//------------------------------// // A New Apple // Story: World of Ponies: A Collection of Days // by ShadowWalking18 //------------------------------// The two stood in silence. The colt leaning on one hoof, then the other, clearly uneasy about being where he was just now. The filly stood with her arms crossed, hugging her waist. She was a bit more relaxed than the boy, but there was still some trepidation about her. “I-I don't think I can do this.” The colt finally said, breaking the silence between them. “A deal is a deal.” the filly said firmly. “You made a bet, and you lost.” She said with further conviction. “I know! I ain't no welch!” He said defensively before his features softened again. “It's just...I didn't know you would want me to….ya know.” The filly’s own figure tensed at the mention of her own terms, but there was no going back now. “Welp, that's too bad!” She said taking a step toward the colt. Her eyes narrowing at him. For a moment, he looked as though he would step back himself, but he steeled himself and remained planted as the filly came another step closer. Green eyes met Amber ones, the latter only partially obscured by a pair of thick glasses. The filly searched his eyes. She was good at reading ponies, Pa always says that about her. Right now he was unsure, conflicted and...afraid? Perhaps she had pushed this too far? Perhaps she was coming off too desperate? Perhaps… The last thought felt like a rock of ice in her stomach when it began to take shape in her mind. ‘Perhaps he thinks ahm...ugly.’ Just before that thought could truly take hold, she jumped a bit as the boy leaned in and placed his lips to hers. Immediately her face began to burn and her eyes shot open. Time seemed to stop. This was it. This is what kissing felt like. She had seen Momma and Pa do it loads of times, and much like her brother was right there to express their distaste of the act, citing the dreaded ‘cootie disease”. But when she turned nine and learned that cooties were just an old school yard tale, she didn't seem to mind all that much anymore. Dare say some of her friends were getting a bit curious about that, and though she told them she didn't go for that whole froo froo thing, she couldn't lie herself when she realized she was a mite curious too. Now here she was, lockin’ lips with her brother’s best friend, an older stallion! Okay, older by two years, but she needed someone she could trust. Just when she started to get used to it and lean into the kiss he pulled away. Part of her was relieved it was over and yet another part was a little sad that it was over so soon. Looking up she couldn't help but giggle at the sight before her. The few heavy breaths they shared so close together had completely fogged the colt’s glasses, this was only made worse no doubt by the beat red blush he wore on his own face. Applebloom crept silently as best she could, moving slowly through the halls of the house toward her room. If she was caught now, she would be in so much trouble she would never see the outside world for the rest of her life; so it was important that no pony heard her coming in, three hours after curfew. Granny Smith could normally sleep through an earthquake yet at times she had those strange moments of clarity where she could hear a pin drop and react to it just as quickly. Big Mac wouldn't be any trouble, staying over at the Pie's Rock farm to help out with their harvest, alongside his new marefriend Cheerilee. Applebloom was still surprised how those two turned out, even after her and her friends uh...tampering. But she suspected that Mac and Cheerilee were also getting to know a certain shy mare by the name of Marble Pie. Applebloom had to work to suppress a giggle. Out of all the relationships in her family, Big Mac's had been the most surprising. He had always been so quiet, that Applebloom found it hard seeing him act all romantic or putting the moves on a mare. And speaking of relationships. Applebloom blushed viciously, and clamped her hoof over her mouth to suppress the embarrassed giggle; her thoughts going back to the reason for her coming home so late after curfew and risking being grounded for life. A blush graced her features when she thought about the colt she had risked being grounded into flour for. Last night though was special, because now they weren't just friends, but special some ponies. She was almost giddy at the thought. She had never had a coltfriend before, but had always wanted one as she saw her friends finding their own special someponies or human in some cases. But now it seemed that her and Tender Taps were really starting to pick up steam. Not that she was easy. No sir, she wasn't some needy bit of arm candy like some of the fillies back in school. She knew when to lay on the steam and when to pull back on the reins. And Tender Taps, Celestia bless him, he seemed to understand that. He was so sweet, funny, and cute, and now...he was hers. Applebloom giggled, placing her hooves to her cheeks as she blushed even harder. It was so exciting! Of course she wasn't a silly filly, believing that this was true love, that they be together forever. But so far, it seemed it might be that way. And a part of her did hope that maybe it would be true. But she kept that part in check. But still! Applebloom was so excited. She could barely contain herself, she wanted to shout it out to the world. In fact, she just might have to. Vultures everywhere, especially in school. Any number of fillies might try to steal her Tender Tapper, she was going to have to be quick and stake her claim before any of them made a move. She just couldn't keep it in, she had to tell somepony. Without even thinking of the consequences, Applebloom ran down the hall, giggling as she burst through the door into the one room she feared the most and declared. "Applejack I-!" Applebloom started, but stopped at the sight before her. Applejack looked toward her with wide eyes of surprise, and only clad in a thin silk night gown that was almost transparent; something Applebloom was sure she got from Rarity. That wasn't surprising of course, Applebloom had special underwear like that as well, most fillies probably did. And she certainly wasn't surprised to see Applejack almost naked; heck they had taken baths together when they were younger. No, what Applebloom was surprised by was the notable bump that was peeking out from her stomach. At first, Applebloom thought her sister had been hitting the fritters a bit too much, she had been eating a lot more recently, but that idea was short lived. They were farming ponies, and even Applebloom was in top physical condition for her age due to the work around the farm. So if it wasn't fat, then did that mean.... "Uh, whada' say ya don't tell anypony 'bout this," Applejack started, pointing at the bump on her stomach, "And I forget that ya'll came back way after curfew." "Deal." Applebloom said, smiling two parts nervous as she realized what she just did and two parts excited. The following morning, despite her wishes to sleep in, Applebloom still could not shake the excitement of her discovery. She was going to be an aunt! It was such an exciting thing, to know that soon there would be a new apple to their family. She wondered if it would be a filly or a colt. As she came down to the kitchen, Applebloom gasped in shock. "Applejack!" Applejack, adorn in apron, turned with surprise before smiling. "Well, good mornin' there sugar cube," Applejack greeted her sister as she flipped a pancake, "I-" But before Applejack could say more, Applebloom rushed over and snatched the spatula from her sister's hooves and guided Applejack to a chair and sat her down. Applejack was so caught off guard, she could only stare in confusion and shock. "Applejack, ya should be working so hard. I'll make breakfast." The youngest apple said, puffing her chest out in pride as she turned to do just that. "And why shouldn't I be making breakfast?" Applejack asked, raising a brow. "Don't fret about it big sis," Applebloom said, giving a smile to her sister, "You and the little one just sit there and rest." Applejack's mouth fell open, and she sucked in a breath and stood up. "Now see here little filly," She started, "I ain't so far along that I-" "Eh, far along what?" Applejack shut her mouth, as she and Applebloom turned to see Granny Smith moving slowly into the kitchen and to her chair at the table. Though the elderly mare now needed a cane to help her walk, she still showed herself capable of moving on her own. And that cane could be used to give a few bumps to the head to anypony that thought otherwise. "Uh nothin'. Nothin' at all Granny." Applejack stammered, sucking in her lips as she did when she tried to lie. "Eh, why ya makin' that face Applejack?" Granny Smith asked, looking at her eldest granddaughter curiously. "What face? I ain't makin' a face." Applejack said again, looking to the ceiling now. Applebloom, sensing that her sister was failing miserably, cut in, "Oh Granny, how many pancakes do you want?" The elderly mare blinked, then smiled to the youngest apple, "Oh don't ya worry about me Applebloom. One or two will do, these old chompers just ain't what they use ta be." "Now Applebloom, I said I could-" Applejack started again, trying to snatch the spatula from her sister. "Oh now just sit down and let yer sister make breakfast. There comes a time when every little filly needs ta learn ta cook. Especially an Apple." Granny Smith said, grabbing Applejack's hoof to pull her into her seat. Even old as she was, Granny still had an earth ponies strength. "But...oh pony feathers." Applejack huffed, sitting down and crossing her hooves. Applejack looked at the apple tree before, the first of a whole acre she had to buck for today. The thought of physical work and the future satisfaction of a job well done, apple style, brought a smile to her lips as she readied herself to give the tree a good kick that would shake the whole crop right off into the baskets set up. "Wait!" Applejack yelped, taken surprise by the shout, that her kick went off target and she nearly threw a muscle. She grabbed her leg and rubbed it, before looking to the pony that had shaken her concentration. "Applebloom, what are ya doing?" Applejack said, giving her sister a hard look. "Well I couldn't just let my sister stress herself out bucking apples. So I decided ta come help ya." Applebloom smiled, as she walked up to the tree and gave it a good kick; sending the apples off. "Now look here little filly, ain't ya got yer own chores ta do today?" Applejack started, giving her sister an annoyed look. "I know, and I plan ta get em all done. But I'm a big pony now, and I can handle a little extra work." Applebloom said, still smiling as she went to another tree, "Besides, I don't want ya to tire yerself out. I gotta do my part to help make your pregnancy easier." Applejack clamped her hoof over her sister's mouth before Applebloom could react. "Now keep yer mouth shut on that ya hear. No pony else knows about that." Applejack hissed, looking around in fear. Applebloom pushed Applejack's hoof from her mouth, "Wait, not even Quill?" Applejack blushed, "Wh-who said it was Quill's?" Applebloom gave her sister a deadpanned look, "Come on Appejack. I mean, yer not that type a pony. Besides, I've seen how you get when Quill stops for a visit when he ain't away on patrol." Applejack blushed harder, "Oh alright so it's his. But I don't need everypony in Equestria knowing that." "Knowing what?" Applejack jumped again, and she turned with wide eyes as she saw Granny Smith coming up the hill. "Granny!?" Applejack said, surprised, "Aren't ya usually takin' yer nap at this time?" "Oh fiddle sticks, I can't be sleepin' my life away." Granny said with a wave of her hoof, "I figured a little walk would be good fer me. Now eh, what was this about knowing somethin'?" "Uh, Uh I was just uh..." Applejack stammered, trying to think of something. "Oh, uh Applejack was just showing me her way of Apple bucking." Applebloom cut in, and gave a tree a kick; dropping all the apples from the tree. Granny Smith smiled, "Oh, look at ya, precious thing," Granny ruffled Applebloom's mane, "you're becomin' a right good applebucker just like your sister. Now you pay attention, your big sister be one o' the best applebuckers in our family." Applejack blushed, "Aw shucks." "You two get to it then. I'm a-..uh what was I gonna do again?" Granny Smith paused, before walking back to the house with a confused look. What had she been doing again? Oh well, it was time for her nap anyway. Applejack and Applebloom both smiled as they waved bye to their grandmother, before Applebloom smiled and said, "Sooo, I think it be rather suspicious if Granny didn' see me learnin' ta applebuck as good as you." Applejak scowled, "Oh alright. I'll let ya help me." Applebloom cheered, while Applejack sighed once more. Applejack sighed as she was regulated to nothing once more. Despite her best efforts, her little sister seemed intent on doing all the trees she had to buck on her own. Try as she might, Applebloom seemed right there to do the work for her and as much as she lectured her, Applejack couldn't get her to stop. Yet, Applejack could see that her little sister couldn't keep up the work for long. She didn't have the reserves of energy that came with years of applebucking. Eventually she would tire out and then that was when Applejack could get to work herself. And of course setting her sister on her OWN chores. Just cause she might be trying to help didn't mean that she could get out of that; tired or not. "Uh, hey Applejack," Applebloom huffed, as she finished another tree and bent over to catch her breath. "Yeah sugar cube?" Applejack asked. "I was wonderin', well when did ya know that you and Quill were...well when did ya start dating?" Applebloom asked, causing her older sister to blush red like an apple. "Well, uh..." Applejack chuckled nervously as she pushed her hat down over her face to hide her blush, "Well, that's sorta a long story sis." "Aww come on Applejack. Tell me." Applebloom begged, doing her best to copy the look that Sweetie Belle taught her when she wanted Rarity to do something with her. It worked, because soon Applejack sighed and started the tale. Applebloom listened with wide eyes of excitement. "Well," Applejack started, "It didn't start as anything romantic. We'd know each other fer awhile, but things didn't really start getting serious till I saw him again when we were much older..." Several Years Ago A young Applejack walks into Quills and Sofa's store, with the ringing of the bell over the door signaling her arrival. As she entered an older unicorn mare looks up from a book on the counter to give the young applejack a smile. Applejack herself smiles and waves. "Morning Mrs. Flourish." "Oh. Hello Jacquelyn." Applejack walks up to the counter and sets an order receipt onto the counter, "Ahm here to pick up Granny's new rocking chair, has it come in yet?" "-sigh- I'll check with my husband, just wait here, and don't touch anything." Mrs. Flourish takes the receipt and heads to the back of the store, where her husband should be. Applejack sighed and leaned against the counter as she waited. Despite herself, she took the liberty of touching a small little bobbly head character of Daring Do on the counter. She hoped the wait would not be long, she had a lot of chores left to do. As she waited, he door chime opens and a stallion enters dressed in a recruit hat and guard blues. AJ blinked in surprise at the new comer, and being at that age when fillies start to notice the stallions, she could not help but find the uniform and hat to be rather appealing to this stallions figure. The stallion gave a wave to Applejack as he noticed her, "Morning." Applejack felt a blush as the stallion took notice of her, "Mornin." She said quickly, hiding her blush as best she can with her hat. "They in the back?" The stallion asked, pointing at the empty counter. "Yup." "Okay." The stallion nodded and began walking to the back room door. "Hey what are you doing? You can't go back there!" Applejack shouted as she ran to put herself between the stallion and the door. The stallion stepped back, blinking in surprise, "But....I live here." Applejack blinked, confused herself. She didn't recognize this pony. She only knew of three ponies that lived her. Mr and Mrs. Flourish, and- No...it couldn't. "Q-Quillpoint?" Applejack gasped, surprised. Quillpoint laughed, rubbing the back of his head, "You didn't recognize me did you Jackie." "I-I uhh, what hap-" Applejack stammered, her mouth hanging open as she examined the well muscled and toned form of the pony who once had been a scrawny wuss back in grade school. "It's amazing what boot camp does after 6 months, huh Jackie?" Quill laughed again. "Ah...yeah." Applejack answered, finding herself staring at the now hunky stallion. Applejack chuckled, "Reckon ta say, things changed after that. I mean, I always thought Quill a friend but I had never considered him attractive when we were younger." Applebloom giggled, "Gosh, ya sound love strucked sis." Applejack blushed, "Well, maybe a' little. I did try ta spend a lot o' time with him when I could. Course, I didn't come out and say it. Since he and Big Mac were best friends, I just sorta tagged along when they went ta do things. Course, Quill had to leave when he started active duty, but we kept in touch through letters." "When did you told him ya loved him though?" Applebloom asked. Applejack frowned, "Well sugarcube, I almost thought I wouldn't have. Ya see, the day I did spill the beans, something terrible happened when Quill was on a mission." It was a beautiful midsummer day, with the sun hanging high in the horizon casting warm embracing presence on the lives of Ponyville. Something that had for a time felt never to occur again, but since the end of the war barely a month ago between the newly formed Human Empire and Equestria and the Changeling attack on Ponyville, the once abnormal winter ended and quickly shifted to the summer it should be with the help of Pegasus weather teams and magic from Canterlot's best weather mages. Things were rather busy in town, with ponies filling the streets with carts of limber, thatch, and other various supplies being pulled to one building or another. Others had set up leanto's for shade to cover resting stallions while mares and fillies and colts passed out glasses of lemonade. Though the town had managed to avoid serious damage in the attack and battle that followed, buildings had still been damaged; mostly houses that had been impacted by magic or burnt in fires. In short the town looked like many war torn cities often seen in photos in history books, yet unlike the photos the ponies of Ponyville did not stand with shocked expressions but worked together to set about rebuilding their hometown. For Applejack, and Big Mac, it was a heart warming sight. The Cakes shop had taken a hit in the attack, with a large gaping hole standing in the side of the building leading into the kitchen. They with Pinkie, had set up two large tables that they filled with all sorts of baked goods and coffee along side Berry Punch's famous Four Berry Fruit Punch, for all the workers to help themselves too for free to keep up their strength and for ponies whose homes had been lost in the fight. Rarity's boutique had managed to survive serious damage, though shingles from the roof had been torn out and the windows busted in. Though even this did not stop her from setting up a sign outside that told ponies to take whatever they needed from prepared baskets of blankets, hats and other clothes for ponies who might have lost any clothing in the fires or large blankets to cover up holes in the walls or to cover themselves at night with. Aloe and Lotus' Spa was offering free massages to the workers despite having large holes in their roof and had turned out their large bath tub for ponies to use to keep clean. Town Hall had become a temporary home for ponies who had lost theirs. Filthy Rich had opened his stock of tools and construction supply to the city to help with the rebuilding, and his daughter was personally leading a team of school fillies and colts alongside the CMC with reconstruction help; something that Applebloom was skilled with. It made the farm mare smile, as she and her brother finished dragging their own cart of supplies to some construction ponies at work. "Thanks Applejack. Big Mac." A gruff stallion thanked, wiping at his brow. "Any time partner. Y'all are doing mighty fine work. We will be back with a big round o' our best cider in a few hours." Applejack said with a smile. This got a few cheers from some of the ponies as they turned to head back to the farm and get to work on said cider. "It's sure good to see everypony working together. Eh Big Mac?" Applejack asked her older brother. Big Mac nodded and gave his characteristic, "Eeeyup." As the two of them worked their way down one of the roads, Applejack caught sight of a pair of ponies she knew quiet well. It was Quills parents, and owners of Quills and Sofas. They seemed to be going somewhere, if the two heavy suitcases beside them seemed a give away. Mr. Flourish seemed to be talking to somepony, while Mrs. Flourish dabbed at her eyes with a kerchief. The two Apple siblings looked at each other curiously, before walking over. "-Should be back in a week or so." Mr. Flourish finished speaking to the pony, who Applejack recognized as one of the store workers. "Right Mr. Flourish. I'll keep an eye on the store, no problems." The worker pony said, before noticing Applejack and Big Mac and giving them a wave. Big Mac was the first to speak, "Evening Mr. and Mrs. Flourish., I don't mean to pry but us everything alright." The Flourish's turned, surprised to see the two. Mrs. Flourish bit her lip, while Mr. Flourish cleared his throat before answering, "Oh, Macintosh, yes hello, uhh well,". He paused as he regarded his wife, who clenched her eyes fighting down tears. "No...no I suppose everything isn't alright." AJ felt a sudden dread creeping up. She couldn't explain it, but somehow she knew what was coming next. It was Quill, it had to be. Something had happened to him. But despite all her desire to burst out and demand to know, she kept her lips shut tight. Mr. Flourish regarded the Apple siblings quietly before sighing, "You two have been Quillpoint's friends since we moved here all those years ago, I suppose you deserve to know what's going on." Applejack felt herself practically trembling, biting her lower lip to the point of drawing blood. Her orange coat almost pale white as snow. "Quill was...was out on a patrol near where they suspected the Changeling Hive to be. Th-they were ambushed. He led his troops out but..." The elder stallion simply look to the ground. "I'm...I'm not gonna lie, they say it doesn't look good." Applejack felt numb. Utterly numb, she hadn't felt like this since...since...they died. Mac frowned, "I'm sorry to hear that. I hope everything will be okay." "Thank you Big Mac." Mrs. Flourish whispered, her voice trembling. "We will contact you when we get to Canterlot. Let you know how he is." Mr. Flourish added, placing his hoof around his wife's shoulders before they both picked up their bags and headed off toward the train yard. Applejack watched them go, her vision starting to get a little blurry. It was only when she felt her brother's hoof on her shoulder that she shook her head and rubbed at her eyes. "Come on. We should get back home." Big Mac said, his voice solemn. Applejack blinked, then nodded, "R-right." The two headed back to the farm and entered the farmhouse quietly. All the way, AJ was silent as the dead. She couldn't focus on anything, as all the while memories of her and Quill as kids played back in her mind. The kiss, swimming, him trying to tutor her in math, her finding their stack of playcolts in the tree house and how furious she was, at Quill especially. And now.... "I'm gonna be taking the last train to Canterlot, stay the night up there, let Quill know we're all pull in' for 'em." Big Mac said suddenly to AJ quietly. "...sure." She answered quietly, her hooves working slowly, almost machine like as she tried to press apples that had not yet been peeled. "I hope you can get by without me for a day or two." "....sure.." More recent memories flashed before her, stepping into the store after six months away, how she elbowed her way into going out bar hopping with him and Mac, how she wore that froo froo yellow sundress on his send off back to duty. Celestia, the look he had when he saw her. She didn't know if she should have bucked him or blushed. "I'll send a letter letting y'all know how things are." Big Mac added. Applejack nodded blankly, "...sure." The night during last years gala where they ran into each other, the flask of Sweet Apple Acres Moonshine he had hidden in his jacket, the bigger flask she had strapped to her inner thigh. "Get going sis." Big Mac said, thrusting his wallet of bits into her hooves. "...what?" Applejack asked, looking confused as she held the wallet. "The train leaves in 15 minutes if you run you can make it." Applejack blinked, looked at the wallet then felt tears filling her eyes as she threw her hooves around her big brother and hugged him tightly. Big Mac returned the hug for a few moments, before turning AJ and practically pushing her toward the door. Applejack shoved the door open and made out like a Fruit Bat out of an apple tree toward town and the train station. A train ride later, in which she had met up with the Flourishes, and a worried run to the Canterlot Military Hospital, the three ponies soon found themselves in a small hospital room with a large single bed next to any number of machines that checked pulse and other things to give them an understanding of the pony who lay silently in the bed an idea of his condition. "He just came from surgery, so he might still be out of it. I'll leave you three alone." A nurse who had shown them the way said, before leaving. "My baby." Mrs. Flourish sobbed immediately, rushing to her son's side, "Don't worry, mommy is here now." Mr. Flourish walked up, grabbing two chairs that he pulled over and set his wife down into one. Applejack only walked toward the bed and stare at the silent, prone form of the stallion she had known since childhood. A stallion that she loved. Though the hospital gown and bed sheet covered the wound, Applejack could make out an small area uncovered that had a large bandage wrapped around it. Another small area had the sight of stitches peeking out from just near the neck. Applejack clenched her hoof, fighting back tears. 'Y'all better pull through. Ya have to.' She thought, as she sat down. Four hours, the three of them sat there, hoping that Quillpoint would come to and say something. But all they got was the steady beep of the heart monitor; the only thing telling them he was still alive. Applejack kept her eyes on Quillpoint, only stopping to watch as his parents stood up to use the rest room. When the two disappeared around the door, Applejack stood up and moved closer to Quillpoint. "Come on sugarcube. I know ya can hear me. Just wake up and say somethin'." Applejack whispered, slowly placing her hoof to Quillpoint's face. Quillpoint said nothing. Applejack bit her lip, rubbing at her eyes. "Come on Quill. Ya can't just leave me hangin' here. Everypony back home will want to see ya." AJ kept on, hoping that maybe talking to him would make Quill wake up. Still no response. Applejack's eyes started getting blurry now. "Damn it Quillpoint, you can't go dying on me. I'll bring ya back and buck yer flank half way ta Tatarus and back if ya do. Just please, please just say something." Quillpoint stayed silent. Applejack rested her head on her hooves on the edge of the bed and sobbed. "Please, Sweet Celestia please, just say something. I just need ta know yer gonna wake up. Because.....because I never even told ya....never told ya I..." Applejack looked up, and slowly moved to place a kiss on Quillpoint's lips, before whispering, "I never even told ya that I love you." "I love you too." A whisper came from Quillpoint's lips, as his eyes slowly fluttered open. Applejack gasped, blushing as she stared at Quillpoint in shock. The groggy soldier, looked up at her with a smile and said, "Howdy there cow girl." Applebloom sucked in a gasp as she finished the last tree with a hardy kick. She sucked in deep breathes before saying, "That's so romantic sis. Then what happened?" Applejack chuckled, though she had to admit that she was rather impressed her little sister had finished every tree. Of course the sun was starting to set so it was time to head back to the farm house...and of course have Applebloom go and finish the rest of her chores that she missed. As the two headed back home, Applejack continued. "Well he got better and let's just say, I was more than a might happy he was alright." She gently rubs her stomach as she opened the door. "Oh!" Granny Smith gasped, as Applejack walked into her. The two stumbled, but Applejack caught herself and her grandmother and helped set her straight. "Oh sorry Granny!" Applejack gapsed, "I didn't see ya." "Oh no harm there," the elderly apple answered with a wave of her hoof and patted her granddaughter's head, "I'm just fine and....wait...." Granny Smith then grabbed Applejack's left hoof and gave it a shake, causing Applejack's right hoof to go up and down like a wave. "Uh, Granny.." Applebloom started, watching the strange behavior. "Shush." Granny Smith said, tapping Applejacks head. Prodding her sides, taping her elbow with a fork and chime and holding the chime up to her stomach. Granny then gasped and leveled a hard look on her eldest granddaughter. "Jackly Marie Apple," Granny Smith exclaimed with the authority only the matron of the Apple clan could muster, "Are ya keeping a secret from me?" Applejack jumped, shocked, "I-I don't know what ya mean Granny." "Oh don't give me that, I may be old but I know from experience when a mare be expecting." Granny Smith stated, pressing her hoof against Applejacks nose. Applejack smiled nervously, "Uh....well..." Quillpoint Quillpoint stretched as he got off the train. Celestia, he couldn't stand being confined to a bench for hours some days. It was good to finally get out and stretch his muscles. With a final grunt of stretching, he lifted up his bag and headed toward Sweet Apple Acres. With his parents gone on a trip for their anniversary, he could probably even stay the night with Applejack. He wondered if she would be up for a little pony riding tonight? He couldn't help but smile, feeling like the luckiest stallion in the world when he thought of her. As he walked, he caught sight of something that still to this day brought back unpleasant memories and made him feel awkward. It was the human, Castus, and he was out with Applejack's friend Fluttershy and their two Thestral daughters. Oh it was certainly a cute sight to see a loving family like that out together for a walk. The way Castus had his hand around Fluttershy's shouldesr and held her close as they walked, with the two little Thestrals clinging to their hoof and hand respectively made Quillpoint imagine himself and Applejack in a similar situation. Maybe a few little fillies or colts of their own. Still, given his history with Castus, it was an awkward moment. They did once go from enemies, in which he had been assigned to capture said human, and how said human had left him tied up with ropes and hanging upside down from the Sweet Apple Acre barn ceiling when he had stolen all the humans on the farm. But that was the past, they were neighbors now. Though it did make conversations at the bar rather strange. But Quillpoint took his mind off it, as he spotted another familiar face. A mare he knew well from the military, and had served under during his time in Special Ops. Though her agent name was Sweetie Drops, most ponies in town knew her by her civilian name. Bon Bon. "Commander!" Quillpoint called, waving as he walked over. Bon Bon, who had been standing behind a small street booth that offered various candies, looked at Quillpoint surprised before smirking, "At ease Major, when I'm here in Ponyville, I'm a civie." "Hard to imagine you as a civie, ma'am." Quillpoint laughed, rubbing the back of his head. "Well, I found this hard to imagine to." Bon Bon said, stepping out from behind the counter to reveal her very wide and heavy stomach peeking from under her dress. Quill's eyes widened "Whoa! That is hard to imagine....no offense ma'am." Bon Bon chuckled, "Non taken Quill, this seems to be going around these day with folk our age, or haven't you noticed?" Quillpoint turned around, seeing Miss Rarity walking down the road, pushing a twin stroller with her two boys in it. "Uhh a little. I guess it's only natural. Congratulations, ma'am." "Yeah Major, to you too!" "What?" "Nothing," Bon Bon said quickly, "When you are through with your business in town,and still breathing, lets you and me get a drink tonight, to old glory and fallen comrades." "Definitely ma'- if I am still what? And you still drink?" Quill said, both surprised and slowly growing worried. "Saspirilla, hated the stuff before but this kid loves the stuff." Bon Bon chuckled, before waving Quillpoint off. Quillpoint continued on his way to Sweet Apple Acres, but where he had once been excited now he was starting to grow scared. "Did something happen while I was away?" He wondered, knocking on the door and was greeted by a sour faced looking Granny Smith. "Oh, hey Granny-" Quill started, before feeling a resounding crack of a big wooden spoon slamming ontop of his head, "Ow!" Granny SMith then grabbed Quill and yanked him in with strength surpsiing of her age and sat him right on the couch. "What's going on!?" Quill demanded, "What was that for?" Quill then noticed Applejack sitting in a chair opposite of him, and she looked nervous. "AJ? What's going on?" He asked, trying to ignore the hard look that Granny Smith was giving him, her spoon twirling menacingly in her hoof. "Ugh...Quillpoint," Applejack started nervously, "Sugarcube uh....there's something I gotta tell ya."