//------------------------------// // (5) Danger // Story: Parents // by Script Singer //------------------------------// Life wasn't the same for Applejack after that day. She buried her pain deep down inside of herself and moved on with her life. It's been about three years now and Applejack still grieves for her parents, but she tries to just keep going through. Applejack kicked a tree and a few apples fell into the buckets beside it, she was trying to harvest the latest batch of apples before they spoiled. As she pulled some empty buckets beside the next tree she heard a familiar scream. Looking towards the direction of the scream sharply, she ran off the farm and went in search of the sound. Applejack stopped where the cries were coming from, but saw nothing. As she searched she heard a whimper. She hurried over to the nearby ravine that ended with water, 50 feet below. She looked over the edge and couldn't believe what she saw. "Apple Bloom?" she said. Apple Bloom, struggling to keep holding on to the edge, looked up at the voice and smiled with hope. "Applejack, help!" Apple Bloom cried. Applejack stared at her little sister's eyes. While her weak smile conveyed hope, her eyes were filled with fear. There was no time for questions right now. Applejack leaned over and reached out her hoof. As she got closer to her sister, the memory of her parents death flashed in her mind. She shut her eyes tight, pulling her hoof away before letting out a grunt. "Applejack!" Tears fell from Applejack's face. She was afraid. "Applejack!" Applejack opened her eyes. She reached out her hoof again. It shook with fear. However, just as she got close, the rock that Apple Bloom was hanging onto broke free. She let out a scream as she fell down into the water. "No!" Applejack yelled. She didn't know what to do, so she did the first thing came to mind. She jumped after her sister. As she fell, she reached out her hoof. "Apple Bloom, take my hoof, it's going to be okay!" Apple Bloom opened her eyes. Tears were flying out of her eyes. She reached out her hoof grasping it quickly. Applejack pulled her close, tightening her grip. They took a deep breath before they hit the water. The water burst into Applejack's ear, causing It to ring. Her grip on her sister was quickly lost with the flowing water. She got caught from the current. Apple Bloom panicked, Applejack wouldn't move. Apple Bloom surfaced. She took a big breath and let out some coughs. When she recovered, she saw her sister floating down the stream. "Applejack!" she yelled. No response. Apple Bloom grabbed Applejack by the tail and grabbed a rock. She let out some more coughs. "Applejack, we need to get out of this!" Applejack still didn't respond. Apple Bloom's grip was slipping from the water. Her hoof lost grip on the rock and the current took her away, however, She still managed to cling onto her sister with fear. Her head made impact with a rock and hit it hard, causing her to grow dizzy. She let go of Applejack in her daze and watched as her sister was taken away by the other current. --- Applejack slowly opened her eyes. She saw her hooves in the water. She got up and rubbed her head. As her mind became less fuzzy, she remembered her sister. "Apple Bloom?" she mumbled. No response. She looked around alarmed. Apple Bloom was nowhere to be found. "Apple Bloom?!" she yelled. Heeeeeeelp!!! She knew that voice. She ran as fast as her hooves would go. "I'ma comin' Apple Bloom! Hang on!" A waterfall came into view. Apple Bloom was holding onto a tree branch that was jutting out of the edge. Applejack ran faster. She ran up the path to the waterfall. "Hurry! This branch can't hold me much longer!" Applejack walked to the edge. She reached out her hoof towards Apple Bloom. The memory flashed into Applejack's mind. She flung her hoof back, causing it to hit her sister. The branch cracked. --- Applejack found light surrounding her. She saw two ponies walking toward her. They were blurry and indistinguishable. "Who are you?" she asked. The figures came closer. They became visible. Applejack's eyes opened wide. "Ma, Pa...?" Tears formed in her eyes. Her parents smiled at her. Getting up quickly, she ran up to embrace them. Tears fell from her eyes. As she clung to them, they suddenly disappeared. She stopped in front of an image showing the day of Applejack's parents death. "No!" she yelled. She curled into a ball and cried, shutting her eyes tight, refusing to see it again. She heard her mother's voice. You must face it, Applejack, don't be afraid... Applejack slowly moved her head to the image. She watched it with tears in her eyes. She watched as the scenario she had never wanted to witness again played out before her. When it had finished, the image faded. "That could have been me..." Applejack muttered under her breath. "But it wasn't you." her father said walking up to her. Applejack looked at her father. "But it could have been." "That's why we saved you." Apple Bloom appeared in front of her. "She needs you, Applejack. Stop fearing the past." Applejack stared at her parents. Tears fell from her eyes. She hugged them before a bright light ignited in the room. --- Applejack opened her eyes to the sound of her sister's scream. She jumped after her and grabbed her hoof. "Hold on!" Applejack yelled. She threw herself to the edge of the wall where there was a cave. They hit the ground hard, letting out a few grunts. Applejack and Apple Bloom panted heavily. Applejack looked at her sister. She had a few cuts from landing on the rocks along with no small amount of bruises. She smiled and slowly put her head down to the floor and shut her eyes. "Applejack..." Apple Bloom said. She turned to her sister who was also covered in bruises and cuts. Her breaths were slow. Apple Bloom got up and walked over to her sister. "Applejack. Please, get up. I wanna go home, Applejack." she cried. Tears fell from her face. "Applejack..." Her voice faded. --- Applejack hugged her parents. "Thank you, ma." she smiled. She heard Apple Bloom's voice. Applejack.... Another image appeared in front of her. It showed Apple Bloom shaking her with tears in her eyes. Applejack, wake up. I need you... Big Mac needs you... Please, wake up... Applejack put her hoof to the image. She watched Apple Bloom sob into her coat. I need you, Applejack... --- Applejack woke up hearing sobs. "Apple Bloom...?" Applejack mumbled. Apple Bloom got up and stared at her sister. A smile grew on her face. "You're okay!" Apple Bloom exclaimed. "You're okay!" Applejack stared at the entrance to the cave. Celestia was setting the sun. Apple Bloom hugged her sister. A few hours passed before Apple bloom finally fell asleep, as she slept her sister looked down at her with a smile before joining her in sleep.