Chaos Crisis

After a long day of work in Sweet Apple Acres' southern orchard, Big Macintosh and Applejack are wrapping up after the long hard day's work. Two buckets of fresh apples were on the older sibling’s back. Applejack's hat and mane were covered in her sweat since the day's heat peak was 106 degrees Fahrenheit. Both of their hooves where aching in sharp pain. The long distance they had to trot didn't help either.

As the two came to the gate, Big Mac tripped on something that caused him to fall over and drop the buckets of apples. Applejack had galloped ahead to open the gate, when she noticed her brother had fallen over. She quickly darted back to check on the stallion. “Ya OK Big Mac?” She asked the stallion who had ended up on his back. “Eeyup.” Big Mac said in his generic response to almost everything.

Applejack helped her brother back onto his hooves. “What'cha trip over, Big Mac?” She asked. “Uh, that.” Big Mac responded, pointing to a light blue gem in dirt. “Wow, a sapphire. At least, I think it's one. I've never seen one like that.” Applejack commenting on the odd color of it.

As Big Mac picked up the apples off the ground, Applejack started to dig out the gem. The gem, or sapphire as AJ called it, had been put in the dirt pretty well. It took the mare about five minutes to get it out. However, upon picking it up, she suddenly regained some of her energy. “Mac, e'ah am goin' back into the field for a little longer.” Big Mac raised an eyebrow at the statement. “ E'ah thought you were tired sis'.” Applejack shrugged. “E'ah just feel like e'ah can get a little more work done.”

It was about an hour or so till Applejack returned back to the farm house and retired in for the night. All night, the light blue sapphire gave off a faint glow on her bedside table.

The next morning, it was a normal day again. Apple Bloom had scooted off with her friends after breakfast and Big Mac was getting ready to work in the fields today. Applejack cleaned up the dishes that were used, a few pots, pans and a plate or two.

After she cleaned up, Applejack decided to step outside. Granny Smith was in her rocker, as always. Big Mac said his goodbye to the family and headed back out to the southern orchard to finish the work him and his sister had started. Applejack however, who had the day off, decided to head into town.

Though as she did, the familiar sound of a certain filly's scream came from southern field. Applejack's ears perked up and she yelled out “E'ah'm comin' sis!” She then went into full gallop. The gem that she had placed in her saddle bag earlier, started to glow brightly. The mare's speed almost doubled. She arrived before her older brother, even though he was already in the field.

Apple Bloom was stuck up in one of the highest branches in the tallest tree. The filly was holding on by one forehoof. Scootaloo and Sweetie Bell were at the base of the trunk, unsure of what to do. Applejack came to a screeching halt at the base of the tree. She looked up to see her younger sister just barley hanging on. “Just drop! E'ah'll catch ya!” Applejack yelled to the filly. Apple Bloom on the other hand was scared out of her mind. “E'ah'm not goin' to sis'!” She yelled down to the mare. “Trust me! E'ah got ya!”

Believing her sister, Apple Bloom let go of the branch. Even though she fell at almost twenty seven miles per hour, Applejack was some how fast enough, and strong enough, to catch her sister. The mare payed little attention to this and put her frighten sister down on the ground. She then turned to the two fillies that were relived that Apple Bloom was alright. “'Ight crusaders, what in the Sam hill where ya'll thinking!?”Applejack yelled at the top of her lungs.

Scootaloo was the first to speak up to the angry mare. “Well, you see... We were trying to get our cutie marks in tree climbing. Guess the Cutie Mark Crusaders: Tree climbers, ain't our talent.” Sweetie Bell just gave out a faint smile. Applejack rolled her eyes at the two fillies. “Just don't do it again, ya'll. Apple Bloom is my only sister.”

Late to the party, Big Macintosh arrived, out of breath. Applejack turned to her brother. “And where were ya all this time? Apple Bloom could have been hurt! Or worse!” The mare snapped. “ E'ah was galloping as fast as e'ah could.” Big Macintosh responded. He then asked, “How did ya even get here. E'ah thought ya were on yer way to town.”

Sweetie Bell then spoke up. “Hey, what's that light coming from your bag, Applejack?” Pointing to the light emitting from the saddle bag. Applejack then turned her head to the bag. The left pocket was glowing a very vivid light blue. “What the hay is up with this sapphire?” She asked, pulling the gem out of the bag. “ E'ah better take this thing to Twilight right now!” The mare then put it back in her bag and went into full gallop. Though, a sudden burst of speed left everypony in the dust.

With in a few short minutes, the country mare arrived at the outskirts of Ponyville. With her friend, Twilight Sparkles house in her eyes, she picked her hooves off the ground. The faster she went, the more dust was kicked up. As the dust cloud known as Applejack came though the town, everpony was afraid of what was going on. The mare quickly but not quietly, came to the front door of her friend’s house.

Applejack rose her hoof to knock but Twilight beat her to it. “What the hay is going on, AJ? I heard you coming from a mile away.” Applejack's eyes drew blank. “Huh. Whatchu talkin' about, sugar cube?” Twilight rolled her eyes. “Come on, AJ. How do you not notice a large dust cloud coming in after you. You were gong WAY to fast. For a normal Earth pony that is.”

Applejack turned her head. Twilight was right, she had moved quickly. From the point where she was, it would have taken her a half an hour or so. Somehow, she was there in just a few minutes, if that. The mare's eyes then darted to the saddle bag. It was glowing the same color it was very recently. Applejack pulled it out and showed her friend. “ E'ah think this sapphire may have somthin' to do with it.”

Twilight took the gem from Applejack. She was mesmerized by it. From all her books, she had never seen anything like it. The vast verity of gems in Equestria and this one was unique. Before Twilight had a chance to start looking it over, She was greeted by a familiar hyper-active earth pony and a certain chromatic pegasus. “What was up with that dust storm? The was not suppose to be any strong winds for another few days.” Rainbow dash asked with a questionable tone. “Sorry, ya'll. That may have been little ol' me.”

Rainbow dash was quickly annoyed. “Since when was it your job to control the weather?” Pinkie pie quickly butted in. “You silly gooses. Applejack was almost running as fast as Sonic the Hedgehog!” Rainbow looked at her. “Who in the hay is Sonic the hedgehog.” Twilight looked at her confused friend. “Don't worry, Rainbow. It's just Pinkie.”

Finally, with all interruptions aside, Twilight and her friends headed into the library to figure out what was going on with the strange sapphire. After Twilight plopped herself down at a table, her baby dragon assistant came into the room. “Hey guys, what's....” His words where cut short as his eyes settled on the good size gem stone.

The dragon dived for the gem but was stopped mid flight by the unicorn's strong magic. “Spike! This sapphire is for studding, not for your enjoyment!” Twilight snapped. “Alright, fine. But why are you calling it a sapphire. That's clearly an emerald.” The annoyed unicorn simply stared at her assistant. “That is not an emerald. Emeralds are green!” Spike rolled his eyes. “That emerald maybe a different color, but what kind of dragon would I be if I couldn’t tell the difference between the two gems.”

Applejack spoke up. “He has a point, sugar cube.” Twilight looked at her mare friend. “You're right. But no way in Celestia is an emerald suppose to be the color of a sapphire. Even Pinkie Pie knows that.” Pinkie quickly joined in the argument. “What is that suppose to mean?” “Oh nothing. Nothing at all.” Twilight said with a slight chuckle.

*Meanwhile in the Everfree forest*

A strange vortex had recently appeared close to the edge of the forest near a familiar shy pegasus' cottage. Fluttershy peered out of one of the windows that light from the vortex was pouring though. The vortex rapidly changed shape into a portal. With a loud bang, the portal stabilized. The timid pegasus threw the curtains over her window and darted to a place of hiding.

After a few silent moments, Fluttershy peered out the window once again. Her eyes widened as three figures came through. The darkest looking of the three was the first to speak. “I can already tell I am going to hate this place. It's too cheery.” The first figure that had stepped through responded to him. “Oh come on, Shadow. It can't be all that bad. Besides, you're the one who opened the portal. I think we might be able to have some fun here.”

**End of chapter one**