With school finally over, Applejack can now focus solely on the farm. With apple bucking season around the corner, Applejack is making sure that everything is ready in the barn. At first, everything appears to be normal; then she notices the silence. Something tackles her from the side and rolls her to her back. She opens her eyes to see a smirking Shade.

"Shade!" Applejack smiles. "What are you doin' back in Ponyville?"

"I just wanted to see if you still liked me to be on top," Shade gibes.

Applejack smirks at Shade and knees her in the gut. She uses the momentum to push Shade off her and pin the ivory mare down. "Hah!"

"Oh, Applejack! Whatever will you do to me?" Shade mocks with a wide grin.

Applejack blushes and steps off of Shade. "You know I ain't like that."

Shade chuckles and rolls to her side to look up at Applejack, "Yeah I do, which makes your reactions all the more worth teasing you."

Applejack harrumphs and turns away from Shade.

Shade places a hoof on Applejack's back which makes Applejack look at Shade. Shade smiles. "It is great to see you again." She then nudges Applejack in the ribs. "You are the only one I can tease so thank you for being a great friend."

"Why am I the only one you can tease? There's Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy."

"Pinkie Pie would not think I am teasing her, take me seriously, and jump on my bones without hesitation. With Fluttershy," Shade begins to walk out of the barn, she turns back and smirks at Applejack, "her reactions would only entice me further."

"Is that a bad thing?" Applejack asks as she catches up with Shade.

Shade sighs. "I do not share the same feelings they hold for me."

"Oh," is Applejack's flat remark. As they head out of the barn, Applejack notices Shade walking to the gate to leave. "Hey, why don't you come in and have breakfast with us?"Applejack offers.

Shade grins and walks back to Applejack. "I appreciate it." Just then, her stomach rumbles and she cracks, "We appreciate it."

Applejack laughs, "C'mon."

Applejack holds the door open for Shade to enter. "Apple's, we have a guest!" Applejack announces behind Shade. Applejack leads Shade to the dining room and offers Shade a chair to sit. She then leaves to go into the kitchen.

Shade sits patiently at the table. A moment later, Big Mac enters the dining room. She smiles and waves politely at him.

"Pleasure to see you again. How is everything, Shade?" Big Mac asks as he sits at the table across from Shade.

"Just keeping myself busy with learning new spells and exploring the Everfree Forest," Shade replies.

"Did you learn a spell to stop bully's from bullying you?" Apple Bloom asks as she slinks into the dining room.

Shade had planned to make a joke until she turns around and sees the filly with her mane and tail cut short sans her trademark bow. Shade frowns and says, "The spell is called 'incineration' and I learned it a long time ago. Who is bullying you?"

"There are these two girls in my class who pick on me because of how I speak," Apple Bloom says. She clambers to her seat at the table and rests her head on the table.

"Tell me their names and I will handle them for you."

"That will not be necessary, Shade," Applejack inputs as she walks out of the kitchen. She carries a large bowl of salad on her back while balancing a stack of white plates on her head.

"Right," Shade affirms with a nod, "After breakfast, I will teach you how to kick their flanks."

"Really?!" Apple Bloom stands up on her chair wide eyed.

"No," Applejack says. She glares at Shade, who just shrugs, and places the bowl of salad in the middle of the table. She begins to set the table.

Granny Smith flings open the kitchen door with a tray of lemonade and glasses on her back. Shade notices the teetering tray and grabs it with her crimson magic. She then picks up the tray and sets it down beside the bowl of salad.

"Much appreciated!" Granny Smith thanks Shade.

"How is your short hair connected with them picking on the way you talk?," Shade inquires of Apple Bloom.

"Last week, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon put gum in my mane and tail and I had to cut the gum out," the filly replies crestfallen.

"Your mane and tail will grow back, sugar cube. And we already told their parents what happened and they assured us it wouldn't happen again," Applejack informs.

"I look like a weirdo!" Apple Bloom cries.

Shade stands up abruptly which causes the chair to skid across the wooden floor. The three Apples stare at Shade. With a crimson flash, a large pair of red scissors manifests next to Shade. Shade proceeds to chop half her tail off and her mane. She snips her mane shorter on the sides of her head but leaves her bangs untouched. The fallen hair and scissors disappear in a flash of red.

"Now my mane and tail are shorter than yours. Do I look like a weirdo?" Shade asks the dumbfound filly.

Apple Bloom picks her jaw off the table, hops out of her chair, and tackles Shade in a hug. "Yeah, you do!"

Shade grins and hugs the filly back. She kneels before the filly to be at eye level with her. "You have to stand up for yourself. We can help so much, and we will not always be there to help you. The best way to deal with a bully is to be nice to them. If that does not work a hoof to the face "

"No," Applejack interrupts Shade, "Violence is never the answer."

Shade sighs inwardly and stands up to rustle Apple Bloom's mane, "It is a little too early to go into philosophy. For now, just be nice to them. There is nothing wrong with the way you speak. It is quite charming."

Apple Bloom beams up at Shade, "Thank you, Shade," she trots to the seat next to Shade.

Shade takes her seat at the table. "Anything for a friend, Apple Bloom."

"Wow, Shade," Applejack says in awe, "That was mighty kind of you."

"All for naming Shade, an honorary Apple, say 'aye!'" Granny Smith shrills.

Three 'aye's erupt in the room, and Shade rolls her eyes in good humor, "Aye."