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// Chapter 5 - When Push Comes To Shove 
// Story: Facing Consequences, Making Choices 
// by 1Bit 
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Applejack was alone as she trotted up to the hospital and her fair blonde mane gently blew in the breeze. She hung her head, keeping her eyes to the dirt road beneath her, contemplating. The one thing she had noticed upon arriving in the town was how peaceful everything was.  Travelling to the hospital by herself, she was able to hear the birdsong in the trees as she passed underneath them. She also became fully aware of the changing season as her hooves crumpled the golden leaves that lay scattered across the path. The leaves continued to fall like a gentle snowfall, bare branches being left behind.

Before now, Applejack had barely realised anything going on around her. Her attention had been fully on Rainbow Dash as their relationship had continued to grow and evolve as they recovered from all the chaos and problems of the past. Unlike Rainbow however, Applejack never forgot about Cloudjumper. Her journey's to the hospital were almost like a pilgrimage of sorts, leaving the farm daily in hopes to find him awake and happy. Applejack sighed, closing her eyes. It seems almost too good to be true right now. She ignored the ugly thoughts passing through her mind, quickening her pace slightly.

As it had everytime she had been there, the hospital felt unnaturally clean. Applejack still disliked the whitewashed walls and perfectly mopped marble floor. In a rustic town such as Ponyville, it seemed alien to her. Upon noticing the orange mare step through the doors, the receptionist smiled softly and gave a small wave. Applejack did the same in return before entering the wards at a steady trot. The receptionist returned to the files she was reviewing, looking back at where Applejack had just disappeared to, sighing slightly with concern etched on her face.

Reaching the small wooden door, Applejack hesitated. Her hoof shook nervously as she gently opened the door. Just like every day she had come here, the same sight greeted Applejack. Cloudjumper's unmoving form lay in the centre of the room, gifts of flowers and cards adorning the tables and shelves surrounding him. With watery eyes, she closed the distance between them, falling to her knees beside the bed. She removed her Stetson, gently placing it on the floor before resting her head on the bed beside him.

Only then did she allow herself to cry.

It was not long after when she head the door creaking behind her. She quickly turned round in surprise, rubbing her eyes as she tried to regain her composure. Through blurry eyes, she just made out the purple unicorn standing in the doorway.

"Oh, hey Twi." Applejack tried to act casual, ignoring the clearly worried look Twilight was giving her. "Surprised to see you here."

"Applejack, we may not have known him that well but it's clear he was special to you." Twilight said, smiling. "So he matters to us as well."

Applejack faced Cloudjumper again, gently rubbing his cheek with a small smile on her lips. "Well, he's doing just as well as always. I just hope he recovers soon, y'know?"

"AJ..." Twilight moved to the side of her friend. "Checking in on him every minute isn't going to speed up the recovery process at all. Frankly, after seeing the state of you when I came in here, I think you need a distraction." She said, hoping to support Applejack as much as she could.

Applejack groaned. "Twi, I'm fine honestly..." As much as it hurt her to lie to her friend, she didn't want others worrying about her. Twilight was determined though.

"Applejack." She said assertively, locking eyes with the mare. "Try as you might, it's clear you're beating yourself up over nothing. Now..." She continued. "The girls and I are planning a sleepover at the treehouse and in my opinion, you need something to take your mind off this whole ordeal."

Applejack rolled her eyes. "I'm fine." She said through gritted teeth. "I'm doing a-okay and anyway, it's applebuckin' season so-"

"I'm not taking no for an answer." Twilight interrupted.

There was an awkward pause, Cloudjumper's heartbeat monitor echoing through the room. "Alright then, Twilight." Applejack finally gave in, making Twilight sigh in relief. "When should I be there."

"We'll be meeting up in the treehouse at sundown today." Twilight turned back to the door, grinning. "Believe me, Applejack, as your friends, we'll make sure that you get through all of this. 

Applejack's friendly smile vanished once Twilight left the room, the mare returning to her depressed state at the bedside. Good luck with that... She sighed, stroking the sheets slowly with a hoof. Wish Rainbow was here right now.



Rainbow happened to be on the other side of town at that point, still snoring loudly into a pillow despite the late hour. Twilight returned to the library, shooting the sleeping mare a disapproving look upon arrival. Rainbow continued to dream happily despite Twilight's various nudges and pokes to wake her up.

"Oh Applejack, you're so cute when you blush..." She said sleepily, hugging her pillow tightly with a smile on her face. Twilight momentarily hesitated in confusion before using a bit more force to wake the lazy pegasus up. Surprised, Rainbow tumbled out of the sleeping bag, rubbing her head slowly. "Ah jeez Twilight! Be careful next time." She let out a small yawn, scratching her back. "Unlike you, some ponies like to sleep in every morning."

Twilight stared stoically at Rainbow. "Actually, Rainbow, it's the afternoon." She held back a giggle at seeing the mare's expression quickly become one of shock as she looked outside in panic to see the sun high up in the air.

"Celestia's burning balls of glory!" She exclaimed in shock. "I was meant to meet Applejack at the hospital!" Rainbow began pacing nervously around the room, sweat forming on her brow. "If I'm not there, she'll think I've bailed on her! Or something..." The pegasus struggled to find the right words to grasp the situation. Amidst Rainbow's confusion, Twilight merely raised a hoof calmly into the air for silence.

"Applejack is fine. I went up to the hospital just now and she was alright." Twilight smiled re-assuringly at Rainbow, calming the pegasus down. "Which reminds me, are you free tonight? It's just me and the girls decided it might be good to have a sleepover together; get Applejack's mind off of things."

Rainbow's thoughts were still clouded with guilt so she didn't fully understand what Twilight was saying. "Yeah, sure, whatever." She replied, half-heartedly.

Twilight positively beamed. "Excellent! I'll begin preparations at once!" She gleefully trotted away.

"Spike!" She called out, grinning. "I've got a list to make...and it's a doozy!"