//------------------------------// // How Do You Heal A Soul? (Edited 7/21/20) // Story: Live By The Sword... // by redandready45 //------------------------------// "So, do want to...hang out later?" Twinkle asked sheepishly. The two sat at their private table, discussing plans for future dates. It was clear the two had an undeniable fondness for one another, and now they sought ways to explore their relationship further. "Sure," Sunset said. "Do you want to...see us practice?" Twinkle said. "Not really," Sunset said. "I'm not really a sports girl." "OK," Twinkle said and took a bit of his food. "Normally, if you offer to hang out with someone, you have a second option," Sunset said with some admonishment. "Well, I would normally let you hang out at my house," Twinkle said nervously, "but...we're remodeling." "Remodeling," Sunset parroted with a raised eyebrow. "Yeah, so its not a good time," Twinkle said, scratching the back of his ear. "I can't bring you to my place," Sunset said. "I don't feel comfortable going to my apartment when this psycho is still on the loose. If he's obsessed enough to plan attacks on me, he probably knows where I live." "Maybe we could beat this guy together," Twinkle said. "I don't want to take any chances," Sunset said. "Where are you staying?" Twinkle asked. "Applejack's farm," Sunset said. "I'd invite you there, but I don't think its the right time to bring you there." "Why?" "Applejack's still in bad shape," Sunset said sadly. "She acts like a robot most of the time. When she doesn't work, she sits in bed all day. She's hardly says a word to anyone, even her own family." "Have they tried to break her out of her slump?" Twinkle asked Sunset. "Yeah," Sunset said. "They've tried food, force, distraction, and happy songs. My friends have tried too. Rainbow Dash tried to challenge Applejack to an arm wrestling contest, Fluttershy offered Applejack one of her pet bunnies, Rarity offered Applejack a free dress, and Pinkie tried to give Applejack one of her trademark 'cheer up' parties." "Did it work?" "No," Sunset said. Twinkle's jaw dropped. "How down in the dumps do you have to be to not enjoy Pinkie's parties?" Twinkle asked with some hurt. "It isn't 'down in the dumps'," Sunset said. "I think Applejack has post-traumatic stress." "Well," Twinkle said uneasily, "could I try and talk to her?" "What could you do?" Sunset asked, her face full of intense curiosity. "I don't know," Twinkle said. "Maybe she just needs...another voice telling her she needs to get out of bed." "Well," Sunset said. "It couldn't hurt. Why are you so interested?" "I love Sweet Apple Acres," Twinkle said with a smile. "Really?" "If you grow up in Canterlot," Twinkle said with a smile, "the place isn't just a farm, it's an institution. When you're in the second grade, you go there for field trips and learn how to milk a cow. Every festival has a stand selling Sweet Apple Acres pies and candies. For my birthday, I've always wanted Apple Family cakes and pies. Honestly, I'd love to help such a great place." "Do you just want free food?" Sunset said sardonically. "Well, I do need some sustenance to sustain my efforts," Twinkle said ironically. Sunset let out a playful snort. "Look, if she hadn't given you a chance," Twinkle said in a serious tone, "we wouldn't have gotten, you know, together." Sunset looked at Twinkle solemnly. "I do owe her for that." "Well, let's see what you can do/" "There she is," Granny Smith said, pointing to Applejack, who was working in the barn. Twinkle watched Applejack carry buckets of apples to and from one section of the building to another. Sunset's sad description of Applejack didn't do the situation justice. On a normal day, Applejack was the girl any guy would want: pretty, tall, fit, charming, blond, and a good cook. While Twinkle was ashamed admit it, but as much as loved Apple family pies, buying things from Applejack also gave him some eye candy. The Applejack he saw right now bore only a superficial resemblance to the charming farmhand. Applejack had the expression and appearance of a scarecrow. Skinny, hair matted, unkempt clothes, and a dull, empty expression. The bandage on her face added to pain. Looking at what Applejack had become added to Twinkle's anger at the monster who had hurt her. "So what are you gonna do?" The green-old lady asked. Based off her sad demeanor, Twinkle was the only one who was upset at what Applejack had become. "I have a theory," Twinkle said. "The problem with Applejack was this: Applejack tried to do the right thing for Sunset, and her reward was getting chloroformed and scarred. She's moping over how unfair the whole thing was. "So what's your idea?" Granny Smith said. "Remind her that she did a lot of good by helping Sunset," Twinkle said, "and not just for her." "Well good luck," Granny Smith said. With some trepidation, Twinkle approached the Apple farmer. Unbeknownst to him Granny was giving him a look of hope. "Hey Applejack," Twinkle said in a friendly voice. "How's it going?" "Fine," the girl said in a voice devoid of passion. "What you doing?" "Workin'." "And." "Sleepin'." "That's cool," Twinkle said with an uncomfortable expression. "Listen, I'm sorry about what happened to you. And it was unfair. But just remember that you giving Sunset a chance did a lot of good. This one maniac didn't undo that." "That's nice," Applejack said, sounding like a robot that had been programmed to say certain words rather than a person. "If it wasn't for you, Sunset wouldn't have paid us back," Twinkle said. Applejack continued to work in a soulless manner. "Gilda wouldn't have been able to do her college applications, You did so much good helping Sunset. You shouldn't let this monster bring you down." Still no dice. "I'm sorry," he said with disappointment while turning to Granny Smith. "I tried." "Don't worry," Granny Smith said, "I know." "Maybe I should go," Twinkle said. "Why not stay fer dinner?" the old lady offered politely. "I appreciate the offer ma'am," Twinkle said in an expression that was both polite and melancholy, "but since I couldn't help Applejack, I don't think I've earned it." On Granny's face, a smirk briefly appeared before it was replaced by a more polite smile. "Well, I can respect that," Granny Smith said," thanks for stopping by." "Your welcome ma'am," he said turning away, completely unaware of the massive and calculating grin on Granny's face. "They're not in the car," Twinkle said in frustration as he looked at the floor of his vehicle. "They're not in the glove compartment," Sunset said as well. "Where are they?" Twinkle said. "You had them, not me!" Sunset protested. "Well, well young'uns what seems to be the trouble," Granny said, approaching the two teens. "I'm sorry, but I lost my keys," Twinkle said sheepishly. "I knew they were in my pocket." "Well that's terrible," Granny Smith said. Twinkle and Sunset failed to notice the smirk on the old lady's face. "It was my only set," Twinkle said with frustration. "I guess you'll have to stay after all," Granny Smith said. "What?" Twinkle said. "I can just call some of my friends to pick me-," "I mean," Granny said nervously, "it just isn't polite to do that. It is late, and everyone's got something to do. And our truck is still being repaired. You might as well stay the night. We've got a pullout couch you can sleep on." "That's fine, I guess," Twinkle said with a shrug. "I'll just call my parents and tell them where I am. "I'll go prepare it," Granny Smith said while wearing a victorious grin. "Maybe we can get our homework done," Sunset said happily. "Maybe you young'uns will start multiplying," Granny said under her breath. Dinner at the Apple family table was nothing like Twinkle expected. He loved fresh backed Apple family goods. And now he was enjoying them fresh from the oven, prepared by the very owner of Sweet Apple Acres. But the sight of Applejack eating silently and glumly ruined everyone's mood. A dinner was only as good as the company you ate with. Everyone at the dinner table also ate silently and without passion. Twinkle lost all apatite after a few moments of this, and only at the food out of politeness. After dinner, Sunset and Twinkle spent a couple of hours doing homework. The mood was lighter, but Twinkle could see Sunset was still deeply hurt and a little guilty over how Applejack was behaving. By 11:30 PM, Sunset and everyone else had gone to bed. Twinkle was up on his laptop idly web-surfing in the dim light. He felt empty, having gotten nowhere. It was obvious Applejack needed more professional help, but he still felt ashamed for failing to lift Applejack's spirits. He heard some footsteps, and the sound of someone walking down the stairs. Applejack's little sister came down stairs in her pajamas. In the dim light of the fridge, he saw Apple Bloom pulling out some leftover pie. Hoping to lighten his mood, he decided to spook the girl. "Apple Bloom," Twinkle said in a falsely ominous voice, "What did Granny say about midnight-," he paused as Apple Bloom turned around, her face and eyes puffy and red. "Apple Bloom," Twinkle asked with concern. "What's wrong?" "Nothing," Apple Bloom said, her voice breaking. "Apple Bloom," Twinkle said in a soft voice. "Please tell me-," "I had a nightmare," the little farmer said, coming to join him at the table, tears running down her eyes. "What was it," Twinkle said softly. Apple Bloom hesitated, not wanting to share with a stranger. "If it makes you feel any better, I've had nightmares too. And the best way to deal with them is tell someone. I promise you, I'll keep it a secret." "OK," Apple Bloom said. "I had this nightmare where the monster who hurt Applejack killed Sunset, Granny, and Big Mac. He chases after me, and I scream for Applejack to help me, but she isn't there." When she finished, she again broke down into tears. "I see the problem," Twinkle said. "You're not just scared of the monster, you miss Applejack." "She upstairs," Apple Bloom said. "I mean emotionally, she...hasn't been there," Twinkle said with a patient smile. "Yeah," Apple Bloom said. "I know someone hurt her bad, but I miss her, and I wish she would know that. Granny misses her, Big Mac misses her, her friends miss her. Why can't she see that?" "She's scared too," Twinkle said. "She's my older sister," Apple Bloom said. "They're not supposed to be scared." "Everyone gets scared," Twinkle said. "It doesn't matter how old you are. Anyone can be afraid." "Even you," Apple Bloom. "Yeah," Twinkle said. "All you can do is try and tell her you love her." "I tried," Apple Bloom said sadly. "She won't listen to me." The sad look in the little girl's face instilled within Twinkle something. It wasn't urgency, nor was it fear. Seeing Apple Bloom miserable filled him with new resolve. As she patted Apple Bloom to comfort her, Twinkle jaw set as he gained a newfound desire to help the Apple family. "Don't worry," Twinkle said, forcing a smile to his face. "Tonight, I'll be your big sister." "You'll be the big sister?" Apple Bloom said with confusion. "Yeah," the red-skinned teen said. "We can't paint each others toenails and braid each others hair." Apple Bloom began chuckling. Twinkle smiled warmly, having raised Apple Bloom's spirits a little. Unbeknownst to the two of them, a green-skinned lady watched incognito, watching all this with a smile. Applejack did what she had always done for the past few days when she wasn't working: nothing. She sat in bed, awaiting her work, but without any of the joy she felt. Suddenly Twinkle burst in, his face full of calm rage. "OK Applejack," Twinkle said sternly ,"this pity party has to stop." Applejack didn't respond. "I know you're scared, but you have to get it together." Applejack didn't respond. "I know you're upset about what you went through," Twinkle said. "You didn't deserve to have your face cut. You didn't deserve to get knocked out. But your family is hurt because you won't talk to them. Your friends wish you'd come back to school. It is tearing them apart to see you like this, but you don't care. You just want to sit around feeling sorry for yourself." Applejack didn't respond. "The Applejack I knew wouldn't mope. No matter what pain she would go through, she would go through it with a smile. She would brighten up everyone's day. She was kind enough to give a girl who no one liked another chance." Applejack still didn't move. Twinkle let out a disappointed sigh. "You want to sit here? Fine. But everyday you sit here, the more power you give to that monster. He may have gotten the drop on you, but your letting him win by hiding here." Applejack still didn't respond. "OK, fine," Twinkle said as he walked out of the room in disgust, "smell you never." Twinkle came down stairs with a frown, the Apple family and Sunset looking at him with some hope. But before he could respond, another voice was heard. "You're right," a country voice said, to the surprise of everyone. Applejack came down stairs. While she had no makeup, and was clad in filthy pajamas, her eyes were the strongest they'd been in days. "Applejack." "Sis." "My young'un." "I shouldn't let that varmint get to me," Applejack responded in a stern tone. "The reason why he got me is because he's a yellow-belied coward, and I'm not gonna let him bring me down." He looked at Twinkle with a grateful smile. "Thanks Twinkle for helping me get over myself." "Just returning the favor," Twinkle said in a humble tone. "You helped my team see that revenge wasn't the answer." Applejack gave him a look filled with respect. "Yay," the Apple Family and Sunset said. They all rushed to hug Applejack, only for the blond girl to back away slowly. "Sorry, I'm not ready to hug anyone just yet," Applejack said with a shiver. The family looked disappointed. While Applejack no longer moped, she had a long way to go before she could fully recover from her attack. "So let me call my friend. He'll take us-" Twinkle began before he found his keys dangled in front of him. "I found them," Granny said. "Just now?!" Sunset asked with some suspicion. "Of course," Granny Smith said. "Where?" Twinkle asked. "Uh," Granny Smith said sheepishly, "right here," Granny said vaguely. "You must've dropped...'em." "Uh-huh," Twinkle said suspiciously. Everyone else was giving Granny unimpressed looks. "Well, thanks, I guess," he said while taking the keys. "Thank you for helping my little Jacqueline," Granny said with gratitude. "Happy to help," Twinkle said. Sunset and Apple Bloom both gave him a hug, while Big Mac silently patted Twinkle on the shoulder. Applejack went upstairs to get freshened up for the first time in days. "If only Jacqueline could've met him first", Granny said with some envy as Sunset continued to hug Twinkle tightly. "But at least my granddaughter helped turn that young varmint into a gentleman.