The Apple Tree & the Olive bush

My name is Olive Pix, and I'm a friend of Applejack's. Her family and mine knew each other because we were both in the harvesting business. Me and Applejack always had fun when I finished my homework and asked to go see her. I was always getting told by my mom and dad that I'm a very pretty filly; a filly with pure black hair, skin the color of milk chocolate, and olive green eyes. I have a few freckles that cross my nose bridge, which made a lot of people call me cute. But I never really compared to AJ. A lot of Stallions would ask her to be their special somepony, but she'd constantly turn them down, saying, "I may be a bit pretty, but I'm also a li'l too young, sugarcube. And so are you"

One day though, my dad had gotten a promotion from my great Grandpa that invloved the olive factory we shipped the olives that we harvest from a rare bush to for packaging. He was now in charge of packaging. So I had to move away from my friend AJ. When we got to Manehattan, we had unpacked and settled in to our new condo, but I was sad. My parents asked me what was wrong, and I simply stared into their eyes and started to cry as I yelled, "I WISH I WAS BACK HOME!!!"

They looked with a sad face as I ran up the stairs into my new room. I heard them start to talk to eachother, which turned to yelling as I cried myself to sleep. Me and AJ wrote to each other daily. I'd asked how she's been, she'd ask me, and we'd talk about the crazy things that happened to us. It was fun, but not as fun as when I could actually talk to her face to face. I started to become depressed, which caused more controversy between my Mom and Dad. Eventually, my Mom and Dad agreed that when I got older, I could go and move back to Ponyville if I chose to. I then shook off the depression I had, and I became my old self again. I made friends, enemies, and discoveries in what my talent is.

One day, one of the popular mares came up to me and said, "What makes you think you can walk the hallways in my presence with that raggedy thing you call a dress?" I smiled and lashed out, saying that I didn't want to steal the spotlight from her with my sense of coordination and style. She said, "Is that a challenge? I'll tell you what, blank flank; tomorrow's an Autumn-themed fashion contest. Come up with an ensemble that's better than mine, and I'll leave you alone. Lose, and I'll embarrass you so bad, when you see me, you'll need to cover your face with a paper bag."

I  gladly accepted the challenge, even though I wasn't sure how I expected to win against Emerald Shine; one of the most popular mares in the high school. But I signed my name in the audition form last second, and started brainstorming ideas for an outfit. I came up with one involving Autumn, which was the easy part. The hard part was finding the materials. So I sent a letter to AJ and she responded a few minutes later, saying that her new friend, Rarity, had learned of my problem and gladly gathered the materials. Immediately after reading the letter, I was covered in materials that had been magically sent here.

I sent a thank you letter to AJ and Rarity, and got to work. I first took the mannequin that Rarity gave me and put it in a space where I had room to work. I asked Mom if she could help, and she gladly agreed. She came up to my room and looked at my design I drew out. She gave me a pair of scissors and marked where I should cut after she measured the size and height of the mannequin. After the cutting, she gave me the sowing machine, and I instinctively used it like a pro. She held certain parts around the mannequin while I used the bobby pins. After cutting and sowing and lining, Mom and I were done with the outfit.

As we stepped back to admire it, I saw a blinding light, and the next thing I knew, on top of my waist was a mannequin with a ribbon floating in front of it. I then realized that my talent was fashion.

"Hope you're ready to lose, Dweeb. I'm going to enjoy watching you stuff your face in a lunch bag." said Emerald as she walked onto the back of the stage behind the curtains. I followed her example and waited as our school principle, Mrs. Ruby, made her announcement;

"Fillies and Gentlecolts, welcome to the first annual Fashion Contest! This show is a special thing we put together for the young Mares and Stallions that are into fashion. It's such a spectacular event for our school, the Running of the Leaves event has sponsored us, which is why the theme is Autumn. Now, first up is an ensemble one of our popular students, Emerald Shine put together. Com on out, Ms. Shine!"

"Watch and weep, loser," said Emerald Shine as she stuck her tongue out at me and walked up to Mrs. Ruby. She grabbed the microphone and said, "Thank you, Mrs. Ruby. Now, if my model would be so kind as to show off my ensemble, I'd be happy to tell you about it." And when her model walked up to the stage, Emerald's outfit looked absolutely stunning. It was an orange dress, with red and yellow leaf design stiched on, and around the waist was a belt colored red with a Topaz gem in the center. For the shoes were orange high-heels. "This dress came to me when I thought of the beautiful array of colors that appear in Autumn.

"The red and yellow leaves on the orange background resembles the leaves about to fall off a tree with orange leaves. The belt is to match the red leaves, while the Topaz gam in the center of it matched the orange leaves and the orange high-heels. The dress altogether shows a simplicity to itself, while creating the beauty you bring with you on a date." Mrs. Ruby took the mic and said "Thank you, Ms. Shine. Now up next is a sophomore trying to fit in, whose name is Olive Pix!" I walked up to the stage and grabbed the microphone, and said, "I'll be honest with you, I'm glad I decided to enter the contest, because it told me my talent is fashion. And I hope that after you see my dress, you'll think the same."

I then signaled for my model, Jenna Spice (whose talent is cooking) came up and looked absolutely marvelous. My ensemble was a bow-tie ribbon that wrapped around her head, the bottom hidden with her long brown curly hair. The bow was red, as was the leaf-charm pendant around her neck. She wore a red and orange plaid shirt, tucked under an orange miniskirt with red and slightly yellow leaf imprints on them. Below that, she had on orange over the knee socks with red-trimmed lace at the top. On her feet were dark yellow short-heels which matched the yellow leaves on her skirt.

She had orange eye shadow with red eye-liner. with that was some topaz lipstick, and Jenna herself added the pink blush, which complimented her eye color (light pink). Everyone gasped at the transformation as I showed them (with permission) pictures of what Jenna looked like before and after the change. Her long-time crush, John (a pegasus) sat there amazed, looking her up and down. He must've come to his senses, because he hollered, "Jenna, I've been holding this in since freshman year; would you be my special somepony!?!" Jenna held in tears of joy as she screamed, "YES!!!" and got off the stage to kiss him.

Mrs. Ruby looked at me, astonished, and said "An ensemble that makes people realize what they've really felt I'd say is definitely a winner. But it's sadly not up to me to decide. JUDGES...MAKE YOUR CALL!!!" The first judge on the leftlt with a three-piece and a fashionable mustache said "Olive, darling, that outfit was splendid! I say, hats off to you, Dear Mare! 10 for Olive!" as he raised a sign was a ten written on it. "Ms. Shine, while your outfit was fashionable, Olives' ensemble was absolutely adorable. I'd want to buy it in an instant! I hope you understand as I raise my 10 for Olive, darling," said a lovely mare in the middle with red lipstick to go with her dress.

Finally, a Gentlecolt to the right (wearing a casual made up of a blue and black plaid shirt, slim-fit jeans, a blue neck-tie and leather loafers) looked back and forth between me and Emerald. I bit my lip and he said "Amazing how that builds up tension. Listen, Ms. Shine; I looked at your outfit and thought, 'there's no way the next contestant will beat this dress.' I, however, was wrong. Olive," he then said, turning his head to face me. "Your ensemble stood out for me because it had a cute, sassinees I hadn't seen in the longest time. It caught my eye, so I say this goes to you, Ms. Pix my dear." And he raised his sign, which had a ten written in red ink.

"Well then," said Mrs. Ruby on the mic. "The winner is Olive Pix!" Emerald's jaw dropped to the floor as I smirked. I then ran up to Jenna and gave her a bear hug. "Thanks for sporting the outfit well, Jenna. You've been a great help." She simply frowned and said, "I didn't do anything. YOU are the one that deserves all the credit. You've been a great friend, for starters. And because of you, I've finally found love. Do you think maybe..." I stopped her and said, "Of course you can keep the outfit, Jenna. I can simply make it over again. Enjoy yourself, hun." I then walked away to recieve my prize at the stage; A trophy with a piece at the top that resembled my cutie mark, and some sponsorships from the top fashion magazines in Manehattan.

I looked over to Emerald, who was knelt down on the floor, crying. I felt sorry for her, and gave everything to my mother, who had attended. I walked up to her, and offered out my hand. I said, "I'm sorry you lost, Em. But maybe we can be friends." She took her face out her hands, looked up at my face, and smiled. She took my hand, and got up. She then said, "I would gladly accept your friendship, Ollie."

10 years later...

"Oh, man! Olive, I'm so glad we're moving to your hometown as roomies! What I really needed was to leave Manehattan." said Emerald Shine. In the past ten years, we've been noticed by many of the Stallions out there. Emerald, of course, dated most of them. But me, I'm just not into Stallions as much.

In fact, now that I think about it, I'm not into Stallions at all.

I'm what some ponies would call a fillyfooler. In other words, I was into mares. I leared of this when I thought a classmate of mine, a gray pegasus mare with eyes in different directions, was very cute. I even asked her out. She frowned and said, "I would, but I can't see what you look like. How would I be able to kiss you if I can't see properly? Sorry, but no." I could actually understand where she was coming from on that. That was when I found out. So as I stared out the window of the train, watching the trees pass by, Emerald moved over and sat in front of me. She looked at my face and said, "Ollie, what's wrong?" I looked at her and said, "I just, don't know what to do, Em. You already know of my complicated relationship, and you understand. The thing is, however, is that my old time friend Applejack from Ponyville might not. I'm afraid of what might happen if I tell her."

She grinned and said, "If she was truly your friend, then you shouldn't worry, Ollie. She'll be able to understand."

"And if she doesn't?"

"Then you kick her gay-hating little ass! If she turns out not to understand, that is." She said. She did have a point. So I then gave her a hug and said "Thank you for the good advice, Em." She simply smiled and said "Don't worry about it, I got your back."

"IF YOU ARE GETTING OFF IN PONYVILLE, THEN NOW IS YOUR CHANCE!!! THE NEXT AND FINAL STOP IS CANTERLOT!!!" I heard the ticket puncher say as I woke up Emerald Shine. She grabbed her things and I grabbed mine, and we got off. I checked the map and it said that our house was conveniently located near Sweet Apple Acres. This gave me the idea to go see how Applejack is doing. But first things first, we have to find the houe. After a few hours of walking, we reached our new home. Our bosses are to thank. They decided that they didn't need us anymore, and gave us our last paycheck. I bought the house while Emerald bought the suitcases to carry the luggage. She always said that one day, we could be roomates in Ponyville.

So anyway, after unpacking and settling in, I decided to take a shower while Emerald went to the stores to buy food. After I took my shower, I put on some panties and picked out my favorite dress; the very same one that helped me win that fashion contest 10 years ago. I magically stretched it out, so it still fits me. I went downstairs and left a note, saying that I was going to Applejack's to see how she's been. I then left the house and followed the map to Sweet Apple Acres. When I got there, I saw a huge Stallion with a wheat reed sticking out of his mouth dragging a plough.

'That must be Applejack's older brother, Big Mac. Wow, almost didn't recognize him.' I thought as I walked towards the house. I decided to stop to see him, and when I poked his shoulder, he turned and his jaw dropped. "Who...who are you?" He said, baffled. I smiled and said, "Ya know, for someone as smart as you, I'm surprised that big noggin of yours doesn't remember me." He squinted his eyes as he tried to remember, then his eyes got as wide as balloons as he said "Olive? Wow, you...wow." "Yeah, I grew up. And I got my cutie mark back in Manehattan." After I said that, I pulled down one side of my skirt to show him the fashion cutie mark on my waist.

"That's...that's great, Olive. Well, I would continue to talk, but I gotta finish up here with the plowing." and he turned around to finish up the job. 'Well, that's odd. Normally, he doesn't talk as much. He never struck me as a social person.' I thought. I then pulled the skirt back up and walked towards the door I knocked, and Granny Smith answered, and adjusted her glasses as she said "Well, jus' look at yer! Yer cute 'nuff to eat! You a friend of AJ's, darlin'?" "Actually, yes. It's me, Olive. I moved here. I came to see how AJ's been all these years." I said through my wide grin.

"Oh, dear you've grown! I remember when you was just a li'l filly, constantly racing Applejack! I'll...I'll go tell 'er yer here! You jus' sit over on that there couch. Make yerself at home!" She said. She went up the stairs, leaving me to wait patiently (which I learned to do when I worked with endless customers involving their ensembles for the Grand Galloping Gala). Finally, I heard the sounds of walking as I saw the same dusty cow girl boots with painted apples on the top. She came down with a red plaid shirt tied at the bottom, revealing her lean build and belly-button and a brown skirt. Her hat was on, so it just added to her already cuteness. That's when I realized something; I fell in love with an old friend of mine.

I though Applejack was hot. There, I said it. She was smoking it up. But I was very good at hiding my emotions, so I acted like I wasn't into mares, and that I didn't think was I just did a few seconds before she swept the hair out of her eye and gave me a bear hug. "OH MY GOODNESS, IF IT ISN'T OLLIE!!! How ya doin', sugar-cube? I was worried you'd never come see how things are goin' here in your old town. We need to catch up on things, Ollie." she said as she let go, leaving me gasping for air. I said, "Yeah, we do AJ. Come on, I wanna meet your new friends Rarity." She wrapped her arm around me, pinched my cheek, and said, "Sure thing, sugar-cube. My friends are your friends."

So as we walked to meet Rarity first, she explained about some good things that happened while I was gone. She has a younger sister now, whose name is Applebloom. "Cute name." I told Applejack as she tried to give me a nuggie. She said, "yeah, but she's a handful, what with her Cutie Mark Crusaders and all. It was annoying at first, but after a while, it's just plain cute." "I can tell. I saw Big Mac before I knocked on the door. He's normally not the talker with his shy self, right. Well, he was happy as ever and willing to talk to me all day when I spoke to him." I said with a confused tone of voice. She looked me up and down and said, "He thinks you're cute." "No way! Since when?" I asked. She laughed and said, "Since the day you left, he developed feelings for ya. Kinda picked on him for it, but hey! You made his day."

"Now I feel bad. I don't even like Stallions, and I've got one who's got the hots for me." I thought aloud. Applejack frowned and said, "Huh? You never mentioned that in yer letters. Well, hope you find a mare who catches your eye." She said, winking. I looked skeptically as she said, "Well, here we are. The Carousel Boutique. Rarity remembers you, practically raves about you being on fashion magazines galore. Hope you're ready to meet your Ponyville fan." and she lead me in, letting go of me as Rarity came down the stairs, yelling "Coming!" Finally, she reached the bottom after a few minutes and said, "Welcome to the Carousel Boutique, home to the finest--OMIGOD, IT'S THE OLIVE PIX!!! IN MY BOUTIQUE!!!"