On a typical Summer day in Ponyville, Rainbow Dash was engaging in one of her usual Summer activities. With a thin blanket and pillow, the cyan pegasus was lying comfortably on the outstretched branch of an apple tree, or at least she was as comfortable as one could possibly be while napping on a wooden branch. The tree she rested on was near the center of Sweet Apple Acres, the Apple family farm.
Applejack was a hardworking farmpony, and thus, she took midday naps far less often than somepony like Rainbow Dash. However, she had recently finished her daily chores and decided that some quick R and R was well deserved. With her hat tilted over her eyes, she rested against the base of the same tree that Rainbow Dash was using. She was well aware of the presence of her friend looming above her.
Both ponies rested for a few tranquil minutes before Rainbow Dash spoke out of the blue. "Hey, Applejack," she said, "Do you ever wonder why we're here?"
Applejack tilted her hat out of her eyes and looked up at Rainbow Dash for a moment, considering her question. "I reckon that's one of life's great ponders, ain't it?" she replied thoughtfully. "Why are we here? We go through life doing what we can, makin' a name for ourselves, maybe even makin' a difference; but how long does that last? Are each of us here for a reason, to make the world better or worse; or is life just simply what it is? Are we just supposed to go along with it and do the best for ourselves, or are we here to do something, something we just don't know yet? I don't know Rainbow... I just don't know."
Rainbow Dash leaned over the side of her branch and stared down at Applejack with a confused expression. "What?" she asked. "I was just asking why we're napping here, on a tree, when we both have far more comfortable beds to sleep on at our houses."
"Oh..."
"What was all that stuff about life?"
"Nothin'," Applejack replied dismissively.
"...Do you want to talk about it?" Rainbow Dash offered.
"Let's not," said Applejack.
As they finished their brief conversation, Twilight the purple alicorn stepped into view. She was heading down a dirt path at a rushed pace. The speed at which she was trotting was a dead give-away that something was wrong. Twilight was never in such a rush unless she believed something was important.
"There you girls are!" she said with a tone of relief. "Rarity and Spike are already at the Crystal Castle, but I don't know where Fluttershy or Pinkie Pie are!"
Rainbow Dash jolted up after hearing the urgency in her friend's voice and hovered to her side. "Woah! Slow down there, Twilight!" She said.
"What's wrong?" Applejack asked with much concern.
"I'll go get Rarity and Spike," Twilight announced without giving an answer. "You two need to come with me. We'll split up and look for the others. Once we find them, we'll meet up back at the castle!"
Rainbow Dash attempted to get some information from her. "What's going on?" she asked.
Twilight spread her wings and took into the air. She immediately began flying toward the Crystal Castle. Rainbow Dash followed her and Applejack ran bellow them as best she could.
"We don't have time to talk!" Twilight said frantically as she flew. "I'll explain as much as we can on the way to the castle!"