//------------------------------// // The Heat // Story: Land in the Sky // by goldentig3r //------------------------------// It was a hot summer day and Applejack was in the field doing her chores like she does everyday. Applejack was gasping for air when she looked at the thermometer. It was 103 degrees outside. She didn't want to take a break, she just wanted to get it done and over with. She kept doing her chores. The heat was slowing her every move, forcing her to go slower and slower. She just wanted to go back in her house with the air conditioning on, but something was stopping her from doing that. Maybe it was her inability to move or maybe she just wanted to work until she got her chores done. She couldn't make up her mind. She finally made up her mind, that she would keep on working. But when she started, she suddenly collapsed. She couldn't move. She tried asking for help, but she was so dehydrated that her voice was a whisper. She needed water, food, rest or anything that could help her get back up. Suddenly, she saw Big Macintosh in the field. She crawled to Big Mac. She crawled as if she were doing dead legs. Applejack's legs skid across the dirt, giving her blisters. She wanted to shout out in pain but she couldn't even if she tried. Applejack finally caught Big Mac's attention. Big Mac was shocked to see Applejack in pain. "A.J are you okay." Big Mac shouted. He knew the answer but he wasn't sure if that was the answer he was looking for. He carried Applejack before anything else could happen to her. As he carried her, the heat began to rise. He went slower and slower as the heat slowly drained his energy. He was going slower every hoof step he took. He finally made it...to the south orchard he had a ways to go. He still had the west and the north orchard before he could make to the house. He just wanted to just go under a tree so he could rest, but it was getting hotter by the minute, and not to mention Applejack was on his back which was making it worse. Big Mac was struggling. He had never felt so weak before. He just wanted to quit. But he couldn't. His sister was suffering, Big Mac was suffering as well. At least he has the capacity to keep up his strength. Not that he saying his sister is weak. He is just saying that his sister is not as strong as him. He suddenly saw somepony standing in the middle of the field. He was never so happy to see somepony in the apple orchard. Normally if he saw a stranger he'd ether ask them politely to leave, or if they refused he would kick them out literally kick them out. "Hey! We need help. It's my sister, she's overheating." Big Mac shouted. But he was sadly wrong when he thought he saw somepony. Instead of seeing a pony, he was seeing a scarecrow instead. He groaned and just went on. He finally made it when he collapsed on the ground. Big Mac got back up and gently set Applejack on the couch. He grabbed a bucket of water and splashed it on Applejack. She suddenly woke up from the heat coma. Big Mac quickly gave Applejack a water bottle. Applejack guzzled the water down like she was in a cider drinking contest. "Thanks big brother. I don't think I would have survived if you hadn't shown up" Applejack said. "Eeyup" Said Big Mac. Applejack wobbled over to the kitchen to get an ice pack. She went back to the couch, put the ice pack on her head and rested. She didn't wake up until the very next morning.