Applejack and The Liquid of Life

Twilight Sparkle sat in her foyer, and took a sip of tea. She had written to Princess Celestia ten minutes prior, asking if the sun goddess could find a cure for Applejack’s troubles. Twilight was hopefully that Celestia found something, and was waiting for a reply.

As she took another sip, she heard a noise and looked to hall outside the foyer. Spike soon turned his head around the corner, bearing a scroll in his left hand.

“This is for you, Twi”, he said.

“Thank you, Spike”, Twilight responded.

She magically brought it to herself, opened the scroll, and started to read.

Dear Twilight Sparkle,

I knew not of what hardships had been troubling our fair Applejack. Your letter opened me to her struggles, and made me want to find a cure immensely fast.

I searched my archive, and I found an item that will help the Apple family immensely. If you’ll allow me, I’d like to talk to Applejack and the rest of her family in the flesh.

I was thinking I could arrive tomorrow, so that they may receive the news as possible.

With love, Princess Celestia

Upon finishing the letter, Twilight’s eyes lit up.

“Uh, Twilight? What’s wrong?”, Spike asked worriedly.

Twilight, seeing his concern, snapped out of her trance.

“Heh, nothing Spike”, she blushed,”I need you to watch the castle for a bit. I need to go see Applejack right away”.

“Ok Twilight”, Spike nodded with a smile.

Twilight rushed out of the castle, eager to tell Applejack of the news.

——————————————————————

Apple Bloom trotted into the hall outside her sisters room, checking on her sister. Applejack was tired, and seeing as how the trees weren’t responsive, she took a rare mid-day nap.

Apple Bloom peered through the door, and saw her sister sitting the edge of her bed. She was looking at a book, a look of both nostalgia and sadness on her face.

“Hiya Applejack, watcha’ readin’?”, the youngest Apple said.

Applejack turned towards the filly and tried her best to form a smile.

“Hey Bloom, just looking at an album. Found it in mah closet”, Applejack began”,Has a bunch’a pictures of our reunions and relatives”.

Apple Bloom smiled, but she knew why AJ was looking at those books. She may have been young, but she could see that their lives were changing. With Granny’s health and the trees on their last legs, she saw her siblings become more quiet and sad. She didn’t like it one bit.

“Applejack?”, the filly called out.

“Yeah?”, Applejack said back.

“Why are ya’ so sad? You’ve always kept a head up and a smile on, but right now Ah don’t see either one”, Apple Bloom asked.

Applejack looked up from the book, and for Apple Bloom to come sit on the bed beside her.
The filly sat, and Applejack began to speak.

“Yer’ right, Apple Bloom. Ah’ve kinda let this take over me. Ah’ve known Granny Smith for all mah life, and Ah’ve always seem her come back from any sickness. Ah guess Ah’ve lost mah optimistic side. Ah know you don’t understan-!”, she was cut of by Apple Bloom’s voice.

“Don’t understand? Of course Ah understand what’s goin’ on, Applejack! Ah may be a filly, but Ah can still see that it’s bad right now. Yer’ forgettin’ that Ah’ve known her long too! She’s the closest thing Ah’ve ever had to a mother! If anypony doesn’t understand right now, it’s you!”, Apple Bloom said with passion.

“W-What do ya mean?”, a shocked Applejack asked.

“What Ah mean is that right now, ah’m not talking to the real Applejack. The real Applejack wouldn’t let the pain take over! She’d wipe off that pain and carry on. Ya’ don’t like you’re gonna start doin’ that anytime soon, AJ”, Bloom said,”Ah just want mah big sister back. Ah hate seein’ you so down. Ah love you, Applejack; Ah love you”.

Applejack saw that tears were forming in her sisters eyes, and soon her eyes began to do the same. She embraced her sister, holding her for a while before a knock at the door broke the tender moment.

“Ah better get that, Apple Bloom”, Applejack said before rising up and heading for the door.

“Hey Applejack?”, Apple Bloom asked out.

“Yeah?”, Applejack looked back.

“Thanks for holdin’ me. Ah really needed that”, the filly smiled.

“No problem, Apple Bloom”, the elder Apple smiled before exiting the bedroom.
——————————————————————

Twilight knocked on the door of the old home, waiting for somepony to answer. She was excited to share the news with Applejack and the rest of the family, and she knew they’d be happy to hear it.

Soon, the door opened to find Applejack, slightly misty-eyed.

“Howdy Twilight, What brings you around?”, Applejack asked.

“Applejack, I have great news!”, Twilight began”, I wrote to Princess Celestia about all the troubles you’ve been having, and she found a solution!”

Applejack’s eyes went wide. A solution? An end to all this pain? Did the Princess really find something?!

“R-Really? Ya mean it?”, the farmer said with shock.

“Yes I do, AJ. I’m fact, The Princess will be stopping by to talk to you and your family tomorrow and explain what the remedy is”, Twilight said with a smile.

Time stood still for a moment, and then for the first time in a long time, a smile made itself known across Applejack’s muzzle.