Apple harvesting season is upon Sweet Apple Acres, but with her brother Big McIntosh injured, the task of bucking apples from their trees falls upon Applejack herself. Applejack insists she can do it herself, and refuses to let her friends help her. She quickly becomes weary from the work, but still upholds promises to help with other tasks around town. In her sleep-deprived daze, her assistance goes awry and wreaks havoc on Ponyville. Twilight intervenes and insists Applejack let her friends help, but it is not until after Applejack collapses that she finally relents, and the task of harvesting is quickly completed.
Applejack: Boy, howdy. I got my work cut out for me. That there's the biggest bumper crop o'apples I ever laid eyes on. Big Macintosh: Ee-yup. Too big for you t'handle on yer own. Applejack: 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. (jabs Big Mac) Oops! Sorry... I'll take a bite outta this job by day's end. Big Mac: Biting off more than you can chew is just what I'm afraid of. Are you sayin' my mouth is makin' promises my legs can't keep? Yup. Why, of all the- This is your sister Applejack, remember?! (raising voice) 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. Don't you use yer fancy "mathematics" to muddy the issue! I said I can 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. (gulps) (theme song begins) My Little Pony, My Little Pony, ah, ah, ah, ah, (My Little Pony) Twilight: I used to wonder what friendship could be (My Little Pony) Until you all shared its magic with me Rainbow Dash: Big adventure Pinkie Pie: Tons of fun Rarity: A beautiful heart Applejack: Faithful and strong Fluttershy: Sharing kindness Twilight: It's an easy feat All: And magic makes it all complete, yeah (My Little Pony) Do you know you're all my very best friends Well, I better get kickin'. These apples aren't gonna shake themselves outta the trees. (low rumbling, apple thuds) Hey! (ground rumbling) Oh no! STAMPEEEEEEDE! (cows mooing, ground being trampled) (ponies panicking, doors slamming shut) Pinkie Pie: (laughing, voice trembling with ground) He-e-ey! Thi-i-is ma-a-akes my-y-y-y voi-i-ice so-o-ound silly-y-y! Pinkie Pie! Are you crazy?! Run! Everypony calm down. There is no reason to panic! Rarity: But mayor! Whatever shall we do?! Rainbow Dash: Look there! (ground shaking underfoot) Applejack: YEE-HAW! (cheering) (Winona barking) (Rarity moans) Pinkie Pie: This is the best rodeo show I've ever seen! Come on, little doggie! Herd! Applejack: (whistles) Winona, put'em up. (Winona barks) Applejack: Ha HA! That's it! (rope twirling, Applejack grunting) (Winona barks) Applejack: (grunts) Attagirl. Yeehaw! (cheering) Applejack: Whoooooa! Hoo-wee! Now, what was THAT all about? (moos, clears throat) Oh, my! Begging your pardon, Applejack, but Mooriella here saw one of those nasty snakes. (cows gasp) And it just gave us ALL the willies, don'tcha know! I completely understand. Just next time, try and steer clear o'Ponyville. We certainly will, Applejack. So long, Winona! (Winona barks) (ponies cheer, Winona barks) Applejack: Yee-haw! Pinkie Pie: Yee-haw! Ride'em, cowpony! Mayor: Applejack was just...just... Pinkie Pie: Apple-TASTIC! Exactly! We must do something to thank Applejack for single-hoofedly saving the town. Pinkie Pie: I know! A PARTY! Twilight: We all ready? Just one last thing. Rarity: NOW we're ready. Is Applejack all set? Rainbow Dash: Actually, I haven't seen her all week. Pinkie Pie: Not since the stampede. Rainbow Dash: But she'll be here for sure. Applejack is NEVER late! (ponies chattering) (notecards slapping desk) Twilight: Welcome, everypony! Today we are here to honor a pony we can always count on to help in matters great and small. A pony whose contributions to- (crash) Rainbow Dash: Did you see Applejack's swift 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 (squealing) so awesome! Twilight: EXACTLY. And- Pinkie Pie: This week, I get to run Sugar Cube Corner for the first time! Twilight: What does that have to do with Applejack? OH! Applejack, one of the best bakers EVER, is gonna help me! Applejack makes everything great, so FREE SAMPLES FOR EVERYPONY! (ponies cheer) Twilight: Hokay, that's great. Twilight: Now, if I could just make a point without being inter- Fluttershy: Twilight? Twilight: -rupted... Fluttershy: 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. She's gonna help gather them using her wonderful herding skills. Twilight: (dryly) Anyone else? Anyone? Twilight: No? Well, then. As I was trying to say- (frustrated grunt) Never mind. (clears throat) And so, with no further ado, it is my privilege to give the prized Pony of Ponyville Award to our beloved guest of honor, a pony of the utmost trustworthiness, reliability, and integrity, Ponyville's most capable and dependable friend, Applejack! (ponies cheering, stop) Spike: Cool, way to go, Applejack! That was awesome! I mean- heh... (clears throat nervously) Spike: (singsong) Awkward. Applejack: (groggily) I'm here! I'm here... (yawns deeply) Sorry I'm late-whoa! (trips, thuds) Was I just- Did I get your tail? Miss Mayor, thank you kindly for this here...award...thingy... (yawns) It's so bright and shiny and...heh...heheh... I sure do look funny, heh... Applejack and Pinkie Pie: Woooowooooowoooo! Twilight: Oookay. Well, thank you, Applejack, for saving us from that scary stampede, and always being there for everypony. (yawns) Yeah...I like helpin' the ponyfolk and... (yawns) and stuff... (snores) Oh! Uh...yeah, thanks! (trophy drags on ground loudly) Twilight: Was it just me, or did Applejack seem a little- Rainbow Dash: Tired? Fluttershy: Dizzy? Rarity: Messy? (haughty) Well, did you SEE her mane?! Pinkie Pie: She seemed fine to me. WOO! WOO! (Twilight "hmm's") (Applejack grunts, kicks tree, apples thud into baskets) (Applejack grunts and kicks tree then sighs) (sighs sleepily, shakes self awake) (Applejack kicks, yelps) (Applejack kicks basket, apples roll out) Twilight: What on earth is that pony doing?! Applejack: Whoops... Twilight: Hey, Applejack! (Applejack snores) Twilight: Applejack! (Applejack snores) Twilight: Applejack! (Applejack snores) (Applejack snores) Twilight: APPLEJACK! Applejack: Oh! (shakes self awake) Applejack: H-howdy, Twilight! Twilight: What IS all this?! Applejack: I-it's applebuck season! Applejack: (kicks tree, apples thud into baskets) Wh-whoa! Twilight: Applewhat season? Applejack: (frustrated grunt) It's what the Apple Family calls harvesting time. We gather all the apples from the trees so we can sell 'em. Twilight: But...why are you doing it all alone? Applejack: 'Cause Big Macintosh hurt himself. Twilight: What about all those relatives I met when I first came to Ponyville? Can't they help? Applejack: (sighs) 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. (poof) Which means I should really get back to work. Applejack: (clears throat ostentatiously) Hint-hint? Applejack: Get back to work? Twilight: Fine. Applejack: (woozy) Uh, could you step aside, Twilight? Twilight: I just did... (echoing) Applejack, you don't look so good... Applejack: (shakes self awake) Don't any a'you three worry none, I'm just fine and dandy. Applejack: (kicks tree) Wh-whoa... Twilight: Do you...want some help? Applejack: Help?! No way, no how. Twilight: But there's no way you can do it all on your own! Applejack: Is that a CHALLENGE? Twilight: Um...no? Applejack: Well, I'm gonna PROVE t'you that I can do it! Now, if you'll EX-KYUUSE me, I've got apples t'buck. (Rainbow Dash tapping hoof on fencepost) Rainbow Dash: THERE you are! Applejack: (yawns) I'm a-mite sorry, Rainbow... I was busy applebuckin' and I guess I- I closed my eyes for a second, and when I woke up, I was late. Now, what's this new trick a'yours? Rainbow Dash: See this contraption? Applejack: Uh, yeah... Rainbow Dash: Well, I'm gonna stand on one end, Rainbow Dash: 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. Isn't that a mite dangerous? Heh, not for a pony who can fly. Well, all righty, then! (wind whistling) Applejack: (woozy) Oh my... Ready?! One...two... THREE! (Applejack slams into ground, grunts) Uh, maybe I wasn't clear. You're supposed to land ON the other end. Applejack: (face pops off ground, dazed) Got it... (thud, grunt, thud, grunt, thud, grunt) Rainbow Dash: Applejack, what the hay is goin' on?! I mean, I THOUGHT I was working with Ponyville's best athlete! (shakes self awake, talking loudly) You ARE! I'm okay... Really...I-I have an idea. Watch this. (groans, launcher creaks) Ta-da. Applejack: Oh...maybe not... Okay, one more try. I'm sure to get it this time. (thud, Rainbow Dash grunts) (groans) Applejack: Heh heh...he-here I go! Rainbow Dash: WAIT! (into distance) APPLEJAAaaaaack... Applejack: (shouting) You're welcome! (approaching jet, Rainbow Dash screaming, crash) Can I help you? I think somepony else needs your help... Twilight: (flatly) Applejack? Rainbow Dash: Yep. Applejack: (thunk) OW! (tuning fork wobbling) Twilight: Applejack, can we talk? (bubbles popping) Twilight: (echoing) Applejack, can we talk? Applejack: CAN BEES SQUAWK?! I-I DON'T THINK SO... Twilight: No. Can we talk? TWENTY STALKS?! BEAN OR CELERY? (louder) No! I need to talk to you! YOU NEED TO WALK TO THE ZOO?! WELL, WHO'S STOPPIN' YOU? (louder) I NEED to TALK to you! OH! WELL, WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY SO?! WHATCHA WANNA TALK ABOUT? (loudly) Rainbow Dash dropped in to see me today! THAT'S QUITE NEIGHBORLY OF HER. (shouting) YES, EXCEPT THAT SHE CRASHED ONTO MY BALCONY AFTER YOU LAUNCHED HER INTO THE AIR. (normal volume) Oh, yeah...I wasn't feelin' quite myself this mornin'... Because you're working too hard, and you need HELP! What? Kelp?! I don't need kelp. I don't even like seaweed! (shouting) HELP! YOU NEED HELP! Nothin' doin', Twilight. I'm gonna prove t'you...t'everypony...that I can do this ON MY OWN. (thwap, Applejack yelps) Ugh...now if you'll EXCUSE me, I've gotta go help Pinkie Pie... (sighs) Mrs. Cake: Now, Pinkie Pie, are you SURE you're up to baking the muffins and running the store this afternoon? Yessirree bob, Mrs. Cake! Plus, I have Ponyville's prized pony to help me out. Why, she's the best baker EVER! Right, Applejack? (Applejack shakes self awake) (Pinkie's words echo incoherently) (shakes self awake) Mr. Cake: No? You're not the best baker ever? What?! Oh no! I mean, don't you fret. I can bake anything from fritters to pies in the blink of an eye. Mrs. Cake: Ohoho! Well, all right! Well, see you later, girls! (shakes self awake) Pinkie Pie: Stop with the shakin', it's time to get bakin'! All righty! I'll get the sugar and the eggs. Can you get me some chocolate chips? E-eh, uh...wh-what was that? (slowed down, distorted) Chocolate chips! "Chips"...got it. Tater chips... All salty'n'dry...okie-dokie. Applejack: (empties chips into bowl) What next? (slowed down, distorted) Baking soda! "Soda"... Perfect! That'll get the tater chips nice'n'wet. Applejack: (pours soda, shouts) NOW WHAT? Pinkie Pie: (normally) A cup of flour. A cup of sour?! Well, lemons are sure sour. Applejack: One cup o'sour comin' up. Anything else, Pinkie? Pinkie Pie: One last thing. Wheat germ. (grimaces) Wheat worms?! Oh! That must be fancy talk for earthworms! Pinkie Pie: Now THAT'S gonna be DELICIOUS! Applejack: If you say so... Pinkie Pie: FREE MUFFIN SAMPLE SPECTACULAR! (ponies talk over each other) Yeah! Muffin spectacles! Get'm while they're hot! Twilight: We came as soon as we heard! [SCENE_BREAK] (sickly moans) Nurse: Oh, thank you, Twilight. We need all the help we can get! Oh no! What happened?! Nurse: It was a mishap with some of the baked goods. Pinkie Pie: (weakly) No...not baked goods. Baked BADS... (gurgles) Applejack. Spike: (chewing noisily) Mm! Want one? Applejack: (kicks tree, snores, apple thuds) Wha?! Huh?! (cart rolling, Applejack yawning) (Applejack moans with exhaustion, apples roll out) (Applejack snoring loudly) Twilight: Applejack, we need to talk. Whoa?! Huh?! Oh, it's you, Twilight... (yawning) I know what you're gonna say, but the answer is still no. Not to upset your applecart, but you need help! Applejack: (sarcastic) Hardy-har. (strains) No, I don't. Twilight: Here. Let me help. Applejack: Help?! Nooo thanks. (straining) A little more... (cart creaking) Little... (straining, cart creaking, crash) ...There... (panting) I'll prove that THIS apple can handle THESE apples! (kicking tree repeatedly) Come on...apples...fall off! Twilight: AJ? I think you're beating a dead...tree. I-I knew that... Twilight: Actually, Applejack, I had something else to talk to you about. I just came back from Ponyville Urgent Care, and- Applejack: Y'know, I'm a LITTLE busy to get lectured right now, Twilight... Twilight: But if you'd just let me help- Applejack: UGH! No...no...NO! How many times do I gotta say it?! I don't need NO help from NOpony! Twilight: Uuugh. That pony is stubborn as a mule. (mule neighs) Twilight: No offense. Mule: None taken. Fluttershy: Oh, Applejack. Thank you so much for offering your herding skills for the annual rabbit round-up. Applejack: (annoyed) Ugh. Why are we doin' this? Well, lots of new baby bunnies have been born, so it's my job to get a count of all the new families. Applejack: (impatiently) 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 corralin' critters! Right, WInona?! (Winona barks) Fluttershy: Okay, little bunnies. (gently) I need you to all gather here in the middle. Applejack: (intimidating) That's right! Let's go, bunnies! In the center! Hop to it! ...Swell. Just swell. Put 'em up, Winona! (Winona barking) Fluttershy: Applejack! Winona! Stop! You're scaring them! Applejack: We know what we're doin'! Git along, little bunnies! (Winona barks) (Winona growls) Fluttershy: Oh no... (bunnies scream) (ground rumbling) STAMPEEEEEDE! (ponies panic, doors slam shut) (rumble grows more intense) (faints) (Twilight humming tunelessly) (gasps) The horror, THE HORROR! It was AWFUL! A DISASTER! A horrible, horrible DISASTER! Twilight: I don't get it. Our gardens! Destroyed! Every last flower, devoured! By...by... (shrieks) THEM! Fluttershy: (frantic) Oh...oh my! Please stop, little bunnies. Nono! Please! Let's go home! (panting) Oh my goodness... All right. Enough is enough. Applejack: (wearily) Must...keep...buckin'... (kicking tree repeatedly) Just...a few...more...must...finish...harvestin'... Twilight: All right, Applejack. Your applebucking hasn't just caused YOU problems, it's over-propelled a pegasus, practically poisoned plenty of ponies, and terrorized bushels of brand new bouncing baby bunnies. I don't care WHAT you say, YOU. NEED. HELP. Applejack: (grunts, kicks tree, apples land in baskets) Heh! No I don't! Look! I did it! I harvested the entire Sweet Apple Acres without yer help. (chuckles) How'dya like THEM apples?! Big Mac: Um...How do YOU like THEM apples? Applejack: (trembling) A-a-apples... (incoherent rambling, faints) Twilight: (faint) Applejack? (normal) Applejack! Applejack: Huh...? Oh good. You're okay. Now Applejack, I completely respect the Apple family ways. You're always there to help anypony in need, so maybe you can put a little of your stubborn pride aside and allow your friends to help you? (resigned) Okay, Twilight. I am not taking "no" for an answer- (doubletakes) What?! Yes, Twilight. (pleading) Yes, please... I could really use your help... (Twilight giggles, sighs with relief) Twilight: (voice-over) "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." How 'bout y'all take a little break? Applejack: I got some fiiine apple juice waitin' for ya. (sighs) Girls, I can't thank you enough for this help. I was actin' a...bit stubborn. A bit?! Okay, a MITE stubborn. And I'm awful sorry. Now, I know the town gave me the Prized Pony Award, but the real award is havin' you five as my friends. (slurping) Phew! That applebucking sure made me hungry! Spike: And I've got the perfect treat! Pinkie Pie: Eeewww! Spike, I threw those away! Where'd you get them?! From the trash. (ponies all revulse) Spike: Just a liiittle nibble? Spike: Come on! (ponies moan in disgust) (ending theme begins) My Little Pony My Little Pony (instrumental) My Little Pony, friends
Applebuck Season