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Relaxation, the Apple Family Way! (Applejack)


SteelEagle

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[colour=#000000]The caterpillars frolicked. They sangs songs of joyous triumph over the evil giant equines as they feasted on the apples. Several caterpillars stood up tall to look at the vastness of the orchard. They fainted on the thought of how many meals they could have, and how many baby caterpillars of the future could thrive. Truly, this was the end of the pony age, and the beginning of the butterfly era. If they were feeling nice, they might just let Fluttershy serve as the king's jester. Plans had to be made.

But, just as they got comfortable, and they climbed over the apples they now possessed inside and out, a slight shake of the ground was felt. When they looked over at the ponies tied to the tree, they saw them making loud obnoxious noises. Clearly they were insane. Taking over their farm was not only a feat for caterpillar, but apparently led to the ultimate[/colour][colour=#000000] devolution of ponies of intelligence. But as the rumbling continued, they wondered what it was. Collectively, they all turned and looked behind them.[/colour]

[colour=#ffffff]"Bicawwwck!!!"[/colour][colour=#000000] Chickens stampeded at the caterpillars, attacking them head first with their beaks. The caterpillars dropped their apples and scattered in all directions. However, the caterpillars could not escape the speed and agility of the chickens. They weaved and bobbed at every turn the little creatures made. Most of the caterpillars fell, and the chickens grabbed them, and swallowed them whole. As they did, little cries of pain and fear could be heard before the chickens clamped their mouths shut.
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[colour=#000000]Applejack stopped her calls and watched as the chickens gave favour to the orchard. She turned to her sister. [/colour][colour=#ff0000] "Ha! See!? Where there is a will, there is a way. Now we just gotta get ourselves out of this mess."[/colour][colour=#000000] Applejack shouted towards the chickens, calling a specific one. [/colour][colour=#ff0000] "Wattleigh! Come'ere girl. Wattleigh!" [/colour][colour=#000000] Within seconds, the noble chicken, ran up to Applejack, but not before slurping down a tasty green varmint. [/colour][colour=#ff0000]"Get us outta here, girl!" [/colour][colour=#000000] The chicken obediently went behind the tree and started pecking at the rope, making it weaker and weaker until the tension in the rope finally let loose at the ponies were freed. Applejack got up and gave a quick stretch of the legs.

The caterpillars were now losing, all of a sudden. But, several caterpillars were able to scurry away--the chickens couldn't eat all of them. In fact, most of the chickens had happily fed on the critters until they were completely satisfied. Which was hard, chickens had somewhat of an uncontrollable appetite. [/colour][colour=#ff0000] "Apple Bloom! The last of the critters are gettin' away!"[/colour][colour=#000000] There must have been maybe a hundred or so more. A lot of caterpillars, but not nearly as much as there were. The ponies could attack them with this smaller number. But what was the best way to do it? They were approaching fresh trees deeper into the orchard, and they had to be stopped.[/colour]


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The life and times of a farm pony were often subjected to the whims of nature in all of its varied and evil forms. The sheer number of threats that could derail a successful day were almost without number, and it was through sheer luck and hard work that any Equestrian farm found itself thriving. Sweet Apple Acres was foremost in this category, and it wasn't a slouch in the other categories of import. The sweat that poured off of Apple family pelt and coat went as equally into preparation for the dark days when all semblances of normalcy were shaved away as went into producing for a brighter future. It was supposed to work.

Instead, all that preparation was usually for naught. The family was prepared for a flood from the Everfree to wash into the farm, various small irrigation patterns dug into the outskirts meant to divert the water into the Highland Reservoir. They were prepared for Timberwolves to come charging in, looking for ponies to chew on for some perceived slight. A good defense against them was a combination of noise and bucking the biggest one across the face at the first sign of indiscretion They were cowards at heart. They were prepared for a great number of things, but the list was endless. Despite their efforts, they could only be prepared against some things some of the time and everything at no time. Who would have guessed that that minor caterpillar excursion some time back was the precursor to an invasion? They weren't prepared for that.

Or were they? Maybe they hadn't made any direct plans to fight against the devilish scourge that now sped across the farm like a saw, but they had pieces in place that so happened to be useful. Maybe a little bit of Earth pony magic was at play, maybe it was just dumb luck, but Apple Bloom felt as if Apple family hard work had something to do with the tide of feathers and beaks that rolled over the hills toward the caterpillars. The scene that followed wasn't pretty and had she been a wee bit younger, scary. The caterpillars had no recourse, no option other than to flee, to flee and get eaten or attacked and injured, to flee and abandon momentarily their pursuit of the apples that lay before them as prizes at a carnival fair.

Eventually though even the chickens were overwhelmed by the bounty of critters, full and content. Some started to wander off, back to their coop or to lazily check out the rest of the farm as the unruly animals were wont to do. The only pony who'd been able to corral them easily had been Valen, and Apple Bloom had a sneaking suspicion it had less to do with that walliflower corralling them than it was the chickens chasing him into the coop and attacking him until they grew tired. Either way, effective. But not helpful here.

[colour=#ff0000]"Marebeline! Marebeline, you come over here!"[/colour] Apple Bloom yelled sternly at her best chicken friend, a nice rooster named Marebeline. The joyous and now fat fowl frolicked over, making it's little chickey sounds as it did so.

[colour=#ff0000]"Marebeline, could ya be a nice chick and peck these here ropes?"[/colour] Apple Bloom asked nicely. Marebeline complied and started pecking at the ropes feverishly, the strands getting thinner and thinner until they snapped. Apple Bloom fell flat on her keister as Marebeline went to work on Applejack. It wasn'ty long, thanks to Applejack being fatter and all, until she too was on the ground.

[colour=#ff0000]"Good girl Marebeline!"[/colour] Apple Bloom gave her little rooster friend a noogie. Marebeline broke free and started squawking as she ran away.

[colour=#ff0000]"All right Applejack, we got ;em where we want 'em! Yeehhhaawwww!"[/colour] Apple Bloom yelled before neighing and then galloping right at the critters with all the fury(excitement) that was her birthright(adrenaline rush).

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  • 4 weeks later...

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[colour=#000000]Applejack looked ahead. The remainder of the caterpillars were retreating towards an untouched part of the farm. At this point, the battle had moved towards the Hill Field part of the orchard. The Hill Field, which was the center part of the deeper parts of the never-ending orchard, is exactly what it sounds like it entails. A hill. This hill was ideal for rainwater runoff. But it's creation was probably nothing more than a few frost heaved winters from long ago, in which the chaos from the Everfree dealt some strange Winter storm weather across what would eventually be the Apple family legacy.

The caterpillars were in a gap, a gap created in order to organize the farm properly, and make way for a nice wide path for large carts and machines, should they ever need it. The amount of caterpillars was still too many to count and take on by hoof. If the orange mare decided to pounce on the and squish them, they would soon overcome her and carry her away to another tree and tie her up. Applejack had to do something in a way that she would eliminate the caterpillar threat without being in direct contact from the swarm.

She noticed the path on this part of the farm ran on a slope. She had an idea. Applejack sparked as she looked at her sister with excitement. [/colour][colour=#ff0000]"Apple Bloom! Do you think you can attach a hose to the water pump and pump water for me? If I can take a plow and run it through the ground in front of the caterpillars, we can make a pony-made stream that will wash the caterpillars away and keep them from advancing through the orchard. Can you help me?" [/colour][colour=#000000] Applejack didn't wait for Abby's response, as if to imply that she wasn't really asking her ability, she was just making a statement of what Apple Blooms current duty was. Applejack was so used to her sister jumping on every opportunity to do, well, anything. The little blank flank was always willing to try something new, and everypony always knew why.

Applejack threw a plow into the cart, and then ran the cart over to the hilly path. She took the plow out and tied it to the harness, to which she put on. She rarely ever did this, but having to do it gave her the look of harness wearing that Big Mac never took off. She could never understand how her brother could wear that thing everywhere. Applejack started plowing, first from the top of the hill, and making her way down, looking at her distance from the swarm to gauge how much time they had to set up this trap.[/colour]

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Apple Bloom was not really built for such a day, and her body was informing her of that fact even as she galloped from the tree that was once her caterpillar built, rope restricted prison. Her muscles were on fire, her breaths deep and drawing on empty as her eyes spotted and dillated as she tried to take in the surroundings. The caterpillars were on the run as they moved towards the Hill, and that suited her just fine. The apple trees in that area weren't as thick, seeds sometimes getting washed away by the runoff after a storm. That meant she and her sister could keep their surroundings about them as they bucked each individual critter off the horizon, which was the strategy Apple Bloom was willing to pursue. There would be a lot of satisfaction when she saw each and every one of them blink off in the distance. She didn't really wanna hurt any of them, but if given a choice between family and the orchard versus some nasty critters, then there were some lines she was willing to cross.

Her gallop slowed down to a canter and then a walk as her sister came up to her, the eyes of the mare almost aflame with the hint of an idea to put an end to this chaos. Apple Bloom listened to her sister intently, smiling at the idea. It was a good one- much easier than bucking the whole lot of 'em, though a bit less satisfying. Still, she was all for getting the job done right and her body was in complete agreement as well. She leaped away from her sister, nodding in agreement, and landed-

-Her right hoof completely caved in and she was on the ground in a flurry of grass, grime, and pain. She had heard some small pop as she had landed bu the world afterward registered as a simple panel of images and muffled yelps as the little filly's right front hoof sprained or worse as she had come down. Apple Bloom tried pulling herself together and pull up, but gave out another short yelp and fell back on her stomach, holding her hoof and squeezing her eyes shut. The pain was intense! Insane! The little filly had only felt this way a few times, and knew in the back of her mind it couldn't be that bad. She had broken her leg twice and this felt as bad, but nothing felt broke or out of place. What the hay had happened!?

Apple Bloom didn't have time to answer that, though. Her sister was too far away to help and was counting on her to save the farm. The whole history of the Apple family came down to a wounded little filly at the bottom of a hill. She had heard about how the orchard was founded a few times and the history of those who had lived there even more. Apple Bloom could recite the names of all her family going back generations. Every last one of them suffered for the family. If they could suffer for the family, then so could she. Apple Bloom took a heavy, pattered breath as she choked back a sob

[colour=#ff0000]Braeburn. Pink Lady. Apple Pie.[/colour]

She pulled herself up, though the pain was intense. She started hopping up the hill.

[colour=#ff0000]Apple Bumpkin, Caramel Apple, Sugar Apple.[/colour]

She hobbled up the hill despite the pain, slipping once or twice on the slick grass.

[colour=#ff0000]Red Delicious, Apple Strudel, Apple Cinnammon.[/colour]

[colour=#ff0000]Apple Fritter, Red Gala, Golden Delicious.[/colour]

She breached the top of the hill and made a dash, or her closest approximation, to the pump. A hose was nearby and with a grunt, she snapped her hurtin' hoof at it.

[colour=#ff0000]Apple Tart, Baked Apple, Apple Brioche.[/colour]

[colour=#ff0000]Apple Brown Betty, Ingrid Marie, Apple Tarty.[/colour]

She snapped the hose on, struggling as the pain in her raging hoof sent stars to her eyes. She moaned a little, but finally tightened the hose onto the pump.

[colour=#ff0000]Apple Cobbler, Bakey Apple, Orange Wafer.[/colour]

[colour=#ff0000]Valen Orange, Tarte Tatin, Violet Fritter.[/colour]

She found the bolt that kept the water from pouring was tightened off. Apple Bloom grabbed ahold of the darn thing with her teeth and with every muscle in her neck and head primed, twists and twists. She falls down as the bolt finally turns on, and she felt a trickle of water leave the pump.

[colour=#ff0000]Smart Cookie, Katt Apples, Apple Dumpling.[/colour]

[colour=#ff0000]Apple Munchies, Apple Strudley, Marmalade, Greenshot Apple.[/colour]

She looked down and saw the ditch her sister had made. Apple Bloom couldn't look for long, though, as another wave of pain nearly blinded her. She held her hoof, gritted her teeth, and got back up.

[colour=#ff0000]Applejack, the best sister in Equestria. No caterpillars were gonna keep her down, not today.[/colour]

Abby grabbed ahold of the pump device with her left hoof and pressed down. Nothing.

[colour=#ff0000]Big Mac, the best brother in Equestria. These critters weren't going to ruin his life.[/colour]

Abby looked at her right hoof, grimaced, and with no more hesitation threw it on top of the device. Pain blinded her.

[colour=#ff0000]Granny Smith, the greates grandmare in Equestria. These little bugs weren't going to destroy her legacy![/colour]

She no longer tarried and with one great burst of bravery jumped up on the pump with the aid of her front hooves. She finally pulled it down and promptly fell over, behind her the pump was fully activated and water started gushing down below.

[colour=#ff0000]Apple Bloom, hours without a break in pain.

But that's the life.

You suck it up.

You get it done.[/colour]

And then the smallest Apple with the biggest heart passed out.

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[colour=#000000]Applejack was halfway finished with digging a trench with the plow. She pushed and she pushed and she pushed, scoring the pathway with a weapon of mass destruction. A pony-built water way to end all caterpillar threats. A stream to put and end to all of the discord this infesting swarm of little green goobers caused. And a river of peace that would bring calamity to it's finish and bring harmony again on the apple orchard which every other day of any season would represent and celebrate the visuals and emotions of life giving apple seeds--a true feat for a family of ponies, who for generations had labored, meditated, and balanced the very true and harsh nature of the Everfree with the calm spirit of the open plains of the Ponyville valley.

She thought all of this, within only a half blink of an eye, a blink of an eye, which in turn made her eyes bounce to the direction of Apple Bloom. She heard a loud whimper of pain, and she could see in the distance, her sister filly crippled by the overuse of her right foreleg trying to make her way to the pump. Applejack was intensified. [/colour][colour=#ff0000]"Apple Bloom!" [/colour][colour=#000000] She cried out towards her, but no mind was to be paid, as the small filly kept to her task, and Applejack kept to hers. There was no time to waste!

The caterpillars were climbing their way across the field, soon they would breach the trench, and the water must be there to wash them away. Otherwise all of this effort would be for nothing more than the hairs on the fattest pig in the pen. So Applejack pressed on and before long, she reached the bottom of the hill. She immediately untied herself from the plow and sprinted towards the water pump, her mane dancing in the air like a stiff windsock in Clousdale, her legs blurred by the movement and rhythm of her gallop. She ran like she had never ran before. Her own hooves were beginning to ache, something Applejack hadn't felt for quite some time. Her legs weren't broken, but she could feel the pain of her sister throb into her heart as the little filly whimpered.

Applejack got to the water pump. But she could not help Apple Bloom. She needed to get her end of the hose over to the trench at the top of the hill. If she did Apple Bloom's job, then there was no way the caterpillars would be washed away in time. Reluctantly, Applejack grabbed her end of the hose and began sprinting back up the hill, huffing and puffing, her breathes being filtered by the green plastic hose that she held with her mouth. The taste of grass from the hose filled her mouth as she pounded the earth with her ascend back up the hill.

She made it to the top, breathing for only a second before she dove at the start of the plowed ditch. As soon as Applejack held the hose in place, water started gushing out of it and into the stream. Applejack had to hold it down, for it she got up, the hose would surely lose it's compliance. She looked down the trench, where she could see the water rushing down. Just as the caterpillars started trucking their way through the trench, the water ran through them, making them deathly invisible for a moment, before their heads were seen bobbing up and down, flowing down the hill. By the time the water, and its passengers reached the bottom of the hill, a large puddle began to form, trapping the caterpillars in it, and causing them to drown in fresh well water the best Apple pony on the farm that day had pumped. It was done. No caterpillar was seen. What was left was only small green slivers, lifeless in any account, washed up on the green grass. Dead.

Seeing as the job was finished, Applejack abandoned the hose and ran back to the water pump, and more importantly, her sister Apple Bloom. When she got there, she found her sister lying next to the pump, breathing, passed out from the pain. Her right front hoof, slightly disjointed and swelling. [/colour][colour=#ff0000] "Oh!" [/colour][colour=#000000] Applejack expressed out loud. [/colour][colour=#ff0000] "Little Apple Bloom! You're gonna be just fine!"[/colour][colour=#000000] The exhausted, yet urgent Applejack carefully put Apple Bloom over her haunches and carefully walked her towards the direction of the farm, where she would plan to help her sister recover.

But then, rain started to spit down. Applejack was so focused on saving her farm, that she hadn't even noticed that it was starting to rain. The darkness of the night had made it hard to see the storm clouds that would soon roll in. Soon it would be pouring rain, and Applejack was stranded out in the middle of the orchard with an injured filly on her back. Quickly, Applejack walked her way to the back orchard campsite, a small setup where a tent was permanently set for the occasions of camping, but also for the purpose of making an oasis in the middle of this labyrinth apple orchard.

Getting to the tent, Applejack set Apple Bloom down on her side inside the tent, free from any rainfall that would give her sister any unfavorable chills and goosebumps. She took her mane and tail ties out. Taking the red ties, she made a makeshift sling and put it around Apple Bloom's neck and leg, in an attempt to force any weight off of what Applejack guessed to be a broken bone in her front right leg. Poor filly, Applejack thought. If only she knew what her efforts did for the farm this day. Just outside the tent, Applejack grabbed a canteen in a secret storage pack and lifted it to the rain for several seconds. It was now pouring, and it was a silent storm, little thunder and no lighting. A very peaceful shower that glazed the apples on every tree in the orchard.

With a few swallows of fresh rain water available in the canteen, Applejack brought herself back to Apple Bloom's attention. [/colour][colour=#ff0000] "Apple Bloom? Are you awake?"[/colour][colour=#000000] Applejack grew impatient as the unconscious filly would soon start to worry the orange mare. [/colour][colour=#ff0000]Surely she was well enough to be awake, right? [/colour][colour=#000000] Otherwise, an insane gallop to Ponyville General was in order. [/colour][colour=#ff0000]"Wake up, little filly. Please?" [/colour][colour=#000000] For a moment, Applejack was feeling guilty. A small amount of regret rushed over her and gave her fear. [/colour][colour=#ff0000]Was the future of an entire orchard really worth the livelihood of this small young Apple pony?[/colour][colour=#000000] As the thought crossed Applejack, she was convinced. [/colour][colour=#ff0000]Nope. It sure wasn't. [/colour][colour=#000000] Nothing in this moment was more important than Apple Bloom.[/colour]

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  • 3 weeks later...

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Apple Bloom's rest was fitful and alarming, the innards of her dreams being spilled out in motion as she tumbled to and fro. Nightmares collapsed the consciousness that protected her and they struck fear into a filly who had no need for such things. These nightmares were not of scary monsters invading her room; no, those were relatively tame and friendly compared to the severe beating of horror that plagued Apple Bloom in her uncomfortable coma. Failure, but not just like a book report or falling down, but thinking as she slipped into unconsciousness that her sincerest, hardest effort had come up short. That she had failed. That the orchard was gone and her family's history forever altered and it had come down to a little filly who just wasn't good enough. No closure before she had slipped away meant that in her mind, the orchard was in dire straits. All that pain, all that work, all that concern, and what if it had been for naught? What if she wasn't good enough for the orchard, for her family? The nightmares were fleeting but intense, horrifying her to her core. If she had been awake or had the ability to snap out of it that fast, she would have woken up crying or with a single solitary scream.

Luckily for all ponies in the area, she came to gradually. The soft, moist air that was thick with the energy of a storm as it slowly roiled over the orchard pattered against her fur under the soft covers of the tent first, a breath of fresh air that covered up the smell of sweat and blood that had been spilled in the orchard's defense. Her head felt like the target of a jackhammer and every waking thought was accompanied by the beating of a drum that sent bass vibrations throughout her whole body. Her vision came back slowly but it took even longer for her to register the realization she could move, which she did with some aches and pains. Her eyes fluttered open as her sister's presence made itself known. She sounded worried- very worried about her little sister. But why were they in a tent? Why weren't they home? Had it- had it happened?! Had her nightmares come true?!

[colour=#ff0000]"Applejack! Applejack! Applejack! T-the orchard! Did it- is it- our home!"[/colour] Apple Bloom bellowed as she went from motionless to on three legs in a second or less, stumbling due to her awareness operating on a low register. Her eyes had the half-wild speculation of someone in between two worlds, and se launched herself into a hug with her front hoof squeezing the life out of her sister's neck as she buried her crackling head in her sister's wet mane which by design had fallen around her neck.

[colour=#ff0000]"Ah tried mah best, Applejack, Ah really did, a-an' mah whole dang leg feels like-"[/colour] She bit her lip and stopped talking as she buried her face further in, partially to hide a few tears which mixed well.

[colour=#ff0000]"...Didthay get'r rooms?"[/colour]

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[colour=#000000]Applejack was set back on Apple Bloom's sudden awakening, and outburst of fear that they had lost the war of the caterpillars. After a few seconds of misunderstanding, Applejack smiled, and set Apple Bloom off her sister and laid her back down. Her sister need not get hurt more than she already is. [/colour][colour=#ff0000] "Now now, rest Apple Bloom. You hurt your leg somethin' fierce."[/colour][colour=#000000] The rain continued the pour down, the shatters of raindrops echoed through the orchard, bouncing off leaves and saturating the muddy ground which was littered in battle-ground hoofprints and the remains of caterpillar corpses. [/colour][colour=#ff0000]"We won, Apple Bloom! Every last caterpillar got washed away, just in time. And it's all thanks to you."[/colour][colour=#000000] Applejack leaned down to Apple Bloom and gave her a kiss on the cheek. [/colour][colour=#ff0000]"You knocked that pump valve open just before you passed out. You are one dedicated filly, Sis."[/colour]

[colour=#000000]Applejack took a spare blanket within the tent and covered Apple Bloom with it, to keep her warm. [/colour][colour=#ff0000] "Now its raining pears and plums out there, so we'll have to wait until the rain stops before I can carry you home. We'll be safe here until then."[/colour][colour=#000000] Applejack laid down next to Apple Bloom and nuzzled her sister. Her plan was to just wait out the storm, and take Apple Bloom to the hospital first thing in the morning. Applejack was also aware that a solid week or two of waiting on Apple Bloom's every need was in the near future. But she deserved it, and Applejack was already recollecting in her mind her little sister's favorite flavours of ice cream and cookies. Whatever it took to make her feel better. [/colour][colour=#ff0000]"You must be exhausted, Apple Bloom. Just calm down and shut your eyes. I'll watch over you while you sleep, and I'll be with you all night."[/colour]

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The term, "a weight lifted from my shoulders" fit rather aptly at that moment, but it underscored just how much relief the little Apple filly felt as her older sister told her that they had emerged victorious. For all of her bluster and pride, she was a little filly and almost as strong as a filly's belief in herself was her sheer panic at the thought of failing just about everypony she knew or cared for. The idea had festered like a sore and popped while she slept and when she awoke, her world was tainted such. To have her sister confirm that their blood, sweat, and tears had turned the tide and won the day was a joy that she couldn't really describe. Normally she could instead show it, but the pain in her leg was bordering on the intense and it was only through a concerted effort did she not cry out.

[colour=#ff0000]"Oh, thank Celestia!"[/colour] Apple Bloom moaned, feeling like her bow was about to fly off. Suddenly, dizzingly light, she felt her mind swim as she was set back down by

her loving sister.[colour=#ff0000] "Ah was worried we were gonna have ta join the circus, an' Ah didn't want ta become a clown and have some sort of clown cutie mark,"[/colour] She

whispered above the pitter patter of the rain as it came in gentle waves and flows, washing away the sins of battle that scarred the orchard's fields and ferns.

She took a deep breath, the fresh rain water providing a nice refreshing change from sweat matted fur that she held oh so close. Applejack snuggled with her and gave her a blanket and any feeling of cold that could have possibly intruded was dispatched with great haste. Her sister was the greatest of all the sisters in all the land, her loving, warm gaze matched only by the stupendous reach of her heart. No matter what happened, she was quick to show her sister the love and devotion of a whole family's worth, and her quick move to keep Apple Bloom warm and well and loved gave her the strength to bite down the pain that shot through her.

Apple Bloom returned the affection, slowly but surely working to bury herself under neath her sister's outstretched legs and under the chin without moving her hurt leg. Was it broke? She hadn't ever broke something before except when she was just a little foal and couldn't remember it. That had been a hard time for everypony, right after their parents had passed on and Applejack had her week of weakness. Subconsciously maybe Apple Bloom had always felt the sword of Damocles hanging above her, threatening to cut her with the sharp edges of expectation and a desire to prove that she was worthy of te sacrifice it took to give her life. To make Applejack proud, who had been forced to grow from a rough and tumble filly of verve and energy to a mare thrust with maternal responsibility long before her time. To make Granny Smith proud, who instead of enjoying her leisure years after a lifetime of labor and intensity was forced to assist two ponies who were in way above their heads. To make Big Mac proud, who had to dedicate such extreme measure of flesh at such a young age that the rock of the Apple family would grow moss well before it's time.

She wanted to make them all proud of her, needed to show them that she was an Apple that they could be proud to stand by. Subconsciously this could be why she wanted a Cutie Mark so fast- the idea that she could be a failure, a dissapointment of such magnitude, a blank flank with no special qualities, it horrified her. The worst end for her was a blank flank existence not because it was embarrassing for he, but the fear, the sheer horror, the mental anguish that would be the dissapointment of her family. To lose mother to a filly of no great quality? Everypony told her she had to wait, that her cutie mark would come with time, but time was a cruel mistress when fate already dealt you a lethal hand before you knew you were playing a game.

But tonight she would rest easy with the knowledge that, for now, ponies were proud of her. She had given it her all to try and earn that most elusive title and it looked as though after today she could at least walk tall with the knowledge that she was an Apple of quality. Of consequence. Applejack would be proud, a small down payment on Apple Bloom's part for the years she had stolen from Applejack's allowance of youth. Big Mac would be overjoyed to see that the farm was saved and that he had an erstwhile, worthwhile, ally in Apple Bloom. And dear Granny Smith in her advanced years, maybe she would get to enjoy the twilight of her years in the comforting knowledge that the farm's future was forever secure. Only two remained.

Apple Bloom dug her mouth deeper into Applejack, resting comfortably and snugly. The pain was throbbing and intense but it almost couldn't compete with her exhaustion, and the relaxation provided by the rain and Applejack's warmth was enough to tuen the tide. She felt herself drifting away in a haze of pain and exhaustion, content with her for the night yet not content to stay quiet any longer. Through a mouth that could barely move in her half awake state, her mind thrice removed from reality or constraint, one last question escaped her before she fell once more into fitful slumber.

[colour=#ff0000]"Do ya thinks ma and pa are proud?"[/colour]

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[colour=#000000]Applejack listened to the final whimpers of her little sister as she fell asleep. In her half-awake awareness she asked a questioned that bore more importance than she could ever know. Was Ma and Pa proud of us? Applejack smiled as she hung her head over the sleeping filly. [/colour][colour=#ff0000] "Of course they're proud of us. They always have been."[/colour]

[colour=#000000]Applejack shed a small tear before breaking into her memory. The moment when it became clear to her what a really mare was made of; how a pony is really measured against all of life's times and pleasures. The moment when Apple Bloom was born. It came as a time when people expected greatness, and instead they got something they didn't expect entirely. Something that would change the lives of everyone around them, whether they were prepared for it or not.

Applejack remembered the time when Apple Bloom was born. The yellow babe was wrapped in blankets, ready to be picked up and loved by those around her. But Applejack was at her mother's bedside, listening to the final words of the lavender mare's living legacy. [/colour][colour=#663366]"Take care of her, Applejack,"[/colour][colour=#000000] she said. [/colour][colour=#663366]"Let her know that she is worth so much to the family and is destined for the greatest feats this family has ever seen, and don't let the world tell her otherwise."[/colour][colour=#000000] Mother sure was straight to the point. It was never like her to dance around the conversation and make the pretty words prettier, if that was ever possible. With Big Mac also in the room, it was obvious what this had come to. Mother wasn't going to there for much longer. And she needed to teach us this one last lesson. [/colour][colour=#663366]"I love you kids so much, never forget that."[/colour][colour=#000000] And with that, she was gone. The first ending to Applejack's young life, and the moment she would jump to become the biggest sister on the farm. The family expected greatness. And instead they got a filly who's potential would soar far beyond any mare that has ever stepped across Sweet Apple Acres.

Applejack could hear the small exhales of sleep coming from her sister, the rain still shattering the area with it's peaceful lullabies. And a lullaby it would be, as Applejack would then recall the song her mother always sang to her during times like these. It was always so peaceful coming from her. Applejack only hoped it would embrace her sister the same way it always did to her.[/colour]

[colour=#ff0000]"Rest your sleepy eyes

I will watch you through the night

May your dreams be sweet

And your day's troubles retreat

I love you, young filly

You're so beautiful, you see

There is nothing that you lack

'Cause you're my sweet lil Apple Bloom"[/colour]

[colour=#000000]The Apple sisters rested together, the older's eyes hung wide open, watching the surroundings and the orchard become showered with rainwater. The night would last peacefully and the rain would eventually cease. And the orchard's heroines would stay their until dawn.[/colour]

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