The Last Round Up
Night's POV
Night, Twilight, and Spike were near the Town Square for Applejack's send off for a rodeo competition that she would be in. Everypony was setting things up when a bunch of thunder and lightning went off and started destroying the town hall. "Now, careful, Derpy! Don't want to do any more damage than you've already done," Rainbow told the pegasus, who was standing on the thunder cloud.
"I just don't know what went wrong," Derpy wondered as she electrocuted herself.
"Yeah. It's a mystery," Rainbow responded.
"Need any help, Rainbow?" Night asked as he flew up to her. Before Rainbow could answer Derpy fell by them going backward.
"Nice work, Rainbow Dash," she said as she flew into a pillar causing it to fall. Rainbow quickly flew down and tried to stop it but she fell through the floor with the pillar.
"You okay, Rainbow Dash? Anything I can do to help?" Derpy asked.
"No! Nothing! In the name of Celestia, just sit there and do nothing!" Rainbow told her. Derpy sat down and caused the floor to fall beneath her and she tried to grab Rainbow to save herself but it forced Rainbow to fall through with her.
"Oops. My bad," Derpy apologized.
"What's up with her?" Night asked Rainbow as she flew back up.
"That's Derpy. She means well, but she's got a few screws loose," Rainbow told him.
"You need any help?" Night asked again.
"Not unless you can turn back time," Rainbow answered.
"'Fraid not," Night admitted. "Well, you know where to find me," he told Rainbow as he headed back to Twilight.
The crowd was cheering for Applejack as Night got back and Mayor Mare got up for an announcement. "Yes, we are all here to send Applejack to compete in this year's Equestria Rodeo competition in Canterlot. And I want to thank Applejack in advance for generously offering up her prize money to fix town hall," she announces. The ponies cheered in celebration.
"Speech! Speech!" Pinkie shouted.
"Oh, shucks. I'm not much for speeches," Applejack said.
"Alright then, no speech!" Pinkie said, running off but running back as Applejack started.
"Buuut! This here is the nicest send off anypony could ask for. Y'all have been cheering me on in every rodeo since I was a little little pony. So it seems only fittin' to use my winnings to fix up town hall. I promise to make Ponyville proud" Applejack announces.
The group headed over to the train station for Applejack's send-off. "I want you to show all them highfalutin rodeo ponies what a real rodeo pony's like!" Granny Smith told Applejack.
"You betcha, Granny Smith," Applejack said.
"And bring back all that money!" Mayor Mare said, a little too enthusiastically for Night's liking.
"You betcha, Mayor," Applejack said, looking a little nervous as she headed to the train.
"And have fun. And don't be nervous. Or if you are, use that nervous energy to do even better than you already would! And eat peanuts and popcorn and taffy. Taffy gives lots of nervous energy!" Pinkie said quickly as she dove into a bag of taffy.
"Just do your best, Applejack," Twilight said.
"I'll do better than my best!" Applejack said.
"The train to Canterlot is about to leave! All aboard who's coming aboard!" the conductor yelled out.
"Guess that means me," Applejack said as she boarded the train.
"Seeya in a week!" Rainbow said.
"With lots of new blue ribbons!" Apple Bloom said excitedly.
"And lots of money!" Mayor Mare added.
"And don't forget to enjoy yourself," Night continued.
"Darn tootin'! See y'all in a week, with a big bag full of blue ribbons!" Applejack shouted as the train started to leave.
"And drink sarsaparilla!" Pinkie shouted. The group looked at her oddly. "What? It gives you extra sass," Pinkie explained. Night just rolled his eyes in amusement.
One Week Later
The group was in the barn getting ready to surprise Applejack. "Oh, I hope Applejack is surprised by this surprise party!" Fluttershy says.
"That's the whole point of a surprise party," Night pointed out.
"I know, but I hope she isn't so surprised she's startled, because while being surprised can be nice, being startled can be... very startling," Fluttershy said.
"Surprise!" Pinkie shouted at Fluttershy, who jumped back in shock.
"Oh, Pinkie, you startled me," Fluttershy said.
"Sorry! I was just practicing my "surprise!" for when we surprise Applejack with this super cool party for becoming rodeo champion of Equestria!" Pinkie explained. "Surprise!" she shouted again.
"Quiet, Pinkie, I think Applejack's coming!" Twilight warned.
"Don't worry, Twilight. Got my lips all limbered up!" Pinkie said as she started making random noises with her mouth.
Everypony dove to their hiding places and turned off the lights. They then heard the door open. "Surprise!" everypony shouted.
"Surprise! Shoot" Pinkie said, a little late. Night then noticed that the pony at the door wasn't Applejack but a mailpony.
"Wow, this is the best surprise ever! How did you know it was my birthday?" he asked in surprise. Twilight took the letter he had for them and Pinkie gave him a slice of cake before closing the door.
"Who's it from, Twilight? What's it say?" Apple Bloom asked.
"It's from Applejack," Twilight said as she started reading.
Family and friends, not coming back to Ponyville. Don't worry, will send money soon.
"That's all there is," Twilight told them. Everypony gasped in shock.
"Applejack's... not comin' back?" Apple Bloom asked, looking hurt.
"What do you mean Applejack's not coming back?! She loves Ponyville!" Rainbow said.
"And she loves Sweet Apple Acres!" Granny Smith added.
"And she loves her family!" Apple Bloom finished.
"Something just dreadful must have happened to Applejack to make her not return!" Rarity theorized.
"Maybe she's hurt, or sad, or scared!" Fluttershy worried.
"So, what are we waiting for? Let's go find her!" Rainbow said as she was about to fly out the door. Night grabbed Rainbow's tail with his magic to stop her.
"Let's just calm down everypony. We will find Applejack, but we can't run off with no idea where she is," Night said, trying to be calm himself. But he was worried, as an image of Shade came into his head.
"Night's right. Let's head to Canterlot and see if anypony there knows what happened to her," Twilight said before turning to Apple Bloom. "We'll find her."
"Y'all are the best," Apple Bloom said as the group headed off.
The group took the train to Canterlot and headed toward the stadium where the rodeo took place. They all started asking around but nopony seemed to have a clue on where to find her. Just as they were about to give up, a pony came up and told the group she had seen Applejack getting on a train heading west to a place called Dodge Junction. "I hope this lead doesn't turn out to be a dead end. I don't wanna go home empty-hooved after promising we'd find her," Rainbow worried.
"I don't know how we'll break it to the Apple family," Fluttershy said.
"I don't know how we'll break it to Ponyville!" Twilight added.
"I don't know how I'll make it to the next stop!" Pinkie panicked, holding her privates.
"You should have gone before we left," Night told her.
The train pulled into the station at Dodge Junction and the group got off. "Applejack is supposed to have come here after the rodeo ended. Let's fan out and try to find her," Twilight said. Pinkie immediately ran off to the bathroom as the rest of the group started asking around.
"I found her, I found her, I found her, I found her, I found her!" Pinkie suddenly said, coming back while bouncing. She led the group to where she was and, sure enough, she was there.
"Oh, Applejack, thank heavens!" Rarity said as the group came up to her.
"We're so glad you're safe!" Fluttershy added.
"I found her, I found her, I found her, I found her!" Pinkie continued saying when she remembered something and ran to the bathroom.
"Uh, hey, everypony. What's up?" Applejack asked awkwardly. Like she wasn't expecting them.
"Why didn't you come back to Ponyville?!" Rainbow asked.
"Yes, why are you here?" Rarity added.
"Are you okay?" Fluttershy asked, concerned.
"Do you have any snacks?" Pinkie asked as she came back.
"Pinkie, priorities," Night told her.
"Tell us what happened, Applejack!" Twilight questioned. Applejack looked at the ground uncomfortably when a voice called out.
"Applejack? Are these some of your Ponyville friends?" the pony asked.
"Yes, ma'am," Twilight answered.
"And you are?" Rarity asked curiously.
"Why, I'm Cherry Jubilee, boss of Cherry Hill Ranch. Hasn't Applejack told ya? I saw her compete at the Equestria Rodeo. Never saw anypony win so many ribbons in all my life," Jubilee explained.
"Actually Ms. Jubilee, we haven't seen Applejack since before the rodeo and we thought we'd find her," Night explained.
Oh, well I'm certain- Prince Night Storm?!" Jubilee shouted when she saw Night and bowed. "I'm so sorry your highness, I didn't see you there," she said worriedly.
"It's alright. Please, stand," Night told her.
"Anyway, I can always use a pony with quick hooves and a strong back. So, when I heard Applejack was looking for a change of scenery, I snapped her up as quick as I could and brought her to Dodge Junction," Jubilee explained. The group looked at each other curiously when Jubilee started to leave. "Well, I'll let you catch up with your friends. See you back at the ranch."
"'Change of scenery'? What's that supposed to mean?" Rainbow asked accusingly.
"S'no big deal, guys. I thought cherries would be a nice change from apples, so I took the job and came here. That's it. End of story," Applejack explained.
"That's it? Well, that's a terrible story!" Pinkie said.
"Sorry, but that's all there is to tell. Thanks for checkin' on me, but y'all can go home now. Tell my family hi, and that I'm doing a-okay," Applejack said as she started to leave, but it only made Night more suspicious.
"Excuse me, AJ, but we didn't travel all over Equestria searching for you to come home without you!" Rainbow explained.
"Well, I didn't ask you to come lookin' for me! There is nothin' to tell and I am not going back to Ponyville!" Applejack said as she left.
"I don't care what she says. Applejack's not telling us something," Twilight said.
"Twilight's right. We gotta get her to spill the beans," Rainbow said.
"What?! She had beans? Ugh, I told her I was snacky!" Pinkie complained.
"You have a plan?" Night asked Twilight.
"I'm working on it," she answered.
"Well, while you work on that, I'll head back to Canterlot and see if there are any more clues there," Night explained.
"Why? What do you hope to find there?" Rainbow asked.
"Hopefully an idea on why Applejack didn't come back despite winning so many ribbons. I may not find anything, but we'll have at least all the bases covered," Night explained.
"Good idea. In the meantime girls, we've got work to do," Twilight said.
Twilight's POV
Twilight and the group had gotten into their work clothes and headed in where Applejack was working. "What are you all doing here?" Applejack asked suspiciously.
"We're your cherry sorters. Shall we get started?" Twilight answered innocently.
"Fine," Applejack said.
"Haha, red cherries go in one bin, and yellow cherries go in the other. Simple as cherry pie. Uh, just one teensy thing to remember: have fun!" Jubilee said as she left.
"What are you five up to? And where's Night?" Applejack asked, still suspicious.
"Well, uh, you made working on a cherry orchard sound... so delightful," Rarity answered.
"And Night headed back to Canterlot. Said he wanted to talk to the princesses," Twilight added.
"Uh-huh. Well, just remember: no talking about Ponyville," Applejack stated.
"Fine! Why don't you quit talking and get walking?" Rainbow told Applejack.
Applejack started walking on the wheel and the conveyor belt started moving so everypony else could sort the cherries. After a while, Rainbow gave Twilight the signal. "So, AJ, how was Canterlot? Not talking about Ponyville, talking about Canterlot, totally different town," Twilight asked.
"Canterlot was fine," Applejack stated blandly.
"Was the rodeo fun?" Twilight asked.
"Yes," Applejack answered the same way.
"Did you meet some nice ponies there?" Twilight continued stepping away from the conveyor.
"Some," Applejack said.
"Really? Did you see Wild Bull Hickok? What about Calamity Mane?" Rainbow asked excitedly, getting by Applejack.
"Yes, I saw 'em both," Applejack said. Rainbow looked like Applejack like she was asking for more but Applejack didn't get anything up.
"And how did you meet Miss Jubilee?" Rarity asked, leaving the conveyor as well.
"Um, well, Miss Jubilee had a cherry stand at the rodeo. Real good treats. Cherry winks, cherry cheesecake, cherry tarts. We struck up a conversation, being orchard folk and all," Applejack explained starting to speed up on the wheel.
"So you told her about Sweet Apple Acres?" Twilight asked.
"Yes," Applejack answered.
"Did you tell her why you weren't going back?" Rainbow questioned.
"No, 'cuz it was none of her business!" Applejack shouted back, speeding up again.
"Is it because I made it rain on you that one time?" Rainbow asked.
"No!" Applejack answered, speeding up still.
"Is it because you were insulted when I gave you that book on organized orchards?" Twilight asked.
"NO!" Applejack shouted.
"Is it because you were insulted when I insulted your hair?" Rarity asked.
"No, no, NO! I'm not telling you why, so just–" Applejack started when Fluttershy shouted, "STOP!" Applejack skidded to a halt on the wheel causing all the cherries on it to go flying into Applejack and make a mess everywhere. Applejack left and the rest of the group started cleaning up the mess.
"Well, girls, we seem to be striking out," Twilight commented.
"That's 'cause we're playing too nice," Rainbow explained.
"Yes. Desperate times do call for desperate measures," Rarity stated.
"It's time to call in the big guns," Rainbow explained, looking at Pinkie.
As Twilight was hiding, Night came back. "Why are you-" Night started and Twilight pulled him into cover.
"Shhh. Just put these on," Twilight said, handing Night earplugs.
"Ok," Night said in a whisper and she did what she asked. "So, can you let go? I mean, I'm not complaining about being this close to you but this is too close for me," Night said. Twilight realized how close they were and she backed up a bit to get him some space as they both blushed.
"We have a plan, just watch," Twilight said. The two turned where Applejack was hitting a cherry tree. On her last hit, Pinkie fell out of the tree.
"Hey, Applejack. Need some help?" Pinkie asked.
"You promise not to ask me any questions?" Applejack asked.
"I promise," Pinkie answered. The two worked for a bit when Pinkie said, "Have you ever had a cherrychanga? Ooh! Sorry, that was a question."
"That kind of question is fine, Pinkie. No, I-I never had a cherrychanga," Applejack answered.
"Well, no wonder, because I made it up myself! A cherrychanga is mashed up cherries in a tortilla that's deep-fried. Cherrychanga. Great name, huh? Oh, but maybe I should call it a chimicherry. Ooh, that's good too. Which do you think sounds better? Cherrychanga or chimicherry? Or what if I combine them? Chimicherrychanga! What sounds the funniest? I like funny words! One of my favorite funny words is 'kumquat'! I didn't make that one up. I would work in a kumquat orchard just so I could say 'kumquat' all day! Kumquat, kumquat, kumquat! And 'pickle barrel'! Isn't that just the funniest thing to say? Pickle barrel, pickle barrel, pickle barrel! Say it with me! Pickle barrel, kumquat, pickle barrel, kumquat, pickle barrel, kumquat, chimicherrychanga!" Pinkie started ranting clearly annoying Applejack.
"I like this plan," Night said as she was doing so. "Rainbow?" he asked Twilight.
"Rainbow," Twilight answered.
"No! Make it stop, make it stop!" Applejack demanded.
"The only way to make it stop is for you to spill the beans!" Rainbow told her while holding Pinkie's mouth closed.
"Never!" Applejack answered. Rainbow responded by letting Pinkie talk.
"Speaking of beans, did you ever realize how many words rhyme with 'beans'? Lean, mean, spleen, unclean, bean…" Pinkie started when Applejack lost it.
"Alright, alright! I'll tell everypony what's goin' on! Just please stop talkin'!" she shouted and everypony removed their earplugs as they headed up to her. "But... can it wait 'til tomorrow at breakfast? I'm plum tuckered out," she added.
"Tomorrow, huh? I don't know…" Rainbow said, not trusting her.
"Do you Pinkie promise?" Pinkie asked, making the symbol for it.
"I will tell you the whole truth at breakfast. Pinkie promise," Applejack said as she Pinkie promised.
The Next Morning
The group was heading to Applejack's room to get her for breakfast. "I'm glad we're finally gonna get some answers from Applejack," Twilight said.
"Yeah, maybe," Rainbow said skeptically.
"Don't worry, Rainbow. She's gotta 'fess up after making a Pinkie promise," Pinkie said confidently. Night, however, looked like he shared Rainbow's skepticism.
Twilight knocked and opened the door. "Good morning, Applejack. You ready for br–" Pinkie started but stopped when she saw the room was empty. Pinkie gasped as steam came out of her ears. "Nopony breaks a Pinkie promise!" she said angrily and she ran out.
"That sneaky SOB found a loophole," Night commented.
"Night!" Twilight scolded.
The group found Applejack at the train station waiting for a train and looking scared. "Applejack!" Pinkie shouted which got Applejack's attention. "You Pinkie promised!" Applejack ran toward a stagecoach and it started moving. "She's gonna get away!"
"Oh no, she won't! Look!" Twilight said, pointing at a cart that was pulled by two ponies. Rainbow and Fluttershy strapped in as Twilight, Rarity, and Pinkie climbed in with Night flying overhead.
"Follow that stagecoach!" Pinkie demanded. "Oh, we have you now!" she said as they gained. Fluttershy suddenly started to stop when a bunny hopped in front of them and it almost hit it. Rainbow looked at Fluttershy who she awkwardly smiled.
The ponies started gaining on the stagecoach again and started hitting it. "Pull over!" Rainbow demanded.
"I'll pay you double to outrun them," Applejack told the ponies pulling the stagecoach. The ponies started to speed up.
"We'll pay you triple to slow down!" Twilight shouted. Realizing a better deal, they started to slow down.
"I'll pay you quadruple to leave them in the dust!" Applejack shouted. The stagecoach sped up again.
"Get them! Get them!" Pinkie demanded.
"I'll try to cut them off," Night said as he flew ahead. As he neared, Applejack threw a box at Night, who was going too fast to avoid it in time. The box hit Night on the wing causing him to lose his balance and he spiraled to the ground.
"Come on, Fluttershy!" Rainbow said as the group ran past him. Twilight looked back to see if he was okay as Night took back into the air and rejoined to pursuit.
As the group neared again, Pinkie jumped off their cart onto the stagecoach. "Applejack, you broke your Pinkie promise! Apologize!" Pinkie demanded.
"She didn't break her promise!" Night shouted.
"What?!" Pinkie asked.
"If y'all reckon back, I told you that I would tell you everything at breakfast. But I didn't come for breakfast. I couldn't come to that breakfast, not if it meant telling y'all what happened," Applejack explained.
"Well, I... I…" Pinkie started.
"I'm sorry, Pinkie, but I can't tell y'all the truth. I just can't!" Applejack said.
"Well I heard a "sorry" in there, so that'll have to do for now. I'll get a real apology later. Rarity, catch me," Pinkie said as she jumped off. Rarity failed to catch her sending both ponies off the stagecoach.
"Rainbow, go back!" Twilight shouted.
"No! You three get Applejack, I'll help Rarity and Pinkie," Night said. Twilight nodded and Night peeled off and headed back toward them.
The rest of the group continued following Applejack and Twilight noticed that they were heading right toward the train tracks. "Is she crazy?!" Twilight asked in shock.
Applejack's stagecoach got past the tracks right as the train passed right behind it. "Shouldn't we stop?" Fluttershy asked.
"Our wings are free, we'll fly over it," Rainbow answered confidently. The two jumped into the air and flew over the train and landed on the other side to see Applejack looking surprised. Her surprise didn't last long as she started running. Rainbow got out of the connector and pursued. "Not so fast!" she yelled. Rainbow slammed into Applejack and her bag fell off sending the ribbons in it everywhere.
"Fine. Now you know," Applejack said defeated.
"Know what?" Twilight asked, not sure what she's talking about.
"Well, just look!" Applejack said, pointing at the ribbons.
"I am. You won an amazing number of ribbons, just like Miss Jubilee said!" Twilight said.
"Don't you get it? There's every color of ribbon down there. Every color... but... blue. I came in fourth, third, even second, but I didn't win one first prize, and I certainly didn't win any prize money," Applejack explained.
"But the telegram said you were gonna send money," Rainbow said.
"That's why I came here. I wanted to earn some money. After that big old send off Ponyville gave me, I just didn't have the nerve to come home empty-hooved. I couldn't come home a failure," Applejack explained.
"Applejack, you're not a failure," Twilight told her.
"And we're your friends! We don't care if you came in fiftieth place! You're still number one in our books," Rainbow reassured her.
"So... you're not upset or disappointed?" Applejack asked.
"I'm more disappointed that you didn't tell us what was going on," Night explained as he, Rarity and Pinkie caught up.
"But what about the mayor? I don't think I can face her and tell her I didn't get that money to fix the broken roof," Applejack pointed out.
"Applejack, we can always find a way to fix that hole in the roof. But if you don't come back, we'll never be able to fix the hole in our hearts," Fluttershy told her as she and Twilight hugged Applejack.
"Darn it! Now you got me acting all sappy!" Rainbow said.
The group returned to Ponyville and Applejack was greeted by her dog, Winona, licking her excitedly. Her family was also happy to see her and they all hugged her. "Now Rainbow," Night started.
"What?" Rainbow asked.
"Any chance you could help solve the Pinkie problem?" Night asked.
"What do you mean?" Rainbow asked, trying to act innocent.
Night pointed at Pinkie who had been rant-asking the same thing the entire train ride. "Chimicherry, cherrychanga? Chimicherry, cherrychanga? Chimicherry, cherrychanga? Chimicherry, cherrychanga?" Pinkie continued.
"Sure thing," Rainbow said.