Overworked

When Applejack awoke—or at least thought she did—the darkness still enveloped her. The void was suffocating, endless, and unyielding. She tried to calm herself, to center her thoughts as she’d done before, but the oppressive silence seemed heavier now.

She let out a shaky breath and muttered, “Still here... why am I still here?”

A deep pang of regret twisted in her chest. Was this her punishment for pushing herself too hard? For ignoring Apple Bloom’s pleas and working herself to the point of collapse? The thought hit her like a buck to the stomach. She didn’t want to believe she’d gone too far this time.

Tears welled in her eyes, hot and unwelcome. "I don't wanna stay here forever," she whispered to the void. "I need to get back... back to my family, my friends. Back to—"

Her voice faltered as an image of Rainbow Dash flashed through her mind. Rainbow, always teasing her, always pushing her to slow down and take a break. She thought of those magenta eyes, filled with concern the last time they’d spoken. Applejack gritted her teeth, anger mixing with her fear.

“I ain’t givin’ up,” she growled.

Panic surged, her heartbeat racing wildly out of sync with the other, steady rhythm that had been her anchor. It was still there, that persistent thrum of warmth and calm, but now it felt foreign, suspicious. Was it trying to trap her here? To keep her from fighting her way out?

"No," she muttered, shaking her head. "You ain’t stoppin’ me."

She bolted into the void, her hooves pounding against the nothingness beneath her. Her breath came in ragged gasps as she ran, shouting, thrashing, doing anything to provoke a reaction from her physical body. The warmth pressed in closer, seemingly desperate to soothe her, but she rejected it.

“Let me go!” she screamed. “I gotta wake up! I gotta—”

She stumbled, collapsing into the darkness, but her mind refused to yield. Somewhere deep within her, she felt a faint tremor, as if her real body had heard her.

Rainbow Dash’s peaceful morning was shattered when Applejack’s unconscious form began to convulse. It started with small twitches, but soon her entire body was thrashing violently.

“AJ! Hey! What’s wrong?!” Rainbow yelled, leaping to her hooves.

Applejack whimpered, her voice faint and incoherent, her face contorted as if she were battling some unseen foe. Rainbow leaned in close, trying to catch any recognizable words, but the mare’s mutterings were lost in the chaos.

“Okay, okay, calm down,” Rainbow muttered, half to herself. She pressed her hooves on Applejack’s shoulders, trying to pin her down and keep her from hurting herself.

“C’mon, AJ, snap out of it!”

But Applejack’s strength, even in her unconscious state, was formidable. A wild kick caught Rainbow square in the stomach, knocking the wind out of her and sending her staggering back.

“Ugh, fine! You win!” Rainbow gasped, clutching her middle. “But I can’t do this alone.”

She made a snap decision. If anyone could help, it was Apple Bloom. Rainbow hated to admit she’d made a mistake, but there was no time for pride now. She grabbed her saddlebags and bolted out the door, flying as fast as her wings could carry her toward Sweet Apple Acres.

Apple Bloom had been pacing again, her hooves tapping nervously against the wooden floor of the farmhouse. Spike sat nearby, his face etched with concern, though he didn’t dare stop her this time.

When the sound of hooves skidding to a halt outside reached her ears, Apple Bloom didn’t even wait to see who it was. She pushed past Spike, her legs still weak but fueled by determination, and burst through the door.

“Rainbow Dash!” she shouted, spotting the pegasus panting heavily outside the barn.

Rainbow barely had time to react before Apple Bloom launched herself at her, gripping her shoulders with surprising strength.

“WHERE IN THE HAY IS MY SISTER?!” Apple Bloom cried, her voice trembling with fury and fear.

Rainbow winced but didn’t pull away. “Listen, Apple Bloom, she’s at my place. I thought I could take care of her, but she—” Rainbow’s voice cracked. “She’s in trouble. She started thrashing and mumbling in her sleep, and I don’t know what to do! Please, I need your help!”

Apple Bloom’s anger wavered, replaced by panic. “Take me to her. Now!”

“Hop on,” Rainbow said, crouching low.

Without hesitation, Apple Bloom climbed onto Rainbow’s back, clinging tightly to her mane. Rainbow spread her wings, ready to take off.

Spike jogged outside, waving his claws. “Hey! What’s going on?”

“We’re goin’ to AJ!” Apple Bloom shouted.

“You can’t just—ugh, fine!” Spike groaned, throwing his hands up. “I’ll get Twilight to fly me up later!”

Rainbow didn’t wait for a response. She took off, cutting through the morning air with Apple Bloom holding on tightly.

Rainbow Dash’s cloud home came into view, and Rainbow landed carefully, helping Apple Bloom off her back. The filly barely waited before rushing inside.

Applejack lay on the bed, her face pale and her body still trembling faintly. Apple Bloom hesitated for only a moment before climbing up onto the bed beside her sister.

“Applejack?” she whispered, her voice breaking. “It’s me, Apple Bloom. I’m here.”

The filly placed her small hooves on her sister’s chest, tears streaming down her face. “Please, wake up. Please don’t leave me. I need you.”

Rainbow Dash stood by the door, her wings drooping. “I’ve been trying to calm her down, but nothing’s working.”

Apple Bloom didn’t respond. She leaned in close, her forehead resting against Applejack’s. “You can fight this, AJ. You’re the strongest pony I know. Just come back to us.”

Applejack’s convulsions seemed to lessen slightly, her breaths evening out just a little. Rainbow noticed it too and stepped closer, her voice quiet.

“Keep talking to her, Bloom. I think she can hear you.”

Apple Bloom nodded, her voice steady despite the tears. “You’re not alone, AJ. Me and Rainbow are here, and we’re not goin’ anywhere. You just gotta come back, okay?”

The warmth in Applejack’s chest flickered, stronger now, as if responding to her sister’s voice. Somewhere in the void, Applejack felt a pull, faint but persistent, drawing her toward the light.