For Dax0042
The rolling hills of Sweet Apple Acres were a truly beautiful sight.
With the setting sun, the many trees filled with apples ready for bucking seemed to glisten in the retreating rays. And to a certain pony, it was almost fitting for her last hours.
As Granny Smith looked out over the vast acres of flourishing apple trees, she couldn't help but let a sad smile cross her withered features. In truth, after her family, this view is what she would surely miss the most. Which is why she was determined to enjoy it for as long as she could, though the quiet peace and tranquility was often interrupted by a small cough or two.
You see, Granny was sick…very sick. But, to her family and friends, it was quite shocking that she refused any care. Even Twilight, ruler of Equestria for the past few years, offered to find a remedy for her illness. But like all the other doctors and healers of the land, Granny turned them away.
"I'm old and tired," she had said.
And for the Apples, they knew what this meant. And Applejack found it hard to hold back her tears when she revealed to her friends exactly what that meant.
"When an old Apple won't get help…it means they've decided it's their time."
For the past few months, Applejack and her siblings tended to Granny Smith, who despite her deteriorating health, was always the stubborn pony she was.
"Quit yer fussin'," she would say with a defiant smirk.
"I may be circlin' the grave but I still got some umph in me."
Well, she wasn't circling the grave…
It was just a few steps away.
And Granny knew this.
"Granny?"
Looking behind her, Granny Smith cast her weakening gaze on the three most important ponies in her life. And it saddened her that she would not be there for them anymore. In truth, it broke her heart to think that they would no longer have any grandparents left. Grand Pear had passed the year before, and now she was fixing to join him.
But she didn't let those negative feelings show, instead offering her grandchildren a smile as she hobbled her way over to Apple Bloom, the elder Apple still amazed at how much this once little filly had grown. She even remembered the day she was born.
Granny's smile turned into a frown briefly, the aging equine remembering that it was five months after Apple Bloom was born that she lost her Bright Mac. Her heart broke even more at the fact that Pear Butter joined him, the poor thing having succumbed to a broken heart. But despite this, Granny still offered a sweet smile to her granddaughter, who was now just as tall as she was, though Granny knew she had shrunk a lot with age.
"Alright young'uns…let's go," she weakly laughed, putting her weight on Apple Bloom's side as the growing mare helped her back to the house, where Big Mac's loving wife was waiting, the beautiful mare sporting quite a round belly.
The rest of the evening was quiet.
One last meal was had, which happened to be Granny's Favorite.
A little family time, during which Granny decided to offer one last gift to her eldest granddaughter.
Her scarf, which was passed down from each matriarch to the next. And Granny knew that once she was gone, Applejack would be next to bear that responsibility.
Then before long, it was time for bed.
And as the three Apple children helped Granny Smith up the stairs, followed closely by Sugar Belle, the aging pony took one last look at the wall leading up to her room.
And along the wall, many pleasant memories…
The founding of Ponyville by Granny Smith and her Family.
The time she won the seven-legged race with her favorite cousin, Apple Rose.
The Apple Family Reunion Applejack had put her heart and soul into.
The first Hearth's Warming that the Apples spent with the Pie Family.
But her personal favorites…
Bright Mac and Pear Butter after their wedding.
The birth of her Grandchildren from Big Mac to Apple Bloom.
Apple Bloom's shard Cute-ceañera with Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo.
Big Mac and Sugar Belle's Wedding.
But her personal favorite…
Her Applejack, standing with her friends after Twilight's Coronation.
Granny was so caught in her memories that she hadn't realized she was already nestled into her warm, inviting bed. And all around her, her family stood, each teary eyed, their heavy hearts practically visible in their eyes. And if Granny Smith could have guessed, she figured Apple Bloom would have been the most upset.
But no.
It was her Applejack.
"I love you so much," Applejack wept as she buried her face into Granny Smith's chest, the matriarch just letting a bittersweet chuckle leave her throat as she nuzzled her eldest granddaughter.
"I Love You Too, Sweetie," Granny cooed as she placed a tender kiss on Applejack's forehead. And before long, Granny drifted to sleep, her family by her side, each falling into their own slumber, their minds dreading the morning to come.
But at some point in the night, Granny had awoken to a strange feeling.
When she opened her eyes…
There was somepony standing by her bed.
And that somepony was one she was all too happy to see…
After so long.
"What took you so long, Sonny?"
And a voice answered, one she had not heard in many a year.
One that let her know…
It was time to go.
"I was gonna ask you the same thing, Mama."
And with that, Granny Smith, the last surviving Apple who had founded Ponyville…
The hardheaded but loving matriarch of her family…
Mother, grandmother and friend…
Was at Peace.
And what was left behind?
A Legacy of Love and Friendship.
Dedicated in Memory of Dax's Aunt
Mary Emma
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
John 14:27