Hello Fanfiction readers! Ashbel Longhart finally back to bring you a new chapter of my adventures in Equestria. Now I wasn't planning on getting any of my other stories as I was focused on two of my stories in particular, but when I saw the date of when I last updated this story, I freaked out and got to work. Sorry to those who have waited so long for this, but now I'm back and ready to get into more hijinks.
*A portal to Equestria appears* Wow, it has been a REALLY long time since I've seen this. Time flies faster than you realize it. Cue disclaimer!
(Disclaimer: I do not own My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. All rights go to Hasbro Studios. I also don't own any songs that may seem familiar to you people. They belong to their respective owners as well. I just own this story and nothing more.)
Well, guess it's time to tango with some buffalos. Hope I make it out of this alive. Well, see you guys on the other side! *Jumps into portal*
Friendship 21: Pony v Buffalo-Dawn of Apples
(Train)
"Madam Lorraine soon recovers and sees the corpse of Red Doc being dragged up. Quickly running up to the hole, she shouts to Jonah Hex: 'Wait! We could be partners! I don't mind splitting a take!'"
"How does Hex respond?" Rainbow Dash asks, really into the story.
"Hex responds by kicking down the rope, trapping her down in the cave." I said. "She says: 'You can't leave me here alone!' And you know what Hex says?"
"What does he say?" Pinkie asked.
"He says: 'You ain't alone. You got plenty of company. And you know everybody there.' After saying that does he take his leave, leaving Madam Loraine trapped down in the cave where she will eventually die from either starvation, sickness, or if she's lucky, old age." I said, finishing telling everyone except AJ the DC Showcase of Jonah Hex, one of the most badass cowboys ever.
"Wow. To think your people made such a character." Twilight said.
"He sounds so cool!" Spike said. "I especially liked the part where he said: 'You ain't no lady,' and 'Drinks are on the house.'"
"Glad you liked it." I said, patting the dragon's head much to his annoyance before getting up. "I'm gonna go see how Applejack's doing."
"I think Rarity went to go check up on her." Twilight said.
"Noted." Was all I said before walked down the car of the train we were on. Still can't believe we're all on a train just so we can deliver an apple tree. Then again, the place we're going to is called Appleloosa so I really shouldn't be that surprised.
"Applejack!" I found Rarity at the place where AJ and her tree were at. "Were you reading a bedtime story to…an apple tree?" Wait, what?
Looking through the opening, I saw a book near the bed which the tree was laying on. Talk about weird.
"Hehe, uh, well…" AJ looked nervous for a good reason as Rarity entered the room. "Be replanted in a whole new place is very upsetting for a tree." Since when? Do they speak? I've yet to see a talking tree in this magical pony land. "And Bloomburge here is one of my favorites." Bloomburge? She actually named it. If that's the case, did she name the other trees? If so, then that's a lot of names to remember.
Rarity looked at AJ weirdly before stomping her hoof. "No fair Applejack! You got a luxurious private sleeper car for a tree while I am crowded and cramped in the same car with all the other ponies!" She then saw me. "Uh, not that I don't like it of course."
"Don't worry; I'm not offended or hurt." I said, entering the car. "You're a lady; you need your beauty sleep in peace. I won't hold it against you for complaining."
"Thank you for understanding." Rarity said.
"Uh, guys?" AJ spoke up. "In case either of you've forgotten, Bloomburge's the whole reason we're making this trip."
"I know, Applejack, and I'm grateful to, uh, him?" Seriously, how do you tell whether a tree is male or female? And how is that a thing here? "Anyway, I know he needs his 'sleep' and stuff so you can give him to your relatives in Appleloosa, but acting as if the tree's a baby."
"He's right you know." Rarity said.
"Who you calling a baby? Bloomburge's no baby!" AJ said before hugged the tree in question. "Don't make wittle Ash and Rarity make you all saddy waddy." Baby talk, my point stands. "Bloomburge's a big and strong apple tree, yes he is." Okay, this is just weird now.
"It's widdle Rarity who's all saddy waddy." Rarity said before she growled in frustration before taking her leave.
I watched her leave before turning back to AJ who was still cuddling the tree. Yeah, this is too weird for me, I'm out.
"Well, see you in the morning." I said as we should arrive at our destination tomorrow morning. Time to do the thing I love as much as I love to write, eat, read books, and play video games before Episode 21 really begins.
Sleep.
(Nighttime)
I slept in my designated bed while the girls were talking. The only ones in bed as well were Rarity and Spike. I didn't mind the girls talking really. If I can sleep through my dad's snoring, I can sleep through anything.
"Ugh, do you guys mind." I heard Spike speak up, making me open my eyes which I regretted it a bit since the lights were still on as my eyes had gotten accustomed to darkness a little. "I was up fire roasting all those snacks you're all eating and I am pooped!"
"Oh, speaking of, some of these popcorn kernels didn't get popped." Rainbow Dash said, expecting Spike to pop the rest out of the kindness of his heart. Pfft, yeah right!
"He's gonna burn them." I said.
"No he won't-!"
*SHOOM!*
Cue one surviving kernel pooping and hitting Rainbow's eye.
In the famous words of Yu-Gi-Oh Arc-V Abridged, "Ah Tewld You."
"Good night." Spike said before covering himself with his blanket.
"Uh, maybe it's time we all got a little shut eye." Twilight said. "We've got a big day ahead of us tomorrow." One of which involves buffalos apparently.
All the girls 'Awww'ed before going to sleep. The lights were turned off as all that filled the car was the sound of Spike snoring.
"Psst! Pinkie Pie!" And just like that, Rainbow's voice broke the silence of night. "You asleep yet?"
"No. Are you asleep yet?"
"If I was sleeping, how could I have asked you if you were sleeping?" The corner of my eye got brighter and I opened them to see Rainbow holding up a candle, talking with Pinkie.
"Oh yeah." Pinkie said laughing.
"When we get to Appleloosa, do you think we'll have to carry that heavy tree all the way from the train to the orchard?" I'm sure they have some way to carry it. If not, well then tomorrow's gonna suck. Then again, tomorrow we're all gonna get attacked by buffalos so I guess it really doesn't matter.
"What tree? You mean Bloomburge?" Pinkie asked.
"No. Fluttershy." Rainbow said sarcastically.
"Fluttershy's not a tree silly."
"What's going on?" Twilight joined in except she didn't attempt to whisper. Kind of rude considering they're all standing over Spike. Poor guy.
"Rainbow Dash thinks Fluttershy's a tree." Pinkie said.
"I do not think she's a tree! I was just say-!"
"Did you say she was a tree?" Twilight interrupted.
"No, well, yes, but not exactly." Rainbow said.
"You know she's not a tree, right?" Twilight said.
"She's not a tree Dashy." Pinkie said as at this point, I think the two were ganging up on her.
"I'd like to be a tree." Fluttershy, why in the world would you want to be a tree? You can't do nothing, but stand and drop leaves all the time.
"Oh for Pete sakes!" Spike said, getting up as he had had enough. Grabbing his pillow, Spike went into the car that Bloomburge was in…I can't believe I'm actually calling it that.
"Well that was kind of huffy." Tell me about it, but you can't blame him.
"Huffy the Magic Dragon." FLuttershy joked, getting everyone to laugh. However, doing so woke Rarity up.
"Would you all be quiet NOW!?" Rarity yelled as her mud mask scared the girls, making them quickly turn off the lights as they got back into bed. About time. Now I can finally get some sleep.
…
…
…
Why does it feel like I forgot something?
(The Next Day)
Oh yeah, now I remember.
"We have to go after them! They got Spike!" I said as the train had gotten attacked by buffaloes like I remembered and stole the car that Spike was sleeping for the night. However, the thing I forgot to remember was that Spike was in there as well meaning they also kidnapped him.
"They got Bloomburge!" AJ said as we all watched as the buffalos took away the car with Rainbow Dash quickly following after them.
Now I know that Spike was going to be alright, but I had to act or else the others are gonna question why I'm not so worried.
"We have to go after them!" I said.
"We can't! We'll never catch up to them!" Twilight said. "We'll have to wait until this train makes it to Appleloosa."
"And when is that?" I asked.
"After what just happened, I'm guess 7 minutes."
"Son of a-!" I held back a curse before calming myself down. Someone needs to be with everypony freaking out.
Like Twilight had predicted, it too us about 7 minutes to reach Appleloosa. Once we were all here, we all rushed out of the train with the intent to reporting what just happened when we were stopped by a yellowed furred pony with a caramel colored mane and dressed in a western cowboy vest and hat.
"Hey there!" Whoa! Personal space bro. And tone it down on that smile. Ponies are gonna think you're either suspicious or way too happy all the time. I'm leaning towards the ladder. "Welcome to A~ppleloosa!"
"Braeburn, listen-!"
"Cousin Applejack! Mind your matters!" The now named Braeburn interrupted her. "You have yet to introduce me to your compadres. Shame on you." Shame on us? Shame on you. Don't you know it's rude to interrupt someone when they're talking?
"Braeburn, listen. Something terrible happened-!" But she was interrupted again.
"Terrible is right. Your train is a full seven minutes late!" Hey! Not our fault we got attacked by stampeding buffalos. "That's seven minutes less for you to delight in the pleasures and wonders of A~ppleloosa!" Okay, we get it. Appleloosa's a great place.
Well, now that I'm here, I might as well look around the place. Let's see, old western buildings, ponies in cowboy hats and top hats and one of those hood things that I don't know what it's called, pony drawn carriages, ponies painting, ponies dancing, and etc. Oh, and there was a bar except instead of serving alcohol, they served salt of all things. Not only that, but each building had at least one apple picture/painting on it. Guess that's another reason why the place is called Appleloosa.
"Whoa!" Before I knew what was going on, Braebrun had pushed me and the girls into town.
"Boggles the mind we settler ponies built all this in just a past year, don't it?" They built all this in a year? Either they had a lot of ponies with them in the past or they had help from someone cause I'm calling bullshit. "As you can see, we have all of the finest comforts." Oh really? Show us then.
I soon regretted that thought.
"Like horse drawn carriages," Cue a pony pulling a carriage before stopping and telling the pony to switch with him. "And those there are horse drawn horse drawn carriages." Horse drawn hor-O~h! I see what you did there.
"Listen Braeburn, I-!" But once again, AJ was interrupted and we were all pushed to go see more places and attractions.
"An' here's our local watering hole: The Salt Block." We were all pushed to the bar that served salt just in time to see a pony being kicked out.
"That's enough salt for you!"
"Can't I at least get a glass of water?" Sorry man, but you ain't getting it.
"Oof!" And were were pushed again to see the sheriff of the town.
"Over there's the officer, Sheriff Silverstar!" He pushed again to a group of dancing ponies. "And here's where we have our Wild West dances." And pushed again to another group of ponies dancing just more mellow. "And here's where we have our Mild West dances." The fuck? Who would dance mildly?
"But Braeburn, we-!" And once again, AJ's interrupted as we were all pushed to that I can already guess is the most famous spot here in Appleloosa.
"And here's the most wonderful sight in all of A~ppleloosa!" Okay seriously man, you need to stop that. "Our Apple Orchard. Although I don't think you'll be able to see it, Blind Pony sir."
"I'm not blind!" I said automatically. I've done it so many times that it's not become a habit. God I hate these eyes.
Anyway, an impressive sight was laid out before us. Rows upon rows of apple trees were displayed with apples ripe for the picking. To be able to grow apple trees out here in the far west was an impressive in itself. But we didn't have the time to appreciate the view.
"Braeburn!"
"First harvest should be any day now."
"Braebur-!"
"Good thing too!"
"Brae-!"
"Cause we need that grub to live on."
"BRAEBURN!" Just putting this out there, but I could have sworn I heard a blow horn, uh, blow.
"Uh, yes cous'?" Finally, we got his attention.
AJ took a moment to catch her breath before speaking. "You have a very nice town and all, but we have a HUGE problem! Some of our friends are missing." Speaking of friends, where the hell is Pinkie Pie? I just realized that she isn't with us. Oh wait, she's probably with the buffalos if my memory is right.
"A stampede of buffaloes!" Braeburn's face turned to one of shock and panic after what Fluttershy said.
"They took Spike!"
"Rainbow Dash went after them!"
"And we can't find Pinkie Pie." Glad I wasn't the only one who noticed that.
"And we had an apple tree for your orchard, but they took that too!"
"…Did you say buffalo?" Braeburn asked before sighing. "Them buffalo, they want us settler ponies to take every single tree you see here off this land. They as hay don't want any new ones add in.
"But why?" Maybe it has something to do with these grounds used to belong to the buffalos as a running ground, but that's just me.
"Beats me." Braeburn said. "We put a lot of hard work into this land so we could feed our town, our families, our foes, and now they're saying all these trees have to go? It ain't fair."
"There has to be a reason why they want all the trees removed." I said, getting everypony's attention.
"What makes you say that?" Braeburn asked.
"Cause nothing is done without a reason, every action has a motive." I said. "And we're gonna find out when we go out and rescue Spike and the others."
"You want us to go out into buffalo territory? Are you mad!?" Braeburn said.
"How else are we gonna find the others." I said. "We all leave tomorrow morning. You come with us since you know the lands better than we do since you're a settler and all."
"What if I don't want to come?" Braeburn asked.
"Then you won't get to learn why the buffaloes want your apple trees gone." I said. "Plus, you wouldn't just leave friends of cousin out alone out there, would you?"
Braeburn thought to himself before looking back at me. "You're right. A friend of my cous' is a friend of mine. You're quite the convincing talker."
"I have my moments." I said with a shrug.
"Then it's settled." Twilight said. "We'll all prepare for the night and head out tomorrow morning."
I knew we really weren't going to venture out far, but I knew that tomorrow was gonna be eventful.
(The Next Day)
We all stood at the outskirts of Appleloosa as AJ was tightening Rarity's bag a little too tightly.
"Ow! Gently please." Rarity pleaded.
"Sorry, Rarity, but our friends are out there and we have to be ready for a long hike into buffalo territory if we're gonna save'em." AJ said. "Let's go!"
We all headed out, but we never got far as we all came to a stop when Rainbow Dash along with Spike and Pinkie Pie showed up completely fine.
"Hi guys!" Pinkie greeted us before Fluttershy suddenly tackled her to the ground.
"Pinkie! We're so glad you're safe!" Fluttershy said as everyone expressed their relief to see the three safe.
"You had us all worried." I said, giving Spike a playful noggie on the head.
"Hey! Stop that!" Spike said, pushing the hoof off of him before saying, "Sorry for worrying you."
"How did you guys escape from the buffalo?" Twilight asked.
"We didn't." Pinkie said as the baby buffalo whose name I think is Little Strongheart appeared from behind a rock, igniting gasps from everypony but me. Now that I think about it, is that what baby buffaloes really look like? I never checked.
"We promised the buffalo a chance to talk." Rainbow explained.
"Oh yeah? About what?" Oh boy. Here comes AJ's stubbornness.
"We brought our new pal Little Strongheart here," So I was right about the name. My memories been getting better and better recently. "To explain to the Appleloosans why they should move the apple trees off buffalo land."
"Well, now's your chance to know why they want the trees off." I said to Braeburn, pushing him forward to Little Strongheart who smiled nervously at the baby buffalo and vice versa. It's like I'm rewatching a clip from Disney's Pocahontas. With how everything is and how these two seemed to be the only ones who are willing talk to one another, I think that could happen.
"That information would actually be quite help-!" But he never got to finish when AJ suddenly pushed him forward. Rude much? Is this payback for when he interrupted you?
"That's weird, because my cousin Braeburn here want's to explain to the buffaloes why they should let the apple trees stay!" Oh boy, here we go.
"That would be a useful thing to-!" But Little Strongheart was interrupted by Rainbow Dash.
"The land is there's! You planted the trees not know that." Should I intervene? …Nah. I'll do that later. "Honest mistake. Now all you gotta do is move them, that's all."
"Well, hehe…" Before Braeburn could explain, AJ stepped in.
"They busted their ropes here! And now they're supposed to bust their ropes again just because some buffalo won't stampede someplace else!?" It's tradition, AJ, tradition! People, but in this case buffaloes, can't just break it like it was just yesterday's used toothpick.
"Plant the trees someplace else!" Rainbow said.
"Where!? It's the only flat land around these parts!" True to AJ's word, everywhere I look there's nothing but hills, rock formations, skeletons, cactuses and many other things everywhere.
"The buffalo had it first!" She makes a good point.
"The settler ponies need it to live!" She also makes a good point.
At this point, AJ and Rainbow were going back and forth here. Thankfully, Twilight was able to intervene.
"Look!" Twilight spoke up, getting their attention. "Both the settlers and the buffaloes have good enough reasons to use this land. There must be something we can do."
"Hey! I got an idea!" Oh gods no! Nothing good will come out of an idea from Pinkie…most of the time. But that time was not now.
Unfortunately, I was unable to stop it.
(A few hours-In Equestria time-later)
Sigh. Well this can't be good. In hindsight, I probably should have intervened when I should have.
"What's wrong, Ash?" Twilight spoke as she stood next to me. "You don't look too happy."
"Oh, it's nothing. Just worried about what Pinkie could have in store for us." And when I mean us, I mean everypony here in town and every buffalo here that Little Strongheart managed to bring here.
Suddenly, the sound of piano caught everyone's attention as we all looked up towards the stage that had been set. Spike was the one playing the piano as he was for some reason wearing a bowl hat. Pinkie's head appeared from behind the curtains as Spike gave her the thumbs up to go. The curtains moved aside to reveal a giant clam. Where in Equestria did Pinkie get that, I have no idea. The clam opened up as Pinkie dressed up in a western black dress that only women wear for a show which I guess is appropriate for this.
Well, time for disaster to strike.
We may be divided
But of you all, I beg
To remember we're all hoofed
At the end of each leg~!
You know, I've been wondering something. How the hell did Pinkie get some ponies to work with her on this thing? From what I seen when I first saw this, a lot of ponies including the buffaloes did not like this.
No matter what the issue
Come from wherever you please
All this fighting gets you nothing
But hoof in mouth disease!
Hey! Keep your hoof out of that buffalo's mouth! Who knows where that's hoof's been. Oh wait, it's been on the ground.
Arguing's not the way
Hey, come out and play
It's a shiny, new day
So what do you say?
I'd say I like to be anywhere, but here. No offense, the song's good, but it's not my kind of music.
You gotta share
You gotta care
It's the right thing to do
You gotta share
You gotta care
And there'll always be a way through~!
You know, now that I listen to this again, Spike is really good at the piano. Who taught this dragon to be so good? Can I get lessons? I'm just curious.
Both our diets, I should mention
Are completely vegetarian
We all eat hay and oats
Why be at each other's throat?
Because both sides are stubborn idiots. What more do I have to say? Oh wait, I haven't said anything. I need to work on that…Nah, too much work.
You gotta share
You gotta care
It's the right thing to do
And there'll always be a way
Thro-o-o-o-ugh~!
Oh thank god! It's finally over. The cry of a hawk could be heard though the silence of everyone as the only one who was clapping at the performance was Spike. Me and Twilight couldn't help, but place a hoof over our face.
"Alright, Pinkie Pie! That was fantastic! What a great song! You're right on!" Spike, read the goddamn mood. We really need you to learn that. It's becoming an issue as of late.
I looked towards Sheriff Silverstar and the Buffalo Chieftain who looked at one another before nodding. Oh boy.
"It appears Sheriff Silverstar and I have come an agreement."
"We have." What? So you're gonna stop fighting and be best buds for life?
Ah, who am I kidding? They're probably gonna say:
"That was the worst performance we've ever seen. " Glad we're on the same boat. Sorry Pinkie, but being you is not gonna solve anything this time.
"Definitely." Silverstar said.
"The time for action is upon us." No, the time to sit down and talk is upon us. "Our stampede will start at high noon tomorrow. And if the orchard is still there, we'll flatten it and the whole town!"
Everypony gasped as Little Strongheart went to go reason with her leader.
"But Chief!"
"And we Apple's say you better bring your best cause we'll be ready and waiting!" Silverstar, you are not helping!
"But Sheriff!" Braeburn went to reason with the mustached pony, but both pony and Buffalo took their leave before anyone else could say anything.
"And that, children, is how Pinkie Pie sent two species over the edge from arguments into an all-out war. " I said as if I was teaching a bunch of children how WWII started.
Everypony gave me unamused looks.
"What?"
"Aw, that wasn't the message of my song at all." Trust me, Pinkie. It's wasn't the message that sent both sides into an all-out war.
In hour's top, the whole town was bursting with energy. Ponies boarded up their windows, pulled piles of hay for defense, apples being carried to be used as ammo, and tumble weeds being tumble weeds. Rainbow, Pinkie, and Spike went to the buffaloes to reason with them, leaving me with everypony else to watch as the whole town was preparing for the most ridiculous war ever.
"I want my kin to have what they need to live, but a storm' a bruin here. And I don't like the look of it." AJ said.
"We just have to talk some sense into them before somepony gets hurt." Twilight said.
"Don't bother." I said. "These ponies are as stubborn as Rainbow and Applejack."
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean!" AJ said.
"You know what I mean. And you know I'm right." That got her to shut up.
"We have to at least try." Twilight said before the others went to talk to the towns ponies. But like I remember, nopony listened to them. I actually got into a fight with one pony when he growled at Twilight. I won, but I didn't escape without a few bruises.
"Why won't anybody be rational and reasonable!?" Twilight shouted.
"Like I said, they're stubborn." I said with an ice pack over my head. That guy hit hard. Good thing I played dirty.
Despite what I said, the girls still tried to reason with everybody, but no one listened and soon, everypony in town was ready for tomorrow.
"What do we do?" Fluttershy asked. "At this rate, somepony will get hurt."
"…I have an idea." I said, getting everypony's attention.
"You do?" Rarity asked.
"What is it? Don't leave us hanging." AJ said.
"Sorry, but I need to think about this." I said as I left the girls to think by my lonesome.
No doubt Rainbow Dash and the others will fail in convincing the buffaloes to not fight. Which means I need to come up with a way to get both sides to listen. But I need something to get their attention. But the hell do I have? It's not like I can pull shit out of my bag and…I am so stupid.
(The Next Day)
It was bright as noon approached closer and closer. I was alone with the things I needed for my plan to work. The ground rumbled a bit as I looked right and saw the buffaloes appearing, all wearing face paint on. Looking to the left, the ponies of Appleloosa were either ready to defend their town or scared to see what will happen. Some ponies bit their lips in nervousness as they kept looking up at the town clock tower which soon hit noon and the bell rang to confirm it. Looking over to the buffaloes, I saw the Chieftain looking ready to calm down after being touched by Little Strongheart, a silent message shared between them. It looked like there would be no war, but I knew better.
You gotta share
You gotta care
It's the right thing to do!
That set the Chieftain off.
"CHAR-!"
*SPLAT!*
The Chieftain was interrupted however when Pinkie was struck across the face by an apple pie. Everyone gasped, wondering who had done it until I appeared from behind a rock right in between the two sides.
"Sorry, Pinkie Pie, but had to put you down." I said as Pinkie just licked all the pie off of her and hummed in pleasure at the taste. Anyway, time for my plan to take place.
I brought out a megaphone, turned it on, and spoke into it as loud as I can.
"ATTENTION ALL IDIOTS!" Wow! That was louder than I thought! But I can't stop now as I got both sides' attention. "WILL BOTH SIDES PLEASE FOLLOW ME TO THE ORCHARD!? I WANT TO DISCUSS SOMETHING THAT WILL DECIDE THE FATE OF EVERYONE HERE!"
Both sides gave me confused and suspicious looks, probably wondering what the hell was I planning. Nevertheless, only the buffalo side agreed to follow me as the ponies got in our way.
"Ash! What are you doing!?" AJ was the one to ask me that.
"You'll see if these guys will just let us pass." I said.
"And what's to say you'll just let them in so they can trample over our orchard?" One pony said.
Instead of answering, I said, "Tell me something. Do you know what a bomb is?"
"Of course. Why ya ask?"
Instead of answering again, I got out a remote, and pressed a button.
*BOOM!*
Everyone jumped and screamed in surprise and fright when in the distance, an explosion went off, shaking the very ground we stood on. So that's how powerful a bomb is. And they've been using these in wars? Good gods I can't believe I'm using one.
"I asked because I've planted bombs all over the town." I said, making everyone gasp again. I was lying of course, but I needed the leverage. "Now unless you want a building to blow up, I suggest you let us through."
"You're crazy!"
"I know." I said as the ponies let us through. I walked towards the orchard when I realized the ponies weren't following. "What are you standing around for? You're coming too."
Now the ponies were confused as they followed me and the buffaloes. We made it to the orchards in no time as I asked for the Chieftain and the Sheriff to step forth with Little Strongheart and Braeburn close behind them.
"Alright gentlemen, let's get down to business." I said before turning to the Chieftain. "Tell me, Chieftain, what do you see when you look upon this land?"
The Chieftain gave me a confused look before he looked out towards the orchard. He spoke and said, "I see a land where my father and his father and the many fathers before him have run across for centuries. I also see a land that has been stolen from us by these blasted Appleloosans!"
"Now see here-!" I held up a hoof to stop Silverstar.
I then asked, "Sheriff Silverstar, tell me. What do you see what you look upon this land?"
It was his turn to give me a confused look before looking towards the orchard.
"What I see is a year full of hard work filled with blood and sweat. What I see is the result of all of our hard work. And it's something we're not about to let some buffalo trample over!"
The buffaloes all looked ready to charge, but I stopped them by saying, "Little Strongheart, Braeburn, come here."
The two in question looked at one another, then at their kind before stepping up.
"Tell me you two, what do you see when you look at this land?" I asked.
The two looked at the land real hard before Little Strongheart said, "I don't get what we're supposed to be looking at besides what our leaders have said." Braeburn nodded in agreement.
I sighed before I began to explain. "Both sides are correct, but they're also wrong."
"Huh?" Everyone said that at the same time.
"Allow me to tell you what I see." I said as I gestured to the orchard. "What I see when I gaze upon this is a land that can be shared. And before you ask, this has nothing to do with Pinkie's singing."
"…Continue." Both Silverstar and the Chieftain said at the same time.
"Hey!" I heard Pinkie said from the crowd, but I ignored her and focused on the task at hand.
"Look, I know you two think that there's no way to share this land, but there is a way." I said.
"And how do you think that?" The Chieftain asked.
"I'm glad you asked." I said as I took out an apple pie and offered it to him. "Eat this and tell me what you think." The buffalo gave me a confused and suspicious look. "If you think it's poisoned, don't. I had my friend Spike taste this."
"Wait, is that why you wanted me eat that?" Spike said as the pie I was holding already had a slice cut off.
The buffalo gave me another suspicious look before he grabbed the pie and popped it into his mouth, munching on it as his face told me he was expecting it to be disgusting, but that soon changed when his eyes widen and his chewing increased. And when he swallowed, he showed everyone a big smile.
"So, how do you feel?" I asked.
"I feel like I have a way to share the land." The buffalo said as he smiled at Silverstar who smiled back. Soon, everyone was smiling. Looks like my plan was a success.
(A few hours-In Equestria time-later)
After a few hours of cutting down some apple trees, AJ whistled to Rainbow who got the signal and motioned for all of the buffaloes to follow her as they all raced down the new road. As they all ran, apples fell from the trees which were caught by nearby ponies while other ponies handed apple pies to the running stampede as each and every one of them got their own share. The Chieftain and Little Strongheart bowed at the Sheriff and Braeburn before the baby Buffalo waved at Rainbow Dash and AJ before taking her leave with the rest of the herd.
"Dear Princess Celestia, friendship is a wondrous and powerful thing. Even the worst of enemies can become friends. You need understanding and compromise. You've got to share. You've got to care."
"Hey! That's what I said!" Pinkie said.
Both me and Twilight laughed as Spike was busy indulging himself with a bowl of turquoise.
"Well, guess that wraps up another crazy lesson day about friendship." I said.
"You can say that again." Twilight said. "You never really had bombs planted around the town, did you?"
"You caught me." I said, hoofs up in mock surrender. "I needed a way to get the ponies to let the buffaloes through or else my plan would have never worked."
"Well, it did, and no one got hurt as a result." Twilight said. "I'm impressed, Ash. I never knew you were such a negotiator."
"I'm not." I said. "What I did took careful planning last night. I barely got any sleep last night." Thank god for Starbuck's Coffee.
"Planning or not, it's thanks to you thank the war was stopped before it even began and no one was hurt. You should be proud of that." Twilight said.
"I won't lie; I do feel a bit proud." I said, puffing out my chest as Twilight just giggled at me.
Well, let's see. I rode on a train, dealt with some buffaloes, listened to worst performance ever, stopped a war, and came out alive. I think today was a pretty good day.
*Comes out of Portal* And done! Well, I handled that much better than I thought. I should give myself a medal for stopping a war. *Slaps on a random medal* Jokes aside, I can't believe I finished this chapter so quickly. Well, I ain't complaining. I hope you all loved today's chapter. Next time, I have to take care of Celestia's pet Phoenix. That ought to be interesting. Until then, this has been Ashbel Longhart, and here comes the brohoof.
*Incoming Brohoof*
See you all next time!