Chapter 4: Applejack
    So, jus’ as we found a solution to our Winona and falling-out-of-the-sky problem, we were faced with another.
    “Uh… Twilight? How do we get home?” asked Spike curiously. “We’re kinda stuck here…” I added. “I don’t know!” cried Twilight. “But we have to get home!” She grabbed her bag and swung it over her back. She started up the steep slope that the others had slid down earlier. “Hey, wait up!” yelled Rainbow as she sped after Twilight. Fluttershy got to her hooves and spread her wings, letting the wind carry her up with only an occasional flap of wings. Rarity sighed, took off her headdress, and tucked it into her bag.
    I hastily got my bag over my back and charged after them. Pinkie was bouncing just ahead of me. “Ooh, adventure!” she yelped in excitement. “Yup.” I said. “We’re in for a whole lotta it.”
    Galloping on, Twilight in the lead, we made good progress. Rainbow flew into the clouds and scoured the landscape ahead of us. “Hey, I can see a little town over there!” she yelled down to us.
    Twilight stopped abruptly. “Yes!” she hollered back. “We should ask around!”
    Rarity had finally given up on wearing her fancy get-up, but at this her eyes glinted and she called to Twi. “Twilight, darling, is it okay if we take a quick stop before we get there? I want to make a good impression, even if it’s absolutely barbaric there. I mean, if I make a good impression, maybe they’ll follow my example.”
    I caught Pinkie’s eyes and we shared a mutual rolling of the eyes. Typical Rarity.
    “NO!” replied Twilight quickly. “We don’t have any time. If what I think is true, then we have no time to waste!” Her voice rose to a tone of complete panic. I put on a spurt of speed and caught her by the tail.
    “It’s gonna be A-Okay.” I said to her gently. “I cross my heart.” Twilight took a couple of calming breaths and started running again.
    By the time we reached the village, we were panting in the dark. It was evening, and to my horror the moon wasn’t moving, nor was the sun.
    Twilight had noticed, too. “Oh, Celestia,” she muttered aloud. “This is. Not. GOOD.”
    A little filly trotted outside. Her green eyes peered curiously out at us. “Hi there!” she greeted us. “We don’t get many visitors ‘round here, so you’re a surprise.”
    “Hello,” said Twilight. “Where are we, anyway?”
    The little filly’s eyes widened. “Oh, you’re in Haytown. My name is Spring Grass, by the way. Who’re you?”
    “I’m Applejack.” I said to her, tryin’ to sound friendly. She seemed like such a nice filly. “I’m Twilight Sparkle. Hey, is anything amiss in your town?”
    The little filly suddenly backed away. “How did you know? She arrived earlier today.” “Who?” asked Pinkie. “Oh, by the way, I’m Pinkie Pie! You seem very nice, and…” she stopped, seeing the startled look on Spring’s face, and seriously added, “Who is she?”
    “She calls herself the Great and Powerful Trixie. She’s a total jerk, and many ponies have…” Spring stopped, seeing the looks on our faces of utmost disbelief. “Trixie?” Twilight said incredulously. “That show-off?” asked Rarity angrily. “She turned my hair green!” “The one that overpowered my lasso tricks?” I growled.
    “Well, it seems like things she would do. She’s already turned the most beautiful pony in our town terribly ugly.” Spring glanced at Rarity, who had stiffened at “most beautiful”.
    “Hmph. Well, I’m gonna teach her a lesson,” I said rather angrily. “C’mon, y’all, we should discuss this…”