//------------------------------//
// Apple Kitchen Deluxe 
// Story: Friendship is Epic - Book 1: My Big Flare (COMPLETE REMAKE) 
// by FlareGun45 
//------------------------------//

It's been four days since Lyra and Bon Bon's make-up. It was a bright and sunny day at Sweet Apple Acres; the Apple family was sitting down at breakfast together. AppleJack yawns and walks into the kitchen along with her brother Big McIntosh, her sister Apple Bloom, and her grandmother Granny Smith.

"Mornin’, family!" AppleJack greeted them.

"AppleJack! AppleJack!” Apple Bloom cried out in excitement.

"What is it little sis?" AppleJack asked her. 

"I finally got my cutie mark!" Apple Bloom yelled.

"Really? That’s great! Wait, ya didn’t drink any of Zecora’s potions, did you?” AppleJack asked.

“No, no, nothin’ like that.” Apple Bloom said.

“Then what is it?” AppleJack asked. “Is it a pretty little apple flower?”

“Nope! Guess again.” Apple Bloom said.

“Is it a type of apple pastry? Ya did make a fine apple fritter last night.” AppleJack said.

“Nope!” Apple Bloom said.

“Is it a telephone with three X’s on it and a heart?” Granny Smith teased and winked.

“That only happened once!” Apple Bloom yelled.

A cutaway shows Apple Bloom sitting on her couch and she was on the phone with somepony on the other line. “What am ah wearin’? Umm… a bow? No, that’s it. Ah ain’t wearin’ anything else. Why are ya gigglin’? Ah don’t- ah don’t get it, what’s so funny? Do ah have any whip cream? Yeah, why? Yeah ah got cherries. Sure, ah’ll get some; ah dunno, ya want a pie with that? Ok, what kind? Look, ah really don’t get what you’re talkin’ about, Spike.” The cutaway ends.

“Your cutie mark ain’t a pear is it? Ah hate pears.” AppleJack said.

“So do I.” the Doctor said as he stuck his head through the window.

“Nope; give up?” Apple Bloom asked.

AppleJack sighs. “Yeah.”

"IT'S A TRAP!" Apple Bloom yelled, showing her cutie mark to AppleJack which had Admiral Ackbar’s head on it. AppleJack jumped and lost her balance, and then she falls on the kitchen counter, breaking it.

Apple Bloom started laughing as I came out from behind the curtains laughing along with her; then we high hooved. “We got you good, AppleJack!” I teased.

"Looks like AppleJack is in a fishy situation, huh Flare?" Apple Bloom teased, and then we laughed some more.

"What the hay just happened? What is that, Apple Bloom?” AppleJack asked.

"It was a prank!" Apple Bloom said. 

"Apple Bloom doesn't really have her flank tattoo yet. I just painted an ugly picture of Admiral Ackbar on her behind, and then she yelled 'IT'S A TRAP!' and you were really surprise face! Ex dee! Ex dee! Ex dee!" I teased.

“Don’t ya deny it, AppleJack. We did getchya good.” Apple Bloom said.

"Eeyup!” Big Mac nodded in agreement.

"Flare, yer a bad influence on mah family; no offense." AppleJack said.

"None taken. You're trying to teach me better, right? Right, AppleJack? Right?" I asked.

"Mah friends and ah wouldn't be who we are if we weren't." AppleJack said, and then she mumbled to herself, "Even if it is kinda against mah will."

"Mah counter!” Granny Smith cried, walking near her old wooden counter. "I've been cutting food from that counter for years, and it was fixed! Oh wait.... what's the opposite of fixing things?" 

"Aw, sorry Granny Smith; ah didn't know what to expect!" AppleJack said to her, patting her on the back.

"OW! My back!" Granny Smith yelled.

"Oh, sorry!" AppleJack lifted her arm away quickly. She turned to Apple Bloom and I giving us an ugly look. Apple Bloom just stood there whistling, and I was trying to use my tongue to reach my nose.

"Look what I can do, AppleJack!” I said excitedly.

"Flare? Apple Bloom? What do you have to say to Granny Smith?" AppleJack asked both of us.

“Yeah, Apple Bloom, we should do the right thing and apologize.” I told her.

“You’re right. Sorry, Granny Smith." Apple Bloom said sadly.

"Yeah, sorry that your back hurts now.” I said. “I know a good chiropractor that could help you out: Alan Harper.”

“Ah think ya mean to apologize for makin’ me break the kitchen counter.” AppleJack corrected me.

"Oh that?" I waved my hoof up and down giving her a raspberry. "That's nothing! You can replace a counter easily; I know lots on Home Improvement!"

“Ya do?” AppleJack asked.

“Sure I do! I helped remodel Noteworthy’s house.” I said.

A cutaway shows me with Noteworthy outside his house while I wore a construction hat with vest and belt, and I tell Noteworthy, “Alright, brah; your house is good to go!” I said.

“Thanks for remodeling my house for me. This place needed a good makeover, and a new staircase.” Noteworthy said.

“No prob! Just head on in, and enjoy your stay.” I opened the door for him, letting him inside.

“Alright!” Noteworthy trots inside his house, but he trips over and starts getting knocked down a couple of stairs, and by a couple, I mean a lot of stairs; stairs that go up and down, ones that go sideways, and even though it feels like he’s being knocked down the stairs, he’s actually going up. His whole house was like some of that illusion artwork with the staircases all around. 

“Heheheh.” I chuckled. “Shtairs. Shtairs, shtairs, shtairs.” The cutaway ends.

Big McIntosh was reading the newspaper, but then he sniffed out a stench that’s been breezing through the room and into his nose. “Hmmm.” He thought to himself.

“What’s wrong, Big Mac?” AppleJack asked. Everypony looked over to the stove, and it started to burn.

"Oh my stars! RUN FOR THE HILLS!" Granny Smith yelled as it looked like she was about to run, but then she limped very slowly back outside.

"Yes, run for the halls! Let's get the hay outta here!" I yelled as I picked up Apple Bloom and Granny Smith with my magic with no problems, but Big Mac was too heavy to pick up, even with my magic. Winona barks at me, wanting me to pick her up too. I looked down at her and said, “Nope.”

"Eeyup!” Big Mac said as he picks up every one of us, except for AppleJack though, and runs outside, escaping from the burning kitchen.

“Well ah ain’t goin’ down without a fight!” AppleJack bravely said as she takes out a bucket of water and pours it on the stove, taking out the fire instantly. AppleJack takes a deep breath and wipes the sweat from her forehead, but when she thought she was in the clear, the fire comes back and it spreads throughout the kitchen. "Wait for me!" she yelled as she ran outside behind us.

A little while later, the Ponyville Fire Department came and took out the fire. AppleJack, Apple Bloom, Big Mac, Granny Smith, Winona, and I were waiting outside until the all-clear was given by the fire fighters.

“That was the scariest thing ah’ve ever been through in mah entire life!” Apple Bloom said frighteningly, holding her sister close to her.

“Mine too; I’ve never been through a kitchen fire before!” I said as I too held onto AppleJack in fright.

“Now don’t you both worry; we’re nice and safe outside, and whatever damage that fire done, it’s not like we haven’t had a destroyed barn before.” AppleJack said.

"Well, the fire's out Apples. It's safe for you to come in now." the Fire Chief said to us. 

“What’s the damage?” AppleJack asked.

"All rooms are fine, except for the kitchen which looks like it needs replacing.” The Fire Chief said.

"Oh no!" Granny Smith cried, running into, no wait, I meant ‘limping’ to her kitchen, to check out the damage the fire’s done.

“Big Mac? Would you be so kind?” AppleJack asked.

“Eeyup.” Big Mac said as he carried Granny Smith inside the barn so she can check out the damage the fire’s done.

“Wow, Granny Smith’s really worried.” Apple Bloom said.

“Well, Granny Smith was a very happy and spiritual mare.” AppleJack said.

“But then everything when the fire nation attacked!” I said.

“Ah hope not too much damage occurred in the kitchen; we’re about to have our national bake sale in a few days.” AppleJack said.

“A bake sale?” I asked.

“Yeah, but this isn’t just an ordinary bake sale; the reason we’re havin’ this bake sale is raise money to donate to the ponies in Dodge Junction. They had a desert tornado hit them recently, and we must gain as much money as we can so they can rebuild.” AppleJack said.

“Oh that’s sad.” I said. “Sad face.”

“Ah know, but without our kitchen, we can’t have our bake sale, and those ponies in Dodge Junction would be left with little to no shelter.” AppleJack said.

“NOOOOOO!” Granny Smith cried.

“Whoa! For a pony that walks slow, she can scream pretty loud.” I said. The three of us ran inside and saw Granny Smith holding a destroyed spoon in her hooves. "Mah favorite spoon. Ah had this spoon every since before ah even moved here. This was mah zap apple spoon.”

“Sounds shocking. Lawl!” I teased. 

AppleJack glares at me and whispers, “Flare! This is no time for jokes! Granny Smith’s kitchen is destroyed, and we have no kitchen to the bake the apple goods for the bake sale!”

“I completely understand what you’re going through, AppleJack, and I know we all pitched in at doing damage to the kitchen, and as such, it is part of the Friendship Agreement for me to help you clean up the mess; more specifically: build a new kitchen!” I explained.

“Ah dunno, Flare. Ah’d appreciate the help and all, but ah’m not 100% sure.” AppleJack said.

“But remember when I said that I know my ways around home improvement? You remember right, AppleJack? Lawl remember AppleJack?” I asked.

“Ah still don’t know.” AppleJack said.

“It was an accident, AppleJack. Let Flare, help; he worked hard on tryin’ to help me earn a cutie mark, and help cheer me up by prankin’ you because ah feel ah’d never get it; let him try.” Apple Bloom asked. AppleJack looks at her sister seeing her puppy dog-like eyes, then she looks at me and staring my puppy dog eyes; she sighs and says, “Alright, Flare; if it’s part of the Friendship Agreement, ah can’t get in the way with that.”

“GREAT!” I yelled excitedly as I removed my fake puppy dog eyes from the front of my real eyes. “We’re going to give Granny Smith the best kitchen she ever had! It’s every mare’s dream to have a new remodeled kitchen. This will be more fun than spreading a false rumor about a celebrity!”

A cutaway shows me on my Facebook account, typing an article about Justin Bieber having cancer, and a few days later, I looked up results of this news online, and I see pictures of a bunch of fillies with shaved heads to worship their favorite artist. “HA!” I said. The cutaway ends.

Just then, out of the blue... yeah, I'm pretty sure now that's how I should say it, AppleJack just thought of an idea. "Say! Granny Smith's birthday is coming tomorrow! Maybe we can fix her up a new kitchen!"

"Granny Smith's birthday is coming tomorrow. Maybe we can fix her up a new kitchen!" I repeated

"What? Did you just repeat what ah said?” AppleJack asked.

"You told me to say it." I said.

"No ah didn't." AppleJack shook her head.

"Yes you did, you said: 'Say! Granny Smith's birthday is coming tomorrow. Maybe we can fix her up a new kitchen! Y'all!' Remember?" I reminded her.

AppleJack facehoofed herself and shook her head. “Ah didn't even say y'all that time."

"You didn't have to. I pictured you saying it, or, to make a bit more sense, I feel I heard you say it because if I pictured it, it's more of a sight thing then a hearing thing." I said.

"That sounds like a wonderful idea, sweetie. It does feel nice to have a change of scenery.” Granny Smith smiled abd saud,

AppleJack smiled and said; "Thanks Granny Smith! Ah know it won't be-."

"Ah wasn't talkin to you! I was talkin to this charmin’ young stallion here!" Granny Smith said as she walked towards me and patted me on the head.

"Yep! I sure am good with the ladies; no matter how old- I mean, young they look!" I said.

"Aww! You're such a sweetheart!" Granny Smith said.

"Lion face” I said. "So we have a plan! Don't we Mac?"

"Eeeyup!” Big Mac nodded.

“Do ever say anything other than ‘eeeyup’?” I asked.

“Big Mac used to be able to talk in full sentences; he was once an auctioneer.” Apple Bloom said.

A cutaway shows Big Mac at an auction trying to bid an old buffalo chief headdress. Big Mac talked really fast as he was trying to bid these items; “Ah got 125, do ah hear 130? 130,000 for this antique buffalo headdress; ah got 130, do ah got 135, do ah got 140, 140-“ just then a repo pony accidentally knocks a tiki pole on Big Mac’s head and he started talking slowly and with less words; “1…4…. Goin’ once…. Eeyup…. Twice…. Eeyup; eeyup or nope?” The cutaway ends.

Some time went by and Granny Smith has packed her things and threw them to the taxi carriage outside. AppleJack, Big Mac, Apple Bloom, and I were standing outside, bidding her farewell, and even my friends Engineer and Crystal were there to also help out with the kitchen. "Have fun on your vacation at Rainbow Falls, Granny Smith!” Apple Bloom said.

"Ah do need a vacation after all that work, but are y’all sure ya don’t wanna come?” Granny Smith asked.

“Sorry, Granny, but we need to all be here to help clean up the mess.” AppleJack said.

"What mess?" Granny Smith asked.

"The one in the kitchen?" Apple Bloom reminded her.

"Shh!" AppleJack shushed her.

“Ah can guarantee that you’ll love what we’ll do to the place!” Engineer said.

“Eeyup!” Big Mac agreed.

“Y’all are such good kids.” Granny Smith said.

“Kids?” Crystal asked. “But I’m twenty-“

“Let her be, Crystal.” AppleJack whispered.

“But before you go, shouldn’t we discuss what kind of kitchen ya want?” Engie asked.

“Surprise me.” Granny Smith requested.

“Surprise you, got it!” Crystal promised. “We’re gonna make you so surprised that it’ll make your wig even jump.”

“Ah’ll have y’all know that this isn’t a wig.” Granny Smith corrected her as she grabbed her own mane, trying to prove it isn’t a wig, but lots of her hair got torn out of place. “Ah maybe losin’ mah hair, but this is definitely not a wig! Ah’d rather die than be bald; ah’ll tell ya that much, dearie.”

“Now, don’t y’all worry ‘bout a thing, Granny; you sure are as strong as a bull, and as hearty as a dolphin.” AppleJack said.

“Or as bully as a strong, and as dolphiny as a heart.” I teased.

“Look, you’re gonna have Apple Strudel, Auntie Applesauce, Apple Rose over at Rainbow Falls along with you, and when ya return in a couple of days, the kitchen will be as good as new, ah promise you that!” AppleJack said.

“Thank you, AppleJack. You, the family, and your friends have always been there to help out in our time of need.” Granny Smith said thankfully.

“Ok that’s touching, now hurry it up; I have other fares to make.” The taxi driver complained.

“I didn’t know you made carnivals.” I said. So Granny Smith gave Engie, Crystal, me, and her family a hug before she trotted over to her taxi. As she walked to her cab, she had a sign on her back that says ‘Look at my apple bottom’.

AppleJack gasped when she saw the sign and removed it from her back. “Alright, which one of you varmints stuck this sign on her back!” AppleJack yelled angrily at Engie, Crystal, and I. 

Granny Smith turned around, saw the sign on AppleJack’s hoof, and whacked AppleJack with her purse. “AppleJack, ya know better than to place signs on other pony's backs!”

“Yeah, AppleJack.” Engie teased.

“If the three of you are goin’ to help out in redesigning this kitchen, ya must behave yourselves.” AppleJack demanded.

“Them? You behave yourself, AppleJack. Ah’m relyin’ on you to get this kitchen done. Them ponies over at Dodge Junction need our help!” Granny Smith reminded her.

AppleJack sighed. “Yer right, Granny Smith.”

“Good. Ah’ll see y’all Monday.” Granny Smith waved goodbye as she hopped onto the taxi carriage and the driver took her over to the trainstation so she can travel to Rainbow Falls.

"Don't you worry, Granny Smith! We'll get you that new kitchen! When you're back, you'll forget all about the mess!" AppleJack yelled out.

“Stay in touch!” Apple Bloom yelled out.

“Alright, so let’s get down to business!” Crystal said.

“Alright, now before we get started, allow me to set on a few rules.” AppleJack said.

“Who made you in charge? Big Mac’s the oldest one here, he should be in charge.” I said. 

“Nnnope.” Big Mac shook his head and said.

“Why?” I asked.

“He was in charge once; it didn’t go so well.” AppleJack said. 

A cutaway shows Big Mac, AppleJack, and Apple Bloom sitting down on the floor; Big Mac was smiling and jumping up and down on his spot, and AppleJack and Apple Bloom was just sitting there awkwardly.

“This is your definition of story-time, Big Mac?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Eeeyup!” Big Mac said.

“Ah like your imagination, big-brother, but ah don’t think your doll can read.” AppleJack said. Up on the chair in front of them is Twilight’s old Smarty Pants doll with a book. The cutaway ends.

“Look, ah’m in charge ‘ere, and ah say we should just get to work.” AppleJack said. “Now to start off with remodelin’ this kitchen, we need to go to the hardware store.”

“Is there a Home Dee-pot here?” I asked.

“Ah don’t think so.” Engie said.

“I hope there’s no Lowes here; Home Dee-pot kicks the living bazinga out of Lowes.” I said.

“First of all: Best Buy has the best kitchen appliances; second, it’s ‘dee-poe’, not ‘dee-pot’.” Engie corrected me.

“You say it your way, and I’ll say it my way.” I said.

“Your way is wrong!” Engie said.

“Like I said: you say it your way, and I’ll say it my way.” I repeated.

“Look, we have none of those stores here in Ponyville; if ya want to go to Home Depot, Lowes, or Best Buy, the nearest city that has those stores is Baltimare.” AppleJack said.

“Does Ponyville have anything?!” I complained.

“Canterlot has a Starbucks.” Crystal informed us.

“Well, that’s something.” I nodded. “Ponyville needs a Cheesecake Factory though.”

AppleJack sighs and says, “Look, ah know of a good hardware store nearby; they have a good-ol collection of kitchen appliances. Now if y’all wanna help, we have to play by the rules.”

“Forget the rules, I like spreading the lulz!” I yelled.

“Ya can spread the lulz another time, but the fate of Dodge Junction rests on our hooves. We need this kitchen fixed up so we can raise the money for the poor little town.” AppleJack said.

“Right, so let’s head to the hardware store while I put in fitting music in the background.” Crystal said. So then, we all walked over to the hardware store while Crystal was playing death metal in the background as the automatic doors opened and we walked inside. 

“NO!” I yelled. “This is not fitting music.”

“Seems fitting to me.” Crystal said as she nodded her head up and down with her tongue sticking out and her hooves in the air. I shut off the music in the background and placed more fitting music in the background: Mall Tycoon music! I know this is just a hardware store, not a mall, but this is the best I got on my Ipod.



"So what kind of kitchen are we gonna make?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Ah dunno. Ah’m thinkin’ Granny Smith is going to like the kitchen to look the same." AppleJack said.

"Yeah, right! I have a better kitchen idea! It's time to release the future onto today!” I took AppleJack to a kitchen that looked newer and more advance.

"Flare, uhh, this looks alot like the type of kitchen you have." AppleJack pointed out.

"I know! We're going to make this kitchen look alot like my kitchen! Not identical, but similar." I said.

“Ah dunno, Granny Smith likes more modern kitchens.” AppleJack said.

"Wow! Ah actually like this kitchen! Let's do this one!" Apple Bloom yelled in excitement. "Wanna do this one Big Mac?"

“Eeyup!” Big Mac nodded.

“C’mon AppleJack, that looks nice!” Crystal said.

"Dontcha think this will be too much fer her?" AppleJack asked.

"Look at that fridge, AppleJack! LOOK AT IT! LOOK AT IT! LOOOOOOOK AAAAAAAAAAAT IIIIIIIIIIIIT!" I yelled.

"Alright, alright, jeez!" AppleJack yelled as she looked at the fridge.

"Now look at this fridge.” I pointed to a big silver fridge standing in front of us.

"Yeah, ah see it, but it seems too fancy-smancy." AppleJack said.

"This fridge has an automatic ice maker, a water dispenser, lots of space, little cabinets for fruits, veggies, and a cabinet for cheese and other small items, and the best part is: the fridge has two doors!" I explained in excitement. 

“Don’t lots of fridges have two doors?” Crystal asked.

“No, there’s one door for the fridge and another for the freezer, but this one has two doors for one fridge, and the freezer is on the bottom!” I explained.

“Ya gotta get this fridge, AppleJack!” Apple Bloom begged. “Ah mean, what did Granny Smith have, an icebox? Please! Welcome to the future, AppleJack! This isn't the 1800s anymore! The time has come to make change; make stuff easier in life. So what do ya say? Wanna make this kitchen?"

AppleJack started to think about it. "Well....." 

"C'mon, AppleJack! Granny Smith would love it!" Apple Bloom said.

AppleJack continues to think, and as she was thinking, the Jeopardy theme song comes on. "Will ya turn that racket off? Ah can't think!" AppleJack complained as Crystal then turned off the music she was playing on her Ipod.

"Alright, fine, we'll go with yer idea." AppleJack smiled a bit and said.

"Yes!" Apple Bloom cheered.

"Eeeyup!” Big Mac cheered.

"Praise the Wiz-wiz-wizies!" I yelled.

“Ah know ah’m gonna regret this, like the time ah let Big Mac drink coffee.” AppleJack said to herself.

A cutaway shows AppleJack reading the newspaper, and she asks her brother, “’Ey, Big Mac? Can ya pass me the butter?”

Big Mac acts all hyper, jumping up and down, and scratching himself. “Eeee-ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeyup!” The cutaway ends.

“Now what’s a kitchen without a microwave?” Engie asked, showing us the microwaves.

“I don’t trust the white microwaves.” Crystal said.

“Is that some sort of racist comment, Crystal?” I asked.

“Colors aren’t considered races, Flare; only species of ponies.” Crystal corrected me.

“If ah were you, ah’d get the microwaves with the little button on the bottom of the numbers which opens the microwave.” Engie suggested.

“Lawl you mad, brah? The buttons get sticky and they get stuck; get the ones with the handles instead.” I suggested.

“The handles that can break off?” Engie asked.

“Only those fragile thin ones. These thicker ones will keep in place.” I said.

“Now, sugarcubes, may ah remind y’all that this is not your decision?” AppleJack asked.

“I thought this was a team effort? You said so yourself!” I said.

“Ah didn’t say that, but you’re right, this is a team effort, but this is Granny Smith’s kitchen, and none of y’all know her like ah do.” AppleJack said.

“Just because we known her for a couple of weeks doesn’t mean we know nutin’ about her.” Engie said.

“Look, ah appreciate yer suggestions, but ah know what Granny Smith likes best, alright?” AppleJack asked.

“For Wizard of Hope’s sake, AppleJack; you’re really setting a good friendship example for me.” I said sarcastically.

“Was that sarcasm?” Engie asked.

“How should I know? I know as much about sarcasm as I know about what porter potties are made of.” I said.

“They’re made of plastic.” Engie said.

“Really now? It would appear that my sister owes me money; she said they’re made of British Police Boxes.” I said.

“And how old is your sister?” Crystal asked.

“It’s not polite to ask a mare her age, sista.” I corrected her.

“It’s only not polite if stallions ask it, Flare.” Crystal corrected me.

“I don’t think it works that way.” I said.

“Will y’all stay focused already?” AppleJack asked. “Now if ah know Granny Smith well, ah know she likes red microwaves.”

“Seriously, sista? Like seriously actually? What are the odds of finding a red microwave around here?” I asked.

“You mean like the one right in front of you?” Apple Bloom asked.

I looked in front of me and saw a red microwave on the shelf. “That microwave looks like it’s bleeding all over. Really, it’s not natural for a microwave to be red.”

“But it’s natural for a pony to be red?” Crystal asked.

“HEY!” Big Mac and I yelled at the same time.

“Oooo we jinxed it! Bro hoof!” I said to Big Mac, holding out my hoof so he can bump it.

“Nnnnope.” He said, declining my bro-hoof.

“Aww, you’re no fun.” I complained to him.

“Now a stove, what kind of stove would Granny Smith like?” Apple Bloom asked observing the stoves.

“Definitely not the gas stoves.” Engie said.

“Ah disagree, Engie; Granny Smith always cooked with a gas stove.” AppleJack said.

“Yeah, but they look dangerous.” Engie said.

“They’re not dangerous, they’re cool! The fire is blue; how can a fire be blue? Oh right, because you bought a gas stove. Let’s buy it!” Crystal suggested.

“Alright, so we got our microwave, our stove, our fridge, now for the cabinets.” AppleJack said.

“Get wooden cabinets, AJ; it looks like you need some wood.” I said.

“Yeah, alright, ah could go for some wood.” AppleJack nodded. Just as she said that, the three of us started laughing. “Wh-what’s so funny? I just said ah wanted some wood.” We all laughed even harder, and AppleJack and Apple Bloom were getting more and more confused. “Stop laughin’! Why do ya have to make it so hard?” After that, we laughed so hard it felt like our ribs are about to burst out of our bodies.

“Why are they laughin’? Ah don’t get it.” Apple Bloom said.

“They’re just bein’ immature, Apple Bloom. Why don’t you and Big Mac go look at some small appliances like blenders and toasters, and give me a holler when ya find somethin’?” AppleJack suggested.

“Umm…. alright.” Apple Bloom said as her and Big Mac awkwardly walked off to the smaller appliances.

“Ah hope you three are havin’ fun embarassin’ me and mah family.” AppleJack said.

“I know, I know, we shouldn’t make those jokes in public.” I said.

“Us? AppleJack was the one who made those jokes in the first place; we were just laughin’, and we can’t control that.” Engie corrected us.

“Yeah that’s true, very true. You embarrassed us, AppleJack!” I said.

“Ah’m really startin’ to lose mah patience right now.” AppleJack said.

“I didn’t know you were a doctor.” Crystal said.

“Alright, alright, we made our point, I think we’re taking things a little too far. We’re sorry, AppleJack. Fun is fun, but this is serious, like seriously actually. We’re here to give Granny Smith the best kitchen she ever had! Now if she won’t be impressed with the kitchen we have in store for her, I dunno what will.” I said.

“So ya still want the wooden counters?” AppleJack asked.

“I recommend marble actually, if you didn’t lose them. LAWL!” I teased as the three of us started laughing again.

“Lose marbles, ah get it, ha ha.” AppleJack said sarcastically. So after an awkward day at the hardware store, we got what we needed and returned to the Apple barn to get to work on the kitchen.

“Hey, Flare, ah was wonderin’; why do mares like you so much?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Why you ask?” I asked.

“Big Mac’s been getting himself a mare for ages.” Apple Bloom said.

“I normally use Axe shampoo. It actually works! It worked on Lyra, Bon Bon, and Fluttershy." I said.

"Well then, let’s get to work.” AppleJack said.

"Wait, right now?" I asked.

"Yes, right now!" AppleJack said.

"But I had plans with Spike later." I complained.

“Well ah guess yer goin’ to have to reschedule then.” AppleJack said.

“You think rescheduling is easy work? I’ll be completely off track!” I said.

“You’re really beginn’ to sound like Twilight, Flare.” AppleJack said.

"Besides! Working on the kitchen could be fun! Maybe ah can finally get mah cutie mark!" Apple Bloom said excitedly.

"You have your flank tattoo already; your destiny is to go fishing for ugly looking alien fish that want to blow up space stations and yell 'IT'S A TRAP', remember?" I teased.

“Well, safety first before we begin. Ah got some construction outfits we can use.” Engie places a sack full of construction outfits in the middle of the floor, and everypony grabs a vest and helmet; even Engie, who places a helmet right on the helmet he was already wearing, and even though he’s wearing two helmets now, it still looks like he’s wearing one.

So we got started on remodeling the kitchen. We all started off by removing the old appliances from the kitchen. AppleJack and Big Mac removed the oven, and I was trying to move the fridge, but it was too heavy, but AppleJack walks over to me, and gives me a funny look. “Oh I’m sorry, you wanted to move this?” I asked. AppleJack then points to my horn. “What about it? OH, my magic! Alright, stand back!” I activated my hornsaber spell and I started slicing the fridge in two, and another two, and another two, and another two until I had a bunch of fridge confetti! “There we go, now it’s easier to carry, thanks AppleJack!”

“Uhh, no problem.” AppleJack said awkwardly. I know she was talking about my levitation spell, but where’s the fun in that? I got hornsaber so I’m gonna use it!

Engie started removing the kitchen sink pipes and Apple Bloom was playing with the light switch; the light fixture hanging on the ceiling falls on Engie’s tail. Engie gives out a scream of fright, and then glares at Apple Bloom as she blushes in embarrassment. Big Mac started bucking the leftover counters into thousands of pieces; Crystal wanted to try it out, but when she did, she gets a splinter on one of her hind hooves which makes her teary eyed. 

Later on, we were all done removing everything in the kitchen, so I looked at the time on my phone, and showed AppleJack the time with an embarrassing smile (I had the embarrassing smile, not the clock), then I attempt to run out the door, but AppleJack bites and my tail and pulls me back and she shakes her head no and points to the kitchen, and then she gives us some paint. Hey you know something? AppleJack really likes to bite tails, doesn’t she? Seriously, look at the past episodes, and you’ll see what I mean.

So we all started to paint the walls. Apple Bloom painted a little mustache on her fake cutie mark of Admiral Ackbar which happens to still be there, and then she tapped me on the leg and showed me it. We both chuckled at it, and I wanted to show Engie and Crystal it too, so I tapped on them so they can take a look at it, and they chuckled along, and then Big Mac joined with us, but AppleJack had to spoil the fun by walking up to us, giving us an ugly look, and tapping her front left hoof on the floor. We all gave her some embarrassing smile and let out little squees, and we started painting again. Big Mac was painting a couple of flowers on the wall, Crystal was drawing skateboards, Engie and Apple Bloom were painting the wall red, and as for me, I had some blue paint with me, but I didn’t want to get my blue vest stained, so I didn’t bother painting.

After we were done painting, we let it dry, and as we waited, we had our lunch break, so Engie treated us to lunch at the café. Their daisy sandwiches over there are dry though. Do they bother putting mayo in it? So I just got the hay fries with the ranch dressing on the side. Really, try fries and dunk it in ranch dressing, you’ll love it! Restaurant brand ranch tastes a lot better than store brand, wouldn’t you agree? Anyways, I’m getting off topic. We returned to Sweet Apple Acres to continue on the kitchen. We were trying to agree on if we should use teak wood cabinets, or dark wood? I prefer dark wood; why? It matches the walls, plus dark things look cooler, Apple Bloom and I agreed on that. 

And so finally, we placed the appliances in. The sink even comes with a garbage disposal, which I don’t know why we bother getting; the dishwasher can wash the dishes instead of the sink. After that, we placed the new light fixture on the ceiling, which was a light shaped like a bowl that’s upside down with a dot right on the bottom; you know the lights I’m talking about? So then finally we placed the furniture inside, and we were all done! 

"Wow! By the Wizards, look how beautiful this kitchen is!" I said impressively.

"Wooooow! I have seen the future of kitchens.” Apple Bloom said.

"Eeeyup!” Big Mac agreed.

“I like the little gold handles on the dark wood cabinets; it makes this place look like a home for ponies with style!” Crystal said as she waved her mane back.

“So what do ya think, AppleJack? Didn’t we do great, or didn’t we do great? Ah think both if ya ask me.” Engie said.

"Ah dunno, y’all; somethin’ isn't quite right here." AppleJack said with her hoof on her chin.

"Oh, right! I almost forgot!" I ran over to the wall and straightened the family portrait, ‘cause it was crooked. "There we go! Happy face now, Jackie?"

"It's not that. Ah think we went a little too far." AppleJack thought.

"What do ya mean? This kitchen is perfect!" Apple Bloom said as she started spinning around, looking at her flank. “Did ah get a cutie mark yet? Ah think ah see a cutie mark!”

“That’s still Admiral Ackbar, sista.” I reminded her.

“Well ah gotta wash this paint off so ah’ll know for sure.” Apple Bloom said as she ran upstairs to the bathroom to wash the paint off.

“Why wouldn’t you like it, AppleJack? It’s every mares dream to remodel a kitchen. That’s why I’m gonna go remodel mine; make it look like a wild western saloon.” Crystal said.

"Ah know, and ah like it, but.... it just looks.... a little too fancy, don't ya think?" AppleJack asked.

"Oh c'mon; it only costed us seventeen thousand bits! No big deal!" I said.

"WHAT?!" AppleJack yelled. "Where did ya find that kind of money?"

"Oh, it was alot. So I went to the bank and got a loan for ten thousand bits!" I said.

AppleJack was in shock. "YOU WHAT?!" 

"Don't worry! My business is a success! We'll be getting that much money again by the end of the month!" I said with a smile.

"What the hay are we gonna do until then?! WE'RE BROKE!" AppleJack yelled.

"No we're not!" I said. "We can get an extra loan from the bank, and...."

"NO!" AppleJack yelled. "No more loans! We have to get money and fast! We'll lose Sweet Apple Acres for sure! Maybe even your business!"

"We're.... broke?" Apple Bloom asked worryingly from the top of the stairs with her flank all bubbly with soap. Big Mac then screamed like a little girl and fainted.

"Do you realized what you just done, sugar cube?!" AppleJack yelled.

"Look, you cowmares wanted the fancy kitchen. You said that, remember?" I asked.

AppleJack facehoofed herself; "Look, ah know we said that, but the truth is...."

"Lawl remember, Jack?" I teased.

"Flare!” AppleJack yelled.

“Hey don’t blame me; it was Engie’s idea!” I yelled.

“Hey ah wouldn’ve gotten that idea if Crystal didn’t talk about bank robberies before!” Engie yelled.

A cutaway shows Engie and Crystal at our lunch break from earlier. “Ya know what really bothers me, Crystal? The emergency alert system.” Engie said. “Ah was workin’ on a new type of sentry for the engineer achievement update, and ah had the TV on then, and the test of the emergency alert system just got me goin’. Why do certain tests let ya know that it’s a test until the end of it? Ah had a hard time tryin’ to re-oil three of mah emergency shutters just to open them again for no apparent reason. What do you think about that, partner?”

“I once saw a pink ski-mask at Sears.” Crystal said. 

“Wow, Crystal, ya just gave me an idea.” Engie said.

“I’ll go home and get my Sears card, maybe my Kmart card since they’re both runned by the same company.” Crystal said.

“Ah’m still upset about that.” Engie said.

“Hey, the main reason Kmart bought out Sears was because Kmart’s gonna go out of business soon. Lots of their stores are closing.” Crystal said.

“Yeah, ah’m gonna miss that store, but Walmart’s takin’ over. Pretty much Walmart’s only worthy opponent right now is Target.” Engie said.

”Yeah….. so how about them bank robberies?” Crystal asked. The cutaway ends.

“Look AppleJack, you don’t need to dis us after all the help we’ve given you.” I said.

“Yeah, look how much we did to get ya this kitchen!” Engie pointed out. “So why don’t ya appreciate our work?”

“It’s not that ah don’t appreciate your work, ah’m happy for it, but y’all just keep makin’ scenes, and takin’ money out of our accounts and puttin’ the Apple family in debt!” AppleJack yelled. 

"Say whaaaaaaaaaat?" Crystal cried.

“Not to mention, ah keep sayin’ that this kitchen would be too much for Granny Smith! Ah know her, and she won’t think this kitchen is natural.” AppleJack yelled.

“But, AppleJaaaaaaaaaaaack!” Crystal whined.

"Look, ah’m sorry, sugarcubes; ah still like ya and all, but..... yer just.... makin’..... things worse." AppleJack confessed to us.

“Just to make things clear, what makes ya think we made YOUR family in debt?” Engie asked.

“I…. I thought we were usin’ our budget?” AppleJack asked.

“Why would we use your budget? It’s us that’s in debt right now, not you. We made bank loans out of our accounts.” I said.

“Wait…. what?” AppleJack asked.

“Yeah ‘what’ indeed; why did ya think we’d steal from the Apple family?” Engie asked.

“And making scenes over at the hardware store and everything, I thought you were helping us in learning about friendship?” I asked.

“Well, technically it was just you.” Crystal corrected me.

“Regardless.” I said.

“Look, we can take a hint; AppleJack doesn’t want our help, which is just fine by me.” Engie said.

“Yeah, I mean we offered our help, you asked for our opinions, and you went through with it. Why do you think Granny Smith won’t like this, but we made it anyway?” Crystal asked.

“Ah didn’t want to upset Big Mac an’ Apple Bloom. They liked this kitchen, but ah dunno if Granny Smith would.” AppleJack said.

“Cowmare, I must admit, we don’t think before we do, the three of us.” I confessed.

“Whoa, whoa, why ya talkin’ for all of us?” Engie complained to me.

“Yes, we’re not perfect, we’re not experts at everything, and I would’ve thought helping you was a friendship lesson we’d learn. If you didn’t think we’d be help, why bother offering us to help in the first place?” I asked.

“Ah didn’t know.” AppleJack said.

“YOU DIDN’T KNOW!” I repeated. 

“Look, ah don’t want you to feel bad or nothin’.” AppleJack said.

“You didn’t make us feel bad.” Crystal said.

“Nope, it was us. We ruined your kitchen. It's our fault. We’re baaaaaaaaaad friends." I said sadly. Heh, the way I said 'baaaaaad' was in a sheep tone for a second there.

“Flare, Crystal, Engie, don’t be like that.” AppleJack begged.

“How about instead of all this drama, wanna see my awesome moves?” Crystal asked.

“Yeah, ah think that’ll help.” Engie said.

“Don’t worry, AppleJack. I say today a success. We finished your kitchen, and you’ll be able to make tons of baked goods for that bake sell to help out Dodge Junction.” I said, trying to look through the positive side of things. "You're a good pony, AppleJack for thinking of others before yourself, and that's pretty much a good lesson for you to give us, despite all that we went through today." After I explained what I had no idea what I was talking about, Crystal, Engie, and I left the farm.

As we left Sweet Apple Acres, Engie informed us, “Ya know what’s funny about the name Dodge Junction? It kinda sounds like a name for a car, or an SUV better yet.” AppleJack then started to feel bad, which I don’t know why because we said it was ok. If this were Rarity feeling bad about our financial problems, then this would all make sense, but this AppleJack: honesty. Did I get it right this time? AppleJack’s honesty, correct?

So, the next day came, AppleJack and Big Mac were working extra hard on the farm, but as they were doing so, a taxi carriage arrives on the farm with Granny Smith in the back.

"Howdy, Apples!" Granny Smith greeted them as she returned from her kitchen.

"Granny Smith! How was yer vacation?" AppleJack asked.

"Fine, it was great!” Granny Smith said excitedly. “It’s been awhile since ah seen Auntie Applesauce and Apple Rose. It was a relaxin’ trip, but ah sure did miss this ol apple air back on the farm.”

“So, Granny Smith? You ready to see your new kitchen?” Apple Bloom asked excitedly.

”Oh, ah got a new kitchen?” Granny Smith asked.

“Yeah, remember the old one got destroyed from the fire?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Oh, the fire.” Granny Smith chuckled. “Ah almost forgot ‘bout that. This vacation was so relaxin’ that ah keep forgettin’ what color coat ah am!” she takes a good look at her lime-green coat and nods. “Eeyup; nice and gray, just as ah remember. So how about ya show me the new kitchen?”

“Oh it’s amazin’! You’ll love it, ah’m sure of it! Right, Big Mac?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Eeyup.” Big Mac nodded.

Granny Smith and her family walked inside the barn to take a look at her new kitchen, and Granny Smith gasps. "Who's idea was this?” she asked in an angry tone. “HUH?!" 

"Oh snap!" Crystal said surprisingly. 

AppleJack became silent, but she couldn't lie, she’s the Element of Honesty… right? Am I still correct? Although, even though she is the Element of Honesty, she would forget about all that for the well-being of her friends. “It was me, Granny. I’m sorry ya don’t like it. Ah really tried mah best.”

"Well, steal mah eggs and call me an angry bird! This is the greatest I’ve ever seen since I volunteered for the Price is Right!” Granny Smith said in a happy tone.

A cutaway shows Granny Smith, along with three other contestants on the Price is Right. Bob Barker (whom in Equestria is a dog) asks the contestants, “Ok, contestants give us the closest guess to how much this universal style kitchen costs. Noteworthy, we’ll start with you.”

“I say it costs about 13,400 bits.” Noteworthy said.

“Interesting choice! Cherry Berry, how about you?” Bob asked as he scratches his ear with his foot.

“How much was the last one?” Cherry Berry asked.

“13,400 bits.” Bob said.

“13,401 bits.” Cherry said.

“You jerk.” Noteworthy said angrily at Cherry.

“Alright, Granny Smith, how about you?” Bob asked.

“Umm, what are we givin’ the price for again?” Granny Smith asked.

“For this fancy kitchen.” Bob said.

“5 bits.” Granny Smith said.

“Umm… ok.” Bob said. “And the closest price for this kitchen was…” Granny Smith’s number choice on her podium started blinking and the Price is Right theme song started playing in the background. “5 bits! Granny Smith gets to choose her prize!” Bob yelled out.

“Ah’d scream, but ah always get irritated on the ponies screammin’ in excitement on this show.” Granny Smith said.

“Yeah, you and me both, sister, that’s why I’m planning on retiring soon.” Bob said. “Ok, now let’s see what you’ve won!”

“It’s a new car!” the announcer in the background yells out, revealing a new carriage behind a curtain.

“As ah expected. Ah’ve watched this show for years, and it’s always a new car.” Granny Smith complained.

“Yeah, I’m getting a bit tired of it too, but the announcer requested it because he really likes screaming it out.” Bob admited. The cutaway ends.

“So ya really like the kitchen?” AppleJack asked.

“Darn tootin!” Granny Smith said in excitement. “Ah’ve always wanted to have a change of scenery. You did a good job, AppleJack! First pie ah make is all yours!”

“Heh, thanks, Granny Smith!” AppleJack said. Even though she’s trying to feel happy because Granny Smith loves her new kitchen, she started to feel really bad on what she said to us, and also taking all the credit for it. AppleJack new exactly what to do to fix this problem she’s having, so she walks over to my shop to tell me how she feels. I was inside my office talking to Spike.

“You know what’s been bothering me my entire life? Sometimes when I get a stuffy nose, one nostril is all clogged up, but the other one is just fine.” Spike said.

“I know how that feels. It feels weird that every time I place my hoof near my nose to feel the air coming out, I can only feel one side.” I said; I then heard a knock on the door and I yelled, “Come in!”

AppleJack opens the door and walks inside my office. “Howdy, Flare! Ya busy?”

“Not at the moment. Come in!” I offered.

“Thanks.” AppleJack said as she takes a seat on one of the bean bag chairs in front of my desk.

“Did I say sit down? I just said come in.” I corrected her.

“Oh… sorry.” AppleJack said as she tried to stand up, but I stopped her.

“JK, AJ.” I chuckled. “What do you need?”

“Flare, ah wanted to apologize to you, Crystal, and Engie on what ah said yesterday.” AppleJack said.

“You WANTED to apologize?” I asked. “So if you’re not here to apologize, what are you here for?”

“Yeah, if she’s apologizing, it’s not the good time to joke.” Spike informed me.

“Sorry.” I said. “What are you apologizing for?”

“For what ah said yesterday of sayin’ y’all ain’t helpin’ out, and are just makin’ things worse.” AppleJack said.

“You don’t need to apologize, cowmare. I already said it was cool.” I said.

“But ah feel so bad. Ah thought Granny Smith wouldn’t like the kitchen, and it looked like she got angry, so ah wanted to take the blame for ya, but then she said she liked it; after that, ah started to feel really bad for lyin’ to her, takin’ all the credit, so ah rushed here to apologize.” AppleJack explained.

“Yeah, you’ll get that a lot. When somepony looks like their angry, they’re actually happy. Ponies like to fool around, sista.” I said.

“Ah know; Rarity did that once.” AppleJack said.

“Well, for being the Element of Loyalty, I expect that from you, AJ. Thank you.” I said happily.

“Dude, she’s the Element of Honesty!” Spike corrected me.

“Yeah, I knew that, I knew that along! I was just testing you, brah.” I teased him, but then I stopped and realized something. “Wait, time out for a second.”

“How many minutes?” Crystal asked as she and Engie walked inside my office.

“What’s goin’ on here?” Engie asked.

“AppleJack, you’re the Element of Honesty, but you lied to Granny Smith, so we wouldn’t take the blame if she didn’t like the kitchen?” I asked.

“Wait, what?” Engie asked.

“Well, ah… ah guess ah did.” AppleJack said.

“I… I don’t believe this.” I said shockingly. I mean, I didn't say the word shockingly, but… you know what I mean.

“AppleJack lied to Granny Smith for us?” Crystal asked.

“Ah know it sounds hard to believe, but y’all tried yer hardest to help out, and ah didn’t want y’all to get blamed for somethin’ ya didn’t mean.” AppleJack said.

“AppleJack, what you did today makes me loathe the ones who call you a background pony!” I said.

“A what?” AppleJack asked.

“We only known eachother for a small time, and you’d take the fall for us.” Engie said.

“You are the most dependable pony in all of Equestria.” Crystal said.

“R-really?” AppleJack asked.

“If only I knew what the word ‘dependable’ means.” Crystal said.

“But regardless, you know what’s right. You’re selfless, and most loving to the ones you care about. You have really taught me a valuable about friendship today, cowmare.” I said.

“Gosh, well… thank you.” AppleJack smiled.

“No problemo, sista. Just for that, I’m treating you to the best apple crisp pizza you’ve ever had.” I offered.

“C’mon, you don’t have to.” AppleJack said.

“I don’t have to, but I want to.” I said.

“How ‘bout ah just treat y’all to the best apple pie in all of Equestria?” AppleJack offered.

“FREE PIE?!” Crystal yelled in excitement.

“You seem to be giving more than you’re getting, sista, but still… FREE PIE!” I yelled excitedly. We all cheered and rushed on over to Sweet Apple Acres to have some of Granny Smith’s pie. We all gathered around the table of the new kitchen, and waited for Granny Smith to finish the apple pie.

“Alright, epic pie time!” Crystal said.

“Ah’m sure glad Granny Smith loves her new kitchen. You will sure have the money ya need for Dodge Junction in no time!” Engie said.

“And I’ll help!” I said.

“Whoa, Flare, ya don’t want to make things worse, do ya?” AppleJack asked.

“I take that you’re joking, and it was an expecting joke, and it was very insulting. Don’t do it again.” I said.

“Oh… ah’m sorry, Flare.” AppleJack said sadly.

“JK lawl! You’re so gullible, AppleJack!” I laughed.

AppleJack laughed along. “Ah guess ah am.”

“Man, I’m starving! What’s taking that pie so long?” Crystal asked. “Hey, Granny?! What’s taking that pie so long?!”

“It’ll be done in a little while, dear! Now which of these nobs turns on the oven?” Granny Smith asked..

“Granny, you’re usin’ the microwave.” AppleJack said.

“Oh… also ah tried to use that plug on the icebox to power up this blender, but it isn’t workin’. Ya know how to use it, AppleJack?” Granny Smith asked as the blender was actually plugged into the ice dispenser on the fridge.

“Granny why is there scrape marks on the stove?” Crystal asked.

“Well, ah couldn’t find the gas burner; this stove doesn’t have any. All ah can see is four circles drawn on the top, but when ah used the knobs, it started glowin’, so I’m still tryin’ to open the cover that’s keepin’ the dust from gettin’ into the stove.” Granny Smith explained.

“Granny, what is this?” I asked, holding an automatic can opener to test her knowledge on this kitchen.

“My golly that is the strangest lookin’ spoon ah’ve ever seen.” Granny Smith said.

“Yeah, this kitchen isn’t really workin’ for her.” AppleJack said.

“Well then, who’s up for another kitchen remodeling?” I asked.

“Yeah I’m up for that.” Crystal said.

“Oh this will sure get me my cutie mark!” Apple Bloom said excitedly.

“Eeeyup!” Big Mac agreed.