//------------------------------// // The Richest Mare in Ponyville // Story: Appledashery // by Just Essay //------------------------------// When Rainbow Dash returned with Trixie, Twilight, and Spike to Sweet Apple Acres—the farmstead had transformed entirely. The pegasus fumbled in place, her jaw dropped as she gazed at dozens—if not over a hundred residents gathered outside the Apple Family home. Stu Leaves had arrived, and not only had he brought with him a heavy hoof-full of medical experts, but it would appear as though a concerned congregation of Ponyville's finest had gathered as well. First off, Rainbow spotted several of the neighboring farm families. The Carrots and the Harvests and a few other groups that Rainbow scarcely recognized were gathered in a tight circle, talking to a serious-faced Granny Smith on the front porch. Applejack's grandmother spoke calmly, her wrinkles gathering tighter with each worrisome minute that trudged by. Daisy and Roseluck had also shown up, looking sad-faced as they held a bundle of flowers—each. Just as Rainbow arrived, she could even see Mr. and Mrs. Cake trotting up from the road leading into Sweet Apple Acres. In the meantime, Trixie and Twilight galloped to the front entrance. They humbly greeted Granny Smith, and the elder swiftly waved them in. Both bolted into the house like bullets—with Spike not that far behind. At this point, however, Rainbow's eyes were locked on a different sight altogether. She looked past Cheerilee and the town Mayor to see Rarity standing close to Fluttershy. While the two mares talked, Rarity squatted low, comforting Sweetie Belle with several gentle strokes to her mane and back. "I d-don't understand...!" Sweetie Belle whimpered. Her tears flowed like rain until she buried her muzzle in Rarity's shoulder. "Why'd this happen?! Apple Bloom didn't ask for a snake to bite her!" "It's unfair, darling, I know," Rarity cooed, gently nuzzling the filly. "It's a fabulous world... but also a dangerous one. The best we can do now is give your friend some healthy support and hope for the best." "But... but it's so wrong!" Sweetie Belle hiccuped. "She'll never live to meet her special somepony! She'll n-never get her cutie m-m-marrrk!" "Now now... don't say that." Rarity bore a briefly stern expression. "We mustn't give up hope. For Apple Bloom's sake, we must be strong, dear." Sweetie Belle could only sob in response. "Oh you poor thing..." Fluttershy delicately smiled. "There there. Don't be afraid. Apple Bloom will be okay in the end. Nature has its poison—yes—but it also has its cures! I've rescued many a tiny animal friend from snake bites and they've lived to be healthy mamas and papas!" "Even... even..." Sweetie Belle whimpered and wheezed, teary-eyed. "...even from snakes as strange as this one?" Fluttershy bit her lip, ears folding. "Well..." "Mmmm-waaaaaaaaaaiiiieee!" Sweetie Belle howled again. Rarity sighed, hugging the filly close. Clearing her throat, she glanced up at Fluttershy with moist eyes. "I'll take care of this, Fluttershy, dear. You... uh... you should probably go and—" "Right." Fluttershy nodded. She sniffled and turned towards the house. "I'd better give him company. Ohhhhh... the poor softy. I just know he's tearing himself up on the inside." Rainbow stared with a lump in her throat. Wings flapping, she flew towards the mare on an intercept course— "Rainbow!" Sharp Quill gasped, suddenly in her face and breathless. "I came as quickly as I heard!" Rainbow winced, braking in midair. "Uhhh... you did, did you?" "Yes!" He nodded, wide eyed. Within seconds, Blossomforth and Candy Mane hovered down by his side. "I'm so sorry for what's happened to your friend's kid." "Uhm... it's her sister, actually." Wincing briefly, Sharp Quill nevertheless said, "Is there anything... anything I can do?" "That we can do!" Candy Mane insisted. "Uhh... yeah, actually." Rainbow's gaze hardened. "Give us some cloud cover. But no rain." "Cloud cover?" Thunderlane blinked. "I mean... sure, Rainbow! But... with how grim stuff is lately, you sure you don't want some bright sunshine?" "One of the ponies who's working hard to save Apple Bloom's life is a sarosian." "A what?" Candy Mane blinked. "A bat pony," Sharp Quill growled over his shoulder. "And if a dark sky is going to help him work better..." He nodded firmly in Rainbow's direction. "...then a dark sky he's going to get." "Dang straight." Thunderlane nodded, then bolted skyward. "Candy, let's go!" "On it!" Sw-Swoosh! Both pegasi took to the air. "I'll... uh... come help in a few," Rainbow said. "No, Rainbow. Stick around here," Sharp Quill replied. He rested a hoof on the mare's shoulder. "You're Applejack's friend. She's going to need you—and all other ponies she holds dear." "That's..." Rainbow shuddered, smiling delicately. "That's pretty swell of you, big guy." "Don't mention it." Sharp Quill exhaled, pivoting about to gaze at the growing group of worried residents. "Wow... I know I've only been in this town for a short time, but these ponies... they really really care for Applejack and her family, huh?" Rainbow gulped. "It's hard not to love her..." Sharp Quill looked at Rainbow. "Guess I'd be flattered." "Hmmm?" Rainbow looked back. He smiled. "In a town full of so many admirers... and yet to be counted as one of her best, best friends?" Rainbow blinked. "Anyways, chirp if you need anything else. I'll be on cloud duty." FWOOOSH! And he was gone. Rainbow exhaled. Brushing her bangs back, she turned slowly towards the farm house and began trudging across the grass. "... ... ...Rainbow?" "Huh?" Rainbow stopped in her tracks. She looked left... she looked right... and at last, her eyes met mine. "Oh... uh... hiya there, champ." She cleared her throat, but it still didn't stop her voice from cracking. "What's up?" "Is... it true?" I asked. I was trembling too hard to even look up at her. The grass below me turned foggy—an emerald haze. "Is Apple Bloom going to die?" I could hear Rainbow shudder, and it went straight through me. "Hoo boy..."