Another morning, another day. Applejack opened her eyes, taking in her sunlit room. She stretched, and instinctively reached out to the other side of her bed. But it was empty. Sighing, the cowpony rolled out of bed, and made her way over to the bathroom.
Looking into the mirror, Applejack saw a sad-eyed, orange coated pony, blonde hair dishevelled and out of its customary ponytail. The emerald green eyes blinked back at her, the pain in them almost hidden. But some of it would always leak out. Closing her eyes, Applejack turned the tap on to the sink, and splashed her face with cold water. Then she turned to grab a brush, and ran it through her hair, before tying it back. Trotting back to her room, she grabbed the Stetson in her teeth and flipped it expertly onto her head. Again, she felt a pang, as she remembered how it was Rainbow who tossed the hat onto her head. Back when they were together.
Time fer breakfast. Then Ah gotta get inta the orchards. Gotta buck 'em apples. She made her way downstairs quietly. Granny Smith was probably still sleeping, as was Applebloom, who wasn't quite so used to the early mornings yet. The aroma of sweet apple fritters made their way to her nose, and managed to bring a smile to her face, albeit a saddened one.
The kitchen was full of the sweet smells of breakfast. Applejack made her way over to the big red pony who was manning the stove, and ensuring that the fritters didn't burn.
"Mornin', Big Mac. Makin' breakfast?"
"Eeyup."
"Smells mighty fine there, big bro."
"Eeyup."
Applejack had to chuckle at her older brother's responses. A pony of few words was Big Mac. Sitting down at the table, Big Mac placed a plate of fresh fritters in front of her, as well as a cup of just squeezed apple juice. Big Mac always cooked well, and Applejack dug into her meal, knowing that she'd need the energy to keep her going, at least until lunch. Ah'll try beat mah record today. Ah'll buck three quarters of the orchards by lunch. She chewed on her apple-flavoured treat, staring unseeingly at the table. Ah'll get all them apples by 3 o'clock. It had become a habit. To set herself a goal to beat while bucking on the farm. It took her mind off other things. It took her mind off the rainbow Pegasus.
"Well, ah'll be headin' out now, Big Mac. Y'all know where ta find me." The orange filly waved to the big red colt.
"Eeyup."
Stepping outside, Applejack looked up at the sky. It was a beautiful blue, and almost cloudless. But there were a few small patches of white that seemed determined to remain. Rainbow would never let 'em clouds hang aroun' like that. But Rainbow Dash wasn't there. There was no rainbow coloured streak in the sky, no hint of a cyan blue body that blended in, yet stood out from, the sky. No Pegasus to swoop down to the farm pony, and greet her in that rough voice.
Applejack shook her head, vigorously. Ah got work ta do. She grabbed the baskets, and began bucking the trees, her powerful back legs hitting the trunk with enough force to shake all the apples off. She worked with speed and efficiency, moving down the rows of apple trees quickly. Keep goin'. Next tree now. She repeated the words in her head, determined not to think about Rainbow. Determined not to feel.
It was getting close to midday, when Applejack stopped her diligent work in the orchards. She was sweating in the sun. Celestia, it's hot today. Applejack took a momentary break in the shade of one of her beloved trees. POOF!
"ARRGH!" Applejack leapt into the air, and spun around, prepared to fight… to come face to face with the purple Unicorn.
"Twilight! Y'all gotta stop doin' that," Applejack started to breathe again. She still hadn't gotten used to the purple pony's teleport ability. When her heart rate slowed somewhat, Applejack asked, "So, what can Ah help ya with, Twilight?"
Twilight's eyes were wide, and she was breathing quickly. There was a look of shock and worry on Twilight's face, as she moved on her hooves, unable to stand still. Applejack frowned at all this, confused at the usually more reserved pony's uncharacteristic behaviour. "Are y'all alright there, Twilight? Ya look mighty agitated there," Applejack looked at her with concern.
"Applejack, you have to come quick! You have to come! It doesn't look good, you have to come now! As soon as–"
"Woah, woah! Hold yer horses there, sugarcube! What's this y'all be talkin' about? Come where? What doesn't look good?"
Twilight stopped moving. She stared directly at Applejack, before she whispered.
"It's Rainbow Dash. She's in the hospital."
Time slowed. Applejack could barely comprehend the words. Rainbow Dash? Here? In Ponyville? But then the second half of Twilight's statement caught up with her. In hospital? Applejack forgot everything. The baskets of apples that needed taking in, the rest of the orchards that needed to be harvested. Rainbow was her chief concern, and the orange pony jumped up and ran, as fast as she could, to town. The aches and tiredness forgotten, all that ran through her mind was her beloved Dash.
Why are y'all in hospital? What did y'all do ter yerself? Why are y'all back here?
She thought she heard her name called in the distance, but she made no attempt to stop and listen. A trail of dust was left behind as the orange blur Applejack had become raced to the hospital. Within moments, she was in town, dodging through the crowds of Earth ponies, Pegasi and unicorns. The large white building was soon in front of her, the red cross over the door speaking louder than any words. A fear gripped Applejack's heart, as she looked at the doors of hospital. She slowly pushed her way through, entering the white waiting room, the smell of antiseptic strong in her nostrils. Three of her friends were there, sitting on the chairs. At the sight of Applejack, Rarity quickly got up and guided Applejack to a seat.
"Applejack, dear, sit down. You do look pale."
Applejack obeyed her words mechanically, moving over to one of the plastic seats, but she didn't sit. "Rainbow?"
Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Rarity shared worried looks.
"We don't know at the moment. I'm sorry, Applejack. The… doctors and nurses… they're doing everything they can. Rainbow… Rainbow's strong… she'll survive." FLuttershy's voice was even quieter than usual.
Pinkie Pie's hair looked flat as the usually bubbly party pony looked around at the stark white walls. Rarity didn't have her mane and tail in its usual neat arrangement. Fluttershy hid behind her mane, the worry for her fellow Pegasus evident.
Applejack looked at her three friends. "But… how? Why… why's Rainbow… back?"
"We don't know, darling. We didn't even know Rainbow had returned."
"Then… how did y'all know she was here?"
POOF! A flash of purple smoke, and Twilight was amongst them again. This time Applejack didn't so much as blink. Her mind was set firmly on the rainbow Pegasus behind those double doors.
"Applejack, I've notified your family on where you are, and what happened. Big Macintosh said that it was fine, and that he'd finish off the rest of the work. He also said for you to take your time."
"Th-thank ya, Twilight." Applejack then turned to the four at large, and said, "But y'all still haven't answered me. How did y'all find out abou' Rainbow? Wh-what happened?"
The four friends looked at each other again. Twilight stepped forward.
"We don't know what happened. I was sitting in my library, as usual, reading up on a new spell, when I heard a wild yell. It sounded familiar, so I ran out quickly. But before I could see what it was, Spike shouted out 'It's Rainbow Dash!' The minute he said it, I knew it was true, the voice was Rainbow's. I bolted outside, and saw a rainbow spiralling towards the ground over near Fluttershy's place.
"I instantly began to run over, telling Spike to get help. I met Pinkie Pie and Rarity on the way, who also heard the commotion. We all ran over to where I thought I saw the rainbow disappear. It was right near Fluttershy's place, so she was already there when we arrived."
Fluttershy picked it up from there, "I heard a huge crash, and it was very scary. But then I heard a groan, so I quickly went over to see if I could help… and I saw Rainbow… And… and she… she was injured. I did what I could. It was lucky when Twilight, Pinkie Pie and Rarity showed up. We just got Rainbow to the hospital… and that's when Twilight went to get you."
Applejack looked at the doors to the operating room. Rainbow Dash, her love, her heartache, was behind that door. Tears came to her eyes, and she felt a lump rise in her throat. But she held them back and stood determinedly, looking at the doors. Willing for her plucky young Pegasus to pull through. She had to pull through. Applejack was counting on it. She couldn't lose her rainbow again.
Note: Posted onto FiMFiction by Arby Works with permission from Lonewolf.007. All credit goes to him for his fanfic, please check it out here or on FanFiction.
Mr. Masato/Arby Works.