Here I'll stay, right by your side
"What do ya mean you're never comin' home?"
Disbelief. Cold. Glass shattering numbness. The kind of shock that grabs your heart with the furious grasp of a menacing tiger and punches it with the strength that hours at the gym couldn't provide. The kind of emotion that makes you sick to your stomach. All wrapped in a dilemna and tied with a pretty ribbon of defeat. That was the kind of sickness that crept its way into her eyes, leaving hot liquid bubbling at her tearducts and blotting her vision. That was the sickness that snaked down her throaught leaving it tight and hard to breathe. The sickness that continued its way into her heart and wrapped itself around it, tightening like a cobra.
"A-a-Applejack? You-y-you're kidding, r-r-right?" Applebloom could sense the worst answer that her big sisters muzzle could ever utter creeping up behind her, ready to pounce. Her sunset pools of eyes scarred their way into the green gems of Applejack's, locking gazes with the mare. "Sis? Sis?" AppleBloom felt like screaming, as the seconds waiting pain-stakingly for an answer dragged by at the pace of eons. Finally the bedridden Applejack opened her mouth to speak.
"I'm sorry AppleBloom. But the cancer is spreading. I can't do farmwork, and before I know it it'll take me completely. I don't want you, Mac, n' Granny to have to see me circle the drain." Applejack sighed almost shamefully as she turned her head to the opposite side of the hospital room. It seemed like too much even then to face her little sis. Applebloom just sat there, numbness overtaking the war of all the other emotions and captivating her in an almost lifeless thought trail. When neither of them spoke, the silence became deafening.
Beep. Beep.
Rang the steady heart monitor.
Tick. Tick.
Complained the clock.
Throb. Throb.
AppleBloom's heart cascaded to the very depths of her soul. She inhaled to say something, but her words lodged in her throat. She only watched, the numbness continuing to overtake her as she saw her sister face back in her direction as if the right words had formed in her mind.
"Applebloom... you'll be fine without me. You're a strong, fine young filly with the wits and passion needed to run a farm one day. I have complete faith that you can step into the horseshoes I'll... leave." A wave of tiredness washed over Applejack, causing her to lower her head back onto her pillow and be grasped by the urge to sleep. This urge soon came to her and tugged her into the desired dreamland.
Applebloom wanted to just stay there. Emotionless. Forever. But finally, she snapped to and felt hot liquid running through the fur on both sides of her face. She looked down and noticed the worn tile floor blotched with salty wet tears. Applebloom sniffed and raised a hoof to her eye, rubbing it slowly. She gazed out the gorgeous view through the window and saw the sun setting slowly. She glanced back to the slumbering Applejack, sighing at the rise and fall of her chest. She decided something then and there- if AJ only had so much time left...
She would be there for every second of it.
Applebloom straightened up, quivering as she walked around the hospital four post bed and across the green, oh too soft rug to the bedside table. She carefully dipped her head down and grabbed a lovely brass comb in her teeth, moving it to her hoof and begining to quietly brush Applejacks frazzled golden mane. As she did this, the movement of the comb comforting both ponies, she remembered something. Something special to her- The old song that Applejack would sing to her when she got upset or scared. And so, with a deep, shuddering breath, Applebloom began to sing.
See the lovely birch in the meadow, curly leaves all dance when the winds blow, looleeloo the winds blow, looleeloo in the meadow.
When I play my new balalika, I will sing of you my lovely birch tree, looleeloo, the winds blow, looleeloo, in the meadow.
Even as the heart monitor drew blank, Applebloom continued to brush her sisters hair.
"I'll never let ya' go big sis."
"Never."
The song sunk into the mares soul, gently coaxing it away from her body. And she followed it, feeling herself lift from her damaged body, light as a feather as the music carried her like the wind carries a leaf. It curled its way into her heart, making her want to sing along as she raced up towards the stars, her eyes full of hope as she glided to the world where the departed reside. She felt like she was flying, and oh what a glorious feeling it was as that song lifted her higher, higher, ever higher into the clear night sky. She took a last glance down, seeing the farm she loved and knowing that the sister she loved could protect it. She had faith in AppleBloom. She smiled as she lingered a moment. Her sister could do anything she wanted, be everything she had been and more. Heck, she might be the future bearer of honesty! She began to drift away, pulled by the song. "I love ya Applebloom. And I know you won't let me down." And with that, she reared up and galloped into her new home.
"AppleBloom?" The filly was jerked to by a purple alicorns voice. How long had she been here? She gazed out the window and saw the rising sun. All night, as was apparent. Twilight's magenta eyes locked with Applebloom's. "I'm sorry... but shes gone." Applebloom gazed at her sisters lifeless form. Lifeless, but peaceful. And she couldn't stop smiling.
"I know... I know."
Author's Note
I know theres a slight lack of...
Detail?
Muse?
I don't know. You tell me.
But I just wanted to do this as a one shot.
Opinions are wanted!
