Guilt: An Applejack Story

by CapNTilfy

Afterwards

After she left Sunset's, Applejack sighed with relief. Glad I didn't lose it back there. I've had enough of that. she thought to herself as she made her way back home.

Lying by omission! The Twilight from her nightmare echoed in her head.

"Gah!" Yelped Applejack, clutching her head and dropping her toolbox. "Dammit." she said as she picked up all the tools that spilled out, put them back in their box, then went back to Big Mac's truck. Guess I spoke too soon.

She got into the truck and started the engine. She turned on the radio and put it to the local Classical music station. This ain't my speed, but Twilight once told me she feels mighty calm listening to this. Guess now's as a good a time as any to see if it works for me.

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Applejack arrived at home. Huh. Guess that Classical music works after all. She pulled out her phone and sent a text to Sunny Flare.

I just want to thank you again for what you did earlier today. But also, I want you to know that I don't want my friends to find out what happened. I don't think I'm ready to tell them yet. - Sent by Applejack

Are you sure? - Sent by Sunny Flare

Positive. - Sent by Applejack

Does your family know, at least? - Sent by Sunny Flare

They do. I woke up screaming bloody murder early this morning. Had a breakdown then, too. - Sent by Applejack

I know you don't want to talk about it, but the girls and I are really worried about you. - Sent by Sunny Flare

I appreciate the sentiment. - Sent by Applejack

Applejack almost called Sunny Flare "sugarcube", but stopped herself. She and the others were friends with the Shadowbolts now, but she just wasn't entirely sure she was ready to open up to them. I guess I still feel a little sore over them stealin' Rarity's video idea. She sighed.

Her phone buzzed.

Still no changes so far. She's taking a rest right now.- Sent by Fluttershy

Applejack sent a text.

Something's gotta give eventually. She was drinking a smoothie that I brought her from work.- Sent by Applejack

Putting her phone back in her pocket, she thought to herself Where do I go from here? There's still plenty of daylight left, and even I'm not sure doing more chores will help the situation. Maybe I should just bask in the sun for the time being. It's too nice a day to stay inside, after all. She walked over to a nearby apple tree and picked an apple off. "An apple a day, blah, blah, blah..." she leaned herself against the tree as she ate the apple, taking in the sounds of summer.

Applejack's phone buzzed, snapping her out of her daydreaming.

I'm leaving Sunset's place early so I don't accidentally wake her up.- Sent by Fluttershy

Applejack frowned, then sent a text.

You sure that's a good idea, sugarcube?- Sent by Applejack

Her phone buzzed again.

She should be fine, darling. We live in a decent neighborhood, after all.- Sent by Rarity

Rarity has a point. I must be thinking too much or something. thought Applejack as she finished the apple and tossed the core to the ground.

Her phone buzzed once more. Applejack looked at her phone, read the new messages and nearly dropped her phone.

You killed us! - Sent by Bright Mac

You killed us! - Sent by Pear Butter

She stared in shock at her phone, then blinked.

I'm leaving Sunset's place early so I don't accidentally wake her up.- Sent by Fluttershy

You sure that's a good idea, sugarcube?- Sent by Applejack

She should be fine, darling. We live in a decent neighborhood, after all.- Sent by Rarity

I accidentally woke her up, and she seemed fine with it.- Sent by Pinkie Pie

I think you might be missing the point, Pinkie.- Sent by Twilight Sparkle

It'll be fine, guys! I can speed my way there in a flash.- Sent by Rainbow Dash

Applejack blinked again, just to be sure.

I'm leaving Sunset's place early so I don't accidentally wake her up.- Sent by Fluttershy

You sure that's a good idea, sugarcube?- Sent by Applejack

She should be fine, darling. We live in a decent neighborhood, after all.- Sent by Rarity

I accidentally woke her up, and she seemed fine with it.- Sent by Pinkie Pie

I think you might be missing the point, Pinkie.- Sent by Twilight Sparkle

It'll be fine, guys! I can speed my way there in a flash.- Sent by Rainbow Dash

"What the hell is wrong with me?" Applejack nearly shouted. I did overwork myself. Hopefully a shower will do the trick. She took a calming breath as she made her way inside.

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Inside the bathroom, Applejack took off all her clothes. She put her discarded garments on the toilet, then shuddered at the memory of her late afternoon. She turned on the faucet, then checked her phone slowly, still worried she'd see something unnerving.

I'm heading over to Sunset's! Fluttershy, did you leave the door unlocked?- Sent by Rainbow Dash

I did, you shouldn't have any trouble getting in.- Sent by Fluttershy

Good thing there isn't any magical wackiness going on right now, or we'd be in a pickle!- Sent by Pinkie Pie

For heaven's sake, Pinkie, don't tempt fate!- Sent by Rarity

Hope you have a good time!- Sent by Twilight Sparkle

Satisfied, Applejack sent her own text.

Has she been drinking her smoothie?- Sent by Applejack

After sending her text, she entered the shower and tuned everything out except the bathroom fan and the running water splashing into the bathtub. She sighed, feeling the hot water soak her body slowly. For the first time all day, she genuinely felt at peace. There should be a smoothie for whatever's going on with me. She sighed. Wouldn't that be nice. You have a scarring nightmare? We've got a smoothie for that! Oh, if only...

Finished, Applejack left the shower. Blissfully unaware of what the next day would bring her...

Author's Note:

This chapter takes place immediately after Good for What Ails Ya in Sunset Shimmer's Sick Day

Comments

[OmniFox]

Either you wrote something twice or this is getting awkward.

[CapNTilfy]

8875530
It was intentional. She sent her text, saw the texts from her dead parents, then blinked twice just to be sure.

[vanilleah]

Woah, this story is getting deep... I was not prepared for so much trauma and emotion, especially after "Bored Rainbow Dash is Bored"! But you're doing a great job with the writing!

[CapNTilfy]

8921120
I did. You want to make a reference? We have an app for that too.

[ScisetShimmerEvan]

Rarity has a point. I must be thinking too much or something. thought Applejack as she finished the apple and tossed the core to the ground.

If a cop was nearby she'd so get a ticket for littering.