It was apple bucking season at Sweet Apple Acres, and this year it was a bigger responsibility for Applejack than ever before. Big Mac was out of commission for at least a couple of weeks because of his pulled muscle, and Granny Smith's tired old self obviously couldn't do anything to help harvest, so it was up to AJ and Applebloom to finish out the season.
"Hey, Applejack," said Twilight, approaching AJ in the apple orchard. "I'm sorry about what happened to Big Mac."
Applejack set down the basket of apples she was currently holding and turned to face Twilight. "Oh, don't be sorry, sugar cube. It ain't yer fault. He was just bein' a bit reckless, that's all."
"I know that, but is there anything I can do to help?"
Applejack shook her head. "I don't wanna be a burden to ya, sweet heart. Ya don't have the strength to buck apple trees anyway."
"But couldn't I help Applebloom carry the basket back to the barn? I'm sure if she can do it as small as she is, I can too," Twilight pleaded.
AJ sighed. "Well, alright. But don't stay too long, I don't want ya wearin' yerself out, alright?"
Twilight simply nodded, propping the basket of apples that AJ had been previously holding onto her back. She seemed to struggle a little bit, and decided to levitate the basket with her magic. Apparently her magic "muscles" were stronger than her actual muscles.
After about an hour of transporting baskets, AJ told Twilight, "Sweety, ya really should git goin' now. Bloom 'n I can handle the rest.
"But really, I can keep going!" protested Twilight.
"Twilight, ya don't usually do this kinda work, so I want ya ta head home and git some rest, okay? Otherwise you're gonna be aching some badly tomorrow."
"But you're not used to doing this much work either!" With a glare from AJ, Twilight reluctantly headed back home. Applejack watched as she left.
Applebloom trotted over to her big sister. "Sis, how long do we have ta stay out here workin' today?"
Applejack bit her lip. "I dunno, lil' sis. But we have to make up for all the work that Big Mac can't do. I'm sure we can git it done if we do our best. Just like that time when two certain someponies tried to run us out of business."
The filly frowned. "I'm plum tuckered out already. Can I take a break?"
Applejack felt drowsy, too. "Well, okay. I guess I could use a break, too. Let's not take too awful long though. Can't let the apples rot of the trees."
The two went into the house. Granny Smith was in the kitchen. "You young 'uns want sum apple pie?" she asked loudly.
"Sure, granny!" replied AJ. "And don't ferget the whipped cream on top!"
The young ponies sat down at the kitchen table, impatiently waiting for the pie to brown in the oven. Their mouths watered at the scent of Granny Smith's home made apple pie. Her pie was famous for bring back ponies to get a second slice. That's how the Apple family paid to buy all the apple trees.
Finally, the pie was finished. Granny put on her oven mitts and carefully slid the pie out of the oven. She cut the pie and dished it out onto two dessert plates. AJ and AB dug into the pie with their muzzles, ignoring the burning sensation in their mouths. When AJ was finished, she put her plate in the kitchen sink and said, "Hurry up, sis. We gotta git back ta workin'."
"But ya didn't even have a second slice!" the younger sister replied.
AJ said sternly, "There's no time fer that. We gotta git goin'!"
Applebloom ignored her comment and helped herself to another slice of pie. Applejack gave up on moving her out of the chair. As she walked out of the house, she gazed at the thousands of apple trees in the orchard that were full of bright red, shiny apples. She mumbled under her breath, "I have a lot of catching up to do."
"No, don'f leaf!" said Applebloom through her pie-filled mouth. She quickly swallowed. "The apples ain't just gonna rot off the trees any second."
Applejack said with her nose turned up, "Yer just lazy."
"Am not!"
"Then git out here."
Applejack would work all day long, whether anypony was there to help or not. She didn't care if she felt light-headed from exhaustion. All she wanted was to keep all of the Apples happy and without burden. She sacrificed precious time with her friends to help out on the farm. The only time she saw them was when they came to help her with work. She couldn't bear to have them there any longer than a couple of hours, though. Her work was her burden, and hers alone.
The mare's muscles became more defined from the huge workload, as if she wasn't strong enough already. Her appetite couldn't keep up with her metabolism, and she started to lose what little body fat she had.
Applebloom tended to Big Mac when he needed anything. Even though her brother was the pony who was sick, she couldn't help worrying about AJ, who she watched from the window everyday.
After Big Mac was all better, AJ still couldn't seem to take a break. She would always find something to keep her busy around the farm. Perhaps she didn't want her friends to see her health deteriorating.
Big Mac, who seldom uttered a word, said to Applebloom, "What 'er we gonna do about AJ? Should we go over ta talk to her together?"
"I dunno, Bic Mac. She might not even listen. Let's ask Granny first."
Big Mac stamped his hoof. "But if we don't talk to her, what's gonna happen to her? I don't wanna worry Granny over this. She's too old and senile to understand anyway."
Applebloom frowned. "Applejack probably won't listen to us. Why bother?"
"We have to at least try. Better 'n lettin' her...die." The word sounded like a swear coming from Big Mac's mouth.
"Don't say that!" said Applebloom. "She ain't gonna, she can't just leave us like that." She began to weep.
"Things happen, little filly. Sometimes ponies get sick and die. And if we don't try and help her she's not gonna live. A pony can't live like this. It's like when I was hurt and you had to take care of me. She just needs a break for a little while."
Applebloom finally understood. She wiped away her tears and said, "Okay. Let's do this."
Applejack was pulling a cart back to the barn when the two concerned family members approached her. Big Mac and Applebloom looked at each other nervously, and Big Mac nudged AB to speak up first.
"Uh, we need ta speak ta ya, AJ."
Applejack looked annoyed. "Yeah?"
"Me and Big Mac decided we'll take care of the farm by ourselves will you uh....rest fer a while."
"Two weeks," added Big Mac.
"Huh? I can't let you two do this by yerselves. We got a business to run!"
Big Mac responded, "And I can't let you push yourself this hard anymore, so take a break. We're just worried about you, little sis."
Applejack was surprised. "I–I worried y'all?"
"Eeyup."
Applejack blushed. "Well, I guess I have been over doin' it. Alrighty, I'll take a break. Just promise me you two won't get behind on work okay?"
Big Mac nodded. "And you make sure you git some food in to ya."
Applejack giggled. "Okay, I'll keep that in mind."