Chapter 2: Tragedy

Applejack kept training all day every day for the week. She was determined to win the Applebucking Competition in Canterlot. With the money that she could earn, Applejack could really help make Sweet Apple Acres a much more successful farm. She could hire some extra hooves to help out around the place. Originally she was going to use the money to help Granny Smith get the medical treatment that she needed for her bad hip. However Granny Smith no longer needed that treatment thanks to Gilda.

Applejack smiled as she remembered what the griffon had done for her grandmother. After apologizing to the elderly mare for scaring her a year ago, Gilda took one look at Granny Smith's bad hip and she knew what to do. She made some careful movements, and while the treatment did hurt Granny Smith a little, it certainly helped heal up her leg. She could move about as she pleased without the need of a walker. She might not be as fast as some of the other ponies but she was much faster than she was before.

Sweet Apple Acres needed the cowgirl to win this contest. Applejack was determined not to let her family down. She didn't have as much time for her friends as she would have liked but they were quite understanding. They knew how much this meant to her and they let her train in peace. Well all of them did except for one. For reasons best known to herself, Rainbow Dash decided to be Applejack's coach during her training. The cowgirl did not ask the pegasus to help her but some motivation couldn't hurt.

"Come on AJ." The pegasus urged. "You got this. You can win this."

Applejack kept giving it her all throughout training. Rainbow Dash wasn't a farmer like her, but she knew how to inspire others to push themselves to the limit and beyond. The pegasus definitely made a great coach. She kept Applejack going no matter what. If the cowgirl's determination wasn't enough to keep her going, Rainbow Dash made sure that she had enough determination for both of them.

"Rainbow, Ah thought Ah was the one competing." Applejack said.

"Yeah but I'm here to make sure you win." Rainbow Dash replied. "Now come on keep going."

And keep going she did. Applejack never let anything stop her. It could be sunny, cloudy, rainy, or snowy and she'd still be training. Rainbow Dash joked that Applejack would train even if a hurricane was ripping through town. The cowgirl laughed but she knew deep down that she'd do whatever it took to win. The only thing she wouldn't do is cheat. Being the Element of Honesty made her more serious about the fairness of any and all contests. She would never cheat to win over the other ponies. Applejack always felt that if she needed to cheat then she didn't deserve to win in the first place.

Rainbow Dash kept Applejack practicing well throughout the day. The pegasus was by her side all the time unless she was working. In her absence, Applejack continued her work. She only stopped training for meals and sleep. She only ate when she was starving and she only slept when it was too dark to see the trees. She wasn't letting anything stop her. Nothing could stop her from winning this competition.

Applejack awoke the next day feeling nothing but adrenaline. She got out of bed, ate breakfast, and went outside to train. Rainbow Dash would be over in a few hours to coach her so for now Applejack was alone. While she preferred training in a calm setting, sometimes she liked hearing Rainbow Dash encourage her even if her friend was a bit too enthusiastic. Applejack kept on practicing and practicing. Nothing would get in her way.

Rainbow Dash arrived and her coaching method was the same as usual. She kept up the stream of steady encouragement. She pushed Applejack to be as good as she can be and then even better. Applejack kept up her steady training until she felt a sharp pain in her hind leg. She fell to the ground and Rainbow Dash rushed over to her.

"You okay?" she asked in a concerned tone.

"Ah should be fine." Applejack replied as she got back on her hooves. She walked over to the tree and kicked it again. This time the pain was even worse. Applejack fell to the ground and whimpered in pain.

"AJ what's wrong?" Rainbow Dash asked anxiously.

"Ah don't know." Applejack grunted. Rainbow Dash helped her to her hooves and the cowgirl clutched at the pegasus for support. Her leg hurt just from standing.

"We need to get you to Fluttershy's place." Rainbow Dash said. "She can help you."

"Ah need to keep training." Applejack said.

"AJ you can't train like this." Rainbow Dash said firmly. "You can't even stand by yourself. You need help."

The pegasus dragged Applejack towards Fluttershy's cottage. When they arrived, Rainbow Dash knocked on the door and Fluttershy answered quickly.

"Rainbow how are you?" the yellow pegasus answered in her soft voice.

"Fluttershy no time AJ's hurt." Rainbow Dash said. "She needs your help."

"Oh my what's wrong?" Fluttershy asked urgently.

Rainbow Dash pulled Applejack into the cottage and set her down on Fluttershy's couch. Fluttershy examined the cowgirl's hind leg and tapped on it very slightly. Applejack winced in pain each time Fluttershy touched her.

"Oh dear." she said. "Applejack you sprained your leg."

"Can you help her?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I'll try but she needs to take it easy for a while." Fluttershy replied.

"Ah can't do that." Applejack said. "Ah need to train for the contest."

Fluttershy gave the cowgirl a glance and Applejack instantly knew what she was going to say. The orange cowgirl knew that Fluttershy was going to tell her the truth and right now the last thing Applejack wanted to hear was the truth.

"Applejack." she began. "I'm sorry but you won't be able to compete with that leg."

"But Ah have ta compete." Applejack insisted. "Ah need ta win for my family."

"I'm sorry Applejack." Fluttershy whispered. "But you can not compete. You'll only hurt yourself even more."

Fluttershy did her very best to help her friend. However she knew that no matter what she did to help, Applejack would not be able to take part in the Applebucking Competition. She bid farewell to Rainbow Dash and Applejack as they left her cottage in misery.

"Ah can't believe it." Applejack muttered. "Ah can't believe Ah got myself hurt."

"AJ I-" Rainbow Dash began but she stopped. What could she say? She knew how much Applejack wanted to compete for her family. She knew how much this contest meant to her. What could she say to a friend that had failed to help her family? What could she do to ease the pain? Applejack walked off towards her house. Rainbow Dash watched the cowgirl go and felt nothing but sadness.