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Chapter I - Applejack's News

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If you ever were to take the train from Canterlot to Ponyville, or vice versa, you'd come across a section of track that breaks off from the main line and goes south and west, away from the grassy hills of Ponyville or the green and purple mountains of Canterlot and off to places unknown. Not too many trains go down that road, most preferring the mountain route over Canterlot to stay where most civilized ponies are willing to go; east to Baltimare and Fillydelpha, or west to Las Pegasus and San Prancisco. Few have ever remembered a time when a passenger train ever went down that road, and very few freight trains ever really go down there; when they do, they're small enough that no one takes notice.

But let's say somepony found himself taking a train from Ponyville that happened to go down that road to the south and west, as one young farmer and alicorn found themselves doing once during the fall of 1007 A.N.M. (After Nightmare Moon), you would see the otherwise fertile plains become hot and dry, the grass eventually wilting and giving away to a golden brown sand that stretches as far as the eye can see. Purple mountains give way to red rocks and cliffs that cover the landscape, and all water vanishes except for the occasional blue splash of color that populates the area around the winter rainy season. The trees are too far away from each other to provide decent shade, and the land becomes populated with brush and long grass that looks like it could wilt at any moment, growing in small patches here and there across the desert floor like they're trying to stick together for the sake of survival in numbers. Few creatures inhabit these lands, and sometimes the carcasses of their dead relatives are all the remnants you see of whatever lives there.

But if you do happen to take a train out that direction, within three days you'll come across a small settlement that manages to take the modern comforts of civilization and make them work out there in the middle of nowhere. A small city stands in the middle of the desert with all the accoutrements of most cities: running water, electricity powered by magic, a proper sheriff's and fire department, and no less than six thriving orchards and farms that manage to feed the modest spread of people living there. Some things have to be shipped in from other places that have better access and more excess than the citizens of this dusty town, but if you talk to the residents they've never found another place they could call home.

Matter of fact, it could be said that the residents of Appleoosa are some of the nicest ponies one could ever come across. They've had to learn to work together and become friendly with one another in order to survive a harsher climate than most care to even tread across, and so visitors are treated warmly and with quite the welcome wagon when they arrive, not to mention treated with the sort of utmost respect and hospitality found in small communities. Though they often have little to share, whatever they have they are willing to share with guests from far and wide, somehow always finding a way to make things work out in the end that makes it seem like they hardly donated anything yet still every guest leaves feeling welcomed and as happy as can be.

This is part seems to be due to a few of the townsponies that have lived there ever since Appleoosa's conception, with two in particular standing out from the crowd. There's Sheriff Silverstar, the head of the police and a generally nice fellow so long as you make sure to follow all the rules and don't step out of line. Then there's Braeburn Apple, a most personable pony that everyone seems to take a liking to by the end of their stay; it helps he also happens to be a prosperous apple farmer and a hero of the town ever since a little incident with the buffalo about six years prior.

While it could be said that Braeburn held himself in high regard for the events that took place that year, he never really showed it. He was simply known by the townsponies as a kindly individual that would help out anyone who needed it. He ran and managed an apple farm of his own - with some other crops growing on the side - and was willing to let a pony that needed work help him out on his farm. He himself had a modest house that was cozy, warm, and welcoming on the outskirts of Appleoosa on a cliff that overlooked his farmlands and a river that flooded and watered his fields during the rainy season. While not rich by Canterlot standards, it could be argued that Braeburn was the richest stallion in Appleoosa due to the size of his farm and almost equally as philanthropic.

It happened that the two mares who stepped off the train from Ponyville to Appleoosa were on their way to visit the stallion at his home. One, an orange mare with blonde hair and a trio of apples for a cutie mark, was Braeburn's cousin Applejack from Ponyville who had come with a small gift after the passing of a close relative. The other, a purple alicorn with the name Twilight Sparkle, had come along with Applejack as a friend and honorary family member (a title given after a little problem with two con-stallions at Applejack's own farm) and wished to offer her own apologies for the loss. The two were finally relieved when they made their way to the house at the outskirts of the city, able to finally get out of the piercing desert sun.

The stallion himself opened the door when they arrived. His fur was a bright gold and the single red apple of his cutie mark shined like the skin of the real thing. His wavy, golden colored mane was a neatly-combed and fell lightly around his shoulders and forelegs, his similar-colored tail ending in a slight curl at the end. He had on a dusty-brown Stetson and vest he wore as a gift from his uncle when he was young, shading his bright green eyes from the harsh desert sun.

"Well, howdy there, Applejack!" the stallion energetically greeted the two mares. "And if it ain't your friend Twilight Sparkle! I haven't seen you since the Apple family reunion back in Ponyville. Don't stand out there in the heat and sun; I've got some nice cool cider I was just pouring myself. Come on in and have a drink."

Applejack walked inside the house, thankful as a rush of cool air descended on her in the darkened house, as she took off her saddlebags in the small foyer and followed Braeburn and Twilight to the kitchen. "A glass of cider would be much welcomed after that train ride," she said, wiping a hoof across her sweating forehead. "I'm used to workin' in the summer heat in Ponyville, but this is just ridiculous."

"Thank you very much, Braeburn," Twilight replied. "I think this heat is beginning to get to my head."

Braeburn led the two mares into the kitchen and poured and served them a glass of cider before getting himself one and sitting down at the kitchen table with them. The windows looked out over Braeburn's apple orchard, the trees currently boasting vibrant green leaves and were full to the brim with red, gold, and green apples.

"Close to harvest time, isn't it?" Applejack said.

Braeburn nodded as he took a swig of sider. "Applebuckin' Season is right around the corner," he said, getting up from the table to look out the window at his precious crop. "I got myself about twenty extra sets of hooves to help me out this year. I might actually be able to turn a decent profit this year if things turn out well enough."

"I must admit, I'm surprised at how well Appleoosa's doing," Twilight said. "I mean, I know the whole thing with the buffalo helped out immensely, but I didn't realize you'd be up to par with most other towns and cities in so short a time."

"It is quite refreshing to see this place is doing well," Braeburn nodded. "Even better considering the fact that this summer was one of the most oppressive we've had since the town was founded. Nearly burnt up all of the crops over at Celery Stalk's farm, and the fire department was called out twice to some of the others."

Applejack took off her own prized Stetson, setting it down on the table. "I'm sorry to cut things short, but I'm thinkin' you've realized we haven't come all the way out here for some small talk."

"That's true," Braeburn said, still looking out the window at his orchard. "Even my own cousin wouldn't come all the way out for small talk, not with Applebuck Season so close. How are Big Macintosh and my favorite younger cousin doing, anyway?"

Applejack laughed, though it seemed to mostly relieve tension than out of really finding anything funny. "Macintosh is takin' care of the farm while I'm out, and Apple Bloom is doing really good in school lately. Managed to get all high marks for last year, and she'll be ready to graduate out of Cheerilee's school by next year, along with her two friends. Though it's a might ironic how you didn't ask about Granny Smith."

"Well, how is the old bird doing? Still kickin' up dust about Zap Apple Jam season?"

Applejack nervously fidgeted with her Stetson. Braeburn turned around from the window to see Applejack's eyes were watering and Twilight was already next to her with a comforting hoof around her shoulders.

"Granny Smith has gone through her last Zap Apple season."

Braeburn's expression went from a pleasant smile to a disheartened frown. He set his mug of cider on the kitchen counter, afraid he'd spill it if he held it any longer. "You don't mean to say...?"

"Inducted into Ponyville Hospital three months ago, died two weeks ago," Applejack said through sobs. "Doctors said it was just old age and she died peacefully in her sleep, that we should have suspected it happenin' considerin' she was over a hundred years old. Once we got the news, we buried her out near where ma and pa are, under their favorite tree in the orchard; the one we never buck for no reason."

Braeburn nodded. "I'm sorry I wasn't there, Applejack."

"I couldn't have bugged ya," Applejack said, "what with you managing your own farm out here. I would have held it off for a few weeks until Applebuck season was over, but Big Macintosh said he could find some extra help this year and would be willing to take things over until I got back."

Braeburn said nothing.

"She wanted you to be there, during her last days," Applejack continued. "Said she wanted all the grandkids around. Well, Babs Seed and her family made it out and we were half expectin' you to show up but you never came around. No one is mad at you, we just all kind of wish you were there."

"Things have been busy around here," Braeburn said. "I've had to take some time with the police force as a volunteer police officer since one of the members came down with hay fever. Not to mention I've had to help some others with makin' sure their crops were able to survive the summer. I've had to--"

"Like I said," Applejack interrupted, "ain't nobody mad at you."

Braeburn calmed himself down and nodded. "How are Macintosh and Apple Bloom taking the news?"

"Well, Apple Bloom's got her little friends from school, and she found her cutie mark in construction once we saw the work she'd done on the memorial for Granny. It ain't an apple, but it's probably the best way I could think of for gettin' a cutie mark, helping honor her memory like that. Macintosh has taken it hard, but work's kept us all preoccupied." Applejack sniffled a little as she calmed down. "I'm sorry, Brae. This is the first time I've been able to let it all out since then."

"It's alright, Applejack," Braeburn replied, his voice soft and comforting for his cousin. "Things have been hard on all of us Apple family this past year, but we've worked through harder stuff. You're a strong mare, Applejack, and you've got a strong brother and sister as well as your friends; I've no doubt you'll spring back into shape in no time."

Applejack smiled at her cousin as Braeburn took her mug and filled it up with some more cider, then pulled out an apple pie and sliced it up, passing a plate with a slice over to Applejack. "Have some pie; you look like you could use it."

Applejack took the plate. "Thanks..."

Braeburn cut up another slice for himself and Twilight and the three talked long into the night, until long after the stars and Luna's moon had come up from the sky. Braeburn soon went to his guest room and fixed the beds for his two guests, then bid them good night.

But Braeburn himself did not go to bed. Instead, he took a piece of straw and stuck it between his teeth, going outside and looking over his orchard and wondering if he shouldn't take a young sapling the coming year and giving it to Applejack like she had done seven years previously. It'd be a way to pay her back for coming all the way out here on both those occasions, as well as a little something for Granny Smith's memory. Braeburn sat on the cliff until the sun started to peek over the horizon, until the straw in his mouth had been chewed down to a nub.