Every Cloud has a Red Lining

Applebucking Season

/After the kiss - Crimson/

         Crimson felt like the luckiest stallion alive. He just asked the mare he loves out on a date and the best part was that he was staying the night at her house. There was only one problem, and that was he had to sleep in a separate room. Myst had her room while Crimson had to stay in the guest room her parents stayed when they came to visit. Well at least it was better than the couch. When they've been together a while and he had a job he would ask her if he could move in. But until then he would have to wait. So tomorrow he would look for a job, but for now he would relish what had happened today as he slowly slipped away from reality.

/After the kiss - Myst/

           She was still surprised. She never thought that such a careful pony like Crimson would ever take a risk like that. He planned their whole day hoping that it wouldn't go bad. But it still did, he didn't tell her how he felt during the times he could have done so, like at the hill or when he walked her home. Instead he realized what he would've lost if he didn't tell her and ran back to show her how much she meant to him. Like everypony says, actions speak louder than words. Even when she kissed him, her action didn't speak as loud as his did. She tried to fall asleep, but she couldn't and how could she. Her day was full of amazing events, getting the gala tickets and Red kissing her. So, she got out of bed and went to see if Red had the same problem.

           "Red, you awake? She asked his silhouette in the moonlight. When he didn't respond she just laid next to him and felt comfort from his heart beat. Then she went to sleep next to the stallion who loves her.

/Morning/

           He woke as the sun was rising smelled mint and felt a weight on his chest as he was waking up. When he opened his eyes he saw Myst lying on his chest, smiling.

           'What did I do last night, all I remember is going to bed' he panicked and thought to hell with it then fell back asleep with Myst still sleeping on his chest.

           Several hours later he woke up again without Myst on his lying on him. So he got out of bed and went downstairs to see if she was still home. She wasn't but a note was on the table that said:

           'Dear Red,

                    Thanks for staying the night, even though I made you sleep in another room, and then slept next to you. Anyways I'm at my job so we'll talk about our date when we get back. I'll see you later. Please lock the door with the spare key under the rock to the left of the door.

                                                                  Love, Myst.'

           When he finished reading he smiled and left, after locking the door.

///

           He decided to go to the library to tell Twilight what happened last night, but when he arrived there he wasn't ways immediately bombarded by Twilight's questions.

           "Where have you been?!" She asked angrily before Crimson could explain why he wasn't back last night, "We were worried about you, right Spike." She said looking at the dragon.

           "Yeah, where were you?" Spike asked also curious about the pegasus's whereabouts.

           A little nervous about telling them where he was he too a deep breath, smiled and said, "I just asked Myst out on a date, and I was staying at Myst's house because it started raining."

           Twilight just looked at Spike and said, "It wasn't supposed to rain last night, the schedule calls for rain later in the month but not last night. Somepony was probably trying to ruin your happy moment with Myst."

           "But by the look on your face I'd say you'd thank whoever it was for it." Spike finished, looking at the Happy pegasus.

           "She made me sleep in another room, only for her to come in and sleep next to me." he said chuckling. "She did have such a lovely smell though, a sort of minty smell,like peppermints. Anyways I need to find a job so I don't have to be mooching off of anypony like I have been."

           "You aren't mooching off anypony Crimson, our  friend and you aren't a burden of any kind." Twilight said

with kindness and sincerity.

           "Thanks Twi, but this is something that I need to do it'll be better than sitting here all day doing nothing," Crimson said glad she said that. "I feel like I'm not doing anything lately except walk around with Myst, so if I want to take her out I need to get a job."

           "Why don't you go ask Applejack about a job," Twilight said. "She has that large orchard and with Big Mac's injuries she may need help."

           "Awesome, about the job opportunity, I feel sorry about Big Mac. See ya Twi." And with that he was off to Sweet Apple Acres.

///

           When Crimson arrived at the orchard where Applejack was doing her job bucking apples. He could hear her but she was no where in sight. When he did find her 15 minutes passed and she just filled her wagon full of apples.

         "Hey Aj how's it goin'," he asked as he walked up to the orange mare. "I need a job and Twi said you may need help harvesting the apples. I don't want to be paid I just want to help in anyway and lose weight."

         "Thanks for the offer but I have to refuse I can do this by myself." She said sternly

         "Are you sure it seems like it'll take days for-"

         "I said I got this and I don't need help." She quickly interrupted. Then she went back to her work and Crimson left without arguing any further.

         About an hour or so later Crimson had thought about working with Pinkie and Rarity. Then he came to the conclusion that he couldn't cook and had no sense of fashion. So he went out of town and found the local blacksmith, who was looking for a new apprentice, and his shop 'The Iron Hoof' the only thing he found interesting was smithing. So he entered the shop and was greeted by Myst.

         "Welcome to the Iron Hoof how may I-," she stopped before realising it was him, "Oh, hi Red I didn't expect to see you here how may I help you."

         "I came here for the apprenticeship and a possible job." He said.

         "Well the boss has to look at you first and he'll say if you're fit for the part," she said before yelling, "HEY BOSS WE HAVE AN APPLICANT!"

         As she finished an middle-aged gray bodied, black maned earth pony with a hammer cutie mark came from the back door. He looked at Myst then to Crimson and said, "So this is the new applicant to replace the reject of an apprentice I hired."

         "Yep, I'm ready to start the job." Crimson said eagerly

         "Well that all depends on if you get the part," he paused as he examined Crimson when he was done he whispered into Myst's ear who in turn whispered in his ear.

         Nervous about not getting the job Crimson said, "W-Well did I get the apprenticeship?"

         Keeping the same stern expression on his face he said, "Kid, you'd better be a good apprentice and if you do a good job I'll put up your work and you'll get half the price its bought for."

         "Sir it'll be an honor to work under you," Crimson said excitedly, "So what'll I call you?"

         "My names Steel Hammer, but as my apprentice you'll address me as Boss." He said with the same stern voice. "I've heard a lot of good stuff about you from Myst, so don't disappoint me."

         "Great, so when do I start Boss?" Crimson asked simply.

         "Now follow me to the workshop, and we'll get you started," Boss said as he and Crimson walked toward the back, outside of the shop of the shop. Then Crimson stood amazed as he saw an ore smelter, a blacksmith's forge, a grindstone, and an anvil in the center.

         "This is amazing, I've only seen this in the books at the library," Crimson said looking at the giant room. "So, where do I start?"

         "You'll start by going to the mine and get yourself some ores to make for your first blade or tool," Steel said pointing to the mine that tunneled in the mountains. "The types of ores you use is up to you. That mine has lots of 'em iron, orichalcum, and plenty more. If you can make a good sword I'll make my apprentice.

        "Great, is it okay that I ask for help on finding other materials?" Crimson asked.

        "Fine by me, you can't get everything from this mine." Steel said.

        "I'll be back in a minute Boss I need to go to the library and talk to Twilight about good ore mines." Has said as he left the forge, "See ya later Myst, gotta go talk to Twi."

        "Okay, see ya later Red I'm glad to have you working here. It'll be great." Myst said as Crimson opened the door and waved goodbye.

///

        As Crimson was walking to the library he saw Twilight standing at a medical tent with nurse Red Heart in front of it. He was close enough to hear the conversation between them.

        "What happened? Is everyone alright?" Twilight asked the nurse.

        "Yes, it was just a mishap with the baked goods." Red Heart replied back to Twilight

        Then there was a reply from pinkie, who was in one of the beds, "No, not baked goods, baked bads!"

        "What happened here? And why am I feeling up this isn't the first incident of the day?" Crimson said as he walked up to the urgent care tent.

        "Well Rainbow Dash dropped in," Twilight said worried about what happened to everypony. "Literally, after Applejack launched her from the launchpad she made. I went to her saying she needs help, but she said she doesn't need any help. I guess that's why you were weren't there."

        "Well, I thought I wouldn't get a job, but I actually got an apprenticeship at the Iron Hoof." He said gleefully, "All I need to do now is to make a sword."

        "That's great Crimson, so what materials are you going to use?" Twi asked curiously.

        "I was actually going to ask you for a book about rare ores." Crimson answered.

        "Just go to library and look in the 'O' section I'm sure you'll find one or two." Twilight explained.

        Then as Crimson was about to leave Spike came up and asked, "You want one of these muffins? They're great!" He held up a muffin that looked good on the outside, but the inside looked green and something moved inside of it.

        Wondering how he could stomach the 'baked bads' was a wonder to him, so he lied, "No thanks I just ate awhile ago. Anyway I'm going to the library to look up ores."  Then Crimson left, waving to the unicorn and dragon.

        On the way however he ran into Rarity. She seemed to be carrying a package for somepony or new materials for a dress or suit.

        "Hey Rarity what's up, and what's in the box?" Crimson asked curious about the parcel.

        "Oh hello Crimson. I was actually heading to the library to give you this as a congrats on getting the mare." She said giggling at him.

        Blushing he said, "Well, I guess Twilight told you about what happened last night?"

        "Actually Rainbow Dash told me."

        Wondering how Dash knew he asked, "How did Rainbow know about that? The only ponies I told are Twilight and Spike."

        "Oh, she was the pony who caused the rain at Myst's house. She didn't tell you?" She asked him.

        "No, all I heard was that she crashed at Twilight's after she was launched by Applejack." He replied getting a concerned look from the white mare.

        "Oh, is she alright?" She said worried about the cyan pegasus.

        "She's probably fine, she's probably been through worse, yeah?" He said.

        "You're right Crimson she has done a lot of dangerous stunts living here." Rarity said with a worried look on her face before getting a sudden look of realization, "Oh! I almost forgot here's that little gift," she finished before giving him the package.

        Opening the package he lifted up a gold colored scarf as he put it around his neck he said, "Thank you Rarity, I really appreciate it. I may need to do a bit of traveling due to my new job."

        Upon hearing this she said in excitement, "Oh congratulations. What kind of job is it?"

        "I'm going to be an apprentice at the Iron Hoof outside of town." He said happy about getting the job. "So I better get going I'm going to need to research materials for my first sword."

        "Alright deary I'll see you later toodaloo." She said as Crimson walked towards the library and she walked back to her boutique.

/Twilight/

        After Crimson left Twilight decided to talk to Applejack about what was happened before something worse happened to any pony. So she left to go back to Sweet Apple Acres. When she got there she saw Applejack dosing in and out of sleep. When she jerked herself back awake, she would buck an imaginary tree behind her.

        "Applejack we need to talk." Twi said as AJ was drifting into sleep.

        After jerking herself back awake she saw Twi and said tiredly, getting ready to buck a tree, "Howdy Twi, I know what you're going to say and the answer is still no."

        "AJ, I think you're beating a dead tree." Twilight said

        Realizing what she was doing Applejack,

"I knew that,"  and then moved on to another tree.

        Realizing that Applejack was determined to finish the harvest she said to her, "Actually Applejack there's something I wanted to tell you about I just left the urgent care-"

        "You know I'm a bit busy to get lectured now

Twilight," Applejack said starting to get a little bit agitated.

        "But if you just listen."

        "I said I don't need no help from no pony!" AJ finished storming off

/Crimson/

        Back at the library Crimson was looking for the perfect materials for the weapon. The ores he would need orichalcum, which was incredibly hard to find even I that mine Steel mentioned, for the blade. The hilt would be a steel or a tougher metal. The easy part was the hilt,but the orichalcum would be tougher to find. The only mines that were digging for it have dried up or had been abandoned. Those would be the first places to go to. There was one mine several hours outside of Canterlot. They may be abandoned but there could still be ores left. Now he had to tell everypony about his trip and the reason why he was leaving.

        "Hopefully they won't make a big deal out of this," he said to himself. This is something that he didn't want anypony to go with him on.

        Now all he had to do was get the design of the blade. So he got a piece of paper and a pencil and drew sketch of it. It would be double edged with decorative etchings in the blade. When he finished he wrote 'Alrek' that would be the name of it. The name itself had no value to him but it seemed to fit the design. Just as he was about to sign his name on the back of the paper he heard screams outside and a soft rumbling. Several minutes after the rumbling stopped he looked outside to find that there were several ponies lying in the middle of the street with Twilight a couple of feet or so away. Worrying about what the rumbling was he went to Twilight, and stopped when he got to her to see dozens of bunnies eating the flora from the bushes and gardens. In the middle of it was Fluttershy trying to gather them all together.

        He turned to Twi and said, "Applejack?"

        "Yep," was the only thing she said.

///

        Twilight and Crimson went to tell Applejack about the incident and convince her that she needs help.

        When they got there she just said triumphantly, "I told you I could get the harvest done. How do you like them apples," pointing toward the orchard where the trees that had no apple on them.

        Several seconds of staring at the orchard Big Mac walked towards AJ and asked, "Well, how do ya like them apples," while pointing behind her. The sight of it was painful, there were hundreds of trees, all full apples ready to be harvested. Applejack couldn't believe what she was seeing and passed out from exhaustion.

        When she regained consciousness Twilight said, "I know you have your pride Applejack, but you need help we are your friends and we are going to help no matter what you say."

        "I accept your help Twi." Applejack said

        "I said we- wait what?"

        "I said yes I could really your help."

        And all Twilight did after that was give a sigh of relief and then she and Crimson gathered everypony to help with the harvest. Twilight got Rarity, Pinkie, and Fluttershy while Crimson got Rainbow Dash, Myst and the drawing from the library to show everypony and tell them he was going to leave for a awhile. When the work was done Applejack came to thank everypony and brought them each a bottle of apple juice.

        When everypony got to the table where there drinks Applejack said to everypony, "Thank y'all for your help, even though I had been a little stubborn."

        "A little?" Crimson cut in.

        "Alright a might stubborn," She replied. "And I'm awfully sorry about the way I've been acting."

        "You have no reason to apologize AJ,  no harm no foul." Crimson said, "Oh, and before I forget I have an announcement. I will be leaving to go to a mine a few hours outside Canterlot and will be gone for a few days."

        The only ponies who didn't ask why he was going were Twi, Rarity, and Myst. That was when Crimson pulled pulled the drawing from his satchel and put it on the table.

        "This is why I'm leaving I need to get an ore for the blade," he explained, "And don't ask, I don't want anypony to come with me. If any of you got hurt I would never forgive myself."

        Everypony just looked at him, and he had a look that said there was no way he was going to change his mind. Then he finished by saying that he was leaving in the morning and he would see them when he got back.

/Mourning/

         The whole gang was there to see him off at the train station. They all said goodbye, except for Myst who was nowhere in sight.

         "Where's Myst?" Crimson asked looking depressed and heartbroken. "I thought she would at least say goodbye."

         Twilight looked at him and said, "She said that she couldn't be here and that she wanted you to know she'll be waiting for that date. I've told the princess about where you'll be and she said she'll have a room in the castle for you." After she said that the train's whistle blew.

         "Well that's my cue if you see Myst tell her I'll be back ready for that date." He said before he entered the train and he waved as the platform got smaller until he couldn't see his friends anymore

/Mourning/

         All of his friends where there to see him off at the train station, all of them except for Myst. He looked around and she was nowhere to be seen.

        "Where's Myst?," Crimson asked looking depressed, "I thought she would at least say goodbye."

        Twilight looked at him and said, "She said she had to be somewhere, and that she would be looking forward to that date. I told Princess Celestia where you'll be and she said she has a room for you at the castle." After she said that the train whistle blew.

         "Well that's my cue. If you see her tell her that she will get the best date of her life." He said before boarding the train. Then when he got to the window he looked at his friends and waved as the platform got smaller until he couldn't see it anymore. Several boring minutes passed of him staring out of the window.

          Then a familiar voice had asked him, "Is this seat taken?" He turned around to see Myst smiling at him, and proceeded to take the seat next to him. He was mad that he followed him, but he was happy that she cared enough to do so, " Oh don't look so surprised, you should have known I would do this. You can consider this our date."

           Laughing, he decided not to argue with her and the couple were on the way to Canterlot