This is the 17th chapter. I don't own the series of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.
The Last Roundup
After Mario returned home at Sweet Apple Acres in Ponyville, his family were relieved that he made it back safely and proud of him for retrieving the Serpentine Staff while fighting against Orochimaru and the Serpentine. However, it got them worried that Mario will have to leave again, but only if one of the two Serpentine Staff is located which Master Wu and Floyd are working on it.
Now at Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack could be seen galloping furiously with her hat off. She's currently practicing for the Equestria Rodeo Competition in Canterlot coming up soon with Apple Bloom, Mario Star, Buttercup, Bright Mac, and Apple Shine watching her practice.
She's racing along a broad path in the Sweet Apple Acres orchards, toward a hurdle and easily jumps over it. Rounding a turn, she clears a second hurdle, before she comes across one more that was built from two curved poles. Her eyes narrowed above a fierce smile as she barrels toward this, and she licks her lips and hurls herself into a jump with all four legs extended. Time seemed to slow down as Applejack was gliding smoothly over the top pole, except for one of her rear hooves tapped against it for a brief second before coming back to normal speed and Applejack hits the ground and keeps galloping, not even losing a single step in contact.
Apple Bloom, Mario, Buttercup, Bright Mac, and Apple Shine were watching Applejack over from a fence as the filly as her sister's hat on and she waves enthusiastically to her.
"Whoo-Whoa!" Apple Bloom said, trying to cheer for her sister, but she nearly loses her balance on the fence and Bright Mac helps her back up as they continued to cheer for Applejack.
"Go Ma! Go!" Apple Shine cheered for her mother.
"Go Applejack! Give it all you've got!" Mario adds.
Applejack turns to her family for a second and gives them an acknowledging wink. She then grabs a rope that's attached to a hay bale with her teeth and flings it with one good swing as if doing the Olympic hammer throw. It sails away, Applejack shading her eyes with a foreleg to watch, and it lands some distance past a line where two others have fallen in her previous attempts. She crosses her left legs over her right, aiming a self-deprecating glance off to the side.
Apple Bloom cheers so quickly that she knocked her sister's hat off of her head.
"Whoo-hoo! Applejack, you're sure to knock everypony's hat off at the Equestria Rodeo competition!" Apple Bloom said excitedly as Applejack grabs her hat and placed it back on her head.
"If there's one pony that I know who can win that rodeo, it's definitely you, Applejack." Mario adds.
"Aw shucks, you two." Applejack said with modesty. "I sure hope so."
"Hope so? I know so!" Apple Bloom said with a hoof pump. "After all, you're the ten-time rodeo champeen of Ponyville! Why, you've got more blue ribbons than anypony in Ponyville ever!"
Apple Bloom then gestures to a trophy case filled with blue ribbons and gold medals, mounted on the side of a shed.
"And I can't wait for mah big sis to win every blue ribbon in Equestria and bring home the title of Equestria Rodeo Champeen!" Apple Bloom continued excitedly.
Mario, Apple Shine, Bright Mac, and Buttercup goes up to Applejack and the Texan filly hugs her while the rest of the Apple family giving her a reassuring smile, making her blush.
"You've got this, Applejack." Mario told his sister. "Get out there and show'em what you're made of!"
Buttercup and Bright Mac nods with an agreement, giving her support. Applejack grew an even bigger blush at that as she tips her hat down for a second to hide it before making it go away. She then turns back to her family with determination.
"Don't worry y'all, I'm gonna win this Rodeo like bucking apples." Applejack replied.
"That's what we wanna hear." Bright Mac said with a smile.
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
Do you know all you're my best friends?
The next day at the town square from Ponyville, Rainbow and Storm Hawk were hoisting a banner of Applejack up at the town square's main entrance. Rainbow Dash looks at her handiwork with a smug before she and Storm Hawk got surprised and ducks just in time to avoid a sudden bolt of lightning that singes the end of their tail. They look up at the pony responsible for that as it was Derpy Hooves jumping up and down on a thunder cloud cheerfully.
Derpy Hooves is a Pegasus that has a light sapphire bluish gray fur coat with pale light grayish apple green mane and tail, and gradient from pale light grayish green apple to moderate gamboge eyes that were crossed. Her cutie mark was a two large bubbles surrounded by five smaller ones.
"Now careful, Derpy!" Rainbow Dash warned her as she flew towards her, points at the roof. "Don't want to do any more damage than you've already done."
Derpy Hooves stops jumping as she looks to see the third-story balcony is sagged everywhere, and the roof has a couple of ragged holes punched through, doubtless by the constant lightning strikes from her goofing around. To add insult to injury, the uppermost piece already already hanging by a thread breaks loose and crashes through the largest hole.
"I just don't know what went wrong." Derpy Hooves said innocently as she kept bouncing and making lightning shoot off from it but earned a shock treatment.
"Yeah, a mystery." Storm Hawk said sarcastically, annoyed.
"Nice work, Rainbow Dash." Derpy Hooves said, hovers down to examine the banner.
Unfortunately, Derpy Hooves wasn't watching where she's going as she backs into the support post, which promptly topples over the balcony rail. With panicked grimace, Rainbow Dash and Storm Hawk dives after the timber, gets under the low end, heaves upward and then drops into the pavilion's porch with a brand new hole from which the pole snapped end protrudes.
"You okay, Rainbow Dash? Storm Hawk?" Derpy Hooves asks, lands next to this and sticks her head inside. "Anything I can do to help?"
A plank then fell and both Rainbow Dash and Storm Hawk quickly flew up at her.
"No! Nothing!" Rainbow Dash pleaded. "In the name of Celestia, just sit there and do nothing!"
Derpy Hooves plunks her rump onto the porch, whereupon a circle of cracks starts to spread in the wood around her. As soon as the spot gives away, she makes a desperate grab at Rainbow Dash that only leads to both Pegasi plummeting into the second hole.
"Oops, my bad." Derpy Hooves apologizes in a muffled, causing Storm Hawk to sigh.
Meanwhile, a large crowd were gathered outside the pavilion and chanting Applejack's name.
"Everypony, can I get your attention? Attention please!" Mayor Mare called them as the crowd calms down. "Yes, we are all here to send Applejack to compete in this years Equestria Rodeo competition in Canterlot."
Everypony then cheers and stomps in applause for Applejack.
"And I want to thank Applejack in advance for generously offering up her prize money to fix town hall." Mayor Mare continued.
Back to where Rainbow Dash, Storm Hawk, and Derpy Hooves were, she got out of the hole where Derpy was hanging over the edge of it.
"Yeah, Applejack! Whoo-hoo!" Derpy Hooves cheered loudly, but falls back inside of the hole while Rainbow Dash and Storm Hawk rolled their eyes in annoyance.
Back to where the crowd was, they continue to cheer for Applejack and Pinkie Pie, who's in the crowd along with some of the rest of the Mane 7, the 7 foals, and the Apple Family, decides to speak up for her.
"Speech! Speech!" Pinkie Pie shouts.
"Oh, shucks, I'm not much for speeches." Applejack said sheepishly.
"Alright then, no speech!" Pinkie Pie said, then zips away and comes back to the crowd instantly.
"Buuut! This here is the nicest sendoff anypony could ask for." Applejack said. "Y'all have been cheering me on in every rodeo since I was a little little pony. So, it seems only fittin' to use my winnings to fix up the town hall. I promise to make Ponyville proud."
The crowd gives a third round of applause as Applejack smiles gratefully and pulls her hat forward over her eyes.
At the Ponyville train station, Applejack was getting ready to leave when the Mane 7, the 7 foals, the Apple Family, and Mayor Mare were on the train platform to say farewell to her for the week.
"I want ya to show all them highflautin rodeo ponies what a real rodeo ponies like!" Granny Smith said to her granddaughter.
"You betcha, Granny Smith." Applejack replied.
"And bring back all the money!" Mayor Mare adds in a singing tune, shoved Granny Smith aside.
"You betcha, Mayor." Applejack replied again as she was getting ready to get on the train, Pinkie Pie pops up right in front of her.
"And have fun. And don't be nervous." Pinkie Pie said. "Or if you are, use that nervous energy to do even better than you already would! And eat peanuts and popcorn and taffy. Taffy gives lots of nervous energy!"
Pinkie Pie pulls out a bag of taffy and buries her face in it, but Djahi pulls her tail away from Applejack while Rose Lotus looks at her mother in annoyance.
"Mom, she doesn't need those. She'll be fine on her own." Rose Lotus points out as Twilight and Apple Shine focus back on Applejack.
"Just do your best, Applejack." Twilight told her.
"And be sure to come home safely." Mario adds.
"I'll do better than my best!" Applejack said.
"Well, Ah guess there's nothin' else to say, but good luck Ma." Apple Shine said to her mother as Applejack hugs her daughter when the conductor spoke up.
"The train to Canterlot is about to leave! All aboard who's coming aboard!"
"Guess that means me." Applejack said, breaks the hug.
"See ya in a week!" Rainbow Dash said as she quickly hovered over to Applejack.
"With lots of blue ribbons!" Apple Bloom adds.
"And lots of money!" Mayor Mare adds.
"Darn tootin'!" Applejack replied as she settled in the train, starts to roll off as she waves to all her friends and family out from the window. "See y'all in a week, with big bag full of blue ribbons!"
She watches her friends and family shout their last goodbyes while galloping as far as the platforms end before she couldn't see them again.
"And drink sarsaparilla!" Pinkie Pie shouts, earned a funny looks from her friends and her daughter. "What? It gives you extra sass!"
SLAP!
"OW!" Pinkie Pie yelped as she rubbed her head in pain and looked to see Mario giving her an annoyed look on his face as she stepped back a bit in fear from him before zipping away.
"I really need to give Pinkie a talk about her habit of eating." Mario suggested with an irritated look when he felt something wrapping his foreleg.
He looked to see Twilight wrapping her foreleg around her as she gives him a cute smile.
"Maybe you could do that before we get back to our practice?" Twilight asked in a sweet tone.
Mario looked a little stunned before he give her a smile and a nod in reply. Twilight giggled before she kissed his cheek, making him blush as they walked off to his place. Apple Shine, Comet, and Daylight can tell that Mario and Twilight grew very close, so close they began to love each other. It got them smiled.
One week later at Sweet Apple Acres, many decorations in the barn were set up for Applejack's surprise party for winning the rodeo. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy finished putting up a banner.
"Oh, I hope Applejack is surprised by the surprise party." Fluttershy said.
"Well, that is the point." Rainbow Dash points out as the rest of the ponies were busy finishing the decorations.
"I know, but I hope she isn't so surprised she's startled, because while being surprised can be nice, but being startled can be...very startling." Fluttershy explains while walking, Pinkie Pie instantly pops up in front of her.
"SURPRISE!" Pinkie Pie shouts as she blew a whistle, causing Fluttershy to gasp as she fell backwards toward the ground.
"Oh, Pinkie, you startled me." Fluttershy said as Pinkie Pie helps her back on her hooves.
"Sorry!" Pinkie Pie apologizes. "I was just practicing my 'surprise!' for when we surprise Applejack with this super cool party for becoming rodeo champeen of Equestria!"
BONK!
"OW!" Pinkie Pie yelped as Kai gave her a glare. "You guys know you don't have to keep doing that!"
"Some pony has to keep you out of trouble for doing that." Kai told her as he went to help Mario and Nya.
"Quiet, Pinkie." Twilight said. "I think Applejack is coming!"
"Everypony, hide!" Mario suggested as Apple Bloom, Apple Shine, Rose Lotus, Djali, and Pinkie Pie instantly rush to hide inside of an empty feed trough.
"Don't worry, you two." Pinkie Pie said. "Got my lips all limbered up!"
Pinkie Pie then makes a series of goofy facial contortions in which she works her teeth, her jaws, and her lips while Apple Bloom and Rose Lotus stares at her in annoyance. The rest just go and find the rest of their hiding spots as the lights turned off once everypony was in position. After a few seconds that feel like a week, a rectangle light is cast over the floor from the doors creaking open and a hatted shadow advances into view. The lights came on and everypony but Pinkie Pie pops into view.
"SURPRISE!" The ponies shouted when Big Mac blows a kazoo.
"Surprise! Shoot!" Pinkie Pie said right after she realized that her timing was off.
However, it's then revealed that the new arrival wasn't Applejack, but a telegram delivery stallion named Parcel Post.
"Wow, this is the best surprise ever!" Parcel Post said excitedly. "How did you know it was my birthday?"
Everypony's face falls that it wasn't Applejack, the delivery stallion holds a telegram in one hoof and Twilight grumpily looks out, levitates it from his grip, and yanks both it and herself back inside with a door slam. The stallion felt downtrodden by that until the door bursts open and Rose Lotus holds out a slice of cake on the plate, places it on the ground with a smile, and shuts the doors again. Parcel Post's puzzlement gives way to a smile.
Back inside of the barn, the rest of the ponies has gathered around Twilight, who's studying the message intently.
"Who's it from, Twilight? What's it say?" Apple Bloom asked anxiously.
"It's from Applejack." Twilight replied. "Family and friends, not coming back to Ponyville. Don't worry, will send money soon. That's all there is."
Everypony gasps in disbelief from that.
"Applejack's...not comin' back." Apple Bloom said, feeling very sad.
"Why would she leave Ponyville?" Apple Shine asks, very sad of her mother not coming back.
"It's not like her to do that on her own." Mario said with worry look along with his friends.
"What do you mean Applejack's not coming back? She loves Ponyville!" Rainbow Dash said in shock.
"And she loves Sweet Apple Acres." Granny Smith said sadly.
"And she loves her family." Apple Bloom adds with a sad pout when Rarity gasps dramatically.
"Something just dreadful must have happened to Applejack to make her not return!" Rarity said.
"Maybe she's hurt, or sad, or scared!" Fluttershy said with worry.
"So, what are we waiting for? Let's go find her!" Rainbow Dash said as she and Storm Hawk were the first to fly out of the barn as Twilight and the others followed.
"Don't worry, we'll search all of Equestria if we have to." Twilight assures the Apple Family when she turns to them. "We'll bring her back."
"And we'll find the reason why she isn't coming back." Mario adds. "That letter was pretty vague on the details."
"Y'all are the best." Apple Bloom said.
"Thank you, everypony." Granny Smith thanked them as they rush off into the distance.
As they left, Big Mac and Granny Smith shed a couple of tears for Applejack.
"Our little bushel just lost one apple." Granny Smith said sadly.
Unknown to any of them, Lord Garmadon was watching from the flames. Of course, he was furious that the Elemental Masters somehow managed to get the Serpentine Staff and escape from Orochimaru's death trap, but apparently, it was a minor setback. He then decided to formulate a plan.
"Well, since the rodeo is over, it seems that a certain farm pony failed to realize that winning isn't everything. Hmph, even I use to be competitive back in my day." Lord Garmadon said with a scoff. "Well, no matter...if they want to find her, then they'll be in for a surprise at the Dodge Junction. Orochimaru, take Pythor and gather your team. You have a mission to trap these ponies and you will have your revenge."
"Yes, my lord." Orochimaru replied with a sinister smirk, walking off as Lord Garmadon smirks evilly.
The Mane 7 and the 7 foals were currently on the train to Canterlot in pursuit of their friend as they arrive, they go to the exterior of a stadium where the rodeo was held. They stop for a moment before they scatter from a nod with Twilight.
Inside, Rarity, who's carrying Flora Heart with a baby carrier, Kronk, and Golden Charm trots up to a cowboy-hatted stallion talking to mare in the stands when they show a photo of Applejack. Both shake their heads at the picture to say that they haven't seen her. Mario and Apple Shine then goes up to a mare who looked to be another participant from the rodeo and she looks hard at the photo before shrugging her shoulders and shaking her head to say that she doesn't know where she went. The rodeo clown stallion in garnish face makeup and clothes rolls by on a beach ball and right behind him was Pinkie Pie, on a ball of her own with Rose Lotus on her back, and with a copy of a photo in teeth. Once she has pulled even, she leans over to give him a good look of the photo and he looks at it before shaking his head which gives Pinkie Pie and Rose Lotus a dejected look as she stops on her ball and it deflates to the ground.
Twilight, Comet, and Daylight showed the photo at the two mares taking a break from cleanup duty and they both shrug their shoulders to say 'I don't know'. A stallion was then seen pushing a barrel and both Rainbow Dash and Storm Hawk stops him in his tracks to show him the photo of Applejack. He aims a vexed glare at the two Pegasi and the photo, then shakes his head. Next, both Fluttershy and Winter Breeze flies up to the stadium roof, where another rodeo clown stallion is napping with his hat tilted over his face. They had a fifth copy of Applejack's photo, but he waves off without even lifting his hat to get a clear look. As the cleanup crew gets everything squared away, Twilight and company make one last fruitless effort to pick up any hints on their friends whereabouts.
The Mane 7 and the 7 foals were eventually tired from all the searching as they were all resting over at the side of the stadium in a glum atmosphere over them. However, that changes when a passing mare takes surprised notice of it and smiles in recognition. All 14 ponies are up and beaming at her in an instant and she points toward a stretch of parched desert land and rock formations which the Mane 7 and the 7 foals uneasily looks at it.
They all go on the train towards their new location known as Dodge Junction as the ponies were all concerned for what Applejack has gotten into. Rainbow Dash and Storm Hawk just looked at the landscape from the window as Rarity and Golden Charm sat next to her seat. Twilight, Daylight, Comet, Fluttershy, and Winter Breeze shared the seat across from them. Pinkie Pie was sitting next to Rose Lotus, Mario, and Kronk in the back, making soft grunts and panicking sounds with her hind legs crossed.
"I hope this lead doesn't turn out to be a dead end." Rainbow Dash said with concern. "I don't wanna go back empty-hooved after promising we'd find her."
"I don't know how we'll break it to the Apple Family." Fluttershy said with worry.
"I don't know how we'll break it to Ponyville!" Twilight adds in a same tone.
"I don't know how I'll make it to the next stop!" Pinkie Pie said with panic, had her rear leg over to the other to signal that she needed to go to the bathroom.
"You should've done it before we left." Rose Lotus told her mother in annoyance.
"Let's just hope for the best that we do find Applejack." Mario said with a serious glare. "And if we do, she better be prepared for some questions that we're going to give her. What sense does it make to just leave Ponyville without that big of a reason?!"
"I don't know, Mario." Twilight said, turns to him. "But knowing Applejack, I'm sure she'll tell us a reasonable answer."
The train's whistle then sounds off to mark their arrival at a station and Twilight smiles from this.
"This is Dodge Junction, everypony." Kronk informed them. "This is where Applejack is supposed to be here after the rodeo ended."
"He's right, lets fan out and try to find her." Twilight suggested.
As they all got off of the train, Pinkie Pie flashes past the others as she couldn't hold her bladder for much longer. She rushes up to an outhouse and knocks on it vigorously.
"Oh pickles! Hurryhurryhurry!" Pinkie Pie groans. "Hurry it up in there!"
The door is flung open, knocking Pinkie Pie silly for a moment, and Applejack emerges with her saddlebags.
"Huh, some ponies. Sheesh." Applejack grumbles in annoyance.
Pinkie Pie pays no mind whatsoever, ducking inside and slamming the door, and then throwing it open again with a huge smile.
"Applejack!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she happily hops towards her friends and back around the corner to where Applejack was and points to where she was. "I found her, I found her, I found her, I found her, I found her!"
Applejack sees the rest of her friends, including her brother, her godson, and her daughter, surprised by this until they walk up to her.
"Oh, Applejack, thank heavens!" Rarity said.
"We're so glad you're safe!" Fluttershy adds.
"I found her, I found her, I found her!" Pinkie Pie said joyfully, still hopping up and down excited from finding Applejack so quickly, but then realizes what she's in a rush as she crossed her legs again. "...Be right back."
Pinkie Pie rushes back to where the outhouse was to go and use the bathroom liked she needed to while the rest of the ponies walk with Applejack.
"Uh, hey, everypony." Applejack greets slowly, but nervously. "What's up?"
"That's what we want to know." Mario points out with a glare.
"Yeah! Why didn't you come back to Ponyville?!" Rainbow Dash asked, pointed her fore-hoof at Applejack.
"Yes, why are you here?" Rarity asked, raising her eyebrows as the sound of a toilet flushing emphasized Pinkie Pie had taken care of business.
"Are you okay?" Fluttershy asked as Pinkie Pie reappeared from using the bathroom.
"Do you have any snacks?" Pinkie Pie asks.
"Tell us what happened, Applejack!" Twilight said.
Applejack just looked at the ground, unsure of what to say to any of her friends, her brother, or her daughter. Until, her reluctant silence is broken by a cheerful older mare's voice with a western twang.
"Applejack? Are those some of your Ponyville friends?" The voice of a mare named Cherry Jubilee asks as the Mane 7 and the 7 foals turned to her.
Cherry Jubilee had a very pale yellow fur coat with two different shades of crimson mane and tail, and light pistachio eyes and pale light grayish crimson eyeshadows. She also had a mole underneath her left eye. Her cutie mark is a pair of cherries with a leaf on top. She wore a pink scarf around her neck, and a headband with cherries on it.
"Yes, ma'am." Twilight replied as she, Comet, and Daylight walked up to her.
"And you are?" Rarity inquires as she, Kronk, and Golden Charm followed behind them.
"Why, I'm Cherry Jubilee, boss of Cherry Hill Ranch." Cherry Jubilee answered. "Hasn't Applejack told ya? I saw her compete at the Equestria Rodeo. Never saw anypony win so many ribbons in all my life."
"Aw, shucks, Miss Jubilee." Applejack said in modest. "You don't have to go into all that."
"Oh, she's so modest. Anyway, I can always use a pony with quick hooves and a strong back. So, when I heard Applejack was looking for a change of scenery, I snapped her up as quick as I could and brought her to Dodge Junction." Cherry Jubilee explains which 14 ponies looked at each other curiously while Applejack looked uneasy with a sweat dripping down her brow. "Well, I'll let you catch up with your friends. See you back at the ranch."
After Cherry Jubilee walks away, Applejack began to sweat bullet when her friends and her family gave her a suspicious glare.
"'Change of scenery'?" Rainbow Dash repeats, flies up to her face. "What's that supposed to mean?!"
"S'no big deal, guys." Applejack said bluntly. "I thought cherries would be a nice change from apples, so I took the job and came here. That's it. End of story."
Both Mario and Apple Shine were shocked as they walked up to Applejack angrily.
"Yer just goin' to abandon Ponyville, just like that?!" Apple Shine snarled.
"Apple Shine, this may be hard for you to understand, but apples ain't just mah thing anymore." Applejack told her.
"Don't push it, Ma. Yer part of the Apple Family at Sweet Apple Acres! Like yer name is Apple!" Apple Shine retorted.
"Well, Ponyville is a small town as well." Applejack argued.
"Ponyville isn't small, there are hundreds of ponies!" Mario argued back. "And that's no excuse as this town is way smaller than Ponyville!"
"Sorry, but that's it! End of story!" Applejack said, about to leave when Mario got in front of her.
"No, we're not finished!" Mario snapped. "Did you really think we came all the way here to Dodge Junction just to not bring you back to Ponyville?!"
"I didn't ask for any of you to come lookin' for me!" Applejack shouts. "There is nothin' to tell and I'm NOT goin' back to Ponyville?!"
Applejack gallops off as Mario and Apple Shine were surprised that she's abandoning Ponyville. They growled a little in anger before they take deep breaths to calm themselves down.
"That stubborn mare! She isn't making a lick of sense at all!" Mario growled.
"You're right!" Twilight agrees, walking next to them. "Applejack's not telling us something! We need to get information out of her!"
"Or we can make a diversion and find out why she abandoned Ponyville?" Daylight suggesting, earned their attention.
"What do you have in mind?" Twilight asks her daughter as they listen carefully of Daylight's plan.
After a few minutes later, they break up after Daylight explains to them.
"Do you think it can work?" Rainbow Dash asks.
"It's worth a try." Comet replied. "Just distract Applejack long enough until we find out the real reason why."
"Alright, just be careful." Twilight said.
Later inside of the Dodge Junction Cherry Factory, Applejack and Cherry Jubilee walk past a conveyor belt with some bins right beside it. Applejack is right now wearing an apron, a pair of baskets on her back, and a white hairnet over her mane in place of a hat.
"You ready to put your back into it, Applejack?" Cherry Jubilee asked.
"Sure am, Miss Jubilee." Applejack replied.
"Terr-ific." Cherry Jubilee said as she then turns her head towards the front of the barn. "Come on in, everypony!"
The rest of the Mane 7 then walk into the factory.
"What are you all doing here?" Applejack asks, surprised and annoyed but she noticed somepony is missing. "Wait, where are the kids?"
"Oh, they're in their guest rooms to watch over Flora." Rarity replied with a smile. "I'm sure they'll be fine."
"And we're cherry sorters." Twilight adds.
"Eeyup, gonna keep things organized for you." Mario said.
The seven ponies then line up to the conveyor parallel on the opposite side of where the bins were.
"Fine." Applejack said bluntly as Cherry Jubilee chucked with sympathy, turns to the ponies.
"Red cherries go in one bin and yellow cherries go to the other." Cherry Jubilee instructed them. "Simple as cherry pie. Uh, just one teensy thing to remember...have fun!"
As Cherry Jubilee trots out of the room, Applejack gives an annoyed glare.
"What are you seven up to?" Applejack questioned.
"Well, uh, you make working on a cherry orchard sound...so delightful." Rarity told her.
"Uh-huh." Applejack said, not convinced. "Well, just remember: no talking about Ponyville."
"Fine!" Rainbow Dash snapped, faced Applejack. "Why don't you quit talking and get walking?!"
Needled by this jab, Applejack turns her head bitterly forward and began to walk inside the wheel. As it turns and gains speed, the pulleys attached to both it and the conveyor start rotating and the belt itself comes to life. From the hatch comes a steady stream of cherries, which the seven new workers push off into the appropriate bins as they pass.
Rainbow Dash then shoots a glance towards Applejack and back to Twilight as she gives a firm nod to her. Twilight smiles sneakily and winks at her as she turns to Mario and gestures to where Applejack is, and he gives a nod as well.
"So, AJ, how was Canterlot?" Twilight asks, making Applejack's eyes pop wide at that as she glares back at her. "Not talking about Ponyville, talking about Canterlot, totally different town."
"Canterlot was fine." Applejack answered before recomposing herself.
"Was the rodeo fun?" Twilight asked again.
"Yes." Applejack answered, but looks back towards her friends direction as she noticed both Mario and Twilight had left their post.
"Did you meet some nice ponies there?" Mario questions.
"Some." Applejack said when Rainbow Dash flies over in front of her.
"Really? Did you see Wild Buck Hickok? What about Calamity Mane?" Rainbow Dash asked excitedly.
"Yes, I saw 'em both." Applejack answered.
Rainbow Dash just grins and nods, hoping for an inside scoop, but gets only a dirty look in return. She throws it right back at Applejack as Rarity steps over to the three.
"And how did you meet Miss Jubilee?" Rarity inquires, leaving Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Kronk to handle the conveyor belt.
"Um, well, Miss Jubilee had a cherry stand at the rodeo. Real good treats." Applejack explains with her eyes rolled.
Applejack then speeds up her pace a little which causes the conveyor accelerates as well, bringing the cherries out a considerably faster pace. Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Kronk have to keep up.
"Um, excuse me?" Fluttershy called her softly.
"Cherry winks, cherry cheesecake, cherry tarts." Applejack continued. "We struck up a conversation, being orchard folk and all."
"So, you told her about Sweet Apple Acres?" Twilight asked next.
"Yes." Applejack answered.
"Did you tell her why weren't coming back?" Rainbow Dash asked sternly.
"No, 'cuz it was none of her business!" Applejack said angrily.
It got her more irritated as she sped up, even more leaving Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Kronk to scramble even faster at the belt.
"Ooh...Can you please slow down?" Fluttershy pleaded, but wasn't heard from anypony.
"Is it because I made it rain on you that one time?" Rainbow Dash asked curiously.
"No!" Applejack snapped.
Applejack was now at running speed at this point as the cherries are coming so fast that Fluttershy gives up using her hooves and puts them to the side of her head.
"Help!" Fluttershy called out in panic.
Pinkie Pie frantically gathers up as many cherries as she can hold in her forelegs and dumps them onto Fluttershy's hairnet. Pinkie Pie makes another desperate grab at the unsorted fruit. Within moments, she's filled her baskets and set a pile on her own head, but these moves buy her time. Kronk assisted her when he uses his magic to organize many cherries as he can.
"Is it because you were insulted when I gave you that book on organized orchards?" Twilight questions, worried.
"NO!" Applejack shouted.
Applejack was so annoyed by the questions that she went full speed and the conveyor belt was letting out so many cherries that all of the bins were overflowing and Pinkie Pie rushes to the front of the conveyor belt and stuff as many as she could in her mouth, but it's no use. Kronk is starting to get tired, but he's gathering much cherries as he can at the new bins.
Mario thinks of a question that he could ask Applejack as he gets an idea.
"Applejack, are you...scared to admit something to us about Ponyville?" Mario questions.
Applejack widen her eyes from that for a second before glaring at her brother for a second. Mario internally chuckles as he knew that he's getting on to something.
"No, no, NO!" Applejack yelled angrily. "I'm not telling you why, so just-"
"STOP!" Fluttershy shouted.
Appplejack hears this and instantly brakes using her hooves, but that causes the cherries forward momentum carries them straight off the belt and across the room with Applejack finding herself directly in the line of fire of the cherries. Luckily, Kronk and Mario were able to stop the cherries with their magic as they place them at the new bins.
"Hahaha, ah so lucky that I found the new bins, but I think it's enough cherries to last a long while." Kronk said with a chuckle.
However, Applejack gave them an annoyed glare as she walks off.
Later on, the Mane 7 were waiting for their children to arrive at the factory since they've been gone for some time, hoping they've got the information they need.
"Well, everypony, we seem to be striking out." Twilight said.
"That's 'cause we're playing too nice." Rainbow Dash points out.
"And we also weren't being subtle at all." Mario adds. "Luckily, I was able to get one question that struck a nerve on her, but it's not enough."
"I noticed it, too." Twilight said. "She's afraid to tell us something about what happened at the rodeo, so we need to get it out of her."
"Yes." Rainbow Dash agrees. "But what's keeping them so long? They've been on a search for some time."
Before they answer, Applejack rushes to the ponies with Flora Heart on her forehoof back inside of the factory. It got the Mane 7 wondering why is Applejack with Flora and not their children.
"Applejack, why are..."
"It's that no-good Orochimaru and Pythor, they took our kids!?" Applejack cuts in, showing the note to them.
Mario uses his magic to levitate the note towards him as it reads: 'We have your little brats. If you want them back, meet us at the Dodge Junction Cherry Mines.'
"They kidnapped our kids?!" Rainbow Dash exclaims, but started to get angry. "They won't get away with this!"
"They won't, because we're going to get them back! Let's head to the mine and get them!" Mario said as the rest of the ponies, except him and Applejack, ran out of the factory as he turns to his sister with a scowl on his eyes. "Once this is over, you're gonna tell us what happened at the rodeo...one way or another..."
Mario then catches up with the others, leaving Applejack gulped nervously since she won't weasel her way out of it as she decided to follow them.
The 7 foals groaned as they struggled to open their eyes as their visions went blurry. They're about to move, but they found themselves tied up to a wooden pillar and in a big mine room of the Dodge Junction.
"What the?!" Storm Hawk exclaims in shock, struggled to break free. "How did we end up like this?!"
"I know who..." Comet said with a serious glare. "Orochimaru..."
"Oh, I didn't do it alone. I've got a little help." The voice of Orochimaru told him as stepped into the light with an evil smirk along with Pythor.
"Pythor!" Rose Lotus growled with a glare.
"In the flesh, gypsy." Pythor replied with a smug.
"Lord Garmadon left him in a cell, after I was informed of his disobedience. So, I'm making sure it won't happen...again." Orochimaru told them, glaring at Pythor. "But after I learned of Mario and the Elemental Masters somehow got out of the death trap...I was furious."
The 7 foals couldn't help but chuckle in response, thought it was funny when Orochimaru and Pythor hissed at them in anger.
"But...we now have a place to eliminate the bearers of Harmony and the Elemental Masters, and take over Equestria!" Orochimaru said with a sinister smile. "And they will face death along with you little brats."
"You're forgetting one thing, Orochimaru." Comet told him, leaving Orochimaru confused when he and Storm Hawk zapped him and Pythor with lightning, shocked him.
Winter Breeze freezes the ropes with ice as she and foals breaks freely.
"Let's try keep them busy until Mom and the others get here." Comet suggested when the army of Serpentine and Oni surrounded them. "Scatter!"
And with that, the 7 foals went separate ways while the army of Serpentine and the Oni chases after them.
Meanwhile, the Mane 8 were making their way to the Mine before they came to a stop and saw the entrance leading to the inside of the Mine.
"Well, here it is." Rainbow Dash said with determination.
"Let's check inside and try not to see by the Oni or the Serpentine." Mario instructed as he led the way in, with the others following him.
They carefully trotted inside without being seen and stuck into the shadows. They peeked around and saw Orochimaru and Pythor were furious that they've been tricked by a group of foals.
"Looks like these kids tricked them." Kronk whispered, chuckled. "Two full-grown snakes got outsmarted by a group of kids."
Rainbow Dash and Applejack couldn't help but chuckled quietly.
"Let's split up and find them before they get to our children." Twilight suggested as they began splitting up to find the foals.
Rainbow Dash just flew towards the tunnels as fast as her wings can take her, which apparently, she aimlessly wandering around the mine while getting herself lost and it got her irritated.
"Okay, this place is like a maze! How am I supposed to find those kids?!" Rainbow Dash said in frustration, but noticed the groups of Oni and Serpentine are sent flying out of the tunnel while falling down to the ground. She turns her head to the source which is Storm Hawk who sent them flying with lightning. "Storm Hawk!"
Rainbow Dash then flew towards her son as grabs him and embraced him with a smile.
"I'm so glad I found you!" Rainbow Dash said happily.
"Uh, yeah, only because I was busy not getting caught, but I'm glad you're here." Storm Hawk told her, then embraces his mother. "But Mom, we've got to find the others. They need help."
"Right, let's catch up with the others." Rainbow Dash replied as she and Storm Hawk fly towards the tunnel to look for their friends.
Fluttershy was also flying towards the tunnels, but slowly since she's frightened about the group of Oni and the Serpentine and worried about her daughter. However, it won't stop her for searching for the Icelandic filly as she quickly flies through the tunnel. She then noticed the group of Oni and Serpentine are getting close to Winter Breeze, which it got her angry as she flies toward them, knocking the number of Oni and Serpentine while Winter Breeze joins the fight. Once the group of Oni and the Serpentine were knocked out, Fluttershy turns to her daughter as she happily hugs Winter Breeze. They then broke a hug as the two flies away to look for the others.
Rarity, who's carrying Flora Heart, and Kronk were trotting inside of one of the tunnels to find Golden Charm, but saw her son, somehow, manage to slip away from the demons as she trot towards him. Golden Charm then turns his head to Rarity, smiled as he quickly ran towards her, hugs his mother and his baby sister. However, it was short lived when the Oni and the Serpentine found them, but Kronk ran after them as he began knocking them down by ramming towards them and a good beating. After the fight, Kronk walk towards Rarity and Golden Charm, but not without some bruises.
"Oh, thank you Kronk." Rarity thanked him. "But you look hurt."
"Oh, I've been worse than that, but not the time to think about it right now." Kronk told her with a shrug. "We better catch up with the others."
Rarity responds with a nod as she, Kronk, and Golden Charm trotted away.
In Applejack and Mario's side of the tunnel, they were trotting towards it while try to find Apple Shine since she and the foals were able to trick them. Applejack slightly turns her head to her brother, who's still dead set on looking for his niece while glaring at his sister. She can tell that Mario is still mad at her for abandoning Ponyville without given them an explanation, which she doesn't blame him and knows that she won't be able to get herself out of it. Then, they stopped when they saw Apple Shine sent one of the Oni flying against the wall as the Texan filly bashes them with her earth hammer and bucking them. Mario and Applejack decided to help her by beating the Oni and Serpentine.
After they beat up the group of Oni and the Serpentine a few minutes, Mario walk towards her and hugs Apple Shine. Applejack was about to hug her daughter, but earned a glare from her brother while Apple Shine did the same, causing her to flinch.
"Let's go, they should be able to get their kids." Mario suggested.
Apple Shine nods as she, Mario, and Applejack ran out of the tunnels.
Pinkie Pie however, just randomly ran towards the tunnels and the Mine, which she's all over while looking for her daughter. She then saw Rose Lotus kept running and being chased by the Oni and Serpentine as Pinkie Pie got in front of them with her party cannon, fires the cannonballs. It got them sent flying as they crashed against the walls.
"Phew! Good thing I had these cannonballs for good measures, and in case if those monsters ever try anything funny." Pinkie Pie said with relief, then turns to Rose Lotus. "You okay?"
Rose Lotus replied with a nod as Pinkie Pie quickly hugs her daughter.
"Let's go meet up with the others." Pinkie Pie suggested as she and Rose Lotus trotted away.
Twilight trotted through one of the tunnels, looking for her daughter and son. She then noticed Comet and Daylight were surrounded by the group of Oni and Serpentine while readied their fighting stance. Twilight joins in as she uses her magic to conjure an auric hands on her front hooves and she stood as she leaps in midair, delivering a flying kick to the back of the neck, knocking one of the Oni down.
Both Comet ad Daylight were glad and surprised that their mother is here to save her children. The two foals joined in as they fight against the group of Oni and Serpentine. After few minutes of fighting, Twilight hugs her kids with a smile.
"I so glad you two are alright." Twilight said. "Let's get you two out of here."
Comet and Daylight nodded as they follow their mother, leaving the mine.
But soon as the Mane 8 were able to rescue their kids, but as soon as they're about to leave the Mine, both Orochimaru and Pythor blocked the entrance along with the remaining army of Oni and Serpentine.
"Leaving so soon?" Orochimaru taunts with a smirk. "Without even saying your farewell before your deaths?"
"And you didn't think they came alone?" The voice of Floyd said as he and the Elemental Masters and Wild Heart approaches which it got their attention. "We figured there will be trouble at the Dodge Junction. So, we followed them."
"So, the Elemental Masters are here as well? That's perfect." Orochimaru said. "A perfect opportunity to kill each and every one of you. KILL THEM!?"
(Fight-by Ron Wasserman)
"Alright, guys, let's go!" Mario said as he and Twilight charged at Orochimaru and Pythor.
The group of Oni and the Serpentine tried to attack the Mane 7, 7 foals, and the Elemental Masters, but they knocked them with ease. Rainbow Dash and Storm Hawk are working together beating the number of Oni, Applejack bucked the Serpentine in the chest, Apple Shine bashed two Serpentine with the stone hammer, Rarity, Kronk, and Golden Charm punched one, Winter Breeze and Zane freezes the number of Serpentine and Oni, Cole used his earth element to bury the Oni while knocking them down with his earth fist and Karlof punches the Oni and Serpentine with his metallic gauntlets, Morro uses his wind element to blow the Serpentine away while Kai and Nya protects him and beating the Oni from behind and Floyd protects him from the front side and beating the Oni and Serpentine, Jay uses lightning element to shock them, and Skylor and Wild Heart are working together while beating a number of Oni and Serpentine.
Orochimaru brings out his Jian from his mouth while Mario swings his hammer, they clash their weapons. Twilight brings out her katana while Pythor brings out his scimitar, clashing their blades.
"Your skills are no match for me, Mario! You're still as weak as your Bolobo!" Orochimaru taunts as he breaks the struggle, making Mario stumble back.
But just as Orochimaru is about to impale him, Mario hardens his hoof with earth as he grabs hold of the blade, gripping it tight. Orochimaru tried to pull his blade out, but couldn't because of Mario's sheer strength.
"How!? How could you be that strong?! You're weak! You're nothing!" Orochimaru shouts in disbelief.
"I may be weak, but I'm a lot stronger than you think." Mario told him with a smirk, breaks the blade. "And...you underestimate me..."
Mario then swings his hammer, bashing Orochimaru in the face and sent him flying against the ground. Pythor was also sent flying at the top of him when Mario and Twilight slowly walk towards the two snake demons.
"You're getting better at those moves you got, Twilight." Mario said with an impressed look.
"Practice makes perfect, Mario." Twilight said with a giggle.
Both Orochimaru and Pythor glared at the two ponies as they stood up. Orochimaru and Pythor charged at Twilight and Mario, but Mario slams his hammer at the ground to make a tremor, making the two snake demons lose their balance as Twilight deliver a full-split kick, knocking them down to the ground.
Orochimaru and Pythor grunts in pain when they noticed the Mane 8, 7 foals, the Elemental Masters, and Wild Heart glares at them as they glared back at them.
"It's over, Orochimaru." Mario said.
"For now, but it's only the beginning." Orochimaru said as he calls the portal when he, Pythor, and the army of Oni and Serpentine vanished.
(Music Ends)
"Is everypony okay?" Zane asks with concern, earned a nod from the Mane 8 and the 7 foals.
Apple Shine then turns to Applejack as she flings the saddlebag right in the face.
"We noticed somethin' in that bag of yers, Ma." Apple Shine said with a glare when the ribbons were shown from the saddlebags. "Is there somethin' else yer not tellin' us?"
Applejack widens her eyes when they saw the ribbons, then turns to her daughter, who's angry at her. She then finally decided to come clean.
"Fine, now you know." Applejack conceded, covering her eyes.
"Know what?" Twilight asked as she and the others gathered around Applejack.
"What are you talking about?" Kai asks, confused.
"Well, just look!" Applejack remarked, pointing to the various collection of ribbons.
"We are." Floyd replied. "You won a number of ribbons when Jay told us about it."
"And just like Miss Jubilee said." Twilight adds with a smile.
"So, what's the big deal? You've tried your best." Jay said with a shrug.
"Don't you get it? There's every color of ribbon down there. Every color...but...blue." Applejack retorted, shows them the medal as she slumps down to the ground, downtrodden. "I came in 4th, 3rd, even 2nd, but I didn't won one 1st prize, and I certainly didn't win any prize money."
"But the telegram said you were gonna send money." Rainbow Dash points out in confusion.
"Is that why you're at the Dodge Junction, try to earn some money?" Rose Lotus questions.
"Yes." Applejack replied. "And that's why I came here, I wanted to earn some money. After that big old send off Ponyville gave me, I just didn't have the nerve to come home empty-hooved."
Applejack then turned to look at Apple Shine with a sad look.
"I was also going to win specifically for you, Apple Shine." Applejack continued. "You were so dependent and had so much support that I would winm but I didn't want to come home to tell you that I lost. I thought that you'd be disappointed in me, especially since you gave me confidence and support. I couldn't come home a failure."
Apple Shine can tell that Applejack is being sincere, especially if she's telling the truth of why she didn't come back to Ponyville. While Apple Shine is feeling hurt for Applejack not telling her the truth of why she didn't come back to Ponyville or why she's working at the Cherry Factory, but now she knows the truth and a reason. Applejack hangs her head down in defeat, expecting her friends and family to ridicule her for actions. But instead, Apple Shine walks up to her mother and gives her a hug.
"W-What?" Applejack said in disbelief.
"You stubborn idjit. I'd rather see you home than not see you at all." Apple Shine told her with a teary smile. "Yer my Ma, and it's not gonna change."
"Apple Shine's right, Applejack. We would never see you as a failure." Twilight agrees as she and the rest of the mares and foals joined in to make a group hug.
"We're your friends!" Rainbow Dash adds. "We don't care if you came 50th place! You're still number 1 in our books."
"So...you're not upset or disappointed?" Applejack asked with worry as they break a hug when the Mane 7, 7 foals, the Elemental Masters, and Wild Heart shook their head with a smile on their faces. "But what about the Mayor? I don't think I can face her and tell her I didn't get that money to fix the broken roof."
"Applejack, we can always find a way to fix that hole in the roof." Fluttershy told her sweetly. "But if you don't come back, we'll never be able to fix the hole in our hearts."
"Whether you win or lose, we'll still see you as our friend." Mario adds.
Fluttershy and Twilight each gave her a friendly cheek to cheek nuzzle with Applejack from her side as they smiled as Mario smiled proudly while Pinkie Pie and Rarity exchanged tears at the sight. The Elemental Masters, Wild Heart, and 6 foals smiled while Apple Shine hugs her mother.
Rainbow Dash was flying over them, crying softly before she realizes it and shakes herself out it angrily.
"Darn it! Now you got me all sappy!" Rainbow Dash yelled as she crossed her fore-hooves indignantly.
"Oh, Mom." Storm Hawk said with a chuckle, flies next to her when Rainbow Dash hugs her son.
The Elemental Masters, Wild Heart, the 7 foals, and the Mane 8 were now on their journey home as Applejack thought of a letter to write to Princess Celestia.
'Dear Princess Celestia,
It's a tad easier to be proud when you come in 1st than it is when you finished further back. But there's no reason to hide when you don't do as well as you'd hoped. You can't run away from your problems. Better to run to your friends and family.'
The train pulls in at the Ponyville station, whose platform is crammed with the Apple family, well-wisher, and Winona. As soon as she steps onto the platform, Winona happily knocks her flat, much to their amusement as they just smiled while Big Mac shed some tears of his own and the others smile. Then, Big Mac dog piled Applejack and Winona, with Granny Smith and Apple Bloom following pursuit which Bright Mac and Buttercup smiled.
A little while later, Applejack was walking home with Mario and Apple Shine as the others went home on their own. Mario noticed the guilty look on her face.
"You doing okay?" Mario asks with concern.
"Okay? How can I be okay?" Applejack croaked with tears spilling down her face. "I didn't tell our friends, or you, or mah daughter the truth! Mario, how can I try to be honest when I can't be true to myself?"
Mario gestures her niece to wait inside, earned a nod from her as she heads home. Mario then looks at her before he wiped the tears from her eyes as he smiled.
"Applejack, I know it's hard for you to be honest with the others, but you gotta learn to be able to trust yourself that you can do better than that." Mario said as he guided his sister back at Sweet Apple Acres. "You just have to learn that you can trust your friends to let them help you with that."
Applejack smiled at that.
"Well, I guess this is where you get your wisdom from your teacher. Twilight is glad to somepony like you to date with that you stay true to yourself too." Applejack said to her brother before she became sad. "I just wish I had somepony of mah own to help me with that."
Mario just blinked a few times before he smiled.
"You know, I think I know somepony who can help you with that." Mario said as he handed Applejack a picture.
The picture showed of Mario's friend, Cole, the Master of Earth.
"Who's this fella?" Applejack asked curiously.
"His name is Cole." Mario explains. "He's a friend of mine and he's the Master of Earth. He even taught me how to use it, too. And he's pretty skilled in martial arts. I think he might be a perfect match for you if you'd give him a chance."
Applejack looked at the photo for a moment before she smiled in reply.
"Thanks, sugarcube." Applejack thanked her brother. "I'll keep that in mind."
Applejack and Mario then went inside of the farm house.
Inside of her room, Applejack noticed that her daughter is already asleep as she lays next to her on her bed with the stenson hat on a hat hanger. She then thought about Mario said as she took the picture of Cole in her hooves as she looked at it. She looked at the picture of Cole before she smiled.
"Huh, now that Mario mentions it, Cole is cute." Applejack said with a smile as a heart floats in the air above her as she now has a crush on Cole.
'Uh oh, sounds like a Cupid made a direct hit to the heart.' Apple Shine mentally thought with a smile.
That's it for the 17th chapter.