Bloomin' Apple


                                            Related Pic: https://derpibooru.org/922552


                                            "Man, Applejack is so strong! You know, Big Mac, she was tellin' me that when she was mah age she was scrawnier then I am. Is that true?"


                                            "Yee-up."


                                            "Well Ah can't wait till I get big like her! Ah've already started workin' out, ya know?"


                                            "That a fact?"


                                            "Yup! I reckon I'm gonna get bigger'n both you and sis!"


                                            "Hmm..."


                                            "Anyway, they measured us at school the other day. I've grown two whole inches this year already! And when I was workin' out with Scootaloo yesterday she said Ah've gotten some 'really impressive gains' fer such a short period o' time. Here, have a look! What do ya think?"


                                            "..."


                                            "Big Mac? You alright? You look a little pale."


                                            "F-fine."


                                            "Anyway, I can already bench more than any other kid at the gym. Mr. Biceps said he was mighty impressed."


                                            "T-that a fact?"


                                            "Yup. Him and Rainbow Dash even showed me a few techniques fer hype-er-troph-ee training. Isn't that great?"


                                            "I s'pose..."


                                            "D'ya think I'll get as big as Mama was? Granny told me she was really big. Like, she was the tallest mare in town."


                                            "Tallest pony."


                                            "Oh wow! Well, Ah don't see why Ah can't get as big as her. Ah mean, cousin Babs is just a year and a half older and she was already almost as tall as Applejack when she visited last month."


                                            "Yee-up."


                                            "Well, I'm gonna head ta bed. Gotta get plenty o' sleep if I wanna get big! G'night."


                                            ...


                                            "Mac, you alright?"


                                            "Hey, AJ. ~Sigh~"


                                            "What's the matter?"


                                            "Oh, Apple Bloom's just growin' up a lot quicker'n I thought."


                                            "Heh heh, yep. And Ah think she's about to start growin' a whole lot quicker! Think ya can get used to havin' two big sisters, Mac?"


                                            "Recon I'll have to."


                                            "Well, look on the bright side. You've been real sweet to her all her life. So I'm sure she won't pin ya down in front of yer friends and make ya squeal 'uncle' to get back at ya fer all the times ya teased her growin' up."


                                            "I hope not. Once was enough."


                                            "~Chuckle~ Good night, Mac."


                                            "Night."


                                            "...~Sigh!~"


                                            A year later...


                                            "And so Rainbow was all, 'I can't believe Apple Bloom's taller than me now! I guess I can't call her squirt anymore.' Man, I'm so jealous!"


                                            "Aw, you'll get there eventually Scoots. I'm just glad she lets me work out with y'all, seein' as how I'm not a pegasus and all."


                                            "Eh, I think she appreciates anyone trying to get their swole on. Speaking of which, you've really been putting on the gains lately!"


                                            "Thanks, Sootaloo. Applejack's been telling me that my apple-buckin's been gettin' better too!"


                                            "Yeah well, with those tree trunks you got for legs I'm not surprised. Heck, your fore-legs look like they could... Say, I just thought of something. Have you ever tried hoof-wrestling?"


                                            "Of course Ah have! Sis and Big Mac always used to hoof-wrestle me. Teach me how it was done and such."


                                            "Have you tried against one of them lately?"


                                            "Well, no. I mean, they'd just beat me anyway."


                                            "I'm not so sure about that. I was just thinking that you're looking pretty buff these days. You're not anywhere near Applejack, but I'll bet you could give Big Mac a run for his money."


                                            "Gosh, ya think so?"


                                            "Mm-hmn!"


                                            "Well let's go see!"


                                            ...


                                            "Hey Big Mac, you busy?"


                                            "Nnnope."


                                            "Great! Ya wanna hoof-wrastle?"


                                            "Umm..."


                                            "Ah c'mon! Please?"


                                            "Yeah, come on! Please, Big Mac?"


                                            "...Alright."


                                            "Yes! I'll be referee. Let's use this barrel over here. Oh, hey Applejack!"


                                            "Why howdy, Scootaloo. What're y'all doin'?"


                                            "Apple Bloom's going to hoof wrestle Big Mac!"


                                            "Is she now? This I gotta see."


                                            "Okay. You both ready?"


                                            "Ah'm ready!"


                                            "Yeeup."


                                            "Alright. Ready, set, GO!"


                                            "Hrrrgh!"


                                            "..."


                                            "Grrr!!"


                                            "..."


                                            "ArRGH!!!"


                                            "...Mph!"


                                            ~SLAM!~


                                            "And the winner is Big Mac!"


                                            "Aww, I really thought Ah had it."


                                            "Better luck next time, lil sis."


                                            "Thanks AJ. Let's get going Scoots."


                                            "So Mac, how close was it?"


                                            "...."


                                            "That close huh?"


                                            "I... I may have strained somethin'."


                                            "Hah!"


                                            A few months later...


                                            "Howdy, Mac."


                                            "Welcome home, Big Mac!"


                                            "Good ta be home."


                                            "How was the train back from Appleoosa?"


                                            "Fine."


                                            "Well good. Braeburn found himself a special somepony yet?"


                                            "~Chuckle~ Can't say."


                                            "Can't or won't?"


                                            "..."


                                            "Fine. Be that way! While you were gone livin' it up, me and Apple Bloom've been workin' up a storm."


                                            "That a fact?"


                                            "Yep! With me out fer summer break, we got the whole back forty ploughed."


                                            "The whole-? I was only gone fer two weeks!"


                                            "Now don't give me that look, Mac. Ah didn't pull the plough the whole time. Apple Bloom traded with me."


                                            "She... did?"


                                            "Ah sure did! Ploughed almost as much as Applejack."


                                            "And the plow harness wasn't too big?"


                                            "Nah. It fit just fine. Gosh, Ah wonder if... Hold up a second. Lemme set this bag down. You too, Big Mac."


                                            "What're you up to Apple Bloom?"


                                            "Ah just wanna see somthin' Sis. Stand up strait, Big Brother. Hah! Ah knew it! Ah've gotten taller than you!"


                                            "!!!"


                                            "See, Applejack? Ah'm taller, right?"


                                            "Hold up. You two stand shoulder to shoulder... Huh. Well Ah'll be a poached pear, you ARE taller'n Mac!"


                                            "Wow! And ta think, Ah was shorter than you before ya left."


                                            "Heh, heh. Ah'll bet it was all that hard work and sun. Made ya grow like a weed!"


                                            "Well, shoot! If that's the case then Ah'll have to help ya plow the rest of the farm too!"


                                            "Ah think that's a great idea! With three of us pullin' we could get it all knocked out it no time. Whadaya' think Mac?"


                                            "...Huh? Oh, that'd be fine."


                                            "Well! First apple-buckin' and now helpin' out with the plowin'. Ah'd say that makes you a full fledged Apple!"


                                            "Thanks, Applejack! Thanks, Big Mac! ~Giggle~ Actually, Ah guess Ah don't have ta call ya that anymore, huh?"


                                            "Whu-?"


                                            "Ah mean, Ah can just call ya 'Mac' now, on account of the fact that Ah'm bigger'n you, right?"


                                            "Apple Bloom! Don't tease yer brother."


                                            "But Sis, you don't call him Big Mac."


                                            "No, but he's still yer big bother and you shouldn't be sassin' him like that."


                                            "...It's fine."


                                            "Huh?"


                                            "If'n she just wants to call me Mac, then that's fine."


                                            "A-Ah was j-just jokin'. Ah didn't mean it."


                                            "S'alright. I don't mind none."


                                            "B-but ah... Ah mean..."


                                            "..."


                                            "Look, uh... It's been a long day. Why don't we all get home. Supper should just about be ready."


                                            "O-okay..."


                                            "...Sure."


                                            ...


                                            "Thanks fer supper."


                                            "Land-sakes, child! You hardly took two bites! I'm used to you goin' back fer thirds. You feelin' alright?"


                                            "Ah'm fine, Granny. Gonna head to bed. Night everypony."


                                            "Well now, I wonder what's eatin' her?"


                                            "Yeah, Ah wonder. Mac?"


                                            "Sigh. I'll talk to her."


                                            ...


                                            "Apple Bloom, can I come in?"


                                            "Uh, sure."


                                            "Can I sit down?"


                                            "S-sure lemme just scoot over. Her ya go Big Mac."


                                            "~Chuckle~ I meant it when I said you didn't have ta call me that no more."


                                            "You mean yer not sore at me fer teasin' ya?"


                                            "Nnnope."


                                            "But, the way ya was actin'. I thought ~sniffle~ that you was m-mad at me fer gettin' b-bigger... ~Sob!~"


                                            "Aw, come here sweetheart. I'm not mad at ya. I was just... really surprised, that's all."


                                            "Ya ~sniff~ Ya were?"


                                            "Yeeup. Wasn't that long ago that you were just a little filly ridin' around on mah back. And when I left fer Appleoosa a few weeks ago, you were still mah little sister. And then I get back today and... Heh, heh. Well, yer not so little anymore, are ya?"


                                            "Hm, Ah guess not."


                                            "You know, every day you look more and more like Mama used to."


                                            "Ah do?"


                                            "Yeeup. Ah've always thought so. Guess I shouldn't be surprised that yer takin' after her in size too."


                                            "Ya know, when I started growin', Ah was so excited! Ah hated that Ah couldn't help you and Applejack more. I just wanted to be able to pull mah weight, ya know?"


                                            "I know what you mean, but it sounds ta me like you can sure pull yer weight now!"


                                            "Yeah. Ah guess Ah'm not a little filly anymore, huh?"


                                            "I reckon not."


                                            "But, um, yer still gonna be my big brother, right?"


                                            "Yee-up!"


                                            "Thanks. Ah love ya, Big Mac!"


                                            "Love you too, Apple Bloom. Good night."


                                            "Night!"


                                            ...


                                            "Well how'd it go? Are- are you cryin'?"


                                            "~Sniff~ No."


                                            "Heh heh. Mac, you ol' softy. Well, I'm gonna head ta bed. I don't wanna fall behind Apple Bloom tomorrow!"


                                            "Mmn, g'night."


                                            "And just think, now that she's growin' up it won't be long before she's bringin' boys home! Good night."


                                            "..."


                                            "..."


                                            "Oh, crap."


                                            Several months later...


                                            "Now you girls go gather up the firewood and we'll set up camp."


                                            "Sure thing, sis!"


                                            "Will do, Applejack!"


                                            "You know, I'm glad we decided to make this campout with our sisters a yearly thing. Well, sisters and 'honorary' sister."


                                            "You said it, Rarity."


                                            "Yeah, it's cool hanging out with you all. So, Applejack. Couldn't help but notice that you're looking a little short these days."


                                            "What're you talkin' about Rainbow Dash?"


                                            "Oh, nothin'. Just that Apple Bloom's finally gotten taller than you."


                                            "Wha- She is not!"


                                            "Are you sure, darling? I measured her for a costume the other day and she has been growing rather quickly as of late."


                                            "No way! And that's rich comin' from you Rainbow Dash."


                                            "What do you mean? Just because I'm not a giant like you? Anyway, here they come. We can settle this real quick. Hey Apple Bloom, get over here."


                                            "What's up?"


                                            "Line up with your sister. I want to see who's taller."


                                            "Alright."


                                            "Take off your hat, dear. Wouldn't want any cheating."


                                            "Course not..."


                                            "So, what do you think, Rarity? Am I right?"


                                            "I do believe you are. Apple Bloom is indeed taller."


                                            "Way to go Apple Bloom!"


                                            "Thanks, Scoots."


                                            "So, AJ, how's it feel to be the little sister?"


                                            "Oh, Ah don't know, Rainbow. Probably like a normal day fer you."


                                            "N-now, darlings. Let's be civil."


                                            "Aw it's ok. She's just mad because she's used to being the biggest one around."


                                            "Ah am not mad! 'Sides it don't matter. I'm still stronger."


                                            "Whoa! Did you hear that Apple Bloom? You gonna take that?"


                                            "Um..."


                                            "Come on, you've been lifting mad weight lately. I bet you can do it!"


                                            "Um, what are you talking about Scootaloo?"


                                            "Hoof wrestling!"


                                            Oh, yeah. Didn't you, like, beat Big Mac a while ago?"


                                            "She sure did! You missed it Sweetie Belle. The first time she couldn't do it, but a few more months training with me and Rainbow Dash and she totally took him to the cleaners."


                                            "Whoa!"


                                            "Y'all are embarrassin' me."


                                            "What do you say AJ, you gonna put your bits where your mouth is?"


                                            "Sure Ah will."


                                            "Apple Bloom?"


                                            "Ah dunno."


                                            "Come on Sis. I won't hurt ya none."


                                            "Oh, it's on!"


                                            "Ok. I'll be referee. You both ready?"


                                            "Sure, Rainbow."


                                            "Ah'm ready!"


                                            "On your mark, get set, GO!"


                                            "Hrng!"


                                            "Grr!"


                                            "And Apple Bloom's off to an early lead! But what's this? AJ's recovers and makes up lost ground! Now both tree bucking titans are neck in neck!"


                                            "Really darling, is that necessary?"


                                            "Hey, I gotta build tension. Whoa! It looks like Applejack's starting to get the upper hoof. Apple Bloom's trying everything she can, but I don't know if she can hold it!"


                                            "Come on girl, you can do it!"


                                            "Come on Apple Bloom, don't let her beat you!"


                                            "I can't believe this. It's like they're a bunch of schoolyard colts."


                                            "Aaaand it's down to the wire! AJ only has a little ways to go, can the challenger hold it?"


                                            Slam!


                                            "And that's it! The winner and champion: Applejack!"


                                            "Huff, huff... G-good job sis."


                                            "Aw, shucks. Huff huff, you did real good Apple Bloom. I'm real proud of ya."


                                            "Gee, thanks."


                                            "Well, now that bit of barbarism is finished, shall we continue setting up camp?"


                                            "Yeah, we better get some more firewood. Come on Sweetie Belle. You wanna come with, Apple Bloom?"


                                            "Sure, Ah'm good. See y'all in a bit."


                                            "And there she goes, fresh as ever. Well, AJ. How was she?"


                                            "..."


                                            "Darling are you alright?"


                                            "Rainbow Dash, when Ah can actually feel my right hoof again, Ah'm gonna pop you in the mouth!"


                                            "HA, ha ha ha ha!"