The stallion surveyed the village from the safety of a faraway hill. His nature was unusually serious which frightened the filly to his right. He was never serious, at least not in the intensity he was now. Seeing him in this state of emotion was unnatural.
"It's time for me to leave." The words although few in numbers, impacted the filly to greatly.
She grabbed his hand tightly, "But...you can't leave. What about the cere-"
"The ceremony will have to wait." he interrupted. "It shall be completed eventually."
A large fireball shot up from the center of the village. Screaming and the sounds of broken glass filled the air.
"Eventually?" repeated the filly. "How are we going to complete the prophecy?"
The stallion sighed, "You. You are going to complete the prophecy." he said calmly. "You and you alone."
The filly's heart skipped a beat, "Me!?" she squeaked. "How am I going to complete the prophecy by myself?" she asked.
The stallion looked down at the girl, "You contain the answer inside of you." he said. He pointed towards her stomach.
"My foal?" she asked. "But, I-I still don't under-"
"You carry my blood inside you." the stallion explained. "Protect your future child until the time comes for to prophecy to be fulfilled."
"But I can't do this by myself!" she cried. "I need you! I need h-"
"This is not the time to act like a kid, Applejack!" shouted the man.
The girl cringed, he never used her real name. "I'm sorry my lord." she apologized.
The man sighed again before showing her a gentle smile. "It's okay...I..." he swallowed a lump in his throat. "Just promise me you'll succeed."
The filly nodded and smiled when the man rustled her mane.
He knelt down to her knee level and looked her in the eyes. He kissed her on the lips, however without the passion that usually went along with it. He pulled back looking in her eyes again. "No matter what happens Applejack, you will always be my Country Girl."
Applejack awoke to the sound of a rooster's crow. Still lying on her bed, the farm girl smiled. There was nothing quite like southern living.
In a swift motion, Applejack rose to her feet in a daze. She stretched and loosened her muscles before giving an obnoxious yawn. Quickly putting on her stetson, she made her way out of her room and into the bathroom to get ready for her day.
A little while later Applejack descended the stairs and went into the kitchen, only to be greeted by her older brother Big Macintosh.The stallion was dressed in his usual jean overalls and sipping on a hop cup of coffee.
"Mornin'," Applejack greeted, heading towards the refrigerator for some orange juice.
Big Mac peered up from the newspaper he was reading, "Ah...G'Morning Applejack." her brother answered.
Applejack got a glass from the cabinet, "How's the fields looking today?" she asked. "Ya find anymore broken branches?"
"Enope." answered the stallion after some hesitation.
Applejack gave him a funny look after realizing he was still staring at her. "Watcha' lookin at Big Mac?" she asked. "Did I spill some OJ on my clothes?"
"Enope." responded Big Mac again. Applejack's orange plaid shirt, dark blue jeans, and brown cattle rustler boots were just fine.
Applejack took a large gulp of her drink, "Than what's wrong?" she asked.
Big Macintosh finished the last of his coffee and folded his newspaper. "Nothin...It's just that-"
"It's just what?" interrupted Applejack impatiently.
"I just think you shouldn't be working today." admitted Big Mac. "You know what today is."
Applejack frowned, "Yer darn right I know what today is!" she yelled. "And if I feel that I'm up to work, then dangit I'm up for it."
Big Mac sighed, "I understand Applejack. It's just...last year you were still-"
"That was then, this is now!" yelled Applejack, once again interrupting her brother.
Big Mac rose from his seat and began to put on his work gloves. "I'm just worried about ya sis." he said.
Applejack rolled her eyes, "Well don't be!" she yelled.
There was a long, unnerving silence. Not being able to further handle the tension, Big Mac put a piece of wheat in his mouth and began to head towards the door. He paused right before leaving, "I love ya Applejack," he said wholeheartedly. "I wantcha to know that."
Applejack's head was down in an attempt to hide the tears. "I know..." she responded. "I love ya too."
Big Mac cleared his throat, "Eeyup," he said, he headed out into the fields. Applejack quickly wiped the tears from her face, her fur now damp with sadness.
"He's right you know." called a voice from behind Applejack.
The farm mare spun around to see Granny Smith leading a still sleepy Applebloom into the kitchen.
The elderly mare took a seat at the table, "You really should take the day off."
Applebloom rubbed her tire eyelids, "What's wrong with Applejack, granny?" she asked.
Granny produced a paper bag from her fanny pack, "Go pick some apples for your lunch." she ordered, giving the filly the bag.
"But granny!" whined Applebloom.
The elder pointed her finger at the door, "Now Applebloom," she ordered.
The young mare sighed before angrily walking towards the door. "I never get to know anything!" she complained under her breath.
Once Applebloom was out of sight, Applejack took a seat at the table with her grandmother. "I'm okay granny," she promised.
Granny Smith tried her best to look unimpressed, "Then why is your nose bleeding Applejack?" she asked.
Applejack placed two fingers towards her nostrils, sure enough, she felt a light trickle of blood stain her fingertips. She quickly rose and put a rag she found by the sink to her nose. Granny Smith also left her seat, she walked towards her granddaughter.
"There's no shame in being upset, Applejack." she reminded the farm girl. "Not many people can handle what you went through."
Applejack moved the rag from her nose, "Not many people are me." she said cockily
Granny Smith smiled a joyless smile, "I just want the best for you Applejack." she said. "We all do,"
Applejack also smiled, she hugged her granny. "I know," she said. "I love all of you for it."
Granny Smith ended the hug and fished her reading glasses from her fanny pack. "Well...I'm off to look at the farm's finances." she declared. "You know when to find me." She began to leave the room, "I still think you should take the day off."
Applejack shook her head, "I'm okay." she replied. "I promise."
Granny Smith shrugged, "I'll be upstairs then." she said, finally leaving the room.
Applejack sighed, she put two fingers to her nose again to see that her nose continued to bleed.
She marveled at the sight of her own blood running down her hands. The crimson drops of her life essence wasting away. It felt...relieving. It felt...intoxicating.
It felt perfect.
