Chapter 1. - Summer Sunset
"Twilight!" Apple Jack yelled. Twilight and Rarity stopped their conversation. "It's Granny, I don't know what's wrong!" Apple Jack continued. Twilight and Rarity shared a look and ran after Apple Jack to Sweet Apple Acres. Granny laid sprawled on the floor of the kitchen floor.
"She can't stand. She's week and she says she's tired. I don't understand." Apple Bloom said to the mares as they ran inside. They helped her to her bed, to rest.
"It's gonna be ok Granny." Apple Jack said with hope in her eyes.
"Stop that." Said Granny. AJ's smile vanished. surrounded by her family, Twilight, and Rarity, Granny smiled. "I know my times up."
"NO!" Cried Apple Bloom. Granny chuckled softly as the other adults lowered their heads.
"You're not just a little filly anymore, Apple Bloom." Granny encouraged. "I told you my time would come, and this is it, but I got to see you, to love you, to see your cutie mark. You have many more adventures to come."
"Granny..." Apple Jack started.
"And you." Granny said, looking to Apple Jack. "You've done so many wonderful things. Never forget how much I love you." She looked to Big Mac. "And when the apples are green and fall from the trees with the ripe fruit, that's me reminding you I'm still here. I'm still in the field with you. I will always be with you." Big Mac lowered his head in grief, tears streaming from his eyes. Granny looked toward the ceiling. "I can see my son again." She said with a smile. She closed her eyes. The room held their collective breath for a beat, until Granny sighed, and they knew she was gone. Apple Jack sniffled and turned to her friends for comfort.
"I can't believe she's gone." She said through tears. As the adults began to leave the room, Apple Bloom looked up from her grandma.
"No. No, she can't go." Apple Jack stopped and looked back to her sister.
"I'm sorry Apple Bloom-"
"No! Twilight, you brough AJ back, bring Granny back!" Twilight stood in shock. AJ interrupted before she could speak.
"Now hold on, Twilight brought me back because I still have work to do. You can't just defy nature because you want to Apple Bloom."
"Why not!?" Apple Bloom cried.
"Granny said she wanted to go." Apple Jack replied.
"No, she didn't!" Apple Bloom Argued.
"She said it was her time." Apple Jack said.
"Why can she decide to leave if I can't decide she should stay!?" Apple Bloom yelled.
"It's not up to us, Apple Bloom." Apple Bloom jumped from the bed and ran out of the room. Apple Jack sighed. "Was I too harsh?" She asked. Twilight shook her head.
"I understand Apple Jack, but sometimes little sisters need the truth. That's what you gave her." Rarity said. The mares left the room.
Big Mac took a final moment. "Goodbye Granny." He said quietly. and sat in his grief until his tears ran out and he went to bed.
As morning light rose over the horizon, Apple Jack rose for the day. Today they burry their grandma, the mare that raised her. This was going to be a long day. As she walked into the kitchen, she noticed the door was open. "That's weird..." She stepped outside and in the rising sun light saw apples laying all over the ground. "What the hay?" She followed the trail of apples, realizing most were half eaten or just cores. In the middle of the orchard, sat Granny, eating apples as fast as she could. Apple Jack was stunned. "G-Granny?!" she called walking closer. Granny Smith slowly looked up from her apples. Her eyes were glassy, she had bits of apple and juice covering her jaw. She opened her mouth and a wad of chewed apple fell out.
"Granny!?" Apple Jack rushed over but stopped a few feet away. She looked at the chewed-up apple in disgust, and at her granny's mouth. Granny didn't have teeth! Her mouth was covered in blood where she had bitten into the apples with her bare gums, crushing them with sheer force. "I'll get the doctor... I'll get Twilight! Sweet Celestia..." Apple Jack yelled as she ran back to the barn.
"Big Mac!!!" As soon as she hit the doorway she hollered. "Big Mac! Get up! It's Granny!!!"
Big Mac, standing in the doorway of the kitchen froze.
"Granny!?" He questioned.
AJ stopped and panted. "Yeah... She's... eating apples..." Big Mac stared at his sister, stunned and confused. "Go get the doctor!!!" Apple Jack yelled.
"Wait-" Big Mac started as Apple Jack ran out the door.
"No time to explain, I'll get Twilight and meet you in the middle of the orchard."