//------------------------------// // Chapter one: The beginning of time // Story: Nostalgia // by sugarhooves //------------------------------// "Wha-" The orange mare opened her eyes groggily. Using her hooves, she dusted herself clean. Turning her head, she observed her surroundings. All around her was a beautiful apple orchard, full of apple trees. Rose red apples adorned the trees, making her mouth water. She felt that this environment rang a few bells in her head. But where was she? All that she could gather was that she was in an apple orchard in the past. Getting up to her hooves, she conducted a "reconnaissance" of the area. Walking along the dirt path, she saw a few farm ponies. A green pony with her white mane tied in two plaits, in her sixties, and and a magenta pony and her yellow mane tied in a sloppy braid. A huge red farmhouse was located in the centre of the orchard. Wait a minute, it's all coming back...isn't this SWEET APPLE ACRES? Curiosity got the better of her and she made her way to the two farm ponies. Hiding behind an apple tree, she cranked her neck and put into practice "Rarity's eavesdropping lessons". "Well mother smith, looks like we're done planting all these apple trees. Ah say we head back and hit the hay now." The magenta pony raised a hoof to stifle a yawn, heading back to the farmhouse for a well-deserved break. "Ah'm just gonna stay and plant more seeds. Go help yourself to some apple pies now sugarcube." The green mare said as she continued ploughing the fields. Applejack watched the magenta pony trudging back to the farmhouse, her curiosity rising by the minute. She seemed rather familiar. The voice, appearance, body gestures reminded her of somepony, but she couldn't quite put her hoof on it. Walking over to the farmhouse, she entered by the back door instead, and hid behind the cabinets in the kitchen. Soon, the magenta pony entered the kitchen, grabbing the pie off the table. "I know you're there sugarcube, come out of there would 'ya?" Applejack's eyes bulged out of her eye sockets. How did she know she was here? Inhaling multiple breaths, she started to panic. She contemplated running away or bucking the pony down. "Don't worry, I don't bite." The mare said, making her way over to the cupboard. Spotting the orange mare curled up in a ball, she offered a hoof over to her. Pulling her up, she swiftly brought herself into combat mode. "Enough friendly talk. I don't bite, but I sure do kick flanks. Who are you? Where are you from? Why are you here?" She demanded, jabbing a hoof into Apple Jack's chest. "My name is Applejack, I'm from the future-" "Wait, Applejack? Why do you have the same name as my daughter who's now in Manehatten?" The magenta pony brought her hoof down, rubbing her chin with confusion. A sudden memory struck Applejack's mind. "Mum, I'm gonna leave for Manehatten, and I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU SAY! I HATE BEING AN OLD FARMPONY! I want to live the SOPHISTICATED LIFE!" "But honey-" her mother extended her hooves, intending to bring her daughter into a hug. Tears started to form in her eyes, as she watched the young filly scowl at her. "No mum! Just leave me alone!" The orange filly slapped her mother's hooves away and galloped as fast as her hooves could carry her... "Mum?" Applejack stared at the magenta pony. She brought up her trembling hooves and wrapped them around her. She was overwhelmed with joy and regret. She soon stared bawling like a school filly who was being bullied. "I'm so sorry mum..." she choked between her sobs. "Woah there sugarcube, you alright?" the magenta pony lifted the mare's face up, staring right back into her now red eyes. "Mum, I'm..your daughter..from the future..." Applejack said while burying her head into her mother's chest, melting in her warm embrace.