Ahhh, you know what I do whenever I feel bored? Read manga all day while eating a bowl of chips and drinking a bottle of grape soda next to you. Yeah, it's been a week since then we receive those Grand Galloping Gala tickets, and now there hasn't been any problems around Ponyville, so now I'm bored.
I was busy reading my favorite two manga series, Pokemon and Dragon Ball Z, you all probably know what Pokemon is as it's an fictional series based on powerful creatures as the name entitles are on adventures with their trainers in hopes of being the best, and I prefer the Mystery Dungeon since I always love travelling in newly discovered places and such.
Dragon Ball Z is that anime people watched and when I first watched the first episode, I was so hype and excited to see so much action and such, since then, I fell in love with the series and watch almost every single episode with my brother. Man, I kinda miss those days but hopefully Princess Celestia will find a way to bring me back to my own world.
Suddenly, I began to feel a shaking sensation. "Whoa, what the heck?!" I said as I tried to grab on whatever I could find. Luckily, I put the top back on the soda, so it wouldn't spill, but what's causing all this shaking?
"STAMPEDE!" Huh? Was that Rainbow Dash and did she just say 'stampede'? I immediately grabbed my Megaphone Hacking Gun and ran outside to find out what was happening. When I raced out my front door of the Spaceship apartment, and rushed towards Ponyville.
Once I finally arrived, I saw everypony crashing into each other, all yelling 'Stampede!' Ponies were closing their windows and locking their doors.
I looked around and saw Pinkie Pie, who was the only one not panicking, why am I not surprise of her to not be panicking in a situation like this. "Hey...!" She laughed. "Thiiis maaakes myyy voooice soooound siiilly!"
"Pinkie Pie, are you crazy?!" I heard Twilight announce from the other side of the road. "RUN!"
"Everypony, calm down, there is no need to panic!" The mayor alerted outside.
"But, mayor! Whatever shall we do?" Rarity responded in a dramatic way. Well don't worry everypony, I'll stop the-
"Look, there!" What? I looked at what Rainbow Dash was pointing and across the river was a large stampede of...cows? What the heck? That's the trouble, okay maybe that is a problem, but this is what I wasn't expecting. But I saw a familiar cowmare running in the middle of the rampaging cows.
"YEEHAW!" Applejack cried as she tried to stop the stampede. When we the ponies saw her, they began cheering for her to save us. Applejack began rounding them up and collecting them in a straight and narrow line. Wow, I'm impress, well it makes since that she can do that. I mean, she is a farm mare after all you know.
All the ponies came out of their houses and saw her, they began to cheer for her to save us. While they watch, Pinkie Pie was holding a bag of popcorn in her hooves exclaiming "This is the best rodeo show I've ever seen!" She stuffed her face in the bag of popcorn. Wait, where did she get those? You know what, never mind. I'm not even gonna try to question...well about everything about her.
Applejack then pushed some cows to the side, jumped on one of them, and then lassoed the leader of the group. She pulled hard on the rope in order to change their direction to run along the river instead, all while cheering on.
The ponies cheered once again as Applejack pulled on the rope until the stampede came to a complete stop. She had a some short conversation with the cows, hmm, maybe she can speak to them just like Fluttershy? The cows turned around and went back to where they belong with Applejack following just in case they went on a stampede again.
After she left, the rest of Ponyville continued to cheer for saving the town. I let out a sigh and smile happily and walked over to where Mayor Mare, Twilight, and Rarity stood.
"Applejack was just...just..." The Mayor said couldn't find the words.
"Awesome?" I suggested, gaining their attention.
"Ren, what are you doing? I never expected you to be here." Twilight said surprised of my appearance.
"Well I was busy reading until I heard the stampede and tried to stop it, but I guess Applejack took care of it." I said smiling happily.
"Yes, she was very good handling those cows, it makes sense since she does take her job at Sweet Apple Acres seriously." Twilight said. Well, I mean it doesn't seem like a hard looking job, but still...
"Did anypony see that?! Applejack was...APPLE-TASTIC!" Pinkie Pie said appearing right between me and Twilight, much to our surprise.
"Exactly!" Mayor Mare agreed. "We must do something to thank Applejack for a single-hoofedly saving the town." Hoofedly? Yeah, I still need to learn the many languages they use in Equestria.
"I know..."
"Let me guess Pinkie, a party?" I asked.
"A PARTY!" Pinkie exclaimed in joy. Yep, thoughts so.
The next day, the whole town set up a celebration to commemorate Applejack's bravery for saving Ponyville, and I help with the celebration by putting up the streamers with some help from Rarity. Outside town hall, after completely finishing on decorating to honor the mare's heroic efforts, everypony waited patiently for the event to start. I was on stage with the others as we waited for Applejack to show up, but she hasn't.
"Are we all ready?" Twilight asked setting up her index cards.
"Just one last thing..." Rarity responded. She picked up a banner decorated with Applejack's symbols with her magic and placed it on top of a building. Wait, how could we miss that? "Now we're ready."
"Is Applejack all set?"
"Actually...I haven't seen her at all." Rainbow Dash said.
"Not since the Stampede yesterday." Pinkie Pie added. We all looked around and she wasn't present. Strange, this isn't like her to be late, wonder what could be up?
"Do you think something happen to her?" I asked in a worried expression.
"Don't worry Loodan, she'll be here for sure!" Rainbow Dash said in confidence. I rather not for her to say my last name, it's just...weird. "Applejack is NEVER late!"
"If you say so..." I said shrugging my shoulders.
"Okay everypony, let's go, I'm sure Applejack will be here." Twilight said as we began the opening ceremony. I just hope Applejack arrive in time.
"Welcome all of Ponyville!" She announced as the crowd quieted down. "Today, we are here to honor a pony we can rely on to help in any matter, big or small..." Wait, what about me? Don't we get medals since we save Ponyville, or better yet, Equestria? "She's a pony who-"
Rainbow Dash suddenly shoved Twilight aside, nearly tossing her cards everywhere. "Did you all see Applejack take care of that stampede?! How awesome was that?! But, during this week, AJ's gonna help me out with a sick trick I got planned, and it's gonna be so awesome!"
While the pegasus mare squished her cheeks at the end of her last line, gushing at how 'Awesome' her trick was going to be, I dragged Rainbow away from the podium so that Twilight can finish with her speech. The unicorn got back in place as she tried to remember where left off.
Besides, something about this trick Rainbow is planning has me at the end getting hit by Rainbow Dash, so it's best if I stay away from her for a while until she's done.
"Yes. Thank you, Rainbow Dash. And furthermore-" Twilight was once again interrupted yet again by Pinkie Pie as she somehow popped up from behind the podium.
"This week, I get to run Sugarcube Corner for the first time in ever!" Pinkie exclaimed, oblivious to Twilight glaring daggers at the back of her poofy hairstyle.
"And how is that even remotely related to Applejack?" I asked raising a brow.
"Oh.Right. She's gonna help me back some yummy treats, and we're going to be giving out free samples to everypony in Ponyville!" The crowed cheered, unable to wait for that day to happen. Of course they would celebrate something like that, I mean I would cheer and celebrate if I hear a new manga came out or a new video game.
"Great." Twilight mumbled as the pink pony bounced merrily away. "Now, if I could just make a point without being inter-"
"Twilight..." Fluttershy spoke up walking behind her.
"-rupted..." Wow, everypony sure do like interrupted others, do they?
Fluttershy took the podium and began talking. "Twilight, I'm so sorry, but I just wanted to mention that Applejack is also helping me this week with the official bunny census, where we count up all the new baby bunnies that were born this season. She's gonna help gather them using her wonderful herding skills." Okay, that's kinda adorable, that's something I would like to see, but let's just hope they're aren't like that 'Angel' Bunny of hers.
Fluttershy noticed the annoyed looked on Twilight's face and slowly backed out. Something in my head tells me that I shouldn't mess with her when she's talking.
"Anyone else...?Anyone...?" Twilight announced, but silence replied to her. "No? Well then, as I was trying to say..." Twilight and I noticed the mayor excitedly waiting to take the podium. "UGH! Never mind!" She threw her index cards all over the place and walked over to where I was standing while the mayor was about to give her next speech. Twilight pouted in anger that her speech was ruined.
"Next time, short and sweet. Not long and complicated." I told her giving her a smirk, which caused her to blush lightly.
"W-whatever..." She muttered angrily.
"Now, it is with great pleasure to award the Pony of Ponyville Award to our beloved guest of honor, a pony of the utmost trustworthiness, reliability, and integrity. Ponyville's most dependable and reliable friend; Applejack!" While the mayor introduced the farm pony, pointing out the gold trophy to the crowd, but Applejack was nowhere to be seen.
"...And she still isn't here yet." I said looking around the crowd. I soon heard someone coming out of the crowd, making their way forward. "No wait, never mind, she's here." I said as I saw Applejack moving out of the crowd and onto the stage, but I noticed something around her back, it appears those were baskets filled with apples, wonder if she busy doing her work and completely forgot about the ceremony?
"Sorry I'm late, everypony." Applejack said tiredly, boy, what happen to her? She stay up all night to finish her chores? She kept yawning every five seconds, man, she's completely worn out. "Thank you all for the...award thingie..." As she approached the trophy, she was fixated by her own reflection. I'm sure anypony could notice the bags under her eyes, we should really help her, who knows what might happen to her if we don't something about this.
She then began laughing, swaying back in forth as she kept looking at he reflection. "Boy, I sure do look funny." She said. It's only been a day and she's too tired? She soon began to making noises like a siren would, Pinkie joining her at random and mimicking her dazed actions.
While everypony just stared at the tired farm pony, I began to feel worry, and I'm sure Twilight is as well. After she was done with making those weird sounds, she tiredly thanked everypony for her trophy and hauled it back home, irritating all of our ears with the sound of metal skidding across the ground.
I made a worried expression and began to think what was wrong with Applejack.
"You're thinking about Applejack, right?" My thoughts were put on hold as I turned to Twilight and the others, who were also worried about our friend.
"Y-yeah, I feel as though something was wrong, when I saw Applejack like that, she looked so-"
"Tired?" Rainbow Dash offered, cutting me off.
"Dizzy?" Fluttershy added.
"Messy?" Rarity said. We all looked at her awkwardly. "Well did you SEE her mane?"
"Well...all of them!" I said shrugging my shoulders.
"Well she seemed fine to me. Whoo! Whoo!" Maybe to you Pinkie, but not to us.
"Hmm..." Twilight said as she began to think about Applejack.
"I'm guessing that we should go to Sweet Apple Acres and try to see what's wrong with Applejack, right?" I guessed.
Twilight nodded her head and said "Hm-mm! C'mon Ren!" I nodded and we began to head to Sweet Apple Acres. When we arrived to her farm, we saw her kicking apple tress for the apples to fall down into the buckets below the trees. However, she was having trouble trying to stay awake. From the lack of sleep, she wasn't concentrating right on her duties.
"What on earth is that pony doing?" Twilight asked, surprised to see her doing this.
"I don't know, but she can't concentrate on her job like this." I responded as I pointed towards Applejack.
We nodded our heads and approach Applejack. "Hey Applejack!" I called her out. Applejack stopped for a moment and fell asleep.
"Applejack!" Twilight called her, but Applejack still didn't budge. "Applejack!" Still no answer, she's completely tired out.
Twilight used her magic to teleport both of us in front of Applejack, much to my surprise. So they can use teleportation magic? Oh, I wish I had magic too so that I can do that too.
"APPLEJACK!" Twilight called out to her. Applejack finally heard us as she shook her head and looked at me and Twilight.
"Oh howdy Twilight, Ren." Applejack greeted us.
"What IS all this?!" Twilight questioned.
"It's Applebuck season." Applejack said as she began to kick another tree.
"Applewhat season?" I asked as me and Twilight followed her.
"It's what we Apple Family calls harvesting time. We gather all the apples from the trees so we can sell them." Applejack said as she continued to walk, which caused Twilight to teleport in front of her again.
"But, why are you doing it all alone?" Twilight asked.
"Yeah, what about your brother or any of your other family members to help you out?" I added.
"One, Big Macintosh hurt his leg as he got into a cart accident and two, my relatives can't come. We were just here for the Apple Family reunion. They actually live all over Equestria and are busy harvesting their own orchards. So, uh, I'm on my own."
"But wait a minute, do you have anypony else to you have at your own home, like your parents, or sister or such?" Applejack flinched in fear when I mention that, wonder whats up her? Did I say something wrong?
"Uh...well I have my little sister and my Granny Smith, but she's busy taking a nap and my little sister is school." Oh, I see, but why didn't she talk about her parents?
"Well, can we help?" Twilight offered.
"Sorry, no can do, I rather do this alone, thank you very much." Applejack said walking past us, which caused Twilight to teleport us in front of her again.
"Applejack, you need help. Let us handle this and we can-
"NO!" Applejack shouted, cutting me off. "I told you both before, I don't need any help, so you two go and don't come back!" Applejack exclaimed. We let out sighs and left Sweet Apple Acres. I just hope Applejack would just stop, I just worried about her.
"What are we gonna do Twilight?" I asked in worry. "Applejack won't listen to us, she's too tired to even pay attention or listen to us at all!"
"I know how you feel Ren, and I'm worried too, but I'm sure Applejack will realize that this challenge is too difficult to handle." Twilight said.
"Yeah, I hope so." I said looking back at the entrance of Sweet Apple Acres. Please Applejack, don't push yourself too far.
The Next Day
I was busy reading my manga and eating chips and drinking soda as usual. But I still can't get over on what happen yesterday with Applejack, I just hope she's still okay.
Suddenly, I started to hear screaming all of a sudden and bang on my window. What the heck was that?! I ran outside and grab my Hacking Gun and headed outside, where I saw Rainbow Dash was the one who slammed into my window. She slid down off the window and landed on the ground.
"Rainbow! Are you okay?!" I asked rushing towards her. Rainbow Dash shook her head and put her hoof on her head.
"I think so, but it looks like my trick was botched the moment I took off." She said as she got up and cracked her spine back into place.
"Just what were you doing that caused you land on my spaceship apartment's window?" I asked.
"Well, I made this catapult, where I stand on one end and Applejack jumps off and lands on the other end," Rainbow explained. "With the quick lift off, I would be able to pull off this one trick I want to show to the Wonderbolts. But she kept missing and fell on the ground! Then, she thought just pushing it down as a joke would help, and when she let go, I fell down, unprepared for the takeoff. She finally lands on it, and I was flung up into the air, losing all control...And I think you know what happened next."
"Wait, you built a catapult?" I asked.
"Yeah, it was a pretty good trick eh?" Rainbow Dash asked smirking at me. Okay, not gonna lie, that is pretty cool, even if its dangerous, that's just amazing.
"I...guess, but I think I should go to Applejack and confront her about this." I said as I ran back to Sweet Apple Acres and arrived at the orchard. I found Applejack, who was still working, smacking herself hard in the head by accident with a low hanging branch. While knocked for a loop, made worse with her insomnia. I walked over to her and made a serious expression.
"Applejack, we need to talk."
"You want to go for a walk?!" Applejack shouted. "Go on ahead! Just don't buck any trees!" She must so tired that she can barely hear anyone, I better speak up louder.
"No, Applejack! I said we need to talk!" I exclaimed.
"You need a walk to the zoo?! Well nopony is stopping you!"
"NO, I NEED TO TALK TO YOU! READ! MY! LIPS!"
"Kiss you?! Ren, I like you as a friend, but there's no way I wanna be in a relationship with you!"
"Wait what? NO! I didn't say that!" I exclaimed both angry and embarrassed. Me? Kiss a pony?! That's just...well both awkward and weird? Who want to see a human date a pony?! "I SAID I NEED TO TALK TO YOU NOW!"
"Oh, then why didn't you say so?" Applejack asked. Finally, about time. "What is it, Ren?"
"Applejack, you need to take a nap! Look at you, you look terrible!" I exclaimed.
"Pfft! Please, I'm fine!" Applejack responded glaring at me. I stutter at what she said, which caused me to be angry.
"Y-you just flung Rainbow Dash off a catapult and made her land on my house window!"
"...I don't need to hear any of that! What you do with Rainbow Dash should stay private!" I face-palmed at her stubborness as she walked away and said "Now if you'll excuse me, I gotta go meet up with Pinkie Pie!"
She slammed her head head into the same branch before heading into town, dropping some apples she was carrying in one of the buckets she lifted on her back.
I just stood there, giving off a blank expression. "Jeez, that pony is stubborn as a mule." I exclaimed in annoyance until I heard a donkey sound. I turned around and saw an actually mule behind me. "Uhh..no offense."
"None taken." He said as he walked away. Wait, where did he even come from? Oh never mind. What am I gonna do? Applejack won't listen to any of us and she won't allow us to help her.
"This week can't get any worse, can it?"
"....Me and my big mouth..." I muttered in disappointment. Me, Twilight, and Spike were called over to the hospital, where an epidemic broke out this morning. Everypony inside was gravely ill, their faces green and vomiting, all of them having some kind of stomach virus. "What the heck happened?!"
"There was a little mishap that lead back to yesterday." The nurse said, she was a white earth pony mare with pink hair, her cutie mark a big plus sign used to show a building is a hospital. "It turns out that the baked goods given out at Sugarcube Corner as free samples were the problem."
"No. Not baked goods." We turned to Pinkie Pie, who was on one of the beds and one of the unfortunate victims that ate whatever they had that caused them to be like this. "They were...baked bads!"
Her cheeks bulged out as she went over and threw up in a bucket. Hold in Ren, just hold it in.
"Pinkie, what happen? I may known you for just almost a week, but I know you wouldn't do this on purpose or on accident, just what happen?" I asked.
"...I-I don't know...I told Applejack what we needed...she got them, but I don't know what happened." Pinkie collapsed on the bed, rubbing her aching tummy.
I found one of the 'baked bads' they made, which was a really disgusting looking brown muffin. Okay, why didn't nopony take a look at what it looked like before eating it? Suddenly, an earthworm popped out of the muffin, much to our surprise.
"EWW!" Twilight exclaimed in disgust. "What kind of pastry requires live worms?!"
"Or...more like mistaking words and thinking they're saying something completely different." I realized who did this as I dropped the muffin, which Spike picked it up and examined the odd pastry before taking a bite on it.
"Hmm-mm! Delicious! Are you sure you don't want some Ren?" Spike asked offering me the muffin.
I felt as my face started to turn green as I tried to hold my puke. "N-no thank you, I'm good." You see, whenever I see someone puke or eat something that almost like garbage, I always tried to hold my puke but it never works.
"Oh well, more for me!" Spike exclaimed before taking another bite of the muffin. Okay, I don't need to see this. It's time to pay Applejack a visit.
Me and Twilight headed back to Sweet Apple Acres to stop this madness once and for all until suddenly, we felt another sensation.
"What the?" I asked myself as we looked up to see a horde of...bunnies? There were a large group of baby bunnies, scattering away from us and toward the gardens around the ponies homes, munching on the flowers and vegetables.
Oh no! Oh dear!" Fluttershy came flying by, trying to round up all the rabbits to no avail. At least none of them were like Angel, otherwise that would be a dangerous scenario. I shuddered upon imagining that, yep, it would be a worse case scenario. "Come here, little bunny friends! Oh no no no! Don't eat those! They aren't yours!"
"Fluttershy, what happened?!" Twilight asked in confusion.
"Applejack came over to help me round up the bunnies, but she ended up scaring them." She explained. "She even brought Winona, which was a bad idea and made them more afraid."
"Ok that's it! I'm drawing the line here!" I set my Hacking Gun to 'Dance' and aimed for the bunnies. "Dance!" I shot a melody looking beam and shot the bunnies as they began to dance around, completely making them stop eating the gardens.
"There you go Fluttershy, the affects won't last long, round them up and bring them to your home." I explained, which she nodded and went to round them up.
"Come on Twilight, let's go!" I exclaimed as me and Twilight headed to the orchard and saw Applejack trying to buck a tree while gasping for air between each word she muttered.
"Alright Applejack." Twilight said as she made a stern expression. Oh boy, looks like she's about to go to lecture mode. "Your applebucking hasn't just caused YOU problems, it's over-propelled Pegasus', practically poisoned plenty of ponies, and terrorized bushels of brand new bouncing baby bunnies. I don't care what you say, you. Need. Help."
"Ha! No I don't. Look, ah did it. I harvested the entire Sweet Apple Acres without your help. How'd ya like them apples?" Applejack said feeling proud of herself. I looked around and saw that she only did half of the orchard, causing me and Twilight to sweat-dropped.
"Oh really? How do YOU like THEM apples?" I pointed towards the others side of the apple orchard. As Applejack turned around, her pupils shrunk in disbelief as she began to mumble something.
"Where'd all the apple..."? She continued to mumble until she passed out. We ran towards her and tried to wake her up.
"Applejack. Applejack!" Twilight kept shaking her until she finally woke up.
"You okay?" I asked in concern.
"...No...I really can't do it on my own." Applejack said getting up and rubbing her tired eyes, succumbing to her exhaustion. "I need help."
"Applejack, I can understand if you don't want-wait what?" Twilight replied, thinking that Applejack would still decline the offer.
"Yes Twilight, Ren. Yes please. I could really use your help." Applejack before she fell down but I caught her.
"And I can find us some help, Twilight, go and get the others, I'll take Applejack to the barn and rest." I said, which she nodded and headed to round up the others.
I carried Applejack on my back as we headed towards the farmhouse. "Thank you mighty, Ren, you're too kind." Applejack said smiling softly at me. Oh wait, she's awake, wow, she knows how to wake up fast.
"It's no problem." I replied happily.
"I'm very glad to have you as a friend." Applejack smiled weakly.
"Anytime." I said smiling at her before frowning a little. Friend...I let out a sigh as I began to think what she said. How she's glad to have me as a friend? It's so nice for someone to acknowledge me, it must be so...nice.
We continued walking until we finally arrived to the house, where I headed inside and put her on the couch.
"Thanks Ren." Applejack thanked me.
"Anytime Applejack, you rest up. But is there anything you need?" I asked.
"Nah, I don't think....so..." Before you know it, Applejack past out again. Oh well, she does need to rest up. I smiled softly and headed outside, where I met up with Twilight and the other girls.
"Hey there, Ren! Where's Applejack?" Twilight asked.
"Don't worry guys, she's inside of her house and resting." I replied.
"Oh, okay, that's good." Twilight said letting out a sigh. "Well anyway, we should get to work." I smile softly and nodded to her as we got to work for the harvesting.
Later
By the next day, Me, Twilight, and our friends helped Applejack harvest all the apples for applebucking season, and it went by a lot quicker than Applejack's method of challenging herself to do it all on her own. After we were all done, we went to check on Applejack, and she was completely healed, much to our relief.
With all the tress finally harvested, we all headed back to the farmhouse, where Applejack had bottles of freshly squeezed apple juice for them, fully rested after sleeping through the rest of yesterday. "Thanks for the help, everypony, and Ren, you all were right. I guess I was acting a bit stubborn."
"A bit?" We all replied in unison.
"Okay, a might' stubborn, and I'm awful sorry. Now, I know the town gave me the Prized Pony award, but the real award is having you six as my friends." Applejack said smiling softly at us, she then handed us the apple juice and we began to drink some.
"Phew! That applebucking sure made me hungry!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
"I know what you mean Dash." I agreed with her. "I'm just glad this is all over and Applejack learn her lesson to not let her stubbornness get the best of her." I said as I took a drink of my apple juice. Aww, it taste so good.
"And I've got the perfect treat!" Spike showed us a muffin.
"Oh thank you Spike." I said as I took a bite of the muffin. Strange, I feel as though I've seen this muffin from somewhere.
"Eewww, Spike, I threw those all away." Wait what? "Where'd you get them?" Pinkie Pie asked.
"From the trash." Spike replied. Eveypony made disgusted faces before realizing that I took a bite of the muffin. Wait, this muffin is also the same muffin from...oh no...
"Wait what?!" My face turn green as I spat out of the muffin and tried to get the stuff out of my mouth. "Why would I ever eat this?! Why did I do that?!" I screamed, which made everypony laugh at my reaction as I glared at Spike angrily, who only smile sheepishly. You're so going to get it, Spike.
To Be Continued