Gain

Sparklefly pulled her plow with Java Chip and Apple Bloom. With three of them it was fast work, but she was nearly ready to pass out from a combination of hunger and exhaustion. Coughing was widespread in the darkness with the smoke from the Everfree Forest still hanging thick over Ponyville. It had combined with the dampness of night and the scent of churned soil. They had already completed plowing about half of the zap apple field, but there had still been no word from Scootaloo.

"Keep it up, everypony!" Applejack shouted in the darkness that was the orchard, lit only by firefly lanterns that were being carried in front of anypony that needed to see.

It had been hard work, but it felt rewarding for Sparklefly. It was good to be on a farm again. The fresh tilled earth under her hooves, everypony working together, and even a sense of community were all here. It didn't completely replace what she'd lost back home, nothing could do that, but Sweet Apple Acres was definitely having an effect on her. She was a bit impressed with Apple Bloom's abilities as a work-horse. If she'd been a pegasus, they could have been sisters. Unlike Sparklefly, she had lost both of her parents when she was just a filly.

After finishing their row, they'd earned a water break and returned to the barn where some had congregated to rest. Most were still out working, but a few dozen were inside at any given time to get water and some relief from the haze in the air. It irritated Sparklefly's lungs most unpleasantly. The barn was dimly lit by a few firefly lanterns, and everypony inside was chatting about the progress they were making. A few had taken to napping already. A refreshing drink of cool water brought Sparklefly back from sleepiness for a moment.

"What time is it?" Java Chip asked.

"I dunno," Apple Bloom shrugged.

Sparklefly answered, "It's well after midnight."

"I think we're in pretty good shape, considering," Apple Bloom said.

"We just need to get those seeds back before dawn."

"Anypony heard anything?" Java Chip asked.

Apple Bloom spoke confidently, "My friend, Scootaloo, is searching the Everfree forest for zap apples right now. If there are any in there, she'll find 'em!"

Sparklefly was a little more skeptical, but she wasn't willing to dash anypony's spirits. The 'if' was certainly the factor on which the plan hinged. She remained silent, scratching at her bandaged eye.

"What happened, if that's not rude to ask?" Java Chip asked.

Quickly dropping her hoof down, Sparklefly simply replied, "Timberwolf."

"I'm sorry," Java Chip said.

Unsure what to reply, she said, "I got off pretty lucky... we lost friends that day."

There was a long awkward silence. It was filled only by coughing and muted talking amongst the other ponies that were resting in the barn.

"Has anypony heard any news from Van Hoover?" Java Chip asked.

"Not me; why?" Apple Bloom replied.

"That's where I'm from."

Sparklefly began, "The last I heard out of Van Hoover was that a timberwolf swarm had attempted an attack, but they were beaten back by EUP forces there. Apparently, they chased the timberwolves all the way back to the Galloping Gorge before returning to the city."

"Get 'em!" Apple Bloom praised.

A commotion outside drew everypony's attention. Sparklefly turned toward the barn door trying to listen, but she couldn't hear well enough.

"What's that?" Apple Bloom asked as Sparklefly stood and began walking toward the exit.

A gentle push from the pegasus and the old doors creaked open. Through the darkness, only illuminated by firefly lanterns, she could see a crowd of ponies all gathered together. She trotted over to them, followed closely by Apple Bloom, Java Chip, and several other curious ponies. The night air was cool but still filled with smoke.

"Make room! Make room!" Applejack was hollering.

As the pack of ponies parted, Scootaloo, LD, and Lightning Dasher emerged from the crowd, their saddle bags full to bursting with zap apples.

"Y'all did it!" Apple Bloom cried out as she ran to Scootaloo, giving her a big hug.

"Easy there, or all you'll have is applesauce," Scootaloo said with a smile.

"No hugs for me?" LD and Lightning Dasher said together.

Applejack interrupted any response that Apple Bloom might have made, "We need to get those into the house."

"My squad plus a volunteer or two can start getting the seeds out right away," Scootaloo offered.

"That's mighty kind of ya," Applejack said, tipping her hat.

"Let's go!" Apple Bloom said excitedly. "Come on, Java Chip!"

Scootaloo led the way through the now excited crowd, and the squad followed her to the house. As Sparklefly walked away, Applejack addressed the crowd again, bringing back the sense of urgency.

"Alrighty everypony, we've got the seeds now, so they're waitin' on us to do our part. Back to the plows!"

Sparklefly was glad to have something much easier to do, but the apples looked quite enticing. Her stomach growled in agreement.

Java Chip voiced a similar sentiment, "Now those look amazing!"

"Ain't you had our zap apple jam before?" Apple Bloom asked as they entered the house, the door squeaking shut behind them.

"No, sorry," Java Chip said.

"Well, then; y'all are in for a treat!" Apple Bloom beamed, her pink bow bouncing as she spoke.

Sparklefly's eye devoured the zap apples as Scootaloo, LD, and Lightning Dasher dumped out their saddle bags on the kitchen counter. They must have gathered a few hundred of them, all ripe and inviting.

"Go ahead and have one; don't be shy!" Apple Bloom encouraged.

Sparklefly picked up a zap apple and examined it. She had never seen this multicolored variety before. She bit into it. The flavor was initially just like a red apple would be expected to taste, but after a moment it began to change. Suddenly it was the flavor of a golden delicious, and then a tart granny smith. The tartness was followed by another sweetness that was similar to an apple crossed with something else, perhaps a pear or plum. Maybe those were two different tastes that she was getting confused. The mixture of flavors was heaven dancing across her tongue.

"Oh, wow!" Sparklefly exclaimed as she wiped the juice from her chin.

"These are fantastic!" Java Chip agreed.

"Told ya so!" Apple Bloom said proudly.

Scootaloo was grinning widely as she sank her teeth into a zap apple. LD and Lightning Dasher didn't seem quite as impressed as everypony else, but they were each enjoying one as well.

"You brought the zap apples!" Mr. Cake almost shouted as he entered the kitchen.

"They sure did. Now we just need to get the seeds out and ready to plant."

Apple Bloom found some bowls in the cabinet and set them on the counter where she found a place not covered in the magical fruit.

"Mr. Cake, do you have a good recipe for zap apples so we can share them with everypony that came to help?" Apple Bloom asked.

"If I had the flour I'd make us some pies," he replied, a little saddened at the thought.

Scootaloo said, "At any rate, we need to get to work."

In general agreement, everypony began cutting up the apples to get to the seeds. They quickly decided to quarter them for easy sharing later. They set the quarters aside in one bowl, and the seeds were all going together in another one. The repetition of Sparklefly's job made for mechanical efficiency. Grab, set, slice, turn, slice. Pass the quartered apple on. A few dozen apples later, the door creaked open.

"How's is coming in here?" Applejack asked.

"Great, sis," Apple Bloom answered.

Glancing at the seed bowl, Sparklefly said, "If you get a can or something to take these in, you can go ahead and start planting."

"I'll get one," she replied.

It was much nicer than plowing. Sparklefly's muscles were already weary; they would be aching soon. She and the others had time to talk and laugh as they cut up zap apples into the breaking of dawn.