One Last Story

“Apple Bloom?”

The young filly looked up at her sister, already a wreck, shivering not from cold but from everything else. It truly hurt her more than the pain caused by the branch that pinned her to the blood-stained ground. The thick, rough bough was impossible to move, it had effectively defeated her without a fight, and yet Apple Bloom’s pain seemed worse than her own. Maybe she could still save her young sister from more grief if she helped her accept the truth.

“Ah… Ah know yer not a baby anymore, but… would you like to hear a story?” Applejack asked tentatively, struggling to mask the pain in her voice through a soft whisper.

Apple Bloom simply nodded her head ever so slightly, or she may have been shivering harder, but as Applejack accommodated her in a warm embrace as her mother once had, Apple Bloom did not resist, and her shivering soon calmed down. Applejack tried to calm her own breathing, until both ponies inhaled and exhaled at the same time, a single synchronized being.

“Once upon a time, there was a young filly…” Applejack begun, and the red-maned pony huddled closer, sharing her warmth.

“She lived on a farm with her big brother and sister and her granny. They were a downright happy family if ever there was one,” She continued, smiling as fond memories of all the times they’d shared together came flowing back. Still, tears began to form as she braced herself for what was coming up next.

“But one night, the big sister had to leave…”

“No…” Apple Bloom turned towards her, now fully alert as she realized where the story was headed. She whined between sobs as she clung onto Applejack as if her life depended on it.

“No, please… I don’t want you to go!” She begged with watering eyes as she pleaded her case to the helpless pony. Applejack held her tight, brushing her mane with one hoof as she softly shushed her, trying to calm her down. Once her sobbing had once again been reduced to sniffling, Applejack continued.

“Now, will ya calm down and let me finish the story?” Applejack whispered. All Apple Bloom could muster was a pitiful “Mm-hm”, and once again, she shifted into Applejack’s chest until she was comfortably nestled in her sister’s hold.

“Well, like Ah was sayin’, one night, the big sister had to leave…”

Apple Bloom let out an almost subconscious whine as she sniffled. Applejack chose to ignore it, but hugged her tighter.

“But before she left, she asked her little sister to make her a promise.”