//------------------------------//
// Dream Dash 
// Story: Appledashery Vol. Two 
// by Just Essay 
//------------------------------//



Sobbing.

Applejack's eyes opened.

She sat atop a grassy hill.  A set of gravestones sat darkly in front of her.  Brown and green apple trees flanked her on all other sides.

More sobs.

Whimpers and squeaks.

"... ... ...?"

Applejack stood up.

She turned around.

A narrow row of apple trees stretched into infinity.  She slowly trotted down, following the source of the crying breath.

The tree trunks grew denser and denser, clustering together.  Soon, there was no more light that could squeeze through.  The trees turned into a wall, lined with featureless photographs of the dead and forgotten.

And, at last, Applejack approached the final door that stood between her and the sobbing.

"Apple Bloom?"

Her heart was pounding.

She had to protect her.

To soothe her.

"Apple Bloom, it's okay..."

She pushed the door open and poked her head in.

"...I promise you... it's gonna be alright..."

The room stretched open, inverting.  A bright light cascaded, and instead of Apple Bloom's furniture, Applejack saw Ponyville City Hall... the Royal Palace... even storefronts of Manehattan that she remembered from her days as a foal.

Somepony sat with her back to her...

The softest and fuzziest of blue coats.

Applejack heart stopped.

"Sugarcube...?"

She trotted forward.

"What's the matter?"

She saw Rainbow's face.  It was covered in tears.  She was gazing upward with a sad expression.

Curious, Applejack looked up as well.

The Wonderbolts were flying loopty-loops in the sky.  Fluttershy was with them.  Even Rarity—albeit with gossamer butterfly wings.  Something sounded in the distance, loud and ominous like a bell.  The flying ponies laughed and did their loopty-loops faster, trailing clouds off into the distance.  They drew further and further away until they were impossible to see.

Applejack heard the sobbing once again.

She looked at Rainbow Dash.

The mare's ears were drooped.  Tears fell—but that wasn't all.  The ground was littered with feathers... for Rainbow's wings had fallen off.  As if ashamed, Rainbow swiftly covered her face in her fetlocks and drew into herself.

Applejack's heart tore.

"Oh, darlin'..."

She reached out with one hoof.

"Come here..."

She reached out with her other hoof.

Applejack swept the sea of blue feathers up like leaves.  She drew Rainbow Dash into the current, and soon the feathers were covering them like a blanket.  She felt the tiny pony curling up against her, staining her chest with warm tears and trembles.

"Dun you fret..."  Applejack hugged her close, nuzzling the mare's shoulder.  "...it's gonna be okay."  She smiled... a frighteningly warm and tender thing.  "I promise you..."  She looked past Rainbow Dash.  "...we're gonna be... just fine."  Applejack blinked.

She saw herself sitting back on the hill.  There were three more gravestones.  She looked sadly back at herself... and it almost looked as though there was a stab of shame in those eyes.

Applejack's lips pursed.  Her blood went cold.  When she opened her arms once more, all she found herself cradling was apple peels.

The sobbing came back.  It was deafening this time... like thunder.

Applejack winced.  All went dark out the corner of her eyes.  She clamped her hooves over her ears and still she couldn't drown out the sobs.

The crying grew louder and louder and swirled and swirled...