Surprise Applesby TrainboyChaptersPinkie's AccidentAt the DoctorsSurprise surprise!Pinkie's AccidentPonyville was a busy, bustling town, which had plenty to see and do for the occasional traveller. One of the things highly recommended (By her friends at least) was to go and sample some of Pinkie Pie's delicious baked goods. These could usually be found at sugar cube corner if it wasn't market day. A delightful little corner shop with an even more delightful offering. On this particular morning, Pinkie Pie was preparing a pony-plastered-pickle-pineapple-peach-pancake stack. But her joy would be short lived. "Okay Gummy!" She cried "Time for you to try the very first batch!" She placed a pancake next to the alligator who simply stared off into space. Pinkie watched him expectantly. Waiting for the all important moment when... Lick "... Is it good?" Pinkie asked. The alligator stayed perfectly silent. Staring off into space still. Pinkie met him at eye level and beamed in expectation. Too excited to hold it all in. Finally the alligator licked his lip affirming a good taste. Pinkie bounced in joy and squealed as she'd finally completed another treat for her lovely customers. As she danced around, she ended up dropping a few kitchen supplies on the floor. Oblivious though, she continued to dance around the kitchen counter until... "HEY! Who're you talking to?" ... Pinkie? I'm trying to tell the story? "Oh! Did you get the part where I perfected the pony-plastered-pickle-pineapple-pear-pancake?" Yes, yes. I got that. "What about Gummy's reaction?" Yes. I got them both, now if you don't mind Pinkie... "Ooh! I bet the readers would love to dance with me! Would ya? Would ya? Would ya??" I'm sure they would Pinkie Pie, but right now we need to continue the story. "Oh! Sorry!" It fine. Now let's get back to the dancing. "YAY! That's my favourite part!!.... Oh sorry" ... Pinkie continued to dance around the kitchen counter. Unaware of the whisk laying on the floor. Once she stepped on it, she comically flailed around, trying to keep her balance, before she flung herself into the cupboard full of treats and cakes. "... Ow" Came a small cry "Ooh! But there's that upside down cheese and pickle cake I tried to make last week... Bleurgh! Still awful" ** Applejack was hard at work as usual. Stacking bails of hay this time in the barn. Granny Smith said that she didn't want to see a single strand of hay by the time she got back from her run in the town centre. But for whatever reason, Applejack didn't feel so good. She wasn't ill or anything, she just wasn't feeling herself. "I think I'll have to take a lie down" She told Big Mac "My heads starting to spin" "You've been up, down, up, down all week!" Big Mac said "Is something the matter? "Nah don't you worry" Applejack smiled "I'm just fine and dandy" But she wasn't just fine and dandy. As she lay down, she felt dizzy and not in her usual mood. It was like somepony had completely removed her likes and dislikes altogether. Now everything was just "Meh" and she couldn't understand why. "Hmm" She pondered to herself "Maybe I'm just hungry. Perhaps if I have a snack it'll settle me down" She thought for a moment. Pinkie Pie! She was always cooking up some kind of snack or treat. Maybe she just needed a quick break from apples........ A quick break from apples?? She was ill. She had to get to sugar cube corner and fast. ** As Applejack slowly entered the shop, she found that she had to step over the batter and cooking instruments that had spilled in the accident. "Pinkie?" She called "Pinkie Pie?? Are you okay?" She stepped over the mountain of sugar that had collected on the floor and opened the cupboard door a little more. Being careful not to spill anything else. There was Pinkie... Face down in a discarded wedding cake. "Pinkie!!" Applejack cried "Pinkie are you okay??" The pink mare mumbled something, before turning over on her back. Icing slathered all over her face. She stretched out her tongue and licked it off completely. "Best... accident... EVER!!" She cried in delight. Applejack could only sigh in relief. "Guess that's my chance of a treat out the window" She looked around "What happened here?" Pinkie got up and rubbed the back of her neck. "Uhh. I'm not really sure. Ask the storyteller!" "Who?" Applejack asked It seemed that Pinkie had forgotten her promise not to tell anyone she could hear me!! "........ Oops. I mean uhh heh heh Nothing!" She very fortunately corrected herself. Applejack sighed. "Are you hurt?" She asked "Actually yeah" Pinkie said sadly "I think I gave my foreleg an owie as I landed in here." Applejack went to take a closer look. "IT STILL HURTS!" Pinkie growled, snatching her foreleg away. "Hmm" Applejack pondered "Maybe you ought to go and see the doctor. He's fixed up plenty of legs in our family. Hell, he gave Granny Smith her new hip" Pinkie glared at the farm pony suspiciously. "Hmmm" She thought out loud "Will he have sweeties in his hospital?" "Why would you want sweets?" Applejack asked "You work in a swee-" "WILL HE HAVE SWEETS! YES OR NO!" The pink mare practically roared. Applejack clung onto her hat. "... If I say yes, will you let me live?" She asked Pinkie eyed her suspiciously. Before gripping her in a tight hug. "Then what're we waiting for?" She asked "Let's go!" "We?" Applejack asked "Oh Applejack please!" Pinkie begged "It's scary in that doctor's office! All those contraptions and weird grabby grabby things! And then the other ponies sneezing and eyeing you up! Eek!" She hid under Applejack's legs. "Fine" Applejack smirked "Just this once though" As the pair left the shop behind, Applejack stopped at the door. She suddenly had a real bad stomach ache. She clutched her stomach and winced in pain. "Applejack?" Pinkie Pie asked "Is everything okay?" "S-Sure" Applejack said through gritted teeth "L-let's just get going" As soon as they began walking, the pain began to go away. 'That's weird' Applejack thought to herself 'First the lack of emotion, now stomach cramps. I hope this won't last long.' What Applejack didn't realise is this would last a lot longer than she thought... At the DoctorsThe doctors waiting room was just as terrifying as Pinkie had described it... At least to her it was. Applejack simply sat and read one of the magazines on the glass table in front of them. But every time a pony would sneeze or cough or glance at them, Pinkie would squeak in terror and clutch Applejack closer. "Pinkie Pie" She said at last "Listen. You don't have to worry as much as you are. It'll be straight in and straight out. Worst thing he can do is an X-ray" "AN X-RAY??" Pinkie cried "NOT AN X-RAY!!............. What's an X-ray?" "It's where he uses a machine to look at the inside of your body without harming you." Applejack explained "trust me Pinkie, you'll be fine. I won't let them hurt you" "D'you promise?" Pinkie asked "I promise" "Pinkie Promise?" Applejack smiled and sighed. "I pinkie promise" She said, carrying out the motions. Pinkie clutched her tightly again. Before the doctor finally left his office with a delighted looking filly with her foreleg in a sling. It appeared she was looking forward to showing this new style to her friends at school. "Now you keep that foreleg rested Miss Pine" The doctor smiled. He then looked down at his list "Pinkamena Pie?" Pinkie gulped, took a deep breath and began to make her way inside. Holding tightly onto Applejack's hoof of course. The doctor looked at them curiously. "Is it okay if I go in with her?" Applejack asked "Just to keep her company" The doctor shrugged and gestured for them to follow him into the surgery. ** "Now then Pinkie" The doctor smiled "Let's take a look at that foreleg of yours hm?" Pinkie was sat on the table, with one hoof clinging tightly to Applejack and the giving the injured one to the doctor. Very, very reluctantly. The doctor examined her leg curiously. "Hmm" he said "I can't see much wrong. Perhaps an X-ray is needed" Pinkie stared nervously down at Applejack, who smiled back comfortingly. The doctor got out a small but handy contraption which he applied over his face like sunglasses, but these had an 'on' and 'off' switch, and what seemed to be a machine that rested on his head. He examined her foreleg. Back, and forth, back and forth. Until he finally lifted the strange glasses and smiled at the shivering mare. "Nothing to worry about" He said "Just a sprained hoof. The application of a small bandage and plenty of rest will see you making baked treats again in no time" Both Applejack and Pinkie sighed in total relief. Perhaps Pinkie loudest of all. The doctor then got out a yellow bandage with red and blue polka dots. He approached her foreleg and gently applied some kind of gel. Before beginning to wrap the bandage around her leg. She clutched Applejack's hoof more tightly than ever before. "It may sting just a little at first" The doctor said warmly "But give it a few seconds and it'll get better." Pinkie slowly let go of Applejack's hoof and gave yet another sigh of relief. "It wasn't that bad Applejack" Pinkie beamed "Was I brave pony? Tell me I was a brave-" She turned around to see Applejack clutching her stomach once more. Only this time, she appeared to be in far more pain. The doctor ran over. "Okay Applejack" He said soothingly "Deep breaths. There we go." He helped her over to a bench and laid her down. Applejack just couldn't understand it. Why was she of all ponies suddenly suffering like this? Had she been working too hard? Was it some kind of bad apples she'd eaten? What in Equestria was going on?? Finally, the pain simmered down and she was able to get up and walk again. "You're going to want plenty of rest" The doctor said with a concerned tone "Pinkie? Can you get Applejack home safely? I don't want her walking home on her own in this state" Pinkie leaped up and gave a determined salute with her good hoof. "Th-Thanks doc" Applejack said through a cold sweat. "Now Applejack" The doctor said "I think I know what's causing this, and if it's what I think it is, you cannot do any more work until it passes. Do you understand?" "B-But the farm" Applejack protested "The farm can be looked after by your siblings" The Doctor said sternly "But i don't want you to work at all until this passes. Understood?" Applejack reluctantly nodded as Pinkie Pie escorted her out of the surgery. ** As the pair walked down the streets of Ponyville, Pinkie Pie couldn't help but notice a change in Applejack's behaviour. She started muttering things. That weren't apples. Things that she wanted to eat that weren't on her usual menu. Roast chicken? Chips? Oranges?? Something was definitely wrong. Finally, they arrived back at Sweet Apple Acres and the pair began their goodbyes. "Sorry I was a scaredy-pony today Aj" Pinkie smiled Applejack laughed. "Not to worry Pinkie" She said "And I'm sorry for being so sickly" "Oh don't worry!" She winked "If you're sick, it gives me a chance to make a sickly-pickle-cake. Which I KNOW cures just about anything!" "That's just it though" Applejack said "I don't feel sick at all. It just kinda comes and goes. Like a really bad stomach pain and... The fact that I need to eat something other than apples surprised even me! I hope I'm not gonna be locked up in my bedroom for ages" "Even if you are!" Pinkie beamed "We'll all come visit you and keep you company. Just like you did for me today!" Applejack smiled. She could always count on Pinkie to brighten up a darkening situation. But she still couldn't figure out what was causing all this to happen. Was she going to die? Pinkie Pie stared. "Applejack? Is everything alright?" She asked Applejack shook her head quickly. "I-I'm fine" She said quickly "Just a lil tired is all" She slowly began to make her way indoors. Hoping that whatever she was feeling would be over soon and she could soon get back to work on the farm. ... What happened however, well exceeded her expectations... Surprise surprise!That night, Pinkie couldn't sleep. She kept thinking about AJ and how she'd been acting lately. She hoped that her farm working friend was okay. What if she wasn't though? What if she didn't last the night? She'd looked real rough in that doctors office. The pink mare decided that she couldn't take the intensity anymore. She needed answers and she needed them now. She leaped out of bed and ran for the door. "Gummy!" She called "I'll just be a little while. I'm gonna go check on Applejack! You be good now!" Before the alligator could respond, Pinkie was out the door and hurtling down the street at full gallop. Hoping that she wouldn't be too late. Oh please Celestia, don't let it be too late! She finally reached Sweet Apple acres to find Granny Smith, Applebloom and Big Macintosh all enjoying a small but pleasant barbecue outside the barn under the stars. They were quite taken aback when Pinkie galloped in on their fun little evening. "I-I-I-I Is Applejack... Inside?" She panted heavily "Why sure sugar plum" Granny Smith said, a little bewildered "Come to think of it, she's been in her room all evening. Hasn't come out once. Haven't seen her since she went inside after seeing you" Pinkie gasped. "GOTTA GO!" She cried and, in a puff of smoke, she was inside the barn and running up the stairs. She ran for the door and burst inside. Finding Applejack laying on her hay bed and smiling at something. She could've grabbed that farm pony and cuddled her endlessly, she was so relieved. "Oh Applejack, thank goodness!" She cried "I was so worried! You looked so sick earlier on!" "Pinkie" "And then you came in here and I didn't hear from you since!" "Pinkie" "And then the other apples said they hadn't seen you all evening and-" "Pinkie" "What?" "Shhhhh" Pinkie was surprised by this. What was so important that she had to stop her endless worried rambling? She looked down to where Applejack had been smiling and her jaw nearly dropped off. She gasped in sheer delight and would've squealed had Applejack not hushed her. Laying next to Applejack were three tiny foals. Each one only a few hours old. All three were sound asleep. Pinkie then understood why AJ wanted some peace and quiet. "Pinkie?" Applejack whispered "Could you go and get the other apples for me?" Pinkie didn't need to be told twice. She flew down the stairs and out to the barbecue. The foals whined and wriggled in their sleep. "Aww, it's okay now little ones" Applejack whispered affectionately "It's alright, you're safe here with me. You'll have to get used to your auntie Pinkie... She's very noisy" Like her mother before her and like all the animals she'd seen give birth in her farming life, Applejack then set to work, licking and cleaning them. "Let's have a look at your hooves" She whispered "Ooh, and the other one. There we go" The foal she was licking, wriggled in protest. "Oh" She giggled quietly "Sorry, does that tickle? Gently does it. Gently" She then heard Pinkie from outside the room. "Aj? Aj?" She opened the door slightly "I've brought Big Macintosh" "A'ight?" "And Applebloom" Pinkie continued "I'm an aunt! I'm an aunt!" The filly squeaked in excitement, before she was sternly hushed by Big Mac. "And Granny Smith" "Now where is the litter?" Granny Smith asked "Is it true Aj?" Applejack smiled. "It's true Granny Smith" She said "You're a great granny now" "And I also brought Twilight, Fluttershy, Rarity and Rainbow Dash" Pinkie beamed The four mares entered the room quietly. "Oh what a wonderful surprise" "Ooh! I just want to hug them all" "How're you feeling darling?" Rarity asked "... Tired" Applejack yawned "Three foals" Rainbow Dash whispered "Three of them. How awesome is that?" The room was silent as everyone simply stared affectionately at the new members of the apple family. "Have you decided on names yet?" Twilight asked. "Well..." Applejack said "I think this one, the yellow colt, should be called 'Applecore'" "What about that one?" Pinkie whispered "The orange one. She looks like you. You could call her Aj, junior" "Not Aj junior" Applejack smirked "Besides, he's a boy" "What about Jack then?" Applejack laughed quietly. "Alright then" She smiled "Jack it is" "And what about the third one?" Twilight asked "The yellow filly" "I think we all know what her name should be" Applejack smiled "Bandage" Pinkie said "No not bandage Pinkie" Rarity sighed. "I'm going to call her... Buttercup" Applejack said affectionately. The room was filled with one atmosphere of agreement. "Your mother woulda been so proud of you" Granny smith beamed. And so, on that moonlit, starry night, a new generation of apples began at Sweet Apple Acres. Applecore, Jack and Buttercup. All were certain on one thing. That this had been the most wonderful surprise anypony could every wish for.
Pinkie's AccidentPonyville was a busy, bustling town, which had plenty to see and do for the occasional traveller. One of the things highly recommended (By her friends at least) was to go and sample some of Pinkie Pie's delicious baked goods. These could usually be found at sugar cube corner if it wasn't market day. A delightful little corner shop with an even more delightful offering. On this particular morning, Pinkie Pie was preparing a pony-plastered-pickle-pineapple-peach-pancake stack. But her joy would be short lived. "Okay Gummy!" She cried "Time for you to try the very first batch!" She placed a pancake next to the alligator who simply stared off into space. Pinkie watched him expectantly. Waiting for the all important moment when... Lick "... Is it good?" Pinkie asked. The alligator stayed perfectly silent. Staring off into space still. Pinkie met him at eye level and beamed in expectation. Too excited to hold it all in. Finally the alligator licked his lip affirming a good taste. Pinkie bounced in joy and squealed as she'd finally completed another treat for her lovely customers. As she danced around, she ended up dropping a few kitchen supplies on the floor. Oblivious though, she continued to dance around the kitchen counter until... "HEY! Who're you talking to?" ... Pinkie? I'm trying to tell the story? "Oh! Did you get the part where I perfected the pony-plastered-pickle-pineapple-pear-pancake?" Yes, yes. I got that. "What about Gummy's reaction?" Yes. I got them both, now if you don't mind Pinkie... "Ooh! I bet the readers would love to dance with me! Would ya? Would ya? Would ya??" I'm sure they would Pinkie Pie, but right now we need to continue the story. "Oh! Sorry!" It fine. Now let's get back to the dancing. "YAY! That's my favourite part!!.... Oh sorry" ... Pinkie continued to dance around the kitchen counter. Unaware of the whisk laying on the floor. Once she stepped on it, she comically flailed around, trying to keep her balance, before she flung herself into the cupboard full of treats and cakes. "... Ow" Came a small cry "Ooh! But there's that upside down cheese and pickle cake I tried to make last week... Bleurgh! Still awful" ** Applejack was hard at work as usual. Stacking bails of hay this time in the barn. Granny Smith said that she didn't want to see a single strand of hay by the time she got back from her run in the town centre. But for whatever reason, Applejack didn't feel so good. She wasn't ill or anything, she just wasn't feeling herself. "I think I'll have to take a lie down" She told Big Mac "My heads starting to spin" "You've been up, down, up, down all week!" Big Mac said "Is something the matter? "Nah don't you worry" Applejack smiled "I'm just fine and dandy" But she wasn't just fine and dandy. As she lay down, she felt dizzy and not in her usual mood. It was like somepony had completely removed her likes and dislikes altogether. Now everything was just "Meh" and she couldn't understand why. "Hmm" She pondered to herself "Maybe I'm just hungry. Perhaps if I have a snack it'll settle me down" She thought for a moment. Pinkie Pie! She was always cooking up some kind of snack or treat. Maybe she just needed a quick break from apples........ A quick break from apples?? She was ill. She had to get to sugar cube corner and fast. ** As Applejack slowly entered the shop, she found that she had to step over the batter and cooking instruments that had spilled in the accident. "Pinkie?" She called "Pinkie Pie?? Are you okay?" She stepped over the mountain of sugar that had collected on the floor and opened the cupboard door a little more. Being careful not to spill anything else. There was Pinkie... Face down in a discarded wedding cake. "Pinkie!!" Applejack cried "Pinkie are you okay??" The pink mare mumbled something, before turning over on her back. Icing slathered all over her face. She stretched out her tongue and licked it off completely. "Best... accident... EVER!!" She cried in delight. Applejack could only sigh in relief. "Guess that's my chance of a treat out the window" She looked around "What happened here?" Pinkie got up and rubbed the back of her neck. "Uhh. I'm not really sure. Ask the storyteller!" "Who?" Applejack asked It seemed that Pinkie had forgotten her promise not to tell anyone she could hear me!! "........ Oops. I mean uhh heh heh Nothing!" She very fortunately corrected herself. Applejack sighed. "Are you hurt?" She asked "Actually yeah" Pinkie said sadly "I think I gave my foreleg an owie as I landed in here." Applejack went to take a closer look. "IT STILL HURTS!" Pinkie growled, snatching her foreleg away. "Hmm" Applejack pondered "Maybe you ought to go and see the doctor. He's fixed up plenty of legs in our family. Hell, he gave Granny Smith her new hip" Pinkie glared at the farm pony suspiciously. "Hmmm" She thought out loud "Will he have sweeties in his hospital?" "Why would you want sweets?" Applejack asked "You work in a swee-" "WILL HE HAVE SWEETS! YES OR NO!" The pink mare practically roared. Applejack clung onto her hat. "... If I say yes, will you let me live?" She asked Pinkie eyed her suspiciously. Before gripping her in a tight hug. "Then what're we waiting for?" She asked "Let's go!" "We?" Applejack asked "Oh Applejack please!" Pinkie begged "It's scary in that doctor's office! All those contraptions and weird grabby grabby things! And then the other ponies sneezing and eyeing you up! Eek!" She hid under Applejack's legs. "Fine" Applejack smirked "Just this once though" As the pair left the shop behind, Applejack stopped at the door. She suddenly had a real bad stomach ache. She clutched her stomach and winced in pain. "Applejack?" Pinkie Pie asked "Is everything okay?" "S-Sure" Applejack said through gritted teeth "L-let's just get going" As soon as they began walking, the pain began to go away. 'That's weird' Applejack thought to herself 'First the lack of emotion, now stomach cramps. I hope this won't last long.' What Applejack didn't realise is this would last a lot longer than she thought...
At the DoctorsThe doctors waiting room was just as terrifying as Pinkie had described it... At least to her it was. Applejack simply sat and read one of the magazines on the glass table in front of them. But every time a pony would sneeze or cough or glance at them, Pinkie would squeak in terror and clutch Applejack closer. "Pinkie Pie" She said at last "Listen. You don't have to worry as much as you are. It'll be straight in and straight out. Worst thing he can do is an X-ray" "AN X-RAY??" Pinkie cried "NOT AN X-RAY!!............. What's an X-ray?" "It's where he uses a machine to look at the inside of your body without harming you." Applejack explained "trust me Pinkie, you'll be fine. I won't let them hurt you" "D'you promise?" Pinkie asked "I promise" "Pinkie Promise?" Applejack smiled and sighed. "I pinkie promise" She said, carrying out the motions. Pinkie clutched her tightly again. Before the doctor finally left his office with a delighted looking filly with her foreleg in a sling. It appeared she was looking forward to showing this new style to her friends at school. "Now you keep that foreleg rested Miss Pine" The doctor smiled. He then looked down at his list "Pinkamena Pie?" Pinkie gulped, took a deep breath and began to make her way inside. Holding tightly onto Applejack's hoof of course. The doctor looked at them curiously. "Is it okay if I go in with her?" Applejack asked "Just to keep her company" The doctor shrugged and gestured for them to follow him into the surgery. ** "Now then Pinkie" The doctor smiled "Let's take a look at that foreleg of yours hm?" Pinkie was sat on the table, with one hoof clinging tightly to Applejack and the giving the injured one to the doctor. Very, very reluctantly. The doctor examined her leg curiously. "Hmm" he said "I can't see much wrong. Perhaps an X-ray is needed" Pinkie stared nervously down at Applejack, who smiled back comfortingly. The doctor got out a small but handy contraption which he applied over his face like sunglasses, but these had an 'on' and 'off' switch, and what seemed to be a machine that rested on his head. He examined her foreleg. Back, and forth, back and forth. Until he finally lifted the strange glasses and smiled at the shivering mare. "Nothing to worry about" He said "Just a sprained hoof. The application of a small bandage and plenty of rest will see you making baked treats again in no time" Both Applejack and Pinkie sighed in total relief. Perhaps Pinkie loudest of all. The doctor then got out a yellow bandage with red and blue polka dots. He approached her foreleg and gently applied some kind of gel. Before beginning to wrap the bandage around her leg. She clutched Applejack's hoof more tightly than ever before. "It may sting just a little at first" The doctor said warmly "But give it a few seconds and it'll get better." Pinkie slowly let go of Applejack's hoof and gave yet another sigh of relief. "It wasn't that bad Applejack" Pinkie beamed "Was I brave pony? Tell me I was a brave-" She turned around to see Applejack clutching her stomach once more. Only this time, she appeared to be in far more pain. The doctor ran over. "Okay Applejack" He said soothingly "Deep breaths. There we go." He helped her over to a bench and laid her down. Applejack just couldn't understand it. Why was she of all ponies suddenly suffering like this? Had she been working too hard? Was it some kind of bad apples she'd eaten? What in Equestria was going on?? Finally, the pain simmered down and she was able to get up and walk again. "You're going to want plenty of rest" The doctor said with a concerned tone "Pinkie? Can you get Applejack home safely? I don't want her walking home on her own in this state" Pinkie leaped up and gave a determined salute with her good hoof. "Th-Thanks doc" Applejack said through a cold sweat. "Now Applejack" The doctor said "I think I know what's causing this, and if it's what I think it is, you cannot do any more work until it passes. Do you understand?" "B-But the farm" Applejack protested "The farm can be looked after by your siblings" The Doctor said sternly "But i don't want you to work at all until this passes. Understood?" Applejack reluctantly nodded as Pinkie Pie escorted her out of the surgery. ** As the pair walked down the streets of Ponyville, Pinkie Pie couldn't help but notice a change in Applejack's behaviour. She started muttering things. That weren't apples. Things that she wanted to eat that weren't on her usual menu. Roast chicken? Chips? Oranges?? Something was definitely wrong. Finally, they arrived back at Sweet Apple Acres and the pair began their goodbyes. "Sorry I was a scaredy-pony today Aj" Pinkie smiled Applejack laughed. "Not to worry Pinkie" She said "And I'm sorry for being so sickly" "Oh don't worry!" She winked "If you're sick, it gives me a chance to make a sickly-pickle-cake. Which I KNOW cures just about anything!" "That's just it though" Applejack said "I don't feel sick at all. It just kinda comes and goes. Like a really bad stomach pain and... The fact that I need to eat something other than apples surprised even me! I hope I'm not gonna be locked up in my bedroom for ages" "Even if you are!" Pinkie beamed "We'll all come visit you and keep you company. Just like you did for me today!" Applejack smiled. She could always count on Pinkie to brighten up a darkening situation. But she still couldn't figure out what was causing all this to happen. Was she going to die? Pinkie Pie stared. "Applejack? Is everything alright?" She asked Applejack shook her head quickly. "I-I'm fine" She said quickly "Just a lil tired is all" She slowly began to make her way indoors. Hoping that whatever she was feeling would be over soon and she could soon get back to work on the farm. ... What happened however, well exceeded her expectations...
Surprise surprise!That night, Pinkie couldn't sleep. She kept thinking about AJ and how she'd been acting lately. She hoped that her farm working friend was okay. What if she wasn't though? What if she didn't last the night? She'd looked real rough in that doctors office. The pink mare decided that she couldn't take the intensity anymore. She needed answers and she needed them now. She leaped out of bed and ran for the door. "Gummy!" She called "I'll just be a little while. I'm gonna go check on Applejack! You be good now!" Before the alligator could respond, Pinkie was out the door and hurtling down the street at full gallop. Hoping that she wouldn't be too late. Oh please Celestia, don't let it be too late! She finally reached Sweet Apple acres to find Granny Smith, Applebloom and Big Macintosh all enjoying a small but pleasant barbecue outside the barn under the stars. They were quite taken aback when Pinkie galloped in on their fun little evening. "I-I-I-I Is Applejack... Inside?" She panted heavily "Why sure sugar plum" Granny Smith said, a little bewildered "Come to think of it, she's been in her room all evening. Hasn't come out once. Haven't seen her since she went inside after seeing you" Pinkie gasped. "GOTTA GO!" She cried and, in a puff of smoke, she was inside the barn and running up the stairs. She ran for the door and burst inside. Finding Applejack laying on her hay bed and smiling at something. She could've grabbed that farm pony and cuddled her endlessly, she was so relieved. "Oh Applejack, thank goodness!" She cried "I was so worried! You looked so sick earlier on!" "Pinkie" "And then you came in here and I didn't hear from you since!" "Pinkie" "And then the other apples said they hadn't seen you all evening and-" "Pinkie" "What?" "Shhhhh" Pinkie was surprised by this. What was so important that she had to stop her endless worried rambling? She looked down to where Applejack had been smiling and her jaw nearly dropped off. She gasped in sheer delight and would've squealed had Applejack not hushed her. Laying next to Applejack were three tiny foals. Each one only a few hours old. All three were sound asleep. Pinkie then understood why AJ wanted some peace and quiet. "Pinkie?" Applejack whispered "Could you go and get the other apples for me?" Pinkie didn't need to be told twice. She flew down the stairs and out to the barbecue. The foals whined and wriggled in their sleep. "Aww, it's okay now little ones" Applejack whispered affectionately "It's alright, you're safe here with me. You'll have to get used to your auntie Pinkie... She's very noisy" Like her mother before her and like all the animals she'd seen give birth in her farming life, Applejack then set to work, licking and cleaning them. "Let's have a look at your hooves" She whispered "Ooh, and the other one. There we go" The foal she was licking, wriggled in protest. "Oh" She giggled quietly "Sorry, does that tickle? Gently does it. Gently" She then heard Pinkie from outside the room. "Aj? Aj?" She opened the door slightly "I've brought Big Macintosh" "A'ight?" "And Applebloom" Pinkie continued "I'm an aunt! I'm an aunt!" The filly squeaked in excitement, before she was sternly hushed by Big Mac. "And Granny Smith" "Now where is the litter?" Granny Smith asked "Is it true Aj?" Applejack smiled. "It's true Granny Smith" She said "You're a great granny now" "And I also brought Twilight, Fluttershy, Rarity and Rainbow Dash" Pinkie beamed The four mares entered the room quietly. "Oh what a wonderful surprise" "Ooh! I just want to hug them all" "How're you feeling darling?" Rarity asked "... Tired" Applejack yawned "Three foals" Rainbow Dash whispered "Three of them. How awesome is that?" The room was silent as everyone simply stared affectionately at the new members of the apple family. "Have you decided on names yet?" Twilight asked. "Well..." Applejack said "I think this one, the yellow colt, should be called 'Applecore'" "What about that one?" Pinkie whispered "The orange one. She looks like you. You could call her Aj, junior" "Not Aj junior" Applejack smirked "Besides, he's a boy" "What about Jack then?" Applejack laughed quietly. "Alright then" She smiled "Jack it is" "And what about the third one?" Twilight asked "The yellow filly" "I think we all know what her name should be" Applejack smiled "Bandage" Pinkie said "No not bandage Pinkie" Rarity sighed. "I'm going to call her... Buttercup" Applejack said affectionately. The room was filled with one atmosphere of agreement. "Your mother woulda been so proud of you" Granny smith beamed. And so, on that moonlit, starry night, a new generation of apples began at Sweet Apple Acres. Applecore, Jack and Buttercup. All were certain on one thing. That this had been the most wonderful surprise anypony could every wish for.
