DISCLAIMER: hey guys, haven't done one if these yet but I should *guilty face*. Not that any of you guys read it any way, I could talk about how the sky is pink with purple stripes and elephants are blue with green spots! Besides that, yeah I don't own MLP or the characters inside the fanfic. :P
THE APPLE OF MY EYE
CHAPTER 13
They where in the dreamland, where despite it actually being nighttime,the skies simmered a baby blue, the grass was as green as Applejack's own eyes, and rainbows shimmered in the sky invitingly. But despite the welcoming colours, this place didn't feel right, somewhere deep in the farm mare's heart, this dream felt off... "Whoa, this place is amazing, almost everything is made out of gems!" Spike, who was sitting by the lake, cried in joy, cramming his face full of the gemstones. "Huh, yeah." Applejack looked off to the side, and frowned as she looked toward the orchard of crystal apples. Suddenly her eyes caught sight of a shadow, ducking behind a tree and out of sight. Her eyes widened in surprise and the orange mare stood up, leaving the little dragon beside her to stare up at her confusedly. " be right back, thought ah' saw somethin'" Applejack clenched her jaw, and raced towards the trees. Reaching the edge of the orchard, she quickly looked behind the tree were she thought she had seen a shadow. "Huh?" AJ blinked confusedly. She swore she had seen a shadow behind this tree! Spike finally caught up, running on his stubby legs behind her. Her tapped her shoulder and she spun to face him. "What was that all about?" The dragon questioned. The country pony Looked behind her again, her green eyes searching for anything in the shadows in the trees, with a sigh of defeat she turned back towards the reptile in front of her. "Nothin'" but she turned for another look, foreleg off the ground as she was about to take another step. "Alright, let's hurry back, I thought I saw some fish in the lake, and I want to catch one!" The dragon laughed and turned back around, racing towards the lake. Applejack smiled warmly at Spike and followed, but still felt uneasy. The young dragon knelt beside the water, lunging his claws in every now and then, trying to catch a fish. Applejack lay down beside him, but still felt off. Without warning, the whole place lit up with a bright searing light. "Woah!" Spike cried backing away from Applejack, dropping a squirming fish, and the mare looked down at herself, realising the white light was coming from her own chest, and it had started spreading, leaving nothing of her own body in it's wake. Her mouth agape in shock, she blinked surprised, as the painfully bright white light devoured her body. Then realisation Hit her. "It's ok I'm waking-" she didn't get to finish as the light fell over her head.
Sitting up in bed with a gasp Applejack looked around realising she was in her own bed, facing a small yellow filly. "Finally! Never thought I'd wake you!" Applebloom rolled her eyes at her older sister, hopping off the bed and trotting towards the door. Applejack blinked once, before grabbing her hat off the bed post and flinging the covers off herself, jumping out of bed. Reaching the doorway she glanced back up at the clock. 9:30... Satisfied Applejack turned to go. "Wait! Nine thirty!" The orange mare panicked, this was the latest she had ever slept in! Even after apple buck season! "Eeyup!" Big Mac chuckled at his sister's horrified expression as he walked past her door and down the stairs. The earth pony stood in her doorway shocked, before taking a giant leap down the stairs, hat bouncing of her head, landing back perfectly on her ratty blonde mane as she landed at the bottom of the stairwell. "Sorry no time, ah' have to get to work!" The mare shouted to her granny on the way past before launching herself out the door, shutting it with a firm kick to the wood that rattled the windows. Applejack raced towards the trees, she had to hurry if she was to finish today's work, she was already a heap behind schedule! The mare skidded across the still damp grass, entering her orchard and getting to work.
SPIKE
Almost instantly after Applejack had faded from his sight in a searing white light he had woke himself, jackknifing into a sitting position. He took a moment to blink his dark green eyes in shock. Spike threw the blankets off him as he heard hoof steps rounding the corner. "Ah, you're up, I was just about to wake you!" Twilight entered the doorway, her usually neat mane mussed up from sleep. "Y-yeah" he smiled, then yawned as he rubbed sleep from his eyes. "I'll leave you to get ready, breakfast is in a few minutes." The alicorn smiled warmly at her assistant, before turning around and leaving the room. Spike tumbled out of his bed, nearly tripping on a comic lying by his feet. Groaning he flicked the book away with a claw and got ready for the day.
He ate his pancakes in silence, he was deep in thought. The dream he and Applejack had had for two nights in a row now seemed to be very different. Usually Spike could control his dreams, but he wasn't complaining, a lot of it either had to do with crystals or apples, no surprise there though. Mind you, despite the serenity of it all Applejack had seemed on edge the entire time, and then when she took off towards the forest he had no clue why... "Are you okay? you're quieter than usual." The lavender mare asked from across the table with an amused look on her face. "Yeah I'm fine." Spike dismissed her teasing worries with a wave of a claw.
APPLEJACK
"Phew, back on schedule!" The orange mare wiped her brow from sweat, panting with satisfaction. The earth pony stepped out of the orchard, smile on her determined face. Now she just had to clean the pigs and then she could set up the sweet apple acres stall in the market, if it doesn't rain that is... The earth pony ignored the grey clouds gathering up overhead and trotted joyfully towards the pig sty. Reaching the pen with her pigs Applejack grabbed the bucket leaning next to the fence, walking over with it in her mouth towards the tap on the side of the barn. Running the water into the bucket she spared a glance at the pigs, who had gathered near the side, hoping she was feeding them. Letting out a chuckle Applejack added some dish water to the water while it was running. "Not this time piggies." She spoke quietly and turned off the tap, taking the bucket towards them and entering the pen, the pink creatures jumping up and down trying to see inside the bucket. She sat the bucket down away from curious piggie noses and swiftly grabbed a sponge through the fence. The mare dipped the sponge into the soapy water and spun back around to face the pigs. "Who wants a bath?" Applejack cried, and the pigs simultaneously squealed and took off. The earth pony shrugged "guess it's time for roundin' up some piggies!" She took off her hat, putting onto a fence post and took a rope from it. She let out a content sigh. Then took off after the creatures"yee-haw!"
"Good pig." Applejack finished another pig, leading it into the barn so it couldn't get muddy again, and unlatched her latched her lasso from the pig. The pink creature gave an grumpy snort but followed suit into the barn. Applejack looked back over her shoulder, two pigs to go. She crept towards the cowering animals, they blinking fearfully. Gripping her rope in her mouth she towered over them, her shadow covering their faces. They both squealed and took off in opposite directions. "Dang nab bit!" The cow pony growled and making up her mind she took after the one that went to the left. The pig turned and realised the mare was after it and squeaked again, racing towards the fence. The pig skidded to a stop in front of the fence, Applejack right behind it. "Gotcha!" She chuckled at the pigs expression and lassoed the pig, starting to drag it away from the fence. It was then a flash of pink and brown could be seen out of the corner of her eye. "What the-" she whipped around and trailed off as she realised the other pig had grabbed her hat from the fence post. "Hey!" The orange mare cried, and accidentally let go of the rope in her mouth, the pig she had lassoed escaping and racing around again. Growling in frustration she ignored the pig with the rope and went straight for the pig with her hat. Launching herself after the pig AJ tried to grab it's tail with her teeth, hoping to pull it back, but she kept missing. Hooves pounding against the dirt she dashed after the cheeky pink animal. But the creature had the advantage of size and dodged her attacks to get her beloved hat back, it racing ahead. Let loose a snarl of frustration and determination Applejack sped up aswell. Suddenly without warning the pig stopped in front of a mud puddle, turning to look as it's owner came hurtling towards it. Applejack's green eyes widened in surprised and tried to skid to a stop but the pig leapt out of the way, sending the farm mare sliding into the mud. Blinking in shock the cow pony turned to glare at the pig, who gave an oink of satisfaction, the creature cheekily throwing her hat into the mud along with her. "Well ain't your manners just swell?" The mare frowned, annoyed, and placed her muddied hat back where it belonged, on her blonde mane. The pig squeaked and raced off as the mare angrily stood, stepping out of the mud. The cowpony shook herself from head to hoof, trying to fling the mud from her orange pelt. Most of the brown substance flew off her fur, but still some remained that would need a wash to get off. "Enough games!" Applejack punctuated with a stomp of the hoof, the pigs sharing a scared glance.
A smiling Applejack left the pig pen, some grumpy, but clean, pigs in her barn. She carried the bucket with her, dumping it next to the tap on the side of the barn. "She chuckled and stuck her tongue out at a pig who was trying to reach the mud through the gate separating the paddock from the barn, the pig sticking it's tongue out back. AJ headed back to the house, the grass not damp anymore for being in the sun so long. But AJ wasn't sure the sun would last much longer, the grey storm clouds were gathering overhead gloomily. She wondered why the pegasi had scheduled another storm, yesterday's one was almighty! Opening the door she called inside "hey granny, you seen Big Mac? time for the market!" She called to the elder, who was rocking on her chair in the dining room. The tea green mare let out a chuckle. "Ah'm sure he was workin' in the orchard." Applejack's guardian pointed a feeble hoof towards the window, where AJ caught sight of her older brother appearing from part of the orchard.
"Thanks granny!" Applejack smiled at her relative and stepped out of the doorway, shutting the door behind her as she turned towards her brother. The red stallion was casually trotting out of the orchard with a full cart of apples tagging behind him. "Big Mac, ready to sell some apples?" Applejack called a hint of a smile on her face as she raced up to her sibling. Big Macintosh looked over his shoulder at the cart full of apples he was hauling. Looking back at his little sister he answered "eyup." Applejack grinned "ah'll clean myself up then we'll be on our way!" Applejack raced back towards the house, leaving her brother chuckling at his sister's cheery behaviour.
Applejack didn't mind mud at all but she had to be presentable for the customers, it was all in the presentation! Turning the shower tap off the orange mare felt the hot water stop pounding her back with it's droplets and instead let out a drop or two that trickled down her sides. "Much better!" She cried and left the room, shaking the water off her pelt like a dog would. Exiting the bathroom she donned her trademark hat and cheerfully trotted down the stairs. "See ya granny!" She called to the elderly mare on the rocking chair, the tea green earth pony giving a wave with a frail hoof. "Go sell em' apples!" Granny Smith grinned before settling back down in her chair. Applejack trotted outside, walking up to her brother who was finishing attaching a new cart, of course filled with apple based delights! " ready to go?" The red stallion asked his little sister and she nodded contentedly "eyup!"
"What would ya'll like?" Applejack asked a customer, the pony mulling over the choices. "Just a couple of apples please." The pony pooled the bits onto the table, the orange name getting a plastic bag and stuffing the required food inside. After handing the bag with apples over to the customer the earth pony waved the buyer off "thank ya'll for your purchase, come back soon!" She cried after the pony, who was weaving their way through the crowds. Scooping up the bits and popping them into the box with a small clinking noise, AJ realised how slow business was being. Groaning the orange mare looked around the marketplace for customers that she could persuade. Seeing a familiar bobbing head AJ visibly brightened and motioned towards her brother who was on the other side of the stall. The red stallion obediently came at his sisters calling and questioningly raised an eyebrow. "Ah'ma speak to mah friend, can you take over for a sec?" She asked and the farm stallion nodded, warmly smiling down at his sibling before taking her spot. Trotting around the stall Applejack called to the element of harmony coming closer. "Rarity!" The white unicorn turned with a small expression of surprise before delight bestowed on her face and she trotted lightly to her cowpony friend. "Applejack!" Rarity grinned as the two mares greeted. "What are you doing in town?" The earth pony asked her unicorn friend. "Oh, I was looking for any of our friends actually, because I have great news, besides that I imagine your selling stock?" The white mare turned her dark blue eyes to the apple stall just behind them. "Eyup. Now what's this great news?" Applejack asked politely. "I scored!" Rarity let out a small squeal, accompanied by a hop. "Pardon?" The cowpony cocked her head in confusion. "Yesterday, at dinner! Fancypants asked me out!" She let out another high pitched squeal and AJ stood there in shock for a second, before enveloping her friend in a hug. "Why that's amazin' Rarity, exactly what you were hoping for!" The element of honesty grinned at the fashionista who was giggling with delight. Suddenly a massive wind ripped past them accompanied by a rainbow trail, blowing their manes in their faces. A few apples fell off the cart and on the floor. Applejack snorted "let me handle this..." A few seconds later... "RAINBOWDASH, YOU GET BACK HERE AND CLEAN UP YOUR MESS THIS INSTANT!" She shouted so her Pegasus friend could hear. Soon enough another rainbow trail whooshed past the two mares and starting picking up apples. "Okay, okay, you didn't have to shout AJ!" Rainbowdash grumbled and scooped the un bruised apples up on the counter so they could be put back in place by Big Macintosh. "So why were you zooming about town anyway Dashie?" Rarity stepped toward and asked the light blue Pegasus curiously. "I have awesome news!" The element of loyalty gave a grin and stood straighter as she remembered. "You too huh?" Applejack chuckled and RD nodded enthusiastically "Yeah! Just heard some news of an awesome new water based theme park being built in Canterlot, it's gone be so cool!" The light blue Pegasus grinned excitedly and Applejack laughed. "sounds great, when is it gonna be opened?" Rarity asked curiously fluttering her deep blue eyes. "In a few weeks!" The daredevil grinned back and AJ smiled at the idea "we should go!" The orange mare declared. "Well duh we should go!" A voice called behind them and the three mares turned to see Pinkie Pie, munching on a cupcake as if it was no big deal she popped up out of nowhere. They laughed at their random friend until Rarity spotted somepony behind Rainbowdash. "Is that Twilight and Spike?" The unicorn asked and they turned to see the lavender alicorn with the purple dragon at her side. The pair walked up to them and they where almost complete. "Does any pony have any idea how we all end up together wherever we are?" Rainbowdash laughed and a soft voice replied. "I have no idea" Fluttershy flew down from the sky, her wings fluttering closed as she landed next to her friends. The blue Pegasus facehoofed and giggles where sent all around. "What where you doing in town ladies?" The diva questioned the bookworm and the animal lover. "Grocery shopping, right Spike?" The alicorn answered and the dragon nodded to confirm. "Same, Angel just has to have his lunch just right or he'll have a fit. That stubborn bunny." Fluttershy smiled warmly and the other Pegasus nudged the element of honesty on the shoulder. "Stubborn like a certain farm mare heh?" Rainbowdash's snickers where short lived when Applejack glared at her sternly. "But anyway dearies, I have to tell you of my fabulous news!" The white unicorn interrupted and attention was turned towards her. Applejack couldn't wait to see the reactions of her friends, no doubt it would be met with cheers all around. Her lime green eyes circled her group of friends as Rarity prepared to tell her news until the orange mare's gaze landed on the young dragon who seemed eager to hear his crushes news. Looked at those dark green eyes she felt something go through her and her eyes widened. Rarity couldn't tell her news, Spike would be crushed! Absolutely heartbroken! Applejack leaned over to her Sweet Apple Acres cart and grabbed an apple in her hoof, swiftly Shoving it in Rarity's mouth silencing the white mare just as she started to speak. The group looked on confusedly an the unicorn used her magic to take the apple out of her mouth, frowning, annoyed. "Now Applejack, what called for such uncouth behaviour!" The diva snorted and the farm mare ignored her. Her mind whirred as she struggle to think of a lie. "Ah' just remembered, I have some sales to count, Spike can you help me?" The cowpony rested her green gaze on the dragon, instantly receiving a shiver that went down her spine. The dragon seemed surprised at her request but nodded anyway "of course!" The reptile instantly following her as she led him to her sales box. Twilight realised what she was doing and gratefully smiled, the others slowly catching on as Rarity remained oblivious.
SPIKE
He had to admit he had wanted to hear Rarity's news, but if Applejack needed help then so be it, he would count her... Sales? Spike looked a uncertainty at the orange mare as she gave him her box of bits to count, he looked deeply into her emerald eyes, and she gave him a reassuring smile, nudging the box closer with a hoof. "Ok then." He sighed but quickly made haste to his task although he had an edging suspicion the cowpony had done this for a reason, after counting the bits he wanted to confirm his theory and was about to tap AJ's shoulder when he caught sight of her. Her emerald green eyes were looking onwards towards their friends, distress laced in the confinements of her eyes. Her blonde mane was slightly tangled no doubt from a hard days work, her hat resting atop her head faithfully. Stopping himself the dragon pulled back his claw, she seemed a little stressed, maybe now wasn't the best time... Their friends had stopped talking and Applejack sat up glancing over at him. "Ah' see ya'll are done there, thank you, now let's go join back up with the girls." The earth pony grinned down at him and the reptile simply nodded before they trotted back towards their friends. Spike couldn't help but notice how Applejack was avoiding eye contact with him. As soon as they rejoined the circle of friends Twilight ushered him away, wrapping her wing around him forcing him to move, talking about how they had to finish the shopping but would see the girls tonight.
APPLEJACK
"What In heavens name were you doing darling?" Rarity scolded the cowpony. Applejack snorted "ya'll surely see the way Spike feels about ya', you can't just go and break his heart like that!" The orange mare growled, but the pink one interrupted. "He is going to find out tonight anyway at Rarity's 'I found my true love party' I'm planning in Twilight's castle." The party planner chirped and Applejack ignored the eccentric behaviour. "Rarity, I just think this is something you need to talk to him personally about, tackle the problem head to head..."'AJ trailed off, and she out her hoof on her friend's shoulder in a comforting manner, Rarity looking slightly uneasy about the topic. "It will still break his heart though..."'the unicorn whimpered, she did not want to be the one to cause one of her closest friends heart ache. "It will, but he needs to know. And that's the honest truth." Rarity smiled slightly at this. "Your right Applejack... I will tell him face to face, tonight."
As AJ and Big Mac packed up shop, she couldn't help but keep casting glances over her shoulder into town. Noticing his sister's odd behaviour Big Mac firmly, nudged her shoulder. "Ya'll 'right AJ?" His deep voice startled the orange mare out of her thoughts and she scurried ahead, the red stallion dashing after her. "Yup." Applejack answered quickly, but shot another look back into town. He raised an eyebrow quizzically but didn't question. Once they arrived back on the farm they swiftly dumped the cart, carrying the box of bits inside for another counting. Shutting the door with a clunk Applejack set the box down, Granny Smith moving from her chair and peeking in the chest. "Oh, well this wasn't what ah' was expectin'!" The elder frowned at the low number of bits in the box. "Ah' know..." Applejack sighed disappointedly. "But at least it's cider season soon, we'll make more than three times the amount of bits in that box!" The orange mare determinedly grinned, shutting the box with a resonant click. "Eyup" Big Mac agreed with a nod of the head.
Lunch was silent as usual, but this silence, to Applejack anyway, felt awkward, tense even. She fiddled around with her fork, the metal scraping against the plate as she stared distantly at her food. She couldn't stop thinking about tonight, she was so worried about how Spike was going to take the news, heck she was more concerned about he was going to take the news than how they were going to even deliver the news, it was going to be so awkward and depressing... Noticing her grand child's distant face the elder spoke up. "Somethin' wrong child?" The tea green mare asked, the orange farm mare looking up from her plate halfheartedly. "Ah' guess ah' ain't' hungry.." Applejack stated, Big Mac spitting out some cider he had been drinking. Applebloom spluttered out her drink as well, both siblings looking on with utter disbelief. "Wanna talk?" Granny Smith concernedly nodded her head towards the door, to which the cowpony hesitated but sighed in yes. Both mares scooted back their chairs, walking into the living room, leaving the two other siblings gawking at each other. " did Applejack just say she wasn't hungry?" The filly's jaw dropped. "Eyup..." Big Mac nodded numbly.
"So what's got you losin' your appetite?" The grandmother asked as her grandchild slumped into one of the lounge chairs. "Well Granny...did you ever have a friend.. That was hopelessly in love with somepony, only for that pony to be taken?" Applejack glanced up at the wise mare who had moved to sit next to her. "Yeah... Ah' did." The elder trailed off and AJ spoke up again. "How...how would you break that kind of thing to ponies your friends with?" The elderly mare thought about this for a second. "You need to take a head to head approach, take the problem face to face." Applejack groaned inwardly, that was the exact advice she had given Rarity, she knew it was good advice but it still wouldn't stop his heart from aching any less. Granny Smith frowned at the reaction from her granddaughter. "How about you take a walk around town, clear your head a little." The elder patted Applejack's back and she sat up, giving a one sided hug to her guardian. "Good thinking Granny, and ah'll even take Winona!" Grinning the country mare stood and walked back into the kitchen, ignoring the wary faces of her siblings. Grabbing the collie's leash out of one of the cupboards she called her faithful companion. "Winona, we're goin' for a walk!" The dog scrambled down the stairs with a clatter of claws and a few shrill barks. Clipping the leash onto the dog Applejack lead the canine out the door,swiftly shutting it behind her with a firm kick.
"Ah' just thought of something." The orange mare stared down at Winona who glanced up at her owner cluelessly. "We should visit Fluttershy, see how those baby bunnies are doing!" Giving a grin she lead then dog towards the cottage, Winona giving a bark in response. As they walked to the cottage AJ frowned up at the sky, the grey clouds gathering overhead seemed darker then before. " we better hurry before it pours buckets on us!" The mare swiftly trotted through the last part of town the canine padding at her side. Applejack and Winona eventually came to the bridge that led to Fluttershy's house. Trotting over it, her hooves thudded against the hollow dirt, Winona and her scaring a few critters away. AJ knocked on the door. "Coming!" A gentle voice came from inside. Soon the door clicked open and Fluttershy peered outwards, instantly Gaining a smile. "Applejack, Winona! Can I help you?" The gentle Pegasus politely asked, moving out of the doorway so the two could enter. "We were just wonderin' how those baby bunnies were doin'!" Applejack Answered stepping inside. "Perfect timing! I was just about to feed them, want to help?" The soft mare asked cheerfully and AJ nodded although slightly, unsure as to how she could help. Fluttershy pointed delicately towards the couch, the orange mare settling down onto it, her loyal companion jumping up next to her. The Pegasus in the room smiled softly before moving towards a box on her kitchen counter, her hooves wrapping the cardboard in a firm but gentle grip. Fluttershy flew back over to them, her caring teal eyes gazed back into the box. "Here, take this little one." The butter coloured mare spoke quietly and carefully pulled a sleeping pile of fluff out of the box, setting it in Applejack's lap. The rodent blinked a little, letting out a yawn from being brought out of it's nap. The earth pony could feel a warm smile creeping up her face as she stared at the sleepy rabbit in her lap. "Hold your hooves around him- that's it!" Fluttershy commented as the mare held her hooves around the bunny. "Now I'll get the milk bottle, I'll be right back!" The Pegasus enthusiastically cheered, trotting into her kitchen. Winona barked barked happily in reply, causing the small rodentia in her hooves to burrow deeper into her fur. Fluttershy soon returned with a small bottle filled with milk. The gentle Pegasus handed the bottle to Applejack, the earth pony staring at it cluelessly. "Here-" the mare trailed off as she picked the bottle back up, leading it towards the hare's mouth, tipping it at an angle to which he could drink safely. The bunny grasped towards the bottle, furiously sucking onto it and AJ blinked surprisedly at the feircness of the suckling. Fluttershy handed the bottle back, sitting next to Winona, patting the canine lovingly. Applejack saw the bunny take a break for air, before latching back onto the milk bottle, although with much less ferociousness then before. As the rabbit neared the end of the liquid it's half open eyes dropped lazily, as it struggled to stay awake. "Aw.." AJ whispered quietly as the rodent finished up and stared up at her gratefully. Before she could comprehend what she was doing, she leaned over and gave the small creature a warm nuzzle, the bunny, surprisingly, returning it with one of it's own. Her heart melted. "Is this why you try to hand us bunnies whenever we are upset?" The earth pony asked the beaming Pegasus beside her quietly. "Yes, yes it is!" The Pegasus answered with a giggle as she watched the rodent snuggle deep into her friends lap. After a small moment of silence, Fluttershy broke it. "You know, they probably wouldn't be alive if it weren't for you" The Pegasus looked back into the box of baby bunnies lovingly and Applejack blinked her green eyes surprisingly. She knew it was a bad storm, but surely they would have pulled through? "Really?" The orange mare asked and Fluttershy nodded wholeheartedly. "Anyway, I'll fill the bottle back up and we can keep feeding these little guys" the animal caretaker removed the bottle from her friend's hoof, trotting back into the kitchen eagerly. The farm mare watched the element of kindness to into the next room before staring back down at the critter before her, giving it a gentle stroke down it's spine. The rabbit wriggled it's nose and snuggled deeper into her lap in response. Fluttershy soon returned and together they fed the adorable baby rabbits while Winona had a relaxing nap.
After they finished every single rodent was asleep in the box. "Thank you so much for helping me!" Fluttershy smiled warmly as she moved the box out of the way. "It was no problemo!" Applejack answered with a tip of the hat, and she got up from the couch, Winona soon waking and jumping after her master. Fluttershy watched her friend stretch before her teal eyes concernedly glanced at the window. Picking up the change in mood Applejack followed her eyes to the window. The ever darkening clouds were slowly showing the first signs of rain, as a couple of drops splattered on the windowpane. "Oh, you should probably get back before it rains!" Fluttershy pointed out and Applejack agreed with a simple nod, in all honesty the rain didn't bother her, but it would be best to get back before she was completely soaked. Applejack clipped on Winona's leash again and with a wave, left the little cottage trailing back down the path.
As soon as the mare slammed the farmhouse door shut behind her, the rain poured down, trailing down the windows and hitting the leaves on the apple trees. Applejack took her hat off and gave it a firm shake, sending a few droplets across the room. "Back are ye'?" Granny Smith hobbled into the kitchen and watched as her granddaughter removed the leash from their dog, who shook some rain from her pelt. "Indeed, and just in time!" AJ watched puddles form outside before turning back to her grandmother. "Good, because ain't you got that party thingie at Twilight's soon?" The elderly mare pointed at the clock. Applejack's eyes widened dramatically at the time. "Whoo nelly! That time already, ah'll have to go as soon as the rain stops!" The orange mare sat in a chair at the kitchen table, watching motionlessly but deeply in thought, as the rain eventually went from a full on pour, to a drizzle, finally to a little sprinkle. Sighing the country pony stood up again, and headed towards the door. Opening the wooden door with a creak she groaned inwardly. Here she was about to go to a party that could contain overdramatic drama. Right then, little did the cowpony know she would be a big part of that drama.
AUTHORS NOTE:
Hope you enjoyed, I originally intended to have a lot more in this chapter and cut lots of pieces out of the story that might come in on later chapters, I also originally was going to have the party in this chapter too, but decided this was a good ending note. Concerning the CMC and crusaders of the lost mark, the CMC will continue on as normal as if that episode never happened. Thanks for reading :3