An Apple Sleep Experiment

As predicted, the next day saw no improvement for the Apple family. Things had taken a sharp turn for the worse and Applejack resigned to the fact that she couldn’t solve this issue on her own. She raced from Ponyville hospital to consult the only pony she knew that could figure her way out of this mess.

“Twilight?” Applejack called, letting herself into Twilight’s castle. “Are you in there? Ah need your help!”

It wasn’t too long before Applejack found the princess pacing in the library. She noted that Twilight looked a little more haggard than usual; there were beads of sweat along her brow and her usually kept mane was hastily tied in a ponytail to keep it off her neck. In that moment it dawned on Applejack that even royalty were victims of the unusual weather, and that wasn’t a good sign.

“Applejack, what is it?” Twilight asked, snapped out of her pacing by her friend’s entrance.

“It’s… well…. It’s a lot of things really.” Applejack replied. She hid the dark circles under her eyes with her hat, hoping she didn’t look as dreadful as she felt. “Ah came to you because Ah have no other option.”

“Tell me what’s happened.” Twilight said, her voice edging on a strange combination of concern and impatience.

“First thing’s first: have ya heard anything from Rainbow Dash regardin’ the weather?”

Twilight let out a frustrated sigh. Apparently that was not the right question to ask.

“No. It seems Ponyville isn’t the only place suffering this heat. There’s a terrible drought all over Equestria. I’ve heard that rainbow production has completely shut down for the time being. It seems pegasi are having a hard time finding enough water to make clouds, let alone rain.” Twilight said sadly.

“Ah was afraid of that.” Applejack said, sighing softly. “And the princess? What does she say?”

“Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are looking into a spell that can allow saltwater to be transformed into rain clouds; for some reason it doesn’t process the same in Cloudsdale’s weather machines. If a spell can be found in time the water from the ocean will save us, but until then…” Twilight started, but trailed off at the end so that Applejack come to the terrifying conclusion on her own. “ I offered to help but… they said I’m needed here instead. I’ve been scouring my books for anything weather-related… but so far nothing’s been remotely useful.” Twilight said gritting her teeth, she hated the thought of being unhelpful in a time of crisis.

“Well… Ah sure need ya.” Applejack offered, wishing she could smile in comfort but unable to do so given the nature of her visit. “It’s Big Mac. He caught wind of Granny’s debt to the Rich family and worked himself to the bone harvesting apples. I think he was hoping to make up some more money before the zap-apples got here. Darn fool was out in the sun so long he went and got himself sick with heat stroke.” Applejack said sadly.

“What?! Is he--” Twilight asked.

“He’s gonna be alright. Doc says he’s got to stay in the hospital for a few days” Applejack said.

“Wait, if Big Mac’s too sick that means…” Twilight trailed off until her thoughts could be collected. “The zap apple harvest… he isn’t going to be well in time is he?”

“That’s precisely why Ah’m here.” Applejack said.

“Oh Applejack I… I want to help, I really do but…” Twilight started.

“Ah know, Twi, you’ve got a lot on your plate already. Ah didn’t come askin’ for your help like that.” Applejack said.

“Then what did you need from me? Anything I can do to help, I’m happy to do it.” Twilight said with an apologetic smile.

“Ah seem to recall a spell you said you’d been working on. If Ah remember right, it was supposed ta help ya stay up studying on the nights Princess Celestia gave you those ridiculous reading assignments.” Applejack said.

“Yes, but how will that help you?” Twilight asked.

“Well, Ah may not be studying late into the night, but Ah will have to figure out a way ta stay awake long enough to get those zap-apples harvested.” Applejack said, leading Twilight to come to the conclusion on her own.

“Oh I don’t know AJ…. I haven’t perfected that spell yet and I have no idea what kind of side effects it might have. Besides, you’d be using it to keep up your strength; all I needed it for was to stay awake a couple more hours for reading.” Twilight said.

“Twi, Ah wouldn’t ask if it weren’t absolutely necessary. Granny Smith has gotten us into quite a financial pickle, and if Ah don’t meet Filthy Rich’s quota, Ah’m gonna lose the farm!” Applejack admitted, unable to conceal the panic in her tone.

Twilight furrowed her brow and opened her mouth to protest, but was unable to find the right words. Feeling the pressure of the situation and the frantic pleading in her friend’s voice she knew she couldn’t refuse.

“I hope you know what you’re doing Applejack” She cautioned, leading her friend from the library to retrieve her spell.