Thunderspite

The next day, Applejack left Thunderspite on his own to work the orchard while she made a delivery out in town. When she returned to the house, she sent Apple Bloom into the field to fetch him. And Apple Bloom did plan on fetching him, eventually, but first she wanted to spy on him a bit to see if she could learn anything from him surreptitiously.

She came way, way around the south field, then slowly stalked her way north, to where she knew he'd be working. She crawled low through the tall grass by the side of the road, then slowly lifted her head just enough to see him. He seemed entirely focused on his work, and she watched him completely fill the cart in about fifteen minutes or so. When the cart could hold no more, he stuck his head through the yoke and started to pull the cart back towards the barn.

She stalked him as he went, crawling through the grass and darting from tree to tree, using the sound of the cart's squeaking wheels to mask her approach. Eventually though, she heard the sound of the cart's squeaking wheels abruptly stop.

She peeked out from behind the tree and looked towards the cart. The cart was still there, but there was no sign of Thunderspite. The yoke he had been harnessed to swung gently in the wind.

"What the...?" Apple Bloom said aloud.

"You're pretty sneaky,” said a bassy voice behind her.

"Gah!" Apple Bloom startled and fell forwards. Behind her, Thunderspite was looking down at her with a wide, mischievous smile.

Apple Bloom stared back up at him in disbelief. "But…how did you...you were all the way over there, and then..."

Thunderspite continued. "You were dragging your hooves through the grass a bit. If you really want to be sneaky, you have to lift your hooves way, way up and then set them straight down. He demonstrated, and Apple Bloom was reminded of the way Rarity's cat Opal stalked her toy mouse across Rarity's workshop floor. "Your hooves go straight up and down through the grass, no sideways motion. Stay low, and squint your eyes so they don't reflect the light."

Thunderspite demonstrated each technique, and Apple Bloom laughed a bit. He looked a bit silly, but she was also amazed at quickly he could move without making any noise. "Now you try." Apple Bloom tried her best to imitate his technique. He lay on the ground next to her, giving her pointers. Together, they moved in bounds up behind the unsuspecting apple cart. Once they were within striking distance, Apple Bloom looked over at Thunderspite, who made a "hold" gesture with his hoof. When he gave the signal, they both jumped out from the grass and attacked the cart with a mighty battle cry. Apple Bloom punched and kicked it's sides, while Thunderspite grabbed the yoke in his teeth and shook his head violently, like a dog. Soon, they were both on the ground, laughing. Apple Bloom especially, since what she had just seen was so out of character from the Thunderspite she knew.

They cut their laughter short when they heard Applejack calling for them from up the road. Silently, they resumed their hiding positions in the tall grass by the side of the path. Apple Bloom had to cover her mouth with both hooves to contain her laughter, but she did manage to remain silent, watching Thunderspite for his signal.

"Apple Bloom! Thunderspite!" she shouted. Then, she muttered to herself. "Dangit, where is that girl? I told her to go get Thunderspite near half an hour ago—"

"RAWR!" Thunderspite and Apple Bloom lept out of the grass simultaneously. Applejack jumped straight up in fright, and found herself clinging upside-down to the overhanging branch of an apple tree, like a sloth. Both Thunderspite and Applebloom rolled on the ground with laughter.

"Dagnabit, you two!" Applejack was cross at first, but after a few moments she two started to chuckle. "You two dang near scared the life outta me. Why'd y'all have to go and...whoa!" she tried to climb down from the branch, but instead slipped and fell on top of the other two. This set off another round of boisterous laughter, as all of them lay in a heap together, trying to catch their breath and wiping tears from their eyes.

Gradually, their laughter subsided enough to move again. "Come on, you two. Our lunch is getting cold," said Applejack. With that, Thunderspite scooped up Apple Bloom, set her down in the cart, and the three of them headed back home. Apple Bloom and Thunderspite were already reminiscing about "how good we got 'er," but Applejack didn't mind. She watched the two of them carrying on, beaming with pride all the while.