Applejack couldn't grasp what she'd just witnessed. Only minutes before she and several of her friends had gathered inside the town to witness the arrival of Princess Celestia. What they'd gotten instead was something straight out of those old mare's tales Granny used to tell her. She remembered biting on Rainbow Dash's tail, Twilight confronting Nightmare Moon as she called her, and the mayor siccing the royal guards on her to no effect as the dark alicorn made her escape. It made her wonder if this was all some sort of crazy dream she was having. The festive fervor had vanished from the room. Nightmare Moon's escape had left several ponies sprawled unconscious across the floor. Those that were still awake huddled together in fear at what they had just witnessed. Some muttered anxiously to those around them, while others remained frozen where they stood.
In the midst of all this, she noticed Twilight galloping out the door with her little dragon slumped across her back. "She seems to be in an awful hurry." Applejack thought as the unicorn ran past her. She then noticed a familiar blue pegasus trailing behind her from above.
"What in tarnation has gotten into you Dash?" She muttered to herself as she started to follow after.
"Applejack!" Applejack turned around in time to see a pink blur rush past her face, skid into a 180-degree turn, and come to a complete stop
"Bwah!" Applejack leaped back in surprise as Pinkie Pie suddenly appeared in front of her.
"Where're ya going?" She asked Applejack casually.
Applejack exhaled and held a hoof to her chest. "Land sake Pinkie Pie, Y'all startled me." The pink mare smiled sheepishly and blushed.
"Oops sorry about that, it's just I saw you running off after Rainbow Dash flew off. Twilight ran off and Nightmare Moon turned into soot and I was wondering where was everypony going. Because the party was just getting started but I guess it's over now on account of what Nightmare Moon said about the night lasting forever and all that..."
"Okay okay, A'h git the message Sugarcube," Applejack said as she placed her hoof over Pinkie Pie's mouth. "Look Ah'm head back over to the library, figure that's probably where Twilight's headed. You go find the girls and meet me there, okay?" Pinkie said nothing but simply nodded twice. Applejack slowly took her hoof off of Pinkie's mouth and the party pony happily pranced back over to the town hall leaving Applejack shrugging her shoulders. "Jus Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie." She thought as she started to gallop off.
Apple Bloom stared up solemnly at the canopy of her bed. She had declined to go to the Summer Sun Celebration with the rest of the family, instead opting to stay home with Granny Smith. Through her bedroom door, she could hear the faint voices of Doctor Horse and Nurse Redheart talking in Apple Comet's room, though she couldn't hear what they were saying. She hoped with all her heart that Doctor Horse would know how to make him all better after all isn't that what doctors were for? But what if he couldn't? What if he never woke up? What if this was some kind of weird alien sickness or something?
"Ugh, A'h can't take this anymore!" She finally cried out as she rolled off her bed. "A'h have to know what's going on in there." Checking to make sure the hall was clear, Apple Bloom slowly tiptoed out into the hallway. The floorboards creaked and groaned under her hoof steps as she made her way to her brother's room. As she did the voices coming from behind the door slowly became clearer.
"This is like nothing I've ever seen before." She heard Doctor Horse say from behind the door. "He's not running a fever, his heart rate and pulse are excellent and his blood pressure is the best I've ever seen in a colt his age. Any luck with that blood sample?"
Apple Bloom stood on her hind legs and peered through the keyhole as Nurse Redheart held up a shot with a broken needle.
"None, I've gone through every syringe I've got. His skin's as tough as dragon's hide."
Doctor Horse sighed. "Alright, I'll send for an ambulance and get this shipped to the lab. Hopefully, they'll be able to provide some answers."
Nurse Redheart nodded and wrote something down on her clipboard. When she was finished she tore it off and handed it to Doctor Horse. The good doctor rolled it into a scroll, tied the vial of sand he'd taken from Apple Comet's eyes to it, then teleported it presumably to the hospital.
"Well, we've done all we can do for him here, nothing to do now but wait. Keep an eye on him, I'm gonna go talk to Granny Smith."
Apple Bloom froze up as she saw the doctor's aura wrap around the doorknob. Before she could react the door swung outward sending her flying onto her back with a loud thud.
"Ow."
"What was that?" Asked Nurse Redheart.
Doctor Horse looked down to see Apple Bloom rubbing her hoof against the back of her head.
"Are you alright?" He asked kneeling to check on her."
"Uhh....hi?" Apple Bloom's ability to form a coherent response evaporated as she realized she'd just blown her cover.
"Sorry about that, are you okay?"
The little filly sat frozen on the spot, an awkward grin stretched from ear to ear.
"Here let me help you up." The Doctor said offering his hoof. Apple Bloom accepting she had been caught took it.
"May I ask what you were doing behind the door?"
"Umm...A'h was jus...going to the bathroom?" A nervous grin stretched across Apple Bloom's face.
"You mean that one over there." He asked pointing behind her. Apple Bloom's pupils shrunk in panic as she laid eyes on the door he was pointing at. it was the one with the hoof painted sign on it that said Wash Yer Hooves.
"Uhh...Did A'h say going? What I A'h meant to say was A'h was coming from the bathroom." Apple Bloom said shrinking into a sitting position, her shoulders flinched up to her face. She was sweating profusely and her facial muscles were straining to keep smiling.
"I didn't hear a flush or a door open or close?"
The yellow filly's ears drooped as she bowed her head. " Sigh...Alright, ya caught me." She answered simply.
"Is everything alright out here Doctor?" Nurse Redheart asked poking her head out into the hallway.
Doctor Horse smiled. "Well, I think Apple Bloom was about to say something she wants to get off her barrel."
Apple Bloom took a breath and said. "Ah'm sorry for eavesdropping on you."
" You were eavesdropping on us?" Nurse Redheart asked confused.
"A'h heard what Y'all were saying about Apple Comet. Does he really have to go to the hospital?"
Doctor Horse took off his glasses with his magic, placing them in his coat pocket.
"I know this must be pretty scary, with what you've been through in the past." He said kneeling to Apple Bloom's level. "But I promise we'll do everything we can to make him better."
"What if you can't? *Sniff* What if he stays like this forever?"
"Ssh...try not to think about that." Nurse Redheart said placing her hoof on Apple Bloom's shoulder. "Right now your brother needs you to be brave for him. Can you do that?"
Brave? The very thought of it was almost laughable. She could never hope to be able to run as fast or jump as high or do any of the things Apple Comet could. No, she was just an ordinary filly from Ponyville.
"A-A'h don't know if A'h can Nurse Redheart." She whimpered pitifully.
"Well, what do you think Apple Comet would do if he were in your hooves."
What would Apple Comet do? More like what wouldn't he do? He'd run to the very ends of Equis, even through Tartarus itself, letting nothing stand in his way of saving her. What could she do that he wouldn't make look feeble by comparison? Nothing, that's what.
And yet despite all his power, the only reason he ever seemed to use them was to practice not using them. He always kept pace with her when doing chores, even though he could probably finish an entire day's work in a flash. He never used them in public either, although that was probably because he didn't want other ponies to find out he was alien.
Now that Apple Bloom thought of it, she realized that except for his powers, she never really saw him as an alien. The word brought to mind, weird creatures with big heads, slimy tentacles, and green-skinned bipeds with blank faces. None of those described Apple Comet. He had two eyes, two ears, four legs, a muzzle, a nose, and a mane. and a tail, just like everypony else. Albeit, faster, stronger, smarter and the whole being from outer space thing, but deep down underneath all that he was just another member of the family. A little bit different perhaps, but could not the same be said about Applejack's appetite? Or Big Mac's love for philosophy? Or Granny Smith's habit of sometimes putting on mismatched horseshoes?
'A'h guess everypony is different in their own way, even ponies from other planets.'
And it suddenly dawned on her that for an alien from outer space, Apple Comet was kinda average for a colt. If it weren't for the fact that she'd the spaceship and the crystal.....Wait, the crystal!
"That's it!" With a sudden burst of speed, Apple Bloom took off racing down the stairs.
"What's it?" Doctor Horse asked looking confused. Nurse Redheart could only shrug her shoulders and shake her head.
"Granny!"
Granny Smith looked up from the stove as Apple Bloom came galloping through the kitchen doorway like a champion derby runner crossing the finish line.
"Where's the crystal?" She asked her wasting no time cutting to the chase.
"Crystal? What crystal?" Granny asked looking quite confused.
"The one that belongs to Apple Comet!"
Granny's spatula fell to the floor with a clank.
"Granny, are you alright?" Apple Bloom asked her looking a bit concerned.
"Huh? Oh uh..yes, just fine dear." She answered in a slightly frazzled tone. "What exactly did Y'all want it for?"
"So then A'h got to thinking if what Apple Comet said about the crystal was true, then maybe his parents might know what was wrong with him." Apple Bloom explained as Granny opened the door to her room.
"Ah'm still not sure about this Bloom," Granny said with uncertainty as she closed the door.
"Well, A'h am." Apple Bloom retorted. "If A'h were in Apple Comet's hooves right now, A'h know he wouldn't rest until he found a way to help me.
"You sure know how to humble yer stubborn o'l Granny don't cha?" Granny stated warmly as she led Apple Bloom over to the side of her bed. With a grunt, she lifted the side of her mattress revealing a medium-sized wooden oblong box.
"A'h had hoped that yer brother would be a little older before we had to get this out again," Granny stated as she opened the box.
Apple Bloom's eyes shone with wonder, as she gazed upon its radiant brilliance and the strange symbols that that shone along its smooth surface.
"It's incredible!" She whispered in awe.
"It sure is something ain't it?" Granny concurred. Their awe was interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Granny Smith?"
"Aw shoot it's the Doctor." Apple Bloom whispered. "We gotta hide the crystal."
"Well let's not just stand here with bees under our bonnets." Granny concurred "Just one second!" She closed the box and slid it back under the bed then walked over to the door while Apple Bloom sat down on the bed. "Oh hello, Doctor!"
"Hello Mrs. Smith, is everything ok in here?" Granny noticed he sounded wearier than before.
"Just fine thanks." She answered. "Apple Bloom and A'h were just talking about Apple Comet's little condition."
"I see, well the reason I found you is I just got a letter back from the hospital. There's been some kind of emergency at the Town Hall and there aren't any ambulances available right now."
"Oh no!" Apple Bloom cried out.
"What happened?" Granny asked worryingly.
"They aren't exactly sure at the moment." Dr. Horse raised his hoof to calm them down. "All they said was they need every available medical pony they can get.
Granny sighed and said, "We understand Doctor."
"In the meantime, Nurse Redheart is going to stay here with you, if anything happens she knows how to reach me. I'll try to get back here as soon as I can." A flash of light from his horn and he was gone. An ominous silence fell over the room. Apple Bloom glanced at the picture on Granny's dresser. It was a picture of the family at the last reunion. She was up front next to Apple Comet and Babs.
"Everypony else was there..." She whispered trying her best not to cry. "Do y'all think they're okay?"
Granny Smith hunched her shoulders and walked back over to the bed. "Now isn't the time to go assuming the worst." She said retrieving the box from under the bed. "Our family's been through more than enough heartache tonight."
Nurse Redheart heard a knocking at the door. She sighed as she went to answer it. It had been a long night for her. Apple Comet's condition hadn't changed, There'd been an emergency at town hall and there was no telling when an ambulance would become available. 'A nurse's work is never done.' She thought as she reached for the doorknob. She opened to find Granny Smith and Apple Bloom standing in front of her. The young filly was holding an oblong wooden box under her foreleg, looking at her like a puppy that was left out in the rain.
"We're sorry to disturb ya." Granny Smith said to her. "But Apple Bloom was wondering if she could just have a moment alone with Apple Comet?"
"It would be really quick." Apple Bloom begged as she Nurse Redheart the saddest most pitiful face she'd ever seen.
At any other point in her day, Nurse Redheart would be intrigued to know what Apple Bloom had inside the box. But after being on call since around sunset yesterday, she was running on fumes and really couldn't care less. 'Just take a short break and let the kid have some time with her brother. She told herself. 'What harm could it do?
"Oh, why not?" She said sounding almost relieved in a way. "I could use a cup of coffee anyway. Just be careful and don't touch near his eyes, okay?"
"Oh, A'h won't, A'h promise." Apple Bloom ambled past her anxiously.
"C'mon Ah'll put the kettle on and get us a couple of mugs."
Nurse Redheart gave a tired smile and said. "That actually sounds wonderful right about now.
The instant the door shut behind them, Apple Bloom tore the lid off the box and picked up the crystal in her hoof. She stared with wonder at the rows and columns of strange symbols carved across its surface. What did they mean? Was it some kind of secret message or a code? Her thoughts turned to memories of that night four years ago. Memories that she had tried her best to put behind her. For a long time, Apple Bloom had tried her best to move on from what happened that night. And yet looking at the crystal, she could feel the memories of her brother returning to the farm alone flooding into her mind.
"Go away! A'h never want to see you again!"
"He's not my brother!"
"He's a monster! He's an alien freak!"
It's all yer fault he's dead! You and yer freaky alien powers! It should've been you that ended up as Timberwolf food instead of Pa!"
She'd hated him, despised him, told him she wished he'd been the one who got killed. And how had he responded?
"Apple Bloom believe me when I say I would gladly give up my powers if it could bring Pa back."
A drop of water splashed against the surface of the crystal. Apple Bloom saw a single tear streaking down her reflection's cheek. She wiped it off with her hoof and steeled herself. This was no time for tears, Apple Comet was counting on her. She couldn't...wouldn't let him down.
"Hey, Apple Comet." She whispered as she walked up to his bed. "Ah don't know if y'all can hear me? But I've brought the crystal from yer rocket ship. Thought maybe it might hold the answer to what's wrong with you. A'h mean A'h don't know how it works since you were the only one who could make it work."
Apple Bloom sighed and sat down on the corner of the bed facing him.
"Ya know Ah've always wondered, can ya read my mind? Can ya tell what Ah'm thinking about right now? It seems so strange, to have a brother who fell from a star. Meanwhile, Ah'm just a normal kid, A'h can't run as fast or jump as high or see thru walls or do any of wonderful things Y'all can do."
"Sometimes....sometimes A'h lie awake at night, wondering would it would be like to be like you? How it would feel to outrun a speeding train, lift a tractor over my head, or leap a mountain in a single bound. How do y'all do it? How can somepony so powerful be so gentle, so kind, so selfless? Your somepony A'h could never be."
She laid the crystal in his hoof.
"If you can read mah mind....A'h just want to say...where ever you came from... you will always be my brother."
Slowly a strange light illuminated the room.