Prologue
Applejack sat on the porch, her hoof wrapped around a mug of foaming cider, eyes focused out on the sunset. Big Macintosh came up beside her.
“You alright?” he asked quietly. His sister guzzled some of her drink and wiped her mouth.
“Jus’ thinking.” she said. Big Mac nodded. He often spent his time thinking, but Applejack was all movement. If she stopped to think so deeply...it must be bothering her something awful.
“Tell me.” he softly commanded. Applejack’s shoulders slumped and she leaned into Mac’s side.
“Sometimes...Ah get this feeling...like ah’m not gonna see this again.” she gestured to the fields around her. “With all this saving the world...Ah’m scared I’ll fail and…” her voice broke. Big Mac tensed. He didn’t want to think about what would happen if Applejack failed her mission.
What would happen if she didn’t come home. He worried about that stuff enough, but now Applejack needed him. She needed his strength, which was rare. The orange pony was usually a force to be reckoned with, her unlimited strength was admired by many. It was the way she could keep going even when she was tired or hurt.The way she would drop everything to lend a helping hoof to her friends that made her so strong. Now that strength was wearing thin and she relied on him.
Big Macintosh wrapped Applejack in a hug. Her body shook and he waited for the sobs. None came. He held her at arm’s length and stared into her emerald green eyes.
“Let it out.” he said and her bottom lip trembled. It was hard for her. Applejack wasn’t used to showing so much emotion and Big Mac could see she didn’t know how to release the fear and sadness pent up within her. “Just let it out sis.” he said again, more quietly. Slowly sniffles broke the silence and tears slid down her cheeks.
“M-Mac. Ah...Ah don’t want to leave this place. Ah don’t want to,” she gulped. “Die.” Mac’s heart skipped at that word. Death.
Death was what happened to the animals who were too old and sick. Death was when the crops shriveled and hunger wore skin to the bone. Death was blood and disease that spilled over abandoned cities. Death was the cruel thing that had taken his parents in it’s cold grasp, dragging them down into the earth, forever to stay entombed in the bloody mud. Applejack let out a gasp her breathing picking up. “Ah can’t...Ah keep seeing ‘em. Lying there...cold and there was so much blood.” she sobbed nestling into her brother’s shoulder. “Ah could die like that.” Big Mac closed his eyes, he didn’t want to think about his parents. How they had died at the jaws of timberwolves.
“Shhh. That won’t happen.” Big Mac said even though he knew it was a shallow hope. Who was to say she wouldn’t be torn up by some monster.
“It might…” Applejack said her breaths rapid and hot against his skin. “Applebloom…You, Granny…” she muttered. Big Mac hugged her tighter.
“You ain’t gonna die! You just ain’t! You’re mah sister and there’s nothing that has ever defeated you. Not to mention you got a whole posse of your friends to back ya up.” Her hat slipped from her head as she lifted her face to stare at her brother.
“Ah hope you’re right.” she said, rubbing at her red eyes and setting her stetson back on her blonde mane. “Ah won’t leave ya. Never.” she exclaimed sharply. “Ah’ll always come home. I promise.”
“Okay.” Big Mac reached out to her one last time. “Ah love you.”
“Ah love ya too.”
Author's Note
This is just an idea that popped into my head after reading a whole bunch of Applejack fics. So hopefully y'all like it. Also I know that officially Big Macintosh's name is spelled McIntosh but I find that sorta weird so I'm spelling it like I think it should be. Sorry for any spelling or grammatical errors. I would like a proof reader but I don't how to get one...
Warning: Next chapter contains some pretty icky stuff.
Author's Note
So, the itallics mean it happened in the past while normal type is the present. Just so you know. Though I figure all of you readers could have figured it out. Anyways thanks for reading.
Teardrops
One year later
It had been five days. Five whole days. Big Macintosh stared at the sunset a sinking feeling in his chest. She wouldn’t be gone this long. Not Applejack. She cared too much about her family. Of course she was trying to save the world which probably took longer than the normal friendship problem. She’d been gone like this before...but somehow this time felt different and it scared Big Macintosh. He’d tried to keep up a brave face and reassure Applebloom that her big sister would return happy and healthy. That she would come trotting home smile on her lips and give them all a hug. He wanted that so bad it hurt. He missed her, so much. A tear traced its way down his cheek and dripping off his chin. Please Celestia, let her come home, he prayed turning his face up to the heavens. Sighing, the stallion rose to his hooves and walked quietly back to the farmhouse.
***
The six of them walked in a perfect row of silence. The path stretched out in front of them, long and uninviting. Applejack turned to her friends trying to keep a smile on her lips.
“Dontcha worry y’all! We’ve only got a few more miles till we reach the city.” Rainbowdash sighed.
“I could be there already…” Applejack gave her a dirty look and swung around to face the road once more. Pinkie Pie bounced besides her.
“Hey AJ?”
“Yes Pinkie?”
“I was wondering if when we get back from this whole saving the world thing, we could bake some of these apple cinnamon cupcakes I found a recipe for.” Applejack grinned.
“Sounds like a deal.” Pinkie squealed in her excited way and hopped forwards. Applejack chuckled and thought of her family back home in Ponyville. How she missed them! She wondered what Big Macintosh was doing, probably out apple bucking, she thought happily. Applebloom would be out with her friends trying to figure out what their cutie marks would be and Granny would be making some of her famous apple pie. Boy, Applejack missed those pies! What she would give to have one of those right about now…
“Ahhhh!” Pinkie stumbled back, crashing into Rarity who let out a startled yelp. Applejack was about to ask what was wrong when the problem presented itself. There, right in the path stood a horde of things. The bodies were massive blobs of fat with webs of purple veins stretched out under grey blubbery skin. Two red eyes gleamed from the head, which was suspended on a spindly neck and they held their long rubbery arms out, claws extending from each crooked finger. Rows of serrated teeth lined the gaping mouths and their breath came in wheezing gasps.
Applejack felt her limbs start to shake and she forced them to be still. The other ponies were wide eyed and trembling. Even Rainbowdash was terrified. The monsters opened their mouths as one and roared. The sound was like a thousand ghosts screaming eerie chilling shrieks. Applejack gulped and shifted her gaze to Twilight.
“What the hay are those things?” she asked through gritted teeth. Twilight’s lip quivered.
“I-I don’t know.” her voice was barely a whisper. A thing wobbled towards them, it’s claws reaching for Applejack. Without thinking, the farm pony charged and swung around, her powerful back legs hitting the thing and sending it flying. The monster hit another monster’s claws and exploded.
“Yeehaw!” Applejack cried, her heart hammering in her chest. The monsters took one look at the remains of their friend and howled.
“C’mon girls! We can get ‘em!” Applejack yelled a new strength filling her body. She had to protect her friends. Rainbowdash landed beside her and bent low to the ground ready to charge. The other ponies steadied themselves and then the monsters started forwards.
***
“Mac! Mac! They’re back!” Applebloom shouted her voice loud in his ear. Big Macintosh shot to his hooves, excitement pulsing through his veins. She was back! His sister! Together he and Applebloom raced for the center of town where Twilight and the rest of Applejack’s friends were gathered. But there wasn’t a orange pony in sight. There was no Applejack. Big Mac slowed down, studying the expressions on the ponies faces. Each set of eyes were raw and red, mouths tugged down in sad frowns. Tears still glistened on Fluttershy’s fur as she hid her face behind her hair. Pinkie’s hair was straight and her eyes had dark circles beneath them. Their bodies were marked with bruises and cuts. Rainbowdash's wing was in a cast and her lip was puffy. Not one of them seemed to have taken a bath recently and dried blood caked their hooves. Even Rarity didn’t seem to care about the mud coating her fur and the twigs sticking from her unkempt purple mane. What had kept them from cleaning up?
Big Macintosh and Applebloom cautiously walked up to the five ponies, hearts thundering in their chests. Where was Applejack? What had happened? Twilight caught sight of them first and her face contorted into terrible grief.
“Big Mac, Applebloom….I’m so sorry.” Her words hit Big Mac like a buck to the chest. He wanted to believe that this wasn’t happening. Why else would she be sorry? Why else would his sister be gone? The other ponies stared at them with sadness and guilt. Applebloom tilted her head.
“W-where’s mah sister?” Fluttershy started sobbing, her chest heaving uncontrollably.
“You...you better come to the castle.” Twilight said, her voice tight with emotion. Big Mac took a shuddering breath. This was his nightmare coming true.
***
Applejack kicked another monster, and it stumbled back. Licking her lips, the orange pony threw a punch with her hoof, catching the creature in the neck. She heard a crack, and the thing dropped to the ground. But not before it’s claws fell across Applejack’s muzzle.
“Ahhhh!” she screamed dropping to the ground, pain searing it’s way across her muzzle. A deep gash was now jaggedly cut across her nose. She lay on the ground agony racking her entire body, warm blood washing over her face in nauseating waves. Gentle hooves lifted her up and her ears pricked hearing the ragged breathing of the yellow pegasus.
“Gosh, Applejack!” she squeaked. The orange earth pony winced as the pegasus pressed something to her wound.
“What...are ya...urgh, doing?” Fluttershy made a nervous sound.
“I’m trying to stop all this bleeding.” she said. Applejack didn’t care anyways. The pain controlled her. Then Twilight came swooping down out of nowhere. Her horn glowed with magical energy and shot down on Applejack’s muzzle. The injury stopped bleeding but it wasn’t healed. Before Twilight could issue a healing spell, a monster rose behind her. Groaning, Applejack got to her hooves and knocked Twilight out of the way. Then she kicked the monster sending it right into Rainbowdash’s waiting hooves. Applejack staggered backwards and took a deep breath.
Gotta survive. Gotta go home safe. I promised.
***
“We were fighting off these terrible monsters. Demons really…” Twilight started her eyes fixed on the table in front of her.
“They were so strong...We were having trouble keeping them away from the cities.” Rainbow Dash continued her voice raspier than Big Mac remembered.
“Applejack...she...she was the strongest of us all. They hit her and beat her and yet she took so many out.” Twilight said, tears pooling in her purple eyes. Big Macintosh swallowed the lump in his throat. Maybe his sister wasn’t dead. Maybe she was just hurt real bad and in a hospital somewhere. He wanted to hope...that she would be alright.
“She saved us…” Pinkie Pie muttered. “She saved us all.”
***
“Quick! Duck!” Applejack screamed at Pinkie, who dropped to the ground just as the claws swung over her head. The pink pony rolled to the side before popping up watching as the farm pony leapt in front of her and delivered a hard kick to the monster’s chest. A sickening crack was heard as the monster’s bones shattered. Pinkie blew out a breath and examined her friend closely. Blood dripped from several cuts, bruises covered the farm ponys entire body and worst of all...her face was slashed with a terrible, deep wound. Applejack was breathing hard, blood spilling over her lips.
“You get the others to safety. Ah’ll get the last two.” her voice wobbled as did her legs.
“No! You can’t!” Pinkie shouted tears falling from her bright blue eyes.
“Ah’m the only who can stop ‘em.” Applejack countered stumbling to the side. Pinkie gently held her.
“No. You have to get away from them. You’re hurt really bad!” she cried tears stinging in her eyes.
“Ah gotta.” Applejack said grimly.
“You’ll die!” Pinkie screamed. Panic rising in her chest.
“Then tell mah family Ah love ‘em. And Ah love y’all too.” she waved her hoof at the rest of the friends who were trying so hard to stop a monster. “But Ah won’t die. I love this world too much.” Applejack said pushing Pinkie away and charging into battle.
***
Applebloom sniffed finally starting to realize what must have happened.
“Applejack had killed the last of them...but she was so hurt. There was...so much blood.” Rarity said her eyes widening as she remembered.
“There was no way she could get back to a city. She begged us to go on. There were more monsters coming. But we wouldn’t leave her.” Twilight said, tears now sliding down her face.
***
The ground was littered with the bodies of monsters and one orange pony. Her eyes stared skywards and blood dripping onto the dirt. Her hat lay forgotten just a few feet away from where she lay. Applejack’s chest heaved with rattling breaths and her teeth were bared in unbearable pain.
Rainbowdash raced over, first to notice her among the monsters. Her wing was bent at an unnatural angle, but she didn’t care. Not right now. The others soon crowded their injured friend.
“Quick! We have to get her to a hospital!” Rainbowdash cried.
“N-no...time.” Applejack whispered.
“No! We’re not letting you just...just die…” Rainbowdash shouted. Applejack somehow managed a weak smile.
“Knew you were gonna be like that.” she chuckled. This made Rainbow even angrier.
“How in the hay can you be laughing? You’re dying!” Applejack sighed.
“Ah dunno. Ah feel weightless. Like Ah could fly up there with you.”
“No, no, no, no.” Twilight muttered, panic seeping into her voice. She tried every healing spell she had, but none worked. They only faded the bruises and half healed cuts.
Applejack sucked in more air, knowing that she wouldn’t be on the earth much longer. This realization brought sadness and anger...but also peace. No more worries. No more pain, no more anything. But she would lose her life, her friends, her family. Tears mixed with the sweat and blood as she stared up at her friends.
“It’s all right. Let me go.” she said, fog creeping into her mind.
“Applejack...darling….” Rarity said for once at a loss of words. The farm pony struggled to keep awake, to keep the death from taking her. You’re not taking me before I tell them how much I love them! she thought stubbornly.
“Ah love y’all...and I always will. Tell…” She sputtered a cough, blood specks spraying outwards. “Tell mah family Ah love ‘em. Tell Mac….Tell Mac...it’s not his fault.” Her eyes shut and she let her body relax.
“I love you too AJ.” Rainbowdash whispered, watery tears dripping from her rose eyes.
“I love you sooo much!” Pinkie sniffed seeing there was nothing more that could be done to help their friend.
“Me too. “ Fluttershy managed to say though her sobs.
“Please don’t leave. I need you.” Twilight said. Applejack peeled open her eyes once more wondering why she wasn’t dead yet. The pain was dulling to a faded pulse now, and the fog was thicker.
“Twi. You’re a great pony...and you’ll do fine without me. Now just let me go in peace will ya?” a hint of a smile rested on Applejack’s lips as her breaths became slower and slower.
“I love you.” Twilight said, her body shaking. The friends reached in and gave her one last hug before the howls of the monsters forced them to run.
***
“We didn’t want to leave...the b-body there...but if we didn’t…”
“We’d be dead as well.” Rarity finished the alicorns sentence. Applebloom cried out, burying her head into her brother’s side. Pinkie Pie got down from her throne and reached behind her, pulling out a worn, brown stetson and placing it at Big Mac’s frozen hooves. The stallion stared at it, emotions tumbling inside him. His little sister clung to him like a life raft and the images of his dead parents filled his mind. Blood everywhere, tooth marks and scratches. She died like them. He told her she wouldn’t. He had lied to her. Applebloom saw the hat and cried harder, tugging it closer to her and hugging it. It still smelled like her, apples and sweat. But there was no mistaking the ugly dried blood specks decorating it.
Appleblooms eyes were pools of liquid, and her nose a river of mucus. Big Mac hadn’t cried in years, not since his parents died, but now...the tears came like a flood. The other ponies came together and surround the two apples, wrapping them in a hug. Everyone of them bawling, the hat dropped to the table where it sat, a reminder of a friend lost forever.
***
Weeks later
The funeral had been a simple, tearful affair. All of ponyville showed up, as well as the whole apple family, the princesses, a few assorted ponies. Even Discord came, dressed in somber black. Applejack was laid to rest next to her parents up on the tallest hill of the orchard, under the first apple tree planted. Big Mac hadn’t wanted to see her body, but he knew he should say goodbye. When he saw what was left of her...her almost threw up. Her lower stomach was ripped open and it had been...picked apart by those things. Her eyes were glassy and staring up at him with a sad but peaceful look. Her orange fur was more red than orange and her hooves bent at a weird angle. Applebloom had taken one look before running straight outside and puking all over the grass. Her hat now rested on a shelf above the kitchen doorway, it’s faded surface had been cleaned of the blood.
Now Big Mac sat on the porch staring at the sunset, much like a day so long ago. He felt hollow and lifeless. How much heartache would he have to endure before the world decided that he was broken enough? Tears dripped from his green eyes, and he wiped them away. He needed to be strong, without Applejack he was almost everything on the farm. He needed that strength to carry on. He needed her. A swirl of anger took hold of him. He had promised her! He should’ve been there! She should be alive.
“Ya know, with all that moping ‘bout me… Ah thought you’d notice me sooner.” a voice chuckled in his ear. He sat up straighter turning around so quickly he almost ran into the farmhouse. There she stood in a shimmer of golden sunlight, his sister Applejack. He reached out to touch her but she backed away a playful smile on her face. “No Macky. Ah have to tell ya something.” her expression turned serious. Big Mac just stared. His dead sister was standing before him...as a...ghost.
“How?” he mused.
“No time!” Applejack insisted. “Ah have to tell you this.”
“Go ahead.”
“You can’t blame yourself for my death. You gotta move on.”
“But-”
“Ah know how hard it is Mac...but the farm ain’t worth losing over my dead body. Hire somepony to help. Y’all need it. Please don’t lose sight of the living Mac. Applebloom and Granny Smith still need ya!” she said tears rushing to her eyes.
“Ah will.” Big Mac said, stumbling over the words.
“Good.” Applejack said looking realived. Then she strode forwards giving her brother a hug. Big Mac squeezed back. She felt so...real. Her body was warm and he could feel her coarse fur and smell the apple scent tangled in her mane.
“Ah miss you so much.” Big Mac whispered in her ear and she nodded.
“Me too.” She stepped back, her form glowing. “Ah’m only allowed one visit each. Don’t worry. Ah’ll see Granny and Applebloom too, just like you. Don’t say nothing. It’s got to be in intervals.” He face scrunched up. “So many dog gone rules!” she sighed. “Ma and Pa miss y’all too. They have always wanted to come and say somthin’ but I reckon that it would’ve just made everything worse. Ah felt like ya needed a little reminder so Ah came down to talk to ya.” Big Mac gulped.
“Then yer with ‘em? Ma and Pa?”
“Eyup!”
“Tell them I love ‘em and miss ‘em.” Big Mac said wiping another tear from his face.
“I will Macky.” Applejack whispered.
“Will I see you again?”
“Not while you’re still alive. Ah’m sorry.” her brow furrowed. “Jus’ don’t go and die jus’ ta see me.”
“I can’t. The family needs me.” Big Macintosh replied. Applejack nodded.
“Good bye big brother.”
“Bye sis. Ah love you.” She gave him one last smile.
“Don’t forget. Ah’ll always love ya, and Ah’ll always be here.” Big Mac wrapped her in another hug and she laughed before disappearing in a shimmer of golden light.
