrier.” Big Macintosh paused, “Think of it like an umbrella: it protects you, but every time something pokes a hole in it, it starts to leak. Then the holes get a little bigger and soon, it’s not gonna stop anything else from staying out.” “Wait, you mean there are worse things out there?” Carrot Top frowned. “…Yes.” Golden Sweet and Oscura nodded. “But we have the elements and you!” Acey pointed a hoof at Twilight and Big Macintosh. “She’s right Mac,” Applejack countered, “Don’t you have any faith in us?” “Oscura, talk about the princesses in your world.” The stallion ordered. “…Do I have to?” the filly looked down, away from Mac. “…Yes.” “…Princess Celestia is known as Corona. Before she was sealed away for a second time by the new Elements of Harmony, she ruled the land with an iron hoof, demanding pony sacrifices to appease her.” Twilight took a step back from Oscura, “But… Princess Celestia would never do that!” “Our Celestia wouldn’t. But that’s my point.” Big Macintosh sighed, “Would you really be able to fight against that?” “…I don’t know,” Twilight relented. “Even then… could you really fight against yourself?” Big Macintosh continued, “There’s gonna be a universe out there where one of you is evil. Do you really think you could bring yourself to fight one of your friends?” The remaining Elements of Harmony exchanged uncertain glances, before hanging their heads in defeat. “No, I couldn’t.” Rarity responded. The others nodded in agreement. “And then, assuming you all fail, what could I do against that? I’m not an element, I’m just a normal pony.” The collected ponies stared at Big Macintosh in silence. “I want what’s best for you all,” the stallion sighed, “It ain’t easy for me to say this, but What’s best is that you stay with your Macintoshs and your moms. …Don’t get me wrong, I love each and every one of you, and I want you to stay safe.” Silence once again filled the barn as Big Macintosh wiped away his tears. “That’s the least I can do. We had good times, and we had lots of fun. Well, not all of it was fun.” “I told Mr. Cake I was sorry, Dad.” Apple Cake responded. “He took it better than I thought he would.” Mrs. Cake added. “I do appreciate that, by the way,” Big Macintosh added, “But I’m getting off topic, I-” “I get it, Dad.” Sparkling Cider nodded, interrupting Big Macintosh. “I do too.” Scarlet shook her head, “I don’t like it, but dad always says things like that.” The ponies murmured in agreement. “…Can we atleast say goodbye?” one of the others called out. “…I would be a pretty rotten pony if I said no, wouldn’t I?” Big Macintosh managed to smile. “I brought my camera too,” Lyra dragged a small wagon in, “It’s one of those fast ones, so we don’t have to wait too long for the pictures.” “Alright, everypony line up with your kid,” Big Macintosh paused, “The rest of you just have to take them with me, I guess.” “We’ll take a group picture at the end,” Lyra’s aura flared up as she started setting up the camera, “Hope I brought enough…” “Alright, then let’s get started…” --- “Come on squeeze in more,” Lyra motioned for the ponies on her left to move in closer. “If I get any closer, I’m going to have my face in her butt,” Scarlet Tornado grumbled. “…Maybe if you stand on Dash’s back you’ll fit better,” Lyra suggested. “…Fine.” Scarlet Tornado weaseled her way out from between Bellona and Midnight Bliss and flittered onto Dash’s back. “Sweetie Belle, you and Apple Jam need to move a little more to the right, You’re blocking Oscura.” Lyra motioned for the two fillies to move. “Little too much. There, perfect.” Applejack trotted over to the camera, “Lyra, go on in there.” “What? No, I can take the pictures.” “I got it,” Applejack assured her, “You get in there with Mac.” “You know how this works, right?” “Sure I do, I just press that doohickey right there, right?” “Yes.” “Alright then,” Lyra trotted over to the group and wiggled her way through the other ponies, taking her place at Big Macintosh’s side. “Alright then, say ‘Cheese’!”