Another bleak, pre-winter day across Equestria, and Matt Nabal found himself en route to one of the last places he wanted to go; Sweet Apple Acres. After bumping into Rainbow Dash earlier that day, he was somehow roped into doing her a favor. She had apparently promised to assist Applejack in rounding up the last of the year's apple harvest, but was unaware of just how much winter preparation was required. She was needed along with the rest of the weather team to prepare the first snowfall of the year.
When he accepted to fill in for her, he didn't expect her to follow him all the way there. Her wings flapped softly as she hovered alongside him.
"So, we're gonna bring in all the clouds in from Cloudsdale by tomorrow. It's going to be one heck of a blizzard!" she said, clearly excited.
Matt, on the other hand, was much less so.
"That much snow? Why so early?" he asked.
"We're a couple days late on wrapping up fall, so we need to get all the snow on the ground."
The thought of someone actually wanting snow everywhere was beyond his comprehension.
"… Why?" he asked, coming to a halt.
Rainbow looked confused for a moment and landed on the dirt path, seemingly puzzled by his simple question.
"Because…" she began, "It… wouldn't be winter without it?" she guessed, holding a hoof up to her chin.
Figuring it was the best answer he would get, he sighed and continued walking. Rainbow trotted along by his side.
A few moments of silence passed as the red farmhouse that marked Sweet Apple Acres came into view.
"Hey…" said Rainbow Dash unexpectedly.
He turned his head to face her as they walked. She was, for some reason looking towards the ground.
"I-if you aren't doing anything tomorrow… I know a great spot to watch the snow fall, if you wanted to, I dunno… come with me?"
Though watching snow fall seemed immensely dull to him, Rainbow seemed very anxious about his response. He mentally sighed. He'd have to learn to say 'no' to these ponies eventually. Besides, it's not like he had anything to do tomorrow anyway.
"Alright. Just tell me when and where."
Her face lit up immediately.
"Cool!" she said, one again ascending into the air. She raised her left hoof up just above his eye level.
He stood there, confused, as she wiggled it back and forth.
"C'mon, don't leave me hangin'!"
It clicked in an instant, though he wasn't sure how to go about responding. Then he had an idea. He curled his right hand into a fist and held it up. He moved it forward a bit as Dash sent her hoof closer as well. They collided with a satisfying clop noise.
As she continued gushing with happiness, neither of them noticed the orange pony that had been approaching them the whole time.
"Rainbow Dash!" said a familiar southern voice. "And here I thought you were too busy helpin' the weather team."
Rainbow looked over to see Applejack, looking quite upset with her.
"I was. Uh, I mean, I am. I'll see ya tomorrow."
And with that, she took off, leaving nothing but a trail of rainbows.
"Get back here, you!" shouted Applejack.
When it was clear that Dash wasn't coming back, she turned her attention to Matt.
"Guess I'm stuck with you, huh?" she said, narrowing her eyes.
Though he had expected her unique brand unwarranted hostility, he didn't think she'd start off so strong. He held his composure and responded calmly. He refused to let her get the better of him.
"… I suppose so."
"Well, c'mon then." She said, turning away.
He silently followed behind, not bothering to make conversation. She seemed content with the silence as well, for awhile at least. When they arrived at what looked like a field of near-dead excuses for trees, she spoke quickly and in a stern tone.
"Here are the trees. Get to buckin'."
Despite how much he wanted to get this over with, he couldn't help but smirk at the prospect of kicking trees. When she actually began 'bucking' as it were, he merely stood there.
"S-surely you have a better way?" he said.
She stared at him angrily for some time until he got the message. Yes, she was serious.
He approached a tree slowly and noticed a few baskets lying around. He thought for a moment and began placing them around the tree.
Applejack wasn't in the most pleasant of moods. The last harvest of the season hadn't been picked yet. Big Macintosh was busy helping Granny Smith preparing for winter sales. And Rainbow Dash, who was her last hope, had blown her off. Now she was stuck with somepony she didn't want anything to do with.
She didn't have anything against him on a personal level. He seemed nice enough, and all of her friends had seemingly taken a shine to him. Something just didn't sit well with her. It felt as if he was hiding something and covered it up with fancy words, but she had no idea as to what. It gave her an ominous feeling when she was around him.
She glanced over at him to see him placing empty baskets around an apple tree. It took him probably longer then it should have to stop adjusting their position. She watched as he took a few steps back and admired his work. He then stepped forward again, now mere inches from the tree. He eventually raised an arm, before lowering it again, seemingly changing his mind. Before long he decided to go for broke and sent his fist at the tree.
The tree wobbled a bit. Seeing the pain well up on his face immediately, Applejack was launched into an immense laughing fit. Going so far as to roll around on the ground and let her hat fall off.
Matt recoiled his hand as the pain traveled up his arm. He shot Applejack a dirty look when he spotted her rolling on the ground at his expense. She noticed quickly.
"You… you didn't even shake one down!" she said, re-bursting into laughter.
Sure enough, when he checked the baskets he'd arranged, they remained empty.
"W-well excuse me for putting more value on intelligence than physical fitness." He said defensively, clutching his sore hand.
Applejack was now over her laughter and had gotten back on her hooves. She slowly began to saunter over to him.
"Oh yeah, genius?" she placed her front hooves onto the tree's trunk and gave it a shake. Shortly after, nearly all of the apples fell into the baskets.
Matt's mouth hang open as he stared in disbelief. Applejack struck a triumphant pose.
"They're witherin' apple trees. My baby sister could shake 'em down." She picked up her hat from where it landed earlier. "Now roll up yer sleeves and get to work!" she shouted.
While normally he'd ask a multitude of questions, he decided it best not to humiliate himself any further. But he would get to work. He wouldn't let AJ have the last laugh, not today. So he rolled his sleeves up and decided to show her just what exactly he was capable of.
He knew he wouldn't be able to match her pace, but his precision gave him an edge. Every now and then she'd stop to pick up some apples that missed the mark. He'd just shake and move, very rarely having to pick any stray fruit up. She noticed before long and, with a grin, began to speed up. A sharp smile spread across his face as well.
He had inadvertently started a race to an unknown finish line.
Several hours passed as they both began to show signs of fatigue. With one final, mighty buck, the last of the baskets had been filled.
"Alrighty." She said. "We're done."
Matt let out a sigh of relief. He probably wouldn't have been able to take much more. The sun had nearly set, making him realize just how long he'd been there. He took a moment to stretch out his tired, sore muscles.
Applejack had begun to feel the burn, too. But she knew they weren't yet completely done.
"Don't rest easy yet, partner. We still gotta take these to the cellar."
His face again turned to pure horror and Applejack couldn't help but chuckle.
"C'mon, it's not too far. Help me get some of these on my back, would ya?"
He did as she asked and stacked a few for him to carry as well. As they were walking, he felt compelled to speak. Give credit, in a sense.
"Hey, Applejack?" he called.
She cocked her head to look at him.
"I never really realized just how much work you do. Forgive me for underestimating you, and please, know I can appreciate what you do."
"Well, uh… thank ya kindly." She responded, looking back towards their destination.
He could still feel it. She didn't trust him, for whatever reason. It may have had something to do with how deceitful and manipulative he was when he first arrived, though he was certain he never slipped up on the act. Apparently she picked up on it sometime or another. He'd get through eventually, he was sure about it. After all, he was being genuine about the appreciation for what she did. Farming was hard work, and he could appreciate hard work in almost any form.
It wasn't long until they arrived at the apple cellar. Applejack went first with a word of warning.
"It's pretty dark, watch your step."
Silently thanking her word of advice, he ducked under the low ceiling and slowly descended the short flight of stairs. He found himself in a pitch black room. In a bright flash the lights turned on, revealing a warm room filled with apples, with the far wall being packed with bottles.
"… Impressive." Matt stated.
"Just set 'em down. Anywhere'll do." said Applejack, ignoring his compliment.
He did as he was told and followed Applejack back out of the cellar.
"So..." he began. "Now what?"
She turned back to face him.
"Huh? Well, you're done. Go on home."
She began to walk away, leaving him stand there.
"Oh and uh… thanks for your help."
Before he could respond, the front door to Applejack's home burst open. Out popped a yellow filly with a large bow adorned on her head.
"Applejack! Applejack!? Supper's ready!" said the filly.
He recognized her as Applejack's younger sister, Applebloom. She spotted him quickly and waved towards him.
"Oh, hey Matt! What're you doin' here?" she said.
He walked towards the porch so he didn't have to yell.
"Rainbow Dash couldn't make it, so she asked me to fill in."
"Oh. Well, ya wanna come in for dinner?"
While he was definitely sick of apples, he didn't want to impose. When he turned to Applejack, she clearly seemed displeased with the situation.
"Now Applebloom, I'm sure he's got thin-"
"I'd love to." said Matt, cutting off Applejack.
Sure, he didn't want to impose. But he felt as if he deserved to eat something of substance.
Within seconds of being whisked into the Apple family home he had a spot set up on the dinner table. In a brief rush he was introduced to Granny Smith and Big Macintosh. Granny Smith was certainly a treat to be around, but Big Macintosh puzzled him. The above-average sized stallion barely said a word.
The food was delicious and the company delightful. They seemed to be a very close knit family. Conversation would bounce around from person to person, minus himself. He was content with listening. Applebloom was just finishing up her account of the school day when she noticed his quietness.
"Hey, you feelin' alright?" the filly asked.
He was hoping to have gone unnoticed for the entirety of dinner.
"Hmm? Oh, yes, I'm alright. Just a bit tired is all. That, and… I'm just not used to sitting around a table anymore." He said.
"Didn't you eat supper with your family?"
"My father wasn't exactly a family-centric man. He was always busy. So my mother and I would eat together, or I'd eat alone."
His talk of parents made him realize that there weren't any present in the Apple residence. There were the three siblings and their grandmother. Where were their parents? He glanced about the room, and saw a somber look in Applejack and Big Mac's eyes, though strangely not in Applebloom's. They probably knew something she didn't.
"Oh, I forgot you haven't been here that long. You must miss 'em, huh?" Applebloom responded.
The young pony truly had no idea the circumstances of what she was asking.
"… Yes, I do. Very much."
A long silence filled the room as everyone picked at their food. Most of present company was in a sour mood now. Applebloom and Granny Smith seemed fine, though. Not wanting to look anyone in the eye, Matt cast his eyes to the things in front of him. He noticed his sleeves were still rolled up from earlier, exposing the scar on his right arm. In one quick motion he rolled them down, trying not to catch any attention. Unbeknownst to him Applejack had seen the whole thing, even catching a glimpse at his arm.
He rose from his rather-too-small seat.
"I really should be going. It's getting quite late."
He knew it was abrupt and looked suspicious, but he desperately needed time alone. After awkward goodbyes and a 'ya'll come back now' from Granny Smith, he found himself wandering back to Ponyville. Shortly after re-entering the town, he drew near Sugarcube Corner. While normally he'd avoid the route to avoid a certain someone, he let his legs wander as his mind did the same.
"Matt!" he heard a familiar, high pitched voice call out.
His focus returned as he faced the voice. Rather unsurprisingly, he was met with Pinkie Pie.
"What're you doin' out so late?" she asked.
He had lost track of time and realized just how late it was.
"Just… out for a walk." He replied.
She seemed as cheery as ever.
"I was looking for you, I wanted to show you something!"
"Sure. Where?"
"In my room. Follow me!" she said, bouncing further into the shop, not even waiting for him to follow.
He followed her in towards a set of stairs and noticed the place was closed. The assumed owners were cleaning the place up. He awkwardly waved to them as he ascended the stairs to Pinkie' domain. He opened the door and was surprised; it wasn't wall-to-wall pink. Pinkie wasn't anywhere to be seen, so he took a seat on her bed. She bounced back in with something green in her grasp.
"This is Gummy!" she held out her hoof to reveal what looked like a small reptile. It had glossy, blank purple eyes and tiny claws.
"He's… adorable." Matt responded, trying not to insult anyone.
"You can pet him, if you want."
With a sigh, he extended his hand to the little beast, only to have it bite him. He gasped in preparation for pain, but felt none. He had learned how Gummy got his name.
"Aw, that means he likes you!"
"Right, sure…"
She placed the toothless reptile back onto the floor, and proceeded to tend to other things while Matt had realized how comfy Pinkie's bed was.
"So, where have you been all day? When I went to the library, Twilight said you had went somewhere with Rainbow Dash, and when I found her, she was too busy to stop and talk."
No response was heard behind her.
"Oh, I just learned how to make these things called a crêpes, and…"
She stopped when she heard a soft sound similar to snoring. She turned to face her friend to find him laxly asleep on her bed. She couldn't help but giggle at the sight.