Seeds of Life

by Freglz

Us

It was April when I met you.

Butter-yellow coat, bright red mane, eyes like amber and sweet as honey. You were nine pounds, thirteen ounces — a little underweight, but nothing to be concerned about. You were quiet as well, even when the midwife took you away from me, but you also had the most adorable yawn I ever did see. And your hooves were so tiny, and your nose… I could’ve sat there all day tapping it with the edge of my hoof, listening to you giggle and squirm.

You were perfect.

Never in all my years have I seen a foal so beautiful. I’m sure every mother can say that about their children, but there was something about you that made me burst into tears the second I saw your pretty, little face. And you were mine. All mine.

Big Mac was there, as well as Granny, smiling from either side of the bed as they watched me run a hoof through your hair and trace the outline of your ears. We were in my room, in the house. The midwife — a veterinarian and close friend of the family — had already left. You were bundled up in a lilac towel, gazing back at us, mumbling to yourself and blowing raspberries every so often.

“Aw, ain’t she a darling?” Granny fawned. She never found out — was too upset I’d let this happen at such a young age to ask who it was with. But you wouldn’t have guessed it that evening, the sunlight beaming in through open shutters and framing her grin in a golden halo. “Gosh darn cutest thing I’ve seen in close to fifteen years.”

“Eeyup,” said Mac.

I just smiled and nodded. There weren’t no need to kick up a fuss. Not when I had you cradled in forelegs. “Looks just like Pa, don’t you think?”

She leaned in a little closer, squinting. “I think you might be right, Applejack,” she agreed, her face brightening like the summer sun. “Missing his green eyes, though, but a spitting image aside from that.”

And you were. You are. Every time I look at you, I see him. And I love you all the more for it. And I remember promising myself right then and there I’d never let anything happen to you, because if I did, it’d be like losing him all over again, as well as losing you.

You were just too precious. And you were everything I needed.

“Thought of a name yet?” Mac asked.

I shook my head. Of course I hadn’t. I just couldn’t get over how lovely you were.

“Now, hold your horses,” Granny calmly interrupted, sharing a look between me and him. “Before we start setting things in stone, let’s remind ourselves of something first.”

We waited expectantly, but we’d both been given the lecture enough to know what she was on about.

“As far as Ponyville’s concerned, this here young’un’s your new baby sister.”

A pang of regret struck me. I couldn’t help it. I knew why we had to keep it secret — to protect the family name, as well as you and me — and to this day, it’s the only lie I’ve been comfortable telling. We’d kept to ourselves since Ma and Pa passed, Mac and Granny only heading into town for essentials, so news of a third child wouldn’t have seemed too out of the ordinary, so long as we timed it right. But thing was… I’d never have the chance to be your mother.

I’d make believe at home, for a time; feed you, change you, bathe and play with you, the way a mother should. Laugh and cry like mothers do. But as soon as you could speak, even make believe had to end. I was ‘Applejack’, ‘AJ’ and ‘big sis’. Never ‘Momma’. And it was silly of me to hope otherwise.

But none of that had happened just yet. At the time, I was sad, but I was happy — happy to be surrounded by ponies who cared for me. And I had you. Nothing could’ve brought me down after seeing the look in those dear, little eyes.

“I can live with that,” I said, and I meant it. Even though my voice was shaky and caught at the back of my throat, I really, genuinely meant it.

“Eeyup,” Mac agreed.

Granny nodded slowly, chewing on her bottom lip. And then she lowered her gaze and rubbed her chin. “Now, as for a name…”

All our attention turned on you, and you seemed to know it. You tittered and burbled, and looked at all of us so eagerly, as if you knew how glad we were to see you. As if you knew how special you really were.

“Apple… Tart, maybe? No, wait, how about, uh… Apple… Seed? Yeah. Apple Seed.”

I shook my head with a smile. That didn’t suit you at all. Seeds are stagnant, always waiting for, but never quite living up to their potential. And apple seeds need very particular conditions to grow, so fussy and high-maintenance, even with a farmer’s tender hoof.

But you?

You’d sprout. You’d blossom. You wouldn’t care if the soil’s too hot or too cold; you’d sink your roots in and make it your own, just like me, just like Mac, and just like Granny. And you’d grow so tall. You’d make lots of friends, and you’d do amazing things together, and you’d be so much more than I could’ve ever imagined.

You’d be a pony the world would come to love.

And that’s when I had it.

I gently leaned down and gave you a soft kiss on the nose.

You giggled again and tried to hug my snout.

And I couldn’t have been happier.

“Welcome home, Apple Bloom.”

Comments

[Chillean]

Daww, this was sweet. Thumbs up!

[Graglithan The Greater]

A surprisingly wholesome read. Well done.

[IDontWatchMLP]

Congrats! You get a like.

[Limescale]

This didn't go in the direction I thought it would, and I'm happy about that. :)

[TheWraithWriter]

I'm not crying, you're crying!

Good story.

(Although I thought the switch to third-person narration in chapter two was a little jarring)

[Dustchu]

Now this right is some feckin' wholesome shit, gaaaaah.

Good show, Fregz, good show. Well written, nicely paced, and feelsy as hecc.

Keep it up mate, keep it up.

[ROBCakeran53]

This was such a wholesome take on what a tradgety could do to a family in dispear. Realistic outcome, choices, and such a twist on a fan favorite taboo. Bravo.

[Voiceguy]

And I remember promising myself right then and there I’d never let anything happen to you, because if I did, it’d be like losing him all over again, as well as losing you.

...Wait a minute

...Is Big Mac dead?

[Silver Starlight]

9564430
"Him" refers to Bright Mac. I was confused for a bit too.

[MisterClacky]

Very well done.

The first chapter made me want a fic where the incest is subverted and it comes out it was Uncle Orange. I was kinda expecting that with the awkward hug and the premise of something that dark and secret is intriguing.

I don’t usually go for this basic premise, but this one was exceptionally well played.

[Voiceguy]

9564611
Then why not 'losing them all over again' instead of specifically him? Does AJ not like Pear Butter? Unless Bright Mac is actually the father of Apple Bloom, I'm confused

[MisterClacky]

9564776

The point is that Apple Bloom and Bright Mac have the exact same coloration. Yellow fur, red mane and tail. That’s why she focuses in on him there.

[Silver Starlight]

9564776
because Apple Bloom looks like Bright. If AB had looked like PB, she would have been mentioned instead of Bright. There's a lot of psychological weirdness when people encounter lookalikes of something or someone they know, e.g. Harry Potter and everyone's constant focus on his mom's eyes.

[Viper Pit]

Ow my feels

[H2GO]

''SWEET HOME ALABAMA !!!!!!''

[Lavender_Raindrops]

This story was amazing and heartbreaking. I don't often tear up as much as this when reading fanfic but I needed to give my Applejack and Applebloom plushies long hugs after I got done reading this. Thank you for writing it and sharing it with us.

[Shakespearicles]

I never thought this contest would get me misty.
Very well done!

[Clopficsinthecomments]

This was a fantastic change of pace that I was definitely not expecting in the contest. Great writing!

[The Cloptimist]

There were only six (6) contest entries, out of 129, that weren't M-rated clop. And yet after reading this, I have a feeling one of them should win.

This was really quite beautiful, thank you for writing it.

[xRei]

Contest judge..

I have only two things to say, really..

One. The switch to third limited in ch2 felt a bit clunky..

Two.. This is a beautifully written story that I wouldn't ask you to ever change and I loved it.

Thank you so much for writing it.

[Remedyfortheheart]

Judge here! Kay! Ready or not here I come! (Pun intended, so SUE ME IF YOU DARE!)

What a wonderfully built story. Moving from different angles to capture the perspective of the characters involved. You didn't just write a story you took us on a journey and presented a landscape worth sharing. This is the kind of story I would reread or read outloud to others amidst the light of a bonfire on a sandy beach at night. This is the kind of story I would love to read right before going to bed and getting some sound sleep. It was quite an honor experiencing this piece. So filled with a rack of emotions. Of sadnesss, of anger, of blame, confusion, and then it all wraps up to acceptance. It is so humanely constructed that the ending somehow works with a satisfying blend of sympathy and happiness. Not a sad ending nor a completely happy ending. Overall I say excellent work.

Now to encourage the goal of the contest I do have to put aside praise and point out the flaws. Now the 2nd chapter took a turn for the worst, by having AJ willing take up what I believe to be an alcoholic drink. Knowing full well she is carrying. This was a bit disturbing for me but not too distracting as the comfort was need to progress the story. Which could have easily been resolved or replaced with physical contact via the father much sooner. Another thing I noticed was at one point you seemed to have thought you were making Big Mac talk way too much. His emotions went from utterly shocked to stoic and calm. Yet even playing the role of father brother and AJ's emotional support he seemed to have taken it all too calmly. His recovery from such a big ordeal seemed out of place after all the child is half his at least. No less than that so I'd imagine he would have taken it more seriously. I know many a man who wouldn't have offered alcohol to a bearing woman in fear that their nonparticipation, or what little they can provide, ends up being a part of the problem for the one bearing all the strife.

Overall one of my recommended. A very pleasant piece that plays a tune on a reader's heartstring.

[Zaid ValRoa]

D'awww...
That was so cute! And heartwarming. And thoughtful.
Really well done, I liked it a lot.

[The Mystery Fluttershy Fan]

and done recording. That was an adorable story.
But knowing Youtube, I think I'm best off not attaching the tag 'incest' anywhere on it. They don't need to know XD.

[Shakespearicles]

Man, this one still gets me...

[Freglz]

11816022
Maybe I really should join your new contest...