Somepony to Watch Over Me
Pony's Log Number 417: I've heard of being overprotective, but this is crazy. Good thing I can get involved this time...I think...
Early one morning at Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack, Mario, Big Mac, and Granny Smith were busy having a private conversation in one of the upstairs rooms. Apple Bloom couldn't help but pace about nervously as Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo sat nearby. As the muffed conversation continued, Apple Bloom was feeling more and more nervous as she began bitting her upper lip.
"You know," Sweetie Belle whispered, "Mario told me that he suffers from anxiety and panic attacks. I think Apple Bloom has the same problem." Scootaloo then noticed Apple Bloom looking like she was in the middle of her own panic attack.
"Wow," Scootaloo whispered back, "That explains alot actually. Guess it must run in the family. I always wondered why Apple Bloom had so much sass too."
"Mario isn't sassy," Sweetie Belle retorted in a louder voice.
"Oh, yes he is," said Scootaloo and Apple Bloom together. Apple Bloom then blinked.
"Wow...Mario gets panicky and sassy like I do," said Apple Bloom to herself, "I knew we had things in common, but...that's a little embarassing..." Apple Bloom blushed until she remembered the conversation that was still ongoing and began to bite her upper lip again.
Maybe Mario knows something I can do to calm myself down when I do get nervous Apple Bloom thought to herself.
"Whatever they decide, Apple Bloom," said Scootaloo, "we'll be here for you."
"Totally," Sweetie Belle agreed, "Even though it could change everything for you, forever and ever!" As if Apple Bloom wasn't nervous enough, Sweetie Belle's efforts seem to just make the yellow filly feel worse. It was then the door opened slowly as Apple Bloom took a seat on the floor between Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. Applejack, Granny Smith, Mario, and Big Mac all walked out of the room with firm looks on their faces. The three fillies did their best to hide their anxiousness as Apple Bloom was still sweating from the anticipation. The two mares exchanged a look with the two stallions, who looked back at the two mares without saying a word. Then Granny Smith and Applejack exchanged their own looks with each other before addressing the three fillies.
"So, we here have decided..." Granny Smith began, making the three fillies suck their chests in and sit up straight, bracing for the worst. But Granny Smith smiled, as did the rest of the Apple family.
"...that you're old enough to stay home alone and take care of the chores yourself for the afternoon!" said Granny Smith with her fore-legs in the air. Apple Bloom was shocked but then overjoyed at the news as the three fillies all gasped. But then Apple Bloom recomposed herself and held out her fore-legs before her two friends to keep cool.
"I accept your decision," said Apple Bloom in a mature tone as she and the other two fillies walked away. Applejack, Granny Smith, Mario, and Big Mac watched then turn a corner before turning to walk away when the three fillies then began cheering excitedly in the shadows. The four adults were startled at first, but then just smiled to each other.
They knew Apple Bloom would be excited about the news.
(Main Theme)
As the sun rose higher into the sky, Big Mac and Applejack were busy loading some special wagons so they could deliver some pies to other towns. Applejack smiled as she proficiently set four pies into her wagon by balancing them on her nose. She was also wearing some heavy-duty light green saddle bags on her back. Mario watched Applejack get her wagon ready as he finished helping Big Mac load up his own wagon.
"Nice job, AJ," said Mario.
"Ah shucks, it was nothin'," said Applejack modestly. It was then Apple Bloom arrived.
"Stayin' home alone, by myself, on my own!" said Apple Bloom excitedly as she carried three pies over to Applejack. She was so excited that she rammed right into Applejack's back end and sent the three pies flying into the air. Applejack and Mario's jaws dropped as the former dived forward and caught the three pies with her fore-hooves before they hit the ground.
"Told ya I don't need none of your parkour tricks to be agile," Applejack told Mario smugly. Mario just rolled his eyes as Applejack gave Apple Bloom a glare, but Apple Bloom was too excited to realize her mistake.
"I can't believe I'm really doin' it," Apple Bloom finished.
"Now, hey there, filly," said Applejack with a worried look on her face as she packed the last of her pies into her own wagon, "I know you're excited, but bein' the only pony here to take care of the day's chores is a big responsibility." Applejack walked away from Apple Bloom nervously as the yellow filly saluted.
"I know it!" Apple Bloom replied as Applejack hooked herself up to her wagon, "And it means everythin' to me that y'all think I'm grown up enough to handle it. I won't let you down."
"I know you won't little sis," said Mario as he gave Apple Bloom a hug.
"Well, if'n I'm gonna make my train, I best to be off," said Granny Smith as she arrived with some loaded saddle bags on her back and then headed toward Apple Bloom, "When Great Aunt Pine Apple says a pony's gots to ride by a certain time, you better be there! You be sure and take care now, Apple Bloom." Granny Smith gave the little filly a pat on her head before heading toward Applejack and Big Mac and handed them each a sheet of paper, "Y'all take care as well. I don't know which of your delivery routes is tougher. You're each headed to mighty hard-to-reach towns."
"Eeyup," said Big Mac as he and Applejack looked at their maps.
"We know, Granny," said Applejack, "That's the only reason I agreed to let Apple Bloom stay behind alone." Apple Bloom couldn't help but feel a little hurt.
"It is?" Apple Bloom asked a little sadly.
"Oh, I didn't meant it like that, sugarcube," said Applejack as she lifted the little filly's chin to make her smile, "It's just, I take my job as your big sister real serious, which is why I spent all night makin' this." Applejack then handed Apple a long list.
"What is it?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Just a little list of helpful reminders," said Applejack.
""There's some soup for you in the 'frigerator"," Apple Bloom read aloud, ""Be sure not to heat it up too much. If it's too hot, blow on it to cool it off. and take little sips - if you gulp, you could get hiccups"."
"Momma mia..." said Mario as he shook his head in annoyance while Granny Smith and Big Mac exchanged weary looks with each other. Mario noticed the exchange.
"Has Applejack always been this overprotective with Apple Bloom?" Mario asked the two.
"Since the day your parents passed," said Granny Smith, "She's raised her the most out of all of us."
"Hope there's still room for me to help with that," said Mario, slightly worried, "I already missed out in being Applejack's protector..."
"Fiddlesticks, Mario," Granny Smith retorted, "Applejack looks up to you more than you think! Besides, somepony needs to be able to deal with her stubborn nature and keep her in check."
"Right..." said Mario wearily since he was still trying to find an effective approach regarding Applejack's stubborn pride. Even Apple Bloom looked a little annoyed at the list.
"You don't have to worry about me," said Apple Bloom to Applejack, "I can take care of myself and the chores! I'm ready for this." Applejack sighed.
"I guess you are," said Applejack the uncertainty in her voice made clear, "I just not so sure I am."
"But you trust me and believe I'm grown up enough to handle this, right?" Apple Bloom asked as she rushed up to her older sister and gave her a big smile. Big Mac, Mario, and Granny Smith all smiled and nodded. All Applejack could do was sigh again.
"If it will help, Sis," said Mario, "I told Apple Bloom that we'd hang out later once I make sure Fluttershy is okay. So...I'll be here if Apple Bloom needs any help, but I doubt she will. We'll just be hanging out together. Right Sis?"
"Ya betcha, big brother!" said Apple Bloom as they shared a hoof-bump.
"Right," said Applejack, "Okay then. Good luck, little sis - whoa!" Before Applejack could finish her statement, Apple Bloom shoved her pie wagon forward to make her take off.
"Okaygreatseeyousoonbye!" said Apple Bloom in one quick breath as Applejack found herself right next to Big Mac, who had already started making his way to his destination. A nearby pony helped Granny Smith into the carriage part of his taxi wagon. The Apple family all said their goodbyes, and Big Mac gave his traditional "Eeyup" as they minus Apple Bloom and Mario parted ways. Apple Bloom waved and smiled as she watched Applejack and Big Mac disappear over the horizon.
"Alright then," said Mario, "I'll gonna go see Fluttershy. She's been feeling rather sad since Shenran returned to the Crystal Empire. I better make sure she didn't flood her house...again. See ya couple hours, Apple Bloom!" Mario then opened his wings and took off into the sky. Apple Bloom watched him fly away before she raised her fore-hooves into the air.
"Woo-hoo!" said Apple Bloom happily as she jumped up and down excitedly before laying on her back, "At home! I'm home alone! This is gonna be awesome!"
Somewhere in the middle of the forest, Big Mac and Applejack were continuing to make their way to their destinations. Big Mac remained calm while Applejack was getting more and more uneasy about leaving Apple Bloom alone. Within seconds, she was sweating and chewing on one of her horseshoes. Applejack then grunted as she brought her wagon to a stop. Then a second later Big Mac crashed into her from behind.
"Eheheh...Sorry, Big Mac," Applejack chuckled sheepishly as Big Mac rubbed his sore head, glared at her and then got along side Applejack, "I was just frettin' a bit about Apple Bloom. You think she's gonna be okay on her own?"
"Eeyup," said Big Mac simply as he continued to move forward.
"I just keep on thinkin' of things I forgot to put on her list," said Applejack, "Like, I didn't write down that if she wants to get a spoon out of the drawer, she needs to open the drawer first." Big Mac just shot her an annoyed look and rolled his eyes.
"I know what you're thinkin'," said Applejack, "I'm just being a bit overprotective. I mean, Apple Bloom won't be alone for too long. Mario did say he was gonna check up on her. So...she'll be okay 'til he gets back. I mean Fluttershy won't be crying for hours...again...right?"
"Nnnope," said Big Mac, but even he knew when Fluttershy was really sad that she could cry for hours on end. Applejack just sighed to herself.
"I know, I'm probably just bein' silly," said Applejack.
"Eeyup," said Big Mac in agreement until he then noticed that Applejack wasn't beside him anymore. He looked back to see Applejack turning around.
"But I know I'd feel a heap better if I could just check on Apple Bloom one more time," said Applejack, "You go on ahead and make your delivery. I'm just gonna take a quick peek, and then I'll make mine." Applejack then headed for home as Big Mac went on his way, shaking his head in disapproval.
"Wait til Mario get there and finds Applejack went back," said Big Mac to himself, "I just hope they don't destroy the barn. Mario might be more reasonable than Applejack, but he's just as prone to picking a fight with her if she pushes him enough." Big Mac just sighed, dreading the mess he'd have to deal with when he finally was able to return home.
Back inside the family barn, Apple Bloom was sitting at the table in the kitchen, marking off the long list of reminders Applejack had given her.
"Okay, number one seventy two:" Apple Bloom read aloud, ""Make sure to pump the bellows to keep the stove warm"." Apple Bloom then headed to the bellows that was connected to the stove and started jumping up and down on it to heat the stove up. Once she had finished, she headed back to the list.
"Check!" said Apple Bloom, ""Make sure the hats and bows closet is fully stocked". Apple Bloom the opened the said closet which was filled with her pink bows and Applejack's stenson hats. The closet's contents nearly spilt out before Apple Bloom quickly shut the door and leaned against the door while standing on her hind legs. Once the door was secure, Apple Bloom then headed back to the checklist.
"Check!" said Apple Bloom as she spat out the pencil and pushed the list so it rolled up and fell onto the floor, "That's everything on Applejack's list! And now that my chores are done, since there's no one else here, and I don't know when Mario will be here to hang out, I get to make all the decisions! If I wanna listen to music, I can! If I wanna read a book, I can! If I wanna just stand here in the kitchen talkin' to myself, I can!" Apple Bloom was then seen in the living room dancing next to the music player, then she sat sideway on Granny Smith's rocking chair as she read a book and closed it loudly. Finally, she was seen standing on top of the kitchen table and just posed excitedly on her hind legs.
"Apple Bloom!" Applejack called out as the orange pony burst through the front door.
"Whoa!" Apple Bloom cried since Applejack's sudden appearance made the filly lose her balance, causing her fall off the kitchen table, knocking off some jars of jam and a bowl of pasta with tomato sauce landed right on Apple Bloom's head.
"Ugh...Applejack?" said Apple Bloom in surprise as she tried to shake off the paste and sauce out of her mane.
"I came back to check on you, and I'm so glad I did!" said Applejack as she surveyed the mess, "I never thought about how dangerous thing are around here!"
"Thanks, but I'm really gonna be okay," said Apple Bloom as she managed to get most of the pasta out of her mane. Then Applejack scooped the little filly into her fore-legs.
"You are now!" said Applejack, "Because I'm here and I'm stayin'! No way am I leavin' my baby sister home alone by herself!"
"I'm not a baby!" said Apple Bloom as she roughly pulled away from the orange mare, "I can take care of myself! And what about those pies you're supposed to deliver?"
"Pies? Ha!" Applejack retorted, "Family's way more important than pies!"
"But I'm fine!" Apple Bloom protested as Applejack walked past carrying a broom, "And actually...this was kind of your fault."
"I know," said Applejack, making it sound like she was agreeing with the little filly. Until..., "I should never have left you alone." Apple Bloom was in shock.
"But I don't need you lookin' after me," said Apple Bloom firmly as she grabbed the completed checklist, "I'm perfectly capable of stayin' home alone. Really! Just look! "There's some soup for you in the 'frigerator"." Apple Bloom then rushed over to the refrigerator to get the pot of soup on the top shelf of the refrigerator.
"What was that?" Applejack called out as she looked outside and ignored Apple Bloom all together.
"Watch me!" Apple Bloom yelled irritably as she opened the refrigerator door and jumped inside to try and grab the pot of soup. But her aggressive climbing caused a jar of jelly on top of the refrigerator to topple over, getting the jelly all over her eyes.
"Whoa!" Apple Bloom yelped as her wobbling caused the soup pot to tumble over and another bowl filled with pasta and sauce also fell on top of her as well. Applejack rushed over to her as Apple Bloom shook the spilt food off herself...again.
"Oh, no!" Applejack exclaimed in a panic, despite the fact Apple Bloom was just sitting quietly licking some food off her fore-leg, "This is worse than I thought! Well, don't worry, Apple Bloom, I'm here now and I'm not leavin' you home alone ever again. I'm stickin' right by your side, always!" Applejack then startled Apple Bloom by grabbing her with a fore-leg and wrapped it tightly around the little filly's neck. Apple Bloom just made a face that was filled with dread.
"Mario...help me..." she squeaked quietly. It was one second later Mario arrived inside the kitchen.
"What happened in here?" said Mario before he did a double take, "Applejack?!"
"That's what I call service! Thank you!" said Apple Bloom as she looked upward with her fore-hooves cupped together.
"I'll tell you what's happened here," said Applejack, still holding Apple Bloom tightly, "I made a big mistake leaving Apple Bloom alone. This place is far too dangerous for a little filly! I'm gonna stay with her and keep her safe forever!" Applejack smiled happily as she squeezed Apple Bloom tightly and nearly cutting off her circulation. Mario just looked unamused.
Looks like I'm dealing with Applejack's stubborn mode again, Mario thought, "but something feels different about this. I'm not sensing any pride in her, just...oh, sweet Celestia... Mario's eyes shrunk when he saw Applejack just swaying back and forth with a very giddy smile on her face as Apple Bloom was struggling to get out of the orange pony's fore-legs.
And I thought only Twilight and myself had mental breaks when we worried ourselves crazy, Mario pondered And the fact Applejack is beyond reason right now is going to make dealing with her very, very, very, very, very difficult.
"Okay...Apple Bloom," said Mario, "care to tell me what really happened and why she's here?"
"I already told you that...mmmmmmmm...mmmm-mmmm mmmmph!" Mario used his magic to create a zipper to close Applejack's mouth when he used his magic to set her away from Apple Bloom.
"You be quiet!" said Mario sternly, "I asked Apple Bloom, not you!" Applejack grunted angrily as she tried to un-zip her mouth, "Now Apple Bloom, what happened?"
"Long story short," said Apple Bloom, "I was standing on the table just talkin' to myself when Applejack burst in here, startling me, and made me knock everything off the table, including my dinner! She kept babbling that I can't take care of myself even thought she made me fall and cause the mess."
"And for the fridge?" Mario asked.
"Trying to prove I could handle things on my own," Apple Bloom continued, "but Applejack wouldn't let me prove myself and I spilled everything."
"I see," said Mario, "Applejack, we need to have a...talk?" The two ponies turned around to see Applejack was gone.
"You think she took a hint and went to deliver her pies?" Apple Bloom asked hopefully.
"I don't think so," said Mario, "She's up to something and I've got a bad feeling about this." Apple Bloom whimpered to herself. As for Applejack, she had taken the opportunity to sneak out of the barn without either of them noticing once she was able to unzip her mouth. As much as she wanted to slug or buck Mario for zipping her mouth, she was a mare on a mission.
"I'm gonna do everything I can to make sure my sister is as safe and can be," said Applejack to herself as she smiled excitedly, "And nopony is gonna stop me!" She quickly collected some items in the working part of their barn and got to work.
A couple of hours later, Applejack was looking around as she stood next to three stacks of hay.
"Apple Bloom? Apple Bloom!" Applejack called out, "Mario, where are you keeping my sister?! You can't keep her away from me forever! I will hunt you down and get her back!" Mario and Apple Bloom were currently standing on her hind legs, trying to hide from the orange mare's sight behind the other side of the barn.
"Puh," Mario snorted quietly and even using what was a natural country accent, "You ain't takin' me without a fight, Sis." Apple Bloom was rather impressed.
"Nice accent, big bro," said Apple Bloom, "but I'd rather not see you get beat up by Applejack for my sake. Applejack's just overactin' a bit. I'm sure she'll snap out of it."
"But this isn't stubborn pride we're dealing with," said Mario, "This time it's a combination of fear and...denial."
"Whoa!" Apple Bloom yelped.
"Wah!" Mario yelped as well. Somehow while they were chatting, Applejack had found the both of them.
"You need somethin'? I'm right here!" Applejack asked with an eager smile on her face.
"I know you mean well," said Apple Bloom, trying to be firm but calm with the orange sister, "but I don't need you watchin' over me! I can take care of things myself! Come on, Mario! I need you to summon me some freight cars for some chores I need to do in the orchard."
"Right away, boss!" said Mario as he followed the yellow filly. Applejack just chucked to herself as Apple Bloom and Mario rushed into the orchard. Apple Bloom quickly grabbed a rake to clear some leaves on the ground.
"Look!" Apple Bloom called out to Applejack. Mario then blinked when he noticed the rake Apple Bloom had grabbed.
"Uh...little sis?" Mario pointed out as Apple Bloom looked down and saw some pillows were tied around the bottom part of the rake.
"Huh? Hey!" said Apple Bloom, "Who put pillows on this rake?" Applejack just chuckled.
"Oh, I don't know," said Applejack in a tone that was way too casual as she patted Apple Bloom's cheek, "Maybe someone who really loves her little sister and doesn't want her to get an owie?"
"An owie? Seriously?" Mario remarked, but was ignored as Applejack as the orange pony stuck a blue helmet on Apple Bloom's head, "You've gotta be kidding me." Apple Bloom just growled.
Later, after Apple Bloom had removed the helmet, she was back in the orchard feeling a nearby tree truck with her fore-hoof with Mario standing beside her with a train of empty freight cars.
"Hey, Applejack!" said Apple Bloom, "Watch me buck these apples on my own without anythin' happenin' to me!" Applejack wasn't listening and seemed to be busy doing something in the background. Apple Bloom then gave the tree a good buck with her hind legs. She smiled proudly as she waited for the apples to fall, but then blinked once she realized that all that was falling were leaves. Mario was just as puzzled. Even he knew his little sister could buck apples off a tree without much of a problem.
"Huh?" said Apple Bloom as she and Mario looked up and saw that somepony had tied up nets around the trees to keep the apples from falling down. In fact, Apple Bloom and Mario backed up and looked around to see that nets had been set up all over the orchard. Applejack just peeked out from behind her tree with a large smile on her face.
"Seriously?" Mario remarked but Applejack walked past him and put the blue helmet back on Apple Bloom's head. Apple Bloom just growled as Mario shook his head at Applejack.
"Well, at least the net makes loading the apples into the freight cars easier," said Mario as he used his magic to grab the nets and load the apples into his cars.
"Wait!" said Applejack as she picked up Apple Bloom and carried her out of the orchard, "I gotta get my little sister out of harm's way!"
"Applejack, Mario was going to let me pull the train!" Apple Bloom protested.
"Aw, my little sister wants to play choo-choo train?" Applejack cooed, "Alrighty then!"
"Thank you...Applejack?" said Apple Bloom when she felt somepony tie a string on her tail. Apple Bloom looked back and saw Applejack had tied a toy train to her tail.
"This little choo-choo train is much safer than that big one Mario had gotten ya," said Applejack, "Oh! And we can't forget the whistle!" Applejack then shoved a wooden train whistle into Apple Bloom's mouth. Apple Bloom gave it a toot in surprise before spitting it out and growling irritably.
Despite Applejack keeping Apple Bloom from getting back into the orchard, Mario still left the train loaded with apples outside the orchard's edge so Apple Bloom could at least try to take the apples inside the barn using a wheelbarrow. Apple Bloom did have some trouble trying to hold it with her mouth while keeping it from tipping to the side. She seemed to be managing just fine as she tried to concentrate on keeping her wheelbarrow balanced. It was then Applejack appeared with her large smile and holding a screwdriver in her mouth.
"Hm?" said Apple Bloom when felt like her job had gotten easier. She looked down to see that Applejack had added training wheels to the wheelbarrow and, once again, slapped the blue helmet back on her little sisters head.
"Hm," Apple Bloom growled inwardly. Mario rolled his eyes since he had seen everything and went to remove the helmet when Applejack blocked his way.
"Don'tcha wanna protect our little sister from harm?" she asked in an overly sweet tone and smile. Mario leaned away uncomfortably.
"Of course I do," said Mario as a matter of fact, "it's just..."
"Then let me do just that," said Applejack in a cheery tone, "or I'll buck you to Canterlot. M'kay sugarcube?" Applejack then walked away with a little bounce in her step. Mario just glared.
"Applejack, I love you, but you. Are. Impossible!" said Mario irritably.
"Welcome to my world," Apple Bloom remarked with plenty of sarcasm in her tone, which Mario just rolled his eyes.
Once Apple Bloom managed to finally get the apples inside, with unwanted assistance from Applejack that Mario couldn't stop no matter how much he tried, the little filly and her older brother stomped inside the house. As if their moods weren't sour enough, they were shocked to see that Applejack had covered Granny Smith's rocking chair in safety wrap, as well as the lamp and any other sharp edge or corner in the room. Plus she had even boarded up some books inside a shelf to keep them from falling out.
"Oh, for the love of...!" said Apple Bloom and just sighed to avoid saying anything further, "You've gone and baby-proofed everythin'!" Applejack just wanted inside with a satisfied smile on her face.
"Heh, yup!" said Applejack, "Your big sister let you down once, but I promise it won't ever happen again!"
"Applejack, now this is going too far!" said Mario, "Not even Muffins would go this far and she's more prone to accidents because of her eye condition!"
"Wait! Muffins isn't just naturally clumsy...or ditzy?" Apple Bloom asked. If her tone hadn't been so innocent, Mario would have gotten very angry with her.
"She has an eye condition," said Mario firmly, "which affects her eye-coordination and it's not curable."
"Oh...sorry," said Apple Bloom before glaring at Applejack, "But really, I'm fine! I can take care of myself! I don't need you watchin' over me!"
"Aw, that's sweet," said Applejack as she rushed over and cuddled her, "I appreciate you tryin' to make me feel better, but don't worry. I'll always be here for you. Always!" Apple Bloom, who was already wearing the blue helmet, was then given a green helmet as well. Apple Bloom grunted angrily in Applejack's forelegs. Mario could tell Apple Bloom was ready to explode and quickly snatched her away from Applejack's fore-legs.
"Hey!" Applejack snapped in protest as Mario quickly glared at Apple Bloom.
"Keep quiet and play along!" Mario ordered as he rested her in one of his fore-legs like a foal before speaking to Applejack, "Our little sister is looking a little cranky. I think I'll put her down for a little nap."
"Great idea," said Applejack, "Be sure to tuck her in all nice and snuggly while I go get her some warm milk." As she walked away, Mario prepared to head upstairs when Applejack added: "I know for sure I left that bottle somewhere around 'ere." Apple Bloom growled in rage as Mario teleported the yellow filly and himself to her bedroom and set her in the middle of the bed. He would have done the edge if Applejack hadn't added wooden bed rails around her bed. Plus she had even added pillows around the edge as well.
"Wait!" said Mario sternly as he used his magic to produce a very large and thick pillow, which he put over Apple Bloom's face.
"Let it all out," said Mario. It was only a second later when Apple Bloom let out a long and painful scream into the pillow. Even with the pillow, Mario could hear all the anger Apple Bloom had been holding in thanks to Applejack's overprotective nature. When Apple Bloom had finished, she set the pillow aside and laid down on her back, panting heavily.
"Feeling better, sugarcube?" Mario asked gently. Apple whimpered but then sat up in surprise.
"Did ya just call me, sugarcube?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Yeah," Mario replied, "Is that only between you and AJ?" Apple Bloom blinked and just sighed.
"Applejack never said it was," said Apple Bloom, "I like hearing you call me sugarcube." Mario smiled as Apple Bloom just whimpered again.
"Code: Scoots n Sweets?" Mario asked.
"Glad to see somepony understands me," Apple Bloom remarked as Mario chuckled.
"I'll go get them right now," said Mario, "Just hang in there, sugarcube. We'll get through this together." Apple Bloom smiled as Mario teleported out of the room. The little filly just sighed to herself.
"Please hurry Mario," said Apple Bloom quietly as she closed her eyes and tried to relax, which was nearly impossible with Applejack peeking in on her every minute or so. Even Apple Bloom had to scream into the giant pillow Mario had given her again before Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle arrived. She wasted no time explaining the situation to the two fillies as Mario stayed in the bedroom.
"And that's the reason I asked y'all to come over quick," finished Apple Bloom as she sighed to herself. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were sitting beside her bed. It was then Applejack burst into the room. Of course, nopony was startled since she had been coming in every minute since they got there.
"Hey, Apple Bloom!" said Applejack in her cheerful tone, "You need anything? A snack? A hoof massage? Maybe a snack while havin' a hoof massage?"
"Why, that sounds delightful!" said Sweetie Belle before Apple Bloom shoved her fore-hoof into the marshmallow filly's mouth, making her cheeks puff out.
"No thank you!" Apple Bloom replied through gritted teeth.
"O-kay, well you can count on me bein' close by if'n you need anythin'!" said Applejack as Apple Bloom struggled to shut the bedroom door so Applejack could leave. Mario just facehoofed himself since Applejack's behavior was really getting on his nerves at this point.
"You see what I mean?" Apple Bloom remarked and then sighed, "If this keeps up, I'm never gonna be able to do anythin' without Applejack hoverin' over me!"
"Mm-hm," Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle hummed in agreement.
"Isn't there anything you can do about this Mario?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"Trust me when I say that Mario can only do so much," said Apple Bloom as she walked off, "He's taken plenty of beatin's over Applejack's stubborn nature."
"Except this isn't stubbornness," said Mario, "this is fear."
"Fear of what?" Apple Bloom asked rather defensively.
"Fear that something bad is gonna happen to you," said Mario, "She worried herself ragged to the point that..."
"She's gone cuckoo?" Scootaloo finished.
"Is this anything like the time Twilight went crazy and tried to enchant us into fighting over her stuffed doll?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"And may I added that Big Mac still has it, but keeps it hidden in his bedroom," Apple Bloom added.
"Pretty much," said Mario, "except without the magic. I think we can all be very grateful Applejack isn't a unicorn." The Cutie Mark Crusaders all shuttered fearfully.
"So what can we do?" said Scootaloo.
"Well, being rational doesn't seem to work with Applejack," said Mario, "Let's put on our thinking caps and come up with something."
"Hmm," said Scootaloo.
"Uh..." said Sweetie Belle.
"Um..." said Scootaloo as Apple Bloom looked out the window and noticed the abandoned pie wagon outside.
"Hang on a sec!" said Apple Bloom, "I got it!" Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo rushed over to her with Mario standing behind them.
"What?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"Got an idea, little sis?" Mario asked.
"The pies!" Apple Bloom replied excitedly, "I'll sneak out and delivery them! Granny said they were goin' to some incredibly hard-to-reach town. If I can do it alone, that'll show Applejack I don't need somepony watchin' over me!"
"Just one problem," said Scootaloo, "Your sister's gonna come back and check on you any minute!"
"Which means you need an escape plan," said Sweetie Belle, "but before that, I don't think Mario is gonna let you..."
"Let's do it!" said Mario.
"Really?!" said the three fillies in shock.
"Normally, I would say there would be a better solution, but we're dealing with Applejack," said Mario, "She's leaving me no choice to go over her head. Besides, I was younger than you when I pulled my first freight train to an out of reach town. I'm sure if you stay on path, you'll be fine. So let's get you out of here!" The three fillies smiled.
"Okay, I'm officially calling you the cool brother," said Apple Bloom, making Mario chuckle, "Now about that escape plan..."
"Ooh, and I got an idea for one!" said Scootaloo as she smiled excitedly and flapped her wings. She then rushed into Apple Bloom's closet and pulled out a couple of pink bows. She put one in her mane and the other in Sweetie Belle's. Scootaloo then jumped into the bed and pretended to be asleep so that only her bow was sticking out of the bed. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom just watched her from outside the bed.
"See? It'll look just like you're sleeping in bed," Scootaloo explained, "Sweetie and I can take turns! That way, when one of us gets tired, the other can take over. Brilliant, huh?" The two fillies smiled.
"Mm-hm!" said Sweetie Belle nodded in agreement.
"It's risky, but as long as Applejack can only see the ribbon, it could work," said Mario, "maybe I can work on a sleeping spell just in case she catches on."
"Besides that, how will you stay hidden?" Apple Bloom asked. Mario smirked. He put on a see-through beret on his head, making himself disappear from the three fillies eyes.
"Whoa!" said Scootaloo, "Your invisible."
"You got it," said Mario as he removed the beret and became visible again, "Looks like we've got a plan!"
"You know what?" said Apple Bloom with a mischievous grin on her face, "It is! I got a feelin' this just might work!" It was then the background turned pink as the three fillies began to dance.
[Apple Bloom - She hopped from one giant pie to the next before sitting down on top of one.]
We're gonna make my sister see
I don't need her watchin' over me-
The song was then cut short when the four ponies heard hoofsteps and Scootaloo shoved a fore-hoof into Apple Bloom's mouth, making the yellow fillies eyes pop out.
"Stop!" said Scootaloo, "No time for a song! Applejack's coming!"
"If you're gonna go, we've gotta get you out of here now!" said Sweetie Belle with a frantic tone.
"Cutie Mark Crusaders, and Big Bro," said Apple Bloom as they all huddled into a circle.
"Hey, he's one of us, Apple Bloom!" Scootaloo protested.
"Yeah, he's been supporting us since the start!" Sweetie Belle added.
"Alright, Cutie Mark Crusaders, let's do it!" Apple Bloom corrected as the four ponies put their fore-legs into the circle and raised them into the air. Apple Bloom then quickly climbed out of the window.
"Whoa!" Apple Bloom shouted as she fell out of the window.
"Apple Bloom!" Mario cried out in a loud whisper as he, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo peeked out the window to see that Apple Bloom had only fallen a few feet since Applejack had put up a huge collection of haystacks before her window.
"For once Sis, your overprotection was useful for something," said Mario before turning to Apple Bloom, "You be extra careful out there, Apple Bloom! Don't make me regret sending you out there!"
"I'll be fine!" Apple Bloom snapped quietly, "don't you go in get all overprotective on me too!"
"Sorry," said Mario, "Now get going!" Apple Bloom saluted to the group as she hooked herself up to the wagon and took off as quickly as she could. Mario, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle waved her goodbye.
"Everythin' okay in there, sugarcube?" Applejack asked from behind the door. Mario quickly camouflaged himself.
"Doin' fine Sis!" said Mario, using a voice changing spell to make himself sound just like Apple Bloom, "Can't I take my nap in peace?"
"Now there's no need for the attitude little missy!" Applejack retorted.
"Well excuse me if you're shoutin' makes it hard for me ta sleep," Mario retorted in Apple Bloom's voice.
"Okay, my bad," said Applejack, "I'll be back to check on you later." Applejack then trotted away.
"I didn't know you could talk like Apple Bloom," said Sweetie Belle to Mario as he made himself visible again.
"Never mind that," said Scootaloo before turning to Sweetie Belle, "Quick, get in while I hide!" Mario put on his beret to make himself invisible again. Sweetie Belle snuggled into Apple Bloom's bed while Scootaloo ducked herself into the closet and noticed Sweetie Belle was far too visible.
"Sweetie, no!" said Scootaloo, "You gotta sleep like Apple Bloom!"
"How does she sleep?" said Sweetie Belle.
"Like she does everything!" said Scootaloo, "With sass!"
"Is she really that sarcastic?" Mario asked curiously.
"Mario, you and Apple Bloom are more alike than you realize," said Sweetie Belle as she turned away from the door and cuddled deeper into the blanket.
"Yeah, you're both sarcastic, failure makes you really depressed, and you both get panic attacks when you're stressed out," said Scootaloo.
"Wow," said Mario, "Never thought my character flaws ran in the family."
"Does the fact Applejack worried herself into going crazy say that it does?" Scootaloo remarked.
"Good point," said Mario but then everypony went quiet as Applejack allowed herself in. Scootaloo quickly closed the closet door and Sweetie Belle cuddled deeper into the blanket. Mario just remained as quiet and still as he could. The orange mare noticed what she thought was Apple Bloom under her blankets supposedly sleeping in her bed.
"Huh," said Applejack as she walked over to the bed. Sweetie Belle was nervous as she tried to stay as quiet as she could under the blankets, "I guess you must've been so tuckered out, you sent Mario and your friends home and went to bed. Then again, you are a delicate flower." Mario rolled his eyes.
Apple Bloom is certainly beautiful like a flower, but she's not a fragile as one Mario thought to himself as Applejack just sighed.
"Sleep tight, Apple Bloom," said Applejack, "I'll check on you again in a bit." Applejack then left the room and closed the door. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle just sighed relief as the latter peeked out from the closet, but then Applejack returned, making Scootaloo retreat and Sweetie Belle went back to pretending to sleep. Mario was glad he hadn't removed his magic beret off his head, but was still rather annoyed.
Oh for Celestia's sake, you were barely gone for three seconds! Mario complained in his head.
"Need anythin' now?" Applejack asked, but when she got no answer. She left.
Ten seconds later...
"How 'about now?"
Ten seconds later...
"Need another blanket?"
Ten seconds later...
"Did I hear a cough?"
Twenty seconds later...
"Want a glass of water?"
This pattern continued for a good fifteen minutes with Applejack constantly peeking in at regular twenty to thirty second intervals until the group finally got a longer breather from her. Sweetie Belle had actually fallen asleep so she was pretty much managing just fine. Scootaloo was just sitting on top of a pile of Apple Bloom's spare bows, looking very bored and annoyed. Mario was grinding his teeth in agitation. The way Applejack was hoverin' over "Apple Bloom" was really making him feel very bad tempered.
"Psst! Mario!" said Scootaloo from inside the closet, "Are you doing okay?"
"I wanna bang my head against a wall so badly right now!" Mario remarked in a very irritable whisper, "It's getting harder and harder for me not to wanna belt Applejack over the head!"
"Why don't you?" said Scootaloo.
"Scootaloo, I'm a gentlecolt," said Mario, "A proper stallion never strikes a mare, even when it's their sister and they are being completely unreasonable and ridiculous." It was then Applejack appeared once again, yawning as she did so and Scootaloo quickly ducked back inside of the closet. '
"Just...checkin' in on you again," said Applejack as she headed over to the bed to look at the sleeping "Apple Bloom" and nuzzled her bow, "Look at you, dozin' so peaceful-like. Here I am, checkin' up on you every five seconds, and you're totally fine. Maybe you don't need me frettin' over you all the time."
Finally! Mario said to himself with relief when Scootaloo gasped.
"Wow, Apple Bloom will be so glad to hear that!" Scootaloo blurted out when Mario cringed.
"Big mouth!" Mario snapped before putting a fore-hoof to his own mouth.
"Huh?" said Applejack as she headed to the closet, "Scootaloo? Mario?"
"Uh, um, n-no," Scootaloo replied as Applejack opened it and found the orange filly inside.
"Nopony here but your little sister!" said Mario, using his voice changing spell. Applejack narrowed her eyes when...
SMACK!
Applejack whacked Mario hard on the back of the head, leaving him dazed and removing his invisibility beret. The orange pony cringed as she pulled off the blanket and found the marshmallow filly sleeping in the bed.
"Sweetie Belle?" Applejack exclaimed, "But...where's Apple Bloom? She's not here. She could be anywhere! She could be lost, cold, hungry, itchy, stuffed up, needin' to go to the bathroom!" Applejack began to panic as she searched through Apple Bloom's drawers and under her bed. She even lifted the bed into the air despite the fact that Sweetie Belle was still sitting on top. The two fillies and Mario just shared looks with each other as they watched Applejack in her panicked state.
"Don't worry, we know exactly where she is," said Sweetie Belle.
"Yeah, she's making your pie delivery," said Scootaloo. Applejack's eyes shrunk with horror as she stopped digging through Apple Bloom's toy box.
"What?! No!" said Applejack as she got into Scootaloo's face, "Didn't she hear how difficult and dangerous it was?" Applejack gasped, "I may never see my little sister again!"
"Will you calm down?" said Mario, "Apple Bloom is fairly capable than you give her credit for. She's looking for a chance to prove that she can handle herself and I thought this would be a good way for her to do it!" Applejack's jaw dropped.
"You! You let my baby sister make the pie delivery?!" Applejack asked in shock.
"Yes, I did," said Mario, "I was younger than her when I made a delivery all the way from Canterlot to a hard to reach town all by myself. Apple Bloom will be just fine if you'd actually just believe in her and let her do things. Instead you've done nothing but treat her like she's a baby with no brain or common sense! I'm sorry I had to make that decision behind your back, but you've proven you can't be reasoned with when you get like this! So I went over your head." Applejack just looked dumbfounded as her breathing became rather heavy.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I got a letter to write to Granny Smith," said Mario, "I've tried reasoning with you AJ, but maybe you'll finally learn your lesson if Granny Smith deals with you!" Mario then stomped out of the room. He didn't noticed that Applejack was steaming with fury, ready to explode!
"Aaaaaaaaaaah! Mario, the cider keg's about to explode! The cider keg's about to explode!" Scootaloo shouted as Applejack charged out of the room. Mario had just barely heard Scootaloo's warning and turned around when he saw a furious looking Applejack charging at him.
"GAH!" Applejack screamed in rage.
"YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! UGH!" Mario yelped as Applejack tackled him and sent him falling all the way from the top of the stairs to the ground floor of the living room. The two began to roll around the floor before Applejack bucked Mario off.
"Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! UGH!" Mario repeated in pain as and he hit a wall upside down and then got up, now angry as well as he charged at her, "Okay! Come on! You wanna piece of me?!"
POW!
Applejack slugged him hard in the left eye, leaving it a nice shade of black. Mario was dazed for a moment before he winced at the pain in his left eye.
"Aaaaaaaauuuhhhh!" Mario cried out as he pinned Applejack down to the floor, "What's it gonna take Sister?! What's it gonna take for you to stop acting like this?!" Applejack only reply was biting down on Mario's left foreleg.
"Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooowwwwwwwww!" Mario yelped in pain as he began to shaking his fore-leg back and forth rapidly, leaving Applejack very dizzy when he finally got her to let go. Mario then tried to walk off when Applejack dived at him again,
"Ahhhhh-hoooooooowwch!" Mario cried out as a dust cloud formed and the tussle continued. Actually, Applejack was the only throwing punches while Mario was just blocking and trying to pin Applejack down. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle came down the stairs to see the dust cloud in the middle of the living room.
"Whoa..." was all Scootaloo could say.
"Mario!" Sweetie Belle cried out with worry as the dust finally settled and Mario managed to pin Applejack to the floor. Her stenson hat had fallen off from the fighting and the hair tie on her mane had come off. Applejack was still panting in rage.
"Applejack please stop," said Mario, his voice cracking from all the emotions he was feeling, "I was only trying to help Apple Bloom!"
"By doing what?!" Applejack snapped, "have her go deliver pies through one of the most dangerous paths in Equestria?!"
"And how was I supposed to know that?!" said Mario sternly, "Maybe I wouldn't have had to send Apple Bloom away if you had just trusted her and not gone back on your word!"
"I don't need to trust her!" Applejack shouted, "You think she can do these things, but she just can't, Mario!" Applejack then froze. Her words finally registering in her own head as she finally calmed down. Mario, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo glared.
"It's stinks being young," Sweetie Belle remarked angrily, "Grown-ups all think we're so dumb and useless."
"Tell me about it," said Scootaloo bitterly. Mario just said nothing as Applejack just sat up, looking a little space out...before she burst into tears.
"I wasn't ready to leave her alone!" Applejack wailed, "I was scared something bad was gonna happen to her. I could never forgive myself if something does! I only wanted to protect her and keep her safe! I promised Ma that I would keep her safe and that nothing bad would happen to her. I wasn't gonna let Ma down!" Applejack continued to cry as Mario pulled her into a hug and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Umm...this is what they call finally getting to the root of the problem?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"Pretty much," said Mario as he groaned as he felt the pain in his left eye, "Sometimes it can be very painful..."
"It's only painful because I didn't wanna admit I had a problem," Applejack sobbed, "instead of just being honest, I just beat you up and drove Apple Bloom away! I failed Ma! I failed my family! Oh, what do I do? What I do?" Mario had just used his magic to grab Applejack's stenson hat when he froze.
"What are you talking about?" Mario asked firmly as Applejack stopped crying and looked at him, ""What do I do?" you ask. For Celestia's sake Pull. Yourself. Together!" Mario he used his magic to smack Applejack with her hat.
"Hey!" Applejack protested.
"Was that a serious question?" said Mario irritably, "Instead of sitting here, blaming yourself, and acting like you've given up, you need to calm down! Okay!"
"B-b-b-b-but," said Applejack protested when Mario put a fore-hoof to her mouth. He then gestured for her to repeat after him. Mario put a fore-hoof to his chest and breathed in. Applejack recognized the breathing technique as she did exactly what Mario did, taking slow deep breaths to calm herself.
"Wow...that...really helps," said Applejack.
"Alright, now let's find somepony to look after Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo," said Mario, "and then we can get to tracking down Apple Bloom and making sure she's okay." Mario held out a fore-leg to help Applejack stand up. Applejack sighed and nodded in agreement as she grabbed his fore-leg to get back on her hooves before giving him a warm hug.
"Alright..." said Applejack softly. Mario smiled before they got to work. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo just waited in kitchen until Applejack and Mario returned. While he assured them that he was taking full responsibility for what happened, the two fillies still felt a little guilty.
"So...were you gonna consider Mario's idea?" Sweetie Belle asked, trying to have casual conversation.
"What idea?" Scootaloo asked.
"About wearing the bow? How he said we looked really cute wearing them?" Sweetie Belle asked, "I was gonna ask Rarity about a light yellow one for me since I know that's Mario's favorite color."
"Bows just aren't me, Sweetie Belle," said Scootaloo.
"Even if you just added it to your scooter helmet?" said Sweetie Belle, "In Manehatten, I've seen some ponies at the skate parks do that."
"I'll think about it," said Scootaloo casually. It was then Applejack and Mario had arrived. The two fillies took noticed that Mario's eye was no longer black but didn't bother asking how he managed to cure it so quickly.
"Okay, Rarity's on her way here to look after you two," Applejack told the two fillies, "Now tell me, did Apple Bloom at least bring fireproof boots?" The two fillies just looked at each other, even Mario was rather stunned.
"A lion tamer's chair?" Applejack asked next as the two fillies said nothing.
"A snake charmin' flute?!" Applejack asked next as Scootaloo avoided eye contact while Sweetie Belle looked away and nervously bit her lip.
"A hunk of ricotta?!" Applejack asked nervously as Scootaloo sank to the floor and Sweetie Belle covered her eyes. Mario just blinked as his jaw dropped.
"Are...you being serious?" Mario asked slowly.
"Of course I am!" said Applejack firmly, "That's what I had packed inside my saddle bags." Mario's eyes shrunk.
"Did...you write down this list with your map by any chance?" Mario asked.
"I...I didn't," said Applejack. She gasped when she realized that there was no way Apple Bloom or Mario would have known to take those items. She felt herself began to panic and started chewing on her horseshoe.
"AJ, keep calm," said Mario gently, "Apple Bloom is more resourceful than you give her credit for. She'll be okay."
"Okay," said Applejack as she tried to recompose herself, "maybe there's still time to catch her before she gets there." She turned to the two fillies, "When did she leave?"
"It must've been hours ago," Sweetie Belle answered. Applejack's pupils shrank.
"Oh, no!" said Applejack frantically.
"Then we have no time to lose," said Mario, "You got any more of those items, Sis?"
"I...don't," said Applejack sadly. Mario just sighed.
"Then this will be enough for me then," said Mario as he pulled out of his saddle bag a shiny grey beret.
"What's that beret do?" Scootaloo asked. Mario put the beret on his head. The three ponies smiled excitedly as they saw Mario transform.
Somewhere in the middle of a misty swamp, Apple Bloom was just pulling the wagon along what appeared to be an unmarked path. The yellow filly couldn't help but nervously scan her surroundings as she continued to move forward. Apple Bloom began to check her map to make sure she was going the right way.
"I can't see a darn thing in this swamp," said Apple Bloom with an annoyed sigh. She then yelped as a flame shot out in front of her, frying up the map. She then noticed that the swamp had some murky area in which flames would shoot out of them at irregular intervals.
"Well, now at least I can see," said Apple Bloom, trying to stay positive and narrowed her eyes to scout ahead. It was then a shadowy figure growled and slowly approached her as the flame geysers continued to erupt around her and the shadowy figure. To make matters worse, the creature revealed its yellow eyes. Correction: three sets of yellow eyes. The creature was known as a Chimera, which was a mesh of a tiger and a goat in body with the tail of a snake. Plus it also had a head for each animal part. Apple Bloom cringed fearfully at the Chimera.
"I'd stay where you are," the Tiger head warned, "This is the only safe spot around here."
"It don't look so safe to me," Apple Bloom whimpered nervously as she backed up a bit.
"Oh, we just mean from the flames," said the tiger head.
"Yeah, not from us," said the goat head sinisterly.
"What was that?" the snake head started to complain, "Ah, can you guysss ssspeak up?"
"I was about to tell our guest how we haven't eaten in days," the tiger head replied, making Apple Bloom's eyes shrink in fear.
"My sisters and I can never agree on what to eat," the goat head complained.
"Excccept...pie," the snake head hissed. Apple Bloom looked at her wagon and gave them a nervous smile.
"Well, unfortunately, I gotta get these pies to a town on the other side of the swamp," said Apple Bloom sheepishly, "so, uh..."
"Oh, you don't have to worry about that," said the tiger head, cutting Apple Bloom off.
"Yeah, you don't have to worry about anything anymore," the goat head added.
"Because we're going to have our apples," the snake head remarked, "with a ssside of filly filet." The snakes eyes then glowed multiple colors, getting ready to charm Apple Bloom into submission. Fortunately, Apple Bloom didn't make direct eye contact with the snake head's eyes.
"You don't say," Apple Bloom laughed nervously as she tried to back up and the Chimera slowly followed her. The tiger head growled, the goat head bleated, and the snake head hissed at her.
"Now, sisters, on three!" The tiger head said as Apple Bloom began to panic, "One!"
"Two!" said the goat head as Apple Bloom backed herself and the wagon against a tree.
"Three!" said the snake head with a hiss as the Chimera dived at Apple Bloom. The yellow filly charged forward so the Chimera crashed into the tree. Apple Bloom ran as fast as she could. As she ran, she did her best to avoid being flanked by the flame geysers. Then the harness uncoupled from Apple Bloom's back. At first Apple Bloom thought she was somehow moving faster and smiled, but then she looked back and discovered the reason for her increased speed was because she had left the pie wagon behind.
"No!" Apple Bloom shouted as she turned around to retrieve it, but she was cut off when the Chimera pounced in front of her.
"Where do you think you're going?" the tiger's head glared and growled. The Chimera was then startled when a geyser erupted in the tiger and goat's faces. Apple Bloom then tried to run around the Chimera, but the snake head stopped the filly by hissing at her.
"Yaaah!" said Apple Bloom as she panted fearfully and ran around in circles to keep the snake head from catching her. In the process, Apple Bloom managed to get the snake part of the Chimera to wrap itself up and cause the rest of the body to get tied up and fall over. Apple Bloom then quickly got behind the wagon, revved her fore-legs and created a pinwheel effect, as she pushed the wagon forward. The task was made even more difficult since Apple Bloom had to push the wagon uphill. As she neared the top of the hill, she looked back to see that the Chimera had untangled itself and was now on her tail. Apple Bloom tried to think of something to get the creature away from her when the wagon suddenly started rolling away from her. She watched as the wagon disappeared inside of some bushes before she turned around to see the Chimera growing, bleating, and hissing at her.
"Where are the pies?!" the tiger head demanded.
"They're not back here," the snake head replied.
"This is your fault!" the goat head complained, "You think you've always got to be in charge!"
"You're lucky, you know?" the tiger head sighed as she complained to Apple Bloom, "You've got no idea what it's like to have a sister constantly looking over your shoulder!"
"Uh, actually..." Apple Bloom tried to reply.
"Let's try listening to me for a change!" the goat head interrupted, "And I say, if there are no pies, let's settle for the filly instead!" The snake hissed at Apple Bloom.
"Any lassst wordsss?" the snake head asked Apple Bloom.
"I really wish my sister and big brother were here!" Apple Bloom squeaked as the snake head opened its mouth to take a large bite.
"Hang on, Apple Bloom!" shouted a familiar voice, "I'm a-comin'!"
"Nopony is gonna hurt my sister!" shouted a second familiar voice. The Chimera looked in the direction the two voices. It was then Applejack appeared as she leaped over a fire geyser wearing some black boots and a green saddle bag. Mario then charged through the spouting geyser using a spin dash and stood beside Applejack. His body was now completely metallic grey with his magic saddle bags on his back. Also, his body clanked as he moved about.
He was now...Metal Mario!
(cue theme song of same name)
"Get her!" the three heads of the Chimera shouted.
"Hey! I thought I was in charge now!" the goat head protested as the tiger head growled in reply before they charged at the two ponies.
"Ready, big brother?" said Applejack.
"Here we go!" said Mario as the two ponies charged at the Chimera. Just as they were within range getting swiped by one of its sharp claws. Applejack then slid underneath it while Mario curled up and rolled underneath it to avoid being swiped. Once both ponies were both on their hooves, Applejack then grabbed the flute and began to play a tune. The snake head glared for a moment before she heard the music and fell asleep instantly. The goat and tiger's head seemed unphased as the tiger's head growled and roared before charging at the two ponies. Just as the tiger head was about to take a bite out of Applejack, the orange pony stuck the tamer's chair into its mouth. The tiger head shook violently to get the chair out of its mouth before finally just chomping it to pieces.
"Howdy!" Applejack taunted.
"Yoo-hoo!" Mario taunted as well as the two ponies waved at the Chimera. The Chimera charged at the two ponies, but in its rage it didn't notice that it's now sleeping snake head had gotten stuck in a tree branch. However, this barely slowed the Chimera down as the creature lunged at Applejack and Mario. The two ponies jumped out of the way as the tiger slammed her teeth into the tree trunk, leaving the tiger head trapped and unable to close her mouth. The tiger head groaned as she tried to free herself, but with her jaw stuck in the tree trunk and her snake tail stuck in another tree branch. The body was trapped. The goat head looked at its predicament before growling at Applejack and Mario. Applejack then tossed a clump of cheese right into its mouth.
"Mm, ricotta!" said the goat as she munched the treat. Applejack and Mario then walked off and headed toward Apple Bloom, who was amazed at how her sister and brother had handled the Chimera.
"Let's go!" said Applejack as she scooped the little filly onto her back. Applejack then expertly dodged the fire geysers and Mario stayed close by, clanking as he ran alongside his two sisters until they were at a safe range away from the Chimera and Applejack set the little filly back on the ground.
(End Metal theme, but the metal power is still active)
"Are you okay?" Applejack asked in a worried tone as tried to catch her breath.
"Thanks to the two of you," said Apple Bloom with a nod.
"I told you you need your big sister lookin' after you!" Applejack scolded as Mario gave her a glare and rolled his eyes at her and crossed his fore-legs, "I'm just glad this wasn't a whole lot worse. I mean, sure we lost the cart and all the pies..."
"Because you couldn't trust her and do your job!" Mario interjected angrily.
"Quiet!" Applejack snapped and went to swipe his side, but then winced painfully since she had forgotten Mario's body was now solid steel. She just glared and shook the sting out of her fore-hoof. Neither of them had noticed that Apple Bloom had stomped away.
"As I was saying," Applejack continued, "but at least you're-" Applejack stopped babbling when she noticed Apple Bloom show the pie wagon hidden behind some bushes, completely intact.
"Huh, the cart!" Applejack exclaimed, "You actually got them all the way up here? In the dark? Through the Flame Geyser Swamp? Past that monster?...By yourself?"
"Well...yeah," said Apple Bloom.
"Huh, wow," said Applejack, "That's mighty impressive! Anypony who can do that on her own, well, she don't need somepony like me babyin' her."
"She admits it! Yay!" said Mario in a high pitched voice and clapped his fore-hooves.
"Oh, hush you!" said Applejack playfully as the three ponies shared a group hug and the two sisters nuzzled each other.
"Too bad this will be the last thing you do!" said a voice. Applejack and Apple Bloom's eye shrunk when they turned to see the Chimera standing before them.
"How'd...how'd it get free to quickly?!" Apple Bloom exclaimed as Mario gritted his teeth at the creature.
"With difficulty," the goat head remarked as the creature growled, bleated, and hissed at the three ponies.
"Any more of that stuff from before?" Apple Bloom asked wearily as the two sisters backed away.
"Just my flute," said Applejack as she tried to put the snake head asleep but the Chimera swiped a claw at it, sending the flute flying into a nearby geyser and roasting it. Mario then jumped in front of the two ponies.
"I'll deal with it," said Mario with determination.
"Y'all can't fight that thing alone!" said Applejack. Mario glared at the Chimera as it glared back at him.
"You're right," said Mario as he reached into his saddle bags and pulled out another shiny grey metallic beret.
"Put this on Apple Bloom!" said Mario as he tossed the filly the beret.
"Are you crazy?" said Applejack as she intercepted the beret, "There is no way I'm lettin' my baby sister fight that thing!"
"Applejack! I can do this!" said Apple Bloom sternly.
"But..."
"I. Can. Do. This." said Apple Bloom slowly. Applejack felt her anxiety return, but then sighed to herself.
"Okay..." Applejack conceded reluctantly as Apple Bloom took the beret and put it on her head, transforming into Metal Apple Bloom. The filly approached Mario to stand in the Chimera's way as Mario raised a magic barrier to keep the creature from going after Applejack. (And to keep Applejack from trying to snatch Apple Bloom from the battle.)
"Battle strategy," Apple Bloom asked as the two ponies stood on their hind legs in defensive positions.
"Textbook," Mario replied, "Dodge and stomp multiple times."
"Let's do it, y'all!" said Apple Bloom.
(Cue favorite Boss Battle fanfare - for me, its the Donkey Kong Country theme)
Mario then gave the Chimera a raspberry, making it lunge at him. Mario then jumped out of the way and landed square on its back for the attack. The Chimera groaned angrily before the snake head tried to attack Apple Bloom. Since Apple Bloom was feeling much braver with her metal upgrade, she was able to dodge the snake head's attacks with ease. Applejack was sweating heavily and biting her horseshoes when the snake lunged at Apple Bloom. The little filly jumped into the air, walked up the shake part of its body, which made the snake head hiss since Apple Bloom was heavy thanks to her now metallic body, before giving the Chimera a hard stomp on the back with her hind legs, making it groan again. Applejack couldn't help but smile as her little sister's maneuver.
"Yee-haw! That's showin' them, little sister!" Applejack cheered. The battle pretty much followed the same pattern with the two metallic ponies dodging the Chimera's attacks and finding opportunities to stomp her back. They also didn't have to worry about the flame geysers since their metallic bodies protected them. Even when the Chimera tried to swipe a claw at them, it learned the hard way how painful it was to strike a body made out of steel, yet the Chimera still tried despite the pain and the fact neither pony was harmed from the swipes either. Applejack soon felt herself relax a bit since the metal power up pretty much made Apple Bloom pretty immune to the Chimera's attacks. She did get frightened when the tiger head bit Apple Bloom, but then laughed when the tiger head screamed in pain from hurting her teeth on Apple Bloom's steel body. After about seven stomps, the Chimera managed to swipe them both against a tree. While neither pony was hurt, they were now pin down as the Chimera extended its fore-legs to their sides so they couldn't escape or manuver. Applejack gasped.
"We've got you now," said the goat head. Mario and Apple Bloom exchanged smirks.
"That's what y'all think," said Apple Bloom as Mario curled into a ball and the filly jumped on top of Mario's rolled up body. Mario was able to super jump high into the air. Once the two ponies were high above the Chimera, they performed a ground pound, or hip-drop, onto her back, knocking the creature out cold. The barrier lowered and the battle was over.
(Battle Victory Fanfare)
Mario and Apple Bloom posed and shared a high hoof, which gave off a loud clang as they did so. Then they both removed their metal berets to power down.
"That was amazin'!" said Applejack, "Guess Mario wasn't joshing when he said he taught you self-defense, little sister."
"True," said Apple Bloom, "but I do feel braver fighting when Mario is around, especially when I can use his special powers and such. So...you won't have to worry about me fightin'...unless it's absolutely necessary."
"Good ta hear," said Applejack, "and Mario?"
"Yeah Sis?" Mario asked as Applejack gave him a smile.
"Thanks," she said gently as the two shared a hug. Then the three ponies quickly made their way from the swamp before the Chimera could recover and go after them.
By the time the sun had set, the three ponies had finally arrived at the towns where the local Cajun ponies wasted no time gobbling up the apple pies.
"Mm-hm! Andouille!" said a pony named Duce Switchell, "This pie's even tastier than my momma's swamp water casserole!" The other ponies cheered as they started dancing and tipping over the wooden tables, but of course his mother was looking rather hurt.
"Aw, now, momma, don't be like that," said Duce Switchell, but his mother didn't smile or reply.
"Just remember, you fellas wouldn't be enjoyin' these pies if it weren't for my sister," said Applejack as some other ponies came to take a pie from the wagon.
"And my sister and big brother!" Apple Bloom added as she and Applejack shared a nuzzle. She then did the same with Mario before Applejack gave Apple Bloom a stern look.
"But this don't change the fact that tryin' to make this delivery on your own was a plumb crazy thing to do!" Applejack retorted.
"I know..." said Apple Bloom, feeling rather ashamed.
"Applejack..." Mario warned.
"Let me speak," said Applejack firmly.
"Fine..." said Mario reluctantly.
"I bet Granny Smith grounds for you for a month for sneakin' out!" Applejack scoffed, "And if Big Mac, Granny Smith, n' I ever have to be away for the day again..." Applejack softened her tone, "I would totally trust you to stay home and take care of things on your own. I guess I did get a little carried away watchin' over you, and if you hadn't snuck out like you did, maybe I wouldn't have figured that out." Apple Bloom and Mario were both stunned, but also grateful that Applejack understood what they were trying to do.
"Yes!" said Apple Bloom, "Now that is the kind of ''looking after me" that I can genuinely appreciate! So...we're good?"
"Little sister, we're always good," said Applejack as the two shared a warm hug with each other. Mario smiled as he watched the two sisters bond.
"Hey, get in here!" said Applejack.
"You deserve a hug too," said Apple Bloom, "Despite the mess, thanks for helping me out." Mario headed over and joined in a group hug.
"You're welcome," said Mario, "But next time, I need to remember to think things through a little better so you don't get put into another dangerous situation."
"I agree on that," said Applejack, "In fact, I should be scolding you for letting Apple Bloom do that! What were you thinking?! You're supposed to be the reasonable one of the family besides me!"
"I got frustrated because you wouldn't listen to anypony," said Mario, "When Apple Bloom came up with sneaking out, I let her do it because I didn't know how else we could get the message across that she could handle herself. Remember that I was younger than her when I made a delivery like this on my own." Applejack blinked.
"Are you pulling my leg?" she asked. Mario glared since he had told her this before, but chose to ignore it.
"Nnnope," Mario answered, "Celestia can testify to it and you can imagine how dangerous it was for a young colt to pull a train three times his size through less traveled territory."
"I see," said Applejack, "From a glance that trail must've looked mighty simple compared to what you had to deal with." Applejack sighed as she looked at Apple Bloom.
"I hope y'all know I don't mean to get so overprotective," Applejack continued, "I guess my weakness is being too stubborn for my own good."
"Mario said that you actually weren't being stubborn this time around," said Apple Bloom, "he said you were actually having a mental break due to anxiety." Applejack's eyes nearly popped out of her skull.
"What?" she exclaimed and gave Mario a defensive glare.
"Here me out, Sis," said Mario, "While you are Apple Bloom's big sister, you practically raised her as your own foal, making you her mother figure. Plus you told me yourself that you promised Mom you would take care of her and keep her safe. You and Apple Bloom share a very close bond with each other, but you're having a difficult time accepting the honest truth that Apple Bloom is growing up. She's learning to take care of herself and she doesn't always need you protecting her all the time. You can't expect to be watching over her all the time. Soon, she's gonna find her true talent and cutie mark. It might even have her leave Ponyville to develop her talent or discover it. Soon she'll be dating, starting a career, and even having her own family. She'll have her own life and you can't expect her to let you be there for every second of it." Applejack began to panic.
"No," said Applejack frantically as she grabbed the yellow filly into a tight hug, "She's not getting too old for me to take care of her! She'll always want me to be there for her! She's...she's..." Applejack then loosened her grip on Apple Bloom. The yellow Filly glared until she saw Applejack's eyes water.
"She's...not a baby anymore..."said Applejack softly, "She's...growing up. She...doesn't need me anymore...She...doesn't want me around anymore..." Apple Bloom gave Applejack a sympathetic look.
"Applejack..." said Apple Bloom softly.
"I know she can handle herself," said Applejack as she sniffled, "I mean that, but the less I feel like I can protect her, the more likely I feel like something bad is gonna happen to her. Something...something..." Applejack could feel her composure slip as she fought back tears.
"Applejack..." said Mario slowly.
"Something that is gonna take her away from me forever!" Applejack shouted as she panted heavily to catch her breath, but was soon panicking.
"Sis, calm down," said Mario gently, "Take a deep breath..."
"I just can't take losing another pony I care about! I just can't!" Applejack cried out as some tears left her eyes. Mario held Applejack close as she cried quietly on his shoulder.
"Easy, Sis, easy," said Mario in a gentle tone, "It's okay. Just calm down." Apple Bloom looked at her sister with sad eyes, but she also felt confused.
"I don't get it, Sis," said Apple Bloom softly, "You've left me on my own plenty of times over the years. I walk around Ponyville by myself all the time! Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle aren't always with me and you know that! I even go into the Everfree Forest to see Zecora on a regular basis and that place is plenty dangerous!"
"Because I know you won't venture off the beaten path where something can hurt you," Applejack protested, "Plus I trust you not to do anything foolish or reckless because you know better and..." Applejack then blinked as her cheeks turned bright pink.
"I must look pretty stupid right about now," said Applejack as her tears slowed down, "You've already shown you can take care of yourself. Just because you're managing the farm alone doesn't make things any different. You've proven I can trust you, yet here I am falling apart thinking that you can't take care of yourself and getting all worked up about it! Ugh...what's wrong with me?"
"You just said it, Sis," said Mario, "You're scared that something bad will happen to her. You don't want to lose her because you've already lost Mom and Dad." Applejack began to cry again.
"You're right," Applejack sobbed, "Life is so unpredictable. No matter how safe we try to be, anything can happen. With Apple Bloom all alone, I can't be there to protect her if something bad happens or goes wrong. I know I should trust her to handle those situations, but...I...don't wanna lose her...I'm not...strong enough..." As Applejack continued to shed her tears, Apple Bloom grabbed her sister's foreleg.
"Listen, Sis," said Apple Bloom, "If you just trust me, you won't have to be."
"But I don't know what will happen," said Applejack worried, her fear visible in her green eyes.
"Nopony can," said Mario as he held the orange pony, "All you can do is teach Apple Bloom how to handle any situation and trust her to do the right thing. Have some faith in your sister. It won't do you any good worrying about her all the time. If you believe you've raised her to do what is right and be responsible, then you can walk away knowing everything is going to be okay when you leave her alone." Applejack sniffled as she pulled away from Mario and dried her eyes. She looked at Apple Bloom, giving her a smile.
"Okay," said Applejack, "But you can't stop me from worrying about my little sister. I love her after all."
"I love you, too, Sis," said Apple Bloom, "and don't worry. No matter how much I grow up, I'll always need my big sister." They shared another hug and Mario hugged the both of them.
"And we'll always need our big brother," the two sisters said together and gave Mario a kiss on the cheek. Mario just chuckled, grateful that things had finally been settled between the two.
Now they're only concern was making sure Granny Smith didn't find out about this whole mess. Mario was willing to keep quiet, but...
...as they say...
...the truth always has a way of revealing itself.
This was a rather tricky chapter to do. Especially since I didn't want Applejack to come off as just being stubborn and stupid. I always felt there was a deeper fear to her overprotective madness than just her not wanting to accept the fact Apple Bloom was growing up.
Plus I've pretty much made it clear that when Applejack and Mario clash. They CLASH!
And you all got to see the pony versions of the Vanishing Cap and Metal Cap from Super Mario 64. Plus a more old school style boss battle of stomping the enemy a few times to defeat it.
Hope you caught The Incredibles and Toy Story references.
Next time, Mario makes a new friend and things get very "rocky". Anypony got crackers?
Peace Pony Fans!