Hard Knocks (Ponyville)

[SteelEagle]

Applerich Stadium was the newest feature in Ponyville's burgeoning landscape. It wasn't as big as some of the giant stadiums that occupied the larger cities of Equestria but it was a big as Appleloosa's stadium and much grander in intent. It could host any number of sports and events than just the local buckball team and the ponies (and town) behind it had attracted quite a lot of attention. It was built on Rich family land and while the Apple family had no direct hand in its funding, it shared their name on account of the historically close ties between the family. That same connection meant that when the stadium was announced it was quickly feted by many events. From the Heartland Wrestling Federation and the Equestrian Buckball Association to the Heartland Hoofball Alliance and Canterlot Football Conference, many large and famous organizations wanted to use it. It was going to be well-used by the local Buckball team and Schoolastic Teams (should they ever exist, Chancellor!) and a legion of smaller events. But who was gonna be the first?

 

Turned out it was the National Rugby League, who had made a bold move by signing some local talent ages ago to try and secure the spot. Most teams in the League were barnstormers. A few professionals who traveled around playing games by, at best, a loose schedule, supported by locals and temporary players. One such team was The Roundbottom Roughriders, a mainstay in the Heartland who often traveled to and through Ponyville and had a healthy rivalry with the Bucephalus Buccaneers, who also laid claim to the area Ponyville. It was known for having ponies with good, strong hooves and strong backs who could outwork most others. A nice solid place to pickup some supporting pieces for better players. And there was one mare who they had both signed at different times. Often times for a few games to be played in Ponyville. On rare occasions, for a short timed stint. They never regretted signing her, only that she allowed the seasons to determine when and where she'd play- that and family matters, in any case. So when she agreed to play for the Roughriders months before the stadium's opening, it was enough to get the Mayor to decree that the first event to take place in Applerich Stadium was Applejack's return game: The Roundbottom Roughriders vs the Bucephalus Buccaneers.

 

She played no less than ten games before then and she had never felt better. She had been Ponyville's premiere athlete her whole life, after all. She was as fast and swift as the crack of a whip, as enduring as the mountains and rough as leather. She could kick the dang ball from near across the whole field and then some: Nopony could stop the Roughriders from scoring at least a goal kick when she was playing, but her strength and pure power meant she would much rather cream somepony and run her way down the field for more. The first few games were just on the radio. Some real scrub teams that the Roughriders walked all over. Then they started to face stiffer and stiffer competition, real tough customers. A rainy affair near the Velvet Strand with a reporter able to snap pictures was cable to catch Applejack dragging no less than four others in for a game winning score moments before the game ended. And her heroics against the Cloudsdale Steelwings were heard across the Heartlands, as she was responsible for every game in the second half en-route to a thrilling come from behind victory.

By the time the Roughriders made their way to Ponyville to face the Bucs- who had toured the Strand and faced some top dollar teams to prepare- Applejack was one of the brightest stars in the sporting constellation.

Just ask her family.

****************************************************************************

 

 

"That is the end of the first half with the score the Roundbottom Roughriders 20 and the Bucephalus Buccaneers 15!" Said the announcer over the stadium's loudspeaker, which could be barely heard over the excitement of the crowd. Applejack had ended the half by drop-kicking the ball for three just as time was expiring. She was also responsible for an earlier drop kick and both after-try kicks, as well as a legion of hard hits. The fact the Bucs were so keyed up on her meant she was able to get the ball to the stallions who scored both tries, to boot. Yep, she was having a heck of a game and it showed. Her mane was damp with sweat- though compared to others she was as dry as a flower in a heat wave- and she had no few cuts and bruises, but she was no worse for wear than the others.
The teams broke for their respective locker rooms for the half, but she made sure to first trot to the 'home' side's stands, where the first row was placed just a few hooves lengths above the stadium ground. It wasn't the VIP seats that ringed the top of the stadium behind glass enclosures but it was close enough for Applejack to get what she wanted, which was some time with her family before she had to head in. They were seated front row you betcha, right next to the tunnel. She trotted there and even jumped up so she was on the railing next to her family.

 

"Woo-eeee! Talk about a tough team but it's a lot of fun. How y'all handlin' it out here? 'joying tha game?" She asked, beaming with pride at her work for the day as she searched for some hay fries. There better be some hay fries.

[Blueblood]

Ambrosia was not the sort of pony who understood sports all that well.  Just a little filly, after all, and not the sort of filly that her mama was when she was Amby's age.  Nope, Ambrosia Apple was a frilly filly, all in love with things soft, pretty, and frou-frou fancy.  But she also loved her mama, and when momma wanted her family to cheer her on, she would be in the field, cheering momma.  Nopony was telling her to be quiet, after all.

"Woohoo!  Go momma!"  Now, if she were quizzed on where momma was going, or why, or what that whole bally business with the ball was, she'd just smile cutely and shrug.  But all her family was cheering and happy, so she'd be cheering and happy!  And when AJ came up for halftime, she would see her daughter's beaming face.  "You great, momma!  But you're sweaty."  Momma seemed to like being sweaty, but Ambrosia could never understand it.  Sweat was icky and salty and made the dust stick to you, but at least it made the baths after all that much better.  Especially if momma was helping to wash you, and singing bathtub songs!

[Hippo]

Zap understood the game very well. There were only a few rules. Rule 1: Roughriders were the best team. Not only the best team, but had the best player on the best team. Rule 2: Mom was the best player. There were some actors on the field wearing different colored jerseys that sometimes pretended to be the best, but there was only one true best, even if Mom didn't show it. On rare occasions, the other team would score against the best team with the best player. Zap never did fret too much about this because...  Rule 3: If the Roughriders lose or get scored against, it's not Mom's fault. The only thing Zap didn't understand about this game was why it took eighty minutes to determine what he could tell you in eight seconds, that Mom was the best player and that she would carry the Roughriders to victory.

 

"Eeyup!" Big Mac started in reply to answer Applejack's question that they were doing fine. He also held up a small basket of hay fries, some of which was already eaten by the little ones the big brother was watching over. Despite his chill demeanor, Big Mac loved watching the younger members of the family when the other adults could not. But it didn't happen very often, seeing as how Apple Bloom loved to volunteer to watch her niece and nephew. But also, thought he didn't show it much, he was a fan of rugby and was interested in even playing, but seeing as how somepony in the family was already better than him (again), he might as well support her from the sidelines the same way he would at rodeos.

 

 

Zap jumped excitedly as she walked over to them. "Wow, Mom! You're doing so great. You should kick all the balls into the goal! Also number forty seven on the other team looked at you funny. You should beat him!" Zap stopped his insistent bouncing to grab a hay fry and once he was finished doing so, he started bouncing again. Zap was wearing a light blue roughriders jersey that was most likely donated to him because no one on the team could fit a jersey that small.

 

[RainbowFoxxy]

 

What a day! RD was pumped as also totally chillin'! She'd gotten the day off training the new recruits at the Wonderbolt academy to be here for this awesome event. AJ was way good at all sports but none more so than rugby. The elements of the sport were perfectly suited to the well muscled and level headed mare. She was ferociously competitive and had the stamina of an all day buffalo stampede! 

 

RD had of course spent the first like, at least twenty minutes of the match exclaiming to any other pony that would listen that the star player was her wife. The pegasus was super proud and happy to be coupled with pretty much the best sports pony in all of Equestria. When the first half was over RD had been on the edge of her seat, rooting on the final points scored by her mare in the first half. 

 

She had some idea of how rugby was played though not the finer points of it. It was certainly not a sport for a pegasus like her. She was strong yeah, but hardly sturdy enough to withstand the blows one would receive out there on the rugby field. She had snagged a couple hay fries and had elbowed Big Mac numerous time when AJ had made awesome plays. She'd ruffled Amby's forelocks (which she didn't t like but tolerated from her other mother) and of course spent time paling around with Zappers.

 

"Nice moves out there hot stuff!" She winked at her flushed and sweaty mare. "No pony's got a candle to you on the whole field! And way to score right at the buzzer!"

 

She wasn't sure she was using correct rugby terms for anything but that was ok, she was supportive and present and having a fun day with her family. 

 

"Zappers and I are totes impressed aren't we big guy?" She smiled at the bouncing colt in the light blue jersey. 

 

[SteelEagle]

 

 

Her daughter said something terrifyingly accurate. "Ah am?" She said as she swiped her head and then took a dramatic whiff of herself, then made a grossly exaggerated face with her tongue out. "Peee-ewww! Ah guess ah am. Gonna have ta clean up real good when Ah get outta here," she picked her daughter up and gave her a big kiss. "Maybe get one of those nice smelling perfumes," she said, always threatening to take Ambrosia's favorite perfumes. Only when she acted like she didn't want it would Ambrosia give in. Sometimes. She adored the persnicketiness of her first daughter as much as she adored Zap's spunk!

 

Her brother was as consistent as always and as she placed Ambrosia down she made sure to snag some hay fries, giving her colt a little hoof-bump on the way out. "Thanks a bundle, Big Mac. Ah'm famished! These fellas don't know when ta quit, do they?" She said with a laugh. He'd make a good Rugby player. The game was all about physicality and he was as physical as they come. Of course he had a certain gentleness to him that made him a little less than perfect in sports, but no matter that. She'd have to drag him into the pitch one day. Speaking of dragging somecreature, she felt the same about that Bucs player. He had a mean eye to him and a quick hoof, and did a lot in those scrums that she didn't find all that fair. She'd got a good hit in, though. She tossed her mane back and puffed out her chest. "Well, he's just jealous that Ah got tha best family ever and all he has is his stinky river team," she said with not a hint of a joke or irony. Why that, when you spoke nothing but truth? "Keep up that good eye and one day you'll be out there too, Ah reckon," she said with all the confidence that a mother could muster.

 

As she stuffed her face full of fries she made sure to lean in and lean on her wife. "You ain't seen nothin' yet, flygirl. Ah'm just testin' theme. Second half?" She stamped her hoof on the metal railing, creating a loud bang as she winked. "Ah'm going to stampede allllll over their tired flanks! An-'" she tried to continue before a small tap on her one of her back hooves. She looked- it was the coach, who nodded to the tunnel. Applejack rubbed the back of her neck.

"Alright, guess Ah can't spend tha whole break chatting y'all up. Stay safe out here an' get some cider, it's part of tha tab!" She said as she hugged them all once more, ruffling her kids' manes as she hugged them at once. While hugging them, she made sure to whisper. "Tell Dashie ta root harder, Ah can only *just* hear her over the roar of the crowd!" She said with faux sadness before releasing them and leaping off and into the tunnel.

[Blueblood]

~Ambrosia Apple~

 

Amby giggled and clapped her little hooves together when momma came by.  She always did in these games, which was why the little Filly was willing to go to them.  They weren't just watching AJ, they were spending time with orange-mama.  She giggled at the exaggerated display of scent, quickly turning into a pout when she threatened her perfume.  "Get you own, momma.  They was gift from blue-momma!"  Rainbow might not have hung out with her as much as with Zappers, but the pegasus still knew how to give nice gifts.

 

Speaking of RD... some fillies might have been disgusted to see their parents show affection, but never sweet little Ambrosia.  After all, liking lovey-dovey stuff was what made her a sweet filly, instead of a stinky colt like her big brother!  Who was nice in other respects, but didn't care much about how clean he was.  "Awww...."  She cooed, seeing her parents share a moment.

Taking greedy advantage of the extra second Applejack always spared for hugging her, she gave a quick nuzzle to momma's cheek.  "Be good, momma!"  She entreated, before sitting back as Applejack returned to the field.

 

~Spoiled Rich~

 

Mayor Rich found herself with... an ambivalent relationship to sporting events.  On the one hoof, she cared little for the games in and of themselves.  Rugby, buckball, baseball, hoofball, cricket... she simply could not sustain an interest long enough to even tell most of them apart, at a glance.  But she liked prestige, money, visitors to town bearing cash, and her name in big letters at the top of a tall building.  Sports stadiums gave her that, and therefore, a sports stadium Ponyville would have.  It was good for the town.  And for her.  But mostly for the town.

In light of all this, she didn't mind sharing name credits with the Apples, who had been the deciding support in her election (Annoying little former blank-flank filly aside), not to mention a historical familial business partner to her husband's family.  Best all around to cement that alliance, and to duly show support when any were playing in the field.  She didn't cheer enthusiastically, but she would smile and clap at the appropriate occasions.

[Hippo]

 

Zaps bouncing increased in speed at Rainbow's question on how excited they were. Seeing a professional match like this in the front row was pretty great, too, even though the stadium was only big enough to house half the town, should they show up to watch the team play a big match. Zap may never understand how good of a hoof of cards he was dealt. When Mom made an easy way to explain why an opposing player would act the way they did, Zap nodded in full agreement. "Yeah, I want to grow up and beat number forty-seven, too!"

 

Zap had heard stories on how Rainbow Dash was a cheerleader coordinator for the Friendship School. But when Zap looked up what a cheerleader was in his picture book, it didn't exactly align with what he expected out of Dashie. Nevertheless, he assumed she would know all there is to know about leading a cheer team, or family. And if Mom was signaling that they weren't cheering loud enough, then Zap would reinforce that suggestion to his other parent. "Blue momma, I mean, Dashie! We gotta cheer harder! Oh, also I want some cider now, I think." Zap was easy to suggestive sell ideas when he was having fun.

[RainbowFoxxy]

Dash enjoyed the moment with her amazing sports star. She was so glad to have found somepony that embodied all there was of sportsponyship and competition. Both of them understood the feeling of excelling in a chosen athletic endeavor and loved the feel of the sweat and exertion that came with the territory. 

 

"Give em' heck out there AJ!" She rooted for her mare as she was coaxed into a team meeting.

 

Once AJ was occupied with the meeting RD helped herself to another hoof full of hay fries before flexing her wings and flying down to where Zappers was standing with his hooves on the railings.

 

"Cheer harder huh?" She winked at her son. "Your blue mama can actually cheer with the bestod them!" Some ponies though cheering was a 'girly' thing but really it was a sport for the most athletic of ponies! She wondered if maybe someday Zap might give it a try with his school team.

 

"Ya know Zappers, cheering loud is one of my specialties." She thought for a moment. "We should think of a special cheer to yell for your orange mama's game!"

 

When Zap asked for cider RD agreed. They could perhaps think of a fun cheer for the team while having a few sips of sweet cider. A quick flap to the concession stand saw a sipping cup with a straw for herself, Zap, and Big Mac. Little Amby could share with RD... which meant she'd give hers to her little filly of course.

 

"Go team go! Roughriders run this show!" RD tried out a line for cheering. "Sound good?" She asked Zap while sipping the sweet cider.

[SteelEagle]

 

The half-time came and went with lightning speed for the players. Most of them needed to catch a breather and the team as a whole needed to discuss strategy. Applejack was there, but she could have just ran out there and continued playing. She was as fit as a whistle and energetic as they came. She felt no small amount of pride in her body. It wasn't the sort of pride Rarity felt where it was aesthetics, no. Applejack felt *amazing*. Despite the dings and dents of gameday she could swear up and down that she felt as perfect as she started the day. Her stamina wasn't even being tested. Her strength, her agility- even as she had grown incrementally older she couldn't remember feeling better. From the day Twilight first showed up to now...if anything, she felt better. Stronger. Farm work was easier than ever. Playing this game? Better than ever. She had two foals, two amazing foals, and had never felt better. Some water and an apple- that is all Applejack needed. She had worked on it. It was important to her. She needed to be the best she could be. For herself, yes, but for so much more. For her farm. For her friends. For Equestria. For her family, she needed to be the best. They deserved it: Anything less was a dereliction of her duties to everything she held dear.

So when halftime ended, it was Applejack who led the Roughriders out. She was going to show everypony her very best, one more time.

*************************************************************

 

Only the town's best and most influential ponies could call the suites in the stadium their home, but High Bar was clearly one of them. The recent Manehattan transfer was by some metrics an unusual presence. She was, after all, merely a filly. A very wealthy one from a family with a big name in some circles, and one of Equestria's finest to be sure. But that wasn't all. She was a filly of style, of panache, and her parents hopes, a growing sense of the family business. She had been told to make a deal and a deal she would make, but truth be told she had been reticent. For a lot of reasons, not the least of which was trying to strongarm Mayor Rich would be the first time she had done anything of the sort for the family business. A business that she was terrified of, frankly.

 

Not that she'd let them know that.
"Mayor Rich," she said pleasantly enough as she entered the suite, flanked by two of her soldato. Her sunglasses were hung low on her nose while her stylish faux fur and griffon-tailed coat made the rest of the ensemble fit well. It has taken some work to get an audience with the Mayor, unexpected or otherwise. She had considered doing so at her office, but a public space worked better for her. "A great game, right?" She asked as she took a seat, never looking at the Mayor with her focus on the field. "You," she said as she pointed at the confused suite attendant. "Two ciders, extra crisp. Then make youself scarce, capiche?" She said quickly as she made sure to flair her coat over the seat. "Looks like ya opening is going about as close to perfect as it could."

 

[Blueblood]

~Spoiled Rich~

 

When the filly came up beside her in the box, Spoiled Rich's initial reaction was a slight irritation at her privacy being disturbed, followed by general bemusement at a little pony acting as if she was all grown up.  It honestly reminded her of Diamond in some respects, although her daughter's assumed maturity was in the process of being replaced with actual maturity, which didn't look much like this.  "You're acting awfully big for your britches."  The mayor remarked, bluntly but not unkindly.  "Might I ask what you think you are doing?"

 

~Ambrosia Apple~

"Go wuffwiders go! We da team that wun dis show!"  Ambrosia was not a filly that acted more than her age.  Honestly, she sometimes acted a little less, just because she knew everypony thought it was cuter.  Though her little lungs could probably not out-do Blue-mama's shouting, no one could deny that she was the most adorable cheerleader.  And so she would be for a while, though maybe one day in a way that would cause more worry than joy to Orange-Mama.  That day, however, was not today!  Today was fully a day of joy and not worry... right?

[Hippo]

 

"Go Roughriders, go! We're the team that run this show!" Zap cheerfully shouted with her sister and anypony else in the vicinity that would join them in their chant invented during the halftime show. Though Zap and Ambrosia often didn't match each other's enthusiasm when it came to their own interests, the setting which involved the best earth pony mom in the world dominating all others in a friendly, yet ruthless ball game seemed to align the two siblings' attention spans fairly well. "Go, Roughriders, go! We're the team that run this show!"

 

When Applejack ran back onto the field with her teammates in her wake, Zap fluttered up and blared. "WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

[SteelEagle]

with High Bar and Mayor Rich (Provided by Blueblood)

High Bar produced her family's nationally famous business card. "Bar Capital Consulting" it read, one of the most (in)famous names in all of Equestria. It was a front for the mob and everypony knew it, yet nopony could prove it. On the other side it listed other 'associates', a wide range of businesses that read as a who's who of Manehattan and The Strand. "The name is High Bar, of the Bar family. I'm sure a mare of ya standin' is aware of us, right?"

 

"Quite aware." Spoiled Rich's tone was flat, non-committal, but the Filly would know that she knew. The mayor couldn't say she was surprised that the mob's attentions were being attracted, but should she feel insulted that this was their representative? She felt a little insulted

 

"Well, that's good news," she said with a smile as she watched the game.

 

The Roughriders came out in the second half and immediately and without hesitation started turning the screws on the Bucs. Whenever the Bucs had the ball they never had any space, the Roughriders aggressively pursuing them at every moment of every play. They finally struck when Applejack intercepted the ball on a toss and, having already picked up her speed, outgalloped lightning itself and ran over the defender for a try, to the roar of the crowd. It continued.

 

"It isn't often Mister Bar sends his one and only daughter to meet somepony. Why, the last pony that I was sent to meet with was General Pommel. You aware of what this means, yeah?"

 

"Yes, it means that, in some manner, you upset or offended your father." Spoiled had met that leather-hidebound old martinet before. Would not shut up about the griffon marines and the softness of the Equestrian character blah blah blah.

 

That provoked an honest bit of laughter from High Bar. "Yeah, I certainly felt like it. Sweet sea he is a bore," she shook her head before taking a deep drink. "But he is a very important pony to us, business wise. My father thinks you will be a very important pony as well."

 

Hard hits, rough scrums, and another try for the Roughriders. The Bucs could do not one thing, not a thing! Finally as the game moved into the final quarter the Roughriders had a commanding lead, 35-15. The Bucs were going in for a try when Applejack struck like the hammer of the gods and hit number forty so hard he spinned in the air, flopping into the ground without the ball which...Applejack recovered.

It was a good, clean hit and forty-two got up quick enough, his clock cleaned. But more than a few Bucs started to jaw and get angry, and dagger-like glances were shared.

 

"More important to us than even one of these 'Elements of Harmony'. Applejack is it?"

 

"Yes, that's her. Unless you're referring to her wife, also an element, by the name of Rainbow Dash." Spoiled sipped her lemonade, determined not to let the flattery go to her head. "Business is more in my husband's line, though I believe you had more than an interest in agriculture and retail?"

 

"Retail and agriculture? Well, if we were interested in retail we'd just talk to your husband, no offense. We're looking instead at construction. Waste management. Banking. Real estate. We have many...partnerships that can help you. Help this town. A lot of towns have your opportunity, ya know. A lot of them fail to...capitalize."

 

"So I see." Spoiled tried to consider her next remarks carefully, thinking over the madding crowd. "Tell me, do you have performance metrics for your... 'partners'? Efficiency metrics vis a vis your competition? Price sheets? Before and after shots of neighborhoods transitioning from obscurity to prosperity over the course of your relationship with them? In short, demonstrable proof that you are better than your alternatives, and that ponies are better for you having decided to go into business at all?"

 

High Bar nodded. "Smart mares ask smart questions. We can provide you a lot of information, if I can tell my father you are who he thinks you are. I can get you a personal recommendation from the Mayor of Manehattan, even some business associates in the Royal Treasury," she shook her head. "As for our competition? Mayor, they don't pass the Bar. Ponies who go with them end up regretting it, can tell you that. Foolish mares make foolish decisions."

 

"Mmm, personal recommendations are all well and good, but I would still like to see hard numbers and photographs. This town is under the personal eye of royalty, after all, and thus I feel it strictly incumbent upon myself to go above and beyond to ensure the quality of my efforts. Given certain... personal issues and regrettable past disagreements, the slightest hint of impropriety or corruption is likely to bring the full attention of the Crown."

 

"Yeah, anything too big gets caught by the Crown. That' something our competitors never quite understand, right? So they go for flashy moves. Ya know, something usually involvin' dealing and importin'. Not only does the Crown catch it but the Manehattan Police are all over them! How eyecatching," she rolled her pair as the crowd reacted to a big play by the Bucs. "How stupid. And the small things? Sure you may have a bit more attention due to the Crown, but the town really does seem a magnet for big trouble. The Crown isn't looking for small things and it isn't gonna catch the whiff of corruption on you. After all, we're legitimate business ponies...with a lot of plausible deniability."

 

Spoiled sighed. This business was getting slightly tiresome. "Look, as a mare of the world, I am aware of the compromises that are necessary to get a thing done. But, little miss, I am also a mare of this town, and I wish it to actually be as good as I promised to make it in my campaign speeches. Hence, why I care about the actual quality of the services you are offering... and why I am disturbed that you are avoiding my requests for evidence of such."

 

"I haven't denied your requests for evidence, Mayor Rich. I told you I can get you a lot of information once I tell my father you are who he thinks you are," she looked at Rich, her own frustrations resulting in an arched brow. "Did you think I'd come to a sporting event carrying charts and graphs and financial statements to a first meeting?" She laughed and turned back to the game. She clapped her hooves together and one of her guards approached. "Get the pad," she said, and he brought out a legal pad and the other stallion brought out a pre-wettened quill. "If you have any specific requests, go ahead and write it down. My father will get back to you, should I tell him you're worth our time."

 

"As a career tip, Miss High Bar, most professionals do. My husband carries just such a presentation in his briefcase, and could give it in his sleep. Literally, he's kept me awake with it sometimes." She took the quill, beginning to jot down an itemized request. "Have you ever been tax-audited before? Believe me, you never appreciate the value of keeping boxes of files until you have enough to cover your plot completely?"

 

The Roughriders started to let the tempo die, but that didn't mean they would allow the Bucs to score. When they had the ball they would play conservatively but they very aggressively hammered the Bucs whenever they got the ball. As time wound down, Applejack ran to and from, hitting hard with a smile but generally staying off of offense. After all, she was too competitive to try not to score! Only three minutes remained when an opportunity presented itself. She had the ball as four Bucs ranged in on her and decided to go for a goal kick-

 

"Oh, I am sure they do. But that would look odd, a filly carrying all these charts and graphs, being kept safe by bodyguards, having a very public meeting with the Mayor in a suite during a very pubic event. Besides, in our line of work it doesn't pay to be so forward with information," She said evenly as she finished her drink as the subject of an audit came up. "Oh my father has, I'm sure. He gets audited all the time. Almost as if they're looking for something they can't find, but not looking very well. Helps to have friends, doesn't it though? I think- oooh, that doesn't look good."

Spoiled nodded, before finding her attention caught by the events on the field.

 

-Applejack planted her front legs and bucked the ball. It soared a full three-quarters of the field before flying through the uprights. Good for two, Roughriders.

Too bad Applejack would never see it.
 

Three Buccaneers had hit her. The first had gone low into her front left leg, landing just above the knee joint. Bad enough on its own, dangerous when it was paired with the other Buc coming from the other side, slamming into her other planted leg and through it, pinning her front left leg just as the other Buc slammed into it. There was not one but two loud, angry snaps and an attempt at a pained whinny from Applejack that was cut off by additional contact. A third Buc leapt to try to block the kick. He had failed and had even been hit in mid-air by a Roughrider, sending him tumbling from above onto Applejack. One of her back legs- Kicks McGee to be specific- took the brunt of the weight as he drove it into Applejack, and the mare herself straight into the earth. Combined with events on the ground and her top half was spiked by the bottom half into the ground head-first, folding at an absurd angle before it ended.
It all happened in the space of a second, meaning more attention was paid by the crowd on the ball. A roar of excitement as the ball sailed through, followed by a small but growing silencing of the crowd. The three Bucs had gotten up and were frantically waiving over the on-site medical team. Multiple Roughriders stood around Applejack and a few others angrily pursued the Buccaneers. In the middle of it, all Applejack could do was whinny.
 

[Blueblood]

~Ambrosia Apple~

 

The little filly couldn't really follow the game so much.  Sure, she cheered along with everypony else when the ball went through the goal, but her eyes were on momma!  And she wasn't sure she was liking what she saw.  "Mama?"  She broke off cheering as she saw the pile up.  As the cheers quieted, and she could hear the whinnies from the field, her empathy and worry were immediately triggered.  "Mama!  MAMA-aaaaaahhhh-"  She coked off in a sob, tears running down her face as she immediately tried to get out of her seat to the field.  Mama was hurt, really hurt!

[Hippo]

 

As the game grew old, Zap's attention span started to drift. It was great seeing his own mother dominate as per usual, but even that could only grab his undivided attention for so long. He had been looking around at the billboards around the stadium, wondering what it would take to get his name plastered on the side of the stadium.

 

It happened quickly. He missed it. He didn't notice the noise, but he noticed the lack of excitement. He sprang up to see what had happened. Hearing his baby sister's reaction with not being able to see his mother running around meant that something awful had happened. Was she hurt? Zap looked over to Dashie to see her assessment. "What happened, Dashie?" If she was truly hurt, he wasn't sure if he should go out there and help. After all, she helped him several times whenever he had an owie. But maybe he would just cause more problems. It was times like these Zap showed a surprising amount of maturity.

[SteelEagle]

Applejack

 

Medical teams were on staff at every game. Indeed, a good team had been selected for this game since it was a big stadium opening. They would only rarely be critical. Most injuries were not too terrible and even the more concerning ones would usually not demand their full capabilities. So it was when they first started to trot out there they did so with speed, but not in an emergency gallop. That changed when the first one there, a pegasus who flew out quickly to check the patient, crossed his two top legs in an X. They all immediately started galloping towards Applejack. In a moment more they were on her and started working. The two unicorn members stood back and helped less than the othes. They appeared to be talking to somepony else- after a few moments one of them nodded and said something. The crew huddled up closer to Applejack. His horn lit up and in a flash they were all gone.

 

 

Apple Family

An attendant arrived, wearing a smile as he leaned in. "Apple family, please come with us. We will give you an escort," he said as the tunnel underneath started to clear. On the field, the teams were slowly but surely being pulled back into order. The shock of the injury had worn off and now anger had become the prevailing emotion as the crowd booed the Bucs, specifically the players involved in the hard hit. They all looked various stages of regretful, one of them sporting a black eye from a kick that had been cheered on by the crowd. Still, in time the game would continue as the Apples were whisked away.

 

High Bar

"Oof. Well, I guess there is always risk when playing a game. Hopefully she'll be okay," High Bar said as she started to rise from her seat. "Don't know her well but I do like the idea of being in a town with real heroes. Both the old," she said as the unicorn teleported the medical team and Applejack away, "and the new," she said as she looked over at the Mayor. When the Mayor was ready, High Bar took the notepad. It vanished in a flash. "Next Wednesday, two in the afternoon. Keep your schedule clear, Mayor Rich. When next we meet I will bring you all the evidence you need and then some. We'll do business. Have a wonderful rest of all..." she waved at the stadium, then at the Mayor, "this," she said as she trotted out of the suite.

 

Either her bodyguards she cleared a magi-elevator. One of her guards swept for bugs as a buzzing sound echoed. She pulled out a small orb- "Uggh, dad. Not now..." she said as she smashed the orb against the other hoof. Vapors reached ears and she started to hold an instantaneous conversation, with her father's voice being heard only by her.
"Yes, dad?"
"How did it go?"
"It went well, dad. She will be receptive-"
"No, I meant the game. It happened in the final five minutes?"
"Yeah, yeah. It just did."
The doors opened. She trotted out into the masses with her guards, who cleared the way by their very presence.
"Great."
"Seemed a little excessive, though."
"Sounds like it was. I just needed her carted off, but the radio makes it sound a lot worse. But, well, she's tough. She'll be fine. The loss in reputation for the Bucs will lower the asking price when the owner-coach backs the players who hurt her. The paltry sum we paid to put her out will be more than made up by how much we will save in purchasing the team."
She knew what that would entail. The Bucephalus Buccaneers were a well known fixture in the NRL. They had solid name recognition and while today's incident would hurt them, it wouldn't last. The team would turn the Bar family a profit and would do so quickly. The real potential lay in the barnstorming nature of the league, however. It was very loose. Payroll, scheduling, travel- the opportunity to use the team for a wide array of illegal activities was there. 
"Sounds good, I guess."
A pause as the guards nearly pushed into the way of the Apples. High Bar briefly looked at Zap Apple- one of the students in class she was attending. The idea that her father had essentially put a hit out on Applejack- even if it had went a little too far by his own admission- hurt her a little. She didn't want to be the cause of any big trouble. Nice and smooth. Nice and smooth. Money in, money out, but now this? Her father knew that she didn't like certain aspect of this business, right?
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, dad. Listen, I got to go-"
"I know that tone."
A pause.
"I know you hate this side of it, but life is rough. The school of hard knocks is never closed, High Bar. Learn to love what it teaches you or be run over by it."
She allowed her heart to be hardened. The bodyguards eventually cleared the way out of the stadium and she made her way to the luxury chariot. She stepped inside it and laid down. 
"I'll be fine dad. Talk to you later."

[RainbowFoxxy]

RD watched in stunned silence as the horrible 'accident' occurred. She lived the next few moments on another plane. After telling Zap to watch Amby, she bolted out towards AJ. Once the medical crew arrived and took her away, RD had seen to Zap and Amby before bolting to the hospital. 

 

"Where is she?" The mane had burst into the waiting room, not know where AJ was or her condition. She was of course not aware of any of the plot taking place. Her only thought was for AJ. Would she be alright? She had to believe she would be. 

 

Big Mac was watching Zap and Amby. She wasn't sure if she'd told him to keep the kids away or bring them to the hospital later. 

 

Her mind spun as she frantically asked for information on her wife. 

[SteelEagle]

The waiting room was fairly placid as far as these things go. It was a practiced calm that the staff had that allowed them to handle most emergencies without causing an undue panic. As Applejack was teleported directly into the Ponyville Hospital ICU, while Rainbow found herself in the flat, flaccid, placid waiting room. It was a quiet day, which meant at 6the very least she would get a rather rapid response. A single doctor, a younger one at that, exited the doors to answer the concerned mare.

"Missus Dash, your wife has just arrived. We'll give you an update when we can. Please take a seat and try to relax. She is in excellent hooves," he said warmly and with as much comfort a stallion could proffer when he wasn't yet able to fully formulate all the things wrong with a patient. "We should have something for you soon. Where is the rest of your family, Missus Dash?"

[RainbowFoxxy]

Dash gulped and glanced about. She had shoved Zappers and Amby onto Big Mac while bolting for the hospital. She was also sure Big Mac would end up here in the waiting room with her shortly. But, they weren't as fast as she was. Fast wasn't even the word really. Dash was driven by concern for her love. 

 

"Relax?" RD confronted the young doctor. "Listen here colt." She eyed him. "You better be telling me AJ's going to be just fine. She's going to come trotting out that door, and..." She sniffed. "And..." She had been working really hard on cultivating a new version of herself. Somepony, cool, calm, collected. That was what AJ needed. That was what she was supposed to be.

 

"Sorry," RD's voice cracked. Then she cleared her throat. "I'll be right here," She glanced at the waiting room. "If anypony needs me." Where was Big Mac?

[SteelEagle]

The Doctor was used to panicking mares and didn't take her emotions too personally. And even if he did he wouldn't show it. This was a hard moment for a loved one to deal with and he had to be a rock of calm for her to deal with it. "The only thing I can say Missus Dash is that we will do everything we can for her," he said as he took off his glasses to clean it. As he did so, multiple flashing lights and the sound of teleportation behind him broke the silence behind the door. "We have a fantastic staff and have called on specialists. When your family arrives, please do what you can to keep them calm. I cannot tell you how long it will. Please speak with the front desk about any accommodations or help you need," he smiled as he put his glasses back on. "Missus Applejack is in good hooves," he said as he turned back to the door and entered, it swinging behind him a few times before settling.

 

(OOC- Everypony feel free to use the following time lapse. I am using this to move forward the timeline a little, but we can/will play in the time if there is any interest!)

 

Five hours later...

It was late evening when a pegasus nurse flew over to Rainbow.
"Missus Dash, the doctors want to speak with you," she said gently, beckoning towards another series of doors.

 

Rainbow had paced a groove into the waiting room floor. She was so bent out of shape with her and and tail frazzled, worry creasing her features, and her eyes rimmed with tears and red, she really couldn't take any more. She had to know how AJ was. RD pushed her way past medical workers and shouldered her way to outside of AJ's door, or at least she thought it was.

"AJ?" She croaked. "AJ!?"

Two doctors, an older gentlestallion and a younger one, came out of a door- the one next to where Rainbow was, in any case, their horns locking it behind them.
"Missus Dash, ah. We had sent a nurse to get you," the older one said as the younger one beckoned the Wonderbolt to follow.
"If you would follow us- Applejack needs to rest. There are things we need to speak with you about," he said their horns unlocking a door.

RD glanced back. "So that's what he was trying to tell me before I uh," she snorted in frustration. "Anyway, I want to see my wife. Now."
She protested them telling her they wanted to speak with sure. 
"I won't like wake her up or whatever, I just want to be with her." She eyed them defiantly, feeling out of her depth entirely.

Both of them eyed her up, their compassion allowing them the patience needed. "That will not be possible in her current condition. She is undergoing treatments even now, and the specialists that have been called in need time and the ability to concentrate," the younger stallion started.

The older one nodded and approached Rainbow, offering a sympathetic hoof. "We know that you want to see her, but please understand that it is not what is best for her. And right now, that is our primary concern. She has suffered tremendously, and we feel it only right for you to understand just what it is she has gone through. Afterwards, it will be clear," he said, sweeping another leg towards the room.

 

"Undergoing treatmentspecialists..
Suffered tremendously...what she has gone through..."
These words filtered through her mind, filling her with dread. She looked towards the room to talk in. RD nodded dumbly. She was supposed to be strong now, in control, sure of herself. But now? She wasn't sure she could do it. She shook her head, hoping to clear her mind. Then she cleared her throat. 
"Lead the way." She spoke with resignation as she followed the doctors into the room.

 

The doctors breathed a sigh of relief. Truth was, there was little they could do to physically stop her if she really wanted to break down that door, but they had hoped in her good conscience. It had worked. Once they had seated, the door behind them was closed and locked. The relative evenness they had before broke for a second as their weariness showed before they took their positions. A glass of water appeared before her.

"I am going to tell you about a long list of injuries she has suffered," the older doctor began as he sat down, his horn lighting up to reveal a plethora of magical medical scans that he would change out as he continued. "Before I do that I feel a need to let you know that we expect she will make a recovery, especially given time, so she should be able to return to her livelihood in large part," he said with a smile before he readjusted himself.
"With that being said, I advise that you prepare yourself. Tell me when you are ready," the other doctor started before turning to face the scans.

 

The words flowed around her and she sat at the edge of her seat. She nodded, sober reality seeping in. She had to be strong for AJ and her family. She had done it before and she would do it again, now. At the mention that she would recover she allowed her tense wings to relax for a split second. There had been no 'full' before recovery. That made her feel sick but she soldiered on..
'Please tell me.' The words issued softly.

"I will stop and allow you to ask any questions, if you have any. To start."
"Both of her front legs have suffered compound fractures. Her left front leg suffered a break in not one, but two places, and much of the bone in between has a serious, deep hairline. The injury was serious enough that we considered amputation, but luckily we were able to keep it in place and repair enough that we will likely not have to consider that in the future. Still, something to monitor," he said as both doctors nodded. It had been touch and go, but she was one very lucky mare.
"Her right front leg was broken at length closer to the hoof. Serious, especially as the bone pressed into the hoof and pierced the internal wall. Even now we think there will be bone chips inside the soft tissue that will cause irritation and bleeding for a long while. Still, considering the possibilities it is considered one of the better case scenarios."

 

RD was floored. Floored. How could such serious injuries happen in a simple playfield game?
'W-will she be able to walk?" She stammered.

Both doctors nodded. "Yes. The rehabilitation will take a while, but as we said she should make a recovery," the older one said. "Her back left hind leg was compressed and tauted against the body hard enough to cause muscle rupturing, and the impact caused a complete tearing apart of the carpus bone. All three legs have suffered tremendous ligament and cartilage damage. As I said however, she should be able to recover from it. I can't speak to her athletic ability, but while each injury is on its own severe, they are all recoverable."
"Those injuries are severe. However, they are minor compared to her worst injury," the younger doctor said before taking a deep, prepared breath.

 

"The ligament holding the C2 ruptured, so her disc hit the spinal cord. For all intents and purposes, her neck was broken and her body driven in such a manner as to nearly knock her unconscious. It is...a gruesome injury, to be sure. Most ponies who suffer this injury do not survive- the fatality rate is around 95%. Luckily, her neck muscles were built up in such a way as she was able to cushion herself and prevent even worse damage. Most survivors are quadriplegic, so she dodged another serious issue. Honestly Missus Dash, she is in the top one-half percentile for outcomes in this case," he continued, allowing the injury to breathe, as well as the realization as to what luck Applejack had.

 

RD cleared her throat. She glanced from one doctor to the other. Anger welled up in her chest and it came out in a torrent on the two stallions.
"I don't care about percentiles, or whatever the heck you're talking about!" Her voice rattled around in her own head, starling her with their ferocity. She sat forward, teeth gritted and brow furrowed in abject anguish. Anquish for her beloved Applejack. Her wife who loved athleticism more than any pony she had ever met, herself included. Her wings quivered and she shook, a son ripping through her. She kept her head down, rainbow locks covering her face. 
"No, be strong." She told herself mentally. 
"I understand." She gulped, her throat harsh from the sob and fr the shouting. The glass of water she had regarded with disdain now found its way to her lips. She downed half of it, she hadn't drank since the game much earlier. 
" What can I do?"

 

The older doctor took over.
"What you can do, Missus Dash, is help her. There are other injuries to be discussed- her L2 and L3 vertebrae are damaged, her jaw was fractured, and she had massive internal bleeding. But I can tell that this is, perhaps, too much for you right now. So let me give you her prognosis. I'll be honest, this is the worst set of injuries I've seen a pony survive, and I've seen a great deal as a Royal Apothecary. She is still not out of the woods. Right now we have pinned her in place and sedated her and will continue tending to some of her immediate concerns. She is still bleeding more than we would like, and we do not want her to remain conscious. Over the next few days we will keep in contact and come up with a care plan. We should have her able to see you and your children soon. For now, I would tell them that their mother is resting and will be okay, but has some serious injuries that the doctors need to help her with."
The younger doctor then looked over.
"I think you should prepare for a very extended hospital stay and an even longer rehabilitation effort. Even after that, she will need far more care than she will be willing to admit. I think we both know that," the young stallion smiled. Applejack's stubbornness was famous across the land. "This is a life altering injury, Missus Dash. The Applejack who leaves here will have been changed by this experience. The physical half of this will be the easiest for her to recover from. In time, she will be in large part the mare she used to be," he concluded, taking his own glass of water finally.
"It will be accepting everything else that will be tougher for a mare of her stubbornness to accept. She will be more limited than before, especially as she rehabs, and it is tough for even a normal pony to fully accept. You will need to be prepared for that. We have resources that you and your family may use, and we will be available for any further updates. Having said all this, do you have any questions or have any requests?"

 

"Ok," RD nodded. This was what it was. She would stay strong. Be the rock for AJ no matter what. "No questions, thank you." She spoke matter of fact lying and stood
"I need to go see Zap and Amby now. You know how to reach me." 
She looked at them, hope, worry, and thankfulness for their efforts radiating from her expressive eyes. Then she walked out the door, taking wing as she exited and heading to her kids.

 

[Blueblood]

What a day this had been.  Of all the days in Ambrosia's short little life, this would be going down as the worst ever.  It had gone from a fun day out watching mama be mama with her whole family, and now she was clinging to Uncle Big Mac's neck, crying softly into his mane because she knew mama was really hurt, and they wouldn't even let her in to kiss and make her better!  What kind of doctors were they, who didn't take advantage of the healing power of cute filly kisses?  Or even Blue Mama kisses?  Did they think they were better kissers than family?

"Sniff... sniff... maaamaaa...."  The filly's plaintive wailing cried out for comfort, any kind, even that of an older brother, if Zappers was the only comforter to hoof.

[RainbowFoxxy]

Rainbow flew to where Zap and Amby were. She landed softly and entered the room, looking around for them. There was Amby, sitting on the floor and looking scared and sad. 

 

"Hey little one," Rainbow forced herself to keep tears from falling as she picked up the filly and held her close. She planted a firm kiss on Amby's forehead and nuzzled her with the affection that was shared between mother and daughter. "I'm here now," 

 

She held Amby tightly, knowly she would soon be asking where AJ was. RD racked her brain for how to do this right. She wasn't going to lie to her little filly, that wouldn't be right. But how to do this in a way that wouldn't scare Amby.

 

"Where's your brother Amby? Is he outside?" 

[Blueblood]

It was some mark of the providence that watched over the little fillies of Equestria that at least one of Amby's momma's heard her plaintive cries, and came in to snuggle her.  The little unicorn didn't want to do or say anything, just have a good cry safe in blue mama's arms.  It was all just too much for her night now.  "I dunno where Zappers is... *sniff*  I dunno where owange mamma is... wahhhh...."

[SteelEagle]

Over the hours, ponies had filtered in and out. Close friends had come by and more than a few tears had been shed, but it was then that more arrived to try and help.

Rarity had been the first to arrive, and had to be sent home after having a total freakout. She had gone home indeed, made some beautiful fashions indeed, and came in wearing her insurmountable stress on her head. A manic disaster of a hat that perfectly reflected her underlying emotions and her tear-stained dress were countered by a suitcase full of clothes. One was marked 'intense mourning fashion' and the other was 'relieved but terribly stressed fashion'. She found Rainbow Dash first off. "Rainbow! Rainbow Dash, please!" She said as she lifted both suitcases up, her eyes twitching in deep anxiety and terror as she waited for Rainbow to tell which was more appropriate.

 

Soarin' was on his way to Ponyville anyway to deliver some good news to RD, that the Wonderbolts were on the verge of naming her Captain of the Reserves- third-in line for control of not just the Wonderbolts team, but the whole organization. He was proud and jealous. Ever since his semi-retirement from the team he had been in charge of the training squadrons and had applied for that role himself. Too bad nopony told him that competing against Rainbow Dash was like competing against the very wind and skies itself. Oh wait somepony had...she had. Still, he was happy for her and was flying into town when he heard what had happened and went to go find her at the hospital, his heart in his throat. Once there he saw that she was busy with Rarity, but he did see Big Mac and Zap Apple and went to see the little colt himself...

 

Fluttershy had cried herself to a short rest after being sent home. She then steeled herself as best she could for whatever news would come. Nothing could really prepare you for this, but Fluttershy knew that she had to be strong- if not for herself, than for the kids and for Rainbow Dash. They were all too important. And so she marched her way to the hospital. For once, Angel Bunny clung to her neck in a hug and not as a total...something impolite. When she arrived, she took a deep breath and approached Rainbow Dash. "Rainbow, what do you need me to do?"

 

Pinkie Pie had arrived. Pinkie Pie left. Pinkie Pie ate all the sugar in Sugarcube Corner as she stress ate. She then baked more, ate more, and then baked some more to bring with her to the hospital when she returned. She pronked her way there, though her face wore conflicting emotions. When she did enter, a sense of calm did in some way come over her as she watched the emotions of others being what they were. She stopped pronking, wore the right face, and trotted in with a sympathetic face. "Hey, everypony. Does anypony want something to eat?"

 

A bright, *angry* flash of purple lit the world outside of the hospital as Twilight Sparkle popped into existence. The doors flew open as the ruler of Equestria trotted in. Hers was the countenance of fury and sorrow, and no small amount of concern. She marched her way towards the back silently, giving a weary and apologetic nod to Ambrosia and Rainbow Dash, with the doctors who tried to stop her gently pushed aside and then pulled along with her as she entered Applejack's room.

[RainbowFoxxy]

RD snuggled her little Amby close, feeling the filly's tears on her arms brought tears to her eyes as well. She'd tried to hold them back. But now they flowed unbidden. What in all the cosmos could have sent this to her family? Her perfect family that she'd always dreamed of. Now she had her two little ones to think of and care for and somehow bring them through to the other side even without her wonderful AJ by her side. 

 

Wait! No, she couldn't think this way. It wasn't like AJ was gone. She was just laid low. If anypony could come back from something awful like this it was Applejack. The thought stilled something deep inside her chest and RD sucked in a breath. She turned her gaze to Amby and drew her hoof tenderly over the little one's head.

 

"Orange momma," RD searched for the right words. She wouldn't lie to her little one. "Orange momma is sick. And we're gonna help make her better ok Amby?" 

 

----

 

RD stood in front of Rarity for a while, contemplating what in all of Equestria was on the head of the fashion mare. She twitched an ear, her thoughts far from the fashion choices that had been held out in front of her. 

 

"Rarity," RD let out a breath. She then shook her head, knowing this was something Rarity needed in that moment. Rainbow actually felt a momentary relief to focus on something other than the horrible reality she was facing. "This one, I guess," She pointed at the one on the right hoof. 

 

Other dear friends came by one by one. All of them offering of themselves what they could. RD knew she had the best friends anypony could ever ask for. But the feeling of anxiety that ate at her very soul from this ordeal made them pale in her sights. She couldn't focus, on anything anyone but her kids and AJ. 

 

----

 

Now she stood outside the door of AJ's hospital room. Amby and Zappers were in the care of trusted friends. Only one trusted friends, the purple alicorn variety wasn't with them. She was standing right in front of RD.

 

"Twi," RD asked softly. "There's nothing you can," She glanced ahead into the room. "Nothing magic can do for this?" 

[Hippo]

"I'm here, Amby." Zap had a foreleg around his little sister as they both tried to wrap their minds around to what was happening. They didn't know much. But from the lack of information and the amount of family and friends that were waiting with them, it began to feel more dire after every passing minute. Zap reminded himself of when Amby was born. This wait felt a lot like that, except the anticipation was filled with somber and dread instead of joy and hope. Having never felt this way before, he hated it.