The group had came back from Canterlot the previous day. Comet was happy that he was officially welcomed by Twilight and her family. He was also spending as much cuddle time as possible.
After that, Comet had stopped having terrible nightmares. He started sleeping more in peace when he slept with Twilight. Twilight wanted to do something special for Comet, so she and her family and friends took him to an ice cream shop in Canterlot. Comet was so happy that he was getting some ice cream. Comet also got a souvenir from his new grandparents: a 14 inch grey husky plushie with blue eyes that he named Kugo.
After spending a couple of days in Canterlot, the Mane 6, Spike, and Comet made it back to Ponyville. They all went back to their homes. Twilight was happy to have given Comet what he really needed: a proper family once more. She was happy to give a colt what he needed.
Twilight came down the stairs, leaving Comet upstairs to keep sleeping and hugging his new plushie, and Spike as well. They arrived back at the Golden Oaks Library late the previous night, letting the colt and baby dragon sleep as they were headed back to their homes. As soon as she got downstairs, something hit the door. Twilight opened the door to see Ditzy Doo, or Derpy, who was a gray pegasus mare with yellow crossed eyes and yellow mane in a brown and white mail-mare uniform, and carrying a brown messenger bag full of mail for other ponies, flying away. But she crashed into a sign on the side of a building.
“Ooh, that’s gonna hurt,” Twilight said. Then she looked down and saw a newspaper at her hooves. She used her magic to lift it up and took it inside. Twilight headed into the kitchen and started reading it. Twilight was surprised that she and Comet were on the front page. It read:
Princess’s Prized Student Gives Birth To Unicorn Colt with Innocent Human Child’s Soul
Twilight Sparkle, the current prized student of Princess Celestia, has given birth to the colt that has been brought to life with the soul of a 6 year old human boy who had a rough abusive life, but from a pregnancy spell casted by the ghost of the darker self of Princess Celestia's sister, Princess Luna, containing her darker self’s evil spirit from one of the vanquished Crystal Eyes of Nightmare, but the child’s soul was too kindhearted to let the darkness inside. Princess Celestia has strictly declared that the pony is now offering a honorary citizen of Equestria and is to be treated fairly by other ponies.
Twilight sighed as she read the article. Hopefully, she won’t have to worry about Comet feeling hurt or threatened again. Twilight then continued reading the paper.
In other news, Zesty Gourmand, Canterlot Food Critic, has been fired for abusing her power and threats to close down restaurants for her orders to be exactly what she wanted. Nopony can tell somepony how to run a restaurant or serve food the way one pony wants all food to be served.
“Yes,” Twilight said. “Finally, somepony got what she deserved. At least the hayburger in Canterlot can go back to the way it was before.”
Twilight’s ears then twitched when the sound of Comet’s voice came up.
“Mommy? Is everything okay?”
Twilight looked towards Comet with a smile, as he was still holding his plushie. Twilight got up, and walked towards Comet and said, “Yes, Comet. Everything is okay.” She then leaned her head down and nuzzled Comet. “I think it’s time we get you to the doctor’s for a physical.”
“The doctor’s?” Comet asked nervously. “You mean... like needles?”
Twilight giggled and said, “It’ll be alright. How about this? You go to the doctor’s, and after that, we’ll go get some ice cream. Does that sound good?”
Comet was still nervous about going to the doctor’s office, but he thought about the ice cream. Comet smiled and said, “I guess I could go for some ice cream.”
“That’s the spirit,” Twilight said, rubbing Comet’s head. “I’ll make sure you are well taken care of.” Comet smiled. Twilight then got up and said, “Now, c’mon. We got to get some breakfast in your stomach.” She then headed for the pantry, and opened it up. She got out stuff for pancakes.
At Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack and Big Mac, who was injured, were looking at the entire orchard of trees ready for Applebuck Season.
“Boy howdy! I got my work cut out for me. That there is the biggest bumper crop o’ apples I ever laid eyes on,” Applejack said.
Big Mac then replied, “Eeyup. Too big for you to handle on your own.”
“Come on, big brother! You need to rest up and get yourself better. I haven’t met an apple orchard yet that I can’t handle,” Applejack said, accidentally placing her hoof on one side of Big Mac’s injured ribs before giving his sister a stern glare. “Oops, sorry. I’ll take a bite out of this job by day’s end.”
“Biting off more than you can chew is just what I’m afraid of,” Big Mac said.
“Are you sayin’ my mouth is makin’ promises my legs can't keep?” Applejack asked.
Big Mac just replied, “Eeyup.”
“Why of all the... This is your sister Applejack, remember? The loyalest of friends and the most dependable of ponies?” Applejack said, glaring at her brother with her head on his.
“But still only one pony, and one pony plus hundreds o’ apple trees just doesn’t add up to...” Applejack cut Big Mac off before he could finish, “Don’t you use your fancy mathematics to muddy the issue! I said I could handle this harvest and I’m gonna prove it to you. I’m gonna get every last apple out of those trees this applebuck season all by myself.” She then gulped nervously.
Twilight, Spike and Comet were walking down the streets of Ponyville, passing ponies that were going about their day. But when they saw Comet, they got a strange expression. Twilight looked at all of the ponies and sighed.
“Look, everypony,” Twilight said to the ponies. “I know you think Comet’s a lot like me, but by Nightmare Moon’s attempt to retake Equestria, but he’s actually had a tough life in another world before he even came here. I’m just trying to give him a good life and a good home. I mean, at least look at him. Do you really think a colt as cute and sweet as him would hurt a fly?”
They saw him on Twilight’s back hugging his Kugo husky plushie, and making a nervously cute face.
“We know,” said one of the ponies. “A gem that can transport a creature and transform them into an age equivalent copy of a monster? That’s so sad.”
“We’re so sorry for how he suffered,” said another pony. “Hopefully, you’ll be okay.”
Twilight was shocked by that, but recovered and said, “Well, he has been coping well. As long as you convince other ponies that still don’t believe the truth that it’s all good.”
“We promise, Twilight,” the first mare said.
“Congratulations, by the way,” another mare said.
“Thank you. You’re very kind,” Twilight replied. But then the ground started shaking.
“Mom?” Comet asked, getting scared. “What’s happening?”
Rainbow Dash flew upwards and then squinted her eyes to see up close, until she saw a herd of cows going crazy.
“STAMPEDE!!” came the voice of Rainbow Dash from above.
The ponies looked around and saw a stampede of cows running towards town, and then around every street. All of the ponies were running and panicking, trying to get out of the way of the stampeding cows.
Pinkie Pie laughed, while vibrating, “HEEEEYYYY!!!! THIIIIIIIISSSS MAAAAAAKEESSSS MMMMMYYYYY VOOOOOIIIIIIICCCCEEE SOOOOOUUUNNNNDD SIIIIIIIIIIIILLLLLLLYYYYYYY!!!!!” she yelled.
“Pinkie Pie, are you crazy?! Run!” Twilight exclaimed, as she moved ponies out of the way with her magic, trying to keep them from being trampled by the stampeding cows.
She suddenly saw her son Comet out there, trying to get to her, but he was too afraid, until Rainbow Dash grabbed him and flew him over to Twilight, before she nuzzled him as he held his plushie against him, and then got to safety.
Mayor Mare then spoke up, “Everypony calm down. There is no need to panic.”
“But Mayor, whatever shall we do?” Rarity asked.
Rainbow Dash then looked at somepony coming, “Look there!”
Applejack and Winona then came in, and started herding the cows away from the town before they could reach city hall before they stopped. Everypony was impressed by how much Applejack did with calming them down, and cheered for her bravery as she lead all the cows back to the meadow.
“Wow!” Comet said. “That was amazing!”
“It sure was, Comet,” Twilight said. “Now, it’s time for your physical. Better find the doctor’s office.”
Pinkie zoomed in and pointed towards one road, saying, “Oh, the hospital isn’t that far from the library. It's just southwest of Sparkling Lake.”
Twilight groaned and facehoofed. Then she grabbed Comet with her magic, and teleported out of there.
At the doctor’s office, Twilight sat beside Comet to make him more comfortable while sitting on the examination table and with his husky plushie with him, until Dr. Horse came in, and then checked Comet’s blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, looked into his ear canals as they were clean as a whistle, and measured his body weight, until he said, “Yep. He’s perfectly healthy.”
”Thank you, doctor,” Twilight said, placing her hoof on Comet’s, as he held hers as well, making them both smile.
Suddenly, a white earth pony mare with a pink bun mane and blue eyes, and a nurse’s hat with a Red Cross and four red hearts came in. It was Nurse Redheart. “Here are his medical records, Twilight,” Nurse Redheart said, coming in.
“Thank you, Nurse Redheart, and you too, Dr. Horse,” Twilight said.
“You’re welcome, Mrs. Sparkle. Now you and your son carry on with your day,” Dr. Horse said, letting them both leave. Twilight and Comet then went to Sugarcube Corner and got some ice cream for themselves, but Comet just got a vanilla cone.
“Mommy, why is everypony at city hall?” Comet asked. “Mayor Mare, along with me and my friends have been working on a special occasion for Applejack,” Twilight replied while walking, and then they walked over to city hall for the speech.
Comet went over to Twilight’s friends and stood beside Rarity, as Twilight walked up and began her speech, “Welcome, everypony! Today we are here to honor a pony we can always count on to help in matters great and small. A pony whose contributions to—”
“Rainbow Dash suddenly cut her off, “Did you see Applejack’s slick moves out there? What an athlete. This week she’s gonna help me with my new flying trick, and I know it’s gonna be so awesome.”
Twilight Sparkle then continued, “Exactly. And...”
Pinkie Pie cut her off again, “This week, I get to run Sugarcube Corner for the first time.”
“What does that have to do with Applejack?” Twilight asked.
Pinkie Pie then answered, “Oh. Applejack, one of the best bakers ever, is gonna help me. Applejack makes everything great, so free samples for everypony!”
The ponies cheered once again.
Twilight Sparkle then spoke up again, “Oh-kay, that’s great. Now if I could just make a point without being inter--”
“Twilight?” Fluttershy asked.
“--rupted,” Twilight said, then Fluttershy spoke up, “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.”
Twilight Sparkle then waited, “Anypony else? Anypony? No? Well then, as I was trying to say... Urgh! Never mind.” She gave up, until Mayor Mare was ready to speak.
Mayor Mare cleared her throat, “Ah-ahem. And so, with no further ado, it is my privilege to give the prize, Pony of Ponyville Award, to our beloved guest of honor, a pony of the utmost trustworthiness, reliability, and integrity. Ponyville’s most capable and dependable friend: Applejack!”
The pony crowd cheered happily, as the Mane 6 cheered happily as well, but it suddenly stopped as Applejack wasn’t anywhere in sight.
“Awkward,” Spike said.
Applejack’s voice suddenly appeared, “I'm here. I'm here.” She then yawned and sighed while walking through the crowd with her apple baskets held by a strap around her as a few apples dropped. “Sorry I’m late--whoa--I was just... whoa... Did I get your tail?” She then walked over to the stage and stood by Mayor Mare. “Miss Mayor. Thank you kindly for this here... award thingy.” Applejack yawned again, and gazed at her trophy, “It’s so bright and shiny and, heh, heh heh, I sure do look funny, heh. Ooo-ooo.”
Pinkie Pie made a funny face like Applejack was doing too, “Woo-ooo.”
“Ooo-ooo,” Applejack and Pinkie Pie said together.
Twilight was suddenly confused, “Okay. Well, thank you Applejack for saving us from that scary stampede, and always being there for everypony.”
Applejack yawned, “Yeah. I like helping the ponyfolks and,” she yawned once more, “and stuff.” She began snoring, before shaking her head, waking herself up, “Oh, uh, yeah. Uh, Thanks.” Applejack then grit her teeth on the trophy and dragged it with her back to her farm.
Twilight was now more confused, “Was it just me, or did Applejack seem a little--”
Rainbow Dash asked, “Tired?”
Fluttershy then asked, “Dizzy?”
Rarity then asked, “Messy?” The others looked at her, before Rarity replied again, “Well, did you see her mane?”
Pinkie Pie then commented, “She seemed fine to me. Woo! Woo!”
Twilight then pondered, “Hmm...”
Back at the orchard of Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack was still bucking the trees to get all the apples in their baskets, but she was still tired and very dizzy she couldn’t even stay focused, especially with those baggy eyelids.
Twilight saw what her problem was, “What on Earth is that pony doing?”
Applejack accidentally tipped over a basket full of apples, while walking over to the next tree, “Whoops.”
Twilight then called out, “Hey, Applejack!”
Applejack then slept while standing still, until Twilight called out again, “Applejack.”
Applejack was still sleeping. “Applejack!” Twilight then teleported herself towards Applejack and shouted, “AppleJACK!”
Applejack then woke up startled, and saw Twilight with Comet on her back, “Oh, howdy, Twilight.”
“What is all this?” Twilight asked.
“It’s Applebuck season,” Applejack replied, as she walked over to the next tree and bucked it, before Twilight teleported in front of her again. “Whoa.”
“Applewhat season?” Twilight asked.
“Neh, It’s what the Apple family calls harvestin’ time,” Applejack explained as Twilight followed the country made by teleporting. “We gather all the apples from the trees so we can sell ‘em.”
“But why are you doing it all alone?” Twilight asked.
“Because Big McIntosh hurt himself,” Applejack replied.
Twilight then teleported herself again in front of Applejack, “What about all those relatives I’ve met when I first came to Ponyville? Can’t they help?”
Applejack sighed, “They were just here for the Apple family reunion. They actually live all over Equestria and are busy harvestin’ their own orchards. So, uh, I’m on my own.” Twilight then teleported herself in front of Applejack. “Which means, I should really get back to work. Ahem... hint hint? Get back to work?”
Twilight then moved aside, “Fine.”
Applejack suddenly got dizzy again, “Could you step aside, Twilight?”
“I just did,” Twilight said. “Applejack, you don’t look so good.”
Applejack suddenly replied, “Eh, don’t any of you three worry none, I’m just fine and dandy.” She then kicked her hooves but got woozy, “Whoa.”
Twilight teleported in front of the mare, and asked, “Do you... want some help?”
“Help? No way, no how,” Applejack said.
“But there’s no way you can do it all on your own. Plus, you look like you haven’t slept at all,” Twilight said.
Applejack then gave her a glare, “Is that a challenge?”
“Uhm... no?” Twilight replied.
“Well, I’m gonna prove to you that I can do it! Now if you’ll both excuse me, I’ve got apples to buck,” Applejack said, as Twilight walked off back to Ponyville with concern on her face.
Later on, Twilight and Comet were on the balcony. Twilight was reading some normal books while Comet was reading some children’s books and comic books he started to enjoy. Just then, something hit the railing, startling them both. They looked over and saw Rainbow Dash, bent over on the rail.
“Can I help you?” Twilight asked.
“What happened?” Comet asked, worried for Rainbow Dash.
“Let’s just say, I was trying out a new trick that didn’t go so well,” Rainbow said. “Not on my part, mostly because I wasn’t ready. But right now, I think somepony else really needs your help.”
“Applejack?” Twilight asked.
“Yep,” Rainbow Dash said.
“Alright, I’ll handle this,” Twilight said. “Before I go, could you and Rarity watch over him? Since you’re not doing anything?”
“Sure. I’ll take him over, and make sure he’s in good hooves, but I’ll make sure to tell Rarity about this first,” Rainbow Dash replied, as she grabbed the colt and cradled him in her hooves, and then flew over to Rarity’s boutique. Twilight then walked back over to Sweet Apple Acres.
Back at the orchard, Applejack was still exhausted from apple-bucking all the trees, and getting all the apples into each basket, but as she saw one on the ground and picked it up, she bumped her head into a branch and her head rang, and made sudden deafness, meaning she couldn’t hear anything or pay attention.
Twilight then spoke to Applejack, “Applejack, can we talk?” Applejack couldn’t hear anything, but read her lips.
”Applejack, can we talk?”
“Can bees squawk?! I don’t think so,” Applejack said.
“No. Can we talk?” Twilight asked again.
“Twenty stalks? Bean or celery?” Applejack asked.
Twilight repeated herself loudly, “No! I need to talk to you.”
“You need to walk to the zoo? Well, who’s stoppin’ you?” Applejack asked.
“I need to talk to you!” Twilight hollered.
“Oh! Well why didn’t you say so? What you wanna talk about?” Applejack asked.
“Rainbow Dash dropped in to see me today,” Twilight said.
“That’s quite neighborly of her.” Applejack said.
“Yes, except that she crashed onto my balcony after you launched her into the air,” Twilight said.
“Oh, yeah. I wasn’t feeling quite myself this morning,” Applejack said.
“Because you’re working too hard and you need help,” Twilight said, walking over to Applejack.
“What? Kelp? I don’t need kelp. I don’t even like seaweed,” Applejack said.
“HELP! You need HELP!” Twilight hollered.
Applejack then made a stern look, “Nothin’ doin’, Twilight. I’m gonna prove to you, t’everypony, that I can do this on my own.” She then bumped into the same branch, making her dizzy again, “Ow! Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve gotta go help Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy.”
Twilight groaned, meaning she couldn’t do anything to help poor Applejack.
Later on, baby bunnies stampeded the town and ate every flower, and most of the town was now sick.
Twilight, Comet, and Spike rushed over to see what had happened, “We came as soon as we heard.”
“Oh thank you, Twilight. We need all the help we can get,” Nurse Redheart said, as the ponies were moaning as their faces were also green.
“Oh no! What happened?” Twilight asked.
Spike sniffed the muffin, which had a worm in it.
“It was a mishap with some of the baked goods,” Nurse Redheart said.
Pinkie Pie then spoke up, “No, not baked goods, baked bads.” She then groaned, with her mouth full of vomit and puked it out in a bucket.
As Rainbow Dash came by, Twilight then knew why, “Applejack.”
“What has been going on with Applejack?” Comet asked. “She looks exhausted.”
“Now that you think about it, she does seem a little bit off,” Rainbow Dash said.
“Since her brother, Big Mac, has been injured, Applejack is determined to do the harvesting all by herself,” Twilight said. “She hasn’t been wanting anypony’s help, even though, it’s clear that she needs it. But after I’ve been saying it, she won’t listen, and is still stubborn as a mule. No offense.”
“None taken,” the mule said.
Then the three of them started thinking, putting a hoof to their chins.
Comet got an idea and said, “What if... we help with the harvesting without Applejack knowing? You know, making it more easier for her.”
“Actually, Comet, that’s not a bad idea," Twilight said. “Rainbow Dash, get Rarity and Fluttershy.”
“But we don’t know where to put the apples,” Rainbow said.
“But, I know somepony who does,” Comet said.
Twilight, Comet, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy and Apple Bloom were bucking the apple trees of Sweet Apple Acres. They continued doing it before Applejack could come. Or wake up.
Pinkie Pie still wasn’t able to join them because of the “baked bads” that Applejack had made with her, making a quarter of the town very sick. So, they had to do the job as quick as possible. Comet almost knocked down an entire tree if Twilight wasn’t able to keep it up, but he used his magic to sort them neatly, like how Rarity was doing. Basically, they left five trees left unbucked, having Applejack ready to do those ones herself.
“That was close,” Twilight said as the seven of them were headed for the exit. “Thanks for letting us know where to take the apples, Apple Bloom.”
“No prob’, Twi,” Apple Bloom said. “Ah’ll try ta explain why we had ta help Applejack with ‘er chores.”
“A big job like that can’t be done by one pony,” Rarity said.
“Yeah,” Rainbow Dash agreed. “Not even the Wonderbolts are a one pony show. There are some tricks that have to be done in groups..
“I doubt even Princess Celestia can handle that much pressure of ruling Equestria all by herself,” Twilight said. “Now, how about we go get some breakfast?”
“Can we check on Pinkie Pie first and see how she’s doing?” Fluttershy asked.
“Good idea,” Twilight said. “We might as well see how she’s doing.”
“Do you think she knows how to make pancakes?” Comet asked. Twilight then smiled warmly at him for the idea about pancakes.
Twilight, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Comet were at Sugarcube Corner having pancakes. Pinkie Pie had also gotten better overnight. She just had to wait out the bad muffins that she consumed the previous day. Spike came in, eating those same muffins.
“Eeew... Spike, I threw those all away. Where’d you get them?” Pinkie Pie asked.
“From the trash,” Spike replied.
“EW!” The ponies replied.
When Pinkie Pie saw them being eaten by Spike, her face turned green and she had the urge to throw up. She rushed towards the bathroom so she could spew.
Just then, Applejack slammed the door open, and walked over towards her friends with an angry look.
“Y’all mind tellin’ me why ya bucked mah family’s trees when Ah said that Ah didn’t need help?!” Applejack shouted.
“Applejack,” Twilight said, a bit angry. “You actually did need help. You couldn’t possibly buck all of those trees by yourself. And it was proven when you were trying to do other activities with the others.”
“You launched me up into the sky when I wasn’t even ready for my trick yet,” Rainbow Dash gave her example.
“You poisoned ponies with those awful muffins,” Rarity said. “Including Pinkie Pie.” They suddenly heard her vomit again. “I’m okay!” she hollered.
“You had the baby bunnies run through town, making them eat all of the flowers that the florists worked so hard on," Fluttershy said.
“Isn’t it obvious, Applejack?” Twilight asked. “You needed help. You were just too proud and stubborn to accept it.”
“We just wanted you to take it easy,” Comet said. “We care about you as well.”
Applejack looked at her friends, showing how much they were concerned for her. She then lowered her head and said, “Ah... Ah guess y’all were right. Ah was wantin’ ta prove that Ah could handle all o’ the chores bah mahself, and be with mah friends, that Ah couldn’t focus. Ah’m sorry.”
“It’s okay, Applejack,” Twilight said. “Next time you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, come and find us and ask for help. We’d be happy to help you.”
“You got it, Twi,” Applejack said, and then she hugged Comet. “And thanks for your concern.” Comet nodded and nuzzled with her chest fur.
“And, I believe that would be a good friendship lesson,” Twilight said. “Spike, prepare a report.”
“Okay,” Spike said, as he grabbed his quill and began writing on the paper as Twilight spoke:
“Dear Princess Celestia,
My friend Applejack is the best friend a pony could ever have, and she’s always there to help anypony. The only trouble is, when she needs help, she finds it hard to accept it, so while friendship is about giving of ourselves to friends, it’s also about accepting what our friends have to offer.
Your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle”
Spike then sent it, before he started grabbing another bad tasting muffin. “Mmm… yum.” Then the muffin was grabbed in a dark blue aura, along with the bag containing the rest of the muffins, and they were taken out of Spike’s claws.
Comet took the muffins, put them on the ground in front of him, jumped on them multiple times, and threw them back in the trash. Comet sighed and said, “You do realize it was these muffins that made those ponies sick, right?”
“Really?” Spike asked. “How come I wasn’t...” Then his stomach growled, hurting him. “Oh... boy. I need to go to the bathroom!” He then rushed towards the bathroom, but it was locked. He banged on the bathroom door. “Pinkie! Open up! Those muffins are making a run back up!”
The group of ponies looked at each other, and they all started laughing. Guess not even a dragon can’t handle those kind of muffins. It somehow just takes a certain amount of time for them to affect him.
Throughout the day, Applejack learned her lesson and from now on, if she is overwhelmed, Applejack would ask her friends or family for help anytime.