Slowly, reluctantly, a little yellow snout pushed out from under the flap of the sleeping bag. Apple Bloom opened her eyes, but instantly snapped them shut again. The first rays of the bright morning sun fell through her window, making the scene harsh and a little painful for those unprepared. Quickly she buried herself deeper into her sleeping bag. It was cozy and warm and beckoned her to fall back asleep. She had slept in past dawn, something extremely rare for her. Even on the odd day when she didn’t have school or early-morning chores, she was usually up well before Celestia’s sun by force of habit.

Groggily, her mind stumbled about in the shadows trying to make sense of the situation. She was awfully tired. She felt like drifting off for another hour or two. But that wasn’t quite right. Why was she so tired? Her mind tried to assemble the pieces together into a coherent picture. She apparently didn’t get enough sleep. What could have caused that? Was she up late? No, she had gone to bed at her normal bedtime. Yes, she remembered. She had lain awake last night and woke frequently throughout the night. But why? Something must have been on her mind. She snuggled deeper into the sleeping bag. Sleeping bag? Well, yes, she was sleeping on the floor becasue her bed was occupied by –

Apple Bloom bolted upright, completely awake. With wide eyes she looked up from the floor, seeing a mass hidden by a blanket. Her sister was here. Oh the joy!

In a soft voice, Apple Bloom said, “Joy?” When no response came, she tried again a little louder, “Joy?”

Apple Bloom worked her way out of the sleeping bag and approached the bed. Upon close inspection, she could see an ever so faint rising and falling of the blanket and could hear a soft inhale and exhale. Joy was still peacefully asleep. Apple Bloom reached out to wake her sister. With her hoof nearly on the blanket, she suddenly pulled back. It seemed a wrong way to start things off, no matter how much she wanted to begin their first full day together.

With a sigh, she turned and walked to the other side of the bedroom, quietly opening the door. She peered back and smiled before carefully closing the door behind her. Forcing herself to walk – not skip – down the hall, she reached the stairs and descended. She turned and entered the kitchen to find her older sister coming in with a load of firewood.

“Well, it’s about time you got up,” greeted Applejack.

Rubbing her orange eyes, she explained, “Ah didn’t mean tah sleep in.”

Applejack closed the door behind her and said, “We were goanna let y’all sleep in this mornin’. Afta all, Ah’m sure y’all were up late last night gettin’ tah know one ’nother.”

Apple Bloom yawned. “Actually, no. Joy was tired from the train ride, so we hit the hay early.”

“Still, you look tired Sugarcube,” noted the older sister as she threw some logs into the firebox of the stove.

“Ah didn’t get much sleep. Ah was just so excited about Joy bein’ here that Ah couldn’t sleep.” She made her way to the icebox and pulled out a pitcher of apple juice.

“Ah can understand that. Honestly, Ah ’ad a hard time sleepin’ too.” As Apple Bloom poured herself a glass, Applejack looked around, “Where’s Joy?”

“Still sleepin’,” replied her younger sister as she took a sip of juice.

“Well, best tah let her sleep in. In the meantime, yah can help us get the chores done.”

Apple Bloom whined a little in response.

“Best tah go ahead and get it dun. Y’all don’t want us tah be busy doin’ them when yer sister’s up, do yah?”

Apple Bloom shook her head.

“Good. Now get goin’,” encouraged her older sister.

Apple Bloom put away the juice and headed out the back door. With it being Saturday, she had more chores to take care of than on a school day. A few trips to the pump and the kitchen had all the water it would need for cooking and washing that day. Soon thereafter the pigs were pushing each other out of the way as they competed for breakfast. The cows had already been milked, so Apple Bloom turned to the chicken coop. It was time for their feeding and collecting freshly laid eggs.

A short time later Apple Bloom trotted into the kitchen with a full basket of eggs held by her mouth. Big Mac stood at the stove flipping fresh golden-brown pancakes, filling the room a wonderful and tantalizing aroma. Granny Smith sat at the kitchen table with the morning paper while a mug of hot coffee stood at the ready.

Looking up from the story she was reading, the old mare greeted, “Well, good mornin’.”

She put the basket of eggs down. “Good mornin’, Granny.”

“Apple Bloom, go git Joy. Breakfast is ’bout ready.”

“Eeyup,” confirmed Big Mac as he piled pancakes onto a platter.

Apple Bloom trotted out the kitchen and went upstairs to her bedroom. Opening the door, she still found a motionless mass nestled beneath the blanket. She trotted across to the bed, but it appeared that her twin was still asleep. Reaching out, she gently began shaking, “Joy, it’s time tah git up.”

The mound groaned, then from beneath the blanket came a hoof that pushed her away.

Apple Bloom approached the bed and again started shaking, “It’s time tah get up. Breakfast is almost ready.”

Again, the foreleg reached out, this time batting her away.

Frustrated, Apple Bloom turned and left the room. Halfway down the hall, Applejack emerged from her bedroom. “Breakfast is ready, AJ.”

“Is Joy downstairs already?”

“No. She won’t get up.”

Shaking her head, Applejack muttered, “Well, that won’t do.” She headed down the hall towards her younger sister’s bedroom, with Apple Bloom in toe.

From the doorway, Apple Bloom watched the unfolding drama.

Applejack approached the bed without any hesitation and shook the mound. “Joy.” Once more, a hoof started to wave. Applejack continued shaking as she tried again, “If’n yah want breakfast, yah’ need tah get up.” The hoof swatted about and knocked the Stetson from her head. “Come on Joy, yah need tah get up now,” she said firmly. This time the flailing hoof hit the older sister in the snout. Taken aback, Applejack snorted, “That’s it.” Grabbing the blanket in her mouth, she ripped it clean off the bed, revealing a little yellow filly wrapped in a bedsheet.

Joy mumbled something, probably “Five more minutes,” and attempted to bury her head in the pillow.

Applejack yanked back the sheet. “Nope. We’ve got a big day ahead of us. Time tah rise ’n shine!”

Slowly Joy sat upright and removed her mask. Opening her orange eyes, she looked around uncertainly, as if she were trying to get her bearings.

“Come on, we’re gonna git sum food in yah,” said Applejack.

Joy merely nodded before climbing off the bed and donning her fluffy red bathrobe. She followed her two sisters down the hall and to the kitchen.

As the three entered, the elderly green grandmare observed, “Good mornin’, youngin’.”

“Good morning, Mrs. Smith,” responded Joy, her eyes toward the floor. She turned and said quietly, “Good morning, MacIntosh.”

“Come on Joy. Yah better hurry up an’ eat while it’s hot,” said Applejack, as she loaded up Joy’s plate.

Joy took a seat next to her older sister. Before her was a plate laden with pancakes, probably apple pancakes, along with hash browns, hay sausage, eggs and a muffin, again most likely an apple muffin. And of course there was a big glass of apple juice.

Quickly the five began eating. Once again, the newcomer was dressed, even for an informal meal with family. Sitting in her chair, she assumed an upright, proper posture and ate carefully, with an apparent accustomed grace. Everything was cut into small, even-sized pieces and each item was eaten separately. Before taking a bite, she would always place her knife to the side before switching her fork to her right hoof. She chewed slowly and thoroughly. Never did she speak with her mouth full, and she always swallowed before she spoke, even if her mouth was empty. She would only take small, occasional sips from her glass. Whenever somepony asked for butter or syrup, or salt or pepper, she ensured that they were always passed in pairs, whether asked for or not. The occassional embarrassing burp or hiccup was followed by a polite, “Please excuse me.”

Across the table, her twin provided quite the contrast. The resident was stark naked, save for her trademark red bow. She leaned down to the plate and ate her meal without restraint, using her fork or spoon or knife to shovel the food directly into her gaping mouth. She inhaled her meal at a frightening, though somehow familiar, pace. It all went down together into the bottomless pit of her stomach, be it the eggs, pancakes, sausage, hash browns, or muffins. Apple juice was guzzled by the glassful. She belched without consciousness, then she would speak of the things they would do that day while crumbs spouted from her mouth.

With only half the contents of her plate consumed, Joy leaned back in her chair.

Licking her plate clean, Apple Bloom asked, “Yah gonna eat that?”

Joy shook her head then pushed the plate across the table. Her twin began ravenously devouring the leftovers.

“Y’all done?” asked a skeptical Applejack.

In a soft voice, Joy responded, “Yes. Thank you for breakfast, MacIntosh.”

“Eeyup,” replied the stallion, a small smile on his face.

When Apple Bloom had finished her second plate, heralded by another loud belch, Applejack said, “Well, we’ve got some things tah do. Joy, yah wanna go git ready?”

Joy nodded her head, “Of course, Applejack.” She glanced around the table, “If you will excuse me.” She slid off her chair and left the kitchen.

Applejack shot glances at Granny Smith and Big Mac.

Half an hour later Joy trotted back into the kitchen. Her mane and tail had been meticulously groomed and she sported a fine white blouse complemented by a stylish pair of designer jeans. The Apple siblings were gathered around the table.

“Y’all ready?” asked Applejack, sipping a glass of apple juice at the clean table.

Looking around warily, she said, “I would like to visit the bathroom to freshen up, if that is acceptable?”

“Of course.”

Joy departed the kitchen and a short time later reappeared.

Looking about the room, Applejack opined, “Ah reckon it’s time tah show y’all ’round the farm.”

“Eeyup,” affirmed Big Mac.

“Come on! Let’s go!” cried Apple Bloom, bouncing up and down after rediscovering her excitement from the day before. She practically dragged her twin out the door.

The four Apple siblings left the farmhouse and began their tour of Sweet Apple Acres. The first stop was the barn – the actual barn. The residents showed Joy the interior, where they kept bales of hay and an assortment of farm equipment and tools. Then they led her down into the apple cellar. It was dark and cool, perfect for storing crates of harvested apples along with a few sequestered barrels of the family’s renowned cider. It was also dusty and grimy, and as the four emerged outside from the rear cellar door, Joy took a moment to brush the filth from her outfit.

After they inspected the chicken coops and the shed where the cows were milked, the four headed to the pig pens. Standing around watching the hogs wallow in the mud, Applejack mused, “Ah bet y’all’ve seen this before.”

Joy shook her head, “No.”

Apple Bloom, leaning against the fence post, looked over and asked, “Yah mean yah don’t have pigs at your farm in Vanhoover?”

Joy shook her head, “We do not live on the farm.”

“Yah don’t?” asked Apple Bloom wide-eyed.

Even Applejack and Big Mac were carefully studying their new sister.

“No.”

“Where do y’all live, then?”

“Downtown Vanhoover.”

“They don’t work on tha farm?”

“Mother manages the family business while father runs the store.”

“So, this is your first visit to a real farm?” asked Applejack.

Again Joy shook her head. “I have accompanied mother when she inspects operations at the Pear estate.”

The three Apple siblings pondered what they had heard. Joy gazed back at the animals in the enclosure. “Why do you have pigs, anyways?” she wondered, more to herself than anypony else.

After the pig pen, Joy followed her siblings over to the vegetable garden where they showed her all the cabbages, carrots, turnips, onions and lettuce they grew. It was a small part of their farm, mainly for subsistence, but they occasionally sold some of the crops at the local market, they explained. No use in letting surplus produce go to waste when it could bring in some extra bits for the farm. Next came the vast fields of wheat, barely, corn and hops. They explained some was for their own dinner table and some was feed for the animals. When asked what they did with the extra produce, the older siblings demurely changed the subject.

Finally, the residents took Joy to the orchards. For almost as far as the eye could see lay an endless rolling sea of trees. Most trees had a score of big, juicy red apples on them, though a few bore green and fewer still sported yellow.

“These here are our apple orchards. Apples, of course, are our family’s specialty,” explained Applejack with a chuckle.

“Eeyup.”

“Yer great grandpa –”

“Pokey Oats,” interrupted Apple Bloom.

“Yes, Pokey Oats, was sent to settle this land by Princess Celestia herself. He planted the very first apple trees of the orchard. Now look at this place.” She smiled with pride as she swept a foreleg at the surrounding orchards.

Joy gazed at the trees all about her.

“Our grandparents worked hard tah build up this farm, and our ma an’ pa poured their sweat ’n blood to maintain it.” Applejack trotted over to a nearby tree and gave it a light buck. An apple snapped free from its branch and fell to the ground. Picking it up, she offered it to Joy. “Now it’s our responsibility tah keep it goin’.”

Joy took the apple uneasily.

After a moment to let it sink in, Applejack continued, “Now then, we grow –”

“Six different types of apples,” interrupted Apple Bloom again. “They are red delicious, golden delicious, granny smith, macintosh, braeburn, and cider apples.”

“Actually seven,” corrected Applejack. “We also harvest zap apples.”

“Eeyup.”

Apple Bloom looked abashed and kicked a pebble on the ground. “Ah fergot ’bout the zap apples,” she muttered.

Joy looked confused but didn’t press the issue.

Looking down her new sister, Applejack asked, “Y’all know what zap apples are, right?”

The little filly shook her head.

“It’s them trees over yonder,” said Applejack, pointing to the dead-looking trees off in the distance. “They don’t produce every year.”

“Cause they’re magical,” came Apple Bloom.

“Eeyup.”

Applejack continued, “They’re a mite unpredictable. But we know it’s zap apple season when the first sign –”

“Timberwolves!” cried Apple Bloom.

Joy let out a frightened squeak and jumped behind the older ponies, frantically scanning the surroundings for the vicious beasts.

“Ain’t nothing tah be scared of, Bloom was just saying that the first sign is the howlin’ of the timberwolves.”

“Don’t yah have ’em up in Vanhoover?” asked Apple Bloom.

“’Course not,” said Applejack. “Them varmints are only found in the Everfree.” Turning to her new sister, she assured her, “They mostly stick to tha Forest. Hardly ever come ’round here.”

“Eeyup.”

“But they do come around here?” asked Joy.

Rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly, Applejack admitted, “Well, there was that one time when my friends lured some Timberwolves to Sweet Apple Acres, but that was an accident. Afta’ we busted them critters up they pretty much leave us alone.”

“But the timberwolves come here for the zap apples?” pressed a still shaking Joy.

“Nah. We hear ’em howl from the Forest, that’s the first sign.”

“Are the next signs as dangerous?” Joy asked, glancing around nervously.

“Well –”

“The zap apple trees get leaves, then the trees get flowers, then a meteor shower and finally an unscheduled lightning storm,” interrupted Apple Bloom.

“Eeyup.”

“And these zap apples are good to eat?” asked Joy.

“We don’t eat ’em.”

“You turn them into cider then?”

Applejack rubbed her chin in thought, “Zap apple cider, that there’s an idea.”

“We make jam!” cried Apple Bloom.

“Eeyup.”

“We’ll have tah get yah some when we have lunch,” Applejack thought aloud.

“Eeyup.”

“Though there’s a bit of a – unusual – process fer makin’ it. Yah see –”

“We gotta paint the house in pink polka dots, hop over waterin’ cans in bunny suits while singin’ the alphabet, talk tah the glass jars, an’ be nice with the bees fer extra sweet honey,” interrupted Apple Bloom again.

Joy stared at her twin disbelievingly.

“Really,” confirmed her twin with a nod.

“It’s magic,” said Applejack with a shrug, “so it don’t always make sense.”

“Eeyup.”

They took the long way back to the farmhouse, stopping by the stream that bisected the farm, the pond on the perimeter of the property, and hilltop for the amazing view of Ponyville below them. Along the way the three Apple siblings discussed further details of the estate’s history and the family business. Overall, they’d spent a couple of hours touring the farm.

Upon reaching home, the four found Granny Smith baking some fresh apple pies. Applejack began preparing lunch for the family. Big Mac headed outside to get the apple cart ready for some deliveries. Joy took the time to wash up as Apple Bloom retreated to her room to prepare for the afternoon.

Lunch was served. Included among the selections were slices of crisp, buttered toast with the aforementioned zap apple jam. When asked, Joy admitted that she had never tasted anything like it, which pleased the family. Except Apple Bloom, who was so wrapped up with her plans for the afternoon that she hardly took notice.

With lunch complete, Granny Smith retired upstairs for an early afternoon nap, or as she called it “restin’ mah eyes.” Applejack cleaned up the kitchen before attending to some chores. Big Mac headed out to load the wagon and make some apple pie deliveries. That left Apple Bloom and Joy free for the afternoon.

A short time later, Apple Bloom was leading her twin down a dusty path through the farm. She trotted faster than her sister, and frequently had to stop and wait for her. “Come on Joy, hurry up! They’re waitin’ on us,” Apple Bloom insisted.

Continuing their trek, they finally came upon a secluded clearing on the edge of the property. Perched in – what else? – an apple tree, was a small building. It looked like a one-room home, not like a typical treehouse at all. It sat on a platform buttressed by load-bearing beams anchored directly to the trunk while a large branch to provide further support. Surprisingly it featured glass windows with shutters and a small porch. Leading up to the front door stood a two-tier ramp. Overall, it appeared to be a bit old-fashioned, but recently updated with loving care.

Apple Bloom practically dragged her twin up the ramp. With a loud Bam! Apple Bloom threw the door wide open and hustled Joy inside. Waiting for them were two fillies. One was an orange pegasus with a wind-swept purple mane. The other was a little white unicorn with a pinkish-purplish mane and tail and welcoming green eyes.

They looked back at the newcomers wide eyed, and exclaimed simultaneously:
“You two look so much alike!”
“You two look so different!”

The two exchange confused glances as Apple Bloom and Joy looked at each other uncertainly.

The pegasus said, “Of course they look alike. They’re both yellow earth ponies with red manes and tails.”

“But one is wearing a nice outfit with carefully styled mane and tail,” shot back the unicorn.

“But Apple Bloom could look like that if she wanted to.”

“But she doesn’t.”

“But she could.”

“But she doesn’t.”

“But she could.”

“But she –”

“Uh, girls?” interrupted Apple Bloom.

They looked back at her.

“Ah’d like to introduce you tah my twin sister, Joy.”

They trotted over to greet her.

“I’m Scootaloo.” She grabbed Joy’s hoof and began shaking it.

“Nice to meet you,” responded Joy.

The unicorn introduced herself next. “I’m Sweetie Belle.”

Joy held out her hoof, “A pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

Apple Bloom wrapped her forelegs around the two other fillies and said, “Together we make up the Cutie Mark Crusaders!”

“Also Babs Seed,” observed Sweetie Belle.

Joy tilted her head.

“You know, our cousin in Manehattan,” explained Apple Bloom. “I mentioned her yesterday when we were coming back from the train station.”

“Oh, right.”

“And Gabby isn’t here,” Scootaloo pointed out.

“She’s a griffon,” added Sweetie Belle.

Joy looked confused.

“Since griffons can’t really get cutie marks, we gave her one we designed especially for her,” clarified Scootaloo.

“Anyways, the Cutie Mark Crusaders is an organization dedicated to helping ponies find their cutie marks,” said Apple Bloom proudly.

“Or reconnect with their cutie marks,” added Sweetie Belle. “Would you like to join?”

“Wait,” interrupted Scootaloo, eyeing their guest’s flank. “Do you have a cutie mark?”

Joy nodded then said quietly, “Yes, I do.”

“Let’s see it!”

“Yeah!” cried Apple Bloom.

“Uh,” said Joy as she looked between the three eager fillies. “I’d have to take my jeans off.”

“You could just pull them down,” noted Scootaloo.

“Perhaps I can show you another time?” suggested Joy.

“Sure,” said Sweetie Belle. “You’ll be here for a couple of weeks. We’ve got time.” Though it was obvious that all three Crusaders were disappointed by the looks on their faces.

Apple Bloom spoke up, “So, since you got your cutie mark already, we can go out an’ help other ponies with cutie mark problems. We’ve got a waiting list, especially after all our success.” She motioned to the wall covered in framed pictures of smiling colts and fillies along with a hooful of adults.

“You mean go meet a lot of new ponies?” asked Joy.

“Yeah.”

“I don’t have any experience like you three,” protested Joy.

“We could always use the extra help.”

“And you could help us see things in a new light,” Scootaloo pointed out.

“I would just be in your way. You three go on without me,” insisted Joy.

Apple Bloom looked at her twin, “Really?”

“I will go back to the farmhouse. I need to write a letter to mother to let her know I arrived safely at Sweet Apple Acres.”

“You sure you don’t want to stay? We could do somethin’ else ’sides crusadin’?” offered Apple Bloom.

Joy shook her head, “You go ahead and have fun. I will see you when you return.”

“Okay,” said a hurt Apple Bloom.

Joy turned to the others, “Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, it was a pleasure to meet you.” She shook their hooves before departing.

The three Crusaders stood there while a deafening silence hung over the clubhouse.

“Wow, I guess you two really are different,” said Scootaloo. “Hey!” she cried when Sweetie Belle poked her in the side.

“Ah was just hoping we could spend time doin’ things together,” lamented Apple Bloom.

Sweetie Belle put a hoof on her friend’s shoulder. “She’s new here. I’m sure she’s feeling a little overwhelmed. You know, leaving her friends and family behind, going to a new town, spending time with family that she’s never met before, and meeting her sister’s friends as well.”

“Ah guess your right,” conceded Apple Bloom.

“Maybe we should take it slow. How about you bring her over to my house tomorrow morning? We could spend some time there and then show her around town. And since it’s Sunday, there won’t be many ponies out.”

“That sounds like a great idea!” said Scootaloo.

And so the three made plans for the next day before doing some crusading.

Dinner was another delicious meal, this time prepared by Granny Smith and Applejack. The five gathered around the kitchen table, talking about what they’d done that day. Apple Bloom seemed a bit subdued, but eagerly announced that the twins would be meeting up with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo for a tour of the town the next morning. Joy seemed apprehensive but nodded in agreement.

After dinner, the twins headed upstairs. Apple Bloom wanted to do something fun, so her sister suggested cards. She had played a few games before, but Joy taught her how to play double solitaire. Apple Bloom wasn’t very good, losing every time, but caught on quickly and enjoyed her time with her sister. After a few rounds Joy wanted to get some “beauty rest”, so they retired to bed. As she lay in her sleeping bag, Apple Bloom couldn’t wait for the morning to come.

Author's Note

Hello everyone!

Thanks for checking out the new chapter. I hope you enjoyed it. As for me, I'm having a blast at TrotCon here in Dayton, OH. Look for the next chapter 24 August, live from Everfree Northwest!

Dreadnought