> Playing the Hero > by Redo_RetroBrony > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Saving the Mare > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It a beginning of a new day and a new... troubling moment that she knew the CMC (Cutie Mark Crusaders) have gotten into. Applejack was luckily walking by The Everfree Forest. She suddenly heard a young filly's scream that sounded a lot like Apple Bloom in a way. "Was that Apple Bloom!?" She said looking terrified of the sound. "Ah gotta help her!" It wasn't only Apple Bloom, but the whole gang was there. Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom was there. But she didn't know this yet until she found them. She ran into the forest worried and scared. Worried for Apple Bloom and scared because she was in the Everfree Forest. "Apple Bloom?" Applejack kept yelling her name out but no response from her at all. She finally found her, or them. "Apple Bloom!" "Applejack, help us!" Applejack saw a manticore in front of them slowly walking towards the three ponies. "Hurry up Applejack!" Applejack was thinking on what to do, then and idea came to mind. Not only did she live on a farm but she had a way for brewin' up a starm for ideas in these situations as well "Hold on, I got a plan! Just don't move." Applejack threw a average sized rock at the beast which only made it madder. "Oh buck." She knew that this time it was a bad idea. Usually she would have much better then this one. "Just run, Ah'll distract it! The CMC ran out the forest without any second thoughts about Applejack facing a manticore on her own. She's a vary strong pony after all. She tried fighting off the beast but this one was stronger then the last, this one resisted the attack of the mare. It was bigger to. She was no match for it so she had no choice but to... "Gah!" Her hoof slipped as she noticed that she was dangerously close to the edge. Scared almost to death that she knew that she almost fell to her doom. "Bye bye!" She ran for it trying to lose it, She didn't lose it at all. It kept catching up with her and batting it's paws at her. it hit her a few times but really hard but she kept running away trying not to get hit. She finally lost it. She was able to lose the one hell of a beast for once, but she was battered up real badly from those hits. Luckily there was a Pegasus flying in the sky to save her. She thought it was Rainbow Dash but the body looked to bulky for a slim body. The only other Pegasy she knew were Fluttershy, Thunder Lane and Soarin'. It had to be Thunder Lane because he was way to big to be Fluttershy and he wasn't in a hurry like Soarin' would be. Thunder Lane looked down floating in place. "Is that Applejack?" The dark grey Pegasus wasn't sure from a distance. He lowered closer to see who it was. the only Earth Pony he knew that would be in a place like this was Applejack. He was slightly shocked to she that was hurt and laying on the ground in pain. "Applejack?" He said with a worried look on his face. "Are you ok?" "Yea." She responded with a slight yelp of pain. "Just a bit bruised is all." Thunder Lane knew she was going to be a bit stubborn and reject his help. After all she lived her whole life on a farm, apart from the fact that she moved to Manehattan for a little while. This is what he thought actually, to his surprise she didn't reject his help. "Do you need any help?" A soon as he said that he started thinking. "She won't accept your help at these times, she can be a stubborn as a mule. "Yes actually, the pain is bearable right know, A manticore did hit me ." She didn't say it was a big o... "It was bigger then the last one Ah've seen." There she goes stealing my line! "A man manticore? It must of been a big one then, I can even see a little blood on you. I should probably help you up and take you back to Sweet Apple Acres." This was the obvious thing to do seeing why he can't carry a mare like this one while flying, if he did he would throw hid back out. She would have to be lighter to carry her. "I would appreciate that a lot Thunder Lane, when I get there I should probably get some rest." She needed the rest after all what she have been through, she almost did fall to her death from being pushed back by the manticore. As they walked out the dark forest they could finally smell fresh air and see blue skies. Thunder Lane was less paranoid now that he's out of what he called 'The Forest of Discord' or 'Hell'. They walked all the way to her house through the apple trees of the acre. A few apples almost fell on them as they walked through the apple farm. "Thank you again for helping me Thunder Lane, Ah can't thank you enough." She said with a look of happiness, fear and sweat on her face. "Ah'm quite tired right now, I should probably get some rest when I get inside, but before Ah do I have to do this." She leaned in and gave the dark grey stallion a hug. "Thank you." When Applejack did this "one thing" Thunder Lane was speechless and had nothing to think of it. But he did say... "Bye, AJ." As she walked into the red barn house she was greeted with a worried look on Granny Smith and Big Macintosh. "What happened Dearie?" Granny Smith said in a worried tone. "You look like you got beaten up." Witch was obvious. "I was trying to save Apple Bloom and her friends from a manticore." She explained. "It was a strong and big one, and it got me a few times with it's Claws." That also explains where the scratches and bruises came from. "Well I'm glad you saved them, and survived it." Saying in a good tone. "Well you should get some rest now, you need it after all you've been through today." take a nap was what she was going to do anyways since it had been a hard day. she started her way upstairs saying. "Well Ah'll be taking that nap now, wake me when it's dinner time." When she got to the top of the stair she cried under her breath. "Owe, my side hurts after getting hit from that thing." She tried walking it off until she got to her bedroom. "Ah'm just glad Ah'm still alive." > Can't Stop Thinking About It: Thunder Lane's Chapter > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I was walking down the streets of Pinyville thinking about what just happened. Since I saved Applejack she started to act differently around me, I mean I can't blame her. I did save her life after all. It was hard day that day. As I walked down the dirt paths of Ponyville I was trying to mentally remind my self of what I needed to pick up at the markets. "Lets see, stuff for making salad: check, oranges: check, apples: ...nope." I still needed apples so I went over to the apple stand. Applejack was there selling apples, I didn't even expect her to be working after what happened yesterday. "Applejack? Why is she working today? Nah, it doesn't matter." I walked up to her stand. "Hey Applejack. Why are you working today?" "The Apple family need some bits, and yes everything pretty much still hurts. My side, my back right leg and my back, but Ah can walk it off right now. It's not that bad." She did seen to look ok to me. Maybe the fact that she works mostly everyday on the farm bucking apple trees, she always walked a cramp off. "Well I'll like to buy about 5 apples, how much would that be? Hopefully not much because I already bought a bunch of stuff." "It's free for you, after all did help a whole bunch yesterday and Ah appreciate it a whole lot Thunder Lane." They were free! I can see why because I did save her to. I was just relieved because I was running low on bits. "So anything happened lately?" Applejack asked it with a raise of a eyebrow. Since I wasn't in a hurry and there was nothing to do on the way home I started think of what happened. "Well not much happened today or yesterday, so I'm gonna say no. " It was a boring day today, nothing much at all but another mail delivery from Ditzy, or Derpy as other ponies may call her. Just like last time she crash into a window. "Well Ah'll tell ya what happened to me." Insisted the orange mare. "Ah was coming too the markets until I see a clown in the streets entertaining some young ones. It was fun to watch and made me chuckle a little big to." At least she had something good today... Other than another broken window. "Well that's good." I tried to sound happy about it but I was just to tired to sound like it. "It's good to laugh and have some fun, or something." Trying to say without falling asleep with boredom and lack of sleep... I should of told you that. "Well I'm heading of now, bye Aj" Saying as I waved my hoof goodbye. She waved good bye to. As I was walking down the streets of Ponyville I noticed the clown she was talking. It was fun to watch it but at the same time a bit foalish to watch it to, it did look like it was for mostly the younger audience as well. Well moving on down the paths I started thinking of yesterday, I still couldn't believed that she hugged me. I know that I helped her home from the forest but still, I didn't expect her to go that far. At least I was hoping for a thank you and a slight smile from her then walking into the house. When I got home I still couldn't take my mind off it. I know it's not that much of a big deal but it kept coming back, the thought of it made me feel better about my self but it also made it kind of weird between me and Applejack... or at least to me. I made my way too the kitchen to put every thing away. I had help with Rainbow Dash on my house, she helped me with my refrigerator and freezer so the shelf's were this enough to hold other objects on it, like an apple. Now to put aside the less important stuff. I made my way upstairs to see if everything was ok. "Good, nothing to worry about right now." Since I felt tired I decided to take a little nap. Setting my clock to wake me up, I pulled my blanket to cover about half of my body. As soon as I closed my eyes I started thin about the hug again. I tried to let it go but I couldn't, so I grabbed my iPony and I listened to my music. I figured that music would take my mind off it. Knowing that the music helps because I listen to metal, rock, and sometimes rap and pop music, this helped because my music always takes my mind off of stuff. When I started to finally fall asleep I heard a crash. "Damn it, not again." I assumed it was Ditzy because she always comes in on a daily schedule. I walked down the stairs and as soon as a saw it I face-hoofed, it was Ditzy again. "I'm guessing you have mail for me?" "Yes I do!" she said with a happy tone like always even though she just crashed into my window... again. This happened every time, why should I be mad now? "Thank you, I'll take that now if you don't mind." With a slightly annoyed tone in my voice I tried not to sound rude but it came out sounding like I was angry about it "Well I'm off to do my job now, bye Thunder Lane!" The grey mail pony left my house though the window she broke EVERY SINGEL TIME! "bye." I waited a few seconds for me and her to out distance so I can say: "She can get really annoying sometimes." As soon as she left I started to think about it again, the hug. I gave up on trying not to think of it now since it did bring good thoughts to mind, and a good memory. > My Hero: Applejack's Chapter > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- As Apllejack awoke from her nap, she went down stairs for dinner. She still had a cramp in hoof from running. When she got down stairs, she saw the whole family at the table. Apple Bloom, Granny Smith, and Big Macintosh. Granny Smith waved a hoof at applejack telling her to sit down for dinner. "Come, sit down and eat Applejack," Granny Smith said, making a motion with her hoof for AJ to sit down. "Are you feeling better big sis?" Apple Bloom asked with slight concern in her voice. "Ah'm fine Apple Bloom," saying, as she flinched with a slight cramp in her back from sleeping. "Ah just have a few cramps, is all, but nothing bad." Big Mac dug into his dinner. He worked all day, and only had a few snacks. Applejack started to eat two. They were having hay bacon, green beans, and biscuits for dinner. "Thank you for making dinner Granny Smith, it was delicious!" Complemented Applejack on the old mares cooking. "Oh, I didn't make it, Big Macintosh did! You should thank him." Big Mac's checks grew red in embarrassment, as he said, "Aw shucks, it was nothing." "Then, thank you, Big Mac," the farm pony said with a hint of appreciation in her voice. As a few minutes passed, the farm ponies got ready to go to bed, and as Applejack went to her room, she said, "Good night Everypony!." "Good night!" Everypony yelled, one by one, from they're rooms to Applejack as they all turned they're lights off. The next, Applejack woke up to open up her apple stand for the day. As she got there, she saw Thunder Lane. The dark gray pony walked, probably to buy some apples. They talked a little bit before he left. They both talked about what happened since she saved the CMC, and what was going on with the two. As Thunder Lane lifted off to go home, Applejack started thinking. Applejack always thought he was a great pony, a nice guy, and a bit handsome if not. She "almost" had feelings for him, and I'm sure he felt the same way. She was on break, so she decided to take a little walk. As she did, she ran into the CMC. Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle were all running down the streets of Ponyville, until on of them bumped into her. "Sorry Applejack," Scootaloo said, apologizing to the orange farm pony. She stumbled back, almost falling down on her haunches. "It's ok, Scootaloo. Just watch out where ya'll, alright? You almost made me fall," Glaring down at the three with slight anger and forgiveness, she carried on with her day. "It wont happen again AJ!" Sweetie Belle insisted, raising her hoof up like Applejack was a general or a commander, but then realized it was worthless doing it. Later that day, she picked up the bits she made that day and headed towards back to the farm house. as she walked into the door of the red house, she was greeted by Granny Smith. "So, how much did you make today?" Asked Granny Smith. "I actually made a lot today Granny Smith. It almost feels like a 1 pound tone is hanging off my back," not that she knows what that feels like. "Well Ah'm gonna go to my room now, if you don't mind," saying, as she set her saddle bag down. "I had a long day today, and I need a bit of rest. "Alright dearie, I'll call you down for dinner when it's ready." As she made her way to her room, she set her hat on her night stand next to her. I wonder what Thunder Lane is doin' right now, she thought to herself. She trotted over to the bathroom to take a shower. After she took a shower she was probably going to take a nap. She turned the nob to warm/hot and starting feeling the warm drops of liquid on her fur. The warm water calmed her, making her mind think and making her body relax. She tried not to slip as her body relaxed. Soon, she went into a peaceful state of mind as she started thinking about, What is going to happen next?. As she got out the shower, she dried herself off and went back too bed room. Before she could get in the door, she heard Granny Smith call her down for dinner. "Already? That was fast," she claimed. Step by step, going down the stairs, she could smell the food. When she got to the bottom of the stairs, she saw the family siting down at the table, eating. "Are ya hungry Applejack?" Asked Granny Smith. "No, Ah'm not that hungry," she insisted. "Ah'm just gonna go outside to get some fresh air." As she walked out the door of the red farm house, she felt the wind blow against her fur. It was in between warm and cold. She sat down on the chair that was on the porch, and pulled her hat down to protect her face from the wind. As soon as she closed her eyes, she heard someone land in front of her. As she lifted up her hat to see, she saw a excited Thunder Lane. "Hey AJ!" He said, excitedly. She almost fell beck in her chair. "Ah! Don't do that, Thunder Lane! You scared me," saying, as she picked her hat back up. "Oh, sorry Applejack. I just wanted to ask what you were doing," he asked with wonder. Applejack got up from her spot. "Ah was just getting some fresh air is all," saying, as she put her hat back on. "Are feeling better?" Thunder Lane raised a eyebrow as he asked. "What do you mean?" Applejack, as well raised a eyebrow. "I meant, do you feel better since last time?" He explained. "Oh yea, that. Yea, Ah feel better, just a bit cramped up." "Well, I'm just glad your ok AJ," he said, with a sign on relieve in his voice. "Ah'm glad two." Applejack's mind raced for a while, thinking about Thunder Lane. He saved her, and she wanted to call him, her hero... > The Good Guy Always Gets the Happy Ending > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "My Hero." Those words flowed through her mind as she walked down the streets of Ponyville. Applejack was hopping that she would see Thunder Lane again. She did see the Cutie Mark Crusaders again. "Hey Applejack," said Scootaloo, with some excitement in her voice. "What are ya doin'?" Apple Bloom asked, with a smile. "Ah was just heading down to the market place, too open up the apple stand," she said, tipping her hat a bit. "Well, we wont bother anymore," Sweetie Belle insisted, with a slight smile on her face as well. She continued down the path too her stand. Too her hope, she saw the one pony she wanted to see. Thunder Lane. The gray pony walked across her path up ahead, but he turned his head slightly to the side. He smirked a bit at the sight of her, happy to see the orange farmer. Thunder Lane trotted over to Applejack to say hi. "Hey A--" Mid jay, he was cut off by her deep voice. "Hey Thunder Lane, how ya doing?" "Ah, nothing much. How 'bout you?" He asked, lifting his hoof. "Ah was just heading too the stands, so, not much ah guess." Not much fun was found in walk to the stands or selling apple, unless she saw her friends while she did. "Well, when your on your break, could you come to the farm?" He asked, raising a eyebrow. "Like, for what? Do you mean like hanging out or something?" "Oh, you'll see why," he insisted, making a slight smirk. It was her break time, and she started trotting down the path, thinking about of what's going happen. "Maybe he got a new hat for me," she thought out lowed to herself. "Or maybe something I wanted to do since the day before yesterday." She got to Sweet Apple Acres, and looked around for Thunder Lane. She spotted a gray pony near the barn and the house. He got sight of her, and he waved a hoof at her to let her know it was him. She ran to the gray Pegasus, and asked him why he brought him here. "So why are we here?" She asked, raising an eyebrow. "Because, I wanted to do something," Telling Applejack, to reassure her. "Something like what?" "Like this," he said, still not telling her. "Can you just tell me so-" her sentence got cut off by the thing she didn't actually expect. A kiss. A gentle, quick, kiss on the lips, that lasted for about two seconds. He broke the kiss and said, "I love you..." Crimson-or dark red-spots formed on her checks. She was, speechless by the words. "You've been by my side, being such a good friend, and I know you would say the same thing about me. So this is why I brought you here." "Well, t-thank you, Thunder Lane, and I would say the same thing about you." Still massively blushing, she gave Thunder Lane a quick kiss back. "I love you two, Thunder Lane." That day went by pretty fast, so when Applejack got off work, she could see Thunder Lane again. But until then, she's gonna have to hope.