Hard times happen (Revised by GaiaSTR)
"Ah don't want to hear it Luma!" echoed Applejack's voice from within her once silent home. "It's happenin’ and there's nothin’ Ah can do ‘bout it!"
"Sweetie, there's no reason to get so worked up about this. Sure we may be in trouble, but who hasn't in this part of life?"
"Well then where were ya huh?! Where were ya when they showed up and told us that we only have ‘til the end of the month to put up the money for the farm or we lose it huh?!"
"I was in school, actually learning the science behind this stuff so that maybe I could actually do something meaningful around here."
"I told ya ah could teach ya everythin’ ya needed but nope, ya gotta go and throw away anythin’ ah say."
"I'm just being smart about this hon. Financially we both have issues here. I love this farm with all my heart but if I can't support myself on top of that, then I need to branch out."
"Then why don't ya let go of that house ya live in and come live with us?!"
"That house is a symbol of respect Applejack, one of my first real accomplishments in life. Why don't you come live with me? We can finally be an independent couple and the farm wouldn't be that far away."
"Ya musta gotten an apple wedged in yer brain ‘cuz there's no way Ah'm leavin’ mah family. Why don't ya just admit that ya don't care ‘bout us?!"
"Applejack, I would give my life for you all and you know it, but you have to realize that things are not always gonna go your way."
Wrong choice of words bro. She gasped at the words before slapping you, storming off in a fit of rage. You held your cheek to calm the stinging sensation, sighing as you slumped down in the chair and closed your eyes. What happened to us? It used to be so cute whenever she got mad but now, it's… concerning me. It used to be that we could put in a hard day's work and cuddle together as the sun went down on the horizon. Now any type of fight or argument is unavoidable.
"Havin’ a lil’ bit of trouble?"
You reopened your eyes to see Big Mac standing in the doorway. "Everything is fine."
"I reckon it ain't. Could hear ya two going at it like wild dogs all the way out by the lake."
"Not like we were being quiet." you said as you massaged your temples. "I…I don't know what to do Big Mac. Everything was fine all those years. We had our lives ahead of us, we were supposed to take over the farm, make a living out of it, raise a family here. This was our dream… but now…" you said as you slammed your fist down on the arm of the wooden chair, the support cracking at the pressure as a single tear rolled down your cheek. "It's like she's expecting me to single handedly save this farm!"
"Calm down there partner."
"Sorry… I'm sorry… it's just… I don't how she did it but during my 5 years here, bonding with everyone and everything the apple family strives to show to the world, I love it all. I wouldn't give it up for a million bucks, even though that would help us right now… Look, if you could calm her down that would be great. I'm… gonna go home and clear my head."
"Sorry ‘bout her partner. Y'know she's a fighter."
The drive home was bad, the silence was even worse making your mood ten times more depressing than the entire argument itself. You thought getting home would help, the comfort of your warm house surrounding you while you played your favorite game about a blue blur. All it did, however, was showcase how much of a coward you were just running away from the entire situation. You laid back on the bed which was still in the living room, a hefty sigh leaving your body as the game came to a pause. "Ev’rybody wants to be a cat… cause a cat's the only cat… who knows where it's at." You weren't sure if that was even relevant to the situation but it seemed appropriate to calm your nerves. Suddenly your phone rang, that same tune picking up your attention.
Youtube Video
As soon as you took a look at the caller in question, you began to regret picking it up in the first place and wanted to let it ring. You couldn't unfortunately, she would kill you. "Hello?"
"Luma?...It's…Applejack."
"Um…hey honey…“
"Yeah…hey…can we talk?"
"You promise you cool now?"
"Ah'm not goin’ to scream at ya if that's what ya mean."
"Oh thank god. Thought I was gonna have to bring a cross to the next argument."
"...Cut it out Luma."
"I can see that you're not in that mood. You and me, we're on the same page. No more jokes, got it."
"Would you just let me in?"
"R-right."
You quickly hung up and proceeded to the front door where she stood in a nervous wreck. After walking her in and placing yourselves upon the bed, you oddly looked away from her with both a mix of nervousness and fear. It's as if you had a high school crush on her all over again, except this time, it was fear and not shyness. "Ah'm..." She tried to speak but ended up choking on her words. You were obviously both afraid of the situation’s tense atmosphere, so much so that you couldn't help but verbally argue with yourself.
"Well?"
"Well what?"
"Say something."
"I don't know what to say."
"Dude, you can fix this with little to no words. All you have to do is say something."
"But what if I mess it up?"
"Look virtually anything you say at this point is better than just sitting here."
"But what do I say?"
"Look, just say anything… but say it with meaning. Let's try an apology for example."
"Are you sure?"
"Just say it with feeling."
"Alright… here goes."
"Applejack… I'm sorry… for, um… accidentally running over your prized chicken last year."
"What the… what the hell was that?"
"I don't know, you said apologize didn't you?"
"I didn't think you'd just choose something out of the blue. Look, try something else and this time actually make it relevant."
"I mean… I want to apologize… for screaming at you back there." Better. "Even though you kinda started it."
"No you fool, you doomed us both!"
"I'm sorry, I panicked."
Finally, she took hold of your hand making you tense up as you thought she was about to break it. To your surprise however, she caressed it, almost like she was savoring the feeling. "Look Luma, Ah know what you're trying to say and Ah think we both need to do some forgiving."
"Whew, for a second there I thought you'd be..."
"Don't... say… another... word."
"But..."
"She just forgave us, just roll with it."
"Um… yes Applejack, we both need to forgive and forget."
"Now what was that about mah chicken?"
You and your imaginary conscience couldn't help but scream, "Dammit!"
"Look AJ, I really want to apologize. I'm sorry for not understanding how you much you actually needed me there. I realize I’m there only about half the time I would like to be and that seems unfair to you guys if we're to take over the farm one day… Oh, and the chicken thing too."
"Well Ah'm a lil’ upset about mah chicken but Ah'll get over it. Ah should be the one sayin’ sorry sugarcube, mah thoughts were a little… stubborn at the time. It's just that this farm is mah future. To see it threatened like this is just downright irritatin’."
"You at least were nice to the guys who gave you the notice, right?"
"Well…" Applejack said as she trailed off.
(2 days ago)
"It's OK partner, Ah got her pretty much restrained." Big Mac assured the man.
"Well as much as I'd like to believe that, even in that state, I'm pretty sure she'll still try to set me on fire with her mind. … She's trying to do it right now, isn't she?"
"Staaaaaaaare..."
"Easy, girl." Big Mac chimed on.
(End flashback)
"It was… quite the experience." she nervously chuckled.
"You tried to set someone on fire with your mind again didn't you?"
"Want me to try on ya too?"
"N-no. So how are we gonna handle this?"
"Ah have no idea." she said as she laid back on the bed.
"Me neither. I doubt you guys wanna get a loan right?"
"And be in even more debt, Ah reckon that's the best idea ya've ever had."
"Very funny. So who was it?"
"Who was what?"
"Who were the guys that you bought the farm from?"
"That's land, not farm."
"Sorry, who did you buy the land from?"
"Don't really remember. Last time Ah did see it was on the paper they handed us when they decided it was a good idea to run on up there and repossess the land. We don't have money like that no more Luma, all of it pretty much went into the farm and the crops."
"Well, how much are they asking for?"
She sighed before saying "Ten grand."
"Ten grand? That sounds like it could be doable."
"Did ya forget that we only have ‘til the end of the month to put together that type of money?"
"No, but I'm optimistic."
"Did ya also forget what time of year it is? It's colder than the north pole right now and only time will tell how long ‘til it starts snowin’. Our crops ain't goin’ nowhere as far we're concerned."
"Damn, you're right." you said as you joined her on the bed. "Have you talked about it with Big Mac and Granny Smith?"
"..."
"AJ?"
"What did you do?!"
"I asked her a simple question, what, is that against the rules?"
"Do you realize that what you've done?!"
"No, what's wrong with a simple question?"
"You fool, Granny Smith passed away two years ago!"
"Oh my god..."
"Fix this, fix this now."
"Oh crap AJ, I'm so sorry. I swear I'm the most forgetful person on the planet." Quickly you threw your hands behind your head and stood up. "Go ahead."
She turned over and looked at you with confusion, no hint of anger detected in her eyes. "What are ya doin’?"
"Free shot… you know for bringing that up."
"Ah'm not mad."
"Y-you're not?"
"No, ah've learned to deal with that by now. It made me a lil’ emotional but nothin’ this cowgirl can't handle."
"Oh thank god."
"And yes, Ah have talked to mah brother about it."
"Well what did he say?"
"He said…that maybe we should give in and sell it to ‘em instead of waitin’ for ‘em to just take it."
"No no no, there's no way I'm going to let them just have the farm. You guys made me love this farm too much for me to just give it up."
"Not sayin’ ya're wrong sugarcube, but it does seem like the best solution."
"This farm was to supposed be our future. A place where we can do what we both love, a place where our kid was supposed to be happy, a place where he or she could have fun, bring friends, and eventually grow up and make their own destiny."
"Luma…"
"I know I'm getting carried away, but…you know, I've been thinking."
"It ain't no secret ah guess. Been wantin’ our own lil’ girl too, somethin’ we can really be proud of."
"I'm sorry, girl?"
"Yes, a girl."
"You mean boy?"
"No Luma, ah'd like a girl."
"We're gonna have to bet on this."
"What reason could ya possibly want a boy more for?"
"Well hello, I'm a boy. I look forward to teaching my son all the things he needs to be a man."
"And ah look forward to teachin’ mah lil’ girl all the things she needs to be a strong and respectable young woman."
"Look, the point is, I want to see our little boy or girl enjoying his or her life out there on those acres, coming home from school with a smile on his or her face and friends by his or her side."
"Well… unfortunately, Big Mac already made the plans."
"What plans?"
"We got ‘bout a week ‘til the end of the month. If we can't figure out a plan by the end of it, then we're packin’ everythin’ up."
"Applejack, that farm has been your home since you were a little girl, you can't be serious about just leaving it."
"Ah wish Ah weren't. Must've argued like angry dogs for over an hour before Ah figured it was the best course of action.
"This really sucks."
"Better get thinkin’ then."
"So crops are pretty much out of the question right?"
"We definitely didn't harvest enough this year to sell. Most of it is to survive the winter."
"And definitely no loans… C'mon think Luma."
"No need to hurt yerself sugar. How ‘bout we go get some grub and maybe it'll come to us then."
"Couldn't hurt. You know I really am sorry about the chicken."
"How do ya run over a chicken?"
"I lost control of the tractor. That was a very bloody day for Mr. Needlemouse."
"Ya named the chicken."
"I had to scream something when I ran over it. You're not mad are you?"
"Not at all, doll."
"You sure… Cause you're staring at me pretty hard."
"Staaaaaaaare…"
"You can't actually set anyone on fire AJ."
"Oh really? Did ya forget ‘bout Equestrian magic?"
"Equestrian wha- OH CRAP OH GEEZ PUT IT OUT PUT IT OUT!"
As you frantically rolled on the ground trying desperately to put the fire off of your nice jacket, AJ proceeded to the car with only a slight chuckle to give.
Venomous hardship (Revised by GaiaSTR)
And so you went out, a neat buffet was the destination of this drive after promptly changing your jacket, thanks to someone setting it on fire.
"Ah think that jacket looks nice on ya sugar."
"I miss the old one."
"It couldn't be helped hon."
"You set it on fire!"
"And Ah apologized for that remember?"
"I don't think you understand sentimental value."
"Ah understand it perfectly."
You sighed knowing that this conversation was pointless. "You know what, I'll get over it. Just do me a favor and don't magically set my stuff on fire any more, cool? … AJ?" You looked over to see what trapped her attention, thinking that maybe she was texting the Rainbooms or something. Upon noticing it, you couldn't help but feel a little concerned. She was almost completely spaced out, her eyes were halfway closed and she was staring out into the night. "AJ?…AJ?"
Suddenly she shook her head and looked at you, that glazed expression returning to normal. "Yeah, what's up?"
"You ok? You were a little out of it."
"Yeah Ah'm fine."
"You sure? You're not sleepy, are you?"
"Of course not, why are you so worried all of a sudden?"
"You looked like you were about to faint."
"Ah'm fine, trust me."
"Alright, if you feel anything at all, let me know.”
The drive took a solid twenty minutes, every single minute spent alternating your eyes from the road to Applejack. Finally you arrived, a wide smile on both of your faces as you stepped out of the car. "Ooowee, lookin’ forward to that full feelin’."
"Hell, I've been craving a buffet all week so the faster we get in there, the better." You began walking only to notice no one walking beside you. You turned back to see applejack catching her breath. "Applejack, what's wrong?"
"Nothin’, just got a lil’ pain in my thigh."
"Alright, I'm taking you to a hospital."
"Ain't that serious hon. Ah work on a farm so this ain't too uncommon."
Finally she stood up and walked your way, joining you to the front doors of the restaurant until she stopped again. This time, she stopped cold in her tracks, staring off in whatever direction she was facing. "AJ? Hey, AJ?" you said as you were waving a hand in front of her face. No response. You stared into her eyes trying to get her attention until something creepy enough made you jump back in terror : One of her eyes suddenly changed to a venomous green, her pupil suddenly becoming long and slim like a snake’s. "AJ?! What the hell is going on?!"
Green liquid began to slither its way down her cheek in the form of a tear, then without warning, she dropped to the ground. Like a bullet, you were there trying to get anything out of her to no avail. Quick thinking led you and her unconscious person to the car and to the hospital. Within minutes of your arrival, they had her on a stretcher and you waiting and hoping for her safety. About an hour had passed so far and still no word from the doctor nor anyone in general. You did however call her friends and tell them what was up. They, of course, wasted no time getting there and were just as worried as you, Rarity the most out of all them. "I just don't understand darling."
"I told you already Rarity, something was off about her."
"It would help if we could actually get some details please." Twilight added.
As much as you didn't want to talk about it, you knew that you really had no choice in the matter. You were already afraid for Applejack's being, but the actual events that transpired were more disturbing than fearful. "She…spaced out a lot in the car, she wasn't herself. After we got to the buffet, she felt pain in her leg, then she just stopped."
Rarity had that look of confusion on her face. "Just…stopped?"
"Ceased to function, dropped like a rock to the concrete."
Twilight held her chin in thought. "Sounds like she may have been easily dehydrated, or maybe she was sick."
"That's what I thought too…until..." You shook at the very thought of the memory. "Her…eye..."
"What about her eyes?" Twilight quickly asked.
"It changed… like completely… green… small slits like a snake and green tears."
"If that's not magical then I don't know what it is." Rainbow Dash added with a concerned tone.
"I just don't understand what type of magic could cause this. Your magic is supposed to help people, right?"
'Well..." Twilight began. "No one said that we were the only ones that had magic. Do you, by any chance, know anyone else who might have any type of magical abilities?"
"Hmm? Well there's you guys. Possibly me and the rest of the guys, you know, Toshiro and Scarlet."
"Don't forget Emerald." Pinkie said, her hair having only slightly deflated.
"Right, aside from anyone you guys have met, that's it." Just as you said that, running approached from down the hall drawing your attention. "Oh Toshiro, Maud, there you guys are."
Maud quickly spoke up as she reached you leaving Toshiro to catch his breath. "We heard about Applejack, is she ok?"
"We don't know, she's been in there for the last hour. I got worried so I called everyone and asked them to come here."
"You guys didn't really have to run you know!" called a voice from down the hall.
"Wait a minute, I know that voice." And know it you did, the last person you expected to see after everything that happened. "O-Orion?"
"Yo Luma. Been a while hasn't it?"
"Wait, what are you doing here?"
"Toshiro picked me up on the way here. I heard about Applejack, she ok?"
"No clue, she's been in there for about an hour."
"Shit man, I'm sorry. Might as well wait until we get the ok."
"That's the plan."
Like the world was listening in, a young lady exited from the medical wing and silently made her way over to the group. "Excuse me, is there a Mr. Luma here?"
You anxiously raised your hand in response soliciting a smile from her. "That's me ma’m."
"Ah, thank you for being calm and patient during this time. Ms. Applejack has awoken and wishes to see you."
“Is she ok?"
"We actually stabilized her condition half an hour ago. It is only now that she has actually come back to us."
"Well come on guys, let's go see her."
"Pardon me sir but she asked for you specifically."
"I suppose that's ok. You guys cool to stay out here?"
They all nodded and returned to any position they were sitting down in. "Please make your way over here sir. She is in the third room on the right. Oh, and if you need anything please don't hesitate to call for Nurse Redheart."
"Is there a reason you're the one I should call first?"
"Well it seems her issue is heavily magic based. I've learned to deal with such things very effectively thanks to two frequent patients." she said casting a glare at Twilight and Rainbow Dash.
"Right, uh…thanks." You quickly made your way through the doors and towards the third room on the right, as indicated. Inside Applejack sat, awake, staring off into the night sky. "Hon?"
She whipped her head around and literally jumped into your arms. "Luma!"
"Easy there cowgirl. How are you feeling?"
"A lil’ weak."
"Well how weak we talking here?"
"It's a lil’ hard to move. Ah'm actually surprised Ah was able to move like that."
"And your eye is still green."
"Don't remind me."
"What did Nurse Redheart say about it?"
"She ain't got a clue. No disease or magic she knows of gives you all the symptoms I had."
"We could ask Twilight or Sunset."
"Well…um…if ya could call Sunset and ask her to meet us back here, Ah really don't want the others to know ‘bout this.
"Well they kinda already do…"
"Really? Gosh darnit."
"Sorry, I felt like they should know. What's the issue?"
"Ah thought they would freak out. They did, didn't they?"
"No actually, they took it pretty well.
"Oh… Ah guess it's fine then."
"Right. Let me just get Sunset on the phone."
A moment later, Sunset showed up through the door, alone. "You guys wanted to see me? Dear Celestia, what happened to your eye?"
"Well…" AJ began. "Ya know more ‘bout this magical mumbo jumbo than Ah do right?"
"I am from Equestria, so yeah."
"Do this gal a favor and tell her what's goin’ on here."
"Well I just got here so if you could fill me in."
"So here's the deal," you continued, "AJ had some strange symptoms going on when this all happened. First she was spacing out, then she cried green tears and fainted, now her right eye is green and her body is really weak.
"Green eyes huh?" Sunset made her way over to AJ, taking one close look at her eyes. "Yep, it's definitely magic, just can't tell what kind. Twilight from across the portal would know more. What other symptoms do you have?"
"Nothin’ else, really…except…" she said as she picked up glasses from the table next to her. "Ah do have a slight bit of vision loss so Ah need glasses."
"So fainting, weak muscles, green tears, a green eye and loss of vision. It sounds a little familiar to me but I can't put my finger on it. I guess I'll have to ask Twilight first but it sounds like someone poisoned you."
You gasped in terror, your body moving on its own to grab Sunset by the shoulders. "Well how do we get it out?!"
"Calm down, It's a suggestion. I'm not saying she actually has poison in her system."
You took a deep breath and let it out releasing Sunset from your grip. "Don't scare me like that." You sat down next to AJ, comforting her as you massaged her hand. "So How much time will they keep you here for?"
"They said another day to see if my strength or sight comes back. If not, they'll hand me a wheelchair and send me on my way for ‘bout a week."
"Sounds like I'm doing an overnight stay at the hospital."
"Ya know they'll just kick ya out sugar."
"I know…"
Slowly she wrapped her arms around one of yours and nuzzled gently into it. "Ah'll be fine Luma. Pretty darn tired now that Ah think about it."
"No." you say in a childish tone.
"Come on Luma."
"I don't wanna."
"They'll just kick ya out."
"They can try."
"Would ya get outta here ya big baby?"
"...fine."
"Before ya head home though, tell Big Mac Ah'm alright."
"Got it." you said as you and Sunset began to exit the room.
As you were about to exit the room, you turned back slowly to look back at her with concern. She noticed this and sighed. "Just give me a kiss
already."
With no hesitation, you slid back and planted a few kisses on her sweet lips. Of course, this turned into an instant make out session until she pushed you off. "Sorry AJ, got carried away."
"Ya just wait until Ah'm all better."
You nervously laughed and left the room joining everyone back in the waiting area. Before you could speak, Rarity jumped up and grabbed you by your collar. "Is my darling alright?!"
"She's fine, didn't Sunset tell you?"
"She…did, but I just wanted to make sure."
"You two got like a…you know, a thing going on here?"
"Whatever do you mean…hehe..."
"O…K. Going to enjoy exploring that later."
Suddenly Rarity's expression took the form of embarrassment then anger, directed mainly at you. "There is nothing to explore Luma!"
"I know, you're right, I'm sorry. I beg to differ."
"What was that?"
"Um… nothing." That's when suddenly you felt a slap to your face then another to the top of your head as you tried to protect yourself. "Wait
Rarity, I'm sorry, seriously!"
"How dare you question my sexuality!"
"I didn't I swear, I'm sure being bisexual is great!" Harder and harder she slapped until you were forced to take off with her clinging on to you like monkey. "Guys, aren't you going to help m-Ow!"
You're response was everyone laughing, Rainbow the hardest. "No way dude, this is so going online!"
"For the love of…help me! Ow, she's biting!"
Everyone eventually made it out to the parking lot, Rarity still clinging onto you like a tiger with an anger issue. Finally they were able to pull her off and calm her down but not without threatening her precious jeweled phone case. "Sorry darling, I got a little… carried away."
"Tell that to my everything."
"I am truly sorry. It's just that it's…"
"Got it, sensitive topic, dropping it. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going home to shower and cry myself to sleep." They all waved goodbye as you hopped in your car and pulled out into the street. "Gonna have to declaw her one day." You made your way through town and back into the residential area where the farm was as well as your house. Upon pulling up to the front gate, you realized that it was closed and locked, blocking your car from entering. "Big Mac must be asleep."
You got out and proceeded to jump the gate, walking your way up the dirt path. Upon reaching the front door, you knocked with a bit of force to wake Big Mac up, just in case. Indeed it did as he groggily came down the stairs and opened up. "Hey there partner. Whatcha doin’ up so early in the mornin’?"
"It's only 11:30 PM Big Mac."
"Oh really? Well anyway what d’ya need?"
"No one told you? Applejack's in the hospital."
"What?! What happened?!"
"Calm down, she's fine."
"Mah baby sister needs me Luma!" he said, quickly turning around only to crash over the couch.
"Sorry Mac, they're not accepting any more visitors. Trust me though, she's ok, I saw her myself. I came to let you know to get there as early as you can tomorrow. She wanted to see you."
"Wait why didn't ya call me earlier?"
"Uh…I kinda forgot about you…just a little." He glared at that response. "But don't worry, visiting hours start back up at around 7:00 tomorrow morning. I'll let you get some rest."
"You better hope she's OK. ‘Night Partner."
“‘Night Mac." The door closed and Mac made his way back up the stairs. "Probably could've handled that better, but at least I can get some sleep now." You started to walk off the porch until the shadow of something caught your eye over by the barn. Anyone would assume it was a pig or a cow but the moonlight distinctly painted that shadow as humanoid. "Who the hell is that?" You slowly and fearfully made your way to the barn doors, the shadow still in plain sight. You hid behind the door that was closed adjacent to the one that was wide open. Upon peaking in, you took in the obvious observations. Whoever it was was wearing a black suit that hugged their body like a freaking goddess. Dear lord the ass the person had. She also had black fedora and forest green hair, right to the core…oh shit I know who that is. Like an animalistic instinct, you ducked down as something gold pierced through the barn door. As whatever it was slid back in, it pierced through lower down making you roll out of harm's way right into the doorway of the open barn door. "You have got to be kidding me."
"Oh hey there Luma. Long time no see." Buck my life… Buck it all the way. "I missed you, thought i'd never see you again, not since that day back in school. You know who's missed you more? My little boy here. Why don't you go say hi, my little darling? And don't forget to finish all your food."
"Yessssss…" the golden serpent slithered out.
*Sigh*... Fucking Mazi…
