Golden Wonder

by Kiyunaii

Rating: everyone
Tags: Applejack, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Comedy, Cutie Mark Crusaders, Adventure, Big Macintosh, Granny Smith
Length: 3634

The Apple Family's lifelong friends are moving back to Ponyville. But they're keeping a secret...

Set in the town of Ponyville, this short story is an episode-like tale.
Applejack is overjoyed to hear that her filly-hood friend Golden Wonder is moving back to ponyville after several years apart. Big Mac is ecstatic to see Large Fries again (XD) Maris Piper and Granny Smith are together just like old times, and Rocket's even joining the Cutie Mark Crusaders!
But whenever anypony asks why the Potato farmers moved back to Ponyville, they seem intent on avoiding the question. Applejack's fine with that; after all, she's finally reunited with her best friend.
But things don't go to plan. In Applejack's eye, her old friend becomes an enemy. Not only has Golden Wonder stolen her customers, but she can barely believe that her friends have left her too. Why on Equestria would ever they do that? It must have something to do with that weird secret - and Applejack's determined to discover it.
Alone, confused and angry, can Applejack sort things out and report to Princess Celestia having learned a valuable lesson about friendship?

Published 2012-04-04 20:34:02 UTC
Last updated 2012-07-03 07:54:08 UTC

Welcome Home!

"C'mon Spike, we just need some apples to finish off the brew." Twilight tells her baby dragon friend as they leave their library house behind. It is a fair trot to Sweet Apple Acres and on the way they bump into Rarity, Ponyville's fashionista.
"Hello Twilight. Where are you headed?" she asks happily.
"To see Applejack." Twilight answers vaguely.
"Twilight's doing an experiment Zecora told her about!" Spike explains, then Twilight shoots him a look for telling all the passerby about what should say between the two of them.
"May I join you in your trip? Applebloom needs a new bow." Rarity does not hesitate before trotting bouncily alongside them, her saddlebags filled with luxury materials.

They reach the sumptuous scent that hangs around Sweet Apple Acres and head to the Cutie Mark Crusader's clubhouse. One by one, curious filly heads pop around the door to see who's there.
"Sis!" cries Sweetie Belle, cantering over to Rarity.
"Thank Celestia," Scootaloo mutters, leading Rarity to the clubhouse. "Apple Bloom's bow is more her best friend than me. She's been all mopey-wopey!"
"Sweetie Belle, would you happen to know where Applejack is?" Twilight asks the filly.
"She's in the barn with Pinkie Pie." Sweetie answers before skipping up to join her friends.

Sure enough, Pinkie and Applejack are inside the barn. "Howdy Twi, whatcha think?" Applejack says proudly.
The entire barn seems brighter. The hay on the floor is evenly spread, dotted with golden glitter. Tables of food line the sides, colourful balloons attatched, streamers hang from every crack and crevice in the barn. Spike stares up, and says, "Great job you guys, the barn looks fantastic!"
Twilight turns to her pals. "Spike's right, but... Why are you throwing a party?"
Applejack grins her brilliant grin. "Mah best friend's comin' back home."

Pinkie, Twilight and Applejack stroll across Ponyville, Spike carrying a wicker basket full of orange envelopes. Ocassionally Applejack takes one in her mouth and tosses it to somepony's doorstep.
"Her name's Golden Wonder, we were friends since Apple Bloom was jus' a diddy baby." the orange mare explains, before tossing an envelope at Lyra's house.
"There was Rocket, who was a teeny baby, and Large Fries, who's the same age as Big Macintosh. Not forgettin' old Maris Piper, who was as close to Granny Smith as I was to Golden." she carefully places an invitation at Berry Punch's door. "They were good at their job. Potato farmin' run in the family. They were so good, in fact, that they could afford to move to Canterlot..." she sighs sadly, then, after placing another invite, adds happily, "guess they liked Canterlot no more than me!"

As the sun rises the next day, ponies from across Ponyville are waking. After some final touches (Like Berry's punch) everypony settles down in the barn, hiding and waiting for their guests.
There's a soft trotting, getting louder. "AJ?" calls an oh so familliar voice. Applejack resists the powerful desire to leap up and throw her forelegs around her best friend that was taken from her.
Another voice speaks up, an old mare's. "Try the barn, Fries."
They purposely left the large doors open a crack, and as Fries pushes it open with his strong neck, it is as if somepony set off an erruption of cheering. "SURPRISE!"
Applejack gallops from the group of ponies and heads straight for the honey-coloured mare in her signature hat. "Applejack!" she cries, leaping forward to greet her. They hug with such force they nearly fall over, laughing and crying and talking all at once.
Big Mac trots over to his colthood friend, who greets him calmly.
"Big Mac."
"Large Fries."
They stare into eachother's eyes for a moment, before Fries bursts out laughing. "Who are we kidding? I missed you so much!"
"I missed you too." Big Mac says, feeling after all this time shying away from everypony, he can completely be himself around the cream coloured stallion he shared so many memories with. They hug and begin talking about all sorts of things.
Rocket, the little red colt, canters up to Apple Bloom (who is wearing a beautiful orange bow adorned with many gems) and smiles at her.
"Hey, Apple Bloom!"
"Howdy, Rocket, it's nice to finally meet the baby Granny Smith said I loved so much." she replies.
"I don't remember much either, except that one time when you painted a picture of me... You have quite the talent there." Rocket says, his cheeks turning a slightly deeper red. Apple Bloom grins, "maybe I could try that to get mah Cutie Mark-" She claps a hoof over her mouth, realising she'd made a fool of herself but outright saying she had no cutie mark. Rocket responds to this my turning to the side so she can see his flank. Blank as a piece of paper. Apple Bloom stares, then says, "You too? I though the three of us where the only ones without them..."
"'Us Three'?" echoes Rocket.
"Oh, I mean me mah mates, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. We started a club, to try everything we can to get our cutie marks!" Apple Bloom explains excitedly. An idea dawns on her face. "You wanna meet them? Maybe you can join the crusaders!"
Rocket and Apple Bloom race off into the crowd to find the two fillies.

As the ponies file out, Applejack is too distracted to tell them all goodbye, because she's chatting away to Golden Wonder like there's no tomorrow. Even Twilight, Pinkie and Applejack's other 3 best friends have to see themselves out. Eventually only the Apple Family and Potato Family are left. The night is approaching but their conversations are still coming thick and fast. When Applejack asks the question that had been tugging on her mind all night. Of course she was very glad to have her friends back, but "Why made the Potato family move back home?" she wonders.
A sudden hush fills the room as Fries and Maris Piper all stop talking and turn to see what Golden Wonder is going to say.
"Uhh, well..." she stutters.
CRASH!
Rocket and Scootaloo's helmet-topped heads appear in the left wall of the barn, sending planks of wood splattering into the room. Scootaloo spits out some splinters then turns to Rocket, who is grinning. "Let's do it again!"
Scootaloo looks down to see Applejack. "I like this kid, he knows the meaning of fun!" she tells the room, before the two young ponies yank their heads free and land safely on the ground outside. As the sound of Scootaloo's scooter wheels rolls away, Golden Wonder calls after her brother, "You be careful, Rocket!"

Jealousy

Carrot Top wanders happily through the Ponyville market, listening to snippets of other ponies’ conversations, when she hears something that makes her pause.
“Didja hear? The Potato family are selling already!” Lyra tells Bonbon.
“Oh yes, I myself have already bought a cartful!” Bonbon replies.
Carrot Top trots over to them curiously. “Hey, girls, I couldn’t help but hear about these new ponies...”
Within a few minutes, the three friends are at the stand outside of Golden Wonder’s new farm. “Hey there, could I interest you lovely young ladies in some fine potatoes?”
The young stallion stood behind the counter is Fries, smiling his cheeky grin and sporting his signature vest. Carrot Top stares as she takes this all in.
“Urr, Carrot?” whispers Bonbon.
Shaking her head to snap herself out of it, she says, “Oh yes, I’d love some.”

By noon, her stew is just simmering on the stove and tastes absolutely delicious. Carrot Top takes a ladle and spoons the mixture into many bowls. She has been waiting so long to make this stew, but only now that the Potato family are in town, can she finally sell her food.
She sets up a humble stall near the markets and arranged the bowls neatly, hoping the enticing smell will bring ponies in like magnets. Sure enough, soon ponies are lining up all down the street to get a bowl. Many of them have asked where she has found the potatoes, because they are so delicious. Carrot Top happily directs her customers up the hill to the Potato family’s farm.

Applejack watches as the ponies queue up at the farm opposite them.
“Slow day, huh, big bro?” she sighs, glancing over at the stand where old Granny Smith waits for customers.
“Eyup...” Big Mac says, half-heartedly bucking an already-bucked tree.
“Oh well, at least it’s goin’ good fer Golden.” Applejack chirps.
The sun is hanging low in the sky and the Apple family have made less sales today than they usually do in ten minutes. As Applejack slides into bed, she stares at the ceiling, allowing herself to congratulate her old friend on becoming so popular so quickly, even if the customers didn’t buy many apples today.

Sweetie Belle and Rarity leave the boutique and head to the new farm.
“Honestly, Sweetie Belle, did you have to drag me out so early?” Rarity sighs.
“Yes, sis! It’s gonna be a long day of crusading, and we don’t want Rocket to miss out!” squeaks her sister.
After a bit more complaining on rarity’s part, the two unicorns arrive at the stall just after sunrise. Even so, Fries is stood at his stand, grinning and ready to sell.
“Hey there, lovely ladies, would you care to try--”
“No thanks!” replied Sweetie Belle, cutting him off. “Can Rocket come out?”
Large Fries looks a little confused that he’s been interrupted, then gets himself back together and gestures for Sweetie Belle and Rarity to come inside while Rocket gets ready. The filly sighs at her sister, whole could practically be floating, with love hearts in her eyes, as she follows the stallion.
“Rocket!” he calls, once they’re inside. Rarity managed to tear her eyes from him to examine the interior of their home. She is pleasantly surprised – she thought these farmers would be as uncouth as Applejack – but once you get over the fact that it’s slightly cramped, the walls and furniture co-ordinate, the colours are not painful to the eye, and they’ve managed to keep their messy old farming gear to the outside, which is more than can be said for the Apple family. While Rarity is thinking this, a small colt comes cantering down the stairs, wearing a cute little cap backwards on his head. He grins at Sweetie Belle, who turns to her sister, “We’ll be off now, sorry to keep you from your massive load of work to do.” And together they gallop off to find Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. Rarity looks up at Fries, and says, “I have no idea what she’s on about, I’ve got nothing to do at all today, maybe I could - urm, what is it they say? - “hang out” with you today.”

Assured that her brother can handle things down at the farm, Golden Wonder heads out to get to know Ponyville. As she passes a large tree, a purple unicorn trots out to greet her.
“Hello Golden Wonder! I’m Twilight Sparkle, Applejack’s friend.” she greets.
“Oh, hi Twilight. I saw you at the party the other day. I was just getting to know my way around Ponyville.” replies Golden, her pink mane fluttering in the breeze.
“Oh, could I give you a tour? I love sharing my knowledge with other ponies!” smiles Twilight.
“I’d love that.” says Golden, as Twilight begins trotting beside her. They stroll in a clockwise direction, and by the time they’ve reached SugarCube Corner, they decide to stop for a break and some cake.
“So, do you like reading?” asks Golden Wonder, nibbling on her cupcake.
“I love reading. I live in a library!” grins Twilight.
“I have a library of books stuffed into my bedroom, maybe we could have a reading day each week?”
“That’s a great idea! How’s Tuesday sound?” asks Twilight, beaming at discovering a fellow nerd.
“Perfect.” Golden replies and they soon get onto a long discussion about different books they’ve read.

Maris Piper is selling her potato salad, and their sales shoot through the roof, if they could go any higher, anyway. Applejack is sat on top of her sister’s clubhouse, staring out at the stretching line of potato-loving ponies. She turns to the tree that holds her up. “Surely they can’t jus’ forget about us, just cos they can buy potatoes now...”
“Uhh, AJ?” calls a voice.
She looks down to see Apple Bloom gazing up at her, covered in red slime. “Why’re ya ontop of the clubhouse?”
Applejack doesn’t answer, but sighs. Her sister wipes off the sludge and climbs up the steps to the tree house, and pulls herself through the secret hole in the roof that the Cutie Mark Crusaders use to prop themselves up on the top so they could see across Ponyville.
“Sis, what’s up?” says Apple Bloom quietly, putting a hoof on her sister’s shoulder.
“Apple Bloom, I don’t wanna come across as jealous or nothin’, but I think Ponyville prefers potatoes to apples...” Applejack sighs.
“It’s okay, sis. Before ya know it, everypony will realise what they’re missin’ - we just gotta work extra hard to make our stuff perfect!”

Applejack's Anger

"Hurry up Apple Bloom!" cries Applejack, her forehead wet with sweat as she bucks another tree. Her little sister comes galloping across the orchard, carrying a trailer, which is strapped to her middle.
"Calm down, sis, what's the hurry?" replies Apple Bloom as Applejack places some buckets filled with apples into the trailer.
"The hurry is.. Well, Potatoes!" she huffs, putting in some more. And some more. And some more.
"Stop AJ! I can't pull that many buckets!" Apple Bloom cries, feeling the cart pull her back. They're on top of a hill and it's a huge effort to keep the trailer from rolling back down with her attached.
"Go on then, and Big Mac, hurry up, we got more filled buckets to go into the barn!" barked Applejack, waving her hooves about. Apple Bloom trotted off to unload her buckets at the barn, where Granny Smith was frantically sorting through them.
Big Mac, calm as ever, wanders over to Applejack, a larger trailer strapped onto him so she could pack it full of buckets.
"Applejack, your little sister's got a point." he says, as she gallops about.
"Whatddya mean, bro?" she replies, confused.
"You're overworking, both us and yourself - you should see Granny Smith."
Curious, Applejack trots up to the barn with her honest brother, and pushes open the doors to reveal the odd sight inside.
There are three piles of apples; bad, good, and what Applejack assumes to be in sorted. It seemed perfectly normal - many empty buckets in a pile in the corner - when suddenly, out of the unsorted mound, pops a rather bedraggled Granny Smith. "Ooh my... This here's a lotta apples."
Big Mac gives his sister a look.
"Uhh, well, but- but we can't stop now! There's way more apples to buck! And then we need to make cider, and pie, and salad, and-" Applejack is interrupted by her little sister. "No, AJ! You're getting way too competitive! Poor Granny Smith!"
"She's right you know," Big Mac confirms.
After a moment's thought, the orange mare has an idea. "I've got a way that we can all relax a bit more, but still manage to do all the apple sorting and pie making!"
"What?" asks Apple Bloom pessimistically.

All the way across Ponyville lives a kind and caring young mare, who is quietly humming to her songbirds a new tune. By her side sits her pet bunny who is enjoying the beautiful music.
"La, la laaaa." Fluttershy sings.
"La, la laaa." tweet the colourful animal singers.
"Um, excuse me, but I think you need to make the first note higher... From the start?" Fluttershy asks quietly.
"La, la-"
BANG BANG BANG!
"FLUTTERSHY, OPEN UP!" yells Applejack, smacking her hooves against the door with such force its starts to wobble. The bunny conductor looks at his owner, who had such a fright she flew across the room and crashed into the wall behind her sofa. He sighs and pulls the door open for her. The mare outside bolts inside, eyes darting around madly.
"Applejack? You scared away my birds..." whispers a shaking Fluttershy, crawling from behind the couch.
"Sorry Fluttershy, are ya doin' much?" asks Applejack.
"Oh, well I was actually just teaching the songbirds a new tune..."
"Great, cos I need your help!"
"Huh? I said I was-"
Before Fluttershy could object, she was grabbed by the foreleg and led out of the house.

"Where are we going?" asks Fluttershy, as she was marched through Ponyville by her friend.
"Twi's house." Applejack responds brusquely.
They reach Twilight's library, but there's no reply when they knock.
"Ahh, we can manage without her - she's probably just out finding ingredients for another experiment." shrugs the orange mare.
But they're not heading back to Fluttershy's house, so she asks again, "Where are we going now?"
"Sugar Cube Corner! I'm sure Pinkie will love to help." says Applejack, careering around the corner toward the sweetest sweet shop in Ponyville.
Applejack bursts through into the cafe, searching for her magenta pal. "Howdy Mrs Cake, where's Pinkie Pie?"
"Oh, I think she's upstairs, why-"
"Thanks!" she cries, zooming up the stairs.
Pinkie is inside the twins' bedroom, looking lovingly into their cot and talking happily. "PINKIE, WE NEED YOU!" yells the pony.
"Oh, AJ, you woke them up!"
Pinkie's statement is confirmed with a cacophony of wailing. Applejack dives in to rescue Pinkie, then grabs her hoof and flies her out. They gallop down the stairs and out of the sweet shop, heading in the direction of the boutique. Rarity isn't there, so the last pony Applejack can think of is a certain Pegasus who's speed would be very useful.
"RAINBOW DAAASH!" hollers Applejack at the clouds.
A rainbow mane is dangling over the edge of the cloud, but there's no reply.
"DASH, I KNOW YOU'RE UP THERE!" she calls. The cloud shifts, almost uncomfortably, but there's still no reply.
"Rai-"
"Do you MIND, AJ? Some ponies are trying to nap!" Dash's voice yells back.
"We need your-"
"How many times? NO, Applejack! I was up all last night practising my new trick, and I need to be all rested because I'm meeting up with Golden today to do some racing! Have you seen that girl running? I'm pretty sure she can keep up with me!"
It feels like a thorn being shoved in Applejack's side, hearing that Rainbow Dash is choosing her own best friend over her! Determined to show that she isn't a pushover, Applejack decides to storm up the hill to tell Golden to back off. Rainbow Dash is HER friend, and she won't be meeting up with Golden today.

"Are you sure this is a good idea, Applejack?" asks Fluttershy, unsure.
"I don't know, why would I know? Let's make this quick - we need to get right to work on the farm." Applejack says, knocking on the door of the Potato family's home.
After a moment the door opens, and stood in the doorway is Maris Piper.
"Why hello Applejack, what brings you to our humble house?"
"Is Golden Wonder in?" asks Applejack, poking her head in.
"Ah, yes, she's just upstairs, come on in."
In her head, Applejack is writing her speech that she's going to say to her best friend, when something stops her in her tracks. Stood in the lounge is Large Fries, and beside him is Rarity. Why on Earth is she here? She's needed on the farm! Huffing, Applejack decides to deal with her in a minute. First she wants to find Golden Wonder to sort out the whole Dash situation.
She knows exactly where her bedroom is, and pushes the door open without a word. As she sees what's inside, she lets out a horrified gasp.
Sat beside piles of dusty books is her old best friend, and next to her is Twilight Sparkle. They're grinning and chatting and having endless fun. Anger is bubbling inside her and all she wants to do is scream, but she just slams the door and gallops down the stairs.
Before she can leave, Golden Wonder has followed her down and held her still. "Applejack, calm down! What's up with you?"
"What's up with me?! What's UP WITH ME? I'll tell ya what's up! You've strutted into MY town, you've stolen MY customers, but you DO NOT steal my friends!" yelled Applejack, before shaking her Golden's hooves off and stomping out the door, followed closely by Pinkie and Fluttershy.

"Did you see Fries? Rarity's right, he IS pretty cool!" Pinkie chirps.
"Uhuh!" smiles Fluttershy, blushing a little.
"Right, well, Fluttershy, go to the barn, Granny Smith will tell yer what to do. And Pinkie, you can help make the jam. It's really simple, I'm sure Apple Bloom can teach ya the basics."
"But what are you gonna do, AJ?" asks Pinkie.
"I, well, the house needs cleaning..." Applejack's lie is very obvious, but after sharing a meaningful look, Pinkie and Fluttershy decide not to object.
They get straight to work in the orchard, while Applejack dashes up the stairs. She flings herself onto the bed, sniffling into her pillow. Her tears are uncomfortably damp and she can't stop sobbing. "Stupid Golden! Stupid Potato-Heads!"
Pinkie and Fluttershy stand in the doorway, unnoticed by the crying pony. They look at each other, a worried gaze.
Pinkie gestured for them to leave, and once they make it out of the house, Fluttershy says, "We've got to help her!"
"And I've got a plan." Pinkie smiles.