Bright Mac held himself as the cornerstone of his family: husband to his beautiful Pear Butter, father to a colt and stallion who he both adores and cherishes dearly. He works hard in the fields to make the best living he can for his family, to give them the opportunity to live a life without worry of work or success or lost dreams. Of course, he imagined Applejack would someday discover the world beyond the apple fields.

One night, as he tucks AJ into bed, the little filly asks if she can come with him to the fields. He sees no reason to deny her, and welcomes the idea of giving her a peek into the work of his own two hooves' making. It'll be hers someday, so it's best that she take the chance to learn while she's got the time.

He just didn't expect to go learning with her too.

Artwork by TJPones, from Derpibooru. Pre-read by Raleigh and Sockpuppet! Featured the same day? Thank you so much!

In the human world, Applejack’s parents are alive.

She has to meet them.

Written for the A Most Delightful Ponidox contest.

Chiffon Swirl just wants to be noticed as an up-and-coming baker. Entering the Ponyville Baking Competition seemed like a good idea, at least until it involved making carrot cake. Nopony likes carrot cake.

Carrot Cake just wants to be noticed by a certain blue mare. Entering the Ponyville Baking Competition seemed like a great way to make that happen. If only he knew more than one recipe.

A special thanks to BlazzingInferno for the title and the long description.

This story is finished, and I will post a new chapter every Tuesday and Thursday.

It was the annual summer harvest at Sweet Apple Acres and Little Mac wants to be one thing, to be like Bright Mac, his big strong dad. There's just one problem, he's not strong enough to pull any heavy carts like his dad.

Disappointed in himself, he needs to find a way to prove to himself that he can be strong enough to do the heavy farm work.

Applejack is a growing filly - and young fillies need their space. That's why Bright Mac decided to build a treehouse in the back of the property for his daughter, so she and her friends could play with a little bit of privacy.

Fate says he won't be the one to finish it.

Special thanks to Noble Thought, who's Under A Tree in large part inspired this little piece.

Featured 9/10-11/2020!

And featured by Seattle's Angels, issue #177!

Also featured in Equestria Daily's 31 Great Fanfics to Read for Applejack Day on 10/20/2020!

Now with an audio reading by StraightToThePointStudio!

I've spent twelve years as a nurse, now. Nurse Redheart, helping the ailing ponies of Ponyville, caring for them all. Twelve years! So many memories, so many regrets. And yet one night, a decade ago, I remember with particular sorrow - for on that one, terrible night, I failed...

Everypony who has ever been surrounded by the love of a family relies on them. But what if you lost them in one of the worst ways possible?

Being disowned by your family isn't the best feeling in the world. It is a major tragedy nopony should go through. Good thing for Pear Butter Buttercup, comfort is on its way.

Big Macintosh knows himself. He knows how life works on the farm. And he definitely knows that ponies don’t return once their lives are over.

But when somepony Big Mac doesn’t expect begins appearing at Sweet Apple Acres, he finds the biggest questions lie not with the visitor, but with himself.

A draft of this story appeared in the February 2018 Writeoff, "No Turning Back." Editing assistance by Xepher and Moosetasm! Featured on FimFiction 31Mar.2018

This story is a sequel to Applejack, I Can Explain!

The Apples are practically the model of a happy earth pony family. Three foals, a happy couple, and a grandmother who's still spry enough to help with the harvest. Heck, they're even talking about getting a puppy.

But nothing lasts forever, especially not tranquility. Extra-especially not when a mother goes looking through her older daughter's closet.

Rated Teen for mild to medium innuendo. Written for Tumbleweed's Springtime Sequel-Slash-Sandbox Switcheroo contest for Alaborn.

At a Hearth's Warming party at Sweet Apple Acres, Tempest Shadow is shown a picture of the Apple parents. And she reveals a terrible truth - she's seen Bright Mac and Pear Butter before, as prisoners of the Storm King.

Neither Tempest nor Applejack even question that they're going to attempt a rescue. But the Citadel of Storms is a long way from Ponyville, and there's the problem of the entire army in their way...