//------------------------------//
// Spreading the News 
// Story: The Best Kind is Apple 
// by Gumball2 
//------------------------------//

	A gray mare awoke. Her vision was slow to refine itself, making the door and bed rest before her look like unknown masses. But soon enough, they became a door and bed rest. She got up and dressed herself in a simple blue dress. She then left the room.

It was a short walk through the hallway' three doors before the right turn and down the the stairs. Immediately at the end of the steps was a wall that was covered with mailing slots. The mare faced the door at the end of the room and walked. She continued the stride until she halted. She turned to a particular slot that read "Maud Pie". She opened it and saw a single envelope inside. She pulled it out and read.

"Hi Maud,

I had the greatest day two days ago! I woke up and Gummy said he misses you. I told him that I miss you too but you would soon be home for Hearth's Warming Eve.

The rest of the day was pretty good. I went to Twilight at the library, I hung out with Rarity, and Rainbow Dash and I did some good old pranking. Oh yeah, and I also had lunch with Fluttershy and Applejack. It was very yummy!

The girls all say they miss you too. Maybe they could come with us too! How was your day?

Love,
Pinkie"

Maud was left with a smile which, while not big, was genuine. She took the paper, carefully folded it, and slid it back into the envelope. The envelope was then snugged into a pocket in her dress.





"New relatives," a brown stallion said, reading over some papers for the fifth time. She then turned to a mare, who was sitting in a chair next to him, "Is Pinkamena sure those names in the letter are right?"

"Yes, Igneous," she said, "Pinkamena is not one to deceive us."

He read over the records once more. The connection was a clear, sunny sky; one that was much brighter than the one of Nickerlite, "The fillies have a new set of fourth cousins twice removed by fifth cousins. I have reason to be surprised, even in doubt. Right?"

"They're in the records. The Pie family is never wrong with things like this."

"I know," he said. He scanned through the records one last time, just to make sure there was no mistake, "I found it strange, though, that the Apple family would have a blotched name in it."

"I think it's odd as well," she said, "but we can't control how they do things."

She then got up and went to a desk. 

"Are you writing to her?" he asked. She nodded her head and grabbed a piece of paper from a  stack of paper on the table, "Okay then."

She rested the single sheet on its surface and got her hooves on a  quill.

"If only I could see her face once she reads this," she said to herself as she dabbed the utensil in black ink.





The trees near the main walkway were still being bucked. And there were still many rows behind them. Applejack took her time, though, going up to them one at a time. She stared at the bark before proceeding to kick it. Every so often, she turned toward the end of the dirt road, where a mailbox stood. Throughout the morning, she got closer and closer to that post. She bucked a tree, went to the next. Bucked a tree, went to the next. She got closer. And closer to it. 

She then got to it and opened it. Inside she saw a white envelope with her name on it. Curious, she pulled it out and produced a piece of paper from its interior. 

"To Applejack,

We are happy to get a letter from our relative. Since you would to know the Pie family in whole, each of us will introduce ourselves to you. I am Cloudy Quartz and I am Pinkamena's mother."

She then noticed a line break, followed by a paragraph of cruder hoofwriting.

"I am Igneous and I am Pinkamena's father."

And then another.

"I am Marble and I am Pinkamena's sister."

"I am Limestone and I am also Pinkamena's sister."

But then the following paragraph returned to the first style.

"Pinkamena has another sister named Maud. She told us you met her so I think you know what she's like."

"Ah sure do." 

"I am sure Pinkamena has told you that she is studying for her rocktorate at Canterlot University."

She paused. 	Her eyes widened to the point where the entire paper was one entity, devoid of any meaning. She reread that very sentence as she thought about Maud's brief stay in Ponyville.

"She may know 'bout rocks an' all, but wow..."

Eventually, she managed to refocus on the letter.

"Pinkamena is ecstatic to know she has a relative and there's nothing that warms out hearts more than to see our little sunshine happy. She really wants us to meet you and possibly your family at some point. Obviously, we would like you to pick the date. If you are interested, please write back soon.	

Sincerely,

The Pie Family"

Finishing the note, she smiled. In her eyes, it was nice to hear back from what appeared to be kind people. She folded the letter, slid it in the envelope, and secured it under her hat. 

"Yes," she said to the paper, "we will meet.