The Card Trick

The walk to Applejack’s apple farm was a lot shorter than Borderline expected. When he first saw the farm, he figured it would take longer to walk the length of that rather than the barn to the train station.

“This is it. Wadda you think?”

“It’s certainly a lot bigger than I thought.”

Applejack showed Borderline the house and the barn. Applebloom ran off with Borderline’s deck of cards when they first arrived, and she has not been seen since. The barn was very clean. Borderline was expecting the smell of dirty animals to fill the air, but that was not the case. All of her farm animals were recently washed. The animals in the barn did not react much to Borderline’s presence. They all continued to eat the grass in their rooms, some did not even glance over in his direction.

“Very well behaved.” Borderline commented.

Applejack continued to the apple trees. She showed Borderline the area he would be getting apples from, and also showed him how to collect them by kicking the trunks of the trees. Since Borderline was an earth pony as well, he did not expect to have too much trouble keeping up with Applejack.

"Let's have a contest. First to clear ten trees?" Applejack suggested

"You're on."

Applejack immediately ran for the first tree, and Borderline did the same. Borderline kicked the tree has hard as he could, then moved onto the next. He wondered if Applejack had planned this, since there were already buckets placed at the base of each tree. Borderline was quick. He could run up to a tree, kick it, then move onto the next one in seconds. When he kicked the tenth tree, he wiped the sweat from his face. Applejack ran up to him."

"Impressed?" Borderline smirked at Applejack.

"Considerin' only a hoof-full of apples fell from each tree, and I had enough time to double back, clear your trees, and meet you here in a coupla seconds. I'm very impressed."

Borderline looked away and scratched the back of his neck.

"Rematch at the end of the week?" He suggested.

"You're on."

“Applejack!” A voice came from far away.

Borderline and Applejack looked around. Applejack’s eyes were to the sky while Borderline continued to scan the area around the trees.

“Y’all may wanna put your head down.”

“Wait, why?”

Before Borderline could get his answer, a large force flew by him. The large force of wind knocked Borderline to the side. It took a second for Borderline to regain his balance. Applejack was not affected by the large force.

“What was that?!” Borderline shouted. When he looked up, he saw a spectrum of colors dividing him and Applejack. Applejack’s head was turned to the left side, so Borderline looked in that direction as well. The trail of colors disappeared into the trees. He could hear a faint sound of something cutting through the wind. Before he could ask any other questions, he heard a loud crash.

Applejack was gone from where she was standing, and a trail of colors took her place. When Borderline looked over, he saw Applejack on the ground, with a blue mare with a rainbow mane standing over her.

“OhmygoshApplejackyouwon’tbelievethis!”

“Rainbow.”

“NolistenIgotustwoseatstothefanciestrestaraunt-

“Rainbow!”

“It’sgoingtobegreat.Imean.IhatedressingupbutIt’llbe-“

“Rainbow!!” Applejack’s voice finally reached over the blue mare’s excited story. Applejack looked over at Borderline, and the blue mare looked over as well.

“Who are you?” The blue mare glared at Borderline. “Who is he?” The blue mare looked back to Applejack.

“If you get off of me, I’ll tell you.”

The blue mare flapped her wings and glided off of Applejack. Applejack got up, took her hat, and then brushed the dirt off it before putting it back on.

“This here is Borderline. He’ll be helpin me out for a few days on the farm.”

The blue mare couldn’t help but laugh.

“Who did you tick off to get that death sentence?” She shouted between breaths.

“He damaged a food cart.” Applejack starred at the blue mare, seeing if she got the hint.

“Anyway, I just came here to tell you to be ready tomorrow. I got us somewhere I think you’ll love.”

“I’d love to, but I have to stay here with Borderline and buck apples for the festival commin up.”

“Aw, pppllleeeaaasseeeee? I’m sure he will be fine by himself for an hour.”

Applejack and Borderline met eyes. He shrugged. She sighed.

“All right, fine. Only if it is an hour. You don’t mind, do ya?” She returned her gaze to Borderline.

“Not at all.” Borderline gave a reassuring smile.

“YEA!” The blue mare spun in the air and flew off.

“I’ll be back at sunset!” She shouted as she flew away.

“Who was that?” Borderline asked.

“That was Rainbow Dash. She’s a close friend of mine.”

Applejack headed back to the house, and Borderline followed her. When Applejack and Borderline reached the house. Applejack turned to face him.

“You’re more than welcome to stay at our place if you wish.”

“It’s quite all right. I’ll stay at an inn in the city.”

“If you’re sure. Be back here at sunrise.”

“Got it.”

Applejack went into her house, and Borderline headed for town square. It was not until halfway there that he remembered the guards confiscated all of his money. He dug around in the pockets of his vest, but they were all empty as well. He looked in his pockets again for his card deck, but remembered that Applebloom ran off with them. “Well, this is fantastic.” Borderline whispered to himself as he arrived in town. He was lucky enough to make it before all of the shops closed for the night. He entered a pink shop. As soon as he entered, he felt sick from the overwhelming smell of sugar and chocolate.

“Oh, hello there. I’m sorry, but we’ve thrown out most of our sweets. All we have left are cupcakes.” An orange earth stallion called out as he dumped a tray into the trash.

“Oh no, please.” Borderline placed a hoof over his nose. “I’m not a fan of sweets anyway.”

“Well, you’re certainly in the wrong place.” A mare’s voice cut in. A blue mare with a pink swirl mane appeared from a door behind the counter.

“Yes, well.” Borderline put his hoof down and maintained a straight posture. “I came here hoping you also sold a card deck”

“Sorry, sweetie. But we only sell pastries.”

“It’s okay. I understand.” Borderline headed back outside.

The moon began to rise, but the lights around the city could fool somepony to think it was day. Lanterns were hung from nearly every building. To compensate for the light, Borderline noticed that every window was either shut, or they all were covered, except one. He laid down in front of the fountain, and closed his eyes. He thought of new card tricks he could perform once Applebloom gave them back. He needed to get some bits, and that was the only way he knew how in these circumstances.