//------------------------------// // Bring One Next Time? // Story: Applejack Gets Lost // by MagicS //------------------------------// It felt good to be home. She didn’t look the best but still no worse than after an exceptionally dirty or strenuous day at work as she walked into town, Sweet Apple Acres on the far side from where she had come in. Just about every face was familiar and gave Applejack a friendly smile and wave which she was happy to return. Boy did it feel good to see ponies and things she knew. Twilight’s castle and the School of Friendship stood in the distance, it would probably be a good idea to say hello to Twilight but Applejack had something else to do first, a few things even. So she walked on, past the old spot where Golden Oaks Library used to be, and town hall, saying hello to Lyra and Bon Bon as they walked by. Berry Punch and her little sister were out walking to Sugarcube Corner, Applejack could see a fair few ponies milling about in there. Pinkie Pie and the Cakes probably busy keeping everypony happy and satisfied. It was a normal day in Ponyville. Now she was coming up to Carousel Boutique, she wondered if Rarity was in, even though she was still going to be making a bee-line for Sweet Apple Acres she decided she’d take a peak to see if anypony was home. But a quick glance at the door showed that Rarity was most definitely not home. A piece of paper had been hastily tacked to it, Applejack easily recognized Rarity’s flowery writing when she looked at what it said. Temporarily closed, I am out of town on a business trip, sorry darlings! - Rarity Applejack just shrugged and started walking on by when a familiar and very welcome voice called out to her. “Applejack?” The apple farmer swung around at the voice to see Twilight Sparkle walking towards her, a warm smile on her face. “Twilight! Good to see you.” Applejack said and walked over to greet her, giving her alicorn friend a little hug. “Yeah, you were gone for a while.” Twilight hugged her back, not bothered by her friend being a little dirty, or at least kind enough to not show it. “Guess that delivery took longer than expected, huh?” Applejack chuckled. “Oh yeah, just a little bit. I’ll tell you all about it later.” Twilight would definitely want to hear about all the crazy and weird stuff she had been through, even just hearing about a magical hedge maze would get that obsessive mind of hers all riled up and that was just about the least of all the things to go over. “Well it’s fine, Apple Bloom told us you might be a while after all. Your substitute at the school did a great job, even though we had to extend her stay without any notice.” Twilight beamed at her. “Would you like to come back to the castle? I’d love to catch up, Starlight and Spike are both there too.” Applejack gave her a warm smile but had to shake her head. “Thanks for the offer but I’d really like to get back home first, I’ll come by tomorrow though for sure.” Applejack winked at her good friend. “Say hi to them for me though.” “Of course! Sorry to keep you from Sweet Apple Acres, I should’ve known you’d want to get back there as quickly as possible.” Twilight sheepishly grinned at Applejack. “Heh, Twilight, don’t worry nothing about it. I’ll see ya soon.” Applejack waved goodbye and started heading back on her way home. Yes, it would’ve been nice to catch up with Twilight and her other friends for a bit but the farm called first. “See you soon!” Twilight called out from behind her. “I guess I can go by Strawberry Sunrise’s home on the way back now and tell her we don’t need her to substitute for you anymore.” Applejack chose to ignore that. Now Applejack walked through the white fence of Sweet Apple Acres. She took in the sights and smells with gusto. Seeing it all again it was pretty much the most beautiful sight of her life. The trees, her home, the chicken coops, the dirt, the grass, everything. But most of all, the apples. There they were, all her hundreds and thousands of delicious apples. It had been so long she almost wanted to cry. Applejack didn’t go inside to say hello to Granny Smith, Big Mac, or Apple Bloom just yet, the very first thing she had to do came, well, first. She walked past everything else to the rows upon rows of apple trees. The farmer closed her eyes as she walked down them, taking in the scents and the feeling of it all. She wanted to get somewhere nice and quiet so she could really relax and enjoy herself, after all she was still pretty beat up and exhausted from her recent tumble. That nice and quiet place came up shortly when she made it to a fairly secluded spot nestled in the orchard, Applejack knew every single tree and spot in her farm by memory and she now walked up to one pristine tree in particular. “You’re the lucky one.” Applejack said to the apple tree. Sighing in contentment Applejack hugged the tree before turning her back to it. Giving it the lightest, most surgical, strike with her back right hoof she bucked a single apple off of it. The red apple perfectly fell from the branch right over Applejack’s head, landing in her outstretched hoof without her even having to look at it to make sure where it was falling. “Still got it.” She grinned. Applejack lay back against the tree, yawning and stretching to get as comfortable as possible. She held the amazing, tasty, unparalleled, fresh, exquisite, most treasured of all fruits in front of her face. “It’s been too long.” Applejack wasn’t sure if she wanted to savor the moment further or just bite into it already. Part of her wanted to buck the rest of the tree and just lie in the pile of apples and drift off to sleep with them. But her hunger for the fruit outweighed every other part. With a tired smile she sunk her teeth into the apple. It was… indescribable. Rainbow Dash making it onto the Wonderbolts, Rarity opening up shop in Canterlot, Twilight becoming an Alicorn, it was magic. She didn’t let any of the juice run down her cheek, she wasn’t wasting even a single drop. That wonderful feeling of chewing on an apple, she took it slowly, far slower than she ever had before. She had missed it so much. The taste, the feeling, the smell, everything about eating an apple. She closed her eyes again to just focus on the eating of her first apple since coming home, the first apple she had had in… she couldn’t even remember. She didn’t want to remember. Didn’t want to think about how long she had gone without eating the greatest fruit known to ponykind. That crunch, that sweetness. The feeling of the skin, the fragrance that wafted up into her nose. Applejack was on cloud nine. Applejack was experiencing nirvana. Applejack felt like this might have been the best apple she had ever eaten in her life. She finished it up in a few minutes, licking her lips and humming in ecstasy. Now it was over. All that craziness she had been through was finally and at long last over. She could put it all behind her and go back to her simple life on the farm, just what she always wanted. She was sure she’d have to go on some sort of epic adventure again at some point but it would probably at least be one that her friends were with her for. Applejack was hoping that wouldn’t be for a while though. After just getting back she wanted to be able to rest and buck apples. Catch up with her family and friends, no more, no less. But she was feeling mighty tired after all that walking and the joy of finally having an apple put her so much at ease that a nap was sounding really good right now. “Just a little shut eye, hour or two at most...” Applejack said as she shifted under the tree, curling up at the base of its trunk and drifting off into a peaceful sleep. Applejack was well and truly home. The apple farmer woke up a good hour later, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Smiling happily at the familiar scenery she got up and stretched. A minute, maybe two, to get back to her barn and home from here. She could say hi to everypony, shower up, take care of the few little cuts on her, and then go to bed for real. After probably eating a dozen more apples. The next day she could go to the spa and really get fixed up and then head over to Twilight’s castle. Apple Bloom might want to hear about what happened too so maybe she’d bring her along as well. Applejack whistled to herself as she walked back the way she came through the rows of trees, there were maybe a few hours of daylight left but she knew catching up and all would take some time so there was no more lollygagging for her. She happily trotted away with no longer a care in the world or a worry about what might be just up ahead, smiling at the thought of seeing the faces of her beloved family members again. Applejack no longer had to fear accidentally falling down a hill, dealing with some kind of monster, getting lost in general, or anything. It was just the nice and simple walk back to her home and family. But then a very familiar sound and feeling suddenly washed over Applejack. She paused mid-step, almost not quite believing what was happening. With a gulp she looked down at her flank. Her beloved apple Cutie Mark that she was so proud of was blinking and glowing. Applejack rolled her eyes and sighed. “Really now?”