Applejack stood head and shoulders taller than Fluttershy. She stood taller than most girls. She had a lot of freckles and more light blond hair. She tossed a volleyball a few yards into the air. She leaped a few feet straight up. She spiked the ball so hard Twilight covered her ears when it smashed against the floor.

"Applejack, come meet my new friend," called Fluttershy from across the gym. Applejack didn't hear her small voice so she and Twilight walked up to her.

Before Twilight had a chance to say hello she was wrapped in a tight hug. Twilight felt like she was hugging a warm stone.

"Howdy doody," yelled Applejack. "I'm Applejack. Happy to make your acquaintance."

"This is Twilight," said Fluttershy. "She is from the pony world."

Applejack looked at her wristwatch. "You are suppoesed to be in class."

Fluttershy crossed her arms over her chest. "You are supposed to be in study hall."

Applejack shrank back. "I lost track of time."

Twilight could tell by the look on Applejack's face the two had this converstaion before.

"Good luck Twilight," Fluttershy said as she left for class.

Applejack gave Twilight a scornful look. She turned her back and spiked another volleyball. "Are you the famous Twilight? The one Princess Cadance treated like a sister?"

"I am. What does Cadance have to do with anything?"

"What are you doing here?"

"I am looking for my crown. It's gold with a big purple gemstone."

Applejack looked back toward Princess Twilight. "You should just go home. Have your subjects make another crown. Or don't. If you lost it you probably don't desrve it in the first place."

"I worked hard to earn my crown! I fought monsters you could not even imagine! I helped countless ponies and mended friendships that will last a lifetime! You don't know what I went through to earn that crown!"

Applejack turned her back on Twilight again. "Just because you earned something does not mean you deseve it."

"Fine! I don't deserve the crown. Without the element of magic the tree of harmony will die and Equestria will learn to live without it."

Applejack spiked another volleyball. "Sounds like a plan." She tossed another vollyball.

Twilight took a deep breath. "How do you know Sunset?"

Applejack let the volleyball fall to the floor. "I don't. I did. What I mean is. We have not talked in a while. The past is in the past. If I help you find your crown will you go home?"

Twilight suddenly felt shy. She was painfuly aware she was intruding on a much larger story. She knew it would be wrong to involve Applejack in her problem. She needed help and had no one else. "Sunset has my crown."

Applejack sighed hevily. "Looks like the past can't stay in the past. I will talk to her for you." She picked up her brown cowboy hat off a nearby chair and placed it on her head.

"Thank you." Princess Twilight felt ashamed of herself.

Applejack firmly stated, "I am not getting your crown back. I would promise you my front teeth before I prommised you your crown. Sunset is not the type to compromise."

Twilight shyly asked, "Do you know why Sunset stole my crown?"

"No."

"Why did the two of you stop being friends?"

"Just because! Stay put. I am going to find Sunset." Applejack stormed off without another word. Maybe she would talk to Sunset. Maybe she was just leaving.

Author's Note

Fun fact. At my previous job my boss had worked for the company for a long time. She by all means earned her position. She was the reason I, and at least two other people, quit.
I wrote the line "Just because you earned something does not mean you deserve it" before she was prompted. I can not read this story without thinking about her.