Gold

“Hey, Rainbow Dash!!!”

“Huh, what?” said the awakened mare. “Pinkie, what are you doing here this early in the morning? And I thought you were staying with Maud?”

“I am” beamed Pinkie. “She’s at Sugarcube Corner, and you promised to help Applejack at her barn right now. Apples don’t just pick by themselves, you know?”

“Well, give me five more minutes” yawned Rainbow. “It’s too early to pick some apples.”

She was about to resume her slumber when she was grabbed by a roped and pulled down from her cloud.

“Hey, watch the wing!”

“There’s no more five minutes Rainbow!” said Applejack, “Now that the leaves started to turn brown.”

“Well, you don’t have to hit my head to the ground, Applejack!”

Applejack just turned her back towards Rainbow Dash and started to gallop towards Sweet Apple Acres. Rainbow Dash followed but Pinkie stayed behind.

“Aren’t you coming with us?” asked Rainbow.

“Of course I will!” said Pinkie “I just need to get some help, duh.”

“Fine, but hurry up.”

It was noon by the time they reached Sweet Apple Acres. Pinkie Pie brought Maud with her. Rainbow Dash went with Applejack on the left side of the farm, and Pinkie Pie and Maud worked on the right side.

As hours go by, Rainbow Dash doesn’t seem to help. She did catch a few apples though, but all she did was to stare at Applejack’s eyes, hair, and tail. Sometimes, she’d bump into a tree and wake up from her daydreaming. Then again, she’ll daydream again. Applejack already has about seven baskets full of apples, while Rainbow Dash doesn’t even have a single basket full.

“Applejack~” said Rainbow in a somewhat “turned on” tone.

“You sure do like Applejack!”

“What, huh!?” said Rainbow, finally waking up. “Pinkie, what are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be on the right side of the farm?”

“Well, I should be” chuckled Pinkie. “But I can’t help notice you staring at Applejack for like four hours. Look, you only have a half-full basket of apples. And I can’t help also notice that you’re drooling with your tongue out and always losing your track. I mean, snap out of it, and don’t tell me you’re in love with Applejack, are you?”

“Well, I uh…” blushed Rainbow “It’s just, you know…”

“Hmmm…” said Pinkie with her hoof on her chin, “Hot tummy, sweaty forehead, red cheeks, that feeling of turned on in your eyes; Aha! I knew it!”

“Okay, okay!” shushed Rainbow, “I admit. I’m in love with Applejack.”

“Aww…isn’t that cute Maud?”

Maud didn’t respond.

“I know. They’ll make a perfect couple!” grinned Pinkie.

“I mean” said Rainbow with a sprightly voice, “Who can stand those pure emerald eyes, that soft, orange fur, that honest and hardworking personality of hers, that…owww! Why’d you smacked me for?”

“Just making sure you’re awake!”

“Yeah, right!”

Rainbow Dash went back to work, as well as Pinkie and Maud until sunset came.

“Whew!” said Applejack “Well thanks everpony for lending a hoof: Pinkie, Rainbow, and Maud. How ‘bout some cider?”

“Sure!” said Pinkie and Rainbow.

“How ‘bout you, Maud?”

“Nah, I’m good.”

“Alright, why don’t y’all come inside for some cider?”