> In Time of Need > by Larralina > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter 1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was a bright Summer morning at Sweet Apple Acres. The sun was just a bit over the green mountains. It was there in a small, red two story house where an orange mare with silky straw-colored hair quietly slept under smooth sheets that matched the southern style room. She laid there softly snoring when a loud knock came from the door downstairs. The first few knocks had no effect but then at the 7th or 8th knock the bright orange pony awoke with a quiet snort. She slowly opened her emerald colored eyes then, realising what was happening, she gently got out of bed and slowly crept downstairs. Half asleep, she opened the door to a beautifully majestic, pearl white pony with big Royal blue eyes and a Shiny, purple mane. Applejack slowly rubbed her eyes trying to adjust to the sunlight. Then she slowly looked up at the white pony and began to speak, half asleep. In a soft, groggy voice, “Well, howdy Rarity, what brings you here so early?” “It’s 10 a.m.” Rarity said. “Oh..” Applejack whispered softly looking at the ground feeling a little embarrassed, but then, looking up at the bright white pony, “So Ah’m guessing you’re here for that pie?” “Why yes,” Rarity said smiling, ”May I come in?” “Sure.” Applejack said as she pushed the screen door open. Both ponies stepped into the room and then trotted into the kitchen. Applejack swung open the refrigerator door and shoved her head into it, digging around for the pie, then pulling out a fresh apple cream pie. She then turned over to Rarity gently bucking the refrigerator door closed. Rarity stood there face in disgust looking at the southern styled room. “Uhm..is there something wrong?” Applejack mumbled then put down the pie on the wooden table next to her. Rarity scrunched up her nose “What an odd style you have for your house.” “What’s that suppose to mean?” Applejack glared at Rarity who looked back at her. “Oh nothing.” She replied rolling her eyes. ”It’s gotta be something. Ya just don’t say stuff without there being a reason to.” Applejack said getting a bit annoyed. “Its just that your house looks a bit..Raggedy.” “Raggedy?!” Applejack said in a loud tone of voice.”How dare you call this well done southern style house Raggedy! Just cause its not as FruFru as your silly “elegant” Type shit!” Rarity Gasped. “Applejack! How dare you say such foul words!” “I can say anything I want tah. This is mah house, and if you don’t like it then get out!” Applejack stopped the floor with her right hoof. “Fine maybe I will!” Rarity turned her body towards the door as her white horn soon started to go a thick blue bubble around it. Then, the pie quickly levitated off the table and right beside her. She then lifted her head up and walk to the door before being interrupted. “What do you think you’re doing?!” Applejack yelled, then clinging her mouth onto the pie. “What do you think YOU are doing?! This is my pie I payed good money for it!” Rarity pulled her head back making the pie pull closer to her but applejack wasn't gonna give up that easy. “Ya want cha money? Here!” Applejack put her hoof over the bits that sat on the table beside her and flung her hoof making the bits land in front of rarity. “No! I’m getting my pie no matter what it takes!” She yelled still tugging back her head. Applejack finally fed up planted her back hoofs on the ground slightly bent them then pushed back as hard as she could. So much force broke the spell on the pie so quickly, applejack fell backwards slamming into the ground. The pie flung hitting the wall behind her, smashing into the wall and splattering everywhere. Rarity giggled “Your house looks better already.” Applejack looked at the messed her mouth hung open but then Turned back to rarity. “Get out!” Applejack screamed infuriated. Rarity rolled her eyes.”Whatever I can see where I am not wanted.” She turned and trotted out the door. “Don’t you ever show her face here again Or I'll whip ya like a rented mule!” Applejack yelled out. ---------------------------------------------------♥------------------------------------------------------ It was was a quiet, cool morning in ponyville. Ponies out and about talking amongst themselves until a cyan pegasus zipped past a crowd of ponies that walked down the road from ponyville to the Apple orchard. The mare zipped passed many bystanders, her multi colored mane flowing in the chilly fall wind. “Oops sorry!” She yelled without turning back her magenta eyes locked on the dirt road in front of her. She moved faster, and faster her wings pumping up and down as she moved down the road. She could finally see apple trees start to appear and slowly get closer and closer her eyes watering from the sharp, piercing winds hitting her face, slightly pushing her skin back. She soared through the trees trying hard not to slam into any tree trunks. She soon spotted a small farmhouse that sat quietly on a hill sticking out above the orchard only a few blocks from the mare. She soon flew up to the door of the house and repeatedly knocked as fast as she could her heart racing. Soon a muscular stallion opened the squeaky screen door upon the eccentric mare. Unknowing of this act the mare continued to knock on his dark brown, bulky plow harness. “Uhm.” the stallion muttered glaring down at the pegasus. The mare shot open her eyes and looked up at big mak her cheeks turning a rosy red. “Where’s Applejack?!?” She yelled then looking past him into the house.He slowly moved his hoof and pointed back towards the apple orchard. “She’s back there gathering up some apples to take to the candy corner.” he said with a low, thick southern accent. Rainbow Dash turned back and dashed towards the trees. “Thanks!” She shouted as she darted through the apple trees. “Uhh...” the stallion took his right hoof and placed it onto his head and scratched his caramel colored mane. “Welcome?” He said in utter confusion. Rainbow Zipped passed trees trying hard to keep an eye out for her persistent hard working friend. She flew faster and faster with every flap to her wings. Then she noticed something out of the corner of her eye.”Applejack?!” She said to herself she turn her head towards the figure. “Applejack!” she yelled before smacking into a large apple tree that stood in front of her. The impact so great manny shiny red apples fell with her onto the hard ground. “Rainbow?” The orange mare looked over her shoulder at the still somewhat conscious pony that laid beside a apple tree. The mare soon turned all the way over and galloped towards the pegasus. “Rainbow whattya doin’ Here?” Applejack helped the mare up. “Ugh...my head...” Rainbow muttered rubbing her head softly.She then looked up at apple jack and shot up and picked her up. “You have to come with me NOW!” Rainbow dash said pushing her nose against her friends. Applejack pulled back “Wha...why? I have a job to do? What’s so important? And aren't you supposed to be going to that wonder bolts show or sumthin?” “This is way more important than some dumb wonder bolts show!” Applejacks Eyes widened. “This must be serious..” whispered softly. “It is...” Rainbow gulped nervously. “Well what happen?!” applejack stared deep into rainbows eyes. “Just follow me..” rainbow put Applejack down of the floor and quickly dashed off. Applejack nervously followed leaving the buckets of apples behind her.