Applesong

>Slowly the aged stallion climbs the familiar path.
>How many times in his youth had he scaled this mountain?
>When the family had settled Ponyville, he had remained only a few years.
>It was the Apple Family way, after all, to spread across the land.
>He had finally settled here, in what was then wilderness, and had named the mountain himself.
>Land had been tilled and planted, Buffalo warded away or bought off.
>And eventually the family began to prosper, and a real town came to be.
>All because of one stubborn Apple, a seed in rocky soil.
>But that was so very long ago.

>He had left most of his things at his last nights camp, bringing only what he felt necessary.
>His usual clothes
>His walking stick
>His favorite hat
>And a photo album
>As he reached the gentle crest of the summit, he sat down.
>The sun would soon set, he wouldn't make it down.
>But that was how he planned it.
>He laid out the photo album before him, and the memories came flooding back to him.
>Seeing a picture of his family and their wagon, and old melody floated on the wind.
>How did it go? Its been so long..
>Staring out over his orchards far below, the words came to him.
>After a pause, he softly lifted his voice to the mountains.


(To the tune of "Edelweiss")

Apple Tree, Apple Tree,
Every morning you greet me.
Tall and strong, won't be long
'til you no longer need me.
Fruit bearing bough, may you bloom and grow;
Bloom and grow forever!
Apple Tree, Apple Tree,
Bless my Family forever!

Apple Tree, Apple Tree,
Today, you no longer need me.
Leaving home, find your own
Someday you shall succeed me.
Fruit bearing bough, may you bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever!
Apple Tree, Apple Tree
Bless my Family forever!

>His father had taught him that song, and his sister too.
>He wanted them to spread their roots across Equestria.
>So that no Apple would ever be alone.
>But now was a time for solitude.
>He had long ago penned his own final verse.

Apple Tree, Apple Tree
I hope you never forget me.
Spread and grow, row by row,
Be kind, when you recollect me.
Fruit bearing bough, may you bloom and grow,
Bloom and grow forever!
Apple Tree, Apple Tree,
Bless my Family forever!

>He laid down in the Alpine grass, a smile on his face.
>A voice called to him, as the world slowed.
"Granddad!" Braeburn called, rushing towards him.
>As his grandson took his hoof, he looked up and smiled.
"An Apple is never alone!" he whispered, and closed his eyes for the last time.