"All right, let's get this show on the road!" said Apple Jack.

She and Big Mac trotted over to the first group of apple trees.

"First,"began Apple Jack. "Ya gotta make sure you're in the right spot under the branches here. Then you turn around like this."

Turning around with their backs to the trunks, they were surprised to find Violet already standing beneath a tree between them, her stance matching theirs. Glancing at the branches above her, Big Mac realized that she was out of alignment with the branches above. If she tried to buck the tree, a majority of the apples would miss the baskets and tumble to the ground, bruising her and themselves in the process.

"Uh, pardon me, Miss Violet," he said. "You're a little off to the side, there."

For a split second, Lilac seemed confused. Then her expression cleared and she quickly readjusted her position under the branches. After a few seconds, she glanced up at the branches and then again at Big Mac for confirmation.

"Better?" she asked.

"Eyup."

Apple Jack pressed her lips together, schooling her face into a neutral expression as she fought back a laugh. She couldn't help it. The fact her brother was completely smitten for this city filly was just too good.

However, as much as she was enjoying this, they still had a job to do. With this in mind, she cleared her throat. Lilac turned to her expectantly.

"So, the first part is simple enough," Apple Jack said. "Getting your bearings, it's simple. This next part though, that's what's a bit harder. Here, I'll give the trunk a few kicks so ya-"

Thud!

Without waiting for a demonstration, Lilac had narrowed her eyes and bucked at the tree with her hind legs; hind hooves coming back to earth just as the red apples fell into the baskets on her back.

"Did I get all of them?" she asked.

"Eyup," said Apple Jack. "Say Violet, are ya sure ya never bucked apples before? Cause from what I saw just now, I'd say you've had practice."

"Oh," said Violet. There was a hint of pink to her cheeks now. "Well, I think it's because although I've lived in the city most of my life, I was actually born on a farm myself."

"No kidding," said Apple Jack.

On the other side of Lilac, Apple Jack could see Bic Mac looked surprised. She smiled to herself. Clearly, there was more to this mare than he'd initially thought.

"What was it like?" said Apple Jack as they moved to the next group of trees.

"Well, it was nowhere near as big as Sweet Apple Acres, that's for sure," Lilac answered as she gave her tree an expert kick. "Just your typical little cherry farm."

She was smiling, but there was a wistful undertone with her words that Apple Jack couldn't help noticing as they continued with their steady progress among the apple trees. Big Mac noticed too.

"You must have really loved it there," he said.

"Oh, you have no idea," Lilac answered. "The best years of my life were spent there. Holidays, birthdays...even earned my Cutie Mark on that farm, you know."

"So how did you end up in Manehatten?" asked Apple Jack.

Lilac paused. Her expression when she looked at Apple Jack was somber. "We lost the farm."

"Oh..." said Apple Jack. "I'm so sorry."

Lilac shrugged, aiming another hard kick to the tree she was under. Apples tumbled down into the baskets. "I admit that it's not the way my family wanted it," she said. "But, we didn't have a choice in the matter. Life for me since then hasn't exactly been easy, but I've managed just fine on my own." Until Fleet found me, she thought bitterly. I can't believe I ever fell for his crap.

"So what made you decide to come here?" asked Big Mac.

Lilac hesitated. The truth was that she had come here to escape an abusive relationship, but she couldn't very well tell these ponies that, could she?

"I think..." she said after a while. "It's because I realized what I should have years ago. I'm just not cut out for life in a big city. My home is in the orchards, and it always will be."

Apple Jack nodded sympathetically. "I know how that feels."

Lilac stared at her, surprised. "You do?"

"Yeah," said Apple Jack. "I mean, I had a similar experience once when I was just a filly."

"Mind if I ask what happened?" said Lilac.

"Not at all," said Apple Jack. "I just hope I don't bore you with my story."

For the rest of the afternoon, the three farm ponies spent their time talking as they went about the trees knocking down the apples.

.....

Elsewhere, more serious matters were being addressed.

Princess Twilight Sparkle was sitting quietly in her bedroom, with a large book floating in front of her face. Now and then, a quill would scribble notes on a paper next to her. There was an air of concentration about her, broken only when she paused to sip from her tea cup. In fact, she was so engrossed with her studies that she didn't even look up when a distant knocking was heard on the castle's door. Spike, helpful as ever, responded immediately to the noise. Abandoning his comic book, the dragon jumped off his bed and bolted down the hall.

"Coming! Coming!" he shouted.

Moments later, he'd reached the doors and pulled one open.

"Oh, hello Derpy!"

"Hi Spike," said the gray male mare. "I've... got a letter somewhere in here for the Princess." She opened a rather disorganized satchel and then grinned awkwardly. "Uh... one moment, please."

"No problem," said Spike. "Take your time."

After a couple of minutes, Derpy successfully extracted a small envelope. When Spike saw what he'd been handed, he felt his stomach drop.

The envelope bore the seal of Ponyville's Captain Frostfall, the stallion in charge of the fifth precinct in Manehatten. From what Spike knew about police (and he knew a lot, because Shining Armor had often spoken to his family about what it was like being Captain of the Royal Guard,) letters such as these were considered confidential. No one but Twilight or Mayor Mare would be allowed to see its contents. What could have possibly happened in Manehatten that they would send a letter to the Princess of Friendship? And so fast, too?

"You okay, Spike?" said Derpy.

Spike hadn't realized he was swaying slightly on the spot. He quickly checked himself and straightened up.

"Huh? Oh yeah. Yeah, I'm fine. Maybe the weather's just a bit warm."

"Really?" said Derpy. "Well, if you're feeling a bit dehydrated, drink some water and eat a healthy snack. Nothing salty though. That always helps Dinky feel better."

"Yeah. Yeah, maybe I'll do that," Spike mumbled. Then, not wanting to be impolite he added, "Thanks for getting the letter to us, Derpy."

Derpy grinned. "Your welcome. You have a nice day, okay?"

"Okay, bye."

A moment later, Derpy was airborne again, flying rather clumsily to her next destination. Spike quickly stepped back inside the castle and shut the door. He quickly walked to Twilight's bedroom, pausing momentarily to knock on the door. A few seconds later, he heard an answer from inside.

"Come in, Spike."

Spike entered and strode over to the end of Twilight's bed.

"Who was it at the door Spike?" Twilight asked without lowering her book.

"Derpy," Spike said quietly. "She was delivering a letter."

"Is that so?" said Twilight.

She sounded interested, but had clearly missed Spike's somber tone. Spike cleared his throat.

"It's from Frostfall," he said. "They're the captain of a precinct in Manehatten."

For the briefest moment, Twilight didn't react. Then the letter was engulfed in her magic, forcing Spike to let go. Just as quickly the book was shut and lowered onto her bed. Quickly, she broke the seal on the letter and started to read; her expression sharpening as she examined the contents.

"What does it say?" Spike asked nervously.

Twilight stood up. Spike recognized the look on her face: It was the same expression that she had worn when Celestia contacted her about Discord. Her voice when she spoke was grim.

"Spike, I need you to find Mayor Mare. Quickly."

"Why? What's going on?"

"No time to explain," Twilight said shortly. "Just do it. Now."

Spike knew better than to argue.

"All right," he said. "Do you know where I should start looking?"

Twilight put a hoof to her chin in thought.

"She should be at the Town Hall," she said. "She mentioned having some paperwork to do." Glancing at the clock, she added. "If not there, try the cafe. She may be at lunch."

"Right," said Spike. "I'll be back soon."

Author's Note

The plot thickens! I wonder what will happen next...