Note: This is my first and official AppleDash fanfiction, a possible large amount of stories. I am unsure where I am going to go with this officially, but I don't expect this to emerge inside of the most notable fanfictions such as Cupcakes, Rainbow Factory, and the Sweet Apple Massacre.
Sunlight streamed through the plaid curtains of the farm pony's bedroom, peaking through a spare gap between the two pieces of fabric. The sunlight stretched across the floor and reached like grasping hooves towards the farm pony, beckoning her to awaken to the newest day. Two days ago had been the official ending of the apple season, and the trees had been harvested, the delicious and ripe apples awaiting patiently to be distributed to the eager customers that awaited them for shipments for wares such as Sugarcube Corner, where the Cakes and one of her beloved friends sold the most delectable treats known in Ponyville. The Apple family would commonly use their own share of the harvest to bake award-winning and infamous various types of apple-based pastries and deserts.
Applejack drew her patched quilt over her head, attempted to shield her eyes from the radiating beams of light that perused her from the other side of the room. There was a rather cozy layout to the room, her bed with a queen sized, taking up much of the spare space of the farm house bedroom. A spare rocking chair sat in the corner with an old hat perched on the corner, collecting dust. A spare desk covered with letters and requests from the civilians of Ponyville piled themselves around old letters from family. Around the room, there were several framed pictures, each individually cared for and dusted. Each one showed a new image, mainly of her family and friends. One of her and her beloved sheep-dog Winona sat above her bed, and all around them pictures of races, events, celebrations, parties hosted by Pinkie Pie, meetings with the princess, the Royal Canterlot Wedding of Princess Candace and Twilight Sparkle's brother, Shining Armor.
However, what caught the attention of the few people that were allowed to enter the abode of the Apple Family was four pictures that resided on the night stand next to her, accompanied with a horse-shoe shaped light who's light had long since been snuffed. A beautiful mare wearing a braid in her hair, and bore the same enchanting jade eyes as the farm pony, stared lovingly into the eyes of an opposite stallion. While the mare bore a cream colored coat, the stallion was more orange, following pursuit with a reddish mane and solemn, sunken gray eyes. However, a more appealing nature that was drawn from both him and his daughter was the constant companionship of their freckles, ever present. Apple Jack turned her head and raced her hoof lazily, stroking over the frame of the two ponies while she let out a sorrow induced sigh, her breath faltering ever so slightly.
Each morning was a task like the next, waking up and having to face the identities of the two parents that she would never see again. Ever since the passing of her parents, she was left to be the soul provider of her family, working long hours on the farm to ensure that everything was well kept and the animals were fed. Each morning was the same, but the farm pony adored Sweet Apple Acres over an rural house in Ponyville, surrounded by the noisiness of the city. Here, there was peace and serenity at every peak, from the soft breezes that were often accompanied in the cool mornings of spring, to the different creatures that roamed the land. This was the land that Applejack had always, and will always, call home. Nopony else could tear her from this secluded, yet popular resort.
Removing the hoof-sewn quilt from over her body, the orange pony stretched out her legs, flexing her hind quarters and moving them around, stiff after a restless night. She moved herself from the bed slowly, walking over with a small skip in her step to the dresser, where a mirror was perched proudly over head. Her several awards and newspaper articles from the local paper. Her brush laid on her dresser, which she picked up with her mouth and whipped her mane over her shoulder, slowly brushing it. Finally feeling impressed with it, she tied her hair in the normal pony-tail and placed on her beloved light brown Stetson hat. Much like her freckles and stubborn personality, her personal trademark came from wearing her hat constantly. Not many ponies knew why she did, outside of the Apple family at least.
A figure came rushing through the half-open door in a blur of brown, white, and red flashed through, hurling itself towards the farm pony. Before she could open her mouth to speak, a warm tongue was lapping at her cheek affectionately, and she could hear the panting of her beloved companion in her ear. Applejack laughed softly, pressing her hooves lightly against the collie and pushing her away gently, before slowly standing back onto all fours."Now Winona, ah told ya'll not ta do that anymore, ya hear? Ya'll are cute as a filly playin' in the mud on a warm day in Summer, but ah don't need'ha lickin' the freckles right off of mah face!"
The Boarder Collie glanced down, sulking silently while her tail recoiled and was pulled tighter to her, only occasionally giving a light and effort-filled wag of understanding while she was scolded. Her large eyes stared directly up at Applejack, who had pressed her lips together and remained stern, but slowly, a large smile broke over the mare's face."Oh, alright. Ya'll are too cute ta be scoldin', but remember, ah'm not a big fan of that there lickin', understand? Come on now, let's go get the rest o' the family and get on some here breakfast." With that, she moved away and trotted down the hallway and into the open kitche area, where Granny Smith was mumbling to herself about how the plates were watching her.
"Ah swear those darned tootin' dishes there keep on movin' an' tauntin' me!" The elderly pony complained as she saw her granddaughter enter the room through the hallway entrance, and pointed a hoof directly to a white plate with apples creating a circle in the middle. Applejack turned her head to look, but clearly saw nothing moved the slightest since the last use of the fine plate.
"Granny, ah'd love ta sit here and chat with ya, but ah need ta get breakfast on and get Apple Bloom off to school, ya know how that filly gets when her stomach's growlin'." The younger mare moved around the kitchen, working her way around as she prepared a hearty helping of toast, apple juice, and fresh eggs of which Granny Smith had went out to collect earlier that morning. She moved over to the counter, where a silver bell waited to be used, next to a counter lined with plates filled of equal portions."Meals ready, come an' get it while it's hot!" She rang the bell, and heard small hooves trotting down the hallway.
"Finally, ah'm starvin'!" The cheerful voice of her younger sister caused the earth pony to smile proudly, clearly pleased at how eager the young filly was to have her cooking inside of her stomach. She stepped up onto a stool, and grasped for a plate of food, while Applejack approached behind her with her ribbon, using her hooves and mouth to tie the young filly's hair up. Big Mac soon entered pursuit after his sisters and grandmother, sitting down at a stool at the counter, and letting out a withdrawn sigh. He simply munched on his breakfast a bit, and scooted it away, appearing solemn and anti-social.
Applejack knew by instinct the way that her brother was acting that something was clearly wrong and was on his mind, but deciding to address the matter later, she placed a hoof on her sisters shoulder, and gave a reassuring smile."Come on sis, it's time we getcha down to the school."
"Do ah have to goooo," Apple Bloom began protesting, staring at her empty plate out of moodiness. Ever since Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle had been caught with a two week long virus, the young filly seemed to have lost all interest in her schooling, often protesting when it was time to go.
Applejack stared at her for several long moments, drawing in a deep breath as she knew that this argument was a repeat of the past week, slowly letting out a soft sigh, she placed the small filly upon her back, trotting out of the doorway."The answer is yes, ya have ta go ta school, no if's ands or buts about et! Ya'll will have Scootaloo and Sweetie back before ya know it, and ya can have the best time explorin' fur your cutie marks."
At this mention of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Apple Bloom suddenly seemed ecstatic once more, her eyes widening while she let out a squeal of delight,"Ya're right sis, now all ah need ta do is think of ways fur the girls when they get back ta school! Thank ya so much!" She hugged her sister around the neck, and the orange pony laughed in return, leaning into the hug while she placed her sister down. The young filly turned and waved, before bolting to the school house where the children were rushing into before the last bell rang.
"That filly has more of an imagination then ah did... odd." With that, Applejack turned and stared making her way back to the farm, walking up the dirt road that led there, and sitting down to eat her own breakfast. She had only just started the second egg, since Granny Smith had been bickering about the coffee mugs now, and Big Mac had strayed once more to the barn where he spent most of his time. Applejack winced at the loud knock, usually someone only did that when something was urgent and important to be addressed, such as the princesses arriving in Ponyville.
"What in tarnation could all that bangin' be for?" She questioned outloud while she moved her way to the doorway, opening it up and half-expecting to see a customer that needs urgent apples, but instead.. she was met with the brilliant eyes of her pink friend. The most happy and go lucky pony she knew, Pinkie Pie. However, the usual spark of happiness in her eyes appeared vacant and distant, once more resembling that of how Big Mac was earlier that very morning. Applejack tilted her head to the side, opening her mouth to speak but before the words were ushered, she noticed the poofiness of her friends man had gone flat and straight.
"Hi Applejack..." The pink pony hung her head down low, her nose almost touching the dirt beneath her. Her back was even slumped, and she appeared depressed. Applejack tilted her head to the side, and stared down at her friend, clearly worried.
"Pinkie, what in Sam Hill are you doin' here and why do ya look like ya just lost everythin'?"
The pink pony shrugged momentarily, and then slowly moved her eyes up, but barely made any sudden contact with her friend, she tried to offer a smile, but it was very strained. Her blue eyes appeared almost gray, dull, and lifeless. She turned her head towards the road, and then once more to the ground."I needed someone to talk to, because I am not feeling quite to be my Pinkie self today, I woke up and Gummy was missing..."
Applejack stared at her friend for several long moments, attempting to recall who Gummy exactly was. She recalled the name from a few times, usually when her and her friends were hosting pet dates together.. and suddenly, it all clicked. Gummy was Pinkie Pie's toothless baby alligator that she kept on a tight leash, but often times hosted parties for him. However, how could he have gotten out of her room? He was so small he could hardly get out of the bathtub.
"Gummy? Well sugarcube, when was the last time that you had seen your Gummy?" Applejack attempted to hide the nervousness in her voice, but she was thinking of the guilt that would follow if she could not be able to aid her friend.
"Last night, I was throwing a special super dooper party in honor of his one year with me, but when I put him in his bed last night with a piece of cake, a balloon, and a party hat, he disappeared the next morning. I am worried sick A.J, and I need someone that could help me find him, please!" Pinkie had literally thrown herself down at Applejack's hooves, groveling while tears streamed down her face, staining her dirty coat. Applejack laid down now, comforting her friend by stroking her mane.
"Dont'cha worry sugar cube, ah am goin' to find Gummy, and get him back ta ya, alright?" She urged herself to smile, attempting to show her friend she was relaxed and collected, but she was rather nervous if they could succeed or not."Ah'll get Winona, and we can all head ta Sugar Cube Corner, an' sniff out where Gummy is."
Pinkie slowly nodded her head and stood up on her four legs once more, her blue eyes had not changed from the solemn and distant grayish tint to the. Applejack placed her hoof on Pinkie and whistled for Winona, the young adult collie came bounding out from the kitchen, her tongue flying out of her mouth happily. She skid to a halt, and waited patiently for Applejack's command, wagging her tail excitedly.
"Winona, come on sugarcube, we're goin' ta go help Pinkie here, ya understand?" The dog barked happily in response, and the trio ventured into Ponyville, while Winona placed her nose to the ground and began following the scent of her familiar friend. Applejack followed in pursuit, bending down here and there to glance under tables and chairs, but found nothing more then dust bunnies beneath. They walked inside of Pinkie Pie's room, a rather cheerfully decorated room with cupcakes aligning the walls and different types of pasteries, party supplies crowded the room, and a pleasant day bed was pressed against the wall. Balloons could be found scattered throughout the room.
Winona approached the are where Gummy had last been seen, and glanced at the ceiling, barking loudly. Applejack's jade eyes slowly lifted towards the direction her companion was indicating at, and she lofted an eyebrow."Uh.. Pinkie... ya might want to look up."
Pinkie's head slowly glanced upward, and her jaw slacked slightly open, and she let out a squeal of delight. There, floating before them, with a balloon tied around his midsection, was Gummy. The alligator still appeared to have his blank stare, while the balloon was hitting the sealing. Pinkie turned to Applejack, worry now flashing in her eyes which sparkled their normal brilliant blue now."AJ, what are we going to do?! My baby alligator is stuck up there tied to that balloon, which I hope I can be friends with after we solve this!" She turned her head upwards once more, sticking her tongue out of her mouth and squinting her eyes."Oh, oh I know! Maybe, we can stack a whole bunch of ponies and built a staircase to my Gummy, and then we can all go to an alternate dimension and have a party!"
Applejack stared dumbfounded at her friend."Sugarcube, why don't ah just get a rope, an lasso your little critter down?"
Pinkie Pie beamed and nodded her head several times in agreement, her hair had returned to it's normal poof, and she bounced happily to her closet, shuffling around in various old boxes she stored away for parties. At last, she returned with a rope in her mouth, trotting proudly before stumbling over her own feet and falling down, but rebounded off the floor as if it never happened. Applejack stared once more at her friend, having to stiffle a laugh.
"Alright sugarcube, stand back!" With that, Applejack took the rope and looped it, tossing it into the air, and without much effort, wrapped it around the small alligator. She slowly began to move him down, making sure not to squeeze to hard and harm the small creature. Pinkie Pie watched in anticipation, biting on her hoof nervously. Slowly, Gummy descended to the floor and was automatically scooped up by Pinkie Pie, who kissed her beloved companion on top of the head.
"Thank you sooooo much Applejack, I finally have my little Gummy Wummykins back!"
"No problem Pinkie, just try not ta put a balloon on the little critter again, alright?"
"Okie dokie lokie!"
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