The Caretaker

It was a bright and sunny Sunday morning in Ponyville. The kind of morning that seemed to promise adventure, mischief, and... well, let's be honest, a whole lot of potential for clumsiness. Especially if your name happens to be Derpy Hooves.

Derpy, the town's lovable, cross-eyed mailmare, had the day off. No letters to deliver, no packages to misplace, and no angry ponies to apologize to. It was her day, her time to do whatever she pleased. And what did Derpy please to do? Fly through the orchards of Sweet Apple Acres, of course!

"Ah, what a beautiful day!" Derpy sang to herself as she soared over the lush apple trees. "No mail, no problem, just me and the sky!" She twirled in the air, her wings flapping haphazardly as she did a little mid-air jig. "Wheee!"

As she flew, her attention was captured by the vibrant green leaves and the ripe, red apples hanging from the branches. They were so shiny, so tempting. Her stomach rumbled.

"Mmm, apples," she murmured. "I wonder if Applejack would mind if I borrowed just one..."

But before she could make a decision about her potential apple thievery, something caught her eye. Or rather, some animal. A small, bushy-tailed squirrel scampered along a branch, nibbling on an acorn. Derpy's eyes widened with delight.

"Aww, look at the cute wittle squirrel!" she cooed. "Hey there, Mr. Squirrel! Whatcha doing? Eating an acorn? That looks yummy!"

The squirrel paused mid-nibble, staring at her with its beady little eyes. It tilted its head, as if trying to decide whether the strange, gray Pegasus talking to it was a friend or a foe.

Derpy giggled. "You're so adorable! I wish I could be a squirrel. No responsibilities, just acorns and trees and—"

Her musings were abruptly interrupted as she continued to fly forward, her eyes still locked on the squirrel. She didn't notice the large, sturdy apple tree directly in her path.

"—and no mail to deliver! I could just—"

WHAM!

Derpy collided with the tree headfirst at full speed. The impact was immediate and painful. Stars exploded in her vision, and a sound that could only be described as "bonk" reverberated through her skull.

"Ouch! What in Equestria—" she started, but the pain quickly overwhelmed her. Her eyes, which were always a little out of sync, now seemed to spin in opposite directions.

She slumped against the tree, her body suddenly feeling like it was made of lead. She blinked, trying to clear her vision, but the world around her was a blurry mess of green, red, and brown.

"That was... not smart," she muttered to herself. "Stupid tree... Why'd you have to be in my way?"

Her head throbbed, a dull, pounding ache that seemed to grow worse by the second. She tried to move, but her limbs felt heavy and uncooperative. It was as if they were filled with jelly instead of bones and muscles.

Derpy's mind, usually a whimsical jumble of thoughts and ideas, was now struggling to focus. All she could think about was the pain. It radiated from her head down to her neck and shoulders, and every attempt to move only made it worse.

"Okay, Derpy, think," she told herself, though her thoughts were sluggish and jumbled. "You need to... you need to..."

What did she need to do? She couldn't remember. All she knew was that she needed to get up and move, but even that seemed impossible right now.

Her vision swam again, and she groaned. "Ugh, this is worse than that time I ate too many muffins at Pinkie's party... or that time I tried to deliver mail while blindfolded... or..."

Her internal monologue was cut short as a wave of dizziness washed over her. She felt herself slipping, losing her grasp on consciousness. The world around her faded to black, the pain in her head becoming a distant throb.

The last thing she saw before everything went dark was the squirrel, still nibbling on its acorn, watching her with what she could have sworn was a look of mild concern.

And then, Derpy Hooves knew no more.

At the same time, Applejack was making her usual rounds through the orchard, her trusty Stetson hat shading her eyes from the bright sun. She was humming a little tune, feeling proud of the rows of apple trees stretching out before her. They were all in perfect order, apples glistening in the sunlight, ready for harvest.

"Just another beautiful day," she said to herself, nodding in satisfaction. "Ain't nothing gonna spoil this day."

Her peaceful walk was interrupted by a curious sight. Ahead, under one of the biggest apple trees, was a gray blur. As she got closer, she recognized the tangled blond mane and the unmistakable cutie mark of bubbles.

"Well, I'll be... Is that Derpy?" Applejack's eyes widened as she realized the mailmare was lying motionless on the ground. "What in tarnation happened here!?"

She quickened her pace, her heart starting to race. As she reached Derpy, she could see that her friend was in bad shape. There was a nasty bump on her head, and she was completely out cold.

"Derpy! Hey, Derpy! Can ya hear me?" Applejack gently shook her, but there was no response. "Oh, ponyfeathers, this ain't good."

Applejack looked around frantically, trying to decide what to do. Leaving Derpy here was not an option. She had to get her back to the farmhouse and call for help. Without another moment's hesitation, she bent down, hooked her forelegs under Derpy's and started dragging her back towards the house.

"Come on, sugarcube, hang in there," Applejack muttered as she pulled. "We gotta get ya some help."

It was tough going. Derpy was heavier than she looked, and the orchard seemed to stretch on forever. Applejack gritted her teeth, determined to get her friend to safety.

Finally, the farmhouse came into view. "Just a little further," she panted. "Almost there."

As she dragged Derpy up to the porch, the door swung open and Granny Smith appeared. "Applejack, what in the world is goin' on? Who's that ya got there?"

"It's Derpy, Granny!" Applejack said urgently. "She had a bad fall in the orchard. We need to call a doctor, quick!"

Granny Smith's eyes widened as she took in the scene. "Oh my stars! Apple Bloom! Big Mac! Get out here, quick!"

Apple Bloom came running out of the house, her eyes wide with worry. "What happened to Derpy? Is she gonna be okay?"

"We're gonna do our best, sugarcube," Applejack said, trying to stay calm. "But we need to get her inside and call the doctor. Can ya help me lift her?"

Big Macintosh appeared in the doorway, his face serious. "Eeyup," he said, stepping forward to help.

Together, they carefully lifted Derpy and carried her inside, laying her down on the floor as gently as they could. Applejack grabbed a bunch of bandages and started wrapping them around Derpy's head, trying to stop the bleeding.

"Apple Bloom, go get the first aid kit," Applejack instructed. "And Big Mac, call the doctor and tell 'em we need help right away."

Apple Bloom nodded, tears streaming down her face as she ran to fetch the kit. Big Mac headed to the phone, his usual calm demeanor replaced with urgency.

"Don't ya worry, Derpy," Applejack said softly as she worked. "We're gonna take care of ya. Just hang in there."

Apple Bloom returned with the first aid kit, her little hooves shaking as she handed it to Applejack. "Is she gonna be okay, AJ? She looks so hurt..."

Applejack's heart ached seeing her sister so upset. "She's tough, Apple Bloom. She's gonna pull through, you'll see. Now, help me with these bandages."

They worked quickly, doing their best to stabilize Derpy's neck and head, making sure she was lying straight on the floor. The whole family was gathered around her, each doing their part to help.

Granny Smith bustled about, making sure they had everything they needed. "Keep her head steady, Apple Bloom. We don't want her gettin' more hurt than she already is."

Big Macintosh came back, his expression serious. "Doctor's on the way. Told 'em it was an emergency."

Applejack nodded, relief flooding through her. "Good. Now we just gotta keep her stable till they get here."

Apple Bloom was trying her best to stay strong, but the sight of Derpy lying so still was almost too much for her. "Why did this have to happen!? She never bothers anypony; she’s always mindin' her own business..."

Applejack put a comforting hoof on her sister's shoulder. "Sometimes accidents happen, Apple Bloom. But we're doin' everything we can to help her. And once the doctor gets here, they'll know what to do."

The minutes seemed to stretch on forever. Every now and then, Derpy would stir slightly, letting out a faint groan, but she didn't wake up. The worry in the room was palpable, but the Apple family stayed focused, working together to keep her stable (no pun intended).

Finally, there was the sound of hooves outside, and the door burst open to reveal the town doctor, followed by a couple of paramedics. They quickly assessed the situation, and the doctor knelt down beside Derpy.

"Let's see what we have here," he said, his voice calm and reassuring. "You've done a good job stabilizing her. We'll take it from here."

Applejack stepped back, her heart pounding in her chest. "Is she gonna be okay, Doc?"

The doctor looked up, giving her a reassuring smile. "We'll do everything we can. She's in good hooves now."

The paramedics worked quickly and efficiently, carefully placing Derpy on a stretcher and securing her neck and head. As they prepared to transport her, the doctor gave Applejack a nod.

"Thank you for getting her here so quickly. That probably made a big difference."

Applejack managed a small smile, though her worry hadn't lessened. "We just want her to be okay."

As they carried Derpy out to the waiting ambulance, Apple Bloom clung to Applejack, tears still in her eyes. "Will we be able to visit her, AJ?"

Applejack hugged her sister tightly. "’Course we will, Apple Bloom. We'll be there for her every step of the way."

They watched as the ambulance drove off, the siren fading into the distance. The Apple family stood together, united in their concern for their friend.

News of Derpy's accident spread through Ponyville faster than a cupcake sale at Sugarcube Corner. By noon, everypony was talking about it, from the market stalls to the schoolhouse. Within a day, it seemed that every pony in town was on tenterhooks, waiting for updates about their beloved, albeit clumsy, mailmare.

"Did you hear about Derpy?" a flower seller whispered to her customer.

"I heard she's in bad shape," replied the customer, shaking her head sadly.

The whispers and rumors flew around like leaves in a storm, each story more dramatic than the last. Some said Derpy had miraculously recovered and was now able to fly backwards. Others claimed she was secretly a superhero who had been injured while saving Equestria from a disaster nopony knew about. But the truth was far more mundane and much sadder.

Five weeks after the accident, the tension in Ponyville had only increased. Applejack, Twilight, and Rarity finally decided it was time to visit Derpy. They'd been advised against it before due to the severity of her condition and the complexity of the hospital's rules. But now, they heard she was getting better. Or at least, they hoped she was.

The three friends made their way to Ponyville General Hospital, their hearts heavy with worry. They walked through the hospital halls, which were filled with the sterile smell of disinfectant and the quiet hum of medical equipment. It was a far cry from the bustling, colorful world outside.

"This place always gives me the shivers," Rarity said, shivering slightly. "So... clinical."

"Just stay strong, y'all," Applejack said, trying to keep her own voice steady. "We're here for Derpy."

Twilight nodded, her wings twitching nervously at her sides. "I just hope she's okay. I mean, better than the last time we heard from the medical staff."

When they reached Derpy's room, they paused outside the door, taking a deep breath. Applejack pushed it open gently, and they walked inside.

The sight that greeted them was heart-wrenching. Derpy lay in the hospital bed, her body almost completely still. She was hooked up to various machines, including an oxygen tank that hissed and sighed with every breath she took. Her eyes were half-open but unfocused, staring blankly at the ceiling.

"Oh, Derpy..." Rarity whispered, her eyes filling with tears. "This is dreadful."

The room was dimly lit, the only sound the beeping of the heart monitor and the pony’s heavy breathing. Derpy looked so small and fragile, a far cry from the cheerful, bumbling pony they all knew and loved.

Twilight stepped forward, her heart aching at the sight of her friend. "Derpy, it's us," she said softly. "Applejack, Rarity, and me. We're here to see you."

There was no response, not even a flicker of recognition in Derpy's eyes. It was as if she was there, but not really present.

Applejack swallowed hard, trying to keep her emotions in check. "Do ya think she can hear us?"

Before Twilight could respond, the doctor walked in. He was a middle-aged unicorn with a kind face but a serious expression. "Good afternoon, ladies," he said quietly. "I'm Dr. Canter. I've been looking after Miss Hooves."

Rarity turned to him, her voice trembling. "Doctor, what... what can you tell us about her condition?"

Dr. Canter sighed, his eyes full of empathy. "I'm afraid it's not good. Derpy is in what we call a post-coma unresponsiveness state. Some call it a vegetative state. She has made some progress in that she can open her eyes, but she doesn't seem to be aware of her surroundings."

Twilight's eyes widened in shock. "Does that mean she doesn't know we're here?"

The doctor nodded sadly. "It's likely that she doesn't understand much of what's going on. We've seen a few guttural sounds and movements, but those are more reflexes than conscious actions."

Applejack's voice was thick with emotion. "Will she get better? Will she ever be the same Derpy we know?"

Dr. Canter hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "It's hard to say. Cases like this can vary widely. Some patients do improve over time, but many do not. Right now, it's important to provide care and support, but we have to be realistic about her chances."

Rarity couldn't hold back her tears any longer. "Oh, Derpy... it's just not fair."

The doctor placed a comforting hoof on her shoulder. "I know this is difficult. You're doing all you can by being here. Sometimes, just knowing that their friends care can make a difference, even if they can't respond."

Twilight nodded, wiping away her own tears. "We'll be here for her, no matter what."

The room fell into a somber silence, the three friends standing by Derpy's bedside, each lost in their own thoughts; it was a heartbreaking sight.

Applejack took a deep breath, trying to stay positive. "Derpy, if you can hear us, we're here for ya. And we ain't givin' up on ya."

Rarity dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief. "Yes, darling. We love you, and we're rooting for you to get better."

Twilight nodded, her voice steady but filled with emotion. "We'll come back to visit you, Derpy. We'll be here as often as we can."

As they stood there, the beeping of the heart monitor seemed to echo their hope. It was a difficult moment, but they knew they had to stay strong for their friend.

As the three friends stepped out of Derpy's hospital room, the weight of what they'd just seen hung heavily in the air. Their usually lively spirits were subdued, their steps slower, as they tried to process the sight of their dear friend in such a state. They barely noticed Dr. Canter as he approached them again, his face a mix of professional calm and personal sympathy.

"Thank you for coming," Dr. Canter said, his voice gentle. "I know it's not easy to see her like this."

Twilight sighed, her wings drooping. "We just want to help her, Doctor. Is there anything more we can do?"

Dr. Canter nodded thoughtfully. "Actually, there might be. Derpy is stable enough to leave the hospital, but she still needs constant care. She can't speak, move her limbs, raise her head, eat, drink, or go to the bathroom on her own. In-patient care is very expensive, and she might benefit from being in a more home-like setting. Unfortunately, we haven't been able to locate any reachable kin."

Rarity's eyes widened. "You mean she has no family to take care of her?"

"That's correct," Dr. Canter replied. "So, I'm asking if you know of anypony who might be willing to take on the responsibility. It's a lot of work and requires significant attention."

The three ponies exchanged glances, each considering the monumental task of caring for Derpy. Applejack, ever the practical one, was the first to speak up.

"Well, it did happen on my farm," she said slowly. "And I've got the most space and family members to help out. It won't be easy, but I reckon Sweet Apple Acres is the best place for her."

Twilight nodded. "Applejack, are you sure? This is a huge responsibility."

Applejack nodded firmly. "I'm sure. We Apples stick together, and we'll do everything we can to help Derpy. She needs us."

Rarity dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief. "Oh, Applejack, you're a true friend. Derpy is lucky to have you."

The doctor smiled, relieved. "Thank you, Applejack. We'll make sure you're fully briefed on her care. I would be remiss to say things will be easy, but with dedication and support, you can give her the best quality of life possible."

A couple of days later, Derpy was discharged from the hospital and transported to Sweet Apple Acres by ambulance. The Apple family gathered outside, waiting with a mix of anticipation and trepidation. As the ambulance pulled up, they could hear the gentle hum of the engine and the soft, rhythmic beeping of medical equipment.

Big Mac stood tall, his usual stoic expression a bit softer than usual. "Eeyup," he said quietly, bracing himself for what they were about to see.

Apple Bloom fidgeted nervously, clutching at Applejack's leg. "AJ, is Derpy gonna be okay here? I mean, really okay?"

Applejack put a comforting hoof on her sister's shoulder. "We're gonna do our best, Apple Bloom. It's gonna be a lotta work, but we're gonna make sure Derpy's taken care of."

The ambulance doors opened, and two nurses carefully wheeled Derpy out on a stretcher. She was still in a vegetative state, her body almost entirely covered in sheets. Her eyes were half-open, but they didn't focus on anything in particular. The sight was both heartbreaking and daunting.

"Goodness gracious," Granny Smith muttered, her eyes widening. "Poor gal looks like she's been through a war."

One of the nurses, a pegasus with a gentle demeanor, stepped forward with a clipboard. "Alright, let’s get her inside and situated. We’ve got a lot to go over."

The Apple family helped carry Derpy into the farmhouse and gently placed her in a specially prepared bed in one of the rooms on the ground floor. The nurse started going over the extensive list of recommendations and instructions.

"First, she'll need to be turned every two hours to prevent bedsores," the nurse explained, her voice calm but firm. "She has a feeding regimen, so you’ll need to follow these instructions for her nutrition. Here are the steps for administering medication. She’ll also need some physical therapy to prevent muscle atrophy, even though she can't move on her own."

Apple Bloom’s eyes grew wider with each new instruction. "That’s... a lot," she whispered, almost to herself.

The nurse continued, unperturbed. "She also requires regular cleaning and changing, as she can’t use the bathroom. Here are the hygiene routines you’ll need to follow. It’s important to monitor her vitals and look out for any signs of infection or distress."

Applejack nodded, taking notes on a notepad and accepting some documents secured with a large paperclip in her hooves. "We’ll handle it. Don’t you worry about that."

The nurse smiled sympathetically. "I know it seems overwhelming, but you’re doing a wonderful thing. If you have any questions or need help, don't hesitate to call the hospital. We’re here to support you."

Big Mac looked at the long list of instructions and let out a deep sigh. "Eeyup," he said, worry in his voice.

The nurse finally handed over the clipboard with all the details. "Alright, that’s everything. We’ll be checking in regularly to see how things are going."

As the nurse left, the family gathered around Derpy’s bed, each of them feeling the weight of the responsibility they’d taken on. The room was filled with the soft sounds of the medical equipment and the quiet, labored breathing of their friend.

Granny Smith broke the silence. "Well, we best get started. No time like the present."

Applejack nodded, rolling up her metaphorical sleeves. "Alright, family, let's show Derpy what Sweet Apple Acres is all about. We’re gonna take care of her, no matter what."

Over the next few days, the Apple family worked tirelessly to adjust to their new routine. They turned Derpy every two hours, fed her through the tube, administered her medication, and did everything they could to keep her comfortable. It was exhausting, but they were determined to give her the best care possible.

Despite the hard work, there were moments of levity and humor. Apple Bloom, in her youthful innocence, often tried to cheer Derpy up with silly jokes and stories.

"Hey, Derpy," Apple Bloom said one afternoon as she gently brushed the pegasus's mane. "Why did the scarecrow win an award? 'Cause he was outstanding in his field!"

Derpy didn't react, but Apple Bloom giggled anyway. "Don't worry, I'll keep telling 'em until I get a laugh outta ya."

Applejack watched her sister with a smile. "We’ll keep at it, Derpy," she said softly. "We’re here for ya, and we ain’t goin’ anywhere."

The days turned into weeks, and the Apple family settled into their new routine; Derpy would seem to show signs of improvement. Every small movement, every tiny sound, was a hopeful harbinger of better things to come.

In the quiet moments, when the farmhouse was still, Applejack would sit by Derpy's bedside and talk to her, sharing stories about the farm, their friends, and the town.

"You know, Derpy," she said one evening, her voice soft and filled with warmth. "Everypony in Ponyville is rootin’ for ya. We’re all waitin’ for the day you wake up and start tellin’ us about all the silly things you’ve been dreamin’ about. And I know that day’s gonna come. We just gotta be patient."

Applejack laughed for a moment, humored in her own thoughts in the same way that she knew Derpy would have humored her, “well, wouldn’t ya look at me, telling a patient how to be ‘patient’...” her voice trailed off as a tear fell from her eye.

Even more time passed at Sweet Apple Acres, and the Apple family settled into a routine with Derpy. Despite their best efforts, she wasn't showing much improvement. Her condition remained largely unchanged, but the family never lost hope. They continued to care for her with the same love and dedication they'd shown from the beginning.

One day, the Apple family prepared for the annual Cloudsdale Day festival. It was a big event, and they always sold a variety of apple-based baked goods. Granny Smith, Apple Bloom, and Applejack were busy packing up their cart with all sorts of treats: apple pies, apple fritters, caramel apples, and even Granny Smith's famous apple brown betty.

"Now, Applejack, don't forget to take extra jars of that homemade apple jam," Granny Smith reminded as she carefully placed a few more jars in the cart. "Folks in Cloudsdale can't get enough of it."

Apple Bloom hopped around excitedly. "I can't wait to see the Pegasi races! And we can try sellin' those new apple turnovers we made!"

Applejack smiled, adjusting her hat. "We'll sell out in no time. Cloudsdale Day is always a big hit."

With everything packed and ready, it was time for them to leave. Big Mac stood by the farmhouse, looking both nervous and excited. He was going to be in charge of Derpy while the others were away for the week.

"Big Mac, you sure you'll be alright takin' care of Derpy by yourself?" Applejack asked, her voice tinged with concern.

"Eeyup," Big Mac replied, though there was a hint of hesitation. "I'll manage."

"Just remember to turn her every two hours, feed her, give her medicine, and keep her clean," Apple Bloom added, listing off the responsibilities like a checklist.

Granny Smith patted Big Mac on the shoulder. "You got this, Big Mac. And if ya need any help, just holler for ol' Doc Canter."

With a final wave, the trio set off towards Cloudsdale, leaving Big Mac alone at the farmhouse. He watched them go, a mix of relief and anxiety bubbling inside him. He was happy to have the house to himself, but taking care of Derpy was no small task.

"Alright, Big Mac, you can do this," he muttered to himself as he walked back inside. "It's just for a week. What's the worst that could happen?"

For the first couple of days, Big Mac diligently followed the care instructions. He turned Derpy every two hours, fed her, administered her medication, and kept her clean. But by day two, he was starting to feel overwhelmed.

"This is harder than buckin' apples all day," he grumbled, wiping sweat from his brow after wrestling with Derpy's feeding tube.

By day three, Big Mac's resolve began to wane. "She's not gonna complain if I slack off a bit," he rationalized. "Ain't like she can tell on me."

Feeling the weight of his duties, he decided to cut a few corners. He resolved to get everything sorted out by the end of the week, so Derpy would be clean and cared for when the rest of the family returned. "Just gotta make sure everythin's perfect before they get back," he told himself.

As the days passed, the farmhouse started to smell worse and worse. Big Mac tried to ignore it, but the odor from Derpy was getting unbearable. He knew he had to do something.

"Darn it, Big Mac, ya can't just leave her like this," he muttered, reluctantly accepting the reality of the situation.

Deciding to take the easy route, Big Mac wheeled Derpy's rollable bed outside. "Fresh air'll do her good," he reasoned as he grabbed the garden hose. He washed her off with the hose, a decidedly lazy and less-than-ideal method.

"There, that should do it," he said, more to convince himself than anything. He left her outside to dry in the sun, carefully placing a straw hat over her face to ensure her face didn't get sunburned.

With Derpy settled outside, Big Mac went about his business. He finally had a chance to relax and do what he wanted. He indulged in a few ciders and enjoyed the rare peace and quiet of the farmhouse.

Hours passed, and Big Mac got lost in his relaxation. Five hours later, he suddenly remembered Derpy. "Oh no!" he exclaimed, realizing how long she'd been left outside.

He rushed to get her, only to find that she had already soiled her rollable bed again. "Darn it, Big Mac, what were ya thinkin'?" he chastised himself, though he knew it was too late to fix the mess he'd made.

Grumbling, he wheeled Derpy back inside, determined to clean her up and get everything back in order. "This week can't end soon enough," he thought, knowing he'd have to redouble his efforts to make up for his lapse in care.

Despite his grumbling, Big Mac knew deep down that he couldn't let Derpy suffer because of his negligence. He set to work cleaning her up, muttering to himself all the while. "Lazy, good-for-nothin'... gotta do better, Big Mac."

As he worked, he couldn't help but feel a grudging respect for his family and the dedication they showed in caring for Derpy day in and day out. "They're stronger than I gave 'em credit for," he admitted to himself. “But that still don’t mean I like doin’ this for ya one bit…” he said, turning his head toward Derpy.

On day four, Big Mac decided he needed to step up his game. The smell in the house had become unbearable once more, and his own sense of responsibility was nagging at him. "Alright, Big Mac, no more slacking off," he muttered to himself as he headed to Derpy's room. "Time to get things in order."

First on his list was changing Derpy's sheets. He steeled himself for the task, determined to get it done quickly and efficiently. As he began to carefully lift her to remove the soiled sheets, he felt a sudden, warm sensation on his hooves. Derpy had wet herself again, and it soaked right through onto him.

"Aw, c'mon!" Big Mac exclaimed, frustration boiling over. He dropped the sheets and backed away, shaking his hooves in disgust. "Just great, now I'm covered in it too."

Angry and overwhelmed, he stomped out of the farmhouse to clear his mind. The fresh air of the orchard usually calmed him, but today, it did little to ease his irritation. He walked around the farm, muttering to himself, his mind racing with angry thoughts.

"It's just not fair," he grumbled. "She did this to herself, flyin' into that tree. And now we gotta take care of her like she's part of the family. She ain't even family! Why's it gotta be us?"

He kicked a rock down the path, watching it tumble away. "Why's it gotta be me?" he continued, his voice rising. "Applejack and the others are off havin' a good time at Cloudsdale, and I'm stuck here cleanin' up messes."

After a while, he took a deep breath and tried to calm down. He knew his family was counting on him, and he couldn't let them down. He had to get through this, no matter how hard it was. "Alright, Big Mac, you can do this," he said, trying to pep himself up. "Just gotta keep goin'."

When he returned to the farmhouse, he reviewed the list of tasks they had left for him. At the bottom of the list, he saw something he had been avoiding: physical therapy.

"Great," he muttered, "just what I needed." But he knew it was important for Derpy's recovery, so he couldn't skip it.

He approached Derpy's bed and gently lifted the sheet covering her legs. He took a deep breath, trying to remember everything Applejack had shown him about the therapy exercises. "Alright, Derpy, let's get these legs movin'."

He started with her right leg, carefully lifting it and bending it at the knee. "Gotta keep the joints from gettin' stiff, I reckon," he said aloud, more to himself than to Derpy. He moved her leg in slow, deliberate motions, bending and straightening it, then rotating her ankle.

Next, he moved to her left leg, repeating the same motions. He focused on being gentle yet firm, making sure to give each joint a full range of motion. "There we go," he said, trying to sound encouraging. "Keepin' those muscles workin'."

He spent about fifteen minutes on each leg, carefully moving them through the exercises. The room was quiet except for the occasional creak of the bed and the sound of his own breathing. As he worked, he found himself calming down a bit. The repetitive motions and the focus required for the therapy helped take his mind off his frustrations.

"See, Big Mac, you can handle this," he told himself as he finished the last set of exercises. "Ain't so bad once you get the hang of it."

In order to help stretch out Derpy’s leg adductors, he took each of her hindlegs in his hooves and abducted the limbs from the unconscious pony’s midline. After spreading her supple, lifeless, slightly atrophied legs open, he felt a sudden jolt of excitement as he took in the sight of her crotchtits and marehood, a region he had never seen up close and personal like this before. He felt his curiosity peak as he leaned in closer to inspect the area.

Big Mac couldn't help but be entranced by the sight before him. He had never seen a pair of crotchtits like hers before, and he was eager to explore the gray mounds further. He began to manipulate the region with his hooves, examining every inch of it. He marveled at the softness of her skin and mist-colored coat and the warmth that radiated from her body, even in her vegetative state.

Big Mac took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of Derpy's crotchtits from afar. It was a musky, earthy smell that seemed to penetrate through the distant smell of effluent; he found that natural, almost pheromonic smell of her intoxicating. He closed his eyes and savored the scent, imagining all the possibilities that lay before him.

"What am I doin'?" Big Mac asked himself, a wry, self-condescending smile spreading across his face. "I ain't never seen nothin' like this before. And here I am, sniffin' it like a damn dog."

But Big Mac couldn't help himself. He was so entranced by the sight and smell of Derpy's adjacent marehood that he couldn't resist the urge to explore further. He began to inch his face closer: “Dare I?” he thought for a moment. Without much additional thought, overcoming any feelings of disgust that might have lingered earlier in his mind, he respected his lips on the unconscious pony’s mons pubis and laid a tender kiss on it before withdrawing. He knew he wanted more. He got closer and approached the region again, placing his tongue on the rostral end of the pegasus’s slit and gave one hearty pass with his tongue, savoring the taste of her skin.

As he continued to explore, Big Mac felt a surge of excitement course through his body. He had never felt this way before, and he couldn't believe how much he was enjoying himself. He continued to lick and kiss Derpy's marehood, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction as he did so.

The stallion looked around, as if instinctively checking if there was anypony to witness what he was about to do next. The primal part of his being told him that he had to do something, and who knows when he would have another opportunity to do it without repercussions.

He peered down at Derpy’s still form again, and he could now recognize the extent to which something inside him was stirring. Something primal. Something ineffable. Something he didn't understand. He knew what he wanted to do, but he also knew it was wrong. He shouldn't. He couldn't.

But he did…

He leaned down, his lips finding her weak, pliable mouth. She didn't respond, but he didn't care. He kept going, his tongue exploring the area beyond her unusually cold lips. He could feel her body underneath him, soft and yielding.

The red stallion pulled back, his eyes roaming over her body. He could see the curves of her figure, the dip of her waist, the flare of her hips. He could smell her, a mix of sweat and urine. Regardless of her smell and her overall condition, she was beautiful, her coat smooth and unblemished, her curves perfect, her form immaculate and unspoiled apart from the large dome of white bandages that covered the top of her head.

He couldn't help himself. Big Mac leaned down again, his lips finding her nipples near her marehood. He sucked and bit, his hooves reaching down to play with her other crotchtit. He kept going, his body moving of its own accord.

As Big Mac moved lower, his tongue tracing a path down to her nethers. He reached her pussy, his hooves gently parting her lips, leaning in as his tongue worked on finding her clit.

She tasted amazing, replete with sweetness, saltiness, and an unmistakable acidity from the residual drops of urine left in the area. He couldn't get enough. He felt her body start to respond, her pussy getting wetter, as if by instinct without the conscious elements of her mind playing a controlling role. The stallion groaned, his dick getting harder as he hoisted his torso upwards to mount the bed and allow his eager dick to find her pussy.

He pushed in, his dick sliding in easily. She was tight, her cunt gripping him like a vice as if to proclaim that the stallion’s cock was her first. Big Mac groaned, his hooves reaching down to play with her flanks as he started to move, his hips thrusting in and out.

As the driven, though admittedly inexperienced, stallion pumped and forced his way in and out of the unconscious mare, he could feel himself getting closer and his balls tightening. He groaned, his hips thrusting ever faster. He could feel her pussy start to contract, her body responding to his, as if defying her near-comatose state.

“Ya like that, ya stupid, dumb fuckin’ vegetable? You like making a mess on my hooves and making me change yer sheets e’ery five minutes?!” Big Mac grunted under his breath, his voice sharp with malice as he chased his orgasm.

Within a moment of driving his member as deep as he could into Derpy, he moaned and whinnied as he finally came, his cum filling her pussy as his muscles shook. He collapsed on top of her, his breath coming in gasps.

Big Mac looked down at her, his heart racing; the stallion knew what he had done was wrong, but he couldn't help it. He couldn't help the way his body had responded to the mare’s state of vulnerability.

The next day, Big Mac felt a gnawing sense of guilt that he couldn't shake. His mind kept drifting back to the incident from the previous day, and he couldn't help but worry about what might happen as a result. He paced around the farmhouse, his thoughts a chaotic swirl of anxiety and regret.

"What if she goes and gets pregnant?" he muttered to himself, his heavy hoofsteps echoing through the empty house. "What if she survives and gets better? Then what?"

He kept pacing, trying to figure out what he could do to fix the problem he'd created. Every scenario he imagined seemed worse than the last. He considered his options, even just disposing of her somehow, but none of them seemed satisfactory.

"Maybe Ah could...no, that won't work," he said aloud, dismissing another half-baked idea. "What am I gonna do?"

His pacing quickened as his anxiety grew. He couldn't think of a single good solution. The thought of Derpy's condition worsening because of his negligence made his stomach churn. He imagined the look on Applejack's face if she found out. The disappointment in Granny Smith's eyes. Apple Bloom's confusion and sadness.

Finally, he decided to hide things and take his chances when the rest of the family returned from Cloudsdale. "Maybe they won't even notice," he told himself, though he knew it was a slim hope. "Maybe Ah can get everythin’ cleaned up before they get back and they wouldn’t even have a clue ‘bout what Ah did with ‘er."

However, the guilt wouldn't leave him alone. All day long, it gnawed at him, making it hard to concentrate on anything else. He went through the motions of caring for Derpy, but his heart wasn't in it. His mind kept replaying the incident, over and over.

As night fell, Big Mac hoped that sleep would bring some relief. But when he finally drifted off, his guilt followed him into his dreams.

In his nightmare, he found himself back in the farmhouse, but everything was dark and twisted. The walls seemed to close in on him, and the air was thick and oppressive. He could hear a faint, mocking laughter echoing through the halls.

"Who's there?" he called out, his voice trembling.

The laughter grew louder, and he saw a shadowy figure at the end of the hallway. It was Derpy, but not as he remembered her. Her eyes glowed with an eerie light, and her smile was twisted into a sinister grin.

"You did this to me," she said, her voice echoing unnaturally. "You left me to suffer..you raped me."

Big Mac tried to back away, but his hooves felt like they were stuck in place. "No, I... I didn't mean to, it just…happened," he stammered, his heart pounding.

Derpy floated closer, her expression growing more menacing. "You abandoned me. You betrayed me. You were supposed to take care of me, but you didn't."

"I tried," Big Mac pleaded, tears welling up in his eyes. "I did my best."

"But it wasn't enough," Derpy hissed. "And now you'll pay the price."

Suddenly, the floor beneath him gave way, and Big Mac found himself falling into a pit of darkness. He screamed as he tumbled through the void, the mocking laughter echoing all around him. He felt a cold, clammy force grab his hoof, pulling him down further into the abyss.

He woke with a start, drenched in sweat and gasping for breath. The room was dark and still, but his heart was racing, and the nightmare's lingering terror gripped him.

Big Mac sat up in bed, his mind reeling. He couldn't shake the feeling of dread that clung to him like a heavy blanket. He knew he had to do something, but he didn't know what. The thought of facing the rest of the family when they returned filled him with fear.

"Get a grip now, Big Mac, ya hear," he whispered to himself, trying to steady his breathing. "You gotta pull it together."

The next couple days went by in a guilt- and anxiety-laden blur. When the week finally came to an end, Big Mac felt a sense of relief. He'd managed to keep things together, more or less, and he was eager for the rest of the family to return. All he had to do was to not mess up at the finish line and avoid spilling the beans.

As Granny Smith, Apple Bloom, and Applejack arrived back at the farmhouse, they were greeted by Big Mac, looking a little worse for wear but ostensibly proud of his efforts.

"How was Cloudsdale?" he asked, trying to mask his exhaustion.

"It was fantastic!" Apple Bloom exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "We sold out of everything!"

"And we even got a special order for more apple turnovers next year," Applejack added with a grin.

Granny Smith looked around, sniffing the air suspiciously. "What happened here, Big Mac? Smells like a barnyard in the middle of summer."

Big Mac chuckled sheepishly. "We had a bit of a… rough week, but I managed. Derpy's been taken care of, more or less."

Applejack raised an eyebrow. "More or less?"

"Well, let's just say I learned a thing or two about carin' for a pony in need," he replied, scratching the back of his neck. "And maybe I got a bit carried away."

Granny Smith patted his shoulder. "You did good, Big Mac. We appreciate all you did. Now, let's get this place cleaned up and back to normal,” the matriarch said as she and the other Apple family members moved beyond Big Mac to start unpacking.

And as he looked over at Derpy, still in her bed but clean and comfortable, knowing he had gotten away with it, at least for now, he couldn't help but allow a faint smile to break out across his lips.