Chapter 11
Ghost POV
Applejack and Applebloom absolutely decimated pretty much every event that they competed in. Pie eating, hog tying, tug of war... no other sister team was able to stack up. It was a shame to see that through it all, Sweetie Belle's depression got worse and worse. The tag team race was going to happen in about 20 minutes, so Rarity had to get into position soon.
"C'mon Applebloom! Just a few more!" I yelled in encouragement, watching as Applebloom dunked her head into a large vat of water bobbing for apples. All she needed was 2 more and she and Applejack would take another blue ribbon. Apparently she could hear me underwater, because she started to trash even more under the water, stepping up her efforts tenfold. I looked over at Sweetie Belle who was standing next to me, but instead of cheering on her friend, her head was hung a bit low. "Sweetie? Cheer with me, we gotta make sure Applebloom wins!"
She scoffed. "Look at all of the 'uncouth' going on around here. Rarity would probably say something like, 'My word! Their manes are going to be absolutely disheveled!' Maybe it's better that she didn't come..." Sweetie mocked, even trying to match the slight accent Rarity had.
Uh-oh, more malice. With this being the Sisterhooves Social, there was a lot of sisterly love in the air. Unfortunately, malicious emotions managed to outweigh happier emotions, meaning that I was practically holding my breath as Sweetie Belle had these thoughts.
At last, Applebloom came up for air, holding two large golden delicious apples in her mouth. A whistle blew, declaring that the contest was over. I cheered and stomped my hooves in joy, seeing Applebloom being awarded yet another blue ribbon. Applejack went up to her and wrapped a led around Applebloom's shoulders, both of their manes soaked from dunking themselves in water. When they came back towards us, I felt myself freeze up when I noticed how Applebloom looked with her mane like that.
Her mane was dripping wet, making it look like she was literally shining under the sunlight. I could feel my cheeks heat up at her appearance, causing me to look away for a bit. "G-Good job Applebloom! I knew you could do it!" I congratulated, stuttering a bit nervously. She looked beautiful!
"Thank ya Ghost! Ah thought I almost was gonna get beaten by Dinky, but then ah managed to corner an apple at the bottom of the tub, so I kept on tryin' to grab it an'..."
Applebloom continued to retell the tale of her victory, but something caught my eye behind her. I could see the mud pit where Rarity was supposed to submerge herself into, and as I looked I could see the mare in question start to walk towards the pit. As she was about to step inside, a look of uncertainty came across her face, and she darted her eyes back and forth in nervousness. Our eyes met, and she waved her hoof as a signal to come over there. She darted off towards the Apple orchard to hide, making me look back at Applebloom.
"...An' then ah finally was able to grab the second apple! But mah lungs were burnin' so bad that ah thought that ah was gonna drown!" Applebloom finished, taking in a deep breath after she was done explaining.
"Wow! That sounded really intense! Umm, I have to go do something really quick, I'll be right back ok?" I lied, trying to make an excuse to get over to Rarity.
"Oh, um. Ok then! Jus'... make sure to get back in time for the race. We're gonna take Sweetie Belle and go look around some more, right Applejack?"
"O' course! C'mon sugarcube, let's go see who won for best hog in show!" Applejack answered enthusiastically, as the 3 mares walked away. I darted where Rarity was hiding, wondering just what the heck was going on. I reached the edge of the orchard, and looked around for the white mare.
"Rarity? Where are you?" I questioned, looking around and not seeing her anywhere.
"Over here!" A hushed tone replied, and out from behind a bush Rarity emerged. It looked as if she had been crying. "I'm... I'm so sorry but... but..."
"But what? Rarity your sister is counting on you to be in that pit so you two can race! What's going on?" I asked, getting a bit angry. Why was she having second thoughts?
"I...I simply cannot! I... I have..."
"Just what do you have?! Spit it out!"
"I have Borborosophobia! I'm... deathly afraid of mud puddles! I just can't willingly submerge myself in that mass of wet dirt!"
You could nearly hear my eyes roll in their sockets. "Do you go to the spa to get mud baths!? How do you explain that?" I interrogated, not buying her excuse.
"Those are different! They are tempered with things such as seeweed, clay, and volcanic ash! Plus I'm not completely submerged like I would be here, and I often have somepony else with me to keep me calm! I'm sorry Ghost, but I don't think I can do this!" She said, tears now streaming down her face.
I groaned, smacking my hoof into my forehead. She did seem honestly scared out of her wits, but it seriously felt as if she was making excuses to get out of this.
"I know I should have brought this up earlier when we formed the plan, but I thought by then I would be able to get over my fears for Sweetie Belle's sake! I... I took one look at the mud and got so scared! I just couldn't handle it!"
"Ok! Ok... now we need a plan B..." I sighed, as 64's words once again rang through my head. "Plan A, B,C, all the way to Z..."
I looked up at Rarity, who was now lying on the ground. I had a Plan B, but I wondered if it was the right thing to do for Sweetie Belle's sake. I sighed, know that it was the only thing that would work right now.
"Rarity, look at me." I commanded, as her tear stricken eyes looked at me.
I sighed and closed my eyes, letting green flames consume me.