The Final Chapter
I spent the next several minutes running around the Everfree Forest, getting myself thoroughly lost in the process.
I kept imagining finding my sister’s messed up corpse, mangled and bloody after timberwolves had gotten to her.
She’d gone out after I messed her up, and still tried to find a cure for me. What if she didn’t make it? Her death would be all my fault! And I couldn’t even find her to warn her! Or help her!
I was useless to her.
I heard a scream.
Sprinting toward the sound of the voice, I made it to the top of a nearby hill. I finally spotted Applejack several yards away, near the bottom of the hill, being chased by one of the timberwolves, who was hot on her trail. The timberwolf’s breast was heavily splintered, and Applejack’s rope was lassoed around its neck, weakly flopping behind it. Applejack was running with a slight limp, and I could see the fur on her right shoulder and some of her back damp and tinted red with blood. She was biting her lip and her eyes were shot wide open, betraying a look of… fear.
No, not just fear. Terror.
Applejack was terrified.
But what could I do?
All I had were weak filly forelegs and a back end supported by… wheels…
I spent a moment pacing back and forth, my breathing growing rapid.
She's going to die.
I blinked back tears as I caught her eye. If she died tonight the last thing she would have seen is her sister watching her ripped apart uselessly.
Applebloom, if you don't do something she will die. Do something!
A memory of me trying to climb the stairs, and shooting backwards once my wheels were the only thing touching the floor flashed through my mind, and a plan started forming.
It was crazy. It was going to kill us both.
It was all I had.
Doing my best to gauge how soon Applejack and the timberwolf would reach the bottom of the hill, I turned around, closed my eyes, held my breath, and lifted my front half into the air as my wheelchair started careening down the hill.
I’d like to say I yelled out a war cry, or a really heroic sounding one liner. But in reality I was screaming the most terrified, high pitched scream my lungs could manage. As my wheelchair made contact with the side of the timberwolf, my eyes shot open and the timberwolf let out a squeal of pain. I grabbed for the lasso as both the timberwolf and I tumbled to the side, barely catching it. In a moment the timberwolf was back on its feet and chasing Applejack, yanking me along with it.
I looped the other end of the rope around my right shoulder and threw my weight to the left, throwing my left forehoof around a fledgling tree in a vain attempt to slow down or stop the timberwolf. Instead, I felt a screaming pain as my right shoulder was ripped from its socket, freeing the rope from my leg and sending me flying toward the beast.
Feeling tears well up in my eyes in response to the pain, I saw the rope in front of me again. Seeing as I could barely move my right foreleg, I made a grab for it with my left foreleg. When that missed it flew right in front of my face, and moving quickly, I grabbed it in my mouth.
The timberwolf ran on, undeterred, bouncing me behind it. I felt an explosion of pain every time I hit the ground, made even worse when I landed on the freshly dislocated shoulder.
But still, the timberwolf was advancing on Applejack.
It was going to kill her. It was going to tear my sister apart, then it was gonna tear me apart, and there was nothing I could do.
I was still....
Useless.
Peering ahead, I saw Applejack jump through a tree that was split near the base, having two trunks growing right next to each other. She landed awkwardly, her legs starting to give out from under her, and I could see her start to fall. Time seemed to slow down as I saw the timberwolf pounce, following her through the split trees.
No.
I bit down harder on the rope. Applejack hit the ground and started to roll.
I
Ignoring the intense spasm of pain, I extended both of my forelegs.
Am
My hooves found purchase on the twin trunks, and I was almost ripped immediately off by the force of the timberwolf.
Not
I felt tears stream down my face as my right foreleg threatened to give out. My arm felt like it was on fire and it was about to tear itself off my body. I screwed my face up in concentration, shut my eyes tightly, and yanked my head back.
USELESS!
Everything stopped.
The timberwolf stopped, vicious maw inches away from Applejack’s throat. For a moment, all there was in the forest was the labored panting of the beast, and the intense waves of both pain and adrenaline wracking my body in tandem.
The silence lasted only a moment longer as Applejack scrambled to her hooves and landed a precise buck right into the face of the timberwolf with both hind legs. As the timberwolf fell to pieces, I dropped the rope, landing on the ground right on my injured shoulder. I let out a cry of pain and the floodgates finally opened as the adrenaline started to wear off.
“Applebloom!” Applejack yelled, instantly at my side. She helped me up to my hooves, and I ended up leaning most of my weight into my left forehoof, three out of my four limbs useless at this point.
“Oh Celestia! Are you alright?” Applejack fretted, inspecting my dislocated shoulder.
“Don’t you DARE!” I yelled, my body moving on its own as I reared back and slapped Applejack across the face as hard as I could with my injured leg.
Applejack reeled back in surprise as I bit back a scream of pain.
“I don’t CARE how angry I am at you! Don’t you DARE run off into the Everfree Forest and get yourself killed!” I found myself sobbing, broken down from the anger and the pain. Instantly all my fatigue hit me at once and my one remaining limb buckled, sending my face directly into the dirt below. I didn’t even care, shaking and sobbing loudly. I pounded uselessly on the ground, not even sure what I was angry about at that moment.
A few moments passed and I felt somepony pick me up, and the familiar, bittersweet warmth of Applejack’s embrace. I could smell the alcohol on her breath, and could feel a stream of her blood make its way down and start staining my fur, but I didn’t care. I threw my good hoof around her back and started wailing into her neck, my body convulsing as sour sweat drenched my coat.
“I-I was s-so scared w-w-when I went into y-your room an’ s-saw the b-book an’…” I finally managed. Applejack responded by pulling me closer and started rocking me back and forth, something I remembered her always doing when I was upset during the early years of my life.
“It’s okay Applebloom. Applejack’s got you. Big sis got you. It’s okay now.” Applejack whispered into my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. I let out a loud wail and buried my face deeper into her neck, somehow feeling completely secure for the first time since the injury.
Everything wasn’t okay right now. Everything was as far from okay as it could be.
But right there, stuck in the embrace of the sister I had focused so much hate and anger towards in the last two months, I knew that they would be.
Soon.
A couple hours later I was pacing outside the room in the hospital holding Applejack.
I had recently been cleared myself. It wasn’t a lot I had to do. A doctor popped my shoulder joint back into the socket, gave me a “numbing agent”, and after a final x-ray, told me I was good to go.
All I had to do were some light stretches every day for the next week.
I didn’t know how Applejack was doing though. My stomach was all twisted up as I tried to think of something to say when I saw her.
I still didn’t know how I was feeling. If anything, my feelings now were even harder to decipher than ever before.
But I know that we needed to talk.
Taking a deep breath, I knocked on the door. A moment later it was swung open by Twilight, who wordlessly stepped aside and let me in.
Granny, Big Mac, and all Applejack’s friends were already in there with her. All of them, including Applejack, silently watched me, waiting for me to make the first move.
As Twilight closed the door behind me, I caught her gaze. I silently pointed at myself, then the wheelchair, and finally the bed Applejack was resting in. After a moment Twilight understood what I meant and levitated me onto the bed.
“Can I… get a moment alone with Applejack?” I asked quietly.
Everypony else quietly filtered out of the room as I gathered the courage to look Applejack in the eye.
“Applebloom…” Applejack hesitated. “Before you start yellin’, I jus’ wanna say-”
“No,” I interrupted. “No more yellin’. I jus’... wanna talk.”
Applejack let out a slow, relieved sigh. “Okay, let’s talk.”
I took several moments to try and come up with the words to say, then just decided to throw caution to the winds.
“I’m… still mad.” I managed, sadly noting the instantly crestfallen expression on Applejack’s face. “After today… heck, ever since the accident, I’ve just had all this… emotion. I ain’t gonna lie, I’m a mite confused about… jus’ about everything. But… In that moment I saw you bein’ chased by that timberwolf… and the look on your face…”
My voice cracked as I felt my eyes start to burn. Tears started welling up in the corners of my eyes.
“I jus’ wanna tell you I’m… I’m sorry. I’ve been so dang stupid about this whole thing, an’ I know it was an accident, but I didn’t listen when you were tryin’ to help…”
A tear slowly made its way down my face as I stared at the blanket below me, idly picking at a fold.
“An’ I know I was hurtin’ you, but… I was still so mad, an’... but you were…”
Another tear traveled down my face, falling from my chin and making a mark on the blanket right next to Applejack.
I took several moments to try and compose myself, to think of what to say.
“Like I said… I’m still mad… but…”
I looked up and stared straight into Applejack’s eyes. Those green eyes that had watched over me my whole life. The eyes that were always so full of love, but in the last two months, only showed hurt. Those green eyes that had always spelled out safety and protection, and that special bond we used to share that I found myself so desperately wanting back.
And with that thought, my final decision was made.
“I forgive you.”
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Very nice! Not exactly a happy ending but a hopeful one.
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Oh I already saw a playthrough of it. I just didn't recognize the text.
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“I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen her cry, but after I prodded her for what was bothering her, she started bawling. She pulled a belt buckle out of her saddlebags and said you left it in front of her door last night. Is this true?”
The entire thing here is that this is an unproved legend has a small change of actually working, and AJ is ignoring all of that and going to try and find this plant in the middle of timberwolf territory half cocked with no plan.
Doesn't mean the plant will actually work, just that there are legends.
Aww...sweet little Apple Bloom, she finally is ready to forgive her sister
Apple Bloom's thoughts during that chase were fairly well written, and the fact that she was able to help take down a Timberwolf whilst IN A WHEELCHAIR makes it even cooler! No matter what happens, it seems that an apple will always go down fighting for their family.
Well i was expecting more blood... but, it is FANTASTIC!
I'd like to see an epilogue, you know, tell how she gets her cutie mark, what her life is like in the future, her relationship with Applejack and the rest of the family and all that.
Good job and bye, it was a pleasure, quite a pleasure.
A very touching ending great work
Good story! The whole build-up towards the end was really nice!
This was good. Nuff said. Good job.
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Thanks!
10477351
Been a long time coming.
Well actually it hasn't, but there have been extenuating circumstances.
10477358
Yeah! I really enjoyed writing that whole part. Just seems so badass.
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Epilogue is planned, and if you like grim bloody fics, the SB one I'm working on next is gonna have way more of that. Stay tuned!
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Thank you!
10477429
You're welcome! And I am eager what you have in mind for Sweetie Belle
10477429
Indeed. But I'm glad they'll get a chance to talk now
What an end to a great story. Good job and good luck with your future stories!
That was an awesome ending. Applebloom realizes that she does want Applejack after all, and she literally would fight timberwolves for her.
ALSO THANK YOU FOR NOT KILLING AJ(yet)
10477475
Glad you liked it!
And there is no yet, this is the last chapter. Other than the epilogue, and I promise you nobody dies in that.
Bravo.
I honestly wasn't sure what you planned.
Exchanging Applejack's life for the hope of Apple Bloom walking again ?
A good short story mate
10477348
Ahhhhh, I see
Thanks!
10477540
My thanks, my good man.
Alright, can't wait for Sweetie Belle. That seems like a weird thing to say, but it's just my thing.
Perfectly balanced as all things should be.
10477665
Well it ain't gonna come out for a while because I'm still planning it, and it's gonna be the longest fic I ever wrote. I'm gonna aim for 100k+ words.
Is there an epilogue? Like several years later, AB and the other CMC have their cutie marks and AB tells some other pony disabled her story and how they can become stronger?
10477746
It's always Sweetie Belle that gets the long life changing story
Not a bad way to end things
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Epilogue comes out tomorrow or the next day.
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I suppose it is.
10477828
Thanks!
Such a good story! This is going into my special favorites list!
10477882
I'm so glad you liked it!
That was quite the emotional ride, one which I thoroughly enjoyed. And since it is now complete, it can now go out of my tracked and into my favorites. Nice work! 🙂
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Thanks, man!
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Thanks!
10477512
Oh, thank Celestia.
At least she is trying.
Does is look "alright"?
Awww...
Hopefully Twilight will find the fast.
That sounds like a good idea.
For both of them.
Good story!
I enjoyed reading it.
10478282
Hey, I'm really glad you enjoyed it!
Man, that was one of the best stories I've seen in a while!
I have to say, your portrayal of their character revolving around Apple Bloom's situation was very well executed in a way I felt it matched the way they react on the show. I haven't seen many stories where the accuracy of character portrayal is written so well, but this definitely ears that mark from me.
The ending, too...damn, dude, that hurt.
It's more than understandable that AB is upset and deeply hurt by what happened to her, going as far as it did with Applejack, forever changing and fracturing their usually-hip-jointed dynamic. They are the closest sisters can get, even as they are shown in the show. Seeing them far apart, with one trying to make it right while the other is constantly reminded her sister that this is all her fault, it sets the tone well while simultaneously hurting deeply. And Apple Bloom still forgave her. (Even if she's still understandably mad, and will be for her life, I reckon.)
Makes me think about some of the things in my life that have brought conflict after some personal things happened, but I don't know if I can forgive them like AB did. Once the damage is done, it's done and can't be taken back. Even if a tonne of sorry is thrown in and there's a reassurance that they still care.
I'm glad AB forgave her sister. 💜
Top ten-story that I've read, very nice. Thank you for telling it
Phew
Thought she was gonna die for a second
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Oops, seems I somehow missed these comeents. Thank y'all, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
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If AB was even a minute later she would have.
"Enjoyed the story" isn't enough for me. That's an understatement. I have kinda felt like this before, when I had to have a bone overgrowth removed from my wrist. I couldn't look myself in the mirror without contempt because my body had betrayed me. Heck (I really didn't know what else to say and I have never written that word before and it felt so weird), it still is! My immune system is attacking my thyroid, and my asthma prevents me from doing a lot of things, and because of my dying thyroid, I'm now lactose intolerant, and my CATSHL syndrome makes me tall and have lots of growing pains. I don't think I'll ever forgive my body fully for what it's caused me, but I'm stuck with it 'til it dies. Sorry about the rant, but I needed to express my true feelings about this story.
BRAVO, sir, BRA. VO.
Ah... the sweet, sweet release of catharsis.
Happy tears this time, but I made a mistake reading this at work. It's okay though.
Catharsis... such an interesting thing. Not only did Applebloom experience it by forgiving Applejack... Applejack had the catharsis of Applebloom forgiving her...
It's not just the characters though. I myself felt catharsis, and even let out a breath I hadn't known I was holding. I was that enraptured.
Very, VERY well done. I'm consistently impressed by your stories, and this one is no exception. It may not carry quite the impact of, say a certain proposal between to very specific ponies, but it still had WEIGHT. I felt for both Applebloom AND AJ. And the story didn't even revolve around AJ! Like holy shit man. Even the non-pov characters had me visualising stories behind them.
The CMC though? They absolutely ASTOUNDED me! They were just such... good friends! They stood by Applebloom's side throughout the WHOLE STORY! That there... is true friendship. And another thing you hit the nail on the head with. Interpersonal relationships between characters really seems to be a speciality for you.
Still though, we got an epilogue! (I think) and then it's on to the next story!
Let's do it!
As a sidenote... that ending... holy shit. Ending the chapter at "I forgive you?" Fucking amazing timing. Made me start crying at work...
All in all... fucking FANTASTIC chapter. And easily among the best you've written (at least from what I've read so far)