AppleJack's Dearest: The Harmful Truth
The Mane Problem
Load Full StoryIt was a bright Autumn day. A cold, crisp breeze blew here and there, the grass, earth, and roots were wet from last night's showers, and there were gold, red, and orange leaves falling from their branches and landing on a stone structure of a flower on a gravestone. Applejack sat right beside the stone, glanced at it with watery eyes, and cried. She knew the grave that stood on that very hill, overlooking the village. It was her dear sister, Apple Bloom's gravestone, for she had passed due to a failed heart and a tragic "accident"...an "accident" that no one but the Mane Six knew about. Now that all hope of her seeing the beautiful Autumn scene that laid out before her was gone, the only thing the orange-coated cowpony could do was sit at home and cry instead of working in the apple fields. She would also visit the well-kept grave of her beloved sister. Applejack got up from the log she sat on, placed a golden apple on the stone, and walked back to Ponyville.
The brokenhearted mare passed the candy-themed bakery known as Sugarcube Corner. Although the bakery was supposed to be a jolly place, there were no cupcakes, pies, or any pastry made from it. Ever since the incident things had ran slower than usual. Pinkie Pie, the head baker of the Corner, had been worried about her. Sometimes, she would bake one cupcake, by itself, and decorate it with apple slices, frosting, icing, and any other item that she knew Apple Bloom would like. She would then start making the orders, but they weren't served with the happy, kooky way that she would normally sell them. Instead, they were served with a push of the box and a weak smile that would fade to a gloomy expression. The customers could see that she wasn't having the best time of her life right then and felt sorry for her. But after Applejack's sister had passed, her heart had shattered, her bouncy, curly, hot pink mane was fading, her joyful spirit sunk, and disappeared, and locked herself in her room, weeping and crying for the loss of her dear friend. The baking, the playful pranks, the laughing, the smiling, the joyful singing and dancing, and her hope had shrunk.
Applejack continued on, looking back at the Carousel Boutique, a beautiful dress shop that was run by Rarity. The beautiful, white unicorn used to care about her looks as well as her friends, but ever since Apple Bloom passed away she wasn't the same. It rained during the last hour of the funeral, and Rarity had been in so much grief, she tripped over a root to a tree and fell into the mud. She didn't even care, because all she could think about was Apple Bloom. Now she changed to the point where she wasn't as focused as she used to be. Not only did she slow her dress-making, she also tried to be comforting. It's okay...it'll be okay. Just stop crying...just accept it. Everything will be fine.. That thought had played over and over and over again, from dawn to dusk. All she could think about was the poor little filly...
Applejack had crossed the path of the Golden Oaks Library, where Twilight Sparkle lived. The purple unicorn was also under distress, as she had sent her letter to Celestia. Her body began to tremble as she put down the last words to the letter.
Dear Princess Celestia,
I know that it's been a few weeks since she died...or was it months? I can't tell. It feels like a long time. I can't even begin to describe the pain I'm in right now. I just want to...to...to be comforted right now. Can you just...can you just notify my mom...please? Just...tell her that I said that I'm not alright. Just send her this part of the letter.
Mom...I need help. I'm not feeling good. I'm scared, alone, and I need you. Please...I need you. I don't have any other pony to cry on. I feel so alone now. I just can't help it. Apple Bloom was sweet, kind, funny, adventurous...and...I even started to LOVE her as a sister as well. I can still remember those puppy-dog eyes she gave me when I first saw her. I miss her. I need help. I don't know what to do...I'm falling apart...I'm being crushed inside...please...help me. I...I...I can't...
As she gave the letter the royal seal and sent it to Spike, she fell on her table and cried. She needed some pony to help her. Her mother had always been there for her when she was little. Now, those feelings that she had when she was a filly had finally caught up to her, and they grew. All she needs is comfort, love, and care.
