There were times, she reflected, when perhaps she went a bit far in her obsession with helping animals. Creeping along in the shadows of the Everfree Forest behind Sweet Apple Acres long after the twilight had deepened into full darkness probably counted as one of them. With only the light of a waning moon to guide her, the chances of finding the injured eagle owl that Applejack had told her about were pretty slim at the best of times, but deserved her best effort despite the creepy atmosphere under the thick canopy of the forest.

It was the nature of the silence which was most unnerving, she decided. Normally, there would be the bright chirp of nocturnal crickets and the occasional rustle of animals in a forest, but here there was just the creak and sigh of branch on branch, more than could be strictly accounted for by the light and fitful breeze. She shivered. The Everfree Forest was also home to any number of wild and dangerous creatures, and while they seldom ventured this close to the edge of the forest one would be enough. Maybe she should have accepted Applejack's offer to join her. At least that way there would be someone to watch her back, and the conversation would help keep the darkness at bay.

Swallowing, she screwed up her courage. The road to Fillydelphia was just ahead, that would be the perfect end-point for her search. She had done her best, and now she would be able to return home to her little cottage with her head held high, knowing she'd faced her fears of the dark and the Forest. And in the morning, maybe she could enlist Angel and some of the other animals to help her search in the daylight when it wasn't so creepy.

At last! She reached out to tap a hoof on the road surface. “Tag!” she said, giggling quietly. Almost in answer, there came a loud snort in the near distance. Squeaking in alarm, she shot across the road to dive behind some bushes. Quivering, she forced herself to peek carefully through the leaves. There was a huge, dark shape approaching, and gradually, she could hear tired voices bickering.

“...further than I thought.”

“Yeah, and it's been slower than we thought.”

“What can I say? This thing's heavy.”

“Well, you did insist on bringing absolutely everything!”

She could hear the slow clop of hooves on the road, and the rumble and creak of some sort of wagon. That was a relief – it was just a wagon and some tired ponies, not some huge, terrifying, voracious monster bearing down on Ponyville. Which wouldn't have been the first time. All the same, she couldn't quite bring herself to step out and greet the strangers.

“My hooves are killing me!” moaned the smaller pony. She sounded like a mare. The other, taller pony harnessed alongside her sighed, and the wagon came to a halt almost directly in front of her hiding place. Fluttershy pulled back into the shadows. Not only were they strange ponies, if they saw her now it would be dreadfully embarrassing trying to explain.

“Climb up and take a rest,” said the tall pony gruffly. “We're nearly there now.”

There was a brief pause while the smaller pony digested this. “Are you sure? I mean-”

“Come on, Sums, before I change my mind.” The tall pony, probably a stallion, leaned over to nudge the smaller one with his head, and the mare hesitated for a moment before unhitching herself and walking stiffly to the back of the wagon to clamber aboard.

“I swear, you are absolutely the most brilliant pony who has ever lived in all Equestria!” came the mare's pathetically grateful voice.

The stallion chuckled tiredly. “Yeah, yeah. Why don't you tell me how comfortable it is back there, too, just to really rub it in?” He heaved forward against the traces with a grunt, and slowly the wagon creaked back into motion.

She watched it go until she was sure they couldn't see her, and then shot back across the road and along the narrow stretch between the Everfree Forest and the apple trees. She had intended to walk back – all right, maybe a dignified trot – but instead she found herself galloping for home and the safe, comforting glow of the little lamp she had left lit to keep the shadows at bay.

She had never been one for early mornings as a filly, constantly in trouble for being late to class at Flight School – until she started on the Dawn Patrol for Ponyville. Despite a few hard weeks initially, dragging herself out of bed with much muttering and complaining, she had quickly come to love this time of day when everything was crisp and fresh and new. Today, the night was chilly enough that the cold rush of the slipstream made her eyes water a little, but that was a small price to pay.

To the east, she could see the first blush of dawn was just breaking over the horizon. In a few minutes, the first true rays of sun would follow, bathing her in light at this altitude quite some time before it fell on the Everfree Forest and slumbering Ponyville. The Pegasus Council had promised everypony a beautiful sunny day today, and she was going to make sure it was utterly flawless from first to last. Naturally!

That, of course, was another benefit of the Dawn Patrol. Her work done for the day, barring anything unexpected, she could relax, hang out with her friends, and maybe even catch up on her sleep with a little afternoon snooze in the sun on a cloud she kept in her back yard.

There was relatively little for her to do this morning, just a few mare's-tails of cirrus to tidy away, and then she could indulge herself in what she loved best – flying. Flying fast and free and untrammelled by anypony. She was the sole master of the air and sky! Sure, maybe she'd try out some of her aerobatics, but the real work on her moves for the Wonderbolts was afternoon stuff. This was more about fun and the exhilarating rush of adrenaline.

She pumped her wings harder, the clean, cool air pouring like a balm over her flight feathers as she gained some serious speed. Just as things started to blur, she kicked into a rocketing climb, snapping her wings shut tight against her body and twitching into a wingless spiralling ascent. Oh yeah, the Stairway to Heaven, she thought, grinning exultantly as her momentum gradually died. There was that perfect, joyous moment of weightlessness as gravity and momentum cancelled each other out perfectly, and she used it to cancel the spin. Arching her neck and back, she fell into a back flip which ended with her pointing straight down and gathering speed like a falling anvil. And the crowd! Goes! Wiiiiiiiiiiild! she chanted in her head, laughing aloud. Her wings flared, bringing her around in a gentle arc to a fast glide. She got a funny look from a passing crow and stuck her tongue out at it. Ha! You wish, buddy! Hey...!

There was a strange sight in Ponyville's main square near the town hall; a wagon piled high with a tarpaulin over it. It wasn't one of Applejack's, that was for sure, and despite her friend being an early-to-rise type, this was a little early even for her. That pony in front looked unfamiliar, too. With her job done, she decided to fly down and check it out.

She flared her wings and came to a near-silent hover not far away. Yep, a stranger, an Earth pony with a grey coat and darker grey mane, still hitched to the wagon but fast asleep with one hind leg cocked and resting on the tip of his hoof. Quite a tall pony, actually, nearly as big as Applejack's brother Macintosh, but where Big Mac was all slabs of muscle this pony was sorta thin and wiry. His cutie mark was weird too; it looked like one of those pointy compass things for drawing circles.

She tried a cough to get his attention. No point in scaring him. There was no reaction other than the twitch of one ear. What was that, anyway? That was pathetic, she sounded like Fluttershy! Time for something a little more forceful!

“Hey there! G'morning!” she said brightly. That got a reaction. There was a small snort and the pony stretched himself, his eyes blinking slowly in confusion. He looked around blearily for a moment before those eyes focused on her. Yep, grey as well. Wow, he's really colour-co-ordinated. Rarity will either be impressed or horrified, she thought to herself.

“Welcome to Ponyville! How are you doing down there?” she said aloud.

“Oh. Hallo. Am I-” he broke off for a jaw-cracking yawn, “Am I in the way here?”

“Nope, don't think so. You probably shouldn't leave it there all day though. Where are you headed? That's a bit of a funny place to hole up for the night?”

The pony was stamping his hooves slowly, obviously sore. “Ponyville, actually. But it was so late when we got here, I didn't want to disturb anypony so I just tried to find somewhere out of the wind, and here was closest.”

She smiled. “Aw, nopony would have minded! Hay, if you were really late you could always have gone to Twilight's place. She's usually up half the night, anyhow.”

She got a tired smile, “But I don't know your friend Twilight. Actually, I don't know anypony here.”

She folded her wings and dropped lightly onto her hooves. “Well, you do now – Rainbow Dash, nice to meet you!”

He held out a large hoof. “I'm Silver Braise.”

She gave it an emphatic shake, but jumped a little in surprise at a groggy voice from the wagon.

“Sils?”

He started to unhitch himself from the traces, “Are you awake back there?”

“Where are we?” This time the voice was a little stronger.

“Ponyville. Come out and see! They've even laid on a welcoming committee,” said Silver Braise drily.

Rainbow Dash laughed. “Just me, I'm afraid. Wait until you meet Pinkie Pie, now she's a welcoming committee all on her own!”

A rumpled-looking Unicorn appeared around the back of the wagon. She, too, was a grey, with a neatly clipped pattern on her flanks around her scissors-and-comb cutie mark, but instead of the stallion's grey she had a black mane above her horn and little gold hoops studded down her ears. She sleepily blinked her bright blue eyes for a moment before narrowing them at the other pony as he released the last buckles and stepped free of the harness.

“Silver Hammerbuck Braise, are you seriously going to tell me you've spent the whole night hitched to this confounded wagon?” she asked in a dangerous voice. Short and dainty, even for a Unicorn, she could nevertheless summon an impressive amount of intimidating ire.

“Not if I can avoid it?” the stallion said hopefully.

“You've been standing there all night?” The Unicorn turned to Rainbow Dash, “Please tell me you didn't find him like this?”

Silver Braise winced. “Err...”

Rainbow Dash twitched her tail nervously. “Uh, well, actually..,” she gave the stallion an apologetic look. “Yup.”

Silver Braise got a furious glare, but as the little mare strode towards him the look faded.

“Sils, you crazy straw-for-brains idiot!” she said softly, nuzzled him gently, “Are you all right?”

“Yeah, I'll be fine. And I thought you said I was, what was it? The most brilliant pony who ever lived?”

The mare snorted derisively. “That was last night. I can see you're back to normal now.”

Rainbow Dash shuffled her flight feathers awkwardly, feeling like she was intruding. Doing so must have got the other pony's attention, because she stepped away from Silver Braise and belatedly introduced herself

“Oh, I'm sorry. My name's Summer Clip.”

“Rainbow Dash,” she introduced herself proudly.

“You're a weather pony?”

“You betcha! Weather pony and one of the best fliers in Equestria!” she said. Hey, it's not boasting if it's true, she told herself. “I was just finishing up the Dawn Patrol.”

Summer Clip looked up for a moment. “Wow, you've done a great job!”

Rainbow Dash grinned. “Absolutely!” She puffed out her chest as the first rays of dawn spilled across the town square. “And you're just in time for the best bit – first light!”

“Ooh!”

The two strange ponies looked around with great interest. Rainbow Dash watched smugly. Yeah, Ponyville wasn't the biggest, but it was a pretty little town and had just about everything a pony could want.

Eventually, Summer Clip turned back to her. “Is there somewhere we can go to get out of the way? We can't just leave this wagon here. And after that, I should buy this fool a good breakfast.”

Silver Braise shrugged. “There's plenty of grazing-”

“Oh no you don't! You're going to get a good nosebag and like it! A nice hot bran mash, if I can find one, with a big spoonful of molasses mixed in.”

Silver Braise snorted a sigh. “Yes, mother,” he said mockingly.

Summer Clip narrowed her eyes at him again, and Rainbow Dash decided to step in before any further fireworks broke out. “Well, I don't know about permanently, but for the time being you can park up at Twilight's place. It's the big tree over there,” she said, pointing.

“She won't mind?” asked Silver Braise, hurriedly trotting over to the wagon shafts and pulling on the harness. Summer Clip just stood there, giving the poor stallion the evil eye.

“Nah, she probably won't even notice!” She leapt into the air and flew around behind the wagon. “Let's get this thing moving. How about I give you a hoof?”

She put her shoulder to the tailboard and shoved. It didn't move. Hay, it barely even rocked! She dug her hooves in, braced herself, and heaved as hard as she could. The wagon creaked slightly, then dropped back into the wheel ruts.

“You ready back there?” came Silver Braise's voice.

“Yeah, no problem,” Rainbow Dash wheezed, still pushing. There came a louder series of creaks and the wagon slowly lurched into motion, nearly dropping her flat on her face as it moved from under her. “What the hay have you got in this thing, rocks?” Sure, Earth ponies were supposed to be strong, but that scrawny-looking pony up front must be a whole lot stronger than he looked to move this thing.

“Iron, mostly,” said Summer Clip in an amused voice, taking a place next to Silver Braise and adding her own muscle power. “I managed to talk him into leaving the lead at home.”

Together, the three of them managed to bring the wagon around and shove it into the small paddock beside the library. Once the wagon was safely off the road, Rainbow Dash blew out her cheeks. Next time, just stick to the flying, she told herself.

“Why don't I just go and see if Twilight's home? I'm sure she'd like to meet you,” said Rainbow Dash. That, and there was no chance that Twilight would be up and about; no doubt her friend had spent the night poring over some dusty old tome again. Heh, it was always fun to pull her tail a bit.

She flew up to Twilight's bedroom window and rapped hard, “Oh, Twiiii-light! You have visitors! Rise and shine, show a leg! Hoofs off hocks, on with socks!” she called, trying to keep the laughter out of her voice. To her surprise, the front door opened beneath her almost immediately.

“How many times, Rainbow? Just use the door, will you?!”

Rainbow Dash goggled. Not only was Twilight awake, but her mane was neatly brushed and, judging by the bowl of dandelion muesli floating in front of her, already halfway through breakfast.

“What are you doing up?” she spluttered.

“Shouldn't I be asking you that, seeing as you were the one banging on my window?” Twilight noticed the two strange ponies and gave them an enquiring look.

Rainbow Dash coughed. “Yeah, um, Twilight, this is Silver Braise and Summer Clip. They just got to Ponyville and need somewhere to park their wagon.”

“Hallo,” said Summer Clip nervously. “I hope you don't mind, but Rainbow Dash suggested we put it in your paddock for the time being.”

Twilight blinked, mentally shifting up a few gears. “No, not at all. Welcome to Ponyville! Won't you come in?”

The purple pony turned tail and led the way inside, looking over her shoulder as the newcomers followed her, Rainbow Dash swooping down to bring up the rear. “Um, sorry about the mess.”

Rainbow Dash tried not to snicker. As usual, there were books on every surface and piles of notes and drawings scattered around the library. Typical Twilight, but that didn't explain why she was so chipper this morning?

“Have a seat,” said Twilight cheerfully, as she led them into the small kitchen, “Is anypony hungry?”

There was a loud, answering gurgle from Silver Braise's midriff, and the tall pony gave an embarrassed smile.

“I think that's a 'Yes',” laughed Twilight. “Summer Clip, Rainbow?”

“If it's not too much trouble?” said Summer Clip hesitantly.

“We don't want to eat you out of house and home,” added Silver Braise, his nostrils already twitching.

“Trust me, once you've had Pinkie Pie come and visit a few times, feeding you guys can't be any trouble at all,” said Twilight lightly.

“You got any of those Cloudburst Clusters left?” asked Rainbow Dash eagerly.

Twilight busied herself around the kitchen and quickly had bowls in front of her unexpected visitors. The sound of contented munching filled the kitchen, although the two new ponies looked fascinated as she used her magic to pour four steaming cups of nettle tea.

“So, are you in Ponyville for long?” Twilight asked when everypony had a chance to make some inroads into their breakfast.

Summer Clip and Silver Braise exchanged a look. “That depends,” said the stallion.

“We were thinking of heading to Canterlot eventually,” said Summer Clip. “For now, we were hoping to stay here for a while, find some work.”

“Earn some money,” Silver Braise added. “Setting up in Canterlot might be a bit expensive to do right away.”

“Yeah, and this way we can maybe pop up and see what it's like beforehoof, get an idea of where to go, and so on,” said Summer Clip. “It must be a thrilling place.”

Rainbow Dash and Twilight grinned. “It has its good points,” said Twilight.

“So, where are you two from, anyway?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“We're from a little place called Fetlock Bath. It's about forty miles south-east of Manechester,” said Silver Braise.

“Wow, that's, like, way up in the hills, isn't it?” asked Rainbow Dash.

Summer Clip smiled. “Well, it's certainly a bit of a trot from Ponyville!”

Twilight frowned. “I've never even heard of Fetlock Bath?”

“Yes!” Rainbow Dash cheered, pumping a hoof, “There's actually something Twilight doesn't know! Unbelievable!” She rolled her eyes when she caught sight of Twilight's scowl. “Oh, lighten up!”

Twilight shook her head. “So, what do you two do? It must be quite something if it needs a whole wagon full of stuff?” she asked, changing the subject.

“Most of it's his; that's why he's done most of the pulling,” said Summer Clip.

“OK, fine! Next time, we're taking two wagons,” joked Silver Braise.

Summer Clip just snorted in amusement and rolled her eyes, muttering, “Jerk!” under her breath. “I'm a stylist, of sorts. Manes, tails, and all-over coat clipping,” she said in a louder voice.

“Sounds easy, doesn't it? You wouldn't believe the number of scissors and shears and clippers and things she thinks she needs,” said Silver. At Summer Clip's flat look, he hurried on. “I, on the other hoof, am a woodworker. Carpentry, joinery, marquetry-”

“Idiocy,” Summer Clip interjected with a fond grin.

“-cabinet making, and general wood-related stuff,” he finished. “I had to bring some of the larger equipment with me, or I'd never be able to afford to replace it, even if I could find it.”

“Some of it he had to make himself,” said Summer Clip proudly.

“Cool! Well, you've met Rainbow, and as for me, uh, I'm just a librarian,” said Twilight modestly.

“Walking library, more like,” Rainbow Dash muttered. Twilight ignored her.

“So, what can you tell me about Fetlock Bath?”

The three of them nattered away happily about the small village, and Rainbow Dash tuned them out. It didn't sound too different to Ponyville, except that the population was almost all earth ponies, with only a couple of Pegasi. Boring!

They were interrupted by a heavy pounding at the door. Twilight's head jerked up.

“Oh, horse-feathers, is that the time? Spike? Spike!”

“Yeah, coming!” came a loud, coltish voice from upstairs.

Twilight dashed to the door and pulled it open. “Just a minute!” she cried, wheeling away to canter into the library. From the kitchen, Rainbow Dash could see a Royal Guard waiting impassively in his golden armour. Oh, that explained why Twilight was so uncharacteristically early. She could hear Spike listing off books and equipment as he trailed after Twilight.

“...of Extraneous Enchantments, and I packed Titan's Tortuous Technical Thaumaturgical Thesaurus, just in case. Oh, and I packed one of Pinkie's cupcakes in case you get hungry on the way.”

“Thanks Spike, you're the greatest!” Twilight poked her head back into the kitchen, shrugging a pair of bulging saddlebags over her withers, and explained hurriedly, “I'm really sorry, everypony, but I've got to get to Canterlot this morning and now there's ponies waiting! Silver Braise, Summer Clip, it was really nice to meet you and I hope we'll see each other again when I get back. Spike, you know what to do with the library, and if there's any trouble with anything else-”

“He'll go straight around to Rarity's,” interrupted Rainbow Dash, grinning knowingly.

The little dragon gave an embarrassed smile, “Well, I could go to Pinkie's, if you'd prefer?”

Twilight looked thoughtful for a second, “Good point; Rarity it is. And that reminds me; Rainbow, can you please tell Pinkie and Rarity that I won't be able to make lunch today?”

“Sure thing, Twilight. Say 'Hi' to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna from everypony!”

Twilight smiled, “Will do. 'Bye!”

They followed her to the door, saying their goodbyes, and Rainbow Dash saw a stunned look exchanged by the two other ponies as they saw Twilight jump into a flying royal chariot and be whisked away.

“Hang on, that's Twilight, as in Twilight Sparkle? As in the Twilight Sparkle? Nightmare Moon and Discord and everything?” said Summer Clip slowly.

“Which would make you...oh,” said Silver Braise. “She really is going to see Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, isn't she?”

Rainbow Dash puffed out her chest proudly at their awed looks. “Pretty much, yeah.”

Silver Braise swallowed and stamped a hind hoof nervously, “And we just crashed her place for breakfast.”

The two grey ponies looked at each other and let out a horrified groan.

“Eh, relax! She didn't mind. She's just an ordinary pony,” said Spike, with a curious look at the unfamiliar visitors.

“No, she's not, she's a dork!” snorted Rainbow Dash. “Spike's right, don't sweat it.”

“Yeah, says you; one of her best friends!” Silver Braise pointed out.

“Exactly. I'd know, right? C'mon!” said Rainbow Dash, rolling her eyes.

“If you say so,” said Summer Clip dubiously. “But thank her for breakfast, all the same.”

“No problem. So, new day, new town; what are you going to do today?”

“Oh, err, I don't think we'd got that far,” said Summer Clip, with a glance at Silver Braise. “Probably have a look around and get a feel for the place, maybe see if anypony needs a hoof with anything.”

“Right. I think you should really go talk to Rarity at the Carousel Boutique. Between her and the ponies at the spa, they'd probably be able to help you. As for you, Silver Braise, I dunno. Maybe go and see if the mayor's heard of anypony who needs help?” suggested Rainbow Dash.

“Thanks, that sounds like a good idea. Well, maybe we'll go and have a look around all the same.”

Rainbow Dash shrugged. “Sure thing. If you get lost, I'm sure somepony will help you. And if you get hungry, then just look for Sugarcube Corner, you can't miss it.”

“Yeah, if you don't mind getting glomped by Pinkie Pie,” Spike snickered.

“What is it with this Pinkie Pie pony? Everypony keeps mentioning her like she's, I dunno, dangerous?” asked Silver Braise.

Rainbow Dash laughed. “Nah, Pinkie's not dangerous, she's just..,” she trailed off, trying to think of a word to sum up her friend.

“Crazy?” Spike suggested, “Off the wall? Completely random?”

“Enthusiastic. Pinkie's just... really keen,” Rainbow Dash settled on lamely.

“Oh yeah, but there's keen, and then there's Pinkie-keen,” said Spike.

“Right. Well, we'll just brace ourselves for whatever comes,” said Silver Braise wryly. “Thanks again for breakfast.”

Spike and Rainbow Dash stood in the door of the library and watched the two grey ponies head towards Stirrup Street.

“Well, they were weird,” snorted Spike. “'Oh, Twilight! Our hero!'” he said mockingly.

Rainbow Dash laughed. “It's hard to believe that our local egghead's that famous!”

“You, on the other hoof..,” said Spike, with a draconic grin which showed off a disturbing number of teeth, even at his age.

“You betcha! Now I really oughta go report in at Cloudsdale before they start thinking my awesomeness levels have slipped. See you later, Spike!”

Rainbow Dash crouched slightly, tensing her muscles, and rocketed into the inviting sky.

There was nothing better than a sunny day on the farm in spring, thought Macintosh contentedly. Keeping busy, in an unhurried sort of way, pruning and ploughing with the warm sun on your back and none of the worry or pressure of the harvest. Having a sister with an 'in' with the Weather Patrol certainly didn't hurt, either.

Today was one of those days. Moseying along in front of the plough, the beautiful scent of warm earth in his nostrils and birdsong in the air. He smiled secretly to himself, thinking of the time that he had caught Fluttershy trying to act as choirmaster and teach the birds what they already knew; such a gentle soul that even the animals didn't have the heart to tell her off!

Making the wide turn at the ranch end of the field, he started off back up towards the town. There was a pony standing at the ranch gate. Grey. Looked lost.

Macintosh kept up his usual unhurried pace. If the stranger wanted anything, he'd still be waiting when Mac got there. He nibbled pensively on the end of the wheat stalk he kept between his teeth; less a snack than a prophylaxis from the days when he'd had a raging peppermint sugarstraw addiction as a colt. Nope, he couldn't think of anypony they were expecting, and it didn't look like one of his sister's friends, neither.

“Hallo there,” said the stranger as Mac neared the fence.

“Howdy,” said Macintosh, keeping the plough moving.

“Err, I'm looking for somepony called Applejack?”

Macintosh let out a loud snort and came to a halt, having a good, relaxing shake as the pressure came off his collar. “My sister,” he said laconically.

“Ah. I see. My name's Silver Braise, I'm new in town. I was told she might be able to help me find somewhere to set up a workshop?”

Macintosh chewed this over for a few moments. “Reckon so. Mind if I finish?”

“No, not at all. Whenever you're ready.”

Macintosh nodded, and leaned forward against his collar. When he felt the ploughshare begin to cut through the heavy soil, he resumed his steady walk. It wasn't much, but a good crop of maize off this field would be invaluable next winter, and there was always room for a few more carrots.

In total, the field was about half an acre, he knew. Set 'em about two hoofwidths apart in the row, and his rows were about a good stride apart themselves, that gave him... 10,000 plants, near enough. Given a kernel weighed about a hundredth of an ounce, he'd need... okay... about seven and a half pounds of corn kernels. Call it eight. Now then...

The stranger simply stood patiently as Macintosh made another circuit, absently pondering seed requirements and potential yields. By the time he came around again, the pony was peacefully cropping the occasional mouthful of the scrappy grass by the roadside. It was nice, in a way. Most ponies would be in an itchin' hurry by now. Still, he had his field to plough and he wasn't about to leave a job half-done.

Up and down, up and down...several circuits later, one final leg along the fence would do it. The stranger was still there, waiting patiently.

“Ready?” Macintosh asked as he made the final turn.

“Sure.”

The grey pony fell into stride with him on the other side of the fence. “Nice day,” he ventured.

“Yup,” said Macintosh simply. “Name's Mac.”

“Nice to meet you.” The other pony simply left it at that. No pointless blathering.

Macintosh was beginning to like him already.

Applejack was in the barn looking over the remains of the old cider press when she heard her brother calling for her.

“In here, Mac!” she hollered.

Her brother was accompanied by an unfamiliar Earth pony. Standing next to Mac, it was apparent that they were both of a similar height, but on his own the grey pony's light build made him look even taller. Maybe he was just young and yet to fill out. Either way, at least he wasn't that darn fool of an inspector from the Agriculture Department again, trying to tell her how to grow her apples. She would have sent him away with a flea in his ear – again!

“Miss Applejack?”

“That's me, right enough, but please, just call me Applejack. My family and I run Sweet Apple Acres, here. What can I do for you, Mister?”

She listened as the big pony introduced himself and explained his mission. Apparently Bonbon had directed him to the ranch.

“What sort o' workshop are you making, Mr. Braise?”

“I'm a woodworker, Miss Applejack. I don't need anything fancy, just as long as it has four walls and a roof, for the time being.”

Applejack thought for a few moments. “I'm afraid I really don't think I can help you, Mr. Braise, everything I got's plumb full-up, or like to be come apple-buck season. Now that I think about it, there is an old shack on the Berry farm they ain't used in ages. I was going to see Ma Berry this afternoon; you're welcome to join me and I can introduce ya?”

“Thank you, Miss Applejack, that's very kind of you. In the meantime, if you need any labour about the place, I don't mind getting my hooves dirty.”

“Right now, I think Big Mac and Caramel and I have got it covered. You any good with trees?”

The stranger grinned. “Only after they've stopped being trees, I'm afraid!”

Applejack and Macintosh both chuckled. “That ain't much use right now, but if you can pull a wagon you'll be welcome come apple-buck season,” said Big Mac in his deep, slow voice.

Silver flinched a little, rolling his shoulders. “I've had rather a lot of practice at that recently. If I'm still around at harvest time, just say the word.”

“Why, that's right neighbourly of you, Mr. Braise, you can be sure you'll be hearing from us! For now, I could sure do with some advice on this here cider press of mine. Darn thing gave out on me last year. Even with hooves the size of Big Mac, squeezing apples by hoof loses its appeal real quick, let me tell you!” said Applejack. She saw his ears prick up, and he walked over to examine press more closely.

“Let's see what...oh dear.” He prodded the splintered remains of the screw with a judicious hoof, then the rest of the frame. He even lay down to inspect the bed from underneath, and sniffed various parts carefully. “This has seen quite a few crops of apples, hasn't it?”

“Longer 'n I can remember, that's for sure. Maybe Granny would know?” said Applejack, pushing her hat up on her head. “What do you say, Mr. Braise?”

“Well... it's in pretty good shape, other than the screw. No rot anywhere, and it's seasoned well. I could cut you a new screw, but to be honest you would be better off getting one made in iron. If it's hardened and tempered properly, well, your great-grandfoals will probably still be using it.”

Big Mac snorted at her side, swishing his tail. “Told ya.”

“You did, and like I told you, Drop Forge told me it needed an iron frame, basically a whole new press, and we can't afford that!” said Applejack in annoyance.

“I think your Drop Forge is trying to drum up some business,” said Silver diplomatically. “All you really need is the screw and the nut – we can build that into the rest of the press. How do you use this thing, anyway?”

Applejack gave him a brief run-down of the process. “We got the big ol' crushing mill over there, but it ain't exactly quick work to crunch them apples up fine and then get 'em into the press. Every year, it's always a struggle to make enough cider to keep everypony happy around here.”

Silver chewed on his lip for a minute in thought. “Right, the first thing to do is speak to Drop Forge and get him to quote for a new screw. With your permission, I'll do that and then give you some idea of how much the whole thing will cost. Where can I get my hooves on some timber around here?”

“That'd be Windfall, over towards Whitetail Wood on the north-east side of town. If you're after lumber, she's your mare, right enough.”

“What sort o' timber you after?” asked Macintosh.

“Oak for this job, but I can find a use for just about anything well-seasoned.”

Applejack let out a short laugh. “The only thing we got here is applewood, which ain't fit for much more than what we use it for – firewood!”

Silver's ears pricked up. “Applewood? Believe it or not, I could make all sorts of things out of that.”

“I dare say we've got enough that we could spare you some,” said Applejack. “In the meantime, I think you've got yourself a deal, Mr. Braise, all you need now is somewhere to make it. You're more'n welcome to join us for lunch before we head on up to the Berry's place, if you like?”

“Thank you, but I'm supposed to be meeting somepony in town.”

Macintosh chuckled, “Sugarcube Corner?”

Silver grinned, “Yes, and I shall be on the lookout for Pinkie Pie!”

“You know Pinkie?” said Applejack in surprise, “Shoot, the invites ain't even arrived yet, she must be slipping!”

“I haven't met her yet, but seeing as I've been warned about her by just about everypony, I'm not sure if I should be worried or not!”

Applejack laughed. “Pinkie's a little different, but she just loves meeting new ponies and making friends. I'll meet you there after lunch?”

“That sounds fine – assuming I survive! Well, thank you both and I'll see you shortly.”

Applejack and Macintosh said their goodbyes, watching the tall pony trot up the lane towards the town.

“Poor fella. He don't know what he's let himself in for,” said Macintosh, shaking his head slowly.

“Ah, consider it a test for surviving in Ponyville. And besides; at least there'll be cupcakes!”

Summer Clip was resting by the fountain in the town square when Silver Braise arrived, splashing one hoof idly in the water. It was pretty enough, he supposed, but why there should be a statue of a pony balancing on a ball in the middle of it escaped him.

“There you are! I was wondering if you'd gotten lost!” she exclaimed as he trotted up.

“Not quite! I did meet a couple of ponies who sent me to meet somepony called Applejack. She says she knows someone who has a place where I can set up, and I might even have a first job, too!” said Silver enthusiastically.

“That's great! I had a bit of a nose around, but I didn't get too far,” said Summer, as they set off towards the gingerbread-house extravagance of Sugarcube Corner.

“Did you talk to Rarity, like Rainbow Dash suggested?”

Summer gave him an uneasy look. “No, not yet. I did go and see the Mayor, though, and a few other ponies. I want to try to do things on my own, first.”

“Fair enough,” said Silver, pulling the door to the shop open, “After you.”

Inside, the shop was just as brightly decorated as the exterior, with cheerful cake-themed decoration on just about every surface. The air was ripe with the scent of the tempting pastries and cupcakes lined up on the counter tops, but as they looked around, the shop appeared to be deserted.

“Hallo? Anypony here?” called Silver.

There was a loud shout of, “Pull!” from the corner, and his head snapped around just in time to receive something soft and slightly warm splattered across his muzzle, blinding him. He stumbled backwards, falling onto his rump, and felt Summer trip over him and fall with a thump. His eyes were covered in something thick and sticky, and as he raised a hoof to wipe it away he could taste sweet lemon.

Stunned at the sudden attack, he turned his head to see Summer in much the same state as he was, covered in crumbs and bright pink icing with a little garnish sliding off the end of her horn. Wiping the goo off her face, she gave him a disbelieving look before they both turned to look for the source of the attack. Sitting on the floor in the corner of the shop behind a pair of miniature catapults was an Earth pony with a bright pink coat.

She pushed a steel helmet which was threatening to fall over her eyes back on her head, revealing a bouffant pink mane, and propped her chin on her hoof. “Hmm,” she said pensively, “Maybe Ponyville's just not ready for fast food?”

Wondering if he'd gone mad, he turned to look at Summer again, who was doing much the same thing and mouthing, 'What the...!'

Snapping out of her reverie, the pink pony bounded to her hooves and bounced exuberantly over to them. “Oh, wow! Hi there! Sorry about that, you're really not at all who I was expecting but I had everything set up and you were just right there and I was like, ooh, this is too perfect! Pow! Pow! But instead of chomp, it was like ker-splut which isn't what I had in mind at all I mean this would be perfect for my friend Rainbow Dash? She's always in such a hurry and she loves cupcakes and I thought maybe I could help her out but instead I kinda got you two instead.” The pink pony's blizzard-of-consciousness petered out and she gave them both a blinding grin for a moment, which faltered only slightly at the lack of reaction. “I'm really sorry,” she said in a lower voice.

“Uh...,” Silver said intelligently, still lost somewhere shortly after the words 'Hi there'.

“What in the hay was that?!” said Summer in a faint, disbelieving voice.

The pink pony whipped out a cloth and started mopping the mess off the unicorn's face while still rattling on at a million miles per hour. “Yeah, I'm really, really sorry about that. On the bright side, it's my favourite icing, I left out the vanilla this time but it's turned out really super-delish and you get the fabulously zippy-zesty lemon zap with the creamy mascarpone which is really strangely appropriate seeing as I've inadvertently masked a couple of ponies with it. Sorry.”

“There is icing. In. My. Mane.” growled Summer, with ponicide in her eyes and one front hoof pawing at the floor. Showing that she wasn't totally oblivious to the rest of the world, the other pony took a judicious step backwards and Silver held out a hoof between the two.

“Easy now, Sums,” he said in a warning voice.

Summer's blow-torch glare didn't subside in the least. After a moment, she let out a furious snort and spun on her heels, stalking outside and leaving the door rattling in its frame.

“Whoa! OK, that didn't go so well,” said the pink pony, apparently to herself.

“You don't say?”

“Please tell me that she's always a grumpy, grouchy McGrumpypants and I haven't just made her hate me when we've only just met?” she begged.

“Well, you did just whack her in the face with a high-velocity cupcake,” Silver pointed out carefully, “That's not particularly welcoming.”

The pony sagged, even some of the joyful poofiness going out of her mane. “You're right. And I am really, really sorry. I mean, I haven't even introduced myself yet, I'm-”

“Pinkie Pie?” Silver broke in.

Pinkie hesitated for a moment, her mouth still open in mid-flow. “How did you know that?” she asked.

He grinned. “Lucky guess?”

When Silver emerged from Sugarcube Corner, a large paper bag clutched in his teeth, he looked around and tried to work out where Summer had got to. Finally, he spotted her in the main square at the fountain, trying to rinse off the caked mess. He trotted over and carefully set the bag down on the cobbles next to her.

“Are you all right?”

She glowered at him in silence for a moment and then shook, sending water droplets flying from her saturated mane. He sighed.

“I know you're upset, but it's not the end of the world.”

“She hit me in the face, Sils. And she thought it was funny,” Summer said in a small, hurt voice.

Silver's ears flattened. “I don't know what she thought. I do know she spent the last ten minutes apologising to me every time she opened her mouth, and believe me she did a lot of it.”

“Oh, sure! It's when your back's turned that you have to worry,” said Summer bitterly, stamping an angry hoof.

“I'm really not sure what to make of it, to be honest; all the other ponies did say that she's a bit peculiar. But I do think she was being sincere when she apologised,” said Silver. He knew that even as a grown mare, Summer found it difficult to deal with being the butt of other ponies' humour. Certain ponies had a lot to answer for.

“Maybe.”

“Well, I believe her,” said Silver. He leaned over and gave her a gentle nuzzle. “You really think I'd let somepony get away with picking on you?”

Summer gave him a watery smile. “Probably not,” she admitted, “And if you pick a fight at least this time you won't get grounded by your parents.”

Silver snorted. “Something to be thankful for. Try a cupcake, they're actually rather good,” he said, opening the paper bag. He looked up and grinned at her. “No pink ones this time, it doesn't go with your mane!”

Summer let out a hiccoughing laugh. “Big jerk!” she muttered. Silver just laughed.

They finished their cupcakes in companionable silence, and a pecan plait as well; Silver had found it difficult convincing Pinkie Pie not to add practically every baked good in the shop to his original order free of charge in reparation. Licking some sticky maple syrup off his hoof, he looked up to see Summer giving him a strange look.

“Oh, come here, you,” she said briskly, “You're still covered in that stuff. Ugh, there's some in your ear, now lean down, you know I can't reach.”

Silver obliged and let Summer fuss over him for a few minutes, cleaning him up with napkins and the occasional dousing of water.

“That'll have to do for now, but you're going to need a proper bath later,” said Summer.

“What in the hay happened to you?” asked a bewildered voice. Silver turned to see Applejack trotting up to them, a hefty pair of saddlebags on her back.

“I think Pinkie Pie happened,” said Silver. “Hallo, Miss Applejack.”

“I told you, sugar cube, just plain ol' Applejack's fine for me.” she drawled genially.

“Then it's only fair that you call me Silver. This is my friend Summer Clip,” said Silver, giving the Unicorn a friendly nudge with his shoulder.

“Well, howdy there, I'm right pleased to meet you! Applejack's the name, I run Sweet Apple Acres, just south o' Ponyville. Apple's the name, an' apple-farming's the game!”

Silver watched in amusement as the sturdy farm pony seized the smaller Unicorn’s hoof and pumped it vigorously. Summer looked a little overwhelmed as she stammered her way through her introductions.

“Well, we need to be off if we don't want to keep Ma Berry waiting. Are you coming with us, sugar cube?” Applejack asked Summer.

“Thanks, but I think I'll stay here. I need to do some more hunting for my own place, and I should probably try to find somewhere we can stay tonight.”

“See you by the wagon when we get back,” said Silver.

As Applejack led him east out of the main square, she turned her head to grin at him.

“Now then, what in tarnation has Pinkie been up to this time?”