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                     Finding the Bloom                     
                   -by Equestrian Clock-                   
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                         Prologue                          
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Prologue
     Applejack sat, rocking her six month old, parentless sister. Her Pa had died in a construction accident, and her Ma had died giving birth to the foal. Her Granny Smith had died of old age; a happy mare. Now all Applejack had left was her brother, Big Mac, and her infant sister, Applebloom.
     Finding Applebloom asleep, Applejack set her down in the crib her father had built for Big Mac when he was born, and went outside to watch the sunset with him. Leaning her head against her big brother, she asked, "What'r we gonna do 'bout little Applebloom? How'r we gonna keep goin? At our rate, we won't be able tur raise Applebloom properly."
     "Ah dunno," Big Mac replied.
     "Ah don't want her ta die," Applejack sniffles.
     "She won't," Big Mac said, letting Applejack sob into his shoulder. "Ah promise."
     The next morning went without incident. Until noon. Applejack was trotting home from the orchard for lunch. Today it was her turn to buck apples, so Big Mac was at the house. Then she heard a roar coming from the southern orchard which happened to be on the other side of the house. It sounded really close. Applejack broke into a gallop and rushed inside. "Big Mac!" she shouted. "You alright?"
     "Thank goodness," he replied. "You're safe. Now stay here with Applebloom. Looks like there'll be trouble"
     "But Big Mac, I can help-"
     "No! You're goin ta stay here." He turned and sprinted out the door while Applejack ran to the window. What she saw made her gasp. There was a Manticore outside. And her brother was dashing straight for it. He bucked the manticore in face, which got it off balance, then he kicked in the side. Even from where Applejack was watching, she still heard the sickening crunch of braking ribs. He tried to do this over on the other side, but the manticore caught hold of his leg and picked him up and threw him. The manticore slashed at him when he landed and blood started pour.
     "NO!" Applejack screamed and bolted out of the house toward her fallen brother. Seeing a new opponent, the manticore turned toward the mare. "You do NOT hurt my family!" Applejack said. Suddenly she felt an unearthly surge of energy and charged at the manticore. As it tried to swipe at Applejack as it did to Big Mac, she jumped over the paw and landed on its back. Then she bucked the back of its head. It retaliated by trying to knock her off. Applejack cautiously turned around as to not fall off, twisted, and pulled on the head. She heard a satisfying *pop* as she snapped its neck.
     Applejack jumped off just in time not to be crushed. Now that all of that was done, she remembered why. "Big Mac!" Applejack yelled, turning around. Her brother lay limp on the ground, and he was quickly losing blood. She needed to get him a doctor.
     "Applejack," Big Mac groaned.
     "Shh, shh. Don't waste yer breath. Ah need to get help."
     "No, stay here fer a moment. Whatever ya do; don't let Applebloom die. I can't stand leavin ya all alone. You don't die either, ya got that."
     "Yeah, I got it."
     "Thank ya Applejack, I love you."
     "No, no NO! Don't die! Please don't die. Please." she pleaded.
     "Goodbye Applejack." He whispered.
     "No!" She wimpered, and burried her head in his shoulder and sobbed.
     But he was gone, and she knew it.