My Little Pony: The Human Chronicles

Episode 23: A Good Old Rodeo

In Ponyville, another nice sunny day as the ponies of Ponyville enjoy their daily lives, Across the fields appears Applejack's Orchard, thousands of apple trees dominate the land as they all grow red as paint and tasting like pure gold. Grunts and thuds are heard, Toby Morrison and Applejack were together bucking the apple trees letting the apples fall into the baskets. The farm pony wipes some sweat off her forehead and smiles at the human

"Ah reckon we got enough Toby?" Applejack asked

Toby nodded with a smile "I think so, I'll just pick these up and put them in the cart."

They both pick up the buckets and start walking together through the trees, Applejack looked up to her friend

"Ah gotta say, it's really great having an extra pair of hooves...or hands. Thanks a bunch Toe, always glad to have ya here." Applejack said, tipping her hat at him.

"Not a prob Applejack, always happy to help," said the human, happily. "And I should be thanking you for the bits. Helps pay the bills, ya know?

Applejack smiles widely. "Any time, sugercube," she said as they continued walking to the cart.

While the human and farm pony were placing the apples in her cart, making sure it was secure for pulling towards the square, Applejack asked a question to Joe to pass time

"So, what're ya going to do after y'all finished here?" The farm pony asked.

"Oh, I don't know… maybe look around, see the town, there's lots to do around here you know." Toby reminded.

"Don't I know it, partner." Applejack agreed. She then walked over somewhere then trotted back to Toby with a small bag of money as usual and gently places in his hand "There ya go sugercube, your payment as usual, and like I said… we really appreciate yer help y'know."

Toby smiled. "Thanks AJ," he said before bringing Applejack into a hug.

The Earth pony blushed lightly as he hugged her, she smiled and hugged him back, enjoying every second that shouldn't be wasted. After a minute of them hugging, they slowly break the hug and smile at each other.

"Well Applejack, I better get going now, unless you need more of my help of course?" Toby offered.

"Ah thank ya for the offer but you go enjoy yourself while you can, never know when a monster's gonna attack or something." said Applejack with a slight grin.

Toby chuckled and gave her a nod. "Will do." he smiled, starting to slowly walk backwards and waving.

Applejack chuckled and waves back "Ya'll be careful now, sport!"

"Please! I know what I'm doing!" Toby said, confidently.

Just as he said that, Toby suddenly tripped on a small stone and yelped as he fell on his back. He moaned a little but quickly stands up, brushing some dirt off and blushes from embarrassment

"I'm okay!" he called out.

Applejack rolled her eyes and smiles, seeing her human friend jog off to the square.

"Ah, that Toby Morrison, always on the go…" Applejack mused before went to go set the cart on her back.

"Have ya told him yet?" A voice suddenly said at Applejack's side.

The farm pony yelped in shock but sighed in relief and frowns when she saw that it was Big McIntosh. "Big Macintosh, don't you know not to sneak up on ponies!?" she scolded.

Big Mac just gave her his plain stare ."As ah said before, you should tell Toby how ya really feel before somepony else takes him."

Applejack now blushed red, stuttering in her words "B-Big Mac, a-ah will one day but just… not now. Things are… kinda complicated, you know?"

"I know. Just looking out for ya, that's all." he said with a small smile, rubbing her head with his hoof.

Applejack laughed a little "Yeah, I know, yer my big brother after all."

"Eeyup."

"In fact… I think I know just how to spend a little more time with the rascal." Applejack realized. "You see…"

She was then cut off when a familiar blue Pegasus suddenly fell out of the sky and landed on the two of them. They laid on the ground in a heap.

"Oh, hey guys!" Rainbow said, casually.

"Rainbow! We're you spying on us again?" Applejack questioned.

"No!" Rainbow Dash denied. "I was busy… napping."

RD then gestured to the blanket and pillow on top of a large tree nearby.

"And I just happened to hear you mention you 'spending more time' with a little 'rascal'," she added." Who is he? Your boyfriend?"

"No!" Applejack said hotly.

"Then who is he then?' Rainbow questioned.

"Ain't none of your business Rainbow." Applejack stated, frowning.

"Aw, come on! Tell me!" Rainbow insisted.

"Sorry but information is between me and him." Applejack stated. "Nothing more. Now if you'll excuse me I got something else to take care of. Assuming you're not gonna 'nap' near me again… so long."

Applejack then began to trot off to a different location.

"Wait, but…" Rainbow Dash began before Big McIntosh pressed his face against her and gave a stern look that made her chuckle nervously.

"I'm gonna go over there now…" she said, quickly before zooming off. Big Mac just sighed and went back to work.

Unknown to him Rainbow was still watching Applejack from high above the clouds. She observed her as she began to make her way to town.

"Now where is that pony going anyway?" Rainbow wondered. "Hmm, better follow her, I might be able to find out who him is!"

Rainbow Dash then began to slowly follow Applejack from high up, so she did not see her.

---

Meanwhile, Toby was Ponyville square like any other day, unlike New York City, he could never be bored of seeing the same things or same ponies.

The human smiled, waved, and exchanged 'hellos' with some of ponies walking around and greatly enjoying their company.

"Hey! Hello! How's it going?" Toby said to each of them. He then saw a cute mare named Berry Punch walk by. "I owe you a call."

The mare giggled at him as Dr. Whooves trotted by him.

"Hey, good morning kid!" he said.

"Morning, Doc!" Toby called back. Then noticed he two mares named Lyra Heartstrings and her roommate Bon-Bon walking by as well. "Hey, how's it going?"

The mint green unicorn known as Lyra then began to stare at him wide eyed with amazement.

"Hello?" The human asked, surprised.

"You're really tall…" Lyra breathed.

"Uh…" Toby said, not knowing what he was supposed to say. The Earth Pony known as Bon-Bon put her hooves on her friend's shoulders as she tried to snap her out it.

"Uh… sorry about my roommate Mister Toby, she's a really big fan of yours," she said.

"I see… well… carry on." Toby said to them as he continued to walk away. Multiple ponies then began to greet him as he walked by. Including Vinyl Scratch, her roommate Octavia and Derpy.

"Hi, Toby!

"Morning Toby!"

"Sup Toby?"

Toby smiled at this then noticed Twilight and Spike approaching.

"Just so you know; me, spike and girls liked you first." Twilight smiled at him.

"Hey you two, what's up?" Toby questioned.

"Oh we're on our way to Fluttershy's." Twilight Sparkle replied.

"Yeah, she's come down with a real bad cold, so we're going over there to check up on her." Spike explained.

"Huh, must be the same one Pinkie had…" Toby mused. "Hey, can I come?"

"Oh I don't know… Fluttershy really doesn't want other ponies to see her when she's ill." Twilight told him.

"I'll see, and you don't even want to see how much snot she sneezes out!" Spike exclaimed.

"Spike!" Twilight scolded him.

"Dude!" Toby added, disgusted.

"What? I'm just saying the pony is a goop factory, you know." Spike stated.

"Well if you need my help just…" Toby began to say before he heard a loud screeching sound above him. Everypony looked up and saw something big and large flying over them like a vulture only it looked much more scary.

It was tall, had purple fur and seemed to resemble an emu of some kind. It also had a long and pointed beak and red eyes. It screeched loudly, causing all the ponies to run around in panic while screaming at the top of their lungs.

Toby's face fell. "Speaking of which…" he said, before turning to the others. "Be right back!"

Toby squatted down as his wings magically grew out of his back with a bright glow before he unfolded them both out fully, at which point the glow faded. Toby then sprung into the air while whooping enthusiastically.

The giant emu flew a little lower and began to chase two scared and screaming fillies down the street until a whistle caught his attention. The bird turned and saw Toby flying close to it.

"Uh… excuse me, sir? This is a no flying zone." Toby told the beast before sticking a piece of paper to its beak. "Here's your ticket… and he's your fine!"

Toby side kicked the giant emu in the side of the fly hard and fast, sending it tumbling across the ground until it crashed into a store. Rubble rained on it. Toby landed in front of it, ready for whatever else it could throw at him. The giant bird then removed itself from the destroyed building looking sore.

"Your move precious!" he said, with a smug smile.

The emu screeched then flew back into the sky to get away from him.

"Ok, you want to dance? Let's dance!" Toby declared as he flew upward as well. The residents below watched as they stunning aerial battle took place above them. They were literally all over the place, a brilliant flash marking every one of their collisions.

As he flew Toby threw enough magical screwballs to strike out every batter in the National League. The giant bird followed a long, graceful curve that carried it neatly through the entire fusillade before flying right by Toby, making him spin around and around in mid air until he managed to regain his composure. He then spun around looking angry from getting hit so hard.

"Ok, enough playing around!" he exclaimed. "Well… not completely."

His hands glowed with his blue magical aura which both came together and created a gigantic construct that resembled a giant tennis racket. He magically held it up as the beast flew back towards them, readied the shot then swung it straight down once it got within range. The giant emu then made a spectacular nose dive to the ground where it crashed and made a giant crater in the ground.

"Fifteen love." The boy quipped.

Toby then landed back on the ground as everypony else gathered around the giant fallen bird while the dust cloud began to clear around them.

"Is that you got?" he asked it, still eager for more. The bird simply made a weak screeching sound as some of its feathers rained down on all of them. Toby shrugged. "Fine, be that way, see if I care."

Toby took one of the feathers and threw it over his shoulder as he turned, walked forward and bowed to everypony who then began to cheer with glee and relief. Sparks then began to crackle all over the young human as he struggles to stand up straight.

"Almost forgot… shouldn't use those constructs too much…" he muttered to himself as he held his arm.

Spike ran over to Toby, who had finally managed to shrug off the pain "Nice one Toby! That was awesome!"

"I know, I know," Toby nodded, clearly pleased with himself.

"So… these monsters aren't sneaking around anymore?" Spike observed as he stared at the fallen emu monster.

"Seems like." Toby confirmed. "There definitely getting bolder… but they aren't getting any smarter… hey where's Twilight?"

"Oh she went on ahead to check on Fluttershy, I just wanted to enjoy the show and hang with ya some more." Spike said.

"Cool!" Toby smiled.

"Hey, Toe!"

Spike sighed. "Well… fun while it lasted."

Toby turned and saw Applejack rushing over to him, she appeared to be in a hurry.

"Whew! Glad I caught ya Toe, I've been looking for ya," she said.

"Well, you found me, so what's up?" he asked.

"Well I wanted to ask you something but… can we… maybe talk about this in a less… public place?" Applejack asked.

"Sure." Toby shrugged.

"Ooh, can I come?" Spike asked, eagerly.

"Can he?" Toby inquired.

Applejack sighed. "Fine… but this is just between us, alright?"

"Yes ma'am!" Spike saluted.

They then walked away from the large crowd that was gathering around the giant bird and taking pictures of it and stopped at what appeared to be an alleyway.

"Ok… is this private enough?" The human asked.

"Plenty." Applejack nodded.

"So what'd ya need to talk to me about, AJ?" Toby inquired.

"Well ya know mah cousin Braeburn?" she began.

"The super talkative guy from Appleloosa that I've heard about? Yeah." Toby answered wondering what one of Applejack's relatives had to do with her needing him.

"Well ya see his wedding to his girlfriend Little Strongheart is this Saturday." Applejack explained.

"Really? He's marrying a buffalo girl? That's pretty cool." Toby admitted.

"Yeah, we're even having our own old fashioned rodeo to celebrate it, but the real reason I'm telling ya this is because I was wonderin; if you'd... if you'd…" Applejack trailed off.

"Be what?" Toby asked in confusion at her pausing.

"Uh-oh, she's stammering." Spike whispered to Toby. "Girls don't stammer unless they've got a lot on their minds!"

"Relax, it's probably nothing." Toby assured him.

"If… if ya'll would be my date?" she spat the words out, with a hopeful finish.

Toby was taken aback by Applejack's request, while Spike just fainted. "I'm sorry, what?"

"A date, you and me." Applejack repeated. "Just the two of us."

"Really?" Toby questioned.

"That's right." Applejack nodded.

"Wow… I don't really know what to say… I mean I'm flattered you came and asked me Applejack, but out of all the guys in you know in Ponyville why choose me?" Toby inquired.

"Well I feel much closer to you than any other guy here…" she explained.

"You know I hear Caramel is a nice guy, and you like him." Toby pointed out.

Applejack blushed a bit and rubbed the back of her neck. "Well yeah but… he also has a cold so… you're my next choice."

"Though why do you need a date anyway, is it mandatory or something?" Toby wondered.

"Well not exactly…" Applejack admitted, "See every family gathering some of mah relatives keep hounding me if I found somepony yet, especially Big Mac. That way if you come hopefully they'll get off my case about it."

"So in other words you need me as a… buffer?" Toby said, getting what she meant as he folded his arms.

"No… Not like that, Toby. Believe me I wouldn't wanna use you like that. It's just… I couldn't think of anyone else better to join me. Plus mah family loves ya."

"Well I have to agree with that." Toby admitted, proudly.

"So whadaya say, Toe?" Applejack asked hoping for a good answer.

"Hmm… hey, what the heck? You got yourself a date!" Toby declared.

Applejack's face brightened up with a smile, "Thanks sugarcube. I knew I could rely on ya." he hugged the boy making him blush.

"No problem…" Toby answered, while blushing from such close contact with the girl.

"Of course we'll need Rarity's help for getting ya ready." Applejack noted.

"Right! I need a cowboy outfit!" Toby realized. "So… you then?"

"Sure thing, just make sure your at the train station on time." Applejack reminded him.

"Got it!" Toby said, before dashing away. "Catch ya later, AJ!"

"Ok, later!" Applejack waved before she sighed and said 'Yes!' to herself before walking away and leaving Spike on the ground in a peaceful sleep. She then zipped back and put a pillow under his head before leaving again, which made him smile.

Meanwhile, unknown to her Rainbow was watching the whole thing from above and she did not look happy.

"So… those two are going on a date, huh?" Rainbow asked herself. "Better ask Twilight what to do… or else she'll cream me for it."

Rainbow then zipped away before anypony could notice.

---

A couple of minutes later, Toby was back in the Carousel Boutique where he had already asked Rarity to design him a fancy yet western looking cowboy outfit for him to wear to the rodeo/wedding.

"All right darling, to truly make a 'cowboy' outfit, you must first learn how to own the outfit, and not just with bits you know." Rarity told him as she circled him a bit. "You have to… as the saying goes… 'walk the walk' as well as… 'talk the talk', if you catch my drift, dear."

"Yeah, I got it." Toby nodded. "So when do we start?"

Rarity then started taking his measurements right away. "We just did!" she said.

"You know you don't have to take my measurements, Rare." Toby reminded her. "You know how tall I am."

"Yes, but it's been years since I gave you your last outfit and obviously you've grown since then." Rarity stated.

"True." Toby admitted.

"So these measurements are completely necessary." Rarity concluded while she continued working. "Aha! Got it! Now stay perfectly still."

"Do I really have a choice?" Toby asked, in a deadpan tone.

"Not at the least." Rarity said, before she magically put a stand in front of him and her as she began to work on getting him into his new outfit. Multiple sounds were heard from behind the stand, especially Toby's shouting.

"D-ah, ow, oh, hey, wow, watch it, whoa!" he cried.

When Rarity pushed away the stand Toby was now wearing a cowboy like outfit. It consisted of a red cowboy hat, his long sleeved blue shirt, a brown cowboy vest, crimson red pants and dark brown cowboy boots with actual spurs.

"Ooh! Snazzy!" Toby remarked.

"Oh my stars, I do believe I have outdone myself!" Rarity exclaimed, admiring her handy work. "And might I say darling you look simply divine and dapper in that outfit!"

"Thank you, kindly." Toby said, gratefully and with a Southern accent as he tipped his hat to Rarity. Then Spike came in.

"Hey Rarity, Hey Toe… whoa! Cool outfit!" Spike exclaimed gazing at Toby's new cowboy outfit.

"Why thank ya, partner." Toby nodded. "Though most of the credit goes to Rarity, she made it."

"Oh but you pulled it off." Rarity stated.

"And you talk just like Applejack!" Spike added.

"Thanks, I've been kind of practicing it since I met her." Toby said. "When I was little I dressed as a cowboy, but my accent was so bad it sounded like I was wearing a pair of giant dentures."

"Ooh…" Rarity and Spike grimace.

"Yeah…" Toby said, a bit shamefully.

"Well then, you'd best be getting on that train, don't want to keep Applejack waiting." Rarity reminded.

"Right! Better get moving." Toby said, as he headed for the door.

"Farewell Tobias!" Rarity waved.

"Yeah, good look with your date!" Spike teased.

"We're not dating! We're just going as friends!" Toby stated.

"Of course…" Rarity said, unconvinced.

"We are!" Toby insisted.

"Whatever you say, dear." Rarity snickered

"Toby Applejack sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" Spike sang.

"Real mature guys, real mature." Toby muttered, sarcastically as he exited the bouquet.

---

Meanwhile, at the Golden Oaks Tree Library, Rainbow was talking to Twilight, as well as Spike, Rarity and Pinkie, who had all just arrived, about what she say while her unicorn friend read a book and jotted down some notes on a piece of paper using her magic. At the moment Rainbow was currently ranting to her friend as she paced back and forth in the library.

"And then she asked him out on a date. A DATE!? And he said 'yes'! Can you believe it?" she questioned.

"Uh… yeah. You just said that." Twilight pointed out.

"I know, I know… I'm just… ticked for some reason." Rainbow said, folding her front hooves and looking frustrated.

Twilight leaned over to her friend grinning. "Rainbow… Are you sure you're not just, you know...jealous?" she asked.

Rainbow's eyes widen to the size of dinner plates. "Me? Jealous!? Of Applejack!? Please! I am simply stating the facts! That's all!" she denied, as she huffed and looked away. a moment of silence passed them, until Rainbow got fed up and shouted, "It's just that he's always spending more time with either her, Fluttershy, or even Twilight! and now with him as Princess Luna's apprentice, it's even more impossible to try to have some time with him!"

Twilight was a bit perplexed about Dash's attitude, until Rarity figured it out, "Oh my goodness. Rainbow Dash, is it possible you have... special feelings for Tobias?"

Rainbow Dash's eyes couldn't have gotten wider in shock, until she denied, "N-No! Shut up!"

"Aww, you're in that special L word with him, aren't you?" Spike asked.

Pinkie Pie went wide eye, as her eyebrows flew up with the sound of a train whistle, and landed back down. "Lobster!" Pinkie Pie shouted happily.

Spike monotone as he corrected, "No. Love."

Pinkie Pie's eyes sparkled as she cheered out, "That's an even better L word!"

"I am not in love!" Rainbow yelled.

"Whatever you say…" Twilight said, with a small smile. "So… what are you gonna do about it?"

"Well… what do you think I should do?" Rainbow asked her.

"I don't really think there's anything you can do." Twilight told her friend. "I mean I don't think you really have any say in what goes on between Toby and Applejack and if you try to interfere they may never forgive you."

The others all nod in agreement to this.

"But…" Rainbow began.

"No Rainbow, please, don't do anything you'll regret." Twilight Sparkle urged her. "You have to learn to control your jealousy."

"I'm NOT jealous!" Rainbow Dash insisted.

"So you say…" Rarity said.

" just promise me you won't do anything reckless… as usual." Twilight told her.

Rainbow Dash sighed. "Ok…" she said, before she got an idea. "Wait… you said not to do anything reckless right?"

"Yeah?" Twilight confirmed, not sure what she was getting at.

"So… you didn't say anything about me not following them?" Rainbow Dash inquired.

"I don't think so but…" Twilight began to say.

"Thank you!" Rainbow said before zooming out the library door.

"Rainbow, wait!" Twilight Sparkle hollered, but she was already long gone. Her ears drooped after this. "Uh-oh…"

"This is not gonna end well…" Spike remarked.

"You said it!" Pinkie agreed, before emitting the sound of a bomb falling and then exploding.

---

Meanwhile, at the Ponyville train station Applejack was waiting patiently for Toby to arrive then much to her pleasure she saw the now cowboy dressed human walking up to her.

"Whoo-whee! That's some outfit you got there, Toe." Applejack remarked.

"Thanks, I figured since I'm going to a rodeo I might as well look the part." Toby shrugged. "And don't worry I brought my suit, too."

"Glad to hear it, so how does it feel to be a cowboy?" Applejack asked him.

"I feel a bit silly…" Toby admitted. "Not to mention sleepy, which is probably because I didn't sleep much last night…"

"Well… that's life on the farm. Except for the uh… silly part anyway." Applejack said. Then the train started making it's classic 'choo-choo' noise.

"All aboard for Appleloosa!" The conductor called out.

"That's are cue! Let's roll, partner. Everypony else is already inside waiting." Applejack told Toby as she walked into the train.

"Right behind you!" Toby called out as she ran in also. Unknown to either of them, Rainbow had just landed on the train compartment they entered and rode on it as the train began to leave the station.

Inside, Toby and Applejack both took a seat near Big McIntosh, Granny Smith and Apple Bloom.

Toby tipped his hat to them. "Howdy ya'll."

Apple Bloom waved to him. "Howdy Toby! Nice duds!"

"Eeyup." Big Mac added.

"Very snazzy, sonny." Granny Smith nodded with a warm smile.

"Thanks guys." Toby smiled as he sat down in front of them, with Applejack sitting next to him. He turned to her "So if my knowledge of your past it correct, the ponies of Appaloosa and the Buffalo tribe didn't get along that well, right?"

"That's right." Applejack nodded. "It almost ended up in disaster until they realized that all their fighting was just bringing more misery. Like Pinkie said, they just needed to learn how to share."

"And the wedding?" Toby asked.

"Well a little while after the whole fiasco, Braeburn told us that he began to develop very strong feelings with the chief's little girl." Granny Smith explained.

"Yeah, so they went on a couple of dates and decided what better way to unite everypony then with a wedding!" Apple Bloom exclaimed. "Right Big Mac?"

"Eeyup." The giant stallion confirmed.

"Hmm, sounds like a good idea to me." Toby stated.

"Sure is, and we're mighty glad you're coming with us." Applejack smiled.

"Darn tooting, it's about time Applejack brought a very special somepony with her." Granny Smith smiled. This caused the two of them to blush and stammer a bit.

"Look Granny we uh…" Applejack began.

"We're just going as friends! That's all! Really!" Toby insisted.

"Hmm-hmm?" The other three nodded with little smiles on their faces.

"Well I just hope the others can handle everything while I'm away." Toby said.

"Why?" Applejack inquired.

"I don't know… I just have a feeling something bad is gonna happen as soon as I leave town." Toby admitted.

"Trust me Toe, knowing you… the trouble is probably gonna follow you all the way to Appleloosa." Applejack told him, putting a comforting hoof on his shoulder.

"Uh…" Toby began to say before he started thinking a bit. "You're probably right…"

They then heard a loud thump on the top of the train compartment they were inside. They looked up.

"Did you guys hear that?" The human asked. They all nodded in confirmation.

"Ah, it was probably just a tree branch or something." Applejack shrugged. What she didn't know was that it was Rainbow Dash, tripping on the top of the compartment, which made a bit of a 'thump'. She quickly stood back up and continued to ride it.

"Whew! Hope nopony heard that…" she muttered, as the train continued to make its way towards Appleloosa.

---

It took a long while or so but after crossing the long and dusty desert the train finally reached Appleloosa, which was like Ponyville in a way only it had more of a Western feel to it. Inside the compartment, most of the group were fast asleep due to the long ride there, including Rainbow Dash who was napping on top of the compartment.

When the train finally stopped Toby woke up and was surprised when he found Applejack's head resting on his shoulder, so much so that he yelped loudly. Applejack then yelled, startled, followed by the others and finally Rainbow Dash up top.

"Oh lookie, were here." Applejack remarked.

"About time, let's go!" Toby said as he got up and headed for the door.

"Wait for me!" Apple Bloom called out as she chased after him. Everypony else soon followed.

Rainbow soon noticed them exiting and hide herself so that should would not be seen. Toby gazed around the surrounds of Appleloosa and looked mighty impressed.

"Nice! Pretty quant town." Toby remarked.

"It sure is…" Applejack nodded.

"And here comes the pony of the hour." Granny Smith pointed out as they turned and saw a stallion walking up to them, his yellow coat shining like the sun, a winning smile dominating his features under brilliant green eyes.

"Howdy there and welcome to Appleloosa!" The stallion exclaimed excited.

"And you must be Braeburn…" Toby said.

The stallion nodded. "And you must be the famous Toby Morrison, I've heard a lot of stories about you city slicker."

"All of them good I hope." Toby smiled.

"I'll say, you're a real legend around this and every other part of Equestria, you know that?' Braeburn asked.

"Oh he sure does, Toby here is a celebrity around Ponyville and this boy is enjoying every minute of it, am I right?" Applejack teased with a grin.

Toby shrugged. "Well a little attention is always cool, plus it's nice to finally walk around without anypony being afraid of me."

"I understand that."

They all turned and saw a young Buffalo girl approaching the group, her name was Little Strongheart the daughter of the chief.

"Well, if it ain't the blushing bride to be!" Granny Smith gushed.

"Eeyup." Applejack added.

"Hi, Little Strongheart!" Apple Bloom waved.

"Greetings everypony, it's so good to see you all, especially you Applejack." The buffalo girl said. Applejack tipped her hat to her.

"Woo-wee! Talking ponies, talking cows and now talking buffalos… now I've seen everything." The human stated.

"Ten bits says your wrong." Applejack smirked.

"I'll take that bet." Toby nudged her playfully. Rainbow Dash's head became red as a cherry as she angrily watched the two of them laugh together.

"Why that little…" Rainbow growled.

"We're especially glad now that you're here now, Mister Tobias." Braeburn told Toby. "Because we all kinda got a… situation."

"What kind of 'situation'?" Toby echoed.

"AHHH! LOOK OUT!"

They all turned and saw what appeared to be a large buffalo that went by the name Chief Strongheart AKA Little Strongheart's father was charging uncontrollably towards them. They all yelped with fear but Toby stood his ground, readied himself and grabbed Strongheart by the horns and he attempted to stop him. The forward momentum caused Toby to be pushed back far, his shoes making deep and long tracks in the dirt, before he managed to stop him right when they reached the train. Everypony sighed in relief while others cheered.

"Whoo-wee! Your boyfriend sure is strong, cuz!" Braeburn remarked a bit teasingly to Applejack who blushed furiously.

"Oh, can it would ya!?" Applejack said, embarrassed and hotly.

"Whew! That was a close one…" Toby said to himself, relieved.

"Indeed, thank you for stopping me." The chief said.

"Chief!" Little Strongheart cried as she rushed over to her tribe leader. "Are you alright?"

"I am fine, Little Strongheart…" Chief Thunderhooves assured her. "Thanks to this young…"

"Human." Toby finished.

"Human. Of course." The buffalo nodded. "I've heard of your kind but I have never seen one up close until now."

The big buffalo kneels down and sniffs Toby, making him flinch a bit.

"You smell funny," he said.

"I smell funny?" Toby inquired, incredulously.

"I am Chief Thunderhooves and you have already met Little Strongheart here."

"Nice to meet you Chief, I'm the famous Toby Morrison," The human said. "I'm a superhero, you have heard of me right?"

"Ah, yes, the famous Toby Morrison from Ponyville we know all about you." Chief Thunderhooves confirmed. "Your wisdom and courage are admirable. You should be very proud"

Toby nodded thankfully while Apple Bloom nudged him with a smirk and Big Mac ruffled his hair.

"Uh… Chief?" Applejack interjected. "You mind telling us why you were running straight for us like a mad pony?"

"My apologizes for that, I was on my way to greet you all when I accidently slipped on one of Pinkie Pie's prized cupcakes." The chief explained.

"Pinkie Pie!?" Toby and Applejack exclaimed. The aforementioned pink pony then popped out of nowhere.

"Hey, you guys!" she said, happily. Everyone screamed, startled before she held out a tray of cupcakes. "Cupcake?"

"Pinkie! What are you doing here?" Toby questioned.

"And how did you get here?" Applejack added.

"The same way Rainbow Dash did; I followed the train!" Pinkie Pie replied. "Oh and Spike's here too! I brought him along!"

They turned and saw the little dragon himself walking through the town, minding his own business till he noticed everypony staring at him.

"Hey guys!" he waved, happily.

"Rainbow Dash!?" The two of them said surprised and in unison again.

"Boy… they are really good at that." Braeburn told the others who nodded in agreement.

Toby and Applejack turned to the part of the train behind them where they saw the blue Pegasus herself poking her head out from behind the train and chuckling nervously.

"Hey guys…" she waved before Toby pulled her over the train with his magic and levitated her in front of them.

"Rainbow, what in tarnation are you doing here?" Applejack demanded.

"Uh…" Rainbow began, trying to think of an excuse.

"Oh she was following you because she was feeling jealous about how much time Toby spent with you." Pinkie answered.

"PINKIE!" Rainbow Dash hissed, annoyed.

"Rainbow, why would you feel…" Applejack began before it suddenly dawned on her. "Oh!"

"What 'oh'?" Toby questioned, not getting it.

"Well…" Applejack started to say but she trailed off.

"It's kinda complicated…" Rainbow Dash continued, twiddling her hooves.

"No it isn't! They…" Pinkie Pie interjected and began to say before she too was interrupted.

"Uh, excuse me, ya'll? Not that this ain't entertaining to watch and all but uh… we still got our own problem to deal with here." Braeburn reminded them.

Toby then regained focus. "Right, sorry, what's the problem anyway?" he asked, before turning to AJ and Dash. "We'll talk about this later."

"Well you see… as you know me and my beloved Braeburn will be wed soon." Little Strongheart began as she put her head on Braeburn's shoulder while they held hooves. "But not all the members of our tribes are not exactly… happy about it."

"Didn't take it well I assume." Toby said.

"Got that right, partner." Braeburn confirmed. "They've been causing us a lot of grief lately and we're all afraid they might attack and destroy Appleloosa."

"So how can we help?" Toby asked.

"Well… since none of us want to start another brawl with them buffalo, after what happened last time… but maybe if you could try to calm them down and convince them that this is our choice and that we don't want to fight, maybe the wedding can go on." Braeburn told him.

"So… you want me to negotiate?" Toby inquired.

"Pretty much!" Braeburn said, in a cheerful tone. "Hey, maybe you could convince them to join in our little rodeo as well!"

"You really think they'd be up for it?" Applejack questioned.

"I for one in enjoyed it, as did Chief Thunderhooves here." Little Strongheart said, Thunderhooves then nodded in confirmation. "So I'm sure they will like it if they all give it a chance."

"But first we need to convince them… " Spike said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

"I'll do my best, don't worry." Toby assured them. This made them smile relieved.

"Thank you." Thunderhooves told Toby.

"Sweet! Can I help?" Rainbow Dash asked, eagerly.

"No." Toby said, quickly.

The Pegasi then dropped to the ground, disappointed. "Why not!?" she exclaimed.

"Well… no offence Rainbow, but you're not exactly… 'the negotiating type'." Applejack told her. "I mean I know Little Strongheart is your buddy and all but this is something Toby has to do. You know, living legend who kind of lives up to the legend and all."

"I know that! But I can help!" Rainbow insisted.

"And I'm telling you, ya can't!" Applejack stated.

"Can so!" The Pegasus retorted.

"Can… not." The Earth Pony countered.

"GUYS!" Toby hollered as he easily picked the two up with both of his hands. "Do I have to separate you two like a couple of children?"

They both paused before speaking. "She started it…" Both ponies said.

"Yeah, well I'm ending it." Toby told them, firmly before dropping them onto the ground. "And she's right you know Rainbow, your too tough for delicate stuff like this, so let me handle it, ok?"

Rainbow Dash lowered her head to the ground.

Braeburn whistled. "He's an angry fellow ain't he?" he asked, Spike.

"Actually… this is one of his good days." Spike pointed out.

"Ooh… I never thought I'd see the day when Toby played good cop." Pinkie Pie remarked, fascinated.

"Every is relative, I suppose." Little Strongheart shrugged.

"But… what makes you more qualified?" Rainbow Dash demanded. "You always up for a fight, especially when me and the others first met you."

"I was a hormone crazed twelve year old boy RD." Toby said. "I've grown up since then! Hopefully you can too… now if you'll excuse me… I've got some buffalo to talk to. Everyone just stay here, watch and prepare to hoof it in case this goes south."

Everypony, aside from Rainbow Dash nodded in agreement.

"Braeburn, where are the other buffalo's now?" he asked.

"Just a few clicks that-a-way and don't worry, you'll see them." Braeburn assured them.

"Yes, they are already on their way as we speak." Little Strongheart added.

"Ok then, wish me luck." Toby told them.

"Good luck!" They all said as Toby zoomed off into the desert to find the rival buffalo tribe. Spike then noticed the unpleasant look on Rainbow Dash's face.

"Hey Dash, you ok?" he asked.

"I am going to help him… no matter what!" Rainbow promised.

"Yeah… that's what we're afraid of…" Spike muttered.

---

Some time had passed and Toby was now in the middle of the desert, more specifically right between the land of the buffalo and Appleloosa. He was far off but not too far as everypony else was able to watch him via binoculars as well as listen to them thanks to a fancy looking hearing device set up near them.

Toby looked around him and saw nopony in sight so far. "Ok, I'm here… now… where are those big, hairy buffalo dudes?" he wondered before he heard the sound of rapid hooves approaching him. "Ah, speak of the devil."

Toby turned and what appeared to be a large black and dark brown mass approaching him from the distance but as they got closer they could see that they were all buffalo and they looked very, very angry. Instead of running Toby just stood his ground and waited from them which worried everypony.

"What's he doing?" Rainbow demanded, stressed. "He's gonna get himself smashed to bits!"

"No he won't, remember; just week to managed to stop all the cows from stampeding against with just one word." Applejack reminded her.

"Yeah, but those were cows! Those are buffalo! Much harder to rein in!" Rainbow Dash stated before turning to the Buffalo standing near her. "No offence."

"None taken." Chief Thunderhooves assured her.

"And actually, we'll take that as a compliment." Little Strongheart added.

"I just hope Toby can get them to listen…" Spike said.

Pinkie Pie just chowed down on her popcorn. "Oh this is so exciting!" she squealed.

"Pinkie, this is not exciting, this is serious!" Rainbow Dash told her.

"Do not worry yourself young Rainbow Dash, if your human friend says he can handle it, then we must have faith in him." Chief Thunderhooves said.

"Yeah, I know…" Rainbow said, lowering her head before gazing at Toby again. "Just careful Toby…"

The human boy's eyes narrowed as the buffalo herd got closer and closer to them and just when they looked like were about to run him over he held out his palm to them.

"FREEZE," he ordered, which made all the buffalo screech to a stop, just like that.

"Wow!" Little Strongheart said, amazed.

"Yeah, he's that good." Applejack smiled.

"Who are you?" One of the buffalo demanded.

"What are you?" Another added.

"My name's Toby Morrison, I'm a human and I'm with the townspeople of Appleloosa." The teen stated.

"Oh you are you?" The bigger buffalo growled as he approached Toby, only to be pushed back him.

"Let's keep things peaceful furball, I just want to talk." Toby said to him.

"About what?" One of them stepped forward.

"I take it your in charge of the rogue group of buffalo hooligans?" Toby questioned.

"Correct." The buffalo nodded. "I am Blackhooves and we are here to put an end to this abomination of a wedding."

"Well that's a bit harsh…" Toby remarked.

"It's how we feel!" Another buffalo shouted.

Toby turned to said buffalo and his eyes narrowed at him. "I'm going to ask you to keep your voice down. " he told him, menacingly. Blackhooves gave the buffalo a nod and he stepped back.

"Now… why are you here?" he asked.

"I told you to talk, listen I know your all mad about one of your own marrying a pony but it's they're choice." Toby stated.

"And we are here to take it back!" Blackhooves told him. "Is that not clear?"

"But they kids there… families! Fighting and anger won't get you anywhere in this, it'll just make more lives miserable!" Toby said.

As Toby continued talking to the buffalo Rainbow slowly became more and more restless.

"Come on Toby…" she whispered.

"What are you so jumpy about?" Applejack asked her.

"Look, that big buffalo guy is wide open… I could end this right now." Rainbow said.

"Yeah, or start something else…" Applejack reminded. "Just have faith in Toby, he can handle this."

"But shouldn't we help?" Rainbow Dash inquired.

"Right now, staying out of your friend's way is best help we can give him at the moment. Like young Applejack said, we must have faith in Tobias." Chief Thunderhooves said. The others all nodded in agreement.

Rainbow gave them all look then continued looking toward Toby, who was still trying to negotiate.

"But wait, didn't Thunderhooves and Appleloosians agree to share the land?" Toby questioned. "Why couldn't you agree to that? He's your Chief, isn't he?"

"Not anymore." Blackhooves retorted. "Not after he allowed this to happen and turned his back on us!"

"Only because wouldn't give it a chance!" Toby pointed out. "Look is a fight really what you want? Is it what any of you want?"

"What we want, is to make those traitors pay. Period." The loud buffalo from before stated. "Time for you to leave, boy."

Toby paused and sighed before speaking. "Look, your all angry I get that. But both groups have already fought before and don't want to fight again. "And after, they agreed to share the land something beautiful came out of it; Braeburn and Little Strongheart feel in love," he stated, gesturing to the happy couple from before. "Like I said, anger doesn't get you anywhere in this, you fight now and folks are gonna hurt on both sides, lives will be ruined and all you'll end up with is an even bigger hole then you've already dug for yourselves."

As he spoke the other buffalo all slowly began to calm down and exchange glances with each other,

"Now, you all calm down, walk into town with me with a clear head and an open mind and you're one of us. Your our friends. We let go of all of it, and nopony gets hurt." Toby said. "But if you attack now, if you go over that line… you might not come back from it. But you haven't. You haven't gone there yet. You may have caused these folks some trouble but you can all still come back. You're not too far gone yet. You can all come back. I know… you can all change."

His words struck a chord in each of the rogue buffalo and touched many of the Appleloosians that were listening, including his friends. Applejack even smiled sweetly at him while Rainbow Dash just smiled vaguely.

Blackhooves then began to step closer to Toby.

"I think… I think he did it!" Braeburn declared. "I think he finally got through to them!"

"I hope so, but let's just wait a little more… you never know after all." Little Strongheart reminded him and the others.

The giant black buffalo then began to raise his hoof, from another person's perspective it seemed like he was about to strike Toby.

"Wait schmait! He's gonna attack Toby!" Rainbow Dash stated. "But not on my watch!"

The blue pegasus then zipped off ahead of them before they could even stop her.

"Rainbow, wait!" Applejack called out, but she was too late. Rainbow zoomed over to where Toby and Blackhooves were and to their surprise Rainbow head-butted Blackhooves hard in the face knocking him back and making everypony gasp.

"Rainbow! What are you…" Toby started to say before Blackhooves looked at them angrily.

"Liar." He muttered before he began to swing his hoof Rainbow's way.

"Move!" Toby cried as he pushed her out of the way only to be smacked across the face hard by Blackhooves forehoof.

"Toby!" Applejack screamed, as she began to move.

"No, AJ stand back!" Toby called out to her as Blackhooves continued to strike him while he did nothing, eventually it ended with Toby getting bucked in the chest and skidding across the ground, it even knocked his hat off. He looked up and revealed a black eye on his face, which made Rainbow furious.

"Why you…!" Rainbow began to say.

"No, Rainbow! We're not fighting back!" Toby stated, before turning to Blackhooves. "And you, you really want to keep striking somepony who won't hit back?"

"Uh…" Blackhooves said, unsure of how to answer.

"Do they look like they want to fight?" Toby asked, gesturing to the scared Appleloosians behind him huddling together fearfully. The answer to that question was obvious.

"I…" Blackhooves breathed.

"This isn't right! It's wrong… and you know it!" Toby told him, as he bent down, picked up his hat and put it on. "Now please don't fight… just give it a chance, let them prove to you that this change isn't as bad as you believe it to be. You can even join in the rodeo if you want! Or you cause more pain, suffering and fear. The choice is yours."

A thoughtful look appeared on Blackhooves face while Rainbow helped the sore Toby stand up straight.

---

Some time passed and pretty soon everypony in Appleloosa was heading for a large chapel at the edge of town, including the buffalos. Soon they were inside, with Spike and Toby sitting next to Applejack with the rest of her family on the groom's side of the church, and watched her cousin Braeburn and his lover Little Strongheart be wedded and on Little Strongheart's side were all the buffalo's, including the Chief and Blackhooves who shared a friendly smile with Toby, indicating that the agreement between them all went smoothly.

After the ceremony and the reception, as well as the big rodeo, which included rope swinging contests, barrel racing and good fashioned games which some of them succeeded at and some failed miserably at, Toby, Spike, Rainbow, Pinkie and Applejack's family were all headed back to the train in order to go home.

"Boy… that sure was an awesome ceremony." Toby remarked.

"Ya darn tootin it was." Granny Smith nodded.

"Eeyup." Big Mac also nodded in agreement. The newlyweds themselves approached them.

"Hey ya'll, thanks for all your help! None of this would have been possible without ya'll." Braeburn told them.

"And thanks to you Toby, Chief Thunderhooves has agreed to let Blackhooves back into the tribe!" Little Strongheart added. "Even though he did hurt you a bit…"

"Yeah, way to take one for the team Toby-woeby!" Pinkie Pie told him.

"Ah, no problem." Toby shrugged. "Glad I could help."

Rainbow scratched the ground a bit looking a bit shameful before speaking. "Toby? I real sorry I nearly ruined that whole 'talking things through' for ya… I was just… worried," she apologized. "I got kind aggro and… that was definitely not cool…"

"Ah, you just wanted to prove you could help out me and your friend, I get it." Toby assured her, which made her smile.

"So Toby, are you and Applejack... you know…" Candy Apples was winking at him and Applejack making the two blush.

"Now Little Strongheart, don't embarrass our guest." Braeburn lectured softly and amused seeing that Applejack was feeling more embarrassed than Spike was.

"I'm just teasing you guys, relax." Candy Apples chuckled

"Ah, it's alright. And you know I can't believe I actually started to think Rainbow Dash might have a crush on Toby here." Applejack shrugged. Those words surprised Toby a bit.

"You do?" he asked her.'

"Uh…" Rainbow said went wide eye, as she seemed offended by that, and asked Applejack, "Hey! What did you mean by anyway?!"

Spike answered, "Well… you don't exactly have any charming qualities for a girl."

"HEY!"

Spike then shivered, "That... and can you imagine what the kids would look like?"

Toby went wide eyed with that, and grimaced in agreement, "Yeah, that would violate so many laws of nature."

Rainbow Dash merely huffed, as she fluttered away, "Yeah, seriously. Me and Toby together. Who'd imagine that?" she asked. "I can't believe you guys actually thought that.

"Yeah, right…" Toby added.

"Well just remember y'all; love works in mysterious ways." Braeburn told him.

"And always prevails." Little Strongheart added as she and Braeburn nuzzled affectionately

Meanwhile, while they were talking once she was far enough from anyone to see, Rainbow took a small turn to look at Toby, whose oblivious to her gaze and smiled, blushing, indicating that Applejack's guess about her indeed having a crush on him… was certainly right.