Disclaimer: I own only the following: Charles.

Chapter 4: Applebuck Season

"Boy howdy! I got my work cut out for me. That there is the biggest bumper crop a' apples I ever laid eyes on." Applejack looking out in large fields of Sweet Apple Acres. There were among thousands and thousands of apple trees ready to be picked.

"Eeyup. Too big for you to handle on your own." Big Macintosh stands right by Applejack with a bandage around his waist looking out at the sight.

"Come on, big brother! You need to rest up and get yourself better. I haven't met an apple orchard yet that I can't handle." Applejack leaned her hoof on Macintosh's injured waist which made a painful look on his face. Appkejack noticed and quickly withdrew it. Big Macintosh gave a glare at her while covering his waist with his hind leg.

"Oops, sorry." she said sheepishly.

"I'll take a bite out of this job by day's end." Applejack guaranteed.

"Biting off more than you can chew is just what I'm afraid of." Big Mac said.

"Are you sayin' my mouth is makin' promises my legs can't keep?" Applejack asked sharply.

"Eeyup." Big Mac simply answered.

"Why of all the... This is your sister Applejack, remember? The loyalest of friends and the most dependable of ponies?"

"But still only one pony, and one pony plus hundreds o' apple trees just doesn't add up to..."

"Don't you use your fancy mathematics to muddle the issue! I said I could handle this harvest and I'm gonna prove it to you. I'm gonna get every last apple out of those trees this applebuck season all by myself." Applejack swored. But she made an uneasy gulp signing she might not do it.

"Well I better get kickin'. These apples aren't gonna shake themselves outta the trees." Applejack said to herself. A sudden shake and rumble started happening and a single apple came off and her on the head.

"Hey! Oh no." Applejack said worriedly. She then ran to the direction of Ponyville. Meanwhile in the town the rumble can be felt and heard and it was getting louder. Rainbow Dash flew up to get a better view and saw clouds of dust approaching the town. She sees it is a stampede of cattle running right towards Ponyville.

"STAMPEDE!" Dash shouted out loud. As soon as the whole town heard the message they started panicking and running around the town to find shelter or lock their homes from destruction.

"[laughing] H-e-y... t-h-i-s m-a-k-e-s m-y v-o-i-c-e s-o-u-n-d s-i-l-l-y." Pinkie Pies voice vibrated as well as her whole body did from the earthquake shaking of the ground.

"Pinkie Pie, are you crazy?" Twilight Sparkle shouted at her.

"She's always crazy!" Charles said.

"Run!" Twilight shouted again.

"Everypony calm down. There is no need to panic." informed the mayor.

"But mayor, whatever shall we do?" Rarity said dramatically.

"Look there!" Dash pointed at the stampeding herd.

"YEEEHAW!" Applejack shouted in the distance while running next to the herd. The ponies cheered as they watch by the bridge hoping Applejack can stop them.

"Move aside, Winona." Applejack ordered. Next to her is a brown and white furred dog running with her and barked in understanding.

"Put 'em up, girl!" Applejack encouraged. The group watched in both awe and fear as the stampede gets closer.

"This is the best rodeo show I've ever seen." Pinkie declared and stated eating a carton of popcorn. Charles and Twilight looked at each other with uncertain looks on their faces.

"Come on, little doggies! Turn!" Applejack hit one of the cows but the herd still keeps going straight.

"[whistle] Winona, put 'em up!" Applejack called. Winona started hopping over each cow to find the leader. Applejack hops on one to get a better view of her.

"Ha hah! Gotcha!" Applejack sees Winona following the front cow. She the grabs her lasso and swings it to the neck of the first cow.

"Attagirl." Applejack encouraged Winona again. She then starts to tug on the cow to get it to turn. Eventually the herd turns just before it can cross the bridge to the outskirts of Ponyville. The ponies cheered to see that there homes are saved.

"Whoaaa. Hooie." she then stops the herd from going any further.

"Now what was that all about?" Applejack asked in a serious tone.

"[moos] [coughs] Oh my! Begging your pardon, Applejack, but Mooriella here saw one of those nasty snakes." one of the cows explained. All of the cattle made a startling gasp.

"And it gave us all the willies, dont'cha know."

"I completely understand, just next time, try and steer clear of Ponyville." Applejack mentioned.

"We certainly will, Applejack. So long, Winona!" the cow made its farewell as she takes the herd back to their proper places. Winona made a bark as a saying of goodbye.

"Yee-haa!", they heard the farmpony say as she and her dog then raced out of sight.

Pinkie jumped out of crowd, bucking around as she said, "Yee-haa! Ride 'em, cowpony!"

The Mayor turned to Twilight and Rarity. "Applejack was just…just…"

Pinkie poked her head from above them. Somehow. "Apple-tastic!", she answered as she then thud to the ground.

"Exactly! We must do something to thank Applejack for single-hoofedly saving the town."

Pinkie got up to give an answer. "I know!"

The next week…

"A party!"

A celebration was being set up in the town square and pavilion, complete with balloons and and banners.

As Charles looked around, he could see Bon Bon tying a ribbon on a bridge alongside Twinkle, Cloud Kicker looking at an orange ribbon Golden Harvest had set up, Minuette dragging a yellow banner with an apple pattern similar to Pinkie's pennant, Berry Punch trotting over to assist her, Daisy looking awed at the results, Rarity adjusting tying a red ribbon to a tree, and Twilight—with Spike on her back—walking up to Rarity her.

"We all ready?", he heard his charge ask the white unicorn.

"Just one last thing." Rarity levitated the banner Minuette and Berry were moving earlier and hung it from the third-floor balcony. "Now we're ready."

"Is Applejack all set?"

Rainbow flew over and provided and answer as Charles approached them. "Actually, I haven't seen her all week."

He was shortly followed by Pinkie. "Not since the stampede."

"But she'll be here for sure. Applejack is never late."

"Well, there's always a first for everything.", said Charles.

Later…

A large crowd had gathered at the pavilion, where a lectern was set up in front of the doors. Twilight stepped up to this and levitated a stack of notes, squaring up their edges and bringing the first page up. "Welcome, everypony! Today we are here to honor a pony we can always count on to help in matters great and small." She 'brought up' the next page. A pony whose contributions to—"

Rainbow barged in, knocking the notes everywhere and forcing Twilight to step aside, much to her annoyance. "Did you see Applejack's slick moves out there? What an athlete! This week, she's gonna help me with my new flying trick, and I know it's gonna be so awesome!" At those last words, the pegasus made a face Charles was going to commit to memory.

Twilight shoved the pegasus back and continued, "Exactly." She then 'lifted' her notes again. "And—" She was cut off once more, this time by Pinkie, who popped up in front of her. Again, the notes fell.

"This week, I get to run Sugarcube Corner for the first time!", the pink earth pony announced.

"What does that have to do with Applejack?"

There was a brief pause from Pinkie. "Oh! Applejack, one of the best bakers ever, is gonna help me. Applejack makes everything great, so free samples for everypony!" There were cheers from the audience.

Twilight dryly pushed her aside. "Okay, that's great." The notes were up again, but scrambled. "Now if I could just make a point without being inter—" For the third time, she was cut off. This time, it was from Fluttershy, who poked her head up, something Charles didn't expect from her for some reason.

"Twilight?"

"—rupted!" The notes fell and the purple unicorn moved aside as Fluttershy stepped up.

"Twilight, I'm so sorry, but I just wanted to mention that Applejack is also helping me this week with the official bunny census, where we count up all the new baby bunnies that were born this season." On the latter part of this, Twilight rolled her eyes wearily at all these breaks in her train of thought. "She's gonna help gather them using her wonderful herding skills." There was a short pause, and before long, Fluttershy cringed and slid away.

"Anyone else?", Twilight called. "…Anyone?" There was no response except for a quiet cough. "No?" She briought her notes up yet again. "Well, then, as I was trying to say—" She paused upon realizing that the mayor was now standing next to her with an expectant grin. After a very long beat, Twilight gave up with a groan and let her notes go flying in all directions, which "Never mind!"

As Twilight stalked away, the mayor took her place, cleared her throat, and gestured to something on the far left (her right). "And so, with no further ado, it is my privilege to give the "Prize Pony of Ponyville" Award to our beloved guest of honor…" Charles turned to see where she was indicating and saw a large trophy decorated with a blue ribbon. It was gold and shaped like a two-handled oil lamp, supported by three pillars, and topped by a rearing filly. "…a pony of the utmost trustworthiness, reliability, and integrity…Ponyville's most capable and dependable friend…" The mayor then gestured to her left (the audience's right) "…Applejack!"

At the right side of the pavilion, a curtain was pulled open, exposing…absolutely nothing. Cheers quickly give way to gasps and silence, with the exception of Spike.

"Way to go, Applejack, that was awesome! I mean…" The baby dragon fell quiet upon finding himself on the wrong end of quizzical glances from his friends and an angry one from Twilight. The mayor, at a total loss, cleared her throat. "Awkward."

"I'm here!", Applejack's voice was heard. A blond mane, brown stetson, part of an orange-tan head, and a pile of apples made their way through the crowd. "I'm here!" She then gave off a yawn as apples fell loose, leaving fruit in her wake as some ponies reacted with shock as she passed. "Sorry I'm late, whoa…I was just…" She was then heard stumbling over something. "Did I get your tail?"

Finally reaching the lectern, she thrust her face into the mayor's, with two full apple baskets slung on her back.

Meanwhile, Applejack pushed the mayor aside. "Miss Mayor, hank you kindly for this here, uh, award thingie." She stepped over to look at it and yawned. "It's so bright and shiny, and…" She then gave a drowsy yawn. "I sure do look funny." She then began pushing her head forward and pulling it back and forth, making high-pitched "whoo-ooo" noises. Pinkie joined her after a moment while Twilight made her way up as well, looking truly confused as she stood on the other side of the trophy.

"Oo-kay…well, thank you, Applejack, for saving us from that scary stampede, and always being there for everypony.", the purple unicorn finally said.

Applejack gave another yawn. "Yeah, I like helpin' the pony folks and…and stuff." She dozed off and begins to snore. A moment later, she shook herself awake. "Oh, uh…yeah, uh, thanks!" Gripping one of the trophy's handles in her teeth, she dragged it backward off the stage and through the crowd.

Once she was gone, Twilight was the first to speak. "Was it just me, or did Applejack seem a little—"

"Tired?", Rainbow finished.

"Dizzy?" Fluttershy.

"Messy?" Rarity. This earned her puzzled looks from the others. "Well, did you see her mane?"

Pinkie jumped onto the stage. "She seemed fine to me. Whoo-ooo!"

"Given how you are, of course you wold think she's fine.", snarked Charles as he saw his charge make a thoughtful face.

Later…

Twilight Sparkle and Charles, decided to visit Applejack to see how she was doing. From what they saw, a short distance away, she was filling tubs with apples by bucking the trees bearing them. They could also see that, if anything, she was even more tired than she was at the award ceremony.

"Phew!", they heard her say as her head then drooped for a moment before she shook herself out of it and squinted behind herself, rearing up for another go. This time, she was too far away from a tree and hit nothing but air—and the tree had already been cleaned off to boot.

"What on earth is that pony doing?", Twilight asked herself.

Applejack repositioned herself and tried again, but kicked over an apple tub instead of hitting the tree. "Whoops."

"Hey, Applejack!", the two unicorns called. "Applejack!" The harvester paid no mind to either of them as Charles walked over to the upended tub and 'refilled' it with the dropped apples. "Applejack!"

After still no reply, Twilight fires up her horn and teleported over to stand right in front of Applejack while her bodyguard just walked over.

"APPLEJACK!", his charge yelled and the farmpony woke up with a start.

"Howdy, Twilight.", she greeted, not noticing Charles behind her.

"What is all this?"

Applejack just walked past as she replied, "It's applebuck season." Twilight teleported over to her as she bucked another tree while Charles just walked again. "Whoa."

"Apple-what season?"

Applejack kept moving. "It's what the Apple family calls harvestin' time." Another teleport from Twilight and another walk-over from her bodyguard. "We gather all the apples from the trees so we can sell 'em."

"So that's what this is about.", Charles spoke up.

"Ahh! Charles! I didn't see you there!"

"If you weren't so fatigued, you would've heard me walking over."

"But why are you doing it all alone?", Twilight asked Applejack.

"'Cause Big Macintosh hurt himself." Another teleport and walk-over and she stopped.

"What about all those relatives I met when I first came to Ponyville? Can't they help?"

Applejack gave a sigh before moving again. "They were just here for the Apple family reunion. They actually live all over Equestria and are busy harvestin' their own orchards. So, uh, I'm on my own." Yet another teleport and walk-over and this time his charge was blocking the farmpony's path. "Which means I should really get back to work." Her two unicorn friend held their ground, leaving them and Applejack to stare each other down for a moment. Applejack cleared her throat. "Hint, hint? Get back to work?"

"Fine.", the two conceded as they walked off.

Applejack began to sway from side to side. "Could you step aside, Twilight, Charles?"

"We just did.", said the stallion, noticing that her vision seemed to be off. From what he could tell from her face, Applejack wasn't sensing the world clearly. "Applejack, you don't look too good."

"Don't none of you five worry none, I'm just fine and dandy." The tried to buck another tree but failed. "Whoa!" There was another teleport and walk-over.

"Do you…want some help?", Twilight offered.

"Help?" Applejack shook her head emphatically. "No way, no how!"

"But there's no way you can do it all on your own." Applejack got in her face.

"Is that a challenge?"

"Um…no."

Applejack turned to Charles for an answer. "Does is have to be?", he asked.

"Well, I'm gonna prove to you that I can do it!" Applejack walked up past the two once again. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got apples to buck."

The two who have actually got a good night's sleep bit their lower lip nervously and looked after her. After a while, Charles turned to his charge, "May I—"

"No." She immediately cut him off and he gave a sigh.

Back at Pontville Rainbow Dash is tapping her hoof impatiently while standing on a fence waiting for something. She then sees Applejack running towards her.

"There you are." Dash said in a dissapointed tone.

"I'm a might' sorry, Rainbow. I was busy applebuckin' and I guess ah, I closed my eyes for a second and, when I woke up, I was late. Now, what's this new trick a' yours?" Applejack wondered.

"See this contraption?" Dash pointed to a tall structure with a platform on top and a teeter totter style launcher right under it.

"Uh... yeah." Applejack answered.

"Well, I'm gonna stand on one end, then you're gonna jump down from that platform, launching me into the air faster than I can take off on my own. Once I'm in the air, I'm gonna do some amazing flips and spins that are sure to impress the Wonderbolts." Dash instructed.

"Isn't that a' might dangerous?" Applejack asked.

"Pfft, heh, not for a pony who can fly." Dash assured as she prepared herself on the launcher.

"Well, alrighty then." Applejack eventually got on top of the platform and prepared to jump but then looked down. The height mixed with her tiredness made her very dizzy to maintain.

"Oh my." she said to herself nervously.

"Ready? One... two... THREE!" Dash counted down. Applejack jumped but missed her target and fell flat on the ground rather clumsily.

"Ummm... maybe I wasn't clear. You're suppose to land on the other end." Dash reminded. Applejack regained her balance and made a crazy looking face.

"Got it." Applejack understood but proved that she can't get it right because she repeatedly misses the launcher time and time again.

"Applejack, what the hay is going on? I mean, I thought I was working with Ponyville's best athlete!" Dash questioned her.

"You are. I'm okay. Really. I-I have an idea." she then reached up for the higher end of the teeter totter launcher and effortly pulled down the weight hoping she would fly like that.

"Ta-da!" she cheered weakly. Dash gave her an unamused look.

"Oh... Maybe not. Okay, one more try. I'm sure to get it this time." Applejack assured and lets go of the launcher. This makes Dash land on the other side hard and groaned in pain. As Applejack reached the top again she focused her eyes until everything was clear. Once it was she can see her target much better.

"Heh heh... Here I go!" Applejack began running and jumped off the platform.

"Wait." Dash yelled trying to get off but it was too late as Applejack finally landed on the her target and sended Dash flying high into the air with a a rainbow streak following behind her.

"APPLEJAAAAAACK!" Dash screamed as she flew uncontrollably.

"You're welcome!" Applejack yelled back. Back at the library Charles and Twilight lied on the balcony while Twilight reads and Charles enjoys napping under the warm rays of the sun next to her. A sudden scream and thud scared the two and looked to see Rainbow Dash lying on the rails panting and with her wings messed up.

"We have a door you know." Charles reminded.

"Can we help you?" Twilight asked.

"I think somepony else needs your help." Dash said.

"Applejack?" Twilight asked with an annoyed tone.

"Yep." Dash answered.

"We need to talk to Applejack again."

His charge gave a sigh as they exited the balcony.

Later, at Sweet Apple Acres…

As the two unicorns walked over to see Applejack, who was bucking another apple tree, full apple baskets slung on her back. She then ducked down to grab a fallen apple by its stem in her teeth, only yo bangs her head on a low branch as she straightened up. The hit sets her entire skull vibrating before her two friends approached within normal hearing range.

"Applejack, can we talk?", Twilight asked.

Applejack scratched at an ear, trying to clear it. As Twilight repeated herself, Charles could tell that that concussion compounded with her lack of sleep has dulled her hearing.

"CAN BEES SQUAWK?", the farmpony replied. "I DON'T THINK SO!"

His charge tried again. "No. Can we talk?"

"TWENTY STALKS? BEAN OR CELERY?"

"NO! I NEED TO TALK TO YOU!"

"YOU NEED TO WALK TO THE ZOO? WELL, WHO'S STOPPIN' YOU?"

"I NEED TO TALK TO YOU!"

"What?! Zoo?!", Charles gasped to himself in panic.

"OH!", Applejack said meanwhile. "WELL, WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY SO? WHAT YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT? "

"RAINBOW DASH DROPPED IN TO SEE US TODAY!", Twilight shouted back.

"THAT'S QUITE NEIGHBORLY OF HER!"

"YES, EXCEPT THAT SHE CRASHED ONTO OUR BALCONY AFTER YOU LAUNCHED HER INTO THE AIR!"

There was a moment of silence before Applejack spoke up again, this time without shouting.

"Oh…yeah." She then dropped her head. "I wasn't feelin' quite myself this mornin'."

"Because you're working too hard and you need help!", Twilight told her.

"What? Kelp? I don't need kelp. I don't even like seaweed."

"HELP! YOU NEED HELP!"

"Nothin' doin', Twilight. I'm gonna prove to you, to everypony, that I can do this on my own!"

"What's more important to you, Applejack?!", Charles asked her. "The harvest, or your pride?"

Applejack ignored him as she walked away…and clunked her head on the same branch. This hit knocked her eyes out of focus. "Ow! Now if you'll excuse me, I gotta go help Pinkie Pie!" She then stumbled away, nearly dumping her freight of fruit and leaving Twilight to groan wearily to herself.

Charles then turned to face his charge. "May I—"

"No."

"It won't hurt her. Much."

"Violence is not the answer."

"Oh, come on! I'll eve start out weak."

Twilight was resolute at refusing her bodyguard whatever he was asking. "No."

Charles grumbled at this. "Fine. But strike three, and I'm doin' it whether you like it or not."

Applejack then makes it to Sugarcube Corner to help Pinkie Pie with baking.

"Now Pinkie Pie, are you sure you're up for baking the muffins and running the store this afternoon?" asked a blue mid-aged pony with a pink fluffy mane and tail similar to Pinkies.

"Yes siree bob, Mrs. Cake. Plus, I have Ponyville's prized pony to help me out. Why, she's the best baker ever. Right, Applejack?" Pinkie asked Applejack excitedly. Applejack shook her head rapidly trying to get rid of the ringing in her ears.

"No? You're not the best baker ever?" asked Mrs. Cakes husband a tall yellow pony with orange hair.

"WHAT? Oh no! I mean, don't you fret. I can bake anything from fritters to pies in the blink of an eye." Applejack assured.

"[sigh] Alright. Well, see you later, girls!" Mrs. Cake said as they leave the store. Applejack continues to shake her head until Pinkie stops her by pressing her hooves on both sides.

"Stop with the shakin', it's time to get bakin'." Pinkie said. They went to the kitchen to get ready to prepare a mufffin recipe.

"Alrighty! I'll get the sugar and the eggs. Can you get me some chocolate chips?" Pinkie asked. Applejack was resting her head on the counter sleeping. She then regained composure.

"Eh, uh, wha, what was that?" Applejack asked. Pinkie repeated again but to Applejacks hearing it sounded like she was going in slow motion.

"Chips... got it. Tater chips, a little salty and dry, okie-dokey." Applejack grabbed a bag of potatoe chips and poured them in a bowl.

"What next?" Applejack said.

"Baking soda." Pinkie instructed.

"Soda. Perfect. That'll get the tater chips nice and wet." Applejack then grabbed a bottle of soda from the fridge and poured it into the bowl.

"Now what?" Applejack asked again.

"A cup of flower." Pinkie instructed.

"A cup o' sour? Well, lemons are sure sour. One cup o' sour comin' up." Applejack grabbed a cup of lemonade and add it to the bowl.

"Anything else, Pinkie?" Applejack asked.

"One last thing. Wheat germ." Pinkie finished. Applejack gave out a disgusted sigh.

"Wheat worms? Oh, that must be fancy talk for earthworms." Applejack thought and went outside and dug up few worms from the ground and add it to the sickening batter.

"Now that's gonna be delicious." Pinkie assured. Applejack looked at the batter which had worms and other unhealthy ingredients in a sickly green mush.

"If you say so." Applejack said. When the muffins were done they took them into the front of the shop and put them on display with a line of ponies already for their unhealthy treats.

"Free muffin sample spectacular!" Pinkie announced. The ponies looked at the treats in awe as most chatter about them and some of their mouths water in hunger.

"Yeah! Muffin spectacles! Get em' while they're hot." Applejack joined in. Hours past and at the hospital a nurse opens a curtain to reveal Charles, Twilight, and Spike behind it with worried faces.

"We came as soon as we heard." Twilight said.

Redheart gave a sigh. "Thank you, Twilight. We need all the help we can get." She then stepped aside to show the victims of what he presumed was the muffins. He saw Sea Swirl, Daisy, Twinkle, Carrot Top, Lemon Hearts, Berry Punch, and Pinkie Pie.

Some of the patients' faces have gone green. And one was vomiting into a bucket, much to Charles' horror. Luckily, she didn't seem to have—he shook the thought off, spooked at the idea.

Twilight seemed to have the same thoughts as well. Or perhaps something somewhat less so. "Oh, no! What happened?"

Spike noticed a half-eaten muffin on the floor, picked it up, and was surprised to see a worm poke out of it. "It was a mishap with some of the baked goods.", explained Redheart.

"No…not baked goods…baked bads!", Pinkie corrected, green-faced before throwing up into a bucket.

Twilight recoiled for a moment, then regained her nerve. "Applejack!", she concluded.

"Yup.", agreed Charles.

Sounds of eager chomping were heard. They turned to see Spike scarfing down the muffin he found and had gathered up an armload. He then offered some to them. "Want one?"

The next day…

Charles and Twilight Sparkle walked up to Applejack, who was nodding off without her hat as she hung on the high end of an upturned cart. She apparently was going to back the cart to a tub that rested in a depression between two hillocks, but had fallen asleep, resulting in gravity getting her to this position.

"Applejack.", Charles and Twilight sternly called. "Applejack, we need to talk."

"Wha—? Huh?...Oh. It's you, Twilight, Charles." She gave a yawn. "I know what you're gonna say, but the answer is sill no."

"Not to upset your apple cart, but you need help.", Twilight said.

"Har-de-har…" She tried to flip herself down and failed. "…and no, I don't." Again.

"Here. Let me help."

"Help?" And again, but still to no avail. "No, thanks!" The two nonplussed unicorns just watched her attempt to get herself and the cart off. "A little more…little…" Twilight clapped a hoof to her face as Applejack successfully unhooked herself out and was already moving the cart into position onto another tree, ready to buck it. "There. I'll prove that this Apple can handle these apples." She then bucked the tree repeatedly. "Come on, apples…fall off!"

"AJ.", Charles called as he looked up. "I think you're beating a dead…tree." Indeed she was; its branches bore no fruit whatsoever and only had a very few leaves. And one of them dropped loose.

"I knew that." The farmpony said as she walked off, the two unicorns following.

"Sure you did.", the bodyguard replied with sarcasm.

"Actually, Applejack, I had something else to talk to you about.", Twilight said. "I just came back from Ponyville Urgent Care and—"

"You know, I'm a little busy to get lectured right now, Twilight.", the farmpony cut her off.

"But if you'd just let me help—"

"Ugh! No, no, no!" The three of them stopped walking. "How many times do I gotta say it?" She then walked off. "I don't need no help from nopony!" However, she was then stopped by Charles, who had pulled on her tail for a second to catch her attention.

"Sorry, Applejack, but I can't allow you to continue.", he said as he heard his charge complain about Applejack being as stubborn as a mule. "Already, thanks to your muffins, you poisoned THE ENTIRE—" He never got to finish as Applejack had raised her hind legs and bucked him in the face, sending him right past his charge—and a mule—into a tree, where he crashed.

"I. WILL. DO THIS. BY MYSELF! And nopony's gonna stop me!", he heard Applejack say before closing his eyes. He was quickly woken up by an apple falling on his head. As he opened his eyes, he saw his charge and a buck-toothed mule standing beside her.

"Charles!", he heard his charge call.

"Are you okay?", the mule asked.

The stallion groaned as he righted himself back on all fours and rubbed his muzzle. "Do I look like I'm okay? Applejack just bucked me in the face! Sorry, but that was strike three. Regardless of your opinion or anypony else's, Twilight, I have to do this for the sake of the town!" The then trotted forward, only to fall down in pain. He had suffered some injuries in the legs from his collision with the tree. "Oww! After I get healed up first, that is."

Twilight levitated Charles onto the mule's back and the three began to walk to Ponyville.

"Oh Applejack! Thank you so much for offering your herding skills for the annual rabbit round up." Fluttershy happily thanked.

"Ugh. Why are we doin' this?" Applejack asked in another irritated tone.

"Well, lots of new baby bunnies have been born, so it's my job to get a count of all the new families.

"Fine. Can we just get on with it?"

"Certainly, but remember, these are bunnies we're dealing with, not cows. They're a timid bunch and need to be treated gently."

"I do NOT need any direction on corrallin' critters. Right, Winona?" Applejacks dog gave an agreeing bark.

"Okay, little bunnies! I need you to all gather here in the middle." Fluttershy said to the bunnies in a calm tone. Applejack then stomped her hoof on the ground which startled the bunnies.

"That's right! Let's go, bunnies. In the center. Hop to it." Applejack said to them with a forceful tone which scared the bunnies away in multiple directions.

"Swell. Just swell. Put 'em up, Winona!" Applejack ordered. Winona gave an obedient bark and they started chasing them out of bushes and other hiding places.

"Applejack! Winona! Stop! You're scaring them." Fluttershy said in a frightful tone.

"We know what we're doin'. Get along, little bunnies." Applejack shouted. Her and Winona continued chasing them around while the bunnies hopped in fear. They eventually corned them into a small fence but they were still shaking in fear looking like they are ready to panic.

"Oh no." Fluttershy said just the moment the timid baby bunnies lost it and hopped away in fear. In Ponyville another rumble was taking place but was a little lighter than the last one. Rainbow Dash flew up to see the same path was being shrouded by a cloud of dirt dust.

"STAMPEDE!" Dash yelled out a second time and the town began to panic the same way it did last time. The bunnies entered the streets as the citezens watched inside the buildings. A lone pony stands in the path in fear and overdramatically faintes. The bunnies went around her and spread out in the town. Charles and Twilight were trotting in town until they three unconscious earth pony mares before them. Daisy, Lily, and Rose.

"The horror!", cried out Rose. "The horror!"

"It was awful!", said Lily.

"A disaster!", Daisy lamented. "A horrible, horrible disaster!"

The cause of which had Charles and Twilight mystified, since the street was empty and quiet. "I don't get it."

Lily rushed to a ruined vegetable patch. "Our gardens, destroyed!"

Rose raced to some denuded flowerpots. "Every last flower, devoured!"

Daisy still lay in the street. "By…by…them!" She pointed to a of bunnies chowing down on every bit of greenery in sight.

Charles and Twilight could also see Fluttershy in a state of panic. "Oh, my…oh, please stop, little bunnies…oh…no, no…please, let's go home…" She then ran off to chase a few. "…no…oh…oh, my goodness!"

"All right.", Twilight said to herself. "Enough is enough!"

"Twilight!", her bodyguard called. "Gonna speak with Applejack again?"

"What else do you think?", she called back.

Shortly after, at Sweet Apple Acres…

The two unicorns trotted up a hill where Applejack was weakly bucking a tree. "Must…keep…buckin'...just…a few…more…must…finish…harvestin'…", she muttered as the two came up to her with their complaints.

Twilight was first. "All right, Applejack. Your applebucking hasn't just caused you problems. It's over-propelled pegasus, practically poisoned plenty of ponies, and terrorized bushels of brand-new bouncing baby bunnies."

Charles was next. "Not to mention eating every plant in all the hard worked gardens."

"We don't care what you say, you. Need. Help." Charles and Twilight said together.

One more buck brought down a double basketful of apples. "Hah! No, I don't. Look, I did it!" Applejack pointed to one part of the orchard. From what the unicorns could see—in addition to Big Macintosh coming over—every visible tree has been cleaned of its fruit. "I harvested the entire Sweet Apple Acres without your help. How d'you like them apples?"

They then looked at another part of the orchard…and it turns out only half of the work had been finished. And Macintosh was quick to point it out to his sister as he spoke in a slow and thoughtful tone and gesture his head. "Um…how do you like them apples?"

Applejack turned as well and she shuddered in panic upon realizing she was only half-finished. "Where'd all the apple…" Her speech degenerated into unintelligible mumbling as her eyes went out of focus, and she tottered back and forth before finally crashing to the ground.

"Applejack." a distinct voice said.

"AJ?" another muffled voice said.

"Applejack." the first distinct voice said again. Applejack opened her eyes to see Charles and Twilight over her.

"Huh?", she uttered.

"Oh, good. You're okay.", Twilight said. "Now, Applejack, I completely respect the Apple family ways. You're always there to help anypony in need," She didn't notice her friend look nervously off toward the trees that still needed harvesting. "So maybe you can put a little of your stubborn pride aside and allow your friends to help you."

There was a long pause. And he heard Applejack concede. "Okay, Twilight."

"I am not taking no for an answer." She then paused upon realizing what Applejack said. "What?"

"Yes, Twilight." Applejack then put her front hooves together beseechingly. "Yes, please. I could really use your help."

Smiling, Twilight chuckled to herself and let off a relieved little sigh. It was then that Charles decided to add.

"I'm glad you've come to your senses.", he said with a smile

Later that day…

Applejack's friends were gathered at the Acres, doing what they could to assist. Rainbow Dash was bucking a tree so that its fruit fell into a cart pulled by Pinkie Pie. Charles 'picked' apples from a tree and 'set' them on their basket. Fluttershy was letting apples from another tree drop into baskets on her back, all just by looking at them somehow since nopony was picking them up and dropping them. Rarity was carrying two full ones away. As for Twilight, she was levitating apples off a large stretch of trees and moving them to fall into three huge tubs.

As they finished, Applejack—now properly rested, and with a swath of bandages wrapped around her midsection, which Macintosh had said he had similarly worn around two weeks before—pushed a beverage cart carrying eight bottles of apple juice, complete with straws.

Applejack called to the rest, "How about y'all take a little break? I got some fine apple juice waitin' for you." Everypony gathered at a table where she had set up the drinks. She then gave a sigh. "Girls and Charles, I can't thank you enough for this help. I was actin' a bit stubborn."

"A bit?", Twilight echoed.

"Okay, a might' stubborn. And I'm awful sorry. Now, I know the town gave me the Prize Pony award, but the real award…is havin' you all as my friends."

"Aw shucks." Charles said playfully and the group began drinking their beverages.

Spike walked up as Rainbow finished her drink and pulled away from her straw. "Phew! That applebucking sure made me hungry."

"And I've got the perfect treat!", Spike offered as he held up the botched, half-eaten muffins.

Pinkie, who was next to him, recoiled at the sight. "Ewww! Spike, I threw those away! Where'd you get them?"

"From the trash!"

"EWWW!", everypony said as they started to leave.

Spike followed them, insistent. "Just a little nibble? Come on…"

"As if!" Charles said among the others who are declining the offer in a disgusted tone.

"Dear Princess Celestia: My friend Applejack is the best friend a pony could ever have, and she's always there to help anypony. The only trouble is, when she needs help, she finds it hard to accept it. So while friendship is about giving of ourselves to friends, it's also about accepting what our friends have to offer. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle."

Next Chapter: Chapter 5: Griffon the Brush-Off Estimated time remaining: 13 Hours, 4 Minutes