Chapter Text
While everypony slept, one misty summer night, a dark ominous storm rolled in. The moment its lightning hit the trees something nasty seeped into the wood spreading throughout down to the roots. An evil magic grew Zap Apples by the dozens appearing to be normal. Though the simple folk of Ponyville would soon learn its wicked ways had come to change Equestria disguised as a sweet treat.
The sun rose upon another beautiful day shining yellow beams over Sweet Apple Acres. Venturing outside to the fields Applejack was pleasantly surprised to find shiny ripe rainbow-colored Zap Apples hanging off each branch in the apple orchard. In awe she stood there admiring the bountiful gift they'd received. She didn't want to jinx this. So, she ignored the nagging questions in the back of her mind. Yelling "Yeehaw!" she golloped back to the kitchen.
At the dinning table BigMac sat eating his breakfast of oat bars as GrannySmith slumbered in her rocking chair. Waking Granny from her early morning nap Applejack excitedly stammered, “Granny! Granny! There’s somethin’ I gotta show ye! Come on BigMac! You'll never believe what happen last night!" Not wanting to wait for her kin's slowness she trotted back out the door grinning.
“Huh, Wha-?” GrannySmith stuttered awake, "What's goin' on? Is the farm ok?" She asked concerned with her grandpony's haste. Peering over to BigMac with a raised eyebrow she asked him the same question silently. He shrugged not knowing either. He was warry of his little sister's quickness to be over trusting, but she was also a strong hero to many. Uncertain, he followed.
They both slowly trudged to where Applejack was standing on a hill. Upon seeing the luscious rainbow fruit GrannySmith fell, fainting from shock. That wasn't at all what she was expecting to find. Applejack caught her. Knowing Granny was still lucid she asked reluctantly, “Why didn’t ye see any signs of em comin’? Aren’t there supposed to be weird tell-tells the week beforehoof?” Placing her grandpony back on their hooves she looked around curious of the apples presence.
Jumping up shakily the frail old pony seemingly lost her mind. “Arg! Oh! I don’t trust them there fruits! Nope! Don’t trust ‘em one bit I tell you! It ain’t right fer this kinda fruit to sprout like that! I tell yah, nope!” She babbled on. It didn't take long for her to start stumbling towards to barn house still mumbling about not trusting the Zap Apples.
That couldn’t be true, Applejack thought. They look just fine to me. Not questioning her grandpony’s crazy antics she trotted up to the nearest tree and heftily bucked the trunk. A couple juicy glimmering rainbow apples fell hitting the grassy ground with grace.
GrannySmith would often overreact and than everything would turn out to be fine after a bunch of huff over nothing. Keeping that in mind, she bit into an apple sucking up the yummy juices that spilled from it. Tasting completely fine she finished it off in another big bite. Throwing the core to the side she chose to not listen to GrannySmith. These Zap Apples would bring an amazing profit just like they always did.
Rushing from the house Applebloom stopped next to BigMac shaking her tail with a wide grin. “Can I try one? Please, oh please!” She begged her big sister eyes shimmering. For most of her life Applebloom had been too young to harvest and cook jam with the rest of the family. This time around she was determined to be a part of the process.
“Sure, they seem fine to me! As long as you help with harvesting ’em!” She ruffled their red hair, “Go ahead, sugar cube.”
In the distance it could still be heard, “Ah! Mark my words those aren’t safe! They’re something from beyond that wants to get ye! Get ye all!!!” The granpony’s scream echoed as she stumbled away. Not understanding the severity they all stopped listening.
Applebloom ate one whole, core and all. Her eyes glowed brighter as she exclaimed a loud, “Yum!" twirling around she said "Thank you! Oh! Thank you! It was delicious! Can I have another?"
"How about after we harvest the whole lot of them?" pointing her hoof at the enormous orchard filled to the brim with colorful apples. The rest of the day the family, minus GrannySmith who went to finish her nap, bucked all the trees for a mighty reward of cart after cart of gorgeous looking Zap Apples.
That night, during dinner, Applebloom fell ill. She had a heavy fever and was clearly feeling weak. Bed rest and comfy blankets was the best the apple family could manage given the short notice.
The next morning whimpering softly Applebloom laid in her room groggy having been unable to sleep. Her eyes couldn’t stay open for long and her dwindling state was starting to seriously worry everypony.
Luckily Princess Twilight stopped by later that day to check in on them. She’d heard the lightning storm the night before and was hoping nothing bad had happen. Even worse than a tree or two burning down, she was horrified to find a sick child. Curious if she could help she examined the little yellow filly closer. Shock consumed her as she lifted one of Applebloom’s eyelids. “Why didn’t you tell me her eyes were like this?” Twilight cried in concern. Not only bloodshot, but her small orange eyes had turned a sickening rainbow. The muted colors mixed in an uncomfortable array of hues glowing ever so slightly.
“What in tarnation are you talkin’ bought Twi?” Applejack begged scared for her sister. Moving close to shrieked.
“You didn’t notice her eyes?” Twilight asked, “The original color has become... a rainbow? I’ve never seen anything like it.” Puzzled, she continued the exam. Pulling the blanket down with her magenta magic Twilight held back a gasp. The little shield-like cutiemark had faded into the same ugly rainbow.
That was enough for the both of them to be convinced they needed help. "Zecora might know what to do." Twilight suggested.