The midday sun shone through the branches of the apple tree that Applejack was resting under. She had spent the whole morning bucking apples from the trees of her family’s orchard and had decided to take some time for herself. Just as her eyes began to drop, an enormous gust of air knocked the tan Stetson she wore straight off her head.
“How do you expect to beat me at the next iron pony competition if you can’t even handle this orchard?” asked the cyan Pegasus with the hexachromatic mane.
“Rainbow Dash! How dare you! Ah woke up at the call of the rooster this morning just so ah’d be able to get this work done before the sleepover at Twilight’s tonight,”
“Hey, hey take it easy AJ, I was only teasing, besides the reason I’m here is to show you this awesome trick I came up with,” exclaimed Rainbow Dash. “It will have to impress the wonderbolts with its awesomeness.” Applejack rolled her eyes.
‘Great, another attempt to kill yourself, why can’t you just come here and hang out with me, or maybe… Wait!! No Applejack, keep it together, you ain’t no fillyfooler,’ Applejack shook her head in an attempt to get those thoughts out of her head, thoughts that had been invading her mind more and more lately.
“Okay then Rainbow, but make it quick, ah’ve got work to do.”
“Yeah, you seem SO busy,” Rainbow dash sniggered. Then she sped off up into the sky, and began to do spins and flips.
‘Wow,’ thought Applejack, looking up at the spectacle in awe. ‘She has got to be the most graceful pony ah know.’ As Applejack watched the amazing display of flying ability, she became even more engrossed in the cyan pegasus. Then, as Rainbow dash flew through a cloud and up in front of the sun for her patented “Raindash Twirl” in which the water collected from the cloud reflects the sun’s rays and creates a rainbow aura around Rainbow Dash, Applejack noticed a white and Brown streak heading straight for Rainbow, and could only watch in horror as it collided with her and forced Rainbow to the ground with a resounding BOOM.
“OH MY GOD! RAINBOW!” Applejack screamed as she galloped in the direction of the impact. When she got there, it took her a second to take in the scene. The tremendous impact had created a crater and forced apple trees and rocks to be destroyed in the impact zone. Then Applejack saw what was at the centre of the crater, a broken and bloody Rainbow Dash, having more punishment thrust upon her by a large griffin that Applejack suddenly recognised.
“Gilda! What in the Hay are you doing! That there is Rainbow Dash, ah thought she was your friend!” she screamed, too stunned to move against Gilda.The enraged griffin looked up, Rainbow’s blood dripping from her talons.
“Your right, Hick, she WAS, but since she choose you lame ponies and not me, well… I couldn’t let that go unpunished,” Gilda gloated, rage all but dripping from her voice. She stood up from the carnage that she had created
“And now that the traitor is dealt with, I think it’s your turn.”
“And ah think that ah’ll make you work for this one,” said Applejack, struggling to hold back the tears that had entered her eyes and taking up a fighting stance.
“Good” growled Gilda and leapt at Applejack, talons raised, Applejack focused intently on the task at hoof, ready to defend both herself and Rainbow. Just as Gilda began her murderous descent on Applejack, a giant red mass appeared in front of her and caught Gilda’s talons in his hooves.
“Big Mac, what are ya doing?” asked Applejack, bewildered.
“Stop talking and check on Rainbow AJ,” Big Mac ordered, struggling against the enraged strength of Gilda. Applejack just stared at her brother as he pushed at the griffin with his great strength. “Move AJ! Now!” Applejack realised what he meant and galloped over to Rainbow.
“You would risk yourself for these lamos?” Gilda asked, not taking her eyes off Big Macs.
“Eeeyup,” was his only reply and he pushed harder on Gilda and forced her to the ground. She began to slash his leg with her talons as he put pressure on her throat with is front hooves.
“Ah’m goin ta let you up and give ya a chance ta leave. But just know that if ya ever threaten ma family again, ah will not be so merciful.” Gilda, knowing she could not compete with Big Mac’s strength, nodded begrudgingly and as Big Mac relaxed the pressure on her throat; she shot out from under him and flew off as fast as she could.
“AJ, How’s she doin?” asked Big Mac, walking over to the grim scene. But the look on Applejack’s face said it all.
“She ain’t breathing big brother,” she told him with a cracked voice. Tears were flowing freely down her face. Big Mac put his head to Rainbow’s chest.
“Yes she is AJ, but it’s weak, so is her heart beat, quickly, help me get her onto my back.” Big mac instructed, and together, they hoisted Rainbow Dash up onto Macintosh’s back and carried her to the nearest hospital. Applejack all the while hoping against hope that Rainbow would be okay, just so she could look into those magenta eyes once again, and regretting that she never told Rainbow about the feeling she was having.
“Please be okay,” cried Applejack.