It's A Magical Life

Following the euphoria of Saturday night’s buzzing events, Sunday felt to Applejack like a standstill in comparison. Most Sundays she spent enjoying time exploring out beyond the farm, taking in simple pleasures of the scenery and bulking up her running, jumping, roping and other skills. Nothing quite tickled her quite like being able to fling a rope from side to side and jumping through as the rope passed through her. Or, perhaps, sitting up against a shady oak tree while dreaming up future activities she had in store for herself. She loved just using Sunday to plan for the coming week, while the peaceful sounds of nature comforted her. Often, the lull of the whooshing trees and distant sounds of animals would kick start another one of her midday naps. The end of the week usually left Applejack with her eyes heavy anyway, so this was a predictable occurrence.

One thing was for sure: today was definitely going to be a lazy Sunday. Her body ached from head to hoof; the constant running around and maneuvering yesterday had managed to take its toll on Applejack. Which was rare, for Applejack was so physically active from working on the farm that muscle sores almost never surfaced. She couldn’t bear to walk all the way up to the top of the tallest hill in Sweet Apple Acres like she had been keen on doing today. Applejack, determined to get what she wanted no matter the price, simply couldn’t bring her aching legs to ascend the steep grassy incline. She gave a frustrated snort as she sat in the grass and looked out towards Ponyville, scanning the air. Her mind then continued to play back a couple of main events that happened last night, which had left her pondering all day. She would have been pondering them before going to sleep last night as well if she hadn’t been so tired that Big Macintosh had to carry her home from Pinkie Pie’s room in Ponyville Hospital and take her back home around midnight. Applejack had been so out of energy, she literally remembered nothing from the moment she fell asleep in the hospital up until she woke up late the next morning.

Applejack couldn’t stop thinking about, first off, what Rarity had said to her:

“You deserve a million friends.”

Applejack didn’t quite know as to why this affected her so much. Maybe this was because she never believed she was capable of befriending anypony. Growing up, she was the outcast among other ponies her age, and fitting in just seemed too out of the question. Hearing from a pretty and classy unicorn that she was worth so much more than she believed was so abnormal for her. Ponies like Rarity usually paid no attention to Applejack at all, or gave her an honest compliment for that matter. Pinkie Pie was her first real friend, and she valued her compliments just like everypony’s, but somehow hearing it from a pony who barely knew her made her feel she wasn’t such an outcast after all.

Then there was the rescue. Applejack hadn’t had a chance to talk to Pinkie or Soarin’ last night about what truly happened, so all she could do was believe in the rumors she had heard that night. The main rumor was truly outrageous, Applejack thought, claiming Soarin’ had single hoofedly fought off three manticores and sent them packing. Seeing how Soarin’ was seriously considering a baking career and couldn’t even fend off the advances of Rarity, picturing him knock out three giant, fanged, winged beasts was bizarre. Other small rumors seemed more realistic, believing Soarin’s father had done all the work and injured himself, leaving Soarin’ and Fleetfoot unharmed. However, Applejack had an intuitive feeling to side with the outrageous rumor, for laying out manticores was much more exciting to think about. Even if she didn’t fully believe Soarin’ was a formidable fighter, a shred of her stubborn hope still nodded in favor to the impossible.

“Applejack!” called out an irritated voice over by the house.

Applejack groaned as she slowly pulled herself to her hooves and hurried towards Granny Smith’s voice. She had been dreading this.

Applejack hadn’t spoken with Granny since she had left for Pinkie’s house on Saturday morning. She knew she had figured out how she had traveled all the way to Manehattan and back without permission. On top of this, Applejack was out past dark and clear beyond her bedtime last night. Applejack braced herself as she walked through the front gate.

“You wanted to see me, Grammy?” asked Applejack innocently.

Granny said nothing, but slipped into the kitchen and Applejack followed her inside.

“Where’s Applebloom?” said Applejack, hoping to get Granny out of her train of thought.

“She’s havin' a nap upstairs,” said Granny curtly. “What happened yesterdee?”

She sat down in a chair and folded her forelegs, staring into her soul with the look of utmost severity.

“Ah just went for a really long…walk,” said Applejack, ending lamely.

“All the way to Manehattan,” said Granny.

“How did you know ah went all the way to Manehattan?” asked Applejack incredulously. There was no possible way of her knowing this.

The kitchen door swung open.

“She asked,” said Mac, walking in.

Applejack made sure to give Mac a good scowl as he walked past the table and went upstairs. He just had to do what she asked.

“I’m sorry,” said Applejack quietly. “It was wrong for me to keep secrets.” Applejack wanted to argue, but she knew only too well how far that got her with Granny when she was angry.

“A secret is as good as a lie, Applejack. We all have secrets of our own, but some are meant to be shared. Like tellin’ your gramma you’re goin’ somewhere past sundown.”

Applejack hated feeling like a liar.

“The bitterest truth is better than the sweetest lie,” she recalled.

“Exactly.”

Following this was a knock on the door. Applejack beat Granny to the door like always and opened it.

“Howdy!” said Mudflap brightly. His unprecedented appearance and cheery greeting was certainly a bout of déjà vu for Applejack.

“What in the hay are you doing here?” said Applejack, much ruder than she had intended. Mudflap’s smile vanished instantly.

“Oh…sorry, is this a bad time?” asked Mudflap, noticing Granny’s confusion and Applejack’s blushing. “I’ll just…go…”

“Stop right there, sonny!” said Granny, ignoring Applejack. “Geeit in here.”

Mudflap didn’t need to be told twice. He turned on his hoof and hurried inside, brushing past Applejack with his wildly long hair. For a pony named ‘Mudflap’, he smelled an awful lot like roses. Applejack jumped out of the way and bonked into the door. Thankfully, Mudflap didn’t notice this.

“How in Celestia’s name did you get so big, Caliber?” said Granny. " I haven't see you since y'all were just a little colt!"

Whack. Confusion hit Applejack like a train.

“How do you know—what did you call 'im?” asked Applejack, before Mudflap could speak.

“Ah called ‘im by his name,” said Granny suspiciously, as she closed the door. “Why, don’t y’all know each other—”

“Heh, yeah of course she does,” said Mudflap, shooting Applejack a furtive look just before Granny looked at the two of them again.

Applejack stared at him. Not wanting to fib to Granny just after the discussion they had, she hesitated for a moment. Then a sleepy cry sounded from upstairs, signaling that Applebloom had just awoken from her nap. The timing couldn’t have been any better.

“Yoop, that would be our Applebloom,” said Granny to the colt Applejack thought was called ‘Mudflap’. “You two run along and play while ah see what she needs.”

Granny hurried upstairs and left the two of them alone in an uneasy silence.

“Quiet, you,” snapped Applejack as the colt with two names opened his mouth to make a comment. “Where are we goin’?”

Caliber looked at her for a moment, taken aback. Defeated, he finally grumbled:

“Soarin’s dad said he wants to talk to you.”

☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼

Ponyville Hospital was abnormally busy. As Applejack and Caliber walked through the sliding glass doors, a great number of ponies were walking casually around the entrance, whispering excitedly to each other. Applejack knew they were all here because of the fact a Wonderbolt was there, but she didn’t get the point of them waiting there. Were they expecting the nurses to just wheel Soarin’s father out there like an exhibit and have him sign autographs? Applejack just scowled at all of them and trailed behind Caliber, ignoring his attempts to make her laugh.

“You’re overreacting,” said Caliber, commenting on Applejack’s disgruntled attitude.

“Stop talkin’ to me, stranger,” said Applejack. She didn’t trust a single thing he said to her. Applejack hated liars. She should have known better than to trust a Saddlebrook pony.

Saddlebrook, from what Applejack had gathered from Granny, was one of the shadiest towns they had ever done Apple business with. More often than not, Applejack had heard Granny talk about how pretentious the rich stallions who bought their Apple products were, and how they had always been swindlers. 1000 bit orders that Sweet Apple could sell to places like Baltimare, for example, would be somehow knocked down to less than 700 bits by Saddlebrook buyers.

Nicklehoof, the pony who normally bought from Sweet Apple in Saddlebrook, would always find an excuse to pay less, even if he was given an absolute perfect order. Inflation, transportation costs, demand, stocks, and a whole bunch of other confusing adult matters Applejack didn’t quite understand yet would come into the equation, deeply frustrating Granny. Granny was as smart as a fox and quick as a whip, but con ponies like Nicklehoof always seemed to discover a loophole. Applejack had never seen Nicklehoof’s face, since he never came to Ponyville and Applejack was never allowed to travel on with Granny on business trips, but she thought instantly of the stiff necked, cream of the crop ponies in Manehattan and easily formed a stereotype within her mind.

Soarin’ and Caliber had briefly explained Saddlebrook two years ago when the three of them were walking to Manehattan, and it didn’t seem like a nice place at all: nothing grew there except hardy desert plants; there wasn’t an actual ‘brook’ for forty-two miles; sandstorms occurred almost daily; and the air was as hot and dry as an oven. Applejack understood why Caliber liked being with Soarin’ in the summertime up in temperate Manehattan.

Caliber was probably loaded of secrets, from the top of his frizzy mud-colored mane right down to his stupid cutie mark, a sun and cactus. Applejack hadn’t noticed it until, now that she trailing behind him. He may not have dressed liked he was a million bits (or even a thousand, really), but Applejack knew he was no different than any of the Saddlebrook ponies.

“You know, I love it when ponies ignore me. Keep it up,” said Mudflap, becoming more agitated.

And then there was his sarcastic attitude. Was he aware of how annoying that was?

“Awh, just shut your yap, will ya?” she said. This quieted down Mudflap at once as she glared at her over his shoulder, like he couldn’t believe what was happening.

They came to a double door that led off to the hospital rooms, where Soarin’ was waiting in a chair, fast asleep. A couple fillies around Applejack’s age were sitting across from him in some other chairs, giggling at him.

“He’s so cute when he snores, heehee,” whispered Cloudchaser, who Applejack knew from school.

“Look at the way his mane moves when he breaths! Oh my Celestia that is so funny!” said her twin sister, Flitter.

Soarin’ was curled up into a tight ball, his mane that once flew back behind his head, to the side of his face, moving in and out with each breath he took. Applejack couldn’t help but giggle out loud at the sight…much more awkwardly than she had hoped.

Caliber snorted as he beheld his friend. Then a suspicious grin spread across his face. He ignored the two giggling fillies and went over to Soarin’. Applejack paid no attention to the smirks of the fillies either as we followed him. It felt good to be friends with a celebrity.

“Dum dum dum…she’s gallopin’…she’s gallopin’…,” began Caliber, trying not to laugh.

“Ezzzrt mmm who…zzz…galloping...,” mumbled Soarin’, still fast asleep.

“Toward you. Crashhh! Toward you. Crashhh!”

“Zzzmm? What? No…zzz…nooo,” mumbled Soarin’ again, his face starting to contort.

“New moon. Budum-badum. New moon”

“Noo! Close the gate! Where…are you?!” yelled Soarin’, still asleep. Mudflap was nearly in tears of silent laughter, haunting his poor friend.

“Eyes of blood…heart of bane…Tartarus is rising…you are to blame,”

“NO!” screamed Soarin’, falling out of his chair and onto the ground. He flailed his wings, truly terrified, and soared along the ground and down the white-tiled hallway.

“I’m not afraid! I’m not afraid! I am a Wonder B—”

He stopped. In a split second he was back on his hooves and started looking around, bewildered at what had just happened. Caliber collapsed into the chair previously occupied by Soarin’ and broke down into fits of laughter, while Applejack and the two fillies looked over to Soarin’ in worry.

“Soarin’! Over here!” said Applejack, waving a foreleg.

Soarin’ blushed in embarrassment and ran past the lot of them, opening the double doors and rushing through them without saying a word.

“Moron,” said Cloudchaser at Caliber, not amused in the slightest. She walked away with Flitter in the opposite direction, back towards Applejack and Caliber had just come. Caliber was continuing to laugh at his amazing prank. Applejack followed Soarin’ through the door and left Caliber in the dust.

“You know, ah like Mudflap better. It’s suits ya,” said Applejack. “That was a purdy dirty thing to do.” And she left him there without another moment’s hesitation. Caliber stopped laughing at once.

Soarin’ walked as fast as he could (nopony was allowed to run or fly in Ponyville Hospital) down the long hallway.

“Soarin’! Hey, wait up!” said Applejack. “Why are you—”

A stallion in a white hospital staff uniform stepped out of an office and cut Applejack off.

“Hold up there, hun, where are you going” he said.

“Soarin’—the pegasus who just ran by—his dad wants to speak to me,” she said impatiently.

The man laughed. “Cruisin’? Riight. You’re like the twentieth pony to make that excuse. He’s seeing nopony right now except family.”

“No, really! Ahm not lyin’!” said Applejack, angry. How dare he call her a liar? She was getting fed up with everything today.

“Whatever. Go back through those double doors right there—” he pointed them out to her like she was Applebloom’s age— “and don’t come here without permission again. I’ve had it with all the cock and bull stories today.”

Applejack could have obeyed quietly. She could have been a good pony and did what all the other ponies had been told. But twice in one weekend, she decided to chance it: she zoomed around the stallion like a bullet and tore down the hallway as fast as her filly legs could carry her.

“Security!” shouted the stallion. “Room 39!”

Applejack grinned sheepishly as she passed all the doors. In no time, she caught up with Soarin’. She latched a foreleg onto him as a huge unicorn in a black uniform stepped away from a door farther down the hallway and started towards the two of them.

Soarin’ saw who it was at once and took her foreleg off of him, but grabbed her by the hoof. A tingling sensation chilled down her spine as he led her towards the security officer.

“Hey, man, she’s with me. My dad wants to see her.”

The security officer studied them for a second and halted.

“Wait here. I’ll confirm,” he said robotically in a deep voice, walking back to the room he was stationed outside of. He poked his head inside.

“Your son and a ponytailed blond pony,” Applejack heard him answer to a raspy voice.

A pause.

“What’s your name, filly?” the security officer spat at Applejack.

“Applejack,” said Applejack.

The security officer poked his head back in and there was another pause.

“What? Are you serious? Man, you’ve gotta be kiddin’…”

The security officer shrugged, but nodded towards them and they walked towards room 39. Applejack took one last look back towards the double doors to see if Caliber had managed to get inside the hallway. But he was nowhere to be found.

“Serves ‘im right,” she thought, as they entered the room.

The room was quite flashy for a hospital room—or maybe that was because the place had been specially decorated. Streamers and balloons were everywhere, like a party had just ended. Applejack almost expected Pinkie Pie to be behind it all, but as she noticed all the notes tied to them she realized they were probably ‘get well’ gifts from admirers. A dozen or so vases of flowers and several unopened presents lay on a table near a few chairs.  A single, astonishingly white campanula was in a crystal vase on Cruisin’s bedside table. His wife held his hoof beside him, and they were in conversation.

Cruisin’, Soarin’s father, did not look well. He had bandages all over his head and neck, and his right leg was propped up in a sling. An iv strip was on his foreleg, leading up into a pack with bluish-green liquid in it. A bedside monitor was beeping continuously, showing that his heart rate was normal. But physically, he looked as though he was dying: his eyes here bloodshot and drooping, his mouth moving slowly as he talked with his wife. Every now and then he would cough loudly, causing the monitor to spike a little, and then he would settle back down and continue talking.

Cruisin’ cleared his throat. “Just the little mare I wanted to see,” he said in a voice as strong as he could muster, smiling weakly over at Applejack. “Come on over here.”

Applejack made her way through the jungle of get well gifts and to his bedside. His wife smiled at her as she went to sit down with Soarin’.

“Please forgive me for being so rude to you yesterday, Applejack,” said Crusin’, tapping his hoof on his bed. “Sometimes I have to be a little forceful when I’m doing my job. You’re very lucky to have a friend like Pinkie Pie.”

He waved a hoof around the room.

“All of these balloons and streamers…came from your friend Pinkie, if you can believe it,” he chuckled. Applejack acted like she was surprised, even though she wasn’t in the slightest. “I really appreciate flowers…and all the gifts my supporters give me, but nothing lifts my spirits…quite like colorful balloons and some…kind notes attached to them.”

He coughed again. Applejack took one of the balloons and noticed a familiar purple scribble written on the note.

“In no time, you’ll be feeling up up up! Just like this balloon!”

She grabbed another one, a bright pink one: “I am a balloon! I am rubber and you are glue. The brightness that bounces off me will stick to you!”

And there were many more like it. Her eyes watered a bit. Applejack was amazed by Pinkie’s creativity. Rainbow Dash may have said she was a bad artist, but she was truly a gifted writer. Applejack’s eyes watered, thinking of Pinkie. She couldn’t have been released already...but how in Equestria was she able to get all that together while being in the hospital? It was impossible. But then again, it was Pinkie Pie…and she was better left unquestioned.

“So believe me when I say…that my injuries here are not in vain,” said Crusin’. “Although I am overjoyed to witness…your friend’s rescue and speedy recovery, her concern…is not why I asked you to be here this afternoon. This is about…you.”

Applejack saw that he was still smiling.

“Soarin’, my son…has been at the end of his rope for quite some time about his future. After he…was beaten by a pegasus filly in Summer Flight Camp a couple years ago…named Rainbow Dash…he wasn’t the same since before. He went through some phases, thinking up…pursuits me and his mother knew he didn’t really want. Soarin’ just…wanted to settle…for less.” He coughed again, and then took a drink of water from his bedside table.

“But then you came into the picture out of the blue yonder,” he pointed at Applejack and his voice quavered a little. “And you inspired him to get back…back to the sky.” He choked on his breath, and then lowered his voice to a whisper, “Fly Higher! Fly Higher! That has been our family’s motto for generations. Last night, in that dreaded forest…I saw him soar higher than I have ever seen him in my entire life. The burning desire of a Wonderbolt fired up inside of him a second time. All because of your…example, Applejack.”

“My…example?” said Applejack. Her eyes were wet, but she didn’t care. She didn’t feel ashamed.

“You traveled miles and miles by hoof to find our home in…Manehattan. Your friend Rarity, who I talk to just his morning, told me about your strength. How you…carried her in a full out run! I just don’t understand how so much power could be packed inside…such a cute little earth pony like yourself,” he said, chuckling again. Applejack blushed deeply.

“Your example to go…beyond even the extra mile to help a friend in need is a quality every Wonderbolt shares. If you magically…sprouted wings, I would initiate you as a Wonderbolt someday. But unfortunately…I am just going to have reward you with…something else.”

“Thank you, sir, but ah don’t wanna reward,” said Applejack, glowing. She was grateful he wanted to reward her, but she was happy just knowing everything turned out better than she had hoped.

“Applejack, sweetheart, it’s the least I could do…to repay you. When I get out of this darned hospital bed and back into the air, you’ll…be in for a surprise.”

“Mighty obliged, Cruisin’,” she said quietly, tipping her hat in courtesy of his offer.

“Call me Cruise, Applejack. It’s what the family and friends call me. Cruisin’s my…professional name I use for business. Not,” he coughed, “…where we are right now.”

“Hehe…okay, Cruise!” she said. They all laughed together, Cruise hacking through most of it.

“So did it really happen? Did Soarin’ really take on three manticores?” said Applejack. She didn’t want Cruise to have to speak any more than he already did…but the opportunity was right there in front of her.

“HA!” he wheezed. “Take them on? He…set them packing! Let me tell you—”

“Security!” yelled a voice outside the door. “We’ve got another one!”

“Soarin’, would you close that door, please?” said Soarin’s mother. Soarin’ barely got halfway across the room when they all heard another yell from outside the room.

“Where did she go?!”

Immediately after, another pony walked into the room. Applejack was expecting to see Caliber waltzing in there at last, but it wasn’t. In fact, it happened to be the only pony Applejack disliked more than Caliber at the moment.

“I was wondering…when you would finally be showing up,” said Cruise, his voice suddenly serious and stern. “She’s alright, gentlemen!” he added, as the security officer and the same stallion in the white staff uniform appeared disgruntled in the doorway. “She’ll be the last one I…summon for today.”

“Y-you wanted to meet with me, Cruisin’, Mister Wonderbolt sir?” said Rainbow Dash nervously. She was trying to look as brave as she could, but something was truly frightening her. And Applejack knew exactly what that was: she was found out. Destroying Soarin’s confidence back at Summer Flight Camp…tricking Pinkie Pie…she was toast.

“Yes, Miss Dash, I believe you owe somepony an apology.”

“B-but sir, I already visited Pinkie Pie and apologized! And her family!” she said.

“I know, and I have received confirmation on that, thank you. But I have also heard of you and Applejack here.”

Rainbow Dash turned to Applejack. Applejack knew the last thing Rainbow Dash wanted to do was walk over to her and shake her hoof in apology—but that’s exactly what she did: Rainbow Dash met her face to face and stuck out a hoof to signify a truce. Applejack didn’t take it.

“I never wanted to hurt your friend, Applejack,” Rainbow Dash said, oddly sensitive. Her expression was strong, as though she really meant it. Still, though, Applejack wasn’t quick to forgive.

“She really thought you were her friend, you know,” she said.

“I know, it totally wasn’t cool,” Rainbow Dash said, shaking her outstretched hoof impatiently while Applejack still refused to touch it.

“You really hurt Soarin’ too.”

Rainbow Dash sighed. “Just shake my hoof, will ya?” she muttered low enough so only she and Applejack could hear.

Applejack eyed her suspiciously but took her hoof to break the tension. She didn’t buy Rainbow Dash’s apology. Grasping her hoof, she was surprised to feel how limp Rainbow Dash’s grip was compared to hers. Applejack couldn’t tell if Rainbow Dash noticed this or not, but Rainbow Dash let go right away after they shook.

“Now that better be the end of it, Miss Dash,” said Cruise. “I don’t like being angry at my fans.”

“You got it, sir!” said Rainbow Dash, saluting him.

Cruise raised an eyebrow at the salute, but gave an appreciative nod anyway. He sighed deeply.

“Now, about that story—”

His wife gave him a disapproving look and cleared her throat loudly.

“—It might just have to wait until another time,” he said. “I…,” he glanced at her again, “…need to get some rest.”

“No problem your majesty—I mean Wonderbolt-sir…ness!” said Rainbow Dash right away, starting towards the door at once. “Do you need me to fly anywhere and get you anything? I’m really fast—”

“I’m covered, thank you,” he said, eying the iv and the labyrinth of get well gifts.

Rainbow Dash sheathed her wings in disappointment.

“Yeah, totally understand. No problem!” She walked towards the door, but quickly came back.

“Sorry, forgot to wish you to get well soon!”

Cruise chuckled. “Thank you, Miss Dash.”

Rainbow Dash hesitated for a moment, as though if she was teetering on the edge of the question of asking Cruise for an autograph. But when Cruise’s attention turned to Applejack, she admitted sore defeat and exited the room.

“Come ‘round our place in Manehattan again after I…get out of here and prepare to be amazed,” he winked at Applejack. “It’s quite a tale to tell, it is.”

“Can’t wait!” said Applejack. She then bade farewell to all of them and followed in suit behind Rainbow Dash, emerging from room 39. The security guard pony was still standing there like a statue.

“I’m just gonna…leave now…,” she said, to which the guard gave no response. Shrugging off the unresponsive pony, she walked back towards the the double doors, spring in her steps.

The chief Wonderbolt had invited her officially over to his house! Rainbow Dash had received the punishment she deserved! Pinkie Pie was going to okay, and they would be playing together in no time! Applejack would have been in full gallop if it weren’t for the silly rules of this hospital…she couldn’t wait to tell Granny, Big Macintosh, and even Applebloom all about it. This had turned out to be the best day ever since she had first received her cutie mark. Shaking her mane out of the way, she grinned proudly at those amazing three apples.

Applejack reached the double doors and pushed them. She smacked head first into the doors and her hat toppled off her head.

“Ow…stupid door...,” she said as she picked up her hat. Applejack tried to force the doors open with all her might, but they wouldn’t budge. There were no handles to grab either. She looked around to see if anypony was there to help her. Unfortunately, the hall was deserted, except for the guard pony clear down the hallway. But she didn’t need help just yet…

“Why the hay won’t you open?!” she said, frustrated, darting her eyes all over the place to find a solution.

“Because you need one of these,” said a voice from behind her. It was Soarin’.

Soarin’ slipped a card key inside a little slot next to the door and the door opened at once with a ‘buzz’. This left her feeling extremely stupid.

“Oh…thanks,” she said. “Ah woulda figured that out myself you know.”

Soarin’ just laughed as he bent down to pick up Applejack’s hat. He put it gently on her head and they looked at each other for a few moments. Applejack then hugged him tighter than she had ever before in her life, briefly burying her face in his mane. He did the same. She hoped in that tight embrace, he knew just how grateful she was for all that he had done

“Ah hope you’re never too cool to be my friend,” she whispered into his mane.

“Don’t worry. That’s not possible,” he said. Applejack wanted to hold onto him forever, but felt deeply saddened when they finally broke apart. They looked at each other again.

“So um, what happened to Mudflap?” he asked, breaking the silence.

Applejack finally regained her surroundings and noticed that he was nowhere to be found.

“Ah dunno,” she said truthfully. She didn’t care where he was. He didn’t really mean anything to her anymore.

“Probably went outside or something again,” he said. “He’s been really weird lately and I’m kind of worried about him.”

“What does he do?” asked Applejack.

“Well…he’s pretty much family now, so he goes where ever we go when he comes to stay with us. Now that he’s done with school like me, we hang out every weekend and we talk a lot. And he’s always mad about something, usually about his home life back in Saddlebrook.”

“He does seem to have a lotta secrets,” said Applejack, more amused than pitying.

“Yeah he does…but he’s a really cool colt. If you see him outside again, tell him to come back to the room. I forgot to give him my card key when my dad sent him to get you, so I sat out here—”

“And fell asleep?” grinned Applejack.

“You two took so long! I stayed up all night last night with my dad…I’m actually still tired…” he yawned at the thought of this. “…so I think I’m going to go back to the room and sleep now.”

Applejack almost wanted to question Soarin’ about what Caliber had whispered into his ear while he had been sleeping earlier, but decided to refrain. She didn’t want to remind him. He had seemed so frightened. At least she had a heart…unlike Caliber.

“I’ll swoop by your house when dad gets out of here so we can all go party at my house. Tell your friends!”

Soarin’ gave her a lightning fast hug before disappearing back through the double doors. Applejack heaved a great big sigh as they shut. He was so cool…

Now all she had to worry about was assembling the million friends Rarity had thought she deserved. But deep down, she knew Soarin’ didn’t care how many friends she had. He liked her for who she was, and what she had done. And to be completely honest with herself, that’s all that mattered. Poor Soarin’…not knowing that his best friend had probably lied to him about everything they had talked about since they had known each other. Soarin’ didn’t even know his real name. Soarin’ shouldn’t have worried he couldn’t find Caliber anywhere; he didn’t deserve somepony as courageous and noble as a Wonderbolt for a friend!

As Applejack rounded a corner back towards the lobby, Cloudchaser and Flitter met face to face.

“Why was he talking to you?” said Flitter, scanning Applejack like she was the scum of Equestria.

Applejack didn’t find this offensive. She simply ignored the two of them and brushed past them, not being all too careful to hide her cheeky grin. It was their turn to be jealous.

☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼

Even after Applejack left the hospital that Sunday afternoon and looked for his presence, Caliber had once again come up missing. Instead of investigating the matter further, Applejack decided to question Granny that evening about who Caliber was, since she seemed to be the only one who actually knew his real name.

“He’s ol’ Caliber Nicklehoof’s son,” she said casually over the dinner table that night. “I coulda sworn I told ya that before…or maybe I dreamed it again...”

“Caliber? They both have the same first name?” asked Applejack through a mouthful of beet and artichoke casserole.

“Mhmm. Ol’ Grandpa Caliber is still kickin’ around as well. The name’s been in the Nicklehoof family fer generations, it has.”

So he was the actual son of the sleaziest and richest pony in association with Sweet Apple’s business. This didn’t surprise Applejack much.

“Caliber told me his name was Mudflap, Grammy,” she said, fiddling with her food.

Granny made a strange face and gagged on her food.

“Can you run that by me again?” she asked.

“Mudflap,” repeated Applejack.

“Mudsap? What is wrong with that colt, it don’t even make sense—”

“Mud. Flap,” said Applejack slowly. “Ah reckon he likes mud…or,” she recalled a funny thing Soarin’ once said, “catchin’ ponys’ dust. Like those things on the back of cars.”

“What a strange pony,” said Granny. “Catchin’ ponys’ dust…hehe, that’s a good ‘un, Applejack.”

“Hehe, yeah,” said Applejack. “I heard that from Soarin’,” she added.

“Don’t blame  ‘im though. Ah'd prob’ly do the same if my daddy was a sleazestack,” said Granny sourly.

“Applejack likes ol’ Soarin,” said Mac. He had already cleared his plate.

“No ah don’t,” said Applejack, blushing crimson.

“Why not? He’s quite the hero, ain’t he?” said Granny, winking.

“He’s just…a friend,” said the Spirit of Honesty.

“Doesn’t matter what he is, it’s none of my business,” she said. “His father is a good stallion. He and the other ‘Bolts have saved more ponies than I’ve racked up years.”

The honest truth was, Soarin’ was just a friend, but Applejack didn’t like to think so. It was a very odd feeling, being with him was. She loved and cherished the friends she had, but this love was different. He was special.

Applejack for some reason still had those same feelings for Caliber, even though she hated his guts right now. There was a connection between the two of them, even though they were nothing alike. This confused her far more than her feelings for Soarin’. But despite this, at the same time she really loved the feeling. The sensation was one of the best things, even more than sunrises and laughing with Pinkie Pie and Granny’s Equestria-renown apple pies.

As they finished dinner and Mac cleared the table, Granny slid a smaller plate in front of Applejack with an oozing slice of the most sought after dessert known to ponykind. On top of the golden-brown sweet was a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. Applejack took a bite and savored the flavor, comparing the feelings.

Soarin’ miserably lost.

☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼

School over the next two months was at an all-time low. As the weeks turned colder, and the final, most stubborn leaf plummeted from the branches of the healthiest tree, so did Rainbow Dash’s attitude towards her. She knew their petty hoofshake back at the hospital was nothing more than a stunt to impress Cruisin’. Rainbow Dash saw to it that Applejack would sorely pay for being favored by her hero instead of her.

Every day after school, Rainbow Dash would take off toward the sky towards home, taking care to swipe Applejack right in the side of the head with her wing as she passed, stinging her face against the brisk air. Regardless if she was surrounded by Rarity and Pinkie or right beside Mac, she was gone far too fast for any of them to react. Even Pinkie was beginning to realize how much of a monster Rainbow Dash really was.

“What a rotten little meaniepants,” she said angrily on one particular afternoon when Rainbow Dash had decided to swipe her and Rarity instead when they had begun to shield Applejack so she couldn’t be harmed.

“Next time, she’s mine,” said Rarity through gritted teeth, massaging her messed up mane on the same occurrence.

“Just let her play her dumb l’il games, girls. We’ll never stoop to her level,” Applejack had said.

One Sunday evening, however, Rainbow Dash had hit her worst. On the coldest day of autumn yet, when the sky was covered in a greyish-white blanket, Rainbow Dash appeared over her head with a tiny storm cloud and began to cause it to snow heavily all over her, filling the bread-filled bags she was carrying. Unfortunately for her, the bags also happened to be open at the top. Even though Applejack broke into a run and Rainbow Dash flew off, hysterical, by the time she got back to the farm and inspected the bags, the snow had melted. All that was left of the bread was a soggy mess, ruining their next week supply of bread. Applejack had to backtrack all the way back to Ponyville and buy a new batch of bread with money from her very own pouch, reducing her weekly allowance to nearly zero.

Applejack had made Big Macintosh Pinkie Promise (witnessed by Pinkie Pie herself) to never tell Granny about Rainbow Dash’s bullying pursuits. Granny would have thumped Rainbow Dash a new one if she had ever found out what she was doing to Applejack, but Applejack didn’t want Rainbow Dash to feel like she had won. Too stubborn for her own good, Applejack was determined to win this war. Her only hope was Rainbow Dash would give up and learn to pick on somepony new. But her anger was rising. Rising with each freezing, Rainbow Dash infested day.

Although strong in the daytime, Applejack had relapsed back into a state of fear, not knowing what would become of the following day. When she lay down to sleep that night, she was at such unease that she couldn’t relax for at least an hour. Applebloom, who Applejack had begged Granny have be but back in her room, was the only source of comfort she felt in that room. Applejack’s bed covers could warm her body, but they couldn’t strengthen her spirit.

Applejack, giving up on trying to fall asleep when her clock had surpassed 1am, tiptoed over to Applebloom and checked on her. A bubble was growing and shrinking outside her mouth, as she snoozed soundly. After a few second, the bubble burst and Applebloom smacked her lips subconsciously. Applejack was jealous of her ability to be so carefree yet still so loved. If only she could be like her for a day. No responsibilities…no Rainbow Dash…no jeering ponies in Ponyville to make fun of her…that was a life she could only dream of.

Applejack lightly kissed Applebloom’s forehead and sat down on her bed, facing out the window. Her eyes drooping, she tried to imagine such a life.

Applejack loved warm weather. Maybe her life could be in Appleloose with her cousin Braeburn. She also loved the mysterious air around a western town, the whispering sand and the campfires at night. Applejack had gone to an Apple family reunion in Appleloose once. She and Mac had gotten in so much trouble… It was a blast.

Granny, Applebloom, Mac, Pinkie, Rarity and Soarin’ could be there too. Caliber could tag along too, just so Soarin’ would have a colt friend. They would go on an adventure together…all of them.

Applejack giggled at the thought of Granny being some sort of cave explorer, sporting a hat just like hers and a walking stick in hoof. Soarin’ would be their overwatch, Pinkie would make sure things wouldn’t get too serious, and Rarity would light the way with her magic. Mac would be the bodyguard, shielding them from all harm. Caliber would be unconscious over his back, passed out from being too scared. Applejack giggled again at the amusing thought.

Ponk ponk ponk.

Applejack sprung awake. Snowflakes were hitting the glass of her window. It was snowing. Applejack’s heart leapt. Snow in the night meant there would be a good deal of snow on the ground to tomorrow. Maybe there would be enough snow to close school!

Applejack yawned. Maybe tomorrow wouldn’t be so bad after all. She continued dreaming up her cave adventure and within minutes, finally drifted off to sleep.

☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼

“YES!” shouted Applejack as she peered out the kitchen window over the sink on Wednesday morning. She opened the kitchen door and was blasted with the chilly morning breeze. Ignoring the cold, she walked onto the already shoveled pathway to the gate (Mac had risen early to do the deed) and measured the snow with her leg. Each one of her legs was exactly fourteen inches long. The snow had climbed all the way to her belly and up to her cutie mark—a solid fourteen indeed.

Applejack danced overjoyed in the garden for a few seconds before her hooves started to get cold. Hurrying back inside, she went to wait patiently at the kitchen table for breakfast.

After a cheery breakfast of hot chocolate and apricot-spread toast, Applejack pulled on her expensive new fuzzy boots Rarity had bought her a couple weeks ago. They were a bright orange, to compliment her coat. The fuzzy trimming on the top of the boots even matched her hat. They fit as perfectly as well.

“You are forbidden to wear those until the first snow of the season arrives,” Rarity had said. Applejack reluctantly agreed, but now…it was fair game.

Applejack exited her house and admired how comfy walking in the boots were—her hoofs stayed as warm as they were inside her bed. The fuzzy trimming hugged her legs gently.

Mac didn’t accompany her to school today; he assumed the school was going to be closed anyway. He also pointed out, out of Granny’s short threshold of hearing, that Rainbow Dash wouldn’t be a problem. The pegasi up in Cloudsdale knew ahead of time what snowstorms would be coming, so Rainbow Dash likely didn’t even leave the city yet.

Still, though, Applejack wanted to feel the thrill of walking up to the schoolhouse door and seeing the message that would be printed on a neat little sign, releasing all ponies from school that day. After that, she was going to Rarity’s to show her the new boots.

The sky was still pearly white, and tiny snowflakes were still falling to the ground. Appreciating the kindness of the city unicorns that helped magically clear the roads of all snow, Applejack broke into a run, eager to reach the school.

“YES!” she shouted again, as she approached a taped sign on the door that read:

Due to the recent snowfall level exceeding twelve inches in height, I officially announce a snow day for the 29th of November, in celebration of the joy of winter’s surprises. As a result, Ponyville Elementary will be closed until further notice. Enjoy!

Mayor Mare

Ponyville Mayor

“Here ah come, Rarity—!”

WHAP. Turning around, before Applejack could even react, a huge snowball hit her square in the face, sending icy pieces of snow all over her mane, body, and into her brand new boots.

“Bullseye!” said Rainbow Dash from up in the sky, fist pumping in celebration of Applejack’s misfortune.

Applejack yelped, the sharp sting of pain from the ice against the cold air feeling like she had just been jabbed with a needle. She shivered as the ice from the snowball was beginning to freeze her hooves.

Applejack’s eyes welled up with tears. Angry…enfuriated…livid tears. The rising hatred she had towards Rainbow Dash since she had first crossed her path had finally reached a boiling point. The war needed to be ended. And it was time to drop the bomb.

“COME DOWN HERE, YOU COWARD!” she screamed up at Rainbow Dash, the snow melting quickly off her heated face. Rainbow Dash dropped all the snow she was carrying at once and flew down to her.

“And what are you going to do about it, filly?” she said, her eyes at mere squints.

“You think you're so tough around all your pegasus buddies, but you're nothin’ by yourself, Rainbow,” said Applejack, trembling with fury. “Ah ain’t afraid of you.”

Rainbow Dash pushed her back a few feet, catching Applejack off guard.

“You better be. Know why? HUH? KNOW WHY, SQUIRT?” she yelled in her face.

“Didn’t ya hear me?” said Applejack, pushing her back four feet. “I AIN’T afraid of you!”

Rainbow Dash threw a punch but Applejack sidestepped it, making her miss by miles.

“Haha, missed me! Ah thought ya were the fastest pegasus in Cloudsdale—”

WHAM. Rainbow Dash’s other hoof connected to Applejack’s face. But the punch hurt a lot less than she was expecting. In fact, the snowball was at least three times as powerful.

And with that punch—that hilariously overestimated punch—the bomb was dropped. Applejack reared up on her hind legs and piledrived her front right hoof as hard as she could into Rainbow Dash’s face. A stream of saliva flew through the air as Rainbow Dash fell to the ground. She lay there a few seconds, dazed, and then attempted to get up.

But Applejack wasn’t even close to being finished. One punch. Two punches. Three punches. Four. Every single swing connected to Rainbow Dash’s horrified face. All her anger, fear and every emotion she had been bottling up for months were in each succeeding slug. On the sixth or seventh punch, Rainbow Dash's mouth and nose began to bleed. Flapping her wings, Rainbow Dash flew off the ground and slammed into Applejack, her blood rubbing off on her face.

They both screamed and fell into a snowbank. Rainbow Dash tried to punch Applejack again but Applejack put her in a headlock and threw her into the snow, then turned around and kicked her with a hind leg. Rainbow Dash flew into the flagpole and crimson blood sprinkled the white snow.

Before Rainbow Dash could get up a second time, Applejack took advantage of the opportunity and grasped her by the throat, an insane stare etched across her blood spotted face. She knelt down on top of her and held down her wings so she couldn’t budge.

“How does that feel? HOW DOES THAT FEEL?” she screamed in her face.

“Please…get…off of me…,” choked Rainbow Dash.

“This is how ah feel inside! EVERY—SINGLE—DAY! AH'M CRUSHED!” she continued to scream.

“Applejack…please…I can’t…,” Rainbow Dash could barely speak. But Applejack didn’t even feel an ounce of mercy for her. Releasing her grasp, she walloped her in the stomach three more times. She rolled onto her stomach and started to cry silently, clutching herself.

Applejack left her there, and started to walk away. But in all her foolishness, Rainbow Dash decided to pull a fast one on her and grab her by the back of the throat. She flapped her wings and started to rise into the air.

“Oh no…you…don’t,” gasped Applejack. She elbowed Rainbow Dash in the face, causing her to release her and sending them both back into the snow.

And finally, as Rainbow Dash lay there dazed for a third time, Applejack walked over to her and faced the opposite direction.

“You’ve seen the bull…now meet the horns.”

And with her strongest effort she could muster, her hind legs reared high against the fierce rays of the morning sun, she kicked Rainbow Dash off the ground and sent her flying like a rag doll through the air.

A horrible crack sounded, followed by a scratchy, high-pitched scream.

Applejack hurried on over to her downed target and gasped at the gruesome sight. Applejack winced her head away from shock.

She had dislocated her left wing and tore a hoof-shaped gash down around it, where blood was seeping into the snow freely. Another hoof shaped mark cut deeply over her cutie mark, blood also trickling down onto her lightning-bolt cloud and through the cold snow. The strength of Applejack's hind legs had struck Rainbow Dash at such great force, the edges of her hooves had cut into the pegasus's body like cookies cutters. But there wasn't even a remote sense of good taste in the copious amounts of blood that was being shed.

All her anger left her at once as she began to fully realize what she had done; Applejack reduced Rainbow Dash to an absolute pulp. On top of the wounds Applejack could only stare in shock at, Applejack felt a chilling wind strike her in the back of the head and continue over towards Rainbow's writhing body. The unforgiving kiss of the winter air upon Rainbow Dash's open wounds magnified her screams, if possible, even louder.

Applejack was petrified; her hooves as frozen as the snow beneath her guilty hooves.

What had she done?