The Compote Lode

All Equestria was buzzing with the news of the Compote Lode. A group of prospector ponies had struck a vein of gems so rich, that it was rumored that it could sate even the greediest of Dragons. Ponies from as far as the Crystal Empire were surging southwards, hoping to strike it rich.

Even in Ponyville, news of the strike was making ponies nervous. As the town was on the main rail line, thousands of travelers passed by every day. While most of them stayed only as long as the train, a few would stop in town to buy supplies, and to otherwise rest up before traveling to the frontier.

Because of this, Sugar Cube corner was doing a brisk trade. Pinkie Pie was running from table to table, taking orders and delivering cupcakes. There were also several parties going on, and including one celebrating Fluttershy's birthday. Whenever the crush of "forty niners*" abated, Pinkie would take a break at her friends' table.

"So what did I miss?" Pinkie said, balancing a tray of cupcakes on her head, and another on her back.

"Not much sugar. I was tellin' everypony how Rarity and I have stopped the Cutie Mark Crusaders from headin' off to Appleloosa three times just today," Applejack said.

The bell over the door rang, and three colts with pickax Cutie Marks wandered in. Pinkie bounced off, to greet the new arrivals.

"I don't understand what all this fuss is about," Twilight Sparkle said. "It's not like you can't just dig almost anywhere in Equestria and find gems."

"Darling, you don't understand. Do you have any idea how much dirt you have to dig up in order to get a gem? With the Compote Lode, the gems are just sitting there, all in one place, and all in nice clean rock. All anypony has to do once they  reach the lode is to reach in and scoop them up," Rarity replied.

The bell over the door rang again, and Big Macintosh entered, with the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Spike in tow.

"Did you catch them tryin' to head off ta Appleloosa again?" Applejack asked.

Big Mac nodded. "Eyup."

"We have Spike with this time, so its not like we're headin' off alone!" Apple Bloom argued.

"We can take care of ourselves! We've got it all planned out. Sweetie Belle is going to do the cooking, and I'll haul the gems and supplies, and Apple Bloom and Spike will handle the digging," Scootaloo said.

Applejack shook her head. "No. The frontier isn't anyplace for three little fillies."

"Those colts over there aren't much older than us, and they're headin' off to Appleloosa," Apple Bloom replied.

"Well, all that says is that their family doesn't care about them as much as I care about you," Applejack said. "No sister of mine is going to Appleloosa alone, and I'm sure that Big Mac agrees."

"Eyup," Big Macintosh said.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders left Sugar Cube Corner in a dejected huddle. Spike followed behind a few minutes later. Things had died down a bit, allowing Pinkie Pie to return to the table. She brought a cupcake for Big Mac, which the stallion accepted gratefully.

Eventually, the conversation drifted from the new gem discovery, to Rarity's upcoming spa visit. Once it became clear that the conversation was going to stay there, Big Mac thanked Pinkie for the cupcake and took his leave.

On his way out of Sugar Cube corner, he was stopped by a brown Pegasus stallion with a yellow mane and a silver tongue Cutie Mark. "Say friend, you headin' to the gem fields?"

While Big Mac had considered heading south to seek his fortune, he'd decided against it. There were too many things that needed to be done down on Sweet Apple Acres, and besides it's not like he knew anything about gem mining.

"Nope," Big Macintosh replied.

"Too bad friend. I'm just comin' from there myself. I spent two months down there, and I may never have to work again," the Pegasus said. "Say friend. You look like the good sort of pony. How about I sell you a few shares of the Princess Luna?"

"Princess Luna doesn't like to share, silly!" Pinkie said as she bounced by with a fresh tray of cupcakes.

The Pegasus reached into his saddle bags. "No, I'm talking about the Princess Luna. The most famous gem mine in all of the Compote Lode. Its guaranteed riches, friend. Have a look at this."

The Pegasus set a cluster of glimmering red gems on the table, along with a few pieces of fancy looking paper. Big Macintosh couldn't help but admire the gems, and the glimmer had even attracted Rarity.

"Wherever did you get such fabulous gems?" Rarity asked.

The Pegasus pushed the gems over. "Friends, these come straight from the most famous mine in all of Appleloosa. These are just a mere sampling of the bounty contained within."

"I will give you twenty bits for those wonderful specimens," Rarity said.

"Sorry my good mare, but these aren't for sale. I promised my Special Somepony that I'd bring her the biggest gem in all of Equestria, and I reckon that this beauty is the largest gem I've ever seen," the Stallion replied.

Rarity turned and left. "Well, if those are for your Special Somepony, I wouldn't want to interfere."

The stallion galloped after her. "Say, why don't you buy a share of the Princess Luna?"

"No thank you, I'm not interested. I only buy gems," Rarity shook her head.

"As part owner of the Princess Luna, you'd be entitled to part of its haul," the Stallion said.

"If I wanted to buy gems, I'd buy gems. I don't want to buy some filthy mine in order to get my hooves on gems," Rarity shot back.

"What about you friend? Would you like to buy a share of the Princess Luna?" the Stallion asked Big Mac.

Big Macintosh looked at the gems, and then the papers. It looked legitimate enough, and the Pegasus seemed like a decent enough Pony. They always needed money at Sweet Apple Acres, and besides if he just owned part of the mine it's not like he'd have to move to Appleloosa.

The Pegasus put a hoof on Big Macintosh shoulder. "So friend what'll it be? You in?"

"Eyup!" Big Macintosh said.