//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: On the Road to Galloway // by Matthew Penn //------------------------------// “What are we going to do about fixing the wheel?” Apple Bloom asked. Once Applejack had dried herself she joined her brother and sister to inspect the missing wheel on the wagon. She was surprised that they made it this far with eleven barrels and three wheels, especially when crossing the river. Still, they were caught at a detour. “The only thing we can do is to try to pull as best we can,” she said. “Wait a minute, you don’t expect me to carry that wagon all through the trip, do you?” Macintosh said. “It’s either that, or try to make another wheel, and I don’t think that’s going to be an option. Besides, you’re strong enough. I’ve seen you lift things much bigger than that wagon.” “He pulled a house out of the ground once!” Apple Bloom exclaimed. “It happened last Hearts and Hooves Day!” “That was because you and your little friends tricked me into dating your teacher!” Macintosh said accusingly. “Alright you two, this ain’t no time for reminiscing,” Applejack said. “We gotta get a move on! Big Mac, you go on back. Apple Bloom, make sure none of them barrels fall off.” Apple Bloom nodded, said, “Yes ma’am.” On the count of three Macintosh lift the wagon and Applejack pulled with all her might. Apple Bloom wasn’t very sure of how she could manage to catch any of the barrels if they ever fell off the wagon. The barrels were almost the size of her, maybe an inch or two taller. They started on the road again. Apple Bloom was going to ask where they were going, only to realize they probably had no idea at this point. It wasn’t too bad. At least they were finally out of that dreaded forest. From here on out it was going to be smooth sailing, at least that what she hoped. She leaned back on one of the barrels and gazed at the sky. The sun was still out. Apple Bloom had was not sure what time it was, but she knew it was the afternoon. The wagon passed through a dirt trail. Much of the green from earlier was gone, but not entirely. There were still hills, but they were mostly far away. Looking back she saw her brother struggling to carry the wagon. He gritted his teeth, his eyes repeatedly closed then shot open, wincing in pain. Poor Big Mac, she thought. Apple Bloom couldn’t stand to see him like that. “You okay?” she asked. “I’ll be fine,” grunted Macintosh. “Just watch them barrels.” He said he was fine, but Apple Bloom there was something she could do to help him. She’ll probably have something to do when the time comes, she thought. She kept watch over the barrels. Then she crawled through the wagon, between the barrels, until she was up front with Applejack’s back facing her. “So how long until we get to Galloway?” she asked. “I don’t know, sis. Right now I’m just guessing. Just hang on tight and make sure we don’t lose any cider.” It seems that nopony had answers. Oh well. Apple Bloom sat down on the wagon. A moment later her stomach made noises. She knew she forgot something important. She hadn’t had breakfast since the early hours of the morning, and it was just an apple she ate. “Hey y’all, I’m starving. Did we pack any lunch or something?” Apple Bloom saw Applejack shake her head, muttering to herself. “I’m sorry there, Apple Bloom. I was so busy getting ready for the trip that I didn’t think to bring any food.” “That’s crazy! Who goes on a trip without packing food?” “I had a lot of stuff on my mind!” Apple Bloom inspected the area. There were a few trees, and none of them had anything that looked edible. Everything was mostly dirt and soil. Her stomach annoyed her once more. There was much louder rumble coming from Macintosh. “Apple Bloom’s right,” he said. “We better get something to eat soon.” “I thought you were going to pack food!” Applejack said frustratingly. “I was busy trying to be sure we had what we need!” Applejack and Macintosh engaged in a shouting match, and the wagon stopped moving. They called each other names, pointed hooves and gave dirty looks. Apple Bloom shook her head, rubbing her stomach. She was sorry she even mentioned food. She looked ahead, and she saw something coming down the dirt road. Not something, somepony. Apple Bloom kept watching the pony walk down the road while trying to ignore the angry voices of her siblings. The pony seemed to be rolling something down the road, something large and circular. Can it be? “Guys, look!” Apple Bloom tried to say, but her voice was drowned in her siblings quarrel. She spoke louder, leaving no results. The pony was coming closer to their wagon, and she saw that the pony was rolling a wooden wheel. Apple Bloom took a deep breath, then yelled at the top of her lungs, “Hey, shut up!” Macintosh and Applejack were silent. Her voice was loud enough to start the passerby. Apple Bloom pointed to the pony with the wheel. Her brother and sister shared glances, and the wheel pony just stared awkwardly. “May I help you?” the pony asked. She was a mare, middle-aged. She had blue skin and wore a green cloak over her. Applejack cleared her throat. “Well, ma’am, you see, me and my family here have a little situation on our hooves. We’re on the road to deliver cider, then the wheel to our wagon broke down. So… if you ain’t using that wheel, you think you can lend it to us?” The mare rubbed her chin. “Of course I can.” “Oh thank you, ma’am! You’ve saved our skins,” Applejack exclaimed. “But I must have something in return,” the mare added. Then she smiled. “How about one of those barrels of cider?” Applejack was taken aback. “Sorry, no can do. We can’t give any of these away.” The mare shrugged. “Then I guess you don’t have a wheel.” Applejack’s mouth was agape. This mare had quite the nerve to make such an exchange. If she wasn’t such a good pony, Applejack would have fought her for the wheel. In fact, she was going to do that right now. She removed the saddle, took off her stetson. Then a large red arm blocked her way. “Applejack, no!” Macintosh said sharply. “Get out of my way! I’m getting that wheel!” “Come on, Applejack, you ain’t like that! Little Apple Bloom’s watching you!” Applejack turned to see Apple Bloom’s little head peeking over the wagon, then turned away quickly in shame. “Are you really suggesting that we give her a barrel?” she asked angrily. “We have to,” Macintosh said. Applejack grumbled, muttering curses under her breath. She stomped her hoof on the dirt repeatedly, then marched to the wagon, unloading one of the barrels of cider for the mare. The cloaked mare nodded, and the wheel was theirs. “Thank you for your cooperation,” the mare said. She continued on the road rolling the cider barrel. Once she was out of view, Applejack gritted her teeth in a fit of anger. “I hope you’re happy, Macintosh Apple! We have ten barrels left because of you!” “I was trying to keep you from fighting!” “I wasn’t gonna fight her, just roughing her up a little!” Macintosh and Applejack were locked in yet another contest of who could raise their voice the loudest. Apple Bloom sat down on the wagon. She gazed at the blue sky. It was probably in the middle of the afternoon, she thought. Her stomach rumbled. “This stinks,” she mumbled.