Applejack gasped as she looked around the farm, there were just so many apple trees.
"AJ? Y'all alright?" Big Macintosh asked as his sister looked around.
"Y-yes, I'm fine... How are there so many trees?" Applejack asked in awe.
"Well Sweet Apple Acres is the best with trees, we care for 'em and they grow much more then most," Big Macintosh said proudly.
"Ah can see that..." Applejack said as her voice slipped.
Big Macintosh looked at Applejack in confusion before he shook his head and went back to talking, "Are ya able to buck apples?"
"Well I got my cutie mark that way, I must be able to!" Applejack grinned, walking over to an apple tree.
"Okay let me just show ya how tah do it," Big Macintosh said as he walked over to another tree, "First ya just gear up your legs, then yah aim, annnnd KICK!" Big Macintosh kicked the tree and laughed as all the trees fell out. The tree was now slightly slanted from the kick.
Applejack looked over at her brother gaping, "Ah... I how did you?"
"Years of practice sis," Big Macinotsh replied, "Now ya try."
Applejack closed her eyes tightly and took a deep breath, she moved closer to the tree and whispered gently, "Gear up your legs..." she brought up her legs and stretched them, "Aim..." she put her legs up against the tree and gulped, "And now... KICK!"
She kicked with all her might and closed her eyes, had she done it? Something hit AJ on the head, Applejack moved her hoof and grabbed an apple that sat on her head. Opening her eyes she looked back at the tree which was swaying back and forth from the kick. Applejack gasped as more apples fell. She turned back to Big Macintosh who was rubbing his eyes as if he was not seeing correctly, "How many times have ya done this sis?" he asked
"I um... Once before..." Applejack said quietly.
Big Macintosh grinned and ran over to his sister then swept her up into a large hug, "Y'all are a natural!"
Applejack was shocked, "R-really?" she asked, starting to smile as well.
"Yes really! Ah need to ask a favor of ya," Big Macintosh said, suddenly becoming serious.
"Yes Big Mac?" Applejack asked with concern.
"Y'all gotta promise ya wont get better then me at apple-bucking, the colts here will never let me live it down," Big Macintosh said as his smile returned.
Applejack laughed all the way back to the house.
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"Appppplejack?" Granny Smith called upstairs.
Applejack rushed down stairs smiling, "Yes Granny?"
"Good, y'all are here, I was wonderin' can ya go get me some things from the market for supper?" Granny Smith asked smiling.
"Why of course, I would love to!" AJ replied, taking a list of groceries Granny Smith had handed to her. She trotted out the door whistling and walked to the market.
When Applejack was out of the house Granny Smith sighed and grumbled, "She better make some friends out there while shopping..."
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Applejack walked and hummed a tune, she soon got to the market, "O-oh my..." There were ponies everywhere, buying things, selling things, or just hanging out with friends. Applejack noticed two ponies arguing. Or at least one was.
"Fluttershy! You aren't assertive enough! You gotta be mean to get what you want sometimes!" a cyan pegasus yelled.
"Oh well um, it's okay Rainbow Dash, I don't mind..." Fluttershy replied quietly.
Rainbow Dash facehoofed, "You're even letting me walk all over you, cmon! I thought you got over this stuff at Flight School!"
Rainbow Dash looked over at Applejack and smiled sheepishly, people were watching she and Fluttershy fighting, oopsies...
"Dash, don't worry, I can be assertive!" Fluttershy said a little louder.
"Fine," Dash smirked, "call over that pony, right now." Rainbow pointed over at Applejack who stumbled back in surprise.
Fluttershy gulped, "Miss, please come over here... I mean if you want to, I don't want to force anypony..."
Applejack nodded and walked over slowly, "H-hello..."
"Okay, uhhhm wait, what's your name?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"M-my name? Oh, it's Applejack," AJ replied nervously.
"Applejack, do you think Fluttershy is assertive enough?" Dash questioned, at the sound of her name Fluttershy gave a faint "Hello".
"Well I uhm..." Applejack said, she didn't want to hurt Fluttershy's feelings, Applejack gulped, "S-she's very kind, but she shouldn't be walked all over. She doesn't want it and I know it, but at the same time she doesn't want to hurt anypony's feelings... Soo.."
Rainbow Dash looked over at Fluttershy who was nodding slightly and also blushing, "How did you do that?" Rainbow asked in wonder.
"Well Ah overheard you two and I just sorta could tell..." Applejack said quietly.
Rainbow Dash's eyes lit up, "I know you! Pinkie was talking about you! You're the new Apple family member, Applejack! How did I not notice this sooner?"
"P-Pinkie was talking about me?" Applejack asked, "What for?"
Fluttershy smiled gently, "For the party of course, Pinkie always throws parties when new ponies come, Rainbow got one... I got one... I think everypony has..."
"P-party?" Applejack gulped.
"Yep! At Sugarcube Corner tonight!" Dash said, "It's gonna be awesome! There may also be some cider..." Rainbow winked and grinned at Applejack.
"Sugarcuber Corner, where's that?" Applejack asked, oblivious to what Dash was implying.
"Oh, it's right across the street," Fluttershy replied pointing to a building that looked almost like a sweet more then a shop.
Applejack took this all in, it hadn't even been a full day since she had gotten to Ponyville and yet Pinkie was already having a party... That pony must be a miracle worker or something. Applejack smiled, "I would love to come, and I will see you both there, I hope."
"Of course! Pinkie has the best parties, I mean, nothing even compares after going to one of them!" Dash said laughing.
"Yes... We both hope to see you there, it was great meeting you Applejack and I hope we can see each other again... I mean if you want to..." Fluttershy said quietly with a gentle smile.
Applejack nodded and said goodbye, she then ran home forgetting completely about the groceries, she was just too excited for the party.