//------------------------------// // 2 – The Freeze // Story: Breaking the Ice // by Krickis //------------------------------// Chapter Two The Freeze ⠀ ⠀ Everything was so cold. Applejack had never known anything could ever be so cold. It seeped through her clothes, through her skin, through her soul. All that there was in the world was cold. She knew if she closed her eyes, she would die. She could barely form conscious thoughts, but she knew that. She flailed to try and get up, to move through the water, to reach the ice’s surface. She tried, but the only thing she knew was the cold, and that she was going to die. Applejack closed her eyes. There was something special about Christmas morning. Applejack was seventeen years old, and she still found magic in the day. Spiced apple cider, carols sung with her family, watching them open the gifts she’d gotten for them, and yes, opening the gifts they’d gotten for her. Truly, nothing beat Christmas morning. She was sitting in Apple Bloom’s room, watching her play the new game that she’d gotten. Applejack played videogames a little with her friends, but she wasn’t as into them as her little sister was. Still, she listened as Apple Bloom explained what had happened in the other games in the series that led to this one. She didn’t have to be interested in the game itself, it was enough that Apple Bloom was interested in it. “I think there’s a guy behind you,” Applejack offered as Apple Bloom came under gun fire. “On it.” Apple Bloom, who was much better at these things than Applejack was, spun around and barely had to aim to take down the bad guy gunning for her. “Nice shot.” For the next few minutes, Applejack watched as Apple Bloom’s character single handedly took out a whole group of enemies. She would have kept watching for a while longer, but Big Mac appeared in the door frame, leading a couple guests behind him. “Merry Christmas!” Fluttershy said. “Oh sweet! You got this game too?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Merry Christmas,” Applejack said. At least Fluttershy smiled at her, Rainbow Dash just had eyes for the TV. “Hey, you two,” Apple Bloom said. “Yeah, I’ve been following this series since the first game!” “Scoot over, I can show you all the best stuff in it.” Apple Bloom laughed. “Didn’t you say you just got it?” “We opened our presents last night,” Rainbow explained as she took a seat beside Apple Bloom. “I was up like all night playing!” Fluttershy found her way to Applejack. “How’s your Christmas going?” “All good here,” Applejack said with a smile. “We opened our presents this morning, and I’ve just been hanging out with Apple Bloom.” Fluttershy glanced at the TV, but she wasn’t much of a gamer, so she turned back to Applejack after only a moment. “That’s nice. I went to Rainbow’s for Christmas Eve, and we had a really good time. I love all the decorations you put up.” Applejack nodded. “That’s how Christmas with the Apples always is.” The four girls all caught up on who got what while Rainbow and Apple Bloom played the game. Before long, Rarity showed up with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, so the four older girls left Apple Bloom’s room for the more spacious living room. Applejack took a seat on the couch, while Rarity and Fluttershy sat on either side of her and Rainbow took a different seat. Granny Smith was sitting in a rocking chair watching a parade on the TV, but there was no sign of Big Mac. That wasn’t surprising, though; one of his friends had stopped by, so they were likely in the basement. Fluttershy politely greeted Granny Smith and they made light conversation about the parade she was watching. Applejack asked the others, “Anyone know when Pinkie and Sunset are showing up?” Rarity checked her messages. “Pinkie sent me a text saying she’d be a little late. Sunset hasn’t mentioned anything to me.” Applejack nodded. If Sunset was going to reach out to any of them, it would probably be her. Sunset still felt awkward around most of the girls, and Applejack’s outgoing nature and their history meant the two of them connected just a little bit easier than she did with the others. There was no sense in worrying about Sunset, however. Applejack talked to Rarity about her Christmas, then offered to get all her friends some spiced cider. Rainbow Dash jumped up at the opportunity, and so was enlisted in helping Applejack carry the hot drinks out for everyone.  When they were in the kitchen, Rainbow asked, “So, think Sunset will wanna come?” Applejack shrugged. “I hope so. It’ll do her some good to be with friends over the holidays.” “Yeah. To tell you the truth, it’s still a little weird to be friends with her now, you know?” “Yeah, I know.” Rainbow frowned as if Applejack had admonished her. “I’m not saying she’s still bad or anything, I like her and all that. I’m glad we’re friends. It’s just… weird, you know?” Applejack rolled her eyes as she filled mugs with cider. “Rainbow, I get it. Trust me, if anyone has reason to feel weird around Sunset, I know I do.” “Fair enough.” Rainbow took two of the mugs. “Anyway, I hope she shows. She’s, I don’t know, kinda fun to have around.” Applejack laughed as she took the other two mugs. “Gosh, such sentimentality. Can’t believe you’re goin’ soft on me, Dash.” “Shut it!” Applejack was still smiling to herself as she walked back to the living room. They got there in time to see Rarity answering the door, and a very cold looking Sunset stepped in, giving Applejack another reason to smile. “Well, speak of the devil. Merry Christmas, Sunset.” “Merry Christmas, AJ,” Sunset said. “And everyone else, of course.” Applejack handed Sunset one of the mugs, then gave Rarity the other. Rainbow gave her spare to Fluttershy, and kept the other for herself. “Come on in and get warmed up. I’ll be right back with another mug of cider.” Sunset nodded and took a seat on the couch, making Fluttershy look just a little concerned as she was now right next to the former bully. Applejack wasn’t worried, though. True, they all felt a little weird around Sunset – there was simply too much history for them not to – but she was shaping up to be a really good friend. Once she’d filled another mug of cider, finishing it off, Applejack returned to the others. By then, they had switched the parade to a Christmas special that they’d all seen time and again, so they talked over it, speculating on when Pinkie would show up. Tactfully, no one asked Sunset how her Christmas had been. They all knew she didn’t have anyone besides her five friends, and this was the first they were seeing her over the holiday. For her part, Sunset was mostly quiet as they talked, just listening into the conversation. “So since Pinkie is tied up…” Rainbow leaned forward and grinned. “How about we start handing out presents?” “Oh come now, Rainbow,” Rarity cast her a disbelieving glance. “You’ll get your gifts soon enough. I hardly think it’s too much to ask for all of our friends to get here.” Rainbow sunk back in her chair. “But who knows how long that’ll take!” “Patience, Rainbow,” Rarity chided. “Besides, it’s not like Pinkie is making you wait on –” “Bye, Granny, we’re going out to play!” Apple Bloom called as she ran through the room with her friends. “What’s that?” Granny Smith said, causing Apple Bloom to come to a halt. “You’re goin’ where now?” “Scoots got a new sled and we’re gonna go try it out!” Apple Bloom said. She looked around the room and her eyes fell on Sunset, and she frowned slightly. Her friends noticed where she was looking, then looked at one another. Sunset just turned away.  Granny Smith didn’t seem to notice the slight hostility in the room. “Well, alright, but be back before dinner!” “We’ll make sure she’s home in time,” Sweetie Belle said, wrapping her hands around Apple Bloom’s arm. She gently pulled her friend, who cast one more untrusting glare at Sunset, then left with her friends. Applejack let out a small sigh, glad that nothing too bad came of the interaction. Like most of the student body, Apple Bloom still didn’t really trust Sunset. Unlike the rest of the student body, however, Apple Bloom occasionally had to put up with having the terrible Sunset Shimmer in her home, which made her resent the former bully more than most. Well, as long as Apple Bloom kept things civil, that was all Applejack could ask for. Applejack finished her cider and set the mug aside. She wasn’t the only one. Rainbow was trying to drain the last few drops out of her mug, which was already quite empty. Applejack smiled. “Sorry, Dash, we got the last of it just now.” “Aww, phooey, there’s plenty more,” Granny Smith said, rising from her chair. “We jus’ need to make it!” “Don’t worry about it, Granny! I can handle it.” “Hmm? Of course you can handle it! You’re gonna go get it from the basement for me.” Applejack considered pointing out that she could handle making it as well, but she figured Granny Smith probably wanted something to do. Without further comment, she made for the basement. She heard the men talking as she went down. Caramel was teasing Big Mac about a girl he liked, by the sound of it. Interested, Applejack kept an ear on the conversation. “Sure, she’s a nice girl, but you need to talk to her to get anywhere,” Caramel said. “Eyup…” “Okay, so here’s what you do. Next time you’re delivering apples over that way, you just –” Big Mac nudged his friend into silence as his head snapped over towards Applejack. “Need somethin’?” Unfortunately, it seemed Applejack wasn’t going to hear the rest of this conversation. “Just grabbin’ some more cider. You boys want me to bring ya down some?” Caramel crushed an empty can of beer. “That’d be mighty appreciated.” Big Mac nodded. “Eyup.” Applejack grabbed a gallon of apple cider and brought it back upstairs, leaving the men to their conversation. She did hope something would work out with whoever this girl Big Mac liked was. He had never been the best at relationships, being as shy as he was. But that wasn’t something he needed his sister to pry in, so she put it from her mind as she brought the cider to the kitchen. Granny Smith had already gotten all the spices ready, so Applejack poured the cider into a pot on the stove. It wasn’t a complicated recipe. The cider was, of course, home made at Sweet Apple Acres, and for the spices they added a few cinnamon sticks, some allspice, whole cloves, a bit of nutmeg, and some brown sugar to bring out the sweetness. Granny Smith added all the ingredients and stirred it together, making the kitchen smell heavenly as it heated up. Applejack had a great love for all sorts of apple products, but spiced cider just might be her favorite. While they waited for it to cook, Sunset came into the kitchen. Granny Smith grew a little stiff at her appearance – she tolerated Sunset, but she knew from working at the school how much of a bully Sunset had been. Applejack, however, simply smirked. “It’s not ready yet, hold your horses.” “It’s not that,” Sunset said. “I was wondering if I could show you something outside.” “Outside? What is it?” “It’s… well, okay, it’s a Christmas present.” “Aww, Sunset, you didn’t have to do that.” Applejack couldn’t help but smile warmly. The idea that Sunset would go out of her way to get her a gift really showed how far she was coming in learning friendship. Sunset just shifted nervously. “I know, but I wanted to. It’s… well, you’ll see.” “Sure. You said it’s outside? Gimme a minute to grab a heavier jacket, then we’ll head out.” Sunset nodded. “Alright. Just the two of us though, it’s… kinda personal.” That really got Applejack curious, so she excused herself from the kitchen and went to her room. She grabbed a heavy winter coat, threw it on, then grabbed a scarf for good measure. She completed the outfit with her usual hat, then put on her boots, and went out to the living room. Sunset was already by the front door, and she stepped outside when Applejack approached. Rarity took notice. “Is everything alright?” Applejack flashed a grin. “Yeah, Sunset just wanted to show me something. We’ll be right back. In the meantime, Granny should have some cider ready within a few minutes. Help yourselves if I’m not back by then.” With that, Applejack left the house. It was a chilly day, but she didn’t mind too much. It was Sunset that always complained about the cold, so if this was something important enough for her to put up with the weather, Applejack certainly wasn’t going to be the one to complain. Sunset was already rubbing her hands together to generate a little more warmth, though, so they probably wouldn’t be out for too long. “How do ya drive that motorcycle of yours around in the cold?” “I try not to.” Sunset walked over to the side of the porch and pulled a box out from under a bench. “Especially when I have to carry around boxes like this, but I make do. Merry Christmas.” Applejack took the box from her. It was wrapped in red paper with pictures of Santa Claus on it. The wrapping wasn’t a pretty job, but that made it all the more endearing. Applejack wondered if this was the first gift Sunset had ever given. She smiled as she took a seat with the box on her lap. Sunset remained standing, seemingly nervous, as if Applejack was going to decide her gift wasn’t good enough. Applejack cared a lot less about what it was than about what it meant, which was a great deal. Still, there was no sense in marvelling at the wrapping. Applejack ripped it off, revealing a department store box. “Hmm, feels a little too heavy to be clothes. That’s more Rarity’s thing anyway.” “Yeah, it’s… it’s something else.” Applejack smiled as she took off the lid, but that smile fell away the moment she saw what was inside. A pair of reddish brown ice skates, nothing fancy, but serviceable. Applejack lifted one up to look at it. Sunset shifted in place. “I hope they’re the right size, I remember Pinkie saying what size you were, and well…” Applejack looked at Sunset, unsure what to say. She couldn’t help but wonder if this was a joke, but if it was, Applejack wasn’t laughing. “What…?” Sunset took a deep breath. “Look, I know why you don’t ice skate. I mean, obviously. But… I want to fix things. I’ve spent the past week learning how to skate, and I thought, I don’t know, we could go together? Just the two of us, so there’s no pressure from any of the others, and… and maybe it could, I don’t know, help bury the hatchet?” A frown formed on Applejack’s face as she set the skate back into the box. “Sunset… This is…” She shook her head and set the box to the side. “I have ice skates.” “Oh. I just… I don’t know, I thought –” “You didn’t think enough.” The feeling of goodwill from the gift was gone. In its place, there was just the reminder of the one day Applejack never wanted to think about again. “So I don’t like ice skating. So what? I don’t have to do every winter activity.” “I… I know, I just…” “You just, what? Can’t stand the fact that I maybe still have a reason to be upset with you? Not like it’s only one.” “No! I just wanted to help!” Applejack shook her head and gestured at the box. “This ain’t helpin’, Sunset! And you know, for the record, going out on the ice just the two of us? There’s no way in Hell you’d get me to do that.” “What?” Sunset blinked and looked as if Applejack struck her. “You can’t think I’d do something like that again!” “And you can’t think what you did was so easy to forgive! I’m glad we’re friends, Sunset, I really am. But come on now, think about things. What you did, what you said to me…” “I’m sorry!” Sunset took a step back, bumping into the porch railing. “I didn’t mean to make things worse…” “Yeah, well, ya did.” Applejack folded her arms, suddenly feeling very cold. “You know, I still don’t even know what’s the truth about that day. Were you really tryin’ to…” “No!” Sunset threw out her hand. “I lied! Of course it was a lie, I would never… Even at my worst, I would never have done something like that on purpose.” “You definitely sounded like you’d done it on purpose,” Applejack grumbled. “That was… that was to push you away, so I couldn’t hurt you anymore! I lied, okay, I was lying! I was lying, I would never try to… to kill you. Even then, I wouldn’t have…” “Yeah, well yay me. My friend just almost killed me on accident then.” “I… I’m sorry…” Sunset looked away. “I’m… I’m gonna go. I’m sorry.” Applejack didn’t say anything. She wasn’t sure what to say. All she knew was that some scars didn’t heal so easily, and she didn’t appreciate them being ripped open on a day she was supposed to be spending with loved ones. Sunset kept her eyes low as she walked away, but she stopped all of a sudden when she reached the porch steps. “Sunset?” Pinkie said softly. Applejack winced. The last thing she wanted was to involve their friends in what had happened between them. “Sorry, Pinkie, I’m… on my way out.” Sunset stepped around Pinkie. “Oh.” Pinkie must have heard enough about their conversation to know this was a delicate situation, because she held none of her usual pep. “Merry Christmas.” “Yeah,” Sunset said. “Merry Christmas.” With that, Sunset was gone. Applejack didn’t watch, but she heard Sunset’s motorcycle engine start, then heard her drive away. She heard another sound, too. Pinkie’s footsteps as she walked up to Applejack. “Is that from Sunset?” Applejack looked off to the side, noticing that she’d left the lid off the box. She quickly put it back on. “Yeah.” “Is that the reason you two were fighting?” Applejack plastered a smile on her face. “Don’t worry about it, it’s nothin’. Just some old stuff me and Sunset gotta sort through.” Pinkie took a seat beside Applejack. “You always were a bad liar, Applejack.” Unsure of what to say, Applejack just looked down at the floor. “Sunset has something to do with why you never go ice skating with us, doesn’t she?” Not seeing a way around it, Applejack just sighed. “Yeah. There was an… accident. When we were in middle school. I… I almost died.” “That’s horrible!” Pinkie placed an arm around Applejack. “Did… Sunset cause the accident?” “Yeah. Yeah, she did.” They were quiet for a moment, and Applejack had enough time to start to feel like a jerk for yelling at Sunset. It had been a stupid idea, but it was a well meaning one. Still, the reminder had hurt, and Applejack was hard pressed to say she’d been wrong to feel that way. She was going to suggest they go inside, but before she could, Pinkie nodded to the box. “That was a really bad gift, and believe me, I’ve seen my share of really bad gifts. I’ve got the biggest collection of Christmas rocks you’ve ever seen! Rocks, Applejack!” Applejack couldn’t help but smile a little. “Yeah, not really something I’d see you enjoying.” “But you know, I know my family means well with their gifts, so I don’t mind. They’re sharing something important to them with me, and that’s special.” “Not sure this is the same thing.” Applejack lifted the lid of the box so they could both see inside. “This doesn’t mean anything to either of us except bad memories.” “Or new ones,” Pinkie said. “I think that’s what Sunset wanted.” “Sure, but…” Applejack sighed. She wasn’t sure how to explain. “Oh, I understand. Like I said, it was a bad gift. I’m just saying to try and think of it from her point of view.” “Yeah, I guess.” Pinkie started swaying back and forth, as if sitting in one place for so long was a challenge for her. “You know, when Twilight asked us to look out for her, she didn’t just ask us to be her friend.” Applejack turned towards her friend. “What d’ya mean?” “She asked us to teach her about friendship.” Pinkie was smiling, but not her usual smile that could light up the room. In its place, she was wearing a more subdued smile that spoke of something Applejack knew all too well – a challenging, yet rewarding job that lay ahead of them. “Sunset isn’t just bad at gift giving, she’s bad at a lot of things. But that’s okay, that means she has a lot to work on, but she also has us. We’re her friends, but we’re also her teachers. And believe me, she wants to learn. This is proof that she’s trying.” For the first time, Applejack thought she really saw what Sunset was thinking. It wasn’t just a well meaning gift that had gone awry, it was an attempt from someone who had never done something like this. Just like the wrapping paper. It had been a mess, with weird cuts and bad folds, but it might have been the first time Sunset had wrapped a present. Well, this might be the first time she tried making amends. Really tried, not just apologized, but tried to do something to make it right. It was exactly the type of thing Applejack should be encouraging, and correcting when she messed up on. And yet, she had yelled at her. “I think I screwed this up, Pinkie.” “That’s okay. We just have to figure out how to fix it!” Applejack smiled, then finally returned Pinkie’s half hug. “Yeah, you’re right. Come on, let’s go inside and figure this out with the others.” “That’s the spirit!” Pinkie jumped up, holding out her arms as she practically skipped to the door. Applejack picked up the box and followed her. They’d all been tasked with teaching Sunset about friendship, but it seemed only Pinkie had really understood what that meant. Well, no more. Applejack had failed today, but she was going to make things right.