Author's Notes:

Hey people I reached a milestone for this story! On the 7th I got my first set of thumb downs! Weird to celebrate I know, but this is a monumental achievement for me. I went this long without getting them and I am proud of that.

Anyway, today we see what happens when Trixie starts to work on the farm! If you forgot then I strongly suggest rereading the previous chapters or else you might not get what's going on. I admit it was possibly my fault for not updating more often than I do. If it is I'm sowwy.

Anyways enjoy everyone!

The next morning, Mary awoke feeling good. Better than good. She felt as though a heavy weight had been lifted off her shoulders. The sun shined through the window directly onto her bed, beaming it warmth down on her causing her to remove the covers from herself.

"Good morning, Equestria," She said to no one in particular.

She stretched limbering herself up with a smile. She felt better. *Maybe there is something to that old saying, a good night's rest, does the body good.*

She turned to take the blanket off and gasped at what she found beneath the covers. Trixie was sound asleep beside her.

After she calmed herself over the initial shock, she stepped out of bed moving slowly as to not awaken the sleeping mare. She then covered Trixie with the covers. Oh, how cute she looked. She thought, walking out to her kitchen, leaving the door slightly open.

As she made breakfast a loud ringing was heard. She checked the clock. It was still 6AM. She didn't remember setting the clock for then. She then remembered Trixie was working on Applejack's farm starting today. With everything that happened she'd completely forgotten the punishment she gave the unicorn. She made a simple breakfast consisting of eggs, and haybacon, with her black coffee. The aroma wandered through the house, being so small, and found it's way to Trixie's nose.

The blue mare stirred right as the alarm clock went off. Grumbling she whacked the clock with her hoof silencing it. Waiting a few minutes, Trixie laid in the bed not wanting to get up from beneath the warm covers. Eventually she forced herself out from the warmth of the covers and found herself shivering slightly from the cooler air around her.

Her fur bristled from the coolness, but she shook it off. The smell of food drove her to fight the sleepiness and ventured forth to get ready for her day. Pulling a suitcase she carried with her she took out an assortment of tools and a small vest. Her horn lit up, enclosing the door with a pink aura and slid it closed as she got herself ready for the day.

Meanwhile, Mary sat at the table sipping her coffee as Trixie made a massive amount of noise in her bedroom.

Curiosity getting the better of her, Mary trotted over to the room. The door was now closed, and the sound of grunting and leather rubbing was heard from inside. Snap! "Celestia, damn it!"

Mary held back a laugh as she heard the blue mare struggling with something in the room. She dared not look as it could be an invasion of privacy. Instead she knocked on the door twice.

"Miss Lulamoon? You alright in there, dear?" She asked softly giggling to herself.

She stepped away from the door as it opened revealing the blue mare in a leather vest with various tools in it. "Sorry, mayor. Trixie was getting ready for her day at the farm."

Mary nodded looking over the mare. Her mane was up in a ponytail. She loved ponytails. The unicorn also had tools in her vest. Small stone chisels, a hammer, and at her waist was a belt with more tools, a small map of Ponyville and a... wait a stone chisel?

"Miss Lulamoon, what are you doing?" she asked the oddly dressed mare.

"Trixie is going to work on the farm." she factually stated with a grin. "What's it look like?"

The tan earth pony sighed placing her hoof over her face. "Trixie. Applejack works on an apple farm," She emphasized trying to get her point across.

Trixie's grin soured as she looked over herself. She frowned stomping the floor. "Well, ponyfeathers."

Afterwards the two mares sat at the table to eat. The two ate in silence. The kitchen was small with only a single sink in it, a counter space for one pony, and a small fridge with a pantry next to it. A stove was built into the

Once finished Trixie stood and took the dishes to the sink. She used her magic to dunk the plate in the water as a second layer of magic brought the sponge to rub against it. After wiping it clean she set the plate aside and followed up with the silverware.

Once finished she made her way to the table to finish her drink. Mary had stopped eating and observed the unicorn. She sat in such a way that made her seem so elegant and graceful. The tan pony thought about how she developed a habit of slouching when she sat. *That's not good for my back.*

Mary thought back to what Derpy had said to her. *She won't wait forever. Neither should you.* About how many things she wished she could take back. Things she wished she had done different. This time would be different. *This time.*

She sighed taking a gulp from her coffee. Placing it down she looked over to Trixie who was checking her tools meticulously. Trixie placed her tools on the vest after a long inspection. She stood up and began to leave.

"Well Mary, Trixie is off to the farm!" she waved to her boss. "Trixie will see you afterwards!"

*Should I say anything? Why is this so hard?* Mary wanted to say something but she was so nervous and it was weighing her down. No. She wouldn't wait in silence. Not this time.

"Trixie!" She called out.

Trixie stopped, turning to see what Mary wanted. After a brief pause Mary said, "Have a nice day. Don't let Applejack push you around too much." She gave a playful wink to Trixie. Trixie smiled nodding back at her. She then exited the house heading off to Sweet Apple Acres.

Along the way to the farm Trixie met several ponies she knew. Platinum and Silver Spoon passed by heading to the cafe. She also ran into Rainbow Dash and Carrot Top. Then she met the last pony she wanted to see at the time.

"Twilight Sparkle."

"Trixie!" The lavender unicorn cheered running over to the azure unicorn. "It's so good to see you again! How's everything going? Why are you still in town? And what are you wearing?" Twilight feigned ignorance to the unicorns presence.

Trixie huffed pushing out her chest. "Well, if you must know the Great and Powerful Trixie is about to grace Sweet Apple Acres with her skill and expertise in hard labor," Trixie replied in her usual haughty manner.

Twilight smiled. *Same Trixie.* She stood beside the blue mare. "Well, let's go. Don't want to keep Applejack waiting do we?" Twilight asked, as they walked down the street.

Trixie followed close behind Twilight as they traveled together to Sweet Apple Acres. "You're going to the farm as well then, Sparkle?"

Twilight smiled blushing slightly. She turned so Trixie couldn't see though. "Yeah, I was hoping to get to spend some time with her. As a friend of course." she added quickly. She increased her speed taking a lead over Trixie who didn't even notice. Her thoughts were elsewhere. Would Applejack really hate her and work her to the bone? Or would she be more reasonable after having some time to vent her frustrations.

When the two ponies arrived at Sweet Apple Acres they were greeted by a large red stallion. Trixie recognized him instantly as Big Mac, who she met the last time she was here. The massive stallion gave the two mares a warm welcome.

"Well, howdy Miss Twilight," Big Mac greeted, waving to them. "Ah, Miss Trixie. Good to see you again. Applejack was expecting you." He nodded behind him at the vast amount of apple trees. *This place is massive*. Trixie thought back to her first time here. *Trixie really wishes she never complained about the size of the Pie farm.*

Back on the rock farm, Trixie always complained about tending to the two hundred some odd acres of rock and dirt. Now, it seemed so minuscule in comparison to the massive apple orchard before her. Cloudy Quartz always scolded her on that, but Trixie never learned, now she wished she hadn't been so hard on them.

*The irony.*

"Good to see you too Big Mac. Trixie is eager to get started." Trixie glanced around before sitting beside Big Mac. "Where should Trixie start?"

"AJ, is in the south field waiting for you. Diamond Tiara is already here as well." He pointed in the direction of the south fields. Trixie noticed that the fields were separated by small paths, barely noticeable. "They're working there. You can start there and once you're finished come talk to me again. I'll sign you off so you can tell the mayor you were here.”

"Thank you again for allowing Trixie to work on your farm," Trixie gave a polite bow, heading off to the south field. "Catch you later, Sparkle." She said coldly to the purple unicorn heading off to the field by herself.

Twilight gave a nervous laugh, waving at her. "See you later, Trixie. Don't work too hard!" Not receiving a response she turned her attention to Big Mac. He was lifting up a barrel when he noticed her staring at him.

"Can ah help you, miss Sparkle?"

Twilight blushed slightly covering herself with her mane in a very Fluttershy way. "Actually yes. Can we talk about Applejack for a minute? I have a few questions about her I'd like to know."

Big Mac gave her an inquisitive glance before setting the barrel down and sat next to it. "Sure thing. What do you want to know?"

***

As Trixie made her way to her destination, a loud scream caught her attention. She stopped, her ears honed in on the sound like a radar. Trixie waited as the screaming came closer. Closer. Closer. Then from around the trees a familiar filly with a silver tiara came running around heading straight for her. She was being chased by a collie dog of some sort. It wasn't hostile, but chasing her like a playmate would. The filly ran circles around Trixie trying to lose the dog, who barked happily chasing her.

"GO AWAY YOU SMELL THING!" The filly screamed.

Trixie recognized the young filly. It was Diamond Tiara daughter of Filthy Rich, or Mr. Rich as he liked to be called. Filthy sounded insulting. Trixie smiled at the scene before her. Diamond was running away from a small collie dog that chased her like it was the best thing ever. She stepped in front of the happy little dog getting her attention.

The collie skidded to a halt as the pink filly ran behind the blue mare, hate seething in her eyes. "Filthy beast!"

The dog barked, wagging her tail as Trixie rubbed her chin. The white fur under her chin was soft to the touch and made her paddle her paw on the ground in bliss.

"Aww aren't you cute?" Trixie cooed to the dog, who barked in response, licking her face.

Trixie giggled pushing the dog back on the ground before walking over to Diamond Tiara who kept her distance from it.

She rolled her eyes at the fillies reaction. "Oh, she's not going to hurt you silly. Look." Trixie replied walking next to her.

She then reached out petting the collie who rolled over to have her belly rubbed. "See? She wants attention," She explained to Diamond Tiara. The filly slowly made her way closer. She extended her hoof reaching for the dog, but couldn't bring herself to touch it.

"But it's smelly and slobbery. It's GROSS!" Diamond shrieked, pulling back her hooves to keep the dog away.

*What is wrong with her? Is she afraid she might get a disease from the poor thing?* Trixie wondered to herself. Eventually, with a lot of prying, Diamond Tiara finally brought herself to touch the little dog. Once she did the small dog barked happily rubbing against her. She giggled at the show of affection but tried to keep the dog away.

"Wow, she's not so bad after all," Diamond Tiara said as the collie rubbed against her. "Tee hee. She's so cute!" She exclaimed rubbing the dog's belly.

*Well, that was a quick change of attitude.* The blue mare thought sighing to herself.

"Winona!" called a familiar voice.

Trixie turned to see Applejack emerge from the trees looking around calling out, "Winona!"

"There you are girl!" Applejack cheered, rubbing her pets belly. She turned and glared at Trixie. "You're late, missy," The orange pony sniped.

"Trixie will do her service to you Applejack," She sneered back, "But, Trixie will be here when she gets here. She isn't the fastest pony in the world you know. She's only mortal after all." Trixie replied smugly with a grin.

To her surprise, Applejack grinned back walking up to her. "Well, miss Great and Powerful, didn't you claim 'anything you do I can do better?'" Trixie immediately frowned, regretting her infamous catch phrase. Applejack gave a confident look to the mare. "Oh, nothin to say ta that? Well then, if you have nothing to say let's begin."

She turned around heading deeper into the vast tree orchard with Trixie and Diamond Tiara in tow. They made their way through the orchard the trees were bare with no fruit on them. After some time, two minutes of walking, the trees were now full of apples varying from red delicious to green granny smiths. Diamond Tiara was playing with Winona as they went along to their destination.

Trixie's attention wandered from tree to tree as time passed. She inspected, with great detail, each tree as they past by. She looked at the The number of apples boggled her mind. There were so many! Which begged the question, how do the Apples keep up with all the trees during the peek season?

"Miss Applejack, can Trixie ask you a question about your farm?"

The orange mare gave her a warning glance. "Depends on the question," Applejack huffed feeling slightly offended. "What's your question?"

Trixie didn't even flinch at her tone. Nor did she show any emotional changes to her tone, her mind was elsewhere at the time.

"Trixie was wondering, you live here with only your brother, little sister, and your grandmother correct?" Trixie asked casually. AJ, nodded in response.

"Yeah, we are the only ones here before Ma and Pa..." Applejack’s voice trailed off to silence. "Why do you ask?" She added quickly.

"Trixie was wondering, how do you and your brother farm all these apples by yourselves? It seems a monumental task for just two ponies. How do you do the whole farm in a year?" She asked with genuine curiosity.

Applejack smiled, glad to have a change in the conversation to something she truly loved, her farm. "Well, I'd be happy to tell ya'll," She gestured to the filly to join with them. "Since you'll be workin on the farm it's best you know this now rather than later." she said picking up a stick from near by. Winona barked trying to take it from her, but AJ scolded the dog making her sit as she continued.

"First off we have the farm divided into sections," she started to draw a large square then into four smaller ones. "Each section is based off a season. Spring. Summer. Fall. Winter. Following?" She asked as she drew the words in each square. Spring went to the lower left, summer the upper left, fall the upper right, and winter into the lower right square. Both Trixie and Diamond Tiara nodded listening. One with great interest the other only because she had too. Three guesses who was which.

"We farm each section based on the season. Now, we're in the fall, so we're doing the south fields. Which is this one up here." she pointed to the fall block with the stick. Trixie was pretty sure she knew what was next, but she waited, if only to help improve Applejack's mood.

Trixie inspected the stick drawn diagram. "So, what are the other fields like when you don't harvest them?".

"Well, we let them stay as they are. They become.. um, what's the word? Dominant?"

"You mean dormant?" Diamond Tiara offered.

“Yes, that's the one!" Applejack cheered with a smile, dropping the stick and continued walking. "We basically have the trees all set for each season. They bloom in the corrispondin season and we harvest them when they do. All the prep was done by ma granny, and the others of the Apple Family."

Trixie listened intently as the mare went on for a good while the details in the preparation her family made for the farm. It was fascinating to her. She never knew how much time was put into a farm. That being said, she now had a new respect for the farmer in general. The family farm seemed so much more now. She thought back to the Pie family farm and how much she use to mock them for their, menial labor. *Now Trixie understands why they were so mad at her for her comments. Trixie needs to apologize to them soon.*

Her thoughts were interrupted when she collided with AJ's rear. "Sorry! Trixie wasn't watching where she was going!"

"Well, maybe you should watch where you're going then," Applejack snapped suddenly. Diamond Tiara looked oddly at the mare then to Trixie who had an equally addled expression. Well, that certainly didn't last long. The unicorn mare thought walking beside the earth pony filly.

"So, what are we doing?" The filly asked.

"We're going to be bucking and you'll be on pickup duty." Applejack poinyed to the baskets. "Whatever don't fall into the baskets you be picking up and putting into the baskets. Got it?" She asked the filly in a serious tone.

The little filly shrank under the massive mare, nodding.

"Great so Trixie if you'll... what in the hay ya doing?" Applejack stopped and started staring at the mare. Diamond Tiara looked to see Trixie with her ear pressed against the tree, knocking on it. She then circled the tree, giving it a few experimental kicks. Then she proceeded to lick it.

"Hmm. Salty." Trixie was pushing it with her arms. The tree waddled slightly almost unnoticeable to the two befuddled onlookers.

"Trixie what are ya doin to mah tree?!" Applejack yelled in bewilderment.

"Shh!" the azure mare responded harshly ignoring Applejack the best she could as she continued to tap the tree with her hoof.

"Uh, miss Applejack what is she doing?" the earth filly asked looking concerned.*]That mares lost her mind.* She thought inching towards Applejack.

"I'm not sure," AJ responded watching Trixie as she stood on her hind legs, standing in the center of the trees.

Trixie took a deep breath. Holding it in for a few seconds before releasing it. She pulled her arms inwards following the air flow through her body down to her chest, before returning the way they came with her breath exhaling. She looked calm, collected, devoid of emotion. She shifted into a stance, as though she were in a karate stance. Just as Applejack was going to ask a question, the mare dashed towards the first tree in front of her punching it with her left hoof. The tree shook violently releasing its fruit into the basket.

She then dashed towards the tree diagonal from the one she was just at, with a swift roundhouse kick it too relinquished its fruit. She repeated this for a while until she was out of site. for two minutes Applejack and Diamond Tiara watched slack jawed as the mare made her way back on another row of trees.

For ten minutes this went on before Trixie finally collapsed from exhaustion. Falling to one knee she used her one arm to hold herself up as Diamond Tiara ran to the house to get her some water. A layer of sweat covered the mare's body. Panting she tried to stand but simply flopped over from fatigue. Applejack was in shock, never had she seen such a physical feat from a unicorn. *Magical* yes, but never physical. Not to this extent.

Unsure if what she saw was real, the earth mare ran down the rows of trees checking a basket every so often along the way. The apples were there. Real and definitely not magical in anyway shape or form. She walked back to where Trixie lay unable to say a word from the shock she'd endured from the spectacle.

Trixie was sitting under a tree, still breathing heavily from her task. Diamond Tiara wasn't in sight. As she approached the prone mare, Trixie grinned at her. Her confidence showed.

“Tr-Trixie. I just, ah don't... how did you? That was-"

"THAT WAS AMAZING TRIXIE!" Diamond's voice screeched as she carried a bucket of water with her. Big Mac and Twilight were with her listening to her talk about said mare. "She zipped through the trees like lightning! Punching and kicking the trees... like a ninja!" Diamond Tiara then went from tree to tree imitating what Trixie had done minutes ago.

Big Mac and Twilight gave her concerned looks. Twilight then approached her. "Are you sure you saw that and not some magic Diamond Tiara? It sounds a little far fetched don't you think?" Twilight asked the filly.

"NO!" Diamond responded indignantly. "I saw it so did Applejack. Right, Applejack?" She asked pushing on the older mares leg.

The orange mare couldn't say anything. She never saw anything like it before. "Ah it's... it's not possible," She managed to say.

"See?" Twilight replied to the filly. "It's not possible for a single pony to do what you said without-"

"But it did happen Twi!" Applejack yelled gripping the lavender unicorn pressing her nose against hers. Twilight blushed from the contact. "But she did it Twilight! She did! Ah say it with mah own two eyes!" She exclaimed releasing her grip and falling on her haunches. She leaned on a nearby tree, not knowing she sat across from Trixie. She didn't care.

Diamond Tiara walked over to Trixie hopping in place. "Trixie! Teach me how to do what you did! That was soooo cool!"

The azure mare coughed sitting up. Perhaps another time little one. Trixie is-cough, exhausted."

Twilight and Big Mac helped her up. Twilight offered a hoof to Applejack who didn't even notice until it tapped her hat.Twilight offered a warm smile. AJ shook her head with a light laugh, taking the hoof and standing up. The group made their way back to the house where they sat down to rest. Big Mac went to the kitchen to get drinks for everypony. After his return each pony had their drink and he sat beside Twilight who sat next to Applejack. Diamond Tiara sat beside Trixie across from the table. Nopony spoke, so Twilight decided to take the initiative.

"So Trixie, where did you learn to do... whatever it was you did?"

Trixie regarded her rival with great care before answering. "First off Sparkle, it's a technique Trixie learned from her closest friend in the Pie family, Maud Pie. Secondly, Trixie promised not to divulge how it is done," Trixie then turned to face Diamond who was sitting next to her. "Sorry filly, but Trixie is going to have to say no to your request." The filly frowned. Trixie patted her back raising her spirits slightly.

"I meant no offense Trixie. I was just wondering where you learned to do it was all. One question, it's a variation of earth pony magic correct?" Twilight asked sipping her apple cider.

"Indeed it is Sparkle."

“Seriously, you can call me Twilight. All my friends do." she responded.

"We aren’t friends Twilight Sparkle," The azure mare growled. Twilight gave a depressed sigh. "But Trixie isn't against the idea."

Twilight cheered up hearing this. It wasn't what she wanted to hear but it was a start. *Friendships can take time to develop.* Twilight thought. She thought back to Mary, and how hard it was to befriend her at first. It wasn't until Derpys accident when she finally opened up to her. Out of desperation yes, but it was what started their friendship. Friends in need indeed.

"So, Big Mac how's the season going so far?" Twilight asked the stallion wanting to change the subject.

'Well, I reckon miss Trixie here did a full day work in a few minutes," He said proudly. Trixie grinned at the compliment. "I wish ah could have seen it for mah self. Sounds too good to be true." Applejack scoffed at his comment. He glared at his sister causing her to hide under her hat, pulling it over her eyes. "Well Trixie I think you've done good so far. Mind stayin a bit longer to help some more? It would be greatly appreciated."

"Trixie wouldn't mind. But she needs to rest. That took a lot out of her," She took a sip of her cider and let out a content sigh. The cool drink was just what she needed.

Big Mac nodded getting up from his seat. "Diamond Tiara will you come with me? I'll get you started with your chores."

"Okay, Big Mac," Diamond gulped down her cider leaving the cup on the table with the others. "Bye, everypony see you out there!" she waved to them leaving the three mares behind. Trixie stood up heading to the door after resting for a minute longer.

"Trixie had best get going. See you out there Applejack." she said walking out the door.

Finally alone with Applejack. Twilight thought nudging her chair closer to her friend. "So, AJ what do you think of Trixie?" she asked sipping her cider. "Sure was impressive to see her do such a feat, huh?"

Applejack said nothing. her hat covered her eyes as she stared at, presumable her drink. "I don't want to talk about that fillyfooler, Twi." the farm pony growled.

Twilight didn't catch what she was saying and responded absentmindedly. "Yeah that fillyfoo- wait what? Fillyfooler? What do you mean, fillyfooler?" she asked as her brain registered what was said.
Applejack angrily drank her cider slamming the mug back on the table, causing some cider to fly on her face. "Ah said that fillyfooler Twi. She ain't nothin but trouble. She comes to mah farm and tries to show me up again! I swear if it were up to me, her and any of her kind would be locked up in the dungeon."

"APPLEJACK!" Twilight cried out. "You don't mean that right? Sure, Trixie did awful things, but that was the Alicorn Amulet not her." she said trying to defend Trixie.

AJ gave careful thought to this. "Ah suppose that's true. But she still sought it out on her own! That's proof enough she knew about it and its power! If she weren't a fillyfooling hoe I wouldn't have minded as much but -"

"Wait wait wait... You hate her because she likes mares?" Twilight was shocked to hear this. She'd never seen her friend act like this before. This, hate, it was all new to her. It was frightening to her. "You hate fillyfoolers?"

"And coltcudlers," Was Applejacks response. She sipped her cider as Twilight wiped the excess of her face. "Thanks, Twi, you understand right? That it's wrong for a mare to love another mare right? Same for stallions?"

Truthfully Twilight didn't care for one's personal preference. It was their business not hers. But in this case it hurt her greatly to hear her fiend speak so unkind of others. But she didn't want AJ to hate her for not accepting her views, but she didn't hate others for it either. So she did the only thing she could think of she lied.

"Um. I uh, yeah. I hate them fillyfoolers same as you AJ!" She said, nervously swinging a hoof in front of her smiling.

Applejack smiled wrapping an arm around the lavender friend. "I'm glad you see things as they are Twilight. I was worried you would be open to the idea of such things. I'm glad one of mah friends aint sick in the head," She said standing up stretching. "Well,I best be off. Thanks for cheering me up, Twi. You're a good friend. I'll see ya'll around."

Applejack tilted her hat and exited leaving Twilight to collect her thoughts. Twilight didn't move. She simply sat holding her drink, tightening her grip around the mug. "Why AJ? Why do you hate me?" She choked as tears fell from her eyes. She buried her hooves into her arms sobbing silently to herself as to not draw attention to herself.