//------------------------------//
// Firebrand - bookplayer 
// Story: AppleDash Group Collab 
// by DbzOrDie 
//------------------------------//

Rainbow Dash landed on Sweet Apple Acres to find Applejack fuming.

“Hey, something wrong?” she asked, giving Applejack a peck on the cheek. “I thought you were clearing out dead trees today.”

“I was clearin’ out dead trees, but somepony is keepin’ me from my work.” Applejack motioned to a nearby tree, leafless and decrepit, with a yellow pegasus chained to it.

“I… um… said I was sorry for the inconvenience, but, um, deforestation is a very serious problem,” Fluttershy said firmly.

Applejack rolled her eyes. “The tree ain’t bein’ deforested, it’s dead! It ain’t forested anymore anyway! And this ain’t a forest, it’s an orchard!”

“That’s no reason to be disrespectful of it,” Fluttershy admonished. “Dead trees provide a habitat for squirrels and woodpeckers.”

“Be that as it may, this is a farm, and livin’ trees provide a better habitat for apples!” Applejack shouted.

“Apples aren’t everything, Applejack. And I’m not budging.” Fluttershy gave a nod. Then she chanted,  “Um… no, no, I don’t think I’d really like to go... if you don’t mind.”

“I do mind, come to think of it!” Applejack said, stomping her hoof.

Dash just shook her head and sighed. Then she motioned to Applejack.

“AJ, AJ, come here…” Dash pulled Applejack into a huddle. “Look, she can’t stay there forever. She’s got, like, a million animals to feed. Why don’t we go for a run, and you can cut down the tree when she leaves to give them lunch.”

Applejack considered it a moment, then nodded and whispered, “I reckon you’re right. Lemme go put up my tools.”

As Applejack gathered her axe and saw, she spoke loudly and unconvincingly. “Well, looks like you win, Fluttershy! Yup, I ain’t gonna be cuttin’ down trees no more. I’ll just leave ya’ here in this here habitat and go for a run with Dash.”

Fluttershy smiled. “Good! I hope you both have fun…”

Applejack walked back to the barn. As soon as she was out of sight, Dash flew over to Fluttershy for a hoofbump.

“Thanks, Fluttershy!”

“You’ll be by this weekend to give flying lessons to the baby birds?” Fluttershy asked.

“Yeah, sure.” Dash nodded. “I don’t suppose we could figure out some way for you to protest making apple butter? She’s doing that all day Friday, and I was hoping we could hang out at the lake.”

Fluttershy considered the question. “Um… well… I don’t suppose being mashed up is very comfortable for the apples…”

“Great!” Dash grinned. “You can, like, chain yourself to the stove or something.”

“Dash! You ready?” Applejack’s voice came from the end of the row of trees.

“Yup! Let’s go!” Dash called back. She gave a wink to Fluttershy, then turned and headed off to have an awesome afternoon of fun with her marefirend.