Applebuck Season
In Sweet Apple Acres, Big Mac and Applejim were looking at all of the apples on the trees. Big Mac has a bandage on the side of his body due to injuring himself.
"Shee-oot! Ah sure got mah work cut out fer me. That there is the biggest bumper crop o' apples I ever laid eyes on." Applejim said "It's a shame that Applejack had ta sleep in after workin so hard last night."
"Eeyup. Too big for you to handle on your own." Big Mac said.
"Ah come on, Big McIntosh. Have a little faith in yer brother." Applejim said. "You just go on and rest up while I get to buckin. Why, I haven't met an apple orchard that I can't handle. And that's usually with mah sister. I'll take on this job by myself if ah have to."
"Biting off more than you can chew is just what I'm afraid of." Big Mac said
"What ah ya tryin to say? That ah'm makin promises that my legs can't keep?" Applejim asked feeling offended.
"Eeyup" Big Mac replied.
"Do ya know who're ya talkin to? Applejim, twin brother of Applejack. The equally strong and most dependable pony you've met this side of Equestria!" Applejim declared.
"But without Applejack, you're still only one pony" Big Mac pointed out "And one pony plus hundreds o' apple trees just doesn't add up to—"
"Ah don't care about your fancy mathematics!" Applejim interrupted "Even without mah sister, ah'll still harvest them apples and prove ya wrong. And if ah have to do it on mah own, so be it!"
Applejim looked at the trees before giving a nervous gulp before starting down the path to the trees. Big Mac can only shake his head
Applejim walked up to some apple trees.
"Well. It's now or never" he said.
But before he can buck one of the trees, the ground begin to shake. One of the apples fell from the branch and hit Applejim in the head.
"Ow!" he yelled "What in tarnation?!"
Feeling the rumble, Applejim knew what was going on. He then whistles and the Apple family's pet dog Winona comes up.
"Come on, Winona!" he said.
"Ruff" Winona barked.
Applejim and Winona then runs ahead. In Ponyville, Storm Flight was flying until he noticed something in the distance. He gasped in shock.
"What's wrong, Storm Flight?" Rainbow Dash asked as she flew next to him.
"Over there, cuz" Storm Flight replied as he points forward.
Rainbow Dash looks closely and sees what Storm Flight is seeing. She gasps at this.
"STAMPEDE!" the pegasi cousins cried
It was revealed to be a herd of cows stampeding towards the town. Seeing this caused the ponies to panic as some run into their homes.
"Hey! This makes my voice sound silly!" Pinkie Pie said as she begins vibrating.
"Less shaking and more running, Pinkie Pie!" Slapstick said before running off and then tripping over a rock.
"Everypony calm down. There is no need to panic." Mayor Mare said attempting to calm the ponies down.
"But Mayor, whatever shall we do?" Rarity asked dramatically.
"Maybe I could try to form a barrier around Ponyville." Starstream suggested.
"No need for that, bud. Look!" Red Blade said as he pointed forward.
In the stampede of cows, galloped Applejim and Winona.
"Yeeehaw!" he yelled.
Twilight and Starstream's friends all cheered for Applejim.
"Head to the other side, Winona." Applejim instructed "We gotta herd them dogies away from Ponyville!"
Winona did what Applejim said as she got to the other side of the galloping cattle. Rarity looked away.
"You got this, Applejim." Starstream said.
"I concur." Gem Trimmer added.
"This is the best rodeo show I've ever seen! " Pinkie Pie said as she was eating some popcorn.
"I know" Slapstick added. "Can I have some of that popcorn please?"
"Sure." Pinkie replied.
Twilight Sparkle can only roll her eyes at their antics. Back at the stampede, Applejim tries to get the cows to turn.
"Come on ya dogies. Turn!" he said as he pushed at a cow.
But the cow didn't budge.
"Guess we'll do it the hard way then." Applejim said before whistling to Winona "Winona, up in front!"
Winona leaps on top of the cows and leaps over them and in front of the herd. Seeing the lead cow, Applejim takes out a rope and lassoes her and starts to pull with all of his might. Winona barks at the cow.
"Attagirl!" Applejim said.
The cows then turns right and away from Ponyville. The ponies all cheered at the cowpony. Once the cows stop, Applejim throws the rope away.
"Okay. What's gotten you girls all jumpy?" he asked.
One of the cows moo before clearing her throat.
"Oh my! Begging your pardon, Applejim, but Moo-riella here saw one of those nasty snakes." she replied which causes the other cows to freak out "And it just gave us all the willies, don'tcha know."
"Ah understand that. Best steer clear of them rattlers. And especially steer clear away from Ponyville the next time you go stampedin." Applejim said.
"We certainly will, Applejim. So long, Winona!" the cow said.
The cows then walk away. The ponies all cheered for Applejim while chanting his name.
"Yeehaw!" the cowpony yelled as he and Winona galloped away.
"Yee haw! Ride 'em, cowpony!" Pinkie cheered.
"Applejim was just... just..." Mayor Mare began.
"Appletastic!" Pinkie interrupted as she appeared from above.
"Don't forget fearless" Slapstick added
" Exactly. We must do something to thank Applejim for single-hoofedly saving the town." Mayor Mare suggested
"You thinking what I'm thinking, Slapstick?" Pinkie asked her friend
"Oh yeah" Slapstick replied
"A Party!" they cried.
All of the earth ponies were setting up a huge party for Applejack as they begin to set up decorations, balloons, and streamers. Starstream, Red Blade, Twilight, and Spike came in. Rarity and Gem Trimmer were tying some ribbons on some trees.
"So, are we all ready?" Starstream asked.
"Just one last little thing." Rarity replied. "Care to assist me, Gem Trimmer?"
"Indeed I will, cousin" Gem Trimmer said.
Rarity and Gem Trimmer both light up their horns to levitate a large banner with an apple on it up by a stage where Applejim would claim his prize which is a trophy
"Now we're ready." Rarity said.
"That's great. All we need is the pony of honor" Red Blade said
"Has anyone seen, Applejim?" Starstream asked
"Nope. Haven't seen him all week" Storm Flight replied as he and Rainbow Dash land beside Rarity and Gem Trimmer
"Me neither" Twilight added
"We haven't seen him since the stampede" Slapstick said as he and Pinkie went up to them
"I'm sure he'll show up" Forrest said as he flew over with Fluttershy following behind
"Yeah. Much like Applejack, Applejim is never late" Rainbow Dash said
"I hope you're right" Red Blade said with worry
Much later, all of the townsponies have gathered around the stage. Starstream steps up to the podium make his speech. He also levitates some index cards that Twilight helped him prepared.
"Citizens of Ponyville" Starstream announced "We are gathered here today to honor a pony we can always count on to help out no matter how big or small a problem may be. A pony who perserveres against..."
Storm Flight then flew
"Did you all check out those moves that Applejim did! He was like an athlete. This week, he's going to help me with my new flying trick. It'll be so cool!" he said
Rainbow Dash can only roll her eyes at her cousin. She found it a little amusing that Storm Flight always wants to surpass her.
"Thank for that, Storm Flight" Starstream said as he pushed him away "Now then..."
"It was now Slapstick's turn to interrupt the light blue unicorn
"This week, I'm assisting Pinkie Pie in running SugarCube Corner for the first time" the earth pony said
"What does that have to do with Applejim?" Starstream asked
"Well, I heard that Applejim is a good baker since he and Applejack make some apple treats." Slapstick said
Pinkie Pie then appeared up to the podium
"That's right. Applejim is going to help us. He makes everything great so free samples for everypony!" she shouted
This prompts the crowd to cheer
"Alright you two, off the stage" Starstream said as he pushed the two earth ponies away "Now if I can just..."
Forrest then appeared by the podium
"Uh. Starstream, sorry to interrupt, but I just want to say that Applejim is also helping me and Fluttershy this week with the official bunny census, where we count up all the new baby bunnies that were born this season. With his herding skills, he can gather them all up no problem." he said "That is all"
Forrest then got off the stage
"Anypony else?" Starstream asked but nopony want to come up on stage "No? Okay then. As I was saying"
He then sees the mayor on stage.
"Oh forget it!" Starstream yelled as he threw the note cards down in frustration and got off the stage
Starstream then sat next to Twilight and Red Blade
"Well that went well" Red Blade commented
Mayor Mare then got on the podium and cleared her throat
"Ah-ahem. And so, with no further ado, it is my privilege to give the Prize Pony of Ponyville Award to our beloved guest of honor, a pony of the utmost trustworthiness, reliability, and integrity. Ponyville's most capable and dependable friend: Applejim!" she announced
Everypony cheered as the the curtain opens, but Applejim wasn't there. This caused the ponies to stop cheering
"Way to go Applejim, that was awesome! I mean—" Spike continued cheering
But one look from Twilight caused him to stop.
" Ah-ahem." Mayor Mare cleared her throat again
"Awkward" Spike said
"Where is he?" Red Blade asked
"I'm a comin!"
The friends saw Applejim as he walked through the crowd of ponies with a basket full of apples on his back
"Scuse me! Comin through! Sorry about that! Whoa! Ah meant to do that! Sorry ah was late! Did ah get your tail? So sorry"
Applejim then got on the stage
"Ms. Mayor. Ah like to thank ya kindly for this here award" he said before looking at his reflection on the trophy "Heh heh. Boy, do I look funny. Wooo-Wooo"
The apple farmer begins to lean back and forth to. Even Pinkie Pie and Slapstick joined in on this. Starstream, Red, and Twilight both looked at this in confusion. Starstream then got on the stage
"Anyway, Applejim. Thank you for saving Ponyville from that stampede and being there for everypony" he said
"Yeah. Ah do like helping them ponies. Just like mah sister" Applejim said with a yawn before dozing off. He immediately shook himself awake "Thanks. Ah'll be goin now"
Applejim then grabs the trophy with his teeth and drags it off the stage and down the path where he came in. The ponies can only watch as he did that.
"Okay. Does anypony noticed that Applejim was feeling a little..." Red Blade began
"Tired?" Storm Flight asked
"Exhausted?" Starstream asked
"Fatigued?" Gem Trimmer asked
"Messy?" Rarity asked. Everypony looked at her "Well. Have you seen his mane?"
"I don't think that's the case" Forrest said
"He seems fine to me" Pinkie Pie said "Wooo! Woooo!"
"Yeah. Though he did feel a little woozy" admitted Slapstick
Starstream then gets off the stage and up to Red Blade
"We're gonna need to investigate this" he said
"Agreed. To Sweet Apple Acres" Red Blade added
Back at Sweet Apple Acres, Applejim got back to work on bucking the apple trees. He was starting to doze off again, but he shook himself awake. Applejim attempts to buck again, but missed the tree. Starstream and Red Blade arrived
"What is he doing?" Starstream asked as he notice Applejim kicking a basket of apples over by accident
"Let's find out" Red Blade replied "Hey Applejim!"
But Applejim didn't hear him as he fell asleep
"Applejim!" Starstream called
"Applejim!" Red Blade called
But the earth pony was still asleep. The unicorn and alicorn both looked at each other with a glare and teleports in front of Applejim.
"APPLEJIM!" they shouted
This caused Applejim to wake up while shaking his head
"Oh. Howdy, Starstream. Howdy, Red Blade" he greeted
"Applejim, what is all this?" Starstream asked
"It's Applebuck season" Applejim answered as he kicked another tree to get all of the apples down and into a basket
"Applewhat season?" Red Blade asked as he and his best friend got in front of him
"It's what the Apple family calls harvestin' time. We gather all the apples from the trees so we can sell 'em" Applejim replied
"Why are you doing it by yourself?" Starstream asked
"It's cause Big McIntosh hurt himself and Applejack is sleepin in after workin so hard last night" Applejim replied
Starstream and Red Blade teleport in front of Applejim again
"But what about all those relatives that we met when we first came here? Can't they help?" Starstream asked
" They were just here for the Apple family reunion. They actually live all over Equestria and are busy harvestin' their own orchards." Applejim explained "So, uh, I'm on my own. Which means, I should really get back to work."
"Very well" sighed Red Blade as he and Starstream stepped aside
"Could ya step aside, guys?" Applejim asked feeling tired
"We already did, AJ" Red Blade replied
The apple farmer's vision was getting fuzzy
"You don't look so good, Applejim." Starstream said
"Don't you two worry non. I'm just feelin dandy. That's all" Applejim said as he shook his head
He goes up to another tree and attempts to buck it, but misses. The student and prince teleport in front of him again
"Want some help?" Red Blade asked
"Help? No thank you!" Applejim refused
"But AJ. You can't buck all these apples by yourself" Starstream said with worry
"Are ya sayin that I can't!?" Applejim asked as he got in Starstream's face
"Uh, yes" Starstream replied timidly
"Well. Ah'm gonna prove to both of ya that I can buck all these apples by mahself without any help at all!" Applejim said as he walked away
Starstream and Red Blade looked at each other with worry.
The next day, Storm Flight was standing on a post waiting for Applejim
"What's takin that pony so long?" he asked impatiently
Applejim then arrived
"Ah. There you are, Applejim. What kept ya?" Storm Flight asked
"Sorry, Storm Flight. Had some applebuckin to do and I kinda dosed off." Applejim replied with a yawn "So what's this flying trick of yers?"
"See this?" Storm Flight asked as he points
He was pointing at a tall wooden platform with a teeter totter next to it
"What's that?" Applejim asked
"That my friend is what is going to help me with my flying trick" Storm Flight said as he begins to explain the details "Here's what's going to happen. I'll stand on one end of the teeter totter and you stand on the platform. Then you'll leap off the platform and on the other end of the teeter totter which will launch me in the air faster when I get ready to fly. And once that happens, I will do a multitude of flips and a series of loop de loops in the sky. It will be so good that the Wonderbolts will have to let me join."
"Isn't that a mite dangerous?" Applejim asked
"Not for a pegasus" replied Storm Flight with confidence "Now let's get started"
Storm Flight got one end of the teeter totter while Applejim climbed up on the platform. His vision was blurry as he didn't sleep.
"Oh boy" Applejim nervously said as he couldn't tell where he should land
"Okay. On the count of three. One. Two. Three!" Storm Flight yelled
Applejim leaped off the platform, but missed the target and hits the ground. Storm Flight goes up to him
"AJ, you're suppose to land on the other end" he said
"Whoops. Sorry" Applejim apologized as he got up "Let me try again"
Applejim tried several times to land on the other end of the teeter totter, but he kept missing.
"Applejim, what's wrong with you? I thought you were helping me" Storm Flight said annoyed
"Ah'm tryin, Storm" Applejim said before getting an idea "How about this?"
He reached up on the other side and pushes the platform down
"How about that?" he asked
Storm Flight was not amused
"Maybe not" Applejim said "Okay. I'll get it this time"
He leaps off the teeter totter, causing the side that Storm Flight was on to hit the ground hard. The pegasus groans in daze as that happened. Applejim got back on the tall platform as he begins to focus his vision.
"Here ah go!" he said as he leaped off
"No, wait!" Storm Flight yelled
But it was too late, Applejim lands on the platform and ends Storm Flight flying in a high speed
"AAAAAAPPPPPPLLLLLLEEEEJJJIIIIIIM!" the pegasus screamed
"Don't mention it!" the earth pony farmer called
Up in the sky, Rainbow Dash was resting on a cloud until her cousin zoomed passed her which woke her up
"What the?" she asked
At the library, Starstream, Red Blade, and Twilight were both reading some books on the top balcony
"Are you enjoying those books that I recommended for you, boys?" Twilight asked
"Uh huh" Starstream replied
"I sure am. I do like a good adventure just reading this" Red Blade said as he read one book
Then they heard screaming
"What was that?" Twilight asked
Suddenly, Storm Flight landed on the rail of the balcony
"Storm Flight!" the three ponies cried
They both went up to him
"What happened?" asked Red Blade
"Applejim, happened" replied Storm Flight
"Applejim?" asked Twilight
"Yeah. I asked him to help with my flying trick and he ended up launching me high in the air" Storm Flight replied "I swear! He's the one that needs help"
Starstream and Red Blade both glared as they knew what they had to do
Applejim had returned to Sweet Apple Acres to buck more apple trees. He was starting to get even more exhausted by the minute. Applejim bends down to pick up an apple, but ends up bumping his head from underneath a branch. Starstream and Red Blade then appeared
"Applejim, we need to talk" Starstream said
But due to hitting his head caused Applejim to have a hard time hearing.
"Applejim, we need to talk" Starstream repeated
"A bee can squawk!?" Applejim yelled mishearing it "That's crazy!"
"No, can we please talk?" Red Blade asked
"Twenty stalks? Bean or celery?" Applejim asked mishearing again
"No. Can we please talk to you?" Starstream asked loudly
"You need to go to the loo?" Applejim asked "Well I think it's in our house somewhere!"
"We need to talk to you!" Red Blade said loudly
"Oh. Well. What do ya want to talk about?" Applejim asked
"Storm Flight dropped by at the library" Starstream replied
"Well ain't that neighborly of him!" Applejim said
"Yeah. Except he crashed on our balcony after you launched him from the air!" Red Blade said
"Oh. Heh. Guess I wasn't feelin quite mahself" Applejim said with a blush
"Maybe it's because you've been working too hard. We really think that you need help" Starstream said
"What? Did you say I need kelp!? Ah don't like seafood that much!" yelled Applejim
"Help! You need Help! Don't you get it!?" screamed Starstream
"No can do, Starstream! Ah'm going to prove to both of ya that ah can do this all by mahself" Applejim stubbornly said before crashing into a tree "Ugh! Now if you'll excuse me, ah have to help Slapstick and Pinkie Pie"
And with that, he dizzily walked away.
"I'm getting the feeling that this won't end well. Right, Starstream?" asked Red Blade
"Oh yeah" Starstream replied with a nod of his head
At SugarCube Corner, the owners Carrot and Cup Cake were checking everything with Pinkie Pie while Slapstick was next to her. Applejim was also there
"Now Pinkie Pie, are you sure you're up for baking the muffins and running the store this afternoon?" asked Mrs. Cake "And are you okay with Slapstick helping out?"
"Yes siree bob, Mrs. Cake! I can always count on Slapstick to help out as he's my dear friend." Pinkie Pie said. "Plus, I have Ponyville's prized pony to help me out. "
"Yeah. As I said, Applejim and Applejack are the best bakers" Slapstick added "Right, AJ?"
Applejim shook his head as struggles to hear him. He shook his head again.
"No, you're not the best baker?" Mr. Cake asked.
"Huh. Oh no. You got it all wrong. I am a good baker" Applejim replied "Why. Me and mah sister Applejack can bake anything from fritters to pies in the blink of an eye."
"All right. We'll see you all later" Mrs. Cake said as she and her husband walked out
"So. Shall we get to baking?" Slapstick asked
"You read my mind, Slap" Pinkie Pie replied
"Yeah. Let's get to it" Applejim said after shaking his head again
Pinkie was reading through the recipe book while Slapstick got the mixing bowl.
"I'll go get the sugar and eggs" Slapstick said as he goes off
"Okay. Applejim, can you get me some chocolate chips?" asked Pinkie.
Applejim still has a hard time hearing.
"What was that?" he asked.
"Chocolate chips." Pinkie repeated.
"Chips? Okay" Applejim said as he looked on the shelf and sees a bag of potato chips "Them tater chips oughta to do the trick"
He takes a bag of potato chips, opens it, and add the chips to the bowl.
"What's next?" Applejim asked.
"Baking soda." Pinkie replied.
"Soda?" Applejim asked. "That should get the chips nice and soggy."
He takes a bottle of soda and pours it onto the chips.
"What's next?" he asked.
"A cup of flour." Pinkie answered.
"A cup of sour?" Applejim asked. "Oh. I think she's talkin about lemons. They're sour."
Applejim takes out a cup and squeezed a lemon into it. He then pours it into the bowl.
"One cup of lemon. Anythin else, Pinkie?" Applejim asked.
"One last thing. Wheat germ." Pinkie replied.
"Wheat worm?" Applejim asked confused. "Hmmm. She must meant earthworms. Ah don't know why she would asked me to add that, but I'll do it"
Heading outside, Applejim digs the ground to find some earthworm. He then brought it inside and add it to the bowl. Slapstick then came back with some sugar and eggs.
"Hey guys. I got the sugar and eggs" Slapstick said as he placed the ingredients on the table
"That's great, Slapstick" Pinkie Pie said as she was still looking at the cookbook "Oh these muffins are going to be delicious!"
"How are you doing, Applejim?" Slapstick asked.
"Just added the ingredients." Applejim said. "Take a look."
Slapstick looked into the bowl and sees what Applejim put in. Seeing this made Slaptick gag as he covered his mouth.
"I'm gonna go get some fresh air." he said as he begins to run out.
He crashed into a wall near the doorway of Sugarcube Corner before racing outside. Pinkie then turned away from the book to see her friend leave.
"Huh. Where's he off to?" she asked.
"Beats me." Applejim replied.
Soon, the muffins were all baked and Pinkie Pie and Applejim placed them on some trays as a group of ponies were waiting for some free samples.
"Free muffin sample spectacular!" Pinkie shouted.
All of the ponies became excited as they were eager to try the samples.
"Yeah! Muffin spectacles!" Applejim said with a yawn "Get em while they're hot!"
Each pony takes a sample and eats em. Outside of Sugarcube Corner, Starstream was seen walking down the path while reading a book when he smelled something from said bakery.
"What's that smell?" he asked "Are those muffins? I should go get a sample"
"Wait!"
Starstream looks behind him to see Slapstick running up to him. The clumsy earth pony trips on a rock and skids in front of him before getting up.
"Whatever you do: Don't eat the muffins!" Slapstick warned.
"Why not, Slapstick?" asked Starstream.
"Let's just say that Applejim added some ingredients that are not meant to be put in the muffins" Slapstick replied "Trust me on this"
"Okay then." Starstream said as he walked away from Sugarcube Corner.
Pinkie Pie then came up.
"Hey. Where's Starstream going? I was just about to offer him a free sample." she said.
"He has other plans." Slapstick replied.
"Do you want a sample, Slapstick?" Pinkie asked as she holds out a muffin. "Freshly baked."
"No thanks. I just had lunch. A big lunch." Slapstick said nervously as he backed away.
"Oh well" Pinkie Pie said before eating the muffin herself.
A few minutes later, Starstream, Twilight, Red Blade, and Spike arrived by a hospital.
"We came as soon as we heard, Nurse Redheart." Twilight said with worry.
'Thank you all for coming" Nurse Redheart said. "We could really use some help."
The group looked to see that all of the ponies that have eaten the muffin samples are all bedridden feeling sick as they moaned and puking in buckets. Some of their faces were also green.
"Holy hayseeds!" Starstream cried.
"What happened?" Twilight asked.
"It was a mishap with some of the baked goods." Nurse Redheart replied.
Spike picked up a discarded muffin and sniffs it.
"No. Not baked goods. Baked bads." Pinkie moaned before retching.
Starstream and Red Blade both had an idea on what happened.
"Applejim!" they said.
"Want one?" Spike asked as he offered the sample to them.
"No thanks, Spike" Starstream replied as he backed up a bit
"Come on Star. Back to Sweet Apple Acres." Red Blade said.
"Right" Starstream replied
They both began to walk off
"Wait. I'm coming too" Twilight said "I want to know what happened"
"Sure thing, Twilight" Starstream replied
At Sweet Apple Acres, Applejim resumed his work. He was even more exhausted then he was before as he bucked an apple tree. Some apples fell and one bonked Applejim in the head. Rubbing his head, Applejim puts a harness on an cart and begins to push it backwards to dumped the apples in a large basket. He leans a little too close and ends up stuck while sleeping upside down. Starstream, Red Blade, and Twilight then came on the scene.
"Whoa. You guys weren't kidding. Applejim looks completely exhausted." Twilight said in shock.
"We know." Red Blade said.
They then walked up to the apple farmer.
"Applejim, wake up." Starstream said.
Applejim immediately woke up.
"Oh, howdy guys. Howdy, Twilight." he greeted.
"Listen, Applejim..." Red Blade began.
"Ah know what yer gonna say, but mah answer is still no." Applejim said
"I don't mean to upset your apple cart, but you look like you need help." Twilight pointed out.
"Very funny, Twilight. But ah don't need help." Applejim said stubbornly as he struggles to get upright.
"Here. I can help with that." offered Starstream
"No, I got it" Applejim replied "Just need a minute"
The three ponies groaned as they watched this. After a few minutes, Applejim was able to get himself upright as his hoofs touch the ground
"As ah was sayin, I will prove that I can buck these apple trees by myself without any assistance" Applejim said as he begins bucking a tree "Why won't them apples fall off?"
"You're bucking a dead tree, AJ" Red Blade said
Applejim looks up to see that he was indeed kicking a dead tree
"Ah knew that" Applejim said as he walked off
The three friends followed behind him
"There's something else we should talk to you about" Starstream said "We just got a call from the urgent care and..."
"Ah got no time for yer lectures, Starstream!" Applejim interupted "I'm too busy right now!"
"But if you just let us help" Twilight said
"How many times do ah have to tell you all?!" Applejim said angrily "Ah don't need help from nopony!"
And with that, he stormed off
"Ugh! That pony is so stubborn!" yelled Starstream
"Why can't he just accept our help!?" Red Blade added
"He's almost as stubborn as Applejack" Twilight said with a frown
The next day, Applejim was with Forrest and Fluttershy as they walked to a spot filled with little bunnies. Winona was with them too
"Thanks again for helping out with this, Applejim" Forrest said
"Why are we doin this again?" Applejim asked
"Well, lots of new baby bunnies have been born" Fluttershy explained "So it's our job, to get a count of all the new families."
"And with your herding skills, we can get this done no problem" Forrest added
"Alrighty then. Let's get this over with" Applejim said
" Certainly, but remember, these are bunnies we're dealing with, not cows. " Fluttershy reminded
"Yeah. These cute little guys are very timid. So you might want to approach the bunnies gently" Forrest added
"Ah know how to corral them critters. Don't you worry." Applejim said "Ain't that right, Winona?"
Winona barked in response
"Okay, little bunnies! We need you to all gather here in the middle." Fluttershy said
"No need to be shy" Forrest added
"You heard them! Up in center y'all. Hop to it!" Applejim ordered
Frightened, the bunnies took off
"Well that's swell" Applejim said " Come on Winona. Let's get em!"
Winona barked as she and Applejim begin to herd them all over the place. The two pegasi were shocked by what they're doing
"Stop it, you two! Your frightening them!" Forrest yelled
"We know what we're doin, Forrest!" Applejim said "Git along ya bunnies!"
"Oh dear" Fluttershy said as she covered her face with her hooves
Applejim and Winona were able to gather all the bunnies in the spot that the pegasi wanted them to be. The bunnies were scared as they huddled together.
"Oh no" Fluttershy said with worry
Then the bunnies were so frightened that they all begin to run away
"Nature's wrath! The're heading straight to Ponyville!" Forrest yelled
Storm Flight was flying by in Ponyville when he sees something in the distance like before
"Stampede!" he cried
The ponies all panicked and ran into their homes to take shelter as the bunnies begin to stampede all over town. A few minutes later, Starstream and Red Blade were enjoying their walk until they see three ponies named Lily Valley, Rose and Daisy lying on the ground looking traumatized. The two friends walked up to them
"What's going on?" Starstream wondered
"It's horrible! Completely horrible!" Daisy moaned
" It was awful!" Lily Valley added
"A disaster! A horrible, horrible disaster!" Rose added
"Ladies. Can you please tell use what happened?" Red Blade asked
" Our gardens, destroyed." Lily Valley said
"Every last flower, devoured." Rose added
"By them!" Daisy added as she pointed forward
She was pointing at some bunnies eating some flowers.
"Oh my. Oh... Please stop, little bunnies. Oh no! Please, let's go home. Oh my goodness!" Fluttershy pleaded
"Come on now. That's not on the menu!" Forrest added
One rabbit chattered at him
"What do you mean there were no carrots here?" Forrest asked "That doesn't mean you should eat someone else's flowers"
It didn't take a genius to know who exactly was responsible for this
"Alright. That does it!" Starstream yelled
Back at Sweet Apple Acres, Applejim was struggling to buck an apple tree while trying to stay awake
"Must... keep... bucking!" he said as he begins to pant heavily "Every... last... apples"
Starstream and Red Blade then came up to him
"Alright Applejim. This has gone on far enough!" Starstream said
"Your applebucking is not only causing you problems, but it's also causing trouble for everypony!" Red Blade added
"And whether you want it or not, you need help!" Starstream said firmly
"Ugh! Ah thought ah made it clear that I don't need no help" Applejim stubbornly said "Ah said I'll prove that ah can handle it, and there's nothin you can do about it"
"Oh really?"
They all turn to see Applejack coming up to them looking a bit crossed. Twilight Sparkle was next to her
"Applejack? What are you doing here?" Red Blade asked
"Ah just woke up and learned that it was Applebuck season. And then ah heard from Big McIntosh that my twin brother was doin the work without me" Applejack explained while glaring at Applejim "And ah also heard from Twilight about the problems he had caused in Ponyville"
"You told her, Twilight?" Starstream asked
"Yep" Twilight replied
"It don't matter now, sis. Once I buck this apple tree. I'll finally have bucked all of the apples with no help needed" Applejim said with a smile
"Ya think so huh? Then what's that?" Applejack asked as she points to another part of Sweet Apple Acres which still has some apples on some trees
Applejim was so shocked that he practically fainted which worried the ponies
"Applejim?" Starstream said
"Applejim?" Red Blade said
Applejim then woke up
"He's alright" Applejack said with relief
"Applejim, we understand that you want to do this by yourself. And we respect the Apple family ways" Starstream said
"But this job is too big for one pony. So can you please put aside your stubborn pride and let us and our friends help you?" Red Blade asked
"I do what they say, Applejim. I learn that lesson the hard way when I bucked apples late at night" Applejack said
"And besides, you're in no condition to keep bucking apples." Twilight said
Applejim let their words sink in and he let's out a sigh
"Okay. You win" he conceded
"Really?" the ponies asked
"Yes. I do need help" Applejim said
"Finally" Red Blade said
"We're glad that you understand" Starstream added
Applejim then begins to yawn
"I think you need a nap. With all that apple buckin, you look as exhausted as a wolf that has howled too much" Applejack said
"A nap would be nice. Care to help me to my bed, sis?" Applejim asked
"Sure thing, bro" Applejack said as she got Applejim on her back and walk to their house
Soon, Starstream, Red Blade, Slapstick, Gem Trimmer, Storm Flight, and Forrest were helping with getting all the apples from Sweet Apple Acres. Even Twilight Sparkle, Spike, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rarity were helping out. Before they started, Starstream and Red Blade had sent Princess Celestia a letter.
"Dear Princess Celestia, our friend Applejim is the best friend a pony could ever have, and he's always there to help anypony." Starstream recited
"The only trouble is, when he needs help, he finds it hard to accept it, so while friendship is about giving of ourselves to friends, it's also about accepting what our friends have to offer." Red Blade recited
"Your faithful student and your son, Starstream Sparkle and Prince Red Blade" Starstream and Red Blade both recited
Applejim and Applejack then pushed some carts with some drinks with straws on them
"How about y'all take a little break?" Applejack asked
"We got some fine apple juice waitin' for ya!" Applejim added
The ponies stopped working and went up to the Apple twins
"I want to thank all of you for the helpin hoof back there. I guess I was a bit stubborn" Applejim said
"A bit?" Applejack asked with narrowed eyes
"Okay. A mite stubborn. And I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused. I know the town gave me the Prize Pony award, but the real award is having you all as my friends." Applejim said
"Glad to hear that, Applejim" Twilight said
The ponies all begin to sip their drinks
"I don't know about you guys, but I'm feeling hungry" Storm Flight said
"Me too" Rainbow Dash said
"And I've got the perfect treat!" Spike said as he held out the muffins
" Eeew... Spike, I threw those all away! Where'd you get them?" Pinkie Pie asked in disgust
"From the trash." Spike asked
"Eeeew!" All the ponies yelled in disgust
"Come on, guys. Let's go somewhere else to eat" Starstream said
The ponies all walked out of Sweet Apple Acres
"Just a little nibble? Come on!" Spike insisted as he follows after them
"Spike, please throw those away" Twilight said
And that was Applebuck Season. Hope you like it. I will skip a few episodes as I feel that some of them won't fit.