//------------------------------//
// The Running Mare 
// Story: Apples Don't Fall Far from the Tree 
// by BronyDad 
//------------------------------//


Chapter 7


The Running Mare


The first thing that she became aware of was the cold, second was the water soaking her coat, and then came the pain.  	

With a long moan, Applejack slowly opened her eyes and found herself lying on a steep bank with only her head and forelegs above the water.  She spat out a small mouthful of mud before dragging herself out of the water and slumping back to the ground.  	

She felt as if she had just been hit by a runaway carriage.  Her entire body ached, all of her joints were sore, and to top it all off, she also had a splitting headache.  

Gritting her teeth, Applejack tenderly climbed to her hooves, and with a shudder, recalled her brutal impact with the lake.

She had hit the water with a bone-jarring force that she had felt even in the roots of her teeth.  As the swirling depths seemed to swallow her, and her lungs screamed for air, all she could think of was how much her family needed her.  With a renewed ferocity, she had determinedly fought her way to the surface, and had somehow managed to reach the steep bank before passing out.

Applejack grimaced as she began to stretch in an attempt to work out some of the stiffness.  After a moment, she turned her gaze up to the waterfall and reflected on how lucky she had been.

That thing had nearly caught her, and she knew that she had only escaped because she had jumped off the waterfall.  If it had come for her in the middle of the forest, she wouldn't have had anywhere to go.  It would have had her.

Her ears up and alert as she gazed about her surroundings in the faint evening light, Applejack finally sighed with relief.

She felt pretty certain that she had lost her stalker.  Unless it could fly, it had a long descent ahead of it, and Applejack meant to be far away from the lake by the time it arrived.	

Unsure which way to go, Applejack recalled that the river had been running east.  With no other option, she decided to head the same direction that the waterfall was facing.  

As she gingerly started off in what she hoped was the right direction, Applejack once again wondered what her pursuer could possibly be.

Whatever it is, it ain't anything from this world, Applejack mused.  How in the hay did it know my name?  And why do I always get so cold whenever it comes near?

But there was an even bigger question floating around in her mind.  A question that overshadowed all the others.  A question that Applejack was trying not to dwell on.

Why was it trying to turn her against her friends?

Now, she understood that the hatred she had been feeling was caused by her stalker.  Somehow, it knew when she was thinking of her friends, and filled her mind with hate.  Then, while she was preoccupied with the hate, it stealthily began to probe at her mind.  

The realization that it was attacking her mind instead of her body did nothing to absolve her fear of the loathsome creature.  Although her head was throbbing and her body was exhausted, she pushed herself to move faster, eager to put as much distance between herself and her pursuer as possible.

It wasn't long, however, before she noticed that the light was beginning to fade.  Knowing that she had less than half an hour before it would be completely dark, Applejack began to closely survey her surroundings.

Fortunately, her eyes landed on a large thicket, and lying flat on her stomach, she wiggled beneath the bushes.  Curling into a tight ball, Applejack felt certain that she was well hidden and could rest safely.  

She brushed her mane out of her face, then scowled as she realized that she had lost her hair tie in the lake.    

Applejack couldn't stand the feel of her mane on the back of her neck, so she always kept it tied back.  She also didn't like her tail hanging loose.  She just felt more secure when it was tied back.  It was just a silly quirk of hers; one that Rainbow Dash often teased her about.            

"Go swallow your bit, Dash," Applejack grumbled as she imagined the Pegasus's reaction to her losing her tie.

Closing her eyes and rubbing her temples, Applejack wondered what Rainbow Dash was doing right at that moment.

"No doubt she's flyin' all round the forest all frantic like searchin' for me," she stated out loud.

She harbored no doubt that this was true.  The two of them had instantly taking a liking to one another from the moment they had first met.  She supposed that the mutual attraction stemmed from the fact that they both fancied themselves athletes, and that they both loved to compete.      

Grateful to have something to take her mind off of her throbbing head, Applejack allowed her mind to drift back to their first encounter.

It had been right smack in the middle of Applebuck Season, and Applejack had been alone working the eastern orchard.  

After delivering a solid kick to a tall, thick apple tree, a voice suddenly exclaimed, "Woah, that was awesome!"  Startled, Applejack whipped around, but found the orchard around her deserted.  As she scratched her head with confusion, she heard the voice again.  "You totally knocked every single apple loose with just one kick!"

She glanced up to find a sky blue Pegasus hovering directly above her.  "Do it again," the Pegasus said with anticipation.

Slightly amused, Applejack made her way to the next tree, and with a tremendous blow, knocked every last apple into the barrels below.

"That's amazing!" the Pegasus declared as she landed lightly on the ground.  Taking a moment to size her up, she stated, "With legs that powerful, I'd bet you're one heck of a runner."

"You'd better believe it," Applejack said, still unsure what to make of this sudden visitor.

Offering her a friendly grin, the Pegasus stepped forward and held out a hoof.  "The name's Rainbow Dash.  I'm the new weather pony assigned to Ponyville."

Applejack accepted Rainbow Dash's hoof with a smile of her own.  "Nice to meet ya, Rainbow Dash.  I'm Applejack."

"This is a nice place you got here," Rainbow Dash complimented as she glanced around her.  "I just arrived today and my weather duties start tomorrow.  I figured I should stop by here and introduce myself, since, you know, we'll be working so closely together to care for your crops."

"Well, that was mighty thoughtful of ya," Applejack commented, genuinely pleased.  "We had all sorts of trouble with that last weather pony."

"Yeah, I've heard," Rainbow Dash told her.  "But you've got nothing to worry about with me on the job.  I'd never leave anypony hanging.  If you're scheduled rain, you're gonna get rain."

"That's great to hear," Applejack said.  Then she turned and pointed toward the distant tree line.  "Have ya been properly warned bout the Everfree Forest?"

Rainbow Dash waved a hoof dismissively.  "Yeah, but is it really that much to worry about?"

"It is for us out here on the farm," Applejack warned.  "The Everfree ain't like other forests.  It sends clouds over the farm on a daily basis, and some of them are full of rain.  If ya ain't careful, we could get too much water down here, and that could ruin an entire harvest."

Rainbow Dash frowned.  "Hmm, that must be what they were talking about when they told me that this was a difficult job."  After a moment, she shrugged.  "All right, so some stray clouds and irregular air currents, huh?  It's cool.  I can totally handle them in my sleep."

Applejack grinned as she listened to the cocky Pegasus.  This was a pony with no hidden agendas, she knew.  This pony was always going to tell it to you straight, and she was good for her word.

Rainbow Dash turned her attention to a nearby tree.  After taking a moment to prod it with a hoof, she cocked an eyebrow.  "You mind if I give this a go?"

Applejack chuckled.  "Knock yourself out."

She studied the tree for another moment, then carefully positioned herself, and lifting both hind legs into the air, kicked the tree as hard as she could.

Gazing up at the apples still hanging from the tree, Rainbow Dash shook her head.  "Not a single one..."  She turned back to Applejack.  "It's not as easy as you make it look.  I'm impressed." 

Just then, an apple fell from the tree and bonked Rainbow Dash on the head.  

Unable to help herself, Applejack began to laugh at the startled expression on the Pegasus's face.

"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up now, you country bumpkin," Rainbow Dash teased.  "I'd still kick your tail in a race any day of the week."

"I hope ya mean to kick it harder than ya kicked that there tree," Applejack retorted.

Rainbow Dash laughed and smacked her hard on the shoulder.  "I like you, A.J., I can't wait to hook up with you and see what you're made of."  Leaping back into the air, she inquired, "Is there anything else you can think of that I need to know?"

Applejack began to shake her head, but then paused.  "Actually, there is another pony, lives bout a half mile north of here in a small cottage.  She has a bit of a garden goin' there, and lots of critters rely on her.  You may want to introduce yourself to her as well."

"Right."  Rainbow Dash nodded.  "I'll head over there now.  What's her name?"

"Fluttershy," Applejack began, "but you'll want to..."

"Fluttershy!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.  "No way!  Fluttershy lives here?!"

Startled by Rainbow Dash's reaction, Applejack hesitantly confirmed, "Uh...yeah."

"I haven't seen her since Summer Flight Camp!" Rainbow Dash said with a small, excited backward flip in the air.  "We were great friends when we were younger.  I can't wait to visit her!  Won't she be surprised to see me?!"

Smiling at Rainbow Dash's excitement, Applejack stated, "That's great to hear.  Fluttershy don't have too many friends, I'm glad somepony that knows her is here now."

Rainbow Dash waved as she flew higher into the sky.  "I'll catch ya tomorrow," she called down, "and we'll discuss your rain schedule."

Concealed in the thicket, Applejack smiled despite her pain and drifted off to sleep.

For several hours she slept peacefully, but then she suddenly began to thrash about.  Soon, she was shivering uncontrollably, her breath pluming as it escaped her in quick gasps while she mumbled fearfully in her sleep.

Without warning, she bolted upright shouting, "They're my friends!"

Crying out in alarm, she fought against the groping claws of her assailant until she fell backward and realized that she had been struggling with a bush.

Breathing heavily, Applejack surveyed her surroundings to ensure that she was alone as the nightmare once again quickly faded from memory.  The forest around her was still cloaked in shadows, but glancing up at the sky, she saw that it was beginning to glow with the early rays of morning light.  

For the next half hour, Applejack paced in a small circle around the thicket in order to work out the stiffness in her joints.  She also stooped down to munch on the occasional flower from time to time in an attempt to appease her raging appetite.  

Once it was light enough to see, Applejack formed a ring of rocks on the ground, then began to collect whatever wood she could find.  She knew that the Pegasi would be searching for her, and if she could get a good fire started, the smoke would lead them straight to her.  

After gathering a nice pile of wood, as well as some small twigs and leaves for kindling, Applejack set to work and had a fire started within a minute.  Quickly adding wood, she soon had a considerable sized blaze, and with a triumphant smile, turned her head skyward to watch the smoke rise over the canopy.

Abruptly, the fire extinguished.  Surprised, Applejack stared at the remains for several long moments.  It looked as though the fire had gone out days before, there weren't even any glowing embers.

Warily, Applejack reached out and placed a hoof on the blackened wood, and found it cold to the touch.  

Applejack blinked.  "That's...not possible..."

She tried again, and again, but every time the flame would suddenly snuff out.  

It didn't make any sense.  How could a fire go out so quickly, and leave the wood so cold?  What was going on in this forest?

Finally, she gave up on the fire and continued her trek east.

As she walked, her joints slowly worked the soreness out, and once she had found a large cluster of the tall, bright yellow Goldenrod flower and eaten her fill, her headache lessened considerably.    

Soon, Applejack noticed that the ground was sloping downward slightly and was gradually growing softer while the trees grew shorter and more sparse.  Not long after, her hooves sank into muck with every step as she was forced to periodically duck beneath low hanging branches and vines.     

Swatting at a thick cloud of gnats and slipping in a small pool of murky water, Applejack muttered, "I hate swamps."

Unexpectedly, a low growl emitted from behind a dense wall of brush.  Her heart leaping into her throat, Applejack whirled around in time to see a massive manticore emerge.  

Easily twice her height, with four huge paws each nearly the size of her body, the manticore gazed hungrily down at her.  Peeling back its lips to reveal long, curved fangs, the beast lifted its large scorpion tail over its head threateningly.  

"Oh my," Applejack gasped as she slowly backed away from the terrifying creature.  "Where's Fluttershy when I need her?"

The manticore growled menacingly as it crouched low to the ground.  

"Uh..." Applejack said fearfully.  "I don't suppose ya got a thorn stuck in your paw, do ya?"

Snarling savagely, the huge beast lunged forward, swiping a massive paw at the startled pony.  Quickly leaping to the side, Applejack stared in horrid fascination as its claws rent a three inch deep gash into the trunk of a nearby tree.

Blinded by panic, Applejack turned and galloped as fast as she could, and heard the manticore immediately give pursuit.  Glancing behind her, she saw it unfurl its bat-like wings and launch into the air.  

Looking ahead, she found a thick log that was propped up on a small pile of rocks directly in front of her.  Aided by the wet ground, Applejack expertly slid underneath the obstacle.

As she passed beneath, the manticore's tail punctured the log, the tip of the stinger missing Applejack's face by mere inches.  Then the entire log was lifted high into the air.

With a tremendous roar, the beast arched its tail back and catapulted the log straight toward her.  

"No, no, no, no, no," Applejack cried as she forced herself to run faster.  Hearing the log hit behind her and bounce, she quickly dove to the ground.  It soared over her head and crashed into a small group of trees in a deafening explosion of splintering wood.

Scrambling to find solid purchase on the slippery grass, Applejack leaped forward just as the manticore landed where she had been lying seconds before.  Seeing the tail descending upon her, she rolled to the side as the stinger sank into the ground right next to her.

Applejack frantically propelled herself backward across the soggy ground with her hind legs as the stinger continuously plunged downward, until it became stuck in the soft earth.

While the manticore struggled to free itself, Applejack climbed to her hooves and sprinted away.  Her desperate gaze found a small rock formation several yards away and she turned toward it, hoping she could reach it in time.              

Yanking its tail free and sending chucks of earth soaring through the air, the manticore bounded after her.  Its larger steps allowing it to quickly gain on its fleeing prey, the massive beast bellowed in rage as it closed in for the kill.

Just then, Applejack entered a shallow pool of water, and her hooves suddenly shot out from beneath her.  With a cry, she crashed down hard on her side and slid several feet.

Behind her, the manticore slipped as well, and tumbled past her.  As she galloped around it, the beast tried to lunge for her, but slipped again.

As she reached the rock formation, Applejack hurriedly stood on her hind legs and squeezed into a gap between the rocks.  Seconds later, the manticore was there, furiously clawing at the rocks.  With an angry roar, the beast circled the rock formation, pounding it with its massive paws. 

Watching as several rocks above her were dislodged and fell to the ground, Applejack quickly formed a plan.     

She waited for the manticore to go to the far side, and once it started clawing at the rocks, she quickly exited the gap.  Standing on her forelegs, she coiled both hind legs tightly against her body, and then, with all of her might, she kicked the rock wall.

The solid blow she dealt combined with the manticore's strength proved too much for the formation.  Hastily backpedaling to avoid the falling rocks, Applejack watched as it toppled over onto the manticore.  	  

Once all the dust and debris settled, Applejack discovered the manticore lying on the ground, its back half pinned down by the rubble.  As she watched, the huge beast tried to drag itself out, but was unable to move.

"Heavens to Betsy, that was close!"  Applejack sighed with relief as she flopped over onto her side to catch her breath.  She lay there and listened to the manticore grunting and snarling as it tried to break free for several moments before hollering, "Oh, be quiet!  Ya brought this on yourself."

Applejack looked around and realized that she had no idea which way to go.  Casting her gaze above, she found that she had an unobstructed view of the sky, and did her best to determine east by the position of the sun.

As she started off, the manticore bellowed at her.  It was much lower than the others, and it sounded so pitiful that Applejack came to a hesitant halt.

Studying the massive beast, she realized that it would never be able to free itself.  

Oh well, it made its own bed.  Now its gotta sleep in it.

She turned away, and took three steps before coming to a halt once more.

It was just an animal, no different than the ones that Fluttershy took care of.  Sure, it had attacked her, but wasn't it just looking for food like every other critter around?  Did it really deserve to lie there, trapped beneath the rocks until it starved?

Understanding the high risk involved, and knowing that she could very well regret what she was about to do, Applejack made her decision.

Applejack trotted around to the creature's hindquarters, giving its head a wide berth, and began removing the rocks.

"Ya know, my Pa taught me a lot of things," Applejack told it as she struggled to shove a considerable sized rock off one of its back paws.  "Like how important it is to be dependable, and the value of hard work.  But it was my Ma that shaped me into the pony I am today.  

"She showed me the importance of honesty and integrity.  Of always doin' what's right, and lookin' out for others.  Every choice I ever made in this life has been heavily influenced by her."

She paused to look the trapped creature straight in the eyes.  "She also taught me to always forgive others, and to never hold a grudge.  She always said that I should try to see things from the other's point of view."         

Stepping back, she watched the manticore free itself and climb to its feet.  Although she was very frightened, Applejack held her ground as she concluded.  "It's because of her and her beliefs that I helped ya.  I sure hope you're grateful."

For a long moment, the manticore and the pony stood there motionless, staring at one another.  Both held the other's gaze evenly, and neither showed any signs of submission.  

Her muscles tense and ready to react at a second's notice, Applejack watched the unreadable features of the manticore's face as she wondered what it would do next.   

Suddenly, the manticore extended its wings and launched itself into the air.  Circling overhead for a moment, during which it peered down at her for a final time, it swooped around and flew out of sight.

"Well, I'll be a suck egg mule," Applejack muttered in disbelief.  "I reckon that manticore understood me.  Or at least understood what I did for it."

Still gazing at the spot she had last seen the creature, Applejack shook her head in wonder, then turned away and headed east once more.

Applejack couldn't help but feel proud of what she had done.  She knew helping the manticore had been the right thing to do.  Thinking of her mother, she knew that she would have been proud as well.

As if she had opened a door that had remained shut for years, memories of her mother began to swirl through her head.  While the memories were painful and she generally tried to avoid them, this time she embraced them and allowed her mind to follow them into her past.

"Applejack, what happened to my lamp?"

"Uh..."  Applejack's eyes darted everywhere around the room except for her mother's face as she answered, "Nothin'."

Her mother cocked an eyebrow.  "If nothing happened to my lamp, then why is it broken?"

Squirming beneath her mother's stern gaze, she exclaimed, "It was Big Mac!  I-I saw him do it!"

"Applejack," her mother said warningly.  "What have I told you about lying?"

Applejack lowered her eyes and poked at the floorboards with a hoof.  "I was playin' with my ball, and it bounced too high and knocked it over."

With a frown, her mother shook her head.  "How many times do I have to tell you not to play with that ball inside the house?"

"I'm sorry, Ma," Applejack sniffed.  "Are ya mad at me?"

She favored the little filly with a smile.  "No, my sweet little apple, I'm not mad.  I just wish you would learn to be more honest."

"But your lamp is busted," Applejack pointed out uncertainly.

"Oh, I never liked this thing," she admitted.  "My mother bought us this lamp, and she has horrible taste in home decor."

Unable to help herself, Applejack giggled at her mother's words, but then turned serious.  "Ma, why don't you like your mommy?"

"Oh, uh..."  Her mother hesitated, obviously surprised by the question.  "I like her just fine, sweetie.  We just don't get along very well these days."

"Why?"

"Well, to start, she isn't very happy that I became a farmer's wife," her mother explained.  "She wanted me to stay in the city."

"And she don't like Pa...does she?" Applejack pressed.

"No, I'm afraid not," she confirmed.

"Why?"

Her mother paused for a moment before answering.  "As you know, I was a schoolteacher in Manehattan, and there was this stallion that had been courting me for several months named Moneypenny.  He was very rich.  He owned several banks in the city, and my mother wanted me to marry him."

"But you didn't like him," Applejack observed.  "Did ya, Ma?"

"No."  She smiled.  "I didn't.  He was so dishonest.  He would say anything to earn a new client, and he cheated several ponies out of their money.  I simply wasn't interested in spending the rest of my life with somepony like that."

"And that's when you met Pa, right?" Applejack said expectantly.

"That's right."  Her mother nodded as she turned and gazed lovingly at their wedding picture hanging on the nearby wall.  "Your father came out of nowhere, and he was just so handsome and charming.  But most importantly, he was honest.  While he was staying in Manehattan, I went everywhere he went, and watched how he dealt with his customers.  Unlike Moneypenny, who always became fake around his clients, your father was always himself.  He treated his customers the way he treated everypony else, and he was good for his word."

"So..." Applejack concluded.  "You chose him instead of Moneypenny, and that's why your mommy don't like daddy?"

"Yes," she answered.  "As far as my mother is concerned, your Pa stole me away and ruined my life.  She'll never understand that I'm happier than I could ever be with that dreadful Moneypenny."

"And you got us now!" Applejack exclaimed with a bright grin.

Her mother laughed.  "That's right!"

Staring at the picture on the wall, Applejack suddenly asked, "How did ya first meet Pa?"

"Oh, it was an unexpected accident.  And it was love at first sight, just like in your storybooks that we read together."  Her beautiful green eyes shining brightly, she continued, "I was walking down the street, looking over a particularly long essay one of my students had written, and wasn't watching where I was going.  Your father didn't see me until the last second, and tipped his entire apple cart to avoid hitting me.      

"Even though his cart was damaged and his apples were spilled all over the street, he was more worried about me.  I felt so terrible.  But when I apologized, he just gave me that big handsome smile of his, and I was swooned."

Just then, her father stepped into the room.  "Hey honey, I'm gonna run into town for a little bit.  Filthy Rich wants me to do some repairs on his back porch.  It shouldn't take me too long."

Crossing the room, her mother said softly, "I hope not," then kissed him deeply. 

His eyes grew wide as his hat slipped off his head.  "W-what was that for?" he stammered breathlessly once she released him.

She smiled sweetly.  "For being the perfect husband."  Turning to Applejack, she said, "Now run along, my sweet little apple, and finish your chores.  Lunch will be ready soon."

Prancing out of the room, Applejack stopped in the doorway and called, "I love ya Ma, I love ya Pa!"

"Love you too!" her parents echoed together.         

Tears running freely down her face, Applejack turned her gaze toward the sky as she continued her trek through the swamp.  Without warning, something passed by overhead.  Blinking, it took her a moment to realize that it was a Pegasus.  

Her heart pounding with excitement, she galloped after the pony, yelling as loud as she could.  "Help!  Down here, I'm down here!  Hel-"

Running at full speed and looking up at the sky, Applejack failed to see the steep incline and tumbled over the edge.

Applejack closed her eyes and did her best to protect her head as she bounced and rolled down the rough terrain.  Powerless to stop her brutal descent, she cried out in pain as she violently crashed through a thick bush, its branches scratching her forelegs and face painfully, her shoulder collided savagely with a large rock, and her back leg banged against the trunk of a tree. 

And then it happened.

As she lifted her forelegs to try to stop her descent, her right leg got caught under an exposed root.  Abruptly, she came to a halt as she both heard and felt the snap in her leg.  

She screamed as white hot spikes shot up to her shoulder and down to her hoof.  Gasping, she yanked her leg loose and rolled to the bottom.

Slowly raising herself up with just her left leg, she gingerly raised her right leg and applied pressure.  Immediately, the horrible stabbing pain returned, and with another scream, she collapsed.  Sobbing in agony, she cradled her injured leg close to her body. 

It was all over now.  Nopony was going to find her down here, and she was never going to be able to climb back up.  She knew that she was going to lie in this very spot until she starved to death, was discovered by a predator, or worst of all, she was found by whatever had been stalking her.

"Apple Bloom...I'm so sorry," Applejack whispered as she lay her head down in defeat.