Winona’s Service; Applejack’s Fear
Whenever Applejack felt trapped, she found her way to her parents’ tree. The twisting pear-apple branches felt sturdier than the barn, and the distance from it all could help calm the racing panic in Applejack’s heart. The heavy beats sought to break free from her chest like a desperate fruit bat, searching for the nearest prized apple to destroy. The nearest life to ruin. The pests seemed to crawl through her skin, weedling thoughts into her head: the barn collapsing with Granny and Mac inside, the monsters of the Everfree creeping too close to Apple Bloom before they can be stopped, before Applejack can protect her like she just barely did on the pie run… Applejack could hardly breathe. Even though it had not happened. Yet.
Apple Bloom left an hour ago for her first solo pie run. She was a big, strong pony, just like her siblings. She would be fine. But Applejack knew the truth. Applejack was the one supposed to do the pie runs. Her duty, her family. She couldn’t lose more family to those treacherous swamps, those offensive beasts of death and despair. But Big Mac had given her one of his looks, and she knew he thought it time. Time for their little sister to take on her first solo adventure… Mama would be so proud, yet that was how she and Daddy died.
She could see it in her mind’s eye. Her parents’ twisting forms shredded by the tinderwolves. Their bravery in the final moments, until the pain consumed them and they cried themselves to death as they were eaten. The blood feeding the path Applejack had crossed… Apple Bloom had almost died on before…
No. It was okay now. It wouldn’t be the same. Applejack, waiting for her parents to come home, as day after day passed and they never returned… Apple Bloom would come back. Wouldn’t she?
Applejack’s head spun. The tree wasn’t enough to root her to the ground out of her racing mind. She needed to run.
The apple trees passed quickly as she galloped; her legs taking her farther and faster as each breath strained against her chest. She felt her hat fly off, but she didn’t go back for it. Down the hills, past the farm. Distantly, she heard a yapping dog. Startled by timberwolves? Could they be out this early in the day? Apple Bloom, I’m coming!
Suddenly, Applejack was tumbling. She distantly felt the ache of each hit. It couldn’t overcome her beating heart. Finally, she settled to rest at the bottom of the hill. She tried, and failed, to struggle to her feet. The barking, though, sounded closer. Apple Jack recognized it in an instant.
“Winona?”
The little dog popped up in front of her. Her legs planted facing her, like she was in a stand off with some of nearby cow herd after an accidental stampede. Apple Jack blinked. Winona wagged her tail.
“Ruff!”
“What are you doing out here? Shouldn’t you be back at the farm?”
Applejack looked around. Come to think of it, the area she found herself in seemed different than anywhere she remembered. She must have lost sight of the route in her panic. As if the devil, the nausea rose to her throat on cue. Apple Bloom. She couldnt save her from her!
“RUFF!” The sharp bark pierced Applejack’s ears.
“Ow! What in tarnation was that for, Winona?”
Winona just stared at her expectantly, tail still wagging. She took a step closer. Then another, then another. Until the vicious little farm dog had found its place snuggled up against apple jack. It lay its head over her heart. Applejack didn’t know what to do. Her heart felt like it would explode, but Winona it seemed to be calming down. Her wet nose nuzzling Applejack’s chin… the cool sensation made Applejack realize how hot she was. Drenched in sweat from her run and covered in dirt from her fall… Her fall! Applejack looked for her leg. Thankfully, it wasn’t broken. Though her ankle did not look too hot… or rather, that’s exactly what it looked like, swollen up like a hot air balloon. Applejack sighed. Great. Big Mac would kill her for this later. Running about all reckless… Applejack knew better!
Winona nuzzled her again, as if in agreement, and Applejack noticed her heartrate had finally come down. Her breathing had steadied, too. She looked at Winona in amazement.
“Well aren’t you a smart little doggie.”
Winona wagged her tail. Stretching her non-injured legs, Applejack gently pushed Winona off her and tried to rise to a stand. This time, it worked, but her sprained ankle still wouldn’t support her. She glanced at Winona. The dog was too small to offer her any help in walking. Plus, Applejack still didn’t know what direction to go in. She sighed. What were her options? Stay here and wait for the Timberwolves to actually come out and find her, or…
“Ruff!”
An idea started to form in Applejack’s mind. Winona knew the names of all the Apple family by now. It was common for them to send her to another for help doing their chores. So maybe…
“Winona, find Big Mac. Bring him here, ya hear?”
Winona ruffed. Applejack could only hope she understood as the little pupper took off running. Still, she could not let it be her only plan. Let’s see, what could she use to make a splint…
…
The sun had started to set by the time Big Mac appeared like a knight in shining armor at the top of the hill. Winona jumped barking by his side. Applejack couldn’t blame her; she was just as excited to see the two of them.
“What on earth were you thinking?” Big Mac grumbled when he reached her. Her ankle was splinted to help take the weight off it, but that didn’t do anything to hide its status as an injury. Applejack flushed. Hours ago, she would have retorted something about going to help Apple Bloom, but the truth is her panic made her a fool. The only reason things weren’t even worse… She stared at their little farm dog, affection swelling in her eyes. She threw her forelegs around Big Mac. She was crying.
Big Mac chittered in surprise. Then, he started to rub his sister’s back, humming a song only they remembered. Slowly, Applejack removed herself from her brother’s hold. She lowered her nose to Winona and nuzzled her before straightening.
“Let’s go home.”
“Yup.”
…
The panic attacks did not stop for Applejack, but Winona didn’t stop her stubborn attempts to make her pony feel better, either. She started to breath easier again. Just by Winona’s company, the fear felt so much farther. She brought her with to town to do her shopping. Of course, with chores on the farm. Rarity even accepted the dog’s presence in her shop. “Only if she’s well-behaved. I don’t want poor Opalescence being chased by some rascal…” She melted looking at Winona. “Well, I suppose if she helps you Applejack she must be pretty grand… pretty grand indeed.” Soon, Winona had a vest of her own. A light brown leather vest with the words Apple Family Farm and Applejack’s Assistance Dog embroidered on the sides. Rarity added shiny apples on the rims, of course, but for her the project was relatively simple. Applejack appreciated it. She even brought Winona to Fluttershy’s cottage, where the pony, with Discord’s encouragement, hosted a weekly group that talked through their fears. Honestly, Applejack thought, it was nice. Even if it took her a while to get used to the idea due to her pride, Winona made it seem possible that she could get better. She could be better. For herself and her family. She worried about them still, just like Apple Bloom and Big Mac did after the incident, but its interference with her life lessoned. Next time Apple Bloom left on a pie run, Applejack was even able to smile, proud of how far her little sister at come. She knew she could get through this. Winona helped her be brave.
Author's Note
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