About three years before the return of Luna…

"Come on, Braeburn, I can jump-start my business with this money. And if it's successful, you'll have more than enough to move out of your cousins' home," Fresnel pleaded.

"I dunno…Selling my father's story to the movies?" Braeburn wasn't sure.

"I know the guy that's directing it, Braeburn, I trust him, and we're going to be associate producers. We'll make a fortune, and we'll have say about what's going on in the movie. Anything we want them to remove is out of the film. I know we never got the chance to get to know each other, but I knew both of our fathers. Wayne was like a second father to me."

"I thought TJ was?" Braeburn snapped, and that put Fresnel on the back hoof.

"Yeah. I was fortunate like that. And guess what, Braeburn? I lost him, too. At least your aunt and uncle are still alive, even if they've moved away. I have nothing but my hat and my parents' story. We can immortalize them Braeburn, and tell all of Equestria about what they did. They were good people. They were protectors, guardians. Lawmen. They cleaned up the streets of Shetcago, serving the country and people they loved, for us and for all of Equestria."

"My ma-"

"Your mother would want people to remember Wayne Marshal as being a good man that protected and provided. I need this, so I'm selling my father's story. But you can't have Elliot Nelly without Wayne Marshal. Or TJ Hoofer, or the Winkered Ranger, Thunderhooves, or Gladys Java. They were all a team, they were legends. And they were our parents. If this is how they'd be able to provide for us, I don't think they would mind. I won't let them screw this up, Braeburn, you know that."

Braeburn looked to the contract. He didn't like this…But Fresnel was right. He couldn't live on Sweet Apple Acres forever. And what he was guaranteed…That was enough to buy his own small farm, or just a house. Maybe he could franchise and sell apples in the city. And if the movie made money…Maybe…Just maybe…It would be enough…

"All right, Fresnel. I'll play. But I want EVERYTHING to do with this movie, I want to be sure the script is done right and I wanna be sure the director's good. I'm trustin' you on this, Fresnel. I know I can trust you, but if this don't work, I'm holdin' you accountable, y'hear?"

"I completely understand. You like Buck Norris movies?"

"Aw, here we go…"

Nine months later…

Braeburn had never been to Salt Lick City. He didn't know that it was such a big place for movies; he'd always heard that the city for movies was Las Arabias. Salt Lick City wasn't too far from Appleloosa, either…

He and Fresnel had just seen the first release of the movie, and the executive producer wanted to see them. Braeburnw as nervous, and wore his best suit as a result. Fresnel was dressed well, as well, but didn't seem nervous.

"Don't worry, BRaeburn, you saw the film. It was fantastic!" he grinned, and Braeburn nodded.

"True…I didn't think Buck Norris would be able to pull it off, but…Yeah, he did all right. Can't say much for the kid that played me…"

"Ugh, he was a punk. But the one they got for me was pretty cool. He kept melting every time I was around, kept asking for my autograph."

"Hehehe, that was purty funny," Braeburn admitted. The elevator arrived at the right level, and the parasprites returned to Braeburn's stomach. Fresnel led the way, and Braeburn swallowed the apple in his throat. Fresnel had a swagger, Braeburn a drag. Inside, Joel and Ethan Colten were waiting for them.

"Braeburn! Fresnel! Just the ponies I was hoping to see!" Joel said, "The movie's a hit, fellas. Congratulations, we could not have made this movie without you two."

Braeburn let out a sigh of relief that nearly shattered the windows. Fresnel chuckled.

"We wanted to thank you in person for all of your contributions. I know you both have lives back in your respective homes, and you've spent a lot of time away from your friends and families. Fresnel, you've recovered from serious injuries, and still spent an incredible amount of time on the set, helping out. So, we're pleased to give you these. You've earned them, and the ones to follow," Ethan said, handing them each a check for very large amounts of money with telekinesis. Braeburn looked at the check.

"This is a very large number," he observed.

"So it is," Joel chuckled, his wings flapping a bit in amusement, "Bubbly to celebrate?"

"Please," Fresnel said, stashing his check into his coat. Braeburn didn't much care for champagne, but sharing a bottle with two of the most successful and talented director-producers that just made a grand epic about Braeburn's father and with his second cousin who talked him into it…That made it the best champagne he'd ever had. All in all, it was a good night.

A year before Nightmare Moon's return…

"All right, what's this about, Braeburn?" Applejack sighed, "We got apples to buck!"

"I know, I know," Braeburn said, "But I got great news. You know Appleloosa?"

"A-yup," Big Mac said.

"Well, with the money I got from the film, I got the farm livin' again. Cuz's…I'm goin' home!" Braeburn tried to remain composed, but he couldn't help the tears, "I got it to live again, after all these years. I got about twenty ponies sayin' they'd move their businesses there when I'm workin' the farm full time!"

"Th-The Appleloosa farm!" Granny smith exclaimed, "Oh, my! I remember when your mother said she was going to go manage it for your father…I told her there'd be nothin' but misery in Appleloosa, but I can't say that now, Braeburn. I'm so proud of you, I know you've worked so hard to get that land to live again!"

Braeburn had been spending all of his time between Sweet Apple and Appleloosa for the last year and a half, trying to get the land to live again. He'd tried so many methods, both traditional, scientific, and magic. Somewhere along the line, he found a balance, and now he had a small orchard working. It would take years to get the orchard to full capacity, but with a lot of hard work, Appleloosa would flourish like the times of his great-grandfather, when the farm had first been founded and successful.

"That's fantastic, Braeburn! I know you've been dreamin' about this fer years! The orchard won't be the same without you, though," Applejack admitted.

"You'll visit, won'tcha?" Applebloom begged, making her big, adorable eyes. Braeburn nuzzled her.

"As often as I can, and when I can't, I'll write. You all have been just so great to me…I can't thank you all enough. You've all been siblin's to me. I love you all so much."

Braeburn brought them all in for a great big family hug, which was probably the best hug he'd ever had.

Later that night…

Braeburn looked upon Sweet Apple Acres, and sighed. Not in disappointment that he was going to leave, but in satisfaction. This had been his life, but it wasn't his land, and it wasn't his destiny. It wasn't his life, not anymore anyway. Braeburn was excited, not to mention proud of himself. He didn't like to be arrogant, but there wasn't any wrong in having pride in one's accomplishments, and he was quite proud. He didn't even notice Big Macintosh approach.

"So you're all set and ready to go, then?"

"Huh? Oh, hi Big Macintosh. Not for a couple days yet, but I will soon. Listen, Big Macintosh, I just wanted to thank you, for everything…"

"It's nothin', Braeburn. You ever need three times or more the help you've given us, I owe t'you. You've been my brother since you got here, don't you doubt that for a second. We're here if you ever need us."

"And the same to you, Big Mac. I just…I can't believe this is actually happenin'! I've heard the stories from my ma and my pa about what happened to Appleloosa. It's a might shame about what happened to it, it were a good town."

"I've heard the story, but I still don't understand it completely. I know that it was your great-grandpappy's farm, and your grandpappy didn't take care of it right."

"Well, yeah. But there is more to it than that…"

((Which you will have to wait until Chapter 3 to learn! Muahahahaha!))