Macintosh and Dolphin – The Switch
Chapter 18: An Apple Family Reunion
Speeding through the dusty plains heading to Appaloosa for the Apple Family Reunion being held for the first time by the host of the reunion Braeburn, whom thought it be a great idea to have their own Apple Family Reunion so the family could get together more often then just at Sweet Apple Acres in Ponyville. Wayne sitting in one of the lower bunks of the train carriage looking at all the photos of the apple family that be there that weekend, he knew with autumn in full swing and most trees and such without leaves on them now there was little to do at Sweet Apple Acres.
He took a view of the landscape as the train continued on it way, Wayne was going to meet quite the number of Apple family. He wasn't sure to be excited or nervous with a chuckle he recalled the word 'nervicited, that a word I would use for sure' Wayne turn to the photos again in front of his front hooves. “Let see...” he pulled up the first picture “Red Gala” then the next he point to “Red Delicious” then the next “Half Baked Apple... Golden Delicious... Caramel Apple” he then reach the next with his trying to remember the name tapping a hoof on it a few times “Apple... apple... there so many with Apple beginning with their names... how on tarnation am ah suppose to remember all these names...” he groaned slopping his head on piles of photos turning his eyes to the setting sun.
Applebloom came up to the bed side “Big brother are ya ok?”
Wayne turn his head a little looking to the filly with Big Mac's green eyes “Not really... ah'm tryin' my best to remember what everypony look like and remember their names... ah'm not sure if it me or ah just never been good at remember so many names...”
Applebloom climbed up on the bed beside him looking to the photos “Ah have the same problem big brother, y'all be fine, Applejack sent a letter a head to explain to our cousin Braeburn that ya still not completely ya self”
Wayne had a feeling she would do that but still looking at all these names on the back of the photos as he turn them over again and remember who who “Other words ya sayin' ah shouldn't worry too much?”
“Eeyup” Applebloom giggled and Wayne put his front hoof over her putting her close to his red fur body
“Thank ya Applebloom” he kissed her on the head and push the photos to the side.
“No problem big brother” she yawned and slowly fell asleep against his warm fur.
Wayne smiled softly picking up the bed sheets with his mouth and pull it over himself and Applebloom “Goodnight little sister” he whispered and settle down himself drifting to sleep with Applebloom still beside him, his little sister...
Applejack smiled softly looking to Granny Smith whom was settle and ready to go to sleep “by golly they do get along, Applebloom been so sweet to support her big brother even he not truly is” Granny smiled
Applejack look to her as she spoke quietly to Applejack “Ya knew from the beginnin' didn't ya? At the night we looked at the book...”
“Indeed Applejack ah did but ah knew he had a good heard just as much as Big Macintosh and do what it took to be like him, ah proud to call him mah grandson” Granny Smith put a hoof to Applejack “And ya proud to call him ya brother right?”
Applejack look her in the eyes “Sure thin' Granny and goodnight”
“Goodnight Applejack” Granny Smith settled down and so did Applejack as she turn off the lights to join the other two in the land of dreams.
Appaloosa...
Braeburn standing at the station awaiting for his cousins arrival from Ponyville, there was still much to do for the rest of the Apples arrival but he knew he could count of Applejack on helping him out since this was the first Apple Reunion for Appaloosa. “Ah wonder when that here train be arrivin'” he look to the clock showing it was just past eight in the morning.
He heard the sound of the whistle from the train as it came in and to a stop beside the station. Stepping out of the carriage was Applejack, Applebloom and Granny Smith coming out of another with a wagon of items was Wayne “Howdy Braeburn hope we not too late” Applejack spoke to him in a instant they got off the train.
“Sure not cuz and see Big Mac got everythin' in here wagon, it sure was great for ya to come before everypony else comes, they should be here by about high noon” Braeburn look to the clock tower
Applebloom spoke next “Sure did and he might not remember everyponies name still but he gettin' there, that amnesia did a real number of his memories”
Braeburn look to Wayne “Then this would be sort of ya first reunion since ya forgot the others”
“Well ah can remember pieces of the others but this be mah first fresh memory of Apple Family Reunion Braeburn” Wayne replied hoping he buy the story.
Braeburn smirked “Well then let make this here best one ya can remember” he turn to the others “Lets head over to the orchard and great everythin' set up”
“Indeed now which way is it young colt” Granny Smith looking around to get her bearings
“Follow me” he said with pride and trots off out of the station and the rest follow behind and soon at the orchard seeing the trees still as green.
Applejack chuckled seeing some of the apples on the tree “Ah see the autumn weather not hit here yet”
“Not till next week cuz”
Applejack heard next week and felt heavy hearted instantly looking to Wayne “Next week hay?”
“Somethin' the bother cuz? Ya don't look too great” Braeburn notice her distance look in her eyes
Applejack look to him “Braeburn ah'm...”
“How about ya sit this out and let us do the work, ya don't need to worry yaself”
“Braeburn...”
“Because what a cuz like ah be if ya get all tied out for bein'...”
Wayne step in and spoke “Braeburn ya gettin' Applejack anger”
“Huh?” he turn to Applejack whom was about to yell at him but with Wayne's interfering more it stopped that for happen “Sorry Cuz...”
Applejack “Thank ya for the save Big Mac”
“Eeyup” he chuckled lightly
Applejack turn to Braeburn “Ah'm fine Braeburn ah just a little sleepy that all, not got much sleep last night...” 'How can ah explain that the first meeting of two in a dream would go dreadful... no pony would agree on anything and getting to see Hazel for whom she truly is...'
Applebloom giggled “She was tossin' and turnin' all mornin' as if somethin' was bitin' her”
“Applebloom!” Applejack yelled at her.
“Hehe, oh look there the orchard!” she quickly changed the topic and rush off to the orchard as fast as her little legs can carry her in a gallop.
“That sister of mine...” the others gentle laughed in response and she joined them as they continued their way to the orchard.
Through out the morning Applejack, Applebloom, Wayne and Braeburn with some of the local Appaloosa ponies aided in getting everything ready from the Apple Fritters that Applejack had to keep Wayne away from half the time since he loved eating them and blamed herself for that. Braeburn with help from Applebloom with a few locals raised the sign up saying '1st annual Apple Family Appaloosa Reunion' on it both looking at it with pride.
Granny Smith prepared some of Sweet Apple Acres Zap Apple Jam up with some of the Zap Apple Cider that Wayne created and had left over, she was happy to see they had enough left over to share with those at Appaloosa since she had a good idea that the settler ponies would come over to the reunion and join in with the festivities.
Applejack buck down some apples ready for the pie factory in town, they was going to bake way more then enough apple pies for the reunion and happy for their help. But after she finished and still over 30 minutes till high noon with many of the apple family ponies arriving now as the final touches came to the reunion event. She was proud of the work everypony did but her gut was swimming again with guilt cause of Wayne and Big Macintosh it was really getting to her after a week.
“What am ah going to do... what in tarnation can ah do?” she sighed heavily sitting on the cliff side looking down to the orchard pushing a small stone back and forwards with her hoof. “That dream meet was a total failure... we could not agree on anythin'... ah agree that we got to do somethin' before it too late but how can we agree on ending two lives for the price of others... ah hated that word Hazel used... 'the needs of the many out way the needs of the few'... whom ever came up with that fancy-talk word need their head's bucked...” she whispered with annoyance.
Granny Smith walked up to the sadden Applejack “So youngun' what seem to be the problem?”
Applejack look up then to Granny Smith “Oh Granny ah'm not sure what to do...”
“About our newest member of the family?” she nods “What the matter did he do somethin' wrong?”
“Not at all Granny... it a tad hard to explain without making thin's worse...” Applejack trying to place the words in her mouth
“Take ya time and explain to yer Granny ok?” Granny Smith sat by her with a hoof on Applejack's
Applejack took a deep breath and slowly thought of the words “Ah been told somethin' bad goin' to happen at Ponyville... by something called Overseers... if ah don't tell them Wayne will live but many may die when it hits... but if ah tell them he will and so will Big Macintosh... we stuck in a lose lose position, me, Hazel, Luna, Matthew and Twilight Sparkle... we can not agree on what to do...”
Granny Smith was shocked by this but she knew something wasn't right about this “Might ah ask how they goin' to do this?”
Applejack was about to say something about she frown “No they didn't...”
“Then we might be able to find out before it happens which mean all we have to do is hint it and they figure it out themselves which mean we win and they lose” Granny Smith smiled
“Ah never thought of that” Applejack beamed with a big smile. “Thank ya Granny”
“Not at all youngun' ah'm just dong what any granny would do for their grandchild” she smiled softly to Applejack. “Am Ah right?”
“Eeyup”
“Now get ya rump up and let join the others, ah'm old so this will take time” Applejack nods and get up walking alongside the old Earth Pony back to the orchard.
Soon high noon came and the sound of the town bell ringing out as more cousins of the Apple Family came, most being from Appaloosa but others from far and wide to be at this new reunion and Braeburn was over the moon already seeing just how many of them was showing up. “Whoowee this is quite the turn out cousins!” he called out at the microphone with it echoing his voice over to them from the stage he stood on. “Ah glad that y'all showed” a massive cheer from them. “Fiddlesticks and a few other well play musicians in our good golly family will play on stage every so often to fill the atmosphere” he point a hoof to them with them waving their hooves with smiles.
“Ah also like to give mah best wishes to Big Macintosh to getting his here old memioes back” he walk over to the stage edge holding the mic with one hoof walking on his three others “He been through a lot for the last few months pickin' up the pieces so don't be salty if he can not remember ya names” Wayne put a hoof to his face shaking it with some laughter came when they saw this reaction.
'I should of knew he would pull that out of a hat' Wayne thought
“Other then that ah hope y'all have a great time and enjoy yerselves!” a cheer came from the ponies and the reunion got on it way.
Applejack playing a game of horseshoes with Braeburn and two other cousins trying to out do each other tossing the horseshoe closest or on the hook it self. “Ah reckon that game” Applejack toss it over and hits the mark.
Wayne watching from the table look to the horseshoe on the side and look it the hook “Daggnit ya got me cuz” Braeburn accepted his defeat so did the others “No pony can do better then ya at this”
Applejack chuckled “When ya have a great friend like Rainbow Dash that play with ya this came quite a bit ya get good at it to keep her on her hooves” she smirked.
Wayne shrugged “What the hay” he picked it up and toss in their direction high into the air.
Applebloom saw this and yelled “Go big brother!”
Braeburn look up and so did Applejack to see it fly over their heads and hit the hook spinning around and land on top of Applejack's “Wh-what!?”
“Well ah say cuz... ah believe ya brother just beat ya fair and square” Braeburn chuckled
Wayne blinked “Wow...” he whispered
“That was amazin' big brother, try it again” Applebloom gave him another.
Wayne look to it and saw a bit of a ground gathering he gulped at the numbers that was watching now even Applejack whom just smirked “Erm... sure...” he toss it high again and they all watch with a sound of 'ooooooooo' as it got louder from the gathered Apples it hit the hook but spins off landing on the sand “Nnope” he chuckled
Applejack smirked “Ah got to say Big Mac that one mean right hoof ya got there”
Braeburn look a little lost “Ah thought he was always strong with his left”
“Amnesia cuz, it does some strange thin's as one bein' a bit more talkative right Big Mac?”
“Nnope” Wayne teased with a smirk
“Big Mac...”
“Ah only teasin' ya AJ” he chuckled and walked on by her to get a drink of cider and some of the apple fritters.
Apple Fritter watch him toss one fritter up and catch it in his mouth eating the delightful treat before having a drink of the cider. “Ah remember a story about one of our relatives about 300 or so years back bein' struck by amnesia on our side of the family, ah remember the story cause of the orb, the same thin' happened to her and she went all crazy like... didn't turn out all too well for her or the family...” Apple Fritter sighed “But ah'm glad we got off lucky with Big Mac, he really tryin' to be the brother yer once knew”
Applejack look to green mane pony with the red bow in her mane “another of our family struck by that blasted orb?”
“Indeed Applejack, but that was a long time ago and ah was told not to tell any pony unless it was to happen again in our family and sadly it did” Apple Fritter saw Wayne down another fritter “Ah better get to the table before he eats all the fritters and leave none for the others” she laughed softly and quickly dashes off to the food table.
Babs Seed came up to Applejack “Hi Applejack sorry I'm late the train had to stop for the buffalo crossin' not to far from here”
“It fine Babs, Applebloom just over by the horseshoes with the other fillies and colts” Applejack point to where Applebloom is and Babs rush over to greet her fav cousin.
“Big Mac save some for the others will ya!” Applejack turn to see Apple Fritter having a go at Wayne.
Applejack put her hoof to her head “Ah should of knew better then to get him into those fritters” she chuckled lightly and goes to give Apple Fritter helping hoof in dealing with her big brother.
Applesauce and Apple Rose with Granny Smith working on the quilt again laughing as they could see Applejack and Apple Fritter having some trouble telling the full grown stallion to not eat all the fritters. “Ah see Big Mac divin' into the fritters again, run in the family right Granny Smith?” Applesauce laughed softly as she stitch part of the quilt together.
Granny Smith giggled “And ah thought we made enough, but usually he knows when to stop” they all watch him step back and the two mares fall flat on their faces he helped them up and trots off at the expense of them falling flat on their faces.
“Ah saw that comin' from a mile away and mah sight isn't all that good” Apple Rose giggled.
“So did we” the other two elder mares said and laughed alongside Apple Rose.
Braeburn trot over to Applejack “Ya ok cuz?”
“Eeyup ah'm fine, only my pride a bit bruised but that the second time he got me with that...”
“Same here” Apple Fritter chuckled “Last reunion he did the exact same thing, we should of learned that lesson”
Wayne listen to them speak as he took a sip of the cider he was surprised that he did exactly what Big Mac did to them without even knowing about it. “So Cuz how the reunion, ya enjoyin' yer self?”
“Eeyup”
“And?”
“The Reunion comin' out well but it early so ah'm not one to judge” Wayne replied looking around as the music plays in the distance on stage as Fiddlesticks play with her fellow musicians.
Braeburn nods “Well ya right cuz and see what they meant about ya bein' a bit more open”
“Hmm?” Wayne gave him a strange look as he drunk the cider.
Braeburn sat by the large red earth pony “Ah'm talkin' about ya Big Macintosh, ah heard ya even done some fancy horse draw drawings and a story ah believe”
Wayne put the mug down and stared right at Applejack “AJ!”
Applejack flinched hearing Wayne called out her name “Ah might of slip a word or two about ya story Big Mac hehe...”
“Who else knows?”
Braeburn look around “No one else since they all enjoyin' the reunion to notice what ah just said so ah say yer secret is safe”
Wayne turn to Applejack “Well Big Mac been workin' hard in his free time on a big one and when ah say big ah mean big” she points a hoof to the stage where the large covered up item stood at the back.
Braeburn blinked “What? When did ah miss that!?”
Applebloom giggled joined with Babs “We also put some of our own touches to it too, we thought it be a great gift for ya first reunion Cuz”
“Wow that mighty swell of y'all” he smiled broadly to them. “Ah reckon we go and enjoy ourselves bit more, there still plenty of the day to go”
The reunion continues with everypony having a great time and the race coming up and Braeburn dragged Wayne into racing with him in the seven legged race with Wayne's right hoof tied against Braeburn's left hoof with Applejack and Apple Fritter ready with other cousins ready to have a bit of fun in this race. Applebloom and the other youngsters all cheering on their families with Babs cheering for Applejack and Apple Fritter.
Granny Smith sat by the microphone in a rocking chair “Are yer youngun's ready?” they raised their free front hooves up to show they was ready for this. “Then get on yer marks!”
They all stood ready for the race. “Get set!”
They positioned themselves ready to run “GO!”
With fast trot they all left the finish line with Fiddlesticks and Red Gala falling almost at the start but got back onto their hooves and try to catch up with the other four pair of racers with all the ponies cheering them all on. Applejack and Apple Fritter picked up the paste with Wayne and Braeburn keeping up with them as their trots grew quicker with each step they made, both teams looked at each other for a second with smirks on their faces as they knew this was now a race between these two teams.
“Go Big Mac! Go Applejack!” Applebloom yelled out for both her brother and sister. “Give it all y'all got!”
Golden Delicious quickly rushed over to the finish line and watch as the two groups cross the line the ribbon snapping with the rest soon afterwards, Applejack breathing a little with her cousin as they look to Wayne and Braeburn clapping hooves with smiles showing they had fun and not caring if they can first or second since they knew they did their up most best.
“So Golden Delicious who won?” Caramel Apple asked
Golden Delicious look at both groups nervously and spoke “It was a tie”
Applejack chuckled “Ah thought as much” she turn to Wayne “But if mah brother was 100% ah bet mah hat he and Braeburn would of surely won”
Applebloom shook her head “Nnope he would of never competed”
“True” they laughed
Wayne blinked looking to Braeburn “is that true? Ah would of never competed?”
“Not a clue cuz” Braeburn shrugged “But what the hay, that was a great race cuz and glad ya did it with me” he clapped hooves with Wayne again.
Wayne chuckled “Eeyup”
Applejack and Applebloom came up to Wayne “Ya did good big brother, ya and Braeburn was on fire!”
“Indeed ya was, maybe y'all not completely there has it up and downs right Big Mac” Applejack winked
“Eeyup” Wayne knew what she meant by those words talking about him not being Big Mac but being crypted about it.
The day went by with them having fun and enjoying the time together as a family soon it came to the final part of the reunion as the dancing and music dies down to a close with some cleaning up by the Apples had begun. Braeburn stood on stage by the microphone seeing how busy all the ponies was making the orchard good as new as if there was no reunion. “Alright everypony ah'm got one more announcement from our cousins from Sweet Apple Acres, they got somethin' special to give to us Apples at AAAAPPPPLLLLAOOOSSAA!” he neighed as well with a jump on his hind legs kicking his front legs in a circle motion and land on his front hooves with a smirk turning to the four members of the Apples from Sweet Apple Acres coming up onto stage. “The spot light ya's cuz”
Applejack stood in front of the microphone while the others stood around the covered item. “Ah'm guess all of y'all wonderin' what behind this sheet through out the day right?”
“Eeyup!” they all said together and laughing instantly.
Braeburn stood back a bit and listen to her speak on “We decided to do somethin' really special for ya Apples here at Appaloosa being this ya first reunion held here in these parts and mighty fun day we had too” Applejack turn to the sheet covering the item “Alright revile it!”
With a tug from all three the sheet falls and everypony gasp with smiles and amazement at what they saw, it was a large frame painting of almost every member of the Apples from the Smiths to Apples to the present with a massive tree behind them with the largest apples hanging from it they ever seen with some being golden yellow, green, red and even Zap Apples hanging from it with the apple family from young to old and gone together. “This was the work from all four of us, Big Mac did most of the drawing while we did the paintin'. Ah hope Braeburn and ya rest of the Apples here in this town like our gift”
Braeburn walked up to it and looking up and down the large framed painting “like it? Ah love it! This is the big dang amazin' present and any cousin can ask for by any apple family, this will be kept safe and for all to see and hope years later we can add more apples to it... Applejack... cousins” he turn to the four “Granny... thank y'all for this amazin' gift...” he wiped some tears away and gave them all a hug as they hugged him back with cheers from all the apples as the day comes to a close with the sun setting into the west dipping behind the horizon.
At the train station as Applejack and the others prepared to depart for Ponyville they stood before Braeburn seeing other Apples heading back to their own homes and places “Ah really glad ya helped me out cuz, this been amazin' reunion and in 100 moons hope to see ya here again”
“Ya can count on it Braeburn” Applejack smiled. “And better be at our reunion as well”
“Ya got yerself a deal partner” they both spit on their hooves and shook.
Wayne turn to the sound of the whistle from the train “We better get gonna AJ”
“Right ya are, see ya Braeburn” Applejack gave Braeburn a hug and he returned it with a smile from both then they boarded the train for Ponyville all sticking their heads out the window waving goodbye to Braeburn as the train starts to depart and he waving back to them.
“Don't forget to write cuz!” Braeburn yelled out and watched the train disappear into the distance. He turn to the sky at the blue star shining high above “What a star, ah remember seeing that last night, ah mighty proud that mah wish came true and got the best dang reunion ah could hope for” Braeburn chuckled and whistles to himself as he heads off back to his home for a good night rest.