Bright Mac takes Applejack and Big Mac out in Ponyville for a long hike.
Bright Mac spends his time in Sweet Apple Acres by getting all the apples from their trees. But when it comes to being a father, he misses Applejack and Big Mac the most when he was away with his wife. When he gets the chance to take time off from his daily routine, he takes his daughter and son out for a walk to express his feelings towards them. While he also tries to fit in Ponyville after the times he was away.
Applejack woke up from bed when she heard the birds whistling from her nearest window. Today is Saturday, one of those days where most of the citizens stay at home relaxing or go out for the whole day. Applejack had no plans on picking apples or hanging out with her friends since she’s exhausted of doing her nonstop work from the past days in Sweet Apple Acres.
She puts on her hat that’s been hanging from her door handle as she leaves her bedroom. She walked down the steps yawning until she enters the kitchen. “Man, after all that hard work I did this week, I don’t have the motivation to make my schedule for today.” She said to herself while she takes out her leftover flower sandwich from her refrigerator.
While she begins to eat her breakfast, she looked out the window of Sweet Apple Acres. The weather is beautiful with the sun rising over the trees. With no clouds in the sky, there’s no way it’s going to rain to ruin anypony’s Saturday. Applejack had thoughts on going on a hike by herself but still has zero activities along the way.
Then Big Mac entered the kitchen after he got up from bed. “Howdy sister.” He replied to which Applejack turned her attention.
“Morning Big Mac.” Applejack smiled. “What are you going to do today?”
“I’m going to deliver apples to Sugar Belle later today.”
“That’s it?” Applejack tilted her head.
“Well Saturdays isn’t one of my days of working and I don’t have anything planned.”
“Huh? That’s odd because I got nothing else to do today.”
“Really?” Big Mac responded as he took a seat by her sister.
“Yeah. I heard Twilight needed help in her castle but she got Fluttershy to help.” After that Applejack finished her breakfast and washed her dish in the sink. She sighed, letting the air out of her lungs to get her exhaustion away. However, no matter how she makes herself calm, it wasn’t enough.
Then their father, Bright Mac noticed his daughter and son are having a conversation once he went down the steps. He, of course always helped getting most of the work outside of his yard done every morning of the week, but he might have second thoughts.
Once Applejack finished washing her dish, she went back to her seat by her brother. “I was hoping for once we can do something together. We went to meet Pinkie Pie’s family and went to Appleloosa several times but I want to do something simple today.” Applejack replied.
“I’m with you on that sis.” Big Mac added.
Bright Mac never noticed his son and daughter would be so tired during these days. During the times they worked together, they never let him down. They always show their father how far they came on the ranch gathering apples and stomping on grapes for grape juice. Then his wife Pear Butter who also woke up, came downstairs too.
“Morning dear.” She spoked from behind.
“Morning honey.” Bright Mac smiled.
“Are you going to get the rest of the apples?”
“Actually, I’m thinking of doing something different for a chance.”
His wife became confused after all the times he spend his time for the family. She noticed both Applejack and Big Mac are sitting looking exhausted. “Why are our son and daughter looking so bored?”
“They have zero plans today. There’s something I have to do.”
Then Pear Butter had an idea for her husband. “How about you spend the day with them on a hike?” I did the same thing with Apple Bloom.”
“That’s a good idea. We always go one hikes back in the old days.” Bright Mac smiled.
“We sure did. You should do the same thing with Apple Bloom if we have this situation again in the future. After all you did say you want to show her your feelings towards her.”
Bright Mac always keeps his promise however he has a secret involving Apple Bloom. He may spend so much time with Applejack and Big Mac, but not a lot with Apple Bloom. He grinned his teeth, refusing to take back his words knowing how much it would hurt his wife.
“Your right.” He puts on his honest face. “But I still need time on that.”
“Okay. I’m going to wake up Apple Bloom now, you just help your son and daughter.” Pear Butter went back upstairs to Apple Bloom’s room while her husband took a deep breath.
“Morning everypony!” Bright Mac entering the kitchen.
Applejack and her brother felt excited to see their father despite the exhaustion. “Howdy dad!” Big Mac cheered.
“Great to see you this morning.” Applejack added.
“So is there anything you two have planned today?” Bright Mac opening the refrigerator.
“Not much.” is all Big Mac has to explain.
“I see.” His father getting out some grape juice for himself also taking a seat by the table. “How about I take the day off so we can have a hike together? Just the three of us going to places.”
Applejack and Big Mac found their father’s advice really interesting. “That’s a better idea. We might show you more in Ponyville if you want.” Applejack added.
“I’ll be happy to go anywhere with my daughter.” Bright Mac boasted. “And I can’t wait for what you’ve been doing while I was gone.” He turned his attention to his son.
“Well you know what they say, you miss out on so much of your relatives.” Big Mac giggled.
When Bright Mac is finished drinking his juice, they went outside of the barn and began their hike. Bright Mac doesn’t know where to go since it’s been a long time when he’s been away, but it doesn’t stop his daughter who spent years of knowing the locations in Equestria giving him the trail.
As Bright Mac, his son and daughter leave Sweet Apple Acres, they took a trail that leads to Ponyville. The weather is just as normal like any other day of the week. Birds flying over the trees along with bunnies hopping in the woods, nothing bad could ever happen to nature.
“I have to know Applejack.” Bright Mac replied while walking.
“What is it dad?” Applejack responded.
“Do one of your friends have a grudge against you, because Twilight told me something about Rainbow Dash once right?”
Big Mac, who’s been along with the walk decided to stay out of it. He may not know a lot about Rainbow Dash but he knows how Applejack trains herself. Applejack stopped walking with her eyes closed in annoyance.
She sighed with her head tilted down. “Yes, you’re right. I’ve got to say, I’m surprised it took you this long to talk about a mare who thinks she’s better than me.”
“Better than you?”
Applejack lifted her head up so she can be clear with her father. “When you were gone, me and Rainbow competed against each other every once in awhile. And during the Running Of The Leaves, she cheated several times.”
Her father never thought that one of her friends would ever do something cheap to become victorious. “Is that it?” He asked.
“I would go on and on, but I don’t want to waste our time.” Just when she was about to get back on their hike, her father stopped her by placing his hoof in her way. Applejack was confused but then again it’s been a long time since she saw her father being so serious at times.
“From what I heard, you’re the element of honesty and whenever I think of that, I demand my daughter to prove it.”
“So...what do you need from me?” Applejack wondered.
“I want to meet Rainbow Dash.” Her father answered.
“Why do you want to talk to her?” Big Mac chimed in a bit.
“Because, I wanted her to understand something about my daughter,” Bright Mac turned to his son. “Something I know Applejack never told her about.”
Applejack was taken aback from her father and she thought she was the only one in the family who’s the voice of truth.
Applejack lead her father where Rainbow Dash is relaxing during her Saturday off. She knows how lazy Rainbow can be when she isn’t with the Wonderbolts or reading her Daring Do books. Once they made it to where Rainbow is relaxing, she’s by a lake on her chair laying under the sun with her sunglasses on.
Applejack’s father gave the athletic, but egotistic mare the look. His eyes never looked away from Rainbow Dash. Big Mac had never been so impressed with his father’s aggression.
“Um Dad, are you alright?” Applejack said.
“I’m fine, just let me do the talking.” They went around the lake with Applejack and Big Mac following from behind. Once they get to the other side, Bright Mac’s son and daughter stood in place as he takes this all by himself. His shadow gets in Rainbow’s way, which she take notice of when she takes off her sunglasses.
“Oh…it’s you.” Rainbow retorted.
“So you do remember me?” Bright Mac retorted back. “And this is the first time you talked to me since I’ve returned.”
“So? You know, some ponies don’t need to meet their parents to understand them more.”
Applejack knew Rainbow wasn’t in a good mood when she’s not working out. By the tone she can hear from her, this is not going to end well especially when they began their hike ten minutes ago. Her father took offense from the mare’s opinion.
“Um...I’m sure you have parents who think otherwise, because me and my wife had a conversation with them.”
Rainbow’s eyes turned wide after hearing what Applejack’s father just said. Both Applejack and Big Mac became even more stressed, with their faces sweating.
“Are you sure Rainbow will understand what she’s dealing with?” Applejack whispered to her brother.
“Nope.” Big Mac whispered back.
Rainbow Dash got off her chair with her anger returning. “You had a conversation with my parents!” She shouted. “I thought you spent all your time in Sweet Apple Acres? Why would you go-“
She then gets cut off when Bright Mac places his hoof up at her lips. “I didn’t leave at all, my wife contacted them and they arrived at my farm.”
Rainbow pushed his hoof away from her face. “Why!?”
“Because Applejack always gets herself in a bad mood when she’s working her hooves off, thinking about you.”
Rainbow flew from the ground in frustration. “How does that have anything to do with my parents!?”
“They told me you always stay away from them, and my daughter AND son would never do that if I spend all my life in Sweet Apple Acres!”
While Applejack and Big Mac knew this turned ugly, they became shocked from the honesty of their father. Sure they worked with him, but always teamwork and never see everything in him.
Rainbow gets into Bright Mac’s face with her noise pressing against his. “You don’t even know everything about my parents, do you? Their over-supportive!”
“Then they’re doing their job right, so they can be sure you’re families need to know their friends!” He shouted in anger.
“WILL YOU TWO CALM DOWN!!!” Applejack interrupted which surprises her father and rival. She took a deep breath after everything she let out while her brother stayed silent.
“Dad.” Applejack getting in between Rainbow and her father. “Why are you fighting with Rainbow Dash? What’s the point of this?”
Just when her father is about to say a word, Rainbow answered in her growling voice. “Because my father got heartbroken when I denied him the chance of meeting yours.” Applejack turned to Rainbow with a huge jaw drop.
“What!??” Applejack was speechless from Rainbow telling the truth of all of this.
“After the Ponyville Confidential papers went to Cloudsdale about your parents reuniting , my parents called me about it. They desperately wanted to meet them badly and I didn’t want your parents to know mine are…you know…”
After that, Bright Mac was ashamed of himself. It took this long for this whole thing to come out. “She’s right...her father, Bow Hothoof felt if he was me, his daughter would hang out with him.”
The cowgirl’s voice somehow got lost in her vocal cords. For the first time in a longtime, Applejack’s father embarrassed her. Even if she was not part of the conversation with her family, she feared Rainbow’s parents might cause a feud like before, but even more chaotic.
“Does anypony think of what we went through enough from our last feud?” Big Mac asked to which everypony turned their attention on.
“Couldn’t get any obvious than that.” Rainbow added with her ears perked down.
Applejack facehoofed herself with this situation coming back to light, but with a different view instead. But it didn’t last long when her father fills in.
“Applejack, I’m sorry for almost causing another chapter.” He wrapped his hoof around his daughter’s neck. “Rainbow didn’t even mind a lot when I returned to see you in Twilight’s school. She’s more or less...excited or proud of you.”
Applejack understood what he meant, but it makes perfect sense. “Rainbow is always like that between the both of us. If it’s not me, her, and our other friends going out on a friendship mission or an activity, we always brag about ourselves.”
“And we never get along.” Rainbow added. “Sometimes it feels like we always stay far apart like two winds from causing a tornado.”
Rainbow got back on her chair laying in exhaustion. Both Applejack and her father made this first hiking experience turn into a screeching halt just when they started it. But Bright Mac had an idea to resolve this. He let go of Applejack and walked up to Rainbow who soon realized.
“Hey, I’m sorry that I got in your face.” He apologized.
“And sorry I wasn’t really cool with you. I guess my parents should’ve met you the way they wanted.” Rainbow spoked in her poor but sweet tone.
“That is something I was thinking of. Maybe later when we’re ready, can I have another conversation with your parents as long as your part of it?”
“Why?”
“So maybe we can get along just family and family? No competitions, no arguing, just my family and your family getting to know each other.”
Rainbow didn’t know what to expect Bright Mac offered. While she might get embarrassed, she can hope her parents are in listening moods when she’s by them.
As for Applejack, she smiled at her father. If she only talked to Rainbow’s parents before her parents returned about this, it would make less sense of this competitive rivalry.
“Rainbow Dash.” She said which Rainbow turned to. “You need to respect my parents for the most.”
“I know...I’ll talk to my parents about it.” Rainbow signed.
“Thanks.” Applejack gave Rainbow a hug which she accepts it. “Sorry we bothered your time off.”
“It’s alright. You did this a couple times before and I’m starting to get used to it.” Rainbow smiled.
After they broke the hug, Bright Mac gave Rainbow his normal, but nice look he gave to so many ponies he met. “I’ll promise, everything will be good between the both of us.”
“And I got a feeling my father might wanna know a lot about you.” Rainbow boasted.
Bright Mac giggled as he gives Rainbow a hoof bump. As Rainbow puts her sunglasses back on, relaxing back on her chair, Applejack, Big Mac and their father get back into their hike. While their first stop wasn’t the best, at least it hadn’t ruined it. With another conversation, they have planned they be able to resolve this whole competitive nature between Rainbow’s family, but only time will tell when the aftermath happens.
Applejack, her father and her brother arrived at Ponyville to continue their hike. While Bright Mac has no plans in anything he can do in a town he went to several times in the past, he can still enjoy what he missed.
Applejack and her brother think they can do something in Ponyville with the time they have, but on the other hand, they want to show their father everything that happened when he was gone.
“So…..do you have any plans while we’re here?” Applejack asked to her brother.
“Nope…” Big Mac replied.
“Ahh come on, I was expecting we can do an activity together.” Bright Mac added.
Applejack wanted to impress her father, but Ponyville just isn’t the right place for her. She may saved Ponyville numerous times, but it’s not her birthplace she was accustomed to.
“Maybe we can go to a bridge that’s over the river? I’ve been there when I take my hikes by myself.” She offered.
“Sure, I guess.” Bright Mac accepted, despite feeling disappointed, but there's always next time. It didn’t take long, once they find where the bridge is located in Ponyville. It’s the same as it was everytime ponies walk on it, never unstable and never gets damaged. They saw three ponies looking in the distance of the river, the blue one is a filly while the others are her mother and father.
“Hey, Rainbow Dash told me about these ponies.” Applejack commented. “That’s Wind Sprint and her parents Clear Sky and Quibble Pants.”
“Is her daughter a buckball player?” Bright Mac asked, to which his son and daughter turned around in surprise.
“You know all about buckball?” Big Mac reacted.
“Yes, I remember when Granny Smith took me to a buckball game when I was little. During my school years, I was the defender in the team.”
“So you have some knowledge of buckball?” Applejack asked to which her father nodded. “Well…..Quibble isn’t really a buckball pony. He only wanted to impress Wind Sprint since she likes buckball.”
Bright Mac didn’t even think that somepony like Quibble would try to be a better father for his daughter. He was in the same boat he was when he tries to get along with Apple Bloom when he and his wife was running the family. But unlike Quibble, he had different problems he keeps to himself, since Apple Bloom was the third child, while Wind Sprint was Clear Sky and Quibble Pants’s one and only child.
“How about we meet them and get to know them for a bit? You know, maybe we can play buckball with them?” Their father suggested.
“But Applejack said Quibble isn’t really a buckball player.” Big Mac filling in her sister.
“I know. I was just thinking of a family and family conversation.”
The two didn’t know what to expect from their father. They don’t know a lot about Quibble Pants and Clear Sky, especially since Rainbow only mentioned to them about buckball and nothing else. They walked on the bridge together and just when Quibble and his family was about to leave, they ran into the Apple Family.
“Howdy ponies.” Applejack greeted them.
“Well, you must be Applejack right? Rainbow Dash told me about you.” Clear smiled.
“Well I be, I guess everypony like you got the information.”
“Well yeah, you're the element of honesty.” Wind Sprint added, which made the cowgirl blush.
“So, is there anything you need? We’re going to leave, so we can head home.” Quibble said while smiling.
“Actually, our father wants something from you.” Applejack replied.
The Quibble and Apple Family are sitting on a picnic table by the sidewalk as they begin their conversation.
“So, You’ve been part of Buckball before?” Wind asked as Bright Mac nodded.
“Of course I have.” He answered.
“I guess we do have something in common.” Clear Sky added. “Wind always wanted to find a teammate who can be strong and helpful.”
“Unfortunately, I’m still on apple picking duty, so no you can’t pick me on your team.”
“He’s always twenty four seven on Sweet Apple Acres. He’s only with us during our hike for today.” Applejack filling in for her father.
“Yeah, I know how that feels to be a hard working father with two kids.” Clear commented until Big Mac corrected her.
“Three siblings, Apple Bloom is staying at home.”
“But what about your mother?” Wind asked.
“She’s taking care of her.”
On the inside, Bright Mac’s heartstring pulled in depression with his feelings towards the final child he had with Pear Butter.
“I will say, she really knows how to take care of her right?” Clear added.
“Yeah, you have no idea.” Bright Mac making a stressful smile until he changes the subject. “Anyway, so how is it with your daughter Quibble?”
“Better than I thought.” He replied. “After we left Appleloosa when the buckball game was over, we got along.”
“Is it because you showed her the buckball game?”
Quibble Pants didn’t wanted to answer Bright’s question due to his decisions he made with Wind Sprint. While he did win over her approval, he still needs to move on from the things he’s not accustomed to, like her daughter is.
“No…” Wind replied as Bright looked at the Blue filly. “I knew he didn’t like buckball before we arrived at Appleloosa. Before we made up with our differences, he tried to show how much he’s into buckball, but all I saw from him is getting advice from Rainbow Dash who did buckball.”
Then Quibble lowered her head in shame. “She’s right. I just don’t want to come back to that day. I made myself more of an embarrassment in the family.”
Applejack and Big Mac felt sorry while their father felt more hurt in the inside, making him more concerned if the same thing could happen to him with Apple Bloom. Even if he just met Quibble Pants today, he wanted to make things better for him to not make the same mistake before it’s too late.
“You did what you could.” He spoked which made Quibble lifted his head up.
“You’re serious?” He reacted with a dumbfounded look on his face.
“I mean yes, you can’t do something your not a fan of, but I can give you the benefit of the doubt to get along with your daughter.”
“But your missing the point.” Wind retorted.
“I told him to-“ Clear Sky getting cut off until Bright Mac interrupted.
I know what you mean because I’m having the same issue with…..with……” He tried to wrap his problems with others but he’s getting close to the situation Quibble was in. He didn’t know how to discuss his true feelings with Apple Bloom with little time he had with her even when he returned.
“With what?” Quibble added.
Bright Mac then made a quick but poor excuse. “With understanding some of the activities with my youngest daughter. But unlike you, she does want to spend time with me.”
Both Applejack and Big Mac raised their eyebrows in confusion from Bright Mac’s statement. They never saw him getting along with Apple Bloom and the things she’s accustomed to. Even Big Mac tried to do the same thing, but it backfired on him
The Quibble family made awkward expressions, since Bright’s problem is the same as Quibble Pant’s, but they decided to avoid it at all costs. “I think we should be leaving now.” Wind Sprint getting off the bench while her parents do the same.
“Yeah, we really need to head home now.” Clear Sky added.
“And I think I need to be alone while I think about this.” Without giving the Apple family a chance to response, they leave the picnic table as they make their way home.
Applejack and Big Mac felt ashamed with their father. He just made a family who they just met in person, leave due to the poor excuse Bright Mac just blurted out. Bright Mac slammed his face on the table after embarrassing himself. Unlike his encounter with Rainbow Dash, his encounter with the Quibble family failed to be a better father. Especially it made them more concerned if they ever get involved with this situation like before.
“Dad,” His daughter trying to help. “Do you think you have something to say to Apple Bloom?
Bright Mac lifted his head up. “Yes, but I’m not ready.” He replied. “Sorry I made us look humiliating. I just think this would be the time I could express Apple Bloom and what I trying to prove.”
Then Big Mac had an idea. With his father being in a situation similar to him, he wanted to show him something he spend most of his time on. “Dad, I think I can help you.” He spoked which Bright Mac took notice.
Big Mac didn’t tell his father until they got back on with their hike. However unlike the stops they had, their next stop didn’t happen, since their destination is farther than they expected. With Big Mac leading the way, Applejack never understood what her brother is trying to do, while her father is losing his breath after walking for so long.
“Can you please tell me where we’re going?” Bright Mac panting.
Once Big Mac stopped, he pointed at Starlight’s Village.
“Is that Starlight’s Village?” Applejack asked. “Why there?”
“There’s something I wanted to show you and I think this is the time you should know…” He blushed until he finished his words. “...I have a girlfriend.”
“A girlfriend?” His father gasped.
“You never told me you had a girlfriend.” Applejack added.
“Well soon, you’re going to meet her.” Her brother looked at her sister.
They entered the village as they see everypony who’s living there, enjoying their Saturday with their activities. Big Mac looked at his surroundings to find the girl, however she isn’t outside. So he came up to her house with his family from behind as he knocked on the door. It didn’t take long until his girlfriend opened the door revealing herself.
“Hello Big Mac.” She smiled as she notice two ponies behind him. “Isn’t that Applejack?”
“Yes and she’s my sister.” Big Mac answered. “And this is my father, Bright Mac.”
“Well it’s a pleasure to meet your relatives. Come all in, I got apple pie in my fridge.” She giggled as his boyfriend and his family enters her house. “My name is Sugar Belle by the way.”
As Bright Mac and Applejack took a seat on one of the couches in the room, Big Mac decided to help Sugar Belle slice the pie for his family to eat. Bright Mac saw his son helping a pony who’s respectful and kind, just like Pear Butter. While he’s still afraid of where Big Mac is going with Sugar Belle, he’s at least proud of him.
Big Mac handed parts of sliced apple pie to his sister and father as he and Sugar Belle took their seat together. “I came by, because me and my family are on a hike to spend our Saturday together.” He explained.
“That’s a good thing, because you told me you like going on hikes.” Sugar eating her slice of pie.
“Well, the Apple Family sometimes do that, whenever we go out together in Equestria.” Applejack added.
“So true.” Big Mac commented.
“Actually, my son wanted to help me for something.” Bright Mac said.” Right son?”
Big Mac almost lost track on what he’s supposed to do for his father. “Yes I do. We came because my father is having a hard time getting along with Apple Bloom.”
“Your little sister?” Sugar tilting her head.
“Yes.”
Applejack wanted to help but she never thought her brother would do something like this. In Starlight’s Village, she knew that Starlight Glimmer needed to fix her mistakes but one of her villagers being Big Mac’s girlfriend didn’t came in her mind.
“Unlike me and Applejack, my father couldn’t find a way to show his support to Apple Bloom.” Big Mac replied.
“Really?” Sugar wondered.
Then Bright Mac decided to help fill in. “I don’t want to waste your day, but I’m just going to say that having three siblings,” He bit on his bottom lip in his stress of finding the words about being a father to Apple Bloom. “I can only handle two…”
Applejack not only felt shocked but her heart broke a little. For the longest time he met his father after he came back, she would never feel the same way about his issues with her little sister again.
Big Mac and Sugar Belle also couldn’t believe from what they heard from Bright Mac. They didn’t know how to continue with the conversation after the unbelievable opinion that came out.
Bright Mac took notice of the ponies staring at him in shock and speechlessness. “Okay, I’m not saying Apple Bloom isn’t a bad daughter in fact she’s a great daughter like Applejack it’s just….”
“Just what?” Applejack retorted.
“It’s just……” Bright tries to finish the words but he couldn’t find them. It made it too difficult for him to express more when he’s steps away from offending his family in such a off father and daughter relationship. “I just can’t say it.”
“Well...Then, what are we supposed to do if you won’t tell us?” Sugar Belle asked.
“You don’t have to help us, my son thought he can help me but I’m just not in the mood to talk about Apple Bloom right now.” He signed in a depressing tone from his voice.
Applejack decided to finish her slice of apple pie while she gets off her seat. “We should probably leave now.”
“Your right, coming here wasn’t the best idea.” Big Mac added.
“But at least it’s nice for your family to come over. I hope I get the chance to meet your mother.” Sugar smiled as all of her guests handed her the plates.
“Whenever we have the time to throw a party at Sweet Apple Acres, you’re invited.” Big Mac giving his girlfriend a hug. The Apple Family head to the door and leave Sugar Belle’s house. As for Bright Mac, he can’t even think about continuing the hike due to the mistakes he did today. But soon, he has to make things right for his son and daughter.
When they leave Starlight’s Village, Applejack and Big Mac thinked about returning back in Sweet Apple Acres but not only they’re in the middle of the day, but their father is walking behind him with his ears lowered down. Today had been the saddest day he had in a long time. Almost making things ugly with Rainbow Dash, made the Quibble family leave and didn’t make a good impression to Big Mac’s girlfriend, Sugar Belle.
As they walked in the middle of the desert, Applejack couldn’t take it anymore. She tried to be cool but she decided to put her hoof down. “Everypony, let’s just stop for a moment!” She shouted which causes her brother and father to stay in place. She signed to let out the air of her lungs while turning her attention to her father.
“What seems to be the problem Applejack?” Bright Mac asked.
“You know what the problem is. Please don’t bother to ignore me.” Applejack took off her hat, whenever she does that she’s either serious or emotional. This time, she’s on both sides instead of one. “We’ve been walking since this morning and all we ever did is seeing you get into situations with others.”
“She’s right.” Big Mac chiming in. “I thought Sugar Belle can help us but you made it really hard for yourself. What’s going on?”
Bright Mac thought he would get the chance to get away from this but he had no choice. His son and daughter caught him, blocking his way from returning to his hike and they refuse to move without an word from their father.
“Okay I’ll tell you but please don’t tell this to Pear Butter or Apple Bloom.” He replied to which their siblings nodded their heads. “Just before we left Sweet Apple Acres, I told Granny Smith to take care of both of you and Apple Bloom. I was going to miss both of you because I spend most of my time playing with my favorite children.”
While his daughter and son felt warm in the inside, they still wanted more from their father about his problem. “But what about Apple Bloom?” Applejack added.
Then Bright Mac’s eyes look straight to the ground while his face is away from Applejack’s sight. “I agreed with Pear Butter that we can have a third sibling of the family, but I had zero plans on that.”
“Zero plans?” Big Mac reacted.
“Before Apple Bloom was born, I always loved you two because you were enough for me. I showed you how to harvest apples, I took you two to Appleloosa and best of all, we always got along so much.”
Applejack never felt so pleased to hear her father’s honest words, but it didn’t last long once he got back on explaining. “But when Apple Bloom was born, Pear Butter did everything she did for her. I did have my chances whenever I wanted do show my love, but you two are a heartbeat to me. Three siblings in a family isn’t something I can handle.”
He then sits on the ground unable to stand in place with the disappointment in himself.
“What’s wrong with Apple Bloom?” Big Mac asked while trying to focus of his father’s daughter problem.
“Nothing at all but I still don’t know. Even to this day, I still couldn’t get along with her. I'm not into the stuff she’s in because she’s more...different then you two.”
A huge silence occured as Bright Mac took out everything he needed to say. Now that it finally happened, he won’t be able to find a way to show Apple Bloom what he feels about her, unlike his wife did. However Applejack understood everything. She placed her hoof under her father’s chin with her honest smile on her face.
“Dad, don’t feel this way.” She said. “I know in the future, I may never find somepony to marry, but I know how it feels to have Apple Bloom in the family.” She sits by him on the left while Big Mac sits on the right. “I love Apple Bloom because she’s always helpful in her own way. Everytime I see her with her friends, she’s more of a outsider than a harvester like us.”
Big Mac then wrapped his hoof around his father’s shoulder. While he isn’t as sweet talking, he will say anything for his family when they feel this way. “And here’s something you need to know. I tried to do the same thing by…” He then whispered in Bright’s ear. “I dressed myself up as a girl in the Sisterhooves Social one time.”
Bright Mac made an awkward look with his son doing a bizarre thing.
“When Applejack left Sweet Apple Acres, it was the chance to show Apple Bloom how much of a brother I am. We got disqualified,but she forgave me afterwards which made me happy.”
“You still felt happy, even when you didn’t succeed?” Bright Mac asked which Big Mac nodded.
Then Applejack returned to her side of her feelings about Apple Bloom. “What we’re trying to say is, you don’t need to get into the things Apple Bloom is in. I mean she’s really occupied with our mom more than you and she’s happy that way. Some of our family have the same problems of getting to know each other. Yes, we look out for each other, but that doesn’t mean we hang out. I only know the names of those who are part of the family because even if they aren’t the ones we’ve known since the beginning, they still deserve to be mentioned in the Apple family.”
She also hands her hat to her father because inside, she had a family photo of the Apple Family Reunion she had a long time ago before Bright Mac and Pear Butter returned. Bright Mac had a small, but powerful tear after looking at ponies in this picture. He did remember most of the city folk who live in Appleloosa before he left, but never got the chance to meet them again once he returned.
As he continues to look at the image, Applejack finished up her sentence. “Dad, if you can’t impress my sister, don’t get caught up with that. I’m sure she will be okay with you being her one and only father in the Apple family. But if something goes wrong, we will be able to help you. Because that's what families are supposed to do.”
After that, Bright Mac cried in joy from the honest words his daughter told him. He may have had a rough time in the last five hours when he encountered several ponies but now, he finally realize to keep an open mind to the ones he spend less time on. He slowly gets on his hooves while his son and daughter took notice.
“Applejack, Big Mac,” He slobbed. “Thanks for teaching me something I should’ve learned the moment I returned.”
Both Applejack and Big Mac got on their hooves and gave their father a hug. “Like what my sister said, we look out for each other.” Big Mac commented.
“And keep that in mind forever.” Applejack added.
The hug continued for a solid minute until they broke it with Bright Mac feeling better then before. “Sorry I almost ruined our day together.”
“Dad, this wasn’t a go to place to hang out, this is still a hike, like you mentioned this morning. We still have a lot to show you before we head home.” Applejack putting her hat back on.
Then his father smiled, they only went to two places, there’s a lot Bright Mac hasn’t seen in Equestria. “Then how about you and your brother take me to anywhere you go? I’ll be happy to have you two lead the way.”
“Then let’s not waste anymore time and let’s hit the trail!” Applejack cheered.
For the reminder of the day, Applejack and Big Mac took their father to places in Equestria like Canterlot, Seaquestria and of course, Appleloosa where they had dinner there and met several ponies he missed when he was away for so long. Once the sun was setting and the moon rises in the night-time, they finally headed back to Sweet Apple Acres. While the first half of their walk was questionable, their other half made it up with the places Bright Mac missed, but also discovered for the first time in his life.
Today was something Bright Mac has not only enjoyed, but also learned something. There are some who will remember him for his disappearance for so long, but others who will accept him no matter what. Especially Apple Bloom. As long as he stays with the Apple Family until the end of time, everything will turn fresh as an apple.