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MLP:RtM 4 Applebuck Season

By Alaric
Created: 2021-12-12 02:54:40
Updated: 2023-10-10 00:00:04
Expiry: Never
anonvinyl scratchapplejacktwilight sparkleslice of lifesafe/aie/

  1. Source: https://pastebin.com/x3UrZeFb
  2. Author: TMPony
  3. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  4. >You’re hanging out in Vinyl Scratch’s house
  5. “I can’t believe they made you an honorary Element of Harmony too!”
  6. >She jiggles the blue gemstone carved into the shape of two eighth notes dangling from the chain around her neck
  7. >”The Element of Music. Pretty sweet, right?”
  8. >You think back to the human world and remember how good music is at bringing people together
  9. >It’s probably not much different in Equestria
  10. >It makes sense that it’s one of the elements of friendship
  11. >”Well, Rising is coming over, so I should probably kick you out. He gets jealous.”
  12. “Nah, Rising Star likes me. Ran into him on Mane Street the other day and talked for a bit.”
  13. >”Yeah? Rad, dude. Aight, lates.”
  14. >She walks you to the door and you step outside
  15. “Oh, almost forgot!”
  16. >You pull out a golden ticket from your pocket
  17. “I got this extra ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala that I don’t need. Do you want it? If you could get another, you and Rising could go.”
  18. >She looks over the ticket and ponders
  19. >”Hmm... the 21st of... Let’s see, 30 days in the month... every 20 days... last one was...”
  20. >She claps her hooves
  21. >”Nah, I’ll be in heat at that time, so Rising and I will probably be—“
  22. >You hold up your hand
  23. “EH EH EH! Too much information.”
  24. >You pocket the ticket again
  25. >She laughs and says goodbye, then closes the door
  26. >You shrug and chuckle to yourself
  27. >No filter on that girl
  28. >Suddenly the ground starts rumbling
  29. >Well, whaddya know
  30. >Episode 4: Applebuck Season
  31.  
  32. >”STAMPEDE!” Rainbow Dash yells
  33. >Ponies freaking out and screaming
  34. >Ponies running all over the place
  35. >Ponies ducking indoors
  36. >kek.jpg
  37. >You’re not afraid
  38. >Since you know that Applejack is going to save everyone from being trampled to death
  39. >At least, assuming that that isn’t completely fucked in this alternate continuity too
  40. >”H-H-H-E-E-E-Y-Y-Y A-A-A-N-N-N-O-O-O-N-N-N! T-T-T-H-H-H-I-I-I-S-S-S M-M-M-A-A-A-K-K-K-E-E-E-S-S-S M-M-M-Y-Y-Y V-V-V-O-O-O-I-I-I-C-C-C-E-E-E S-S-S-O-O-O-U-U-U-N-N-N-D-D-D S-S-S-I-I-I-L-L-L-L-L-L-Y-Y-Y!”
  41. “Hey Pinkie.”
  42. >You look out into the distance and see a herd of cows heading your way
  43. >You are actually a little worried she won’t come
  44. >”Whatever shall we do?” Rarity swoons
  45. >”Look there!” Rainbow yells
  46. >Applejack is running alongside the cows
  47. >Whew
  48. >”Put ‘em up, Winona!”
  49. >Winona helps round up the cows
  50. >Applejack jumps on top of one of the cows with her lasso at the ready
  51. >She lassos the cow at the front and yanks hard to the side
  52. >At the last possible minute the stampede veers off to the side, avoiding Ponyville
  53. >Everyone cheers
  54. >You join in
  55. >After conversing with the cows, Applejack appears at the top of the hill, silhouetted by the setting sun
  56. >The crowd creams their jeans
  57. >”Yee haw!” Ride ‘em cowpony!” Pinkie Pie shouts
  58. >The mayor speaks up
  59. ”Applejack was just... just...”
  60. >”Appletastic!” Pinkie interjects
  61. >”Exactly! We must do something to thank Applejack for singlehoofedly saving the town.”
  62. >”I know!” Pinkie Pie says, her eyes shining with hope and joy
  63. >God damn it Pinkie why are you so fucking cute
  64.  
  65. “A party?”
  66. >You sigh as you look up from your workbook in the library
  67. >It’s a few days later
  68. >You’ve been working on learning the fundamentals of the Equestrian written language
  69. >With Twilight’s help, you’ve already figured out how to write your own name and some basic words
  70. >Soon you’ll be writing letters to Princess Celestia, without Spike
  71. >Pinkie Pie is bouncing up and down around you
  72. >”Yeah! We’ll throw a big spectacular party for Applejack to thank her for saving us from that scary stampede! There’ll be speeches and games and dancing--”
  73. “I wouldn’t get your hopes up.”
  74. >You return to your work
  75. >Pinkie stops bouncing and just looks at you, offended
  76. >”What do you mean, Anon? Applejack loves parties!”
  77. “She might not even have time for a party. It’s Applebuck Season.”
  78. >”Apple what now?” Twilight asks
  79. “Applebuck Season. Harvest time for the orchard. I uh... heard that Big Macintosh got injured, so she has to do all the applebucking on her own. It’s probably tiring.”
  80. >”Then all the more reason for her to take a break and PARTY!” Pinkie exclaims
  81. >”Are you gonna help or what, Anon?”
  82. >You look up from your workbook again and smile
  83. “Of course, Pinkie Pie.”
  84. >You grab pink pone and pull her in close to you, scratching her on the head behind the ears
  85. >”A-Anon!” she giggles
  86. >Suddenly, your stomach starts to rumble
  87. >Spike enters from the other room and sets a plate of vegetables down in front of you
  88. >You look at it with disappointment
  89. >The vegetarianism has been rough on you
  90. >You’d kill for some steak or pork right now
  91.  
  92. ”Yo, Twilight.”
  93. >It’s a few days later again
  94. >You’re in town square tying balloons to lamp posts and trees for AJ’s celebratory party
  95. >The ponies know how to put your unique dexterity to use
  96. >Twilight comes up to you
  97. >”What is it, Anon?”
  98. “What do you ponies eat to get your protein?”
  99. >”Well, there are certain kinds of vegetables, like legumes—“
  100. >Fuck off, Twilight
  101. >You’ve been eating so many beans that you feel gassy as fuck
  102. >You almost even ripped one while hanging with everyone the other night
  103. >It would’ve been embarrassing but you held it in
  104. >But despite all the beans, you still feel like there isn’t enough protein in your diet
  105. >Sure, you feel energized from all the healthy fruit and vegetables
  106. >And you actually used to love vegetarian food from time to time, back home
  107. >You’ve eaten plenty of meat that was fucked up by bad cooking
  108. >But with vegetarian food, there’s no fucking around
  109. >It has to be seasoned and prepared just right
  110. >That’s why it’s so damn delicious
  111. >But what little muscle tone you have is going to disappear if you don’t get some meat in you
  112.  
  113. >”Oh, excuse me, Anon, it’s time to start soon!”
  114. >You go and stand in the audience while Twilight heads up to the stage
  115. >Twilight starts with the proceedings
  116. >Dash flies up and interrupts her, talking about how AJ is going to help her with a new trick this week
  117. >Pinkie shows up and interrupts her, talking about how AJ is going to help her run Sugarcube Corner
  118. >Fluttershy shows up and interrupts her, talking about how AJ is going to help her with the bunny census
  119. >Twilight is finally about to resume her speech
  120. >Mayor Mare shows up
  121. >Twilight blows a fuse and storms the fuck off
  122. >lol
  123. >Mayor Mare introduces the guest of honor
  124. >You rest your chin on your hand, knowing what’s going to happen next
  125. >The curtains are pulled back
  126. >No Applejack
  127. >Twilight looks at you
  128. >You jab a thumb over your shoulder at the back of the crowd
  129. >”I’m here! I’m here! Sorry I’m late!”
  130. >Applejack bumps into a bunch of ponies, dropping a bunch of apples from the basket she’s carrying
  131. >She makes her way up to the stage, yawning and speaking semi-incoherently
  132. >She makes a fool of herself on stage
  133. >You smile
  134. >This scene always made you laugh way back when
  135. >Rarity looks appalled that you find this embarrassment amusing
  136. >You bite your lip to stifle your laughter
  137.  
  138. >”Anon. Can I talk to you?”
  139. “Sure thing, Twilight. What’s up?”
  140. >You respond without looking up from your book
  141. >You’re in the library reading a book about the griffon kingdom
  142. >Actually more like flipping through the book, looking at illustrations and maps
  143. >Trying to see if there’s anything about their diet
  144. >”Anon... did you notice anything... strange about Applejack at her celebration?”
  145. “You mean besides the sleep deprivation?”
  146. >”That’s exactly what I mean. So, I paid a visit to Applejack on the farm afterward.”
  147. “Yeah?”
  148. >”She seems really exhausted from all of the hard work that she has to do by herself. I offered to help her, but she refused.”
  149. “That’s AJ for you. She’s really stubborn.”
  150. >”I’m really worried about her.”
  151. “Uh huh.”
  152. >You go back to the book
  153. >”Then I started wondering. You seem to know a lot about this Applebuck Season. More than I do.”
  154. >You look up from the book at her
  155. >Uh oh
  156. >I think I know where this one is going
  157.  
  158. >”There’s an episode of the show about this, isn’t there?”
  159. >Busted
  160. >You avert your eyes
  161. “I’m not supposed to spoil the future.”
  162. >”Come on, Anon! I just need some assurance that she’s going to be all right! I’m really worried about her!”
  163. >You look into Twilight’s eyes
  164. >And see genuine worry
  165. “She’s going to be fine. But she is going to struggle.”
  166. >You ponder it for a moment then decide to reveal more
  167. “It’ll be an important friendship lesson for you, Twilight. I can’t tell you any more, because it’ll ruin the lesson.”
  168. >”But what do I do? How am I supposed to help her when she just refuses?” Twilight begs
  169. “Sorry, Twilight. That’s not why I’m here. This is a lesson you have to learn on your own. I’m not meant to interfere. You trust me, right?”
  170. >She nods
  171. >But she still looks scared
  172. >You think for a minute
  173. >Actually...
  174. “Wait, Twilight.”
  175. >”Yes, Anon?”
  176. “I think in this particular case... telling you what’s going to happen won’t change much.”
  177.  
  178. >Her eyes light up
  179. >OK! What do I need to know?!”
  180. “Um...”
  181. >You still don’t want to give away too much, but you think you know what to tell her
  182. “Twilight. Applejack will never be able to buck all of the apples on Sweet Apple Acres in time by herself. She needs help. But her stubborn pride is going to stop her from accepting it. You need to offer to help her. She will refuse. Then you need to offer again. She will refuse again. You have to do this over, and over, and over, with dedication. Then, in her darkest possible moment, she will realize how futile her crazy mission is, and accept help from you because she will see what a supportive and loving friend you are.”
  183. >You take a deep breath
  184. >Twilight looks fascinated, and seems to expect you to go on
  185. >You pantomime zipping your lips closed
  186. >She smiles and closes her eyes
  187. >”Thank you, Anon. What a wonderful friendship lesson. I’ll go bug Applejack again, right now!”
  188. “Don’t breathe a word of this.”
  189. >”You can trust me, Anon.”
  190. >She leaves
  191. >You sit there, thinking to yourself as you absent-mindedly thumb through the griffon book
  192. >You really hate to see Applejack suffer like this
  193. >And you know that in the coming days, other ponies will suffer because of her negligence
  194. >You wish you could help
  195. >Instead of just idly sitting by helplessly, while the episode runs it course
  196. >You really wish there was a way to play your part
  197. >But secretly, so as not to ruin the episode
  198. >What if there was a way?
  199.  
  200. >As soon as Twilight and Spike are asleep, you carefully rise from your makeshift bed on the floor of the library
  201. >It’s time.
  202. >You start putting on your shoes
  203. >You listen carefully
  204. >You can hear Spike snoring
  205. >Just to be safe, you tiptoe over to the stairs and climb up them halfway so you can get a peek
  206. >Twilight is sound asleep in her bed
  207. >So far so good
  208. >You head back down the stairs as quietly as possible
  209. >You grab one of the ladders leaning against a bookshelf and tuck it horizontally under your arm
  210. >You silently open the front door
  211. >With some careful maneuvering, you manage to get the ladder outside
  212. >You reach back inside and grab an unlit lantern that is hanging off of a hook by the door
  213. >You close the door slowly and silently
  214. >You take a breath of the cool night air and look around to admire the beauty of Ponyville at night
  215. >The sky is lit by hundreds of stars and the moon
  216. >Crouching down on the ground outside the library, you light a match
  217. >You carefully light the lantern
  218. >You stand up and take the lantern in one hand and the ladder in the other
  219. >You set off into the night
  220.  
  221. >You make it to Sweet Apple Acres without anyone spotting you
  222. >In the distance you see the farm house
  223. >None of the windows show any lights on inside
  224. >Good
  225. >You creep past the barn and chicken coop
  226. >Some of the animals might’ve heard you because you hear rustling inside
  227. >You pick up the pace and climb over a fence into the orchard
  228. >Now, now, now
  229. >Where to begin
  230. >There are acres and acres and acres of apple orchard
  231. >Hundreds of trees dotting the rolling hills
  232. >Their little red spheres glistening in the moonlight
  233. >You decide to start far away, where there’s less chance of getting caught
  234. >When the farm house is out of sight, you set the ladder against an apple tree
  235. >You run and grab some baskets from a nearby stack of them
  236. >You place them all around the tree
  237. >You hook the lantern onto your belt
  238. >You climb the ladder
  239.  
  240. >The sun is going to be up soon
  241. >You make it back to the library
  242. >Manage to sneak in without waking Spike or Twilight
  243. >Put the lantern and ladder back
  244. >Crawl back into bed
  245. >Instant knockout
  246. >”Anon?”
  247. >You bolt awake
  248. >The room is awash with morning sunlight
  249. >You heard birds chirping outside
  250. >Rainbow Dash is hovering over you
  251. >”Anon, wake up! You’re gonna help me build the catapult contraption, right?”
  252. >You groan and try to clear a lump in your throat
  253. >You probably only got two or three hours of sleep before Dash woke you up
  254. >You slowly rise to your feet and are suddenly hit with a throbbing headache
  255. >Fffffuck
  256. >You didn’t think an entire night of moonlit farm labor would wipe you out so much
  257. >Actually you did, but you thought you’d get to sleep in
  258. >Forgot that Dash wanted you to help her with her crazy device for her flying trick with Applejack
  259. >You try to remember exactly when you agreed to do this
  260. >But your brain is too cloudy and slow
  261. >It takes all of your effort just to rub the blurriness from your eyes and try to focus your vision on Dash
  262. >”Come on, Anon! Let’s go!”
  263.  
  264. >Nailing boards together
  265. >You nearly crush your thumb with the hammer
  266. “FUCK!”
  267. >You’re losing focus and motor control from staying up all night working
  268. >Partying and hunting down Nightmare Moon on a no-sleep binge is one thing
  269. >Doing two back-to-back shifts of monotonous labor is another
  270. >It’s so boring that you keep nodding off
  271. >And almost hurting yourself with the tools and lumber
  272. >You lift up your safety goggles and rub the sleep from your eyes
  273. >You chant a little mantra to yourself to try to stay focused
  274. >”Okay, Anon, we’re done!”
  275. >Rainbow Dash dashes up and down the tower structure as you descend from the ladder
  276. >Even with the help of several other ponies, the hard work still took up the better part of your morning
  277. >You’re extremely fucking hungry now since you didn’t eat breakfast
  278. >You feel exhausted and weak and just want some food to give you some energy
  279. >You could really go for some steak and eggs and hash browns right now
  280. >Oh wait, you can’t
  281. >Vegetarian World
  282. >Fuck everything ever
  283. >You feel cranky and just need to sit for a moment
  284. >You kind of rudely push past Rainbow Dash rudely and go sit down on the low end of the seesaw
  285. >“Anon? Everything OK?”
  286. >You nod casually and just collapse on the platform, clutching your head
  287. >”Hey, Rainbow Dash!”
  288. >You turn and look at the pony shouting from the top of the jump tower
  289. >It’s Applejack
  290. >She looks sleepy and completely out of it
  291. >”Here I go!”
  292. >She jumps
  293. >You look down and sort of slowly realize that you’re sitting on the far end of the seesaw
  294. >It’s too late to jump off
  295.  
  296. “AHHHH PULLLLLL JAAAAAACCCKK!!!”
  297. >You scream as you hurtle through the air
  298. >You soar over all of Ponyville
  299. >Somehow the view isn’t as magical
  300. >You brace for impact as you make an inbound landing on the balcony of Golden Oaks Library
  301. >You slam into the guard banister
  302. >You hit it right in the middle of your torso
  303. >It knocks the wind out of you
  304. >You wrap around the railing
  305. >Your gut wrenches
  306. >You throw up all over the balcony
  307. >Then you slip over the railing and fall in the pile of your own vomit
  308. >You lie there in your immense pain
  309. >Your stomach feels emptier than ever
  310. >You’re so hungry that it hurts
  311. >You’re also nauseous, cramped, exhausted, and dizzy
  312. >”Oh my Celestia! Anon!”
  313. >Twilight comes over and picks you up
  314. >”Let me help you!”
  315. “I think someone else needs your help.”
  316. >”Applejack?”
  317. “Yup.”
  318. >You close your eyes
  319. >”Actually, I think she’s not the only one who needs help.”
  320. >You open your eyes and look at her
  321. “What do you mean?”
  322. >”Anon, you look awful.”
  323. “Well, I DID just get launched through the air and slammed into a rail.”
  324. >”I mean besides that! You look exhausted. Did you not sleep well last night?”
  325. >You stand up and head to the door to look for a towel to wipe the vomit off of yourself
  326. “Don’t worry about me. Just deal with Applejack.”
  327.  
  328. >Night time again
  329. >Spike served a delicious salad for dinner
  330. >Or at least, it would’ve been delicious if it had a grilled chicken breast in it
  331. >Or a hard boiled egg
  332. >Or bacon bits?
  333. >God fucking damn it you can’t stop thinking about meat
  334. >You’ve been eating three square meals a day and you still feel hungry
  335. >It’s difficult to abruptly switch to vegetarianism
  336. >But you know you can do it
  337. >You just have to struggle through the hunger and weakness
  338. >No sound coming from upstairs
  339. >Twilight and Spike asleep
  340. >You rise to your feet and grab the ladder and lantern again
  341. >You head out the door and make your way to Sweet Apple Acres
  342.  
  343. >”ANON!”
  344. “Huh? What?”
  345. >You’re back in the library again
  346. >It’s day time
  347. >How did you get here?
  348. >What the fuck is going on?
  349. >Twilight is pacing back and forth talking to you
  350. >You can’t focus on anything she’s saying
  351. >You clutch your head and try to remember
  352. >Oh, right
  353. >Last night you snuck out and picked apples by moonlight
  354. >Crawled back into bed just before dawn
  355. >And now Twilight’s woken you after only minimal sleep
  356. >You pull the covers back over your head and curl up into a fetal position
  357. >”So, what should I do, Anon?”
  358. >You poke your head out and kind of hiss and grunt at her
  359. >You can’t really form words, and start making faces
  360. >She leaves and comes back with a glass of water
  361. >You take a sip to moisten your dry throat
  362. “I told you what to do, Twi. Just keep offering to help her.”
  363. >”Not Applejack! You! You need help! And you won’t tell me what’s going on!!”
  364. “I’m FINE, Twi. Look, you said I need rest, right? I’m resting. So GO. AWAY.”
  365. >You grumpily disappear back into the covers
  366. >”F-Fine.”
  367. >She sounds hurt as she turns and heads out the front door
  368. >SLAM
  369. >You slip into a deep sleep again
  370.  
  371. >Time seems to be a blur as your whole sleep schedule is off
  372. >But at some point you eventually awaken from your semi-coma
  373. >You haul your ass out of bed and go for a walk
  374. >The sun is going down
  375. >And as you pass Sugarcube Corner, you remember
  376. >"Anon! Please come and try the free muffins tomorrow morning!"
  377. >Pinkie Pie said that to you
  378. >Yesterday
  379. >You missed it
  380. >Fuck, you were going to be there to support her
  381. >She was actually really nervous about running the bakery while the Cakes were gone
  382. >And she didn't share that with anyone but you
  383. >You let her down
  384. >Man, you were even planning to get there early and try to prevent the whole "Baked bads" accident
  385. >Could that have been what Twilight was talking about this morning?
  386. >When you were chewing her out
  387. >F-fuck
  388. >You really messed everything up this time, Anon
  389. >You try to think about what you should do
  390. >But your headache starts to come back
  391. >Even after sleeping all day, you still feel tired
  392. >Your circadian rhythm is so messed up that you can't think straight
  393. >You're such a fucking failure.
  394. >No
  395. >I have a mission
  396. >I'm not letting Applejack shoulder the weight alone
  397. >You head back to the library
  398. >You eat dinner in awkward silence
  399. >You and Twilight exchange very few words
  400. >You poke disinterestedly at your veggie casserole
  401.  
  402. >You’re back at Sweet Apple Acres in the middle of the night
  403. >Your sense of time is completely fucked now
  404. >You don’t even remember how you got here
  405. >But you’re here now, and you’re gonna pick some fucking apples
  406. >You set the ladder against an apple tree and hook the lantern to your belt
  407. >You start to climb
  408. >Man, this apple picking is really slow work, especially in the dark
  409. >Even the light of the lantern’s flame is dim when reaching for far-hanging fruit
  410. >I wish I could just fucking kick a tree and make it rain apples whenever I want
  411. >But alas you do not have Applejack’s godly hips or toned legs
  412. >Your boner presses against the bark of the tree
  413. >Focus, Anon
  414. >As you grab another apple and toss it down below into the basket, you start to wonder if there is a better way to do this
  415. >Maybe you can’t applebuck but you can try to replicate it
  416. >You grab a hold of a big branch of the tree
  417. >And just start shaking it
  418. >The leaves rustle
  419. >A couple of apples actually are shaken loose easily
  420. >They tumble to the ground
  421. >Hey, it’s actually working!
  422. >Shake harder, Anon, and more will come out
  423. >You start shaking it more violently
  424. >A few more apples
  425. >You lose your balance
  426.  
  427. >You try to swipe at a tree branch on the way down
  428. >You scrape your hand and fail to get a grasp on it
  429. >You tumble all the way to the ground and hear glass shattering
  430. >The ladder falls on top of you and one of the rungs clubs you in the head
  431. >Fuck
  432. >You feel something warm
  433. >You look and see an orange glow
  434. >Where your lantern came detached from your hip and hit the ground
  435. >The flame has caught onto the grass
  436. >It’s spreading
  437.  
  438. >FUCK FUCK FUCK
  439. >You try to get to your feet but pain shoots up your leg from the ankle
  440. >Did I mention FUCK already?
  441. >Just in case, FUCK
  442. >You scramble over on hands and knees to the flame
  443. >You pick up a nearby tree branch and start beating on the fire
  444. >The flames just get bigger
  445. >You throw the branch aside
  446. >You go to take your shirt off to use it to dampen the flames
  447. >Wait this is your only shirt in Equestria
  448. >What do
  449. >You sit back on your knees pulling your hair out as you try to think of a solution
  450. >The fire is quickly spreading across the grass
  451. >Water, I have to go find some water
  452. >You slowly get to your feet
  453. >Ankle hurts like a motherfucker
  454. >You start hobbling away but don’t get far
  455. >In a matter of moments the flames catch up to you
  456. >And catch onto your pant leg
  457. >What the fuck
  458. >You’re back on the ground again, slapping that leg with your hand and hitting it against the ground
  459. >Did I mention it’s the one with the twisted ankle?
  460. >Ow it’s hot
  461. >You finally get the fire on your body out
  462. >Fucking finally
  463. >You get to your feet again and look around
  464. >The fire is all around you at your feet
  465. >Even the tree has caught on fire
  466. >You watch in horror as it is consumed by a roaring blaze
  467.  
  468. >Everything is fucking ruined
  469. >Your dream life in Equestria, over
  470. >You’ll be jailed for trespassing and arson
  471. >That is, IF you don’t burn all of Equestria to the ground first
  472. >The horror is so surreal
  473. >Your perception is all distorted and weird and you feel dizzy
  474. >Even the ground seems to be bending and warping beneath your feet
  475. >Wait
  476. >You’re thrown to your feet again as the ground rumbles
  477. >A thick, square patch of earth lifts up from the ground and tosses you aside
  478. >It peels away from the ground like a band-aid, revealing roots and dumping dirt everwhere
  479. >Then it starts curving upward
  480. >In the light of the flames you look across to the other side of the tree, where the same thing is happening on the other side
  481. >All of a sudden the two hunks of earth clap together, with the tree and all of the burning grass in the middle
  482. >There’s an explosive sound as the two sheets of earth crush the tree like a vice
  483. >After a moment the glowing embers seem to die down
  484. >The earth falls away, revealing the charred, black husk of a tree
  485. >The flames are out
  486. >”ANON!”
  487. >Twilight comes galloping up to you
  488. >”Ah ha! I thought I’d find you here! And I had to save you, no less. You have a lot of explaining to do!”
  489. >Tell me something I don’t know, Twi
  490.  
  491. >Before you can explain, she’s ripping into you
  492. >”How can you do this to me? How can you do this to US?”
  493. “Shut up, Twilight. I couldn’t stand by and watch Applejack suffer. But I can’t reveal the future. Not when you girls have a friendship lesson that you need to learn. I can’t interfere. So I had to do this instead.”
  494. >You sit back and start rubbing your ankle
  495. “Ow, fuck.”
  496. >You look up at Twilight
  497. >She is bubbling with rage
  498. >You give her a look that says
  499. >U mad bro?
  500. >She goes full Rapidash
  501. >”FUCK THE FRIENDSHIP LESSON!”
  502. >That shuts you up
  503. >”I don’t care about the friendship lesson, Anon! I care about YOU! You need help! You’re sleep deprived and you’re sneaking out in the middle of the night to put yourself in danger without ANY consideration for how that makes any of us feel! For how that makes ME feel!”
  504. >The flames are gone, so the only light is the white glow of the moonlight
  505. >It reflects off of the wetness on Twilight’s cheeks
  506. >”A-anon... don’t make me worry about you any more... please. I...”
  507. >She swallows
  508. >”I’m your friend. And I will be there for you no matter what. I’m GOING to help you. And I won’t take ‘no’ for an answer.”
  509. >She comes over and stands above you
  510. >It feels strange to be below her in height for once
  511. >It’s really jarring and even a little intimidating
  512. >You flop backward onto the ground and start laughing
  513. “Twilight... thank you. Please, please help me.”
  514. >You softly chuckle
  515. >She giggles and pats you on the head
  516.  
  517. “I think I understand now.”
  518. >”Understand what?”
  519. “This is the same exact lesson that Applejack learns in the TV show. ‘Let go of your stubborn pride and don’t be afraid to accept the help of your friends.’”
  520. >”That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you!”
  521. “Right! I just never thought it could be me. I thought I learned the lesson from watching the show.”
  522. >”Anon, you were so stubborn that you didn’t even see yourself falling into the same trap!”
  523. >You scratch your head and smile
  524. “I guess I wasn’t really thinking straight. Y’know, since I haven’t been sleeping much.”
  525. >”That’s why we need to get you some rest. Since I’ll be needing your help tomorrow.”
  526. “For what?”
  527. >”We still need to help Applejack, right? She’s going to kill herself trying to buck this whole farm by herself.”
  528. “Right, and she’s still got a bunny census to mess up.”
  529. >You think for a moment
  530. “There may be a way to save the bunny census before she fucks it up.”
  531. >”You have an idea?!”
  532. “No. But let me sleep on it.”
  533. >You yawn
  534. >Suddenly, you hear voices in the distance
  535. >Sounds like Big Mac and Granny Smith
  536. >Fuck, they’re heading this way
  537. “Quick! We need to get out of here!”
  538. >Twilight sighs
  539. >”AFTER we get things sorted with Applejack, you’re going to come clean. About what you’ve been doing every night, and about the fire. UNDERSTAND?”
  540. >You nod
  541. >”OK! Hold on tight!”
  542. >You grab her body tightly
  543. >Together you disappear in a bright flash of light
  544.  
  545. >You get a full night’s rest for the first time in a while
  546. >Thinking with clarity again, you wake up with insight for the plan
  547. >You wake Twilight and Spike up early
  548. >She’s kind of tired from saving your ass last night
  549. >Spike brings you tea and breakfast
  550. >No meat, but you actually feel pretty energized by it
  551. >Still needs eggs or bacon though
  552. >You go over the plan with Twilight
  553. >It’s so straightforward it’s almost silly
  554. >Just her style
  555. >Right after breakfast, you head to Fluttershy’s
  556. >Several hours before she’s scheduled to meet with Applejack
  557. >”Hey Fluttershy!” Twilight says to her as you two arrive
  558. >”Applejack is way too busy with harvesting apples to help today. She asked us to help you with the bunny census instead!”
  559. >Fluttershy nods
  560. >”Oh... I see. All right then.”
  561.  
  562. >It takes the better part of an hour, but Fluttershy trains you in how to deal with the baby bunnies
  563. >She explains that they’re very timid so you must be gentle and quiet with them
  564. >It’s rough at first and you scare a lot of bunnies
  565. >But you start to get the hang of it when you coo softly and offer carrots to beckon them closer to you
  566. >You were never good with animals back home
  567. >But with Fluttershy’s guidance it’s actually doable!
  568. >Not easy, but doable!
  569. >You never thought that some portion of her talent was teachable.
  570. >Before long you’ve already rounded up all of the baby bunnies in the area
  571. >Twilight handles the census quickly and efficiently before Applejack ever even arrives
  572. >The bunnies disperse when she shows up with Winona
  573. >”All right, let’s get on with this!”
  574. >Fluttershy looks surprised
  575. >”Um, Applejack! What are you doing here?”
  576. >”Helpin’ you with corrallin’ the critters, ain’t I?”
  577. >”Um, but Twilight and Anon already did it.”
  578. >”Say wha now?”
  579. >”Um... They said you sent them instead.”
  580. >Fluttershy gestures over to where the two of you are standing
  581. >You both give her a coordinated wave and a big shit-eating grin
  582. >Applejack looks pissed
  583. >”D’yall think I can’t keep mah promises? This is the Element of Honesty we’re talkin’ about here!”
  584. “More like the Element of Stubbornness.”
  585. >”Whadjyou say, Anon?!”
  586. >Sorry, AJ
  587. >Doctor wrote a prescription for tough love
  588. >You shrug nonchalantly
  589. >She grunts and trots away
  590. >She nods off while walking and almost trips
  591. >Applejack will be pretty hurt now
  592. >But she needed a little humble apple pie
  593. >To soften her up
  594. >Once she realizes she still has a long way to go, she’ll cave in for sure
  595. >You wink at Twilight and she runs off after Applejack
  596. >”Are you coming?”
  597. “I’ll meet you there. I’ve got one thing left to do.”
  598.  
  599. >You should’ve eaten one of those bunnies when you had the chance
  600. >Rabbit stew
  601. >Dear god yes
  602. >Well, now that there’s been a census, Fluttershy will know if one of them is missing
  603. >Should’ve done it before the census
  604. >Oh well
  605. >You finally arrive at your destination
  606. >The sick tent
  607. >You enter and find Nurse Redheart taking a thermometer out of Pinkie Pie’s mouth
  608. >Pinkie Pie doesn’t see you until you’re already sitting at her bedside
  609. >”A-anon!”
  610. >Nurse Redheart ignores you and reads the thermometer
  611. >”Fever’s gone for now. I’d say you’re all cleared up to go home, Pinkie Pie!”
  612. >She looks ecstatic
  613. >”I can’t believe I got food poisoning!” Pinkie Pie exclaims as she jumps out of bed and pounces on you for a hug
  614. >The two of you almost tip the chair over and fall on the floor
  615. “You can blame Applejack for that. You’re not mad at her, are you?”
  616. >”A little bit! But we all make mistakes, Anon. And friends forgive each other!”
  617. >You chuckle to yourself
  618. >Yeah, Pinkie, I know
  619. >I’ve been getting it hammered into my head lately and I still don’t quite get it
  620. >But one of these days, I will
  621. “Well, we’re all heading over to Sweet Apple Acres to help her out a little. You feeling up to it?”
  622. >”Am I!!”
  623.  
  624. >Together you and Pinkie arrive at the farm
  625. “So, you also forgive me for missing the free muffin samples, right?”
  626. >”Trust me Anon. You didn’t miss much!”
  627. >The two of your are still laughing hysterically about it as you reach the orchard
  628. >Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Fluttershy are diligently harvesting apples
  629. >You approach Twilight
  630. “I take this to mean it all went well?”
  631. >”Just like you said it would, Anon. Once Applejack realized there was another entire section of the field she hadn’t done, she begged me for help!”
  632. >You survey the landscape
  633. >Looks like the small amount of work you did during the graveyard shift hardly made a dent
  634. >Figures
  635. >Still, it seems everything turned out all right in the end
  636. “I’m glad it all worked out. Where is Applejack now?”
  637. >”Getting some rest, finally. She’s taking a nap over there.”
  638. >You spot Applejack with her hat over her face in the shade of a nearby tree
  639. >You yawn and walk over to join her
  640. >“Aren’t you going to help, Anon?” Rainbow Dash asks
  641. >”I think he’s done enough already,” Twilight says
  642. >You collapse on the ground next to Applejack in the shade
  643. >You close your eyes
  644. >And you pass out instantaneously
  645.  
  646. >You wake up to hear Applejack’s voice
  647. >”How about y’all take a little break? I’ve got some fine apple juice waitin’ for ya!”
  648. >You look up and see her rolling up a cart with bottles of juice on it
  649. >Sounds like she woke up before you and prepared some juice for the hard workers
  650. >The others all set their baskets of apples down and head for the refreshments
  651. >You groggily rise and shake it out
  652. >You go join them
  653. >”Girls, Anon. I can’t thank y’all enough for this help. I was actin’ a bit stubborn.”
  654. >”A bit?”
  655. >”OK! A might stubborn! And I’m awful sorry. Now, I know the town gave me the Prized Pony award, but the real award is having you all as my friends.”
  656. >You all toast with a sip of apple juice
  657. >It’s damn tasty
  658. >”Phew! That applebucking sure made me hungry!” Dash says
  659. >”And I’ve got the perfect treat!” Spike says as he walks up with a plate full of muffins
  660. >”Ewww! Spike, I threw those all away. Where'd you get them?” Pinkie asks
  661. >”From the trash!”
  662. >”Ewwww!” Everyone shouts in unison
  663. >”Just a little nibble? C’mon!”
  664. >All the ponies are grossed out and making faces
  665. >Hey, wait a second
  666. >Those ‘baked bads’...
  667. >They have earthworms in them, right?
  668. >And earthworms are meat, aren’t they
  669. >You walk over to Spike
  670. >You pick up one of the muffins
  671. >And you pop it in your mouth
  672.  
  673. THE END

MLP:RtM 1-2 Friendship is Magic

by Alaric

MLP:RtM 3 The Ticket Master

by Alaric

MLP:RtM 4 Applebuck Season

by Alaric

MLPRtM: 7 Dragonshy

by Alaric