The story begins in morning at The Apple fields in Tambelpn castle. The Apples and Troubleshoes were enjoying breakfast with a cereal called 'Applejack's cereal.' Applejack have always found it odd that a cereal shared the same named as her, and the fact that it's not apple flavored.
but anyway Granny Smith entered the room screaming.
"It's that time of year agin!" shouted Granny Smith as she burat into the room.
She was wearing a large napsack and safari gear.
"Oh no," said Applejack hoofsmackimg herseld, "Not that time of year already."
"That's right!" proclaimed Granny Smith. "It is time once again for us to find the legendary Golden Apples!"
"WooHooo!" Shouted Apple Bloom leaping from her seat.
"Uggggggggggh..." groande Applejack and Big Mac," slumping back in there seats.
"Am I missing something here?" asked Troubleshoes confused.
Meanwhile at Tamplon Castle
Sunburst was having an akward breakfast with his long sister, Sunset, and his old friend, Starlight. And by alward, I mean nopony was eating. Thestallion levitated a cup coffed to himseld, taking a sip as the ponys all nervously stared at each other.
"So..." Sunset finally spoke up trying to break the tension, "It's been a long time hasn't it?"
"Sure has," Sunburst replied after he was done taking his sip. "About ten years worth...I thought I'd never see either you again."
"We thought the same about you," Starlight replied with a nervous smile along side Sunset.
"Anyways, Twilight mentioned that your Star Swirl the Bearded's apprentice," Sunset added trying to avoid the subject, "That's good..."
"Yeah, well...His previos apprentice kind of betrayed him..." said Sunburst akwardly.
"So we've heard..." said Starlight sheepishishly.
"Anyway, I'm learning a lot from him," Sunbrust said tryign to change the subject, "And I've herd you two and Trixie pony were working for H.O.R.S.E...That's good to know."
"Yeah it was fun while it lasted," Said Starlight. "But now that's over we can do what ever we want."
"Say why were you working for them again?" Sunburst asked
The two unicorn mares then glance at each other both not wanting to tell him that they were once working for King Sombra.
"Oh we just..." Starlight started to say before Sunset burst out.
"After they saved us from King Sombra, we figured we owe they!" Sunset said.
"Really?" Sunburst said
"Ummm...yes really!" Starlight said.
"Oh, that's a relief," sighed Sunburst, "After Sombra attacked our village I thought I'd never see either if you again.
"Yeah, that was a bad day for all of us," said Sunset thinking back darkly.
"So, where exactly have yountwo been all of this time?" asked Sunburst stil confused.
Sunset and Starlight darted there eyes twoards one another gritting there teeth
"That's all in the past!l proclaimed Sunset nervously. What's important now is that it's time for us to make life of our own..."
"And well here we are," said Starlight sheepishly
"Oookay," Sunburst said confused.
"But what about you?" Suset asked her little brothe, "What hasStar Swirl the Bearded is teaching you so far about magic."
"Oh plenty!" Sunburst replied with an nervous smile "He is teaching me the right magic against a Siren attack."
"Oh that's great," Starlight said, "Who knows maybe that will come in hoof some day."
Twilight Sparkle, Flash Sentry, and Spike were watchig the conversation from the hallway.
"You cut the tension in there with a knife," whispered Spike.
Back at the Apple Farm
Granny Smith had Big Mac, Applejack, Apple Bloom, and TrenderHoof lined up in the barn. She marched in front of them sirveying her troops.
"All right everypony," proclaimed Granny Smith, "You all know your assignments. This is gonna be the year! The year we finally find the Golden Apples!"
"Yes sir, ma'am sir!" Applebloom said giving a salute.
Applejack and Big Mac both looked at each other and then at Granny
"Granny you both love you," said Applejack
"Eeyup," agreed Big Mac.
"But...The Golden Apples are not Real!" finished Appejack.
"Nnope," agreed Big Mac.
"Why Applejack," proclaimed Granny Stmith, "I'm ashamed of ya'll. Has my own Grandaugher forgotten the Legend of the Golden Apples?"
"Ummm, Excuse me," Troubleshoes interrupted raising a hood. "What's exactly are Golden Apples?"
"I'm glad you asked big feller," Granny said pulling up a rocking chair and taking a seat.
"Eeeee, she's gonna tell the story!" said Apple Bloom squeezing Troubleshoes tightly.
"It all started long ago..." began Granny, "Long before the alicorns defeated the titans. Back when the Great Seedling created every plant, flower, tree and fruit known to Equeatria. And his greatest creation of all was the Golden Apples!"
"The great who?" asked Troubleshoes.
"The Great Seedling," explained Granny, "An ancient earth spirit stag like creature with the ability to keep crops that bloom forever."
"He's the one who plants all the seed across Equestria," whispered Apple Bloom.
"Anyhoo..." Granny continued, "A long time later, King Sleipnir and Queen Faust were having themselves a grand wedding and every creature in Equeatria gave them a gifts. But the greatest gift of all was a golden apple seed given to them by none other then the Great Seedling himself. The King and Queen planted that seed, and a golden apple tree bloomd into creation. And around that tree, bloomed the Everfree Forest, with the wildest creatures and the most delicion fruits ever known to pony kind. It's been said somewhere at the center of the Everfree Forest a whole orchard of golden apple trees bloom. It's ias real as you and ME...And it's been evey Apple's life long dream to get one of them apples, so that we can grow Golden Apple all of our own. I came close once...Ended up with Zap Apples instead...But this is the year were gonna find it!"
"Yeah!" shouted out Apple Bloom in excitement.
"Ya don't say." Troubleshoes replied interested.
"That's great Granny," said Applejack with a fake smile, "Why don't you finsih packing up."
As the old pony left the barn to go back to the farm house, her expression quickly changed.
"Ugh not this again," groaneed Applejack.
"Eeyup," groaned Big Mac in agreement.
"I still feel like I'm missing something here," said TroubleShoes.
"Big Mac and Applejack don't believe in the Golden Apples," whispered Apple Bloom.
"Apple Bloom," said Applejack conforting her sister, "You're Probably to young to understand this, but...Granny Smith has been searchin' for the Golden Apples since she was your age!"
"Eeyup," agreed Big Mac.
"And every year," Aj saidrolling her eyes. "She takes us to the eeverfree forest so we chase some old mare's tale!"
"Eeyup," agreed Big Mac.
"And every year," groaned Applejack, "She almost get's us killed in the process!"
"Eeyup," agreed Big Mac.
"And every year" proclaimed Applejack, "What do we all come home him? A whole lot of nothin'!
"Nnope," agreed Big Mac.
"The point is," finished Applejack, "The Apple family has combed the Everfree Forest a thousand times over. If the Golden Apple's were real, we would have found them by now."
"As I recall," said Granny Smith popping up behind Apple Jack, "Yoy used to love going on this here adventure when you were littler."
"Granny?!" said Applejack in a panic, "What I meant say was, I'm pretty sure Apple Bloom has outgrown this whole adveneure thing by now. Right, Apple Bloom?"
Applejack and Big Mac looked at their little sister with pleading eyes, only for the young pony to give them a cocky smile.
"Or maybe I'm finally big enough now to find them!" the yellow filly proclaimed strapping on her camping gear with a giant smile, "Who's with me?"
Granny couldn't help but chuckle seeing her youngest grandchild having fun.
Applejack and Big Mac, on the other hoof were not happy to see their grandmother were filling their sister's head with something so silly.
"Look's like we'all are goin' wether you like it or not," said Troubleshoes wrapping a hoof sround his girl.
He was still curious about the story Granny told them.
Later that day near the library.
Sunset, Starlight, and Sunburst were coming out of the Library with large piles of books. Suddenly Sunburst noticed the Apple Family trotting by.
"Oh hi Applejack," said Sunburst, "Where are you going?"
"We going to look for something that does not exist," said AJ rolled her eyes.
"Euype." agreed Big Mac
"Am I gonna have to give you two a talkin to again?" Granny asked.
"What they mean is," said Apple Bloom in excitement, "We're going on an adventures to find the legendary Golden Apples!"
"The Golden Apple?" asked Starlitght, "But they don't exist!"
Granny at the purple unicorn with a fury.
"Well King Sombra, spent years looking for them, and he was never able to..."
Sunset put a hoof on Starkight's mouth stopping her midsentence.
"Or...So I've heard," said Sunset looking at Sunburst nervously.
"Besides," said Sunburst adjusting his glasses, "The Everfree forest is an enless maze, filled with the some pf the maot dangerous creatures immaginable. Not event the Alicorns of Canterlot know how to navigate it. That's why King Sombra made it his base of operations."
"Of course we do," Granny said "He said no alicorn can tell us but he did say anything about no mortal ponies finding it, In fact he made it a challenge for us."
"That and the fact that he was banished there," said Sunset.
Sunburst eyed her suspiciously.
"Or, so I've heard," she finished biting hier tounge.
"Wait a minute," said TroubleShoes, "Sombra lives in the Everfree Forest? Ya'll sure you wanna go in there?""Cool your jets youngins," said Granny Smith," I've been searching the Everfree Forest for years...I sure as heck ain't never run into King Sombra."
"Even though that the Eeverfree forest is the domain of King Sombra?" AJ asked
"Besides," said Apple Bloom, "We haven't had any trouble from that guy in months. Even bad guys need a break."
Sunset and Starlight glanced at each other, knowing that the only reason that he hasn't attacked, was problay because planning something big! They know their former father is as smart as he is patient.
"But there are plenty of other dangers in he Everfree forest," said Sunburst, "TimberWolves, Cragodiles, Vampire Fruit Bats..."
"Nonsense," said Granny Smith, "I've been navigating those woods since i was a filly. There ain't nothin' in them I can't lhandle."
The unicona watched as the Apple Famliy amd Troubleshoes trotted away.
"Didn't we see a Golden Apple once when we were fillies?" asked Sunset.
"That was a Zap Apple," stated Starlight.
"What were you two doing in the Eevfree forest as fillies anyway?" Sunburst asked turning to Starlight and Sunset
The two unicorn mares started to sweat
"Oh...We were trying to escaped from King Sombra in the forest..." Blurted out Sunset
"Right, right!" Starlight agreed, "And we saw it...Trying to escape from King Sombra...When we were fillies...!
"Oh," said Sunburst still confused, " You know I think I read aomething about the Golden Apples once...We could it up, in case your interested.
"Okay," Sunset said "I don't hace practice today so might as well."
"And it's not Monday yet, so okay." Starlight agreed
"Excellent ." Sunburst added with a smile "This sounds like and adventure and I've always wanted to go on one. Alsothis would be a great way to impressed Star Swirl!"
Deep in the Everfree Forest
Granny Smith was leading the troupe forward throught the Everfree forest.
"Let's see...It's gotta be around here somewhere..." said Granny Smith looking at her map.
Apple Bloom was hooping along excitedly as they trudged forward. It TroubleShoes happy to see the you filly so excited. Then he noticed how miserable Applejack and Big Mac were.
"Ya know," said TroubleShoes approaching Applejack, "The Golden Apples could be real."
"Trust me, there not..." said Applejack with a groan.
"Nnope," said Big Mac in agreement.
"But, if nopony had ever found them before," said TroubleShoes, "How do you know for certain they're not real?"
"When ya'll start believin' in impossible thing?" asked Applejack in acusitory tone.
"Don't ya know?" asked TroubleShoes, "It was the day I met you!"
"Oh," said Applejack blushing slightly.
Big Mac Snorted angrily.
"We're Here!" proclaimed Granny Smith triumphantly
"Here where exactly?" Applejack asked.
Applejack and TroubleShoes looked up and saw an all two familiar and terrifying castle.
"Is that...?" asked TroubleShoes.
"...The Castle of Count BloodFang," finished Applejack
"Eeyup..." said Big Mac Swallowing hard.
Applejack took one look up at the castle, and then at Granny Smith.
"Beg pardon Granny," said Applejack approaching the old mare, "but...How Could You Bring Us Here!?"
"Old Count Blood Fang is obsessed with Apples," Granny Smith stated putting her map away, "If anypony is gonna have the Golden Apples it's gonna be him."
"He's obsesse with Apples...Because He's a Vampire Pony!" shouted Applejack, "Who once tried to tirn Fluttershy into a Vampire Pony!"
"Relax youngin'," said Granny Smith, "Old BloodFang only comes out at night...And it's the middle of broad daylight."
"Sorry Granny, but I'm puttin' my hoof down," said TroubleShoes, "No good can come from goin' into that castle.
"Please TroubleShoes," Apple Bloom asked while giving the stallion the cutest puppy dog face she could muster.
TroubleShoes couldn't resist.
"Oh alright, but we haveta be careful..."
Apple Bloom and Granny Smith hoof bumped each other.
Applejack and Big Mac both rolled their eyes again.
Inside BloodFang's Castle
The Apple Family and Troubleshoes were carefully sneaking about, trying not to make a sound.
"This place loos deserted," said Applejack gritting her teeth.
"Well we beat him last time we were here," said TroubleShoes, "Maybe he flew the coop..."
"Ah don't think so," said Granny Smith with a condfident smile.
They had come upon a large throne room, with the largest pile of apples the ponies had ever seen. Towers of apples filled up the wall, of every shape and variety.
"Everypon pick a corner and start searchin'," said Granny Smith.
Granny, Apple Bloom, and TroubleShoes all began digging amongst the apples. Applejack and Big Mac leaned up against a wall looking annoyed.
"Mmmmm...Wapples..."
A sudden aound caught Appljack's attention. The Earth pony slowly looked up, and to her horror she saw Count BloodFang hanging upside down from the chandelier, fast asleep.
"Um...Granny," said Applejack with Beads of sweat appearing on her brow.
"Just a minute sweetheart," said digging through a pile of Golden Delicious.
"Mmmmm...Wapple Cider..." Count BloodFang mumbled from above.
"Beg pardon Granny, but..." said Applejack desperately pointing above her.
"Jusra moment," replied Granny still searching.
"Mmmmm...Wapples under glass..." mumbled the count.
"Grannnnnnny..." mutered Applejack as she and Big Mac tried to catch her attention.
"I think I found it!" said Applebloom pulling an apple from the bottom of a large pile.
The entire pile collapsed collapsed creating a large rumbling throughout the entire hall. Count BloodFang's eyes shot open.
"And he found us!" said Applejack in a panic.
Count BloodFang leapt down from his floated down to ponies.
"Granny Smith!" proclaimed the furious count, "You dare to enter my castle...AGAAAAAIN!"
"You've done this before?" asked TroubleShoes in disbelief.
"Well," said Granny, "where else is a pony supposed to look for..."
"The Golden Wapples" said Couns BloodFang rolling his eyes, "I've told you before! They don't exist you craxy coot! You like Wapples?! Well how do you like these Wapples."
Count BloodFang swooped down twoards the ponies, and tried to take a swipe at Apple Bloom. TroubleShoes quickly rushed over to her and threw her onto his back. Applejack, Big Mad, and TroubleShoes all started running around the throne room as they tried to avoid the vampire pony.
"Granny!" shouted Applejack, "Do Something!"
"Just a minute sweetheart," said Granny digging through her napsack.
Count BlooodFang had Applejack cornered into a far wall.
"Look into my Eyes!" proclaimed the Count.
"Ah, here it is!" said Granny.
The old pony pulled out a necklace of garlic from her napsack. She then proceeded to toss it over to Applejack, which landed on her neck.
"Eeeeeeeek! Garlic!?" screamed the Count.
He quickly flew back up to the chandelier, and wrapped his wings around him so tightly thst no pony cound see him.
"Go.." whimpered Count BloodFang, "...and take that monster with you..."
Everypony looked at Granny Smith ad the pointe a hoof in her direction.
"Welp, they weren't here," said Granny.
Back in Sunburst's labratory
Sunburst was looking through 'The True History of Equestria:A Documentation of the Primordial Mysteries that the Alicorns Don't Want You to Know About'. Sunset and Starlight were watching him nervously as he did so.
"So when exactly are we planning to tell him about our history with Sombra?" asked Starlight with concern.
"I'm kinda hoping to avoid then subject," said Sunset gritting her teeth.
"It's not exactly like we had an option in the matter," said Starlight, "I mean he forced us to do most of those things."
"I have just reunited with my brother," said Sunset, "I'm not about to ruin that by bring up that was working for Sombra...regarles of the circumstances."
"Ah, here it is," said Sunburst, "'The Golden Apples'!"
Sunburst began reading the page to himself. As he read it, his expression quicky changed.
"Oh no," said Sunburst, "This is not good..."
"What is it asked?" asked Starlight.
"We've got to catch up with Applejack and her family right now!" stated Sunburst rushing put of the room.
Back in the Everfree Forest
The Apples and Troubleshoes were brushing themselves off after their harrowing experience.
"Well that was an experience," said TroubleShoes.
"An experience!?" proclaimed Applejaack, "We almost got ourselves killed! We almost got Apple Bloom killed!"
"Eeyup!" said Big Mac annoyed.
"I'll admit, that last plan was a bit of a stretch," said Granny looking at her map, "But now I'm certain I've got my bearings."
Applejack and Big Mac scowled.
"Relax Sis," said Apple Bloom, a bit unsure "Granny knows what she's doin'..."
"Halt! Who goes there!"
The ponies were suddenly surrouned by an army of deer clad armor.
"...Or not," whimpered Apple Bloom hugging Troubleshoes tightly.
The army deer lovweres there heads pointing their sharp atlers at the ponies. Out of the herd a tall white stag clad in golden armor stepped forward.
"Granny Smith!" proclaimed the stag, "What are you doing in our territory?"
"King Aspen?" replied the Granny Smith, "What are you doin' in the Everfree Forest?"
"This is the borederline of the Whitetail Woods," stated King Aspen matter of factly, "The Everfree Forest is in that direction."
"Whoops!" said Granny turning her map upside down, "Must have gotten turned around."
Big Mac and Applejack growled at their Granny.
"Beg pardon sir," said Apple Bloom nervously, "but we were just lookin' fer..."
"...The Golden Apples," said King Aspen with a sigh, "We've told you before Granny, they don't exist."
"Don't Exist!" proclaimed Granny, "Does a Manticore Not Exist? Does a Hydra Not Exist? Does Sass Squash Not Exist?"
"What in tarnation's a Sass Sauach?" asked TroubleShoes.
"Don't even ask.."Applejack muttered under her breath.
"Ah'm surprised to hear the Crown Prince of the deer, of all creatures, saying that the Golden Apples aren't real!" said Granny looking King Aspen in the eye.
King Aspen signed, "Listen well Granny Smith...Our herd have memorized every plant, flower, tree and fruit that our founder, the Great Seediling, ever created...If the Golden Apples Existed, we would know ablut them."
"The Golden Apples," a small voice spoke up, "I saw one once!"
A small fawn popped up beside King Aspen.
"Shhh, quiet Bramble," said King Aspen
"I did Papa, I really did once," said the small fawn.
"You have!?" proclaimed bothe Granny Smilth and Applebloom at once.
"You'll have to forgive my son, he has an overactive imagination," said King Aspen.
"You have ro coem with us and show up where it is!" said Apple Bloom tugging on Bramble's hoof, "Please! Please! Please! Please! PLEASE!"
King Aspen stared down at his fawn and the earth filly. They both gave him the cutest puppy dog face she could muster.
"Ugggh," groaned King Asepn, "Be quick about it."
"Hooray!" proclaimed both Applebloom and Bramble.
"The more the merrier," proclaimed Granny Smith.
TroubleShoes smiled sheepishly, while Applejack and Big Max groaned.
Deep in the Everfree Forest
King Aspen was leading the Apples and Troubleshoes forward. Applejack and Big Mac were still not to thrilled about this little adventure. Granny and Apple Bloom were more thrilled than ever. This time they'd finally find the golden apple tree. Trouble Shoes wasn't sure what to feel, he was just fiddling with his hammer.
"Okay I think the tree should be this way," Bramble said leading them forward.
They were then making their way forward, when Applejack whispered to TroubleShoes
"Are we sure this little critter knows where he's goin'?"
"Of course I know," said Bramble, "We take a left turn to past nests of the Stymphalian birds...carful not to wake them...Then take 12 steps to the next bath between the pillars of Rockhoof...and finally were right under King Sombra's mountain..."
"Wait...What?" said TroubleShoes dropping his hammer.
The ponies looked up at the all too familiar mountain with a castle at the top, bad memories flowing back to them.
"You took us to King Sombra's Mountain!?" said Applejack grabbing Bramble by the collar.
"This cannot possibly be the place," said TroubleShoes
"Nnope..!" said Big Mac sweating bullets.
"Of course it's the place," said Bramble, "I know this forest like the back of my hoof."
"Well who'd have thought," said Granny Smith, "The Gloden Apples, right under King Sombra's evil nose the whole time."
"Yeah and now so are we," AJ said pulling Apple bloom close her.
"Maybe we should just turn back," said Troubleshoes, "If this tree exist it's not worth the trouble."
"What?" Said Apple Bloom "but we've already come this far"
"Besides," said Bramble pointing upwards, "King Sombra lives all the way at the top of the mountain, and he hardly ever comes down."
"I'm telling ya fellas," a familiar voice spoke up, "This is the prefect place to play poker."
They all turned to see none other then Cujo holding a deck of cards. He and the Diamond Dogs were on the in a nearby clearing blaying cards. None of them seemed to have noticed the ponies
"Thought you might want to make sure your not seen by his followers," said Bramble nervously.
"Flush!" proclaimed Cujo, "I win again!"
"You always win!" said Rover slapping himself in the face, "Are you cheating again?"
"Of course not boys," said Cujo sneaking a card out from under his had, "I'm insulted by the insinuation."
Applejack, TroubleShoes, and Big Mac looked over at the Diamond Dogs and then at each other.
"Oh no Granny," said Applejack, "We've done a lot of crazy things today, but if we stay here we're gonna die. I can live with crazy, I can't live with...Your already headed over there aren't you?
Applejcak looked over to see Granny Smith, Apple Bloom, and Bramble silently sneaking past the Diamond Dogs.
Applejack and Big Mac looked at each other for a moment and then begrudgingly decide to follow.
"What do you know! Another Flush!" proclaimed Cujo unaware of the ponies sneaking around the trees behind him.
"Something fishy is most definitely going on around here," said Spot unaware of Apple Bloom popping up her head from a bush.
"Fish? I thought we were playing poker?" said Fido as Granny pushed Apple Bloom's head back down.
"He said fishy," Rover stated slapping Fido on the back of the head, "Not Go Fish!"
The ponies crept forward, low to the ground. Granny at the front, Bramble behind her, followed by Apple Bloom, Applejack, Troubleshoes, and Big Mac. As they crept forward, Bramble's fluffy tail began to tickle Apple Bloom's nose.
"Ah...ah...AhCHOOOOOO!" Sneezed Apple Bloom loudly.
"Gesundheit." The Dogs said to Apple Bloom
"Thanks," Apple Bloom replied
Then a sudden look of realization on their faces came of their faces and The Diamond Dogs all turned to see the ponies lined up on the ground. Seeing an opportunity Cujo turne to his gang with a sinister grin and said.
"Well boys look like we are going to have to take a rain check on that poker game." Cujo said putting the cards away and bearing his fangs, "Because we've got some uninvited guest who just found trouble."
Sunburst, Sunset, and Starlight raced through the Everfree Forest, desperately trying to catch up to the Apple Family.
"Remind me why we're in such a hurry again?" said Sunset trying to catch her breath.
"It's what I read I about the Golden Apples," explained Sunburst, "Apparently when the Alicorns planted them, they were so delicious that everypon want them for themselves. Pretty soon fighting broke out amongst the ponies. So, thengreat Seedling created the Everfree Forest around the Golden Apples, so that nopony could ever find them again. They litteraly can't be found...Something tells me the Apple's are in big trouble.
"I think your overreacting a tiny bit," said Sunset, "
"She right," said Starlight "Even if we get spotted, we're unicorns, we can just teleport ourselves away.."
"Um, I think you spoke to soon, said Sunburst looking ahead.
Up ahead of them, the unicons saw a fight/chase ensuing in front of the. Applejack wasusing her lasso to rangled up some of the dogs while protecting Applebloom and Bramble who were hiding behind her. Big Mac and TroubleShoes were using their earth pony strength to knock out some reserve Diamond Dogs, that had shown up unannounced. Sunburst jumped in to protect Granny smith with his magic, althought the old pony seemed to handling herself just fine.
Sunset and Starlight were about to join, when they suddenly came face-to-face with their former ally Cujo.
"Well Well, Well," Cujo said still having his sinister smile on his face. "If it ain't the boss's traitorous daughters."
"Daughters!?" Sunburst shouted in surprised
"Well explain later!" Sunset shouted to him
"And if it isn't King Sombra's lapdog," Starlight said "Still doing whatever that evil jerk says?"
"This was supposed to be my day off!" Cujo said "Unntil these ponies showed up! And now here you are!"
Two Daimond Dogs leapt down and tackled Starlight and Sunset. Sunburst could see they were outnumbered, so he turned to the Apple Family.
We'll hold them off," said Sunburst, "Run for it."
Sunburst began blast magic away as the Apples, Troubleshoes, and Bramble fled. The partly kept on runing, untile they slipt, and fell down an underground cave at the side of the mountain. One by onr the ponies and Bramble toppled on top of each other, until Granny landed at the top of the pile.
"Welp, that didn't go according to plan," said Granny.
"Nnope!" said Big Mac picking himseld up from of the pile.
"Ya think!?" exclaimed Applejack in pure frustration.
"No need to get snippy," said Granny dusting herself off, "Why don't you youngins take a breather, while I take another look a the map."
"Another look at the map!?" said everypony in disbelief.
"O'course," said Granny, "We're closer than ever to finding the Golden Apples."
"The Golden Apples!??" exclaimed eveypony. Even Applebloom couldn't believe what she was hearing.
TroubleShoes took one look at the group, and then stormed over to Granny.
"Granny Smith, enough is enough!" said TroubleShoes pulling the map away from her, "I've been tryin' my darndist to stay optimistic about all of this,but the fact is it's time to call a quits. We've been attacked more times than I can't count in this forest, and quite frankly I don't think the youngins can handle it anymore. I know how important it is for you to find the Golden Apples but...Well...I think it's time for us to accept the fact that there's a chance they don't exist..."
Granny Smith looked at TroubleShoes for a moment.
"Well, duh," said Granny.
"Excuse me?" said TroubleShoes in disbelief.
"I've always known there was a chance that the Golden Apples don't exist," said Granny, "I ain't crazy ya know."
"Then...I'm sorry...What this all about?" asked TroubleShoes.
"Truth is," said Granny, "If I gave up searchin' for the Golden Apples, I'd have nothin' to dream about anymore.
Everypony in the cave fell silent for a moment. Even Applejack and Big Macintosh felt bad.
"Um everypony," said Applebloom from aound the corner of the cave, "Ya'll might wanna see this."
The group made their way further down the cave past a a large tangle of vines. As they went past them, they found themself in a gorgeous chamber with water flowing down from the ceilings. At the center a small pond sat a a gorgeous tree with a golden trunk, and leaves of brilliant red and orange. Hanging down from these leaves were the one true golden Apple. The ponies eyes grew wide as dinner plates as they were amazed that the legends were true.
"I told you I'd seen them before," said Bramble coming up from behind the ponies.
Granny turned to turn to her older grand kids with a sly smirk and asked "Still think it's an old mare's tale?"
"Well I'll be!?" Was all AJ said
"Eyupe!" Big Mac said
"We founded it!" The Apple Bloom cheered "Ah can can't believe we've finally found it!"
"I'm just surprised we found it at all," said TroubleShoes.
"Um ponies," said Bramble pointing at something.
From behind the tree trotted out a tall elegant elk. It's coat was covered in leaves, starting out red, and flowing down it's back all the way to bright green. It's atlers were branches with rich ripe apples hanging down from them. It took one look at the visitors, and it's eyes began.
There was a bright flash of light, and when ponies eyes cleared, the tree was gone leaving only a few apples and some leaves.
"Was that the Great Seedling!?" asked Applebloom in Disbelief.
"That sly dog," said Granny Smith, "No wonder nopony cam ever find the Golden Apples. He's been hiding them this entire time."
"Well we've got the apples," said Bramble picking one up, "But what are going to do about the Diamond Dogs?"
TroubleShoes picked up ond of the apples, feeling how heavy and sturdy it was.
"I think I've got an idea."
Back in the forest, Cujo and the Diamnond Dogs had Sunset, Starlight and Sunburst tied up, with anti magic rings in their horns.
"Once I bring you to the boss he'll be pleased," said Cujo, "I may even find myself getting a promotion."
Sunburst looked at the two mares, still in disbelief.
"Look I'll explain everything once we get free," said Sunset.
"Ha, fat chance of that happeneee..."said Cujo as a large Golden Apple smacked him in the face.
"Direct hit," proclaime Granny Smith
From up in the trees Applejac, Big Mac, Applebloom, and Bramble pelted Golden Apples down at the Diamond Dogs. Granny Smith direct their fire, as the unsuspecting Diamond Dogs fled for cover. While they they were distracted, TroubleShoes snuck down and remved the rings from Starlight and Sunset.
"Dog up you coward!" shouted Cujo, "There just apples."
Cujo charged twoards the unicorns, but while he was a few feet away Starlight and Sunset blasted him back into a tree. The tree shook, causing Granny in the limbs above to drop a golden apple which landed on Cujo's .The ponies and Bramble then leapt ground while the dogs were attending to their boss. They quickly picked up as many apple were able to get there hooves on.
"Okay it's time to go!" Starlight said as she and Sunset used their magic to teleport everyone back to Ponyville.
As the stars cleared around Cujo's head, he suddnlynsaw the Golden Apple sitting out in front of him.
"Well at least we can bring the boss one of these." Cujo said
Later back at Ponyville
The Apples and Trouble Shoes were planting a few of the apple seed int their fields bakc at he castle. Whole they were doing this, Starlight and Sunset were telling Sunbrust everything about how King Sombra forced them to do his evil deeds and about HORSE gave them a second chance.
"And that's everything that happen." Sunset said in a sad voice.
"Why did you two tell me this?" Sunbusrt asked
"We were afraid you'd think we were as villainous as King Sombra." Starlight said with sad voice.
"Lesson time girls," Sunbrust said, "I'd never think of you two like that...To be perfectly honest, I was keeping a secret too. I was afraid to tell you that I'm still learning the basics with Star Swirl."
"You are?" They both said in unison.
"Yes," Sunburst said with his sad voice "I'm not that powerful of a wizard. That's why star Swirl had me stay in Tamplon...So I can learn more. Personally, I'm just happy that you two are okay."
"So are we little bro," Sunset said as she and Starlight had group hug with Sunbrust.
Out in the fields Granny Smith was just finishing up planting the last of the seed.
"And that takes care of that!" said Granny.
"How long did Bramble say it would take these seed to grow?" asked Applebloom.
"According to his father," said Ganny, "some time between a year and a hundred years."
"Eeyup," said big Mac.
"Ya knwo it would really help if we knew more about the Golden Apple seeds," said Applejack.
"Maybe..." said TroubleShoes.
"Yes," said Granny and Applebloom.
"..Maybe it would help, it we went out and looked for them again," finished TroubleShoes.
"Yeah!" cheered Granny and Applebloom.
"Ugh, here we go again, groaned Applejack.
"Eeyup," sighed Big Mac.