//------------------------------// // The Start of Something Beautiful // Story: Worth Something // by DashiesFavoriteHuman //------------------------------// Applejack stared at the empty field, the dry weeds rose up above the crops eating at them, taking their luscious glow, their beautiful luster was gone, deteriorating from the killing plants. She haddent managed to fight them, she hardly wanted to, too far gone? Too lazy? She didn't consider her efforts to be strong enough, sbe didn't consider her work to be helpful, not now. "Hey Applejack, the weeds won't go away by just staring at them!", Rainbow Dash called from a cloud above hovering over Applejack's head. "Yeah ah know", Applejack said frowning at the dying field. The weather had just gotten hot allowing the weeds their chance to move in and suck the life from any living plant they can find, Applejack's crops just happened to be the next victim, the weeds' next unlucky field to be wiped out. "Then why are you staring at them? Go kill them!", Rainbow said sitting up on her cloud glancing at the field. "Yeah", Apple said putting on a fake smile, "now whataya say we go ta that...uh...get together at Twilight's place?" "Yeah", Rainbow Dash agreed looking at Applejack, she felt something was wrong, she couldn't figure out what, but she knew it was there and she didn't like what it was doing to her friend. "So how's it been, Applejack?", Rainbow Dash asked trying to break the awkward silence. Applejack said nothing as she strutted along kicking pebbles that came along every once in a while. She didn't seem to hear Rainbow Dash's question as she didn't even hint that she was paying attention. "Applejack!", Rainbow Dash yelled. "Huh!?", Applejack jumped looking around to find the voice. Rainbow Dash jumped from her cloud and landed on her hooves in front of Applejack who stopped and frowned at the pegasus pony that blocked her path, "Applejack what's going on?", Rainbow dasb asked firmly concern in her worry in her eyes and concern in her voice. Applejack shook her head and tried to go around Rainbow Dash who moved back in front of her. Applejack went from upset to frustrated in that instant pushing Rainbow Dash out of the way, "move outa mah way..." Rainbow Dash huffed at the western pony's action but continued moving to the 'get together' that Twilight Sparkle had set up. The two ponies arrived at Twilight's house which was decorated in the classic Pinkie Pie style. Streamers dangled from the branches in an assortment of colors, pink, blue, green, purple, and various other colors. Balloons floated from the door frame and random branches, in colors the same as the streamers. They opened the door to see more decorations inside. Streamers hanged from the ceiling and walls, balloons floated from the tables and chairs and the floor was littered with confetti. "Wow, Pinkie Pie, you really went all out on this one", Rainbow Dash said floating inside looking at the many decorations. "You like it!?", Pinkie bounced over to Rainbow Dash who had landed next to the table full of various cakes and pastries, "I decorated it myself!" "I kind of gathered that", Rainbow said still looking around at the decorations. "Oh right!", Pinkie Pie giggled and bounced off, "enjoy the party!" "I will", Rainbow Dash smiled watching the excited party pony bounce away. At this time Applejack slumped her way into Twilight's house plopping next to the small round table with gifts stacked up on it and a banner that read, 'Happy Birthday Twilight.'. She looked up at the table and noticed one particular gift, a medium sized box wrapped in light blue wrapping paper, with red ribbon tied around it in a bow that curled at the ends. On it was a small light blue tag attached to the bow that read: To: Twilight, From: Applejack. She sighed and looked down at the floor a tear building up in her eye. She held the tear from falling at the risk of being asked questions. The last thing she wanted was attention, especially now. "Hey, Applejack", Twilight stood in front of her friend, "are you ok?" "Yeah ah'm fine", Applejack said keeping her voice from trembling. "Are you sure? Because you look like something's wrong", Twilight leaned in to look at Applejack. "Ah don't wanna talk about it", Applejack sighed turning away from Twilight. "Are you sure because i can--" "Ah said no!", Applejack yelled standing up, "just...leave me alone!", she pushed past Twilight and stomped upstairs still fighting her tears. Everypony looked at her in shock as she stomped up the stairs, into Twilight's room and slammed the door shut. They looked at each other and shrugged, "what did you say?", Spike asked Twilight walking over to her. "Nothing...I mean I just asked what was wrong and she yelled at me", Twilight answered still surprised at the way Applejack acted, "she's never yelled at me like that before" "I'll go talk to her", Rainbow Dash volunteered, "maybe she'll tell me what's bothering her", she floated up to the room and knocked with her hoof, "hey Applejack, it's Rainbow Dash, can I come in?" The door opened with Applejack standing at it tears streaming from her eyes. She sniffled as Rainbow Dash walked in and closed the door. "Applejack...", Rainbow started with a look of concern and worry in her voice, "what's wrong?" The orange pony sat down and tried to hold in her crying, "Ah...", she gasped, "ah can't stop it...ah can't stop the weeds from eatin' tha crops", she finally broke down, "ah tried...ah really did!" "That's ok", Rainbow Dash tried to comfort Applejack. "No it's not!", Applejack yelled, "ah'm worthless!", her tears poured down her cheeks, "ah...ah..." "Applejack...", Rainbow Dash put her wing around Applejack, "you're not worthless...never...you're strong, and, brave, and honest...you're not worthless." "But ah couldn't stop the weeds, ah couldn't keep 'em from killin the--" Rainbow Dash put her hoof over the crying pony's mouth, "it's ok Applejack...it's ok." Applejack began crying again as Rainbow Dash held her. "You're not worthless", Rainbow Dash said pulling her friend closer, "you're worth something to me."