Chapter 9: Between Siblings
Family Matters
Chapter 9: Between Siblings
The sun finally set, casting the Apple farm in various shades of red and gold to blue and purple as the last rays disappeared over the distant horizon. Crickets and lightning bugs chirped and buzzed in the distance. Fireflies started their nightly dance. Big Macintosh arrived in the family kitchen to discover the farm house settling down for the night. The plates, glasses, forks, knives, and spoons sat drying in their rack. Dinner had been a simple affair for the remaining Apples, most likely sandwiches or reheated supper. The red stallion walked into the main room of the house to discover Granny Smith snoring away in her rocking chair and Apple Bloom completing her homework.
"Have you seen AJ around?" Big Macintosh asked.
"She came home a while ago and made us peanut butter and banana sandwiches," Apple Bloom answered. "Then she said she had a favor she needed to do for Fluttershy, something about bucking up a log."
At least she is not taking her anger out on anyone, Big Macintosh thought. He figured she would finish the job to avoid the house, maybe even spend the night at Fluttershy's to avoid talking to him. He decided it would be best to wait a few more hours before he sought his sister. "You need help with your summer homework?"
"Ah'm doin' okay on mah own." Apple Bloom scratched the back of her head nervously.
Big Macintosh sighed. "How many of your daily word problems are done?"
"Enough."
"How many behind?"
"Just two weeks."
"Apple Bloom."
After five word problems, ten tries at memorizing multiplication tables, and a game of monopoly that never seemed to end, Big Macintosh tucked a protesting Apple Bloom into bed.
"But Ah'm not tired!"
Big Macintosh ignored her complaints and walked toward the exit. He heard a gentle snore and smiled as he turned off her light. “G’night lil’ sis.”
Big Macintosh stretched the crick in his neck after gently shutting Apple Bloom's door. He descended the stairs and his grandmother woke with a snort.
"What had your sister so huffy t’night? She came home early from that dinner she was supposed to have with you and your friends. I never in all my days heard anyone make sandwiches so loudly," Granny Smith commented.
Big Macintosh huffed before replying. "There's a girl, and Applejack found out in the worst way possible."
Granny Smith giggled a bit before responding. "So some mare finally made it cross the great wall of Applejack? I'm supposin' it ain't Fluttershy, too much pressure on your sister's part for any sparks to fly there. Is it Carrot Top?"
"It's Twilight Sparkle," Big Macintosh stated.
"Who?" Granny Smith tried to match the name to a face.
"The unicorn from Canterlot,," Big Macintosh said.
"Who?" Granny inquired further.
"She helped the farm twice," Big Macintosh explained.
"Twilight Sparkle," Granny Smith pondered. "Good mare, would have a better head on her shoulders if she weren't so high strung."
"Yes Granny," Big Macintosh said. "She's the one who made it past the great wall of Applejack."
"Really?" Granny asked.
"Really," Big Macintosh said.
"Does she makes you happy?" Granny asked.
"Yes," Big Macintosh smiled briefly at the thought of the purple unicorn tending to Spike in the library. He imagined a purple foal tucked at her side in place of the dragon. "Do you know where Applejack went to after she made dinner for you and Apple Bloom?"
"She mentioned something about finishing a chore for Fluttershy you were supposed to do," Granny said.
"Thanks Granny." Big Macintosh gave his grandmother a quick kiss on the forehead. She fell back to sleep as Big Macintosh left.
***
Through a sixth sense, Applejack was able to find the weak spots in the wood of the oak that would fuel Fluttershy's hearth. She did not need an axe, just a knowledge of where to strike so that the trunk could be broken up into smaller and smaller pieces. It was rhythmic and calming for Applejack, but her temper simmered under the surface of an apparently calm exterior.
She could almost forget Twilight Sparkle's betrayal and her brother's foolishness.
Fluttershy did not say anything when her friend arrived in her yard to buck the tree. Instead, she set up lamps to light the darkness of the night. She brought her friend a triple tiered, griddle fried egg, cheese, and lettuce sandwich when Applejack was halfway done with her chore.
Applejack accepted the food gratefully. She was starved after an evening of preparing a three course and not eating anything herself. "Thanks Fluttershy, Ah could really use the boost."
"You didn't have to do this now, Applejack. I'm sure you have had a long day's work," Fluttershy said.
"Ah know, its just ah don't wanna be home or in town right now," Applejack removed her stetson to fan herself.
"What's wrong?" Fluttershy inquired.
Applejack sighed as she put the hat back on her head. "Mah brother, that’s what’s wrong. Twilight Sparkle's been playing my family like fools. My brother says they're dating'."
"What is so wrong with that?" Fluttershy asked innocently.
"Well, you and him…" Applejack tried to find the right words. She actually could not claim that Fluttershy and Big Macintosh had ever been involved with one another. Just dates and excursions set up by Applejack herself. Despite her best efforts, nothing had sparked between the pair.
"Are very good friends and neighbors," Fluttershy finished.
"It still ain't right. They've been keepin’ it secret from me," Applejack protested.
"Maybe they just wanted to make sure it was more than a passing interest. I'm sure the last thing either Twilight and Big Macintosh wanted was to start dating then lose interest in one another. If it happened in secret, at least it would only be awkward between them and not affect anything else," Fluttershy suggested a reason for her friend’s anger.
Before Applejack could protest, a voice spoke up. "Applejack," Big Macintosh appeared from the shadows of the woods that surrounded Fluttershy's yard.
"Macintosh," Applejack finished her sandwich and walked back to the trunk.
"I'll leave you two alone," Applejack twitched as Fluttershy returned to her house, without giving Applejack a chance to protest.
Applejack started bucking wood as her brother waited patiently beside her. She was sweating buckets, either from nerves or exhaustion, and still had another half of the tree to go. "Ah could use some help," Applejack said.
"Ah don't want to do chores, AJ. We need to talk," Big Macintosh said.
"Ah have nothin’ to say to you," Applejack said.
"Then you can listen." Big Macintosh forced himself between Applejack and the tree trunk. She backed away, too exhausted to fight back. "Now it's okay to be angry. Ah can see your point. Ah’m sorry I was lying to you, but you have to get over this. There is nothing wrong with me and Twilight Sparkle. In fact, everything is more right for me because of it."
"But she-" Applejack tried to protest.
Big Macintosh cut her off. "Is the pony Ah love and A’hm goin’ to marry."
Applejack shook her her in confusion. "What?"
"It's been going on for a year Applejack. Ah know it might seem sudden to you, but it’s the right time for Twilight and me. This is serious, she's the one," Big Macintosh said.
“No.”
“Beg pardon?”
“Ah said ‘NO!’” Applejack’s anger boiled through her calm facade. “Ain’t nothin’ good ever come from a lie, and that’s all you’ve been doin’!”
“Ah said Ah’m sorr...”
She cut him off with a hoof thrust painfully in his chest. “Sorry for what? For gallivantin’ around with some hussy battin’ her eyes like a toad in a hailstorm or for not trustin’ your own sister? What would Pa think...”
“Pa,” he interjected, “would be happy for me. Something you don’t seem capable of!”
“How DARE you! I’d be happy for you if you weren’t being a complete idjit! Instead I gotta protect you from your own stupid!”
“It ain’t stupidity. It’s what’s gonna happen. You can either straighten up and be happy for us, or you can keep your thoughts to yourself.” He adopted the sternest look in his arsenal. “Ah ain’t gonna stand for ua throwin’ tantrums and hissyfits, and Ah won’t let you treat Twilight like that again.”
“Whaddaya gonna do about it?” She jammed her face into his.
Applejack staggered forward when he turned away. He heaved a tired sigh. “Walk away. If’n ya cain’t treat Twilight like family, then you’re no family to me.”
Her mouth moved, but no sound came out. He did not see the look on her face as he walked away.
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Props to MisterClacky for the better ending. He totally derailed my next sequence of events, but I'll chug though it.
On a side note, would anyone actually like a prequel series on how the romance happened? I did not start there because I did not know where to start, but I realize that I have a pretty good outline now because of the flash back chapter.
On the other hand that means I would have to put this story on hold to write it because I would want the current story to reflect the prequel. That would also interfere with A Midwinter's Nightmare. So many choices.
Big Mac really told Applejack there. Hopefully we see why Applejack is so against Big Mac in a relationship soon.
That, I think, shut her the Hell up in a freaking hurry. I'm put in mind of what happened when Sue asked Reed why he backed Iron Man in the Marvel Civil War; when told that he did it protect her, she used her powers to create a ginormous hole in the Baxter Building, asked him if she looked like she needed protecting and left him picking his jaw offa the floor. The only one who needs 'protecting' is the BM that only existed in Augur's vicious mind. As for the prequel, do what you think is best.
1333044
Why not make it a one shot like 'Sparkling Cider'? That worked out amazingly well, or maybe even like 'Fixing up Ms.Smarty Pants' that led into 'The Three Magics'. It doesn't need to be some long convoluted plot that would eventually derail from this but would get its point across in one stroke.
1333090 Applejack is afraid to lose her brother, and I think she is compairing twilight to her mother who she believe is a whore because of what her grandfather said to her.
It's time to granny smith to show her a piece of her mind if that don't help we might have to call Celestia
Good chapter, though now I am curious to know how you were originally going to end this particular chapter before Mr. Clacky's help. I wouldn't mind seeing a prequel, but as DreadedCandiru2 put it, do what you think is best. Till next time, thanks for the great read!
The Great Wall of AJ, nice.
gimme MOAR
oohhhh more?
1333044
Nah, keep this one going. I want to see where Applejack's stubbornness leads.
1333044
I think that would be great! But of course, don't burn yourself out on too many ideas.
Either way, anything you post is sure to be a great read.
Oh boy... this won't end well. Though it does seem to be needed to have AJ get some sense knocked into her, family is everything to him and to Twilight. Speaking of family, what will Shining Armor think about this, though I suppose Cadence would either A) Already know, as Love is her domain, B) Keep her husband on a short leash to prevent him from going after Mac.
This is spectacular. Please continue on.
1333044
Very nice chapter, it can be hard to stand up to family (especially siblings). As for the prequel idea, I say hold off on the idea until this story is finished. I wouldn't want a prequel to impede your flow with this story line.
1333044
I'd say stick with this story, the drama you're building up here with the Apples is more interesting than a prequel with a ship that we already know is going to work (long enough for this story to start at least).
best chapter yet.
About the prequel, maybe you should finish this one before expanding on it.
Big Mac's awesome. Applejack seriously needs to shape up...
Also, update. Now please? I'm just that eager to read the next chapter...
Popcorn me this is awesome
Daaaaamn, Big Mac, nicely done.
"Ah'm not tired!" *Clunk* "Zzzzzzzz"
What the CRAP, Applejack? I know you have a serious character flaw combining temper and stubbornness, but those vicious insults at a pony who has been nothing but good to you?
Seriously, Applejack, you're better than this, SNAP OUT OF IT and realize Twilight is the best thing that could ever happen to Mac!
Heck, she's the best thing that happened to you, your family, your friends, and Ponyville
EDIT: Scenario played out in my head about Twilight telling Shining and them getting into an argument. Ending with this:
Twilight: "You're my favorite guy in the whole world! I was more scared about telling you than about telling mom and dad! Is my baby going to have his Uncle Shiney?"
Shining: "...*Sob* of course he's going to have his Uncle Shiney!"
just straight up applause for back mac there
. honestly if applejack were related to me and acted like that she'd get a damn good slap across the face for being so stupid
1333256 I agree. I shall have to steal this.