Apple Family Reunion
Pony's Log Number 308: Sometimes we focus so much on making things perfect for our families that we forget what truly creates lifelong memories...
Inside of the Apple family barn, Applejack was shuffling through some stuff above where various boxes and other items had been stashed away.
"Ha! Found 'em!" said Applejack as she grabbed a rather dusty box and then tossed the box down to where Granny Smith was waiting below.
"Aaa-choooo!" said Granny Smith as one of the dust clouds was inhaled into her nostrils and made her go flying backwards.
"Heh. Gesundhoof," said Applejack as Granny Smith wobbled back to the orange pony.
"Why, thank you, Applejack," said Granny Smith as searched through the box and pulled out a quilt, "I still can't believe it's been almost one hundred moons since our last family reunion. Aw, I remember it like it was yesterday." If she's referring to the family reunion way back in episode one, then this would imply roughly seven years have passed since then! This is considering one moon is about thirty days...
"Well, you have been talkin' about it pretty much every day since then," Applejack pointed out.
"Apple Bloom!" said Granny Smith as she looked to the side where the yellow filly was sitting behind a haystack with two stacks of letters before her, "How them RSVP's comin' along? Who's showin' their muzzle at the reunion?"
"Everypony!" Apple Bloom answered as she threw her fore-legs into the air.
"Everypony?" said Granny Smith as she turned to Applejack, who stood beside her, "Feather on a goat."
"Are you sure?" Granny Smith asked as she looked at Apple Bloom once again.
"Well, I got RSVPs from Apples from Yonder Hill, Hollow Stables, Galloping Gorge, Foal Mountain, Apples from Fillydelphia, Tall Tale Town, and all the Apples from Appleloosa!"
"Guh?" said Granny Smith in complete shock.
"Oh! And how could I forget? Manehattan!" said Apple Bloom as she jumped up and caused all the RSVPs to scatter about and bounced around as a smiling Applejack and a rather stunned Granny Smith watched her, "Babs is comin'! I get to see my favorite cousin!"
"I think we're gonna need a bigger cider trough," said Granny Smith. It was then they heard a familiar TOOT-TOOT! Granny Smith snapped out of her thoughts and saw Mario arriving with a train loaded with various produce and diary goods inside of them.
"Hey, everypony," said Mario, "I took care of the rest of the chores for you so the goods just need to be stored away."
"Aw, thanks so much for the help, Mario," said Granny Smith, "We look forward to seeing you for the big event."
"Big...event? What big event?" Mario asked puzzled. Granny Smith's jaw dropped.
"What do you mean "What big event"?!" Granny Smith exclaimed, "I'm referin' to the Apple Family Reunion!"
"I...didn't know I was invited," said Mario, "I never got an invitation." Granny Smith blinked in surprise.
"Apple Bloom, check the list of family members!" said Granny Smith, "Didn't I put Mario's name on the list?" Apple Bloom rushed over and scanned the list.
"No, he's not on here," said Apple Bloom, "I mean...I know we call him family but...isn't he more like an "honorary" member? No offense!"
"None takin'," said Mario, "It's the truth."
"Oh quit yer yapping over all this formal mumbo jumbo and nonsense," said Granny Smith sternly, "I said it before and I'll say it again. I think of Mario as a grandchild and he is invited to the Apple Family Reunion. So you better show up sonny!" Mario just smiled.
"I would be honored," said Mario, "thank you Granny Smith." Granny Smith then gave Mario a hug, which he returned as Applejack and Apple Bloom smiled.
I still feel like he reminds me of somepony... Granny Smith thought to herself, But who...oh, confound this rusty memory of mine...
(Main theme)
Later that afternoon, Apple Bloom, Applejack, Mario were with Granny Smith as she looked through all the RSVP letters.
"Whooeee!" said Granny Smith as Big Mac walked by pushing a wheelbarrow loaded with more RSVPs inside of it, "Looks like the family's grown tenfold since the last reunion! I'm gonna be busier than a worm in a rotten tomater tryin' to get everything ready!"
"I could always help out," said Applejack.
"Me, too!" said Apple Bloom.
"Me, three!" said Mario.
"Eeyup," Big Mac added.
"Oh, I sure would appreciate that," Granny Smith replied, "Granny's a little rustier in the giddy-up since the last time the Apple's all got together." Granny then pulled the wrinkles back on her skin, making her face smooth again...for about two seconds. Then her facial skin sagged over her face to make her winkles reappear. Applejack, Mario, and Big Mac exchanged looks with each other.
"You may be a tad old, Granny," said Applejack, as Mario blinked and slowly backed away nervously from the orange pony, "But you're as feisty and full of spark as ever-"
"Who you callin' old?!" Granny Smith interjected offensively as she extend her neck to get into Applejack's face, making the orange pony cringe fearfully.
"Uh...I just meant..." said Applejack, trying to recompose herself, "Why don't you let me take over puttin' the reunion together this time round? Then all you need to worry about is enjoyin' yourself." Granny was still glaring as Applejack spoke, but then softened as she pondered the orange pony's idea. Apple Bloom and Mario just watched with interest.
"Hmmm. Alright, young'un, you got yourself a deal," said Granny Smith poking Applejack on the chest, "You're in charge."
"I won't let you down, Granny," said Applejack as she hugged the mare from the side, "In fact, I just got a great idea. Mario?"
"Yes AJ?" Mario replied.
"I was wonderin' if you could set up a special train to pick up all our relatives across Equestria that don't come by other means of travel," said Applejack, "with your speed and strength, it shouldn't be a problem for you to travel across Equestria and back in time for the reunion."
"Sure thing!" said Mario excitedly, "I'll go round up the train right now so I can be ready to leave before sunrise on the day of the reunion. Will that give you enough time to get everything ready here?"
"Should be, sugarcube," said Applejack. Mario then headed out to find the coaches. It wasn't even a minute later when they heard the rolling and bumping of coaches outside. Apple Bloom peaked out from the front door as Mario pushed one coach down the magically made tracks about the yard area.
"Come along! Come along!" Mario fussed as he pushed one coach down the track, bumping it into another coach as he tried to round up the coaches as quickly as possible.
"There's plenty of time, there's plenty of time!" Apple Bloom shouted, "It's still a couple of days away before the reunion." Mario just continued rounding up the coaches until he had a nicely sized train ready to go. Applejack smiled before turning back to Granny Smith.
"Now that Mario is preparing the train," said Applejack, "You just tell me what the reunion needs, and I'll take care of the rest."
"I'll do better than tell you what the reunion'll need," said Granny Smith with a smile on her face, "I'll show ya!" Later that night after Mario had finished preparing the train, everypony else minus Big Mac were in the living room sitting on the sofa as Granny Smith held a book in her fore-hooves.
"We've been hostin' these things at Sweet Apple Acres every hundred moons since we first planted roots here in Ponyville," said Granny Smith.
"Do you ever miss the days before Ponyville developed into the town it is today?" Mario asked curiously.
"As much as I like good ol' peace in quiet," said Granny Smith, "Having the town certainly made things more lively around here."
"Hey, who's that?" Apple Bloom asked as she pointed at picture of a filly wearing a bonnet and mixing something inside of a black pot over an open fire.
"That'd be your Great-Great-Auntie Applesauce when she was about your age," said Granny Smith as she then showed a more recent picture of the mare, "Now she used to go by another name, but everypony started calling her Applesauce after half her teeth fell out when she was makin' apple jam." Granny Smith then showed a picture of what appeared to be dentures tumbling into the pot.
"Yeah," said Granny Smith, "Never did find them teeth in all those jars." Applejack and Mario just exchanged disturbed looks with each other. Granny Smith then turned a few pages.
"Hey! That's you, Granny!" Apple Bloom exclaimed as she saw a picture of Young Granny Smith with three other fillies.
"Sure is," Granny Smith replied, "Apple family's been workin' on that same old quilt since our first reunion." As they looked at the picture, a flashback was seen of Young Granny Smith getting ready to work on the quilt.
"I can do it! Ngh!" Young Granny Smith grunted as she pulled on the thread to attach a square patch into it, but the thread came right out as she pulled on it, "Oh, fingle-fangle!" The other fillies laughed. Back at the present, Apple Bloom was giggling to herself.
"Well, nopony told me you actually had to knot the end of the thread!" Granny Smith retorted in her defense, now Apple Bloom and Mario were giggling to themselves.
"Okay, so I'll need to get new quiltin' materials, fabric, needles, thread..." Applejack muttered to herself before speaking to Granny Smith, "You've really been workin' on the same quilt since the first reunion?"
"Surely have," said Granny Smith, "I don't think we're ever gonna finish that doggone thing!"
"Is that on purpose?" Mario asked, "I'm sure each square has its own memories."
"It certainly turned out that way," said Granny Smith.
"Hey, what's goin' on here?" Apple Bloom asked as she looked at some pictures of relatives standing before some black pots over an open fire.
"Well, you know us Apples enjoy a good fritter..." Granny Smith pointed out.
"Including us honorary members," said Mario as he hummed and licked his lips. Another flashback showed some family members deep frying the apple fritters and then placing them on a plate near a relative by the name of Half Baked Apple. His tongue hung out a bit as he took a bite into the apple fritter.
"Ooo, hot-hot-hot!" Half Baked Apple yelped as he ran over to a bowl of apple juice and dunked his head into it. Another relative, named Apple Split, just smiled and carried another plate of apple fritters on his back and set them on the table. It was then he noticed the other plate of fritters was gone.
"Hey, where did all them apple fritters go?" Apple Split asked. It was then heard some munching under the table.
"And..." Apply Split muttered as he lifted the table cloth and saw a small orange baby foal under the table. The baby made cute noises as her face was covered in applesauce and honey.
"Who are you, little one?" Apple Split asked.
"I'm Applejack!" said the baby, "More apple fwitter?" Apple Split just smiled.
Back in the present, Mario chuckled to himself.
"You were such a cute baby, Applejack," said Mario, but the orange pony wasn't paying much attention.
"She sure was," Granny Smith replied, "That's how we figured out your sister had the appetite of a full grown stallion." It was then Granny Smith and Apple Bloom looked at Applejacks' stomach.
"That explains why during picnics she eats six sandwiches and still had room for two apples and dessert," Mario remarked. The three ponies giggled to themselves.
"Better get twice as much honey and flour," Applejack muttered to herself, "then...fifty more buckets of apples, more oil, wood for the fire..." Granny Smith and Apple Bloom just shared a look at Applejack for a moment before getting back to the photo album.
"Now stick an apple in my mouth and roast my rump!" said Granny Smith as she showed a picture of her younger self tied to another filly as she looked at Apple Bloom, "This one sure brings back memories. Y'know how Babs is your favorite cousin? Well, Apple Rose is mine. The two of us entered the seven-legged race every reunion!" Another flashback showed the Young Granny Smith and Young Apple Rose trailing behind two other pairs of young ponies.
"We're gonna win this one, cousin!" said Young Apple Rose.
"You bet your hot-diggety-derriere we are!" said Young Granny Smith, "C'mon, cousin, speed'er on up!" The two fillies tried to pick up their pace, but then Apple Rose tripped and yelped. The two lost their balance and fell over. Then they just looked at each other and laughed.
Back in the present, all but Applejack just smiled.
"Never won a single one of them races," said Granny Smith.
"Races," Applejack muttered to herself as she paced about the living room floor, "We'll need cloth ties, finish line...Not much to a seven-legged race. Hmm."
"And, of course, we can't forget to take the big family photo!" said Granny Smith as she showed a picture of herself as a foal and her parents near the still being built barn, "We always snapped a photo in front of the barn at the end of every reunion, let's us see how our family's grown!" Granny then turned the page to show another picture of herself as a filly with her parents and a few other relatives. She then showed another page that showed a more recent family reunion picture with Granny Smith, the three siblings, and a large number of family members around them.
"Photo in front of the barn. Got it," Applejack said to herself as she put her fore-leg over the lower half of the front door.
"You sure have some great memories of these reunions, don'tcha?" Apple Bloom remarked.
"Indeedy, and I'm lookin' forward to makin' more at this one," said Granny Smith, "Oh, I'm sure everypony is, and I do mean everypony! We got the whole family together this time 'round! Who knows if they'll be able to make the next one?" She gave Apple Bloom a wink. Applejack just blinked in shock at the thought of just how big the Apple Family could be.
"I just hope they like me," said Mario, "How are we gonna explain that I'm your grandcolt Granny Smith?"
"Simple, I say you're my grandcolt and that will be the end of it," the mare replied.
"Fair enough," said Mario, "I just worried that the other relatives are gonna think me and Applejack are married or engaged."
"Oh sweet Celestia..." Applejack groaned, implying that some relatives would think that.
"Just let me take care of the them tech-whats-its and you just keep your mouth shut about it," Granny Smith instructed.
"Yes ma'am," Mario answered. Applejack just continued to look at the night sky as a pair of peculiar shooting stars flew across the sky.
"What Granny Smith said about the size of the family is true," said Applejack to herself, "Busy as everypony's lives are gettin' these days, chances are pretty slim we'll be this lucky next time 'round." She then turned toward the other three ponies.
"Don't worry, Granny," said Applejack, "I'm gonna make sure this is the most memorable reunion we've ever had! I better get started...I've got some plannin' to do!"
"Need any help Applejack?" Mario offered.
"I'm fine for now, Mario," Applejack replied, "If I do get overwhelmed, I'll let you know."
"Promise?" Mario asked skeptically since he knew just how stubborn Applejack could be.
"Yes, promise," said Applejack with an eye roll and headed upstairs to her bedroom. The three ponies just exchanged smiles with each other.
"Oh hootenanny!" said Granny Smith as she showed another page in the album, "Would you look what your second cousin is wearin' on her head?" The three ponies giggled to each other.
It was two in the morning of the night before the family reunion, Applejack was in her bedroom with a stack of RSVPs on a table and several crumpled sheets of paper on the floor and waste bin. The sound of the clock pendulum could be heard ticking as she paced about. It was then the door creaked open to reveal a very sleepy looking yellow filly.
"Apple Bloom!" said Applejack as she looked at the filly and walked up to her, "what are you doin' up?"
"I was gonna ask you the same thing," said Apple Bloom in a tired tone as Applejack sat on the edge of her bed.
"I can't sleep," said Applejack, "My gears are turnin' in my head about this reunion!"
"Why don't you summon Mario for help?" Apple Bloom suggested as Applejack then let herself lie on the bed on her back and the yellow filly did the same beside her.
"I thought about it," said Applejack, "But I don't feel right waking him this early when I should've asked him earlier."
"I see," said Apple Bloom with a yawn, "Yeah...I can't wait to see my cousin Babs. We're gonna do so many fun things together..."
"Fun?" Applejack replied as she sat up and walked over to a chart she made with the events that Granny said they usually did during the reunion pictured on it, "That's just the beginin' of it! Granny Smith handed me the reins of this reunion, and I'm gonna make the most of it. Apple Bloom, I've got so many things planned you won't even have a minute's rest!" Applejack then turned around to hear her little sister now fast asleep and snoring on her bed. Applejack just smiled and tucked her little sister in.
"Trust me, little sis," said Applejack in a soft tone, "This reunion I'm puttin' together is going to be worth the wait." Apple Bloom just snored loudly in reply, but Applejack just smiled.
It was an hour later as Applejack was busy working on her plans for the reunion when she heard a faint whistle outside. She looked out the window to see Mario, wearing his train harness, as he buffered up to the coaches. She knew he had to leave extra early in order to reach the farthest areas known to have Apple Family relatives living there.
"Take care and be careful," said Applejack from above her window.
"Sure thing," said Mario as he put on his dark brown stenson hat Applejack had given him, "I'm gonna do my best to make sure I get the family here on time!" Mario then gave a toot his horn and pulled the train down the magically laid train tracks that would lead him to the main line and on his way. Applejack just watched him disappear and then went back to work.
Soon the sun was rising and the rooster crowed to mark the start of a brand new day. Apple Bloom was still fast asleep in Applejack's bed when the orange pony suddenly pulled the blanket off the bed.
"Whoa!" Apple Bloom exclaimed in shock.
"Rise and shine!" said Applejack with a smile on her face, "We don't have much time!" Apple Bloom just sleepily jumped off the bed and landed with a thump. She then dragged her body across the floor as she followed after her older sister out of the room. It wasn't long before the three Apple siblings were hard at work trying to buck apple trees and collect the apples needed for the reunion. Applejack then hooked herself up to a wagon and headed to the Carousel Boutique. She picked up various rolls of fabric from Rarity, who tied a ribbon on one of the rolls. Applejack then waved goodbye and thanked her before heading on her way. Next, Applejack then stood in place as Pinkie used an actual beehive to pour its contents into several jars. Once Pinkie was finished, she then poured some honey into her own mouth and tossed the beehive away. She then let out a belch as a lone bee buzzed out of her mouth.
"Don't forget the glitter!" said Pinkie as she tossed a some of the golden glitter at Applejack, coating her completely in it. Applejack just coughed in reply. Once she had cleaned the glitter off, she lined up several buckets in a row. Rainbow then jumped on the cloud to make it rain and the water filled up the buckets. Applejack just watched the buckets getting filled, not caring that she got all wet and just shook herself dry. She then waved at Rainbow for a job well done when...
BZZZZZZZZZZZZZT!
The cloud shot out some lightning, leaving the Applejack slightly fried. Rainbow just turned away and whistled to herself innocently. Once Applejack had recovered, Big Mac got busy chopping up, collecting, and stacking up a large collection of firewood. Once it was set up, Applejack then held Spike like a lighter and used him to set the logs on fire with the large black pots resting on top of them.
Meanwhile, Mario was working as hard as he could pulling the train now loaded with most of the Apple family relatives on board down the main line. While many of them were rather surprised and some even skeptical about seeing him pulling the train, they did warm up to him once he introduced himself and then showed them what he could do. The warm welcomes Mario received really helped his confidence as he was less shy and more enthusiastic when he said hello to the family members when he arrived at some of the other stations. By now some of them even leaned out of their windows to cheer him on. One Apple family member leaned out of the window to wave at Mario, but the train was doing so fast, that her bonnet blew off into a desert wasteland, where a coyote ate it for breakfast. Mario was too focused on pulling his train to enjoy the cheers and praises.
"C'mon!" Mario called to the coaches, "C'mon! C'mon! C'mon! These Apples are relying on me to be on time!" Mario then sped ahead, trying to move as smoothly and quickly as he could down the tracks. It wasn't much longer before he pulled smoothly into Ponyville Station. He looked at the clock and smiled.
"Nice, two minutes early," he said impressively. It was then the Apple relatives began to exit the train.
"Yee-haw!"
"Smooth ride their par'ner!"
"Thanks for ride!"
"Thank you so much!"
"See ya at the reunion, cousin!"
"Thank you very much!" said Mario as he waved goodbye for now, "Thank you so much! I'll be there as soon as I can!" Mario waited for all the Apple family relatives to leave the train and clear the tracks before he pulled the empty train to a siding out of the way.
Once Applejack had finished tying up the final flag banner, everything for the reunion was ready to go.
"H-ha," said Applejack as she sat on Big Mac's back, "Think that'll do it!"
"And just in time, too," said Granny Smith as she looked into the distance. It was then some rumbling was heard as several ponies came running up to them. Most of the ponies came on foot since they had arrived from the train station. Those who hadn't come on Mario's train arrived in pioneer wagons, stagecoaches, and one couple arrived from their own personal airship. One particular stagecoach opened up as three young ponies burst out of it and ran off. It was then a mare familiar to Granny Smith came out of it. Her mane and tail had the same curls and green ribbons as the picture, but the color of her mane was now a light shade of pinkish-red and she had a pair of glasses on her face.
"Apple Rose! Ohhh!" said Granny Smith excitedly as they two share a hug, "Ooh, this is more excitin' than when it rained frogs!" The rest of the Apple family relatives began to mingle and chat with each other. Two younger ponies then shared an embrace before the first gave the second a noggie while the second tickled the first's stomach. Then they shared a double high-hoof with each other. Then one young pony appeared from behind an adult mare. She was shy at first, but then smiled as Winona came to say hello and licked her cheek. Applejack just smiled to herself.
"Way to go, Mario," said Applejack, "You've come through like you always do." She still hadn't seen Mario just yet, but figured he was probably shunting the coaches somewhere out of the way. She then stood before a set up megaphone to address her family.
"Howdy, y'all," said Applejack, "and welcome to the Apple Family Reunion!" The ponies all cheered excitedly.
"My name's Applejack," the orange pony continued, "And I hope those who came by train enjoyed the ride. Mario is a very close friend of the family and like a second big brother to me so please give him a warm welcome when he arrives." The ponies cheered again as Granny Smith nodded at how Applejack settled the issue of how Mario was seen in their family.
"I just want to tell y'all that I got a real big day planned for ya!" Applejack continued, "We're gonna start off with an obstacle course for the young'uns, and some fritter makin' and quiltin' for the not-so-young'uns. And there's lots more to come after that! Hope y'all enjoy it!" The ponies cheered for a third time as Apple Bloom was searching the crowds with a worried look on her face.
"Where is she?" Apple Bloom wondered when a fore-leg extended from behind her and spun her around. There is the familiar dark-caramel brown filly with a pink mane and tail. She blew her bangs as Apple Bloom saw her.
"Babs!" said Apple Bloom excitedly.
"Cuz!" said Babs as the two shared a hug.
"I know it hasn't been that long since we've seen each other, but-" said Apple Bloom.
"-It felt like forever!" the two fillies both exclaimed at once.
"How was the train ride?" Apple Bloom asked.
"It was awesome," said Babs, "I knew Mario was cool, but...wow...I never thought I'd see a stallion who could thunder along the tracks like he can!"
"He is considered to be the fastest unicorn alive!" said Apple Bloom.
"I believe it," said Babs, "I can't wait to tell you about my new school!"
"I can't wait to hear all about it!" Apple Bloom replied as the two fillies walked off.
"Jeepers, where do I start?" said Babs, "Okay, So first day-"
"Babs," said Applejack as she arrived and unintentionally interrupted the two ponies, "Huh, so glad you could come!"
"What am I, gonna miss out on spendin' time with my favorite cousin?" said Babs as she blew her bangs, "Forget about it! I'm also hoping to see Mario too. He's really helped me out by letting me send him those letters!"
"Don't you worry," said Applejack, "There'll be plenty of time for family bondin', Mario included, while your racin' against your other cousins." Applejack then started pushing the two fillies toward the area for the race. Apple Bloom and Babs just shared uneasy looks with each other.
It wasn't long before Apple Bloom and Babs had one of their forelegs tied together. Four other cousin had also found a partner and had a foreleg tied together. So three pairs of young ponies were standing at the startling line as Applejack stood at the side.
"Alrighty, ponies!" said Applejack excitedly, "Ready to have some fun?"
"Whoa," Babs exclaimed, "Is that the finish line? It's like a mile away or somethin'!"
"Actually, that's just the marker where you go on to the next leg of the race," said Applejack. Apple Bloom was shocked.
"There's more?" Apple Bloom remarked.
"Much more. Trust me, I have put together somethin' you are never gonna forget," Applejack replied as the Apple Bloom and Babs shared worried looks with each other again, "After the seven legged race, you're gonna wanna hurry up and head over here, where you'll be bobbin' for apples." Applejack then dunked her head into a large wooden bucket filled with apples and pulled out three apples at once with her mouth.
"Then you'll run around these trees fifty times until you're real good and dizzy," said Applejack as she ran some figure eights around the trees very quickly until she wobbled away looking rather dizzy, and then recovered before jumping over some hurdles and putting a plate on a stick on her head, "Then you'll jump these big wooden hurdles. And then there's the final leg, where you'll balance plates on your head while sayin' "Pappy pony picked a pluck of prickly pluffnuggets" over and over again. Last pony standin' wins!" There was a long pause as all six young ponies just looked at Applejack as if apples were growing out of her ears.
"Seriously?" Apple Bloom replied in a dead pan tone.
"Seriously!" said Applejack with a smile on her face, "C'mon, y'all! Let's starting makin' some memories! On your mark...get set...go!"Applejack then used her tail to wave the checkered flag to start the race as the six little ponies took off. One pair even tripped just after taking their first step, but quickly recovered and were on their way. Apple Bloom and Babs took an early lead, but it wasn't long before they were left tired and exhausted. They looked up to see that they were still very, very far away from the flag, causing the two fillies to groan to themselves.
"Whooeee!" Applejack cheered, "Lookin' good, everypony! Ooh, better go check on the quilt!" Applejack then trotted off, mumbling to herself. The two fillies just continued to try and catch their breath when Mario arrived. He hadn't bothered to rush to the reunion since he was a bit tired from the long train ride. It was then he noticed the flag and the clearly exhausted young ponies.
"What was Applejack thinking?" Mario said aloud as he arrived, "This is supposed to be a short race, not a jog-a-thon!"
"And we still have to head back to bob for apples, run around trees to get dizzy, and balance a plate on our heads and say "Pappy Pony Picka-per-pepe-" ugh...I remember it, just saying it is easier said than done."
"I think you get the picture, Mario," Babs added.
"Momma mia..." said Mario as he looked around, "Well, Applejack, looks like I'm gonna have to go over your head on this one." Mario then used his magic to teleport the flag so it was just a few yards away and then used his magic to make a orange pipe appear.
"Just take the pipe to get back to the starting line since I'm assuring the rest of the obstacles are back near the barn," Mario replied, "and when you get to running around the trees, don't try to risk getting sick running in circles okay. Nopony wants that."
"Sure thing, thanks Mario," said Babs as the rest of the young ponies smiled and went on their way. Mario waved them goodbye before heading back to the barn. He need to have a word with a certain orange pony.
Elsewhere on the farm, Granny Smith, Apple Rose, and Auntie Applesauce were spending time together as they headed towards a makeshift canopy where they would work on the quilt. Apparently Auntie Applesauce was showing off her dentures to the other two mares.
"How long you had those new choppers, Auntie Applesauce?" Granny Smith asked.
"A lady never reveals the age of her teeth," said Auntie Applesauce.
"Ugh," Apple Rose remarked with an eye roll.
"Don't you roll your eyes at me, Miss Apple Rose," Auntie Applesauce scolded indignantly, "I imagine you two think I have forgotten about what you did to my parasol six reunions ago?" Granny Smith and Apple Rose snickered.
"We were just usin' it to help break open that piñata!" Granny Smith remarked as she and Apple Rose laughed. Auntie Applesauce just smirked to herself.
"You used a parasol to break open a piñata?" Mario asked as he arrived to say hello.
"Now, there be that new grandcolt I was telling y'all about," said Granny Smith, "say hello to Auntie Applesauce and Apple Rose."
"H-Hello," said Mario shyly as he tipped his hat as well. Auntie Applesauce then got into Mario's face, making him cringe a bit as she looked him over.
"He reminds me of somepony..." said Auntie Applesauce as she pulled away and looked at Granny Smith.
"Who...umm...Auntie Applesauce?" Mario asked, grateful he had remembered her name. There was a long pause before as she scratched her chin.
"No clue," said Auntie Applesauce, making Mario do a comedic plop to the ground before getting up.
"He certainly is handsome," said Apple Rose, making Mario feel a bit bashful.
"T-t-thank you kindly, Miss Rose," said Mario, attempting to use his own version of a country accent.
"So well mannered," said Apple Rose impressively.
"They don't make stallions with that kind of integrity anymore," Granny Smith added as the three mares chuckled. Mario just blushed from all the praise when Applejack arrived carrying the quilt in her mouth.
"Hey, I've been looking for you!" said Mario.
"Applejack, delightful to see you," said Auntie Applesauce, "Are you gonna join us for some quilting?"
"Sorry, Auntie Applesauce," Applejack replied, "I'm very busy-busy-busy. Y'all should get started, though."
"We couldn't find our rocking chairs," said Granny Smith.
"Huh?" said Mario, "Big Mac cleaned and dusted them off last night! They were right by the barn doors."
"I got rid of 'em to make room for these," said Applejack, "This is the year y'all are gonna finish that quilt!"
"Finish it?" said Apple Rose puzzled.
"Uh, Applejack," said Mario, "I don't think-" Applejack then removed a cloth to reveal a collection of sewing machines set on a wooden table. Auntie Applesauce and Apple Rose seemed impressed while Granny Smith looked a bit worried. Applejack then pulled a cord to start the machine, which rattle very loudly. Granny Smith and Mario covered their ears. Auntie Applesauce nearly had her dentures shaken right out of her mouth.
"Won't that be excitin'?" Applejack asked the three mares.
"What's that?" Apple Rose asked since she couldn't hear Applejack at all. And being...uhh...more experienced...didn't help her hear Applejack any better.
"I said, won't that be-" Applejack then pressed the button to cut off the power so the sewing machines would stop rattling.
"-excitin'?" Applejack finished once the machines were turned off. The three mares just exchanged looks with each other.
"I suppose, although I have been told that too much excitement can wreck havoc on this youthful complexion of mine," said Auntie Applesauce in a rather snooty fashion.
"Oh," said Apple Rose with a smirk on her face. Mario then leaned over to Granny Smith's ear.
"Is Auntie Applesauce known always acting like she's far superior?" Mario asked, using a formal Canterlot like tone at the end of his question.
"All the time," Granny Smith whispered before she and Mario giggled quietly to each other.
"If you girls prefer I find those rocking chairs, needles, and threads," Mario proposed, "I can-"
"Of course not, big brother," Applejack interrupted, "They are more than happy to use the machines."
"I believe I was asking them, not you!" Mario replied indignantly. Applejack just glared, but Mario didn't stand down.
"It's alright, Mario," said Auntie Applesauce, "We can manage." The three mares then revved up their machines and got to work.
"That's the spirit!" said Applejack over the noise.
"What did she say?" Granny Smith called out.
"What?" Apple Rose asked since she hadn't heard a word that had been said.
"Good gracious!" Granny Smith exclaimed.
"Golden Delicious?" Apple Rose remarked, "I think he's racing with his cousin!" Granny Smith just shook her head. Mario just blinked since he had heard the last remark.
"I thought Golden Delicious was a mare?" Mario asked, "or am I confusing her with somepony else?"
"Yes, you are," said Applejack as she pushed Mario forward with her head, "Now give me a hoof and see how the young'uns are doing while I go check on the apple fritters."
"How about you listen to me first and then I'll go check on the young'uns," Mario retorted as he tried to get Applejack to stop pushing him forward, "Some of your ideas don't seem to be what I would call good opportunities for family bonding and making good memories."
"How about you do what I tell you and I won't buck you over to the young'uns," Applejack warned as she gave him a stern stare.
"Why do you have to be so stubborn and unreasonable sometimes?" Mario retorted angrily, "I'm trying to help you and there are some concerns over at the-"
"I don't have time for this!" Applejack interrupted, "I'm in charge of this reunion. Not you! Go check on the young'uns! NOW!" Mario growled at her.
"Fine!" Mario retorted, "But if this reunion ends up in pieces don't come crying to me!" Mario then trotted off as Applejack just gave him a loud raspberry behind his back as she headed off in the opposite direction.
By now the six little ponies had made their way toward the trees. Despite Mario's advice, the six actually were trying to run around the threes fifty times as some dizzy music could be heard.
"How are Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle?" Babs asked, feeling dizzy.
"Great!" said Apple Bloom in a woozy tone, "Ugh..." Apple Bloom then wobbled away from the trees groaning.
"You alright?" Babs asked with concern.
"So...dizzy..." said Apple Bloom before she gave a Wilhelm scream and face planted the ground.
"Ugh..." Apple Bloom groaned before passing out.
(Lose a life fanfare)
Babs just sighed as Mario arrived.
"What happened here?" Mario asked.
"Apple Bloom got a little too dizzy and knocked herself out," Babs explained.
"Momma mia..." said Mario, "I'll revive her."
"With a kiss?" Babs remarked, making a face.
"Very funny," Mario replied as he pulled out green and white mushroom. He then turned the yellow filly onto her back and fed her the mushroom.
(extra-life fanfare)
Apple Bloom woke up to see Mario looking at her and smiled.
"Hello honey," said Apple Bloom in a ditzy tone, "How's my husband today?" Mario and Babs rolled their eyes.
"She's fine," said Mario.
"Did ya ask Applejack about easing up the obstacle course?" Babs asked hopefully as Apple Bloom sat up. Mario snorted.
"I'm afraid Applejack has already entered her "nopony home" mood," Mario remarked. Babs looked puzzled as Apple Bloom groaned and let herself fall into her back.
"Stubborn mule," Apple Bloom muttered.
"No disagreements about that," said Mario, "Just try and do your best and if something feels too difficult, just skip it or stop and just relax."
"Hey, we are no quitters!" said Babs sternly.
"Yeah, we can take whatever Applejack throws at us!" Apple Bloom added.
"I know you can," said Mario, "I just don't want to see you or your cousins run yourself ragged over what is clearly a far too difficult obstacle course."
"We'll manage," said Apple Bloom as she and Babs headed over the wooden hurdles. Mario watched as both fillies tried to jump over them, but ended up either belly flopping on top of the hurdles or slammed their head into them for not jumping high enough. Mario just face-hoofed himself in annoyance.
Meanwhile, Big Mac had just finished frying an apple fritter. He set it on a plate and sniffled it hungrily. He then quickly looked around before gobbling it up. His timing couldn't have been more perfect as Applejack arrived as he licked his lips. Applejack noticed the empty plate and glared at him. Big Mac gulped and whistled innocently before rushing off. Inside the open tent, two relatives named Apple Dumpling and Apple Leaves were busy chatting and forming the dough for the apple fritters.
"You've got eight now, dont'cha?" Apple Dumpling asked Apple Leaves.
"Oh, sure do," Apple Leaves answered, "Tell you what, my Apple Tart may just be a baby, but he is a hoot!" Applejack then stood between the two mares.
"Havin' fun?" Applejack asked as Braeburn carried a plate filled with apple fritters behind her.
"Sure are!" said Apple Leaves.
"Better pick up the pace on those fritters thought, huh?" said Applejack as she grabbed some dough and shaped them into the fritters, "Roll, fold, crimp, slide to the left. Roll, fold, crimp, slide to the left. Roll, fold, crimp, slide to the left. Now you try!" Apple leaves hesitated for a moment before she kneaded some dough with her fore-hooves and then formed it into a fritter and slid it to the left. Apple Dumpling than joined her.
"That's it!" said Applejack, "Gotta keep the assembly line movin', gals! We want every Apple here to get a chance to taste the best darn fritters in Equestria." The rest of the family members just looked at each other wearily and got to work.
As for the young ponies, Apple Bloom and Babs had finally reached the area where they had to balance the plates and do the tongue twister. So far two ponies had already dropped their plate and supposedly were out. At least that's how Mario understood the rules.
"Pappy pony picked a pluck of prickly pluffnuggets," Apple Bloom and Babs said together.
"Any other blank flanks at your new school?" Apple Bloom asked since they had been trying to talk between tongue twisters and balancing the plates.
"Yeah. Two," Babs answered.
"Pappy pony picked a plunk of prickly pluffnuggets," Apple Bloom and Babs repeated together as another one of their cousins dropped their plate.
"Do they wanna be Crusaders?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Totally!" Babs replied.
"Great!" Apple Bloom answered.
"Pappy pony picked a plunk of prickly pluffnuggets," Apple Bloom and Babs repeated again, "Pappy pony picked a plunk of prickly pluffnuggets. Pappy pony picked a plunk of prickly pluffnuggets." It was then Babs stuck out her tongue.
"Ah can' thfeel my tongue," She remarked.
"Neh nehber," Apple Bloom replied with her own tongue sticking. Mario groaned.
"Applejack," Mario grumbled irritably to himself.
After some time had passed, Mario was just leaning lazily against the edge of the balcony where the mega phone had been set up. Since everypony else was so busy with their "activities", he wasn't able to really chat or get to know anypony. Plus with Apple Bloom and Babs suffering from numbed tongues, he couldn't talk to them either. Mario was feeling miserable and it didn't help the Applejack seemed to ignore him as she stood before the mega phone.
"Alright, Apples, break!" Applejack called out. The three mares at the noisy sewing machines stopped sewing and looked rather exhausted. Those who had been working on the apple fritters were also exhausted since they had made a large mountain of the tasty treats since Applejack pushed up production.
"Finally..." said Apple Bloom as she sighed and laid on her back in exhaustion, letting her plate fall into the grass. Babs just caught the plate she was balancing as two cousins behind them just dumped their plates and ran off. Applejack then set up a camera and looked into the camera lens as she adjusted the zoom and focus.
"Ooh, can't forget to capture all these memories for Granny's Album," said Applejack, but all she could see were family members who looked exhausted and miserable, "Huh. Nothin' that memorable there. Or there. Or there."
"Gee, I wonder why," Mario replied sarcastically before Applejack tipped the front of his dark brown stenson hat over his face.
"C'mon, Applejack, think," the orange pony told herself, "You gotta kick this thing up a notch! Hm..." Mario then adjusted his hat.
"Why not just let everypony mingle and talk to each other?" Mario offered, "Didn't Granny Smith say they usually had a relaxing hayride around the orchard? I can even pull the cart myself!"
"That's it!" said Applejack, "C'mon!" Mario smiled, but he was still a bit worried if Applejack had heard him at all.
Back near the barn, Apple Bloom and Babs had taken shelter behind some stacks of hay.
"I get that my big sis wants this to be like a super-awesome reunion," said Apple Bloom, "but that was ridiculous!"
"I thought we'd never get a minute to just hang out!" Babs Seed added.
"And your minute's up!" said a voice as a shadow towered above them. The two fillies looked up to see both Applejack and Mario standing on the top of the haystacks.
"Your fellow Apples are waitin' for you to join them," said Applejack.
"Applejack," Apple Bloom protested, "I haven't had any time with Babs! We were so busy with that obstacle course, we didn't even get to talk!"
"There'll be plenty of time to bond with Babs when we do the hayride," said Applejack as she jumped off the haystacks and walked off.
"Hayride?" said Babs as she and Apple Bloom looked stunned.
"A nice relaxing hayride through the apple orchards," Mario told them, "I should know. I'll be pulling the wagon!" Apple Bloom and Babs smiled as they headed to an already prepared wagon.
"Alright, everypony!" said Applejack as Apple Bloom, Babs, and several other relatives climbed into the wagon, "Step right up, take a seat, and leave the drivin' to the stallions!" Mario' jaw dropped as he noticed two stallions already hooked up the wagon and smiled for the family.
"Hey!" said Mario, "I thought I was supposed to...OOF!" Mario was then shoved aside by Applejack.
"Now, I know you've been workin' real hard makin' some awesome memories," Applejack continued as Mario recovered and glared at her, "And in all of our past reunions, we've always had a nice and relaxin' hayride around the farm. Which is why I decided to change things up a bit, and try somethin' just a wee bit more excitin'." Mario gasped silently again.
"That's not what we agreed to...hey, let go of me! UGH!" Mario protested but Applejack then picked him up and tossed him into the center of the wagon.
"In ya go, big brother!" said Applejack, "So let's get this show in the road!" She then closed the back of the wagon as Mario gave her an unnoticed death glare.
"Giddy up!" said Applejack as she bucked the back of the wagon. The two stallions whinnied before they took off at high speed. Applejack just chuckled to herself. She was apparently happy she had gone over Mario's head.
"Woah!" The ponies on the wagon screamed as they sped along the trail at a fast pace. While it was nothing compared to how fast Mario could run, even he had to admit that he was a bit frazzled. Then the wagon hit a bump, startling both Babs and Apple Bloom.
"Hold onto me girls!" said Mario as he sat between them and the two fillies hugged him for dear life. Then the wagon hit another bump at high speed, causing Auntie Applesauce's dentures to chatter about and fly out of her mouth...right into Big Mac's nose. She simply walked over to him and to get them back.
"I just had those professionally polished," Auntie Applesauce remarked, her voice a bit muffled without her teeth.
"Where in the world does that girl have us headed?" Granny Smith called out, "the west orchard?!"
"I wish I knew," said Mario, "This wasn't the route I had planned for the hayride!"
"Eeyup," said Big Mac to Granny Smith as they wagon headed towards the trees.
"What?!" Granny Smith exclaimed in shock, "I was jokin'! Why, we haven't tended those fields since all the trees got filled up with..." Granny Smith's eyes shrunk and she gulped.
"Filled with what, Granny?" Mario said worriedly. Granny Smith didn't answer.
As for Applejack, she was now sweating heavily as she arrived at the west orchard apple trees. She saw the wagon approaching and then bucked one of the trees. This caused several fruit bats of various colors to come flying out of the trees. The fruit bats then flew over the wagon, their flight pattern and different colors resembling a rainbow. The ponies began to ooh and ahh in amazement.
"Wowza!" said Babs as Apple Bloom watched the fruit bats fly by, "Never seen real fruit bats before!"
"Same here!" said Mario, "Applejack did good this time around!" Applejack just smiled, feeling very pleased with herself. It was then a red fruit bat noticed Auntie Applesauce's hat, which had some red apples on it. The fruit bat licked his lips before commanding all the others to dive bomb at her hat with the sound of an airplane.
"Uh-oh," said Applejack in a small voice. Auntie Applesauce yelped and soon everypony else was yelping and shouting as the bats continued to swarm their wagon as the stallions pulling the cart tried to rush everypony back to the barn, but the fruit bats wouldn't give up.
"It's your hat Auntie Applesauce!" Mario called out, "Throw it away!"
"My hat!? Never!" Auntie Applesauce retorted as she tried to shoo the bats away herself.
"Too Late!" Apple Bloom remarked as she saw the barn coming up fast, "Everypony! Jump out!" The two stallions then broke free of their harness as those on board jumped out of the wagon. While the wagon eventually rolled off sight and nowhere near the barn, the fruit bats flew right through the walls of the barn. The barn then clasped into pieces. Applejack rushed over to see everything. It didn't take her long before her eyes watered and she pulled her stenson hat over her face.
"Well, I hope you're happy!" said Mario angrily as he walked up to her, "You and your stubborn nature have once again found another way to go behind my back and make a complete mess of..."
Sniffle...sniffle...sob...sniffle...
Mario stopped talking as he walked up to the orange pony. He wasted no time using his magic to lift her hat. Poor Applejack looked very sad, her eyes filling up with tears. Mario felt his anger melt like butter. She gave Mario a sad and teary look before walking up to the now destroyed barn.
"Ruined," Applejack said she cried, "Everythin' is ruined." Applejack then just sat before the wrecked as she rubbed a fore-hoof in the dirt and stared at the ground. Apple Bloom, Mario, and Granny Smith walked up to her.
"Oh, Granny, I'm so, so sorry," Applejack said in a remorseful tone.
"Oh, it's alright, child," Granny Smith replied gently as Mario sat between Applejack and Apple Bloom, gently rubbing the orange pony's back for comfort.
"But it's not alright," Applejack protested as he tears continued to fall, "Just look at this! The barn and all my plans for the perfect family reunion are completely destroyed!"
"Maybe that's a good thing," said Apple Bloom.
"I agree," Mario added.
"How can that possibly be a good thing?" Applejack retorted defensively. Mario gave Applejack his own version of "The Stare". While it lacked the effectiveness of Fluttershy's, it was enough to make Applejack back down.
"Applejack, you had us so caught up in all the doin'," Granny Smith explained as the rest of the family slowly gathered behind them, "we haven't had a second to enjoy the company of the folks we've been doin' it with!"
"Really?" Applejack replied and the other ponies all made a unanimous agreement. Applejack just sighed.
"Oh, Granny Smith," said Applejack as she lowered her head and continued to cry, "here you let me be in charge of creatin' great memories, memories you wanted to share with Mario too, and the only thing anypony's gonna remember about this reunion...is that it was the worst family reunion we ever had."
"Applejack..." said Mario gently.
"I'll understand if you want to walk away..." Applejack added sadly.
"AJ, I was really angry when I said that last time," Mario retorted, "I never meant it. Your my best friend, practically a little sister to me, both you and Apple Bloom. I'm not going anywhere."
"Yeah, Sis," said Apple Bloom, "Besides, Mario did have a right to feel angry at you at the time. I mean I'd feel pretty sore at you if you bucked me in the head."
"Well, I pretty much did...in a way..." said Applejack, "Mario saw me going down this path of destruction, but instead of heeding his advice, what did I do? I stayed on course like the stubborn mule I am! I ruined everything!"
"Oh, hey now..." said Granny Smith gently, "everypony's still here, ain't they? Still plenty of time to make good memories! You've just got to give everypony a chance to actually make 'em."
"The family photo!" said Applejack as she stood up again, but then lowered her head again, "Guess we can't take it in front of the barn this year...unless..." She then turned to address the rest of the family.
"Everypony, I have one more activity!" Applejack announced.
"Applejack..." Granny Smith warned.
"Trust me, Granny Smith," said Applejack, "This'll be one we'll remember for all the right reasons! I think even Mario can figure out what I have in mind! He can even be in charge of the activity!" Mario looked at the wreckage for a second and then smiled.
"Let's do it!" said Mario.
It wasn't long before Applejack gave three taps on the ground with her fore-hoof then three relatives, named Fiddly Twang, Kazooie, and Pitch Perfect, began playing some country style music as the family stood before the band.
[Applejack - gave a loud shout before she began to sing. As she does the first count off, four ponies smiled in sequence and then she started dancing with Granny Smith, and made the mare twirl on her hind legs.]
Yee-hoo!
Raise this barn, raise this barn
One, two, three, four
Together, we can raise this barn
One, two, three, four
[Applejack - Granny Smith was seen wearing a yellow hard hat along with Mario. Big Mac and two other stallions that are also wearing hard hats as they propped up the support beams. Another relative hammered the beam into place as another pony gave them the nails. Apple Bloom and Babs then did a square dance together before breaking apart as the former partnered up with Big Mac and the latter with Granny Smith.]
Up, up, up, go the beams
Hammer those joints, work in teams
Turn 'em round quick by the right elbow
Grab a new partner, here we go
"Yeah!" the Apple Family cheered as they paired up and started square dancing
"Come on, Apple Family!" Applejack called out from the mega phone, "Let's get to it! Wee-hoo!"
[Applejack - She stood on top of a wooden beam suspended between two wooden boards as four ponies below pushed the wall up from the foreground as four more ponies pulled on the ropes attached to the wall from behind Applejack. When Applejack sang the countdown, each of the four ponies tugged their ropes in sequence. Then at the second countdown, the four ponies holding their ropes let them go in sequence.]
Raise this barn, raise this barn
One, two, three, four
Together, we can raise this barn
One, two, three, four
[Applejack - The rest of the family began to work on the main frame of the barn as a pig and a chicken started square dancing inside. Then a mare and Braeburn took a bow before they worked together to saw a log. Then six more family members appeared from behind the logs as the mare danced solo.]
Finish the frame, recycling wood
Workin' hard, you're doin' good
Turn 'em round quickly by the right elbow
Grab a new partner, here we go
"Yeah!" the family shouted.
"Whoo-whee!" Applejack shouted back as somepony off screen lifted a bunch of wooden boards off the ground.
[Applejack - As she does the countdown, four ponies hammer the nails into the wood in sequence. Applejack then holds a plate with apple fritters on it. As she did the countdown, each apple fritter was claimed until nothing was left.]
Raise this barn, oh, raise this barn
One, two, three, four,
Together, we can raise this barn
One, two, three, four,
[Applejack - another family member picked up a wooden board, then another hammered the nail into it, Apple Bloom and Auntie Applesauce danced together.]
Stats of wood come off the ground
Hold 'em up and nail 'em down
Turn 'em round quick by the left elbow
Grab a new partner, here we go
"Yeah!" the family members cheered as they continued to work on the barn.
"Come on, Apples!" said Applejack off screen, "Get 'er done!" Some of the family members waved at her in reply. Apple Bloom and Babs then work together trimming a wooden plank with a wood planner tool.
[Apple Bloom]
Look at us, we're family
[Applejack]
Workin' together thankfully
[Apple Bloom]
We Apples, we are proud to say
[Applejack and Apple Bloom - the two sister along with Babs smiled together.]
Stick together the pony way
[Applejack - As she sang, a mare fully dressed on a 19th century pioneer outfit and another stallion stood on their hind legs. They bowed to one another and then began to square dance. Then another mare was seen standing on a wooden beam nervously before she flipped over and held the beam from the underside with her legs. Then Granny Smith and Apple Strudel began to dance and Granny Smith was twirled about in quick session before he dipped her.]
Bow to your partner, circle right
Get down if you're scared of heights
Forward back and twirl around
That barn's gonna be the best in town
"Yeah!" the apple family cheered for Granny Smith and Apple Strudel.
"Yee-haw!" said Applejack, "Attagirl!"
"Hey, let's see what you can do Applejack!" said Mario, using his own country accent, as he pulled Applejack to her hind legs and stood before her. Applejack smiled as they both bowed and started to square dance in their own way.
"Yee-haw! Just look at you dose-doo!" Applejack called as they broke formation to dance and then rejoined hooves, "Look at you, dancing cowpony!"
"Yeeeeee-haaaaaw!" Mario and Applejack shouted as they linked fore-legs and danced in circles, waving their free fore-leg and holding their stenson hats in the air.
"Alright," said Apple Bloom as she rode a bull carrying more building materials, "Let's get to it!" Applejack and Mario then use some wooden poles to carry some cans of red paint at their sides. Apple Bloom and Granny Smith then brought up their own pair of paint cans.
[The entire Apple Family (Mario included!) - As the family sang the countdown, the buckets of paint were dropped on the ground in sequence. The four ponies are then seen carrying the paint cans on their back. Then at the second countdown, four ponies appear with paint brushes in their mouths. One pony than dipped their brush into the paint and they start to pain the now finished barn its traditional red color.]
Raise this barn, raise this barn
One, two, three, four
Together we can raise this barn
One, two, three, four
[Applejack - When she finished singing, her cousin, Fiddly Twang, did a short solo with her fiddle.]
Take your brushes, young and old
Together, paint it, bright and bold
Turn 'em round quick by the left elbow
Grab a new partner, here we go
[The Apple Family (Mario included) - they sang before the now completed barn, which its red paint sparkled in the sunshine. Two mares exchanged smiles with each other while one of them wiped their brow. Applejack then set the camera up and activated the timer for the picture to be taken as she rushed to join the rest of the family. Everypony, including Mario who stood next to Granny Smith, all posed and smiled as Applejack then slid into place as the camera flashed and took the picture.]
We raised this barn, we raised this barn
Yes, we did
Together we sure raised this barn
Yes, we did
Bring together counts the most
We all came here from coast to coast
All we need to strive to be
Is part of the Apple Family
"Yeah!" Apple Bloom shouted after the picture was taken. Soon the rest of the Apple Family continued to mingle with each other.
"Oh!" Granny Smith yelped as Apple Strudel gave her another twirl. Fiddly Twang, Kazooie, and Pitch Perfect continued playing in the background as Auntie Applesauce and Apple Rose were just talking to each other when Granny Smith bumped into Auntie Applesauce, knocking her dentures into Apple Rose's fore-hooves. Auntie Applesauce just gave Granny Smith a glare before the three just laughed.
Then it was time for everypony to head on home. Applejack and Granny Smith watched then all head out. Mario led the ponies who wanted to go home by train to the station. Apple Bloom watched quietly as Babs tossed her bag into a nearby taxi.
"I can't wait for the next reunion!" said Apple Bloom.
"Me nether!" said Babs in reply.
"I mean, obviously we have to get together before then!" said Apple Bloom with sad smile on her face.
"Obviously," said Babs as she wrapped a fore-hoof around Apple Bloom neck. The two fillies chuckled to each other.
"Oh, you did it, Applejack!" said Granny Smith as Applejack used an outdoor sink to wash some dishes, "You put on a reunion that everypony will remember!"
"Just had a couple of minor hiccups along the way," Applejack said honestly.
"Yeah, just a couple," said Granny Smith with a lightly teasing tone before she give a wink...to those of you reading this story.
Later that night, Applejack was busy writing her letter to Princess Celestia while Granny Smith, Apple Bloom, and Big Mac were looking at the new pictures that had been added to the photo album.
"Ohohoh, that's a good one," said Granny Smith as she and Apple Bloom laughed.
"Oh!" said Apple Bloom as she pointed at another picture.
"Dear Princess Celestia," said Applejack as she recited her letter, "Today I learned a great lesson about family, which, if you think about it, is really the first group of friends you ever make. Turns out that when you're with folks you care about, you don't have to do much to make that time memorable. Even the simplest of activities can take on a whole lotta meanin'! And you'll find that you'll remember the "who" long after you've forgotten the "what".
Your humble subject,
Applejack."
As Applejack recited the letter, Granny Smith continued to view the pictures inside the family album. One picture was Apple Bloom jumping high into the air as Winona and Babs watched her. Another picture was of Applejack, Mario, and Braeburn. Applejack had some nails on her mouth, Braeburn held a bucket, and Mario had the blue prints in front of him with his magic. Another was with Apple Bloom, Babs, Mario, and several other relatives dancing together. Then there was a funny picture of Apple Bloom and Babs with stern faces, nails in their mouths, and buckets on their heads to make them look like soldiers. Another picture had Big Mac and another stallion watching a pony as he stood uneasily on some lifted wooden boards. Another picture featured a mare running for her life as two stallions chased after her holding paint brushes in their mouths. One picture showed Mario pulling a wagon for Granny Smith, Apple Rose, and Auntie Applesauce. Another picture was Mario making a face after eating an apple fritter that was still too hot, along with Applejack and Big Mac laughing at him. Then there was a picture of Granny Smith and Apple Strudel inside the barn holding each other's fore-hooves. Another had Apple Bloom and another stallion presenting the barn as it was still being constructed. And another had all three siblings sitting with another pony as he ate a sandwich. Finally, the last picture was of Granny Smith, Apple Rose, and Auntie Applesauce as they sat on their rocking chairs as Applejack just sat below them contently with the dentures next to her.
Once Applejack finished her letter she sat on the sofa next to Granny Smith, giving the mare a loving nuzzle as the family continued looking at the photo album. Outside the barn, the stars twinkled in the night as a pair of peculiar shooting stars shot across the sky.
It was very late by the time they turned in for the night. All of the Apples except for Applejack since she had decided to stay up a little longer. Mario hadn't told her anything about when he was coming home.
"I do hope he gets back before its gets too late," Applejack said to herself. She then heard a faint toot-toot and smiled as she saw Mario slowly making his way to the barn with a train of now empty coaches.
"I can bet you had a nice long run, sugarcube," Applejack asked as Mario put the coaches away beside the new barn for now.
"Long run would be correct," said Mario as he uncoupled himself and made his harness disappear, "I can't wait to get a hot shower and into my bed tonight. I'm beat."
"Guess you're really tired then huh?" Applejack said quietly. Mario noticed that Applejack looked a bit upset.
"You're still not upset over what happened earlier today are you?" Mario asked her softly. Applejack's ears lowered as she gave him a light nod.
"Applejack, you're part of my family and I love you like my sister," said Mario, "I forgive you. Nopony's perfect." Applejack just sighed.
"It's just...this stubborn pride of mine," said Applejack, "I try so hard to knock it down and try to be more humble. Especially after what happened that first apple buckin' season when you and Twilight first arrived in town. But as much as I try, I just seem to get so determined to be right and doing things my own way that I...I kept tuning others out and pushing away the help that I know I need. I mean sure, being stubborn and determined can be a good thing and all, but...lately...it's making me fail my friends and family more times than I want to admit. Seeing that it's driven me so far as to...hurt somepony who's done nothing but been such a loving an' supportive brother and...made me destroy our own barn...or...or...make my own sister feel like she can't come to me for help when she and her friends get themselves into trouble or are being mistreated..."
"Applejack, as much you feel like you're making the same mistakes," said Mario, "We all can see that you are getting better at handling this stubborn pride of yours."
"But I can do better! I know I can!" said Applejack firmly before softening her tone, "I just...I just don't know how...I used to know what I needed to do to be better...or at least I thought I did..." Mario pondered.
"Applejack..." said Mario gently.
"When our parents were gone," Applejack explained, "Our family was a mess, and poor Apple Bloom was just a little foal when it happened. Somepony needed to pick up the pieces and get things back to normal, or as close to normal. Somepony needed to pick up the slack and I made the choice to do that. It took time. I made plenty of mistakes, but we eventually got our family stable again so we could move forward. I've always been the glue that holds this family together. If I fail...I let them down...and our parents...who's to say our family won't fall apart?"
"I see," said Mario, "and I'm guessing you were the one who raised Apple Bloom for the most part?"
"Yes," said Applejack, "I remember when she was just a baby, crying in her crib, crying for her mother. A mother that was no longer with us. I took her in my hooves, promising her that I would always be there for her. That I would love and take care of her the way our Ma would've done. After all, Big Mac is always busy on the farm and Granny Smith is...let's just say too tired...to watch over such an energetic filly. I need to be at my best...so Apple Bloom can be the best pony she can be...and when I feel like I can't do that..." Applejack sniffled a bit as Mario pulled her into a gentle hug.
"I don't wanna let my family down anymore," said Applejack with a whimper as she felt her tears fall, "I promised our parents...and I'm letting everypony down...I'm letting them down..."
"Applejack, you expect too much of yourself," said Mario, "You may be a very strong mare and the Element of Honesty, but you're not perfect. You have limits. You can only do so much on your own. Seeking help and admitting your mistakes doesn't mean you're a letting anypony down. That's what friends and family are for. To help you so you don't fail or get into yourself into trouble. You are getting better at doing that. So you took a step backwards today. It happens, but you learned from it. Use that stubborn pride in a constructive way, let it be your drive to make sure that you don't keep repeating the same mistakes." Applejack sniffled a few times as she tried to wipe her tears away.
"Thanks Mario," said Applejack, "I guess I've just been feeling a bit down on myself lately. Just that I am doing something wrong just gets me so frustrated. I don't want to keep feeling like every choice I make is questionable. I want to know that what I am doing is right!"
"I know," said Mario gently, "and I understand. You're not the only pony who hates failing those they love and care about. You want to be able to trust yourself and when you have those doubts, it can be discouraging. Just remember, seeking help isn't a failure. We can't be strong all the time. Sometimes we need a pony to talk, vent, or even just have a good cry. Just know that you've got somepony to do that with when you need it." Applejack smiled.
"I won't," said Applejack as she wiped her tears with her foreleg, "and thank you for hearing me out. I know it's late but...I just really needed somepony to talk to. I've seen you having chats with Rainbow and Fluttershy so...I wanted to try and see if it would help to talk about what's bothering me. And you know what, I do feel better."
"Good," said Mario as a large yawn escaped his mouth, "Well, I better get home so I..."
"I can set up the sofa for ya so you can stay here," said Applejack, "It's really late outside and I'd rather you didn't head home so late at night."
"Well, okay," said Mario, "and Applejack?"
"Yeah?" said Applejack.
"Thank you for letting me be part of the family reunion," said Mario, "it's nice to be part of a family. Especially since I never did manage to find anything about my own family." Applejack just smiled as they headed inside. It was then something came into her mind.
"Have you really checked absolutely everything you could find about your parents, or relatives for that matter?" Applejack asked curiously.
"Everything I could think of," said Mario, "I've kind of accepted the fact I'll never know who my real family is."
"I see," said Applejack as she got to work setting up a pillow and spare blanket for Mario to sleep on the family sofa while Mario helped himself to a nice shower. The makeshift bed was ready to go once he came back down.
"Well, good night Mario," said Applejack as she gave him a quick hug and headed upstairs.
"Good night AJ," said Mario as he hugged her back and then curled into the blankets and fell asleep. Applejack then head to her bedroom, but still couldn't help but feel like Mario had missed something. Everypony deserved to know where they came from. There had to be something Mario might have missed when he had been searching for information.
I've heard Granny Smith say time and time again that Mario reminded her of somepony, Applejack thought, She obviously knows something but just can't remember it. There must be a way to jog her memory somehow and I'm gonna find out. Applejack looked back at the empty hallway and smiled.
"Don't you worry Mario," said Applejack softly, "I promise you...someday..."
"...We're gonna find your family."
Hope you enjoyed the alternate ending to this episode! I saw how much you readers love when Mario and Applejack interact with each other. I was happy to have them have a tender moment. After all, he still has best friends that he loves and cares about too.
Plus you noticed that when I talked about Granny Smith and her fellow mares that I left out using "elderly"...
WHO ARE YOU CALLING OLD!?
EEP! That's why...
The bigger question is...can Applejack come through with her promise to find his family? You'll just have to wait and see.
Peace Pony Fans!