Thirteen year old Applebloom, although heartbroken at the departure of her two older siblings, Stood tall and assumed responsibility over Sweet Apple Acres. Granny was adamant that she do the bucking for harvest but with her bad hip, that wasn’t an option. Applebloom hit a growth spurt like no pony in town had every seen. In a matter of months she was a foot and a half taller and chock full of muscle, far more than Sweetie or Scootaloo even though they both worked the farm too. And with this new size came the power to chase off whatever animals, burglars or enemy soldiers that made their way to town. And others could learn from her. On weekend nights she would hold self defense classes for the other townsfolk.

She tried to do whatever she thought was best for the town, be it protecting them from air strikes by digging bomb shelters or by doing bi monthly patrols at night to make sure everypony had enough food, water, blankets and whatnot. The towns people looked up to her, and not just because she was at least eight inches taller than them. She would spend countless hours bucking trees, shucking corn, baking bread, quilting, and teaching fillies and colts judo throws to make sure everypony was ok.

By the time the war was over and her siblings returned Applebloom was as tall and buff as they were and could fit into Big Macintosh’s work collar. She was strong, hairy, and covered in freckles.It came as a huge shock to AJ and Big Mac but they were beyond proud when the townsfolk raved about her and all that she and her friends did for them.

AB was the last of the CMC to get her cutie mark. It is an apple shape that looks like a red hot iron brand. Only a few weeks before war was declared she had begun a part time apprenticeship with the town farrier and cooper. She quickly realized that she had a knack for blacksmithing. But when she had to return to the farm she used her new found talent to used scrap metal to make bullets and barbed wire. Granny took everypony by surprise and very adequately taught her how to use the family rifle, which was not antique at all. Nor did anypony know that granny owned or was able to fire a gun.