It was a warm summers evening in Ponyville, there was a slight breeze making the leaves on the trees sway back and forth and bringing a slight cool relief to anypony who came in contact with the wind. For Applejack her work had just finished and she had run out of produce to sell, all of it gone, she was a very happy pony knowing all the hard work her, her brother BigMac and little sister Applebloom had put into collecting the apples.
She was lugging the cart back to Sweet apple acres with a bag full to the brim with shiny bits and a big grin across her face. She had made it from the Market and near the outskirts of town with the familiar old dirt road which lead to the entrance of her home. As Sweet apple acres loomed over the horizon a small bouncing figure also appeared and as she drew closer she was greeted by the sweet adoring smile of her sister Applebloom.
“Applejack! You’re back! How much did you sell? Did you have fun? Meet anyone interesting? Is that bag full of bits?! Did you remember to eat lunch today?” Applebloom pestered.
“Whoa there lil partner! I’m perfectly fine.” Applejack re-assured Applebloom. “Lookie here sis, sold the whole cart and made 125 bits. Not bad for a days work if I do say so myself!” Applejack said with a grin.
Applejack quickly stored away the cart inside the barn for use another day and put all the bits she made into the Bit chest; and now with all that done Applejack was free to spend the day doing what she wanted and what she wanted was a nap under a big shady apple tree. Grannysmith was taking a nap in her old oak armchair; Applebloom had trotted off to her CMC meeting and BigMacintosh went to Fillydelphia to see an old friend. All this meant that Applejack knew she could have a nice relaxing nap... she just closed her eyes, pulled down her hat ...and let the evening warmth take her to sleep.
...
Applejack...
Applejack..?
Applejack?!
Applejacks eyes shot open, the sun was setting in the distance, and the familiar face of a sky blue coloured Pegasus caught Applejacks eye.
“Rainbow?..What’s the fire?” Applejack said hazily, yawning and rubbing her eyes with her hoof.
“ Oh nothing much just THE PRINCESS HAS BEEN LOOKING FOR YOU FOR AN HOUR NOW!” Angrily exclaimed RainbowDash.
“ What! The Princess! Oh no... OH MY GOSH!” exclaimed Applejack as he bolted back to the home from the field.
“Typical” Said Rainbow “Sleeping when something important needs to be done...ugh... I’m heading back to my cloud.”
As applejack was running towards the house two things were going through her head; What did the princess want with her? And how many years would she be on the moon for?
As Celestia appeared Applejack found herself running faster and faster and finally she came to a skidding stop in front of the Princess and in a bowing position in front of her. “ I’m sorry princess! Its been a long day and ah was tired! And... well... I’m sorry!” Pleaded Applejack.
Celestia was shocked at Applejacks behavior; although this sort of thing happens all the time when a pony thinks that have done wrong and upset her. “ It is ok Applejack I’m sorry for disturbing you from your nap; however I need to ask of you a favour.”
Applejack looked up at the princess with a wide grin on her face. “ Anything for y'all princess” She said as the stood up straight and tipped her hat to the princess.
“ Well a friend of mine is actually coming to Ponyville this weekend from a far off land and I would really appreciate it if somepony would take care of the catering for his welcome to Ponyville party.” Explained Celestia with a smile on her face looking down at Applejack.
Applejack took her hat off to the princess and a look of awe spread across her face. “ You want me to do the catering? Well ain’t that just an honour! I would be glad to princess!” Said Applejack
“ Excellent, well I must be off now dear Applejack, farewell” Said the princess as she walked off waving and being followed by the two guards.
“ Goodbye now princess!” Applejack waved back.
She couldn’t believe it, Princess Celestia chose her over anyother pony in this town to do the catering for a special event. But...who was the party for? Applejack thought that twilight would know who it is for sure.
Applejack trotted off to the library to find the purple unicorn, only to discover that TwilightSparkle appeared to not be home.
“ Twi?” Asked Applejack through the door.
Applejack heard footsteps inside the big tree and decided to wait before asking again, suddenly a small purple dragon opened the door.
“Howdy Spike! Is Twilight in?” Asked Applejack with a friendly grin on her face.
“Well...” Spike hesitated “ You should probably come see this for yourself” Said spike with a worried expression.
“Huh?” Said Applejack. Spike waved his hand expressing Applejack to follow him, Spike stopped at a halt in front of a bookshelf full to the brim with books on basic potions, basic magic and a whole shelf with books from Starswirl the bearded. As Applejack was about to ask why Spike stopped the dragon finally wheeled over a ladder and pulled a book out entitled ‘ The secrets of Starswirl the bearded’
Suddenly the entire bookcase pulled itself backwards and into the wall revealing a dimly lit, cobblestone passageway.
“Why didn’t Twilight tell us about this before?” Asked Applejack not looking too impressed.
“I think she wanted to keep this a secret between me, her and the princess.” Spike said
Applejack shot a look of disappointment at Spike, he of all people should know about how not keeping secrets could have you lose friends!
“ Then why did you show me this?! If twilight finds out she may never forgive you.” Applejack argued.
“ Look I know but... I’m really worried about her AJ...” Spike said looking like he was about to tear up.
Applejack couldn’t help but feel slightly sorry for him.
“Hay now... listen up here. Whatever has Twi... whatever she is; I am positive that as her friend I will be able to help her” Applejack said solemnly.
Spike let out a small sniffle and a tear ran down his face as she looked up at Applejack. “Really?” Asked the little dragon.
“ Really.” Replied Applejack. “And that’s the honest truth".
Spike let out another sniff, wiped his face with his arm in order to wipe the tears off his face and smiled up at Applejack.”Ok then AJ... follow me!” Spike said as he grabbed a torch off the wall.
The bookcase closed behind then as they descended into Twilights secret domain and while walking through the damp, mossy cobblestone pathway Applejack pondered on what state her best friend must be in to make spike act the way he did.
