A RACE AGAINST TIME

PART 2

Granny Smith looked at Twilight with a worried look as the lavender unicorn looked over Applebloom. “Yep, she's suffering from The Heartbroken Slumber alright.” She remarked, channeled magic into her horn and levitated Applebloom's entire bed.

“Careful Twi! If that Photograph falls out...” Applejack said tensely only to trail off.

“I wouldn't worry about that Applejack, her condition is magical in nature, as long as no pony touches the item directly, the time limit won't be affected.” Twilight replied confidently.

“Okay, so how do you plan on getting her to Fillydephia? Trains don't have large enough doors to fit her in the passenger cars.” Henry stated simply as Twilight carried the bed down the stairs carefully with her magic.

“I'm working on that. Twilight replied as the three continued their way towards the train station now walking through town, though they made sure not to follow the public sections of Ponyville as to not cause a panic.

It just so happened that Silverspoon was outside with Filthy Rich at the time. The stallion had said he was keeping an eye on her at all times and he meant it. This meant the filly was forced to go EVERYWHERE with him. The filly was first to notice the bed surrounded in Twilight's magic then Applebloom herself. The filly immediately ran over to the three much to Filthy Rich's annoyance.

“Why is Applebloom being carried in bed? What's wrong with her?” Silverspoon asked at which point Twilight and Applejack stopped to look at the filly.

“We're wasting time! The longer we take to get back to Fillydephia, the less time we have to save them both!” Henry exclaimed which more or less told the filly all she needed to know.

Applebloom was sick, possibly dying.

“Henry's right, we need to get to the train station as quickly as possible, Twilight. Sorry Silverspoon, we'll tell ya later.” Applejack replied and motioned for Twilight to get a move on leaving Silverspoon standing in place with a worried expression on her face.

“Silverspoon! Get your flank back over here!” Filthy Rich's voice roared at which point the filly walked back to her uncle and sat silently for a moment before she finally mustered the courage to speak up.

“I want to go with them.” Silverspoon said simply to which Filthy Rich scoffed in response to this.

“I hardly see why it's any of your concern. You've already ran off once, it's not happening again.” Filthy Rich replied and went back to counting his profits.

“It's my concern because she's my friend!” Silverspoon roared at the stallion which caused him to nearly drop the bag of bits he was holding onto at the moment and look at her.

“Pfft, your friend? What use are friends when you can have anything you want with money?” The stallion replied nonchalantly.

Silverspoon's expression became livid as she stared at her uncle, the sound of a tea kettle pot seemingly blowing its whistle as her face scrunched up as much as it could until she could hold it in no longer. “Buck you're money! Buck you! I'm going to see what's wrong with Applebloom and you're not going to stop me!” Silverspoon shrieked at the top of her lungs at the stallion much to his shock, turned about-face, and broke into full gallop towards the train station.

“I understand what you're saying Ms. Sparkle but a full bed won't fit through the door.” The train conductor replied and sighed.

Twilight set Applebloom's bed down and took her usual thinking pose as she often did when she tried to figure out solutions to most of her problems. “I got it! Stand back everypony!” Twilight exclaimed, channeled magic into her horn, and cast a spell at the door to the train-car at which point it began to magically change in size until it was large enough to fit a refrigerator inside both vertically and horizontally.

Twilight had just lifted up the bed once again with her magic when Silverspoon could be seen running into view huffing and puffing since she had ran the entire way. “Silverspoon? Why are you-?”

“Something is really wrong with Applebloom isn't it?” She asked cutting off the lavender unicorn before she could finish her question.

“Go ahead and get her inside Twi, Ah'll explain what's goin on.” Applejack said at which point Twilight carried Applebloom's bed into the train-car.

“She's sufferin from somethin call The Heartbroken Slumber, sugarcube. Without takin' too much time to explain the details, we're takin' Applebloom back to Babs whose sufferin' from the same thing in hopes it will cure both of em'.” Applejack explained, turned around, and was walking into the train car when she saw Silverspoon run past her and sit in a seat near Applebloom's bed. “What are ya doin?”

“I'm coming with, what does it look like I'm doing?” Silverspoon replied in a snooty tone.

“But what about Filthy Rich?” Applejack asked as she sat down next to the filly.

“Buck him, he's a heartless mule and I want nothing more to do with him. Hopefully I can convince Diamond Tiara's mom to let me move with them.” Silverspoon replied not looking away from Applebloom.

“Well, Ah can't argue that but Filthy Rich is still your parental guardian. If Ah let ya come with, Ah could get accused of foalnappin ya.” Applejack replied as calmly as possible.

“So say I sneaked on board and you didn't see me on here till after the train took off. Simple as that.” Silverspoon replied as if the idea itself was obvious.

Applejack simply replied to this statement with a grin and a light chuckle. “You've got more in common with mah little sister's friends than ya realize.” she remarked and chuckled once again. “Fine, ya sneaked on board.” she finished at which point the train whistle blew loudly and began to take off from the train station.

“Hey, stop that train!” Filthy Rich exclaimed as he ran into the train station as the train began to leave the train station.

“But they have a filly on board whose not in the best condition. She needs to get to Fillydephia's hospital quickly.” A pony who worked at the train station replied as Filthy Rich stood in front of him.

“I don't give a flying buck if somepony was on their deathbed! I refuse to allow my niece to run off and be with....” Filthy Rich began to say only to train off realizing he was about to spout off information he didn't want known publicly.

“I'm sorry Mr. Rich but I wouldn't be able to contact the conductor in time, besides, you can take the next train up to Fillydephia in the next six hours.” The staff pony replied simply.

The snobbish stallion could only stand in place and stew in his own rage as the train quickly left sight and made it's way towards Fillydephia.

It took a little explanation and convincing on Twilight's part but the hospital ponies eventually gave in and allowed Twilight to proceed with her plan. After all, nothing they had done so far could tell them anything was wrong with either filly and this unicorn seemed to know exactly what was wrong with both of them.

“We need to lay her right next to Babs so that their hooves that are not holding the items are touching.” The lavender unicorn instructed as medical ponies carefully moved Babs to a larger bed and then Twilight laid Applebloom down, used her magic to move their hooves so that they were touching and looked at the two silently.

“So now what?” Applejack asked hoping the unicorn would tell them what to do next.

“Now... we sit and pray that my theory works. It's all we can do.” Twilight replied softly and sighed.

A day passed by and no sign of improvement could be visibly seen by either filly. “I need to get Diamond Tiara.” Silverspoon finally spoke up during the afternoon of the second day.

“Hold on a second thar surgarcube, why would ya need to do that?” Applejack asked curiously.

“It was because of those two that me and Diamond Tiara were able see each other again. I think Tiara has the right to be here as much as I do.” The filly replied and sighed.

“Fine, but Ah'm comin with. No pony should be travelin this town alone.” Applejack replied finally and followed the filly out of the hospital.

“Ya sure this is it surgarcube?” Applejack asked curiously as the two stood in front of a small house.

“Yeah, I would never forget this place.” Silverspoon replied as she walked up to the front door and knocked.

A few moments later the door swung open revealing Diamond Tiara's mother. “Silverspoon? What in Equestria?” She asked with a confused look.

“I'm sorry to come here unannounced Ms. Tiara but this is important. A close friend of and Diamond Tiara's is very sick and we don't know if she'll make it.” Silverspoon replied in a formal tone.

“Silverspoon?” Diamond Tiara's voice could be heard asking from a short distance away from her mother and soon the tiara-wearing filly could be seen stepping up beside her mother with a look of confusion on her face.

“Something is really wrong with Applebloom and Babs, Tiara. They... They might not make it.” Silverspoon replied her voice becoming saddened as she spoke now.

Upon hearing this Diamond Tiara's expression became one of worry as she looked up to her mother now for her approving nod.

“Okay but I'm coming with.” Diamond Tiara's mother finally replied much to the delight of both fillies.

MEANWHILE BACK AT THE HOSPITAL...

Henry paced around in the waiting room unable to take looking at his daughter in the state she was any longer and felt he needed to be away to clear his head.

“Excuse me, is Applebloom here? I heard she was transported here. I'm her agent.” A posh voice said aloud to the receptionist.

“Yes but visitation is for family only. We're sorry.” The receptionist replied in a calm manner.

“B-But I'm her agent, Showtime! Surely there must be some sort of exception to the rule?” Showtime pleaded however the receptionist simply shook her head once again.

“I'm sorry, no exceptions.” She replied and walked away from the desk much to Showtime's annoyance.

Upon hearing this conversation, Henry walked up to the stallion. “Excuse me, you said you were Applebloom's agent?” Henry asked curiously.

“Why yes, I am. Who are you?” Showtime asked with a curious expression.

“There's something you should know...” Henry replied and explained the situation in full to the agent whom looked horror-stricken or so Henry thought.

“I see... I've heard of this condition. There is another cure.” Showtime lied as he feigned the best sympathetic look he could give.

“You have and there is?!” Henry asked feeling hope return to his previously seemingly hopeless situation.

“Yes. If you were remove the item in question from either filly's hoof, the other one would be cured instantly. Of course that means that the other one dies but...” Showtime replied trailing off as a sneer threatened to slip through his feigned sympathetic expression.

“I-I see...” Henry stuttered.

“Of course no one wants to be responsible for the death of an innocent filly! Though if I were in your hooves, I would be greatly tempted to save my daughter's life.” Showtime continued and turned away from the stallion to hide the fact that he was grinning from ear to ear about now. “Anyways, Ta-ta! I will be back within a day or so to check up on my star's condition.” He said and walked away leaving Henry alone as he left the hospital.

Heh! No pony crosses Showtime and gets away with it!

“Showtime? What the buck are you doing here for? Applebloom quit.” Silverspoon remarked as they walked past the stallion.

“Regardless of that young filly, I heard of her condition and thought I would check on her. I'm not heartless you know.” He replied and proceeded to walk past the three without another word.

SOMEWHERE ELSE....

Applebloom....

The farm filly stirred.

Applebloom....

“Wha-What?” Applebloom replied wearily as her eyes weakly fluttered open and looked at her surroudings.

“Applebloom...” The mysterious voice said again though the filly knew who this voice belonged to.

“Princess Luna?” Applebloom asked as she stood to all fours with a slight stumble at which point the Alicorn princess herself faded into existence before her as she walked up to the farm filly.

“Hello Applebloom.” Luna greeted though her voice sounded saddened as she spoke.

“Am Ah dreamin again?” Applebloom asked curiously as she looked about herself. The world she stood in seemed to be in fragments. Pieces of her bed seemed to be floating to one side of her a few feet up while parts of her home floated a small distance away in front of her.

“Yes and no...” The regal sister replied as if she couldn't give a proper answer.

“What do ya mean yes and no? Ah must be dreamin if you're here!” Applebloom replied agitatedly.

Luna hesitated to reply this time as if debating if she should tell her exactly what was going on or not. “You and Babs suffer from a rare magical condition known as The Heartbroken Slumber. It occurs when somepony is separated from their soul-mate with the knowledge they will never return to them. Look over there.” Luna replied as she pointed a hoof behind the filly at which point Applebloom turned and saw a single photograph floating but that wasn't what caused the filly to stare at it so intently.

“What's wrong with it? That's the same photograph Ah was holdin fore' Ah went to sleep but it looks like it's slowly begin smeared away.” Applebloom replied then turned to look at the moon princess with a worried look on her face now.

“What's really happenin' to me Luna?” She asked.

The regal sister hesitated once again. “You're.... dying...” Luna relied slowly.

“Ah'm what?!” The farm filly nearly shrieked as her expression became panicked. “Oh mah gosh, Oh mah gosh, oh mah gosh!” she shouted as she began to literally stomp her hooves rapidly in place as she looked about herself in a frantic manner.

“Calm yourself Applebloom! I did not come here to simply tell you that you were going to die!” Luna roared which managed to startle the filly enough for her to look at the moon princess.

“Then why are ya here?” Applebloom asked her voice shaking as she spoke.

“To help you.” Luna replied simply and paused briefly to look to her left as her horn glowed revealing a doorway with a blinding white light emitting from it. “To save your and Babs' lives, you must face three challenges. Your enemy, your worst fear, and finally, yourself.” she said calmly as she pointed a hoof in the direction.

Applebloom then began to timidly walk towards the door of light only to halt when she realized that Luna was not following her. “You're comin with, aren't ya?” She asked timidly.

Luna simply shook her head. “No, these challenges you must face alone. Good luck my little pony.” Luna replied and faded from existence.

Applebloom gave one last look behind herself before she timidly stepped through the door of light. The farm filly was forced to shield her eyes as she stepped through but once the light had faded, she found herself standing in a familiar setting.

“Come, come! You're on in five minutes!” A gruff voice exclaimed from behind her and began to shove the filly onto the stage.

Before Applebloom could utter a word the curtain rose to reveal a stadium full of ponies cheering her on and chanting her name. “Oh mah. Ah didn't expect this many.” She remarked with a smirk seemingly completely forgetting what she was doing moments before, picked up the mic, and was just about to sing the opening lines to her hit song which something occurred to her.

How did she get here? What was she doing moments before?

Applebloom looked about herself at the stadium full of chanting fans then back to the stage hand pony who was silently motioning for her to begin singing her song. “Somethin ain't right here.” she thought to herself as she did her best to remember what she was doing before.

“Wh-What are you doing?! Sing!” The stage hand pony exclaimed in a whisper after a few minutes had passed.

By this time the chanting had stopped and was replaced with murmuring among the ponies in the stadium. “Ah... Ah'm sorry everypony but Ah can't do this. This ain't who Ah am.” She said finally into the microphone at which point the crowd began to boo in unison at her.

As the filly left the stage, the stage hand pony halted her in her tracks with a glare. “What do you think you're doing?!” he roared at her.

“Somethin Ah should have done a long time ago! Ah quit!” she shouted straight into the stage hand pony's face, shoved him away and walked away.

It was at this moment another doorway with a blinding white light appeared just to the side of her in the wall and the filly suddenly remember everything the moon princess had told her before. Without another thought, she rushed through the door, slamming her eyes shut as she did so.

Henry sat in the hospital room with Applejack, Silverspoon, Diamond Tiara, Marry, Twilight, and Diamond Tiara's mother. “They aren't getting any better and it's been two days...” Henry remarked as he looked at the two. The ribbon Babs held in her hoof had slipped two inches and the photograph Applebloom held had slipped by a an inch from their respective grasps.

“I know but there isn't anything we can do. There's no other known cure to this condition.” Twilight replied and sighed heavily.

Henry stared at his daughter taking note of the fact that her hoof was holding onto the ribbon by no more than three inches now. By his estimates, she had only three days left to live while Applebloom seemed to have at least one more day than her...

Author's Note

Working on part three RIGHT NOW!