//------------------------------// // "Theres a storm coming." // Story: Labour is another form of Love // by Shiloh //------------------------------// Applejack quickly gathered her things together. She kept peering out the window, watching for Pinkie Pie to come up the trail. Everything was rushing through her head. She didn't know how to work on a rock farm. She was a hard worker yes, but just the thought of messing something up on their farm gave her the shivers. She quickly shut the lid to her suitcase, carrying it downstairs. She grabbed one last quick drink of cider, knowing it would probably be her last one in awhile to come. She trotted outside, placing her bag in a small wagon, small enough to be pulled by only one pony. Her creme mane swayed, as she wing blew violently. She looked up to the sky, noticing a storm coming in. Maybe Pinkie Pie wouldn't want to leave now that a storm was setting in. But then again, it was her parents they were talking about. Applejack got into the straps of the wagon, starting to walk down the trail to downtown of Ponyville. She slowly trotted, not being able to keep her mind off Pinkie Pie's parents. There were so many situations she had been in with her parents being ill, and one was the last them they ever were. How would Pinkie Pie react if her parents were to pass? "Hey Applejack. Seems like you've gotten a big load. Anywhere specific your heading?" Twilight asked, trotting up to Applejack. Her purple and pink mane swayed in the wind, sometimes covering her eye, but she didn't seem that bothered by it. "Just heading over to Sugar Cube corner. Me and Pinkie are going out to her parents. She asked me to help out at the Rock Farm until her parents get better." Applejack replied, pulling herself out of the strap, lightly placing it down. "Pinkie Pie's back? When did she arrive?" Twilight asked, lightly tilting her head, giving a cocky smile. "Sometime this morning. She was - seemed very stressed." Applejack replied. She took her hat off, putting it in the wagon, not wanting it to blow away. "Oh dear." Twilight responded. "Well, the storm is pretty bad. Are you sure she wants to leave today?" She asked, glancing at the sky, then back at the orange mare. "Not sure. That's why I came to ask." Applejack said, walking past the mare. "Well, I'll talk to you later Twi." "Don't forget to write!" Twilight said, watching the mare walk into the store. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Most of the lights were out in the Sugar Cube corner. The cakes had several candles out, awaiting the storm that would possibly cut the power. "Howdy Mrs. and Mr. Cake!" Applejack hollered, walking in. "How are ya'll?" She asked, coming to the counter. "Just fine deary. Just getting ready for the storm that's a - brewing." Mrs.Cake said with a smile. Mrs. Cake was always cheerful, just like Pinkie Pie. Maybe that's why they took Pinkie Pie into their home, and adopted them as a daughter. Mrs. Cake had the same attitude as Pinnkie Pie, though she was more mature, and a bit more serious then her. "That bad huh?" Applejack asked, tilting her head. "So you reckon that Pinkie Pie will want to wait and leave tomorrow?" Applejack asked, leaning on the counter. "Oh.. No." Mrs. Cake replied slowly. "She still wants to go." Mrs.Cake said, with a hint of fear in her voice. "She wants to get to her parents as soon as possible. She's upstairs packing now. If you want her, you can go up deary." Mrs.Cake said, holding the door to the stairs open for Applejack. "Thank you kindly." Applejack said, trotting upstairs. "Pinkie?" Applejack called, coming to the top of the stairs. She kept walking, not hearing any response. "Pinkie Pie?" She called again, waiting to hear a response. Still, nothing. Applejack continued to walk, the sound of a shower running coming into the clear. "Shower." Applejack thought, heading to the bed. She sat down, waiting for the mare to come out. Her eyes wondered around the room, looking at the walls. Pictures of all their friends. Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, and herself, Applejack. She smiled, looking to all the group pictures they were, remembering all the good times they had. One thing caught her eye. Most of the pictures that were just one pony were her. One..Two.. Twelve. Applejack uneasily sat on the bed, nervously keeping her eyes on the ground. She continued to glance around the room, noticing the two backed saddle bags, along with three other bags. Pinkie Pie had packed for a very long stay. It seemed as if she packed for a month or two. But, it wasn't possible that they were going to be there that long? Is it? "Hey Applejack!" Pinkie Pie said, walking out. She had a towel on her head, rolled up into her mane. "Didn't expect you here so early. Got everything packed?" She asked, using her hooves to rub her mane with the towel, drying it. "Mmhm." Applejack responded, nodding. She glanced at the pictures, then back at Pinkie Pie. "Don't you think we should wait for another night? When it's not so.. stormy?" Applejack suggested, raising a hoof while she talked. "I want to be with my parents as much as I can!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, her mane poofing up into her curly, cute state. "I mean. If something happens to them when I'm not there, then I'll feel super bad!" Pinkie Pie paused, looking at the ground. "You see, they are there alone now. My Sisters can't make it in to help take care of them, and I'm the only one close enough. I wanted to stay, but I couldn't take care of the farm myself. That's why I needed your help!" "I understand perfectly Pinkie." Applejack said, not really wanting to argue with the mare. "My family is spread all across Equestria, and it's hard to stay in contact with everypony. But don't you worry SugarCube. You're parents will get better in no time." "Then let's get going!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, clapping her hooves together. "Despite the reason we are going, this is going to be fun - a -fun fun!" She said, smiling brightly. Her grin slowly turned to a slight frown. Her excitement from wanting to be with Applejack and spend time with her, had almost blinded her from the reason they were going. Her parents were very ill. "Come on Pinkie." Applejack said, walking toward the door. She glanced back, noticing Pinkie Pie struggling with her luggage. "Need help?" She asked. The mare slightly giggled. "Yes, please." She said, smiling sheepishly. Applejack walked over, grabbing a saddle back off Pinkies back, placing it on her own. "Well, let's get a move on, shall we?" Applejack said, trying to make eye contact with the mare. Her mind was elsewhere. It seemed like she popped in and out, happy one second, sad the next. The mare was always so optimistic, and always looked to the bright side. But she seemed to have a hard time, coming into terms with her feelings. The two mares walked out, saying their goodbyes to the Cakes, before walking out into the brewing storm, ready for the two day walk to the Rock Farm.