014 Bushels ❦ [Action for Mahogany]

[buckyouup]

[Applejack has been quiet for the last few days. Hardly in the mood to talk, the southerner has been taking advantage of the warmer weather to get in some training. Never wanting to sit still, she takes every opportunity to run or fight or do something, but outside of her pokemon, she insists on being alone. She has to keep herself busy. So she doesn't think. So she isn't reminded.

One year. One whole year. And that's just the time she remembers. That's not counting the time she's been here before. She hasn't seen her family, her home, her orchard, in a year. She knows that time works strange here, that for her, time isn't moving back home, but that doesn't quite translate to her emotions. To her, she's spent a whole year of her life chasing strange animals while her family and her farm is without her. Stuck in some strange land, located who knows how far away from home. If she was never brought here, what would she have experienced at home? Would this year's haul be a good one? Did Apple Bloom get her cutie mark? She didn't want to think about it. She didn't want to think at all.

If you happen to be wandering in a secluded part of town, you may notice Applejack training. She may be running laps, or doing sit-ups, or training her pokemon, but one thing is instantly noticeable: she looks like shit. Her clothes are torn and her body is dirty and covered in scrapes and bruises. She looks like she hasn't slept in days. She doesn't want to. She dreams of home.]

Comments

[bestofthebest]

Hey, we might not be as close as you are with Twilight but we're still friends! I'll always lend a hoof -or hand, hehe.

[buckyouup]

W-with Twilight?

[A hint of redness comes to her cheeks.]

Now hold on, each an' every one of you is just as much my friend as Twilight is.

[She just has... extra privileges, is all.]

[bestofthebest]

Really? Fluttershy excluded, would you even consider suggesting time alone with Pinkie, Rarity or me like you do with Twilight?

(Rhetorical question; she already knows the answer.)

She's your special somepony; we're not. I'm cool with that!

[buckyouup]

I just- y'all-

[Sigh.]

I just don't want y'all thinkin' that changes our friendship any.

[bestofthebest]

(A beat, then she laughs.)

Pfft, please! If that was possible, I wouldn't have let Twilight go meet up with you on my anniversary. Feels like yesterday, but we trekked through a giant mountain and what did I do when you two went off together? Took a nap!

(Her hand moves up to squeeze AJ's shoulder.) Look, it's not gonna matter if you two end up getting married here or back home in Ponyville: we'll always be friends and nothing will change that!

[buckyouup]

[She huffs, breaking eye contact immediately.]

Marriage?! Who said anythin' 'bout that?

[They've been dating for only a few months. She knew you were fast, Rainbow, but not that fast.]

[bestofthebest]

Hehehe, just kidding AJ.

(Cue another beat before: ) One of you has to propose first and do all that mushy stuff, like get down on one knee with a ring in hoof, right?

[buckyouup]

Did you come chase me down in the middle a' nowhere just t'ask me stuff like that?

[bestofthebest]

Pfft, no!

(She's not Rarity, after all.)

I chased you down to find out what was keeping you hidden from the rest of us like a homeless pony.

[sitdownbecider]

[Good thing, too. With the state of Applejack's clothing, Rarity would have had a panic attack by now.]

I'm just worried I'm gettin' soft, is all. I haven't been givin' it my all lately.

[A half-truth, at least.]

[bestofthebest]

You sure about that?

(She remembers the whole Dodge Junction fiasco, but Daring waves her leaf around eagerly.)

[sitdownbecider]

'Course I am. We can't rely on our numbers t'keep us safe anymore. Somepony's gotta pick up the slack.

[bestofthebest]

So what, you decided to do a little training without me? I get why you'd prefer one-on-one; I go with that tactic too, but when I get this messy I usually get some help.

Or take a nap.

[sitdownbecider]

I just... I needed some time t'think, Rainbow.

[bestofthebest]

...Is this about Sweet Apple Acres? You know nopony knows we're gone, right? It's like if Twilight accidentally froze time in it's tracks and it won't start up again until we're all home.

[buckyouup]

[She sighs.]

Was it that easy t'figure out?

[bestofthebest]

(She laughs softly.)

...I was like that most of the trip through the mountain. And it was either the farm, or you were trying to hide winning the Mahogany badge before me!

[buckyouup]

I... haven't even challenged the gym, yet.

[With everything going on, it must have slipped her mind. She used to have so much pride in collecting the badges. How could she forget?]

[bestofthebest]

When you do, both Twilight and me will be there to cheer you on!

Mega~!

Hehe, and Daring too. But until then, maybe get your team back up to full strength and together we can get in some serious training before you challenge the Gym?

[sitdownbecider]

I...

[She sighs. She doesn't want to go back. She doesn't feel like she can face her friends after vanishing like that.]

O-okay. Just... lead th'way for me, alright?

[bestofthebest]

Sure!

(Rainbow recalls Daring and brings out Dash, who neighs while simultaneously shooting off a Flamethrower amidst blue flames on her back.)

Wanna go back in style?

[buckyouup]

[She can't help but chuckle.]

As flashy as always, ain't ya?

[bestofthebest]

(She chuckles while grinning herself before letting AJ get on first.)

Duh! Think it's time for us to remember the awesomeness of having 4 legs again.

[buckyouup]

[She gives the Rapidash a stroke on the mane before mounting her.]

I wouldn't mind having four legs again...

[bestofthebest]

(Rainbow laughs softly, doing likewise before getting behind Applejack and lightly nudging Dash. She promptly goes from 0 to 150 mph in just 10 steps!)

Hehe, yeah! Whenever I miss having 4 legs I just take Dash out for a ride.