Equestria's sun and moon are, and have been, controlled by it's princesses since before recorded history. It's a special place full of wonders and countless beauties, but it is also a place where their princesses must sometimes withhold such gifts to allow other, more subtle, gifts to be accepted. Applejack wanders through a nearly empty Ponyville and a barren Sweet Apple Acres and quietly reflects on one such 'gift' while her family, and Ponyville, goes hungry for the third month in a row.
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So, I'm confused on two points here. Did Applebloom die? Cause it sounds like she died of cold or something like that. And two, I doubt Celestia would let a winter that horrible ravage her ponies, not even to appease Luna. Because if that's the kind of winter she wants to happen, there's gonna be an October Revolution before the next one hits.
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Alrighty, to clarify...
1) No, Applebloom did not die. It was meant to feel like she had... indeed, as if everyone who hadn't left, may have died. But this is just Applejack's feeling setting in, a depression that comes with living and working the land, of having a close knit family, and a community that one can truly call 'home' simply wasting away.
Applebloom "wasn't there" anymore, and Applejack couldn't really cope with everything and everyone leaving. Everyday things reminded her of them and triggered a deepening sense of loss that she wasn't completely able to handle. Remember, the entire Apple family is extremely close knit; brothers, sisters, parents, grandparents, extended family and the like.... and Applejack already lost her parents years ago... so she's that much more bonded to Applebloom, Big Mac, and Granny. Thus, she tried to ignore it, to find something else to do, to occupy her time in another manner. Hence the walk into town to 'check on' anyone still left, counting the lit windows, etc. As the last vestiges of those constants faded away, Applejack got caught up in the moment, letting her imagination color what she was experiencing. Fluttershy wasn't a ghost, Applebloom was alive and well, etc... but to an overwhelmed and nearly despondent Applejack, it was easier to dodge a possible hope than to accept it and fall further if it really was just her imagination.
2) Fair enough. We also know that if there was a legitimate danger, Celestia (or more likely, Twilight and Co.) would put a stop to it quickly. Probably in 22-44 minutes plus breaks for commercials. It's supposed to bring the environment to life via a character. As you'll find often enough, the scenarios are not ones addressed by the show, but ideas a writer tosses out there as 'what ifs'.
3) I'm at least happy that you read it through though. This is one of my older pieces and I'm glad to see a few folks still stumble across it. I am curious though, how did you find it?
4) Have a great one!
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1. I feel that the language is too vague in regards to Applebloom, it could really be construed either way. The others that left are worded in such a way that it's obvious they simply left, but for bloom it seems darker. Though that might be appropriate, considering how important she is to AJ, so her leaving would be a bigger deal. Though I did, for a minute at the end, think Fluttershy was a ghost, and that AJ herself may have died, so excellent writing there.
2. Unless the princesses are specifically checking on every pony in Equestria, how could they know how dangerous this winter is on everypony? The Apple family is almost out of food. The family that grows the most food out of all of them. I'd worry about anypony out on their own, or the elderly, or the sick. They don't have insulation in their houses, for Pete's sake! Even beyond the dangers, what about Luna' s image? She just got back from trying to bring eternal night, and now she's ushering in literally the worst winter in recorded history. That doesn't make her look good.
3. It was actually linked in the "similar" stories tag from a story I read earlier today, though for the life of me I can't recall which one.
4. Have a great day!