It was a windy fall day. All around Ponyville the swaying trees were just beginning to change their colors, not quite weak enough for the winds to bring the leaves down. In another two weeks would come the Running of the Leaves, but for now the town was in a sleepy state of autumn peace.
The shops of the town market were just beginning to open up for customers. Mornings were always an active time at the market; shopkeepers setting their choice wares in windows and the outdoor hawkers carting their stands into position. Among all of them were two ponies making for their usual spot in town, one wearing her trademark Stetson and hauling a cart filled to bursting with fresh apples.
“Alright, AB,” Applejack told her sister, “Ah know ya wanna help me sell apples again, an’ Ah appreciate the enthusiasm. Just promise me that this won’ be like the last time ya tried ta help me.”
Apple Bloom was all smiles. “No worries, sis. Ah already figured out Ah’m not gonna get my cutie mark sellin' apples.”
“Good.” Applejack offered a wry smile. “’Cause Ah don’ wanna end up givin' away all my stock ta one unhappy customer again.”
Apple Bloom blushed and averted her eyes with a grin. “Ah won’ make a fool outta myself this time.”
They were nearing Applejack's usual spot by the bread shop when they noticed the cart set before them. It was not much different from their own, save that it had a big wooden cover and wasn’t holding any apples. Instead, the cart was filled with neatly-stacked boxes.
“Hey, that’s our spot,” Apple Bloom noted.
The sisters shared a questioning look before proceeding. Seeing this new cart had them more than a little confused; Applejack had been using that location to sell her apples for so long that by now the other vendors – who often competed daily for prize spots – left it open for her as a courtesy.
Upon approaching the cart they at last saw movement. It was an Earth pony filly with a rosy pink mane. The pony, perhaps just a year younger than Apple Bloom, emerged from behind the cart carrying a wide sign on her golden-colored back. When she set it down to lean against the cart the sisters had no trouble reading the big, pink words: Fresh Cowhoun Peaches.
“Peaches?” Apple Bloom's cry made the filly to jump. “They’re sellin' peaches in our spot?”
The stranger took a step back at her outburst, leading Applejack to jerk her sister backwards by the tail and glare.
“Don’ mind my sister.” She turned to offer the new pony a welcoming smile. “You must be new here.”
“Umm, yeah...” The filly eyed Apple Bloom as if she might be dangerous. “We just got here last night.”
“We?”
“Who’s that, PB? We got customers already?” A stallion appeared from behind the cart carrying a small table on his back. He bore a light red coat and an orange mane, his chin covered in a thin beard. His cutie mark stood out clear as day: a pair of big, juicy-looking peaches. He seemed happy… until he spotted Applejack. His smile instantly dropped to a frown, his eyes locking onto her with a sinister glint.
Applejack took his expression in stride. “Hey there! It’s mighty nice ta see somepony new around this place.”
“Ya mean our place,” Apple Bloom shot.
Applejack grinned with a blush and shoved her kid sister behind her once again. “Ahem… Welcome ta Ponyville! Ah’m Applejack, an' this here’s Apple Bloom.”
“Nice ta meet ya!” The filly declared with a grin, apparently having already forgotten Apple Bloom’s manner. “Ah’m Peach Blossom an' this is my brother, Fuzzy Navel.”
Applejack nodded politely. “Pleasure’s all ours, right AB?”
Apple Bloom scowled at the two ponies from between her sister’s legs. “Yeah, Ah guess…”
Applejack put on a good show of ignoring her sister’s tone. “So ya’ll sellin' peaches from Cowhoun? That’s a long ways off! Don’ recon nopony’s ever sold peaches here in Ponyville before.”
Fuzzy Navel emitted a low growl. “Believe me, Ah know.” He continued to still eye her with something akin to contempt. Applejack couldn’t help shifting under that hard gaze; it was all she could do to keep up her welcoming smile.
Peach, clearly aware of her brother’s manner, tried to smooth things over. “Uh, yeah, well Fuzz thought that it would be good fer business ta branch out. Gettin' all these peaches out here before they started goin' bad wasn’ easy, trust me.”
“Well Ah hope it works out fer ya,” Applejack declared, avoiding Fuzz’s incessant glower. “Ah usually do my sellin' here, but since ya’ll are new in town Ah’ll just take the spot across the street. Ya’ll didn’ know, after all.” She cast a lecturing look at her sister. “That okay by you, AB?”
Fuzzy Navel stepped before Applejack just as she was about to cross the street and she shrank back a little under his threatening gaze. “Uuh, did Ah say somethin' wrong, friend?”
“Yer from Sweet Apple Acres,” he noted. “Attended the Canterlot Rodeo, right?”
She perked up instantly. “Yeah, Ah was! Were you there, too?”
His entire body sagged. “Ya mean ya don’ remember me at all? Yeah, Ah was there! Ah was a competitor!”
Applejack blushed, removing her hat to set it over her heart. “Oh. Sorry…”
Apple Bloom snickered. “Must notta done too good if ya don’ even remember his face.”
“Apple Bloom!”
“No, no,” Fuzz waved a dismissive hoof. “Don’ be mad: she’s right. Ya thoroughly trounced me.”
Applejack managed a weak smile and chuckled. “Well, ya gave it yer all an had fun. That’s the important thing, right?”
He gained an exaggeratedly large smile. “Of course.” It was gone in an instant. “Ah want a rematch.”
She blinked. It took a couple seconds to process the statement. “A whanow?”
“Fuzz!” Peach whacked a hoof against her big brother’s flank in frustration. “We didn’ come all this way ta pick fights with the locals!”
“Maybe we did,” he replied without looking at her, instead keeping his grim expression locked on a very nervous Applejack. “Ah need ta beat ya.”
Apple Bloom was in his face in an instant. “Ya can’t beat my sister! She’s the best rodeo pony in—”
Applejack jammed an apple into her sister's mouth and pulled her away yet again.
“Look, friend,” the elder sister declared patiently, “Ah get yer competitive an all that, but why come after me? In case ya forgot, Ah didn’ win first in anythin' myself.”
“Ah don’ wanna be best,” he replied with a snarl. “Ah just wanna be better than you.”
Applejack’s expression finally dropped as she studied him and raised a critical eyebrow. “Did ya really come all this way from Cowhoun just ta challenge me?”
“Yeah,” Peach grumbled with a matching tone, “did we?”
Fuzz's harsh glare didn't waver. “Do we have a match or not?”
“No, we don’t!” Applejack raised her head high and turned to move around him. “Ah’ve got no reason ta go up against ya, especially since yer bein' all unsportsponylike about it. Ya wanna compete, do it in a real rodeo. C’mon, AB, we’ve got apples ta sell.”
Fuzz and Peach watched them cross the street, Fuzz with menacing eyes. His sister sighed and kicked him lightly on the leg. “Ya really have ta find some other way ta hit on ponies, Fuzz.”
“It’s nothin' like that an' you know it,” her brother snarled, turning back to their cart of peaches. “We need this victory, Peach.”
Peach scratched her head as she watched the sisters setting up their own stall across the street. “Ah think Ah get what yer after, but Ah dunno if that’s the right way ta do it.”
“There’s no other way.”
She glowered at him. “Ya coulda just, Ah dunno, told em?”
“They wouldn’ understand,” he countered. “They’re Apples. But mark my words, Peachy: before the day’s over she’ll be acceptin' my challenge.”
“Umm, excuse me. Miss Applejack?”
Applejack turned from the customer who was just leaving with a bag full of apples to find Peach Blossom’s bright, distressed green eyes looking up at her. She tipped her hat to hide her quick glare at Fuzz, who didn’t notice. He’d been making the day practically unbearable… but that wasn’t his sister’s fault. If anything Peach had been the sweetest little filly a pony could hope to meet; she was even getting along wonderfully with Apple Bloom.
Thus there was only concern when she glanced at Peach, sitting before her with head ducked guiltily. “What’s wrong, sugarcube?”
“Ah just…” Peach glanced towards Fuzz. “Ah’m real sorry about my brother.”
Applejack smiled, hoping her simmering anger from a long day of annoyance was properly hidden. “Now don’t ya worry, Peach, Ah don’t hold nothin' against ya. It’s not yer fault yer brother’s a schemin' no-good varmint of a stallion.”
She meant it as a joke, but Peach clearly wasn’t amused. “He’s not usually like this. Ah don’t know what’s gotten into him.”
“Well, he can’t be all that bad,” Apple Bloom offered with a grin. “At least he didn’t get on yer tail fer playin' marbles with me.”
Applejack eyed her sister, a wry smile on her lips. “No cutie mark?”
Apple Bloom drooped a little. “Naw, marbles ain’t my special talent, either.”
“Aww, you’ll find it, Apple Bloom.” Peach offered a confident smile. “You an me both! When am Ah supposed ta meet these friends of yers?”
“Friends?” Applejack's eyebrows rose. “AB, what are ya up to?”
Her sister beamed and gave a tiny hop. “Ah’m gonna introduce her ta my fellow Crusaders. She ain’t got no cutie mark yet after all, an she’s almost my age. It’ll be fun!”
At that Applejack smiled. “Ah guess that'd be fine.” She cast a wary glance towards Fuzzy Navel, who was watching them with studious eyes. “Ya think yer brother’ll be okay with that?”
“Ah don’t care,” Peach declared with force. “He told me an our parents that we were goin' ta Ponyville ta try an expand the family market a bit, but instead all he’s doin' is pickin' fights with you! Besides, Ah learned long ago ah ain’t gettin' no peach-sellin' cutie mark.”
“Well, it’s yer business Ah guess.” Applejack took off her hat to scratch the back of her head. “Maybe if you two get along so well he’ll come around, too.”
“Hey, Applejack.”
They all turned to find a familiar purple unicorn before the stand. “Howdy there, Twilight,” Applejack answered with a grin. “Nice ta see a friendly face.”
Twilight tilted her head with a frown. “What do you mean?”
Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. “Oh, don’t get us started.”
Peach’s eyes went wide as she reared up to look at the new arrival from over Applejack’s stand. “Hey… aren't ya the princess’ student?”
Twilight smiled despite the confusion plastered on her face. “Err, yeah. How did you know?”
Peach grinned and leaned sideways to give her brother a smug look. “Oh, Ah saw a picture of ya somewhere once.”
Applejack blinked and followed Peach’s gaze. Across the street, Fuzz was sitting behind his stand, slack-jawed and shoulders slumped. He stared right at Twilight, who was blissfully unaware. Applejack chuckled and turned to her friend with a smile. “Ya always send Spike ta do yer shoppin', so Ah know ya aren't here fer any apples. What can Ah do ya fer?”
“No, actually I’m shopping.” Twilight rolled her eyes with an amused smile. “Spikes out helping ‘Lady Rarity’ today. You know how he gets.”
Applejack couldn’t resist a giggle at the baby dragon’s expense. “That boy’s more moonstruck than my Uncle Orange when he found Auntie Applesauce’s old still! Dunno if he’s ever gonna learn.”
Twilight's smile broadened. “You’ll have to tell me that story in detail later. But first: can I get a half dozen apples?”
“Sure thing,” Applejack agreed, Apple Bloom already scouring the cart for the best picks.
Peach walked around the stand to get a closer look at Twilight. “Maybe you’d like some peaches, too.”
“Peaches?” Twilight glanced to Fuzz’s peach stand. He avoided her gaze with wide eyes and red cheeks. “Wow, I’ve never seen those sold here. I mean, we had some in the Palace, but what do you expect from Celestia’s personal chefs?”
“Here ya go, Twilight.” Apple Bloom set her chosen apples one at a time on the counter. “Don’t worry, we got rid of all the earthworms.”
"Earthworms?” Twilight's eyebrows rose. “Why would there be earthworms in the apple cart?”
Applejack cast a dour glance at Fuzz. “It’s been a long day.”
“Oookay…” The apples levitated into Twilight’s backpack, dropping in one at a time. “You know, I might go ahead and get some peaches too. Haven’t had one of those since I moved to Ponyville.”
Peach bounced with grin. “Really?”
“Of course.” A few coins rose into the air and settle onto the counter. “I used to love peaches. I wond—whoa!” Twilight slipped and fell, her shoulder smacking hard against the counter.
“Twilight!” Applejack and her sister ran around the stand to help their friend, only to end up piling into her when their hooves abruptly lost traction. Applejack barely managed to stifle a cry as Twilight’s horn rammed painfully into her chest.
“Sweet peaches, Ah am so sorry!” Peach tried to help Apple Bloom up, face distraught. “Ah didn’t mean ta, Ah swear!”
“What are ya talkin' ab—augh!” Applejack, halfway up, felt her legs spread wide as her hooves landed on something small, hard and round. Her chin smacked the ground painfully, and when she opened her eyes a small blue marble rolled innocently past her muzzle.
Peach rushed to help her up but was in no condition to comfort. “Ah’m so sorry! Ah don’ know how they got out. Ah really didn’t do it on purpose!”
Applejack stood carefully, making sure to avoid the mess of marbles. As she did she noticed a small trail of the things running along from behind her stand and across the street. She leveled her eyes on Fuzz, who was covering his blushing face in a showing of appropriate guilt. “Hold still, Peach. Let me see yer saddle bag.”
Peach complied, visibly trembling. “Ah promise, Applejack, Ah’m not like my brother!”
“I believe ya, sugarcube,” Applejack assured her as she examined the saddlebag. There was a small but clear hole under one of the pouches, from which a couple marbles were still dropping haphazardly. No frayed edges, no loose stitching, and the hole was very neat.
This had been no accident.
“Alright, that’s it!” Applejack turned and marched towards Fuzz’s stand. “Ah’m gonna teach that no good jerk a lesson!”
Twilight was in her way in an instant. “Now AJ, calm down. Nopony was hurt, and—”
“No, Ah will not calm down!”
Applejack seethed, eyes like daggers as Fuzz stepped out from behind his stand to face her. “He spent all mornin' slanderin' my apples an' my family, an' then dumped earthworms into my cart ta scare off customers! Then he went an' splashed mud all over my stand so Ah had ta waste time cleanin' it an the apples, an' Ah even caught him tryin' ta break the wheel on my cart!”
She shoved past Twilight and stomped right up to Fuzz. He was putting on a good show of confidence. “It’s bad enough ya do all that, but now ya gotta go an' use yer own sister like that? That’s not just rude, it’s downright mean! An what if somepony had been hurt by that little stunt, huh? What then?”
“Look, that’s not what Ah intended.” Fuzz added with a grin, “Ah was hopin' the entire stand might get knocked down.”
“Why you little—!” Applejack's hat, abruptly glowing purple, dropped down over her face and muffled her words. A second later and Twilight was once again in front of her, trying to push Applejack back.
Applejack shoved her hat back on top of her head. “Twilight, stop it! Ah got some buckin' ta do!”
“You tell him, sis!” Apple Bloom cheered.
“I don’t know what is going on here, but you need to settle down!” Twilight sat back and concentrated, and Applejack began to float a few inches in the air. She kicked and squirmed furiously, menacing eyes locked on Fuzz who, for once, seemed genuinely worried.
But he didn’t back down. “Are ya gonna accept my challenge? Or do Ah need ta keep this up tomorrow?”
Peach was at his side, pressing her hooves against him in an attempt to catch his attention. “Fuzz, would ya just stop it already? Yer makin' a foal of yerself!”
“Oh Ah’ll give ya a challenge,” Applejack snapped. “It is on! Ah’m gonna kick the sauce outta you an' send ya an' yer peaches back ta Cowhoun where ya belong!”
“Yeah!” Apple Bloom pawed the dirt threateningly. “My sister can beat a jerk like you any day! Tomorrow at Sweet Apple Acres, if ya dare ta try.”
“Ah’ll be there.” Fuzz lifted his head in a proud pose and ignored his sister as she whacked him on the side with a hoof. “Ah’ll show ya what the Peaches can do!”
Twilight cast a scathing look in his direction, and to her visible surprise it was enough to make him wilt and glance away. “Come on, AJ, you need to cool down.”She set off down the road with the still-struggling Applejack hovering just in front of her.
“Darn it, Twilight, let me go! Ah’m not done with that guy, ya hear? Horseapples! Put me down!”
Apple Bloom watched them go with a sour expression. “Well, guess this means Ah gotta put away the stand on my own.”
“Umm…” Peach stood beside her, ears lowered and eyes distraught. “…Ah’ll help ya, if ya want.”
Apple Bloom brightened a little . “Thanks, Ah’m gonna need it.”
Fuzz appeared at her side, his tone abruptly polite. “Ah’ll help, too.”
She glared at him. “Ah don’t want your help.”
He raised an eyebrow. “An' how do ya intend ta drag that heavy cart back ta yer farm?”
“Ah’ll just go fetch my big brother.”
Fuzz glowered at her before turning away with head held high. “Fine, didn’t wanna help a stupid Apple kid, anyway.”
“Ah’m really sorry about him,” Peach noted with head bowed.
“It’s not yer fault,” Apple Bloom told her. “Tomorrow he’ll be the one who’s sorry.”
Pinkie was high up in the stands, microphone in one hoof as she spoke. “Ladies and gentlecolts, the barrel run is almost set and our competitors are ready to go!”
Spike was standing atop the announcer’s desk next to her with a microphone of his own. “That’s right, everypony, the show’s about to resume! So get those snacks and back to your seats, ‘cause this is the last event of today’s Iron Pony competition!”
Pinkie gave an enthusiastic nod. “For those of you who just got here from the last scene, what started out as a Rodeo competition has rocketed into a full-blown Iron Pony championship!”
“Uh…” Spike cast a confused look her way, “…what do you mean by ‘the last scene?’”
“Yeppers, we’ve had one heck of a contest today, it’s too bad you missed it!” she went on. “Ponyville’s favorite citizen and all-around stand-up pony Applejack against the Cowhoun-based challenger Fuzzy Navel! Just take a look at this crowd!” She gestured to the stands, which were filled to bursting with excited ponies.
“That’s right, Pinkie,” Spike added, “looks like all of Ponyville’s come out to show their support for Applejack’s inevitable win! You have to wonder how Fuzzy’s taking the pressure.”
“Probably not very well,” she answered. “I mean, do you know what it’s like being squished under apple pies? It’s not fun at all!”
“Uh… okay?”
“But it’s nothing like choosing which cake to bake for a party. I mean do you make vanilla which is a favorite or go all the way with a super-chocolate-caramel-sprinkled-donut extravaganza? Sometimes the pressure just really gets to me ‘cause what if my friends don’t like which one I picked?”
“Riiiight…” Spike slapped a claw over his face and shook his head. “Anyway, everypony remembers the last Iron Pony competition. We thought it might be fun to have the reigning champ give us her thoughts.”
“Yeah!” Pinkie hopped up into the air as she cried, “Oh Rainbow Daaaaaash!”
Within a multihued instant, Rainbow Dash appeared out of the clouds with an eruption of colors spreading across the sky behind her. The crowds instantly erupted into cheers, prompting her to fly a couple quick circles around the stands.
“That’s right, who’s your Iron Pony? Huh? Yeah, uh-huh, me!”
“Hey, Dashie,” Pinkie cried as the champ flew a few loops to impress the crowds, “we got some questions for ya!”
Rainbow performed a swift, colorful corkscrew and landed atop the desk, all smiles. “I suppose as reigning champion I owe it to my adoring fans to talk a little about my awesome self.” She flicked her mane and stuck her chest out with a grin.
“So Rainbow,” Spike started, “what do you think about Applejack’s challenger?”
“Pfft, that guy?” Rainbow waved a dismissive hoof. “Compared to AJ he’s got nothin'! I don’t need a scoreboard to know that he doesn’t stand a chance. Gotta give him props for trying, though.”
“Props?” Pinkie glanced at each of them with concern. “Is there some acting challenge nopony mentioned to me?”
Spike and Rainbow shared bemused shrugs before Spike went on.
“Seeing Applejack in action reminds many of us of your epic battle against her in the last Iron Pony competition. I’m sure I’m not alone in wanting to see more! Any chance of you and AJ having a rematch soon?”
Rainbow scratched her head with an anxious smile. “Err, I dunno. Last time we went at it things sorta got outta hoof.”
Spike raised an eyebrow. “You mean the cheating?”
She blushed. “Yeaaah, not my best moment, even if I did win.”
Pinkie shoved her way between them with an excited wave to arena. “Anything you wanna say to the competitors?”
“Yeah!” Rainbow flew up high and turned to the course set up below. “AJ, kick some Cowhoun pony butt!”
The entire crowd erupted in agreement.
“There you have it, Dash fans!” Spike declared, “We can all see who she’s rooting for.”
“This has been fun,” Pinkie threw in, “but some of our readers are wondering what this has to do with the story—”
“Our readers…?”
“—which means it’s past time for our author to move on to the final part of this Iron Pony competition: the barrel race!”
Spike scratched his head as he followed Pinkie’s eyes to the horizon. “…okay, I have no idea who you’re talking to anymore.”
Below them, a track was made up of a line of barrels. Standing at the finish line was Twilight, stopwatch and clipboard floating before her as she waited for the contestants to begin their runs. On the other side, standing just beyond a white line drawn in the sand, stood Applejack and Fuzzy Navel. Their respective siblings were beside them, each with a very different take on current events.
“Come on, sis,” Apple Bloom pressed, “it’s the last event. Finish him off!”
Applejack was distracted by the rainbow that was now encircling the sky above. “Couldn’t resist the opportunity ta show off, could she?”
Apple Bloom pushed on her side, catching her attention. “Come on, Applejack, ya gotta focus!”
“Don’t sweat it AB,” Applejack ordered patiently. “It’s just a barrel race. We’re supposed ta have fun at these kinda events, remember?”
Her sister gained a smug smile aimed at Fuzz. “Ah doubt he’s havin' any fun.”
Fuzz glared at the barrels with grim determination.
Peach was sitting in the grass beside him with her ears low. “Come on, Fuzz, stop takin' this so seriously! Ah mean she’s been a very good sportspony, not rubbin' things in yer face or nothin'. Why can’t ya have fun like ya do back home?”
“This is too important.” His eyes not leaving the barrels.
“Too important? It’s a game! It’s not like it’s gonna change anythin'.”
Big McIntosh stepped up to the starting line, a whistle around his neck. “You ready, AJ?”
“Eeyup.” She braced herself for the start.
“Go on, sis, show him how we do it at Sweet Apple Acres!” The crowd's cheers echoed Apple Bloom's sentiment.
Big Mac set whistle to lips and blew, and Applejack was off! She weaved through the barrels one at a time, dodging each with practiced expertise and a confident glint in her eye. As she flew past the last barrel Twilight clicked her watch and scribbled onto her clipboard.
“17.8 seconds, no penalties!”
“Well, it ain’t her best,” Apple Bloom confessed, “but Ah still bet ya can’t beat it.”
Peach's eyes became like saucers. “Not her best? Sweet peaches, that’s good! You sure about this, Fuzz?”
Fuzz chewed his lip but stepped up to the line. “Ah can do this. Come on, Fuzz, ya gotta do this!”
Big Mac looked across the barrels to Twilight, who nodded, before turning to the challenger. “Ready?”
Fuzz forced his face into one of steely resolve. “Ready.”
The whistle blew and he was off, dodging barrels just as Applejack had. He didn’t look so confident; rather he seemed to be straining to force every ounce of speed out of his legs. He was coming dangerously close to hitting the barrels, but he weaved through them like a seasoned veteran. When he flashed past the last barrel Twilight hit her watch and marked the time.
The entire crowd went quiet as she glanced at the times, obviously relishing the attention. Fuzz, huffing and puffing, turned to stand beside Applejack and hear the verdict.
Applejack stared at him with a concerned frown. “Are ya okay, sugarcube?”
“17.6 seconds, no penalties!”
The crowds erupted into cheers yet again.
Applejack broke into a pleased smile. “Would ya look at that? Ya won!”
Fuzz blinked, taking in her face with wide eyes. “Ah won…?”
“Yeap, an ya deserved it too,” she added. “Ah thought ya were gonna blow a gasket or somethin'.”
“Ah actually won…” His disbelief faded into a wide grin. He reared back and threw his hooves up high in victory, earning a cheer from the crowds. “Ah did it, Ah beat Applejack!”
At that his opponent gained a wry look. “Oh, well Ah wouldn’t quite say that…”
“Huh?” He lowered himself and gave her a questioning look.”Whaddaya mean?”
He felt something tap him on the knee and looked down to see Peach standing before him. She was smiling, but weakly. “Umm, Ah’m proud ya won the barrel run, brother, but… umm…” She bowed her head and pointed with a hoof. He followed her gaze to the scoreboard and immediately fell to his haunches.
Fuzzy Navel: 1
Applejack: 19
He let out a long groan.
Pinkie's voice erupted through the speakers. “Applejack wins the Iron Pony competition!”
“As if there was ever any doubt,” Spike added in a droll tone.
As the crowds continued to cheer her victory, Applejack stepped over and set a hoof to Fuzz’s shoulder. “Don’t let it bother ya, sugarcube. They were all really close matches, after all. Maybe next time, huh?”
Fuzz slapped her hoof away. “There won’t be a next time,” he spat. He turned with head held high. “Just leave me alone.”
Applejack frowned at his back. “Ah was just bein' friendly. There’s no reason ta go bein' all unsportsponylike!”
“Wow,” Twilight noted as she walked up to the winner, “he doesn’t lose gracefully does he?”
Laughter radiated from the walls of the clubhouse as the sun began to tip over the horizon. Applejack made her way up the ramp to the front door, kicking fallen apples out of her way to vent her anxiety. Winning didn’t feel so good when the loser took things so poorly. All her friends had tried to encourage her, but there was no getting Fuzz’s behavior out of her head. She had decided to get to the bottom of everything, but there was no way he’d tell her anything.
So here she was, approaching the only other option. She tapped her hoof against the front door and waited patiently, listening with raised ears to the laughter still rolling through the air. After a few seconds the door opened to reveal Scootaloo.
“Oh, hey Applejack. Congrats on winning the competition!”
“Thanks, Scoots.” Applejack was already tired of hearing the praise. “Ah heard ya’ll got a new recruit?”
“Oh, not yet.” Scootaloo rubbed her hooves together with a grin. “We gotta put her through hazing first.”
Applejack raised an eyebrow. “Hazin'? What kind of hazin'?”
The filly flinched with a mischievous smile. “Oh, nothing major, just her first crusade is all. Hey, Apple Bloom, your sister’s here.” She fled the door, clearly not wanting to go into their next crusade’s plans.
Applejack decided not to bother waiting for her sister to show up; she stepped inside to find all four fillies sharing innocent looks.
“What are you girls up to now?”
“Don’t worry, AJ, it’s nothin' dangerous.” Apple Bloom offered a sweet smile. “Ya know us, would we do anythin' like that?”
Applejack countered with a suspecting frown.
Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes. “We’ll be safe. I already had to promise Rarity after that second zip-line fiasco.”
Applejack decided not to bother worrying; those three had done enough already that they had to have developed at least some collective sense. “Alright, girls, Ah trust ya.”
“Of course ya do!” Apple Bloom cast a glance out the door at the fading light. “Ah guess it’s about time ta come home, huh?”
“Before that,” Applejack announced, turning to the quiet Peach Blossom, “Ah gotta talk ta ya about yer brother.”
Peach drooped and avoided Applejack’s eyes. “Oh… uh… really?”
“Don’t worry, Ah ain’t mad at ya or nothin'.” Applejack sat on the hard wood floor and sighed. “Ah’m just all worried. Ah wanna know why he’s so angry at me. Did Ah do somethin' ta offend him at the Canterlot Rodeo or somethin'?”
Apple Bloom sat beside her sister with an frown. “Gotta admit, Ah was wonderin' the same thing.”
Sweetie and Scootaloo gave one another concerned looks and sat as well.
“Word's been spreading around town,” Sweetie noted with an anxious glance at Peach. “Somepony picking a fight with Applejack? That kinda news is gonna get around quick.”
“Yeah, and it won’t make him any friends,” Scootaloo added.
Peach glanced at each pony nervously. “Ah know he’s been… not on his best behavior? He’s usually the best brother a filly could ask fer.”
Applejack waved an encouraging hoof. “So what’s got him all mad?” Peach glanced away, prompting her to ask, “Did he tell ya ta keep it a secret?”
“No,” Peach muttered, chewing her lip. “It’s just… my family’s got a lot of pride, ya know?”
Scootaloo chuckled and cast a smirk towards Apple Bloom. “Boy, do we know about that.”
Apple bloom leaned back with a raised eyebrow. “What?”
“There’s nothin' wrong with bein' proud.” Applejack ruffled of her sister’s mane with a grin. “Just so long as ya keep it under control. Looks like Fuzz lost his, though.”
“He’s afraid of losin' our pride,” Peach declared with head bowed. “He blames ya for what’s happenin' ta our family.”
“Yer family?” Applejack echoed with a tilt of her head.
Peach gazed up at her, ears laid back and lip trembling. At last, with a deep sigh, she explained. “The Peaches are farmers, just like the Apples. We were doin' great too, until a disease went through an' killed most of our crop. We were able ta stay afloat an' bring our farm back, but by the time we did nopony wanted peaches anymore. Everypony wants apples.”
“Apples?” Applejack cast a frown at her sister. “Ya mean an apple farm was put up in Cowhoun?”
Peach nodded, still unable to meet her eyes. “It was the Apple family. Distant relatives of yers, Ah guess. Nopony wanted our peaches anymore, they’d flooded the town with apples! Our kin were facin' similar problems. Our family’s been losin' bits year after year 'cause we just can’t compete with our small peach farms.”
The Apple sisters shared guilty looks.
“Who in our family opened an orchard in Cowhoun?” Apple Bloom asked.
“Dunno,” Applejack confessed. “There’s so many Apples, it’s hard ta keep track o’ em all. But that’s beside the point.” She turned to Peach. “The Apple Family’s really puttin' the Peaches outta business?”
“Uh-huh.” Peach scuffed the floor with a pout. “Everypony knows the Apple Family got its start at Sweet Apple Acres. Yer sorta the star of the family, y’know? That’s why he went after ya like that.”
Applejack blushed and rubbed the back of her head. “The star of the family? Ah don’t think Ah’d go that far…”
“Aww, come on.” Apple Bloom shot her sister a big grin. “Don’t be modest, sis.”
“Yeah, you’re awesome!” Scootaloo crossed her hooves and nodded with authority. “Obviously not as awesome as Rainbow Dash, but ignoring her you’re pretty awesome.”
“And you’ve got one of the Elements of Harmony,” Sweetie noted. “That says a lot right there.”
“Alright, already, Ah get it!” Applejack waved a frantic hoof at the three. “Stop it, ya’ll are embarassin' me.”
Apple Bloom giggled, but sobered quickly as she turned to Peach. “But what does he hope ta prove by goin' after my sister? It’s not like beatin' her will fix all yer problems.”
Peach shuffled and shook her head. “No, it won’t, but if he coulda beat Applejack, that’d be a big thing. He thinks it’d get his name out there an' the Peach’s would be recognized.”
“Ooooooh…” Applejack’s eyes lit up. “So it’s a marketin' strategy! Now that Ah understand.”
Scootaloo tapped her forehead with eyes aimed at the ceiling. “I’m not sure I get it.”
“I do!” Sweetie Belle bounced to her hooves. “My sister talks about it all the time. Getting your name out there so ponies will recognize your work and product.”
“That’s the idea,” Peach acknowledged. “but Fuzz went about it all wrong, an' even if he’d behaved himself, he still lost! Now Ah’ve got a brother everypony here thinks is a jerk and we didn’t help our family at all.” She pouted and pawed at the floor. “The whole trip’s been a big waste of good peaches.”
“Oh, Ah wouldn’t say a total waste.” Apple Bloom moved over to the pony and put a leg over her shoulder. “Ya made three awesome new friends.”
“Yeah, and ya get to join our awesome secret society,” Scootaloo added.
“And start a new branch in Cowhoun,” Sweetie threw in.
Peach gave them all a weak smile. “That is nice, but it don’t solve my family’s problems none. Ah dunno what we’re gonna do now. Ah mean, our parents’ll keep the orchard, but the rest of my kin won’t do so well.”
“This is all wrong!” Applejack pounded a hoof to the floor. “We Apples never wanted ta hurt nopony. Why our great gran'paw would be rollin' over in his grave if he knew his good name was causin' that kinda trouble. If we caused it, we gotta help fix it.”
“Really?” Peach looked up at her with big eyes. “Ya mean it?”
“’Course she means it,” Apple Bloom affirmed with a grin. “But, uh… how are we gonna help?”
“By doin' what we’re good at,” her big sister replied. “Peach, how long do you an yer brother plan on stayin' in Ponyville?”
Peach thought on this for a moment. “’Till the peaches run out or go bad. Three more days, maybe?”
“Then we’ve got time.” Applejack surveyed the fillies. “Girls, Ah’m gonna need yer help with this.”
Scootaloo grinned. “If it involves us, it’s already a great plan! What do ya need us to do?”
“Yer gonna invite Peach here ta go on one o’ yer crusades.”
“What, that’s it?” Sweetie shared a questioning glance with Apple Bloom. “We were gonna do that anyway.”
“That’s just Scoots’ part,” Applejack corrected. “Sweetie, Ah want ya ta talk ta Rarity. We’re gonna need some of them peaches. Fuzz probably won’t sell ta me, but he don’t know yer sister. Ah’ll pay her back, just have her buy a couple dozen peaches an' bring 'em ta the barn tomorrow mornin'.”
Sweetie saluted with a grin. “Yes ma’am, Applejack ma’am!”
“What about me?” Apple Bloom asked with an eager hop.
“Ah want ya ta get Pinkie Pie.”
“Pinkie?” Confused glances were passed around the room. “What’s she got ta do with it?”
Applejack gave them all a confident grin. “We’re gonna be experimentin' with bakin' peaches!”
“Bakin' peaches?” Peach tilted her head at the mare. “Ah can do that, family recipes an all. Ah don’t see how that’ll help my family.”
“An' what do we need Pinkie for?” Apple Bloom pressed. “Everypony in Ponyville knows yer the best baker in town, AJ.”
“Yer gonna help me, too,” Applejack told Peach reassuringly. She turned to Scootaloo. “Bring her ta the barn straightaway, Scoots.”
Scootaloo nodded with a confident grin. “You got it!”
“As for Pinkie,” Applejack explained, “Ah might be the best baker in Ponyville, but Pinkie’s got all the creativity we need ta whip up somethin' really special.
“Besides, ya can’t throw a party without a party pony.”
Fuzzy Navel sat at his stand, elbow on the counter and a cheek on his hoof. It was getting late in the afternoon, almost time to close up shop. He didn’t glance back at his peach cart, which was still almost completely full. He let out a bitter sigh as he stared at his free hoof, which tapped rhythmically against the wood. Most ponies who passed on the street either ignored him completely or cast dark glances his way. He kept staring at the empty spot opposite the street, as if expecting something to be there.
He didn’t notice when Twilight trotted up to his stand with Spike riding her back. She stood there for a few seconds and tilted her head. She and Spike shared a silent, anxious glance.
“Umm, hello?” Spike waved at the stallion.
“Hmm…?” Fuzz looked up and saw Spike. He stared at him dully for a moment, then shifted his eyes to Twilight.
They became as wide as saucers.
“Oh! Er, h-hello Miss Sp-Sparkle! Ah’m sorry, Ah didn’t see ya there.”
Twilight shared another questioning look with Spike. “How did you know my name?”
He blushed and scratched his head with a big grin. “Oh, umm… Ah heard somepony mention it at the contest.”
“Of course.” Twilight rolled her eyes with a smile. “That was kind of a silly question, wasn’t it?”
“I didn’t think so,” Spike admitted, earning him a scathing glance.
“So, erm…” Fuzz set both hooves to the table and leaned forward with a worried expression. “Ah, eh, Ah’m sorry about the day before. Ah sorta made a foal of myself.”
“And yesterday, too,” Spike noted.
Twilight bucked him off. He hit the road face-first with a plop, dirt and dust flying up from the impact.
“Don’t mind him.” Twilight offered an apologetic smile. “To be honest, I was a little put off with your behavior—” Fuzz wilted a little, “—but at least you seem to understand your mistakes.”
Fuzz cheered up the tiniest bit. “Yeah, Ah’ve had some time ta cool down.”
“Glad to hear it.” Twilight nodded with a pleased smile. “You think you could help me with a delivery?”
He nearly fell off his hooves in his surprise. “Ya mean yer gonna buy some of my peaches?”
“Not just a few,” she corrected, “I want around ten dozen.”
“Ten dozen!?” His entire body sagged, his jaw hanging loosely as he gaped. “What could ya want so many fer?”
Her lips fell into a hesitant frown. “Do you not have enough?”
He straightened up with a jerk. “No no, Ah’ve got em. Ah just… nopony’s ever wanted ten dozen peaches at once before! Are ya sure ya want that many? Ah really don’t think you an yer dragon friend there could eat that many before they all went bad.”
Spike, dusting himself off behind Twilight, spoke up. “You underestimate the abilities of a dragon’s stomach!”
“Oh, please, Spike.” Twilight rolled her eyes. “If you ate all that you’d be so sick, and I won’t be babying you like I did when you had all that ice cream. Anyway—” she turned her attention back to Fuzz, “—I’m bringing them to a party.”
“Oh, Ah see.” He was abruptly all smiles. “That’s great! Give me five minutes ta break down my stand an' Ah’ll just bring the whole cart. It’ll make things easier on both of us.” Not long after, his peach stand was disassembled and loaded into the cart’s side-compartment. He attached himself to the front and turned to her with a grin. “Lead on!”
They walked on through town in silence for some time. At first everything seemed normal, until Twilight realized Fuzz was staring at her. Every time she glanced his way he would look in another direction, usually blushing as he did. She turned her head to give Spike a questioning look, but found he was watching Fuzz with a bemused frown.
After nearly fifteen minutes of this Twilight finally turned her head to address Fuzz directly. “Is there something on my face?”
“W-what, on yer face?” Fuzz’s eyes darted about as if in search of an escape route. “No, no, nothin' on yer face, nothin' at all.”
“So why do you keep staring at it?”
“Oh, n-no reason.” He turned his head away, cheeks practically glowing. “J-just, um… starstruck. Ah guess?”
Spike let out a laugh, which earned him yet another scathing glance from Twilight.
“And what’s so funny, mister?”
“Not a thing,” Spike insisted with a grin and a wave of his claws. “I just need to remember that line for later.”
She scowled at him a bit more before turning to give Fuzz a comforting smile. “You know I’m just a regular unicorn from Canterlot. You don’t have to be so nervous around me.”
Fuzz finally met her eyes. “Princess Celestia’s personal protégé? Holder of the Element of Magic? Ya call that bein' ‘regular’?”
The tiniest touch of pink came to her cheeks. “There is that, I suppose… but I’m still just a pony, like everypony else.”
“Not like everypony else,” he muttered.
“What was that?”
“Nothin'!”
She studied him for a moment... but let the subject go after taking a quick look around. “This is the place.”
“Oh?” Fuzz realized they’d left town at some point. He glanced about and came to an abrupt pause at the sight of the apple orchard. They were walking along a long wooden fence and he could see a barn not far off. His head dipped low as he glared at the sign above the gate with its big painted apples. “This is Sweet Apple Acres, isn’t it?”
“Indeed it is.” Twilight failed to notice his dark expression. “Applejack’s hosting the party, after all.”
“Ya would know,” he muttered, though he kept following. “What’s the big occasion? Beatin' me?”
“I was just asked to bring the peaches.”
“Great.” He flinched as they passed under the gate. “Look, why don’t Ah just drop these off outside the barn? No need fer me ta go in an spoil her happy day.”
Spike turned about on Twilight's back and shot him a lecturing frown. “Don’t be such a sore loser. You should come in, have some fun. Pinkie Pie helped out, and when Pinkie throws a party everypony has fun!”
Fuzz rolled his eyes. “Ah’ll bring the peaches in, but after that Ah’m gone. This is one pony who won’t take mockery fer too long, an Ah’ve made enough of a fool outta myself fightin' with Applejack.”
“You say that,” Twilight noted as she knocked on the barn’s front door, “but you might be pleasantly surprised.”
The door opened, streamers and playful dance music flying in Fuzz's face. He blinked, startled into silence to see a filly standing before him.
“Hey everypony, the peaches have arrived!”
There was a rousing cheer from the party guests as the barn’s other door opened wide to reveal a beaming Applejack.
“Peach!” Fuzz stomped his hoof and glared daggers at his kid sister. “What are you doin' here?”
“Helpin' out,” Applejack answered for her, not bothered by his scowl. “Come on in, Fuzz, take a load off.”
“No.” He tried to take a step back, forgetting he still had his peach cart on him. “Peach, we are goin' back ta the hotel. Now.”
Twilight slipped between Peach and Applejack. “I think I’ll leave the rest to you. There any of that cobbler left?”
Applejack grinned and gestured inside. “Better hurry, it’s goin' faster than Rainbow on the first day of Cider Season.”
“Oh, then we better get some too.” Peach turned to run inside but was stopped when Fuzz snapped his teeth onto her tail. “Hey, let me go!”
He snarled over the hair between his teeth. “Wrr levin!”
Peach whipped around and hit him on the muzzle so hard he let go in shock.
“No, we’re not! Ah’ve spent almost two whole days tryin' ta get this just right fer ya, brother! Ah dunno what happened ta yer manners or yer sense, but maw an paw would be ashamed of you right now.”
He stood up straight, rubbing his muzzle tenderly with crossed eyes. “Yer bein' awful uppity fer a filly Ah can still spank over my knees.” He glanced at Applejack, who had a wry expression on her face. “Ya been helpin' this Apple work on a party… fer me?”
Peach nodded with an firm frown. “Applejack’s been nothin' but nice since we got here, Fuzz. Yer the one bein' a big jerk!”
At that he glanced away from both of them nervously. “Ah can’t deny that... but she’s an Apple! They’re responsible fer everythin'. Ya know it, Peachy.”
“Fuzz, ya don’t know a thing about us Apples.” Applejack stood aside and offered a welcoming wave. “Why don’t ya come on in an see what me an' yer sister came up with? Ah think a lot of ponies round here will be wantin' yer peaches now.”
“Our peaches?” He looked from Peach to Applejack and back again. “…what have you two been up to?” They stepped back and gestured for him to enter the barn. He hesitated at the door but, at Peach’s encouraging smile, finally stepped over the threshold.
The barn was packed with ponies from the town. Dancing ponies, ponies singing karaoke, ponies playing silly-looking games. But most of the ponies were situated around a huge buffet table loaded with treats; pies, cobblers, cakes, even homemade ice cream! The baked aroma swam through the air, making his mouth water of its own accord. Fresh, crisp apple smells and… peaches? Yes, he could smell baked peaches!
“Heeey, it’s the star of the party!” A pink pony darted to his side and set a leg over his shoulder. “Everypony, look, it’s Fuzz! Let’s give him a big happy cheer for the wonderful peaches.”
Now he recognized her voice! She was one of the announcers from the competition. Pinkie Pie, if he recalled correctly. No time to think on that: the entire barn had erupted into a single big cheer that had him blushing at the sudden attention.
“Umm… thanks…?”
“And guess what?” Pinkie zipped back and reappeared with three peaches stuffed in her mouth at once. “Heez bloult losh muur!” She pranced off, the peaches forcing her lips into a big silly smile that had the surrounding ponies laughing hysterically.
“That’s right, ya’ll,” Applejack announced, “we got plenty more peaches right here. Ya’ll be sure ta ask his bakin' expert sister fer any recipes!”
“Bakin' expert?” He looked down at Peach’s beaming face. “What’s goin on here?”
Applejack patted him on the back with a smug smile. “It’s called marketin'. Peach, Pinkie an' myself worked together all yesterday comin' up with some new peach desserts.”
“Yeah!” Peach bounced with a grin. “An' Applejack threw this party so these ponies could try 'em. Now everypony in town’s gonna want our peaches, Fuzz!”
Fuzz fell to his haunches, staring at the big buffet table. He could see how excited the ponies were as they dug into the many still-steaming dishes that radiated the familiar aroma of Cowhoun peaches.
“Ya… Ah mean… but… but yer Apples!” He gave Applejack a look of total confusion. “Yer the ones that put us in the dumps ta begin with! Why would ya do this?”
Applejack reached back and popped the peach cart’s frame with a hoof, freeing him from it. “Ah dunno what Apples yer dealin' with over in Cowhoun, but we at Sweet Apple Acres never intended ta cause trouble for nopony. If the Apple Family hurt the Peach Family, we’ll work ta make it right! Now come on and try somethin' before it’s all gone!”
He stared at her in numb silence even as he allowed himself to be lead to the buffet table. His ears twitched as he overheard the ponies all around him commenting on the delicious treats made from his peaches. Applejack, grinning, pulled a piece of pie onto a plate and offered it to him.
“Go on, try it!”
Fuzz eyed the pie, lifting it up with a hoof under the plate. It smelled incredible, but he was still hesitant.
“C’mon, Fuzz.” Peach gazed up at him with big, hopeful eyes. “Ah came up with that recipe myself!”
He gave his sister an annoyed look, but couldn’t resist her cuteness. With a sigh, he closed his eyes and took a small bite… and fell to his haunches.
“Sweet Celestia’s multihued mane that is good!” His face dove into the plate for the rest so quickly it seemed almost involuntary.
“Whoa there, partner!” Applejack laughed, “Don’t go too fast! Yer kinda makin' a mess.”
“Ah’m sorry.” Fuzz took a moment to lick his plate clean. “It’s just… Ah… Peach!” He turned on his sister, rubbing the bits of sauce and fruit from his face. “Since when could you bake? Maw won’t let ya within twenty feet of the kitchen!”
Peach blushed and kicked at the ground with a grin. “Well Ah didn’t actually bake it myself…”
“Nope, that was all me and Applejack.” Pinkie abruptly appeared between the siblings. “You gonna eat that?” She snatched the rest of the pie and disappeared into the crowd before any of them could answer.
“Hey!” Fuzz raised his hoof after her feebly. “Ah… Ah wanted another piece…”
Peach nudged him with a grin. “Don’t worry, there’s plenty more where that came from. Ya should try some of the apple stuff, Fuzz! Apple Bloom wasn’t kiddin' when she called her sister the best baker in Ponyville. Speaking of Apple Bloom, Ah need ta go find her! We’re supposed ta be doin' that crusade before the party’s over!”
He watched his sister run into the crowd with eyebrows raised. After a few confused seconds he turned to Applejack. “Crusade?”
Applejack merely rolled her eyes. “Don’t ask. Ah think ya’ll be hearin' all about it soon enough.”
He looked for his sister, but she was long gone. “Did she really help ya do all of this?”
“Yeah, she’s a good kid. We couldn't have done this without her. Ah know a ton ‘bout bakin', but don’t know jack ‘bout peaches.”
He stared as if seeing her for the first time. In a way, he was.
“Ya did all this fer us.” He cast a long look around at the ponies in the barn, nearly all of them having enjoyed something made from his peaches. “After how mean Ah was all this time, ya went through all this?”
“An' we ain’t done yet,” she declared. “How would ya like ta come ta the next Apple Family Reunion?”
He blinked and scratched his head questioningly. “Why would Ah come ta that?”
“So ya can show everypony how great yer peaches are!” Applejack whacked him playfully on the shoulder. “Just think of the attention the Peach Family would get if the entire Apple Clan was spreadin' the word.”
His jaw dropped. “Ya’d let me do that? Seriously?”
“Of course we would. Ah’m not gonna let my fellow farmers bite the dust because of us!” She offered her hoof to him. “Whaddaya say, Fuzz? Truce?”
He stared at her hoof for a few seconds before bumping it with his own. “Ah really misjudged you Apples. Thank ya so much fer this! Ya have no idea what it means ta me, an' ta the rest of the Peach Family.”
“Think nothin' of it,” she replied proudly. “Now come on, the party’s still young an ya’ve got a lotta peaches ta sell.”
“You’ll be sure to write and tell us all about your Crusades down in Cowhoun, won’t ya?” Sweetie asked as she broke from her hug with Peach.
“Sure Ah will.” Peach beamed at her three new friends. “Ya’ll just wait, Ah’ll have my cutie mark in no time.”
“I look forward to it.” Scootaloo struck a smug pose and waved dismissively. “But don’t get your hopes up just yet. We’ve got lots more Crusading experience, so we’re bound to get ours first!”
Nearby, Applejack and Fuzz were watching the Crusaders with mild amusement.
Applejack gave her new friend a smile. “Ya’ll be sure ta send some peaches our way now an again, ya hear?”
“Absolutely,” Fuzz agreed. “We’ve got ta find an easier way ta get them movin', though; peaches just don’t travel too well.”
“Ah’m sure ya’ll think of somethin',” she declared with confidence. “Anypony that can put up as much of a fight as you did is bound ta pull through in the end.”
Fuzz eyed her. “Thanks again, Applejack. Really, ya’ve opened some doors fer the Peach Family.”
She nodded. “Ah told ya, think nothin' of it. As long as ya learned yer lesson about judgin' ponies before ya know em.”
“Yeah, Ah’ve got it, thanks.” He smiled and glanced up as the train’s whistle sounded off. “Alright, time ta go. Come on, Peach.”
She trotted up to him with an innocent smile. “Sure, just sayin' bye ta Twilight.”
“What, she’s here?” He dropped into an alert stance, eyes scanning the station.
He sagged as soon as he heard his sister’s laughter. “Very funny. Come on, let’s go.”
Applejack observed him as he made for the train. “What was that all about?”
Peach, still grinning, sidled up to her and whispered. “He’s got a newspaper clippin' of Twilight under his pillow.”
“Oh.” Applejack looked back to the train where Fuzz was watching them with an annoyed expression. “Oh. That explains why ya wanted her ta bring him ta the party.” As an afterthought: “Maybe he ain’t learned his lesson quite yet.”
Peach gave her a tight hug. “Thanks so much fer everythin'! Ah had lots of fun an' got ta watch my brother get trounced.”
Applejack returned the hug with an amused smile. “Ya didn’t seem ta be enjoyin' it durin' the competition.”
“That was before Ah knew how things were gonna turn out,” Peach declared a grin. “Now Ah look back… yeah, it makes me smile. He had it comin, after all.”
“Hey,” Fuzz called, “stop tryin' ta spill my dirty secrets an' get over here! The train’s gonna leave, an' Ah won’t be comin' back fer ya.”
“Maybe that’d be a good thing!” Peach shouted with a grin. “Bye Applejack, bye girls! See ya’ll at the Apple Family Reunion!”
“Get in here ya twerp,” Fuzz ordered, grabbing up Peach as she got close and knuckling her head. She laughed and struggled free, turning to wave as the train finally rocked into motion.
“Boy, Maw an' Paw are gonna be tickled pink when they learn we sold all our peaches,” she noted as Applejack and the CMC shrank into the distance.
“An' even more so when they learn that we’ve got the Apple’s support,” Fuzz agreed, leading her into the car. “Ah’m very sorry about everythin', Peachy. Ah should have listened ta ya from the beginnin' an' not been so ornery.”
Peach paused before their seat with a tilted head. “Orney?”
“Bad-tempered.”
“Oh.” She threw back her head in a pompous manner. “Well of course, my little pony. Don’t ya know Peach is the source of all wisdom?”
“Riiight.” He lifted her up and set her on the seat between himself and the window. “But really, thanks Peach. Ah might have competed, but this whole trip would have been worthless if ya’d not begged ta come along. Ah promise, from here on in yer big brother’ll pay a lot more attention ta what ya have ta say.”
“Glad ta hear it!” Peach gave him a hug. “In that case, why don’t we discuss a few other rules we got, like me not goin' inta yer room an'…”
“Oh no.” He set a hoof to her mouth. “One thing at a time, Peachy.
"One thing at a time.”
Author's Note
UPDATE 6/11/2014: ran through this and did some quick edits. Nothing huge; cleaning up the dialogue, slightly improved word choice, removing a telly line or two.
Movin' to the country, gonna eat a lotta peaches. Moving to the country, gonna eat me a lot a peaches.
So my buddy Hobbes invited me to join a contest over at Super Best Friends, and I'm always in for a little friendly contest. This is the hardest kind of contest ever, because aside from word count there are no restrictions or prompts or ANYTHING, leaving me with no idea how to approach it. I wasted an hour trying to think something up, then gave up and went for a walk. In so doing I came upon our box of peaches in the kitchen and... boom, have an Applejack fic.
More than anything, I want critique on the accents used throughout this story. Too difficult to read? Not going far enough? Input, people!
Honestly though, I have my doubts regarding this story's chances in the contest. I mean take a look at who the people who may compete! Just to name three: Kaidan the talented and prolific, RainbowBob the absurd and absurdly funny, and The Parasprite, who's writing technique is an entirely different plane of awesome from my own.
Yeah, this story's gonna be dust in no time. But that's okay by me: who better to go up against than the awesome?
Millions of peaches, peaches for free! Millions of peaches, peaches for me!
Yeah, that song's been in my head for weeks.
