Just The Right Apple To Pick

Blindly, ever so blindly she ran, as Applejack desperately tried to get away. But no matter how fast the mare ran, her hooves did not take her anywhere. She had no idea where she was and she couldn’t see a thing. Everything was pitch black. Applejack felt like she was being chased by something, though she couldn’t see what it was. And that was what terrified her the most. Tears ran down her freckled cheeks as she ran faster and deeper into the void of darkness. The shadows engulfed every inch of her body and threatened to suffocate her, so she had to get away. Every couple of minutes, Applejack would hear an eerie laughter echo and fade away into the darkness, but each time, it sounded closer. She now knew for a fact that she was being followed. The farm pony screamed and continued running without ever looking back once. Was this all in her mind? She was not sure. She had lost her hat a while ago, when she first entered the shadows. But that was just it, she never remembered entering this nightmare in the first place. It was simply as if she just appeared there. The high-pitched cackle echoed across the void once more, and this time it was so close that it seemed to whisper in Applejack’s ear. The mare’s eyes shrank to the size of peas and she let out an ear-piercing shriek. Then she ran even faster, shaking her head in terror and disbelief. As the laughter continued, Applejack felt like she was shrinking. The realm of darkness was getting larger. There was no escape; no way out. She was trapped in this merciless nightmare until she woke up… if she ever did.

Applejack’s lungs begged for air, but she knew that if she stopped running, whatever it was chasing her would attack her from behind. She did not want to die, but the mare could sprint no longer. Beads of sweat poured down from her forehead; however, just as the farm pony was about to pass out from exhaustion, her body was illuminated by a strange blue light. Applejack immediately came to a halt and looked around in horror. As she scanned the void for the source of the light, she suddenly began to feel light-headed and collapsed. There she lay, barely conscious and struggling to comprehend what was going on. Not long after, the mare felt something slowly wrap around her back leg. Whatever it was had an iron grip and was cold and slimy. Applejack was beyond terrified at this point. She tried to scream again, but no sound escaped and a chill wind blew through her mane. She tried to kick the creature that was grabbing her with all her might, but the creature and sheer cold immobilized her and prevented her from doing so. Now, all the mare could do was bury her head in her hooves and weep silently to herself. Applejack prayed for this ordeal to end. She just wanted to see her family again, Applebloom, Big Macintosh, and Granny Smith. Then a sudden realization hit her. Those were the last three ponies she had seen before this began, and she missed them more than ever right now. She wondered where they were and if they were safe. She wondered if she would ever see them again. Suddenly, she heard the cackling once more, but this time, a voice spoke from above her.

“Seems you are in quite an unfortunate situation here,” said the icy voice.

Applejack gave a quick gasp and her head snapped up. Although she expected to be staring into the eyes of the voice’s source, there was nopony in sight. Her emerald eyes scanned all across the realm, but there was nothing there for miles. Soon, the wicked laughter faded away and there was nothing but dead silence. After a moment or two, Applejack attempted to stand up on all four hooves, but a long black tentacle shot up from the ground and lashed her other hind leg back down. The mare screamed in terror and lowered her head to the ground. The cackling returned, as did the mysterious voice.

“What’s the matter? Can’t move?”

Tears started streaming down Applejack’s face and her breathing became rapid. After a while, she finally mustered up the courage to raise her head.

“W-who are you? Where am I? What do you want?!”

The voice responded almost at once.

“Oh come now, Applejack. I mean you no harm, but you were such a pretty little apple that I just had to pick you. I hope you understand.”

“Understand what?! Answer me!” Her sobbing continued.

“STOP YOUR BLUBBERING!" Roared the voice.

At that exact moment, two more black tendrils sprouted up and fastened Applejack’s two front legs to the ground so that her whole body was strapped down. Applejack screeched out in pain and shock. The mare heard the voice get louder and a thin layer of mist began to form around her.

“Fine then. To answer your questions: Who am I?” The voice chuckled, “Oh, you will find out soon enough.” “What do I want? Well, you’ve already given that to me now haven’t you?”

The mist completely covered Applejack’s body now and swirled around her. Suddenly, she felt something grasp her shoulder. She yelped and shut her eyes tight.

The voice lowered and made its way down to her ear, “And as for where you are…” The ghostly voice hesitated, “You are in a place that you can never escape from,” It said. “You are dead.”

Applejack’s eyes shot open wide. The menacing laughter returned once more as the mist and endless darkness all seemed to engulf her. The cackling gradually began to increase in volume until it became deafening as Applejack’s life slipped away before her eyes. She screamed at the top of her lungs as her body and everything around her spun into nothing. Then she was gone.

Applejack awoke with a shrill yell. There she lay, safe and sound in her bed. It was only a nightmare. But what a nightmare it was! She tossed away her covers, still four hooves. She reached up with her hoof and felt her silky blonde locks, her mane was still there. And she looked to her bedside table to see that her tan cowboy hat was still there as well. Applejack closed her eyes and gave a huge sigh of relief.

Thank sweet Celestia it was only a dream!

Not too long after, Applejack’s bedroom door opened to reveal Big Macintosh, Applebloom, and Granny Smith, all with concern evident in their eyes.

“Applejack?” asked Big Mac.

“You ok, sis?” asked Applebloom.

“Everythin’ alright youngin’?” asked Granny.

Applejack was surprised for a moment, and then smiled.

“Yeah, I'm fine,” she responded. “Just a bad dream, sorry to worry y’all.”

Applejack’s family trotted over to her and Applebloom sat on the edge of the bed. “That’s ok, sis.” She said, “I’m just glad you’re alright. When I heard you scream I thought somethin' awful had happened.” Suddenly, Applejack pulled her younger sister into a hug. Applebloom was taken by surprise a little, and then she saw tears rolling down Applejack’s face. Soft sobs escaped from the mare as she pulled her sister closer to her chest.

"Applejack..." said Applebloom, slightly puzzled.

"I'm just so grateful that I got my family," she responded through sniffles.

Soon after, Granny Smith and Big Macintosh joined in until all four of them were in a warm embrace together. Her family had no idea what she had been through, but based upon her actions, they realized that Applejack hadn’t had a normal nightmare. Thinking back to it now, the dream felt so real to her, like it had really happened… or was it even a dream to begin with? Pushing the thought aside, Applejack was just so relieved to see her family that she didn’t care about anything else at the moment. They were there for her now, and they were safe. Dream or no dream, it was over and that was all that mattered.

“Granny?” said Applejack, breaking the silence.

“Yes, Applejack?” she responded.

“I got one heck of a story to tell y’all in the mornin’.”