LOCATION: PINKAMENA’S DOJO
An impact was felt as a kick hit my arm. Today was a day of importance to my first batch of students. Today would see if any of my students would earn their yellow belts. The student in question sparring me right now was Rainbow Dash. she practiced and struggled to get ready to advance and she was bringing all her effort into this match. She went for a quick straight jab which I effortlessly blocked. She then went for a roundhouse which I blocked with my own.
“Enough.” I said lowering my stance as Rainbow did the same.
“You have proven that you have mastered the first level I said smiling I reached behind me and took the first yellow belt from the wooden altar behind me.
“Congratulations Rainbow Dash you have earned your Yellow belt.” I said bowing,
Rainbow Dash looked like a filly on Hearth's Warming morning.
“WAH HOO eh hemm thank you sensei” Rainbow Dash said quickly and bowed.
I chuckled as I watched her walk off. Rainbow had worked hard for this.
I watched her as she trained her arms, legs, and wings, and every time she had mastered a weight she would come to me to increase it.
I would see her in the pouring rain working her hardest to be worthy of passing the first step.
Now some may scoff and say its only level one, but hey we were all there once. And given Rainbow’s tendency for impatience this was a remarkable change.
My hope was that she would continue to improve.
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Soon I closed and locked my dojo shortly after the majority of my class got their yellow belts, including Solar Dash. Unfortunately I had to fail a pony named Brick Layer.
When he first came I gave him one look and could already tell that he was hot headed and too cocky. I had hoped that through my training it would mellow him out so to speak. Unfortunately he never did the training. He ignored my instructions on the stances the movements the mental training all of it. All he did was stand around and smile lecherously at the mares as if he were already a master martial artist. It was then that I knew that he would never be successful in this venture.
He ranted and raved at me about the fact I didn’t do my job. I had calmly explained to him that I had done my job, he would have known that if he had payed attention to my lessons and had not ignored me when I tried teaching him the most basic of teachings. He had stormed off after that and I’m sure I had lost a student. Not that it bothered me any cause he was honestly a jerk.
I soon walked through the town center. My house looked like a godsend after all of the exercise from today’s teachings. I got the key out and opened the door walking inside. I plopped down onto the couch exhausted but satisfied. I thought about what happened when those tickets appeared. It seemed like an honest mistake. But I also couldn’t help but think that Celestia was trying to help Twilight with a friendship lesson. I didn’t know if that was true or not. But I truly hoped Celestia knew what she was doing.
I also had to remember to talk to Pinkie work out the problem we had. I would forgive her in time for stressing out her friend. Pinkie didn’t know any better and tended to act before thinking.
I started thinking of my other family then it had been quite a while since I saw them last. The last I had seen them, was right before I started my botched self exploration of equestria. I hadn't sent a letter, or visited in all of that time. Poor Marble probably thought I had forgotten all about them. Limestone probably wanted to kick my tail for not keeping contact. I don’t quite know what maud would do. Even after all these years I still can’t quite get a read on maud’s feelings. Pinkie could probably tell what maud was feeling. Pinkie could tell what maud was feeling effortlessly. Note to self put a date on the calendar for family reunion.
Before I knew it, I had fallen asleep due to my exhaustion having caught up with me.
LOCATION: PINKAMENA’S HOME
I woke with a start when I heard knocking on my door. Groggily I stood up and walked to the door. Twilight stood on the other side of the door looking a bit annoyed.
“Uh can I help you Twi?” I asked confused.
“I was hoping you would. We had a stampede yesterday and Applejack came and saved the day. We ponies were hoping to give her an award this morning. Not only was Applejack late but she stumbled in as if she had been to a salt bar and dragged her award away. When I went to go check on her. Applejack was borderline delirious she had been up all night harvesting apples and she won’t take a break. I was hoping you would come with me seeing as you’ve been through something similar.” said Twilight.
I blushed in embarrassment. The time she was talking about was when I got the feather brained idea to train without stop for about two weeks. Pinkie tried talking me out of it. When I didn’t listen she got her friends involved. They also tried to talk me out of it. Along with Rainbow Dash trying to restrain me. All that did was make me use one of her pressure points to make her pass out. It wasn’t until my body quit on me from pain and exhaustion that my sane mind came back I took about a week from training of any kind to give my body a break. Rainbow wasn’t even mad I made her pass out. She wanted me to teach her about pressure points so she could do that.
“That was one time Twi and I don’t like to think about that time. Wait salt bar?” I asked.
“What, do you not go get salt to get inebriated to forget trouble? Lots of ponies unfortunately do it.” said Twilight.
“No I don’t and where I’m originally from we use alcohol for that.” I said saw Twilight quickly whipping out a notebook and quill to write what she just heard.
Twilight had been studying the phenomenon that happened ten years ago that made several ponies everywhere suddenly have twins. She witnessed all of our souls falling through Equius's atmosphere.
From what she found so far from her interviews with several of the twins is that they were a victim of a premature death weather from a murder or accident. From what she could tell it was a form of high level magic at least alicorn level. She had asked Celestia if she was the one responsible. But Celestia said that she wasn’t. Celestia had an idea on who could be responsible but she had no concrete reason why. Twilight automatically threw out the idea that Luna had done it on the grounds that Luna was trapped on the moon during the time of the event. Not to mention that Celestia said that when the elements trapped Luna on the moon it restricted Luna’s magic to that of a normal unicorn she would have been unable to cast a soul transfer and accumulation spell.
Another part of her study’s was asking me all kinds of questions about my old worlds culture and history to try and compare to pony society.
Twilight quickly breathed and put her notebook and quill.
“Anyway if anypony can bring Applejack to her senses I bet this will do it.” Said Twilight
“Fine but don’t be surprised if Applejack doesn’t listen Apples can be the most stubborn ponies in Equestria.” I said
“Fair enough” said Twilight.
LOCATION:SWEET APPLE ACRES
It didn’t take long for us to approach Sweet Apple Acres. Things looked ok from the outside. The trees still had apples. The fences and barn and house was still standing. The pigs were going through their morning routines of eating and rolling in mud. The cows were chatting and eating to make milk. Everything looked normal. So what was going on with Applejack? I could immediately tell something was wrong seeing as Applecider was sitting by herself near the barn she seemed quite peeved about something. Arms folded and a scowl on her face. Though as she saw us approach she lit up and ran over.
“Ha finally some back up maybe you guys can tell that awnry fool that she doesn’t need to do this entire harvest on her own. Ah tried to get her ta listen to reason but suprise she wouldn’t listen. Ah know she means well but heaven help up when she takes Big Macs challenges. She always done blows it outa proportion.” said Applecider
“Don’t worry hopefully with Pinkamena here we can bring Applejack to her senses” said Twilight
“Well ah do hope this does work.” said Applecider.
As we walked through the fields we began to hear slow rhythmic thumps of hooves hitting bark. This sound only told me how tired Applejack truly was and this was just from one night of no sleep. If we didn’t have her see that what she was doing was harmful not only to her health but the well being for Sweet Apple Acres as a whole. Then Applejack’s family was in trouble.
Now I didn’t remember much from my training excursion but I did remember that exhaustion came in stages. Stage one came after four or five hours after your natural time to sleep. Tiredness moodiness and slight hearing problems occurred. into the sixth to seventh hours your body tries to force you into sleep those that were really stubborn would force themselves out of this bodily induced sleep to keep going. Eight to nine hours is when hallucinations and hearing things occur. I had thought a brown cloud with a smiley face was cheering my training on. Who knows what Applejack was going to see if she didn’t sleep. Now I know that it would probably take several hours in the real world to have close to an effect like that. But remember that equestria has wild untamed magic floating around everywhere. That magic likes to play games, so it will take a stallion or mare that has gone without sleep and mess with their minds.
That magic took me on what felt like an acid trip I didn’t appreciate it.
When we finally saw applejack it was apparent that she was about in the five hour stage.
Her eyes were drooped in exhaustion. Dark black rings were around her eyes. Her limbs twitched quite violently. Her hair was a mess, her clothing wrinkly. Dirt covered her head to hoof.
I’d say she was on the cusp of her body trying to force itself into sleep.
*snore* never mind she just passed that threshold.
“Hey Applejack” tried Twilight.
*snore* went Applejack.
“APPLEJACK” yelled twilight.
“Oh howdy Twilight, Pinkamena.”
“What is all this?” asked Twilight.
“Its applebuck season” said Applejack kicking and missing a tree.
“Applewhat season?” asked Twilight
“It's what the Apple family calls harvestin' time. We gather all the apples from the trees so we can sell 'em.” said Applejack
“But why are you doing it all alone?” asked Twilight
“ 'cause Big MacIntosh hurt himself.” said Applejack.
I facepalmed at what she just said and pointed at Applecider next to me “just admit that your pride has once again put you in a state of mind to beat the supposed challenge that Big Mac gave you. I mean come on you have a sister right here who is getting ornery because she can’t help like she is supposed to.” I said feeling a little cross.
“So you won’t take any help whatsoever?” asked Twilight.
“No I’m doin this on mah own.” said Applejack.
“But there's no way you can do it all on your own.” said Twilight
Applejack narrowed her eyes “ Is that a challenge?” asked Applejack
With her hands on her hips. Applecider quickly started waving her arms in haste
“no no its not” she said though apparently it fell on deaf ears
“Well, I'm gonna prove to you that ah can do it! Now if you'll excuse me, I've got apples to buck” said Applejack stomping off
“Oh fer pete's sake tha’ pony is gonna run herself inta the ground at this rate. Thanks fer tryin Twi, Pinkamena but it looks like ah’m in this fer the long haul.” said Applecider
We watched in a bit of sadness as Applecider walked over to the barn and sat down against the wall.
LOCATION:PINKAMENA’S HOUSE
The shower ran hot. I usually took showers when I had some deep thinking to do. Usually with my forehead against the cool tiled shower wall. The hot water soaking into my fur, and making my long dark pink mane sag down even further. From seeing how things were at Sweet Apple Acres, I was sure that things were slowly declining. Applejacks pride was making it so that their family was in a bit of a struggle. Besides Big Mac Applejack had Applecider why on earth would she take what Big mac most likely said in concern rather than a challenge as a challenge. And why would she seek help from twilight in the incident with the Gala tickets, But not when she thought Big Mac challenged that she couldn’t clear the orchard on her own? It just didn’t make much sense to me.
I groaned in agitation how am I supposed to teach my students martial arts as well as deal with this problem. I sighed in exasperation maybe it’s time to limit classes to once a week that way I can take care of any craziness that happens during the week, then teach martial arts it also gives students time to train. The problem was though that I loved teaching every other day martial arts was one of my passions I didn’t want to just limit that. But I knew that I had to so with a forlorn sigh I shut the shower off and put a towel around me.
After dressing in my Pajamas I went to bed hopefully Applejack would accept help before more damage was done.
DAY 2
LOCATION: PINKAMENA’S HOUSE
I was startled out of my sleep by a crash from what sounded like my kitchen window. I groaned more tired than irritated. I couldn’t even sleep now without issues? I stood up from my bed and wrapped a robe around me. I slowly headed downstairs rubbing the tiredness from my eyes.
When I got downstairs the tiredness instantly vanished. Solar Dash lay on the floor my front window shattered. Stars circled her head as she tried to regain her bearings.
I rushed over to hear and got her sitting against the wall.
“Solar Solar are you ok?” I asked waving my hand in front of her face.
“M-my tail is for crocodiles.” said Solar.
“What?” I asked
“It puts the lotion on its skin and it gets in the house again.” said Solar
Ok I wasn’t going to get anything coherent from Solar until she snapped out of her daze.
As I waited I made my morning orange juice with caffeine. Ponies kept telling me just to drink coffee but I just couldn’t stand the taste even with creams. So I just bought caffeine and mixed it with orange juice to get the energy I needed for the day. Soon groans were heard from my front room. It was time to figure out just why and how she crashed through my strong window.
I walked into my front room and saw Solar finally fully conscious and rubbing her throbbing head.
“Sensei? ugh...I feel like I got ran over by a rampaging ursa.” said Solar.
“What on earth happened solar? I made my window out of some pretty strong materials. You had to have been going pretty fast to shatter it.” I said
“Ok let me explain
TIME 8:00 A.M.
LOCATION: SADDLE ROW (I MADE UP THE PONYVILLE STREET)
I left that morning at about seven-thirty I wanted to make sure that Rainbow wasn’t taking it to far. You know how she is if she gets an extreme stunt in her mind she just has to do it. Its because of that that I was in the hospital more times than she was. Anyway she got it in her mind to launch herself from a large seesaw. She roped Applejack into helping her. Anyway I was waiting with Rainbow when Applejack showed up.
THIRD PERSON P.O.V
“There you are.” said rainbow annoyed
“[yawn] I'm a mite sorry, Rainbow. I was busy applebuckin' and I guess ah, I closed my eyes for a second and, when I woke up, I was late. Now, what's this new trick a' yours?” asked Applejack.
“See this contraption?” asked Rainbow pointing at the giant seesaw.
“Uh... Yeah.” said Applejack
“Well, I'm gonna stand on one end, then you're gonna jump down from that platform, launching me into the air faster than I can take off on my own. Once I'm in the air, I'm gonna do some amazing flips and spins that are sure to impress the Wonderbolts.” said Rainbow
“Why is yer sister here then?” asked Applejack.
“She’s here to make sure I don’t go too far with this...again” said Rainbow.
Well, all right-y then.” said Applejack walking over to a ladder. At the top Applejack looked down and things began fading in and out.
“Oh my.” said Applejack.
“Ready? One... two... THREE!” said Rainbow.
Now note that Applejack was operating on very little energy. Which means that she wasn’t thinking straight. Not only did she not hit the target but she went too far to the right. Hitting the floor with a resounding smack.
“Umm... maybe I wasn't clear. You're supposed to land on the other end.” said Rainbow Dash with her arms folded.
With her eyes spinning she said “Got it.”
For the next twenty minutes applejack threw herself off of that diving platform each dive missing its mark.
“Applejack, what the hay is going on? I mean, I thought I was working with Ponyville's best athlete!” said Rainbow with narrowed eyes.
“um … sis maybe you shouldn’t be standing on that half until Applejack is ready to go again.” said Solar
“You are. I'm okay. Really. I-I have an idea. Watch this.” said Applejack as she pushed down
The other side of the seesaw.
“Ta da” said Applejack but all that did was cause Rainbow to narrow her eyes further.
“Oh... Maybe not. Okay, one more try. I'm sure to get it this time. “ said Applejack letting go of the side of the seesaw. Doing so caused the other end to hit the ground pretty hard which put rainbow on the ground seeing stars. Not only that but when Rainbow’s side hit the ground, it hit a good sized rock sending careening into the face of Solar making her see stars as well. Coincidentally this caused her to land on top of Rainbow just as Applejack jumped off again.
“Wait!” Rainbow yelled just as Applejack hit the seesaw
“Applejaaaaack!” yelled Rainbow as she flew into the distance. Rainbow would luckily just land on the treebrary balcony but Solar was spinning through the air and because of the speed she got up to as she was launched she was sent spinning into Pinkamena’s window.
P.O.V PINKAMENA
I was staring at Solar in disbelief why on Equis was Applejack helping with stunts? When she couldn’t even finish her applebucking she needed to do? The situation just became more serious. Applejack was beginning to deteriorate in sight. it was only a matter of time before hallucinations and hearing things came to the forefront. I had to speak with Applejack again before things got out of hand.
LOCATION: SWEET APPLE ACRES
Solar and I walked into Sweet Apple Acres on a mission. Applejack had to answer for the current injuries that Solar Dash sustained from that sonic crash through my window.
We had to got to the hospital first when it was discovered, that Solar had several shards of glass sticking out of several places on her body. The cuts were leaking blood. So Solar had to get stitches. Of course not without Solar spouting forth some pretty colorful language. Which caused me to look sheepishly at a less than amused Nurse Redheart.
As we approached I noticed AppleCider sitting on the ground holding a tissue to her nostrils. Big Mac sat with her rubbing her back.
“Guys what happened?” I asked
“Uh… AJ aint exactly in her right mind right now. She went to kick missed the tree and nailed Applecider here in tha muzzle.” said Big Mac
“Mmmmmhmmmm” groaned Applecider her eyes squinting in pain.
“Well where is she?” asked “solar
“She should be in tha eastern part of tha orchard ah sincerly hope you can get her to see reason this time.” said Big Mac
“Alright take two of trying to convince Applejack to get help.” I said trudging along the path. It must have taken Applejack another sleepless night to harvest as much as she did seeing how about a third of the orchard was now empty of apples. But I also saw the results of trying to do this without sleep. Shattered wheels lie everywhere showing that Applejack had to pay for or make new wheels. Leaves and sticks littered the ground. Most likely from kicking the same tree twice.
I finally saw Applejack leaning against a tree. Soft snores sounded from her as she slept.
“Applejack wake up” I said but Applejack did not respond
“Applejack!” I said a little louder a slight twitch this time
“APPLEJACK!” I yelled
“Huh wha? Oh it’s just you Pinkamena I’m awful sorry don mean ta be rude but I’m in no state to entertain today.” said Applejack
“Celestia dang it Applejack this is starting to get out of hand! Yesterday I could tolerate it. but today you sent one of my students crashing through my window. That window can stop bullets! Bullets Applejack. As in a small piece of lead that travels faster than the speed of sound, yet somehow due to your actions she tore through it like tissue paper!” I yelled.
“And ah’m awful sorry about that but ah still got work ta do. Ah can’t have no more interruptions. Ah already got this speech from twi and ah’m burnin daylight.” said Applejack.
“Don’t sound all nonchalant about it that hurt Applejack! Not only did I have to get a head wrap for a slight concussion due to that rock but I had to get stitches when I crashed through Pinkamena’s window! I’m lucky that none of my wings were critically injured. I could have lost my ability to fly!” yelled Solar.
Applejack cringed. She must’ve not known that Solar was in that much danger.
“Ah’m honestly sorry about that Solar. Ah didn’t know but don’t worry ah’m almost done I promise.”
“Alright fine I’ll leave you to your work but let me warn you.” I said getting up close to Applejack
“If this escalates any further, I don’t care if you are almost done with the orchard, I will come over, knock you out and tie you up in the rafters of the barn. By the time I’m done with you working the orchard for days straight will seem like a walk in the park. Do I make myself clear?” I asked
“Y-yeah crystal” said Applejack shaking a little.
DAY 3
LOCATION: SUGARCUBE CORNER
“What’s wrong sis? you seem glum.” asked Pinkie.
“Ugh its this whole situation with Applejack her stubbornness to complete her brothers so called challenge is causing trouble with people its only a matter of time before it comes to bite her in her flank.”
“Why what’s the big deal? If she wants to complete what she takes as a challenge isn’t that ok?” asked Pinkie
“Not if said challenge makes her miss several days of sleep just to try and get it done.” I said
“Oh maybe I should be careful then if Applejack is functioning at low sleep. Who knows what could happen. What has she done so far?” asked pinkie
“Well so far the damage is one pegasus with stitches due to breaking my bullet proof window. As well as an Apple family member getting a broken muzzle, due to an Applejack apple buck that missed the tree.” I said
Pinkie winced “ooh not good will said family member be ok?”asked pinkie
“Yes thankfully we just have to make sure that her muzzle stays bandaged and she avoids anymore nasal mishaps.” I said
Pinkie looked nervous at that point “Applejack is supposed to come over today.” said Pinkie
I frowned “be very careful Pinkie. From what I remember when I trained with no sleep. She is entering the stage where she will have increased hallucinations.” I said
“Don’t worry I’ll keep my eye out and make sure to enunciate the ingredients I need.” said Pinkie smiling
“Well I’d rather you found other help besides Applejack I trust you sis.” I said
“Soooo change of topic how’s the dojo hiyah.” said Pinkie as she karate chopped a table breaking it, and sheepishly swept it beneath a rug making it disappear.
I rolled my eyes at her antics. “It’s doing fine but I have the feeling that I will have to close for a day until this problem with Applejack is solved.” I said
Ehh i’m sure your students can go one day without instruction.” said Pinkie
Suddenly my mind went to the worst case scenario. My dojo burning several buildings broken or rubble with several ponies laying knocked out on the ground.
“Ahh ahh ahh ahh no you don’t.” said Pinkie literally popping my thought bubble “you are not going to go to your worst case scenarios everything will be fine.” said Pinke
“Alright I’ll stop but I am serious Pinkie keep a close eye out I know you are making muffins today. Double check the ingredients Applejack gives you.” I said
LOCATION: PONYVILLE HOSPITAL OVERFLOW
“I thought I told you to double check the ingredients Applejack gave you.” I said to Pinkie who lied in a hospital bed her face a sickly shade of green.
“I’m sorry sis I guess I was in a bit of…*urp* a hurry” said Pinkie trying for the fifteenth time not to hurl.
I plucked one of the muffins from one of the bags and sniffed it. I didn’t even eat it and I wanted to throw up.
“Celestia dang it Pinkie what on earth did she put in these?” I asked
“When Twilight visited earlier spike said that she put in potato chips when I asked for chocolate chips. Regular soda when I asked for baking soda. Lemons instead of flour and earthworms instead of wheat germ.” said Pinkie before she hurled into the bucket.
“Get better soon Pinkie” I said leaving the tent.
LOCATION: TROTTER CORNER
This was getting way out of hand. If I didn’t help stop this then all of ponyville was going to suffer due to the actions of Applejack. She had to go to sleep.
I was about to get to the market district when I was suddenly bowled over by a hoard of baby rabbits that was definitely a first. I shifted beneath the pile of rabbits poking my head out I shook my head and saw poor Fluttershy trying to round up all of the baby rabbits.
“Oh oh dear um come back please your mommies and daddies must be worried sick.
No don’t eat those they belong to somepony oh dear.” she said
“Fluttershy what happened?” I asked spitting out some rabbit fur.
“Oh um Applejack came over to help me round up and count the new bunnies. She was too rough and scared them into town. We have to get this under control.” said Fluttershy.
It took a little while but eventually we rounded up all the little scamps and were able to get them all counted. (five hundred new bunnies oh my Celestia thats a lot)
“Phew that’s the last one. Flutters will you be ok from here on?” I asked
“Oh yes don’t worry I can handle things from here thank you for your help Pinkamena. Oh it looks like one of them likes you.” said Fluttershy
I looked down and sure enough a red bunny was nuzzling my leg. Smiling I picked up the little guy and stroked him ears getting a sigh of contentment.
“You mind if I come over later and adopt this little guy?” I asked
“Oh no I don’t mind I’m sure he will be very happy with you.” said fluttershy
It wouldn’t be until later when twilight confronted Applejack that Twilight and her friends would be able to help the Apple family with the rest of the harvest.
I suppose I should forgive her for this but not until she cleans my dojo for the next few weeks to make up for breaking my window, getting my sister and countless ponies sick, and getting me run over by a horde of baby bunnies.