The Bucks Stop Here

It was a fine morning in Ponyville, and as the autumn months were now here it was time to prepare for the coming winter months. It had been a busy couple of months with the harvest season just about to come to a close. Everypony was busy finishing up in preparations for the cold season. BonBon was making her way to her shop earlier than normal. It had been a busy yet very productive couple of months before nightmare nights and she needed to prepare her stock of candies for the coming winter holiday season. PeppermintTwist had been waiting by the shop not long before BonBon would arrive. She was excited that BonBon would let her practice making sugar cane candys and cinnamon sticks at the shop and wanted to make a good impression by being there early. BonBon herself was more than welcomed to have the help in preparing all the holiday candies.

Not far away you could hear tunes and harmonies playing from the music guild, they were finally getting together to start practicing for the holiday celebration. Members from all around Equestia were still arriving throughout the week as it had been decided that they should orchestrate a grand show for Princess Twilight Sparkle for her first Crowned Hearths Warming. Word of this had already leaked of the idea, so there was rumor that there may be more royal visitors. And for this being brought to Octavias attention, she had become a little anxious. No more than ¾ of the expected members have arrived for practice and even though there was still time for everypony to be ready by Christmas she wanted it to be perfect. No moment should be wasted in perfecting that synchronized rhythm of harmony with everyponys playing. But even though, at this time they were practicing their interments sending a joyful chime throughout the town.

It seemed everypony was doing their part to bring in the holiday.

As the smell of winter breezed through the air the minty pine and oak from the Smokey Mountains would blend with the sweetness of the apple trees not far from its border of Sweet Apple Acres. The pleasant aroma comforted the work of those working in the little town in the cool breeze. Taking in a nice breath, Applejack would gaze upon the orchard as the sun slowly rose over the hill side. She had recently finished off the seasons harvesting and was making her morning walk around the orchard.
AppleJack would circle around the outer edge of the orchard, bordering the woodlands just west of Sweet Apple acres. As she walked she would look to each tree remembering the hard work that had went to the harvest. She was glad for such a successful harvest and could feel a simmer of pride lift through her as she smiled. With a nod of her own humble approval she would pan her sight looking down the line of apple trees. As she peered up the hill, a light color was visible that broke the uniform of her sight. It was a lighter color than that of the bark she would expect from one her beloved apple trees. Looking closer with a leering squint she would take a few steps closer to the apple tree. Her step would become a stride as her eyes would begin to open wide to the sight.

Up and down the side of the apple tree her head tilted, there at the side was a gash in which the bark was stripped from the branches and trunk.
“Now, who, in their right mind…?” She spoke as she looked closer to the damage on the apple tree. This was not a pleasing sight for the young mare and she vowed in her mind to get to the bottom of this. She could handle a few little creatures coming in and making off with a few apples here and there. But, this… she was cross. Knowing the time of year the trees were going into a hibernating state and she knew the tree would have less ability to heal itself for the coming winter. This could very well scar the tree.

Propping herself against the apple tree tying up the last knot, AppleJack would yank firmly making sure it was properly tightened. She had returned to her barn just previously to gather some wrap to cover the tree. There was not much she could do about the branches, so they would be left bare. Big MacIntosh had noticed her fussin in the barn moments before she stomped off back into the orchard, he would eventually find his way to where she had been tending the tree. AppleJack would notice Big Mac and look her eyes to him and the tree.
“Now what do you thinks gone and tore up ‘ole Applegale?” AppleJack asks, still looking up into the branches.

And in his low slow toned voice Big Mac would lightly sway his head and reply, ”I caint say as that I know. I really do not.”

“Well, best bet is to ask Granny Smith. She’s been about these parts for some time. If anyone knew it’d be her,” AppleJack added. Then after throwing her rope over her side she would make her way back to the house to speak with the wise old mare.

“Hey Granny Smith, Granny Smith… Where are ya?” She shouted lightly in a friendly tone. Wynona came from around the corner excited to see AppleJack, she had been out by the pasture pestering the bunnies all morning. She picks her time wisely, as only a small little pooch of her size can only take so much of…THE STARE.
“Where’s Granny, Wynona?” AppleJack played. Wynona would yip and pant as she got her much desired attention, pawing and jumping happily. Then running to the corner of the house with a light bark and yip, signaling AppleJack to come hither, she would point out Ole Granny Smith cocked back on her favorite porch swing.

“Mornin Granny,” AppleJack greeted as she reached the porch.
“I was wonderin if I might have a word with ya? It seems some critter has been strippin the bark off one our apple trees. And, I’m just not too sure what it is.”
Granny Smith simply looked out to the barn yard watching the livestock and little birds that wandered about. It took AppleJack a moment to realize Granny Smith was spaced out or just didn’t know she had shown up.

With another call to Granny Smith, her eyes lit up looking around to AppleJack and everywhere else for a short moment, “Oh Hey there AppleJack.” Granny spoke with her studdery raspy voice.

“Mornin’ Granny Smith.” AppleJack greeted again after Granny Smith finally took to her presence. “Hey Granny, You’ve been workin this here farm sense before my time. And I have never seen somthin like what I seen this marnin.”

“And Wha…What is that dear?” Granny Smith asked with a slow but relaxed rock in her chair.
Replying with a little restraint, from the thought of the stripped bark, AppleJack describes the damage to the tree.

Granny Smith would look around for a moment and throw a raspy chuckle. Now, this was unexpected from Granny Smith and AppleJack didn’t know how to accept that as an answer. AppleJack was silent in thought as Granny Smith raised from her chair and began scooting along in her walker haunched over by her bad hip.
“So what do you think of it, Granny?” AppleJack asked.

“Think about what?” Granny Smith asked as she made her way to the door slowly but surely.

“About that there apple tree?” AppleJack reminded her.

“What about the apple tree?” Granny Smith had already forgotten as she scooted along back inside. This, did in fact, frustrate AppleJack even more. She was not ready to handle this at the moment, but allowed herself to catch her patients and remind her a little farther.
“Oh! The rubs.” Granny mentioned.

“The what now?” AppleJack questioned not really understanding.

“What?” Granny spoke confused. AppleJack face-hooved as she was really beginning to get annoyed.

“Granny, What are rubs? And why does the tree look like it has had a run in with a parasprite?” Finally trying to get a good answer from Granny Smith, but it seemed she was thinking about something else.
“Guess its that time a year again?” Granny thought to herself as she acted as if she did not even hear AppleJack repeat herself.

“Come on back Granny.” AppleJack announced getting her attention yet again. “What’s goin on?” Granny Smith would look with one eye at AppleJack as she made her way inside.

“The Ruts what’s going on?” Granny informed, giving AppleJack a last glance before getting inside and letting the screen door close behind her with a clap. “Just show ‘em whose boss, there AppleJack.”
AppleJack raised a brow as she stared through the screen door. Granny Smith was completely out of her barrel today, that, or she had other things on her mind. AppleJack decided, that was probably all she could get out of Granny. So making her way back out to the orchard she would again look for clues to solve this mystery.