The moment those words left her mouth, Applejack would’ve given her cutie-mark itself to take them back, and the fact everypony around them gasped in shock only made it explicitly clear how bad it was. Midnight stood there, his mouth hanging, his eyes as wide as dinner plates… until they narrowed into contempt and glared reproachfully at the orange mare in front of him.
Without even dignifying those hurtful words with a response, Midnight turned around and began to walk away.
“M-Midnight! Wait! Ah-Ah din’t mean-” Applejack tried to run up to him but-
*FLASH*
Just like that he was gone, and Applejack stood there, feeling horrible, too afraid to look around and take in the looks all of her relatives were giving her. There were Apples who looked shocked, sad, disappointed, almost disgusted in fact.
But one sound earned Applejack’s attention. She looked and felt her heart break to see Twinken tearing up, his eyes heart-wrenching, as he began to sob and walk away, followed by a concerned Auntie Orange, and Applejack realized what her words meant to Twinken as well.
“Twinken, Ah-” Applejack tried to approach the little colt but Mosely Orange barred his niece.
“I think you’ve said enough.”
The look on her uncle’s face made Applejack feel like finding the deepest darkest pit in Equestria, digging it deeper, and then burying herself in it. The Apples began to clear out, and Applejack couldn’t take it anymore!
She turned around and ran, not caring where she went, and disappeared into the orchard. Granny Smith stood with Big Mac, and Apple Bloom. Babs excused herself to go see her parents, while Granny Smith sighed sadly.
“This reunion’s ended up sticker than a candy apple on a hot summer day…”
“Eeyup…” Big Mac walked away towards another part of the orchard while Apple Bloom sniffled.
“Does… this mean the reunion’s over, Granny?”
Granny Smith looked at her granddaughter and wiped away the tears as a sense of determination bloomed within her.
“Not by a longshot, sugarcube!”
Somehow Granny Smith knew exactly where to find her granddaughter, and there she was. Applejack was crying her heart out beneath an apple tree, one that held a very special place in her heart. It was the first apple tree she ever planted, with the help her parents. Granny Smith remembered the times Applejack would come to this tree, often to be alone or just to find some comfort and closeness with the folks that just weren’t there with them anymore. The many times the old mare had found her granddaughter here, and the many tears she’d wiped away, and the many talks they’d had, and each and every time, Applejack felt better or knew what to do once the talks were over.
“Applejack…?” Granny Smith asked softly.
“Oh Granny!” Applejack looked up at her grandmother, her face trailing tears and Granny Smith went up to hug her.
“Ah’m so, so sorry!”
“Oh, it’s alright, child,” Granny Smith soothed, rubbing the back of Applejack’s mane.
“No it ain’t… The barn, all mah plans for a perfect fam’ly reunion, an’ wha’ ah said t’ Midnight, how it hurt Twinken…!” Applejack sobbed.
“Oh Applejack, y’got us all so caught up in th’ doin’,” Granny Smith explained, “we haven’t had a second t’ enjoy th’ company of th’ folks we’ve been doin’ it with!”
“R-really?” Applejack wiped the tears as she looked at Granny Smith, who nodded. “Oh Granny Smith, ya gave th’ runnin’ o’ th’ reunion t’ me an’ Midnight, but Ah was so caught up in tryin’ sure everypony would create great mem’ries th’ only things anypony’s gonna remember about this reunion… is that it was th’ worst reunion we ever had, and Ah said th’ worst thing possible to another Apple…”
“There, there, child! There’s still time t’ turn all this around,” Granny Smith encouraged. “But this time, ya gotta do it with a certain somepony else instead o’ goin’ it alone.”
The meaning behind her grandmother’s words were clear.
“But Granny! …After wha’ Ah said?! He’s probably never gon’ wanna speak to me again…”
“Ya never know till ya try, sugarcube,” Granny Smith assured her, “an’ at th’ very least, ya still gotta tell `im yer sorry.”
Applejack looked at her grandmother smile and found just the courage she needed in those wise n’ gentle orange eyes.
There was only one place Applejack could think of to look for her brother, and she found him there once she peered through the window of his workshop. Never had she seen a stallion look so low. Midnight was slumped against his worktable, his muzzle resting on top of it, and he had evidently shed some tears, making Applejack feel all the more ashamed. But Granny Smith was right – At the very least, she had to apologize.
Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door and called, “Midnight? It’s me. Can Ah come in?”
…
…
…
“Midnight, please! Ah got sumthin’ Ah really need t’ say an’ Ah’d prefer t’ say it face-t’-face!” Applejack pled. When another minute passed, she started to get ornery.
“Now Midnight, Ah intend to say wha’ Ah gotta say an’ Ah ain’t got no problem buckin’ yer door down if’n tha’s wha’ it takes!”
The door was enveloped in a turquoise aura and opened, which Applejack took as a silent invitation. Walking inside, she saw Midnight still in the same position, baring his back to her. But she heard him mutter, “Wouldn’t have done you any good – That door’s got an unbreakable charm on it. I just spared you a broken leg.”
“…Midnight, Ah’m sorry,” Applejack said solemnly and as sincere as she could push into it. “Tha’ was a terrible thing t’ say an’ Ah’d give all th’ apples on our farm to take it back, but it’s been said. But tha’ don’t mean it’s true! Ah jus’ got so upset an’ ornery tha’ Ah wanted t’ have th’ last word. Only Ah didn’t like it when Ah got it… Wha’ Ah’m tryin’ t’ say is, you are an Apple, you and Twinken! Maybe not in blood, but most certainly in heart, and th’ two o’ ya have got some o’ th’ biggest hearts Ah ever did see, an’ Ah’m proud t’ call you both mah brothers, because Ah love ya both dearly.”
Midnight slowly turned to Applejack, his eyes welling up again with tears.
“Ah’m also sorry `bout how Ah went an’ messed things up. It was wrong o’ me t’ hoof it alone, which is why Ah wanna save this reunion with you. Whattya say… big brother?”
Seeing the hopeful and truly apologetic smile, Midnight couldn’t help but smile a little as well and held out his arms. Applejack took the invitation and hugged her brother tightly. When they let go, Midnight said, “I’m sorry too, AJ. I didn’t exactly handle the situation well either.”
“Aw, ferget it,” Applejack waved it off. “But Ah got no idea how wer’ gonna salvage this mess.”
“Well, we still have a chance to make it so everypony leaves here with some good memories,” Midnight assured her.
“You just gotta give them the chance to actually make `em.”
Applejack thought about it when she was struck with inspiration!
“The family photo!”
But then reality dampened her spark.
“Guess we cain’t take it in front o’ th’ barn this year… unless!”
Back at the farm, everypony was sad and just about getting ready to leave these bad memories behind them. They were preparing their wagons and such when…
“Everypony!”
They all looked to the podium where Applejack and Midnight stood in front of the megaphone.
“We got one more activity!”
“Applejack…!” Granny Smith said with a warning edge in her tone.
“Trust me, Granny Smith," Applejack promised, "This’ll be one we’ll remember for all th’ right reasons!”
Midnight flared his horn and three flashes brought three country musicians as Applejack tapped her hoof to get things started!
(Applejack)
Raise this barn, raise this barn, 1-2-3-4
Together we can raise this barn, 1-2-3-4
(Midnight Blaze)
Up-up-up go the beams
Hammer those joints, work in teams
(Applejack)
Turn `em `round quick by th’ right elbow
Grab a new partner, here we go
(Apple Family)
Yeah!
“C’mon, Apple Family!” Midnight cheered, “Let’s get to it! Yeah… HEE!”
(Midnight Blaze)
Raise this barn, raise this barn, 1-2-3-4
Together we can raise this barn, 1-2-3-4
Finish the frame, recycling wood
Workin’ hard, yer doin’ good
Turn `em `round quick by the right elbow,
Grab your partner, here we go!
(Apple Family)
Yeah!
(Applejack)
Hoo-whee!
Raise this barn, raise this barn, 1-2-3-4
Together we can raise this barn, 1-2-3-4
Slats of wood come off th’ ground
Hold `em up an’ nail `em down
Turn `em `round quick by th’ left elbow
Grab a new partner, here we go!
(Apple Family)
Yeah!
“C’mon, Apples! Get `er done!” Applejack encouraged, everypony waving as they started walling the frame.
(Twinken)
Look at us, we’re family!
(Braeburn)
Workin’ t’gether thankfully!
(Apple Bloom)
We Apples we are proud t’ say
(Twinken, Apple Bloom, and Braeburn)
Stick together the pony way!
(Midnight Blaze)
Bow to your partner, circle right
Get down if you’re scared of heights
Forward back and twirl around
This barn’s gonna be the best in town
(Apple Family)
Yeah!
“Yee-haw! Atta'girl!” Applejack cheered Apple Bloom, as she rode a bull and hauled in some more tools.
“Aw’right! Let’s get to it!”
(Apple Family)
Raise this barn, raise this barn, 1-2-3-4
Together we can raise this barn, 1-2-3-4
(Applejack)
Taker yer brushes, young n’ old!
(Midnight Blaze)
Future’s looking bright n’ bold!
(Applejack)
Turn `em `round quick by th’ left elbow!
(Applejack and Midnight Blaze)
Grab a new partner, here we go!
The violist brought the music to a gentle pace, and the Apple Family gazed up proudly at the result of their teamwork – A new Barnhouse, red as a bright n’ shiny fresh apple, glimmering with a nice glossy coat of paint, standing tall and proud like a crown jewel!
(Apple Family)
We raised this barn, we raised this barn
Yes we did
Together we sure raised this barn
We sure did
Being together counts the most
We all came here from coast to coast
All we need to strive to be….
Is part of the Apple Family…!
Yeah!
*Snap*
It was a wonderful family photo, and although it normally marked the end of the Apple Family Reunion, nopony was quite ready to go home just yet. So the Apple Family threw together a feast, made up of all their best recipes!
And this time, everypony got to talk and spend time together. Stories were told, jokes laughed at, Braeburn challenged Midnight to a hoof-wrassling, and got his apple-marked plot hooved to him, it was exactly what the Apple Family Reunion was supposed to be – A coming together to catch up, rekindle old bonds, and just feel the love.
It just made what came next unforeseeable as Big Macintosh cleared his throat and called, “Can Ah have everypony’s attention? Got sumthin’ t’ say here!”
All eyes fell on the big red pony, and he announced, “Now, y’all know tha’ normally, Ah’m a stallion o’ few words. But now’s come th’ time Ah got an important announcement, but before Ah get into, Ah’d just like t’ say, thanks t’ mah little brother and sister fer throwin’ t’gether a reunion Ah doubt any of us will ferget anytime soon.”
Applejack and Midnight smiled as some members expressed their own thanks and Mac went on.
“Maybe it din’t get off to a good start, an’ it looked bad… but it was rememberin’ wha’ family’s really about tha’ helped these two pick up th’ pieces and forge something wonderful outta all this. Which leads muh to mah little announcement.”
Big Mac looked up to the top of the barn waved downwards.
To Applejack and Midnight’s surprise, Fluttershy appeared and slowly came down, joining them all at the table, looking like her usual shy self. But her coltfriend’s presence helped her maintain her nerve as she shyly waved to everypony.
“Apple Family, Ah’d like t’ introduce mah special somepony, Fluttershy,” Big Mac declared.
“Hello, everypony…” Fluttershy said softly while giving a small wave of her wing.
The Apple Family welcomed her nicely and Big Mac went on.
“There’s sumthin’ Ah gotta share with y’all before I reveal mah li’ surprise – How muh `Shy here helped me earn mah cutie-mark.”
Everypony paid close attention as Mac started.
“Back when Ah was a colt, Ah was still learnin’ from muh pa `bout farmin’. Only at th’ time, Ah had a bad habit o’ not seein’ things through. One day however, I happened upon a little grove where I saw th’ prettiest lil’ pegasus filly singin’ to cute lil’ critters, and Ah found mah heart flutterin’ like them butterflies `round her. Ah wanted t’ say hi but t’ muh shame, Ah turned tail n’ ran.
"Ah couldn’t stop thinkin’ o’ tha’ filly for over a week, but then I met somepony. Ah never got his name or saw his face but he told me that t’ get th’ things Ah wanted in life, wishin’ for it wasn’t gonna get `em fer me. Ah had t’ devote mahself an’ meet mah goals halfway through hard work. So finally, Ah found th’ nerve t’ go up t’ that filly and say hi. And when she said hi back, she had a smile on her face tha’ made it all worthwhile an’ Ah understood what that strange pony taught me. You have to meet your goals halfway through hard work and devotin’ yerselves to `em, and so long as ya stay true to `em, they’ll meet ya the rest o’ the way. Tha’s what mah cutie-mark represents, and tha’s how Ah met Fluttershy.”
Some of the ponies cheered while some of the mares swooned.
“Which leads me to this,” Big Mac knelt down in front of Fluttershy and everypony gasped! “Fluttershy, Ah knew from the moment Ah laid eyes on you that you would be somepony special t’ me, and Ah was certain of it when we finally met fer real! But then mah folks were gone an’ Ah had to devote mahself to muh family. But these past months with you have been th’ happiest Ah’ve had in a long time, and Ah want it t’ be forever.”
Everypony, Fluttershy most of all, gasped as Big Mac held up a tiny velvet box and opened it, to reveal a pink diamond shaped like a butterfly!
“Fluttershy… will ya marry me?”
Fluttershy was overwhelmed with emotion, happiness, shock, surprise, and she looked around at everypony, seeing a lot of them smile and nod encouragingly. Then she saw Midnight and the way he smiled at her helped her find the answer, and she smiled at this big red earth pony she loved so much.
“Yes!”
“YEE-HAW!!”
“HURRAY!”
“CONGRATULATIONS!!!”
And with that, the Apple Family Reunion extended into an impromptu engagement party! Everypony wanted to shake Big Mac’s hoof and meet Fluttershy, expressing their congratulations, well wishes, but Midnight couldn’t resist throwing them a tease that Pinkie Pie was gonna throw a fit for not being the one to throw their engagement party.
Big Mac just chuckled and had a dance with his new fiancée.
But soon, it really was time for everypony to go. A lot of them had quite a journey back to their own homes, a lot of hugs n’ kisses n’ hoofshakes n' friendly punches to the shoulders were traded to the point where it seemed almost nopony was gonna leave. But as the inhabitants of Sweet Apple Acres watched their relatives leave, the bittersweet moment signaled the end of the Apple Family Reunion.
Despite a few hiccups, this one had been a reunion nopony would ever forget.
That night, Granny Smith, Twinken, and Apple Bloom added the new memories to the photo album. Big Mac had gone out to be with his fiancée, Midnight had volunteered to clean up the mess, and Applejack decided to write a friendship report to the princess.
‘Dear Princess Celestia,
Today I learned not one but two great lessons about family, which if you think about it, is really the first group of friends you ever make. Turns out that when you’re with folks you care about, you don’t have to do much to make that time memorable. Even the simplest of activities can take on a whole lot of meaning, and you’ll find that you remember the who long after you’ve forgotten the what.
I also learned that family isn’t just the folks you’re related to by blood. It’s the bonds that what truly brings family together, whether they’re related or not. I learned this lesson the hard way but I’m glad I learned it at all, considering what it almost cost me. So long as you treasure those you care for, and trust in them as they do you, you’ll find you have a bigger family than you realize.
Your humble subject,
Applejack’
Watching the barn house from afar, the Hooded Pony stood atop a ledge and noticed two shooting stars. He was certain if they were here, they’d tell him to make a wish. But as he looked into the locket and saw the mare and stallion and colt and baby foal in it, he shed a tear as he knew exactly what he would wish he could have right now.