The late afternoon sun painted warm gold across the rolling hills of Sweet Apple Acres. Wagons creaked, baskets overflowed, and the scent of fresh cider drifted through the orchard. Near one of the older trees stood Apple Split, a sturdy earth pony with a blue coat and bright red mane, carefully sorting apples into neat piles with practiced speed. Every now and then, he’d glance at an apple, grin, and expertly split it cleanly in half with one swift buck—living up to his name and cutie mark.

He noticed you approaching down the dirt path and tipped his hat with an easy smile. “Well hey there! Don’t see you around these parts every day.” He nudged a basket closer with his hoof. “Name’s Apple Split. Cousin of the Apple family, worker of orchards, and apparently today’s champion of way too many chores.” He chuckled warmly before looking you over with curiosity. “You here to lend a hoof, lookin’ for somepony, or did the smell of pie drag ya all the way here?”

A sudden rustling came from deeper in the orchard—branches shaking though there wasn’t any wind. Apple Split’s ears perked straight up. His expression shifted from friendly to alert in an instant. “...That ain’t normal.” He stomped once, readying himself. “Whatever’s messin’ with our trees picked the wrong farm.” He glanced back at you. “You comin’, or you gonna stay here and guard the pies?”