//------------------------------// // All Work and No Play // Story: Guilt: An Applejack Story // by CapNTilfy //------------------------------// Big Mac was the first to enter his sister's room. "Applejack, are you okay?" he said, still half-awake. Applejack stayed in her bed, bawling into her pillow. Not long after, Apple Bloom arrived. "Is everything okay?" asked Apple Bloom. "I don't know." Said Big Mac as he leaned over to tap his sister on her shoulder. Upon feeling Big Mac tap her shoulder, Applejack launched herself at Big Mac, still crying and embracing him in a tight hug. Now fully awake, Big Mac returned the hug as Applejack cried into his chest. Apple Bloom joined her siblings in the hug as Granny Smith made her way to the room. "What's all the commotion?" asked Granny Smith. She noticed all three of her grandchildren hugging, while hearing the muffled sobs of her eldest granddaughter. "What happened?" Apple Bloom looked at Granny. "We don't know. We just heard Applejack's scream and we came up here. Next thing you know she's tightly hugging us while she's falling apart." Granny walked over to Applejack, still tightly clutching Big Mac. "Applejack?" said Granny. "Are you okay?" She heard a mumble. "Sorry, I couldn't hear you. Could you speak up?" said Granny. "I said I killed mom and dad!" Applejack wailed. "Now where in tarnation did you get an idea like that?" asked Granny. "I remember everything!" said Applejack, still beside herself. "I remember all the lies I told, especially the one that killed mom and dad!" Granny Smith blinked, then gave Applejack a hug. "Now, Applejack, you know it ain't your fault what happened to 'em." Slowly calming down, Applejack wiped away her tears. "Don't I? If I had been more careful, they'd still be alive! You know what? I just don't want to talk about it right now. Please leave my room, I need to get ready for my chores." Granny leaned in to Apple Bloom and Big Mac. "It might be best to just give her some space for now. Give her time to calm down and think." "Are you sure that's a good idea, Granny?" asked Apple Bloom. "I don't think it'd be a good idea to press the issue right now. If work'll help ease her mind, then all we do is support her." said Granny. Apple Bloom and Big Mac nodded. --------------------------------------------- Just gotta focus on work. Nothing else matters. Gotta keep working, get my mind off my troubles. Applejack sighed. Just gotta focus on work. Nothing else matters. Gotta keep working, get my mind off my troubles. "Applejack?" asked Apple Bloom Just gotta focus on work. Nothing else matters. Gotta keep working, get my mind off my troubles. "Applejack?" Just gotta focus on work. Nothing else matters. Gotta keep working, get my mind off my troubles. "Applejack!" Applejack snapped out of her mantra. "Yeah, sugarcube?" "Aren't you gonna take a break?" asked Apple Bloom. "You've been working nonstop longer than usual. Do you even know what time it is?" Applejack checked her phone and noticed several texts. All right, girls. Listen up! Sunset Shimmer is super-ultra-mega sick! She told me she needs our company to help her feel better!- Sent by Pinkie Pie Goodness! I know she had a busy day at work, but I didn't think she'd bethatworn down.- Sent by Fluttershy Well, at least this is worth being woken up from a nap.- Sent by Rainbow Dash Rainbow Dash! Honestly! Sunset is sick and she needs our help!- Sent by Rarity Sorry. I get moody when I'm woken up all of a sudden.- Sent by Rainbow Dash Man, I sure know how that feels. thought Applejack. Oof. Sounds like she has it pretty rough.- Sent by Applejack And I should know rough at this point. thought Applejack. An image flashed through Applejack's mind. She grabbed her head and winced in pain. "Gah!" she yelped in pain and put her head in her hands. Maybe I should take a break, thought Applejack. --------------------------------------------- After about an hour, everybody got their schedules straightened out. Applejack checked her phone. "Yikes! Look at the time!" she panicked. "Gotta get to Aunt Orange's Smoothie Stand!" --------------------------------------------- Applejack arrived at work and put on her uniform. She checked her phone before punching in. No updates. Sometimes no news is good news, she thought. Applejack then got into her work station. She cracked her knuckles and said "Here we go!" and started to take orders. A few hours later, Applejack went on her break and checked her phone. I'm afraid she's feeling worse, dears. She had a dizzy spell and is burning up, but she's getting the rest she needs.- Sent by Rarity Well, that sucks.- Sent by Rainbow Dash Oh, dear. That's terrible news!- Sent by Fluttershy Good thing I'm here, then. thought Applejack. I can bring a smoothie or two with me once I get off work. I'll bring a smoothie with me when I get there.- Sent by Applejack Her break over, Applejack went back to work. --------------------------------------------- "I'm in the groove now!" Applejack said as she wiped some sweat off her brow. "Hello, Applejack!" said a distinctly sweet voice. Applejack looked up. "Well I'll be. Howdy, girls!" Standing in front of the counter were Sour Sweet, Indigo Zap, Sugarcoat, Sunny Flare and Lemon Zest. "We hear you've got some pretty sick cup flipping tricks, so we thought we'd get some smoothies and watch you do your thing!" said Indigo. Applejack smiled. "Well, y'all heard right. What can I get you?" The Shadowbolts made their orders and Applejack started up the blenders. While they waited, Applejack did a few of her classic cup tricks along with some new ones she had been experimenting with at home. "Wow. That's pretty damn impressive!" said Lemon Zest. "How long did it take to master those?" Applejack winked. "Trade secret." Suddenly, she lost her footing, slipped and fell. "Whoa! Are you okay, Applejack?" said Sunny Flare. "I'm fine. It was just an accid-" before Applejack could finish her sentence, she started hearing echoes. It was just an accident, Granny! I didn't mean for it to happen! It was just an accident! It was just an accident! Applejack started to hyperventilate. Anxiety slowly gripped her mind as tears formed in her eyes. "Oh god it was just an accident. It was just an accident. It was just an accident!"