Chapter 3: Sunrise
Having ate their fill of breakfast, Applejack was now preparing for the long day ahead. While Applebloom was preoccupied with chasing Winona, and sometimes vice versa, Applejack was busy loading the wagon with as many baskets as it could carry for the day's harvest. Ever so often the impatient, yet equally delighted filly would stop for a second and ask her older sibling if 'is it time to go yet?' or 'are yuh done yet?' Each time, however, the orange mare would respond with 'in uh few minute, just be patient.'
Finally, after what felt like had been almost a thousand years, Applejack finally announced that the wagon was now fully loaded causing the young filly to jump into the air to a height that rivaled Ponyville's resident pink party mare.
As Applebloom made her way to the back of the wagon so her sister could pull her to their destination she was stopped by a muscular foreleg belonging to the later mentioned mare. Looking up the filly saw the same stern face that Applejack had been wearing since Applebloom had finally been aroused out of bed.
Opening her mouth, Applejack stated in a serious tone, "Now Applebloom you remember what yuh promised now. You're not allowed to do any apple bucking, you do exactly as Ah say, and above all you stay where Ah can both see and hear yuh...yuh understand?"
All Applebloom could do was nod as she looked down at the ground.
Placing her hoof on Applebloom's shoulder she emphasized her seriousness with, "Applebloom...look me in tuh eyes and say it."
Forcing herself to slowly looking up into her sister's green irises Applebloom responded, "Ah promise that Ah'll won't try ta do any apple bucking and that Ah'll do what yuh tell me ta do and stay close to yuh."
Pulling her little sister into a hug she said, "OK now go on and get into the wagon with Winona."
As soon as Applejack released her, Applebloom raced to the back of the wagon. Since she was unable to climb into it herself Applejack had to lift her up.
After Applejack harnessed herself at the front of the wagon she pulled it to the front of the house so they could wave bye to Granny Smith, and to also collect the lunches that Granny had made for them. Soon after Applejack was off with Applebloom, who waved back at the farmhouse until it was out of sight.
The whole time Applejack pulled the wagon into the apple orchard she silently prayed nothing out of the ordinary would happen, and that she would not regret allowing her young sibling to come along for the day.
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Nearly a half-hour since they had lost sight of the farmhouse Applejack had pulled the wagon to the top of a small hill so she could watch for predators. Coming to a stop she had Applebloom and Winona hop down from the wagon. "Applebloom Ah'm gonna set these baskets down under the trees. When Ah'm done with that Ah want yuh ta come over and watch me for uh while. Yuh got that?"
"Yeah, Ah got it."
"Good, now don't get too riled up yet this'll only take uh minute."
With her older sister preoccupied Applebloom began to take in the surrounding landscape.
Around her there were vast rolling hills all topped in crisp green grass still covered from last night's downpour. Speckled across the orchard were what seemed to be tens of hundreds of apple trees each one standing firm to the very roots. Each one an enduring testament to the beginnings of the friendly town of Ponyville that lay a short trot down the road. Nestled within the branches of each tree hung the very fruit that had allowed the town to flourish, apples. Every one as sweet and as juicy as when Ponyville's original settlers had sown the seeds of their parent tree found deep in the dark forest that lay on the southern edges of town. The forest, which was visible in the distance, was not only the home to creatures that were both vile and malignant, but also holds the knowledge of things past, both good and evil.
All of this Applebloom took in with a wonder reserved for the innocence of youth.
In fact she was so caught up in the sublimity of it all that she failed to register her sister who was standing less than a foot behind her. When she noticed a shadow on the ground below her she let out a surprised gasp and stumbled backwards into the more toned form of her big sister.
"Whoa there sugar cube it's just me."
Having noticed her folly Applebloom replied, "Oh...yeah right
"Are yuh ready to see how apple bucking's done?"
"Uh yeah...hey Applejack what's that over there," Applebloom pointing a hoof in the direction of the forest.
"That...that there's the Everfree Froest.::"
"Oh...could we go in it sometime today?"
Immediately her eyes widened, "Oh no we're not going in there don't even think about it."
"Well why not?"
"Cause it's dangerous. There's timber wolves and other kinds of critters in there that would just love to eat up anything they can sink their teeth inta. Especially little ponies."
"Well can't we just...?"
Applejack cut her off before she could finish, "Ah said no...we're not going anywhere near there. Now come on so Ah can start working." She said as she walked over to a tree that had already been encircled with baskets.
Sighing out in defeat Applebloom trotted over and sat down on the ground. Winona soon sat down next to her.
Seeing her little sister ready to learn she began to speak, "Now Applebloom this here is what's called apple bucking. Ta save time going up and manually pulling each and every apple from the each tree we do this." Pausing to see if Applebloom was paying attention Applejack continued, "Now when yuh want ta apple buck a tree yuh have ta get the right distance from the trunk. If you're too close you could damage the tree or worse hurt yourself. On the other hoof if you're too far away you could miss the tree or not hit it hard enough." Applejack began to position herself to buck before she continued, "What you're looking for is the spot where you're hit it hard but only just enough." She ended this by flexing the muscles in her hind legs, shifting her weight to forelegs, and then releasing it all in one loud 'whack' onto the side of the tree. This caught the engrossed filly by surprise as she let out a startled yelp.
Instantly apples began to rain down from the branches above into the awaiting baskets below. "And that's how it's done, any questions?" Applebloom shook her hear. "OK next let me show yuh how ta properly buck," she said as she walked away from the tree.
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Bryce awoke to the sound of thunder. Still lying back on the tree his eyes shoot open to find it bright and sunny, not a cloud in sight. "Was that thunder?" he asked himself. After a minute Bryce looked around to see that he was still under an apple tree in a large orchard. He also saw that he was still in just his shorts, his left arm still had a spider's web of burns, and that Corn was curled up next to his leg, with Bryce's shirt wrapped around the dog's shoulder with a patch of blood over the wound. Look to his side opposite Corn he saw his shoes almost worn out shoes still where he'd left them with the socks crammed within. "Well I guess this isn't a dream then...we're still here," he said as he let out a heavy sigh.
Pulling his watch out of his short's pocket it showed they had been sleeping for nearly10 hours. Well I've never slept this long for God knows when. Might as well get up. As Bryce shifted Corn began to stir and let out a yawn. When he had gotten back on his feet Bryce said, "Hey boy...how are you feeling."
Corn just looked up at his boy and gave no sign of moving from his spot.
"Still hurts boy? Well...I'm still sorry about what happened. I am." Looking around the orchard he saw that it still seemed to continue on forever, just like it did last night. "Do you think you can walk at all?"
At that Corn began to stretch out his body. When he was done with that he got upon his feet and stretched out again.
"Just slow down Corn don't...don't hurt yourself now."
When he was done stretching a second time he began to walk as best he could with his nose to the ground, sniffing out a place to do his morning constitution.
"We'll try and take brakes every so often then." Reaching up into the tree they'd taken refuge under Bryce pulled down another apple and started eating it, this time with more restraint. After he ate it down to the core he threw it off into the distance before he pulled down another. When he had pulled the second one down Corn came hobbling back over. He must be hungrier than I am but I doubt he'll eat this
Hitting the apple against the tree he pulled off a segment and offered it to the injured German shepherd.
All Corn did was sniff the offering.
"Come on boy you have to eat I've nothing else to give you."
Corn became disinterested and sat down on his hunches.
"Well it's all I have," Bryce said as he ate the remainder of the apple. "And I'm letting you pick which way we go this time," he added.
Hearing what Bryce had just said Corn again began to walk. This time towards the forest they had left last night.
"No Corn not that way, that's definitely the opposite way we'd want to go."
Corn soon bent his head down and picked up something in his mouth and walked back over to his boy. When he got there he dropped the object at Bryce's feet.
"Your tennis ball," he said trying to hold back a laugh. "We're God knows where and you worry about that...why not?" Picking the fuzzy green ball off the ground Bryce placed it in one of his side pocket. "Fine, I'll choose then." Picking up his shoes Bryce thought about putting them on but didn't want his socks to get wet from the holes in the soles.
After making sure they had everything Bryce stated, "OK then...let's go this way."
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Thrusting out her back legs one more time Applejack said, "And that's how yuh buck...now you try it sugar cube."
"O...OK sis." Applebloom stood up on all four legs and got into position.
"Just do it when your ready."
Swallowing, Applebloom tried to remember everything her sister had taught her. Taking a few practice kicks, one leg at a time, she tried to find the confidence. Finally feeling ready she took a deep breath and readied herself. On her first attempt she only managed to kick up a patch of grass.
"That's a good start now try ta get your hooves off the ground this time."
Getting into position a second time Applebloom inhaled another deep breath. This time she was able to get her hooves off the ground but only just managed to get all four hooves on the ground before she fell.
"Good, better then thee last. Now this time put a little more kick into it."
Having found her mettle, and filled with youthful spirit, Applebloom once again got in the proper bucking position. Flexing her tiny hind legs to the limit, and filling her small lungs to capacity, she put as much 'kick' as she could muster into her next attempt.
Though she was able to thrust her legs out, she wasn't quick enough to put them back down.
When she hit the ground the breath she had been holding was instantly pushed out from her lungs. Seeing her young sister had hit the ground hard Applejack quickly ran over to check on her.
"Applebloom...are you alright?!"
"Yea *cough* yeah Ah *cough* Ah *cough* Ah'm fine *cough*." She said as she tried to get on her hooves.
Grabbing the little filly gently with her teeth Applejack carried her over to the wagon. Dropping her whooping sister on her back on one of the wheels she opened a bottle of water. Offering the open bottle to Applebloom she said, "Here sugarcube drink up."
When Applebloom grab hold of it she began to chug it down making her cough some more and drenching her face and mane.
"Whoa now, easy there don't drink it to fast and choke yourself."
After another fit of coughing Applebloom drank what was left in the bottle in more controlled gulps.
After a minute Applejack spoke up, " You alright now sugarcube?"
Panting heavily Applebloom replied, "Yea...yeah."
"Good...that's good. Do you want me ta take yuh back ta the house?"
The winded filly shook her head no.
"Well OK if yuh say so. Yuh just sit tight and catch your breath. We can try again later if yuh really want ta. Right now Ah need ta try and get as many apples buckled today as Ah can. Come find me when you're up to it. OK?"
The aching filly nodded in response.
Giving her sister a hug, Applejack turned around to continue the daily grind.
As her master left, Winona, who had been sitting off to the side taking in the scene, scampered over to Applebloom. When she reached the filly she saw that she was still taking in deep, quick breaths, not yet fully recovered from her accident.
Taking notice, Applebloom said, "Hey Winona, looks like Ah took a bad spill," as she patted the dog on the head with a fore hoof.
Winona whimpered in response.
Petting the border collie on the head said, "Don't worry girl Ah'll be fine."
After a few minutes Applebloom had finally caught her breath. Sitting up on her haunches she cautiously began to stand on her hooves. When she was finally able to stand she set out to find Applejack, with Winona in tow. She didn't have to search long because the sound of hoof whacking tree pinpointed her location. Catching up to her Applebloom found her doing just that, but went unnoticed because Applejack was facing the opposite direction.
When Applebloom spoke up it made Applejack nearly jump out of her skin, "Hey Applejack?"
"Oh hey sugarcube. Yuh feeling any better?"
Applebloom nodded.
"That's good. Are yuh sore anywhere?"
"Yeah...a little."
Rubbing sweat off her forehead with a hoof Applejack responded, "Let me check yuh out then." Walking over Applejack said, "Try extending one of your legs."
Applebloom did as she was told. Stretching out her left leg Applejack determined it was kosher, but when she stretched her right leg out half way it began to throb with pain making her cry out and losing her footing.
Fortunately Applejack was there to catch her before she could hit the ground a second time that day. She gently lied her down onto her back.
"You OK sugarcube?"
Getting upset with Applejack's constant worrying she shot back, "Yeah!"
"Just calm down. Now where'd it hurt?"
Using a hoof she pointed to the inside of her thigh.
Placing a hoof where she had pointed Applejack asked, "Does it hurt if Ah do this?"
Immediately Applebloom's leg began to pulse with pain making her cry out again and kick out with her good leg which connected with Applejack's Stetson. "Whelp Applebloom looks like yuh aren't gonna be doing anymore bucking today."
"What...why?"
Replacing her Stetson Applejack bluntly stated, "Because if yuh try doing any more with your leg the way it is you'll just make it worse. Now come on."
Stomping the ground Applebloom let out a frustrated grunt before following her sister back to the wagon.
When they had arrived Applejack stated, "Now Ah can't afford ta head back ta house. Ah want yuh ta stay right around the wagon."
"But Appleja..."
"Ah don't want ta hear it," Applejack said sternly. "You promised me before we went out that you'd do as Ah told yuh. Well Ah'm telling yuh ta stay around the wagon. You're hurt and there's no getting around that. Ah have work ta do and Ah can't take the time ta wheel yuh back and come back out. Get it?"
Admitting defeat Applebloom said, "G...got it."
"Good now Ah need ta catch up on apple bucking. If anything happens Ah want yuh ta come get me. Other then that Ah don't want yuh ta leave the wagon."
Applebloom hung her head down, saying nothing.
Sitting down next to the both physically and emotionally hurt filly Applejack said, "Applebloom Ah'm sorry this happened....Ah told yuh ta put kick in it. It's my fault."
"Ah...Ah don't blame yuh."
"Well Ah'm still sorry," she replied back while hugging her again tightly. "Ah'll check up on yuh every once and a while, but Ah need ta get as much done as Ah can." Standing up one more time she hugged her little sister one last time before heading back to work. Noticing Winona was following she said, "Winona stay here with Applebloom. Ah need yuh ta keep an eye on her."
Winona did as her master had said and quickly ran to Applebloom's side.
Being left alone a second time Applebloom couldn't think of anything to do. After a few minute, not having gotten much sleep the night before, she released a yawn. With nothing better to do Applebloom crawled under the wagon to keep out of the sun. In seconds she was fast asleep.