//------------------------------//
// Chapter 8:  On the Apple Farm 
// Story: Nightmare Night 
// by Dreadnought 
//------------------------------//

Luna's thin crescent moon hung high in the sky, offering scant light for the night.  Gusts of wind howled through the forest, rattling tree limbs, causing their shadows to dance across the ground.  Meanwhile, a faint mist blanketed the land.

Along the country road, a single pony staggered along.  The normally orange mare bore a distinct green tinge.  Occasionally she would stop and dry heave, other times - well, the less said the better.  Eventually, she reached the gate to the homestead.  "Ah'm home," Applejack muttered, as she leaned on the rail fence for support.  "That's the last time Ah eat somethin' Discord made."  She really hadn't wanted to try his dessert, but it would have broken Fluttershy's heart if she hadn't at least tasted it.

***

Celestia's sun rose above the horizon, it's golden light bringing warmth and driving away the mist.  Another beautiful day on Sweet Apple Acres.

Applejack slowly awoke to the dawn.  She had suffered through a terrible night's sleep and her dreams had been crazy.  Now, she found herself stiff and sore.

Applejack tried to move, but couldn't.  Her outstretched limbs rose to the sky while her leaves basked in the glorious sunlight.  Leaves!  She had leaves!  Her forelegs were branches, her rear legs roots.  Her torso was now a hardy trunk covered in thick bark.  She had become a tree!  She stood amongst the rest of the trees in the family orchard.

When this was all over, she was going to hunt down Discord.  That mischievous draconequus was going to get it!  She didn't care if it would break her friends heart.  She was determined to tan his hide and mount his head on her wall!

Creak!  Cr-creak!

Coming up the hill was Big Mac pulling a cart.

Big Mac!  Big Mac!  It's me, Applejack.  Ah've been turned into an apple tree! she silently cried.

The stallion unhitched himself from the cart.

Big Mac!  Help me!

Big Mac placed baskets on the ground.

Big Mac?  

He approached Applejack.

Suddenly a realization hit her.  Big Mac!  No!

Bam!  Big Mac bucked Applejack squarely in the side.  The pain!  The pain!  She reeled.  If she'd been a pony, the wind would have been knocked out of her for a year.  Her limbs flailed wildly as apples fell into waiting baskets.

The stoic stallion looked up and saw an apple still hanging from one of Applejack's branches....