APPLEBLOOM'S LAMENT

“Applebloom?! Come on little sis, this ain't funny!” Applejack exclaimed as she looked about the police station in a panic despite the obvious that had occurred.

“Oh, wonderful. Now the other one's ran off.” Henry remarked aloud in an annoyed tone.

“Why don't ya shut the buck up and help em' look for the fillies then?!” Mary exclaimed as she whacked up hard upside the head with her hoof. “Ah've had it up to here with ya bad mouthin mah family!” Marry exclaimed as her country accident she had done her best to suppress came out completely due to her anger.

“Whoa, that's one thick country accent. How did she manage to talk like a city pony so well?” Scootaloo asked in a stunned tone.

“You'd be surprised what ponies can do with their voices.” Applejack remarked as she walked up to the mare.

“Ya okay thar Maryapple?” Applejack asked as placed a hoof on the mare's shaking body.

“No Ah'm not okeh. Mah daughter is out thar and possibly lost and bleedin to death!” Maryapple replied her voice cracking as she spoke.

“Don't worry, Ah'll find both of em'. Applebloom will probly find Babs fore' Ah do though. She's always been the better one at findin ponies and things. Ah haven't been able to hide a Hearths Warmin Eve gift for her yet that's she's not found before time for her to open it and Ah got a whole orchard of hidin places.” Applejack replied with a smile doing her best to calm the mare down.

“Ah understand ya is tryin to calm me down but nothin will calm me down at this point Applejack. Just find mah daughter and bring her back safe and sound.” Maryapple replied her voice shaking still as she spoke.

“Ah will.” Applejack replied as she began to walk towards the door.

“Ahem, perhaps you should leave this to the police to handle miss.” A police pony said as he walked up to her only to get a deathly glare from the farm mare.

“Grand job ya did of that! Took mah cousin pullin a publicity stunt to help ya find what was right under ya noises for the last week! No, Ah think Ah'll be lookin for em' on mah own thank ya very much.” Applejack replied before she continued walking towards the door.

Maryapple then gave her husband a swift kick to the hind leg which caused the stallion to hold it as pain coursed through it. “What ya waitin for? Harths Warmin Eve?! Go with her and found our daughter ya consarned mule!” Maryapple roared at which point Henry quickly got off the chair and followed Applejack out the police station.

There were two times when the stallion knew not to cross his wife: When she was cooking a meal and when her country accident leaked through her “usual” city mare accent. He knew she was beyond pissed off when this happened and didn't dare argue with her.

Applebloom was now looking through the streets of Fillydephia for any sign of Babs. It soon became clear to the farm filly however, that she wasn't going to find her in time at the rate she was going if she was in deed bleeding as badly as her father said she was.

“Consarn it Babs! Why'd ya have to go and do a featherbrained stunt like this!” Applebloom exclaimed as she looked down an alleyway only to spot a familiar face, or at least as familiar as she could remember being suddenly tackled by.

Applebloom then walked up to the red Pegasus.”Hey, Ah got a favor to ask of ya.” the Pegasus took one look at her and darted off.

The farm filly quickly scanned her surroundings and found a coil of rope laying near where the Pegasus was rummaging through. She quickly picked it up, tied a knot in one end just like her sister had taught her, and began to chase after the Pegasus who had gotten a decent head start on her.

The Pegasus had just managed to leave the alley and was taking off for the skies when he felt something tie around his right hind leg and yank hard. “Oh, buck! Not again!” He shouted as he attempted to propel himself in order to escape only to realize he couldn't make any headway. Curiously, he looked behind himself to see that the other end of the rope had been tied down to a nearby lamp post

“Ya got two choices ya varmint, either help me find mah cousin or Ah'm gonna keep tuggin until Ah hogtie on this here sidewalk!” Applebloom shouted out.

“Oh yeah? You and what army ya little brat?!” The Pegasus exclaimed as he turned to look at her.

“Ah don't need an army. All Ah need to do is keep tuggin until Ah have ya within reach!” Applebloom retorted, bit down on the rope and gave it a hard tug with her mouth and applebucking legs.

Much to the Pegasus's shock, he dropped a few feet yet when he tried to regain the height he lost, he found he couldn't. Once again looking down, he saw that the filly had managed to tie yet another knot down against the lamp-pole in the brief time he had been yanked down.

A few more tugs later and the Pegasus was near ground level. “Now then. One more tug till Ah hogtie ya on this sidewalk! Ya gonna help me or am Ah gonna have to-” “Holy Luna! You're Applebloom!” The Pegasus exclaimed in shock once he got a good look at the filly and cut her off with his surprised exclamation.

“And ya point is?” Applebloom asked with a slightly raised eyebrow.

“I'm like, a huge of fan of yours! Of course I'll help you!” The Pegasus exclaimed as he voluntarily landed on the ground and walked up to her.

The filly's brain nearly broke upon hearing this. She had gone through all this when all she needed to do was state her name and she could have avoided this entire situation. “Ah swear, this fame of mine is a double-edged sword.”

A FEW MOMENTS LATER...

“So who are ya lookin for? I can fly all night!” He exclaimed enthusiastically as he flew a crossed the skies with Applebloom on his back.

“Mah cousin, Babs. Ya should know what she looks like. Ya mugged us on our first day here.” Applebloom replied with a slight glare at the Pegasus unknown to him.

“Oh her, the dark orange filly, heh. Right. No hard feellings right? A thief's gotta make a living somehow!” The Pegasus replied as the two looked over the ground for any sign of Babs.

“Ya could, I don't know, find a job like a normal pony!” Applebloom replied with an annoyed expression once again unseen by the Pegasus.

“Hey, I think I found her!” The Pegasus called out a few moments later as he stopped mid-air and hovered in place pointing in the direction he was looking.

“Really?!” Applebloom exclaimed as she looked over the Pegasus's shoulder only for her excitement to be replaced with horror, Babs laid on the ground looking as if she had passed out.

“Eek, she ain't lookin too good either.” The Pegasus remarked queasily as he looked at the filly's body.

“Quick, lower me down!” Applebloom exclaimed to which the Pegasus obeyed without question.

Applebloom hopped off the Pegasus's back before he had fully landed and ran to Babs's side. “Hey, Babs! Wake up!” As she shook the city filly.

“Oh, hey there. I was lookin for you.” Babs replied weakly.

“Ya featherbrained nitwit! Didn't ya realize ya was bleedin out from your right flank?!” Applebloom looked over the wound.

“Oh dat... Yeah, I kinda noticed a little late though. I laid down to rest my eyes a little cuz I was feelin tired.” Babs replied once again weakly.

“Well the cut looks like it closed itself so maybe it wasn't that bad. We still need to get ya looked at though.” Applebloom replied with a sigh of mild relief. “How long ya been out here?” She asked as she helped the city filly to her hooves and put Babs's left hoof over her should to act as a crutch for the city filly.

“I don't know, thirty minutes maybe?” Babs replied and winced as she stood on her right leg.

“Can ya take us to the nearest hospital?” Applebloom asked the Pegasus who looked pale at the moment.

“I didn't sign up for this, if she dies on the way, I'm gonna be accused of murder!” The Pegasus exclaimed and took off from the ground before Applebloom could utter another word.

“There goes our ride.” Babs remarked sounding annoyed despite her weakened voice.

“Horseapples!” Applebloom cursed as she looked around. “Come on, lets walk it and try not to overdue it. Last thing we need is that cut openin up again.”

“How did you know I was out here anyways?” Babs asked as the two slowly made their way to the main street from the alley.

“Applejack found me after mah performance at the Gala.” Applebloom replied as the two neared the main street.

After a brief silence and the two finally making it to the main street, Babs sighed loudly. “Listen cuz, about what ya saw back at the apartment complex. It wasn't what you thought it was. Course, it could have been if Swift wasn't such a goody two-hooves.” Babs said and sighed once again.

“Ah heard.” Applebloom replied stiffly.

“I don't expect ya to forgive me but I want ya to know dat you're the only filly for me.” Babs replied as she nuzzled Applebloom the best she could.

“Look we can talk about this later, right now, mah main concern is gettin ya some much-needed medical attention.” Applebloom replied and sighed as the two walked down the sidewalks of Fillydephia.

“Applebloom?! Stop the carriage!” A familiar voice exclaimed at which point a carriage that had just passed them stopped a short distance up the road from them.

“Boy, Ah never thought Ah'd actually be happy to see you.” Applebloom replied as Showtime ran up to the fillies.

“I've been looking for you! You disappeared from the Gala when you had an appointment a mere hour later that I was forced to push to tomorrow!” Showtime replied then looked at Babs. “Is that the filly you said cheated on you?” Showtime remarked a few moments later in mild-shock as the carriage pulled back to where the three stood now.

“Look, Ah need to get her to a hospital. She was hurt pretty bad and needs to be looked at.” Applebloom replied.

“Teh, I don't see how that's any of your concern anymore.” Showtime replied nonchalantly.

“It's mah concern because she's mah cousin!” Applebloom glared at the stallion menacingly.

“Y-Y-Y-Your cousin?! Are you sure this is the same filly we're talking about here?” Showtime asked incredulously.

“Ugh, forget it! Listen, Mr. drivers, can ya get me and mah cousin to the nearest hospital?” Applebloom asked looking at the carriage pulling ponies now.

“Of course!” One of the stallions exclaimed with a smile.

“Get right in!” The other one chimed in moments later and used magic to open the carriage door for them.

“Applebloom, we don't have time for this. You have interviews with mare's weekly in a mere hour!” Showtime exclaimed seemingly ignoring the injured filly as Applebloom helped Babs into the carriage.

Once Babs was sitting comfortably in the carriage however, Applebloom's pissed off expression could be seen by the stallion as she stepped out to look at him. “Buck your appointments Showtime! Mah family is more important than some stupid interview! Oh and ya know what? Ah quit!” Applebloom shrieked at the stallion whom looked horror-stricken at this exclamation.

“Y-Y-You can't quit! You signed a contract!” Showtime exclaimed as he pulled the contract out from his saddle pack and waved it at her.

Applebloom then proceeded to yank the contract out of Showtime's hooves and tossed it to the ground. “This is what Ah think of your contract Showtime!” Applebloom exclaimed as she turned about-face, lifted her tail up, giving Showtime a clear view of her goods much to his discomfort, and proceeded to urinate on the contract in front of the stallion whom gawked in shock and horror at this crude display. “Been holdin that in for the last half hour.” Applebloom remarked with a grin as she turned to face the stallion who could only gawk at her in sheer shock of what she had just done. “Now if ya will excuse me, Ah need to get mah cousin to the hospital.” She finished, stepped inside the carriage and closed the door at which point the carriage drivers broke into full gallop completely ignoring the fact that Showtime had not stepped into the carriage.

ROUGHLY THIRTY MINUTES LATER...

“This is ridiculous! It's like finding a needle in a haystack!” Henry exclaimed as the two looked through an alley.

“Ah don't recall askin ya to come with.” Applejack remarked with an air or annoyance in her voice.

“My daughter is out here Applejack, that's more than enough reason for me to be out here. Besides, I do not dare cross my wife when she's that upset.” Henry replied only for Applejack to give a hearty laugh in response to this. “What's so funny?”

“Nothin really. Ah just figured you'd know what ya is gettin into fore' ya married an apple.” Applejack replied with a smirk at the stallion whom surprisingly enough, smiled back.

“Oh I did Applejack. Her robust country upbringing is what attracted me to her in the first place.” The stallion replied.

“Eh? So why ya been talkin ill of our lot then?” The farm pony asked curiously as the two left the alley and into one of the many main streets of Fillydephia.

“It mostly has to do with the incestuous adventures of your little sister and my daughter.” Henry replied, his tone quickly changing from light to agitated and upset. “That and the fact that according to my daughter, you actually encourage it.” He added a few moments later sourly.

“Hardly. To be up front and honest with ya, Ah ain't too keen on it mahself.” Applejack replied much to Henry's shock.

“So why do you allow it then?” The stallion asked curiously.

“Funny ya should be askin me that cause Ah'm still lookin for a proper answer.” The farm pony replied with a light chuckle.

“I don't follow.” Henry replied simply with a confused expression on his face now.

“Ah guess what it boils down to is lettin mah little sis do what makes her happy. Providin it don't hurt anypony. Ever since our parents died, she's always put on a happy face but Ah always knew it was nothin more than a mask she wore to hide the sadness she felt over losin our mama. Doin that crusadin thing, she does with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo helped her some but Ah never saw her smile for real until a year ago.” Applejack replied and stopped briefly to check under a cardboard box before continuing. “Around the same time she started datin Babs though Ah didn't know until nearly a week later that this was happenin when Ah found those photographs.”

“Photographs?” Henry inquired curiously.

“Apparently about a couple weeks before she showed up for her visit with us, she had sent Applebloom some pictures of her doin some rather... adult pony stuff in em'.” Applejack replied turning slightly green from the memory itself.

“So that's where our camera went...” Henry remarked as he recalled the week that their camera had mysteriously disappeared and just as mysteriously reappeared in the same spot he had left it a few days later.

“As ya can expect, Ah freaked out, grounded Applebloom to her room, and arranged for Babs to stay in the guest bedroom till the next day when Ah took her to the train station.”

“So what caused this to change?” Henry asked his curiosity now peaked.

“Applebloom did. She showed up at the train station with help from Diamond Tiara who until then as far as Ah knew, the two hated each other's guts. Anyways, the two of them confessed their feelins for one another and skippin the part with Filthy Rich going off the hinges, Ah brought the two back home.” Applejack replied and sighed heavily as the two made a left turn at the end of the street and continued to look about their surroundings for any sign of the two fillies.

“I still don't see what caused you to allow the two to... date.” Henry replied only to trail off for a moment before he stiffly said his final word.

Applejack hesitated for a moment in thought. “The look in mah little sister's eyes did. For the first time, Ah saw true happiness in em'. Not the fake smile she always wore day in and day out. When Ah realized that Babs was the source of this happiness, well, Ah can't say what changed exactly; but Ah found mahself puttin up with them datin, much to mah own shock.”

“When you say, putting up with it, you mean that you don't like it?” The stallion inquired.

“Of course Ah don't like it! It don't look natural to me for one to be doin it with one of their own kin. But mah little sister's happiness is more important to me than mah own personal beliefs.” Applejack replied and sighed once again.

“Well I for one will not be as you say, putting up with it. You may value your sister's happiness over what is normal but I don't. I certainly hope you didn't think that by telling me all this that you could sway me to allow this unnatural and wrong relationship of theirs to continue.” Henry replied his tone sounding slightly hostile and mistrusting.

“Of course Ah didn't. Ah ain't stupid. Ah knew you'd figure it out sooner or later. Ah just wanted to see mah little sister smile a little longer.” Applejack replied looking rather annoyed by the stallion's attitude towards her now.

“Well, thanks to you allowing this fiasco to go on as long as it has, you and I both are going to be dealing with some heartbroken fillies.” Henry replied.

“Don't remind me...” Applejack replied and sighed heavily once again.

It was at this point a police carriage rushed by only to come to a screeching halt a few feet passed the two ponies. “Hey, get in! We know where Applebloom and Babs are!” Scootaloo shouted from the window of the police carriage.

“Told ya she'd find her first.” Applejack replied with a smirk as the two rushed to the police carriage and off to the hospital.

Once the group had a short discussion with the front desk, they headed upstairs to Babs's room to see a stallion wearing a doctors coat stepping out. “Bab's parents and relatives I assume?” He greeted them as they stopped in front of him.

“Yes, how is Babs?” Maryapple asked with a worried expression.

“She suffered moderate blood loss but her life isn't in danger. She'll need to stay here for a few days while her body recovers naturally from the blood loss and to make sure no complications arise.” The doctor replied much to everypony's relief.

“Can we see her?” Scootaloo asked after a brief silence.

“Of course but try not to crowd her. She needs to relax. Her cousin is already inside with her at the moment.” The doctor replied only to look at Henry in confusion as his expression went from relived to ticked off. “Is something the matter?” he asked curiously.

“N-No. Thank you doctor.” Henry replied stiffly.

“Very well, if you have any questions or problems arise with Babs' condition, do not hesitate to call for a nurse.”The doctor replied and walked past the group.

No sooner the doctor had left sight, Henry was making his way to open the door when Applejack stepped in front of him. “Hold on a second thar partner.” Applejack said as she placed a hoof on his chest to halt the stallion in his tracks.

“Applejack, I will say this calmly once, please step out-of-the-way.” Henry replied with a glare at the farm pony.

“Can't you give her this at least?” Applejack contested with a pleading expression.

“I already told you earlier, you may value your sister's happiness over what is normal, but I do not! Now step aside!” Henry said with a glare.

“Not mah sister, Babs!” Applejack retorted with an equal glare.

Henry looked past Applejack through the small window in the door at this point to see his daughter's hooves around Applebloom's with a warm content smile on her face.

The stallion's expression seemed to contort in self-frustration as he opened his mouth, closed it, opened it again, and closed it once more before he gave an aggravated sigh as he shook his head furiously. “F-Fine! But if that sister of yours so much as thinks of kissing my daughter, I will not hesitate to have her removed from the hospital room!” Henry replied finally, turned about-face, and swiftly walked down the hall.

Applejack then looked to Maryapple whom merely sighed. “I don't mind, she is family after all.”

With this dilemma temporarily taken care of, Applejack then turned around, opened door, and walked inside followed by the others. No sooner inside, Maryapple walked over to her daughter and hugged her tightly.

It was at this point Applebloom and Babs' hooves darted away from one another. “Hey sis. Ah know it was stupid of me to run off like that.” Applebloom greeted with a weak smile.

“We'll discuss your punishment for runnin off like that later. Now ain't the time for it.” Applejack replied in a stern yet soft tone as she looked over at Babs who looked nervous now as her mother hugged her.

“Babs Seed, what were you thinking?!” Maryapple asked in a soft tone as she looked at her daughter with tears of relief flowing from them.

“I'm sorry mom. I didn't mean to worry ya like that.” Babs replied with a nervous smile.

“Well at least your okay. That's all that matters right now.” Maryapple replied and hugged her daughter tightly once again.

“I know this isn't the best time with you all just getting here and all but can you give me a little time alone with Applebloom? We haven't had much time to talk and there are some things I need tell her in private.” Babs asked with a worried expression at which point Maryapple looked at Applejack then to Applebloom with a slightly stern expression which said she wasn't too keen on the idea.

“Ah swear Ah won't try anythin.” Applebloom spoke up at which point the two mares looked at the farm filly then at each other.

“What ya think Maryapple? Ten minutes?” Applejack finally said after an awkward silence.

The mare looked at her daughter, then to Applebloom, then to Applejack and sighed dejectedly. “Ten minutes.” She said finally, stood up, and left the room followed by Applejack, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Silverspoon.

Once the door had closed, Applebloom sighed loudly. “We don't have much time so Ah'll be quick, ya hurt me Babs. Ya may not have done anythin with Swift but ya almost did. What would possess ya to be goin after him anyways? Ah know we weren't on the best of terms at the time but it's not like we broke up or anythin.” Applebloom said as she looked at Babs with a hurt expression.

“I... I don't know what I was thinkin. Even before I drank all dat alcohol, I wasn't thinkin clearly. I guess... I guess I thought that I had lost ya forever.” Babs replied and sighed heavily as she looked away from Applebloom for a moment before turning her head to look back at her. “I just wanted to stop feeling the pain. Since the moment I left ya in dat hotel room, I couldn't stop crying. I just wanted the tears to stop. I know that isn't an excuse for nearly sleepin with Swift. I couldn't think of one if I tried.”

“Because there isn't one!” Applebloom exclaimed feeling her temper rise slightly due to the memory of seeing Babs and Swift in bed playing through her mind again only to stop herself before she got anymore upset.

“It's not like I went back to the apartment complex to buck Swift! I went back to get it through to you dat I had enough of you puttin dat singin career of yours before me, your fillyfriend!” Babs shouted feeling her temper rise as well only to sigh afterwards as a silent tear streaked down her right cheek.

Upon hearing this, Applebloom ran a hoof through the front her mane before allowing it to flop back onto her forehead as she placed her hoof back on her hind legs in the chair she sat in.“Listen, Ah know Ah was lettin that singin career of mine get between us. Ah ain't got any excuse for pushin ya away like Ah did.”

“No, you don't.” Babs remarked with a slight glare before she once again looked away from the farm filly.

The two fillies didn't say a word for some time, staying silent until Babs finally turned her head to look at Applebloom with tears in her eyes.“This is it, isn't it? Even if we made it past this, my parents won't let us see each other.” she said her voice cracking slightly as she spoke.

“Then maybe it's best y'all call it off now fore Babs' parents make ya.” Applejack's voice pipped up from the doorway which caused both fillies to snap their gaze in her direction. “Sorry, Ah did't mean to ease-drop but Babs' mama asked me to keep an eye on you two so her papa wouldn't fly of the hinges.”

“How much did you hear?” Babs asked nervously.

“All of it. Couldn't help it really, y'all got pretty rowdy for a little while thar. If y'all call it off now, Ah just might be able to convince Babs' parents to let ya see one another durin reunions at the very least.” Applejack replied in a matter-of-fact tone.

Yet another awkward silence ensued now save for the sniffles coming from Babs ever so often.

“What do ya think Babs? Should we call it off here and now?” Applebloom said softly, breaking the silence.

“I... I... I don't want to. Maybe we can still see each other? I could-”

“Babs, think with ya head and not with ya heart for a cotton-pickin second will ya?” Applebloom said cutting off the city filly.

“So you really don't love me anymore?” Babs asked as tears cascaded down her cheeks now.

“Ya think Ah want this to end mahself? Yeah ya hurt me but if it weren't for yer parents doin what they is doin, Ah'd want to try to work past this!” Applebloom said, her voice cracking as tears began to stream from her eyes. “Ah still love ya Babs but we gotta be thinkin realistic here. We... We...” Applebloom began to say only to trail off as she broke into full-blown sobs. “W-We can't keep this up...”

Applejack looked at the two fillies in tears. Truth be told, she was fighting the urge to break down in tears herself. She could see it in both filly's eyes. They honest to Luna didn't want this to end but both knew they had no choice. Even though she swore to Henry and Maryapple she wouldn't let them do anything, she didn't utter a single word to stop them as Applebloom leaned in and locked lips with Babs for a short time before sitting back down in her seat.

“Ah... Ah'll leave ya two alone for real this time.” Applejack said finally as she turned around and left the hospital room. “This... This just ain't right.” Applejack remarked softly to herself as she walked down the hall and two the waiting room.

Maryapple's expression became riddled with worry upon seeing Applejack's face. Unknown to the mare, tears were streaking down her cheeks. “What happened? Is Babs alright?” she asked in a slightly panicked tone.

“She's fine... in a matter of speakin.” Applejack replied as she sat down in one of the waiting room chairs.

“What's that supposed to mean? And where is your sister of yours? Don't tell me you left those two alone!” Henry snapped, his voice and expression becoming livid as he spoke.

“Stuff an apple in it Henry! They're breakin it off!” Applejack snapped back at the stallion.

“You don't sound so happy about it.” Henry remarked with a glare at the mare.

"Seein those two, like that, in tears… It's putting a damper on my cheerin…" Applejack replied sourly.

“They'll get over it.” Henry replied nonchalantly as he began to walk towards the hallway.

“For pony's sake, give em' some real time alone! It's not like they're gonna be buckin in the hospital room!” Applejack shouted abruptly which caused Henry to halt in his tracks, turn, and glare at Applejack.

“Henry, I don't think it will hurt to let the two have a little longer alone.” Maryapple spoke up softly.

The stallion stood in place for a few moments before sighing out loud as he sat back down...

Author's Note

Google docs importer is screwin up...had to MANUALLY bbcode everything in here...hope it looks like I originally wrote it in open office...>.<