014 Bushels ❦ [Action for Mahogany]

[buckyouup]

[Applejack has been quiet for the last few days. Hardly in the mood to talk, the southerner has been taking advantage of the warmer weather to get in some training. Never wanting to sit still, she takes every opportunity to run or fight or do something, but outside of her pokemon, she insists on being alone. She has to keep herself busy. So she doesn't think. So she isn't reminded.

One year. One whole year. And that's just the time she remembers. That's not counting the time she's been here before. She hasn't seen her family, her home, her orchard, in a year. She knows that time works strange here, that for her, time isn't moving back home, but that doesn't quite translate to her emotions. To her, she's spent a whole year of her life chasing strange animals while her family and her farm is without her. Stuck in some strange land, located who knows how far away from home. If she was never brought here, what would she have experienced at home? Would this year's haul be a good one? Did Apple Bloom get her cutie mark? She didn't want to think about it. She didn't want to think at all.

If you happen to be wandering in a secluded part of town, you may notice Applejack training. She may be running laps, or doing sit-ups, or training her pokemon, but one thing is instantly noticeable: she looks like shit. Her clothes are torn and her body is dirty and covered in scrapes and bruises. She looks like she hasn't slept in days. She doesn't want to. She dreams of home.]

Comments

[buckyouup]

[Beaten and burned, Dozer lumbered forward, slowly. His eyes pierced with anger, his breathing was shallow. Between his tusks, another Ice Shard began to form. Stupid dragon, you're nothing to him. You and your trainer. You didn't stand a chance. He lets out a challenging cry, staggering forward again.

You're all pathetic. The blonde one, who could never wish to control her, and the purple one, with her lesser monsters. Another step. The Ice Shard is almost ready. You'll be sorry... you challenged me.

I'm invincible. I can't lose. Man nor monster can stand before me as an equal. Another step. His eyes pierce like daggers. You think you've won. Don't make me laugh. I'll just Rest again and regain my strength. Then you'll be crushed beneath my feet. Yes... just another... quick... rest.]

Dozer, return...

[friendyousohard]

[Staring blankly at the spot Dozer was for a moment, Twilight finally raises her eyes to stare, boggling, at her Dragonite. Spike turns and gives her a warm smile... and a cheesy thumbs up. She can't help but grin.]

Spike... you were amazing. You've earned a rest. Return.

[She pulls him back into the ball and smiles fondly down at it for a moment. Then kisses it. Celestia, she's so happy with him at the moment, she had no idea he could even do something like that.

Raising her head to look at her love, she sighs and the smile vanishes. Putting her hands in her pockets, she slowly walks down towards AJ.]

I don't think we should count that one as a real fight, for a variety of reasons. I am tempted to say we should refrain from using Dozer and Tower against each other in the future, though. In retrospect that seems way too vicious.

[She bows her head a bit.] And I apologize for that. I let my anger get the better of me. I'm sorry, AJ.

1/2

[sitdownbecider]

You're right you're sorry! What were you thin--

[buckyouup]

[She sighs, dropping to her knees, her head in her hands. She felt lightheaded, and with her eyes closed she could swear the world was spinning around her. She hasn't slept in days, and barely eaten. Even if she really was angry, which she wasn't, she wouldn't have the energy to show it.]

T-Twilight... I'm so sorry...

[friendyousohard]

Applejack!

[Rushing to her side, Twilight kneels down next to her and puts her hands on her shoulders, staring at her with fear and worry in her eyes.]

Dear Celestia, look at you... AJ, what in the world could have driven you to do this to yourself?

[She moves to wrap an arm around her, gripping tightly.]

Can you stand? I'm going to bring you back to the inn... but we're going to have to do it the long way, with all of our Pokemon out of commission.

[buckyouup]

I'll be alright... don't worry 'bout me.

[See? She's standing already.

No wait totally falling down help.]

[friendyousohard]

[Don't worry, your willowy princess in shining... uh, cloth, is moving to support you, AJ. Even if it makes her knees buckle. Which it is.]

There is a literally zero percent chance of me not worrying, at least until we get you back to the inn and get some food in you, at which point I promise to worry less.

[Less, but not stop completely because seriously girlfriend what are you even doing to yourself?]

[buckyouup]

[She knew that Twilight was going to worry, just as her own pride would insist she was okay. After all, that's what she's been telling herself for the last three days. Or was it four? She really needed a nap.]

A-alright. Just... let me do most of the walkin', I may be tired, but you ain't exactly fit t'carry me.

[friendyousohard]

You don't have to remind me of that. Stupid frail human body... Let's just hobble our way back. We'll muddle through somehow.

[Taking those first steps now and hoping they don't fall flat on their face.]

Shall we skip to them getting back to the hotel?

[buckyouup]

[Let's be realistic here, Twi, even in your pony body, you wouldn't be fit to carry Applejack across town. Not without magic, at least.]

We'll be home in... n-no time.

Yeah, Twi's going to save the important conversation for then.

[friendyousohard]

[The Twilight-mobile begs to differ.]

Somehow I have a feeling it's going to feel a lot longer than that.

[About half an hour later-]

Oh thank Celestia, that felt like hours.

[buckyouup]

[Applejack collapses forward, face-planting onto the bed. She lets out a pained groan, followed by a relaxed sigh. This is the softest a bed has felt in a long time.]

[friendyousohard]

[Twilight wants, she really wants, to follow suit, but there's something important she really has to take care of first.]

F-food...

[She staggers over to the pantry and yanks it open. Sandwich time is now.]

[buckyouup]

[A hand wearily rises from the bed.]

Make me one too!

[friendyousohard]

Yeah I know... you know, if you didn't look so close to finished I'd insist that you bathe before lying on that. I mean, I'm not Rarity but that's where we sleep.

[She makes a little face, but she's already making a couple of sandwiches for the both of them.]

[buckyouup]

Oh, um...

[Yeah, AJ, you kind of smell. Also, you're filthy. Also, is that blood?]

Maybe I should... go clean up.

[friendyousohard]

If you take a shower, are you going to faint in it?

[This is a very serious question she does not want you falling unconscious and banging your head on something okay?]

[buckyouup]

If I say yes, will you come with me?

[Suave, AJ, considering an hour ago, she wanted to kick your ass.]

[friendyousohard]

[She considers that for a couple moments.]

... All right. The sandwiches will keep while we get you cleaned up. Come on.

[Offers a hand, because honestly you probably need a bit of help getting up at this point AJ.]

[sitdownbecider]

[She'll take that hand. Twilight's already beaten her once tonight, she doesn't need to see her squirm, too.]

Thanks, Sugarcube. I'll make this quick.

[friendyousohard]

Don't make promises you can't keep, AJ. If we're doing this we're not getting out of the shower until I've scrubbed every inch of you clean.

[... One wonders whether that's a threat or a promise. Either way, Twilight's moving pretty purposefully as she heads for the bathroom.]

[sitdownbecider]

[Applejack hobbles behind her, using the walls to keep balance.]

I reckon I should probably just... throw these clothes away.

[They're in pretty rough shape, and without Rarity (who likely wouldn't touch them) to mend them, they don't have much use.]

[friendyousohard]

That's probably fair. At this point they'd mostly fall apart in the wash.

[Turning on the water to the ideal temperature now...]

[sitdownbecider]

[And peeling off the clothing. It's like a second skin at this point. It's hard to tell where the dirt ends and the cotton begins. Ew.]

[friendyousohard]

[Her clothes are much less disgusting and so are actually going in the hamper. Down to the skin she goes in no time.]

Are you good? Is any of it sticking to you?

[She tosses her undies in and turns around as she asks that... semi-serious question.]