Two heads popped from behind a tree.  Once sky blue, the other orange.  One with a pair of binoculars, and both with camouflage helmets made from stray tree branches and leaves.  From the point of view of the pegasus with binoculars, between the trunks of numerous trees and the empty baskets next to the trunks, another orange pony like object came into her field of vision.  

Rainbow Dash smiled to herself.  Applejack is always the most fun to prank, next to Rarity.  Those two overreact the most out of the other five.  Applejack's short tempered personality makes for a good laugh when she gets worked up to the point where she can buck a tree clean in two over the simplest of pranks, and Rarity is just...well Rarity.  Put an extra stitch on one of her dresses, or even put a single wrinkle on one of them and she acts like it's the end of the world.

Applejack smiled to herself and stretched her legs, preparing for the next round of tree bucking.  Every day, Applejack wakes up two hours before sunrise, eats breakfast, tends to her farm animals, walks Apple Bloom to school (on weekdays), then begins to map out the section of the farm she will be harvesting with Big Mac that day.  At about noon, she hauls a good portion of the harvested apples onto a cart and takes position at her stand in Market Row.  At the end of her shift, she tags off with her brother and goes back to the farm to either buck some more, or do other odds and ends chores.  

Dash and Scootaloo caught Applejack right at the end of her shift at Market Row.  Once she had taken care of something inside the farmhouse, she emerged happy and ready to finish her daily harvest.  The first tree came into view.  Applejack approached it and made sure a basket was ready to catch the fallen apples.  She reared her back lags and balanced on her front legs, and with a powerful force from years of applebucking, she extended her legs.

And nothing happened.

Applejack blinked.  She observed the baskets that were sprawled at the base of the trunk.  Not a single red delicious was contained.  Now, according the basic laws of gravity, once the apples were dislodged from their stems, they should have fallen.  Could it be possible that it was one of those times where gravity just decided to be a misfit and screw around?  Possible.  Gravity won't fare well though when the Makers have his head on a silver platter for breaking their rules.  Science, who needs it?

Leaving the bipolar gravity behind, Applejack decided that these apples had a tougher stem.  So she kicked again, and the same outcome happened.  "What in tarnation?"  She exclaimed.  Another kick; same outcome.  "What kind of Celestia forsaken tomfoolery is goin' on in here?"  

Beside her, a tree giggled.

An orange ear perked up at the sound, and Applejack rounded on it.  She stared down the tree, just daring it to laugh at her again.  Insolent fool, how dare that tree mock her ability to buck?  She'll show it, she'll show all the trees who dare defy her.  With a gruff and another exert of twin legged force, a shockwave was sent through the trunk of the defiant tree.  A few bangs and thrashes later, and two non-apple like objects fell from it; one cyan, and one orange.  It seemed ol' Iron Bark wasn't making fun of her.  Applejack will have to apologize to the tree later.

Now you see, when a pony is about to die and their body is laying limp on the ground, wounded, sick in bed, or hanging by the gallows, they are allowed a last rite.  They can have the choice of having a priest come to them and read off their last rites shortly before their demise.  However, in this case there is no priest.  Basically saying: Dash and Scootaloo are screwed.

The older of the two pegasi nervously laughed and avoided eye contact.  "Heyyyy Applejack.  How's the, uh, harvesting goin'?"

Applejack smiled, a sinister smile that caused Dash to visibly flinch.  "Oh you know, all fine and dandy.  'Cept for the fact that somepony done rigged mah trees!"

Being the earth pony that she was, and being the pegasus that she was, Applejack was naturally slower than Dash when it came to reactions.  Right before a foreleg impacted her chest, the blue coated mare swiftly dodged the attack and jumped onto her hooves.  "Listen AJ, we can talk this out.  I mean c'mon, it was just a harmless prank!"

"Prank?!"  Applejack yelled, furious.  "Dash you do realize ah gotta have these here apples harvested by a certain time?!  I can't have ya messin' around when ah'm workin'!  Whatdya even do to 'em anyway?"

"Duct tape."  Dash replied.

Applejack vented out another enraged huff.

Dash raised her hooves defensively.  "Alright alright!  Everything's gonna be ok.  Just calm-"

A small breeze quickly passed through Dash's mane, as well as a thumping sound.  She looked up, taking note of the multicolored strands of hair gently floating to the ground, as well as the menacing sickle impaled right above her mane into the trunk of the tree. "-down."

A quick glance to Scootaloo was all she needed to confirm their next plan of action: run and scream like little fillies.

(\/);,;(\/)

Running from a scythe-wielding-madmare with the intent to kick the snot out of a certain rainbow hued character was usually not easy, unless one had wings.  However, a small, terrified passenger was on board, slowing her down by a tad, which in that case made a huge difference.

Once the epic chase was over with, which ended in Applejack coming to the grand realization that chasing Dash was a complete waste of time.  So she opted for a verbal threat, and retreated back to the farm.  

As soon as they knew they were in the clear, Dash and Scootaloo fell over backwards, rolling on the grass, and spilling their guts.  Their balling lasted for several minutes before it died out and the two pegasi laid in the grass in quiet serenity as they caught their breaths.

Scootaloo was the first to break the silence.  "That was so awesome!"

"Did you see the look on her face?"

"Yeah!  She was so mad!"

"And the frikin sickle!"

"Jeez it was so close!"

"I thought she was gonna kill me!"

"And the way she chased us!  She looked like Snowflake!"

"Yeah, except for, ya know, she was mad at us, not hungry and wanting to eat us!"

A series of laughter erupted.

"Seriously, what is up with that guy?"  Scootaloo asked.  

Dash shrugged; still giggling.  "It's Snowflake, we don't question these things.  I mean, I don't want to wake up one day in his stomach!"

"Question Snowflake; he sits on you, then eats you.  It's logic."  Scootaloo said.

"Logic?"  Dash questioned.  "More like 'Natural Order'!"

Another round of laughter.  "Where did all these jokes come from?"  Scootaloo asked.

"Jokes?"  Dash questioned again.  "These aren't jokes, Scoots.  This is Snowflake.  Remember the Hearthswarming tale?  The reason why everyone was starving?  Yeah it was Snowflake, not Windigos."

"Oh oh!  SHHH, here he comes!"  Scootaloo exclaimed, ducking behind her companion.

Oddly enough, the muscular white pegasus was walking down the streets of Ponyville, heading towards their location.  Sweet Celestia, he probably heard them!  He's gonna sit on them, then eat them!  Curses, they shouldn't have spoken of Snowflake out loud in public where he could hear them from miles away.  You see, Snowflake has this thing where whenever someone is talking about him, he knows.  Because it's Snowflake.

The over zealously buff pegasus approached the duo, who were currently straining to keep their giggles under check.  "Heya Snowflake!"  Dash greeted.  "What's up?"

Snowflake just eyed her suspiciously.  "Nutin much'."

"Awesome.  See ya at work tomorrow big guy!"

Snowflake nodded and continued his trek.  

A few tense seconds passed before the two pegasi broke into uncontrollable laughter.  They had underestimated Snowflake distance (although it wouldn't matter how far he got, he knows all) for he had heard their laughing and rolled his eyes.  Of course he knew about the 'jokes' that ponies told constantly about him, but hell, that's the reputation he made, and he kind of liked it.  No one really fears him, but they have a good laugh about it, and respect him all the same.  

Rainbow Dash got back to her hooves and dusted herself off.  "Snowflake has allowed us to live another day, we should be forever grateful for that."

"We are not worthy!"  Scootaloo added.

"Quick, let's get out of here before he changes his mind!"

With that, the two zipped off on hoof.

(\/);,;(\/)

In the Library, Twilight Sparkle sat on her desk reading a book and taking notes.  Her quill was constantly in her magical grasp and being levitated from an ink vial and her parchment.  To what exactly she was writing down and for what reason, Scootaloo and Dash didn't have a clue.  Possibly some notes about the latest report she was assigned to write for the princess.

From the window, Scootaloo and Dash stood and observed the librarian carefully.  "What're we gonna do to her?"  Scootaloo asked.  "Oh I know!  Replace her ink vial with disappearing ink!"

Dash shook her head.  "Did that already; too unoriginal."

"Umm, how about...Re-writing her monthly schedule!"

Once again, Dash shook her head.  "If I know Twilight, screwing with her schedule is worse than giving Pinkie Pie crack.  It's not worth the laugh."

"Awww...Umm, can we do something to, like, mess with her magic or something?"

"Hmmm..."  Dash ventured on the thought.  Magic is a huge part of who Twilight was.  Not a day goes by where she doesn't use enough collective magic to levitate the entire village.  For Celestia's sake it's her god darn Element!  Her special talent is magic, her life is magic!  Twilight probably doesn't even know how to do anything without magic.  She would have to go through the pain of doing things the earth pony style.  It was devious, maniacal, cruel...and perfect.

Dash smiled.  "Scoots.  I need you to go in the library, and ask Twilight for a book on unicorn anatomy."

Scootaloo stared at Dash, confused.  "What for?"

"You just gave me an idea for a prank."  She answered.

Scootaloo swelled with pride.  She just helped Rainbow Dash think of a prank!  "Ok!"  Scootaloo fluttered her wings in excitement and made way for the front door.  Once inside, the bell at the top of the door rang, announcing her presence.  Twilight's ears perked at the sound and turned around.  She smiled as she noticed Scootaloo at the door.

"Hello Scootaloo, " she said.  "How are you?"

Scootaloo smiled back and nervously fidgeted her wings.  "Hi Twilight, I'm doing good.  Say uh, you wouldn't happen to have a book on, uh, unicorn anano...ananably?"

"Unicorn anatomy?  Of course, one sec!"  Twilight turned to another room.  "Spike!"

In an instant, the small dragon jogged to Twilight's location and stopped in front of her desk at the position of attention.  "Yes, Twilight?"

"Do we still have that copy of Unicorns: Mind over Magic?"

"Uhh."  Spike searched his mind, remembering where it had been placed.  "I think that one is up in your room.  You were referencing it a week ago when Princess Celestia sent you that excerpt on the, uh, connection between corruption and dark magic."

"Ahhh, ok.  Would you mind getting it for me?  Scootaloo wanted to check it out for, uh..."  She turned to the filly.  "What did you need it for again?"

Scootaloo gulped.  She didn't take into account that Twilight might ask her why she wanted a book on unicorn anatomy.  Thinking of the quickest, most generic response available, Scootaloo blurted out, "School project?" in an uncertain tone.

A blink or two later, and Twilight bought it.  "Hmm, interesting.  Well if you ever need any help, my doors are open."

Spike returned from upstairs with the beefy tome in both claws.  He handed it to Scootaloo, who took it in her mouth and balanced it on her back.  

"There's no school project."  Spike said quietly without preamble.

Scootaloo peered behind him to make sure Twilight hadn't overheard.  Luckily, the lavender mare was busy burying her muzzle in the book she was reading prior to her arrival.  "Nope."  Scootaloo replied with a devious smile.

"Prank?"

"Yep."

Spike peered at the window.  "Rainbow Dash?"

"Yep."

Spike held out his fist.  "Nice."

Scootaloo bumped her hoof to his fist, and she left without another word.

Outside, Dash was quietly awaiting for her partner in crime's return.  When the bell above the door rang, Dash turned to see her mission had been a success.  Scootaloo had a large textbook nestled on her back with a sinister smile plastered on her lips.  Dash picked up the tome and began cycling through it.

"Let's see...basic horn structure, no.  Early life magical impulses, no.  Tending to a fractured horn, no.  The effects of se--uh...huh..."  Dash stopped reading aloud and quietly mumbled to herself as her eyes scanned the lines.

"What?"  Scootaloo asked.  "What's it say?"

Dash ignored her companion and continued to read.  "Wow, really?  That's interesting."  A small blush shone on her cheeks.  "Anyway...Aha!  Here it is: Arcane Block.  'Arcane Block is a symptom in unicorns that either slows or completely stops the flow of arcane energies within the horn.  There are a variety of ways for a unicorn to have Arcane Block.  The most common include: disrupting the flow of arcane energies abruptly by inflicting physical damage to the horn, i.e. punching the horn.'  Well that one is out of the question.  We can't just barge in there and punch Twilight.  Next.  'Falling ill, for the stress of attempted channeling may cause migraines or even brain damage.'  Huh...ok... Can't really do that one either.  'A spell from another unicorn may cause Arcane Block.'  I doubt we know another unicorn that can do that.  'The final cause of Arcane Block can be inflicted by a potion or elixir.  A simple mixture of Lion's Blood, a flower found in tropical or moist climates, Dust of Fey, a common reagent, a few drops of hydra tears, (good luck getting those), and one Emerald Leaf.'  Did you get all that?"

Scootaloo blinked.  "Uh...we're gonna punch her in the horn?"

"No, but let's just say we're gonna give Twilight a...drink.  Hehe."

"Where are we even going to get this stuff?"

"I've got ponies in high places, kid.  Or should I say: 'Zebras in high places.'