Applejack had given her life to save Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle from the plague ponies. It's now Apple Bloom's turn to defend herself from the horrors of ten years ago.
It's been ten years since Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle escaped Ponyville. They were taken to Canterlot where the remnants of ponykind were sheltered. Two years later, the last known plagued pony was destroyed and Equestria was declared as a safe zone. Of course, defenses are on high alert at all times, just in case of the unlikely event that an infected pony surfaces.
Despite living in a city with several reasons to not be afraid, Apple Bloom can't help but fear the worst that is about to befall Equestria once again.
**Title is subject to change**
This is a sequel to my pride and joy, The Last Stand, the chapters will be much longer and I hope that this story will have the same effect the last one did.
"NOOOOO!" Apple Bloom shot up in her bed, eyes full of tears, "Not again..." Apple Bloom brought her hooves to her face and cried.
Ten years ago, when the plague swept across Equestria, Apple Bloom almost lost everything. She lost her home, her family, and many friends. For ten years, she's been having the same nightmare that is a constant reminder of the horrors that don't want to be forgotten.
Each time, Apple Bloom finds herself at Sweet Apple Acres. The sun is shining bright and through the rows of red delicious and firesides, in the distance, she can see Applejack. Using all of her strength, she runs as fast as she can towards her, calling out her name. Applejack is turned around and doesn't seem to acknowledge Apple Bloom, despite her shouts.
As the yellow filly draws closer to her sister, she gets an ominous feeling. When she's within reach, Applejack slowly turns to reveal the disfigured face of a plagued pony. Afraid, Apple Bloom calls out to Applejack, hoping her words will reach. Unfortunately, the farmer lunges at her sister, pinning her on the ground. The last thing Apple Bloom sees before she wakes up is the bloody maw of what was once her sister.
***
Apple Bloom went another night without sleep, making that night the seventh in two weeks. She didn't want to go out today but she promised that she'd meet with Sweetie Belle at the cafe down the street.
"Alright," Apple Bloom sighed haphazardly, "Up I go." The mare hopped out of her bed and exited her apartment.
The streets were filled with ponies going about their lives. It was as if they had all forgotten. Of course Apple Bloom knew for a fact that wasn't true, but it was hard to shake that feeling. She envied and resented them for being able to live without constant fear. Apple Bloom found herself staring at the ground again, ignoring everypony.
"Apple Bloom!" A familiar voice made her raise her head.
"Sweetie Belle." Apple Bloom smiled, increasing her pace. Sweetie Belle wasn't like the others. She always brought Apple Bloom out of her despair.
As Apple Bloom neared Sweetie Belle, that same ominous feeling came back, causing her to stop dead in her tracks. Her legs began to tremble and she fell to her knees.
"Apple Bloom?!" Sweetie Belle rushed over to her friend and helped her up.
Apple Bloom reached out her hoof and touched the unicorn's face, "Sweetie Belle. How are you doing?"
Sweetie Belle's expression changed from being scared to being irritated, "Don't you 'how are you doing' me! What happened? You really scared me!"
"I'm sorry. It's just that it happened again."
Sweetie Belle sighed, "Apple Bloom. Lets go. The cafe is just across the street." Sweetie Belle put her hoof around Apple Bloom and guided her to the store. She brought her to one of the tables outside and pulled out a chair, ushering for Apple Bloom to sit, which she did. She then took her own seat across from her.
"Apple Bloom." Sweetie Belle looked right into the yellow mare's eyes, "Let it out. Tell me what happened."
Apple Bloom explained her dream to Sweetie Belle again. This wasn't the first time she had discussed this with her. For years, the two ponies would meet and every so often, Apple Bloom would bring up the dream she had during their conversation. Sweetie Belle was used to it.
"Sweetie Belle," Apple Bloom looked towards the street, watching the ponies passing by, "When I got close to you, I felt the same thing I do in my dream when I get closer to Applejack."
Sweetie Belle raised her eyebrow, "What do you think it means?"
"I'm not sure. I just got this feeling like something bad is going to happen."
"Apple Bloom, nothing bad is going to happen."
"But what if it does?" Apple Bloom began breathing faster, "What if it happens again?"
"Apple Bloom! Enough!" Sweetie Belle rose from her seat, "The last infected pony was destroyed eight years ago! You have nothing to be afraid of." Sweetie Belle was starting to lose her patience. She's been trying very hard to keep her friend from going over the deep end. Her constant efforts don't show too much improvement.
"But what if-"
"Apple Bloom, stop it! You need to calm down." Sweetie Belle stopped her mid-sentence, "Even if it were to happen again it wouldn't last very long. We've learned a lot since that time and ponies know how to handle it so that the events from ten years ago wont happen again. Besides, we're safe here in the city. Remember the wall." Sweetie Belle pointed off down the street and what used to be a direct road that lead out of the city is now blocked off by a twenty foot wall.
"I know I'm being irrational. But you know just as well as I do what happened to us. We nearly lost everything we hold dear!"
"Of course I remember." Sweetie Belle lowered her head with a heavy sigh, "I'll never be able to rid myself of those memories. However, it's in the past and if we want to continue living, we have to forget it as much as possible."
"How could you purposely try to forget your family?!" Apple Bloom retorted in disbelief.
"I know it's terrible, but every time I recall my sister, I break down. I just want to live my life and if forgetting about Rarity is the way to do it, so be it. I'm sure that she'd do the same."
The two remained silent for a while. Everyone has different methods of coping. While Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were both together to share the same experience, when indescribable events such as the ones in Ponyville happen, ponies change. For better and for worse, they are both fighting a battle within their minds.
"I'm sorry for causing so much trouble," Apple Bloom got up from her seat, "I'm going home now."
Apple Bloom turned towards the street and began walking away with her head hung.
Sweetie Belle's mind was screaming at her to stop Apple Bloom from leaving, but her heart knew that only more pain would come of it. She just watched as her friend walked away, alone and afraid.
"Ma'am, can I get you something to drink?"
"A cup of french roast." Sweetie Belle answered without taking her eyes off of her friend.
Apple Bloom locked herself away with her thoughts. She felt bad about just getting up and leaving Sweetie Belle like that, but there's not a lot she could do. She couldn't manage to swallow her pride and go back.
Before she knew it, Apple Bloom was at her building. She looked up and realized just how small her building was. Compared to the others, it was only five stories. Without giving it a second thought, she entered the lobby of her building,
"Hello, Apple Bloom. Good day to be alive wouldn't you say?" A stallion that lived a few doors down from her greeted her at the entrance
Apple Bloom glared at the stallion, her stare made him shrink back with fear, regretting ever opening his mouth. She never liked being rude to others, but she didn't want to lie to herself or anyone. Today was definitely not a good day. Apple Bloom has been carrying the memory of her sister's sacrifice in her head for years and it's weight has definitely taken a toll on Apple Bloom's mental state. Before the world turned into hell, Apple Bloom was a happy, energetic, and loving child; but now those are gone, they died along with her home.
The troubled mare walked up the several flights of stairs until arriving at the fourth floor. The empty carpeted hallway took her to the end and she opened her apartment door on the left. Apple Bloom left the door unlocked since she didn't have anything really worth stealing. She walked over to the bathroom and turned the knob, the sound of the rushing tap was tranquil, like white-noise. She couldn't place her hoof on it, but Apple Bloom knew that the water was something that calmed her when she was worried.
Apple Bloom splashed water onto her face five times and turned the faucet off. She wiped her face with a towel and headed for the balcony. She slid the glass door open and stepped onto the balcony. Even though being high up was intimidating to the mare, she felt safe knowing that she could see what's below her and that she's out of reach.
She stared out over the streets below. She saw the cafe down the street, only to be disappointed to see that Sweetie Belle was not there anymore, perhaps it's better that way.
"I do envy you, Sweetie Belle," Apple Bloom sighed, "I want to live without fear. I want to live in a world where I can laugh and smile with ponies like I used to." Apple Bloom closed her eyes and took a moment of silence. The breeze sent chills down her spine blew strands of red hair into her face.
She opened her eyes and sighed heavily. Today was much more stressful than it should have. Apple Bloom went back into her apartment to see the small packet of cigarettes on the dresser, right where she left it. She picked it up and brought it with her back to the balcony. Inside were two cigarettes and a lighter.
"Sorry, sis, I know this is a horrible habit and I know you raised me better." Apple Bloom placed a cigarette in her mouth and lit it, the smoke gently drifted in the breeze.
She looked over the town once again and wondered about the lives of others. She wanted to know their secret. She could say with certainty that everypony remembers the horrors of ten years ago and with little doubt, have experienced loss and saw unspeakable things. But how do they push those memories into the recesses of their minds? Apple Bloom took another draw on the tobacco as she pushed the thought out of her mind.
"It doesn't matter," Apple Bloom tossed the unfinished cigarette off her balcony and watched the wind take it, "The only thing that matters to me is myself. Worrying about others leaves you vulnerable to being hurt."
"Hey kid! Get back here!"
Apple Bloom heard a stern voice shouting from below.
"Don't lose her!"
The mare looked down to see two guards chasing after a filly.
"Geez, again?" Apple Bloom shook her head, "One would think she'd learn her lesson by now."
Apple Bloom has seen this event happen over and over again. The filly below was named Cobblestone and she had a reputation of being a troublemaker and wasn't too popular with the authorities. Sometimes she'd escape and other times they'd catch her and lock her up for a bit, nothing too serious.
"This is the last straw! We don't need ponies like you in this place!" One of the guards shouted.
"That was the last thing you're ever going to steal." The second guard said, readying his spear.
Apple Bloom leaned over the balcony, "What the?! They can't be serious!" Apple Bloom ran back into her apartment and threw open her door. She ran as fast as she could down the steps, knocking over ponies as she passed. They cursed her but it didn't slow her down. She needed to get to the alley behind the building quickly.
As Apple Bloom flew out the front door and ducked into the alley, she could see the two guards standing over Cobblestone.
"Hey! The fuck do you think you're doing?!" She barked.
"Why don't you mind your own damn business?" A guard hissed.
Apple Bloom looked down beneath them and saw Cobblestone lying on the ground she made eye contact and winked. The filly winked back and lunged for the leg of one of the guards and sank her teeth into it.
"AAAAAARGGGHHH!" He screamed, flailing his leg in an attempt to shake off the filly.
Apple Bloom ran towards the guards and gave the one Cobblestone was biting a hard kick in the head, knocking him out.
"You got lucky bitch! We'll kill you for this!" The remaining guard shouted as he ran away.
"Yea! That's what you get for messing with us!" Cobblestone taunted. The filly looked up to the mare who came to her rescue, "Hey, thanks a bunch, but you really didn't need to do that. I could have taken them on my own."
Apple Bloom just glared at the child, "Do you realize that they were going to kill you?! You get into trouble so fucking much! No wonder the authorities hate you. Take my advice, go home and don't do stupid shit that'll get you killed."
"Screw you." The grey filly frowned, "Why do you care about what I do or what happens to me?"
Apple Bloom opened her mouth instinctively but found her unable to conjure a response.
"Whatever," The mare huffed as she began heading for the street, "See ya later kid."
