Apple Bloom pressed her rear hooves against the tree. She tensed up as she had seen her siblings do a thousand times, then bucked out with all her strength. She hit the tree with a solid thud, but no apples fell. Instead of getting discouraged, Apple Bloom raised her legs a second time. With her friends cheering her on she bucked out again and again, harder and harder.

Nearby, Applejack lazed in a hammock. She pretended to be asleep, but kept one eye half-open. "Some day, little appleseed," she said quietly, a smile on her face. "Some day."