Author's Note

Apple Bloom joins her family again to face a dark force who has a thing for surveys.

July 13-The Poll Mine

Apple Bloom was invited by Applejack to join her and the Apple Family to a day of outdoor activities. This was a good way to reconnect with each other. They all met at a peaceful forest, where they had a nice quiet picnic. After a tasty lunch, they all decided to relax. Granny Smith and Big Mac put their blanket and picnic basket back in the truck while Apple Bloom rested under a tree.

"Mind if I join ya?" Applejack asked.

"The more the merrier." Apple Bloom answered.

The two sisters enjoy this peaceful moment.

"Whenever I see you resting under a tree like this," Applejack said, "it reminds me of me when I was a kid."

"No kiddin'?" Apple Bloom gasped.

"No kiddin'. I remember one day when I wandered barefoot in a cornfield. It was so quiet, I laid down and fell asleep. Our Ma and Pa found me and, not to disturb my slumber, they carried me inside and laid me down on the couch."

"It's too bad Ma and Pa had to go away for the summer."

"I know. But, they are determined to take pictures of nature sights all over the world. It might help our family in the future. Good pictures might pay good money."

Granny Smith, Big Mac, and Sugar Belle got together with the two sisters.

"Pardon this tender moment," Granny Smith said, "but it looks like it's gonna rain."

Everybody saw that clouds were coming into the picture. Sugar Belle saw something in the area. "There's a cave over there."

"Good eyes, Sugar Belle." Big Mac replied. "Let's duck in there until the rain stops."

The family went into the cave just as the rain started. Everyone watched the rain fall. Applejack then saw something deep in the cave. It turned out to be all kinds of treasure. Gold, jewels, relics, and other stuff.

"Look at all of this stuff." Granny Smith said. "It must be worth a fortune."

"Well, I don't think we should touch this stuff." Apple Bloom advised.

"How come?" Applejack asked.

"Since that forest area is part of Jackbox Village, I have a feeling that this is the Poll Mine."

"That's right, little one!" Said a creepy female voice.

Everybody looked up and saw a glowing green eye. Sugar Belle got nervous. "Oh my. I think that thing is Laverne Caverne, the Cave Witch!"

The creepy eye looked at the family. "Look what we have here. I always wanted to meet the illustrious Apple Family."

"Listen here, Laverne." Applejack spoke out. "We didn't come to steal your treasure. We're just waiting here for the rain to stop."

"That's what I figured, Applejack. But, since you're here, I would like to challenge you to a little game."

Everybody got nervous. Granny Smith gave a response. "I guess we ain't got no choice. Might as well play along."

The family were soon taken to a hall of eight doors. Laverne started to speak. "Here's the game. You will be competing against a batch of bugs I caught stealing some of my coins. Both sides have to find a certain order of these doors. From least popular to most popular."

"I get it." Big Mac said. "It's like the final round of this game. So, Miss Caverne. What's the subject?"

"The subject is most popular toppings on pizza. Remember the order is from eight to one. Good luck."

The family looked at the clues at the top of the doors. Sugar Belle volunteered to make a choice. "I'll pick Spinach. To me, it's rare for spinach to be on a pizza."

"She's right." Big Mac added. "Even with freshly sliced mozzarella."

Sugar Belle opened the door, and a glowing skeletal hand came out, and gave her a thumbs up. The hand retracted and a glowing green '8' was presented.

"Excellent work, Sugar Belle." Laverne praised. "You're right about one thing. Not many people order pizza with spinach on it."

The group of bugs were up next. They chose 'Mushrooms'. They were greeted by a bunch of eyes looking at them.

"Oof. Sucks to be you." Laverne heckled.

Big Mac stepped up. He chose a door labeled 'BBQ Sauce'. "Not many have pizza with BBQ Sauce."

His door opened, and was greeted by the glowing skeletal hand before a glowing '7' appeared. Sugar Belle gave him a hug. The bugs crawled up to a door labeled 'green bell peppers'. That turned out to be the right answer as a glowing '6' appeared.

"Well, them critters deserve one answer right." Applejack figured.

As the game continues, more answers were revealed. Bacon at number 5, sausage at number 4, and mushrooms at number 3. Now, two doors are left.

"You're all doing good." Laverne said. "This leaves us two doors. Whichever side finds the door with a number 2, wins the game. Apple Bloom, you're up."

Apple Bloom looks at the doors. They're marked with 'Pepperoni' and 'Meatball'.

Pepperoni is very popular with pizza lovers. Apple Bloom thought. I think I know what to choose next.

The young Apple opened the door labeled Meatball, and was greeted by the skeletal hand. As it retracted, a glowing green 2 was presented.

"Huzzah!" Laverne cheered. "And, by process of elimination," the door labeled Pepperoni opened revealing a glowing 1, "pepperoni was the top choice."

This made the Apple Family happy. Apple Bloom was glad to help her family. Soon, the group was lead to the cave entrance.

"Congratulations, Apple Family." Laverne said with happiness. "You have done well in this challenge."

"Thank you kindly, ma'am." Apple Bloom replied.

"As you can see, the rain stopped and clear blue skies have returned. Enjoy your day."

The Apple Family walked happily out of the cave. Sugar Belle gave a warm embrace to Apple Bloom, knowing she helped well in this challenge. Meanwhile, the Cave Witch turned to the group of bugs.

"Do you know those monsters you and the Apple Family faced in this challenge?" Laverne asked cruelly. "Well, you'll be joining them soon."

A group of shadowy hands went to grab them as Laverne Cavern's evil laugh echoed through the Poll Mine.