The Mane Two: Contrail

Chapter One: Happy Together

Celestia’s sun was up high in the sky, bathing the rustic acres surrounding Ponyville in a warm glow.  However, it was late September, and the winter months were quickly approaching; the increasingly cool breezes the weather pegasi sent over the town were a sure sign of that to anypony that knew anything about weather in Equestria.

Applejack huffed absently while the wind blew her mane across her face. A quick flick of her head and the rogue hair was righted, the steady trot she was in quickened as her only other response. Despite the normally captivating fall colors springing up all around, her mind was set in stone on other matters.

“Consarnit girls,” annoyed, Applejack flicked her head and mane again. The blonde hair was continuously fighting to re-cover her face. “Why’dja have to go talk me into this. Pinkie, Rarity, I swear you two owe me one, er...two.” Her brow furrowed beneath the loose manedo she wore, in contrast to the utilitarian pony tail and short cropped bangs she usually kept. “Actually, make that three.” She huffed again and blew the longer forelock of mane out of her eyes once more; Rarity had talked her into keeping it longer.  Nonsense school-filly and her ‘fashion’ hoozits.

Applejack had no reservations at spending time with her friends, none. Unless it was during bucking season, the one time of the year near the beginning of fall when the majority of Sweet Apple Acres’ apples were at their ripest. It just so happened, that was the time of the year right then.

Apples don’t buck themselves, t’ain’t fair of them to guilt me into things like this, to me nor my family. Every moment she spent perusing small kiosks, spending time with her friends, and even sleeping, meant less time able to bring in the harvest.

Applejack sighed and pushed herself to go a little faster, the mountain of work on her plate at the forefront of her mind. A melancholy scowl appeared every time she thought of using up that time, even if it was with her friends at a picnic. I want to spend time with them, I do, but not at the price of mah harvest... Briefly, she considered that at least it would get done in the end. Big Mac will be bucking while I’m gone though, feller’s too kind for his own good.

If it were up to Applejack, she would do everything, harvest and fun. The days just weren’t long enough for her. Sometimes, she remorsed tiredly,it just feels like there isn’t enough time in the world.

The dirt beneath Applejack’s hooves rose in small clouds as she continued to hurry towards the near side of town, where she would find her friends. A few more stray, guilty thoughts stirred about while her mind was left to think and it led to her trying to explain away her work addiction.

“Ah mean, it’s true,” The orange mare admitted aloud. “I do tend to find myself frantically waking up at night, just to sprint out to the orchards, and start bucking apples...” She chuckled and shook her head. “Ah, shucks, I don’t do stuff like that much anymore though, do I?” She supposed she didn’t. The slight curve of her lips turned into a considering smirk. Not ever since I got so close to those crazy girls, no sirree.

The great ‘apple-bucking fiasco’ from nearly two years ago, in which Applejack had nearly worked herself to death had been the start of what would become times she was never not thankful for, good and bad. She never would have guessed about what would come from trying desperately to bring in that old harvest all on her lonesome.

I wouldn’t know what to do without those girls...horribly encouraging procrastination of my work or not. Applejack’s smirk had become a wan smile, and her hastened trot slowed back some to a canter while she made her way into town. As much as I dislike wastin’ time durin’ valuable daylight hours, I do suppose I honestly need a break.

Applejack briefly laughed aloud, “Hehe, and I should know! Ah am the Element of Honesty after all.”  She stopped and polished a hoof on her chest proudly, before looking forward again onto the road and heaving a breath of the fresh, autumn air.

Suddenly, amidst Applejack’s wandering mind and revelry, a powerful gust of wind tore off her stetson, carrying it away as fast as a fruit bat in the opposite direction she was heading.

Applejack’s stunned eyes watched her treasured hat float further away. “Wha-? Ah, horseapples!” She shouted, then turned the rest of her body around and got to chasing after the runaway head-cover.  Her hooves beat the wagon-trail while she tore after it, and almost tripped.

“Woah nelly!” Applejack ground to halt where the hat had suddenly thudded onto the ground, the wind gone. She didn’t hesitate to retrieve it before another draft could steal it away.

With a concerted look over the inconvenience, Applejack pushed the stetson back onto her head and turned around once again. What’s with all the crazy gusts of wind? That’s the third time my hat’s flown off today. I gotta talk to Rainbow about that once I get the chance. She grunted once more for good measure, then back-trotted the few meters she’d lost towards her destination. A couple minutes later, and she’d reached the top of a hill that overlooked their picnickin’ area.

Applejack paused, taken for a moment by a sight she’d grown up almost her whole life with.

Along the horizon, dark mountains towered above lush, untouched land. Beyond that, lay  the distant, shimmering dot that was Canterlot, resting snugly against the side of a mountain.  It twinkled as the gold that decorated its ivory white towers shined from the midday sun high in the beautiful Equestrian sky above them. The blue up there contrasted brilliantly with the puffy white clouds, which lazily drifted from side to side; keeping relatively close to the place where a certain rainbow maned pegasus must have stationed them.

Speaking of rainbows...  Applejack mused darkly.

A gamut of colors ranging from red to green at the bottom of the hill distracted Applejack. They belonged to the same rainbow maned culprit she'd had her mind on a moment ago. Four colorful forms crowded around beside her on a telltale checkered blanket along. The infamous Rainbow Dash snoozed lazily next to them beside a small wicker basket. All but the athlete chatted merrily to one another, and were obviously doing what they did best, being friends.

Applejack smiled as she looked at the equally beautiful sight, taking in every detail. With one last look at the horizon, she took a deep breath, and descended down the hill to the village green, filled with dozens of ponies enjoying Celestia’s sun. Her arrival did not come unnoticed.

One by one, the four mares that made up the picnic party snapped their heads up. Rarity levitated a drink with a little umbrella in it, Pinkie Pie had a mouth full of...something, Twilight had a book laid in front of her, Fluttershy seemed to have been...preening, and finally, Rainbow Dash had been snoring loudly. So point in fact it seemed Rainbow was getting a power nap in, and didn’t pop her head up.The other four mares all returned Applejack’s welcoming smile with versions of their own.

Hope I’m not too late! Applejack thought, before galloping the remaining distance to the picnic, eager to join the five mares in their mid day feast.

“Applejack!” Twilight called out and stood up, she cantered out a ways from the other and met the apple farmer halfway.  “I was starting to think you weren’t going to make it.”

Applejack responded with a smile. “Aw Twi’, you know I could never miss a get together with you gals, not if I have anything to say about.” She batted a hoof at Twilight and grinned around her at the others. “‘Sides, Big Mac is taking on mah work so it’s not like I’ll be missing much.”  There was still a whole lot to do, but she couldn’t let Twilight think she was the reason some of the orchard wouldn’t be bucked this season.  If she had learned anything, it’s to always make time for the important things in life, namely her best friends in the whole wide world.  The last thing she wanted was for them to be separated.

Suddenly, a breeze stirred through the pasture, once again nagging on Applejack’s hat in a blunt coercion to break itself away from the farm pony. Her stetson remained firmly in place, however, while she gave a disapproving grunt.

“Daggum wind,” Applejack cursed while glaring at Rainbow Dash.  “Why have you got the wind whippin’ around all willy nilly today Rainbow?” She glared at the pegasus’ oblivious, napping form. “It’s been like this all morning and ah’ve nearly lost my hat four times already. T’ain’t no reason for it at all. Why, I oughta bop her on the head just fer-”

        “What wind?” Twilight pointedly took a step between Applejack and Rainbow. “Do you mean those little breezes from this morning?” She absently asked the question with an innocent tone, grinning at her friend.  “I’m sure it’s just Rainbow’s team prepping a few clouds for an upcoming storm, nothing serious.  I think it’s been awhile since we had one.”

Twilight’s voice seemed to drip with the intention of sincerity, but Applejack knew that her friend’s mind was fields off on that point.  Ponyville’s not scheduled for a heap ‘o storms ‘till next week.   So, just what is that snake up too?

“The weather forecast said we aren’t gonna get showers for ‘bout another five or six days.”  Applejack’s head cocked and looked at Twi' with an expression of skepticism.  “What does she have that team ‘o hers doing night and day?  She better not be planning on something at everypony else’s expense, again, Twi’.”  And I hope I don’t have to be the one to clean it up...

        Twilight paused, and searched Applejack’s face in the silence. “Applejack,” She started abruptly. “Can you do something for me, please?”  Her violet eyes captivating the other mare’s attention without saying another word.

Now why do you have to give me that look, Twi'?Applejack was defenseless to her pleading stare. “Why, sure Twi’.  You can count on me for darn near anything, you know that.”  She gave a confident laugh and took a gallant stance, just wanting to escape that look.  “After all, am I not the loyalist of friends and the most dependable of ponies!”  Well, Ah guess Dash is the loyal one, but I’m a close second.  Her bravado was swiftly stolen away from her as she glanced at the unicorn staring at her.  Oh, you’re bein’ serious...

“Please... please, would you not get into another fight with Rainbow Dash?”  Twilight asked earnestly.

The request hit Applejack like a sack of bricks. What do you mean not fight Rainbow Dash?  Ah’m not the one makin’ the weather go all *cattywompus!*Twilight didn’t look as solemn to her as she once did.

Applejack noticed that the situation was starting to resemble a conversation she would have with her little sister. ‘Don’t run with scissors, Applebloom,’ ‘Get off of that stranger, Applebloom,’ and ‘Applebloom, what did I tell you ‘bout dressin’ Spike up in a skirt.’The request Twilight made of her and the way she did it was both demeaning and...not wrong.

        Applejack’s thoughts raced back to times in the past when her competitive nature had gotten the best of her.  Callow competitions, pointless arguments, and dim-witted races reminded her of the pained feeling that she got when displaying her own foalishness in an attempt to maintain her dignity.  Her mind couldn’t help but wander to something Applebloom might say in this situation.  But she started it!

Gone was any desire to speak Twilight’s requisition or bean Dash on the head.

Inwardly, Applejack let out a sigh. Sometimes when I get to messin’ around with Dash, ah’m just gone with the wind. She drooped where she stood and her ears flipped downward, brandishing the deep seated shame.  Her head bobbed up and down, acknowledging Twilight that she understood.

Applejack let out a hoarse laugh.  “Don’t worry ‘bout none o’ that sugarcube.  Ah’ll be better behaved than a filly on Hearth’s Warmin’ Eve.”  She gave an advantageous grin to her friend to reassure her of the pure intentions.  “Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”

Twilight let out a breath of relief. “Alrighty, thank you Applejack, I’m glad to hear that. I know you guys would never fight for real, but would it kill you both to tone down the fighting? There are other ways to use up all your energy, you know.” She turned her head coyly and rolled her eyes while turning around to reapproach the picnic.

Applejack followed, chuckling a response out as they went. “No problem Twi, now let’s get to eatin’ before the grub get’s cold,” and so I can get back to apple buckin’ sooner than later, ‘specially if there is a storm a brewin’...

The faces of three of the Elements of Harmony lit up as Applejack reached the checkered blanket—her presence was after all, a must have for any afternoon picnic.  She scanned their hospitable grins as she trotted up, all of them were typical for anypony in Ponyville, except Pinkie Pie, who was always grinning enough for three ponies.

Pinkie Pie’s mood was an infectious enigma, giving off a pleasant aura to the ponies around her and brightening up the troublesome days ahead of them.  She was sitting on her haunches, beaming a bright, ear to ear smile at her cowpony friend.

Applejack immediately found herself caught in that grin’s power as always. Maybe this ain’t gonna be so bad after all.  Her revelry was interrupted, however, when a pungent aroma invaded her nostrils, causing her to cough a bit in reflex.  She smelled like a diamond dog, and one that had been bucking apples all day long at that.  The feeling of nervous embarrassment crept in from the oversight.

The farm pony’s eyes swept her friends as she searched for any sign of acknowledgment towards her unpleasant scent.  Pinkie Pie... no.  Fluttershy... no.  Twilight... no.  Rainbow Dash... asleep.  And Rarity... oh no.

The alabaster unicorn’s nose began to twitch.  Her gentle smile remained, but from her watering eyes, twitching nose, and short, concealed breaths through the mouth, Applejack could tell that she was in pain.  Oh horseapples.  Well, sorry Rarity ol’ girl.

Rainbow awoke with a snort to the sound of a certain farm pony whom had been horribly late when she fell asleep.  She looked up from her bed of grass beside the picnic, and then a smirk grew from an idea she was already formulating in the fogginess of her nap.

Applejack waited and waited for a response from the fashionista, but was interrupted by the sudden attack of a pink, fluffy flash of lightning.

“AJ!”  A voice yelled, coming from the pink blur that was once standing on the checkered blanket.

Applejack was hit with a massive bear hug and almost fell over as Pinkie grappled her in a vice grip.  Her cotton candy mane rubbed against Applejack’s muzzle, tickling it in a way that made her both uncomfortable, and feeling like she had to sneeze.  Thankfully, the show of over enthused friendliness ended as quickly as it had begun and she could soon move freely again of her own free will.

Although Pinkie had let her loose, that did not at all change the proximity between the two.  They were muzzle to muzzle, awkwardly staring at each others eyes.  Well, it was awkward for Applejack; Pinkie barely seemed to notice.

“I almost thought you weren’t going to make it!  Rarity said you were busy and didn’t have time for cake, but I said you loved cake and so had time and look, you’re standing right here in front of me!  Now that you’re here, that makes all six of us! Hooray!  I’ll go get gummy and you can get Winona, and Rarity can get that cat that always bites me when I try to play with it, oh, and Twilight can get Spike!  Oops, I didn’t mean to call Spike a pet, after all, he is one of our bestest friends in the whole wide world, and...”

        Pinkie Pie halted her constant stream of small talk.  Her eyes went wide and her nose began to sniff the air.  Oh well...

“Woo-wee!  AJ, what an incredible smell you’ve discovered!”

A shy, butter yellow pegasus uttered an “oh my,” which was barely loud enough to not be drowned out by the natural environment around her.

The only way Applejack could believe she could get as red as she did, was if she could somehow see herself at that moment.  Her blushing could have put Big Mac’s color to shame.  Oh what the hay Pinkie, at least Rarity hadn’t said nothin’ about it.“Ah was apple bucking...”  She responded honestly.  “Sorta forgot to clean up, sorry, I guess I was just in a hurry.”

        Applejack felt a strange feeling inside.  It felt akin to embarrassment, but about five times worse.  For some reason, her eyes kept drifting back to Rarity who was laying pristine and clean on her fine silken blanket.  Hmph, weird, t’ain’t like me to feel jealous of Ms. prim-and-proper. She was only vaguely familiar with the emotion.

“Oh, that must’ve been hard work for you to be smellingthis bad!  I can only imagine what your brother smells like!  How does Granny Smith stand to live on that farm with smells like that?” Pinkie Pie let out a series of giggling laughter while the others around her added in their own, albeit more hesitantly.  “I’m just kidding.  Oh, that reminds me, where’s that oh-so-tasty Equestria famed apple pie you mentioned yesterday, AJ?” The pink pony bounced excitedly on all four hooves, wild, hungry eyes searching all around Applejack, as though the pie could be hidden anywhere.

Applejack was speechless once again.  The wave of babble that passed over her was almost incomprehensible. Almost being the key word.  She facehoofed after Pinkie mention the pie.  On the way out of the orchard, she had forgot to grab her own vittles.  Perfect, this is just perfect.  So far I’ve been late, smell to high heaven, and now I forgot literally the one thing I was supposed to bring.

“Ah’m sorry sugarcube,” Applejack started, kicking the ground softly just wanting to get it over with.  “Ah must have left it at mah farmhouse.”  Her gaze fell to the ground.  This is going to be an awkward picnic.

“Oh darling, it is perfectly alright,” chimed in a familiar unicorn with an affinity for fashion, celebrities, and the indoors.  She was the only one not currently sprawled out on the checkered blanket; instead choosing to lie on her own silken cloth.  It was a bit extravagant for a picnic, but that was Rarity for you.

        “I brought plenty of Daisy sandwiches for everypony.  Now you must stop that sullen attitude of yours before a tiny rain cloud develops above your head from it.”  She pointed a hoof up at the sky then, sighing heavily.

Applejack looked as well.

        “Aww!  Rarity,” Rainbow Dash called out from above the farm pony.  “You always ruin a perfectly good prank.”  She kicked away the small cumulus cloud she had sewn together hastily for her prank. The various tufts of white she had found while the attention had been off of her, faded.

Applejack scowled up at her athletic rival.  It just never ends with that maverick, does it?  She remembered the multitude of pranks her rainbow friend had done over the past few years.  Sudden surprise afternoon rain showers, gluing her crop to the trees, and worst of all, putting chewing gum inside apples and then placing them in random barrels around the farm.  It took a whole week to search through every barrel, and even then they hadn’t found them all.  Applejack was mighty embarrassed when Ms. Cheerilee was blowing bubbles after she had taken a bite out of her fresh harvest.

“Andyou always ruin a perfectly good picnic, Rainbow Dash.” retorted Rarity.  “Now come back down here so we can enjoy our little party, in peace.”

“It’s not like it’d hurt her to take a little bath... Actually, right now it’d probably be a favor.” Grudgingly, Dash swooped down to take her place in the group.  A place that was right next to one orange mare in particular, gripped by a peeved off attitude, and snorted derisively at her. She grinned cheerily in return.

“Now now girls, I think we can all be civilized, adult mares here. As I was saying, don’t fret about the pie Applejack. I think it’s fair we take turns bringing the food, don’t you agree?” Rarity’s horn began to glow and out of her wicker basket floated crisp daisy sandwiches, moist strawberry cake, scrumptious looking tulip turnovers, brightly colored cupcakes, and muffins that seemed to give off visible steam, as if they had recently been taken out of the oven.

Applejack looked around to see the other mares (except Rarity who seemed very much in control of her taste buds) drooling like a pack of starving timberwolves.  Each eyed a treat they most yearned for, seemingly helpless to control their irresistible desire to fling themselves haphazardly onto the plates and consume them in one, big hearty gulp.

The bickering and small talk ceased, and within minutes the plates were picked clean except for a few morsels.

Rarity watched in stark horror at the ravenous pack of ponies in front of her.  Apparently, making them wait to eat before Applejack showed up had been a mistake after all, hmph. She rolled her eyes and levitated a daisy sandwich to her mouth.  “Ruffians...” she muttered.

Pinkie Pie looked up from being muzzle deep in a turnover and giggled at the statement. “Oh hey, Rarity!”  She shouted enthusiastically and bounced to sit up, a thought occurring to her. “Do you want to come taste test a few eclairs tomorrow with the Cakes?”

Rarity raised her eyes to Pinkie Pie, who was surprisingly patient for a reply.  A frown graced her muzzle while she set down her untouched sandwich.  “I’m sorry dear, but tomorrow I am going to take a...lone excursion.  I’ve been putting one off for far too long I feel, and I have been planning this for some time.  I hope you understand.”

Raising the sandwich again, Rarity took a dainty bite, or it would have been dainty, had Pinkie not suddenly shouted again.

“Okie dokie lokie Rarity! I’m spending tomorrow with Dashie, pranking, so more time for us!” Pinkie Pie set about giggling again, until she spotted Rarity coughing on something. “Whoops, were your eyes bigger than your stomach there Rarity?” She patted a hoof on her friends back gingerly.

Rarity hacked greatly once more and her throat cleared. “Ahem, something of that nature.” She replied caustically. “Twilight, would you be a dear and pour me some water?” Meanwhile, she held a cloth to her mouth and continued to cough, having nearly choked on the daisies.

Twilight looked over from her book and chatting with Applejack and nodded blissfully. “Of course.”

Twilight returned a hearty smile to the request as the horn upon her brow began to glow. Next, a purple aura enveloped the picnic’s pitcher of water. Casually, it floated toward Twilight while a single glass simultaneously levitated out of a wicker basket and onto the blanket.

The pitcher began to pour the water gracefully.

Applejack frowned at Rainbow again as the wind suddenly began to stir around them. The pegasus was too busy eating to notice though. Honestly, Rainbow needs to do something about this! Darnit... She didn’t want to go back on her word to Twilight though, so began instead to think of a nice way to tell Rainbow she didn’t know how to do her job right proper.

Applejack was caught off guard when the windy gust picked up more and stole her hat in its wispy clutch, again.  “Dagnabbit!” She tried to catch it in time, but it was too late; her stetson was airborne.  The cowpony’s hat flung itself upward and soared quickly toward Twilight’s head, where it banked and smacked the pitcher.

Four mares simultaneously shouted out in surprise as water splashed everywhere from the full container.

Rarity and Pinkie Pie were absolutely soaked, having been closest when the pitcher was knocked out of Twilight’s grasp.  Rainbow Dash had been very close to the splash zone, but she was quick enough to get out of the way in time.  For a moment, everything was quiet, but soon the six mares found themselves snickering at their own misfortune.

Even Applejack couldn’t help but laugh at the fluke accident. Though she couldn’t help but think, I still have half a mind to smack Rainbow Dash across the head.

The laughter calmed down, Rarity began soaking up liquid that had splashed her sundress with a cloth, while the others rearranged the picnic.

“Sorry girls,” Twilight and Applejack said abruptly as one, then turned to look at each other, only to giggle more.

The picnic proceeded, and the mares were left to chat merrily about what they had been up to in recent weeks.  Rarity had been busy crafting saddles and dresses for a few very important clients (and she made sure to stress thevery); Pinkie had recently entered to compete in a national baking competition, which she came in second place for (they couldn’t award her first because she ate most of her own desserts); Rainbow Dash had been preparing for the winter for the most part, but flew up and showed off a couple new tricks of hers for flare; Fluttershy was busy taking care of a sick manticore (this brought a round of gasps, but she assured her friends that he—the manticore—was perfectly safe); and Applejack announced the fact that she had been apple bucking ever since the harvest season started (she left out the fact that she was quickly running out of time to finish the harvest, but decided it was for the best).

Finally, the bill turned to Twilight.

“So darling,” Rarity began from where she demurely lay with her front hooves crossed. “What is it that you’ve got yourself looking into now? Or maybe the princess has given you some interesting new thing to study?”

Rainbow Dash yawned widely at what was obviously going to be something about plants or magic hoozits. “She’s probably just been reading for all she’s worth like always...” The pegasus paused a moment, looking at the ground, before adding, “By the way Twilight, is the new Daring Do book out?”

The purple unicorn sitting on her haunches shook her head, then looked around nervously and held a hoof up to her mouth. “Well...” She started to quietly say.

“Oh, if it’s a secret Twilight, you don’t have to tell us.” Fluttershy added in quickly.

Applejack raised an eyebrow in thought while listening intently. Why is she so skittish all of a sudden?

The farm pony was about to ask about the oddity when a trio of high pitched squeals cascaded over the hillside, wrenching the group’s attention from their friend.

A bright red cart blew over the hill, carrying three screeching fillies in its confines.  They all called out with their own different versions of shock and surprise. Without another thought, the six sprung into action; all except Fluttershy who sort of eased herself into the action.

One of them, Applejack recognized as her little sister.  Her legs ached and her muscles burned, but she still galloped towards the fray at full speed.  The hard beating of her heart seemed to consume her mind as she worked harder and harder to cut off the runaway vehicle below the next hill.  “Hold on girls! We’re a comin’!”

Applejack discovered, however, that she was not alone in her endeavors at the front of the pack.

Rainbow Dash had swooped in next to the sprinting mare, flapping her wings as she tore through the sky at a low altitude.  “Hey there Applejack, that all ya got?” She said, a cocky smile plastered across her muzzle, almost as if she was taunting Applejack.

What does she think she’s doing!?She thought.  Does she really want to compete with me, right now?  AJ stared at her with the most daunting look of disbelief possible, despite the fact she was running full speed down a hill.

Rainbow continued her impish grin and beat her wings a little harder, gaining more speed.  She was up in front of Applejack, but not for long.

The orange mare matched her speed, pumping her legs even harder.  If it’s a challenge ya want, it’s a challenge you’llget!

Both mares fought for the lead, continuously trading first between one and other.  If it weren’t for the pulse pounding rush of adrenaline coursing through her system, Applejack might have felt suffered from feeling fatigued.  Instead, she galloped on, matching the puerile pegasus’ velocity.

They were in hot pursuit of the wild cart, getting closer to the frightened screams of the fillies in distress.  Both mares were neck and neck, preparing to swoop in and cease the erratic locomotion which could lead to injury.  The hoof lengths between them and their target were shrinking; Applejack prepared to leap into the cart and Rainbow went into an arcing pattern to do the same.

Applejack leaped, soaring through the air towards what she expected to be the hard, splintering of wood of a cart.  What she didn’t foresee was to land face first instead into a mixture of mud and a field of grass.

Vision obscured by mud, Applejack sat up quickly and roughly spat out clumps of earth, wiping her face off with one of her hooves.  Her eyes shot open, searching for the whereabouts of the cart and her little sister.  Panicking, she whipped her head left.  On the ground next to her was amusingly enough, Rainbow Dash, whose head was currently stuck neck deep in the muck.

The cyan body struggled and heaved to remove itself from the dirty kiss with the earthy dirt.  It took a quick tug from Applejack to set Rainbow Dash free.

“Gak-ppbbbht!”  Rainbow Dash spat dirt and grass from her mouth.  “What happened? Where did they go!?”  Appejack sighed and tapped the pegasus on her shoulder.  She pointed her hoof at the cart levitating five hoofs in the air, surrounded by a purple aura.  Rainbow Dash facehoofed.  “Egghead...”

Twilight came trotting down the hill, followed by avery muddy looking canary pegasus, a flustered and frazzled unicorn, and a bouncing ball of fluffy pink.  All four of them were busy looking over the infamous cutie mark crusaders after their harrowing adventure towards mishap.

Squishing her hooves out of the muck, Applejack began her trot to the cart which was now safely touching the ground, imagining what things she should shout at her little sister. Applebloom, just what in tarnation do ya think you were doin’ back there!  You could have gotten yourself killed!There she was, flanked by her two shivering friends; the yellow filly with a big red bow decorating her mane.  Her complexion was pale and her eyes still wide.  Her teeth were clenched and her chest rose and fell erratically.

Applebloom watched in horror as Applejack got closer. Uh oh, the filly thought. She was caught by surprise when she felt herself being suddenly embraced.  It took a moment for it to register, but she finally hugged her back into Applejack’s mane, despite the mud.

“I-I’m sorry Applejack...it was an accident,” Applebloom sniffled out.

"It’s okay, sugarcube, what the hay happened?”  Applejack took her sister’s foreleg and began rubbing small circles on her back.  It seemed to soothe her, as she stopped her sobbing and started to breathe normally.

Nearby the two farm sisters, Rarity was hugging Sweetie Belle, and Rainbow Dash was comforting a very sorry looking pegasus.  From the green tint in her face, it looked very much to everypony like she was about to be sick.

Applebloom looked horribly embarrassed and stirred a hoof in the dirt while glancing at her friends. “Well...” She murmured.

Applejack patted Applebloom on the back.  “It’s alright,” She considered the situation briefly, and came to a realization that this was as good a time as any to take her leave from the picnic.  “Let’s just get ya home, Applebloom.”

The only response she got was a muffled ‘okay’ as she was heaved onto her sister’s back.  Applejack could feel her body tremor as she carried her to the purple unicorn who was responsible for saving her sister.

“Thanks for nabbin’ them Twi’, and ah had a great time today, but I think I should take this one on home.” Applejack tipped her stetson and managed a weak smile under her tired eyes.

Twilight nodded from where she sat helping Pinkie Pie with what looked like dirt smeared down her face and front. “I understand,” she said merrily before sighing. “I was hoping for such a nice afternoon get together too... Oh well, all the food’s done for already anyway.” She looked over and grinned despite the regret in her voice.

Applejack bid her friends farewell and started out, heading toward the path back to Sweet Apple Acres.  Before she made it more than a few steps though, she spotted Fluttershy who was desperately trying to clean off a thick layer of mud that had caked onto her coat.

“Sugarcube... What happened?”  Her question caught the pegasus by surprise as she began to rise a little.  Once she realized who it was though, she calmed down.

“Oh, um, I fell... Into a hole.”  Fluttershy commented timidly.  Her jaw went into a pleading grin and a faint squeeing noise was taken by the breeze.

Applejack looked at the pegasus in disbelief.  “Uh...Where did you find a hole big enough to fit a mare in?”

“Um...by accident.”  Fluttershy replied sheepishly.

Applejack chuckled and accepted the answer.  If Pinkie Pie has taught me anything, it was that sometimes I don’t need a good explanation for every little thing I encounter around these girls.  “Well, Twi’s helping Pinkie over there, Ah‘m sure she can see to you too.”

They said their goodbyes and Applejack departed with the filly resting on her back.  Applebloom’s shaking had ceased, but her half-closed eyelids showed off how tired she was.  A soft clearing of her throat preempted Applejack’s question.

“So... Sugarcube, what all got into your heads this time?” Applejack raised an eyebrow and looked over her shoulder at her sister.

The filly smothered her face into Applejack’s coat in response, then sighed and picked her head up. “Okay, but don’t laugh. Well... We were crusadin’ to Zecora’s hut and we saw that cart...  Yah see, it was at the top of this hill and Scootaloo wanted to go look at it.  When we got up there, we saw it was empty, and we thought it would be fun to climb in and...”

“And what?”  Applejack held her breath, the suspense that always preceded before one of the CMC’s explanations in the air.

“...Cutie Mark Crusader Chariot Racers...” Applebloom finally said, in a dismal, dreary tone.

Applejack held back her laughter. “But you only had one cart, right?”  The mare asked casually of the filly who sat dolorously on her back.

Applebloom let out a sigh.  “Yeah, me and Scootaloo pulled while Sweetie Belle rode in back.”

“...Then how in the hay did you end up in the cart to... Ya know what, t’aint important; what’s important is that ya’ll are alright.”  A reassuring smile crept onto Applejack’s face as she half-way glanced at the filly again.  You know, this face Ah’m wearin’ is givin’ you a false sense of security, which tomorrow, is goin’ straight out the window.  Hehe.  Hope you had fun with your friends.A few thoughts of what kinds of chores needed doin’ popped into her head. Cellar ain’t been swept in a bit...

Applejack returned to her faux, comforting sister’s tone. “Well, I hope you learned your lesson about messin’ with things that aren’t rightly yours or wanderin’ into places you don’t rightly belong.”

“Yes, Applejack...”  Applebloom droned back.

Applejack trotted along expediently, the filly bobbing sporadically on her back.  Tufts of dirt clouds were kicked into the air of their wake as they made their way up the small winding road to Sweet Apple Acres. The dipping sun prepared to trade places with the moon for the night.  It created a beautiful orange glow in the quickly dimming sky.

The two earth ponies were just nearing the property when Applejack cleared her throat to speak again.  “Alright, you can go ahead and trot back to the house.  I’ve gotta check the barn to see how far behind we are in clearing out the harvest.”

Applebloom nodded and dropped off of her sister’s back.  With a hop, skip and jump, she had already made it halfway to the farm house, leaving the mare alone at the entrance.

Heh, filly’s and their shenanigans.  With that, Applejack ascended the slight incline toward the family barn.  Time to see how much work ah missed to go to that delicious picnic. After that I'll need a bath, and... The dreaded images of dozens of empty barrels bombarded her mind, sucking her into the sullen realization that she had a few big days ahead of her if she wanted to make up for lost time.

The worried thoughts Applejack entertained ceased, however, once she completely pulled open the barn door that was left ajar.  Along the floor, hundreds of apples lay scattered across the ground, some unfortunately crushed by the obvious multitudes of barrels that had fallen from the barn shelves above.  A pile of barrels lay askew on one big mass towards the back. Underneath, two very familiar red hooves poked out from the side nearest to her.

“Big Macintosh!”  Applejack cried out as soon as her eyes made contact, and galloped over to her trapped sibling.  Using her momentum and raw earth pony strength she knocked half of the barrels off at once, then one barrel after another followed suit from the mountainous pile.  Finally, her brother was able to push off the remaining load and sit up on his haunches.  His face was red... even more so than usual.

"Are you alright?”  Applejack asked, scanning the stallion for any injury other than a hurt dignity.

“Eeyup.”  He replied, plain and simple.  A few ragged breaths escaped him, and his eyes were bloodshot.  How long were you trapped under there, Big Mac?

“Should I get a doctor?”  She asked frantically, waiting for a response from her enervated brother.  He let out a hoarse cough and huffed in a deeper breath.

“Ee-n-nope.”  His response came out staggered and muffled.  Applejack wasn’t buying it.

Ah know better than that, Big Macintosh.  Stop it with your bravado for just one bloomin’ second!

Applejack frowned and asked incredulously, “Are you sure...?” From the looks of the room, it was obvious what had happened.  The barrels had been stacked in a pyramid type fashion before she had left, and it probably took one wrong decision to topple the whole structure down.

“Eeyup.” Came another fatigued reply.

“Sugarcube, you gotta be more careful,” Applejack bristled.  “Remember when you warned me not to bite off more than ah could chew?  Same rule applies to you, Big Mac.  Don’t be afraid to ask for help when things get to be too much.”

“Eeyup.”  He slowly gathered his strength and rose onto his hooves. Painfully, he began to stumble his way toward the barn door, nearly slipping on crushed apples as he went.

“Hold it right there, Mister.”  Applejack’s voice was stern, demanding the stallions half-conscience attention.  “Now Ah need you to say more then yup or nope on this.  Ah need your word that you won’t go around tryin’ foalish things where you might get hurt.  Think about the example you’re settin’ for the impressionable filly in that house.  She almost got herself hurt today, and ah don’t want this to be a daily thing.”  She paused for a moment, waiting for him to respond.  “Do you think you can handle that?”

The answer was clear and concise.  “Eeyup...”

Applejack shot a glare at Big Mac, preparing to do something that might be construed as a little bit hostile to someone who was already so injured.

“Eh....  Yes’m, you don’t have to worry ‘bout me, I’ll handle it.”

Applejack glared even more, shooting knives from her eyes.

"...I mean...  I’ll ask for help when I need it... “  Big Mac paused for a moment.  “But you weren’t here today, so it isn’t like I could’ve asked you.”

Applejack was about to retort, but she realized he did have a point.Goldangit, girls.  If I hadn’t o’ gone on that stupid picnic, none of this would’ve happened. She breathed a deep sigh.  “Ah’m sorry Big Mac.  Ah never even wanted to go out today; you know how Ah feel about missin’ work.”

The stallion nodded.  “It’s fine, sis.  Ah’ll be right as rain in the mornin’.”

Applejack perked up at the sight of her brother reassuring her.  “Good, now let’s go get some grub.  Ah’m sure Granny Smith has somethin’ great cookin’ in the kitchen.”

Both brother and sister ditched the mountain of barrels and floor full of work, and exited the big red barn.  It was nighttime and the moon was casting it’s luminescence over the farm, bathing the ponies in a pale blue light.

Applejack spotted something that was awful hard to ignore. She squinted in the moonlight at her brother, trying to either confirm or deny a growing suspicion. Oh no! Her legs briskly galloped her in front of the stallion, stopping him in his tracks.  “Big Mac, ah think you might be hurt, let me see it.” One of her hooves pressed against his front to keep him from walkin’ past her.

Big Mac scowled, then turned to his right so Applejack could get a look.

One of the nastiest, darkest bruises the orange farm pony had ever seen traveled from his left hind leg and up to his ribs.  She grimaced at the dark tint it seemed to take on in between each rib, and also the sheer surface area it took up.  The wound almost looked like he had been laying in a puddle of disgusting paint.

“Big Mac, this don’t look good at all.” Applejack bit her lip, hesitant to say what she was already thinkin’ was the only course of action.  “Ah- Ah’m not sure you should be applebuckin’ anymore this harvest.”  Her eyes were as round as dinner plates.

“Quit your nonsense, Applejack,” Big Mac’s rebuttal rumbled back.  “Ah’m as fit as a fiddle, and ah sure as hay can buck a few apple trees with a bump like this.”

Applejack looked at the stallion trying his best to stand as straight as he possibly could.  He puffed out his chest, and lifted his head high.Sorry about this, Sugarcube, I want you out in the orchard, too. Ah don’t see another option though.

Applejack gently pressed her hoof against the center of his bruise, applying a heavy amount of pressure to the quivering stallion.

Big Mac grunted and grimaced in agony, inhaling a couple of deep breaths through flared nostrils before he could stop himself. He visibly struggled to maintain a semblance of normalcy.

Applejack shook her head and sighed heavily.  “That’s what ah thought.  Now you need rest that up if we ever hope to get ya back on all fours.”

The injured colt opened his mouth hastily.  “But AJ, ah-”

“No buts, Mister; all you need to worry about is gettin’ better for the next harvest.  If you really want to help, you could always go into town and sell a bit of the crop.  It’ll keep you busy, and bring in a few bits.”  Applejack’s words seemed to calm him down a little bit.  Also, she couldn’t help but see a relieved expression grace his face for a moment. Why that proud fool.  He’d be willin’ to suffer a broken rib just so his sis don’t see him back down.  Ah don’t know if that’s stupidity, or what ah love so much about ‘em. She supposed it was both.

“... Alright...”  Big Mac indignantly muttered back at his.

Applejack's expression returned to its usual hospitable gaze.  “Attaboy, now let’s go get us some food before you keel over,” she prodded.  Both ponies guffawed- Big Mac cringing from the pain when he did- and returned to their home where the sweet scent of apple cider and apple fritters greeted their olfactory sense.

The apple family sat together at their bounteous feast of food, scarfing down a plethora of baked apple delights.  A cool breeze rolled in through the windows, stealing away the hot stuffiness that had culminated in the kitchen, and replaced it with a comforting chill.  Applejack breathed a sigh of satisfaction having emptied her plate of mouth watering treats made from scratch.  Maybe today wasn’t so bad after all.