Just another little something I liked.
Disclaimer: Around the World in 80 Days belongs to Walt Disney, and My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic belongs to Hasbro and Lauren Faust.
Around the World in 80 Days
Chapter One: The Will
Over a century ago, before the borders of Equestria were explored, the world was a much bigger place, especially for a little mare named Applejack.
Applejack was the caretaker of the local orphanage in Ponyville. She was a young mare with an orange coat, blonde mane, and green eyes. She was fond of caring for orphans as her own parents died in an accident when she was still quite young.
Applejack worked with only two other ponies, Rarity, who helped care for the infants and toddlers, and her best friend Pinkie, who helped with the bills. Applejack was a kind mare, encouraging the foals in the fields they're interested in.
However, despite her steadfast efforts, the orphanage was in deep financial trouble. One day, Applejack came home to a pile of bills on her desk and more across the floor as Pinkie was there.
"Hi Applejack!" Pinkie said. "What's wrong?"
"All these bills." Applejack groaned. "How are we ever going to pay them?"
"Applejack, look at this!" Pinkie called out as she opened a letter. "Dear Miss Apple, you have inherited a fortune."
"What?!" Applejack called out. "Let me see that!"
Applejack grabbed the letter and read it aloud.
"To claim your inheritance, your presence is requested at the reform club at precisely six o'clock. Yours, Spoiled Rich."
Applejack looked at the clock, and it was already six fifteen.
"Oh no, I'm late!" Applejack called out as she rushed off.
()()()()()
At the reform club, Applejack met up with the leaders, Spoiled Rich, Mayor Mare, and Filthy Rich. Mayor Mare and Filthy looked at Applejack kindly; however, Spoiled just frowned at him.
"You're late." Spoiled said plainly.
"I'm awful sorry." Applejack said. "Do I still get my money?"
"We'll see, won't we?" Spoiled said with a chuckle. "For as the executor of your aunt's will, it is my responsibility to follow out her instructions and bequeath to you her fortune."
"Yee-haw!" Applejack called out. "The orphanage is saved!"
"Yes," Spoiled said. "But only if I deem you to be a trustworthy, hardworking, and punctual member of society."
"Well gosh," Applejack began. "Everyone who's met me can tell you that I'm trustworthy, and my friend Pinkie and I have been workin' real hard down at that orphanage."
"And how about being punctual?" Spoiled said meaningfully.
"Oh, like not being late." Applejack said nervously.
"Yes, and arriving on time for these kind of occasions." Spoiled said with a smirk.
"Oh, for once don't be such a scrooge Spoiled and give the girl her money." Mayor Mare said exasperated.
"Yes," Filthy Rich added. "She's a nice kid."
"I'll gladly give Miss Apple her money." Spoiled said. "As soon as she passes a test to prove her punctuality."
"Okay." Applejack said nervously. "What kind of a test?"
"How about going around the world in eighty days?" Spoiled said as she spun a globe.
"Around the world in eighty days?!" Applejack called out.
"But she'd have to make every train." Mayor Mare pointed out.
"And every ship." Filthy added.
"And never be late." Spoiled finished.
"Not even once." Applejack gulped.
"It's the perfect test." Spoiled stated plainly. "You can leave today October 1st, meaning you're due back here on the 19th of December at six thirty. Have a nice trip, Miss Apple."
()()()()()
As Spoiled led Applejack out of the office, she sat back down at the table.
"So, if the girl doesn't make it, what happens to the money?" Filthy asked as he took a drink of cider.
"If Miss Apple fails to pass the test, her entire inheritance reverts to the executor." Spoiled said plainly.
"Why Spoiled, that's you!" Mayor Mare pointed out.
"Exactly." Spoiled said with a smirk.
"You old Goblin." Mayor Mare muttered.
()()()()()
Applejack arrived at the orphanage and bumped into Pinkie.
"Pinkie, put down those bills!" Applejack called out. "We're goin' around the world in eighty days!"
"You mean we're going in eighty days or for eighty days?" Pinkie asked.
"For eighty days." Applejack said.
"To the docks." Pinkie noted, and they rushed out, leaving Rarity in charge of the orphanage.
"They are getting quite an earful when they come back." Rarity muttered to herself as Rumble was doodling on the walls. "Rumble, no!"
()()()()()
The two went by freighter from Manehattan to Griffonstone and then to Yakyakistan where they caught a train, barely. After that, they made their way to Basalt Beach, Mount Aris, marking the first week of their journey. From there, they crossed Seaquestria to Saddle Arabia. Everything was going perfect until they reached a cliff where the roads were wrecked.
"Oh pony feathers." Applejack sighed. "There's no way I can make it now."
"Oh yes there is!" Pinkie said as she arrived on an elephant. "We can just take this pachyderm."
()()()()()
Traveling by elephant, they made their way across Saddle Arabia until they came across a small village. They were banging on their drums in a specific manner.
"What's going on?" Pinkie whispered to Applejack.
"Looks like a weddin'." Applejack said from a disturbing alter and what was obviously a holy man standing near the chief. "Let's keep movin'. We're losin' time."
Before they could leave however, the bride came out. She was a mare of Applejack's age dressed in a long purple dress and veil. She had a purple coat, navy blue mane with a pink stripe in it and purple eyes. The mare was dragged up to the chief as she starred at him angrily.
"I won't go through with this!" The mare shouted as she pulled off her veil. "I don't want to marry you!"
"Aw, what a shame." Pinkie said. "A beautiful girl forced to marry. Oh well, let's head out."
"No!" Applejack called out. "We've gotta save her!"
"Save her?!" Pinkie called out in alarm as there was no response. "I said, save her?! … Applejack?"
()()()()()
Applejack had snuck into the village and approached the mare.
"Hey." Applejack whispered.
"Who are you?" The mare asked.
"Applejack." Applejack said. "I'm a friend. Follow me."
Applejack pulled Twilight off as they tried to sneak away when the natives caught them.
"Well… Crud." Applejack groaned as Pinkie rushed in with the elephant, scattering the natives. The two got on and rode off.
"Thanks for saving me." The mare said. "My name's Twilight Sparkle."
"Nice to meet you." Applejack said friendly.
"So where are we going?" Twilight asked.
"Around the world in 80- I mean, fifty-two days." Applejack said with a smile.
()()()()()
At the Reform Club, Spoiled starred angrily at a report stating that Applejack had made it to Saddle Arabia.
"Did you hear, Spoiled?" Filthy said with a smirk. "The girl's reached Saddle Arabia."
"Looks like you'll be handing over that inheritance after all." Mayor Mare said with a smile.
"Not necessarily." Spoiled countered. "Because I'm going to make sure that Applejack's eighty days are numbered."
Uh-oh. Looks like the gang's in trouble?! Don't miss the exciting conclusion!