The crisp, fall wind made it's way through Sweet Apple Acres, shaking the leaves and red fruit hanging from the trees. Winter was on its way which meant the sun went down a little earlier. The sky began to change from its light blue to orange, indicating that the day was almost over.
"Almost done AJ?", an orange haired boy asked his little sister.
The boy's name happened to be Big Macintosh. He was only eleven but people always assumed he was older. This was due to his deep voice and he was very tall for his age. His Granny always compared his fast growth to his father and was often teased about it. Apart from that, he was very shy and when he wasn't talking to his family, he seemed to have a faint blush appearing on his freckled cheeks when speaking.
"Eeyup! Just have a few more apples to pick and I'm done!", a young girl said with an accent, answering her brother's question.
Her name was Applejack and she was in the third grade. She had long blonde hair that she had always kept back in a ponytail with a red ribbon that belonged to her mother. She wore a large brown hat that belonged to her father and even though it was a tad big for her head, she figured she would grow into it. Applejack had large green eyes and, like her brother, had freckles on her small cheeks and nose.
It was a long year for the small farm girl. After her parents passed away, she became distant from her two friends, Pinkie Pie and Rarity. It had taken a while for her to adjust to her new life without her mother and father, but after a few months she became determined to be a role model for her little sister, Apple Bloom, who was barely a few months when her parents passed. With her friends support, Applejack began to smile again, and even started working in the apple field like her father did. It didn't take long for Applejack to become accustomed to working at home, she actually enjoyed it!
"Alright then, I'm done for the day, I'm heading inside." Big Macintosh said putting down his basket full of apples.
"Okay, let me know when Granny's done with dinner!", Applejack said, not turning back to look at him.
After her brother went inside, Applejack would normally finish up her final chore. She would normally head inside and eat dinner. She would normally brush her teeth and go to bed. All of which is what Applejack was planning to do today.
The blonde eight year old stuck her tongue out in concentration as she strained to reach the final apple on the tree. She was tall for her age as well, but she still had trouble reaching the apple.
"Gotcha!", Applejack said as the apple finally snapped off of the branch. She was ready to head inside and do her normal routine, maybe even see what Apple Bloom was up-
She quickly turned around after hearing a weird sound behind her, interrupting her thoughts.
"Big Mac? Is that you?", Applejack questioned, looking around.
Her narrowed eyes laid on a tree near the one she had just picked from. There was a rainbow-like object peeking from behind it.
"Now, what in the name of apple pie?" the young girl whispered to herself. She wondered what it could have been.
Her face brightened as she finally figured it out.
It's almost Zap Apple Season! I can't wait to tell Granny that they are already growing! I can't wait to see the look on her face when she sees that I found one.
She made her way over to pick up the special fruit, but gasped when she saw that the zap apple...wasn't really an apple. It was hair!
Behind the tree was a rainbow haired girl with light blue skin. She seemed to be Applejack's age. Her face was buried in her knees, and she was clearly upset. Sobs were the only sound coming from the mysterious girl. If she had heard Applejack approach her, she didn't let it show. She kept crying.
Applejack stood with her mouth open, she didn't know what to do! Should she call Granny? Should she tell the girl to take a hike?
Applejack looked at the girl for a few moments. It reminded her of herself just a few months ago, she felt abandoned and upset. She couldn't imagine how bad this rainbow haired girl must be feeling right now. She decided to sit down next to the sobbing girl.
"Um...are you okay?", Applejack asked softly once the sobs began to quiet down.
The rainbow girl looked up just enough to make eye contact with Applejack. She had bright magenta eyes.
She quietly mumbled, "Sure."
"Are you sure?", Applejack asked. The girl needed a friend, Applejack may not have seen her before, but she was willing to help.
"Do you live here?", the rainbow girl asked, completely ignoring Applejack's question. After recieving a nod from Applejack, she quickly crossed her knees in front of her and sat against the tree. Her eyes were puffy and red, and there were tear stains on her cheeks. Applejack felt terrible.
"I'm new here and my mom heard that you guys have the best apples in town. She just wanted to know a few things to see if it was all true.", the rainbow girl said, her voice cracking. She put on a weak smile and seemed to pretend like Applejack didn't just watch her break down.
"Oh..well..welcome to Sweet Apple Acres! I guess we are pretty popular around the town when it comes to fruit. My brother usually goes into town with his cart on the weekends and sells apples We'd usually do it during the week but my granny stays home with my little sister. When winter rolls around we sell zap apple jam, and September is usually cider season.", Applejack began to go on and on about how things work on the farm.
"Wow, well thanks. Sorry if I bothered you!", the rainbow girl said and was about to leave before Applejack stopped her.
"Now wait just one apple pickin' second. Where do you think you're going?", Applejack questioned, sounding like her Granny Smith.
"Uh...home?", the rainbow girl stated.
"Look, it may not be any of my business, but are we both gonna act like you didn't just cry a river behind that there tree?", Applejack placed her hands on her hips.
"Uh...", the rainbow girl looked down, her hair covering her face.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Applejack asked with a softer tone.
"I'm...fine. I just needed to do something for my mom really quick. I'm sorry if I ruined your tree or whatever. You wouldn't get it anyway.", the girl said turning away.
Applejack knew she was getting somewhere, she just had to keep trying. "If you just came to ask me a question, why did you cry first? Did my trees say something mean to you? Trust me, I'll tell em' off if they did." Applejack joked.
"I couldn't do it anywhere else okay! I didn't want my mom to see me cry...I already seem like a big baby to her already.", the girl said. She seemed to drop the whole "I'm okay" act.
"What do ya mean?" Applejack asked, sitting down again and waving her hand towards the girl, telling her to sit down as well.
"Let's just say...I'm the reason we moved here. There's nothing wrong with this place at all, its just , there was nothing really wrong back in Cloudsdale either.", the girl said, taking the hint and sitting down next to the farm girl, "I was supposed to be strong. For my mom, for my dad, for my home. I couldn't handle a few bullies and now I feel like everyone hates me.", her eyes began to tear up again and she returned to the position Applejack found her in.
"Well, I don't hate you.", Applejack said simply.
"Why not? You should.", the girl said back.
"I don't judge people that quick. I get to know em'. And I feel that even if I got to know ya, I still wouldn't hate you." Applejack began, "I don't think your mom hates ya either, neither does your dad. If they hated ya, they wouldn't have moved here for you."
The rainbow haired girl stayed silent.
"Hey, I have a question for you.", Applejack said suddenly.
"Hm?", the girl looked into Applejack's green eyes.
"You just moved here right?", Applejack asked, and received a nod in return, "Do ya have any friends?"
"I did, but she doesn't really like me anymore. So..no I don't have any friends.", the girl replied looking down at the grass.
"Sorry wrong answer," Applejack said, crossing her arms, "Try again. Do. You. Have. Any. Friends.?"
"Um...yes?", the rainbow girl said, very confused.
"Correct!! Do ya know what their name is?", Applejack asked.
"No.", the rainbow girl said bitterly.
"Ugh, I have to give you all the answers don't, I?" Applejack groaned, "Her name's Applejack, and she's sitting. right. here."
The rainbow girl looked at Applejack as if she had just sprouted wings and a horn.
"You see, this is the part where you tell me your name.", Applejack said smiling.
The rainbow girl looked at Applejack and sat up again, "Rainbow Dash. Why do you want to be my friend?"
Applejack put her arm around her new friend, "Well, you seem like a nice enough person to hang around."
"But didn't you say you didn't judge people that quick?", Rainbow Dash said with a small smirk.
"Uh...well...wow you're good." Applejack said, blushing with embarrasment.
Rainbow Dash laughed for the first time that day, and Applejack was satisfied to see a real smile on her face. She liked her new friend, and wanted her to meet Pinkie and Rarity.
"Hey, which school are you going to?" Applejack asked Rainbow Dash.
"Canterlot Elementary. I think I go to Mrs. Moon Blossom's class.", Rainbow Dash said.
"No way! I'm in that class!" Applejack stood up in excitement.
"Awesome," Rainbow Dash said standing up herself. "I guess I'll see you on Wednesday then?"
"Sure! I'll talk to ya then." Applejack told her friend, looking at the sky. It was a deep purple now, indicating that it was getting late outside. "Bye!", the blonde haired girl waved at Rainbow and turned towards the farmhouse.
"Wait Applejack!", Rainbow Dash called.
Applejack turned around and was surprised when Rainbow Dash hugged her. She wrapped her arms around the shorter girl and heard a quiet, "Thanks."
Rainbow Dash didn't give Applejack a chance to say anything else, because she ran off towards the exit of the field. Applejack then ran back inside to do what she would do on any normal day. She ate dinner, brushed her teeth, and changed into her apple print pjs. As she closed her eyes, she realized school would take place the next day. She couldn't wait to tell Rarity and Pinkie about her new friend.