> Apple Breaking: RotE Episode 3
>  by Dream Volt
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> The problem
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	It was hot, muggy, and it had just rained.  Thus I couldn't be more surprised to see Rarity walking among the trees of the orchard.  Clearly she was looking for me, but I figured she might just wait a bit well away from the mud.  She looked in no big rush either, so it didn't seem like it was much of an emergency.  She also looked completely clean.  She cringed slightly as she stuck a foot in the mud, but it was completely clean when she pulled it out.

"What in tarnation?  Now ah know some unicorns think they're too good for the dirt to stick, but this just takes the cake."

Rarity smiled.  "Oh Applejack, it's a spell obviously.  And quite a useful one at that I must say.  I think I should even be able to enchant clothes with it, though that would take some doing and I'm not sure of the expense."

"Well ah'm sure some fancy city ponies would pay though the nose for clothes that don't stain.  Ah'm at least sure my aunt and uncle Orange would."

"Ah yes, your aunt and uncle.  It's so strange to think to think such a refined family is related to the apples."

"That sounds a might like an insult, but ah 'spose ah think it's a might strange too."

"Oh, my apologies, it's just while you and your family have many virtues, such a level of refinement are simply not among them."

I nodded  "That's true enough.  Fancy we sure ain't."

"So why is it so wet?"

"Well it rained of course.  Dash just finished giving us a doozy of a downpour.  Ah may be having trouble bucking, but I can still keep the trees in tip top shape no problem."

"Even the delicate work?"

"It's not all the time.  Just bucking mostly.  Ah mean pulling carts seems more an touch easier too, but with most stuff ah ain't go no troubles."

I then realized I was distracted by Rarity long enough and got the pole I had leaned against a tree.  Trimming the trees isn't something I enjoy much, but it's got to be done.  Of course some other contraption to do the trimming would be right helpful, but the dang pole is all we got.  It had a saw on one end and had a comfortable enough grip, but it has always been unwieldy as can be.  I then started walking down the tree line looking for a branch that was out of place.

"Oh my, I didn't even notice that dreadful weapon.  Whatever is it for?"

I set the pole against another tree.  "It ain't a weapon.  It's a tool.  For trimming trees."

"Oh, yes, of course.  I suppose I have just read one too many romance novels set in the times of knights in shining armor wielding their mighty lances."

I let out a great big guffaw at that.  "You do realize there's two ways to take that."

"What do you mean by…"  Then she gasped "Oh, how crude."

"Didn't take you very long to think of it though, did it?"

Then we both laughed.  Rarity don't seem much like my kind of pony, but she and I have been getting along much better since that slumber party at Twi's.  I am never going to completely understand that fussy pony, but I do get now that Rarity isn't all flash and no substance.  I then looked at the trees around me and sighed.

"Oh ferget it.  I don't need to trim the trees in sweet apple acres that often and I just did it yesterday.  I ain't gonna find more."

"Oh, you're still having your problem."

"Granny said ah should look at it as a gift, and it sure is useful for breaking rocks, but it doesn't seem like a fair trade ta me."

"So Twilight hasn't been able to help at all?"

I laughed.  "So far Pinkie and Dash have been the most helpful in all this."

"Rainbow Dash?  I heard about Pinkie stating the obvious from Twilight, which is odd in the extreme truth be told."

"You didn’t see the getup she put on to do it."

"I see.  Still, I cannot imagine Rainbow being of much help in maters of magic."

"Well she figured that maybe it was nature magic protecting the trees, and Twi said she's pretty sure of that, but she said she ain't too good with that sort of thing, so…"

"You can really ignore her trepidation most of the time in regards to her own abilities.  If she told you she thinks such, she is almost certainly right."

"Ah figured, but it's still what she dun told me."

"Hmm, you know from what you've said so far, it sounds like you're actually using some sort of strength spell, and not permanently enhanced."

I nodded.  "Twi said the same thing.  She gave me a doo-dad to turn off my magic, but that just meant the tree shook less, and the bark was only damaged a little."

"So applebucking requires some small bit of magic to work properly?"

"Seems it.  Now ah feel bad about some of the ponies ah said are doing it wrong.  Sounds to me like they just didn't have strong enough nature magic not to hurt the trees, or enough earth magic to shake em proper."

"Don't feel too bad.  If that's the case that most likely means they should not be working with plants, or at least not your trees."

"Oh, ah guess that makes some sense."

I grabbed my pole and walked back to the barn.  All this magic talk is a bit weird, but makes some sense.  I mean I've always known there are some things earth ponies are just way better than any pony else at, but never really thought it was our own special type of magic.  I set the pole up in the tool rack.  I held up a hoof and looked at it.

"Ah suppose ah like the idea of earth ponies even do magic with our hooves, but it's just not the sort of thing ah thought about much."

"I must wonder what water magic uses as a focus.  I suppose it could be…"

"Blood." I siad

"What?"

"Seems obvious enough to me even if it is a bit odd but blood.  I mean mah grades weren't that great but even I remember ponies is mostly water.  And…"

"Hmmm, you might have a point there even if the though is oddly ghastly."

I nodded.  "Speaking of mater magic…"

I then walked outside to the pink tree with yellow leaves and bright magenta apples.  I then shook my head.

"Pinkie, that's a might better than last time, but even if you got the colors right I know every tree on Sweet Apple Acres.  I also know where every bit of shade they throw is, so I didn't even have to look up to know you didn't belong."

"Oh my, I thought Rainbow was exaggerating."

Pinkie was then a pony again.  It still made me a bit queasy to see her shift back down from something bigger.  I was just glad it was so fast I couldn't really track it all proper.  She had a big smile on her face.

"So you totally knew."  She laughed.  "But I'm getting better.  Oh, I love this so much.  It's so much fun being other stuff.  Being a turtle is so exciting."

"Ah, see."

"So Pinkie, is there some reason you have for visiting Applejack?"

"Uh, it's the middle of the week?"

"Actually, that reminds me."  I turned back to Rarity  "Did you come here just to show off or was there something you wanted from me?"

"Oh yes, we got talking and I just quite forgot myself."

"Oh no."  Pinkie gasped.  "That's horrible.  Don't worry, we'll help you.  Your name is Rarity, and I'm Pinkie Pie and…"

Then to my shock Pinkie seemed to stop talking on her own.  Then I realized she was now wearing a fancy scarf around her mouth, and she was still trying to talk though that.  I checked to make sure, but Rarity had no saddlebags on.

"Where the hay did that come form sugarcube?"

"Oh, my personal collection of course.  I still cannot fathom how to teleport a pony, but I am much better at moving clothing thanks to Twilight.  I'm beginning to think I will soon be able to teleport clothing to myself anywhere in the world.  Won't that be wonderful?"

"Ah guess."  I slowly shook my head.  "Ah can see how looking all fancy whenever you want is something you'd love, even if ah ain't have much use for it."

"So you would not enjoy being able simply have an apple appear before you wherever you are?  Just because you do not see the need for fashion doesn’t mean that…"

"Ah get ya.  Though honestly I would be a bit creeped out if I could do that.  I'm kinda glad that Twi said I will never get anything like that."

"Hey, you don't sound like you forgot yourself at all."

Pinkie had removed the scarf from her mouth and was glaring with one eye at Rarity.  Rarity merely laughed.

"I do not have amnesia, no.  It is just an expression."

"Oh, so why are you here?"

"Fluttershy.  I'm deeply concerned about that hat she's wearing.  I mean refusing to wear my stylish gift is one thing, but her current…"  Then she paused, looking at my head.  

"I've seen you wearing hats before.  You got a problem with mine."

"No, though far too rustic for a lady such as myself it fits you quite well.  Not appropriate for an event like the gala but…"

"Don't mention that mess ta me.  If it weren't for Twilight that would have cost me way more than I made."

"Twilight?  What does she have to do with anything."

"Okay, remember how Dash and Pinkie here wandered off to find some other party once we decided to take Fluttershy home?"

"The Nightmare Ball was such a better party." Pinkie began  "I mean not only was DJ Pon3 there, but they had so much food, and neat lights and…"

"We know Pinkie.  You told us before."

I nodded.  "Yea, it sure sounded like a good time.  Anyway they took off on their own, and we went strait home.  Twilight at least finally got what she was hankering for and was alone with the Princess.  Well they also talked about what we wanted from the gala."

"Ah, and what you lost became clear in value to the princess.  Thus naturally our generous monarch reimbursed you for your losses."

"Not exactly.  She showed up the next day and just fixed up everything on the farm, including granny's hip.  The only thing she didn't do was paint, and Appplebloom loves doing that.  Enough that I'm pretty sure it's the sorta thing that'll get her a cutie mark."

"Yes, just like singing is clearly Sweetie Belle's talent, but convincing her to do so can be quite troublesome.  I'm hoping music in general might inspire her, and Lyra is offering both magic and music lessons so hopefully something good will come of it."

"And Twi won't try teaching her after that little dust up."

Rarity nodded then sighed.  "Indeed.  I can hardly blame her."

"Wow, and they say I'm easily distracted." said Pinkie

"Hmm, yes, again, we're off on a tangent."

"Oh yea."  I rolled my eyes.  "You're worried about Fluttershy's clothes."

"It is not just that, she absolutely refuses to remove her hat no matter what.  She's even forgone some parts of our normal spa treatment to insure she won't remove it."

I nodded.  "Oh, is that all?  Yea, Dash said the same thing, but I agree with her, it ain't our business what's she's hiding and she'll tell us when she's ready."

"But now it's that awful…"  She again looked at my hat.  "..and by awful I mean horribly tacky caricature of a white cowpony hat that makes a mockery of all they stand for.  I just can't abide by that, no matter how lovely an accessory Philomena's feather may be."

"Look I was thinking of seeing if I could help her a bit with some animals today anyway, since until I can get some control ah'm a hazard to ma trees."

"I'm so sorry for you.  It's obvious how much you love your trees."

"Oooo, That gives me a great idea.  I know just how to fix you AJ, so don't you worry your orange little head.  Pinkie Pie away."

Then Pinkie grew wings and buzzed away.  I'm never going to get used to that.  I watched her go then turned to Rarity.

"What da ya think the chances are she can actually help."

"I'd say better than even, at least 60%.  Though it's so hard to tell with Pinkie, and she might only be able to help you with her version of your problem."

"Her version of…"  I gave a little snort.  "What the hay does that mean?"

"I mean, that at times what Pinkie thinks is your problem, and your actual problem can be worlds apart."

"Ah, yea.  Ah remember one time she heard me say Big Mac was under the weather, and then came back later talking about wasting Dash's time cause there weren't no clouds around Sweet Apple Acres at all, and accused me ah lying."

Rarity laughed.  "Indeed.  Well, I need to get back to work.  Orders to fill and all that.  You know how it goes."

I nodded.  "Yea, I sure do.  It's funny I never thought of it before, but you and me are really about the same as far as jobs go in lots a ways.  I mean Twi works hard on her studying but ah'm not sure she really has to do anything."

"Yes, and Pinkie and Dash get their work done, but laze about most of the time."

"Fluttershy works hard too, but there ain't much stress in taking care of animals and most days she don't even have to do that much."

"Hmm, mostly correct, but I have a few stories.  Her job can be monumentally stressful at times, even if most of the time it's peaceful."

"Hmm, maybe ah could ask her myself.  Even if there ain't anything ah can help her with ah could sure talk.  At least it would be something to do."

"Fare well, and at least think of trying to convince her to part with that hat."

"Ah supose ah sure enough could."

Then she waved and talked away.  The sun was already drying the mud so there wasn't much squelching sounds, but she still occasionally looked utterly disgusted by what she was stepping it.  I wonder if that means the mud still feels the same even if it don't stick to nothing?  I then sighed.  I guess a day with Fluttershy could be a nice way to spend a day, and I haven't talked much to her lately.

> Fluttershy
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"You making fun ah me?"

Fluttershy immediately shook her head and started backing away.  Then I remembered Dash buying the shy pony in front of me the hat and suddenly all the irritation was gone like was wasn't ever there at all.  It was might odd she was wearing it, but I still wasn't going to pry.  

"Oh, I could never, would never…"

"Just hold it right there sugarcube.  I remember the place Dash bought that there hat now.  It's nothing but tourist trash, made to sell as cheap as can be."

"Huh?"

"It's a stupid hat.  It's clearly too flimsy for real work, white shows the dirt way to easy, and even for a ten gallon hat it's too tall.  It's like a cartoon of a real hat."  Then I blinked.  "Well whatya know, I agree with Rarity, and about fashion o all things."

"Oh.  Sorry, but, uh…"  Then she looked down

"Now listen here.  I don't mind if you don't tell me something that ain't my business, but you better not lie to me."

"Uh, then, just please don't ask me to take off the hat."

"Ah don't really care about that none.  Though ah'm pretty sure that crazyness over yonder is involved somehow. "

I then pointed to the edge of the Everfree, or at least that's what I thought it was at first.  It certainly was a mass of trees and the Everfree was nearby, but it was much more open and bright.  It also surrounded where Fluttershy's cottage should be.  I think it was still there on the other side, but I couldn't see it.  She looked down.

"Oh, uh, that."

"Yes, that.  Ah know for a fact them there trees weren't here last month, and now they are.  So how and why did you get some full grown trees to suddenly…"

"I didn't.  They just grew."

"They just grew?  They grew as big as the Everfree trees in less than a month?"

Fluttershy nodded.  "And I didn't even plant any trees.  They just started growing one day.  They weren't anything poisonous, so I started talking care of them."

"And they got this big?"

She nodded.  Well it looks like what's happening with Fluttershy is obvious enough, even if it don't make much sense.  Though I guess she had that garden for her little animal friends.  She did grow some pretty big carrots and such too.  It took some serious convincing but I even got her to enter that melon in the fair that one time.  Still, huge trees out of nowhere is a bit much.

"Fluttershy, you been paying to attention what's been going on with me Dash and Pinkie right?  What seems real likely to happen to the rest of us considering all what Luna said about the elements and Twi's magic reading stuff, right?"

"Yes, I suppose, but…"  She turned away from me completely.  "I'm sure this really means nothing.  We really don't have to go see Twilight."

"If you really don't want ta, fine, but seems to me like you gotta do something about all this.  I mean if nothing else figure out how to stop the trees spreading.  Otherwise Ponyville is going ta have some serious issues."

"Oh, I don't think it's like that.  I think they just want to protect me and my house.  From the wind, and anything that comes out of the Everfree too.  Maybe?  I'm not sure."

"Ah know this is going to sound a bit odd coming from me, but they're just trees.  They have some feelings and such, but they don't really want things."

"It seems like they do, even if it isn't like the little animals."

"Ah'm not sure what ta say ta that.  Ah guess ah just gotta trust somehow whatever's going on makes you know that's the truth.  That's why you're wearing the hat too, isn't it?"

"Uh, maybe.  I…"  She paused  "…don't really know.  It could be, maybe, but, also maybe not.  I'm hoping, that maybe, it will just go away and I don't have to bother anypony about it.  That would be nice." She then smiled

"That seems a might unlikely to me.  Seems like we don't got no choice but to go forward and try to deal with this weirdness."

"Please Applejack, I don't want to…"

"As I said, it's your business.  There's lyin', then there's not telling every pony every little detail of your life."

"So I can keep the hat?"

"Yea, but there is some things you can try to keep private, but like it or not, they ain't.  That there wall of trees is one of em.  Now lets start trying to deal with this here mess right quick as best we can."

"What do you mean exactly?"

I smiled.  "Well ah gotta a few ideas but how about we start with the one that helps me directly."  Then I kicked the ground a bit.  "Wait a tic, before that, is there anything ah can help you with in terms of any of your animals?"

She shook her head.  "Oh no, they've been really clear about their problems lately.  Plus it really helps to…"

Then she went wide eyed and covered her mouth with both hooves.  Her wings had kicked in to keep her from eating dirt, but she still tipped forward a ways.  She smiled broadly then looked away.

"I'm sorry but…"

"Ah still think telling Twi would be best, but ah 'spose that girl is mighty busy lately.  Ah mean trying to figure out Pinkie and Dash's weirdness, and Pinkie's weirdness is a full time job just by it's lonesome."

"Oh and of course Rarity's lessons."

"Yea, Dash mentioned that jus' yesterday.  Twilight's been trying to help me on top of all that and her normal studying, whatever that is.  It just seems like awful much.  Especially since she ain't been a lick of help to me really."

"Oh my."

"Ah'm just sayin'.  It ain't like she's not giving it her all, it just ain't helping.  It also still feels a might weird asking for help."

"Oh, I'm sorry.  I shouldn’t have made you doubt you decision.  Going to Twilight for help is best, maybe we should…"

"Now don't go caving in quite yet.  Way I figure it maybe we can help each other and Twi can do a bit less.  What ya think?"

"Oh, yes, that does sound nice, but, well…"

"It is the solid truth.  Maybe that ain't the main reason, but as ah said, she could use a bit less to do, and honesty don't mean giving up all privacy."

"O-okay."

"So far things been a little unsettling, but not dangerous.  Just promise me if things get real bad you go strait to Twi right way, okay."

Fluttershy nodded.

"Okay, then come on.  Looks to me like this might keep a bit, and also ah got a feeling about something."

"Okay, so, where are we going?"

"Sweet Apple Acres ah course.  Get any gardening supplies you think you'll need, though ah can't think of anything ah won't have in the barn."

"Oh, uh, ok.  There is one thing I should get."

Then she flew through the forest that while not very thick, did a very good job of hiding her home.  I really hope this wasn't a bad idea because that is clearly some pretty mighty magic right there, especially if it was by accident.  Then again Twi said she had an issue with control and the rainboom was an accident too, so maybe that's a thing with magic.  The less control the more it can do.  I shuddered a little once I was sure Fluttershy was out of sight.  I didn't want to do nothing to upset her but all this magic crazyness bothers me like nothing else.  I just really don't like the idea of having to deal with something I can't hit.  I turned toward the farm and smiled

"Okay, I'm ready."

"Hey Fluttershy, ah got a little story to tell you, but promise you won't tell Twi or Rarity."

"Uh, okay."

"See when ah was real young ah ran across this unicorn colt showing off.  Ah don't even 'member why, but he and ah got riled up at each other.  Ah thought we was gonna tussle, but then he used his magic to throw rocks at me before ah could get close."

"Oh my, that's awful."

"They weren't big rocks, and he missed most of the time.  It was only when I was real close he would get me.  The thing is it scared the hoof outta me."

"So you were scared of him?"

"Not just him, but all unicorns."  I then laughed.  "Seems more than a might silly now, but ah wasn't even old enough to go to school quite yet, and didn't leave the farm much.  Until that day ah don't think ah even understood having a horn meant anything."

"So, what happened?"

"Well, it got so bad ah wouldn't go out afraid of the horned ponies were a coming for me.  I was having awful nightmares too.  Then my pa gave me some really awful advice."

"Oh no, so it just made things worse?"

I shook my head.  "No, it ain't that kinda awful.  What he said was unicorns can be scary, but they're just like any other pony, an if you give them a hard enough knock they fall down and don't wake up for a while."

"Oh my, he really said that to you when you were so young?"

I nodded.  "Sure as ah'm standing here.  It was awful, but true too.  Most important it did make me feel better.  Plus ma made sure ah understood that magic didn't make them bad neither.  Course ah think the hitting thing helped there too."

"Really?"

"Yea, ah mean the idea that they ain't that different was something ah already accepted, the idea they were good as any other pony ain't that far away."

"Your mom is great.  I miss her."

"Yea, me too."

I then turned to look at what Fluttershy had grabbed from wherever.  It was a set of small blue saddlebags covered in images of what looked like some strangely stylized cat, but it was wearing pink clothes and had huge eyes.  Well I have to admit, that is something that for sure wouldn't be in my barn.

"Why are they so small, and what's in them."

"Oh, they're from when I was just a filly, but they still hold all my gardening tools nicely.  They're also so cute."

"I 'spose so.  Ain't really my style, that's fer sure."

"Are you sure about this?  I mean I don't really know anything about growing trees."

"I'm pretty sure that don't matter anymore sugarcube."

I then pointed at the trees surrounding her home and she nodded.  I'm not too sure this will do any pony any good either, but at least it's something to try.

> First try
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"W-w-w-w-what?"

I sighed.  Fluttershy wasn't wearing her little saddlebags right now.  They were set down near the barn until we needed them.  The closest ready trees weren't that far helpfully.  I shook my head.

"It ain't complicated.  Just give it a big of a buck as y'all can."

"But I don't want to hurt it.  Oh, I don't know how to do this right, I'm sure I'll be just awful and mess it all up.  I'm sure I'll throw off some bark or…"

"I'm pretty sure that ain't possible.  I'm guessing it never was, but ah'm sure as ah can be that you ain't going to do no harm to that there tree.  In fact if you look on the other side you'll see ah already gave it a bit of hurt myself and it's still okay."

Fluttershy walked around to look on the marks that in retrospect were obviously where I bucked it.  Then she moved back to the other side.

"Are you really sure.  I mean maybe…"

"Look here now.  Just give it your best buck.  I'm really hoping to learn something from this.  Don't know what ah'm expecting to see, but ah'm hopeful fer something."

"Maybe I can just ask nicely?"

I rolled my eyes.  "Go ahead if you wanna.  See what that gets ya."

"Uh, is that…"  Fluttershy then shook her head and looked up  "Never mind.  Please Mr. tree, I don't want to hurt you.  Can't you just drop your apples for me."

Then the apples fell out of the tree like it was the most perfect buck ever, not a single one remaining in the tree.  I think a few landed on me but it felt like something much lighter.  Somehow all the apples missed Fluttershy entirely.  Fluttershy just smiled sweetly in response, looking at the tree.  I was so distracted I let the wind pull my hat right off my head and had to chase it down for a spell.  I then turned around and walked back over to a still smiling Fluttershy.

"Okay sugarcube.  Two questions.  First, did you know ah was being a might sarcastic, but then go ahead anyway?  Second, did you know that would actually work?"

"Uh, well…"  She looked away  "I sorta did but uh…"

"Okay, well that could be mighty helpful, but only if you'd be willing to help me every time I need to harvest a tree."

"Oh, uh…"

"Now stop right there.  Ah ain't willing to ask that a you.  Try that one more time, and maybe ah can focus a bit more and see if ah can't learn something."

"Uh, okay."  She walked to another tree.  "You too Mr. Tree, it would be so helpful."

This time I noticed Fluttershy flapped her wings as she said it.  I think her wings glowed green a bit but it was hard to say.  Hmm, Twi would surely like to know about that, but it don't help me none, and probably won't help Fluttershy either.  I nodded and Fluttershy smiled.

"So that helped?"

"Well I shoulda put the buckets under the trees it seems, but honestly, ah weren't expecting ya ta get much done.  But ah still want you to buck a tree."

"But…"

"Look, Twi said Dash's probably right that my nature magic was protecting the trees, but it just ain't cutting it now.  Ah'm pretty sure you got a good bit of it right now, just like ah got more than a taste of earth."

"Oh, so you think if you see me buck you can figure something out.  Are you really sure you want me to buck my hardest."

I smiled.  "Yea sugarcube, ah'm sure."

The result was even less impressive than I thought.  Applebloom could at least get one apple to fall out of a tree if she gave it her all.  Fluttershy's buck didn't even rustle the leaves.  Though that ain't to say it did nothing.  The second she touched it the whole tree glowed for a bit, then once it was gone not only did the dents in the bark go away, but the tree grew out right before my eyes, apple blooms showing up, then growing into full blown apples.  Fluttershy looked at me and frowned.

"Oh no, it was too hard and I hurt it, didn't I?"

"Fluttershy, if you had hurt it much more ah'd have to worry about it crowding out the other trees.  That was more impressive than a rainboom in my book."

Fluttershy gasped.

"Oh, er, don't go spreading that around okay?  Dash would not be happy to hear that."

She nodded.  "Okay, but what do you mean?"

"Ah mean you not only healed that there tree, but made it better than it was before."

"I did?  I was so worried about hurting it.  I mean I know trees are less fragile than all my little animals, but I still worried.  I just wanted it to keep being healthy."

"Ah see.  So that's what you were thinking when you gave it a kick?  Okay, lets try something a little different, and I know just the tree to try it on."

"Uh, okay."

I then trotted off.  I heard only a gentle flapping of wings.  Compared to Dash's harsher beats it was like almost nothing at all.  I think even Fluttershy talking could have drown out the sound entirely.  After a bit of walking we came to a large gnarled old tree.  It still had a few leaves left on here and there, but it was clearly on its way out, most of its branches bare, and not a single apple on the whole tree.

"Aww, it's so sad."

"Uh, sugarcube, do you mean you can somehow actually feel it's sadness or it just looks sad to you."

"Uh, maybe both.  Sometimes I just get feelings.  Lately it, well, seems to happen a bit more often.  But I don't think I can help it.  I want to but…"

"Well sugarcube, ah think you're the only one that can.  Now go give Old Appleby a good hug and lets see if my guess is right."

"Uh, okay."

I sighed.  I bet any other pony would have at least questioned why.  I think Fluttershy even wanted to question me, but just didn't.  So she awkwardly hugged the tree.  It was pretty adorable.  Then with a flutter of her wings the tree glowed for a second.  Instantly the grey bark returned to brown, all the branches sprouted new green leaves, and the whole tree grew bigger and taller than it was before.  It was still as gnarled as ever, but all the funny looking growths were gone.  Apples even started to come in blooms rapidly becoming full fledged fruits just like before.  She then let go and smiled brightly.  Then Fluttershy blinked, took a step back and fell on her haunch.

"Oh my."

"Yea, it is a bit more obvious how much you did, ain't it?"

"But, how?"  She was breathing quickly, speeding towards hyperventilating.  "I just did like you said and was thinking about how much I wanted to help Appleby, but I didn't do anything else."

"Well, maybe that's all it takes then.  A lot oh what Twi said 'bout magic goes in one ear and out the other, but certain types of magic being different is one thing ah got clear enough.  Ah guess nature is easy enough."

"But there aren't nature ponies, are there?"

"Ah dun know.  Seems to me like there is at least one.  Though, now that ah think about it Dash said somthin' about emotion and pegasus magic, so maybe it works the same as fer the casting, even if it ain't air magic."  Then I sighed.

"What?"

"Oh, all this magic stuff.  It's just way too complicated.  Twi understands it but it just ain't me.  I'm just a simple farm pony."

"Uh, maybe…"  Fluttershy looked away.  "Oh Fluttershy, that's such a silly idea."

"What?"

"Oh, I shouldn't say, it's just so silly."

"Look, let me tell you whether it be silly or not."

"Maybe, just possibly, Twilight is wrong."

"What do you mean?"

"Earth magic is something unicorns can do, but it isn't something they're good at right?"

"I think so, though it seems like Rarity's gem finding spell is earth magic to me."

"Oh, you're right.  It must be.  Oh, I'm such a silly filly."

"Now hold on.  Just keep saying what you were anyway.  I do remember Twi saying all pony magic ain't entirely all separate, so maybe we're just missing some little thing we can't quite figure out."

"Well, it's earth pony magic, right?  So it should work in some way that makes sense to earth ponies.  She said you cast with your hooves, right?"

"Yea, but ah'm trying stop it from working quite so much."

"Oh, sorry."

I stood there for a bit.  All magic was connected, and she said earth ponies have a good bit of nature magic too, just like unicorns have more than a bit of arcane.  So that means while Fluttershy seemed to get a heaping helping of nature, I should be able to at least stop hurting my trees.  Though ah gotta admit it would be mighty helpful to be able to just ask a tree nicely to give up its apples.  Ah would feel mighty lazy doing it, but it still might be nice.  Then an idea hit me.

"Wait a tick, now that whole thing about it being me, that is a might important, ain't it?  Most unicorns can only do what their cutie marks say, right."

"Yea, so…"  Fluttershy smiled.  "You must have some sort of magic for apples, it's probably just not…"  She blinked.  "…ready yet?  That doesn’t sound right."

"Ah get your meaning sugarcube."  I blinked.  "Ah think.  Hmm, well you been a big help so far, but I haven't done much of anything to help you."

"Oh no, really, I'm, fine."

"Uh uh missy.  Even if you won't admit it's a problem, if a tree grows every time you touch it, there won't be any room for ponies in Ponyville soon enough."

"Oh my, I nearly forgot."

"Hmm, now let me think.  What can we do to help you?"

I had a dozen other things I could think of that would help me and the farm.  There were saplings to plant, who knows how many trees with a bit of sickness of some sort, and not a single tree that couldn't use a little of Fluttershy's magic enhanced kindness.  But none of that could help her, not even to understand anything else.

"Fluttershy, are you sure you don't want to tell Twi nothing?  Ah know ah'm in way over my head here."

"I, guess you could talk to her about some thing, but I really would rather no one else knows.  I, just…"

"Ah get it.  Still, ah got a question.  Do you still want it to go away, or do seem to be enjoying helping plants nearly as much as animals?"

She smiled.  "Oh I am.  I mean I love animals like nothing else, but everything on the ground is just so magical.  Flowers, trees, bushes, it's all just so lovely."

"Then why did you say…"

She looked away.  "That isn't what I wanted to go away."

"Oh.  Sorry.  So then why can't you tell Twi about…"

"Because she'll need to see what's under the hat, I'm sure.  Please just…"

"Fine.  But ah don't got no ideas more than this.  Ah think ah proved my hunch well enough, but ah was hoping we would see where to go from here.  Ah don't think ah can really help you with much of anythin'."

"Oh, it's alright."  She smiled.  "It seemed like just coming here and helping you helped me some.  Like it's easier to control a little bit for some reason."

"Oh consarn it."

I then kicked at the ground.  It was so obvious.  Can't believe I didn't think of it sooner.  If you're bad at something, there is only one way to get better, and why wouldn’t it be the same for magic, even if you want less magic.

"Wait, does it make sense to practice magic to get less magic."

"Uh, Twilight said she used to have trouble controlling her power, but she doesn’t seem to have any trouble now."

"Okay, so ah guess ah really was missing the obvious.  We just go practice.  It's what Dash and Pinkie been doing, and it's worked for them."

"To get more magic."

"Hmm, okay, maybe it ain't that obvious then.  In that case, we got some saplings to plant.  Oh, and let me go get the list of trees with infestations, see if you can do something about that.  We ain't got nothing left that other trees can catch, but there be a few things that we can't do much about, but not worth major fretting either."

"Oh, maybe, I can think of something."

I nodded, then galloped off.  I felt a lot better suddenly.  Had a way forward, and one that involved a bunch of hard work.  Even if nothing came of this at least I was trying, and having Fluttershy with me was nice.

> Dash
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	I looked at the former saplings.  They weren't exactly huge, but it had only been three days and they were taller than me.  Fluttershy hadn't touched them since we planted them together, but they were growing way to fast to be normal.  Then again ever since Fluttershy started spending a lot of time around the Acres, the ground has become chock full of flowers, and everything just seems a little be healthier.  This included the weeds, but I guess you can't have everything perfect.  Besides, some of the weeds are plenty tasty.  Hay, we even harvested that clover patch to sell in the market.

There was then a sudden whuff of air.  Dash still hadn't figured out her time stop trick, which I still doubted sometimes, even though I knew she wasn't lying about it.  She most certainly believed that what she said happened, did.  One thing she was much better at is coming to a dead stop from high speed.  I didn't even see her approach, so she might have even been going supersonic before she stopped.  She smiled, just hovering there.  She also seemed to have the endurance to never land if she wanted to.

"So I guess Flutter really can grow stuff huh?"

"Yea Dash, she can.  It ain't a problem yet, but if it keeps getting worse, it could be."

"Oh come on, it's just trees, how bad could it get?"

"Dash, the Everfree is just trees."

"Oh."  Then she shook her head and glared.  "Hey, no it's not.  The rules don't work the same there, and there's monsters and…"

"Yea, but ah'm saying even if its Fluttershy's doing, she ain't really taking care of none of these flowers round here, and it's not like it could be just a little fertilizing the weeds along with the trees either.  Ah mean look over yonder."

I pointed a hoof to Appleby's little hill, now completely covered in flowers so thick I don't think there was any grass left.  I couldn't really see the hill itself from here, but I'm pretty sure Dash could.

"Whoa, that sure wasn't there before, but are you sure it's Fluttershy?"

"It could be somethin' else, but she's taken to resting under that there tree.  Ah'm glad old Appleby, well it seems odd to call him that now even though he ain't really younger, was planted on such rocky hill like that."

"Rocky?  It doesn't look rocky."

"Well yea, it ain't obvious, but most of that hill is solid rock, so we can only plant the one tree at the top of the hill where there is enough soil."

"Uh, if you say so.  Seems weird to see you acting so like Fluttershy, and vice versa."

"What are you talking about Dash?  Ah ain't acting nothing like her."

"Well, I guess that's not the right word.  You know I tired to read the whole dictionary once, but I just couldn’t manage.  So would be hoofy at times like this."

"Oh, wait, you mean that ah been taking care of Fluttershy's animals some?  That ain't that odd Dash.  Ah mean yea ah gotta be a little more patient with them little critters than ah'm used to, but critters is critters."

"What about pigs?"

I frowned.  "Pigs is weird.  I know they don’t always act like it, but they're as smart as, well at least close to as smart as, any pony."

"What do they do anyway?  I mean the cows give you milk in return for room and board, but what the heck do pigs…"

"A few things.  We split the profit from truffle season, since they need a pony to hold em back or they'll eat em all, and they're plenty good diggers.  They do some other odd jobs around the farm too.  You don't think it's really just Big Mac, granny, and me, do ya?"

"Well, yea, I did.  I mean didn't you say during apple bucking…"

"Well they can't rightly help with that.  There is one other thing, but it ain't polite to talk about it."

"Oh come on."

"Fertilizer Dash.  If you can't figure out what I mean, ah ain't explaining no more."

Dash waved her hooves in front of her face.  "No, no.  That's fine AJ, I totally get it."

"Good."

I then walked off.  The saplings were fine which meant I needed to get going.  Fluttershy had a lot of work to do, and I was supposed to help.  I was a little confused why she needed my help, or even wanted it.  Before she suddenly made the suggestion I watched her deal with a good bit of her critters so fast I don't get how she did it.  It wasn't a matter of moving fast or nothing, just somehow getting as much done as possible exactly when it needed doing.  I'm pretty sure my help slowed her down.  I then stopped and turned to Dash still behind me.

"Ah know you aren't exactly the most attentive o ponies, but ah also know when you do pay attention you got a good head on yer Dash."

She smiled.  "Yea, I am a genius, aren't I?"

"Ah sure didn't say nothin' like that.  Now ah gots a question for you.  Why would Fluttershy ask fer my help if she can get it done herself much faster."

"I don't think of you being fast, but yea, Flutter does know how to deal with her animals way better than you.  Beats me.  Clearly she just wants you to learn for some reason."

"What da ya mean by that?"

"Well you're much better than that first day right, and you'll probably get better today too.  I don't get it though.  You're not her.  Calm and collected is not you."

"Dash, are you saying…"

Dash face hoofed.  "Wait, that came out wrong.  Okay, it's like this.  You're both a lot like your pets."  Dash then frowned.  "Well, okay, Fluttershy is like how rabbits are supposed to be.  Angel is weird."

"So I'm loyal and friendly like Winona?  What does that have to do with anything?"

"No, not like that.  I mean you are, but it's more like if you walk up to your average dog, what will it do?"

"It will come right up ta ya without fear.  If it's a guard dog it'll bark if you're trespassing but either way it's direct and such.  Rabbits hide first thing, even from Fluttershy.  They don't stay that way, but they hide."

"Yea, it's like that.  You're direct, strait forward, buck your problems away kinda pony.  Fluttershy is all about just sitting there and other boring stuff."

"That ain't the right way o saying it."

"I know, but you know what I mean.  Timid, passive, and very much unlike you."

I blinked.  That was the point.  Fluttershy was trying to teach me something, but it didn't have much to do with animals.  That's why she suddenly changed her mind.  It was something passive, along the lines of patience, though despite what Dash might thinks I'm a plenty patient pony.  Then I blinked.  Except I did always want to be working.  Doing something while I waited.

"Why the hay didn’t' Fluttershy just tell me she was trying to learn me something."

"She probably did, or tried to.  I mean come on, you know her.  Anything could have made her hesitate and she never interrupts."

"Yea, and ah think her name was Pinkie.  That filly's come back a few times with things to help me, each one less sensible than the last."

Dash laughed  "That sounds like Pinkie.  I guess that's why I haven't seen her in a while.  You are keeping everything right?  I mean remember that time…"

"Ah know.  Mostly ah got it all in my barn, but Fluttershy has the turtle."

"Well, here's hoping it's more like the time with the parasprites, rather than that nonsense with all the mice.  How was that even supposed to help?"

"Ah don't think even Pinkie knew, and it sure as shooting didn't."

We both nodded.  Pinkie's heart was always in the right place, but her head never seemed to be.  I still wasn't sure if that's why she ended up helping as often as she did, or we were just lucky she caused fewer disasters than she caused.

"So what exactly is she trying to teach you really?"

"Er, ah don't think ah get it.  Ah mean dealing with little critters is different, but it ain't that different.  Mostly it's just a matter of being all calm like Fluttershy.  Ah may be bad at it, but at least it's something ah can do."

"Oh yea, your super strength only kicks in, well, when you kick."

"It's not just then, it's a few other times too, but when ah'm doing anything more gentle like it can't and…"  I smiled  "…that is it."

I then let a great big "yee hah" as I reared up, throwing my hat in the air.  Dash backed up a bit.  Gentle, that's exactly the right word, and exactly what Fluttershy has in spades, and I don't.  I caught my hat and put it back on my head.

"Oh yea.  Simple as that.  A more gentle touch is just what ah seem to not be able to manage, just like that silly filly needs to be a bit more firm."

"Well, duh, but it's not like…"

"Ah think it might be why things are so outta hoof round her house.  You can't just let plants grow whichever way they want.  It's starting to look a bit like the Everfree now.  Not all dark and such, but certainly as overgrown."

"I guess.  I mean yea it's hard to see from the sky and stuff, but it isn't that bad."

"Not yet.  Still, not only do ah get that Fluttershy's been helping me with just what ah need, but ah reckon ah can finally really help her."

I then took off into a gallop.  If it was anypony other than Dash I might of thought twice about it.  But she's zipped off in the middle of a conversation more times than I can count, and its not like she can't keep up with me if she wanted.

> Applejacky
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Fluttershy turned back at me, smiling.  I kept my face stern.  She then closed her eyes for a moment, picked up the gardening shears again, and leaned in close.  She then pushed the unseen button in her mouth, causing the shears to snap shut before opening again.  Fluttershy cringed letting out a little "eep" as the tiny overgrown branch fell to the ground.  The bush was an absolute mess, tangled beyond all reason, probably the result of growing way too fast.  It looked like it was strangling itself.  I sighed.

"Look sugar cube.  You can't make that big a deal of it every time.  Ah know it sounds strange, but you gotta be firm with your pruning if you want your plants to be as healthy as ya can manage."

She nodded.  "Fi frow."  Then she stuck the shears blade first in the dirt again.  "I mean, I know.  Be firm to be kind.  It's just so hard.  It just feels mean."

I sighed.  "Ah know sugarcube, but not only is it good for your plants but I’m thinking if you take it to heart, you'll make some progress."

"I'm sorry about not telling you earlier.  I tried, more than once even but every time…"

Then she let out a yelp, Pinkie suddenly falling out of the sky.  I didn't even see her.  I guess pegasai really do look up more than most ponies, even Fluttershy.  Or at least it seems like Dash wasn't fooling about that.  Pinkie then hopped to her feet laughing.  If the wings were even there at all they were gone now.  Pinkie fell outta the blue more than once before the flying, so it only made sense she would fall more now.

"I am so totally going to remember I need the cloud walking spell one day."  Then she laughed again, and turned to me, then Fluttershy.  "Oh, hi girls.  Having fun?"

"Well, it's not, too terrible…"

I then remembered what I was really supposed to be doing.  "Uh, not all work is supposed to be fun."

I then turned to the rabbits hiding in a nearby bush.  The varmits were always the trickiest ones to coax out.  Couldn't really blame them.  I mean I chased them off my property hooting and hollering plenty of times.  Still that was only after they were doing something they shouldn't have been, usually stealing from the fields.  Sweet Apple Acres was mostly an orchard, but it just made sense to have a bit more here and there.  Pinkie, then focused on my face, then on Fluttershy's.  

Then suddenly Pinkie was a sorta good copy of Twilight.  Fluttershy and I both took a step back.  That was sure new.  Course she was still mostly two shades of pink, hair her normal magenta.  Well, mostly.  Twi's stripes were blue and yellow instead of pink and purple.  She then put a smug smile on her face so like Twi's it was creepy.  Of course it never lasted long, and if I knew as much as Twi I might be a bit smug whenever I could actually put some obscure bit to use too.

"Girls, girls, girls.  Now, listen here."

I blinked.  It was a perfect imitation.  I'd never heard Pinkie even try, but it didn't really surprise me she would be good at that sorta thing.  Still, combined with looking like Twilight it sent a little shiver up my spine.  Fluttershy opted to outright hide in the bush she had been trimming, or at least tried.  The thing was so overgrown there wasn't really room for a pony in there no matter how big it was.

"See you girls have forgotten the nature of cutie marks and, uh, magic fun stuff."

I laughed.  "Well you got the voice down Pinkie, but that don't really sound much like Twilight at all."

"Uh, see, you are unhappy cause you're doing it wrong.  You're not just caring for animals, but trying to do it like Fluttershy.  And she's, probably being all Applejacky too."

"But Pinkie…"  Then Fluttershy looked down.  "Nevermind."

"Just spit it out sugarcube."

"It's just, well.  Pinkie Sparkle, you have to understand…"

I felt bad, but I burst into laughter and interrupted Fluttershy.  Pinkie amazingly held off for a few seconds before joining in, falling to the ground once she did.  She sounded a good bit like Twilight at first, but then sounded like Pinkie, complete with those little snorts she makes while laughing.  Fluttershy looked down.  I recovered as quickly as I could and looked Fluttershy right in the eyes.

"Now look here.  We were laughing at that silly, if sorta accurate, name you came up with.  Now come on, we both want to hear what you have to say."

Pinkie then popped up off the ground and nodded.  "Of course.  Man, Pinkie Sparkle, I have to remember that.  So funny."

"Uh, well…"  She paused, then smiled.  "See, we are trying to get a handle on our new magic.  It's so strange, but we're thinking…"

"Making you unhappy won't…"  Pinkie then blinked, and switched back to imitating Twilight.  "I mean that is not sensible."

I laughed a little.  "You is a bit easier to take seriously like that, but you're really going to tell us what's sensible?"

"Of course."  She turned up her nose at us.  "I am a great big smarty, with giant smarty pants and a huuuuuge thinking cap.  I know whole lots of super important boring things."

Fluttershy and I both laughed, though hers was mostly drown out by mine.

"And I know this isn't right.  Magic is something that comes from inside, and who you are.  If you're having trouble controlling it, you don't need to be less you, but be even more you than ever."

I blinked.  That actually did make sense.  The real Twi even said something along those lines I think, though with about ten times as many words in a much more confusing manner.  Then I shook my head.

"Okay, maybe you gotta point Pinkie, but sometimes a pony's gotta try to broaden themselves a bit.  I never been the most gentle of ponies, but I'm thinking I can do better."

"And Rainbow Dash always says I need to be more assertive, and plants never talk back so really, it's much easier even if…"

"Nein, nine, eight, seven…"  Pinkie then blinked  "Wait, what was I saying again?"

"Was that a Griffin accent there for a tick?" I asked.

"Gilda didn't have an accent."

"I reckon she's not from Griffany.  I mean it's a bit odd she's even in Equestria in the first place.  Pinkie, I think you were about to say how we're wrong, but with you ah can never be right sure of anything.  Coulda been something about pie for all I know."

Pinkie then bounced in a very un-Twilgiht manner.  "Ooo, I actually just recently came up with this really awesome idea.  See most pies…"

I shoved a hoof in her mouth.  "Pinkie, if you really got something to say about what we're doing, say your peace now, 'kay?"

She pulled out my hoof.  "Okie dokie Loki."  She switched back to Twi's voice.  "It's simple girls.  You can change a little, but doing something like some pony else will only teach you how they do it, which won't help you at all."

"But Pinkie ah said…"

She rolled her eyes.  "Look, it's like totally obvious.  AJ needs to do things Applejack style, and Fluttershy, Flutter style.  If you think doing things an un-you way will work, you're like completely wrong."

I sighed.  She might have point.  I know trying to follow Fluttershy's instructions didn't feel right, but I figured it's just a temporary thing and if I could figure it all out things could go back to normal.  Then I looked up at the sky.

"There is no back to normal, is there.  You sure ain't going to stop using your new magic, and Dash is going to figure out the whole time stop thing eventually.  I'm trying to do the impossible, ain't I?"

Pinkie shifted back to normal.  "I dunno.  I mean it's fun pretending to be her, but I'm not.  I wish I could help you with this magic problem."

"But, isn't that what you were tying to do?" asked Fluttershy

"Yea, ah mean what was all that stuff you been bringing me the last few days for if not some Pinkie style solution to my problem."

Pinkie went wide eyed.  "Ohhhhh.  So that's why it didn't work.  It's a magic problem, that's completely different."

"What in the sam hill did you think it was that…"

"OOOOOO oooo OOO.  I got an idea."

Then Pinkie hopped away.  I thought about calling after her, but then realized there was no point at all.  Fluttershy looked at me smiling then she looked down then looked up again.

"I think, we should try Pinkie's way."

"Ah don't see how it will help, but it can't really hurt.  Some of her ideas sure can, but this don't seem like one of em.  Lets give it a try."

"I, should still try to be more assertive, shouldn't I?"

"And ah should be gentle as ah feel, but not try to be like you.  Ah don't know about you, but ah think ah gotta think on it a bit."

At least I thought I did.  I wasn't so sure how gentle it really was, but the idea sure felt more like me.  I waked away from Fluttershy and near the bin filled with carrots.

"Okay listen up you cute little varmints." I yelled

Fluttershy gasped. "Uh AJ, I don't think

I turned to Fluttershy and said "Ah know what you think, that's the idear, remember?"  I then went back to shouting.  "Now I know we ain't always got along, but listen here."   I then talked at a more normal volume  "Ah ain't gonna hurt ya.  You can trust that."

I waited a few seconds, but nothing happened.  I was hoping for some sign this was working, but I guess I just gotta go on and hope it works.

"Now look here.  You know me and you know Fluttershy.  So trust me.  Know that what Ah'm saying is true.  Ah just want ta feed ya, so get yer fluffy tails in gear and we can all be happy.  Ya get me."  Then especially loudly.  "Line up."

I smiled.  Even if this didn't work it felt tons better.  Now I didn't move at all, not wanting to spook the little critters, I just stood there and waited.  It took a good long while, Fluttershy could get a crowd around her in two shakes of a tail, but eventually they came.  They kept looking to Fluttershy, and she would just nod, but eventually they all came out.  I tossed two that happened to be standing next to each other their carrots first, then waited.  Then Angel came out, looked a few rabbits in the eyes and they quick as could be were a strait line, they even gave me a salute.  Yep, Dash is sure right.  There is something mighty odd about that rabbit.

"Well, ah think that would never 'ave really worked if you weren't 'ere but one way or another it worked, so I'm callin' it a win."

"They are behaving so nicely.  Maybe a little firmness is a good thing."

I then started tossing carrots.  Fluttershy was quiet behind me.  I gave Angel some extra.  Fluttershy made it clear he got special treatment, and now I think I had some idea of why.  Then I heard Fluttershy clear her throat.

"Now listen here Mr Bush." Fluttershy began, unusually loud.  "You are behaving badly, and it's doing you no good whatsoever.  You need to think about what you're doing and grow the right way.  You can't just be growing all willy nilly."  Then she dropped back to her normal volume.  "I mean, if that's okay with…"  She shook her head.  "No, this is what's best for you, so even if it's not okay, you will do it."

"Fluttershy I don't think…"

Of course I sort of forgot apparently talking to my trees was all she needed to do to get them to give up their apples, so I really should have expected the bush moving about.  But I didn't and couldn’t help but stare.  I mean I knew that business had to be some sort of magic, but the bush shifting around into a topiary shaped like a pony was a bit much.  Fluttershy smiled.

"Oh, that's so nice.  Thank you Mr Bush.  I know AJ is right about pruning too.  I'm sure you'll be much happier like that in the long run."

"Uh, yea.  Ya know, Fluttershy.  I'm thinking we're really over our heads here.  Maybe we could at least talk to Rarity 'bout all this."

"Oh no, that's a terrible idea."  She then looked down.  "Oh, that sounded mean, no, it's just she's such a gossip.  I don't think she'd ever want to betray me but it just seems like, that maybe, just maybe, she might say something, by accident."

"Ah see.  Yea, that does make some sense.  Though Twilight ain't like that.  I'm sure the princess has told her quite a few secrets."  Then I face hoofed.  "And ah just remembered she already told us without thinking cause she loves sharing what she knows just that much.  Ah guess that could be a problem."

"Uh, do you think this really helped?"

"Er, ah don't rightly know.  Ah am finally done here, so how bout ah go home and give it a try, and you stay here and see if you can't reign everythin' in a bit."

She nodded.  "Okay.  See you later Applejack."

We waved to each other, and went our separate ways.  I smiled.  I sure felt a might better, even if the more I thought of it the more I realized it didn't have too much to do with that working.  Clearly Pinkie has a better understanding of all that magic hooey Twilight was spouting than I do.  Or at least misunderstands it in a way that seems very helpful to me.

> Scootaloo
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	I glared at the mark.  It was worse.  The first tree I might have even cracked a bit, but with a little practice I was down to slightly worse than it was before.  I walked away from the tree stomping my hooves.  Then I stopped and brought down one hoof in anger hard as I could.  The ground shook, and the sound of countless apples hitting the ground filled my ears.  I smiled as big as could be.

"Hah, take that.  Sure I'll miss the bucking but…"

Then I frowned and rushed over to the tree in front of me.  I wasn't stomping on the roots like Big Mac's trick, but it weren't much better.  The soil didn't seem that loose, and would surely settle eventually, but it didn't seem like a good idea to keep doing it.  It felt so good to do it too.

"I gotta talk to Twi."

"That was so cool."

I looked around, half expecting a blue pegasus, but the voice didn't sound quite right.  Then I saw a familiar orange pegasus filly in one of the trees.  She was hanging from a branch by nothing but tree sap.  Oddly it looked like she hadn't damaged the tree she was in, and it was from some other tree.

"So what are ya doing in mah tree Scootaloo?"

"Oh, minor miscalculation."

"I'm hoping I won't find mah sister and Sweetie Belle around here too."

"Nah, that whole jet thing made us figure out something really important.  It would be cool if we all got our cutie mark at the same time, but there is no way that's going to happen.  So we are doing things a little different."

"That sounds mighty sensible."

"Yea, so pretty much only I'm doing the awesome stuff now, they're just helping."

"That sounds like some might good progress actually.  So is Sweetie Belle trying out some instruments or Applebloom working on her carpentry?"

"Why would they do that?"

"Ne'er mind.  Shoulda known it would be too much ta hope fer.  So what were they doing exactly?"

"Well even the Wonderbolts have a crew, and Rainbow Dash like the Wonderbolts, so by the transative property of awesome, they have to be awesome too, so I figured maybe my friends could get cutie marks for helping me with this neat idea I had."

"That landed you in mah tree."

"Well it needs work.  But who cares about that, that whole shaking the ground thing was so cool.  I mean not quite Rainbow Dash at her best cool, but at least Rainbow Dash normal flying cool."

"Ah see."

I thought Dash was exaggerating, but I guess she mostly just exaggerates about herself, doesn't she?  Scootaloo then fell out of the tree with a thud, but quickly got to her hooves.  She smiled.  I frowned a little.

"Something wrong?  I mean I didn't even know earth ponies could even do stuff like that.  Applebloom is crazy strong, but not that strong."

"Yea, well, till recently, neither did ah."

She frowned.  "Oh, this is like that weirdness with Pinkie.  Are you sure she's not an alicorn at all?  I mean sometimes she's all small and…"

"Ah'm sure.  Princess Luna and Celestia both said so."

"Okay.  But what I don't get is why you should be upset.  I mean Dash is cooler than ever, and Pinkie sure isn't less happy.  I totally don't know if I could tell if she was more happy then she used to be."

"Ah reckon ah would have some trouble too, but I think she might be.  See thing is I can't buck the trees no more."

"Oh, that's bad, isn't it?  Why not?"

"Because ah kick em too hard.  I need to figure out how ta be more gentle"

"You can't control it?  That's bad.  But Applebloom said you were taking care of some of Fluttershy's animals."  Then she smiled "Oh, I get it.  You weren't touching them."

"It ain't all the time.  Mostly it's just a problem with bucking, and ah guess stamping mah hooves now."

"Oh."  Then she blinked.  "But that sounds like it's not you need to be more gentle, but you're just using too high level a spell.  Like using a third circle arcanonizer when a first circle mystical paper spell is just fine."

"What?"

"Nothing.  I don't play that game.  Why would you even suggest that?  I'm not into that sort of nerdy thing just because my parents are."

"Ah didn't say nothing like that."

She laughed nervously, looking around.  "Uh, anyway, yea, seriously, if that is all magical and stuff, you need to be more gentle with your magic."

"Oh really?  Ah never thought ah that.  How the hay do you suggest I go about doing something like that?"  Then I cringed.

"I've heard worse.  Way worse.  Mostly from Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara the one time we tipped a manure cart on them."

"Now hold on a second here."  I glared down at the little filly.  "Now ah ain't hear nothing about no cart of manure or…"

"We didn't do it on purpose.  We didn't know it was full of manure until we hit it, and we sure didn't see the two of them on the other side."  Then she looked away  "Though I guess maybe if I did know I would have…"  Then she cringed  "Uh…"

"Oh never mind.  So what are you thinking?  How ya think ah can learn ta be more gentle with magic?"

"I don't know, I don't have…"  She blinked.  "Well, okay, I guess I do, but I sure don't have this problem.  I'd say you need a good sense of scale so do something big."

"Big like what?"

She smiled brightly.  "Ooo, I know.  You should totally kick down a mountain, and make an earthquake that shakes all the ground away or…"

"Okay, just stop right there.  That's enough of that foolishness.  Still, ya might have a good idea there.  Now get back with your friends, and try ta stay outta trouble."

"We always do."

"An ah was always 'fraid a that."

"Huh?"

"Nevermind, just get."  Then I blinked.  "Well, let me help you with that tree sap first then ya'll can get going back to…"

"Nah, Sweetie learned her first spell.  She still can't float anything, but she has got a spell that cleans tree sap down."

"Ah see."

Then she ran off, all sorts of stuff sticking to her as she ran off.  I really hope them three get their marks soon.  It will be so much safer, not just for them, but everypony.

> Diamond dogs
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	I could sure kick harder, but I don't think this was helping.  There is a saying about wisdom from the mouths of foals but now I'm not so sure that was really all that wise, and I was just desperate something fierce.  At least it was sorta fun kicking at the rocks.  It sure let off a little steam, and I know I felt much better already.  Gotta remind Rarity to come out here though, a few of them rocks had some real shinny gems in them.

"This not seem good idea."

"Shhh, pony is alone.  Pony is not horrible white monster pony.  We need pony to pull cart, dirt ponies good at pulling cart."

"Now hold on just a minute."

Of course before I could turn around the ground gave way.  I figured the diamond dogs wouldn't mess with any of us after the impression Rarity made on them, but I guess this is their territory.  Course I wasn't about to just be dragged who knows where without a fight, so gave a buck hard as I could, since they had grabbed my middle.  There was an explosion of dirt, and suddenly I couldn't see nothing.  I think they dropped me.  Then I felt myself start sliding downward.

"Ah shouda maybe thought that though a might more."

I quickly sped up and landed with a thump in a large cavern lit with torches.  That hurt a lot more the last time.  I looked down.  The pile of dirt felt comfortable enough, but I don't think the dogs meant to go this way, since the ceiling was far higher above my head than I was thinking.  I walked over to a great shinny red rock in the center of the room.  It was bigger than any building in Ponyville, and even bigger than more than a few put together.  I had trouble understanding how big it really was, and it was clearly half buried both on the top and bottom.  It weren't a gem or nothing, but I thought it was sure pretty enough, and it did stand out.  Then I heard a bunch of tromping about.  There weren't really a way to go, the diamond dogs coming in from everywhere.

"Well this don't look that great."

"Get the pony."

"Mean Pony."

"Stupid pony."

Then the three of them finished digging their way out of the pile of dirt I had landed on.  They were familiar enough, that's for sure.  The rest of the armor clad guards closed in, cutting off any escape.  I was alone, and I didn't think I could take on this many by my lonesome.  Then I had a sudden thought, and looked back at the rock behind me.

"Okay, now listen up here.  You are going to let me go.  I ain't gonna take nothing, you just let me leave."

"Pony is only one pony."

"Why we listen to you."

"Because you do not want me tah buck ya.  That's why."

Then I focused everything I had into my buck, but also focused on exactly what I wanted to happen.  I then bucked with everything I had.  I was planning on just denting it.  Instead there was a loud crack and I turned around just in time to see the whole thing collapse into a pile of red gravel.  The shock wave looks to have made a hole in the dirt behind where the huge rock had been as well.  That was more than a touch beyond what I meant to do.  Then I heard the screaming.  The diamond dogs were all running for the hills, or the tunnels I guess.

"Yea, that's right, you better run."

"Faster, get away."

"Pony crazy strong."

"Pony just crazy."

"Pony try to kill us all."

I blinked.  Then a rock fell down in front of me.  I then looked up at the roof.  Yep, that's the ceiling breaking apart alright.  I guess that was a lode bearing rock.  Well, this is gonna hurt.

> Real solutions
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	I gasped when I finally reached the surface.  I was at the bottom of an irregular crater.  Digging out was way easier than I would have imagined.  Then I turned my head to see both Princess Celestia and Twilight staring at me with much the same wide eyed look.  I tried to bow, but since I was still halfway in the dirt that didn't work that well.  I then pulled myself up and did a proper bow.  When I looked up I saw Dash tightly clutching my hat with a huge smile on her face, but it looked like she'd been crying.

"Uh, yea, you look fine.  She's fine right Twi?" she said without looking toward her, and didn't wait for an answer.  "Yea, she's fine."

"Ah guess ah lost it when they snatched me.  Lucky too.  Probably wouldn’t survived a cave in like that."

"Wait, you mean you really were down there?" said Dash

"And you were the cause of the earthquake?" asked Twi

"Uh, yea."  I looked to Celestia.  "There really ain't no going back to normal, is there.  Once we used the elements that ain't no use no more, is it."

"I believe so, but if Luna is right, the activation of the elements merely accelerated the inevitable.  I'm sorry.  You may regain some normalcy but there will be an adjustment period, and there are limits."

"Ah can't really deny that no more.  Ah mean ah smashed that rock so hard it turned to a pile of dust.  Then there is the whole I survived without taking a breath for a long stretch of minutes.  None o that is normal."

"Wait, so you really caused all this?"  Dash looked around.  "And not just a little bit like starting a landslide but in a major way."

"Ah think so.  I ain't no rock perfesser."

"Geologist." Added Twilight

"So. Awesome."

"Give me ma hat back."

"Oh yea, sure."

Dash then handed me my hat back, smile even bigger now.  I took a tick to get it situated, then turned back to Celestia.  Her horn glowed briefly, then faded.

"Well, there are no creatures within my range in any remotely serious condition.  There are probably some bruises and other such things, but nothing remotely serious."

"Yea, they high tailed it outta there mighty fast.  If ah woulda been a bit quicker on the uptake I probably had time to get out too, the ceiling didn't go right away."

"I see." Said Celestia.  "So little pony, can I trust this will never happen again?"

"Well, ah'd like to say yes, but honestly ah really don't have a handle on this magic business at all.  I've got tons of great ideas, including from friends ah didn't even mean to involve, but none of it really helped."

"I'm not so sure of that."  Celestia then smiled.  "But you really should have simply come to Twilight right away.  I know just what to do."

"Well she did, but I thought she figured out herself when I didn't see her for awhile.  In fact recently she told me she did."

"Not exactly.  I said I figured something out and not ta worry."  I sighed.  Still, ah guess this whole not bothering Twi thing weren't the best idea, were it?"

"Duh." Siad Dash

"Hmmm…"  I put a hoof on my chin.  "But Princess, how exactly do you know?"

"There are many ways I could explain, but allow me to demonstrate."

Princess Celestia then gently raised her hoof and then firmly, but with seemingly no great force, pressed it to the ground.  There was a shaking, and suddenly the sinkhole had returned to flat land again.  I blinked.

"Oh yes, Luna did say you had an affinity to earth, didn't she." Said Twilight

"Apparently yes.  It is certainly true.  I am sorry to keep her so busy, but my little prank backfired a bit.  Equestria has been somewhat isolated for a long time, and suddenly sending an ambassador who had real power was sure to cause countless requests to come pouring in."

"But can't ya'll just say no?  I mean you're the princesses."

"We could of course, but not without seeming unfair.  Luna will return soon, but only because I will be visiting some lands myself.  I haven't been to Tia's home in the longest time, and there are a few other place's I'd love to see."

"Tia?"

"Yes, more properly called Queen Tiamat."  She laughed.  Of course she calls me the same thing."  She then put a hoof to her chin.  "Well at least four of her heads do.  They never agree of course."

"Three of her heads?" I asked

"She has five." Said Celestia

Twilight laughed nervously.  "So, I guess everything is back to normal then?"

"I wasn't sure what was below before, so the dogs will have to re-dig their tunnels, but I left a bonus for them that should make them happy."

"It's full of gems, right."  Said Dash.

The Princess nodded.  "Quite so.  Now, who is the best martial artist in ponyville?"

"I'm not sure princess, Dash I know you…"

Dash rolled hers eyes.  "Its Fluttershy, duh."

Everypony, even Celestia herself was staring at Dash in shock.  I gave my head a smack.  A little dirt came loose but it didn't sound that different.  Dash then realized the looks we were giving her and scratched her head

"Say that again, clearly ah got more dirt in my ears than ah think."

Dash then laughed.  "Oh, I get it now.  Okay you don't know Fluttershy's old man like I do.  The one thing he never caved in on was letting his…"  Dash giggled "…precious little glass butterfly to face the big scary world without knowing how to defend herself."

Celestia smiled.  "Yes, I do remember the High Commander's colorful nicknames for his daughter and the way he would melt when talking of her.  He does it less recently."

"Moving away and all that ah reckon." I added

"But yea, she can totally take out like ten heavily armed stallions without breaking a sweat.  It's just other than in practice that isn't her first reaction."  Dash then sighed.  "Or in practice mostly.  But she's still amazing."

"So what yer saying is Fluttershy can whip flank like nopony's business, she's just too scared to do so?"

Dash nodded.  "Yep.  Though honestly she's still, you know, Fluttershy, so it's all about passive defense and upholding nonviolence and junk like that."

"Are you speaking of the core tenets of most martial arts being trying to avoid confrontation if at all possible?" Asked Twilight.

Dash nodded.  "Yea, boring stuff like that."  Dash then smiled

Twilight and I hung our heads at the same time.

"Well that's just ideal, isn't it."  Celestia then smiled.  "Now, I really should get back to Canterlot.  You see some of the flood is ambassadors looking to open trade with Equestria again.  I kept it mostly sealed simply because it was easier that way."

"See, even Celestia is lazy sometimes."

Twilight glared at Dash.  "That isn't it.  Running a nation is very complicated, and as long as Luna was away her duties were doubled.  Some responsibility could be delegated, but I was right, and the Equestrian government was designed with two princesses in mind."

"Yes, that was quite ingenious of you to realize.  There was only so much I was willing to change, so I simply limited things as best I could so I could fill both roles.  Now, I think it time I leave."

"Princess not to nitpick but…"

"You totally didn't explain anything." Said Dash

Celestia laughed.  "Oh yes.  Sorry, sometimes I forget little details.  Ki is a complicated subject but the concept works very well in controlling certain energies."

Twilight smiled.  "Like earth pony magic, therefore martial arts training can help you control that internal energy and thus...."  Twilight then trailed off

"Ah get it well enough ah think, and ah guess I know who to give a holler to if ah don't."

Celestia nodded.  "I can't promise it will be easy, but it is the best way, and I'm sure Fluttershy will be an especially good teacher."

"One more thing yer highness, 'fore ya go.  How does nature magic work?"

"You mean the best way of mastering it?  Time and practice.  It is that simple.  Things may get a bit out of hand, or you may have little luck with it, but with time it will come under your control.  I can't be sure there is much you can actually do with it though."

"That's alright.  Ah know all ah need ta know ah'm thinking."

She nodded and took to the sky.  Then she looked down at Twilight and smiled.  Then she looked over at me again.

"While I'm here, is there anything you learned about friendship recently."

"I think there is some lesson here, but I don't know what's going on at all.  I already told you what I do know of Applejack's issues, but I haven't seen her for awhile.  She told me she figured something out and not to worry about her."

"Well ah learned something.  Friends can always help, but sometimes you really should just go ta the expert."

"Except Flutter totally is the expert, you just got the wrong type of help."

"Which could have possibly been avoided if you came to me and explained your continued issues."  Twilight then looked up.  "Though I suppose I try not to bother you so we might have ended up in the same place in the end anyway."

"It sounds like you learned a lesson without having to experience it personally after all.  Also, writing a letter doesn't take much time.  If your friends have an issue, please tell me in the future."

"Of course Princess."  Twilight then bowed.

"Uh, so, you know anything cool about air magic?" asked Dash

"Some things, but Luna knows far more."

Then Celestia turned into a ball of light that shot off for Canterlot in a high arc.  Dash stared for a good long time.  I guess I should follow Twi back to the library and look at the maps.  I'm pretty sure I don't have a good enough handle on all this, but I finally feel like I really know what to do now.

> Of hats
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Fluttershy landed in front of me as I was walking to the train station.  She was wearing a new hat.  It was Reinian, a fuzzy black thing I'd mostly only seen Reindeer wearing, but I did see some ponies in pictures of Stalliongrad wearing the same sort of tall black hat.  Fluttershy smiled brightly, then looked down.

"I'm sorry.  I should have…"

"Stop right there sugarcube.  Sometimes you gotta find the right pony for the job, and it ain't always gonna be one of yer friends.  Or in this case sometimes you gotta go to the right pony to figure out what the job is in the first place."

Fluttershy giggled.

"Promise me you'll at least think of telling Twi when I'm gone."

"Oh I would hate to…"

"For that matter, a letter to Luna or Celestia might be enough.  I'm sure Spike could keep a secret if you give him a letter."

"Oh, I don't want to bother them."

I sighed.  "Just promise me you'll think about it, 'kay?"

Fluttershy.  "Okay, but, well…"

"One more thing.  Rarity ain't gonna let that there hat go."

"Huh?"

"I still don't know that pony as well as I should, but there is one thing I know it's her fussiness.  The fact you've been ditching her spa trips is only gonna make things worse."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean she's gonna try and take yer hat."

Fluttershy went wide eyed.  "What, why would she do that?"  she was shaking.  "I need my hat.  I can't lose my hat.  I just can't."

"Yea, but it looks a might weird.  I think it looks cute, but Rarity ain't going ta let it go if she gets even a glimpse.  Also that feather stuck in the band looks strange."

"But I need it."

"O-kay.  Whatever you say sugarcube.  Now ah don't 'xactly know how long I'll be gone, but that talk of letters reminded me of a little rock problem in Appaloosa ah aim to solve, but ah'll be back soon as ah can.  Then we'll see about you and I training."

"Maybe you won't even need my help.  I mean maybe just practicing braking rocks was a good idea too.  You didn't get to really test it and…"  she then trailed off into that near silent speech of hers where you can't understand a word

"Maybe sugarcube.  If ya'll really need me I'll be back as quick as I can.  Twi said she can send me a letter if need be, with spike I assume."

"Could she always do that?"

"Don't think so.  But who knows, maybe that little dragon could always could send letters to anypony, but just didn't say nothing 'bout it."

We just stood there in silence for a bit.  Fluttershy not looking at me directly, shuffling her front hooves.  I shook my head.

"Well, goodbye."

"I really enjoyed my time with you.  It was fun working together.  Normally I take care of the animals all on my own except when I need your help gathering them up and a few other things.  But this was different.  I also loved helping you plant trees."

"Well ah had a right fun time to.  Ah think ah could still use a little help dealing with little critters, and while you got the growing part down, ah think there might be a thing or two about plants ah can still teach you."

We both smiled at the same time.  Then with a quick tip of my hat and a wave I turned and left.  I never would have even thought about doing something like this, but now I might save my cousin and his town weeks of work.  Change can be scary, but it don't have to be bad.  Even if we didn't get anything done I liked spending time with her, and getting to know her a bit better don't feel like no kind of waste.

"I got you a hat."

I fell over Pinkie yelling in my ear startling me more than a little bit.  She was wearing a dark green hat covered in red apples.  It took me a second for my eyes to focus and realize it was a pointy hat just like that mare Trixie wears all the time.  I wasn't surprised in the least when she plopped it on my other hat or got the rest of the way out of the small narrow trashcan.  I then sighed.

"Let ma guess, it's a magic hat?"

Pinkie rolled her eyes.  "Duh."

"Well thank ya kindly, but this whole martial arts and meditation thing seems to be working pretty nicely already.  When ah get back ah may even be able to figure out all this flow of Ki nonsense Fluttershy is jabbering about."

Pinkie smiled.  "Ooo, Ki is so cool.  It lets you do all sorts of neat things.  Like party extra hard, or eat more candy, and it was really helpful with learning how to shapeshift."

I facehoofed.  "Yah know that would have been real helpful to know ahead of time."

"Really?  Why?  I mean sure I trained with ninjas but Fluttershy is way better than me at this sorta thing."

"Now look here sugarcube…."  I blinked.  "Ninjas?"  Then I shook my head.  "Ah meant how knowing about all this stuff can help with some magic."

"Yea, but so?  It's totally obvious Fluttershy knows all that stuff now too, isn't it?"

"Uh, maybe.  Look, ah can take this off right."

"Of course you can.  I mean you're wearing two hats you silly pony.  Why would you even do that?"

I rolled my eyes.  "No idear."

I sighed and laughed.  Then started running realizing I was just about to be late if I didn't hurry things along.  I waved to Pinkie and took off, holding both hats on my head.  I thought about what she said.  I guess it was pretty obvious, and the more I thought about it pretty obvious what the hat had to be hiding.  Or at least I sure thought so.  Pinkie then waved to me as I ran past her near the entrance to the train, smiling.  Part of me really wanted to know how she did that, but as usual I pushed it down.   

> Freindship Report
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Princess Celestia,

Applejack already told you what she learned about friendship, but I have something to add.  Namely that sometimes your friends might try to ease your load by keeping things from you it can actually cause you more stress.  Though in retrospect I'm not sure that's really a lesson in friendship exactly.

After Applejack's bath, I still can't believe she didn't notice how dirty she was, I got some additional readings from her.  I'm not sure what the differences mean but they are utterly fascinating.  I also thank you very much for the information on phoenixes, and especially their feathers.  I have a fairly good idea what is going on with Fluttershy now, even if it is very odd to even think it.  It would explain almost all her recent odd behavior, and her attachment to that feather.  It's also very helpful to know that such information was indeed in the book she checked out.  Thank you greatly.

Also, I cannot thank you enough for sending along Luna's correspondence, and forwarding my own.  Her thoughts have been invaluable in my current research.  I didn't really doubt Luna exactly, but I was still surprised you agreed so fully how much more skilled she is with magic.  It seemed like there was no question about magic I could ask you could not answer.  I guess nothing stays the same, does it?

Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle