Title:           Friend's Green
Author:          Inpersonage
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/qPY1nnG4
First Edit:      Tuesday 12th of May 2015 02:14:03 PM CDT
Last Edit:       Last edit on: Tuesday 12th of May 2015 03:06:50 PM CDT

>Things had been different on the farm since she left.
>We all felt changed, especially Granny Smith.
>But her time to find out what she meant in this world had come, and there was nothing we could do to stop her.
>If only she had gotten get cutie mark then maybe she would have stayed closer to home.
>But she had to search far and wide.
>Sadly, the distance she created was why we couldn't attend.
>We ask felt a bit of guilt.
>Even my friends felt somewhat responsible.
>I told them not to feel so bad, but that took it to heart.
>She was like a little sister to them all.
>But in the end, nothing could've been done.
>Yet, they all chipped in to have the site moved to a more local area.
>This made Granny Smith and Big Mac feel much better.
>I, though, still felt horrible inside.
>I promised I'd protect her.
>And I broke that promise.
>So when she finally arrived, I had a mark painted on.
>Something that represented her.
>She would have loved it.
> Of course, it isn't the same, but it bring me rest knowing she would be at peace.
>She completed her quest.
>And as she was put into her new bed, I cried on the outside.
>I never thought it would be so hard, dealing with loss.
>"When is Applebloom coming over for dinner?"
>The looks I received were those of breaking hearts.
>"AJ, you know she's gone." Big Mac tried to say.
>Of course she was.
>She went to discover her special talent.
>...
>I fully understood what he meant, but my brain tried to deny it.
> It went on for a week.
>I would see something of Applebloom's and get ready to send it to her.
>But the logical and honest part of my brain told me to stop.
>But it wasn't enough.
>I eventually started to believe she hadn't died of illness.
>"I mean, it couldn't be possible, right?" I once said to Twilight.
>My friends were all there that time.
>"She will be back for hearth's warming eve."
>I told myself this everyday, and with each word, I broke a little.
>But as the time came around, I started to look forward to seeing her.
>Hearth's warming eve came.
>And she did not.
>I cried.
>And cried.
>I sobbed.
>I screamed.
>I hated everything.
> My denial was replaced with anger as I realized the truth about my little sister.
>But this wave lasted not long.
>All I need was reality.
>But my heart was still broken.
>Not even the honest truth of the situation seemed anymore right.
>My little sister is dead.
>Gone.
>I will never see get again.
>And I still felt guilty.
>The next days to come would be hard on me.
>They would test my Element.
>If anyone or anything is to blame, it's this world we live in.
>This ranting went on for a while, and during that time I got closer and closer to ponyville.
>But just as I was clearing the top crest of the hill, I suddenly thought to myself.
>I let her go....
>I let her go out into the world.
>I could have said no.
>She could have stayed home, with the family.
>She might have even gotten her cutie mark.
>But I let her go...
>All my anger at the world returned.
>Except this time it was targeted towards me.
>"Why did I let her go?"
>"What kind of sister am I? I bad one, that's what." I said spitefully.
>Though it was about the same level of anger as before, it was abruptly ended when Pinkie Pie came over to me.
>"Hiya AJ!" Pinkie said, always smiling.
>"Hey Pinkie." I said, not looking to talk.
>Actually, I felt very much like talking.
>"Pinkie? Can I talk to you 'bout something?" I asked.
>"Sure! What'cha want to talk about?" She responded, plopping her rear on the ground.
>I followed suit and told her how I felt.
>In retrospect, Pinkie isn't really the first person one would go to to talk about this kind of stuff.
>But she was here when I needed help.
>After I finished speaking, her face had reached a level of serious I never thought possible.
>"No one is to blame AJ, especially not you." She started.
>"I know it is hard, but you couldn't have done anything."
>"There is no other fate that decides things, just destiny."
>She finished, and got up.
>Then, as if it had never happened, she happily hummed a song and trotted away.
>But my mind was elsewhere.
>Contrary to what Pinkie had said, I was thinking that there was something I could have done.
>And something I still can do.
>I told myself that though I could have kept Applebloom home, I let her go.
>I told myself that if I stepped up to the plate, I wouldn't lose any others.
>I just had to do more then be a friend.
>I had to do more then be a sister.
>I had to provide more.
>Over the next few days I worked harder.
>I spent more time helping my brother in the fields.
>I spent more time helping my friends.
>I almost worked myself to death, but one day Twilight told me she needed help starting a small garden in the castle greenery.
>Wanting to provide more for the people I cared about, I agreed.
>But when I went to the greenery, I was surprised to see everyone else there.
>Even Princess Luna was there.
>This must be serious.
>Twilight was the first to talk.
>"Applejack, we have noticed that you have been extra helpful lately."
>"But we think you're taking it a it too far."
>I was about to speak up and say that I know what is to far, but then I remembered that Applebucking season where I had that attitude.
>I kept quiet as she continued.
>"We see you're upset about something, and Pinkie here told us what you said the other day."
>This was an intervention.
>And surely everyone went around and told me how they felt.
>But when it came around to Luna, she said something different.
>"Applejack, we have seen your dreams. You have been troubled lately, no?" She said, her voice calming like a starry night.
>I nodded.
>Luna said no more, obviously this is what she had thought.
>"Is there anything going on with you AJ?" Rainbow Dash said.
>I didn't know how to explain.
>But all eyes were on me, and the ball was in my court.
>"I told myself that if I was more helpful and more 'providing' that maybe I wouldn't lose any others I cared for." I said.
>The statement was followed by sobbing.
>Not from others, but from me.
>I sat down, and cried.
>I was supposed to support them, not the other way around.
>"You know that doing so won't change things." Princess Luna said.
>"When the time comes for a pony to leave this world, the time has come. Nothing can change that."
>Those words cut like a knife.
>But it snapped me out of it.
>Except, it didn't snap me clean.
>I was shattered, with the realization that I will eventually lose everyone.
>Everyone.