That’s along been there. American Gothic.

@Animals  
i did and i am not american!

omfg has nobody in this fandom ever seen american gothic before?

Her parents are a part of secret organization called M.I.S.T. This organization started back in the early draconian war. Originally consisting of unicorns and a few enchanted equines. They were the top elites of infiltration, espionage, and turned the tides of the war in the ponies favor.
 
Much time has passed since then. M.I.S.T. is still in operation, but since there has been peace for so long. Not many were interested in joining. So the name was made into an Acronym, which it now stands for Mares In Sexy Tights. This acronym was carefully chosen by Princess Celestia herself to help garner interest in the elite group. Acceptance is available to both mares and stallions alike.
 
The mares are the forefront of the organization. The group still consists of Unicorns, enchanted Pegasi and Earth Ponies. The mares are the ones that are on the front lines. They do the physical work. So they are in tip top shape, and fit as a fiddle. For obvious reasons.
 
Applejack’s father, like all other stallions, works behind the scenes. They are the planning and preparations teams. Generally they are never scene in uniform outside of the compounds. For other obvious reasons. Princess Celestia spends a lot of time around the compounds. Luna still doesn’t understand why the organization still exists.

Her parents are secret agents and they do not officially exist.
 
Like Mares in Black!

We’ve been over this. That painting’s a ponified American Gothic.

Headcannon: Aj lost her parents when she was just a foal due to a harvesting accident.

Nope.

AJ’s parents?