In the halls of Canterlot Castle, Queen Chrysalis roams the vast area on her way back to her room. She decided to take the scenic route for her trip back home, after an impromptu visit to Matt and Applejack’s house led her into a situation that ended in a knocked out former toy store mascot, and a very drunk father to be.
While reminiscing about such events was amusing to the Queen, she also couldn’t help but think of another event that happened much later. She originally came to visit them to clear the air about a particular issue that occurred the night before; namely her attempt at seduction for the then depressed human.
Though she did do it as a means of testing him, she still very much considered the contingency plan, if he ever accepted such an offer. She never liked seeing her friends in a sad mood, especially not Matt., and she was willing to do anything to cheer him up. Ever since their chance meeting in her lair that evolved into one strange night, they began a friendship that caught the eyes of many citizens in Equestria.
It was a relationship that was not quite loving, but a little more than friendly. On retrospect, she wasn’t surprised that Matt received such an accusation by Applejack. What surprised her the most however, was that when she confessed to her the events of the night before, she not only understood, but made an odd yet shocking request. The farmpony asked her to take care of Matt if she were to expire on the day the foal is to be born. This made the Queen shocked, yet also saddened, as the thought of one of the nicest ponies in Ponyville dying was enough to bring a tear to her eye.
As she continues to think about this, she makes it to her chambers. Upon entering however, she comes across a sight that is familiar to her, but not in a position that she would have preferred.
Princess Celestia at her desk, reading the letter that she and Matt were working on.
Chrysalis closes the door, catching the attention of the Princess, eliciting a gasp from her mouth. She immediately put the floating stack of papers down on the table, turning around in a hurry.
“Chrysalis, you’re back.” Celestia says, attempting to sound friendly, but the last minute feigning of sincerity doesn’t work on the Queen. “How was your trip?”
“It was fine.” Chrysalis says, looking over Celestia’s shoulder to see the now unkempt paper stack. “Were you reading my letter?”
“That was a letter?” Celestia asks, glancing back at the papers, “I thought it was a book. About us.” This makes her blush. Which does make Chrysalis grin, if just a little.
“It’s actually a letter.” She corrects her, “I was inspired by Mr. Williams’ work, and wanted to do the same, but it was meant for you.”
“For me?” she wonders, “Why would you send me a letter, when I live pretty much next to you?”
“Because…” Chrysalis moves past her, shuffling the papers back into a neat stack. “…I can’t talk to you like this when I’m in your presence.”
“Like what?” she chuckles, “Cute…and romantic?”
“Yes.” she confirms, “Every time I’m with you, I get flustered and nervous. I always say the weirdest things, when I always want to say something else.”
“Like the time you said that you wanted to mud wrestle when I asked if you’d like a piece of cake?”
“Yeah.” Chrysalis said, head hanging down. “That’s actually what I was thinking about when I was mentioning weird things.”
“Why were you so nervous around me?” she inquires, “It’s not like we don’t spend our days side by side, or sleep together from time to time. What were you hoping to achieve by writing this ?”
“I wanted to tell you that…” she pauses, unable to get the words out. “That I…” she looks back down at the floor, shaking her head with disappointment and shame. “It wasn’t just me that was writing it. It actually wasn’t me at all. Matt was doing all the writing, while I relayed the story to him.”
“So, that’s why he was visiting the castle on Wednesdays. I thought…well…”
“That what?” she snips.
“I thought that you two were…involved.”
“Excuse me? You thought that he was cheating on Applejack with me?” she sounds offended at the idea. “Do you really think that little of me? Of Matt? Do you think that he would be capable of such things? Huh?!”
“You two have been awfully close. I’d be lying if I said that didn’t come to mind at one point or another.”
“Guess what? That’s not the case! He loves Applejack more than anything here!”
“But, do you love him?”
Chrysalis backs away from Celestia, getting angered at the mere mention of having unfaithful thoughts about Matt. She paces around the room, thinking of how to respond to such a ridiculous question.
“What kind of question is that? Of course I love him!” she says. Before Celestia could react, Chrysalis continues with, “I love him as much as I love Applejack, and the rest of them. I love him only as a friend. But if you’re asking me if I love him in a greater capacity than that, then no. That you even asked me that is insane! The truth is that I love YOU!” she snaps her mouth shut, caught off guard that she was finally able to let it out.
Celestia freezes in place at her utterance. As Chrysalis continued with her silence, in her mind she started to get used to the idea of proclaiming her love.
She opens her mouth, letting out a sigh, before calmly saying “I love you…Celestia. That’s what the point of the letter was. I wanted to tell you that I’ve been in love with you for quite some time. More than just…bed buddies, but real love.”
“Chrysalis…” Celestia slowly approaches, “That’s what this was about?”
“Yes. I know that our encounter with Sombra revealed that I had feelings for you, but I wasn’t sure if you knew…”
Celestia doesn’t allow her to get another word out, as she leans in for a soft kiss on her delicate lips. Chrysalis is at first surprised at her affectionate display, but it soon becomes more than welcome, as she closes her while getting into this loving act. Their lips part ever so slowly, as they both open their eyes to gaze into one another.
“Too long, have I been waiting for you to say that.” Celestia says in a hushed tone.
“So…you’re saying that you love me too?”
“I am.” Celestia chuckles, “I didn’t know how to say it, until now.”
“Technically, you haven’t said it yet. You just kissed me like you always have.”
Celestia smirks as she gives Chrysalis another romantic kiss.
“I love you, Queen Chrysalis.”
The words make Chrysalis’ heart flutter in wonderment, before pushing Celestia onto the bed with great and lustful force. Celestia giggles, as the dominant Queen climbs onto the bed and looms over her, licking her fangs with anticipation and glee.
“This is escalating quickly.” Celestia says with a smile.
“I’m sorry, do you want me to slow down?” Chrysalis asks with a teasing tone.
“Not one bit.”
The morning sun ascends over the mountains, with its bright and healthy rays shining on the town of Ponyville. The house of Matt and Applejack, which is not far away from the lush and mostly peaceful town, is the last to get a taste of the morning shine.
A rooster that made its way on to the property grass caws its morning caw, waking up the beautiful if unkempt farmpony from her calm slumber. It’s two nights in a row that she hasn’t had any unpleasant dreams. Instead, she dreams of a future where she is with Matt and her foal. In her dreams, she imagines her foal to be a filly, with soft brown hair like her beloved, and a coat which is a natural balance between her color, and her sister Applebloom’s.
She imagines her and her family spending quality time together; with picnics in the park, and traveling to big cities to show their filly the greatness of the world they live in. A happy future indeed.
Looking to her side, she can see her husband still sleeping, though his shut eyes are closed tightly in a way that makes his expression look like he’s uncomfortable. That hangover has probably kicked in for him. Applejack can only imagine that’s how she looked when Matt saw her after that hoedown over a year ago.
Gently, she places a hoof on his cheek, softly caressing it with love and care. Matt’s uncomfortable expression gradually deteriorates, as his hand comes up and takes hold of her hoof. Applejack smiles, as Matt brings the hoof to his lips, planting a kiss on it. She cannot help but recall another time when she woke up Matt the same way, and he too responded by kissing her hoof.
“AJ…” he whispers. He opens his eyes to her smiling face. “Hey…” he says.
“Hey, yourself.” she replies, “How are ya feelin’?”
“I’m fi…ah…” his eyes squint again, feeling the hangover migraine pierce his brain. “My head hurts like hell. What happened?” He glances at his surroundings, trying to remember how he got in bed. The memory isn’t found. “More importantly, how did I end up here?”
“Accordin’ to yer friends, ya drank a lot of hard cider, fought a mascot, and passed out.”
“I did?” he asks. He looks over at his hand, noticing the bandage wrapped around it. That particular memory comes back to him vividly. “Oh yeah. I remember that.”
“After ya passed out, Chrysalis and the others took ya home. It was Chrysalis who took us ta bed.”
“Both of us?”
“Yeah. She figured ah wouldn’t like carryin’ ya ta bed.”
“That’s nice of her.”
“Yeah…” she says softly. She refrains from telling him about her conversation with the Queen, worried that he would be upset. Instead, she continues to put on her heartfelt smile.
“Well, it’s a good thing I passed out. I was worried we did something really cra…OH MY GOD!” he yelps in surprise, looking down at her stomach.
“What?!” she asks in a slight panic. “What’s wrong?!”
“YOU’RE PREGNANT!” he places a hand on her stomach, as if he’s shocked by her appearance. She knows better, however.
“Oh shut up, Matt!” she bursts out laughing, pushing him slightly out of amusement and a bit of annoyance. “Ya made me think somethin’ bad happened.”
“I’m sorry.” he chuckles, bringing her in for an embrace. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“Oh…” she finds comfort in his arms, like she always does. “Ya didn’t scare me. Ya just…worried me a bit, that’s all.” she chortles at her own little fib.
“So, did you get anything nice at the foal shower?”
“Only normal things, really.” She responds, hiding the fact that she received some pretty spicy lingerie from Cadance and Chrysalis. She makes a note in her head to hide it later, so that he doesn’t discover it before she gets the opportunity to surprise him. “Some toys, clothes, bottles and bibs. Ya know, the usual stuff. It was all very nice.”
“That’s good to hear. For some reason, I imagined one of them giving you a personal gift, like lingerie or something.”
“Nah, nothin’ like that.” she chuckles. She moves in a bit closer, nuzzling her muzzle on his nose. “So, what do ya want to do today?”
“Hmm…” he thinks, rubbing his nose on her muzzle like an eskimo kiss. She giggles in amusement, as he moves in for a small kiss. “First, I got to get rid of this headache. Then, after that…I don’t know. I have this sudden hankering for cantaloupe, and I don’t know why.”
“We got plenty in the kitchen.”
“Nice. I can make a fruit salad then. Or a cantaloupe bowl.” he smirks. “After that…we can do whatever you want to do.”
“Whatever ah want ta do? Well then…ya still owe me for yesterday.” She moves her hoof down his back in a seductive manner. “We never got ta have our little classic romp.”
“That’s what we’re calling it now? Okay, I can dig it.” he smiles. “Once all the necessary stuff is out of the way, we’ll romp and roll all day long.”
The both laugh, as Matt playfully moves Applejack around like they are about to roll, but he hesitates, instead turning the roll into more of a shake. It nevertheless gets the desired reaction from her; one of great amusement and joy. Applejack gives him a peck on the cheek, before moving to his lips. The two can’t get enough of kissing each other, as if they’re continually making up for all the time that they lost together.
“There is one more thing, though.” says Applejack, with a regretful look on her face.
“What is it?”
“Ah…um….ah have…” she blushes, “Ah have a cravin’.”
“A craving, huh? I know exactly what you mean.” Matt says slyly, putting a hand on her flank and giving it a gentle squeeze.
“Not that kind of cravin’, silly.” Applejack chortles, “Though ah appreciate the guess.”
“What’s the craving, then?”
“Ah have a cravin’ for…cupcakes.”
“Cupcakes?”
“Yeah. Strawberry cupcakes.”
“Strawberry cupcakes? Adventurous.” he nods, “Usually, you enjoy lemon or apple cupcakes.”
“Ah know. It’s so weird. Ah just…ah just want to cram mah fat face in some strawberry cupcakes.”
“You’re not fat.” Matt says, pinching Applejack’s adorably chubby cheeks. “But I know the feeling.” He sits up, placing his feet on the floor. Looking down, he realizes that he still has his shoes on. “Oh, I guess Chrysalis didn’t remove my shoes. Not that I’m complaining.” he chuckles, “Makes my morning so much easier.”
“It’s not too much trouble, is it?”
“Of course not.” Matt turns to look at her. “All I need is some Headache-B-Gone, and I’ll be on my way to Sugar Cube Corner.” He puts a hand on her mane, brushing it with a thumb. “I’ll be back before you know it. Once I do, we’ll have breakfast, and have our day of fun. Hopefully one with no surprises in store.”
“It’s us, Matt.” Applejack chuckles, “There will always be a surprise waitin’ for us.”
Matt smiles, as he gets up from the bed. He walks over to her side, placing a kiss on her forehead. Before he could move back up, she grabs him, and holds him down to her wanting lips, giving him one of her signature passionate kisses.
“What was that for?” Matt asks.
“Nothin’. Ah just love ya.”
“I love you too.” Matt moves to the bedroom door, “I won’t be long.”
“Ya better not.”
After taking a couple capsules of Equestria’s most reliable headache medicine, aptly titled ‘Headache-B-Gone’, Matt walks right out the door with energy and purpose, completely ignoring the slew of presents that Applejack received while he was out partying with the others. If he only looked down and to the right, he would have caught a glimpse of that fetching lingerie.
Not hearing his words of surprise, Applejack realizes that Matt didn’t see the apparel. With a small sigh of relief, she sluggishly makes her way off of the bed. She cannot wait until the day the foal is born, so she can get out of bed normally, and not look like a clumsy fool.
She goes to the living room, where all the presents are, seeing them in a messy pile. Slowly, she moves them into neat stacks, until finally taking the lingerie in her hoof.
“I’m puttin’ ya in the closet.” she smiles, before walking back to the bedroom.
At Sugar Cube Corner, Pinkie is helping at the register, while Mr. and Mrs. Cake are taking their foals out for a family day out at the park. The morning rush is always the worst for the famous bakery, but Pinkie’s rambunctious and ecstatic personality keeps her from being stressed.
Soon, as the last customer gets his muffin, Matt comes through the door, panting like he ran all the way over there, even if he didn’t need to.
“Hey look, it’s the party animal!” Pinkie says with a smile. “Hi, Matt! What’s with the panting?”
“Ran over here. Not sure why.”
“Did Applejack have a craving?”
“How did you know?”
“Usually, when a mare has a craving, the husband thinks it’s a super duper emergency, so he runs like the wind to find what she wants.”
“That’s…surprisingly accurate.”
“That’s because a lot of expectant fathers come in here, demanding some crazy thing for their wives!” she laughs, “So, what crazy thing does Applejack want today?”
“Strawberry cupcakes.”
“OOOOH! Adventurous.” she exclaims with a cute squeak in her voice, “Usually, she enjoys lemon or apple cupcakes.”
“That’s what I said, but the lady doth protest, and she demands her strawberry cupcakes.”
“Yes sir!” Pinkie does a big salute, “One batch of strawberry cupcakes, on the way!” she bounces into the kitchen, as Matt reaches into his pocket, pulling out the necessary bits to pay for the delicious pastries. Before he can lay them on the counter, Pinkie comes bouncing back in with freshly backed Strawberry Cupcakes, complete with recently topped pink frosting. "And one batch of strawberry cupcakes, has arrived!"
"Oh wow!" Matt says, smelling the fresh and wonder scent of the pastries. "They smell delicious!"
"Of course they do! I made them!" Pinkie says proudly.
"Here are the bits." Matt puts the bits down. He takes the box, and walks towards the door in a hurry. "Keep the change!"
"Thanks! Say hi to Applejack for me!"
"I will!"
Within minutes, Matt is back home, box full of cupcakes in hand, awaiting to be eaten by the very hungry expectant mother. He goes to the kitchen, placing the box down, once again panting like he just ran a race at the running of the leaves.
“Applejack?” Matt calls out, “I’m home!”
“That was quick!” she calls back out from the bedroom, “Was it not busy over there?”
“Seemed okay…” Matt pulls a bottle of water out of the fridge, taking a generous sip. “I must have come at a good time. Pinkie did that thing where she guessed correctly about the reason as to why I was there.” he smirked.
“She does that.” she says, with an audible chuckle.
“Come over here and eat these cupcakes. They’re starting to look pretty scrumptious.”
In the bedroom, Applejack has found a small space to put the lingerie, so as to carefully hide it from her yet unaware husband. She puts things over it, and closes the closet door.
“Don’t eat any until ah get there!” she yells.
“Wouldn’t dream of it!”
Applejack shakes her head, amused by the image of Matt attempting to scarf down every single last cupcake in that box. As she heads for the door to the hallway…
…something…feels strange.
She stops in place, wondering what she is feeling at that moment. It feels like a popping sensations; like a balloon has burst inside of her. Applejack only stand there, trying to discern the funny feeling that she is having.
Then, she feels something dripping down her back leg. Like a line of water running down onto the carpet. She looks down to see her haunches soon dripping wet, and the carpet soaked with a mysterious liquid.
Suddenly…it dawns on her.
“Matt…?” she’s says quietly. He doesn’t not hear. “Matt…?” she says in a louder tone. “MATTHEW WILLIAMS APPLE?!”
Matt is reaching into the box, about to grab a cupcake, when he hears the shout of Applejack, effectively stopping his near thievery.
“Yeah?” he says cautiously, like he’s in trouble again.
“It’s time!” she cries out.
“Time for what?” he questions.
A pause. Matt thinks about the meaning of what she said.
It hits him hard. His eyes widen, and his mouth goes agape with realization. Only one word exits his mouth; one word that perfectly reflects his reaction to this shocking news.
“Shit.”
Ponyville General Hospital.
Not a very busy day at the facility. Doctor Redheart, newly promoted after years of service, wanders the halls overlooking the patients that are being assisted by other staff in the facility. Walking into the lobby, she can see that there are no other ponies waiting to be tended to. All that is there is the Receptionist, looking at a magazine in boredom.
“Anything interesting to report?” Redheart asks.
“Nothing.” The Receptionist looks up from her reading material. “A pretty boring start today. Don’t get me wrong, though. I like the quiet, but I wish that we got more magazines that aren’t over a month old.”
“I hear you. I’ll see if we can…”
Her voice trails off, as she and the Receptionist can hear someone off in the distance outside. He’s shouting something at the top of his lungs, all the while getting closer to the hospital.
“APPLEJACK IS GIVING BIRTH! APPLEJACK IS GIVING BIRTH! APPLEJACK IS GIVING BIRTH!”
“Sweet Celestia…” Redheart whispers in shock.
BOOM!
In a startling move, a wooden cart carrying Applejack comes bursting through the doors, nearly breaking them off their hinges. Piloting the cart is one frightened yet exhilarated Matt, wide eyed and panting hard with exhaustion.
“Let me guess…Applejack is giving birth?” Redheart correctly guesses.
“How…did you…”
“You were screaming it out, it was hard NOT to know.”
“O….kay…
“ARGH! Ah think that was a contraction!” Applejack winces in pain.
“Alright, follow me, Matt! We’re taking her to the emergency room!” Doctor Redheart says, galloping towards the doors leading to the ER.
Matt follows her, pushing the cart with all of his might. He leans down to Applejack, who is breathing through the excruciating pain.
“AJ? When we get you on that chair, I have to get the others.”
“What?!”
“I have to inform my parents, and the Princesses. I want everyone here.”
“Don’t leave me!” she bursts into tears through both pain and sadness.
“It’ll only be a few minutes. I swear.”
They make it to the emergency room. More doctors come barging into the room, getting all the equipment ready for the impending birth. Matt helps them put Applejack on the table, hoisting her back legs onto the stirrups, and spreading them for Redheart to take a look.
“Alright. Just keep breathing, AJ.” Redheart says, “You have a long way to go before the little one is ready to come out.”
“A long way?!” Applejack shouts, “Ah want it out NOW!”
“I know you do, but these things take time.”
“Applejack, you’re doing great!” Matt says, putting a hand on her shoulder.
Applejack turns to Matt, using a hoof to hook under his shirt, and pull him close to her face. She stares him down with angry eyes, clenching her teeth in pain and anguish.
“You shut up! You did this to me!” she yells. Matt can only look on, as no words leave his mouth. Suddenly, she pulls him in closer, meeting his lips with hers. Once the separate, he is still speechless. “You have five minutes. No more, no less. Got it?!”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“Good. Now GO!” she shouts, pushing him away.
Matt barrels out of the door, and back into the lobby. He reaches into his pocket, pulling out the teleportation band. Once it’s placed on, he says “Canterlot castle hallway!” and he’s gone in a flash.
Instantaneously, he is placed directly at his destination. Immediately, he runs to the first door he sees; Princess Twilight’s room.
Matt has no time for courteous things like knocking, as he opens the door with amazingly quick force. On the bed, he sees Twilight being startled out of her sleep. What he fails to notice, is the big bulge right next to her. She looks over at the breaking and entering human, but before she could question his behavior.
“Applejack is giving birth! Mom and Dad’s house!” POOF! He’s gone after that bit of news and lack of segue.
Big Macintosh explodes out from underneath the covers. His mane is a mess, and his eyes are crazed with shock and happiness.
“AJ IS GIVIN’ BIRTH!” he shouts.
“I have to tell the Celestia and the others!” Twilight exclaims, flinging herself out of bed, and rocketing into the halls with her wings.
She flies to Queen Chrysalis’ room, flinging it open without warning or remorse. The light pools into the room, and Chrysalis springs up at the sudden situation. Next to her is also a bulge of somepony who is trying to sleep.
“Twilight?! What is the meaning of…”
“Applejack is giving birth!”
Suddenly, Celestia is awoken from her slumber, sitting up with mouth open wide at the news.
“She is?!”
“WOAH!” Twilight leaps back in surprise, “I didn’t know you were there, Princess! That saves me the trouble. I’ll go tell Luna! I’ll see you at the hospital!”
Twilight rushes through the halls, before eventually finding Luna’s chambers. With all her strength, she FLINGS open the door….
“Princess! Applejack is….”
…. to see Luna making out with Trixie.
“Luna?! Trixie?!”
The two separate, looking at Twilight like they were caught with their hooves in the cookie jar. It’s Trixie whose facial expression changes to one of cool confidence and pride.
“Yeah, it’s EXACTLY what it looks like.” she says with a grin.
Matt POOFS in front of his Parents’ house. He furiously knocks on the door with ludicrous speed, making occasional glances at his watch to be sure that he isn’t taking very long. The door opens, revealing his Mother with disheveled hair, as it seems she just woke up.
“Matt? What’s going on?”
“Mom! Wake up Dad! Applejack is giving birth!”
“What?!” she has a similar reaction to everyone else, “Now?”
“Yes! Put on your bands, and say Ponyville General Hospital!”
POOF! Matt is gone again without anything close to a warning. Mom continues to stand there, before shutting the door and running up the stairs to tell Dad.
Matt BAMFS into the Hospital lobby. Looking at his watch, he was only gone for three minutes at the most. With a smile on his face, he turns to head back to the ER, when suddenly…
“Hey, Matt.” Shining Armor says, wheeling a pregnant and heavily breathing Cadance past him.
“Hey, Shinin…WHAT THE HELL?!”
Shining Armor stops in in his tracks, turning around to address Matt of the situation.
“Funny story. We were on our way to the hospital, when Twilight’s letter showed up that said Applejack was giving birth. Luckily, due to being a unicorn and all, I teleported both me and Cadance over to Ponyville, so that Cadance and Applejack can have their foals at the same hospital.”
“She went into labor at the same time as AJ?”
“Yeah. Isn’t it weird?”
“Very weird.”
“I’M STILL PREGNANT HERE!” Cadance shouts in anger.
“Sorry, honey. We’re almost there!” Shining Armor panics, pushing Cadance towards the ER doors.
“See you later, Matt!” Cadance waves in a friendly manner, her personality changing at the drop of a hat.
“Yeah see…” Too late, they’re already gone. Matt stands in a stupor at the awkward conveniences that this day has thrown at him. Looking back at his watch again, he sees that his five minutes are almost up. “Damn damn!” Matt yells, bolting towards the doors.
With all the speed and agility he can muster, Matt dodges doctors, patients, and various obstacles with quick precision, finally making it to the room that is holding Applejack. The second he runs through, he is greeted by another pained scream from his wife, as Redheart sits at the end, staring at her haunches until something happens.
Matt goes to Applejack’s side, putting and hand on her hoof.
“Four minutes and twelve seconds! I’m back!” he says, proud of his accomplishment. “Shining Armor and Cadance are here, too!”
“They are?”
“Yeah! Cadance is giving birth! They thought it would be cool if….”
Applejack screams again, slamming her other hoof down on the bed. Sweat pours down her face, as she tries valiantly to fight the pain, but to no avail.
“Can’t we give her some pain medication or something?” Matt wonders, with a hint of fright in his voice, finding the sight of Applejack in pain to be tough on his heart. “She’s in pain!”
“It’s too late to give her any medication.” Redheart says, “The pains are coming too quickly and in heavy doses. She’s going to have to do this the old fashioned way.”
“It’s okay.” Applejack pants, looking at Matt. “It’s okay. Ah can do this.”
“Are you sure?” Matt asks, putting his forehead on hers. “I don’t like seeing you in pain.”
“Ah know.” she gives him a small kiss, “Whatever happens… ah love you.”
“AJ…” Matt whispers, knowing the cryptic tone in her voice.
“It’s dilating!” Redheart shouts, “Okay Applejack, I’m going to need you to push!”
“Okay.” Applejack prepares herself, breaking eye contact away from Matt and looking directly at Redheart. “I’m ready.”
“On three. One…two…three…”
With all her might, Applejack pushes, screaming as she does it. The pain of pushing the foal through her is nigh unbearable. Matt holds onto dear life on her hoof, letting her know that he is there for her every step of the way. The first round of pushing ends. Applejack lays her head down, panting as tears keep pouring from her eyes. She looks over at the very frightened Matt. She gives him a weak smile.
“Ya know…if ah had hands…ah would be squeezing the life out of your palm.” she chuckles.
“I imagine it would hurt tremendously. But, it would be worth it.” A tear rolls from Matt’s cheek as he says that.
“Okay, second round.” Redheart interrupts, “One…two…three!”
Applejack screams again, as she expels her energy into pushing the new life out of her. She yells to the very heavens as the pain shoots up and down her body. Matt looks on, feeling helpless that he cannot alleviate his wife’s pain and suffering. All he can do is hold on to her, and be there for her at this tough, yet very important time.
The second bout ends, and she once again crashes back down onto the soft pillow.
“You’re doing wonderful, Applejack!” Redheart compliments, “I can see the head!”
“Is it okay?!” she wonders, “Is the cord wrapped around its neck?”
“It’s fine. No complications. One more push, and it’s out. This is it, Applejack!” Redheart sees Applejack sit up, ready for the last round. “Ready? Push!”
Applejack screams one last time, as she pushes one last time. She can feel the foal leaving her body, as she reaches the final stretch. This is it. She has given birth.
“It’s out!” Redheart announces, causing Applejack to fall back down.
“Ah don’t hear it cryin’. Is something…”
The fear is soon gone, as the foal gives out a cry. Applejack smiles at the sound of the newborn making its first sound. Redheart gives the wrapped up foal to a nurse for clean-up. Redheart turns back to Applejack’s haunches, starting to clean up down there.
“Ah…ah did it…” Applejack says, with a smile and tears continuing to run down her face. She looks back at Matt, who has been crying his eyes out the whole time. “Matt…” she puts a hoof on his cheek. “We did it…”
“We?” he sniffles, “You’re the one that pushed. I just stood here like a dolt.” They chuckle together.
“No…we…we…” suddenly, she starts gasping.
“AJ?”
Something’s wrong. She hyperventilates, like she’s struggling to breathe. The heart monitor spikes like crazy, beating faster than it has any right to.
“I need some help here!” Redheart says, “I can’t stop the bleeding!”
Matt’s heart races. He’s struggling to figure out what he can do. He stares into the frightened soul of Applejack, as she convulses, but never keeping her eyes off of him. Tears stream down his face as he holds onto her, in a desperate attempt to keep her steady.
“AJ…AJ stay with me!” Matt says, “Don’t do this!”
“Matt…” she whimpers, “Matt…I’m scared!”
“We’re losing her!” Redheart shouts. She gets up, rushing over to Matt. “Sir, you’re going to have to leave.”
“No! I can’t leave her!” he yells, clasping onto Applejack’s hoof.
“You have to go now! You’re in the way!”
“I have to be here! I need to see her get better!”
“Nurses! Get him out of here!” Redheart orders the nurses in the room to get him.
Using their unicorn magic, they grab Matt, moving him away from Applejack. He keeps holding on to her, refusing to let her go.
“NO! I CAN’T GO!” Matt cries out.
“Matt….” Applejack whispers, “Ah….” she trails off, as her pupils dilate.
Then, Matt hears it. The sound of something he never wanted to hear in his entire life.
A flatline.
“AJ!” Matt screams at the top of his lungs. The magic is too much for him. He lets go of her hoof, and he is dragged out of the room. “AJ! AJ, NO! LET ME GO! LET ME GO, RIGHT NOW!” Matt struggles to be free from the unicorn’s magical grip. They float him out of the ER doors, dropping him down. He immediately tries to run past them, but then set up a barrier! “GOD DAMMIT! LET ME THROUGH!” he pounds on the barrier, “LET ME THROUGH!”
“We’re doing what we can, sir!” one of the nurses says sternly. “Wait here!” He leaves, as the other one watches him.
“NO! I CANT!” he can’t take the stress or the heartache, “I can’t…” he kneels down to the floor.
The other nurse watches as Matt’s cries stop, and soon…nothing but silence. He sees Matt’s expression turn blank, as if he has gone into complete and utter shock. Matt looks down at the floor, never blinking…never doing anything. The nurse leaves to go back to the room, and the barrier fades away.
Matt doesn’t move an inch, continuing to stare at the floor.
Chrysalis, hearing the cries of Matt, comes into the hallway and sees him kneeled down on the floor. She cautiously walks up to him.
“Matt? What happened? I heard you.” she gets nothing. “Matt?” Still nothing. “Matt? What’s going on?”
Matt remains silent.
"Matt?"