//------------------------------//
// Graves and Photos 
// Story: Immovable 
// by Purplescales42 
//------------------------------//

	Iron and Applejack were about to leave the house when they saw Gold Nugget standing in the living room waiting for them. AJ watched as the two siblings stared at each other. Gold was glaring daggers into Iron while he just looked at her sympathetically. 
“What did he have to say?” asked Gold.
“We were just clearing things up between us,” explained Iron.
“Just like that? So what, you’re best buds now?”
“I don’t know about that,” said Iron. “But there isn’t any bad blood between us at least.”
“That’s. . .nice I guess.” There was an uncomfortable silence between the two. “So, are you leaving now?” she asked.
“Not yet. I was actually going to see Mom and Copper. That alright?”
“Hmph. Not like you need my permission.” Gold walked past him. “Dinner’s at six.” Iron watched her go down the hall and into her room.
“She doesn’t seem all too happy about ya stayin,’” said AJ.
“Yeah,” said Iron. “Should I talk to her?”
“You should, but maybe later?” suggested AJ. “Give her some time fer all of this to set in.” Iron nodded. 
“Alright.” He walked to the front door and opened it. “Do you mind coming along with me? I don’t really want to go alone.” Applejack smiled and nodded.
“Of course Ah’ll come.”

***

Iron took Applejack to a small graveyard outside the town. He led her to two tombstones. One read “Ruby” and the other “Copper Ore.” Applejack recognized the second name as Iron’s older brother. She assumed that Ruby was his mother. Iron was quiet as he stood before the graves his lost family members. However, despite his silence, AJ could tell there were numerous thoughts running through his head. Memories, questions, regrets. All things she thought about whenever she thought about her parents.
“What were they like?” she asked. 
“Copper was my hero as a kid,” said Iron. “He always looked out for me when I was a colt. I remember when I got my Cutie Mark he took me out for ice cream and let me get the biggest cone I wanted.” He smiled as he recalled that memory. “We also used to wrestle sometimes. He always won though. I remember whenever I was down, I could count on him to try and cheer me up. I wanted to be just like him.” He lowered his head. “The day he died left me feeling empty. The worst part is that no matter what anypony says I know it was my fault.” Applejack couldn’t think of anything to say. This was something Iron would probably always carry with him no matter how often he was told he shouldn’t blame himself. 
“He sounds like a really good big brother,” she said. Iron smiled a little.
“The best. Better than I was anyway.” Applejack looked at Ruby’s grave.
“What about yer ma?” she asked. “What was she like?” Iron sighed.
“I actually never got to know her very well,” he explained. “I was a little over five when she died. I remember how sad Dad and Copper were though. I do remember that she used to sing to me or read me bedtime stories when I was little. I remember that I always felt safe when I was with her.” Iron sat down in front of the graves. “It’s been a long time since I visited these two. I used to come here whenever I was frustrated or upset. I always got the sense that maybe they were watching over me. Does that sound weird?”
“Not at all,” said Applejack sitting next to him. “Ah wonder the same thing about my folks sometimes. Then Ah wonder if they’d be proud of me and what Ah’ve done.”
“You too, huh?” asked Iron. “For what it’s worth, I think they would be.” Applejack smiled.
“Thanks. Ah think yer ma and brother are proud of ya too.”
“Yeah. I hope so.” Iron stood up. “I think we should get back. I really need to talk to my sister.”
“Alright,” said Applejack. She got up and followed Iron. As they walked, Iron took a quick look back at the graves.
Love you two, he said to himself. I miss you every day.

***

As the two ponies headed back to the house, Iron finally took notice of the townsponies. He saw a few new faces but recognized most of them. They seemed hesitant to approach him. He wasn’t sure if it was the scars or if it was some resentment they held against him. Honestly, he couldn’t blame them for either. 
“Iron Ore!” shouted a pony. Iron’s train of thought was broken as he noticed a red stallion with a white mane and tail and a Cutie Mark of three rocks approach him. Iron stopped and glared at the other stallion.
“Quarry,” he said.
“Who?” asked AJ. The red stallion approached the two and gave them a friendly smile.
“Long time no see,” he said. “Goldie said you were here.”
“What are you doing talking to her?” asked Iron clearly suspicious of Quarry.
“Wait, can one of you fill me in?” asked AJ. 
“Quarry here is the guy who got me and my dad fired the day before I left,” explained Iron. “But before that he had a tendency to make my life miserable as much as possible.”
“Iron look. . .” began Quarry.
“You also picked on my sister,” added Iron. “If you’re still harassing my family. . .”
“It isn’t like that,” said Quarry.
“Than what is it like?” asked Iron raising his voice. Other ponies began to stop and notice the two.
“Look, I get you’re angry,” said Quarry. “But I’m not like that anymore.”
“Not likely,” said Iron narrowing his gaze at Quarry. Applejack put her hoof between the two stallions.
“Hold on a minute, Iron,” she said. “He doesn’t seem like he wants to cause trouble. Give him a chance to say his piece.” Quarry nodded in thanks to AJ.
“Your friend is right,” he said to Iron. “I don’t mean to cause you any trouble. I just wanted to talk.”
“About what?” asked Iron.
“I wanted to say that I was sorry, alright? I was a jerk back then and I took it too far. I’ve changed since then. Your sister was a big part of that.”
“You seem awfully fond of her now,” said Iron. 
“Well, um, we’re kind of together,” explained Quarry nervously. Applejack was sure Iron was going to flip out but he just stood there staring at Quarry. 
“Together, huh?” he finally said. Quarry could only nod in response. “How long?”
“About a year.”
“And she’s happy with you?”
“Iron, I know you don’t trust me. You have every right not to, but I promise I’m not the same stallion I was four years ago. I’d never hurt Goldie. All I can give right now is my word but I hope that can be enough for now.” Iron kept a firm glare on Quarry but said nothing. Applejack noticed quarry trying to stand firm but was also clearly intimidated by the larger stallion. 
“That’s mighty honorable of ya,” said Applejack. “Sounds like both you and Iron have done some growin’ up. Right, Iron?” She looked the gray stallion in the eye. Iron briefly glanced at her before looking back at Quarry and nodding. 
“I guess so,” he finally said. “You had better keep being good to her, understand?” Quarry nodded.
“I promise.” Iron walked by him not even looking at him.
“Alright then,” he said. “Take care.” Applejack smiled at Quarry.
“He’s had an eventful day,” she said. “Give him a little time. He’ll come around.”
“Um, yeah, alright,” said Quarry. AJ nodded and trotted off after Iron. Quarry watched as the two of them headed back to Charcoal’s house. “Looks like I’m not the only one who found a mare to set him straight.”

***

When the two finally got back to the house, Iron searched the house for Gold. He found her bedroom door opened and saw her sitting on her bed and looking over an old photo album. He knocked on her door getting her attention. “Mind if I come in?”
“I guess,” she said. Iron entered and sat next to her. He looked at the pictures in the album. They were all from when the three siblings were little as well as a couple of pictures of their parents when they were dating.
“Where’d you find this old thing?” asked Iron.
“It was just sitting on a bookshelf,” she said. 
“What made you want to look at it?”
“I don’t know,” she admitted. “Feeling nostalgic I guess.” She flipped through a couple pages and stopped at one particular photo. “Do you remember this one?” 
Iron looked at the photo she was pointing at. It was one of Charcoal, Copper Ore, Iron Ore, and Gold Nugget. Ruby had already passed away by them. The four remaining family members were in the kitchen. Gold was sitting at the table blowing out candles on a birthday cake. Charcoal, Copper, and Iron were singing happily to her. 
“Yeah I remember this,” he said. “It was last picture the four of us had before Copper’s death.”
“It’s the last picture in the album too,” said Gold showing Iron that the rest of the pages in album were blank. “Almost seems like the last time we were actually a family.”
“Yeah.” Iron gave her a soft smile. “Maybe we can seem like one again.” 
“You think so?” asked Gold not sounding convinced.
“Look, Goldie.” It almost sounded weird using his old nickname for her. “I’m sorry for what I did before I left. I didn’t think about how my actions could affect you and Dad. I understand why you’re not thrilled having me around.” Gold didn’t reply. “Do you think we could try and clear the air between us? I don’t want to leave knowing that you still aren’t talking to me.” Gold Nugget sighed.
“I-I just. . .it isn’t that easy, Iron,” she said. “You threatened our dad’s life. Then you leave without ever coming back.”
“You kicked me out, remember?”
“I didn’t think you would never even try to come back or get in touch,” scolded Gold.
“You didn’t look for me either.” Gold groaned in frustration. 
“I-Ugh, you’re impossible!” she shouted.
“I know I am,” Iron agreed. “I’ve made a lot of mistakes. I shouldn’t have gone so long without contacting you. I have no reason to ask, but can you ever forgive me?” Gold didn’t reply, instead just staring at the photo.
“Yes,” she finally said.
“What?” asked Iron.
“Yes, you idiot. I’ll forgive you.” She smiled as she hugged him tight. “Can you forgive me?”
“There’s nothing to forgive,” said Iron returning the hug. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“I could have tried something besides kicking you out,” said Gold. “You always at least tried to protect me but I never returned the favor. So please, forgive me?”
“Of course,” said Iron. He heard Gold start sniffling. She wiped the tears from her eyes and pulled away from her brother. “Now, I have one more question, Goldie.”
“What?”
“What’s this about you and Quarry dating?” Gold immediately tensed up.
“Umm. . .”