The Trauma Within

Chapter 4: The Fires To Haunt The Strong

She suddenly opened her eyes while feeling a gentle breeze on a hilltop overlooking a huge area of apple trees. The starry sky above revealed intricate celestial patterns, unobscured by light pollution. She was unable to move her body aside from her head, so she turned to look at the surroundings.

In the distance, she noticed a mountain with its northern face blown off that had the shape of a horseshoe; the landscape next to it was barren before small bushes would gently turn into larger trees the further from it.

She had heard stories of that mountain being called "Mount Fuji” of America before something awful had happened in that part. Close by was a large lake with the moonlight reflecting off the water, with what appeared to look like a mansion along its shore then off in the distance”,” the lights of the nearby towns.

But the most prominent feature was a majestic mountain, like a god watching ancient lands; it towered over the area. She remembered her grandma telling her stories about how the mountain got the Native American name, Tahoma”.”

She slowly walked down the hill toward her house and barn, her eyes drawn to the ripe, heavy-laden apple trees. Though she didn't realize it, the Apple family's success over the years was not solely due to their careful planning and planting but also the vital support of nature itself.

The soil was nutrient-rich, with elements replenished by a gray type of rock material, which was shown by some mixed-colored rock on small streams. The weather was a lot milder, as she felt the nice cool temperatures with the breeze continuing to blow her yellow hair to the side.

But as she walked slowly to the barn, an eerie silence descended, causing her growing unease. Despite her mounting nervousness, she forced herself to keep walking at a measured pace, unwilling to rush. Then her nose began to detect the scent of smoke but assumed it was from a nearby campfire, as the area at this time of year was a popular camping destination. However, upon closer inspection, she noticed no active campfires.

As she drew nearer to the barn and well-kept small farmhouse, the smell of smoke intensified, raising her concern about a potential fire. Suddenly, without warning, as if a time bomb went off, a massive explosion devastated the house.

Her eyes widened rapidly as her hands trembled aggressively. She tried to run back to the hill, but the confines of the dream only allowed her to move at a slow, agonizing pace towards the burning house.

As she slowly approached the house, she saw five shadowy figures trapped in the burning debris. Desperate to help, she tried to run and call for assistance, but for some reason, she couldn’t take action. Suddenly, the wall collapsed, and three familiar people emerged—a younger version of Big Mac carrying a baby, followed by a young girl, their faces etched with cuts. She felt a glimmer of relief to see them unharmed. Then, to her surprise, an older lady came out of it. Her arm had some small red lines, but it didn’t look severe, though the sadness on her face was palpable.

She pondered within her mind, "What happened to start this? Was it an accident or an attack? Was it the house burning down or the damaged barn that made her look so down? At least the apple trees seem unharmed, and everyone is safe. I believe..." The vivid dream forced her to walk slowly into the burning house, even though she did not want to. Slowly and mysteriously, she entered the horrific scene. She saw somebody was crushed under debris, and his body was slowly burning. A large wooden piece had pierced his side, as evidenced by the dry liquid on the piece.

Her eyes suddenly filled up with water as tears went down her cheeks, unable to touch or feel him as it was like she was only allowed to watch in anguish. Then she slowly walked into what looked like a living room, and then her eyes widened as an even more devastating sight lay in front.

A young female that was surrounded by red and orange colors had suffered a gruesome fate. Debris had gone through her back and caused severe bleeding from her neck. The position of the blood sticking looked like her spine was protruding due to the violent impact, which also impaled the right part of her chest, leading to a sea of dry red. Her eyes flooded with water, like the waterfalls of the Amazon, as it continued to unfold before her.

The voice in her mind taunted, "If only you and your brother had been faster and braver, they might still be alive today. You've betrayed their legacy and dishonored the Apple name. Your actions caused them to bleed, suffer, and burn."

Applejack screamed in fear, "No, that's not true!"

Two lifeless bodies, riddled with injuries, rose and began circling Applejack. Slowly, their skin peeled away, revealing skeletal frames that then faded into ghostly apparitions, haunting her mind. The two dancing bodies then circled her, berating her, "You are the biggest disappointment. You and your brother could have saved us, but you chose to be cowards and run from the flames." She squeezed her eyes shut while liquid continued to flow on her face, but their voices only grew louder, as if they were screaming. She tried to block out the sound by covering her ears, but it was no use. Her breathing quickened as she felt on the verge of losing control. Finally she let out a desperate scream.

She cried out in anguish before screaming "stop!"

Suddenly, she felt something warm—not a fire, but sunlight. The damaged floor beneath her had transformed back into grass. As she opened her eyes, she found herself back on the hill overlooking the region, bathed in sunshine. Though still trembling and crying from the distressing scene, she began to regain control of her emotions over the next few minutes. Then, two gravestones appeared, bearing two names, and a bouquet was placed in her hands as she approached the graves. She started to sob softly, though she fought to maintain her composure.

She said, voice trembling with emotion, "I'm so sorry I couldn't save you that day. I wish I could see you again." She paused, fighting back tears. "You loved and cared for me, my brother, and my younger sister with all your hearts. I'm sorry I failed you." She again broke down, shoulders shaking as she began to sob uncontrollably. The memory of them once so full of life and success now haunts her. If only she could turn back time.

For a few minutes, some baby birds started to sing. Applejack's crying stopped as she closed her eyes and listened to the sounds of nature. She could hear her heartbeat and breathing, slowly trying to make sense of her thoughts. A peaceful breeze then began, gently blowing her hair. However, Applejack's calm was suddenly disrupted by a distinct explosion. She quickly looked back at the house and barn but saw no smoke or damage. The apple trees were unharmed, but the birds and animals were fleeing.

She then turned her gaze to the mountain, where an unusual sight met her eyes. A cloud was rising from the peak, spreading like the branches of an umbrella pine. To her alarm, more explosions followed, accompanied by a light show as if the earth violently woke up. Particles fragmented and collided. The icy mountain further illuminated the terrifying display.

She watched the cloud with a mix of curiosity and trepidation as she questioned what it was and how it worked. However, the cloud soon became unstable, collapsing and moving rapidly towards Sweet Apple Acres; the flow moved slowly, allowing her to observe the trees and landscape being scorched.

The cloud lit up with flashes of thin blue streaks and orange glows within the eerie, creeping cloud, causing her heart to race and sending shivers down her spine as it approached the farm. All of this was unfolding within a fast-moving cloud heading straight for her and Sweet Apple Acres. Yet she found herself unable to move, powerless to escape the impending disaster.

The surge started to scorch the apple trees as she felt the overwhelming energy of the flow. Paralyzed with fear, she wished she could flee, but she was held in place as time slowed to a crawl. Another girl’s agonizing cries filled her head, driving her to the brink of insanity and uncontrollable weeping, though her sobs were drowned out by the rumbling surge closing in. Just as the flow seemed to target her, it surged forward, slamming into her.

She felt her body ignite with searing pain but had the presence of mind to cover her mouth, shielding her lungs from the noxious dust gases. In brief, horrific moments, she watched as the barn, house, fields, and forest were engulfed in flames. Animals were reduced to fossils. She saw some animals get impaled by pieces of debris from the cloud and the snapped trees.

As the flow subsided, a thick layer of dust rained down. She then displayed remarkable strength, rose to her feet, one eye melted away from the intense heat, her face and body bloodied, burned, and cut with her seeing parts hanging off. She staggered forward, compelling her towards a valley blanketed in boiling material and mud—and something even more terrifying awaited her there.

She spoke up, "Sunset Shimmer?"

Sunset Shimmer was severely burned, with the skin peeled off. Crimson-colored liquid ran down the side of her legs. Then her focus turned towards a lifeless girl in her arms. It appeared to look like Fluttershy by the dark green burnt look on what seemed to be the remains of a dress.

Sunset began to sob uncontrollably while looking down at the body. She reached into her pocket and retrieved a pistol before aiming it at her chin, then a loud crack was heard. Blood , gray and white pieces of brain flew out of the top of Sunset’s head with red liquid flowing rapidly before she fell over, Part of her skull wide open with cracks extending to the edge of her head.

After seeing everything with her eyes, she got on her knees before tears started to trickle down her cheeks. Then she let out a piercing scream at the top of her lungs. A loud bang was heard before she suddenly awoke, shaking and overcome with emotion.