S2 E14 Everypony! Super Speedy Cider Squeezy is up next with the Flim Flam brothers!
At the farm Sweet Apple Acres where Malibu still lived, he and Applebloom are watching Applejack practicing for an upcoming rodeo contest. She jumped over the hurdles, running faster and faster.
Despite how strong and impressive AJ was she could never be as good as Rainbow Dash in the clone gargoyle's eyes, but he still appreciated her skills. Malibu had a big grin on his face while Applebloom wore her sister's hat. She had cheered, nearly falling over.
"Maybe you can try taking off the hat?" Malibu suggested but AB shook her head. "No way!" He chuckled when Applejack jumped over the last hurdle, barely touching it and managing to land in record time.
"Woo-hoo!" Applebloom cheered again, this time the hat falling off. "Applejack, you're sure to knock off everypony's hat in the Equestria Rodeo Competition!"
Applejack turned pink. "Aw, shucks, Applebloom. I sure hope so." Malibu stared in disbelief. "How could you not believe that? I mean, look," He complimented, gesturing to the wall of blue ribbons the orange earth pony had. "Yeah! After all, you're the ten time rodeo champeen of Ponyville! Why, you've got more blue ribbons than any pony in Ponyville ever like what Malibu showed! And I can't wait for my big sis to win every blue ribbon in Equestria and bring home the title of Equestria Rodeo champeen!"
Malibu's grin grew bigger at the sight of now Applejack's even more noticeable blushes. But then he remembered. "Uh, gotta go help Rainbow Dash to repair the town hall. But I'll be back to see you off, AJ, alright?" He said, Applejack nodding in response. He took to the air, flying to the middle of the town.
He saw Rainbow struggling to hold up a sign and decided to surprise her by using his magic. A smile showed on his face when she turned, startled. "Oh, hey Mal! You made it! And in time too. Things have been a little slow since another certain helper hasn't really been… helping." The cyan blue pegasus gestured to a storm cloud.
The teal alicorn prince saw what she was talking about when suddenly lightning zapped, nearly singing his mane. "Ah!" He yelped. "Careful, Derpy!" Rainbow Dash yelled out to the gray pegasus with the bubbles for her cutie mark. Malibu didn't blame Derpy since she had that disability. "You don't want to do anymore damage than you've already done," Rainbow grumbled to Derpy, who simply jumped on the cloud blissfully.
"I just don't know what went wrong!" Derpy said cheerfully, ending up being zapped by her own cloud, smiling goofily. Malibu thought he heard Dash mutter something under her breath but he didn't quite catch it. "It really is alright, Derpy. Just happy you volunteered," Malibu said, trying to be nice.
Derpy then flew backwards. "Nice work, guys!" She exclaimed, before her butt hit against a beam, making it fall over, Malibu's ears flattened, going up and catching the beam, but Rainbow accidentally flew into him, and the duo crashed through the deck floor.
He groaned, feeling Rainbow Dash on top of him, and the two turned red, quickly getting off each other, Derpy looking down at them. "You ok Rainbow Dash and Malibu? Anything I can do to help?" The gray pegasus asked, a piece of wood falling, smaller this time.
Rainbow zipped up out of the hole, her face panicked. "No! Nothing! In the name of Celestia just sit there and do nothing!" She shouted. Malibu frowned. A little too harsh if you asked him. But this was his marefriend so he couldn't yell at her. Derpy did sit; however she cracked the wood, and collapsed down, taking Dash with her. This time Malibu kept himself free from crashing again.
"Oops! My bad!" Yelled up Derpy, the teal alicorn just grinning still. There was just something about her clumsiness that made her charming in a way.
He soon heard cheering from the center of town, which sounded like them yelling out Applejack's name. Malibu saw Mayor Mare there on a stadium. "Everypony, can I get your attention? Your attention please!" The crowd stopped cheering. "Yes, we are all here to send Applejack to compete in this year's Equestria Rodeo Competition in Canterlot!"
Malibu cheered with the others, Applejack standing there and waving. "And I want to thank Applejack in advance. For generously offering up her prize money to fix town hall!" Malibu glanced back at the sight of the place. It definitely needed a proper fixing.
"Yay Applejack! Woo-hoo!" Derpy cheered, falling back in the hole, Rainbow Dash rolling her eyes. Soon she and Malibu joined the crowd along with Derpy.
"Speech! Speech!" Pinkie called out, jumping. Applejack grinned awkwardly. "Aw, shucks. I'm not much for speeches." Pinkie tilted her head. "Alright then, no speech!"
Applejack spoke again. "Buuut! This here is the nicest send off anypony could ask for. 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 town hall. I promise to make Ponyville proud." Malibu's eyes watered from that speech, hoping AJ will win, cheering with the others after that.
….
The following afternoon, Malibu, the 5 of his friends along with the Apple Family and Mayor Mare went to see off Applejack at the train station. She looked rearing to go.
"I want to show you all them highfalutin rodeo ponies what a real rodeo pony is like!" Granny Smith declared, her bones creaking while holding up a hoof. Applejack nodded. "You betcha, Granny Smith."
Mayor Mare had an expectant grin. "And, bring back lots of money!" Applejack nodded to that one too. Malibu gave her a hug. "Also be safe, too while doing it," He suggested. AJ just did another nod. "Ah know, sugarcube."
"And have fun. And don't be nervous. 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 squealed, munching on a bag of taffy, making them all confused. Applejack reared slightly. "I'll do better than my best!"
The conductor then called out for ponies to board the train, which was Applejack's turn. Malibu's tears felt more present, hugging Applejack once more, as she boarded, everypony cheering for her and following the train when it began to move.
"See y'all in a week, with a big bag full of blue ribbons!" Applejack promised, Malibu waving with his wing, he and the rest running until the train stop ended, Malibu watching the train disappearing. "And drink sasparilla!" Pinkie yelled out, making everypony stare at her in confusion. "What? It gives you extra sass!" She claimed with a grin. Malibu's ears fell a little, staring at the distance, already missing the one who allowed him to stay at their farm.
….
A week had already gone by which felt quite fast to Malibu while they got a welcome home surprise party for Applejack. "I hope Applejack is surprised by this surprise party!" Fluttershy said in her nervous voice.
"Well that is the point!" Rainbow said back, after her, Malibu and Flutter set up the banner used earlier. Malibu landed, hoping too that she would be pleased. "I know, but I hope she isn't so surprised, she's startled. Because while being surprised can be nice, being startled can be… very startling."
Malibu wasn't so sure when Pinkie suddenly jumped out in front of him. "Surprise!" She squealed, making him leap into the air. "Don't… do that!" He gasped out loud. Fluttershy nodded in his direction. "That's what I'm saying," She claimed. "Sorry! I was just practicing my 'surprise!' for when we surprise Applejack with this surprise party. Surprise!" She finished, making Flutter yelp aloud like he did.
"Quiet Pinkie, I think Applejack's coming!" Malibu's eyes widened as he went to quickly hide with her, Pinkie hiding with Applebloom. "Don't worry, Twilight. Got my lips all limbered up!" Malibu stared in a deadpanned look while Pinkie 'exercised' her lips, weirding out Applebloom, the lights now turning off.
The barn door opened, light turning on again, everypony except Pinkie shouting "Surprise!" She tried but failed to get it right like she'd hoped, Malibu laughing inside. But it was only the post pony.
"Wow! This is the best surprise ever! How did you know it was my birthday?" He exclaimed in happiness. The gang all lowered their heads in embarrassment, Twilight just taking the letter then closing it. Malibu felt somewhat sorry for him. "Pinkie, maybe some cake for him would be nice,'' he suggested. The pink pony nodded, taking a slice and giving it to the post pony who accepted.
Malibu stared at the letter in anticipation when Twilight opened it. "Who's it from, Twilight? What's it say?" Applebloom pressed. "It's from Applejack." Twilight replied. That left Malibu stunned. Why would she send a letter than come home? "Dear family and friends. Not coming back to Ponyville. Don't worry, we'll send money soon…" she trailed off, looking mortified. "That's all there is," Twilight mumbled in sadness.
"No!" Malibu gasped in disbelief. "But why?" Applebloom looked ready to cry. "Applejack's… not comin' back?" Rainbow's ears were flat while Malibu's heart felt like breaking. The pony that welcomed him… was gone.
"What do you mean Applejack's not coming back?! She loves Ponyville!" Rainbow Dash argued. Granny Smith's tears fell. "And she loves Sweet Apple Acres!" She sobbed. Applebloom looked on the verge of a meltdown. "And she loves her family!" Malibu sniffled a bit too, while giving her a hug along with Big Mac. He now had been considering Applejack as a new sister.
Rarity gasped aloud in her dramatic fashion. "Something just dreadful must've happened to Applejack to make her not return!" She yelped, Malibu looking at her, a small frown on his face. "Yeah, we figured that Rar," He grumbled, feeling grumpy as well as sad now. Fluttershy whimpered. "Maybe she's hurt, or sad, or scared!"
Malibu then knew he couldn't leave Applejack out there like that. If she was hurt, whoever did it would answer to him. Plus she was an Element of Harmony, and they would never leave each other. "So, what are we waiting for?! Let's go find her!" Shouted Dash in her loyalty fashion, zipping outside of the barn.
"Don't worry, we'll search all of Equestria if we have to." Twilight vowed. Malibu nodded to them all. "We'll bring her back, we promise!"
Applebloom had a watery smile. "Y'all are the best." Granny sniffled, waving. "Thank you friends," She whimpered. The 6 of them ran out to find their lost one, hoping to bring her back home. Malibu would climb the highest mountain to find his sister.
….
The gang arrived to the rodeo in Canterlot, where they searched all about and questioned ponies there about their missing friend. Most of them though haven't seen her much to Malibu's disappointment. They nearly gave up until one mare recognized the picture, pointing to far out into open country.
Malibu's ears fell at the sight of the desert, gulping, wondering how far she had gotten.
While on the train, beads of sweat from his panic for Applejack fell down Malibu's forehead, also hearing Pinkie Pie making weird grunts, crossing her legs. "I hope this lead doesn't turn out to be a dead end! I don't wanna come home empty-hooved after promising we'd find her." Rainbow Dash worried, Malibu giving her a assuring hug. "We will find her. I made a promise to the family who took me in."
"I don't know how we'll break it to the Apple Family," Fluttershy whimpered.
"I don't know how we'll break it to Ponyville!" Twilight said. Pinkie gritted her teeth, clenching her muscles. "I don't know how I'll make it to the next stop!" Malibu felt weirded out from her words, not wanting her to… do her business on the train. He remembered learning once that gargoyles never needed to use the bathroom. Except now that he was a pony he did have to.
The train came to a halt at the stop they were sent to at last. "This is Dodge Junction, guys. Applejack is supposed to have come here after the rodeo ended." Malibu swallowed. "Please let her be here," He mumbled, worry making his chest hurt, Pinkie Pie zipping right over to the pony restroom, banging on the door. "Ooh, pickles! Hurryhurryhurryhurryhurry! Hurry it up in there!" She squealed, the bathroom door slamming into her suddenly, toilet flushing.
"Huh. Some ponies. Sheesh!" Malibu jumped up, recognizing that voice. No way! Pinkie at first went in, then saw who it was. "Applejack! I found her! I found her! I found her! I found her!" She cheered, jumping about and pointing, grinning big. Malibu saw AJ there, who turned, her eyes looking worried.
Malibu ran over, giving her a big hug. "AJ!" He cried, tears falling down his face, Applejack swallowing and patting the young alicorn's shoulder. "Oh, Applejack, thank heavens!" Rarity sighed. Fluttershy smiled. "We're so glad you're safe!" Applejack swallowed, eyes darting about while Pinkie jumped about until she remembered she still needed to go.
"Uh, hey, everypony. What's up?" Applejack asked nervously, Rainbow answered. "Why didn't you come back to Ponyville?" Malibu nodded. "Your family had been worried sick," He said, still a bit disappointed in her for doing this. Rarity raised her brow. "And why are you here?"
Pinkie emerged again after her business. "Are you ok?" Fluttershy whispered. "Do you have any snacks?" Pinkie asked in a question not related to what they were asking.
Malibu watched AJ shift her hooves with her nerves. "Tell us what happened, Applejack," Twilight persisted, until a new pony showed her face; a middle aged mare with a bright red mane and cherries for her cutie mark. "Applejack? Are these some of your Ponyville friends? And oh, the Prince of Equestria himself!" The mare put a hoof on her chest, flushing, making Malibu feel embarrassed again. "Yep, uh, nice to meet you," He mumbled in his shy manner.
Rarity gave her a suspicious look. "And you are?" The mare laughed. "Oh, forgive my manners. I am Cherry Jubilee, boss of Cherry Hill Ranch. Hasn't Applejack told ya? I saw her compete at the Equestria Rodeo. Never saw anypony win so many ribbons in all my life."
Applejack smiled. "Aw, shucks, Miss Jubilee. You don't have to go into all that." Malibu still wanted to know if she really won first place ribbons at all, and wondered why she was keeping that quiet. Cherry put a hoof under her chin. "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. Well, I'll let you catch up with your friends. See you back at the ranch." The orange earth pony began to sweat more, Malibu and the others glaring rightfully so.
Rainbow Dash flew into her face. "Change of scenery? What's that supposed to mean?!" Malibu swished his tail. "Yeah, that makes no sense!" He snipped. Applejack pawed the dirt. "S'no big deal guys. I thought cherries would be a nice change from apples, so I took the job and came here. That's it. End of story."
That didn't satisfy the gargoyle clone. She always preferred apples over other fruits. When did this change of mind happen? "That's it? That's a terrible story!" Pinkie complained, Malibu agreeing with her. Applejack shook her head. "Sorry, but that's all there is to tell. Thanks for checkin' on me, but y'all can go home now. Tell my family hi, and that I'm doing a-ok."
"No, Applejack. You aren't being honest with us!" Malibu growled, eyes glowing red slightly, making Applejack wince. "Yeah, and we didn't travel all over Equestria searching for you to come home without you!" Applejack glared back. "Well, I didn't ask ya to come lookin' for me! There is nothin' to tell and I'm not going back to Ponyville!"
Twilight huffed after Applejack left. "I don't care what she says. Applejack's not telling us something." Malibu nodded. "Yes, she's pretty much breaking her Element here." He said. Rainbow agreed. "They're right. We gotta make her spill the beans."
Pinkie gasped. "What?! She has beans? Ugh! I told her I was snacky!" Malibu facepalmed himself. "No, Pinkie. It is an expression. Twilight told me," He mumbled, as they went to follow Applejack to where she was going, which was the cherry factory.
Jubilee was setting up Applejack to get to work there on the spinning wheel. The 6 others snuck in, wearing work outfits. Malibu didn't quite like these outfits since it made him feel girly, but he was willing to tolerate for his adoptive sister. "What are you doing here?" Demanded Applejack, glowering. Twilight grinned. "We're your cherry sorters! Shall we get started?"
Applejack rolled her eyes. "Fine." Jubilee gave instructions. "Red cherries go in one bin, and yellow cherries go in the other. Simple as cherry pie. Just one teensy thing to remember; have fun!" Malibu stared slightly at that odd line, but shrugged it off. Jubilee seemed to be cheerful and friendly enough though. "What are you 6 up to?" Applejack pressed suspiciously.
Malibu grinned nervously. "Er, nothin'. Just want to help," He said nervously. Rarity nodded. "Yes. And you made working on a cherry orchard sound… so delightful." The orange earth pony grumbled. "Uh-huh. Well, just remember: no talking about Ponyville."
Rainbow didn't want to wait any longer. "Fine. Why don't you quit talking and get walking?" Applejack's frown went deeper as she walked on the wheel, the cherries coming out, Malibu helping sort the red cherries. They had to ask questions soon, they didn't come all the way just to do cherries.
He saw Twilight wink at Rainbow after she had given the head signal. Malibu swallowed, Twilight going to ask the questions. "So, AJ, how was Canterlot?" Applejack turned around sharply. "Not talking about Ponyville, talking about Canterlot, totally different town."
Applejack seemed fine with that question. "Canterlot was fine." Her eyes widened a little when Twilight showed up next to her. "Was the rodeo fun?"
"Yes."
"Did you meet some nice ponies there?" Asked Twilight again, going into interrogation mode. "Some." Now was Rainbow Dash's turn, looking excited. "Really? Did you see Wild Bull Hickok? Oh, what about Calamity Mane?"
Applejack got annoyed. "Yes, saw 'em both." Malibu then tired his part. "So, uh, was traveling there ok?" He asked. The farm mare nodded, groaning. "Yes, yes," She replied. Malibu didn't like this new Applejack, who seemed grumpier than the last time he saw her.
Rarity asked her question. "How did you meet miss Jubilee?"
"Um, well, Miss Jubilee had a cherry stand at the rodeo. Real good treats." She began walking faster, making more cherries come out, Pinkie and Fluttershy struggling to control them. Malibu didn't notice at first. "Cherry winks, cherry cheesecakes, cherry tarts. We struck up a conversation, being orchard folk and all."
Malibu nodded. "Yes, but, we want to know about why you came here," He demanded. "And don't give me the same story!" Applejack growled, going faster. "And you told Cherry about Sweet Apple Acres?"
"Yes."
"Did you tell her why you weren't going back?" Rainbow demanded. "No, 'cause it was none of her business!" Applejack yelled, running faster and faster, making a mess of the cherries. "Can you please slow down?" Fluttershy whimpered, Pinkie Pie doing her best to catch all the cherries. Soon more questions were thrown.
"Is it because I made it rain on you that one time?"
"No!"
"Is it because you were insulted when I gave you that book on organized orchards?"
"No!"
"Is it because… you were insulted when I insulted your hair?"
"NO!" Applejack screamed, getting tired of it. Malibu then got his part in.
"Maybe, when I got sick, and… and… I overstressed you too much about it?" He asked in a nervous way. Applejack looked quite furious at his. "No, no, NO! I'm not telling you why, so just-."
"STOP!" Fluttershy wailed, the cherries overflowing, Applejack skidding to a halt, and having cherries being splattered all over her face. Malibu got some on himself too. Applejack gave them looks of disappointment and left.
Malibu grunted in frustration of having cherry juice all over him but was also frustrated at Applejack again. Did Discord still have some small influence in the back of her head to tell her that lying was still an option? He hoped not. The 6 began to clean up the cherry mess, Malibu using a spell to clean himself that he learned from Twilight and Celestia.
"Well, everypony, we seem to be striking out." Twilight concluded, Malibu glaring at her. "Ya think?" He huffed, using a mop with his magic. "That's 'cause we're playing too nice!" Dash pointed out, Malibu agreeing with her. Rarity wiped up more cherry juice. "Yes. Desperate times do call for desperate measures."
Malibu saw his marefriend give a sinister grin. "Time to call in the big guns!" She looked towards the one who could break Applejack: Pinkie Pie.
…
They put their plan into motion; having Malibu and the others hide while Rainbow Dash used Pinkie to talk Applejack to death. She backed up into a tree, while Pinkie talked about cherrychangas, until she screamed.
"NOOOO! Make it stop! Make it stop!" Shrieked Applejack. Malibu and Rainbow came up, wearing ear plugs while Pinkie yakked on. "The only way to make it stop is for you to spill the beans!" She threatened, Malibu nodding, his reptilian styled eyes glowing, intimidating Applejack further. "Never!" Snapped Applejack. Dash took her hoof off of Pinkie's mouth and she kept talking. Malibu was grateful for the earplugs.
"Speaking of beans, did you ever realize how many words rhyme with 'beans'? Lean, mean, spleen, unclean, bean…" Her voice continued on, and she finally broke. "Alright, alright! I'll tell everypony what's goin' on! Just please stop talkin'!" Now she was surrounded by her six friends.
AJ though had a plan. "But… can it wait until tomorrow? I'm plum tuckered out." Malibu groaned. They were so close, and Applejack ends up finding a way to sneak by it. "Are you sure?" He asked. She nodded. "Tomorrow, huh?" Dash asked suspiciously. "I don't know."
Pinkie then did the pinkie promise. "Do you Pinkie Promise?" She asked. Applejack groaned, before agreeing. "I will tell you the whole truth at breakfast. Pinkie promise." She did that sacred vow then, Malibu knowing that nobody can break that kind of vow, now feeling tired out himself from all this.
Jubilee gave them rooms at an apartment where Applejack was sleeping, and Malibu snuggled into his bed, watching his Aunt Luna's moon rise before soon falling asleep.
The next morning was the big one. The 6 ponies woke up, ready to get answers. Twilight had sighed, while going to her room. "I'm glad we're finally gonna get some answers from Applejack," She said in a relieved voice, Malibu agreeing. But his marefriend didn't quite believe it.
"Don't worry, friends. She's gotta fess up after making a Pinkie Promise." They knocked on her door. "Good morning, Applejack. You ready for br—." She gasped aloud, and Malibu saw. To his rage; AJ's bed was empty. She had run away.
Malibu stared at Pinkie as her anger went into overload, steam blowing out of her ears. "NOPONY BREAKS A PINKIE PROMISE!" Everypony else was stunned at how angry their usually cheery pony was, who zipped out, the others following as fast as they could. Malibu was glad now he was on Pinkie Pie's side.
Outside, they spotted AJ from afar. "APPLEJACK! YOU PINKIE PROMISED!" Roared Pinkie Pie in outrage. That scared Applejack big time, summoning a carriage. "Applejack, stop!" Shouted Malibu in his own anger, knowing he was gonna give her a piece of his mind if he had to. Applejack jumped into a carriage. "Giddyup, fellas. I gotta get the heck out of Dodge!"
The stallions whinnied, galloping out. Malibu wouldn't have that. "She's gonna get away!" Pinkie shouted. Twilight shook her head. "Oh no she isn't! Look guys!" They spotted another carriage. "I'll follow her, you pull the carriage!" Malibu yelled out, taking to the skies. He would shoot spells if he had to to stun the stallions on AJ's ride.
They had Fluttershy and Rainbow pull the carriage they were in. "Follow that stagecoach!" Commanded Pinkie, but Malibu saw they were about to run into a bunny. He flew down to grab it, taking the bunny to safety, Fluttershy smiling gratefully at him.
The chase continued on, Malibu flying above, amazed at how fast the stagecoach before him was going, coughing from the desert clouds getting into his nose. Applejack saw him following, glaring. "Stop it, Mal! Just leave me alone!" She stormed in rage. "Never! And you got company!" He pointed, Applejack gasping when seeing her other friends.
When they got close, Rainbow slammed against the stagecoach. "Pull over!" Applejack nearly fell out. "Cut that out!" She turned to her drivers. "I'll pay you double to outrun them!"
"We'll pay you triple to slow down!" Twilight argued. Applejack then smirked. "I'll pay you quadruple to leave them in the dust!" Malibu gasped as a huge cloud of dust made him cough, nearly blinding him, falling down. Twilight caught Malibu and sat him in the carriage. "Thanks Twi," He mumbled, shaking his head.
Pinkie still wouldn't give up. "Get them! GET THEM!" Malibu nodded. "We will Pinkie. Keep going, girls!" He yelled down at Flutter and Dash, running as fast as they could. They caught up again, Pinkie jumping into the stagecoach. "Applejack, you broke your Pinkie Promise! Apologize!"
Applejack shook her head. "Pinkie, I did not break my promise!" That confused the party horse. "If y'all reckon back, I told you that I would tell you everythin' at breakfast. But I didn't come for breakfast. I couldn't come to that breakfast. Not if it meant telling y'all what happened," She said sadly. Malibu's anger subsided a little, but not completely. She still lied.
"Well, I… I…" Pinkie Pie stuttered. "I'm sorry Pinkie. But I can't tell y'all the truth. I just can't!" Applejack argued back. Pinkie shrugged. "Well, I heard a 'sorry' in there, so that'll have to do for now. I'll get a real apology later. Rarity, catch me!"
She jumped off the stagecoach much to Malibu's shock, Rarity's eyes widening, Pinkie Pie smacking into her, falling off into the dust. "Rainbow, stop! Go back!" Yelled Malibu, but Rainbow Dash told him they couldn't lose Applejack for it, Malibu knowing he would have to find them later.
One other obstacle coming up was train tracks, Malibu swallowing, staring, Applejack being brave enough to cross them. But that didn't deter the others, for Fluttershy and Dash flew over the train. "Aw, nuts…" Applejack groaned, as they landed. Malibu jumped out, charging at the workhorse. "Stop right there!" He roared, tackling Applejack but made sure not to hurt her, her bag spilling open; ribbons of all colors coming out.
Applejack flinched up, beginning to cry. "Fine. Now ya know!" She sobbed. Malibu's heart ached at her voice. "Know what?" Twilight asked. Applejack pointed. "Well, just look!"
Malibu looked them over. They weren't too bad. "That is quite a lot of ribbons," He complimented. Twilight agreed. "Yeah, just like Jubilee said." But that didn't cheer her up. "Don't ya get it? There's every color of ribbon down there. Every color… but… blue. I came in fourth, third, even second. But I didn't win one first prize, and I certainly didn't win any prize money."
The cyan blue pegasus was confused. "But, the telegram said you were gonna send money." She persisted. Applejack kept looking guilty after Malibu got off from her. "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. I couldn't come home a failure." She whimpered.
Those words instantly got rid of any anger Malibu had. Tears in his own eyes, he went up and hugged tight again, using his alicorn wings. "You could've just told us," He murmured. Applejack nodded. "Yeah, but got scared," She said. Twilight grinned. "Applejack, you're not a failiure,' She persisted. Dash agreed. "And we're your friends. We don't care if you came in fiftieth place! You're still number one in our books!"
Applejack perked slightly. "So… you're not upset or disappointed?" The others shook their heads. Never at all. "But what about the mayor? I don't think I could face her and tell her I didn't get that money to fix the broken roof," Applejack sniffled.
Fluttershy had her hug now. "Applejack, we can always find a way to fix that hole in the roof. But if you don't come back, we'll never be able to fix the hole in our hearts…" She said in such a cute way that made Malibu's tears flood down. "And I never want you to leave, AJ. Please. You're like my sister," He said in a sniffling voice. Applejack had tears too at his words, nuzzling him softly.
Rainbow Dash was struggling to keep cool, until her own tears came. "Darn it! Now you got me acting all sappy!" She yelled. Malibu grinned. "It's not wrong to be sad, Dash. That means you got sentiment," He said to her. Rainbow flushed from her coltfriend. He said the nicest things sometimes.
…..
Eventually; they all returned home and Malibu managed to find Rarity and Pinkie too. Their loved ones back in Ponyville welcomed Applejack home with open hooves, while Applejack later wrote her letter to the Princess about her newest lesson:
"Dear Princess Celestia,
It's a tad easier to be proud when you come in first than it is when you finish 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 Apple family had one big group hug, welcoming Malibu in the middle too. He felt warm inside, happy Applejack was back for good now, and that things will be ok.
Pinkie freaking out over someone breaking a Pinkie Promise will always be the best moment in S2 for her.