It was a normal day in Ponyville, that is, until the cows attacked.
Now, you wouldn’t believe me, but it happened at around 3:00 or so.
I was just walking around in the Town Market; trying to find the art supply stand, when I heard Rainbow Dash yell, “STAMPEDE!”
That’s when I heard. A million cows coming in our direction.
Ponies were screaming and hiding in their homes. Maybe I should go home. I tried to look for Ivy, to alert her about this.
“Hey...! This makes my voice sound silly!” Pinkie called, vibrating as she talked.
“Pinkie Pie, are you crazy?! Run!” Twilight yelled, running.
“Everypony calm down. There is no need to panic.” Mayor Mare tried to say.
“But Mayor, whatever shall we do?” Rarity asked.
Rainbow Dash pointed. “Look there!”
I followed her hoof. A bright orange figure with a brown-white one was among the stampede. Applejack and Winona.
We cheered. AJ is coming to save us! Yay! Ivy came over.
“What’s going— oh.” Ivy seemed confused and amazed at the same time.
“This is the best rodeo show I've ever seen.” Pinkie had whipped out some popcorn out of nowhere.
“Applejack was just... just...” Mayor Mare couldn’t find the right word.
“Appletastic!”
“Exactly. We must do something to thank Applejack for single-hoofedly saving the town.”
“I know. A party!”
“Is Applejack all set?” Twilight asked Rainbow Dash.
“Actually, I haven't seen her all week.” She admitted.
“Well, I saw her at Sweet Apple Acres, and she looked busy. In fact, when I asked her about it, she said she’d be around, but she also looked tired too.” I observed.
“Then she'll be here for sure. Applejack is never late.” Dash offered.
AT THE PARTY
We gathered at the Town Hall as we waited for the speech.
Twilight Sparkle came up. “Welcome, everypony! Today we are here to honor a pony we can always count on to help in matters great and small. A pony whose contributions to—“ Dash interrupted her.
“Did you see Applejack's slick moves out there? What an athlete. This week she's gonna help me with my new flying trick, and I know it's gonna be so awesome.”
Twilight got back on. “Exactly. And...” But this time, Pinkie interrupted.
“This week, I get to run Sugarcube Corner for the first time.” Pinkie announced.
“What does that have to do with Applejack?” Twilight asked.
“Oh. Applejack, one of the best bakers ever, is gonna help me. Applejack makes everything great, so free samples for everypony!” Pinkie announced. Everypony cheered. Of course. Free muffins.
Twilight pushed Pinkie down. Somehow, she got offstage. “Oh-kay, that's great. Now if I could just make a point without being inter—“
“Twilight?” Fluttershy asked meekly.
“--rupted.” Twilight groaned.
“Twilight, I'm so sorry, but I just wanted to mention that Applejack is also helping me this week with the official bunny census, where we count up all the new baby bunnies that were born this season. She's gonna help gather them using her wonderful herding skills.” Fluttershy said.
“Anyone else? Anyone?” Twilight asked. “No? Well then, as I was trying to say...” Twilight said happily, turning through her index cards when she saw Mayor Mare. “Urgh! Never mind.” Twilight got offstage.
“Ah-ahem. And so, with no further ado, it is my privilege to give the prize, Pony of Ponyville Award, to our beloved guest of honor, a pony of the utmost trustworthiness, reliability, and integrity. Ponyville's most capable and dependable friend: Applejack!”
The curtains opened, but Applejack wasn’t there. What?
Spike was cheering. “Cool! Way to go Applejack, that was awesome!” We glared/stared at him. “I mean-- heh.” Spike said, embarrassed.
“Ah-ahem.”
“Awkward.”
Just then Applejack came. “I'm here. I'm here.” Applejack yawned. “Sorry I'm late--whoa--I was just... whoa... Did I get your tail?” AJ came up. “Miss Mayor. Thank you kindly for this here... award thingy.” Applejack looked at the trophy weirdly. “It's so bright and shiny and, heh, heh heh, I sure do look funny heh. Ooo-ooo.” She started “Wooo-ooo” –ing.
Twilight said awkwardly. “Okay. Well, thank you Applejack for saving us from that scary stampede, and always being there for everypony.”
Applejack stared at her, then yawned. “Yeah. I like helping the ponyfolks and—“ AJ yawned again. “--and stuff.” Applejack started snoring. Then she woke up. “Oh, uh, yeah. Uh, Thanks.” She started dragging the award backwards.
Twilight stared at her. “Was it just me, or did Applejack seem a little—“
“Tired?”
“Dizzy?”
“Busy?”
“Messy?” We all stared at Rarity. “Well, did you see her mane?” She complained.
“She seemed fine to me. Woo! Woo!”
“Hmm…”
A FEW DAYS LATER
I came to the market again, because of paper. I searched, but there were no more paper and we have to wait till next week.
“STAMPEDE!”
HUH? MORE? I looked. But I saw bunnies instead of cows.
Ponies were screaming and hiding again. I tried to hold them off with a shield, but they were strong. Wow.
HOURS LATER
“Guys! GUYS!” Twilight came galloping over.
“Twilight! What’s going on?” Dash asked.
“Applejack needs help now. Come on!”
Dear Princess Celestia,
My friend Applejack is the best friend a pony could ever have, and she's always there to help anypony. The only trouble is, when she needs help, she finds it hard to accept it, so while friendship is about giving of ourselves to friends, it's also about accepting what our friends have to offer.
Your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle
“How about y'all take a little break? I got some fine apple juice waitin' for ya!” We came over to the table. “Girls, I can't thank you enough for this help. I was acting a bit stubborn.”
“A bit?” Twilight asked.
“Okay. A mite stubborn, and I'm awful sorry. Now, I know the town gave me the Prized Pony award, but the real award is having you seven as my friends.” We all drank up.
“Phew! That applebucking sure made me hungry.”
“And I've got the perfect treat.” Spike came, with eaten-up muffins.
“Eeew... Spike, I threw those all away. Where'd you get them?”
“From the trash.” Spike answered.
“EWWWW!” We all said. Disgusting.
“Just a little nibble? Come on.” Spike coaxed.
“Ew! Gross!”