It was a normal day at Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack and Big Mcintosh, who was a red stallion with and orange mane and tail and green Macintosh cutie mark, were out in the field.
"Boy howdy! I got my work cut out for me." Said Applejack. "That there is the biggest bumper crop o' apples I ever laid eyes on."
"Eeyup." Said Big Mac. "Too big for you to handle on your own."
"Come on, big brother. You need to rest up and get yourself better." Said Applejack. "I haven't met an apple orchard yet that I can't handle." She gave him a light punch on his injury. "Oops, sorry. I'll take a bite out of this job by day's end."
"Biting off more than you can chew is just what I'm afraid of." Big Mac said.
"Are you sayin' my mouth is keeping promises my legs can't keep?" Asked Applejack.
"Eeyup." Said Big Mac.
"Why of all the, this is your sister Applejack, remember?." She asked. "The loyalest of friends and the most dependable of ponies?"
"But still only one pony." Big Mac reminded her. "And one pony plus hundreds of apple trees just add up."
"Don't you use your fancy mathematics to muddy the issue." AJ said. "I said I could handle this harvest and I'm gonna prove it to you. I'm gonna get every last apple out of those trees this applebuck season all by myself." Applejack vowed. But then she gulped and looked nervous when seeing how big the orchard was.
AJ then went in the orchard. "Well I better get kickin'." She said. "These apples aren't gonna shake themselves outta the trees."
Then suddenly the ground began shaking and an apple fell from the tree and bonked AJ on the head. "Hey."
But then she realized what this meant. "Oh no."
Back in Ponyville they also felt the shaking and Rainbow Dash, who was in the air saw what was happening. "STAMPEDE!"
Yes a heard of cows was stampeding towards the town. Everypony began panicking. Except for Pinkie Pie who was being moved by the stampede vibrations.
"This makes my voice sound silly." She pointed out.
"Pinkie Pie are you crazy?!" Asked Twilight.
"Run!" Luna shouted.
Then Mayor Mare appeared. "Everypony calm down." The Mayor said. "There's no need to panic." She assured them.
"But mayor whatever shall we do?" Asked Rarity.
"Look." Said Luna.
Then they all looked to see Applejack and her dog Winona rounding up the herd. "YEEHAW!" Cheered Applejack. "Winona put 'em up." She ordered. Eventually they had rounded up all the cows.
"Now what was all that about?" Asked Applejack.
A cow began to speak. "Oh my, begging your pardon Applejack." She said. "But we saw one of those nasty snakes and it just gave us the willies, don't ya know?"
"I completely understand." Said Applejack. "Just next time try and steer clear of Ponyville."
"We certainly will Applejack." Said the cow as the heard left. "So long Winona."
The ponies then cheered for Applejack.
"Yeehaw, ride 'em cowpony." Cheered Pinkie.
"Applejack was just, just..." The Mayor started but Pinkie cut her off.
"Appletastic."
"Exactly." Agreed The Mayor. "We must do something to thank Applejack for single hoofedly saving the town."
"I know." Said Pinkie "A party!"
One week later the town was having a celebration for Applejack.
"We all ready?" Asked Twilight.
"Just one last thing." Said Rarity. She then used her magic to hang up a banner. "Now we're ready."
"Is Applejack all set?" Asked Twilight.
"Actually, I haven't seen her all week." Said Rainbow.
"Not since the stampede." Said Luna.
"But she'll be here for sure." Rainbow Dash reassured them. "Applejack is never late."
Soon the ceremony began and Twilight was on the stage. "Welcome everypony! Today we are here to honor a pony we can always count on to help in matters great and small. A pony whose contributions to-" But Rainbow Dash interrupted her.
"Did you see Applejack's slick moves out there?" She asked. "What an athlete, this week she's gonna help me with my new flying trick and I know it's gonna be so awesome."
Twilight then took her spot back. "Exactly and-" But Pinkie interrupted her. "This week I get to run Sugar Cube corner for the first time."
"What does that have to do with Applejack?" Twilight asked.
"Oh. Applejack, one of the best bakers ever, is gonna help me." Explained Pinkie. "Applejack makes everything great, so free samples for everypony."
Everypony cheered at this.
"Okay that's great, now if I could just make a point without being-" But as Twilight spoke Fluttershy whispered to her. "Interrupted."
"Twilight I'm so sorry but I just wanted to mention that Applejack is also helping me this week with the official bunny census, where we count up all the new baby bunnies that were born this season." Fluttershy explained. "She's gonna help gather them using her wonderful herding skills."
Twilight just looked annoyed as Fluttershy left. "Anyone else, anyone? No? Well then as I was trying to say..." But then The Mayor showed up. "Urgh. Never mind." Said Twilight getting off the stage.
The Mayor then began to spoke. "And so with no further ado, it is my privilege to give the prize Pony of Ponyville Award, to our beloved guest of honor, a pony of the utmost trustworthiness, reliability, and integrity. Ponyville's most capable and dependable friend, Applejack." The crowd cheered. But when the curtain opened Applejack wasn't there.
This confused everyone.
"Awkward." Said Spike.
"Someone did tell Applejack about this right?" Asked Luna.
"I'm here. I'm here." They all saw Applejack walking in the crowd only she seemed exhausted. "Miss Mayor, thank you very much for this here award thingy." Said Applejack before yawning. "It sure is bright and shiny." AJ then saw her reflection in the trophy and laughed. "I sure do look funny." She and Pinkie then made funny faces before AJ decided to leave.
"Okay." Said Twilight. "Well thank you for saving us from that scary stampede and always being there for everypony."
"Yeah well I like helping ponyfolks and stuff." AJ said yawning. "Uh, yeah, thanks." She then took the trophy and left.
"Was it just me?" Asked Twilight. "Or did Applejack seem a little-"
"Tired?" Said Rainbow.
"Dizzy?" Said Fluttershy.
"Sleepy?" Said Luna.
"Messy?" Said Rarity which earned her looks. "Well did you see her mane?"
"She seemed fine to me." Said Pinkie. "Woo, Woo!"
Twilight disagreed.
Later back at Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack was busy bucking more apples while also very tired. When Twilight and Luna showed up.
"What on Earth is that pony doing?" Asked Twilight.
"I think she's harvesting apples." Suggested Luna.
"Hey Applejack." Called Twilight but she didn't hear her.
"Applejack." Cried Luna but that didn't work either so Twilight teleported herself and Luna infront of her. She had fallen asleep.
"Applejack!" They said in unison.
This jolted her awake. "Howdy Twilight, Luna."
"What is all this?" Asked Luna.
"It's Applebuck Season." AJ answered. She walked off so Twilight teleported herself and Luna to her again.
"Apple-what season? Asked Twilight.
"It's what the Apple family calls harvest time." Explained Applejack. "We gather all the apples from the trees so we can sell 'em." AJ walked away so Twi teleported herself and Luna again.
"But why are you doing it all alone?" Asked Twilight.
"Cuz Big Mcintosh hurt himself." AJ revealed. Twi and Luna teleported to her again.
"What about all those other relatives we met when we first came to Ponyville?" Asked Luna. "Can't they help?"
"They were just here for the Apple family reunion." AJ explained. "They actually live all over Equestria and are busy harvestin' their own orchards." AJ walked away. "So, uh, I'm on my own" Twi and Luna teleported again.
"Which means, I should probably get back to work." AJ said. Twilight and Luna didn't budge. "Ahem, get back to work, get the hint you two?"
"Fine." Said Luna. She and Twilight stepped aside.
"Um, Twilight, Luna, could you girls step aside?" Applejack asked.
"We just did." Said Twilight.
"You don't look so good." Said Luna.
"Oh, don't any of you worry." Said AJ. "I'm just fine and dandy."
"I beg to differ." Said Luna.
"Do you, want some help?" Asked Twilight.
"Help?" Said Applejack. "No way, no how?"
"But there's no way you can do it all on your own." Said Luna. "This place is huge!"
"Is that a challenge?!" Asked Applejack.
"No." Said Luna.
"Well, I'm gonna prove to you that I can do it." Applejack vowed. "Now if you'll excuse me, I've got apples to buck."
Twilight and Luna were not so sure about this.
Later Rainbow Dash was waiting for Applejack.
"There you are." Said Rainbow.
"I'm a mite sorry Rainbow. I was busy applebuckin' and I guess I closed my eyes for a second and when I woke up, I was late." Applejack explained herself. "Now, what's this new trick of yours?"
Rainbow Dash then showed Applejack some catapult type contraption. "See this contraption?"
"Uh, yeah."
"Well I'm gonna stand on one end, then you're gonna jump down from that platform, launching me into the air faster than I can take off on my own." Rainbow instructed. "Once I'm in the air, I'm gonna do some amazing flips and spins that are sure to impress the Wonderbolts." She explained.
"Isn't that a mite dangerous?" AJ asked.
"Not for a pony who can fly." Bragged Dash.
"Well alrighty then." Said Applejack. She climbed onto the platform, but she was so tired that she couldn't see clearly.
"Ready?" Asked Rainbow. "One, two, three."
But AJ missed her mark and landed on the ground.
"Uh, maybe I wasn't clear." Said Rainbow. "You're supposed to land on the other end."
"Got it."
AJ then tried a few other times but kept missing. Rainbow Dash got annoyed. "Applejack what the hay is going on?" She asked. "I thought I was working with Ponyville's best athlete."
"You are." Applejack reassured. "I'm okay really." Then she got an idea. "I have an idea. Watch this." She used her hoofs on the catapult which made it seem like a seesaw.
"Ta-da." Dash was just annoyed. "Okay maybe not. Okay one more try. I'm sure to get it this time." She readjusted the catapult. She climbed back on the platform. "Here I go." This time she was ready but Dash wasn't. "Wait..." But it was too late and Dash was sent flying.
"APPLEJAAAAAACK!"
"You're welcome."
Meanwhile at the Golden Oaks Library, Luna and Twilight were on the balcony when Rainbow Dash crashed on the bars.
"Can we help you?" Asked Twilight.
"I think somepony else needs your help." Said Rainbow.
"Applejack?" Luna said.
"Yep." Said Dash.
Back at Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack was bucking apples again. But she was so tired that she hit her head on a branch. Then Twilight and Luna showed up.
"Applejack can we talk?" Asked Twilight. But AJ was so tired she couldn't even hear right.
"Can bees squawk?" She said. "No I don't think so."
"No can we talk?" Twi repeated herself. But Applejack still didn't hear right.
"Twenty stalks?" She said. "Bean or celery?"
"No we need to talk to you." Said Luna.
"You need to walk to the zoo?" Asked Applejack. "Well who's stopping you?"
"We need to talk to you!" They said in unison.
"Oh well why didn't you say so?" She asked which annoyed them. "What you girls wanna talk about?"
"Rainbow Dash dropped in to see us today." Said Twilight.
"Well that was mite neighborly of her." Said Applejack.
"Yes." Said Luna. "Except she crashed onto our balcony after you launched her into the air."
"Oh yeah." Said Applejack. "I wasn't feeling quite myself this morning."
"Because you're working too hard and need help." Said Twilight.
"And rest." Added Luna.
"Kelp and a dress?" Said Applejack. "I don't eat kelp, I don't even like seaweed, and Rarity is the one who makes dresses."
"HELP AND REST! YOU NEED HELP AND REST!" Shouted Twilight while Luna just face palmed.
"Nothin' doin', Twilight and Luna." AJ said. "I'm gonna prove to you, to everypony, that I can do this on my own." She said before bumping into the same branch again. "Ow. Now if you'll excuse me. I've gotta go help Pinkie Pie." She then left. Luna and Twilight just looked unsure.
Later at Sugarcube Corner the cakes were getting ready to leave and Pinkie was in charge.
"Now Pinkie Pie." Said Mrs. Cake, who was a blue Earth Pony with a pink mane and tail, and three cupcakes as her cutie mark. "Are you sure you're up for baking the muffins and running the store this afternoon?"
"Yes siree, Mrs. Cake." Said Pinkie. "Plus, I have Ponyville's prized pony to help me out." She reminded them. "Why, she's the best baker ever, right, Applejack?"
But AJ was so tired she shook her head.
"No?" Asked Mr. Cake, who was a yellow Earth Pony with an orange mane and tail, who's cutie mark was three brownies. "You're not the best baker ever?"
"What?" Said AJ. "No, I mean don't you fret, I can bake anything from fritters to pie in the blink of an eye."
"All right." Said Mrs. Cake. "Well see you girls later." The Cakes then left.
AJ was still shaking. "Stop with the shaking, it's time to get baking." Said Pinkie.
Later the two were in the kitchen working on muffins. But Applejack was still to tired to hear anything right.
"Alrighty." Said Pinkie. "I'll get the sugar and eggs, can you get me some chocolate chips?"
But all AJ heard was chips. "Chips, got it. Potato chips, a little salty and dry." She found them and put them in the batter.
"Baking soda." Said Pinkie.
But all Applejack heard was soda.
"Soda, perfect." She said grabbing the soda and mixing it in the batter. "That'll get the chips nice and wet."
"A cup of flour." Said Pinkie.
"A cup of sour?" Said Applejack. "Well lemons are sour." She got some lemons and put them in the batter.
"One last thing, wheat germ." Said Pinkie.
"Wheat worms?" Said AJ. "Oh, must be fancy talk for earthworms."
She went out and got some worms and put them in the batter.
"Now that's gonna be delicious." Said Pinkie.
"If you say so." Said Applejack.
Later the muffins were cooked and were being given.
"Free muffin sample spectacular." Said Pinkie.
Ponies began grabbing free samples.
"Yeah. Muffin spectacles." Said Applejack. "Get 'em while they're hot."
Later Twilight, Spike, and Luna went to the doctors.
"We came as soon as we heard." Said Twilight.
"Thank you Luna and Twilight." Said the nurse. "We need all the help we can get."
They all saw a bunch of sick ponies who had all eaten the muffins.
"Oh no." Said Luna.
"How did this happen?" Asked Twilight.
"It was a mishap with those baked goods." Said the nurse.
"No not baked goods." Said Pinkie sickly. "Baked bads."
Twilight then came to a realization. "Applejack." She said angrily.
Then she and Luna saw Spike eating the muffins. "Want one?"
Later at Sweet Apple Acres, AJ was working again. She was currently carrying a wagon with apples in it, when Luna and Twilight showed up.
"Applejack, we need to talk." Said Twilight.
But AJ had fallen asleep.
"Applejack!" Said Luna.
"Wuh, oh it's you guys." She said. "I know what you're both gonna say and the answer is still no."
"Not to upset your applecart but you need help." Twilight said.
"Hardy har." Said AJ. "No I don't."
"Let us help you." Said Luna.
"No thanks." Said AJ. "I'll prove that this apple can handle these apples." Said Applejack trying to buck a tree but no apples fell.
"Uh, AJ, I think your bucking a dead tree." Said Twilight.
AJ saw that she was right. "I knew that."
"Actually, Applejack, we had something else to talk to you about." Said Twilight.
"We just came back from Ponyville Urgent Care and-" But Applejack cut Luna off.
"You know I'm a little busy to get lectured right now." Said Applejack.
"But if you let us help-" But AJ cut Twi off too.
"Ugh. No, no, no!" Applejack screamed. "How many times do I gotta say it?" She asked. "I don't need help from nopony." She said before walking off.
"Ugh that pony is as stubborn as a mule." Said Twilight. Then they heard mule sounds.
"No offenses." Twilight told a nearby mule.
"None taken." He said.
Later Applejack was helping Fluttershy with her bunny business.
"Oh Applejack." Said Fluttershy. "Thank you so much for offering your herding skills for the annual rabbit roundup."
"Ugh, why are we doing this?" Asked Applejack.
"Well. lots of new baby bunnies have been born." Said Fluttershy. "So it's my job to get a count of all the new families." She explained.
"Fine." Said AJ. "Can we just get on with it."
"Certainly, but remember these are bunnies we're dealing with, not cows." Fluttershy reminded her. "They're a timid bunch and need to be treated gently."
"I don't need any direction on corralin' critters." Said AJ. "Right Winona."
Winona barked.
"Okay, little bunnies." Said Fluttershy. "I need you to all gather here in the middle."
But then Applejack and Winona took over.
"That's right! Let's go, bunnies." Said AJ. "In the center, hop to it. Swell, just swell." She said. "Put 'em up, Winona."
Winona barked. They were being too fierce.
"Applejack, Winona, stop!" Said Fluttershy. "You're scaring them."
"We know what we're doing." Applejack assured. "Get along little bunnies."
The bunnies were all rounded, but they were so scared that they began scattering and heading to town.
"Oh no."
Rainbow saw the bunnies. "STAMPEDE!"
The ponies began panicking again and some even fainted.
Later, Twilight and Luna were walking into town, when they saw some ponies on the ground.
"What the..." Said Luna.
"The horror, the horror."
"It was awful."
"A disaster. A horrible, horrible disaster."
But everything seemed normal.
"I don't get it." Said Twilight.
"Our gardens destroyed."
"Every last flower, devoured."
"By them."
They looked to see the bunnies everywhere. Fluttershy tried to stop them but couldn't.
Twilight and Luna knew exactly who was responsible. "Alright, enough is enough." Said Twilight.
"No more being nice." Said Luna.
Back at Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack had gone back to bucking apples. When Twilight and Luna showed up.
"All right, Applejack." Said Twilight. "Your applebucking hasn't just caused you problems, it's over-propelled Pegasus', practically poisoned plenty of ponies, and terrorized bushels of brand new bouncing baby bunnies."
"I don't care what you say, you need help." Said Luna. "Lot's of it."
Applejack then finished bucking the tree. "No I don't." She said. "Look. I harvested all of Sweet Apple Acres, without your help."
"How'd ya like them apples?" She asked. Then Big Mac appeared.
"Um how do you like them apples?" He asked. And then they saw that there were still a whole bunch of apples left to harvest.
Applejack looked nervous and then fainted.
"Applejack?" Said Twilight.
"Applejack?" Said Luna.
She then woke up.
"Oh, good, you're okay.." Said Luna.
"Now Applejack I completely respect the Apple family ways." Said Twilight. "You're always there to help anypony in need so maybe you can put a little of your stubborn pride aside and allow your friends to help you."
"Okay Twilight." Applejack finally conceded.
"I won't take no for an answer-" Said Twi before realizing. "What?"
"Yes Twilight and Luna." Said AJ. "I could really use your help."
The two chuckled.
And so Luna, Twilight, Rainbow, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie gathered to help Applejack and Twilight even wrote the princess a letter.
"Dear Princess Celestia, My friend Applejack is the best friend a pony could ever have and she's always there to help anypony. The only trouble is when she needs help she finds it hard to accept it, so while friendship is about giving of ourselves to friends it's also about accepting what our friends have to offer. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle"
Then Applejack came with bottles of apple juice.
"How about y'all take a little break?" She said. "I got some fine apple juice waitin' for ya."
"Girls I can't thank you enough for this help." Said Applejack. "I was acting a bit stubborn."
"A bit?" Said Luna.
"Okay. A mite stubborn and I'm awful sorry." Applejack said. "Now I know the town gave me the Prized Pony award, but the real award is having you six as my friends."
"Aww." Said Luna, touched.
"Phew all that applebucking sure made me hungry." Said Dash.
Then Spike showed up. "And I've got the perfect treat." He then showed them the bad muffins.
"Eeww." Said Pinkie. "Spike I threw those away, where'd you get them?"
"From the trash." He answered.
"EWW!" They all said in unison before walking away.
Spike followed trying to convince them. "C'mon, just a nibble?"
"Gross." They all said.
The End
Author's note: So here's another one. Also I just wanna get this out of the way because I've been getting some messages about it. Only Luna is gonna go to Equestria none of the other characters are gonna be here. Sorry but I'm not changing my mind on that.
