"Applebloom, come help me feed the chickens while I gather the eggs." Applejack trotted by the barn, carrying a basket in her mouth. Applebloom hopped out of the barn and followed her big sister close at her heels. "Now Applebloom, don't be gettin' underhoof now, you hear?"

"Sorry Applejack," she slowed her pace down, then changed her mind and ran ahead. As Applebloom started shoveling out the chicken feed, Applejack went inside the hutch and started to gather the eggs.

Suddemly, something bit Applejack on the back of her neck. "Ouch!" she yelped in surprise, dropping the basket. The eggs oozed all over the floor, cracked in pieces. "Well gosh darn it," she scolded herself, then cleaned up her mess with her bandana. "Now my bandana is ruined and we don't have enough eggs to make Granny Smith's birthday cake. Shoot..."

Applebloom popped her head into the hutch. "The chickens are all fed now!" she said cheerfully.

Applejack gave the little pony a smile. "Thanks Applebloom. Now you run along inside and keep Granny company while I finish up in here."

"Okay!" Applebloom skipped off, humming as she went.

Apple jack raised her hoof and rubbed the spot behind her neck. It was tender and sore. "Must have been a flea." she figured, nodding to comfort herself. She lowered her head down and picked up the basket of broken eggs, then exited the hutch. She went over to the pigs' stall and tossed the basket over the fence. At once, the pigs hurried over to the mess and chowed down.

Applejack turned and went into the house. Applebloom and Granny Smith stood in the kitchen, a blender whirling loudly on the countertop between them.

"What are you two making?" Applejack asked.

"Granny doesn't got any teeth no more so we're making her a smoothie!" said Applebloom loudly over the noise. "It's got carrots and apples and lots of healthy stuff inside it."

Granny turned off the blender and shakily tried to pour the mixture into a glass.

"Whoa now, Granny," Applejack hurried over and took the blender. "Let me help you." She poured the drink into two glasses and put the blender in the sink. "There y'all go."

Applebloom and Granny raised their glasses and clinked them together. "Cheers!"

The pain in Applejack's neck flashed, causing her to gasp. She lifted her hoof and picked at the bite mark. It felt swollen and even more tender than before. Something about the mark felt... unnatural. It felt wrong.

"Why, Applejack," said Applebloom. "Don't you want to try a sip?"

"Not this time, sugar." Applejack backed out of the house. "I have a lot of catching up I have to do..." she turned and fled the scene, running towards the apple orchards. Once there, she hid herself behind some trees and sighed. She twisted herself and attempted to look at the swollen mark, but it was useless. Having a second thought, Applejack trotted over to the lake and tried looking at that mark that way. But, again, it was useless.

"I wonder if Twilight knows of a way to get rid of this," Applejack mumbled. "It could just be a little bite mark, but it's better to be safe than sorry." With that, the pony hurried down the road and headed down to Ponyville.

Back at the library, Twilight Sparkle was helping Spike pick out an outfit. The dragon planned to go visit Rarity and it was important that he look his best. Books around them sat on shelves, gathering dust.

"Okay, I'm ready!" Spike started to march towards the front door.

"Hold on, Spike!" Twilight stopped him with her magic, lifting him and bringing him closer. "I still need to put on your bowtie."

Spike stood up straight, puffing out his chest. "You think Rarity will compliment me on how handsome I am?"

Twilight chuckled. But before she could vocalize her thoughts, the door banged open and there stood Applejack, her mane tangled and her coat shiny with sweat. "Twilight," she said heavily. "I need your help- pronto."

"Goodness, Applejack, what's going on?" asked Twilight as she hurried over to her friend.

"It's the darnest thing!" Applejack took off her hat. "Some critter bit me right on the back of my neck and it's been bothering the mess out of me. Do you see it?"

"Yes, I see it." Twilight squinted at it for a moment, then stepped back. "But I don't see why you came to me for assistance. I'm not a nurse."

"No, but I trust your opinion above anyone else's. No offense to the others... Isn't there something you can do with your magic?" asked Applejack.

"I can preform a soothing spell that might lessen the pain." Twilight replied slowly "Are you in a lot of pain...?"

"Between 1 and 5 I'd say I'm about a 4." Applejack shivered. "Shoot, is it hot in here or is it just me?"

"Let me look at it again..." Twilight lifted a hoof and touched around the mark. "Does it hurt when I do this?"

"No."

Twilight gently touched the mark.

"Ouch!" yelped Applejack, backing up quickly. "What'd you do that for?"

"I'm sorry!" Twilight winced. "I'll preform a soothing spell now."

"Forget it. I dont want your help!" Applejack barked. "I can figure this out on my own. Goodbye!" Applejack left, slamming the door behind her.

"She sure is uptight this afternoon," said Spike, crossing his arms.

"Hush, Spike," Twilight walked up to the window and watched Applejack vanish in the distance. "She's obviously in a lot of pain. I should have checked to see if she had a fever..."

"Don't worry about her, Twilight." said Spike. "I'm sure she's going to see Nurse Redheart."

"Spike you can't just tell me to stop worrying; she's my friend." Twilight sighed. "I'm going after her."

"What? How come?" Spike went around and stood in front of Twilight, blocking her path. "She just told you she didnt want your help."

"That's what makes this whole scenario so weird, Spike." Twilight jumped over Spike and opened the front door. "I'm going to solve this mystery. With or without your help."

"I guess I'll tag along too..." Spike said, climbing onto her back.

"Trust in me, Spike. That's all I ask."

The dragon nodded and clung to her mane. "I trust you."

"Thank you. Now let's go find Applejack."