The midday sun beat down on the apple trees across Sweet Apple Acres. Being midsummer, it was unbearably hot and humid. Such were the working conditions for the Apple family. However, this didn’t seem to bother any of the hard working earth ponies.
Applejack picked up her right hind leg and gave it a fierce buck against the tree behind her. The sound of her hoof colliding with the bark made a loud thud. Many apples of varying colors fell to the ground below.
“There, that should do ‘em!” said the sweating pony. Her mane was matted and soaked with sweat. Even her hat was a darker shade of brown due to the accumulation of perspiration that drenched it. For the past week Applejack was hard at work, trying to gather up every last apple. It was Apple Bucking Season again.
As she gathered up the stray fruit that didn’t fall in the baskets, a lumbering pony approached her. Her attention turned to her now present brother, Big Macintosh.
“Mighty fine work, huh? Got all of ta-day’s quota and even time to spare,” she boasted as she wiped her brow.
“Nope,” the large crimson pony retorted, pointing his hoof towards the west.
“The hay?!” she responds, beholding the unharvested trees. Much like the time when Big Mac was injured, she was working double time. The added heat didn’t make matters any easier. Now, with the extra work before her, she came to a breaking point.
“T’aint fair!” stomping a hoof on the ground, “T’aint fair at all! Ah work all tha time and it seems nothin’ ever gets done ‘round these parts!” Her head hung low for a moment before looking back upward to the sky, “Ah hate ta say this, but Ah’m getting’ mighty tired of nothin’ ever changin’.”
Just then, a smaller pony with a big bow in her mane came up behind Applejack, “Heya, sis. Whatcha goin’ on about?” her expression that of curiosity.
“Aw, nothin’, Applebloom,” sighing out of frustration, “Ah’m jist tired of tha same ol’, same ol’.” Applebloom bucked her head against her bigger sister a couple times, “C’mon, AJ. It’s not all that bad. It’s just like Granny always says,” doing her best Granny Smith impersonation, “’you should always be happy with what you got. You might lose it before you know it.’ Hard work ain’t all bad, big sis.”
Applejack looked over at her sister with pure exhaustion, “Ah’m not complaining about hard work, Applebloom. Ah’m complaining about everything bein’ tha same all tha time. It’s always work, work, work and no play here lately. Why, Ah don’t even think Twi or the others have had any adventures. It’s just, just…”
“Yes?” questioned Applebloom.
“It’s just boring and Ah’m getting’ tired of it!” Applejack snapped back at her younger sister.
Applebloom sank down, “Oh, Ah’m sorry sis. Ah didn’t mean ta upset ya,” tears began welling up around her eyes, “Ah was just tryin’ ta help.” Her lip quivering as her head lowered in sadness.
Applejack knelt down beside her, putting her arm around her saddened sister. “Gee, Ah’m sorry, Applebloom. Ah’m not mad at ya. Ah’m jist tired of everything being tha same. Why doesn’t somethin’ different ever happen?”
Getting back to her hooves, Applebloom stands in a funny stance, imitating Granny Smith once more. Clearing her throat and doing another vocal imitation “Tha same ain’t always bad now, little filly. Sometimes new ain’t good.”
Applejack laughed at the impersonation, “Ha, that’s purdy good there, Applebloom.” Her face returned to its former expression of sadness, “Ah bet Twi and tha others are having a better time than Ah am, though.”
“Then, why don’t you go see them, sis?” the tiny pony jumped about, “Ah always go see mah friends when Ah’m in tha dumps!”
“Yeah,” she replies,” Ah reckon Ah will. Ah mean, Twi surely has something planned or maybe Rainbow is interested in a competition of some sort.”
She made her way into Ponyville, delighting in the cool breeze that wafted about her blonde mane. As she looked up at the sky she noticed that it was a dull shade of blue. It wasn’t as bright and extravagant as it usually seemed. Maybe all this hard work has been meesin’ with mah mind, she thought to herself. Even the scenery ran together and the song of the birds was left unheard.
The door to the Ponyville library stood before her. Opening the door, she noticed Twilight and Rarity hard at work. Untold amounts of books were strewn about. Curtains, statuettes and other objects were haphazardly placed about the main room. It was cluttered with the exception of where the two unicorns stood.
“What in tarnation is going on in here?” Applejack asked the two, as she looked around.
“Oh, Applejack!” greeted Twilight, “I wasn’t expecting you to come around. Isn’t it Apple Bucking Season?”
The earth pony looked down and scratched her hoof against the floor a couple of times. “Yeah, but Ah got kinda tired and figured Ah come around and see what everypony is up to.”
“Why dahling~,” interjected Rarity, “It simply isn’t like you to become tired of your manual labor.”
Twilight nodded, “Yeah, you’re always boasting about how you’re going to buck more trees than the last Apple Bucking Season.” Giving her an inquisitive look, “Do you need help again?”
Applejack jolted her head back in surprise, “Why, Ah have never heard any such nonsense. Ah was jus’ comin’ around ta see if there was anything that Ah could do ta help. Ya know, like with an adventure or somethin’”
Twilight and Rarity looked at one another and then back at Applejack. “Dahling~,” called Rarity in her usual smooth tone as she walked over to her orange friend, “we were redecorating the library. You see, Twilight was in dire need of this fashion intervention. Isn’t that right, Twilight?”
The purple unicorn’s expression was unenthusiastic, “Yeah,” she stated flatly, “dire need.”
“Well,” interrupted Applejack, “might Ah be of some assistance? Looks like ya’ll have a few things that Ah could help hang.”
“Unless you want to assist Rarity with decorating tips, we’re okay here!” Twilight turned her attention back to hanging a picture on the wall, using levitation from her horn.
Applejack turned and faced the door, “Nah, thanks anyway Twi. Ah’ll jus’ be on mah way.”
Without another word, she was on her way out the door and on her way. The day was still stale and boring. That’s it! She said inwardly as an epiphany presented itself, Pinkie is never doing anything stale or boring. Ah am sure to be busy with her for a while.
She dashed off to Sugarcube Corner, in hopes that Pinkie would be willing to let her assist with any Pinkie-related task that was at hand, or at hoof. Her excitement grew as she reached the pastry shop. All the thoughts of possible unusual and fun tasks brought a smile back to her face.
When she reached her destination, she noticed a note on the door. It read:
“Dear Applejack,
I figured you’d probably get bored and decide to come see me. Guess it’s the Pinkie Sense. I don’t know, maybe it’s a hunch. Though, I had a different hunch earlier today. That makes it a bunch of hunches. It’s so fun to say! Bunch-hunch-bunch-hunch-bunch-hunch. Wait, where was I again?
Oh, right. I’m super-duper busy today. Right now, I’m making rainbow cupcakes. And I’m not talking about the kind of cupcakes that are in that creepy fanfiction, silly! Oh, and I’m working on a big-mumbo-jumbo-super-huge secret project that Twilight said I couldn’t tell you about. So, don’t ask, okay?
Your besty westy friend,
Pinkie!”
Applejack frowned in disappointment. Her anticipation was completely broken. Now what was she going to do? Twilight and Rarity are redecorating, Pinkie is preoccupied with who knows what, and Fluttershy… Fluttershy! Thinking aloud, Fluttershy could probably use some help with her animal friends. Heck, Ah still owe her for the whole bunny-round up gone wrong.
Fluttershy was walking outside of her cottage when Applejack arrived. Angel eagerly awaited the plate of feed that the Pegasus was bringing him. “There you go, Angel.” Fluttershy softly spoke.
“Howdy, Fluttershy!” Applejack greeted aloud, making her way towards her.
The soft-spoken pegasus’ ears turn to lay down on her head before she turned to see Applejack trotting towards her. “Oh,” she said almost inaudibly, “Applejack. Hey.”
“Got anything ya need help with, sugarcube?” she inquired with a huge smile on her face, hopeful of a positive reply.
“Well, uh…” pausing to look down, “I don’t really have anything that I, um, need help with.”
“No animal troubles?”
“No, they’re fine.”
“Anything need movin’?”
“I’m fine…”
Applejack sighed out of frustration, “Jist fahn.”
“Oh… I’m sorry, Applejack. I didn’t really know that you were going to come around. Sorry.” Fluttershy frowned and looked away.
“It’s fahn, sugarcube. Maybe Rainbow will feel up to a competition, er somethin’,” Applejack explained, walking away. Rainbow Dash was her last hope. I shoulda gone ta her first, thought Applejack, she’s always wanting me to help her out with some extreme somethin’ or another. She may even want me to race her. Yeah, that’s it!
Applejack galloped off to find her azure winged friend. This had to be the high point of her day! She was going to do something that actually got her blood pumping and exercised her competitive nature.
“Rainbow! Rainbow!” called Applejack at Rainbow Dash’s cloud home that floated overhead. Yet, there was no answer. Where is that Technicolor yahoo, anyways? She questioned herself.
Out of the corner of her eye a blue pony came limping towards her. It was Rainbow Dash, but there was something different about her. It was the cast on her left front leg.
“Heya, AJ!” greeted the rainbow adorned pegasus, “what are doing here?”
“Rainbow!” Applejack addressed her with great concern, “What happened to you? Are you alright?”
“Pfft, this?” raising her injured leg, “It’s nothing. Just sprained it pretty bad today doing a new trick that I am sure that will impress the Wonderbolts at the next Grand Galloping Gala!”
Giving a half-smirk, Applejack retorted, “Yeah, Ah’m sure it impressed the doctor pretty good.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Rainbow’s wings flew open in angst, “Are you saying I’m getting soft or something?”
Applejack’s face lit up with a confident smile. This was it! She was going to coax Rainbow into a fierce race that would leave the two of them panting in exhaustion. “Maybe…” laughing snidely, “Wanna do something about it like a… race?”
“Why, I-“ Rainbow stomped her left foot on the ground, “Owowowow!” she picked up her hoof in agony. “Sorry, AJ. I don’t think I can race you today.” Her face lit up with the same confident smirk as Applejack’s, “But when I get better, I’m gonna leave you in the dust!”
Applejack’s heart sank. She felt bad for her injured friend, but at the same time she felt the hugest surge of disappointment. This meant her entire day was a bust. By the look of Rainbow’s injured leg, she probably wouldn’t be able to run for a while.
“Heh, yeah. Ah can’t wait,” trying to feign enthusiasm. She began to walk off with her head lowered.
“Aw, c’mon AJ, I’ll be able to race you before you know it!” called Rainbow as she started to fly upward to her levitating home.
“Yeah…” sighed the downhearted earth pony. That was it. Everything was boring to her now. What was she to do? Apple Bucking Season was still in full swing and none of her friends were able to play or go on any adventures with her. Surely she would die of overworking or boredom.
Night finally covered Equestria. The birds quieted down and rested their voices for the new day that would begin as they awoke. Crickets and other insects sang their nocturnal song as fireflies lit Applejack’s walk home. Though, she hardly noticed anything except the path in front of her. The only place she wanted to be was in her bed back at Sweet Apple Acres.
The rest of the Apple family was asleep around the time she made her way inside. Gee, this day was a sure ‘nuff downer. Ah wish something would just happen to make things interesting again. This is just boring. Nothing at all to do…
The door closed to her room. It was finally time for her to lie down for the night. She pulled the covers back to her bed as she crawled in between the sheets. After she stretched her aching muscles, she pulled the soft covers over her. Her head nestled into the pillow on her bed.
“Maybe tomorrow will be better,” she quietly muttered to herself, “and things will be more interesting. Yeah,” her thoughts dwelt on the possibilities of what would happen in the upcoming day until she fell asleep.
The sun rose and shined a bright light into Applejack’s room. Its warm rays gleamed across her eyes, causing her to stir. This was the usual way she awoke. She tried to block the light with her right hoof, moving about between the sheets. Finally, her eyes opened.
She stretched and moved out of bed, “Well, time for another day of apple bucking,” she stated sleepily. Her hooves tapped against the hardwood floor as she made her way past the door frame of her room. Something was different this morning. It was quiet. Usually, Big Mac was heard clopping his hooves as he busily walks throughout the house while Applebloom is chattering about her planned adventures for the day. Granny Smith is usually singing a song from her filly days. No, this morning it was eerily silent.
Applejack paid it no mind except for when she walked past Granny Smith’s room. The sounds of sniffles were heard from the corridor. Ah wonder what’s got Granny Smith all sad? She wondered as she walked into the room. It wasn’t Granny Smith crying, but Big Mac and Applebloom.
“What’s all tha fuss about?” Applejack asked, stepping her way closer to the two weeping ponies.
Granny Smith appeared to be asleep in her bed. However, she didn’t seem as peaceful as she usually is when she slumbers. Her expression was more that of distress. She didn’t seem to be waking either. In fact, she didn’t appear to be breathing.
“Why’s Granny Smith still asleep? She’s usually up and going before we are.” Applejack became worried.
Applebloom turned her head towards her sister. Tears had been streaming down her face. Her wails were very audible. She tried to form sentences, but could only stutter out unintelligible babble.
“Well,” added Applejack worriedly, “what happened?”
Finally, Applebloom galloped out of the room, crying at the top of her tiny lungs.
Big Macintosh picked up a letter that rested by Granny Smith’s side. He presented it to Applejack. She couldn’t believe what she was about to read.
“Dear Apple Family,
We regret to inform you that your loved one, Braeburn, has been trampled to death in a stampeding accident. He was trying to get the attention of the oncoming buffalo to tell them of an obstruction in their path. Unfortunately, they did not see him until they were upon him.
Our doctors and nurses tried to tend to his wounds, but to no avail. I hope that you will take comfort in knowing that his passing was peaceful.
Deepest Regards,
Sheriff Silver Star”
Applejack immediately looked up at her brother in complete disbelief.
The news completely floored her. This wasn’t right. She didn’t get to say goodbye or anything. In fact, she didn’t even talk to her last night when she came through the door. The shock and guilt ate her alive. “This IS terrible,” tears starting to fall from her snout to the floor.
Slowly, she moved to her deceased grandmother. Though, she looked like she went in pain, she looked oddly at peace. Granny, more or less, raised the three ponies and now she was gone. She brought so much happiness to the Apple family and now she was silent.
“Ah… Ah’ll go get the undertaker.” Applejack softly said after a while of weeping and mourning.
“Okay,” Applebloom quietly answered.
“Eeyup,” Big Mac barely muttered as he choked down his tears.
After leaving, Applejack walked slowly into town. This wasn’t what she wanted when she was hoping that a new day would bring something new and exciting. No, she wanted something pleasant, not sad.
“Oh, Granny… Ah’m sure gonna miss ya. You were always there for me and taught me everything.”
Just then, an off-white earth pony came galloping toward Applejack in a hurry. Her mane was red and her cutie mark was that of a rose. It was Roseluck. She looked to be in utter distress. As she came more into view, her cries were heard more clearly.
“The horror! The horror!” she yelped, running directly towards Applejack.
“Not now, Rose. Ah ain’t got time for yer mellow dramatic problems,” rebutted Applejack, not making eye contact with the other pony.
“No, no! It’s horrible! Ponyville is burning down! We need help!” her hooves danced about frantically.
“What?! Burning down, ya say? What happened?”
“Mooyella was spooked by a stray rat and accidentally knocked over a lantern. It caught so many things on fire at once, we didn’t know what to do. Now, it’s burning the whole town down! Oh sweet Celestia, the horror!” the white pony rushed past Applejack in panic.
“Oh no, all mah friends need help. Especially Twi, since she’s in that tree!” She rushed off as fast as her four hooves would carry her, “Hold on! Ah’m a comin’!”
The smell of burning wood became stronger as she galloped closer to Ponyville. Today was turning out to be the worst day that she had ever experienced. Maybe if I can save the others, this’ll make tha day better.
The sight of scorched structures and burning buildings was mortifying. Panicking ponies ran about in chaos. Screams of pain and terror could be heard throughout the entire town. Many were trying to help one another, while others ran to save their own lives. This was truly the worst thing Ponyville had ever seen.
Applejack ran to the library. She hoped that Twilight wouldn’t be in there trapped. However, she feared the worst.
“Twi!” she cried towards the open window, “Are ya in there?”
The library was ablaze from the inside and outside. Branches fell, scattering burning embers around. A loud creaking noise made itself known from inside the hollowed out tree. It was the ceiling leaning inwards from the pressure of all the branches piling on top of it.
“Applejack!” replied Twilight through the blazing flames, “Help us! Rarity, Spike and I are trapped. The door is blocked. See if you can open it. Hurry!”
“Ah’m on it!” she shouted as she dashed to the door. Her hooves angrily dug at the debris that blocked their exit. Sweat dripped from her face, mixing with ashes that drifted in the air. Her arms ached as she moved huge broken limbs and wooden beams. “Just a little more…”
A loud crash came before a short and pain-filled yelp from within the library. Applejack looked up and saw smoke rushing outward. Her worst fears were confirmed. The roof collapsed with her three friends inside.
“Twilight! Rarity! Spike!” she cried out in desperation. Yet, there was no answer. All was quiet except for the sound of the chaos that rang throughout the town.
Everything seemed to slow down to her. First, she found out that Granny Smith and Braeburn died. Now, three of her closest friends were crushed right in front of her eyes. Although fire engulfed the town and its frantic citizens ran in confusion, she stood still.
Tears started flowing down her face yet again. As she stared up at the collapsed library, she felt completely numb. She couldn’t help them. She wasn’t there in time. They’re gone.
“No… Twi… Rarity… and poor ol’ Spike,” mournfully choking up the names of her fallen friends. All seemed lost. Before she fell any further into the sadness, she realized that there were others who still needed help.
“Pinkie!” thinking aloud, “Somehow, she might be able to help!”
Sugarcube Corner was just in sight within a matter of seconds. It was burning just the same as the library. Flames licked the roof from the windows. A shop, once filled with delighted ponies and fond memories, was burning down. The sight would be enough to depress anypony.
Mrs. and Mr. Cake stood outside with their two fillies; tears streaming down their face as they beheld their beloved shop crumble down in a blaze. As Applejack reached them, the sight of their pain and disgust became more apparent. Their whole life must have been poured into this store. Ah hope Pinkie got out safely!
“Applejack,” called Mr. Cake as Applejack approached them, “it’s just terrible.” His voice was distant and melancholy. Applejack knew how losing property could bring one down, especially when the culprits were parasprites. However, he looked like he lost something of deeper importance than a store.
“What’s that?” Applejack reluctantly asked, fearing the worst.
“It was your friend, Pinkie Pie,” Mrs. Cake finally answered after a moment of silence, her words choked in tears. “She made sure we were all out safely. Pound went back inside after we were all evacuated.” Her eyes drifted to the ground, “Pinkie ran back in to rescue him. A couple of firefighters ran in to rescue them. Pound was the only one they brought out. There were no others to be found alive.” Her glossy tear-drenched eyes locked with Applejack’s, “She died, Applejack. She died saving our little one.”
Applejack’s eyes widened in disbelief as her hind quarters failed her, causing her to sit on the ground. Now, Pinkie Pie was gone, burned in the very place that she chose to bring others joy and happiness. The happiest of the six was gone. The emptiness in Applejack’s heart that began this morning only grew bigger.
Guilt set in. Those harsh words that she said about her pink friend during the incident with the parasprites slapped her in the face. Then, the memory of laughing at her song she sang at Appleloosa presented itself. She never apologized to her or let her know how much of a good friend she was. No, what happened in the past was never atoned for and now her bouncy and uplifting friend was no more.
It was all Applejack could do to not outwardly bawl and cry. The loss of her friends ate at her more and more with every passing second. It only got worse in her mind.
Pinkie wanted everypony to smile. That’s all she ever wanted out of entire life ever since she saw that wonderful Rainboom in her filly days. Applejack fought the muscles in her mouth that made her frown.
Finally, she gave a saddened smile for her fallen friend. There wasn’t anything she could do for her, but give her the only thing she ever asked out of everypony. This was her final present.
Ah’ve got to keep moving and try to help everypony! Snapping back into the situation at hand, Maybe if Ah can round up Fluttershy and Rainbow, we can help everypony else.
It became difficult for her to move from the sight of what had just happened, yet she found enough strength to move on. Fluttershy’s cottage wasn’t too far off. It was far enough out of town that it wouldn’t be affected by the fire, not now at least.
Applejack busted through the door, frantically searching for her yellow friend. She searched through every room. Fluttershy wasn’t there. Where is that scardy-filly? Ah know she’s scared of her own shadow, but this ain’t no time ta be hiding!
After she ran back outside, she noticed that the smoke from the fire was creeping closer. The gluttonous flames were coming. She looked around and noticed Angel at the edge of the woods. Maybe he knew where his keeper was.
“Angel,” Applejack addressed the bunny as she ran towards him, “ya gotta tell me where Fluttershy is! This is an emergency!”
When she reached Angel, she noticed something disturbingly different about Fluttershy’s favorite pet. Instead of his gleamingly white coat of fur, he was blotched in a crimson red substance. His eyes showed an expression of fear and unexplainable shock.
“What’s wrong, boy? Are ya okay?”
Angel slowly shook his head. His paw arose, revealing a loch of Fluttershy’s soft and flowing mane. It looked like it had been ripped. Some of the crimson splotches soaked the delicate strands. The once attitude-filled cottontail was now filled with tremors.
Applejack pieced it all together. Fluttershy must’ve had an accident with one of her bigger animal friends that ended tragically. This had to be the case; otherwise Angel would’ve led her to her timid owner.
Then, it hit her. There’s probably nothing left of her. Whatever that monstrosity was, it must’ve ate her alive or at least mangled her beyond all recognition.
Nopony was around and the tragedy was too much to handle. It was safe for her to let her guard down and release the pain that had been building from within her since this morning.
As she began to outwardly weep, Angel came to her side. Applejack looked down to notice him tugging at her mane. She picked him up and held him as the two wept over their friends. Their tears met one another and created one stream as they cried.
Applejack’s cries were audible and agony-filled. Fluttershy always had the biggest heart out of all of her friends. Compassion was always what Fluttershy was synonymous for. The time they all had to climb the mountain, it seemed that Applejack was the only who understood her fragility and fear of the dragon. That was why she guided her around the alternate route around the mountain. For this, Applejack felt at peace about her slain friend. However, it didn’t bring her back.
The two continued to cry and weep over her for some time. Applejack held Angel close as the small rabbit cried as loud, if not louder, than she did. Yet, it was time for Applejack to move on and find Rainbow Dash. That was her last chance at saving what remained of the town.
She gently placed Angel down, “You take care, now. Okay?” Angel nodded, still filled with anguish and sorrow, as he gazed downward. Applejack didn’t want to leave the poor lupine, but Ponyville’s hope hung in the balance.
The orange earth pony galloped at an alarming pace through the forest. Many of the trees were already ablaze. The fire must have spread much quicker than she had anticipated. The only way that Ponyville could be saved now would be by her and Rainbow Dash’s collaborative efforts. If they were to pull it off, whatever the plan would be, it would be a close call.
As she darted past the burning tress, she saw a blue blur jet by overhead. To her relief, it was the pony she had hoped it was. Her heart pounded, partially from all the anxiety that this day has caused, but mostly now because the town’s one hope had arrived.
“Rainbow,” Applejack hailed with all of the oxygen in her lungs, “where have you been?”
The blue Pegasus slowed her pace, “I’ve been searching for you, slowpoke! Where have you been?”
“There’s no time for explanation, Rainbow! We’ve got ta come up with a plan ta save Ponyville!”
“Where’s the rest of the gang,” she snickered some, making light of the situation,” trying to come up with a spell back at the library?”
“They’re… gone,” Applejack sadly admitted as the two continued to race through the tree line.
Rainbow’s heart dropped. The news shocked her, completely making her lose concentration of the surroundings. Her altitude dropped as her mind tried processing the unfortunate passing of her close friends.
“Rainbow!” Applejack called, but to no avail. Rainbow Dash was stuck in her own mental auto-pilot. Applejack cried out to her friend again and again. Each time, her scream would announce louder and more desperate.
Finally, she snapped to with one final call of her name. “What?!” she retorted with annoyance.
“You’re flyin’ too low! Look out!”
Rainbow’s attention changed from the ground below her to the oncoming burning tree. Her muscles tensed as she braced for impact, seeing as slowing down or even avoiding the obstacle was out of the equation. Her hooves moved in front of her face, shielding her from the branches as she let out a shriek of terror.
Rainbow plummeted through the branches, making her way to the earth below her. She subsequently landed, but not on her hooves. As her body impacted upon the ground, she flopped about as she skidded to a painful stop, her body lying there motionless.
The earth pony panicked as she ran to her friend’s side. Rainbow was her closest friend. The two of them had always been competitors and even rivals in some cases. Besides her family, there was no other pony she was closer to. To see her violently crash to the ground broke her heart.
She frantically called Dash’s name as she reached her. However, the Pegasus didn’t move, although she was clearly still breathing. Applejack tried nudging her with her snout, trying her hardest to get her to respond. Finally, Rainbow coughed and turned over somewhat to face her.
Although Applejack had always been known as a strong pony, the sight she beheld almost made her faint. When Rainbow rolled over onto her back, she revealed a large branch, protruding from her ribs. Blood seeped through the wound. Removing the obstacle would only worsen the bleeding.
Rainbow looked her in her eyes as Applejack held her head in her hooves. Her beautiful once lustrous eyes were weak and tired. She tried to give her friend a smile, coughing up blood a time or two. Tears started flowing down her cyan blue cheeks. Her jaw trembled as she tried to form words.
“Shh, Rainbow…” Applejack muttered, trying to fight back her tears while trying to deny the fact that her only living friend would soon leave this world. “Don’t speak, now. Ya need ta save your energy…” her voice cracking, “so we can save the town. C’mon, don’t give up on me, ya stubborn Pegasus!” her tears profusely streaming down her face.
“I… have to… tell you something,” pausing to catch her breath, “AJ…”
All Applejack could do was listen, still holding her dying friend close to her.
“You were… really the best… competitor in Equestria,” she paused to crack another smile and weakly laugh one last time, “Besides… me.”
Rainbow took her final breath, the smile still apparent upon her now lifeless face. Applejack did nothing but stare at her, still in complete disbelief how quickly she was taken from her. She collapsed, still holding Rainbow’s body close. To her, all hope was lost. Everything was coming to an end around her. If she was going to die, she was going to die holding the only loved one she had left.
She reached up her hoof up to close her departed friend’s eyes. After shutting her eyes to sleep, she stroked mane tenderly, as though she were trying to comfort her. Her other hoof reached around to her back to pull her close to her. The still seeping blood from the wound didn’t bother her. No, she was completely numb to everything at this point.
As she cradled Rainbow’s head in her chest, still caressing her mane, she closed her eyes. “Shh, girl,” she cooed tenderly, “It’s okay. It’s all gonna be okay. Nothing is gonna hurt ya. No, we’re all gonna be together again soon.”
She heard the crackling sound of a large tree falling. As she opened her eyes, she saw the blazing timber crashing towards her. Applejack held Rainbow’s body close as the tree collided with her.
…
Silence
…
Applejack shot out of bed, panting and sweating. Her heart pounded against her chest as she tried to calm her breathing. Her eyes shot about the room, trying to make sense of her surroundings. As she struggled to free herself from the sheets that blanketed her, she noticed that she was back in her room.
The sun glared through the window as it does every morning. Birds chirped and June-bugs croaked as they do every summer around Apple Bucking Season. The only logical explanation that she could muster was that she was brought back by somepony.
Quickly, she bolted out of her room. All four hooves stomped immediately in a halt as soon as she passed by her door. “We gotta stop tha fire! Ponyville is burning! Did anypony get Rainbow’s body? Where’s the undertaker?!”
Just then, Granny Smith lurched out of her bedroom. “What’s that, deary? Tha stoves a’ burnin’ and ya need a salt shaker?” the old pony repeated, trying to figure out Applejack’s dilemma.
“Granny Smith? You’re… alive!” she couldn’t believe her eyes, but there she was.
Applebloom and Big Mac came up the stairs behind Applejack. “Well, of course she’s alive, big sis!” called the miniature earth pony, “Why wouldn’t she be?”
“Yeah,” added the elderly pony, “Ah’m as fit as a fiddle!”
“Eeyup,” Big Mac answered as usual.
“But, but,” Applejack tried reasoning, “You were… I was…”
The three ponies looked at her with inquisitive gazes, unsure of what to make of her nonsensical ramblings. Finally, Granny Smith walked up to the confused one and patted her mane, “Ah think ya just had a nightmare, young’un.”
Applejack finally calmed her frantic breathing and collected her thoughts. It was all just a dream? That must mean everypony is okay! This realization made her still sleepy face smile. Her friends were okay and Ponyville wasn’t on the brink of destruction. However, this elation would soon come to a halt when she remembered that it was still Apple Bucking Season.
Yet, this didn’t discourage her to the degree that it once did. She didn’t dread it, really. As a matter of fact, she was looking forward to an entire day of bucking apple trees. Compared to the ordeal that she went through in her dreams, this was quite an easier task to take on.
“Well, be that as it may be, we still got a bunch of trees to buck ta-day,” she stated proudly. She trotted her way to the doorway, putting her hat on along the way.
As she opened the door, she welcomed the sun’s warmth. Rather than hoping for clouds to block out the summer heat, she gazed at the sky above that appeared as a much richer shade of blue than usual. The birds’ song seemed as a symphony to her ears. Everything seemed to as beautiful as usual, except for one detail that was different from all the other days.
Five ponies stood before her. Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Twilight, Rarity and Rainbow Dash greeted her with a hearty welcome. Each greeting was unique from the last, but all were equally happy and as warm as the last. The sight took her by surprise.
“What’s with all the hoopla?” she asked, somewhat confused.
“Darling, we just come to lend a helping hoof, “Rarity proudly announced.
“Yeah, Twilight told us that you were super-duper down yesterday, which is no good,” exclaimed Pinkie, her last four words muttered out in her best Sonic the Hedgehog impersonation.
“So,” Fluttershy quietly and politely added, “we all, um, thought it would be a, well, good idea to…”
“Come by and cheer you up,” Rainbow Dash interrupted her friend, “I mean, you’re cool and all, but I don’t think you could finish the job without some grade-A skill and muscle!”
“So,” Twilight asks in her usual prim and proper tone, “would you like the assistance of your best friends?”
Applejack was floored. Yesterday, her bullheaded thoughts led her to the conclusion that her friends could care less, but now they’re at her door offering their time. Actually, she started to choke up. This was what made every day worth living for her.
“Gee,” she said, fighting back her emotions, “I don’t know what ta say.”
“’Yes’, would be a nice start,” responded Rainbow Dash with attitude.
After giving Rainbow Dash a stern look, Twilight turned back to Applejack, “So?”
The earth pony shook her head in agreement, “Well, ah usually wouldn’t say yes so quickly, but I’m just glad to have ya’ll,” she answered, wiping tears from her eyes.
“Why Applejack, are you alright?” questioned Rarity, putting a hoof up to her as the others gathered around her.
“Ah, Ah’m fahn,” Applejack said, “Ah just had a taste of what it would be like to lose ya’ll.”
“That sounds terrible,” Fluttershy whispered.
“It was. Ah saw what it was like ta lose everypony that I loved and cared for,” Applejack smiled at the other five, “but it was just a dream.” She then turned her attention to Twilight, “Uh, Twi, do ya think ah could write a letter to the Princess?”
“Of course,” Twilight responded with delight. “Spike,” she called for her assistant, “take a note.”
Dear Princess Celestia,
Today, I learned how you never know how the simplest things in life, like good friends or peace and quiet, could easily be taken away in an instant. It’s easy to get caught up in a fuss and lose track of all the good things in life. Even friends can easily be taken for granted. In other words, you never know what you got until it’s gone! So, count your blessings and enjoy everyone today, because they might now be there tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Applejack