After a reasonably short amount of time, the new plantation was ready, along with new roads and a temporary house for the Apple sisters. Twilight was delighted at the new roads, and was standing in them and handing new strangers buttons from the church, inviting these new faces. "Hello fair ponies" she said to these new ponies, "Hello. Good afternoon. The Church of the 3rd Revelation would love to welcome you all and offer an oasis of healing and friendship by Celestia's spirit itself." she said, "You can follow the new road right to it...the new road will lead you there.". Applejack was eyeing Twilight from afar, when Twilight saw her and went towards her. "Hey Applejack. May I ask something?" she asked. Applejack said, "Yes". Twilight responded, "Is everything going alright with...everything?". Applejack assured her it was. "Good. Good." said Twilight, "I understand you asked everypony to come around to watch the plantation start. Is that right?". Applejack agreed. "Well, I feel I have an obligation to bless that plantation." Applejack was solemnly silent. "Do you think it would be nice-I think it would be nice if you introduced me-I could trot up the hill, and just as I'm coming up the hill and I arrive at the plantation... At that moment, you could introduce me. And perhaps you could say, 'The proud mare of these hills...'." said Twilight Sparkle, "So you would see me walking up. And then. As I arrived, you could say , something, a few words and then say 'And now: The proud mare of these hills, who tended her neighbor's flock...' and then say my name." Sudden visions of the nightmare many weeks ago flashed into Applejack's mind, "Ye can't trust em Applejack...no one... Especially that Twilight...". "......." thought Applejack, "....Sounds....fine....". Twilight was pleased, and asked if she should write down those words, to which Applejack silently muttered she would remember. "Good..." said Twilight, "And then we can proceed after I say a few words, dedicate the plantation to Celestia. What happens then?" Applejack =, turning away, said they would start working. "Good... Is this all dood with you...?" cautioned Twilight, noticing Applejack's strangely hostile atmosphere. "It's....It's fine..." she answered. Twilight asked if they should practice. Applejack answered no and trotted away.
Everypony was excited and was eagerly waiting for the great unveiling. Applejack and Applebloom proudly walked to the podium where Applejack would give her speech. Twilight soon arrived, waiting for the golden moment in Applejack's speech. Applejack began, "I thank y'all so much for visiting us at this time. I've had the pleasure of meeting some of ya, and I hope very much in the months to come, I'll be able to visit with each and every one of ye. Ah... I'm better at bucking apples than making speeches, so let's jus' forget the speech for this evening, and just make it a simple blessing. You see- one pony doesn't prospect from the ground; it takes a whole community of good people, such as all of ya... and, uh, this is good. We stay together... pray together, we work together, and if the good Celestia smiles kindly on our endeavor, we share in the wealth together. Now before we spud in this Apple Plantation number one, named for the one pony who could'a make all of this possible, me,I'd just like to say may Celestia bless these here honest labors of ours, and, of course, may Celestia bless y'all. Amen.". Twilight stood, confused, awaiting her signal. Applejack turned to Applebloom, "Applebloom...would ye kindly..." and Applebloom cut the red ribbon, officially opening the new plantation. All the working ponies immediately, and the workers began working, and everypony applauded and left. Twilight, however, stood for a while. She lifted her head high, ignoring that she had been ignored, and left.

Next Chapter: Chapter VIII: The Accident Estimated time remaining: 42 Minutes