With Big Mac off in Canterlot, Applejack is going to need some help with Applebuck season. Twilight agreed to help her but for some reason refuses to use any magic or her wings. Can Applejack finish the harvest and get to the bottom of this?
Big Mac has to go to Canterlot for an event which leaves Applejack to deal with the upcoming Applebuck season. Lucky for her, Twilight has agree to help and now Applejack feels that with Twilight's magic and flight; they could get the harvest done in no time at all. However, Twilight has other things in mind as she states that she is determined to help Applejack through Applebuck season without using wings or magic. Can Twilight stick with that goal and can Applejack figure out the reason why and still have time to complete the harvest?
Cover Art doesn't belong to me. Came up with this idea while talking to some other writers during Bronycon.
"What do you mean you have to go to Canterlot?!" Applejack proclaimed as she watches her brother Big Mac pack for his trip. He is going to attended an event that is something he had to go. The thing is that said event will be going on through the Applebuck season and he wouldn't be able to help.
Knowing this, he knew that he couldn't leave his sister to take care of the whole acre so he asked some of her friends if they were free to help like last time. However, all but one already had plans during the two weeks he would be out of town. Exhaling he replies "And I told you that I have to go."
Applejack lets out a small grunt before saying "I just don't understand why you have to go to some fancy event up in Canterlot." The thing was that Applejack knew she wouldn't convince her brother to not go. She had already lost that argument a while back. What she was more angry with was the fact that her help would be in the form of Twilight Sparkle. Now Applejack had no issues with Twilight but for some time now the she had noticed her friend was doing a lot of observations on the various earth ponies in town. When asked, she simply responded with something along the lines of doing research and wouldn't elaborate.
Now she was going to be helping her out with the harvest and Applejack wasn't sure if her friend was up to the task. Sure Twilight wasn't the most athletic pony she knew but she did have two additions that Applejack didn't which would be a great assist to have. Thinking along those lines, Applejack started to see the silver lining that was presented before her. With Twilight offering her magic and flight, it would make harvesting apples faster and allow the two ponies to get done faster.
With that in mind, Applejack at last relents and says "Alright I understand. Who knows, we might even get done with the harvest before you come back big bro."
Big Mac didn't reply to his sister's comment though there was a look of uncertainty that flashed in his eyes; like he knew something that Applejack didn't know and he was unsure as to how to bring it up. He knew he should tell her about what he saw when he went to ask Twilight but Big Mac wasn't the best with explaining his thoughts. Besides, Applejack would find out soon enough...hopefully by the time he was in Canterlot.
So Big Mac went to finish the rest of his packing with the help of Applejack and it was then that the two made their way over to the train station so that not only would Applejack see her brother off but it was also where she was going to meet up with Twilight.
The two reached the station just as the first train to leave for Canterlot was boarding. Big Mac, already having his ticket, gave his sister a final goodbye hug before boarding along with a few other ponies who had business at the capital. Applejack watched as the train let out a final whistle before rolling along the tracks and away from the station.
"I never get tired seeing the Ponyville Express leave. There are just so many good memories we have shared on it." Twilight said in a musing tone. Though Twilight's intention wasn't to startle her friend; it still caused Applejack to let out a sudden gasp of surprise and do a one-eighty turn to face her.
Applejack took a few moments to calm her racing heart before saying "Geez Twilight how long have you been standing there?"
Twilight merely tilted her head to the side a bit before saying "Oh since Big Mac boarded the train. I actually got here before you two but I didn't want to interrupt."
Applejack calmed down and gave Twilight a friendly smile "Well thanks Twilight, not only for that but also taking some time to help me with the harvest."
"Oh it was no trouble at all." Twilight replied as the two began their walk back to the farm "In fact, I had thought about if I could help out around the farm earlier but I've been rather busy of late. So when Big Mac came to me with that offer...well it was the perfect time."
Now that made Applejack a little curious and she turns her head to look at her magically gifted friend "And why would you want to help out around the farm anyway. I mean, not that I wouldn't have minded the help but don't you have a lot of research to do?"
Twilight waved her hoof in response to the question "That is true but let's just say that I do have my reason for helping you out on the farm. Besides when Big Mac told me how our other friends were too busy to help I knew I couldn't leave you to do all that work like last time."
Even though it was a long time ago, Applejack still felt her cheeks redden in embarrassment about the last time she tried to do the harvest all by herself. The two friends reached Sweet Apple Acres and the smell of fresh apples was making them both hungry. Realizing that she hadn't had breakfast yet, Applejack asked "Hay Twi, how about we get some food before we get to work. After all a good breakfast is the best way to start the day."
Twilight nodded in agreement and followed Applejack to her house. To be polite, she waited for her friend to open the door to her house before stepping inside even though Twilight could have just opened it with her magic. Once the two were inside, they both made their way to the kitchen so they could get breakfast.
Applejack began making some pancakes while Twilight helped with collecting ingredients that she needed. However, as the cooking went on Applejack began to notice an unusual manner in which Twilight was acting. Despite having wings and magic, Twilight seemed insistent on getting items by hoof which more often than not resulted in said items falling on the floor. Every time that happened, Twilight would apologize and start cleaning the mess up yet she would do so without the use for her wings or magic.
It took a lot longer than Applejack had anticipated but in the end there were two plates filled with pancakes. Unable to ignore the observation for much longer, Applejack waited for Twilight and her to get settled before asking "Hay...um...Twi. Can I ask you something?"
Twilight looked up after an intense stare on the utensils in front of her "Sure AJ. What is it?"
"Well I don't mean to pry but has something happened to you?"
Twilight gave a soft hum "Not that I can think of. Why do you ask?"
Applejack rubs the back of her head "Well it's just you don't seem to be using your wings or magic that is all." Now realizing what was up, Twilight simply replied "Oh that is because I've decided that I wouldn't use my wings or magic while I was helping you with Applebuck season." The way Twilight said it in such a casual tone left Applejack realizing that her friend was being truthful to her and such a statement would give her a response that she felt was appropriate for the time.
The kitchen was silent save for the sounds of Twilight eating her breakfast. Her demeanor still as it was despite the rather shocking and confusing statement she had just made. Applejack to her credit was handling it as well as expected which was with stunned confusion. She eventually managed to ask "What was that Twi? I don't think I heard you."
Twilight looks up from her meal "I said I wasn't going to be using my magic or wings while I'm helping you." She was wondering why Applejack was acting like the world was turned upside down but figured that Applejack was merely impressed that she was willing to do all that work without the use of her wings and magic. Although there was another reason, but she felt that it wasn't something that needed to be mentioned at this point so Twilight instead focused on the meal in front of her.
Applejack had managed to now grasp the fact that her friend wasn't lying and managed to get herself seated. Applejack watched Twilight while eating and said. "And why would you want to do that Twilight? I mean no offense but you aren't exactly the most athletic pony I know."
Twilight nodded in agreement before saying "True but I know how much you and your family value tradition and I didn't want to go against that. Besides how hard is it to actually buck a tree?"
Applejack honestly didn't have an answer to that or rather she did but it would be hard to explain to somepony who hasn't spent a large amount of their life on a farm. She let out a defeated sigh, she figured that once Twilight had gotten frustrated from failing to buck any apples off the trees then she would resort to her magic and wings. Then hopefully things will get back to how she had hoped they would go.
Once the two were finished with breakfast and after they spent a good amount of time not only in cleaning up their dishes without magic but cleaning their selves? ; the two ponies made their way out onto the farm just as the rising sun was just starting to pass the canopy of the trees. Applejack took a deep breath of the country air before saying "Alright we'll start at the south field and work our way north." Twilight nods her head in understanding and the two set out for the southern portion of the south field.
As they were walking, Twilight started to become more aware of how large Sweet Apple Acres actually was. Sure she and their friends have spent plenty of time here but those times were usually spent closer to the farm which she would now guessed was located in the north fields. The more rows of tress that they passed, the larger the task grew inside her mind before she couldn't stop herself from asking "And we have to buck all the trees?!"
Applejack nodded her head "That's right sugarcube. Most are sold as is, while the rest are used to create our apple flavored dishes, transported to other cities, or stored to be used in cider season." Applejack felt a sense of pride swell within her as she notes Twilight's surprised at the sheer scope of what she was getting herself into. Usually it would just be her and Big Mac doing this and while it was a lot of work; the reward was always worth it in the end of the Season.
Eventually they reached the southern end of the south field to find the apple baskets and carts that Big Mac and Applejack had placed a few days ago. Taking one of the carts, Applejack turns to face Twilight before saying "Alright so all you have to do is go down each row placing five buckets around each tree and stopping once you don’t have any more buckets. Then you go back and buck each tree until all five buckets are filled. Afterwards you load them into the cart and take them to the barn where Granny Smith and Applebloom will be waiting to sort and divide them. You get all that?"
Twilight nods her head in understanding before Applejack says "Good now we work till you hear the lunch bell ring." With that, Applejack starts walking to the far southwest corner of the south field leaving Twilight with a cart, several buckets, and the sense that she might have bitten off more then she could chew. Still she was determined to see this through and figures that the sooner she starts the better.
It turned out that strapping and pulling a cart without the use of her magic, much like several other everyday tasks she had been doing for the past couple of days, was harder then she had expected. Several times she would hit a loose stone or stick and the cart would bounce and even spill some baskets. It was lucky for her that they were still empty or else there would be a lot of bruised apples to be had. She made her way over to the southeast corner and once there got to work. A quick calculation showed that she had enough baskets to cover ten trees and there were ten trees in each row. With that in mind, she began placing the baskets in a way that would hopefully catch the maximum amount of apples.
Once that was done, she looked at the first tree in front of her with mixed feelings because now came the first hard part of this work and that was getting the apples out of the tree. Normal logic dictates that a simple levitation spell would be adequate and given the raw power she had, she could easily pluck all the apples from the row and place them in the baskets. She was actually close to using the spells when her mind quickly reminded her of what she was supposed to be doing and Twilight had no choice but to cancel the spell.
She let out a sigh and said. "Alright Twilight...you can do this. Just like the book says." Turning around, she lifts her back-hooves and feels around until they connect with the trunk of the tree. Nodding to herself, she pulls back before putting as much force as she could and gives the tree a hard buck. The result wasn't as bad as expected as she did manage to get a few apples to fall however it wasn't the tree clearing bucking that Applejack is able to do. Still Twilight was proud that she had gotten a few apples to fall and didn't waste time patting herself on the back.
By the time she was on her fifth tree, Twilight hears Applejack say "Well shoot Twi you are better at bucking apple trees than I had expected." Twilight looked up and saw Applejack walking towards her with a proud look on her face. Giving her an accomplished expression she replies "Well I did some research on farming and there were some useful tips on how to buck apple trees. How goes your progress?"
Applejack rubs the back of her head and replies "Well shoot Twilight I'm already half way through the third row."
Suffice it to say, Twilight was flummoxed. How could she not be as far along? As far as she knew she was going at a decent speed and yet Applejack had already gotten that much done. Before she had a chance to ask, there was a ringing sound and Applejack says "Alright then time for lunch." She then started to make her way back to the house with Twilight following close behind.
In Applejack's mind, she was actually surprised by how much progress Twilight had. Still it was slow when compared to her or Big Mac but she honestly thought that her friend would still be on the first tree. However, she did note the look of surprise that passed through Twilight's eyes and she started to wonder if it was wrong of her to be honest about how far she had made. Feeling that it might be best to apologize, she slowed down until she was alongside Twilight before saying "Hay Twi, I know you must be kicking yourself over this but don't beat yourself up too much. Five trees is a great accomplishment for a pony who isn't use to working on a farm."
Twilight perked up a bit and looked at her friend before saying "You really mean that?" She was touched that AJ would be praising her even though it really should be the other way around.
Applejack nods in agreement and adds "You got the technique down so it's just a matter of getting use to it so that it almost becomes second nature. I will tell you my first Applebuck Season I was just like you; slow as molasses on a summer day. But you keep at it and overtime the speed will come to you."
Twilight was a little surprised by Applejack's logic though she had to correct herself in that she should have expected this. She was in Applejack's field of expertise and if she wanted to not only help her friend finish Applebuck season but also get closer to an answer then she would have to take to heart what Applejack was saying.
Eventually the two reached the house to find Granny Smith and Applebloom waiting for them. The two had set up a table with four chairs surrounding it. The table was already holding an assortment of food though Twilight was surprised to find that there wasn't a lot of apple related dishes on the table. In fact the only one was an apple pie that was cooling off in the center. Taking a seat next to Applejack and across from Granny Smith, she asks "How come you don't have a lot of apple flavor dishes?"
Granny chuckled before replying "Why shoot just because apples are our lively hood doesn't mean we only eat them. During Applebuck season, we limit how many apples we use for ourselves so that we have more to sell to other pony folks or store for later."
Applejack nods her head in agreement and adds "Besides, Carrot Top is already finished with her harvest and she donates some carrots for us to eat in return for allowing her some apples when she does her harvest. It's an agreement that helps both our farms get the maximum amount of product without having to starve ourselves and still keep in shape."
Twilight had to admit that she was surprised by this information. She didn't realize how much thought and planning actually went into harvesting apples. It was a thought that made her realize that despite how much she had studied and learned; there were still things even she didn't know. A humbling thought that floated in her head as she began eating her lunch.
The food, while not as good as any apple flavor dishes the family was known for, was still tasty and contained the right nutrients to restore the energy in her body. Applebloom was getting some few extra pointers from Granny Smith about judging how ripe an apple was. From what Twilight could gather, the filly had accidentally sorted some bad apples into the pile that would be sold at the market. Of course given that Applebloom was young and still learning; she didn't get in trouble for it and the apples were sorted back into the pile. Twilight looked over to where Applejack was sitting and found that she had the appearance of solving a challenging math problem. Concerned as well as curious, Twilight asked "Is everything alright AJ?"
Applejack, for a brief moment, appeared startled. She quickly collected herself before saying "Sure Twi. I was just letting my mind drift that is all." Applejack couldn't have the heart to tell her friend that she was actually trying to calculate how long it would take the two to get through the harvest. Sure with Twilight helping it would get done sooner but the pace that she was at would mean that AJ would have to double back and cover her side of the field and that would take up more time. Still aware of Twilight looking at her she adds "Are you sure about not using magic or wings? We won't think less of you if you do."
Twilight took only a moment to consider before saying "I'm sure AJ. I want to help you with the harvest without my magic or wings. Besides its like you said, I got the technique down so I should get into my rhythm soon."
Applejack gave her friend a smile though it was one that didn't reach her eyes. Before the two could continue to talk, the sound of a bell rang out into the air and Granny got up from her seat before saying "Whelp back to work you whippersnappers." She then started to clean up the table with the assistance of Applebloom leaving Applejack and Twilight to make their way back to the field.
As they were walking, Twilight's thoughts continued to swirl around her. In an effort to bring some order back, she asks "So how long did it take before you were able to harvest apples at that speed?"
AJ looks over and replies "Well shoot Twi I have been doing this ever since I got my cutie mark so a couple of years in total. It did take me several months before it became second nature to me." She pauses for a few moments before adding "Still I did have to learn how to buck from scratch and you already appear to have the basics down so I wouldn't worry about trying to match my pace. Just go as fast as you are capable."
Twilight, glad for those words of encouragement gave Applejack a friendly hug before saying "Thanks AJ. I know I can always count on you to be honest with me."
AJ returns the hug and says "Awe Twi it wasn't much but I'm glad you aren't too discouraged. While I would have been fine with you using magic or your wings; I understand the need to challenge yourself. Still, if you need help or anything, you come and find me okay."
Twilight nods in agreement just as the two reach the south field. Splitting up again, Twilight makes her way back to her row and gets to work. Encouraged by Applejack's words and running on the energy from lunch; Twilight was able to finish the rest of the first row. Now with baskets full of apples, she struggles to lift them into the cart without dropping the heavy load or using any spells. It was a challenge for her considering that she wasn't use to hard labor but she was proud that she was able to get all the baskets in without losing too many apples. With the load secure, she straps the cart to her and begins the trek back to the farm where Applebloom and Granny Smith were at.
It was here where Twilight had a struggle as pulling a cart loaded with fruit was not an easy task; especially when she had to be careful not to jostle the cart and cause apples to fall out. As she struggle and pulled, her mind kept telling her to use a spell to make this easier. After all Applejack did give her the okay to use magic and if she did then things would go a lot smoother. Still, even fighting against muscles that weren't used to such actions and her mind attempting to coax her towards the easy route; Twilight wasn't going to be deter from her goal.
So it came to a great relief when she began to see the farm coming into view. The sight of it giving her worn out body the extra energy to make those last few meters. As she got closer, she saw that Applebloom was finished setting up what looked like a stand that had a pitcher and some cups. Getting closer, her mind saw the sweet liquid that was inside that pitcher and she became aware of how dry her throat was.
Pulling the cart up to the barn door, she begins the process of unloading the baskets while Applebloom manages to pour the juice into a cup. She waited until Twilight was finished before presenting the cup and saying "Granny figured you might want a sip of apple juice." Thankful and a bit surprised, Twilight accepts the cup and takes a hearty drink. She couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief as the cool liquid ran down her throat and rehydrate her body. Though her muscles still ached, she had managed to complete her first row of trees and that was something to be proud of for a former Canterlot unicorn turned alicorn.
Applejack watched as Twilight was hard at work on her third row. Once again the she had to admire Twilight's determination to help out with Applebuck season without the use of her magic or wings. What also surprised her was how fit she was considering her life style didn't involve a lot of manual labor. Still she couldn't help the small nub of annoyance at how slow she was going. She wasn't done with her side of the south field but she was close and decided to go and check to see how Twilight was doing.
She watched as the mare manages to buck the last tree clear of apples and then proceeds to lift each basket and place them on the cart. Applejack was a little surprised that Twilight was attempting to place all the baskets into a cart at once and figured that she should at least offer some advice.
Making her way towards her, she calls out "You know that you don't have to carry all them baskets at once Twi." Twilight lets out a surprised gasp and turns around before saying "Sweet Celestia Applejack don't scare me like that."
Applejack gives an apologetic expression before saying "Sorry about that Twi. I was just checking to see how things were going."
Twilight, managing to get over being scared, replies "Well things are going alright though I do have to admit that pulling the wagon full of apples is more challenging then I had originally predicted."
Applejack nods her head before saying "You know you don't have to bring all the baskets in one trip. Best to start small and work your way up you know."
Twilight smiles and says "Thanks for the words of advice AJ but I can handle it just fine. Besides, I'm already slow with my applebucking and I need to make up the time somewhere."
Applejack just shook her head and replied "Be that as it may Twi I would have hoped that there is more to applebucking season than just the harvest. After all some of these here apples are going to be sold or used in one of our many dishes." It was at this point that one of the barrels feel off the cart and Applejack was just able to save most of the contents. A few apples fell off and hit the ground, leaving some rather unhealthy looking bruises that wouldn't look appealing to a customer. Twilight apologized for the basket but AJ just waved it of saying that it was just something that she and many other farmers had to understand. No matter how careful you are, a few of your harvest will get damaged during the actual harvesting. The trick was that you make sure those loss of product didn't cost too much in terms of your profit but one would only know that when it was too late to change anything about it.
Twilight was once again stunned by the humble wisdom that Applejack seem to have. It wasn't often that the farm pony would be the one doing so as she was more often headstrong and would tend to follow tradition more than practicality. Once again Twilight was forced to change her view on one of her friends and it was an experience that she always enjoyed having. Even after all the crazy things they have done, there were still things that she didn't know about her friends. Little habits or small parts of their diverse personality that just seem to appear when one was to look hard enough.
"Thank you for those wise words Applejack. I don't often say this but there are times where I think you are the pillar that we can rely on." Twilight responded before the two found themselves in front of the barn once again. They notice that even with Twilight's slow work; there was still plenty of apples that Granny and Applebloom were sorting out.
However despite all the work that was done, the sun was starting to set and even experience farm ponies like AJ were starting to feel winded. Twilight wasn't faring much better and while she did help AJ in harvesting the south field, it still took more time then usual. Twilight knew that she was to blame for her lack of experience in actual labor despite the rest of the family saying otherwise and trying to make her feel better by pointing out their own mistakes. Dinner was peaceful but lacking in conversation as everypony was both tired from the demanded of AppleBucking Season and mentally preparing themselves for the next day. Twilight, at first thought she was going to be staying in Big Mac's room but Applejack insisted that she could bunk with her in her own room. Her bed was big enough for the two of them to share and it wasn't like they hadn't had a sleepover before.
While Twilight was making her way up to AJ's room, the Apples were given a chance to reflect on their help and the progress of the first day. It was a moment that in the past was met with hopefulness but now each of the three ponies sense the hesitant air in that kitchen with none of them wanting to say what they were all thinking. Applejack naturally was the first to break the tension by asking "So how did we do?"
Granny looked up from her carrot cake slice before saying "Well...it's not as bad as it could have been but it's not as good either. The East and West fields have met their quota and while the South has been harvested well..." She trailed off not really wanting to say what was on her mind.
Applejack nodded her head and said "I know Granny. Usually we would have cleared the South field and got a good amount of baskets in place at the North. Still with Twilight not being use to working on a farm, it is slowing us down as well as causing some of our apples to get damaged when she tried to make up the lost time." The moment that sentence was finished leaving her mouth, she felt her mouth was filled with bile. Applejack was Twilight's friend, she knew deep down she was happy that the alicorn would take time away from her busy life to come and help her with the harvest and do so in an earth pony manner. If it came down to it she would defend Twilight with everything she had. Yet there was another side of her that was seeing the loss of product, product that would be sold or turned into goods to be sold as well. The bits to be use to keep up with bills, taxes, and the general upkeep that a large farm needed to have. Any apple that was wasted may not seem like a lot but enough of them could put a real strain on their budget. It only made things worse difficult because Applebloom was going to be in starting school in the coming weeks and she would need the money to rent out the textbooks that are required.
"Still Twilight did managed to get through the whole day without dropping from exhaustion." Applebloom stated which caused AJ to break herself out of her internal conflict.
Nodding to her younger sister in agreement, AJ responded by saying "But the South field is our smallest field we have Applebloom as well as where all of our younger trees are growing. Tomorrow Twilight is going to have to work harder than she did today and going up against our healthiest and strongest trees we have here. Also..." she pauses for a moment, hesitating what she was about to say but knowing that it had to be said "Leg Breaker is ready to be harvested." There was a sudden intake of air as Applebloom and Granny Smith realized what that meant. Leg Beaker usually was a late bloomer and harvesting him would symbolize the end of AppleBucking Season. Of course due to that lateness, his apples were considered the freshest and richest taste and a single apple from that tree was used in every barrel of Apple Cider to give it that rich addictive quality that it has. It would need to be harvested and quickly to preserve that unique taste but...well there was a reason why he was called Leg Breaker.
Meanwhile, in Applejack's room, Twilight had just finished taking a shower. In keeping with her vow, she has opted to not use any magic during the process. Unlike applebucking or farm work, taking a shower without magic was something she had practice before hoof and as such had only caused a bit of a mess due to the fact that she had to get use to the dimensions of AJ's shower. Now clean and dry, she gets a scroll and quill out. Looking around, she spies a nearby desk and places the parchment and ink on it. Taking the quill in her mouth, she starts to practice writing with her mouth for a bit before taking a new scroll out and writing on it. The sound of quill scrapping parchment filled the room as Twilight recorded her observations and report for the day with only the light of Luna's moon serving as her source. She was unaware of AJ coming into the room and her ears only flicked a bit when the shower came on and again when it was shut off. By the time that she was done with her report, AJ exited from the shower looking fresh and clean. The two friends wanted to talk but the exhaustion from the day managed to catch up with them and they both silently agree to talk in the morning. Each taking up half the bed, they said a quick goodnight before entering the realm of dreams to see what visions await them.
"GOOOOD MOOOOOOORING SWEAT APPLE ACRES" Applejack proclaimed at the top of her lungs as she hears the faint call of the rooster as wells as the barest touch of sunlight on her fur. She throws herself out of the bed and moves to the window to see Celestia's sun just starting to appear over the tree line. She always enjoyed getting up at the crack of dawn, especially when she was looking forward to getting more work done for AppleBucking Season. However, she failed to take into account that there was another pony within earshot and a sudden crash behind her made the farm pony realize that she wasn't alone in her room. Turning around, she saw that half of her bed sheets were hanging off the floor and a quick shuffling showed as rather perturbed Alicorn with a bad case of bedmane. AJ didn't want to but she couldn't help chuckling as Twilight now looked like she did when she was stressing out over an assignment.
Eventually Applejack was able to collect herself as she says "Sorry about that Twi. I forgot you were sleeping in the same room as me." Twilight continue to glare at the farmpony for a few seconds more before letting out a sigh and decided that it wasn't AJ's fault. Twilight should have realized and expected that her friend would get up at an absurd amount of time. While Twilight was more of a night person and chose to sleep in some mornings; she did have to admit that there was a certain kind of beauty that could only happen while watching Celestia's sun rise.
Twilight tried to calm her messy hair down a bit with her hoof before accepting the fact that she would need a quick shower. Seeing the look in her eyes, Applejack moves to her bedroom door and says "Go right ahead Twi. I need to help get breakfast ready and to be honest I generally don't take a shower in the morning since I'm going to get all hot and sweaty anyway." With that said, AJ left the room leaving Twilight with her thoughts split between taking that shower and filing that new fact into her mental folder.
While Twilight was taking a shower, Applejack first made sure that her sister was up before making her way down to the kitchen to get started on breakfast. Even though the sun was just starting to rise above the tree line, AJ could already feel the warm rays reaching her body. She always enjoy mornings like this where Equestria seems to be walking up from its comfortable sleep. She could faintly hear the sound of birds chirping amidst the occasional rooster call.
That tranquility was unfortunately short lived as the rushing hoofsteps of an eager filly resulted in her not watching where she was going and ending up hitting a cabinet. Letting out a small groan, Applebloom rubs her head around the spot where it connected to the cabinet. AJ lets out a sigh before looking down at her little sister and asking "Now what in the hay were you thinking running around the house like that?" Applebloom, after managing to tame her mild headache, replies "I just wanted to help make breakfast. I figure I could try to get my Cutie Mark in cooking."
Applejack blinks a bit in surprise. Sure her sister was still looking for her Cutie Mark so she should have expected that she would want to try something like this. Yet her memory recalls that Applebloom in addition to her friends had already tried to get their Cutie Marks in cooking. It's hard not to forget coming home to a destroyed kitchen and the smell of burnt...everything.
Still the pleading look in her sister's eyes was enough to melt even the coldest of hearts and AJ was unable to resist the puppy dog look. Letting out a sigh of defeat, she ruffles up Applebloom's mane before saying "Alright I guess you can help me make breakfast just as long as you do what I say." Applebloom lets out a squee of delight before almost hopping along in a very Pinkie Pie manner. Chuckling at her sister's antics, Applejack follows her with a more controlled pace.
After some time, and only a single mishap involving the toaster, the sisters were able to have a hearty breakfast laid out on the table just as Big Mac and Granny Smith were just making their way to the dining room. As expected it wasn't until the Apple family had all sat down that Twilight makes her way to the table with her mane a bit more frazzled than normal. The three earth ponies were a bit perplexed by the way Twilight did her mane but considering that she was trying to do everything by hoof made it understandable. Breakfast was a quiet moment as everypony focused in on the chores that needed to be done as well as the other tasks that needed to be completed. Twilight was thankful for this as it gave her the chance to collect her thoughts and be mentally ready for the what was to come.
Eventually breakfast was finished and the ponies were back to work Granny Smith, along with two other ponies who Twilight had never seen before but assumed they were also helping out with the harvest, make their way back to the barn to do quality control. Applejack mentioned that since the East and West fields were almost done, some of the workers would come help Granny during this part. It helps keeps things moving along. It also frees Applebloom to go and take care of the farm animals as well and do a quick check of said fields. That leaves Applejack and Twilight to deal with the last of the South field. With both of them working, and Twilight adjusting at a strong pace, that task was completed before Celestia's Sun made shadows shorter than the objects they were imitating.
After a quick drink of water with a hint of apple; the two mares make their way to the North Field and this was the field that most ponies saw when they see Sweet Apple Acres. Rows upon Rows of tress stretch as far as the eye could see and unlike the trees in the South field; these tress were in their prime and stood tall like a wall of wood. Twilight had her mouth open in shock, unsure as to if she was able to perform as well as she did back on the South Field. However, the fact that her friend is counting on her and the desire to discover the truth of her research she was willing to do what needed to be done.
"Now before we get started, there is something that I should warn you." Applejack said as she lead her friend through the North Fields. All around, baskets were already placed down in preparation for all of the applebucking that was going to be done. Twilight was still daunted by the sheer scope of the whole project; remembering the time that Applejack tried to do the whole thing on her own returning to her mind. She could only hope that she wouldn't pass out from exhaustion. The path that they were taking was winding and hard to follow but the alicorn was getting a strange sensation that she was about to enter something that would be considered sacred.
Once the two ponies passed by a tree truck, Twilight couldn't help but let out a gasp of shock. There were looking at a clearing in the farm though it wasn't a true clearing as there was one thing that caught her attention. It was an apple tree but unlike the others around it; this one was grander and larger. To Twilight, it felt like she was looking at the heart of Sweet Apple Arcs as this tree gave the sense that it was as old as Celestia herself. Applejack makes her way to the trunk and says "This here is 'Leg breaker'. Oldest tree on the farm and the one tree you have to promise you won't attempt to buck."
"Why is that?" Twilight asked, confused as to why Applejack would tell her not to buck a tree especially since it looked like it was ready to be harvest.
Applejack couldn't help but chuckle a bit before saying "Well there is a reason why we call him 'Leg breaker'. Only Big Mac has the strength to buck this tree." She looks up at the apples before adding "A pity he is in Canterlot now. The apples from Leg breaker are what make our cider the best in Equestria."
Twilight realized how important harvesting this tree was but if not even Applejack, who Twilight would consider the strongest of her friends physically, was unable to harvest the tree; then what chance did she have. Still without those apples, the Apple family wouldn't be able to make their famous cider and that would most likely hurt their business.
Those thoughts continue to plague at Twilight's mind as she left the clearing and got started on the North field. True to what she expected, the tress here were harder to buck then the ones in the South field. Yet it was thanks to her practice their that Twilight was able to make some measure of progress. Unlike yesterday, she tried to not let her slowness get to her as she was still new to the whole thing and her legs would get tired much faster than ponies who have been doing this their whole lives.
When the work day was done, the Apple family plus one made their way back to the house for another meal. While the rest of the family was chatting away, happy about another productive day; Twilight kept her lost in her thought. Her mind going back to Leg Breaker and how much that one tree meant to them. It was then that she decided on a plan so ludicrous and crazy that even she was sure it wasn't going to work. First she had to wait for the Apple family to fall asleep and then under the cover of darkness, Twilight snuck her way out of the farm and towards the North Field.
Her goal...harvesting Leg Breaker. It seemed simple enough and most likely Applejack was just exaggerating and Leg Breaker was just like any other tree. It took her a while to find the clearing though and under Luna's moon; the farm gave off an eerie vive to it. The alicorn almost got the sensation that she was trespassing but chalk that up to nerves.
When she found the clearing, she was once again humbled by the sheer size of the tree. Something like that should have been impossible to grow and yet here it was staring at her as if challenging her to deny his presence. Twilight let out a small gulp as she makes her way to the trunk. The wind started to blow hard enough for the other trees to sway and to Twilight they look like they were closing in on her as if ready to come out of the ground and stop her. She starts looking around, taking deep breaths to try and calm her nerves. When her flank touched the trunk of the tree; she let out a gasp before realizing that she was just worrying over nothing. Laughing at herself for being silly, she places a hoof on the tree and rubs it. Unlike the other tress, the trunk on this one felt...ancient like it was as old or even older then Celestia. Yet the bark was rough and full of life which would imply that it was just as old as the other tress on the farm.
As she rubbed her hoof, she became aware of an...imperfection in the bark. No...upon closer inspection she felt four imperfections and all of them were in the shape of a hoof print. The Lunar light revealed the spot to her and saw the four hoof prints...or more accurately the rear hoofs of two ponies who have bucked Leg Breaker. She guessed that one of them was Big Mac and the other was Applejack and she once again reminded herself of the kind of raw power those two have inside of them.
Her observations done, she turns around and places her hooves on the trunk. Vaguely, she was aware of the wind stopping and sensed the farm going silent like it was holding its breath. Taking a deep breath, she rears back before delivering a solid buck and waited to hear the sounds of falling apples.
There was nothing.
Twilight looks up and sees the apples still where they were. In fact they look like they hadn't even moved an inch. Surprised, Twilight tried again but the tree refused to release its hold on the fruit. Again and again the alicorn bucked but the tree continued to resist her efforts until she was forced to lie on the grass softly moaning from the slight pain in her rear legs. She felt drained, both physically and mentally as she couldn't understand why she was unable to buck this one tree when all others would have. Without really thinking about it, she looks at the tree and whispers "What makes you different from the others?"
The wind blew causing Twilight to shiver as the trees started rustling their leaves. She felt...odd like she was experiencing one of her magic surges back when she was a foal yet...it was coming from outside rather than in. She looks around, trying to find the source but unable to locate a thing. It was then that she heard a sound; one that was familiar yet seemed alien and coming from behind her. Turning around to look at the tree, she let out a gasp at what she saw.
Materialized in the either was what she could only describe as a specter. She remembered reading about them and how they would appear in places where magic was at its strongest. So why was one here now? Surly this clearing isn't a high magical source or she would have sensed it the moment she landed in Ponyville all those months ago.
Looking closer, she saw that the specter had taken the form of a colt. However due to the greenish energy; it was impossible to identify who this colt is. The colt was busy bucking at Leg Breaker and from the frustrated expression on his face; Twilight was able to guess he was having the same trouble that she did. Eventually the colt flopped onto the ground just as a ghostly voice said "Now there you are. I've been looking all over for you."
Twilight looks behind her just to see another specter, this time a stallion, walk by her and move till he was in front of the colt. It was hard to see the stallion's expression but the colt had a rather guilty expression which Twilight was all too familiar with whenever she got a talking to from her parents. "I'm sorry pa." The colt replied in such a sad tone that Twilight almost felt her heart skip a beat.
The stallion seemed to relax given his shoulder movements and says "Ah shoot I can't stay mad at you." The stallion picks up the colt and carries him to the tree before sitting down with his back against the trunk. The colt giggles and smiles from the whole action but once settled he goes into calm silence.
The two stay that way for some time before the colt says "Pa...why can't I buck Leg Breaker?"
The stallion looks down and replies "Cause Leg Breaker is a special kind of tree."
"Why is it special?"
"Cause it was the very first tree I planted. Which means only I'm allowed to harvest fruit from it."
"That's not fair. I want to harvest Leg Breaker and show you what a big pony I am."
The stallion chuckles a bit before placing the colt down and making sure he was facing him. Rubbing his mane with his hoof, he says "Son...someday you will be in charge of Sweet Apple Aces. When that time comes, you will understand how to get the apples off of Leg Breaker."
Twilight wanted to hear more but the wind decided to blow causing the specters to vanish and leaving her alone with the trees. She wasn't sure why she was shown that vision until she realized something. Officially, the property of Sweet Apple Aces is registered to Big Mac. So if that is the case then Big Mac must have been that colt which means...
"This is your father's tree." Twilight whispered in silent reverence. She was witnessing what was probably the last thing Big Mac had to remember his parents. She felt wrong, like she wasn't supposed to be here considering that she wasn't a member of the Apple Family and the fact she wasn't an Earth Pony. She turned around and was about to start making her way back to the house when she remembered the reason she was here in the first place. She turns around to look at the tree before saying "I know now how important this is to Big Macintosh. But right now his family needs your apples and I promised him I would help Applejack out." The wind wiped around and she got the sense that the tree was...challenging her. Letting out a snort, she charges at the tree, with as much determination and will as she could muster. What happened next appeared to be in slow motion as she spun around on her front legs like she saw Applejack do so many times before striking the tree with the force of her will behind her.
And all of Ponyville awoke to the sound a Royal Canterlot power scream.
Big Mac lets out as sigh as he watches the sun rising in the sky. He was currently on the train heading back to Ponyville, his business in Canterlot concluded and he wasn't one to just stand around when there was work to be done. By his thinking, his tree should be close to blooming and would need to be bucked so they could get started on the cider making. A soft smiles forms on his face as he thought about that tree. Very few things make him feel small and that tree was one of them.
When the train finally pulled into Ponyville, Mac got his luggage and made his way off onto the platform. Looking around, he was surprised to find none of his family was waiting for him. He was a bit concern but figured that they were busy with the harvest and just forgot.
Big Mac starts making his way to his farm. As he was walking, he notice a rather strange feeling around the town. On the outside everything seemed normal enough but Mac had lived here long enough to see the worry looks that more than a few ponies had on their faces. He wondered what might have happened and started to quicken his pace back to the farm; hoping that everything was alright there. However, he was unable to get very far when he saw the small figure whose red bow identify herself before he could take note of the rest of her. Smiling at seeing his youngest sister, that smile slowly turned to concern as he finally sees the worry look that was on her face. What was more surprising was that she was without her friends which in of itself was odd. Stopping where he was at, he places his bags down and waits for his sister to finally slow down. Given the rise and fall of her chest and the sound of her heavy breathing, he could guess that she had been sprinting from at least the farm.
Waiting for her to catch her breath, the stallion says in a calm tone "Well it is nice to see you Applebloom. I hope you were running around in town because of..."
He didn't get a chance to finish as Applebloom shouted "Big Mac. Come quick. Twilight she...she's in the hospital right now."
Concern quickly grew in his body. Sure Twilight was a capable pony but there really shouldn't be any real danger that would require her to be in a hospital. Still the rarity of the condition only served to note how serious it was and that caused the red farm pony to put a halt to his questions. Grabbing his bags, he makes his way to the general hospital; his long strides easily outpacing Applebloom who was struggling just to keep up with his tail.
As the two got closer to the hospital, Big Mac noted that Twilight's other friends, minus Applejack, were waiting outside. All of them had a concern look on their faces and even Fluttershy and Rarity were doing their best to keep themselves from shedding some tears. Seeing as how none of them seem to noticed the stallion, he moves past them and into the waiting room. Once he was inside, he saw that Granny Smith was sitting on one of the chairs while Applejack was doing her best to wear out a circle on the floor. The door closing alerted the two to his presence and AJ was quick to move and give her older brother a hug before saying "I'm glad you are back home Big Mac."
Big Macintosh was glad as well and returned the hug while giving a comforting "Eyuup" before asking "So what happen?"
Applejack pulled back and said in her usual frustrated tone "That darn Twilight tried to buck Leg Breaker. I told her not to do it but that darn alicorn is as stubborn as a" The rest of Applejack's simile was lost to Big Mac as his eyes widen in surprise. Why would Twilight attempt to buck Leg Breaker...unless Leg Breaker had decided to bloom early this year.
Before he could think on this further, a beep sounded just as a doctor came out of the room that Twilight was in. Picking up a towel in his magic to wipe off his head, he looks at the three ponies and was about to comment on the situation before Granny asked "How is she doctor?"
The doctor let out a sigh before saying "Bad news is that Princess Twilight has sustained several fractures on her bones and pulled more than a few of her muscles." He held up his hoof to prevent the ponies from over reacting at the moment before adding "However, and this is the strangest part, despite all logical evidence saying that the Princess would become a cripple; she is already starting to show signs of recovering and in fact we believe will make a full recovery from this...provided she stays in the hospital for quite some time." The ponies let out a breath of relief and AJ asked "Is Twilight able to see visitors now?"
The doctor nods his head and AJ was about to make her way towards the room before she was stopped by a red hoof on her shoulder. Looking up, she saw Big Mac give her a stern look before saying "You tell your friends the good news. Let me check with Twilight." At first Applejack was going to refuse but her words were stuck in her throat as she saw those hard looking eyes staring at her. It was enough to cause her to nod in agreement before stepping back and making her way outside. With Granny Smith promising to look after his stuff, Big Mac takes a deep breath before entering the room.
The room itself was sparse save for the bed, a nightstand and a few medical equipment. Twilight herself was resting in the bed, her magic holding a book that, to his surprise, was more of book for casual reading and not something a studious pony like Twilight would read. Hearing the door closed caused Twilight to put her book down to see who it was and what she saw caused her to let out a gasp of surprise. Now Big Mac wasn't as good at reading other ponies like say Pinkie Pie but he could tell that Twilight was recalling something that had to do with him. Letting the silence linger in the room for a bit longer, Big Mac finally says "It is good to hear that you will be making a full recovery." Twilight nods her head, not really trusting herself to speak as she could already feel the questions forming in her throat. Big Mac starts to walk around the room, his movements careful and controlled before adding "I'm guessing you saw something prior to bucking Leg Breaker."
This time, Twilight was able to answer as she responded "I know I shouldn't have but Applejack told me how important those apples were and I didn't want the Apples to have to worry about that."
Big Mac eventually stopped in front of the window, sitting on the window still was a flowerpot though at this point there wasn't any flowers in it. Most likely the ones who did occupy it were decayed and were being switch out. With a gentleness that was in contrast to his size and build, Big Mac started to shift the soil around with his hoof before saying "During the events of Hearts Warming Eve, the three representatives of each tribe decided to forget the divide of the tribes and forged a spell that defeated the Windigos correct?" He didn't look back to see Twilight's nod but continued "Well that magic was created from all three races of ponies including Earth Ponies."
"So there is such a thing as Earth pony magic."
Big Mac looked back and simply stated "Maybe there is. The most important thing to know is that this magic, if one could even call it magic, is something that can only be harness when one is working with nature and not against it." Big Mac then sensed that Twilight's friends were about to come in and he makes his way to the door to leave as well as let them in. Before he does, he looks back and finishes with "Perhaps one day you will understand."
He opens the door and lets the five mares enter before leaving the room and closing the door behind him. As Twilight's friends were all huddled around them, no pony notice that the empty flower pot now had several lavender flowers growing in them.
Meanwhile, in a clearing at Sweet Apple Aces, Leg Breaker stood tall and silent like the guardian that it was. It was then that a warm breeze rushed past its leaves and branches, propelled by no pegasus around. Along the bark of the tree, two pairs of hooves were imprinted on its ancient trunk. However, as the wind blow, some of the bark was pulled off. Hiding underneath was a new pair of hoof prints, smaller then the first two and glowing a soft grass green color before fading the color faded away just as soon as the wind did.
