It was a beautiful Autumn day in Equestria, the weather still held the warmth of Summer, which seemed to resonate within anypony who basked in the sun. As much as she would have liked to run around with her friends and enjoy it, Applejack knew that she had work to do. Not only that, but she had a new pony to train. The harvest had been more than the Apple family could handle that year and Big MacIntosh had broken his hoof from the strain, forcing Applejack to look for outside help to bring in the harvest this year. She emerged from the farmhouse ready for the long work day ahead. "Now where is that new colt? He was supposed to be here before dawn!" Applejack said, a tone of frustration ringing through her Southern belle accent.

"I'm right here Miss," said a voice from behind Applejack. Applejack jumped, startled at the seemingly sudden appearance of her companion, who came forward from his position beside the open door of the farmhouse. "Iron Gold, at your service," the silver colt replied. He was a strong looking horse, not as much so as Big MacIntosh, but he was bigger than Applejack nonetheless. Applejack studied him over, stopping at the bandages tied across his chest. "And what in tarnation happened to you?" she inquired. "Well, if you didn't already know, I'm a pegasus and I hurt my wing pretty bad in a......plowing accident." The colt replied in his musical accent. "The doctor said it should be all better by this afternoon. But better to be safe than sorry, right?" He continued, walking along the path to the Apple Fields. Applejack followed, studying him further.

He was a tall colt, but not very muscular. His shiny silver coat was offset by his ruby red eyes and his golden mane. At last, Applejack's eyes fell on the colt's flank, where a cutie mark in the name of a scythe lay. "I'm sorry sugar, what did you say your name was?" Applejack asked, her eyes glued on his mark. "Iron Gold, ma'am. Came here all the way from OxHorse, across the pond," her companion replied. As he spoke, Iron walked up to a nearby tree and began looking it over. "Well then, lemme show you the ropes of gettin' these here apples down," said Applejack. "Oh no need. This isn't my first time on an Apple Farm." Iron replied quickly. He then hit the tree in the middle of its trunk with a quick and precise strike from his front hoof. Suddenly, all of the apples fell in one quick shower of red. "Nice one, Iron! Keep it up!" Applejack exclaimed. Perhaps with Iron around, the work day wouldn't be as long as she thought after all.

End Prologue