Applejack had just gotten over the death of Big McIntosh when she learned Applebloom had fallen ill. It had to be expected, of course. With the poor girl going to school in that hell of a town that was once Ponyville. Now it was… Applejack didn’t even know what to call it. It was some type of slum, a ghetto of sorts. Filled with bastards who were always looking for money, booze, or sex. She always tried to avoid it, ever since Twilight and Rarity had left and moved to Canterlot. Pinkie Pie was still there, of course. There was no way she was going to get out of that town. Applejack was lucky to have the farm, a place where she and Applebloom could escape to. But the young pony had to continue her education. She was almost done with her last few classes, then she could graduate. After that she could move to Canterlot and pursue her dream of being a librarian alongside Twilight. The day Applebloom got her cutie mark would be forever engraved into Applejack’s mind. She had come home, after a long day of school, sporting what appeared to be a pen and ink. She explained to Applejack how she had been trying to write an essay, when the entire thing just seemed to come to her. A couple of hours later, she began to read so many books, and a few minutes later, her cutie mark appeared. She had been so proud of herself that day. Applejack had been proud, too, but her grief over the sudden death of Big McIntosh just days after he had joined the royal guard. Applejack had lost the entire family throughout the years, whether through death, disappearance, or simply the fact that they left to find more fertile land. No matter what had happened to the others, only Applejack and Applebloom were left, and the youngest would be leaving soon.
That’s when Applebloom came home from school early, disoriented, weak, and vomiting.
Applejack was scared. If she couldn’t get enough money to help her poor filly, then she was done for. No one had bought her fresh produce for weeks. She was running out of time, money, and hope. As much as she hated to admit it, she needed help.
So, three days after Applebloom became ill, Applejack decided to visit Pinkie Pie.
She was afraid to enter Ponyville, to witness what it had become. But she had to, for Applebloom’s sake. So she packed a few bags, gave Applebloom the last of their medicine, and set out into the ghetto that was Ponyville.
The town, as Applejack had feared, had taken a sharp turn for the worst. The massive technological advances they had made in the past sixteen years were going to waste. The largest misuse of these were the weapons. Everypony had one on them, whether it was a gun, blade, or some other type of contraption. The rotting bodies that littered the dusty streets had a few blades imbedded in them. Some had bullet wounds. But none of them looked natural. None.
Applejack finally reached Sugarcube Corner, where Pinkie Pie worked. She was alone in the business, since Mr. and Mrs. Cake had abandoned the place to live in Canterlot. The building, which was once small and bright, was now one of the largest buildings in Ponyville, towering at over twice its original height. Smoke rose from the chimney that sat at the top, adding to the grime that covered Ponyville like a blanket.
Applejack entered the shop, and was immediately bombarded by smoke and the loud noises of machinery. She coughed and sputtered, waving a hoof to drive the dark cloud away. Nopony should have to live like this, not even Pinkie Pie.
Around the shop sat dozens of untouched pies, cookies, cakes, chocolates, and other various sweets. As Applejack examined them more closely, she saw that about half of them had mold growing, and nearly all of them were caked with a film of dust and ash. No wonder ponies didn’t buy Pinkie’s once delicious goods.
There was a crash, a rather loud pop, and out stumbled Pinkie Pie. She was covered in grease and grime, and wore a loosely fitting blue and white striped garb, not unlike what rail workers would wear. Her hair was a mess, something anypony would have made a fuss about back in the day. But now, no one really seemed to care.
Pinkie glanced at Applejack, and said, “Who’reyawhatdoyawant?”
She had obviously been drinking.
Applejack tried to smile kindly, but she just couldn’t bring herself to do so in front of such a pathetic creature. Of course, Applejack herself probably didn’t look too great, either.
“Um… Pinkie Pie?” Applejack began uncertainly. She was worried the pink pony might throw some of her rotten food at her. “It’s me, Applejack. Do ya remember me?”
Pinkie Pie stared at Applejack through the smoke. “Applesmack? No, I don’t think I know anypony by the name of Applesmack! But I did know a pony named Applejack.” She shook her head woefully. “Oh, I miss those days. We used to party all night long, and we would have so much fun, and-“
“Pinkie Pie!” Applejack yelled. “It’s me, APPLEJACK!”
Pinkie glanced up at her, trying to process what she had just heard, then squealed. “Oh, boy! It is you, Applejack! But where’d Applesmack go? I was about to offer her a pie and-“
“Pinkie, that was me!” Applejack said, exasperated. ‘There was no Applesmack!”
“Oh,” Pinkie Pie shrugged. “Well, how’re ya, Applejack?”
“Not good,” Applejack sighed, walking over to Pinkie. “The past ten years have been rough on me and Applebloom.”
“Oh really?!” Pinkie stood so close to Applejack, she could smell the alcohol on her breath. “How rough? Because I tell you, they’ve been rough on me, too.”
Applejack stared at the ground. “Applebloom… Applebloom’s dyin’, Pinkie.”
Pinkie started, staring at Applejack. “Whaaat? How? Since when? Tell me everything!”
“Well, there’s not much to tell,” Applejack responded. “About three days ago, she came home from school early. And she’s not getting better, either.”
“What do ya need, Applejack?” Pinkie Pie questioned her friend. “I’ll give you what you need! Just tell me!”
“Money, Pinkie,” Applejack sighed, her head drooping to the mucky floor. “And a lot of it.”
Pinkie seemed to sag as well. “Oh, dear…” She kept her eyes averted from Applejack’s worried gaze. “I’m sorry, that’s the only thing I can’t give you.”
Applejack sighed. “Th-that’s alright, Pinkie Pie,” she murmured, trying to speak passed the lump in her throat. “I just…”
A tear hit the floor.
The door suddenly flew open, and in walked a grey pony wearing a green cloak, the hood of which covered his eyes. He stood taller than both Applejack and Pinkie Pie, though he looked much younger than them. He sauntered passed them, ignoring them completely. Then, once he reached a table stacked with sweets, he grabbed the bottom and flipped it over, scattering the moldy food.
“Hey! What the hell?! Who do you think you are?!” Pinkie screeched at the stranger. He turned and stared at her.
“Someone you don’t want to anger,” he responded coolly. Without speaking, he trotted over the where Applejack was standing and dropped a large sack filled up to the brim with gold coins in front of her. “This should be enough to get a cure for your young one’s disease. In fact, there should be enough to get you enough food for a few months, maybe even a cheap weapon.”
“Th-thanks,” Applejack stammered, staring at the money. Who is this pony? How did he get all of this money?
The mysterious pony smiled. “No need. I am always willing to help those in need.” He took a step back. “And now, let me introduce myself. I am Stormfax, son of Eqilarous. And I need your help.”