>Sweet Apple Acres.
>A place you're more than familiar with.
>You've been coming here ever since you were very little.
>Your mother is friends with the matriarch of the Apple family, Granny Smith.
>They'd spend many a weekend making all sorts of baked commodities.
>Granny had taught your mother everything she knew, while in turn learning a thing or two, herself.
>You were towed along initially, as your father usually had his golf game to focus on, leaving little time to keep an eye on you.
>You didn't mind it, as it allowed you the chance to play with the three Apple siblings.
>Big Mac was the eldest, although only a year or so older than you.
>He's the big brother you wish you had, even though he doesn't speak much.
>Applebloom was the youngest, but she's able to keep up with the antics of her siblings.
>She seemed to look up to you as if you were a sibling, as well, which you didn't get at first.
>Finally, there was Applejack.
>She was right around your age, and you felt you knew her the best out of the three.
>If there was anything you ever wanted to know about apples, she was the one to ask.
>She had smarts in other areas, too, but she focused more on her work than anything else.
>Even as a kid she was as stubborn as a mule; if there was something she did or didn't want to do, no one could convince her to change her mind.
>She was also one of the most honest individuals you've ever met, although sometimes brutally so.
>But that's one of the things about her that captured most of your attention.
>You found yourself spending most of your time at the Acres doing fun things with her.
>She showed you just about every inch of the property, including a few of her secret spots.
>She seemed to enjoy your company as much as you enjoyed hers, and you became good friends.
>This continued through most of elementary and middle school, and even into high school.
>Over time she found other friends, and started to spend more and more time with them.
>You were far from forgotten, thankfully.
>When there was a spare moment here and there, Applejack would invite you over to hang out.
>You took her up on her offers every chance you had, when there wasn't other work to do, of course.
>She was one of the few friends you had, so it was always nice to be in good company.
>As you got older, a part of you wondered if there was something more to it than that.
>At this point in time, you honestly weren't sure.

>You are Anon, and for now things seem to be looking up.
>Junior year of high school was finally over.
>It was grueling for you, but you managed to get through it with slightly above-average grades.
>You found out that, while Applejack's weren't the highest, she at least passed all of her classes.
>Can't ask for more than that, and she's happy about it.
>You don't have any big plans for the summer as of yet, at least in terms of going places.
>One place you're going right now, though, is Sweet Apple Acres.
>They're holding a party of some kind to kick off the start of vacation, and to further celebrate Big Mac's graduation the month prior.
>A friend of Applejack's, Pinkie Pie, planned the whole thing and invited a bunch of people over.
>While you're not familiar with her, you were on her guest list because of your 'Apple' connection.
>You didn't know there even was a list, but you're at least glad you can go regardless.
>When you arrive, the property's already pumping with excitement.
>From the sounds of it, the main barn is the center of the action, so you head on over there.
>There are plenty of 'hellos' from other students also in attendance, which you return in passing.
>Food is laid out on a row of tables, including desserts of all sorts.
>You guess that both Pinkie and Granny Smith contributed to these sugary creations.
>You partake in a little of this and a little of that, sampling some of what is spread out.
>You want to try and enjoy yourself, not gorge until you feel like crud.
>All the while, you scan around to see if there is anyone here you recognize.
>Well, maybe not recognize, but know well enough.
>Unfortunately that doesn't seem to be the case.
>One person you definitely don't see is Applejack.
>Which you find strange, given this is her property.
>It's possible she's in the main house taking care of a few things.
>Although you do remember her not being the biggest fan of big crowds like this.
>Then again, she's not the biggest fan of big parties, either.
>Now that you think about it, you're in a similar boat in both regards.
>You begin to feel a little nervous, but you're not sure why.
>You turn your attention back to the food table, trying to figure out what you want to try next.
>That's when you hear a voice that's rare for you to hear.

>“Hey, Anon.”
>You look up to see Big Mac, who's giving you an odd expression.
>He has a bottle of what looks like cider in his hand.
>You can't put your finger on it, but something seems off with him.
“Hey, what's up?”  You ask.
>“Applejack's time, fer one,” Mac replies.
“Uh...her time?  How so?”
>“Listen, she ain't got plans fer college yet, and'll probably wanna look inta...family material, if ya know what ah mean...”
>He wraps an arm around you.
>“Ah know ye've been close ta all of us, Applejack 'specially.  Where do ya see yerself an' her once yer both out of school?”   
>As he takes a swig of his bottle, you feel this is getting uncomfortable.
 “What are you asking?”
>“Don't ya like her?”
“Well...as a friend, definitely.”
>“Ah mean 'like,' like.  Ya know what ah'm talkin' 'bout.”
“I...uh...”
>“C'mon, Anon, spit it out.  How do ya really feel 'bout her?  Be honest...”
“I...don't...know...”
>Mac's eyes narrow.  “So yer sayin' ya wouldn't take her up on a proposal?”
“Whoa whoa whoa,” you say, wriggling free.  “What's with all of these personal questions?”
>“What's tha matter?  She ain't good enough fer ya?”
>Mac is both tilting and lowering his head in a way that looks confrontational.
“What's wrong with you?”  
>“Nothin's wrong.  Just a big brother lookin' out for his lil' sister, thas'all.  I wanna make sure she's taken care of when ah'm away...an' provided fer...”
“Does she know you're asking me all of this?”
>“Nah.  This is a talk 'tween guys.”
“You know what, maybe we can talk about this later...”
>You try to walk past Mac, but he steps in front of you.
>“Nnnope.  Yer not gettin' outta this that easy, not if ah have anythin' ta say 'bout it.”
>This is getting out of hand really quick...

“What do you want, then?”
>“Ah wanna see if yer good...material.  Ah wanna see how strong ya can be.”
“And how would I go about doing that?”
>Mac looks around until his eyes fall on a corner of the barn, where bales of hay are stacked up.
>“We lift those,” he replies.  “As many as we can.”
“I thought this was about me, not you.”
>“If ya wanna be there fer mah sis, ya gotta be just as strong as me, if not stronger.  Ya game?”
>You want to shake your head in disbelief, but you're afraid that will set him off even further.
>It's also clear that some of the other nearby party goers have been listening in. 
>Some are even gathering to where you both are.
>Damned if you do, damned if you don't...
“Fine, I'll do it.  If it'll get you off my back.”
>Big Mac smirks as he sets his bottle down.  “Then let's git it goin'.”
>He waves over a couple of his friends, who are just as big as he is.
>You know he played football at school, so these must be a couple of his teammates.
>He goes through a quick rundown of the rules.
>While you both hold one bale of hay, his friends will stack one extra bale at a time on top of the other.
>Whoever can hold up the bigger stack the longest wins.
>Simple enough...at least if you're a big guy like him.
>You, on the other hand...
>A pair of stepladders are brought over to aid in the stacking process.
>As things are set up, it garners the attention of more and more people.
>By now a large group has come together to see this little test of strength.
>You can already see one sleazebag in the crowd taking bets on who's going to win.
>You still don't see Applejack in this crowd, which is probably for the best.
>This is not how you want to be spending your afternoon...
>The first bales of hay are dropped in front of you, and both you and Mac pick them up.
>You feel like they're about ten pounds worth.
>Guess now the ultimate question is about to be answered...
>...can you even lift?

>The teammates add the second bales on top of what you and Mac already have.
>So far so good, although Mac is showing off by lifting his stack higher up.
>You concentrate on the third bale getting dropped.
>Still no problem, although by now most of the barn occupants have come to watch this spectacle.
>Slowly but surely more bales are added.
>By the sixth, your legs get wobbly.
>Looking to Mac, he shows no sign of wavering.
>“Whatsamatter, Anon?  Do ya wanna quit?”
“Not on your life,” you growl.
>Mac smirks as his teammates climb higher up their respective ladders to keep the game moving.
>Once you're holding eight bales, your arms are figuratively screaming in pain.
>After the ninth is added, your begin to teeter, as does the stack.
>It takes all of your willpower just to stay balanced and on your feet.
>“Not a good look for ya there,” Mac taunts.  “What would Applejack say if ya up and quit?”
>This is completely out of character for him, so there's gotta be something going on with him.
>You can't focus on that, however, not with the task in front of you.
>Just as the tenth bale is put on top of your towers, you hear it...
>“WHAT'S GOIN' ON HERE?!”
>It's her...
>Applejack...
>You jerk instinctively at the yell, and that's when it all goes awry.
>Your stack leans to the right ever so slightly, threatening a topple.
>You try to adjust, but it just causes everything to go in the opposite direction....towards Big Mac.
>Despite your best efforts to get back in balance, it's all for naught.
>Before you can even call out a warning, your leaning tower collides with Mac's.
>His teammates dive out of the way as several bales hit Mac on the head, making him fall backwards.
>There is a tremendous crash as nearly 200 pounds of baled hay collapses on top of him.
>Screams fill the barn as the crowd scatters to escape the giant cloud of dust and debris that forms.
>When it settles, all anyone can see is a messy yellow heap.
“Oh no, MAC!”
>You're scared out of your mind right now.
>You scramble to the pile and start pulling off as many still intact stacks as you can.
>Everyone else looks on dumbfounded...except for Applejack.
>“What're ya standin' around fer?”  She yells.  “Git in there and help!”

>She and Mac's teammates join your efforts, followed by other party goers. 
>This goes on for several minutes, with everyone working together to clear everything away.
>At last, Mac is uncovered.
>One of his teammates kneels down and checks his pulse, and it appears he's just knocked out.
>“What's with all this here commotion?”  Another voice asks.
>You all turn to see Granny Smith coming over, and she gasps at the sight in front of her.
>Before you can say anything, Applejack grabs you by your shirt, an angry look in her eyes.
“Applejack, I can explain-”
>She interrupts you by slapping your face hard.
>“Y'all BETTER explain!”  She barks at you.  “What tha HELL were you two DOIN'?!”
“I...uh...well...”  You stammer, recoiling from the hit.  “Mac...wanted to test me...”
>“By liftin' a buncha hay bales like a buncha yahoos?  Ya both coulda gotten really hurt with that stunt!  Dammit, ya both coulda been KILLED!”
>“Applejack, calm down,” Granny Smith urges.  “Yellin' at Anon ain't gonna help no one right now.”
>“Sure it will!”  Applejack says.  “This coulda been his fault to start!”
“It wasn't me, I swear!”
>“Shaddup!”  Applejack yells, looking ready to slap you again.
>“That's enough, now,” Granny Smith snaps, “Let 'im go.”
>Applejack huffs before finally releasing her grip on you.
>The matriarch shakes her head before turning to you.  “What happened, sonny?  And be honest.”
>Your eyes dart back and forth between the two as you try to formulate an answer.
“Mac came over to me with his drink, acting all weird and asking lots of personal questions.  Then he challenged me to this little contest of his.”
>“Whatcha talkin' 'bout?”  Applejack asks.  “What drink?”
>You look around until you spot the bottle Mac had with him, and both women follow your gaze.
>Granny Smith grabs it and checks the label.  “Aw, this is just our cider,” she says before sniffing it.
>Hey demeanor quickly changes at the smell; when she takes a sip, her eyes narrow. 
>“Alright now, party's over!  All y'all clear out!”
>“But things were just getting fun!”  You hear someone exclaim.
>“Ah said OUT!”  Granny Smith yells in the loudest voice she can muster, and the crowd begrudgingly starts to leave.
>Smith stops Mac's teammates before they go anywhere.  “You fellers, git Big Mac to tha house on tha double, and call fer a doctor just in case.”
>They nod, carefully picking Big Mac up off the floor.
>As he is carried out of the barn, Granny Smith comes back over to you.
>“You stay here with us,” she orders.  “When Mac wakes up, we need ta get to tha bottom of this...”
>The way she says this makes your stomach tie itself into a knot...

----------

>It takes longer than expected for a medical team to arrive.
>Big Mac was still out cold at that point, but at least he was getting a proper once over.
>Granny Smith and Applejack stay to observe, making sure things go well.
>You were asked to stay outside, for obvious reasons.
>As you're waiting, you see Applebloom arriving home. 
>She had been at one of her friend's homes when things went down, but their parents were nice enough to bring her back once she got word of the incident.
>“Hey there, Anon,” she says as she approaches you.
“Hey.  I take it you heard about what happened?”
>Applebloom nods.  “Applejack was seethin' when she talked ta me over tha phone, so Granny had ta take over for'er on tha call.”
“Are you just as mad at me as she is?”
>“Ah wasn't here, so ah don't know who's ta blame.  Maybe ah can give a better answer once Mac's up an' about.”
“Who knows how long that's going to be...”
>“Hard ta say.  Ah remember one time years back when Mac got kicked in tha head by one of tha cows.  He was out 'til past supper time.”
“He must have a thicker skull than most if that's the worst that happened.”
>Applebloom giggles.  “In more ways than one, ah guess.  He said afterward he was bein' clumsy around ol' Betsy, and it nearly cost'im everythin'.”
“At least he bounced back from it.  Hopefully this case will be the same.”
>“Me, too.  Ah don't know what ah'd do if we lost'im.  Heck, ah bet Applejack would feel worse.”
>You shudder, a chill going down your spine.
“And it would be all my fault...”
>“How come?”
“Because I went along with that little game of his.  Had I said no, there'd still be a party going on.”
>“Why'd ya go along with it, anyhow?”
“Cause I thought that, if I didn't, he'd have beaten me a bloody pulp.”
>“That don't sound like Big Mac.  He'd never do that to someone unless he was really mad at'em.”
“Trust me, he was mad at me.  Something was up with him, which may explain why he was acting like he did.”
>“Any idea on what?”
“I'd rather not throw thoughts out there unless I'm sure about them.  We'll know soon enough...”
>There's a shout of pain from inside.
>“Anon, git in here!”  You hear Applejack call out.
>“Ah guess soon is now,” Applebloom comments, following you into the house.
>You enter the living room, and you're surprised at what you see.

>Big Mac's upper torso is wrapped in bandages, while his right ankle is being put in a splint.
>It looks like he only just woke up, and was shaken up by what was happening to him.
>“That should do for now,” one of the doctors says as he completes his work.  “He shouldn't put any weight on that foot for at least six weeks.  Gotta give time for the bones to heal.”
>“We'll make sure of it,” Granny Smith replies.  “Thank ya for comin' out here.”
>“Of course,” the doctor says.  “If you need us for anything else down the line, just give us a holler.”
>As the medical team takes its leave, Big Mac starts to hold his head.
>“What happened?”  He mumbles.  “Ah'm hurtin' all over ...mah head 'specially...”
>“That's called a hangover,” Granny Smith replies.  “Ah'm disappointed in ya.  Ah thought ya'd know better than to hit tha sauce like that.”
>Big Mac looks dumbfounded.  “Whaddya mean?”
>“I took a swig of your 'cider,'” Granny Smith says.  “It's tha hard stuff.  Were ya tryin' ta hide it?”
>“Nnnnope!”  Big Mac says, holding up his hands in defense.  “It said regular on tha label. Still had tha  cap on it an' everythin'!” 
>Granny Smith puts her hands on her hips.  “Ya couldn't taste tha difference when ya started drinkin'?”
>“Ah thought it was just a different flavor!”  Mac says, almost exasperatedly.
>Applejack sighs.  “So yer suggestin' he was drinkin' hard cider and didn't know it?”
>Granny Smith nods.  “Which would explain why he was actin' all cuckoo, as Anon said.”
>Big Mac looks confused.  “Ah was?”
“Don't you remember?”  You ask.  “You challenged me to a hay bale lifting contest.”
>Big Mac hold his head again.  “No, ah don't...”
>“This is gittin' us nowhere,” Applejack says.  “If Mac's tellin' the truth, how'd he wind up with tha hard stuff?”
“A packaging mistake?”  You suggest.
>Applebloom ponders.  “Ah mean, it's a thought, but aren't tha brewery fellers usually good at catchin' that?”
>“Just a darn minute,” Granny Smith interrupts.  “Ah got told tha other day that some regular labels got mixed in with tha hard cider ones, an' no one noticed 'til a case worth'a bottles was already done.”
“What did they do with it?”
>“Ah told them ta leave it outside mah office, since ah hate wastin' good product, but ah don't remember ever seein' it put there.”
>“Oh...” Big Mac mutters. 
>Granny Smith puts two and two together.  “Don't tell me ya took it...”
>“Y'know how ah like it fresh,” Big Mac replies.  “Ah thought ya put it aside for me, just like ya always do.” 
“Is that bottle from earlier the only one you had, or did you have more before that?”
>Mac looks sheepish.  “Ah...may've had one or two before tha party started...”
>Applejack shuts her eyes and shakes her head.  “Ah don't believe this...”
>Granny Smith chuckles.  “Ah can.  Yer father was tha same way once he was old enough ta drink...”

>Big Mac hangs his head low.  “Ah'm sorry, y'all.  Ah didn't mean ta wreck everythin'...”
>“At least no one got seriously hurt, right?”  Applebloom asks.
>“Yer calling a broken ankle and bruised ribs not seriously hurt?”  Applejack replies angrily.  
“Well, it could've been much worse than that,” you say. 
>Applejack looks ready to pounce on you again.  
>“Yer one to talk!  Yer tha one that got'im hurt!”
“That was an accident!  Besides, you startled me enough to set off that little chain reaction!”
>“So yer sayin' it's all MAH fault?”  Applejack yells.
“I mean, not entirely.  There's plenty of blame to go around.”
>“Ain't it kinda mah fault, too?”  Big Mac interjects.
>“Yer comin' ta his defense?”  Applejack asks, her temper rising.  “What happened ta family first?”
“Hey, calm down.  You could say it's the fault of the brewery workers that started this.  Hell, maybe even whoever packaged those labels to begin with.”
>“Shut yet trap!  Ah don't wanna hear excuses from ya!”
>“Stop it, all of ya!”  Applebloom interrupts.  “Shoutin' at each other ain't gonna solve anythin'!”
>Applejack crosses her arms and turns her head away with a huff.
>“She's right,” Granny Smith adds.  “Right now we need ta figure out what we're gonna do.”
“Do with what?”  You ask.
>“With tha daily upkeep.  Big Mac's gonna be outta commission fer a while.”
>“So he ain't gonna be workin'?”  Applebloom asks.
>“Not 'til his ankle's better, at least,” Granny Smith replies.  “Til then, we'll need someone else ta help out 'round here.”
“With the farm work, you mean?”
>Granny Smith nods.  “Mac does quite a bit, so replacin' him ain't gonna be easy.”
>“Aw, don't say that,” Big Mac says.  “Ah can still do stuff...”
>As he tries to get up, Granny Smith forces him to sit back down on the sofa.
>“Oh no ya don't.  Tha last thing ah want is for ya ta hurt yerself more than ya already are.”
>Big Mac grumbles, but a stern look from Granny Smith makes him hold his tongue.
>“Come on, who we gonna git on such short notice?”  Applejack asks.  “It ain't like we can put out flyers askin' fer help first thing tomorrah.”
>“Ah don't know,” Granny Smith says.  “We're short-handed as it is...”  
>There is silence for a bit as you all think.

“I'll do it,” you say, breaking the silence.
>Everyone else turns to look at you.
>“Wait...what?”  Applejack says.
“I said...I'll do it...I'll help out here.”
>“Aw, y'all don't have ta jump in like that, sonny,” Granny Smith says.
“With all due respect...I feel like I have to.”
>“But none of this was all yer fault,” Applebloom replies.
“Maybe not all, but I'm still partly to blame for this mess, so I gotta help clean it up.”
>“No no no,” Applejack states, waving her arms in front of her.  “Tha last thing we need 'round here right now is you.”
“Excuse me?”  You ask, insulted.
>“Sis, he's tryin' to help,” Applebloom says.
>“Ah don't WANT his help!”  Applejack yells.
>“What ya want ain't what's important,” Granny Smith replies.  “It's what the farm needs.”
>The matriarch turns to you.  “Ya sure ya wanna do this?”
“I am.  It's the least I can do after what happened.”
>Applejack huffs.  “Y'all don't know tha first thing about farmin', do ya?”
“Does that matter?  Just show me what I need to do, and I'll do it.”
“And I'd have some good teachers to show me the ropes, wouldn't I?”
>Applebloom and Big Mac smile, while Applejack's stare on you remains stone cold.
>“Well,” Granny Smith says, “if that's how ya want it ta be, we'd appreciate any help ya can give.”
>“What?” Applejack exclaims.  “No!”
>“Mah word is final,” Granny Smith says.  “Ya don't like it?  Tough beans.”
>The middle sibling gives a grunt of frustration, storming out of the room as you look on.
“Jeez, she's never gonna let me live this down, is she?”
>“Giv'er time ta cool off,” Applebloom replies.  “Like it or not, she's gonna need ya, just like tha rest of us will.”
>Granny Smith nods in agreement.  “Ah'll make sure yer compensated for yer work.  Though we need ta make sure yer parents are fine with all this.”
“I don't think they'll mind.  Besides, it'd keep me out of trouble for part of the summer, right?”
>“Don't worry,” Big Mac says.  “We'll make sure of that.”
>“Who knows,” Applebloom states, “this could be fun!  Just like when we were younger!”
“Yeah,” you chuckle nervously, “right...”

>You get in touch with your folks over the phone, making sure it's on speaker so Granny Smith and the others can hear what they're saying.
>Between all of you, you explain the situation and the proposed arrangement.
>Your parents appreciate the fact you're owning up to what happened, and allow you to follow through.
>With their blessing, Granny Smith goes over things.
>The family is generally up before dawn, no later than 5am, so you'll need to be on site before then.
>It means no more late nights for you for the foreseeable future.
>It sounds like you'll be helping with the daily chores and tending the orchard.
>If there's any time or interest after that, you're also allowed to help out in the brewery.
>The pay is above the area's minimum wage, so at least you'll be bringing something home each day.
>With all that being said, you may as well try to make a full work day out of it, doing whatever you can to make a difference around here.
>Granny Smith offers one of the guest rooms for you to stay in, should you decide you want to.
>You tell her you'll keep it in mind, although you'll most likely be going home each night anyway.
>Besides, you live less than a half hour away, so it'll be like you're commuting to work as normal.
>You thank Granny Smith for the chance, and apologize for wrecking the party.
>Applebloom recommends you give the same apology to Pinkie Pie, as she's the one who set the party up to begin with.
>Something to remember the next time you see her.
>She gives you as big a hug as she can muster, given she's much shorter than you.
>Big Mac gives a first bump and an apology of his own, promising to show you how he does things around the farm.
>Part of you wants to seek Applejack out and try to talk to her one-on-one.
>However, right now may not be the best time.
>As Applebloom said, once there's time to cool down and process things, maybe it'll be easier.
>You take your leave afterward and head for home.
>When you head up to your bedroom, the first thing you do is reset your alarm.
>If you're going to be a farm hand for a while, you're going to have to be used to going to bed and waking up much earlier than normal.
>It'll take getting used to, but it's for the best.
>As you turn in that night, a multitude of thoughts runs through your head.
>How effective are you going to be filling in for Big Mac?
>Will you be able to keep things up until he's fully recovered?
>And will you ever be able to get back on speaking terms with Applejack?
>Only time will tell at this point...

----------

>4:15am.
>You're jolted awake up by the radio on your alarm clock.
>The morning show on this station doesn't start until after 5, so right now it's playing regular music.
>A shame it's a song you absolutely hate...
>You had trouble sleeping despite turning in early, drifting in and out at various points of the night. 
>Your guilty conscience was a primary factor, you'd say.
>You're groggy, but you know you can't hit the snooze button this time...
>...or any time for the next several weeks...
>You go through your usual morning routine, doing your best to keep things quiet so as not to wake your parents.
>You skip breakfast, as Granny Smith mentioned you're welcome to eat with the family before starting the day.
>You're out the door just before 4:30, and you make the drive to Sweet Apple Acres.
>There is little to no traffic this early in the morning, so you're there in less than 20 minutes.
>Maybe you can get away with an extra 5 minutes of sleep at this rate...
>Something to remember for later on.
>The first rays of sunlight haven't even started to show on the horizon at this point.
>You park and head to the main house.
>You knock on the door, and Applebloom opens it up to greet you.
>She's already dressed in her usual outfit, although she still looks a bit tired.
>“Mornin', Anon,” she says with a yawn.
“Morning.  Guess you didn't sleep well, either.”
>“Nah.  When ya've got Big Mac groanin' in pain in tha room next to ya, it ain't easy.”
“Didn't the doctors give him pain meds for that?”
>“They did, but those only do so much, and they don't last tha whole night.”
“I guess,” you sigh.  “Sorry, again...”
>“Hey, don't keep apologizin'.  Yer gonna have other things ta worry about besides that.”
“Right...”
>“Well, don't just stand out there.  Come on in.  Granny's gittin' a spread ready.” 

>Applebloom leads you to the kitchen and dining area
>Your nose is greeted by the scents of many items cooking simultaneously.
>Big Mac's already at the table, the leg with a cast propped up by a spare chair.
>He looks worse than Applebloom, to no one's shock.
> “Mornin', sonny,” you hear Granny Smith say from the stove.  “Glad ta see ya made it.”
“I promised I would,” you reply.  “You need help with anything over there?”
>“Ah've got things under control.  How's about ya help Applebloom with the table?”
>You assist the youngest sibling with getting plates, utensils, glasses and napkins set for everyone.
>She grabs a jug of cider from the fridge and pours some out into each of the glasses.
>Granny Smith is over shortly after with enough scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast to satisfy even the biggest of hungers.
>She lets you serve yourself first, as you're the guest, and you help yourself to a little of everything.
>Before you start eating, you realize a certain someone hasn't made her presence known.
“Where's Applejack?  I figured she'd be up with the rest of you.”
>“She was out the door long before you got here,” Applebloom replies.
>“She's usually tha first one up, anyhow,” Granny Smith adds.  “She likes ta do her patrol of tha orchard before any of her other chores.”
“Patrol?”
>“Sure.  Always wants ta check an' see things are as they were tha day before, after all.  Make sure ya save some'a this fer her when she gits back.”
>You sigh and nod before looking back down at your plate.   
“Kinda figured she's still avoiding me.  She's probably still pissed at me...”
>“She cant stay mad forever,” Applebloom replies.  “Wouldn't be good fer anyone.”
>“Nnnope,” Big Mac says before taking a bite of his food.
>“Ah wouldn't worry too much about it,” Granny Smith states.  “Once ya've worked with her fer a while, things should loosen up.”   
“Is it really gonna be that easy?  I know how stubborn she can get over stuff like this.”
>Granny Smith nods.  “Ya just gotta show her what kinda potential ya've got ta make a difference round here.  Prove yer worth.”
“You mean like what I tried to do with Mac yesterday?”  You ask with a chuckle.
>“Ah still have no idea what yet talkin' bout,” Big Mac says.
>“It don't matter,” Granny Smith states.  “Once yer done, Anon, ah'm gonna have Mac go through tha basics on his daily work.”
“So he'll be my supervisor for now...”
>Big Mac nods.  “Yer gonna be fine.  Ah'll make sure of it...”
>You smile nervously as you focus on the rest of your meal.
>You're gonna need all the energy it can muster...

>After helping with the cleanup, you head out the door, Big Mac following behind with his crutches.
>The sun is finally coming up, and you can hear several roosters crowing.
>Across the way you can see several people entering the brewery to begin their own work days.
>You're guided to one of the other barns on the property, where the cows and horses are kept.
>There are three of each, and Big Mac names each one and describes their various temperaments.
>As per his instructions, you open the doors one at a time to let the animals out to pasture.
>One of the cows appears to have a bit of a mean streak, giving you a strange stare as it makes its exit.
>This must be 'ol Betsy...'
>Meanwhile, one of the horses looks a little tired, perhaps from having been ridden by Applejack earlier on her 'patrol.'
>Mac has you clean out each stall, raking and shoveling what was 'left behind' into a wheelbarrow.
>You then drop fresh hay onto the floor, and deposit food in the raised containers for later.
>As you move the wheelbarrow out to the mulch pile, you see Applebloom in the chicken coop.
>She must have just finished collecting eggs, as there's a large basket set aside that's filled with them. 
>She's currently feeding said chickens, minding all of the chicks that have gathered around her. 
>She's giggling all the while, reminding you of the stereotypical princesses of fairy tales and their connection to tiny creatures.
>You give a chuckle of your own as you go to deposit the wheelbarrow's contents.
>Mac then has you grab a stool and some buckets, as it's time to 'do some milkin'.'
>You head out to the pasture, and Mac calls one of the cows over.
>It's been a long time since you've done this, so he goes through the motions with you.
>With him keeping the cow occupied, you set to work, being as gentle as you can.
>It all seems to come back to you, and it gets easier as you progress; even more-so on the second cow.
>Then it's ol' Betsy's turn.
>Wary of the story Applebloom told you yesterday, you proceed with caution.
>However, with Big Mac keeping Betsy in line, you're able to complete the task without incident.
>You carefully bring the full pails back to the house for Granny Smith to use later.
>By now the sky has completely brightened up, and it's getting warmer by the minute.
>All the while, you had yet to see Applejack anywhere.
>Just where the heck was she?

>Mac tells you there is a little free time before his next normal set of tasks.
>He suggests cleaning up the 'mess' you guys made the day before, which you agree to.
>He heads off to the house to 'take care of something,' while you go to the main barn.
>Inside, you finally find a certain someone. 
>Applejack is currently working on the task you were about to do, raking up the hay that had fallen apart from their bales.
>There's a strange machine in here also, most likely to reassemble said bales.
>She has her back to you, muttering something under her breath.
>You clear your throat, and she turns her head your way.
“I was wondering where you were.”
>“Just here an' there, takin' care of things,” she replies in a nonchalant way.
“As far away from everyone else as possible?”
>“It's how ah've always done things round here, ever since ah was little.”
>You grab another rake that's leaning against the wall. 
“Let's see how quick we can tackle this together, hm?”
>“Ah don't need your help, remember?”
“I know.  I'm just speeding up the process.  Gotta do my part to fix this mistake of mine.”
>Applejack rolls her eyes and focuses on her own work.
>You do the same, and for a while the only noises made are that of the rakes scraping across the floor.
>Following Applejack's lead, the hay you gather is slowly but surely made into several piles.
“How did your patrol go this morning?”  You ask, cutting through the quiet.
>Applejack doesn't answer.
“Come on, AJ, talk to me.  We've always been able to do that.”
>“Ah'm still mad at ya,” she replies, still having her back to you.
“Mad enough to not want to have a simple chat?”
>Applejack frowns.  “After what ya did ta Big Mac?  Hell yeah.”
>You shake your head.
“Do you at least want to hear the whole story of what happened?  Maybe then things can be made clearer for you.”
>Applejack grumbles again.  “If ya think it'll change mah mind...and ah'm sure it won't...”
“You'd be surprised.”
>“Try me...”

“Alright...you wanna know why Mac and I were acting like idiots with the hay bales?”
>“Oh, do tell,” she replies sarcastically.
“It was over you.”
>Applejack stops what she's doing.  “What?”
“You heard me.  It was all about you.”
>She turns her head back your way, her interest seemingly growing.  “Okay,  now ah'm listenin'...”
“Mac wanted to see how I measured up to him, and it was all to see if I was capable of stepping into his shoes if you ever needed me.”
>“Ah don't get it...”
“He wanted to see I could be there for you, to 'take care of and provide for you.'  He said you'd soon be looking for...and I quote, 'family material.'”
>Applejack still looks confused.  “Wait, ya mean-”
“Yeah, that.”
>She chuckles.  “Yer pullin' mah leg...”
“Why would I lie to you about something like this?”
>“What, he was tryin' ta set me up with ya or somethin'?”
“Not the strangest thing he's done, right?”
>“Nah, I guess not...”
“Hey, given how drunk he was at the time, he could've done worse.”
>“He's such an idiot, always castin' a shadow over me.”
“He's looking out for you, as any older sibling would do.”
>“Ah know, but it's still annoyin' as hell.”
“He mentioned you don't have any real plans for after high school.  Is that the case?”
>“Ah honestly don't know right now.  We still got 'bout a year 'fore we have ta decide, don't we?”
“True.”
>“So yer sayin' Mac made ya do this ta see if ya'd be a good fit fer me?”
“That's one way to put it, I suppose..”
>Applejack sighs, shaking her head in apparent disbelief.
>“Ah mean...we've known each other fer a long time.  Guess he figured ya know me better than most.”
“Yeah.  He kept asking what I thought about you, in 'that' sort of way, and he got upset when I couldn't give a straight answer.”
>“Yer not sure what ya think 'bout me?”
>You think for a moment before answering.

“That's...just it.  I've always seen you as a friend, but his words have gotten me to think a little more...”
“Part of me doesn't want to risk ruining what we have by making things awkward...but...”
>“But?”
“..another part wants to try and take that risk.”
>Applejack stares you down for a moment.  “So yer still on tha fence.”
“I...guess I am.”
>“An' that's what got Mac ta challenge ya ta that stupid contest?”
“Pretty much, and it didn't go well for either of us.”
>“Darn tootin'.  Y'know, yer as big a bloomin' idiot as he is.  Maybe even bigger...”
“Sometimes, yeah.”
>“At least yer bein' honest with me an' takin' yer fair share of tha heat.”
“What about you?  Where are you on all of this?”
>Applejack looks to the floor.  
>“Ah...don't know right now.  It's...complicated.”   
“With everything that's happened in the last few days?”
>“Right...”
“Well, I suppose Big Mac got one good thing outta this.”
>“What's that?”
“He wanted to know what it'd be like with me in his shoes, and look where I am right now.”
>Applejack laughs, the first big one you've heard from her in a long while.
>“And they're purdy damn big shoes ta fill.”  
“Maybe, but I'm still gonna try my best and pull as much of his weight as I can.”
>“Ya better, or ya'll never hear the end of it.”
>You grin as you nod.
“So how about it?  Are you still mad at me?”
>Applejack stares you down again, taking her time before answering.
>“Ask me again in a few weeks,” she finally replies.
“Fair enough...”
>“Alright, how's about we git these here bales put back together?”
“Sure...”

>Through your combined efforts, plus the machine doing the bulk of the work, all of the hay bales are as they were before yesterday's events.
>Applejack thanks you before moving on to complete the rest of her chores.
>It's around this time that Big Mac finally comes back.
>“Uh...did ah miss somethin'?”  He asks.
“Let's just say some bridges are starting to be mended,” you reply.
>“Not there yet, huh?”
“Like Applebloom said, give her time...”
>“Eeyup...”
>Big Mac guides you through the rest of his duties, and you're able to complete them before noontime.
>You hear a bell being rung from the main house, and Granny Smith hollering for you all to head in.
>Lunch is spent mostly in silence, with some small talk going on between the family members.
>You sit across from Applejack, but neither of you really say anything to each other.
>Guess she feels what needed to be said already had been.
>Afterward, Granny Smith brings you over to the brewery and introduces you around to some of the staff members.
>They all give you a guided tour of sorts of the place, and you take in as much as you can.
>Soon they have you in the packing area, and the workers there show you how things are done.
>You're a quick study, and soon you're assembling cardboard cases and loading them with full cider bottles of all sorts.
>These cases are carefully packed and sealed into boxes, which are then loaded onto pallets for the delivery truck when it gets here later on.
>Granny Smith assures you this won't be the only thing you do, wanting you to experience as many parts of the job as possible.
>You welcome the challenge.
>When 5 o'clock rolls around, people are calling it a day, so you decide to do the same. 
>You say your goodbyes to the Apple family before leaving, and Granny Smith thanks you again for putting in a full day's work.
>You head home with a sense of accomplishment, on multiple levels.
>You feel like you've got a grasp on what your days are going to look like.
>As long as you've got Big Mac guiding you, it may not be as bad as you feared it would be.
>Depending on how you do in the brewery, perhaps you'll be asked to work there a little longer.
>But you're getting ahead of yourself.
>The biggest thing, however, is that you at least got some promising words out of Applejack.
>It's still going to be an uphill battle to fully return to her good side...
>...but you at least have a firm grip right now...

------

>The rest of the week marches on.
>So far, so good, in several respects.
>By now you've been able to get into a groove as far as your various tasks go.
>You're also able to get that extra few minutes of shuteye without affecting your morning commute.
>You're still arriving at the normal assigned time and enjoy a little breakfast with the Apple family.
>Granny Smith seems to like mixing things up, not having the same thing twice in a row.
>You appreciate the variety, as well as her extensive cooking repertoire.
>Big Mac is still accompanying you as you go through his daily work schedule.
>You're unsure if it's because he has nothing better to do, or if he wants to keep an eye on you.
>For all you know, it's a mix of both.
>He's not really allowed to do anything substantial on his own, at least until his ankle is fully healed.
>His company and advice are welcome, nonetheless, especially when once-a-week tasks come up.
>One of the days is designated to grooming the horses, which is something you never took part in before when you were younger.
>Mac is there to keep them in place and in line as he tells you what to do.
>Cleaning out the hooves and re-shoeing them are a bit tricky, but you're sure you'll have the hang of it by the next time around.
>A pattern seems to have formed by the end of the week.
>You do farm work in the morning, enjoy a nice lunch, and then head to the brewery for the afternoon.
>As promised, you're brought to different sections of the place to perform different tasks.
>One day it's loading empty bottles into machines to be filled with their various concoctions.
>Another day it's helping to inspect the apples and other ingredients that come in on a daily basis.
>On Friday, you're brought to the office area to help with paperwork, which is a weird change of pace.
>At least you're not stuck doing the same thing every day.
>By the end of that day, you feel you've been able to get a grasp of how things work around here.
>If there's one thing you have NOT been able to do, it's making any further headway with Applejack.
>After your little chat in the barn on the first day, there hasn't been many chances to talk, if at all.
>She's still out the door on her 'patrol' before you even get to the farm.
>She did say to 'ask her in a few weeks' if she was still mad at you, but did that mean not to speak to her again until then?
>Maybe, in her mind.
>In yours, on the other hand, you do want to try and change it, but in a way that won't upset her more.
>It's going to be a challenge regardless...

>Saturday comes around, and you're on the farm once again. 
>You pretty much expected this, as this sort of work doesn't take weekends off.
>You and Mac go around with the regular routine, and soon you're enjoying lunch with the others.
>“Ah'm surprised ta see how well ya've been adjustin',” Granny Smith says.  “This ain't easy for most, let me tell ya.” 
“Just trying the best I can,” you reply.  “I've been lucky so far.”
>You look from the corner of your eye to Applejack sitting across the table. 
>She seems more focused on her chicken stew to notice, although you tilt your head away when you feel she does.
>“Well, we couldn't have asked fer more from ya,” Smith states.
>Applebloom nods.  “She's right 'bout that.  Ah can't think where we'd be right now without ya.”
“Thanks,” you say with a smile.
>“Ah'm sure we'd manage,” Applejack comments, still looking at her meal.  “Ain't the first time Mac's gotten himself hurt bad.”
>Granny Smith looks to her with a disappointed look.  “That ain't no way ta talk in front of guests.”
>“Anon ain't a guest,” Applejack replies.
>Before Smith can say anything, you interject.
“She kinda has a point.  I've been here so often over the years, I'm practically a member of the family.”
>Applebloom and Big Mac laugh, but Applejack gives a frown.
> “Anyway,” she says, changing the subject, “that tree ah told ya 'bout on the west side hasn't been doing too good.  May be time ta call it.”
>“A pity,” Granny Smith laments.  “Can any of tha fruit be saved?”
>“Won't know 'til we pick'em,” Applejack replies.  “Ah'll be able ta tell once ah get up there.” 
“Anything I can help with?”  You ask.
>Before Applejack can say anything, Smith responds.  
>“Not a bad idea.  Tha brewery's closed on tha weekend, an' this may turn out ta be an afternoon affair.  That fine with ya?”
“Yeah, sure.  I don't have much else going on today, anyway.”
>“Great.  Ah'd take Applebloom an' Big Mac along, also, just in case.”
>You nod, as do the other siblings.
“Whattya say we take care of it once we're done here?”
>“Sounds good,” Applebloom replies.
>“Eeyup,” Mac adds.
>Applejack, on the other hand, frowns at you again.
>“Whatever,” she finally mutters.

>After lunch, you head to the main barn with the Apple siblings.
>You load a cart with ladders, barrels and other tools, hitch one of the horses to it, and make your way to the west side of the orchard.
>Once there, it's not long before you find the tree Applejack spoke of.
>It's bigger than average, standing well over thirty feet tall.
>It's in rough shape, to be sure, with plenty of wilted leaves and decaying bark.
“Yikes,” you comment as you step down from the cart.  “You weren't kidding about this thing.”
>“Ah rarely kid,” Applejack replies.  “Been keepin' an eye on this one since Spring, and it's just 'bout had it.”
“Is it sick, or just old?”
>“A bit of both, ah guess.  Tha trees over here were planted 'bout 40 years ago.”  
“So...it's near the end of its life, then.”
>“We've had plenty'a trees go fer one reason or 'nother,” Applebloom says.  “It's always tough, since we do our best ta take care'a them.” 
>Big Mac nods.  “Can't control everythin', no matter how much ya wanna.”
>On that somber note, you help get everything off the cart, while the horse is let loose to graze.
>The ladders are positioned on opposite sides of the tree, with the barrels placed underneath them.
“So, how do you normally go about this?”
>“Simple,” Applejack replies.  “We pick'em an' check'em.  Good ones go in the barrels, bad ones can be chucked.”
>You're about to start climbing one of the ladders when a thought comes to mind.
>You'd been thinking all week of another way to connect with Applejack, and this could be the opportunity you've been waiting for.
“You wanna make things more interesting?”
>Applejack tilts her head in confusion.  “How can this be more...interesting?”
“Betcha I can find and pick more good apples than you can.”
>Applejack continues looking at you with the same expression.  “Ya can't be serious...”
“Come on, it'll be fun.”
>“Didn't ya learn yer lesson the LAST time ya made somethin' a contest?  'Sides, I'd smoke ya.”
>To illustrate her point, Applejack climbs up her ladder so fast, Applebloom doesn't have time to brace it before she reaches the top.
>“Anon, ya might be bitin' off more than ya can chew,” Applebloom warns.  “Ya know how competitive sis can get.”
>You turn to see Big Mac nodding in agreement, but you shrug it off.
“I don't care.  It'll help me learn how to do this timely if we need to do this down the line.”
>With Mac holding your ladder, you climb up it to match Applejack's height. 
“Whattya say?  Game on?”
>Applejack's eyes narrow.  “Yer funeral...”

>At Applebloom's signal, the two of you start your work.
>You pick your first apple and twist it in your hands, checking for any imperfections.
>You don't notice any part of it being rotten or eaten, so you toss it down into the barrel below you.
>As you're grabbing your second, you see that Applejack is going very quickly.
>She plucks an apple, gives it a spin by the stem, and drops it after a full rotation while simultaneously plucking another.
>You try to replicate the move, although it's tough to do while also keeping the purpose in mind.
>“Come on, Anon!  Pick up yer pace!”  She calls.  “ Ah've gone through ten already!” 
“Just getting warmed up,” you reply.
>That's what you want to think, but honestly you feel she's right about this.
>You do what you can to match her movements, but you pale in comparison.
>You've only gotten through about twenty apples before seeing her climb down to adjust her ladder.
>“What's tha matter?  Ah thought ya wanted this ta be a challenge fer me.”
>Your temper is trying to get the better of you, but you keep it under control.
“You worry about your work, I'll worry about mine.”
>“Ah warned ya, but do ya ever listen?  Nope!” 
>You growl to yourself, shaking your head.
>You're not about to be shown up like this.
>You're come too far to give it up, now, so you keep going.
>After a while you feel you're getting a little better at this.
>Surprisingly there have only been a few 'bad apples' in what you've examined so far.
>The tree may be lost, but it at least had one last decent yield before going completely kaput.
>You wonder what these apples will go towards.
>Perhaps a special applesauce?
>Maybe a cider with a sour or bitter flavor to it?
>Or even feed for the animals here, if it turns out they can't be used for anything else.
>Never mind peanuts, apples have their own plethora of uses. 
>You're shaken out of your thought process by a shrill whistle from Applejack.
> “HEY, ah've finished my first barrel!  Forget being smoked, Anon - yer being barbequed!”
>You look down at the barrel you have, and it's not even a quarter of the way full.
>Maybe this was a bad idea, after all...

>This goes on for another hour or so.
>It's not looking good on your end.
>By the time you've finished your first barrel, Applejack was wrapping up her fourth.
>She even came over to your side to grab the higher-hanging fruit.
>To make matters worse, she's dropping her findings into the other barrels meant for yours.
>So this is what utter humiliation feels like.
>You're not throwing in the towel, however.
>You're just going to stick with it until the end, regardless of how badly you're beaten.
>Soon, all of the barrels you brought are filled to the top.
>Based on your performances, Applejack did eighty-percent of the work.
>You're surprised you made as much a dent as you did.
>By the end, she's standing on one of the top branches, pretending to yawn.
>“Didn't even break a sweat,” she brags.  “While yer 'well done,'”
“Better well done than burnt out,” you quip as you climb down your ladder.
>“Ya did fine, Anon,” Applebloom says.  “Most other hired hands don't get as much done as ya did, and ya've never done this before.”
“Thanks, I guess,” you say with a shrug.
>“What're ya talkin' 'bout?”  Applejack asks.  “Ah did most'a tha work!”
>“An' ya probably coulda done all of it if Anon weren't here!”  Applebloom retorts.
>“Ah may as well have!  Anon's so slow, he makes flowin' molasses seem faster by comparison!”
>“Wow, that's low...”  Big Mac comments.
“What happened to the talk we had the other day?”  You ask.  “You're acting like it never happened.”
>“Ah kinda wish it didn't,” Applejack replies.  “Yer gittin' yerself in our business, an' ah don't like it.”
“Hey, I'm doing what I can to make things right here.  You're saying you'd rather not have me around?”
>“Right now?  Yeah, ah'd say that.”
>“Sis, come on!”  Applebloom pleads.  “He's just tryin' ta help!”
>“AH TOLD YA, AH DON'T WANT HIS GODDAMN HELP!”  Applejack yells, stomping a foot on the branch.
>There's a creak...
>...then a snap...
> “Ah sh-”
>...then a break.

>The branch gives way as Applejack plummets with a shout.
>You, Bloom and Mac gasp as you rush over.
>Applejack barely manages to grab another branch, watching the one she was on hit the ground.
>“SIS!”  Applebloom screams.
>“Hang on!”  Mac calls.  
>He tries to run over, but his injured ankle prevents him from doing so.
>You try to assess the situation as you heft the fallen branch clear.
>Applejack is dangling twenty feet or so off the ground right now.
>She's too far out to safely reach the ladder, and the branch she grabbed looks in about as rough of shape as the previous.
>A familiar creak gets everyone's attention, and there's little time left to think.
>You get directly underneath her and stretch your arms out in front of you.
“Let go!”  You order.
>“Are ya outta yer cotton-pickin' mind?”  Applejack calls, her voice a mixture of anger and fright.
“I'm right here to catch ya!  Don't worry!”
>“Yer crazy!  Let Mac do it!”
“Mac can't without hurting himself more, and Bloom's not strong enough for this.  It's either me, or a  body cast!  Your choice!”
>Applejack hesitates in her response.
>“How do ah know ya won't drop me?”
“I won't let that happen, I swear it!”
>Another snap, and her mind's made up for her.
>“Fine, but ya better be ready!”  She yells.
“It'll be alright!  Trust me!  Now let go!”
>Before Applejack can do so, the branch decides to cut out the middleman and break.
>She screams loudly as she and it come down hard.
>With little time to react, you adjust and brace yourself.
>You manage to catch her, but the added weight of the branch causes you to drop backwards.
>You land on your rear as the branch falls on top of you both.
>“SIS, ANON!”  Applebloom cries out.

>Mac reaches where you fell and gets to his knees.
>Being careful not to hurt anyone, including himself, he lifts the branch up and out of the way.
>What's revealed to him and Applebloom is an interesting sight.
>You're on your back, with Applejack lying across the top of you.
>You're still conscious, while she's breathing heavily with her eyes shut.
>“You two alright?”  Applebloom asks.
>Applejack opens her eyes and surveys her surroundings before eventually looking your way.
>“Ah...think so,” she finally murmurs, checking herself over.
“I've had worse,” you add.  “At least neither of us will need body casts, after all.”
>“Ya've got a sick sense of humor, ya know that?”
>You give a sigh before chuckling.
>“What's so darn funny?  We both coulda been really hurt from this!”
“Just thinking how ironic this is, given what you said a little while ago.”
>“Pardon?”
“...that you didn't need my goddamn help?”
>Applejack's face turns bright red as she scrambles off of you and to her feet.
>Before you can do the same, she uses a foot to pin you down by your chest.
>“Let's git one thing straight,” she says bluntly.  “Ah still don't.  Ya just happened ta be in tha right place at tha right time.  This don't change anythin', got it?”
>You stare back at her with a near defeated look.
“...got it...”
>Applejack releases her pin so you can get back up.  “Good.  Now git all these here apples loaded so we can git back.”
>She walks off to retrieve the horse, while you look on with disappointment.
“Talk about ungrateful,” you mutter.
>“Actually, that's as grateful as she gets when she's still mad at someone,” Applebloom replies.
>“Mmhmm,” Big Mac murmurs.
“Lovely.  Here I thought saving her life would've made a difference.”
>“Don't feel like she's gonna forget this,” Applebloom says.  “She owes ya one, now.”
“I'd rather she just forgive me so we can all move on.  I'm getting sick of her casting this dark cloud.”
>Applebloom sighs.  “It'll brighten up soon.  She just needs more time.”
“How much more, though...”

>That exchange out of the way, you move to load the apple barrels.
>Thankfully, they aren't nearly as heavy as you thought they'd be, even filled to the brim.
>You lift them up, while Applejack and Applebloom guide them onto the cart. 
>Once everything is loaded up, you make your way back to the farmhouse.
>Part of you wants to say something to Applejack during the trip, but you decide against it.
>As a result, the ride is conducted in silence.
>Granny Smith is glad to see all of the fruit you recovered.
>Applejack takes her leave from the rest of you, restarting her trend of avoiding you.
>When Granny Smith asks if something happened between, you tell her 'no.'
>You'd rather not bring up the fall, as this would probably get Applejack in hot water; something you want to avoid at the moment.
>The last thing you want is for her to bring her wrath upon you, especially at this stage.
>Instead, you focus on bringing the barrels to the main barn.
>It still isn't made clear what the apples will be used for, but you're sure they'll be good for something.
>You head home shortly after, as there isn't anything else needing taking care of.
>That night, you keep replaying the near accident in your mind, as well as the aftermath.
>What could you have done or said differently?
>Obviously, NOT stepping up to catch her is out of the question.
>You weren't about to let a friend get severely hurt, no matter how much she hates you right now.
>Then again, you've already done that with Big Mac...
>You do what you can to shake it off.
>Applebloom is right – there's no way in hell Applejack can stay mad at you forever.
>If what else she said is true, there will be a debt to paid somewhere down the line.
>You can only imagine what that might entail in AJ's mind.
>Maybe you should try getting in touch with some of her other friends to get their perspective.
>Already one pops out at you.
>It'll be a challenge, given what happened a week ago.
>However, she's probably a good starting point.
>Note to self: find a way to locate her, then meet up the first chance you get.
>With that being said, you drift off into an uncomfortable slumber.
>Tomorrow seems like it'll be another long one...

--------

>A beautiful Sunday morning begins...
>...for those who don't have to work and can enjoy it...
>For you, it's another day on the farm.
>Even though it's hard work, you feel it's becoming just a little easier with each passing day.
>A good sign - one of few you've seen thus far.
>You don't see Applejack at all that morning, as she's off doing other chores elsewhere. 
>It isn't until close to lunchtime that she appears, and you try calling out to her.
>She doesn't even acknowledge you, instead going to her car and driving off in the direction of town.
“This is getting real old real fast,” you mutter.
>“Let it go,” Applebloom replies as she approaches you.  “Ah'd hate ta see ya as bitter as she is.”
>Big Mac give an 'eeyup'.  “Ya gonna go out with yer friends today, Bloom?”
>Bloom sighs.  “Well, ah would...if mah ride didn't decide ta leave me behind...”
“What do you usually do with your friends?”
>“Depends on what else is goin' on, ah guess.  Sweetie said she wanted ta meet ta the Corner, though.”
>This gets your attention.
“Wait...you mean Sugarcube Corner?”
>“Yeah, why?”
“I remember Applejack saying that Pinkie works there.  Any idea if she'd be there today?”
>Bloom nods.  “She's usually there every day.  She always has somethin' special set aside when she know we're comin'.”
>That settles it.
“Tell you what, I can bring you today if you want.”
>“Really?  Ya sure?”
“Sure I'm sure.  I've been meaning to talk to Pinkie anyway, so this'll be a nice excuse.”
>Bloom's eyes are beaming at this point as she hugs you.  “Thank ya thank ya thank ya!”
>You can't help but laugh as you get her to calm down.
>“Hey, that's tha first laugh ah've heard from ya since this all started,” Mac states.
“There hasn't been much reason to, lately,” you reply.
>Mac sighs.  “Keep yer chin up.  It'll git better.”
“I hope so,” you say, turning your attention back to Applebloom.  “So, you ready to go?”
>Applebloom nods.  “Can't wait!”
>Mac waves the two of you off as you head out.

>You don't recall having a reason to go Sugarcube Corner before, so you have Applebloom point you in the right direction once you're back in the heart of town.
>As you walk inside, you take a look around.
>The place is certainly going for a 50's vibe, with how the furniture and décor is designed.
>Waitresses are skating around in blue dresses with aprons, taking and delivering orders.
>You half expect Pinkie to be among them, but so far there's no sign of her.
>Until...
>“HEY!”
>You yelp, jumping in your surprise.
>You turn around, and there's the pink-haired wonder herself.
>Also to your surprise, she isn't dressed like the other workers.
>Instead, she's in a white uniform of sorts with a long apron on the front, covered in flour and batter.
>Pinkie chuckles.  “Sorry 'bout that.  Didn't think you'd react that way.”
>You sigh as you let your heart rate return to normal.
“Now you know better,” you mutter.
>“So what brings you in?  Can't say I've ever seen you come here before.”
“Well, Applebloom needed a ride,” you reply, motioning to the youngest Apple sibling.
>“Hey Pinkie,” Bloom says with a wave.
>“Ooh, I was wondering when you'd get here,” Pinkie states.  “Your friends are already in the corner over there.  I've got special brownies baking with your names on them!”
>“Sweet!  Thanks, Pinkie!”
>As Applebloom heads to join her friends, Pinkie looks on with a smile.
>“So...you supervising her for the day?”  She asks you.  “I thought Applejack would've brought her.”
“It's...complicated,” you reply.  “But that's not the only reason why I'm here.”
>Pinkie tilts her head in confusion.  “Oh?”
“Do you have time to talk?  I wanted to get some of your thoughts on a few things.”
>“Yeah, sure.  I'm on break, so it works out.”
“Thanks,” you say with a sigh.
>“Lemme grab those brownies for Bloom and company, and I'll be right with you.”
>You nod as Pinkie heads back to the kitchen area, and you find yourself an empty booth.

>A few minutes later, Pinkie comes back out with a loaded tray.
>She serves the Applebloom and her friends first, then makes her way over to your booth.
>“Sorry for the delay,” she says as she nears.  “Was waiting for a fresh batch of these bad babies.”
>She sets her tray down, which has a pair of brownies and two water glasses on it.
“No problem,” you reply, taking one of the glasses and having a drink.
>“So what's up?  You said you wanted to talk.”
“...First off, I wanted to apologize for messing up your party from the week before...”  
>Pinkie smirks.  “Well...I wasn't in the barn when you and Mac acted like knuckleheads, but I'll say I wasn't exactly happy about things getting cut short.”
“Right...sorry...”
>“Hey, water under the bridge.  You don't have to go into detail.”  
“If you're sure.  I know it's hard, though. I hear you put a lot of effort into planning and everything...”
>“Don't sweat over it too much.  It's not the first party of mine that's ended in disaster.  I've had my fair share of them.”
“Oh?”
>Pinkie giggles.  “Oh yeah.  I remember last year's New Year's Eve party.  Things got so crazy, the neighbors almost called the cops on us.”
“Yeesh,” you say with a cringe.
>“Spit happens,” Pinkie replies.  “Yeah, I was a little mad both times, but there's always the next one.”
>You nod as she pushes the plate of brownies toward you.
>“Here, have one on the house.  One bite, and you'll feel right as rain, I bet.”
>You pick one up and try it.  
>You notice there's a nice blend of flavors.  Plenty of chocolate, and what seems like marshmallow.
“Hey, this ain't bad,” you comment.
>Pinkie claps her hands.  “Nice!  I've been working hard on mastering the recipe.  Sounds like I nailed it this time!”
“So you're one of the bakers here?  Weren't you a server before?”
>“I was for a long time.  I got promoted months back, and I've been baking up a storm since then.”
“Glad to hear things are going well for some of us...”
>“Things not going well for you?”
“Not really.  That's one of the other things I wanted to talk to you about.”
>Pinkie grabs the other brownie and chomps down on it.
>“Let's get to it, then,” she says.

“It's about Applejack, mostly,” you begin.
>“Oh?  What's been going on with you and my cuz lately?”
“Wait...you and her are cousins?”
>Pinkie tilts her head back and forth indecisively.  “Well...I'd say it's a VERY distant relationship.  Someone in my family from generations ago married someone in her family.  But I can still count it.”
“Heh, how about that...”
>“But we're getting off-topic.  So what's up with her?”
“Well, she's been pissed at me after what happened at the party.”
>“Oh, I know all about that.  She's come here a lot in the last week to vent off steam.  I've heard my fair share of it from her already.  Same with the rest of our group.”
“Has everyone picked a side yet?”
>“No one's taking a side, Nonnie.  We know how angry Applejack gets when stuff like this happens.”
“Do ya now...”
>“Oh yeah.  One time she and Rainbow, another friend of mine, got into a HUGE argument over something really stupid, and they didn't speak to each other for weeks after that.”
“Dare I ask what it was about?”
>“That's just it – no one can remember.  Tempers were flaring that day, and they both needed time to cool off.  The two of them made up eventually, and everybody just forgot about it.”  
“Sounds like Rainbow lucked out, then...”
>“I wouldn't say that.  We've been tight-knit for a long time, and sometimes there's a rip or two that just needs patching up.”
“Wish I could do the same in my case.  I've tried talking to Applejack a few times, but she's either avoided me or acted the talks never happened.”
>“You've been friends with her since you were little kids, right?”
“Right...”
>“So you know as well as I do that she's like a big stone on the shore.  Can't be moved easily.” 
“Oh, don't I know it...”
>“Listen, she'll come around.  She got mad like this at Rainbow, too, and she got over it.  Just don't press her on it too much.”
“If you say so,” you sigh.  “Was hoping I'd get some other advice than that, though...”
>Pinkie shrugs.  “Wish I could do more, but it's something you two need to work out yourselves.”
“Well, maybe there IS something you can do.  I was thinking of putting something together once Mac's back on his own two feet again.”
>“Ooh, like what?”
>You take time to explain your idea, and Pinkie's smile grows larger and larger.
>“Yeah, we can do that no problem.  Just keep me in the loop on how he's doing, and we can work out the details later.”
“Thanks, Pinkie.  It'd mean a lot - to me, and hopefully to Applejack.”
>“Only one way to find out...”

>There's a loud dinging bell as the main door underneath it opens; 
>You and Pinkie turn and see Applejack enter, a determined look in her eyes.
>She probably doesn't notice the two of you, as she heads straight to where Applebloom and her friends are sitting.
>You're still within earshot, so you can hear what's being said.
>“There ya are,” Applejack says.  “Been lookin' all over fer ya.”  
>“Funny,” Applebloom replies.  “Ya knew ah was gonna be comin' here.”
>“Doesn't matter.  Come on, it's time ta go.”
>“Wait, what?”  Applebloom exclaims.  “Why?  We only just got here a while ago.”
>“We?”  
>“Anon offered ta bring me, while you just took off without me when ah needed the ride.” 
>“Look, ah'm sorry ah forgot 'bout ya,” Applejack sighs.  “Ah was in a rush ta take care'a somethin', and ah wasn't thinkin' straight.”
>“Ya haven't been thinkin' straight fer over a week now.”
>Applejack shrugs this comment off.  “So where is that varmint, anyway?  He didn't leave ya here by yerself, did he?”
>You sink lower into your seat, your level of confidence dropping ever so slightly.
>“Takin' care of somethin' also,” Bloom says.  “And don't call him a varmint.  He's been nothin' but help since he started doin' this fer us.”
>Applejack shakes her head.
>“Ah thought ya'd be on mah side after what he did ta Mac.  Why're ya still stickin' up fer him?”
>The heads of Bloom's friends are going back and forth between the two siblings, as if they were watching a verbal tennis match.
>“Because he's like family ta me, just like he is ta you...or has that changed?  Am ah wrong?”
>Applejack's taken aback by this.
>Bloom continues.  “Sis, we're all gittin' worried 'bout how ya've been actin'.  It ain't right.”  
>Applejack shifts her head to the side, crossing her arms.
>“He's doin' everythin' he can ta make things right,” Bloom says.  “Can't ya just give'im a chance?”
>There's a period of silence before Applejack replies.
>“Ah will when ah'm good and ready.  But right now...ah'm not...”
>Bloom sighs as she stands up, giving Applejack a hug, which is slowly returned.
>“Please think about it, at least,” Bloom says.  “It's hurtin' us all ta see ya like this...”
>“Ah know.  Tell ya what, ah'm gonna hang out here a bit.  If ya still want me ta take ya home, just holler when yer ready.” 
>Bloom nods, and Applejack lets her go, heading off to a booth over on the other side.
>Thankfully, it's in the opposite direction of you, so she has no idea you've been nearby listening in.

>You're about to get up to go and see her, but Pinkie holds up a hand and shakes her head.
>“Let her be,” she says.  “Might be a bad idea to confront her right away after a talk like that.”
“Maybe you're right,” you sigh.  “Guess that's my cue to make an exit before she notices me.”
>“And my cue to return to work,” Pinkie adds.  “Sounds like AJ could use a visit from me...and a brownie or two.”
>You part ways on that note, and you decide to check on Applebloom.
“You alright?”  You ask.  “That sounded like it was gonna get heated.”
>“Ah'm okay,” Bloom replies.  “Just a little squabble 'tween siblin's, thas'all.”
“You need me to stick around and take you back home after?”
>“Nah, ah'm gonna take sis's offer.  It'll give us another chance ta talk things over.”
“Alright.  I'm gonna head out, then.  If you do need me for anything, you know how to reach me.”
>“Ah'll see ya in tha mornin',” Bloom replies.
>With that, you make your way home.
>You had thought about mentioning your little plan to her, but you decide against it for now.
>You figure you can make it a surprise for all three of the Apple siblings.
>You're sure she'd be on board with it, regardless.
>It's just a matter of when it can be put in motion...
>...and whether or not it will go over well with a certain someone else...
>Speaking of a certain someone else, she doesn't spot you as you depart.
>Probably for the best.
>That night, as you're getting ready to turn in, you hear a text message notification on your phone.
>You take a look at it, half-expecting it to be Applebloom or one of your other friends.
>To your surprise, it's from Applejack.
>'Anon, meet me at the horse barn a half hour earlier tomorrow, ya hear?'
>You're intrigued. 
'See you then,' you text back.
>You don't get a response after this, but you're sure she got yours.
>You reset your alarm to go off a half-hour earlier, as per Applejack's instructions, and you hit the hay right after.
>You're not quite sure what she has in mind...
>...but you better be ready for whatever it is, and not to be late for it...

----------

>3:45 a.m.
>You thought you'd be used to this by now, but you're jolted awake even worse than when you started.
>Oh god...why oh why did you set your alarm for this ungodly hour?
>You grumble as you groggily shut the MF-er off
>If you had a hammer readily available, you'd probably have used that instead.
>You go through your usual morning routine, keeping the clock in mind.
>It's going to be a while before breakfast, and your stomach is growling its frustration.
>You grab a few wrapped pieces of beef jerky from a kitchen cupboard before you leave.
>Just in case...
>You shiver a little as you walk out the door.
>Even though it's summertime, it's colder than usual this morning.
>You do a 180 and grab a sweatshirt, and THEN start making your trip.
>There is no one on the road as you drive, and for good reason.
>No one in their right mind would be out right now, anyway.
>Wait a minute...
>That's not what should be focusing on.
>After all, you have more important things to think about.
>What the heck does Applejack need you for this early?
>Has she finally decided that enough is enough?
>Is she done dealing with you?
>Is she going to off you and take the extra time to bury your body out in the orchard?
>She can't be THAT mad at you, right?
>......right?
>You try to shrug it off.
>You're just gonna have to roll with the punches...
>...especially if those punches are coming from a certain someone.
>You pull into Sweet Apple Acres, as you've become accustomed to.
>You bypass the main house and head straight for the horse barn.
>As expected, Applejack is standing at the entrance with her arms crossed.
>She's staring you down hard.

>“Yer late...”
>Nice way to start the morning...
“That's bull, and you know it.  By my clock, I'm actually a couple minutes early.”
>Applejack chuckles.  “Whatever.  Ah'm just surprised ya decided ta show up...”
“You thought I wouldn't?  Even when I said I'd be here?”
>Applejack continues her stare down.
>“Bloom claims ya've been 'nothin' but help' so far...”
>This remark is said with air quotes.
>“But ah'm still not convinced.”
>You sigh as you shake your head..
“Christ, what else do I have to do?  Spell it out for you?”  
>Applejack frowns, not giving a response.
“Let's change the subject, okay?  What did you need me for this early?”
>“Yer gonna go on patrol with me,” Applejack replies.
“Wait, you mean going around the orchard?”
>“What else would ah be talkin' 'bout?” 
“I don't know.  Don't you usually do that by yourself?”
>“Ah do, but ah've been doin' some thinkin'.”
“About what?”
>“'bout what would happen if ah wasn't able ta do it, 'specially at a time like this.”
“Applebloom didn't figure into this?”
>“She's got plenty'a other things ta worry 'bout 'round here.  And Mac can't do much of anythin' right now...fer obvious reasons...”
>You narrow your eyes ever so slightly.
“So it falls on me...”
>“Damn straight.  Ya've always said ya pick up on stuff really fast.”
“I have my moments...”
>“Then think'a this as a test.”
“A test for me, or a test for you?”
>“Let's git goin' befer ah change mah mind!”
>She heads into the barn, you following in tow.

>Inside, you see two of the horses, Ollie and Anna, have been saddled up already.
>It must have taken a while for Applejack to prep them like this.
>You start to wonder how much sleep she really gets, and what time she wakes up every morning.
>You're quickly greeted by a familiar sight.
>Winona, the family dog, is resting by one of the stalls.
>You really haven't seen her around since you started working here.
>She's getting up there in years, but you wouldn't know it with how well she's taken care of.
>As you approach, she gives a yip, gets up, and rushes over to you.
>You can't help but chuckle as she jumps up and down all around you.
“Okay, okay, it's good to see you again, too,” you say, doing your best to calm her down.
>You give her a scratching behind the ears, as well as down her back, which she appreciates.
>Winona, meanwhile, sniffs all around you, though you're not sure why.
>Maybe it's because she hasn't seen you much, either.
>Whatever the reason, the reunion goes on for a little bit, and Applejack doesn't seem to like it much.
>“Are ya done?”  She asks.
>Winona gives a little whine, stopping in her tracks.
“Hey, what's wrong with giving a dog some well deserved attention?”
>“We got more important things ta do, and yer wastin' daylight.”
“But the sun hasn't even come up yet for us to waste it,” you joke.
>“Damn it, ya know what ah mean!  Let's go!” 
>You sigh with a shrug as you mount the horses; Applejack with Anna, you with Ollie.
>You remember how to ride, but it's been ages since you've done so; you'll have to be cautious.
“So how do you go about this?”  You ask.
>“Just follow mah lead,” Applejack replies.  “Ah take tha same route every mornin', so do me a favor an' try ta remember it.”
“I'll do my best...”
>“Ya better,” she mutters, giving a little nudge with her heels to Anna's sides to get her going. 
>You follow suit, making a clicking noise with your mouth as the cue, which Ollie picks up on.
>As you leave, Winona trails behind, as if she wants to join you on this little 'patrol.'   
>Applejack sees this, and keeps the movement of the horses slow so she can easily keep pace.
>Together, you head off in the direction of the orchard.

>When you reach the edge, Applejack stops to survey your surroundings.
>“We take it nice and easy from this point,” she says.  “Ah wanna make sure nothin's outta place.”
“You remember every tree and how it looks from day to day?”
>“Like tha back of mah hand.  Ah gotta if ah'm ta keep maintainin' tha place.”
>You wonder how she's able to do this when there's no sun to aid her.
>This is quickly answered when she pulls out a heavy-duty light.
> “Now pay attention, will ya?”
>She shines the light up and down the tree closest to you.
>She nudges Anna into a walk, and you follow her example with Ollie.
>You go up and down each row of trees this way.
>So far Applejack has said nothing, perhaps focusing her attention on her work.
>It could be that nothing it 'outta place' yet, of course.
>Nevertheless, you break the ice.
“Wouldn't it be easier to do this when it's brighter out?”
>You don't get an answer at first, but eventually she gives one.
>“Maybe, but there ain't much time durin' tha day, what with our chores an' other things ta do.”
>“Besides, ah like it this way much better.  Gives me some alone time.”
“Then why ask me to join you out here all the sudden?  Doesn't that cut into your alone time?”
>“Like ah said, ah wanna make sure somebody else can do this in times when ah can't.”
>You sense there's more to it than that, but you choose not to press her on it.
>“Hold up,” Applejack states, stopping Anna in her tracks.
“What's up?”  You ask, pulling Ollie up beside her.
>“That's what up,” she replies, dismounting and aiming her light at one of the trees.  “Or should ah say...down...”
>She shines the light near the ground, where a large branch has fallen.  She goes to examine the break.
>“This is what ah'm talkin' 'bout.  That there branch was still up in tha tree yesterday.”
>She examines it carefully, then pulls out a notebook to write something down.
“Is this tree sick, too?”  You ask.
>“Could be,” Applejack replies.  “This ain't a clean break, that's fer sure.  Ah'll have ta take a closer look up top later today.”
“Geez, second tree in as many weeks.”
>“Like Mac said before, can't control everythin'.  Come on, there's still more trees ta check.”

>It's not long before you reach the far end of the orchard.
>You can't remember how long it's been since you've come back here.
>Had to be back during elementary school, at least.
>A particular tree catches your eye, and you have Ollie stop so you can admire it.
>Applejack notices you've stopped, and holds up, also.  “What's up?  Ya see somethin'?”
“No.  Just thinking back to when we were little kids.”
>“Huh?”
“This was our favorite tree.”
>Applejack shines her light on it.  “Whattya mean our favorite?”
“Don't you remember?  This is the one we'd always come to when we played together.”
>You dismount so you can take a closer look.
“There was an old tire swing on one of the lower branches.  I remember Mac pushing us so hard, we'd sometimes go flying into the pile of hay we'd bring.”
“And there were times we'd twist the rope around so much we'd spin around like crazy.  One time I got so dizzy, I came close to throwing up,.”
>You chuckle as Applejack moves her horse your way.  “That was pretty stupid of us,” she comments.
“Maybe, but they were simpler times when we didn't have as many cares in the world.”
>You put your hand on the bark, and you notice something on it that makes you laugh.
>“What's so funny now?”  Applejack asks.
“There's still some of the old carvings we did on here,” you reply.
>Applejack aims her light at where you're pointing.  
>Sure enough, remnants is various letters and pictures are present.
>Among them is a circle with 'A & A' in the middle of it.
>“Like ah said,” she says with a sigh, “that was pretty stupid of us.”
“Come on, we were kids, best friends for the longest time.”
>“And we grew out of it.  Time moves on, and...things change...” 
“For some of us...” You say as you make your way back to her.  
>Applejack glares at you.  “Ya goin' back ta that talk we had befer?”
“Maybe.  I've thought a lot about it since we had that chat.  But there hasn't been much chance to really speak more.”
>“And ah'd like ta keep it that way.  We're not over this yet.”
“More like YOU aren't,” you say bluntly.
>“What, ya think ah'm just gonna forgive ya and fall into your lap?”  Applejack says, kicking Anna in the sides to move on.

>Anna does NOT appreciate this move - or Applejack's attitude, for that matter.
>She whinnies loudly, lurching up onto her hind legs.
>Applejack is not prepared for this and loses her balance, falling off in your direction with a shout.
>Luckily, you're once again in the right place at the right time, and you manage to catch her.
>Her light falls to the grass, its ray shining upwards and illuminating the two of you.
>Your heart feels like it's pounding out of your chest after such a scary adrenaline rush.
>Applejack's breathing is quick, her eyes wide with fright as she looks straight ahead.
>There's a quiet yet awkward pause as you both try to process what just happened.
>Before long, Winona gives a bark, which shakes the two of you back to reality.
“You okay?”  You manage to ask.
> Applejack looks your way, and her eyes widen even more.
>She panics and squirms in your grasp, and you set her down before she decides to hit you.
>She turns her back and takes a few steps away, hugging herself as a coping mechanism.
>You wish you had words of comfort to give, but nothing comes out.
>You instead turn away from her, and you both stand there without a word for a while.
>“Th...thanks...”  You finally hear her stutter.
>You turn around, and you see that Applejack's eyes are beginning to water.
“N...no problem,” you reply with a stutter of your own.
>You expect her to have a follow up to say that this also 'doesn't change things.'
>But it doesn't happen.
>You break the ice once again.
“Let's...finish up your patrol, hm?  Can't let a little fall like this keep us from doing our job, right?”
>“Oh, uh...yeah...right...”
>She picks up the light, and you both climb back onto your horses, continuing on your way, Winona back in tow.
>The rest of this little trek is conducted in relative silence.
>Applejack is a lot more focused on her observations of the trees, perhaps as a way of taking her mind off of what transpired a short time ago.
>You leave her to it, not wanting to press any of her buttons right now.
>It doesn't appear that anything else is out of place.
>Probably a good thing.
>There's plenty out of place already...

>You eventually make it back to the barn.
>You help Applejack remove the saddles from the horses and lead them back into their stalls, filling their troughs with hay and oats.
>After you feed the other horse and the cows, you return to the main house, where the rest of the family is having pancakes.
>“We were wonderin' where ya two were,” Granny Smith says.  “We thought ya'd miss breakfast.”
>You and Applejack sit down at the two empty chairs that are next to each other, with Winona sitting in-between. 
>“Ah...asked Anon ta join me...on tha mornin' patrol,” Applejack says. 
>“Oh?”  Applebloom asks.  “How'd that go, Anon?”
>You swallow a mouthful of pancake before you answer.
“It went...okay.  One tree that needs another look-over, but nothing else to report.”
>Bloom raises an eyebrow.  “Nothin' else, huh?”
>Applejack gives a glare.  “Yeah, nothin' else.”
>Big Mac looks equally skeptical, but doesn't say anything.
>Winona gives a woof, and you look back to her.  Her tail is wagging like crazy.
>“What's up with ya?”  Applejack asks.  “Ya've been fawnin' over Anon since he got here.”
“She's a sucker for attention, I guess,” you say, patting Winona on the head.  “Or maybe she's looking for early-morning hand-outs.”
>“But she gets both'a that from all of us,” Applejack states.  “She's focused on ya for some reason.”
“Jealous, are ya?”   You joke.
>“Me?  Jealous?  Hell no.  She's not like this unless there's somethin' she's after.”
>Winona seems to prove this by standing up and bumping her nose against your back jeans pockets.
“What the-”
>“Ya see?”  Applejack says.  “Ya've got somethin' she wants!”
>You're not sure what she's talking about...and then it hits you.
“Oh...” you say, pulling out one of your pieces of beef jerky.  “I forgot I had these on me...”
>You hold it up in front of Winona, and she's salivating at this point.
“You want this?  Huh?  You want this?”
>She yips, sitting down and holding up her front legs in a begging pose.
>You toss the jerky, and she catches it before trotting away happily.
>“Honest to god...” Applejack mutters, while the rest of the family laughs.
>“Safe ta say she likes food more than affection,” Applebloom quips.
>“Eeyup,” Big Mac says with a grin.

>The remainder of breakfast is relatively uneventful.
>You all help with the cleanup afterward and start getting ready for the morning chores.
>Bloom and Mac make their way out the door ahead of you.
>Before you follow, Applejack grabs your shoulder and pulls you aside.
“Something wrong?”  You ask.
>“A lotta things,” she replies.  
“Anything you wanna talk about this time?”
>Applejack scratches the back of her head as she looks away.
>“Well...first of all...thanks again...fer being where ya needed ta be earlier...”
>You nod.
>“An'...thanks fer not mentionin' what happened ta Granny.  She'd kill me if she found out ah fell off tha horse.”
“Hey, it's between you and me...unless you feel you need to tell anyone else.”
>“Right...and ah've been thinkin' a little after that.”
“About what?”
>“Do ya...wanna make this a regular thing fer right now?”
“You mean going on your patrols with you?”
>“Just in case somethin' like that happens again.  If ah was alone an' really got hurt, ah'd never hear the end of it from everyone else...”
>This is quite the change from before.
>Frankly, you're welcoming it.
“If that's what you need me to do to help out around here...sure, I can do that.”
>Applejack gives a meek smile.
>“It's a deal,” she says, holding out a hand.
>You look down to it before reaching yours out and grasping it in a shake, which she returns.
>“Let's git ta work, then,” she says, heading out to join her siblings.
>You watch her go as Granny Smith joins you.
>“A step back in the right direction?”  She asks.
>You shut your eyes as you tilt your head down.
“Still got a ways to go...but I think we're starting to turn the corner.”
>“Keep at it, sonny.  This is a long-distance race, not a sprint.”
“Yeah...will do...”

----------

>The week rolls on.
>True to your word, you arrive earlier in the morning and accompany Applejack on her patrols.
>Your body doesn't like this one bit, as you're not getting as much sleep as you should be.
>However, your mind is quick to shoot these protests down.
>You're willing to do whatever it takes to mend those broken bridges.
>You quickly learn that Applejack likes to alternate between the three horses.
>This helps to ensure that none of them go out more than two days in a row.
>You don't even ride the same horse every day, as another means of keeping things on a rotation.
>To make things more balanced, you start bringing your own flashlight.
>This way you can follow Applejack's example in how she does her work.
>She's showing you everything she can, putting even more effort into this than you are, as per usual.
>It's the ultimate crash course, but just like everything else on the farm, it gets a little easier with each passing day.
>This is bringing back a lot of memories for you; some better than others.
>It really is feeling like when you and the Apple siblings were little kids.
>Part of you wants to find an old tire and some rope, and recreate the swing in the back of the orchard.
>Cliche, in a word, but it's the thought that counts.
>But it's a thought you're certain Applejack wouldn't appreciate, given her opinions from before.
>You decide not to press any further than you already have, lest you stunt your progress with her.
>Thankfully, Applejack seems to be in a slightly better mood than when you first started.
>Baby steps, but every step counts.
>By Saturday, your body has become a bit more adjusted to this new regimen you set yourself up for.
>You're riding the third horse of the bunch, Emma, while Applejack takes a turn with Ollie. 
>Thankfully there haven't been any other 'incidents' like the one on Monday with Anna.
>There doesn't seem to be anything unusual this time as far as the apple trees go.
>For once, there isn't a branch out of place, as Applejack may say.
>Certainly a good thing, given the pair of unfortunate discoveries you've seen so far. 
>Afterward, you join the rest of the Apple family at breakfast. 
>Winona has been begging from you all week, hoping you still have beef jerky on you.
>You can't help but slide her a little piece under the table each day, and she loves it every time.
>You're afraid Applejack would disapprove, but she's accepted this behavior and just shrugs it off.

>The rest of the morning chores go on as you've come to expect.
>You're with Mac, as usual, while Applejack and Applebloom go off to do their own tasks.
>Nothing out of the ordinary happens, and none of the animals give you any trouble.
>Even ol' Betsy seems mellow today, which is odd.
>You honestly thought she'd have given you some kind of kick; not that you're complaining...
>As you're wrapping up, you notice another girl carrying a shopping bag walking up to the farm.
>Her hair is long and pink -  though nowhere near as poofy as Pinkie's - and she's wearing a butterfly clip of some kind in it.
>“Hello!”  She calls out as she approaches you and Mac.
>Mac gives a wave, and you follow with one of your own, even though you're not sure who she is.
“Hey, I'm Anon, one of Applejack's...friends.  And you are...”
>“Oh my...sorry, where are my manners?  I'm...Fluttershy.”
>The name rings a bell, at least.
“Okay, so you're one of Applejack's friends, too.”
>Fluttershy nods.  “Yeah.  I've been meaning to pay a visit, but it's been very busy at the shelter lately.”
>“She volunteers there ta care of tha animals,” Mac explains, and you nod in understanding.
>Applejack comes onto the scene with a 'Hey!' before giving Fluttershy a hug.  “What brings ya here?”
>The pink-haired girl remembers why she showed up.  “Oh, yes, I brought a few things.”
>She pulls out a jar of...something from her bag, and gives it to Mac.
>“I, uh...heard about your little...accident, and found some ointment that can help ease the pain.”
>Big Mac grins.  “Aww, thanks.”
>“And for you,” Fluttershy continues, taking out a pack of colored pencils for Applejack.  “I heard you were running low, and I happened to be by the arts and crafts store.”
>Applejack beams at the gift.  “Yer tha best, Shy.”
“I didn't know you liked doing that sort of thing,” you quip.
>“There's a bunch ya don't know about me,” she replies, and you shake your head before turning your attention to Fluttershy.
“I don't suppose there's anything in there for me,” you say jokingly.
>Fluttershy giggles.  “Sorry.  If I knew you a little better, and if I knew you were gonna be here...maybe.”
“Fair enough.  Another time, then.”
>“I do have something for Applebloom, though.  Is she here?”
>“She's around,” Applejack replies.  “She was heading ta take care'a tha chicken as ah was coming down ta see ya.”
>That's when you hear a loud commotion, followed by a high-pitched scream.

>You all head in the direction of the noise as quickly as you can, Mac lagging behind with his crutches.
>You arrive at the chicken enclosure, and you see that all of the adult birds have flown up to the overhead perches, clucking wildly.
>Meanwhile, the chicks – and Applebloom, for that matter - are in a state of panic.
>Feathers of all colors and sizes are scattered across the ground.
>“What's goin' on?  Applejack asks in a concerned tone.  “What happened?”
>“S...snake...” Applebloom stammers.  “It...killed a chick...an' took off with it...”
>Fluttershy gasps as she puts her hands over her mouth.  “Oh no...”
“Any idea what kind of snake it was?”  You ask.
>“No...ah didn't get a good look,” Applebloom continues, “but it went in tha direction of tha stables.”
>“Not good,” Applejack replies.  “If it's poisonous an' bites one of tha other animals, we don't have anythin' ta treat it.”
“Then we better track it down and catch it,” you say.
>Applejack takes charge.  “Right.  Mac, call animal control, an' let Granny know what's happenin'.”
>Mac complies, going to the main house as fast as his crutches can carry him.
>“Bloom, git a count'a tha other chickens an' make sure no others were lost.”  
>Applebloom nods, and sets to work with said count.
>“Anon, Shy, yer with me.  We gotta git this varmint befer anythin' else bad happens.”
>You follow the girls to the stables, and you all breathe a sigh of relief, as none of the horses or cows are inside.
>Applejack grabs a pitchfork leaning by the entrance.
>“You're not gonna...kill it, are you?”  Fluttershy asks, eyeing the farming instrument.
>“Yer worried about tha snake after what it did?”  Applejack snaps.
>Fluttershy fidgets.  “S...sorry...I just hate seeing anything get hurt...or worse...”
>Applejack sighs.  “Naw, naw, ah need ta be sorry.  Look...ah'll only do it if ah have ta.  This here will keep it at a distance, just in case.”
>The pink-haired girl sighs.  “Alright...as long as you stick to that...”
>You spend the next few minutes cautiously checking every nook and cranny, but with no luck.
>Suddenly, your attention is shifted when you hear rustling in one of the stalls.
>“That's gotta be it,”  Applejack says, rushing to open the gate.
>Sure enough, there's a three-foot-long snake inside, with a noticeable bump halfway down its body.
>Clearly this thing finished its meal while you were looking for it.
>It coils up defensively when it sees the three of you...
>...and makes a distinctive noise with its tail...

>“Diamondback...” Applejack murmurs.
“Rattler...” you finish.
>“Oh dear...” Fluttershy gasps.
>The snake looks ready to strike anyone that tries to come near.
>It seems focused mostly on Applejack due to what she's holding.
>“Careful,” she says, trying to move in as close as she can.
>The snake shakes its rattle even louder, rearing back as she approaches.
>“C'mere ya critter,” she orders, maneuvering her pitchfork to try and pin her target.
>Said target is apparently smarter than it appears, as it darts forward and towards its pursuer.
>Applejack shouts, dropping the pitchfork and getting out of the way before she can be bit.
>You and Fluttershy do the same, and the snake slithers out of the stall and into another.
“So much for the direct approach,” you mutter.
>“Ya got any better ideas?” Applejack quips.
>You look all around, and you notice a medium-sized metal tub used for hay and oats. 
“Maybe this will help,” you say, picking it up.
>“Ah dunno,” Applejack says.  “It'd be better if we had the element of surprise, an' that thing's quick.”
“I can sneak around outside to the other side of the stall, and then drop this on it.”
>“That'd mean opening tha outside gate.  It could escape out ta pasture if ya do that!”
“Not if the two of you keep it busy.”
>“But it'd hear you comin' a mile away!”
>“Actually,” Fluttershy interrupts, “snakes can't hear.  They can feel vibrations, but not hear sound...”
>“How in tha heck would ya know that?”  Applejack asks.
>“Basic nature,” Fluttershy replies.  “And...in case you forgot, I know a lot about animals.”
>“Alright then, how pray tell do we keep this thing 'busy'?”
>“You've heard of snake charmers, right?” Fluttershy asks.  “Well, let's...charm it...”
>Applejack is in disbelief.  “Ya can't be serious...”
>“Like you said,” the pink-haired girl snaps, “do you have any better ideas?”
>You're surprised at this turnaround in behavior, going from timid to assertive in the blink of an eye.
>Applejack gives a huff in defeat.  “Fine, but this better work...”
>You quickly go over the plan before setting it into motion.

>You head back outside and under the fence, looping around to where the stalls are.
>Meanwhile, Applejack and Fluttershy carefully check to make sure the snake is where they think it is.
>They receive confirmation of their target, as it's backed into one of the far corners.
>They stay in place as you sneak over, and you hold your position once you see them.
>You watch as Fluttershy slowly slides the inner gate open, and she and Applejack walk inside.
>They stay backed up to the gate as the snake coils up again, rattling its tail.
>Applejack brandishes her pitchfork, but Fluttershy holds her hand up her way.
>“Let's see what we can do,” she says, taking a step forward.
>The snake flicks its tongue up and down as it focuses its attention on the pink-haired girl.
>She takes a breath before swaying her body back and forth in a rhythmic dance.
>You and Applejack watch as the snake seems be become enamored by this.
>It lifts its body up slowly, and begins to mirror Fluttershy's movements.
>“Jumpin' geraniums...” Applejack says in wonder.
>“You know how snake charmers are always seen playing their flute to the cobra in the basket?”  Fluttershy asks.
>“Yeah,” the farm girl replies.  “What about it?”
>“The snake is actually responding to how the charmers move their body, not to the music.  It's the same basic thing here...”
“Seems to be working so far,” you say as you gingerly open the outside gate.  “Keep at it.”
>Fluttershy nods, continuing her dance.
>The snake doesn't seem to notice you entering, but you make sure to close the gate behind you as an added precaution.
>You're almost on top of it, but then the shadow you're casting goes over it and gets its attention.
>“Anon!”  Applejack and Fluttershy cry out, as the snake gives a hiss and goes to strike you.
>You react smartly, holding the tub out in front of you for defense.
>You hear the snake crashing into it, and you slam it rim-first to the ground.
“Gotcha!”  You shout, sitting on the tub for good measure.
>The snake's rattling reverberates inside as it tries to escape, but to no avail.
>“Ah can't believe that worked...” Applejack exclaims.
>“I can,” Fluttershy states.  “That was quick thinking, Anon.”  
“That was more impulse than thinking,” you reply.  “Now we just wait until the professionals arrive.”
>“That means yer gonna be sittin' there fer a while,” Applejack quips.
“Better to be sitting alive than laying dead...”

>Big Mac and Applebloom come over soon after to check on you.
>Mac sounds impressed with how you handled the situation, which you appreciate.
>Bloom reports that no other chickens are missing, and those accounted for aren't hurt.
>Applejack laments losing one to the snake, but not much else could've been done to prevent it.
>Bloom feels terrible, as taking care of them is one of her bigger responsibilities on the farm.
>Her sister and Fluttershy comfort her, the latter providing the gift she brought along for her.
>Bloom smiles at the phone case, as it's completely covered with images of flowers and fruits, and thanks Fluttershy for thinking of her.
>You all spend time sitting around and talking, and you learn a little more about the pink-haired girl.
>She's definitely a sweet girl, and cares a lot about her friends and any animal brought to the shelter.
>It feels like, even though you barely knew her before, you know almost everything about her she's willing to reveal.
>Applejack chimes in when she feels like it, but she's not as involved in the conversation as you hoped.
>It's about an hour later that animal control finally gets to where you are.
>One of them is dressed like he belongs in the Horsetralian Outback, khaki shorts and all.
>He certainly talks like he does, also, while his assistant is more 'normal' and reserved.
>You get out of the way as they carefully pull off the tub and trap the snake in a special net.
>A quick loop around the top, and the animal is safe and secure, ready to be relocated.
>They thank you for keeping it in place, although suggest you leave dangerous stuff like this to the professionals next time.
>Once they're gone, it's about time you head out. 
>The same goes for Fluttershy, and she promises to find something nice for you the next chance she has to shop around.
>You thank her as she heads out, but once she's gone you hear a loud 'ahem' behind you.
>It's Applejack staring you down, and you expect her to act jealous after all of your interactions with one of her friends.
>“Good... job today,” she finally says.  “Ah hate ta admit it, but ya've been pullin' that weight ya were talkin 'bout.”
“I told you before, I'll say it again – I wanna make whatever difference I can around here.”
>Applejack nods.  “Just be sure ta keep it up.  Ah'll be expectin' ya bright an' early tomorrow.”
“I'll be here,” you reply, taking your leave.
>Not exactly how you expected this day to go.
>At least no one else was seriously hurt...or worse.
>You made a new friend, and you were able to show Applejack that having you around isn't necessarily a bad thing.
>Just gotta keep it going, no matter how long it takes.
>It'll get better...you just know it...

----------

>Man, it's a hot one...like seven inches from the midday sun.
>Quoting lyrics from popular songs aside, this is indeed to hot and humid day.
>Summer is in full swing, temperature included, and you were all aware of the weekend forecast.
>Applebloom suggested you bring your bathing suit today.
>This way, after the chores are done, you can all go to the swimming hole on the property and relax. 
>After working up a nasty sweat, you're glad you took her advice.
>Once you've had lunch, you and the Apple siblings go off separately to change into your swimwear.
>As you're exiting the house, you notice two people coming up the familiar pathway.
>You recognize the younger girl as one of Applebloom's friends from Sugarcube Corner.
>The older one, with a cooler in hand has hair that's all sorts of colors.  What was her name again?
>“Rainbow!  Scootaloo!”  Bloom calls.
>“Yo,” the older girl says, while Applebloom rushes over to hug her friend.
>Meanwhile, the older girl gives a raised arm to Applejack.
>“Thanks for the invite!”  Scootaloo says.  “Rainbow was nice enough to bring me.”
“Rainbow, huh?”  You ask.  “So you're the one Pinkie told me about.”
>“You can just call me Dash,”  The older girl replies.  “And just what did Pinkie say about me?”
“That...you're one of Applejack's closer friends?”
>Dash chuckles.  “Ah, I'm just messin' with ya.  She does that all the time with all of us.”
>You join in the laugh, rubbing the back of your head.
>“And you're Anon, right?”  She continues.  “A few little birdies say you're a big hit around here.”
“A bit hit?”
>“Well, that's what AJ and Fluttershy have told me.  You caught that snake like a boss!”
>“Hey, it wasn't just him,” Applejack interrupts, carrying a cooler of her own.  “Shy an' ah had a hand in it too, ya know.”
>“I know,” Dash replies.  “Again, messin' with ya.”
>As Applejack gives a huff, you decide to change the subject.
“So who else is coming?  Any of the other girls?”
>“Ah sent messages ta the rest'a mah and Bloom's friends sayin' they can come,” Applejack replies, “but everyone else had plans fer today.”
>“Dependin' on tha water level of the hole,” Mac says, holding onto some inflatable tubes, “that may be fer the best.”
“No one checked it ahead of time?”  You ask.  “It hasn't really rained all week...”
>“It'll be fine,” Applebloom says.  “What could go wrong?”

>You walk along the edge of the orchard for a bit, then cut down one of the paths.
>Not long after, you reach your destination.
>It's roughly forty yards across and oddly shaped, which isn't surprising given it's just a hole dug out of the ground.
>The landscape around it varies in height, with one ledge sticking up ten feet or so above the water.
>There are plenty of trees dotting the area to provide shade, including one right next to the water with a rope tied to a low-hanging branch.
>“Too bad Sweetie couldn't make it,” Bloom says.  “She told me she an' her sis got some new bathing suits to show off.”
>“There'll be other times,” Applejack replies, stripping down to a blue and green two-piece.
>You can't say you've ever seen her wearing something like this.
“Hey, that looks nice on you,” you say.
>Applejack gives you a raised eyebrow.  “Ya tryin' ta butter me up?”  She asks.
“What?  Is there something wrong with giving a compliment?”
>“There is if ya've got other ideas in yer head,” Applejack replies.
>“Lighten up,” Dash says, showing off a black and white one-piece.  “We're here to have some fun, aren't we?”
>“How's about ya go and check tha water levels so we can have that fun?” Applejack snaps.
>“Sheesh,” Dash says with a shrug.  “Shy wasn't kidding about you being grouchy...”
>As Applejack gives a glare, Dash steps into the water without stopping, so it must be warm enough.
>She checks the different depths, especially around the rope-bearing tree and the ledge, even diving under the water several times.
>After a few minutes, she gives a thumbs-up.  “We're good.  Should be able to do some horsing around without problem.”
>“Yay!”  Bloom shouts, running into the water with a laugh.
>Scootaloo looks a little hesitant, however.
“Something wrong?”  You ask.
>“It's...nothing,” she replies.  “I just have to be careful with how I do things.  I'm a little injury prone, and my doctor says I have weak bones.”
>“Ya don't have ta fool around like everyone else,” Applejack says, stepping in herself.  “Just relax, cool off, an' enjoy yerself.”
“We're all here to help you if you need it,” you add, “so don't worry too much.”
>“Eeyup,” Mac agrees, setting his crutches down, then gingerly sitting on the bank so he can stick his non-cast leg in.
>Scootaloo gives a smile.  “Thanks, guys...”
>“Come on in, Scoots!”  Bloom calls.    “The water's great!”
>Scootaloo takes her time with it, but she manages to get in and start floating on her back.
“Special girl, isn't she?”  You say to Mac as you join everyone else.
>“Mmhmm,” he replies with a nod.

>There is indeed fun to be had.
>When you're not splashing, laying or floating around, you're taking turns swinging from the rope like a certain Lord of the Jungle.
>Dash insists she's emanating Daring-Do, the main character of a book series she loves a lot.
>She turns the activity into a little contest to see who can swing out the furthest.  
>Mac and Scootaloo opt out for their own obvious reasons, but they still show their support.
>You're definitely having fun with it all, the first you've really had so far this summer.
>Dash herself seems fun to be around, also, much to Applejack's chagrin.
>Soon, you break open the coolers for some refreshment.
>Dash brought along several juice cans and bottled waters, while Applejack's has chilled grapes, watermelon and...apples, of course.
>Afterward, it's back to the water.
>Applebloom helps Scootaloo a little near the deep end, providing support as her friend works her leg muscles through various motions.
>Applejack chooses to float in one of the tubes for a while, heading away from the rest of the group.
>You take a break, yourself, going around the water hole and climbing atop the ledge. 
>You sit down near the edge and survey the surroundings, happy to see that everyone is enjoying themselves for the most part; well...almost everyone...
>Applejack seems in a foul mood again, while Dash seems to have disappeared.
>“Whatcha doing up here by yourself?”
>You turn to see Dash coming up to join you.
“Just getting some time away from the action, that's all,” you reply.  
>“Oh...hope I'm not intruding...”
“Nah, it's fine.  Could use other company, I guess.”
>Dash takes a seat next to you, joining you in your surveying.
>“I was there that day, you know,” she says out of the blue.
“What, at the party?”
>“Yeah, I was looking on from the back at what you and Mac were up to.  That was crazy.”
“Have you gotten the whole story from anyone yet?”
>“Applejack gave me the cliff note version, and didn't speak too highly of you when she did.”
“Figures as much...”
>“Hey, she's one of my best friends.  I gotta support her where I can, but I can see where you were coming from, too.  Nothing to be ashamed of.”
“If I didn't feel ashamed, I wouldn't be doing this...”
>“Something tells me there's more to it than that.”

>You tilt your head, waiting for Dash to continue.
>“I think you're doing this not just to give Mac a break, but to bring Applejack around.”
“Around to what?”
>“Around to you.”
>You not sure how to respond.
>“C'mon, Anon.  There's gotta be something going on between the two of you.”  
“You mean the wall of hate she built up after what happened?”
>“You know what I'm talking about, even if you don't wanna say so.”
“What would you know?”
>“You'd be surprised.  She's always talked about you, even before that whole mess.  Some bad things after that, but it's been good for the most part.”
“Oh?”
>“Listen, she has a few other guy friends here and there, but she doesn't speak of them as highly as she does of you.  That's gotta mean something.”
>You shake your head slightly, looking away.
“I don't know.  There's been a lot of tension and bad blood recently.  Even if what you say is true, I don't think she'll ever get over this...or really forgive me.”
>“Did Pinkie tell you about that big fight I had with Applejack years back?”
“She did.”
>“Then you know we both got over it after neither of us could find more reason to stay mad, and even then she was too stubborn to admit she started it all.”
“She's always been like that,” you say with a chuckle.  “Ever since-”
>“You were little kids, right?”
>You nod, and Dash puts a hand on your shoulder.
>“What happens after your work is done and Mac is healed up?  Where do you wanna go from there?”
>You stand up to look over the ledge, and you see Applejack still in her tube, floating your way. 
“I...want things to get better.  I wanna make things right with her...I...”
>Dash stands up, as well.  “Yeah?”
“I...want her to like me again...”
>“Like, or 'like-like'?”  Dash asks.
>You look down again.
“I...still don't know yet...”
>Dash groans.  “What are ya waiting for?  Buck up!”
>She slaps your back hard in an apparent show of support, and that's when things go awry...again...

>The move sends you forward, and you lose your balance.
>You try waving your hands to right yourself, but it's no use.
>You cry out as you fall off the ledge face-first.
“HEADS UP!”  You yell in a vain attempt to warn Applejack.
>She wakes with a start and looks up...
>...just in time for you to land on top of her with a tremendous crash...and splash...
>“AH CRAP!”  Dash shouts.
>Everyone else reacts to the noise, heading as close as they can in your direction.
>Meanwhile, you and Applejack return to the surface with gasps for air. 
>Thankfully the water here was deep enough to prevent either of you from hitting the bottom  and hurting yourselves further..
>Your body is aching, and your eyes are stinging from hitting the water so suddenly. 
>“Damn it, Anon!”  Applejack says, shaking her hair dry.
“Not my fault!”  You reply, doing your best to get the water out of your eyes.
>“Ah don't care if it was!”
>“Uh...Anon?”  Bloom starts.
“What?”  You ask, your vision still blurred.
>That's when you realize you're now holding on to something.
>As things come into focus, you realize what it is...
>Applejack's top.
>You look back over to her, and she's still neck-deep.
>It's here where she too notices what you have in hand.
>The water here is dark, but you can still tell that she covers herself up.
>Your brain is running at a million miles a second in its panic.
>The rest of the group looks on in their own muted horror.
>“Can tha rest'a y'all clear out now?”  Applejack asks through grit teeth.
>No one gives a verbal reply, instead getting out of the water...or in Dash's case, down from the ledge.
>They grab their towels and the coolers, and start to head back to the orchard.
>You swear you hear Dash mutter something under her breath as she goes.

>You're frozen in fear as Applejack stares at you in an apparent silent rage.
>“Git over here,” she orders.
>You comply, cautiously wading over to where she is.
>“Gimme,” she says, reaching up a hand.
>You're shaking as you hold out her top, which she swipes away from you. 
>You try to go back to the water's edge so she can put it back on with relative privacy.
>“Hold up.  Yer not goin' anywhere yet.”
>You stop in place, a pawn in her hand.
>“Befer ya do anythin' else, ah'm givin' ya a chance.” 
“What kind of chance?”  You ask nervously.  “A head start before you catch and pummel me?”  
>“No.  A chance ta cash in yer favors yer owed so far.”
>Most likely she means the two times she's 'owed you' for saving her.
>“If ya don't cash'em, ya git outta here an' forget this ever happened.  But if ya do cash'em...”
>Applejack hesitates completing her thought.
>“...ya...get a peek.  ”
>You're taken aback.  
>Where is this coming from?
>“How about it.  Sound fair?”
>You stare back at her in amazement, unsure of what to say.
>“What's tha matter, cat got yer tongue?”
“G...give me a sec to think,” you stammer in reply.
>Applejack rolls her eyes.  “Tell ya what...ah promise ah won't lay a finger on ya if ya look.”
“You...swear by that?”
>“Ya know how honest ah am.  Last chance ta make up yer mind.”
>You never thought you'd be in a situation like this, let alone with someone like her.
>As the clock is quickly ticking, you finally decide
“If you really want to do this...the ball's in your court...”
>Applejack takes that as a yes, swimming closer to shore so she can stand up, with her free arm covering herself up.
>“Ya ready?”  She asks.
>You gulp, but you also nod, and she lets the arm fall to her side.

>You're not quite sure how to react as Applejack's breasts are unveiled.
>They aren't big, but they certainly aren't small either, perhaps somewhere between a B and C-cup.
>They compliment the rest of her toned physique well, rising and falling only slightly with each breath.
>You notice they have freckles on them, just like her blushing face.
>While you take this in, Applejack has her head tilted down and away, her eyes shut in embarrassment.
>You stay like this for a minute or so; neither of you moves a muscle, and no words are exchanged.
>You can't help but feel bad, as this doesn't feel necessary by any stretch.
>Hell, you could have said 'no' and gone about the rest of the day as normal.
>The guilt is more than you can bare.
>You turn your back, lowering your head.
“I've...seen enough...” you say.
>You sense Applejack opening her eyes.  “Ya sure?”
“...I'm sure.  That was a bit long for a peek, anyway...”
>“A'right...”
>A moment later, you hear some rustling as she puts her top back on.
“Sorry...for what happened...and for this...”
>“Ain't tha first time somethin' like this happened,” Applejack replies, approaching you from behind.
>You turn around again to see her looking at you, her enraged expression having changed to sternness.
>Your faces are mere inches apart, and the air so thick with tenseness, it can be cut with a knife.
>“Let's keep this 'tween us, ya hear?”
>Before you can reply, she tilts her head back, then slams it into yours.
>You yelp in pain as you fall backwards into the water.
“What the hell?!  You said you wouldn't lay-”
>“A FINGER on ya, ah know.  But ah said nothin' about other parts'a mah body.”
>You can barely believe what you're hearing as you rub your head.
>“That makes us even, now,” Applejack states, making her way back to land.
“I'd hardly call things even after a hit like that...”
>“Don't push yer luck, Anon.  Be thankful ah didn't choose ta kick ya down below.”
>You almost instinctively reach for said area.
“Yes, ma'am...”  You mutter.

>The two of you grab your things and head back in silence.
>Dash, Scootaloo, and the other Apple siblings are at the edge of the path waiting for you.
>“What happened?”  Dash asks.
>“Nothin' ya need ta worry about,” Applejack replies, walking past everyone and back to the farm.
>“Are ya okay, Anon?”  Applebloom asks.  “Ah thought she was gonna make an example of ya.”
>Big Mac winces as he looks at you.  “Oof, ah think she did...”
>You can start to feel what he's talking about.  There must be a nice bruise forming on your forehead.
>“God, I'm so sorry,” Dash says in an ashamed tone.  “This is all my fault.”
“Like AJ said, nothing to worry about,” you reply.  “Given what happened, I think I got off easy.”
>“You call getting thumped in the head getting off easy?”  Scootaloo asks.
“Better that than getting beat to a pulp...or worse...”
>“He's gotta point,” Bloom says.  “Remember what she did to Fluttershy's brother last year?”
>Dash grimaces.  “Oh yeah.  She hit him with an uppercut that could've sent him into orbit.”
“What the hell did he do to deserve that?”
>“Simple,” Dash replies.  “He tried making a pass on her by 'playfully' pinching her in the ass.”
>Bloom nods.  “That was very stupid'a him, and in front'a his sister, too.  He must've fallen outta tha family tree an' hit his head on every branch on tha way down.” 
>“You're nothing like him, though, Anon,” Dash says.  “You're smarter and better than that.”
“You think so?”
>“Not just me.  So does Applejack, even if she won't say it out loud..  You're lucky to have her as a friend, just like I am.”
“Thanks...I guess...”
>“Ah think that's enough shenanigans fer one day,” Bloom states.  “Y'all agree?”
>“Eeyup,” Mac replies, and the rest of you are also in agreement.
>Before you head out, Dash pulls you aside.
>“Listen, if you need someone to act as a middle...woman, I can help with that.  Just let me know if you ever need to talk.”
>She holds up an arm, which you meet with your own.
“I'll keep that in mind.  Thanks.”
>One number exchange later, you're on your way home.
>Today did not go the way you expected in the least.
>It wasn't a total disaster, but you certainly didn't get off Scot-free.
>Also, Applejack's behavior near the end really felt out of place.
>Was she softening up to you...even flirting?
>It's still too early to say if she's still mad at you, as you're a long way off from the time she asked for.
>Just gotta go with the flow for now...

----------

>Another week, to say the least.
>For the most part, things have been quiet since the incident at the water hole.
>You're still going on the morning patrols with Applejack, but there's no real small talk
>It seems that she's in a 'tolerate' mode for now, and you're not about to change it to something worse.
>She does point out another tree that needs attention, which has her concerned.
>She later mentions having a friend of hers stop by when possible to get an 'expert' opinion on what the problem might be.
>With any luck, this isn't a widespread thing that could affect the entire orchard.
>In the meantime, you do what you can to lighten things up.
>Midweek, during a period of downtime, Big Mac shows you a few tricks with a lasso.
>All of the siblings learned how to make one at a young age, so it's like second nature to them.
>Seeing as how none of the cows would appreciate being practiced on, a sack of potatoes on a stool is used as a target instead.
>Even with his crutches, Mac is a master, roping the sack every time.
>You watch how he does it, and you give it a shot, yourself.
>It's much harder than it looks, and you can't seem to get it quite right.
>Mac and Bloom both provide pointers and encouragement, and you continue to practice.
>Soon Applejack comes over to see what's going on, and you have your chance.
>With a twirl and a toss, you finally manage to rope your target.
>Mac and Bloom shout and clap, but Applejack doesn't look impressed.
>She takes the rope from you and puts on a show of her own.
>She dances around, jumping through the lasso like it's nothing.
>You're frankly mesmerized by the display, clapping at the performance.
>Applejack eyes you and sends the rope your way, snaring your wrists mid-clap.
>It takes you by surprise, and you're dragged out by said wrists.
>You try to break out, but Applejack isn't having it.
>What she is having, however, is you hogtied and on your back in a matter of moments.
>She finishes with a nice bow and walks away with a smug look on her face.
>Mac and Bloom come to untie you and make sure you're alright.
>If anything's hurt, it's your pride.
>Most likely this is more payback for the other day, but it's not the worst thing she could've done.
>Just gotta keep working at it...

>Saturday comes soon enough.
>As you're wrapping up your end of the morning chores, you see another new face coming up the familiar path.
>She has purple hair with pink streaks, as well as a pair of glasses with thick frames.
>She's pulling what appears to be a piece of wheeled luggage over half her height.
>“Hello!”  She calls.  “Is Applejack around?”
“Somewhere,” you reply.  “You a friend of hers?”
>The girl nods.  “Yes,I'm Twilight.  And I take it you're Anon?”
“Right.  Have you heard anything about me so far?”
>“Well...Applejack did say you're helping in place of Big Mac...and how you're a...how did she put it?”
>She pauses, and you wait for her thought to be completed.
>“A real piece of work.”
“Are those her actual words, or did you replace any at the end?”
>Twilight eyes you, as if knowing what you meant.
>“Those were her words verbatim.  She wouldn't use nasty words about someone unless she really hated them, and that doesn't sound like the case here.”
“Maybe not in front of her friends,” you mutter to yourself.
> Twilight looks confused.  “I'm sorry, what did you say?”
>Before you can give an answer, Applejack, seemingly from nowhere, walks past you from behind, carrying a small ladder.
>“There ya are,” she says.  “Ah've been waitin' all mornin' fer ya.”
>“Sorry,” Twilight replies.  “It took me longer than I thought to get everything together.”
“I can imagine,” you state, eyeing the 'luggage' she brought.
>“Well, come on,” Applejack orders.  “That tree ain't gonna tell us what's wrong with it all bah itself.”
“Wait, that's what she's here for?”  You ask.
>“Course she is,”Applejack replies.  “She's tha smartest in our class, and she's always doin' all sort'sa experiments on stuff like this.”
>Twilight adjusts her glasses.  “There's a reason my friends here call me 'Sci-Twi...'”
“Hopefully this will turn out okay.  You need help with that?”
>“Yes, thank you,” Twilight says.  “This is heavier than I thought it would be.”
>You take the luggage's handle and start pulling it up the rest of the way.
“Geez, did you bring your entire laboratory with you?”
>“Not all of it.  Just the essentials to get to the root of the problem.”
>You and her laugh at the unintended play on words, while Applejack scoffs and follows you up.

>Soon you're walking through the orchard, and there's time for small talk along the way.
>Twilight is in the running for valedictorian, and has a good shot at it given her grades so far.
>She actually transferred in from another city, and she became fast friends with the rest of Applejack's little group.
>When anyone has questions with certain homework or the like, she can always be counted on to help find the answers.
>She's also been testing the waters with Flash Sentry, one of the more popular guys at school.
>You joke that there must be good 'chemistry,' which Twilight also laughs at.
>When she replies if the same is true with you and Applejack, there's another scoff from the latter.
>“Let's stay focused on what matters, alright?”  She says.  
>As she marches ahead of you, you slump your head with a sigh.
“Never ends, does it?”
>“Has she been like this since that party fiasco?”  Twilight asks you in a whisper.
“Pretty much.  I'm trying to get back on her good side, but it feels like it keeps getting worse.”
>“It's never easy with her, but keep your chin up.  You just gotta put in the time and effort, and let things move gradually.”
“Is that how you approach things?”
>“For the most part, especially with all the experiments and projects I work on.  If something doesn't work, you figure out what the problem is and try again with corrections.”
“What's the correction I need to make with her, then?  So far nothing's really worked.”
>“I wish I could help with that, but sometimes even I can't provide a good answer.  A girl's heart and mind are complicated things, you know.”
“Don't I ever...”
>“Don't give up, Anon.  Do you have any idea how often my experiments work on the first try?”
“No idea.”
>“Almost never, but that's where they get their name from.  If everything in life went exactly according to plan, there would be no innovation or striving to do better.  That's what science is all about.”
“Science is a bit different from mending a friendship, though.”
>“Not really - at least I don't think so.  It's like just an experiment – do something different each time.  Eventually you'll find a way to get through to her.”
“Hopefully.  Thanks for the little pep talk.”
>“My pleasure...”
>Applejack finally catches wind of your whispers and looks behind her.
>“What're you two yapping 'bout back there?”  She asks.
>Twilight adjusts her glasses again.  “Just...other matters, that's all.”
“Nothing to really worry about,” you add.  “More small talk.”
>“Mmhmm,” Applejack says.  “Well now's not tha time fer that.  We're here.”

>You have reached the latest tree to be seen as 'not right.'
>“Alight, Twi,” Applejack says, setting up her ladder against it, “time ta get ta work.”
>Twilight nods, having you pull up her luggage so she can open it.
>Within minutes, to your amazement, a mini laboratory is assembled.
>This includes a fold-up table, several beakers and chemicals, a Bunsen burner, mortar and pestle, and a microscope.
>Talk about a Young Frankenstein...
>“And here ah thought Pinkie was tha only one with'a magic bag'a tricks,” Applejack comments.
“Is all of this really necessary?”  You ask.
>“I was asked to come prepared,” Twilight replies as she gets everything organized, “so I did.”
>She approaches the tree, walking around it and giving it a once-over.
>“Are the others trees you mentioned like this, too?”  She asks.
>“Yeah, they are,” Applejack replies.
>“Good to know,” Twilight says.  “Let's grab some samples...”
>After grabbing a small knife, she climbs up the ladder. 
>Given she's wearing a skirt, you back away to avoid any potential 'pervert' comments and/or black eyes from Applejack.
>Twilight finds an section of bark that looks different from the rest, and notes that there are spots like it all over.
>Using her knife, she cuts off a little chunk with the possible cause of sickness.
>Climbing higher, she picks an apple as well.
>She returns to her table and examines each item.
>The bark has a reddish brown tone, while the apple has yellow specks on it.
>She cuts off a small piece of the apple with said spots and sets it on a slide.
>She adds a few drops of some kind of chemical to the piece, perhaps to see if there's a reaction.
>When there isn't one, she puts the slide under the microscope to take a closer look.
>“Hm...interesting...” she murmurs.
>She does the same with the piece of bark, muttering what you assume is scientific jargon to herself.
“She really gets into this, doesn't she?”  You ask Applejack in a whisper.
>“Sure does,” she softly replies.  “She loves stuff like this, so ah thought she'd be tha best person to ask without shellin' out fer professional help.” 
“Provided she can figure out what the problem is on her own.”
>“Ah have faith in'er.  You should, too.”
>You nod, returning your attention to what Twilight is doing.

>Twilight reaches into her luggage again, pulling out a book and leafing through it.
>“Let's see...no...no...maybe...uh-uh....hm...no...uh...oh, maybe...maybe...”
>Applejack groans as she rubs her forehead.  “Git on with it, will ya?”
“Where's that faith you were talking about?”  You ask  “Give her time to do her thing.”
>“You be quiet,” Applejack orders.
>“Please,” Twilight interrupts, “Anon's right.  I'm doing my best here.  Rushing me won't lead me to the answer any quicker.”
>Applejack huffs, crossing her arms.
>Twilight shakes her head as she puts her nose back into her book.
>After another minute or so later, she sets the book down and goes back to look into the microscope. 
>She's possibly comparing what she sees in there with what's on the page she's at.
>She gives a nod and has you and Applejack come over.
>“I think I have it,” she states.  “Based on what I can tell from the bark and the apple, this looks like anthracnose to me.”
>“Anthra-what now?”  Applejack asks.
>“It's a fungal disease,” Twilight replies.  “It can affect a lot of different kinds of trees found in areas with heavy rains in the springtime.”
>She holds up the apple.  “See the yellow dots?  This is the early phase of what's called bull's eye rot.”
>She then holds up the bark.  “And these are little cankers where the fungus has developed.”
>“So how bad is it?”  Applejack asks.
>“This tree here is in the early stages,” Twilight explains, “but if left untreated, it can spread further up  and cause severe damage to the limbs and fruit.”
“That might explain the fallen branches we've seen,” you quip.  “Those other trees must be sicker than the rest.”
>“An' tha one we picked tha fruit from must'a had it really bad,” Applejack says.
“Any way to treat it?”  You ask Twilight.
>She looks to the book again.  “The only real way is to remove the fungus and any parts of the trees they've infected.
>“That means pruning any branches, cutting off bark with those cankers, and removing any trees that are too far gone.”
>“Wait...you mean cutting them down?”  Applejack asks worriedly.
>“Or burning them,” Twilight replies.  “I'm sorry.  I wish there was better news, but that's the only way to make sure this doesn't spread to the rest of the orchard.”
“Sounds like we'd have to examine each and every tree for any signs of this fungus...”
>Twilight nods.  “One thing of note - when you pick the apples, make sure to store them in a dry place.  That should ensure you don't have further problems with future harvests.”
>Applejack mumbles to herself, clearly not happy with any of this news.
>“Dagnabbit...well, ah appreciate ya takin' tha time fer this.”
>“Anything for a friend,” Twilight replies.

>You help carefully put everything away, as well as bringing the luggage back to Twilight's car.
>She thanks you for the help and heads out, leaving you and Applejack on your own.
“So what's the plan?”  You ask her.
>“Ah think it's gonna be too much fer us ta handle alone,” she replies.  “Granny's not gonna like this.”
“It'll be better in the long run.”
>“How do ya figure?”
“It's either losing a little money bringing in the professional help, or losing A LOT of money when more trees and their apples get ruined.”
>“Ya...ah guess...”
“But that means our patrols are even more important, now.  We need to make sure this doesn't get worse than it already is.”
>Applejack sighs.  “Also means we may have ta change when we actually go on them.  It'll be easier ta see tha signs with sunlight than flashlights...”
“Hey, that means we can both sleep in a little more, right?”
>She chuckles.  “That's what yer worried 'bout?”
“Nah.  When it comes to this, sleep is overrated.”
>“Ya sure yer up fer this?  This is askin' a lot.”
“Whatever it takes to help, as I've said.  I'm gonna do my part to make as much a difference as I can.”  
>“Ah'm gonna hold ya ta that.  We're gonna be busier than ever, now.”
“I'm ready if you are.”
>Applejack nods, looking up to the sky afterward.
>Thinking to Twilight's advice, you ask your next question.
“Say...would you wanna head to town and do something later?  Might take your mind off the bad news for a little bit.”
>Applejack eyes you for a moment.  “Maybe another time.  Ah gotta break that bad news to Granny, anyway, and let'er know what we need ta do.”
“Fair enough.  Guess I'll head off, also...”
>You go to walk away.
>“Hey, Anon?”  Applejack says.
>You turn around to look at her.
>“...thanks...fer all tha help so far...ah mean that...”
“You're welcome,” you reply with a smile.
>Applejack gives a small tip of a hat as she takes her leave.
>This is the best compliment you've gotten from her since all of this started.
>Feels like another step in the right direction...

------

>The following day is an extremely busy one.
>To compensate for changing patrol time, you arrive at the farm a little earlier so the daily chores can be finished sooner.
>Afterward, you and Applejack make your rounds, but with a modified plan.
>First of all, Big Mac and Applebloom accompany you.
>Second, instead of going as a group, you work in pairs, starting at different ends of the orchard and work your way back.
>This way, you can cover twice as much ground in as much time.
>Per Twilight's suggestion, you carefully examine each tree for signs of the deadly fungus.
>Armed with machetes, you cut off any bark that appears infected, tossing it in the carts towed behind your horses.
>You also have cans of spray paint to mark any tree that either needs further attention from the professional help, or is beyond the point of saving.
>Thankfully, the latter is true for only a couple of said trees, including the one you saved Applejack from weeks back.
>Once you meet up back at the entrance, you compare notes and pass the information to Granny Smith, who says calls will be made.
>Later on in the week, crews arrive to cut down the too far gone trees, while also pruning the ones that are salvageable.
>You can tell that even losing a single tree breaks Applejack's heart, but you assure her that it's for the best to save the rest.
>She's understanding, but it's still tough for her to deal with.
>As the week progresses, you're keeping an eye on a number of things.
>Besides the orchard, there's also the little matter of Big Mac's ankle.
>On that Friday, you and Applejack arrive back from your patrol in time to see the family doctor making his way out.
>When you check to see what's going on, you notice that Mac's cast is off.
>He's also down to one crutch.
>It seems he was given a little walk test to see how the ankle was doing.
>It's not 100-percent yet, but according to Smith, the doctor says it'll only be another week before Mac is fully healed.
>Applejack seems happy to hear the news, just as much as you are. 
>It shouldn't be too much longer before things around here return to normal.
>It's also time for you to put your plan into motion.
>You get a hold of Pinkie to remind her of what you wanted to do, and she's all-in with it.
>When asked what you would wear for it, you're not sure how to answer, as you don't have anything really dressy at home.
>Instead of going out to buy something, Pinkie recommends a friend of hers.
>She gives you the name and address, and promises to let them know when you'll be paying a visit.
>You're not quite sure if any of this is going to work out.
>But you won't know for sure unless you actually try...

>That Saturday, after completing the daily chores, you claim you're heading home.
>In actuality, you're off to the home of Pinkie's friend.
>It's in an area of town you've never really been to, and it's certainly on the ritzier side.
>You pull up to a medium-sized mansion, and you notice another car parked near the entrance.
>Looks like this friend has another visitor today.
>You make your way to the door and knock, and a younger girl with purple and pink hair answers.
>You recognize her as Applebloom's other friend when you went to Sugarcube Corner with her.
>“...can I help you?”  She asks, giving you a confused look.
“...yeah, I'm here to see Rarity.  Pinkie said she could help me with something.”
>“Wow, you're the second person today who needs sis's help.  Does she know you're coming?”
“She should.  Pinkie said she'd pass the word along.”
>The girl looks at you a little longer before nodding.  “Okay.  She's upstairs, but don't go barging in, just in case.”
>You climb a curving staircase to the second floor, unsure of which way to go from there, until you notice one of the doors is closed.
>Approaching it, you hear talking from inside the room.
>You carefully knock, and the talking stops.
>“Who's there?”  You hear a voice ask.
“It's Anon, the guy Pinkie told you about?”
>“Oh my, hold on!  Don't come in just yet!”
>You're not quite sure what's going on in there, but you step back a little and wait.
>A moment later, the door opens, and a purple-haired girl with blue eyes pokes her head out.
“Uh...Rarity, right?”
>“Yes, that's me.  Sorry, I didn't expect you here so soon, let alone at the same time as another friend.”
“Hope I'm not getting in the way of anything...”
>“Well, let's just say I'm glad you didn't just walk in unannounced.”
>She opens the door the rest of the way, inviting you inside.  “Come in, come in...”
>Pinkie wasn't kidding about what Rarity does as a hobby.
>The room is filled with racks and racks of clothes of all sorts, as well as many sewing machines and other related implements.
>What's also in the room is another girl, a fiery redhead with her arms crossed, her eyes a lighter shade of blue than Rarity's.
>She's wearing a blue bathrobe, while there's a work outfit of some kind sitting on one of the tables.
>Her expression is just as confused as the younger girl's, but somehow you feel...colder...

>“This is Sunset, by the way,” Rarity states.  “Sunset, this is Anon.”
>You give a wave while Sunset gives you a once-over.  “So you're the one Twilight told me about...”
“She...told you about me?”
>The redhead nods.  “Yeah, how you've been working your butt off in more ways than one lately at Applejack's farm.”
“Well, you're not wrong,” you reply.
>Rarity's eyes widen.  “Oh, so YOU'RE the one Applejack's been gushing about to all of us.”
“Gushing?”
>“Oh yes, she was here weeks back with her swimsuit for some minor repair work.  When it comes to clothing of all sorts, I'm always happy to help my friends.”
“Is that why you're here, Sunset?”
>“Yeah, actually,” she replies.  “One of my work outfits got ripped, and I'm not exactly good at sewing.  I figured Rarity could lend a hand with it.” 
“Dare I ask how it happened?”
>“I was a little careless with a carving knife,” Sunset answers.  “Nothing to worry about.”
>“She works at the sushi place in the mall, you see,” Rarity adds.  “I had just finished fixing the article, and I was about to have her try it on when we heard you knock.”
>“I was already down to my underwear right then, and there really wasn't time for me to get any of my clothes on,” Sunset says with a blush, gesturing to the bathrobe.  “So we kinda had to improvise.”
>You clear your throat, understanding why Rarity was glad you didn't 'walk in unannounced...'
“You didn't have to go about it like that...”
>Sunset shakes her head.  “No, it's fine.  This is easier than having to change all over again, right?”
>“We know you're not THAT type,” Rarity says.  “At least, that's what Applejack says.”
>You start to wonder how much Applejack has said about the waterhole incident to anyone else.
>“But enough about that,” Rarity continues.  “What brings you here, Anon?”
“A couple things, actually.  I wanted to do something special for the Apple family next weekend...”
>You explain what you had in mind, and Rarity and Sunset take it all in.
>“That sounds like fun,” Sunset says.  “Who else is being invited?”
“You and the rest of your group, for sure.  I figure we keep it to all of her closest friends.  I don't want to go all crazy.”
>“How modest of you,” Rarity comments.
“Problem is, I don't have any good-looking shirts for it.  Pinkie said you have a magic touch with that sort of thing.”
>Rarity puts a thumb and index finger to her chin as she thinks.  “Well, depending on what material I have around, I might be able to put something nice together for you.  I assume you have time for this?”
“As much as you need.  I've already helped out at the farm, so I've got no other plans today.”
>“Wonderful.  Of course, I still have Sunset to take care of, so if you could be a dear and step out while I finish her fitting...”
“Say no more,” you reply with your hands up as you exit the room, closing the door behind you.

>You wait outside for the next few minutes, playing a game on your phone in the meantime.
>You hear Rarity and Sunset talking to each other through the door, but their voices are muffled.
>You're not sure if it's related to what they're doing, or if it's something else entirely.
>There's a bit of giggling between them, which intrigues you.
>It's not long before you hear Rarity call out to you, “all set, darling!”
>You chuckle at this, heading back inside.
>Sunset has changed back into what you assume are her normal clothes, while her work outfit is folded up in her arms.
>“Thank you for your patience,” Rarity says to you.  “Now come here so I can check you out.”
“But we've only just met,” you reply in a joking tone.
>She laughs, taking out a ribbon of some kind and pulling it taut, which causes you to gulp.
>“Relax, Anon.  I just need some numbers from you so I can have this done right.”
>“Don't worry,” Sunset assures you, “she knows what she's doing.”
>You shrug as you step forward, and Rarity goes to work.
>She's fairly quick, zipping through all the necessary measurements in record time. 
“Sheesh, it's like you've done this before,” you say, again jokingly.
>“This isn't my first rodeo, as Applejack may say,” Rarity replies.
“Does she also come to you for stuff like this?”
>“Only on rare occasions.  She's usually only dresses up when it's absolutely necessary.”
“That definitely sounds like her.  I don't think I've ever seen her in anything other than what she normally wears.”
>“She's set in her ways; always has been.  She won't admit it, but there are times when I think she enjoys getting dolled up, mostly for the people she likes.”
“Which can't be too many people.”
>“You don't think she'd do that for you at some point?”  Sunset asks.
“Not really, especially not now.  Things have been on the rocks lately.  I've gotten all sorts of advice from the rest of her friends, but I'm just not sure where I want to go from here.”
>“She'll come around, I'm sure of it,” Rarity replies.  “Just you wait and see.”
>She finishes up what she's doing, taking the last of your 'numbers' down on her notebook.  “Now then, let's see what I have to work with...”
>She goes through a trunk and grabs several examples of cottons and other fabric, laying them out on her table. 
>She has you examine them, and eventually you pick out one you feel would look best.
>“Very well.  I can have this done within a couple days, so I'll let you know when it's ready.”
“Thank you.  Guess Pinkie knows what she was talking about, after all...”
>“Indeed she does,” Rarity replies.  “And it's my pleasure.”

>“Before you go, Anon,” Sunset interrupts, “would you mind if I try something?”
“Try something?”
>“Applejack has been talking to all of us,” she replies, “and I assume you've done the same in your own way.  I just wanted to check a thing or two from you.”
>“Are you sure that's wise?”  Rarity asks, as if she knows what Sunset is talking about.
“Is there...something I should know about you?”
>“Not really,” Sunset states.  “So will you let me do this or not?”
>You look back at her, her eyes showing a certain determination.
>You doubt you can change her mind about it.
“Fine...I guess...”
>Sunset nods, approaching you slowly.
>She reaches out, putting her hand on your chest over your heart.
>She shuts her eyes and lowers her head, whispering something to herself.
>You have no idea what's going on, but suddenly you feel...different.
>When you first laid eyes on this redhead, you felt cold.
>But now you feel...warm...and a little fuzzy, too.
>This goes on for a minute or so before she finally pulls her hand back.
>As quickly as the strange feeling came over you, you revert back to normal.
“What...was that?”  You ask.
>“I sense you're a good person, Anon,” Sunset starts, ignoring your question, “and your heart is definitely in the right place.”
>“You're also so close to mending what you had with Applejack.”
“You really think so?”  You ask, doubtfully.
>“I do. I can feel it.  You just need to have a heartfelt talk.”
“And just how would I even go about it?  And when?”
>“Be as honest as you can with her.  As for when, you'll know when the time is right.”
>You're not quite sure what to make of this.
“Did you do this little psychic reading trick with Applejack, also?”
>“Maybe, maybe not.  That's for you to decide.”
“I guess I'll take your word for it.  Not much else I can do at this point.”
>“I think you'll be surprised,” Sunset replies.  “You need to have confidence, and a little bit of luck.”
“Believe me, I'll need as much of both as I can get...”

>You exchange information with both Rarity and Sunset, and you're soon on your way back home.
>You get a hold of Pinkie again, letting her know that all systems are go.
>She sounds ecstatic, and promises to whip up a couple things of her own for that day.
>She also gives you the contact info for the rest of the group so you can have everything arranged.
>You spend most of the afternoon doing just that.
>Twilight sounds like a yes, although she mentions she's doing work of some kind on the day in mind.
>However, she assures you it's relatively easy, and it will be completed with plenty of time to spare.
>Rainbow is also a yes, and you tell her that Scootaloo is welcome to come also.
>Seems like the two of them are practically sisters, based on how you've seen them interact.
>Plus, it'd be a nice gesture to Applebloom.
>Fluttershy says she'll be there, once she's done with her duties at the animal shelter.
>She mentions she found a little gift for you to make up for not having one the day you met her, which just sounds sweet from her.
>Of course, Rarity and Sunset give their yes's, and you let Rarity know that her sister, Sweetie Belle, is also invited.
>The main thing you tell to all of them – it has to be kept a surprise.
>The only other person you talk to is Granny Smith.
>It appears she likes the idea you have, and compliments you on your generosity and kindness.
>She promises to keep tight-lipped, and says she'll arrange to take the Apple family out somewhere that day while you prepare.
>You turn in for the evening in slightly higher spirits than normal.
>There's still a lot of work and planning to do despite this amazing start.
>However, you feel that this is all coming together nicely.
>You hope that this will go over well with the Apple siblings, Applejack especially.
>Your thoughts turn to Sunset's words.
>'Be as honest as you can be with her...'
>'You'll know when the time is right...'
>Then your mind shifts to thinking about how all of this could go horribly wrong.
>So much for being in higher spirits...
>God, why do you have to be so down on yourself?
>You do what you can to shake yourself out of this little funk.
>Maybe Sunset is right – you need to find that confidence to make this work.
>For your sake...for her sake...

----------

>Another week, but this time things are looking up.
>You honestly find it a challenge to contain your excitement.
>Which is rare for you, as there has been little to be excited about with everything that's happened.
>Part of you wants to break down and tell one of  Applejack's siblings what you have planned.
>The rest of you takes a mallet to that part and tells it to pipe down.
>That would ruin the idea of it being a surprise, after all.
>Instead, you're as nonchalant as you can be.
>Applejack seems suspicious, but doesn't question you on it.
>After all, you've always acted a little weird around her, so why would this be any different?
>That's the vibe you try to portray, at least.
>As the days progress, you work your hardest, both on the farm and at the brewery.
>All of this work has done wonders for you, as the heavy lifting and other forms of exercise have boosted your muscles and stamina quite a bit.
>You don''t receive any kind of comments on this, and you don't want to bring it up without sounding like you're bragging.
>In the meantime, you continue to follow up with Big Mac and the status of his ankle.
>The doctor visits mid-week to remove his cast and test his ability to walk without his crutch.
>Mac is hesitant at first, but with a little prodding from Granny Smith he gives it a go.
>To no one's surprise other than his, he steps forward on the affected foot without wincing in pain.
>He gives a 'hmm' as he walks around a little more, probably to make sure he's not hallucinating.
>It doesn't take long to ensure himself that he isn't.
>It's the best news the household has gotten all summer, and everyone couldn't be happier.
>Later that day, Rarity lets you know that your shirt is ready, and requests you to come and try it on.
>You do so that evening, and it's a perfect fit, much to her delight.
>You also get a message from Pinkie, saying that Applejack shared the good news about Mac with her.
>When asked if you wish to proceed with your plan, you tell her 'yes.'
>You both communicate with the rest of her friends to finalize things.
>It's all about ironing out all the little details so that everything is how you envision it.
>It sounds like everyone is bringing something, and you ensure no one has the same item in mind. 
>The last bit of coordinating involves when to have everybody arrive...as well as where to meet.
>You keep Granny Smith in the loop, and you let her know that things are ready to 'go down.'
>“Looking forward to it, sonny,” she replies.

>On Saturday, you go through the usual motions when it comes to the farm work.
>The anticipation for later on is building up inside you, but you're somehow able to contain it without anyone noticing.
>It appears Granny Smith had something lined up with the Apple siblings a little in advance.
>Once the chores are done, she tells them to clean up so they can 'see the sights.'
>Applebloom explains there's a bunch of new exhibits at the Canterlot museum that may be of interest to them.
>Bloom and Mac seem all for it, but Applejack doesn't seem to be sold on it.
>She still goes along with it, as apparently there hasn't been a lot of time for them to do something like this as a family unit.
>You see them off, saying you'd be heading home after you've 'taken care' of a few things here.
>Once the family car has driven away, you message Pinkie and the rest of Applejack's friends that 'the time is now.'
>Within the hour, everyone you invited starts arriving.
>Pinkie's the first to show, obviously, and says she has the day off from work to make this happen.
>She went all out, having brought several folding tables, a sound system, games, streamers, and enough balloons to fill her needs.
>You help her get it all set up in the main barn.
>As per the plan, everyone drives into the brewery parking lot, so as to conceal the fact there's company here.
>You're there with a wagon to meet each of them as they arrive, and to help them bring over whatever they brought.
>When Fluttershy arrives, she also has her little gift for you, as promised.
>It's a little harmonica, decorated with several little animals, including a couple snakes.
>You thank her, and make a mental note to start learning how to play it.
>Rainbow and Scootaloo get there shortly after, each with coolers in hand.
>Rarity and Sweetie Belle give their own stamps of approval for how you look and are handling things right now.
>Twilight and Sunset are the last to show, but they're by no means the least.
>The former's experiment was an early success, while the latter also managed to get the day off.
>Together, you all work on spreading the food around and making other last-minute finishing touches.
>You soon receive a message from Granny Smith that the family is making their way home.
>How she managed to send it without the siblings knowing is beyond you, but it doesn't matter.
>When you hear their car pulling in, Pinkie shuts off the lights and has everyone get into position.
>Through her 'special eyes,' she sees the Apple family making their way to the barn.
>With the exception of Smith, it seems they're all oblivious.
>As soon as they enter, Pinkie hits the light switch.
>“SURPRISE!”

>The siblings and their grandmother look around in wonder to all of the friends, food, and decorations strewn about.
>Mac and Bloom appear confused, while Applejack looks annoyed.
>“What in tarnation is this?”  She asks out loud.
>“It's a surprise party, silly!”  Pinkie replies, bouncing up and down excitedly.
>“It's to celebrate Big Mac getting better,” Fluttershy adds. 
>“Anon wanted to do something special for ya,” Dash says, “so he planned all this.”
>Applejack turns to you.  “Ya gotta be kiddin' me.  Ya put all this together?”
>You nod.
“It was my idea, but all of your friends had a part in it one way or another.”
>Applejack looks conflicted.  “Ah...ah don't get it...”
>Rarity comes from behind and holds Applejack's shoulders.  “What is there to get, darling?  It's his way of saying 'thank you' for letting him work with all of you.”
>“Not to mention putting up with him all this time,” Sunset adds.  
>Applebloom is still amazed as what she's seeing.  “How did ya do all this without us knowin'?”
>“Ya can blame me fer that,” Granny Smith replies.  “Anon let me in on tha plan, an' ah was happy ta give him time fer this bah takin' ya off tha farm fer a while.”
>While Bloom and Mac chuckle, Applejack breaks away from Rarity.
>Her gaze shifts all over the place, as if her mind is being overloaded.
>“What's the matter?”  Twilight asks, looking concerned.  “Don't you like it?”
>Applejack doesn't respond, instead stepping out of the barn.
>You can hardly believe what just happened.  It can't have happened, can it?
>“Oh dear,” Fluttershy exclaims.  “Did we do something wrong?”
>“Nnnope,” Mac replies.  
>“Sis ain't one fer surprises,” Bloom says.  
>“Ain't one fer havin' others show gratitude, either,” Granny Smith adds.
“Why is that?”  You ask.
>“Just tha way she was raised.  With all tha responsibilites here on tha farm, yer expected ta do yer job no matter what.  Ain't many thank ya's ta be had.”
>“Not even a little bit?”  Pinkie asks.  “Geez, does that mean she's been faking it the whole time with the rest of us?”
“It's isn't with any of you,” you reply.  “It's...with me...”
>Everyone else looks downtrodden, but Granny Smith gives a clap to get your attention.
>“No need ta be so glum,” she says.  “We're here ta have a little fun, ain't we?  Give Applejack some time, and ah'm sure she'll come join us when she's good and ready.”
“I hope you're right...”

>The next hour or so is your attempt to follow Granny Smith's advice.
>There is food, fun, and a fair share of laughs.
>You made sure there wasn't anything alcoholic, so as to prevent any unfortunate events like last time.
>You also made sure there would be no bales of hay around for anyone to stupidly stack and lift.
>Dash challenges you to a few games of darts, though, which you accept.
>You've never really seen it played, let alone played it yourself, so you don't know the actual rules.
>Apparently Big Mac does, and even keeps score for you.
>Dash effortlessly lands 180 points in three tosses several times, and Mac does an exaggerated announcement of such each time. 
>Must be how it's kept exciting during televised events, you guess.
>Needless to say, your ass is handed to you every game.
>Meanwhile, there are other activities people are partaking in.
>Applebloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle are dancing to the music playing on Pinkie's sound system.
>Rarity and Fluttershy are singing along to said music, doing their own little version of karaoke.
>Sunset and Twilight are going at it at the ping pong table that Pinkie brought along.
>It's quite a spectacle, as apparently there was a little rivalry between your school and the one Twilight had transferred from.
>What's even more of a spectacle is the pogo stick Pinkie is currently bouncing on.
>Several times people have to get out of her way, but otherwise she's having the time of her life.
>If only the same could be said about you.
>You just can't get Applejack out of your head right now.
>You sneak away from the party and go looking around to try and find her.
>She's not in the main house, nor has she driven off anywhere, as her car is still here.
>You wrack your brain to think of other possible places close by she'd be.
>Your sight shifts to the older barn that's further away on the property.
>It's been there since you were very little, and you remember games of hide and seek with the Apple siblings inside.
>It really isn't used much anymore besides storing unimportant things, as there are plenty of holes in the roof..
>You go to it and peek in to see if Applejack is inside.
>Sure enough, she is, leaning back in the seat of an old rusted tractor.
>She senses you and frowns.
>“What do ya want?”
>Not a good start...

>You enter the barn cautiously.
“I wanted to see you,” you reply.
>“Why?”
“Because I was worried about you.”
>Applejack crosses her arms.  “Oh really.  Coulda fooled me.”
“What makes you say that?”
>She climbs down from the tractor, but maintains her distance.
>“Everythin' ya've been up ta, that's what.”
>You're confused.
>“Keepin' secrets from us, gittin' Granny involved, and this whole darned party of yers.”
>That's when it clicks.
>“Be honest with me, Anon.  What's all this really about?”
“You think I have other motives?”
>“Now yer catching on.  Ah thought ya'd be glad ya didn't have ta work here anymore, and not done anythin' else.  Why go through all'a this trouble?”
“Come on, why are you acting like this?”
>“Answer me!”
>You groan to yourself.
“Hey, this is another way for me to make up for everything that's happened.  I thought it'd be something nice for all of us to enjoy.”
>“Then what?”
“Huh?”
>“Now that Mac's all better, what're ya gonna do after this?”
>You honestly hadn't really thought about that.
>With all of the work you've done, there wasn't much chance to consider what would go on afterward.
>You shift your body as you finally take the time to think.
“I mean...I guess one thing I'd do is keep working at the brewery, if Granny still wants me to...”
>“What about us?”
>You look back at Applejack, and her eyes are beginning to narrow.
“Are you talking your whole family, or just you and me?”
>Applejack shakes her head.  “Goddamn, yer dense.”
>Wow...

“Alright, let's turn this around.  What do YOU want me to do?”
>It feels like Applejack is emanating a real negative aura.
“Do you want me to keep working on the farm for the rest of the summer?  Do you want me to keep going on the patrols with you?  Tell me.”
>“Has...any'a this mattered to ya?”
>You're surprised by this question.
“Of course it has.  Why would you think something like that?”
>“Because if ya hadn't acted like an idiot with Mac that day, none of this would be goin' on.”
>“Ya'd be spendin' tha summer doin' whatever the hell ya wanted, while we'd be takin' care'a tha farm as we always have.”
>“Ya could'a kept yer mouth shut an' not offered ta help.  Ya pretty much wasted half tha season, and fer what?”
“Doing what was right.  Look at all the good we've been able to do so far.  We made sure Mac healed up properly, we prevented a snake from killing other animals...”
“And most importantly, we figured out what was wrong with all the trees, and we're working to keep as many of them as healthy as possible.”
“Do you honestly think all of this has been nothing but a waste of time?”
>Applejack seems on the verge of seething.
>“Ya wanna know what ah think?  Ah think ya shoulda stayed outta this.”  
>“Ah think we woulda done just fine without ya.  We still woulda stopped that snake, we woulda found out about tha trees anyway, and most of all, Mac wouldn't have gotten hurt.”
>Your heart is sinking lower and lower, but you still approach her.
“How about all the times I've helped you out personally?  All the times I've saved your freaking life!”
>“None of that woulda happened!  All'a this was yer fault!”
“Damn it, AJ, you're really starting to piss me off right now.”
>“Ya think ah care?”  She asks, turning around and crossing her arms.  “Cause ah don't.”
“You gotta be kidding me.  After all this time, after EVERYTHING I've done to make things better around here, you're STILL mad at me?”
>“Course ah am.  Why wouldn't ah be?”
>Your blood is boiling, probably just as much as hers.
“You know what?  You need to get over yourself!  I'm sick and tired of having to deal with this stupid little funk of yours.”
>“...stupid...little...funk?”
>In a sharp motion, Applejack flips around and hits you with an uppercut, sending you to the ground.
>“GIT OUT!  Ah don't want ya 'round here no more!”
“Wait, Applejack...”
>“AH SAID OUT!  OUTTA THIS BARN, OUTTA MAH FACE, OUTTA MAH LIFE!”
>You get up, rubbing your chin, and do as you're told, not looking back in the slightest.

>You slowly walk out, your head hung low.
>You're hurting and angry, but there's a good amount of sorrow, also.
>You start heading back to the main barn, but you stop yourself before going back in.
>Why even bother at this point?
>You instead turn to make your way in another direction.
>“Anon,where have you been?  Where's Applejack?”
>It's Pinkie asking this question.
>You don't answer, continuing on your walk.
>“Hey, where are you going?”  Pinkie asks.  “What about the party?”
“You can all do what you want.  I don't give a shit anymore.”
>“...wait, what happened?”
“It's over...what I had with her...”
>You resume your walk, and thankfully Pinkie doesn't pursue you.
>Part of you just wants to head home, but you head towards the orchard instead.
>You notice dark clouds making their way across the sky as you pass through the groves.
>A fitting compliment for your mood right now.
>You eventually arrive at the 'favorite tree,' and you stare at it for a bit.
>Specifically, the carving of the initials you and Applejack made as kids.
>A flurry of emotions runs through your head.
>You should have known this was going to happen...
>You should have known that everything you've done would be fruitless...
>You should have known that  there's nothing you could have done that would make things right...
>And worst of all?  You should have known Applejack wasn't ever going to forgive you...
>Why the hell did you even bother?
>You grit your teeth, shut your eyes, and clench your fists.
>You cry out at the top of your lungs, punching the tree as hard as you can where the carving is.
>It hurts...just the way you want it to.
>You drop down to your knees as you hold your bruised hand.
>You stare up into the branches and to the darkening sky above.
>You just want to keel over right now...

>“Anon?”  You hear Applebloom ask.
>You look up to see her and Sunset coming your way.
“How did you know where to find me?”
>“Easy,” Bloom replies.  “We followed ya from a safe distance so ya wouldn't know about it.”
“What do you want?”
>“Answers,” Sunset replies.  “What's going on?”
“Didn't Pinkie tell you already?”
>“According to her, you said it was 'over.'”
“It is.  All of this.  I tried having that talk with Applejack like you suggested, but it all went wrong.”
>“Did you and sis have a fight'?”  Bloom asks.
>You sigh as you look away.
“She thought all of this was a waste of time...that I should've just stayed away...”
“I tried talking sense into her, but it ended with flaring tempers...broken hearts...and a near broken jaw.”
>Bloom winces.  “Oof, we warned ya she has a nasty uppercut.”
>“Not exactly helping,” Sunset comments, kneeling down in front of you.
>“I'm so sorry, Anon.  I really thought things were getting better for the two of you.”
“So did I, but even with her acting like she was softening up, she kept that grudge buried deep inside.”
>Sunset sighs.  “I get it now...”
“Get what?”
>“You were right before.  That thing I tried with you at Rarity's?  I did it with Applejack, too.”
“And what happened?”
>“I told her pretty much the same thing I told you, but she shrugged it off and said I was crazy.”
>“What do you think that means?”  Applebloom asks.
>Sunset ponders.  “I'm thinking she has more than a grudge buried deep down.”
>“Do you think-” Bloom starts.
>She's interrupted by a rumble of thunder in the distance.
“A storm?”  You exclaim, standing up.  “I didn't see any rain in the forecast today...”
>“Coulda come up at tha last minute,” Bloom replies.
>“Either way,”  Sunset says, “we better get back to the farm before it hits.”
>With that, the three of you make a run for it.

>By the time you're back at the main barn, the thunder is getting louder and louder.
>Everyone else approaches you to ask what happened.
>You're reluctant at first, but with some encouragement from Applebloom you give a cliff-notes version of events. 
>There is a mix of sadness and disappointment, especially from Granny Smith and Big Mac.
>You'd like to get back into somewhat of a partying mood, but you just can't.
>Frankly, neither can anyone else, especially with the weather situation outside.
>You watch as the sky gets darker and darker, while the rumbling becomes louder and deeper.
>It's too dangerous to go anywhere right now, at least not until the storm passes.
>Your thoughts turn to Applejack, wondering where she may be.
>Knowing her, she went back to the house to sulk – you hope.
>The wind picks up, and you can see dust blowing across the ground and through the air.
>Twilight brings up a weather app on her phone.  “This is a quick mover,” she says.  “The worst of it should be here shortly.”
>“There's worse coming through?”  Rainbow asks.  “Yeesh...”
>“Come on,” Pinkie replies, “what's the worst that could happen?”
>As soon as she's finished asking this, lightning strikes just outside the barn, causing everyone to jump.
>The horses and cows are even more frightened, giving out their own cries.
>The impact is deafening, not to mention blinding, and the power goes out.
>You all move further inside as lightning continues to crash down, one bolt after the other.
>“You HAD to provoke it,” Dash growls, and Pinkie holds up her hands, laughing nervously.
>“Geez Louise, ah haven't seen a storm this bad since ah was a youngin',” Granny Smith comments.
>“I just lost service,” Twilight states.  “One of the area cell towers must have gotten hit.”
>“Oh my, this isn't good,” Fluttershy mutters.
>“Rarity, I'm scared,”  Sweetie Belle says to her sister, hugging her tight.
>“Try to stay calm,” Rarity replies, hugging her back.  “Didn't Twilight say this is a fast mover?”
>“Can't it move a little faster, then?”  Scootaloo exclaims.
>There isn't much you can do at the moment but huddle together and wait.
>Bloom looks desperate to find her sister, but Granny Smith orders her to stay put, stating Applejack can take care of herself.
>Surprisingly, there is no rain that comes with the other meteorologic activity.
>Another five minutes or so later, the worst of the storm passes by, with only occasional distant rumbles of thunder.
>You all step outside and breathe a sigh of relief, thinking the trouble is over with.
>How wrong you are...

>“What's that sound?”  Sunset asks out loud.
>The rest of you can hear it, too.
>“Something's burnin',” Granny Smith replies, looking around before gasping.
>She points in the direction of the old storage barn, its roof currently on fire.
>“Mac, call tha fire department!”  Smith barks.  “Tell'em ta bring a tanker!”
>Mac runs to the house as fast as he can, which is fairly good given his leg is only recently healed.
>“Tha rest of ya, grab whatever buckets ya can and bring'em ta tha yard hydrant!  We gotta put that fire out NOW!”
>You all scramble, picking up everything from feed buckets to washtubs you can inside the barn.
>You grab several wagons to put them all in so a multitude can be brought to the scene at once.
>As you reach the yard hydrant to fill your implements with water, Big Mac returns.
>“Phones are dead,” he says, panicked, “an' ah didn't see sis in tha house.”
>Granny Smith looks worried.  “Where in Sam Hill is she?”
>Your eyes widen in horror as you look back towards the old barn.
>Without any more hesitation, you run in the direction of it.
>“ANON!”  Bloom cries out.  “Where are ya goin'?”
“She's in there!”  You shout.  “I gotta get her out!”
>“Wait up!”  Mac yells, running after you to join in your effort.
>By the time you reach the old barn, the flames have spread even more,  and thick black smoke emanates from the entrance.
>You and Mac look at it, then to each other.
“Any ideas?”  You ask.
>Mac responds by pulling off his shirt and wrapping it around the lower part of his face.
>It must be a means of protecting his nose and mouth from smoke inhalation.
>You quickly follow suit, making sure you tie your own shirt good and tight.
>You get low to the ground crawling as best you can under the smoke.
>All you can see is waves of black and orange as the fire worsens.
>You notice that several beams and other wooden debris have fallen from the upper levels.
>The tractor you saw Applejack on earlier is completely engulfed in flames, and you wonder if its gas tank went up.
>Despite your efforts to protect yourselves, you and Mac start to cough from all of the smoke, your eyes tearing up.
>You wipe them as best you can, still searching around desperately.
>Part of you fears the worst...

>But then, you see a still shape through the smoke.
“There she is!”
>You point to the edge of the barn, where Applejack lays face-down on the ground covered in debris, not moving.
>You and Mac make your way towards her to assess the situation.
>Mac kneels down to check Applejack's pulse.
>It's faint, but it's there.
“Come on, wake up,” you demand, shaking her shoulders and back.
>“Ain't no good,” Mac says.  “Let's git'er out while we still can.”
>You quickly clear away the bits of wood and metal on and around her, and you notice something.
>One of her legs is trapped under a wooden beam. 
>Again, you and Mac look to each other, but give a nod.
>Working together, you pick up the beam just enough to move it out of harm's way.
>It's clearly more than 200 pounds, but you both somehow manage.
>Apparently, you can lift after all.
>You carefully pick Applejack up between the two of you and head towards the exit.
>The closer you get, the hotter and darker it becomes.
>You finally reach the safety of the outside, and everyone else has arrived on the scene with the wagons of water buckets.
>“SIS!”  Applebloom cries out, rushing over to you.
“It's okay,” you say through your storm of coughing.  “She's safe now.”
>“Nnnope, not yet,” Mac urges.  “We gotta get clear.  This barn's ready ta come down.”
>“Y'all heard him!”  Granny Smith orders.  “Move back!”
>You do as you're told, and moments later what's left of the building collapses in a fiery fashion.
>You lay Applejack on her back so Granny Smith and Applebloom can tend to her.
>As the other girls move to put out what flames they can, you and Mac pull your makeshift masks off and gasp for air.
>Once you're breathing normally again, you join everyone else in fighting the fire.
>Applebloom holds Applejack's hand through all of this, crying her eyes out.
>It takes a lot of water throwing, with Dash and Mac act as wagon runners to collect more of it.
>Eventually, the fire is dealt with, leaving nothing but burnt wood, metal, and smoldering cinders.
>At last, there's a brief moment of reprieve, and you join Applebloom at Applejack's side.
>The rest of the gathered group show their concern, Granny Smith most of all.

>She comes to you with a stern look on her face.
>“Sonny, what ya did was crazy, reckless, and downright dangerous,” she says.
>You return her look with a solemn one of your own.
>“But ah'm damn glad ya did,” she continues.  “Ya saved mah granddaughter's life.”
>“But why won't she wake up?”  Applebloom asks, still holding her sister's hand.
>“Something must have happened in the barn to knock her out,” Twilight surmises.
“This is all my fault,” you say.  “Maybe if I didn't have that fight with her, she might have come back before this whole mess happened...”
>“This isn't the time to place blame on anyone,” Sunset comments.  “What's done is done.”
>“What matters is that mess is over with,” Fluttershy adds.  “You helped her out, right?”
“Mac did most of the work,” you mutter, looking to him, then to Applejack.
>“But yer tha one who knew where ta find her,” Granny Smith replies.  “If we were any later, she'd be dead right now.”
>“Eeyup,” Mac says in agreement.
>“At least everyone is safe now,” Pinkie says, “although when you said things were gonna 'go down,' I  don't think you meant that barn...”
>There is a mixture of groans and nervous chuckles.
“When we found her,” you say, changing the subject, “her left leg was caught under heavy debris.”
>“Ah checked her while y'all were puttin' out tha fire,” Smith replies.  “That leg is broken for sure.”
>“What're we gonna do?”  Applebloom asks.
>Twilight checks her phone again.  “Still no service, so we can't call for an ambulance.”
“We'll have to get her to the hospital ourselves, then,” you reply.
>“My car's the fastest of the bunch,” Rainbow states.  “I can get her there in no time.”
>“Thank ya,”  Smith replies.  “We'll follow behind.”
>“I'll take Sweetie and Scootaloo home,” Rarity says.  “I'll meet you all there as soon as I can.”
>Working as a team, you carry Applejack as carefully as you can back to the main house.
>Dash rushes ahead so she can bring her car around, and you put her in the back seat.
>Applebloom joins her, and they take off as quickly as Dash claimed.
>Soon, a convoy of worried family and friends heads in the direction of the Canterlot Medical Center.
>As you go, your mind is racing once again.
>Will Applejack be alright after this?
>Will she even want to see you again once she wakes up?
>You pray to the heavens above for safe passage...and a good resolution...

----------

>It takes longer than expected to reach the hospital.
>Thanks to the lightning and high winds, there are plenty of branches and other debris in the road.
>Despite this, Dash manages to get Applejack there timely, the rest of you following behind.
>Thankfully, this area of the city hasn't lost power.
>And due to Applejack's current condition, the staff on scene is able to bring her in immediately.
>You fill them in on the events that transpired, providing as much information as you can.
>They put her on a gurney and wheel her to the Intensive Care Unit.
>You're all asked to stay in the waiting area, but the head doctor assures you he'll keep you in the loop if anything happens.
>You sit in the chairs closest to where Applejack is taken off to, ready for a long wait.
>There are a couple televisions strewn about to keep you moderately entertained, but it does little good.
>You're at least able to get a hold of your respective families, letting them know where you are and what happened.
>Rarity arrives soon after, and you all greet her.
>She asks how things are going, but there is no new information you can give her.
>It's here that she notices something you all missed earlier.
>“Gracious!  Anon, Big Mac!  You ruined your shirts!”
>You look down at the article, as you didn't even consider what would happen to it.
>The color has darkened because of the smoke, while there are a few holes here and there from where small cinders may have landed.
>Big Mac takes a look at his shirt as well, and it is in similar condition.
“It's a loss,” you say.  “but it helped me in getting Applejack out, didn't it?”
>“Eeyup,” Big Mac replies.
>Rarity sighs as she nods.  “Forgive me, darling.  It just pains me to see when the clothes I make gets ruined for one reason or another.”
>“Easier to replace something like that than someone's life,” Dash states.
>“Besides,” Twilight adds, “you can always make replacements for him and Big Mac.  Your work gets better with each new piece you throw together, doesn't it?”
>Rarity smiles meekly.  “Yes, you're right.  We'll worry about that some other time...”
>With that, she joins you all in the waiting game.
>It's getting late, but no one wants to leave yet, at least not until you're sure things will be okay.
>Applebloom seems to be the most torn up over this.
>You expected her to spend time with her brother and grandmother.
>Instead, she spends it with you, probably because of everything that happened earlier.
>You do what you can to comfort her, and she seems to appreciate your efforts.

>It's close to 11pm when the head doctor comes back, wiping his brow with a handkerchief.
>“How is she?”  Granny Smith asks.
>“Stable, but still unconscious,” the doctor replies.  “Both her left tibia and fibula are broken, but we managed to set them and make a cast for her.”  
>“She also has bruising on the back of her head and elsewhere, which we've bandaged up.”
>“We didn't hear any smoke in her lungs when we checked them, so chances are she didn't breathe any in from the fire.  We have her on oxygen right now as a precaution.”
>“It's going to be several months before she can use that leg again, so bear that in mind.”
>“Ah was afraid'a that,” Granny Smith muses.  “Of all tha times fer this ta happen...”
>“What do we do now?”  Applebloom asks.  “She's not gonna be able ta do anything like this.”
>Granny Smith turns to you.  “Looks like ya still got a job, sonny, if ya want it.”
>You think to the words Applejack yelled at you before the fire, and you mull over your answer.
>“We need ya,” Big Mac says.  “Sis'll need ya even more.”
>You look to him, then to the rest of the family.
“It's...what's best for the farm, right?”  You finally say.
>“We can't thank ya enough,”  Granny Smith responds.
>She turns her attention back to the doctor.  “Can we see her now?”
>“Of course,” he replies.  “Come with me.”
>You're led to one of the recovery rooms, and there is Applejack in the hospital bed.
>Her broken leg is elevated and in a cast, and she has an oxygen mask on.
>Bandages are wrapped around the top of her head, as well as her wrists.
>You stand all around the bed in the hopes that she'll wake up soon.
>Unfortunately, that doesn't seem likely right now.
>They must have her on some good painkillers.
>When it gets past midnight, most of you are too exhausted to keep staying up and hanging around.
>Applebloom looks reluctant to leave, for obvious reasons.
>However, Granny Smith reminds her that there's a lot of work to be done in the morning.
>You tell them you're staying a little longer, but promise to be back on the farm as soon as you can.
>Everyone else takes their leave, but not before you get a hug from Sunset.
>“Good luck,” she says into your ear, as if knowing what you plan on doing.
>Once she's out the door, you move to the side of Applejack's bed.
>You close your eyes and take a breath.

“I don't know if you can hear me,” you say in a whisper, “but...I'm just going to just pretend you can.”
“I'm...sorry...for causing all of this...everything...”
“You were right...had I not acted like an idiot that day...maybe none of this would have happened...”
“It's possible some of the events this summer could have still occurred the way they did without me...”
“You'd have found some way to contain that rattlesnake...even if you had to kill it...”
“You certainly wouldn't have had to bear it all to me that day at the waterhole...”
“You wouldn't have had the need to show me up with your rope skills, either...”
“And we wouldn't have had that big argument earlier today...”
“We were both venting our frustrations...and it all came to a head...”
“You wouldn't have had to stay isolated from all of us after that...and been someplace safer...”
“Part of me wishes I could turn back the clock to before the summer...”
“...so we can get back to what we had without any of the drama or aggravation...”
“...but there's nothing I can say or do that will change any of it...”
“And I know there's nothing I can do that will allow me to get any kind of forgiveness from you...”
“You said you didn't want me around anymore, but I'm gonna have to go against that for now...”
“I'll probably spend the rest of the summer helping around the farm...and maybe even after school starts up again...”
“You don't have to spend any more time around me if you don't want to...”
“Given all the nasty things we said to each other, I can understand if you still don't want anything to do with me...”
“I'm sure Big Mac and Applebloom can walk me through your list of tasks without much problem...”
“Just know that I'm going to continue doing my part until you're back on your own two feet...”
“I'll make sure each and every apple tree stays as healthy as possible, even if I have to scrutinize every single little twig and fruit...”
“You want to know why I'm going out of my way?  Why I'm 'wasting my time,' as you called it?”
“I'm...doing it for you...”
“Everyone's been asking me how I've felt about you since this all started, and my mind's been conflicted the entire way...”
“But today has made things clear to me...”
“I...I care deeply for you, AJ...even if you don't care about me anymore...”
“I just...need you there in my life...just like you've needed me all this time...”
“I wish there was a better way I can express myself, but this will have to do for now...”
“Please get better...for your family...your friends...and for me...”
“...and I pray for any chance we can put the pieces back together...”

>You stay silent for a moment or so, but there's no indication of a response.
>Guess this was a waste of time, after all...
>You sigh as you start making your way out of the room.
>“Anon?”  You hear a familiar voice ask weakly.
>You stop yourself, turning to see Applejack looking at you.
>Her eyes are tearing up.
“Applejack...”
>You return to her bedside.
“Did you...hear any of that?”
>“Every word...”
>You gulp.
>“Why...”
“Why...what?”
>“Why did ya save me?”
>“Ah said so many awful things to ya...said ah didn't want ya around no more...ah treated ya like garbage since tha start.  Ah...deserve this...maybe ah shoulda been left ta burn...”
>You're in disbelief.
“Hey, I don't want to hear you talking like that anymore.  What would Granny and everyone else say if I let that happen?”
“Why did I save you?  The same reason I've saved you all those other times.”
“I don't want anyone getting hurt on my watch, even if they've said bad things to my face.”
>Applejack shuts her eyes as she sighs.
>“Yer such an idiot...”
>You really don't want this to devolve into another argument.
>“Ah've been fightin' all this time...against mah friends...against ya...and against mah feelin's...”
>“...and not once have ya tried ta go further with me...”
“Because you didn't want me really doing a lot of things with you.  Farm work, maybe, but that's it...”
>“Did ya...mean everythin' that ya said?”
>You nod.
>Applejack grits her teeth as she hits her forehead.  “Damn it all...damn it, damn it, damn it...why is this so hard fer me?”
“Hey, take it easy,” you urge.  “Don't hurt yourself more than you already are...”
>“Ah can't take it anymore!  Ah gotta let it out!”
“Let what out?  What do you mean?”
>“AH LOVE YA, GODDAMMIT!”

>You're taken aback at this shout, for more reasons than one.
>Meanwhile, Applejack pulls off her oxygen mask and continues to stare at you with a pained look in her eyes.
>You sit down in the chair next to her, trying to formulate what to say next.
“Are we finally being honest with each other right now?”
>There seems to be a moment of hesitation, but Applejack slowly nods.
“...and...how long have you felt like this?”
>“Fer...a long time,” she replies.  “Ah've...always liked ya, but ah kept it bottled up 'cause ah didn't wanna say anythin'.”
“You didn't wanna ruin what we already had, right?”
>Applejack sniffles, the tears finally falling from her eyes.
>“Ah'm so sorry, Anon...ah never shoulda acted tha way ah did with ya...with anyone.”
>“But when Mac got hurt, ah didn't know what ta think anymore...”
>“Everybody wanted me ta give ya a chance...but mah temper kept gettin' tha better of me...”
>“An' after today...ah don't know what ah'm supposed ta do...” 
>“Ya said ya didn't think ya'd find a way fer me ta forgive ya...”
>“But how can ah expect ya ta forgive ME?”
>She's crying her heart out, shutting her eyes and turning her head away in her moment of shame.
>You move your chair as close as you can, reaching out and  putting one of your hands over hers.
“Just let it out.  It's okay...”
>She twists her hand around until it's holding yours, and she slowly turns her head back so she can look at you again.
“We've both been acting like idiots from the start.  And we both feel like crap in a lot of ways.” 
“But I think this is our chance to make things truly right, don't you?”
>“Where would we even start?”  Applejack asks.
“From the top, by letting all of this negative energy between us lift and go away.”
“I forgive you, AJ.  Can you forgive me?”
>She sniffles, using her free hand to wipe the tears from her eyes.
>“Ah...forgive ya, too...”
“Does this mean you aren't mad at me anymore?”
>She lowers her head for a moment.
> “No...not anymore...”
>You inwardly breathe a sigh of relief.

“So... do you remember anything that happened after our fight?”  You ask, changing the subject.
>Applejack thinks about it.
>“Ah...remember seethin' fer a while.  Ah didn't wanna join tha rest of ya, but ah didn't want ta go back ta tha house, either.”
“Did you know there was a storm coming?”
>“No, not 'til it was on top of us.  Ah got off that tractor an' stayed put, thinkin' it'd pass us by...”
>“Then that's when all tha lightnin' started.  Some of it broke through tha roof and hit tha tractor...”
>“Ah must've gotten knocked back an' knocked out from that.  Everythin' else is a blur ta me...” 
>“Next thing ah know, ah hear ya talkin' ta me.”
“It could've been a lot worse,” you say.  “Like you said, you might have been burnt to a crisp if we didn't reach you in time.”
>“But look at me,” Applejack says, gesturing to her broken leg.  “How can ah work like this?”
“You don't,” you reply bluntly.  “Granny already asked me to fill in for your side of the chores now, and I'll be doing it for as long as it takes for you to fully recover.”
>She sighs as she looks to the ceiling.  “Ya've been serious about this tha whole time, haven't ya.”
“Why wouldn't I be?  It's for the good of us all, even if some of us may not like it.”
>“Ah guess that means...we'll be seein' even more'a each other, huh?”
“If that's okay with you.  I'm sure you'll keep me in line once you're home again.”
>“Damn straight,” Applejack chuckles, although it sounds a little awkward.
“What's wrong?”
>“Ah don't know...all this just feels new ta me...”
“What, being able to get our feelings out in the open?”
>“Yeah.  Ah mean...where do we go from here?”
“In whatever direction fate decides to take us, and at whatever speed feels right for us.”
“This is all new for me, too, so don't stress about it too much.  We'll figure it out as we go.”
>“Ah guess.  Can ya...keep this quiet fer right now?”
“This little talk we've been having?”
>“Yeah.  Sorry, but ah just need time ta think 'bout all this.”
>“And ah don't know how we're gonna explain this ta tha rest'a mah friends...”
“Don't worry, I get it, and I bet they all will, too.  It's a big step, and you wanna make sure you're good and ready before taking it.”
>“Thank ya...fer understandin'...ah know it hasn't been easy fer either of us...” 
“When has it EVER been easy for us?”  You joke.
>Applejack chuckles again.  “Guess it's never been...”

“Listen, I promised Granny I'd be there for the morning.  We'll come by and visit you once the chores are done.  You get some rest and focus on getting better.”
>“Befer ya go, can ya do somethin' fer me?”
“What's that?”
>Applejack seems to fidget a little as her face reddens.
>“Can ya...give me a touch?
>You smile, reaching up and rubbing the top of her head.
>“Not with yer hand...with...yer lips...”
>You're surprised by this request.  
>Nevertheless, you give her a kiss on the forehead.
>This clearly annoys her.  
>“Not like that, ya idiot...”
“Then how-”
>Before you can finish your thought, Applejack grabs you by your shirt and pulls you in, her lips meeting yours.
>Your eyes widen at how forward she's being.
>However, there's that certain part of your brain that has you melting into this embrace.
>She finally lets go a moment later, allowing you the chance to breathe again.
> NOW ya can go.  Ah expect ya and tha family tomorrah as soon as ya can, ya hear?”
“Uh...yeah...no problem,” you dizzily reply. 
>You take your leave, walking out through the hospital halls in a daze.
>It isn't until you're back at your car that the fogginess in your head lifts.
>There is plenty of time to think as you're heading home.
>You never expected things to go in the direction they did...
>...especially with the both of you finally admitting how you truly feeling about each other.
>You just wish this happened a lot sooner, before it all went to Hell in a hand-basket.
>Regardless, all of that bad stuff is behind you.
>What matters now is how you work to move things in a more positive direction.
>It's going to take a lot of work from here on out...
>...but it's something you've become accustomed to lately.
>You'll get there...
>...together...

----------

>You thought that with everything that happened, and given how late it was, sleep would come easy.
>Unfortunately, it didn't.
>You don't know if it's a case of adrenaline still pumping through your veins...
>...being worried about how the rest of the summer is going to go...
>...or even thinking about your interactions with Applejack throughout the day...
>Whatever it is, you can barely get a wink.
>You're all but out of it when your clock's alarm comes on.
>No rest for the weary...
>You drag yourself out of bed and make the seemingly natural commute to the Apple farm.
>Applebloom greets you at the door as she's done all summer, and you join the rest of the family in their breakfast.
>It looks like no one else got a good amount of sleep here, either, and you can't really blame anyone.
>Granny Smith tells you there hasn't been any calls yet from the hospital, so no other updates for now.
>For all she knows, Applejack slept through the whole night.
>Keeping Applejack's request in mind, you remain mum on the subject.
>After eating, Applebloom and Big Mac head out to handle their end of the chores.
>Smith has you follow her around, and she shows you Applejack's jobs around the farm.
>They're not as labor-intensive as Mac's, so you won't be as exhausted by the end of the morning, at the very least.
>As you work, she gives you the option of not working at the brewery in the afternoons.
>Given there isn't much summer left before school starts again, she figures you'd want to try and enjoy some of this fleeting time.
>At this point, you feel you should earn as much money as you can, while you can.
>She respects this, and says you're welcome to work there the following summer if you choose to.
>You tell her you'll think about it.
>As the morning goes on, you notice Pinkie and the other girls have come to clean up the remnants of the other night's party.
>You go to help out, which they all appreciate, especially Pinkie.
>According to Twilight, cell service has yet to be restored, so no calls can be made until then.
>After everything has been cleared up, you return to finish up the rest of your assigned tasks, including a solo patrol of the orchard.
>Once you've returned from this, the rest of the Apple family head to the hospital to visit Applejack, and hopefully bring her home.
>You'd have followed suit, but you're completely beat.
>Unless anything egregious happens, your plan is to sleep the afternoon away. 
>There will be plenty of time to catch up with Applejack once she's back, after all...

>Monday, Monday...
>You're still a bit groggy when the alarm goes off, even after your extended afternoon nap yesterday, but there' s not much you can do about it right now.
>You arrive at the Apple farm around the usual time, with Applebloom waiting for you.
“Is she home?”  You ask.
>Bloom nods.  “Tha docs gave us tha okay ta bring'er home last night.  Good thing we held onta Mac's crutches, right?”
“Yeah, I guess...”  You say, rubbing the back of your head.
>“Whatsamatter?”  Bloom asks as you follow her into the house.  “Ya nervous 'bout how she's gonna react to ya?”
“That's...one way to put it,” you reply.
>You're not about to reveal the little moment you had with Applejack, so you keep quiet about it.
>“It'll be fine, ah know it,” Bloom says.
>You enter the kitchen, where Granny Smith is cobbling...something together.
>“There ya are,” she comments.  “Hope yer ready fer another day.”
“As...ready as I can be.”
>“Where's yer sis?”  Smith asks Applebloom.  “She's usually tha first one awake.”
>“She was still in bed when ah got up,” Bloom answers.  “Maybe tha meds they gave'er did a real number on'er.”
>Smith sighs.  “Sonny, can ya go up and check on'er?”
>You nod and make your way to the second floor.
>As you approach Applejack's room, you hear what sounds like shallow breathing and grunts of pain.
>Naturally, you get worried.
“You alright in there?”  You ask as you open the door.  “What's going on?”
>You're greeted by the sight of Applejack sitting on the side of her bed, wearing nothing but socks and panties, apparently struggling to put on a bra.
>You freeze, while she looks up at you with shock, which quickly changes to annoyance.
“Whoops,” you finally say, shutting the door as quickly as you can.
>You expected a bunch of angry yelling and calls of perversion from Applejack.
>“It ain't polite ta spy on a lady when she's changing, ya know?”  You hear her say, instead.
“Sorry, sorry.  We all thought you'd still be sleeping right now.”
>You hear Applejack sigh.  “Well, ah guess ya've seen me in less already.  Don't worry 'bout it.”
>You look up to the ceiling with relief.
>“Ya can come back in if ya want.  Ah...need help...”
>You're surprised by this, but you comply, opening the door and stepping back into the room.

>As you do, you see that Applejack has covered her chest with one of her arms. 
“So what did you need help with?”
>Applejack blushes.  “Gittin'...some of mah clothes on...”
>You feel a blush of your own forming, and you're apprehensive at first.
“Wh-what's the matter?  Can't do it yourself right now?”
>“Ah just can't move mah arms back without feelin' pain.  Damn ribs must be bruised.”
“Or you're still aching a lot after what happened.  The doctors didn't say anything about any of your ribs getting injured, anyway.”
>“Still, it hurts like hell...”
“Either way, this is odd, coming from you.”
>“Why do ya say that?”
“One, that you're asking for help...and two, that it's for something like this...”
>Applejack rolls her eyes.  “Are ya gonna help or not?”
“Sure, hang on,” you reply, sitting down on the bed next to her.
>You see she's shivering a little, most likely from being nervous about the situation.
>“Just...try not ta think about it too much,” she finally says, placing the cups of the bra over her breasts.
>You notice it's a simple design, without straps going over the shoulders.
>Probably as a way of avoiding too much arm movement, and pain.
>You reach around and take hold of either end of the article, carefully pulling them behind her. 
>“Sorry if this is awkward fer ya like it is fer me,” she says.  “Ah'll ask Granny or Bloom ta help me next time.”
“Hey, this is important.  I don't mind if you don't.”
>While she gives a 'hmm,' in response, you focus on the task at hand, hooking the bra together.
“Now that we've got that on, what else do you plan on wearing today?”
>“Ah don't know.  Ah like wearin' jeans, but they'd be too much of a hassle, what with this damned cast an' all.”
“Don't you have some skirts?  Those would be easier to wear right now, don't you think?”
“Besides, you've always looked nice in them, and I haven't seen you wear one in a long time.”
>Applejack ponders this.  “Would ya...like ta see me wearin' one?”
>She grins a little while asking this, which you return with one of your own.
“Doesn't matter if I do, as long as it's a simple solution to a big problem.”
>You pause your speech as you stand up, looking back to her.
“But yeah, I'd like that.”

>Applejack nods.  “Bottom left drawer over there,” she says, pointing you in the right direction.  
>You open the dresser up and find a couple skirts to choose from.  You take one made out of denim.
>“Grab whatever shirt ya find first in tha drawer right above that one.  An' don't ya go peeking in the one up top.”
“I don't have to,” you reply, getting the gist.  “I already know at least one color you wear.”
>Applejack chuckles.  “Hurry up befer ah toss these crutches at ya.”
“Alright, alright...”  You say with an eye roll.
>You settle on an orange button-down shirt, and you bring both articles over.
>You watch as Applejack gingerly maneuvers the shirt into position, wincing in pain a little.
“Have you talked with any of the girls yet?”  You ask.
>“Workin' on it,” Applejack replies as she slowly works her way down with the buttons.  “Ah've already talked ta Rainbow, an' she said she'd let everyone else know ah'm okay.”  
“I bet they'd like it better if they heard from you directly.”
>“Ah know, ah know.  Ah'll git ta everyone else soon, don't ya worry.”
>Once she's done with her shirt, you pass her crutches over so she can stand up.
>“Tha honor's yers, if ya want it,” she says, raising her good leg up.
>Understanding what she means, you help her into her skirt, being careful not to touch the cast.
>“Ah bet ya'd rather be takin' these off me right now than puttin' them on,” Applejack says jokingly.
 “At some point, maybe,” you reply with a smirk, “but not now.  We've barely gotten started being 'together,' you know.”
>“Well, ain't ya a gentleman,” Applejack comments.
>One zip-up later, she is fully clothed and ready for the day...
>Except there seems to be something missing from her ensemble...
“Oh, of course - can't forget this,” you quip.  
>You go to grab Applejack's trademark hat from the top of the dresser, bringing it back to her.
>“Thank ya, Anon,” she says, giving you one-armed hug before putting it on.
“Sure thing.  I bet a part of you enjoyed this as much as I did.”
>Applejack crosses her arms in a huff and looks away, shutting her eyes.  “Hardly.”
“What did we say about being honest with each other?”  You ask in a knowing tone.
>She sighs, lowering her head.  “Well...okay, maybe a little...”
“There we go.  Come on, breakfast should be ready by now.”
>You take your time going down the stairs, wanting to make sure Applejack can do it on her own.
>It takes a bit of good balance and maneuvering with the crutches, but she manages.

>Everyone else is at the table as the two of you enter.
>“What kept ya?”  Granny Smith asks.as you both sit down.
“We...had a few things to iron out,” you say, not wanting to go into detail.
>“How ya feelin'?”  Bloom asks her sister.
>“Like a turtle that's been flipped over an' stomped on,” Applejack replies.
>“Ya still got yer life,” Granny comments.  “Never ferget that.”
>“Eeyup,” Big Mac says in agreement. 
>Applejack nods as she looks down at the table..
>You're perplexed at what's for breakfast this morning.
>You thought it was a pie of some kind, but once it's cut into you discover it's a much different beast.
>It's definitely made to look like a pie on the outside, but on the inside is layers of scrambled egg, sausage, cheese, and bacon bits.
>A bizarre take on a 'breakfast pizza,' to say the least.
“Sheesh, this must've taken a while to put together...”
>“It's a specialty of mine,” Granny Smith replies, transferring 'slices' of this creation to each plate.
>You take a bite once you have some in front of you, and it tastes amazing.
>“Ah don't make this often, but this is a special occasion,” Smiith explains.  “Ah thought some nice ol' humble pie would do us all some good.”
>It takes a moment for you to understand this subliminal messaging.
>It seems it didn't take Applejack long at all, as she slumps further down in her chair.
>“Alright, alright,” she groans.  “Ah'm sorry, okay?  Ah know ah've been actin' all nasty to y'all the entire summer, and ah deserve this...”
>“And don't ya ferget it,” Smith says, waggling her spatula in Applejack's direction.
>“Come on, Granny,” Bloom says, “she's been through enough, hasn't she?”
>Mac gives an 'mhmm,' also looking concerned for how his sister's bring scolded.
“She's already apologized to me,” you add, “and we both promised we'd work to make things better.”
>“Ah should hope so,” Smith torts.  “Now, Applejack, yer ta take it easy fer a while, an' don't try an' do anythin' that'll hurt ya more.”  
>Applejack nods again solemnly.
>“An' Anon, yer ta listen ta her, but don't be takin' orders.  Yer the one doin' the work, not her.  Got it?”
>You also nod.
>“Good.  Now eat up, all of ya.  We've got another busy day ahead of us.”
>After this, the rest of breakfast is taken in relative quiet.
>Once the meal is over, you and the Apple siblings head out for the morning chores.

>Having Applejack shadow you this time is an unusual change of pace given all that's happened. 
>There's a little small talk here and there, with her giving you tips on how she herself does things.
>You keep these in mind, incorporating what you can into your work.
>Later on, you're both working in the main barn, prepping one of the horses for your patrol.
>It is here that the conversation turns.
>“Anon?” Applejack starts.  “Ah've been doin' some thinkin' 'bout this little arrangement of ours.”
“Arrangement?”
>“Ya know what ah mean.  Havin' ya helpin' us fer what ah guess is tha rest of tha summer...an' goin' into tha school year fer that matter.”
“I said I'd help out as long as I was needed.  What about it?”
>“Ah'm just amazed ya've stuck bah what ya said.  What'd ya hope ya get outta all this?”
“Besides getting back on your good side?”
>Applejack nods, and you take a second to think.
“Hands-on experience, for one.  And I guess as a way of further testing ourselves...”
>“Testin'?”
“We've never spent so much time before together.  Right now we're testing the waters to see how this relationship might work out.  I wanna do what I can to get as much good out of this as you do.”
>“What if things don't work out in tha end tha way we wan'em?”
“Then we'll know we did as best we could.  Doesn't mean we couldn't still be friends after that, right?”
>Applejack shrugs.  “Ah guess...”
“We'll take it as it comes, alright?”
>“Sure.  Tell ya what, ya said ya wanted ta git some good outta this?  Let's make a deal.”
“I'm listening.”
>“You do yer best ya git me ta come outta mah shell more...an' ah'll do mah best ta help ya be more confident and assertive.”
“Assertive?”
>“Have a stronger backbone, really.  Ya gotta face problems head-on an' show'em what's what.”
“Does that include the way you'd been acting?”
>Applejack hesitates a moment.  “...yeah, it does.”
“Don't worry, I get it.  If that's how you wanna go about it, then I'm willing to work with you on that.”
>“So it's a deal?”  She asks, extending a hand.
“It is,” you reply, taking it in a light shake.
>She comes in for a kiss to seal the deal, and this time you're actually ready to return it.

>“Sis?  Anon?  You guys in here?”  You hear Applebloom call.
>By the time you break off the kiss, you hear the youngest sibling gasp.
>Applejack freezes at being caught in the act, in a sense.
>“Ah...ah can explain,” she stutters.
>Bloom puts her hands on her hips, a smug look on her face.  “Well well, when were ya gonna tell everybody ya made nice?”
>“When ah was good an' ready!”  Applejack shouts.
“Hey, relax,” you state, putting a hand on her shoulder.  “She and everyone else would've found out sooner or later.”
>Applejack sighs.  “Maybe.  Just wish we coulda kept this private...”
>“Why?”  Bloom asks.  “Ah'm so happy fer ya.  Ah bet Granny and Mac will feel tha same way.” 
>“That's sweet of ya,” Applejack says.  “Can ya at least not spill tha beans an' let me tell'em mahself?”
>Her sister nods.  “Ah will.  Gotta say, though, ah'm a bit jealous.  If ya didn't make tha first move, an' if Anon were closer ta mah age, ah might've tried mah luck...if ya catch mah drift.”
>Applejack fumes at this comment, and Applebloom puts her hands up in defense.  “Ah'm kidding!”
>“Ya better be!”  Applejack growls.
“Calm down,” you urge, grabbing both of Applejack's shoulders and pulling her back.  “The both of you are souring the moment.”
>Applejack, despite still staring daggers, relents, while Applebloom gives off a 'phew.' 
“C'mere, you,” you say to the younger sibling, bringing her in for an embrace.
“You and Mac have been as close to me as Applejack.  It makes me wish I had siblings like you growing up.”
>“But ya did,” Bloom replies.  “We've been like family from tha start, haven't we?”
“Guess you're right,” you say with a chuckle.
>Bloom leans in to whisper in your ear.  “Be good ta her, ya hear?”
“Promise...” you whisper back.
>Applejack clears her throat, and you let Applebloom go.
>“Oh, would you look at the time,” Bloom states.  “Ah still got chores ta do.”
>As she heads off, you can't help but laugh.
>“What's so dern funny?”  Applejack asks.
“Just the fact we got found out so fast.  I thought it'd have been kept under wraps for at least a little while longer.”
>“Yer right, though,” she replies.  “Probably best fer it ta come out sooner than later.  Bet it won't be long until mah...er, our friends hear about this.”
“Bethca Pinkie will have another party to celebrate this once she does..”
>Applejack nods, staring out to the rest of the farm.  “If she does, ah can hardly wait...”

----------

>The rest of the week is busy on several fronts.
>It seemed like Applejack was able to come clean to Granny and Big Mac before that first day was out.
>It also sounded like she was open about pretty much everything, including how things had evolved between you and her.
>As a result, both acted a little different the next morning. 
>For one, Mac was the one to greet you at the door, and you had a little chat before breakfast.
>Thankfully, this one wasn't fueled by alcohol of any kind, and you both had clear heads.
>It also wasn't the typical 'bigger sibling protecting the younger' scenario, as you thought it'd be.
>He gave his proverbial stamp of approval, repeating Applebloom's line of being good to Applejack.
>Granny Smith, on the other hand, didn't seem as convinced that things were all 'honky-dory.'
>She also felt like Applejack's lesson wasn't quite over yet.
>She had a photo album in front of her at the table, and encouraged you to sit next to her so you could see it.
>To Applejack's dismay, Smith showed you all sorts of photos of all the siblings from when they were younger.
>She highlighted several key 'moments,' from AJ's first taste of applesauce, to losing her first tooth after biting into a hard apple, to her first school photo...
>...which was taken in the aftermath of a scuffle she had with a fellow student.
>Applejack was clearly not happy with this, while Mac and Bloom weren't sure how they should react.
>Feeling bad for her, you bring out your phone and look into your family cloud.
>You bring up photos that were taken of you as a little kid, with your own fair share of embarrassing moments captured in time.
>This brings out several laughs from Applejack and the other siblings, and you're able to make a much better experience out of this.
>It's through this that Granny Smith lightens up her antics, which is a relief for the rest of you.
>Before you head out on your chores, she takes you aside, asking to get your side of what Applejack had told her.
>When what you tell her lines up with what she heard before, you get a firm pat on the shoulder.
>“Treat'er right,” she says.
>As the week progressed, Applejack finally connected with the rest of her friends.
>Everyone was supportive, of course, especially Rainbow and Sunset.
>The former due to her being in contact with you through all of this, and the latter getting vindication for her 'premonition.'
>You all met up at Sugarcube Corner that Friday night to cement said support, and to further catch up on what was going on.
>As you and Applejack both suspected, Pinkie started talking about wanting to hold a celebration party.
>The problem was that almost everyone had plans for the tail-end of summer, with some going away.
>You suggested a rain check on the idea, saying it could wait until after Applejack's leg fully healed.
>Pinkie was bummed, but you say this would give her time to plan and ensure everything was perfect.
>She felt better in a jiffy, and swore she'd do her best.

>On Saturday, you and Applejack go through your current list of tasks, and start getting Ollie saddled up for the afternoon patrol.
>Throughout the morning, you've talked about various topics.
>Among them is tips on how to boost your confidence, at least in ways that wouldn't make you look like an idiot.
>“Think positive,” she says, “don't constantly doubt yerself, look fer as many silver linin's as ya can.” 
>Your thoughts drift to a certain Grateful Dead song as this is mentioned. 
>Given how down you've felt for most of the summer, it only seems appropriate.
>“Anon, ya listenin'?”  You hear Applejack ask.
“Yeah, yeah,” you say, shaking yourself back to reality, and back to the physical task at hand.
>“Yer drifin' again.  Everythin' alright?”
“It's fine...”
>“Liar.  Ah thought we were gonna be more honest with each other.”
>You sigh as you pull the saddle's belt tight.
“Talking positive is one thing, but when almost everything lately has been negative, it's just tough to think of much else.”
>“Yer little funk, just like mine?”  She asks, crossing her arms.
“Yeah, though mine isn't exactly little.”
>“How long have ya felt like this?  Felt down 'bout yerself?”
“I...can't say for sure.  Definitely a while, though.  It's only gotten really bad since...”
>“Since that party,” Applejack finished.
“Yeah...right...”  You reply, turning away.
>She sighs, and you both stay silent for a bit.
>“Ah'm...sorry 'bout that,” she says softly, hugging you from behind.  “Had ah known ya felt that way, ah might not've been so nasty...”
“Nothing we can do about the past...”
>“But that's somethin' we both need ta work on fer the future, then.”  
>“We're in this together, right?  We gotta be there an' support each other however we can, both physically an' mentally.”
“You make it sound so easy,” you say with a meek smirk.
>“It's only difficult if ya keep thinkin' it is.  That's what this coachin's all about.  Ah'm not gonna quit as long as ya keep at it, alright?”
“If you're that set on it, guess I don't have much of a choice.”
> “Nnnope,” Applejack replies in her best impression of Big Mac.  “Besides, it's a helluva lot cheaper than seein' one'a them...uh...Pee-sai-”
“Psychiatrists?”  You finish, and you both share a laugh.
>That's when you hear a loud, angry moo, followed by Applebloom's scream from out in the pasture.

“What's going on out there?”
>“Whatever it is,” Applejack replies,  “it don't sound good.  Let's git over there right quick!”
>You scramble onto Ollie's back and ride her as quick as you can to the source of the noise.
>Applejack is slow to follow, but tells you she'll catch up.
>When you reach the pasture, you find that Applebloom is tending to Big Mac.
>The eldest sibling is on his knees and holding his torso in apparent pain.
>Meanwhile Old Bessie is bucking up and down wildly further away in the grass.
>Winona is attempting to get her to stop with her barks, but it's not working.
>Dismounting from Ollie, you go to help Mac to his feet as gingerly as you can.
“You alright?”  You ask.
>Mac only responds with a shallow groan, still gripping his chest..
>“What happened?”  Applejack asks as she finally hobbles over.
>“Mac was milking Bessie,” Applebloom answers, pointing to a tipped over pail.  “Somethin' must've spooked her, an' she spun round an' kicked him hard.”
>“Last thing we need,” Applejack mutters before giving a shrill whistle.  “Winona, git over here!”
>The family dog reacts to the call and hurries over to you.
>Bessie apparently has a lot of energy, as she's still going at it with gusto.
>“We gotta git her under control befer anythin' else happens,” Applejack says.
>You look around, and spy a pair of ropes wrapped around one of the fence posts.
“Those should do,” you say, grabbing them and handing one to Applejack.
>“Watch me,” she orders, tying hers into a lasso.
>You follow suit, doing your best to match her movements so yours looks as close to hers as possible.
>“Good enough,” Applejack says.  “We'll try ta rope her horns an' hold her in place 'til she calms down.  Ah'll take tha lead.”  
“Like hell you will,” you reply.  “You're in no shape to be doing anything dangerous.”
>“Ya gonna try an' do it yerself?”  Applejack asks.  “Yer nuts!”
“Not if I do it with other help,” you state, going back to guide Ollie through the gate.  “”You'll back me up, right girl?”
>Ollie gives a grunt, and seemingly moves her head up and down slightly.
>Applejack appears worried, but she shakes her head and clenches her fists.
>“Alright, ah've seen ya ropin' befer, but ya better bring yer A-game this time.”
>“Be careful Anon,” Applebloom says as you climb back onto the horse.  
>Mac has an equal look of concern on his face, but there isn't much else he can do at the moment. 
“Trust me, I've got this,” you reply, and you ride in the direction of Bessie.

>The old cow is still moving around in a rage, and she clearly isn't happy to see you.
>She lets out an long, angry moo, and scrapes the ground in front of her.
>You do your best to keep calm, while Ollie doesn't seem phased by this display. 
>Seems it isn't the first time they've been in a confrontation like this.
“That's it...nice and easy,” you instruct the horse, prepping the lasso.
>Ollie neighs quietly as you slowly but surely approach.
>Bessie moos again, digging her hooves deeper and taking an aggressive stance.
“Hold up,” you instruct, and Ollie stops in place.
>There is a long stare-down as both beasts wait to see who will flinch first.
>The air is thick with tension, and the anticipation from the Apple siblings is hanging on by a thread.
>Finally, someone makes a move...
>...it's Bessie, as she begins charging right at you.
>Ollie is quick to respond, getting out of the way as Bessie runs past.
“After her!”  You yell, coaxing Ollie into a chase.
>It's not long before you close the gap, and you start swinging the lasso in preparation.
>When you feel you're in range, you let it fly, but it fails to catch.
>You pull it back quickly, readying it for another shot.
>Meanwhile, Bessie appears to be getting tired, as she starts to slow down.
>Seizing the opportunity, you send the lasso out again.
>This time, it lands, catching on one of Bessie's horns.
“Gotcha!”  You proclaim, pulling the rope tight and having Ollie stop and back up.
>Bessie is forced to stop, herself, groaning in frustration.
>“Alright, Anon!”  Applebloom calls out.
>“Don't let'er go!”  Applejack orders. 
>Bessie is not having it, thrashing her head back and forth in an attempt to break free.
“Come on, come on!”  You shout, keeping as firm a grip as you can.
>That's when things turn...
>Bessie rears up on her back legs...
>...then jerks violently forward.
“Oh shi-”

>You're ripped out of the saddle, and you hit the ground with a thud.
>There's no time to react, as Bessie rushes off again, taking you along for the ride.
>“ANON!”  Applejack shouts.
>You're dragged across the grass, and you can feel your chest burning from the friction.
>You hold on for dear life, praying that this doesn't last much longer.
>You hear Winona barking again, as she is also giving chase.
>Bessie heads in the direction of the Apple siblings, and they scramble through the fence to avoid getting hit.
>The cow finally stops before she herself hits the barrier, and your little ride ends with it.
>You get back to your feet while you have the chance, while Winona continues her vocal assault.
“Winona, be quiet,” you say, and the dog puts a cork in it.
>Bessie turns her attention your way, shifting her body around until she's facing you.
>She's clearly out of breath, panting heavily.
>You let go of the rope, holding up your hands in front of you.
“Alright, Bessie, calm down...you're alright...”
>The cow moos again, but it's not as loud or angry as it has been.
>She stomps a leg, as she stares you down, acting like she's going to charge again.
>But you're not having it.
“Hey, stop it!  That's enough!”
>“That's it, ah'm goin' in,” Applejack says, pulling her rope tight.
“You stay put,” you retort, shooting a quick look her way.  “I told you I've got this...”
>She's taken aback, but Big Mac putting a hand on her shoulder finally makes her relent.
>You continue walking slowly towards Bessie, and soon you're within a few feet of her.
“Alright now...let's simmer down...”  You say, in a softer tone than before.
>Another moo, and Bessie loosens her stance while still maintaining a gaze.
“Come on, let's get that off of ya...”
>To your amazement, Bessie allows you to untie the lasso from her horn.
“There we go.  Feeling better now?”
>Bessie moos once more, but this one is shorter and not aggressive at all.
>You stroke her snout and scratch the top of her head, and she responds by nudging your chest.
>At long last, things have calmed down.

>You take your leave and crawl through the fence to the outside, Winona close behind, while Bessie goes back to grazing.
>The Apple siblings are stunned.
>“That...” Big Mac starts.
>“-was...”  Applebloom continues.
>“-unbelievable,”  Applejack finishes.  “Where'd ya learn ta do that?”
“Do what?”
>“All of that back there!”  Applebloom replies.  “That was amazin'!”
“I mean...”  you start, rubbing the back of your head as you think.  “...there are so many cowboy movies I've seen that feature stuff like that...plus all the adrenaline I had...I guess it all came together the right way.”
>“Whatever it was,” Appleack says, “ah didn't think ya had it all in ya.”
“To tell ya the truth, neither did I...”
>Applejack shakes her head as she sighs.  “There ya go again, Anon, sellin' yerself short and talkin' down 'bout yerself.  Ya should be happy an' proud with what ya did, just like tha rest of us.”
>“She's right,” Applebloom says.  “Bessie might've gotten hurt real bad if ya didn't act fast.”
>“Mmhmm,” Big Mac mumbles, still favoring his chest.  
>Even Winona chimes in, rubbing against your legs with a happy expression on her face.
“Alright, I get it.  Thanks for the encouragement...”
>“Come on,” Applebloom states.  “We should have Granny take a look at Mac an' make sure he didn't git banged up too bad.”
>Mac is at least able to walk under his own power, and he follows his younger sister in the direction of the farmhouse.
>You and Applejack go to retrieve Ollie so you can do what you were originally meant to do.
>“Ah was being honest with ya back there,” Applejack says.  “We're all proud of ya, me especially.”
“If only something like this happened during the initial round of working,” you reply.  “That might have been a nice way of impressing you further.”
>“Maybe, but best not think too much 'bout tha past.  Gotta keep movin' an' lookin' forward ta better things, remember?”
“Yeah, you're right, especially with what else we can do once you're at 100-percent again.”  
>“Like what?”  Applejack asks in a knowing tone, putting an arm on her hip.
“Hey, the possibilities are endless, as long as we're both willing to give then a shot...and no, my mind is not in the gutter, if that's what you thought I was thinking.”
>“Good answer,” Applejack chuckles, giving you a kiss before you climb onto Ollie's back.
“I'll try to make this patrol quick.  I'd rather not miss eating any of Granny's famous stew.  It's become a favorite of mine.”
>“There'll be plenty when ya get back.  Ah'll make sure of it.”
>Applejack waves you off, and you have Ollie gallop towards the orchard.
>This is certainly not how you planned to finish off the morning, but you're glad things turned out okay in the end. 
>If only the remainder of the summer can run a little smoother...

----------

>Summer break is slowly coming to an end.
>You're kept busy for the most part during the week, while the weekends are a mixed bag.
>Once everything around the farm is done, you've been taking off to either relax or handle other important business.
>Applejack doesn't mind, as you're working together most of the day, anyway..
>You at least stay in touch on the off-chance anything interesting transpires.
>Applejack's friends have been busy with their own forms of distraction.
>You've paid visits to Sugarcube Corner, so you see Pinkie a little more often than the rest.
>You give her updates on how things are going, and brainstorm ideas with her for the party she plans to throw at some point.
>Twilight has been focused on various experiments at home and prepping for the upcoming school year, but she's stopped by a few times at Applejack's request.
>They're mostly involved other possible problems you've found with the apple trees, but fortunately nothing major has shown up on them health-wise.
>Fluttershy is busier than ever at the animal shelter, so sadly there hasn't been much chance to catch up with her, although she promises to make it up once school is back in session.
>Rarity has gone away with her family on some trip during this last week, but before she left she mentioned she'd be making new shirts for you and Big Mac soon.
>Sunset, meanwhile, has been doing a lot of writing lately, and has shared some of it with all of you.
>Pinkie suggested she should put them together into a book of some kind, and Sunset said she'd consider it depending on how she felt.
>The one who's been keeping tabs the most, however, is Rainbow Dash.
>There is plenty of back and forth between you and her, while she does the same with Applejack.
>Given their friendship and occasional rivalries, you can understand her wanting to keep in the loop.
>You spend a little time with her on off days, mostly in sports-related activities.
>It's during one of these that you become familiar with her boyfriend, Soarin.
>He's a nice guy, but definitely competitive in nature, much like Rainbow.
>The two have known each other for a long time, but their actual relationship didn't fully blossom until near the end of her sophomore year.
>Soain claims it started with a wager they made during a soccer competition, which he won. 
>It turned into a series of dates, and it only grew from there.
>Rainbow insists she let him win, as she'd been wanting to do this forever.
>It's tough to truly believe her, though.
>She let him in on your 'going out' with Applejack, and it sounds like he knows most of the story.
>He's supportive of you, as Rainbow has been, and even provides a little advice here and there...
>...some involves things he's...done with Dash that you may want to try with a certain someone.
>You aren't sure when or if you'd be able to right now, but you thank him nonetheless.
>Unbeknownst to you, you'd have a chance coming up sooner rather than later...

>The last Saturday of August is here.
>It's a hot one – while the sun is out at least.
>It's also a windy one, and the clouds up above seem to whiz by faster than normal.
>You 'breeze' through the chores with little difficulty, as per usual nowadays.
>Once lunch was over, Big Mac had taken Applebloom out to meet with her friends, while Granny Smith claimed to have a little project to work on in the main house.
>You had gotten back from your patrol of the orchard, and you see Applejack is fooling around with one of her lassos.
 “Hery, what are you up to now?”  You ask as you make your way to her.
>“Practicin'” Applejack replies, swinging the lasso above her head.
>She keeps this going until she feels an approaching gust of wind.
>When the time is right, she hurls the lasso at one of the nearby fence posts.
>It misses, having been blown off course.
“Almost had it...”
>“Almost only counts in horseshoes an' government work,” she says, pulling the rope back her way.
“So what's this all about?”
>“Just tryin' ta improve mah aim.  There may be times when we need ta wrangle livestock in weather like this.  Ya gotta be prepared, ya know?”
“I guess.”
>“Come on, why don't ya try with me?  Ya've been doin' good with rope lately.”
>You take her up on the challenge, grabbing the extra rope she brought with her.
>“Go fer tha one ah've been tryin' ta land,” Applejack says, pointing to your target.
>You prepare your lasso and start swinging it.
>“Wait fer tha next gust,” she instructs. 
>You stick a finger in your mouth, then hold it up in the air to try and sense where the wind will blow.
>When you feel it, you let the lasso fly, sending it far left in an attempt to compensate for the wind.
>This unfortunately fails, and it goes way off target.
>“Ain't easy, huh,” Applejack comments.
“Guess not,” you reply.  “Doesn't mean I'm gonna stop, though.”
>“Good ta hear.  Let's keep goin'.”
>It goes on like this for a while, with neither of you getting any real headway.  
>The more you try, the more frustrated you get.
>How often would a situation like this actually come up, anyway?

>Applejack readies her lasso for yet another go.
>“Alright, here we-”
>The next wind gust is a strong one, and it's enough to knock the both of you off balance.
>It's also enough to take Applejack's hat off her head.
>“Shoot!”  She exclaims as she tries to regain her footing with her crutches.
>You do your best to do the same.
“Yeah...I think that's enough practice for one day...”
>Applejack isn't paying attention to you, instead focused on retrieving her hat.
>As she reaches out with a crutch for it, there's another wind gust, and the article is sent flying.
>“NO!”  She cries out, hobbling after it.
“Hey, where are you going?”
>“Ah gotta git it back!”  Applejack replies, continuing in her pursuit.
>You shake your head as you follow her trail.
>At this point, Mother Nature is having a field day with the both of you.
>Every time one of you manages to get close enough to pick up the hat, the wind blows it either further away, up in the air, or a combination of both.
>“Come on, will ya stop?!”  Applejack yells to no one in particular.
“There it goes!”  You say, as the hat is blown into the main barn.
>You and Applejack make your way inside, and you pause for a moment to catch your breath.
>She's scrambling here, there and everywhere to try and find where the hat may have landed.
>You check all of the stalls, as well as every nook and cranny on the ground level, with no luck.
>“Damn it!”  Applejack grunts in aggravation.  “Where did it go?”
>You continue to look around, until an idea comes to mind.
“Maybe it got sent up into the loft?”
>Applejack looks up there, and it seems like she's panicking a little, although you can't think why.  
“Wasn't Mac using a ladder yesterday to paint some of the shutters on the house?  Maybe he left it over there.  Hang tight while I take a look.”
>You take off towards the main house, checking around where you remember seeing Mac at work.
>Your memory proves correct, as it's on the ground, and you grab it before heading back to the barn.
>You expected to find Applejack impatiently waiting.
>To your dismay, she's ten feet in the air climbing up her rope, using part of a stuck out beam as an anchoring point.
>You can't believe this...

“Jesus, what are you doing?!”  You call out, putting the ladder down.
>“Gittin' mah hat back!”  Applejack replies as she struggles to climb.
“Get down from there NOW!”  You order, getting underneath her.  “Let me do it the safer way!”
>“Ah'm already committed,” she stubbornly replies, “and ah ain't stoppin' 'til ah git up there!”
“Don't be an idiot!  It's not worth it!”
>“It sure as hell is!  Ah gotta git it!  Ah can't lose it!”
>Of course, this is when the inevitable happens.
>With all of the running around from earlier, she's tired out to the point where she can't hold on.
>She loses her grip on the rope and plummets with a terrified shout.
>You're there to catch her, but the momentum causes you both to fall over into the hay.
>You lay to rest right over her, and you couldn't be any angrier than you are right now.
“DAMN IT, AJ!”  You shout.  “What the hell were you THINKING?”
>“Ah...ah was...” Applejack stammers in her panic.
“Doing something STUPID, that's what!  What would Granny say if you had another accident?”
>Applejack stares back at you frozen, with a look of pure fright.
“Why is that hat so goddamn important that you'd risk breaking your leg again?  Or worse!”
>Applejack sniffles, and her eyes start to water up.
>“It's...it's special ta me...it was...Ma's...”
>This causes you to snap out of your fit.
>“It's...all ah got left of her...ah don't know what ah'd do if anythin' happened ta it...Ma wore it all tha time, until she and Pa...”
>With that, she begins to weep, the tears streaming down her cheeks.
>Your stomach drops to ground level as you break off and away.
“Oh god, what am I doing...”
>Now it's your turn to have a panic attack, holding your head in your vain attempt to clear it of your negative emotions.
>You quickly stand, preparing to head back outside.
>“Anon, wait!”
>You stop and turn back as Applejack sits up.
>“Don' run away...please...”
>You clench your fists as your adrenaline dissipates.  
>You take several deep breaths in your effort to try and calm yourself down.

>Finally, you make your way back towards Applejack, and she pats the ground next to her.
>You sit down, though you're not sure what's going to happen.
“Sorry...”  You sigh.  “Now I'M the one acting like an idiot...”
>“No, yer not,” Applejack replies, wiping the tears from her eyes.  “Yer right...ah wasn't thinkin' straight...if ah was thinkin' at all...”
“Still...I shouldn't have yelled at you like that.”
>“Ya had tha right ta, ya know...” 
“And I should've guessed you had that kind of attachment with your hat...”
>Applejack leans your way, resting her head on your shoulder.
>“Ah've never really told anybody outside tha family 'bout it.  And ya know how touchy ah am 'bout mah parents...”
“Yeah...”
>You had never met them, as they were gone long before you ever met the Apple family.
>You never pressed any of the siblings on the matter; either from not caring or not understanding at the time from being so young.
>You sit like this in relative quiet for a bit, allowing the both of you the chance to decompress.
>By now the wind outside has died down, and it starts to warm up again.
“Alright,” you finally say, standing back up.  “Let's say you let me go grab that hat.”
>Applejack nods, and you pick up the ladder, positioning it to where you can climb up to the loft.
>Once you get up there, you spot the hat up against a stack of hay bales, and you grab the article before any sudden wind gust can send it away again.
>Applejack watches you as you climb down the ladder, a look of relief on her face.
“There we go,” you say as you sit back down, dusting the hat off and holding it out.  “A little dirty, but it's safe and sound.”
>“Thank ya,” she replies, taking it and putting it on her head once more.  “Guess ah owe ya another one, don' ah?”
“It's fine.  Shit happens, right?”
>“And ah guess all that confidence boostin' is workin' fer ya, after all...”
“Maybe TOO well...”  You reply with a shrug.
>Applejack sighs before putting her hands on your shoulders.
>Before you know it, she forces you onto your back, turning the tables from earlier.
>She has a genuine smile on her face as she lays atop of you, her eyes seemingly gleaming.
>“Ah meant what ah said.  Ah owe ya...”
>You feel a little flustered, but you do your best to hide it.
“What did you...have in mind?”
>Applejack chuckles.  “Ah've got a few ideas...”

>She comes down for a kiss, and you meet her halfway.
>It's a tender one, perhaps the most you've shared since your little relationship started.
>You put your arms around her as the kiss deepens, and you shift until you're both on your sides.
>You'll have to be careful not to move around too much, so as not to agitate her injured leg.
>Applejack breaks away to take a breath, and you follow suit.
>“Is it gittin' hot in here, or is it just me?”  She asks.
“A little, I'd say,” you reply.
>Applejack sighs again, reaching down in front of her.
>It seems like her ribs are much better, as she doesn't flinch as she undoes the top button on her shirt.
>You watch as she slowly works her way down until each button is out, revealing a light red bra with black trim.
>“Now ya know another color ah wear,” she jokes, wriggling out of her shirt.
“Looks nice on you,” you say.  “I wonder if-”
> “-ah have panties on ta match?” Applejack interrupts.
>You rub the back of your head and give a nervous chuckle. 
>She gives a grin.  “Wanna see?”
>You return her smile as you nod, and she goes for her skirt.
“Here, let me...”
>She giggles a little.  “Guess yer helpin' gittin' me outta this after all...”
>She trusts you to do so, and you carefully slide the article down her legs while avoiding the cast.
>As you expected, her panties are of the same color, with a black ribbon on the front of them.
>She looks gorgeous in this, and you take a moment to appreciate the sight.
>“Ah suppose ya like what ya see,” she says propping her head up, “in more ways than one...”
>She's looking down, and that's when you feel what she's viewing.
>Seems you've gotten a bit excited from this experience so far.
>You sheepishly cover yourself in your embarrassment.
“Sorry, I can't help it...”
>“Hey, it's alright.  Only natural, ain't it?”
“Heh...yeah, I guess so...”
>You look away for a moment, trying to regain your bearings.
>Applejack must be doing the same, as there's a period of silence between the two of you.
>It's definitely weird to you, and you're not quite sure what you should do right now. 

“We're not going too fast, are we?   I mean, at the start of the summer you were at my throat, and now it's like this...”
>“Ah dunno.  Ah don't think we are, but we can slow down a little if yer worried.  How far did ya wanna go, anyway?”
>You pause again to think.
“Only as far as you want to,” you finally reply.  “I'm not gonna force you into something you're not ready for.”  
“And I wouldn't want you hurting yourself doing anything...too involved...”
>Applejack blushes as she laughs nervously.  
>“Yeah...yer right.  Ah ain't ready fer somethin' like that yet.”
“Same here.  We're just doing a little exploring right now...”
>“Ta see what we can get away with?”
“Sheesh, when you put it like that...”
>“Ah know what ya mean, don' worry.  It's all new ta me, like it is fer you.”
>You sigh as you return to laying on your back, putting your arms behind your head.
“Just making sure we're on the same page...and that we both want to do this...”
>Applejack lays next to you again.  “Ah know.  What ah had in mind ain't crazy or anythin'.”
“So what did you wanna do, then?”
>Applejack shuts her eyes as she breathes in, as if preparing herself.
>“First...can ah...see it?”
>She opens her eyes, looking back down again, and you understand what she's getting at.
>“Ah'll let ya see more'a me, also.  Seems only fair.”
>You contemplate for a  moment, but you feel things are moving in a positive direction.
>You go to undo your belt buckle, followed by the zipper of your shorts.
>“Hold on, it's mah turn...”
>Applejack reaches in, and she helps you out of said shorts, leaving you in your boxers.
“You wanna explore more?”
>She nods, going for the flap up front.
>She has you exposed moments later.  Not quite at attention, but on the way there.
>Applejack observes it, taking her time and taking it in.
>“Sorry,” she says in her awkwardness  “Guess ah wanted ta know what ah'd be workin' with, thas'all.”
“Hey, I get it.  We can make it so there's...a little more to work with...if you want.”
>Applejack grins.  “Ya know what?  Ah think ah do...”

>With that, she takes hold of you down below in as gentle a grasp as she can.
>She then proceeds to pump in a slow rhythm.
>It feels strange to have someone else do the deed, so to speak, but at the same time it feels good.
>“This alright so far?”  She asks as she works.
“Yeah,” you reply.  “Nice and easy.”
>Applejack nods and continues at her...task at hand.
>It isn't long before there is indeed more to work with, and you're fully erect.
>“There we go, much better,” she says.
>You're not sure if she plans on going any other route with this...not that you'd mind either way.
>However, it appears she's content using just her hand, and she begins to pick up her pace.
 “Where'd you learn to do this?”  You ask.
>“A little readin', and some help from Twilight.  She an' her boyfriend Flash have been havin' their own fun, if ya know what ah mean.”
“How about that...”
>“But this ain't 'bout them right now.  It's 'bout us...”
>By now, every other pump or so is drawing a breath from you.
>You feel a particular buildup on its way, as well.
“Getting close,” you say in a quiet voice.
>“Hang in there,” Appeljack replies.  “Ah'm hittin' mah stride.” 
>She quickens her pace even more, and it's getting a greater reaction out of you..
>At the same time, her grip on you tightens ever so slightly.
>Soon you're brought over the edge, and you give out a loud groan.
>You let loose, shooting out ahead of you in several strings into the surrounding hay.
>Applejack lets go of you, a look of gratification on her face.
>“Guess that ol' six-shooter a'yers couldn't take it anymore,” she jokes.
“Maybe it was just the way it was being...handled,” you reply with a laugh, concealing your lower self once more.
>“Ah dunno 'bout that.  But anyway, how'd ah do?”
“I think you did well.  I'm sure there'll be plenty of time and chances to see what else works.”
>“If ya say so,” Applejack says, laying back down.
“How's about I return the favor now?”  You ask.  “You made me feel good, so it's only fair I do the same for you.”
>She smiles.  “Ah'd like that...”

>You move into position above her, and she brings her hands behind your neck.
>There's another deep kiss shared as you massage her shoulders.
>You work your way lower until you reach her bra, carefully lifting the cups up and out of the way.
>Sensing no indication to stop, you take gentle hold of her breasts, rubbing them all about.
>This causes Applejack to moan into your mouth, and she soon breaks from the kiss.
>“Come on,” she says.  “Ya still got places ta go.  Take control an' show me what them farm hands a'yers can do.”
>You nod as you lower your head to kiss her neck and collarbone, while at the same time tracing a finger down the middle of her torso.
>When you reach her panties, she spreads her legs out a little to grant you easier access..
>“Almost there,” she teases.
>This gets a chuckle from you as you bring your hand underneath, feeling around a bit and furthering your little game.
>You expected to find some hair, but she either cleaned up down here in preparation, or it's how she usually keeps it..
>“Hey, ya found what ya've been lookin' fer,” she says.  “Time fer ya ta claim yer reward.”
“It'd be my pleasure...or should I say, yours...”
>You extend your middle finger and slide it inside, which brings out a squeal from Applejack, something you did not expect to hear from her.
>“Sorry,” she declares.  “Ah've never had someone else do this fer me befer...”
“First time for everything...”
>You're lucky no one else is around, or else there might be some unwelcome snoopers about.
>Putting those thoughts into the back of your mind, you put your other arm behind Applejack's back and follow her example from earlier, pumping in and out with a slow rhythmic pace.
>“Mah god Anon,” she comments, “don' tell me ya talked ta Flash or Twilight, too...”
“Soarin, actually.  He gave me some suggestions on...certain techniques to use.”
>“Well...feels like they're workin'...keep goin'...like that...”
>You comply, continuing your sensual session by adding your index finger to the mix, while also going a little quicker.
>At the same time, you take one of her nipples into your mouth, giving it a nice suckle.
>Applejack seems to appreciate the added sensation, breathing heavier and arching her back.
>“Mmm...more...faster...”
>You comply, picking up your pace, while also switching your attention to her other breast so it doesn't feel left out.
>Soon your hand and arm are going as fast as they can, and Applejack nears her own breaking point.
>“Oh god...come on...oh god...almost there...a little more...almost-”
>She stiffens up and gives out a satisfied cry, and you can feel her climax staining your hand as well as her panties.
>You withdraw from Applejack's entrance as she calms down from the action, and you wipe your hand in the hay as best you can.

“So?”  You ask.  “How was it?”
>Applejack doesn't respond at first, giving herself the opportunity to resume breathing normally.
>“Ah think it was a good time fer both of us,” she says at last, kissing your cheek and embracing you. 
>You return the hug, glad to hear she enjoyed it as much as you did.
“Feels like we're done for now,” you comment.
>“Yeah,” she replies.  “That's more than enough fer me, what with the shenanigans today.”
“You think anyone will notice what happened in here?”
>“Ah doubt it.  If anythin', the cows may get a little extra salt in their diet.”
>You laugh, though you don't know what's funnier – the technicality of the sentence, or the fact that she's the one making it.
>The two of you stay together like this for a while, as neither of you are in a rush to end this moment of shared bliss. 
>After some time had passed, there's a sudden chill as the sun goes behind a giant cloud, and the both of you can feel it.
>It's here you agree to break things off and get dressed again, with you helping Applejack back to her feet and into her skirt, as you had done that time before.
“Well, besides a few hitches at the start,” you say as you pass the crutches over, “I think today was a good one.”
>“Ain't over yet,” Applejack says, taking them from you.  “Not while tha sun's out and about.”
“You wanna go out someplace later?  Haven't really had the chance to bring you anywhere so far.”
>“Ya mean like a dinner date?”
“Sure, why not?  Least I can do for you letting me explore you more.  There's this barbecue place my family goes to all the time that you might like.”
>“It ain't tha one that reopened after tha electrical fire, is it?  They could never git their ribs right fer mah taste.”  
“Nope, this one's a bit further out.  It'll be worth it, I promise.”
>Applejack thinks about it.
>“Ya know, ah'll try anythin' once.  Just gotta let Granny know ...an' git cleaned up an' changed first...”
“Fine by me,” you reply, waving the hand that you...used earlier.  
>Together you head back to the main house, feeling much better compared to earlier of the afternoon.
>What started as a ridiculous venture turned into a near perilous one, before changing again into a romantic one. 
>Not quite the chain of events you expected, but it worked out in the end.
>You're not sure what else Applejack is capable of, but you're certain she'll show you down the line as this relationship takes off.
>What you do know is that she won't be pulling any punches, so you'll have to be ready for it.
>All part of the territory with a girl like her.
>As for the dinner date you had, it went really well.
>The rack of ribs Applejack ordered was, in her words, 'finger-lickin' amazin'...'

----------

>Summer is over, and school is back in session.
>It'll still be a while before Applejack fully recovers, so you still have work to do.
>You also have to adjust your schedule to coincide with returning to classes.
>Some of the chores have top priority, while other less important ones can be saved for later in the day.
>Applejack helps you plan out what needs to be done when, following the model she usually goes with.
>On the first day back to school, you arrive at the farm an hour earlier than normal.
>The Apple siblings are already out and about, so you join them with the updated morning routine.
>Once 6am rolls around, you've already completed your assigned tasks for the time being.
>Granny Smith has breakfast ready once you all return to the main house, and there's plenty of time to enjoy it before leaving for Canterlot High.
>Big Mac, meanwhile, still has a little time on his hands.
>Behind the scenes, he has been prepping for his first college semester, and his first class of the day isn't until a bit later.
>You learned he's going to a community college a few cities away, which will allow him to keep up with his school work while also being able to help on the farm.  
>Given this was his plan from even before he finished senior year, you're not that surprised.
>He sees you off with a smile and a nod, and you drive his sisters to school.
>When you arrive, all of Applejack's and Bloom's friends are there to greet them. 
>There's a pair of group hugs, as well as a special 'signing event.'
>Everybody writes their name and/or a special message on Appleajck's cast, and news of her injury spreads rapidly.
>There's plenty of outpouring of apologies and support from other students, which you're glad to see. 
>At lunchtime you meet up with your friends and catch up on what's been happening.
>You honestly didn't have many chances to meet up with any of them, either because of the farm work, or because they were off doing their own things when you actually did have time.
>You fill them in on the past few weeks, although you choose to stay silent about your...latest interactions with Applejack.
>The rest of the day is pretty much orientation for this year's string of classes.
>Nothing out of the ordinary, which in turn means it'll mostly be a bore to you.
>Just gotta muddle through it as best you can.
>Once the final bell rings, you meet with Applejack and Bloom outside, and you notice something.
>Applejack's cast is completely covered in signatures and drawings in inks of all colors.
>You all have a laugh about it as you head back to Sweet Apple Acres to finish up the daily chores.
>After everything is done, Applejack provides you with a kiss and bear hug before you go home for the night, as well as saying “See ya tomorrow, sugar cube...”
>You think this is the first time she's ever called you this.
>Another nice moment to remember...

>It goes on like this for a couple weeks, with no real setbacks or advantages to be had.
>During this time, Applejack has been showing you a few tricks on her banjo.
>You've dabbled with your father's guitar quite a bit, so you thought this would be relatively easy for you to try out.
>Quite the opposite, actually.
>She helps you every step of the way, however, and eventually you're able to play somewhat decently.
>Nowhere near her level, of course, but it's a start.
>By the end of September, the school is abuzz about the upcoming talent show, where those participating have to incorporate a particular theme - “dreams.”
>Applejack asks you to sit with her and her friends at lunch one day to talk about it.
>“Ah thought we could all do a little something fer that show,” she says.
>She pulls out her phone and brings up a particular tune, which everyone at the table listens to.
“Cute,” you comment.  “I take it you want me to take the lead on this one?”
>“If ya want,”  Applejack replies.  “Thought it'd be a fun thing fer us all ta do.” 
“I can kinda see what you're going for.  There's just one problem.”
>“What's that?” Sunset asks.
“I...can't really whistle...”  You state, rubbing the back of your head as you look away.
>“Seriously?”  Dash asks.  “It's one of the easiest things in the world!”
>“Yeah!”  Pinkie agrees.  “There's even a song that tells you how to do it!”
>“Wait a minute...” Twilight says.  “You're not thinking about the performer whose name resembles a state, are you?”
>“Yeah, that's the one!”  Pinkie replies.  “There's lots of whistling in it, both with your mouth and talking about a physical one!”
>Dash groans, seemingly having the same thought as you are right now.  “I hate to break it to you, but...that song ain't about whistling...”
>Pinkie looks confused.  “Wha?  What's it about, then?”
>Twilight whispers into Pinkie's ear, and her face turns from her regular skin tone, to pale white, to beet red in a matter of seconds.
>“Oh...my...GOD!”  She shouts, covering her face in embarrassment.
>This gets the attention of other students in the direct vicinity, and your table does its best to wave them off.
>“What's wrong?”  Asks Fluttershy.  “I don't get it...”
>You and everyone else shake your heads at her naivete.
>“Darling,” Rarity answers, “let's just say it's not safe for school, work, or anywhere else public.” 
>“We're gittin' off-topic,” Applejack interrupts.  “Like Dash said, it's easy once ya know what ta do.”
“So...you gonna show me how?”  You ask with a slick grin.
>Applejack matches it with her own.  “Later on...”

>Later that day, after you've completed the regular chores on the farm, Applejack accompanies you to the orchard for your patrol.
>You take one of the horse-drawn carts this time to allow it.
>If seems like there aren't any issues to be seen today, so you take it easy.
>Along the way, Applejack keeps her promise from earlier.
>“Pucker up yer lips, as if yer about ta kiss someone,” she starts.
>You comply, although you feel a little ridiculous doing so.
>“Curl yer tongue a bit, and bring it up against yer bottom front teeth.  Then blow.”
>You follow the instruction and give it a shot, blowing air out of your mouth.
>“Now ya ain't gonna act like yer blowin' out some candles.  Ya need ta control yer exhale, keep it nice an' steady.”  
>You try again, not blowing as hard.
>“Pretend like yer one'a them big windstorms, and it's howlin' out there.”
“I still think this is a bit silly...”
>“Come on, Anon, work with me.”
>You attempt mimicking the wind, like she said, and it's the best sound effect you can muster.
>“Now try an' change tha tune.  Think about how tha intro of that song goes.”
>You nod and give it a shot, keeping the melody in mind.
>To your amazement, you hear the tune come out a little.
>“Hey, there ya go!”  Applejack exclaims.  
“How about that,” you chuckle, and you try it again.
>It's not perfect by any stretch, and you can't hit the high note near the end, but it's a start.
>You're tempted to try whistling a certain tune from 'A Bridge on the River Kwai,' but that'd be too on the nose.
>You aren't marching right now, anyway.
>“Ya just need ta practice, is all,” Applejack says, “and tha rest'a us will back you up.  It's gonna be a team effort, an' we got plenty'a time ta get ready fer tha show.”
“Right...”
>“One more time,” she states.  “And close yer eyes this time.”
>You shut them, and as you pucker up for your next whistle, you feel her lips meeting yours.
>It takes you off guard for a moment, but you regain your composure and control of the reins as you return the kiss. 
>“Sorry,” she laughs.  “Had ta git ya with that at least once.”
“Ha ha,” you reply sarcastically.  “Remind me to get back at you somewhere down the line.”
>“Mhmm,” she murmurs, and you return to the task a hand, this time whistling a bit as you work.

>The following weekend, everyone gets together on the farm to rehearse.
>You bring over your father's guitar, and Applejack has the banjo, while most of the girls have their own instruments to work with.
>Seems like they competed in some kind of band competition prior to this.
>Since it's rare for you to go to events like these at school, you never really knew.
>Dash generally plays electric guitar, but for this particular song she agreed to use Applejack's bass.
>Pinkie is on drum duty, because of course she is.
>Rarity has a keytar, something you did not expect from her to know how to play.
>Sunset and Twilight are kinda the odds ones out, as they didn't have instruments of their own.
>You all agreed for them to serve as backup vocals, and to sing the bridge near the end.
>Fluttershy normally plays the tambourine, but you decided to bring in something different to lighten the mood a little.
>“Coconut shells?”  She asks as you hand them to her.
“A little more old-timey,” you reply.  “And I think these would fit the feel of the song better.”
>Fluttershy nods.  “Sure, I'll give them a try.”
>With that, the practice goes on.
>You're whistling has improved a little bit, and everybody else is pitching their voices in, as Applejack said before.
>There isn't anything overly complicated with the melody, and it's a simple piece telling a simple story.
>And you have to applaud the choice in song, as it fits the talent show's theme nicely.
>By the day of the performance, you feel everyone is ready to go.
>As you and the girls wait to go on stage, you hear other student groups showing their stuff, either with talents or giving songs of their own.
>One of the standouts is Flash's band, appropriately named Flash Drive, doing a rendition of Van Halen's 'Dreams.'
>Other songs you hear include 'Dream Weaver' by Gary Wright and 'Dreams' by The Cranberries.
>'The Great and Powerful Trixie' performs a magic routine, while in the process talking about dreams and aspirations, as a way of motivating others to pursue theirs like she is hers.
>It's soon your turn, and you take the stage and set everything up.
>It looks like a lively crowd, which is a good sign.
>“Thanks y'all fer havin' us tonight,” Applejack says, speaking into one of the microphones.  “We got a nice easy one ta...ease us inta tha rest of tha show.”
“When we give the cue,” you instruct, “we want you to chant 1...2...1, 2, 3, 4 for us.  Easy enough?”
>The crowd cheers their acknowledgment.
> “Alrighty,” Applejack says.  “This here is Harry Chapin's 'Dreams Go By.'”
>You point to the crowd for them to start their chant, and you hold up the right number of fingers to cue their timing.
>At the '4', you start to perform: https://youtu.be/iLaLMK7n9BY?t=43

“There you stand in your dungarees,” you sing, “looking all grown up and so very pleased.
“When you write your poems they have so much to say.
“When you speak your dreams it takes my breath away.
“You know I wanna be a ball player, a regular sluggin' fool.
“But I guess our dreams must wait awhile, until we finish school.”
>Pinkie works the drums as you all sing the chorus.
>“And so you and I, we watch our years go by.
>“We watch our sweet dreams fly far away (away), but maybe someday,
>“I don't know when, but we will dream again.
>“And we'll be happy then, till our time (our time) just drifts away.”
>Applejack does a little dilly on her banjo as you hit the next verse.
“There you stand in your wedding dress.  You're so beautiful that I must confess.
“I'm so proud you have chosen me, when a doctor is what you wanna be.
“You know I wanna be a painter, girl, a real artistic snob.
“But I guess we'll have our children first.  You'll find a home, I'll get a job.”
>Some more drum work from Pinkie before the chorus.
>“And so you and I, we watch our years go by.
>“We watch our sweet dreams fly far away (away), but maybe someday
>“I don't know when, but we will dream again.
>“And we'll be happy then, till our time (our time) just drifts away.”
>Sunset and Twilight take their turn, singing the next bit.
>“Listen to the seasons passing, listen to the wind blow.
>“Listen to the children laughing.  Where do broken dreams go?”
>Applejack works the banjo again, then takes the reins for the first part of the last verse.
>“There ya stand in yer tailored suit.  So many years gone by, but yer still so cute.
>“We take tha car ta go an' meet tha bus, when our grandchildren come ta visit us.”
>You chime in.
“And you say you should have been a ballerina, babe.  There are songs I should have sung.
“But I guess our dreams have come and gone.  You're s'posed to dream when you are young.”
>Fluttershy knocks her coconut shell halves together as you sing the final chorus together, the crowd clapping along.
>“And so you and I, we watch our years go by.
>“We watch our sweet dreams fly far away (away), but maybe someday.
>“I don't know when, but we will dream again.
>“And we'll be happy then till our time (our time) just drifts away.”

>The crowd cheers as you take your bows.
>“Thank ya very much!”  Applejack shouts, and you pick up and leave the stage so the next group can get ready.
>You're greeted by some of the other students backstage, congratulating you on a job well done.
>It feels nice to be both included and appreciated, things that have felt absent to you for a long time.
>You hang out with Applejack for a bit as the rest of the show goes on.
>“Guess this night's fittin',” she comments.
“How so?”  You ask.
>“Just how everyone's talkin' about their dreams an' what they wanna do with their lives.”
“Yeah.  Gotta have some kind of plan, I guess.”
>“An' ah think ah figgered out wha ah wanna do.  Ya know they've been movin' us ta thinkin' more 'bout college an' whatnot.”
“So what are you thinking?”
>“Remember when Twilight came and helped find out what was wrong with tha trees?  Ah wanna learn how ta do that, an' use it ta help keep tha farm goin.'”
“Environmental sciences, eh?”
>“Yeah, that's it.  Don't wanna be like them silly climate hippies, though.  They're in their own crazy little world.”
>You chuckle at this.
>“Any idea what ya wanna do yet?”  She asks.  
>You look to the floor as you think.
“I don't really know just yet...I mean, as far as future work.  Still up in the air right now, but I'll come up with something.”
>“There's still time,” Applejack says.
“I know.  But...there's at least one thing I'd like to do.”
>You reach your arm around her to bring her in close.
“I'd like to be a part of your life...if it isn't...well...you know, at least some part of it as we move on.”
>Applejack blushes.  “Ya'd be willin' ta put up with me fer that long?”
“You've put up with me all this time.  But it's been worth it for the both of us, don' you think?”
>She smiles, resting her head on your shoulder.  “That's sweet of ya.  We'll see where it all takes us.”
“Who knows?  That stuff in that song might be true fer us, also.”
>“Only one way to find out...”
>You take the chance to rest, enjoying each others' company as you wait to find out the decisions from the judges.
>As it turned out, neither your group nor Flash's took the top prize that night.
>How the hell do so many great musical performances get beat out by somebody doing insane pogo stick tricks?

----------

>As the weeks progressed, things became progressively better and better.
>Appleack's leg had been healing up well, and by the end of October the cast came off.
>It was a breath of fresh air and a sigh of relief for everyone.
>Soon, she started on physical rehab to regain her strength and truly walk on her own two feet again.
>She still needed to take it easy, but it was certainly an improvement from when this all started.
>You continued to help on the farm, and it came to be a very important time...
>...the harvest.
>Extra hands were brought in for the occasion, and the sight of every tree having their apples picked was one to behold.
>You work closely with Applejack during this period, and you were up in there grabbing fruit from the higher branches.
>Your speed had gotten better since that ill-fated attempt during the summer, and this time there were no nasty comments or bad feelings to be had.
>Once the harvest was complete, so was the critical need for your services, what with Applejack at 100 percent again.
>It was bittersweet, given what this long stretch has done for you.
>But you had to look at the facts.
>With schoolwork starting to pile up, you needed to tighten your belt and focus on it.
>Senior year, after all...
>Both Applejack and Granny Smith let you know you're welcome to come down and help any time.
>You take them up on their offer when your schedule allowed it, mostly on days that were lighter as far as school went.
>It was a balancing act, to be sure, but you managed.
>There wasn't as much time to spend with Applejack, but she didn't mind that much.
>You both knew the time you did have would be well worth it.
>You've gone out to various places, at both of your suggestions.
>Some outings were successful, while others left much to be desired.
>Regardless of the outcome, it was the experience that counted.
>Your relationship at this point was holding steady, with no huge steps or leaps taken.
>You'd have loved to try a few risque things with her, but there was no real chance for it, for one reason or another.
>She did say she wasn't really ready for anything like that, anyway, and you weren't about to push it.
>The last thing you wanted was for it all to go over the edge again.
>It all came down to learning the boundaries and respecting them.
>You're certain she knew you were holding back, as she showed you appreciation in other ways.
>For one, her cooking skills were amazing...

>The rest of the school year felt like a blur, and before you know it, it's graduation time.
>Applejack and her friends passed all of their courses, as did you.
>Twilight was valedictorian, which was a surprise to no one.
>It seemed like everyone was able to find a good college to go to to pursue what they wanted.
>You're focusing on business and economics, and ironically it's the same place Rainbow's going.
>She's on a similar path as you in terms of subject, but she also chose it because they have a great sports program.
>Typical, but understandable.
>Meanwhile, Applejack is delving into the environmental sciences, as she's said she wants to do.
>In both of your cases, you'd be commuting, and both colleges weren't too far off, which works out.
>Pinkie holds another big bash to celebrate all of your successes in the past year.
>In a case of déjà vu, it's held at Sweet Apple Acres.
>The main difference this time is that Big Mac didn't have any 'special cider' this time around.
>Granny Smith made sure of that, to the relief of everyone involved.
>She also invited you back to work in the brewery for the summer.
>With this, you had an important choice to make.
>Do you follow the routine of the previous year, helping on the farm in the morning and work a part-time shift?
>Or, do you work full-time hours instead?
>In the end, you go with the latter.
>You need to make as much extra money as you can, as your parents said they were only paying a portion of your tuition. 
>The Apples seem to share your sentiment, and say farm work should be easier this time around.
>You're still able to join them for breakfast in the morning, at least.
>And with the shift ending around 4 or so, it gives you the chance to join Applejack on her afternoon patrols of the orchard.
>She seems to enjoy it like this, as it's just enough time to hang out without becoming totally sick of each other.
>It also gives you the chance to catch up, as well as vent your frustrations when a day isn't that great.
>She mentions she's taken up a little more sewing as of late.
>She's known how to do it, but she says she's been involved in what she calls a 'larger project.'
>She doesn't get into detail, but it sounds like it's very important.
>You've come to love this part of her – her fiery determination to see something through to the end.
>You notice that she's changed a little, both physically and mentally.
>Applejack notes the same about you, saying you aren't the same scrawny guy you were when high school began.
>The wonders of getting older, stronger and wiser, you suppose.

>Much like senior year, the summer goes by quickly.
>You're near its end, and part of you wishes it wasn't at that point yet.
>On the last Saturday, you go over to help with the farm chores.
>You spend some of it with Applejack, and somehow she's acting...differently.
>Not in a bad way, but it's certainly suspicious.
>You brush it off, focusing on the work at hand.
>Once the chores are complete, Big Mac takes Applebloom to town to meet with her friends.
>You head back into the farmhouse with Applejack, who's still behaving in her strange way.
“So what's wrong?”  You finally ask.
>“Nuthin',” she replies.  “Ah've been...plannin' somethin'.”
“Do tell...”
>Applejack shakes her head.  “Not yet.  Wait here.  Ah'll be down in a jiffy.”
>She heads upstairs, leaving you with a confused look on her face.
>You go to the kitchen, where Granny Smith is fixing up some sandwiches.
“Is there something you know about what's going on that I don't?”  You ask her.
>The matriarch chuckles.  “Ah have no ideer what yer talkin' 'bout,” she says.
>You shake your head and wait as patiently as you can.
>A few minutes later, you hear footsteps coming down the stairs.
>Applejack joins you in the kitchen, and you're taken by surprise.
>She's changed out of her work clothes and into a light blue sundress, an article you never expected to see her in.
>She's holding a large basket in her hands, complete with a plaid-patterned blanket.
“Wow...”  You state in your amazement.
>Applejack blushes.  “Ya like it?  Ah've been workin' on this fer a while now.”
“Your special sewing project, right?”
>She nods.  “Ah thought we could have a little picnic today, an' ah wanted ta look mah best...fer ya.”
“Well, I'd say you succeeded in that.  I guess that's what these sandwiches are for, then.”
>“Yup.  Come on, help me pack up.”
>She grabs some utensils and several other foodstuffs -  from homemade potato chips, coleslaw, some bottles of cider, and a small pie of sorts - and has you put them in her basket.
>“Y'all have fun now, ya hear?”  Granny Smith says with a smirk and a wink.
>There's no time to question what this is about, as Applejack grabs your arm, pulling you and the basket outside.

>You follow Applejack out to the orchard, taking hold of the basket for a while.
>At first you thought you'd be heading to the water hole, as it's a nice place to relax. 
>Instead, she takes you to the other end of the orchard, to an all too familiar spot...
>Your 'favorite tree.'
>At this time of the day, there is a good amount of shade to take advantage of. 
>You help Applejack unfurl the blanket and lay it out on the ground.
>Taking a seat, you spread out the food between you, and all of it looks really good.
>“Shall we?”  Applejack asks.
“Let's,” you reply with a nod.
>You dig in, and the next half hour or so is spent enjoying everything.
>There's a little small talk here and there, but all the while Applejack seems somber.
>You finally decide to break the ice.
“So what's with all this?  This doesn't feel like something you'd normally do.”
>“Am ah doin' somethin' wrong?”
“No, you're not.  Just wanted to know what the occasion is, that's all.”
>“Just celebratin', ah guess.”
“Celebrating?”
>“It's tha last weekend befer we head to college, fer one...but it also...woulda bin mah parents' anniversary today.”
“Of their wedding?”
>“There's that, but it's also tha day Pa proposed to Ma.  Ma wore a dress just like tha one ah'm wearin', an' they had a picnic here in tha orchard, under their own favorite tree...”
>You see her eyes are watering a little..
“Hey, it's alright.  Don't be sad...”
>“Sorry,” she says, wiping her eyes with a napkin.  “Ah wanted this ta be special, but it's hard ta not think 'bout mah folks, ya know?  It's makin' a mess'a things.”
“Don't say that.  We're still having a good time, aren't we?  I bet they're looking down on us right now and hoping we go through life as best we can.”
>Applejack smiles meekly.  “Ah'm sure they are.  Thank ya...”
>She scoots over and embraces you, and together you lay back on the blanket. 
>“Ya know...they did somethin' else out here that day...”
“And...what would that be?”
>Applejack takes a moment before answering.
>“They...made love...fer tha first time...”

>You shift your head to look back at her with a raised eyebrow.
>You feel your face reddening, just like hers is.
“...is that what this is really all about?”  You ask as you sit up again.  “I mean...the fact you're recreating everything your parents did...”
>Applejack does the same as she twiddles her thumbs.  “Well...ah wouldn' say 'all' about...but it's one'a tha reasons...”
“Then what else?”
>Applejack sighs.  “Listen...ah've bin thinkin' 'bout this fer a while.  We've gotten so much closer...ya've been a big help fer us...an' ah've bin wantin' ta make it up ta ya however ah can.”
“And taking a big leap like this is what you had in mind?”
>“Yer makin' it sound like a bad thing.”
“It's not.  It's just that...I thought you'd wanna wait until...”
>“Until after ah tie tha knot?”  She comments, finishing your thought.
”Yeah, I guess.”
>“Ah git it.  That's bein' traditional, and ah can't say ah've ever bin that way.”
“It doesn't mean you have to give yourself to me.  That's something important that can't be taken back.”
>“Yeah...ah know...”
“And what would Granny think if something...unintended...came out of it?  Then we'd really have to tie the knot – shotgun style.”
>Applejack laughs.  “Granny knows what ah have in mind.  Ah talked with her 'bout it this week.”
“And what did she say?”
>“Ta be careful if ah decided ta go through with it...”
>She reaches back into the basket and pulls a small box of condoms out.
“Thought of everything, didn't ya?”  You comment with a smirk.
>Applejack returns the expression.  “As much as ah could think of, at least.”
>She takes one of your hands in one of hers.
>“Please, Anon...this is a special time fer me...ah'd...like ya ta be mah first...”
>There's a look of determination in her eyes, but also one of almost brutal honesty.
>All characteristic of her...
>You put your hands on her shoulders.
“You're absolutely sure you wanna do this?  With me?”
>She nods.  “Yeah, ah am, an' ah really do.”
>You take a breath.
“Then...what are we waiting for?”

>Applejack responds by lunging at you, sending the both of you back onto the blanket.
“Geez,” you exclaim as she hovers over you.  “I thought we weren't going to be rough about it.”
>“Ya don't know me well enough, do ya?”  She says, hungrily eyeing you.
>Not to be outdone, you quickly reach up, grabbing her shoulders again and pulling her down until you're on top of her.
“Maybe not,” you reply, “but two can play at that game...”
>Applejack grins as she brings her arms around your neck, bringing you in for a kiss.
>You return it, and it quickly deepens as you lose yourselves in the moment.
>You feel her tongue asking to be let in, and you allow it to join in a dance with yours.
>She breaks off for a moment, bringing her forehead to yours as she chuckles.
>“Come on,” she says, taking her hat off, “help me outta this.”
>You nod as she turns around, and you slowly undo the zipper on the back of her dress.
>She lets it slide away, a bra of the same color remaining to cover her torso.
>Not for much longer, however, as you soon unhook the article, letting it drop as well.
>You put your head on her shoulder as you look down at her now exposed breasts, and you reach around to take gentle hold and massage them.
>She kisses you once more as you work, voicing her pleasure into your mouth.
>You reach down to pull her dress up and away, and she lifts up her arms to assist.
>While you set it aside, Applejack turns back your way with nothing but her panties on.
>“Yer turn,” she orders.  “Ah can't be tha only one losin' clothes right now.”
>You follow her lead, undoing your belt buckle and the button on your shorts.
>She reaches in, pulling the shorts and your boxers down in one careful, fluid motion.
>You're already getting a rise out of this, and she certainly seems happy to see it.
>She takes gentle hold as she's done many a time before, pumping you to get you where she wants you to be.
>In return, you lower her panties and insert a pair of fingers into her special place.
>She shivers at the touch, but other than that it doesn't phase her too much.
>As the mutual masturbation continues, you feel you're both getting more prepared for what's ahead.
>You, especially, as you feel more and more blood making its way down below.
>When you're at full mast, she unwraps one of the condoms and slips it onto you.
>It seems like she found the right-sized ones, as you're just about covered all the way.
>You shift yourself back until you're sitting up against the tree, while Applejack gets into your lap.
>She maneuvers herself until her entrance is just above your waiting member.

“Shall we?”  You ask in a little role reversal.
>“Let's,” she replies.
>She takes her time lowering her frame, exhaling as she sheaths herself on you.
>She gives a gasp when she reaches her lowest point, followed by a quiet moan.
>You had expected her to get right into it, but she stays put.
“You alright?”  
>“Yeah...”  She replies, a tear running down her face.  “Ah just...need a sec...ah've never had somethin' like this inside me befer...”
>You think this has certain implications on how she usually pleasures herself...
>...but now isn't the time to be asking such questions.
“How does it feel?”
>“It hurts a little...but it's gittin' better, ah think...”
>You reach out a hand, which she takes, lacing the fingers together with her own.
“Don't rush it, then.  Take the time you need.”
>Applejack nods, holding her position for a minute or two, allowing you both the chance to get used to this new situation.
>You take the time to appreciate this beautiful moment.
>You watch her breathe, her chest slowly heaving each time.
>The warmth you're getting feels nice, as does the sensation of her womanhood around you.
>“Anon...”  Applejack says softly.
“Yeah?”
>“Did ya ever think...we'd end up where we are now?”
“The hope was there...I just didn't know if or when we'd come to this.”
>“Ah know ah've bin tough on ya.  Ah'm sorry it's taken so long fer us ta git here.”  
“I'd have waited as long as you needed.  I'd never think of forcing myself on to you.”
>She lets go of your hand and brings hers to your cheek, caressing it before kissing you once more.
>“Thank ya, sugar cube...”
“Any time, apple of my eye...”
>Applejack chuckles at this pet name you gave her before taking a deep breath.
>“Alright...ah think ah'm ready now...”
>You're tempted to make a cowboy pun here, but you restrain yourself.
“From the top,” you reply instead.

>Applejack nods, raising herself up slowly before dropping again.
>It takes a little bit, but she soon finds a comfortable pace.
>The way she's moving, you'd never have known her leg was broken just over a year prior.
>You take hold of her hips, just in case she gets tuckered out.
>Soon enough, her breathing is synchronized with her movement; an inhale with each rise, an exhale with each fall.
> “How...is this...so far?”  She asks.
“This is...great...keep it up...”
>She supports herself with one hand on your stomach, while massaging her clit with the other to add extra stimulation.
>You're feeling effects on your body as well, even though you aren't contributing as much as she is.
>“Gonna...pick up tha pace...alright?”  She states.
>You nod in agreement, and she proceeds to bounce a little faster.
>Part of you expects her to grab her hat and wave it around as she rides you...
>...but that would be a bit cliché, wouldn't it?
>By now she's moaning each time she comes down.
>She must be near her limit, just like you are. 
>As if on instinct, she bends over to grab your shoulders, increasing her speed even more.
“...I'm...also there...”  You manage to say.
>“Me too,” Applejack replies.
>She shuts her eyes and grits her teeth as she goes at it even harder.
>“Ah...mah...ah...oh mah god...oh mah god...”
“AJ...ugh...gonna...”
>She suddenly cries out in pleasure, dropping one last time.
>Moments later, you groan as you unload an extra layer of warmth between the two of you...
>...at least, it WOULD have been between the two of you...if not for the rubber you're wearing...
>Applejack's strength finally gives out, and she collapses on top of you.
>You embrace her as her breathing rate comes down.
>She soon unsheathes herself and lays down beside you.
>“So...how'd ya like them apples?”  She comments.
“Y'know, I was wondering when you were gonna make that joke.”
>Applejack laughs as you pull and tie off the condom, tossing it into the plastic bag you brought along for trash.

>You both sigh your content as you stare up to the sky through the tree's branches.
>There's hardly a cloud up there, and it still feels warm despite the fact you're in the shade.
>You comb your fingers through Applejack's hair as she snuggles up to you.
>“Ah'm surprised ah lasted as long as ah did,” she says.
“Yeah.  I thought you'd need me to take the lead partway through.” 
>“Fat chance'a that,” Applejack retorts.  “Ah wanted ta prove ah could handle it, and it worked out.”
>You smile as you bring her in closer.
“Was this everything you expected?”  You ask.
>“Just 'bout,” she replies.  “Only one thing missin'.”
“What's that?  A proposal?  Like your parents had that day?”
>Applejack shakes her head.  “It's alright.  We ain't there just yet.  We still got a ways ta go.”
“True.  There's college to worry about, not to mention finding work that would pay for everything...”
>“An' that's just tha tip'a tha iceberg...”
“Hmm...”
>“...did ya wanna try doin' it some more?  Still plenty'a rubbers ta work with.”
“Maybe, but we should rest up before going at it again...”
“Besides...I think there's still something we haven't enjoyed yet.”
>Applejack realizes what you mean, and she reaches back into the picnic basket.
>She pulls out the mini pie and a knife to cut it with, and she splits it between the two of you.
>“Ta tha future?”  She asks, holding up her piece.
“To the future,” you reply.  “Yours...mine...ours...”
>You pretend to clink them together before enjoying them.
>As the afternoon progressed, there would indeed be some more love made.
>You took turns with who was dominant, and each time felt more amazing than the last.
>Not all of the protective supply was used, so the rest could be saved for another time.
>You'd still be able to meet up during college, anyway, given both of your commuting situations.
>As Applejack said, you had a ways to go before any big life-changing decisions should be made. 
>For example, where would you end up through your respective career paths?
>And would you decide to spend the rest of your lives together?
>It was all one big open book, and it'd be up to you to turn the pages...

----------

Twelve years later...

----------

>Another day, another dollar.
>And it's another day of phone calls with long-winded customers.
>Makes you wish you were out on the road today, but that alone wouldn't bring in new buyers.
>The brewery isn't going to sell its products on its own, after all.
>You've known that for a fact ever since you started working here all that time ago.
>You're packing up for the day when you hear a familiar voice. 
>“Yer still here?  Ah thought ya'd have started fer home bah now.”
>Granny Smith, still alive and kicking, greets you at your door with her trademark smile.
>While not officially retired, she has taken a slightly less prominent role in the company.
>She still oversees most of the operations, but leaves most of it to the people she's come to trust.
>People like you, for instance.
“I will be soon,” you reply.  “Just wanted to make sure everything was in order before the weekend.”
>“Well ya better hurry up.  Ya wouldn't wanna keep'er waitin', now would ya?”
“Knowing her, she's still working past the closing time, too.”
>“Then we oughtta git her off tha clock befer she works herself into a frenzy.”
>Nodding you follow her out of your office.
>“How're them new potential clients workin' out?”
“The one in Manehattan feels like a go.  The one in Fillydelphia wants some samples before committing to anything.”
>“Ah'd hate wastin' product on someone that may not be a shoe-in..”
“I've got a good feeling about it, though.  They wanna move away from the other big brand after that one made that god-awful marketing decision.”
>“Them an'a lotta other sellers.  Ah hear that place lost as fifth'a their sales this month alone.”
“It could be even more if they don't get their act together.”
>“If that new idiotic head'a marketin' of theirs is any indicatin', that won't be any time soon.”
“Definitely not...”
>“Well, their loss is our gain, if we can corner tha market.”
“That's what I'm here for.  I'll iron out the details with them next week.”
>“Alrighty.  Keep me posted.”
“Will do.”
> “Y'know, ah'm surprised we haven't found'er yet.  Where do ya think she is?”
“Where else would she be right now?”  You reply with a hint of sarcasm.

>The two of you work your way through the plant, eventually making it to the research lab.
>Inside, you find Applejack, wearing safety goggles, gloves, and a lab coat of sorts.
>As expected, she's still hard at work.
>At the moment she's mixing a few things together in a beaker before holding it up to the light.
>She appears to be satisfied as she brings it down, just in time to see you arrive.
>“Whatcha got there this time?”  Granny Smith asks as you approach.
>“Finalizing tha formula fer tha next flavor,” Applejack replies.  “Wanna try it?”
>She hands you the beaker, and you take a sip.
“Macintosh and...is that pear I'm tasting?”
>“Ya got it.  Thought it'd be a nice tribute ta our family heritage.”
“Oh right.  Someone from the Pear clan married into the Apples at some point...”
>Granny Smith gives it a try, as well.  “Very nice.  This is tha non-alcoholic kind, ah take it.”
>“Fer right now,” Applejack says, storing the rest of the formula in one of the fridges.  “If enough people like it, we can make a harder version down tha line.”
>“Hope ya haven't bin testing any'a that harder stuff,” Smith states.  “Tha two of ya've got somethin' else ta keep in mind.”
>She points to Applejack's pregnant belly, and she rubs it with a laugh.  “Ah told ya ah laid off after we found out, remember?”
“She's just messing with you,” you reply, rubbing said belly.  “She knows you're responsible.”
>“Just like yer responsible fer doin' this ta me,” Applejack remarks with a huff.
“Hold on,” you reply, putting up your hands playfully.  “If my memory is correct, which it usually is, you're the one who said you wanted at least one more.”
>Applejack lightly punches your shoulder.  “Simmer down, ah'm jokin'.  An' of course yer right.”
>“An' where's mah first grandchild, anyway?”  Granny Smith asks.
“Probably out in the orchard with his Auntie Bloom.  She had the day off, and said she'd watch him.”
>“Maybe we better go git'em befer they cause any more mischief,” Applejack says.
“Once we do, you wanna go out for pizza tonight?”
>“Ya read mah mind.  Our little one's got me cravin' somethin' with sausage an' beef all day.”  
“Sounds like a meat-lovers night, then...”
>“Ya wanna come with, Granny?”  Applejack asks.
>“While ah wouldn't wanna impose,” the matriarch says, “how could ah pass up a slice or two...”
“You're always welcome,” you comment.  “Shall we?”
>“Let's,” Applejack replies, taking your arm.
>You lead her and Smith out, talking about your respective days along the way.

>Let's back up a bit...
>It's been one heck of a roller coaster ride.
>You finished college with a nice business degree, with plenty of options for work.
>Fate decided to keep you close to home.
>You worked part-time at the brewery throughout college, switching to full-time during the summer.
>You learned what you could in each area of the job, with Granny Smith guiding you.
>Your relationships with the Apple family helped out, along with your work ethic.
>By the time you graduated, you had made your way to a salesman position, and it grew from there.
>You'd travel the region on most days, finding new customers and helping current ones with their needs.
>When you weren't on the road, you were in-house making sales calls and assisting in areas that needed it. 
>Applejack, in the meantime, excelled in her field, taking what she had learned and applying it to the company's research and development division.
>Not only was she tasked with ways of improving the growth and health of the apple trees, but also with finding new ways to use their fruit, especially in terms of flavors.
>She fit in perfectly and performed well, without the need of her family name backing her up.
>It wasn't all lab work, though, as she also helped with the financial side of things from time to time.
>All the while, the two of you remained close.
>You met up whenever the opportunity presented itself for the both of you...
>...some opportunities turning out naughtier than others. 
>But you remained cautious with each one like that, and nothing 'unexpected' ever came of them.
>You kept close with both Applebloom and Big Mac as well, who had both started on their own paths.
>Bloom had blossomed into a fine young woman, and she and her friends had kept in touch even through all these years.
>It seems they all wanted to follow a similar career path, helping out less fortunate kids find their purposes in life.
>With that, they joined the area youth support group, and they've all flourished since then.
>Scootaloo seemed to have the greatest gusto, giving inspiration to those children with physical disabilities by telling her own stories.
>Sweetie brought her musical talent along, giving singing and instrument lessons to everyone as a means of helping them come out of their shells.
>Applebloom herself was a born leader, and it wouldn't be long before she was made one of the managers of the place.
>Big Mac, meanwhile, had always wanted to go pro with his football playing.
>He found his chance with the college he went to, and easily made their team.
>He performed admirably, and it wasn't long after graduating that he found himself playing for a professional team.
>While the team he joined wasn't the greatest, he made his fair share of impact plays, and there was always the chance he could go play for someone even better.
>He'd eventually marry his high school sweetheart, and though it's been a while since you've seen him last, you know he's happy and doing well for himself.

>As for Applejack's group of friends, they of course stayed close, despite everyone having pursued their own paths.
>Some remained in the area, including Pinkie, who became star baker at Sugarcube Corner.
>She was made a partner within the place by its owners, and alongside her party-planning side hustle, she was both busy and happy.
>Fluttershy moved on to be a veterinarian, using her passion to continue helping animals in need.
>It was long hours with lots of work, but she still found time to provide her talents to the sheltered she volunteered with.
>Rainbow Dash played on her school's soccer team, and led her teammates in almost every category. 
>Nowadays she manages the sporting goods store she originally started working at.
>Twilight's love for everything science kept her firmly in the field, eventually landing her at a major lab in the region.
>She's been dabbling in a little bit of everything, from chemicals to robotics, and has been having the time of her life.
>Rarity moved the furthest away, traveling to Europe to hone her craft by designing various fashion for the masses.
>You understand her work has been featured on many a high-profile model runway, and it's even been appeared in several big movies as of late.
>You don't hear a lot from Sunset, but you've read a lot from her.
>She'd taken up writing, with dozens of books under her belt so far; some of them featuring characters based on all of you, which came as a surprise.
>And then, of course, there was you and Applejack.
>With how your relationship had blossomed these many years, taking it many steps further was all but a foregone conclusion.
>When you found a place of your own, and had garnered the funds, you proposed.
>Besides a 'yes,' she responded with a 'What took ya so long?'
>Parts of the song you performed with her and her friends during high school flashed through your mind afterward, including seeing her stand there in her wedding dress.
>As time passed, once you both felt you were ready for the responsibility, you decided to start a family.
>It began with your son, whom Applejack called Cameo, continuing her family's tradition of naming after apple-related things.
>While that was his full name, she also settled with calling him Cam for short.
>A few months ago, you learned she was with child again.
>She's hoping for a girl this time, and stated that if it is, she'd be naming her Opal.
>If it's another boy, she agreed to let you pick the name, which at the moment you're undecided on.
>It'll come to you in time, you're sure.
>Cam, now three years old, is picking up a lot of stuff, from farm chores to different sports.
>Soccer seems to be a favorite so far, and Applejack has been taking him to lessons, with Rainbow as the instructor.
>He couldn't be in better hands.
>You're not quite sure how many kids the two of you will end up having.
>You sense it'll be up to Applejack, and how long it'll be before she's had enough...

>For now, you're focusing on finding your first.
>While Granny Smith returns to the farmhouse to get ready, you and Applejack walk the all too familiar path through the orchard.
>Along the way you admire the pink blossoms emerging from the apple trees.
>You reach the end, and sure enough, there they are at your 'favorite tree.'
>Applebloom is pushing Cam on the old tire swing you had set back up, and he's enjoying every minute of it.
>“There ya are,” Applejack states.  “We've bin lookin' all over fer ya.”
>“Ain't many places fer us ta be,” Bloom replies, grabbing hold of the tire as it swings back her way.
“Yeah, we kinda figured you'd be down here.  How ya doing, squirt?”
>“Paaa, ah hate bein' called that,” Cam says with a groan.
>Despite having heard two different accents from his parents, he took after his mother in terms of speech pattern.
“Sorry, just a force of habit.  You know your old man.”
>In reality, the nickname came from two sources – how your lower regions were reacting when you believe you and Applejack conceived him, but also the 'salvos' you had to dodge when changing him as an infant.
>But enough of that for right now...
“So, how are the wedding plans going?”  You ask Bloom.
>“They're goin',” she replies.  “Pinkie said she'd help with tha after-party, so just gotta figure out what we're gonna have at it.”
>“Ah'm still surprised yer beau waited so long ta pop tha question,” Applejack comments.  “How long have ya bin goin' out?”
>“Five years, ah think?”  Bloom answers.  “Ah've known him longer than that, but he an' ah got more serious 'round that time.”
“We're happy for you regardless.  Hope everything goes well.”
>“Oh, ah've been meanin' ta talk ta y'all,” Bloom says.  “Lil' Cam learned somethin' new today.”
“And what would that be?”  You ask, looking back to your son...
>...who has seemingly disappeared...
>“Where did he go?”  Applejack asks, shifting her head around to try and find him.
>“Up here!”  Calls a giggling voice.
>You all look up to find the source, and there is Cam hanging out on one of the tree's branches.
>“He...can climb trees real good...” Bloom says with a nervous chuckle.
>Applejack looks impressed.  “Well ain't ya a clever lil' monkey.”
>Cam laughs.  “Ah ain't no monkey, ma!”
>“Ya may as well be,” his mother quips.  “Now c'mon down from there.  We got places ta go.”
>Cam hesitates.  “Uh...”
>He clearly looks nervous now, and you figure out why.
“Let me guess...you learned how to climb up, but you don't know how to climb down...”
>“If that's true, how has he bin gittin' down?”  Applejack asks.
>“Had ta git a ladder and grab'im mahself,” Bloom replies.  “It should still be by one'a tha other trees over there...”
“Then we better grab it before-”
>“HELP!”

>You all look up again, and Cam is now hanging from the branch he was just sitting on.
>Seems he was trying to adjust himself, and he slipped.
>Granted, he isn't that high up, but for someone his age it must still be terrifying.
“Brings back memories of when we were younger, doesn't it?”  You ask Applejack. 
>“Don't remind me,” She sighs.
>Thankfully, you know what needs to be done, getting underneath your son and holding up your arms.
“Don't worry,” you call.  “Just let go. We're here to catch you.”
>“P...promise?”  Cam asks in a frightened tone.
>“We'll always be here fer that,” Applejack replies.
>Your son takes a deep breath before finally letting go of the branch, and he drops down several feet into your waiting arms.
“Gotcha,” you proclaim, bringing him in for a bear hug.
>There was a little concern, but nothing you couldn't handle.
>“Next time,” Applejack scolds, “don't do anythin' like that without somebody spottin' ya, ya hear?”
>Cam sniffles.  “Sorry, ma...”
“Hey, don't worry about it,” you tell him, rubbing his head.  “We're just glad you're okay.  How about we grab some pizza to take our minds off of it?”
>“Ooh, can we git that weird ham an' pineapple one?”  He asks.
>You could not understand how he developed a taste for...that...
“...maybe you can get a kid-sized one,” you suggest as you set him down.
>“Ya wanna join, sis?  “Applejack asks.    “Granny's comin' also, so it'd be just like old times.”
>“Ah don't see why not,” Bloom replies.  “There's plenty'a catchin' up we need ta do, anyway.”
>“Then let's get goin',” Applejack states, “befer somethin' else happens...”
>You and your wife each take one of Cam's hands, and the four of you head back up the path.
>As you walk, you reflect on how things have gone in recent years.
>There was a time when you couldn't have imagined ending up where you are now.
>Frankly, it's been one heck of an experience, and it'll be even more so once your second child enters the world.
>You wonder what would have happened had you not taken Big Mac up on his drunken challenge that fateful day.
>Had things been just a little different, would you still have any of this?
>You shake the thoughts out of your mind, as there's no sense to dwell on the past.
>Instead, you choose to focus on building towards an even brighter future with your own hands...

FIN