Growing Pains

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The scents of every kind of apple found in Equestria filled Applejack’s nostrils as she trotted through the vast orchards of Sweet Apple Acres. All varieties from Red Delicious to Gravenstein stretched throughout the fertile land, hanging upon hundreds of apple trees. The orange mare was out and about on the farm, enjoying a pre-breakfast stroll. What a swell mornin’ this is, she admired. Not a peep outta Ponyville an’ a clear sky overhead. She ambled through the orchard, figuring out which parts of the field each of the Apple siblings would be working on for the day.

Inside, the Apple household was bustling with activity. While most of Ponyville still slept, the farmer ponies were already hard at work getting an early start on the day. Granny Smith busied herself in the kitchen, preparing breakfast for the four occupants. Aromas of the morning meal emanated lazily from the kitchen throughout the home. Big Macintosh set the table and fetched whatever the old earth pony needed for cooking, assuring she moved as little as possible. Granny Smith continued stirring up the pot’s contents and said to her grandson, “Mind goin’ upstairs ta wake yer sister? ‘Bout time she got up.”

“Yes’m,” the red stallion replied, heading out of the kitchen and up the stairs. While everypony else was up, alert, and productive, one young mare continued dozing comfortably in the soft morning light. Apple Bloom was still attending school, and as such she wasn’t required to get up as early as the others every day. With a new school year just starting, the yellow pony’s morning schedule was lax. Big Macintosh poked into the dozing mare’s room, spotting his resting sister’s figure sleeping contently on her bed. “Apple Bloom,” he spoke softly, “rise an’ shine. Breakfast’s about ready.”

A wave of a foreleg told her brother that the slumbering mare was up. The stallion retreated back downstairs. Apple Bloom opened her eyes and squinted, trying to shield them from the morning rays before raising her foreleg against the light. She stretched, yawned, and pulled herself out of bed. As her thoughts gathered, excitement flooded her, waking her up instantly. Friday! She thought. Jus’ one more day a’ classes an’ then tha weekend’s here! She took a deep breath and exhaled loudly. The jovial thoughts of the young mare brought a smile to her face: Her day was already starting off right.

Downstairs, Big Macintosh trotted back into the kitchen. “She’s up,” he reported. “Only had ta say somethin’ once. Seems she’s already adjusted to her school sleep schedule proper.” His stomach growled as the scent of oatmeal reached him, glancing at four steaming bowls rapidly cooling on the table. “Breakfast ready?”

“Wait fer yer sisters, dear,” Granny reminded him. “Ain’t polite ta start on yer own.”

Big Macintosh frowned but took a seat at the table, waiting patiently for the other two siblings to arrive. A couple minutes passed before Applejack made her way back inside. “Mmm, that smells mouthwaterin’, Granny,” she commented, sitting herself down by her older brother. “Ah’m starvin’.”

“Yer always hungry, Applejack,” Apple Bloom remarked, padding into the kitchen. “Mornin’ y’all,” she greeted the room, taking her own seat along with Granny Smith.

The other Apples said their good mornings to the young mare and began enjoying their breakfast.

“Did ya feed Winona when ya were out, dear?” Granny asked the middle sibling.

“Sure did,” she replied. “Diggin’ inta it fierce as always. Apples are lookin’ mighty fine too. Still got plenty hangin’ around, ripe fer tha buckin’.” She winked at her brother. “Ready fer tha mornin’ rounds, big brother?”

“Ah sure am,” Big Macintosh replied between modest bites of oatmeal. “Ah’ll get through my load by tha time ya git through half a yours.”

“Yer on,” she accepted the challenge. “An’ don’t worry yerself, Apple Bloom, there’ll be some fer you ta buck after school.”

“Lookin’ forward to it!” The yellow pony said happily. The past summer had been her initiation into apple bucking full time. It had taken some work, but she persevered. With Granny’s instruction and her siblings’ lessons, Apple Bloom learned quickly. Just like most of her kin, she was a natural-born bucker. By the end of the summer, the yellow pony was producing just as many apples as each of her siblings were. With the three of them working together, the most recent Applebuck Season produced one of the farm’s largest crops in many years. They had even managed to harvest their entire orchard more quickly than the smaller Apple family farms, despite being one of the largest around.

The summer of success, however, also brought disappointment. Despite Apple Bloom finding herself great at bucking, she hadn’t gotten her cutie mark. She was saddened by the outcome, sure that she had at last discovered her special talent. After having some long discussions with family, the maturing pony realized that all the effort she was putting into the farm made her feel good about herself. She felt both accomplished and proud of what she contributed. Apple Bloom couldn’t do as much while going to school, but she looked forward to doing whatever she could do with the limited time she had.

“And what were you goin’ on about me always bein’ hungry, Apple Bloom,” the orange earth pony said with a raised eyebrow. “You’re tha one eatin’ us outta house an’ home.”

“Mmmf,” the younger sister protested through a mouth full of food. She swallowed and glared at her sister, “Since when?”

“Yesterday ya musta had a coupla’ dozen carrots ta go with yer soup,” Big Macintosh chimed in.

“An’ then there was that apple pie,” Applejack supplied. “An apple pie that was made fer tha four of us.”

“Don’t ferget tha bushel of apples ya managed ta polish off in a coupla’ hours,” Granny reminded. “Surprised ya didn’t eat through tha basket too...”

“Alright, y’all made yer point,” Apple Bloom grinned, shrugging off the friendly taunts and taking her empty bowl over to the stove for a refill.

“Heheheh, no shame in it, sis,” Big Macintosh laughed. “You are a growin’ pony after all. Heck, ya may even git bigger an’ stronger than Applejack someday.”

“Keep on dreamin’, big bro,” Applejack retorted after gulping down some oatmeal. “Ain’t no way she’s gonna be bigger or stronger than me.”

“Anythin’s possible,” the stallion responded.

“Yep, Ah’ll be bigger than both y’all ‘fore next year rolls ‘round,” Apple Bloom said with a smirk, reseating herself with a fresh bowl.

“Sure will,” Big Macintosh ganged up on the orange mare, lightly tapping the brow of her hat.

“Will not.”

“Will too!”

“Will not!”

“No shoutin’ at tha table!” Granny interjected. The other three ponies quieted, resorting to silent warfare by making faces at one-another. The elder mare caught on quickly. “An’ cut that out. Try ta be civil while eatin’.” She glared at the red pony. “I expect more outta you, Macintosh.” The guilty stallion averted his eyes. “Applejack, you oughta know better,” she said to the older sister, who fidgeted with her glass of milk. “And you gotta start actin’ yer age,” she scolded Apple Bloom. “Now no more o’ this fussin’, ya here?”

“Yes’m,” the three siblings answered in unison. They looked at one-another, then, unable to contain themselves, burst into laughter. That was all the apology they needed to hear. Tiffs usually ended up resolving this way. Arguments between the three often dissolved into shouting matches and, at times, hooficuffs. In the end, the conflicts resolved how most sibling rivalries tended to do: With temperaments diminished and tensions resolved. The argument was forgotten as quickly as it began, and calm conversation followed through the rest of breakfast.

Finished with the most important meal of the day, the Apple family left the house to get their morning chores done. Granny began feeding the chickens, scattering feed about. Applejack and Big Macintosh headed out into the orchard with a couple dozen baskets resting on their backs. They had a lot of bucking to do, but first they had to distribute their baskets to catch the falling apples.

Apple Bloom had school to attend, but was still expected to do some chores before heading out. The young mare led the sheep and cattle out of their pens to feed and exercise them. After running around with the animals and getting them to the feeding grounds, she jogged back to the barn to get some baskets, leaving Winona to keep them from wandering astray. The young mare didn’t have time to buck apples herself, but the extra preparation would help out her siblings’. She trotted deep into the orchard where they were busy bucking away and setup the baskets, waving goodbye to her brother and sister. “See y’all later. Ah’m off.” The two ceased working momentarily to come over and say farewell.

“Be good now,” Big Macintosh offered, giving her the usual bear hug.

“Have a nice day, Apple Bloom,” Applejack said, squeezing her tightly.

The school-bound pony waved as the other two went back to work. She headed out of the orchard and back into the house, slapping on her backpack. Now ready for school, she walked out looking for her grandmother. The yellow pony found her dropping the chicken feed off by the barn. “That sure gets the blood flowin’,” the green pony commented. “Off ya go, Apple Bloom,” she smiled, offering her a hug. “Don’t ferget yer teacher’s gift.”

“Already got it, Granny,” the yellow pony said, brandishing a Fuji apple from her backpack. “Bye!” With minutes to spare before school began, she took off towards Ponyville in a hurry, quickly disappearing over the hill that separated the small village from the Apple farm.

Apple Bloom raced down the dirt road, kicking up dust in her wake. As usual, she made it to the school just as the final bell rang, breathing heavily. She enjoyed the morning sprint to class, taking an opportunity to run whenever she could. Rushing in at the last second most days didn’t make her the ideal role model for the younger ponies in the class, but many looked up to her. The farmpony placed her gift apple on the front desk and took a seat near the back of the class. A couple tardy ponies raced in just behind Cheerilee, who greeted the class in her usual manner. She started the day off reviewing the previous day’s homework and lessons.

The school day passed like any other Friday at school: Cheerilee had to try harder than usual to hold her students’ attention, while they anxiously awaited the start of the weekend. Three young mares in particular were already making plans, whispering excitedly to one-another whenever they got the chance. Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle’s crusading ideas took shape as the day progressed. Planning continued until, after several reprimands, Cheerilee separated the trio to get them to focus. The three distracted ponies reluctantly turned their attention to the teacher for the rest of the day. When the bell finally signaled class dismissal, the students stampeded out of the schoolhouse en masse. Apple Bloom waved eagerly to her fellow crusaders as she made her way home, having told them she had to get her homework and chores done before their weekend could begin.

The young mare quickly trotted home with a hot early-autumn wind blowing across her face. She rushed home with her schoolbag bouncing along on her back and the afternoon sun’s rays washing over her. Merry thoughts regarding the coming weekend flew through her head as she made the journey home.

Ah can’t wait! She thought excitedly. Just gotta get through some schoolwork an’ chores then Ah’ll be free all weekend long! Ah wonder if the ideas we came up with fer crusadin’ will earn us a coupla’ cutie marks?

Apple Bloom appreciated Sweetie Belle still coming along with her and Scootaloo on their adventures to find their cutie marks. It helped to stave off some of the taunts other school-age fillies flung their way. Their unicorn friend had found hers a little over a year ago. Despite her own personal crusade ending, she stuck with her friends as they continued their journey in hopes that they would find their own cutie marks one day. For Apple Bloom and her two closest friends, the time they spent crusading meant more than just searching for their cutie marks. They grew to simply enjoy their time being together.

Scootaloo wants ta try sky divin’, but that sounds mighty dangerous for ponies without wings. I think we should try bowlin’ again, but only if we can get Mr. King Pin ta let us in again... Maybe my special talent is negotiatin’! If that’s my special talent we’d be able ta get all kinds a’ stuff fer free!

The eager mare grew enthused with each passing thought. With a smile growing ever-wider on her face, she picked up her pace as she neared her home of Sweet Apple Acres. The sight and scent of the crops washed over her when her home appeared over the hill. As the young mare approached she quickly noticed the family carriage sitting out. Usually it was tucked away inside the barn. What’s that doin’ out? Apple Bloom wondered. She saw her sister coming out of the house with a suitcase in tow. The orange mare noticed her sister approaching and stopped to greet her. "Afternoon, Apple Bloom! How was school?"

"Eh, long an’ borin’," the yellow pony answered. She inclined her head towards the stack of bags on the carriage. "What's with the carriage? We goin' on a vacation?"

Applejack's expression became dour. "Not exactly," she replied. "Ya see, Ma and Pa need some assistance down on one a’ their southern farmsteads. We got this here message from ‘em today. A mail mare caught me at market and gave it ta me. Hang on a sec.” She ran into the house and reappeared a moment later with a letter, a blank sheet of paper, and a pencil. She gave Apple Bloom the letter describing their parents’ current plight, which she began reading while Applejack took her suitcase and hoisted it onto the back of the carriage.

“Parasprites?!” The yellow pony exclaimed. “Those multicolored bugs that ate their way through half our farm?”

“Yeah, parasprites,” Applejack shuddered, recalling all the damage the insects had levied on Ponyville. “It’s a disaster down there! They sent messages out ta all their kin ‘round Equestria askin’ fer help. Crops need resowin’, trees need repairin’, and barns need rebuildin’. A lotta strong ponies gotta head down there ta help out, and boy howdy does the farm need it."

"That's awful," Apple Bloom empathized, but quickly perked up. "Ah’m sure we can help ‘em out! Just lemme pack some stuff real quick an’ Ah’ll be ready to go lickity split! Oh, we'll have to stop by Scootaloo's place on our way cuz I said Ah'd go meet with her and Sweetie Belle tonight an’--"

"Hold yer horses there, sis," the older sister said quickly, halting Apple Bloom’s attempt to get inside the house. "Ya ain't comin' with us. Me an' Big Mac are goin, but we need you ta run things ‘round here while we're gone."

"What!?" Apple Bloom yelled. "Tha whole farm?! That's gonna mean tons a’ work! Can’t just one of y’all go while the other stays put?"

“Ah’d like to, Apple Bloom, but don’tcha see just how much of a pickle Ma an’ Pa are in?” Applejack explained. “They need every hoof they can scrounge up. Otherwise they’ll have nothin’ ta show for a year’s worth a’ farmin’.”

“But... but...” Apple Bloom tried to come up with a good reason to keep one of her siblings around. Taking on the entirety of the farm’s responsibilities was no easy feat, and the young mare had only just begun getting into the more involved work. Her expression grew pensive and worrisome. How can I do this on mah own? Can I even do it? She stabbed at the ground with a hoof and vocalized her concerns. “But Ah can’t do this, Applejack! Shoot, Ah don’t even know what Ah have ta do!”

"Oh c’mon, Apple Bloom, don’t sell yerself short like that," Applejack rustled the younger mare’s mane. “Ya made such great progress this past summer, goin’ from barely bein’ able ta drop a single apple ta clearin’ trees in tha blink of an eye.” She looked her sister straight in the eye with a comforting glance. “Now don’t you fret. We're only gunna be outta town fer a coupla’ weeks. ‘Sides, it's high time ya started takin' on more responsibilities anyway, an’ there's no time like tha present."

The words of encouragement helped, causing Apple Bloom to crack a smile and feel a bit of pride. “Well, Ah s’pose that’s true,” she spoke abashedly. The moment didn’t last long, though, as her thoughts were quickly overrun with other concerns. "But Ah still have all mah schoolwork. With all the extra farmin’ Ah won't have any time to go crusadin'... or eat... or sleep!" She bemoaned. An’ Ah jus’ got used ta sleepin’ in again too. The young mare sulked, putting on a pouty face.

Applejack braced the other paper she brought out against the wall of the house and began scribbling out a note. “Don’tcha worry about school none,” she spoke through the pencil clenched between her teeth. Applejack finished writing and passed the note to Apple Bloom. "Here, this oughta explain everything to yer teacher. It’ll excuse ya from school till we get back," she explained, sticking her head into the house to retrieve a final suitcase. "And Ah'm sure you'll have enough time ta catch plenty a’ shuteye and a bite ta eat. Granny’ll see ta that.” She tried to give the young mare an understanding look. “Sorry ‘bout yer plans, but Ma an' Pa need me and Big Mac ta help out." As if on cue, Big Mac emerged from the house carrying a suitcase of his own. After he placed the item on the carriage, he began tying the belongings down firmly for the long road ahead.

Apple Bloom gave a nearby rock a vicious kick, sending it skittering across the ground. "It just ain't fair! You coulda’ just told ‘em no. We've got plenty a’ family 'round Equestria ta help out. Why leave me alone ta handle things?"

"Granny'll be here with you, Apple Bloom." Big Macintosh chimed in, finished with his carriage preparations. "She’ll take care of the less-demandin’ stuff and some a’ yer other chores for ya. That way you’ll have time fer tha hard work.” He looked over to the hill where Ponyville rested and sighed. “Ah was hopin’ she’d get back in time ta see us off, but looks like she’ll miss us."

“And jus’ where has Granny gone off to?” The youngest sibling inquired, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Off in Appleoosa stavin’ off the buffalo tribe?”

Applejack chuckled. “Nah, she’s just in town runnin’ the apple cart since I had ta come back and get ready fer the trip.”

Big Mac gave Apple Bloom an encouraging smile. "Don't worry Apple Bloom, yer ready for this."

Apple Bloom returned the smile with a frown of her own. Ready or not, between herdin' an buckin' and runnin' the cart at market an all this other farmwork Ah won't have time ta do anything! Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were dependin' on me to do some serious crusadin' this week too! They’re gonna be real sore ‘bout me having ta ditch at tha last minute. "Ah s'pose," she muttered to herself.

Applejack attempted one last time to console her sulking sibling. "Aww, cheer up, sugarcube. Y'know we wouldn't've agreed ta go if we didn't think ya could handle things.” The blonde pony gave her sister another pat. “We're in the off-season anyway, so things could be a lot worse for ya." She smiled. "We gotta git goin'. Be good an’ take care a’ yerself an’ Granny. See ya in two weeks!" The orange mare gave her sister a tight hug.

Big Macintosh followed suit with another beastly embrace and words of farewell of his own. “We’ll be thinkin’ ‘bout ya.”

Apple Bloom couldn't help but smile a bit at her siblings' affection. "Have a safe trip, an’ give Ma an’ Pa my best," she said with only a little bit more enthusiasm, head drooping sadly. Ah’ll be thinkin’ ‘bout y’all too...

Applejack hopped into the carriage with a smirk on her face as she addressed Big Macintosh. “Git along, little pony.”

“Y’know I’m bigger than you, right?”

“All the same, ya get ta haul us all the way down, just like we agreed,” the orange pony reminded smugly. “I got the trip back. Now hurry it on up, we’re burnin’ daylight!” She grabbed the reigns and gave them a swift crack against the empty harness.

The red pony’s stoic demeanor was easily broken by her sister’s taunts. “Ah’m goin, yer highness,” he muttered as he fit himself into the carriage harness, “and if ya take a crack at me with those yer in fer a world a hurt.” He sighed and turned to face his younger sister. “Take care, Apple Bloom.”

With those parting words, the elder Apple siblings set out on the road, leaving the youngest sitting alone in front of the Apple household. Apple Bloom moped as she sat on the porch, contemplating the news her siblings disseminated. In a few minutes’ time, her chipper thoughts and weekend plans were dashed. As she watched the carriage drift away, Applejack stuck her head out the back. She waved at Apple Bloom with a large smile plastered across her face. The yellow pony waved back less enthusiastically than her older sister, but returned the smile. After the carriage disappeared over the hill, Apple Bloom’s meager smile turned into a look of despair. With the future workload weighing heavily on her mind, Apple Bloom hung her head low and slowly trotted into the house, quietly shutting the door behind her. It just ain’t fair...

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

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Apple Bloom slowly ascended the stairs of the Apple family home and entered her bedroom. The daunting task now set before her still weighed heavily on her mind. Muttering about her predicament, the pouting pony flung her schoolbag against the wall and plopped face-down onto her bed in a huff. She snatched a pillow and buried her head underneath it, groaning in frustration. The young mare’s dreadful thoughts continued to grow in her mind, making everything worse.

As her downward spiral continued, a rapid pitter-patter on wood emitted from the floor below. The noise tracked up the stairs and into the bedroom as a brown and white border collie appeared with a grin and a soft, steady pant. Winona bounded onto the bed expecting the usual adoration and attention from Apple Bloom, giving off a playful bark. Apple Bloom ignored her, continuing her muffled murmuring beneath the pillow. Not to be denied, Winona poked her nose under the pillow, coming face-to-face with Apple Bloom, and delivered a sloppy kiss on her cheek. The combination of the sudden show of affection and wet saliva now dripping off her face snapped the yellow pony out of her funk. She pulled her head out from under the pillow and reciprocated the kiss with some affectionate petting, giggling softly as she did so.

Apple Bloom sighed softly as she continued to pet Winona. Ah can’t just mope all day, she mused. Ah got things ta do. Applejack and Big Macintosh are countin’ on me. ‘Sides, I got Granny Smith helpin’ me out. With her Ah’m sure Ah can do this! Now more resolute, the young farmpony hopped out of bed and ran downstairs to start on her now-longer list of chores, Winona skipping along happily in her wake.

The late-afternoon sun was still shining brightly as Apple Bloom made her way outside. She went along at a slow trot, surveying the farm and trying to determine what needed to be done by day’s end. “Lesse, gotta git the sheep back to their pen soon, Ah reckon. Tha pigs need feedin, but we need ta gather up more food for ’em first. Gotta feed the rest of the animals too. Hmm... The parta’ tha orchard I was harvestin’ yesterday needs finishin’ up. Think tha carrot fields need harvestin’ still, and tha corn fiel-- nah, we did tha corn fields last week. Oh! Can’t ferget the apple trees Applejack and Big Mac were workin’ on. What parts o’ the orchard were they gatherin’ from again?”

The young mare pondered idly as she continued looking about Sweet Apple Acres. “An’ Ah thought mah chores alone were gettin’ excessive... Ah didn’t think about havin’ ta keep track o’ all this stuff. Granny Smith oughta’ have all that figured out, so Ah’ll just start with what Ah know needs doin’.” She paused, turning to the canine. “Think we oughta rustle up some food for tha pigs first, Winona?” The family dog gave her a quizzical look, tilting her head askew. “That’s a no, huh? How ‘bout we round up the sheep?” The collie gave an enthused bark. “Alrighty, then. Let’s git er done!” Winona took off towards the sheep feeding ground. Kicking her forelegs in the air and belting out an uproarious rebel yell, the eager mare followed suit.

* * *

“Hey, Apple Bloom!”

At the sound of her name, the farmpony turned to see two figures approaching from just over the hill. While distracted, she was quickly jostled by a sheep straying from its path, forcing her to re-focus on the task at hoof. She bumped the sheep back in line and gave a shrill whistle. On command, Winona came to her side and helped herd the stragglers into their pen. With the last one inside, Apple Bloom bucked the gate closed and nosed the lock into place. Her job done, she turned to greet the ponies who grabbed her attention a moment ago. “Hey Scootaloo! Howdy Sweetie Belle!” She shouted, wiping some sweat from her brow.

Sweetie Belle galloped up towards her farmer friend, while Scootaloo flapped her wings a bit more rapidly than a typical pegasus would to maintain flight, buzzing along. She sped over Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom’s heads, made a quick U-turn, and landed beside the other two crusaders. Winona immediately greeted the two with jovial barks and kisses for both of them, tail wagging wildly. Sweetie Belle began petting her while the orange adolescent gave Apple Bloom an exasperated look. “Where’ve you been? We’ve been waiting for you!”

The yellow pony grimaced at her friend’s critical remark. “Sorry girls, but Ah don’t think Ah’m gunna be able ta hang out with y’all fer a while.”

“Why not?” Sweetie Belle inquired. “You’ve got all the sheep put away now. You said you didn’t have much to do after school today and we figured that you’d be done by now.”

“Ah woulda’ been done already if Ah didn’t have a whole cartloada’ work ta do.” The farmpony answered sullenly, pawing at the ground.

“What’d you do this time? Is Applejack still giving you grief over that thing with the pig and the anvil? It survived didn’t it?”

“Tain’t that, Scootaloo. Ah’m not being punished. Somethin’s just come up is all.” Apple Bloom laid out her dilemma before her two best friends, explaining how the next two weeks were going to be fully occupied with keeping Sweet Apple Acres afloat while Applejack and Big Macintosh were away. The young mare’s two friends grew disappointed looks on their faces as her explanation finished.

“Guess that means we aren’t going crusading thing weekend... Or for a while.” Scootaloo moped, now taking over the petting-Winona duties for the trio.

“No, you two go!” Apple Bloom insisted. “There’s no reason y’all shouldn’t have fun just ‘cuz Ah’m stuck here on the farm.”

A happy look appeared on Sweetie Belle’s face. “Not to worry, Apple Bloom. You know that crusaders stick together no matter what happens!”

“But Sweetie Belle, I don’t want to--” Scootaloo’s griping was shortened by a stealthy poke into her side from one of Sweetie Belle’s hooves. “I-I mean, she’s right, Apple Bloom.” She gave Apple Bloom a determined look. “Whatever we do, we do it together!”

“Wait, yer sayin’ that you gals wanna chip in on all this farmwork?” Apple Bloom was touched at the generous offer of her two friends. “I-It ain’t gonna be no walk in the park.”

“Of course we’re sure.” Scootaloo said. “Who knows, maybe my special talent has something to do with farming anyway.”

“We already tried that before. I don’t think your special talent is farming.”

“Yeah, took us forever ta rebuild the barn... Twice...”

“Well this time it’ll be different!” Scootaloo exclaimed. “I’m willing to give it another shot.” She held out a hoof. “Together!”

Apple Bloom grinned, sticking out her own hoof. “Nothin’ll tear us apart.”

“That’s right!” Sweetie Belle reached out, topping the pile off. “Because we are--”

“The Cutie Mark Crusaders!” The trio declared triumphantly. Winona barked in agreement, jumping in excitement. “...And Winona!” They added happily.

* * *

Now that’s how ya sell some apples, Granny Smith thought smugly as she ambled home, pulling along an empty apple cart. Good thing Ah know how ta drive a hard bargain. Not sure I coulda’ pulled this thing home if it still had anythin’ in it. Despite struggling to pull the empty cart along, the aged pony felt great about earning her fair share in the day’s market. Ah’m plum tuckered out. With a tired smile, she crested the hill to Sweet Apple Acres, a farm ably tended to and cultivated by the Apples for generations.

“What in the name of...” The light green mare stared as a black chicken cropped over the hill. “...Kung Pow? What’re you doin’ outta’ yer coop?” She gently kicked the escaping bird back towards the farm. “Git along now.” It promptly complied with the nudge and headed back over the hill. Granny Smith reached the top of the hill and stopped dead in her tracks. When she left for market with Applejack that morning, the farm had been organized and held to the standards of Apple family farms everywhere. Now it was in a state of complete disarray. Nearly all of the animals seemed to have been let loose, with chickens, cows, pigs, and sheep ambling about the property. Winona was fervently making her way between the various creatures, barking all the way. Lacking guidance from anypony, her efforts to round up the escapees were in vain. Some were munching on the grains spilling out of a new hole in one of the silos. Others were busy attempting to get at the freshly-grown carrots that had yet to be harvested. A small stampede of cows raced after... Was that a sheep? Nah. The grandmother thought. Sheep don’t come in purple... Or have a horn...

“Sweetie Belle?” She said aloud. As if to answer her question, the panicked unicorn let out a scream as she tried to get away from the stampeding cattle. Suddenly the disaster before Granny Smith made sense. Where’s the other whippersnapper that Apple Bloom’s always hangin’ around with? She thought, looking a little higher. Sure enough, she spotted Scootaloo buzzing around about 15 feet off the ground, a bag of chicken feed straddled to her back. The panicked pegasus was looking about frantically as all the animals went about their business across the farm. She caught a glance of the elder Apple at the top of the hill. Eyes shrinking at the sight of Granny Smith, Scootaloo abandoned her quest. She tossed the feed bag to the ground and raced behind the house trying to get out of sight.

The old pony had seen enough.

“AHHHHHHPLE BLOOOOOM!” She hollered at the top of her lungs, an impressive feat given her age. At the sound of her voice, every animal ceased what they were doing and looked up at the source of the sudden noise. The old earth pony saw an apple tree off in the distance shake, its fruit toppling to the ground. She witnessed Apple Bloom, mid-buck, as she got clonked in the head by one of the falling apples, hearing a small “ow!” emitting from that direction as a result.

Apple Bloom caught sight of the enraged mare at the top of the hill, still rubbing her head from the sudden attack of the falling apple. Once she saw the cart in tow, she knew who it was. It was just now that the farmpony noticed the utter chaos the farm was now under siege of. She gulped. “Oh, this ain’t gonna end well.”

The yellow pony started making her way towards her grandmother. Scootaloo, having landed after going around the house to hide, gave her a concerned look. Apple Bloom gestured that the pegasus accompany her and face Granny Smith together. Sweetie Belle, no longer having to stay ahead of a stampede, joined the other two young mares as they made their way around animals milling about and up the hill. Winona stood by some of the other animals, tail wagging, and followed the crusaders up the hill as they passed by her. The four stopped in front of Granny Smith, who was staring daggers at them at this point. The family dog took a seat, panting heavily, while the three young mares looked down at their forehooves, guilt apparent in their body language.

“What do you have to say for yourself, young lady?” The angered farmpony addressed her granddaughter directly.

Apple Bloom began to say something when the other two crusaders interjected.

“It’s not her fault, Mrs. Smith!” Sweetie Belle declared.

“Yeah, we talked her into letting us help out!” Scootaloo insisted.

“She told us about how much work she had to do, and--”

“We couldn’t just let her work alone while--”

“Gals, it’s okay,” Apple Bloom interrupted her defenders. “It wasn’t y’all’s jobs to keep the farm runnin’, it was mine.” She looked up at her grandmother. “When I told ‘em about why Ah had to stay an’ work they volunteered ta stick around an’ help me out.”

Granny Smith’s eyes narrowed slightly. “An’ what part of their help involved tearin’ the farm up like an outta control storm?”

“Actually, that was my fault...” Sweetie Belle claimed. “...Not the ‘destroy the farm’ thing!” She added hastily. “I mean, I was the one who suggested we split up the chores so we could finish the work faster. Apple Bloom would collect the apples she needed, I’d harvest the carrot patch, and Scootaloo would feed all of the animals.”

“Heh, about that...” Scootaloo said hesitantly, rubbing the back of her neck with a hoof. “I kinda got the idea that if I just got all the animals out and piled all the food in one spot then I could feed them all a lot more quickly.” She indicated the pile of chicken feed, slops, and hay that laid a ways off, some of which was being enjoyed by some of the escaped farm animals. “I didn’t expect them to start... Running wild.”

“I was pulling the carrots out of the ground with my mouth at first,” Sweetie Belle explained. “That was taking too long, though. So then I tried using magic to get them out of the ground more quickly. I know I haven’t had much practice, but I figured it shouldn’t be too hard to yank some carrots out of the ground.” The white mare sighed, “I guess trying to get them all out of the ground at once was a mistake, because none of them would budge! I thought I was getting close when those cows started chasing me!” She gave a sideways glance the small herd that had chased her about the farm and took an involuntary step away from them.

“I did get about halfway through the trees I had leftover, though, Granny,” Apple Bloom offered. “All that’s left is--”

“Is this mess,” Granny Smith interrupted. “You two,” she indicated to Apple Bloom’s friends, “git along home now. I think y’all’ve done enough fer one day.”

The pegasus and unicorn attempted to reason with the old mare.

“But--”

“We could--”

“Git,” the elder mare repeated sternly, stomping a forehoof.

The two non-earth ponies frowned and begrudgingly complied, starting to walk slowly away from the farm towards Ponyville. Scootaloo opted to walk instead of fly this time around. “Sorry, Apple Bloom,” she apologized, “we didn’t mean for you to get in trouble.”

“We only wanted to help,” Sweetie Belle added. “Guess... guess we’ll see you later then.”

“No problem, gals,” the yellow pony said, attempting to brush off the severity of what their antics had caused. “I’ll see y’all some other time.”

With the others gone, Granny’s expression softened a bit. Apple Bloom began absentmindedly petting Winona, looking at her elder with a worried expression. “Look, Apple Bloom,” the old pony said, “it was mighty nice o’ yer friends ta offer their help. Takes a good pony to accept it too; yer sister could tell ya that much,” she leaned in a bit closer to her granddaughter, “but those two don’t exactly have what it takes to be helpin’ ya out ‘round here.”

Not expecting the playful jibe, the young mare giggled. “Couldn’t survive a day here on their own, could they?”

“I’d give ‘em half a day,” the light green mare retorted lightly, “but they don’t have ta. It’s up ta you to keep the farm goin’. While yer siblings are away, yer tha one in charge, and no matter how many helpin’ hooves ya get, if the job ain’t done, tha farm suffers.” She sighed lightly, looking about the farmland. “Much as Ah’d like to, ya know Ah can’t do a whole lot anymore mahself.”

Apple Bloom frowned. She accepted the criticism well enough, but she hated it whenever the elder pony brought up her infirmity. The young mare always looked up to her grandmother as a source of strength and pride of the Apple family, seeing past the old age. Apple Bloom had always had her entire family supporting her, but nopony matched Granny Smith in experience. Hearing her admit that she wasn’t the best pony for the job anymore was depressing for the yellow pony. “Ya do plenty ‘round here, Granny,” she said, confidence building, “and Ah’m sure I can handle this place fer a coupla’ weeks.”

“Well yer gonna have ta do better than this,” the elder farmpony gestured about the farm. “Yer gonna be set back half a day at least gettin’ all this mess cleaned up. If ya get started now you could finish by sunset.” Granny gave her granddaughter a look. “Straighten up an’ buck right, Apple Bloom, cuz it’s only gonna git harder from here.” She disengaged from the cart and slowly made her way to the Apple house to get some rest.

“Yes ma’am!” The young mare replied enthusiastically. On the inside though, Granny’s critical words stung, more so than being yelled at. The angry expressions she’d received didn’t bother her as much. The look of disappointment that Granny tried to hide, however, hit Apple Bloom hard. The young farmpony knew she hadn’t exactly made a great first impression at tending to the farm solo, but it seemed like Granny wasn’t confident that she could do it. Winona saw through Apple Bloom’s charade of enthusiasm and padded up to her, nuzzling one of her forelegs and giving off a soft whine. “I know Ah can do this, Winona,” she softly spoke to the comforting collie, “but Ah just can’t seem to get off on the right hoof. Ah gotta take this one step at a time, git focused, and git what needs doin’ done.” More resolute, she settled into the cart’s harness to put it away for the evening. “First things first: Ah gotta clean this mess up. Tomorrow, we start fresh!”

With a playful bark and the panting smile returning, Winona trotted up to the yellow pony and hopped up onto her back, nosing forward to give her a kiss on the cheek. The collie, unlike the rest of the family, had been around the young mare for nearly her entire life. Born just a few years after Apple Bloom, they had grown up together. While she was an outdoor pet, she had spent many nights sleeping with the youngest farmpony, especially on the coldest of nights. The family dog was determined to assist the young mare in whatever way she could. Apple Bloom smiled at Winona, letting out a soft laugh. “You an’ Granny are all tha help Ah’m gonna need, ya little scamp!” She decreed.

Bruised Apple

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The sound of a rooster’s crow pierced the silence stretched out across Sweet Apple Acres. The sunrise washed over the farm, making its way into the Apple family home. A sleepy yellow mare turned groggily in a vain effort to remain asleep as her sight and hearing were assailed from the open window. Relenting to the wake up calls, Apple Bloom yanked the solitary blanket off of her and clumsily got out of bed, bleary eyes blinking against the sunlight. She was no stranger to getting up at the crack of dawn, but she still required the aid of the chilled morning air to become fully alert. Taking in a deep breath, Apple Bloom opened her eyes wide and stretched her legs. She peered down by the barn to a small doghouse, just able to make out a snoozing Winona dwelling inside of it. Beat’ya agin, ya rascal, she thought to herself smugly. Wonder if Ah made it up ‘fore--

“Apple Bloom!” A feeble voice called from below. “Breakfast’s ready!”

The yellow pony gave a sigh. Never fails, she figured. Just how does Granny manage ta be up an’ have breakfast ready so early? Being up by sunrise oughta be early enough for anypony. She turned away from the window to answer her grandmother. “Be down in a minute, Granny!” Apple Bloom answered. Now wide awake, Apple Bloom trotted to her dresser, clasped her brush between her teeth, and gave her mane a few strokes. Hair straightened, she opened a drawer, picked out her favorite bow, and threaded it up to its usual position just behind her head. Prepared for the long day ahead, she closed the drawer and made her way downstairs with a skip in her step and a smile on her face.

Apple Bloom’s senses perked up again, this time by the aroma of apple cinnamon oatmeal drifting along lazily from the ground floor. The young pony’s stomach grumbled as she finished her descent and entered the kitchen. The table that had room for six ponies was operating at reduced capacity, with two bowls of oatmeal and a pair of glasses filled with apple juice sitting at either end. Granny Smith greeted her. “Good mornin’, dear,” she said with a smile between bites of oatmeal, “did’ya remember ta make yer bed?”

The redhead opened her mouth to affirm that she had, only to remember that the simple task had slipped her mind entirely. She closed her mouth, turned tail, and headed back up the stairs. There was an unwritten rule in the Apple household made clear to Apple Bloom throughout the years: If you’re in too much of a hurry to make your bed, you don’t have time to eat. She returned a few moments later, replying with a small “Yes’m” before sitting down to enjoy her own breakfast.

The two Apples ate in silence for a few moments, enjoying the peace and quiet of the morning. Granny Smith was the first to break the silence. “Ya did a swell job las’ night, Apple Bloom,” she commented, “got tha whole place lookin’ spotless before sundown. Ah reckon that’s about tha fastest Ah’ve ever seen ya work.”

Apple Bloom looked up from her bowl, cheeks bulging from a mouthful of oatmeal, some of it dripping off her face. She finished chewing, took a big gulp, and replied, blushing slightly. “Gee, thanks, Granny. Ah just wanted ta show you that Ah’m capable of doin’ this.”

“Now Ah’ve never thought such a thing of ya, hun,” the old pony said, “Ah’m sure that ya have it in you ta take care a’ things ‘round here.” Her granddaughter began to humbly respond again when Granny added “What you need ta fret over is yer focus.”

Apple Bloom’s look of humility turned into one of bewilderment. “Uh, whaddya mean, Granny?” She asked, before going for her bowl again to take another bite.

“You have tha will ta work, no doubt about it,” the aged mare explained, “and yer mighty strong fer a pony yer age. Ya know tha farm just about as well as yer siblings, but while ya have tha energy ta run all day, ya never stay focused on one thing fer very long.” She paused to take a sip from her glass. “Just rein in yer impulses and stick to tha task at hand an’ you’ll be set.”

“But Ah can stick to what I have ta’ do just fine!” Apple Bloom retorted. “I did good yesterday, right?”

“After yer friends left, ya did good,” Granny agreed, “but there’s a big difference ‘tween cleanin’ up a mess and doin tha work o’ three ponies all by yer lonesome.” She gave Apple Bloom an inquisitive look. “Did’ya get distracted when yer friends showed up yesterday?”

“No!” The young mare said quickly. After a moment’s thought, however, she added, “well, Ah’d just finished herdin’ tha sheep up, then we got ta talkin’ ‘bout why Applejack an’ Big Macintosh had ta take off so suddenly, an’--”

“An’ how long was it before ya started workin’ again?”

“...Ah don’t remember,” Apple Bloom finally admitted, “Ah know after my friends agreed ta help out, Sweetie Belle had an idea.”

“Yes, Ah remember her sayin’ it was her idea ta split y’all up to get yer chores done real quick,” Granny Smith said. “Were ya in a hurry?”

“Well, we did have plans, and Ah felt bad cuz... Wait, yer sayin’ I was rushin’ through mah chores?”

“That, an ya’ spent an awful lotta time gabbin’ an not workin’,” she replied. “Nothin’ sayin ya couldn’t’ve worked an chatted at tha same time.”

Apple Bloom was taken aback by her grandmother’s words. Surely she didn’t lollygag that much when her friends showed up, did she? Ah guess we did spend lotta time talkin... an’ Sweetie Belle was tha pony ta get us movin’ again. The young mare pawed at the ground sheepishly. “Ah suppose yer right about tha whole not focusin’ thing, Granny,” she said quietly, beginning to doubt herself. “D’ya think Ah can do this?” She looked at the old farmpony with a hopeful gaze.

Granny Smith took a final bite from her bowl, and then gave her granddaughter a positive look. “Ya got a lot more ridin’ on yer shoulders now, Apple Bloom. Yer heart’s in tha right place, an’ with a little effort ya can do this.”

Apple Bloom’s doubt shattered at Granny Smith’s encouraging words. She got up, raced around the table, and embraced her grandmother in a hug. “Thanks, Granny,” she said, “tha’ means a lot ta me.”

The infirm pony stiffened a bit at her granddaughter's tight grip, but managed to return the show of affection with a hug of her own. “Tain’t nothin, darlin’. There’s nothin’ on this here farm ya can’t accomplish if ya just overcome yer difficulties. It’s in yer blood, after all.” She winked. “C’mon, time ta get started.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Apple Bloom washed up and quickly took care of the dishes, eager to start the day off right. Granny made her way outside. While she couldn’t do very much, the few things she did take care of took a lot of time for her to complete. The little she did, however, shaved a bit off of what Apple Bloom had to take care of herself.

The morning sun’s greeting was accompanied by a hyperactive collie who bounded out from her small shelter. Winona sped up to the two ponies coming out of the house, barking to get their attention. The two Apples gave her some attention before starting the day’s work. Apple Bloom began right where she left off yesterday, bucking away at her section of the apple orchard. Granny fed the animals and collected eggs from the chicken coop. Unable to do many other things, the elder mare took to sitting on the porch, shouting words of encouragement and instruction alike to her granddaughter each time she walked by. She also busied herself with the farm’s records, figuring out what Apple Bloom would have to do to keep the farm going on her own. She prepared a list of things for Apple Bloom to get done by day’s end. If Apple Bloom can git through this, she mused, she’ll be all caught up wit’ tha workload. She smiled slightly as she watched Apple Bloom haul a couple baskets of their prized crop over to the barn, managing the heavy load without much effort. ‘Fore too long, she’ll have blossomed up ta her full potential...

* * *

“Hurry it up, Granny! We’re gunna be late fer market!” Apple Bloom said impatiently, keeping a slow pace beside her encumbered grandmother. The distance between Sweet Apple Acres and the Ponyville market place wasn’t great, but at the current pace of the two farmponies, half of their revenue-earning time would be lost.

“Uhn... No need ta rush now,” The green mare answered between labored breaths. Despite the younger pony’s protests, Granny insisted on pulling the fully-laden apple cart to market on her own. “Now stop followin’ me an’ git back home, ya still got a chore list a mile long ta wrap up.”

The younger pony tried to reason. “Granny, we’ve barely made it over tha hill. There’ll be nopony left by the time we make it to the market place. Lemme pull the cart for ya. Soon as we make it I’ll hustle back home an’ git back to it.”

Granny Smith grunted in her efforts, the cart inching forward a bit more. “Nothin’ doin, Apple Bloom. There’ll be, ugh, tons a ponies linin’ up like... like always.” She stammered, her exertions requiring her full concentration. The other pony gave out a huff and moved in front of Granny and the cart, preventing any more progress.

“Stop bein’ so stubborn!” She shouted, impatience getting the best of her. Can’t she see this is just wastin’ more time fer both her an’ me? “Just lemme pull an’ we can both be on our way!” Granny looked shocked at her granddaughter’s outburst, causing Apple Bloom to hastily add, “...Please?”

Granny’s look softened as she sighed, beginning to wriggle out of the harness. “All right, you win, no need ta fuss,” she relented. The yellow pony helped her out of the harness and fitted herself into it.

“Hop on in,” Apple Bloom said. “Ah made sure there’d be room for ya.” Granny started to protest, but decided against it and ambled to the rear of the cart, climbing in with a bit of difficulty. Despite the additional load on the cart, the young mare had no troubles getting it moving at a reasonable speed.

“...Apologies, Apple Bloom,” Granny said from her seat, “Ah didn’t mean ta be a stick in tha mud.”

“Don’t’cha worry ‘bout it Granny. Sorry I snapped like that.” Apple Bloom tried to lighten the mood a bit. “S’pose bein’ last in gettin’ cutie marks ain’t tha only thing that runs in the family, inn’it?”

It worked. She heard Granny chuckle at her remark. “Sure is,” she wheezed, still not quite recovered from her cart-pulling exercise.

“Just rest easy, now, Granny,” Apple Bloom called back, “we’ll be ta market in no time at all.”

The two farmponies soon found themselves amidst the mass of vendors setting up shop. Apple Bloom pulled the cart over to its final destination and came to a halt. She disengaged from the harness while Granny gingerly hopped off the back of the cart. There wasn’t much for them to do to get ready for market, so Apple Bloom began scanning the area, hoping to catch sight of one of her friends. Either they were sleeping in or just not around the market place, however, since she wasn’t able to find Sweetie Belle nor Scootaloo. Disappointed, she begrudgingly turned back towards the cart to make sure everything was in order. While there were a wide variety of apples available, the farmponies were also selling smaller amounts of their other crops.

With Apple Bloom’s escort complete, she made to head back home to continue her farm work. The two Apples shared a hug. “Good luck today, Granny!”

“Ah don’t need luck, sweetie,” Granny replied with a smirk, “Ah’ve bin doin’ this fer a long time.” The younger mare giggled and set off for home.

* * *

“Off-season mah blank flank,” Apple Bloom grumbled, hauling yet another pair of apple bushels from the orchard to the barn. “What in the hay did Applejack even mean by that? Ah’d hate ta think how much Ah’d be stuck doin’ in season.”

The young pony had figured that since it was fall, there wouldn’t be a whole lot more to do around the farm, even with Applejack and Big Macintosh absent. After Granny Smith had prepared a list for Apple Bloom to get through, however, she quickly realized that that wasn’t the case. The mile-long list had conveyed something else to Apple Bloom as well: Her siblings had been doing more than their fair share of the work load, leaving her with the smallest set of chores to do. The farmpony marched on with her cargo in tow, contemplative. “I didn’t think they were doin’ most of tha chores on their own.” She grunted in both frustration and due to the weight of the 15th pair of bushels bearing down on her. “Say, Winona, s’pose all that bickerin’ Ah’ve done ‘bout not wantin’ ta be treated like a filly no more’s come full circle?”

The brown and white collie, not able to do much else at the moment, had been keeping the young mare company instead. She happily barked an affirmative to Apple Bloom’s inquiry. “Well here Ah am now with enough stuff ta do fer three ponies.” She let out a huff as she heaved the strap off her back, letting the two bushels hit the ground next to the barn. The yellow pony took a moment to relax, catching her breath and wiping the sweat off her brow. She took a quick count of the number of bushels she’d harvested. “An’ that does it fer my parta tha orchard,” she surmised. “Just have ta... ta take care of AJ an’ Big Mac’s parts now.” As if in protest, her stomach growled ferociously. “... After lunch, that is. Let’s eat!”

Apple Bloom settled on a lunch consisting of a sandwich piled high with greens and some milk. She settled down on a picnic table outside to enjoy her meal under the comforting afternoon sun. While eating, she perused her list of chores. She reasoned that she could finish what was not yet done by sundown, but only just. Winona, after finishing her meal, sat before the dining pony in hopes of receiving table scraps. Apple Bloom was happy to oblige, tossing a bit of sandwich to the ground. The collie pounced on it eagerly.

The young mare was just finishing up her drink when the sun was blotted out of the sky. She looked up to notice several pegasi placing clouds about the zenith, quickly turning a clear sunny sky into a dreary overcast. She scanned the skies until she spotted an orange-coated pegasus flying through the air. At first she thought it was Scootaloo, but dismissed the idea when she noticed the cerulean hair. She also noticed this pony’s cutie mark -- a bird’s eye view of a hurricane cloud. Recognizing the pegasus as somepony else she knew, Apple Bloom hailed him down with a shout. The stallion noticed the earth pony calling him down. “Hey there, Apple Bloom!” He yelled back.

“Sorry ta interrupt, Mister Gale Force,” she asked as he glided down towards her, “but why are y’all settin’ ta make it rain t’day? I thought that there wasn’t gonna be a drop until next week.” She glanced over her list, which also contained the day’s weather schedule along the top. Granny had indeed indicated that the day was supposed to be much like yesterday: Not a cloud in the sky.

The male pegasus floated down to just a couple feet off the ground. Winona attempted to greet the unexpected guest, leaping into the air get his attention. Gale Force smiled down at the dog and reached down to pet her when she came within reach. “Afraid we had to shuffle the weather plans up a bit. The cloud machines have been on the fritz lately. They gotta be shut down for diagnostics and repairs, so we gotta squeeze out all the clouds we can muster while we can. All of Ponyville is scheduled for a mean soak today, which’ll last until about eight tonight if I remember correctly.” He gazed up at the clouds thoughtfully. “It should be safe for you to stay outdoors, though. Don’t expect there to be much if any lightning.”

“Lightnin’?” The young mare asked, a hint of worry in her voice. It was always a concern bucking a bunch of trees in the midst of a thunderstorm.

“Sure,” he replied, “but like I said, you should be fine.” The weatherpony grinned at Apple Bloom. “So Scootaloo’s telling me you’ve got a lot on your plate right now, what with your brother and sister out of town leaving you holding the bag. Holding up alright?”

“Oh, sure,” Apple Bloom said, smiling up at the pegasus. “Nothin’ Ah can’t handle, naturally.”

“Naturally,” He repeated, “so--”

“Gale Force, what in blazes are you doing down there?” Shouted a voice from above. An older pink pegasus had her head craned down to stare at the pair of ponies on the ground. “We still have half of Ponyville to cover! Get back in gear!”

“On my way, Cold Front,” Gale Force yelled back. “You old bat,” he added quietly, but still loud enough for Apple Bloom to hear. The earth pony started snickering, then stopped with a hoof over her mouth and a guilty expression appearing on her face. Gale Force chuckled, relieving the young pony’s guilt and causing her to laugh some more. “Catch you some other time, then.” He turned to launch skyward. “Maybe I’ll take you crusaders out to that volcano again when we’re done. Burn off your frustrations.” With a wink and a wave, he took off.

“See ya later!” Apple Bloom called out, Winona barking her own goodbye. Her cheery disposition soon faltered, though, once she remembered why the pegasi were clouding the skies up. “Workin’ through tha rain’s not gonna be fun,” she sulked. “At least I got ta enjoy a decent meal outdoors ‘fore it started.” She glanced up. Most of the sky above her was covered, with the majority of pegasi flocking to other parts of Ponyville with clouds in tow to finish their weather duties off for the day. She caught a glimpse of Gale Force doing a series of unnecessary acrobatics as he flew across the sky. Well that apple sure didn’t fall far from the tree, she thought to herself, smirking at her own wit. Ah’d better suit up.

Apple Bloom grabbed the list and ran inside the house, stowing it away indoors. While inside she made sure all the windows were shut tightly to prevent the elements from invading the home. She then donned a bright yellow raincoat and a set of galoshes. The footwear would make bucking more difficult, but the she couldn’t afford to spill a bushel across a muddy field, and she really couldn’t risk putting herself out of commission with a debilitating injury from a slip. She trotted back outside and saw Winona running about, expending energy that went unused during the first half of the day. She always became a bit more energetic before a storm. Apple Bloom whistled, and the collie came right to her side. “C’mon Winona. We’d better git all the critters back in their pens ‘fore it starts rainin’. Ah’m gonna havta buck through tha rain, but tha last thing I wanna do is be chasin’ them ‘round tha farm in the middle of a downpour.” The collie acknowledged with a bark, and the two bounded off.

* * *

The sound of the torrential rainfall was only outperformed by the sporadic bouts of thunder that rumbled across Sweet Apple Acres. The animals lay silent, doing their best to shelter themselves from the heavy rain and strong winds that whistled along the many trees of the farm. The varied hills along the property further focused the wind in sports, intensifying to a point where a pony would have to put a great deal of effort in not getting blown over. Winona was putting forth a great deal to stay beside Apple Bloom as she continued bucking apple trees. While there was still enough light for the youngest member of the Apple family to see, the rain did much to obscure her vision. The soaked pony’s bucking efforts weren’t as bountiful since the winds would occasionally blow either her kicks or the falling apples off course. The misaligned fruit ended up wedged in the muddy ground, and Apple Bloom didn’t have the time to stop and search for a them, especially since it would take quite some time to do so during the storm.

“Git along, Winona, ‘fore ya git yerself hurt!” The young mare yelled over the howling winds. The collie wasn’t known to disobey orders. However, despite being blown to and fro by the tumultuous weather, the collie remained vigilant, refusing to leave Apple Bloom’s side. With one eye closed and face tilted against the wind, she pressed forward alongside her companion. The earth pony gave up on attempting to get the family pet to safe shelter. ‘Not gonna be much lightnin’ during the rain’ he said, Apple Bloom thought dismally. Still, just a few more trees an’ tha buckin’s done. Can’t come no sooner neither. My legs feel like they’re gonna fall off. Between the extra effort of pressing against the wind every trip back to the orchard and the act of bucking, Apple Bloom’s rear legs felt quite sore, shaking slightly whenever she had a moment to stand still. The mare was becoming quite exhausted from the entire ordeal.

Bracing against the wind as lightning raced across the sky and thunder boomed, Apple Bloom steadily moved forward to the next tree. The rain was coming down so hard and so fast that the empty baskets were filling up water before she could get to them. Apple Bloom had to drain their contents before bucking apples down, lest she be left with a bunch of wet apples. With the baskets now empty, the mare lined herself up, raised her hind legs and delivered a swift kick to the base of the tree. While the galoshes were making the bucking process more difficult, they were softening the impacts against her hooves to a certain extent.

Looking behind her, she noticed that only a couple apples managed to dislodge from the tree. She sighed and lined up for another shot. Bucking apples or other fruit off of a tree effectively was not a simple matter of kicking it hard enough. Hooves had to be aligned just so, with an equal amount of energy distributed between each leg. Only then would a tree yield the majority of its fruit to the ground below. The galoshes skewed Apple Bloom’s muscle memory slightly, occasionally causing her to miss her mark. The wind further complicated matters, sometimes blowing her a bit off center. Brow furrowed, she aimed and landed another blow.

The buck hit home this time, apples falling into their designated baskets as her reward. Winona gave an encouraging bark, its sound lost against the wind. Phew, she thought, just two more trees an’ Ah can haul these apples back to tha barn. Encouraged, she hustled onto the penultimate tree. She once again lined herself up, bucked hard, and--

“Agh!” She cried as she felt a sharp pain shoot up her leg. She quickly set herself down on four hooves only to find a sharp pain race through one of them again, more intense than before, causing her to grimace and let out a hiss. She took a seat in the mud and removed the galosh from her right hind leg, dumping out the water that had collected in it. Winona came to her side, concerned. The wounded mare touched her hoof gingerly and let out another hiss as the touch emitted an additional shot of pain. A crack splintered across her hoof, traveling from the bottom up to the base where it came in contact with the living skin. The base of the crack was where blood was trickling out, traveling down the lines of the crack and dribbling onto the ground. Of all the rotten luck! She thought miserably. This is gonna sting fer a while, but I gotta git these apples inside tha barn. Ah can leave tha last tree fer tomorrow.

Apple Bloom examined the tree, trying to determine what she did to cause her injury. After a moment she spotted the culprit: A small stub of a branch was poking out the side of the bark, nearly invisible due to the weather and its minute size. The branch itself was long gone, leaving only a jagged edge on the tree. The injured mare figured she must have smacked a hoof right on top of the stub. Still wincing from the pain, Apple Bloom slipped the galosh back on and began the arduous task of carrying the bushels of apples back to the barn on three good hooves. Just gotta walk it off, the farmpony reminded herself from the last time she cracked a hoof. The pain’ll subside eventually. With a pained expression, the young mare limped along with her bounty of fruit on her back, determined to not let the pain deter her.

Progress was slower than usual, but Apple Bloom managed to keep going despite her injury. As she had reminded herself, the wound hurt less and less with each subsequent trip. By the time she was down to the last pair of baskets, she’d nearly put it out of her mind. Her exhaustion mandated that she focus more on the task at hand, which was also helping. The rain was still coming down, but the wind had died down and the lightning was now nothing more than an occasional flicker of light in the sky, yielding only a murmur of thunder. Apple Bloom trotted inside the barn, dropped off the last set, and breathed a sigh of relief, shaking off the excess water. Winona reciprocated, splashing Apple Bloom with bits of water and mud. The farmpony walked back out to find Granny Smith approaching from Ponyville. Despite the harsh weather, she’d managed to again completely sell her stock of goods during market, pulling an empty cart behind her. Apple Bloom was glad to see the old mare, but then a realization dawned on her: Granny wasn’t expecting the rain either. She must’ve been standing out in the rain all day. The young mare trotted briskly up to the older farmpony, ignoring the pain from her injury. Upon reaching her, she saw that Granny had obtained a rather large and festive umbrella hat.

“Hey Granny,” Apple Bloom said, concern etched in her voice, “uh, you alright?”

“Course Ah am,” the green pony responded, “take more than a little rain ta slow me down.” She gestured proudly at the again-empty cart. “‘Sides, one o’ yer sister’s friends popped on by with this lil’ somethin’ fer me. Kept goin’ on ‘bout her senses tellin’ her a pony was gonna get drenched unless she did somethin’ about it. Nice girl, but a little on tha chatty side.”

“Well, glad she stopped by when she did. I hate imaginin’ that you were stuck standin’ in tha rain all day.” Apple Bloom sidled up to her Granny to give her a brief nuzzle. “Git on inside, now, ‘fore you catch somethin’ fierce. Ah’ll git the cart put up.”

“Don’t you dawdle outside neither,” Granny retorted, “Ah know you’ve been out here bustin’ yer tail all afternoon. I can see it in yer eyes. Looks like yer ‘bout ta fall over.” She slowly made her way to the house, Winona greeting her happily along the way. Apple Bloom quickly settled the cart inside the barn and made her way inside as well. She removed her raincoat and galoshes and dried herself off further with a towel.

The two mares shared a quiet supper together, both of them having had a long day. The rain had finally ceased by the time they were finished. Once it had, Granny put Winona outside for the evening. She returned, curious about Apple Bloom’s day. “So how far’d you git on yer list?”

“Just managed ta finish it off!” The younger pony proclaimed proudly, showing her the completed list. “Ah’m ready fer tha next...” She stifled a yawn. “...tha next day.”

“You’ll be ready after a good night’s sleep,” the grandmother replied, “but ya did good today Apple Bloom. Real good. Keep this up an’ two weeks’ll fly by like nothin’.”

Apple Bloom meekly smiled before yawning again. “Yeah, I should probably hit the hay,” the yellow pony agreed. “‘Night,” she called back as she began heading up the stairs.

“What’s that on yer leg, Apple Bloom?” Granny asked, squinting at her granddaughter’s right hind leg. “Is that blood all over yer hoof?”

The young mare had completely forgotten about her injury. She looked down to see that the bleeding had stopped, but dry blood had caked the hoof and had splashed up on her lower leg. “Oh, ‘tain’t nothin’, Granny. Looks a lot worse than it is. Just a cracked hoof is all.” She offered a smile. “Doesn’t hurt or nothin’,” she fibbed.

“Ah still wanna have a look at it,” Granny insisted. “Just sit a spell. Ah’ll be back in a minute.” Apple Bloom reluctantly took a seat on the stairs. Her grandmother returned a moment later carrying a bucket of soapy water and wash cloth. “Jus’ hold still now.” She put down the bucket and began examining the injury. It wasn’t uncommon for the tree-bucking ponies to injure their hooves from time to time. All three siblings had their share of healed cracks, but those typically didn’t draw blood or cause pain since the wounds didn’t travel all the way up the hoof and adjacent to the skin. Granny could tell that this particular crack was worse than most. She began scrubbing the dry blood off of the injured pony’s leg first, then moved to the higher concentrations along her hoof. As she lightly pressed against the injury, Apple Bloom involuntarily jerked away in response. The mingling of soap and water inside the wound caused her eyes to well up, her lip trembling slightly, but she bit down on her lip and didn’t shed a tear. Granny Smith waited a moment, a proud look in her eyes as she watched the young pony resist the urge to cry.

When she started again, Apple Bloom held her leg in place, not moving as Granny cleaned and inspected the cracked hoof further. “Now Ah’m no doctor, but this looks like one doozy of a crack ya got here. Probably got so bad cuz’ tha hoof was soakin’ in water inside yer galosh,” she surmised. “Ya seem to be gettin’ around alright, but Ah’d lay off tha buckin’ fer a coupla days ta let it heal up.” She planted a soft kiss on the wound. “All better now?”

Apple Bloom was perfectly willing to scrub the wound clean herself, but was nevertheless grateful for her grandmother’s care. “Sure is, Granny,” she said. “Thanks.”

The two farmponies shared a hug. “Now git tha rest of yerself cleaned up now, ya hear?” Granny requested, smiling tenderly.

“Will do, Granny. ‘Night.” Apple Bloom nodded tiredly, turning to head upstairs. After a quick bath to cleanse herself of the day’s water, dirt, grime, and sweat, she wearily trotted into her bedroom. What a day, she thought groggily. The clouds still hung over the farm, leaving the outside completely devoid of any light, but Apple Bloom didn’t need to see to navigate her bedroom. She pulled off her bow and stored it in its proper place within her dresser, yawning loudly in the process. She tossed her head a couple times to loosen up her mane. Her bed had never looked quite so welcoming to her weary body. The exhausted, sore farmpony drearily walked over to her bed and pulled back the blanket. She got in, covered herself up, and was asleep before her head hit the pillow.

The Ties That Bind

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Granny Smith’s eyelids fluttered open in the darkness. She blinked once to get the sleep out of her eyes and sat up. Already alert, the old mare got out of bed and started into a routine established many years ago. The sun had yet to rise, and the clouds from yesterday still hung dead in the air, preventing the night-time lights from encroaching on the slumbering farmland. With a couple flicks of the blanket and the fluff of a pillow the old mare’s bed was made. She moved to the foot of the bed and tossed on her apple-adorned shawl, tied it up, and adjusted it so that it sat correctly around her neck. Granny Smith crossed the dark room as if she had no trouble seeing where she was going and pushed opened the door. The resultant creak resonated throughout the first floor of the multi-generation home.

Sweet Apple Acres greeted Granny with silence, with her being the only soul on the farm awake. It was what she was accustomed to. After all, it had been quite a while since her son and daughter-in-law had inhabited this home, and they were the only other ponies to routinely awaken as early as she did. The thought of the two farmponies made Granny Smith sigh. She glanced sadly at the other first floor bedroom which lay dormant and empty. The elder farmpony was happy that the two had taken on the duties of managing all of the Apple farms across Equestria, but she still wished that they could spend just a little more time at home with their immediate family. If there’s one flaw runnin’ through the Apple tree, it’s our stubborn attitude when it comes to tha farmwork, the old mare admitted. It was that stubborn pride, however, that made the Apples one of the largest farm-owning entities in Equestria. Ah’m sure Applejack an’ Big Macintosh are helpin’ their parents out plenty, she thought encouragingly. Hope there won’t be any delays. Ah hate seein’ tha house this empty.

As she crossed the living room, Granny Smith heard a noise coming from up the stairs. The dissonant snores of Apple Bloom were barely audible, but Granny was still impressed that she could hear them from this distance. The exhausted Apple was sleeping like a log. Surprised half the farm ain’t awake with that racket, Granny mused. She continued her trek across the foyer and entered the kitchen. Her journey’s end was trumpeted by a vicious sneeze. “Goodness, that was loud,” she said to herself. “Don’t havta worry ‘bout wakin’ the tired lump upstairs at least.” She sniffled a bit, taking care of her running nose before starting to get breakfast ready. With the home containing only half its usual occupants, it didn’t take a whole lot of effort for the green mare to prepare the meal. It was a task, however, that she would have much preferred to do for six Apples instead of two.

* * *

A tremor-inducing roar shook the land beneath Apple Bloom’s hooves as she dove behind a boulder for cover. A second later she heard the sounds of many small objects ricocheting against the barrier that now sat between her and the creature. Once the bombardment ceased, she jumped from her hiding spot and raced towards the ancient beast. The dragon noticed its attacker fast-approaching and again assailed her with a barrage of apple seeds, the small projectiles spewing like angry hornets from its wide maw. The warrior mare closed the last few yards with a mighty leap, spun on her forelegs, and gave one of the dragon’s tree trunk legs a mighty buck. The creature howled in agony as bits of its apple-coated wings broke off and toppled to the ground below. “Ah’ll have your treasure yet, ein shemer! Yer loot is mine!” Apple Bloom yelled, kicking her forelegs up in celebration of landing a blow.

The dryad dragon roared and lashed out with one of its claws. Apple Bloom noticed the wooden arm descending and started to flee, but wasn’t fast enough. The branch-like claw raked across her leg, sending her tumbling through the air before landing with a dull thud several yards away. She got back onto her hooves, shaking her head to stop it from spinning, and made her way behind another large boulder just as a third hail of apple seeds came her way. She glanced at her injured leg. It had a couple gashes, with the hoof also suffering a crack from the beast’s swipe. The wounds stung fiercely, but the pain only spurred Apple Bloom on. The dragon, tired of the game of cat-and-mouse, flew over to where the injured pony hid, easily knocking the boulder aside. Triumph in its eyes, it dove head-first towards the mare. The undeterred pony tucked into a diving roll and maneuvered sideways away from the mythical creature’s trajectory. It flared its wings and landed with a massive presence on the ground, nearly costing Apple Bloom her balance and sending a spike of pain up her injured leg.

The legendary ein shemer turned its serpentine head to face Apple Bloom once more, lashing out with its sharp fangs. Before it could reach the pony, Apple Bloom, full of adrenaline, sped up to the dragon and gave the opposite leg a powerful kick, ignoring her leg wounds. The humongous beast roared ferociously as its entire being crumbled to the ground in a pile of green apples. Apple Bloom dove from the torrent of fruit tumbling from above her, barely escaping being buried alive. All that stood of the dragon now was a giant apple tree, stripped of all of its bounty. The threat dissipated, the entirety of the Apple Family, dozens in number, came rushing from their hiding places amongst the hills, shouting words of praise for their savior. Apple Bloom stood proudly, beaming at her family members.

“Ya did it, sis!”

“Ya got ‘im good!”

“Eeyup!”

“Ya got tha loot!”

“Wake up, Apple Bloom!”

One voice grew steadily louder than the rest, but Apple Bloom couldn’t find the source. “Time ta git up, young lady!” It spoke again.

“...mma hero.” Apple Bloom mumbled, shifting her head to find a more comfortable spot on her pillow and resuming her raucous snoring. Noting her refusal to budge, Granny Smith placed her forehooves on the dreaming pony and gave her a good shake. The physical jostling caused the drowsy mare’s eyes to open a fraction. “Wha...?”

“C’mon, up an’ at ‘em,” Granny continued with a sniff. “Ya made me come all th’ way up here tah git you up. Breakfast is gettin’ cold.”

“Ah’m up, Ah’m up,” Apple Bloom spoke into her pillow. “Quit bellyach... er... yes’m.” She amended quickly. Satisfied, Granny turned and headed back downstairs, emitting a small cough on her way down. Apple Bloom groaned, stiff as a board. She flipped her head back to the other side of the pillow, smearing the puddle of drool that had accumulated across the side of her face. “Eww...” she commented, quickly wiping off the saliva. She let a couple hooves drop to the floor, dragging the rest of her tired body out of bed on upper body strength alone. She stretched her mouth wide to let out a loud yawn as she walked over to the window. There was no sun to greet the exhausted mare this morning. Opening the window slowly, humid air blew into the cool room.

Not even the wind could fully arouse Apple Bloom. She turned away from the window and began her morning routine, barely able to see with half-open eyes. Each step took a lot of effort out of the mare: The crack in her hoof had healed a bit overnight, but still twinged painfully each time it impacted the wooden floor. Those sparks of discomfort were overshadowed by soreness spread throughout overworked pony’s body. There wasn’t a single part of her that didn’t ache. The brunt of the agony came from the muscles in her hindquarters and rear legs. She tried to keep most of her weight on her front hooves, but that didn’t last long. Finished with her routine, Apple Bloom struggled down the steps and into the kitchen, wincing all the way. The one benefit of being so sore was that the anguish managed to stir the young pony up, her eyes open slightly wider than before.

“‘Bout time ya made it down,” Granny remarked with a small smile. “Yer one tuckered-out pony.”

“Uh-huh,” Apple Bloom croaked as a way of greeting, yawning again. She offered a tired grin to her grandmother. “Thanks fer comin’ upstairs an’ gettin’ me up. Otherwise Ah’d probably’ve slept ferever,” she added, sitting down to eat.

Granny noticed Apple Bloom’s unkempt appearance. “Now just a moment, ya look like a train wreck.” Granny stepped over to Apple Bloom, licked a hoof, wiped a smudge off the young mare’s cheek and straightened out the stray hairs. She then used her mouth to align the tired pony’s bow atop her head. “There ya go,” the old mare admired with a nod, “now ya look respectable.”

If her siblings had been present, Apple Bloom would’ve had to endure much ridicule about being babied by their grandmother. Thankful for their absence, she thanked Granny Smith, rubbing away the bit of spittle still on her cheek before digging into her breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast. Despite being cold, she tore into the meal with a ravenous fervor. After a moment, she noticed something off about the older farmpony. “You alright, Granny? Ya don’t look so good,” she noted between bites.

“Oh, it’s nothin’, dear,” The sniffling pony replied, “jus’ got a bit of a cold is all. Nothin’ ta worry yer pretty little head over.” She took a sip of orange juice. “Never had one that orange juice couldn’t handle.”

The two farmponies finished their breakfast without saying much else to one another. Apple Bloom’s voracious appetite kept her busy while Granny’s ailment occupied her. The only things to break the silence were the occasional sneeze from Granny and a couple loud belches from Apple Bloom (followed by a meek “pardin” from the hungry pony). By the time Granny was finished with her breakfast, Apple Bloom had made her way through three plates of food and two glasses of juice.

After wrapping up their morning meal the two farmponies headed outside to begin the day’s work. Apple Bloom hurried out of the house, well-fed and full of energy, but still carrying a small limp. She was still quite sore, but the more she moved about and kept her mind off of it the less it bothered her. Granny started about her daily routine. The morning air out on the farm was doing her cold some good, as she wasn’t sniffling or coughing nearly as much. Apple Bloom, meanwhile, headed over to the doghouse aside the barn. Guess Ah wasn’t tha only one ta oversleep this mornin’. She thought, approaching the sleeping collie and giving her back a stroke with a hoof. “Time ta git up, sleepy head.”

Winona blinked her eyes open and noticed the yellow pony standing before her. She sprung up in an instant and kissed Apple Bloom, tail wagging furiously and starting to bound about as if she had been awake for hours.

“Aw, c’mon, Winona,” the young mare tried to chide the dog, but she was giggling too much from the display of affection. She wiped the offending drool off of her face. She looked around the barn, pinpointing all the spots where stray apples had been blown off trees from the night before. “We got some work ta do today, girl. Tha storm left us with plenty a’ grub ta gather fer tha pigs.” The collie barked happily, playfully chasing one of the chickens milling about. “An’ it looks like that’s not all tha storm did,” the redhead continued, growing a bit frustrated at the sight of the mess that lay before her. The pegasi’s storm had run wild. Despite Gale Force’s assurance, the storm had really done a number on the farm. No major damage had occurred at least: Trees still stood, crops weren’t uprooted, and the farm’s structures were still intact. Plenty of cleaning up needed to be done, though, which took time away from other necessary work.

“When will those weatherponies learn that tha less work they put into controllin’ the rain tha more we gotta do ta’ clean up after ‘em?” Apple Bloom griped. She stomped her hooves in anger only to immediately regret agitating her injury, recoiling in pain. “Ow! Not ta mention Ah wouldn’t’ve cracked a hoof if they hadn’t made it so darn strong.”

Granny Smith was also annoyed. “There’ll be hay ta pay fer this,” she scoffed, spreading out some chicken feed about the ground laden with leaves and some small branches. “Ah’m gonna give that weather captain a piece of mah mind when I git inta Ponyville.” She navigated carefully around the fallen debris and the flock of chickens hopping about her, all trying to get at the feed. Winona had found her way to the old mare, attempting to cheer her up. Granny stopped to offer her a quick petting before getting on with her chore.

“Well don’tcha worry about any of this mess,” Apple Bloom offered, “Ah’ll have it taken care of in no time.”

“Don’t spend all mornin’ sweatin’ over this mess,” Granny replied. “This ain’t nuthin compared ta what you and yer friends did tha other day.” Her face grew slightly concerned as she noticed her granddaughter limping about. “‘Sides, the less strain ya put on that hoof tha better.” She approached Apple Bloom, discarding the bag of chicken feed and pulling a list out from her shawl. “These’ll be yer chores fer tha day,” she said through clenched teeth.

Apple Bloom took the list and looked it over. Today’s work load appeared to be considerably lighter than yesterday. “Wow Granny, Ah was kinda expectin’ more ta do than this. This ain’t much more than what I usually do ‘round here.”

“Ya need a lighter day after what ya went through yesterday,” The elder farmpony explained. “Ya can’t do much buckin’ right now, an’ there’s no need ta go upsettin’ yer injury further.” She smiled. “Take it while ya can, Apple Bloom. This’ll be tha only easy day yer gunna get. ‘Sides, if ya git bored you can always get ahead on cleanin’ this place up.”

Apple Bloom returned the smile. “Sure thing, Granny. A slower day sure sounds nice.”

“Well go on,” Granny ordered, “tha hogs ain’t gunna feed themselves.” The younger pony nodded and set off to the orchard, where she’d find the most bruised fruit eligible for hog food. Winona abandoned the pursuit of a chicken and followed Apple Bloom. “Don’t be too long, now!” Granny called. “Gotta start packin’ tha cart up fer market!”

* * *

Apple Bloom hadn’t ventured to all parts of Sweet Apple Acres to rectify the mess left in the storm’s wake. Doing so would have taken too much time. Only the main section around the house and barn where hoof traffic was more frequent and the animals lived had to be taken care of immediately. The young pony made short work of the mess under the cloudy skies, Winona again keeping her company. She raked up leaves and dead branches and gathered up more bruised crops for hog food. All of the farm’s buildings weathered the storm without being damaged - even the recently-repaired silo remained completely intact.

The young mare collected all the dead foliage and branches into a sizable pile in a barren part of the farmland, separated out from any crops, buildings, and trees. The soil here was infertile, so the Apples used it for burning away dead wood, fallen leaves, and the like. Apple Bloom nosed a moderately-sized stone up next to the pile and began swiping at it with a forehoof. The impact of iron on stone sent sparks flying into the heap. Amongst the usual reasons for having horseshoes, they also served as a convenient tool to start a fire. Since everything was still wet from the previous day’s downpour, however, it took some effort in getting the fire started. Winona sat nearby, offering an encouraging bark every now and again but staying well-away from the flying sparks. Several minutes and a few burnouts later, some of the leaves started smoldering again. The farmpony blew expertly on the burning foliage, causing the flames to spread. After a moment of tending to the small fire in this way, the rest of the pile finally began to burn. Satisfied, Apple Bloom stepped several feet away from the blaze and lay settled down nearby. Her foreleg, already sore from the previous day, ached a bit after repeatedly hitting the rock to cause the sparks. Laying down took the pressure off of both her foreleg and injured hoof. Apple Bloom couldn’t leave the flames unattended lest it start to spread, so she took advantage of the duty and relaxed. While there wasn’t much of a chance of the flames getting out of control considering how drenched the entire area was, she knew better than to not keep an eye on it.

The sore mare enjoyed the warmth emanating from the flames. It flowed over her, massaging her aching muscles with the comforting heat. Winona rested beside her, snoozing contently. She sighed happily and lay her head down, staring deeply into the fire and absentmindedly stroking the collie’s back. The soothing warmth continued to wash over the two, causing Apple Bloom’s eyes to droop. Her consciousness began to falter beneath the comforting fire, the sunlight glinting off of the wet ground...

Apple Bloom snapped out of her trance. Sunlight? She wondered. The clouds had been blanketing the sky all day long, preventing the sun from shining through. She turned her head upwards and saw that a few clouds had disappeared, letting the sun’s rays reach the ground. She scanned the skies and spotted the source of the vanishing nimbi: A certain cerulean-maned pegasus danced about the welkin, bucking the expired clouds away with a series of excessive aerial maneuvers. The sight of the weatherpony angered the young mare. There’s that lyin’ pegasus, she thought venomously. “Hey! Hey, Gale Force, ya varmint, git down here!” She yelled, neglecting any show of respect for her elders. The flying stallion was too wrapped up in his moves and his work to notice Apple Bloom’s shouts, though. Consarnit, why ain’t he answerin’ me? She growled. Looks like Ah’ll need ta git his attention some other way. She pondered a moment, looking around the farm. Sighting some suitable attention-grabbers along the ground, she grinned insidiously.

Up in the sky, Gale Force blasted through a cloud, disintegrating it into nothing. I really should bring Scootaloo along on weather duties one of these days, he thought idly. She’d have a blast clearing the clouds! He rocketed through another white ball of fluff. The proud pony smirked at the thought of racing alongside his daughter, seeing who could clear the skies faster than the other. His brow furrowed as he took a small dive, somersaulted, and rocketed skyward, taking out several more clouds in the process.

The pegasus’ concentration was interrupted by a small red object flying by the side of his head. He swiveled to look downward just in time to be pelted in the side by another piece of flying fruit. He yelped at the impact but maintained flight, squinting down and spotting his assailant. He saw a small fire burning brightly on the ground. Next to the flame stood Apple Bloom, who reared up and launched another apple with a well-placed kick. What’s gotten into her? He thought. He dived down expediently, waving his front hooves frantically to try to get the mare to stop her barrage. “Hey hey hey! What’s the big idea?” He smacked the last apple out of his path with a forehoof and completed his descent, landing beside Apple Bloom. “What’s gotten into you, young lady?” He said, striking a tone usually reserved for reprimanding Scootaloo. “You could’ve knocked me out of the air with those things!”

The earth pony stopped bucking apples and scowled. “Just what were you intendin’ on accomplishin’ by lyin’ ta me?” Winona mirrored her frustration, growling at the pegasus.

The weatherpony’s eyes shifted about. “What do you mean?”

“Ah’m talkin’ about the storm,” Apple Bloom answered slowly. “Practically flooded all of tha farm with that much rainfall! It was bright as day what with all the lightnin’ flying around, and Ah could barely stand up against tha wind.”

The stallion winced as the accusations accumulated. “Oh right, that.” He laughed nervously, rubbing a hoof behind his head. “I did say we planned on a lot of rain. As for the rest, well... seeing as we had a lot more clouds to play with for a change, it was decided that we try out a few new weather patterns. It’s not like us weatherponies actually moving the elements into place dictate what weather’s to be had, you know.”

“So yer sayin’ because ya had more toys ta play with y’all went an’ messed around with our weather?” Apple Bloom asked incredulously. “Doesn’t sound real responsible-like ta me.”

“There’s only so much you can theorize before putting ideas into practice, though,” the orange-coated pegasus countered, shifting his weight back and forth between his left and right hooves nervously. “Yeah, it got out of hoof. Once the storm went out of control, though, it was deemed too dangerous to fly up and change the patterns. We had to let the storm run its course.” He rolled his eyes. “Why am I trying to defend myself from a filly...”

Apple Bloom was beside herself. “Ah’m not a filly!” She hollered. Winona started barking to echo her outrage. “Ah got hurt because of the storm,” she turned and showed him her cracked hoof, “an’ now Ah’m fallin’ behind on mah work!” She gestured at the burn pile. “An’ on top of all that, I had ta spend all mornin’ cleanin’ up a mess that y’all caused! An’--”

“All right all right, I get it,” Gale Force interrupted. “Look, I’m sorry about all that you had to go through because of this. The storm damaged other parts of Ponyville too, and we’ve been getting complaints all day long.” He grimaced. “There aren’t a whole lot of weatherponies on duty today, and we’ve been sending assistance out to anypony who calls for it. Why’d you think I’m the only one they sent out here to clear the clouds up?”

“Figured y’all were just kickin’ back with it bein’ tha weekend an’ all,” the farmpony replied sarcastically, though her anger had burnt out. She shook her head. “Ah didn’t mean ta go off on ya like that, but yer tha first weatherpony I saw and I sorta snapped.” She sighed. “It’s just frustratin’ that more work keeps pilin’ up when Ah have enough on mah plate as it is.”

The pegasus smiled. “Don’t worry about it. We all have to vent our frustrations sometimes. My daughter seems to fly into tantrums more so than most, I think...” he added, getting lost in thought for a moment. “Anyway, do you need some help around here? Sounds like you could use a helping hoof.”

Apple Bloom was taken aback by the request. “Ya have time ta lend?” She asked.

“Of course. I just said the weatherponies were helping out those affected by the storm, didn’t I?” He answered. “Just tell me what needs to be done and I’ll do it.”

“If I got you ta do all that needs’ doin’ you’d be here for days,” Apple Bloom said, “but I’ll gladly take you on.”

“Cool. Just let me clear up the rest of this sky first. I’ll be back before you know it!” Gale Force crouched down and leaped, soaring back up into the sky.

Apple Bloom followed him up with her gaze. Well at least some good came out of all of this, she figured. At least they admitted they did something wrong an’ are tryin’ ta do somethin’ about it. She then thought about what Gale Force mentioned about complaints and wondered if Granny had been one of the participants. Bet she gave ‘em a real verbal thrashin’, she thought, wondering if the old mare would forgive as quickly as she had. Apple Bloom laid down again, continuing to watch the blue-maned pegasus flip and spin about the zenith. She occasionally glanced back the fire which had all but died out at this point. Once the sky was a clear bright blue again, Gale Force swooped back down and landed. This time he was greeted by a much-happier Winona, who bolted up to the pegasus and leapt up to try and reach his face. “Well, Apple Bloom, you sure look hard at work,” he commented sardonically.

“Oh hush, you,” she responded. He gave her a patronizing glance. “I mean, I gotta keep an eye on the fire, Mister Gale Force,” she said, briefly recalling her manners. “Now with all tha formalities outta tha way, it’s time ta boss you around. Ah’m in charge, now.” She grinned mischievously.

Gale Force sighed. “Just don’t tell Scootaloo about this, alright? Please?”

“Oh, I promise!” She drawled, resting her hooves on her face with her smile growing wider.

“...You’re gonna tell her, aren’t you?” The mare nodded, flashing a toothy grin. “I’m never gonna live this down.” He sighed, rubbing a temple.

* * *

Apple Bloom grunted as she yanked a particularly stubborn carrot out of the ground. Her aches and pains had dissipated, save for the occasional spike of discomfort coming from her injured hoof. She placed the carrot aside and moved on to the next buried vegetable. Winona picked up the discarded carrot, ran to the basket sitting nearby, and dropped it in. After the farmpony harvested the next carrot, she glanced up at her new flying assistant. Since Apple Bloom had already cleaned the farm up, there wasn’t a whole lot more weather-related damage to deal with immediately. The farmpony had instead tasked the weatherpony to do something she currently couldn’t - harvest apples. Flying along the top of an old yellow delicious tree, Gale Force delicately picked one piece of yellow-green fruit off of a branch and dropped it into an awaiting basket below.

The young mare rolled her eyes at the sight: She had tried to teach Gale Force how to buck a tree properly, but he just didn’t seem capable of landing the kicks with any sort of finesse. The pegasus couldn’t get more than a couple apples to drop on each attempt. It didn’t help that Apple Bloom couldn’t show how it was done; she had to explain it all verbally. After about 30 minutes of practice the two gave up, the weatherpony taking wing and picking apples one at a time. Progress was slow with Gale Force moving at a fraction of a pace of an apple bucker, but it was steady. At least he’s not tryin’ ta get “creative” ta save time, Apple Bloom mused, thinking back to when Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo pitched in. Tha last thing Ah need is another hole in a silo.

Catching her focus slipping, Apple Bloom returned to her task at hoof. She tried to yank the next carrot out of the ground to no avail. Speakin’ of gettin’ creative, she thought annoyingly as she recalled Sweetie Belle attempting to magic the carrots out of the ground. Somehow the process had caused several carrots to become more tightly wedged into the ground. Apple Bloom planted her forehooves and gave the plant a mighty tug. She pulled with so much force that when the stalk relented she flipped head over hoof and landed on her back. She shook herself out of a daze and righted herself. The young mare looked at her prize and frowned when she discovered she only held the petiole between her teeth, having separated from the rest of the plant.

Being one not to waste anything, she chewed up the green stem and gulped it down. This had happened several times already: Apple Bloom was getting used to having to dig the carrot up after having removed the only good focal point to yank from. Besides, she never missed an opportunity to get something to eat.

Damp dirt clung to Apple Bloom’s forelegs and face. Even her bow had managed to become soiled. She was about to start driving her hooves into the damp earth again when an idea crossed her mind. “Hey Winona. Dig this here carrot up, girl!” She commanded the collie who was sitting patiently waiting for the next carrot to be produced. Winona obliged, digging feverishly at the dirt surrounding the stuck carrot. Wish Ah’d thoughta that sooner, the mare thought as she moved on to the next orange crop.

As she did, something else orange in color caught her eye, descending from above. Apple Bloom double-checked to see if Gale Force was still in the orchard, and he was. Glancing back she saw that this pegasus had purple hair and was smaller than the stallion. Scootaloo? She puzzled.

The flying mare zoomed into Sweet Apple Acres, a concerned look on her face. Gale Force noticed her flying in and started to fly up to her. “Hey Pumpkin, what are you--”

“Hi Dad can’t talk in a hurry bye!” The smaller pegasus spoke rapidly as she bypassed her father entirely and shot straight for the earth pony, who was about to give her a greeting of her own. “Apple Bloom! You gotta get to town right away!” Scootaloo said, her voice laced with worry.

“What’s the matter?” The yellow mare replied, picking up on the other mare’s tone. Gale Force joined the two to find out why his daughter was so troubled.

“It’s your grandma,” Scootaloo answered, “She had to be taken to Ponyville Urgent Care.”

Apple Bloom’s eyes widened in horror. “What?!” She exclaimed. “Is she okay?”

“I dunno,” Scootaloo responded. “I was passing by the market place when I saw her being carried away by a couple of paramedics. She... she looked like she was in a lot of pain, Apple Bloom.”

“Well what’re we waitin’ for?” The panicked earth pony snapped. “We gotta get there an’ quick!” She started to take off when she was stopped by the older pegasus.

“No sweat, Apple Bloom,” Gale Force said, a serious expression on his face. He lowered his body down slightly. “Hop on. I’ll get you there in no time.”

“Thanks,” she gasped out, quickly climbing onto the stallion’s back. She wrapped her legs on either side of his wings so as to not restrict his movements. “Stay here Winona!” She said to the collie, who wore a concerned expression. The dog obeyed, however, no longer trying to also hitch a ride on the pegasus. “Let’s go!” She said, voice thick with concern.

Without another word, the two pegasi took off, moving as fast as their wings would allow. Their muscles strained as they flapped fast and hard, carrying the trio out of the farmland. Apple Bloom clutched the older pegasus tightly, her thoughts mired in fear. Oh please be okay, Granny, she pleaded silently. She thought back to this morning, recalling signs of her grandmother’s illness. In all appearances it looked to be nothing more than a cold. The worried pony couldn’t help blaming herself. I shoulda’ stopped her from workin’ today. She needed ta rest! She moaned aloud. Scootaloo said she was hurtin’ terribly... Can a cold really get that bad? AJ an’ Big Mac aren’t even here right now.

Thinking of her siblings triggered the memory of the day they departed. The Apple sisters were saying their goodbyes to one another. Something the older sister had said stuck out in Apple Bloom’s mind. ...Ah promised Applejack that Ah’d take care of Granny while they were away. What if she gets worse before they come back? What if she... if she...

Gale felt something wet hit the back of his mane, feeling the young mare on his back start to shiver. He was positive it wasn’t due to the cold air. “Don’t worry, Apple Bloom, your grandma’s gonna be okay.” He called back. Scootaloo was not sure what to say to comfort her friend. She flew along silently, giving the troubled mare a look of concern.

Apple Bloom swallowed hard, resting the side of her head against the blue mane. “No, Ah can’t be thinkin’ like like that,” she whispered, her voice inaudible over the wind. “Ah gotta stay strong.” Tears still flowed and she still worried about her sick grandmother, but she was able to quell the pessimistic thoughts.

“Ah gotta stay strong...”

* * *

The curtain of Ponyville Urgent Care was drawn open where three troubled ponies waited, standing impatiently outside the confines of the health care facility. Apple Bloom rushed inside and started frantically searching the beds. Scootaloo started to follow, but was held back by her father, wanting to give Apple Bloom some privacy. The outer area of the clinic sported a dozen beds, ringing around the edge of the property. Some sat near open areas that looked out on the rolling hills of Ponyville. Others bumped up against the peaceful blue walls. Most of them lay empty, only two of them being occupied: One contained a sleeping unicorn mare with a bandaged horn; the other, arguing with a nearby orderly, was--

“Granny!” Apple Bloom shouted, dashing over to the ill mare. “Yer okay! Scootaloo said you were in lotsa pain an--”

Granny Smith turned to her granddaughter, placing a hoof over her mouth. She grinned, shooing away the orderly who was happy to oblige the fussy patient. “‘Course Ah am, dear. Ah was just havin’ a mite trouble breathin’ is all.”

“It’s a bit more complicated than that, I’m afraid,” a voice spoke up from behind. Apple Bloom turned to see a white pony with a pink mane tied up in a bun approaching the two. She had on a nurse’s cap which bore the same symbol as her cutie mark: A red cross surrounded by hearts. She gave the worried young mare a comforting smile. “Good afternoon, Miss Apple Bloom. How’s the knee?”

“Oh...” the yellow pony was taken aback at the sudden inquiry into her own medical history. “It’s swell, Miss Redheart. Hasn’t ached fer some time now.” She glanced back at the infirm pony and noticed for the first time an IV running into a foreleg. “But what’s wrong with mah grandma? Why’s she got a tube stickin’ out of her?”

“Don’t worry, it’s nothing serious,” The nurse reassured her, skimming over a chart hanging at the foot of Granny Smith’s bed. “That IV’s just giving her some medicine. It appears that Mrs. Smith had contracted pneumonia. She was having some trouble breathing and complained of having moderate chest pain. The--”

“Is she gonna be alright though?” Apple Bloom interrupted. “That pneumonia-whatsit sounds really bad!”

“Let her finish, Apple Bloom,” Granny chided the young mare. Apple Bloom fell silent as Nurse Redheart continued.

“We’ve been keeping a close eye on her, and she seems stable enough to leave. I was just about to remove the tube, in fact. It’d be best for her to stay in bed for a couple of days. Apple Bloom, I expect you to take good care of your grandmother while she’s recovering.”

“Now just a minute,” Granny objected. “Ah can’t be loungin’ around the house that long, there’s work ta be done! Apple Bloom here’s up to her neck in chores as it is, an--”

“If you don’t get enough rest, you could very well end up sicker than you already are,” Redheart politely informed.

“Granny, stop!” Apple Bloom pleaded. “If Miss Redheart says ya need ta slow things down, ya gotta slow down. I don’t wanna see you any worse off than ya already are,” she added, fraught with distress. “Please?”

Granny calmed down at her granddaughter’s intervention. “...Alright, Apple Bloom, if ya say so.”

Apple Bloom breathed a sigh of relief and addressed the nurse. “Miss Redheart, we’ll be able to take Granny home. We gotta cart here in Ponyville that she can ride in. Ah just gotta go pick it up. Will she be ready ta go when I git back?”

“Of course, Apple Bloom,” the white pony replied. “She’ll be ready by the time you get back.”

“Thanks.” The yellow mare turned to her grandmother and gave her a hug. “Don’t’cha go runnin’ off now. Ah’ll be back in a bit.” She looked the green mare in the eyes. “Ah’m glad yer okay,” she whispered.

Granny smiled down on her, tussling her mane. “Don’t ya worry, Apple Bloom, Ah’m not goin’ nowhere. Now git along. Tha sooner we get home tha better.”

The young mare disengaged from her grandma and headed out of the health care center, thanking Nurse Redheart along the way. She ran into Scootaloo and Gale Force, who were both carrying anxious expressions. “How is she?” The stallion asked.

“She’s fine,” Apple Bloom replied. Relief flooded the pegasi’s faces. “Just gotta keep her in bed fer a coupla days. That’s gonna be the real trial.” She didn’t mind having to tend to her ailing relative, but she knew that Granny was not going to go along quietly. “I gotta go grab tha cart and bring it back here so we’ll have a ride home.”

“Oh, alright!” Scootaloo was glad to be off the hook, her mind already racing ahead to other activities she planned on doing that day. “Well, I gotta go now and--”

An unsubtle nudge from her father interrupted her. She gave him an annoyed look. He responded with a stare of his own, nodding his head towards Apple Bloom. Realization dawned on the one-track-minded pegasus. “Oh! I mean, I’ll go get it for you, Apple Bloom,” she offered. “Stay here with your grandma.”

“Ya would?” She asked happily. She pounced on her friend, wrapping her hooves around her. “Thanks, Scootaloo!”

“Er, no problem.” The orange mare said, awkwardly returning the hug and trying to squeeze out of her friend’s embrace. “See ya in a few!” She called, now free and taking off.

Apple Bloom looked up at the older pegasus. “An’ thank you, Gale Force. Not just fer that,” she pointed at the younger pegasus flying off, “but fer flyin’ me here an’ stickin’ around this whole time.”

The orange stallion beamed down at the complimenting pony. “Don’t sweat it, kid,” he replied. “What do you plan on doing after you two get home?”

“Well, I gotta finish up harvestin’ carrots and git started on mah other chores,” the young mare answered. “Then there’s tha matter of tendin’ ta Granny and cookin’ supper an’ all that.”

The stallion nodded thoughtfully, an idea growing in his mind. “Say, I never did finish my work at your place, technically. Since your grandmother’s ill, how about Scootaloo and I come over to chip in some more? And tonight I can cook you all up something real good for dinner. Interested?”

Apple Bloom wasn’t sure what to make of the offer. “Oh, I dunno about that Mister Gale Force,” she said. “Ah’m not sure how’d Granny’d feel about a non-Apple feedin’ us, or Scootaloo tryin’ ta ‘help’ on the farm again.” She paused a moment to consider. “On tha other hoof, she knows ta accept help when she knows she needs it. Seem ta remember a certain other farmpony learnin’ that after a few hard knocks.” The mare smiled at the memory. “We’d be delighted, ‘slong as it ain’t too much trouble.”

“It’s no problem at all,” he assured the earth pony. “Families help one-another out in times of need.“ He spat onto a hoof and held it out to Apple Bloom. “Right?”

Apple Bloom’s face spread into a grin as she stuck out a spit-covered hoof in kind. “Right,” she agreed, bumping hooves with the older pegasus. “Er, ugh.” She reacted to her now saliva-drenched hoof, wiping it off on the ground. “Usually this don’t bother me none, but Ah seem to have been covered in slobber an awful lot today.”

Gale Force snickered as he stretched his wings out to their full span. “Listen, I gotta head back and finish up my work day. I also have to swing by home and tell the missus where we’re going to be tonight. Just have Scootaloo follow you home. I’ll see you out in the farm in about an hour?”

“Sure thing!” Apple Bloom replied jovially. “See ya then!”

He lifted off the ground, but turned and said something before flying off. “And don’t worry about Scootaloo. I’ll keep her in check.”

Apple Bloom giggled and waved as the cerulean-maned father soared into the sky before shooting back under the curtain to spend some more time to prepare her ill grandmother for the trip home. Nurse Redheart gave the two some bottled medicine for Granny Smith to take in lieu of the aid delivered via IV. “Thanks fer everything, Miss Redheart. We really appreciate it.” Apple Bloom said.

“Food coulda’ been better though,” the ill mare griped, “but all tha same, y’all did good fixin’ me up.”

“You can thank me by staying in bed,” Nurse Redheart reminded her, holding the curtain open for the departing ponies. “Get better soon. Take care you two!” She called out before dropping the curtain and getting back to her other duties.

Scootaloo arrived moments later, grunting as she hauled the half-laden cart behind her. “I’m... back.” She managed to say before collapsing. The two farmponies wondered why the pegasus had such a hard time pulling the light cart across town. When they saw the reason the two shared a laugh, which unfortunately sent Granny into a fit of coughing.

“Ah’m fine, Ah’m fine,” she assured the two younger mares between a couple final coughs. “Jus’ don’t make me laugh no more. Apple Bloom, help the poor girl out, would ya?”

Still snickering, Apple Bloom trotted over to the cart and unlocked the individual wheel brakes. “Y’know these are ta keep tha cart from rollin’ away when we want it stationary, right?” She teased.

Scootaloo blushed. “...Oh. No wonder it was giving me such a hard time.” She got out of the harness and gave her previously-confined wings a good stretch. “So are you headed back home? Where’d Dad head off to?”

Apple Bloom relayed the stallion’s plans to her friend. She jumped for joy. “All right! Don’t worry Apple Bloom, this time I won’t make a mess of things!” She chanced a look over at Granny Smith. Apple Bloom now realized that she had now just revealed this for the first time to her as well.

“So Scootaloo and Mr. Force are comin’ over ta cook an’ clean an’ help out, are they?” She asked her granddaughter.

“Yeah, about that,” Apple Bloom started. “Ah thought it’d be good fer us since we’ve lost some time today and yer--”

“That sounds like a great idea,” the old mare finished with a smile. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo exchanged glances and returned the grin. “Ah reckon Ah need a rest anyway, on account of tha nurse’s orders.”

The three ponies set out for Sweet Apple Acres. Granny was nestled between the unsold crops in the cart. Scootaloo again volunteered to pull it, having a much easier time with the brakes deactivated. Apple Bloom trotted alongside the cart, keeping an eye on her grandmother who had fallen asleep. They arrived at the farm without incident, Winona running up to greet the trio. Scootaloo entertained the pet while Apple Bloom led Granny inside the house and into bed. “Git yerself some shuteye, ya hear?” She said quietly, covering the sick pony up. “Ah’ll git ya up when supper’s ready.” She kissed her grandmother on the forehead and followed it with a small hug. “An’ get well soon. I love you, Granny.”

“Love ya too, darlin’,” the green mare whispered before immediately falling asleep again. Apple Bloom drew the window’s curtains closed and crept out of the bedroom, shutting the door behind her and heading outside to finish her day.

The two young mares and the family dog got into a working rhythm quickly. After putting the cart up, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Winona worked to finish harvesting carrot patch she’d started on earlier in the day. By the time the baskets were full and the patch was harvested, Gale Force had arrived on the scene. Apple Bloom directed the two pegasi to continue the work the stallion was doing prior to the impromptu hospital visit. She trusted the father to instruct the daughter ably enough in the simple task of picking apples and to keep her from trying anything fancy. She still kept an eye on the two orange ponies as she went about her other chores, though, knowing how Gale Force could be less mature than other stallions his age at times at the expense of entertaining his daughter.

Apple Bloom realized that she hadn’t felt a twinge from her injured hoof in hours. While her mind was occupied with the other events of the day, it didn’t hurt even though she was actively thinking about it now. Curious, she sat down to take a look at her injury. Inspecting the crack, it looked a lot better than it had yesterday, but it still was a fair bit larger than other similar wounds she’d gotten before. Determined, Apple Bloom decided to give bucking a shot. The yellow pony approached a tree that had already been picked clean of its fruit. She turned and gave it a solid kick.

The resulting agony she felt was all the data she needed to realize that her hoof was not yet ready for bucking again. She groaned as pain fired through her hind leg, limping back over to the barn. Looking back at her hoof, she was relieved to see that she hadn’t caused any additional damage, but it was still screaming in pain. She concluded that she would not be able to buck for a while longer, kicking herself for having been impatient.

As the day wore on, the three ponies and Winona continued working, making great progress. When the sun was beginning to set, Gale Force retired to the kitchen to start cooking dinner. Apple Bloom told Scootaloo to go catch some air and take a break. Relieved, the pegasus took flight to relax and enjoy the evening air. The yellow mare, meanwhile, fed and exercised the farm animals. She and Winona just finished herding the sheep back into their pen when Gale Force called from the house, announcing that dinner was ready. Scootaloo sailed down at her father’s beckon, starving from the day’s work. Apple Bloom led Winona over to her doghouse, pouring some food into her bowl and refreshing her water dish. “Bon appétit!” she told the collie, who immediately dug into her evening meal. The hungry earth pony then made her way inside the Apple family home, eager to start in on her own dinner. She had one other task to do, however.

Granny Smith was sleeping soundly when a creaky door woke her up. “Time fer supper, Granny,” a familiar voice said quietly. “An’ don’t ferget ta take yer medicine first.”

“Okay, Apple Bloom,” Granny replied wearily. “Thanks. Ah’ll be out in a moment.” She pulled herself out of bed, flicking the cover more-or-less back into place. She hacked and coughed a few times, taking a sip of water from a glass on her nightstand, which sat next to the bottle of medicine prescribed by Nurse Redheart. The sick mare used the light coming from outside the bedroom to measure out a dose of the antibiotics, pouring the liquid into a medicine cup. She downed it in one gulp, not bothered by the bitter taste, and washed it down with another drink of water. Granny then made her way out into the kitchen where three ponies were busy getting ready for the evening meal. Gale Force was stirring up something over the woodburning stove. It smelled like something involving carrots and potatoes. The two mares, on his direction, were busy setting the table. The stallion ceased stirring and greeted the old farmpony. “Evening, Mrs. Smith,” he said. “Feeling any better?”

“A little,” she admitted, another cough escaping, “but still got ‘ways ta go, Ah reckon.” She seated herself in her usual spot at the end of the table. “So how’d these two do today, Apple Bloom? If Ah were ta peek outside would Ah be greeted with another disaster?”

The three smiled at her. “No worries, Granny,” the yellow pony answered. “They all did just fine. Must’ve picked a dozen bushels of apples by day’s end.”

“Well, that’s better than nothin’ Ah suppose,” Granny muttered before adding, “but still. Thank ya both kindly fer helpin’ out today.”

“No problem!” Scootaloo said brightly.

“Your very welcome,” Gale started, “but enough chit-chat. It’s time to eat!”

Vegetable soup was what the older pegasus had cooked up. He figured it would suit the four of them well, as it was a good hearty meal to enjoy after a hard day’s work and was also a great option for a sick pony to fight an illness with. Gale ladled generous portions of the soup into each of the four bowls spread across the table. The three younger ponies quickly dug into their meal, engaging in various threads of dinner conversation. Granny took small bites, enjoying the rousing discussions silently. Now this is a swell sight, she thought, smiling softly the view of the lively group. Ah wish the rest o’ the family were here, but as far as suppers go, this ain’t so bad. She sighed. Tain’t bad at all.

To Market, to Market

View Online

Sweet Apple Acres was dark and silent. The moonlight and starlight did little to affect the darkness that lay over the sprawling orchards. Complete silence hung over the land, blanketing all who slumbered with a peaceful comfort. Apple Bloom dozed quietly within the Apple Home. Her body was curled up into a ball nestled under a large blanket, head resting comfortably on the large pillow. With a deep breath, the young pony took in the cool morning air flowing in from the open window. She unconsciously tossed over to her other side and let a hind leg escape the blanket. It dangled over the side of the bed, swinging to a slow stop. Apple Bloom was wrapped up in a deep, content state of rest.

The peace and quiet of her early morning was shattered in an instant.

A shrill holler snapped Apple Bloom out of her deep sleep. Her eyes squeezed tightly as she attempted to block out the offending noise by throwing hooves over her ears. Her actions did little to stem the sound pounding against the sides of her head. The pony gritted her teeth and flung a foreleg out towards the source of the disturbance. Hoof met nightstand as she was unable to connect with her intended target. After several futile attempts, the frustrated mare grabbed her pillow and sent it flying across the table. The makeshift projectile struck the item jostling about the surface, sending both careening to the floor. The diligent device kept barraging the farmpony’s ears, shaking about the wooden planks. Resigned to her fate, Apple Bloom crawled out of her bed, eyes still shut tightly, and blindly maneuvered to the dancing object. She reached out and depressed the top lever of the alarm clock, finally putting an end to the cacophony.

The mare slumped to the floor, lavishing in her victory. Apple Bloom’s head still pounded despite the cessation of the alarm clock’s roar. She couldn’t remember the last time she had been up this early. The yellow pony had stayed up whole nights before, but never after a hard day’s work on the farm. With Granny Smith indisposed, she had to get up in time to fix breakfast and take care of the sick mare all before getting started on the farm. With a groan, Apple Bloom staggered to her hooves and slowly made her way out into the hall. She was able to open her eyes, but just barely. They continued to droop as she slogged into the bathroom.

The tired mare trotted through the dark lavatory and climbed into the tub. She closed the curtain, got the water running and grasped the shower cord in her mouth. Grimacing in anticipation, she gave the cord a quick yank, redirecting the water’s flow through the showerhead. Icy water engulfed the young mare, immediately causing her fur to stand up on end. She let out a surprised yelp and snapped her eyes open as the sudden change in temperature chased away her sleepiness. She shut off the water and shook her head to displace some of the water, shivering from head to tail. “That d-d-did the trick,” she stammered, teeth chattering.

Now alert and attentive, Apple Bloom finished up in the bathroom and went back to her bedroom. Wincing against a sudden breeze, she hurried over to her window and closed it. She made her bed and put her alarm clock back on the nightstand, resetting the alarm for the following morning. Stifling a large yawn, she ambled over to the dresser and slipped on her bow. The impromptu shower had made her mane lie straight and wet, so she didn’t see the need to brush. Ready to take on the day, the farmpony headed downstairs. Her wet tail slapped lightly against the stairs on the way down.

Y’know, if Ah had ta go ta school today, Ah’d actually have more time ta sleep, Apple Bloom mused as she padded across the living room into the kitchen. She lit up the dark room and trotted over to the stove. Now what ta rustle up fer breakfast? The farmer mare looked around the cupboards, stove, and shelves, seeking inspiration. Ultimately deciding on something simple and warm, she quickly gathered the necessary ingredients: a moderate amount of oats, four tablespoons of cinnamon, some milk, and a couple Baldwin apples. Soon the aroma of apple cinnamon oatmeal filled the room, eliciting a loud rumble from Apple Bloom’s stomach. Resisting temptation, the young mare scooped out some of the pot’s contents into an awaiting bowl and filled a glass with milk. She placed the meal on a tray and grasped it with her mouth, carefully making her way to her grandmother’s bedroom.

The redhead reached the bedroom only to find the door closed. She about-faced and reached the door handle with her uninjured hoof. With a practiced motion she got her hoof around the handle, pushed down, and pulled the door open. With the door ajar and out of her way, she backed quietly into the bedroom and crept up to Granny Smith. The seemingly-soporose mare lay perfectly still, the only signs of movement coming from her silent, rhythmic breathing. Setting the tray down on the vacant nightstand, Apple Bloom whispered, “Mornin’, Granny.”

The green farmpony stirred. Eyes remaining shut, she sniffed the air. “Added too much cinnamon. Ya know the recipe only calls fer two tablespoons.”

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. “Ah figured it needed jus’ a dash more fer an extra kick a’ sweetness,” she defended. “But if yer gonna be so persnickety ‘bout it, Ah’ll just eat this yummy oatmeal mahself.” Smirking, the yellow mare took the tray in mouth and turned to leave.

“Now, no need ta get upset,” Granny spoke softly, blinking her eyes open and scooting up into a sitting position. Apple Bloom, not having any intention of depriving her grandma from breakfast, immediately turned around and set the tray across the old mare’s lap. “Thank ya kindly, dear,” she smiled as she planted a kiss on her granddaughter’s forehead. “Ah was about ta come get ya up until Ah heard ya clamberin' down the stairs. Almost thought ya overslept.”

Apple Bloom broke apart from the embrace, concerned. “Ya mean you’ve been up all this time? Yer suppose ta be restin’, Granny!”

“Ah’m s’posed ta stay in bed, remember?” the sick mare reminded. “Ain’t budged one bit since las’ night. Ah’ve gotten up ‘fore sunrise fer years, an’ no cough’s gonna change that. Doubt anypony could stay sleepin’ when yer makin’ all that racket upstairs anyway.”

The yellow pony felt a pang of guilt until she saw humor in her grandma’s eyes. The two shared a giggle. “Well, ya know how tricky those clocks can be sometimes,” Apple Bloom offered. She moved to the opposite nightstand to fetch Granny her medicine. She measured out the appropriate dose and nosed the cup closer to the bed. “Here, Granny. Take this ‘fore chowin’ down.”

“Ya spoil me, dear,” Granny replied, taking the cup in hoof and downing its contents. “Go on, then. Yer own food’s gettin’ cold out there, an’ there’s plenty enough fer ya ta do without tendin’ ta me all mornin’.”

The smile on Apple Bloom’s face became fixed. “Uh, right.” She took a couple of steps towards the door.

“Jus’ leave the door open so the kitchen light can make its way in,” Granny suggested. “No need ta brighten things up too much. Now off ta breakfast with you,” she shooed the younger pony away.

“Alright, jus’ give a shout if ya need anythin’,” Apple Bloom responded, leaving the old mare to her food.

Satisfied, Granny turned her attention to her meal, spooning some oatmeal and taking a bite. Her eyes widened. Mmmm, Apple Bloom might be on ta somethin’.

Apple Bloom hurried back to the kitchen to quell the sudden onset of hunger she felt. Her stomach had become quite vocal on the matter. The hungry mare set herself up with some milk and oatmeal of her own and began to enjoy a warm, filling breakfast. She ate in silence, staring blankly out the window deep in thought. There wasn’t much to see with the sun having not risen quite yet; the farm was still mostly blanketed in darkness. The pounding in the groggy mare’s head had softened to an occasional twinge, but it still distracted the young mare from her thoughts. Taking a swig of milk, she stirred over her current dilemma once again. Now if Ah run the cart today, Ah’ll fall behind on the farm. She considered. If Ah don’t, that leaves us with a day’s worth of crops lyin’ around and nothin’ ta show fer it.

After dinner the previous night, when Scootaloo and Gale had left for home, Granny had reminded Apple Bloom that she would need to run the market stand. The younger farmpony hadn’t yet realized what the infirm pony’s illness meant for her: Granny being bedridden now made Apple Bloom responsible for both the chores on the farm and the work in Ponyville. The yellow pony had bemoaned the idea of having to be in two places at once for the next few days, still undecided on what she was going to do.

Missin’ market can’t be made up, no matter how hard Ah work, Apple Bloom reasoned. Farmin’ can be done no matter what time a’ day. Ah’ll jus’ do what has ta be done before an’ after sellin’ some apples. She grinned, happy to have worked out a viable plan of action and to put her issue to rest. She took her dishes and placed them in the sink, turning on the faucet. She tossed the empty pot of oatmeal under the running water, letting it fill up while she made her way back to Granny Smith’s bedroom to collect her tray. She arrived to find Granny climbing out of bed, shakily clutching her tray and rattling the empty dishes sitting atop it.

“Hang on, Granny, Ah got it!” Apple Bloom hurried over to her grandmother’s aid. The older mare released her grip. She began to thank the young mare, but was interrupted by a sudden fit of coughing. She sat down and raised a hoof to cover her mouth, but the hacking continued. “Granny, you okay?” Apple Bloom asked worriedly, setting the tray aside and growing antsy. Granny couldn’t answer, but instead made a drinking motion with her other forehoof. “Oh! Water!” The young mare rushed out of the room and returned a moment later with a full glass. The coughing had lessened in severity, but still rendered Granny unable to catch her breath. “Here ya go,” Apple Bloom offered, holding the water up to her grandma’s mouth. After draining the glass, Granny was finally able to settle down.

“Thank ya’ kindly, Apple Bloom,” She wheezed. “It jus’ started an’ Ah couldn’t stop. Guess Ah’m not quite ready ta be out an’ about yet....”

“Shhh, it’s okay,” Apple Bloom cooed, gently rubbing her grandmother’s back. The young mare’s concern grew for her ailing relative when she caught the depressed look in her eyes. Ah hate seein’ her like this, she sighed inwardly. Ah gotta find a way ta cheer her up, but all she wants ta do is help, not rest! But what can she do while in this condition? She mulled over this as she helped Granny back into her bed, covering her back up. Somethin’ where she could help, but stay in bed at the same time... After a moment, inspiration struck. “Say Granny, wanna go over the farm’s records an’ stuff? Ah could sure use some help when Ah get back from market tonight.”

The tired mare blinked, and then settled down into a relaxed, upraised position. “Ah’d love to. Mind fetchin’ ‘em fer me? An’ get me somethin’ ta write on too while yer at it!”

That’s more like it. Back ta dishin’ out orders like her old self again, Apple Bloom thought happily. “Right away, Granny!” She dashed out of the room, but popped her head back in before getting too far. “Uh, where do ya keep ‘em?”

“Livin’ room closet. Big box next to the Hearth’s Warmin’ decorations.” Granny instructed. “Try not ta upset ‘em. Jus’ bring ‘em all in. Ah’ll find what Ah need.”

“Livin’ room. Got it,” Apple Bloom said before ducking out. She returned a few minutes later dragging a box about her size across the floor. After getting the box next to the bed, she left and returned, this time pushing along a small table. As she was finished pulling some parchment out of the box at Granny’s directive, she heard the rooster crow. She drew the curtains open to be greeted with the sunrise. Just how early did Ah get up again? she wondered, setting out a few pencils and some scrap paper. “Anythin’ else?”

“Naw, this oughta do it,” Granny replied, sitting herself up so that she could reach her materials with ease. “Now git outside and git yer flank in gear. Gotta lot ta do what with the farmin’ an’ market.”

“On mah way out, Granny. Jus’ gotta do one more thing first.” The yellow pony moved to the side of the bed and gave her grandmother a tight hug. “Don’t push yerself too hard, ya hear? Get some rest.”

“Ah will, now quit fussin’,” she replied, returning the hug. “Off ya go now.”

With one final affectionate squeeze and a smile, Apple Bloom left Granny Smith and made her way outside. She quickly made her way through the morning work. Some chores had to be done each and every morning. With an early start to her day, Apple Bloom had ample time to get the required morning work done. She collected eggs, then fed and exercised the animals. Finished with the mandatory farm work, the yellow pony went inside the barn and began loading one of the market carts up. The majority of the cart’s cargo space was taken up with apples - Red Delicious, Scarlet Croften, Gala, and Hampshire made up the day’s stock - which left only a little more room. Apple Bloom filled the remaining space up with some different crops: She tossed in a basket of carrots that she’d harvested yesterday, having separated out the freshest, tastiest looking ones from the others the night before. A small amount of corn cobs followed in a basket of their own.

With the cart now fully-laden, the young mare harnessed up and, with a grunt of effort, hauled the cart outside and onto the main path. Just before she crossed under the trellis arch indicating the end of the property line, Winona bounded onto the cart. “Howdy, Winona! Ready ta sell some apples?” The farmpony called back. She barked proudly as she stood atop the many crops, jumping in anticipation. Apple Bloom was about to leave when she glanced back at the Apple house. A thought crossed her mind. Granny’ll be here all by her lonesome all day... With that in mind, she made a decision. “On second thought, Winona, Ah think you’d oughta stay here today.” The dog’s happy grin turned into a sad frown. “Don’t gimme that look! It’d be best if ya keep Granny company.” She disengaged from the harness and trotted behind the cart. “C’mon now, off you go.” Reluctantly, the collie hopped off the cart. “Ah also want you ta come get me if her health takes a turn fer the worse, ya here?” The pony ordered. “Ya know where ta find me.” She gave the disappointed dog a rough pet across the head. “Got all that?”

Now feeling like she was contributing again, Winona’s doggy-style grin returned. She slopped a doggy kiss on Apple Bloom’s cheek before darting towards the house. Wiping the drool off her grinning face, the young mare re-attached herself to the cart and set off at a brisk pace for Ponyville.

* * *

Apple Bloom heard the chiming of the school bell in the distance. She fought off a sudden urge to sprint for the classroom to prevent being tardy, reminding herself that she was not beholden to that sound today. If she did take off she’d just spill the contents of her cart, which would only make her tardy for her actual destination. The young mare calmed herself down and turned her attention to her pleasant surroundings. She revelled in the idea of not being stuck inside school on what was shaping up to be a really nice day. The streets of Ponyville were already bustling with activity, contrasting the more laid-back attitudes of the weekend. Some ponies, along with Apple Bloom, were on their way to the market place to begin their day of selling their goods to the community. Others were either off to do other work or were simply ambling along the road, engaging in idle chatter as they bumped into friends and acquaintances.

The yellow farmpony didn’t stop for conversation, but did pause to smile and wave at some passers-by as she trotted along. She was one of the youngest ponies milling about, as most other youths were in school. Nopony questioned Apple Bloom’s presence, though: They saw she was pulling along the Apple family’s market cart and figured she was getting more involved in the family business. Apple Bloom did wonder why a few ponies seemed to be feigning politeness as she passed, though. A couple had to stifle a giggle as she walked by, catching themselves and shouting a quick greeting to cover themselves. Apple Bloom shrugged off the thought and kept up a steady pace to market.

The crowd of ponies thinned out as Apple Bloom entered the market place. The street broadened as Ponyville’s homes, sheds, stores and pavilions yielded to a less dense area. The road widened by a considerable amount, leaving room for plenty of ponies to occupy its vast space. A colorful array of tents, carts, and stands streaked along either side of the street. More tents and carts dotted the street itself, giving the market place a carnival-like feel. One could find a wide assortment of items at market: Some ponies were selling hoof-crafted decorations or jewelry. Others had assortments of knick-knacks and haphazardly-collected junk that they were hoping appealed to somepony. The majority of the market ponies were selling edible goods, though, ranging from fresh fruits and vegetables to a wide variety of delectable flowers and plants. The afterthoughts of previous days’ business could be found strewn about, with the occasional bit of trash littering the roadway. In the center sat one of the village’s larger fountains, the water within sprinkling and bubbling away, contributing to the ambient noise of the market place.

Apple Bloom trotted to the Apples’ usual spot on the side of the road, coming to a stop and quickly relieving herself of the cart’s harness. The farmpony stretched to get a crick out of her back, a small pop relieving her of the discomfort. She put the brakes in place and rearranged the crops in order to make them look more presentable. Unlike the simpler cart Granny had been using, this one required some additional setup. It took a little more work and was tougher to haul around, but was far more eye-catching and appealing. The young mare yanked out a blanket from the cart and unfurled it, revealing a banner proudly displaying several colorful varieties of apples. She tucked it under some baskets on the cart and let the rest flow to the ground, shielding the wheels from view. She then propped up a green-and-white striped overhang, giving shade to both the crops and the ponies standing nearby. With these transformations, Apple Bloom had turned her cargo cart into a fashionable market stand.

She took a seat behind her stand and yawned, lazily looking at other ponies preparing their own stands and carts. The market place wasn’t officially open yet, but many ponies still stood poised and ready to sell. Ponyville had enacted official start and end times for market, but they were more guidelines than rules. Vendors were welcome to open up earlier and stay out later, and they were more than happy to squeeze out some extra sales in the process. Consumers could always depend on everything being available during the appointed time, but could also count on most sellers hanging around if they couldn’t make the deadline or needed to arrive early.

Apple Bloom’s pony-watching was interrupted by bell chimes emanating from the town clock. The farmpony stood up rigidly as the bell rang over the air. Nerves combined with anxiety to make her perspire a little. Alright, Apple Bloom, you can do this, she encouraged herself. Jus’ put on yer game face and sell some food to some hungry ponies. Granny’s been able ta clear out her load by day’s end, even on the weekend. This oughta be a piece a’ cake. She gulped nervously, put on a bright smile, and eagerly awaited to do her family proud. The bell chimes from the clock ceased, indicating the top of the hour.

Ponyville Market Place was officially open for business.

Potential pony patrons trickled into the market place with empty saddle bags in tow and bits burning holes in their pouches. Apple Bloom didn’t have to bargain or haggle with anypony to make her first sales of the day, as regulars soon approached to partake in some of their prized crop. The young mare simply greeted them as they arrived, apples and bits exchanging hooves without fuss. After the first hour Apple Bloom had managed to sell around a bushel’s worth of apples. The other crops, however, remained untouched. There was no question that the Apples would dominate sales when it came to their namesake fruit. Conversely, the carrots and corn the young farmpony also brought along would be a much harder sell.

Once the initial flow of customers thinned, Apple Bloom took a moment to check the front of the stand. She had again noticed quiet laughter coming from some passing ponies as they glanced her way. She examined the front of the stand to make sure nothing was askew and everything looked alright. Ah don’t get it, she puzzled, again taking position behind the stand, just what is everypony snickerin’ at? Her train of thought was interrupted to serve a pair of ponies approaching. “Howdy, folks!” she beamed, “what can Ah do ya’ for?”

The female pony, a light green unicorn with a long lighter green mane to match, stopped conversing with her companion and turned her attention to Apple Bloom. Her face blossomed into a humorous smile on doing so. “Oh, just our usual batch will do, sweetums,” she answered, raising a hoof to stifle a giggle. The male pony beside her, an orange earth pony, nodded in agreement, remaining silent.

“Sure thing!” The farmpony replied eagerly, missing the snicker. She hesitated a moment. “Er, what is yer usual again? Ah’m not usually the one runnin’ things here. Miss...?”

“Evergreen, dear, and this is Sunshine,” the unicorn supplied as she and her spouse exchanged endearing looks. “We’d like six of your sweetest apples, please!”

“Comin’ right up! Hmm...” Apple Bloom pondered, looking over her inventory. “These Gala apples oughta be just the thing,” she declared, showcasing the faded red fruit with a hoof.

“Those’ll do nicely,” she agreed, picking out six Gala apples and shifting them to her saddle bag.

Apple Bloom swayed nervously behind the stand, glancing sideways at her untouched vegetables. “Uh, could Ah interest you in some carrots, Ma’am? Or some corn maybe?” She offered halfheartedly.

“Er, thank you, no, sweetie,” Evergreen declined. “That’ll be all.”

“But...” Apple Bloom started before catching herself, covering disappointment with another smile. Sunshine deposited money into a small chest sitting beside the farmpony. “No problem. Thanks y’all fer yer patronage!” The couple thanked Apple Bloom and continued on down the street, turning their attention to other stands and carrying on their previous conversation.

The young mare was slightly disappointed at her first attempt. She had plenty of experience at running the stand, but that had only entailed pointing out what kind of apples they had and making sure customers ponied up the correct number of bits. She’d always left the bargaining and sale pitching to her older kin. The young mare hadn’t been on market duty for over a year now: Going to school and learning to buck apples had dominated her time during the spring and summer.

As the morning wore on, Apple Bloom tried out a few improvised ideas to sell something other than apples. Her tactics varied from the overbearingly aggressive, which tended to frighten ponies away, to the incredibly subtle, which failed to convince prospective buyers to purchase anything beyond their usual fare. As the apple supplies continued to dwindle, the small amounts of vegetables remained stagnant.

Apple Bloom’s fortune did not improve as mid-day approached, still making conventional sales but not garnering anything beyond that. As lunchtime grew nearer, hoof traffic began to increase at a rapid rate. The chirping birds and the water fountain’s bubbling were soon drowned out by the sea of ponies flooding into the market place. Vendors, who usually struck up friendly chats with their customers, were forced to instead focus on serving ponies as fast as possible. Apple Bloom was no exception: She kept herself busy tending to hungry customers and didn’t bother to try and push the less-popular goods. She soon found herself lost in the rhythm, going from one pony to the next without slowing down. “Next, please!” She called out.

“Hey, Apple Bl--”

“Yep, we got apples,” the farmpony interrupted, “Red Delicious, Hampshire, Scarlet Cr--”

“Apple Bloom!” Sweetie Belle spoke louder, snapping the earth pony out of her speech. She saw her fellow crusaders were there in front of the cart, grinning at her.

“Oh, hey, gals! How’s school goin’?” The yellow pony asked.

“Well, we have a test coming up later this week, so it’s just been review really,” Sweetie Belle replied. “Anyway, Scootaloo said you would be in town today, so we decided to drop by and...” She trailed off, squinting at the earth pony’s head. “Uh, Apple Bloom....”

“What?” The confused farmpony asked.

“Well... Um...” the unicorn hemmed and hawed.

Scootaloo, who had stayed quiet to contain herself, lost control. She burst out laughing, pointing a forehoof at the farmpony. “Wow, A.B., that’s one mean mane you’ve got going there!” She sputtered between fits.

“Yeah,” Sweetie Belle chimed in, giggling, “it looks really, uh, good!”

“Mah mane?” Apple Bloom asked, reaching a hoof up. To her horror, she didn’t have to reach far: Her hair had puffed out to an impressive size, sticking out every which way. The only part that lay flat was the hair held down by her bow. She blushed furiously, ducking down behind the cart to where her eyes barely peeked over the top. “No wonder everypony’s been laughin’ around me all day.”

“You mean you...” Scootaloo choked out, “you’ve been out here all day and nopony... Nopony said...” She couldn’t finish her thought, cackling even louder than before.

Apple Bloom gritted her teeth, rising up to her full height to glare at Scootaloo. She had a few inches on the pegasus, managing to look down on the snickering mare. “Haw haw, very funny,” she mocked, glaring at the two. “Are y’all gonna gawk at me all day or are ya’ gonna buy somethin’? If not, jus’ clear out!”

“Hey, easy, Apple Bloom,” Scootaloo said, containing herself and reeling from the harsh words, “you just caught us a bit off guard with your new hairstyle is all.” Letting a few snickers escape, the orange crusader reached under her wing and dropped a bit onto the cart. “We’re here for lunch!”

“Yeah, but um... I’ll be right back!” Sweetie Belle shouted as she suddenly galloped off.

“Hey, where are you going?” The pegasus called out. “We don’t have all day you know!”

“You’ll see when I get back!” The white mare yelled over her shoulder.

“Hey!” an impatient pony in line interjected, “hurry it up, will ya?” A pony who had up until this point been patient waiting for the mares to finish their conversation.

“Sorry, sir!” Apple Bloom spouted quickly. “Mind waitin’ fer a minute, Scootaloo? Ah’ll break fer lunch after Ah git through some of this line.”

“No sweat,” Scootaloo promptly replied, stepping aside to let the other ponies get to Apple Bloom. The farmpony quickly turned her attention towards processing the line, who were waiting to get some lunch of their own. Ten minutes later, she’d manage to go through all of her customers. Before any more got in line, she placed a sign reading “Be Back in a Bit, Y’all!” on the stand, took a few Red Delicious apples from a basket, and trotted over to a nearby picnic table where Scootaloo awaited her. The young pegasus was watching the skies as other winged ponies soared about. The earth pony sat opposite Scootaloo and dropped the bit she was carrying from her mouth onto the table’s surface, which drew the pegasus’ gaze back to earth.

“On the house today, Scoot,” she nosed the coin over to her friend. “Sorry fer snappin’ at ya’ like that earlier. Just been a bit frustrated today is all.”

Scootaloo looked down at the coin and then to her friend. “Thanks, Apple Bloom! And don’t worry about it. I probably should’ve had a bit more tact than that.” She held out a foreleg and the two shared a hoofbump. Another giggle escaped the pegasus before she caught herself. “You do look funny though.”

“Yeah, Ah reckon Ah do,” the puffy-maned pony replied, grinning back and tossing Scootaloo an apple. The quick pegasus caught it in her mouth and began munching on it hungrily.

“Oh wow, that sure hit the spot!” The hungry pegasus proclaimed. “I hope Sweetie Belle gets back soon, though. Lunch break’s almost over and she won’t have time to--”

“I’m back!” Sweetie Belle sang from behind Apple Bloom. Scootaloo glanced behind the farmpony, recognition lighting up in her eyes. Apple Bloom gave her friend a puzzled look when she heard a gasp. She turned around to find Sweetie Belle accompanied by her older sister. The elder unicorn’s horn was aglow, with a large brush and a mirror floating along in her wake.

“Oh, hey Rarity,” Apple Bloom greeted her older sister’s friend. “Uh, care fer an apple?”

Rarity looked dumbfounded at the sight of Apple Bloom’s confounding coiffure. “Oh my stars, Darling, what in all of Equestria did you do to your mane?” the fashionista balked. “Sweetie Belle told me it was bad, but, er, ahem,” she cleared her throat. “Let’s get that tangle all straightened out, shall we?”

“I figured you didn’t want your mane looking like a plate of spaghetti,” Sweetie Belle said, taking a seat at the table next to Apple Bloom, “so I asked Rarity to lend a hoof!”

“Yeah,” Scootaloo encouraged, “I bet she could get you all prettied up and stuff!”

“Oh,” Apple Bloom said quietly, a grin slowly appearing upon realization. “Thanks, Sweetie Belle!” She hugged the younger unicorn, happy that she wouldn’t have to go through the rest of the day explaining away her bad hair day. Sweetie Belle squeezed back in return. “And Ah’d like that very much, Rarity. Thanks fer offerin’!”

Scootaloo made a face at the sight of her friends hugging. “Oh, for crying out loud,” she took an apple and rolled it over to Sweetie Belle. “Here, we don’t have much time left before lunch break’s over. Better eat quick.”

“Thanks, Scootaloo,” the hungry unicorn replied, daintily levitating the apple up to her mouth before digging into it ravenously.

“Sweetie Belle, mind your table manners!” Rarity scoffed as she got to work on Apple Bloom’s mane with the brush.

“Sorry, sis,” Sweetie Belle said through a mouth full of apple. She gulped and looked down at the table, gesturing exaggeratedly. “Thank you, picnic table, for providing us with a place to set our food and seats to sit on!” she declared in her best Rarity impersonation before stuffing the rest of her apple into her mouth. It was just as well, as the school bell chimed off in the distance. Sweetie Belle nearly choked on her last bite.

“Oh ponyfeathers! We’re gonna be late again!” Scootaloo panicked. “See you later Apple Bloom!”

“Right, see you later,” Sweetie Belle followed up, having managed to survive her last bite of apple. “Bye sis! Wait for me, Scootaloo!” she called out, but the anxious pegasus had already taken wing and sped off. Sweetie Belle followed suit, taking off at a fast gallop.

Rarity rolled her eyes, shaking her head. My sister, so uncivilized, she commented silently. I’ll have to have a talk with Mother and Father about those bad habits of hers. She continued working on the Apple Bloom’s mane, removing the bow to give herself more room. “And why did you decide to show up in Ponyville with such an... interesting... hairstyle, deary?” She inquired, brow furrowed in concentration. What an absolute mess.

“Ah didn’t exactly plan fer it to poof out like this,” Apple Bloom defended, “Ah jus’ had a lot on mah mind this mornin’. Also doesn’t help that Ah can’t think straight when get up before the crack a’ dawn.” She toyed with the half-eaten apple in her hooves. “Ah put my bow on, and Ah guess Ah thought it was already brushed since it was wet an’ straight. Never crossed mah mind.”

Going outdoors with a wet mane? What a ludicrous notion! Rarity thought to herself, then spoke to the earth pony in a condescending tone, “Apple Bloom, one shouldn’t leave one’s home without a cursory glance in the mirror to gauge one’s appearance! Why, it’s almost as if you were raised in a... er...” Apple Bloom’s scowl made Rarity’s jovial smile falter. The unicorn giggled nervously, desperately thinking of a way to change the subject. “Nevermind that, Darling. How is life over on Sweet Apple Acres? I hear you’ve taken on quite a lot of responsibility, what with your brother and sister being out of town and all. I also heard that your grandmother had fallen ill! Is she doing alright?”

“Ah’m hangin’ in there,” Apple Bloom spoke after a moment, wincing as the brush forced its way through a stubborn split end. “Granny’s recoverin’ well enough. As long as she stays in bed, that is.” She took another bite from her apple.

“Oh, that’s most wonderful to hear!” Rarity exclaimed. “When I heard the news yesterday I feared the worst. It’s good to hear that she’s recuperating.”

Apple Bloom finished her lunch and began rocking in her seat anxiously. “You about done? Ah gotta git back to it.”

“Just finishing up!” The unicorn answered in a singsong voice, tying Apple Bloom’s bow up daintily with her magic. “And... done! What do you think, Apple Bloom? Don’t hold anything back now!” She hovered a mirror in front of the younger mare.

As her reflection came into view, Apple Bloom did a double take: Instead of her mane going off to one side, it was evenly split, flowing down either side of her head. She wasn’t aware she had that much going on up there, as most of it was tied up in her bow. She then realized that something was missing. “Hey,” she asked, “where’s mah bow?”

Rarity chuckled. “I guess I do have a delicate touch. Did you not feel the tug on your tail?”

Apple Bloom turned her gaze downward and flicked her tail forward. Her bow was neatly tied around near the edge of her tail, with only a few inches protruding past the accessory. Apple Bloom noticed something familiar about that particular detail. “Hey, this is just like--”

“Just like Applejack’s tail, quite,” Rarity glowed. “I admit I drew some inspiration from your sister’s look. While her hair is a bit... rough around the edges, the look definitely suits her. And I think it looks lovely on you as well, Apple Bloom.”

The farmpony swished her tail and bow around. “It looks swell, Rarity,” the farmpony grinned. “Thank ya’ kindly fer fixin’ me up. Ah’m glad ta not look like a clown no more.”

“Oh, it was nothing, Darling. It would be improper for me to let such a fashion disaster continue to exist if I could do something about it.” the unicorn declared. “Just don’t leave that mane of yours unattended so soon after a wash!”

Well, Ah didn’t wash it so much as get it soaked, Apple Bloom thought to herself. “Sure thing! Ah gotta git back to it now. Thanks again!”

“You’re quite welcome, Apple Bloom! Good luck!” she called as she trotted back to her boutique. Apple Bloom sped back to the cart and removed the sign, ready to wrap up the day.

* * *

“Sixty-four, sixty-five, sixty-six...” Granny counted off as she shuffled through a small pile of parchment. Other neatly-piled stacks were strewn about the rest of the table beside the old mare’s bed. Granny Smith lay perpendicular with her forehooves up on the table, mumbling to herself as she went over the meticulously-kept records of Sweet Apple Acres. While she worked, Winona dozed over by the window, curled up on the floor beneath the warm glow of the afternoon sunlight. Granny scanned through facts and figures as she reached the bottom of the final parchment of the stack. “Seventy-eight, seventy-nine... 80 bushels!” She chuckled softly, “We sure are doin’ alright fer ourselves this year. Gettin’ more bulk orders than ever before fer our apples, an’ the other crops ain’t doin’ too shabby neither.”

Granny set aside the parchment she’d been mulling over and picked up the next set in the sequence: Projections and estimations for Sweet Apple Acres. The old farmpony groaned. “All these numbers are makin’ mah head spin,” she muttered. Glancing over the sizable chunk of data she’d already processed, Granny decided it was time for a break. She edged off the foot of the bed and stretched. Winona, disturbed by the noise, perked her ears up and lifted her head groggily, stretching her mouth into a wide yawn. “Bein’ stuck in bed all day ain’t helping matters much neither. Ah’m startin’ ta get stir crazy,” Granny remarked. “Time ta stretch these legs out. Shouldn’t hurt ta take a trot around the farm fer a little while.” She beckoned Winona. “C’mon, girl, let’s go fer a walk.” The collie was happy to oblige, bounding in circles around her slower companion as she slowly made her way through the house and outside.

Granny’s stroll didn’t last long. The worst of the pneumonia was past her, but her energy was still sapped. After just a few minutes, Granny found herself starting to breathe heavily. Knowing better than to push herself too hard, she retreated back into the house. Winona stuck close to her side, nuzzling at her foreleg occasionally. “Who knew... a little cough... could zap a pony’s strength... so readily,” the ailing pony wheezed, inching her way into her bedroom. She crawled up on the bed and lay still, catching her breath. Winona hopped up onto the bed and lay next to the sick pony. After a few moments, Granny’s breathing steadied, and she sat back up to the table to resume her work. She couldn’t find the energy to concentrate on her number crunching task, instead just staring blankly at the parchment. The old mare lay there silently, thinking. She didn’t want to squander the afternoon away by resting, but she couldn’t focus either. Hmm... There is another thing Ah’ve been wantin’ ta do fer a bit now, she mused. Yeah, this oughta get mah noggin in gear. She grabbed a blank sheet of parchment and a pencil, pondered a moment, then started writing. Ah’d like ta know just how things are goin’ down there anyway....

* * *

The market was packed. The Monday afternoon rush had arrived in full force, with ponies standing in long lines that weaved throughout the streets. The noise levels had swelled to a point where one had to almost yell in order to be heard. This last detail was beginning to strain against Apple Bloom’s vocal cords.

“Thanks fer stoppin’ by!” she called out to her latest pair of customers, clearing her throat shortly thereafter. A second later she had to jump right back in, greeting the next pony to approach her stand. She’d been serving ponies nonstop for the last 30 minutes, and by this point had again lost herself in the rhythm of serving a customer, saying goodbye, and moving on to the next. “Howdy!” she greeted the next pony. “What can Ah do fer ya’, mister?” the yellow pony quickly learned that there wasn’t time to learn ponies’ names when there were long lines to tend to.

The customer, a brown pegasus, tapped a hoof on his chin. “Hmm... I was looking for some carrots, actually,” he responded. “Heard you had something to offer other than apples.”

“Sure do!” Apple Bloom quickly gestured to the untouched stock of carrots on the cart. “Picked ‘em mahself only yesterday. Freshest carrots yer gonna find!”

The stallion gave one of the carrots a cautious poke with a hoof and sniffed it a few times. Satisfied, he dropped a few coins onto the cart and said, “I’ll take whatever these’ll buy me.”

As Apple Bloom tallied up the money, the pegasus began counting carrots. It turned out he had enough for a baker’s dozen. The stallion was pleasantly surprised how far a few bits went as he filled a saddlebag with the purchased vegetables. He said goodbye and trotted off, leaving Apple Bloom with a proud look on her face. About time Ah made a non-apple sale, she thought as she scooped the bits into a nearby chest. Now if only Ah could get some of this corn sold. Her thoughts were interrupted by the next customer in line, and fell back into the rhythm.

The market’s rapid pace kept Apple Bloom’s mind and body occupied. Apples continued to disappear from the stand while the vegetables lay dormant. The busy young mare lost track of time as the day progressed. It wasn’t until much later that the crowd began dissipating that Apple Bloom noticed fillies and colts milling about. Wow, school’s over already? she surmised. Wish the school day went that quick when Ah was there. Wonder if Scootaloo an’ Sweetie Belle’ll show up again. The thought made her smile, Maybe Ah can sell ‘em or some of these other fillies an afternoon snack!

Ah’d better be quick, though, she reminded herself, market’s only open fer another hour. Ah could stay fer the stragglers, but Ah got enough work waitin’ fer me back home. Determined to sell every last piece of food resting on her cart, Apple Bloom stood up straight and flashed a welcoming grin at the next pony to come her way. The farmpony recognized the young filly as one of her newest classmates, one who’d just started school. “Well howdy there, Honeydew. Hankerin’ fer somethin’ tasty?”

The lime green filly looked up shyly at the older mare. “Oh, hey Apple Bloom. I was wondering why you weren’t at school,” she spoke softly. “I didn’t know you could get excused for running your family’s stand.”

The yellow pony’s smile widened. “Oh, it’s not that simple,” she giggled. “Just coverin’ the bases until Big Macintosh and Applejack get back from helpin’ out our folks down south is all. No time fer schoolin’ right now.” The farmpony yanked the carrot basket into Honeydew’s line of sight. “Would’ja like a carrot? They’re freshly-picked an’ hoof-lickin’ good!”

“Oh, yes please.” the orange-maned filly squeaked. “I’ve got...” she rustled in her schoolbag for a moment and reared up to put some coins on the stand, “...this much!”

Apple Bloom frowned at the money, only a few cents in total. “Sorry, but that’s not quite... er...” she began, but the wide-eyed stare on Honeydew’s face stopped her in her tracks. So this is what it’s like ta be on the receivin’ end of that look, the farmpony humbled. “...I mean, that’ll do!” She grabbed a carrot and tossed it down to the young filly, who leaped and caught it gleefully.

“Thanks!” Honeydew beamed before taking off for home, munching on her snack on the way.

On the one hoof, that was one less carrot Apple Bloom had to take home. On the other, she’d practically given it away for free. The young mare sighed inwardly. Jus’ how do the others do this so well? Nine times outta 10 they sell out completely, she looked at her half-laden cart sullenly. She shook her head and put on a determined expression. Ah just gotta push a bit harder, that’s all!

Apple Bloom served the next few ponies while thinking about how she could push carrots and corn over apples. During a lull in customer activity, she put her plan into action. The young mare removed the remaining baskets of apples from the stand so that the vegetables had sole viewership. She arranged the still-tabled baskets to make the food look as appetizing as possible and returned to her spot behind the counter. Perfect! the farmpony grinned, everypony knows we have apples, so Ah don’t need ta have ‘em out on display or nothin’. Now ponies’ll see our veggies an’ be enticed ta buy ‘em!

Apple Bloom’s fantasy continued to play in her head as time ticked by. Her foreleg rested on the counter with her head resting on the accompanying hoof. A random giggle from a pair of ponies snapped her out of her daze. About 45 minutes had elapsed since she had enacted her vegetable initiative, and not one pony had stopped by the cart. Hey, what’s the deal? Apple Bloom puzzled, there are plenty a’ ponies around. Why ain’t nopony stoppin’ by? Just as the thought crossed her mind, an older stallion approached the Apple’s cart. “Excuse me Miss,” he asked, “but you don’t happen to have any apples left for sale, do you?”

“Why a’ course we do!” Apple Bloom exclaimed a bit more loudly than intended, startling the older pony. “We got plenty!” She picked a variety out from the baskets about the ground and showed them to the patron. “What’ll ya have?”

“Oh, I’m not picky. Any one will do,” the stallion offered. Apple Bloom nosed over a Gala apple, depositing the rest back into baskets. “Thanks a lot! I thought I was too late and that you’d already sold out. Have a good day, Miss!”

“Thanks! And nope, got plenty more where that came from!” Apple Bloom called out as the stallion left with his fresh produce. Her relieved look quickly dropped into one of surprise. Wait, he thought we were out? The yellow pony smacked a hoof on her forehead. Ugh! No wonder nopony’s been linin’ up! She hastily threw the baskets of apples up haphazardly and shouted out to the square. “Don’t y’all worry everypony! We got plenty a’ apples, as well as some delicious carrots an’ corn! Get ‘em while they’re fresh!” She turned several heads, but drew no new customers. Miffed at the lack of a turnout, Apple Bloom hauled the basket of carrots onto her back, wobbling a bit to keep her balance. She trotted up to the first pony she saw and stepped in front of her path, forcing her to come to a halt. “Afternoon! Would ya’ like a carrot? Only 50 cents!” She smiled up at the peach pegasus.

“Oh!” The pony started, wings flaring in surprise. “Well, I suppose I could--”

“Or how ‘bout two?” Apple Bloom interrupted, “Or better yet four! Four carrots fer 2 bits!”

“Erm...” The pegasus started again.

“Okay, fine, a bit 50 fer four, an’ that’s mah final offer!” The young mare’s eyes quivered in anticipation.

The panicked pegasus took a step back. “Er, sorry, but I have to go!” Without another word, she took off into the sky away from the earth pony, glancing back over her shoulder occasionally as she flew away.

Apple Bloom glared at the retreating pegasus. The nerve of some ponies, she glowered. She marched around, looking for another pony until she saw one standing in front of her stand with a puzzled expression. She dashed for the cart as the unicorn turned to walk away. “Wait, don’t go!” she yelled, “Ah’m here, Ah’m here!” The rushed pony skidded to a halt behind the cart, sending the carrots atop her back toppling and throwing dirt up into some of the apple baskets on the ground

“Well hey there, Miss,” the red mare replied, smiling. “Glad you caught me, I was just about to move on!”

Phew, Apple Bloom thought. “Ah’m glad too!” She grinned, panting from her impromptu sprint. “So what would ya’ like?”

“Two apples, please!” The older mare answered.

“Well,” the farmpony began, “Ah could get ya some apples, but wouldn’t ya rather have some carrots or corn instead? They’re fresh!”

The unicorn glanced over Apple Bloom to the carrots lying askew across the ground and the dirt-covered apples. “Fresh, eh?” she asked doubtfully. “...On second thought, I’ll look elsewhere. Thanks, though!” Keeping the smile on her face, she walked away without another word.

“But ma’am! Ma’am!” Apple Bloom tried to reconcile, but the unicorn wasn’t turning back. She gave an exasperated sigh, letting her head fall onto the counter with a loud thump. That plan was a dud, she thought, rubbing her forehead gingerly. Just gotta try a bit harder....

Apple Bloom stubbornly marched onward with her marketing scheme, determined to get the rest of her goods sold by the time market ended. She again tried approaching ponies with a fervor and upselling the vegetables in lieu of guaranteed apple sales. The tactics failed as spectacularly as they had before, yielding nothing but frustration for the young mare. After attempting to catch up on the sales, monotonous chimes rang throughout ponyville four times.

Market was officially over, and Apple Bloom was still left with half a cart of goods.

It wasn’t uncommon for the Apple cart to return with some cargo leftover, and the occasional slow day was to be expected. Apple Bloom couldn’t help but feel that she was at fault for having to leave the market place with so much food in tow. The young farmpony gawked at all the remaining crops. ...That’s it? That’s all I managed to sell in an entire day? she thought. She rolled her eyes and sighed. Well, Ah can’t much hang around here with all the work waitin’ fer me at home. The depressed pony reached a hoof up to scratch the back of her head, suddenly being reminded that her bow no longer rested there. She looked back at her tail, the bow hanging lazily near the ground. If it hadn’t been me runnin’ things Ah’m sure we woulda’ sold out....

Apple Bloom slowly took down the stand and set it up for travel, squeezing herself back into the harness once it was ready. With her head hanging low, she gloomily trudged back to the farm.

* * *

“An’ then she just flew away!” Apple Bloom complained between slurps of vegetable soup. “Ah tried ta stop her but she musta’ flown outta earshot or somethin’.”

Granny Smith sat opposite Apple Bloom and sipped a bit of her own soup as she listened. She nodded as the troubled mare rambled on about her day, encouraging her to continue.

“Ah tried pushin’ our goods, Granny, Ah really did! But despite everything Ah still came home practically empty-hooved.” Apple Bloom looked down at her dinner, disappointment apparent in her features. “I failed...” she muttered into the bowl.

“Oh Apple Bloom, it ain’t the end o’ the world,” Granny spoke for the first time since the yellow pony started her story. “It ain’t like we depend on sellin’ out every day of the year. Shoot, sometimes we don’t sell nuthin’!” The sick mare interrupted her lecture with a loud cough, covering her mouth with a napkin. Apple Bloom shot her a worried look, but Granny calmed her down. “Ah’m fine, just gotta remember not ta raise my voice so,” the old mare reassured.

“I told you Ah’d bring ya’ soup in bed, Granny. Ya didn’t have ta get up,” Apple Bloom reminded.

“Suppers happen at the supper table, young filly,” Granny said matter-of-factly. “And Ah’ve been in bed practically all day. Ah can make it from there ta here an’ back easy enough.” The duo sat in silence for a moment, getting through more of their dinner. The broke the silence with a sigh. “Darlin’, Ah’m’a share a secret with ya’.” She leaned forward. “Ya’ ain’t perfect.”

Apple Bloom blinked at the statement, unsure of what to say.

“Ya gotta stop beatin’ yerself up over every little thing that doesn’t go yer way,” Granny chided. “You’re takin’ on an awful lot a’ responsibility in a real short time. We ain’t expectin’ perfection or nuthin’ like that.” She sipped some water to relieve her sore throat. “Ya’ keep diggin’ yerself into a hole a’ misery every time you mess up, an’ it’s not doin’ you any favors.”

Apple Bloom still bore a worried look. “But... If Ah don’t sell nuthin’ at market then--”

“Then you don’t sell nuthin’, and that’s that,” Granny interrupted gently. “We’ve made it through far worse things than this, youngin’.” She smirked. “‘Sides, tomorrow both yer head an’ hair’ll be on straight.”

The young farmpony giggled. “But still, Ah was thinkin’ if you could give me some tips on the sellin’ game, Ah’d at least stand a chance of bringin’ in a bit more,” Apple Bloom requested, a hint of embarrassment in her voice. “Guess Ah shoulda asked sooner, but Ah thought Ah knew what Ah was doin’!”

Granny chuckled, “And Ah thought you knew better than that by now, dear.” She took a final bite of her meal and polished off the glass of water. “Finish yer supper an’ yer chores, then Ah’ll teach ya’ some a’ my tricks of the trade.”

“Yes’m!” Apple Bloom said quickly, appetite returning in full force. She gobbled up the rest of her vegetable soup, and then cleared the table of dishes, carrying them to the sink.

Granny got up and gave Apple Bloom a once-over. Now when did she change her mane and tie her bow up like that? Looks like she’s takin’ after Applejack. She smiled at that thought, slowly walking back to her bedroom while the younger mare started washing. Now ta finish up that letter....

* * *

Tuesday started off much like yesterday had, with Apple Bloom’s peaceful sleep coming to a crashing halt with the sound of her alarm clock. The irritated mare decided to look for the sonorous device instead of blindly trying to disable it. Peeking her eyes open slightly, she pounded the lever to silence the alarm. Apple Bloom groaned as she reluctantly pulled herself out of bed. She could barely see anything, stumbling awkwardly out her bedroom and into the bathroom to once again wake herself up with a quick shower.

After her rude awakening, Apple Bloom stepped back into her bedroom, still shivering from the water. Not wanting to experience another bad hair day, she brushed her mane instead of letting it go unattended. She was about to thread her pink bow through her mane when she recalled what Rarity had done the day before. Ah suppose Ah can stick with this new look fer a few more days, she reasoned. The earth pony wasn’t used to strapping the bow to her tail, but from its position compared to that of her mane, she could tie the bow on instead of having to thread it up. Swishing her bow-adorned tail to make sure the knot was secure, she re-brushed her mane to match yesterday’s new look. Guess Rarity’s in fashion fer a reason, Apple Bloom admired as she looked herself in the mirror. Satisfied, she trotted downstairs to take care of Granny and get her morning chores done.

The morning flowed smoothly. Granny didn’t object to Apple Bloom’s care this time around, accepting breakfast in bed and continuing her work on the farm’s records. Apple Bloom ran through the morning work outside. After finishing her chores and restocking the market cart, she led Winona inside to Granny’s room again, saying goodbye to the old mare and the family pet as she left.

With the sun beaming down on her back, Apple Bloom set off once again for Ponyville, towing the cart behind her. She began running through some of the tips that Granny had given her as she marched onward. Now remember what Granny told ya’, she reminded herself, greet customers with questions that make ‘em think instead of just yes er no. That’ll make it easier ta talk about things ta sell. Also always take a guaranteed sale when it presents itself. Don’t push other things their way unless they ask. An’ never--

The cart suddenly buckled under its own weight and slammed down to one side. The sudden collapse yanked the harness, lurching Apple Bloom to the ground flat on her stomach, her breath escaping with an “oomph!” Her rear legs kicked out against the cart, causing one to reciprocate with a spark of pain. “Ow!” she winced, looking back at her rear hooves. The wound near the cracked hoof had reopened on impact, scar tissue tearing away from the skin. A small stream of blood began to trickle out. “Consarnit!” she cursed at the sight. Apple Bloom struggled out of the harness and hobbled over to the sunken side of the cart to investigate, favoring her uninjured rear hoof.

The front right wheel had found its way into a pothole in the road, sinking several inches downward and making the cart sit lopsided. Ugh, Ah usually remember ta avoid that dumb hole, the young mare berated. Some of the crops had tumbled out the side, laying strewn about the road. That didn’t matter to Apple Bloom, though: To the farmpony’s dismay, the sunken wheel had nearly snapped in two; it was only hanging by a thread. Splinters of wood jutted out every which way. “Oh fer pony’s sake!” she yelled in pure frustration. “Now Ah gotta fix this ‘fore Ah can get movin’ again,” she moaned, starting the journey back to the farm to fetch the tools she needed for the repairs. “Oh, Ah’m gonna be so late.”

The worried pony half-limped all the way back to fetch the tools and supplies she needed to fix the broken wheel. She returned minutes later carrying a large toolbox in her mouth and balancing a fresh wheel on her back. Huffing, she plopped the tools on the ground with a thud and let the wheel slide off. The sweaty pony retrieved a few wooden blocks out of the toolbox and stacked them beside the cart. Her plan was simple: Lift the cart up and prop it up with the blocks so that she could replace the broken wheel.

Bracing her back against the sunken end of the cart, Apple Bloom heaved, gritting her teeth. She pushed and shoved until the cart rose a couple inches, but gave out before making any more progress, the cart slumping back over. She tried again to no avail, grunting in pain as her cracked hoof stung from the weight. “Looks like Ah gotta... lighten the load,” Apple Bloom breathed heavily. She quickly unloaded all of the crops and other burdens from the cart and set them aside, growing more anxious about the time. She threw herself against the cart again, pressing upwards against the side.

With the cart weighing considerably less, she was able to lift the cart sufficiently high. The wheel popped out of the pothole, hovering an inch or two off the ground. With her back under the weight of the cart, Apple Bloom reached for the wooden blocks with her forehooves. She gritted her teeth and grunted in pain as the agony in her wounded hoof skyrocketed from sharing all the weight with only one other leg. Her face contorted in pain as she shoved the blocks under the cart and gratefully stepped out, holding her injured hoof aloft. The blocks did their job, holding the cart off the ground so the broken wheel could be replaced. “Owie...” Apple Bloom grimaced, biting her lower lip as pain pulsated up her leg. Oh, it hurts!, she agonized. ...Focus, Apple Bloom. Jus’... jus’ focus an’ git the job done, she coached herself as she picked up the spare wheel. The determined farmpony furrowed her brow and snorted, hopping over to the broken wheel with the replacement rolling alongside her.

Minutes ticked by as Apple Bloom worked, not missing a beat in the repair process: Pin out, old wheel out, new wheel in, pin back in. She gave the six-spoked object a test spin on the axle, and it performed admirably. Satisfied, the yellow pony once again took position under the cart, ducking under with her head to put the weight down on her forehooves instead. With her good rear leg, she kicked the wooden blocks out and gently set the cart down, inching it forward slightly so that the new wheel wouldn’t sink into the pothole. She backed out from under the cart once it rested on the ground again. Not wasting any time, Apple Bloom rushed about the path, scooping up falling crops and depositing them in their respective baskets. She wasted no time getting the baskets back onto the cart, and was just putting the toolbox up to sit alongside the crops when she heard the town clock off in the distance. Market’s startin’! she panicked, three-leg-hopping up to the harness and quickly squeezing herself in. She started to tug away but stopped herself from taking off at a dead sprint.

“Now jus’ hold on, Apple Bloom,” she reminded herself, “there ain’t no reason ta rush. The crops’ll just spill an’ there’s hardly anypony at market this early anyway.” She started again, pulling the cart at a normal pace. She gingerly hopped off her injured hoof every time it touched the ground. Panting from the unexpected repair job and cracked hoof still trickling out a little blood, the young farmpony made her way into Ponyville for her second day of market.

Apple Bloom cut a swath through the street crowded with ponies as she made her way through town. She didn’t stop to wave at anypony she came across, instead flashing a quick smile as she hustled to the market place. At last, she pulled into the usual spot, and wasted no time in prepping the cart for the coming day’s work. Her panic evaporated as she was getting set up, as there were hardly any ponies in market yet. As she stepped behind her now-prepared stand, she breathed a sigh of relief. Guess Ah was worryin’ fer nothin’, she mused. Don’t think Ah missed a single customer! She grinned at the thought, but winced when a twinge of pain reminded her of another cosmetic issue ahoof. She glanced down and grimaced at the sight.

That don’t look too good, Apple Bloom cringed, her injury traced with dried blood. Better take care a’ that. Don’t want nopony givin’ me funny looks again. The young mare grabbed an empty bucket from her cart and limped over to the water fountain. She returned with it full of water and set it down beside her by the stand, sticking her hoof in shaking it around to wash the stains away. Her hoof cleansed, Apple Bloom shook off the excess water with a few kicks and turned her attention back to the market place, still holding her hindleg aloft.

The first hours of the day crawled by for the bored farmpony. There just didn’t seem to be many ponies interested in shopping that morning, window or otherwise. She’d gotten sales from a few regulars, but nopony else stepped up. When a pony happened across her field of vision, she would put on a welcoming smile and hoped that this would be the one to break her streak of boredom. After passing by without giving notice, Apple Bloom would slump back onto the counter, her chin resting lightly on its wooden surface. Ah almost wish Ah was in school right now. At least then there’d be a chance of somethin’ interesting happenin’, she thought. Realizing what had just transpired in her mind, she made a face and shook her head. She was bored, not desperate.

A series of metal clangs brought the yellow pony out of her stupor, her ears involuntarily flattening against her head. Apple Bloom and several other ponies turned to the source to see a pink mare sitting in the road, looking frantically about a scattered set of saucepans that had spilt off a slanted table. Recognizing the earth pony, Apple Bloom quickly trotted over to see if she could lend a hoof, limping along quickly. “Hi Daisy!” she said. “Need some help?”

Daisy, preoccupied with what was clearly a disaster, didn’t notice the farmpony approaching and jumped when she heard her name called. “Yah!” she startled. “Oh, hi Apple Bloom! Yes, I could definitely use some help!” She gestured at the broken table, whose turquoise cloth had since slid off much like the saucepans prior. “One of the table legs snapped! Customers are gonna see this disaster! Oh, what am I going to do about this?” the pink earth pony shook in panic.

Apple Bloom put up a hoof to Daisy’s mouth to quiet her. “Now no need ta fret, Miss Daisy. It can’t be all that bad,” she reassured. She went up to the broken table and examined the broken leg thoroughly. “This won’t take long at all ta fix up. Lucky fer you Ah jus’ so happen ta have exactly what Ah need!” She hurried back to her cart where the toolbox still rested, tucked away behind some baskets. She found a stallion milling about her cart, idly browsing the fruit and vegetables for sale. “Howdy, sir!” She greeted. “Be with ya’ in a moment. Gotta help Miss Daisy out with a bit of emergency repairin’. Be back in a few!”

Before the other pony could get a word in, Apple Bloom dashed back to Daisy with her toolbox in tow. Daisy’s panic had subsided somewhat as she busied herself with picking up saucepans off the road, stacking them by the table. Apple Bloom set the toolbox down next to the stack and got to work. “Just gotta straighten the leg back out an’ put in some extra bracin’ ta keep it from tumblin’ over again!” She informed. “It looks like ya’ stacked a little bit too much weight on it. Ah didn’t realize yer pans were so heavy.”

“...It wasn’t the pans,” the green-maned pony admitted. “I just saw the ugliest spider on the ground and leapt onto the table to get away from the horrid thing!” She shuddered again as she recalled the event. “Oh, it was dreadful!”

Apple Bloom stopped what she was doing and blinked at Daisy. “...Oh. Well, try ta jus’... run away next time? Don’t think this table’s designed ta hold ponies!” She smiled up at Daisy, who returned the smile abashedly, before getting back to work. A few minutes later Apple Bloom packed up her tools and proclaimed, “All done! Should be good ta go now Miss D!”

Daisy inspected the repaired table leg. “Remarkable work, Apple Bloom!” she exclaimed.

“Tain’t nothin’, ma’am!” the farmpony happily replied as she picked up her toolbox and started back to her cart.

“Oh, just one moment!” Daisy called out, catching up to the young mare. “Here, this is for you!” She tossed a small coin purse at Apple Bloom’s feet. “If you hadn’t been here I don’t know what I would’ve done!”

The younger mare looked down at the coin purse at her hooves. “Miss Daisy, Ah can’t accept this!” she said. “Ah did it fer you, not fer money.”

“Oh, don’t go worrying yourself over such little things!” Daisy chided lightly, “you’ve earned it! Now go help the nice young stallion at your cart. It looks like he’s been waiting for a while now.”

“Well, in that case, thank ya’ kindly!” Apple Bloom shouted before starting back to her cart, only to halt again when Daisy called out for her once more.

“Why are you limping like that?” Daisy got a closer look at the farmpony’s cracked hoof. “Oh my goodness, Apple Bloom! What happened?”

Apple Bloom glanced at her hind leg. A small pinprick of blood had begun to seep out again. The recent crack still bisected the hoof from top to bottom, although it looked a lot worse than it hurt at this point. “Oh, nothin’, just somethin’ that happens when ya’ buck apples all the time, ya’ know,” she offered, smiling. “Well, don’t wanna keep mah customer waitin’! Thanks again!”

Daisy seemed to accept the explanation, but shouted, “Well make sure you take good care of it! Don’t want to see it get worse!”

“Ah will, Miss Daisy!” Apple Bloom answered. An’ Ah gotta not smack it again ta do that, she thought. The farmpony got back to her cart, plopped the toolbox and purse on the ground, then flashed a smile up at the stallion who’d been waiting. “Terribly sorry about yer wait, sir. What can Ah do ya’ for?”

* * *

As morning gave way to afternoon, the crowd steadily grew. Hoofbeats were drowned out by vendors clamoring for ponies to browse their goods in lieu of visiting a competing merchant. Advertisements and pitches were slung around the street, while salesponies issuing friendly but competitive glances at one-another as consumers went about their shopping. Not wanting to make her throat sore from shouting, Apple Bloom opted to venture beyond her stand once again. Greeting ponies and trotting along with them, leading the potential customers back to her stand. One of the tips Granny had given Apple Bloom was to give the customers the widest selection available, and the best way to do that was to get them in front of her stand. The farmpony’s foray beyond her stand had netted her a few extra customers. Additionally, her supply of vegetables had started to find their way into other ponies’ hooves: Once she had brought them to the stand, Apple Bloom stood a better chance to establish a rapport with the pony, which made talking them into buying more than apples considerably easier.

Apple Bloom was not the only pony trying to sell her goods out from beyond her stand. Other vendors were also milling about the crowd, attempting to entice ponies to buy their goods. Lines seldom formed as most stands were unstaffed, save for the moment when a salespony returned with a potential consumer. Of course, there was little to distinguish a market pony from a patron. On more than one occasion one vendor would try to invite another to his stand only to realize who he was talking to. With a shared chuckle the two would part ways, each intent on finding a new pony. Apple Bloom had just finished another transaction and was walking out onto the road with her most recent customer, a brown unicorn adorned with a trio of potatoes on her flanks.

“Thank ya kindly, Tater Tot!” Apple Bloom said, “Ah’m sure that corn’ll go great with yer famous mashed taters.” She waved as the mare trotted off, who smiled back at Apple Bloom in gratitude. Once she was gone, Apple Bloom was once again on the prowl. She stalked along until she found a pony on his own, who was idly looking about the crowd. “Howdy! Nice day we’re havin’ ain’t it?” She shouted in greeting. “Feelin’ hungry, mister? Ah got some plump, delicious apples just waitin ta’... Oh.” She stopped her sales pitch when she realized who it was. The cream-colored stallion’s flank was decorated with two sets of green grapes.

Sir Colton Vines III turned to Apple Bloom when he heard her beckon. “Oh hi, Apple Bloom,” he greeted, a smirk on his face. “I think I’m well taken care of in the food department, thank you.”

“Heheh, didn’t realize it was you,” the young mare conceded, blushing slightly.

“No worries. I’ve bumped into three other salesponies today myself,” he admitted. “So how’re things down on the farm? I hear you’re on your own for a while.”

Apple Bloom sighed inwardly. Just about everypony in Ponyville seemed to know about her current plight, and she was starting to feel like a broken record answering the same question repeatedly. “Jus’ dandy, Sir,” she replied coolly, still grinning, “and Ah’m still gettin’ used ta all this,” she gestured about the market place. “Personally Ah’d stick ta apple buckin’, but this ain’t so bad.”

The two carried on idle chatter for a moment, both still looking about for a pony to sell something to. After a moment their eyes happened upon a pegasus who’d just fluttered down from the sky. Apple Bloom was quicker on the uptake. She quickly zoomed ahead of Colton and greeting the lavender gray mare, recognizing as a weatherpony who’d spoken in one of her classes at one point. “Well hi there, Miss Cloud Kicker! Fine day today. Ah see ya’ got all that white outta the sky!”

“Hey there, kiddo,” Cloud Kicker replied. “Wasn’t much to it actually, what with the cloud machines being down for repairs and all. We just had to clear out a few wisps and such. Got something for me to chow down on?”

Apple Bloom beamed. She wouldn’t have to work hard at all to sell something to the hungry pegasus. “Well Ah got some mighty fine apples jus’ over here in--”

“Apples are good,” Colton interjected, moseying his way up to the pair, “but grapes are better. They’re far softer on the teeth, cheaper and sweeter than apples, and lighter by the pound!”

“Wait a minute,” Apple Bloom began, “that last bit don’t make no sen--”

“So what do you say, Miss?” Colton added with a hint of a swagger from his eyebrows, “Can I tempt you into purchasing some luscious gooseberries?”

Cloud Kicker looked from Colton to Apple Bloom, indecisive. After a moment’s hesitation she stated, “Well, the grapes sound good enough for me, I guess,” she responded. “Lead the way, mister.”

The two older ponies headed for Colton’s stand, leaving a flustered farmpony fuming in their wake. “That fibbin’ grape peddlin’ phony hasn’t won yet. Two can play at this game!” she growled, stomping after the duo. Apple Bloom knew that telling lies never panned out in the long run, even if it didn’t seem that way at first. Her sister was especially firm on this point, leading by example whenever she could. The younger farmpony admired Applejack for sticking to the truth and turning the other cheek when faced with the chance to lie, even if it would mean righting a wrong.

However, Apple Bloom wasn’t her sister.

She approached Cloud Kicker, who was in the midst of shuffling through a saddle back to fetch a few bits, and tapped her on the shoulder. “Ya know those grapes have been fermentin’ in the sun fer weeks now, right?”

“Say what?” The pegasus balked, turning to Colton. “You said these were fresh!”

“They are!” the stallion defended. “Besides, even if they weren’t at least they don’t have worms living in them.” He leered at the farmpony.

“That ain’t true! You take that back!”

“You know what, I’ll just go to that field over there and munch on some grass...” Cloud Kicker muttered. “Uh, catch you both later!” She took off, heading back into the sky and forgetting about her meal entirely. Crazy salesponies.

“Now look what you did, Apple Bloom,” the cream colored pony scolded, “she didn’t buy anything!”

“What Ah did?” Apple Bloom retorted angrily. “She would have bought somethin’ if ya’ didn’t swipe her from me. She was about ta buy somethin’ from me too!”

“She made her own choice. I just gave her some options, young filly.”

The farmpony’s eye twitched. “Ah could outsell yer goods any day of the week, Sir Grapes-a-plenty.”

“Oh, is that a fact?” The stallion mocked. “Didn’t appear to be the case yesterday.”

Apple Bloom’s blushed. “Least Ah don’t gotta lie ta get ponies over ta mah stand.”

Colton scowled, but his anger started to drain away, “I wasn’t lying, technically...” he looked down at the ground, “...although I probably got a little carried away--”

The stallion’s admittance of guilt fell on deaf ears. “And ya’ got no right insultin’ our apples. They’re so good Ah’d bet they’d outsell yer crummy grapes in a day.”

Colton looked up at Apple Bloom, a glint of challenge twinkling in his eyes. “I’ll take that bet,” he answered.

She quirked an eyebrow. “Whaddaya mean?”

“Tomorrow we’ll see who brings in more bits and see who actually ends up selling more than the other,” he explained. “What do you say to that?”

“Ah say that if Ah win you’ll have ta do some work on the farm fer a day! An honest day’s work, fer a change,” Apple Bloom spouted. “If Ah lose then Ah’ll work in yer fields.” She held up her chin in defiance.

The grape harvester considered the stakes a moment, and then nodded. “Miss Apple Bloom, you’ve got yourself a wager,” Colton agreed, sticking out a forehoof expectantly.

“Yer on.” She hocked a load of spit into her hoof and held it out to the stallion. “Tomorrow we’ll see who the better salespony is.” Colton grimaced at the sight of the saliva-drenched hoof. “If ya don’t bump there’s no deal,” Apple Bloom warned.

Colton hesitantly bumped Apple Bloom’s hoof, quickly jerking back and wiping his own on the ground. “May the best salespony win,” he offered.

“See you tomorrow, Sir,” the fuming farmpony shot back mockingly, stomping away and leaving a bemused Colton behind. She plucked a Gala apple out of a basket from her cart as she settled back behind her stand and bit into it harshly. By the time she finished the apple, reason had caught up with her: If Apple Bloom lost tomorrow she’d lose a whole day of farming, which would set her back a considerable amount. And what if she had fill in for Granny at market again? Apple Bloom and Granny Smith had figured that the elder farmpony would be in good-enough health by that day, but they were only guessing. The young mare slumped onto the counter and sighed.

What have Ah just gotten msyelf into?

* * *

Apple Bloom wearily padded up to her bedroom, thankful that it was finally time for some rest. She was greeted by the cool night air as it breathed through the open bedroom window. Untying her bow and setting it on her dresser, the tired mare let out a loud yawn. She gratefully crawled into bed and sank into the mattress, the warmth of the blanket contrasting with the chilly room’s temperature. It felt quite soothing to the pony’s aches and pains. The only sounds came from the occasional breeze from the window and the soft ticking of the alarm clock. Apple Bloom felt sore and tired, and figured she’d have no troubles at all going right to sleep.

An hour later Apple Bloom continued to toss and turn, unable to get comfortable. Her mind raced along at a mile a minute, her thoughts churning over her wager with Colton. Her confidence in outselling the more experienced salespony had waned significantly as the day had worn on. Now, alone with her musings, it had all but dissipated. Nuts, what am Ah gonna do? she fretted, flipping over to her other side for the dozenth time. Ah’m gonna lose, Ah just know it! First Ah’ll have ta explain ta Granny about how I ain’t gonna be around fer a whole day. Then Ah’ll exhaust myself doin’ chores Ah’m not used to, an’ work’ll fall behind here on the farm, an’... Apple Bloom’s thoughts continued in this vein for a while, hyperbolizing all the negative outcomes of the next day’s competition.

Apple Bloom continued squirming around in her bed, blindly readjusting the blanket and pillow as her thoughts chugged away endlessly. Finally, mentally exhausted by repeatedly venting her frustrations, Apple Bloom calmed down. She kicked one of her legs to untangle it from her tail and turned to rest on her back and stare up at the ceiling. Well, there’s no use cryin’ over tumbled bushels, she concluded wearily. Just gotta try my hardest an’ accept what comes my way. That’s what Granny kept sayin’ after all... Just gotta keep on buckin’.... Her thoughts slowed and her eyes drifted shut as she was finally able to fall into a peaceful sleep, the alarm clock still diligently ticking away.

* * *

The brakes creaked as Apple Bloom locked them into position, going through the motions to prepare for market for the third day in a row. She moved mechanically, worries and concerns on the forefront of her mind. The farmpony paid no attention to any of the other ponies passing by, keeping her eyes down to the ground. She wasn’t even sure if Colton had arrived yet, and at that moment she didn’t care: Her goal for now was to get everything ready so she could then focus on what she needed to do to win.

Apple Bloom finished her preparations and glanced at the town clock. “Ten minutes left,” she gulped, “then this rodeo’ll be in full swing.” She nervously danced in place behind her stand, fidgeting with what she had on display. She moved some apples from one end of the counter to the other. A minute later she moved them back. After four round trips she stopped herself. Now calm down, Apple Bloom, she reassured, jus’ focus an’ do your best. That’s all anypony’ll ask of ya’. Her gaze jumped around frantically to other market ponies. They all had normal, simple days ahead of them. For Apple Bloom, though, there was much more at stake. She looked around the market place to see if she could catch sight of--

“Morning, Miss Apple Bloom!” Colton greeted the yellow pony as he ambled on over to her stand. “Ready for an exciting contest? Sure beats another run-of-the-mill day at the market place, don’t you think?” He chuckled, poking an Orenco apple idly. “Wow, what a bright red sheen this little guy has....”

“You touch it, you buy it,” Apple Bloom said as a way of greeting, shooing the stallion’s hoof away. “An’ ‘excitin’ is hardly the word Ah’d choose. ‘Day off’ sounds more right ta me,” she pridefully stood up tall, doing her best to hide her anxiety.

The blue-maned pony retracted his hoof and chortled. “That’s two words, you know.”

“Ah know it’s two words! It was a joke! You sayin’ Ah can’t count?” Apple Bloom raged, breathing deeply and scowling at her rival.

“Whoa, easy there!” Colton exclaimed, taking a step back. “That was a joke too! I didn’t mean anything by it,” he offered the seething mare a meek smile. “Listen, I didn’t mean to part on such hostile terms yesterday. I admit I got a little hotheaded and said some things I shouldn’t’ve. I just want to make sure that there aren’t any sour grapes between us, if you’ll pardon the pun” He held up a hoof for Apple Bloom.

The farmpony sighed heavily, rolling her eyes at the pony’s remark. “...Yeah, pretty sure Ah went a little overboard too,” she finally murmured, taking the stallion’s hoof in her own and shaking. “It wasn’t just you, though. Ah’ve been stressin’ out over this whole market thing, what with all the work Ah have pilin’ up at home and all.” Apple Bloom shrugged. “And Ah’m glad ta say that this is mah last day here fer a while. Granny’ll be ready ta run the stand again come tomorrow,” the farmpony smiled to herself.

“Hey, that’s great to hear!” Colton enthused. “Let’s just have ourselves a good honest competition, and may the best pony win.”

Apple Bloom grinned in challenge. “Got it, Sir!”

Colton nodded and trotted briskly back to his stand. Just as he returned, the town clock sounded the top of the hour. The mid-week rush promised to hit as hard as it usually did, with a steady stream of shoppers pouring in. The two competing market ponies didn’t have to pilfer from each other that morning, as both had sizable lines to contend with. At this point how much each pony bought from them determined who would strike an early lead. Neither pony would know who was winning, however, until they compared bits: Apple Bloom and Colton agreed to take a tally around the lunch hour. Until then, the fog of war blocked out any knowledge the two ponies’ progress from each other.

Apple Bloom started the day off well, making her usual batch of sales and then some. Apples were still her big seller, naturally, but corn and carrots alike were finding their way into ponies’ saddlebags as well. It seemed as if everypony in town was hungry and would buy whatever the farmpony offered, be it the tangy taste of an Idared apple or the crisp texture of a Nantes carrot. Apple Bloom’s customer-endearing smile grew from fixed to genuine as the morning progressed. This is amazin’! she prided herself. Ah’m sure ta be kickin’ Colton’s grape flank already! Dunno what Ah was so worried about. Every now and then she would steal a glance over at Colton, who also appeared to be doing quite well. From what the young mare could tell, his line was just as long as hers; and like herself he was selling grapes left and right (and, for the occasional pegasus, up). At one point he shot a glance her way and gave a friendly wave. Apple Bloom hesitated for only a second, then waved back in kind.

* * *

“Well, er, how about that?” Colton started, sweating nervously. “I guess I’m in the lead then, huh?” The market place had quieted down a bit. With a lull occurring before the inevitable lunch rush, he and Apple Bloom had decided to exchange figures while they had the break.

Apple Bloom was flabbergasted by the current standings. Colton had managed to earn twice as much as her. The grape farmer was proud that he was doing so well, but he didn’t want to boast in front of the distressed young mare before him. “Still got half the day left,” he reminded, offering encouragement.

The young farmpony’s face fell into neutrality, hiding her growing fear of losing. “Of course it is. Ah’m just warmin’ up!” she assured him, shooing him away with a hoof. “Now git on back. The lunch rush is a' comin’!”

The stallion agreed. “Sure. Best of luck!” he called as he retreated back to his stand. When he turned away, Apple Bloom visibly panicked. Okay okay okay, don’t fret now, she worried. He has a tiny lead, that’s all! Lotsa ponies’ll be here before the day’s over. There’s still time. She took a moment to tidy up the stand, replacing empty baskets with full ones and straightening out the banner draped across the front. Electing to work through her normal lunch break, she munched away at a carrot between customers. After finishing that off she started working on an ear of corn, nibbling away at the kernels. She got caught mid-bite as a new customer walked up.

“Hiya!” greeted the unicorn mare. “What’s that you’re working on there? Looks pretty tasty.”

“Oh, this is just mah...” Apple Bloom paused, gulping down her bite as an idea flashed in her mind. “...mah demonstration of just how scrumptious this corn is!” she finished. “Every bit of golden delicious kernels our corn boasts is just burstin’ with flavor,” she snapped a part of her midday meal off and offered it to the purple patron. “Wanna try some?”

“Oh, sure!” the unicorn floated the offered crop over to her mouth and happily took a bite. “Mmm... This is quite good!” she commented. “I was in the mood for apples, but I think I’ll go for some of this instead!”

“Great! How many can Ah get fer you?” Apple Bloom excitedly offered, nudging the corn-filled basket closer to the other mare.

“Oh just a few. I think four ought to do it!” the unicorn replied, picking four ears out of the basket before levitating money Apple Bloom’s way. “Take care!”

“You too, ma’am!” The farmpony waved, happy to have stumbled on a strategy that would possibly give her the edge she was looking for: Free samples. During the course of the lunch rush Apple Bloom had sacrificed over a dozen pieces of food, but turned a tidy profit in the process. The farmpony was kept very busy just like before, stopping only a moment between customers. Also like before, her rhythm was suddenly interrupted by two of her friends.

“Hey Apple Bloom!”

“Howdy!” She greeted, busy slicing up an apple for sampling and focusing on her task. “Y’all can have a sample if you like. Jus’ take a nibble an’-”

Sweetie Belle sighed. “Apple Bloom!” she yelled, having to snap the hardworking pony out of her spiel for the second time in a week. “How’s it going?”

The earth pony looked up from her work and saw Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle standing impatiently. “Oh, sorry girls. Very busy today, can’t stop fer nothin’!”

“But--” Scootaloo started.

“Can’t stop!” she repeated, “Ah made a wager with Sir Colton over there to see who could sell more food in one day a’ market,” she gestured over at the stallion’s stand, plopping apple slices down on the stand. “If Ah lose Ah’m gonna have to work in his fields fer a day, an’ I can’t afford that! ...So what would y’all like?” she added as an afterthought.

The two asked for some carrots, to which Apple Bloom happily hoofed over. The other two mares dropped their coins into the mostly-full chest of bits on Apple Bloom’s stand. Scootaloo whistled, “Wow, Apple Bloom, you’ve sure made a killing today!” she beamed at her friend. “Do you know if you’re winning or not?”

“Well, Ah’m not exactly ahead,” she said as she scooped the coins into the chest. “...Actually, Ah’m pretty far behind. But don’t you worry none, Ah’m sure I’ll...” she sighed, “...catch up. Anyway, thanks fer comin’ by again. See y’all later!” Apple Bloom put her smile back on her face and turned to the next customer in line as her fellow crusaders headed back towards the school, Scootaloo hovering alongside Sweetie Belle as they ate their lunch. The pair glanced over at Colton’s stand and noted that he was having just as much success as Apple Bloom, both lines snaking about the street.

“Was it just me or did Apple Bloom seem a little stressed?” Scootaloo remarked.

“A little?” Sweetie replied. “Try a ton. I don’t know if she’s going to have any luck if she’s so far behind already. I mean, look.” She gestured to the two lines. “I wish there was something we could do to help....”

“Yeah,” Scootaloo agreed, finishing off her lunch. She hopped off her hooves and glided alongside Sweetie Belle, thinking. “We could just give her some more money! That’ll help, right?”

“Maybe, but I don’t think that would be enough,” Sweetie Belle sighed. “Besides, what she need is sales, not just money. It wouldn’t be fair to that other pony if we just gave her some bits to buff up her profits.”

“Then what we’ll get,” Scootaloo landed in front of Sweetie Belle with a determined grin on her face, “is more customers.”

From behind the baskets of crops she was still trying to sell, Apple Bloom watched her two friends continue to chatter about what she presumed was something school-related. She longed to join them, boring classes notwithstanding, but knew she couldn’t just up and abandon her post. She pulled her gaze away from the two mares and returned to serving the long line of ponies standing before her stand. Her rhythm was interrupted when a familiar mare approached her.

“Good afternoon Apple Bloom,” Daisy greeted in a chipper voice.

“Oh, hey Daisy!” She greeted. “What’s up? Table need reparin’ again?”

“Oh no, it’s been quite sturdy!” she answered. “I actually needed to get some food.”

“Well Ah’ll gladly assist with that as well, ma’am,” Apple Bloom giggled. “Lookin’ fer somethin’ sweet, or perhaps some tasty car--”

Daisy dropped three bags of coins onto the counter. “I’ll take one bushel of these yellow apples here,” she said, indicating the full bushel sitting in front of the stand. “What are they called again? Loopy?”

Apple Bloom stared at the bags. “L-L-Lodi, actually,” she stammered. “Wh-what are ya’ gonna do with all them apples, Daisy?”

The pink earth pony giggled. “Oh, they’re not all for me! Rose, Lily, and I are having a bit of a picnic this evening, and these apples are simply great for use in all kinds of delicious recipes!” She gave the bags a nudge across the counter. “Besides, if you weren’t around I wouldn’t have quite so much disposable income!”

“Huh?” was all Apple Bloom could think to say.

“All that ruckus I caused yesterday ended up doing a lot of good!” Daisy explained. “Everypony must've heard my little tumble, because they stopped by in droves! Why by the end of the day I’d completely sold out, and thanks to your quick assistance, I was able to serve them!”

The younger mare blushed furiously at the compliments. “Really, it was nothin’,” she said quietly. She eyed the bags hungrily. “...Are you sure?”

“Now dear, you aren’t going to sell much if you keep questioning a customer’s insistence on making a large purchase,” she grinned, hauling the bushel onto her back with a grunt of effort. “Have a good day now!”

Apple Bloom remained stunned for a moment. “Thanks! Thanks a lot!” she practically shouted, beside herself with excitement. “Yes!” she said quietly, pumping a forehoof in the air. “Ah’m still in this!”

* * *

Time flew by for the young mare as she worked rapidly to catch up to Colton’s monetary lead. Daisy’s large purchase had given her a solid boost, but that alone wasn’t enough. Her thoughts dwelled on the wager as she moved from one pony to the next, hardly pausing for a breath and prompting the line to pick up its pace. Her spirits rose as the day wore on: She nearly forgot about the bet entirely and was full of pride in doing so well. When the large group of ponies trickled down to a sparse few, though, reality settled back into her mind. With no more customers to tend to currently, panic set in. Apple Bloom tried to distract herself by fussing with the stand’s baskets, deliberately averting her eyes from Colton’s stand. Ah’ve been goin’ as fast as ever, Ah’ve had to have caught up to him by now, she reasoned, replacing a nearly-empty bushel of carrots with a fresh one. But what if it wasn’t enough? What if Ah end up losing? She shook her head. Ah can’t give up now, just gotta keep focused. Her determined grin scanned the market place, which had started to become populated with younger fillies and colts. School must’ve let out already. How much time does that mean Ah have left? she wondered, looking about the young ponies. Huh, must’ve been a slow day at school. Sure are a lot millin’ abo-- Without warning, Scootaloo landed right in front of her field of vision, startling the farmpony. “Whoa!” she yelped, stumbling back onto her haunches. “Scootaloo! Ah told you not ta do that!”

The pegasus giggled. “Sorry, but it was just too good an opportunity to pass up,” she said. “How’s market going?”

“Oh, just dandy,” Apple Bloom remarked with a bit of sarcasm, standing back up. “Still quite a ways behind Colton Ah reckon.”

“Don’t worry about that, I’m here to help!” the orange mare assured, dropping a bit between the two. “I’ll take a couple carrots please!” she said, already reaching for a pair.

“Well, your business is always appreciated a’ course,” the farmpony thanked, “but one more bit ain’t exactly gonna turn the tides, ya’ know?”

Scootaloo nodded. “Yeah, I know,” she agreed. “But there’s more where that came from!” With a carrot tucked beneath each wing and a smirk on her face, the pegasus turned to the mingling crowed of young ponies and hollered, “Soup’s on, everypony!”

It was only then that Apple Bloom realized that the market place was crowded not with mares and stallions, but fillies and colts. At Scootaloo’s beckoning, every young pony in the street, from the kindergartners to those Apple Bloom’s age, trotted over and formed a line in front of the Apple family cart. Her eyes drifted across good friends old and new. Honeydew caught her eye and waved gaily in her direction, smiling brightly. The astonished farmpony was stunned as each and every one of her classmates obediently lined up and smiled at her. Scootaloo rounded the cart and stood beside Apple Bloom, who gave the pegasus an awestruck stare. “How...?” was all she could get out.

“Oh, it was easy!” Scootaloo said, standing proudly. “Sweetie Belle and I let the word out that you needed a helping hoof. We may have also gone on about how awesome your grub is.” She munched into a carrot. “I’ll help you out here so you can blast through the line no sweat. We got a test tomorrow anyway, so we can’t dawdle or any-- ack!”

The pegasus chocked on her bite as Apple Bloom squeezed her tightly in an affectionate hug. “Wow, Scoots, thanks!” the farmpony exclaimed.

Scootaloo managed to start breathing again and groaned. When several of her classmates began giggling, her cheeks turned rosy. “Alright, alright, you’re welcome,” she said, pretending to not care too much about the whole ordeal. “It wasn’t all me you know.”

“But you came up with the idea,” Sweetie Belle chimed in, trotting behind the stand and taking position opposite Scootaloo. “All I did was follow your lead. And we couldn’t just go home without helping out, could we?”

Apple Bloom gave the unicorn a similar hug, crushing the white mare with gratitude. More giggles followed, making Scootaloo roll her eyes. “Let’s just get to serving some hungry ponies, shall we?”

“Let’s get to it!” Apple Bloom agreed.

“Hey, maybe our special talent is being salesponies!” Sweetie Belle suggested.

"But you already found your special talent, Sweetie Belle," Scootaloo pointed out.

The unicorn blushed. "Oh... well, you know what I mean!"

Apple Bloom doubted this was where her special talent lay, but simply grinned in response. “Only one way to find out,” she said.

“Cutie Mark Crusaders Market Place Salesponies, YAY!”

* * *

Apple Bloom was shaking in her horseshoes as she tallied up her earnings for the day. Empty baskets surrounded the farmpony. Her third and final day at market had proven to be her greatest success. All of the vegetables had sold out and only a couple dozen apples remained, lining the countertop. A combination of nerves and exhaustion was making the young mare sweat profusely as she counted the bits and cents that comprised the day’s profits. Apple Bloom pondered her fate, trying to look at the bright side of things. Look at it this way, no matter which way the apple falls you’ll be back to doing good ol’ fashioned farmin’ as of tonight, she reasoned. But no matter what the outcome, Ah’ve given mah word. Ah gotta hold up our family honor, even if it means fallin’ behind.

The young farmpony counted her bits as Colton approached the stand with a spring in his step. “So how did your day go, Miss Apple Bloom?” the stallion wondered, eyeing the small inventory. “Looks like you’ve managed a wonderful turnaround. You must really appeal to your age group, what with all those young ponies walking around with your food. You should’ve seen some of the other market ponies’ faces!” Apple Bloom grunted in response, concentrating on her counting. Colton laughed nervously, but waited patiently for the young mare to finish counting before asking, “So what are you at?” he asked. Apple Bloom relayed her total to the stallion. She was certain she’d overtaken the older earth pony in sales. With Daisy’s large order and the support of her entire class behind her, she made a hefty comeback. And with such little supply remaining--

Colton grimaced and solemnly relayed his total.

Apple Bloom had lost by two bits.

She had prepared for this potential outcome, emotionally readying herself for this situation. She held her head up high, chin quivering only a little, and gave Colton a determined look. “Well alright, Sir Colton, you win. Congratulations,” she spoke softly, her voice cracking. “Ah’ll finish up what Ah’ve gotta do tonight and meet’cha at your place tomorrow mornin’. Gotta few things ta do before comin’ over.”

Colton forced out a smile as Apple Bloom turned around to start packing up for the trip home. His ear twitched as the young mare let out a whimper. He looked down at the ground, biting his lip. He was sure that Apple Bloom would pull ahead of him after all of those schoolmates of hers cleaned house. Other ponies ended up ignoring most of the other vendors because of Apple Bloom’s crowd. And the speed! he reminded himself. Those three mares worked seamlessly together. They moved through so many customers so quickly... But it wasn’t enough. His stomach growled, and the apples staring at him suddenly looked a lot more tantalizing than they had a moment ago. Colton grinned.

“So... I see you still have a few of those shining red apples left,” the stallion commented slowly.

Apple Bloom nodded glumly, unable to face Colton as she continued stacking empty baskets up. “Yep....”

“Well, I’m famished after that long day, and they look mighty tasty,” he lavished. “I’ll have one. I know the day’s at an end, but hey, help a starving pony out would ya?”

The young mare looked up for a moment, and then shrugged. “Sure, whatever. Just go ahead an’ take one.”

The stallion dropped some bits noisily on the stand and picked out one of the few remaining Orenco apples. “Oh, and you can keep the change.”

Apple Bloom raised her head and blinked at the three bits glinting in the evening sunlight. “But... but that means....”

Colton winked as he took a large bite out of the Orenco apple.

Apple Bloom did not prepare herself for this eventuality. Her vision blurred as she turned up to the blue-maned pony. “...Guess that means Ah won then, huh?” she smiled, blinking rapidly to clear her vision.

Colton finished the apple and grinned down at Apple Bloom. “See you tomorrow then?”

Looking back with an ever-growing smile, Apple Bloom replied, “At the crack a’ dawn, Sir.”

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A tiny clock, ticking away in a cozy bedroom, greeted a slumbering stallion as he started to stir. Sir Colton Vines III slowly lifted his head up and looked out his bedroom window with bleary eyes. Sunlight barely peeked over the horizon, illuminating the grape fields spread out from his home. Colton blinked a few times to clear his vision. He smiled as he caught sight of his well-kempt gardens. The many grape vines that stretched over the fertile soil glistened in the morning dew. Reluctantly turning his head away from the morning scenery, he glanced up at the diligent clock. Up on time, as usual, he grinned. Plenty of time for a strong, responsible, and, might I add, humble pony such as myself to grab some breakfast and do a little more reading before heading off to Sweet Apple Acres. The mindful stallion stretched, threw off his blankets, and stepped onto the hardwood floor. One of his recently-polished horseshoes slipped on a discarded bag of potato chips, sending the unbalanced pony careening downward. He was greeted was a face full of unwashed attire as he unceremoniously flopped onto the bedroom floor.

Muttering about needing to get this pigsty of his cleaned up one day, Colton got up and daintily trotted around the scattered mess of covers, comforters, and discarded food wrappings. He stepped into the dark living room and lit a few nearly-expended candles to give himself some light. The illumination revealed a moderate bookshelf leaning against the kitchen wall, whose shelves were almost fully-stocked with volumes about the many agricultures of Equestria. An empty shelf led the stallion’s eyes downward to follow a trail of hardcovers leading over to the cozy den. A solitary couch edged up against a small fireplace whose mantle was adorned with pictures and a large mirror. The earth pony rolled his eyes at the haphazard pile of books strewn about the couch cushions, decorating his furniture instead of his bookshelf. The farmer had really gotten into his research last night, and was a little surprised that he had managed to find his way back to bed and get a decent night’s sleep. Making another mental note to get things cleaned up, Colton made his way to the bathroom.

After a quick shower, the earth pony enjoyed a light breakfast. He chomped down on his toast, the luscious flavor of grape jam tickling his tongue as he chewed. Colton munched on his meal as he read through The Zen of Apple Bucking. He was a master of tending to grape fields, but was not well versed in other fruit farming techniques, so the studious stallion decided to sharpen up on the subject before heading over to Sweet Apple Acres. To accomplish this task, the pale yellow stallion had perused a small variety of books. His collection of agricultural literature was rivaled only by that of Ponyville’s library: He had just about everything one could find on farming and crops, from the Agricultural Almanac of Apples to the “Z”croll of Zesty Zucchinis (the latter of which Colton thought stretched the artistic license of spelling a little too far).

Colton was alert and attentive, rapidly skimming the passages as he ate. He was well learned in many fields of agriculture, but it had been some time since he studied the methodologies of applebucking. He wanted to make sure he would be at the top of his game. Goodness! Who knew there was so much to kicking apple trees? he mused. And here I thought all it took was a swift buck to the bark.

The sunlight outside intensified as Colton continued to read. The stallion had positioned himself in such a way to take advantage of it, grateful for not having to use what few candles he had remaining. The stallion’s one-story abode sat on the outskirts of the village, remaining just within earshot of the town clock. The location was a great one: It allowed Colton’s home to be a part of the town while leaving enough space for his sizable grape fields to prosper.

A faint ringing floated in from the Ponyville town clock into Colton’s home. Sounds like it’s time to head out, Colton surmised. He placed a bookmark between the pages and set the book down, washing down the rest of his toast with a swig of his drink. The earth pony polished off the carton of grape juice, tossed it into a bin, and trotted up to the den, lamenting the mess he was going to come home to.

“This place never stays clean,” he complained, looking up and coming face-to-face with the guilty party in the mirror. “I’ll have to speak to you about this,” he chided, chuckling at his own reflection. Colton wasn’t the largest stallion in town, but he was stronger than most. His short mane required little maintenance except for the occasional brushstroke. The farmer gave himself a quick once-over in the mirror while stealing a glimpse at his favorite picture: A photo of himself bowing before Princess Celestia as she tapped her horn on his shoulder. He smiled as he reminisced about that wonderful day. “Well, Sir Colton,” he said to himself, “time to make good on that wager.”

“Dumb flour.” Apple Bloom cursed at the bathroom mirror, glaring at her reflection. A white-coated pony stared back at her, with only the occasional splotch of red or yellow showing. All Apple Bloom needed was a horn and she could give Sweetie Belle a run for her money. The flour-covered mare gave her body another resounding shake, her mane and tail flailing about. Despite her efforts, the white stuff refused to budge, clinging to her fur from head to hoof. “How come Winona can jus’ shake it off an’ I can’t?” she muttered, giving up on that particular strategy. The collie had also been a victim of the flour incident, but had had the forethought to immediately shake herself clean at the expense of coating her master in more white powder.

Apple Bloom gave herself another look in the mirror, and couldn’t help but laugh. “Ah dunno if Ah look sillier with a flour coat or a poofy mane,” she commented. “Now Ah look like a ghost.” She waved her forehooves in front of the mirror in her best imitation of a specter and giggled. Her laughter was interrupted by a strong tickling in her snout. “Ah... Ah... Ahhhchoo!” she sneezed, sending a cloud of dust into the air.

“Apple Bloom, are ya’ cleaned up yet?” A voice called out from downstairs. “Chores ain’t gonna do themselves ya’ know!”

“Jus’ another minute, Granny!” the young mare replied with a sniffle. Sighing, she walked into the shower for the second time that morning, dousing herself with water to quickly clean the flour off. She finished up and dried off, making a pit stop in her bedroom to give her mane and tail a brush and to put on a clean bow, tossing the stained one into a nearby hamper. From her reflection, Apple Bloom noticed a few remaining splotches of white powder around her face. She hastily tried to wipe the flour off with a foreleg, irritated that even the second shower didn’t fully clean her off.

“Apple Bloom,” Granny warned.

“Comin’, Ah’m comin!” the yellow pony shouted, giving up on the flour and rushing downstairs. She passed through the kitchen and walked in the door just in time for Winona to pounce. The collie bounded into Apple Bloom, knocking her on her back and happily licking away at her face. “Hehe, nice ta see you again too, Winona. It’s been what, ten minutes?” She giggled, gently pushing the dog off her and getting back to her hooves. The young mare padded outside to find Granny in her rocking chair out on the porch, munching away at a Gala apple. “Alright, Ah’m ready!” Apple Bloom said, wiping some drool off her face.

“‘Bout time, too,” Granny replied. “Go on, get to yer chores, youngin’. No time fer dilly-dallyin’.”

Apple Bloom grinned. She was glad to see Granny back to her old self again, smiling as she hurried over to the barn. “Ah’ll get yer cart all setup fer market today first, Granny. Are ya’ sure yer up fer it today?”

“Ah’m fit as a fiddle, sweetie,” the old mare proclaimed. “An’ don’t you worry about that cart. Just get yer chores done before yer volunteer shows up.”

“Got it, Granny!” she called back, changing course for the chicken coop instead. “Winona, stay,” she said firmly to the collie trailing behind her. Winona pouted and flattened her ears at the command, but Apple Bloom didn’t waver. “We don’t need ya startlin’ the poor birds while they’re on their nests again.” Winona reluctantly obeyed, perching herself next to Granny.

Apple Bloom wasted no time in sprinkling out chicken feed across the ground and, once the chickens were pecking away at their food, gathering up their eggs. Once finished, she moved on to the pigs, filling their trough with slop and letting them have at it. Finally, she got to the sheep, letting them out of their pen and herding them towards an open pasture to graze. The pony counted the sheep as they jogged alongside her, but instead of falling asleep she grew a little concerned. Apple Bloom jogged up beside one of the older ewes. “Howdy, Woolma! Where’s yer friend Bethany?”

“Mornin’, young one,” the sheep greeted. “Oh, she didn’t really feel up to the whole runnin’ thing this morning. You know, ‘cuz of...” she trailed off.

“Oh, right,” Apple Bloom recalled, “but Ah thought that wasn’t gonna be fer a few more weeks at least.” She thought about it a moment, then shrugged. “Well, don’t worry about it. Mind scroungin’ up some grub fer her while yer out? Ah’ve got a ton a’ work ta do, otherwise Ah’d do it mahself.”

“Sure thing, A-a-a-apple Bloom,” Woolma answered, slowing down to an ambling pace. “Phew, I always enjoy a good run. Care to join us for breakfast?”

The young mare shook her head. “Already ate. Plus Ah still got lots ta do. Enjoy, though!” she shouted as she hurried back to the barn. She dashed up to Granny, who was just making her way out of the tall, red structure with the leaner market cart in tow. “Animals are all fed, Granny!” the younger mare reported.

“Good goin’. And not a moment too soon, Ah see,” the green pony glanced past Apple Bloom. The younger farmpony followed her grandmother’s gaze out to the edge of Sweet Apple Acres and found a blue-maned earth pony happily trotting along. “My, he’s a cute feller,” Granny remarked.

“Granny!” Apple Bloom said abashedly, turning red. “Please don’t say that in front a’ him!” she pleaded.

“Credit where credit’s due, Apple Bloom,” the old mare smiled. She pulled the cart up to the trellis arch and waited to greet Colton before she took off for the day. Apple Bloom followed and Winona brought up the rear. “Good mornin’, Sir Colton!” Granny called out.

“Good morning, Mrs. Smith,” the stallion reciprocated with a friendly wave, “and good morning to you too, Miss Apple Bloom!”

“Howdy!” the young mare said. “Ready for a day a’ real farmwork?” she goaded.

“Apple Bloom, be nice,” Granny chided lightly. “No need ta scare the poor feller away!” she gave Colton a wink. “Well, Ah’m off. Have a nice day you two!”

Apple Bloom ran up and gave Granny a hug. “You too, Granny. Knock ‘em dead!”

“She’ll have no trouble doing that,” Colton commented, “not with her biggest competition taking the day off and all.” He winked back. “Have a good day, Mrs. Smith.”

Granny nodded and set off for Ponyville with the small market cart in tow. The grape farmer turned to Apple Bloom. “So, where do we— gah!” Colton exclaimed as Winona leaped onto him, sending him to the ground and sloppily covering his face with kisses.

“Looks like she’s taken a likin’ to ya’!” Apple Bloom giggled. “Alright, Winona, that’s enough. Leave the poor pony be.” She walked over and gently tugged Winona off Colton, sitting next to the collie and petting her. “Guess I shoulda’ warned ya’.”

Colton lay on the ground laughing. “Oh, it’s no bother, really,” he chuckled, springing back up to his hooves. “She’s adorable!”

Apple Bloom gave the collie a one-legged hug. “Sure is! Her name’s Winona,” the young mare introduced. The collie barked in response, staring up at her new friend and happily wagging her tail.

“Sure is a friendly one,” Colton remarked, giving Winona’s head a friendly patting. He looked up to the younger mare, then squinted at her. “Uh, Apple Bloom? I think you got something on your face.” He rubbed his own to indicate where he was talking about.

“What? Oh! Just a little flour is all,” she said, absentmindedly wiping her cheek with a foreleg. “Had a little spill this mornin’ when rustlin’ up breakfast is all. But enough talk, we have plenty a’ work ta do!”

The stallion nodded, turning his attention to the orchard and all of its unharvested produce ahead. “Lead the way! I’m more than ready for my first day of applebucking.”

“It’s pronounced applebuckin’,” Apple Bloom corrected mildly. Giving Winona a last affectionate squeeze, she stood up and headed for the orchard with Colton following behind.

First day out in the orchard an’ learnin’ ta applebuck.... Heck not too long ago Ah was in Colton’s horseshoes, she mused. Ah sure have changed a lot since last summer.... With the older, yet less experienced stallion following close behind, the two farmponies made their way to the orchard. Winona brought up the rear once more as she hopped happily along.

“So what’s first on the list, Apple Bloom?” Colton inquired. “Usually I take to watering around this time—”

“Tain’t time fer waterin’: It’s time fer harvestin’,” the apple farmer interrupted. “And there’s still a mountain a’ trees ta buck. Literally.” She waved a hoof off in the direction of the sprawling hills covered in apple trees. “Not quite as many trees ta tend to as during Applebuck Season, but nothin’ ta sneeze at neither.” Apple Bloom picked up her pace. “C’mon now. Lotsa trees ta get to.”

Colton just stared blankly at the younger pony’s lecture. “...Yes, Ma’am,” he replied simply. Though he had a greater breadth of agricultural knowledge, Colton knew that a cram session on apple farming wouldn’t put him in Apple Bloom’s league. Winona trotted alongside the newcomer to the farm, grinning up at him. “I bet even you know more than me, eh?” he joked. Winona barked twice. “Thought so.”

The trio marched deeper into the orchard, up to where Apple Bloom had left off several days before. Apple Bloom stepped up next to a fruit-laden tree and turned to face Colton and Winona. “This,” she gestured, grinning, “is an apple tree. We gotta get all them apples from the branches,” she pointed up, “to them baskets,” she pointed at a stack of baskets off to the side.

“I think I figured that part out on my own,” the stallion laughed. “So now we just buck the bark, right?”

“After we get the baskets into place, you get ta start applebuckin’ away,” Apple Bloom corrected. “Afraid Ah still got a hurtin’ hoof, so yer on yer own. Hopefully you’ll pick up on the applebuckin’ technique better than Gale Force did.”

Colton barked out a laugh. “Gale? What was he doing here on the ground harvesting apples? Fresh Air has to wrangle him out of the sky just to get him home half the time.”

“Jus’ blame the weatherponies fer causin’ a ruckus ‘round here fer that,” Apple Bloom explained. “He was volunteerin’ so Ah put him ta work. Least he could fly up ta pick the apples, otherwise he would’ve been at it ‘till the cows came home.” She giggled at the memory of Gale fruitlessly bucking away at a tree. “Ah’m sure you’ll have no such troubles, though, right?”

“Of course not!” Colton answered immediately. “I did some reading before heading over, in fact. The idea is simple enough: Kick the tree, make the apples to fall into the baskets, carry the baskets indoors.” He pondered a moment. “Come to think of it, that’s something I don’t understand: How do you get all of the trees’ apples to fall into a couple of baskets on the ground? I guess it was pretty late, but when reading last night I didn’t understand a lick of it.”

“That’s precisely why there’s more ta applebuckin’ than just kickin trees,” the younger mare explained. “We’d spend half our time pickin’ apples up off the ground if they fell all willy nilly like that.” She knocked on the tree with a forehoof. “It’s all in the applebuckin’, plantin’ yer hooves just right and puttin’ in the exact amount a’ oomph into each leg ta jostle the apples just so. They sway and wobble enough ta change which direction they fall, and bingo! Into the basket!”

Apple Bloom put her foreleg back down and looked back at her injured hoof. “Big Macintosh usually only uses one leg. With his strength he’d probably buck the tree outta the ground with two! Applejack’s capable a’ one-legging it.” She sighed. “Wish Ah had ‘em teach me that one. It’d sure be useful ta know right about now.”

“Don’t worry, I’m a quick study!” Colton piped up to assuage the younger farmer’s woes. “Besides, I don’t think it can be that hard. I mean, all that mumbo jumbo about apples wobbling conveniently into baskets sounds a little far-fetched to me.”

“Oh ya’ think not, do ya’?” Apple Bloom spoke incredulously. “Well then, step right up! This tree’s ripe fer applebuckin’, and Ah’m sure you’ll have no trouble at all.” She issued a challenging glare his way.

The grape farmer smirked down patronizingly at the apple farmer. “Well, who knows? I just might surprise you!” Sticking his tongue out at Apple Bloom to show how serious he was, he trotted over to the tree and did an about-face. Tongue still hanging out in concentration, Colton lifted his rear hooves off the ground and delivered a kick to the tree’s midsection. In return, the stallion got nothing more than a sore head as a solitary apple fell from the tree and smacked against his skull. Apple Bloom made no effort to hide her smugness as Colton rubbed his head gingerly.

“Ya’ see?” she gloated, sticking her tongue out, “yer form was all wrong and ya’ tensed up way too much. The tree roots sure felt that Ah reckon, ‘cause that’s where ya’ sent all the energy from yer kick.”

“Huh,” he relented, retrieving the one fallen apple and depositing it in a basket, “I guess there is more to this than meets the eye.”

Apple Bloom nodded matter-of-factly, grinning up at the older pony. “Told ya’ so,” she gloated. “Now Ah can’t show ya’ how ta do it proper on account of my injury and all, but Ah can go through the motions and explain some things at least.” She walked up to the tree and took position in front of it. “Hopefully you can figure it out from there.”

Colton nodded, watching attentively. “I’m ready when you are.”

“Right,” the young mare started. “First, ya’ gotta look ‘fore ya’ leap, so ta speak. Ya’ gotta figure out just where yer hooves are gonna end up. Otherwise it just becomes a wasted kick.” She lifted a hoof off the ground and set it gently against the tree, tilting her backside upward in order to account for Colton’s height. “This is where ya’ oughta’ aim,” she explained. “Makin’ sense so far?”

“Mmmhmm,” the stallion answered, nodding thoughtfully. “So I was just a little off target?”

“Well, that’s part of it, but yer follow-through wasn’t too great neither,” Apple Bloom criticized, pushing off the tree and standing properly again. “You were so eager ta see yer results that ya’ sorta gave up on yer buck halfway through.” She giggled. “Least ya’ got ta see the apple that conked ya’ though.”

Colton rubbed his forehead again, “And I’d just forgotten about it too,” he complained. “Okay, follow through on the kick. What else?”

“Jus’ one last thing ‘fore Ah let ya’ go at it, ‘cause Ah got more chores ta do outside a’ babysititn’ the newbie,” she smirked. “There’s one thing that’s most important. Aim’s good. Followin’ through’s also mighty helpful. But above all else...”

“...ya’ gotta keep yer focus!” Applejack finished, taking her rear hooves off of a tree. “Don’t let yer wanderin’ eyes er anything else distract you. Got all that, Sugarcube?”

Apple Bloom wiped the sweat off her forehead. The blazing summer heat was bearing down on the pair despite the shade the orchard provided. “Ah think so,” the younger sister replied hesitantly.

“Alright, then, let’s see what yer made of,” Applejack said, stepping aside and observing carefully. Apple Bloom trotted up to the tree and got into position, squinting her eyes shut to concentrate. Focus, she reminded herself as she lifted her rear hooves and smacked the tree as hard as she could. Half the impact traveled up the bark while the rest reverberated up the younger mare’s legs. The startled farmpony gasped from the shock and lost her balance, falling to the ground. None of the apples from the tree followed suit. “Mighty fine kick ya’ got sis, but ya’ ain’t tryin’ ta knock the tree over!” Applejack commented, stifling a giggle and sticking a hoof out to help her sister up. “Ya’ only need enough ta send the apples tumblin’ down.”

Apple Bloom took the offered hoof and pulled herself up. “Right, a little less effort this time. Can’t say Ah object ta that,” she shook to get some loose grass off and padded back up to the tree.

“Once more, then,” Applejack prompted, watching a bird settle down on the soon-to-be-bucked tree. “Remember not ta overdo it this time.”

The younger pony nodded, once again closing her eyes and rearing up. Licking her lips in concentration, Apple Bloom struck. Not feeling any aftershock this time she spun her head around and upward, looking up eagerly to see the fruits of her labor pay off.

Not one apple shook. Neither did the bird.

“Uh, Sugarcube?” Applejack chuckled. “When Ah said ta not overdo it, Ah didn’t mean it quite so literal-like. Ah’ve seen Fluttershy kick harder than that.” She took her hat off and began fanning herself. “Sure is a steamy day, ain’t it? Maybe we oughta take a break....”

“Nu-uh, Ah’m ready fer more!” Apple Bloom protested. “Just lemme try again. Oooone more time. Ah’m sure Ah can get it!”

Applejack grinned. “Go fer it, sis. You can do it!”

Apple Bloom backed up to the tree and furrowed her brow in concentration. “Ah got this,” she spurred herself on, keeping her eyes open this time. “Not too hard, not too soft, stay on target, an’ focus....” Blinking some sweat out of her eyes, the determined pony lifted her legs and delivered a kick, sending a few apples into awaiting baskets on the ground.

“Yeehaw! That’s more like it!” Applejack exclaimed. “See sis? Told ya’ you were a natural. Takes most ponies weeks ta learn proper applebuckin’.” She patted her sister on the back. “Bein’ a member a’ this family sure helps Ah reckon. Oh, an havin’ a great set a’ teachers a’ course,” she winked. “Now just buck it a few more times like that an’ Ah’m sure you’ll get the rest!”

Apple Bloom cheered and went straight back to it, eagerly kicking the tree again and again, to the perched bird’s continued consternation. After a couple of minutes, the young mare had managed to convince every last apple to fall off the tree. “How’s that, Applejack?” she asked, breathing heavily and leaning against the tree. She looked up towards the blazing sun and awaited her sister’s reply....

“Well, ya got ‘em all down, that’s fer sure. Now ya’ got some apple pickin’ ta do,” Apple Bloom pointed at Colton’s hooves: The stallion had surrounded himself with the fallen fruit, only landing a few apples in the baskets.

“Well I got them all off the tree at least, right?” The grape farmer defended, leaning down to pluck an apple off the ground. “It’s not too hard to just gather them up once they’re within reach.”

Apple Bloom aided Colton in gathering apples. “True, but when ya’ got hundreds ‘pon hundreds a’ trees ta harvest there ain’t no time fer that sorta thing,” she reminded. “Applebuckin’ takes long enough without spendin’ time pitchin’ ‘em inta baskets. Plus, there’s less chance of ‘em gettin’ bruised.”

It took the duo only a moment to get all of the apples off the ground and into a pair of fully-laden baskets. The ponies shared a grin. “Well, guess I’d better work on that accuracy thing then, eh?” Colton asked. “Don’t want to be seen as an inefficient apple farmer.”

Apple Bloom nodded. “Do yer best. S’all Ah can ask. I ain’t expectin’ miracles er nuthin’.” She hefted one of the baskets onto her back. “Ah’ve got baskets set out fer the next few trees. By the time Ah get back Ah expect ‘em ta be ready ta haul,” she ordered, dragging the second basket along the ground with her mouth.

“You’re the boss,” the older pony acknowledged. Apple Bloom then turned her attention to the laborious activity of balancing a heavy basket on her back while dragging another along with her. Before she made it far, though, she halted, realizing she needed some assistance with another chore. “Come on Winona....” She lifted her head when she didn’t find the collie. “Hey... where’d she get off to?” the young mare wondered. “Here, girl!”

A moment later, the collie returned to the scene as she appeared from deeper within the orchard. “Chasin’ squirrels again, girl?” Winona responded with a couple short barks. Colton was confused as Apple Bloom seemed to understand the collie, nodding along to Winona’s response.

“What’s that mean?” He asked as he moved on to the next tree. “I’m afraid I don’t speak canine.”

“Oh, she said, ‘Yes, I chased some squirrels up a tree and around the orchard, then proceeded to return at your command,’” Apple Bloom translated.

Colton looked baffled. “Really?”

“Hehe, naw,” Apple Bloom giggled, “she was jus’ chasin’ some manner a’ critters fer fun. Ah’m not Fluttershy ya’ know!”

“Fluttershy? ...wait, she can talk to animals?”

“Yeah! I mean, sort of.... Aw nevermind, jus’ git back to it,” the youngest Apple remarked. Colton let out an amused sigh and did as he was told, delivering a powerful buck to the next tree in line. Still chuckling to herself, Apple Bloom resumed dragging the basket towards the barn while keeping the other precariously balanced. Winona followed closely behind, smiling happily at Apple Bloom as the apple farmer hauled her cargo out of the orchard.

It took Apple Bloom several minutes to reach the barn and stow the apple baskets away. She gratefully relieved herself of the burden and wiped her forehead. “Phew! Glad ta finally have apples ta lug ‘round again. Ah was gettin’ so far behind!” The farmpony worked her mouth a bit. “Ah oughta be takin’ just one basket at a time. Last thing Ah need is another splinter stuck in mah gums.” She ran her tongue over her teeth and shuddered.

Winona interrupted the young mare’s train of thought with a jovial bark. “You said it, girl,” Apple Bloom said, squinting up at the cloudless sky. “We’re bakin’ out here. Sure hope them weatherponies get in gear with their cloud makin’ thingamajig soon.” The roasting farmpony sat for a moment inside the barn for a reprieve from the hot day. Winona, in her boundless energy, continued to bounce around, albeit in the shade. Apple Bloom decided it was hot enough to break out some fresh, cool bottles of apple juice for herself and her volunteer. “Couple a’ those should be nice and refreshin’!” she figured.

Without a second thought the young mare dashed out the barn, yanked the door to the Apple cellar open, and made her way down the stairs. The subterranean structure stretched out underneath the entirety of the barn. Winona started making her way down when Apple Bloom shooed her back up. “Ain’t stayin’ down here long, Winona,” she remarked, “jus’ grabbin a coupla’ drinks.... Though it is mighty cool down here.” She relented and seated herself for a spell, enjoying the refreshing air of the cellar.

Apple Bloom idly gazed about the many barrels of apples awaiting delivery. Some would depart once they were fully paid for while others simply waited for the customers to pick them up. Along the edges of the cellar sat a series of shoulder-high tables, with drawers full of simple tools, nuts, bolts, nails, and other building accessories. Lining the walls were more tools, from hammers to screwdrivers to pliers to hoofsaws. Apple Bloom smiled and reminisced about all of the little projects she had conducted from her cellar workbenches. New additions to the Cutie Mark Crusader clubhouse were a common staple of her endeavors, but she had also branched out into fixing the farming equipment and even tried to invent some new tools. Her Auto-Applebucker didn’t turn out great, but it did manage to free up a lot more room for her to work in the cellar once the rubble had been cleared out. The yellow mare sighed wistfully: She didn’t have quite as much time to tinker as she used to.

“Right, enough lollygaggin’,” Apple Bloom stirred from her daydream. Trotting over to a simple stack of apple juice bottles in a corner, she took a pair in mouth and rallied herself up the stairs to brave the searing sunlight once more. Winona, having obediently waited outside the cellar, barked once and proceeded to bound around the yellow pony. Feeling sweat beading up on her forehead and eager to return to a shaded environment, the young mare made her way back into the orchard.

She and Winona were about halfway into the orchard when the collie suddenly stopped and pointed her head to the air, sniffing curiously. “Winona? What is it?” Apple Bloom asked curiously through the bottles in her mouth. The dog’s ears twitched once before she crouched and growled in Colton’s direction. Before Apple Bloom could blink, Winona sprinted deeper into the orchard, barking madly. “Whoa, girl! Wait up!” She quickly tossed the apple juice aside with a twist of her head and chased after the sprinting collie. Winona never became aggressive without a reason. Maybe it’s nothin’, Apple Bloom hoped, trying to calm her nerves as she galloped through the apple trees. Maybe it’s just them squirrels again. But... Winona was playin’ with them critters. She wasn’t as upset as she is now. Ignoring a familiar pain striking up from a rear hoof, she pressed onward, keeping the dog in eyesight. Looking forward, she could barely make out a stallion running back and forth around the trees he was supposed to be applebucking. When she got closer his frustrated voice became audible.

“Get back here you thieving little pests!”

Now it all made sense. Laughing in relief, Apple Bloom slowed down to a casual trot. “Go get ‘em, Winona!” she encouraged as a couple of the culprits bounced by her. The young farmer slammed her forehooves into the ground, spun, and chased after the rabbit. “Git back here ya’ varmints!” she shouted as they bounced away with their bounty in tow. The bunnies proved too quick for the young mare, however, and they quickly outpaced her, weaving through the trees of the orchard faster than she could run. Letting out an annoyed snort, Apple Bloom turned tail and headed back to Colton. The other rabbits had managed to elude the grape farmer. Winona was still hot on their trail, however: Apple Bloom could still hear her barking from further ahead in the orchard. She padded up to the angry stallion, smirking at him. “What’s the matter? Rabbit got yer tongue?”

Colton scuffed a hoof against the ground. “There I was, working away, when out of the blue came a stampede of those furry things!” he explained. “The next thing I know they were doing me the ‘favor’ of picking all the apples off the ground and running away with them.” He sighed and shot Apple Bloom a guilty look. “Sorry about that.”

“Comes with the territory,” the younger farmer shrugged. “It’s when ponies start thievin’ that we raise a fuss. ‘Sides, that gives ya’ more motivation ta get all the apples in the basket in one go. Easier ta watch an’ all that.” She picked a lone apple off the ground and casually tossed it into a nearby basket. “Ah’m surprised that them critters caught ya’ by surprise, though. Don’t ya’ have ta fret over varmints in yer vineyards?”

Colton shook his head, venting some frustration by resuming applebucking and kicking the next tree in line. “Nah, rabbits don’t seem to care for my crop too much,” he answered, sighing softly as apples seemed to fall everywhere but inside baskets. “Birds, on the other hoof, love grapes. I can’t imagine one flying off with an apple, but tiny grapes? If I didn’t have that scarecrow out in the field I could kiss my crops goodbye.”

Apple Bloom smiled at the thought of a bird trying to make off with an apple. “Well, the important thing is that you survived the ambush,” she giggled. “An’ it looks like ya’ just about finished up where Ah expected you to. Good job!” As she reached for a basket to heft up onto her back, Winona sprung out from the trees with a pair of apples wedged in her maw. She promptly dropped them at Apple Bloom’s hooves, smiling pridefully at her master. “Good work, girl!” she praised, rewarding her with a loving pat on the head. “See, yer chasin’ did some good.” Apple Bloom dropped the pair of apples into the basket and lifted it onto her back. “Why don’tcha keep Colton company this time? Prevent them rabbits from gettin’ a second course an’ all.” Winona barked once in response and trotted back over to the stallion. Apple Bloom shouted over her shoulder as she headed back to the barn with her cargo. “Keep it up, Sir! We got a lotta trees ta work through!”

The grape farmer smacked another tree with his rear hooves. “You got it, Apple Bloom. Think I’m getting the hang of this, anyway!” He jumped as a falling apple bounced off his back.

Apple Bloom giggled at Colton’s expense before heading off with another basket. Winona watched Colton curiously, interrupting her study of the stallion with the occasional scan around the premises, keeping an eye out for any more ne’er-do-wells looking for a free lunch. The grape farmer continued applebucking away, continuing the procedure he had quickly adopted: He would study the tree for a moment, carefully position himself, then fire away. It was slow going, but he found himself having to pick fewer apples off the ground this way.

By the time Apple Bloom returned to collect another basket, Colton had nearly finished up his fourth tree. The young mare came prepared with another dozen empty baskets resting on her back. She made short work of distributing them between the next trees down the line. With a smile and encouraging nod towards Colton, she quickly headed back off with another full basket. The process continued on for a couple of hours, with Colton collecting and Apple Bloom hauling, until the younger Apple found the older grape farmer lying on the ground, preoccupied with catching his breath and tending to his sore legs.

“Phew! Feels like my rear legs are gonna fall off!” he commented, massaging them gently. “I can’t imagine how you’re expected to do this all day.”

“Aw, ya’ just get used to it,” Apple Bloom replied. “Ya’ lasted longer than I thought anyhow. Ah was just comin’ ta grab ya’ fer lunch. Think yer capable a’ walkin’ back on yer own, or am Ah gonna have ta carry ya’?”

The tired stallion got up slowly, his back legs quivering under the stress. “I think I can manage,” he said finally.

“Well alrighty then!” The young mare grabbed a basket filled with apples and slung it onto her back. “Let’s git back and chow down!” Winona, who’d taken Colton’s brief respite as an opportunity to rest, picked herself up off the ground and stretched. She dashed to catch up and trot by the two ponies’ sides as they made their way back to the farmhouse.

Though Apple Bloom was encumbered, the weary legs of Colton could barely keep pace with the younger farmer. “So what all else do you do around here?” he asked in a vain attempt to take his mind off his tired muscles.

“Oh, tons!” the younger farmpony enthused. “Got plenty a’ livestock ta take care of. You know, feedin’ an’ tendin’ to the youngin’s an’ all. We have crops other than apples ta tend to a’ course. Carrots an’ corn fer instance,” she smirked. “Usual farm stuff. On tha whole, though, we’re apple farmers through and through!”

“Yeah, I can see that,” Colton remarked, gazing about the seemingly-endless rows of apple trees. He was scrutinizing the many varieties of apples growing around him when something reflecting off the ground caught his eye. “Hey, are those... bottles?”

“Land sakes, Ah forgot!” Apple Bloom exclaimed. “Ah was bringin’ somethin’ out for us ta drink when them rabbits showed up. Sure they’re still chilled maybe?” she hoped.

Colton put a foreleg up to the bottles. “Well... they’re wet,” he observed, wiping some condensation off the bottles. He grabbed them in his mouth and rejoined Apple Bloom and Winona.

“Well shoot. Guess Ah’ll fetch a couple fresh ones fer lunch,” Apple Bloom said.

“And what’re we having?” Colton inquired, working the bottles idly around.

“You’ll see!” Apple Bloom smiled.

Their idle chatter carried on until they finally reached the house. Apple Bloom instructed Colton to wait outside at the picnic table while she rushed in and prepared lunch. Winona sat with him, staring at the farmer with a goofy expression. He bent down to pet the pooch, running a hoof all the way down her back. “You sure like attention, don’t you?” Winona responded by sloppily slurping the stallion’s snout and chasing her tail. “I’ll... take that as a yes,” he chortled, wiping off the offending drool. He didn’t realize just how hungry he was until Apple Bloom came back with a tray of food and a couple of fresh bottles of apple juice balanced on her back. The older pony’s stomach heralded the arrival of lunch.

Apple Bloom set the tray down on the table. Her ear twitched when Colton’s stomach spoke up. “Somepony’s hungry,” she drawled.

The ravenous grape farmer shrugged. “Guess I am,” he said, his belly contrasting the meek response. He smirked and sipped on some apple juice as Apple Bloom divvied up the sandwiches and took her seat opposite her volunteer for the day. Winona’s gaze traveled between the two ponies, eyes begging. “What about her lunch?” Colton asked, taking a large bite out of his sandwich.

“She knows where her food is,” Apple Bloom explained, giving the collie a knowing glare. Winona gave up on her quest for pony food and reluctantly trotted over to her doghouse, where her lunch awaited. “She only tries that tactic a’ hers when we have guests,” she sighed, taking a hefty bite out of her own meal. “Not that we don’t oblige her every now an’ then, a’ course,” she admitted.

“Heh, well, she’ll have to work a lot harder to con me out of a few table scraps.” Colton polished off the rest of his sandwich in a not very gentlecolt-like fashion, shoving the last half of it into his mouth. Swallowing the large bite, he blinked in surprise. “Wow, I was hungry.”

“That and a slow eater,” Apple Bloom commented, already working on her second sandwich. He blinked again.

“How did you... when did...” he flustered, “...Where do you put it all?” The voracious mare just smiled and shrugged, cheeks puffed out. Colton stared and drank some more apple juice as Apple Bloom finished her meal. She punctuated the performance with a loud belch.

“‘Scuse me,” she giggled, politely putting a hoof up to her mouth.

“Apple Bloom! That wasn’t very ladylike!” Colton exclaimed in mock detestment. The younger pony had her head tilted up with her bottle in mouth, chugging down apple juice as Colton spoke. She raised a curious eyebrow as she finished her drink. The older farmer snorted. “There’s only one way to set you straight.”

“Oh yeah?” Her retort was just as genuine. “What’s that? A hoof wrestle?” She rolled her eyes.

Colton blinked, then grinned, setting a foreleg on the table and holding the corresponding hoof in front of his face. “You got it.”

Apple Bloom blinked twice, then burst out laughing. “Oh that’s rich, Sir!” she giggled. “Like you an’ those grape-pullin’ muscles a’ yours would win in somethin’ like that when sparrin’ against an Apple!”

The grape farmer grinned. “Well come on, then,” he challenged. “This earth pony’s done more than grape harvesting, you know. He just might surprise you.”

The apple farmer stifled another laugh and gladly set her own foreleg up on the table, hooking into Colton’s awaiting hoof. “One.”

“Two,” Colton followed, licking his lips.

“Three!” both shouted before trying their best to force the other’s hoof onto the picnic table’s surface. They grunted and snorted, teeth grinding and eyes squinting as each one attempted to force the other’s hoof down. The competing limbs wobbled on the table, but neither one made any significant progress. The sun beamed overhead, expediting the perspiration process that the two ponies were going through. After a solid minute of hoof wrestling, the two stared into each other’s eyes.

“You’re a mite stronger than Ah thought,” Apple Bloom admitted, whipping her head to the side to displace some sweat.

“And here I was thinking all your strength would be in your hindlegs,” Colton shot back, smiling and sweating all the same.

“Likewise, Ah thought the grape... harvestin’ was all in the mouth,” she struggled out between breaths. Her hoof started to lean closer to the table, the stallion taking the lead.

“Giving up?” he grunted.

“Not a chance.”

Apple Bloom made up the slack and forced the hooves back up to the starting position, but couldn’t gain a lead of her own. “Ya’ use hooves fer gardenin’ too?”

“Nah, you were right about the mouth thing,” he affirmed, sweating profusely. “Sure I dig with... with them sometimes, but we have tools for that sort of thing.” He snorted loudly, gaining a little ground again. “As I said, I’ve... done more than grape farming, you know.”

“Oh yeah? Like what?”

“Let’s just say that there’s a reason I... was... knighted!” he exclaimed, suddenly pushing against Apple Bloom’s hoof with a great surge of strength. The younger pony winced as her own hoof smashed into the wooden table. She nearly lost her seat in the process, but managed to keep her balance.

Apple Bloom wiped some more sweat off her brow with the noncompeting foreleg. “Phew.... Wasn’t expectin’ that,” she admitted honestly, shaking her other foreleg around to loosen it up. “Ah was givin’ it mah all too!”

“Well, I am a fully grown stallion who’s farmed all his life,” he pointed out. “You gave it a good effort though. You even made me break a sweat,” he admitted with a sly grin. “I thought it’d be no contest. You’re much stronger than you look!” he praised, holding out his hoof to the defeated mare. “Next time, cover your mouth before unleashing such a ferocious belch.”

Apple Bloom smiled and completed the ritual, bumping her hoof against his. “Shoot, an’ Ah wrestle with mah sibs all the time,” she lamented. She winced a little as she set her foreleg back down on the table and inspected it. “So... Sir Colton,” she emphasized, looking up to the stallion. “Knighted, huh? By the Princesses an’ everything? What for?”

Colton finished off his bottle of apple juice with the younger mare following suit. “Not for grapes if that’s what you’re thinking,” he chuckled, toying with his empty bottle. “It’s a really funny story, actually. You see, when a few friends and I were outside Equestria, exploring lands across the sea, we came across an ancient—”

Before Colton could elaborate on what he and his friends had found, Winona decided to interrupt with a series of loud barks. She bounded up to the two ponies, vocalizing her arrival and putting two legs up on the table, nearly bumping noses with Apple Bloom and panting in her face.

“Looks like something spooked her good,” Colton commented.

“Ain’t no way nothin’ scared Winona,” the younger mare assured before turning her attention to the panicking collie. “What’s the matter girl? Chickens escapin’? Stampede comin’ our way?” The dog barked a few more times, wearing a frown and dashing a few steps away, then running back. “Lookin’ like she wants us ta follow her,” Apple Bloom guessed, getting up. When she stood up Winona took off not for the chicken coop, but for the sheep pen. “...Oh boy,” Apple Bloom gasped. “Colton, follow me. Think Ah’m gonna need your help.” She sped up to a full gallop.

Colton shot Apple Bloom a puzzled look, but got up and began chasing after the younger pony. “What’s up?”

Apple Bloom turned, giving Colton a look filled with nervousness and determination. “Ah think we got ourselves a newborn on the way.”

Colton nearly stumbled in surprise. Barely keeping balance, he caught up to Apple Bloom. “Uh, when you say that, do you mean—”

“Yes!” Apple Bloom interjected, the two equines stopping in front of the sheep pen. “Bethany’s a little early but Ah guess the youngin’s comin’ out now!”

The stallion’s jaw dropped to the ground. “You mean she’s... having a baby?”

“Didn’t Ah just say that?” Apple Bloom asked incredulously as she undid the lock on the pen and swung the gate open. She stepped in front of the opening and turned to address the fidgeting sheep within. “Alright, listen up!” the young mare commanded. “Every one a’ ya’ll that ain’t deliverin’, out. We need as much space as we can muster. Winona!” she craned her neck down and to the side to face the collie. “Lead ‘em to the feedin’ grounds. Now y’all get a move on. Hup to! Let’s go!” she finished with an air of authority in her voice.

The flock obediently left the pen, following the familiar path with the guidance of Winona, who was barking and running circles around the flock. During this process, Colton had remained completely still, mouth continuing to hang open as the sheep marched out of the pen. Apple Bloom caught sight of the dumbstruck pony and smiled faintly. “You’ve never done this before have ya’?” she asked.

The grape farmer’s head moved an inch in either direction. “Nuh-uh. Grapes only. Never had to work with animals at all,” he explained, working his jaw haphazardly.

“But didn’t ya’ just say that you’ve done more than gra—”

“I’ve never done this!” Colton clarified. He peered nervously into the open pen. The enclosed area was now barren, save for a pair of ewes and a ram. The stallion easily spotted the mother-to-be lying on the ground between the other two, who seemed busy trying to comfort the ewe in labor. A frightened look remained affixed on his face.

Apple Bloom wore a serious expression. “Enough gawkin’,” she snapped Colton out of his daze. “We need ta make Bethany here more comfortable. Just stick next to me first, so we can see what all she needs,” she ordered, looking back at the flummoxed stallion as she entered the sheep pen.

Colton blinked at Apple Bloom and worked his mouth a bit more. “Sure,” he said with a tiny nod.

Nodding, Apple Bloom turned back to find the three sheep staring. One of them, the mother-to-be, bore a pained expression. In the space of an instant, the mare’s face grew compassionate. “How ya’ feeling, Bethany?” she asked softly as she trotted to the ewe’s side.

The laboring sheep, grimacing, opened an eye and looked at the concerned mare. She gave a brief smile before wincing again. “Oh, just da-a-a-andy,” Bethany squeaked. Sweat dripped down her face as sparks of pain shot through her.

The ram, looking nearly as pained as his wife, leaned down to give the ewe a comforting nuzzle. “Hang in there, baby,” he said, turning to Apple Bloom. “Our child’s welfare is in your hooves, little one. Are you sure you’re up to this? Usually it’s one of your older kin that takes care of matters like these.”

The mare gave a resolute nod, blushing at the ram’s comments. “Sure as sugar, Abraram. An’ don’t worry, Ah’ve watched mah sibs do this a dozen times at least!” She gave him an encouraging smile.

“A-a-a-a-apple Bloom?” Woolma asked, her stutter driven more by hesitation than instinct. “Are you sure about this?”

Apple Bloom gulped. “Don’t ya’ start frettin’ on me now!” the farmpony exclaimed, a little harsher than intended. “Now hush up and comfort yer friend here,” she ordered, gesturing to Bethany.

“Ma-a-abye so, but what if...” Woolma trailed off, tilting her head as she squinted at Apple Bloom’s head. “Uh, Apple Bloom? What’s that you got on your face?”

“What? What’s on...” she started, before realizing what Woolma was talking about. “Ugh, just some flour from a spill this mornin’,” she answered, hastily rubbing her cheek to clean it off. The young mare gave a small sigh to try and calm her own nerves down and smiled. “Don’t worry about it. We’ve got more important things ta do now! Let me an’ Colton take care a’ y’all.”

Woolma peered behind Apple Bloom. “Maybe I’m getting on in my years, but what’s that stallion gonna do from all the way over there?”

“Wha...?” Apple Bloom turned around to find Colton back outside the pin, facing away from the group and whistling nervously. “Oh, fer...” she galloped over to the edge of the pen. “What’s gotten into you, Colton? Ah need help here!”

Colton stopped whistling and started rocking back and forth on all four hooves. “Oh? Help you say? With what?” he asked carefully.

Apple Bloom trotted around to face the stallion head on and bumped her snout up against his, glaring. “Whadda ya’ think?” she deadpanned.

Colton gulped. “Shouldn’t...!” his voice cracked. After clearing his throat and putting on a nervous smile, he tried again. “Shouldn’t we be taking her to a vet, or... fetch a doctor, or... something?” he finished lamely.

“No way, no how,” she answered with a shake of her head and a defiant frown. “We Apples take care a’ every plant, tree, an’ critter on the farm. Like Ah said, Ah got all the know-how we’re gonna need fer this.” She gave the taller stallion a piercing stare. “Why are ya’ actin’ so yeller anyway? Thought you were all brave and stuff.”

The nervous pony coughed out a laugh, averting his gaze skyward. “Well... I may have done some brave things once, but childbirth was never one of them!” he exclaimed. “What if I do something wrong? What if I mess up? What if I end up hurting—”

A screech from within the sheep pen cut Colton’s lamentations short. The ponies spun to face the direction of the yell, seeing Bethany wail in pain as the other two panicking sheep attempted to comfort her. Apple Bloom snorted and glared at Colton. “Enough horsin’ around,” she growled, stomping a hoof to get his attention. The startled pony immediately turned his attention to the younger farmer. “Listen up. You are gonna go into the barn and fetch as many blankets as you can find. Should be in a box up in the loft somewhere. After ya do that you’re gonna go fetch a nice big basin a’ water. Well’s right over there,” she pointed. “And you are not gonna cower and run, and you’re gonna be back here in five minutes. Got it?”

The grape farmer was flabbergasted from the sudden barrage of orders sent his way from the much younger mare. “Okay,” he said nervously. “I’ll... I’ll just go ahead and—”

“Go!” Apple Bloom shouted, startling the stallion. Colton’s face contorted in annoyance as he snapped out of his nervous funk and rounded on the younger mare.

“I'm trying, alright?!” he snapped. “I'm doing my best, but I’m really not comfortable dealing with this, and having you riding on me is not making it any easier!” He glared down at the apple farmer.

Apple Bloom winced at the shouting. She peeked back at the sheep to see if they overheard them. It appeared that Bethany’s own cries drowned out Colton’s shouts, as they were not looking their way. “Sorry,” she said meekly, averting his gaze. “Ah guess this whole thing is stressin’ me out a little....” She took a breath. “Would you go fetch me the blankets and water, please, Sir?”

The stallion breathed too, letting the pent-up frustration flow out along with it. “I think I can manage that. As long as you deal with the more, uh, intimate parts of the procedure. I’ll be back in a jiffy.” He nodded and took off for the barn.

“Thanks!” Apple Bloom shouted after Colton. After seeing him off, she turned and trotted back into the pen to do some preparations of her own. Her determined expression briefly fell into a worried frown as she approached the three sheep. First time fer everything.... First time.... Oh AJ, Big Mac, Granny.... Why’d y’all have ta be gone? she fretted, slowing her trot down and looking towards the ground. She took a couple of deep breaths, gulped, and put the confident mask back on, raising her head back up. Ah can do this, she assured herself just as she reached the trio.

Over in the barn, Colton raced about the floor, searching for a blanket-filled box. After knocking a couple bushels of apples over and upturning a few bales of hay, he let out a frustrated grunt. “Where are they?” he shouted in exasperation, rolling his eyes. The hoof-woven texture of a blanket hung out of a moderately sized box up on the loft, catching the frustrated stallion’s gaze. His eyes lit up at the sight. Colton quickly climbed the nearby ladder, having little trouble hooking his hooves over the rungs as he scrambled to the top.

Almost like I’m a little colt again, he reminisced briefly as he breached the top of the loft, not hesitating to toss the box of blankets to the ground floor below. He caught sight of a rope hanging from the ceiling, resting on the loft’s floor. Grinning, he dashed for the rope, leaped, caught it in his teeth and swung off the loft like a pendulum to the other side of the barn, gracelessly letting go and flying into an awaiting pile of straw. Just like the old farm, he giggled as he scrambled to his hooves. Colton wasn’t sure why he was suddenly thinking of his youthful years. Maybe my life’s flashing before my eyes, he thought, getting a little paranoid as he hoisted the box of blankets onto his back. He shook his head to clear it and galloped back to the pen.

“About time!” Apple Bloom announced Colton’s presence, tugging the box off of his back and brandishing a blanket from it. “Now get the water! Ain’t—” an angry stare from Colton interrupted her. Her expression softened as she giggled nervously. “Ah mean... please fetch me the water, if you would, Sir,” she amended as she took the box over to the sheep.

Colton exhaled and gave an irritated look to the back of Apple Bloom’s head. “No problem,” he said as the other two sheep began taking out blankets themselves. While Abraram was too preoccupied with the matter at hoof, Woolma gave the stallion a look of thanks. Excusing herself from the group, she trotted over to Colton with a meek smile on her face.

“Apple Bloom’s taken on quite a lot, here,” she remarked, watching the mare work. “She’s under a lot of stress, and has a ton of work to do. Yet here she is still taking care of us.”

Colton glanced down at the sheep, then turned back to Apple Bloom. Seeing past the initial guise of determination and focus, he noticed her worried demeanor. He sighed at the sight. “Right...” he spoke softly back to Woolma, “It’s easy to forget just how much pressure she’s under.” He caught sight of a laboring Bethany and gulped himself. This isn’t exactly a walk in the park for me either, he reminded himself, but I can go fetch things and take orders well enough to help out Apple Bloom, at least.

Giving a small smile and a friendly nod to Woolma, he took off, this time for the Apple well. As he arrived Colton saw a few moderately-sized basins surrounding the purple well. Wasting no time, he quickly undid the knot holding the bucket suspended over the mouth of the well and let it fall down, hearing a small splash a few moments later. He grasped the rope in his mouth and pulled hard, using his forelegs to hold it in place when he had to get a new grip. Grunting along with each pull, Colton quickly got the bucket back out of the well, tying off the end of the rope and tipping the bucket’s contents into the awaiting basin. The stallion wiped some sweat off and let the bucket fall once more, estimating it would take about five more trips to fill the basin adequately.

Back at the pen, Bethany let out another moan of pain as she panted on the ground. Abraram lay by her side, petting her and whispering words of encouragement. Woolma and Apple Bloom, having finished laying out the blankets, paced back and forth impatiently. “Is it just me,” the young farmpony asked, “or is this takin’ longer than usual?”

Woolma offered Apple Bloom a smile. “You know that the baby’ll come when it’s ready,” she reminded. “Remember how long it took for those little piglets to arrive? Why it took the better part of a day!”

Apple Bloom frowned at that possibility. She didn’t have a day to spare. “Yeah, Ah know. Ah’m just a little pressed fer time an’ all. It’s makin’ me all fidgety,” she confessed, trotting in place. “Shoot, Ah’m gonna drive mahself crazy if Ah’m not careful....”

“I’ve got news for you, darling,” a voice huffed from behind, “you Apples are already crazy.” Apple Bloom turned to see a smirking, sweating stallion ambling to the center of the pen. Colton panted a little as he encroached on the group with a large basin on his back. “I mean, just look at the sheer volume of produce you have here on this farm. It’s insane!” He chuckled, grunting as he lowered himself to the ground, letting the basin slide off to the side. A small amount of water managed to slip out as it hit the ground with a dull thud. Colton pushed his sweaty blue mane out of his eyes and laughed a little more.

Apple Bloom giggled back. “Guess bein’ a little crazy is okay, seein’ as it makes one of the largest buncha’ crops in Equestria!” she bragged, trotting to the basin. “Thanks a heap, Sir. Now we’ve got everything we need.” The mare gave an encouraging smile over to the three sheep. “Now comes the hard part.”

Colton, opening his mouth to say “you’re welcome,” instead hesitantly asked, “...And what might that be?”

Apple Bloom dampened a cloth with the water in the basin and wiped Bethany’s forehead clean of perspiration. After wringing the cloth out and setting it on the sheep’s forehead, she fell to her haunches and turned to answer Colton’s query. “Waitin’,” she informed with a sagely nod.

The nervous stallion blinked, then mimicked Apple Bloom by falling onto his own haunches, giving himself a moment to steady his breathing, which had gotten away from him when he had returned and caught sight of the sheep again. “Waiting, huh?” he confirmed. “I think I can do that....” He glanced idly around the farm, his eyes finally settling on one of the vast orchards. “Maybe we could get a little more work done in the interim?”

“‘Fraid not,” Apple Bloom shook her head. “Bethany could be needin’ us at any time, and we can’t be off doin’ other things when that time comes.”

“We’re sorry to pull you away from your work,” Abraram piped up. “We know you’ve got a lot on your plate right now, and we’re grateful that you’re here to help us out.” He smiled and took a seat opposite Apple Bloom to help comfort his wife, whose laborious breathing had grown more ragged.

“Ain’t nothin’, Mister Abraram,” Apple Bloom smiled up to the father-to-be. “But yer welcome all the same.”

The heat from the sun continued to bear down on the farm as the burning orb rolled across the sky. It intensified as the day wore on into late afternoon. Hours passed with Bethany the sheep stuck in labor with four other anxious friends and family surrounding her. Abraram and Woolma took shifts in talking to Bethany, speaking words of encouragement and praise to the laboring ewe. Colton sat patiently by the basin of water, keeping a watchful eye over the sheep. His nerves were still on end, which preoccupied the stallion some, but it didn’t show in his stature as he sat motionless with a flat, almost bored expression on his face.

Apple Bloom, however, was another story. “Come on,” she moaned with a scowl as she paced in front of the stoic stallion. She had had the insight to keep her voice lowered, but the combination of work not getting done and sweltering heat were getting to her. “This shoulda’ been done an’ over with already. What’s takin’ so long? ...An’ what are you smilin’ about?” She scowled up at Colton, whose mouth had twitched into a smirk.

“Uh, nerves?” he ventured, chuckling as his tail swished idly back and forth. “You were so calm and collected earlier. What gives now? Didn’t you say this could take a while?”

“It could take a while, but I hoped it wouldn’t,” she hissed quietly. “I just hate idlin’ around an’ waitin’ fer somethin’ ta happen.” She picked up her nervous pacing, driving small divots into the ground as she about faced every few seconds. Colton continued to look on in amusement.

“I can see that,” he sat up and took a step forward to block Apple Bloom’s path. The younger mare glared at him. “But you should probably force yourself to sit down and not look like the world’s going to end. I don’t think Bethany needs to see a panicky pony right now.”

Apple Bloom’s defiant expression changed into one of worry. Peeking around the stallion’s form, she thankfully observed Bethany not looking her way. She sighed in relief, but then recalled the reason for her fretting. “The day’s escapin’ us and nothin’ else ‘round the farm’s gettin’ done!” she lamented, letting her head droop to point at the ground. “Granny’s gonna come home an’ find out that Ah’ve done nothin’ but—”

“—but assist in the birth of a new life?” Colton interrupted. “Be there for creatures on your farm that need your aid? Comfort that sheep there,” he tossed his head in the direction of the laboring ewe, “when she needs all the support she can get? I dunno, Apple Bloom. Something tells me that she’ll forgive you,” he smiled as he patted the young mare reassuringly on the head. She craned her head upward and smiled weakly.

“Well... when you put it that way...” she spoke shyly. “I guess it’s all worth it. I gotta stay focused, and not worry so much.” The younger farmpony had just calmed down when a voice from behind startled her.

“Apple Bloom!” Woolma cried. “It’s time!”

The ponies’ heads immediately swiveled around to address the shrieking ewe, who was sitting just behind Bethany. Abraram, who was resting his head just beside his wife’s, bolted straight up onto all fours with wide eyes. “It’s... It’s... time?” he squeaked. Before anypony could blink, he immediately flipped onto his back, legs sticking straight up stiffly as he bleated faintly.

“Yee haw!” Apple Bloom exclaimed purely out of nerves and the sudden rush of adrenaline. She dashed over to take position beside Woolma. Colton meekly followed, hesitantly following the younger mare. The stoic stallion was gone, replaced once more by the fretting grape farmer.

“What... what now?” he asked, adrenaline also rushing through his system, making him trot in place. “What do we do?”

“Jus’ stand by!” Apple Bloom instructed calmly, licking her lips nervously as she began to perspire. “Ah’ll holler if Ah need somethin’.” A moment passed before the three conscious individuals’ eyes collectively widened.

“It’s.... The baby, it’s.... Apple Bloom!” Woolma exclaimed to the younger mare.

“Okay, alright, okay okay,” Apple Bloom’s stammered as her nerves kicked into overdrive. “Colton, I need you to... to... oh fer pony’s sake, Colton!”

Upon seeing these events unfold, Colton squeaked, mouth hanging open. His eyes rolled up into his head before he tumbled to the ground, promptly fainting.

Apple Bloom rolled her own eyes in exasperation before turning back to the task at hoof. Moment a’ truth, she thought. She and Woolma nodded silently to each other and got to work, the only sounds on the farm being Bethany’s own cries of pain as a new life prepared to enter the world.

“Huhwuh... wuz... wha?” Colton mumbled, eyelids slowly rising up as he regained consciousness, one cheek mashed against the ground and the other matted with something wet and dripping. With one eye he could see that evening was settling in, with the sun eagerly reaching for the western horizon and an orange sky hanging overhead. Colton barely had a moment to register just what had made him come to when another wet slurp was slapped across his cheek. He flinched at the licking, rotating his head around to see Winona standing by his side and panting happily. Colton tried in vain to evade the third kiss, but could do nothing to stem the tide of saliva now drenching his cheek. “I’m up, I’m up,” he said, giggling as he half pushed, half petted Winona away. Once he was up on all fours, he found himself in a sea of white cotton. What was the delivery area had now returned to its primary function as a sheep pen. The grape farmer stood up, ignoring the dirt from one side of his face and the saliva from the other as he searched for another pony. “Where’s Apple Bloom?” he muttered to himself, scanning his surroundings. All he could see were sheep, and not the ones he was with before he passed out. “Did I... dream up that whole—”

Colton’s suppositions were interrupted by a sharp bark from Winona, who was now trotting ahead of him. After getting his attention, the collie took off for the exit, leaping over the locked gate with ease. Colton followed, apologizing to every sheep he bounced into. He took the less-strenuous option of exiting the pen by reaching over and unlatching the gate, letting himself through, and locking it up behind him. Winona, having gained a fair bit of distance on the stallion, turned and barked his way again before bounding into the barn. The tingling sensation of a sleeping foreleg bothered him, but he ignored it as he galloped after the collie.

When he stepped into the barn his weariness and aches evaporated as a smile blossomed across his face.

In the center of the barn were a trio of sheep. Abraram, smiling like a fool, had one foreleg draped over an exhausted Bethany. The new parents were focused solely on the newest resident of Sweet Apple Acres. The newborn lamb uttered the tiniest of bleats as it nestled itself within the confines of his mother’s forelegs. Winona had taken refuge beside a grinning Apple Bloom off to the side, who was busying herself with folding up some of the blankets from earlier. Colton approached the other pony, and was glad to see her looking incredibly relieved.

“So,” Colton announced his presence to the group, “what’d I miss?”

The ram, ewe, and mare all laughed as the stallion approached the newborn. Bethany nuzzled the lamb as Colton lie down in front of them to get a closer look. “Say hello to the nice stallion, Joseph,” she cooed as the lamb reached a tiny leg up and touched Colton’s nose. He made no effort to remove the lamb’s limb from his snout, beaming down at the newborn.

“Hello, Joseph,” he greeted with a quiet voice. “Welcome to the world.” The lamb bleated softly again before stretching his mouth out in a tiny yawn, curling up in his mother’s embrace. Colton quietly rose to his hooves and trotted over to Apple Bloom, who’d just finished folding the last of the blankets and piling them up in a corner.

“We should give ‘em some privacy,” Apple Bloom whispered to Colton before turning to the sheep. “Y’all can stay in here fer as long as need be ta keep Joseph there out of the weather.” The two adult sheep nodded their heads in thanks before turning their attention back to the lamb. “Alright Winona, let’s get goin’.” The collie leapt up to Apple Bloom’s side on command. They trotted outside, Apple Bloom closing the barn door behind them. “Wooowe! I dunno about you, Colton, but Ah’m famished. Are ya’ hungry?”

Colton blinked. “You just helped deliver a baby and the first thing that you can think of after all of that is food?” Apple Bloom started for the house, chuckling at Colton’s astonishment.

“Well, mah’ stomach’s tellin’ me it’s time, and it don’t lie,” she said as she reached to open the door before craning her neck to look skyward. “‘Sides, Granny oughta be gettin’ back home shortly. Ah wanna have supper ready for her by the time she gets here.”

The grape farmer smiled. “Well, that makes sense to me!” he agreed. He blushed when his own belly growled. “...And my stomach concurs with yours, it seems!”

Winona chimed in with a bark of her own. “Oh, right,” Apple Bloom realized. “Gotta feed you too, girl. Head on inside, Colton, Ah’ll be right back!” she said as she dashed off for Winona’s doghouse with the collie in tow. Colton stepped inside, feeling the cooler indoor air wash over him. He sighed happily as he made his way for the kitchen, where Apple Bloom joined him a moment later. “Sure is nice gettin’ outta the sun, ain’t it?”

“My thoughts exactly,” Colton grinned, scanning the kitchen. “So what’s on the menu tonight? May I lend a helping hoof?” Apple Bloom nodded as she trotted inside. Without another word, the duo got to work in the kitchen. An aroma of freshly cooked vegetable stew emanated throughout the home just as the sounds of a cart floated in through an open window. Three steaming bowls of the stew were set on the table when Granny Smith entered.

“Granny!’ Apple Bloom exclaimed, dashing over to give the tired pony an affectionate hug. “How were things in town today?”

“Dandy, Apple Bloom. Just dandy,” she answered, squeezing back. “Ah see y’all had an excitin’ day, what with Joseph arrivin’ all unexpected.” Granny leaned over to plant a kiss on the younger mare’s head. “Good job handlin’ it, Sugarcube.”

Apple Bloom beamed with pride as she and Granny took their seats that the table. Colton sipped some milk, not wanting to start on his meal until everypony was present. Apple Bloom pointed a hoof in his direction. “Colton helped out too!” she informed.

“Oh?” he responded, setting his glass down and ignoring his milk moustache. “I didn’t realize my fainting helped matters.”

“Ya brought us the stuff we needed,” Apple Bloom pointed out. “Plus, when the time came, you... you were outta the way!”

“Well whatever happened, y’all did fine,” Granny said with a nod. “Bethany’s doin’ well, an’ so’s the little one.” She turned Colton’s way. “An’ don’t ya’ worry about yer faintin’ spell, darlin’. Apple Bloom here did the same her first time seein’ it. An’ the second. An’ the third—”

“Granny!” the youngest farmpony interrupted, cheeks going rosy. “He don’t need ta know mah life story...” She took a big bite out of her stew and chewed it methodically, trying to take her mind off of the conversation.

The trio ate in silence for a few moments, all of them focused on filling up their rather empty stomachs. “So, Mrs. Smith,” Colton spoke up, nursing his glass, “how was your day in the marketplace?” he smirked. “Was my absence a boost to your sales?”

“Why yes!” her voice dripped with sarcasm, “without the knightly gentlecolt distractin’ all the mares in town, business was boomin’”.

Colton blushed a twinge at the implication. “Oh really?” he chuckled, gulping down some more milk. “Well, I’ll be glad to be back behind my grape cart tomorrow. Or should I turn it into a kissing booth?” he spoke airily, grinning. Granny rolled her eyes but laughed despite herself.

The stallion gave the younger mare a proud nod of the head. “I must say, though, that young Apple Bloom here does a fine job at cracking the whip.” He stretched his back, wincing a little while doing so. “I’ll be reminded of all that applebucking we did every day for the next week.”

Apple Bloom giggled. “An’ the best part is we were only at it fer half a day,” she said in a loud whisper. “He’d probably been pushin’ up daisies if we’d spent the whole day on it.” The three ponies shared a laugh as they finished up their respective meals.

The farmponies stood up from the table and walked out into the humid night air. “Seriously, though, Sir,” Apple Bloom said, sitting in the glow of light coming from the house. “Ah’m glad ya’ helped out today. Ya’ helped me through a time of need, an’ I really appreciate that.” Without warning, she thrust herself forward onto Colton, squeezing him in a tight hug. Colton was nearly sent sprawling, but managed to steady his fall by landing squarely on his haunches instead. “Thank ya’, Sir.”

Colton smiled down at the young mare and hugged her back. “You’re very welcome, Miss Apple Bloom. It was a pleasure to work alongside an Apple family farmer. And...” he stopped for a moment and canted his head. “...have you always had freckles?”

“Beg pardon?” Apple Bloom asked, before rolling her eyes. “Ugh. Dumb flour...”

Colton leaned down, squinting at Apple Bloom’s cheek. “Yeah! Three little freckles, just beside your eye there!” he exclaimed. “Granny Smith, I’m not seeing things, right?”

Granny craned her head downward and squinted at the opposite cheek. “...No Sir!” she agreed happily. “Apple Bloom’s finally earned her spots!”

The young mare’s eyes went wide. “Ah have?” she said disbelievingly. “No way!” She jetted into the house and up to the bathroom, rearing up to look herself in the mirror. Staring back at her was a mare with mane parted both ways and dangling down the sides of her head. Along with her usual features, six small white dots reflected back at her, blending into her yellow fur. She hesitantly reached a hoof up to try and wipe them off, afraid that some stubborn flour that had indeed clung to her coat. When she pulled the hoof back, the freckles remained.

Apple Bloom cheered, then raced back downstairs and out the door. Granny was beaming with pride, winking to Apple Bloom. Colton was busy saying goodbye to Winona, who had joined the farmponies on the porch. “Ah got ‘em!” she proclaimed proudly, bellowing out a rebel yell.

Colton, still petting Winona, glanced from the cheering mare to Granny Smith in confusion. “Uh... they’re just freckles, aren’t they?” he inquired with a tilt of his head.

“Not jus’ freckles,” Granny answered with a small gasp of indignation. “These here freckles represent a comin’ of age in the Apple family. Why, it’s jus’ another sign that little Apple Bloom is growin’ up so fast.” She ambled over to her granddaughter and gave her a hug.

Huh, well how do you like that, Colton thought as he saw Granny’s lip quiver slightly. It’s almost like the Apples treat freckles like a special breed of cutie mark. Shrugging inwardly, the stallion smiled at the two mares and nodded. “Well, I best be off. Got to get back to my own farm and make sure I don’t fall behind. I also have to make up for the day’s lost sales.” He winked at the Apples, who giggled in return. “Granny, I’ll see you in the marketplace tomorrow. Apple Bloom, good luck.”

“Thank ya’ so much, Sir!” Apple Bloom waved after the departing stallion.

With a chuckle, Colton turned back around. “Oh, one more thing,” he said. “You don’t have to call me ‘Sir’.”

Apple Bloom blinked. “Oh... then why’d ya’ lead me on, lettin’ me call ya’ Sir all day long?”

The knighted grape farmer shrugged, grinning. “Just wanted to see how long you kept up with it before you went crazy,” he laughed. “But then, you folk are already crazy, so I guess that was never gonna happen.”

The two Apples looked at each other, then back to Colton, then burst out in a fit of laughter. “Well, Sir,” Apple Bloom emphasized. “Have a nice night!” Still chuckling to himself, Sir Colton Vines III turned and left Sweet Apple Acres, leaving two amused ponies in his wake.

“Well now, my little pony,” Granny turned to Apple Bloom once the grape farmer had disappeared over the hill, “Ah think it’s time we got some shuteye. Best ta be up bright an’ early tomorrow ta make up fer lost time today.”

Apple Bloom nodded without reservation. “Agree 100%, Granny!” she enthused, standing up and turning to trot inside. Granny followed her in shortly thereafter.

“Oh, an’ Apple Bloom? Ah’m so proud a’ you, earnin’ yer spots,” she praised as the younger mare trekked up the stairs. “Ah reckon yer siblin’s are in fer a mighty surprise when they see ‘em!”

The yellow farmpony’s blush only served to highlight her newly-acquired freckles. “Aw, Granny... Ah’m sure yer right! AJ an’ Big Mac’ll be so proud!” She hopped back down to give her grandmother a kiss. “Goodnight!” With a skip in her step, Apple Bloom trotted back up the stairs and got ready for bed.

Outside of Sweet Apple Acres and near the opposite end of Ponyville, Colton trotted up to his own residence. He tossed what remained of his dessert, a chocolate cupcake from Sugarcube Corner, up towards the night sky and let it fall square in his mouth, gulping the treat down with a satisfied smile. The moon was just peeking over eastern sky as the grape farmer licked his lips clean and reached the front door of his home. Ambient lighting from the village provided the weary stallion with ample vision as he stepped inside, grateful that he could see well enough to step over the mess that had promised to await his return. “Tomorrow,” he promised, “I’ll get this place cleaned up for sure.” Stifling a yawn, he bumbled over books still strewn about and meandered his way to the bathroom. He chuckled at his disheveled appearance as he brushed his teeth, ridding them of the recently acquired chocolate stains.

Lookin’ good there, Colton, he noted as he rinsed. That just about matches how my legs feel. As if waiting for an honorable mention, the stallion’s rear legs wobbled. Colton wiped his face dry with a towel and sighed, stretching his worn out muscles one leg at a time. “I must be getting on in years,” he soliloquized, unable to stop the large yawn that had been threatening to come out. “...I’m tired, dirty, and sore. I’ll probably be at least two of those things for a week.” The exhausted pony ambled off to his bedroom and, remembering to step over the discarded bag of potato chips this time, flopped into bed and threw his blankets hastily over his weary form.

“Feels good to get a solid day’s work in, though,” he mumbled into his pillow, smiling faintly as the day’s events rapidly flashed through his head. Too tuckered out to talk, the pony turned inward to his thoughts. That Apple Bloom sure has the Apple family diligence flowing through her, he laughed quietly. She sure is a lot more grown up now too. That hard worker ought to have no trouble keeping up with all she has to do. No trouble at all....

The weariness finally caught up to Colton’s mental faculties, slowing his train of thought down to a stop for the night as he drifted off into a deep, comfortable sleep.

One Thousand Bushels

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Big Macintosh was not a pony who slept in. At Sweet Apple Acres, he and Granny Smith would often be the first ponies awake, giving him the opportunity to assist his grandmother throughout her morning routine. But this week had proven to be a different story for the stallion. As the eldest Apple sibling fidgeted under the warm blankets, the morning sun caught his eyes, making him squint and shift his head away from the glare. The large earth pony mumbled incoherently, adjusting the blankets to compensate for his new position, but soon resumed his silent slumber, taking deep, slow breaths as he rested.

Applejack, too, was going against habit and sleeping the early morning away. Her weary form was diligent in hitting the snooze button on her internal alarm clock, preventing the mare from waking at the hour she was accustomed to. With the bands normally adorning her long mane and tail sitting inside her upside down hat on a nearby nightstand, her hair sprawled across her pillow as her snores reverberated throughout the tiny bedroom. Her closed eyes stared straight at the ceiling, lying flat on her back with her forelegs resting atop her covers. She shivered a little as the cool air from the previous night nibbled at her exposed legs.

Applejack scooted inward to the center of the bed and fell to her side, turning her body towards a source of warmth. She stretched out one of her forelegs and let it unceremoniously fall. When her hoof flopped onto Big Macintosh’s unsuspecting cheek, the stallion jerked his head, giving his sister a faceful of his mane. Applejack scrunched her nose up as her eyes snapped open, her mouth unfortunately taking in some of the hair. Big Macintosh, with a jolt of fear as an unknown hoof was suddenly slapped across his face, shoved his body backwards to push back his apparent attacker. His startled, half-asleep form bolted upright, heart pounding, with his head twitching this way and that.

Applejack yelped as she found herself promptly shoved out of the bed, landing with a dull thud on the floor. “Macintosh!” she cursed, rubbing her back gingerly. “What in the hay was that for?”

The red stallion, now fully awake and seeing the complaining mare on the floor, took a deep breath and calmed down. “Sorry, sis,” he apologized, “guess Ah’m still not used ta sharin’ a bed.” He crawled over to Applejack’s side of the bed and reached out a hoof. The mare took it and pulled herself to her hooves.

“Yeah, yeah,” she said, sputtering out a few hairs that she’d unwittingly pulled from Big Macintosh’s mane. “Jus’ think ‘fore shovin’ yer sister off again, alright?” After receiving a nod from her big brother, she huffed grumpily, giving her unkempt mane a shake before reaching into her hat to retrieve a hairband.

“So what’s on the agenda today?” she asked as she began clumping her mane up with her forehooves. “Hope we’re done haulin’ away all that dead wood. Ah’m still tuckered out from yesterday’s load.” She yawned loudly to emphasize the point.

The stallion agreed, stepping out of the bed and wincing as he stretched his back. “Not sure. Maybe more crop sowin’?” he guessed. He rotated his head around on his neck, free of the yoke he was usually saddled with. “Ah’m not usually one ta turn down a good haulin’ job, but operatin’ on an empty stomach really don’t bode well fer me.”

Applejack strapped on and tied the band around its usual spot near the back of her mane, flicking her tail forward to repeat the process. “Yeah, Ah wish we had more grub ta chow down on too,” she agreed, shooting a mournful look at her belly. “Gotta conserve what food survived fer the ponies ‘round here, though. Ah think we can last on good ol’ grazin’ fer a little while longer.” Her stomach rumbled in protest. “...Though dyin’ grass hardly seems like enough fer us.”

Big Macintosh began stretching out each of his legs individually. “Yeah, when are them weatherponies s’posed ta get that cloud thing a’ theirs workin’ again? Been hot as an oven out there with that sun beatin’ down on our backs all day long.”

Applejack tied the hairband up around the edge of her tail. “Maybe we should write to Princess Celestia ta get her to turn the sun down,” she laughed as she swished her tail around. “Between the weather and the lack a’ good eatin’ we’re really pushin’ ourselves.”

“Why don’tcha have a look-see outside real quick?” Big Macintosh suggested, stifling a yawn. “See if any other Apples are out an’ about and what they’re up to.”

“Shoot, Ah might even find an Orange er two,” she said as she donned her hat. The two Apples stared at each other a moment before bursting out laughing.

“Right, an’ clearly they’d be workin’ alongside Princess Luna,” he drawled, chuckling.

The orange earth pony giggled and, grateful for the shade her headgear offered, stuck her head out the open window, looking around to try and find out what was in store for them today. Her eyes traced over the entirety of Green Apple Grove. Much like Sweet Apple Acres, the majority of the property consisted of several apple orchards. Unlike her homestead, however, there were now only a few dozen trees as opposed to the hundreds that her farm boasted.

Applejack flinched as she took in the present state of the farm. No matter how often she saw it, she still couldn’t get used to witnessing the damage that had been done. The uninitiated pony, one unfamiliar with the disaster potential of a Parasprite swarm, would assume that a powerful rogue thunderstorm had slashed through the grove. Most of the trees were damaged in some capacity, many nearly devoured save for the remaining stumps. Barely an apple remained after the swarm had made its way through, and what few healthy ones were left had already been harvested and stowed away.

Applejack’s searching eyes moved from the orchards and closer to the large farmhouse that she and Big Macintosh currently resided in. The home, at least twice the size of the Sweet Apple Acres farmhouse, had somehow remained intact despite the swarm’s rampage. Most of the Apples that had come to help were camping out in the home, which could barely accommodate such a large volume of ponies. When Applejack’s gaze fell upon a pile of debris, she shuddered. The three large green barns the grove was famous for were reduced to mounds of shattered wood and straw. Two of the barns had regained a skeletal structure thanks to the efforts from the past week, but the area where the third barn had once stood remained a wreck.

Applejack continued to search the ruined property for signs of life. The grass itself barely qualified at this point, as the entire area was suffering from a small drought. The browning grass was a result of a hot autumn sun and nearly two weeks of no rainfall, last week’s scheduled downpour being interrupted by malfunctioning weather equipment. After a few more moments of scanning the premises, she spotted a couple members of the Apple family already hard at work, plowing a nearby field. “Yep, looks like it’s a sowin’ day,” she observed, before turning her gaze northward. She sighed as her thoughts drifted back to the farm she was much more accustomed to working in. “Wonder what Apple Bloom’s been up to,” she said softly.

“Apple Bloom?” Big Macintosh’s ears twitched. “Well, she ain’t grazin’ on grass,” he muttered. “She has her hooves full with tha workload a’ three ponies, though. Ah’m sure she’s keepin’ herself busy,” he said with a nod, trotting over to look out the window himself. “It’d be nice ta hear from Granny and Apple Bloom,” he said quietly. “Guess they’re so busy they haven’t written?”

“Well...” Applejack started, “...the postal ponies have been workin’ overtime what with all us Apples suddenly here in Whinnypeg, sendin’ letters back an’ forth ‘round Equestria. Ah’m sure they’d’ve written somethin’ by now,” she assured the stallion, throwing a foreleg around her brother’s back. “Ah’m positive they’re doin’ alright. Least they’re not stuck in this mess,” she pointed out.

A knock sounded out from behind the two Apple siblings. The door to the small bedroom opened as a brown stallion with a black mane entered the room. “Mornin’, Apples!” he greeted. “Figured y’all were up considerin’ there was no snorin’ to be heard.” Applejack glared at him. ”Ready fer a day a’ crop sowin’?”

Big Macintosh turned and giving the newcomer a nod. “Sure are, Golden,” he affirmed.

“Good. Fer a moment Ah thought y’all were gonna let the Oranges beat ya’ downstairs,” Golden Delicious grinned.

Big Macintosh sighed. “Sleepin’ in again are they?”

“Like a buncha foals on a Saturday mornin’,” the other stallion confirmed with a chuckle.

“Yeah, we oughta get to it then. We’d be a laughin’ stock if they got out ahead of us.” Applejack agreed, giggling at the memory of the Oranges’ attempts at doing some manual labor for a change. The family did their best to make sure that the Oranges’ work was easy, but even that wasn’t enough for the posh ponies. Still, Applejack reasoned, they could have simply ignored the call for help. As snobby as they could get sometimes, the Oranges were still trying to do what they could to help the grove recover.

“Alright. See ya’ two out there in a bit. Gotta get them Oranges up now.” With a smile still on his face, Golden Delicious left the small bedroom and moved on to rouse all of the still-slumbering ponies in the Green Apple Grove household. Big Macintosh headed out of the room with Applejack close behind, trotting downstairs and outside to spend another day repairing one of the Apple family farms.

Unbeknownst to Apple Bloom, she had woken up long before her siblings had stirred, a very rare accomplishment for the young mare. She was already wide awake, had showered, eaten breakfast, and was almost done tending to her hair before heading out to work. She gave her mane a few final brushstrokes, assuring that it did not get in the way of the six white freckles now dotting her cheeks: Apple Bloom wanted to make sure that everypony who saw her knew that she had them. She beamed proudly at the spots in her reflection, idly wondering just how long she had ignored them yesterday. Slipping the brush off from her hoof and setting it down on her dresser, she glanced behind her to make sure that her bow was properly affixed to her tail. The young mare hummed a simple tune as she trotted downstairs and headed outside, where Granny Smith was busy feeding the chickens.

“Would you mind loadin’ and fetchin’ the cart fer me, Apple Bloom?” the old mare asked, surrounded by chickens pecking the ground as she distributed chicken feed. “Jus’ put apples in it today. Friday Market’s never too busy an’ we need to sell more apples ‘fore we concern ourselves with the veggies.”

Apple Bloom nodded happily. “Sure!” she enthused as she skipped to the barn. She was met halfway there by Winona, who bounded out from her doghouse over to the young mare and hyperly bounced around her, tail wagging away. Apple Bloom stopped a second to pet the collie, who thanked her with a few sloppy kisses to the cheek. Giggling, the pony continued for the barn as Winona went to go greet Granny.

Apple Bloom arrived at the barn, poking her nose between the doors and swinging one of them open, bathing the interior in sunlight as she stepped in. The smaller cart Granny used was sitting just inside, with several apple bushels lining its edges. Seems Granny thought ahead last night, she reasoned. The young mare then jumped when a loud bleating suddenly resounded from deeper inside the barn.

“Yah!” she screamed at the sudden animal call. She trotted around the cart to find a ewe and a ram resting comfortably. Their newborn son was lying between them, opening his mouth wide as he sounded again. “Well good mornin’ folks,” she greeted, “Ah plum forgot y’all were campin’ out here in the barn.”

“Good morning, Apple Bloom!” Bethany smiled. “Sorry Joseph here gave you a bit of a scare.”

“That’s my boy,” Abraram chuckled, gently patting his son on the head. “Less than a day old and he’s already showing signs that he has Daddy’s chops!”

Apple Bloom trotted up next to the baby lamb and lowered her head down to him. “He’s so adorable!” she fawned, nuzzling Joseph gently before turning to the two older sheep. “Is everything alright in here? Have everything ya’ need?” she asked.

“Yep, everything is great,” Bethany replied. “I’m just glad our little Joseph here isn’t under that hot sun.”

“Yeah, it’s been a scorcher of a season so far,” Apple Bloom agreed. “It was no help that we ain’t had clouds fer so long. Ah hope them weatherponies get their doohickey fixed up soon.” She ambled away from the family and began loading up the cart with apple bushels. “Glad to hear everything’s goin’ swell,” she said. “If you need anythin’, just holler. Ah’ll be ‘round the farm all day.”

“Thank you once again, Apple Bloom,” Abraram said, “for everything. Would you like some help with those?”

Apple Bloom hoisted another bushel on to the cart. “Naw, Ah got it,” she assured the ram with a smile. “Thanks fer the offer, though! Jus’ enjoy yerselves.”

The young mare finished loading the cart a few minutes later, not even breaking a sweat in the process. She opened the other barn door and slipped into the cart’s harness, blinking against the bright morning sunlight. “Well, take care,” the farmpony said back to the sheep family. Bethany and Abraram waved and smiled back at the farmpony, Joseph letting out another soft bleat before Apple Bloom trotted out with the smaller market cart in tow.

When Apple Bloom left the barn she noted that the ground was free of chicken feed. She didn’t see a single bird outside the henhouse and figured that they were finished with their breakfast. The farmpony saw Winona in front of her doghouse, enjoying her own morning meal as she chomped away at the food in her bowl. As Apple Bloom approached the farmhouse, she spotted Granny, sat on the porch, seeking refuge from the sun. The green farmpony abandoned the shade and approached the young mare, taking the harness in her teeth as she began prying Apple Bloom loose. “Alright, time fer me ta get goin’,” she said as she unstrapped Apple Bloom and began attaching herself to the harness. “You got yer work an’ Ah have mine.”

“Alright, Granny, sure thing,” the younger mare obliged, helping her grandmother hook herself up. Pondering the day’s workload, her eyes floated downward and behind her, inspecting her injured hoof. “Uh... Granny?” she hesitated. “Do ya’ think maybe Ah could start applebuckin’ again? It’s been almost a week now, and Ah’m really itchin’ ta get kickin’!”

The elder mare pondered a moment. “Lemme have a look-see,” she instructed. After Apple Bloom stepped in front of her, Granny bent down and gave the cracked hoof a thorough inspection, lifting it off the ground to get a look at it from all angles. “Well,” she started, “looks like the crack’s healin’ nicely. Still a bit a’ somethin’ there but Ah don’t think it’ll amount ta nuthin’. How does it feel?”

Apple Bloom set her hoof back down before rearing up in front of Granny, kicking her forelegs through the air. “Feel’s great!” she exclaimed. “Ah felt it just a teensy bit the other day, but it ain’t been hurtin’ fer a while! Can’t Ah get back to it today Granny? Please?” she pleaded, landing back on all four hooves. While she did desire to applebuck again, it being her favorite farming task, she also knew that each day she didn’t harvest apples would add to her daily quota once she could resume.

Granny gave her a hard look, studying Apple Bloom’s eager expression for a moment. “Ah ain’t no doctor, Apple Bloom,” she said finally. “Ah can see ya’ want ta get yer work done, and Ah’m proud a’ that. But Ah’d give it another day or two ‘fore thwackin’ it against a buncha trees again. Better ta play things safe, after all.”

Apple Bloom’s face fell. “But... but—”

“No buts,” Granny interrupted. Her face softened into one of concern. “Can’t have mah granddaughter gettin’ herself hurt, ‘specially when we’re bettin’ the farm on ya’.”

Apple Bloom huffed, lowering her head and looking away from her grandmother’s worried gaze. She blew air out her nostrils, sending dust into the air, and scuffed the earth. “Alright,” she relented finally, picking her head up and offering a smile. She gave her tail a twitch and moved forward to hug Granny. “Ah promise Ah won’t do no applebuckin’ today.”

The older mare squeezed back gently. She rubbed noses with Apple Bloom, which elicited a more genuine smile from her. “Take care, now. Ah’ll be back fer supper,” she informed, pulling away from Apple Bloom and setting off for Ponyville. Apple Bloom shuffled to face Granny as she departed. “Oh, an’ don’t cook nothin’! Ah’m bringin’ home a little surprise tonight!” Granny called back.

“Alright Granny! Have a good one!” Apple Bloom called back with a wave. Once Granny Smith was over the hill and out of sight, the younger mare giggled to herself. She glanced behind her to view her tail, which she’d twisted all the way up to the base of her bow’s knot. Any school-aged filly knew that when a tail was crossed, a promise was lost. Apple Bloom unwound it and swished it about as she glanced over the many orchards of Sweet Apple Acres with a wide grin on her face. “Now where did Ah leave off?”

Apple Bloom wasted no time in setting up baskets along the half-harvested row of Gala apple trees. Once the baskets were in place, she galloped along over to the beginning of the line and sized up the apple tree. “Alright,” she muttered, “let’s see if Ah can still do this....” She stood in front of the tree, playing with her mane a little as worrisome thoughts floated through her head. What if she hurt herself again? The farmpony glanced over to her injured hoof once more, kicking it against the ground a couple of times. “Still don’t hurt none,” she considered, putting on a determined expression and glaring at the tree. “Won’t know ‘till I try.”

After a moment’s hesitation, she spun on her forehooves and delivered a strong kick to the apple tree. She grimaced... but no pain shot up her leg. Nothing indicated further injury. All she heard was the sound of apples dropping promptly into the awaiting baskets below. “Yes!” she cheered, giggling. “Ah’m ready fer applebuckin’ again!” The proud mare looked up into the tree to make sure she had gotten all of the apples.

To her dismay, roughly a dozen pieces of fruit still clung to their branches. She frowned.

“Aw shoot,” she cursed. “Upswing was probably goin’ a little too strong.... Whatever, Ah’ll get ‘em this time!” With a puff of breath from her snout, Apple Bloom struck the bark once more. A few more apples were coaxed into falling, this time around in the grass instead of into a basket. “Really?” Apple Bloom exasperated, giving the tree a third kick. The remainder of the apples fell on target, joining the other apples in the baskets with dull thuds.

Apple Bloom sighed as she went to pick up the apples that did not make it into the baskets. “Okay, Ah might be a little rusty,” she admitted to herself. “Jus’ gettin’ a little too excited bein’ able ta applebuck again. Ah gotta keep calm er else Ah’m gonna be pickin’ all day instead a’ kickin’.” She stopped for a moment and blinked. After dropping another apple into a basket she giggled. “Well, big brother, seems yer lessons are stickin’ ta me real good,” she commented as she hoisted a bushel onto her back. “Good thing you ain’t here now, seein’ me mess up like that.”

It didn’t take the young mare long to reach the barn. While she was a little out of practice with applebucking, her strength and endurance remained as good as ever. She set the laden basket beside as she heard some barking off in the distance. A moment later, a wild rabbit rounded the corner of the barn, bouncing away from its chaser with great speed. Winona followed the rabbit’s path, barking with nearly every step along the way.

“Winona!” Apple Bloom exclaimed, chasing after the two animals. “Girl, what’cha doin’? That rabbit ain’t hurtin’ nopony or our apples!”

The collie kept on barking, chasing after the rabbit as the white creature hopped away wildly. The rabbit quickly bounced between the holes in the fence surrounding Sweet Apple Acres and made a break for Ponyville. Winona showed no signs of stopping.

“Consarnit girl, heel!” Apple Bloom bellowed. Winona immediately halted her pursuit and turned back to face her master, ears lowered. Apple Bloom huffed as she caught up with the collie. “Winona, you know ya’ ain’t s’posed ta bother critters that ain’t doin’ nothin’,” she scolded with a frown. “Ah know other rabbits were pilferin’ our produce yesterday, but that don’t mean you gotta go chasin’ down every bunny that comes hoppin’ ‘round here!”

Winona lowered her head and whined quietly, her tail drooping to the ground as well. She gave Apple Bloom an apologetic look and began slinking away. “Hold on girl, where are ya’ off to now?” the farmpony asked. “Ah think ya’ oughta’ stick with me today.” The dog responded with a bark and began trotting a bit faster, heading back for the barn. Apple Bloom rolled her eyes and followed her. What’s she up to now? the mare wondered.

Apple Bloom watched the collie go back around the corner of the barn again. She followed suit and found Winona sitting near her doghouse. The collie whined again, lowering her head to nose a lone apple. Apple Bloom glanced inquisitively at the fruit, taking it in her hooves and noticing several small bite marks along one of the edges. “Winona, were you sneakin’ apples?” she gasped. Winona went into a panic, leaping towards Apple Bloom and pawing at the apple, seemingly reaching for the bite marks. The young mare blinked, stepping back from the collie’s antics and looking at the marks again. Peering closer to the broken skin of the apple, she noted that the punctures were caused by something thin. Something long and flat.

Something like a rabbit’s incisors.

This time it was Apple Bloom who lowered her ears. “...Oh,” she uttered, dropping the apple and staring down at Winona. “Sorry, girl... looks like ya’ were doin’ yer job after all. Ah didn’t mean ta snap at you like that.”

Winona accepted the apology instantly, jumping back onto all fours and wagging her tail energetically. She leaped for the pony and immediately covered her face in a series of rapid, sloppy kisses. Apple Bloom laughed as she tried to push the collie away gently. “Alright alright,” she giggled, wiping her face, leaning down to give the collie a hug. “C’mon, enough a’ this sentimental stuff, let’s get back ta applebuckin’!” She turned and galloped back for the orchard. Winona barked happily as she eagerly followed the young farmpony.

Apple Bloom made into the orchard to retrieve the other full basket and took it back to the barn, Winona keeping her company this time. When the farmpony returned to where she left off she offered a smile to the collie. “Keep a watch out fer them varmints fer me, alright girl?” she asked the dog, who responded with a happy bark. Apple Bloom smirked. “Ah can always count on you,” she smiled before turning to face the next tree. This time, be a little more patient. If Ah rush again it means it’ll jus’ result in more pickin’. As the young mare turned her back to the tree to continue her harvest, the words of Big Macintosh’s teachings floated through her mind....

“Again,” the large red stallion instructed, sitting motionless under the shade of a neighboring tree. “An’ this time don’t hesitate before strikin’. Yer throwin’ yerself off balance doin’ that, Apple Bloom.” Big Macintosh’s ear twitched as a few sprinkles from the clouds above landed on him, but he otherwise remained still.

Apple Bloom groaned as she forced herself back onto her hooves and backed up to the apple tree she was making progress on. Her rear legs wobbled as she moved, exhausted from the long afternoon spent refining her applebucking techniques. The younger Apple farmer had the basic routine figured out, but wasn’t very efficient when it came to apple harvesting. Her neck was sore from all the times she found herself having to crane it down to retrieve an apple that did not hit its mark, then toss it in with those that had.

Twelve apple trees that were full of fruit earlier that day now stood bare as Apple Bloom moved to increase that number to a baker’s dozen. She leaned forward, raised her back legs, and kicked the Red Delicious apple tree with a resounding thud. The remaining apples tumbled down into the awaiting baskets below. Apple Bloom gave a meager cheer and turned to face her brother. “How’d Ah do with this one, Big Mac?” she said, patting the tree with a forehoof. “Only took three kicks that time!”

The eldest Apple sibling did not reciprocate his sister’s joy, instead frowning down at her. “An’ that’s two kicks that coulda’ been used on two more trees, plus only seven more apples for you ta’ fetch ‘fore movin’ on.” he gestured to the ground. Seven apples lay nestled in the grass.

Disappointed by her brother’s lack of enthusiasm, Apple Bloom kicked one of the fallen apples into a tree trunk, leaving a bruise on the fruit. “There’s jus’ no pleasin’ ya, is there?” she huffed. “Ah’ve been applebuckin’ mah horseshoes off fer a month, but no matter how much Ah improve Ah still get the same ol’ lecture from you!” She heaved a sigh and slumped to the ground, partially for dramatic effect, mostly to give her exhausted body a short rest. “Ah don’t know what y’all are expectin’ from me.”

Big Macintosh snorted and stood up, shaking off what little rainfall had settled in his coat and mane. He rolled his eyes to the sky as the light shower washed over him and his sister, then trotted over to the young mare and towered over her. “First,” he started, “Ah expect ya’ ta start actin’ yer age, little sister. Come on, get back to yer hooves,” he commanded. Reluctantly, the young mare picked herself up, blushing at the implication that she was still only a filly.

“Second,” the stallion continued, “nopony said that this was gonna be easy. Applebuckin’s hard work, an’ we have far too many trees ta spend too much time on jus’ one.” He patted Apple Bloom on the back and gave her a small smile. “An’ third, nopony, not even yer family, is expectin’ you ta be perfect right oughta’ the gate. Shoot, took me ‘bout two months a’ learnin’ fer me ta get where you are now.”

Apple Bloom returned the smile with a small grin of her own. “Really?” she cocked an eyebrow. “You? Not knowin’? Ah thought you were born with it, big brother.”

The older farmpony laughed quietly. “Naw, if only. You could say that Ah didn’t know mah own strength,” he said sheepishly. “Ah was so busy hurtin’ the poor trees that Ah could never get any real applebuckin’ done.”

The younger mare blinked, then giggled. The mental image of Big Macintosh knocking trees onto their sides then picking the apples off was too much for her. “And how’d ya’ get over that hurdle?” she asked curiously.

“Ah calmed down,” he explained simply. “Focused. Took time ta think. Relaxed. It still took time, but eventually Ah got to the point where Ah am now. Ah even was able to work out the ol’ one hoof harvest trick.” He demonstrated by striking the next tree with a calculated blow from one rear hoof, sending all of its apples into the designated baskets. “If Ah started with one leg instead a’ two maybe that whole mess coulda’ been avoided. Ah well.”

Apple Bloom smiled, making a mental note to ask just how Big Macintosh pulled off that one hoof trick of his after she learned the normal method. “Well, Ah’m proud a’ ya’ big brother,” she said before frowning again. “What’s that gotta do with mah own applebuckin’, though? Ah’m not knockin’ trees over, ya’ know.”

Big Macintosh retreated under the tree as the rain began to pour a little harder. “The point is that you’ve gotta have a little patience when it comes to applebuckin’, Apple Bloom,” he explained. “And that yer actually pickin’ up on all this a mite quicker than me.” He looked to the ground where the apples still sat. “Time’s important, but rushin’ too far will only lead ta more time wasted. You’ll be pickin’ all day instead a’ kickin’.” He offered his sister a small hug. “Now are ya’ ready ta try again?”

The younger farmpony returned the hug and shook herself dry from the rain. “Ah’m ready!”

A loud bark startled Apple Bloom out of her daydream. She lurched in surprise, sitting up off the apple tree she was leaning against and blinking rapidly to get her eyes to re-focus. “Whoa there, did Ah space out?” she asked herself. Winona, sitting in front of the farmpony, barked again. “Well now, Ah s’pose Ah did,” she grinned leaning down to pet the collie. “Glad mah little alarm clock was here ta get me goin’ again!”

Winona barked again, dancing around Apple Bloom as the farmpony straightened up and surveyed the tree she was leaning against, before looking down the line. She had gotten three more Gala trees harvested before slipping into her daydream, and seven full baskets awaited their journey back to the barn. “Ah’d better get movin’ if Ah wanna get this patch done ‘fore lunchtime,” Apple Bloom fretted. Without further delay, she started carrying the bushels one at a time out of the orchard and back to the barn.

A rusty plow bit deeply into the fertile earth, leaving uneven gouges behind as Applejack forced it through a now-barren part of Green Apple Grove’s orchard. Sweat dotted the mare’s brow as she pulled the uncooperative tool along. Every few feet it would get caught on a rock or a stubborn clump of dirt, and Applejack would have to put in extra effort in order to maintain steady progress. Once the farmpony reached the end of the line, she undid herself from the yoke and heaved the plow out of the ground using her mouth. With a grunt, she lifted the tool off the ground, turned it around and set it down several feet over, letting it sink into the soil.

“Only five more ta go,” Applejack reminded herself as she wiped her face dry with her foreleg. “Now, what’s takin’ mah brother so long ta get back here an’ help me?” She looked back at the extra plow sitting dormant nearby. “No way they found that much more fer him ta haul around. He oughta be plowin’ along with his sister!”

“Oh, he’ll be along, I’m quite sure,” an elaborate, weary voice sounded from behind Applejack. The farmpony turned to find a disheveled relative trotting her way.

“Well, howdy, Uncle Orange,” she greeted. “Are ya’ takin’ up Big Macintosh’s place fer a spell?”

The stallion shook his head. “Your brother will be along shortly,” he repeated, vainly trying to straighten his leaf-green mane with a hoof. “It seems that his talents were required over on a distant part of the orchard. Apparently, more trees had been killed than previously estimated. Your brother’s brute strength is needed to pluck them out of the ground and take them away.” The posh pony grimaced as he hesitantly set hoof into the soft soil where Applejack was plowing. He walked as daintily as he could across the field to approach his niece, who chuckled at his behavior.

“Aw, c’mon, Uncle, ya’ can’t still be ‘fraid a’ muddyin’ up them hooves a’ yours. ‘Specially not after Wedensday,” she smirked. “‘Sides, when plowin’, all kinds a’ dirt’s gonna be attackin’ yer underside. Whaddaya’ say you plow just one line through here?” she gestured with a hoof. “It’d really help me out.”

“The only reason I ventured out here was to give you this,” he explained, hoofing a letter over to the mare. “You and Big Macintosh have received a letter from home.”

Applejack read the front of the envelope. “It’s from Granny an’ Apple Bloom!” she exclaimed, tucking the letter firmly inside her hat. “Ah’ll read it soon as Ah finish with this an’ find Big Macintosh. Ah knew they would’ve sent somethin’ by now,” she beamed.

Her uncle returned the smile with a meager imitation. “Uh, right,” he said. “Well, if that’s all I’d rather be going....”

“Sure ya’ don’t wanna help, Uncle?” Applejack tried again. “Fer yer niece an’ all? Ah know that this sorta work ain’t yer or Aunt Orange’s cup a’ tea, but y’all came down here all the same. Probably been some a’ the hardest workin’ days y’all’ve seen in a while, Ah reckon.” She grinned and trotted over to her uncle, giving him a friendly nudge while patting him on the back with a muddy hoof. He cringed as his coat became even more stained.

“Er, yes,” he said, daintily trying to brush off the mud. “I suppose I could give it the old college try.” He trotted carefully over to the spare plow, awkwardly hoisting the yoke up over his neck. “Is this right?” he asked.

“Well yeah, if yer gonna walk backwards,” Applejack observed, trotting over and lifting the yoke up so her uncle could turn around and position himself properly. “There ya’ are, Uncle. Now all ya’ gotta do is pull, really. Jus’ put yer back into it.” The farmpony quickly got back into her own plow and started pulling it to demonstrate. “See? Nothin’ to it!”

The stallion grunted and groaned as he heaved forward, managing to move the plow a few inches before gasping for breath. He gritted his teeth and pulled again, gradually gaining a little momentum. The proud pony’s progress soon halted, however, when the plow got caught on something underground. Try as he might, he couldn’t get the tool to move another inch.

“Oh, Uncle,” Applejack, who was far ahead of the older stallion, stepped out of her yoke and walked over to him. “You wouldn’t last a week on our farm. Jus’ glad we’ve found somethin’ useful for ya’ ta do.”

Her uncle sighed as he let her take over to force the plow through the tough part. “Yes, well, making sure everypony here is refreshed and organized is certainly a task my wife and I are far better suited for than, well, this.” He looked himself over: his underside was mucked with tossed up soil and dirt, covering the better part of his legs. “I simply cannot fathom why you elected to return to that farm of yours, Applejack. Your aunt and I were most delighted to have you under our roof, and were ready to transform you into a prim and proper Manehattenite!”

“Ah wasn’t cut out fer that sorta life, Uncle,” Applejack retorted, pulling the stubborn plow along. “Not sayin’ Ah didn’t appreciate what y’all were offerin’, but mah place was, is, and always will be Sweet Apple Acres.” A thought crossed her mind, making her smile. “Ah bet all this country air’s makin’ ya’ feel great!” she smirked. The stallion grumbled in response, making Applejack giggle. “Ya’ know Apple Bloom’s been workin’ our farm solo the past week, right? If she can pony up an’ do the work a’ three ponies, Ah’m sure you can handle jus’ one.” She got out of the yoke and held it up for her uncle, who begrudgingly got back in and began pulling again.

“Yes, I seem to recall Big Macintosh mentioning that your sister was working alone while you two were offering your services here,” the city pony replied as he huffed along with the plow. “And how is your sister faring in her solo efforts?”

“Well, Ah dunno,” Applejack admitted, getting back to her own plow. “Ah figure that’s what this letter’s gonna talk about, along with the state a’ the farm an’ all that. Come on now, just a few more feet an’ yer done!” she encouraged as her uncle braced against the earth to coax the plow to move forward.

Applejack finished up long before her uncle did, shouting words of encouragement his way as he finally made it to the other side. He quickly escaped the yoke with a sigh of relief and promptly collapsed to the ground, wheezing. “I do believe... my good deed for the day... is done,” he breathed.

The farmpony laughed and patted her uncle on the back heartily, eliciting a groan from the sore stallion. “See? Ya’ can do it if ya’ work hard enough,” she praised, giving him a friendly nuzzle. “Good job, Uncle!”

He smiled at Applejack’s comments and returned the nuzzle with one of his own. “Well thank you, Applejack,” he said earnestly, “but as, er, riveting as that activity was, I’m afraid I must get back to my regular duties.” With some assistance from his niece, the stallion got back to his hooves and began walking away slowly. Before he got far, though, he stopped and turned back to the farmpony. “Oh my, I nearly forgot!” he said, putting a hoof to his chin. “My dear sister and her husband wish to have one of our family meetings later this afternoon. She wishes that all be in attendance, as she wants to put this food situation that has fallen upon this grove to rest.” With a nod, he trotted off back for the farmhouse with the smallest of limps as he walked.

Applejack waved after her uncle before setting her plow up for another run. She mulled over the news. “Things mus’ be gettin’ serious if Ma an’ Pa want a family meetin’....”

When noon rolled around, Apple Bloom was back into the swing of things. She had started off rusty, having issues aligning her kicks and misjudging her strength. At one point she’d forgotten to set out baskets, and dropped an entire tree of apples straight to the ground. After this rocky start, the young farmpony was finally able to find her stride. She expertly landed hooves against bark and was harvesting apples at an expeditious pace. Apple Bloom burned through the Gala and Red Delicious apple trees and was carrying back a final bushel of Maigolds by 12:30. She gratefully set the basket down aside the others and wiped her forehead dry with a flick of her tail, looking over the fruits of her labor with weary pride.

“That’s more like it,” she smiled to herself, breathing heavily. “Not quite up to mah usual fare, but better than no applebuckin’, that’s fer sure!” Apple Bloom nudged her latest bushel in line with the others, completing a third long, neat row of baskets for the farm to behold. The farmpony’s admiration of her work was suddenly interrupted by a loud rumble sounding out from her stomach, making her blush despite being alone. “Guess that means it’s time fer lunch!”

Apple Bloom went to Winona’s vacant doghouse. She filled the collie’s food bowl and made sure Winona had fresh water. Apple Bloom figured that the dog had gone off to patrol the perimeter for potential produce pilferers. The young mare was certain Winona would be fine left to her own devices, as she often was, but missed the ever-optimistic collie being by her side as she worked.

Satisfied that Winona’s food and water dishes were full, Apple Bloom wiped her brow again and peeked up at the sky, considering an indoor lunch to get out of the heat. After a moment, she dismissed the idea. The young mare glanced about the farm as she headed for the house and found it unusually calm and quiet. No animals were causing a ruckus, most keeping to their pens or hen houses or the barn to stay out of the heat. Even Joseph, who’d made it his mission to make as much noise as possible throughout the morning, had fallen silent. The only sounds Apple Bloom picked up were the winds whisking through the trees.

The farmpony’s thoughts turned to her everlasting list of chores as she went through the motions of preparing herself lunch. The young mare was getting ahead on applebucking, it was true, but her other chores weren’t getting any closer to completion. She still had carrots to harvest, and an injured hoof didn’t prevent her from yanking those plants out of the ground. A lot of the apple trees required watering due to the lack of rainfall. Apple Bloom was also supposed to have gathered up food for the pigs today. Their slop supply was running dry and needed restocking soon.

In addition to the usual chores, signs of last week’s storm still littered parts of the farm, and while there wasn’t a hurry to deal with the outstanding issues before, one had bumped itself up in priority. An old, large plow had been slammed into the ground near the base of one of the hills near some apple trees. Apple Bloom had originally intended on letting Big Macintosh handle it when he got back, it being his plow after all. As gravity took its toll on the plow, though, the tool had started to sink, and as it sunk, the tip pushed upward from underground, threatening to unearth itself and pull out some tree roots in the process. It needed to be carefully extracted lest a tree find itself uprooted or damaged beyond repair.

The young mare sighed inwardly as she trotted outside with a lunch tray in her mouth. She plopped the tray down on the table and unceremoniously dug into her hay sandwich, scanning the quiet farm as she munched away at her meal.

“Sure is quiet,” Apple Bloom commented as she took a long drink of water. “Almost thinkin’ a’ startlin’ the cows ta shake things up a bit.” She giggled as an old memory floated through her mind. Even though it meant her flank was still blank, she and her fellow crusaders had agreed that cow tipping wouldn’t have been a particularly great special talent to possess. The thought was gone as quickly as it arrived, however, and the young mare continued to eat in silence.

Apple Bloom had just started on her third and final sandwich when she felt the sun’s heat vanish from the back of her head. She blinked and looked up to the sky to find the sun blotted out by a rather large cloud! “No way!” she exclaimed. “Them weatherponies musta’ gotten that gear a’ theirs all fixed up!”

She watched excitedly as various pegasi peppered the zenith with clouds of various shapes and sizes. One particular pegasus, who was pushing a cloud alongside another pony, caught Apple Bloom’s eye. Beaming, she called out his name. It seemed that the stallion was too caught up in his work, however, as he appeared to ignore Apple Bloom’s yells. She bit her lip, thinking a moment as her eyes wandered over to the stacks of apples she’d harvested. A happy grin spread across her face. “Well, it worked once before....”

High in the sky, Cloud Kicker grunted as she heaved the cumulonimbus into position. “Come on, Gale, put that wingpower of yours to good use!”

“Yeah, yeah,” he waved the pegasus mare off, casually pushing the cloud along with a single hoof. “Such a nice day to ruin with these rain clouds, though, don’t you think?”

The purple pegasus rolled her eyes as the duo came to a halt. “What I think is that you’re just trying to get out of another day of hard work,” she muttered, crossing her forelegs. “You do know we’re trying to stifle a drought before it starts here, right? It’s important we get the rain started before things go from bad to worse, like what’s happening down south.”

The orange stallion laughed, massaging a spot in the cloud a bit before tossing himself onto the fluff and letting his head hang upside-down over the edge. “I know, I know,” he assured. “Don’t you worry your pretty little mane over it, Cloud. I’ll get these babies pumping out water before you know it. You can get on back and get a head start on the rest of town.”

Cloud Kicker grinned and lightly bopped the stallion on the nose. “Sure thing, employee of the month,” she said before offering a salute and flying off for Ponyville.

“Yep, I’ll get right on the rain,” he yawned, “...in about ten minutes.” Gale stretched his neck out as it dangled over the edge of the cloud, rotating his head around just in time to see a bright red apple flying straight for him. Before he could blink the fruit zipped by his head and a few feet over. The apple floated in midair for a split second before tumbling downward. Not missing a beat, Gale shot his head forward and snagged the falling fruit out of the air.

He took the whole apple in his mouth and began chewing on the unexpected snack, flipping over onto his belly to peer down and investigate. ...Oh, duh, he realized, how’d I not notice the little scamp down there? A familiar yellow pony was waving up at the pegasus, clearly trying to get his attention. Gale spotted what looked to be a sizable pile of ammunition beside the earth pony. Rather than wait for another shot, he used his cloud as a springboard and dove straight for the other pony, swallowing the apple on his way down.

Apple Bloom stopped waving when she noticed the stallion coming to meet her. She smiled up to the pegasus as he dove back down to earth. Gale Force flared his wings and landed soundlessly on his hooves, beaming at the mare. “Now what did I tell you about flinging fruit at innocent pegasi in flight?” Gale teased, patting Apple Bloom on the head.

The farmpony casually knocked the hoof away and gave the stallion a poke. “Uh-huh, bet ya’ were nappin’ away up there once that other pony left ya’ alone.”

Gale Force chuckled. “Guilty,” he confessed with a cheesy smile, raising an eyebrow as he took the sight of the young mare in. He put a hoof to his chin in thought. “You look different, Apple Bloom.... Get your mane cut recently or something?”

Apple Bloom swished her bow-adorned tail around and flicked her mane from side to side. “It’s a new style fer me, courtesy of a good friend a’ mine!” she smiled. “Ah ain’t one ta fuss over looks, but Ah’ve grown mighty fond of it. Notice anything else new about me?” She angled one of her cheeks so the new freckles were plainly visible to the pegasus.

“Uh, I didn’t see a cutie mark I think,” he pondered, stealing a glance at a flank which was, indeed, still blank. Gale tilted his head and frowned. “...You didn’t use to wear glasses, did you?”

Apple Bloom sighed. “No, Ah didn’t. Look closer: Ah’ve got freckles now!” she beamed as she pointed the white dots out to Gale, who nodded appreciatively but silently wondered what the big deal was.

“That’s... great, Apple Bloom! They look good on you.” He smiled and patted the mare on the head again. If she was excited with something as simple as freckles, it was no wonder she looked forward to her cutie mark so much. “And thanks for the treat, by the way. It was delicious! Now what kind of apple was that again?” He pondered the red apples sitting next to Apple Bloom. “...Gala?”

The apple farmer laughed. “Sure, Gale, that’s exactly what them delicious, red apples are.”

“...Red Delicious then?”

“Now yer gettin’ it. That’ll be a bit, by the way.”

The pegasus blinked. “But you tossed that apple up to me!”

“An ya’ ate it an’ enjoyed it,” she retorted, holding out a hoof with a smirk. “Pony up.”

Sighing melodramatically, the pegasus produced a bit from a pouch under his wing and hoofed it over. “Cloud Kicker was right: You sales ponies are pushy.” He grinned and licked his lips. “Totally worth it though. It was a pretty good apple.”

“And don’t you ferget it,” Apple Bloom giggled. “So Ah take it yer fancy cloud makers are finally functionin’ proper?”

“You know it,” Gale nodded, “and not a moment too soon. The poor plants haven’t seen a drop of rain for far longer than scheduled. Combine that with the small heat wave we’ve been having and that makes a recipe for sweaty, disgruntled ponies and a dry, dying land.”

“Ooh, does this mean we’re finally gonna get some rain?” the mare asked eagerly. “We’d mighty appreciate a nice wet cooldown!”

“Yep! As soon as I kick them clouds into gear you’ll get a nice little downpour. Nothing too strong, but enough to definitely get you nice and soaked.”

“Thank goodness. Ah’ve been practically meltin’ under the sun down here!” Apple Bloom exaggerated with a giggle. “Wanna sit a spell? Ah’m almost done havin’ lunch and could use some company.”

Gale Force’s head turned skyward, eying the clouds he was supposed to be coaxing the moisture out of. He shrugged. “Sure, I’ve got a little time,” he said to Apple Bloom.

“Awesome!” she enthused, bounding back over to the table to finish up lunch. Gale sat opposite the young mare and glanced about the farm as she ate.

“So, you and Scootaloo have any big crusading plans for the weekend?”

Apple Bloom swallowed a bite. “Wish we did, but Ah’ve got too much on mah plate ta crusade right now. We oughta get back to it next week though, after Big Macintosh an’ Applejack get home.”

“Well, maybe we’ll take a small family trip this weekend then,” he thought aloud. “Scootaloo’s been wanting to go back to Cloudsdale ever since we went there for a Wonderbolts show this summer.” His eyes brightened at the prospect. “Yeah, you know what? I’m liking this idea.”

“Well Ah’m sure y’all’ll have a good time. Bring me back a souvenir?”

“Sure thing, Apple Bloom.” He idly stretched his wings, fidgeting in his seat a bit: The pegasus never enjoyed sitting still for too long. Gale’s guilty conscience was also starting to sound off in his head as he continued to procrastinate. “Well, I think my lunch break’s about over. Since you seem about done with lunch I won’t feel so bad when I start making it rain.” He stood up, Apple Bloom following suit. The farmpony trotted over to his side and beamed up to him.

“Thanks fer yer company, Gale,” she said sincerely. “Was gettin’ a little lonely out here today.”

Gale Force smiled and gave the mare a one-legged hug. “No problem,” he replied. “There’s going to be more rain in the coming week so that we can make up for lost time. I’ll make sure I’m assigned around here more often than not so we can hang out more. Deal?”

The farmpony grinned. “Deal! Oh, one more thing,” she dashed away from the picnic table and returned a moment later with another Red Delicious apple, which she tossed towards the pegasus. “That one’s on the house.”

Gale dexterously caught the fruit in his mouth and nodded his thanks to the young mare. With a grin and a wink he took off to the sky, munching on the fruit as he flew. Apple Bloom waved as the pegasus disappeared into a low-hanging cloud, bits of fluff shooting out in his wake. The farmpony decided it was a good idea to finish her lunch before the rain started, so she quickly got back to the picnic table and ate the rest of her sandwich in a few large bites. She quaffed the remainder of her water and took her dishes inside just as the rain started to fall.

When stepping back outside, Apple Bloom found the rain to be pleasant and comforting as opposed to annoying and a hindrance to her day. It wasn’t the roaring storm she had had to work through a week ago. In fact, she even decided not to don her poncho, instead letting the water wash over her to enjoy the cool and cleansing feeling. As she trotted along she noticed Winona hunkered down inside of her doghouse, chomping away at her lunch and having dragged her food bowl inside. Apple Bloom thought about calling the collie out to her, but decided to let the dog stay dry and enjoy her meal. Remembering her list of non-applebucking chores, she pondered which one to tackle first. After a moment, she decided that since the rain might make the sinking plow fall even further, she should take care of that before anything else.

The young mare grinned as she trotted off towards one of Sweet Apple Acres’ many hills. Apple Bloom stepped into one of the orchards, listening to the sounds of the rainfall hitting the hundreds of trees across the farm, generating a peaceful ambiance as she moved along. The peaceful noise slowed her pace down, and it took her nearly twenty minutes to reach the plow embedded into the ground.

Apple Bloom circled the plow slowly, noting where it was stuck and guessing how deep it was embedded. Water trickled down the tool’s blade as the rainfall continued. The farmpony noticed that the plow was, indeed, sinking into the ground. The last time she had come across it, the blade had been a few inches taller. She looked down at the earth between the plow and the apple trees and bit her lip. The ground was uneven, as if something was beginning to push up from beneath the ground. Mud already clung to her hooves, and more was being added as the malleable earth shifted beneath them.

There was no doubt in Apple Bloom’s mind: She had to get the plow out today. “Wish you were here, big brother,” she said to herself. “Nopony can move this beast of a plow a’ yers but you... but that won’t stop me from tryin’.”

She found the harness of the plow still attached to the tool, sprawled out limply on the ground nearby. She furrowed her brow and crawled into it. The bulky harness, designed for a much larger farmpony, left her plenty of slack, the edges of it tickling the ground despite Apple Bloom standing up to her full height. Giving her head a toss after adjusting it, she pulled out and away from the trees towards the open field as hard as she could. The farmpony’s hooves dug into the earth as she pulled against the unyielding harness. Despite a solid minute of hard effort, the plow refused to budge. Apple Bloom stepped out of the harness, fell to her haunches, and took a second to catch her breath, the water from the rain mingling with the sweat from her brow.

“Shoot,” she muttered, turning to face the plow. “Jus’ how am Ah supposed ta’ get this contraption outta the ground? Shoulda’ asked Gale ta help out when he was still here.” She looked from the plow to the harness to the trees that would soon be uprooted. “If only the darn thing fell in a different way. The angle’s all wrong!” She stood up and examined the tool and the trees again. “Wrong... angle... hmm...” she pondered with a hoof to her chin, an idea slowly formulating in her mind. “Maybe if I.... Well, then if.... Yeah.... Yeah, that just might work!” she exclaimed, dashing back into the orchard. “Ah jus’ hope Ah have all the right tools fer the job!”

Apple Bloom clung securely to a branch up in an apple tree, tongue sticking out to the side as she fastened two ends of a belt together. The small pulley attached to the belt became taut, standing straight up as the earth pony yanked the belt tight. Spitting the belt out, she carefully inserted a rope that was draped across the branch into the pulley. Testing the rope by pulling both ways on it, she gave a satisfied nod.

Apple Bloom stood up and about-faced, hopping off the branch, kicking against the tree, and landing deftly on her hooves against the muddy ground. Tree climbing and descending was no easy feat for a pony, but Apple Bloom had had a lot of practice. Each repair or addition to the Cutie Mark Crusader clubhouse required another trip up a tree without the aid of a rope, ladder, or ramp. The farmpony turned her gaze up to make sure the pulley was properly positioned, blinking as droplets of rain made hit her face.

“Good,” she mumbled under her breath, “that’s all set.” She grabbed one end of the rope in her mouth and took it over to the stuck plow, tying it securely around the harness. Once done, she trotted under the pulley and tied the other end of the rope to a smaller harness, squeezing snugly into it once the knot was tied. She gave the length of the rope one last check before moving forward to tighten the slack, stepping onto a long, flat plank of wood. After running through her plan mentally one last time, she nodded resolutely.

“Alright... it’s now er’ nothin’.” She took a deep breath, wiped her face clear of water and sweat, and pulled. Unlike her previous attempt, she instantly found herself making some forward progress. Apple Bloom stepped off the wooden plank onto the muddy earth as she heaved. The pulley rotated slowly and squeaked as the rope was pulled through it. The other end of the rope lifted the plow’s harness off of the ground. Apple Bloom dug her hooves deep into the dirt as she began to slowly lift the plow upwards. Inch by inch the blade slid out of the ground, emitting a small squelching sound as it emerged.

Apple Bloom craned her neck around to check on her progress. The stained part of the blade told her that she was about halfway there. With renewed vigor she pulled harder against the weight, taking small steps forward. As she did, her forehoof slipped on a smooth stone embedded in the ground. The pull from the plow caused the young mare to involuntarily rear up to her hind legs, sliding back a few inches. Apple Bloom gasped as the harness pressed hard against her torso, forcing the air out of her. She gritted her teeth and tried to lean forward, angling her hind legs to assist.

A small spike of pain shot up through a hind leg as her rear hooves now bore the brunt of the force. Apple Bloom bit down hard on her lip as she slowly coaxed her forelegs back down to earth. Once she planted them down on the ground she pulled herself forward more with them, tilting her legs 45 degrees forward as she pulled. Apple Bloom made sure to watch where her hooves fell to avoid another incident. She put one hoof in front of the other as the plow slowly rose out of the ground, until finally the blade was completely removed from the soil. Panting, the young mare rose a rear hoof and gave the plank of wood on the ground a calculated kick. The plank slid across the mud and grass, sliding to a stop just under the plow and covering the gash the blade had created.

Once Apple Bloom was sure the hole was covered, she stopped pulling and carefully walked backwards, lowering the plow onto the wooden plank. She released the rope and took in a revitalizing breath, grinning from ear to ear: Her rope-and-pulley plan had worked without a hitch.

The plow groaned against the wood, but remained steady atop the plank, and the trees’ roots were saved. Apple Bloom grasped the end of the rope that was attached to the plow’s harness in her mouth and yanked it forward, repositioning the tool on the wood. The blade was now set so that even if the plow and managed to break through the plank it wouldn’t dig into the ground again.

“Well, cross that off mah list,” she said with pride, sticking her head up to let the cool raindrops fall on her face. “An’ the weatherponies were kind enough ta water fer me! That’s two.” She climbed the tree to retrieve the pulley, quickly unfastening it from the branch and tossing it to the ground. “Now, what else did Ah hafta do again?” she wondered as she hopped off the tree and gathered her supplies up into a bag, tossing the satchel over her back and ambling to the farm.

“Ah, that’s right. Need ta get some food fer tha piggies! Oughta be plenty fer them thanks ta last week’s storm. We’ll have enough slops ta feed ‘em fer weeks!”

Apple Bloom’s bright grin started to fade as she realized something. “Gee... it probably won’t be too fun pickin’ all that stuff off the ground all by mah lonesome, though....” She sighed, slowly making her way back through the orchard. “No bucket balancin’ on mah snout fer Applejack ta hit apples into. No stickballin’ anythin’ inta Big Macintosh’s saddlebags. Not even Granny ta scorn us fer slackin’ off.” A smile creeped up on her face. “Well, s’pose it’s not all bad news.”

The wet weather continued blanketing Sweet Apple Acres with a swath of rainfall. As Apple Bloom turned skyward she noticed a pegasus silhouetted through the clouds, moving fast. Once the shadow moved by, the rain intensified, wasting no time in completely drenching Apple Bloom from head to tail. She yelped and made a mad dash for the barn, galloping for the cellar. The door leading to the underground room lay open from when Apple Bloom had entered earlier to fetch the supplies she needed. The earth pony dove for the entrance, craning her neck for the door and slamming it shut behind her. She slowed to a stop at the bottom of the stairs and gave herself a good shake to dry off.

The rain pounded against the cellar door, echoing into the pitch-dark basement. Apple Bloom, having had to blindly find her way through the cellar many times before, easily navigated to one of her workbenches without incident. She reached the counter and lit a candle, being careful not to let her wet mane drip all over the wick. WIth the dim source of light animating shadows across the walls, Apple Bloom sat her satchel down on the floor and unpacked her things. Soon her tools and rope were back in their proper place, either neatly tucked away in a drawer or hanging up on a wall. With the sounds of the rain continuing to permeate the cellar, Apple Bloom sat on her haunches and wiped her brow dry.

“Think Ah’ll jus’ take a breather here. Maybe the rain’ll let up ‘fore too long,” she decided, trotting over to the other side of the cellar and fetching a bottle of apple juice. She popped the bottlecap off with a flick of a hoof and took a long draw, sighing happily when her thirst was quenched. Apple Bloom listened to the rain as she spent the next several minutes nursing the apple juice.

The young mare’s attention was eventually drawn to her injured hoof. After taking another drink, she set the bottle down and used her forelegs to gently lift her back leg up further into the dim light. Apple Bloom examined it carefully, rotating her leg around at a slow interval. The long crack she had sustained several days ago had started to mend. A thin line originating from her fetlock showed where it had healed, tracing down to where the injury was still present. The large crack stood out against the other dings and scrapes that were only superficial. There was still enough separation from the injury that Apple Bloom could force the two parts of her hoof to move independently of one-another. She elected not to do this, however, as that action would cause intense pain.

The horseshoe affixed to the bottom of the hoof and the joining of the two parts at the top forced the crack to stay in place. Apple Bloom lightly tapped the horseshoe to adjust it slightly and close the small gap that had formed during her work day. She managed to do it without feeling too much pain, though that didn’t stop her from wincing. She quickly did the same to her other three horseshoes and finished off her apple juice, standing up and stretching her legs one at a time. She hopped in place to make sure none of the horseshoes were loose, then trotted back over to the cellar steps, where she could still hear the rain.

“Well, guess the rain’s not gonna skedaddle anytime soon,” Apple Bloom mumbled as she craned over to blow out the candle. She quickly climbed the steps and threw the cellar door open. The pony was greeted with a gust of cool wind and droplets of rain blowing in her face. She brought a hoof to her head on instinct and looked around, seeing that while it wasn’t pouring, the combination of the breeze and the rain made the weather seem worse than it was. “Least Ah can still see the ground. Wouldn’t find no apples fer the pigs if Ah was stumblin’ around blind.”

Apple Bloom locked the cellar up and trotted over to the barn, tossing a large overturned bucket onto her back. She let out a shrill whistle through her teeth. “Winona! Come!” she called out to the doghouse nearby. The collie, having taken shelter from the rain, seemed reluctant to step outside, but another whistle from the farmpony encouraged her to brave the weather and dash over to Apple Bloom’s side.

“Alright, girl, it’s slop huntin’ time,” the young mare stated. “We’ll start ‘round the orchards and work our way in. Should probably get three er four a’ these buckets full ‘fore we stop. Are ya’ ready?” Winona barked once, tail wagging away. “Atta girl! Let’s git!”

Big Macintosh stood tall amidst the sea of ponies gathering in the front lawn of the Green Apple Grove farmhouse. It almost felt like a true family reunion with so many Apples collected in one spot. Stallions and mares bearing apple slices, apple treats, apple bunches, apple pies, and other varieties of apple on their flanks mingled and chatted. Even Aunt and Uncle Orange had shown up, occupying the back of the crowd in a vain attempt to get the farmhouse’s shade to shield them from the afternoon sun. Not every Apple could make it, though, as some lived too far away and others were unable to interrupt their local farmwork. A few volunteers from the surrounding area dotted the crowd, replacing the absentee Apple family members and doing what they could to help out.

Macintosh kept to himself, not interacting with the throng and instead picking up on a few strands of conversation floating about. Most in attendance were aware of the reason for the post-lunch gathering, and were discussing with each other how to fix the problem, or what solutions they as a whole would propose. Others were less clued in, asking why the family meeting was called to order in the first place. Big Macintosh merely stared ahead with a pensive look, dismissing the idle chatter and thinking about how the Apple family was going to solve the lingering food issue.

One that didn’t have to involve a certain farm up north, that is.

The stallion sighed softly, swishing his tail about as he moved the sprig in his mouth from one corner to the other. Surely they could arrive at a solution that didn’t have to involve Sweet Apple Acres? Even if it meant going against Apple family tradition and having to borrow from somepony else, he’d try to dissuade the family from adding more to his younger sister’s plate. Showing a rare sign of impatience, Big Macintosh began tapping a hoof on the ground, waiting for the two ponies that had called the meeting to arrive.

“There ya’ are, Macintosh!”

The stallion’s head turned at the sound of his name, ears twitching and honing in on the source. Applejack trotted up to her elder sibling and gave him a friendly nudge in the side. “Heard ya’ got called off ta haul more dead wood, leavin’ yer sister plowin’ all by her lonesome.”

Big Macintosh smirked. “Sure ya’ did jus’ fine, sis. Should be able ta hop back on that with ya’ right after this meetin’. All the wood’s uprooted an’ outta the way, least from what we can tell.”

“Well, Ah did get some help in the end. Uncle Orange chipped in,” she chuckled. “Well, if only fer a few minutes, at least. Had more important stuff ta do. Stuff like playin’ mailpony.” Applejack removed her hat and grabbed the letter resting within it. “Letter from home!” she said through clenched teeth and a smile blooming on her lips. Big Macintosh smiled back.

“Finally! Ah was startin’ ta think they’d never write.” He grabbed the offered letter and made to open it when the approach of a pony pair caught his eye. He stuck the letter into his yoke and nodded his head at the approaching duo. “Looks like we’ll have ta wait a spell ‘fore gettin’ to it, Applejack. Meetin’s startin’.”

Applejack nodded, taking position beside her older brother and looking ahead. The conversations began to die down as more ponies realized the meeting was about to begin. Applejack and Big Macintosh stood at the front of the gathering, giving the orange mare an opportunity to wave to the approaching earth ponies. The two gave friendly nods back to their daughter as they reached the front of the crowd, coming to a stop and facing their extended family.

While the murmurs and discussions had quieted somewhat, others were still cooking fervently in the Apple audience. “Ahem!” Jonagold cleared his throat, his voice booming across the entire gathering like a sudden thunderclap. The large stallion’s stature alone was one that commanded attention, standing taller and stronger than his eldest son and towering over that of his wife. A pair of red apples matching his namesake adorned his flanks, easily standing out against his tan coat. Jonagold’s short vocal announcement immediately silenced the ongoing conversations.

“Now then,” he started, adjusting the large straw hat on his head to give him a bit more shade, “Ah reckon y’all know why we’re meetin’ like this. We’re fixin’ fer a real disaster if’n this food issue that’s snuck up on us gets any worse.”

A general murmur of agreement emanated from the crowed, with ponies nodding their heads and looking to one another. “An’ as such,” he continued, “we need ta put our heads together an’ think of some way ta get us outta this mess.”

“But Jonagold,” a green-maned mare piped up from the crowd, “can’t we just rustle up some help from the local town folk? The grove’s provided so much fer them in the past, ain’t it time they gave somethin’ back?”

“They would if they could, Red Gala,” Jonagold replied, “but they’ve their own issues ta work out. We ain’t the only ones sufferin’ from the infestation and drought, ya’ know.” The crowd again generally assented, though in a more somber manner than before. “Afraid we gotta pull ourselves outta this, jus’ like we’ve been doin’ this past week. Now mah darlin’ Valencia here,” he threw a foreleg around the mare next to him, “has been frettin’ over facts an’ figures on our farms ta see where we could possibly get help from.”

Valencia, on cue, took a step forward to address the family. Her dusty green coat contrasted the bright orange halves on either of her flanks. Though the former city pony’s demeanor still held a trace of propriety from her upbringing, years of farming and applebucking had transformed the petite Manehattenite into a stout, strong mare. She flicked one of her golden braids out from in front of her face before speaking.

“We were hopin’ to hear from y’all ‘bout any suggestions y’all might have, as we all know that numbers and statistics only tell part of the story.” Her eyes scanned the crowd, focusing for a moment on Big Macintosh and Applejack before continuing on past them. Applejack shot back a quizzical look before Valencia spoke again. “There is one particular outlier in the analysis I conducted that presents itself as a most welcome opportunity to alleviate our woes.”

A giggle rose from the crowd, followed by a shush from another member. “But given certain... circumstances...” Valencia continued, blushing a twinge and clearing her throat, “...Ah wanted ta see if y’all had any better ideas ‘fore commitin’.” More snickers rolled out of the crowed before a glare from Jonagold hushed them up instantly. To his slight irritation, however, Valencia was now chuckling as well. “Slippin’ in an’ out, again, am I? Well y’all know how much we’ve been frettin’ over this, then, cuz it takes a ton a’ worry ta get me ta start talkin’ fancy.” She offered an apologetic smile to Aunt and Uncle Orange, who she’d spotted in the back of the crowd, forehooves against their foreheads.

“Anyway,” Jonagold continued, “does anypony have any other ideas?” He gave his children in the audience a meaningful look. Applejack, having noticed both of her parents giving them a stare, went wide eyed in realization.

“Sweet Apple Acres,” she muttered under her breath, looking to Big Macintosh with a worried expression. “They’re gonna use Sweet Apple Acres!” she whispered anxiously to her brother as other Apple family members shouted suggestions up to the front.

“Ah figured as much,” Macintosh said with a knowing nod, chewing thoughtfully on his sprig. “Only reason they called this meetin’ was ta try ta find a way out. But...” he gestured aimlessly into the crowd with a foreleg, ears drooping slightly as each idea tossed out was summarily shot down, “...it ain’t lookin’ good.”

Applejack bit her lip as another pony-posited plan was put out by her parents. “There’s gotta be somepony else that can send enough?”

“Ain’t no way, sis,” her brother stated. “Aren’t ya listenin’?” When he went quiet, Applejack’s ears twitched and listened as lots of potential solutions were introduced, discussed, and summarily dismissed for one reason or another. “There’s just not enough food. ‘Bout the only place that can give more than a small helping of crops is... our farm.”

“Oh boy...” Applejack sighed, staring at the letter tucked into Big Macintosh’s yoke. “Apple Bloom’s in fer one big surprise when we write her back.” Her eyes darted back and forth, tracking aimlessly as she tried to think of an alternate recourse.

“Applejack,” a booming voice said.

“Maybe if we go back? If we can just—”

“Applejack,” Jonagold repeated, demonstrating where Big Macintosh’s own patience came from.

“Or how about if—”

“Applejack.”

The mare winced as the thundering voice finally broke her train of thought. Everypony’s eyes were on her as she meekly turned up to face her father with a sheepish grin. “Sorry, Pa. What is it?” she answered to the chorus of a few chuckles.

“It looks like we don’t got any choice in the matter,” Jonagold explained. “We’ll be gettin’ help from some other farms, but Ah’m afraid we’re gonna have ta put in a rather hefty order to Sweet Apple Acres. The rest a y’all can get back ta workin’ in the grove. Macintosh, Applejack, you stick around ta discuss details.” He waved the family off with a large hoof, dismissing the crowd. “There’s a lotta work ahead, fellas!”

The ponies dispersed, spreading out in all directions around the grove to get back to their work. The front lawn was left empty save for four particular Apple ponies.

“I’ve taken the liberty of preparing a detailed list of the quantities and types of crops we require for the farm,” Valencia said once it was just the four of them.

“Sweetie Pie? You’re turnin’ all fancy again.” Jonagold pointed out irritably.

“Oh hush, darlin’,” she retorted with a grin. “Ya’ know ya’ like it when Ah start talkin’ proper anyway.” Applejack flushed as red as Big Macintosh, who had turned a shade darker.

“Thank ya’ kindly, Ma!” Macintosh said quickly to try and steer the conversation away. “We’ll send it back with our letter ta Granny an’ Apple Bloom.”

“...What’s eatin’ ya’, Ma?” Applejack asked softly. “Ah know ya’ don’t start talkin’ like that unless yer nervous, an’ it’s soundin’ like we’ve got a plan now.”

“It’s.... Well, I’m concerned... for my little Apple Bloom,” she admitted, her expression growing worrisome. “So much work for such a little filly....”

“Valencia, Apple Bloom ain’t no filly no more,” her husband reminded gently. “Although it has been awhile since we’ve seen our darlin’. Perhaps after we get things settled here we ought ta go home fer a spell.”

Valencia perked a bit at her husband’s words, nuzzling him softly. “That’d be nice.”

“Speakin’ of which,” Macintosh spoke up, shifting his sprig around, “when are we needin’ this order by? Even if we were all back home it’d take more than a day ta do.”

“Hmm...” Valencia pondered, still using her husband’s shoulder to lean on. “Ah’d reckon... if we could get the order in by next Saturday at the latest... that’d work swell.” She smiled up to her to children. “Think Apple Bloom can handle that?”

“Well, even if she couldn’t, an’ Ah’m not sayin’ she can’t,” Applejack assured, “but if she really couldn’t, she knows ta ask fer help. There’re plenty a’ Ponyville ponies willin’ ta help.” She chuckled.

“Well, now that that’s all settled, y’all head inside,” Jonagold said with a firm nod, tipping his straw hat. “Valencia’ll get y’all the order sheets an’ you an’ yer brother can write back ta Apple Bloom and Granny. Ah’d best git back ta directin’ the troops ‘round the farm.” He remained rooted to the spot, waiting for the next inevitable action to occur. As expected, Valencia, Big Macintosh, and Applejack all grouped around the largest Apple and hugged one-another tightly.

“Meetin’ adjourned.”

Granny Smith wearily pulled the lightened cart along as she made her way home from Ponyville. Once again, she’d managed to sell her entire stock by day’s end, and used part of the days profit to purchase dinner. The surprise meal that Granny promised to fetch for the evening bounced along in a basket in the cart as she made her way home. The elder farmpony paused for moment to sample the delectable aromas emanating from the surprise supper. “My oh my, we’re in fer a treat tonight!” she beamed. “Hope Apple Bloom’s good an’ hungry fer this.” Granny blinked and processed that thought. “...Who am Ah kiddin’, she’d eat mine if Ah’d let her.”

Granny smirked at the thought as she trotted over the hill, bringing Sweet Apple Acres into view. The old mare hummed quietly as she occasionally sidestepped a puddle from the recently-subsided rainfall. She pulled up next to the barn and unhitched herself from the cart just as some excitable barking pierced the otherwise-quiet scene. Winona dashed up to Granny Smith and crouched down in front of her playfully, happy to see her return. “Afternoon, Winona,” Granny greeted the collie, patting her on the head. “Holdin’ down the fort, are ya’?”

Winona barked twice before twitching her nose into the air. She sniffed once, twice, three times before toddling over to the cart, tongue rolling out of her mouth as she located the source of the delicious smell. “Oh no you don’t, girl,” Granny said, dashing the dog’s dreams of a delectable dinner. She shoo’d Winona away from the basket. “That’s our supper, not yers.” Winona obeyed reluctantly, backing away from the cart.

“What’s our supper, Granny?” a voice called out. Apple Bloom, covered with splashes of mud, trotted over to her grandmother and gave her a hug. She, too, got a whiff of the food Granny procured from Ponyville. Her eyes focused on the basket in the cart. “That it there? Mmm... smells great, whatever it is!”

Granny chuckled, wiping some mud off of Apple Bloom’s cheek. “Sure is, Dear. Ah figured since you’ve been workin’ yer tail off ya’ deserved somethin’ special fer supper tonight, so Ah stopped by that fancy restaurant ya’ like so much and ordered us a pair a’... er... how’d that feller say it....” She scratched her head, then wrestled the words out of her mouth. “Salad duh looks, Ah think.”

Apple Bloom gasped, hopping in the air and cheering. “Ya’ got us salade de luxe fer supper? Aw, Granny, yer the best!” she exclaimed, wrapping the elder mare up in a much tighter hug. The older farmpony wheezed a little, but returned the hug all the same, patting Apple Bloom on the back. As she did, Granny noticed a fresh bandage wrapped around a particular hoof.

“Apple Bloom?” she asked, breaking apart from the hug and looking concerned. “Did something happen to yer hoof today? Are you alright, darlin’?”

“Hmm? Oh, no worries Granny!” Apple Bloom reassured. “Ain’t nothin’ ta fret over. Darn crack started bleedin’ a bit on me again a little, but it ain’t hurt er nothin’.” She tapped said hoof roughly against the ground a couple of times. “See?”

“Well, good,” Granny replied, smiling warmly. “Ah’d hate ta see ya’ hurtin’ again. Now let’s get this cart in the barn an’ have some supper! Mind gettin’ the doors fer me?” Apple Bloom happily obliged, throwing one door open, then the other. Granny reattached herself to the cart and hauled it in. “My, what a fine day’s harvest,” her voice floated out from inside the barn. “Must be a few dozen... wait a pony-pickin’ minute.... Apple Bloom!”

The younger mare winced at the stern tone with which her name was called. ...Oh ponyfeathers, she thought, glumly stepping into the barn where the day’s harvest of apples were stowed. “Y-yes Granny?” she said softly, offering a weak smile to her elder.

Granny had unhitched herself from the cart and marched towards Apple Bloom, who suddenly felt about three times smaller than the green farmpony. “Apple Bloom, did you buck apples today?”

Apple Bloom gulped. “Well... ya’ see, thing is... m-my hoof was... is feeling better!” she defended. “Ah only hurt it a bit when Ah fished Big Macintosh’s plow outta the ground! Honest!”

Granny responded by simply tapping a forehoof and glaring at her. Apple Bloom changed tact on the spot. “Granny, Ah couldn’t not applebuck fer much longer, er else Ah’d fall too far behind!”

“It ain’t like yer fillin’ a thousand bushels, young filly,” Granny countered. “Ah know what we need, and ya’ weren’t fallin’ too far behind.” She narrowed her eyes at the yellow farmpony. “You promised me ya’ wouldn’t applebuck today.”

Apple Bloom frowned at being called a young filly, but didn’t dare talk back to an angered Granny Smith. She bit her lip, desperately thinking for any plausible excuse. A long shot crossed her mind. “Ah... crossed mah tail when Ah made the promise?” she tried. Granny rolled her eyes exasperatedly and shook her head.

“Apple Bloom, yer supposed ta be older than that,” she chided, voice as sharp as a knife’s edge. “Now git inside an’ wash up fer supper.”

“But... b-but—”

“March.”

“...Fine,” Apple Bloom relented, before lowering her head. She sighed and turned to exit the barn, slowly making her way for the house. Winona, who’d remained outside during the confrontation, tried to cheer her up in her usual ways. Apple Bloom was having none of it, however, waving the collie away with a hoof as she ambled. Back in the barn, Granny sighed. “...Ah wonder if Ah was a bit much,” she muttered to herself.

“Oh, I don’t know, it sounded pretty tame to me.”

“Whozat?!” Granny shouted, startled. She calmed down when a ram trotted out from the back of the barn, yawning. “Land sakes, Abraram. Ya’ scared me good!”

“Sorry, Granny Smith,” the ram replied, yawning again. “Didn’t mean to frighten you, of course. I’m just glad Bethany took little Joseph out for a bit, otherwise he would’ve been woken up along with me,” he said, stifling a third yawn.

“Oh, Ah’m sorry ‘bout that,” Granny apologized. “Ah was just feelin’ so proud of Apple Bloom. Felt Ah’d reward her fer her hard work this past week. Then when Ah do Ah come home to this.” She gestured at the stacked piles of bushels around the barn. “She lied to me.”

Abraram looked puzzled. “Any other day of the week I’d expect you to be happy to see this much work done. What makes today different? Surely you didn’t expect more than this?” he commented.

Granny shook her head. “It ain’t that. She promised me that she would do no applebuckin’ today, on account of her hoof bein’ in a bad state an’ all. An’ she broke it.” She looked over all of the bushels, sighed, and turned to Abraram. “Ah’m jus’ worried about her is all. Ah didn’t mean ta snap at her. Can’t exactly punish her right now neither. What am Ah gonna do, give her extra chores?” She sighed, scanning over the bulk of the bushels to get a rough count of them.

Abraram trotted over to Granny Smith and chuckled and gave her a friendly pat on the back. “She sure sounded sad to me already, Granny. Sounded to me like she feels bad enough already.”

Granny thought a moment, then nodded. “Yeah, Ah suppose. Think the best thing fer the both of us now is ta enjoy a good supper together,” she said resolutely. “Then we can discuss things.” The elder farmpony glanced out the barn door and at the house. “She made a choice today, and Ah gotta let her make those sorts a’ choices on her own more and more now.” She shook her head, amused. “Ah here Ah was thinkin’ she was actin’ younger. Turns out she’s growin’ up faster than ever....” Granny turned to the ram and gave him a small hug. “Thanks fer the pep talk. Take care a’ Bethany an’ Joseph now.”

He chuckled. “You did most of the talking, I think. But I will!” he promised, smiling and returning to his temporary home in the barn as Granny grabbed the basket from the cart and left.

The green farmpony steeled herself as she approached the home, wanting to be prepared for any reaction Apple Bloom would have when she confronted her. Granny pushed the door open and went to the kitchen, setting the basket down on the table. Apple Bloom was waiting for her there. The older farmpony sighed and began. “Apple Bloom, Ah’m—”

“Ah’m sorry, Granny!” Apple Bloom interrupted, standing up to face her grandmother head on. “Ah shouldn’t’ve lied to ya and jus’ told ya’ what my plans were. Now we both know Ah needed ta applebuck today. Ah know you said Ah’m doin’ okay not applebuckin’, but Ah can’t get outta shape when Ah got a whole week left on mah own, an’ Ah wanna have some slack jus’ in case, ya’ know?”

Granny said nothing for a moment, a little taken aback by the reverse-apology. She smiled warmly. “Ah was thinkin’ about the same thing, actually. Now, Ah don’t expect you ta lie ta me again, alright? If ya’ really wanted ta applebuck today, Ah... might’ve relented. Eventually.” She shook her head. “Anyway, Ah jus’ wanted ta let you know that ya’ can always talk to me, mare ta mare.”

Apple Bloom blinked, then let out a small gasp, smiling faintly. She’s treatin’ me like... a mare... she realized. “...Ah will, Granny. Promise. An’ Granny? Ah love you,” she beamed, hugging Granny Smith tightly.

Granny chuckled at the sudden hug, squeezing back. “Now how about we dig in?” she suggested, pointing at the food on the table.

Apple Bloom nodded eagerly, quickly getting the two places at the table set up with the fancy salads and drinks. She smiled across the table at Granny Smith

“Bon appetit!”

Applejack shuffled into her and Big Macintosh’s bedroom, dragging her hooves along the wooden floor. “I’m plum tuckered out,” she mumbled to her older brother, who’d managed to drag himself in behind her in a similar fashion. He shut the door behind him as her sister continued. “Ah almost don’t care that Ah have to share a bed, considerin’ Ah won’t be budgin’ an inch tonight, Ah reckon.”

Big Macintosh said nothing. He reached his side of the bed, threw the blankets into the air with a toss of his mouth, then flopped in, bouncing just a little as the blankets settled over his weary form. “O-only a few more days ta go. Lookin’ forward ta bein’ back home,” the stallion stammered, stifling a yawn. His failed attempt caused his sister to yawn loudly.

The mare set her hat aside on the nightstand, undoing the bands in her mane and tail. “You said it, Macintosh,” she agreed, now tucking herself into the inviting bed. “Ah still can’t believe what Apple Bloom’s gonna have ta go through, though. Ah mean, Ah know she can do it, but y’know, Ah love her, an’ Ah hate burdenin’ her so.” She sighed, adjusting her head on the pillow. “‘Specially after findin’ out ‘bout that hoof a’ hers.”

Big Macintosh lifted his head up off his pillow. His mouth worked around the absent sprig instinctively as he pondered. “Well, Granny didn’t say it was serious er nuthin’. Apple Bloom oughta be ready fer applebuckin’ in, well...” he counted off the days since the letter was dated “...tomorrow at the latest, Ah reckon.”

“But that’s probably done put her so far behind!” Applejack exclaimed worriedly, sitting up. “She’ll never be able ta do what we’re askin’ for!”

“Ah’m sure she’ll be fine, AJ,” Big Macintosh said, waving a hoof dismissively. “Ma, Pa, you an’ Ah all agreed that this was the best way ta handle things. We’re all workin’ hard. Apple Bloom’s just gonna have to work a little bit harder.” He smiled. “Don’t’cha be frettin’ over her so much, now. Apple Bloom’s gonna recover, if she hasn’t already, and is a strong, dependable pony. Jus’ like—”

“Like you?” Applejack interrupted.

The red stallion chuckled. “Naw, Ah was gonna say like mah other little sis,” he said. “But yeah, if you wanna exaggerate....”

Applejack promptly smacked Big Macintosh with a pillow, laughing. She quickly returned the soft cushion to its rightful place under her head, then sighed, staring up at the ceiling. “Still, though... we’re orderin’ enough ta need about every kinda apple we got back at Sweet Apple Acres. Ah can’t help but fret just a bit, knowin’ we’re askin fer so many apples.”

Big Macintosh nodded. “It ain’t as bad as it coulda’ been. The original plan was ta harvest a lot more, an’ it took enough figurin’ ta negotiate it down ta what we ended up askin’ for.” He offered Applejack a hug, which Applejack accepted gratefully. “Good night, sis. We need our rest too. Can’t be worryin’ through our beauty sleep, now can we?” he smirked.

Applejack chuckled. “Right, Ah know...” she agreed. “Good night, big brother. See ya’ bright an’ early.” Her eyes closed immediately, her breathing relaxed into a soft rhythm.

“You too, Applejack,” Big Macintosh answered, yawning again and resting his head and letting his eyes droop shut. “Jus’... one more week. Then we’ll be home again.”

Author's Notes:

You read right! In this fic, Applejack's parents are indeed alive and kicking. Back at this fic's inception, we were only in the middle of season 2, and while the lack of parents was indeed a bit mysterious for a set of ponies big on family, there was no confirmation either way. That, and most of the other main cast's parents haven't gotten any screentime yet either. As such, I invented a way to explain their long-term absence outside of a simple "they're not alive any more" explanation.

Of course, towards the end of season 5, we finally did get the unfortunate (for the Apples) confirmation that they are indeed no longer alive. In a meta-sense, I am glad that those producing the show came out and confirmed it. This is probably the second-largest divergence that this fic now has with official show canon (something I definitely do not do intentionally). Were it something more minor, I'd go back an edit it. But them being alive is woven throughout the chapters, and they play one of their biggest roles in this chapter especially.

Hope you've enjoyed what you've read so far!

Dog Days

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Winona’s lips curled and twitched as her dry nose suddenly found itself wetted by morning rainfall. A cold shiver coursed through her body, making her duck back inside her doghouse to hide away from the chilly rain. Sweet Apple Acres’ resident canine liked to keep her head parked outside the doghouse, especially on the nicer evenings. The many scents that flew through her nostrils over the course of the night led to wonderful dreams, and helped her keep watch over the farm as its inhabitants slept. Off in the distance, Winona heard the Sweet Apple Acres rooster cock-a-doodle-doo, heralding the official arrival of dawn despite the cloud cover hiding any evidence of the sun’s existence. Winona and Charlie got along well, but she couldn’t help but think envious thoughts when it came to that rooster’s crowing capabilities.

Showoff.

The tired collie stood up and stretched, peeling some straw away from the ground as bits of her bed clung to her coat. She jostled the straw free with a few shakes, the noise of her tail slapping the walls of the doghouse echoing within. Winona appreciated her own personal property on the farm. It was just her size and perfect for hiding away in when the weather was bad. She could still recall the day it was made, remembering how elated Apple Bloom was to have finished her first real construction project. Winona rolled in the straw happily, counteracting the shaking she did earlier.

With her tongue falling out of her mouth into its habitual position, Winona stepped out of her doghouse and shook off the straw once more. She toddled over to her food bowl, holding onto a sliver of hope that it magically filled itself overnight. Winona retracted her tongue and hung her head low as she found it empty. She sniffed at the bowl eagerly, hoping to find a misplaced crumb she’d somehow neglected to devour. Finding nothing, she turned to look hopefully at the farmhouse. Nopony had yet come out to greet her, but, as her ears twitched, she could hear faint signs of life emanating from within. Winona’s smile returned and her tail started wagging away. As soon as the ponies awoke, food would arrive!

Winona trotted towards the house, ignoring the rain as she sought to accelerate the ponies’ wake up routines. She hopped up onto the porch, preparing to bark when a foreign sound reached her ears. The collie turned her head to view the source of the intrusion. She saw a small brown bunny bouncing across the field heading for the apple trees! Winona spun and jumped off the porch, crouching slightly and giving the rabbit a knowing look.

This is Apple territory. Y’all ain’t gettin’ no apples on my watch.

The bunny froze when he felt the farm dog’s gaze shoot his way. He looked back at the threatening canine, folding his ears down and shrinking away from her. He knew all too well he’d never make it to the orchard with Winona on watch. He slowly reversed direction, then scampered away.

Satisfied, Winona stood up and panted happily. She was about to go back to the porch when she saw first one, then two, then six brown bunnies all bounding for the Barnack Beauties. The collie knew the time to act was now, and took off after the would-be thieves, unleashing wave after wave of cacophonous fury. The ferocious noise echoed rapidly throughout the farm, making its way through an open window on the second floor of the farmhouse.

“Ugh,” Apple Bloom groaned as the sounds reached her ears, tearing her away from unconscious bliss. She slipped the pillow over her head and smashed it over her ears, but the damage had been done. With a heavy sigh, Apple Bloom crawled out of bed and shook herself fully awake. She peeked one eye open in the middle of a yawn and glanced out the window. “S’pose it’s best Ah’m awake now anyway,” she said. “Guess Ah slept through the rooster’s hollerin’ again.” She operated on autopilot as she traversed to the bathroom to shower and then back to her room to brush up. She paused a moment while brushing to recollect what day it was, and sighed wistfully. “If Ah was still schoolin’ instead a’ this Ah’d be allowed ta sleep in today.”

Another yawn overtook Apple Bloom as she toddled out of her room and made her way downstairs. She had intended on heading straight outside to investigate what had riled up Winona, but the scent of fried eggs lured her straight into the kitchen instead, eliciting a growl from her stomach. The hungry pony forgot about her original mission and smiled to the pony whipping up breakfast. “Mornin’, Granny. Somethin’ smells delightful!”

“Oh, ya’ noticed mah new perfume, hmm?” Granny retorted with a chuckle. Apple Bloom rolled her eyes and went to pour them some orange juice. Granny served them both a heaping plate of eggs and toast, then joined Apple Bloom at the kitchen table. The farmponies quickly dug into their respective helpings, Apple Bloom outpacing her elder three eggs to one.

It didn’t take long for the two to get through their breakfast and initiate their morning routines. Apple Bloom nearly made it to the barn when she was suddenly reminded of what she had originally set out to do that morning. “Howdy, Winona!” she smiled down to the collie, who was busy sniffing at the mare’s forehooves. Whatever irritation Apple Bloom had felt earlier had long since vanished, and she stopped to pet the collie a moment. “Think Ah should feed ya’ first?”

Winona shot her head up to stare at the pony. She barked twice in rapid succession, then tore off at a sprint for her doghouse.

“That’s a yes,” Apple Bloom giggled as she followed the family pet. She wasted no time in filling Winona’s food and water dishes, and Winona wasted no time in digging into her breakfast. She moved on to complete the rest of her morning chores with Granny Smith before ushering the elder farmpony indoors. They’d already more than met their market quota for the week, and there was little to do around the farm that didn’t require manual labor.

“Now Granny, you should head inside an’ get some rest. Ya’ got up and helped me out with mornin’ work, an’ made breakfast and everything!” She tried to coax Granny into the house. “We don’t need ta be at market this weekend, ya’ said so yerself!” Try as she might, the young farmpony couldn’t get the stubborn grandmother to move from where she was rooted to the ground.

“Now Apple Bloom, no need ta box me up indoors on such a... lovely day,” she protested as rainfall gently drizzled down from the sky. “Ah can’t be cooped up when there’s work to be done!”

“Granny, we had this discussion already! There ain’t much ta do ‘sides applebuckin’,” Apple Bloom pointed out, nudging Granny towards the house. “And Ah don’t want ta see ya’ fallin’ ill again!”

“Ah ain’t gettin’ sick over a measly mizzle, Missy,” Granny huffed. “Ain’t got no numbers ta figure an’ the house is spotless. Ain’t too hard cleanin’ up after two ponies, ya know.”

The younger mare tried a different tact. “Don’t ya’ trust me ta handle things, Granny?” she asked, giving the older mare a look. Granny returned it with a defiant expression of her own, but her own protest soon melted away into a defeated sigh.

“Alright, youngin’. Ah’ll head in fer a spell. S’pose I could use a nap, an’ Ah ain’t keen on bein’ rained on neither.” She slowly walked towards the house, her frown turning upwards when she saw the relieved expression on Apple Bloom’s brow. “An’ yes, Apple Bloom. Ah trust you completely.”

Apple Bloom’s grin stretched from ear to ear. She quickly helped Granny to the porch, then gave the old mare a hug. “Thanks, Granny. Ah’d better get started.”

“Off ya’ go then!” Granny ordered, shooing Apple Bloom away. “Get yer caboose in gear!” The younger mare responded with a salute and sped off for the orchard, eager to start her applebucking on a high note.

Time flew by for Apple Bloom. It felt like she had just gotten out of bed, but before long the young mare could tell that it was already almost noon. She was used to Saturdays speeding along, but not in this manner. Sleepovers, crusading, or simply lazing about in a quiet part of the farm were the things that occupied the young farmpony’s weekends. Today, Apple Bloom lost herself in her work, moving from apple tree to apple tree and harvesting the fruit they bore in a rhythm of applebucks. The bandage secured around her injured hoof held everything in place. She completely forgot about the state of her injury as the morning progressed.

Apple Bloom was so focused that she barely noticed Granny announce that she was off to have lunch with some friends in town. Granny knew better than to disturb an Apple when they were in the zone, so she settled with the grunt of acknowledgement that Apple Bloom gave her and headed for Ponyville.

Winona had joined Apple Bloom shortly after she began, offering the hardworking farmpony her usual aid of companionship and boundless optimism. While the collie didn’t do much in terms of physical aid, only fetching the occasional apple or chasing away would-be animal thieves, Apple Bloom enjoyed her company. The rainy day did nothing to bring down the duo’s attitudes, and Apple Bloom’s day in particular sped along all the more quickly as she worked alongside Winona. As she lost herself in her work, it hardly felt like a chore to the young mare. Winona, too, was walking on sunshine as she skipped, barked, toddled and panted as she spent the morning with Apple Bloom. When the young farmpony gave the collie’s head a most generous petting for fetching some stray Scarlet Surprises, Winona returned the gesture with some affectionate kisses of her own.

In no time at all, midday arrived, and the duo retired to the farmhouse to grab some lunch. As usual, Winona tried to sneak inside with Apple Bloom to get some pony food. As usual, Apple Bloom forced the collie to stay outside. The young mare did, however, make a quick lunch for herself, and joined Winona out by her doghouse to eat lunch with her. The young mare lay couchant with her sandwich between her forelegs, leaning down to take bites while she petted Winona absentmindedly. A large umbrella that stood firmly in the muddy ground kept the two dry as they ate their respective lunches. Though they both were quick eaters, Winona managed to finish first, and gave Apple Bloom a grateful slurp on the cheek. Apple Bloom pushed the dog away gently, a grin escaping.

“Alright, enough a’ that, girl,” she chided lightly. “Lemme finish eatin’ up! Lots more ta do!”

Winona barked in her face as a response, panting away happily. Hot breaths beat against Apple Bloom’s face with each pant, making her squint. She made more of an effort to move Winona away, and the collie reluctantly did so, opting instead to sniff randomly at the air. Apple Bloom took this opportunity to wolf down the rest of her sandwich. When she looked up again, she noticed that Winona was gone. She quirked an eyebrow and craned her neck around to look for the lost dog. Her ears twitched as she heard barks sound off from behind her. She stood and turned around to find the collie running full tilt, tongue hanging out and tail wagging away.

“No... no no...” a white unicorn stuttered, freezing under the trellis arch as the dog sped towards her. “W-Winona stop right there! Don’t—”

Before she could get another word in, Winona pounced on Sweetie Belle and wasted no time in greeting the Crusader, sending both the pony and her saddlebag to the ground. The visiting pony groaned as her cheeks were suffused with saliva, Winona lapping at her again and again. “Winona,” she started, but couldn’t help but laugh a bit as the collie continued lavishing her with kisses.

“Hey, Sweetie Belle!”

Apple Bloom had joined the pair under the trellis, squeezing out a greeting between fits of giggles. Sweetie Belle smirked at Apple Bloom, regaining enough composure to ensnare Winona in a bubble of minty green magic. “Hey, Apple Bloom.” Sweetie rose to her hooves, wiping slobber off her face as she kept Winona a foot off the ground. The latter, not used to being suspended by magic, was barking wildly with her paws flailing in the air.

The two young mares smiled at Winona’s antics, the unicorn gently setting the collie down and releasing her from the spell. Apple Bloom tossed Sweetie Belle a rag to help her clean up, while Winona rolled off the adrenaline she’d accumulated during her flight, tossing dust into the air.

“So what brings you out here today?” Apple Bloom asked as she watched Winona wiggle around. “Ah woulda’ thunk you an’ Scoot would be out crusadin’.”

Sweetie telekinetically recovered her saddlebag and tossed the rag back to Apple Bloom with a free forehoof. “Nu-uh, Scootaloo’s doing stuff with her family this weekend. I’m stuck with all of this.” She gestured to her saddlebag. “You picked a good week to skip school, Apple Bloom. There’s so much homework!”

Apple Bloom examined the bulging saddlebag and grimaced. Suddenly she wasn’t missing school as much as she had been. “Yeah, well... Ah ain’t skippin’, really. Ah’ll have ta play catch-up once Applejack an’ Big Mac come back, but it ain’t no day at the swimming hole here, neither, what with all Ah got on mah plate right now.”

“Yeah, I know, but it’s just, you know... a lot!” Sweetie exclaimed, punctuating her statement with a bounce. “Anyway, I thought I’d come and keep you company while you were working.” She looked up at the cloudy sky, blinking as a couple raindrops fell on her muzzle. “If you don’t mind, that is. Figured I’d at least spend time with a friend while getting through all of this work, and I thought you could use some company too!” She smiled at Apple Bloom, then blinked and quickly added, “And I won’t get in the way or try to help, promise!”

Apple Bloom smiled wryly. “Yeah, don’t want to be set back a whole ‘nother week.”

“...Was it really that bad?” Sweetie asked, ears drooping slightly. She and Scootaloo might’ve been a detriment, but she hadn’t thought that they set back Apple Bloom’s work by that much.

“Naw, Ah’m jokin’,” the farmpony assured with a wave of a hoof. Sweetie scowled, then joined in on the laughter. “An’ Ah’d love ta have you stick around fer a spell. Whatcha got ta work on?”

“What don’t I have?” Sweetie said with a sigh. “History, math, language arts, reading, science... Just so much!” She walked with Apple Bloom over to the barn, where the farmpony was busy stacking empty baskets onto her own back. She saw an opportunity to redeem herself. “Want some help? I’m sure it’d be hard to mess up carrying empty baskets around.”

Apple Bloom hesitated for only a moment before responding. “Sure, grab a few an’ follow me.” She smiled at her fellow Crusader, who beamed back, grateful to help out in some capacity.

Sweetie Belle discarded her saddlebag, keeping only a book from it with her as she floated some baskets onto her back. She followed Apple Bloom out into where she was working prior to lunch. Winona soon bounded up behind the two mares, skipping along and running circles around the two. The trees of the orchard served as natural umbrellas for them, blocking out most of the light rain that continued to dampen Sweet Apple Acres. Apple Bloom wasted no time in setting out the empty baskets, both her own and the ones Sweetie brought out. Satisfied, she got right to applebucking. Sweetie Belle, meanwhile, settled down beneath a nearby tree and kept the book she brought hovering in front of her face.

“Whatcha readin’?” Apple Bloom asked as she gave a fierce kick to a tree.

“Lord of the Parasprites,” Sweetie answered, glancing over the top of the book at Apple Bloom. “It’s not as boring as other stuff we’ve been assigned, but we have to read five more chapters by Monday!” She huffed, turning a page. “Wouldn’t be so bad if we didn’t have so many other things assigned for the weekend.”

Apple Bloom chuckled as she filled another pair of bushels with ease. “Ah’m sure y’all at school’ll have no troubles doin’ all that.” She paused. “Maybe Scootaloo, seein’ as she’s vacationin’ an’ all.”

Sweetie grunted as she returned to her reading. “All these foals stuck on an island, and not one of them can fly or teleport.” Apple Bloom giggled as she worked her way through another tree, eliciting a glare from Sweetie Belle. “What? If Golden Leaf couldn’t think of a more plausible reason then he shouldn’t’ve written unicorns and pegasi into the story like that.”

“Well, wouldn’t be much in a story if the unicorns just used magic ta solve everything, right?” Apple Bloom hazarded as she emptied out the tree next to Sweetie Belle. “Er, mind movin’ a sec? Mah aim’s pretty good, but Ah don’t wanna take chances.”

Sweetie, indeed, found herself sitting between two empty baskets, with a bunch of apples still connected to the tree she had sought shelter under. She stood up and moved out of Apple Bloom’s way, watching as her friend leaned forward and kicked back, sending the apples tumbling downward. Her eyes caught sight of the bandage on Apple Bloom’s hoof.

“Hey, what happened there?” Sweetie asked, squinting at the wound and setting her book down.

Apple Bloom plucked a stray apple off the ground and tossed it into a basket, thinking about how she would answer Sweetie’s question. “What, ya didn’t notice it the other day at market?” When Sweetie shook her head, Apple Bloom grinned and proclaimed, “It was a dark and stormy night!”

Sweetie rolled her eyes.

“What? It really was! Ah couldn’t see mah muzzle in front a’ my own face, it was so dark and stormy! It was slippery, windy, muddy, you name it! Ah was out applebuckin’ and Ah ended up buckin’ a part of a tree Ah shouldn’t’ve, Ah cracked my hoof but good.”

Sweetie Belle winced. “Yeesh, that sounds painful. It’s okay now, though, right? Did you see a doctor to get it, um… what do you do with a cracked hoof, anyway?”

Apple Bloom moved onto the next tree, letting the studious unicorn reclaim her seat and resume reading. “Naw, Granny looked it over and said it was fine. We washed it up an’ Ah took it easy fer a few days, but now Ah’m back in action!”

“Well, you do seem to be going strong on all four hooves,” Sweetie observed, shrugging off her worry and turning the page in her book.

“Darn straight!”

Winona, having parked herself right next to Sweetie Belle, barked in agreement, making the mare jump. “Yah! When did you reappear?” The collie simply barked again and sped off back into the orchard. “And now where are you disappearing to?” she called.

With a couple of thwacks Apple Bloom finished harvested another tree. “Keepin’ apples safe from critters lookin’ ta take ‘em fer themselves,” she said, wiping some sweat from her brow. “They’re ‘specially vulnerable when they’re ripe fer pickin’ from these baskets.”

“Is that so? And here I was thinking she was just super hyper and was doing, well, dog things.”

Apple Bloom chuckled. “There’s a bit a’ that too,” she admitted.

By the time Apple Bloom had worked through that section of the orchard, Sweetie Belle had made it through three more chapters of her reading assignment. In the interim, the gloomy rainy afternoon became just a gloomy one. She freely trotted alongside Apple Bloom with the book hovering in front of her as the pair went to and from the orchard and barn. Tired of reading about conches and trying to figure out just what a microcosm was, she put the book away and focused on stretching her stiff limbs.

“I think I’ve done enough reading for now, and I can do more homework later. Anything I can do to help you out, Apple Bloom?” She looked around at the huge number of trees. “Ooh! Maybe you can teach me to applebuck!” Before Apple Bloom could stop her, Sweetie marched right up to a tree and began kicking away at it haphazardly.

Apple Bloom noticed a flaw in her friend’s technique. “Uh, Sweetie Belle?” she said as her friend reared up for another kick. “Ya’ usually wanna start with a tree that has apples in it.”

Sweetie blinked, glanced overhead, and blushed. “Er… right, heheh.”

“Ah don’t think you applebuckin’ is such a good idea anyways,” Apple Bloom said slowly. When Sweetie Belle sighed despondently, the farmpony tried a small smile to cheer her up. “Don’t worry, Sweetie Belle, Ah may have lotsa’ work, but Ah can handle it.” She hefted another full bushel of apples up onto her back and started back for the barn again. Sweetie Belle saw an opportunity to help out, and took a chance.

“Here, let me grab one!” She took a deep breath and held it as she willed her horn to life. A faint green glow emanated from her horn, and a similar glow surrounded a bushel.

Apple Bloom turned to witness the event, and sighed. “Alright, but be careful. These bushels are heavier than they look.”

Sweetie Belle nodded, grunting and sweating as she lifted the basket up onto her back and released her magical hold on it. She let out a small gasp as the full weight of the bushel came down on her back. Nodding to Apple Bloom, she uttered, “I’m ready, let’s go. Not that far to the barn, right?”

Sweetie Belle struggled with the bushel as she tried to keep up with Apple Bloom’s pace. “Apple Bloom, wait up,” she panted to the younger mare in front of her. “You’re going too fast!”

Apple Bloom paused and craned her neck around. “Ah’m walkin’ normally,” she retorted. “Come on, hustle up.” She picked up her pace to try and encourage Sweetie Belle to get moving. Sweetie attempted to speed up, but just couldn’t get herself to move faster. As they approached the barn, Sweetie’s legs buckled out from under her. She fell forward, landing flat on her chin as apples tumbled out from the bushel on her back, flowing down either side of her face. Then for her, everything suddenly went dark.

“Sweetie Belle?” Apple Bloom turned, eyes widening slightly. “Sweetie Belle!” The farmpony quickly slid her own bushel off her back and sped to the mare’s side, skipping over apples rolling every which way. “You okay?”

Sweetie moaned and rubbed her chin a little, eyes adjusting to the darkness. “I think I’m fine,” she mumbled. “Uh, who turned out the lights?”

“The bushel basket,” she heard Apple Bloom say. The farmpony lowered her head and gripped the ring of the basket with her mouth, promptly flinging it away.

“Hey, they’re on again!” Sweetie exclaimed, squinting as light flooded her senses. She blinked rapidly, then glanced around to see all the apples on the ground. She flushed guiltily. “Sorry, Apple Bloom…”

“Ya’ better be sorry!” Apple Bloom shot a hoof forward and poked her friend in the snout, wearing a mocking scowl. It didn’t last long, though, as the corners of her mouth soon twitched into a grin. “Ya’ only tripped, Sweetie Belle. Most of the apples’ll be just fine. The rest’ll go to the hogs!”

Sweetie Belle blinked again, poking Apple Bloom back with a smirk. “Okay, good. Just let me clean these up!” She flipped the overturned basket right-side up, then began scooping up apples a few at a time with telekinesis, refilling the bushel in a few moments’ time. “Better?”

Apple Bloom, having taken the opportunity to return her bushel to the barn, trotted back and looked around. “Looks good! Jus’ leave the haulin’ of bushels ta me from now on.”

“Agreed!” Sweetie Belle nodded, watching Apple Bloom load the fallen bushel onto her own back. “You were right, those things are heavy! I don’t know how you and Applejack and Big Mac… Well okay, with Big Macintosh it’s not too surprising.”

Apple Bloom set the laden bushel down next to the others. “Ya’ just get used to it,” she commented. “Shoot, even Granny can manage some impressive feats on a good day.” The two young mares laughed as they headed back into the orchard.

A large droplet of rain splattered across Sweetie Belle’s parchment, right next to a quill she was hovering above its surface as she worked out some arithmetic. The frustrated mare scowled at the sky.

“Dumb rain,” she muttered, adjusting the umbrella to block the changing direction of rainfall for what felt like the thousandth time. The young unicorn had moved to the picnic table seated just outside of the orchard Apple Bloom was busy in. The rainfall had hastened her retreat from her spot beneath the trees, the ground no longer a suitable spot for her school supplies. She’d stop and greet Apple Bloom as the farmpony trotted in and out of the orchard, exiting with a bushel and re-entering unencumbered.

Occasionally, Winona would come bounding out and bounce around Sweetie Belle’s seat, looking rather excited. The collie wouldn’t leave the studying mare alone until she rewarded the dog’s diligence with some pats to the head. Then with either a bark, a lick to Sweetie’s petting hoof, or a combination of both, Winona would zip right back into the orchard.

As the rainy day wore on, the two young mares got lost in their respective work, each one almost forgetting the other’s presence. Sweetie Belle’s eyes and Apple Bloom’s muscles strained as one studied and the other farmed. Even the interruptions by Winona became background noise for the studious young mare, her hoof moving on autopilot to pet the collie as she came to visit.

The two ponies were finally snapped out of their reveries of labor when a voice called out from the farmhouse.

“Apple Bloom! Supper’s on!”

Apple Bloom, just coming out of the orchard with Winona at her side, snapped her sweaty head up at looked towards the house. “Alright, Granny!” she hollered back. The green speck in front of the house disappeared inside while Apple Bloom quickly unloaded her haul by the barn and returned to Sweetie Belle. Winona appeared to have finally been depleted of most of her energy, but it didn’t stop the collie from sitting pretty and panting away between the two mares happily.

Apple Bloom leaned forward and stretched her back as far as it could go, only stopping after a satisfying pop emanated from the farmpony. Sweetie Belle, meanwhile, had set her quill down and ceased using her magic, rubbing her eyes as they adjusted to the dark. Sweetie Belle had unknowingly been using the green glow as a light source to write from for some time, as the gloomy evening wasn’t providing her with much light.

“Ugh, what time is it?” Sweetie asked with a yawn and a stretch that rivaled Apple Bloom’s.

“Hmm... About six, Ah reckon,” Apple Bloom answered, now stretching her legs and catching her breath. The rain mingled with the mare’s sweat as she futilely attempted to shake herself dry. “Granny’s purdy punctual when it comes ta suppertime.” She blinked. “Wow, if it is that late already… wow.”

Winona gave two sympathetic barks, her tail swishing back and forth and batting Apple Bloom’s flank lightly. She squinted around, unable to see much with her dim dog eyes, and her sense of smell was dampened by the constant rainfall.

Sweetie Belle groaned. “You mean I spent my whole afternoon sitting around and doing homework?” she lamented. “And I still have more math to do! Maybe if I…”

The unicorn trailed off as her stomach emitted a loud growl. Not to be outdone, Apple Bloom’s own belly followed suit. The two Crusaders looked at each other, then giggled. “Say, Sweetie Belle, wanna join us fer supper? We always have plenty a’ extra grub ta go ‘round.”

Sweetie’s blush from her stomach’s talking out of turn would’ve made Rarity proud. “S-sure!” she said after a moment. “I don’t think I’d make it home without getting some food in me first.” She quickly packed up her school things and hefted the saddlebag onto her back, sans magic. She rubbed the base of her horn. “Still not used to using magic for that long. Ow.”

Apple Bloom chuckled and patted her friend on the back. “Can’t say the feelin’s mutual,” she joked as the two toddled for the farmhouse. Winona trailed behind the two ponies, emitting a small whine as she budged up between the two, looking at Apple Bloom pleadingly. The farmpony looked back, ready to dash the dog’s hopes. After staring for moment, however, she simply sighed.

“Oh… alright, girl, you can join us fer supper too,” the young farmpony relented. Her immediate reward was a flurry of sloppy kisses from Winona, the collie zooming ahead and bouncing in front of the closed door.

Apple Bloom smiled wearily, wiping the drool from her face, although she couldn’t really tell the difference between that, the rain, and her own sweat anymore. “Let’s hurry an’ get inside ‘fore we all get soaked to the bone.”

“Agreed,” Sweetie nodded tersely, joining Apple Bloom in a jog up to the porch. Once sheltered from the elements, the two joined Winona in furiously shaking themselves dry. After wiping their hooves (and paws, at Apple Bloom’s behest), the trio entered the house.

A large fireplace roared in the living room, keeping the entire home warm and toasty as firewood burned away. Sweetie Belle reveled in the sudden heat source, stopping by the fireplace a moment. “This feels great!” she said happily. She had an urge to curl up for a nap until a delectable aroma snuck through her nostrils, which flared at the sudden succulent scent. The young mare’s tongue snuck out of her mouth and ran itself over her lips. “Mmm, what smells so good?”

Apple Bloom sniffed at the air tentatively. “That’d be Granny’s special broccoli cheddar soup!” she said, resisting the urge to start salivating as she sniffed again. “With… apple turnovers! And… cinnamon!” The young farmpony’s stomach grumbled loudly, and without another word, she dashed to the kitchen. A moment later, Granny’s head popped into the living room where Sweetie was just making it to her hooves again.

“Better hurry, dearie, or there won’t be nuthin left fer ya’.”

Sweetie Belle didn’t need to be told twice. She skipped into the kitchen and took a seat beside Apple Bloom while noticing Winona over in the corner, who was occupied with her own food. Even Sweetie knew that that would only temporarily stem the tide of begging for pony food.

Sweetie Belle smiled gratefully to Granny Smith as the elder farmpony ladled her a bowl of broccoli cheddar soup. “Thank you so much, Mrs. Smith!” she said politely as her stomach uttered its own gratitude.

“Show yer thanks by emptyin’ yer bowl,” Granny retorted with a smirk, taking a seat opposite the two young mares and starting in on her own supper. No more words were said as the three ponies consumed their hot, cheesy dinner in peace. While Granny slurped her own soup slowly, the two younger ponies worked quickly to satisfy their appetites. Apple Bloom only just managed to eke out a victory over Sweetie Belle in finishing her soup first, neither one stopping to chew the broccoli for very long. The two Crusaders eagerly took another serving of soup, emptying their bowls a second time just as Granny finished her first.

Once the main course was over with, Granny served everypony the fresh apple turnovers. Before they could partake, Granny sprinkled the cinnamon over the pastries, causing the two younger ponies lick their lips. Sweetie took her first bite, and her eyes rolled in pleasure.

“Wow, these are amazing!” she squealed, taking one eager bite after another. Granny nodded her thanks, taking polite bites while Apple Bloom scarfed her whole turnover into her mouth, spending the next few moments chewing away. “What’s the secret ingredient?”

“It’s a secret,” Granny answered with a wink as she took another bite. Sweetie was about to retort when a sudden bark made her jump out of her seat. She looked down to find Winona right next to her, sitting up in a begging position and meeting Sweetie’s eyes with her own quivering, begging ones. Sweetie wasn’t fooled by the act, however, and leaned forward with a pout, covering her pastry.

“Mine,” she declared, much to Winona’s disappointment. The collie knew Granny was too firm to give her any treat, and Apple Bloom was too hungry to spare anything off of her plate. The collie thought she at least had a shot with the white pony, but that wasn’t the case. Still, Winona tried her best to gain something from the guest, resting firmly on her own hind legs and wagging her tail expectantly as she panted away.

“Winona,” Granny called out in a warning tone, glancing over the table and spotting the collie, “no beggin’.”

Busted. Winona fell on all fours and lowered her ears, slinking under the table with her tail tucked between her legs. She was about to lose all hope when an odd motion from the corner of her eye caught her attention. Fresh from Apple Bloom’s plate, a piece of cobbler tumbled onto the young farmpony’s injured leg, which she then kicked to toss Winona a sneaky treat. The collie’s mood did a 180 as she bounced back up and started wagging her tail again, scarfing down the piece of pony pastry without hesitation.

Winona knew out of habit that she wouldn’t get lucky a second time, so she crept out from under the table, barking gratefully at Apple Bloom as she wormed her way out between the two Crusaders. Apparently Apple Bloom wasn’t as hungry as Winona thought! Sweetie looked down at the collie as she trotted happily by with a satisfied grin on her face. Sweetie Belle looked up to Apple Bloom and shot her a suspicious glance. The farmpony nonchalantly shrugged as she finished off the rest of her dessert.

When Apple Bloom saw Granny looking her way, she spoke quickly to change the unspoken subject. “So, Sweetie Belle, what are ya’ plannin’ on doin’ this evenin’? Ah only got a little more applebuckin’ ta do, and’ll probably be too tuckered ta do much.”

“Oh, well…” Sweetie paused, levitating her glass to take a sip, “…I hadn’t thought about it, actually. Hmm… Oh! How about a sleepover at the Cutie Mark Crusader Clubhouse?”

Apple Bloom’s eyes lit up. “That sounds like a great idea! Ah’ll be out there as soon as Ah’m finished tonight!”

Granny blinked. “But Apple Bloom, didn’t ya’ just finish sayin’ that you were gonna be too tired ta do anythin’?”

“Aw, we won’t be doin’ much, Granny, just sleepin’ out in the clubhouse!” Apple Bloom giggled, standing up and taking her dishes over to the sink. “Can I, Granny? Ah promise Ah’ll be up fer work bright an’ early tomorrow!”

“It’s yer decision, Apple Bloom,” Granny said with a firm nod and a grin. “I trust ya’ ta be responsible here.”

Sweetie Belle also stood up, lifting the rest of the dishes in a soft green glow of magic and sending them over to Apple Bloom’s. “Sweet! I’ll meet you out there, Apple Bloom, okay? It’ll give me time to do a little more homework before it gets too dark and I get too tired to focus.” She set the dishes down with ease, releasing her hold and looking a little surprised. “Wow, I guess food really does help recharge your horn.”

Winona barked happily and bounced alongside an elated Apple Bloom. “Awesome!” The farmpony beamed at the prospect of spending the night with one of her closest friends. The farmpony joined her fellow Crusader in a synchronized exclamation of joy.

“Cutie Mark Crusader sleeper overers! Yay!”

Granny Smith rolled her eyes, chuckling as she shooed the other two young mares and Winona out of the kitchen.

“You dumb colt, what are you doing speaking out of turn like that?” Sweetie shouted into her book. “You don’t have the conch!” Sweetie Belle let out an exasperated sigh as she turned to the next page. She lay flat on her stomach in the Cutie Mark Crusader’s clubhouse, her back legs kicking idly as she raged at the literature. She was relieved to see she was reaching the end of the final assigned chapter. As she concluded the reading, her eyes widened. “Ooohh, that’s why,” she finished quietly, suppressing a shudder as the author had decided to toss in a sudden gruesome reveal. “I didn’t know parasprites could even do that…”

“Do what?” a voice echoed in from outside. The sound of hooves beating against a ramp followed as Apple Bloom tromped up into the clubhouse, carrying with her a large pair of saddlebags. She gratefully slid the load off onto the floor and looked at Sweetie Belle. “Aside from wreckin’ a farm down South an’ all that?”

“Nothing!” Sweetie said quickly, stuffing the book into her own saddlebag. “Nothing at all, just some silly author’s interpretation.” She walked over to the bags and stuck her snout in one. “What’ve you got in here?”

“Sleepin’ gear, a’ course,” Apple Bloom answered, yanking blankets out of the other bag. “Ah got pillows, quilts, snacks...” She trailed off as she hefted a small lamp out of the bag. With a nudge of a hoof, the fireflies within buzzed to life, bouncing idly against the glass as they further illuminated the clubhouse. “And more light!” Apple Bloom finished.

Sweetie Belle helped Apple Bloom out by unloading the saddlebag she was poking her snout into. She yanked out a bag of marshmallows and a bag of potato chips, then smiled at her fellow Crusader. “Perfect!” she declared, unceremoniously dumping the rest of the sack’s contents out. “And I just finished my reading!”

“Great!” Apple Bloom said happily. The two young mares quickly rolled the quilts and blankets in the center of the clubhouse, giving themselves many layers of fabric between themselves and the floor, with a few other blankets to spare. Many pillows were stacked at the head of the makeshift bed, with bags of various snacking foods dotting the edges for easy reach.

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle both flopped on the top of their creation, stretching out and relaxing for a moment to commence their winding down after a hard day’s work. The two young mares shared their past week’s experiences, swapping stories and idly munching on snacks as the moon rose into the cloudy night. Apple Bloom filled Sweetie Belle in on all the work she’d been doing around the farm, and while it wasn’t necessarily harder than her normal farmwork, it was more enduring since she was carrying thrice the load. Sweetie nodded along politely as her friend told her about it. She found it a little dry, but since it was Apple Bloom telling the story, she remained attentive, and complimented the farmpony’s hard work at every opportunity.

Then came time for Sweetie Belle to sate Apple Bloom’s curiosity about her own past week. The unicorn led off with how school was going, reminding Apple Bloom about how happy she was to be excused from it. Apple Bloom was, however, curious as to the goings-on at the schoolhouse in her absence. Sweetie thought a moment, and simply answered, “Stuff.” After taking a marshmallow projectile to the forehead, Sweetie felt more compelled to elaborate. It was business as usual at their school: The teachers taught, the students sort of listened, quizzes were doled out, and homework was assigned. Apple Bloom bemoaned the fact that she’d have weeks’ worth of school to catch up on.

Sweetie moved past the topic of school to talk about some of her extracurricular activities, particularly her singing lessons. While a pitch-perfect voice flowed naturally from the young mare’s vocal cords, she wanted to do all she could to improve and become the best possible singer she could be. Sweetie Belle predominantly had issues with the loudness of her voice, belting out her favorite song lyrics whenever the opportunity arose. The louder she was, the worse she sang, so she and her instructor were working hard to control her volume eloquently while maintaining a strong, accurate melody. The lessons also served as a venue for overcoming the stage fright Sweetie occasionally experienced. She was happy to sing for friends and family, but never liked performing in front of a crowd. The lessons served to encourage her to showcase her talent in more crowded venues than the confines of a shower.

As Sweetie Belle was telling Apple Bloom all about how high she could now hit a note (the farmpony declined a demonstration), her eyes wandered about idly, scoping out the walls of the clubhouse. It remained largely unchanged over time, save for one somewhat-recent addition. Sweetie’s eyes fell upon the Cutie Mark Crusaders Success Stories cork board, prominently displayed on a wall within the clubhouse. On the board was precisely one picture, which stood alone in the center of vacant space. It was a photo of Sweetie Belle, singing her heart out up on a small stage during a school musical. The picture showed Sweetie Belle just moments after earning her long sought-after cutie mark, the fading coruscation of its appearance captured in the snapshot. She smiled warmly at the memory as she wrapped up her retellings of her week to Apple Bloom. After getting her cutie mark in front of so many ponies, Sweetie did find stage fright to be less of an issue than it had been in the past.

Much like the rest of their day, time whipped past the two Crusaders. Neither one knew how late it was, but it was pitch-dark outside and quite chilly. The two mares had long-since finished snacking and had tucked themselves into the makeshift bed, the firefly lamp sitting between the two as they continued conversing. Apple Bloom was in the middle of telling Sweetie Belle why her siblings had to be gone for so long in greater detail.

“So basically, Applejack and Big Macintosh and practically every other Apple available had ta go to the grove ta help out,” the farmpony explained. “It’s a heck of a mess down there, an’ Ma and Pa need as many hooves as they can get rounded up if they wanna get Green Apple Grove cookin’ again anytime soon.”

Sweetie Belle, who’d been nodding along with Apple Bloom’s explanation without interruption, tilted her head inquisitively. “Why?”

Apple Bloom blinked at the vague question. “Why what?” she asked.

“Why are your parents down there in Green Apple Grove and not up here in Sweet Apple Acres?” Sweetie clarified. “They seem to have plenty of apple trees to take care of up here. Why are they down in the grove?”

Apple Bloom considered the question for a moment, playing with her forehooves as she pondered. “Well... the Apple farmin’ business is more than just Sweet Apple Acres. It’s a country-wide industry!” she said slowly. “And Ma an’ Pa know it better than anypony, so they gotta travel around, managin’ all them farms to keep the Apple family business runnin’ smoothly.”

Sweetie looked pensive. “...Couldn’t they do that all from here? I mean, my parents work too, but it doesn’t keep them away from home for such a long time.”

Apple Bloom shook her head. “Farmin’s all about gettin’ down an’ dirty, bein’ on location. Sure, there’s the fancy paperwork needed fer orders an’ inventory an’ stuff like that, but ya’ can’t do things like diagnose a sickly tree, plow a field, or teach family how ta applebuck when yer miles an’ miles away. It’s all a hooves-on experience.” She sighed. “They do make it home sometimes. Fer important stuff, ya know? Birthdays, holidays...” Apple Bloom trailed off.

“Reunions?” Sweetie Belle guessed.

Apple Bloom chuckled. “More often than not, but they’ve even had ta miss one or two a’ those.”

Sweetie Belle studied her pillow diligently for a few moments. She knew that the Apples were a staple of Ponyville, being amongst its founding members. They stood strong through the few generations of the town’s existence and were the best example of what a loyal, hardworking family was supposed to be. It had never occurred to Sweetie why she’d never met Apple Bloom’s parents before, despite her and the other Cutie Mark Crusaders spending a large amount of time on Sweet Apple Acres. In fact, now that she thought about it, Sweetie recalled Applejack referring to the property as her farm on more than one occasion. At the time, Sweetie hadn’t thought anything of that particular choice of words. But now she wondered if Apple Bloom’s older sister had been speaking literally.

It would make sense, Sweetie thought, given how often Apple Bloom’s parents were away with other business. She didn’t ask about that, however, instead opting to ask another question that felt more important to be answered. “Do you, uh...” Sweetie stammered, looking up from her pillow and frowning sympathetically, “...do you ever miss them?”

It was Apple Bloom’s turn to branch out into pillowology. “...Of course Ah do,” she spoke after a moment, resting her chin down on the pillow gently. “Some days more than others. Ah mean, Granny Smith an’ Big Macintosh an’ Applejack are always around, and they’re the best family ever. But... but ‘specially recently, with only Granny being here...” She shifted her head to her side, resting her cheek on the pillow and looked up at Sweetie with a small frown. “Yeah. Ah miss them.”

Sweetie Belle grimaced, shifting her eyes away guiltily. “Sorry, Apple Bloom. I didn’t mean to upset you or anything.” The thought of her own parents being removed from her life in a similar fashion made her feel even worse for her friend. She tried to change the subject. “What are they like?”

Apple Bloom smiled softly. “Pa’s real nice. Think, uh, Big Macintosh fer Pa. They’re about the same size Ah think. Still not sure who the stronger one is, but he’s definitely big. Loud, too, when he wants ta be.” Apple Bloom stretched, sticking out both forelegs in opposite directions and straining a moment before relaxing again. “And Ma’s, well, she’s great. Still likes to speak in her fancy Manehatten talk every now and then, though she’s gettin’ better.” Her eyes seemed to focus on something distant for a moment. “Ah’d tease her ‘bout it, though she threatened to force me ta speak it when Ah took it too far.”

Sweetie Belle giggled at the thought of Apple Bloom succumbing to the speech patterns Rarity had tried to foist on the Crusaders once upon a time. “They sure sound nice to me!” Sweetie Belle enthused, grinning broadly. “And I didn’t know your mom was from Manehatten!”

“We can’t all be home grown Apples,” Apple Bloom chuckled. “Ya’ wouldn’t know it if ya’ met her, though. That she was from Manehatten, Ah mean. ‘Cept fer her cutie mark, Ah reckon.” Apple Bloom sat up a bit, but the bit of cheer brought on by the change of subject wore off, and her improved demeanor was replaced with one more forlorn. “Sure would be nice if they came an’ visited more often, though.”

Sweetie Belle tilted her head. “Why don’t they come home for the winter?” she asked. “There’s not much growing that can be done then, right? Can’t your family take care of the farms while it’s snowing?”

Apple Bloom shook her head. “Ah wish it were that easy. Some climates in Equestria stay warm throughout the whole year, an’ those farms never stop growin’ or harvestin’.” The young farmpony glanced out the clubhouse window, looking out at the murky, dark sky. “That’s what keeps ‘em away more than anythin’ else, really. They gotta travel far an’ wide ta get ta some a’ those places, an’ they’re so... darn...” Apple Bloom looked down again, lifting a hoof as if to smack her pillow, but letting it fall with a dull thud instead, “...responsible. They jus’ won’t rest until their farmin’ work is done, an’ it never is.”

Sweetie Belle pursed her lips in thought, then scooted over to Apple Bloom and gave her friend a hug. “Well, maybe someday they will come home, and stay for good! Although, with all the independent solid work you’re putting in, along with all the work you and your siblings do when they’re here... It’s almost as if they trust you all to run things here alone.” Sweetie separated from the hug and beamed at her friend. “And isn’t that awesome? That’s like... something they only do for Sweet Apple Acres! They leave this place alone because they trust you all to run it properly!”

Apple Bloom appreciated Sweetie Belle’s efforts, leaning forward to hug her tightly. “Yeah, guess Ah never thought about it like that,” she said softly, before yawning loudly and stretching again. “Ah think it’s time fer us ta hit the hay. Gotta be up bright an’ early tomorrow.”

Sweetie Belle nodded, though she did frown at the prospect of more work. “You have more weekend chores to do? Don’t you get any breaks?”

“Not until Big Mac an’ Applejack come home,” Apple Bloom answered. After letting the fireflies in the lamp loose into the night, the farmpony settled back down into a comfortable sleeping position and curled up under the blankets. “Good night, Sweetie Belle,” she murmured with her eyes already closed.

“Good night, Apple Bloom,” Sweetie said back, though her weary mind was still churning through all she had just learned. She now knew what all Apple Bloom was going through, and learned more about her friend, even though she thought she’d already known all there was to know. She was tired, but after tossing for a couple of minutes, couldn’t get to sleep. Sweetie looked at Apple Bloom, who, too, seemed to be fidgeting around uncomfortably.

An idea crossed Sweetie’s mind, thinking she could calm her own racing mind and Apple Bloom’s own apparent unease. The young white mare closed her eyes and began singing a lullaby softly, her voice not carrying out beyond the clubhouse’s walls. Apple Bloom’s ear twitched once or twice, before her mouth formed a small smile as she stopped wriggling around. Sweetie continued the soft tune, giving her friend a gentle pat on the side before she lay down, continuing to carry the soothing melody as she rested her head down on her pillow. When she reached the end of the song, Sweetie heard Apple Bloom’s breathing shift from shorter breaths to the long, steady ones of restful sleep. With her mission accomplished, Sweetie closed her eyes and let the last few words of the lullaby peter out quietly as she drifted into a peaceful slumber.

When Sweetie Belle opened her eyes again, she found herself staring straight up into the bright, wide-open eyes of Apple Bloom.

“Mornin’!”

“Gah!” Sweetie yelped, legs flailing under the blankets in a burst of panic. “Apple Bloom!”

The mischievous farmpony only smiled, stepping away from Sweetie Belle and flinging the blankets off of her friend. Sweetie instantly curled up into a ball, teeth chattering a moment. “Time ta get up!” Apple Bloom crowed, giggling.

With the shock of the sudden cold air jolting Sweetie Belle wide awake, she stood up and glared at the farmpony. “Was that really necessary?”

“Eeeyup!” Apple Bloom snickered. “Best way ta get a girl up an’ at ‘em this early! Ooh, ooh, hear that?” Her ears perked just as the sound of a rooster’s crow echoed out over the farm. “We got up before Charlie!”

“Charlie?” Sweetie glanced out the window before yawning, catching the sound of another crow going off. The clouds had finally been removed from the skyline, yielding to the morning sunlight that was just cresting over the horizon. The air was heavy and humid, but not overwhelmingly so. Sweetie took a deep breath and asked, “That’s why you wanted to get up so early?” she grumbled.

Apple Bloom shook her head, “Naw, jus’ gotta start workin’! Early bird gets the worm ‘fore the worm gets the apple, after all.”

Sweetie pondered the metaphor. “So does that make you a... bird?”

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. “Hardee har har,” she mocked, tossing last night’s empty snack bags into a trash can. “Wanna give me a hoof, Miss Stand Up Comic?”

Sweetie suppressed the urge to start clapping and instead started helping Apple Bloom clean up. “Do you really have to be up this early? I mean, it’s... early! Like, sun-is-still-rising early!” She tossed the last of the trash away and used her magic to start folding up the blankets and quilts. “And on the weekend and everything, too.”

“It ain’t always like this,” Apple Bloom admitted with a shrug. “Mostly it’s because Ah’m doin’ this myself fer now. Normally Ah’d be sleepin’ in, but since Ah wanna get a little ahead Ah gotta start bright an’ early. Ah told Granny Ah’d be up this early anyway.” She offered a weary smile to Sweetie before stifling a yawn of her own. “Darn it, if Ah’d not seen you yawn Ah’d have made it.” Her mouth stretched out wide as a large yawn overtook the farmpony.

Sweetie frowned slightly at her friend’s explanation. “That sounds like so much work. I know I was complaining about all the homework we had, but here you are working practically the whole day without stopping.”

Apple Bloom shrugged. “It ain’t so bad,” she assured Sweetie Belle. “Ah do have to work all day, and it ain’t no walk in the park, but it’s nothin’ mah sibs hadn’t had ta do before. It’s jus’ my turn ta step up.”

Sweetie Belle smiled proudly at her friend as she finished with the blankets, depositing them neatly in a corner of the clubhouse. “Well, if it’s not too much trouble, and since I don’t really have to be home until after lunch, mind if I hang around some more?”

“Now what kinda question is that?” the farmpony asked with a grin, ruffling her friend’s mane roughly with a forehoof. “‘Course ya can. Jus’ don’t get in mah way, ya’ hear?” She winked.

“Got it,” Sweetie replied, floating her laden saddlebag over to her back and dropping it on. She ran a hoof over her mane in a feeble attempt to undo the damage Apple Bloom had done, and felt that that was enough effort. With another, smaller yawn escaping, Sweetie asked, “Ready to go?”

Apple Bloom nodded. “Yep! Let’s rustle up some breakfast first,” she suggested.

“Sure! Think Granny Smith will be awake yet?” Sweetie, clueless of the elder mare’s habits, inquired.

Apple Bloom nodded with a slight roll of her eyes. “She’s gotten up ‘fore Charlie since forever,” she explained with a smirk.

The humidity and haze of the morning had been swept away by the arrival of afternoon sunshine, as not a single cloud stood in its path. The glare had only just reached the inside of Winona’s doghouse, where she was sleeping soundly. The curled-up collie squinted when the sunlight hit her eyes, then blinked her eyes open slowly. She’d slept in the back to get away from the cold, misty rainfall of the previous night, and had spent quite a while trying to doze off. The disruption of Winona’s sleep schedule kept her dozing for far longer than intended, which sent her into a panic. She bolted upright and tore out of the doghouse.

Late late late! Ah’m late!

Winona zipped across the yard without a clear destination in mind, then halted a moment, twitching her head every which way to sample the farm’s scents and pick up on where her family was. Her snout pointed towards the farmhouse. Aha! She’d located Granny Smith. Winona raced for the home and bounded up onto the porch, scratching at the door and barking. The door was answered by the elder farmpony a moment later, who looked down condescendingly.

“Now Winona, ya’ know better than ta treat the door like a scratchin’ post,” Granny scolded. The guilty collie lowered her head. It wasn’t her fault. She was late and needed to find something to do quickly! She let out a slow whine, making Granny sigh.

“Oh, it’s alright, girl, don’t fret,” The elder farmpony said, petting Winona’s back comfortingly. She could tell what was bothering the collie, and sought to solve her pet’s dilemma. “Why don’t ya’ go help Apple Bloom and her friend out in the orchard?” Granny suggested. “About all Ah’d have for ya’ is ta fetch the mail, but there ain’t no mail ta get, bein’ Sunday an’ all. Nuthin’ from yesterday neither.”

Winona perked up instantly, lifting her head and ears while her tail began wagging away. She barked twice, then jogged in a circle before bouncing in place, giving Granny Smith a slurp on the cheek. The old mare chuckled and gently pushed the collie away. “Better get goin’, girl. Yer late as it is!”

Winona didn’t need to be told twice. With a final, grateful bark, she took off for the orchard in search for Apple Bloom and her unicorn friend. The collie’s quick place slowed to a trot as she put her snout to the ground, her nose going to work. Her mind processed all of the scents she encountered, trying her best to hone in on the smell of equine.

Squirrels... apples... bunnies... Bunnies?!

Winona’s head snapped up and she scowled in the direction of the bunny scent. It didn’t take long for her to spot a pair of bunnies, who seemed to be consorting to liberate an unharvested tree of its fruit. A quiet but firm growl was all it took to scare the two off. Winona’s tongue rolled out of her mouth into a happy pant once the bunnies were gone, but the collie didn’t sit still for long. Her nose went right back to the ground, where she resumed her search.

Apples... more apples... chipmunk... Apple Bloom!

Winona took off after the scent trail, checking her position with the occasional whiff of the air to not lose track of her destination. It took a couple of minutes for Winona to find Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. The former was on her back, propped up against a tree, watching the latter attempt to harvest another tree. Winona announced her presence with a happy bark, making a beeline for the reclining farmpony.

Apple Bloom’s ears perked when she heard Winona, turning her head and sitting up to catch the collie before she could pounce on her. She caught the dog in an embrace, doing her best to hold off the series of kisses that attempted to follow. “Heya, Winona, haven’t seen you all mornin’!” she greeted, patting Winona on the back and keeping her at bay. Apple Bloom giggled and returned to Sweetie Belle, “Okay, this time aim a little higher, an’ put a little more oomph in it!”

Sweetie Belle, who’d stopped momentarily to witness the assault of the farm dog, lined herself up and unleashed a buck against the Red Delicious tree. A couple leaves shook free, but nothing more. Sweetie huffed as the freed foliage flittered to the ground. “I just don’t think I have the strength, Apple Bloom,” she admitted.

Apple Bloom instructed Winona to patrol the orchard for potential thieving animals, then turned back to Sweetie Bell. “Sure ya’ do,” she encouraged. “Ah know Ah’ve seen ya’ buck harder than that before. Just be confident, line it up, and let ‘er loose!”

“Okay...” Sweetie replied, sounding unsure of herself. The unicorn lined herself up with the tree and prepared to strike again, but didn’t follow through. “Sorry, Apple Bloom, but can’t stop thinking I’m going to hurt my hoof like you did,” she admitted, staring at Apple Bloom’s wrapped up injury and cringing.

Apple Bloom blinked, then turned to look at her hurt hoof. She scuffed it against the ground, and, feeling nothing wrong, looked back to Sweetie with a smile. “Shoot, is that it? Ah promise that...” she paused, mulling over her words. “...Well, Ah can’t promise that nothin’ll happen. There ain’t nothin’ wrong ‘bout frettin’ over yer hooves, but trust me, those things at the end a’ yer legs are tougher than they look.”

“Yeah, well, I’d rather not take the chance, if it’s all the same to you,” Sweetie Belle said.

“But you wanted me to teach you about applebuckin’, and doin’ it’s the easiest way,” Apple Bloom pointed out, but shrugged, looking up to the sky to scope out the sun’s position. “Lookin’ like it’s ‘bout time fer lunch, anyway. Think we oughta head fer home.”

Saved by the sun, Sweetie thought gratefully. “Okay. I’m starving!”

“Me too,” Apple Bloom admitted, putting a hoof to her lips and letting out a shrill whistle. Winona appeared a moment later, joining the two ponies in their stroll for home and obediently awaiting commands. Apple Bloom gave her a pet and informed her that it was lunchtime. The collie barked happily and managed to get a kiss in before Apple Bloom could stop her. Sweetie giggled at the sight.

“What, no kisses for me?” she asked, actually relieved that she was left alone. Apple Bloom smirked, looking down at Winona and nodding her head towards Sweetie Belle. Winona, who’d been holding herself back obediently, suddenly bounded over Apple Bloom’s back and pounced Sweetie. She sent herself and the white pony to the ground, showering the dazed pony’s cheeks with slurps and nuzzles.

“Is that better?” Apple Bloom chuckled, eventually nudging Winona off her friend and helping the other pony up. “Ya’ got yer kisses.”

Sweetie wiped the drool from her face and laughed back. “Guess I asked for it, didn’t I?”

When the home came into view, Apple Bloom noticed Granny Smith setting up lunch out on the picnic table. She rolled her eyes. “That pony just doesn’t know the meanin’ of ‘take the day off,’” she muttered despite the smile blossoming on her face. “Always doin’ somethin’ ta keep herself busy.”

“Aw, I think it’s nice,” Sweetie said, noting Granny setting up a place for her as well.

“Oh, Ah ain’t unappreciative, don’t get me wrong,” Apple Bloom cleared up, “it’s just that, short of getting real sick, Granny just doesn’t know when ta slow down an’ take it easy.”

Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Winona all arrived at the farmhouse a moment later, the two young mares abandoning their discussion when they got within earshot of Granny Smith. The elder farmpony greeted them all with a smile. “Got salads an’ sandwiches an’ apple juice all rustled up fer lunch,” she announced as the other ponies took their seats. Granny leaned down to pet Winona, pointing out her food and water bowls nearby. “An’ yer all set too, Winona.” The collie barked gratefully and sped off to enjoy her lunch, having missed breakfast.

Granny took her own seat and smiled at the two younger ponies, who’d already started eating. “How is everything?” Two full mouths tried to form compliments, but ended up sputtering out bits of half-chewed salad. Granny rolled her eyes at the two, who shared a laugh at each other’s expense.

Sweetie managed to down the food she was working on first before saying, “It’s delicious!” Apple Bloom echoed her friends’ sentiment with a belch, excusing herself before Granny could remind her. The elder farmpony chuckled and started in on her own lunch.

It didn’t take long for the ponies to finish their midday meal, and soon after Sweetie Belle gathered her things and prepared to leave. Granny gave her a hug and a kiss on the forehead, much to Sweetie Belle’s embarrassment. After saying goodbye, Granny left to do some light afternoon chores despite Apple Bloom’s insistence that she relax. Granny called to Winona, who was receiving farewell pets from Sweetie Belle, and the elder farmpony and the collie were on their way, leaving Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle alone beneath the trellis.

“Sure ya’ got everything?” Apple Bloom asked, glancing over Sweetie’s things.

“I think so,” Sweetie answered. “I just have a little bit more homework to do, and then it’s off to my singing lesson.” She smiled. “Teacher says that I’m really getting good at controlling my volume.”

“That’s great!” Apple Bloom said, giving her friend a hug. “Can’t wait ta hear ya’ singin’ more, and Ah hope ya’ make it through the rest a’ yer homework.”

Sweetie Belle hugged back. “And I hope you get through the rest of this farmwork in one piece. I know you can do it, Apple Bloom. You’re stronger than the rest of us Crusaders, and all that.”

“Yeah, well, strength’s only a part a’ what Ah’m doin’,” Apple Bloom brushed off the compliment, giggling shyly. “It’s the length of time, ya’ know?”

“All the same, I know you’re more than capable,” Sweetie countered as she turned to leave. “I’ll try to stop by when I can again, okay, Apple Bloom? Have a good day!”

“You too!” Apple Bloom shouted back as Sweetie made her way for Ponyville. Apple Bloom waved until the other pony vanished from sight, then she looked out to the orchard she’d been working in and sighed. “Welp, back to work. Can’t let anypony down,” she encouraged herself, marching back into the orchard with her head held up with pride and determination.

Apple Bloom catapulted the last bushel of the day off her back. The basket landed square on top of its intended target, in line with a dozen others. Apple Bloom let out a grateful, if somewhat subdued, cheer, rearing up and kicking her forelegs. “Yee haw! Done fer the day... an’ it ain’t even suppertime.” She stretched out her back, which was spent from hauling bushels in from the orchard to the barn over the past hour. A few beams of sunlight still eked over the horizon, giving her enough light to work, but it was fading fast.

Apple Bloom peered out of the barn and looked around. She saw smoke coming from the chimney, and assumed Granny Smith had gotten the fireplace going to kill the chilly temperature inside. “Wonder what Granny’s rustled up fer supper,” she mused as she made her way for home. Before she went far, though, she caught something in the corner of her eye: Winona had dozed the afternoon away, and was aiming to sleep off the rest of the night. She lay with her head and forepaws sticking out of the doghouse, with no signs of movement save for the occasional ear twitch. Apple Bloom smiled warmly at the sight, changing course for the doghouse and laying down next to the collie. “No wonder they call ‘em dog days,” she observed, reaching out a forehoof and stroking Winona’s back gently. “Guess Granny gave ya’ the day off, didn’t she?”

Winona stirred, fidgeting around before opening her eyes and wearily lifting her head to look at the surprise visitor. She answered Apple Bloom’s query with a big yawn, stretching her mouth wide open. Winona didn’t get up, though, instead laying her head down next to Apple Bloom, arching her back slightly to lean into the petting hoof. Her tongue lolled out in bliss when Apple Bloom started scratching behind her ears.

Just a little more to the left. Aaahhh...

Apple Bloom smirked as Winona melted when the farmpony found the sweet spot behind the collie’s right ear. “Ah was gonna tell you all ‘bout how plum tuckered Ah am after a day’s work, but ya’ know what? I ain’t the least bit sleepy,” she spoke softly as she continued scratching. “Maybe Ah am gettin’ better at this after all. This week’ll go by in the blink of an eye!”

The young farmpony stood after her stomach reminded her to eat dinner, and eat it soon. She sighed contently, then stood, stretching out her legs. “Ready fer supper, Winona? Ah know Ah am.”

Winona stood up alongside Apple Bloom, also stretching out and letting another yawn escape. This didn’t stop her from barking excitedly and bounding around her food bowl, though, parking right next to it and staring at Apple Bloom anxiously. Apple Bloom smiled and filled the bowl to the brim. “Nothin’ but the best for you, girl,” she commented, putting up the bag of dog food and giving Winona another pet. “Ah’d stay with ya’, but Ah gotta get supper myself soon, or else Ah’m gonna starve!”

The collie gave Apple Bloom a parting nuzzle, her caretaker petting her back in return. After Apple Bloom went inside, Winona turned to her bowl of food and began enjoying her dinner. As usual, several traces of grains and vegetables simultaneously enticed her taste buds as she chomped away at her meal. It never got old for Winona, enjoyed the same diet that her owners did, albeit in kibble form. She was perfectly content with her three square (or round) meals per day.

It didn’t take long for Winona to lick the bowl clean. She washed her dinner down with several laps from her water dish, then looked up at the farmhouse, her tongue still working its way around her lips. She sat obediently at her doghouse, waiting expectantly for a young yellow mare to exit the house and do some evening work. It had been a treat for Winona to have Apple Bloom come out these past several nights. Aside from a few evening chores, the Apples either spent time with friends or family, or were doing other things that Winona took no part in. After waiting with a wagging tail and a hopeful expression for a while, Winona’s head drooped a little bit.

Ain’t there still more work ta do?

The collie’s shoulders sagged, as it seemed tonight was going to be an exception: Apple Bloom staying in. Winona contemplated (as much as a dog can) making some noise to attract attention again, but there were two issues: She was already reprimanded once today for causing a ruckus at the door by Granny Smith, and most of the farm’s animals were turning in for the night. Winona didn’t want to be responsible for waking them all up, as that was one of the things she was not allowed to do, according to the Apples.

Winona was just about to give up and settle into her doghouse for the night when she saw something light up at the farmhouse’s second floor. She recalled the lit window belonging to Apple Bloom’s own doghouse. Winona was a little envious that Apple Bloom’s was so much bigger than hers, but she was a pony, and ponies generally needed more room for things, so it didn’t bother Winona a whole lot in the end. Flashes of memory raced through Winona’s mind as she stared up at the window, remembering days where she got to stay up with Apple Bloom. It was severe or chilly weather that allotted Winona a night inside the farmhouse, neither of which threatened Sweet Apple Acres tonight.

Allowing herself the smallest of whines, Winona turned back to her own doghouse and walked in, turning herself around and laying down, facing outside. She was about to rest her head down and go to sleep, but heard a sudden, recognizable sound. She looked towards the farmhouse to see the door framed in light from inside, and a pony shape silhouetted in the glow. Winona sat up and panted happily once the scent of a familiar pony reached her nostrils and stood when said pony trotted her way. She watched Apple Bloom approach...

…and trot on past her.

Winona watched as Apple Bloom ignored her and instead went into the chicken coop. The young farmpony had forgotten to do a chore and was rectifying her mistake before the next day came. Winona pouted as she realized this, head hanging down to the ground. On a normal day, she was used to not seeing any ponies after suppertime, but the past week was different, and she was growing accustomed to having Apple Bloom around. Winona let out another soft whine as she realized that the old ways were resuming, and she’d have to get used to it once more.

“Well ain’t that just the saddest thing ever.”

Winona’s head snapped up to see Apple Bloom standing just in front of her, wearing a concerned frown. “Ya’ look like the saddest critter in Equestria about now, Winona. What’s eatin’ ya’?” Apple Bloom asked, lowering her head to be level with the collie’s.

Winona’s answer came in the form of a swift nuzzle, followed by a cat-like motion of snaking around Apple Bloom’s legs, rubbing up against each of them, before culminating in a combination of a whine and a quiet bark. Apple Bloom’s jovial expression faltered. She immediately started to pet Winona, sitting down beside the collie.

“Aw, girl, Ah didn’t realize how lonesome you were feelin’.” Winona barked weakly in affirmation, leaning her head up against the petting hoof affectionately. Apple Bloom looked from her to the house with a thoughtful look. “...Wanna sleep in my room tonight?” she offered. Winona stood up instantly and, after leaving Apple Bloom’s cheek with a slurp, raced for the front door. “Guess so,” Apple Bloom chuckled, before toddling off after.

Winona bounced and ran in circles up on the porch by the door, but remained silent, still mindful of quiet hours across the farm. When Apple Bloom made it to her, her tail motored away excitedly. “Now Winona,” Apple Bloom instructed before opening the door, “remember inside rules. No runnin’ er pouncin’ er any a’ that. Granny might not like havin’ you inside since it’s a nice night, so follow me straight upstairs, okay?”

Winona slurped Apple Bloom across her other cheek, forcing the pony to stifle a giggle. “Alright, alright, here we go.” She opened the door and crept in, shutting it quietly after Winona slipped in behind her. Quietly as she could, Apple Bloom made for the stairs. She peeked behind her to find Winona right on her tail, staying quiet as instructed. Apple Bloom breathed a sigh of relief as they reached the top of the stairs, just in time to bump into Granny Smith.

“Whoa, pardon me, darlin’, Ah just felt like a glass a’ water an’...” Granny started, before stealing a glance behind Apple Bloom. She frowned. “Young lady...”

“But Granny!” Apple Bloom protested immediately. “She was all lonesome and sad and... and lonely out there! Can’t she stay in jus’ one night?”

“Ya’ know the rules, Apple Bloom. Winona’s an outside pet, an’ we need her outside ta chase thievin’ creatures away,” Granny said firmly. She was caught off guard, though, when assaulted by not one but two puppy-dog expressions. Winona, being a member of the canine family, didn’t have to try hard, and looked as she did when Apple Bloom came across her. Apple Bloom was no stranger to the look either, and did her best to rival Winona’s. Both stared forlornly at Granny Smith for a moment.

“Granny... please?” Apple Bloom squeaked through the dual assault on Granny’s sympathy. The elder farmpony rolled her eyes.

“Fine,” she relented, barely getting the words out before Apple Bloom wrapped her up in a tight hug. “But only fer tonight!” she managed to get out before being kissed by Winona as well.

“Thanks, Granny! Good night!” Apple Bloom said, giving her grandmother an extra squeeze before letting go and making her way for her bedroom, Winona hot on her heels.

“Good night, you two,” Granny said while wiping some drool off her cheek. A small smile blossomed from her dour expression, however, as the other two went into Apple Bloom’s bedroom. She sighed to herself, then went downstairs to fetch herself the glass of water she headed down for in the first place.

Winona bounded into Apple Bloom’s bedroom, head turning every which way to take in the luxurious sights: The spacious interior, the soothing greys, the wonderful scents, and, most importantly, the huge bed! After Apple Bloom brushed past her, Winona wasted no time at all springing up onto the large mattress and promptly padding around in a tight circle. With the perimeter secured, Winona flopped down onto her belly, yawning as she did so. She looked down to the floor, where Apple Bloom was just about done fanning out a small blanket.

Why’s she sleepin’ on the floor when she has this big comfy bed?

Apple Bloom looked up to find Winona making herself comfortable atop her bed. Apple Bloom opened her mouth to protest, but the words died before she could get them out. She chuckled softly as she folded the blanket up and tossed it at the foot of her bed. “Shoulda’ known,” she said simply, undoing her bow from her tail. “Won’t be a minute, Winona. Just gotta remove one last thing.”

Winona peered curiously at Apple Bloom as she slowly began unraveling the bandage around one of her back hooves. The collie tilted her head curiously as the old wound was revealed. It was still evident that something had happened, but it didn’t appear to be causing Apple Bloom any suffering. Still, Winona gave Apple Bloom a concerned look, which the farmpony noticed.

“Don’t fret, Winona, it’s all but healed up now,” she assured the collie, banging it against the floorboards without wincing. “See?” Apple Bloom’s smile was echoed by a happy, quiet bark from Winona, who seemed relieved.

Winona watched Apple Bloom place the unraveled bandage onto her dresser and blew out the lit candles around the room. She shifted her position on the bed slightly as Apple Bloom climbed in, throwing a blanket over herself as she nestled into her pillow. She yawned loudly, and gave a weary smile. “Guess a big dinner made me tired after all,” she mumbled to herself. “Sleep tight, Winona,” she added, eyes drooping.

Winona crawled across the bed to lay down beside Apple Bloom, over the covers. Apple Bloom’s weary smile warmed further, pulling out a foreleg from under the cover and draping it across the collie. Winona happily laid her head down on Apple Bloom’s withers, eyes drooping shut. Apple Bloom was asleep almost instantly, with Winona drifting off soon after.

’Night, Sugarcube.

Weight of the World

View Online

Apple Bloom woke up shivering as a blast of cool air swooped in from her open window. She instinctively threw her blanket over her head, trying to stay warm and asleep. It was a fruitless effort, though, as her body had already snapped awake. Apple Bloom peeked out from under her cover to see how much sleep she’d been robbed of, glancing out her bedroom window with a quiet groan.

The sight of the late morning sun shocked her awake more than the air.

Apple Bloom flailed her legs to get the blanket off as quick as possible. What she actually managed to do was tangle herself up in the cover and promptly fall out of bed. She fidgeted on the floor to untangle herself from the blanket and righted herself up once she was free.

“How in tarnation is it so late?” she gasped, galloping to the window and giving the cold morning an equally-cold glare. She saw that Sweet Apple Acres had woken up at its usual time, the farm animals already out and about. Apple Bloom shut her window to coax her bedroom into warming back up. “An’ why is it so darn cold outside?” she muttered, going back to her bed and picking up the cover to make it.

In her haste, Apple Bloom nearly covered up Winona, who had remained curled up in the middle of the bed despite Apple Bloom’s frantic motions. At some point during the night, the collie had sought refuge beneath the cover to escape the biting cold. She was just waking up when Apple Bloom tossed the blanket back on the bed. Winona hopped off before she could be covered up again, and barked once before stretching and yawning as Apple Bloom finished.

“Oh Winona, we slept in!” Apple Bloom exclaimed, fraught with worry. “Ah gotta move!” To Winona’s dismay, the farmpony barely noticed her, dashing out of the bedroom and speeding downstairs without so much as a pet. The collie followed the panicking pony at a more casual pace, feeling a little on edge since Apple Bloom was acting so frightened.

Excuses raced through Apple Bloom’s mind as she rushed downstairs. She knew Granny Smith wasn’t going to be kind to her for sleeping in so late, but she also knew that it was better to get the inevitable confrontation over with. Only after she reached the bottom of the stairs did Apple Bloom realize that the house was empty. “Granny?” she called, heading for the kitchen to grab a quick snack before heading out. When she entered, Apple Bloom saw a note resting on the table. She grabbed herself a few apples, sat down at the table, and munched on the fruit while she read it.

Apple Bloom,
It looks like you’re pretty cozy in your bed this morning, so I decided to let you sleep in for a spell. Now don’t fret or anything, you’re fine. You’ll have plenty of time to get all of your work done for the day. Going over the farm’s numbers, we’re actually a little ahead of schedule, and it’s looking like there’s not a whole lot more to be done by the end of the week. While this means you got away with a free morning, don’t go thinking you have the whole day off, now! But do try to not push yourself too hard. As long as you put in a solid day’s worth of effort for the rest of the week, you will be fine.

I wrote out your day’s chores on the back of this note, so get yourself a good wholesome brunch and get to it! I’ll be home as soon as market ends, and will be bringing home dinner.

Love,
Granny Smith

Apple Bloom’s tensed-up shoulders relaxed as she read the note, relief flooding her. She even started petting Winona, having just taken notice of the collie. “Well this sure explains why Granny wasn’t too diligent about gettin’ me up this mornin’,” Apple Bloom reasoned as she finished off her sixth apple, giggling to herself as she flipped the note over.

Excitement blossomed within Apple Bloom after reading over the list of chores that Granny left her for the day. She was ahead on her chores, had a light day ahead of her, and was still excused from school! “Guess Ah have more time than Ah realized,” she said happily as she gave Winona a playful ruffling. Apple Bloom finished up in the kitchen and went back upstairs, going through her normal morning routine now that she no longer felt hurried or tardy.

The clear blue sky let the sun shine down brightly on Apple Bloom as she stepped out of the house. She had a freshly brushed mane and tail, a pink bow tied to the latter, and a bright smile adorned on her freckled face. Though the day was much chillier than those before, Apple Bloom’s good mood wasn’t even slightly phased. She took a deep, invigorating breath of the refreshing air. “Let’s do it!” she exclaimed, rearing up in excitement before taking off with Winona hot on her heels.

Apples tumbled out of the Red Gala tree as Apple Bloom delivered a swift, accurate kick to its middle. The young mare’s tail whiplashed as part of the motion, brushing harmlessly against the bark. Like clockwork, Apple Bloom tossed the full bushel onto her back and trotted for the barn, opting to applebuck one tree at a time instead many at once for now. She found that it gave her rear hooves enough time to recuperate in between.

When Apple Bloom reached the barn, she effortlessly tossed the bushel to the ground, lined up neatly with other fully laden bushels. Apple Bloom took a moment to bask in the fruits of her labor. “If’n only Big Mac an’ Applejack could see me now!” she exclaimed. “Ah’m makin’ record time!” As she rested, a stiff, cold breeze blew across her back, making her mane and tail billow. A chill traveled up her spine, and she shivered.

“Can’t be dawdlin’ now,” she reminded herself. “Gotta keep movin’ ta stay warm!” Apple Bloom turned away from her current bounty and galloped back into the orchard. The short jaunt combined with the many trees distilling the wind made Apple Bloom more comfortable.

Apple Bloom took a look at the next tree to tackle: a towering Red Gala that had long-since outgrown its neighbors in both height and breadth. The latter was more impressive than the former, as while it wasn’t a particularly notable sight from a pegasus’ eye view, Apple Bloom had to lay out thrice as many baskets to harvest it properly. The farmpony grinned after making sure all six baskets were in their proper positions.

“Alright, let’s see how many bucks this huge thing’ll take ta get all its apples.” Apple Bloom licked her lips and about-faced, looking over her shoulder to take aim. The young farmpony nodded confidently, reared up her hind legs, and shot them straight out, clacking horseshoe against the tree expertly. A few leaves, which had only just begun to change color, fluttered down just prior to the torrent of red fruit that was unleashed. With such a flood, Apple Bloom panicked for a split-second. That panic quickly subsided when she saw six neat piles of apples form up within the baskets she laid out. The young mare peeked up into the tree, and could barely believe her eyes: She’d managed to get every last apple out of the tree in one go!

“Yeehaw!” she exclaimed, bouncing in place several times. “Ah did it! Just one little applebuck an’ Ah got ‘em all! Wait’ll Granny hears about this!” She looked back to her rear legs, down to her bandaged hoof, then finally focused on her bow, still tied neatly around her tail which swished around happily. “Ah must be gettin’ stronger er... better er somethin’!” she admitted to herself proudly. She wasted no time in getting the first full bushel onto her back and sprinting back to the farm, brimming with joy.

Winona, who’d been busy doing her usual duties around the farm, bounded out from behind some shrubbery and joined Apple Bloom, happily jogging alongside the pony as they headed out. Once they reached the barn, Apple Bloom quickly set the bushel down and gave Winona a furious ruffling, beaming down at the collie. “Good girl, Winona!” she praised, if for no other reason than for the fact that she was in such high spirits. Winona countered the rufflings with swift kisses to Apple Bloom’s cheek, sending the farmpony into a giggling fit. The two enjoyed each other’s company for a moment, before Apple Bloom pulled herself away and stood back up.

“Alright, Winona, Ah’m pretty far ahead a’ schedule already, an’ yer just the best dog ever, so how about...” she looked around and found an appropriately-sized stick, which she grasped firmly with her tail, “...a game a’ fetch? Go get it, girl!” She flicked the stick away from the two, sending it flying out to an open, grassy patch of land. Winona immediately obliged Apple Bloom’s request and tore off after the stick, barking happily. Apple Bloom beamed when Winona raced after the stick, waiting for the collie to return with her prize. She figured she could play with Winona for a little while, then get back to applebucking, and still have time to finish what she had to do for the rest of the day.

Right now, she thought, giddy, Ah have all the time in the world.

Granny Smith huddled under her windbreaker as she crested a hill, revealing Sweet Apple Acres. At the same time, she took a deep, invigorating breath of the cool air, exhaling loudly as she made her way home. “Nothin’ quite like a crisp autumn day,” she said to herself. Granny smiled when the farm came into view, glad to be getting home earlier than expected. While she didn’t have any dinner to bring home, as suppertime was still several hours away, the small chest of bits resting on the mostly-vacant cart she was pulling jingled merrily.

What was really keeping Granny’s spirits high, outside of performing exceptionally well at market and getting home early, was a package that bounced along beside the chest. When Granny received it in town earlier, she guessed it to be a really long letter, or at least many papers bundled together. It was too thin to contain much else. The package was addressed to both her and Apple Bloom, and had arrived from Green Apple Grove in Ponyville earlier in the morning.

“We’re finally gonna hear just how things are goin’ down there!” Granny said happily as she looked back at the package. “Apple Bloom’s gonna be thrilled ta hear the news!” She chuckled as her thoughts drifted to her granddaughter. “Wonder how much Apple Bloom slept in this morning,” she pondered, moving under the trellis arch and coming to a stop as she reached the barn. Upon seeing rows of apple bushels, she grinned.

“Well, least she got up ‘fore lunch. Apple Bloom?” she called out, disengaging from the market cart. “Darlin’?” She looked around, her left ear twitching when she heard a faint giggle. Before Granny could discern the location of the laugh, Apple Bloom bounced up out of a bushel and pounced Granny, slinging her forelegs around her grandmother. Granny managed to keep her balance on four legs, but only just.

“Howdy, Granny!” Apple Bloom exclaimed, hugging tightly. “You’re early! Sell out already?”

Granny took the surprise hug in stride, hugging Apple Bloom back and smiling. “Eeyup!” she answered. “An’ jus’ what are you doin’ in those Red Gala apples?”

Apple Bloom laughed gaily and let Granny go. “Saw ya’ comin’ an’ decided to surprise ya’!” she said simply. “An’ Ah got free time since things are windin’ down ‘round the farm.”

“Well, Ah suppose that Ah can forgive ya’ if ya put ‘em all back in the bushel where they belong,” Granny said with a chuckle of her own, moving over to the barn doors to tug them open. “Where’s Winona?”

“She’s off havin’ fun in the orchards, Ah think,” Apple Bloom responded, already moving to pick up the displaced apples. “We played fetch fer a spell, then she went off explorin’.” She finished up with the apples and grasped the harness of the market cart with her mouth, pulling it into the barn for Granny before the elder mare could protest. Granny instead smiled and removed the items off of the cart once it was settled in. Apple Bloom noted the package and tilted her head curiously. “What’s that ya’ got there, Granny?”

Granny gave Apple Bloom a big smile. “It’s from the grove! From Big Macintosh an’ Applejack!”

Apple Bloom gasped. “Really?” she exclaimed. “It’s about time! What are ya’ waitin’ for? Open it, open it!” She stared at the package intently, eyes dancing in delight and curiosity. Granny undid the string holding the large envelop shut, opening the flap at the end and blowing into the package to loosen its contents. The elder mare reached in and pulled out the first item, which looked to be a simple letter addressed to both herself and Apple Bloom.

“Let’s see...” Granny murmured as she began quickly scanning over the letter. Apple Bloom bounced in anticipation, eager to read it as well, but held herself back from invading Granny’s personal space and waited her turn. She watched Granny’s closely to try and glean any potential information by gauging how her grandmother reacted. Apple Bloom saw Granny smile warmly at first, but then become more confused, and finally settle on a shocked expression. “Oh my...”

“...Granny? What is it?” Apple Bloom asked tenderly, a tremor of worry starting to grow within her. Granny said nothing, instead abandoning the letter and quickly digging into the envelope, pulling out the other papers that came with it. Apple Bloom plucked the letter off the ground and began to read.

Dear Granny Smith and Apple Bloom,

Howdy! Sorry we haven’t written to y’all yet, but we’ve been mighty busy down here at Green Apple Grove. Me and Big Mac and lots of other Apple ponies have been bustin’ our tails whippin’ this place back into shape, and it’s really showing! Most of the larger debris and such are cleared out, and a lot of the plowin’s been done. Still got a lotta work ahead of us, but we’ve made great strides!

Apple Bloom smiled, happy to hear that the grove was pulling itself back together. She wasn’t all that surprised, though. Apples and apple farms existed all over Equestria, and like the way a fresh cut knits itself back together, Apples are quick to gather and fix up any of their family’s farms in times of need. Still smiling, Apple Bloom took a seat and read on.

Family’s all doing swell. Ma and Pa say hello! After we’ve finished up down here, they said they’re probably gonna give Sweet Apple Acres a visit. I’d ask you to tidy up the place, but y’all’ve got plenty on your plates already. They can’t wait to see you and Granny Smith again!

“Oh boy, Ma an’ Pa are comin’ up!” she exclaimed, looking up to Granny Smith, only to see her grandmother still rummaging through the other papers that came in the package. Apple Bloom frowned slightly. Concerned, she continued reading the letter before her.

Me and Big Mac can’t wait to be hearin’ from y’all in Sweet Apple Acres. Hopefully the work that Apple Bloom’s been doing hasn’t been too hard on her. I know my sister best, though, and I’m sure she’s handling it fine.

That said, I think Apple Bloom’s workload is about to get just a little, tiny bit heavier this week. But I’m sure she can handle it.

“Hmm?” Apple Bloom mused, stealing another glance at the fretting Granny Smith. “Must be what those are, more chores for me?” She pondered a moment, then continued.

See, while the work down here’s been going smoothly, the food... not so much. It’s looking grim on that front, and we need to get some apples down here. A lot of apples. Granny: You’ll find more exact numbers of what we’ll be needing on other papers in this here package. Ma and Pa whipped them up for y’all.

Apple Bloom blinked. How many more apples did she need to harvest now? She again glanced Granny Smith’s way, and saw her brow furrowed in concentration, looking over one of the other sheets. Apple Bloom bit her lip and kept reading.

We got a lot of mouths to feed, which means we need lots of apples. We tried our best to think of other places to get some grub, but there’s been a bit of drought thanks to some weatherpony weather machine not workin’ or something like that. Sweet Apple Acres is our best bet for getting a lot of food down here lickety split.

Me and Big Macintosh will come back up Friday night to pick up the apples. Apple Bloom, I know this sounds like a tall order, more than you think you can handle. But know this: You’re a member of the Apple family. You have it in you to get this done. I believe in you, little sis.

I hope this doesn’t dampen your spirits too much, y’all. We’ve pulled out all the stops like this before, and I know y’all are capable of doing so again. See y’all on Friday!

Love,
AJ and Mac

“...Granny?” Apple Bloom said slowly, looking up to the elder pony fearfully. “They don’t want... like... all the apples, do they?”

A ghost of a smile flashed across Granny’s face as she shook her said. “Not quite, Apple Bloom,” she said quietly, sorting through sheets and sliding one over to the younger farmpony. She oriented it Apple Bloom’s way and pointed at a few key figures.

Apple Bloom’s jaw dropped.

“A-all that... i-in five days?” she squeaked.

“Hmm... Ah’d say four and a half,” Granny remarked, looking up at the sky. “Past midday already, ya’ know.”

“Four?!” Apple Bloom practically shouted back. “Oh my gosh, Ah’ve been wasting so much time! Ah gotta get back out an’ double, no triple how many bushels Ah was plannin’ on fetchin’ today! Oh my goodness oh my goodness oh my—”

“Apple Bloom!” Granny Smith’s voice cut through Apple Bloom’s ever-growing panic momentarily, stopping her mid-sentence. Granny Smith stood up straight and glared at the other pony. “Calm down, youngin’. The sky ain’t fallin’.” She tried to reach out and give Apple Bloom a comforting pat on the back, but the younger mare backed away.

“But Granny, what they’re askin’ for is a ton more than what Ah was able ta do last week!” Apple Bloom retorted, unceremoniously dropping down into a sitting position and lowering her head. “Oh, Ah’ll never get that much done in time...”

Granny calmly walked over to Apple Bloom and looked down at the pouting pony. “Apple Bloom, stand up. No more frettin’.”

Apple Bloom looked up, confused. “Granny...?”

“You heard me, young lady,” Granny reiterated. “On yer hooves, now.”

Apple Bloom didn’t need to be told a third time. She shot to her hooves and stood at attention. She shivered slightly as a stiff, cold breeze swept through the farm, but stood firm nevertheless. “Yes’m.”

“Now Apple Bloom, I know this is an awful lot. Much more than me or yer siblings had planned for you,” Granny started to pace back in forth in front of the younger farmpony. “Ah know you’ve been pushing yer limits. It’s been no walk in the park for ya’, an’ now we’re askin’ that ya’ kick it up a notch. Several more, actually.” She stopped walking and stared into Apple Bloom’s eyes. “But do you think that your family would ever ask you to do something that we didn’t think you were capable of?”

Apple Bloom stared back and thought about that for a moment, before shaking her head meekly. “But... weren’t you frettin’ over this letter just a little bit ago?”

Granny Smith nodded. “True, Ah was surprised. Ah wasn’t expectin’ an order like this to come in. Ponies know our limits, and we’d simply say no if they asked for this many. But this ain’t no usual order. Not only is it something urgent, it’s fer family.”

“Right... family...” Apple Bloom said slowly, starting to come down from all the adrenaline that had flooded her system. She took a couple of deep breaths as Granny continued.

“Not only have ya’ been pushin’ yerself, but you’ve been succeeding,” Granny reminded Apple Bloom, putting a hoof on her shoulder. “You’ve been doin’ so well, an’ I don’t expect ya’ to quit now. What you were doin’ just now, mopin’ an’ wallowin’, was just like what you did last week when you were down. An’ I can’t stand seein’ any of my grandchildren lookin’ that way.” Granny Smith patted Apple Bloom’s shoulder gently. “We can complete this order, Apple Bloom. We can do this. You can do this.”

Apple Bloom gulped. She still felt like a ton of apples had been plopped on her back, and her legs were buckling under the weight. Yet as she was calmed by her grandmother, it was all starting to become more bearable. “Yer right... Of course yer right, Granny!” she exclaimed, confidence building. She stood up and put a hoof on Granny’s shoulder, and the two shared a hug. “Ah can do this. We can do this!”

Granny Smith grinned. “That’s the ticket. Now let’s figure us out a plan of action an’ get this order done!”

“Yee haw!”

Winona sprung out of the orchard, turning her head every which way. She sniffed at the ground trying to pick up a specific scent, but, unfortunately for the collie, the trail had gone cold. Winona frowned, scanning the area one more time with sight, smell, and sound, before giving up. She’d been tied up in the orchards for some time, searching for some bunnies that were obviously up to no good, and was famished. She was disappointed that she didn’t catch the thieves, and reluctantly traveled to the farmhouse to see if she couldn’t get somepony to feed her.

Winona pitter-pattered onto the porch and moved to scratch on the door to be let in, only to find that the door had been left slightly ajar. She smelled Apple ponies inside, so Winona took the initiative and nosed the door open enough for her to squeeze through. When she padded into the living room, she immediately got the attention of Granny Smith, who did her best to prevent Winona from getting in farther. “Hold still, girl, floor’s taken,” Granny commanded, petting Winona with one forehoof while keeping the other planted on the floor. Winona appreciated the petting, but still whined quietly. She was hungry! Granny took note of this and let out a small sigh. “Alright girl, let me get ya’ fed. Apple Bloom?”

“Yeah, Granny?” Apple Bloom replied, distracted.

“Keep workin’, Ah’ll get Winona some grub and be back in a few minutes.”

Apple Bloom nodded without looking up, and Granny Smith led Winona back outside to get her an afternoon snack. Only after the front door closed did Apple Bloom glance up from the other end of the living room. She sat there with one hoof on the edge of a large map, to prevent it from curling back up. Apple Bloom saw the edge Granny Smith had been holding down curl a bit, hiding the view of some SweeTango apple trees.

The young mare sighed softly. She knew that Sweet Apple Acres was big, and it wasn’t the first time she had laid eyes on this particular map either, but reviewing the entire length of the property repeatedly, planning out routes and harvesting strategies, all for a single pony to execute, made her really consider the sheer size of the farm.

The land’s name didn’t lie: Acres of farmland were laid out before Apple Bloom, encompassing their house, orchards, fields, and hills. Nearly the entire map was dotted with tree figures, drawn on in various styles, shapes, and colors. The map of Sweet Apple Acres was a living map, having contributions dating back to Ponyville’s founding. Nearly every plot of trees was identified, drawn, and dated by the ponies who originally planted them, and served as a wealth of both knowledge and history of Sweet Apple Acres.

Apple Bloom scanned the map over and found where she had left off, nodding to herself and scribbling down another note on a piece of paper, planning the route she was going to take over the next several days. In the past, Apple Bloom had asked why certain trees were planted where they were, and why there wasn’t more logic or order applied so that apples could be found more easily. She knew that more land was used as time went on, but why couldn’t the trees be reorganized? All that she learned from her questions, however, was how complex agriculture was, especially when applied on such a large scale.

Apple Bloom didn’t regret not putting more effort into learning the finer points of apple farming, but she did wish the trees were planted in a less-random order, from the Adanacs to the Zaps. Instead, the farmpony found herself having to wade through Paula Red trees to get from the Katyas to the Red Golds. It was hard work, having to scan the majority of the map repeatedly, but there was a dividend: She was learning more about the farm’s general layout, and was taking less time to re-reference a particular kind of apple as the afternoon went on.

The new knowledge did nothing, however, to quell the fears Apple Bloom was struggling to keep from overwhelming her. The same fears of failure and disappointment that had plagued her a week ago were resurfacing. After taking a calming breath, Apple Bloom threw herself back into the planning, trying to become lost in concentration so that her fears would stop eating away at her. It helped to a degree, but in the back of her mind the worry was ever-present.

Granny returned a few minutes later, walking over to Apple Bloom quietly and peering over her shoulder. “Want ta go over the plan again, Apple Bloom? From the top?” Granny asked as she read over the younger mare’s notes. Apple Bloom gnawed on the edge of her pencil.

“Naw, Ah think Ah’ve got it figured,” she responded, now rechecking her own notes. She sighed and let the pencil drop to the floor. “Did Ma an’ Pa an’ AJ an’ Big Mac all really think that Ah could rustle up this much in a few measly days?”

“That they did, child, that they did,” Granny answered with a nod and a pat to Apple Bloom’s head. “They not only think you can do it, they know you can. Don’t let this tall order give you jitters. Jus’ take it one step at a time, like any other chore. Work on the small buildin’ blocks, then before ya’ know it yer done!” She gave the back of Apple Bloom’s mane a gentle petting. “Sound good?”

Apple Bloom turned her head up and smiled. “Well, when you put it that way...” She looked back down at her notes again and frowned. But there’s just so much to... no... Granny’s right, she encouraged herself. Ah can do this. Mah whole family’s countin’ on me, an’ they have faith in me. Ah gotta have some a’ that faith too. That last thought made her smile broaden. “Don’t worry, Granny, you can count on me!”

The next couple of hours involved Granny Smith drilling a rigid schedule into Apple Bloom, making sure that her granddaughter knew the plan and strategy by heart. Apple Bloom struggled to maintain it all, but the repetitions were slowly but surely doing their part. Apple Bloom was used to taking chores, duties, and responsibilities a day at a time, never having to worry about what came next. That was something her elders always dealt with. Even the more elaborate Cutie Mark Crusader schemes didn’t involve too much planning or effort, and usually didn’t survive a day anyway.

Despite these difficulties, Apple Bloom was enjoying the experience. It made her feel like she was being treated like a real member of the Apple family, as an equal. This helped spur her attitudes higher still, which made the constant nagging feeling on the back of Apple Bloom’s mind simmer down to a whimper.

The sun was just beginning to set when the two farmponies wrapped up what they were doing, having finally figured out most of the details. Apple Bloom and Granny Smith found that if Apple Bloom could work on applebucking all day without interruption, and if they borrowed some inventory from some of the less-time-constrained orders, they’d actually complete the large order a little ahead of schedule. Not wanting to lose the extra time or fall behind, Apple Bloom made her way out to the orchards and got straight to work. She left a few notes by the barn to remind her of specific points of the master plan. She only skimmed them on occasion, though, too eager to get as much done as possible.

“Alright, simple, more Red Galas first. The rest of ‘em we have, in fact,” Apple Bloom reminded herself as she toddled through the orchards. “Easy!” She quickly got the baskets set up and went straight to applebucking.

After filling a dozen or so bushels’ worth, she glanced down the long lines of Red Gala trees, still awaiting harvest. “Easy... but long,” Apple Bloom noted, but smiled despite herself. “Still, Ah’m makin’ great time Ah think! A Dozen bushels down, and only a do—” She looked over the remaining Red Galas. “...A dozen down!”

Pleased and lost in the rhythm of her work, Apple Bloom hardly noticed that it was getting dark already. The cool air also did not seem to faze the farmpony as she pressed on, who never stopped as she harvested and delivered one batch of red fruit after another. She only realized just how late it was after she nearly bumped into Granny Smith, who was waiting for her by the barn as she returned with another bushel.

“Quite a start, Apple Bloom,” Granny said approvingly. “Ah figure jus’ a little longer and you’ll have... ‘bout half the Red Galas we need.”

Apple Bloom plopped the bushel down next to the rest and stretched a moment as Granny spoke. When she processed what Granny said, she turned and stared, bewildered. “Half? But Ah’ve been harvestin’ the Galas all evenin’! Surely Ah’ve done... at least half already?” Apple Bloom didn’t have all the totals for the order memorized, but she did know some ballpark figures, and also that among those estimates was the remainder of the Red Gala crop for the season.

Granny, however, simply shook her head. “Got half of one set a’ trees, Ah reckon, but have ya’ started gettin’ any from the South fields?”

Apple Bloom opened her mouth to answer, then closed it after thinking a moment. “...Shoot, that plum slipped my mind,” she berated herself.

“Ain’t no trouble,” Granny attempted to assure the younger farmpony, “you ain’t as far as ya’ thought, but yer gettin’ through just as many trees as planned.” This didn’t seem to sway Apple Bloom’s demeanor. “Look, it’s past suppertime as it is, why not stop an’ get some grub before continuin’ on?”

Apple Bloom looked at the harvested bushels. Suddenly, it didn’t seem like there were as many there as she thought. It was a drop in the bucket compared to what she had to have done by Friday night. “Are you sure, Granny? Ah’d rather keep workin’, ta get as much done tonight as Ah can.” She waited for an answer only for a moment, before grabbing another stack of empty baskets and turning to leave for the orchards. Granny didn’t move to stop her.

“Alright, Apple Bloom, if ya’ insist,” Granny said, “but not too much longer, now. You’re bound ta be starvin’ an’ there ain’t much daylight left...”

Apple Bloom turned her head around to smile at Granny, but said nothing more as she jogged back towards the orchard. The brisk autumn temperature raced against her sweaty body, cooling her off as she made her way back to the Red Gala trees. She doled out the empty baskets quickly, and went straight back to work. All evening long Apple Bloom’s applebucking was nearly impeccable, having to hit most trees only once to fully harvest them. But the progress report from Granny Smith, or lack of progress, in Apple Bloom’s mind, gave renewed vigor to the nagging feeling that she’d suppressed earlier.

“Shoot!” she cursed when a half dozen Red Galas clung stubbornly to their branches. She thwacked at the tree a third time, finally dislodging the fruit and moving on.

“Consarnit!” she yelled after realizing too late that she forgot to lay out baskets for a tree. Falling fruit littered the ground, leaving a muttering Apple Bloom to clean up the mess, one apple at a time.

“Ponyfeathers!” More stubborn apples. “Fall off!” She gave the tree another kick, which reluctantly yielded the fruit. Apple Bloom stood and breathed heavily for a moment, trying to calm herself down. “Yer losin’ it, Apple Bloom. Hold it together.” She sat a moment and caught her breath. “Gettin’ angry ain’t gonna help nopony, and it ain’t gonna get the work done faster.” She snorted and got back to her hooves, lugging back one of the full bushels. The strongest light Apple Bloom could make out now came from the farm. The sun was all but set by the time Apple Bloom made it back.

“Jus’ a few more trees tonight, then supper, then Ah’ll hit up the South fields tomorrow,” Apple Bloom told herself. “Hopefully Ah’ll have at least the Red Galas done by then.” The absence of the sun made the chilly night air even colder. Even though Apple Bloom was still working up a sweat, the cold was beginning to get to her. After harvesting a couple more trees, she shivered. “Gettin’ cold... but can’t stop now. Gotta keep goin’. Workin’ harder ought to warm me up more.”

Without hesitating, Apple Bloom moved on to one of the larger Red Gala trees. She looked behind, took aim, and unleashed a well-aimed kicked. After looking at what little fell, she groaned. “Not another one.” Even the best applebuck couldn’t singly harvest every tree. Some just seemed less willing to give up their fruit than others, clinging onto them for dear life. Apple Bloom sighed and lined up another kick.

*Thwack!*

“Come on...”

*Thwack!*

“Dumb tree...”

*Thwack!*

“Just a little more... one... last... big... kick!”

*Crack!*

Apple Bloom blinked. That last one didn’t sound right. She turned to look back just as the pain registered. She hissed and fell down onto her haunches. “Consarn stupid cotton-picken...” she cursed as her cracked hoof throbbed. “...darned hoof that just won’t get better ...Ow!” she exclaimed, unraveling the dirty bandage around the injury. The crack on her hoof, almost fully healed and diminished, had busted open again, a little blood dripping from the crevice. After the initial shock, Apple Bloom was more aggravated than anything else. “Better take care of this before it gets any worse,” she told herself, struggling up onto her three good hooves and holding the fourth aloft.

“Thought this was over an’ done with, bandage just bein’ a bit a’ ceremony now,” she muttered as she walked on three legs back to the farm house. “Least it don’t hurt as much as last time... hope this don’t take me outta commission though.” At that realization, the nagging worry grew in her mind. “What if it does, though? What if Ah can’t deliver? What if...” she started, then shook her head rapidly. “Don’t go worryin’ ‘bout what ain’t happened yet, Apple Bloom. Let Granny look at it. It’s not as bad as before, an’ it... already stopped hurtin’?”

Tentatively, she put some weight down on the injured hoof. Surprisingly to her, she didn’t reel in pain, though the pressure eked some more blood out of the wound. Apple Bloom noticed this and went back to limping. “Don’t wanna take any chances now.”

Though unencumbered, Apple Bloom’s handicap made her journey last quite a bit longer than it would have with a bushel on her back. By the time she made it to the house, the moon had asserted its place in the sky. “Looks like Ah’m done fer the night anyway,” she groaned as she opened the door. “Granny? Ah need a little help,” she called out.

“What is it?” a voice sang out from the kitchen. Apple Bloom’s stomach growled as she smelled something warm and delicious. “Sounds like yer hungry!” Granny said as Apple Bloom limped into the kitchen. Once Granny saw the injured farmpony, however, she frowned. “Kickin’ the bark too rough again, Apple Bloom?”

“Nu-uh, Ah was, er... Yes, Granny,” Apple Bloom admitted, bowing her head. “Was gettin’ a mite frustrated an’ Ah guess Ah took it out on the trees.”

“Well, least ya’ were smart enough ta stop an’ come back to the house, an’ admit what ya’ did,” Granny said, smiling softly as she approached Apple Bloom. “Sit down an’ let me have a looksee. Hmmm... Well, guess this does show one thing.”

“...What?” Apple Bloom asked with slight apprehension.

“That sometimes a tree’s bite is worse than its bark,” Granny joked. Apple Bloom rolled her eyes, but couldn’t help but laugh along with her.

“As if ya’ hadn’t told us that lil’ nugget a’ wisdom time an’ time again,” Apple Bloom said, “but seriously, is it bad?”

Granny took a good, long look at the injury, the without warning lifted a foreleg and smacked the sole of the injured hoof hard. Apple Bloom winced on instinct, but didn’t feel a thing. “Looks good to me. Just reopened the wound a bit, and undid some of the healing that was already done. Probably best ta give it a rest fer the night, though, Apple Bloom.” Granny stood up and gave the younger farmpony a hug, which was returned happily, before making her way upstairs. “Take a seat fer supper an’ Ah’ll be back down with some new bandages.”

“Alright, Granny,” Apple Bloom replied, taking a seat at the table and too hungry to argue. She knew she couldn’t get much done at night, anyway. She took another whiff of the air and licked her lips, her stomach growling fiercely. “Don’t think Ah could leave now, anyway.” She sighed, relieved that there wasn’t much to fuss about regarding her hoof. “First thing tomorrow mornin’, Ah’m up an’ applebuckin’, dawn ‘til dusk,” she promised herself.

“Ah’ll have this order licked in no time.”

No sooner did Apple Bloom’s head hit the pillow did she find herself being nudged awake by Granny Smith. Apple Bloom didn’t even remember climbing into bed the night before. She slept like a rock, not budging an inch the whole night and still only identifiable as a lump under her cover. Granny Smith gave the younger pony another nudge, putting a little more effort behind this one. That elicited a small groan from Apple Bloom, who begrudgedly peeked out from under her cover.

“Mornin’,” Apple Bloom mumbled through a yawn. Granny decided to expedite her granddaughter’s wake-up routine by removing the cover with a quick toss of her head. Apple Bloom instinctively curled up. “Granny!”

“Good mornin’ ta you too,” Granny smirked. “Come on, now. Breakfast is waitin’, and so are the apples.”

Apple Bloom grumbled, but did sit up enough to give Granny Smith a small hug before pulling herself out of bed, one leg at a time. As Apple Bloom began making her bed, Granny headed downstairs, certain that Apple Bloom wasn’t going to jump back into bed the moment she left. Apple Bloom finished getting ready fairly quickly as she started to pick up steam. She remembered her burdens clearly, and she wanted to squeeze out as much extra time that morning as possible to take care of them.

Apple Bloom bounded down the stairs and into the kitchen, where a piping hot bowl of oatmeal awaited her. Without fanfare, she dropped her muzzle into the bowl and ravenously tore into her meal. “Apple Bloom! Table manners!” Granny scolded from across the table.

Apple Bloom looked up, cheeks full to bursting. “But Granny, Ah—”

“An’ no talkin’ with yer mouth full.”

Apple Bloom paused to finish her bite, which amounted to about half her bowl. “‘Scuse me, Granny,” she offered as an apology as she cleaned her freckled cheeks off with a napkin. “In kind of a hurry here,” she explained as she began to guzzle her apple juice.

“You’re gonna make yerself sick if ya’ keep it up,” Granny cautioned, taking much smaller bites from her own bowl. “An’ then what?”

That advice sobered Apple Bloom. She resolved to not quite fill her mouth so much, though her bites were still quite large. It took her no time at all to finish her food and drink, and before Granny Smith could get in another word edgewise, Apple Bloom was off her chair and out the door. Granny took one last bite and sighed softly, following her granddaughter.

Apple Bloom leapt off the deck and sped for the barn, stopping inside to fetch her first set of baskets for the day. Granny remained outside, and held up a hoof. “An’ what about yer other chores?” she asked the anxious apple farmer.

Apple Bloom stopped at the raised hoof, and bit her lip. “Shoot, Ah wasn’t thinkin’ ‘bout mah other chores.” She looked up to Granny Smith, pleading with her eyes. “Granny, Ah don’t suppose ya’ could—”

“Oh fine, guess Ah’ll do ‘em for ya’,” Granny winked, “but only since yer were so darn insistent.”

Apple Bloom smiled broadly. “Thanks, Granny! Ah owe ya’ big time!” she called as she moved quickly for the orchards. She knew precisely where she left off last night and hurried getting back there.

Granny smiled back and waved Apple Bloom off. “Don’tcha worry ‘bout lunch, Apple Bloom! Ah’ll come home from market with some grub!” she yelled as Apple Bloom disappeared into the trees.

*Thwack!*

Apple Bloom gleamed, both with pride and perspiration, as the entire load of Honeycrisp apples tumbled from branches to baskets. Without stopping, Apple Bloom moved on to the next tree and landed another perfect blow to the bark. She finally paused as she reached the end of the Honeycrisp tree line, taking deep breaths. “Ten in a row!” she exclaimed, wiping some sweat from her brow. “Now that’s how an Apple gets things done.”

Apple Bloom hefted a full basket onto her back and moved back towards the barn. Once out from the trees’ shade, she slowed her trot, unintentionally, to let her body bask in the glow of the sun. It was another cold day, and Apple Bloom, despite her sweat, took every opportunity to enjoy the sun’s meager offerings of heat. After setting her latest prize down near the barn, she rekindled her brisk pace and re-entered the orchard before she could change her mind.

Apple Bloom wasn’t sure what was making her work harder: the applebucking or the increasingly-longer treks to and from the barn. While she was no slouch when it came to trotting, the increased distance was starting to wear on her. By the time she made a dozen more round trips, she was huffing and puffing like she’d just applebucked a whole line of trees.

“Phew!” she exclaimed, ridding herself of yet more sweat. “Applebuckin’s certainly takin’ its toll on me today. Glad I had a nice, filling...” her stomach growled, “...breakfast.” She hungrily eyed the last remaining Honeycrisp basket and licked her lips. “Maybe just one... Yeah. They wouldn’t miss one bushel, would they?” she wondered aloud, stepping towards the doomed fruit. As she reached it, she shook her head rapidly, and moved to get the basket on her back before she did something rash. “No, can’t rest. Can’t snack. Family’s countin’ on this crop ta feed lotsa ponies who need food. Lunch’ll be soon enough,” she encouraged herself as she made her way back towards the barn once again.

By this point, Apple Bloom’s dogs were barking ferociously. Even Winona, who was dozing contently in her dog house at the moment, wouldn’t have challenged something so threatening. In particular, Apple Bloom’s injured hoof was barking the loudest, demanding attention with every hoofstep while the others seemed to only care every dozen or so. By the time she reached the barn, Apple Bloom flopped to her haunches to give herself a brief respite. She gave both her rear hooves, the ones taking the brunt of the force via all the apple bucking, a quick inspection and brief massage. She undid the bandage around her cracked hoof to give it a closer look. It didn’t seem to be any worse for wear than the night before, and wasn’t hurting any more than the others. Apple Bloom shrugged, quickly wrapped the bandage back up, and stood. “Enough rest,” she tried to convince herself, “time fer the Wealthies!”

Apple Bloom referenced her notes, which she was keeping up on the porch, briefly before setting out to find the rich apple trees. These apples lived up on one of Sweet Apple Acres’ many hills, though one of the smaller ones. Still, Apple Bloom was feeling the burn as she made the climb and began setting baskets out. “Oh boy, this’ll be tough,” she said, running her eyes up and down the path she would soon take many times. “Welp, gotta keep goin’. Lots more ta do after this bunch.” She snorted, furrowed her brow, and moved to applebuck the Wealthy trees.

The only thing going for Apple Bloom about this patch was its size. Only eight of them stood on the small hill, which left Apple Bloom with fewer round trips to make. After four such trips, however, the young mare felt spent. When heading downhill with the fifth load of Wealthies, her pace unintentionally quickened as she let gravity take over. After reaching level ground, she took a few heavy steps to steady herself and her cargo, an action her hooves didn’t take too kindly.

Despite the pain, Apple Bloom pressed forward, not even stopping until she dropped the bushel off at the barn. Even then, she only stopped for a moment, to greet the finally-awoken Winona. She smiled and even managed a giggle when the collie leaped up and kissed her face repeatedly. “Well good mornin’ ta you too, Winona,” she said happily, before glancing skyward. “Well, good afternoon, give er take 15 minutes,” she amended, giving Winona a tummyrub before starting back for the hilly orchard. “Can’t stop now, though, girl. Lots ta do!”

Winona barked and enthusiastically bounded around Apple Bloom, eagerly surveying the land they were traversing as they made their way back to the Wealthy trees. Apple Bloom’s head sagged as she climbed the small hill, lifting each hoof only as much as necessary to drag her way up to the top. “If’n Ah can jus’ get these Wealthies all done ‘fore lunch, Winona, Ah’ll be makin’ great progress!” she informed the collie, who barked in response and rolled around in the grass.

With that show of enthusiasm, Apple Bloom smiled and hefted another basket onto her back. “Alright, let’s go an’... hold on,” she said, giving her cracked hoof a couple kicks into the ground, before shaking it a bit. “Foot fell asleep,” she guessed, giving her hoof a couple more soft kicks into the ground before the tingling ceased. “Alright, now Ah’m ready!” she beamed, giving her head and mane a shake before toddling back down the hill, with Winona right behind her.

Apple Bloom’s next few trips coasted along on her second wind, not appearing to give the young mare any troubles at all. Knowing she only had three more bushels to bring back, she quickly set the one she was carrying down and turned to head back. She stopped, though, when she heard her name.

“Apple Bloom!” Granny called out, carrying a covered basket on her back. “Hungry?”

Apple Bloom’s stomach responded before her mouth could. Her nose told her that whatever Granny had, it was scrumptious. Her eyes could see steam rising from the basket as well. Whatever it was, it was hot! Apple Bloom started to turn back, but stopped herself. If Ah finish off the Wealthies Ah’ll be ahead a’ schedule, she thought. Ah’ll finish those ‘fore chowin’ down. Maybe even get started applebuckin’ the next batch a’ trees too. Ah’ll just eat lunch faster, so Ah’ll have time! She took a breath, then shouted back to Granny Smith, “Alright, but gimme some time ta finish up what Ah’ve already started! Almost done now!”

Granny Smith was almost in the house when she heard the reply. “Alright, but not too much longer! Your food’ll be ice cold if ya’ wait too long!” she warned, before heading inside. Apple Bloom nodded, mostly to herself, and moved to head back towards the hill, where the bushels awaited.

The steamed hay wasn’t ice cold, but it barely deserved the title of lukewarm by the time Apple Bloom entered the kitchen. The mashed potatoes served as an insulator for the main course, but could only do so much given how much time they were sitting out. The diced carrots dotted the meal with orange, and Apple Bloom licked her lips as her eyes lay upon her plate.

“About time ya’ made it back in, Darlin’,” Granny Smith remarked, looking over her granddaughter. “Lunch was served ‘bout 20 minutes ago.”

Apple Bloom only offered a tired but genuine smile in apology, and gratefully sat down at the table and dug in. “Mmm... so good,” she commented as she ate. Granny appeared satisfied with both Apple Bloom’s smile and appetite for the moment, and the two ate quietly. Despite the massive head start Granny had on lunch, Apple Bloom’s plate was cleaned off first. Apple Bloom was on her third apple by the time Granny finished her entree. The younger pony was munching on the fruit quickly, barely swallowing before tearing another chunk out of the piece of fruit.

“Got a date?” Granny quipped.

Apple Bloom blinked and swallowed. “No!” she answered, “just wanna get back to work ASAP!”

It was Granny’s turn to blink, tilting her head to boot. “Er, why are ya’ workin’ on a sap?”

“As soon as possible, Granny, it’s one a’ them acrothingies,” Apple Bloom educated with a knowing nod. “Ah wanna get back ta applebuckin’ now. So... see ya’!” she said quickly, hopping out of her seat and moving towards the front door.

“Apple Bloom, hold on a moment,” Granny called. Reluctantly, Apple Bloom stood still and turned her head around. “Are you sure you ain’t pushin’ yerself too hard? You were mighty hungry, even fer you. Is yer hoof alright? Gettin’ enough ta drink?”

“Yes, Granny,” Apple Bloom responded evenly, making considerable effort to not roll her eyes at the fussing. She knew her limits, after all. Couldn’t Granny Smith let her decide?

“Ah, well, ya’ do look a bit tuckered is all,” Granny said, trailing off a bit and looking around idly, eyes tracking as if she were reading something that wasn’t there. A moment later she focused on Apple Bloom and smiled. “But Ah think ya’ know best, now.” She walked up to Apple Bloom and gave her a hug. “Ain’t no spring chicken anymore.”

Apple Bloom hugged Granny Smith back and offered her a smile. “Granny, you’ll always be as spry as a spring chicken to us.”

“Not me, you!” Granny clarified, returning the smile. “Yer gettin’ older an’ wiser right before my eyes.” She reached with a foreleg and gently stroked Apple Bloom’s cheek. “Got yer freckles, rushing through school. Shoot, bet yer cutie mark might even drop by sooner er later.”

Apple Bloom was beaming throughout Granny’s little speech, but sat up straight and grinned even more at the last comment. “Thanks, Granny,” she said, giving her another hug before finally parting and opening the door for her grandmother. She winced every few steps or so, her hooves and legs sore from the morning work, but the bright smile never left her face.

Granny Smith stepped through and started for the barn, followed by Apple Bloom. “Ah’ll be headin’ back ta market now. Shouldn’t take more than an hour er two ta finish up what we’re sellin’, on account of donatin’ half the usual supply to the cause an’ all, but ya’ never know,” Granny said as she strapped in. “Good luck out on the farm, Apple Bloom.”

“Bye, Granny!” Apple Bloom waved, before grabbing another set of empty baskets and getting back to work. Winona joined her shortly after entering the orchards, happily trotting beside Apple Bloom and panting. “Looks like you enjoyed yer lunch, didn’t ya’?” she said to the collie, grinning. Apple Bloom’s smile suddenly contorted into a wince when she took a bad step and stumbled a little. “Whoa!” she exclaimed, shaking her head a bit.

“Bit dizzy,” she observed. “Maybe Ah should be gettin’ more water, just ta be safe.” She turned to look at the barn, still just in view, but decided against it. “Ah’ll get somethin’ ta drink when Ah come back with a bushel,” she decided, before continuing her trek. She found Winona staying closer to her side as the two continued, though the collie was still panting away happily. “Glad yer here, girl.”

Planting her hooves more firmly as she walked, Apple Bloom made her way through trees that had been harvested already. The plan she and Granny came up with involved a mix of both long and short journeys. If Apple Bloom harvested all of the furthest fruit first, she’d grow tired from all of the long distance traveling. If she focused solely on the short distance and spread outward, her rear hooves wouldn’t be getting as much of a break. Plus, when the first set was done, the opposite problems would rear their ugly heads anyway. Although it made her route more complicated, Apple Bloom was glad to be spreading things out more-or-less evenly.

Apple Bloom shivered as a cool breeze streaked through the orchard, compounding the feeling already levied by the cold afternoon. “Maybe a jacket wouldn’t be such a bad idea neither,” Apple Bloom said to herself as she reached her destination: the Paula Red trees. The farmpony took a deep breath of the chilly air and exhaled loudly. “Alright, let’s do this.”

Winona surveyed the surrounding area with her snout as Apple Bloom set up the baskets for more apple harvesting. Not detecting anything nefarious or interesting, Winona promptly sat down and let her tail wag away as she observed Apple Bloom. She watched the farmpony effortlessly relieve the trees of their bounty one by one without missing a beat. Before long, all of the baskets were filled to the brim, and Winona had barely had to lift a paw to fetch an apple that rolled away from its intended target.

“Hmm...” Apple Bloom pondered, looking over the forty or so baskets before her. “This is gonna be a lotta trips back an’ forth. Ah wonder if Ah can carry more than one?” She envied her big brother, who could carry three with little effort. She thought about how Big Macintosh did it. Thinking about it a moment, she got an idea.

“Well, Ah can’t carry three whole bushels all by my lonesome... but if Ah use mah head, maybe I could carry two!” Apple Bloom pulled one bushel close to another, then carefully lowered down and settled the two onto her back, having to keep her head down so she could balance the second bushel on her withers. “There we go, easy does it.” Slowly, she straightened out her four legs and stood up. “Alright, now back to the farm. Slow and steady, Apple Bloom.”

The first few steps were shaky, but it didn’t take long for the farmpony to get into a steady cadence of hoofsteps, tilting her head up just enough to see where she was going. She was having trouble seeing her way, though, since her mane continued to fall in front of her face. When Apple Bloom slowed, she pondered a moment. “Hmm... Winona!” she called, the collie answering a moment later by rushing to her side.

“Lead the way, girl. Not too fast!” Winona obediently marched in front of Apple Bloom, then started at a casual pace for the barn. The farmpony had no issue keeping an eye on Winona while keeping her withers level with her back. She had the strength to hold both bushels without much fuss, though her balance wavered occasionally. Still, with the aid of Winona’s guidance, Apple Bloom made it back to the barn without a single dropped apple. She let the two baskets slide gently from her back before petting Winona. “Good girl!” she praised, much to the collie’s delight. “Now, if Ah can do that fer the rest of the day, Ah’ll be doublin’ production!” she figured with a smile, turning back to the orchard.

As Apple Bloom was on her way back with her fifth pair of bushels, she heard a familiar noise emanating from her belly. She groaned as hunger began to creep into her system again. “Didn’t Ah just eat?” she muttered as she kept her head and neck steady. “Must be workin’ mah hardest yet.” That notion put Apple Bloom in higher spirits. She was indeed working hard, harder than she’d ever worked before.

Apple Bloom grinned and forced herself to continue without stopping. Overriding the desire to eat took a lot of willpower for the young mare, but her determination was winning out. Apple Bloom made several more trips with a doubled-up load of apples before finally allowing herself that drink she promised herself earlier. As she glugged down her third glass of water, she wondered if it would be more efficient to drink straight from the hose instead. “Ah... that hit the spot!” she said, splashing some water on her face before taking a clean rag to it.

Once refreshed, she retrieved her notes from the porch before making her way over to the barn, where dozens of bushels sat in line. She sat down, Winona joining her a moment later. Apple Bloom petted Winona idly as she counted up her current inventory and cross-referenced her notes. “Yeesh, got enough apples here fer a full-on party here. An’ Ah’ve only put a small dent in this order.”

Winona looked to Apple Bloom, before tilting her head and barking twice. “Yer right, Winona. Progress is progress!” Apple Bloom answered back, petting the collie’s head. “An’ Ah’m makin’ good progress. If Ah cut down suppertime an’ work a bit after sundown, Ah’ll be sittin’ pretty.” Her stomach decided to chime in at that moment. “Ooh... maybe Ah should break fer a snack,” Apple Bloom considered, before shaking her head. “No, Ah gotta keep goin’.”

Apple Bloom moved to stand up, only to nearly buckle under her own weight as one of her legs tingled. “Oof, must’ve been sittin’ on mah leg funky. Darn thing fell asleep again,” she said, giving her leg a few shakes until feeling returned. She readjusted the bandage that loosened from her shaking, then set off into the orchards once more. “Come on, Winona, lots more ta do!” Ignoring her aches, pains, and hunger pangs, Apple Bloom marched inward with a determined expression etched on her face. “An’ Ah’m gonna do it all.”

Apple Bloom tried not to think about the time of day, but a simple look to the sky spoke volumes: the sun was racing for the horizon as the cool Tuesday afternoon stretched onward. The tired farmpony snorted as she carried a pair of Bailey Sweet bushels back to the barn. Apple Bloom realized that, aside from a six hour rest and a couple of truncated meals, she’d been working for more than thirteen hours on a single order. The weight of that, in addition to the apples on her back, made her slouch a little.

“School ain’t soundin’ so bad right about now,” she mused as she pulled herself along. “It may be a bore, but at least it’s nothin’ but sittin’.” She wandered downhill and continued towards the barn. Plus all mah friends are there, she thought. Well, most of ‘em at least, she added as Winona came into view, panting away as she caught sight of Apple Bloom approaching.

Apple Bloom dropped the bushels unceremoniously by the ever-growing pile of crops and stretched. “Wonder if Granny’ll be home soon. Wonder what’s takin’ her?” she said to Winona before forcing herself back to her hooves and back towards the orchard. She hesitated a moment when soreness caught up with her again. “Ow, mah achin’... everything,” she moaned. Winona caught up to Apple Bloom and shot her a concerned look, moving to nuzzle at one of the farmpony’s forelegs. Apple Bloom smiled wearily and pet Winona. “It’s okay girl. Ain’t nuthin’ Ah can’t handle. Though maybe Ah should stick ta one basket at a time fer a spell. Mah neck’s as stiff as a faintin’ goat.” She rotated her neck back and forth to try and relieve some of the stiffness as she resumed her pace, ignoring a resurging tingling sensation in her back leg. Apple Bloom wanted to run all the way back up to where the Bailey Sweet trees were, to clear the cobwebs, but knew her body couldn’t take the additional punishment.

Once she made it up and over the hill, Apple Bloom reached for one of the few remaining bushels. She hoisted it up on her back and, after giving Winona a pat on the back, set back for the barn. The young mare wasn’t sure if it was the constant back and forth, about-facing every few minutes to make it to and from the orchards, but she felt a little dizzy. Apple Bloom shook off the feeling, though, continuing her process unabated. Her balance suffered, however, and although she was only carrying along a single bushel, a few of the apples stacked in the basket tumbled out as she wobbled. Winona was there in a flash, daintily picking up the fallen fruit and replacing them, Apple Bloom stopping and leaning down so the collie could reach. “What would Ah do without you, girl?” she smiled as she stood and began walking again. Winona barked and jumped, elated that she was helping Apple Bloom out.

The remaining trips for the Bailey Sweets also saw their share of dropped apples. Apple Bloom found herself getting frustrated, having to stop several times on the return trip to reach for a fallen apple, or wait for Winona to fetch them. On the last trip, she had to stop six times before she finally made it back to the barn.

On auto-pilot, Apple Bloom moved to the well, heaved at the rope until a bucket of fresh water emerged, and promptly dunked her head in, taking big gulps and letting herself cool off. “Ah!” she exclaimed as she flung her head back up, wet mane dripping. “That’s what Ah needed, a good pick-me-up!” She made her way to the porch and crossed another patch of trees off. “Alright, lesse... Marigolds next!” she noted, tracing out her path across the farm. “...Wow, goin’ all the way out to the edge fer this patch. Least there’s only a dozen trees out there.” She looked up at the sun, then started marching straight at it, heading West to make her way to the edge of Sweet Apple Acres.

By the time she reached the Marigold trees, Apple Bloom was panting. “Phew... finally... made it,” she breathed, smiling to herself. “Now Ah just gotta... put out the... baskets?” She looked to her back, which carried nothing. Apple Bloom blinked, then let out a frustrated shout and flopped on the ground. “The baskets! How could Ah ferget the baskets?”

Winona whined sympathetically, nosing at the farmpony encouragingly. It took a great deal of will for Apple Bloom to force herself up, turn around, and head back to the barn empty-hooved. Exhaustion piled atop her frustration as she made her way back to the barn. The return trip, to Apple Bloom, took twice as long as the venture out. She was sure that she was walking at the same pace, though, and hurriedly grabbed a set of empty baskets from inside the barn before half-jogging, half-dragging herself Westward again.

Winona kept Apple Bloom company all the while, seemingly running on limitless energy. Apple Bloom felt jealous. “Think Ah could borrow some a’ that spunk, Winona?” she asked sarcastically as she smirked at the collie. Winona promptly kissed her on the cheek, which perked Apple Bloom back up. “Uh, thanks?” she replied, letting out a weak laugh. This trip seemed to fly on by for Apple Bloom, quickly catching sight of the Marigold trees once more. “Alright, now it’s time ta buck some apples.”

The first several trees were relieved of their crop like clockwork, Apple Bloom landing her hooves right on target. The next couple trees took a couple of hits, when the farmpony was a little off center. When she approached the penultimate Marigold tree, Apple Bloom steadied herself and took a deep breath, taking her time to line up her shot. She stuck her tongue out in concentration, reared up, and let her back hooves fly.

Apple Bloom missed the tree by a solid foot, losing her balance and flopping to her stomach.

“What in the world?” she exclaimed as she lay there, more bewildered than anything else. She’d never missed a tree by that much before. Apple Bloom pushed herself up, lined up again, and kicked. She got all of the apples out in one go. “Strange. Think Ah’ll need more water when Ah get back,” she decided. “How about you, Winona. Thirsty?” she asked, looking around.

“Uh... Winona?” Her ears twitched around, scanning for signs of the collie. She picked up the sounds of distant barking, further into the orchard. “Huh, must’ve snuck off ta chase a bunny away er somethin’,” she figured, shrugging as she moved to the final tree, bringing down its entire bounty in one fell swoop. “There we go, back on track,” she smiled, shaking her head rapidly.

“Now, just gotta tough out the pain and get these bushels back. Surely Granny’ll be back with a nice, big supper by the time these are all done.” Apple Bloom took a deep, long breath of the cool afternoon air, and hefted a bushel to her back. “Some long trots ahead, but Ah can do it.” With another deep breath taken, she headed off.

This particular bushel of apples seemed like the heaviest one of the day. It took Apple Bloom everything she had to not toss the apples off her back and relax. “Come on, Apple Bloom, you got this...”

The young mare looked around for signs of Winona, hoping that whatever she took off to do was done and over with, so she could enjoy her company while trekking across the farm. There was no sign of the excitable collie, however, so Apple Bloom returned to looking straight ahead, sweat beading up across her head and body.

“One hoof in front of the other, that’s it,” she continued, “one step at a time...” Apple Bloom found herself slowing down, her stride halving as she panted. She turned to inspect the bushel she was carrying. “Are there bricks in these apples er what?” she wondered rhetorically, before facing forward again. “Well, bricks or no bricks, Ah have a job to do.”

Apple Bloom emerged from a patch of already-harvested Gala trees. Halfway home. She swayed a little, tilting the bushel and letting a couple apples bounce out and away. She didn’t notice, though, and kept moving. “Almost there... Ah think,” she murmured, head beginning to droop. “Just take it easier, Apple Bloom. Slower steps are surer steps...”

When she moved to take another step, Apple Bloom held her foreleg aloft. Something looked odd about her hoof. First it was one, then two, then four hooves, swirling in her sight. Then, before Apple Bloom could blink, the world turned sideways. Marigolds spilled out from the bushel and rolled along the edge of her vision. Apple Bloom’s cheek rested against the cool, somewhat-prickly grass. She almost realized what just happened until her cracked hoof interrupted.

Her leg wasn’t tingling anymore.

It was on fire.

Apple Bloom writhed weakly on the ground as her injured hoof seared in agony. She attempted to lift her head to look at what she might have stepped on or to see why it was screaming so violently, but she couldn’t move. Her drooping eyes were forced to remain forward-looking as the injury continued to torment her. Tears formed in Apple Bloom’s eyes from the excruciating pain, but she couldn’t even muster a whimper, let alone a cry for help. The best she could manage was a soft, pitiful squeak. The defenseless mare’s eyes focused on a lone apple, one of the Marigolds that had bounced away from the rest and came to a stop inches from her nose.

It was the last thing Apple Bloom saw before darkness took her.

An Unwelcome Respite

View Online

A single tree stood tall and mighty upon a hill. Her treasures were intact on her branches, glistening bright red beneath the shining sun. Water from a recent rainfall that had taken temporary residence in her leaves continued to sprinkle out onto the earth below, where the tree had grasped on tightly with long, thick roots. She stood overlooking vast fields and hills blanketed with many others of her kind, some whose treasures were gone, others who were still painted in shades of green, red, and yellow. A gentle breeze served to expedite the exodus of moisture from the tree’s healthy foliage, but she would not be going anywhere.

From her days as a little sapling, to the present where she towered over her kin, the tree had always overlooked all. Her gratitude was unending towards the one who traveled so far and expended much effort to plant her at this very spot. The one who came to visit, to laugh, to cry, to sulk, to cheer. The one who brought others along, to show off the tree’s beautiful bark and strong branches.

The one who was, at this very moment, attempting another visit.

Legs filled with lead, a young mare approached at a snail’s pace. She seemed to require all of her focus to simply get one hoof forward, but appeared determined to reach her destination. She didn’t understand why exactly, but somehow she knew that if she could reach that tree — her tree — all of her problems would evaporate along with the remnants of the earlier rain shower.

The pony’s gaze remained focused on her prize, never wavering, never blinking. No matter how much it hurt, no matter how much effort was required, she was going to make it. As she completed another painful step forward, she noted a small bird coming to a rest on her tree, daintily perching on the edge of a thin branch. It cocked its head one way, then another, then turned to stare at the encroaching equine with a curious look. Its beak parted, but the pony heard nothing. With ears now perked forward, she focused harder to hear what the bird had to say.

*beep.*

The mare tilted her head curiously. What an odd birdsong. The creature appeared spurred on by the single audience member, and opened up once more.

*beep. beep.*

In the blink of an eye, the bird was perched on the pony’s ear, bending over and singing right into it.

*beep. beep. beep.*

Apple Bloom’s eyes fluttered open weakly. Her cheek rested against a soft, white pillow, which felt cool and comforting. The rest of Apple Bloom was hidden from view, under a large purple comforter. The bed she rested on felt a little foreign to her, but she was barely conscious enough to take notice.

*beep. beep. beep.*

Apple Bloom’s free ear twitched at the continuing monotone that was emanating from... somewhere. The small, enclosed room bounced sound around haphazardly, throwing off perception and leaving Apple Bloom’s still-awakening mind frazzled. As she continued to laboriously open her eyelids fully, something clicked.

The beeping was that of a heart rate monitor. Apple Bloom was in the hospital.

Why would she be there, Apple Bloom wondered. She had no time to rest, since there was a big test the next day. That meant no crusading, and that usually meant no serious bodily harm.

Wait, she thought groggily. That wasn’t it. It was... Applebuck Season! She and the family had a lot of work to do!

...No, it was too early for that. Applejack led that corral, and was always on top of things. No, what Apple Bloom had to do was something else. She knew that she was supposed to be doing something... something important... Apples... Applebucking... A harvest...

Apple Bloom’s eyes shot wide open as memories came flooding back. She was on the ground. Unable to move. Everything going black. She gasped at the vividness, only to cough weakly in response to the involuntary reaction. She moaned pitifully, the beeping in the room becoming more rapid. Her thoughts raced back to the last thing she remembered. Why had she fainted...?

Apple Bloom flinched suddenly as a sharp prick of pain poked her under the covers. Right, that’s what it was. She was almost afraid to look and see what damage had been done, daintily lifting her covers to peek at the injury that had blighted her applebucking efforts. When she finally managed to lift the blanket high enough to see, she sighed, disappointed. She saw her leg wrapped up in a sterile bandage from her hoof to her hock. Apple Bloom groaned and let the blanket fall, along with her head and her spirits. She took a couple deep, slow breaths, worn out from the simple act.

So sleepy... It was taking the young mare every effort just to keep her eyes open, and even that was a losing battle. In a few short moments, the beeping slowed as the young mare fell right back into a deep, and this time dreamless, slumber.

It looked like not much of the day had passed when Apple Bloom woke up again. She blinked her eyes open slowly, letting out a large, unabashed yawn as she attempted to stretch her weak forelegs. Unlike last time, she at least had the strength to rotate her head around, to look around the room. She didn’t notice anypony, the single bed in the room taking up most of the space. What she did notice was the sterile smell in the room. Fitting for a hospital, she figured, though she did rub at her snout idly to dispel the sharp odor. The door to her room was closed, offering nothing useful to Apple Bloom when she scanned over it. All she could garner from her observations was that the hospital was, in fact, staffed. She was able to pick up faint hoofsteps from beyond the door when they could overpower the beeping coming from what she figured was her own monitor.

“Where...” she stopped herself, rubbing at her throat. Her voice sounded croaky and dry. To her dismay, she didn’t find any water nearby, and didn’t have the strength to leave the bed. “Where... is everypony?” she wondered aloud, though her voice was barely above a whisper. Surely somepony had found her and brought her here? To her surprise, she got a response.

Two paws perched onto the foot of the mattress, followed soon by Winona’s head, peeking up curiously. When she saw Apple Bloom awake, she barked twice and clambered up onto the bed, wobbling across the uneven surface and laying down beside Apple Bloom, smothering the young mare’s cheek in affectionate kisses.

“H-hey! Hey Winona...” Apple Bloom said, beginning to reprimand the collie on instinct, but quickly discarding the idea in favor of not ruining the moment. She leaned into the kisses gently, reaching her forelegs around Winona to hug her closely. “Ah’m alright, girl, Ah’m here an’ all better... Ah think.” Winona simply lay there as she was cuddled, elated that Apple Bloom had finally woken up. She kissed Apple Bloom on the cheek a couple more times before simply settling down beside the pony, while Apple Bloom began petting her.

Apple Bloom kept up with the pettings for a moment, getting drowsy again. She was just nodding off when a knock jolted her awake. Before she could say anything, the door swung open. A sky blue stallion with a brown mane and tail entered, dressed in a simple lab coat and floating a clipboard in front of his face, just below his eyes. He strode up with purpose to Apple Bloom’s bedside, looking down to the younger mare. He set the clipboard aside and smiled warmly. “Good afternoon, Miss Apple Bloom,” he said in a crisp, calm tone.

Apple Bloom looked up to the doctor and offered a small smile in return. “Howdy, doc,” she responded, placating a fidgeting Winona by resuming petting. “Do ya’ know where my Granny’s at? Ah woulda thunk she’d be here...” She looked out the window for a moment, gaze distant. The cloudy day was not offering her any encouragement.

The doctor’s smile never faltered. He looked to the curtains and shuttered them, seeing the adverse effect the weather was having on the young mare. “Your grandmother left not too long ago, to take care of a few errands, I believe,” he answered. “She’s been by your bedside the whole time otherwise. Her and your pet, too,” he said, giving Winona a humorous glance, “despite hospital policy.” He cleared his throat. “But now onto you, Miss Apple Bloom. I’m glad you’re awake now. How are you feeling?”

Apple Bloom shrugged with one side. “Ah’m alright, Ah guess, but Ah feel pretty worn out. Hoof’s a bit itchy too, though Ah’m guessin’ ya’ know all about mah little injury.”

The doctor nodded in affirmation, before lighting his horn up in a glimmer of taupe. The beeping heart rate monitor was silenced, much to Apple Bloom’s relief. He pulled back Apple Bloom’s covers gently with his magic, down just past her belly. He then levitated a stethoscope out of his coat pocket, donning the instrument and placing the chest piece on Apple Bloom’s now-exposed barrel. Apple Bloom flinched upon contact, but was too weak to really move all that much. The doctor furrowed his brow a moment as he worked, repositioning the chestpiece a few times to listen in on Apple Bloom’s heart and lungs, before pocketing the stethoscope. Apple Bloom stretched out her forelegs and fought back a yawn, unsuccessfully. “What’s yer name, doc?”

“Proctor,” he answered curtly, taking a pen out and jotting a few notes down on the clipboard.

Apple Bloom giggled softly. “Hey, that’s fittin’! Rhymes was doctor!”

Proctor exhaled slowly. “So it does,” he acknowledged, moving the conversation forward and giving Apple Bloom another smile. “I suppose you’d like to know what happened to you?” He gently removed the covers from the rest of Apple Bloom and revealed the bandaged leg.

“Ah sure do,” she said with as much enthusiasm as she could muster, which didn’t amount to much. She peered down at herself curiously, letting out a small cough in the process. “Ah’m parched, though. Could Ah get somethin’ ta drink?”

“Of course,” Proctor nodded, calling out for a nurse to fetch some water. He then cleared his throat once more and stood up straighter. “Miss Apple Bloom, you’re recovering from an infection. One that seemed to originate from the exposed wound located on your right posterior coronet. Said wound was already mostly healed, but what got into you had already made it in. We’ve cleaned and sterilized it, though at this point it’s healed itself up on its own.” Proctor paused a moment to reference his clipboard, then quickly resumed. “Now normally this particular strain isn’t terribly harmful, perhaps causing some pain to radiate from the infected area before being eradicated by your own natural defenses. However, your body’s immune system was in a weaker state due to a large amount of strain on your system: Your body had no energy to defend itself.”

Apple Bloom’s eyes went wide as Proctor explained. That made it sound like whatever got into her was going to do some serious damage. “What kind of infection? Is it bad now cuz of me bein’ so tired? Am I gonna get really sick?”

Proctor smiled down at Apple Bloom and shook his head. “Not at all, Miss Apple Bloom. We were able to clear out the infection and made sure that you were recuperating. Once you fell unconscious, and with a little help from us, you were able stave off the infection safely. And given our findings stemming from observing you,” he tapped the clipboard, “you’re as healthy as an ox.”

Apple Bloom sighed in relief, smiling brightly. “Well that’s good news! Why am Ah so tuckered, though? It’s only…” she squinted at a clock on the wall “...’bout an hour since Ah reckon Ah fainted. S’pose Ah don’t know exactly when I did, but it hasn’t been that long.”

Proctor frowned. “Miss Apple Bloom, you’ve been here for quite some time, and asleep for most of it, in fact. You’re healthy, but understandably still tired from the recovery processes.” He paused a moment, hesitating. “You... were brought in yesterday, approximately 25 hours ago,” he informed, double-checking his notes. “Ah. 26 hours ago.”

Apple Bloom’s mouth fell open. “What?! Ya’ mean it’s... Wednesday?!” She flailed weakly on her back, Winona scooting away from the wiggling and looking concerned.

“Yes yes it is, Miss Apple Bloom, please calm yourself,” Proctor said quickly, putting a gentle hoof onto the squirming pony’s shoulder in an attempt to calm her down. Apple Bloom stopped fidgeting, but still had a look of grave panic written all over her face. “I’m aware of your schedule. Granny Smith told me all about it. You’ll do yourself no favors if you overexert yourself right now. Take a few deep breaths and calm down.”

Apple Bloom tried to do as instructed, while also holding back a fresh wave of anxiety threatening to send her into a panic. At that moment, a nurse came in with the previously requested drink and a pitcher. Proctor immediately took them up in his magic, nodding in thanks to the nurse before turning back to Apple Bloom. “I thought you’d realized how much time had passed. I should probably have waited for your grandmother to inform you, and I apologize.” He floated the pitcher to a nightstand, and the cup and straw near Apple Bloom’s muzzle. “Here, drink up.”

Apple Bloom nodded, still taking some deep breaths to keep her panic at bay. She finally clamped down on the straw that was offered, gulping down most of the cup’s contents before sighing in relief. “Sorry,” she breathed, “Ah’ll try ta stay calm, but… ya’ know what’s at stake? What kinda order Ah got waitin’ fer me?”

“He sure does, youngin’,” an elderly voice called out from the hall. “Ah was gonna ask somepony if ya’ woke up yet, but then ya’ answered for me, what with yer hollerin’ reachin’ the farm an’ back.”

Granny Smith walked into the room, smiling to the exiting nurse before beaming at Apple Bloom. She looked tired and ragged, but still stood strong, hiding her weariness. She nodded once to Proctor, who nodded back and stepped away from the bed. “I have other patients, but I’ll be back shortly. Don’t hesitate to ask for anything, Miss Apple Bloom. You should be released this evening, but until then, please, stay in bed.” With a final nod and smile, Proctor left the room and closed the door behind him with a whisk of magic.

“Granny!” Apple Bloom exclaimed, sitting up and flopping forward near the edge of the bed towards her grandmother. Granny caught Apple Bloom in her fall and hugged her tightly. Winona barked and bounced on the bed, nosing her way in between the two and nuzzling against them.

“Ah’m glad yer’ awake, little Apple Bloom,” Granny spoke, petting the back of Apple Bloom’s mane during the hug. She held her granddaughter there for a moment, not saying anything. “When Winona came runnin’ into town and brought us to ya’... Ah didn’t know what ta think… but Ah knew you’d tough it out and recover.”

“Granny, Ah’m fine, really,” Apple Bloom assured, not letting go of the hug just yet. She didn’t want to worry Granny any more than she probably already had. Though now that Granny brought up the events of yesterday, those memories once again surfaced in Apple Bloom’s mind. “Ah’m… Ah was a little scared...” she meekly admitted, clutching Granny tighter. “Mah hoof… it hurt so much… An’ Ah couldn’t budge, not even an inch...”

Granny leaned back to look into Apple Bloom’s eyes. “It’s over now, Darlin’,” she said softly, stroking Apple Bloom’s cheek gently and offering a smile reserved for family occasions. “Yer well again, that’s all that matters. Jus’ rest up, now.”

Apple Bloom sighed happily, nodding. “Rest sounds good,” Apple Bloom agreed, gently laying back down again. For this one moment, Apple Bloom wasn’t thinking about the farm, the order, or anything else. She felt pure relief, and was glad that Granny and Winona were there. Then, she blinked and sat up some again, leaning her back against the pillow for support. “Granny, when you said ‘us’...”

“Ah meant a good samaritan who insisted on comin’ with me when Winona bolted into town and practically dragged me back ta the farm,” Granny explained, petting Winona and smiling down to the collie. “This little doggie emptied a bowlful a’ water by the time she’d finished runnin’ all the way there and back to ya. But Ah got a bit of a lift, courtesy of a sturdy Apple family cart and a friend ta pull it along.” She smiled, and turned towards the door. “Ya’ can come in now if ya’ ain’t so busy flirtin’ with the nurses,” she called out into the hall.

The door opened and in stepped a yellow stallion with a blue mane and red cheeks. “Was not,” he huffed, before smiling and turning to the bed. “Hey Apple Bloom. Holding up well?”

Apple Bloom sat up more and beamed. “Well if it ain’t Sir Colton,” she greeted with a chuckle, which turned into a tiny cough. “Ah’m... holdin’ up. Jus’ tired is all.” She stretched again and flopped back down onto her pillow, watching Winona greet the newcomer. The collie leapt off the bed and stopped near Colton’s hooves, barking up at him. Colton acknowledged Winona with a few pets, keeping his eyes on Apple Bloom.

“I told you you didn’t have to call me sir,” he reminded with a chuckle of his own. “It’s good to see you awake. How’d you get into such a state, anyway? I mean, I knew you had some kind of massive order to fill, and I’m no stranger to those. What’d you do to earn yourself a day-long stay at the hospital?”

“She just had a little ol’ malady of some sort,” Granny explained with a dismissive wave of a hoof. “Only needs rest. Doc says she oughta be back to applebuckin’ tomorrow.”

Apple Bloom flinched. “Tomorrow?” she squeaked. “That leaves only two days and Ah’m already down that much! We’ll never finish the—”

Granny planted a hoof firmly over Apple Bloom’s mouth. “What’d the doc say about keepin’ yerself from panickin’?” she asked calmly, retracting her hoof only after Apple Bloom nodded and sagged a bit. “Don’t you worry, Darlin’. We’re not beaten yet. There’s always another way.”

“Yeah,” Colton chimed in, taking a seat on the side of the bed opposite Granny. “I can help! I have some orders to fulfill myself, and grapes won’t spontaneously start to sell themselves at market either, but I still have free time,” he volunteered.

“Ya’ sure those soft hooves a’ yours can handle it?” Granny teased, though she did perk up at his offer. Colton laughed.

“I think I can handle it. Been reading up on some of the finer points of applebucking too. Fascinating stuff.”

“Fascinatin’ and a bunch a hooey,” Granny muttered with an indignant sniff. Apple Bloom winced, knowing exactly where this was going. “All that jibber-jabber’s jus’ hogwash made up by pony folk who think they can analyze and diagram somethin’ that comes from the heart.” She smirked at Colton. “Still, ya’ weren’t too bad the other day. But I ain’t the decider. This here’s Apple Bloom’s decision, an’ her’s alone.”

Apple Bloom sighed in relief. That wasn’t bad at all. She looked to Colton, considering his offer. Here this stallion was, offering to do some work that the Apples should be doing. Apple Bloom thoughts turned to her siblings… Were they really needed that badly down South? Why weren’t they here, instead of Apple Bloom having to rely on outside help to get her work done? Apple Bloom bit her lip... then quickly shook her head. She knew they were gone for a reason. Apple Bloom smiled to Colton and nodded her head, offering up a foreleg to him. “Sure thing, partner. Jus’ don’t slow me down when Ah get back out there.”

Colton took the offered hoof daintily and shook it. “My pleasure,” he grinned. “Should I start tonight?”

“What, with no Apples around? You’ll start tomorrow at yer earliest convenience, youngin’,” Granny addressed Colton. “Ah gotta plan some a’ this out first, anyway. Can’t just go collectin’ apples all willy nilly. Speakin’ of, Apple Bloom, Ah thought of somethin’ ta lighten the load a bit.”

Apple Bloom leaned forward curiously. “Ya’ have?”

“Nothing too great, mind, but we can sacrifice a few days’ worth a’ market product, more than we have already, anyway.” She paused and thought a moment. Even with that, Granny knew they’d still be at quite the deficit. She didn’t let it on yet, but she figured Apple Bloom may have to work a bit later than usual. Or a lot later. “Still though, it’s somethin’,” she said finally.

“Every little bit helps,” Apple Bloom chimed in. She felt encouraged, knowing that Granny Smith already had a backup plan, and one that sounded reasonable to boot. Maybe things weren’t so dire after all! “But, Granny, what about—”

“Apple Bloom!” a muffled voice cried out. Three ponies and one collie looked around the room for a second. That didn’t come from the door. A sound of a hoof knocking on glass answered their unasked question.

“Ain’t we on the fourth floor?” Granny asked.

“Sure are,” Colton confirmed, moving to the window and taking the edge of the curtains in his teeth, pulling at them and revealing an orange pegasus knocking at the window.

“Scootaloo!” Apple Bloom exclaimed with a tired smile. Colton, taking the hint, opened the window to let the pegasus in. Scootaloo zipped through and landed with two hooves up on the bed, smirking.

“Apple Bloom! Gone crusading without me?”

Apple Bloom grinned back and shook her head. “Naw, jus’ recoverin’ from somethin’ silly.” Scootaloo looked over Apple Bloom curiously, her demeanor faltering a bit when she noticed the bandaged leg. Granny and Colton talked amongst themselves, arranging times for the stallion to show up to work at the farm. Winona bounced around Scootaloo, the pegasus’ rapid entrance riling up the collie.

“That so? When’d it happen?” Scootaloo asked. “I like just heard you were in here, and went down into the lobby to see if you were okay. They told me what room you were in but said you had visitors and I couldn’t come up, but I had to know what you got yourself into this time.” She flapped her wings idly. “Curtains were shut, but I knew which room it was! Been in this one twice before.”

Apple Bloom tilted her head. “Were you in here cuz of the thing with the vacuum or the one with the high dive?”

Scootaloo shook her head to each of the painful, memorable experiences. “It was the coconuts,” she said, shuddering a little. The two crusaders looked at each other, then giggled. “So, no cutie mark for getting sick then?” Scootaloo inquired, looking down at Apple Bloom’s blank flank. “...Or for breaking your leg, apparently?”

Apple Bloom snorted. “Now what kinda use would a talent like that do me? An’ mah leg’s not broken, it’s just the cracked hoof again.”

“Weeelll…” Scootaloo pondered, “you could get outta school whenever you wanted. Big test? No problem, just give yourself a fever!” She smirked at the idea.

“Tell ya what: once ya’ get your cutie mark in pratfallin’, Ah’ll get mine in fallin’ ill,” Apple Bloom teased.

Scootaloo giggled, then looked over Apple Bloom again. “...You sure you’re alright? You look… more hurt and run down than you’re letting on.” Her smile faded.

“Ah told ya’ Ah’m good. Just tuckered,” Apple Bloom assured, noting Scootaloo looking at her bandage again. “An’ mah hoof’s all good too. Just needed ta be steril’d, er sterlized, er somesuch.”

Scootaloo nodded, shifting her eyes from side to side before quickly leaning onto the bed to give Apple Bloom a hug, who returned it unabashedly.

“Aww…” Colton couldn’t help himself. Granny gave him a poke in the ribs as Scootaloo stood up straight on four hooves again, her cheeks burning a little.

“So how long you gonna be here?” she asked rapidly. Before Apple Bloom could answer, a larger pegasus swooped through the window, conjuring up a brush of wind in his wake. Granny and Colton braced against the gust, Apple Bloom holding a hoof over her eyes. Winona quickly buried herself under the covers. Only Scootaloo seemed unaffected. “Oh, hey Dad,” she said casually. “Don’t worry, Apple Bloom’s fine.”

“How’s Apple Bl—oh,” Gale Force stopped himself mid-sentence. He folded in his wings since the small room was starting to get cramped, offering an apologetic smile to Granny and Colton. “Well that’s good! I just had to know, you know? Scootaloo was taking too long to get back to me, so I decided to take a peek!” He shuffled over to the side of the bed. Winona poked her head out from under the covers and barked in greeting. Gale petted Winona some, before turning to Apple Bloom. “So you’re fine then?” he confirmed.

“Right as rain,” Apple Bloom beamed. She didn’t mind so many visitors despite the small area. She had the whole bed to herself, after all, giving her plenty of breathing room.

Granny, meanwhile, shut the window and closed the curtains and grinned. “Wonder jus’ how many more pony folk are gonna drop in unannounced,” she wondered aloud, giving the underside of the bed a suspicious glance before edging her way in between Gale and Scootaloo. “Sure all this company ain’t troublin’ you, Darlin’?”

“Naw, Granny, it’s kinda nice actually,” Apple Bloom answered, stretching her forelegs up behind her head and smiling to everyone. “Actually, Mister Gale Force, you free the next couple days?”

Gale scratched his head, pondering. “Maybe if I can convince Cold Front to gimme some time off, and she’ll only do that if I can make a strong case,” he said. “What’s the occasion?”

Colton took a spot at the foot of the bed and spoke up. “Thanks to Apple Bloom’s little injury here, she’s a little behind schedule on a critical order of apples that must go out on Friday. Kind of an ‘all hooves on deck’ sort of affair,” he explained, sticking out a hoof to Gale. “By the way, nice to meet you. Sir Colton Vines the Third, at your service.”

Gale blinked at the offered hoof, then grinned and substituted the offered hoof shake with a hoof bump. “Gale Force. ‘Sup?”

Scootaloo looked between Gale and Colton as they made small talk, then glanced back to Apple Bloom. “Wait, you need help?” she asked her friend. “I can help! I mean, I know me and Sweetie Belle didn’t exactly help last time, but this time’ll be different!”

Gale peered over his shoulder at Scootaloo. “You can help, Scootaloo, after school, and after you do your homework,” he said.

“But Dad, she like, needs as much help as possible!” Scootaloo claimed, turning back to Apple Bloom. “You do need a lot of help, right?”

“Well, it sounds like Ah’m gettin’ lots a’ help already, so, uh…” Apple Bloom looked uncertain, then realized what it would mean if she said Scootaloo was needed full time. “Ah mean, yup! Need all hooves on’ the deck, like Colton said,” she smiled hopefully to the adults in the room. Apple Bloom did actually feel that the extra help was warranted, plus she couldn’t let slip an opportunity to let a fellow Cutie Mark Crusader get out of school. Granny put a hoof to her chin.

“I won’t deny we’re needin’ a lotta help,” she addressed Scootaloo, “but Ah think it’s best ya’ do yer schoolin’ ‘fore ya come over. Farmin’s hard work, and doin’ it all day long might be a little taxin’ fer ya’. Can’t have ya’ snoozin’ in class.”

“But I won’t get that tired, I’ve got lots of energy!” Scootaloo protested, wings buzzing. She glanced from Granny to her father, who was nodding in agreement with the elderly pony. Scootaloo sighed and frowned, furling her wings. “Alright,” she relented. “But the second I’m done with homework I’ll be there! You too, Dad?”

Gale shrugged. “Like I said, it hinges on my boss letting me free,” he stated. “Hopefully I can at least take some of the more local jobs, so I can finish more quickly. Cold and I are, er, not exactly on best terms at the moment,” he said with a sigh, then muttered, “Who knew her hearing was still so good?”

Granny looked between the two orange pegasi. “That settles it then. Eight more hooves definitely makes gettin’ this order done more possible. S’long as you three don’t slow Apple Bloom down a’course,” she smiled, gratitude apparent in her eyes.

“Happy to help,” Gale affirmed, wrapping a foreleg around Scootaloo and giving her a rough jostle of a hug. “Both of us.”

Scootaloo let a giggle escape. “Yeah, definitely!” she said, doing the same to Gale. “We’re there.”

Colton opened his mouth to throw in his own affirmation when the door swung open, and in walked a white unicorn with a worried look on her face. “Apple Bloom!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed, worming her way past Colton to the opposite side of the bed, about the only free spot left in the room, as the door swung shut.

“Here we go again,” Apple Bloom chuckled, pre-empting any questions from her worried friend by sitting up and taking a deep breath. “Ah’m fine and Ah’ll be home tonight but Ah did lose farmin’ time and Ah need a little help an Colton and Gale and Scootaloo are already helpin’ and if you wanna help too you can but ya’ won’t be allowed ta skip school so ya’ can come over after school and help.” She punctuated her run-on explanation with a few weak coughs.

Sweetie Belle stood a little dumbfounded at this, as Granny gave Apple Bloom some water to sip. “...Oh,” Sweetie said simply, deflating as most of her questions were answered in the span of a few seconds. “Guess I, er… You need help on the farm? Like with the apples you’re picking off the trees?”

Granny nodded. “And if you want, ya’ can help. We’re by no means forcin’, but Ah can’t deny that more hooves wouldn’t be better right about now.”

Sweetie beamed. “I’d love to help! I mean after we tried the other day and made things worse, I want to make up for it!” She then blinked and looked down at Apple Bloom. “Oh, and I’m glad you’re okay! That’s why I came here, of course.”

“Hey, how’d you get in here anyway?” Scootaloo asked. “I tried and they wouldn’t let me up, so me and Dad had to find our own way in.” She glanced to the window and smirked at her two friends.

“Hm? Oh it wasn’t hard,” Sweetie explained with the wave of a hoof. “I just found a nurse and looked at her like this.” Sweetie Belle puffed out her lower lip and widened her eyes, making her lip quiver for added effect. Then her face reverted and she giggled. “Works every time!”

“Against lightweights maybe,” Granny critiqued, though she did have a hint of a smirk on her face. “Thinkin’ maybe even that won’t be able ta cram another pony in here, though,” she noted, looking around the small room. Her smirk became a grin as she glanced around at all in attendance. “Still, though, this is mighty kind of y’all ta show up for Apple Bloom and offer yer services to her. Very neighborly of y’all ta lend a helpin’ hoof since the family’s not around.”

Warm smiles were shared throughout the room as Granny continued giving her thanks, though Apple Bloom’s freckled face maintained a dedicated frown. Her mood worsened at the mention of the word family, the young mare looking down at her own forehooves. Ugly thoughts surfaced in her mind as she tuned Granny out. Apple Bloom was grateful to all of her friends, of course, but why did they have to make sacrifices? Why wasn’t her family around when Sweet Apple Acres needed them? When she needed them? Surely Applejack and Big Macintosh could’ve come home a little early to help, especially if their food situation was so dire? Why were Apple Bloom’s siblings exempt from coming to help?

What about her parents?

Apple Bloom looked up to say something, only to find six pairs of eyes looking to her, Winona included. “You okay, Sugarcube?” Granny asked.

“Ah’m…” Apple Bloom started to respond, looking around the room. She sighed. “...fine.” She didn’t want to upset her friends, especially after only just volunteering to help her out. But it was something she needed to get off her chest. “But Granny, why—”

A couple knocks interrupted Apple Bloom, the door opening as Doctor Proctor entered. Or tried to. There was enough room for the door to swing open, and that was it. Proctor looked around the room with a face betraying his surprise and slight annoyance. “Throwing a party?” he asked. His question was answered with some amused looks, along with a couple guilty ones. Proctor cleared his throat and stood up straight. “This young lady needs her rest, I can’t even get into the room to see my own patient, and I’m sure that several fire safety codes are being violated here.” He gave a stern look to the uninvited ponies in the room. “I’m afraid I have to ask all non-family members to leave.”

“Aw, but I just got here!” Sweetie Belle said, quickly putting out the puffed-out, quivering lip and the bulging eyes.

“If you’re not family, you’re leaving,” Proctor said sternly, apparently unfazed by Sweetie Belle’s attempt. Sweetie Belle pouted some, but nodded reluctantly.

Nopony else objected to Proctor’s request. The two stallions and the two Crusaders gave Apple Bloom words of farewell before filing out of the room. As they left, Apple Bloom bit her lip and resumed sulking. The doctor had mentioned that irksome word again. Family. It was really starting to get under her skin. She placated herself temporarily by focusing in on Winona, who she reached out to and petted some. Once Colton, Gale, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle were out of the room, Proctor entered properly and shut the door, letting out a sigh. “I hate putting my hoof down like that, and I apologize for kicking your friends out,” he said humbly.

“Aw, they’ll get over it,” Granny chuckled. “We’ll be seein’ ‘em soon enough anyway. And it was a mite crowded in here too, wasn’t it, Apple Bloom?”

“Mm,” Apple Bloom grunted, still busying herself by petting Winona, who’d rested her head down on the bed contently.

“And how are you feeling, Miss Apple Bloom?” Proctor asked, moving to her bedside and readying his clipboard for note-taking. “Any pain down in your leg?”

Apple Bloom shook her head. “No. Tired still,” she answered, using the fewest words possible.

Proctor nodded. “That’s good. At most, you should only be experiencing an occasional bout of paresthesia in the formerly infected region,” he explained, before answering the question on both Granny’s and Apple Bloom’s lips. “That means a tingling sensation around where you cracked your hoof. Pins and needles.”

“Ah,” Apple Bloom said. “How much longer ‘till Ah’m outta here, doc?”

“This evening, but if you insist on getting home as soon as possible, I’d say in about three more hours or so, just to be on the safe side,” Proctor said, checking the clock on the wall. “Around 6 P.M. Just in time for dinner.”

About the only thing that could snap Apple Bloom out of her funk came to pass, as her stomach suddenly growled loud enough for all in the room to hear. She blushed. “...Ah’m a little hungry now, actually,” she said softly. Granny and Proctor shared a small laugh.

“Well, you have been under for quite some time, so that’s no surprise,” Proctor chuckled. “I’ll see to it you get something in your belly very soon. Don’t you worry.” He jotted down a few notes, and made his way for the exit. “Someone will bring you food shortly. Rest well, Miss Apple Bloom,” he said, departing with a nod and closing the door behind him.

Apple Bloom’s hospital room, filled to the brim with ponies only a few minutes ago, now sat nearly empty. The void left behind was filled only with the sounds of the clock ticking away and droplets of rain hitting against the window. Apple Bloom continued to stroke the back of Winona’s head slowly. Since the food situation was taken care of, her thoughts wandered back over to that of her family again.

Granny was no stranger to Apple Bloom’s ways. She could tell that her granddaughter was stewing over something, though she couldn’t immediately identify what it was she was thinking about. She did opt to let the room fall into silence for a few minutes, moving near the window and leaving Apple Bloom to her thoughts. It gave Granny time to think about the apple situation back home, anyway. She stared out between the gaps in the curtains into the rainy grey afternoon.

“Hey Granny,” Apple Bloom finally spoke up, several minutes later. “Where are Big Mac an’ Applejack an’ Ma an’ Pa?” She stopped petting Winona and sat up more in the bed, propping her back against the pillow and headboard.

Granny Smith turned from the window to face Apple Bloom, looking puzzled. “They’re down in the grove, a’ course,” she answered neutrally.

Apple Bloom shook her head. “No, I mean… where are they?” she repeated with more conviction. “‘Specially Big Mac an’ AJ. Sweet Apple Acres is their home, and they’ve got family here, needin’ help. Why are they all huddled down South when we got responsibilities up here?”

“They got plenty a’ work down there too, Sugarcube,” Granny reminded gently, standing and walking over to the bedside. “Ya’ know they’ve got their hooves full down there, cleanin’ up after that disaster.”

“But ain’t we lookin’ ta really help out that area by gettin’ this order filled? Ain’t feedin’ the ponies more important than jus’ cleanin’ up some dumb mess?” Apple Bloom countered, staring at Granny. “Why ain’t they here, Granny?”

“Ah jus’ answered that, Apple Bloom. Don’t make me repeat myself,” Granny answered back, frowning. “Not sayin’ we don’t got a lot ta do, but they’re hurtin’ down there worse than we are up here.”

“They can’t spare even two ponies?” Apple Bloom said, sighing in exasperation. “Ah’m bustin’ my tail out there tryin’ ta get all this done, and they’re probably jus’ lazin’ after gettin’ a little cleanin’ done, enjoying time off from real work.” She rolled her eyes.

“Now hold on there, Missy,” Granny interrupted. “Ya’ ain’t in a position ta say that, as you got no idea how much work they’re puttin’ in down there. Green Apple Grove is needin’ every last hoof ta get it up and runnin’ again, attemptin’ ta salvage what wasn’t already lost. If your brother an’ sister pack up now an’ travel, they’d spend a day gettin’ here, an’ then a day goin’ back once done, and that’s just waste.” She sighed, moving to give Apple Bloom a hug. “Ah know you’ve done more than your fair share, Apple Bloom, and—”

“No!” Apple Bloom exclaimed, batting Granny’s outreaching foreleg away. Winona winced at the hit, making herself scarce and scurrying under the covers. Granny looked shocked, glancing from her foreleg back to the fuming Apple Bloom. “Ah’ve done much more than my ‘fair share’, Ah’ve been doin’ the whole share! Every last cotton-pickin’ apple’s been my doin’, an’ Ah’ve got the hooves to show fer it!” She flipped off the covers to reveal her back hooves along with Winona. When Apple Bloom exposed the collie, she curled up into a ball and whined quietly. She hated arguing, and didn’t know what to do to make them stop, so she did her best to not get involved, and to not make things worse.

Apple Bloom ignored Winona and pointed down at her back hooves. One was still wrapped up in bandages, which spoke for itself. The other wasn’t nearly as bad, but still had its fair share of scrapes, dings, and much more minute cracks. “Ah’m tired a’ this, Granny. It ain’t fair that they’re down there an’ Ah’m up here alone, havin’ ta do this all by myself, an’... an’ it’s their fault fer puttin’ me in this situation in the first place!”

Granny opened her mouth to retort, but decided to stay quiet, to let Apple Bloom vent. She was ready for when her granddaughter was done, already holding her glass of water. When Apple Bloom did finish, she started to cough. Granny quickly refilled the cup and offered it to Apple Bloom, which she drank gratefully.

“Now that yer muzzle’s busy with somethin’ else, Ah’ll have my say,” she said quietly. “This was not planned out er’ foisted on your shoulders intentionally, Apple Bloom. Nopony was conspirin’ ta make yer life miserable, an’ we certainly don’t want ya’ ta start thinkin’ the farmin’ life is too hard, like a certain sister of yours once did.” Granny sighed. “But that’s how the apples fell, an’ it’s where we are now. Ah wish they were here too, Apple Bloom, Ah really do. Ah don’t like seein’ mah youngest granddaughter havin’ ta push herself to such… limits.” She gently patted Apple Bloom’s bandage. “But you are growin’, and you are capable of doin’ this.”

Apple Bloom finished draining the cup. “But if they could’ve just sent at least one of ‘em back up, we wouldn’t be in this mess!” she claimed. “Ah have only two days ta cover… acres of trees! Even with mah friends helpin’, how am Ah gonna do that?” She moaned as her stomach growled. “An’ what’s takin’ the food so dang long?!”

Granny actually chuckled at that, relaxing some. “Seems yer hunger’s not helpin’ yer mood any,” she noted, setting the cup down. “Now no more a’ this fer now, ya’ here? Get some food, and we’ll head fer home. Once we’re there ya’ can start shoutin’ some more, but until then, that’s that fer now, understand?”

“But…” Apple Bloom looked ready to start another round, but she suddenly felt like her legs were weighed down again. “...yes ma’am,” she said quietly, flopping face-first into her pillow and groaning. The venting helped, but she still wasn’t wholly convinced yet.

A few minutes later, food finally arrived. A nurse entered with a tray for Apple Bloom, which had a sandwich, a banana, and spinach on the side. Granny thanked the nurse, and after a not-so-subtle nudge from her grandmother, Apple Bloom did too. Then without another word, Apple Bloom began to scarf the contents of the tray down. Having not eaten for over a day, she was positively famished. The nurse vowed to return with an extra serving or two, before departing.

Granny let Apple Bloom stuff her face, not even admonishing her for her bad table manners. She took over Winona-petting duties, doing her best to comfort the collie. Winona appreciated the gesture, but could still sense the tension between the two. It did stop her from emitting quiet whines, though she still remained curled up near the foot of the bed. All she wanted was for her family to get along.

Granny was now thinking about Apple Bloom’s woes. She was hoping that her granddaughter would calm down some after eating, but didn’t know that there had been so much bile building up in the first place. Had she known, she’d’ve talked to Apple Bloom about it much sooner, but as far as she could tell, Apple Bloom was gaining confidence and was enjoying the challenges presented to her.

Perhaps it was the culmination of the sudden order they had to fulfill and the injuries Apple Bloom suffered? Granny concluded that that was the tipping point. She wasn’t sure what else she could do for Apple Bloom, other than continue to be supportive and to design the best possible strategies for getting the large order done in time. Hopefully, Granny thought, having her friends on the farm would help improve Apple Bloom’s attitude. She turned to Apple Bloom and sighed softly. There was a difficult road ahead, but she knew that there was still a chance to walk the distance.

“Come on, Apple Bloom! We’re nearly home now!” Granny encouraged.

Apple Bloom nodded in silence, limping alongside Granny as the pair made their way home. Apple Bloom’s head hung low from exhaustion, the short trek from the hospital to Sweet Apple Acres being sufficiently daunting for the tired farmpony. Her legs still felt weighed down, and the steady, slow rainfall made the journey wet and uncomfortable, but Apple Bloom was grateful that her leg wasn’t in any more pain. She was missing Winona’s encouragement right about now, though, the collie having been sent ahead by Granny earlier to herd some sheep. “Feels like Ah’m walkin’ through a swamp,” she breathed, putting forth another struggling step, tail dragging against the ground.

“Ah still think ya’ shoulda’ taken the wheelchair the hospital offered,” Granny said with a touch of concern. “Ah know ya’ wanted ta stretch yer limbs, but ya’ coulda’ done that after gettin’ some more rest.”

“Ah’ve been restin’ fer over a day, Granny,” Apple Bloom reminded, grunting as the two began climbing the small hill that preceded their farm. “Last thing Ah want to do is rest more. ‘Sides, Ah need ta be in shape fer applebuckin’.” She stopped a moment to recover, halfway up the hill, then resumed. “If a walk’s gonna take this much outta me tomorrow, Ah’m done fer, and so’s the grove.”

Granny sighed, nodding reluctantly. “S’pose yer right, Darlin’, but don’t you even think about attemptin’ ta applebuck tonight. We’re gettin’ you inside, and fillin’ you up with a proper meal.”

The rest of the trip home passed in silence, mostly so Apple Bloom could concentrate on making the journey home without tripping over her own tired legs. In what felt like a marathon’s distance to the young mare, the two finally passed under the trellis arch of Sweet Apple Acres. The ponies were greeted by barking when Winona bounded over to greet the two, hopping around them happily. Apple Bloom offered a smile to the collie, but couldn’t spare a foreleg to pet her.

Finally, the two farmponies made it to the farmhouse. Granny reached inside for an umbrella. “Ah’m gonna feed the animals, then come straight back and make dinner. Go rest up by the fire, Sugarcube, Ah’ll be back in no time.” Granny nuzzled Apple Bloom, who wearily returned the gesture. Granny turned and went back out, allowing Winona in. The collie promptly shook herself dry, and followed Apple Bloom as the pony wobbled her way over to the fireplace and promptly flopped to the floor. The flames weren’t high or bright, but the wood was still burning and providing soothing heat to the young farmpony.

Winona lay down beside Apple Bloom, and rested against her side. Apple Bloom smiled gratefully, reaching out a heavy foreleg and resting it on Winona, shuffling it back and forth across her back. “Good to be home,” she remarked quietly. Propping her head up on her other foreleg, Apple Bloom stared into the glowing fireplace, thinking about other family members who didn’t have the luxury of being home right now. Wish they were here… she thought, letting out a quiet sigh. Guess Ah’m the lucky one in that respect. Ah may be here stuck doin’ a great big order, but at least Ah’m sleepin’ in my own bed tonight.

Apple Bloom’s eyelids suddenly felt very heavy, and she had no desire to fight another battle with her own body. Heh… Bed sounds pretty good right about now…

Kra-kooom!

Apple Bloom jolted awake, head snapping upwards as a thunderclap rocked the farm. Her startled body made her heart start pounding away. Apple Bloom took a few deep breaths to calm herself down. The fire in front of her had died down to embers, barely giving off any heat anymore. Winona stood at the window, barking away at the thunderstorm, as if her efforts would send the weather fleeing from her terrifying presence. Apple Bloom looked above the fireplace just in time to see her silhouette dance against the mantle as a flash of lightning illuminated the room. Thunder quickly followed up the strike, snarling around the home and causing the windows to rumble.

“Woooo-whee!” a voice echoed from the kitchen. “Pegasi outdid themselves this time!”

Apple Bloom was inclined to agree. Once the ringing in her ears from the first thunderclap died down, she could hear rain pounding her home relentlessly. The farmpony got up and stretched, yawning wildly as she glanced out the window. The wind was making the trees dance, at least the ones Apple Bloom could make out through the thick rainfall. “Looks like we got home just in time!” Apple Bloom called into the kitchen. Given the light coming from the adjacent room, she figured that was where Granny was. Her nose told her the same story.

“No foolin’!” Granny poked her head into the room. “Just got the animals inside and made my way into the house ‘fore all the action started,” she said as another lightning bolt lit up the house. “You’ve been sleepin’ like a rock ta stay dozin’ through all that, though Ah figured not even you could sleep through that last one.”

Apple Bloom nodded, yawning again as she stretched out each leg individually. Her previously injured leg felt as stiff as all the others, but it was the foreleg she was resting her head on that had the pins and needles sensation. She shook the appendage a few times as another thunderclap rolled over Sweet Apple Acres. “Is supper ready, Granny? Think my stomach’s gonna start talkin’ louder than the weather.”

Granny nodded. “Just about, Apple Bloom. Come on over an’ find yerself a seat.” She squinted some as lightning flooded her field of vision. “Guess today’s a good a day as any ta be too tuckered to applebuck, eh?” she remarked as she turned to head back into the kitchen.

“You said it, Granny,” Apple Bloom replied as she, too, headed for the lit room. Her nose tilted upward as she sampled the delicious scents. “Mm…
vegetable soup!” Her mouth began to water. Granny was already ladling a serving into a big bowl at Apple Bloom’s seat, before getting her own small bowl filled and pouring them both a glass of milk.

“There’s plenty more where that came from,” Granny smiled as she sat down. “Dig in, though this time mind yer table manners. Oh! Almost forgot.” She stood and walked to the counter, fetching a small orange bottle and carrying it over to Apple Bloom. “Yer medicine,” Granny reminded, setting out a couple tablets on the table.

“Thanks, Granny,” Apple Bloom said. The second she downed the antibiotics, she eagerly dived into her soup, while making sure to not slurp or chew loudly. Winona joined the two a moment later, getting to work on her own food bowl. It was a smaller, less-fancy one than what she was used to outdoors, but it still contained food, and that was all that mattered in the end.

The peaceful meal was backdropped with the constant sound of the rain bombarding the household, providing a steady ambiance. Thunder and lightning continued their own pursuits, though none were quite as ferocious as what woke Apple Bloom up. Granny took a sip of milk and looked up at Apple Bloom, who was returning to the table with her second helping. “Now Sugarcube, about what you were sayin’ earlier. ‘Bout yer kin down in the grove…”

Apple Bloom hopped back into her chair and blinked at Granny Smith, before returning her attention to her food. “It still ain’t fair… but Ah s’pose they are doin’ hard work,” she relented, nosing a piece of carrot around her bowl. “Couldn’t one of ‘em make their way up, at least?”

Granny shook her head sadly. “Afraid not, Darlin’. They’re pretty tied up down there, an’ like Ah said before, by the time they’d get up here, they’d be turnin’ back around and headed back down.” She took a bite as thunder rumbled. “Pegasi ain’t exactly cooperatin’ with the weather fer travelin’, neither.”

Apple Bloom finished another bite. “Yeah, ‘bout that… They gonna be causin’ this ruckus much longer? Ain’t gonna get much done if it’s stormin’ so badly…” Her injured hoof tingled some. She recalled her last applebucking foray in inclement weather. Her galosh-encased hoof smacking against the tree, followed by a sudden flash of pain. She shuddered. “Ah ain’t doin’ that again…”

Granny chuckled. “Nah, no more storms on the schedule ‘till next week,” she assured Apple Bloom. “Gettin’ it all outta their system now, Ah reckon. Still dunno why they bother with the fancy light shows and don’t jus’ let it rain normal-like, though.”

Apple Bloom finished her second bowl up just as Granny completed her first. Winona was still working away at her own meal. “Think that’s good enough fer me,” Apple Bloom said, draining the rest of her milk and getting up. “Thanks, Granny. Delicious as always,” she said with a warm smile.

“Yer welcome, Apple Bloom,” Granny nodded back with a grin of her own. “Now, what—”

There was a sound of knocking, coming from the next room. Apple Bloom and Granny both peered into the dark living room, pinning their ears forward. To their surprise, they heard another slow, rhythmic knocking coming from the front door.

“Now who in tarnation could that be? They must’ve had ta swim ta get here,” Granny commented, moving to start collecting dishes. “Mind answerin’, Apple Bloom?”

The younger farmpony nodded and walked over to the door, grasping the handle and tugging open the top half. A hooded figured stood on the other side, head poking over the threshold and grinning.

“Apple Bloom, it is good to see you about. May I come inside? I am soaked like a trout.”

Apple Bloom beamed, immediately pulling open the rest of the door. “Zecora! What a surprise!” she exclaimed, stepping aside to let the zebra in. “What’re you doin’ out there in this weather? It’s rainin’ cats an’ dogs out there!” Apple Bloom moved to take Zecora’s cloak and hang it up on a rack near the door.

Zecora nodded in thanks to the farmpony, and was revealed to be burdened with saddlebags, which she was keeping beneath her cloak. She sniffed at the air. “Ah, you have had dinner I see! I hope that you will not mind my company.”

“Of course not!” Apple Bloom said, moving along towards the fireplace. “Hey Granny! It’s Zecora!” she announced.

“That so?” Granny asked, poking her head into the living room and smiling. “Evenin’, Zecora. What brings ya’ out here on such a stormy night?” she asked, echoing Apple Bloom’s earlier unanswered question.

Zecora walked along with Apple Bloom and took a seat near the fireplace, as Apple Bloom threw a couple logs in and attempted to stir the flames. “I travelled from my home, to the hospital, to here,” she explained. “When I heard Apple Bloom fell ill, my heart filled with fear.” Granny nodded, and returned to the kitchen, to take care of Winona and finish cleaning up.

“I immediately started work on a certain brew.” Zecora continued, turning to Apple Bloom and smiling as thunder sounded. “One that I hope will pass the judgement of you.”

“A brew?” Apple Bloom asked, now eying the saddlebags curiously. “Ya’ mean like some kinda’ potion that’ll gimme’ super speed? Or one that’ll let me harvest all the trees at the same time?” she asked hopefully.

“Nothing quite that incredible, my young pony friend,” Zecora replied, settling her saddlebags on the floor and digging into one of them. “If only there were such a brew, to bring your troubles to an end.” She produced from her bag what looked to be a wooden thermos, about as thick and long as one of Apple Bloom’s legs. Zecora set the container down in front of Apple Bloom, and nudged it towards her. “My nose tells me that your grandmother and I think in sync. For a soul who is ill, soup is what I prescribe, for food and for drink.”

Apple Bloom unscrewed the lid off the top of the wooden thermos. Her nose was immediately assaulted by a spicy, flavorful scent. Apple Bloom’s eyes watered as steam rose from the container, mingling with the smoke of the recently rekindled fire. Despite the strength of the smell, however, Apple Bloom found herself sniffing at it some more. “It smells strong,” she commented, smiling faintly up to Zecora. “And good, too! Jus’... think Ah’ll burn mah tongue on it er somethin’.”

Zecora chuckled and gave Apple Bloom a pat on the back. “I assure you, Apple Bloom, it’s warm, not hot. Take a taste and a gulp, you will like it a lot.”

Apple Bloom gave another tentative sniff, and bit her lip. The liquid certainly had its fair share of warning signs. If her senses were any indication, she was supposed to let it sit out for some time before attempting to eat any of it. But she did trust Zecora, who was known for producing simple and effective remedies, stews, and other concoctions. She lifted the wooden thermos up with her forelegs. “Well, Ah am still a bit hungry,” she reasoned, before closing her eyes and taking in some of Zecora’s stew.

Apple Bloom blinked as the taste filled her mouth. It was hot, but not nearly so much as she expected. The flavor was really something too! It was definitely unique, having a thick texture despite being a liquid, and when Apple Bloom gulped down her first taste, it felt rather filling. “Wow,” she marveled, staring down at the container. “This stuff’s great, Zecora! What’s in it?” She closed her eyes and took some more sips of the soup.

“Some ingredients from where I originate,” Zecora answered, pleased with Apple Bloom’s reaction. “As well as things that have grown around my home, as of late.”

Apple Bloom was in the middle of taking another sip when she opened an eye to stare at Zecora.

“Nothing dangerous, now, I am quite sure,” Zecora said, giving Apple Bloom another pat on the back. “I have sampled it myself. It is quite pure.”

Apple Bloom smiled around the rim of the container, eagerly gulping down more of Zecora’s offering. It was really tasty, and she trusted Zecora’s word. Soon, she’d finish the whole thermos off, licking her lips. “Mmm! That was delicious! Got any more a’ this soup with ya’?”

Zecora nodded, opening her opposite saddlebag to reveal several more similar containers. “They will never spoil, this everlasting brew,” she informed. “You’re welcome to them all. It is the least I can do.”

“Wow, Zecora, really?” she blinked, looking into the saddlebag and beaming up at the Zebra. “That’s mighty kind of ya’!”

“Think nothing of it, young Apple Bloom. You are a dear friend, and I wish to relieve you from gloom.”

Apple Bloom took the containers out of the saddlebag, and set them near the fireplace for the moment. “Does it have a name or anythin’? I think ya’ could sell it and make yerself rich!”

“It does have a name, but I could not sell it,” Zecora replied, moving a little closer to the fire to further warm up. “It was made for you alone, and is not worth a bit.”

“Not worth a bit?” Apple Bloom echoed incredulously. “It’s worth five bits at least per bottle. It’s really good!”

Zecora chuckled. “Maybe to you, but not to any group,” she explained, “for this was made only for one, this Apple Bloom Soup.”

Apple Bloom had scooted closer to the fire too. She looked from the fireplace back to the Zecora, and blinked. “Ya’ named it after me?” she asked. “Awww, that’s sweet, Zecora. I’m touched!” She sat up some, and gave Zecora a hug.

“It was the least I could do, my friend,” Zecora said, returning the hug happily. “I want to see you well, before your work comes to an end.”

“This certainly does the trick!” Apple Bloom claimed, separating from Zecora and standing up and stretching. “Why Ah feel like applebuckin’ some more already!” she boasted, before attempting, and failing, to hold back a yawn. “...Maybe by tomorrow.”

Zecora laughed, and rose to her own hooves. “You are weary, and must rest soon,” she said, starting to walk towards the door. “I wish you good health and good luck, young Apple Bloom.”

Apple Bloom nodded sleepily, but contently, before following Zecora. Apple Bloom fetched Zecora’s cloak and helped her put it on, before opening the door, letting in a cacophony of sound as wind and rain still blustered about. Apple Bloom winced. “Sure ya’ don’t want ta stay the night?”

Zecora put up her hood and shook her head. “Thank you for the offer, but I must decline. The storm already calms; I’ll make it home just fine.” She gave Apple Bloom a reassuring smile and nod, making her way out the door before the Apples’ hospitality could stop her.

“Oh, alright then,” Apple Bloom said, looking a little unsure, but accepting Zecora’s decision all the same. “Goodbye, Zecora. Thanks fer coming by! Have a safe trip!”

Zecora turned her head and smiled once more, before turning back and heading out into the elements, bracing against the wind as she exited the farm. She didn’t appear to mind the harsh weather as she exited Sweet Apple Acres, turning away from Ponyville and starting towards the Everfree Forest.

Apple Bloom saw Zecora off a bit, before closing the door behind her and smiling brightly. She didn’t know if it was the special soup or the conversations she had with Granny and Zecora, but hope had rekindled inside her, much like that of the fireplace. Apple Bloom trotted into the kitchen, balancing the containers on her back like she often did with so much firewood. She witnessed Granny Smith just finishing up in the kitchen drying the dishes, petting Winona occasionally. “Hey Granny! Zecora made me this awesome soup!”

Granny walked over to Apple Bloom and tilted her head. “Yeah?” she asked, giving one of the containers a sniff. “What kinda soup?”

“Apple Bloom Soup!” Apple Bloom proclaimed with a giggle. “Named it after me an’ everything!”

Granny began removing the containers off Apple Bloom’s back and putting them up for now. “Oh?” she smirked, raising an eyebrow at Apple Bloom. “And is this soup replacin’ Granny’s own home cookin’?”

Apple Bloom giggled again. “Naw, Granny, yer soup’s still the best,” she said easily, returning Granny’s smirk with one of her own. “My soup’s pretty hoof-lickin’ good, though, Ah gotta say.”

“Well, whatever’s in it, Ah’m glad Zecora came by,” Granny said, putting the last of the containers into a cupboard. Winona started to sniff at the cupboard door curiously. “Seems to have put ya’ in good spirits again. Gotta give it some credit.” Granny stared at Apple Bloom. “Now Ah think ya’ oughta’ be gettin’ ta bed very soon, Apple Bloom. Ah ain’t sugarcoatin’: Ya’ got a loooong couple a’ days ahead of ya’,” she said.

Apple Bloom nodded without argument, giving Granny Smith a hug. “Sure thing, Granny. Ah’m gonna be at the top of mah game tomorrow!” she exclaimed as much as her weary form allowed. Apple Bloom bent down past Granny and gave Winona a ruffling. “Comin’, Winona? No way Granny’s gonna make ya’ sleep out in this weather!”

Winona barked, giving Apple Bloom’s snout a kiss before racing past the two and heading upstairs, her investigation of the mysterious stew behind the cupboard door forgotten. Apple Bloom grinned and moved to follow Winona upstairs.

Apple Bloom entered her bedroom, announcing her own presence with another loud yawn. “Shoot, Ah am tuckered,” she said to herself, dragging her way in. The energy she’d possessed just moments ago was all but expended. Apple Bloom moved to her dresser, and flicked her tail forward. She instinctively reached back with her mouth to undo her bow, only to realize that she wasn’t wearing one. “Must’ve taken it off when they took me to the hospital,” she reasoned, shrugging wearily to herself in the mirror before trudging along to her bed.

Winona was there, walking in circles, searching for the perfect spot. When Apple Bloom climbed in, Winona promptly flopped down and curled up, near the foot of the bed. “G’night, Winona,” Apple Bloom said, followed up by yet another yawn. Apple Bloom felt another bit of tingling coming from her bandaged-up leg, making her fidget some. The sensation soon left her, though it reminded her that she still had a bandage on that leg. She was too tired to care at this point, however, and kept her cheek firmly pressed against her pillow. She heard the rain still working against the house, though it was much quieter than what had been blowing around earlier.

Two days… Apple Bloom pondered. Could she really pull it off? She knew she already lost nearly that much time, and knew that there was very little time to spare before then as it was. Ah’ve got friends helpin’ now, though, she reasoned as her eyelids began to droop. And Zecora’s super special me-soup too! Granny an’ Winona a’ course. No AJ er Big Mac… Ma or Pa… Even so, Ah’m sure we’ll get every last ordered apple picked, harvested, an’ ready before Friday night.

She was the single tree amongst many. The overseer. The one pony that was given a very large responsibility in a very short time. Apple Bloom’s eyes were completely closed off from the world now, her thoughts heralding her to slumber. A tiny smile formed on her lips.

They’re gonna be so proud.

The Fruits of Her Labor

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For the first time in weeks, Apple Bloom awoke before anypony else on the farm. Earlier than Granny Smith, who was quietly resting in her bedroom downstairs. Earlier than the rooster, still snoozing on the fence. Earlier than Winona, tucked under the bedsheets like a quietly-dozing lump.

Over the course of the night, Apple Bloom had slept a dreamless, motionless sleep. The smile she bore from last night was still stretched across her face. Thoughts of the coming work buzzed in the young mare’s head and got her going better than any alarm clock could. Apple Bloom groggily opened her eyes and yawned up a storm, then stretched her forelegs and slipped out of bed. She turned off her alarm clock, beating it to the punch by over an hour. Despite her stirring, Winona snoozed on, awoken by neither the pony nor the sliver of light creeping in from outside. Apple Bloom walked to the window and opened it, taking a deep breath of the pre-dawn air. She gazed out over Sweet Apple Acres with a look of pure determination.

Apple Bloom leaned her head out the window, but she heard nothing despite listening attentively. She yawned again and smiled to herself. So this is what it takes to get up ‘fore you, Granny: Havin’ an orchard-sized order ta fill. She moved over to her mirror and sighed wistfully, a young mare with a bad case of bed mane staring back at her. Freckles dotted her face, barely visible in the dim light. Her limp tail, just visible behind her blank flanks, flicked of its own accord. Apple Bloom brandished a brush and went to work on her messy mane.

“Alright Apple Bloom, this is it,” she coached herself quietly, brushing slowly and methodically. “Ain’t no more time fer do-overs er mess-ups. Ya’ got yerself a plan, a lotta hooves to throw at it, an’ only two days to do it all.” Apple Bloom forced the brush as she fought through a few tangles. “Now yer probably not gettin’ much sleep tonight. Dunno how long it’ll be ‘fore you can call it quits. But stay tough.” She snorted. “Ain’t no shame in takin’ some breaks but ya’ gotta get the order done.” Apple Bloom pointed the brush at her reflection. “Ya’ got this.”

After tying her bow to her tail, she deemed herself presentable. Apple Bloom moved to the bed and nudged Winona and whispered: “Hey Winona, time to get goin’. Gonna get you an’ me an early breakfast, then we’ll get right to it.” Winona lazily lifted her head, sheets slipping off it. She responded with a long, steady yawn, her jaws stretched to their limit. Apple Bloom smiled and petted Winona once she was on all fours. “Atta’ girl. Ya’ ready?” Winona gave Apple Bloom’s cheek a lick. “That’s a yes then. Let’s go!”

Breakfast was quick but plentiful. Apple Bloom didn’t want to spare a single moment cooking. Her meal consisted of nothing but apples: Abundant in supply and devoured raw, the fruits were filling enough to get her started. She fed Winona and studied the plans drawn up previously. The fully-risen sun, though a painful reminder of time elapsing, negated the need for candles. Apple Bloom put the hours ticking away out of her mind and focused on the plans before her. The numbers and scope outlined totaled amounts that were better suited for several days’ worth of applebucking done by multiple seasoned farmponies. While intimidating, they did nothing to deter her. These last two days were her days, and she was going to show her family, her friends, and all of Equestria exactly what she was capable of.

Apple Bloom rotated her head about, stretched out her neck, and stood up, just as Granny Smith entered the kitchen. The eldest Apple was as calm and collected as ever. “Mornin’, Granny.” Apple Bloom waved, trotting towards the door. “Love to sit an’ chat but I got a ton a work an’—”

Apple Bloom’s snout smacked into something. But it wasn’t the rough wooden surface of a door she ran into. Her nose had bumped into a considerably softer surface. Her eyes watered, but she could still make out a smirking yellow-coated stallion blocking her path. “Colton!” Apple Bloom exclaimed with a smirk. She rubbed her snout and squinted outside, towards the rising sun. “Yer early!”

Colton chuckled and shrugged. “Good thing, too. Seems somepony’s in a rush,” he observed, nodding to Granny Smith as well. “Managed to sneak by your guard dog. Guess Winona’s really hungry, eh?” Colton looked to Granny Smith for approval, then stepped into the kitchen. “Figured it was best to get a good head start on things here. Was up half the night reading up on several applebucking techniques.” He stifled a yawn then waved a hoof at Granny to interject. “And I know that doesn’t make me an expert, but I figured it couldn’t hurt.” The stallion glanced down at Apple Bloom. “Speaking of hurting, how’re you feeling? No ill effects from the infection?” he asked. Colton peered around to steal a glance at her hind hooves.

Apple Bloom blinked and turned her own head around, lifting her previously-infected hoof to inspect it. “Ah plum forgot about it,” she realized. She twisted her leg this way and that, and as if on cue, the hoof started to tingle. Despite the sensation, Apple Bloom was unfazed. She put her hoof back down and shrugged. “Guess that means it’s all better...”

“Still takin’ yer medicine,” Granny reminded, settling a couple tablets and a glass of water on the table. “Glad Colton showed up to block ya’ when he did. Ah couldn’t’ve stopped ya’ otherwise.” Apple Bloom took the tablets without hesitation, leaving Granny to tend to their guest. “Care fer any breakfast, Sir Colton?”

The knighted stallion raised a hoof to decline. “No thanks, Granny Smith. Got that out the way too.” He grinned. “You’re going to make a killing at the market today, I figure. Seeing as I’ll be here all day.”

“Ah ain’t goin’ neither,” she informed. “Too many hooves ta manage here, an’ Apple Bloom has enough on her plate without worryin’ ‘bout ponies slackin’ off. Ah want to give Apple Bloom ever bit a’ help Ah can muster.” There was a hint of concern in her eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared. A small, confident smile brewed in its stead. “Plus there’ll be that many more mouths to feed come lunch and suppertime.”

Colton nodded in understanding and glanced outside. “Alright then, Apple Bloom. Shall we get started?”

Apple Bloom drained the water from her glass. “Yep!” she chirped, scuttling by Granny and Colton in a rush. “C’mon! We’re burnin’ daylight!” She sped outside at a jogging pace, her steady gait impaired only by an occasional limp.

Colton made his way outside shortly after. He spied the young mare racing not into the trees, but rather towards the cellar. “Um, Apple Bloom?” he called, puzzled.

“Ah, she’s just gettin’ the bushels out,” Granny explained, peeking out from behind the befuddled stallion. “Tall order like this needs every basket we can throw at it. Gettin’ ‘em all out there’s step one!”

Colton nodded and pieced the basic strategy together. “Get all the baskets spread out, then the only thing you have to concern yourself with is the applebucking. No danger of flooding either, as we’re promised clear skies the next two days. Smart.” He paused and grinned back at Granny Smith. “See? Getting the hang of this apple business already.” Colton resumed his trotting, catching up to Apple Bloom over by the cellar.

Along his way, Colton gained a companion. Winona, finished with her own breakfast, bounded around him eagerly. Colton smiled, but didn’t stop to pet Winona until he had arrived at the open cellar doors. A modest pile of empty baskets were stacked nearby, soon joined by more as they flew out of the cellar. Colton peered down into the cellar, ducking under another volley in the process. “Need any help down there?” Winona snuffled about the cellar entrance, placated by Colton petting her as she conducted her own investigation.

“Nah! Ah got ‘em!” Apple Bloom called up as more baskets whizzed over Colton’s head. “Jus’ start gettin’ ‘em loaded up. Gonna spread ‘em all out in the furthest fields first then work our way back.”

Colton quickly spotted an empty wagon. He tugged it over and started hucking empty baskets aboard. He expected Apple Bloom to stop adding baskets imminently, but after several minutes she showed no signs of stopping. He raised an eyebrow. “Apple Bloom? About how many are we fetching right now?”

A fresh set of baskets were flung out. “Hundreds!” she answered. “Don’t worry if the wagon’s full already. Just gettin’ ‘em all outta here!” Apple Bloom poked her head out the cellar door and quirked an eyebrow. “sure are wonderin’ a lot for somepony who read up a ton on applebuckin’.”

“Oh hush,” Colton poked his tongue out at her. Apple Bloom retreated back down to the cellar, leaving Colton to continue loading the wagon. He tried to stack some onto the already-tall set to cut down on trips, but when his latest pile started to teeter threateningly he thought better of it. The stallion resigned himself to piling baskets on the ground instead.

Apple Bloom emerged for the last time, hoisting a final pair of baskets up in her teeth. She found Colton arranging the rest in small piles to facilitate their easy carry later. “All set?” Colton asked as he topped off a batch.

Apple Bloom spat the pair out and nodded. “Let’s get goin’.” She rubbed her neck and three-legged her way around the wagon to fasten herself up. Better a sore neck than a sore hoof, she reasoned. At least necks had nothing to do with applebucking. Was hopin’ ta get started ‘fore feelin’ all achy though…

“Want me to pull?” Colton offered, though the young mare had already gotten herself situated.

Apple Bloom waved him off. “Ah got it. You just trail along back and toss ‘em where Ah tell you.” She set off with the creak of wagon wheels squeaking behind her. Colton did as he was told and distributed baskets among the many apple trees. Winona did her best to help too where she could. She’d bound onto the wagon, yank off a basket, and hobble along with it in tow, placing it where Apple Bloom directed.

The wagon’s burdens grew lighter as the trail of empty baskets along the orchard grew. Apple Bloom’s concerns rose along with the sun. The young mare felt like the day was slipping away before she’d even gotten a chance to start. S’all part of the plan, remember, she reminded herself. Ah can applebuck ‘til the cows come home once we’ve done all this prep.

Apple Bloom was relieved when she finally brought the wagon to a halt. She unfastened herself from it and stretched. Colton took a deep breath and surveyed the plethora trees before them. Bright red Akane apples dotted the green foliage, just waiting to be harvested. “So where do we start?” Even the stallion was starting to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of produce staring them down from all directions.

“You take that side. Ah’ll take this one,” Apple Bloom nodded to either side of the wagon. “Should be able to get some bushels in no time at all. Then we’ll stop an’ load the wagon and ‘round trip. Now wh—”

“I’m here!” The farmponies flinched at sudden shout from the sky. A rush of wings and rustling branches announced the arrival of a pegasus stallion, perching precariously on the empty wagon as he dusted a few leaves out of his mane. “Am I late?”

Apple Bloom’s eyes lit up in recognition. “‘Course not. Just gettin’ started, Gale.” Winona hopped up to give Gale Force an excited greeting, barking and licking at his hooves.

“What took you?” Colton asked, knowing that he himself managed to actually arrive on time, early in fact. Gale tended to Winona as he hopped off the wagon.

“Had to fight to get out of work. Cold Front wasn’t exactly happy that I asked an impromptu vacation,” the pegasus explained. “Not that this is my idea of relaxing but—”

“Well now that yer here,” Apple Bloom interrupted, toddling over to a tree, “we can get started. An’ with three of us here we can move faster too. See all these baskets? We’ll fill ‘em, you ferry ‘em. Got it?” Gale, amused at the young farmpony taking charge, nodded without comment. “Alright. Colton? Let’s get goin’ then!” she ordered, rearing up to smack the tree with practiced precision.

As the two stallions started their own work, Apple Bloom’s attention turned towards her back hooves. The sudden arrival of Gale had distracted her from thinking about it, but now that they were put to work, she braced and kicked, prepared for anything. To her surprise, she felt nothing awry. She didn’t know if it was due to the medicine, the long bedrest, or her hoof genuinely being healed, but she was relieved regardless. Apple Bloom kicked again, sending the rest of the apples tumbling neatly into the awaiting baskets below.

Colton started out sluggish. He was scoring more hits than misses against his target tree trunks, but he was much more meticulous and slow in his wind-up. Combining the books’ instructions with what Apple Bloom had taught him days ago, he adjusted his aim, checked twice, then reared back and let his legs fly. He wasn’t nearly as efficient as the young mare across from him, but he was managing to keep a decent pace.

Gale was alternating between the two earth ponies, having little time to rest between each trip to and from the barn. Definitely not a day off, he confirmed, forelegs already starting to stiffen. Clouds aren’t nearly this heavy! Plus they float! Keeping his complaints to himself, Gale swooped down as Apple Bloom went to the another tree. “You certainly don’t look like a pony who just got out of the hospital,” he teased, grabbing a laden bushel and taking off.

Apple Bloom grinned and let fly another kick. No. Ah don’t.

A clattering bell rang off in the distance, snapping the trio of ponies out of their work-induced trance. Apple Bloom, Colton, and Gale looked up toward the farm, ears perked, the three just wrapping up with the Daliclass and Elstar apples.

“Lunch!” Apple Bloom exclaimed, peering up into the sky and peeking up at the sun. “Land sakes, noon already! No wonder Ah’m starvin’.” The continuous labor had stymied her appetite, but the bell brought it to the forefront of her mind. Her stomach growled loudly.

“Feelin’ a bit hungry myself,” Colton chimed in. His back legs wobbled a bit, the stallion steadying himself against the tree trunk. “Could use a good pick-me-up.”

“Me too,” Gale agreed, wings flapping as he rubbed his sore forelegs. “Definitely break time.”

“Well we got our invitation!” Apple Bloom encouraged, taking off at a casual gallop. She was the only one not limping, breathing hard, or nursing sore limbs. A few hours of applebucking was second nature to her, and the long recuperation had left her with plenty of energy to spare. A tingling hoof couldn’t hold a candle to a roaring belly.

Apple Bloom was the first to arrive back at the house, closely followed by Winona, who had her lunch waiting for her just outside. Colton and Gale brought up the rear, filing in behind Apple Bloom. They all settled down around the table, waiting only a beat before they all dug in. Granny had put out a spread of sandwiches and juice for them all, munching on an apple herself as she pored over the plans and progress of the harvest. She acknowledged their arrival with a friendly nod, then went right back to studying the figures.

Gale, forelimbs weak from work, opted to dip his muzzle to his plate and take moderate bites. The other two managed well enough with their forelegs. Granny fussed with a pencil and scribbled out a note while glancing out the window. From her seat she could just make out where the bushels of apples were being gathered. She eyeballed and estimated the stacks and did some mental math, trying to figure out how much progress had been made.

The three working ponies rushed through their meal, partially because of the time, mostly because they were hungry. “Mm! Delicious as always, Granny,” Apple Bloom remarked as she drained a glass of apple juice. She licked her lips and bounded out of her seat, not wanting to waste any daylight sitting about now that she was fed. Thoughts floating back to the orchard, she trotted right out the door...

…Right into a pair of ponies, Apple Bloom’s snout punished twice in one day. Twelve legs mingled on the ground as Apple Bloom collected her bearings. She shook her head to focus, making a mental note to start watching where she was going when leaving the kitchen. “Ugh… who…?” Her eyes zeroed in on the ponies splayed on the floor alongside her, similarly recovering. “Sweetie Belle? Scootaloo!”

Gale and Colton snickered at the scene unfolding before them, though they got up to help the ponies up. Gale dusted Scootaloo off with a few rough brushes of a foreleg. “You ponies ought to watch where you’re going,” he chided lightly. Then he blinked. “...Aren’t you supposed to be in school, young ladies?”

Sweetie steadied herself on all fours and answered. “We got the afternoon off! Miss Cheerilee said we were allowed because we were coming over to help Apple Bloom!”

“Yeah, what she said,” Scootaloo spoke up, swatting away at Gale’s dusting forehoof and promptly running one through her own mane. “We’re here to help!”

Apple Bloom beamed at her two closest friends, gratitude blossoming. “Mighty nice of her to let y’all come over an’ help.” A clock somewhere in the house chimed, her ears twitching at the tone. “Enough about that, we got work to do!”

Without another word, Apple Bloom dashed between her friends and headed back out. Winona, spying the young mare racing by and finished with her own lunch, gave chase. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo looked at each other, then tore out the door after her. “Apple Bloom! Wait for us!” they called. Gale and Colton stared outward at the sudden burst of speed.

“An’ jus’ what are y’all waitin’ fer? Invitations?” Granny muttered, looking up from her work to stare pointedly at the two stallions still in the kitchen. “Back ta work!”

That got them moving. “Yes ma’am,” they acknowledged simply, making their way out to follow the Cutie Mark Crusaders, venturing into the trees once more.

The house now vacant of all other ponies, Granny gathered up the plans and figures she was sussing over and stacked them neatly on the table. “Gettin’ plenty done, but ya’ got so much more ahead of you, Apple Bloom,” she thought aloud, glancing out at the bushel pile. “Sure glad ya’ got plenty of rest.”

“...An’ we’ve been out here all mornin’ an’ my hoof hasn’t been actin’ up one bit!” Apple Bloom rambled on as the Cutie Mark Crusaders jogged along. It didn’t take much longer for them to arrive where she, Colton, and Gale had broke for lunch. “Did ya’ see how many bushels we rustled up already? An’ now y’all’re here too!”

Apple Bloom skidded to a halt. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo followed suit and glanced around, spying dozens of baskets strewn about strategically. The three continued conversing, catching up, until Colton and Gale showed up. “Well, Apple Bloom, how do you want to do this?” Colton asked, curious how the young mare meant to divvy the workload.

Apple Bloom tapped her chin and furrowed her brow. She knew that her friends couldn’t applebuck individually. Putting them together would be the best approach. Apple Bloom looked up and answered Colton. “Ah want ya’ to keep doin’ what yer doin’. Start on my side though so that I can pick up some of yer’ slack from this mornin’. Not criticizin’, but—”

“I understand, Apple Bloom,” Colton interrupted with a smile. “I’m not going to pretend I’ll ever be a better applebucker than you.”

Apple Bloom blushed a twinge, but she quickly recovered and turned her attention to Gale. “Keep up what yer doin’ too, Gale Force. Ya’ see a bushel, ya’ ferry it back. Unless yer legs are all tuckered out,” she goaded.

Gale stood tall and willed his forelegs to stop shuddering from exertion. The last thing he wanted to do was look out of it in front of his daughter. He grinned smugly. “Are you kidding? I got plenty left in me,” he gloated. He caught a look of pride from Scootaloo out of the corner of his eye. With a puff of his chest, he boasted: “Bring it on.”

“Good,” Apple Bloom nodded, knowing full well Gale wasn’t the type to give up. “Sweetie Belle? Scootaloo? Y’all tackle trees together, usin’ yer wings an’ magic to pluck apples.”

“You got it Apple Bloom,” Scootaloo affirmed, Sweetie nodding eagerly beside her.

“Y’all’ll work on Colton’s side. Figure the three of ya’ can keep up with me,” Apple Bloom said matter-of-factly. She grinned and reared up, ready to send everypony into high gear. “Now let’s—”

Winona cut in with a bark, leaving Apple Bloom to lamely settle back on her hooves. The collie was eagerly awaiting her orders, to see what her role would be in all this. Apple Bloom pet over Winona’s head and scritched her ears. “Almost forgot about ya’, girl. Ya’ need to head back to the barn.”

Scootaloo quirked her head. “Huh? What for? Don’t you want her out here keeping us company?” She took her own turn at petting Winona. The collie’s tail wagged happily at all the pony pettings.

“She needs to cover the apples we already harvested,” Colton answered. “Takes more than a scarecrow to frighten animals away. I should know.” The grape farmer chuckled. “Just be glad birds can’t fly off with apples.”

“Yeah, no birds. Fruit bats, on the other hoof... Well, ‘least they’re off in their own fields. Ain’t bothered us fer years.” She gave her fellow farmpony a sympathetic look. “But yer right, Colton: All our work’s fer nothin’ if’n we let any critters get away with our apples.”

Winona was unperturbed by the apparent order to be sent away. She licked Apple Bloom across the cheek and dashed for the bushels with a bark.

“Well, she’s off,” Apple Bloom noted. She grinned and reared back again. “Okay, now let’s—”

“Hold on a sec,” Gale interrupted. Apple Bloom nearly slipped on her way back down again, but managed to land on all fours. “With all those extra bushels that Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle will be making, I don’t think I can keep up. I’m good, but not that good.”

Apple Bloom was miffed at being interrupted again, though she had to admit: He made a good point. “Hm… Scootaloo! Ya’ can still pluck apples with Sweetie Belle, but if we start laggin’, help yer pa out. That should balance everythin’ out nicely.”

Just what I was thinking, Gale grinned. “Perfect.” He tousled Scootaloo’s mane, disregarding her irritated groan. The young flier quickly raced her own hoof back through it and shook it about. Gale no doubt the athletic young mare would be up to pulling double duty.

“Alright. Finally,” Apple Bloom reared up… And waited for somepony to interrupt. With no new interjections, she grinned and kicked her forelegs through the air, “let’s do it!”

The five ponies got right to work. The orchard itself came alive as tree after tree was struck and relieved of its produce. Apple Bloom fell into her well-practiced rhythm, with Colton not far behind. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle swarmed their own targets, the former flitting throughout the branches and snatching fruit up, the latter plucking them daintily from their stems. Gale was an orange blur in the sky as he ferried filled baskets back to the barn with haste.

The ponies soon found their way into the Haas and Hanbury apple trees. The side Apple Bloom had worked in the morning was ahead of Colton’s. Switching places let Apple Bloom close the gap, despite Colton being assisted by the other two Crusaders. The autumn sun bore down on their backs as they worked, feeling particularly scorching from all the exertion. Despite the weather, their increased number sped progress up. The two lines of harvest kept pace for a while, though Apple Bloom gradually pulled ahead.

Gale Force, meanwhile, was lagging behind the burst of production. He would barely pause between scooping a bushel up, dropping it off, and racing back to the orchard. As planned, Scootaloo transitioned from apple picking to helping her father out, ferrying apples together. The competitive pegasi couldn’t resist turning each trip into a race. Several ventures led to the duo speeding across the sky. After several trips, though, neither panting pegasus felt like racing. They forced themselves to scale back into a slower, steadier cadence of bushel-carrying.

Sweetie Belle continued on her own at first, but the unicorn soon found herself falling behind Colton. He pulled even further ahead, as he grew more experienced in applebucking, fewer kicks missing and more apples felled with each stroke. Sweetie decided it would be better to help Colton out rather than split themselves too far apart, so she approached the stallion and volunteered. Colton welcomed the help, and the two worked in concert. He’d start a tree off with a kick and Sweetie would work to clear out whatever remained. The two lightened each others’ workload, maintaining a steady pace.

Apple Bloom occasionally checked in with everypony else, and found that this division of labor was working best. Gale and Scootaloo never had a gap, zipping back and forth with apple bushels. Sweetie’s magic sparkled across branches, and Colton and Apple Bloom’s bucking were shaking leaves left and right.

Despite their efforts, the afternoon still drained away faster than Apple Bloom would have liked. Soon it’ll be suppertime. Then dark! The ponies had made their way deep into the Kinsei apples, but the young mare knew that they had much more ground to cover. She whapped her hooves against another tree, countless apples harvested at this point. Ah should be further along. Whap. Ah thought we’d at least gotten through the Orenco apples. Whack. Gettin’ so late already… If Ah only had more time! Apple Bloom bludgeoned the same tree over and over as she fretted. The Running of the Leaves had one less tree to worry about that year.

Apple Bloom dusted foliage out of her mane and moved on to the next tree. “Ya’ know what ya’ gotta do, Apple Bloom. Gotta stay up late, jus’ as ya’ predicted this mornin’. Work into the night. It’s only fer 2 days. Ah got plenty a’ rest an’ Ah’ll get plenty more after it’s all over.” She didn’t know how much progress she could make, but felt an extra hour or two would definitely catch her up. “That’s it. Jus’ some extra time tonight and Ah’ll be back on track.” She perked up and eagerly advanced from tree to tree, ready to take on the rest of her daunting task.

Her second wind was short-lived: The many hours of nonstop applebucking were finally taking their toll. Though her injured hoof wasn’t a bother, her muscles ached and her hind legs throbbed. The sun was just starting to sink past the trees into the horizon, cooling Sweet Apple Acres down to the ponies’ relief, but even the chilled breeze couldn’t soothe Apple Bloom’s looming exhaustion.

It came to a head when the young mare’s latest buck sent not only apples, but a young flier, tumbling out of a tree. “Ow,” Scootaloo emoted flatly as she belly flopped. She elected to lie there a moment, catching her breath.

“Scoot, you alright?” Apple Bloom asked, leaning down and peering at her friend. She was uninjured, but there was another obvious problem: Scootaloo was tired. Much more than Apple Bloom. She must’ve been restin’ up there fer a spell. They’re not used to these long days, she reminded herself.

“I’ve flown marathons without breaking a sweat,” Scootaloo complained, stretching her forelegs out. “But all this lifting’s really getting to me.” Apple Bloom helped Scootaloo to her hooves, giving the pegasus space to steady herself with her wings. “Is it quitting time yet? Are we close to what you need?” She sounded desperate for some time to relax.

“Truth be told, we’re a little more behind than we oughta be,” Apple Bloom admitted with a meek smile. “But don’t fret. Every lil’ bit helps an’ y’all are really givin’ me a leg up. Four in fact.” Apple Bloom looked up, squinting at the horizon. The sun had half-sunk, and was continuing its descent. She spotted Sweetie Belle clearly, her green glowing horn visible in the evening twilight. “Thinkin’ it’s quittin’ time fer the night.” Apple Bloom heaved a sigh, and gave herself a moment to relax her muscles too. Scootaloo being exhausted before her left Apple Bloom thinking of her own fatigue. “C’mon, let’s rustle up the others an’ head back.”

Scootaloo was all too happy to oblige. She opted to flutter beside Apple Bloom to give her weary legs a rest. Apple Bloom caught Sweetie Belle’s eye as the unicorn filled out another bushel. “Sweetie Belle, ya’ hungry?” Apple Bloom invited with a wave. “We’re headin’ in fer supper. Y’all’ve done enough fer the day.”

Sweetie let the last few apples in her magical grip drop and let out a breath, as if holding it the whole time. The unicorn was as tired as the other two. “Alright. Any um… more we can do?” She hesitated to volunteer, but didn’t want to leave Apple Bloom with too big a burden.

“Ah’m good. Y’all’ve done enough fer now,” Apple Bloom repeated, ushering Sweetie Belle over as the trio started their trek for the farmhouse. “It’s suppertime an’ y’all aren’t exactly used ta long farmin’ hours. Last thing Ah wanna do is have ta haul y’all home,” she added, sending the trio into a giggle fit.

Through the laughter, Sweetie Belle picked up on Apple Bloom’s phrasing. “We’re certainly tired,” she accentuated with a wipe of her brow, “but what about you? Quitting time for me and Scootaloo but not yourself? You’re stopping for the night too, aren’t you?”

Apple Bloom rolled one of her shoulders in a halfhearted shrug. “Gotta get it done. Deadline’s tomorrow. Can’t miss it. Ah’m fine.” The other two looked doubtfully at each other. Apple Bloom’s eyelids were drooping, her chest heaved from deep breaths, and she was sweating profusely. She tried to carry herself confidently, keeping her sore legs from quivering and her stride steady.

They weren’t convinced. Scootaloo hovered over Apple Bloom and looked down, concerned. “Apple Bloom, you were just in the hospital… You can’t push yourself too hard or you’ll end up there again, won’t you?”

“Ah was bedridden cuz Ah was sick, not cuz Ah was tired.” Apple Bloom stared grumpily up at the pegasus. “An’ like it ‘er not, Ah’ve got this order ta fill and Ah can handle a long day. Y’all’re my best friends an’ Ah appreciate the help, but y’all ain’t used to long term farmin’. It’s gotta get done and Ah can’t stop any time soon. End—” her head whipped around to Sweetie, whose mouth was open to retort, “—of discussion.” She flicked her tail and marched onward.

The other two Crusaders gave each other a meaningful look, and fell silent. They knew Apple Bloom was right: Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were beat. Sweetie’s hooves were dragging, and Scootaloo’s were dangling limply as she flew. There was no point arguing: They’ve all had stubborn streaks at one point or another, and knew that when one was hot there was no budging.

“Look.” Apple Bloom broke the tension a few moments later. “Ah really am grateful y’all wanna stay. But honestly, Ah’ll be alright.” She offered a small smile. “Ah can take it. That infection couldn’t stop me. An’ order of a thousand bushels ain’t stoppin’ me. Ah’m ready fer a little nighttime applebuckin’.”

Scootaloo sighed but nodded, poking at the top of Apple Bloom’s mane. “Yeah yeah, you’re right. I gotta say… I’m impressed. Not just concerned.” She grinned downward. “I don’t know how you do it Apple Bloom. Guess we all have our own strengths…”

“And yours is being one of the strongest ponies we know!” Sweetie piped up. “Or at least the most endura… endur… long-lasting!”

The mood had brightened considerably by the time the trio had ended up back at the house, a sharp contrast to the rapidly-dimming sky. A few stars began to twinkle as the sun set. The Cutie Mark Crusaders spied three other ponies already milling about inside.

The trio ventured indoors, stew brewing on the stove and making their bellies rumble. They walked through the kitchen into the living room to join the adults resting. Gale Force was taking up the whole couch, on his back, forelegs held aloft and limp. Every twitch from his forelegs made the stallion wince. Colton looked no better off, similarly sprawled on the floor with twitching hindlegs, in a daze. Granny Smith was just coming down the stairs, letting them all rest while she went to tend to supper.

Scootaloo promptly flopped on Gale’s chest, beaming at him. “Wow Dad, tired already?” she teased, carefully avoiding the sore legs. Gale smirked wearily and, despite the ache, rubbed Scootaloo’s mane.

“We can’t all be as diligent as you, kiddo.”

Sweetie Belle settled up on a rocking chair, swaying gently on the furniture and doing her best to not use her head. She rubbed at the base of her horn tenderly. “And I thought my math homework was going to give me headaches tonight,” she mumbled.

Apple Bloom stood in the doorway, wordlessly looking over her ailing friends. She turned away and headed into the kitchen a moment later, gathering up a tray and several glasses of water. She saw just how much they pushed themselves just to their limit, all to help her out. She felt pangs of pride, sympathy, guilt... The young mare further resolved to tough it out and work through the upcoming night. She even peeked towards the back door, pondering getting just a little more work done...

“Not before supper,” she said to herself as she settled now-full glasses onto a tray. Her belly rumbled as she was amidst the tantalizing smell of a thick, delicious vegetable stew brewing on the stove.

“What was that, darlin’?” Granny, busy stirring the pot, inquire.

“Nothin’, Granny. Supper ‘bout ready? Smells great!” And if I need a pick-me-up fer tonight, Ah always got some a’ Zecora’s soup.

Granny tapped the side of the pot a couple times and reset the lid. “Jus’ about. Wrangle yer friends in an’ supper’s served.”

Apple Bloom nodded and moved back to the living room, distributing drinks to her grateful resting friends. There was no way she was going to ask them to stay longer than they had already. Apple Bloom resolved to go it alone, at least for the night.

Supper was a quick affair. There wasn’t much to say and hungry mouths to feed. The ponies ate in relative silence and cleared the plates and bowls, draining the pot of stew dry. Afterwards, Gale Force, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Colton departed. They put up meager forms of protest, but the combined wills of Granny Smith and Apple Bloom urged them away.

“Y’all ain’t gonna work yerselves ta death now. Go on, git!” Apple Bloom had said. “...An’ thanks fer everythin’,” she’d added quietly once the four were finally convinced to leave. Colton and Sweetie took the path to Ponyville. Gale, a curled-up dozing Scootaloo on his back, took to the skies.

The house empty of guests, Apple Bloom flopped on the couch and stretched languidly. She didn’t let herself even think about falling asleep, though. There was too much on her mind and too much at stake. After a few moments’ rest, she sprang back up and headed back into the kitchen. Granny had cleaned it all expertly, leaving nothing on the table except for Apple Bloom’s medicine and a glass of water. Apple Bloom took the tablets and poked her head outside as she drained the glass: It was chilly, breezy, and clear out. Perfect weather.

“Ah know what yer’ thinkin’, Apple Bloom,” Granny said from behind her. Apple Bloom winced, quickly marshalling several rational explanations to refute what Granny was about to say. But they didn’t have a chance to leave tongue before Granny continued. “Should have enough light from the stars tonight, Ah reckon. If not ya’ always got the lanterns.”

Apple Bloom blinked, then smiled up at her grandmother. “Ah’ll try not to be out too late,” she promised, giving a quick hug before turning tail and heading out the door into the evening.

“Knock ‘em outta the orchard, Apple Bloom,” Granny called after the young farmer, shutting the door and stifling a yawn. “Bedtime fer Granny,” she mumbled to herself and making her way to bed.

Well-trodden dirt crunched under Apple Bloom’s hooves as she headed over to the barn. She gazed over the generous stacks of bushels of apples collected. Any normal-sized order of the Apple family’s prized product would’ve been complete three times over with this amount. Apple Bloom sighed, but grinned to herself. “If only,” she spoke wistfully. “Big Macintosh an’ Applejack better bring one long wagon train if they plan on takin’ all these along without havin’ to make a separate trip.” She was sure that they would be cognizant of that fact. Surely. She rubbed one foreleg with another, biting her lip. But what if they don’t? What if…

“Get a grip, Apple Bloom,” she said, disembarking that particular train of thought before it derailed her night. “Ya’ got enough to do without frettin’ over what yer kin got goin’ on.” Nodding to herself assuredly, Apple Bloom moved on by the bushels and headed down into the cellar, the creaking door pulled open.

Apple Bloom had decided to grab the lanterns now. She considered doing the work without them at first, but she didn’t want to make an unnecessary round trip to fetch them later. She spied several lanterns dangling up on hooks on the wall, grabbed them by the ropes and slung them over her back.

Apple Bloom once more trotted into the orchards, lanterns clinking against each other as she ventured back to where they started things off that day. The wagon was right where she had left it. She tossed the lanterns into the back, hooked herself up, and pulled it along to where the ponies had left off for the evening.

While pulling, the young mare’s head swiveled left and right, squinting into the trees for signs of life. The kind that occasionally glowed in the dark. The lanterns themselves were little more than casings of glass, and for them to actually be of any use, Apple Bloom had to convince some fireflies to buzz about in their confines for the evening. With how much land Sweet Apple Acres covered, she was confident that she would eventually run into some before too long.

Apple Bloom’s expectations proved fruitful: As the full moon rose higher into the sky, she spotted a small collective buzzing around not too far off, twinkling along blades of grass. She quickly unhitched herself from the wagon and dragged her clinking lanterns over to the fireflies, gently swaying one lantern at a time over the swath of bugs. Fireflies generally were docile and tame, and these were no exception. Apple Bloom filled her lanterns up in a few minutes’ time.

“Howdy partners,” she spoke to the insentient insects, settling the illuminating lanterns up on either side of the wagon. “Hope y’all don’t mind if Ah borrow you for a spell. Got some work ta do.” She glanced up and over towards the trees still bearing fruit. The many, many trees still dotted with bright colors. “...A lotta work, actually.”

After a bit more wagon-pulling, Apple Bloom shrugged the harness off. She bent down and gave each hind leg a solid half-minute of stretches and twists. She did not want to pull a muscle and leave herself bedridden. Giving her front legs a smaller stretching routine, she shook herself like a dog, limbering her tired self up for a night of applebucking.

While the starlight and moonlight guided her way somewhat, Apple Bloom was thankful she had primed the lanterns. Despite the lack of a torrential downpour, she still found herself squinting at the bark of each tree she flung her hooves into. She wasn’t going to tangle with another nasty bump again if she could help it.

The sounds from Apple Bloom’s harvest echoed through the breezy night air. The smacking of hooves to bark, the toppling of apples, the shaking of leaves, and the occasional grunt from the perspiring pony all contributed to the symphony. Something was nagging at the young mare, but she couldn’t quite put a hoof on it. The niggling feeling continued as she worked, most trees only needing a single kick to relieve their product. She started thinking that something was missing. Someone. But who?Everypony was at supper... Unable to think of the missing someone, Apple Bloom put it out of her mind. She was tired and she knew that she needed to focus.

She kept up her pace despite fatigue threatening to ensnare her. Apple Bloom reared up for another strike when she heard rustling in a nearby bush. She blinked and stood up straight, head swiveling towards the sound. “What could that be?” she wondered aloud. She spied the rustling bush not too far off, it still shivering despite no breeze apparent to bring it to life. “Thievin’ critters?” Apple Bloom guessed, brow furrowing into a slightly threatening glare.

Before she could ponder any more possibilities, the creature within the bush leapt out at Apple Bloom... with a skip and a bark.

“Winona!” Apple Bloom yelped, springing back as the collie herself sprung. “Girl, ya’ scared me half ta death!” The tension left Apple Bloom much faster than it built. She sighed and petted Winona’s head. “Granny musta’ fed you ‘fore we got in fer supper. You were the one missin’!” A sigh of satisfaction escaped Apple Bloom, her nagging feeling put to rest. “Ya’ did good guardin’ today, but ya’ gotta get yer shuteye. Much as I appreciate the company, yer needed durin’ the day.”

Winona tilted her head as Apple Bloom spoke, emitting a small whine as she was being turned away. “Don’t ya’ start,” Apple Bloom warned lightly. She moved her hoof down Winona’s neck and petted across her back. “Ah know yer concerned. Everypony is… But don’t worry. Go get some sleep. Ya’ can go to my room if ya’ like. Ah’ll be up… eventually.”

Winona seemed resigned, but she wasn’t about to disobey. She parted, but only after leaving Apple Bloom with a drool-covered cheek and receiving several more affectionate pets. After that she turned and walked towards the house, occasionally glancing back over her shoulder to see if the pony would change her mind. Apple Bloom was already back at it, though. It didn’t look like that was going to happen. With one last glance to Apple Bloom, Winona turned and headed for home.

“Winona wasn’t guardin’ the stash or in the doghouse, even after supper. Wonder if she had ta chase away some critters… or maybe she was watchin’ over me. If she weren’t doin’ that when Ah fainted, Ah could’ve been left out here fer…” Apple Bloom shuddered and shook her head. “Granny put her up to it, Ah’m sure.” She wasn’t unappreciative, but Apple Bloom knew that whenever Winona put in late hours she wouldn’t want to do a thing the next day. And without Winona keeping the large stash of apples safe, a lot of their work could be for naught.

Doubts and hypotheticals germinated in Apple Bloom’s mind, growing harder to hold off as she grew more tired. She attempted to keep her focus purely on applebucking instead of her thoughts. The pony wanted to just shut her mind off and focus entirely on her work, but it was proving difficult. In an attempt to silence her doubts, Apple Bloom started tracking her progress. This kept her occupied for a while, tearing through tree after tree, basket by basket. Time flew by for the young mare, up until she had to move the wagon forward. Apple Bloom took a brief breather, leaning against the wagon.

“Phew…” she exhaled, grateful for the soft cool breeze billowing across her back. “Solid dozen at least… Now fer my back half to get a rest and my front to get some work done.” The young mare breathed deeply and pushed herself away from the wagon. The unfortunate part of working solo was that there were no ponies to ferry the bushels for the applebucker. Apple Bloom had to hoist each basket up into the wagon, one at a time, by herself.

Time came to roost, now seeming to stand still for Apple Bloom. With her back legs getting a chance to recuperate, it also gave them a chance to cry out for rest. With her working all day with few breaks, her dogs were barking. Even Zecora’s special soup had run its course by this point. Apple Bloom thought about having some more, but with it being so late she was only craving her bed. Apple Bloom groaned as she hefted another bushel off her back into the wagon.

“Maybe a day at the spa,” she pondered, wiping sweat from her brow and pushing herself onward. “Applejack did always rave ‘bout them massages. Relaxin’... Sounds perfect right about now...” She tried to get lost in the fantasy, but jabs of soreness spiking from her legs continuously reiterated reality. Apple Bloom loaded all the bushels she could fit into the wagon, then closed the gate up and slowly made her way to the front. She shot an envious glance to the fireflies in the lanterns. “Much simpler life, lucky bugs,” she mumbled as she achingly strapped herself into the harness.

“Firs’ back, then front… An’ now mah middle,” Apple Bloom muttered, rolling her head about on her stiff neck. Weary shoulder and back muscles braced against the weight of a fully-laden wagon as she started along, Apple Bloom feeling the brunt of the weight along her barrel. She took it in stride, though her breathing had become labored. “‘Least my... hoof’s... behavin’,” she reasoned between panting breaths. With all the other more active aches needling overworked muscles, the once-biting hoof was utterly silent, not even tingling.

Apple Bloom pulled up to the side of the barn, taking a moment to breathe and to stare up at the mass of bushels already harvested. She sighed, figuring she should get a rough count of them before heading in for the night. “Two more trips first. Then Ah find out jus’ how much more there is to do.” Apple Bloom had to fight to continue, biting back pain and fatigue. Unloading the wagon wasn’t nearly as long as loading, but it was also less of a break for her sore body. By the time she was done, her front legs were shuddering involuntarily. But instead of stopping for a break, Apple Bloom pressed on. She hitched herself to the wagon and pulled away from the barn, the house, and a warm, inviting bed within, before temptation could overcome her.

The moon creeped along the night sky, wind being a continued blessing for the overworked apple farmer. Several times between trips Apple Bloom paused and let the wind flow through her mane, enjoying every second of rest. By now, Apple Bloom had to fight for each and every step forward. It was well past midnight by the time the wagon creaked along to the barn for the third time. Apple Bloom disengaged from the harness before flopping onto the ground, legs splayed in all directions. They throbbed in time to each heartbeat, the young mare feeling her chest thump as it rested against the ground.

“Yeah… That’s it fer the night,” she decided, breathing deeply in and out, slowing her pulse and relaxing her heart rate. “Apples in the wagon… can wait… Just count ‘em up an’... an’ then sleep.”

She squeezed her eyes shut a moment, then opened them to track over the many bushels of apples gathered. She hissed in pain as she sat up and back on her haunches, counting away. Even that proved daunting to the exhausted pony, but she pulled through one bushel at a time. When she finished, her heart sank.

“Half… No, less than half!” she breathed. “We busted our rumps all day an’ Ah’ve been out here all night an’ not even half?” Anypony taking a midnight stroll would hear the strange sound of teeth grinding. Apple Bloom muttered and fumed, then sighed, head and ears drooping. “How’re we s’posed ta finish by tomorrow night?” Her hoof scuffed the ground, the pony wallowing in misery as she circled the wagon, releasing the fireflies.

With no more energy left, physical or mental, Apple Bloom trudged home one tired hoof at a time. Her dragging legs nearly made her tumble into the house, but she had the wherewithal to not completely lose her balance. There’s nothin’ for it, she tried to reason. Each slow, grinding step up what felt like a mountain of stairs punctuated a positive thought in the young mare’s mind. Ah’m achin’. Ah’m behind. Ah’m probably not gonna succeed. But Ah ain’t about ta give up.If nothin’ else, mah efforts will feed most of the ponies needing help… Only a few would go hungry, right?

...But even one starvin’ pony’s one too many. There were more ponies counting on Apple Bloom than just her immediate family. Everypony was hurting, and they all needed help. Apple Bloom completed her journey up the stairs, and winced as her legs, body, and neck seared. “All that’s on tomorrow… today… after tonight,” she finished aloud, the ticking clock showing it was past 2 AM. Weary eyes wandered over a dozing Winona, sleeping silently at the foot of the bed. Almost there... Apple Bloom thought, just mere feet from the warm, inviting bed that practically called her name.

She slumped into bed, laying on her side atop every blanket, pink bow and wrapped bandage left on. Apple Bloom’s head smacked against the soft, yielding pillow, eyes staring blankly out the window. Stars twinkled in her vision as she blinked rapidly, tiredly. She didn’t even have the energy to yawn.

She blinked again, eyes drooping… Eyelids barely able to bounce back upward at all... Apple Bloom blinked again, and her foreleg swept over her eyes on instinct as the glaring morning sunlight blazed into the bedroom.

“Ugh…” She could hardly move, neck stiff as a board and legs heavy as tree trunks. Apple Bloom tried to puzzle out why it was so bright out. She just laid down and it was only—

“8:30?!” Apple Bloom croaked out in a raspy voice. She groaned and tried to kick her legs into gear and wiggle her back into motion, but could hardly move. “It can’t be..”

“Apple Bloooom!” Granny’s voice floated out from under the floorboards. “Time ta get movin’! Last day! Git on down here ‘fore breakfast gets cold!”

She groaned again. “Celestia got up too early. Has ta be,” she complained. With a grunt, Apple Bloom finally mustered the strength to roll out of bed. She flumped to the floor unceremoniously, numb to the impact at first. When she dragged herself to her hooves, the shock of the fall suddenly stung. “Owwww,” she moaned, the pony not spared a moment of relief as she trudged out her bedroom. Least Ah don’t have ta make my bed… Granny wouldn’t let me get away with that. Not even today. Apple Bloom grinned despite herself, which only reminded her how much it hurt to use even those muscles.

Apple Bloom made her way down the stairs, managing not to tumble in the process. “‘Bout time, sleepyhead,” Granny teased as she looked the tired pony over, brushing a hoof over her mane. “Buck up, Apple Bloom. Ah know exactly how yer feelin’ right now. Goin’ at it all day an’ night with hardly a break. Why, ya’ probably feel like a sack a’ taters right about now. Right?” The much older pony let Apple Bloom lean on her, Granny guiding Apple Bloom to the kitchen table. On it sat a small bowl of apple cinnamon oatmeal, and a much larger one, both steaming. Apple Bloom sat heavily. She slumped and nearly fell asleep again, cheek resting against the wooden surface.

“Now now, ya’ got all weekend ta do that,” Granny chided, nudging Apple Bloom with a spoon that she then offered. “Eat up. Double helpin’ this mornin’, to really get you goin’.” Apple Bloom mumbled incoherently in response, but Granny was sure she heard a semblance of gratitude. Granny ate politely as Apple Bloom inhaled her portion.

“Do ya’ know how apples we bucked yesterday?” Apple Bloom growled after finishing. “Less than half!” She threw her spoon down, sending it clattering to the floor. “...An’ nopony’s showed up yet neither! An’ we gotta work at least… at least double!” Before Granny could get a word in, Apple Bloom pushed herself up from her finished breakfast and medicine and stomped her way outside, slamming the door behind her.

Granny sighed and decided to just let her go. “Nothin’ Ah’ll say right now will do her good. Her stewin’ on that news all night and not gettin’ much sleep… Not pokin’ that ursa.” Granny meandered to the window to both watch Apple Bloom march off, and steal a glance towards town. “She’ll work out her frustrations quick enough… Though Ah do wonder where those stallions are…”

“Ugh… my legs.”

“Ugh, my legs.”

Gale Force and Sir Colton Vines III trudged towards Sweet Apple Acres. The duo had both managed to wake up on time, though they couldn’t get their bodies moving as fast as they wanted.

“Well you don’t have to walk, you know,” Colton grumbled. “Unless your wings are hurting worse than your legs.” The earth pony wished he could take off at that point. Or teleport, for that matter. But he was stuck with sore hindlegs, occasionally limping.

“Nah,” Gale shook his head. “Wanna keep them nice and rested for as long as I can… even if we are running… walking… late. Glad I bumped into you though. That breakfast was something else.”

Colton nodded in agreement. “Yeah, figured we’d need a buffet to keep us going today,” he reasoned. “I can harvest a field of grapes, no sweat. But an orchard? Multiple orchards? I hope we can just get through what we need to do, for Apple Bloom’s sake.”

The pegasus pondered, eyes rolling to the sky in thought. “Wonder how much more there is to do. Or if Apple Bloom’s ready to go at it all day again. Especially after being at it all night.” The two stepped through the trellis arch and onto the farm proper.

“Wait, she kept going after dark last night? I mean granted, she didn’t seem as tired as we were, but I thought she was just putting on a show of strength.”

Gale shook his head. “Scootaloo told me she was planning on working through the night. Even with all of us helping she’s still behind.”

Colton grimaced, the two rounding the barn. “Yeesh. Guess we have our work cut out for us.”

The two stallions mulled over the generous stacks of bushels already harvested, wondering just how many more there were to go. Spying no wagon, the two ventured into the trees to get to where they’d started yesterday. It didn’t take long for them to catch up to Apple Bloom once they ventured inward. The young mare pulled the missing wagon along, stacked to the brim with empty baskets.

“Hey Apple Bloom!” Gale greeted with a big grin. One that withered as the young mare stared daggers back at the perky pegasus. “How are you doing? ...Good?”

“Yer late,” she answered curtly. Apple Bloom swiftly unhooked from the wagon harness and climbed in. “C’mon, plenty to do, no time fer standin’ around. Grab some baskets. We’re startin’ with the Pendragon apples today.” She gestured around herself impatiently at the various trees dotted with fruit yet to be picked or bucked. “Same routine as before. Gale, yer ferryin’, Colton, yer buckin’. An’ Ah hope ya’ can keep up this time around. Got it?” Apple Bloom shot a challenging glare to both older ponies. They acquiesced without a word and started immediately. The two did their best to hide the soreness they were still feeling from yesterday, each having the same thought: The last thing Apple Bloom needed to hear was anypony complaining.

Apple Bloom herself, however, wasn’t hiding anything. As Gale flew off with his first of many bushels, Colton studied the young mare. He could see her steps faltering every now and again, but his more startling observation was that he was keeping up with her. Yesterday Apple Bloom peeled away from Colton without breaking a sweat. Today, he found her taking several swings to harvest a single tree. Some blows were off target, sometimes outright missing.

After carrying on for several minutes, Colton resolved to do something. It’s one thing to be stressed, but another if Apple Bloom ends up being too distracted to work. Worse still if she hurts herself. At the same time, the fellow farmpony knew just how stubborn an Apple could be, with Apple Bloom being no exception. Bracing for the worst, Colton stepped over to Apple Bloom and gave her a ginger tap on the shoulder.

“What?!” Apple Bloom snapped, whipping around as a gentle tap to her shoulder broke her train of thought. Granny was wrong: The young mare’s clumsy efforts had only served to further infuriate her, rather than relieve stress. Her tail flicked irritably, the usually-clean bow dirty, torn, and barely clinging.

Colton hesitated a moment, but stood his ground. “Apple Bloom, what’s up? You seem… on edge. What’s eating you?”

“Nothin’.” Apple Bloom snorted.

“You sure?” Colton pressed, poking the ursa. “You’re being awfully snippy this morning. Did you get enough sleep?”

The dam burst. “Oh, plenty. What Ah didn’t get was enough apples bucked despite bein’ up all night, and Ah ain’t got nothin’ ta stress over ‘cept fer a mountain of apples ta buck an’ y’all go and show up late this mornin’ an’ Ah barely got any sleep an’ Ah’m so frustrated I could just scream!” Apple Bloom planted her hooves out and lowered her head, chest heaving.

Colton just took a seat and let her rant. He spied a flash of orange in the corner of his eye, Gale flying towards them to retrieve another bushel. Colton quietly shook his head and gave a shooing motion. Gale suddenly decided it was a good time to go check on Winona.

Colton stretched casually in front of the fuming pony, laying couchant. He chanced a smile. “Feel better?”

Apple Bloom glowered, about to pounce the prying pony and give him something significantly less than better to feel. But the thought left as quick as it arrived, and her expression morphed from fury to fatigue. Her legs gave out and she flopped to the ground. “Much,” she mumbled, winded and blushing. “A-Ah’m sorry, Colton. Ah didn’t mean to go off on you like that. It’s jus’—”

“I got the gist of it,” he chuckled, patting Apple Bloom. “You’re overworked, overstressed, and have to work harder than before to make ends meet.” He stood up and pointed down at her. “But what you have to do is put all that out of your mind and focus. And in order to do that, I think you need to take a tiny break. You look… well, terrible.” Apple Bloom still panted, bow hanging by a thread and bandage completely unraveled. She didn’t deny the accusation, laying there silently. “Why don’t you go back inside and freshen up? Gale and I can continue while you take a bit to rejuvenate yourself. Because honestly, I don’t think you’ll accomplish much the way you are right now.”

Apple Bloom bit her lip, mulling over his advice. She closed her eyes and exhaled slowly. “Yer right. Ah gotta get my head on straight.” She looked back at her tail and flicked it, her bow fluttering to the ground. “An’ the rest a’ me, matter a’ fact.”

Colton smiled, relieved. He stuck his hoof out to offer Apple Bloom a leg up. She took it, pulled herself to her hooves, and scooped up her bow. She then leaned forward and embraced Colton in a quick, firm hug. “Ah needed that,” she admitted, and trotted her way home.

Colton wiped his brow once Apple Bloom had set off. “Made it through that unscathed!” He took a breath. “Wasn’t expecting her to take it so well…”

“You’d make a good therapist,” a voice piped up from behind the grape farmer. Gale Force’s head peered out from a tree’s leaves, upside-down. “Well, a good pillow to vent frustrations into at any rate.” The pegasus slipped casually out of the tree and landed on all fours.

“Uh… thanks? I guess.” Colton shrugged, then chuckled. “Had to do something though. Hopefully Apple Bloom’ll get back into high spirits. We should continue though. You heard her, right? We’re still behind schedule.”

Gale blinked. “Is that was that was all about? Huh. I hoped with her putting in some overtime we would’ve pulled ahead.” He followed Colton along as the earth pony began applebucking again, Gale waiting for a few to fill up so he had a bit of a backlog of bushels to work against.

Colton shook his head as delivered another blow to the bark. “Nu-uh. Apparently we have to do more than what we did yesterday. Didn’t even make it through half the order.”

“Are you serious?” Gale balked with a flap of his wings. “With all of us going at it all day? With Apple Bloom going at it all night? Ugh, what’re we going to… do...” he slowed, shifting weight from one side to the other as he stood and pondered.

Colton bucked another tree and winced as the shock reverberated through his system. “Well, one apple farmer and four non-apple farmers. Probably works out to maybe 2 ponies working the fields. Guess that wasn’t enough.”

Gale nodded, still rooted to the spot, thinking. “But we were going at it pretty hard yesterday. Don’t know how much more juice we can squeeze out of this turnip by tonight.”

“Unless we throw more hooves at this, you’re probably right,” Colton agreed. “Speaking of which, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo could probably get another half-day at school. That would help some. Hope they’re not too out of it though.”

Gale’s eyes lit up. “Hey, you’re right!” he exclaimed. “Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle and… hm.” The pegasus paced back and forth, wings aflutter. “Yeah, that should do it! Can you keep up here by yourself for a bit? I’m gonna go get my daughter out of class.”

Colton nodded and rested a moment. He took special care to settle his back hooves down gingerly. “Well you could, you leaving early to fetch the two?”

Gale Force just winked and crouched, before launching himself into the sky with a strong flap of his wings. He banked away from the orchards and towards Ponyville in one fluid movement, saluting down at Colton. “I’ll be back before too long!” he shouted, disappearing in an orange blur towards Ponyville.

Colton looked around the empty orchard and rolled his shoulders. “Whatever it is you’re planning, Gale, it better be quick,” he mumbled as he gave another wincing kick to a tree. “I know I won’t be able to do this by myself all day.”

Apple Bloom marched straight inside. Winona briefly peeked up from her bowl, before resuming her breakfast. Granny Smith, crunching numbers at the table, looked up from her work. The younger Apple, dishevelled and dirty, shot her a brief grin before silently passing by. She don’t look any worse for wear than when she left the house, Granny mused. That smile’s all the confirmation Ah need though. Knew a bit a’ buckin’ would help her out.

Apple Bloom made it upstairs, tossed her dirty bow into her room, yanked the remnants of her bandage off, stepped into the bathroom, and shut the door behind her. Sighing in relief, she turned on the showerhead and gratefully stepped into the tub. Hot water sluiced through her mane and blanketed her aching body, dulling the pains momentarily. Apple Bloom smiled all throughout her respite in the shower, even trotting in place to shake herself out of the weariness that had cut to the bone.

After drying off, first with a towel then like a dog to further limber up, Apple Bloom got her appearance in order. She brushed her tail and donned a fresh bow, then worked on her mane. She parted her mane down the middle, maintaining the look Rarity had given her just days prior. Feels like that was years ago. She amused herself recalling about how bad she thought she had it then. Compared to now that was a walk in the park! She giggled to herself, brushing her mane and smiling at her reflection as a freckled face beamed back at her.

The smile started to fade, though, as doubts began creeping back. They seeped back into her mind as quickly as she could bail them out. Apple Bloom sighed at her reflection. “Can’t win jus’ by mopin’. Though Ah gotta face facts.” She trotted over to the open window and stared out over the orchards, resting her chin on the windowsill. “There ain’t enough time an’ there ain’t enough ponies to finish. Ah’m sure everypony’ll be peachy ‘bout what we’ve done… but what’ll they all think? Big Macintosh and Applejack? Ma an’ Pa?”

Apple Bloom pictured the scene vividly. When showing up at Green Apple Grove, she’d be met with cheers and have a happy initial reunion. Then Granny Smith would relay her ultimate failure to the rest of her family. They’d all give her a pat on the back and mutter something about job well done. But those words would do little to veil their through thoughts on the matter: She failed. When push came to shove, Apple Bloom couldn’t cut it. Maybe they’d realize she wasn’t cut out for applebucking after all. Maybe—

“Alright, imagination, cut it out.” Apple Bloom glared up at her own forehead. “They ain’t gonna kick ya’ out of the family er anythin’ so outrageous. Ma, Pa, Big Mac an’ Applejack will just be… disappointed.” The earth pony stood and stretched her legs one at a time, then shook herself from head to tail.

“We’ll do what we can do. Me, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, Granny Smith, Colton an’ Gale. It’s all we can do. An’ that’ll have ta be enough.” Apple Bloom strode out of the room with a flick of her bow-adorned tail, and headed downstairs. Fresh bandages remained atop her dresser. The confident pony was sure her hoof was good enough on its own.

She went to the kitchen to fetch one of the thermoses Zecora had given her the other night and quickly quaffed the spicy soup down. Apple Bloom could feel the heat glide down her throat, burning to the point of making her eyes water. The concoction only served to spur her on, the second breakfast providing more energy for the overworked Apple. Wiping her mouth, Apple Bloom headed out of the house, not stopping until she was back to work.

“Whatever happens, happens.”

“...What’s happenin’ is bein’ a lotta bushels short of a barrel.”

Apple Bloom was seated out at the picnic table with Colton just outside the barn. She tore her view away from the bushels and gazed skyward. Gale Force, having rejoined an hour ago, was making up for lost time. The two earth ponies, meanwhile, were waiting for Granny Smith to bring out an eagerly-anticipated lunch. Colton’s stomach growled, but it stood a distant second to Apple Bloom’s own, her double dose of breakfast all but expended.

“Well now, won’t be long, will it?” Colton asked, poking his head over Apple Bloom to catch her eye. “We have ‘til when? 7?”

“They didn’t give an exact time,” Apple Bloom answered with a shrug. “Ah reckon it’ll be later than that, though. Big Macintosh an’ Applejack ain’t gonna leave the grove ‘til they have to, plus they gotta hook up a mighty long wagon train so as to fit all them bushels.” Apple Bloom nodded at the ever-growing stack. “Ah’m not stoppin’ until they set hoof back on the farm. No matter how late they come.” An’ the later they are the more time we’ll have.

“Those two better be on time,” Granny Smith warned. She trotted up to the two with a platter of sandwiches and another wooden thermos on her back. She slid the tray onto the table and took a seat. “Ain’t no way they’ll be tardy er they’re gettin’ an earful. Can’t expect them ta be late when they’re askin’ so much a’ you, Apple Bloom.”

The young mare, however, wasn’t perturbed at the notion. “Ah mean if they are it jus’ means we’ll have more time, right?” She reached for a sandwich and chomped down half of it, dragging the thermos over as well.

Apple Bloom munched away in relative silence as Colton and Granny Smith conversed. She did her best to not wince as her at-rest body began to flare up. There were no longer just twinges of soreness of light aches pestering the pony. Those were replaced with deeper waves of fatigue and wear. Her hindlegs in particular had a subtle, throbbing ache to them. The constant shocks to her flank muscles and lower back from applebucking weren’t doing her any favors, and last night’s wagon pulls left her barrel in pain too. She was sore from head to chest to blank flanks to hooves. It almost hurt to eat.

Apple Bloom tried to keep it all distant. She heeded the pain’s warnings, but would not it slow her down. If nothin’ else, it’s keepin’ me awake, she rationalized. The tired young mare had no doubt she could fall asleep on the spot if she tried, but she’d have plenty of time to rest after today.

Despite the aches, even the most stubborn of apple ponies couldn’t ignore everything an exhausted body tossed their way. Apple Bloom had gotten little rest the past day and a half. Sitting and eating gave her too much time to dwell. Ah’m pushin’ mahself further than ever. Ah can barely keep mah eyes open! She threatened to nod off there at the table, barely managing to keep her head aloft to take another bite. Jus’ a few more hours, Apple Bloom, she coached herself, doing all she could to keep the bone-deep fatigue at bay.

Downing a third sandwich and finishing up the soup, Apple Bloom put those thoughts out of her mind and let her eyes wander, trying to distract herself with something. It was another nice, breezy day, the weather ponies keeping up with the promised forecast to not rain on the Sweet Apple Acres parade. She gazed over past the barn, over to where some of the other animals were out and about. Granny Smith had been taking care of them while Apple Bloom was otherwise occupied. They’re better off that way. Ah’d probably think’ a pig was a Golden Delicious tree. That wouldn’t go over well. The young mare probably would’ve forgotten things like feeding times to boot, and the last thing the Apples needed to deal with were a bunch of hungry, irate animals.

Apple Bloom spied sheep milling about along an open patch of field by the barn, enjoying the day. She spied Abraram and Bethany, leading Joseph along gently. The infant happily bounded along without care or worry. He was with family and didn’t have a single responsibility to his name. Now that’s the life, Apple Bloom thought, smiling wistfully.

Granny Smith walked across Apple Bloom’s vision. “Think y’all’ll survive without me fer a spell? Gotta be gettin’ some grub fer supper with all these mouths ta feed.”

“We’ll be alright,” Apple Bloom assured. Granny was in better shape to make that small journey than her at this point, from a health and schedule perspective both. “Think we’re ‘bout ready to dive back in here.”

Granny nodded to the two chowing down, and to Gale Force, who’d just come in for a landing to grab a sandwich of his own. The pegasus gave Granny a knowing look as the old mare trotted off. “Off for more food I’m guessing?” he asked, biting into his own lunch. “Smart, considering the food we’re gonna go through by tonight.”

“What, between you two?” Colton interjected. Though working hard, the grape farmer had stuck to just a single sandwich. Apple Bloom had claimed most of the platter. “Didn’t think we were that low. Though I guess with all us being around for supper last night and today…”

“Hey, speakin’ of them others,” Apple Bloom said, glancing towards Ponyville, “seems like Scootaloo an’ Sweetie Belle are here!” Her fellow Crusaders walking towards the farm, just breaching the horizon as they toddled over the hill. They each had big grins on their faces. “Huh. Lookin’ pretty spry considerin’ how hard they were workin’ last night.” She turned away and gave Gale an inquisitive look. “Scootaloo actually go straight ta bed after leavin’?”

Gale Force had the same wide grin on his muzzle, giving Apple Bloom pause. “Hm? Oh yeah, slept like a rock,” the pegasus confirmed, nodding towards the approaching ponies. “But I’m pretty sure I know why she and Sweetie are looking so optimistic.”

Apple Bloom rose an eyebrow and turned back toward the hill. Her jaw dropped. The entirety of the class of the school of Ponyville were behind the two Crusaders. A couple dozen ponies, fillies and colts of all ages, headed their way, chattering amongst themselves. Miss Cheerilee brought up the rear.

“Huh. Guess that’s why Granny needed to go shopping,” Colton figured, giving Gale a friendly punch in the shoulder. “No wonder you were insistent on flying off this morning.”

“Had to do something,” Gale shrugged, smile plastered on his face as Apple Bloom raced off to greet her friends and schoolmates. “We’re behind schedule and Cheerilee was willing to let two of her students off to help. Why not anypony else? Call it a field trip.” He stuffed a second sandwich into his mouth, sitting back and relaxing.

Winona was beside herself. Breaking away from guard duty, the collie bounced from filly to colt, barking and licking and staying still only when pets and scritches were offered. Only after a still-in-earshot Granny ordered her back to the bushels did she separate from the student body, to the disappointment of the crowd.

Apple Bloom’s aching forelegs swung around Sweetie and Scootaloo’s necks, squeezing tightly. “Am I glad to see ya’ both!” she beamed, the other Crusaders smiling weakly as Apple Bloom threatened to cut off circulation. “All of you!” she addressed the crowd of ponies. She smiled down at Sweet Pea in particular. The smallest filly of the bunch looked as eager as the rest to help. Apple Bloom even spotted Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon milling about in the back. They’d long outgrown their petty rivalries with the Crusaders, but that didn’t stop the pair from looking less than thrilled to be here.

Apple Bloom approached the two, grinning. “Ready ta get yer hooves dirty?”

They rolled their eyes, but bit back a retort. One quick glance told them how overworked Apple Bloom was. Diamond grimaced at what applebucking could do to a pony’s complexion. “Eugh… Miss Cheerilee offered anypony willing to help a heap of extra credit, and we weren’t about to turn down such a generous offer,” she started. “...But it does look like you could use a little help. Who better to lend a hoof then us?”

Apple Bloom kept the grin. “Ah know y’all’d rather be… I dunno, playin’ with dolls or somethin’. But Ah do really ‘preciate it.” Knowing a hug from a sweat-covered pony would send them running for the hills, Apple Bloom left the two untouched and approached her teacher. “Thanks Miss Cheerilee,” she said as way of greeting, appreciation etched on every feature of her sore, weary form.

Cheerilee smiled gently to her pupil, waving off the thanks. “You know the saying, Apple Bloom. It takes a village and all.” She glanced over the pack of ponies milling about, most enjoying the fresh air and extra time spent out of the schoolhouse. “Or a class at any rate. Your friends made a pretty compelling case to leave school. Along with Gale Force,” she added, nodding towards the pegasus. “It was his idea, actually, bringing all your classmates along. They were more than willing to help a fellow student in need!”

“The way Ah figure, ya’ helped… encourage their participation too,” Apple Bloom reminded, to which the teacher only smiled. “Though still, can’t thank ya’ enough, Miss Cheerilee. Ah promise Ah won’t let ‘em work too hard. An’—”

“Apple Bloom?” Colton’s voice called out over the noise from all the younger ponies chattering. “Ready to get going again? Clock’s ticking isn’t it?”

Apple Bloom blinked, looked up at the post-noon sun. “Oh horseapples… beggin’ yer pardon Miss Cheerilee,” she added hastily. She dashed away from her teacher, through the throng of students, and stepped up onto the picnic table. She put a hoof to her teeth and let a sharp whistle ring out.

The students fell quiet. Cheerilee ushered them all in closer to the table, forming a wide half circle around it. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were in the center, beaming proudly up at their fellow Crusader. Cheerilee and Colton stood behind the younger ponies. Gale Force hovered over the group, his wing beats the only sound heard as all were silent and waiting to hear what Apple Bloom had to say. A Sudden bit of stage fright struck the young mare, but it passed as quickly as it arrived. Ah wish that was mah only concern right now... She cleared her throat and smiled.

“Alright. First Ah wanna thank y’all fer makin’ yer way out here. Y’all have no idea how relieved Ah am.” She glanced over the throng of ponies, studying them briefly. “Okay so first a show of hooves: How many a’ y’all have farmed er harvested er anything?” Apple Bloom’s eyes scanned the group as a half-dozen legs shot up, not counting those from the adults and Crusaders. She took a head count. “Don’t worry if y’all haven’t. Ain’t too difficult ta do basic pickin’ an’ carryin’. All ya’ gotta keep in mind is not to go bruisin’ the apples. An’ don’t carry more than you can handle. A tumbled bushel’s good to nopony.”

Apple Bloom leaned her head left then right, working out a plan similar to yesterday’s. “We’re gonna have two groups. We need ponies ta buck an’ pick, and ponies ta ferry. If ya’ got a strong pair a’ back hooves er are decent with magic er flyin’, ya’ can harvest. Everypony else’ll be haulin’. If ya’ wanna do one er the other that’s fine. Jus’ make sure ya’ll’re keepin’ busy. We only got a few hours ‘fore the deadline, and we’re needin’ a full order.”

Apple Bloom paused to take a breath as the students nodded in understanding. There wasn’t much to the task, and most had an idea of which of the two jobs they’d be better-suited for. “Ah want applebuckers over here, an’ the rest over here,” she indicated, and the ponies started to split themselves up. It took several minutes for everypony to situate themselves, a few unsure of which would be better. Sweet Pea in particular looked uncertain. She raised her front legs onto the picnic table, just able to reach, and tugged at Apple Bloom. The farmer blinked and peeked down.

“Uh, Apple Bloom?” she squeaked, ears splayed. “I-I’m not sure if I can do either of those things… I’m not that strong… Not nearly as strong as you.”

Apple Bloom couldn’t help but blush, and giving the little filly a reassuring smile. “Every little bit helps, Sweet Pea. Ya’ don’t have to be liftin’ anything more than ya’ can handle. Ah’m sure other ponies would be more than happy to have help heftin’ bushels back to the barn.” She gave the filly a pat on her mane with a dusty hoof. “Even one bushel’s one less that Ah’ve gotta fret over. Okay?”

Apple Bloom’s reassuring grin and words made Sweet Pea sprout a smile of her own, the filly saluting. “Yes, ma’am!” she said sincerely, skipping over to the ferrying group.

Apple Bloom sighed as Sweet Pea scampered off. Ah sure hope nopony gets themselves hurt just fer helpin’ me out, she worried, shaking her head and counting out the teams. Gale was hovering with the carrying crowd, while Colton was doling out advice to the harvesting crew. “Hm, little bit heavy on the buckin’ crowd but it should do,” she mumbled, putting hoof to mouth and letting another whistle fly.

“Alright ponies. Ah want at least two to a tree. Nopony’s flyin’ solo. If y’all need help, just ask. If y’all’re tired, take a breather and get a drink. T’ain’t yer marathon to run,” Apple Bloom spoke with authority, going on to explain where baskets were and where the full bushels should go. She glanced over her shoulder at the trees, softly billowing in the autumn wind. What she thought was impossible this morning was now just in hoof’s reach. Donning a smile, she turned back to the ponies. “Any questions?”

Nopony spoke up. Apple Bloom nodded to the silence and hopped off the table, rearing up on the ground and kicking her forelegs. “Let’s go!” she exclaimed, turning tail and galloping straight into the trees. A thundering of hooves roared behind her as everypony charged inward with Apple Bloom, following her lead and filtering into the many trees of Sweet Apple Acres.

The stampede was music to Apple Bloom’s ears. They weren’t going to be the most efficient, but throwing two dozen ponies at this just might tip the scales in her favor. We just might pull this off!

The orchards were alive with the sound of applebucking.

With Gale Force absent most of the morning, there were plenty of already-picked bushels ready to be carried back to the barn. The weatherpony wasn’t accustomed to playing the role of boss, but that didn’t make him any less effective at divvying out the work. He’d seen the ponies he had to work with, and he had a plan. Some ponies he let carry solo. Others he paired up. Two ponies could easily carry a bushel on their own, but the real question would be how endurant everypony was. That was something the pegasus had to adjust on the fly.

Colton had his work cut out for him. A lot of the older schoolponies had volunteered for the task of harvesting. For the most part, he was able to keep everypony in pairs. He made sure to pair somepony who could reach with somepony who could buck, usually leading to a unicorn or pegasus paired with an earth pony. There was only one exception that Colton had allowed: There was an earth pony duo, where one insisted, and quickly proved, how adept she was a tree climbing. In addition to the work balance, Colton also made sure that nopony overworked themselves. He carried on with his own applebucking, stopping to help out any harvesters in need.

Cheerilee supervised the student body as a whole. She made sure everypony stayed on task, as long periods of manual labor could lead a pony astray, mentally or otherwise. Nopony had to put in any more effort than they wanted to, though she made sure nopony goofed off or got lost. She bounced between both teams, occasionally ferrying a bushel herself.

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle continued their work from yesterday. Their experience from the other day gave them a leg up on the others. It was clear just after a little while, though, that they had not fully recovered from the previous day’s efforts. As such, they were keeping pace with most of the newcomers. They knew it was better to go slow and keep at it, than go fast and be forced to give up. Scootaloo occasionally switched off from harvesting to carrying, leaving Sweetie to help out a fellow classmate so she never worked alone.

The afternoon sun slowly crawled over the sky, beaming down on all the ponies working in Sweet Apple Acres. Scootaloo, on return flight from one of many bushel carries, came in for a landing by Sweetie Belle. Apple Bloom’s brow was furrowed, going from tree to tree despite the ever-growing fatigue and aches pulling at her every step of the way.

“Hey Sweetie, do you know how many more apples we actually need?” Scootaloo asked, hefting a bushel onto her back, opting to walk this one back to give her wings a break.

“Nu-uh,” Sweetie said, half-distracted as she used her magic to pluck some Scifresh apples. “And honestly I’m afraid to ask. Maybe just enough for a couple more hours of work?”

Scootaloo glanced sideways at a pair of younger colts stumbling along, only just managing to not spill the bushel they were carrying. “I’m not so sure,” she commented hesitantly. “I mean we couldn’t finish all this today on our own. And even though others are helping, I’m not so sure we’d get done that quick—”

“We won’t get done no sooner if y’all keep gabbin’ away all afternoon,” a drawl cut in. Sweetie and Scootaloo jerked their heads up and over to Apple Bloom, bushel on her back, walking towards them. They were prepared for a verbal reaming, but Apple Bloom just smiled. “Trust me: Ah’ve been havin’ them exact doubts fer days now. Ah know how it looks, but buck up.” She stood by Scootaloo, the pegasus and earth pony each with a bushel in tow. “C’mon girls,” she offered, nodding towards the barn.

The two bushel-clad young mares stared at Sweetie Belle until she got the hint. “Oh!” she squeaked, magicking a third bushel onto her own back, the three setting off for the barn.

“Are y’all hangin’ in there?” Apple Bloom asked, the grin on her face doing a poor job of hiding aches and fatigue.

“Yeah, I’m doing alright,” Scootaloo answered first. “Pretty sure my weekend will consist of a large cloud, a tall glass of lemonade, and a nice long comic book.” The pegasus’ head was hunched over. Sweetie Belle matched the poor posture, an eye twitching every once in a while.

“Ugh, not me,” she commented. “The last thing I wanna do after all this is read. Or work. Or do anything. Maybe a trip to the spa and a soak in the hot tub for… days.”

“Ah could go fer a few weeks myself,” Apple Bloom admitted, standing taller above the two. Though etched across every facial feature, she was temporarily relieved of the worst of the tiredness and pain. The afternoon’s work and a post-lunch snack consisting of the last Zecora’s soup had given her a second wind. “Least Ah’ll be gettin’ some shuteye tonight. While enjoyin’ a nice countryside road trip.”

Scootaloo rotated her head on her shoulders some, stretching her neck gingerly. “You’re going down with your brother and sister when they come get all the apples tonight?” she guessed. “Figured they would’ve let you stay home and rest up after all you’ve been through.”

“Eh, Ah’d be goin’ even if they wanted me to stay here. Not exactly a party havin’ ta dole out all these apples but it’ll be a family reunion practically.” Apple Bloom realized that she was actually looking forward to that trip.

“Well I just hope they don’t make you unload all these yourself,” Sweetie Belle said, eye twitching as an errant spark of magic harmlessly flittered to the ground. “I don’t think you’d survive.”

“Are you kidding?” Scootaloo interjected with a flap of her wings. “Apple Bloom could do it all again!” She grinned sharply. “I’ve never seen a pony work so hard or so long at... Well... Anything I think! Not even me! ...Maybe Rainbow Dash.”

Apple Bloom giggled. “Aw shucks, Scoot. It ain’t much more than applebuckin’ is all…”

Sweetie Belle angled over to give Apple Bloom a nudge. “Don’t be so modest. Rarity does that all the time! I’ve seen her pull all-nighters and every time she’s done she’s always ‘oh it was nothing, Darling’. I’m sure only you or your sibs could rustle up this much fruit this fast!”

“Rustlin’s fer leaves,” Apple Bloom said bluntly, sending the tired trio into a fit of laughter. They gradually made it to the barn together, slipping their burdens from their backs. Apple Bloom smiled warmly to her fellow Crusaders. “Seriously though, girls. All this help means a lot.”

Apple Bloom’s eyes wandered to other ponies milling to and from the pile, unloading bushels of their own. She could hardly believe how large the stack was getting. Granny Smith was off by herself, keeping inventory and tracking the rapid arrivals. Apple Bloom wanted to find out how much more they had to go, but knew that the news would more likely be bad than good. So she turned away and headed back for the orchard. “Alright, ‘nuff of breaktime. We’re settin’ the tone fer everypony here.”

Scootaloo blinked. “That was breaktime?” She shrugged, spread her wings, and took off. “You got it Apple Bloom. See you two back on the inside!” she shouted over her shoulder as the pegasus flew.

“On the inside of what? The trees?” Sweetie Belle wondered aloud as she followed Apple Bloom inward as well, lagging behind the farmpony. “I mean we are still outside… but maybe inside the orchard is what she meant. Or maybe— ow.” Another twinge and another twitch flashed across Sweetie’s face. She sighed, but kept pace, rubbing a hoof to her forehead.

“Bet my magic’ll be twice as good as it was. If my head ever stops hurting,” she mumbled. The unicorn wanted nothing more than to curl up under a tree and nap. But she knew she wasn’t going to rest until she was told to, or when Apple Bloom quit. Even if her twitching eye and throbbing head desperately wanted the opposite. Nevertheless, Sweetie marched onward, throwing herself back into the labor and trying not to think about it.

Apple Bloom was already at it again. She barely took note of the other ponies making their way around her, either harvesting or ferrying. Apple Bloom fell into her routine: Step to a tree, rear back, buck, repeat. By now it was second nature for her to sequester the doubts and pains that needled away at her. Just a few more hours...

Other ponies occasionally tried to ask Apple Bloom about progress, or how she was doing. While the farmpony didn’t outright ignore them, she was in the zone and only offered one or two word responses. Eventually they took the hint and let her be.

The afternoon wore on slowly, Apple Bloom not stopping. She was caked in sweat, and her refusal to acknowledge the growing weariness in her bones was finally taking its toll. Each fresh sweep to the bark left her hindlegs feeling just a little bit heavier. Every bushel she lugged back to the barn felt like three. While she maintained good accuracy and was able to keep most trees to one kick, she had to put more oomph into each attempt. Apple Bloom grunted with each buck, her front legs shaking whenever they bore her weight, but she gritted her teeth and never faltered.

Occasionally she’d glance up to the sky, her only indicator of time passing. Despite the deadline looming, Apple Bloom cringed as it looked like almost no time had gone by. She let her head hang low going from one tree to the next, her snout skimming along the grass. Her tail was equally slouched as the young mare focused the bulk of her reserves on walking, carrying, and applebucking.

The plague of fatigue came to a head when an off-target kick scraped her back hooves alongside the bark, the abrasive noise ringing against her ears. Apple Bloom panicked and immediately sat on her haunches, checking on her hooves. Hours upon hours of applebucking had left them dinged and scratched all over, but there was no apparent injury. The hoof that had previously sustained so much strife looked as good as the other. Apple Bloom let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding. Only sounded bad, but nothin’ came of it. Thank goodness...

“But it coulda’ been worse,” she mumbled to herself. Apple Bloom rubbed her eyes and shook her head. “That’s it. Time fer a short break.” She limped her way back to the barn, carrying nothing. It had never felt quite so far away as it did now. Apple Bloom stretched what she could as she journeyed, looking about for other signs of life, but she was the only one out this far.

She sighed and pushed onward, wincing every other step. It was rough for a pony to try and keep the brunt of their walk on one half of their body. Apple Bloom’s hind hooves ached terribly, and she wanted desperately to walk on her two front legs. She wouldn’t chance that balancing act, though, and was resigned to feeling a small shooting pain up either leg as they made impact with the ground. Her tail matched her head, each drooped and dragging along as she put one hoof in front of the other.

After what felt like forever, Apple Bloom caught up with some other ponies. Among the few making their way out of the orchards still was little Sweet Pea. The sight of the filly gritting her teeth and helping to lug along a partially-laden bushel bolstered Apple Bloom. Figured Sweet Pea woulda’ called it quits by now, but there she is. An’ if she’s still at it, Ah can make it too.

The rest of the trek back to the house went along smoothly, Apple Bloom’s mind now on her friends instead of her hooves. She flopped in open yard before the house, groaning and rolling onto her back. An upside-down Granny Smith peeked over her head and smiled. “Takin’ a break?” Granny guessed, offering a bottle of apple juice to the worn out earth pony. “Figured it was ‘bout time. Been out there fer hours now.”

“Hours?” Apple Bloom croaked. Was Ah really out there that long? She peered towards the sun, it just tickling the treetops. Apple Bloom took the offered drink and chugged it down, quenching a powerful thirst she didn’t even know she had. It was enough to allow her to sit up, which she did with a grunt. “Anypony still around?”

Granny nodded. “A few have gone home. Gale had ta practically ground one eager colt ‘fore he hurt himself,” she chuckled. “‘Bout time fer everypony to come in for a snack, though. You just sit a spell now, Apple Bloom. Ah’ll take care of it,” she promised, petting a hoof over her red mane and slipping off. Moments later, Apple Bloom heard the distinct ringing of the dinner bell, making her belly growl.

Peeking at the orchards, she saw more ponies emerging from the trees. Some looked exhausted. Others dirty. More still both, ponies and foals alike. Apple Bloom could hardly believe how many had stuck it out. All fer me, she thought, touched at the sight. Her eyes quivered just a bit before a twitch of pain shot up her back, making her clench her eyes shut and arch her back stiffly. “Augh! It even hurts to take a break now,” Apple Bloom groaned, holding a shaky leg over her eyes to blot out the sunlight. Even that proved a chore to the young mare. So much so she put it down, succumbing to the light, just in time to spy Colton standing before her.

“Well, you’ve certainly looked better,” Colton commented curtly, grinning down at Apple Bloom and taking a seat. He idly munched on an apple fritter.

Apple Bloom made a face. Not at the comment, but at Colton’s snack. “That store-bought?”

“Hey, it’s not like Granny had all day to make high quality snacks for two dozen hardworking ponies. Besides, could be worse,” he winked, tossing a couple wrapped fritters down to Apple Bloom. “Could be grapes.”

Apple Bloom forced out a pained giggle, doing her best to not morph it into a groan. “Yer right,” she said, straining as she stretched some more. “It could be worse.” She looked around, seeing most ponies chowing down on the cheap snack food, downing drinks, and chatting away. Apple Bloom struggled with the packaging on hers a moment, ripping it open with her teeth. By the time she was through her food, Colton and the others had finished theirs.

Apple Bloom swallowed her last bite. “Lookin’ like the herd’s thinnin’ out,” she remarked, seeing many of her classmates peeling away from the barn and headed back towards town. “Know how many are stayin’?”

“A few,” Colton answered, taking a swig from a bottle of juice. “Not too many outside your friends I think. Though Sweetie Belle’s only sticking around for moral support. Don’t think she’s in any shape to do more right now.”

“Oh no! Is she hurt?”

“No no, nothing like that. Think her head’s just too taxed out. Too much magic,” Colton explained, poking at his own forehead, which then turned into a brow-wipe. He then put the cool bottle up against his face. “She’s resting, but doesn’t want to go home. Said she wanted to stick it out.”

“Well good. That much she can do,” Apple Bloom sighed in relief. One less thing to fret over for her. “What about the others stickin’ around? All holdin’ up?”

“Yeah, I think so,” Colton said, pausing and wincing as he tenderly moved a hind hoof. “That reminds me. Think you’re on your own for applebucking from here on out, Apple Bloom. Don’t think my hooves can take any more punishment. And the fillies and colts just don’t have the hoof constitution us farmers have. And the pegasi and unicorns are down for the count too, far as wings and horns go.” He smiled. “Good news is that you won’t be hauling another bushel back yourself. There’re plenty to relay the remaining ones back.”

Apple Bloom considered, and nodded. “Yeah, don’t want nopony crackin’ their own hoof er sprainin’ a wing.” She smiled back at Colton, attempting to stand. “S-speaking of, Ah better get started again. We gotta hit more of the hilly parts now. Which means more walkin’ fer everypony. Stretchin’ the farm thin with the size of this order.” Apple Bloom glanced off over to the barn, where the massive pile of bushels sat. “Though we’re almost there, Colton… Almost. Ah can feel it.”

Colton tousled her mane. “That’s right, Apple Bloom. Light at the end of the tunnel. The home stretch. And other such idioms,” he trailed off, swirling a hoof in the air. With a grunt, he leaned down and gestured to his back. “Hop on. I’ll take you out there. Rest your hooves as much as you can. After that, we’ll get a relay team for bushels going. Sound like a plan?”

“Well I won’t turn down no free rides.” Apple Bloom pulled herself up onto Colton’s back and grappled onto his neck. “Onward, mah loyal steed!”

“Very funny,” Colton remarked as he set off. Apple Bloom told him where to go, the duo passing by many filled bushels that were still under their harvested trees. They cut a path through several fields, eventually ending up at the base of a hill, where fresh maroon Viking apples awaited them. “Here we are,” the stallion said, feeling pressure on his back as Apple Bloom leaped off and landed on all fours, looking as energetic as a pony could after working for so long.

“Alright. Ya’ know the way back, yeah?” After a confirming nod, she continued. “Good. Ah’ll start work out here while y’all fetch the bushels already picked. Then y’all can work yer way out here. Don’t matter what order really, s’long as they all get fetched. Hopefully it’ll only be a few more hours.”

“Good luck, Apple Bloom. We’ll check on you occasionally. Bring you some water too.” He winked. “After all, I just know you’re gonna sneak in a nap.” That got another laugh out of her, strained as it was.

“Go on, get outta here,” she ushered, shooing the stallion away. Once he was gone, Apple Bloom glanced about. It was a blurry trip back to earlier when she was disseminating the empty baskets out. And there they all were, still lying obediently on the ground. One comforting thought was that there were no more baskets to bring out from the barn. Once these were filled, she was done.

The initial enthusiasm dwindled as more and more baskets crept into view. Apple Bloom wasted no time worrying, however, getting right into the swing of things. “Home stretch, Apple Bloom. Home stretch.”

Her limbs shook. Her body agonized. Her head and neck fought to stay aloft. But Apple Bloom continued from one tree to the next, undeterred and unfaltered. She paused every once in a while, to catch her breath and lean against a tree, but she didn’t stay still long. Apple Bloom felt if she stopped for more than a moment that she’d succumb to exhaustion and fall asleep right then and there.

Apple Bloom caught glimpses of various ponies as they came to collect the fruits of her labor, bushel after bushel being ferried back to join the rest. The ponies would speak to her, giving her encouragement, each time they came around. Apple Bloom was too focused to reply, teeth clenched, muscles strained, eyes forward. They understood, Apple Bloom showing appreciation by smiling their way, however much it hurt to lift her head to do so.

The journey from one tree to the next was proving monumental. Apple Bloom’s legs continued to quiver, every heavy hoofstep sending small a small shock of pain upward. Each applebuck was a tidal wave. The young mare braced for the crests of agony flowing from hoof to snout with each blow to the bark. Her enervated body only served to multiply the sensations.

But Apple Bloom blocked it all out. The near-crippling pain. The heavy, draining weariness. The hunger that nothing could keep at bay. Her brow was furrowed and posture was set. Her neck slouched but her shoulders were square.

“Just one more tree,” Apple Bloom repeated for the hundredth time, dragging her aching form up to the next pair of empty baskets. “Ya’ got time, and yer close. One more tree…” Apple Bloom had stopped glancing skyward some time ago. Not only was the act of lifting her head a chore in and of itself, but she also feared how much time had passed. She could barely feel the sun on her back, Apple Bloom able to tell that the sun was setting. The orange tints of evening glow were all around her, even as her gaze remained affixed to her next target.

“Just… One… More… Tree...”

Normally, there wasn’t much feeling in a pony’s hoof. The hard substance it was comprised of contained no nerve endings of any sort. Apple Bloom swore that could feel every inch of her own with every fresh kick, however. They itched and tingled and stung and sweat as much as the rest of her, making the young mare all the more miserable.

“Keep it up, Apple Bloom. You got this!” She looked up with somewhat-blurry vision. Was she coaching herself again, or did somepony else say that? She shook her head to try and clear her vision up, focusing in on somepony gathering a bushel. She couldn’t tell who it was, and didn’t make an effort to try. Stifling a yawn she was sure would turn into a nap, Apple Bloom gave them the smallest of smiles, whoever it was, and trudged onward.

She continued to press on, eyes stinging from sweat. Apple Bloom wiped across her forehead again, nearly rubbed raw, brushing her mane from her vision. Something caught her eye above. The young mare struck another tree and looked upward before catching herself, apples tumbling down in her peripheral vision. A couple orange blurs had caught her eye, Apple Bloom just able to make out the sight of two pegasi flying her way. Behind them, the purplish evening sky was just starting to reveal a twinkling star or two. A sudden panic flashed through her heart.

“Almost done. Enough bushels er not, almost done…” Apple Bloom wrenched her eyes away from the sky and forced her legs to move again. It felt as if there were anchors strapped around each ankle. What felt like minutes later, she reared up again, and gave a swift kick. She let out an involuntary hiss of pain, the all-too-familiar shock flowing through her body. As was tradition for the young mare by now, she let the wave crest, flow over her, and recede, not letting the tide pull her in.

Something was off with the latest buck, though. Apple Bloom heard no apples plummet despite the accurate fierce kick delivered. Her ears pivoted around in search of the sound, before she craned her head upward to see what the deal was.

The Wayside apple tree was bare.

Apple Bloom blinked, then blinked again. She slowly, methodically checked out her surroundings. There weren’t baskets by this tree. Or the next. Or any as far as she could see. Save for the last bushel filled behind her, the ground and the trees were free of apples.

Apple Bloom had filled every basket.

“That’s… it?” she breathed, head on a swivel as she double- and triple-checked surrounding trees, all of which were bare. “Ah… Ah think that’s it…” She rubbed her eyes and squinted, just to make sure they weren’t playing tricks on her. “...That’s it! They’re all gone! Ah’m done!” Apple Bloom knew she shouldn’t get too excited, as it was entirely possible there wasn’t enough back at the barn, or that she missed some, or a dozen other possibilities, but she let herself go. She flopped on her back and kicked her sore legs out in all directions, laughing uproariously with energy she didn’t know she had. Her eyes clenched shut, a few tears of joy budding at their edges.

Amidst her jubilations, orange hooves thudded down on either side of Apple Bloom. She peeked her eyes open and spied Scootaloo and Gale Force staring down at her. Scootaloo quirked a brow. “Welp, she finally cracked.”

Gale poked Apple Bloom. “You alright?”

“Ah’m better than alright. Ah’m done!” Apple Bloom exclaimed, rolling and springing to her hooves. Which in turn made her crumple back to the ground in a heap. “Ow… Hurray…” she ended meekly.

Scootaloo and Gale joined Apple Bloom in her cheer, but were just as quick to settle down when their friend buckled. “Well it looks like there’s just one more basket to haul back,” Gale surmised. “Scootaloo, you want to take it? I’ll bring Apple Bloom.” He winked down at her. “Think you could use the lift.”

Apple Bloom didn’t object, barely feeling Gale hoisting her up onto his back, her legs dangling around his wings. Scootaloo got the bushel and grinned at Apple Bloom. Unable to contain her excitement, the young flier launched into the air with a whoop and sailed for the barn. Gale followed Scootaloo soon after, being more careful with his more precious cargo in tow.

Apple Bloom remained conscious despite her lassitude, wind whipping through her hair and euphoria coursing through her heart. She could barely move a muscle, not that she had any desire too, and let her mind and eyes wander.

The short flight felt like an eternity to Apple Bloom. Sunlight was but a sliver, just barely poking over the trees. One young tree in particular grabbed Apple Bloom’s weary attention, one that was very familiar to her. It took her tired mind a moment to recall, but when it did, her eyes lit up. Ah’ll make just one more trip, she resolved. The tree used to stand alone on the little hill, but years of orchard expansions meant more trees to plant, so it gained many neighbors over time. Even so, Apple Bloom was able spy the tree that she herself had planted all those years ago. It was one she paid regular visits to, both physically and in her dreams.

The tree vanished from sight as Gale tilted down for a landing. It was smooth, but to the Apple Bloom it was an earthquake. Once her head stopped rattling, she peered around to see who had stuck it out through the evening. Near the massive pile of bushels was Colton, chatting with Granny Smith. Winona, relieved of duty with others milling about the pile, snatched attention from the pair occasionally. Sweetie Belle was just stirring from a nap, propped up against the barn wall, while Scootaloo settled her ferried bushel by the pile. As far as Apple Bloom could tell, none of her other fellow schoolponies remained.

All the ponies still around looked up at Gale once he landed, the pegasus proclaiming loudly: “Hey everypony! She’s done!” A resounding cheer rose up from Sweet Apple Acres, everypony crowding around Apple Bloom and giving her hugs or pats on the back or, in Winona’s case, licks across her cheek. The young mare found herself sliding off Gale’s back, landing on four shaky legs and surrounded by family and friends.

“Sorry nopony else stayed to celebrate,” Gale mentioned, tousling Apple Bloom’s mane. “Cheerilee chauffeured them all home. Not that some didn’t want to stay of course, but it was way past suppertime. And you know better than anypony how grumpy one can get without supper,” he teased. Apple Bloom was too tired to be hungry despite the friendly provocation, only grinning up at him wearily.

Granny Smith lagged a bit behind the rest crowding around Apple Bloom. Her eyes locked with her granddaughter’s, and she gave a knowing smile and nod. As the last bushels were trickling in, Granny had counted and figured Apple Bloom was close. Confirmation from the field that the baskets were all used was all she needed to verify that the job was done.

Apple Bloom was about to speak up when her two fellow Crusaders squeezed in closer and threw themselves at her. Apple Bloom barely had the energy to move, so two other ponies barreling in sent her toppling as Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo piled on for a group hug. Each one talked over the other, lavishing Apple Bloom in praise, their hyperactive antics stirring Winona up into a barking fit.

“—can’t believe you did it—”

“—worked all night and kept going—”

“—could’ve done it without the help—”

“—there must be thousands—”

“Girls!” Apple Bloom giggled. She limply hugged her best friends. “Thanks, really… Couldn’t’ve done it without y’all but…” She wormed her way free from the others and stood tall. Winona settled down by her side, leading Apple Bloom to pet her as she spoke. “Ah’m not finished just yet.”

Sweetie Belle balked. “What? But I thought you were done?”

Scootaloo flared her wings. “You mean we missed some out there? Well don’t move, I’ll go and get whatever’s left!”

“Nah nah, we got ‘em all, don’t worry,” Apple Bloom smiled reassuringly. “This one’s more… symbolic, Ah think’s the way to put it.” She peeked past the farmland towards Ponyville and beyond. “Mmm… No sign of the wagons yet… Ah got time. Granny! We got any spare baskets?”

Granny Smith nodded. “Don’t think we’d ever run out, truth be told. Ah’m sure one of these strapping young lads will be more than happy ta fetch one from the cellar,” she answered, eying Colton and Gale. They both obliged, the giddy pair turning the simple task into a race. Granny rolled her eyes. “Boys,” she muttered, trotting to Apple Bloom and giving a much gentler hug. “Off to the hill, eh?”

Apple Bloom leaned into the hug. “How’d ya’ guess?” Gale and Colton returned in short order, the pegasus victor carrying his trophy and settling it on Apple Bloom’s back. She peeled away from Granny and the rest, walking into the orchard for one last trip.

Sweetie Belle tugged at Granny’s leg as Apple Bloom disappeared among the trees. “What hill are you talking about?” she asked. Scootaloo climbed up onto Gale’s back to peer after Apple Bloom, but she was out of sight. She, Colton and Gale all turned to Granny Smith.

Winona stretched and lay down by Granny, scoring more pets from family as Granny explained. “The hill where she planted her own tree, child.” She smiled warmly and took a seat. “Us Apples all got one somewhere out in the orchards. Sometimes, ‘specially after big occasions, we like ta visit ‘em. Oh sure, we plant lots of trees and tend to all of ‘em like our own flesh ‘n’ blood, but these trees aren’t just for makin’ apples. They’re special.”

“A special… tree?” Scootaloo interjected. She was going to go on but a glare from Gale put a stop to it. Granny picked up on the tone regardless, but wasn’t abashed.

“Ah know, bit silly an’ all. But what family tradition ain’t?”

The euphoric high from finally finishing only carried Apple Bloom so far. Her tree wasn’t terribly deep into the orchards, though that didn’t stop the short trek from feeling like a marathon. The empty basket on her sore back wobbled precariously with her gait, but managed to cling on. Her tail dragged along the grass, trailing behind a pair of worn, dirty, cracked, aching hind hooves. Apple Bloom felt the days’ wear and tear the worst on those back hooves and her hindlegs. The hooves looked the worst: They bore scratches and cracks and had small tufts of fur poking haphazardly out around them. But none bled, and none hurt to the point of debilitation. Striding against the pull of fatigue and pain, Apple Bloom pressed on. By the time the sun had been replaced by the moon, she laid eyes on her tree.

Legs filled with lead, the young mare approached at a snail’s pace. She seemed to require all of her focus to simply get one hoof forward, but appeared determined to reach her destination. And even in the darkness Apple Bloom could see the bright red apples gleaming off the branches. “Well girl,” she greeted the tree, settling the lone basket down beneath her branches, “here Ah am again. You would not believe the week Ah had.” She plucked a Red Delicious from a low-hanging branch and munched on it idly. “S’all done now, and Ah’ll be headin’ out to deliver the biggest order of mah life.” She finished off her snack and looked up, her tree’s apples swaying gently in the breeze. “Figured Ah’d bring some of yer kin along for the ride.”

For the final time, Apple Bloom about-faced and gave a swift buck to bark. Her tree was relatively young, so it yielded only one bushel, which Apple Bloom filled with a single stroke. She grunted, dragging the bushel onto her back once the deed was done, and wiped her brow. “See ya’ around, girl. Ah’ll stop by when I get back from the grove!”

The journey home was short and sweet, much of it being downhill. Apple Bloom looked forward to rest and to seeing some familiar familial faces. The moon was completely raised and nestled among the stars by the time she emerged from the orchards. Winona was the first to spot her. She raced up to Apple Bloom, barking merrily and bounding around her, catching everypony else’s attention. Apple Bloom slid her last bushel to the ground and took a seat by the collected fruit, basking in their scents and the praises from her friends and family alike.

Now seated and given an opportunity, Apple Bloom noticed she wasn’t the only one tired. Her fellow Crusaders were about to fall asleep standing up. Colton and Gale were no better off, wincing from aches while unsuccessfully stifling yawns. Only Granny Smith looked fair on her hooves, neither tired nor in hurting. The eldest Apple beamed with pride at the worn out ponies.

“So, y’all gonna head home then?” Apple Bloom asked after catching a contagious yawn. “It’s mighty late and y’all look like you can use a good amount of shuteye.”

Colton smiled and shook his head. “Think we’ll stick around to load the wagon up,” he answered. The rest nodded in agreement.

“Thank y’all,” Granny said, facing her granddaughter. “Now Apple Bloom: Yer not ta lift a single bushel, ya’ here? Instant Big Mac an’ Applejack show up, yer gettin’ packed in first and gettin’ some shuteye yerself. Ah’ll see these other ponies get their own. Don’t ya’ worry none.”

Apple Bloom nodded, once in agreement, then again in weariness. The mere mention of sleep set her off yawning again, loud and long. “Ah’m ready to sleep fer a month,” she mumbled with a giggle. Her laughter cut out when her ears flicked. She picked up the distinctive sound of wooden wheels creaking. Her head swiveled and spied past the trellis arch towards town.

The first thing Apple Bloom saw was her older brother. Stoic as ever, Big Macintosh was hooked to a harness and strolling along as if he wasn’t hauling a trail of wagons. As he got closer, the pony beside him rose over the hill and came into view. Applejack looked no worse for wear than Big Macintosh, a smile brimming as Sweet Apple Acres came into view.

Behind the pair of Apples was a lengthy train of wagons, bound together and wide enough to take over the whole road. They were plain and uncovered, making for easy loading and unloading. Apple Bloom could tell there were way more than the few she could see under the moonlit night, figuring there could be dozens. Her attention, however, was on the ponies pulling the wagons, the youngest Apple speeding off towards her siblings.

“Applejack! Big Mac!” she exclaimed, first galloping, then jogging, then limping over to the pair as they came to a stop just before the trellis arch. By the time she reached the duo, Apple Bloom was barely moving, panting from exertion, almost falling right into the two. Her siblings were quick to act, catching her and gathering her into a group hug, embracing tightly despite her profuse perspiration and appearance. It hurt, but Apple Bloom didn’t care, settling into the hug earnestly and beaming.

“Well howdy there, Sugarcube!” Applejack greeted as she and Big Macintosh undid themselves from the harnesses. “Ya’ look… Well... Alive...” She settled on that appraisal after giving her sister a good look over, trying to think of something more positive to say. “An’ freckles! Would ya’ look at that Big Mac? Our lil’ sis is lookin’ older… stronger…”

“Ya’ look dead on yer hooves,” Big Macintosh interrupted bluntly, encouraging Apple Bloom to lean against him. “And it’s plain ta see why.” He and Applejack glanced past her to see the bushels, harvested and ready to be delivered. “Lookin’ like we got our work cut out fer us.”

Apple Bloom did her best to stay on her hooves. Having her brother to lean on helped, keeping her from fainting sideways and passing out. “Never been so happy to see y’all,” she uttered wearily, big grin never leaving her face. “Yer letter… the order… s’all done… t’ain’t never thought Ah’d get anywhere close but…”

“But yer an Apple,” Applejack finished with a warm smile. “An’ we couldn’t be prouder for it. But Big Mac’s right. Yer ready for shuteye. Get up on in the front wagon here and leave everythin’ to us.”

Apple Bloom didn’t need to be told twice. She gave her siblings another weak hug, then trundled her way past the two and hoisted herself up into the front wagon. She heaved and grunted, tumbling into it and landing flat on her back. Unlike the line of cargo wagons behind, this one was covered. Designed for travel and rest, the whole floor comprised of a spread of cushions, blankets, and other creature comforts a traveling pony could want.

It was the most beautiful sight Apple Bloom had ever laid eyes on.

She didn’t remember rolling onto the spread and snagging a blanket; nor bundling up in its warm confines and covering herself from her blank flank up to her neck. At best she would vaguely recall grabbing a cushion and flopping her head down, cheek squishing into the soft fabric. Apple Bloom began to yawn, but couldn’t even finish that. The sounds of ponies outside, walking and talking, bushels being loaded up, the wagons creaking… It all grew distant as Apple Bloom plummeted into a deep, dreamless sleep. Her mouth hung open and her snores rang loud. Apple Bloom’s last thoughts dwindled on all the looks of accomplishment, joy, relief, and satisfaction friends and family alike gave her.

Ah made ‘em so proud.

A Most Welcome Respite

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Apple Bloom hadn’t budged an inch from where she’d fallen asleep the previous evening. Her legs remained tucked up against her body, with the cocoon of a blanket gently nestled around her, head squashed down against the cushion that served as a pillow. The twinkle of morning sunlight that bypassed the wagon cover shone against her head, and it showcased a pony with a smile brimming along the corners of a still-open mouth. The wagon was one of many traveling along the mostly smooth dirt road, with the country autumn air serving the sleeping farmpony well.

Steady sounds of hooves hitting dirt and the wagon were a constant, which further served to drown out anything that threatened to wake her up. After a particularly-jostling bump rocked the wagon about, the hooves and creaking wagon wheels and morning sun all worked in concert to coax Apple Bloom awake. Her eyes remained shut, but she was conscious of every little sound and bump in the road. Of how dry and stale her mouth felt, with it hanging open all night. Of how stiff and strained every last muscle of her exhausted body felt. The waking pony’s first act was to close her mouth, and even that felt strenuous. She smacked her lips and huddled more tightly under her blanket when the chill of the morning coming into sharp relief.

Apple Bloom embraced the cold after a moment, letting it wake her up. When her mind whipped into a trot, Apple Bloom recalled where she was going and what she had done. She lifted her head slightly and peered about the covered wagon, before flopping it back down and sighing gratefully. For the first time in what felt like ages, Apple Bloom awoke without burden. The apples were harvested, her task complete. Waves of joy flooded the young mare, which is what ultimately roused her from her weary state. She had to fight hard against sore, stiff muscles that refused to budge, but she managed, crawling out from her warm blanket to take a peek out the back of the wagon.

Apple Bloom rested her chin on crossed forelegs and smiled. Behind the covered wagon was the train, hitched together and bumping along, carrying bushels upon bushels of freshly-picked apples. She allowed herself to bask for several minutes, ceding to her body’s desire to remain immobile and soaking it all in. Her heart soared thinking about the welcome she was bound to receive upon arriving at Green Apple Grove. Along with–

“Applejack! Big Mac!” she exclaimed. Fatigue was tossed by the wayside with the pony leaping to the front of the wagon. Apple Bloom’s head popped out to find two hardworking ponies diligently hauling the wagon train along. Both had their heads turned to face their little sister, smiles brimming from their tired faces.

“Well look who it is,” Applejack greeted. Big Macintosh stifled a yawn but let loose a smile but otherwise remained silent and stoic. “Slept soundly all last night, sis. Didn’t hear a peep from ya’ either, did we Big Mac?” The stallion shook his head and let that stifled yawn escape that set off a wave of yawns. Apple Bloom took a deep whiff of fresh air and languidly lazed over the edge of the wagon.

“Nice to get some proper shuteye without havin’ apples danglin’ over mah head, that’s for sure. Y’all look beat, meanwhile. Didn’t stop fer anythin’?”

Big Mac shook his head again. “Wanted to get back to the grove as quick as we could,” Applejack offered. “Even if it means me and Big Mac not catchin’ a wink there and back. But don’t you worry ‘bout us” She gestured to the long train of wagons they were hauling and smiled. “You did all the hard work. We’ll catch some shuteye once we make it back. Plenty a’ ponies there to help us unload.”

Apple Bloom just managed to not blush. “Well good. Ah’ll probably join y’all. Reckon Ah could sleep a week after pushin’ so hard.” Apple Bloom backed up into the wagon and proceeded to gingerly stretch her legs, one at a time. “How far’s the grove now? Can’t wait ta see the family again.”

“Hour or so,” Big Mac answered with a weary strain to his voice. No wonder he’s been quiet, Apple Bloom thought, finishing her stretches with a flick of the tail. She gave her brother a concerned look, but he only shook his head some and smiled back. A pang brought Apple Bloom’s attention back to herself. Her body was beginning to throb slightly. What else is new? Apple Bloom’s relief far outpaced how she felt, proving as much by climbing out the back of the wagon and catching up to the other two.

Applejack glanced over to the joining Apple Bloom and lingered. “Ah know that look. Stop fussin’, Ah’m fine.” She knew all-too-well that Applejack was going to send her right back to the cart if she looked too tired or hurt, but her gait and posture were as good as ever. Her older sister shrugged a guilty shoulder while the trio trotted in silence.

“Brothers and sisters always gotta look out for each other, you know that,” Applejack chided with a smile. “‘Specially big sisters to their little sisters. Though Ah reckon you’re not so much littler than me now.” Apple Bloom beamed and held her head up high.

“Actin’ more like yer big sister too,” Big Macintosh added. “All pride and strength in that trot a’yours.”

“Aw, c’mon already you two. Gettin’ more attention than a prize pig at a carnival.” Apple Bloom couldn’t stop herself from blushing, though she hid it well when Applejack playfully plopped her hat over the abashed pony’s head. Apple Bloom laughed and didn’t have to adjust it, the hat settling comfortably between the ears.

Only at that moment did Applejack’s brows raise, eyes tracking over Apple Bloom from head to tail. “What’s with the makeover?”

Apple Bloom smirked. “Well since Ah had so much free time, figured Ah’d let Rarity do a little ‘sperimentation on mah looks. What do you think?” Apple Bloom fluttered her eyes, but burst into a fit of giggles after being given the stink-eye back. “Well it’s sorta true, Applejack. Rarity did have to touch it up at market. An’ this is what she came up with. I kinda like it.”

Now Applejack smirked. “Well doncha just look precious. I’m sure a couple a’ ponies in particular will be a might pleased to see you and your new looks.”

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. “Oh Ah’m sure Aunt an’ Uncle Orange will be all over me draggin’ mah bow ‘cross the ground.”

“Thinkin’ she means Ma an’ Pa,” Big Macintosh interjected. “They’re gonna be over the moon to see ya’ Apple Bloom.” A flurry of emotions fired through Apple Bloom simultaneously. Most were positive, though some considerably less-so. Apple Bloom realized she must’ve exposed those feelings, making Big Macintosh ask, “ain’t too resentful?” He watched her climb back up into the wagon, trying to get a bead. He got it when Apple Bloom flopped back down, chin hanging over the wagon edge, and sighed through a smile.

“Nah, not too much. Plum forgot about ‘em honestly,” she admitted. “Past few days’ve been so hectic… Ah know what they asked of me was a tall order, ta say the least. Thinkin’ you’re right though Big Mac.” She smiled. “They’re gonna be mighty happy to see me. To see all of us.”

“Mostly you,” Applejack chuckled. “We’re just haulin’ yer work, Apple Bloom. All this was your doin’.”

“Yeah… Guess it was, wasn’t it?” Apple Bloom allowed herself to admit. Sure Ah had plenty of help, and Ah’m grateful enough for it, she thought, letting it all sink in. But in the end Ah was able to pull through everythin’ thrown at me. Tall order, injuries, illness, family all dependin’ on me ta do what normally takes three Apples ta do… Apple Bloom smiled inwardly, and with a flick of her tail continued her trot in a much more exuberant gait, while keeping pace with her wagon-hauling siblings.

The three Apples concluded the journey in silence, with only the rhythmic squeaking of wheels and the occasional animal chirp interrupting. Applejack and Big Macintosh were fighting to stay awake and pouring all their efforts into getting to the grove as quickly as possible. Apple Bloom, meanwhile, was giddy but appreciative to not be in a rush for a change. Peace and quiet were two toys she’d been denied throughout her toiling week at Sweet Apple Acres. She knew she’d get precious few moments of it at Green Apple Grove with the extended family there. With dozens of thoughts flickering through her mind, Apple Bloom looked to her siblings, back to the wagon train, down to her previously-injured hoof and the bow adorned on her tail, then back to the road. Basking in the blanket of quiet that one could only achieve on a cross-country road trip.

Apple Bloom was so preoccupied that familiar land snuck up on her. She hadn’t been to Green Apple Grove in years, but the surrounding area was all-too-familiar to her. She climbed out of the wagon again, trotted ahead of the others and peered down, laying her eyes on the grove for the first time in a good while. She’d expected to the large farmhouse and barns standing tall. What see saw was a place still in the throes of recovery. Barns stood mostly complete but still with work to be done, and the trees were on the mend. There was more green along the grass than several days ago, but the patches of yellow and brown were apparent even from this distance. “Well… At least the house survived,” she remarked to her siblings as they caught up to her. “Ah’ve seen Parasprites do worse.”

Applejack fanned herself with her hat. “She’s a sight for sore eyes no matter what state she’s in.” She rolled her shoulders and bumped Big Macintosh back. “We made it. And Ah’ can here bed callin’ from here. Aaaplejaaaack.”

“Yup.” Big Mac nodded, giving an extra strong tug to get the wagon train moving again. While they carted the load Apple Bloom scanned the grove.

“Ain’t nopony up yet?” she wondered, peering at the sky. It was well past dawn and farmponies rose with the sun.

Applejack yawned and ruffled Apple Bloom’s mane. “We ain’t done quite as much work as you Apple Bloom, but the ponies ‘round here have had a lotta work nonetheless. Gettin’ some well-deserved shuteye Ah reckon. And we’re gonna wake ‘em. Changin’ of the guard and all that.”

The Apple siblings, along with their wagon and the apples they were burdened with, pulled into Green Apple Grove proper. Applejack and Big Macintosh gratefully unhitched themselves and took a moment to stretch. Apple Bloom peered around and took a deep breath and released it with a pleasured sigh: Even though she wasn’t pulling the load herself, the fact that the apples were finally at their destination was a weight off her shoulders and mind. It was like the first day of summer vacation. She had no chores, no-one depending on her at this point. Her job was done.

Apple Bloom practically pranced as she followed followed zombie-like Applejack and Big Macintosh into the house, the hallway empty. The exhausted pair each gave Apple Bloom a hug, before heading upstairs to wake the others and enjoy a day-long rest. Apple Bloom had a desire to join them, but something caught her attention: The teasing scent of some breakfast frying up in the kitchen across the way. Apple Bloom’s stomach sounded off and her mind was made up in an instant: It was time for food.

The young mare marched her way across the hall quietly but with purpose. She clip-clopped into the kitchen and gasped at the sight of the two ponies within. A gold-braided mare briskly moved from countertop to stove to countertop, heaping piles of pancakes and eggs from one to the other as she went. Her tail flicked idly behind a pair of orange cutie marks. The large stallion, clad in a large straw hat, was following suit in the assembly line mass-producing breakfast, apart from the other pony so as to not collide. They worked in tandem, never getting in each others’ way and frying up enough food to put a diner out of business.

Jonagold and Valencia were so busy with their own morning routine of making breakfast for 50 that they didn’t notice a gawking Apple Bloom in the doorway. Apple Bloom fell back onto her haunches and closed her gaping mouth. A flood of emotions swirled through her, taking in the sight of her parents that she’d not seen in so long. Her chest tightened, and her eyes threatened to well up. What should she say? How was she going to break the ice?

Groooooooan…

Ma and Pa Apple froze and turned to face the rumbling interloper. The ravenous roar of an Apple pony belly was more than enough to garner their attention. Apple Bloom blushed a tinge and raised a timid hoof in greeting. “H-hey Ma. Hey Pa. Ah made it.” Valencia stood frozen. Jonagold dropped a spatula and blinked several times.

Her mother broke first. “Oh, Apple Bloom!” She was on her daughter in an instant. Strong legs squeezed around her and threatening to cut off her air supply. Apple Bloom returned it with a crushing hug of her own, really straining to fight back tears as she nuzzled against her mother. Jonagold lumbered forward and plopped his too-large hat over Apple Bloom, before gripping to both ponies at once and squeezing them in a vice-like grip, hauling them off the ground, not saying a word. He held the cuddling ponies up for a moment, before another protesting grumble from Apple Bloom’s stomach snapped them out of it. The hug ended and the three shared a laugh, relief and sorrow mingling in the kitchen air.

“It’s so good to see you, mah little appleseed.” Jonagold finally broke the silence. Apple Bloom quirked an eyebrow, and Jonagold belted out a short laugh that threatened to wake the whole orchard. “Right. Ain’t so little no more.” Valencia beamed with pride at the comments, Apple Bloom’s cheeks tinging red.

Ma and Pa fawned over their daughter. Jonagold tucked a hoof up under her chin to lift it, studying her face for a moment. “Lookin’ like ya got freckles now too. Ain’t that a thing.”

“Is this the new modern mane style in Ponyville?”

“Bow on the tail eh? Ah honestly thought ya’ would outgrow it ‘fore too long...”

“A-aw Pa, Ma, stop fussin’,” Apple Bloom said half-heartedly through a meek smile. “Ah’m still little ol’ Apple Bloom.” She gave them each a separate, firm hug again, and was about to gush about how hectic her last week had been, but… “That’s a mighty-large breakfast y’all got cookin’ up back there...” Fighting back the urge to drool was nearly as hard as fighting back tears, Apple Bloom discovered. Pa laughed again and adjusted the hat on her head.

“An’ given what ya’ did yer probably fittin’ ta eat it all up yerself.” Apple Bloom let out a breath when her father yanked her off the floor and plopped her on a seat at the table. Just as she settled Ma had fixed her up a plate piled high with pancakes and scrambled eggs, sliding a glass of orange juice and pitcher of piping-hot maple syrup up next to it. Before Apple Bloom could say a word in response she had the largest breakfast she’d encountered in some time staring her down.

“Where’d y’all get all this food?” Apple Bloom mumbled, doing her best not to drool at the delicious breakfast served before her. “Ya’ had me fill that huge order...”

“And it’s gonna turn the tide in the food shortage we’d been havin’ here,” Ma assured with a chuckle. “Got a small town’s worth of ponies to feed here, though, an’ supplies have been steadily growin’ over the past few days. Poor ponyfolk here have been breakin’ their backs with little more than dry grass. An’ that’s just plum not healthy.” Valencia nudged her daughter towards the food. “Go ahead darlin’, eat up,” Ma insisted. “We gotta get more fried up for the others ‘fore it’s proper time for breakfast fer them. They’ll demolish all this ‘fore you’d get a chance, and ya’ earned yerself a big breakfast.”

Apple Bloom was tearing into the piping hot food before Ma even finished saying “up”, needing no more encouragement, sating inner hungers no longer restrained by stress. Her parents stared blankly, seeing their youngest child destroy a literal pound of breakfast food. They eventually tore their way from the mesmerizing sight when the sizzling pancakes started to burn, forcing themselves back into their cooking duties. With Apple Bloom devouring away they threatened to produce at a loss.

Apple Bloom lost herself in the mechanics of eating. Nothing stood in the way of a hungry farmer and their breakfast. She’d cleaned her plate and drained her glass in the space of five minutes, already chewing her last bite. Just as she was about to meekly ask for seconds, a fresh plate replaced her old and her glass was refilled. Valencia kissed her cheek with a smile, Apple Bloom muffling out a noise in thanks. Apple Bloom managed half the second large helping before she was past the initial surge of pure hunger. She slowed down as thoughts and feelings returned, playing with her food more than eating it.

Jonagold peeked behind while frying more food and asked what the matter was. “Gettin’ full?”

“Naw. I mean sorta,” Apple Bloom corrected. “Just thinkin’ ‘bout stuff.” She ran a bite of pancake through a puddle of syrup and took a bite. “Been a loooong week. Felt like years.” At that remark she stretched her legs out in front of her and rotated her neck about her shoulders. “Don’t know if Ah’ll ever feel rested again.”

Valencia and Jonagold shared a look. Ma peeled away from the breakfast line and took a seat by Apple Bloom, stroking over her back gingerly. “Why don’tcha tell us all about it, Apple Bloom? Applejack shared that letter ya’ sent but Ah’m sensin’ there’s more to the story.”

There was, and Apple Bloom obliged, spilling everything that was bouncing around her head and giving every detail she could remember. From how she felt about the ever-increasing amount of work to how she transitioned into the work regardless. How everything in the world seemed to be playing against her with multiple illnesses and injuries to tend to. Being bed-ridden and thinking all was lost. “And Ah couldn’t help wonderin’ so many times if Ah was even capable...” She fell silent after that.

Her parents shared another glance over their daughter, not sure what to say. Apple Bloom broke the silence herself again a moment later. “But...” The euphoria from being done was an eternal source of positivity within her. “Ah did. Nopony doubted me… ‘cept myself.”

Pa grinned and pulled the straw hat over her eyes. She fidgeted with it while shoveling more food in. “An’ everypony was right. Not like we were settin’ out ta test you or anythin’. The apples fell from the tree just so.”

“We tried everythin’,” Ma agreed. She slid her hoof around Apple Bloom’s side to yank her into a comforting embrace that the yellow pony reluctantly sank into. Ma gave Pa another look before staring at Apple Bloom face to face. “Ya’ went through a lot of tough times. An’ we wanted to apologize for puttin’ you through all that...”

Jonagold chose his words carefully. “Ya’ ain’t… upset with us, are ya’?”

Apple Bloom looked between the two ponies, frowning. They sat in the stretched silence with baited breath as their daughter reached with a hoof… to take another bite and gulp it down. “If Ah’m bein’ completely honest, there were times Ah was. With all y’all. Granny an’ mah brother an’ sis included.” Ma gripped her a little tighter. Pa cringed some. “But that was mostly the stress. Everythin’ pilin’ on top of each other. Assumin’ the beasts of Tartarus would get loose if’n Ah couldn’t do it.” Another bite. “It ain’t… Ah never blamed y’all, really. May have said some things but Ah never meant it. And now...” She took another bite then let go of her utensil, wrapping hooves around her gripping mother and squeezing. “Ah’m stronger for it. Made new friends.” She pressed a cheek against her mother and nuzzled slightly, peeking up at her father. “Made ponies proud. Made family proud. What more could a girl ask for?”

Both parents mentally sighed in relief. They were ready for a storm. But their daughter did not hold any resentment. Jonagold covered his muzzle and cleared his throat steadily. He sniffed a little, and did all he could to not shed a tear in front of his daughter. Pride in one’s children did things to a pony. “Well ya’ have that right,” he said finally. The large stallion embraced the other two ponies in a strong hug. “We couldn’t be more proud of you, Apple Bloom.”

Apple Bloom wished the moment would last forever, lost in the embrace of family. No pressures or responsibilities to tend to immediately after. It did in fact last for some time. Up until a clock somewhere began to chime. Ma was the first to recover when all three flinched at the sudden noise. “Alright Apple Bloom. Go ahead and finish up. ‘Bout time we wake the farm an’ get everypony fed and movin’. Still a lotta work ta do.”

Apple Bloom’s eyes widened. Pa chuckled. “Not fer you. Ya’ did more than enough a’ your share. We’ll get to unloadin’ and finishin’ up our work ‘round the grove.” The two parents stood and started prepping plates of hot breakfast for the many ponies still slumbering.

“Can Ah alert the masses?” Apple Bloom volunteered, also standing (after clearing her plate). Valencia, already headed out the kitchen, paused and nodded.

“Go ahead, sweetheart. Sound the alarm,” she smiled. Apple Bloom grinned fiercely and trotted out the back door. Many picnic tables were outlined in the back yard, and in the middle of it all was stationed a dinner bell with a rope dangling from it. Apple Bloom wasted no time trotting up to that bell and giving its rope a yank.

After a solid 10 seconds of ringing, leaving her ears ringing too, Apple Bloom sucked in a deep breath and bellowed to the world: “Soooup’s on, everypony!” A Pavlovian cacophony of hooves pounding on wood thundered through the grove, ponies rifling through the large farm house in droves. They’d fallen into a routine over the course of repairing the grove and that morning was as unremarkable as the rest to them at first. That was, until they caught the scent of pancakes and eggs frying in the kitchen. A proper farmpony breakfast was something they’d not had all week, and spirits rose considerably at the prospect of working on a fuller stomach.

Apple Bloom had since taken a seat at the edge of a picnic table, looking over the state of Green Apple Grove while ponies emerged from the back door of the farm house alone or in pairs. From what she could see, things were taking a turn for the better. An army of farmponies working to recover land hit by disaster over the course of days would do that. Structures were mostly complete. The land itself only looked as if a bad storm had blown through as opposed to a swarm of voracious insects.

Apple Bloom wondered how much more there was to be done, and how many mouths there were to feed with the bounty she brought, while ponies continued pouring out from the farm house. Most were initially concerned about waking up and enjoying a proper hot breakfast for once, filling out the benches and chowing down. When Apple Bloom turned to pony-watch, she saw mostly familiar faces. Apple family reunions were not-irregular in her life and the sudden requirement to fix up Green Apple Grove was practically one, minus all the fun and games associated with them. A few did catch Apple Bloom’s presence and said hello. For most of breakfast Apple Bloom idly mingled, answering the same few questions on repeat as ponies left to finish breakfast and others came up to interrogate. How was your week? Did you bring the order? When did you get a new manecut? That hat looks just like your dad’s; where’d you get it?

Apple Bloom reveled in the casual family chatter. Moments like these were the kind she lived for.

An hour passed before everypony was finishing with waking up and eating breakfast, the picnic tables full of conversation. Apple Bloom mostly listened, just taking the whole scene in and sighing softly with a smile. As she expected, about the only ponies she didn’t see were Big Macintosh and Applejack. With their overnight trip those two were still slumbering away. The chit-chat died down when Jonagold stood and cleared his throat to get their attention, Valencia at his side. He doled out the morning tasks for them all. Unlike previous days, several pairs were assigned to take the recently-arrived bushels of apples to various locations of need around the countryside where the Parasprites had rampaged.

“An’ lastly, ‘fore we start, Ah wanted y’all to give special thanks ta Apple Bloom. Without her tireless efforts we’d be ‘bout a thousand bushels short of stock ‘round now. Let’s give her a hoof!” Jonagold started the applause, stomping his hooves to the ground. Apple Bloom flushed deeply, sinking in her seat as a chorus of whoops and stomps rattled through the back yard. She received a hearty pound on the back from the mare seated next to her, nearly knocking her from her seat. It was almost too much for her to take in.

Shortly thereafter the ponies got up and set out to do their work. Several passed Apple Bloom, giving her additional remarks of gratification, hugs, back-poundings, or simply a grateful smile. Apple Bloom’s cheeks were still rosy when she got up herself, following others around the house to the front, where the wagon train awaited. Everything was still there, no bushel disturbed, when the Apple ponies set siege to it. The train was dismantled, reins were distributed, and pairs of earth ponies got themselves attached. It all happened in a flash, and before Apple Bloom knew it the hundreds of bushels of apples were headed their separate ways. All that work she did was being ferried off in several directions, ponies taking known roads and trails, anywhere they knew a wagon could be safely driven. Apple Bloom sat and watched her week’s worth of effort dwindle down to nothing, dots representing wagons eventually shrinking off in the horizon against the rising sun.

When the last apple-laden wagon trundled off, Apple Bloom stood and stretched. In an odd way she’d felt an attachment to those apples. She farmed most of them and was ultimately responsible for them being here. And just like that, all that work was gone for good. Apple Bloom swore it was all the fatigue and burdens she carried that made her feel that way. It took a lot more energy than she realized for her to turn away from the last of the disappearing bounty and rejoin the remaining workers and family in the back yard.

It was the sort of attachment only farmponies would understand.

Once back in the yard Apple Bloom lounged in the grass, watching everypony work. Nopony begrudged her rest. Except for Apple Bloom. It wasn’t long before the young mare was more bored than anything. That combined with the smallest twinges of guilt at seeing everypony else slaving away prompted her to get up and ask for what she could do. Despite some gentle objections from both of her parents she set out, promising to not work too hard. Apple Bloom wandered from place to place across the grove, chipping in wherever she could lend a hoof. From transporting building materials or tools around, to planting a fresh tree or two, to helping put the finishing touches on a silo that needed repairs, Apple Bloom was able to throw herself into the work and be useful.

By the time afternoon rolled around for a break Apple Bloom was coated in sweat, but wasn’t slowed at all. Despite all the work she was doing, Apple Bloom wasn’t bucking trees. With her hooves – previously-injured or otherwise – given the day off, Apple Bloom felt great. She was contributing, mingling, and helping Green Apple Grove get back together. Most importantly: She wasn’t facing a looming deadline of any sort. Ponies, including herself, took short breaks whenever needed.

All things considered it was a relatively light working day for Apple Bloom, but the afternoon was growing long and others were requiring rest. Ponies slowly amassed in the back yard once more to grab a bite as the dinner hour approached. It was light fare, basic salads that couldn't compare to the hearty breakfast earlier, but with the hard-working ponies still coasting on that morning meal, it sufficed.

And salads tasted much better than grass.

Most ponies were well into dinner conversation when Applejack emerged from the house, rubbing an eye and balancing a salad bowl on her back. She spotted Apple Bloom chomping away and moved to join her. Apple Bloom caught her sister’s approach and made room on the picnic table bench, the older sibling plopping down and throwing a hoof around her. “Howdy.” She tipped the brim of her hat, then tugged Apple Bloom’s over her eyes with a giggle. “Holdin’ up?”

Apple Bloom giggled and pushed the straw hat back up, nestling into the hug a moment before returning to her salad. “Yep. Everythin’s great Applejack. If a day like this is s’posed ta be difficult, Ah can say a life a’farmin’ll be a walk in the park.” The sisters shared a laugh and sighed in tandem, Applejack scanning the grove and waving to the occasional passer-by.

“It ain’t all been sunshine an’ daisies, y’know. Neither here er’ back home. Not that you don’t know,” Applejack chuckled. “But we’ve turned a corner here. Last day for a lotta folk. Us included.” Apple Bloom peeked up from her salad. “Me an’ Big Mac got plenty a’ shuteye to pull another all-nighter. Still some work that needs doin’ round here but the locals can finish up.”

“So you two’ll be pullin’ again? Ushering your royal little sis in her pillowy palanquin?”

“Not jus’ you,” Applejack replied. “Ma an’ Pa too.” Apple Bloom nearly choked on her next bite.

“R-r-really?” she stammered after managing to gulp it down. Apple Bloom had been all set to say her goodbyes. “B-but Ah thought they had ta stay ta run things here.”

“That was the plan initially,” Applejack nodded. “But Ma got her sis and brother-in-law ta take over. Them Oranges ain’t much fer manual labor but they excel at tellin’ other ponies what to do.” The pair laughed again. “But hey, they’re here an’ they have been all week. Gotta give ‘em credit.”

“An’ they’re lettin’ ‘em come home too,” Apple Bloom agreed. The siblings finished their salads and chatted the rest of the afternoon away.

Evening sprung upon the grove after supper and a bit more work was done. It all flew by for Apple Bloom, and before she knew it she was making to go home. The youngest Apple and her immediate family were setting up in the same wagon Apple Bloom rode up in. Big Macintosh and Applejack got the reins hooked up to themselves. Valencia climbed up into the wagon proper, with Jonagold following suit. Apple Bloom was last, saying goodbye to a few family members before leaving. She went out of her way to hug Aunt and Uncle Orange, the two stifled under her strong grip. After that, the yellow farmpony climbed into the wagon herself, nearly stumbling on the way up, but two hooves steadied her. Apple Bloom’s folks helped her in and the three settled.

“All set back there?” Big Mac called, testing his harness.

“All set, son,” Jonagold replied, poking his head out and scanning over Green Apple Grove one last time.

“Ready as we’ll ever be!” Apple Bloom chirped, poking her head out too. She reached up and plucked off the straw hat and plopped it between Jonagold’s ears. He laughed and rustled her mane.

Valencia nudged her head out too, sandwiching Apple Bloom between her parents. She looked not at the Orchard but to her family. “Let’s go home.”

* * *

Apple Bloom was up most of the night. Not feeling tired or worn out from the work of the day coupled with having no need to awaken early the next day, she had little incentive to sleep in lieu of spending some quality time with her family. Many stories were swapped between the five traveling Apples. They told jokes and sang songs and caught each other up on the events of their lives over the past several years, something nopony had time for while working in the grove. It wasn’t until long after the moon had risen did Jonagold and Valencia retire for the evening, settling down in the back of the wagon, nestled against one-another under a shared blanket and pair of pillows. Apple Bloom stayed up later still with Big Macintosh and Applejack, who diligently led the wagon to Ponyville. Even when they fell silent, Apple Bloom kept at it (albeit at lower volumes to let their parents rest in peace). Her older siblings didn’t mind the company at all: They enjoyed seeing Apple Bloom relieved of her stress and having somepony else to talk to while they pulled the wagon along.

It was past midnight when Apple Bloom finally petered out. Her voice was hoarse from talking so much, body hanging limp over the edge of the wagon. Big Macintosh craned his head back and gently nudged Apple Bloom into the wagon proper. She waved a hoof feebly in protes, but then made a nest out of the remaining available bedding and settled down. She yawned deeply, and could just make out the silhouette of her slumbering parents in the moonlight. Apple Bloom fell asleep peacefully. She wasn’t dead tired from sheer exhaustion nor fraught with worry. Apple Bloom was content, and slept without burdens or fears. She slept soundly, letting the ambient hoofsteps and wood creaking wash over her.

The wagon at large was quiet for the rest of the night. Applejack and Big Macintosh got everypony home safely about an hour before dawn the next morning. The two were mostly awake and not strained at all. Pulling a single mostly-empty wagon was a cinch compared to the wagon train they had to haul the night before, and this time they were acting off a good night’s rest instead of playing against a 24 hour shift between grove work and wagon-pulling. Jonagold and Valencia had awakened shortly before arriving home, the two huddled next to each other and looking out the back of the wagon together. Occasionally they checked on Apple Bloom, still slumbering peacefully, but they spent most of the time setting their sights on their home town and countryside.

Apple Bloom was lost in a deep, dreamless, peaceful sleep well into morning. She would’ve kept sleeping there in the wagon, had a large hoof not gently jostled her awake. “Whozat?” She sat her head up, eyes closed against the morning light as she cut loose with a large yawn. She stretched and chanced a peek open, spying Big Macintosh looming over her.

“Mornin’ sleepyhead,” he greeted gently. The stallion reached down with his head and pulled away the blankets Apple Bloom was nestled under. “Almost noon.”

Apple Bloom started to confirm what she heard, stalled by a stammering yawn. She ran a hoof through her mane and shook her head, opting to take his word for it. “Guess Ah’m still a bit tuckered from all that work the past week.” She smiled sleepily up at her big brother and, with his help, stumbled on out of the wagon. She idly thwacked a hoof through the air to shield her eyes, as if she could bat the light away, but otherwise was mostly awake. “S’pose Ah missed breakfast too? Good thing it’s about time for lunch. Ah’m starvin’.”

Big Macintosh chuckled. “Right this way, yer royal highness,” he teased. Apple Bloom giggled and toddled on after the stallion. She took a deep breath of fresh Sweet Apple Acres air and looked around. She was home. The apples were delivered. Her job was done. More happy thoughts were interrupted as the red earth pony turned not towards the house, but the barn. “Big Mac? Where we goin’?” The stallion merely turned his head to look at Apple Bloom and smirked, remaining silent. Apple Bloom quirked and eyebrow but shrugged. Whatever he had to show she’d oblige for a time, but the creeping hunger was already starting to tug at her.

Big Macintosh strode forward some extra paces and opened the barn door, gesturing for Apple Bloom to enter first. It was dark. Apple Bloom was in the middle of a yawn when– “SURPRISE!” Light flooded the barn, Apple Bloom gawking at all the ponies inside cheering, lining the stalls and walls. There were balloons and streamers flinging through the air, and a large spread of tasty party food along a large table down the middle. Apple Bloom rubbed her eyes and blinked to focus while Big Macintosh trundled by her and joined Applejack, Jonagold, and Valencia. Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and several others from Apple Bloom’s class stood around a smiling Cheerilee. Sir Colton Vines III and Gale Force stood by each other, toasting Apple Bloom with glasses of apple cider.

Granny Smith was standing by an excited Winona near the entrance. Until the collie charged forward and pounced the shocked Apple Bloom, showering her in affection. Apple Bloom laughed and gently pushed the dog off, petting her while everypony else laughed. “Welcome back, youngin’,” Granny smiled.

“Turns out Granny Smith was plannin’ ya’ a little shindig fer all your hard work,” Applejack said. “So when we got home we helped get everything all set up. Luckily you gave us all plenty a’ time ta get ready.”

Apple Bloom laughed. “Probably woulda’ slept through the day if’n Big Mac didn’t wake me.” She smiled brightly to all her friends and family in the barn. “Ah’m touched, everypony. Really. Don’t know what Ah can say… Without all y’all’s help, Ah dunno if I coulda’ done what I did...”

“Oh sure you could’ve,” Gale piped in. “You just would’ve found some other way if we weren’t around. Well, maybe you needed my help specifically...”

“Daaad!” Scootaloo groaned, but giggled along with the rest.

“Alright, that’s enough,” Granny insisted. “This is a party, ain’t it? Let’s party!” Winona let her agreement be known with a bark, and the festivities began in earnest. Ponies mingled. The younger ones (Apple Bloom especially) got at the food and stuffed themselves silly. Apple Bloom made her rounds with the ponies present, thinking this was what celebrities must go through all the time. Everypony wanted to greet and talk with her, the mare of the hour. Apple Bloom was all-too-happy to oblige. Eventually ponies began mingling with one-another and settling down with their food, giving Apple Bloom a moment’s peace with her own. Whileshe was working on her third slice of cake, settled in a corner of the barn, Scootaloo perched up on a stall fence just behind her. Sweetie Belle found a seat on the earth pony’s opposite side. All three featured icing stains on their lips.

“Sooo I’m guessing everything went good?” Scootaloo chirped, leaning over her perch and flicking her tail. “Got enough apples there safe and everything?”

“Mmf,” Apple Bloom assented through a large bite of cake.

“And are those your folks?” Sweetie Belle asked, pointing over to her parents.

“Mmf.”

Scootaloo squinted at them. “Yeah I can kinda see that.” She turned her gaze down towards Apple Bloom’s flanks. “You know, after doing something as monumental as this I was sure you were gonna get your cutie mark.”

“Mmf?” Apple Bloom finally swallowed, then looked down at herself. “Huh. You know, never crossed my mind.”

Sweetie Belle rubbed her chin, deep in thought. “Well that’s how it usually works right? Nopony stares at their cutie mark when it appears right?”

“Yeah! Like Dad says: A watched cloud never boils! Or something like that...”

The other two Crusaders theorized while Apple Bloom just listened and had a revelation of her own: Strangely enough, she didn’t care that her cutie mark hadn’t appeared. She didn’t need the mark to tell here where she belonged or what she was good at. She knew. Apple Bloom was positive she demonstrated it plenty over the past week. Apple Bloom finished up her cake and set the plate down. Grinning to her chatting Crusaders, she leapt up and yanked Scootaloo down. The pegasus yelped as Apple Bloom clutched the two together in a big group hug. “Thanks girls. Fer real.”

Scootaloo protested the physical display of affection, but quickly gave up. Sweetie Belle was all too happy to oblige. They broke the eventually and Apple Bloom excused herself, aiming to get a glass of cider. On her way to the punch bowl she nearly tripped over a small filly returning from it. “Whoops!” Apple Bloom yelped, managing to keep her balance. “Oh… hey Sweet Pea!”

The tiny filly only just barely managed to not spill her glass and blushed some. “H-hey Apple Bloom! I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

“Course not.” Apple Bloom dusted Sweet Pea off and giggled, following her back to the gaggle of students enjoying all the free sugary treats. “Really glad y’all made it out for this. Really ‘preciate it.” Sweet Pea smiled and settled among the students. They all glanced up to Apple Bloom. “...All y’all really. Meant what I said earlier. All the help y’all gave...”

A purple hoof rested on Apple Bloom’s shoulder. “Think nothing of it, Apple Bloom. That’s what friends are for.” Apple Bloom looked up over her shoulder and beamed at Cheerilee. The teacher took a seat by Apple Bloom and started in on her own piece of cake while the farmpony took a sip of her drink. “Now that your extra farm work is over, I expect you back in class first thing tomorrow.”

Apple Bloom blinked. Another thing she didn’t consider. She nodded though, knowing that things were indeed settling back to normal.

“And don’t worry. We saved all your missed work for when you get back too.” Cheerilee took another casual bite.

A tiny choking sound was heard. Cheerilee smirked down at Apple Bloom, cheeks puffed out with cake, and winked. The students surrounding them giggled, Apple Bloom eventually catching on and joining in. Apple Bloom spent the next bit answering a sudden onslaught of questions from the curious foals. Most hadn’t so much as thought about farming before they spent some time helping Apple Bloom out. Now they seemed to have a keen interest. They kept up seemingly-incessantly before Cheerilee intervened. “Alright that’s quite enough. Apple Bloom can give a little Q&A at the schoolhouse all about farming when she’s up to it. For extra credit, of course.”

Apple Bloom hadn’t minded the questions but was grateful for the intervention. “That’s right,” she smiled, downing the rest of her drink in a gulp.

“You did a good job, Apple Bloom,” Cheerilee said, smiling to her pupil. “The whole town’s proud of you.”

“I… The whole town?”

“Of course. You know how you all can get.” Cheerilee gestured to the giggling students. “Couldn’t resist telling everypony how they got to play farmer. And, naturally, questions were asked. Don’t be shocked if… this isn’t your last surprise party.” Apple Bloom laughed. Then yelped as she was suddenly abducted. Her glass tumbled to the straw with a dull thunk.

Apple Bloom felt the rush of air stop as soon as it started, finding herself settled on a support beam up in the rafters. Gale Force flared his wings and furled them up, perching beside Apple Bloom. “Everypony’s just dead set on just hogging the belle of the ball. Had to resort to desperate measures.” He winked. Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. “You’re welcome by the way.”

“Fer what?” She squinted with a smirk.

“Making the weather nice. Had to call in a favor with Cold Front to forestall the planned thunderstorm.”

Apple Bloom gawked. “Another one? Didn’t that monsoon a few days ago make enough fer the year?”

“Weather’s complicated,” Gale shrugged, grinning broadly down at the young mare. “Point is: You’re welcome.”

The earth pony stood up on the beam and bowed deeply. “Thank you, gracious Gale, fer fixin’ the weather ta be so nice… fer this indoor party.”

“Hey! You know how humid it’d get in here?” The pegasus huffed. He ruffled her mane with a laugh then pulled her into a hug. “You did good kid.”

“So Ah keep hearin’… an’ appreciatin’,” Apple Bloom admitted, hugging back. “An’ thank you for yer help. Ya’ make a great apple picker an’ taxi.”

The pegasus giggled like a colt, a gleam of mischief in his eye. “Little scamp. Can’t say I’d make a good taxi. Would any taxi pony bail on their clientele?” he asked as he leapt off, spread his wings, and glided to the barn floor.

“Hey!” Apple Bloom found herself abandoned up in the rafters. She rolled her eyes again and marched along the railing with ease, making her way over to a stack of bales near the back. The Crusaders spent many an hour getting to places they shouldn’t be. The rafters of the Sweet Apple Acres barn was hardly a challenge to overcome. A hop skip and a jump led Apple Bloom back down to earth safely, the pony landing on four sure hooves with a flick of the tail. The little stunt was all it took for the pony to crave more cake. She was about to fetch it when a voice stopped her.

“Neat trick. Sure you aren’t an acrobat?”

Apple Bloom turned on the spot and snickered. “Ah dunno. Would that make you the rodeo clown?” Apple Bloom trotted forward and gave Colton a warm hug, squeezing just enough to make the stallion wince.

“Alright alright, I give,” Colton relented. Apple Bloom loosened her grip and flicked her head towards the table.

“How ‘bout some cake?” she offered. Colton agreed and the two fed themselves another slice. “Now let me guess: Yer gonna say ‘you did good’?”

“You did well.” The two farmponies took a seat near the table and worked on their respective slices of cake. “So how was the trip?”

“Uneventful.” Apple Bloom stretched casually. “Delivered a ton-a’ bushels of apples on time. Saved the day. No big deal.”

“Ohh that’s it? Hm. Guess it’s good you don’t use those superpowers for evil.” He took a bite and chortled through it.

“See? Such a clown ya’ even laugh at yer own jokes.” Apple Bloom nudged against her friend. They both laughed, and sighed. “S’pose another nice thing that happened outta all this is that Ah got ta meet ya’.” Apple Bloom admitted after a while. “...And totally outsold ya’ at the marketplace.”

“Hey! I let you win!” he defended mockingly. “Sounds like a rematch is in order. How’s next weekend sound?”

“Done.” She held up a hoof that Colton bumped back, sealing the deal. “Look forward ta outsellin’ ya two ta one!”

“Right back at you,” he hummed, busying himself with his cake amid his smirking. He glanced up only when something else caught his attention, then tapped Apple Bloom on the shoulder and nodded in a direction. “Looks like your folks want a word with you.”

Apple Bloom glanced up, cheeks full of cake, seeing Valencia waving her over. “S’pose so! Catch up with you later Colton?”

“Sounds good Apple Bloom. See ya’ around.” Apple Bloom finished her cake and snuck a last quick hug in and left Colton at the table. She walked on over to the Apples, all gathered together near the open barn doors and basking in the afternoon sunlight. Jonagold was idly chatting with Granny Smith, looking up to smile at Apple Bloom. Big Macintosh was busying himself running a hoof over Winona’s upturned belly, the dog lolling out in the sunlight with her tail wagging away slowly. Apple Bloom sat down by Applejack, who smiled to her sister and tossed another hoof over her shoulder. Their mother sat on Apple Bloom’s other side. “So uh… Family meetin’?”

“More like a family reunion,” Valencia said gently. “Complete with a family photo.” Apple Bloom’s mother pointed out of the barn where a tripod had been set up, complete with a pony fussing behind it. The entire Apple Family re-seated themselves to get in position. Winona even sat up for the occasion, perched on the edge of the line of ponies. Apple Bloom tried to make the brightest smile when the camera pony indicated, and she held it until long after the flash went off.

Jonagold adjusted his hat. “Perfect,” he judged. He turned to face his three children with a big smile. “Now as me and Granny were discussin’, me an’ yer mother don’t have too much in store fer us anytime soon, so it’s lookin’ like y’all’ll have a couple extra sets of hooves this Applebuck Season. Hearth’s Warmin’ too.”

“Really?!” Applejack exclaimed. The other two siblings expressed similar sounds of joy. “Well if that ain’t the best present fer this lil’ party I dunno what is!” Before Jonagold got another word out he found himself pounced by two mares and a stallion. Valencia and Granny joined, with Winona perched on top, all laughing uproariously. The other party-goers inside joined in on the laughter that carried about the farm for a good 30 seconds.

Apple Bloom managed to wiggle her way out the bottom of the pile halfway, resting a hoof on her cheek and staring out at the orchard and all the trees it possessed. “Ah’m so proud ta be in this family...” She yanked herself free, looking back at the others all sorting themselves out from the pile. Applejack helped Valencia and Granny Smith up. Winona assisted by not getting in the way, bounding around them all. Big Macintosh and Jonagold rose together, with the red pony fighting back tears as the news really sunk in for the stallion. He and his father shared a tight embrace, leaving Apple Bloom with a warm smile on her muzzle. With nopony paying attention to her for the moment, she took the opportunity to slip away into the orchard.

* * *

Apple Bloom could just make out the sounds of the party still going on down at the barn. Her apple tree was there waiting for her when she arrived. Apple Bloom groaned as she lowered herself down to the ground and rotated to lean her back and head up against against the bark. The Red Delicious tree she’d planted all those years ago held firm, sparsely dotted with its namesake fruit. She idly stretched her legs one at a time and wiggled her shoulders to get comfortable while staring over Sweet Apple Acres. The mid-afternoon sun blanketed the land and the burden-free earth pony in a gentle, caressing warmth. Apple Bloom soaked in the sun’s rays and watched the shadows of her tree’s branches dance over her coat and mane. She glanced down to her hooves, no one distinguishable from the other, showing clear signs of labor but by no means injured any more.

Separated from all the noise and her body desiring rest after so much food and a very long week, Apple Bloom pondered a nap. She pursed her lips in thought with her eyes fighting to stay open. “This is where Ah truly belong,” she spoke with absolute authority. There wasn’t a single doubt in her mind. “Ain’t no place Ah’d rather be.” The not-quite-so-young mare stretched once more, arching her back in the process, then flumped completely limp, allowing her eyes to close and her mind to drift. Her tree provided shade while standing among all the others dotting the farm, diligent and unwavering. “Standin’ alongside all my fellow Applies. My family...” Apple Bloom’s head slouched with one final resolution in her head and her heart. Never Alone.

The earth pony soon slept silently in the grass, an autumn breeze making the trees hum softly all about her and filling the air with the sweet scents of apples.

Never alone...

A bright shimmering light hummed into existence under the Red Delicious tree, emanating from the napping earth pony. That glow faded as quickly as it was wrought, twinkling sparkles falling to earth, Apple Bloom snoozing contentedly through it all. What was left after the display was a single red apple, shining on each of Apple Bloom’s flanks. Another little breeze cut through the orchard, loosing an apple from the tree above. It tumbled down and rolled to a stop near a twitching hoof. The color of Apple Bloom’s cutie mark shone as vibrantly as the apple that now rested beside it.

Apple Bloom napped away her afternoon up in the orchard, accompanied by her tree and the sights and sounds of Sweet Apple Acres. She’d found herself. Discovered and fought against her limitations. Pushed herself to the brink. When the chips were down and those fears and challenges were faced head-on: She conquered. She rested easily knowing that family was always there for her.

Apple Bloom was never truly alone.

An Apple Alone

by Blue Thrush

Growing Pains

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

Bruised Apple

The Ties That Bind

To Market, to Market

Back to Basics

One Thousand Bushels

Dog Days

Weight of the World

An Unwelcome Respite

The Fruits of Her Labor

A Most Welcome Respite