“Barrier, is everything okay?” Octavia asked, glancing over at the unicorn; he had been distant and quiet yesterday, and she had been unable to get much out of him. The mood seemed to have carried over.

“Huh?” Barrier glanced up at the mare across from him, shaking his head in an attempt reorient himself. It was snowing lightly outside of the little cafe and the pair were sharing a platter of hay-fries and sipping cocoa. They had almost ended up at Sugarcube Corner, but Barrier didn’t think he had it in him to deal with Pinkie Pie again.

“I asked if everything was okay.” The mare reiterated.

“Uh, yeah. Sorry, everything is fine. Just thinking about times long past. Wondering what happened to my teammates. I don’t have any idea what happened to any of them. Flash and Braeburn were like brothers to me.”

“Braeburn?” The mare asked curiously; Barrier occasionally mentioned Flash Sentry, and he had seen his descendant in Canterlot, but this was the first she’d heard of Braeburn. “I don’t believe you’ve ever told me about him.”

“I never mentioned Brae?” Barrier ran through his thoughts for a brief moment before beginning, “Braeburn Apple was one of the earth ponies of my squad. Flash, Brae, and myself went through the academy together and they both came with me when I made captain and got my own squad. Braeburn was the rock of the group. Wasn’t terribly big, but I don’t think he had more than an ounce of fat on him. Couple that with his sharp intellect and top-notch hoof-to-hoof and you had a pretty capable pony, though we could have done without the uh…excitability he had. Not actually sure if he ever had a kid or not. His family was big then and it’s even bigger now.”

“So, you’ve mentioned your team a couple of times, but only those three. Who were the others?” Octavia sipped her cocoa, never taking her eyes off of the stallion as she waited for his response.

“Well, we had Flash Sentry, Braeburn Apple, River Styx -he was an earth pony, silent and wiry little bastard- and…” Barrier fell silent as Applejack trotted towards them.

“Howdy Barrier, Miss Melody.” The mare tipped her hat.

“Morning Applejack, what can we do for you today?” Barrier slid over in his seat, offering the mare a spot in the booth, which she brushed off.

“Thank ya kindly, but I can’t stay long. Just came to ask fer a favor.” The mare averted her gaze slightly as she said that.

“Well, what can I do for you, AJ?” Barrier slid back over, taking his beverage in his magic.

“Well, the storm last night toppled an old oak tree right on top o’ mah sheep fence. BIg Mac and I’ve tried to haul it out there but it won’t budge. We don’t like to bother anypony with stuff if we can help it, but Twilight is in Canterlot setting things up for the Hearth’s Warming pageant we’re actin’ in, and Rarity ain’t got the magical power to move it. I was wondering if you’d come down and try to lend a hoof with yer’ magic.”

Glancing askance at Octavia, Barrier responded as soon as the mare nodded. “Sure thing, we’ll head down there as soon as we finish here. Five or ten minutes, maybe.”

“Thank ya kindly Barrier, Miss Melody.” The mare tilted her hat once more as she trotted away from the table.

“You know, you could ask her about Braeburn.” Octavia pointed out, causing Barrier’s eyes to widen slightly.

“Wow, I am a stupid pony.” The unicorn face-hoofed, “I didn’t even think about that, but you’re right, they’re both Apples.”

As both ponies drained the last of their cocoa, the pair trotted towards the door of the cafe, wrapping their scarves around them as they did so.

“Well, that’s certainly a tree.” Barrier noted as he glanced at the massive oak tree, completely bereft of any leaves and resting in a little self-dug trench. “Heh, really wish Twilight was here for this.” Barrier chuckled nervously as he paced around the tree. He was strong - pretty much every direct member of the Sparkle line had impressive magical capabilities, but this thing was huge.

“I understand if ya’ can’t manage it. Me and Big Mac tried everythin’ we could think of to try and roll it out of there.”

“Eeyup.” The simple farm stallion commented from the side.

“Well, let’s give this a go.” Barrier gave the tree a few experimental kicks, not even shaking the leaves. “Big Mac, AJ, both of you take the right side of the tree, by the base.” Barrier approached the opposite side, bracing his chest and bending his knees slightly, his horn flaring to life. To his surprise, Octavia trotted over and took up spot next to him. Shooting her a thankful smile, he turned back to the tree. “On three…” His horn flare to life, magic sparking violently from it as the tree was engulfed in the aura. “One,” A second layer of magic flared to life over the first, “two,” Barrier’s eyes were narrowed in concentration as the third and final overlay of magic flared into being, “three!” With a grunt, he threw his entire body into the tree, followed by three other ponies doing the same.

For the first five seconds, nothing happened before finally, with a deep groan, the tree began to roll, the four ponies slowly picking up momentum as it was rolled out of the way of the fence. As it finally rolled to a stop, Barrier’s horn fizzled out with a pop, and the stallion leaned forward over the tree panting heavily, a trickle of sweat working it’s way down his brow. “I’m…” he took into a grateful gulp of air, “way too old for this.” With a tired chuckle, he shoved himself upright, turning and nuzzling the slightly-sweaty Octavia.

“We greatly appreciate the help, Magic, reckon you just saved us a whole heap of trouble.” The mare commented.

“Barrier, don’t forget to ask about Braeburn.” Octavia commented as she returned the nuzzle.

“It was my pleasure, AJ. While I’m thinking about it, I don’t suppose you know a pony by the name of Braeburn do ya’?”

“Cousin Braeburn? I reckon I know a little. If you wanna come in the farmhouse I got a picture of him at the family reunion.” The mare trotted towards the farmhouse, her brother following behind her.

“Cousin? I was referring to an ancestor of yours, actually.” Barrier commented as he and Octavia joined the mare.

“You probably wanna ask Granny Smith if yer lookin’ for information about our ancestors. She’s got records from just about anythin’ you can think of about the Apple family.”

“Granny! We got guests!” Applejack hollered out as the group approached the farmhouse.

The ancient mare on the porch snorted slightly as she woke up, resting her tired eyes on Octavia and Barrier. “Well howdy there, young’uns.” The mare greeted the pair, heartily, despite her tired appearance.

“Granny, this here is Magic Barrier and Octavia Melody. They came to ask some questions about cousin Braeburn.” Applejack introduced the pair, taking a seat on the edge of the porch.

“Well, shoot, I know all about Braeburn. He’s m’grandson, you know.” The old mare smiled down at the pair. “Watcha wanna know ‘bout’im?”

“I was more curious as to his ancestors, to be honest. I’m trying to find a little bit of information about his namesake about eleven or twelve generations ago.”

The gave the elderly mare a slight pause before she responded, “Well, that’s quite a specific request.” The old mare crawled up out of chair and trotted slowly inside of the house. “Come on young’un, we’ll have to get to m’books out for that’un.”

A slight smile began to form on Barrier’s face as Applejack, Octavia, and himself trotted in after Granny Smith.

“So, Barrier. Not ta be nosy, but why are you lookin’ for information on this fella? I mean besides him prolly bein’ from your uh…age.”

“Braeburn Apple, or at least the one in question, was a close personal friend and squadmate of mine when I was in the guard. I saw a badly made exhibit of the Nightmare War and it made me a bit melancholic.”

The mare looked at him in confusion, causing Barrier to raise an eyebrow.

“Uh, the bad exhibit made me depressed might be a better way of saying it. When Octavia asked me what was wrong and I got into thinking about the squad, I realized I don’t know anything about what happened to my two best friends. Octavia pointed out that you were a relative of Braeburn and suggested I ask you. So, here we are.” Barrier chuckled uncertainly.

“Well, alrighty then.” Applejack nodded her affirmation. “If anypony can tell ya’ about Cousin Braeburn from a long time ago, it’s Granny Smith.”

“I’m honestly surprised.” Octavia admitted. “I can’t think of too many ponies who would keep information from so long ago. It’s rather uncommon.”

“Well, us Apple’s try to keep everything. It’s important to know where you come from,” Applejack stated. “Well, Barrier, Octavia, I appreciate all yer help, but I gotta get back to work. Still got a lot to do today.” The mare tilted her hat once more she departed.

“Braeburn used that line a lot.” Barrier commented idly as they followed Granny Smith into her bedroom, where she dug a particularly wide and flat chest out from under her bed.

“The one about where you come from?” Octavia asked as she watched the elderly mare pull the case out with seemingly little effort.

“Yeah, though there was a bit more to it than that.”

“Here we go.” The old mare croaked as she popped the lid of the chest open, revealing it to be absolutely packed of various pictures and files -- even an oil painting.

“You ponies are welcome to go through these here documents if’n you’d like. I’d stay and help, but I gotta go start lunch.

“Thank you Mrs. Smith.” Barrier bowed his head in thanks, causing the older mare to scoff and wave a hoof.

“Just call me granny, sonny, everyone calls me granny.” The old mare left the pair in the room with the large chest; Octavia was already carefully rifling through the documents, adding any documents with the mention of Braeburn to a little pile.

Nearly half-an-hour later, the pair had a small pile of documents. They had sifted through everything with a mention of Braeburn with very little luck. As excellent as the Apple Family record-keeping was, there simply wasn’t a whole lot of luck with the subject.

“Ugh, I give up.” Barrier flopped forward onto the floor wearily, scattering several pages in the process.”

“Hold on, Magic.” Octavia held a page up - one of the ones he had just scattered. “This pony here, Apple Barrier.” Octavia held the paper in front of her unicorn companion who took it in his magic.

Skimming over the documents, Barrier frowned. How in the hay had he missed that?

“Huh, well would ya’lookit that.” The unicorn levitated the paper back to the chest. “Named his kid Barrier...that kinda tickles me. Wish it made mention of what happened to him or his kid though.” Barrier levitated all of the paper that they had looked through neatly back into the chest and closed it, sliding it under the bed.

“Barrier?” Octavia glanced at him questioningly, curious as to what he was thinking.

“Ah, sorry.” Barrier stood upright and offered Octavia his hoof. “Just debating whether or not I should keep researching this all. It’s nice to know he had a kid and I’m honored he’d name it that, but at the end of the day, they’re both dead and while it’s brought a little closure, it honestly just makes me wish I knew more.”

“Well, what about Appleloosa?” The mare offered up. “You could go see the uh, current Braeburn Apple. Maybe he would know something more about his ancestors.” Octavia took the offered hoof and was pulled upright.

“Not that I’m complaining, but why do you keep suggesting I look into all this?” The pair trotted back towards the kitchen to thank Granny Smith.

“Because I think it’s something you need. After that exhibit, you…” The mare struggled momentarily to find a word, “weren’t yourself. It was like you’d had the life sucked out of you. It may just be me, but I think closure would do you some good. I…” Octavia bit her lip slightly. “I don’t ever want to see you that depressed again.” She admitted, “It was odd. When you got home you just felt…lifeless. Seeing you like that really bothered me.”

“Well howdy there young’uns, find what you were lookin’ for?” Granny Smith had just pulled a steaming pie from the oven when they trotted in.

“We found mention of a pony named Apple Barrier, the son of the Braeburn Apple I was looking for.” Barrier glanced at Octavia softly. “I think I’m going to head to Appleloosa and meet Braeburn Apple the uh, tenth, eleventh? Something like that. Maybe see if he can tell me anymore about it all.” Turning to Octavia, Barrier nuzzled the mare lightly.

“Sorry about all this, Tavi. I know we came here for a vacation and it’s been anything but, and here I am probably heading off to Appleloosa when we only have three days of vacation left.” The pony chuckled humorlessly, shaking his head.

“Fret not dear, I was the one who suggested it, and I think I’ll be accompanying you, if it’s all the same. If nothing else, it will be nice to take in the sights for a couple of days.”

“What’ll we do about work, though? Vinyl expects me back in three days. I could probably get more time off, but I know how you like to keep to a schedule, and I’d hate to ruin it for you.”

Granny Smith smiled pleasantly at the two and went back to her cooking.

“Yes, I was quite persistent about practicing with my ensemble, wasn’t I?” The mare smiled and shook her head. “I don’t think I’ll lose my time-slots at the restaurants, but if I do, well I’m eligible for plenty of other jobs. We’ll cross that bridge if we come to it.”

Nuzzling the mare once more, Barrier nodded. “To Appleloosa then.”

Author's Notes:

Next chapter, Barrier punches another pony in the face, inspired by Izanagi who punched me when I tried to use the peanut-butter trick on his dog. You'd think he'd have been grateful his dog was getting some attention, but nope.

Thanks to Izanagi and Alticorn for editing/proofing as always.

Oh, also. I uploaded my second story The Hunter to fimfic. It's mostly a personal challenge to try and take an asinine concept and make it plausible/decent. Give it a glance if you have the time.