//------------------------------// // At the Doctors // Story: Surprise Apples // by Trainboy //------------------------------// The doctors waiting room was just as terrifying as Pinkie had described it... At least to her it was. Applejack simply sat and read one of the magazines on the glass table in front of them. But every time a pony would sneeze or cough or glance at them, Pinkie would squeak in terror and clutch Applejack closer. "Pinkie Pie" She said at last "Listen. You don't have to worry as much as you are. It'll be straight in and straight out. Worst thing he can do is an X-ray" "AN X-RAY??" Pinkie cried "NOT AN X-RAY!!............. What's an X-ray?" "It's where he uses a machine to look at the inside of your body without harming you." Applejack explained "trust me Pinkie, you'll be fine. I won't let them hurt you" "D'you promise?" Pinkie asked "I promise" "Pinkie Promise?" Applejack smiled and sighed. "I pinkie promise" She said, carrying out the motions. Pinkie clutched her tightly again. Before the doctor finally left his office with a delighted looking filly with her foreleg in a sling. It appeared she was looking forward to showing this new style to her friends at school. "Now you keep that foreleg rested Miss Pine" The doctor smiled. He then looked down at his list "Pinkamena Pie?" Pinkie gulped, took a deep breath and began to make her way inside. Holding tightly onto Applejack's hoof of course. The doctor looked at them curiously. "Is it okay if I go in with her?" Applejack asked "Just to keep her company" The doctor shrugged and gestured for them to follow him into the surgery. ** "Now then Pinkie" The doctor smiled "Let's take a look at that foreleg of yours hm?" Pinkie was sat on the table, with one hoof clinging tightly to Applejack and the giving the injured one to the doctor. Very, very reluctantly. The doctor examined her leg curiously. "Hmm" he said "I can't see much wrong. Perhaps an X-ray is needed" Pinkie stared nervously down at Applejack, who smiled back comfortingly. The doctor got out a small but handy contraption which he applied over his face like sunglasses, but these had an 'on' and 'off' switch, and what seemed to be a machine that rested on his head. He examined her foreleg. Back, and forth, back and forth. Until he finally lifted the strange glasses and smiled at the shivering mare. "Nothing to worry about" He said "Just a sprained hoof. The application of a small bandage and plenty of rest will see you making baked treats again in no time" Both Applejack and Pinkie sighed in total relief. Perhaps Pinkie loudest of all. The doctor then got out a yellow bandage with red and blue polka dots. He approached her foreleg and gently applied some kind of gel. Before beginning to wrap the bandage around her leg. She clutched Applejack's hoof more tightly than ever before. "It may sting just a little at first" The doctor said warmly "But give it a few seconds and it'll get better." Pinkie slowly let go of Applejack's hoof and gave yet another sigh of relief. "It wasn't that bad Applejack" Pinkie beamed "Was I brave pony? Tell me I was a brave-" She turned around to see Applejack clutching her stomach once more. Only this time, she appeared to be in far more pain. The doctor ran over. "Okay Applejack" He said soothingly "Deep breaths. There we go." He helped her over to a bench and laid her down. Applejack just couldn't understand it. Why was she of all ponies suddenly suffering like this? Had she been working too hard? Was it some kind of bad apples she'd eaten? What in Equestria was going on?? Finally, the pain simmered down and she was able to get up and walk again. "You're going to want plenty of rest" The doctor said with a concerned tone "Pinkie? Can you get Applejack home safely? I don't want her walking home on her own in this state" Pinkie leaped up and gave a determined salute with her good hoof. "Th-Thanks doc" Applejack said through a cold sweat. "Now Applejack" The doctor said "I think I know what's causing this, and if it's what I think it is, you cannot do any more work until it passes. Do you understand?" "B-But the farm" Applejack protested "The farm can be looked after by your siblings" The Doctor said sternly "But i don't want you to work at all until this passes. Understood?" Applejack reluctantly nodded as Pinkie Pie escorted her out of the surgery. ** As the pair walked down the streets of Ponyville, Pinkie Pie couldn't help but notice a change in Applejack's behaviour. She started muttering things. That weren't apples. Things that she wanted to eat that weren't on her usual menu. Roast chicken? Chips? Oranges?? Something was definitely wrong. Finally, they arrived back at Sweet Apple Acres and the pair began their goodbyes. "Sorry I was a scaredy-pony today Aj" Pinkie smiled Applejack laughed. "Not to worry Pinkie" She said "And I'm sorry for being so sickly" "Oh don't worry!" She winked "If you're sick, it gives me a chance to make a sickly-pickle-cake. Which I KNOW cures just about anything!" "That's just it though" Applejack said "I don't feel sick at all. It just kinda comes and goes. Like a really bad stomach pain and... The fact that I need to eat something other than apples surprised even me! I hope I'm not gonna be locked up in my bedroom for ages" "Even if you are!" Pinkie beamed "We'll all come visit you and keep you company. Just like you did for me today!" Applejack smiled. She could always count on Pinkie to brighten up a darkening situation. But she still couldn't figure out what was causing all this to happen. Was she going to die? Pinkie Pie stared. "Applejack? Is everything alright?" She asked Applejack shook her head quickly. "I-I'm fine" She said quickly "Just a lil tired is all" She slowly began to make her way indoors. Hoping that whatever she was feeling would be over soon and she could soon get back to work on the farm. ... What happened however, well exceeded her expectations...