THE APPLE OF MY EYE
CHAPTER 9
Applejack hummed as she made pancakes, they where one of her specialties. She flipped one out of the pan and onto a plate, immediately pouring the pancake batter into the pan. She heard a yawn/whimper behind her and turned to see the collie Winona do some morning stretches, chuckling Applejack leaned down to nuzzle her loyal companion. "That's my good girl" the mare turned back to her pancakes. Her odd dream from last night slowly crept into her mind, threatening to takeover her thoughts as she made her family and herself breakfast. She couldn't deny it much longer it was very weird, after all her dreams where usually about apples and her happy family. She refused to think about it any longer as a sleepy head peaked out from behind the kitchen door, "ah, Applebloom, ready for breakfast?" The farm pony smiled lovingly downs at her little sister as her sibling's sleepy orangey red eyes widened, "yes please!" The little filly pulled a chair out from the table grabbing the plate Applejack had already flipped some pancakes onto. Smiling the Orange mare continued making pancakes as her older brother stumbled into the room, His darker green eyes closing as he inhaled the scent. "Well howdy, a Big Mac, pancakes?" Applejack grinned as her brother stumbled into the room "eyup" he grabbed his plate. Last of all Applejack's grandmother hobbled down the stairs, the elder mare's nose leasing the way. "Now those are some mighty fine pancakes if ah' do say so mahself" the tea green earth pony slowly sat down, staring upon the delicacy that was Applejack's apple pancakes. She sat down to join them, the smell overwhelming her grumbling belly. After she had eaten a small pancake or two her dream came creeping up upon her once again. As she was deep in thought about it, Big Mac and Applebloom had arisen from the table to get ready for the day. The large red stallion took his plate over to the sink to wash, staring out over the windows, silent as usual. As Applejack's thoughts wandered she reckoned she should tell somepony about her dream, and who better than the wise, all knowing Granny Smith? The Orange mare spoke up, catching her Granny's attention with a simple cough. "Um Granny, ah need to talk to ya, ya'll see ah had this weird d-" she was cut off from a cry from Big Macintosh, making him drop his plate he was washing. "What is it young un'" the elderly pony asked the shocked stallion. "A swarm o' catapillars, headin towards the North orchard!" He declared worriedly in his deep voice. The Orange mare stood up in her place. "How can it be, last time they went through was ages ago, they would have all turned to Butterfly's by now!" The farm pony jumped out of her seat and followed her brother as they raced out the door. "Looks like we missed a nest or two." Her brother frowned stating the now obvious. Last time the Catipillars went through they moved all the apples so they couldn't feast upon them, and then they handed their nests over to the Fluttershy and when the Catipillars formed cocoons, Applejack and Fluttershy delicately pulled them off and took them to Fluttershy's cottage, as the pegasus had claimed that she had a batch of trees especially for cucoons and Catipillars. "Oh my, we have to get to work, Right away!" The earth pony worriedly galloped off towards the orchard closest to the Catipillars, her brother swiftly following behind her.
Applejack spun around and bucked the tree closest to her, when the apples fell from their branches she grabbed the bucket behind that tree and scooped up the apples, the Catipilars slowly growing closer. Handing the bucket to Big Mac the red stallion quickly loaded them onto a cart he had brought. She efficiently moved onto the next tree, doing the same routine over and over again until a good section of the trees had been bucked and Both Applejack's and Big Mac's foreheads shone with sweat, and their muscles ached from the work, but the Catipillars where gaining on them, searching for some juicy apples for tea. As she kicked out again she heard a voice behind her startling her, and she missed the tree. "Oh sorry AJ, It's just Granny Smith turned up and said a swarm of Catipillars was coming this way, and as Twilight was busy with a special report to Princess Celestia, I thought I would help!" Spike stood behind her. Applejack stood frozen for a moment before kicking into action, barking out orders to the small dragon. "Alright then, I buck the trees, you then drag the buckets out and scoop them in so Big Macintosh can put the buckets into the cart, got that Spike?" The Orange mare wiped her brow from sweat as she gave the orders. "Yes ma'm!" Spike put his claws to his forehead in a salute before starting to drag the buckets out from behind the trees. The farm pony got back to work, redoing the tree she missed then moving on to the next tree, not waiting for the dragon to catch up, after all if she finished bucking the orchard maybe she could help him finish up the apple picking. But while she worked she couldn't help but notice the sun shine off his scales, it reflected Deep in her lime green eyes and for a second she lost herself. She shook her head, clearing her mind, realising she had missed another tree. The mare groaned inwardly, what was happening to her?
By lunch time they had finally finished and the Catipillars strolled through the orchard, causing no harm to the Apple family's stock. "Phew" Spike wiped some of his own hard work off his forehead, the liquid shining almost as brightly as his scales now did in the sun. "We're not done yet pardner', gotta round up these Catipillars before they turn into Butterfly's can't risk having any more eggs to hatch." She nudged the dragon and the trio got back to work, this time gently and delicately scooping them into some cardboard boxes with holes just big enough for them to breathe safely. Fluttershy would approve. Once they had finished The large red stallion by Applejack's side trotted away with the cart, leaving Applejack and Spike alone in the orchard. "So uh, that isn't your usual day of work is it?" The small dragon stared up at the pony curiously. "Neope" the mare said one of her brother's famous catchphrases making the small male laugh, she joined in, her heart warming with the melodious feeling. Once she had reached her house she waved goodbye to the dragon saying thanks for his help once more. She just couldn't stop the smile that spread across her face, looks like it would stay for quite a while longer. Once inside she saw her brother relaxing in his chair, and her Granny had returned from her trip to Twilight's, now in her rocking chair. "Well you seem awfully chipper t'day" Granny Smith gave a warm smile. "Just happy to have that problem solved, Ah guess" to be honest with herself, she actually felt giddy. It was a feeling she didn't have often, but right now she was happy her crop was safe and she had a friends helping hoof- uh claw to help her. "Now young un' you started telling me about this weird problem?" The elderly farm pony led Applejack into the living room and sat down. "Uh yes granny" she sat down on the couch across from her grandmother. "Ah had this weird dream" her lime green eyes dropped to the floor as she told her about her peculiar dream. When she finished she glanced upwards, realising the tea green mare was smiling, and her eyes held deep traces of knowing. "What?" Applejack became uncomfortable under her knowing gaze. "Is somethin' wrong granny?" She asked confused. "Nothin at all young child, now go relax, Applebloom did your chores for you." With that the old farm mare left the room, leaving Applejack even more confused, her frown replacing the smile.
The Orange farm mare returned to the kitchen and saw Big Mac wash some more dishes, the running water blocking out some of the sound of Applebloom and Winona playing on the floor, the canine covering the yellow filly in licks as they rolled about. The tea green mare watched them play as she rocked on her chair, her frail smile lightening up the place. Applejack was about to join them when she remembered. "Sorry ya'll I have to get those Catipillars to Fluttershy, because they'll somehow find a way to get lose, ya can just see it comin'" she stepped towards the door, hearing her brother chuckle over the running water "eyup." She trotted along the path reaching one of the barns, inside was a small cart, big enough to fit two adult mare's inside and that was about it. She grabbed the three boxes of Catipillars and put them in the back, they fitting perfectly. The earth pony then strapped herself to the wagon and trotted along the path, passing under the Sweet Apple Acres sign on the way out. Applejack felt the hard ground beneath her hooves as she trotted through ponyville, the sun was shining and although it was hot, the mare couldn't deny it was a beautiful day out. She didn't bother galloping there wasn't much point, besides, the scenery during this hot day was too good to miss. Everypony was out and smiling, chatting delightfully under Celestia's beloved sun, as flower patches bloomed all around, bees buzzed between plants and some birds flew overhead, their majestic wings touching the sky gracefully. Applejack's smile returned and she trotted eagerly towards Fluttershy's cottage.
Upon arrived she manoeuvred the cart across Fluttershy's slim bridge. Applejack then detached herself from the cart, walking towards the cottage door, some animals squeaking in terror and racing behind bushes, other less frightened animals curiously sniffed at the unusual guest from afar, creeping closer. The Orange mare's hoof snaked towards the door and gave it a gentle but firm knock. "Oh, I'll be there in a sec!" Fluttershy's soft voice rang from inside the humble cottage. The door slowly squeaked open. "Oh my, Applejack, what can do I for you?" The small pegasus questioned curiously in her gentle tone. "Well, ah have some more Catipillars, and if you wouldn't mind taking them off my hooves-" her simple explanation was cut off by the butter coloured mare. "Of course I would love to!" The eager mare trotted outside to the awaiting cart. Applejack handed the boxes over to the timid pegasus. She had to admit these creatures would be in good hooves. The farm mare waited as Fluttershy flew around the back of her household, the boxes in her clutches. When the butter coloured mare returned applejack started hitching herself back up to the wagon. "Oh, you don't have to leave so early, it's fine if you would like to come in for tea!" Fluttershy called over her shoulder as she stood in the doorway. Applejack sighed "ah would love to flutters but ah have too much to do on the farm, maybe some other time?" Fluttershy nodded "I understand, sometimes these critters can be such hooffulls" she leaned down and gently nuzzled her rabbit who was standing next to her in the doorway. "Well, see ya'll then!" Applejack waved to her friend as she walked back across the bridge, her reflection rippling in the water.
When she returned home, she quickly checked the chicken coop and the pig pen on the way past to make sure Applebloom had completed them. Satisfied with her little sisters work, The Orange mare went inside, and shut the door behind her, "well you sure took your sweet time." Big Mac's voice boomed. "Hehe sorry, it's a beautiful day out today" she replied blushing from embarrassment. She heard the scuffle of little,e hoofsteps. "Aj, Aj!" Applebloom being a little barrel of energy ran into Applejack. "Whoa there pardner, what is it sis?" Chuckling the earth pony leaned down to her sisters level. "Ah completely forgot, ah have a cutie mark crusaders meeting in the clubhouse today!" The yellow filly glanced up at her sister with those adorable eyes. "Well, you did my chores for me today, and expertly aswell, so go on giddy up!" Applejack stood back up smiling as the foal nearly raced out of the kitchen. "Oh, and one more thing!" The farm pony called the littler farm pony back. The Orange mare straightened her sisters redish bow, as it was hanging lopsided, no doubt from playing with Winona on the floor. The yellow cutie mark crusader dashed out the door, smile still evident on her face. Applejack watched her leave, enjoying the little filly's smiles.
As it was lunch time the apple family, minus one filly, sat down to eat, this time they ate some of their famous apple Pies. They ate in silence as not much was to be said. When they finished they took the pie tins and placed them in the sink to wash. Big Mac started washing the dishes and her Granny sat down in her rocking chair for her afternoon nap. Applejack wasn't sure what to do, so she sat down in her chair at the table. But boredom slowly crept up on her and she couldn't stand it no more. She stood up abruptly, thinking of something she could do. "Sorry ya'll, Raritay had this thing with Fancypants today, ah'll go see how it went!" The Orange mare trotted out the door after an explanation leaving her family to smile and roll their eyes at her. She trotted down the path, leaving Sweet Apple Acres behind. She trotted into town, the sun although still high in the sky, started to dim as it became afternoon. She picked up her pace a little, soon reaching carousel boutique. She walked inside the shop, a bell ringing letting Rarity know of the element of honesty's presence. "Welcome to carousel boutique and how may I help yo-" Rarity trotted down her steps. "Oh it's you darling, how can I help you?" The White unicorn asked her friend, her dark blue eyes glimmering. "Ah knew Fancypants came over today, so ah wanted to see how it went-" the farm pony was cut off by her diva friend squealing. "I hoped somepony would come and ask!" Her purple mane bounced as she practically jumped to Aj. "come on!"
The element of generosity dragged her friend into the living room. She sat down and immediately started retelling her tale, leaving Applejack to find a seat. "It was just so delightful, he asked me a few questions about the town and we had lunch, oh it was simply marvellous!" She squeed again, although AJ was left confused. "Sound pretty normal to me" she snorted, not seeing what was so special about that talk. "Oh but it was the way we stared at each other, his eyes staring deep into mine, it was like he could see my soul, it made it all worthwhile!" The diva mare lay down on her couch smiling giddily. "Alrightie then" AJ was still confused but decided to not ask anymore questions. "Ah guess ah'll be on my way then" she stood off the comfortable chair got ready to leave. "Oh but you can't just leave, you just arrived!" The smiling unicorn now had a frown as she sat up. "Well, ah have some stuff to attend to on the farm" Applejack bluntly stated, it was so hard being the element of honesty to lie, but as much as she wanted to listen to her friend talk about romance she had some stuff to do... "Hmm, actually, how about I organise another slumber party?" You could practically see the fashionista's wheels turning in her head. "Another sleepover?" Applejack raised an eyebrow. "Well, if I could get everypony over at Twilight's I would be able to tell everypony of my day with Fancypants!" AJ sighed. "Ok, but ah think Twia was a little busy with some friendship report or somethin'" the earth pony straightened her hat and departed, hearing Rarity's calls of bye on the way out. As she neared the door Rarity raced up behind her. "Oh and I'll pick you up around seven!" Applejack smiled back at her friend nodding, before exiting and trotting back to her home.