//------------------------------// // Bad apple // Story: FIMstuck // by SoloBrony //------------------------------// "Blech! This tastes awful!" Tom hurried to spit out the part of the apple he had eaten, and regarded the clearly rotten fruit with disdain. Except... Wait, it's not rotten. That's weird. It looks and smells fine... huh. Maybe I just hate apples? Or maybe it's some variety I don't like? Tom inspected the apple carefully. ... looks like a Red Delicious... maybe it's a 'pegacorn' thing? Or something? "Yup, electricity. Tom, look out. Someone is coming, and she might not be happy. Be careful, but if you stay honest, she'll probably be kind in return. Riddle: I can drive people to kill just to save someone linked by me, but I can also be the chain they try to bury. I am one of the closest bonds you can have." -Eevee "Love," Tom said instantly. "Ah, excellent! An apple orchard is a great sign; you're not just near civilization, you're near civilization we voices are familiar with. (Don't ask. It's complicated and irrelevant to your continued survival right now.) There should be a farmhouse somewhere nearby. You'll find other ponies there. Explain how you spontaneously appeared in the Everfree and they should get you to somepony—yes, somepony, it's the local vernacular—who can figure out what's going on. Oh, and they'll probably forgive you for eating that apple. The things may grow on trees, but they still charge for them." -Fan of Most Everything Okay. So there's a pony coming, who might or might not bite my head off for eating this. Tom quickly discarded the apple to a discreet spot where it likely wouldn't be spotted for some time and looked around hurriedly. Not seeing anypony, he breathed a sigh of relief. Guess they warned me in time. "you don't have the super alicorn sense is because you are not a alicorn but a pegacorn also i would find a orange mare with cowboy hat and ask for help" -Viper Pit I don't know why you keep insisting I'm a... pegacorn or whatever. Am I not good-looking enough to be an alicorn? Is that it? "Don't beat yourself up man. The magic you have been able to use is pretty good for a guy who just started. The place you likely are is called 'Sweet Apple Acres'. The mare there is a very honest pony who is also connected to some very magically powerful individuals. She herself has a connection to the concept of 'honesty' so lieing is a bad idea. That being said, probably shouldn't mention us. Oh! Also if you talk to us in your mind we seem to be able to hear it. Proably avoid eating more than that one apple as well. Go say hi and explain your need help as you were caught up in a magical phenomenon. Also I reiterate. Don't mention us. Don't mention you know her name or the name of her farm. Good luck man, we have your back." -Mr Stargazer Tom smiled and felt warmth inside him, restoring a little of the strength he had spent getting this far. It was reassuring to know other people were looking out for them, even if they were delusional voices in his head. Okay, honest pony, cowboy hat, orange coat, mare. Got it. Also don't lie, but omit any details I don't NEED to share. "Ok tom you like so many other voices said you are at sweet apple acres, you shouldn't tell anyPONY about us except maybe a pink pony with a dark pink mane. Also despite what viper told you are called an alicorn and you should probably try to hide your horn or wings." -Zapper Frost Be honest, but... try to hide my horn or wings? Tom looked around confusedly at where he imagined a camera might be for his observers. Hide them with what?! "Tom, start shouting for Applejack. She's a pony who can help you. Ask her to take you to Twilight, or Starlight if Twilight isn't available. Also, tell her to ask Fluttershy to get Discord. She may be weirded out by a total stranger asking all that, but just be honest with her. She'll appreciate that." -Nyronus Right! Okay, I clearly need to get into contact with this Applejack pony right away! The voices probably know something I don't. Or I'm crazy. Let's find out which! Tom stood up on his hind legs and cupped his mouth as best he could with hooves. "AAAAAAAPPLE JAAAAAAACK!" Satisfied, Tom sat down to wait for a little while. When no orange mare was forthcoming, Tom gave it another shot. "AAAAAAAAAPPLE JAAAAAACK!" After another minute or so, a small yellow filly with red hair and a large red bow in her hair came trotting from further into the orchard. Tom gasped. Civilization! Other people! Finally! The small filly cocked her head in confusion at Tom. "What're ya callin' my sister for?" "Oh!" Tom laughed and brushed the back of his neck uncertainly. "Well, I was told she could help me with something, so I—" The filly suddenly gasped loudly, cutting Tom off. She pointed at his flank with a hoof. "You ain't got a cutie mark!" Tom blinked in confusion several times. "A cutie whatsit now?"