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The Apple Doesn't Fall Far...

by Speedy Quill

Chapter 2: Manehattan

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Manehattan

Applejack stepped off the train. The rising sun outlined the buildings of Manehattan. She took it in for a moment. It had been years since she'd seen this city. It sure had changed. She didn't remember there being so many tall buildings.

"Need some help Miss?"

Applejack turned to see a train conductor sitting on the nearby bench. She smiled. "Thank ya kindly, but I'm fine. I just haven't been here in ages."

The conductor chuckled. "The city is quite a change from a farm isn't it?"

"How'd you know I'm from a farm?"

"Well the hat for one thing."

AJ smiled, reaching up to tilt her hat. "My Uncle Boiken gave that to me."

"Old Boiken Apple?"

"You knew him?"

"Sure did! Everypony in Manehattan knew Boiken."

"Really?"

"He used to walk through town, always saying 'hello' to everypony, and never had a cross word to say."

"That sound like Boiken alright!"

"It was a shame to hear about his passing. You said he was an uncle?"

"My great uncle actually."

"I'm sorry for your lose."

"Thank you. Umm... I guess I could use some help. Which way is Goldreign Street?"

The conductor stood up and walked to the end of the train platform. "You see that old building near the Equestria Trade Center? That's Boiken's house."

Applejack smiled. "Thanks."

She jumped off the platform and trotted towards the house.

----------------------------

"1776 Goldreign Street."

Applejack stared up at the old mansion. It almost seemed out of place with a city of new buildings surrounding it. She walked up the steps to the front door.

'Knock knock knock'

The door opened to reveal an older stallion. He looked down his nose at Applejack. "Can I help you?"

"I'm here for the readin' of Uncle Boiken's will."

"Miss Applejack?"

"That's me!"

The stallion stepped aside and allowed her in.

AJ took in the scene before her. She had known Uncle Boiken was well off, but this was so,etching else! She was standing in a grand entry with a huge, winding staircase. The floor was marble like the flood of Canterlot Castle. And the decorations! Statues, paintings, and knick-knacks everywhere!

"Boiken sure had a collection, didn't he?"

The stallion stepped up beside her. "Most of these pieces have been donated to the local museums. Mr. Apple was always a generous pony."

"He sure was."

"If you would follow me, I'll introduce you to Mr. Proquo."

They walked down a nearby hallway with a door at the far end. The stallion opened the door to reveal a study. applejack stepped inside, looking around at the decorated walls. Pictures and awards hung all over. The feeling of the house changed drastically to Applejack. The ornate hallway had seemed so foreign, but this study was warm, friendly, and full of memories.

"Applejack?"

She turned towards the voice to find a pony sitting behind a desk. He had a graying mane and a set of glasses.

"I'm Quid Proquo. Please, have a seat."

Applejack walked over and sat down. "Nice to meet ya."

"Yes. If only it were under different circumstances."

"Am I the only one here?"

"So far. We're still waiting for Boiken's family."

"Who all is there?"

"That would be his wife, two sons, and a daughter. I assume you know them?"

"Never met them actually."

"Really?"

"Nope."

"Hmm..."

"Anypony else."

"No. Just you and his immediate family."

Applejack's eyes widened in surprise. Just her? Why would Boiken want her here? His family made sense, but a great niece? What was the reasoning behind that?

"He must have thought highly of you."

"I... I guess. I only met him a few times when I was a youngin'."

"That must have been enough for him."

He glanced up at her hat.

"Is that... That's Pippin's hat!"

AJ was surprised yet again. "You knew Grandaddy Pippin?"

Quid smiled and pointed up at the wall behind him. "You see that photo with the three rugged stallions?"

She looked up at the wall, pinpointing the photo Quid was referring to. Three stallions stood together in front of a cider stand. They were all smiling and looked like the best of friends.

Quid chuckled. "That's Pippin, Boiken, and me. And that's their first cider stand they ever had. It was on that day that I became their lawyer. I had studied general law in Canterlot and knew that i was destined to help my best friends run their family business."

Applejack stared at the photo. There was the family cider business in its early years. It was pure luck that Pippin traveled to Ponyville to sell cider. And that's when he tasted Granny Smith's zap apple jam. The two became inseparable after that.

"I'm glad to know one of Granddaddy's friends."

Quid sat back down. "And I'm glad to meet one of his descendants."

'Knock knock knock'

The two ponies looked at the door. It opened to reveal four ponies, all of them fashionably dressed."

Quid stood again. "Azalea, kids. Good to see you again."

The eldest pony of the group, Azalea, walked forward and nodded. "Quid."

Applejack looked over her relatives. Every one of them had a sad look. She stood up and held out her hoof.

"You must be my great aunt Azalea. I'm Applejack, Pippin's granddaughter."

Azalea looked over Applejack. "Yes. I recognize you from Boiken's photos. I'm so sorry you had to come."

Applejack placed her hoof on Azalea's shoulder. "It's no trouble. I'm sorry for yur lose."

"Thank you."

Everypony took a seat across from Quid. He looked around at the gathered ponies and cleared his throat.

The Last Will and Testament of Boiken Apple

I Boiken Apple, being of sound mind and body, do herby dictate this will.

I pray that you, my family, are not too heartbroken over my passing.

I would not wish for you to be sad that I lived a long, full life.

May what I have to left to you serve as a fond memory of myself.

To my wife Azalea, I leave my estate that she may continue to live a life of comfort in her final years.

Azalea smiled. "The old goat. I've got plenty left in me."

To my son Boiken Jr, I leave ten thousand bits and my favorite carriage.

To my son Pip, I leave five thousand bits and my stock in the Equestria Trade Center.

To my daughter Snapdragon, I leave five thousand bits and the summer home in Las Pegasus.

And to my favorite great niece Applejack, I leave five thousand bits.

Applejack's jaw dropped. Five thousand bits?!

Quid looked up from the will. "Thank you all for being here."

Boiken's family stood up and walked out. Applejack began to follow them.

"Applejack?"

She looked back at Quid. The old stallion was motioning for her to come back.

"There's one more thing."

"Do you want me to call them back?"

"No, no. Boiken intended this for only you."

AJ slowly stepped back, closing the door. She returned to the desk and sat down.

Quid looked back at the will and read aloud:

AJ, by now my family has vacated the room as per Quid's instructions and you are alone.

You have always been a favorite of mine. I did my best I could for your family after Pippin's passing.

Family is the most important thing there is. I'm sure you know that. Which is why I wish for you to know something.

What you are about to hear has never been told to anypony. Not even my brother.

When your Granddaddy moved to Ponyville, I met a mare and we were married within a few weeks.

We started a family, but unfortunate events led to my young bride's death. I was left alone with two young foals.

I am ashamed of what I did, but I sent the foals to an orphanage. But I have kept close track of them over the years.

I wish for you to find my sons and bring them into the family.

Their names are Flim and Flam.

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