Under Pressure

A Lizard tapping along Big Mac’s nose shocked him into alertness. He jumped and shook his head violently, sending the small creature flying. As he did, a horrendously sickening series of crunches erupted from his spine. “AAAAAAHHJHHHHHHGGGGGHHH!” The pain burning through his nerves was immense. He wanted to drop his head back down on the ground to alleviate the intense pressure built up in his neck, but his head was stuck in that position. He knew trying to force his neck back into the right position could potentially kill him. Spinal injuries were truly nasty prospects.

Horrifyin`, too! There was very little that the gruff and masculine Big Macintosh would ever admit to being afraid of, but knowing how messed up he was, and knowing nopony was coming to help him gave him greater fear than he’d ever felt before. He was left with few options. He had to correct his scrunched, stiff neck. He knew he had to simply act without thinking about it. The more he’d think about it, the more he’d lose his nerve.

He lifted his neck, twisted his head to the left as far as he could, which still wasn’t very far, and slammed his snout into the ground, twisted his neck in the opposite direction, and forcing his head to swivel back to its standard position.

SNAP!

His eyes shut, tight, and his whole body tensed up as he waited for the pain to wash over him. To his surprise, it didn’t come. It actually felt kind of nice. Feeling lucky as he’d felt all day, he laid his head back down comfortably on the hard ground.

He wondered how long it’d been. The sun was at its pinnacle, warming his core and shedding light to the entire trench. Without moving his head, he glanced to his left. The entire trench was blocked off by boulders as large as houses only a few yards down. If he had been any deeper in, the rocks would have killed him for sure. Another reason ta feel lucky, ah guess, he thought to himself. He didn’t want to count himself as too lucky unless he made it out of there, alive.

He didn’t know if anypony would find him, or ever look for him. If not, he couldn’t know how long he would he have until he died from hunger or dehydration. He wasn’t sure if he would have rather been crushed immediately.

Big Mac’s mind started to drift toward Applebloom. His stomach twisted as she popped into his head. How will she react when er teacher tellser that her drunk, idiot brother accidentally killed `imself in a big crumbly mess? He felt a hot tear run down his cheek. Especially after how I treated `erlast time I saw her.

***

Applebloom and her fellow crusaders bid each other fare well as she separated from Sweaty bell and Scootaloo. She trotted, carelessly toward her house just as she did every day after school. As she approached the door, it swung open with a violent crash. She jumped aside as Applejack and Big Macintosh came walking out. Applebloom opened her mouth to greet her older siblings, but was cut off by Applejack before she could speak.

“Honestly, Big Macintosh, where do ya get off?! Ya think ya can criticize me about MAH friends?! Who do ya think ya’re, anyway!” Applebloom hunkered down, hoping they didn’t notice her. Big Macintosh and Applejack hadn’t argued about anything since that time Big Mac told Applejack that she couldn’t harvest all the season’s apples by herself when he was recovering from an injury. She didn’t know what to do. She hated this kind of aggression-driven argument. Without any parents, Applebloom always feared her family drifting apart.

“Now, Applejack, I’m just sayin that ya ought to be more sensitive ta Pinkie pie! You shoulda seen er the other night, Apple! She was a MESS! All she wants iser friends. So where are they, Applejack? Where are y’all?!” Big Macintosh Wore a deep grimace. Applebloom had never seen him so fierce and so intimidating. His voice was deep and gruff, and when he shouted, it seemed to boom through every acre of the farm, causing the birds to erupt from the trees in a fluttering explosion.

She sunk down, further and backed away, slowly, hiding behind the corner of the house with just an eye poking out to continue to watch the fiery debate.

“Are YOU seriously judging ME?! How dare ya criticize MY friendships! Do ya even have any friends, Big Mac? Heck, last I remembered, ya haven’t been able ta hold a conversation with anyone but me since ma and pa died!” Applebloom couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Her big sister, Applejack, was the kindest pony she’d ever known. How can she say something so heartless? She expected her older brother to explode after such a remark, but to her surprise, he didn’t say anything.

The gentle giant simply closed his eyes and turned his back to his beloved sister. Applejack’s angry expression vanished instantly, her jaw falling, limply, and her eyes opening, wide. With a glance back to take in the sight of his spiteful sister, he shook his head, slowly. It was the truest look of disappointment she’d ever seen on a Pony. He stepped forward and started walking. He walked into the west fields until he was a red dot far over yonder. I gust of wind whispered to the gentle fields, making the grass on the ground and the leaves in the trees ripple with it, granting a very poetic light on the scene as Big Mac disappeared behind a gentle hill.

Applebloom returned her gaze to her sister in astonishment, unable to predict what reaction she might have. Applejack only lowered her head and walked back inside, letting the net-door swing shut with a crash.

She was alone now, sitting in the corner bewildered and terrified. What just happened? I can’t believe what I just saw, Applebloom thought to herself. She didn’t know what to do. It was her worst fear coming to life. She couldn’t let the last of her family fall apart. She knew she had to intervene. She didn’t know how seriously the grown-ups would take her as a mediator, but she knew she had to try.

After a slight hesitation, she swallowed her fear and lowered her brow in avid determination. I gotta save mah family!

She entered through the screen door, walking slowly forward toward the staircase across the kitchen. The door slammed shut behind her, sending a boom throughout the house. Her fur stood on end, and she quickly dropped to the ground and looked in every direction, trying to find the perpetrator of the crashing sound. After realizing it was just the door, she wiped the beads of perspiration off her forehead and continued soundlessly toward the stairs in her crouched position.

She peered to her left as she passed by the living room to find Granny Apple asleep in her rocking chair, snoring and murmuring while she softly rolled in place back and forth. How can she sleep through that?! She reached the stairs and crawled up on her belly. Proceeding slowly and listening intently for movement, she advanced until she reached the top.

There were five doors in the upstairs hallway. To her left, Big Macintosh’s room, her own room, and the bathroom. All were empty. To her right, were Granny’s room and Applejack’s room. Applejack’s door stood slightly ajar, open wide enough only for one thin beam of light to penetrate the darkness of the unlit hallway.

She inched ever closer to her sister’s bedroom, hearing naught but a slight sniffle coming from inside. When she got closer, she stood up, peaking through the tiny crevice between the edge of the door and the door jam.

Apple jack was lying face-down on her bed, her face buried in her pillow. She’s crying! She never cries! She’s too strong ta cry! A sharp gasp escaped from Appleblooms mouth. Applejack jerked up her head and wiped the tears off her face, staring at the door in frustration.

Oh no! She seen me! Soundlessly, Applebloom dropped to the floor and rolled sideways to the other side, then got back up on her hind-hooves with her back against the wall. Did she see me? Her heart started beating faster. She tried to ignore the fresh, salty drops of sweat dripping down her snout, and tickling her nose.

Applejack’s door opened, and she started to stick her head out to scan the hallway. Applebloom had to think fast. Granny Apple’s bedroom was directly in front of her with the door hanging open.  Without a moment’s hesitation, she dipped down on her hind legs and jumped forward, ninja-rolling as she made contact with the ground. Safely in Granny Apple’s bedroom, she hid behind the door with her ear to the floor to listen for hoof steps. She heard none. A soft click echoed through the hallway as the latch to Applejacks door closed. Applebloom sat on the floor, flustered. What in Equestria is goin on?

Well, Applejack is pretty upset right now, and I don’t wanna talk ta her when she’s like this. She gets testy! She placed her hoof to her mouth and rubbed her chin while she contemplated. Maybe I’d better go talk ta Big Macintosh. He’s always reasonable. Nodding her head in approval of her own idea, she stood up and trotted down the hallway, unknowing of Applejack staring at her through her now-opened door with a confused look the whole while.

Applebloom smiled humorously to herself as she passed by her granny, once again, to find her still fast asleep. She exited out the kitchen door and dashed toward the west field where Big Mac had walked off. He usually doesn’t like me interrupting him while he’s workin, but I’m sure he won’t mind, now. This is a family ‘mergency!

Big Macintosh came into view as Appleloom topped a gentle slope. He wasn’t bucking for apples like she had expected. He sat in the grass in deep contemplation.  He didn’t seem too upset. He seemed more worried than angry. Applebloom walked toward him and planted her flank on the ground, in front of him.

He looked up to smile warmly at her. “Hey Big Macintosh”, she said. “Why is sis so angry?” She hoped it wasn’t too forward of her, but she never was one to beat around the bush. His smile faded, being replaced with a stern, parental look.

”Applebloom, that’s grown-folk business.”

“But Big Mac”, she retorted, “I just wanna help!” Big mac narrowed his eyes at her and shook his head, indicating that she needed to stop pursuing the subject. She wasn’t about to give up so easily, though. “Why is sis mad at Pinkie pie? Did Pinkie do sumthin bad?”

“Applebloom, just stop”, he pleaded.

“Was she talkin too much, or something? I know sis said sometimes she can be too hyper.”

“Applebloom, plea…”

“Why is she bein so mean ta ya when ya tried ta help?”

“Ya just stop right ther…”

“Is Pinkie sad? Why is she a mess? How did ya know she was so sad? Is she your friend, now?”

“Appleblo…”

“Is that why sis is mad? Did ya steal Pinkie from `er?”

“THAT’S ENOUGH, APPLEBLOOM!” Big Macintosh’s roar was enough to make even the mightiest of dragons quake in their scales. She fell dead-silent, sinking lower to the ground. She felt as though she had shrunk to half her size. She stared at him with disbelieving wide eyes as he scorned her.

“You ought ta know better than ta meddle in grown-up affairs! I don’t wanna hear another word outta ya, ya got that?!” Applebloom only nodded, lamely, in response. “Good! Now get home, Applebloom, I got some GROWN-UP’S matters ta attend ta! And don’t ya let me catch ya pesterin me or yer sister `bout this, again, ya hear?!” Applebloom nodded, once more, her lips starting to quiver. “Go on then”, he said finally, gesturing his hoof toward the house.

She continued to sit. She had never been yelled at like that, before, and the last pony she expected to be the first to scold her so heavily was her generous big brother. “GO!” Big Macintosh repeated, menacingly. Tears erupted from Appleblooms eyes. She ran toward her house, and away from big Mac. Her tears were lost in the wind as she ran. She dashed across the field as fast as she could, trying to work off the pain of her shattered heart.

She ran straight past the house deeper into the fields. She ran until she reached the treehouse that served as the cutie mark crusaders clubhouse. It was starting to get late, and their meeting would start soon. She had to get ahold of herself before they arrived.

With her head hanging low to the ground, she walked up to her treehouse, where she stayed the duration of the night.