For Ponyville

The sun rose over Ponyville. The rooster had crowed and almost everypony was up. Rarity woke and went to take a shower before opening up Carousel Boutique for the day. Rainbow Dash woke and took a few laps around her house before reporting to the Wonderbolt Corps. Fluttershy woke up and went to feed her animals breakfast. Pinkie woke up super excited because she was supposed to cater to a birthday party that morning. Twilight woke up and embarked on her first day of teaching Starlight Glimmer about friendship.

It was a different day for Applejack however, as she had to tend to the cows that day. Big Mac was responsible for applebucking that day. When Applejack went to wake the cows, a very smelly stench filled the air.

“What the hay is that?” She asked herself as she went to investigate. When she went into the cow stables, it was a horrible sight. Every cow in the stables was on its side, dead. Flies and other insects were buzzing around. Applejack let out a gasp of shock and disbelief.

“H-how?!” She asked trotting in place quickly almost on the verge of tears.

Applebloom happened to hear it and came running in to see what was wrong.

“What’s wrong si…” She stopped and looked at the horrid sight in front of her. These were the only cows that were in Ponyville. Without them, there would be no milk at all and milk was a vital resource in Ponyville.

“I…I don’t know what to…say…” Applejack said sniffling trying to hold back the tears. Applebloom went to Applejack’s side and hugged her to try to make her feel better.

“Oh Applebloom…thanks for trying to…comfort me…but…” Applejack sniffled again. Applebloom hugged Applejack tighter. She didn’t like seeing her older sister like this. She started sniffling too.

After five minutes of trying to fight the tears, the two finally got themselves together.

“We…should better go tell Twilight…” Applejack stated.

“O-okay…” Applebloom stated as they shut the barn up so that way the smell wouldn’t spread. Meanwhile in Twilight’s castle, Twilight was telling a story to Starlight Glimmer about how her studies almost got the best of her.

“…And I’m very grateful up to this day that Celestia sent me down here to Ponyville. Who knows what I would’ve been doing if I hadn’t moved here. Heh, I wouldn’t have even gotten these wings and become the Princess of Friendship.” Twilight explained with a smile spreading her wings.

“B-boy…now that makes me feel even worse…filling up with jealousy because of one cutie mark…” Glimmer said lowering her head.

“Starlight, you don’t have to berate yourself. The past has passed. Look at now, you’ve got the Princess of Friendship by your side teaching you how to become a better pony and most of all a better friend.” Twilight stated.

“Y…you’re…” Before Starlight could say her next word, the door swung open and Applebloom and Applejack were revealed. They were both panting and short of breath.

“Whoa…what’s the matter Applejack? Everything okay at Sweet Apple Acres?” Twilight asked.

“The…the cows…” Applejack said panting and trying not to fall out from exhaustion.

“What about them?” Twilight asked.

“They’re…they’re…dead…” Applebloom stated.

“WHAT?!” Twilight asked with a jolt of shock getting a wingboner in the process.

“Starlight…I…we have to stop early today…I’m sorry…” Twilight said to Starlight.

“Okay…” Starlight said a little disappointed.

“You wouldn’t mind me coming with you all…right?” Starlight asked. Starlight was still a bit hesitant to trust Twilight’s other friends.

“Not at all.” Applebloom chimed.

“Th-thanks.” Starlight said smiling at Applebloom.

The three headed for Sweet Apple Acres, after Twilight got her book on infectious diseases. When they arrived, Applejack stood by the stable door.

“Now…the stench is gonna be mighty strong. I suggest you…cover your noses…” Applejack warned. She then opened the door. A big wisp of the nasty stench blew out the barn. Everypony covered their nostrils. Once the waft was clear, they entered. Twilight examined the cows for any outer scratches and wounds.

“Okay, it certainly was not foul play. Nopony physically harmed your cows.” Twilight stated. She then examined the cows’ abdominal area. Bloat was a common disease in cows, which was caused by consuming harmful types of grass. However, the cows’ abdominal areas were at their natural states.

“No bloat either.” Twilight stated. Applejack sighed.

“Then what is it?” She asked, getting slightly impatient.

“Patience Applejack, it takes a while for me to figure out what could’ve killed these cows of yours.” Twilight stated. She then looked in her manual for diseases related to cows.

“If it doesn’t have to deal with the digestive system nor the physical as the cows don’t have any marks. I think…it has to do with…the heart, the cardiovascular system.” Twilight stated turning her manual to the page about heart diseases.

“Aha. I think I may have got it. I think…these cows have suffered from a heart disease due to blood clots. I suspect that the blood clots have to deal with something they may have eaten.” Twilight deduced.

“Hmmm. Foul play could still be present here, honestly.” Applejack stated.

“The grass wasn’t fertilized wasn’t it?” Applebloom asked.

“No Applebloom, remember, grass doesn’t get fertilized during the summertime…” Applejack stated.

“It’s definitely a cardiovascular disease. I just can’t pinpoint the exact disease…” Twilight stated.

“But really, this doesn’t solve our problem. Where will we get our milk from now? We would have to travel all the way down to the Foal Mountains because that’s where these cows were born and raised before they were imported here.” Applejack stated nervously. She’d never trekked down to the Foal Mountains and it was a pretty long journey from Ponyville to there.

“You know…there is a certain mare who could help…” Twilight remembered.

“You mean…that…Milkmare of Trottingham?” Applejack asked with a faint smile on her face.

“Yep. You remember how she was born right? She had a genetic mutation that caused her mammary glands to produce more milk than usual. It’s why she always has to carry around a pump to make sure her breasts don’t grow too big and full of milk.” Twilight stated. Applebloom happened to hear this and blushed at the fact.

“But…what if she’s…not in Trottingham? What if she’s outside of Trottingham, helping other ponies in need of milk?” Applejack asked.

“Oh Applejack, don’t be that negative. Even if she’s not there…it’ll still be worth the trek.” Twilight stated. Applejack sighed at the fact.

“Ok…if you say so…” She said.