Chapter 200: Simple Ways
Another couple of weeks had gone by and it was currently the middle of September in Equestria, the leaves were starting to loose their green pigmentation and turning into a noce golden hue and at Sweet Apple Acres, it was nice and peaceful, until it cut to Spyro's garage exploding again. The Apple Family was in the house again when they heard the explosion, which had become a near daily occurrence on the farm as they were getting breakfast set up in the kitchen as Applejack looked out and saw the smoke coming out from the garage and though it was muffled, she could hear Spyro yelling out a couple of foul words in another language and shook her head.
"Wonder what he blew up this time." Scootaloo said.
"Think it might be his terminal again?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Ah think it's his doohickey that let's him get his ships." Granny Smith said.
"By the sound of it, Ah think you might be right." Applejack said. They then heard hoof steps approachign the house, the door opening to reveal Spyro covered in soote and ash, cursing in Elvish to not let the foals hear his words. "Mornin' Spyro. Get blown up again?"
"Yeah, I did." Spyro replied. "That's what I get for trying to use a fourteen Giga Watt Transfuser instead of a Twenty-one Transfuser like AIVA suggested."
"What the heck are them Tansfuser thingies for anyway?" Apple Bloom asked.
"They help to stabilize the flow of energy that goes through the Garage." Spyro replied, sitting at the table. "I was out of Twenty-ones, so I tried to use a fourteen, only to get blown up and eletrocuted at the same time."
"Eh, ya end up gettin' yerself blown up more than them Heartless tryin' to blow you up." Applejack said.
"Yeah, lucky me." Spyro said, wiping the ash off. "Thankfully I finally got the hanger bay back online to at least get me to my ships. Only problem is most of them were damaged thanks to Xana, so they're going nowhere. It's atleast another half a year's worth of work without the Construction Yard in the garage."
"Ya serious!?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Afraid so." Spyro replied. "The good news is that the Gozanti Cruiser I have wasn't connected to the Garages Mainframe, so it avoided Xana's attack. I'm planning on making a trip to Traverse Town to get more in the next few days."
"Well that's a relief." Applejack said. "For a second, Ah thought ya'll were plannin' on missing Ponyville day."
"You kidding?" Spyro asked. "There's no way I'd miss it. Speaking of, shouldn't we be getting to the town hall to see who the representative will be."
"Yeah, that we need to see." Applejack said, eatting some of the fritters. "We better get goin' then."
They then started going to the door, heading out of the house and heading towards town, where they met up with the rest of their friends, who were waitng for them near the town hall, all of them walking together to the town hall to see what was going down.
"Wow, look at how many ponies showed up." Rainbow Dash said, everyone seeing all of the ponies around the town hall. "I can't believe there are so many that showed up."
"I can!" Pinkie said. "I mean, everypony here is excited to see who the Pony of Ceremonies will be for Ponyville Day! It's a pretty big deal!"
A moment later, Mayor Mare walked up to a podium and tapping the microphone to get everyone's attention while behind her was Granny Smith and a couple other elderly ponies.
"Is that Granny Smith?" Spyro asked. "How'd she get here before us?"
"I didn't know she was on the selection commitee." Twilight said.
"Of course she is." Applejack said. "Ponyville day celebrates the day that Ponyville was founded. And she was right there when it was founded."
"I'm glad that the selection committee didn't automatically pick me!" Pinkie said. "Now everypony can see how great being me actually is! Even though the festical is actually a party that the Pony of Ceremonies get's to organize the whole thing, so it would make sense if they pick me."
Everyone then shushed her, which Pinkie reached to her left and zipped her mouth up, though it was zipped, she was giving a nervous smile as Mayor Mare cleared her throat again.
"Citizens of Ponyville." Mayor Mare said. "This years applicants were exceptional, but there can only be one Ponyville day Pony of ceremonies. ANd that pony is..." The judges all whispered among themselves, Pinkie inhaling hard and her head inflating into a balloon, Spyro, Applejack, and Rarity watching as she started to fly into the air, which Granny Smith walked over with a piece of paper, Mayor Mare reading what was written and looked both happy and relieved. "Rarity!"
Eveyrone then cheered for the fashion pony, which another pony gave her some flowers while Spyro wrapped his wing around her and the two rubbed noses, the mare gazing at him lovingly while Spyro smiled at her.
"Congratulations Rarity." Twilight said. "Do you have any idea what you're going to do?"
A moment later before Rarity could reply, Spike was coming in wheeling a diorama towards them of Ponyville and it showed all the decorations and plans that she had in store.
"Oh, I have a few ideas." Rarity replied. "Would you all kindly meet me at my boutique? I want to see if you could help me with the decorations and for the Ponyville Day."
A little while later, everyone was gathered in Rarity's store, which she had a stage and a runway set up with a phonograph and an easel with a pad on it, everyone gathered at the foot of the runway with Pinkie bouncing the whole time in excitement.
"Oh, I'm so excited for the festival that I can hardly stand up straight!" Pinkie said, falling down face first.
"Im excited for the festival as well." Twilight said. "And I'm glad that Rarity was picked. I know she'll add some elegance to the whole thing."
"If Ah know Rarity, she'll add more than some elegance." Applejack said.
A moment later, the lights went out and the lights on the runway turned on, illuminating the stage and from behind the curtain wearing a suit, cranking up the phonograph before tunring to them as the music started to play, pulling out a notecard to read from it.
"This years Ponyville day festival designed by Rarity will feature various high class events." Spike said, flipping a page up to start revealing certain events, one of which being high class ponies drinking something. "One such event will be a silent cider auction and tasting..." He then flipped the page again to reveal dancing ponies. "A Ponyville Gala in Town Square..." He then flipped it again to reveal what appeared to be a fashion show. "And of course, a Ponyville Fashion show."
"Heh, should have known Rarity would go high class on this whole thing." Spyro said.
"This years Ponyvilles Pony of Ceremonies creates shimmering couture of her own design." Spike continued, motioning to the curtains.
A moment later, the curtains pulled back to reveal Rarity in a blue dress with purple sashes and gems covering the whole thing, walking out for everyone to see.
"And the theme is... Small... Town... Chic." Rartiy said, going for the dramatic.
"Wow Rarity, you put in a lot of effort into this." Twilight said.
"Ah'll say she did." Applejack said.
"I think this is going to be magical." Fluttershy said.
"It's definitely going to be something." Spyro said.
"You all really think so?" Rarity asked, looking happy.
"Well Duh, we really do think so!" Pinkie exclaimed. "I can't wait!"
"Oh, that's such a relief." Rarity said, walkign down. "But I really can't do all of this on my own. The festival is in three days!"
"Well you don't have to do it all alone." Spyro said. "We can help you with whatever you need."
"Yeah, Pinkie Pie and I can hang the lights in the Town Square." Rainbow Dash said.
"And Spyro and Ah can get Sweet Apple Acres all ready for the Cider tasting." Applejack said.
"Oh, that would be lovely." Rarity said. "But Applejack dear, you sure you can do that while pregnant?"
"Trust me Rare, she can handle it." Spyro said. "So long as she doesn't over exert herself."
"Perfect." Rarity said. "Twilight, Fluttershy, could I ask the both of you to help me with the fashion show?"
"Of course." Twilight replied.
"I'd be honored to help out." Fluttershy said.
"Oh, thank you all." Rarity said. "That means I can focus on the most important thing of all."
"And what would that be?" Spyro asked.
"creating a Ponyville Day celebration to impress... Trender Hoof!" Rarity said, looking happy while everyone else was confused.
"Whose Trender Hoof?" Spyro asked.
"What!?" Rarity asked. "How pray tell do you not know Trender Hoof?"
"Probably because we're not exactly fashion ponies." Spyro replied.
Rarity then walked over to another set of curtains, opening them up to reveal a shrine to a brown unicorn stallion wearing glasses with a blonde mane and a green sweat shirt with an orange collar, posters, books, and other things related to him in that small area, making Spyro feel a little uncomfortable.
"Well, Trender Hoof is only the most amazing, hansomest travel writer to have ever written or traveled!" Rarity replied, fan girling over him. "Before Last Pegasus became a travel destination of Equestria, he wrote about it. Before the culinary revolution in Trottingham, he discovered it!" She then pulled a poster down and looked at it lovingly. "He knows what's going to be hot, even before trending."
She then hugged the poster, going into complete fan girl mode and forgetting Spyro was there, making him feel sad as she hugged it.
"Sounds like Somepony has a crush." Twilight said, looking at Spyro before walking over to her. "But, maybe be a little considerate around Spyro. He looks sad."
Rarity then looked over to Spyro and saw how depressed he looked and immediately put the poster away and cleared her throat.
"Spyro darling, I'm so sorry." Rarity said. "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. It's just, he's so divine!" She then took the other poster down and looked at it with her googoo eyes, having forgotten about Spyro. "And I can't believe he's coming here to Ponyville!"
She was continuing to idolize Trender Hoof, not paying attention to the looks that everyone was giving her, all of them disappointed in seeing their friend Rarity acting this way, which Spyro then walked out of the boutique, Applejack looking at him and running after him while the others remained in the Boutique.
"Gee, and they called me insensitive." Rainbow Dash said, getting Rarity's attention.
"What do you mean darling?" Rarity asked.
"You went and hurt Spyro's feelings, that's what!" Pinkie shouted.
"What are you...?" Rarity began to say, seeing Spyro was gone. "Oh."
"As soon as you started to fan girl over Trender Hoof, you went and hurt his feelings." Twilight said.
"I didn't mean to." Rarity said, looking outside and seeing Spyro walk away. "Oh, I should go and apologize to him for being so insensitive."
"You should." Twilight said. "After all, he's our herd leader and even though it's our decision to be remain in the herd or not, you need to be thoughtful of not only his feelings, but yours as well."
Rarity was looking at her friends, seeing the disappointed looks that they were giving her and instantly felt bad about what she said and did, looking back outside and watching her friend walk away, going into the distance and felt her heart break. Outside, Spyro was continuing to walk away and head back to Sweet Apple Acres to get back to work on his garage's repairs.
"Spyro, wait!" Applejack said, running to him. "You ok hun?"
"I'll be alright." Spyro replied.
"Listen, don't pay much mind to what Rarity said." Applejack said. "She loves ya. There's no way she'd leave the herd."
"It's her decision." Spyro said, continuing to walk. "She's not a possession or a thing. She's her own pony, free to make her own choices. If she wants to leave the herd and be with Trender Hoof, then it's her decision and I'll support it, no matter what."
Applejack then stopped, watching him continue to walk away towards Sweet Apple Acres and feeling bad for him as he left broken hearted. The next day, Rarity and Twilight were at the train station awaiting Trender Hoof as the train was coming in, the steam from the engine expelling out and would have caused them to cough, but Rarity had her own fan with her, flapping the steam away as they waited for their guest.
"Thanks for coming with me Twilight." Rarity said. "I don't think I could have met Trender Hoof on my own."
"It's no problem at all." Twilight replied. "And you shouldn't be nervous about meeting him. But I'm more worried about Spyro."
"Yes, I was very inconsiderate of his feelings yesterday." Rarity said. "Twilight, could you remind me to apologize to him once this is said and done, would you? I felt awful last night after what I said and could barely sleep a wink."
"Of course Rarity." Twilight said, smiling at her.
A second later, the doors opened up and many different ponies started to come off of the train, which Rarity was looking around frantically to try and find Trender Hoof, growing more and more nervous as she tried to find him.
"Oh, you don't think he decided not to come!?" Rarity asked. "Twilight, I don't see him! What if he doesn't arrive!? The whole festival will be a disaster!" She then started to panic, feeling sick to her stomach as her mind was racing witht he thought that the pny she was expecting wouldn't come. "TWILIGHT WHERE IS HE!?" Her shouting ended up getting everyone else's attention, everyone looking at her like she had just lost her mind, Rarity smiling nervously. "Sorry."
"Rarity, you really need to get a hold of yourself." Twilight said. "You haven't even met him yet and you're acting like you can't live without him."
However, a moment later, the pony they were expecting was walking off the train, Trender Hoof and when both mares saw him, Rarity was instantly in love, hearts appearing around her as her eyes widened while her mouth was gapping open, seeing her crush standing there and she started to hyperventilate, feeling faint as she saw him, hiding behind Twilight while confusing her friend.
"It's him." Rarity said. "It's him, it's him, it's really him!"
She then looked at Trender Hoof, who seemed ot be preping himself while Twilight looked down at her friend.
"So, why don't you go up and talk to him?" Twilight suggested.
"I... I can't." Rarity said, clearly nervous. Twilight just rolled her eyes and used her magic to push her friend to be in front of Trender Hoof as he dusted himself off, Rarity gulping air as she tried to muster up the courage to talk. "Um, hi. Hello, Mr. Trender Hoof. I'm Rarity and I was chosen as the Pony of Ceremonies for Ponyville Day's festival."
She thyen giggled nervously, her cheeks turning pink as she stared at Trender Hoof.
"Please, call me Trend." Trender Hoof said.
Rarity was instantly smitten with Trender Hoof, her eyes twitching as she then fainted, Twilight rolling her eyes at her friend. A while later, Rarity was showing Trender Hoof around the town and explaining some of the things that she had planned for the festival from the auction to the fashion show and even to the gala that she had planned, trying her best to not act like a fan girl in front of her crush.
"And here is the place for the climax the Ponyville Day festival." Rarity said, taking him to the Town Square. "The Gala. There will be music, dancing, and of course a locally sourced menu of delicious treats."
"Hmm, kinda reminds me of the Spring Fling meets Manehatten that I wrote in Galvin Prance." Trender Hoof said.
"Exactly." Rarity said. "I... I can't even begin to express how much your work has inspired me." They then continued on the tour, heading out of Ponyville and going straight towards Sweet Apple Acres and walking over the hill to show the farm. "And here is Sweet Apple Acres. Ponyville's Core, so to speak. This is where our quaint little hamlet began.
"Oh, it's breath taking." Trender Hoof said. "I've heard about it of course. Is it true that the Prince of Light and Darkness lives here?"
"Oh yes, he does live here." Rarity said. "His garage is where he spends some of his time in when he's not working on the farm."
"Oh, it would be such a great honor to meet him." Trender Hoof said, looking at the soil. "To see this place is so verite. To be standing on the soil of an actual working farm." He then dug his hooves into the soil, feeling it and looking like he was in paradise. "You can truly feel the authenticity."
"Yes, indeed you can." Rarity said. "They really do grow apples here you know."
"They do?" Trender Hoof asked, standing up and walking to her. "Thank you Rarity. Thank you for bringing me here today. This farm is truly something."
"Oh, you're quite welcome." Rarity said. "I had planned on turning it into an elegant country inn for the festival..." She then turned her head to look at him, which Trender Hoof looked at her and saw how she was looking at him. "But now I see how special this farm is to you. Oh natural."
"Oh natural indeed." Trender Hoof said. However, as Rarity was gazing at him, completely crushing on him, Trender Hoof looked up and saw Applejack, his heart racing when he saw her kicking a tree full of apples, his own eyes widening as he saw hearts around her. "Who... is... that?"
Rarity then turned to see Applejack, who was dirty and a complete mess as she wiped sweat off of her brow.
"Oh, that's Applejack." Rarity said. "She's-"
"She's... beautiful." Trender Hoof said, walking towards her. "I have seen a lot in my travels, but I've never beheld such beauty." He then watched her take a bite out of an apple and wipe away the juices, which he was still gazing at her lovingly. "Applejack, the pony of my dreams."
"Pony of your..." Rarity said, feeling heart broken before remembering an important detail. "Uh, actually, Applejack is pregnant and-"
"So beautiful." Trender Hoof said, ignoring what Rarity said.
Rarity felt crushed, tears starting to roll down her cheeks before she ran back into town and back to her boutique. Meanwhile in Spyro's garage, he was working on the Dragon's Crest to get it back online, but every time he tried, the ship would start up before blowing something, covering him in soot again and causing him to cough.
"Ack, son of a..." Spyro said, dusting himself off. "AIVA, how's the rest of the garage going? Is the Foundry and lab at least repaired?"
"The Foundry is now online." AIVA replied. "However, the lab is repaired, but needs a new twenty-one Giga Watt Transfuser to be active again."
"Well, it's better than nothing." Spyro said, standing up. "Try and get the construction yard back online if you can. I'm going to go get cleaned up and get something to eat."
"Yes sir." AIVA said before disappearing, taking the ship back into the Hangar.
Spyro then walked out of the garage and started making his way back into town, seeing that Yang was teaching Ruby the best way to kick the tree to egt the apples before Ruby gave it a go, kicking a tree nearby and getting some apples before a couple fell and hit her head, making her sister snicker a bit while Spyro shook his head and walked over.
"Hey there you two." Spyro said, getting their attention. "Adjusting well to your new environment?"
"Ok I guess." Ruby said. "But I keep getting these weird looks from some of the other ponies looking at my butt.
"Eh, that's normal." Spyro said. "Some of the stallions here are kinda like that."
"Yeah, before I come in and dish out a knuckle sandwich." Yang said. "Seriously, don't most of these guys have wives or something?"
"Some do." Spyro said. "It's the younger ones that are always looking. Anyway, I'm heading into town to get something to eat. Need anything?"
"No thanks, we're good." Yang said.
"All I'd like is a new weapon." Ruby said. "Do you know when you're garage will come back online?"
"Well we got a few of the major systems back to working order, but there's still a lot of work that needs to be done." Spyro replied. "And without more transfusers, many of the systems are gonna remain offline until I get them."
"Well, hopefully you get it working again soon." Ruby said. "I'd really like to have a new scythe and sniper combo. I miss my baby."
"I know Ruby." Spyro said, putting his hoof on her shoulder. "I promise, when my lab is in working order again, we'll get you a new weapon."
"Thanks Spyro." Ruby said, hugging him before getting back to work.
Spyro then continued on his way towards town to get something to eat when he noticed that Applejack was being followed by Trender Hoof, which the farm mare didn't seem to thrilled to have him following her all the time.
"AJ?" Spyro asked, Applejack looking to him.
"Spyro!" Applejack said, Trender hoof looking to him. "Uh, could ya pardon me a moment please? Ah'd like to talk with Spyro for a moment."
Before she could get an answer from him, she rushed over to Spyro, which they hugged and they looked at one another.
"AJ, who is this guy?" Spyro asked.
"Ah think this guy is Trender Hoof." Applejack replied. "Ah recognize him from Rarity's posters."
Spyro then looked up at Trender Hoof, who waved at him before he looked back to his marefriend.
"He giving you problems?" Spyro asked.
"Ah think he's flirtin' with me." Applejack said. "He said Rarity brought him here and now he ain't leavin' me alone."
"Hmm, is that so?" Spyro asked, looking back at Trender Hoof. "Want me to get rid of him for you?"
"No, no actually maybe you should find Rarity." Applejack said. "See if she's alright. Ah'll try and let him know I'm not interested."
"Alright." Spyro said. "But if he starts being inappropriate with you, let me know." He then hugged her again and walked past her, which Trender Hoof waved at him, but Spyro just nodded, though he was glarring daggers at him as he walked away, which he seemed to notice that he wasnt exactly thrilled with him being there as Spyro walked away. As he reached town, he went straight to the Carousel Boutique and even from outside, he could hear Rarity crying and feel how unhappy she was, knocking on the door and walking in to hear her wailing, seeing a trail of tears going straight to her shrine of Trender Hoof, so he walked to it and pulled the curtain back, seeing Rarity continuing to cry as she sat there, her forelegs covering her head as she cried. "Rare?"
Rarity then looked back, her mascara running due to her tears, which she got up and tried to wipe away the tears, but her mascara had already stained her from the tears.
"Oh Spyro, I... I..." Rarity said, before she continued to cry and tried to cover her eyes.
"Rarity, what's wrong?" Spyro asked.
"Nothing." Rarity replied, trying to stop her crying.
"Rare, come on, you know you can tell me anything." Spyro said, walking over and hugging her, which she hugged him back.
"Oh Spyro, he... he doesn't like me." Rarity said. "Trender Hoof doesn't like me. He like Applejack. He like's Applejack, even though I like him and... and...!"
Rarity continued to cry, not letting up with the water works, which Spyro just hugged her, feeling how heartbroken she was while also feeling a little sad himself, but kept his feelings to himself and kept hugging her.
"Rarity, I'm sorry that it didn't work out for you." Spyro said.
"Oh, Spyro, you don't know what it's like being obsessed with a pony only for them to be obsessed with somepony else." Rarity said.
"I do in fact know that feeling." Spyro replied, making her look up at him. "There was one girl in high school that I liked, but I was too nervous to ask her out and when I mustered the courage at last, she was with someone else who she was crushing on. So yes, I know that feeling all too well."
"Oh, what does Applejack have that I don't?" Rarity asked.
"No one knows who sees what in somene else." Spyro said. "Love works in mysterious ways."
"But I tried to tell him that Applejack is pregnant." Rarity said. "But he didn't listen. What do I do now?"
"That's for you to decide, not me." Spyro said, ending the hug and turning away. "Your heart is conflicted, trying to decide it's path."
"It's true." Rarity said. "I love you, but I like Trender Hoof as well."
"Who doesn't seem to return the feeling." Spyro pointed out. "Your heart will always show you the correct way, if you listen."
He then started to walk away from her and out of the boutique, Rarity reaching out to talk to him, but he was already gone, Rarity standing there and feeling conflicted as she put her hoof over her heart, trying to figure out what to do as some ice formed over the puddles below her, not noticing as she started to walk out of her own Boutique. Meanwhile in town, Applejack was walking thorugh town with baskets full of apples to sell on the market, meanwhile Trender Hoof was walking behind her, trying his best to flirt with her, which was getting on her nerves as she walked.
"You know, I've always held a deep respect for the work ethic of all Earth ponies." Trender Hoof said.
"Uh, thanks, I guess." Applejack said. "Granny always said that picking an apple a day and keep trouble away."
"If you don't mind me asking, how many apple varieties do you think there are?" Trender Hoof asked.
"Uh, on the farm, or across all of Equestria?" Applejack asked as ttrender Hoof used his magic to lift an apple up in a purple aura.
"The reason I was asking was because I had an apple so rare, ponies literally thought it was extinct." Trender Hoof said, eating the apple. "I actually ate four fo them."
"Is that so?" Applejack asked, wiping the juices that was splattered on her. "Listen, Ah'm afraid Ah-"
"That's the thing!" Trender Hoof said, interrupting her. "I make the mundane, the simple, and even the unapprciated, and make them relatable."
"Well, Ah hope you can relate to Ponyville." Applejack said, walking away as fast as she could.
"Me too." Trender Hoof said, appearing in front of her and walking backwards. "But that's enough about me, I want to learn a bit more about you. What do apples mean to Applejack?"
"Look, Ah appreciate that ya'll are interested in Ponyville and all, but Ah'm kinda busy wiht my chores and if I don't get them done, then there won't be a Ponyville day festival for you to write about." Applejack said. "Besides, Ah'm with Spyro and-"
"Well that will never do, now will it?" Rarity asked, appearing and was wearing a pair of pink cowboy boots and a light pink saddle with a hat that had gems on it, almost making Applejack laugh.
"Rarity, what in Equestria are you wearing?" Applejack asked, trying not to laugh.
"What, this old thing?" Rarity asked.
"Rarity, aren;t ya busy tryin' to plan for the festival to be makin' new outfits for it?" Applejack asked while Trender Hoof gazed at her, hearts appearing around his head.
"I am, but the though of hauling apples inspired me." Rarity said, trying to get Trender Hoofs attention. "And I just couldn't stop myself."
Applejack wasn't buying what she was saying, raising an eyebrow to show she didn't believe her.
"Really?" Applejack asked.
"If there's one thing I love, it's hauling apples." Rarity said, trying to sway Trender Hoof.
"I'm growing fond of it myself." Trender Hoof said.
Applejack thyen rolled her eyes at the two, turning her head away as he said that.
"Maybe you two should try it some time." Applejadck whispered to herself.
"I'm feeling a tad inspired." Trender Hoof said as music started to play.
[Tredner Hoof]
Without Farm life, there's be such disparity,
These thoughts I think with great clarity.
Apples high to the sky,
She's the one of my eye.
He then looked at Rarity, who she thought was singing for him and hearts appeared around her head, gazing at him lovingly as he sung.
That fruit-hauling pony named,
Applejack.
Rarity's mouth dropped open and the heart next to her cracked in half, breaking before she glarred at Trender Hoof and Applejack, turning away to try and be the one that Tredner Hoof should fall for. As for Spyro, he was back in his garage trying to repair the ship again and pulling out some damaged and burnt cords and circuit boards and trying to replace them, but ended up shocking himself and causing a small explosion, making him curse again before hitting the ship, but then a bunch of oil fell on top of his face, making him spit it out as he got out from underneath the ship.
"Son of a..." Spyro said, changing his hoof into a claw and snapped his fingers, water appearing above him and washing the oil off. "AIVA, please tell me the construction yard is back online."
"Unfortunately sir, it's taking much longer to repair the Construction yard than anticipated." AIVA replied. "But it should be back at full capacity within the next few days."
"Can't you speed up the repairs any?" Spyro asked. "I'm getting sick and tired of getting oil in my mouth."
"Well you should try keeping your mouth closed then." AIVA said.
Spyrio looked annoyed, amused, but mostly annoyed as he raised his claw up, trying his best not to loose his cool.
"I'm going to pretend you didn't say that." Spyro said. "Just please get that Construction yard back online."
"Affirmative sir." AIVA replied.
AIVA then disappeared and he got up, walking out of the garage to get some air after being splashed with oil when he spotted Rarity walking around a plow, wondering what was going on and went over to see what she was doing.
"Oh, this plow could do with a touch of color." Rarity said. "And a bit of a wash."
"Only for it to look old and worn down again." Spyro said, walking over. "Rarity, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be checking on the decorations for the Ponyville Day festival? And what's with the outfit?"
"I'm well aware of what I need to do, but Trend has a thing for farm life." Rarity said. "And if I can't convince him that I'm much of a farm mare as Applejack, I'll never get him interested in the festival."
"I don't think getting him interested in the festival is what you're thinking right now." Spyro said.
She then got on top of the pllow, taking the ropes and snapping them, thinking that was how to get it to move when Spyro just face smacked himself at what she was doing.
"Come on... farm thing!" Rarity said, sighing before wiping the sweat off. "How does Applejack do it?"
"Well, it would help if the harness was on right." Spyro replied. "Because that's not how you use a plow."
"Ah'll say that's not how you use it." Applejack said, she and Trender Hoof walking up to them. "Rarity, what are you doing?"
"I'm simply helping with the chores." Rarity replied. "Which I love doing ever so much."
"For crying out loud." Spyro said, face smacking himself again.
"Well, if ter still interested after the festival, I can teach you." Applejack said, walking to them. "Right now, i need to get the plowin' done."
"AJ, maybe you should let me do that." Spyro said.
"Spyro, Ah'm not helpless you know." Applejack said, putting the harness on. "Ah'll see you a little later hun."
Applejack then rushed off with the plow behind her, knocking Rarity of the plow as she left to take care of the fields as Trender Hoof caught her before she could hit the ground, dropping her a second later to watch Applejack plow the field.
"She makes it look so easy, doesn't she?" Trender Hoof asked, watching Applejack work.
Rarity started to whimper, digging her hoof into the ground as Spyro looked at her, wanting to comfort her, but she got up and decided to follow them around to see if she could do better than APplejack so she could get Trender Hoofs attention, trying to buck apples after Applejack did it flawlessly while Rarity tried to make it look a little more like a dance, dancing around a bit before trying to kick the tree, only to knock a single and looking proud of herself, but Spyro just shook his head. A moment later, Applejack went to the chicken coup to do something while Rarity and Trender Hoof were watching, Trender Hoof asking her something, but what he asked seemed to anger her and she shouted, walking away while Spyro just shook his head at her before going to do his daily chores. As for Applejack, she looked out to see if the coast was clear and saw that Trender Hoof was trying to figure out how the apple bucking worked, hitting the tree as an apple fell and was speared by his horn, taking it and eating it as APplejack was sneaking around, rushing to the barn while he was busy and closed the door, breathing a sigh of relief after making it back to the barn.
"That was close." Applejack said.
"If you're here to apologize, there is really no need." Rarity said, she, Big Mac, and Spyro int he barn with her as she turned away from her friend.
"What are you talking about Rarity?" Applejack asked.
"How about we dispense with the charade, shall we?" Rarity asked.
"Look, I know you want Trend to like you..." Applejack said, trying to be civil about it.
"And he does." Rarity said, turning to look at her. "Despite Some ponies best efforts."
"Look, Ah have no idea why he likes me so much or is paying so much attention to me." Applejack said. "And Ah have no idea why anypony would have that much interest in farming. Not even me."
"Well, it's time he met a real country pony." Rarity said, hooking herself onto the cart and walking away.
"Rarity, I think you have your priorities out of sort." Spyro said. "Shouldn't you be focusing on the festival instead of trying to get Trender Hoof's attention?"
"Oh, you both would like that, wouldn't you?" Rarity asked. "Well, I have a new vision for the festival. And it'll be more country than the whole Apple Family farm, put together!"
Rarity then walked away, leaving them behind shocked by what she had said, which Spyro shook his head at Rarity, not believing what went down and knowing that this was only going to egt worse. The next day, Rarity had called for all of her friends to come to the boutique, which everyone had gathered and everything seemed to have changed from something elegant and beautiful to something more country and rough looking, much to everyone's surprise.
"Isn't it a little late to be changing the theme?" Fluttershy asked as Applejack and Spyro entered.
"AJ, Spyro, what's going on?" Twilight asked. "Why is Rarity changing the theme of the festival all of a sudden?"
"I'm too scared to answer that." Applejack replied.
"It's because of her crush on trender Hoof." Spyro said. "She's trying everything she can to try and get him to like her that it's affecting the entire festival."
"Oh for pete sake." Twilight said.
A moment later, the lights went out around the room for a couple of lights shot towards the curtains.
"Firstly, I want to thank you all for coming today." Rarity said, trying to copy Applejack's southern accent, making both Applejack and Spyro cringe. "And secondly, I know y'all will enjoy my new festival theme."
"Oh boy, here we go." Spyro said.
A moment later, Spike came out from behind the curtains wearing a straw hat and playing a banjo, Spyro knowing this was not going to go well as the curtains pulled back and revealed Rarity in overalls and wearing a straw hat with her mane roughed up and messy.
"Simple ways!" Rarity said, still mimicking the southern accent. The lights came back and both Spyro and Applejack couldn't help but burst out laughing, which seemed to annoy Rarity as she walked over. "And what's so funny?"
"Rarity, that's gotta be the funniest get up Ah've ever seen." Applejack said, laughing.
"Seriously Rare, that outfit is only seen in the movies." Spyro said, still laughing
"Well, it is a little funny." Fluttershy said.
"Funny!?" Rarity asked.
"You aren;t serious, are you Rarity?" Twilight asked.
"Why of course I'm serious." Rarity said, slipping back to her normal accent before changing back. "Why wouldn't Ah be serious?"
"Because there is no way in all of Equestria that you would dress like that." Applejack said. "You're more of a high society pony and like fancy things."
"And I can plow fields haulin' apples as much as you can." Rarity said.
"But you don't!" Applejack said.
"And how would you know what Ah like?" Rarity asked, still mimicking the accent.
"Because we know you." Spyro said. "We know that you are more of a city pony who loves fashion and who's afraid of getting dirty, who is willing to give to others what you believe to be of value to somepony else. Please Rare, just let it go. Why waste your time and energy trying to impress somepony whose not even interested in you. All this is doing is making the festival suffer. Please, just stop this before the damage is irreversible."
"Well, y'all don't seem to know me as well as you think you do." Rarity said, walking past them.
"And I suppose this change has nothing to do with Trender Hoof liking country life?" Applejack asked
"Ah have no idea what y'all are goin' on at." Rarity said.
"Well then Ah guess Ah'll just have to show you." Applejack said.
"Be my guest." Rarity said, walking to the door. "Now, if y'all will excuse me, Ah have a hoof-n-nanny of a festival to put on."
She then walked out the door, leaving everyone in her boutique, looking to Spyro and Applejack as the farm pony looked like she was about ready to pop a vain.
"Rarity has completely lost it." Spyro said. "She's trying her best to impress a pony who doesn;t like her and the festival is suffering for it."
"Ah couldn't agree more with ya hun." Applejack said. "But how in tarnation are we gonna get Rarity to understand that what she's doin' isn't gonna help her get Trender Hoof's attention?"
Spyro thought about it for a moment, trying to figure out what to do when he looked over to his right, seeing one of her dresses on one of her mannequin, smiling as an idea formed in his mind. Meanwhile at Sweet Apple Acres, Rarity was addressing a bunch of kids about the upcoming fashioon show that would take place tomorrow, some of them questioning Rarity's current fashion choice.
"Now, to be a model in the Simple Ways fashion show, you might think layers means more." Rarity said, walking the line with many fillies there to be models, which included the crusaders. "Well, that ain't so. If you want to be simple, more is more." She then forced Apple Bloom into a pair of blue overalls with a large hat and some green boots with some flowers on top of the hat, Apple Bloom doing her best to keep her balance. "Now go on and y'all look yourselves like that." The fillies then left to get on some outfits like that while Apple Bloom was wobbling along after them, trying her best not to fall down. "Now, who is our next Model?"
Spike then looked at the list to see who was next, reading the name and becoming confused.
"Apple Jewel?" Spike asked.
"Who the hey is that?" Rarity asked. A second later, the lights went out and a spot light appeared, moving to the curtain and it pulled back to reveal Applejack in a pink and green dress with white diamonds, her mane done elegantly with a couple of jewels that held it up, Rarity looking at her as she walked down the runway, showing off before turning and walking away, only to turn again and do the duck face, making both Rarity and Spike look worried. "Is this some kinda joke!?"
"Why Rarity, whatever would make you think I was joking?" Applejack said, trying to act elegant and dropping her southern accent.
"Because you would never wear an ensemble like that." Rarity said, talking normally. "You like plowing fields and hauling apples."
"And I can like fashion just as much." Applejack said, giving Rarity a taste of her own medicine.
"But you don't." Rarity said.
"Well maybe you don't know me as well as you think you do." Applejack said.
"Fine." Rarity said. "But Ah've got a whole festival to plan. So if y'all are gonna start modeling, then y'all better get on with it."
Applejack smiled, getting ready to continue the plan as she cleared her throat.
"Life is a festival." Applejack said, acting elegant. "You should celebrate it by looking just like me. Becasue unlike some of the nonfashionable ponies, I am a trendsetting fashionista."
She then started posing, which seemed to make Rarity's eye twitch and get on her nerves.
"You're a trendsetting fashionista!?" Rarity asked, dropping her fake accent again. "Why that is the most ridiculous, if ot insulting thing, I've ever..." She then caught herself before she went too far and cleared her throat to try her fake accent again. "Ah mean, good for you. Ah on the other hoof couldn't care less about how Ah look as long as Ah gget the chores done."
She then made a silly face to mock Applejack, which only made her smile as she walked down.
"Is that so?" Applejack asked.
"Yes indeedy doodle." Rarity replied.
"Not me." Applejack said, grabbing a mirror. "My mane needs to be perfectly quaffed at all times."
"Well my mane is full of dust and split ends." Rarity said, removing her hat and looking annoyed, ready to crack.
"My hooves are so polished that one can see their reflection in them." Applejack said.
"My hooves are cracked and dry from working in the fields!" Rarity said, loosing the accent again.
"I'm so fashion forward." Applejack said.
"I wear droopy drawers!" Rarity said.
"I smell like rose buds." Applejack said.
"I love being covered in mud!" Rarity said, the world pausing as Spyro popped out of nowhere.
"Oh she is so going to regret saying that." Spyro said, disappearing as the world resumed.
Rarity then ran for the nearby pen where a pig and some mud was at, jumping in to get muddy, but she ended up splashing some mud onto the dress Applejack was wearing, seeing that and looking horrified.
"Goodness, your couture!" Rarity said, rushing over. "My bad." Rarity said, trying to wipe it away, but ended up smearing more with her muddy hooves, much to her disgust. "Will somepony bring me a towel to wipe away this repulsive bile from my hooves!?"
"Thank tha ancestors!" Spyro said, bringing a towel over. "The plan worked."
"Spyro!" Rarity exclaimed. "This was your idea!?"
"Of course it was." Applejack said, wiping the mud off. "It was to get the Rarity we know and love back."
"Because you allowed your obsession for trender hoof to go to your head, causing you to act silly and nearly ruin the festival just to impress him." Spyro said, passed her a towel. "Is it really worth trying to impress a guy who doesn't care about you just to get his attention and make others suffer for it?"
Rarityy looked at Spyro and then thought about it, remembering how he was always helping and supporting her, making her smile and the time they spent and then looked back at how she was trying to impress Trender Hoof, looking unhappy and sad.
"You're right darling." Rarity said, looking to Applejack. "I'm sorry for saying all those things Applejack. You and Spyro are true friends who know me better than I know myself. And Spyro, I'm sorry for everything I said and did. I should have seen it sooner that Trender Hoof wouldn't like me and allowed my obsession for him to nearly ruin my friendship, and the relationship I have with you." She then hugged him, not caring about the mud as she looked like she was on the verge of tears. "If I have to choose between him or you, I'd choose you everytime."
Spyro then hugged her back, glad to have her back and smiled, glad to have the real Rarity back instead of what was there before.
"It's ok Rare." Spyro said. "I'm just glad you saw what you were going was wrong before the damage became irreversible."
"I have no idea what I was thinking wearing this ridiculous outfit either." Rarity said, ending the hug. "It's horrendous."
"Ah know how ya feel." Applejack said. "This dress is pretty and all, but it's a bit snug for a pregnant pony."
"Oh, but you were just trying to help me see how silly I was being." Rarity said. "And you were right. On the plus side though, that gown looks gorgeous on you."
"I'll say it does." Spyro said, walking over and wrapping his wing around her. "It looks amazing on you."
"I'm sorry that I ruined it though." Rarity said. "Wherever did you get it?"
"Uh, it's... it's one of yours." Spyro said, bracing himself.
Rarity's pupils shrunk at the revelations, rushing to Spike and shaking him.
"I need three gallons of hot water and an ounce of detergent, state!" Rarity said, making Spike run for it.
Spike ran out the door to get Rarity what she needed, running past Trender Hoof was wearing the near identical outfit to what Rarity was wearing, everyone looking at him with confusion.
"I am moving to Ponyville!" Trender Hoof said. "You see, being the most interesting pony in Equestria is exhausting. That's why I want to leave my exotic and exciting life and live on a farm!"
"WHAT!?" The three of them exclaimed at the same time.
"Uh, that's nice and all, but Ah hope y'all weren't thinking of Sweet Apple Acres." Applejack said.
"Well of course, where else?" Trender Hoof replied.
"Well, Ah, uh..." Applejack began to say, but couldn't find the right words.
"What Applejack is trying to say that you're a fine pony and all, but she just doesn't find the appeal in a pony who is willing to change themselves so much just to impress some pony else." Rarity said. "If somepony doesn;t like you for who you are, it's there loss."
"Truer words were never spoken Rare." Spyro said, walking over and wrapping his wing around her.
"Well, this is kinda awkward." Trender Hoof said.
"And as I said, Applejack is pregnant." Rarity added.
"SHE IS!?" Trender Hoof asked, lookign at the mare.
"Yes, with Spyro's baby." Applejack said. "And we got a couple of youngin's we took in when they were left on our doorstep."
"Geez, I'm so sorry." Trender Hoof said. "If I had just slowed down and listend, I-"
"Hey, don't sweat it." Spyro said, looking to Rarity. "Hey Rare, is it too late to go back to Small Town Chic?"
"Not if I can help it!" Rarity said. "Now if somepony can get me out of this dreadful outfit, I'd much appreciate it. I'm hot, tired and... and... and..." Rarity then started to sway, the wor,d becoming a little blurry as she swayed. "Dizzy?"
She then passed out, Spyro catching her as she fainted.
"Rarity!" Spyro said as he caught her. "Quick, to the hospital, stat!"
Applejack took her on her back as Spyro opened a portal straight to the hospital, everyone rushing through to get Rarity some hep as it closed, the scene moving to the inside of the barn in a shadowy corner of the barn.
"Now's your chance Aragami." Orion said, a pair of white eyes appearing as the sky above became clouds, allowing the shadow to move across the ground and into the garage, coming out of the ground and standing up, a shadowy unicorn still wearing the outfit she was in, taking the scythe out and extending the blade. "Find the key."