//------------------------------//
// 3) Apple 
// Story: The Adventures of a Human Peach 
// by AppleTank 
//------------------------------//

Twilight trotted happily over to Sweet Apple Acres. The peach bit sat safely inside her saddlebags, wrapped in old newspapers.

She saw the orange pony working near the edge of the fence. “Hey Applejack, can I ask you for a favor?”

“Hmm? Ah, Howdy, Twi,” Applejack said, standing up and trotting over to the fence. “What can I do for ya?”

Twilight levitated out the pit. “Do you have anywhere where I can plant this? I forgot last time, and just tossed the leftovers into the trash. Such a delicacy shouldn’t be wasted.”

Something dark flickered over Applejack’s face, but Twilight, who was currently imaging of all the peaches she could harvest, didn’t notice. “Sure thing, Twi. There’s a tiny place near the barn where I got some space. Just hoof it over and I’ll get it planted.”

Twilight gave it a thought. “I want to watch it. I have to make sure everything goes right.”

“Alright, then. Its your peach.”

Applejack led Twilight to the spot besides the barn and helped her dig a small hole. Twilight dropped the pit in, and Applejack pushed some dirt over it. They were about to leave when Twilight remembered she was an alicorn. “Oo, I have an idea. Wait here.” 

She ran back to the small dirt pile and focused on her magic. She felt mana flowing through her hooves and into the Earth. With a bit of effort, she located the peach and fed it the local nutrients. Within a few seconds, a small sprout emerged.

-AAAHHHHHH

“Whoo! That took a lot out of me. You sure make it seem easy, Applejack.”

“Yeah. Easy,” the farmer mumbled. 

Twilight was too busy nuzzling the sprout to notice her expression. “Just you wait, peachy. I’ll have you growing strong and full of delicious peaches soon.” She stood back up. “Alright, I’m done here. Thanks, Applejack!” Twilight happily trotted down the path away from Sweet Apple Acres. 

Applejack grumbled unhappily and went back to her chores.

OH DAMN that hurts! the sprout complained. Why the hell am I still awake for it? Shouldn’t I be dead- oh that’s a lot of apple trees

One of the trees twitched imperceptibly, but to the peach tree, it looked like it turned to face him. Hmm, its a new one. I have never seen the likes of you. What plant are you?

You can’t tell? I’m a peach, the best fruit in the world.

The tree’s mood darkened. I’d be careful, child. The mare that runs this farm prefers apples. She has an extremely bad relationship after the last time her friend ate a peach, she became addicted to it and refused to eat anything else for a week.

Well, you don’t have to worry about that. I’m trying to get out of here. Being a tree has admittedly made it a bit difficult, but that’s not going to stop me.

Good luck, kid, We dearly wish you can escape. The Apple mare will be looking for a way to remove you.

She’s going to pull me out? That’s great! I still haven’t figure out how to get rid of this dirt covering my leg- I mean, roots.

... Nevermind.




Later that night.

Applejack snarled angrily, tossing her hat onto a hook. How dare she bring back another peach. She had personally made sure all peaches never came close to Ponyville ever again after Twilight’s binge. Somepony needed to do something about it.

The mare walked over to the window and watched the sun go down. Twilight will probably be staying in her library by now. No witnesses. She went into the pantry.




That same night, near the barn

Just a little more.... got it!

A single, fiber thin root poked its way out of the soil. It took the sprout a few minutes to realize that all it did was make it grow longer.

And then it heard a snickering in the tree tops. It brought back memories of anger. It did its best to ignore it as he wiggled his roots.

Hey. Peach.

Go. Away. Can’t you tell I’m trying to get out of this apple farm? I need to go back to Comic Con and spread the word of peaches.

Hey. Peach. Hey. Hey Peach

Ugh. Not again. If I answer you, will you shut up?

Maaaybe.

Fine. What is it.

Apples.

What?

A box slammed over the sprout, cutting off its vision. A tiny fireworks was slid underneath, its fuse lit.

WHAT THE -