Chapters The Quest for the Golden Apple
'Twas a nice day in Ponyville. Many trotted along the roads and conversed with others. Among these was Applejack, suprisingly. She was in town to talk to Twilight.
However, on her way to the library, she ran into Bon-Bon.
"Oh, hey Applejack!" She said gleefully.
"Well howdy! Haven't seen you in awhile." She walked up and bumped her on the shoulder with her hoof. "How've ya been?"
"Oh, I've been alright myself. Sales are good. Yourself?"
"Purty good. It's busy on the farm, but we're doin' pretty well."
"Good to hear. What brings you to town?"
"Got a couple things t' take care of. Don't feel like sayin' much fer th' sake of others."
"Oh, private business? I have no part in it. Don't feel bad. ...Can I ask one thing?"
"Hmm?"
"Does it have to do with Rainbow?"
"Huh? Rainbow?"
"Yeah. You know how she's taking it?"
"...Takin'... What?"
"...Wow, you have been gone for awhile..." Bon-Bon said, looking a tad worried.
"What happened? Oh, don't tell me she broke 'er wing again."
"Oh, no. One of the Wonderbolts... There was some sort of accident during practice."
"Eesh. How bad?"
"One of them... Er..." Bon-Bon scratched the back of her head, looking down.
"...Oh. ...I'll have to check on 'er later. Celestia, that's one heck of a blow for her to take. I know how much them Wonderbolts mean to her."
"Yeah, I know..."
Suddenly, from a nearby house comes a holler. Derpy Hooves is poking her head out of the window.
"Bon-Bon! Hurry up! We're waiting for you!"
Bon-Bon looked back, a tad embarrassed. "...I should proabably go, Applejack. My friends planned to have a little get-together today." She leans forward to mumble something. "...And they aren't known for their patience, I can tell you that right now..."
Applejack chuckled. "Alright. Best you get to 'em."
"Bye!"
"See ya, Bon-Bon." She said, waving goodbye as she trotted away. She thought about Rainbow, and at what time she could visit her.
Seeing Rainbow couldn't be done now, unfortunately. Applebloom's grades had been slipping a little, and since she, unfortunately, had little experience in education herself, couldn't help much. Applejack could not think of a better pony to help than her friend who lived in a very library. Unfortunately, this library closes at 2:00 PM on Sundays, leaving Applejac only about 20 minuets. After a short trot, Applejack knocks on the door.
"Come in!" Said Spike. As she opened the door to look in, she noticed two things. Twilight was nowhere to be seen, and Rainbow Dash was in the library instead.
"...Oh, hey, Applejack! What brings you here?" Spike asked.
"Hey Spike. Was lookin' fer Twi. She 'round?"
Rainbow Dash looked at Applejack, a bit of sadness in her eyes. "Twilight left to go to Canterlot. Her family needed her for... What was it, Spike?"
"Oh, yeah. She's helping her parents move. They bought a new house somewhere else in Canterlot. Evidently the old one was out of shape."
Applejack thumps the ground with her hoof. "Durn it. When will she be back?"
"A couple days, probably. She left me in charge of the library."
"...Ah..." Applejack said, upset things didn't go as planned. She looked at her other friend. "So wut brings you here, Rainbow?"
"Returning a book before I go to Fleetfoot's ceremony." She said, holding up a Daring-Do book. The cover had an image of Daring Do reaching out to grab a golden apple.
"Oh, yeah, Ah heard 'bout that. Sorry, Rainbow. ...Wait, a funeral already?"
"She died, like, two weeks ago, AJ."
Applejack blinked. Why hadn't I found out earlier? , she wondered. "...Oh..."
Rainbow quickly took note of Applejack's apparent cluelessness. "...I've noticed you don't come to town much anymore. Must be busy on the farm." Rainbow sighed. "...Well, I'd better go. I'll see you later." She said before setting down her book and trotting out the door, head low. She usually flies out the window, but clearly her mood prevented her from doing so.
Spike looked up at Applejack, who was now reading the book's back cover. "...You know, I really hope this turns out good for her. They're all her role models."
"So do I, Spike. ...Hate t' say it, but, maybe there's an open spot now." She said, still scanning the book.
"Uh-huh." Spike looked at the book. "...Evidently those books are based off of real things." Spike said, trying to strike up a conversation. Things were awfully boring around the library with Twilight gone, due to Owlowiscious' apparent inability to determine who is doing what.
"...Really?"
"Yeah. Evidently there were 7 enchanted golden apples crafted by some ancient ponies centuries ago. They were stolen by dragons or something. Nopony knows where they are now."
"...Has anyone ever looked?"
"Heh. Does anypony other than the Elements of Harmony have the guts to go up to a dragon's lair?"
"...Good point." She looked at the book some more, and then back up at Spike. "...Y' mind if I take this?"
"Not at all. I'll just have to write down that you took it. I'm sure Twilight wouldn't have a problem with it."
She set the book down, wrapped spike up in her front-right leg, and gave him a noogie. "..Thank ye, Spike." She trotted out the door waving goodbye, book in hoof.
A slightly dazed and disgruntled Spike did what he could to say farewell before the door closed shut.
The Quest for the Golden Apple
A couple days later, after Applejack had finished the book, she went back to Ponyville. Not only did she want to return the book, but she also wanted to see if Twilight was back.
Upon arrival at the library, she found Twilight was still gone. Spike was on the couch, munching on a sandwich.
"...Oh, hey AJ. What's up?" He said, standing up.
"Finished th' book." She pulled it out of her saddlebag, held it up, and waved it. "Ah take it Twi ain't back yet?"
"No. Evidently they had other plans..." Spike sighed. "...It's so... Dull around here. Nobody to talk to."
"Aw. Sorry 'bout that, Spike. Ye can come hang 'round with me if ye need ta."
"...Then who's going to keep an eye on the library?"
"Whooo?"
Applejack and Spike both looked up at Owlowiscious. "...Ain't he able to?"
"...I never thought of that, AJ. He might, but... Eh, I need a vacation."
"Well, feel free t' stop by anytime!"
"...Thanks, AJ."
"Yer welcome, Spike. Anythin' fer a friend."
Spike nodded. "...So, what else is up? Anything interesting happening lately?"
"'Less you count Big Mac's... 'Hot-streak'... Nah. Nothin' different. Same stuff, different day."
Spike blinked. "...TMI, AJ."
They shared a chuckle. "What? You asked!"
"Still!"
After a facehoof and a facepalm, Applejack spoke up again. "...How've things been goin' round here lately?"
"Boring. ...But Twilight has been having the weirdest guests over lately. Before she left, that is."
"Weird?"
"Like... Oh, how do I put this? They're the kind of ponies that... have no personal hygene, are fat and... Obsess over stories and stuff. She talked to some fat dude last week who was evidently a historian. I swear, he knew -everything- about Equestria's history. Specifically the time when Celestia was at war with the griffon kingdom, where they invented armor and stuff. He went on for hours ! And he smelled like rotten eggs!"
Applejack snarled more and more in disgust at every detail. "...Ah've seen a couple ponies like that. Ah've even smelt a few... Eeyuck!"
"Do you know the smell when they raise their arms and reveal their pits?"
"...Do Ah want to?"
"...Probably not."
"Then let's leave it be."
"...Yeah..."
An awkward silence followed. Applejack decided to break the ice.
"Oh! Spike! Also, was hopin' ye had another book on these... Golden apples. They're interestin'."
"Sure do. Hold on..." Spike grabbed the ladder and rolled over to another section. After a minute or two of searching, he pulled out three books. "...These should show you more." He said as he held them up to Applejack.
She took them and set them to the side. "Great. But right now, Ah got a question for ya, Spike."
"Hmm?"
"Ah got quite a few ideas from this here book." She bumps the Daring Do novel. "Look. Bein' on the farm is growin' pretty old. Ah'm gonna go insane if Ah don't break out of my routine some time soon. Maybe if Ah learn more, we can find out where these golden apples may be 'n' what they do 'n' stand for. ...'N' maybe take 'em fer ourselves."
Spike burst out laughing. "...You... Y-You think that... Hah! ...AJ, I'm sorry, but, going after something like that is crazy! Nopony has ever found one, no matter how hard they looked!"
"Hmm. Let me read these. Ah'll get back to you..."
"Heheh, okayyyy, AJ. I'll see you around." Spike said as his friend went out the door.
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The next day...
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The next day, Applejack opened the door and was greeted by Spike, who was still skeptical about Applejack's plans.
"Heh. So, what'd ya find out? Anything?" He said sarcastically.
Applejack cleared her throat. "...Maybe the people who looked before didn't know how to negotiate with dragons. 'R maybe they didn't get a good look at this." She pulled out a book. It was about The 'Mareyans'; an ancient civilization of ponies whom inhabited the mountainous regions north of Canterlot. "There's actually more crunch t' this apple than Ah thought."
Spike wiped the smug look off of his face, grabbed the book, and started reading. After a few minutes, his eyebrows raised in surprise, and his eyes were wide with interest. "...Tombs... Crypts... Applejack, you aren't seriously considering this? We have next to nothing to go by other than the fact they have tombs."
"Or do we? Look at page 755."
Spike nodded, and flipped the page. It was about the reflection pool. "...And into her own reflection she stared, yearning for one whose reflection she shared... They made that pool?!"
"Yeah, they did."
"How did Pinkie know about that thing anyway?"
"Ah dunno." Applejack took the book, set it aside, and turned Spike's head to face her. "'N' that's where Ah think we should start. If nothin' else, we'll at least solve a mystery or two." She said with a smirk.
"...Applejack?" Spike said as he stared off into the distance in deep thought.
"Hmm?"
"...This just might work..." He said, thinking about it.
"Ah know. That's why Ah came back. Suggest we go talk to Pinkie, see just how much she knows."
"Great idea." Spike said, nodding.
"Want a ride, Spike?"
"Sure thing." He said as he hopped up onto Applejack's back. It took him a minute to get used to Applejack's muscular frame; Twilight didn't work out much, and the difference in width and... Comfort... was noticeable.
As they trotted along, they finally came across Sugarcube Corner. They walked in and were greeted by the ringing of a small bell.
"Oh, hello, Applejack!" Ms. Cake called. "What brings you here? More of the pie?"
"Nah, actually. ...Though, it does sound good right now. Can ye get me 'n' Spike a slice?"
Ms. Cake nodded, and went back to get a pie. When she came back and put it in the oven, she looked back over at her two new guests. "So, if it isn't the pie, what brings you here."
"Pie." Applejack said, chuckling.
"...Huh? ...Oh, Pinkie? Heh."
Applejack nodded, and opened her mouth to speak. She was cut off by Ms. Cake. "...But, uh, she's in Appleoosa right now."
"...Appleoosa ? Why?"
"...I thought you of all ponies would know, Applejack? It's Braeburn's birthday!"
Applejack's face grew red from embarrassment. How could I forget? "...Oh... Ah forgot..."
"Oh well. I'm sure he won't mind a late happy birthday? Better late than never!"
DING!
"Oh, your pie's done. One second..!" Ms. Cake chimed.
As Applejack and Spike found a seat at one of the tables, they whispered to eachother. "...Great. Appleloosa's a day away by train..."
"I know. We still gonna go?"
"Ah want to. You?"
"Yeah! There's no way I'm going back to the boring old library with that obnoxious little--"
The plates were set down on the table, steaming hot slices of pie on them. After Applejack handed Ms. Cake ten bits, she walked off.
"...Alright, Spike. Think we should bring friends?"
"...I dunno. Twilight and Rainbow are gone, Pinkie's busy with parties, Fluttershy is... Fluttershy, and, from what I hear, Rarity isn't having a good time with some of her orders and the crusaders mixing..."
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Rarity grabs Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo's necks, and hurries them outside the burning boutique.
"Sweeite Belle?! Scootaloo?! How do you set * OATMEAL** on fire?!*"
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"...Best not get in her way, then." Applejack nods. Just then, she tried to think of a witty comeback to say something about Spike and his crush on Rarity. But before she did, she stopped herself. Is that really her place? ...Does she even know how deep it is between the two of them? No, she doesn't; she seldom talks to Rarity or Spike, and is rarely in town to even do so. How would Spike take a joke like that? She didn't know; she hasn't been around him long enough to know his sense of humor. With that, she didn't want to know how he would react; she didn't like stepping in minefields. At this point, she felt like merely an acquaintance as opposed to a friend, and it hit how how little she actually knew Spike. ...Maybe this would be the perfect opporitunity to change that.
"...So it's just you 'n' me against th' world? ...I kinda like the sound o' that."
The Quest for the Golden Apple
After getting several affairs in order, picking up a saddle, and buying train tickets, our duo found their way to the train station. Due to Applejack being an Element, she was offered a box car with fine mattresses and room services. After Spike convinced her to take up the offer, the two boarded.
The train hissed and squealed as the iron wheels started turning. Moments later, they were going full speed ahead to the far away town of Appleoosa.
"...Wow, this really is pretty nice." Spike said, bouncing on the bed. This reminded him; no more ridiculous sleeping schedules... He could sleep almost whenever he wanted!
"Sure is. Nice view, too." Applejack said, looking out the window at the land speeding by.
The two sat in silence for a moment. After Spike was done with a short thought, he looked at Applejack. "...AJ, did that book say anything about why those golden apples exist?"
"Actually, no, it didn't. All it said wus that there were records written by the Mareyans in riddles 'n' stuff. The book was just a record o' dig sites, in case ye didn't notice."
"...You're telling me it had a thousand pages on dig sites, but hardly anything on their culture or history?"
"All they found of interest was a bunch of pottery and crafts way too good for their time, as well as a few gigantig gemstones. As for culture, all they said they managed to recover were some engravin's of some strange lookin' deity, the pictures too mangled t' tell exactly what. Whoever they worshiped, it wasn't Celestia."
"...Seriously? They couldn't have been that old."
Applejack merely shrugged. "Well, if there wasn't nothin' in Twi's library, I ain't got a clue about where we can find anythin' else."
Spike thought for a moment. "...Wait... How old did you say they were?"
"The book said 'round six-hundr'd years."
"Don't you think Celestia might remember something like that?"
"Did she even know?"
"Maybe. Worth a shot, if you ask me. How about we send her a letter after we deal with Pinkie?"
"...Yeah, guess ye got a point. But ain't she all busy with... Royal stuff?"
"Pfft, from what Twilight tells me, she just fusses over her and her sister's hooves, handles some courts, and occasionally does negotiations with the Griffin Kingdom. Other than that, she's either in her room or dealing with the sun."
Applejack blinked. That didn't sound much like Celestia. Then again, she didn't know Celestia much either. "...Oh. Well then."
"Yeah, I'll send her a letter when we're done with Pinkie."
Applejack chuckled. "How much you wanna bet Pinkie's gone to an insane level t' get ready for the party?"
"Pfff. If I know Pinkie, she probably has the entire town covered in streamers, confetti, and frosting."
"...Y'know, Ah love Pinkie, but sometimes she just goes a bit too far. ...But Ah like it most of th' time!" Applejack said, recalling the time Pinkie Pie had an after--after-birthday-party--party for Gummy.
"I can tell, AJ. Every time after one of Pinkie's parties, you go home with a gut the size of your barn. How can you eat so much? I can't even eat that much ice cream !"
Applejack thought for a moment, a smirk sneaking it's way onto Applejack's face. "...You ever worked on a farm, boy?"
"No. But I'd like to give it a shot some day!" Spike said, thinking Applejack was implying an invitation.
"...Ah think we can find SOME use for ye. Y' sure can't buck, but..."
"It beats sorting books..." Spike said rather bitterly.
"That's gotta be harsh. And borin'."
Spike sighed heavily. "You have no idea. I love Twilight like a mother, but, sometimes, I feel like sort of a slave, the way she treats me after everything I do. I mean, I know she gets stressed easily, and I understand that, but sometimes it's just too much. Have you ever wanted to just scream, Applejack? Just scream out all of your frustration?"
Applejack thought for a moment. "...Not often, but, occasionally... Sorry, Spike."
"Ugh! The more I think about it the more it irritates me! That day we learned how to cook food with magic alone? Seven hours straight! SEVEN. HOURS! I could have used those hours to go up to Sugarcube Corner, play some board games, maybe talk to Rarity... The list goes on! ...Oh, sweet Celestia, lists! Bucking lists!! The bigger the list, the happier Twilight is!"
Applejack listened intently, worry on her face, as Spike continued his rant.
"...And the more I have to do! And not a single say in it! 'Have a list of lists? Check. Have a list? Check. Have a bad case of halitosis? Check. Daily morning attempt at making Spike's brain vessels burst? Check.' It's madness! I's like she has no... What's the word? What am I looking for? Freedom? Chaos, even? I think that fits pretty well. Maybe she needs a lesson from Discord. Her mind is so tight and so strict, it's as if she has a corn husk shoved rrrrright up her--"
Before Spike could say any more, a loud knocking came from the door. It was room service. Applejack motioned for Spike to sit down while she handled the situation.
Applejack opened the door. "Hello, ma'a-- GAH!" The stallion gasped when he saw who was in front of him. After a brief glance, Applejack would realize it was none other than Flim, one of the brothers that almost ran the Apples out of business.
...Applejack couldn't help but laugh. She could only guess what had happened. "They got you workin' here now, eh?"
Flim sighed, defeated. There was no way he could lie to the Element of Honesty . "...Yes, Ms. Apple. We ran out of business shortly after our little incident in Ponyville. Me and Flam now work here. I suppose you're about to bomb me with wise comebacks?"
Applejack couldn't wipe the dumb smile off of her face. "...Nah. Don't feel like stoopin' that low. I'll just make an order. You guys got food on here, right?"
"We sure do. Have a look at the menu. I'll be back." He said, closing the door behind him as he walked out.
Spike started rolling around on the floor laughing as Applejack looked back over.
"...Ah ain't got nuttin' t' say 'bout that except for karma bites." She said, opening the menu as Spike composed himself. "What do they got? Pumpkin pie, tomato soup, Griffin-style cheese pizza..."
Spike was drooling at this point. Although he liked gems, he enjoyed other foods almost just as much. "...Applejack, how does a gigantic pizza with Zebric cheese, mushrooms, tomato sauce, and pineapples sound?"
"...Pineapples on pizza? "
"You ever tried it? It's actually pretty good..."
"...Guess it's worth a shot."
A few minutes later, Flam knocked on the door. The only distinguishable difference between the two was Flam's mustache.
As the door was opened, he gave a slight bow. "H-Have you decided, Ms. Apple?"
"Cut the 'Miss Apple' tar. It's AJ. And, yes, we've decided. Large mushroom cheese pizza with pineapples. Please."
"Er... Sure thing!" Flam said before hastily making his leave.
AJ and Spike shared a chuckle. "You know, AJ, this actually seems pretty fun. Just us?"
"Nice t' be away from home sometimes... Not to mention what Ah have to deal with sometimes. Like ye said, Ah love 'em t' death. It just gets tiresome after awhile, with Granny, and Big Mac. ...Specially Applebloom and those cute, but annoyin' as buck, crusaders. It seems e'rry night, at least ONE of them five has to do somethin' that keeps me up. Don't get no durn sleep."
"I know the feeling..."
"Ah s'pose Twilight likes t' stay up?"
"Only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Otherwise her schedule will get off. And you know what happens when her schedule is off."
"She's..." Applejack gulped. "...Tardy?"
"Yeah..."
"...Ah'm so, so sorry, Spike."
"Don't be. It isn't your fault."
"Ah still feel bad."
"Try not to. There isn't anything you can really--"
The door suddenly opened. Film, carrying a large pizza, trotted in. He unfolded a small table, set the tray down, gave them a few plates, bowed, and walked out before any of them could say anything.
Applejack looked confused. "Well, that was fast..."
"What? The cooking or the delivery?"
"Both!" She said, facehoofing.
"They probably did something to it..."
"Yeah, they probably did. Lemme take 'er back and see wut's up." She said, grabbing the pizza and standing up.
She walked in between cars to go see Flim and Flam. However, she noticed nobody was there... She went further ahead. Nobody was in the train at all. How could Flim and Flam NOT be here? How could they have exited? The train hadn't stopped!
Then it hit her. Flim and Flam were unicorns. And we're likely vengeful. Very vengeful.
She galloped to the window to look outside. Sure enough, her and Spike were on the wrong route; on a new rail that lead off of a ravine. She looked back at where they were supposed to go, which was a turn to the east.
"...How in the...?!"
Applejack panicked. If she didn't think fast, she was going to die. She made a quick estimation; about a minute and a half before they were launched off the edge of the cliff. She started galloping back, thinking.
She was pulling a blank. She couldn't think of anything! Come on, come on! Her and Spike's lives depended on this! If only she had the imagination of Applebloom and her three little... Wait a minute...
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"Cutie Mark Crusader Blacksmiths!" The three voices said in unison.
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...Applejack busted the door to her cab.
Spike looked up, frightened. "...AJ? What's happening?"
"No time, Spike! I need somethin'... Somethin' big 'n' heavy!"
Spike looked around quickly. Soon, he found a fire extinguisher. "Here! Will this work?"
"Celestia, Ah hope so!" She said before going through the doorway in between the cabs. She started pounding on the bolts that connected hers to the rest of the train, in hopes to detach.
Eventually, she had success. Applejack let out a loud "Yee-haw!" As she saw their cab inching away.
Her success was short lived. She looked ahead, and noted they wouldn't slow down in time. They would have to bail.
But how? How would they even survive the landing at this speed? How would they...
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"Cutie Mark Crusader Parachuters!"
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Applejack's eyes widened. She grabbed her bags, hooked them onto her saddle, and grabbed Spike.
"Hold on, Spike!"
"Applejack! What are you doing?!" Spike said as Applejack grabbed the blanket off of the queen sized bed.
"Savin' our tails!" She screamed as she busted down the back door.
She climbed up the ladder on the caboose to the top of the train. She grabbed the blanket, and was about to see how much time they had left.
She didn't look up on account of Spike's screaming answering her question for her.
Without hesitation, she grabbed the blanket, flung it open, and jumped backwards. The wind resistance managed to keep the two a safe distance away from the edge of the cliff.
Their landing was a different story. Applejack face-planted, still going at a high speed, and tumbled over onto her back, later noticing she lost her hat. Spike was flung another few feet to Applejack's right, not having much more luck with his landing; a belly flop.
The two got up, dazed and stunned, and eventually waddled over to eachother. The explosion coming from the ravine moments later reminded them just how close to death they were.
Applejack, after getting her hat and reaching Spike, rolled over onto her back to ease her pain. Spike did the same.
"...Spike...?"
"...Yh... Yeah?"
"Y-You alright?"
"...I'll... I'll live... Ugh..."
"Let's just... Rest a minute..."
"Yeah..."
The two sat in what was almost silence; occasional groaning and heavy breathing interrupted it. After a few minutes, Applejack weakly hoisted herself to her hooves, put her saddle on, and grabbed everything they had.
"...We'll check the damage in Appleoosa. Ah'm sure there's... A doc there. Come on, Spike. Hop on. 'Fore somethin' bad happens.
Spike obliged, forcing himself to crawl up onto Applejack's bruised back as they followed the other railroad tracks to Appleoosa, which was but a few miles away.
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I hope you expected action.
And morals.
The Quest for the Golden Apple
Nana Pie's Stories and Rhymes
Spike and Applejack finally made it to Appleoosa around noon. After getting checked out by the local doctor and told they were fine, spare a few minor injuries, they set out to find Pinkie Pie. It wasn't long until they came by a house, vibrating with the combined sounds of pots and pans clanging, hasty hoofsteps, and gleeful humming.
As if it couldn't be any more obvious.
Applejack approached the door with caution and knocked with her hoof. Not even moments later was the door swung open with force, revealing Pinkie Pie. She was covered in various baking goods; among them flour, frosting, sprinkles, sugar, and dough. She didn't seem to care much, and looked as if she enjoyed it.
"Oh! APPLEJAAAACK! Spike! Hiya! You here for the party?" She said gleefully, her eyes containing enough energy to make Celestia's sun glow green with envy.
Applejack considered it. The party would be tomorrow morning\, and not to mention her and Spike wouldn't be able to do much for a day or two. "Welp, we're hopin' so. But, me 'n' Spike had a few other things in mind here."
"Oh? Things? Are they fun?"
Applejack briefly looked behind Pinkie at the gigantic mess.. "...Well, ya look mighty busy right now. How 'bout we talk later?"
Pinkie Pie laughed a little. "Pfft, busy?! You DO know that I'm Equestria's greatest multitasker, right?! And, no, not because of the reflection pool! ...Oooooooh! You can help me bake! You can help me bake!! "
As Pinkie Pie bounced off the walls at the potential of new baking buddies, Applejack looked at Spike for his opinion.
Spike leaned in to whisper in Applejack's ear. "We should stay. First off, I'm sure she'll tell us about how she knew about the reflection pool. Secondly, We're both hungry, considering we couldn't eat that cardboard that those two gave us. Not to mention her baking is unbelievable! No offense, AJ, but I could almost say it competes with your apple pie!
Applejack couldn't deny that. Pinkie's goods, as odd as they may be sometimes, were delicious. After shoving the thoughts of her blueberry-jalepeno-cheddar muffins out of her head, Applejack nodded to Pinkie.
"...Sure. We'll help ya bake. One thing though."
"Yay! ...And what's that one thing?"
"While we help you, you tell us how you learned 'bout the reflection pool."
The joyful look on her face was instantly replaced by a look of confusion and suspicion. She squinted at Applejack. "Oh? You mean Nana Pie's old stories and rhymes? Why do you wanna know?"
Applejack took a step back, surprised my Pinkie's reaction. "Was readin' a book about some ponies that lived some time ago. Evidently they were the ones that made the reflection pool. Wanted t' see how you knew about it." She wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead.
Pinkie blinked. "...Oh." She immediately went back to her previous joyful look and started to explain. "I learned them from Nana Pie! And, well, I have no idea where she learned them! She came back from a business trip in San Flankcico with them one day. She sold a bunch of marble to a rich company. ...Oh! And she came back with these awesome churros! I need to make some churros!"
"...San Flankcisco?! That's durn near the other side of Equestria!" Applejack scuffed the ground with her hoof. Spike, who was looking through the pantry at the time, jumped, and dropped the jar of pickles he was holding. Luckily, it didn't shatter.
Pinkie didn't seem to care about Spike and his endeavors, and looked at Applejack. "No need to worry, AJ! I have a book of them back at my place!"
After making sure Spike didn't hurt himself or break anything else, Applejack turned back to Pinkie. "Oh, y'do? Can we have it?"
"Of course! Why else would I tell you, silly?" She said, teasing Applejack.
Applejack nodded, and tipped her hat in appreciation. She adjusted her bags and started trotting toward the door. "...Alrighty then. We'd better get doin'. Se--"
Applejack was cut off by Pinkie Pie speeding in front of the door, blocking the way. She had a dejected look on her face, complete with puppy eyes and an adorable little frown. "...But... AJ! The cake! The party!"
Applejack groaned inside. "So close..." , she thought. Soon after, she contemplated her thoughts. Why did she want to go AWOL on her friends and family? For a birthday * party** by Pinkie Pie , of all things! Applejack cursed at herself for being so greedy. "What's gotten into me...?"*
"...Oh, yeah. Alright. Where do we start?"
After a jump, a hop, and a double-roll-frontflip-thingymibobber by Pinkie, she led Applejack into the kitchen to get started with the cake, no doubt going on about everything she's done to prepare for the party. Spike followed after putting things back where they belonged; but not without bringing a couple snacks.
They went back where the cake was being made. The cake was tall; almost fit to be a wedding cake. It was decorated with a plethora of colors (mostly orange), some edible ornaments, sprinkles, and buckets of frosting.
"...Why's it so... Just..." Applejack stood in hunger-induced awe as she stared at the cake, struggling not to drool at the sight.
"Oh! I talked to Braeburn. Evidently he has a lot of friends that plan on coming. Some are people that have stopped by Appleoosa, friends from before Appleoosa, a lot of the Apples themselves... And... He mentioned some other ponies. Maybe from that one b--"
"Yeah, yeah, okay, Pinkie." Applejack said nervously, cutting Pinkie off. "...When 'n' where do y'all plan on goin'?"
Pinkie paused and thought for a moment. "...I have no idea, AJ!" She admitted, not seeming to worry much. "Something will come up. It always does!" She grabs a bag of frosting and starts putting even MORE on the edges of the cake. She puts a dabble on her hoof and licks it. "...Mmm... Vanilla!"
"Oh, Ah see what you're gettin' at." A silence followed. "...So, what do you need me 'n' Spike to do?"
"...Uh, for the most part, I just wanted someone to talk to! I mean, baking is fun, but, I get kind of lonely when I don't know that many ponies around here. ...That, and I might want you to grab a thing or two while I'm working on the cake."
Applejack's guilt for wanting to leave grew. "...Oh, Ah see. Well, we'll be right here if ya need anything."
"Okie dokie lokie!" She chimed. As she pulled out a tube of frosting, she tried to strike up a conversation. "...Wait. Applejack. You mentioned a book earlier?"
"Uh, yeah, Ah did."
Pinkie restrained herself from asking her next question, and instead went on to ask another. "It was about the ponies who made the reflection pool?"
"Yeah. Evidently they made some sorta golden apple. Me 'n' Spike were lookin' fer information on this stuff. We figured since you knew 'bout the reflection pool that you might be able to help us."
"Oh, and I'd LOVE to help you, but I know absolutely nothing!"
"Well, y' told us 'bout that book, so that's a start."
Pinkie nodded. "But I dunno if that book will help much. All it is is just a bunch of rhymes and stuff. You'll probably have to go the the Canterlot Archives! I have the black suits you'll need!"
Applejack blinked. "...Black suits? Why do we need black suits?"
Spike hopped up on a nearby counter, and looked at Pinkie. "We won't need suits, Pinkie. Twilight wanted us to wear them because she thought we needed to sneak in..." He covered his face with his palm.
"Really? Well, you should wear them anyway! I thought it was fun!"
"...Ah think we'll pass, Pinkie." Applejack said, shaking her head. "Anyways. Where in San Flankcisco did Nana Pie go?"
Pinkie thought for a minute. "...Oh! I remember! It was for a bank! Bank of Equestria, they said. Funny how the Bank of Equestria isn't ran by ponies, either!"
Applejack raised a brow. "It ain't?"
"No. It's ran by zebras! Can you believe that?" Pinkie chuckled, almost bumping the cake.
Applejack looked at the cake. It was almost done. How is it almost done? How long has it been? Applejack shook the thoughts out of her head for later and looked to Pinkie. "...Oh. Well, anyways, I'm guessin' that they might know where Nana Pie got these rhymes from?"
"...I have no idea!" She said again.
Spike hopped off the counter and walked over to Applejack's side. "Well, if nothing else, we might get some leads."
Pinkie, for the first time since she had begun working, looked away from the cake and at her two friends. "...How do you two know that the people that work there know where she got the rhymes and stuff from? She could have picked them up at a nic-nac shop for all I know!"
"Well, we don't." Applejack stated. "But the fact that zebras work there might mean somethin'. It was a book of rhymes after all!"
"...Oh." She went back to working on the cake; the very top, to be specific. "Good point. That's still not much to go off of, though. Why not go to Zecora instead?"
Applejack blinked. "Oh yeah, Zecora... Why didn't I think of that?" "...Good idea, Pinkie."
Pinkie put a pair of cherries on the very top of the cake. "...Aaaaaand done!" She exclaimed. She looked over her handiwork and giggled in glee. "I can't wait to see the look on their faces when they see this!"
She jumped down from where she was standing and looked at her friends. Spike, a tendril of drool dangling from the corner of his mouth, suddenly shook his head and regained focus. "...Looks great, Pinkie!"
Pinkie looked at Spike, some concern appearing on her face. "...Spike, you haven't said much. Is anything wrong?"
"I just don't talk much when I'm hungry."
Pinkie's jaw dropped. In a moment, she buzzed over to the dragon. "Well why didn't you say so!?
Applejack rubbed her ears in pain and headed outside to look for a place to stay, leaving Spike to be stuffed like a balloon.