The Finish Line

       Everypony becomes a burden on the rest of society at some point. People expect it to happen at a point when they’re old and grey, when their own bodies are the cause of them having to rely on others. But even in old age, ponies still retain some usefulness to other ponies. This was not the case for a certain orange Earth-pony, who outlived her usefulness by a mere minute, and was nowhere near even a middle-aged pony. In fact, she was barely past her teen years. Nevertheless, she couldn’t fight the inability to benefit other ponies with her special talent, and ultimately gave in to her affliction. This is her story.

    Applejack's friends had already wished her luck in the big hoof-and-hurdle race in Canterlot Stadium. Every great Earth-pony in Equestria was going to be there from all corners of the nation. The most famous racer was Usain Colt, a world record holder in all Earth-pony, track-based events of the Ponylympics. They say his feet are like magic, and he is secretly hiding a unicorn horn within his nasal cavity to make his feet go faster, which would be a form of cheating if it were possible. Either way, Applejack was going to be there.

    The main difference between today and all of Applejack's other athletic events is all five of her best friends could attend today, especially an event this big in "such a posh spot as Canterlot," in Rarity's words. They met Applejack just outside the stadium to chat.

    "I can't believe you're going up against the ranks of Usain Colt!" said Rainbow Dash admiringly. "If I were an Earth-pony, I'd totally keep his as my role model!"

    "I'm gonna host a big party for your victory!" said Pinkie Pie with excitement.

    "Now, now, Pinkie," said Twilight Sparkle in her usual tone. "She hasn't won anything yet, and we're not even sure if she'll win the race at all." She turned to Applejack. "Sorry, AJ. Just trying to be realistic."

    "Aw, shucks, that's all right, Twi," said Applejack. "Just make sure Flutters dudn' git trampled by them fanatic folk. You know how they can be."

    "T-trampled!?!?" Fluttershy gasped. She fainted on the spot, and immediately woke up in a daze.  

    "I'll take care of her if that happens," said Rarity, picking up Fluttershy before brshing the sand off her leg and the tip of her highly stylized hair. "Don't worry about that."

    "We'll be rooting for you, Applejack," Twilight said with tears in her eyes. "We believe in you, and once again, wish you the best of luck."

    "Thanks," said Applejack. "Now if you'll excuse me, I've got something to take care of."

    Applejack looked for Usain Colt, and found him taking to his groupies feeding them what Applejack considered lies about how he is the greatest and unbeatable and a racing god, etc. She cleared her throat and decided it was time to call him over.

    "Hey, pea-brain! Quit feedin' yer flock them horseapples!"

    "Excuse me ladies," said Usain with arrogance. "This wannabe wants to talk."

    "Hope you don't choke," said Applejack with a proud grin. "'Cause if you do, you'll choke some more: On my trail dust!"

    "I'd kick you in the face but I've got to keep my hooves clean and intact," said Usain "I'll get them dirty if I touch that trashy face of yours."

    And with that he left to leave Applejack steaming with hatred and anger. She was now faced with using that anger as a weapon to win the race.

    About an hour later, the racers were behind their starting marks. Applejack prepared herself, as did everypony else. When the starting gun fired, all the racers darted off. Usain Colt had taken an early lead with AJ close behind. She sped up, and caught up to the speeding pony and barely passed him. Usain did the same with her. They kept passing eachother back and forth until Applejack started to feel a bit tired.

    She began to lose focus but was maintaining a steady pace. She began to feel dizzy, and stumbled as she watched Usain pass her at an alarming rate. She instinctively tried to speed up but rea;ized that this was a mistake when her legs fumbled about and she fell forward at a downward angle, legs first, head following. She then felt a sharp pain in her right front leg.

    At this point, the other racers had aleady passed her, and she watched them pass by in agonizing shame. She flipped (or, more befitting the situation, rolled) forward and stopped completely, crying from the intense pain in her leg. She looked at it and saw an extremely disturbing sight.

    When she saw her leg, she realized that, not only was it broken, the bone stuck out like the front half of a  greyish-white, slender version of the Titanic, with blood instead of seawater. the pool of blood was localized to about two inches around the break point of the wound. After afew seconds of the audience gasping, shouting, and Applejack's friends exchanging useless looks of fear, worry, and disgust, her adrenaline and endorfins gave out onher, and she felt excruciating agony all around her leg.

    Down from the top of the stadium came Princess Celestia, who plummeted like a owl and landed right in front of Applejack. She gave the Earth-pony an angry look, and proceeded to signal a referee with what looked like a small, metal pole.

    When the referee came closer, Appljack knew exactly what he was carrying, and exactly what was about to happen, and she didn't know if she could accept what was about to happen.

    "When an Earth-pony breaks his or her leg, Applejack," the Princess said with remorse. "He or she becomes useless."

    "No... please..." Applejack begged.

    "And when a pony is useless, they don't deserve to live."

    "I'm sorry..."

    The referee raised his double-barrel in front of Applejack's head. He cocked back the safety in preparation. Applejack closed her eyes as she imagined what her friends must be thinking, saying, and maybe even doing. She scrunched up her face, shed a tear, and heard the last gunshot she would ever hear. She was finally done.

    She had crossed the finish line.