…AJ lifted her legs, threw them backwards, and heard the satisfying thump of fresh, delicious apples as they fell to the grass. A good, near-basketfull of fruit fell, and the farm mare paused, stretching a back leg before leaning down and starting to toss the apples into her basket. Only a moment passed before a now-familiar voice broke the silence.
 
 
“Ain’t that Springy’s job?” Ash’s deep voice lightly inquired. The mare looked up to see the dark stallion casually leaning against a tree nearby chewing a stalk of wheat and quirking a brow.
 
 
“Eh, she’s been workin’ real hard at school, so ah gave her the day off. Rarity was goin’ to Manehatten with Sweetie Belle, so ah figured AB could go along. Pretty sure Scoots got dragged along as well.” AJ answered with a tilt of the head and a shrug. As she leaned down to grab another apple, Ash moved forward and gently, put playfully, nudged her shoulder with his own.
 
 
“Ah, let me help. Sugar and I finished organizing her supplies.” Ash took over popping the fallen fruit into the basket while Applejack moved on to the next tree.
 
 
“Thanks, Ash.” She said, before studying the other pony a moment. “Ya know, ya have been a huge help and ah’m real thankful. Ah finally feel like I’ve caught up on my work. Ah’ve even gotten some extra work done for mah students. Ah hate ta say it, but ah migh’ have ta keep ya around another mont-er, week or so,” Applejack chuckled. However, her smile dropped slightly when she caught her companion’s soft expression.
 
 
“I can help as long as you need me Jack. I ain’t got anything more important to do outside the…ya know.” He rolled his muscular shoulders, dropping his own gaze. “I see how hard you work. Ya deserve a breather once in awhile.” AJ blinked, feeling that annoyingly-familiar heat creep into her cheeks.
 
 
“Ah…well, that’s sweet of yah, but as soon as Applebloom comes back, ah think we got it.” She said through another chuckle. Ash maintained his gentle expression as he continued to help with the harvest.
 
 
“Springy’s a good kid. She’s got a lot of good ponies to look up to.” He said softly.
 
 
“She’s growin’ so fast, and ah can’t believe how smart she and her friends are. I mean, startin’ a cutie mark camp? She’s only eleven! Ah ain’t too worried about that gal.” As she finished her statement, Ash raised an incredulous brow. After all, he’d lived with the Apples for over a month now. There hadn’t been a sign of the vicious stallion still at large…
 
 
“Ya known what I mean! Ah ain’t worried about where she’s gonna end up. Well, not more than any other big sister.” Ash tilted his head, appearing curious, before AJ continued, her voice quieting and gaze lengthening to some point beyond the orchard. “Ah tried mah darndest to let her know I’ve been behind her, no matter what her mark is, no matter what she loves. She was worried about it for so long, and now…sometimes, ah feel like ah look up to her more than she looks up to me.”
 
 
“Heh, I can see that. But it’d be pretty cool to have a genuine Equestrian hero to look up to. Applebloom is lucky to have you, Applejack.” The mare was a tad taken aback at his gentle voice and his soft smile. But as she studied his deep blue eyes, a smile formed on her own muzzle.
 
 
“Thanks, fella. Ah mean, ah know that…but its nice ta hear ya say it anyway.”
 
 
“You’re welcome, Jack.”
 
 
“Jack?”
 
 
“Jackie!”
 
 
Ash Bark’s gruff voice snapped Applejack out of her trance and she shook her head, bringing her back to reality. The two ponies previously racing across the badlands had suddenly come to a halt.
 
 
“First, never call me Jackie. Ever. Second, where in the hay are we headin’? Ah thought Sheriff Silverstar said we should start heading to Dodge City? Macintosh Hills are in this direction.” AJ inquired, the dark colt standing starkly against the unforgiving desert landscape. They had left Appleloosa with Sheriff Silverstar’s direction that they had to now bring down Knife Edge, and believes he was heading to nearby Dodge City, while he keeps a close eye on his own town. Ash, however, wore an expression of excitement and held his hoof towards her. AJ saw that he held a small, rusty nail.
 
 
“While you were napping, I found this. These are the kinds of nails that are used with shoes produced in Appleloosa. These are the last ones we know he was wearing, after he got rid of his personal farrier.” He said grimly. “Lost ‘im, but this was facing in that direction,” he gestured towards the mountains in the distance. “Macintosh Hills are filled with forests, we could lose him for years until he decides to drop a clue and continue the chase when he gets bored. And then the game starts over. We’ve got to put an end to this.” Ash paused, fixing AJ with a serious gaze.
 
 
“I know you were all gung-ho to do this, protect your farm and uphold your Element oath to the Princesses, blah, blah, blah. But this is not a journey with your friends, and magic, and songs. This is just you, and me. I wasn’t kidding when I said he will hurt you, if he gets a chance. Last time I faced him alone, I was insanely lucky to get away with only this,” he gestured to the scar cutting through his left cheek. “and we may not be this time.”
 
 
“All the more reason for me to tag along, eh?” Applejack replied. “Now, let’s get that goon.”
 
 
At her determination, Ash gave a brief, obviously proud smile. Then, the two turned towards the vast desert and mountains in the distance. After adjusting her hat, AJ took that first step together with the colt she now called her friend. The two trekked for awhile in silence, observing the landscape and keeping a keen eye out for further clues. Suddenly, Ash stopped short, eyes fixed on something to the west. Following his gaze, startled by his pause, she noticed an ever-growing cloud of dust approaching them. The large figures kicking up dust were completely obscured. The two ponies stood their ground, trying to ready themselves to face the swiftly approaching threat.
 
 
Suddenly, they came to an abrupt halt about four yards away from the ponies. The dust cleared, revealing two very aggressive faces, and one very surprised one.
 
 
“Applejack?!” The creature at the front asked in shock. After blinking the dust from her eyes, the orange mare found herself looking upon three gigantic bison - two larger bulls, and a smaller, lighter-colored cow. The cow, wearing an elaborate feathered headdress stepped forward slowly, the bulls trailing behind her and still scowling. However, a huge smile broke he head bison’s muzzle.
 
 
“Applejack! Its so good to see you! Its me, Little Strongheart! Er, nearly Chief Strongheart now.” She chuckled. Applejack’s own lips split in a large, relieved smile.
 
 
“Ah…you…ya got so big!” Applejack exclaimed in disbelief, approaching the bison now. The two bulls seemed to relax a little while the female creatures shared a hug.
 
 
“The beauty of being a bison. Fast puberty.” Strongheart said with a roll of the eyes. “Now, I won’t lie and say I’m not surprised to see you, my friend. Its been quite a few years!”
 
 
“Ah know, ah know. Ah kept meaning to write after Braeburn’s updates, but…life just got a’hold of me.” Applejack scuffed a hoof in the dirt. “But ah’m so happy for you! Nearly chief, eh?” Strongheart puffed out her gigantic chest, wearing an almost grim expression of pride.
 
 
“My father has given me leadership of the tribe while he’s ill.” Her face fell further and the two bulls shared a frown. “I do certainly hope its not a permanent change in position. At least not quite yet.”
 
 
“Thunderhooves is sick?” AJ asked, and Strongheart nodded.
 
 
“He’s been poisoned, as far as we can tell. This terrible pony managed to sneak past our strongest warriors, and slipped something into his dinner. Our healers are trying their best, but…we’ll have to see.” AJ immediately realized who tried to poison the cow’s father.
 
 
“Knife Edge,” she whispered.
 
 
“So that’s why you’re traveling with him.” Strongheart said, finally acknowledging the dark colored pony. The bison’s tone wasn’t exactly friendly, and Applejack noticed.
 
 
“We’re tryin’ to take him down once and for all. Ash has been helping to protect me and my family until Knife Edge showed up again. We’re fairly sure he’s heading towards Macintosh Hills so he can hide in the woods.”
 
 
“Well, hopefully, now that he has you to help, this will finally be over,” Strongheart said quietly. “He needs to be stopped before he causes any other creature harm.”
 
 
“Ah’m so sorry about your pa. He’s gotta be proud of ya.” Applejack said softly.
 
 
“I should have been closer. Knife Edge has never been able to get this close to our home - let alone being able to poison us!”
 
 
We’ve been able to protect ourselves but its as if he keeps learning and evolving. My poor father, made to suffer for no reason! His eyes are so terribly swollen, he can hardly breathe…” Her statement trailed off. Applejack regarded her a moment before her ears perked at a certain thought.
 
 
“Strongheart…what color is his tongue? Is it a weird yellow-greenish? ‘N his spit is almost the color of grass?”
 
 
Strongheart’s eyes widened. “How did you know?”
 
 
“It sounds like he was poisoned with some stonelock flowers. We used to have them growin’ in the east orchard, till my brother eventually ate a few. He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t see, all that. My granny saved him, she made a tea from honey and roseberries, cleared ‘im right up. Ah ain’t no doctor or healer, but I’d say its worth a try.” Applejack explained.
 
 
“Roseberries grow right outside our camp! I never knew of their actual properties…outside of tasting good. We’ve only seen them growing here in the last few years! Thank you, Applejack. How may I repay you? You’re more than welcome to head back with myself, Eaglefeather, and Spirithoof.” She gestured to the bulls still standing behind her. Before AJ could answer, Ash then stepped into the conversation.
 
 
“That’s quite an offer, ah, chief. But, uh, we’re chasing a criminal here?” He said, quirking a brow towards the bison. Her own eyes narrowed.
 
 
“My intentions are beyond that, Shadowalker. There is a cave system in the canyons near my home. It will cut your travels to Macintosh Hills by more than half, and the mouth is fairly close to where this path takes you. I believe it will be in everycreatures’s best interests if you two are able to get him. I would offer my warriors, but I know they won’t leave my father’s side until he is well.” Strongheart explained, gesturing for the two ponies to follow. Together, the five creatures continued into the desert.
 
 
Keeping a few feet behind the larger creatures, AJ turned to Ash and asked, “Uh, seems y’all have some history with the tribe, huh?”
 
 
Ash rolled his eyes. “Let’s just say I wasn’t abiding by all the rules of the spirits and didn’t respect their lands or something. If you weren’t with me just now…” He shook his head. “Past is past. Knife Edge has hurt us all, and this is enough. Let’s just hope this cave system is as good as they say.”
 
 
Applejack turned her eyes forward, exhaling sharply through her nostrils.
 
 
“Let’s.”
 
 

 
I just got more inspired on this one before RkoH. That one will get double chapters next time, I promise. For now, hope you enjoy.