MLP: Friendship is Magic

by ghostdog2AD

This story is about a unicorn named Mario Star, who's a jack-of-all-trades and a martial artist and a former human/current unicorn named Elijah/Comet Stardust. Now, Mario will know all about friendship and possibly win Twilight's heart while Comet will have a new family and know the meaning of life.

33. Over a Barrel

This is the 33rd chapter. I don't own the series of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.

Over a Barrel

TOOT! TOOT!

As a train began to make its way across the desert plains of Equestria, and ironically being pulled by several stallion ponies, Applejack was reading a story to an apple tree. Apple Shine was next to her mother which to the Texan filly, it's pretty awkward to read a story to an apple tree, but it's tradition to the Apple family. Even though, she's not used to read a story to the apple tree.

"And that's when the yellow birdie thought to herself, 'hmm, my favorite little tree isn't such a little tree anymore'." Applejack said, read out loud. "So, she sang her song, big and strong, and they all lived in that great, big tree happily ever after. The...end."

Applejack then closes her book and tucks an apple tree.

"Um, Ma, Ah'm not sure that readin' a storybook to an apple tree is traditional." Apple Shine said, feeling uncomfortable.

"Ya get used to it, sugarcube. It's strange at first, but Granny Smith read those story books to apple trees at night." Applejack told her daughter. "She even taught me how, and Ah'm sure Ah can teach you."

Apple Shine was about to say something when Rarity and Mario walked inside of the caboose.

"Applejack!" Rarity exclaimed. "Were you reading a bedtime story to...an apple tree?!"

"Heh...uh...Well, you know." Applejack said sheepishly as Rarity narrows her eyes at her while trotting to her. "bein' replanted in a whole new place is very upsettin' for a tree...and Bloomberg here is one of my favorites."

As Applejack zipped her way to the apple tree while rubbing it, Mario walks next to Rarity with his eyes rolling.

"Still not use to Applejack reading a bedtime story to an apple tree, Apple Shine?" Mario asked his niece.

Apple Shine shook her head when Mario chuckled.

"Don't worry, you'll get used to it. I find it strange as first when I watched Granny Smith does it, but it took time to get used to it." Mario assures her which Apple Shine is still uncomfortable about this.

"No fair, Applejack!" Rarity whined. "You've got a luxurious, private sleeper car for a tree, while I am crowded and cramped in the same car with all the other ponies."

"You've got plenty of space back there, Rarity." Mario said indignantly. "And at least it's with your friends and not just some random pony."

"Well you snore!" Rarity pointed out, but earned a smack from the back of her head by Mario.

"I don't snore." Mario told him when his patience wore thin. "The only ones I know who snore was Applejack, Spike, and Rainbow Dash."

"Hey!" Applejack barked with a glare, resenting that offense.

"Beggars can't be choosers, Rarity." Apple Shine told her. "It's no use tryin' ta argue with Ma."

"Then how am I supposed to get my beauty sleep?" Rarity asked, getting in Applejack's face.

"Rarity, just put up with it for one night until we reach to Appaloosa." Mario suggested. "It's just for one night."

"It's been a while since Ah first came ta Appleaoosa. I can't wait ta see Braeburn again." Apple Shine adds excitedly.

"You've been there before, darling?" Rarity asks curiously, turns to the Texan filly.

"Eeyup, Appaloosa has a lot of apple trees next to the river. And the town almost remind me of home back in my old world." Apple Shine explains with a sigh. "Mah old family took me to a town called Bandera, where they have a museum that has a history about it and where it's been built."

Applejack, Rarity, and Mario noticed that Apple Shine was thinking about her old home in Texas.

"Recalling the good times in Texas?" Applejack asks with a small smile, earned a nod from her daughter. "Well, Ah'm sure yer old folks are thinkin' the same thing when yer alive. Ah understand ya missed them, but ya don't have ta worry. Besides, they're still in Fredericksburg to try ta have a good life and Ah'm thinkin' that they're thinkin' about you while recallin' the good times."

Applejack then gives her daughter a hug while Rarity and Mario watched at the heartwarming sight with smiles on their faces.

"Oh, I guess I can put up with it for one night, but I'm not going to like it." Rarity said with a groan, leaving the caboose.

"This is going to be a long trip." Mario muttered with his eyes rolled, decided to hug his niece while having a mother, uncle, and daughter moment.

---

My Little Pony, My Little Pony

Ahhhh

My Little Pony

I use to wonder what friendship could be

My Little Pony

Until you all share this magic with me

Big adventure,

Tons of fun,

A beautiful heart,

Faithful and strong,

Sharing kindness

It's an easy feat

And magic makes it all complete

You all have my little ponies

Did you know all you're my best friends?

---

It was now nighttime as the train continued to chug along to Appaloosa. Fluttershy, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Mario were still up, talking to each other while Rarity and Spike were both getting annoyed from their conversations. The five foals were brushing their teeth at the bathroom to get ready for getting some sleep.

"Oh man, we're going fast!" Rainbow Dash said. "This is so exciting, I can't even wait!"

The four mares, except Mario, agreed to that as they were all now talking pretty loudly. Rarity wasn't comfortable at all as she covers her ears with her hooves.

"For crying out loud in the morning!" Rarity grumbled as she turned over in her bed, puts her pillow over her head.

Spike was also irritated by the loud talking as he got out from under the blanket with an unhappy expression on his face.

"Do you guys mind?" Spike asked with a groan. "I was up early fire-roasting those snacks you're all eating, and I'm pooped!"

Some of the ponies had some box of popcorn next on Rainbow Dash's bed.

"Uh, speaking of, some of these popcorn kernels didn't get popped." Rainbow Dash said as she looked at her box of popcorn.

"Okay, fine..." Spike said with a smirk before...

BURP!

Spike breathes out a stream of fire which it causes Rainbow Dash to quickly duck down and the popcorn is incinerated. Rainbow Dash looked at her now burnt popcorn as one of them popped right at her eye.

"Good night!" Spike said irritably before burying himself inside his blanket to sleep.

Until, the five foals went inside of the passenger car as they're about to get ready to go to bed.

"Did you five brushed your teeth?" Twilight asked the five foals.

Comet, Apple Shine, Rose Lotus, Storm Hawk, and Winter Breeze responded with a nod which they didn't eat snacks because they've already ate their supper a few hours ago.

"Alright, I think it's time to get some shut-eye." Twilight suggested. "We've got a big day ahead of us tomorrow."

And with that, Comet lays to Twilight, Rose Lotus lays next to Pinkie Pie, both Storm Hawk and Winter Breeze flew next to Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, and Apple Shine lays next to Mario Star. Soon as Twilight turns out the lights, the four mares and Mario decided to sing them a lullaby.

The Mane 4 and Mario (Sings):

Deep in the meadow

Under the willow

A bed of grass

A soft green pillow

Lay down your head

And close your eyes

And when they open

The sun will rise

Here it's safe, and here it's warm

Here the daisies guard you from every harm

Here your dreams are sweet

And tomorrow brings them true

Here is the place where I love you

Both Rarity and Spike overheard of that song which it's quite soothing and yet sad, but the five foals are starting to get sleepy.

The Mane 4 and Mario (Sings):

Deep in the meadow, hidden far away

A cloak of leaves

A moonbeam ray

Forget your woes, and let your troubles lay

Then again it's morning, they'll wash away

Here it's safe, and here it's warm

Here the daisies guard you from every harm

Here your dreams are sweet, and tomorrow brings them true

Here is the place, where I love you

Here is the place, where I love you

And then, the four mares and Mario kissed the five foals in their foreheads as they snuggled next to each other and fall asleep through the night. Spike and Rarity now started to sleep peacefully.

A few hours later, the sun began to rise into the sky as the train continued on its path to Applelaoosa. Things were still quiet in the passenger car. The twelve ponies and a dragon were all fast asleep since it was still early in the morning, but it didn't last long as the train started to rumble. It got the ponies and Spike woke up from the big bump on the passenger car.

"Spike, get the foals somewhere safe. We'll check something out!" Twilight informed Spike.

Spike then lead the five foals to the caboose, so they'll be safe and away from harm. They then looked outside of the window to see a pack of buffalo running beside the train.

"A buffalo stampede." Twilight said.

The rest of the ponies awed in amazement as the buffalo continued to run alongside of the train.

"I just love their accessories!" Rarity said as she noticed the feathers on their heads, but Twilight and Mario are starting to worry.

"They're getting awfully close to the train." Twilight said.

Mario noticed the buffalo made their way towards the stallions who're pulling the train.

"Everypony, brace yourselves!" Mario shouts. "This is about to get bumpy!"

Then, the buffalo began to buck them from the side. And to make matters worse, the buffalos also began to buck the side of the train cars as well. Everyone inside began to shout indistinctively as they were knocked around the passenger car as one giant ball.

"I want to speak to the manager!" Rarity cried out as they bounced around.

Inside of the caboose, Spike and the three foals aren't in any better when they're sliding between left and right. Both Storm Hawk and Winter Breeze look through the window, noticing the buffalo stampede.

"What is going on?" Spike asks, holding the bed.

"It's the buffalo stampede! They're trying to ram the train to the side!" Winter Breeze said.

"Why are they doin' that?" Apple Shine asks. "We hadn't done nothin' to those critters!"

"Well, they think otherwise." Storm Hawk points out. "Whoever made the buffalo mad sure got beef on us."

"I don't think it's us, Strom Hawk." Comet said, turns to the apple tree. "They're probably coming for the apple tree."

"What?!" Spike and the four foals shout shockingly.

"Think about it, why do you think they come here to stop the train?" Comet told them. "They must have a reason why."

"I don't know, but we won't have time to think about right now." Spike said. "We need to get back with the others."

Back at the train, the stallions pulling the train managed to fend off the buffalo and the herd moved towards the back of the train. The Mane 7 looked outside again to the see the buffalo now getting on top of each other.

"Oooh, looky! Now they're doing tricks!" Pinkie Pie said.

They then noticed one small female buffalo hopped all the way on top of the buffalo so that she would get to the height of the train.

She has a light brilliant tangelo fur with light brilliant gamboge mane, dark grayish reddish-brown eyes, and dark gray hooves. She wore a white and purple headband with two feathers on it.

"Ooh! Ooh! Ooh! Now do a backflip!" Pinkie Pie said, but the female buffalo just jumps onto the train and starts heading for the caboose. "Or...just jump?"

"Hmm...Something tells me this isn't a circus act." Rainbow Dash states suspiciously.

"You might be right." Mario agrees. "Rainbow Dash, see if you can catch the buffalo and contain the stampede, we'll stay in the train. We have to find out the reason why they're trying to knock us down."

Rainbow Dash nodded as she flies out of the train car to go on top of it and then flies down in front of the female buffalo, blocking her path.

"Hey there." Rainbow said, causing the female buffalo to gasp. "Where ya headed in such a hurry?"

The female buffalo then picks up the pace which it got Rainbow Dash to jump in the air, causing the buffalo to pass through and head towards to the caboose. Rainbow Dash then chases after the female buffalo.

"Wow, you're pretty quick for someone so...bulky. No offense." Rainbow Dash said, blocks her path which left the female buffalo puzzled. "I just wanna know-"

Before Rainbow Dash could finish her sentence, the female buffalo took off.

"Hey! I'm talking to you-"

Rainbow Dash was then ignored once again as the female buffalo continued her path towards the caboose. Rainbow Dash was in front of her, but the female buffalo simply jumped high into the air, doing flips before landing on the other side.

"Whoa!" Rainbow Dash said in amazement.

She didn't think too much about it before giving a chase once more by using her wings. Rainbow Dash increased her speed to catch up to the female buffalo and was soon beside her.

"I got you now, you-"

CLANG!

Rainbow Dash flew headfirst into a railroad crossing sign. The female buffalo had ducked between the last coach and the caboose as Rainbow Dash tried to grab her. She smirked to herself before uncoupling the caboose from the train. The female buffalo gave a loud whistle as the herd of buffalo surrounded the caboose and began to take it away. The other ponies gasped in shock.

"They've got Bloomberg!" Applejack exclaimed.

It was then Spike run towards the window in panic.

"Heeeelp!" Spike cried out.

"And Spike!" Twilight said.

"And our children!" Fluttershy adds in panic.

They were about to panic with they saw Comet lit up his horn to try and stop the caboose which he's starting to struggle. The female buffalo jumped through the window and knocked Comet unconscious, much to Twilight and the others horror, but they could only watch as the train took them further away from their foals. Rainbow Dash got up from the ground in pain and saw Spike and the five foals in the caboose, getting pulled away by the herd of buffalo.

"Dragon-napping, Spike, foal-napping the children, and most importantly, my son!?" Rainbow Dash grunted. "I'll show her! I'll teach when somepony foalnaps my boy!?"

It was then the pain from her head throbbed a bit, causing Rainbow Dash to wince.

Meanwhile, the rest of the ponies, except Pinkie Pie who somehow disappeared, finally arrived to Appleloosa which was a large Western-like small town. As soon as the train came to a stop, the ponies rush out of the train and they immediately run into Braeburn.

Braeburn has a light gold fur coat with brilliant gamboge mane and tail with brilliant amber highlights, and brilliant pistachio eyes. He had a big red apple cutie mark. He wore a western hat and western vest.

"Hey there!" Braeburn said cheerfully. "Welcome to A-A-ppleloosa!"

"Braeburn, listen-" Applejack said, but was cut off.

"Cousin Applejack, mind yer manners." Braeburn interrupts. "You have yet ta introduce me to yer compadres! Shame on you!"

"Braeburn, listen, this is serious. Something bad happened-" Mario said firmly, but cut off.

"Terrible is right, your train is full seven minutes late!" Braeburn said firmly before giving them a top smile. "That's seven minutes less for you to delight in the pleasures and wonders of...A-A-ppleloosa."

Everypony sees that the ponies in Appleloosa were like Braeburn wearing western attire. Braeburn then quickly pushes the four mares and Mario to a different location in Appleloosa.

"Boggles the mind, we settler ponies built all this in just the past year, don't it?!" Braeburn exclaims happily. "And as you can see, we have all of the finest comforts. Like horse-drawn carriages!"

The ponies look to see a stallion named Black Stone pulling the carriage until he stops.

"Okay, you pull now."

Another stallion named Noteworthy then emerged from the window of the carriage.

"Aww, we just switched!"

"And those there are horse-drawn horse-drawn carriages." Braeburn continued.

The four mares and Mario then see some ponies drawing some of the carriages on canvases.

"Listen, Braeburn, we-!"

Applejack was cut off again as Braeburn pushes them to another location in Appleloosa where they are now in front of a building that gives salt.

"And here's our local waterin' hole, the Salt Block." Braeburn told them.

A pony named Morton Saltworthy kicks another pony out of the Salt Block who goes by the name of Ol' Salt.

"That's enough salt for you!"

"Can't I at least...get a glass of water?"

As soon as Morton Saltworthy went back inside, Braeburn pushes the ponies to another building that was the office of the sheriff.

"Over there's the office of Sheriff Silverstar." Braeburn announces.

Sheriff Silverstar was an Earth Pony who had grayish amber fur coat with dark amber mane, tail, and black mustache, and very light amber eyes. His cutie mark was a silver sheriff star. He wore a moderate cerulean blue vest, brilliant amaranth ascot, and mulberryish black hat.

Braeburn once again pushes the ponies and this time, it was at the open field where a bunch of ponies were doing a Western-style dances and another open field where ponies were dancing in a more slow pace.

"And here's where we have our wild west dances!" Braeburn continued. "And here's where we have our mild west dances!"

"But Braeburn, we-"

Once again Mario was cut off when Braeburn pushes them one last time for them to see the apple orchard in front of them.

"And here's the most wonderful sight in all of...A-A-A-ppleloosa!" Braeburn announced proudly. "Our apple orchard."

However, both Applejack and Mario Star were losing their patience.

"Braeburn!"

"First harvest should be any day now." Braeburn told them, not listening.

"Braebu-"

"Good thing too!"

"Brae-"

"'Cause we need that grub to live on!"

"BRAEBURN!" Applejack and Mario shouted loudly.

"Uh, yes?" Braeburn asked, finally listened.

"You have a very nice town and all, but we have a hu-uge problem!" Applejack told him firmly. "Some of our friends are missin'!"

"A stamped of buffalo." Fluttershy said, flew next to Braeburn which it got his attention.

"They took Spike!" Rarity added behind him.

"And our children!" Mario adds.

"Rainbow Dash went after them!" Twilight said quickly.

"And we can't find Pinkie Pie!" Fluttershy said.

"And we had an apple tree with us for your orchard, but they took that too!" Applejack said.

"Did you say...buffalo?" Braeburn asked as he was overlooking the orchard with a sigh. "Them buffalo, they want us settler ponies to take every single tree you see here off this land. They sure as hay don't want any new ones added in."

"But why?" Fluttershy asked.

"Beats me." Braeburn answered. "We put a lot of hard work into this land, so we can feed our town, our families, our foals! And now, they're sayin' all these trees have ta go? T'ain't fair..."

The ponies had sympathetic looks for Braeburn about the situation that Appleloosa was in with the buffalo.

"Have you tried asking the Sheriff about this?" Mario asked his cousin.

"I did, but he's just as clueless as I am." Braeburn answered, causing Mario to sigh.

"The hope we have right now is for Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie. They're still searching for the foals and Spike." Mario said.

"What do you mean?" Braeburn asked curiously.

"Think about it, if your foal is foal-napped with somepony you don't know, how would you feel?" Mario inquires.

Braeburn then thought about it for a few seconds, but soon realize what Mario is telling him which he begins to understand that.

"Well, if I found out about it, I'd be upset...and worried..." Braeburn answered. "And with Applejack mentioned about the foals went missin, especially with mah little cousin, Ah'm gettin' worried."

"We all are." Applejack said. "Ah just hope Rainbow and Pinkie find our children...and soon."

Back at the desert, Rainbow Dash was already deep into the buffalo territory and was slowly making her way towards the buffalo campgrounds. Rainbow Dash was sneaking around with some rocks to try her best to play it safe and not getting caught.

"Ooh, I can't wait to get on my hooves on that little buffalo..." Rainbow Dash grunted, but then recoiled she's still having a concussion after crashed into the crossroad sign, causing her to wince in pain. "Nopony tricks Rainbow Dash and gets away with it."

"Boo!" Pinkie Pie said, causing Rainbow Dash to yelp when she jumped and tumbled into her back before she saw her.

"Pinkie Pie!" Rainbow Dash exclaims.

"Aww, ya caught me!" Pinkie Pie said. "Looks like I tricked you and didn't get away with it either. You're good!"

"Shhshh!" Rainbow Dash shushed her, covering her mouth. "What do you think you're doing? You gotta get out of here!"

"I do?" Pinkie Pie asked in a clueless tone.

"You're gonna blow my cover." Rainbow Dash said, trying to keep her voice down. "And in case you hadn't noticed, your daughter, Rose, is foal-napped!"

"WHAT?!" Pinkie Pie shouts in panic, but her face is starting to grow enraged. "NOPONY TAKES MY DAUGHTER AND GETS AWAY WITH IT!?"

"Pinkie Pie, chill out! That's why I'm here for, to get our foals back!" Rainbow Dash said, tried to reason with her. "And if you don't quiet down, then the chance of us getting...caught."

And just like that, the heard of buffalo quickly surrounded the two mares. Both Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie now turned into a serious expression on their faces, mostly Pinkie Pie looking at the buffalo with an angry mother look.

"I'm going to ask one time...Where. Is. My. Daughter?!" Pinkie Pie growled angrily.

"AND WHERE'S MY BOY!?" Rainbow Dash adds with an angry shout. "If either of you harm our kids, so help me, all of you are in so much trouble!"

The herd of buffalo couldn't help but flinch and trembled a little when they're looking at the two angry mothers. But they regained their composure as they're about to charge after them when a familiar voice was heard.

"Stop!" The voice of Spike said as he emerged out of the dust, perfectly fine. "Dash, Pinkie, sup? Hey, no worries, I know those guys. They're cool."

"If you say so, Spike. Catch ya later, bro."

One of the buffalo hoof bumped Spike and they then run back to where they originally were coming from, which confused Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie.

Later that night, Spike led them to where the herd of buffalo live, and they sat around the campfire with Spike explaining what happened.

"Seems like they took me and the foals by mistake." Spike explaining. "And they feel awful about it too, poor guys. Fortunately, they totally respect dragons, so they treated me like an honored guest. Still don't like ponies much, though...but you're with me, so it's cool."

Spike snapped his fingers for the buffalo to bring the two mares some food and arrive back with some bowls of slob. Rainbow Dash sniffed the slob and instantly pushed it away, thinking it's bad. Pinkie Pie, however, was enjoying the slob as she ate the entire bowl.

"Huh. Well, I still don't trust them." Rainbow Dash said bitterly, but remembered why she and Pinkie Pie are here. "What about the foals?"

"We're right here." The voice of Comet said as he, Apple Shine, Rose Lotus, Storm Hawk, and Winter Breeze arrived at the campfire which it got Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie gasped.

"Storm Hawk/Rosey!" Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie said happily, tackled their foals with a hug.

"Storm Hawk, I'm so worried what would happen to you." Rainbow said, almost crying.

"I'm sorry, mom." Storm Hawk apologizes, hugging his mother.

"Rosey, I was so worried about you." Pinkie Pie said to her daughter.

Rose Lotus can only respond by hugging her mother, tried to comfort her.

"The tribe of the buffalos not only respect the dragons, but they know about Wild Heart." Comet explains when Wild Heart appeared. "They've been on good terms to one another."

"Wild Heart! What are you doing here?" Rainbow Dash asks shockingly.

"I was making my journey back to my homeland in the mountains to meet Chief Tanana, but what stopped me was when I noticed a herd of the buffalo tribes pulling the caboose." Wild Heart explains. "I noticed my student was in trouble. So, I decided to go to their home and try to find out why they're taking the foals, but Chief Thunderhooves didn't know that Spike and the foals are inside which it causes a misunderstanding."

"And how did you know about this 'Chief Thunderhooves'?" Rainbow Dash questions skeptically.

"Chief Thunderhooves is an old friend of mine years ago." Wild Heart explains. "I came here occasionally to listen to his traditional running grounds before making my long journey to the mountains."

"Why is that?" Rainbow Dash questions again.

"Because the ceremony is coming up, Rainbow Dash." Comet cuts in. "A ceremony where ponies at the age of a teen gets to have a totem and how it represents."

"And if I remember, Sitka is about to have his totem in a few days." Wild Heart adds. "But as if right now, I'm afraid we're going to meet up with Chief Thunderhooves. He will tell us the reason why you're all here."

Later on, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Wild Heart, Spike and the five foals gathered around a campfire as they had the young female buffalo named Little Strongheart and the leader of the buffalo tribe, Chief Thunderhooves in front of them. Of course, Rainbow Dash recognized Little Strongheart in an instant which it got her angry, but Wild Heart told her to hear them out. Rainbow Dash can only reply with a huff which Little Strongheart explains that the buffalo tribe were able to take care of the foals by feeding them with milk. Pinkie Pie was thankful, but Rainbow Dash still doesn't trust her.

Chief Thunderhooves has a dark blue violetish gray fur coat with black eyes. He wore an Indian war bonnet on his head.

"We have a long and winding stampeding trail that we have run upon for many generations." Chief Thunderhooves told them, but the buffalo tribe are starting to grow bored and sleepy. "My father stampeded upon these grounds, and his father before him, and his father before him, and his father before him, and his father before him, and-"

"I think they get the idea, Chief." Little Strongheart interrupted, causing Chief Thunderhooves huffed.

"It is a sacred tradition to run the path every year. But this year, these...settler ponies...these...Appleloosans!" Chief Thunderhooves snorted angrily until Little Strongheart made him stop by covering his nose.

"They planted apple trees all over it without asking our permission." Little Strongheart finished his sentence.

"Well, that's not very nice." Pinkie Pie said. "Right, Rainbow Dash?"

Rainbow Dash can only respond by pout and sat on the ground with her arms crossed.

"They can't take someponies land without permission. That is called stealing." Rose Lotus points out with a frown.

"Did you ask them?" Comet asked.

"Yes, but the ponies refused to move their trees, so we are stuck here, and it's not fair!" Little Strongheart answered.

"And that's the reason why they're taking the apple tree and why they want the Appleloosans to move them out." Storm Hawk said, turns to Rainbow Dash. "Don't you agree, Mom?"

Rainbow Dash then flies up and back down, giving the buffalo tribe a stern look which made them gasp. She then turns to Storm Hawk and gives him the same look with a smile.

"Son, I'll say they had a good reason!" Rainbow Dash said, flew to her son and hugged him.

Storm Hawk smiled back at seeing that Rainbow Dash finally trusts the buffalo tribe, hugging his mother back. Rainbow Dash and Wild Heart are going to be explaining to the Appleloosans about why the buffalo tribe needed the trees down.

"By morning, we will have the Appleloosans to negotiate." Wild Heart suggests.

The next morning, the Mane 4, Mario, and Braeburn were outside of Appleloosa to begin the search for the two mares and the five foals. Applejack was currently tying Rarity's saddlebag on, it could be debated that it's against her will to tag along. But Mario was able to convince Rarity that their godson still hadn't return which it's enough for her to come.

"Ow! Gently, please!" Rarity groaned as Applejack pulled the strap harder.

"Sorry, Rarity, but our friends and our children are out there and we have ta' be ready for a long hike into buffalo territory if we're gonna save 'em!" Applejack points out, looking at the desert. "Let's go!"

Everypony began to make their way down the hill they were on. However to their surprise, they noticed Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Wild Heart, and the five foals were right in front of them which made them gasp.

"Comet/Winter/Apple Shine!" Twilight, Fluttershy, and Applejack shouted, zipping their way to their foals and hugging them.

"My little snow fairy, I was worried." Fluttershy cried.

"Comet, I was worried about you." Twilight adds.

"Apple Shine, Ah'm so worried what would happen to you!" Applejack adds in tears.

Comet, Winter Breeze, and Apple Shine can only respond by hugging their mothers with a smile on their faces, comforting them. Mario approaches Wild Heart.

"I thank you bringing our children back, Wild Heart." Mario thanked him with a grateful smile on his face.

"I didn't bring them here; we've had some help." Wild Heart explains, then turns to the rock. "You can come out, Little Strongheart."

And with that, Little Strongheart jumped out of her hiding place and stood before them, causing the ponies to gasp when they saw her.

"We promised the buffalo a chance to talk." Rainbow Dash said.

"Oh yeah? 'Bout what?" Applejack asked rather defensively.

"We brought our new pal Little Strongheart here to explain to the Appleloosans why they should move their apple trees from buffalo land." Rainbow Dash explains.

"That information would be quite help-"

But Braeburn was cut off when Applejack got in front of him.

"That's weird." Applejack said sternly, pushing Braeburn into Little Strongheart. "'Cause mah cousin Braeburn here wants to explain to the buffalo why they should let the apple trees stay."

Mario, Wild Heart, and the five foals had a feeling that both Applejack and Rainbow Dash are doing the talking instead of letting Little Strongheart and Braeburn doing it. Apparently, they both had a reason why they need the land, but this argument isn't going to get anywhere.

"That would be a useful thing to-"

But Little Strongheart was cut off by Rainbow Dash.

"The land is theirs!" Rainbow Dash said sternly. "You planted the trees not knowing that. Honest mistake. Now, you just gotta move 'em, that's all."

"Well...huh..." Braeburn stuttered sheepishly.

"They busted their rumps here!" Applejack retorted. "An' now they're supposed ta bust their rumps again, just cause some buffalo won't stampede someplace else?"

Applejack and Rainbow Dash were now at each other's faces arguing.

"Plant the trees somewhere else!" Rainbow Dash said straight to the point.

"Where?! It's the only flatland around these parts!" Applejack shot back.

"The buffalo had it first!" Rainbow Dash yelled.

"The settler ponies need it to live!" Applejack yelled back.

"Come on, Applejack!"

"Yer bein' unreasonable!"

"I put my hoof down!"

"STOP IT YOU TWO!"

Both Mario and Wild Heart had enough as they separate Rainbow Dash and Applejack from each other with magic as everypony is now giving Mario and Wild Heart their undivided attention.

"Look, we get the point." Mario said sternly. "We're in quite the dilemma. We've got two tribes that need the land that could very much affect their live if they don't have it. The buffalo's private territory and the Appleloosans food supply. There must be some way we can resolve this situation."

Pinkie Pie then jumps in the air before falling to the ground with the thud.

"Hey! I've got an idea!" Pinkie Pie said excitedly.

"What is it?" Rose Lotus asked curiously.

Pinkie Pie then whispers something in Rose Lotus' ear as when she was finished, the gypsy filly gives her mother a weird look.

"Are you sure you want to do that?" Rose Lotus questions.

"Come on, what's the harm in at least trying." Pinkie Pie said to her daughter.

Mario, Wild Heart, and the four foals aren't going to like what Pinkie Pie is planning.

Later on, a crowd was formed in front of a tiny stage as it involved the Appleloosans, the buffalo tribe, the five foals, the Mane 6, Mario, and Wild Heart in the crowd. Sheriff Silverstar and Chief Thunderhooves glared at each other before the piano was heard and the curtains were drawn and Pinkie Pie emerges from a clam in a dress. Pinkie Pie then did something that just give everypony, except Mario, Wild Heart, and the five foals, dumbfounded looks as she began to sing.

Pinkie Pie (Sings):

We may be divided

But of you all, I beg

To remember we're all hoofed

At the end of each leg

Pinkie Pie was helped out of the shell by two background ponies. Pinkie Pie then bounced twice on her hooves and pulled the lips of a random buffalo as she sang the next part. She even popped out of the top of the piano Spike was playing. The others just looked at each other.

Pinkie Pie (Sings):

No matter what the issue

Come from whatever you please

All this fighting gets you nothing

But hoof-and-mouth disease

Arguing's not the way

Hey, come out and play!

It's a shiny new day, new day

So, what do you say?

Pinkie Pie then began to do the can-can on her hind legs.

Pinkie Pie (Sings):

You gotta share

You gotta care

It's the right thing to do

You gotta share

You gotta care

And there'll always be a way through

Pinkie Pie then appeared between Sheriff Silverstar and Little Strongheart, hugged them, and then shoved apples into their mouths. Pinkie Pie then sang the chorus and was doing the can-can with several ponies.

Pinkie Pie (Sings):

But our diet, I should mention

Are completely vegetarian

We all eat hay and oats

Why be at each other's throats?

You gotta share

You gotta care

It's the right thing to do

And there'll always be a way

Throooooooooooooooough!

The song was completed with a cheerleading style pyramid with Pinkie Pie standing on her hind legs at the very top. All of the ponies were silent, except for Spike, who's the only one applauding the performance. Twilight and Mario looked at each other and face hooved.

"All right, Pinkie Pie!" Spike cheered. "That was fantastic! What a great song! Yeah, right on!"

Though, the five foals think otherwise while Sheriff Silverstar and Chief Thunderhooves just looked at each other and nodded.

"It appears that Sheriff Silverstar and I have come to...an agreement." Chief Thunderhooves said.

"We have." Sheriff Silverstar said as well.

The other ponies all looked at them hopefully.

"That was the worst performance we've ever seen." Chief Thunderhooves concluded.

"Teh...Abso-tively!" Sheriff Silverstar agreed.

Pinkie Pie and Spike frowned at that as the song didn't get to their heads at all.

"The time for action is upon us!" Chief Thunderhooves said as he got into Sheriff Silverstar's face. "Our stampede will start at high noon tomorrow. And if the orchard is still there, we'll flatten it...and the whole town!"

Everypony gasped at that idea as Little Strongheart decided to intervene and so does Mario Star.

"But, Chief..." Little Strongheart protested.

"That's going too far!" Mario adds.

"An' we Appleloosans say you'd better bring yer best, 'cause we'll be ready and waitin'." Sheriff Silverstar replied, getting into Chief Thunderhooves face, and pushed him away.

Braeburn then tries to intervene.

"But, Sheriff..." Braeburn protested.

"UUUUUUUWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Comet screamed loudly, using his magic to scream like a banshee which it got both Sheriff Silverstar and Chief Thunderhooves and everypony covering their ears from the high-pitched scream.

Soon as the scream stop, everypony turns to Comet which he had enough.

"Stop it! Fighting and forcing everypony to leave isn't the answer! It'll only make it worse and the path of hatred will escalate further!" Comet shouted sternly, but his eyes started to fill in tears. "And neither of us wanted that! And we don't need to start this pointless fight!"

They can tell that Comet Stardust is being serious and they knew that he's making a valid point when the four foals looked at the two along with Wild Heart. Comet then walk towards Chief Thunderhooves as he spoke.

"Chief Thunderhooves, before you and your tribe start the fight, please, hear me out." Comet pleads. "I may not know this land, but I know enough of the history conflict that's been happening in my old world. And I know a solution that doesn't involved in this pointless fight that'll cause the ponies to leave Appleloosa...or worse. Please, let me try something that will convince you and your tribe to not start the fight."

Chief Thunderhooves is a bit skeptical of Comet pleading, but he turns to Wild Heart.

"I know we've been friends for a long time, but know this, Comet is my student." Wild Heart told him. "You'll have to trust him."

And then no sooner than later, Chief Thunderhooves then sighed.

"Very well, Comet Stardust." Chief Thunderhooves replied. "What do you have something in mind?"

Comet Stardust then come up with an idea as he turns to Applejack and Mario.

"Applejack, Mario? Can you two make an apple pie for Chief Thunderhooves and his tribe?" Comet asks.

Applejack and Mario was confused of the reason, but they gave him a nod as they and the Appleloosans began to head for the orchard. Twilight then walk towards her son.

"What are you doing?" Twilight asks.

"Trust me, it'll work." Comet told her.

"I hope you know what you're doing." Twilight said.

After few minutes, the Appleloosans baked some apple pies at the bakery. Chief Thunderhooves and his tribe were waiting for the apple pies, but the Appleloosans gathered as they offered the apple pies to the herd of buffalo.

"What is this?" Chief Thunderhooves asks.

"Taste it...please?" Comet said, pleading.

Chief Thunderhooves sighed and then did exactly what he asked to do as he took a bite of the apple pie. After a few seconds of tasting the apple pie, Chief Thunderhooves immediately ate the rest of the apple pie that Comet suggested.

"Yum!" Chief Thunderhooves said with a smile, then turns to Comet. "Comet Stardust, you have given me a much better idea than having us battle it out."

"I have?" Comet asks surprisingly.

"Indeed." Chief Thunderhooves replied. "We...will allow the apple orchard to stay in exchange for a share of its fruit, those...delicious apple pies!"

Everypony cheered at this and Twilight Sparkle gave her son a hug.

"I'm so proud of you, Comet." Twilight said with a smile. "You save both the buffalo's territory and the Appleloosa."

Comet then gave his mother a hug in return while the Mane 5 and the five foals joined in for a group hug, congratulating him.

Later on, the Appleloosans cut down some trees in the apple orchard into a long road and when that was finished, Applejack whistles for Rainbow Dash to give the signal to the buffalo tribe that they can run through the orchard, and as they run through, some ponies gave them the apple pies for the road as they run through. They even give back the apple tree as it was planted on the hill.

"Bloomberg, this is yer special day." Applejack said. "Mama's so proud of you!"

Mario and Apple Shine couldn't help but rolled their eyes at that.

"You have done well, Comet Stardust." Wild Heart said with a smile, watching them from a far hill as he then began to make his journey. "And someday, your path will lead to the Great Spirits."

The buffalo tribe gave them thanks to the Appleloosans before running off, Little Strongheart decided to wave one last goodbye to Rainbow Dash and Applejack, and place the feathers on Comet's head before joining her tribe once again. Twilight then thinks of a letter to write to Princess Celestia.

'Dear Princess Celestia,

Friendship is a wonderous and powerful thing. Even the worst of enemies can be friends. You need understanding and compromise. You've got to share. you've got to care.'

And Twilight was right, compromise both sharing and caring.

"Hey! That's what I said!" Pinkie Pie yelled.

That's it for 33rd chapter.

Consider this chapter as an early Christmas present to all of you. And I hope all of you have a wonderful Merry Christmas.