A Farmer's Tail

A large bucket of bright red tomatoes was carefully loaded into a cart. The succulent produce glistened from the early morning light, revealing the face of a pony on their skin. The mare let out a content sigh as she set the bucket down as her pink eyes looked over the haul before her. It was only a few carts, but she didn't need to do a full harvest for where she was going.

Her coat was a lovely lavender with white and red hair that was woven into a thick braid in both mane and tail. On her flank, she bore a beautiful purple star-shaped flower in full bloom.

"Well, that's the last one for the train." She said, looking at the two other carts that were attached to the one she just filled.

"Good morning, Night Shade." Came a soft voice like that of a southern belle. An older yet beautiful white mare with a mane tied into series of thin black braids, each intrinsically woven with colorful ribbons to complement the upper-class style. Her cutie mark was that of a plump red heart, but upon closer inspection revealed it to resemble a heart-shaped tomato.

"Good morning, Mom. Did you decide to come with me to Ponyville? It would be more fun if you decided to come. Maybe even catch up with some relatives."

Night Shade's mother smiled sweetly, but shook her head. "There's too much work to be done on the farm. Without your father around, I have more work on my hooves and I can't afford to leave for any length of time."

Night always got a bit solemn when her mother brought up this sore topic. "You know Mom, I don't have to go. I'm sure I can sell tomatoes here in Fillydelphia just as well."

"No, it's fine. I can't keep you cooped up here all of the time, dear. Besides, I'm still in my prime with plenty of sass to throw around." The two laughed happily at the joke. "But I can spare enough time to see you off." She said as she pulled some saddlebags from her back and gave them to her daughter. "Here are the bags you packed. Though I'd at least save you the trouble of having to walk all the way back home to grab them."

"Thanks, Mom. That'll be great." The simple wooden vehicles creaked as the two strapped themselves to the lead cart and pulled, making their way into town.

Their trip was quiet as they enjoyed the scenery of the rolling farmland around them. Other earth ponies tilling the fields waved to them as they replied in kind. It was a nice, serene place to enjoy a hard working and fulfilling life.

Night Shade enjoyed these quiet moments with her mother. It reminded her of their walks through the fields when she was still a filly… when father was still around. Pushing the memories out of her mind as their trek continued in silence as barns made way to suburban houses and dirt roads turned into asphalt streets. They had finally reached the city of Fillydelphia proper.

Although not as large or as busy as Canterlot, Las Pegasus, or Manehattan, Fillydelphia was still a city and had its own share of traffic and elements of chaos. Of course, the two weren't unfamiliar with the city and navigated the city with little issue aside from the occasional traffic jam and annoyed cabs. It didn't take long for them to make it to the train station as Night Shade bought tickets for herself and her cargo.

"All aboard to Canterlot!" A train attendant shouted, eyeing his pocketwatch.

"I'm sure going to miss you, Sugarbunch." The white mare hugged her daughter as the engine started to huff as smoke rose from its smokestack.

"Mom, I'm only going to be gone for a few days. I'll be back as soon as the 'Running of the Leaves' is over. Hopefully with a nice sack of bits."

"I know, but that doesn't change anything." Her mother said, squeezing just a bit harder.

"Ok, ok, need… air." Night Shade wheezed before her mother let go.

"Sorry, sometimes I don't know my own strength. I'm such a delicate flower, you know." She chuckled as she released the mare's neck before aggressively brushing her daughter's hair.

"Ow, Mooooom." Night groaned from the pain.

"Just wanting to make sure that you're looking your best. Selling is all about presentation. Nopony will buy tomatoes if you don't look your best."

"Ok, I got it. I gotta go now." Night managed to break free and enter the car.

"Tell me everything when you get back. And tell everypony I love'em."

"I will. See you soon. Love you." Night waved as the door closed and pulled out of the station.

XXXXX

The sun had begun to set as soon as the train had reached Ponyville. Night Shade yawned as she must have slept along the way, rubbing her eyes as she left the car. Despite this, she quickly retrieved her carts and walked through the town.

It had been a while since she had been back, but it was funny how little had changed. Mayor Mare's house, Sugarcube Corner, the Day Spa, etc. It was like she had never left. Well except for the giant crystal castle outside of town, that was a new addition. But there wasn't much time to reminisce; she had a destination in mind.

XXXXX

A knock came at the front door, alerting the family inside. "Would somepony get the door, my back is achin'!" Shouted an old mare's voice.

"I'll get it, Granny." Said a small voice as tiny hoofsteps could be heard moving inside. Upon opening it, her eyes fell upon a smiling mare with pink eyes.

"Hello Applebloom. My, you sure have grown since the last time I saw you. I'm sure you don't remember me at all, do you?" The mare said.

"Uh, can't say I do." The filly said with an eyebrow raised in confusion.

"Applebloom, what's takin' so long? Who's at the door?" Came a deeper feminine voice as they approached.

"Well I'll be a three-eyed cockatrice. If it isn't Night Shade." Said the orange mare with a smile.

"Hey AJ, long time no see." Night Shade replied as the two hugged.

"Well come on in. Don't want to catch a cold do ya?" Applejack said with a welcoming gesture. "Did Cousin Love come with you too?"

"Not this time, unfortunately. Sorry we couldn't make it to the last reunion." Night Shade said, walking in and shutting the door behind her.

"It's alright. We can all get a little busy from time to time." The orange pony nodded in understanding before changing the subject. "Hey everypony, it's Cousin Night Shade!"

Night Shade walked into the living room to see Cousin Big Mac coming downstairs and her Great Aunt Granny Smith in a rocking chair.

"Well it has been a while." Granny Smith got up, obviously not showing any back pain, and gave her great niece a hug. "Come and sit a spell. I'm sure you're tired after your trip from Fillydelphia… You still live there right?" The elder pony questioned.

"Yes Aunt Granny and Momma Love Apple sends her love. And I yes, it was a long trip, but most of it was spent sitting on the train ride over." Night said with a smile, but accepted the offer.

"Well don't just stand there. Get the lady some refreshments. What are we, animals?" The matron belted to her grandchildren.

"Yes Ma'am." Applejack and Applebloom darted back into the kitchen.

"And you." Granny pointed at Big Mac. "Take her things upstairs. I won't have family coming here and not have a place to sleep."

"Eeyup." The stallion obeyed fearfully as his body went to attention.

"Thanks, but I'm fine for now. Although, I do have some carts outside that need to be stored."

"You heard her. Hop to it." Granny barked as Big Mac disappeared out the front door. "I hope you don't mind sleeping with Applejack while you're here."

This little scene got Night Shade to giggle. "It's fine. It's nice to see you still run the house with an iron hoof, Aunt Granny."

"Yep." Granny nodded as she sat back down in her chair. "You gotta keep these young'uns in line or they'll slack off. Then the harvest doesn't get done. Then we're up a creek if you catch my drift."

"I understand all too well." The mare replied.

"So how's your momma doing? It's a shame that she didn't come with you."

"She said that she needed to keep working so I can only stay a few days before I have to head back. I don't know how Mom does it." Night said.

"Although she acts like she's an Orange, she's an Apple to the core, hehe. Of course, she's got you to help look after the farm. You're a bigger help than you realize, Sugarplum."

The two sisters walked back in with a seeming mountain of apple-based treats balanced on their heads. "I couldn't remember what ya liked so we made some more." Applejack said with an awkward smile.

"Thanks. I'm sure it is all great. Sweet Apple Acres is really famous for its pies and cider." Night took a small sample of various treats along with a fresh mug as her cousins split the rest among them and took a seat. Big Mac walked back in soon after having completed his errand.

"So how are things over in Fillydelphia? The tomato business treatin' you right?" Applejack asked.

"Well, tomatoes are a bit more niche than apples, but we get by." Night Shade answered. "Not all that exciting, really."

Applebloom eagerly cut in as she looked at the older pony excitedly. "So, you're my cousin, right?"

"Indeed I am, Applebloom, 3rd or 4th I think. Not close enough to carry the Apple name, though. My mom, Love Apple, being the exception of course."

"Neat, sorry I can't remember you from before. I must have been real little." The filly said.

"It's alright. You're still as adorable as ever. I'm sure you'll have all the boys chasing after you soon enough." Night complimented, causing the filly to blush at the compliment.

"Sorry about that. You were saying…?" Applejack apologized, trying to return to the original topic.

"Oh, right. Well, not much has changed aside from normal harvesting, which I'm sure all of you are familiar with." Night took a moment to think. "Oh, I also got married a while back."

"REALLY! Well, congratulations. Who's the lucky pony?" Applejack asked.

"His name is Sierra Mist. He's a professor at the Fillidelphia School of Magic."

"Interesting. So how'd you meet?" The mare pressed.

"Funny story, I was on a saddlebagging trip across Equestria and we came across one another while I was in the Smokey Mountains. Who would have thought a unicorn had a talent for Spelunking."

Applebloom's head was nearly squished as Applejack frantically tried to cover her ears. "Night Shade, we don't talk like that around this house. We got a filly here." She said through clenched teeth.

"What are you talking about?" The mare looked at her cousin with confusion before she caught on. "Oh… no no no, it's nothing like it sounds. It's cave diving. His parents are geologists so he knows a lot about rocks and stuff." She quickly explained.

Applejack got a look of understanding and let go of her sister's ears. "Sorry about that, Sugarcube. Thought the conversation was getting too mature for a second." She cleared her throat to regain her composure. "But why did you not invite the Apple family? Had we known, we could have had a real shindig right here on the farm." Applejack suggested.

"I'm sure you would have, but we're a more private kind of family." Night stated.

"Hmmm, just like the Pies."

"Pies? Do I know them?"

"Oh yes, Pinkie Pie. She works at Sugarcube Corner. She moved to Ponyville after the last time you came to visit. She found out that we might be related… although that one's still up for debate. You didn't run into her on your way over did ya?"

"I don't think so. Why?"

"Oh you'll find out soon enough. Hehe. Anyways, her family likes to keep to themselves a lot too. No need to fret over it." The southern pony said reassuringly.

Night smiled. "Thanks. It was a nice service. Small and quiet."

"Well it's good that you found somepony. It has been a while and a lot has happened over the years. So what brings you to Ponyville?" Applejack asked.

"Figured that I might branch out and sell some tomatoes outside of Fillydelphia. One of our neighbors, Celery Salary, ventured out to Vanhoover to promote his new cooking style. I don't know what the fuss is about roasting vegetables over a fire, but he sure think it's a million bit idea."

Granny Smith let out a noise of irritation at the mention of Vanhoover, but said nothing else as she quietly listened to the cousins catching up.

XXXXX

The rest of the evening, Night Shade caught up with the Apple family current events. She quite enjoyed the Adventures of Applebloom and the Cutie Mark Crusaders. It was fun listening to these stories and it reminded her of herself when she was young.

Big Mac, however, was a bit harder to talk to. Not like he was when he was a colt. Admittedly, she was a bit exasperated with his single word answers, but she thought it best to not ask why as the rest of the Apple family seemed used to it. Granny was content with the younger generation spending time together and opted to simply enjoy the company.

Then her attention returned to Applejack. "Of course, I'd like to hear more about you, AJ. I'm sure it must be real exciting being the Savior of Equestria."

The mare laughed embarrassingly as she rubbed the back of her head. "Hehe, it's nothing really. It has it's moments, but actually tending the farm feels a bit crazier at times. Despite facing the likes of Discord and Tirek, it's not as bad as Harvest Season."

"Same old Applejack. Always a workhorse." Night said with a small laugh. "Except now you got rid of that lying streak of yours. The tales you told were taller than your apple trees. It's ironic that you became the Element of Honesty."

Applebloom snickered a little as Applejack became defensive. "I was young and what foal always tells the truth. It was just a phase and I grew out of it." Applejack exclaimed.

"Yeah, but I love how easily riled up you still get. You never change." Night quipped.

Applejack didn't take the jab lightly as she leaned forward aggressively. "That's something coming from a vegetable farmer."

Night Shade grin shifted into an angry scowl as she matched her cousin's glare. "Tomatoes are fruits and you know it, Applejack!"

"Oh? Then tell me Night Shade. If they are fruits, then why don't they have a tomato pie? They have pumpkin, blueberry, cherry, and APPLE pie. I've never heard of a tomato pie."

"That's a false comparison. Tomatoes aren't fruits because of how they are eaten, but by what they are. They can be sweet and they have seeds. JUST-LIKE-APPLES."

Applejack pffted. "Yeah, that's why they're put in salads, right? Could have fooled me."

"There are FRUIT salads!"

"That DON'T have tomatoes in'em!"

Night Shade was getting angrier by the second as AJ was the most stubborn pony she ever met. She wouldn't budge from her position if she believed she was right. Indeed her thick-headedness was a strength for her in this situation. So she knew she would need to change gears as her frown turned into a smile.

"Tell me, AJ. How many barns have you raised since that last time I was here?"

Applejack almost physically backpedaled from this question. "Uh… ummm, that's uh… ummm."

Night Shade smirk grew wider. She knew changing topics was the best strategy against her cousin. As stubborn as Applejack was, she was like a train. Unstoppable when on a set path, but throw something to get her off track and she becomes derailed quite easily.

"Too many to count from the look on your face." Night Shade mused, taking a final swig of her cider as she saw victory in sight. "I don't know if I should blame the material or the architect at this point. You should really figure out which one is the weak link."

Now the two were out of their chairs and were literally butting heads as they tried to push the other pony back, neither giving an inch. "You had better apologize. We work hard building those barns." Applejack demanded.

"Which are always falling apart or are destroyed by some random chaos even when we were fillies. So you tell me what the problem is. I highly doubt it's the lumber, because this house has been in the Apple family for generations and barely even has so much as a scratch on it. Know why? Because you didn't build it!"

"Now now, simmer down. This is not how we treat our guests." Granny Smith butt in, seeing no end to this argument and finally deciding to put an end to it herself. "It's getting late and the Running of the Leaves is tomorrow so we need to get some shut eye before packing up everything to head to the White Tail Woods in the mornin'. Now shake hooves and make up or I'll tan both your hides."

"Fine." The two broke off their argument with a huff, shaking hooves without looking at eachother.

"Aww man. Just when it was getting good." Applebloom said disappointedly next to Big Mac, who agreed with an Eeyup.

XXXXX

Night Shade and Applejack were lying in her room. The lavender mare had a small cot across from Applejack's larger bed. Although night had fallen a long time ago, neither had fallen asleep.

"Night Shade." Applejack finally spoke.

"Yeah, AJ."

"You awake?"

"Uh huh."

Silence…

"I'm glad that you came to visit. Outside of reunions, other Apples don't come around very often. Things can get rather busy and everypony has their own lives, I know. Still it's nice every once in a while."

Night Shade let out a sound of agreement. "I'm glad I came too. With Dad gone, it was just Mom and me to run the farm. It was hard with just the two of us for a while, but we made it work."

"Yeah, I know what you mean."

Silence…

"It was pretty funny getting you angry like that. I haven't had fun like that in a while." Night said with mirth.

Applejack chuckled a little. "Yeah, it reminded me of Rainbow Dash. She and I can get into quite a spat from time to time."

"The Wonderbolt? That must be cool. You have some pretty famous friends. You're even friends with a princess."

"Well she's just Twilight to me. Guess I'm so used to it that I don't really think about it. Funny how life turns out sometimes."

"Yeah, life sure can be strange." Night agreed. "But tomatoes are fruits, no matter how strange you think it is." She teased.

Applejack groaned in annoyance. "Lets just agree to disagree. It's getting late."

"For now." Night Shade replied with a chuckle. "Good night, AJ."

"Good night, Night Shade."

"Hey AJ?"

"Yeah?"

"Apples forever."

"Apples together."

XXXXX

A/N

Such a sweet little reunion for the Apple family. Not to mention the age-old tomato argument.

Tomatoes are a member of the nightshade family.

Love Apple is another name for a tomato.