//------------------------------//
// Family 
// Story: Deterioration: An Applejack Story 
// by CapNTilfy 
//------------------------------//

Applejack slowly opened her eyes to find herself in her room and in her bed. She looked around her room, feeling panicked. "H-Hello," she called out nervously. "I-Is anybody there?" She grit her teeth in fear when nobody answered. She didn't know whether to scream or be grateful she was alone. There was a knock on her door, and she yelped. She hid under the covers and shut her eyes tightly. "Wh-Wh-What more do you want from me," she asked as she began to shake. "I-I already admitted I killed my parents!"

Applejack heard the door to her room open, and she felt a chill down her spine. Slowly, she rose up from the covers to see Granny Smith. She remained motionless as her grandmother walked up to her, sweat trickling down her forehead. She gulped nervously as she sat next to her. Granny smiled, then hugged her. Applejack sniffled, then returned the hug as her grandmother leaned into her ear and whispered. "Parent killer."

Applejack bolted upright in her bed and began to hyperventilate. Her heart was racing, and she was sweating. The door to her room slowly opened, and she cowered, shaking and whimpering. "Applejack," Granny asked. Applejack cautiously looked up and saw Granny Smith regarding her with deep concern. "Land sakes, girl," she said softly. "I don't know if my heart can take any more scares today." She made her way up to Applejack, who curled up and shook with fear.

Granny Smith reached Applejack's bed, then gently ran a hand through her granddaughter's hair. She flinched, then looked up. "G-G-Granny? I-I-Is that r-r-really you," Applejack asked as she gradually uncurled herself.

"'Course it is, hon," Granny Smith said, then opened her arms in an invitation for a hug. Applejack hesitated for a moment, then embraced her. Granny began to hum a tune that she immediately recognized as she stroked her hair. It was a formless tune that only two people in her life knew by heart, and knew when to hum it. Granny Smith and...

"Ma...she...she'd always hum this when I needed to calm...down..." Applejack said, then trailed off. She choked up, sniffled, then broke. She held onto Granny tightly as she wept. "Oh, Granny," she said between sobs. "I-I-I don't hardly know what's real any more! I'm so scared!"

Granny Smith continued her humming as Applejack let all her emotions out, but she knew in her heart of hearts that there would likely be more tears to come. Her eldest granddaughter needed her, and by gum, she'd do everything in her power to make her feel better! A tear fell from her eye as she remembered the first time she saw her daughter hum this tune to each of her grandchildren. She let out a sniffle, then finished the tune. Applejack looked up at her, her eyes red and puffy from crying. "Feel better, child," she asked warmly.

Applejack sighed heavily. "I guess," she said. "I needed that release, but I don't think that's the last of it."

"Me neither, Applejack," Granny said. "Me neither." She broke the hug. "Now if you'll excuse me, I've gotta prepare for dinner!" She noticed a look of sadness on Applejack's face. "Aww, now don't you worry, sugarcube," she said. "Big Mac's gonna come in for a spell. That sound good?" Applejack nodded with a slight smile. "Good," Granny said. "Hope to see you downstairs!" She opened the door, and called Big Mac over. She leaned into him as he got close. "Probably best not to bring up yer parents," she said. "I don't want her falling any further than she already has."

Big Mac smiled warmly. "Eeyup," he said. "You leave AJ to me, Granny." Granny Smith nodded, then began her journey to the kitchen. He walked into Applejack's room, smiling. "Hey, AJ," he said. "How are ya holdin' up?"

Applejack sighed. "I've been better, big brother," she said. "I've been better." She sat up on her bed and made a sputtering noise. She looked at Big Mac. "Big Mac," she said quietly. "Do you...do you think I'm goin' crazy?"

Big Macintosh placed his hands on Applejack's. "I don't know what's goin' on," he said. "But you don't have to face it alone, whatever it is. We're here for you, little sister." He tightened his grip on her hands. "You're havin' a rough couple of days, but I don't think you've gone crazy." He gave Applejack a reassuring smile.

"'A rough couple of days'," Applejack scoffed, then frowned. "It's been hell, Big Mac," she exclaimed, throwing her hands up in exasperation. "I want it to stop, but I don't know how!" She sniffled, and Big Mac hugged her.

"It's gonna be okay, Applejack," Big Mac said.

"Is it," Applejack asked with tears in her eyes. Big Mac tightened the hug. "Please, Big Mac," Applejack pleaded. "Tell me the truth. Is-Is it really going to be okay?"

Big Mac shed a tear. "I...I don't know, Applejack. I don't know. What I do know is that whatever's happening to you doesn't know who it's dealin' with," He grinned. "You're Applejack, for corn's sake! You're one of the most stubborn people I know, and knowing you," he said as he broke the hug and put his hands on her shoulders. "You're gonna fight it 'til ya win!" 

Applejack wiped a tear from her eye. "You're right," she said. "I'm a fighter! I can't just let this get to me!"

crack

Applejack winced, and Big Mac noticed. "You all right," he asked.

"I think so," Applejack replied. "It kinda comes and goes. It's like a quick headache or something. It's what caused me to black out."

Big Mac cupped his chin. "Hmm. You should keep an eye on that."

"Don't worry," Applejack said. "I will."

"Big Mac," Granny Smith called out, "Can ya help me set the table?"

"Be down soon," Big Mac called down. "Granny calls," he said with a shrug. "Your turn," he said to someone in the hallway. Light footsteps neared her door, and Apple Bloom appeared in Applejack's doorway.

Applejack smiled and quirked an eyebrow. "Did y'all plan this," she asked.

"Eeyup," Big Mac said as he and Apple Bloom slapped a high five, and the latter entered Applejack's room.

"Heya, sis," Apple Bloom said cheerfully. "Looks like you're feelin' better!"

Applejack smiled. "Looks like it." She slouched and sighed. "I just hope it lasts."

Apple Bloom gave Applejack a quizzical look. "What do ya mean," she asked.

"I have a feelin' it's gonna come back eventually, sugarcube," Applejack said, then flopped onto her bed. She quickly got back up with a grin. "But if it thinks I'm gonna take this lying down anymore, it's got another thing coming," she exclaimed as she cracked her knuckles.

Apple Bloom ran up to her sister and hugged her. "Now that's the Applejack I know!"

crack

Applejack winced as Apple Bloom broke the hug. "Y'all gonna come down for dinner? It should be ready any minute now!"

Applejack smiled. "Yeah," she said. "I'm feelin' mighty hungry!" The two sisters made their way to the dining room.