//------------------------------//
// Stay Strong 
// Story: Stay Strong Applebloom 
// by Aetherlord_Ignus 
//------------------------------//

I should probably turn back.  I don't want to make this difficult for you, Applebloom.  I just need you to stay strong today.  You always had a strong heart, a heart that is probably working right now, you're going to make a full recovery.  Yes, a full recovery, and then life will be back to normal.  Actually I'm probably just lying to myself.  You are still very sick.  I can't believe a day like this has come.  Because of modern medical science, they've predicted how long you have.  You were supposed to pass 6 days ago, but then you started to recover.  They now predict today as a sort of judgement day.  You will pass in less than an hour, or you will recover.  I don't want to make your recovery hard for you, but I don't want to turn back either.  You will need your big sister for this.

It's raining today, and cloudy.  I remember how you love rainy days.  We would just stay inside and Granny would make apple-pie and Big Macintosh would teach Winona tricks and would always keep us entertained.  And some days, we would run through the mud, running through all the puddles, both water and mud.  You used to love days like this, I hope you're holding on to that feeling.

I remember the day you were born, I was just a filly then.  Ma and Pa brought you back from the hospital and put you in your crib.  Big Mac and I walked into your room to see our new baby sister.  You were so cute, you wore a pink bow that held up your tiny, red mane.  Your yellow coat blended in perfectly with the yellow crib sheets.  And then you opened your eyes, your beautiful red eyes.  And you looked up at Mac and me.  You smiled, as if you knew that you were our new sister and that you would bring joy to the entire Apple Family.

It would probably embarrass you, but I know you remember your doll.  The one that you named apple-pie.  You carried that doll around everywhere with you.  I knew it was a good idea to give it to you during your time of need.  I saw how it brought you as much joy as it did when you were only a little filly.

I remember the day that you said your first word.  We were putting you to sleep, and then out of nowhere, you spoke "Apple!"  You said the word with such confidence, it was like you had rehearsed it and was ready to perform it for us.  Soon after came your first steps.  You walked over to me and wrapped your hugged my leg, you tried to stand on you haunches and needed me for support.  I wonder if I can still give you my support.

I wonder if you remember the day that we got Winona.  You were only three.  I had taken you to the apple stand that day and we were walking home.  We saw a colt giving away free puppies.

"Puppy!" you said, "can we have one big sista?" 

We had been considering getting a herd dog, so we took it home.  You even helped pick her name.  Big Macintosh had suggested Renona, you tried to repeat that word, but it always came out "Winona" as luck would have it, that was a very good name for her.  She's still at home with the rest of the family, all of which are worried.  That's whats driving me, we all care about you Applebloom.

There was also, most recently, your little club.  The Cutie Mark Crusaders.  The three of you stood up to those two brats Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.  You were strong then and hopefully strong now.  The three of you did everything together, even if you it usually resulted in failure, you kept trying, you never gave up.  Please don't give up now Applebloom.  Maybe there's a cutie mark for tenacity.

Well, here I am, the door to the hospital.  I just have to go in.  Oh.  I forgot that I would need an appointment, now I have to wait a while.  Why must they make me wait so long.  I just want to see you again.  You've persevered through most of this already.  You ignored the immense pain and joked that your intense loss of weight was because of the food the hospital served.  Then you started to sleep a lot more.  You slept through most of the days and visiting was off limits.  It was around that time that the doctor told us how long you had.  We all cried and tried to make your last month enjoyable, then one day you started to recover, you gained weight and slept less and less.  Then they gave their new prediction.  And now, here I am.

"Miss Applejack, you can see Applebloom now."

Well this is it, dying or alive I'm going to see you.  Walking down a hall had never felt so stressful.  Especially when I reach door 18.  You always claimed that 18 was your lucky number, I hope it's true.  When I open the door, I will see how you are doing.  It's kind of like something Twilight told me.  About a cat in a box.  Alive or dead until somepony opens it, I guess the room is the box, and your the cat.  I'm reluctant to open the door, what if the cat is dead.  Does that mean I caused it?  No, there's probably a nurse in the room.  It's now or never.  I'm going to open the door.  Stay strong Applebloom.  You have to be brave.  Please promise me you'll be brave.  Please, please, please.  I open the door.  But I close my eyes, fearing the worst.

"Applejack!" I hear a lively voice.  The exact voice with the exact tone I've wanted to hear all week.

I open my eyes.  And there you are.  You're sitting upright and looking fairly healthy.  And you have your smile, the same smile you had on your first day in this world.  I opened the box and the cat was alive.  And that's how I like it.  I'm just glad to know that your okay.  Please give me a hug Applebloom.  And thank you for being brave.