The Heart of An Apple

Chapters

Applejack's Promise
The Impetus
Eyes of Judgement
Relapse and Things To Come
The Forgiving Earth
The Crazy Train and Braeburn's Big Adventure
Innocent Minds
Of Life and It's Lessons

Applejack's Promise

The Heart of an Apple
By Docboy

I claim no ownership of the characters, or any aspect relating to My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. That belongs to Hasbro.

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Chapter 1

Autumn.

The winds were blowing on a cool, crisp day. The trees as far as the eye could see turned into a vast pallet splotched with many different hues and shades of yellow and orange and red. The leaves fell off the trees, waving them goodbye as they swirled and danced in the chilly, forceful autumn air as the sun shined brightly on the orchards. The apples on the trees were big and bleeding out their colors as an explicit and irrefusable invitation to be picked and consumed in delight. The Macintoshes, the Fujis, the Galas all begging to be picked, for it was harvesting time and there were already windfalls. In fact most of Sweet Apple Acres’ orchards had been combed already. Many apples lay out in baskets to be sorted out for their respective destinations. Some were to be seeded, many others were to be used for the Apple family’s famous array of apple sweets from apple cider to apple fritters to candied apples and countless other products that never failed to sell like hotcakes. Still, many others were to be washed and carted to the market to be sold as is: Fresh apples so juicy they were to live and die for.

Sweet Apple Acres looked peaceful if you were to step in the gate to the farm, which was odd since you would think everypony would be busy bucking apples. The farmhouse stood in its industrious and rustic splendor as the shutters clapped to and fro, and the eaves creaked at the gust of the robust autumn gales. The earth on which it stood was soft and fragrant, giving away its incessant fertility that kept the family going as successful farmers. Outside the barn, a mound of the rich earth stood next to the hole that had been dug. In it was a sturdy specimen of apple wood, one of the finest on the farm. Dirt was being thrown onto it as the crowd of ponies gathered round and each threw in a clod of dirt, reluctantly at first but then with a sigh of inevitability and grief. The apple wood casket was nearly covered now.

Inside was the lifeless body of Granny Smith.

Her body rested on a series of simple clean cushions that supported her shrouded corpse. She looked as though she were at peace which was true for the most part. She died in her sleep the night before applebuck season had officially begun. As her casket was being swallowed up by the earth she dedicated her life to, a very dejected Applejack stood at the edge of the grave, removed her hat, and threw in a clod of dirt as she said a silent and final goodbye. She looked up at the rest of the family whom she hadn’t seen since Twilight Sparkle moved to Ponyville in the Apple family reunion, who had now come to pay their respects to their dear, beloved matriarch. Now passed into the fields she had worked all her life. Applejack lifted her head from her chest and began to speak.

“I wanna thank y’all for comin’ out today.” She stopped, choking back a sob. “Granny would have been so happy to see everyone. I know she would have been ecstatic to see the farm on a beautiful day like today, and how thrilled she would have been to see such a crop this year...and…and…” She couldn’t continue. It was simply too much to see her beloved grandmother who taught her everything she knew being taken away from her by the earth. She nodded at the gravedigger, an old mule with a tired, sad look in his eyes. He took up his shovel and started to fill in the grave unobtrusively with the utmost respect and sympathy. The family started to walk back to the farmhouse when a little cream colored filly with a bow in her hair burst forth from the crowd and ran to the grave.

“Applebloom!” Big Macintosh held the filly back who struggled with tears in her eyes.

“NO!” she screamed pleadingly as the coffin sank deeper into the grave forever. “Granny! Don’t go! PLEASE!” Big Mac picked her up and took her away. She had seen enough. Pretty soon the gravedigger was finished. He wiped the sweat off his brow and patted down the mound of dirt.

The tombstone would be there in a few hours.

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Applejack sat across from Granny’s favorite rocker in the living room. The fireplace was roaring. Applejack had a family album in her hooves, perusing through Granny Smith’s life with them on the farm: Applejack’s first applebuck season with Granny, Big Macintosh spraining the ankle of his left foreleg, Applebloom playing about with Granny in a pile of leaves, Granny in the hospital the first time she got sick. Applejack took out that photo and closed the book. The picture showed Granny in bed looking frail, but hopeful as her family surrounded her and they all smiled at the camera, hoping things would get better. AJ looked up at the empty rocker that would never be sat in again. Applejack started crying again. Needless to say, their hopes were brought to an end. Just then, Big Macintosh walked into the room and stood over AJ.

“Sis?” he said. “You should really go to bed. We still have to finish up the season tomorrow. Early snows are coming in and…” he stopped. Applejack looked up at him with tears in her eyes. Big Mac sighed. “Sis, I know you miss her. I miss her too, but we should be happy she went the way she did.” Applejack stood up abruptly in shock.

“What?” She gasped trying not to shout. “She’s gone Big Mac! Why should we be happy? She had one applebuck season left in her! She was gonna pull through! She was gonna see one more harvest and bring in the crop to make into her pies and fritters and sauces while she sat in her rocker… and”

“Sis,” pleaded Big Mac. “You know she was sick. I meant we should be glad it was as sudden as it was. The doctors said she had a long road of suffering ahead of her.” Big Mac looked into her sisters eyes. “Let’s just be happy the doctors were wrong. She died happy. Let’s not make her sad.”

AJ looked down at the photo and back up at her brother who was smiling. She sobbed at the undeniable truth in her brothers words. She envied him for that. He wasn’t a colt of many words, but he had a certain wisdom about him that held everyone together in the worst of times. His slow, but steady and honest rhetoric and way of work earned him the admiration of everypony who knew him. She smiled back and hugged him. He was right. It wasn’t fair to Granny to not go on. The family had their business, and nothing would have made Granny happier than to look down from heaven and to see her grandchildren working the farm as happily as they had been before. Applejack took one more look at the photo and tossed it into the fire. As the ink burned, she couldn’t help but feel sad that her grandmother was actually gone. But she had promised Big Mac that she would work hard to bring in the harvest for Granny’s sake. At least she would have Applebloom and her brother to help. Together, they would pull through the harvest. Applejack looked outside. The sun was setting in the heavens. She made a silent vow that she would work together with her brother till the very end. She turned around and sniffled, and hugged Big Macintosh again.

“You’re right Big Mac. I promise we’ll make her happy. We’ll have the most successful applebuck season ever! We’ll make her proud!”

“I bet we already have, AJ.”

“You mean it?”

“Eeyup.”

They laughed. They laughed for a good, long time in happy reminiscence. Applejack put back the album and walked with her brother down the hallway to their respective bedrooms. She paused outside her room, thinking about her promise to work with her brother, or even, she thought, maybe to outdo him. She shook the thought off. The idea was silly. They were brother and sister, nothing could come between them. Not even her desire to please Granny even though she was truly gone now. A draft of cold air blew through the room as the winds picked up, shaking the windows.

She shivered and shut the door.

The Impetus

Chapter 2

The sun rose higher in the sky.

The Apple family was back at work the next day. The mixed multitude of memories of grief and pleasant reminiscence were in the back of everypony's mind, however busy they were.

Applejack was carrying two big saddle baskets full of apples down to the barn. She set out in the morning with determination in her heart to fulfill the promise she made last night to Granny Smith to finish applebuck season with the best harvest Sweet Apple Acres had seen in a long time. Nothing was going to stand in between her and her bragging rights. She felt slightly annoyed when Big Macintosh reminded her to pace herself, and to not get hurt. She acknowledged him and set out to finish the harvest with just her brother and sister. The family had gone in the morning back to Appleoosa to take care of their harvest. But it was no problem. Most of the apples in Sweet Apple Acres had been harvested, and Applejack and Big Macintosh were way ahead of schedule. Applejack smiled the whole time, keeping her promise to make this the most successful applebuck season yet. Every time she passed Granny Smith’s new tombstone, she looked up in determination to work harder. The winds had died down on what was already a brisk morning. She passed Applebloom, who was carrying a much smaller set of baskets suitable to her size. Applejack smiled at her sister’s determination to help out in any way she could. But then she saw Big Macintosh. The burly pony was pulling a huge cart of apples so full, the pile of apples threatened to fall off any minute. All the apples in that single cart must have been the entire take of five whole trees. He didn’t look as concerned. He simply strained at bit when heading up a hill, but other than that, he was trouncing whatever Applejack did.

AJ felt herself blushing in embarrassment, but then caught herself.

“Shame on you Applejack.” She reprimanded herself. “You’re lucky to have Big Macintosh as a brother.”

Still, she couldn’t help but feel something she had never felt before. Resentment? Jealousy? Applejack shook in fear at the thought of resenting Big Macintosh for anything.

“Ridiculous.” She thought. However, she couldn’t shake the feeling that was bothering her, whatever it was. The winds were picking up.

She continued to buck apples and bring them in as she tried to enjoy the beautiful day. Over the second hill due northwest of the farm she could see Ponyville. She wondered what her friends were doing as she saw a rainbow whizz past the town’s windmill, causing it to spin a hundred fold in speed. She chuckled at the thought of Rainbow Dash causing whatever mischief she was up to on this beautiful day. The sun was shining bright on the town. Some dark clouds were moving over the horizon past the mountains. Perhaps that’s what Rainbow Dash was so agitated about. She turned around and started back towards the barn. She felt proud as she looked at the bare trees that were ready to fall dormant for the winter.

“Yes sir, Granny.” She sighed in relief. “We didn’t let you down.”

She started to trot down the alley of trees when she saw Big Macintosh pick up speed as well. Applejack felt annoyed at the challenge, so she kicked herself into a canter. Big Macintosh only seemed to pick up more speed. Applejack was getting increasingly agitated that she was losing to her brother who was even carrying a bigger load than her. She ran as fast as her legs could carry her. They were approaching the barn. Applejack panted as she begged her legs to run faster. She looked back up to see Big Mac running as fast as her. Applejack gloated to herself, assured of her victory. But her pre-victory high was short lived as she saw Big Mac put on one more mighty burst of sprinting. Some apples were even starting to fall out. Applejack was furious inside. She didn’t even notice the look of worry on his face. She sprinted for all she was worth. The opposing winds cooled her down and made her feel better as she ran past the trees that became a blur of orange and yellow, polka dotted with red. She reached the barnyard and swerved in front of her brother who was trailing behind. She turned toward him and planted herself in his path. He screeched to a stop in front of her, flabbergasted. Applejack wore a haughty, victorious look.

“Hah!” She shouted. But Big Mac simply ran past her.

“Hey! Where’r you going?” she yelled.

“Uh, sis?” said Big Mac pointing down in front of him.

Applejack gasped and ran over to Applebloom who was sprawled on the floor in front of the door to the barn. She was unconscious and had a big welt on her head. Applejacks legs turned to gelatin. She tried to move to help but her body wouldn’t respond. Big Mac wasn’t racing her. He was running to help Applebloom whom she hadn’t even noticed was out cold from a blow to the head. What the hell had come over her?

“Sis!” yelled Big Mac. Applejack shook herself out of her trance. “I’m gonna get her to the hospital! Finish the harvest without me!”

AJ did just that, but she did it in a trance. She was missing a lot of apples since her mind wasn’t completely with her work. It wasn’t the fact that Applebloom was unconscious from banging her head into a door that scared her. What made her shake in her boots was the fact that some force seemed to be egging her on to do something. The storm clouds came over the farm and it started to rain. The winds turned back into gales.

When the harvest was finally done, Applejack sat down to her usual ascetic fare of oats and cider. She couldn’t eat in peace however, as she struggled to understand what was bugging her. She couldn’t help but feel the need to compete against her brother out of a sense of some obligation to make her grandmother proud. But that didn’t make any sense to her. Granny Smith stood for unity and family togetherness. What was this feeling that was pushing Applejack on?

She turned for a moment to the kitchen and saw the pot of oats awaiting Big Macintosh for when he returned from the hospital. A sense of dread loomed over poor AJ as she got up out of no real will of her own. She started towards the medicine cabinet and found a sedative that they used whenever anypony in the Apple family had violent chills. She looked down at the pot of oats and poured in a healthy dose. Her face contorted in fear and guilt. Her conscience screamed at her and she was horrified at herself. But she continued to replace the cap on the jar of sedative and stir the new ingredient into the pot awaiting her brother. Her mind raced. She jumped at the slightest sound. But there was no one there. Outside the storm lingered as the winds howled in protest and tried to rush in through the shutters to arrest the crime.
Applejack closed the lid and went to bed.

She fell asleep doubting her role as the element of Honesty.

Eyes of Judgement

Chapter 3

It was noon the next day.

Applejack stumbled out of bed feeling quite groggy. Her guilty conscience didn’t humor her with at least a good night’s sleep. Normally, everypony on the farm woke up at the crack of dawn. It was a ritual she had remembered ever since she was a filly about Applebloom’s age. Granny Smith would be severely cross with any lazy pony who wasn’t ready to work in the early morning. Applejack only needed one punishment to know never to make the mistake of oversleeping again. She remembered her grandmother’s words:

“There you are Applejack!” she said bitterly. “I suppose you had such good dreams that you couldn’t be bothered to wake up on time could you have? You overslept didn’t ya’ young lady?” Little Applejack looked down at the floor and shed a tear in shame.

“Yes ma’am.” She said meekly. She began to sob. She was so upset that she disappointed her Granny, who in turn had a sad look on her face when she knew what had to be done.

“Hand me that switch young lady.” Applejack bawled in fright as she did what she was told out of obedience. Granny held her over and brought the switch down on her flank. Applejack screamed and begged her grandmother for mercy. Granny only brought it down again.
“I’m doing this because I love you more than anything, Applejack. Know that this hurts me more than it hurts you.” The words hardly reached Applejack who was still bawling. She didn’t even notice when a single tear fell out of Granny Smith’s right eye.

She had nightmares last night ranging from Granny Smith’s bad side to the possible side effects of an overdose of the sedative she surreptitiously fed Big Macintosh last night. She jolted herself awake in fear of her dreams becoming reality and raced to his bedroom door. She cracked it open to find her brother snoring peacefully. That meant the sedative had done its job since Big Mac was never asleep after the crack of dawn.

She turned and walked out the door to the supplies shed. There was still work to be done. All the young saplings had to be covered for the winter against the elements. Applejack was sure she could do it alone. But it wasn’t easy. The saplings had to be covered separately in what looked like huge burlap sacks and tied around the base of the tree. This alone would take all day and well into the evening. It was back breaking work indeed. Simply getting the covers to fit around the trees at the top and down to the bottom while avoiding catching the fragile branches was with each tree its own Odyssey. But no job, no matter how big, was considered undoable by Applejack, especially when she had something to prove to herself.

No time was wasted. She immediately set to work tying the strings and fitting the covers over the trees as she raced against the daylight. She had calmed down since last night as she realized that Big Mac would eventually wake up from his drugged sleep. She began to justify herself by conjuring up the pretext of wanting to be able to show how much she could do without the constant help of her big brother. It was all part of her promise to Granny Smith to do the best she could. She paused for a moment. She felt uneasy. Since when was drugging Big Macintosh and fooling herself afterward part of her promise? She still didn’t feel completely right with herself. That was her specialty. When something wasn’t as it seemed or as someone put it out to be, Applejack could sniff it out in a Manehattan minute. She had a knack for shaking the truth out of other ponies that were lying to her. And right now, she had the feeling she was lying to herself. She noticed the sun was shining unusually brightly, for it was inconceivably hot for an autumn day. The heat started to scorch AJ’s back. It was torture to bear the covers on her back as the sun heated them up. She started to sweat, and the heat made her mind swim even more.

She set back to work trying to take her mind off it. A branch recoiled at Applejack when the cover slipped. The branch gave her a fearful scratch in the face over her right eye. Fortunately, her eye wasn’t damaged at all. The wound just smarted terribly. Applejack fought back a cuss. Cussing was for dishonest ponies like the ones she saw loitering by the hospital the other day. She gasped.

Applebloom was still in the hospital.

She worried herself sick at the thought of the condition her poor sister was in. Was she awake, or was she still unconscious? Was she alright either way? She felt alone and helpless. If only she had someone else to pull her through.
A cool breeze relieved her face as she looked who came out of the farmhouse. Big Maintosh looked groggy and confused. Bull-headed as Applejack was when it came to help, she sighed in relief and dashed over to him to wish him good morning. She forgot all about her competitive urges. To hell with them anyway, she thought. They ran contradictory to what she stood for anyway. It made no sense to try and sabotage her brother. She loved him dearly with all her heart. She stopped outside the shed where Big Mac was getting some supplies of his own.

“Hey there, brother.” She said cheerfully. “How’d you…” She trailed off. Big Mac turned around. He didn’t share Applejack’s cheerful disposition. He looked tired and bewildered like he was in shock about something. He looked at her and frowned.

“AJ?” He asked, “Did you notice something strange about the oats last night? Or wonder why the sedative was opened?”

Applejack’s heart sank. It was the way Big Mac asked his questions. He wasn’t stupid. He knew something was up and Applejack had something to do with it. He just wanted to know why. Applejack just stood there. Her heart was palpitating as she tried to speak, but nothing came out. She couldn’t lie to him, she was the worst liar in history and she was sure her brother already knew she did something. But at the same time she couldn’t bring herself to tell him what she had done. She imagined Big Macintosh’s trust slipping through her hooves like sand. She felt nauseated.

“Sis?” He asked once more. He got no answer. He sighed and walked off to continue covering the saplings. He decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. Maybe she thought he was working too hard. But Applejack’s strange, sneaky behavior worried him greatly.

Meanwhile, Applejack found herself to be picking up the pace of her work again. Her embarrassment made her feel sick to her stomach. The rest of the sweltering day went on forever, letting Applejack stew in her own guilt. Just as soon as night came, the temperature plummeted and made the air frightfully frigid. AJ decided not to eat dinner lest another temptation should arise. She was tired and cold. She just flopped into bed and started snoring. Tomorrow was another day of facing her dear brother whom she loved dearly, but also wanted to beat him at everything to prove something she didn’t even know to her passed grandmother. Her head was swimming as she finally fell asleep from utter exhaustion.

The winds were howling again.

Relapse and Things To Come

Chapter 4

The morning chill lifted as the sun rose.

This time, there was no sleeping in. Applejack and Big Macintosh woke up early and started their chores. The apples had to be sold while a constant inventory was taken. Timing was crucial, as fresh apples didn’t keep for very long. Meanwhile, the other apples would be shipped in bulk to various buyers such as Sugarcube Corner. Mr. and Mrs. Cake promised to help in the production of Sweet Apple Acres’ apple pastry products when Granny Smith died for a paltry fraction of the profits. It was the least they could do, especially since they were now trusted with the possession of the family recipes. Many other apples, still, had to be quickly turned into sauces, cider and preserves if they were to be kept for a long time. That day, Applejack agreed to handle sales and shipping while Big Mac handled making the cider and sauces.

It was going to be a long, busy day, and Applejack was determined to get her work done. She also took the job of managing sales so she could get into town. She didn’t want to be stuck in an awkward situation with her brother again. Whenever she thought of him nowadays, she always felt a surge of anger and jealousy rush through her body. He always seemed to be doing more than her. It wasn’t fair. It made her feel insignificant and it diminished her pride. But she felt sick inside at these thoughts. She knew she was lucky to have a brother like Big Mac whom she loved and would always be there to help her. Perhaps some time away from the farm was all she needed.

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It was a good day to go into town.

The sun was shining kindly. Everypony was hustling and bustling about with their daily business with a smile on their faces. AJ stopped at Sugarcube Corner to drop off a few dozen bushels of ripe, red, juicy apples that were perfect for pies. She dropped the cart outside the bakery and gave a call. Pinkie Pie came bouncing out the door.

“Hey, Applejack!” the party pony exclaimed while she gave AJ a bear hug.

“Hey there, sugarcube!” she replied with what little breath was left in her lungs.

“Are you… y’know…okay and everything?” Pinkie asked concernedly. Applejack smiled.

“Yeah. I’m fine. I’ve got the order of apples.”

Pinkie gasped in amazement.

“Wow! We’ve really got our work cut out for us!”

The ponies strained at pushing the heavy sacks full of apples through the door and hauling them to the scullery. The storeroom downstairs, Pinkie explained, was in use for a collection of her various “projects”, she called them. Applejack shrugged the matter off and continued to haul the apples into the spare room next to the kitchen. They worked up quite a sweat, considering how many apples there were. Once they were done, Mrs. Cake ordered them to take a break over some hot cocoa. Pinkie drank hers almost instantly while Applejack stirred hers absentmindedly. Pinkie couldn’t help but notice.

“Applejack?”

“Hmm?”

“Is everything alright?”

“Umm… yeah.” She lied. Pinkie sensed as much.

“Come on, AJ.” She pressed, “You can tell me anything.”

“I don’t got no problems.” she replied, feeling slightly annoyed.

“You sure? Like… you don’t have any problems at all?

Like the fact that her grandmother is dead? Her sister is in the hospital in a coma? That she drugged her brother into a deep sleep? That she felt like she was going insane? Nope! No problems at all.

“Nope! No problems at all.” said Applejack. Pinkie felt anxious for her friend, but she trusted her. Pinkie smiled again, trying to move back into small talk.

“So, what’s Big Mac doing right now?” Applejack winced. She did not want to think of her brother right now.

“Oh uh… he’s making the cider and sauces back at the farm.” Pinkie Pie laughed nervously.

“Oh umm… that’s cool.” She said.

Gods, somepony shoot me. Applejack grumbled to herself. She sipped her cocoa that tasted quite bland, considering how sweet everything from Sugarcube Corner usually was.

“Hey Applejack…” said Pinkie again. AJ slammed her mug on the table, visibly annoyed and spilling cocoa everywhere.

“What?” she gritted through her teeth. She looked up and saw that Pinkie was visibly hurt. Her eyes became saddeningly wide as her mane fell down. Applejack regretted her callousness. She felt a pain in her stomach like a swarm of bees were buzzing around, stinging the inside of her gut to find a way out.

“I just wanted to tell you to be careful.” said Pinkie. Applejack felt confused.

“Huh?”

“I know you lost your Granny, and Applebloom isn’t doing too well, which is why you need all the help you can get.” A fiery pang shot up Applejack’s spine at the thought of having more help than she already had that she didn’t want. The image of Big Macintosh pulling cartloads upon cartloads of apples made her seethe with rage. She almost spilled her cocoa again.

“Why does everypony think that I can’t do nothin’ without Big Mac’s help?” she snapped. Pinkie was taken aback again.

“Wha-uhhh…no! I was just saying…”

“Saying what?” Applejack interrupted. She felt her cheeks turn red in her anger. Why was it that everypony always talked about Big Mac when it came to who did what on the farm? Who was it that bucked the apples? Big Mac and Applejack! Who was it that managed the farm during the winter? Big Mac and Applejack! She realized, then, that she had been living in her brother’s shadow, and it was time to step out.

“I’m gonna show y'all! I’m gonna show everypony I don’t need Big Mac! I don’t need Applebloom! I don’t need Granny Smith! I DON’T NEED ANYPONY!”

Pinkie Pie stumbled backward and stared at her poor friend. She shook her head in defeat. Apparently, AJ had gone into a total relapse of her need for independence. Only this time, it spread to her family. Pinkie retreated farther toward the back of the room as Applejack stared her down in anger. The silence was deadly. Pinkie sweated and faced the floor. Anywhere but at the indignant Applejack.

Suddenly, a loud thump was heard against the door. Pinkie dogged out from in front of the angry work horse to answer it with a relieved smile on her face and a newly poofed mane. She opened the door to find the mailpony with a pack of fliers in her mouth.

“Spurcur Tahw Annowcmin!” cried Derpy as she handed the parcel to the party pony.

“ A Special Town Announcement?Thanks!” said Pinkie. “I’ll post a few on the counter!”

She placed the posters on the counter and fetched a muffin from a fresh batch that was baking. She tossed the payment to Derpy who caught it in her mouth and flew away. Pinkie made for the kitchen again.

“Back to work!” she said hastily. “See ‘ya later Applejack!” Pinkie shut the door, leaving AJ alone at the counter. She thought about the state the farm was in and the tough road ahead. She started to tear up at the thought of Applebloom still lying in bed, unable to move or talk or even wake up. At least, for all she knew, that’s what Applejack knew of her sister’s condition. No news had come from the hospital since she was admitted. Applejack sank to the floor in tears. Her whole world was collapsing around her. Her eye caught the flier and her tears ceased.

Her eyes lit up when she saw what the flier was advertising. She grabbed one in her mouth, and ran home to tell Big Macintosh.

The leaves in the trees rustled as the winds were blowing again.

The Forgiving Earth

Chapter 7

Sunrise.

The horizon flared a beautiful color of orange dabbed across the clouds, which seemed to absorb the brilliant color of the flame of Celestia’s sun. The spread of this marmalade of orange sunshine turning a bright yellow swept to the west across the land and warmed the earth. The bath of this sweet light woke up the rooster, who started his day by waking up everyone on the farm.

Applejack pried her eyes open with quite some difficulty, as her eyes protested having to open after a mere two hours of sleep. Her angst was too busy entertaining her that evening as she tossed and turned in her bed in anticipation and dread. Her head fell back on her pillow as her bloodshot eyes eased shut again. Thank goodness the harvesting was over with a few days ago, now there wasn’t a need to get up at the crack of dawn anymore. Perhaps she could get in a bit more sleep for once for all that life was treating her with as of late.

Suddenly, a high pitched, ear splitting noise rang in Applejack’s eardrum, snapping her up out of bed and rolling her onto the floor as her ears folded against her hooves, covering them in an attempt to barricade them against the onslaught of shrieking. She winced in pain until it stopped as suddenly as it started. She opened her eyes to see a cheery, cherry-red set of legs standing in front of her. She looked up to reveal her smiling brother with a chrome whistle in his mouth and a towel around his neck with a stupid Braeburn-esque grin on his face.

At least somepony around here got a good night’s sleep, thought Applejack, annoyed. Perhaps some more of that sedative would have helped.

“Goooooood mornin’ sis!” He exclaimed excitedly. “Hope you’re ready to hit the track.” Applejack managed to stand up and return the smile.

“Sure! Uh… Be down in a minute!” Big Mac trotted downstairs as Applejack flopped back down on her bed. Her forehead pounded and ached. She thought of her brother when he was a young colt. He hadn’t changed much since then: Quiet, content, and always internally enthusiastic about the task at hand. That sure was the brother she knew, and the one who just split her cochlea. She sighed, put on her hat, and went downstairs where the sweet smell of cooking apples saturated the air.

A gentle breeze rocked the shutters.
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Autumn was starting to pass. The leaves lost their hues and shades of red and yellow, corrupted to a dull, dead brown as more and more fell from the branches. The brittle leaves formed piles on the side of the road where they were swept off the dirt path by beating hooves. At the end of the path lay Granny Smith’s tomb, where a wreath was placed recently, apparently, by somepony that knew her but couldn’t make it to the funeral, so he or she decided to pay their respects now without a fuss.

Big Mac stomped his foot at the beginning of the path. He started to run in place to warm up as Applejack trundled behind, still feeling groggy. She still sipped her coffee with her eyes closed.

“Hey! Sillypony!” Big Mac yelled. Applejack, startled, shook herself back awake and dropped her cup.

“You ready or what?”

“Oh! Right.”

“Remember, around the farm once, then the exercises.”

“Yeah, yeah.” said Applejack still half asleep.

“APPLEJACK!” hollered Big Mac. Applejack nearly fell over at the shock. “Are we gonna do this or what? I thought you wanted to train for Applebloom!” At that, AJ shrunk back in shame, realizing her selfishness. She opened her eyes and wore a new expression of conviction and determination, her half-hearted tiredness melting away in one fell swoop. She took her place at the gate with Big Mac, and started off as he blew the whistle with a small burst of air. Luckily, the coffee began to take its effect as Applejack didn’t have to rely only on the motivation of her emotions to keep running.

“Alright. Let’s do it for Applebloom!” cried Applejack as they galloped off. Like any new regimen, the process got off to a hard start. The wet path from all the rain turned the dirt into a quagmire of muddy, loose soil under puddles of water. Running into them at high speed facilitated a loss of balance as a hoof that hit the puddle sunk into the mud and refused to come out. This must have happened at least thrice with each of the athletes as they struggled to make the first lap in a decent time. All the while, Applejack managed to keep her hateful feelings against Big Mac to herself. It wasn’t easy though. Her mind began to think violent, conniving thoughts of trouncing her brother as well as any means necessary in order to achieve that objective. She thought of tripping him, splashing him with water from the ground, and even “accidentally” hitting a branch back causing it to recoil in his face. But as time went on, she could feel the searing guilt that used to eat away at her insides begin to be replaced by something, strangely enough. At first, her face reddened with an angry conviction as she was desperate to stay ahead of her brother. However, as time passed, she grudgingly conceded to run beside him. Perhaps it was the exhaustion of running the circumference of the farm, or perhaps it was the fact that this wasn’t a competition; only training with her brother. Whatever the reason, Applejack found herself to be at a certain peace that she hadn’t felt for a long time as she ran with her brother with a cheerful banter. A painful heat used to burn at her heart and stomach at the sight of Big Mac, but now the only pain she felt was the heat of her exertion and the palpitation of her heart matching her heavy breathing with each meter she ran. After all, he was her brother who smiled at her determination and support. And for once, she smiled.

Suddenly, her left forehoof hit a puddle of sticky mud. Her momentum sent her head over heels into the mud. Her hat flew in a perpendicular direction and landed daintily on an apple branch. Big Mac skidded to a halt and trotted back to where AJ rolled on her back in the wet mud. She opened her eyes again to see the red stallion holding out his hoof to help her up. AJ scowled under the mask of the moist earth clinging and drying in her coat. She held back for a second until she heard a muffled nasal sound come from her brother. It was almost unidentifiable until she saw the mischievous grin on his face as he still lent her a hoof. The snicker turned into a deep giggle. AJ felt the muscles in her mouth wrestle for control from the frown on her face to form a smile as if Pinkie Pie had possessed her. Then she giggled as well. They both laughed uncontrollably for a good five minutes until Applejack finally took Big Mac’s hoof and he pulled her out of the mud. She punched him heartily on the shoulder.

“You think that’s funny, huh?” she said with a scowl and a grin.

“Eeyup.”

“Well, do you think… this is funny?” she said nonchalantly as she shoved him over his legs into the puddle. He rose up covered in mud with the same scowl and playful grin.

“Nnope!” he tackled her as they went tumbling into the mud. They laughed hysterically as they wrestled while trying to keep the mud out of their eyes. They tossed and tackled and turned like the rowdy colt and filly they used to be a long time ago. Finally, with their coats caked with mud, they rose off the ground and decided that maybe they should call it a day. A gentle breeze blew the hat out of the tree that swirled to the ground. Big Mac caught sight of it heading toward the mud as he dove with a grunt to try and catch it. He face planted into the puddle with a loud thump as the hat landed on his face. Such a ridiculous sight made AJ burst out with laughter. Big Mac got up and handed the almost dirt-free hat to AJ who couldn’t stop smiling.

“Uh, thanks Big Mac.” She said through a giggle.

“No problem AJ.” He replied with a smile.

They walked home each with the same dirt-colored coat resting each other’s head on their shoulders, exhausted.

The clouds yielded a benevolent, cool, misty rain that washed them clean.

The Crazy Train and Braeburn's Big Adventure

Chapter 8

The steam emitted from the train’s whistle dissipated into the crisp morning air.

Not a single cloud contaminated the sky over Ponyville as Rainbow Dash wrapped up the downpour from the previous night. The Inter-Regional Express stood waiting for its passengers to board on its circuit from Manehattan to Trottingham with a few stops in between, namely Appleoosa, which was an overnight trip from Ponyville with a stop in Canterlot along the way. The train stood alone while the engineer ran an inspection and while the runners who pulled the train stopped for a drink before continuing.

Applejack and Big Macintosh walked down the platform and headed into a compartment to get settled in and wait for the conductor. In the past few weeks until then you would have noticed that each of them put on a bit more muscle due to their strenuous training that left them dead tired every night. They ran countless laps around the course they designed that ran all the way around the farm, through town, and even through the length of the Everfree Forrest and back. Truly, they were experienced runners themselves by now, accomplished athletes as they were. But damn if tired. Nevertheless, they each wore a happy complexion mixed with a look of hope of winning the big race that decided Applebloom’s fate. However, it was best for the siblings not to think of that.

“I can’t wait!” said Applejack with a giddy annunciation. She was quite eager to see Appleoosa again since she heard how much the town had grown since then as well as see her family. “I’m shaking outta my boots! Whaddya’ think it’s gonna be like, Big Mac? D’ya know? Oh! Maybe there’ll be more to see! It was just one street last time we were there. Just imagine! It’s probl’y a city by now!” Big Mac chuckled at her sister’s excitement.

“You’re just about as hyper as your friend Pinkie Pie.” He said through a grin.

“I guess so.” She replied sheepishly. “But we haven’t been back to Appleoosa since we planted Bloomberg. It’s been quite a while.” Big Mac looked out the window facing the mountains that bordered the deserts to the east where Appleoosa stood somewhere like an oasis of pony productivity.

“It sure has.” He said quietly.
A final call to board was sounded by a triple blast of the steam whistle. A moment later the train lurched forward as the runners accelerated into a steady canter out of the station. Tired as Applejack was, she didn’t fall asleep. She couldn’t. She was too busy eyeing the potential competition that would also be competing in The Running of The Cattle. It was likely that a lot of other ponies on this train were going to run. But which ones looked tough to beat? Her eyes darted quickly from side to side, looking at the small crowd of ponies making such a long trip on a weekday. Nopony on the cart seemed to even be the athletic type, much less a competitor, what with a crowd of chapeau wearing mares on their way to Canterlot and top hat wearing business ponies checking on their ventures out east. Certainly not running. Anypony else on the cart was either a pegasus or a unicorn, very few of whom would have business in Appleoosa.

“Uhh… I think I’m gonna go for a walk.” stated Applejack as she got up from her seat and headed toward the next compartment.

Applejack’s nerves started to untangle as she walked between the carts and tried to unobtrusively take a gander at everypony on the train. AJ tried getting close enough to see what one’s physical features were like to see what she and Big Mac were up against. However, it was quite unnerving for most to have someone staring at your body from head to toe as if part of some involuntary medical examination. Most brushed her off as some weirdo while others who caught her sizing them up threw a shitty look her way. She even tried getting close to a mare that had a baby carriage with her. She too, tried to ignore the encroaching mare with a wild look in her eye until finally; she wheeled around and slapped Applejack across the face more out of fright than anger.

“What the hell’s wrong with you?” yelled the mare whose baby started bawling from the commotion.

“I…uhh…sorry.” Stuttered Applejack, flabbergasted.

Red with a hoof mark and shame, she stumbled into the next compartment. A tear escaped her eye as she hit herself for being so stupid and caught up with spying on the folks on the train. But she couldn’t help but feel anxious about where the other athletes were. This couldn’t be the only train to Appleoosa, could it? Perhaps most of the runners were already there?

Her eyes caught a broad set of shoulders and a large torso, whose head was hidden behind a newspaper. AJ sweated as she tried to approach to get a good glance of this burly stallion. Her heart palpitated. The tension of meeting this obviously worthy opponent was nauseating her. Her heart jumped into her throat as a small sound came from the stranger’s direction.

Gathering up her courage, she peered over the paper and almost fainted as the pent up tension was suddenly released. Behind the paper was the face of not a stallion, but an old snoring gelding who fell asleep reading the News. He was obviously a work horse past his prime. Not exactly the type capable of running a race. Regaining her composure, Applejack gave up trying to survey the other passengers, nervously laughing at her own foolishness. However, her mind swam and she felt sick to her stomach. She stepped in between the carts and fell to her knees as she vomited in the vestibule.

Applejack sat there for a minute or two wallowing in her angst until she finally felt rather tired. She got up and walked slowly into the lounge cart and sank into an armchair. Her eyes immediately started to close as she fell asleep to the sound of somepony playing Cloppin’s Valse in B minor on the small piano in the compartment.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

When Applejack woke up again she noticed the sun was lower in the sky due east. Applejack rubbed her brow perplexed until she reasoned that she must have slept until the next morning. She looked out the window and noticed the train moving down the mountain that supported the citadel of Canterlot that now grew smaller as the runners galloped down the southern face. Feeling well rested, and bit sheepish to say the least, AJ quickly made her way to her cart where she hoped to find Big Macintosh. She darted through the compartments, fumbling with the doors avoiding eye contact with any of the ponies whom she had weirded out. Thankfuly, she didn’t spot many of the same ponies who must have gotten off at Canterlot. The train’s passengers now comprised mostly of a mix between earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasae who were probably on their way to Trottingham. Although, Applejack caught sight of a few earth ponies with an Appleoosan look about them. Some colts had hats similar to hers and carried revolvers at their belts. Applejack felt discombobulated as she passed through the sections trying to figure out which one was hers, identifiable by her small saddlebag or her brother. After a few more carts, she stepped out of the vestibule to find Big Mac alone in the compartment reading a newspaper while he chomped down on a red delicious. He glanced in her direction and nodded.

“Hey, sis. Where ya’ been?” Applejack, not wanting to go through her tale of a foolish attempt at espionage decided to make small talk instead.

“I was, uhh, listinin’ to Cloppin a few carts over.” Big Mac raised an eyebrow.

“All afternoon, night, and morning?”

“Well I did get a good night’s sleep.” Big Mac shrugged the matter off and turned back to his paper.

“Didn’t know you were such a fan of the classics.”

The train made its way through the desert as AJ and Big Mac passed the time with small talk. Train rides tended to get dull after a while for Applejack, who looked lazily out the window at the occasional cactus zoom by at 60 mph. Suddenly, a sharp thudding sound came from the roof. The sound of hoof steps made its way to the side of the train where Applejack looked in surprise. A second later, a flash of brown wings made its way past the window where a pegasus with a grey mane looked into the compartment from the outside. As soon as he made eye contact with Applejack, he pulled up and flew toward the roof opening. The pegasus opened the hatch and dropped down. He looked as if he were in a hurry as his head shook back and forth looking for AJ.

“Hey, what gives buddy?” shouted the conductor, indignant at the freeloader.

“Please, sir!” he cried. “It’s an emergency! Is there a Miss Applejack here?” Applejack hesitated and stepped into the aisle.

“What can I do ya’ for, friend?” The pegasus panted and continued.

“We’re about five minutes from Appleoosa. Once we get there, follow me and make haste! Your cousin is in trouble!”
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Earlier that day, Braeburn sat at the bar on the new end of Appleoosa with a little too much money in his pocket and nothing to do. All day he celebrated a successful Applebuck Season by downing a little more cider than what was good for him with his good friend, Jack Cloudrunner. Jack, Appleoosa’s new resident weather Pegasus, had a simple brown coat and a short grey mane. He was quite a timid fellow who never took to drink, mostly because he didn’t care for the taste. He was also quite a lonely fellow, being the only pegasus who lived in Appleoosa. However, he and Braeburn had struck up a friendship in the past month as Braeburn felt sorry for the isolated chap. They sat at the bar as Jack was there to escort Braeburn home. From time to time, Jack made a small suggestion that he not drink so much, only for his words to fall on deaf ears. Braeburn sat, and drank, and drank, and drank despite the fact that his cousins wouldn’t take a drunk welcoming very kindly. Now Braeburn, unfortunately, didn’t hold liquor very well. After each jigger of cider he got more and more rowdy and unpleasant to the other patrons. The bartender, having zero tolerance for this kind of bullshit wasted little time in throwing him and his companion out.

“Well, I hope you’re happy now Braeburn!” said Jack, a tad annoyed. “We’ll probably never be allowed back in.”
“Ahh, calm yershelf, Jack!” Braeburn sputtered as he leaned on his friend’s shoulder. “I guess Ah’f had enough. We’cn g’home nowgh… gotta get rady fer cousin Applejagh, n’ Big Mac.” He stumbled off in no particular direction. Jack rolled his eyes.

“That would be a wise idea.” He muttered, chasing after him.
After a while of winding in between streets Jack looked back and forth and shook his head. They were lost. Appleoosa certainly had grown exponentially since Applejack’s last visit. That, and the fact that Jack was still new to Appleoosa made navigating through the streets disconcerting since he spent most of his time working in the air anyway.

“Damn!” he muttered, giving up. We’ll just have to send a local telegram to your house to see if somepony will come get us.”

Appleoosa, though a remote town, had been a test subject of the relatively new technology of telegrams. For now they could be sent to and from four junctions in the corners of the town as a way of quicker communication. Jack and Braeburn wandered about until they saw a sign advertising the public use of a telegraph inside another bar. They walked inside and headed for the apparatus. Inside the establishment were a group of the fiercest, most scrofulous ponies Jack had ever laid eyes on. They wore leather jackets with spiked studs with sunglasses to hide their angry scowls as they too drank themselves into a frenzy. The seedy bar frightened Jack who urged Braeburn to send the telegram already. Braeburn fumbled with the machine as he picked up the receiver.

“Huh? What?” he had trouble hearing the pony at the other end with the rowdy commotion from the crowd of thugs.

“Sorry operator I can’t hear ya’. Hold on a sec.” He turned around and faced the group.

“SHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” he hissed quite audibly. Everypony looked at him in shock.

“I’M TRYING TO USE THE PHONE!” He hollered drunkenly. Jack looked between him and the now approaching gang and cringed as Braeburn continued his message. Jack tried to approach the glaring thugs.

“Uhh, t-terribly sorry guys, we were just trying to-.” The criminals grabbed him and shoved him away as another one took the receiver and hung it up. Braeburn stared blankly at them.

“Are you stupid or somethin’?” asked one of the miscreants. “This here’s the private club of the Riders of the Dark Side of the Moon!” Braeburn looked up at the crowd of ponies with tattoos filled up with cider and crank eyeing him down. He smiled lamely.

“Oops! Haha! My mistake! Guess I’ll be going nowgh. S’cuse me! S’cuse me!” he said trying to budge past them. Instead, the ponies took him by the lapels as well as Jack and threw them outside, laughing it up in good old Schadenfreude. The pair brushed themselves off as Braeburn eyed a shelf on the railing of the bar’s porch. They were a row of what looked like roller-skates lined up in an orderly fashion, for they looked expensive. These were a type of gasoline powered skate that earth ponies could strap on to their hooves and be propelled to the velocity of a speeding Pegasus. The fearsome things gleamed a deathly black in the afternoon sunshine. They must have belonged to the gang inside who used them to terrorize desert travelers and whatnot where the sheriff had no jurisdiction.

Braeburn walked down the steps until he stumbled into the shelf, knocking it off its supports. The next few seconds seemed like an eternity when all the skates came tumbling down and very possibly breaking. Braeburn, shaken to his senses glanced at Jack, whose eyes were wide with fear.

“Get outta here! Get Applejack! She’s on her way her by train from the west!” Jack took off and speeded over to the train tracks. The gang inside heard the commotion. Seeing what had happened, they yelled in anger and grabbed Braeburn and hauled him back inside where they threw him on a table.
After belaboring him with their hooves for a minute or two, they decided to stop and come to a consensus as to what to do. Braeburn lay there for what felt like forever as the time ticked away slowly. He was bleeding and bruised, but nothing was broken. Yet.

After about fifteen whole minutes of bickering between the gang members, one of them stepped forward and whistled for attention.

“Hey!” he shouted. He made a slicing motion with his arm across his neck. “I say we just kill ‘em!” The thugs shouted in approval.

“YEAH!” Another stepped forward.

“I say we hang him then we kill ’em!”

“YEAH!” Yet another one who wore huge sunglasses leaned in.

“I say we stab him!”

“YEAH!”

“Then we geld him!”

“YEAH!”

“Then we hang him!”

“YEAH!”

“And then we kill him!”

“YEAAAAAH!” A squeaky, high pitched falsetto voice came suspiciously from Braeburn’s direction.

“I say, we let him go!”

“NO!” They laughed as they yanked him away from the table and drew their knives. Suddenly, somepony in the back cried out as they were thrown across the room by a powerful kick in the flank. Everyone including Braeburn turned around to see Applejack, Big Macintosh, the sheriff, and Jack at the door, glaring at them.

“Hold it right there!” shouted Applejack. “You hand over Braeburn this instant!”

“Or what?” the ringleader said as he and his crew advanced on them. The sheriff stood on his hind legs and drew his revolver, a reliable Colt .45. One of many types of firearms and none of which any of the gang members had.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Warned the sheriff.
The reluctant gang leader threw Braeburn toward them and motioned his thugs to return to their drinking quietly. Braeburn got up and stumbled out the door.

“Thanks sheriff.” Said Jack.

“Anytime.” He replied, holstering his weapon.

“Heh. Thanks cousins... Jack.” said Braeburn as he rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. Normally, Jack as well as Braeburn’s cousins would have been furious at him for getting himself in that kind of trouble. However, seeing that he was bleeding, and yet somehow still smiling, it was impossible to stay mad him for long. “I would’a been dead if it weren’t for y’all and Jack here. He’s the fastest flier this side of the mountain!” Jack blushed.

“Oh, lay off, that ain’t true.” He said modestly.

“What matters is that you’re safe, Braeburn.” said Applejack as she hugged him tight. Braeburn blushed back and made his trademark grin.

“C’mon! I’ll show ya’ round town!”

The sun set over the mountains.

Innocent Minds

Chapter 5

The sky turned a scorched red as the sun was setting.

The hospital doors swung open as Applejack walked through the entrance. The nurses and doctors bustled past her, attending to their rounds and many, many patients. A plethora of ponies of all shapes and sizes sat in the waiting room with various ailments together, waiting for their turn to see a doctor. AJ had an appointment, however, and all she needed was the name of the ward she was looking for. Past the row of ponies grumbling of rheumatism, cholera, and cutie pox sat the information desk where nurse Redheart was ensconced with a clipboard, checking off the order of the rounds. Applejack stumbled backward for a moment as she rolled out of the way of a cutie pox victim who was barreling down the hallway on a unicycle as he sang the Equestrian National Anthem while eating fire. Avoiding him, Applejack made her way up to the desk with a saddlebag on her back. Inside was the flier she had seen at Sugarcube Corner. She had wanted to tell Big Macintosh about it, but first she had to visit Applebloom in the hospital.

The doctor needed to have a talk with her.

“Good afternoon!” said nurse Redheart with an upbeat attitude, a necessary tool of her trade.

“Evnin’ miss.” said Applejack. “Could I trouble ya’ for Appleboom’s ward?” The nurse rolled her chair toward the chart on the wall labeled, “Ward Occupants” and searched for AJ’s sister.

“Applebloom…Applebloom… where could she be… Ah! Here we are!” the nurse exclaimed. “Wing C, for children, Ward F, for fillies, Row 2, Bed 4.”

“Thank ya’ kindly.” said Applejack with a smile, despite the sad look on her face. The nurse returned the smile brightly with a look of saintly sympathy as she wrote down the directions to the ward on a scrap of paper and handed it to Applejack. She walked through the white halls of the hospital hearing groans of agony and grief. She shut her eyes and folded her ears, not wanting to think of whether Applebloom was going through something similar. Applejack had gotten news that her sister had woken up from the coma, but there was something that needed her family’s immediate attention. She caught sight of the Black letter “C” hanging over a wide set of double doors leading into a gridded, small world of beds that contained bundles of heartbreak:

The Children’s Wing.

Going within earshot of those halls made any soft-hearted foal burst into tears at the sound of the young and innocent in pain and agony, crying for their mothers. Only those experience souls of nurses and doctors were able to keep straight faces for the sake of maintaining order and precision in their work. One nurse passed Applejack, who couldn’t detect any emotion in the medical pony’s face. It was a façade all of the staff had to put on. However, Applejack was pretty sure they all cried inside.

AJ found the door marked “F” leading into her sister’s ward. She pushed it open to find a room with many small beds lined up in neat rows with white sheets. It shocked Applejack how white the room was for the sake of hygiene. The floors, doors, walls, beds, and even the curtains around the cots were as purely white as snow. The pillows were colored with the heads of young fillies that were resting on them, peeking out from under the sheets. Not a soul stirred. The patients in the ward were either sleeping, or staring quietly into space. Applejack caught sight of a doctor standing over a bed labeled “2/4”, taking down notes while another red stallion stood beside him.

Big Macintosh.

A searing heat flared up in Applejack’s stomach at the sight of him as she winced in pain. The guilt was acting up again. But AJ stifled the feeling and trotted over to Applebloom’s bed. She had a bandage over her head with her trademark bow protruding from it. Her eyes were open, but were without life. She was awake, but didn’t seem to react to any stimulus around her.

It was as if she lived as one already dead.

“Good, you’re here.” said the doctor, looking up from his clipboard. “I wanted to inform you all of your sister’s state.”
Applejack rushed closer when she saw the look, or rather the lack of a look, on Applebloom’s face.

“Applebloom? Applebloom! You all right?” Applejack waved her hoof two inches in front of her sister’s face, but got no reaction. AJ’s eyes widened in fear.

“She can’t respond.” The doctor said. “She’s recovered from her coma, so she can hear and see you, but she can’t speak.”

“Wh-why?” asked Applejack with tears welling up. Big Mac looked down and sighed. The doctor pulled out a section of Applebloom’s file that appeared to be a sketch of her cranium. The picture showed red markings around her brain that made no sense to Applejack, who was hysterical at his point. The doctor continued and pointed to the various red, ominous markings. He went on about trauma and the meningeal veins that neither Applejack, nor Big Macintosh understood. The only words that Applejack really absorbed were when the doctor uttered the words, “Brain Aneurysm,” and “An operation will be necessary.” Applejack let her head fall to her chest and sobbed in hysterics while Big Mac rubbed her back in an effort to comfort her.

“How much does an operation cost?” asked Big Mac, hoping for the best. The doctor sighed again, as he knew how short on cash a farming family would be, especially for an operation of this caliber. The means of allaying the effects of a critical brain aneurysm didn’t come cheap. The doctor tried to explain all the steps and materials that were needed that cost an Apple Family Fortune. Once again, the medical jargon didn’t register with brother and sister until the doctor bluntly uttered, “…around ten thousand bits.” The words hung in the air like a death sentence as AJ looked down at her sister who heard everything, and probably wanted to cry out in supplication to her siblings for help. Panic would have been prevalent in the filly’s glazed and blank eyes if it were possible. The doctor simply took up his clipboard with his horn. He couldn’t dwell on the problems of every single patient he had. He headed towards the door went out without another word other than some more details of keeping Applebloom on life support, leaving Big Mac and Applejack alone with their sister in the ward with the other fillies with nothing to say. Big Mac, always the one who knew what to do, now had a defeated look on his face. He looked at his sister.

“What are we gonna do AJ?” he asked, worried. Applejack perked up and grinned optimistically at him.

“This!” she said as she slung her saddlebag off her back. She opened up the clip and pulled out the slightly crumpled flier and unfurled it. It read, ANNUAL APPLEOOSA RODEO RACE in huge western ranch style lettering. Under the title was a sepia picture of a dark stallion with a hat similar to Applejack’s running against a small herd of cattle on a beaten dirt path. Under the picture the flier continued:

ATTENTION! Wanna prove your skills? Ready for an evenin’ of family fun? Dyin’ to win some prizes? The Grand Appleoosa Rodeo is now featuring a new event! The Runnin’ of the Cattle! It’s the biggest earth pony herdin’ hollerin’ rodeo race this side of Equestria! Remember t’bring all your family and friends one week after the Running of the Leaves in Good ol’ AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPPLEOOOOOSSA!
Applejack rolled up the flier and put it away in her saddlebag. Big Mac remained silent.

“Well?” she asked. “This could be it! Think of the prize money!” Big Mac sighed.

“We’ll talk about it when we get home.” he said despondently. Applejack was taken aback as her brother walked out of the ward, leaving her alone with Applebloom. She looked into her blank, staring eyes which only stared back from the locked abyss of her mind.

“Don’t worry Applebloom.” whispered Applejack with tears still rolling down her face. “We’re gonna win that race, and you’re gonna get your surgery. I swear it!”
She kissed Applebloom’s forehead and drew the curtain around her bed. She looked outside and saw the rain that began to fall out of the night sky starting to pitter patter on the window. The winds began to howl.

“Storm be damned.” thought AJ. All that ran through her mind was the race. The Glory! The Honor! The Thrill! The Competition against all those tough ponies! Maybe she’ll even see family while in Appleoosa. Caramel, Fritter, Crumble, Big Macintosh…

Her heart skipped a beat. He would be competing against her. Her stomach twisted into a knot and jumped into her throat. The winds slammed against the window violently as lightning flashed and thunder shook the panes. She stood in silence for a moment, her world falling beneath her. She looked one more time at Applebloom’s curtained cot as she walked slowly toward the entrance. She looked back at the cots, all silent as the ticking of the clock in the room was drilling into her mind. Her sister’s time was running out. How many of the fillies in those cots were really sleeping? How many had heard a final tick of the clock and felt a final beat of the heart?

Applejack shut the door and walked home in the stinging, cold rain.

Of Life and It's Lessons

Chapter 6

Applejack’s father stood over her, looking down at his bewildered daughter. This day, as long ago as Applejack could remember, was one that would never completely leave her memory. Every detail of what happened was still vivid and crystal clear. It was also an autumn day, although the sky was rather dreary and the trees were stripped of all but a few leaves. Sweet Apple Acres had completed another harvest, as the farm was quiet. Applejack, at this time a tad older than Applebloom stood at the gateway looking between her father and the wagon that had both her parents’ belongings loaded up. Applejack’s father, a burly stallion with a red coat like Big Mac’s rubbed his daughter’s bare head who looked worried and wore a confused expression. Big Macintosh, now smaller and not quite as built, stood by in his silence of understanding. He had already said what he wanted to say. Applejack just came out from the barn, perplexed.

“But daddy!” pleaded the filly, “Whyd’ya gotta leave now?” Her father only smiled. He fixed the brim of his favorite hat that flapped in the wind of the morning breeze.

“Applejack, we’ve talked about this.” replied her father. He tried explaining the concept again slowly. “Our family wants to start a new business venture out west.”

“But what’s a venture?”

“We want to start a new farm.” said her mother patiently. Her voice, although accented, was gentle and dignified. Her demeanor matched her voice. She was a bit young, but everypony knew of her wisdom and wit. She was a mid-sized mare who had a cream colored coat like Applebloom’s and a beautiful, flowing orange mane.

“Daddy and I need to go out to claim the land first, though.”

“Only cause we got screwed over by that louse of a cousin we have!” the father growled under his teeth.

“Mac Macoun!” said Applejack’s mother firmly, but not angrily. “The Apple family does not disparage one of their own, especially around our children.” she whispered. He looked sheepish as he kissed his wife.

“I’m sorry Gala.” he said apologetically. Applejack opened her mouth to ask another question when she heard a noise. It came from the porch of the barn where Granny Smith, who walked with a little difficulty, but without the need of any support, came out with a bawling bundle in her arms. Swaddled in the bundle was a baby Applebloom, not even a month old, crying out of hunger. Granny gave the bundle to Gala, who rolled back the sheet to reveal her newborn daughter’s wriggling head that had a small, red bow protruding from the sheets. Gala rolled her eyes.

“Honestly, Granny!” she protested quietly. “How many times have I told you to throw out that old bow? Not even I wanted to wear it. Why must you insist that my daughter do so?”

“I don’t care.” said Granny Smith as she looked lovingly at her newest granddaughter with a smile. “I think she looks beautiful with it.”

“But...”

“Let it go, honey.” pleaded Macoun with an amused smile. “I think she likes it too.” Applebloom started crying again in the middle of her meal against her mother’s chest as Gala tried to remove the bow. She started wriggling again in protest and frustration until she put the bow back on. Gala looked annoyed, but Granny embraced her daughter-in-law gently.

“You be safe now.” She warned. “And if anypony passes by your way, send ‘em back with a letter, ya’ hear?”

“We will mother.” assured Macoun.

“Why?” shouted Applejack who felt ignored. “They’ll be back soon right?” Macoun’s smile disappeared. He sighed and knelt down to eye level with his daughter. It was time to break the truth to her, and it wasn't going to be easy for either of them, for Macoun knew that this would be the last time for he didn't know how long until he saw his daughter again.

“I’m not gonna lie to you, Applejack. You’re a big girl. And you’re my daughter, so I know you can handle the truth.” Applejack started to tear up. She sensed something bad was coming. She didn't know precisely what, but it hurt all the same. She shut her ears and embraced her father pleadingly.

“No! Say you’ll be back soon! I know you will!” Macoun held his daughter firmly by the shoulders and forced her to look into his eyes.

“Listen!” said her father sternly. “A lie is easier to take. But you’re to be honest, ya’ hear? Never tell a lie, and never take one. Only the strong can be honest with themselves and others. And you are strong. I know you are!” His face and tone softened as he pulled her in to return the embrace. “Be so for your mother. For your brother. For your Granny. For me.” Applejack was still crying, but she promised to listen.

“We won’t be back for a while, AJ. We don’t really know how long your mother and I will be gone for.”

“D-does that mean you won’t be here when I get my cutie mark, daddy?” He sighed again.

“Probably not.” said Macoun. “We probably won’t even be here when your sister gets her cutie mark.” The words stuck in Applejack’s ears the way bad news does. The tear flow only increased as her father rocked her back and forth in her arms.

“But when am I gonna see you again?” Her father looked at her and smiled.

“Soon enough. I'll be back before you know it.” He promised.

“Mr. Macoun, we’re ready to go!” cried one of his workers, who would pull the cart with him while Gala sat in the wagon. She would have walked with her husband, but she was still weak from giving birth to Applebloom. She climbed into the wagon with some difficulty. Applejack sniffled.

“I’m gonna miss you, daddy. Are you sure you both can’t stay?” Macoun smiled and took off his hat.

“Not a day will go by where I won’t miss you.” He said. “But take this.” He placed his hat on his daughter’s head. It sunk over her eyes, as it was a bit large for her.

“That way, a little bit of us will be with ya’.” He said with a wink. Applejack smiled up at her father and hugged him one last time.

“Bye daddy! I love you!”

“I love you too, AJ.” Said Macoun as his eyes became glassy with tears that he thought had dried up long ago with his long years of hard work. He quickly turned and headed toward the cart and saddled up. He shouted to Big Mac, whom he had already taken the news and said his goodbyes.

“Bye son! You’re the man of the house now! Take care of your sister!”

“Yes, sir.” He said quietly.

“I can’t hear ya’ Big Mac!” he shouted with a challenging smile. “Are you gonna take care of the farm?” Big Mac smiled back with a knowing look mixed with sadness.

“Eeyup!” He yelled. Macoun and his porter pulled the wagon away as the wheels bounced down the dusty road toward Appleoosa, and onwards. Applejack stood at the gate with her hat over her eyes and waved her parents goodbye.
That was the last time Applejack had ever heard from her parents. Out where their business venture was, reports had come from the area that bison brigands were raiding prospecting farmers who were never heard from again. Granny Smith took the news quietly one evening when a Pegasus who looked worn from a week’s travel told her what had happened. Big Macintosh didn’t take the news as well though. He became more morose and taciturn for weeks, refusing food, sleep, and conversation before he seemed to move on. Applejack was still rather young to properly understand what had happened. Granny Smith only told her that her hat was all that she would see of her father for a while. From then on, Applejack treasured that hat as her link to both her parents with the utmost care.

She would never let anything happen to it.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Applejack’s hat was soaked in the pouring rain. The brim drooped from the weight of the absorbed water, dropping water onto Applejack’s mane. It was a miserable feeling as the cold water dripped down her back, chilling her to the bone as she and Big Mac walked home from the hospital. They walked down the muddy path that led to the barn. They shook the water out of their coats as soon as they reached the porch. Applejack took her hat off and set it by the fireplace mantle to dry. Afterwards, she reached into her saddlebag and pulled out the poster. It was a bit wet around the top where water had leaked into her saddlebag. The flier unfurled with a wet slap against the dining room table. As Big Mac set out a pot of oats, a familiar feeling rocked Applejack to her core. She grimaced as she felt like sinking to the floor, but pushed off the feeling and put on a straight face as she sat down to dinner with her brother. Applejack couldn’t stand her brother’s silence as he ate. He simply closed his eyes and chewed as if he wasn’t aware of what was happening. To some extent that was true. Big Mac liked to take on his tasks one at a time. Right now, the task was to eat. Applejack wolfed down her food and pushed her bowl away and continued to wait in unbearable silence for Big Mac to finish. Once he did, AJ pulled the poster in front of him impatiently. Big Mac just stared at it for a while and sighed.

“Well? Is that all ya’ gotta say?” asked Applejack indignantly.

“Sis.” He began slowly.

“Don’t ‘sis’ me Big Mac, I’m not a filly anymore!”

“But you do know that with a prize comes a wager, AJ. And I don’t know if we can afford to gamble.”

“Can we afford Applebloom’s operation?” Applejack retorted. “And besides, we’re both athletes! We can win it! Around fifty racers are gonna run that race, and the entrance fee for each pony is two-hundred and fifty bits. If either of us wins, do you know how much we would win?” she asked in amazement. Big Mac didn’t even flinch. “Twelve thousand, five-hundred bits!” she exclaimed.

“Only twelve thousand bits.” He said plainly. “Don’t forget we pay five-hundreds bits to get in.”

“Oh don’t go using yer’ fancy mathematics on me again!”

“Arithmetic.” He corrected.

“Whatever it is!” she shouted in a huff. “That takes care of all our problems!” she paused. Big Mac still didn’t look convinced. He kept staring at the floor with a calculating scowl like the gears in his head were still trying to find another way. She went up beside him and sat down to eye level.

“Please, Big Mac.” She said meekly. “I just wanna help Applebloom.”

No response.

“Don’t you wanna do the same?”

Big Macintosh took a deep breath and sighed. At first he wore a look of defeat. How could he possibly refute an argument with such heart wrenching pathos? But then looked up with his face full of conviction; a whole new look that almost startled AJ.

“Alright.” He stated firmly. “We’ll do it. We’ll win that race.” Applejack leapt up and hugged Big Mac and squealed with joy. Big Mac smiled, but pushed her back gently and said, “But we train, ya’ hear? And we train hard if we’re gonna win this.” He didn’t need to tell Applejack twice. Together, the two would stop at nothing to win.

“You won’t regret this!” exclaimed Applejack, unable to contain her excitement.

“Then let’s get some sleep, eh champ?” To her surprise, Applejack yawned at the offer.

“Boy howdy!” she whistled. “Guess I didn’t know how tired I really was!” They both laughed and started to their rooms. Applejack entered her room and started to shut the door behind her. Big Mac held it and wished her good night.

“Night’, sis!”

“Night’, Big Mac!”

“May the best pony win!” he said with a wink. The smile on Applejack’s face immediately disappeared and was replaced by a look of fright and terror. Big Mac didn’t notice and slammed the door with a bit more force than he meant to. Applejack limped over to her bed and sank under the covers as her stomach decided to put on an acrobatic show with twists and turns into anxious knots that was sure to keep AJ up all night.

The rain outside pitter-pattered against the window.