The Master Plan

"Yeeha!"

Apple Jack ran through the west field of Sweet Apple Acres, the wind whipping through her mane, tossing seeds left and right, while Big Mac pulled the plow along behind her. The sun was shining, and the temperature was just right. The soft soil was kicked up by Apple Jack's back legs as she ran so freely through the field. She skidded to a perfect stop as the pair reached the outer edge of the field.

"Beautiful day, ain't it Big Mac?" Apple Jack asked as she stared happily at the morning sun shining off the sides of the bright red barn in the distance.

"Eeyup," answered Big Mac, brushing the dirt from the field off his hooves. He then proceeded to detach the plow from himself.

Apple Jack was excited. Planting season had rolled around again, one of her most favorite times of the year, next to harvest. Every year, she never failed to love planting across the whole farm with her brother. The two made an unstoppable and effecient team. One day, Apple Jack mused, maybe her little sis would be running alongside them too.

A familiar yell brought the orange farm pony out of her reverie. "Aaaaaapple Jaaaaaack!" Granny Smith called from the distance. "Time fer lunch!!!!!"

"C'mon Big Mac," Apple Jack said to her brother, grabbing the empty seed packets and adjusting her hat. "Time to head on inside and wash up."

"Eeyup," the large red stallion said again. They ran across toward the farmhouse.

~  ~  ~  ~  ~

After cleaning themselves off from their work outside, Apple Jack and Big Mac joined the others gathered around the table to eat. Granny Smith had whipped up yet another delicious apple-related entre.

"So, how's things with the Cutie Mark Crusadin'?" Apple Fritter asked Apple Bloom as Granny Smith handed out plates piled with food.

"Ain't bad," replied Apple Bloom, picking at her food. "We tried soccer cutie marks today, but....nuthin'."

"Shucks," said Apple Fritter. "Well, I know y'all will get your cutie marks soon, don't worry."

"I know, I just wonder how long it'll take," sighed Apple Bloom. She turned to her food and began to chow down.

"Aw, look, the ol' MailPony's here!" cried Granny Smith, looking out the window.

"I'll get it!" said Apple Jack, jumping up from her seat. She ran outside and intercepted the Mailpony as he rifled through his bag for their mail.

"Thank ya kindly," she said as the Mailpony pulled out several letters and packages and handed them to her.

"Sure," said the Mailpony. "Oh, one more thing. This letter addressed to you is labeled 'URGENT'." He handed her a small envelope.

"Thanks," said Apple Jack, waving goodbye as he walked away. She took another look at the letter and noticed it was addressed to her and Apple Bloom, and it was from Babs, her sister's favorite cousin!

"Apple Bloom!" She said as she walked back in. "Ya got a letter from your cuz, Babs!"

Apple Bloom's eyes nearly popped out of her head. "My cousin Babs!" She cried happily. She snatched the letter out of Apple Jack's hooves and tore open the envelope. Anxiously, she began to read. Apple Jack watched her eyes move from side to side as she skimmed the lines of the letter. As she got further and further down the page her eyes got wider and wider. By the time she finished there were tears brimmming in her eyes.

She looked up at her sister. "Apple Jack!" she cried. "Babs is in big trouble!!!"

"What?" said Apple Jack in suprise. "What do ya mean, in trouble?" She grabbed the letter back and quickly skimmed through it. It read:

Dear Apple Bloom and Apple Jack,

This is very urgent. Somethin' wierd's goin' on here in Manehattan, and I need you guys to come as quickly as you can. Please, I really need your help!

Your Cousin,

Babs Seed

Apple Jack looked up from the letter. Apple Fritter and Big Mac stared at her. Granny Smith was too busy knitting to notice anything that was happening.

"What do we do?" cried Apple Bloom, tears running freely down her cheeks now.

"There's only one thing to do," Apple Jack replied, setting the letter on the table and putting on her hat. "Get to Manehattan as fast as we can".

"We're gonna see Babs?!" squealed Apple Bloom, quickly changing from her saddened state.

"We sure are," said Apple Jack. "Get your stuff together, we're leavin' as soon as possible.

"For Manehattan? Just like that?" asked a bewildered Apple Fritter.

"Babs is lil' sis's favorite cousin," said Apple Jack as Apple Bloom zipped around the room, gathering what she'd need for a suprise trip to Manehattan. "If she needs help, we gotta be there to help her as soon as we can. Even if it means goin' a long way on short notice."

Apple Fritter smiled. "Well, y'all have a great time there! we'll be waitin' here for y'all when ya get back."

"Eeyup," agreed Big Mac.

(Granny Smith had noticed none of the conversation, she was still too absorbed in her knitting.)

"Thanks y'all," said Apple Jack as she and Apple Bloom headed toward the door. "We'll be back before ya know it."

They waved goodbye and the two sisters headed for the train station to catch a ride to Manehattan.