Applejack was at her farm, doing her usual chores, apple bucking and whatnot. She hoped to hurry though, the sooner she was done, the sooner she could go and spend some time with the pony she loves, Rarity.
"Ok, just gotta finish up this orchid, shouldn't take too long", Applejack said, ready to get to each tree.
As she started working, Apple Bloom rushed over to her with a letter in her mouth.
"Applejack!" Apple Bloom said to the best of her ability, "Letter!"
Applejack grabbed the letter and opened, "It's from Braeburn, what does he want?"
'Dear Applejack, I hate to bother you as I know you're pretty busy, but I'm just getting desperate. We need to harvest some apples for a big feast but we're a little short on help here. The town's pitching in the best they could but they all have their own tasks to handle. I was hoping you could come help us, bring Apple Bloom and Big Macintosh. Also if you can, see if your friends can help, it would mean a lot. You don't have to do this, it's completely optional, but it would mean a lot of you could spare some time, I'll make it up to you if you do. Love your cousin, Braeburn'.
Applejack sighed, "Looks like Braeburn needs our help".
"Are we gonna go help him?" Apple Bloom asked.
Applejack nodded, "It's what family does sis, besides it would be nice to see Braeburn. Silly as he is, he's always a pleasure to be around".
"What about our friends? We gonna bring everypony?" Apple Bloom wondered.
"Everypony that wants to come, I'm sure Cloudchaser would love to see Braeburn again, considering how much she seems to like him," Applejack said with a giddy smile.
Apple Bloom giggled, "Yeah, she does. It's kinda sweet though, I hope they can get together".
"Yeah, that'd be nice. Cloudchaser's a great mare, wouldn't mind having her as a cousin".
"Not to mention Flitter has the ambition to be our sister-in-law, who would think that she would have a crush on Big Macintosh?" Apple Bloom said.
"Lot's of mares like Big Mac, Flitter's gonna have some competition," Applejack said.
Both mares chuckled at that, the idea that Flitter and Cloudchaser could very well be official members of the Apple Family.
"Anyway, best to get the others, see who wants to join us on our trip to Appaloosa", Applejack said.
Apple Bloom eagerly nodded, "Yeah, let's go."
The two Apple sisters went to go find Big Macintosh so they can round up their friends.
In another part of the town, Twilight Sparkle and Trixie Lulamoon are sitting and chatting over some tea while six Pegasi flew overhead.
Flying in the sky were Rainbow Dash , her coltfriend Thunderlane, his brother Rumble, their friends Flitter and Cloudchaser and finally an old rival Lightning Dust. They were doing their usual practice routines. Since Lightning had decided to stay in Ponyville she had gotten a bit closer to Rainbow Dash and her friends, especially Rumble.
Trixie is also enjoying life in Ponyville, being with her marefriend Lightning Dust as well as befriending a rival turned friend in Twilight Sparkle.
Applejack had soon arrived with Apple Bloom and the letter, getting the attention of Twilight and Trixie.
"Applejack! Care to join us?" Twilight asked.
"We have plenty of beverages, though I suggest you get some before our flying friends come down and drink everything", Trixie said.
Applejack shook her head, "Thanks, but that's not why I'm here, ah got a letter from mah cousin Braeburn and-"
"Braeburn!?" They heard Cloucshader call. She flew down and eagerly got close to Applejack, "What about Braeburn!?"
Applejack gestured for Cloudchaser to calm herself, "Whoa there, I'll tell you in a moment, I'd like fer the others to come down and-"
"Hey! Dash! Thunder! Dust! Sis! Rumble! Get your sorry butts down here right now! Applejack's got news on Braeburn!" Cloudchaser shouted.
Applejack glared half-eyed at Cloudchaser as the Pegusai touched down.
"Damn Cloud, I know you like Braeburn and all but wow, I expected a little more maturity from you", Rainbow said.
"Hey I like the guy, kinda like to have him for myself soon," Cloudchaser said.
Rumble shook his head and turned to Applejack, "What does Braeburn want?"
"He's asked me to come to Appaloosa and help him with some apple bucking, apparently it's a bigger harvest this time around and needs mah help. So ah figured I'd invite you all to come and see him, maybe to help or just to have a little mini-vacation. So what do y'all say?" Applejack waited on an answer.
"Totally, I'll take any opportunity to be with that stallion, he just makes me so happy", Cloudchaser said with a sly grin.
"I should go to, mainly to keep my sister leveled around Braeburn", Flitter said.
"Hey if he needs help apple bucking, I'm all for it", Rainbow Dash said.
"I suppose I can help too", Thunderlane said.
"We all can, I'll round everypony up and we can get going", Twilight offered.
Applejack had a relieved smile, "Thanks y'all, yer the best".
Rumble looked to Apple Bloom, "You're going too right?"
Apple Bloom nodded, "Yeah, ah can get the other girls to come, it'll be fun with the four of us, who knows, we can do a little crusading there".
Rumble raised his eyebrow, "Crusade for what? You got your Cutie Marks".
Apple Bloom turned to her Cutie Mark, "Oh right", she had a sheepish smile, "Force of habit sometimes."
"Well it's cute, still I'm sure there's plenty of fun things to do over there," Rumble said.
"I'm sure, considering how much mah cousin loves talking about it," Apple Bloom said.
"I'm sure he loves that place almost as much as I love you," Rumble said with a kiss to her muzzle.
Apple Bloom did a quiet giggle, "Oh Rumble, yer too sweet. Well ah guess we should let the others know."
"Yeah, lets get to it," Rumble said and went to talk to the other fillies.
Two days later, the ponies were packed and ready to go to Appaloosa, having boarded the train and set off.
The Apple Family; Applejack, Apple Bloom and Big Macintosh were there obviously, Rainbow Dash and her Pegasus friends were also there. Twilight had come, joined by Spike as usual. Rarity was there with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo came to join her friends. Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy were both there, missing their coltfriends Cheese Sandwich and Soarin. Cheese had a party in another city to set up, Soarin had to do a Wonderbolts show, but both promised to get to Appaloosa ASAP if they were able to. Even Trixie and Lightning Dust came along for the ride.
"So what's Appaloosa like anyway?" Rumble asked.
"Not too bad, it's an old fashioned town, friendly folks, good apples, you'd like it", Applejack said.
"Plus the pies", Spike said.
That earned a few giggles.
"Yes, the pies are good too", Twilight said.
While on the train Applejack looked outside and noticed something strange, "Something ain't right, this scenery don't look too familiar".
Pinkie looked outside, "Yes it does, this looks like the path to my family's rock farm".
That caught Thunderlane's attention, "Your family's rock farm? Wait what exactly did you do there?"
"Duh, we farmed rocks", Pinkie said with a big smile.
Thunderlane raised his eyebrow, "How does that answer my-"
Pinkie let out a big gasp that interrupted Thunderlane, "Maybe we can stop by the farm! Say 'hi' to my family!"
Trixie looked unsure about that, "Is that necessary, I'm sure we need to get to Appaloosa as soon as possible."
Applejack shook her head, "Actually we might need to take Pinkie on that offer, ah think this is the wrong train."
That caused a collective groan from her friends.
"What do you mean it's the wrong train!?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"How did that happen!?" Apple Bloom asked.
"What's keeping me from Braeburn!?" Cloudchaser shouted.
Flitter glared at her sister, "Sis, take it easy."
Cloudchaser huffed, "Right, sorry. Anyway what happened Applejack?"
"Ah think ah may have gotten the trains mixed up, ah don't think this is going to Appaloosa, this looks like the same train ride that took us to
the Pie Family Rock Farm," Applejack said.
That caused a collective groan from all the ponies, except Pinkie. She was hoping this means she can see her family again.
"Great, smooth move Applejack!" Rainbow complained.
"Hey it ain't mah fault, these things just happen!" Applejack shouted.
"You got us on the wrong train! We could have been really lost!" Rainbow shouted.
Twilight groaned at the constant fighting, "Come on everypony, fighting won't get this issue resolved. I say let's just get off at the next stop and see when the right train can take us there."
"Besides, we can see my family! I'm sure you'll all love them!" Pinkie said enthusiastically.
Applejack, Apple Bloom and Big Macintosh didn't look like they'd object. Despite the rocky start with the Pie family, they have grown closer to them.
Trixie however still seemed a bit bothered. It's no secret that she briefly worked at the Pie Family rock farm, and she hated the job. But there's another reason she doesn't wanna go there, one she never even told Lightning Dust. It's too awkward to reveal honestly, especially evident by the blush on her face.
"I guess it's no trouble, Maud's pretty cool, somewhat," Rainbow said.
"Plus I don't think we really got to see Pinkie's other sisters," Thunderlane said.
Pinkie hopped up and down, "Then let's do it! To the Rock Farm!"