This was it.

The last stand.

There was no turning back.

Running away was not an option at this point, nor one I would ever take. I´m an Apple after all. We live by your word and do the job, no matter how dirty we may get. And right now I have a job to do, an enemy to face. Any pony would call me crazy for agreeing to do this and maybe they're right. After all I have no logical reason to be doing this but darn it! Reason have no place in here! This came from the heart!

I had to do this alone, nopony else could help me, it was a matter of honor, of pride; it all came down to me. I adjusted my hat as my enemy snorted, releasing hot air against me. I was facing certain death, there was no possible way from me to survive this but I wasn't going to escape. I was going to do it, me and no other pony. No substitute, no assistance, it was just me against all impossible odds.

I remember my papa words,

“A pony´s gotta do what a pony´s gotta do.”

Papa, you'll be proud of your son.

I smirked once more, tap the ground and move forward.

The last thing I saw before everything went black was Applejack, not the grown up mare but the small little filly which I used to play with, running around with a hat twice the size of her head, always smiling.

I love that smile.

The Apple´s smile.

******

“Is he alright?”

“Braeburn? Can you hear me?!”

“Granny Smith? Ah don´ wanna share the bed with Big Mac, he talks too much...”

“He is fine.”

“W-what happened? Did ah won?”

“Hardly. Stone Breaker sent you flying a good few meters into the air and then you crashed.”

“Oh, guess ah failed then?”

“HAHAHAHA, of course you couldn't win against my best warrior in a head-butt struggle, son! But the mere fact that you stand your ground against a buffalo that´s impressive!”

“Here let me help you, little one.”

“Thanks, now ah know why they call you that. Now Chief Thunderhooves, does that mean that...”

“Yes. You can have Little Strongheart´s hoof in marriage.”

“Oh thanks Celestia...”

“Sure you are okay, Braeburn?”

“Ah´m better than never, darling. But ah can't say the same fer mah poor hat...”