//------------------------------// // Mishap // Story: Deterioration: An Applejack Story // by CapNTilfy //------------------------------// Dinner had ended, and Applejack helped clean up. She smiled. "I think I feel good enough to get something done," she said. "I almost never go a day without bein' a little productive." "Are you sure about that," Big Mac asked with concern. "Wouldn't want you to have another breakdown." "Sure, I'm sure," Applejack said as she put her hands on her hips. "I think I'd know if I needed to rest." "Now, Applejack," Granny said, "We all know how stubborn you can get." crack Applejack winced, and Granny and Big Mac noticed. "Honestly, child," Granny said. "You should really just take it easy!" Applejack folded her arms and frowned. Granny smiled warmly. "We're just lookin' out for you, Applejack," she said. crack Applejack winced again, then looked at Big Mac. "One minute, y'all are sayin' I'm a fighter, then the next you doubt me," she asked, narrowing her eyes. Big Mac sighed wearily as he put his hand to his head. "I ain't doubtin' you, Applejack. I just want you to be careful." Applejack scoffed. "I'm gonna prove to you that I'm fighter, like you said. I ain't gonna let this take control of me!" She slammed the door as she went outside. Granny and Big Mac exchanged worried looks as Apple Bloom entered. Granny looked at her youngest grandchild. "Keep an eye on your big sister, would you," she asked. "She's gettin' all stubborn again." Apple Bloom nodded and ran outside. ---------------------------------------------- Applejack made her way to the feeders, then stopped when she thought she heard hooves running. She looked around cautiously as she felt sweat drip from her brow. She called out to whatever animal it may be, then heard the pounding of the hooves again. Only there were more. Much more. "Stampede!" she screamed as the animals drew closer, and closer, until the sound began to fade. Applejack shook her head rapidly, then took a deep breath and exhaled. Apple Bloom ran over to Applejack. "Are you all right, sis," she asked. Applejack narrowed her eyes at Apple Bloom. "You ain't real," she said, then walked off. "What're you talkin' about," Apple Bloom asked. "Of course I'm real." Applejack shook her head. "I didn't see you follow me out here, so how do I know you're tellin' the truth?" "Applejack, maybe you should go back inside," Apple Bloom said worriedly. Applejack growled. "You know what," she said angrily. "I'm sick and tired of these hallucinations! I know I killed my parents, and I aim to make peace with that! What more do you want from me," she asked as tears began to fall from her face. "Just leave me alone," she shouted as she closed her eyes, then swung a fist at Apple Bloom. She gasped when she felt her fist connect. She was expecting to hit air, not... "Oh...oh lord," She said quietly as she saw Apple Bloom flat on the ground. She felt sick to her stomach as she ran over to her little sister. "A...Apple Bloom," she asked quietly. She gently shook her, but got no response. She put her head on her chest and heard a heartbeat. "Oh thank god," she said in mild relief. The relief was immediately replaced with anguish, but she powered through it as she picked her sister up and ran back to the homestead. Applejack kicked open the door, startling Big Mac and Granny Smith. "Help," she whispered, and Big Mac swiftly grabbed Apple Bloom and ran out of the room with her. "What in tarnation happened, Applejack," Granny Smith asked. Applejack sniffled, then spoke at a low volume. "What was that, sugarcube," she asked. "Couldn't quite hear you." "I hit Apple Bloom!" Applejack wailed. Granny held Applejack tightly as she bawled uncontrollably. "I-I killed my parents, and I hurt my sister," she choked out, then resumed crying. Big Mac entered the room and gave Granny a quizzical look. Granny mouthed "Is Apple Bloom okay?" Big Mac mouthed "She's unconscious. What the hell happened to her?" Granny mouthed "I'll tell you later." Big Mac nodded and went back to tending to Apple Bloom. Tears began to run down her eyes as she worried about Applejack's mental well-being. She broke and cried with her granddaughter. She cried because this was a fight she didn't think she could help her with. She cried because it was a fight that only Applejack could finish, and from the looks of things she was just about on the ropes. But most of all, she cried because she felt powerless. She hadn't cried with Applejack since the night she lost her son and daughter in law, and that knowledge made her sorrow deepen. Several minutes later, Applejack and Granny Smith finished crying. They stared at each other for a moment, then Applejack shuddered. "Oh god, Granny. What's wrong with me," she whispered. "Please, Granny...tell me. Is Apple Bloom okay?" Granny knew she'd tell her the truth, that was a given. She took a deep breath and sighed, afraid of how Applejack would react. "She's...she's unconscious, hon." Applejack blanched and her knees buckled. She heaved once, then ran to the bathroom and proceeded to empty the contents of her stomach. Granny hurried to the bathroom, but Applejack held out an arm. "S-Stay...b-b" Applejack retched into the toilet, then coughed. "Back," she said, breathing heavily. "D...Don't wa" She vomited again as tears fell down her cheeks. "D-Dont want to hurt you too." Granny stopped where she stood. "I understand, sugarcube...but for your own sake stop talking and just let it out of your system." Applejack nodded weakly, then threw up again. Several minutes later, Applejack flushed the toilet after her nausea left her. She washed up, then sighed heavily. She put her head in her hands. "I hate myself," she said. "I'm scared that I'll end up killing you, Big Mac, and finish the job with Apple Bloom," she said to Granny as her voice broke. "Sugarcube," Granny said. "That was an-" There was a knock at the front door. "I'll get that," she said. "You stay right here." She walked up to the door and opened it. "Hello," she said. "Do I know y'all?" "Is this where Applejack lives," a voice familiar to Applejack asked. "It is, but I don't think she's in the right condition for a visit," Granny said. "That's why we want to see her," said a voice Applejack would recognize anywhere. She got up and walked over to the door. Granny noticed and gave Applejack a look. "I'm okay, Granny," she said reassuringly. She reached the door and her eyes widened. "Well I'll be...it is you gals!" Standing outside were Lemon Zest, Sugarcoat, Indigo Zap, Sour Sweet and Sunny Flare.