//------------------------------// // Ch 6 // Story: The Lost Cousin // by caveman0803 //------------------------------// Rainbow Dash and Apple Risotto flew back to Sweet Apple Acres in relative silence. Risotto was thinking over what Granny Smith had told him and what he had talked to Rainbow about. As they neared Sweet Apple Acres they saw Applejack and Big Macintosh out harvesting apples. Seeing the ponies that he had found out were family made him smile. He had never known any family other than his Momma and he liked the idea that he had a bigger family. The two pegasi landed near the barn just as Applejack and Big Mac were walking up with two full baskets of apples. “Howdy Rainbow, what brings ya here?” Applejack asked with a small smile on her face. "Oh not much. Just finished up clouds duty." Replied Rainbow Dash. "While I was busting clouds I found your cousin ogling Pinkie Pie." "I did no such thing, damn it!" Risotto exclaimed with a hint of red in his cheeks. "Uh huh." She said with a sly grin. "Anyways, I ran into him and we started talking. He seemed really frustrated so I let him vent his frustrations. After what he told me I can understand why." "So Risotto told ya everything?" Applejack asked. "Yea, whenever I get really frustrated I vent to the nearest pony and Rainbow Dash was the lucky winner." Risotto laid with his head down in shame. Applejack looked at her cousin and chuckled at his expense. "Ah shoot Risotto it's no big deal. Rainbow is one of ma best friends so there's no need ta worry. Now what's this talk about you ogling Pinkie Pie?" Risotto's cheeks were now the same color as his mane as he blushed furiously. "I was not ogling her. I was simply watching her from afar." He defended. Rainbow Dash and Applejack both began giggling at Risotto. It was at this point that Risotto realized he wasn't making a good argument due himself. "Relax Sugarcube. So you got the hots for Pinkie?" Applejack asked "I think she is the most beautiful mare I have ever laid my eyes on. Not only that but she seems like she has a great personality." Risotto explained with a small smile on his face. Applejack and Rainbow both began snickering. “Oh yea, she has personality.” Rainbow said. Risotto looked at Rainbow Dash with a confused look. “What do you mean?” He asked. Just as Rainbow Dash was about to explain they saw what they thought was a cotton candy cloud coming towards them. That could only mean one thing. “Speak of the devil, here she comes now.” Rainbow stated. Pinkie Pie was making her way towards Sweet Apple Acres to tell the Apple Family about the End of Spring Festival. She wanted the Apples to be able to sell their pies and other apple delicacies. As she drew closer she was able to make out Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Big Macintosh. As well as… “Oh my goodness, He’s here too. It’s ok Pinkie, you can do this. You are here strictly for business.” She thought to herself. She steeled her resolve and continued onwards towards the farm. Once she got to the farm she was greeted by two of her bestest friends in all of Equestria. “Hey Pinkie.” Rainbow Dash said. “Well howdy Pinkie Pie. What can I do fer ya?” Applejack asked. “Hiya Aj. Hiya Dashie. I came here to tell you guys about this HUGE party I’m throwing at the end of spring.” Pinkie said with her trademark grin. “I’m getting ponies from ALLLLLLLLLLLL over Equestria to come to this. I had Twilight contact the Princesses so they’re going to get the fancy ponies from Canterlot and the ponies of the Crystal Empire to come. Then I thought to myself 'Pinkie, who do you know of that can also help spread the word because they have such a HUGE family?' and then it came to me. 'Applejack.' So I came all the way here to ask you to spread the word to your family who are all over Equestria.” Pinkie explained. “Since Rainbow Dash is here she can go to Cloudsdale and tell the ponies there.” Rainbow Dash and Applejack stared at Pinkie Pie, letting the information sink in. “So let me get this straight.” Rainbow Dash stated. “You’re gonna throw a party that’s gonna be attended by EVERYPONY in Equestria.” “Uh huh.” Pinkie confirmed. “And ya’ll are thinkin that little ol Ponyville is gonna be able to hold that many ponies?” Applejack asked. “Of course not silly.” Pinkie said matter of factly. “We’re going to need to use a few miles outside of Ponyville, which means that we’re going to have to set up places for the ponies to stay.” “Like what?” Rainbow asked. “We could always set up campgrounds.” Apple Risotto added. They all turned to look at Risotto with questioning looks. “We could advertise that there’ll be campgrounds set up in different spots around Ponyville. That way they have a place to stay and we won’t have to build up new buildings.” Risotto continued. “And for the citizens of Ponyville, they could stay at the campsites as well so they can stay with friends and family.” “Thats not a bad idea Cuz.” Applejack said. “Yea, I expected a super smart smarty pants like Twilight to come up with an idea like that.” Pinkie said. Applejack realized that she had made an error. “Oh I almost forgot. Pinkie Pie I'd like ya ta meet my cousin Apple Risotto.” Applejack stated. “Apple Risotto, this here is my friend Pinkie Pie.” Risotto raised his hoof to the pink mare. “It’s nice to meet you Pinkie Pie.” Pinkie raised her hoof to shake Risotto’s. “Just Pinkie is fine. It’s nice to meet you too Apple Risotto.” She said with her trademark grin that almost gave Risotto a heart attack. “Just Risotto, Pinkie.” Risotto commented with a smile that made Pinkie melt. “Well the campsites cover those that are comin from Appleoosa but what about the ones comin from Canterlot or Manehattan?” Applejack asked. “Believe it or not, some of those prissy Unicorns do like to go camping and even if they didn’t they still have access to some very high class tents. They’ve developed tents that are much bigger on the inside to accommodate whatever they feel like bringing with them.” Explained Risotto. “You know what. That doesn’t surprise me at all.” Rainbow deadpanned. “So with that in mind, all we’d really have to do is make sure we know how many ponies are coming and then we can develop the area’s that we plan to use for the campgrounds.” Risotto stated. “We can always develop the campground here at Sweet Apple Acres for the Apple Family and there’s a few acres a couple miles from here that’ll do just nicely for the rest of the Appleoosians and we can always find more places around Ponyville for the other folks.” Commented Applejack. They all nodded their heads in agreement. “Will that work for you Pinkie Pie?” Risotto asked. “Yeap!” Pinkie exclaimed. “This is gonna be the bestest party EVER! Bye everypony. Gots more planning to do.” She turned around and hopped back towards town to continue her planning and to make sure everything was correct. “Well that was fun.” Commented Risotto. “Wait til you start hangin out with her more cousin.” Applejack chuckled. “Anyways.” Risotto said “What do you two have planned for today?” “I have to practice my tricks to impress the wonderbolts.” Rainbow said. “If they’re gonna be coming to Ponyville I have to have my A-game ready for them. See you guys later.” Rainbow Dash took off at high speeds to who knows where. “I got more applebuckin to do and now I need to talk to granny about finding places for the rest of our family to plot their plots.” Applejack said. “Mind if I join you applebucking?” Risotto asked. “I’d like to learn more about our family, if thats ok?” “Shoot ya shoulda asked before. Come on. We’ll head into the west field and get started there.” Applejack said.