Green Apple looked at the almost empty bag and sighed.

“Does something troubles you, sister of mine?” said the tall and muscular Red Apple.

“I fear our decision of heading north was not the wisest, brother. Seeds are scarce on these regions here and trees only get thinner the further we go.”

“But we cannot head towards south. The lands are drier and it is terrority for those brutish horned beings, those buffaloes ruffians!”

“Do not get angry, brother. It was merely a wagon that we lose,” she said, comforting the big stallion. “I do agree those animals are territorial to the point of being of being fierce. Makes you wonder, should we abandon this life of wandering around and settle head?”

“You speak nonsense, sister. We are Apples, travelers since generations past!” he said, adjusting his hat.

“Still the idea of owning our own land and make our family grow. Does that not interests you? Meet a friendly mare and have kids of your own?”

“Please, I have no time for that! You are the one who should be looking for a suitable husband!”

“So says the stallion who cannot keeps his eyes out of the wings of those pretty pegasus we passed by…”

Red Apple grabbed his sister to gave her a well deserved set of what they called noogie, a playful game of his rubbing her head with his hooves. But they friendly fight was interrupted by the sudden appearance of three griffons.

“Kind ponies of Equestria, me and my brothers here are starving, exhausted after spending says flying through the mountains, unable to found food. We came to your wonderful land, asking for your assistance,” said the leader of the group, a rather menacing looking female griffon.

“We do not belong to Equestria and we have no food to share.”

“That is not what we heard. We were told all ponies now lived under a single roof and invited all other species to share.”

“But we Apples care only for ourselves. That is the way of our family!” Green Apple said from behind her brother, who moved to protect her.

“A shame indeed but I must insist. I too have a family to provide for,” the griffon said, showing her sharp talons.

“Halt!”

Both groups looked upwards in surprise and saw an armored pegasus landing in between them, her hooves so heavy they left a mark on the ground.

“No violence is tolerated in Equestria! Under the law of Harmony, written by Princess Platinum of the unicorn kind, Chancellor Puddinghead of the earth ponies guild and myself, Commander Hurricane of the proud pegais race, I demand you to stop at once!”

The sight of Commander Hurricane, heroine of the pegasi, was intimidating enough to make the griffons took flight and leave. The Apple siblings however, were not very grateful.

“We can take care of ourselves,” Red Apple said.

“I have no doubts of that, sturdy stallion! I recognize a warrior when I see one but, according to the apct of tour three tribes, I have a duty to bring assistance to everypony in need,” Commander Hurricane explained with a big grin.

“Thank thee, Commander,” Green Apple said.

“Ah, formal like all earth ponies. Now my friends, no need for that! Come, I shall escort you back to the farming lands where my good fellow Smart COokie shall give your assigned lands to harvest!”

“We refuse,” Red Apple said.

“Beg your pardon, young lad?” Commander said, visibly irritated.

“We Apples refuse to live in Equestria. All of your laws and regulations, you say to promote harmony but we see nothing but an empire. We refuse to join you, we will take our chances on the far lands of the north.”

Commander Hurricane looked at them confused and took her a minute to reply to the Apples.

“Wait! The northern lands are dangerous! Unicorns refused to settle there because of strange crystal that affected their magic!”

“Fortunately, we lack horns, commander,” Green Apple replied.

“Are you sure about this? There´s plenty of land for you to cultivate, you are a young mare, you can remain here, start a family! Do not risk your life on those inhospitable lands!”

“My place is with my brother,” she said.

“But why cannot this be your place? We built this new land for you, for all ponies!”

“An Apple shall never set hoof on Equestria,” was all Red Apple said.

Commander Hurricane sighed in defeat, watching the two siblings leave. She hoped that someday they will return, that these troubling times will soon be over and ponies can finally live in harmony.

She took flight and returned to the castle being built atop of a mountain.