Applejack is the only pony of the Mane 6 whose parents are no longer living.
Twilight Sparkle, now princess of Ponyville, decides to host along with the Mayor a special day in Ponyville to honor all the parents in Ponyville. There's just one problem - Applejack's parents are dead, making her currently the only pony of the Mane 6 without parents. Will Twilight still be able to go through with her plans for making a special day? Or will she just be heartbroken and consumed by guilt and grief for her friend?
"Why Twilight, I think this is a most splendid idea!" A week after Twilight's coronation ceremony, Mayor Mare of Ponyville and Princess Twilight Sparkle were having a discussion on hosting a special event.
"You see, madam mayor," said Twilight. "I've been thinking that a lot of ponies wouldn't be where they are today without the love and support of their parents. That's why I wish to hold a special day of festivities to appreciate and honor what parents have done for their children to help them come so far."
"But of course, Twilight," said the mayor. "Now do you wish to host this yourself?"
"Oh, I couldn't do that," answered Twilight. "Not without you. Sure, the princess asked me to be Princess of Ponyville after my coronation so I could stay with my friends, but you help run this town too and I just hope being a princess doesn't mean I should be treated any differently."
"You are most modest," replied the mayor. "And certainly, we will ask nothing more or less of you if that is what you wish. But you do know many ponies come to you more than they come to me when there's a problem. And that's because ever since you've helped us with our last winter wrap up, we all looked up to you as the pony who would come to hold us together in any hard times." Twilight blushed.
Soon, the denizens of Ponyville, including Spike and Twilight's friends, all gathered outside the town hall where the mayor started to make her planned speech.
"Attention, mares and gentlecolts!" she announced. "We have gathered to inform you of a special event that our new princess and myself wish to host and arrange for all of you. To help sponsor this event, here is our princess of Ponyville... Twilight Sparkle!" The ponies all cheered as Twilight made her way to where the mayor was standing. She then started to speak into the microphone.
"Hello, everypony," she said. "It's real great to see you all here today. I am here to inform you that the mayor and I wish to hold a series of festivities in a week's time to celebrate the importance of parents all over Equestria." There was an excited buzz amongst the crowd. "Every pony has a special talent and every pony grows up to do something amazing, but surely many of us would not have been able to do such amazing things without the love and support of our parents. To young fillies and colts, they are role models to look up to, but to all of us, they are family. And family time is one thing that matters over a lot of things. It is one of the most important things to us. When I first became Celestia's personal student, I had been away from my parents for years, barely making contact. But now, I will invite my parents to come to Ponyville next week to take part in the wonderful festivities the mayor and I will throw together to celebrate and appreciate parents everywhere! I'm really excited and looking forward to seeing all of you and your parents! Thank you, my fellow ponies!" The audience of ponies applauded and cheered and soon there was talk of almost nothing else but the excited prospects of ponies bringing parents.
"Ha!" sneered Diamond Tiara, who was talking with Silver Spoon. "My dad's the richest pony in Ponyville! He's better than any goody-two-shoes princess!" Both of the rich fillies had a giggle at this, but one Earth pony was not pleased to hear this.
"Goldarn it!" snapped Applejack. "Shut it, you little varmints! That princess is mah best friend and that's no way to talk about mah friend! Y'all hear me?!"
"Oh yeah?" retorted Diamond Tiara. "What are you gonna do about it? My dad's got friends in high places! What have you farm ponies got?" This made Applejack seriously pissed off and rightfully so. She stomped both her front hooves hard on the ground.
"Need ah remind y'all that the Apple family has had ties to the Riches for generations ever since Granny Smith was a little filly," grunted Applejack. "Ah'm sure Filthy Rich will do whatever it takes to keep Barnyard Bargains in business, so we Apples could always break the ties at anytime if it means not putting up with you dirty little rascals. One more rude remark and ah'm gonna have a good, long talk with yer parents! Now, scat!" The two fillies had no choice. But Diamond Tiara looked as though she wasn't done yet. Just you wait, she thought. Apple family or not, you're messing with the wrong pony.
Twilight then went to her best friends to talk to them. She was elated and believed that things would go well, not to mention she had been longing to get together with her parents.
"Oh, darling, this is going to be exciting!" exclaimed Rarity. "Sweetie Belle will be so happy!"
"I know," said Twilight. "I'm looking forward to this!"
"Ponyville Parents Day party!!!!" shouted Pinkie Pie, throwing confetti and balloons everywhere while bouncing around in circles.
"Where does she keep all that?" asked Rainbow Dash, despite having known Pinkie Pie for a long time now.
"You know her," answered Twilight. "She's just being Pinkie Pie."
"Of course. Well anyways, I can't wait to bring my dad to Ponyville! After my endeavors at the Wonderbolts Academy, he must be so proud of me!"
"Oh, yes," Fluttershy added. "I would love to have my parents come to my cottage and meet all my lovely animal friends."
"I'm gonna throw my parents the bestest Ponyville party ever!" squealed Pinkie with delight. "I can't imagine how boring that rock farm must be for my family. They need a vacation." The pony friends laughed with each other, but Applejack started to walk away. Ah suppose ah should just be happy for mah friends, she thought. But ah hope those stuck-up rich fillies don't go ruinin' things. They've been pickin' on mah sister fer too long as a start. That's when Twilight noticed Applejack walking off by herself.
"Hey, Applejack," she said, catching up to her. "What's up? Is something wrong?"
"Hm? Oh, hey, Twi," said Applejack. "It's nothin' really."
"Are you sure? Aren't you excited?"
"Well... it's just..." Applejack took a deep breath to compose herself. "Ah'm afraid mah parents won't be comin'." Twilight looked a bit perplexed.
"What do you mean? We don't start the festivities for another week. They got plenty of time to..."
"You don't understand, Twi."
"Hm?"
"..." Applejack hesitated at first, but it seemed that she just couldn't keep this from Twilight any longer. Even on the day they first met when she gave her the most hearty welcome as she would for anypony visiting Sweet Apple Acres, she knew still and had known, but never wanted to swallow her pride and lose face. And it was possibly a good reason behind her cheery personality and unshakable honesty. Well now, it was time to be honest with Twilight once more. "They're dead, Twi." Twilight gasped and could not believe her ears.
It struck Twilight like an arrow to the knee. Never did it occur to her that Applejack's parents were deceased all this time they were friends with each other. This meant that of the six of them, Applejack was the only one with no parents. Now by technicality, this still did not make Applejack, her sister Apple Bloom, and her brother Big Macintosh orphans because they were under the care of the owner of Sweet Apple Acres, Granny Smith. Still, it must have been tough for the three siblings to grow up without any real role models in their lives. Although, Apple Bloom had shown to look up to Granny Smith like such, which warmed Applejack's heart to see.
"Oh, Applejack," cried Twilight, still having not known about Applejack's parents till just now. "I... I'm so sorry! If I had known, I..."
"S'okay, sugar cube," said Applejack, starting to tear up. "They've been dead fer years now. Ah admit, it's still heartbreakin' to think about every now and then, but ah knew back then, ah had to be movin' on. Ah had a farm to work on after all and ah knew ah couldn't just grieve forever."
"What about Apple Bloom?" asked Twilight, swallowing a lump in her throat. "Does she know? Did anypony tell her?"
"She knows," replied Applejack. "Ah still remember those summer nights when... she couldn't sleep... 'cause she was thinkin' of our folks. Sometimes, she'd even cry herself to sleep... 'cause the thing is, she hardly knew 'em."
"Applejack..."
"Ah remember after that Family Appreciation Day, ah found her cryin' in the barn all by herself. She told me how those other fillies brought one of their parents fer their presentations. Sure, she said Granny Smith was great and all, but just not rememberin' much about our folks was just breakin' both our hearts. Ah stayed with her... and tried to comfort her... but ah was sad too. Ah knew Apple Bloom woulda given anythin' to be in the comfort of her ma's warm embrace... and her pa's strong hooves. But we both knew she wouldn't have that chance." Applejack started to cry, so Twilight took her to the library where she could lay low for a bit and pour out all of her feelings.
"Applejack, why didn't you tell me?" asked Twilight.
"Well, ah sure as hay couldn't tell ya that day we met," answered Applejack. "Ah could tell that ya weren't willin' to make friends that easy, but that didn't stop me from openin' mahself up to you. Besides, ah didn't think ah needed to tell ya anyway. Ah was just happy the six of us were all such good friends and that's all ah really needed."
"You're right, Applejack. We are friends. And we're family too. We'll always be here for each other, even if on some days we have our falling outs and disagreements."
"Aw, thank ya, Twi." Applejack wiped away some tears. "Come with me. There's somethin' ah shoulda shown ya as soon as ah knew we would all be best of friends." They went to Sweet Apple Acres and inside the barn, they met up with Big Macintosh and Applejack pulled out an old photo that showed her parents when they were younger and working on the farm.
"Are these your parents?" asked Twilight.
"Eeyup," answered Big Macintosh.
"They were hard-workin' farm ponies just like Big Mac and mahself," said Applejack.
"Your mom's really pretty," Twilight commented.
"Aw, thanks, honey," said Applejack. "Her name was Honey Blossom. And she was remarkably strong fer her age. Granny Smith told me she had much more strength than both mah pa and Big Mac."
"Do you... know what happened to your parents?"
"Well... it's not somethin' ah would normally talk about again, but I'll tell ya because it's you, Twi. It was some time after one of our family reunions when I was a little filly. Mah parents decided to start their own farm, somewhere out on the Macintosh Hills. We didn't know it, but... they would never come home. One day, one of our fellow Apples showed up with somethin' all wrapped up in cloth. Ah saw him talkin' with Granny Smith and she was cryin' somethin' fierce... Ah felt it. Granny had such a close bond with mah mom, so ah knew instinctively somethin' was wrong, and so did Big Macintosh. Our parents would never again make it to another family reunion and that was that. That day, our parents left behind their last foal they ever had fer us to take care of... Apple Bloom."
"It was a terrible storm," said Big Mac. "That's what we were told. They were still travelin' to the Macintosh Hills and unable to take shelter. Neither of them made it." The whole story brought Twilight to tears.
"Oh, Applejack," she cried. "I'm so sorry! I... I... I can't go through with Parents Day now! How could I do that to you?"
"Oh, come now," insisted Applejack, regaining her composure. "Don't you go and fret yer pretty little head off about this. Ah'm sure ah ain't the only pony in Ponyville without parents. Maybe some ponies don't even have families with them, but they're willing to go through with this anyway." Despite Applejack's encouragement, Twilight slumped onto the soft hay.
"I don't know, Applejack. I just don't think I can do this now. What if other ponies are just as miserable as you might be? I know Cheerilee isn't even married as a start!"
"Well, ah didn't see ya gettin' worked up over that, now did ah? Twi, if you were really feelin' bad about this whole thing, ya never woulda discussed this idea with the mayor to begin with. We're doin' this not just to recognize proud parents, but we're doin' this fer family! Ah know mah siblings and ah may not have our parents around anymore, but it's not like we've lost everythin'. We still have our farm and we still have Granny Smith, so we're still family! And we've stuck through everythin' together, even the thick and thin. So don't you dare go cancellin' this Parents Day idea just cause ah got a little weepy-eyed over mah parents. 'Cause ah'm sure as hay that this is not what they would want. What yer puttin' on fer us is meant to show appreciation to parents, so we can also honor any of our parents who aren't here. You should be proud of yerself, Twi... fer doin' this! Ah'm sorry if ah didn't show it, but ah think this is one of the best ideas you've come up with! It's a great start for yer newfound reputation as Princess of Ponyville!" Twilight got up off the ground.
"You're right, Applejack," she said. "I guess I just lost heart for a minute."
"Don't worry, sugar cube." Applejack put her hoof around Twilight. "It happens to all of us. We just need a little remindin' of who we are sometimes. It's not always about bein' right or wrong. It's about doin' what we have to do, especially to make things work."
"I guess I shouldn't doubt that, coming from you."
"Aw, shucks, Twi. Bein' honest doesn't mean ah'm always right. It just means ah do what ah have to and say what ah think makes sense. In mah case, ah'd hate mahself if ah told a lie."
"I assume that's why you told Apple Bloom about your parents."
"Eeyup," answered Big Macintosh. "Mind you, Granny Smith and ah weren't crazy about it, but we knew one day Apple Bloom would have to know. So Applejack told her when she became a filly."
"It sure broke her heart," said Applejack. "She was so young... ah never thought she could bear it. But then we told her pretty much what ah told you just know and she turned out just fine." Outside the barn, Granny Smith and Apple Bloom had been listening in.
"Ah'm so glad we're still family, Granny," said Apple Bloom, nuzzling her.
"Say, Apple Bloom," said Granny Smith. "How would you like to invite cousin Babs to Ponyville Parents Day? Ah'm sure she'll be glad to see ya."
"Oh, yes!" cried Apple Bloom. "Of course ah wanna have Babs over! She's mah favorite cousin!" As Apple Bloom started bouncing around, Granny Smith smiled over her granddaughter's excitement. If it was one thing they never lost, it was true family.
"Cutie Mark Cruaders, rollerblading!" Apple Bloom and her friends Sweetie and Scootaloo, as well as her dear cousin Babs Seed, had gotten together for their latest crusade to find their cutie marks. Although the things they did never got them one step closer, it was the time they shared as friends that would truly count. This time, the four Cutie Mark Crusaders were going to go rollerblading.
"We're gonna coast through Ponyville!" said Scootaloo.
"We'll show Ponyville how talented we are!" said Sweetie Belle.
"And we'll get our cutie marks fer sure," agreed Apple Bloom. "Babs, got the checklist ready?"
"Yep," said Babs Seed. "Let's make sure we're ready to do this. First on the list, safety equipment. Helmets?"
"Check!" said Apple Bloom, holding four helmets.
"Elbow pads? Knee pads?"
"Check that!" said Sweetie Belle, with the safety pads.
"Brakes?" said Babs. Scootaloo stepped into a pair of rollerblades and zipped forward, slamming on the built-in brakes a second later to test them. The rollerblades skidded to a halt.
"Definitely check!" confirmed Scootaloo.
"All right!" exclaimed Apple Bloom. "We're in business!" She then pulled out a small map of Ponyville. "It looks like we're good to start here, and we wanna take this path, that way we can avoid bumpin' into anypony..." But while the four of them were going over the map and planning their course, the rich fillies Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were hiding in a bush nearby. Apparently, Diamond Tiara was not about to let anything go right for the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Perhaps she was still in a hissy mood over Applejack threatening to tell her parents if she kept up with her heinous ways. After all, such a twisted mind could not be shifted... could it?
"Come on!" she said to Silver Spoon. "Now's our chance!" So when the Cutie Mark Crusaders were not looking, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon started tampering with the brakes on all four pairs of rollerblades. "Those blank flanks are gonna go on a crash course through the streets of Ponyville! They'll be blamed as menaces for sure!" Once the rich bullies were done, they went back into hiding, sniggering evilly. The Cutie Mark Crusaders then strapped on their equipment and took off for a rollerblading crusade. They coasted on a smooth dirt path. Scootaloo was buzzing her little wings to give herself more speed. Eventually, Babs put on her brakes, intending to take a hard left, but in doing so, her brakes suddenly snapped off their hinges and she sped out of control, unable to stop.
"What's going on?!" she cried. "I can't stop! Help!"
"Babs!" Apple Bloom slammed on her rollerblade brakes in an attempt to follow Babs and rescue her, but her brakes also snapped off their hinges and she couldn't stop, speeding off in a different direction from Babs. Scootaloo flapped her wings harder than ever and Sweetie Belle held on to her so they could catch up to Apple Bloom. They soon caught hold of her and slammed on their brakes, but due to Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon having intervened, they snapped off their hinges, sending all three careening out of control. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon soon realized that the Cutie Mark Crusaders would not be crashing through Ponyville as they had planned their prank to go. But Babs ended up speeding towards Ponyville.
"I can't stoooop!" Babs cried out, as ponies jumped clear to avoid getting hit. Babs soon tripped at the fountain and fell in the water head first. A few seconds later, she came up sputtering for air.
"Land sakes, Babs!" said Applejack, having seen the whole thing. "Are you all right?"
"Yeah, I'm... fine," said Babs. "But something's wrong with our rollerblades." She lifted one of her rear hooves up and saw that the brake was gone. "The brake! It snapped off!"
"You girls weren't goin' too fast, were y'all?" asked Applejack.
"I don't think so. We made sure the brakes were fine first." That's when they heard the other three crusaders scream.
"HELLLLLLLLP!"
"Oh, no!" cried Babs. "Apple Bloom!"
"Sweetie Belle!" shouted Rarity, having heard the girls scream, and took off towards the sound of their voices. Rainbow Dash had been relaxing on a cloud, but when she heard the screaming, she instantly took off, instinctively intending to come to the rescue.
"Hang on, girls!" said Rainbow Dash. "I'm coming!" Meanwhile, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo were headed straight for a cliff. Unable to steer without their brakes, they toppled over just as Rarity, Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Babs Seed entered the scene. The ponies gasped as the Cutie Mark Crusaders fell into a lake below the cliff. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon rolled on the ground, hooting with laughter.
"What in Equestria is so funny, you monsters?!" snarled Rarity. "Did you two plan this?!" Twilight saw bubbles coming up to the surface to the lake and was horrorstruck.
"They can't swim with all that equipment on them!" she cried.
"No!" cried Babs. "Apple Bloom!" Rainbow Dash boldly dove down into the lake headfirst without a second thought. After a whole minute of tension rising, with Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon beginning to realize just how serious this might be, Rainbow emerged from the lake, carrying all three fillies. The rollerblading equipment had been lost. Rainbow gently put the Cutie Mark Crusaders down onto the soft ground, each of them now unconscious.
"Apple Bloom!" cried Applejack.
"Sweetie Belle!" cried Rarity. Both ponies cradled their younger sisters, immensely worried about them. Babs started to cry.
"Rainbow..." said Twilight. "You saved them."
"Yeah, of course I did," said Rainbow, trying to retain her pride. But then she suddenly sneezed. "Ugh... I guess swimming doesn't suit me so well." She rubbed her nose. Twilight then cast an angry glare at both Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, followed up by Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash, who was then cradling Scootaloo.
"Uh-oh..." they both said in unison, realizing for possibly the first time in their lives that they were in serious trouble.
At Ponyville Urgent Care, each of the Cutie Mark Crusaders were resting in separate beds, all hooked up to oxygen masks, with a nurse watching over. Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Babs Seed came into the room to check up on them.
"How are they doing?" asked Rainbow Dash, who now looked quite weary. Her nose was even slightly red.
"Please tell us our sisters are gonna be okay," said Applejack with much worry in her Southern-accented voice.
"It's all right," replied the nurse. "They're in stable condition, but they ended up swallowing so much water. We've had to pump it out of their lungs." Rarity then started sobbing dramatically.
"Oh, why-y-y-y-y-y?" she wailed. "Why would those little monsters even think of doing something so horrible to my little sister?"
"Aw, Rarity," moaned Applejack, trying to comfort her.
"What did our sisters ever do to them?!?" Rarity shrieked.
"Yeah, that's what I wanna know too," said Rainbow, slamming her front hooves together. "Sure, Scootaloo and her friends may have done things they shouldn't have, but at least they came clean about it." As Rainbow then shouted, Babs came to Apple Bloom's bed and stroked her mane, tears in her eyes. "And nothing they did was ever directed at those rich fillies! You know what I think? I think they did it just because they were there. It's as if they were deliberately trying to bring an end to them just because they don't have cutie marks! The nerve! The cowardice! The... the... the..." She sneezed again and nearly collapsed from apparent fatigue.
"Whoa there, pardner," said Applejack, catching Rainbow. "Take it easy now. Besides, you should be restin'. Ya got yerself a bit of a cold divin' into the lake like that."
"At least it was worth it," answered Rainbow, wiping her nose. "And I just had to come here to check on Scootaloo. Ugh... I feel awful."
"We're gettin' ya back to the farm, sugar cube. Ah'm sure the little tykes will be just fine. They've been through quite a bit already." Applejack led Rainbow out of the room, where Big Macintosh and Granny Smith were waiting outside, both equally worried as Applejack had been. "Big Mac, take Rainbow back to the farm and put her to bed."
"Eeyup," said Big Macintosh, carrying Rainbow on his strong back.
Much later, the Mayor was pacing around the town square, apparently waiting for Twilight to show up. But only Spike came to her.
"Spike," said the mayor. "Where's Twilight? Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon are expected to stand trial today along with their parents. But I need Twilight to help decide and carry out the sentence."
"She's practically concealed herself in the library," answered Spike, looking sad. "She's been crying for a long time and... I tried to talk to her, but... I don't think I can get through to her." He hung his head.
"She must be thinking that this is a terrible time for something like this to have happened," the mayor replied. Spike let out a sigh. The mayor was quite right because back at the library, Twilight was sitting on her bed, crying over what had happened recently. She had planned festivities to celebrate family time, but a result of a horrible prank pulled by Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, the Cutie Mark Crusaders ended up hospitalized and Rainbow Dash caught a cold. As Twilight wept, her pet owl, Owlowiscious came up to her and nuzzled her.
"Hoo," he hooted softly, trying to get Twilight's attention. Twilight looked up with tears in her eyes.
"Oh, Owlowiscious..." she sobbed. "It's ruined... It's all ruined... Things were gonna go so well, but no thanks to those mean little creeps... some of us are probably gonna miss out on all my plans!"
"Hoo?"
"The rich fillies..." said Twilight Sparkle, slightly annoyed. "You know... Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon."
"Hoo."
"Oh, never mind... It's just not fair!" Twilight hid her face in her forelegs and Owlowiscious started looking sympathetic as he stayed but her side.
"Hoo..." But just then, they both heard somepony come through the front door.
"Twi? Honey, are you okay?" It was Applejack, but Twilight just groaned. Eventually, Applejack came up to see Twilight. "Twi? Are you still upset about what happened?"
"Oh, Applejack," Twilight whispered. "I thought everything was gonna be just fine."
"It still will be," said Applejack. "Mah sister and her friends are recovering and they'll be okay. They're not gonna miss anything. Y'know, ah don't think those rich fillies were tryin' to ruin yer plans. Ah think ah might have stirred them up a bit... but all ah did was tell them off because they were thinkin' Filthy Rich was better than you."
"Applejack, that wasn't worth the trouble."
"It was fer me, sugar cube. Now you look me in the eye when ah say this to ya, Twi. Nopony will ever be better than you because yer mah friend. We're all friends, Twi, the six of us. Oh, and of course Spike as well. And ah know fer sure that those rich fillies don't understand friendship the way you do. Friends don't just hang out with each other. They're there for each other as well." Twilight was touched and wiped away a stray tear from her cheek.
"What would I ever do without such great friends?"
"Come on, Twi. The mayor's waitin'."
Later, a bunch of ponies had gathered in Ponyville's town square with the mayor and Princess Twilight at the forefront. Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, and their parents were being forced to stand trial before the princess for the prank that nearly killed the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Filthy Rich was beside himself with shame and embarrassment while Silver Spoon's mother was dabbing her wet eyes with a handkerchief. They were tears of disappointment. And practically every pony in the crowd was angry at the rich fillies and their parents.
"This unworthy act committed by fillies Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, which as a result put three fillies in the hospital and gave Rainbow Dash a cold, has been reported as dangerous and therefore, they must be brought to justice until they can be controlled," said the mayor. "If there is anypony that wishes to speak out before Princess Twilight passes the sentence, please do so now."
"You pushed my little friend!" said an angry Muffins to Diamond Tiara. "You're a spoiled bully!"
"I'm very disappointed in both of you," said Cheerilee. "Picking on those three fillies just for not having cutie marks and thinking you're better with cutie marks... Those are signs of cowardice and egocentrism."
"Hmph," snorted Diamond Tiara. "Well I thought we were doing Ponyville a favor." That did it. Everypony gasped upon hearing such heartless words uttered from the mouth of a filly.
"How atrocious!" declared the mayor. "Princess Twilight, what will it be?"
"As Princess of Ponyville," spoke Twilight. "I hereby decree that the fillies Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon will be banished from Ponyville until they are given proper discipline. Starting tomorrow, their new home will be the Fillydelphia Day Care and they will attend separate private schools. And their parents will be on probation for the time being." There was now much chatter from the audience of ponies.
"You shouldn't have said that," said a worried Silver Spoon to Diamond Tiara, but the heartless filly just turned her head away.
Back at Sweet Apple Acres, Rainbow was sick in bed with a cold and Applejack was taking care of her.
"Aw, sugar," said Applejack sympathetically. "Ah'm awfully sorry that yer goin' through this, but at least you saved their lives."
"Yeah," croaked Rainbow.
"Don't worry, Dashie. This is just the worst of a cold. You'll be better by tomorrow. Just try to get some rest. And thank you so much." Applejack went back out into the orchards to do some apple-bucking. But before she got started, she seemed to be troubled by words from Diamond Tiara etched in her head.
"My dad's the richest pony in Ponyville! He's better than any goody-two-shoes princess!"
"Well I thought we were doing Ponyville a favor."
Applejack became consumed with rage and animosity and started taking it out on the nearest tree, scattering its apples left and right. Even after the tree was emptied, Applejack still kept on kicking the tree as hard as she could. She was then spotted by Twilight, who had come to Sweet Apple Acres to check on Applejack and by the time she came over, Applejack had started butting the tree with her hard head.
"Applejack!" cried Twilight in surprise. "Applejack, stop! You're hurting yourself!" Twilight used her magic and started levitating Applejack, who starting writhing and squirming furious, but couldn't break free of Twilight's magic. Soon, Twilight let her go, causing her to lean on Twilight and cry.
"Oh, Twi..." she sobbed. "It's just not fair. Those mean little rich fillies... especially that Diamond Tiara. She's just been sayin' things so mean, doin' nasty things to mah sister and her friends for no reason, and... and... Ah just can't believe this."
"Apple Bloom's gonna be fine, AJ. Would it help to know that I'm the one who should be worried?"
"Whaddya mean?"
"Well... When I passed the sentence... by banishing those two fillies... Did I do the right thing?" Applejack just sighed.
"Twilight," she said assuredly putting a hoof on her. "Ya did what ya had to. It doesn't matter whether it was right or wrong. Those two fillies weren't about to change their ways anytime soon, so ah think it was fer the best that you decided to send them away. And ah reckon if they start gettin' unwelcome anywhere in Equestria, they'll be brought before Princess Celestia herself. But it'd be a mite embarrassing if things came down to that. Remember what ah told ya before, Twi? Don't think about doin' the right thing all the time. Just do what ya feel ya have to. Bein' right or wrong is just a point of view sometimes. That's what makes us all different."
"Oh, Applejack... You really are such a good friend. But I wanna make sure you're gonna be fine as well. We've all been a bit upset over what's happened recently, but we've also taught each other that we can still go on because together we are strong. Tell you what. I have my monthly therapy session with Gentle Soul tomorrow. Why don't you come along and I'll ask her to take you in?"
"Aw, that's mighty kind of you, sugar cube. Ah guess ah could use a little therapy mahself."
Now in Canterlot, Twilight brought Applejack to the office of her assigned psychotherapist, Gentle Soul, known for her exceptional therapy magic and her cheery devotion to helping others. The young therapist was waiting for Twilight.
"Hello, Twilight!" she said, as the two ponies shared a quick hug. "It's good to see you again."
"Same here," replied Twilight.
"Look at you... You're a princess now! I'm so happy for you and I'm glad things have been working out lately. Your coronation speech was absolutely perfect!"
"Thanks. Actually, do you think you can do a therapy session with my friend Applejack here?"
"I'm only too happy! But let's not forget you, dear. Come on in." After Twilight's routine, it was Applejack's turn to pour her heart out to Gentle Soul about what she had to put with, including her sister's trouble with the rich bullies. And of course, Gentle Soul jotted everything down in notes.
"Well, Applejack," said Gentle Soul. "As you know, it's my job to keep everything you've talked about as classified, so nopony else is gonna know... Well, except Twilight maybe, but she's told me she already knows what you've been going through. And based on Twilight's actions, hopefully your sister won't have to be dealing with Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon ever again. The fact that they can cause trouble for even adults is definitely saying something about how bad they've been. So here's what I'd like you to do. Once your sister and friends fully recover, go enjoy the festivities that Twilight is putting together, and just have fun with your friends. And whenever you're working hard, don't forget to rest up every now and then. Nopony ever managed to go through with life by working nonstop. Oh, and I'm truly sorry about your parents, but you seem to be doing fine. And it is okay to grieve every now and then."
"Ah, thank you kindly, Gentle Soul," said Applejack. "Ah already learned mah lesson from overdoin' work once, so ah think ah'll manage just fine. And thanks fer takin' me in. Ah needed this."
"My pleasure."
---
Back at Ponyville, the anticipated day soon arrived as parents gathered for the planned festivities that Princess Twilight and the mayor put together. But from the sidelines, Filthy Rich could only look on in disappointment. His daughter and her friend had ruined Ponyville Parents Day for themselves in an attempt to maintain their personal pride. But the Cutie Mark Crusaders had fully recovered along with Rainbow Dash just in time for the events. Rainbow's dad arrived and clapped Rainbow on the back and they both nuzzled each other affectionately. Rainbow also introduced Scootaloo to him as her surrogate sister. Fluttershy's mother and father came, nuzzling their daughter and when they visited her cottage, Fluttershy's animal friends took an instant liking to her parents. Pinkie Pie got into a group hug with her family. And Rarity was happy to be with her family as well. And Twilight got a very pleasant surprise when her parents came to Ponyville. Her brother, Shining Armor, came as well, and so did his wife, Cadance.
"Twiley!" said Shining Armor.
"Shining!" said Twilight, as the brother and sister embraced. "You came too!"
"Of course I did. Cadance and I didn't want to miss this for the world! We're all one family, Twiley!" Twilight then came up to Cadance and they did their little dance from their foal-sitting days.
"Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!" And they both laughed afterwards, as usual, and the whole family shared a big group hug. The festivities carried on, with parents and their children both taking part in them. There was apple bobbing at Sweet Apple Acres, a party at Sugarcube Corner, music and dancing in the town square, and of course photo taking for memories. Each of the Mane 6 got their photos taken with their respective parents and other family members, and even though Applejack's parents were not present, she was satisfied with a group photo of her, Apple Bloom, Big Macintosh, Granny Smith, and Babs Seed.
After the festivities, Twilight and the mayor gathered everypony at the town hall entrance for one final speech.
"Attention, everypony!" announced Twilight. "It's been fun today, thanks to all of you. And now, I would like to have us all remember and honor any parents who were not able to be with us today. Some of us may not have parents... or even a family at all. But for those whose parents have left us, they will always be remembered in our hearts and memories and they continue to watch over us and be proud of us for what we do to make Equestria a wonderful place for us ponies to live. And now, I ask all of you... Let us have a moment of silence." Everypony hung their heads in silence for a full minute before Twilight broke the silence. "Dear Princess Celestia... Today has been a most joyous day in which we celebrated the importance of parents and family in our lives and what they do that makes us special. May those that are no longer with us continue to watch over us... always."
Later that evening at Sweet Apple Acres, after all the excitement had finally winded down, and Babs had returned to Manehattan, Applejack tucked her little sister into bed.
"Good night, Apple Bloom," said Applejack. "If yer ever feelin' down for whatever reason, ah'll always be here for ya."
"Ah love ya, big sis," said Apple Bloom, giving her a hug from the bed. Once Apple Bloom was asleep, Applejack went out into the orchard. She soon came to the place where her parents had been buried, marked with two gravestones, and sighed.
"Ah miss ya both so much," whispered Applejack, as if speaking to her parents. "Ah really wish y'all coulda been here today. Not one day has gone by without me thinkin' about ya." A single tear rolled down Applejack's cheek and she looked up to the starlit sky, just as two shooting stars streaked across. "Thanks fer still bein' here... Ah know you'll always be with me... forever." And then suddenly, Applejack's parents appeared in spirit forms in front of their respective graves.
"We're so proud of you, Applejack," said her mother, Honey Blossom. "And we will always love you."
"Eeyup," said Applejack's father. Applejack smiled as more tears ran down her cheeks. And her parents disappeared. That's when Twilight found her.
"My student has taught me a very important and valuable lesson," said Twilight, approaching Applejack.
"Ah did?"
"Of course. When I first heard about the death of your parents, I was crestfallen. I thought that I couldn't bear to host Ponyville Parents Day because one of my best friends didn't have any parents to celebrate with. But you reminded me that because you're not the only pony without parents that I shouldn't have to stop myself. You taught me that celebrating life and family is what's really important." Hearing this, Applejack blushed.
"Well, ah... Yer welcome."
"And if you ever feel like you need us, we'll always be here for you. We're always here for each other."
"That's a heartfelt promise, sugar cube. And ah'll never forget it." They shared a warm hug and then went their separate ways. Twilight soon returned to the Golden Oaks Library, only to find that Spike was still up.
"Spike?" said a surprised Twilight. "Why aren't you in bed? Is something wrong?"
"Well..." mumbled Spike. "This whole parents day thing kinda got me thinking... about us."
"Us?"
"That day I hatched... you were always there for me... and took care of me. I heard about Applejack's parents... I never knew my parents either. I've lived with you my whole life."
"What are you saying, Spike? You're my number one assistant and friend."
"Yeah, but... I... Truthfully, I... I wish I could see you as more than just my friend." Spike started to tear up, shocking Twilight. "I wish... I could call you my mom... But it wouldn't feel right, would it?" Spike started to cry and rubbed his eyes as his tears splashed onto the library floor. Twilight was touched, but at the same time, she felt sorry for her little friend.
"Oh, Spike..." she whispered. "Spike, come here." Spike ran into Twilight's embrace and wept on her shoulder. "It's okay, Spike. It's okay. You're right, I've always been here for you, especially when you needed me most. Spike, if you want to call me 'mom'... you can. I promise I won't think of you any differently. We've been through everything together... and we will always be together... no matter what. I love you, Spike."
