//------------------------------//
// The News 
// Story: Apple Family Affairs 
// by PonyToneSinger 
//------------------------------//

Applejack and Big Mac were sitting on the sofa in the living room relaxing after dinner when Applejack started to talk.

"Apple Bloom, we've got somethin` very important to tell you, and we need you to hear us through. Okay?" Applejack asked seriously.

"Sure, what`s up?" Asked Apple Bloom.

Applejack patted the couch with her hoof "Come sit with us, we're looking at some of the old photo albums from when you were a filly."

"Aww, Applejack, I thought we got rid of those silly old pictures." Apple Bloom said.

"Now why in Equestria would we get rid of somethin` as important as your fillyhood pictures?" Applejack asked.

"Anyway, what did you wanna talk about?" Apple Bloom asked, remembering why she had joined them.

Applejack fidgeted, looking to Big Mac for support.

He spoke up. "Well Apple Bloom, this is kinda difficult to tell you, but I guess we just have to get it over with." Big Mac said.

"Well, what?" Apple Bloom asked impatiently, watching them avoid her eyes.

"Well, it's like this." Applejack finally replied. Y`know how we told you when you were real little how we were raising you `cause our folks had died?"

Apple Bloom wasn't sure were Applejack was headed. "Yeah, why?" She asked.

"Well that's not true. Actually, the truth is, well..." She looked at Big Mac imploringly.

"The truth is Apple Bloom I'm actually your dad, and Applejack is your mom." He said.

"What?"Apple Bloom asked incredulously. "This... This is a joke right? Right?" She added desperately. "Applejack, please tell me that it's not true.  That I haven't been living a lie all these years!"

"I'm sorry Sugarcube, we wanted to tell you, we just didn't want to tell you until we thought you were old enough to understand." Applejack said sadly.

"I don't believe you!" Apple Bloom screamed. "Besides, if you're my parents, then who are they?" She asked, pointing at a picture in the photo album.

"Those are my parents." Applejack said. "They actually did die, that's why Granny Smith raised me."

"Well, how can you be my dad, Big Mac, when you both have apple Cutie Marks?" Apple Bloom asked desperately.

Applejack spoke up again. "Big Mac and his family lived next door to mine in Appleloosa, and he would come over and help haul apples into town for us. That's how he got his mark, because he's so big and strong." She said, leaning against him.

"But, but... What about Granny Smith!" Apple Bloom said triumphantly. "You said you and your 'folks' lived in Appleloosa, how come Granny says she's always lived in Ponyville?"

"Granny Smith moved to Ponyville when she turned 18, and has lived here ever since. When Mama and Daddy died when I was 5, I was sent to live with her here in Ponyville." Applejack said.

Apple Bloom thought desperately, trying to think of a way to make the story not make sense. When she couldn't find one she started to cry, quietly at first, and then sobbing.

"Shh, don't cry Apple Bloom, please don't cry." Applejack pleaded, pulling the filly close.

"Don't touch me! All you've ever done is lied to me, I hate you!" Apple Bloom ran out the front door, slamming it behind her.

"Apple Bloom! Come back!" Applejack buried her face in her hooves. "Oh, what am I gonna do?" She cried.