"Thought I'd find you here."

Braeburn turned his head in the direction of the voice to see nopony else but Comet Tail.

"Not that you'd have a lot of places to hide on a train." Added the unicorn.

The earth pony stallion was currently sitting in a train compartment rented for the apple tree transport. It was a bizarre scene as the tree was laid on a soft bed normally intended for ponies, but Braeburn has already learned not to question Applejack's ideas.

"I just wanted a little time alone with somethin' that reminds me of family." Said the apple farmer.

"Well good thing we're about to see you parents." Said Comet Tail.

Braeburn thought for a moment.

"Yeah, good thing."

The royal protege could sense something was wrong.

"What is it?" He asked his friend.

"What's what?" Asked the earth pony stallion.

"The real reason why you're coming back home. I've never seen The Apples sending a whole tree away and during most of the trip you seemed distant and unreachable. Not to mention that your family already grows apple trees in their orchard. This whole thing seems like a convenient excuse for you to go back to Appleoosa without raising suspicions."

The farmer stayed silent.

"Do you feel lonely without your parents?" Asked the unicorn.

Braeburn shook his head. "It's complicated."

"What is?"

"Mah problem." Replied Braeburn with a small hint of anger in his voice. "It's somethin' I gotta solve myself, and I don't appreciate other ponies stickin' their noses in my private life.."

The unicorn was slightly off put by his friends attitude but decided to respect his wishes.

"I 'll be back in our compartment. Twilight has decided to organise some kind of trivia game. You're free to join us of course."

"I'll consider it."

Comet Tail nodded his head and headed back where he came from, leaving his friend alone.


Finally in the evening Braeburn joined the compartment with the rest of his travel companions. It was buzzing with conversations.

"Good to see you again." Said Timer Turner. "We've started worrying about you."

"No need to, I'm fine." Replied the farmer.

"When there's everything fine with somepony they don't usually drift off somewhere mid conversation." Said Soarin snarkily.

Braeburn was about to tell him off but got interrupted.

"Leave him alone." Twilight interfered. "If he wanted us to know what bugged him he would've told us. Respect his choice."

Soarin raised his hooves. "Alright, my bad."

An irritated groan could be heard.

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

"Sorry Spike, I promise we'll try to keep it down." Said Thunderlane diplomatically.

Little drake nodded his head and covered himself with the blanket.

"He has a point." Said Comet Tail. "We all have a long day ahead of us tomorrow, it's high time we get some shut - eye."

"Agreed." Added Twilight turning off the lamp.

All of the stallions gave their own version of goodnight.

It wasn't long before the silence was interrupted.

"Psst. Thunder? Are you asleep?" Whispered Soarin.

"Nopony falls asleep in ten seconds." The stallion in question replied in a hushed tone.

"Do you have any idea why Braeburn keeps acting like that?"

"Beats me. But that's not our place to pry."

"Do you think he argued with his parents."

"Again. None of our business."

"Whatcha guys talking about?" Asked Cheese Sandwich joining the conversation.

"We wonder what's up with Braeburn."

"You do. Leave me out of this." Said Thunderlane.

"Why? What's wrong with being concerned about your friend?" The party pony wondered out loud.

"That's not what I-" Thunderlane sighed, irritated. "It's clear he has some issues that he needs to think about alone."

"What are you all blabbering about?" Asked Time Turner, slightly irritated. "We all agreed to go to sleep, haven't we?"

"We're considering either helping Braeburn with his problem, or leaving it to him?"

"He has some kind of problem?" The inventor inquired, his interest piqued.

"Oh for Pete's sake!" Spike exclaimed angrily. He jumped out of his bed, pillow in his right claw.

After reaching the end of the compartment he slammed the doors shut.

"Someone's in a bad mood." Muttered Soarin.

Suddenly a light snoring filled the air. Thunderlane looked in the direction of the sound and smiled. "Looks like at least two ponies will get a good night of sleep."

It was both Twilight and Comet Tail snoozing in their beds, drool leaking from their mouths.

"So it is possible to fall asleep in ten minutes." Said Soarin smirking.


The next morning sun rays started creeping through the compartments windows, illuminating softly the interior, gently waking up some of the ponies.

Soon enough however all of them were awake as something hit the side of the wagon with a tremendous force.

"What the hay was that?" Asked Soarin confused.

Cheese Sandwich looked through the window.

"Looks like we found new friends outside!" He exclaimed cheerfuly.

Comet decided to take a look to have a better idea what the party planner was talking about.

He saw a rather large buffalo stampede.

"Fascinating." Said Twilight. "I've never had any first - hoof encounter with the buffalos."

"Ah had." Said Braeburn, Comet Tail noticed the visible unease on the farmer's muzzle. "We need to tell train driver to go faster."

"Why?" Inquired Comet Tail wondering what his friend is hiding.

"They are getting awfully close to the train." Noted Thunderlane.

Not long after these words left the dark stallion's mouth one of the buffalos struck the compartment with his shoulder shaking it again.

Some of the ponies lost their balance again.

"Wow! Now they're doing tricks!" Shouted Cheese Sandwich, his good mood unchanged.

Soarin looked at what the earth pony was referring to. He saw two buffalos making a tower. After a few seconds the last member joined. It was a younger representative of the species. A young cow with short horns protruding from the sides of her head, a tuft of her with lighter shade of fur on her head. She jumped on the top of the compartment, making her presence known with the sound of hooves hitting the metal ceiling.

"I thought she was going to do a backflip." Said the party planner sounding somewhat disappointed.

"I think it's the time for the fastest of us to reconnoitre." Said Soarin

He flew out of the train and landed a few meters in front of the young buffalo to give her time to stop. Wind was whistling in his ears.

He looked at her with an inviting smile. "Hello there."

She noticed him and gasped but seemingly decided to keep on going.

Knowing that he wouldn't win with the running bovine, Soarin flew away at the last second.

"Rude." He muttered to himself.

He started flying next to her.

"You're moving quite fast for someone your build. No offense, of course."

She didn't reply to him.

Soarin decided to try his luck again. He tried talking again, putting himself in front of her.

"Listen I just wanna know-" This time she went around him.

Stallion could feel getting angry.

He decided to to do it one more time.

"Hey! I'm talking to-"

Before he could finish the cow jumped over him making a flip midair.

Now he has had it with her.

The pegasus started flying behind the buffalo trying to catch the uninvited guest, but as he accelerated so did the bovine.

She started slowing down.

"Got you now." He muttered.

But before he could catch up to her, she jumped down between two compartments, making him hit the crossbuck with the force strong enough to fall down to earth.

"Uggh." The pegasus groaned.

In the meantime the young buffalo disconnected the last compartment of the train.

She jumped on the top, put a hoof to her mouth and let out a loud whistle.

The rest of the buffalos scattered and joined the younger one, pushing the wagon in the opposite direction to where the train was going.

"Isn't that the compartment where Spike was sleeping?" Asked Thunderlane.

Comet Tail, nodded terrified.

The young drake walked up to the window, screaming for help.

Braeburn remained silent watching as the wagon getting smaller and smaller.

And during this time his sight locked with the one belonging to a young cow. Deep sadness in both of their eyes.

None of them said anything because both of them knew no words would fix this.

Soarin started picking himself up in time to see the whole ordeal.

"Okay… I see how it is."

He spread his wings and started slowly gliding behind the bovines.


As soon as they arrived in Appleoosa the remaining mane six and Twilight, quickly get off the bus wanting to start the search as quick as possible, not knowing what waits for them ahead.

The group was stopped by a pair of smiling ponies on the platform. One of them was a mare with deep maroon coat and green eyes. The other was a stallion that was a spitting image of Braeburn, if it wasn't for a beard and a few gray hairs here and there.

"'Bout time ya showed up. Your train was six minutes late." Said the stallion teasingly.

"Dad, listen-"

"Are your companions perhaps the five friends you've made back in Ponyville?" The mare asked curiously eyeing the group, smile not leaving her muzzle.

"Can't be. He wrote 'bout five stallions, and here I see a charm in' young mare." Said Braeburn's father.

Twilight blushed slightly at the compliment. "Thank you."

The red mare nudged her companion. "Stop that Pippin, you're going to make her feel embarrassed."

She looked at Twilight warmly. "What's your name, sweetie?"

"Twilight Sparkle" Answered the mare in question.

"Lovely name darling. My name's Red Delicious, but you all can just call me Red.

"Okay mom, now that the names are out of the way-" Started Braeburn but got interrupted again.

"No, they're not." Said Pippin. "We still don't know the names of the rest of you compadres."

His son groaned in irritation.

The rest of the groups introduced themselves.

"Ooh, I take it you're the star pupil of her highness then?" Braeburn's mother asked Comet Tail.

"That would be me, but I don't know about the star pupil part." Replied the unicorn.

"You're literally her protege. Stop selling yourself short." Twilight told her childhood friend.

"She's right, you know?" Said Red delicious. "I can only imagine how proud your mother must be.

"She does say that awfully often." Comet confessed.

Braeburn made a sound that was something between a neigh a growl.

"We don't have time for this!" He shouted. "Our friend is missin!"

The expression on the two older ponies faces changed immediately. They gave each other a quick worried look.

"Does it have something to do with-" Started Pippin

"Yes." Replied Braeburn quickly.

Thunderlane burrowed his eyebrows. "Okay that's it. Can you quit it with all that mysterious act and just tell what the hay is going on ?!" The pegasus asked while angrily looking at the element of honesty.

"What? You haven't told your friends why you're here?" Pippin asked his son.

"No, he kindly left that part out." Comet Tail said sarcastically.

The youngest apple farmer sighed. "Ah guess there's no way to walk around the issue now?"

"You need to tell us everything. Every detail matters." Said Twilight, a sense of urgency on her muzzle.

"I reckon the best course o' action would be listenin' to us as well." Proposed Braeburn's father. "Let's talk all this over some coffee and Red's apple pie."

Twilight smiled. "Good idea Mr. Pippin."

Cheese Sandwich looked around confused.

"Ehh, Guys?" He asked. "Have any of you seen Time Turner?"


Soarin hid himself behind the nearest rock, listening carefully for any buffalos nearby. He knew he was close to them, he's been following them for a few hours after all.

Now all there was to do is wait for them to fall asleep, locate Spike and-

"Do you have any actual plan or are you planning to just barge in into their camp?"

The sudden voice almost gave the pegasus a heart attack and caused him to gasp louder than he planned.

The stallion turned his head to see it was his friend Time Turner.

"Never… ever do that again." Said Soarin unamused.

"Sorry for that. Ever since I was a colt my parents told have been telling me that I have a light hoovefall."

"Answering your question, no. I don't plan to just barge into their camp. I'll wait till the nightfall. When they're all asleep I will snatch Spike and get out of here. If Faust will be merciful I won't have to save your sorry flank later."

"And how silently can you walk? The bison have poor eyesight but their hearing is better than mine or yours, especially when it comes to the lower frequencies."

"I'll fly off before that."

"They'll hear you long before you move your wings."

"How do you know?"

"Because I've heard you long before you saw me. It'll be a piece of cake for them."

The pegasus sighed. "I guess we have a problem then?"

"Not necessarily." Replied Time Turner. "We wait for them to fall asleep, just as you planned, however instead of you, it will be me who retrieves Spike. They won't hear me coming. After that's done you'll fly him to the Appeloosa."

"What about you?"

"I'll manage on my own."

Before Soarin could ask any further questions, the sound of exhaled air.

They turned their heads to see a very unamused adult bison looking at them.

Time Turner leaned over to his pegasus friend. "I think I might have an idea how to take him out."

Just as he said that, more and more buffalos started emerging from behind the rocks with nothing but anger painted on their muzzles.

Soarin changed his position to a defensive one. He furrowed his brows, trying to look as intimidating as possible.

"Run, I'll hold them off as long as I can." Said the pegasus.

"As if. I'm not going to let my friend die." Time Turner replied adopting a similar pose.

The bison burrowed their hooves in the ground and with a roar started charging.

"Just so you know, it's an honour going out with you by my side." Said Soarin grinning mischievously.

"My sentiments, exactly." Replied Timer Turner.

Although none of them said it out loud, both of them wish they had spend a little more time with certain mares before their departure.

"Stop!" A very familiar voice sounded in the air. All of the buffalos stopped simultaneously.

Both stallions had a hard time believing their ears.

"Soarin, Doctor, sup?" The little drake asked nonchalantly, standing between the bison. "No worries, I know those guys, they're cool." Spike said to one of the bovines.

"If you say so, Spike." The buffalo gave him a fistbump. "Catch ya later bro." And with that the herd of the big mammals run off in their direction, leaving the two ponies utterly confused.

"I have questions." Said Soarin.

Spike shrugged his arms. "They'll all be answered in time. But before that you two will have to prepare for a long trip."

"Where are we going?" Asked Time Turner.

"Meet chief Thunderhooves."


"So let me get this straight." Said Comet Tail while sitting with his friends in Braeburn's childhood home. "You and buffalos and Trotsville actually used to actually trade with each other. It was after you've planted an orchard on their holy ground that the big guys got upset?"

"Roughly speakin, yeah." Replied Pippin.

"Can't you guys like… replant it somewhere else?" Asked Thunderlane.

"That's out of the question." Braeburn's father replied firmly but kindly. "The first seeds have been sown by the town's founder Fameuse, that patch of the ground is the only place, where the trees can grow."

"Fameuse?" Did he come from Prance?"

"Aye." Said Braeburn "But he was kind enough not to force Dad and Uncle Bright Mac to learn Prench."

"Oh." Said Comet Tail. "Not everypony can brag about their family founding two cities."

"It's more of the curse with this Faust-forgotten hole, really." Replied Braeburn gloomily.

His father gave him a stern look but said nothing.

"You guys have quite the situation on your hooves." Said Twilight empathetically.

Pippin sighed. "I like them buffalo folks, I really do, but we can't just sit idle while they start tearin' down our apple trees. This'll mess up trade in the whole area. Without apples, we lose fine fabrics, coal, and, most importantly, wheat. And forget about buffalo wool—without it, we're stuck importin' more expensive coats from up north come winter."

Braeburn closed his eyes deep in the reverie. "When did things become so complicated?"


"Braeburn, stay close to me." Said Red Delicious, the young colt nodded his head showing his mother he understands, although it was hard for him to contain his excitement.

He has never seen a buffalo from up close, so Red's offer to accompany her and meet the mysterious bovines left him both thrilled and a little afraid.

After a few minutes they were close enough to he the market to make out the individual vendors and their clients. Including a small group of Bisons.

"Hello there, Silent Wind." Red Delicious said to one of the bisons. "I take it you had a pleasant journey from your camp."

"As always." Replied the buffalo with a clearly feminine voice, indicating she was a cow. A warm smile gracing her muzzle.

It was then that she noticed a colt hiding behind Red. "And who might be this little pony over there?"

Upon hearing this Braeburn gulped silently.

His mother giggled and pushed him to the front.

"This handsome stallion over here is my Braeburn." The mare said proudly.

"Pippin would have had hard time denying being his father." Concluded Silent Wind.

She walked forward to him. The colt instinctively took a step back.

"Don't worry little one, I'm not going to hurt you." The bison chuckled. "How old are you anyway?"

He looked at his mother who gave him a nudge to speak up.

"E-eight years ma'am." The colt croaked out.

"Eight years and two months to be exact." Corrected his mother with pride in her voice. "He's almost a stallion now"

"Must be hard on you raising an eight year old, Red. I should now." Said the bison cow.

Before Braeburn could question what she meant by that a new bison suddenly appeared, that one was a female calf with an excited smile. Unlike her older counterpart she didn't wear a feather.

"Mom, mom! I have already unpacked all the goods, can we make a few circles around the town?"

"Not now honey, I need to run some errands first with Ms. Delicious over here first."

An idea entered the older bison's mind. "Actually, shouldn't you introduce yourself first."

It was then that the calf noticed Red Delicious and Braeburn. She bowed her head respectfully.

"I'm sorry, I was so excited that I didn't notice you two."

"Ehh, don't worry sweetheart." Said the maroon mare unphased. "As you've heard my name's Red Delicious."

She now put her arm on her son. "And this is Braeburn."

"Hi." The colt said shyly, intimidated by the new mammals.

"Hi! I'm Strongheart. Some buffalo call me Little Strongheart due to mi sie though." The calf said enthusiastically. "You must know how it feels like. I've never seen a pony this little before."

Braeburn's pride was slightly wounded by that comment. "Ah'm an average size for a colt." He replied defensively.

His mother giggled. "I'm sure she didn't mean any disrespect, Bray."

"Actually why don't you two go play with each other." Suggested Silent Wind. "Me and Red have to do a few things that would probably bore you."

"Sure." Said Little Strongheart grinning.

Red Delicious looked at her son questioningly.

"Ehmm… sure." Said the young colt, uncertainty seeping through.

The calf smiled and then bolted with a speed of light in the right the direction.

"Whoever reaches the edge of the town last is a rotten egg!" She shouted.

"H-hey! No fair!" Replied Beaeburn trying to catch up.

Both of their mothers laughing at the interaction.


"So what's up with these trees growing there?" Asked Little Strongheart while pointing at them with her hoof.

"That's an orchard. It's where we grow our apples." Replied Braeburn still catching his breath after their race. He had to confess he had never seen somecreature so fast. It was more than impressive.

"Oh yeah I wonder where these red fruit come from. We don't have that back home, we only have cacti"

"Cacti?" Asked the colt confused. "Ain't it all… spiky?"

"Their fruit is not." Said the calf. "Nana used to make the best prickly pear jam until she…" She stopped for a moment, her good mood vanishing almost instantly.

Braeburn immediately catched on to what was happening. He put his hoof on her shoulder empathetically.

"I'm sorry for your loss. I know what it's like."

"Really?"

"Yeah I remember feeling really down once grandpa Fameuse passed away. Everything seemed sadder now that we knew we'll never hear any of his jokes again."

Braeburn smiled slightly. "But as I started remembering him again, the good mood returned. He wouldn't want me to despair over his death. He wanted me to remember all the fun we had together. I think your grandma wouldn't want nothing more than to celebrate the time you've spent with her."

The young cow smiled back at him. "Thanks, you're a good friend."

Braeburn looked at her surprised. "Really you consider me friend?"

She shrugged her arms. "Why not? We stampeded together, you've told me about pony culture and now you're comforting me when I have a hard time. I'm pretty sure that's what friends do."

"Does that mean that I'll get a feather as well since we're friends?" Asked Braeburn, wishing it was true.

Little Strongheart giggled. "You can put on a feather anytime you want but I have to grow up first."

"Why?"

"Because that's our coming-of-age ceremony. Once I get my feather it will symbolize that I will no longer be a calf but a grown up buffalo."

A thought entered Braeburn's mind. "Little Strongheart?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you think we can stay friends? We don't really live next to each other. I'll stay here and you and the rest of the buffalo's will head to the valley."

"Pfft! Don't be silly." Said the calf cheerfully. "Even though us not seeing each other every day doesn't change the fact that we are friends. And besides today's probably not the last day that we will see each other."

"You think so?"

The young cow nodded her head. "Mom says that buffalo and ponies have never been as close as before. Who knows? Maybe in a few years we will be neighbours."

The foal smiled at the thought. "I would like that very much."

She showed him a toothy grin. "That's the spirit! Now-"

She bolted away suddenly.

"Try to catch me before we reach the bazaar!"

He started sprinting as fast as he could.

"Again?! Not fair!" The colt said but couldn't help himself from smirking.


Back in the present Thunderlane energetically re-entered Braeburn's family home.

Everyone inside started paying attention to him.

"They're here." He said.

All of them left the building to see Soarin, Time Turner and Spike in the distance. Accompanying them were two buffalos. One of them was older ang gruff looking male with a spectacular war bonnet on his head. The other one was a younger female with headband and a singular feather.

"I thought for a moment you were a goner." Comet Tail said grinning to Soarin and ruffing ups Spike's head crest affectionately.

"I'm not that easy to get rid of, dude." The pegasus replied humorously.

The older buffalo grunted loudly trying to catch everyone's attention.

"I hope you don't mind but we 've promised buffalos a chance to talk." Explained Time Turner.

"Bout what?" Asked Pippin suspiciously.

"Well…" Started Little Strongheart but she was quickly interrupted.

"Uproot all the apple trees you unlawfully planted on our sacred land and let us continue a tradition that we were forced to abstain from for the last eighty." Chief Thunderhooves said cooly.

"Or what?" Inquired Braeburn's father confrontationally.

"Dad…" His son tried to alleviate the situation.

"If we don't find the area cleaned of this…" Thunderhooves spat while talking. "...weeds, we WILL flatten them and the town. There will be nothing but rubble and tumbleweeds left."

"Chief…" Whispered Little Strongheart.

"An' We say you better bring your best because we Appleoosans have our dignity and livelihood to uphold an won't kneel down under the threats of a criminal like you!" Said Pippin passionately.

"Shouldn't we leave this kind of declaration to sheriff Silverstar?" Asked Comet in a concerned voice.

"Very well." Replied the chief of buffalos. "Looks like our work here is done. We will arrive tomorrow at noon."

He turned in his tracks "Let's go Little Strongheart."

"I'll… join you in a minute chief." Said the younger bovine in a sad tone. Her older superior started walking away becoming smaller and smaller.

The young buffalo and Braeburn looked at each other.

"I don't know what we will make of this but either way I'm glad to see you again." She confessed.

"Thanks." He replied, slightly moved by her words.

"Is there really no other way to solve this?" Asked Twilight.

"I'm afraid that as long as there are apple trees on our stampeding grounds the chief and the rest of the tribe won't budge." Said Little Strongheart.

"When it comes to the worst, how are Appleoosans even supposed to defend themselves?" Asked Thunderlane.

"Sheriff Silverstar predicted that such a situation may occur and wrote to the garrison stationing somewhere in the Badlands." Explained Pippin. "Reinforcements should arrive tomorrow."

"Aren't you afraid of laying out such a vital information to someone you consider an enemy?" Asked Little Strongheart cautiously.

Pippin sighed. "Ah don't consider you buffalos enemies. It's one o' those tragic situations where no creature can be fully pleased. I still have fond memories of Silent Wind—may Faust watch over her soul."

"Thank you." She replied. Suddenly her ears perked up. "Actually, something just popped into my mind."


Shortly after they all returned to Appleoosa, including Little Strongheart. Upon re-entering they noticed an important change had occurred.

The town's population increased by about thirty ponies all of them clad in armor.

"These are the reinfrorcements?" Asked Thunderlane surprised. "I expected it to be… bigger."

"Quantity doesn't always mean quality."

They turned into the direction of the voice to see an orange pegasus with a blue mane combed backwards. His cutie mark was a blue shield with lightning bolt and he was wearing the same armor as the rest of the soldiers.

"We didn't mean any disrespect, sir." Said Twilight apologetically.

"No worries. I completely understand the sentiment, given the circumstances." Replied the pegasus calmly.

"We need to talk with the pony in charge." Said Soarin. "Like, right now."

"And who are all of you?" Asked the gambogee pegasus.

Comet stepped forward.

"My name is Comet Tail, I am the protege of her majesty, my friends are the newly anointed Elements of Harmony."

Twilight cleared her throat.

"And of course I can't forget about my assistant Twilight and my brother Spike."

The pegasus squinted his eyes. " with yellow coat, blue mane, falling star - shaped cutie mark and a dragon companion? Yeah you check all the boxes."

The pegasus nodded his head. "If you want to talk with a pony charge you've already found him. Lieutenant Flash Sentry to your service."

"Thanks liuetenant but I think you might want to talko to somecreature before deciding on any next moves." Said Comet Tail.

The group dispersed showing quite anxious Little Strongheart.

Flash's ears perked up, his eyes showed strong interest.

"I'm all ears."


Next day at noon the sun was the highest it could be, scorching the land below. Most of the ponies were hiding inside their homes. But not the element bearers and Flash and his platoon. They and a few other ponies were waiting.

And they didn't have to wait long as soon after the buffalos emerged. A mass of fur horns and hooves looking at the town and it's inhabitants. About two hundreds adult bulls and cows were standing on the hills in front of Appleoosa, waiting for the signal.

But before chief Thunderhooves could issue the attack something unexpected happened.

Sheriff Silverstar cleared his throat.

"Chief Thunderhooves! Buffalos of the valley!" The stallion shouted.

The leader of the bovine smirked expecting the sheriff to start begging for mercy. He would give none, of course.

Sheriff took a deep breath.

"We hereby invoke the old Buffalo Hospitality Law and invite y'all to our town!"

Not something that the bison chief expected.

"Is this some kind of trick?" Asked Thunderhooves angrily. "Because if it is, I swear upon the ancestors-"

"There is no trick father." Said Little Strongheart emerging from the crowd.

The mane six gave her an astounded look.

"Father?!" Asked Thunderlane. Little Strongheart ignored him.

"Sheriff Silverstar brought you all a gift and after much consideration decided to propose a new solution to our problems." She continued.

The buffalos started walking down to the city,their gait confident but cautious. It was at that moment that they noticed plates full of baked goods. Upon closer inspection one could make out there pieces of apple crumble on them.

Chief Thunderhooves started sniffing the air. He had to admit the smell was more than enticing but that wasn't enough to lull his vigilance.

"Would you like to try some of that, chief?" Asked Comet Tail.

Giant buffalo looked at him with neutral emotion. "Only if the sheriff would be kind enough to join me." He said cooly.

"With pleasure." Silverstar replied with a chuckle and took a bite.

Thunderhooves ate the rest of the piece with his large maw and froze for a moment.

He had to admit, this was probably one of the best things he ever ate. Right next to his mother's prickly pear jam.

"Ah take it you enjoy our gift, chief?" Asked Silverstar.

The tribe's leader said nothing.

"What if I told you that your people can have both the easier access to these goods as well stampede through your sacred land."

The chief was reinvigorated again.

"For what prize, exactly?" Asked the buffalo.

The sheriff laughed. "Why don't we talk about it in my office?"

And with that both of the leaders walked away to talk about their issues.

The rest of the buffalo stayed beyond enjoying both the snacks prepared by the Appleoosans, as well as the games organised by Cheese Sandwich.

One young buffalo cow could help herself but squeal slightly form excitement.

"It worked! It really worked." She said out loud while hopping in place.

"It wouldn't have worked, if it wasn't for a very smart buffalo." Said Braeburn walking up to her with a smile.

She ran up to him and gave a hug that squeezed all the air from his lungs.

"Bray! Can you believe it? We don't have to be enemies now!" She said ecstatic. "We can be friends again!"

Braeburn chuckled. "We were always friends Heart." He hugged her back. "And always will be."


It was decided. Through the combined efforts of Comet Tail, Buffalos and Appleoosans it was decided that a path through the orchard will be made. Wide enough that buffalos could run through it in two-animal rows. The bovines were also entitled to a 90% discount when buying any apple-related goods. In return at least ten grown buffalos were obliged to guard the orchard at all times from any potential thieves.

Lieutenant Flash Sentry and his platoon returned to the Badlands, serving Equestria in their own way.

It was time for the element bearers to say goodby to Appleoosa. A task especially hard for the element of honesty.

"Remember to always listen to your grandma and eat three times a day." Red Delicius said while fixing Braeburn's mane."

"For Faust's sake Red, he's a grown stallion." Groaned Pippin.

The rest of his companions laughed.

"Don't worry miss delicious. I promise we will make sure he brushes his teeth twice a day." Said Soarin jokingly.

"Braeburn…"

They all turned to the direction of the voice only to see Little Strongheart with a neutral expression. The tension could be felt in the air.

Comet Tail cleared his throat loudly. "Sooo… Maybe we will already enter the train and leave you guys to yourselves."

Pippin grunted. "Yeah, ehhh… Come on Red, let's leave them alone."

"O-okay." Said Braeburn's mother and gave him a kiss on the cheek before leaving.

Now it was just the bovine and the equid.

"Sooo, I take it we won't see each other for a while." Said Little Strongheart.

"Yeah…" Braeburn sighed. "Sorry Heart but now I have a live Ponyville. At least for a while."

"No, I-I… understand."

He could feel she was getting sadder but there was little he could do.

"Hey…" Braeburn said.

The cow looked at him.

"Let's make a vow."

"A vow?" She asked.

"Yeah, let's vow that next time we see each other we will make it the best time we've ever spent with each other."

Smile again started appearing in her muzzle. "Okay. I swear that next time we see each other, it'll go down in history."

He laughed. "That's the Little Strongheart I know."

The train whistled.

"Five minutes upon departure!" The guard shouted.

"I guess that's my cue to go." Said Braeburn with a hint of sadness in his voice.

Suddenly Little Strongheart hugged him with moisture in her eyes. "Until ee see each other again."

He hugged her back.

"Until we see ach other again."