//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: Apple in the Corner // by Calm Wind //------------------------------// (Timeline Position: Three weeks after the events of Hard Pressed to Impress) (For timeline info, please visit my homepage) The oven door creaked open and the aroma of fresh baked cupcakes flowed from the inside. Pinkie Pie bounced over with a pair of oven mitts while humming her favorite self-written cupcake song. She smelled the aroma with delight as she removed the cupcake tray and placed it on the kitchen counter. It was another beautiful day of happily doing what she loved: making and serving tasty treats to bring smiles to the faces of— “Hey!” … making and serving tasty treats to bring smiles to the faces of— “Yoo hoo!” … making and serving tasty— “Mr. Calm Wind!” Um, yes? “This is the story where I’m a main character right?” Uh, yes it is. How are you talking to me? “Cause I want to! Duh. Anyway, it is? Ooo I wonder which stallion I get! How are you gonna write it?” I’d rather not spoil anything. “Oh, I like surprises! But, hey wait a minute. This isn’t gonna be a shipping fic is it? Seriously, I barely know Pokey Pierce, if this is about him again—” It’s not, Pinkie please, let me get started. “Ooo! Can I help you write it?” No. “Aw, c’mon! If I help you maybe it won’t take you years to make new fics!” Okay, that’s enough. “How long is this gonna be by the way? An epic multi chapter tale?” No, just one chapter. “Aw what? Rainbow Dash got four long chapters!” Yeah that was kind of an accident. GAH! Pinkie, get back in the story, we need to get this going. The stallion in question is about to arrive anyway, and you don’t want him to be without your cupcakes riiiiight? “Ah! Of course! Gotta go! … Great, this is going to be an interesting writing experience… MLP: FIM An Apple in the Corner By: Calm Wind Rain. It was on the schedule for the weather team for the day. A decent shower, enough to warrant a rain coat or umbrella, granted a pony had the means of carrying one. Everypony living in Ponyville was aware of the weather schedule, so there were no surprises or ponies left looking for shelter. Unless one had just arrived in town. A yellow earth stallion with a long orange mane and green eyes let out a heavy sigh as he entered the main square and looked up at the town hall. He wore an over packed saddlebag and his mane was pressed firmly to his body and draped over his eyes, all wet and slick. He had a towel draped over his flank, covering his cutie mark. Although said towel was starting to get awfully heavy with how wet it was from the rain, he didn’t care. He was hiding it for a reason. “Guess I’ll stop here for the day.” He mumbled to himself. For a very specific reason, he DIDN’T want to stop in Ponyville. He was only able to afford a ticket as far as here without bleeding his bits dry. He intended to keep moving to avoid being seen by a certain few ponies that knew him, but it was cold and raining along with him being tired and hungry. Besides, his family resided in nearly every city on the map, so stopping here was no different than stopping anywhere else. He had only been to Ponyville once in the past, he had no idea where he could find quiet lodging for the night, but he felt the need to find it quick unless somepony that recognized him came along. In general he decided it would be best to avoid contact with others as much as— “HEY!!!!!” A pair of eyes and a crazy pink mane suddenly appeared before him, upside down. The stallion yelled out in surprise, directly in Pinkie’s face, but she didn’t even flinch, despite her mane being blown back and the umbrella on her head being whipped off. She held her breath for a second, poofing her hair back out, before inexplicably appearing beside the stallion with the umbrella on her head again and an additional one on her plot. “I haven’t seen you around here before! That means, *heavy gasp* YOU MUST BE NEW!” “Wait! Pink—” The stallion DID know her, and in terms of not drawing attention to himself he couldn’t have run into a worse pony. Pinkie leapt in front of him, reached behind her, and pulled out a small wooden box no bigger than her hoof. She shoved her free hoof over his mouth. “Shhhhhh. This is a verrrrrrry delicate process of welcoming.” She carefully opened the lid on the tiny box only a smidge. Confetti spewed out into her face and a party horn blasted her lips and cheeks back. She quickly closed it. “Oh yeah, this stuff is potent! Better be EXTRA careful with it—” She threw it against the ground hard. Confetti and balloons scattered everywhere, pushed almost instantly to the ground by the rain. The box expanded into a cart. “My newest welcome cart has been modified to be—” she pressed a button on it and fifteen party cannons jutted out from every possible opening, “NOTHING BUT PARTY CANNONS!” She was halfway through pulling a string to fire, but the stallion frantically tackled her away from it. “PINKIE! Y’already know me! Just PLEASE be quiet!” He removed his hoof from her mouth. “I do?” She looked him over. “Hey! Do you know who this pony is?” Pinkie, please stay in the story. “Oh yeah whoops!” “Who were you talking to?” “The author.” “The who what?” “NO MAS! Lemme figure this out.” Pinkie pie stared analytically at the stallion and tried to put together if this stallion was indeed one she had met before. After much blinking, her brain put together an image of his mane un-soaked and covered by a hat like Applejack’s, along with a leather vest. “OH! Now I know! What are you doing in Ponyville Brae—” “SHHHHHH!!!!! Pinkie PLEASE keep it down! I don’t want anyone t’know I’m here!” He pleaded. Pinkie blinked again. “Ooooo I smell the plot forming. Well I know you are here, but you don’t want anyone else to know. I got it! Come to Sugar Cube Corner! The Cakes are on vacation with the foals, I’m the only one there!” She bounced giddily. “Fine, let’s just hurry okay?” Braeburn agreed while glancing around again. “I like this story already! Mystery right around the corner. Or in the corner I guess. Get it? Because that’s in the title and cause we’re going to Sugar Cube Corner hee hee!” Pinkie. “Okay, okay, I know. What a grouch.” Pinkie led Braeburn quickly to Sugar Cube Corner upon his request to stay out of sight. Normally the place would have been bustling, but due to the Cakes being on vacation Pinkie had to close early. She was good at baking, but without the help of the Cakes, the stock was low. As soon as she cleared the doorway, Pinkie shook herself out, and was instantly dry, her umbrella hats both landing on a nearby table, perfectly stacked. Braeburn wasn’t so lucky to have control of time and space around him. He was sopping wet, and still miserable. He sighed as he removed his saddle bag and soaked towel, revealing the single apple cutie mark. “SO! Before you start, I’m curious!” Pinkie began as she dumped a basket of clean towels on top of him. “Where’s your hat and vest? They made you really stand out!” Braeburn poked his head out from the towels with one jammed in his mouth. “I had to draw them with my mind to figure out who you were!” Pinkie traced a dashed white line over his head in the shape of his hat. He spat out the towel and frowned. “That’s part of it all actually. I’m tryin’ to blend in.” He explained reluctantly while removing himself from the pile of towels and grabbing just two to dry himself off. Pinkie plopped down on the floor, she reached her arm about three times further than its length, out of Braeburn’s line of sight and pulled over Gummy. “Ooo! We can hardly wait!” She grinned, tapping her hooves on the floor. Braeburn glanced at Gummy, who stared back at him with his usual vacant expression. Braeburn shook his head subtly, wondering why he was bothering and why, oh why, did he run into the WORST possible pony he wanted to run into besides his cousins. He was well aware of Pinkie’s personality and was surprised he hadn’t already been found out. In a way he was actually lucky that it was raining and most of the residents of Ponyville were inside. “Well, I’ve been kicked outta Appleoosa.” “Ooo! That’s… wait WHAT?!” Pinkie sprang up and was pressing her nose to his. “I did NOT see that one coming!” She shouted, her tail spinning behind her. “Didn’t you found the city? How the heck did you get thrown out of your own town?” “Please just let me tell the story Pinkie.” Braeburn sighed while pushing her away. “Oh, heheh sorry, sheesh now both of you are doing it to me.” “Both who what?” “NOTHING! Continue please.” She plopped back down, Gummy at some point had latched to her tail. “Like I said, I got thrown outta Appleoosa,” he repeated, “it was for violatin’ our agreement with the Buffalo.” He finished drying himself off and whipped his head around twice to make his mane poof back out. “Despite being out in a rather barren region, Appleoosa was purposely built in an area of conflictin’ weather systems. We get lots of rain, and it makes it possible t’grow the apple trees. But then that strange tornado disaster y’all had here in Ponyville happened.” He paused and glanced out the window at the rain. “Any repercussions can be handled easily by your weather team, but Appleoosa relies on the natural weather, not t’mention we’re all earth ponies. The effects of the freak tornado spread all the way t’us, we’ve had no rain for months and most of our crop is failin’.” “THEY KICKED YOU OUT FOR THAT?!” Pinkie shouted out while nearly leaping to the ceiling. “No. It’s what I did outta desperation.” He let his head drop. Pinkie floated slowly back down to her sitting position and listened intently. “Despite the income brought in by the new coliseum, our failed apple crop this year was puttin’ us in a financial bind. I needed a way t’get water to the trees, if we were forced to abandon the apple farm I’d be a disgrace to my own family name! I was blinded by my own pride.” “YOU ARE A MASTER OF SUSPENSE!” Pinkie had a towel wrapped around her head and chin, and was yanking the ends in opposite directions, compressing her face. Braeburn, not expecting Pinkie to be serious, continued. “The only source of water near Appleoosa is an oasis spring near the main Buffalo settlement. It’s a sacred watering hole that’s said t’be preserved against the climate by the spirits of their ancestors. Our agreement with the tribe is that we are allowed to grow our trees and harvest our crop in certain marked areas of their land as long as they can have a share of our product and as long as we don’t impede any of their sacred traditions.” “Oh man, you took some of the water didn’t you?” Pinkie sat, mouth agape, “bad move.” “You’re tellin’ me?” Braeburn rolled his eyes and shook his head. “I began taking a cart with large water jugs there every knight t’secretly take the water and irrigate it through our fields. But I was caught one night, by Little-Strongheart of all buffalo. She was bound by her tribe t’report my transgression. The chief brought it before our city council, and I was exiled from my own home.” “But what about the other Apple Family members there?!” Pinkie sprang up, “didn’t they defend you?!” “I had shamed them, they had no reason to.” Pinkie zipped up to him and grabbed the air where his vest would be if he was wearing it. “Maybe we should talk to Applejack! She would help you!” She shook her hooves back and forth as if she would be able to shake him by the lack of vest. “NO!” He took two steps back and she fell face first as if being yanked by his movement. He reached down and pulled her head up to look at him. “We ESCPECIALLY can’t tell Applejack! The apple family values honesty above all else. An honest life and an honest living. Applejack lives and breathes honesty! She’ll tear me t’pieces!” He pleaded. Pinkie blinked and got to her hooves. “Okie dokie loki, but what should we do then?” She seemed to actually be hearing him out amongst her usual oddness, which made him feel a little better. “Thanks, but I really shouldn’t stay long. Would you mind if I spent the night and then went on my way?” He asked humbly. “I don’t mind at all, buuuuuttttttt…” Pinkie suddenly looked at the wall clock and grimaced. “Oh dang I timed this poorly.” “But wha—” Braeburn was cut off by a knocking at the door. “Pinkie! Are ya home!?” A very familiar voice came through the door. Braeburn froze and his eyes grew three sizes. “I kinda invited a few friends over already.” She grinned awkwardly. Braeburn silently looked every which way, trotting in place frantically. He began quietly freaking out. “Pinkie! You should’ve told me this FIRST! I’m screwed!!!!” He was 110% panicked. He eyed the stairs and made ready to break for them, but they were across the room and he would clearly make noise. Anypony outside would hear his hooves against the wood floor and would wonder what the heavy steps were. What was he going to do? “You can’t go up there anyway! There would be no scene tension if you were hiding upstairs!” Pinkie whispered loudly to him. “What in Equestria are you talking ab—” “NO TIME!” Pinkie grabbed him and put him behind the counter, wrapped his mane into a ponytail, fastened an apron to him, slapped a big flower sticker over his cutie mark on both sides, then grabbed a bag of flour. Braeburn was trying to figure out what she was doing and barely saw the bag of flour above his head in time. “PINKIE WAIT—” He shut his eyes as she dumped the entire bag on him, turning him completely white, mane and all. “Just act like you’re working, I’ll do the rest!” She zipped form him up to the door and opened it. The flour clouds had vanished and a shoddily disguised Braeburn found himself looking directly at Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy as they all casually entered, shedding raincoats and boots. He froze solid and gritted his teeth, but glanced down and saw a post-it note on the counter that read, “I said act like you’re working!!!! –Pinkie-Pie” He quickly looked around and saw that many baking utensils and needs were strewn about on the counter. He didn’t know a THING about baking, but all he had to do was look busy and hopefully Pinkie would handle the rest. “Hey girls!” “Howdy Pinkie!” Applejack tipped her hat as she entered. “Sup.” Rainbow Dash entered with visibly wobbly steps. “Hello.” Fluttershy barely made herself heard. “Come on in and get comfy!” Pinkie made no gestures or motions towards Braeburn whatsoever. He fidgeted around with everything within his reach, hoping they would either leave him be, or just take no notice. “Who’s you’re friend here?” Applejack instantly killed his hopes. He flinched but acted natural and turned to them, giving a smile and a wave. “Uhhhhhhh OH!” Pinkie zipped over to Braeburn. “With the cakes out I was falling behind on my baking schedule! So I hired some part time help! This is Flour Power! He’s in town for a little while and was quick to answer my flyer!” “H-hi.” Braeburn gave a poor attempt at changing his voice, making his demeanor appear sheepish. He was more distracted by the ridiculous name Pinkie came up with for him. “Flour, these are my friends! Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy!” She introduced each one of them with a wink. Braeburn smiled weakly. Pinkie’s eyes darted back and forth and she quickly added. “He’s a bit shy around unfamiliar groups, don’t worry, he’s friendly!” “Heh, that’s alright,” Applejack sat down at one of the tables, “We’re used to that with Fluttershy,” She chuckled, “You two look like you have lots in common, eh?” She joked, earning an uncomfortable look from Fluttershy. “Oh get over it already Applejack,” Rainbow Dash took a seat across from her, “As if your brother would let another stallion lay a hoof on her.” She received a glare from Applejack. Fluttershy’s face disappeared in a blush and quickly also disappeared behind her mane as she sat down. “And what the hay is that supposed to mean?!” Applejack growled back at Dash. “You’re not Twilight but I know you’re not stupid A.J.” Dash sneered and leaned closer to her across the table. “Big Mac is a big colt you know, if he wants her who’s to stop him?” “Um, please…” Fluttershy failed to interject. “Mac’s too busy to worry about it!” Applejack argued. “And work is supposed to stomp out feelings? C’mon element of honesty, you shouldn’t lie to yourself. Besides, with me helping around his workload is lighter. The big guy deserves a little time to himself.” “Excuse me, um…” Fluttershy remained unheard. Braeburn was glad they were mostly distracted by some quarrel involving cousin Mac. While he was curious what exactly they were talking about, he was relieved they weren't paying any attention to him. He really hadn’t done much since they entered. “Keep this up and I may not let ya work with us anymore!” Applejack was losing her temper with Dash. “Really, please stop…” Fluttershy tried again in vain. “Oh what’s this? Do I sense some worry? I think you’re scared all this cart pulling might make me strong enough to beat you in a hoof wrestle!” Dash was just toying with her now. Applejack slammed her hoof down on the table and stood up. Dash rose up as well with a sneer. “I dunno sugarcube, the way you barely walked in here I’d say you’re actually really tired and tryin’ to bluff me!” “Care to test that Applesmack?” “STOP IT!” They both froze as Fluttershy leapt onto the table and extended her wings, knocking both of them over. The two of them stared wide eyed at her. She turned to Dash first. “Stop being an instigator.” She put sternly then turned to Applejack. “Your brother is nice, I like him.” She finished and jumped back down into her seat, folded her hooves and put on a friendly smile. They all sat silently for a few seconds. “WHO WANTS CUPCAKES?!” Pinkie suddenly sprung up holding a tray of said cupcakes and tea. Braeburn sighed as he continued to inconspicuously do absolutely nothing. The scene died down and once Pinkie was with them it turned into normal conversation. At some point another post-it appeared on the counter near him that read, “Keep it up. –Pinkie Pie” Thankfully they all seemed to buy Pinkie’s story about him so he was confident there would be no trouble. Despite his extreme worry of acting suspicious, he couldn’t help but listen in. “So A.J. I’ve been wondering, what exactly is that new building going up on the edge of the farm?” Dash asked. Braeburn couldn’t help but be curious as well. “It’s a new storage thingamajig.” She answered simply. Dash waited for more, but when none came she replied. “Care to elaborate?” “We made lots of money working a deal with Filthy Rich and our zap apple jam, and that money was put into this new thing. Apparently we’ll be able to store a large amount of our stock that goes unsold during the summer. This doo dad can keep them fresh over time and we can sell them during the winter when we usually have no crop. All I know is it was expensive and it better do what it’s supposed to do, cause this is gonna put us back.” She crossed her hooves and sat back. “It sound like you don’t know too much about this thing?” Dash chuckled and Applejack rolled her eyes. “I thought it was just another barn. Mac is the one who made the deal, bought the stuff, and is putting it together.” She shook her head in disapproval. “Wow, the big guy is smarter than he lets on.” Dash commented. “Big muscles AND big brains! Quite a combo eh? EH?” Pinkie nudged Fluttershy comically. Fluttershy squeaked while trying to sip her tea. She blushed madly again, putting the teacup down and looking away until the rush of blood to her face subsided. “Actually, Macintosh is very bright. He’s quite, strong , and gentle yes, but he’s also very good at figuring things out. He’s quite subtle about it.” Fluttershy began to sway side to side a little and smiled as she explained it. This didn’t go unnoticed. Applejack rolled her eyes and Dash chuckled. “Anyway, Mac figured it all out and all, but for some reason it’s been stirrin’ up nothing but trouble.” She said with a frustrated tone. “Ooo! Fun trouble? Or trouble trouble?!” Pinkie asked. “Only you would have two definitions, Pinkie.” Dash shook her head. “Trouble trouble,” Applejack confirmed. “I dunno what it is exactly, but for some reason our new building is aggravating the timberwolves.” Braeburn flinched. “Timberwolves?!” Braeburn blurted out, thinking of Granny Smith and Applebloom being in such danger. Then he realized what he did. The four ponies were looking right at him. Dash, Applejack, and Fluttershy all in surprise, Pinkie let her head fall face first onto the table silently. Braeburn stared right back, slowly realizing what he did, followed by realizing he said it in his normal voice. There was NO way Applejack didn’t notice it. He glanced down to avoid eye contact, noticing a new post-it on the counter that read. “Ya blew it. –Pinkie Pie” “Wait a minute—” Applejack looked him over carefully. That was it, he was screwed. She got up from her chair and approached him. Pinkie zipped up and barred her path. “Heheheyyyyy! You should let him be, he gets nervous! And, and, and he needs to make cupcakes and that’s a delicate—” She sputtered. Applejack pushed her out of the way and continued towards Braeburn. “Ooooohhhh darn.” She shook her head and mouthed “sorry” to Braeburn. Applejack reached out a hoof. Braeburn retracted from it, but quickly found himself flank to the wall. He sighed as Applejack wiped a whole hooffull of flour off his face, revealing his yellow color. “I knew you looked familiar! Braeburn?! What the hay are you doin’ here?!” Applejack asked, confused and slightly put off, expecting to hear from a family member before a visit and expecting them not to be hiding from her. Both Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash approached as well, leaning to see around Applejack. Braeburn sighed and shook himself roughly. Most of the flower came off, but left white splotches on him. He undid the ponytail and let his mane fall. “I was HOPIN’ to never be here in the first place.” He grumbled. Applejack narrowed her eyes. “That DIDN’T answer my question.” She put harshly. Braeburn flinched at her tone. He had no way out of this one. If only he hadn’t stopped in Ponyville. If only he hadn’t run into Pinkie Pie. If only he had considered it was PINKIE PIE before agreeing to anything. “Well,” he began nervously, “it goes something like this…” “YOU DID WHAT?!?!” Braeburn squinted as Applejack yelled directly into his face. He had just retold the whole things and gotten to the part about him violating the agreement. “I was caught by Little Strongheart, reported, and exiled for violation of our pact. Now here I am.” He finished quickly so Applejack wouldn’t explode from the anger that was clearly boiling up. She stomped her hoof hard against the floor, nearly making the whole place shake. “I can’t BELIEVE this! One of our own doin’ somethin’ so low and inconsiderate! Did you forget everything our family stands for?!” She pushed him back with every word. He shook his head and glared back with fight in his eyes. “What would you have done, cousin?! Don’t act like I don’t know you! If you an Mac were in danger of losing Sweet Apple Acres you’d do whatever it takes to save it!” “That may be true, but we would NEVER do it dishonestly or at the expense of others!” She turned her head away. “What would your parents think of this? What about Granny Smith!? She would be heartbroken if she knew one of her grandchildren disrespected the family like this!” “A.J.! I did this FOR the family! I did it because I was afraid of losing our—” “It doesn’t matter,” she cut him off and turned her back, “You lost sight of our family values and used what belonged to another t’ try and save yourself. You’ve always been reckless, you’ve always leapt before lookin’. Failure is as big a part of life as success, and if you can’t grasp that, then we’re done here.” She walked past the rest of the ponies and towards the door, leaving Braeburn behind her, mouth hanging open but nothing to say in the face of the truth that was just handed to him. “Hey hey hey wait!!!” Pinkie zipped in front Applejack before she could leave, “I know he messed up, but he’s family! You should help him!” “He ain’t family anymore, s’far as I’m concerned.” Applejack stated sternly, earning a gasp from Fluttershy and a surprised look from Rainbow Dash. “But, but,” Pinkie fished for things to dissuade her, “but he…” “Pinkie. Don’t try to fix what you don’t understand. Now MOVE.” Applejack pushed her out of the way, grabbed her rain gear and left. Pinkie stood by the side of the door, shocked, and mane slightly deflated. Rainbow Dash landed beside pinkie while grabbing her raincoat. “Let me talk to her.” She patted Pinkie on the back before taking off after Applejack. Fluttershy approached Braeburn, who had fallen into a sit. “I’m so sorry, Applejack can be too harsh sometimes. I’ll talk to Macintosh.” She tried to assure him before exiting as well. Pinkie didn’t feel so happy and bouncy anymore. She wanted to help Braeburn and everything was going as planned with the fun way she usually handles things, but this time it didn’t turn out well at all. She was at a loss of how to go forward because instead of bringing smiles, she brought the opposite. She walked up to Braeburn, trying to smile herself, but she found it difficult. “I’m… sorry…” She apologized, but he kept his head down and gave no response. Her ears drooped as she realized just how awful the situation had become. She felt responsible. “You’re still welcome to stay here. We have a room you can use.” She tried to sound upbeat, but she just couldn’t. He nodded, but again said nothing. “Um, is there anything else I can do to help?” She asked, desperately. “No!” He snapped his head up and shook his head vigorously before starring daggers at her. “You’ve only made things worse! You’re idiocy didn’t help things back when we founded Appaloosa, I don’t know why I expected any better from you now! I’ve had enough of your help for one day!” His words stabbed at her. Her turned his back to her and trudged up the stairs. Pinkie couldn’t have had a more broken look on her face. Her eyes were wide, her spirit was shattered, and her hair completely deflated. There were few times in her life when Pinkie had no idea how to handle a situation. When all else failed she at least always had a silly idea to try and alleviate the situation. But here, she felt completely cornered. Defeated with nowhere to turn, Pinkie went back to making cupcakes, this time with much less gusto than usual. For hours Braeburn just sat in the corner of the guest room with his hooves on his head wondering how his life suddenly took such a screeching unwanted turn. He was so proud when he had successfully founded the city of Appleoosa around his family’s business. Not to mention he succeeded in doing it in a place no one ever thought you’d be able to grow Apple trees. For years he had gotten praise from all directions, friends and family alike. It seemed like his pride had gotten the better of him. Slipping up in such an utterly shameful way made all the love and praise smash to smithereens. Where would he go? What would he do? Was it even worth it? On top of it all he tried to disappear without a trace, even from his own family. He suddenly felt bad about the way he treated Pinkie Pie. Yeah, her shenanigans got him caught straight up, but Pinkie was just trying to help him. All Pinkie ever wants to do was make people smile. It was innocent and charming. Sure it backfired at times, but it was never her intention to do harm. Now she got sucked into a family feud, and he had verbally berated her for something that wasn’t her fault in the first place. A sudden wave passed over him, what was he doing sitting down here and moping? Braeburn Apple, the mastermind behind a desert apple farm and founder of Appleoosa was sulking in a guest room in a bakery? He was successful once, who was to say he couldn’t do it again? He made a mental note to slow down and think this through. Applejack was spot on, and he realized it now. His success made him cocky and reckless. He failed to see the incredible consequences beyond those he was trying to avert. Applejack was always very harsh and strict, but everything she said was true. Maybe she would never respect him again, but he knew Granny Smith and Big Mac would never frown upon a family member who’s willing to accept consequences and move on, and sweet little Apple Bloom would still love him right? He had four family members here that ran a very important farm in their business. He could help them, Hell they already had a pegasus helping them, if they were willing to let Rainbow Dash help them, there was no way they’d turn down family, especially family looking to regain respect. He stood up and glanced at the clock, he had wasted two hours moping around. That was all the time he’d ever be willing to waste. To start, he had to apologize to Pinkie. He left the dreary room behind and marched right back down the stairs, only to be surprised when his little cousin Apple Bloom burst through the door, panting as if she had just run a marathon. “Pinkie Pie! Pinkie Pie!” She yelled out. Pinkie looked around the corner, still depressed. “Apple Bloom?” She asked, surprised. “Pinkie! Twilight wasn’t home I need help quickly!” She pleaded, running up to Pinkie as fast as her little legs could carry her. “What’s wrong?” Pinkie asked, concern showing through her sadness. “Timberwolves!” she blurted out, “They’ve been pesky lately, but they suddenly came pouring out of the Everyfree Forest! Applejack, Big Mac, and Rainbow Dash need help!” “Timberwolves!?” Braeburn blurted out, this time not at an inopportune time. He jumped down the last steps and ran up to Apple Bloom. She looked surprised to see him, but at the same time didn’t waver from her mission. “Cousin?! Please you have to help! They can’t take on all those timberwolves alone!” She cried while jumping over to him. Braeburn was glad his confidence had found its way back to him. The first thing he would do to re-earn respect would be to aid his family in their time of need. “Don’t you worry Bloom! I’m on my way!” He turned to the door and— Hold on what’s this? A post-it note? “My car going into the shop for a few days to get fixed, pick me up at 2 from the dealership. –Bro” … That’s now… Dang it, he needs to give me more warning on these things. Ctrl + S. … … … “That was TOO EASY! HEEHEE!! As if I was gonna let him write ME all depressed. Me of all ponies! I mean CMON, that didn’t look or sound ANYTHING like me in that last scene! Alright time to take over, just let… me… get… out of the quo”tation marks and… Sweet! Okay, now let’s make this story FUN! APPLE-LIFE: APPLE FAMILY CONSEQUENCES By: Pinkiemena Diane Pie I’ve ALWAYS wanted to do something like this! BRAEBURN, who was Applejack’s cousin, was one day in a bakery baking some cupcakes. “How the hay did I get back downstairs? And why am I wearing an apron?” He got a letter from his cousin that said TIMBERWOLVES and PARASPRITES were attacking her place and asked him for help so he went. “Applejack’s wha, WHOA!” Braeburn got his oven turned off and went on the platform to go up to the roof where he left his apple cart and normal clothes because he was in his baking apron. “What am I doing on the roof, how did I get up here, and I thought I left my vest and hat in AppleooIT’S TIME FOR ME TO LIVE UP TO MY FAMILY NAME AND FACE APPLE FAMILY CONSEQUENCES! Oh Celestia, PINKIE WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!” Braeburn ramped off the building and did a back flip, “AIIEEE!!!!” And landed. He kept sprinting down the road. The country’s sides were NICE and the plants were singing and the birds and Celestia were almost down from the top of the sky. The mood was set for Braeburn’s quest to help his cousin where she was. Braeburn looked around the country’s sides and said, “IT’S A GOOD DAY TO DO WHAT HAS TO BE DONE BY ME AND HELP MY COUSINS TO DEFEAT THE ENEMIES! I have no idea what’s goin’ on…” Braeburn was late so he had to sprint really fast with his cart. A royal guard was hidden nearby so when Braeburn went by the guard came and wanted to give him a ticket. Here Braeburn saw his first monsters because the guard was covered in parasprites. “YOU CAN’T GIVE ME A TICKET GUARD.” Braeburn said. “WHY NOT?” said the parasprite guard. “BECAUSE YOU HAVE PARASPRITES!” so Braeburn bucked the guard in the a“WHY DID I JUST KICK A ROYAL GUARD!?” He hooked back up to his cart and ran off thinking, “MY COUSIN IS IN TROUBLE THERE!” and went faster. Braeburn had to go fast like the speed of sound and got there fast because Applejack needed him where she was. Braeburn looked at a road sign and saw “Everfree Forest” with somepony’s writing under it saying “u shudnt come here” “There is no darn way I’m going in th—” Braeburn almost turned around but heard screaming like Applejack so he went faster again. Braeburn ran in and did another flip and unhooked from his cart and the cart took out some parasprites in front of Braeburn. Braeburn smiled and walked fast. Braeburn then looked on the grounds and found stones to use as WEPONS so he kicked them up and bucked them fast a timberwolves in front of a cave. Braeburn said, “somepony please stop Pinkie Pie before she gets meTIMBERWOLVES LEAVE THIS PLACE!” and the timberwolves said, “BUT THIS IS OUR CAVE!” and Braeburn felt sorry for them because they couldn’t live there anymore because they were timberwolves and they were in his way so he blew up the cave and smashed the timberwolves so they were in pieces. Then Braeburn heard another scream from his cousin so he kept walking really faster to get where she was. Everfree Forest was nothing like the country’s sides there was no birds singing and the pants were dead and the dirt was messy and covered in poison joke When Braeburn got to where the screaming was started from he found his cousin Applejack fighting the final timberwolfff and Applejack said, “BRAEBURN! OVER HERE!” “I think I’d much rather let Mac handle WHOA—” So Braeburn went there to where Applejack was fighting. Braeburn kicked some rocks from the ground really fast and the rocks went and hit the final timberwolf in the eyes and the final timberwolf couldn’t see. Applejack said, “IT’S TIME TO END THIS ONCE AND FOR ALL!” and bucked the final timberwolf in the face and the final timberwolf fell. Braeburn said, “THANKS I COULD HELP, CUZ” and Applejack said, “Braeburn? What in tarnation areYOU SHOULD COME HERE EARLIER NEXT TIME” and they laughed. The laughed overed quickly though because Braeburn yelled, “LOOK OUT CUZ!” and pointed up to the top of the sky. Applejack looked up and said, “NOO! BRAEBURN RUN OUT OF HERE FAST AS YOU CAN!” and Braeburn walked real fast out. Braeburn looked back and saw Applejack get stepped on by the next timberwolf and he was mad and angry. “I’LL GET YOU BACK EVIL TIMBERWOLF!” Braeburn yelled at the top of lungs. *SNAP* What the? Why did everything stop? “I have to admit Pinkie Pie I was enjoying that quite a bit, but I think it was a tad anti-climactic.” Oh hey Discord! You like it!? “As I said, it brought a tear to my eye, but I thought I’d warn you that Calm Wind caught onto you and is almost home. I think you’d better get back in here.” Oo! Yeah, he’s gonna be mad as is, but it was totally worth it! Just let me rrrrrgg“gghh okay! I’m back in now!” PINKIE PIE WHERE ARE YOU. “Hi!” I knew you were being too quiet. What did you do while I was gone? “Ohhhhhh nothing much.” “She wrote quite a riveting reference that I think you’ll appreciate.” Not you too Discord, don’t you have things to attend to anyway? “I do, but you must admit, Pinkie did help break a repeating order of events you’ve done three times already.” “Oooo I know! I mean cmon, with my friends it was always normal, event, depression, event, SUDDEN DANGER, event, I mean I just didn’t want you to get redundant!” Okay, okay, fine. Now both of you back in the story. “Very well, taataa Pinkie.” “Bye discord! Here I go! Wheeeeeeeeee.” Okay now what did she… alright I have to admit I wouldn’t have thought of that. I guess I’ll just pick up from there. Braeburn was thrown back by a blow to the face, the claws of the timberwolf leaving a few painful scratches along his cheek. Applejack tried to jump in for an attack, but was batted down, her hat flying off, and tumbled to a stop right in front of the wolf. She grunted in pain as the timberwolf pinned violently to the ground with one of its large paws. She struggled to get free, but she couldn’t match the strength of the fearsome beast. The wolf snarled fiercely at her, it’s warm, nasty breath flooring her right in the face. Braeburn got to his hooves, wincing at the pain searing through his face. He gingerly touched his check, only causing more pain, his own blood on his hoof as he pulled it away from his face. His attention turned to the timberwolf pinning Applejack, glared and set his hooves. “Let go of my cousin you forest fleabag!” He yelled as he charged and leapt onto the wolf’s back. The wolf roared and reared back, removing its claws from applejack and shaking its body vigorously. Braeburn held on for dear life, but his grip failed against the violent shaking. He was thrown from the wolf, and tumbled roughly to the ground, flailing madly to get to find his hooves again before being pinned himself. He glanced behind him and saw the timberwolf leaping towards him. With no time to recover, he braced himself. The blow never came however, in fact the wolf’s trajectory was completely changed as Rainbow Dash came careening into the fray and struck the wolf in the side. The two flew away from Braeburn and rolled around trying to gain the upper hoof. She was thrown off into the air, but quickly spun around and leveled out. “Take him Mac!” She yelled down. Big Mac charged in from behind. The wolf heard the thundering hooves and turned around just in time to see Mac leap up and grab it by the face. Mac swung his foreleg down, slamming the wolf’s face into the dirt. While the wolf squirmed, he placed himself between the wolf and where Braeburn and Applejack lay. His hooves were set, his nostrils flared, and his glare could knock down brick walls. The wolf lunged at him with one arm. Mac locked his eyes on it, delivering a powerful counter blow that blew the wolf’s arm to bits and pieces of wood. The wolf pulled back and roared fiercely, completely ignoring its new lack of limb, and lunged with the other. With another heavy blow, Mac knocked its other arm off too. The wolf fell face first with no way to support itself. It managed to look towards mac from the ground and used its hind legs to propel itself at him. Mac spun around, stuck his front hooves firmly into the ground, and gave the wolf the wolf a hard double hoof buck between the eyes with all of his great strength. The timberwolf’s face was completely smashed in and the shock throughout its body caused all the wood and leaves that formed it to explode outward in thousands of pieces. Mac turned back and viewed the effect of his attack. His eyes reverted to his normal relaxed look. He shuffled his hooves around the fallen twigs, sticks, and leaves until he found his string of wheat among them. He picked it up in his teeth and passed it around his mouth until it was in a comfortable spot. Braeburn sat with his mouth hanging open, staring at his elder cousin. He knew Mac was strong, but that was just ridiculous. Awe aside, he was glad Mac had made such a spectacular entrance, he was sure he and Applejack stood no chance against that beast. As his thoughts swirled, Mac began approaching him. Suddenly the reality of things came surging back. He charged in to help despite the verbal berating he had received from Applejack, but it didn’t mean he was off the hook. He was sure he would get a similar talking too from Mac and soon after, Granny Smith as well. But to his surprise, Mac offered him a hoof instead. “Y’alright?” he asked as he helped Braeburn up. “I’ll be fine, thanks cousin.” “Yer face says differently.” Mac smirked. Braeburn blinked, remembering the cut on his cheek. He reached up and found it was still bleeding a little. “I’ll get something for that. Check on A.J. for me.” He asked, turning away before Braeburn could suggest it wasn’t a good idea. He took a deep breath, remembering he wasn’t going to run away from things anymore. He approached Applejack, who was still on the ground, catching her breath from the extreme amount of pressure the Wolf’s claws had pressed down on her. She looked up as Braeburn’s shadow appeared over her and glared, just as he expected her to. “And what are YOU doing here?” She asked coldly. Unlike before, he didn’t let her harshness faze him. “Helping my family.” He extended a hoof to her. She looked at it, then back at him, her scowl not wavering. “Oh for Celestia’s sake Applejack, don’t be so stubborn.” An old creaky voice suddenly came from their left. They both turned to see Granny Smith approaching with Pinkie Pie and Apple Bloom beside her. Braeburn flinched. He had considered facing Applejack and even Mac if he had to. However, he was not prepared to face Granny Smith. He took a step back, but stopped when he saw her smile. “Be HONEST Applejack, you’d do the same for him.” “Tch!” Applejack scoffed and reached out. Braeburn locked his hoof with hers and pulled her up. She still didn’t look at him, but he let it be and turned to Granny Smith. “Granny, I—” “Not another word dear, Applebloom and Macintosh already told me everything.” Her warm smile remained, despite knowledge of what he did. “Applebloom…” he glanced at his little cousin retrieving Applejack’s hat, “and Mac?” He caught eye of Mac walking back over with some cloths and bandages, now with Fluttershy keeping up beside him, nearly rubbing up against him as they walked. She really did talk to Mac for him. Applebloom trotted up to him. “Pinkie told me the whole story. Y’did somethin’ bad, but that ain’t mean we’re gonna forget you.” She smiled and gave him a big hug. Braeburn fell into a sit. He glanced at Pinkie, who shyly smiled back. Maybe running into Pinkie Pie was a blessing, but, “But I dishonored the whole family! I want to make up for it but—” “Oh hush dear.” Granny smith made her way over to him. “You made a poor judgment, but you did it because you were worried about our family tradition. I don’t care if those Appleoosans threw you out, you will always be a member of this family, and we look out for each other no matter what,” she turned to Applejack, who just sat still, facing away with her hat tilted down, “right Applejack?” Applejack sighed and nodded. “I didn’t quite hear you deary.” Granny Smith prodded. “Yes Granny Smith.” Applejack reluctantly replied. “I-,I-,I-,” Braeburn looked between all of them. Applebloom, still hugging him, Granny Smith moving in to do the same, Mac preparing to treat his injury, and even Applejack, who was still being her stubborn self. “I don’t—” He sniffled and shut his eyes. His legs felt shakey and he bit his lower lip. He held back all but one tear that ran down the side of his face. The very family he sought to avoid was now surrounding him with warm hearts and open arms. He may have hurt his pride and gone against certain family values, but he had completely forgotten the most important value of the Apple family: No matter what kind, how bad, or how deep, all wounds are cared for and healed by the presence of family. “We’ve never left a single apple behind,” began Granny Smith, “and we ain’t gonna start now.” Pinkie watched the warm scene unfold and smiled contently. Rainbow Dash landed beside her and folded her wings. “I’m glad that all turned out well. I thought Applejack was gonna beat him senseless back at Sugar Cube Corner.” Pinkie smiled wider and suddenly turned to Rainbow Dash. “Okay! Pay up Dashie!” She bounced up and down rapidly and only about an inch off the ground. Dash flinched in surprise and lifted an eyebrow. “Uh, what?” “Don’t be silly! You owe me two bits!” Pinkie bounced around her. “Since when?” Dash was wondering exactly what Pinkie was getting at. “You forgot the bet?” Pinkie zipped up to be face to face with Dash, “don’t you remember? You said you bet me two bits I would never solve a REAL problem with the way I like to do things! It may have been a bit ugly, but my methods worked, see!” She pointed at the embracing Apple Family. Rainbow Dash blinked, then rolled her eyes and groaned. “You’ve GOT to be kidding me, Pinkie I said that to you FIVE YEARS AGO. And it was an expression. I wasn’t actually making a bet!” She fumed. Pinkie laughed and resumed bouncing around her. “You can’t make any bets with Pinkie Pie and expect me to just let them slide! So pay up!” She held out a hoof. Rainbow Dash flattened out her expression and sighed, knowing if she didn’t, Pinkie would not stop prodding her about it. “Fine let me get my—” “Here you go!” Pinkie held Rainbow Dash’s saddlebag out towards her. “How did you— no forget it, I don’t need to know. Here.” She dropped two bits from the bag into Pinkie’s hoof. “There.” “Wahoo!!!! I’m gonna go buy a cupcake!” “Pinkie, you make the cupcakes.” “Shh! I don’t have to know that!” A day later it was back to business as usual with Pinkie Pie. The Cakes were still out and her workload was tripled, but she didn’t mind in the slightest because she got to bake tasty treats all day regardless. Sugar cube corner was bustling with ponies trying to get in, buy, and relax before the early closing time. Pinkie was doing her best to be at the counter and watching the oven at the same time. She was good at seemingly being in multiple places at once. Seemingly being the keyword to avoid mention of a situation she was rather embarrassed about. She finally found a brief respite with the place packed, but all customers taken care of for the time being, and turned to prepare some more cookies for behind the counter, but the ring of the bell above the door made her spin around with her “business smile” to greet yet more customers. She was prepared to give her regular greeting, but instead was giddy to see Braeburn and Applebloom walk in. Pinkie pie treated everypony like a best friend, but when her actual friends showed up it was like Hearth’s Warming. “Heyyyyyy!!!” She zipped up to them, bouncing happily. Applebloom looked cheerful as always, but the big difference she noted was Braeburn. While he still lacked his hat, he had bought a new leather vest, his steps were lighter, and his face was written with a warm smile. It was a more sincere smile and less of a hyperactive eager one he used to wear all the time. Pinkie didn’t care what kind of smile it was. She only cared that he was smiling and not drooping down with a personal raincloud over his head anymore. On top of that, Braeburn was a new face in Ponyville. He was getting looks from many of the ponies already in attendance, a few particularly long ones from a lot of the mares in the building. “Hiya Pinkie!” Applebloom greeted happily and trotted over to the assorted pastries behind the glass as Braeburn pulled out a list from his saddle bag. “Got a few things to pick up for Granny Sm—” Braeburn barely opened the list before Pinkie was right in front of him with a carry-out bag. “Right here!” She plopped it down and began bouncing again. “SO! What happened after I left?! I’m assuming good things, tell me tell me!” She questioned while her bouncing motor started up again. Braeburn chuckled. “Well, I may have made a grave mistake, but Granny is lettin’ me stay here in Ponyville and work on the farm,” he tried to reach out and stop Pinkie’s bouncing, but it only made him bounce too so he quickly pulled away and continued, “I have a lot to make up for, and it’ll take me a while to earn A.J.’s approval again, but everyone else has welcomed me back.” “Woohoo! See? I told you family would help!” She smiled brightly. Braeburn nodded. “Granny has already written to the other Apples in Appleoosa. I think she’s gonna give ‘em a good scolding for not at least comin’ after me.” “It’s one they deserve! Even Pinkie Pie knows the Apples stick together to the bitter end!” She appeared beside him, draping a hoof over his back and shaking the other in the air dramatically. “Actually,” Braeburn turned to face her, making her hoof slip off and she almost fell flat, but he caught her and kept her up, “I owe you an apology and my thanks.” The amount of sincerity in both his voice and the way he looked at her actually made her bouncing stop and she stared right back. “First, I’m sorry for being so cold to you. You may have gotten me caught, but if not for the run in with Applejack, I don’t think things would have worked out the way they did.” “Eh heh, yeah, I got a LITTLE carried away, it happens a lot.” Pinkie confessed sheepishly. Braeburn smiled, “Never second guess that Pinkie. Your antics are part of what makes you who you are. They helped me remember who I was. You were also completely right from the beginning. I shoulda trusted my family to be there for me.” His compliments were heartwarming, and Pinkie found herself at a bit of a loss. She had never been praised so much before or given thanks on this scale. “Well, eep!” Pinkie froze as Braeburn pulled her into a big hug. She had no trick or gimmick out of this one. With her mind always stuck on baking and parties, the area of stallions was never one she had given much thought. That didn’t mean however, that she wouldn’t be caught off guard if a stallion, particularly one as attractive as Braeburn, suddenly gave her a hug in public. She felt all the blood rush to her face and merely stayed still. “It may have been an interesting way of doing so, but if not for you intervenin’ I’d still be on the road with no direction. You were right about everything from the start, just like you were during the conflict at Appleoosa. You better believe I trust you more than ever now. Thank you, really.” He let her go and flashed her another smile. She just stared at him blankly with her face a much deeper shade of pink than the rest of her. “Come along Bloom, Granny’s waitin’” he called. Applebloom reluctantly pulled her face off the glass between her and the baked treats and trotted back over. She slowed down and stared at Pinkie’s unusual state as she passed before focusing back on Braeburn. He nodded to Pinkie, “Let me know if y’ever need help with anything, I’ll see you ‘round Pinkie.” He said sincerely before leaving with Applebloom. Pinkie kept still for a few more seconds before realizing the place had gone quiet and most of her customers were staring at her, mostly mares, and mostly jealously. Hear mind snapped back into reality, if not a little awkwardly due to being flustered. Her knee jerk reaction was to play it all off with a joke. Under normal circumstances this would have been flawless, but it crashed and burned in her current state. “What? My cupcakes, uuh… bring all the Stallions… to the… yard, er, corner?” She smiled, and screamed internally at the same time. A collection of groans, boos, and heads hitting tables rang throughout Sugar Cube Corner. -THE E— “HEY HEY HEY WAIT!” *sigh* Yes Pinkie? “That’s it?! Only thirty six pages?!” That’s all I needed for this one. “But that’s like twenty pages shorter than your other ‘short’ ones! You even gave RARITY fifty some pages and you SUCK at writing for her!” I know I know, you don’t have to remind me. She’s the most girly girl of all of you, with the makeup and the dresses and all that stuff. As a guy, I don’t know much about any of that, but I tried right? “No excuses! Especially after the epic you wrote for Rainbow Dash, I bet you disappointed a lot of readers.” Pinkie this isn’t the time. “Oh and I bet that moment at the end, you know all that sudden me locking up, which NEVER happens by the way, and blushing like crazy, you’re gonna add a romance tag for something small like that just like you did with Fluttershy aren’t you? You can’t fool Pinkie Pie! I know you’ll do anything for extra story views!” That’s it. Story’s over. “What?” -THE END- “Hey!” -Storyline to be continued- “Sheesh, more like Calm-nofunallowed-Wind…”