It was a rainy evening in Ponyville. Or, perhaps I should say, it was a dark and stormy night? Rain fell lightly in a titter-tatter like fashion on the streets and rooftops, and not a single pony was out. They were all inside, some were curled up by the fire reading or eating, some were sleeping the storm away, and some...

Well, three fillies in particular were lounging on a couch at Rarity's house, wondering how to get their cutie marks.

"All I'm saying," Scootaloo argued, "Is that we haven't tried it yet. Maybe Zecora could help!"

"That's a dumb idea. We can't be spell casters! I'm the only unicorn here." Sweetie Belle argued back, rolling her eyes.

"So? Zecora does it! She could teach us!"

"She makes potions! That's different!"

"Nuh-uh!"

"Yeah-huh!"

"Nuh-uh!"

"Yeah-huh!"

"APPLE BLOOM?!" Both Crusaders turned to their friend, who hadn't taken a side in the argument yet, both relying on her vote. To be honest Apple Bloom had no real desire to choose a side. She would rather let them decide on there own, but some things can't be helped.

"U-um." The farm pony glanced around nervously from where she sat, "Well, Ah suppose it's true we haven't tried it..."

Scootaloo gave a loud whoop, smirking at Sweetie, but Apple Bloom started again, "But, y'know, everypony's always sayin' we'll find our cutie marks doing something we're good at... What if each of us are already good at something and we just haven't tried it yet?"

There was a moment of silence where the other Crusaders stared at her. Rarity stood in the doorway (she had come down to reprimand the girls for being too loud) silently leaning forward in anticipation...

"Good one, Apple Bloom!"

"Yeah, you had me for a second!" The orange and white fillies started laughing at the idea, while Apple Bloom shuffled her hooves nervously. Rarity facehoofed. So close...

"So, we'll try Zecora's the day after tomorrow, then?" Sweetie offered. At least now she was willing to try it, and Scootaloo enthusiastically nodded, "Sure!"

"Day after? Why, what's goin' on tomorrow?" Apple Bloom questioned, tilting her head to the side. Did I forget another party? Is somepony else trying to take over Equestria?

"You mean you forgot?!" Sweetie screeched, causing the others to jump, and Rarity shushed her.

"Girls, girls, settle down!" She scolded lightly. "Sweetie, please, settle!" She added when Sweetie jumped to her hooves.

"Sorry, Rarity." The girls chorused.

"It's just-" Sweetie started.

"Yes, yes, I heard. Apple Bloom forgot that tomorrow is Mother's Day."

Mother's Day? "O-oh. That's tomorrow? Ah reckon Ah did forget." Glad I did, too.

"Aw c'mon, even I remembered it!" Scootaloo said, pride in her voice, "I already have my present for Miss Smiles." Miss Smiles was one of the caretakers at the orphanage Scootaloo lived in; a gentle, young, mint-green mare with a yellow mane and a smiling book cutie mark.

"Miss Smiles?" Sweetie asked, "Is she the one that gave us those oatmeal cookies?"

"Yup! She's one of my favorite staff members. Every year all of us kids plan her a surprise party... Though I guess it's not really much of a surprise if we do it every year." The orange filly grinned sheepishly as if just realizing this, and the other girls laughed, Rarity included.

"Well, that's very kind of you children! Now, it's off to bed. You fillies need to sleep well tonight if you want to have enough energy for tomorrow."

The fillies groaned but otherwise didn't complain as they got ready for bed. They took turns getting ready and kept goofing off, but soon enough they were all in bed. For two of the fillies their dreams would be of their days with their mothers/mother figures, but for one filly it was different.

I can't believe I forgot Mother's Day! Apple Bloom thought as she laid down, I'm such a terrible daughter! She tossed and turned for a minute before wondering, What did Ma look like, anyway?

She froze for a second as she tried to remember what her mother looked like. She had been a filly when the mare died, but she still had memories of her, right?She closed her eyes tightly, willing an image of her mother to come to mind, but none did.

Ma had a red coat. She thought, And a pink mane. Feeling satisfied that she'd remember her mother better with the information she tried to pull forth her memories. My mother... Try to remember! An image appeared in her head of a sunny day, looking over the apple trees. She felt happy for a moment before realizing it wasn't her mom beside her, but Applejack. Then for some reason she thought of her first day of school. Applejack dropped her off, and she remembered looking back fearfully before going inside, only to see the mare smiling kindly at her.

But Applejack wasn't her mom. She was her sister, right? And the fact that she couldn't remember her mom... That was bad, right?

The filly stayed up late that night, worrying and tossing. She eventually fell into a deep sleep, with memories of Applejack and her running through her head.


EDIT: 1/3/14 I am slightly changing how I am attacking the topic, however the end result is staying the same. Chapter has been slightly re-written and added onto.

Another story! (Please don't kill me!)

My first MLP story, and it's about some of my favorite characters, the Apple Family! (And the Crusaders, to some extent, but that'll be later.)

Unlike my other stories I think this one will be a simple "Problem-action-solution." Not to say there is no/limited plot, I just won't be trying to pull tricks out of my hat for this one.

So, yeah. Tell me what you think so far, and maybe tell me where you want me to go? I may have an idea but readers' help is always loved! (And it gets my reviews up, so who's complaining?)

*Oh, and this won't be a "Scootaloo the miserable orphan on the streets" fic. Shocker, I know! I just want this story to be over all happy, so yeah.

**Also, there won't be any pairings... Unless it's cannon (or Lyra and Bon Bon. I can't help it.). This is strictly family!