Rainbowdash finally arrived at Ponyville's train station. She checked in and out of the train station for any sign of Applejack, but she was nowhere to be found. Still out of breath from her strenuous flight, she walked up to a colt behind a ticket sales booth.

"Appleloosa….train….where….?" said Rainbowdash exhaustedly.

The colt replied with an uncaring tone to his voice.

"If you're looking for a train to Appleloosa, you just missed it. Left about five minutes before you swooped down and started flying all over the place."

"Then give me a ticket to Appleloosa!" demanded Rainbowdash.

"Sorry miss that was the last train for the next two weeks. There have been reports of bandits out there on the tracks. Heck, we had to fill the last train with royal guards to ensure its safety. There's no way we're going to be sending or receiving any more trains until its safe out there."

Rainbowdash pressed her face against the glass of the booth that separated her from the colt.

"But you don't understand Mr.! I HAVE to get to Appleloosa!

"Sorry miss, but it's not going to happen." Replied the colt sternly.

"Forget it then! I don't need your stupid train! I can fly there myself!" said Rainbowdash furiously.

"I wouldn't recommend doing that. Appleloosa is a 3 day travel by wings. You'll be in the hot, dry unforgiving sun all alone for probably even more than that. Not only that, those bandits may find their way to you. Who's to say they aren't pegasi just like you? You'd be better off just waiting until we get a good word."

Rainbowdash couldn't stand it anymore. She punched a hoove through the glass the colt was standing behind and took off back towards Ponyville's library. In the back of Rainbowdash's mind she knew the colt was right. It wasn't a good idea to head there alone, and what if those bandits got her? Rainbowdash once again needed advice, and she once again chose none other than the smartest pony she knows. Twilight Sparkle was in the middle of learning a new spell that could keep her levitated for a set amount of time, but then suddenly her front door crashed open and her concentration was broken. Twilight looked down from her bed to see who the mystery intruder was. She saw Rainbowdash looking up directly at her.

"Rainbowdash? What the heck was that for? Look what you did to my door." Complained Twilight.

"Forget your door Twilight! We've got bigger issues! Applejack took a train to Appleloosa and the tracks are closed down because of some no good bandit ponies!"

"Ohh my…bandit ponies?..." said Twilight in a soft, scared tone.

"Were you paying attention! Applejack is GONE and I have no way to get to her Twilight! What am I going to do! What if something happens to her in Appleloosa? What if….what if she finds some pony else in Appleloosa…" Rainbowdash sat back on her haunches.

"Listen to yourself Rainbowdash, you're giving up again! It's true she left, and you may not be able to see her for a little while, but that doesn't mean she's in Appleloosa looking for another pony. This isn't all bad you know Rainbowdash. Now you've got plenty of time to think of a game plan."

"A game plan? Gah, this isn't a game Twilight!" yelled Rainbowdash.

Twilight shook her head.

"That's not what I meant Rainbowdash, I meant this gives you plenty of time to come up with exactly how you're going to approach Applejack when you see her again. After two weeks of being away I'm sure she'll be happy to see you Rainbowdash, and I'm also sure she'll be even happier if you decide to tell her everything right then and there."

Rainbowdash began to get teary eyed as she stood back up again.

"Maybe you're right Twilight…maybe this is exactly what we needed…a little break."

Twilight approached her friend and gave her a big reassuring hug.

Rainbowdash thought to herself…."You just be ready Applejack...when the trains are back, I'm coming for you, and I won't leave without you…"|

(The story will now leave Rainbowdash's prospective, and take on Applejack's instead)

Arriving in Appleloosa….

Applejack slowly moseyed out of her train car. Standing on the train station platform, she looked up and saw a sign that said "Welcome to Appleloosa!" but Applejack didn't feel welcomed at all, she felt as though she had just abandoned everything she came to know and love in Ponyville. Applejack sighed and continued through the inside of the train station's interior until she reached the door that reached outside to the town. Applejack took a deep breath and stepped through. Upon opening the door she was slightly blinded by the Celestia's bright sun that had been blocked by the train station when she arrived. The town reminded her little if Sweet Apple Acres. The town had an old western back in the day setting. Many buildings were made out of nothing but wood. There were bars and saloons scattered everywhere. The town smelled slightly of fresh apples, just like her home. Applejack walked over to a fence and looked over it. She saw Appleloosa's massive apple orchard. This sight made Applejack feel a little better, but she couldn't shake the feeling of abandoning her friends without a single word. Appleloosa was almost like her regular home at Sweet Apple Acres, only that the only family she had here was Braeburn. Applejack hadn't actually thought her plan all the way through. She hoped Braeburn would be home and able to take her in for a few nights. Applejack walked slowly through the town, taking in all the sights that the town had to offer. All of the ponies here seemed to be a bit more friendly and in tune with each other way more than the pony folk in Ponyville. Not only that, she was no longer the only wearing a hat anymore, in fact it'd be seen as weird if you weren't wearing a hat. Applejack could see Braeburn's house in the distance. She perked up a bit at the thought of being able to talk to some pony after so long. Applejack walked down Braeburn's pathway. His barn was quite impressive to Applejack. It was a few sizes bigger and looked to be in very good condition. There were quite a few animals back behind his fence and a variety of beautiful flowers that followed the edge of the pathway. Applejack arrived at Braeburn's door, and pushed the doorbell. The doorbell was a cow mooing very loudly. Applejack stood and waited for some kind of noise that would give her a sign that Braeburn was home, but she heard nothing. She was about to walk away when suddenly the front door swung open.

"Well howdy there str…oh my gosh! Its My ol cousin Applejack! Yeeeahhhaah! Welcome back to Aaaaaploo…." Applejack put a hoof over Braeburn's mouth and said…

"Sorry sugarcube, but can we skip the intro this time? Some things came up back in Ponyville, and Ah could really use a place ta stay for a while…"

"Well of course you can stay here Applejack! My door is always open to family! Come on in and make yourself at home! I'll go get the guest room ready for ya."

"Thanks Braeburn it really means a lot…"

"Haha, don't worry about it Applejack, its my pleasure.

Braeburn trotted quickly upstairs and it wasn't long before Applejack heard the sound of things being moved. Applejack took this opportunity to explore Braeburn's home. She started with the living room. The living room contained big old pieces of furniture that looked like they had been sat on countless times. The walls were covered with many knickknacks and heirlooms that Braeburn had collected of the years. In the corner of the living, room stood a display case with many types of farming rewards. In the opposite corner was a family tree of some sort, dating all the way back to when Celestia first took the throne. Applejack moved on to the kitchen next. The kitchen was huge and surprisingly clean. Braeburn must've been cooking before Applejack came to the door. There were many different types of food lining the counter tops in the kitchen.

"Ohhh Applejack! Where'd ya go ya silly fillie?" Applejack heard Braburn calling for her. The tour of the house would have to wait. Applejack found her way back to Braeburn.

"I got the guest all sorted out for ya. Go on up, unpack and rest. Your gonna need it for tomorrow."

Applejack looked at Breaburn with a confused look.

"Hahaha, you know the rules Applejack. If your gonna stay here, then ya gotta work. Imma need your help with these baked goods. We gotta take em to the Shinnin Apple Saloon for a little hoedown. Its gonna be a hoot! Now yall get yourself rested Applejack."

"Thank you again for the room Braburn, and Ah'm prepared to work, don't ya worry about that.

"Glad to hear it Applejack, now get a move on, your wastin your sleepin time."

Applejack took Braeburns advice and headed upstairs.

"Your room is down the hall on the right! The one on the left is my partner Lone Star's room. He's out right now, but you'll meet him tomorrow!" Yelled Braeburn from down stairs.

Applejack walked down the hall, taking a quick peek at all the rooms. She was overall impressed with the way the rooms looked. They were all nicely done, and everything looked clean. Too clean to be Braeburn's doing. Applejack finally arrived at her door. She opened the door and found a room just as nice as the others. A huge, warm looking bed. An apple shaped dresser. A Fine wooden night stand. The room even had a bathroom attached. Applejack dropped her bags down on the floor and plopped down on the bed. Applejack shut her eyes slowly. She had a lot to think about. Would she stay and if so, how long? She also couldn't keep from wondering about this mysterious Lone Star she had just heard about. Applejack shook the thought off and pulled up her covers to attempt to get a good rest for the day tomorrow…