Nature and disease can be brutal. So when all this happens to a select few, it hits hard. Some of the Mane Six are struggling to cope with their loved ones swiftly taken away by Death. They are on the edge of losing it, so they try and think of a solution...
It was a quiet morning in Ponyville. Business as usual. "This is hopeless! We're never gonna get cutie marks at this rate!" Sweetie Belle whined. Scootaloo was scribbling down ideas on a piece of paper. She looked up at Sweetie Belle and said firmly, "We're never gonna get cutie marks if we give up, will we? Do we ever give up?" She raised an eyebrow.
Sweetie Belle hung her head and murmured, "No..." Scootaloo was staring at Apple Bloom. "Do you have an idea?" she asked. Apple Bloom gazed out the window, head on her hoof, sighing. "This is so frustratin'! Maybe Sweetie's right, this IS hopeless."
She turned and had a sad look in her eyes, but also of frustration. Scootaloo looked down at the ideas for a while before deciding it WAS hopeless, despite what she said before about giving up. She scrunched it up into a paper ball and threw it in the bin, head resting on both hooves and looking down at the table.
Then a familiar voice drifted throughout the house. "Apple Bloom, come here." Apple Bloom sighed. 'Granny probably wants me to get her an apple pie or some blankets...' she thought.
Granny Smith's eyes stared deep into Apple Bloom's. It was a look filled with love and compassion, the same look she received when she was born.
"Now, Apple Bloom, I know how frustratin' it is to try an' get yer cutie marks. Ah can see it in yer eyes. So ah got you a little present..." Granny Smith got up and walked to her bedroom. She came back with a pretty big gift, slowly nudging it along the floor. She set it beside Apple Bloom, a warm smile on her face. "Go on, dear."
Apple Bloom slowly revealed the box shaped present, eager to see what was inside. It was a box with a jar of Zap Apple jam, Granny Smith's bonnet and an old photo album.
Apple Bloom loved Granny Smith to the very depths of her heart, but loved her even more than she thought was possible. She hugged Granny Smith, surprising her so that she almost fell back. Apple Bloom pulled back, tears in the corners of her eyes.
"Ya know, Granny, ya really didn't need ta give me your travellin' bonnet. Or go through all the trouble of makin' Zap Apple jam just fer me!" she exclaimed. Granny Smith smiled, simply stating, "Because you're special.
They sat on the couch and started flipping through the photo album. It was a moment Apple Bloom would never forget. She thought Granny Smith was already the greatest gift she had ever received.
Soon, she fell asleep leaning against Granny Smith. 'Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo must've gone home by now', she thought whilst snuggling up against Granny. Granny Smith put her right foreleg over Apple Bloom, feeling drowsy as the last thing she saw for the night was Apple Bloom's peaceful smile.
Rays of sunshine flooded into Apple Bloom’s room, reaching her eyes as she slept. She groaned and sat up, rubbing the sleep out of her heavy eyes. Apple Bloom threw the blanket off and trotted out of her room, just as Applejack was walking by. “Granny Smith wants ya. She’s down in the livin’ room. Somethin’ ‘bout nature.” Applejack told Apple Bloom.
Apple Bloom had a look of concern on her face while trotting over to the living room. Granny Smith was sitting on the couch, looking up to see a nervous filly approaching. “Applejack said you wanted to talk to me?” she whispered, glancing up to meet Granny Smith’s brilliant light orange eyes. The old mare nodded and patted a hoof on the seat next to her, gesturing Apple Bloom to have a seat.
“Now, Apple Bloom…you know how nature can be beautiful an’ enchantin’?” The filly in question nodded. “Well, she can be a cruel mistress at times, an’ I want you to understand this; no matter what natures does to anypony or anything, whether it be a drought that’ll cause food to be scarce, a disease carried by animals that’ll threaten everypony’s lives or even…” she paused for a moment. “…death. I want you to be strong fer me an’ never give up hope. Ah’ll always be right…here.” she said as she placed a hoof over Apple Bloom’s heart. “If you can do that, ah’ll live on fer eternity. If you give up, ah’ll die out like a candle’s flame on a rainy day. Can ya do that fer me?”
Apple Bloom looked up at Granny Smith’s shining eyes, still radiant after all these years. “Ah promise.” she smiled and brought Granny into a warm embrace that seemed to last an eternity. An eternity she never wanted to lose.
Apple Bloom awoke later that afternoon with Granny Smith’s arms around her. She gently lifted Granny’s arms off, slipping off the couch. She decided to make lunch for Granny Smith. As she walked into the kitchen, she recalled the ingredients and the method of how to make delicious apple fritters. She had seen Applejack making some a countless amount of times, so she thought she could pull it off.
After making a huge mess in the kitchen, Apple Bloom finally finished a tray of apple fritters. She bit into one of them and almost coughed it back up. It wasn’t as good as Applejack’s, but Granny wouldn’t mind. After all, this was her first time making some. She could almost imagine the look on Granny’s face. Apple Bloom was quite proud of the apple fritters and walked over to where Granny Smith lay. A look of confusion crossed her face as she couldn’t see Granny’s chest rising and falling, but it was probably the heat from cooking causing her eyes to go weird.
Apple Bloom gently shook Granny Smith, whispering, “Granny? Wake up, ah made you some apple fritters.” Granny Smith didn’t respond, so Apple Bloom shook her harder, increasing the volume of her voice. “Granny?” Then Applejack walked in, sweating from a hard day’s work. That’s when she noticed Apple Bloom frantically shaking Granny Smith and calling for her. “What’s wrong, Apple Bloom?” she ran to her side. “Granny Smith…she ain’t respondin’!” Apple Bloom sniffed and held onto Applejack. Applejack’s eyes went wide and she stood up to get Big Mac. “Apple Bloom, stay here. I want you to call the ambulance. You know what to say, right?” Apple Bloom nodded and ran to the phone.
“Big Mac! Come quick, Granny’s not respondin’!” Applejack yelled out. As soon as she said that, Big Mac ran towards the house close to the speeds of Rainbow Dash in a race. He whooshed past Applejack, blowing her mane around wildly. The ambulance was already there, unicorns carefully placing Granny Smith into a stretcher. Big Mac stared at the scene, watching Granny Smith before they took her away to the hospital. Apple Bloom walked up to Big Mac, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes as she hugged Big Mac. “W-will she be al-alright?” she sniffed, holding Big Mac tight. Big Mac held her close, responding with a barely audible, “Eeyup.”
It was heart-breaking for Apple Bloom to see Granny Smith lying in the hospital bed, the heart monitor slowly beeping. She rested her head over Granny’s heart, Applejack draping an arm around Apple Bloom’s shoulders. Big Mac sat there, silently staring at Granny Smith. ‘Please Celestia, let her be okay…’ Apple Bloom begged in her mind, tears running down her cheeks.
Suddenly, the unicorn doctor walked in, clipboard in tow. Applejack stood up and brought the doctor into a corner, away from Apple Bloom and Big Mac’s hearing. “Will she be alright?” she whispered, looking back at Apple Bloom’s big, watery eyes. The doctor looked at his clipboard. “She seems to be fading fast. There’s a one in a million chance she’ll recover, but only time will tell, ma’am.” he looked into Applejack’s sorrow filled eyes, her ears drooping as she walked back to Granny Smith.
The doctor’s seen many ponies die and many families mourning over their loss. Every family had a strong connection with the deceased member and he always managed to get them to move on, but something about this family’s connection felt stronger than any other. Apple Bloom’s eyes shot open when she heard a raspy groan. She looked over and saw Granny Smith slowly opening her eyes. She looked so weak.
“Granny!” Apple Bloom cried out, wrapping her arms around Granny Smith’s neck. “Apple…Bloom…” Granny Smith managed to say, coughing. Big Mac’s eyes welled up. Applejack perked up and hugged Granny Smith. They didn’t notice the heart rate monitor slowing down incredibly. Applejack and Big Mac glanced over at the monitor and gasped. Apple Bloom didn’t notice until Granny Smith managed to choke out, “Stay…strong……” BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP…
Apple Bloom was face down on the table, eyes shut tightly. “Are you okay, Apple Bloom?” Sweetie Belle asked gently, placing a hoof on her shoulder. Apple Bloom looked up, rings under her red eyes. She just stared into space. Rarity levitated a plate of cookies onto the table. “It’s a real shame she…passed away, dear. She was real nice.” Rarity pulled Apple Bloom into a quick hug.
Scootaloo began stuffing her face with cookies before asking, “Why aren’t you at the funeral, anyway?” Apple Bloom kept staring at nothing, deep in thought. Before Scootaloo opened her mouth to ask again, she answered in a dull voice. “’Cause Applejack thinks I’m too young to see.” Rarity huffed. “No one’s too young!” Then she made her way to the front door of the Boutique. “Come, dear. Let’s go see your beloved Granny Smith.” Apple Bloom reluctantly stood up and followed Rarity, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo close by.
Just as the funeral was starting the open casket visitation, Rarity and the three fillies hurried in. Rarity, what are ya doin’ here?” Applejack caught Rarity by surprise, making her jump. “I’m here with Apple Bloom to see Granny Smith before they bury her, of course!” she replied once her heart calmed down. Applejack looked behind Rarity, only to see Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo looking around. “Where’s Apple Bloom?”
Apple Bloom was already weaving through the crowd to get to the casket. Once she reached the casket, she peeked in and felt like she was going to explode. Granny Smith, once so full of love and laughter, was just lying there, eyes closed forever. Apple Bloom reached in and felt Granny Smith’s hoof. She was so cold. No blood was flowing anymore. Where was that warmth that once wrapped Apple Bloom in an embrace more powerful than the sun? Where were those eyes that stared lovingly into hers brighter than the stars? Where were those words that poured out of her mouth that were wiser than the moon? Apple Bloom’s tear ran down her cheek and dropped onto Granny Smith’s chest, over her heart. She turned away and slowly walked towards where Rarity and Applejack were. “How ya doin’, Apple Bloom?” Applejack murmured softly. Rarity wrapped a hoof around Apple Bloom and led her outside. “I think you need a moment.”
Apple Bloom sat down on a bench. ‘Why couldn’t this happen ta someone else?’ The thought made her boil with anger, punching the bench seat. She began getting restless and paced back and forth. She had enough of this and opened the door. They were starting the eulogies. Rarity looked back and waved Apple Bloom over. Apple Bloom quietly slipped into the seat next to Rarity as Applejack was saying her eulogy, glancing at Apple Bloom.
After the funeral, Rarity was holding a handkerchief, occasionally weeping into it. She looked over to Apple Bloom, sorry for her loss. Twilight and the others had been at the funeral and they were surrounding Apple Bloom, consoling her. Even Pinkie Pie. All of Ponyville were there and it wasn’t the usual, cheerful sunny day. Everypony was mourning and silent. Celestia and Luna had heard of her death and they put in that extra effort to make a beautiful sunset.
Once Rarity reached the Boutique, she began talking to Opal, petting her luscious fur. Opal obviously couldn’t understand a word, but it felt good to get it all out. Whenever Rarity was down, she would talk to Opal. Apple Bloom opened the door slightly, peeking in. Rarity looked up and had a warm, inviting smile. “Come in.” she called. Apple Bloom didn’t look normal. Her mane and tail were frizzy and stray hairs were sticking out. Her bow was at an angle. Her eyes were bloodshot and had bags under them. Rarity gasped, taken aback. “You look terrible! Have you not been sleeping?” She rushed over to Apple Bloom, a variety of grooming tools in her magical hold. As Rarity sorted Apple Bloom out, she asked, “What happened?” Apple Bloom looked down to the ground then back up to Rarity.
Once Rarity finished cleaning Apple Bloom up, she was taken by surprise by Apple Bloom jumping at Rarity. “Oh, thank you thank you thank you thank you! I can’t thank you enough, Rares! Ya cheered me up an’ let me go to the funeral ta see Granny once more!” Apple Bloom was hugging Rarity so tightly she felt like she was going to explode. “It’s alright, dear.” she smiled, pushing Apple Bloom back. Opal strolled over to Apple Bloom and rubbed her fur against Apple Bloom’s legs, purring. Apple Bloom laughed and started playing with Opal. Rarity thought it was a cute scene and turned away to begin working on dress orders.
Applejack stared out the window, scanning the fields. Big Mac came up to her and looked out. “What are ya doin’, sis?” Applejack replied, “Apple Bloom ain’t back yet, and it’s gettin’ late.” Applejack was worried Apple Bloom had gotten into some trouble on the way back. Suddenly, Applejack saw a small figure galloping towards the house. She squinted, barely making out the shape of Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom burst in, panting. “Sorry, sis! I got caught up in Rarity’s Boutique! I was playin’ with Opal and lost track o’ time!” she explained, catching her breath. Applejack sighed. “That’s alright, but ya gotta get home earlier, Apple Bloom.” Apple Bloom nodded and ran up to her bedroom.
Apple Bloom lay on her back on the bed, watching Luna’s moon pierce through the blinds and illuminate the room in an eerie glow. It had been an eventful day and Apple Bloom was tired. Before her heavy eyelids dropped, she swore she saw a glowing blue pony trot up to the side of the bed and look down, smiling softly. Apple Bloom figured the pony was just a figment of her imagination and let sleep take hold of her. When Apple Bloom’s eyes shot open, she saw out of the corner of her eye a note taped to the wall. She sat up, blinking the sleep out of her eyes. Once she was wide awake, she focused on the words of the note slowly coming together. “The Angels Take Manehattan. –The Graveyard” Apple Bloom was confused. “Angels? Manehattan? What’s this gotta do with Manehattan?” She ripped the note off the wall and walked out of her room.
Apple Bloom found Applejack in the kitchen making breakfast. Applejack spun around and smiled. “Hey, Apple Bloom. Ya alright?” Apple Bloom gave Applejack the note. “What does this mean, sis?” Applejack stared at the note and thought for a moment. “We’ll need ta ask Twilight. Let’s go, Apple Bloom. Hope she’s not too busy.” The two sisters began walking towards Twilight’s library with the note.
Knock knock knock. “Coming!” A muffled voice was heard inside. Soon, the door opened and Spike was standing in the doorway. “Oh hey Applejack. Hey Apple Bloom. Come in.” Spike stepped aside, allowing the sisters to walk in. Applejack placed the note on the table. Twilight turned around and perked up at the sight of her friends. “What do you need, Applejack?” Applejack motioned towards the note. “Can ya solve this, Twi?” she asked. Twilight picked up the note and paced back and forth reading it thoroughly. Finally, she said, “Where did you find this?” Apple Bloom stepped forward. “I found it in my bedroom this mornin’.” Twilight screwed her face up in concentration.
Suddenly, Twilight started pulling books off the shelves, flipping through them quickly. “What’s the note about, Twilight?” Apple Bloom inquired. Twilight was still busy looking through various books. After a while, Twilight looked up. “I’ve managed to decipher what it means. Well, part of it, anyway. I’m pretty sure it means you have to go to the graveyard in Manehattan. I’m not sure what the angel part means, though.” Twilight explained. “We have ta go all the way to Manehattan?!” Apple Bloom exclaimed. Twilight nodded. “I guess so.” Applejack was thinking and had an idea. “What if the angel part means she has ta find a grave with an angel?” “Good thinking, Applejack! I’ll arrange your train to Manehattan and back, you two. Meet me at the station tomorrow morning at around 7. Good luck, Apple Bloom.” With that, Applejack and Apple Bloom walked back to Sweet Apple Acres. Apple Bloom was jumping in excitement.
On the train, Apple Bloom leaned her head against the cold window and slept. During the trip, Applejack pondered her little sister’s sanity, questioning all this talk of ghosts leaving behind cryptic messages. Perhaps this was all a dream? Maybe it was still the middle of the night and they were safely tucked away in bed? Applejack doubted it, though. This was all very real. She even tested this by ordering and eating a cake. Applejack glanced out the window, spotting the train station sign. Applejack woke up Apple Bloom and they made their way out the doors of the train.
“Wow! Manehattan is busier than ah thought! Look at all this!” Apple Bloom jumped from store to store, admiring the many things they had on sale. Applejack couldn’t help but laugh at her enthusiasm, keeping an eye on Apple Bloom to make sure she didn’t wander off. As the sun dipped under the horizon, the two farmponies reached the cemetery and promptly began searching for graves with angels on them. Thankfully, a fairly large tombstone around the middle of the cemetery had a huge angel statue situated on the top. The sisters assumed this was the grave the note had told them to go to. “Why did that note tell us ta come to Manehattan? This here note don’t make no sense…” Applejack mumbled, scratching the back of her head in confusion.
They sat and waited patiently well into the hours of dusk. Applejack finally lost her patience and rested her hoof on Apple Bloom’s shoulder. “We gotta go, Apple Bloom. This mighta been just a prank or somethin’…” Applejack glared around at the graveyard. Apple Bloom looked up at her sister, then up at the angel. She had slight tears in her eyes that trailed down her cheeks. “Ah really thought…” she started, but quickly shook her head. “Let’s go.” As the sisters left, they were completely oblivious to a dead-eyed lime green pony following close behind smiling and whispering, “I’m glad you came.”
Later that night, as Apple Bloom was getting ready for bed, she felt a sudden cold nearby. She brushed it off and closed her bedroom window. The little filly slipped into bed and called out to Applejack. The sister trotted in and sat on the edge of Apple Bloom’s bed. The young one suddenly spoke up. “Hey sis?” “What is it, sugarcube?” Applejack gently replied, petting Apple Bloom’s mane. “Do ya think…do ya think Granny Smith can see us?” “Of course, Apple Bloom. She’s always watchin’ over us and keepin’ us safe. Why do you ask?” Applejack kissed the filly’s head and stood up. “I jus’ wanted ta know…” Apple Bloom began drifting off to sleep. Applejack chuckled softly to herself and silently walked out, turning off the light. If Applejack had stayed in the room just a little longer she would’ve seen a lime green pony appearing, seemingly from nowhere, and carefully placing a jar of Zap Apple Jam in the middle of the floor.
The pony stared down at the sleeping filly with loving eyes, kissing her head and disappearing by the light of the moon.
