The rest of the school week passed uneventfully. The Everfree Forest was not producing any more super storms that the Ponyville Weather Team needed to worry about. The Cutie Mark Crusaders had no more luck in anypony getting their Cutie Marks. Zap Apple Season came and went, giving the Apple Family an even bigger harvest than last year. Ruby Pinch continued to obsessively read from her book as Berry Punch actually became too busy with work to go see Twilight about said book, both a blessing and a curse in the barkeeper's opinion. Then came Saturday.

It was six-thirty in the morning when Rumble was flying around Ponyville. Rumble could see everything clearly at this altitude thanks to the enhanced sight that all Pegasi had. Rumble had come to love this town in the short amount of time he'd been here. Everypony was friendly, everything was reasonably priced, “Forty bits for an apple pie,” Muttered the light gray Pegasus, remembering how expensive everything was in Cloudsdale.

Rumble's favorite thing about the town was how everypony was willing to go out of their way just to greet each other. The rare times he would fly close to the ground, everypony born and raised here in Ponyville always waved or said 'hi.' While there were Ponies moving into the happy town from larger cities, Rumble really couldn't be bothered to care for them. Development of Ponyville was progressing smoothly which allowed for more Ponies to move in. While some newcomers were friendly, none of them were as friendly as the Ponies who were raised here. The less said about the not-so-friendly, self entitled, high society, Ponies that moved in hoping to take advantage of Ponyville's new status, the better.

Rumble was flying high over Ponyville early this morning and was heading for Sweet Apple Acres. Rumble was excited about his date with Apple Bloom, even if they decided to not be romantically involved with each other, she was still a good Pony and Rumble wouldn't mind some one-on-one time with her.

Rumble had of course heard about how protective Applejack was over her little sister, Rumble also knew how strong Applejack was. Rumble was hoping that earn the trust of Apple Bloom's family by offering to help around the farm. And even if he didn't earn Applejack's trust, it would be good exercise for him. If Applejack still had any objections to him and Apple Bloom dating afterwards, then Rumble could easily fly out of the farm mare's reach.

Celestia's sun was only slightly over the horizon when Rumble landed in front of the porch of the Apple Family farmhouse. Rumble trotted up to the door and knocked. “Come on in,” Called back an elderly yet energetic voice.

Rumble tapped his hooves on the wooden porch to knock any dirt off of them before entering the farmhouse. Rumble went inside the home and looked around. The door let him inside the living room of the farmhouse. Like any living room, there were comfort items such as the couch, foreleg chair, and an old wooden rocking chair. Rumble could see a stairway that lead to the second floor of the farmhouse and a closed door. Rumble's attention was drawn by banging noises coming from his left. Rumble turned his head to the left to see an open door that lead into the kitchen, Rumble followed the noises to see if something was wrong.

Rumble entered the kitchen to see an elderly mare with a light green coat and a white mane and tail. The elder mare's Cutie Mark was a pie still in it's tin. The mare in question was stirring something in a pot with a wooden spoon, her not so gentle stirring causing the banging noises that brought Rumble here in the first place.

“Excuse me, miss?” Said Rumble politely.

The mare stopped turning to see who called for her, “Well howdy ther youngin', what cin Ah do fer yah?”

“I was actually looking for Apple Bloom,” Explained Rumble, “My name is Rumble by the way.”

“Oh,” Said the mare, “So yer the colt that asked mah lil' Bloom out are yah?”

“Yes miss,” Replied Rumble.

The mare picked up the pot she was stirring and carried over to the sink. The mare dumped it's contents into a strainer she had already placed in the snick. The mare finally turned to face the colt, revealing her smile and energetic tangerine eyes. The mare's eyes widened at the sight of Rumble, “She said nothin' 'bout you bein' a Pegasus.”

“Uh...” Rumble was not sure how to feel about that comment.

The mare slapped her hoof over her mouth, “That came out wrong, I ain't got nothin' against Pegasi,” Assured the mare, “Mah name's Granny Smith by the way, it's nice to meet yah Rumble.”

“Does everypony call you 'Granny?'” Snarked the the light gray Pegasus.

“Ha! Jus' part of mah name,” Explained Granny Smith, “We actually have a couple of trees that grow mah namesake out in the southern orchards.”

“Is there anything that I can help with?” Asked Rumble.

“Come again?” Said Granny Smith, not fully understanding what Rumble meant.

“Is there anything I can do to help around the farm?” Clarified the colt.

“While Ah would appreciate it, why would you want tah help?” Asked Granny Smith.

“I figured that if I'm going to be taking time with Apple Bloom from you, I might as well give something back.”

Granny had a knowing look on her face, “Ah don't suppose that Jacky's opinion of yah didn't come intah account, did it?”

“Oh no, it certainly did,” Replied the colt. Rumble thought it would be best to be honest.

He was proven right as Granny started to laugh, “At least yer honest.”

Granny thought about what Rumble could do as she dumped the pasta in the strainer back into the pot and emptied a cheese packet into it. Granny was stirring it for a moment when she realized there one particularly annoying task Rumble could help with, “Ah got somethin' fer yah. Mah youngin's don't usually take the apple baskets back here until after they're tired from apple buckin'. If yah could carry the baskets tah the barn, we'd all be mighty grateful.”

“Okay Miss Smith, I'll see what I can do,” Rumble turned and left the kitchen.

“Call me 'Granny' youngin'!” Called back Granny.

Granny's smile grew as she thought about the colt. He's honest, hard workin', a bit of an early riser, 'nd he's cute, but he's a Pegasus. Wonder how the rest of the clan will take it if he and Apple Bloom get serious? Granny laughed to herself at the thought of her more traditional relatives learning about Rumble and Apple Bloom.

Granny Smith was sitting the rocking chair on the porch as she watched Rumble work and waited for her grand children to finish. Granny was impressed, Rumble had gone on working non stop for a whole hour. A whole hour spent carrying almost overflowing apple baskets to the barn from the trees they were set next too. Though Rumble was keeping to the trees closest to the barn, it would still save Aj and Big Mac a good ten to fifteen minutes of work. While that normally wouldn't amount too much, these were the baskets the two of them carried back, the two of them also didn't take breaks unless it was inbetween individual chores, meaning that those few baskets were often the hardest part of the day for Applejack and Big Macintosh. Not to mention that Rumble had probably never done anything as strenuous as farm work, and this was one of the rougher chores on the farm, how an adolescent Pegasus of all creatures could do this much hard labor without fainting or breaks was beyond the elderly mare.

“Granny! Granny!” Granny Smith looked towards the east orchard to see her eldest granddaughter rushing towards her with a panicked look on her face.

“What's the matter Jacky?” Asked Granny Smith using her nickname for Applejack, though she had a good idea of what was 'wrong.'

Applejack ran over to the porch so that she didn't have to yell to speak to her grandmother. But Applejack had to stop to catch her breath, three and a half hours straight of hard labor without breaks and then running as fast as you could was a good way to exhaust yourself.

“Granny! *pant*pant* Two dozen. *pant* Baskets. *pant* Are gone!” Applejack was close to falling over from exhaustion.

Granny sighed, “I swear, our family's work ethic was what gets most of us killed.”

Despite how tired Applejack was, there was enough of her still there to be confused by Granny's attitude, “Big Mac 'nd Apple Bloom are lookin' fer where the thievin' varmint went.”

“There's no need fer that,” Said Granny Smith dismissively, “I got a volunteer tah help us this mornin'.”

“What? Who!?” Asked Applejack rather loudly.

“She means me. *pant* Miss Applejack,” Applejack turned around to see a dark gray Pegasus filly with a black mane and tail.

Then Applejack realized that this was not a filly, but a very effeminate colt. Rumble's coat was usually a very light gray, but it was darkened at the moment by all of the sweat from a whole hour's worth of work.

“I apologize Miss Smith,” Started Rumble after catching his breath, “But I don't think I can do any more and still stand.”

Granny Smith started cackling, “Apert of werkin' is knowin' when yah have tah stahp. Somethin' two grandfoals o'mine need tah lern themselves.”

Applejack still had her eyes on the Pegasus colt. Rumble was very uncomfortable with the look Applejack was giving him, especially when he was secretly dating her younger sister. Granny could help but laugh at the scene before her eyes, “Rumble, y'all cin use the shower in the farmhouse. It's the second door on the right after going up the stairs.”

“Th-thank you. *pant* Granny,” Rumble didn't see Applejack's gaze intensifying as he entered the farmhouse.

Applejack turned to her grandmother, “Granny, can Ah speak tah yah fer a moment?”

“'course youngin',” Replied Granny Smith calmly, “What's on yer mind Jackie.”

“Well, it's about that volunteer of yers,” Said Applejack sternly.

Granny just rolled her eyes, “Fer Luna's hide Applejack,” Granny didn't want to have this conversation right now, she was just going to have it again after Apple Bloom's date.

“Granny, we really don't know that colt enough to trust 'em,” Argued Applejack.

“We also don't know enough to not trust 'em,” Countered Granny Smith, “Besides, not knowin' somepony was never a problem befer.”

“It hasn't been until recently that out-of-towners have been comin' her, 'nd Rumble one of 'em,” 'Explained' Applejack, “Yah know how a lot of them city folk are, 'nd Rumble is from Cloudsdale: the Pegasus snob capital of the werld.”

Granny Smith rolled her eyes, “Four of yer best friends are from out'a town, two of which 'er from Cloudsdale, includin' Fluttershy: The Element of Kindness.”

Applejack flinch at having what was her best argument against Rumble thrown so harshly back into her face, “But do yah trust him with Apple Bloom?”

“Ah trust Apple Bloom to look after herself,” Said Granny Smith, “She's legally a mare now, she has more schoolin' than you 'nd Big Mac combined, she cin work for two 'nd a'half hours straight without breaks whereas Rumble can work only slightly more than a hour-”

“Rumble worked fer an hour straight!?” Exclaimed Applejack.

“Yes, he did,” Said Granny coolly, “He went 'nd did the most loathsome job fer both you 'nd Big Mac, carryin' the apple baskets you two nearly kill yerselves everyday getting' back to the bern.”

This made Applejack think for a moment. Everything Granny Smith had said was true, and Applejack did trust her sister. However, the story of Berry Punch's romance became a horror story for her as Apple Bloom got closer and closer to adulthood. Plenty of Apples had 'rushed' their courtships during the mares' first heats, her parents included.

Applejack was so deep in thought that she didn't notice Granny Smith get out of her rocking chair and approach her. Applejack finally snapped out of it when Granny wrapped her forelegs around Applejack's neck, “Ah know yah do it out'a concern fer Lil' Bloom, but she won't blossom unless yah take of the leash.”

The two were brought out of the touching moment by the sound of hooves. The two mares turned to see Big Macintosh and Apple Bloom coming closer, “We couldn't find the thief,” Said Apple Bloom with a worried look on her face, but a steady tone of voice.

Granny looked to her oldest granddaughter, making Applejack blush, “Uh, Sugarcube,” Said Applejack hesitantly, “Ah was mistaken.”

“What do yah mean mistake?” Asked Apple Bloom, “The baskets 'er gone aren't they?”

“They are,” Said Granny Smith, “What Jacky didn't know, was that Ah got us some help fer today.”

“Who?” Asked Apple Bloom as she tilted her head. Her question was answered as the front door to the farmhouse opened.

“Surprise♪” Said Rumble as he walked towards the Apple Family.

“Rumble!?” Said Apple Bloom in surprise.

“That's Rumble?” Asked Big Macintosh. He was expecting many different things about Rumble. He knew that Rumble's brother was the captain of the town guard, he knew that Rumble had been away in boarding school in Cloudsdale for several years, and he knew that Rumble occasionally helped the Ponyville Weather Team with the weather when he visited his family here in Ponyville. Big Mac was not expecting Rumble to be like this.

“Let me shower 'nd we can go,” Said Apple Bloom to Rumble.

“Go? Go where?” Asked Applejack urgently.

“My friends are all gathering for a Crusade. Since Rumble can fly, he's the only one who can get here in a reasonable amount of time, since Scootaloo has to pick everypony else up with her wagon. I guess he just showed up a little early,” Granny Smith had to position herself inbetween Rumble and Applejack, so that Applejack couldn't see the astonished look on Rumble's face. This was the first time he had even seen Apple Bloom lie before, and she could lie well.

“Alright then, Ah'm gonna go take a nap then. Ah hope you two have fun,” Said Applejack as she headed back towards the farmhouse. Only Granny Smith caught the subtle and quick glare Applejack shot Rumble.

It was eight in the morning when Berry Punch had made her to the Golden Oaks Library. Today was the perfect day to go see Twilight Sparkle about Ruby's book. Since it was Saturday, there was no school, the Plastered Pegasus was never opened on Saturdays (one too many weekend celebrations gone wild), and Ruby was having a sleep over at Dinky's house to make things even better. Though the sign on the door said that the library was opened everyday from seven to twenty-two hundred hours, Berry very much doubted that Twilight was even awake. Regardless, this was important.

Berry knocked on the door to the hallowed out tree and waited. To her surprise, the door opened, “Hello?” Berry looked down to see a purple and green Dragon. Berry paused in surprise, even a baby Dragon was still a Dragon.

“Is Twilight Sparkle awake?” Asked the two tone pink mare.

Berry's question was answered by the mare she was asking for, “Come inside Berry. Spike, could you prepare an extra cup of tea for Miss Punch?”

Spike nodded and ran off into the kitchen. Twilight lead Berry Punch to the sitting area Twilight had made for the library, “How can I help you Berry?” Asked Twilight as she sat down.

“Well,” Started Berry hesitantly, “It's my daughter.”

Twilight winced. She really should have seen this coming. Berry Punch patiently waited as Twilight gathered her thoughts. Twilight didn't want to scare Berry or make her think her daughter was in danger, but Ruby's mother of all Ponies should know what's happening to her. But then there's Noblesse Oblige. Did he intend to keep this a secret? And if what would happen to Ruby if her mother got in the way of her studying?

Twilight was brought out of her thoughts by the sound of Spike setting their communal tea set on the table inbetween her and Ruby. Spike had gone off to complete his other chores as Berry picked up the teacup and sipped out of it.

Twilight finally came to a couple of conclusions: One, Sitting here saying nothing is only making Berry worry more. Two, Berry should know what's going on as Ruby's mother. Three, Noblesse never actually said anything about keeping this a secret, so he probably won't mind. And four, Berry wouldn't get in the way of Ruby's studies into Dark Magic if she thought it would put Ruby in harm's way. With all of this in mind, Twilight decided to tell Berry everything.

“Okay Berry,” Said Twilight with a serious tone of voice, “I'm going to tell you everything. But you have to listen carefully, and do your best to not freak out.”

“O-okay,” Berry did not like where this was going.

Applejack was brought out of her nap by soft knocking on the front door. While Big Mac retired to his room, while Applejack decided to sleep on the couch. Applejack looked at the clock to see that she had only been asleep for about twenty minutes. Applejack stretched her legs and got off of the couch. Applejack opened the door to see Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle.

“What 'er you two doin' here?” Asked Applejack. According to her sister, she and Rumble went to go meet with their friends.

“Hi Applejack,” Said Sweetie Belle with a smile and a voice crack, “We were looking for Apple Bloom.”

Applejack gave the two a confused look, “She 'nd Rumble went to go meet with y'all.”

“Oh right!” Exclaimed Scootaloo, “Rumble.”

“What about Rumble?” Asked Applejack.

Scootaloo didn't pick on Applejack's sinister tone of voice and answered, “Today was Apple Bloom's date with Rumble.”

Sweetie Belle stuffed her hoof into Scootaloo's mouth and gave her friend a glare. Scootaloo was confused as to why Sweetie Belle was giving her a death glare, when she realized who they were talking to.

Applejack rushed through the two of them. Ah buckin' knew it! Thought Applejack with an angry look. Ah knew that damn colt was just after mah sister. He even got 'er tah lie tah me! Who knows that bastard plans fer Apple Bloom. When Ah find that son of bitch, Ah'm gonna-

Applejack was brought out of her hateful thoughts by something wrapping around her neck. With a sharp tug, Applejack was flung several feet back. Applejack's assailant then proceeded to hogtie Applejack with whatever grabbed her neck. Applejack looked at her hooves to see that it was a surprisingly strong and long party streamer that was wrapped around her legs. Applejack also saw the two tone pink body of her attacker.

“Pinkie Pie!?” Yelled Applejack in confusion, “What in tarnation are yah doin' girl?

“Sorry Aj,” Said Pinkie Pie as she put Applejack on her back, “But I Pinkie Promised♪” Pinkie Pie then started hopping towards Sweet Apple Acers.

Applejack realized what Pinkie Pie meant, “That snake gotcha tah keep me from kickin' his perverted little flank?”

“Nope,” Said Pinkie Pie with an unusually annoyed tone of voice, “Nopony made me do anything, I Pinkie Promised Apple Bloom that I would keep you from hurting Rumble. And before you say anything, I was the one who offered.”

Applejack needed several moments to process the information given to her, “Pinkie Pie!” She finally yelled, “Do yah have any idea what that sister fu-” Applejack's rant was interrupted by Pinkie Pie grabbing her by the snout and slamming her into the ground.

Before Applejack so much as groan in pain, Pinkie Pie grabbed another streamer from her hair and wrapped it around Applejack's snout, “I am getting tired of you saying mean untrue things about Rumble.”

Applejack tried to yell more obscenities through her improvised muzzle to no avail. Applejack also found that some unseen force bound her to Pinkie's back.

“Aj,” Started Pinkie Pie, “Rumble has done nothing to warrant your behavior. If your family feels the need to lie to you because of your actions, perhaps you're the one needs an attitude adjustment.”

Applejack tried speaking through her muzzle again, which Pinkie Pie somehow understood, “Oh. I muzzled you because I'm not sure your use of language isn't covered by the author's choice of rating for the story.”

Pinkie Pie's nonsensical explanation was confusing enough to keep Applejack silent, yet she was still too angry to really contemplate Pinkie's strangely sage like advice.

Scootaloo was racing down the road from Sweet Apple Acres to Ponyville with only her scooter while Sweetie Belle stayed at the apple farm to get Big Macintosh. Stupid, stupid, STUPID! Scootaloo mentally berated herself. She knew that she wasn't the smartest Pony ever, but by the ancestors! Telling Applejack that her sister had a date! Too make matters worse, Scootaloo still hadn't thanked Rumble for the new scooter and wagon, and now she has gotten him killed!

Scootaloo was debating with herself whether she should go to the guard station directly or warn Rumble and Apple Bloom at Sugarcube Corner, when she saw a strange sight. Pinkie was bouncing in the opposite direction Scootaloo was traveling in with Applejack on her back. Too make the sight more bizarre, Applejack was muzzled and tied up with party streamers of all things.

Scootaloo channeled her Pegasus magic through her hooves and used the bursts of air they created to halt her movement instantly as Pinkie spoke, “Hi Scootaloo!” Said the famous pink mare happily.

“Uh, hi Pinkie,” Scootaloo liked Pinkie Pie as a Pony in general, but didn't always know how to act with her, “I see you have Applejack there.”

The apple farmer squirmed on Pinkie's back as she tried to say something through her muzzle. “Yep,” Said Pinkie Pie, “I was just bringing her back to Sweet Apple Acres so Rumble and Apple Bloom could enjoy their date.”

“Speaking of Apples,” Said Pinkie as Scootaloo heard the thunder of hooves behind her.

Scootaloo turned around to see Big Macintosh galloping down the road. Big Mac stopped before the three mares and examined the scene before him. Applejack, though indisposed as she was, she could tell that her brother's usually stoicism was almost broken by the absurdity.

“Can you take Jackie back to the farm?” Asked Pinkie.

“Eeyup,” Said Big Mac plainly.

“Great♪” Said Pinkie Pie. Pinkie then tossed Applejack off of her and onto Big Mac's back, “Now I have to get back to Sugarcube Corner and cater to those two lovebirds.”

Pinkie ruffled through her mane with one of her hooves and pulled out a hooftack. Pinkie then pricked herself with the hooftack, and her entire body popped like a balloon leaving no trace of her existence.

Everything froze at Pinkie's latest antics, even the wildlife who saw paused in confusion. Scootaloo found her voice first, “I could've lived without ever seeing that.”

“Eeyup.”