Writing History

by Gaiascope

Chapter Five: Honest Labour

A dark cloud bed hangs overhead, doing everything in its power to blot out the night sky. It seems to follow me as I make my way across the orchard. What little light the stars and moon are able to squeeze past is stopped dead in its tracks by a layer of leaves, leaving virtually nothing left to illuminate the path ahead of me. As I walk through the field of apple trees, the darkness strikes me as almost unnatural. On any other day, I might have been disturbed by the fact that I’m forced to squint simply to see past my own muzzle, or the fact that I’m out alone in the woods, late at night, as if I were in some clichéd horror story.

However, on this day all of that falls flat against my exhaustion. All I want to do find a bed and pass out on it for a couple of years. My body aches all over and due to all the sweat in my coat, I even have to constantly adjust my glasses with magic to prevent them from sliding off. It’ll take hours to get my coat clean again.

If I could find my way back to the farm, that is.

Suddenly, I hear a noise. With a jolt I realise it’s the first thing I heard all night, save for my own hoof steps and breathing. For lack of an alternative, I cautiously sneak closer to the noise. As I do so, I’m able to make out voices.

‘…it’s simple, really. He hates you.’

I stop, grimacing as I lean away from the conversation. That really doesn’t sound like something meant for my ears. And, just my luck, I snuck close enough to shatter my hopes of sneaking away unnoticed again. I find myself making a list and weighing my options as the conversation continues.

‘And you just so happened to be with him? Tell me why Ah can’t believe that.’

‘Because you have always been so naïve, my little pony. You always believe everything is good, or honest, or ugh, dare I say it? Kind. And that is why you lost.’

‘Yeah? Ah reckon Ah lose when Ah stop believing in that.’

Loud laughter erupts from the invisible scene of the conversation. Even if I wanted to walk away now, my legs refuse to budge. Whatever this is, it most certainly isn’t right.

‘Coming from you, I’ll assume you honestly believe those words to be true. And you can honestly believe me when I say that I’m going to enjoy this.’

My eyes widen as an uncanny metallic shank echoes throughout the orchard. My mind fails me as I try to think of logical conclusions as to what that sound could mean. It can’t possibly… I hear the stomach twisting sound again, and this time it’s followed by a muffled scream. I can barely bring myself to breathe as the metal strikes a third time. And a fourth.

Then the metallic noise stops and something falls to the ground. A deafening silence falls over the orchards, the only thing I can hear my own short breaths, and I feel tears gliding down my cheek. A light shines in my eyes, and for the first time since I can remember, I move to look to the sky. The cloud bed glides off into the distance and the moon and stars beam down on the orchards.

‘I see you.’

Something shifts among the trees a few meters ahead of me, moving through the orchards. Towards me.

I run. I run as fast as I can, exhaustion be damned. I run without even realising it, a primal fear taking control of my body and urging me to gallop like I never have before. Laughter, filled equally with madness and glee, echoes behind me as I dart past the trees ever in fear of slowing down and being caught.
 
The maze of trees abruptly ends and I’m blinded by the moonlight. I don’t stop running. My eyes adjust just as I run into a large wooden building. The farmhouse! I’m here! I have to get inside, warn everypony! I ignore the biting pain in my muzzle from slamming into the wall and scramble to the front door. I hurry inside and close the door behind me, hoping with everything I have that I’m safe now.

But I’m not. Just beyond the tree line, two eyes stare at me. I can feel them. They stare at me with utter disregard for the door I just closed. They sparkle with a mad hunger, as if the chase was just a little amusement it would fondly remember while picking at its teeth with a leftover bone.

In shock I scramble away from the door. I have no time for this, I have to warn my friends. I run through the house, kicking open doors and screaming for my friends, for anyone. All I am met with is silence.

Nopony is here. I’m alone, standing in an empty attic in an empty house. Where did everypony go?

‘Waren?’

I scramble away from the door and the voice that just spoke up. I turn around as I back away. Then, once again, I freeze in place as the door creaks open. Dorothea? What is she doing here?

‘Don’t worry, it’s alright.’

Her gentle face and voice do wonders, and I can feel myself relax. Whatever is going on, at least I’m not alone anymore. I open my mouth to tell her, to warn her of the creature stalking the outside of the house, but not a single sound leaves my throat. Dorothea takes a step towards me. Her face remains frozen in the same gentle smile, and as she talks to me, her beak remains completely still.

‘Where are you going, Waren?’

I suddenly feel a hard surface behind me and realise I have been backing away from her each time she stepped closer. Why would I do such a thing? She’s so soothing. She’s here to help. Dorothea continues walking in a steady pace, her smile never wavering. Now standing before me, she gently places a claw on my cheek.

‘Nobody will hurt you.’

It’s fine. I’m safe. Nothing will happen to me, not with Dorothea here. I smile in relief as her claw slides down my face and grips around my neck, her talons digging into my hide. It’s fine. I’m safe. Tears of relief and happiness run down my cheeks as Dorothea tears out my throat.

I wake up gasping, my eyes darting every which way before I realise it was just a dream. I calm down and let out a groan before falling back onto the pillow. What in the Princesses’ name was that about?

A soft giggling draws my attention. I slowly lift my head back up to see two trembling, laughing blobs at the end of the bed. I instinctively float up my glasses and settle them on their proper place. With my now somewhat reasonable eyesight, I’m able to identify the two blobs as foals. A green-coated colt and a red-coated filly. My eyes widen as the sight of them opens a drawer in the back of my mind and I quickly work to list the information inside.

Firstly, I’m at Sweet Apple Acres. Secondly, I just spend the night here, having a terrible nightmare. Thirdly, the empty beds in the room indicate I’m the last to wake up. And I should probably do something about the foals.

‘Good-‘

Their faces light up and they jump off the bed, giggling and screaming with a volume I really can’t be expected to deal with before my morning coffee. They dart out the room, dropping something in their wake.

‘…morning,’ I finish my sentence out of principle. I sigh and slide out of bed. I wrap whatever it is they dropped in magic and float it up. Before I can inspect it, Werk’s head pops through the open door.

‘Judging by the screaming kids, I’m guessing you’re awake. I’m – oh! Uhm… pffft-hahaha, you look amazing, Waren.’

I frown as Werk gives up on holding back his laughter and falls through the door opening. With a sinking feeling, I walk up to the full length mirror on the wall. How strange, I certainly do not remember going to sleep with an extra pair of glasses and a moustache. I float up the object and inspect it.

Waterproof marker. Fantastic.

In between Werk’s gasps for air and his laughter, I’m able to catch something that can be interpreted as ‘breakfast’, so I magically shove him out the door and close it behind him now that his message has been delivered. I let out a deep sigh and set about restoring my face to something presentable. After frowning in the mirror for a while, I cast a cleaning spell. Nothing happens. I raise an eyebrow. I’m not the most potent mage around, but I like to believe I have mastered such basic magic. Floating the marker up once more I give it a closer look.

Magic-proof. By Celestia’s mane why would anyone even go through the trouble?!

I sigh again for good measure and float the marker behind me as I push open the door and make my way down the stairs. I have to say, as much as the younger members seem to enjoy defacing my… well, face, the Apple family have been incredibly hospitable toward total strangers like Werk, Stratos and myself. As I step into the kitchen, I am met with chaos.

The two foals run around the table laughing loudly with a mare around my age trying to get them to sit down. An elderly, and might I add, huge red stallion doesn’t seem to mind the noise as he munches on some oats. Stratos looks at me with glee, probably due to a grinning Werk telling her what to expect from my face.

‘Jonagold! Bramsley! Simmer down and take a seat,’ an elderly mare announces as she enters the room. Instantly, the filly freezes in place, only for the colt running behind her to crash into her, sending them both tumbling across the floor.

‘Yes Auntie AJ,’ they recite in unison after recovering, and do as they are told while nudging each other and blowing raspberries. Next, the mare turns to the last standing member of the Apple family.

‘And Apple Blossom, you were supposed to look after your niece and nephew.’

‘I did!’ the yellow mare triumphantly retorts, accomplishment radiating from her face as if expecting to be given a cookie for good behaviour, ‘I got them up, bathed, dried, teeth brushed, and all without letting them out of my sight and with minimal property damage.’

‘Then mind explaining how that happened?’ Miss Applejack asks, pointing a hoof at my face. I don’t even try to hide it. That would have been pointless anyway. Instead, I sigh, frown, and take a seat across from Stratos.

The yellow mare freezes as she stares at me disbelievingly ‘But how did they… When…? Oh…  I’m so sorry! I-‘

I raise a hoof to stop her. ‘It’s okay, Apple Blossom. Just… is it possible to get some coffee?’

I’m told it is entirely possible, and before long, a cup of the divine beverage is floating in my magic. I take a sip and my mind finally truly wakes up. Calmly setting the cup down on the table, I present everypony with the marker used to enhance my appearance.

‘Magic-proof marker. Magic-proof. Really? I mean, really?! Where did you even get this? These are supposed to be incredibly expensive!’

A silence lasts after my outburst. The two foals look at me with wide eyes.

‘We’re sorry mister,’ they drone. I sigh and sit down again, taking another sip of coffee.

‘It’s okay. I’m not mad, not really. But how am I expected to get this off?’ I look at Miss Applejack. She simply shrugs. Looks like the children drawing on pony’s faces is a new thing they invented especially for me. Aren’t I lucky.

‘Here, lemme have a look,’ Stratos says as she precariously leans on the table to inspect my face. She very visibly has to hold back her laughter. Ignoring my stern look, she begins to cast a spell.

‘Uhm… What part about ‘Magic-Proof’ didn’t you – ouch!’ I yelp at a sharp sting around my eyes and muzzle. After blinking away several tears, I can see a rather large quantity of black hairs floating in orange magic. What?! I float up the cup of coffee and angle it, searching for a reflection. Even in the heavily distorted image it provides, I can clearly tell there are several bald patches in my coat where the ink used to be.

‘Stratos! How is this any better?!’

‘I like it,’ Werk comments, his grin far too wide. I glare at him past the floating cup, only receiving more laughter from the pegasus. I guess most facial expressions don’t work without eyebrows.

‘Hold on, Ah ain’t done yet.’ She giggles as she takes a suspiciously long time casting another spell. A warm, orange glow eases the sting on my face, and it’s joined by a rather odd sensation. After the glow fades and Stratos presented me with a ‘Ta-da!’ I take another look in the impromptu mirror. My coat has returned, and in its original colour.

‘Huh, how about that,’ I mumble. I make a mental note to properly thank Stratos at a later occasion.

‘Well then! Now that that little situation is resolved, how about we finish breakfast? After that, there’s plenty to be done ‘round the farm that y’all can help with,’ Miss Applejack says as she finally takes a seat herself.

‘And in return for helping you today, we can get some apples?’ I ask to confirm the deal made yesterday. I don’t like reminding my companions why we are here, especially not since they seem to think it’s my fault, but my business sense wishes to straighten things out before we go to work.

‘I still don’t see why we can’t just buy some,’ Werk remarks as he absentmindedly stirs his oats.

‘Like Ah said, sugarcube, normally we’d be more than happy to sell you some, but we’re gonna need every apple we can buck for the festival. The only way we can spare some is if y’all help us lighten the work load.’

‘We already agreed, Werk. Besides, doing this is the fasted way to get our adventure started,’ I try to ease his mind. He can be so terribly stubborn at times, but it seems the promise of a faster entry into the forest convinced him – for now.

‘Alright then, what do we have to do?’ He asks Miss Applejack, who gives us another smile.

‘Well…’

Of all things, why did it have to be apple bucking? I suppose it shouldn’t come as a surprise, considering we’re on an apple farm, but I assumed I would be put to work inside, especially considering the circumstances when I first met Miss Applejack. At the very least, I’ve been assigned to the eastern orchards. I don’t really understand the details, but supposedly those trees are easier.

Stratos is tasked with entertaining the foals Jonagold and Bramsley, who are normally quite a hoof-full, as I’ve been told. Taking into account the unplanned renewal of some specific parts of my coat, I have no trouble believing that. Werk has been put to use preparing the family’s stand for the festival later today.

And of course, that leaves me bucking apples.

With a long face, I make my way to the orchards, closely followed by Miss Applejack, who is my assigned supervisor for the day. Besides me floats a large stack of baskets in turquoise magic.

‘So, Waren, ever bucked apples before?’ Miss Applejack asks brightly

‘Not really.’

‘Worked on a farm?’

‘Can’t say I have.’

‘Got on out of your house?’

‘I try not to,’ I say with a frown before adding, ‘Is this necessary?’

Miss Applejack laughs and overtakes me. ‘Just teasing, sugarcube. Ah’m trying to get a picture of what kinda pony you are.’

‘And did I pass your test?’ I ask, reluctantly interested.

‘Well, you’re honest, I’ll give you that much.’ She winks at me before abruptly stopping and hoisting the foldable lounge chair of her back. ‘Here we are! The eastern orchards, find me a fresher patch of apples and darn-tootin’, Ah’ll call you a liar, ‘cause there ain’t none.’

I slowly nod. Her grin makes it extremely hard for me to even consider the possibility that might not be true. I carefully place the stack of baskets on the ground.

‘So what are we doing?’

‘You’re bucking apples. Ah’m watching t’ make sure you ain’t messing up our trees,’ she says as she unfolds the lounging chair and proceeds to… lounge in it. I look around at the trees. They aren’t especially tall, but considering the task at hoof I can’t help but feel they look… menacing.

‘Okay, where do I begin?’

‘Put a basket under a tree and give it a good kick.’

‘That’s it?’

‘Hahaha! We’ll see if you’re still saying that in fifteen minutes. Now, go ahead.’

I allow myself to briefly frown before following the instructions. I place the basket under a random tree and position myself in front of it. I don’t really understand why Miss Applejack is grinning so much. I mean, sure, I may not be most suitable pony for this line of work, but really now…

How hard can it be?

‘I had to ask…’ I wheeze, my coat damp with sweat. I look over my shoulder at the basket and count at least two apples as a reward for almost an hour of furious kicks. Struggling to my hooves, I give Miss Applejack an unsure look.

‘I’m sorry, I don’t think I can do this…’

‘Good!’ she smiles and gets out of the chair.

‘Good? How is that good? Don’t you need these apples?’

‘You ain’t afraid to admit your faults, sugarcube. Now that we’ve had that epiphany, Ah can tell you how it’s done,’ she says as she walks up to me. Something in my brain clicks and my eyes go wide.

‘You mean you knew I was doing it wrong this entire time?’ 

‘Ah did, but you needed to find out on your own. Ah’ve been doing this long enough to recognize a stubborn pony when Ah see one. If Ah told you the way right from the start, you wouldn’t be able to do it properly ‘cause you wouldn’t know what not to do.’

I step aside to let her take a position in front of the tree and she faces me. ‘Now, why do you reckon it didn’t work?’

‘Uhm… I didn’t use enough strength?’

She runs a hoof over the tree as she talks. ‘That’s what most ponies think, that’s it’s all about muscle. But they don’t realise that the tree ain’t no obstacle. It ain’t something standing between you and the apples, it’s what provides them. And most importantly, they are alive.’

‘Well, technically, yes. But not alive alive, right? They aren’t sentient or anything…’

She shakes her head. ‘You’re thinking ‘bout it wrong. The tree has the apples, you want them. How do you go ‘bout telling it that?’

I am just able to prevent myself doing a double take. ‘What? Trees don’t talk,’ I say skeptically, before carefully adding, ‘…do they?’

Miss Applejack just continues to softly caress the bark of the tree in front of her. ‘Yer know how old this tree here is?’

I raise my eyebrow, ‘Uhm… a few decades?’

‘The same age as my daughter.’ She steps away from the tree and begins to slowly glide down the line. ‘For every member of the Apple family born, part of an orchard is planted for them, to grow and provide for them like we do the trees. If we go further south we’ll hit mere saplings for Jonagold and Bramsely, or west to find the same for Big Mac and myself, my papa and everypony else all the way up to Granny Smith.’

She turns and begins to walk back, her eyes still on her daughter’s trees. ‘These here trees have seen it all. Every failure and success. Every scrape, bruise, cut along with every hug, kiss, and laugh. Then when my time comes, they’ll still be here, watching over mah family and providing for them, jest like they did for me.’

She looks at me again, and I attempt to to process everything she told me.

‘How’s about Ah just show you?’ She momentarily looks over her shoulder before adding, ‘Don’t tell Big Macintosh, you hear? Ah ain’t supposed to be doing this any more.’

I open my mouth to question the fact whether this is such a good idea in that case, but she silences me with a single look. She takes a moment to breathe, and then strikes the tree once with each rear hoof. The tree vibrates for a moment, and in a feat of extreme gravitational unlikelihood, every single apple neatly lands in a basket. Miss Applejack crosses her legs and nods my way.

‘And that’s how it’s done.’

I stare in awe at the tree as the elderly mare returns to her chair. I can’t help but notice she’s trying to avoid putting too much weight on her hind legs, and feel a pang of guilt.

‘So what did you tell it?’

‘Who says I did the talking?’ She laughs as she slowly lowers herself into the lounge chair. ‘That’s the thing about you Canterlotians, y’all spend so much time in those fancy books of yours you forget to stop and look at the world around you. It’s easy to say trees don’t talk when you haven’t stopped to listen.’

I give her words some thought as I eye another tree.  Listen to it, talk to it, don’t treat it as an obstacle. That’s difficult enough without somehow putting all of that into a kick. I give Miss Applejack another look, and she nods at me. Taking a deep breath, I position myself in front of a tree and float some baskets under it. Come on, Waren, you can do it!

I kick the tree incorporating what I’ve learned to the best of my ability. The tree starts to shake, but incidentally, so do I. I fall to the ground as a grand total of three apples join me, completely missing the strategically placed baskets.

‘You’re starting to get it. Again! And listen this time,’ Miss Applejack encourages me from her chair. I get back up and give her a determined nod. I reposition myself and try again. And again. And again. Fifteen minutes later, I filled one basket with apples. Heavily panting, I position myself once more.

‘Hold on there! Don’t get ahead of yourself, you need to take a break.’

I look up at Miss Applejack in surprise. ‘A break? I’ve only been working for a little while.’

‘When it ain’t routine yet you gotta focus on it, and you get tired a mite bit faster. Forcing it is just as bad as doing it wrong,’ she tells me, and beckons me to take place besides her. As I make my way towards her, I notice my rear legs are killing me. She was right; I was focussing on the mental part so hard I didn’t even realize my physical discomfort.

‘You make it sound so easy,’ I say as I lay down in the grass, ‘I never thought it was possible to, well, know so much about something you can’t find in a book.’

She laughs. ‘Well Ah reckon Ah learned a thing or two ‘bout apple bucking while doing it my entire life.’

‘Oh! I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to imply –‘

‘Don’t worry sugarcube. Ah reckon at the same time, you would be able to blow me away with all sorts of facts and tidbits you read about. Just a matter of perspective.’

I relax again, realising she’s right. ‘Still, it looked so easy when you did it.’

‘Well, Ah can tell you looks can be deceiving. Apple bucking takes a while to learn, it can become routine, but it never gets easy.’

‘What do you mean? It took you almost no effort to empty that tree.’

A hint of a smile playing across her face. ‘A single tree ain’t no problem. But when it’s your job, you’re out in the fields from dusk till dawn, and then a little bit longer. Remember when Ah said it wasn’t ‘bout the muscle?’

I nod.

‘That’s ‘cause it’s about bones. You can be strong enough to wrestle a dragon into submission, but when kicking trees for a lifetime, your bones are gonna feel it. My granny was one of the first ponies to learn what too much bucking can do to you. Her hip was as brittle as a piñata on one of Pinkie’s parties. Ah was able to retire before it got to that, but Ah still did a number on my body.’

‘What about your brother? Has he retired?’

‘Big Macintosh? Retiring? Ha! Wouldn’t that be something? He enjoys being out and doing work so much Ah reckon retiring would be the death of him. Of course, that don’t stop Cheerilee from trying to convince him otherwise,’ she laughs before leaning back in her chair again.

I’m slowly starting to get a better picture of the Apple family. From what I’ve learned, Apple Blossom is Miss Appejack’s daughter, and currently more or less trying to take over the family business. Miss Applejack also has a younger sister, Applebloom, who resides in Manehattan with her husband, working a security job. Jonagold and Bramsley are their children, who in turn seem to be responsible for causing mayhem and turning the entire farm upside down.

This leaves some holes in the picture, but I know better than to ask. If she doesn’t want to tell me, it isn’t for me to know. We enjoy a moment of quiet in the peaceful orchards. Having lived in the big city my entire life, it’s nigh overwhelming. I won’t pretend I never had a quiet moment in Canterlot, I mean, before Stratos arrived I usually read in my store while waiting for customers. But the city is alive, ponies streaming through its veins, always going somewhere and having something to say.

‘Alright, reckon you can give it another shot?’

I look up, and happily note I feel completely energized again. ‘I think so,’ I say as I get back on my hooves. I trot to the tree I was at earlier and position myself. She doesn’t even remind me to listen anymore, and I have to admit, I feel a little bit of pride at that. I ready my rear legs and proceed to talk to trees.

I did it. Don’t ask me how, but I did it. I float the full baskets after me in my magic. Normally that would be quite a strain, but after bucking apples for a couple of hours, the spell is a welcome diversity. I’m even floating Miss Applejack’s foldable chair after me as I follow her back to the farm house.

‘Are these enough?’ I ask to keep my mind of the magic.

‘Eeyup. They’ll cover what we need for the festival, and still have enough left to last y’all for weeks.’

I smile, glad to have this over with. Perhaps Werk will even be able to stop blaming me for losing the apples, now that I’m the one who solved that little problem single-hoofedly. I take the time to ask something that has been bugging me.

‘If you don’t mind, what kind of festival are we talking about here? Is it a Ponyville tradition?’

‘Hmm… Not really. Some ponies are supposedly coming to town to talk ‘bout something. Not even sure what. Pinkie Pie took the chance to organise a huge party around the occasion. And Mayor Pound Cake always had trouble saying no to that mare, so here we are! Not that Ah mind, it’s great for business.’

I could have guessed Miss Pinkie liked partying, considering her cutie mark. But to turn just any occasion into a festival? That requires a whole new level of random. We arrive at the farmhouse and find Stratos talking with Apple Blossom. The twins, surprisingly, aren’t running around, or screaming, or using somepony’s face as a canvas, but actually sleeping. The amazement isn’t exclusive to me, and Miss Applejack softly whistles.

‘How in tarnation did you manage that?’

The two mares look up. Apple Blossom’s face brims with excitement as she approaches us. ‘Mom! You should have seen it. Stratos is amazing, she told Bramsley to stop chewing on his sister’s tail and he actually listened! Can we keep her? Please?’

 Stratos grins as she follows Apple Blossom. ‘Ah shucks, it’s nothing really. Ya just gotta be patient with them.’

I raise an eyebrow. Patient? Stratos? Why do I have trouble making that connection? She leans in to whisper in my ear.

‘Honestly? Ah’m just as surprised as they are. Guess Ah really am amazing, huh?’

‘You sure are,’ I respond, rolling my eyes. I set the baskets down and am told to wait for Big Macintosh, who is going to pick us up for the festival.

‘What? We’re all going?’ I ask slightly distressed. Not that I object to the idea of spending more time with the Apple family and the other Ponyvillians, I just don’t think Werk cares much for delaying our trip even further.

‘Well of course, sugarcube, Ah can’t ask you to help us set up a party and not invite you, now can I?’

I nervously brush my mane out of my face. ‘I would love to, but I think my friend would want to –‘

‘No way! That really happened?’ Werk’s voice arrives on cue. I look up to find the Pegasus himself hovering slightly above the ground to stay level with the huge red stallion walking next to him.

‘Eeyup.’

Werk lowers his hooves and shakes his head in disbelief. ‘Man, that’s one doozy of a story.’

‘Eeyup.’

‘Oh, hey guys!’ Werk waves as he lands and folds his wings behind him. ‘Everything is set up and ready to go. And uhm… this may sound strange, but would you guys mind if we stay for the festival? I would love to hear another of Big Mac’s stories.’

How about that.

‘You were saying?’ Miss Applejack asks amused.

‘Never mind, let’s go,’ I say as I float up the baskets again. Despite my earlier protests, Stratos lifts half of them.

‘Alright, Apple Blossom, can you wake up your niece and nephew?’

The mare instantly looks distressed and nervously eyes the sleeping foals. ‘Do we really have to wake them up? Can’t we let them sleep? Please?’

‘Sure…’ Miss Applejack begins with a smirk, ‘But Ah’d like to remind you what happened when Pinkie visited and nopony told the twins.’

Apple Blossom’s eyes go wide as her blood drains from her face. ‘Bramsley! Jonagold! Wake up, we’re going!’ she announces, running up to the sleeping pair. We all laugh as the two foals instantly begin running around and shouting ‘Festival! Festival!’ while Apple Blossom chases them down. We prepare to set off, but halt as Miss Applejack insists on retrieving her hat first. Once it’s safely secured on her head, we make our way for Ponyville.

I trot up next to the Werk, who is contently humming to himself.

‘Are you sure you don’t mind, Werk? I mean, we could go to the forest right now.’

He dismisses my comment with a flap of his wings. ‘Nah. We’ve helped out this much, might as well see it through. Besides, I’d hate to pass up a good festival. We can think of it as an… adventure party!’ He excitedly flutters into the air.

‘Do you even know what the festival is about?’

He shrugs while airborne. ‘Dunno. I thought it was about these ponies in blue robes holding some speech, but they seem the most surprised by the whole thing.’

I slowly nod. Looks like they forgot to tell the ponies they were being thrown a party. Honestly now, what kind of speech is this even? It doesn’t appear that Miss Pinkie bothered to find out. Well, I suppose as long as it’s going to take place, we might as well enjoy it.

‘Come one, come all! The finest apples in all of Equestria! Planted, cared for and harvested by hoof! Get your Sweet Apple Acres apples right here, folks!’

I smile as I watch Apple Blossom reel in customers with her enthusiastic demeanour.  When it comes to selling apples, she might even rival Stratos for sheer eagerness. And unlike Stratos, she actually looks responsible doing it.

‘Bramsley! No! Don’t put that in your mouth!’ she jumps off her soapbox and smiles apologetically at the laughing crowd as she wrestles the foal for the box they keep the bits in. Stratos quickly talks the child into releasing the Apple family livelihood and offers to walk around a bit with the twins. Miss Applejack agrees on the condition she’d be back for the main event. Judging by her grin as she urges the foals on, Stratos also doesn’t mind checking out the rest of the festival.

The normally already cheerful and colourful village of Ponyville really went all out today. The streets bustle with life and smiling ponies chat, eat, laugh, drink and laugh some more. Colourful streamers and balloons decorate every corner and stalls with foods, drinks and games have mysteriously appeared all over town. Nopony seems to know what the occasion is, but they’re just enjoying themselves.

‘AJ! What’s going on, girl?’ I look up and find Miss Pinkie looking around in confusion. ‘What’s everypony doing out today?’

Miss Applejack laughs and puts a hoof on her friend’s shoulder. ‘It’s a party! You organised it yourself, Pinkie. Remember?’

Miss Pinkie raises a hoof to her chin and looks around in contemplation. ‘Hmm…that does sound like something I’d do…’

A grin spreads across her face and her mane seems to double its fluffiness. ‘A party it is! Come on AJ, let’s find Rarity and have some fun!’

‘That won’t be necessary, dear,’ Miss Rarity announces her presence. I look around to see where she had come from, but to no avail. She’s dressed surprisingly well for a festival this… rural. Miss Pinkie’s face lights up and instantly wraps the three of them in a tight hug. Miss Applejack cringes slightly in pain and Miss Rarity gasps as something in her dress rips, but they smile and laugh all the same. I politely decline the offer to join them, content with watching. The trio takes off into the joyous crowd, adding to it with their own smiles.

I sit back behind Apple Blossom handling the stand and observe. Ponyville is so different from Canterlot. It takes a pony hours to get from one side of the crowd to the other, but nopony seems to mind as they are flagged down by kind faces and enjoy a chat. In the city you’d be lucky to get one pony to return your smile. Even if the streets can be more crowded in Canterlot, they’re… lonelier.

I’ll admit one of the reasons I’m not so eager to venture into the crowd is because it’s rather overwhelming. I still try to take in as much as possible from a distance. I can’t help but chuckle at a particularly humorous interaction between a green-bluish unicorn mare and a distressed earth pony.

‘Enjoying yourself, I see?’

I look up and almost fall over backwards. ‘S-Spike! Don’t scare me like that!’ I have a creeping suspicion his appearance will continue to take me by surprise. He laughs in a low rumble that sends several strands of smoke into the air. Nopony as so much turns their head. I guess they’re used to the idea of a dragon living among them.

‘I apologize, I should have known my features would startle you,’ he says, before winking and adding, ‘but frankly, it’s too much fun.’

I frown, trying to recall why that line sounds so familiar and dreadful. Then I remember I am talking to perhaps the most sensible inhabitant of this town. ‘You don’t happen to know what this speech is about, or who’s holding it, do you?’

‘Like everypony else, I know only that there is going to be one. For Pinkie, that information was enough, as you see.’

‘Don’t you ever get tired of her randomness? Even she herself doesn’t seem to be able to keep track of it all.’

The dragon rubs his chin with a claw. ‘Random, you say? I beg to differ. Look around, Waren, what do you see?’

I do as I’m told and scan the vicinity. ‘Chaos?’ I offer.

‘I see laughter,’ Spike fills me in on his own observation. ‘I see smiling faces. I have known Pinkie for most of my life, and if there is anything that hasn’t changed, it’s her desire and ability to spread joy. So throwing a party at an occasion she might not understand may seem random to you, but to me, it’s only a reminder that my friend is still going strong.’

I find Miss Pinkie in the crowd, just in time to watch her jump around with two laughing foals on her back. Maybe Spike has a point… Well, probably. After all, he’s a genius and has known these mares since he was a baby.

‘What about you, Spike?’

He seems surprised at my question. ‘What about me? Have I changed? Am I random? You sure do know how to ask a question, Waren.’ I look at him, motionless. I don’t know why I asked that question, but I find I have a burning desire to know the answer. I want to know more about Spike and the six mares from his past – and in some cases – present. He sighs. ‘You could go into the fact that I am a dragon befriended with ponies, and every consequence thereof, but I like to think of myself as a servant.’

‘A servant? Of what?’

He smiles at me, a strangely gentle gesture considering his jagged teeth. ‘Of friendship.’

I just stare at him. Miss Rarity, Pinkie, Applejack… Spike, Twilight Sparkle, the pegasi in the photographs. Everything surrounding them seems to radiate warmth. Just as I open my mouth to ask another question, I’m distracted by a faint buzz. I look around, trying to locate its source. Several ponies have done the same, and a murmur fills the air. Spike shields his eyes from the sun with a claw, and smiles.

‘Looks like the main event is about to start. If you hurry, you might make front row,’ he says before taking leave himself. As he walks towards the town hall, I spot a dark blob against the horizon. I have no clue what’s going on, but I guess there’s only one way to find out.

‘Werk, you coming? The… whatever it is, is about to start,’ I call out to my friend sitting next to big Macintosh. He waves a hoof at me, dismissing my words.

‘Yeah, one sec,’ Werk says without turning his head from the red stallion before him, ‘And that didn’t stop you?’

‘Nope.’

Werk softly whistles. ‘Woah.’

‘Eeyup.’

I frown at the sight. When is he even telling Werk these stories? Werk jumps up now that the story has been concluded. He looks confused when Big Macintosh stays put. ‘You’re not coming?’

‘Nope.’

‘I see… Somepony needs to mind the stall, huh?’

‘Eeyup.’

I roll my eyes as Werk waves goodbye and we follow the stream of ponies. Those two seem to get along nicely. How they manage to talk remains a mystery to me. Getting slightly nervous at the ever increasing mass of ponies around me, I try to stay close to Werk. If my memory serves me well, everypony is headed towards the building I suspect to be the town hall. And if my memory serves me even better, that’s where the ponies in blue robes were setting up a stage yesterday. As we continue down the streets, the buzzing gets louder, and occasionally someone points a hoof skyward.

As the crowd spills into the square before the town hall, I’m able to catch glimpses of some very nervous looking ponies in blue robes, lining the stage. They clearly did not anticipate this many ponies to show up. We are quickly able to locate Miss Pinkie, as she is loudly naming things the mysterious blot in the sky could possible turn out to be. We meet up with her just as she exhausts her somewhat logical options and resorts to naming edibles. Miss Rarity and Applejack greet us as we wrestle our way through the crowd.

We also find Stratos, carrying the twins on her back as they point at the sky and join Miss Pinkie in the guessing game. With the group more or less complete, I give in to my excitement and scan the sky for the mystery enthralling Ponyville. I find it and immediately look away, shielding my eyes. Whatever it is, it’s approaching with the sun directly behind it, so I instead listen for somepony else to identify it.

‘A daisy sandwich!’ Miss Pinkie excitedly offers.

‘Whaaat?! Can I have it? Can I?’

‘Of course it’s not a sandwich, Bram.’

‘Like you know what it is, Jona!’

‘I know it’s not a sandwich.’

‘An airship!’ Stratos blurts suddenly. Everypony looks skyward at this new information, and the shape slowly distinguishes itself.

‘Ooohh, she’s good,’ Miss Pinkie comments. Looking up myself, I conclude Stratos is right. Slowly approaching and blotting out the sun behind it, is a large balloon-shaped dirigible. To either side are two large propellers being powered by – ugh... – two of the biggest steam engines I have ever seen. Underneath it, suspended by metal pipes and a web of tubes and wires, hangs a gondola large enough to house a few dozen ponies and still have room enough for a swimming pool. The buzz is now a loud roar of the engines.

The crowd’s whispers and murmurs intensify as the airship approaches. It’s engines shut down and the propellers grind to a hold and I finally am able to hear my own thoughts again. Now slowing down, the airship banks slightly to the left. As it does so, its finer details become apparent. The balloon has been painted various shades of blue, and on its rear an elaborate crescent moon stands out, as if it has a cutie mark. Finally, the ship glides to a stop above Ponyville. Now that it’s fully blocking out the sun, I’m able to tell its name that’s painted on the hull of the gondola in elegant calligraphy.

Fitting. The blue-robed ponies on stage relax slightly at the sight of the ship. The crowd’s exited whispers intensify as a hatch on the gondola opens and a single figure detaches itself from the airship. It glides down towards the stage in a smooth flight path. The pegasus – what else could it have been? – folds his wings just before landing and drops the final meter or so downward. His landing instantly silences the crowd and catches everypony’s attention.

The pegasus wears an elaborate blue robe that puts the ponies behind him to shame, and it matches his coat. His jet-black mane is tied tightly behind his head in a ponytail, and the coat around his eyes seems to be of a darker blue, making his eyes appear almost unnaturally yellow as he scans the crowd. He doesn’t seem fazed by the huge amount of ponies at all. As he walks up to the front of the stage, I can only think of one word to appropriately describe this pony; serious.

‘Citizens of Ponyville!’ he announces, now definitely the centre of attention.

‘In the interest of being open, let me get a few things out of the way. First of all, my name is Farsér Salopard, and I act as Royal Liaison for the Court of Canterlot and Equestria’s many respectable businesses. Today, I come to you not as Royal Officer, but as a friend. I speak on behalf of the New Lunar Republic.’

If I would have been drinking something, it would undoubtedly be sprayed all over Werk, who is standing in front of me. Instead, my shock expresses itself with a drop of my jaw. The Republic? All the way out here? Judging by the whispers going through the crowd, I’m not the only one thinking that.

‘Friends! Please! I am well aware of the reputation our organisation has built for itself over the years, while under the misguided direction of ponies I am happy to say no longer affiliated with us. We have rid ourselves of that nightmare, embracing the very foundations on which The New Lunar Republic was originally founded. Equality, Freedom, Fraternity and most of all, our adoration for the beloved Princess of the Night.

‘Because, my little ponies, when I look around Equestria today, I see peace. I see hope, I see happiness. And it makes me sad. For in these times, conflicts such as Discord and the Changeling attack long behind us, is it not time to look inwards? Is it not high time we remember Equestria is blessed with two princesses, not one? Even today, over forty years after Luna returned to us, there stands but one throne in Canterlot.

‘The Princess of the Night. The Bearer of the Moon. The Mistress of Dreams. She Who Walks Among Stars. Names all given to her over a thousand years ago out of adoration, and long since forgotten. I ask you today, Ponyville, do you remember? Do you look up at the sky, and thank not one but two souls responsible for its beauty? Because let me tell you, my friends, I remember.’

It’s all I can do to hold my breath and listen as the pegasus steps back to wave a pointing hoof over the robed ponies standing behind him.

‘We all remember, and united in doing so. And we dream, my ponies. We dream of a brighter future. Of an Equestria where the sun and moon are equals and every colt, filly and foal can look up at the sky and know who gave it to them. We dream of a Canterlot with two thrones.’

His face turns even more serious, a feat I deemed impossible.

‘But make no mistake, my friends. We stand for more than simple considerate thoughts. In our new form, The New Lunar Republic has found many friends and allies, and we are stronger than ever. It is time we act. It is time we show Luna she is in fact loved, and to show her sister she is no longer the sole ruler of Equestria. This brings me to the true purpose of my visit here. I bring you more than the truth, Ponyville, I offer you a chance to become part of it.’

He spreads his wings and raises his voice to shout with authority and determination.

‘Join the New Lunar Republic! Rightfully earn your place among the pages of history alongside your brothers and sisters!’

I simply stare as the pegasus turns and walks away. What in tarnation am I supposed to think of that? I mean… they used to hate Celestia. They tried to attack her for pony’s sake! Now they just drop in with an airship, hold a speech and ask for ponies to join them?

The crowd seems unsure what to make of this. A couple of ponies cheer, but most just share confused looks. I look at my companions. Stratos looks conflicted as the foals on her back cheer and point hooves at the airship. I’m not sure they even heard the speech. To my surprise, Werk actually looks… impressed.

Now that the main event seems to be over, the crowd slowly disperses and resumes the other activities. A few ponies linger around a table next to the stage and talk to some of the blue robed ponies. Our little raggedy band of individuals suffers somewhat of an awkward silence. I sigh and set about breaking it.

‘So… what was that all about?’

‘Beats me,’ Miss Applejack responds.

‘I had no idea Farsér was involved with the Republic…’ Miss Rarity says, giving us a worried look.

‘Did you see his eyes? Is he wearing mascara? Oh! Is he a clown? Is this a circus?!’

We all stare at Miss Pinkie, before she blinks and asks, ‘What?’

Shaking my head, I focus on Miss Rarity as we form a circle. ‘You know him?’

‘You mean you don’t?’ Werk interjects. ‘He’s only, like, the most awesome pegasus ever!’ Werk continues, despite the various looks he’s given. ‘Remember I told you Haughbury had to be dragged out of his office? He is the one who did that! I heard he actually threw Haughbury through a window. Man, would I have loved to see that.’

He dreamily stares into the distance.

‘Uhm… don’t you think you’re a little bit too excited about the thought of your former employer being thrown through glass?’ I ask him, genuinely worried about the truth. He shakes his head and seems to snap out of it.

‘Right, sorry. It’s just, with him around, working the factory was actually bearable. A lot of folks look up to him. If he runs the Republic… I don’t know, I guess that means they’re okay now?’

‘He’s telling the truth at least,’ Miss Rarity adds. ‘Their means of transportation may be rather… crude… But look at those robes. Unless my eyes are playing tricks on me, that’s Celestial silk. He’s walking around wearing a small fortune. Oh I would love to work with that fabric.’

I look at Stratos, who has yet to speak up. Very unlike her. ‘Are you okay?’ I ask worriedly.

‘Eh? Oh, Ah’m fine…’ she mutters. I raise an eyebrow at the very un-Stratos like behaviour. With most of the crowd now back to enjoying the various stands selling various goods, most of which edible, we decide to return to the Apple family stand. And for us, it should be time to head towards the forest soon.

Upon arrival, Miss Applejack fills in an anxious Apple Blossom and a seemingly indifferent Big Macintosh on what the speech was about.

‘The New Lunar Republic? I thought they were baddies,’ Apple Blossom says as she struggles to keep Bramsley from chewing on her tail.

‘Welp, Ah thought they was disbanded, so Ah guess we’re both surprised,’ Miss Applejack says, lowering herself in a chair behind the stand. Taking into account myself and the whispers that went through the crowd, I’d say the list of surprised ponies is a tad longer than two. I look at my friends and recognize the looks in their eyes.

‘Time to leave?’ Werk asks. I nod at him. As much fun as it’s been, if we want to make it any kind of distance into the forest before running out of daylight, we can’t wait much longer. The entirety of the Apple family – plus Miss Pinkie and Rarity – now looks at me with certain sadness.

‘I’m afraid we’re going to have to –‘

‘Hold on, Waren.’

I turn around, and almost let out a scream. ‘Sweet Celestia Spike! Are you doing this on purpose?’ I ask, holding a hoof to my chest to try and slow my heart rate. He grins sheepishly.

‘Actually, don’t answer that. What do you mean hold on?’ I ask.

‘Just that, don’t leave quite yet,’ he tells me in the mysterious tone he really seems to enjoy. I myself, on the other hoof, find it becoming rather annoying. First the mysterious gem, then his whole “Servant of Friendship” story, and now this.

‘I have to wonder, are you this cryptic at the Research Facility? I can only imagine –‘

‘Archmage! As I live and breathe!’

Celestia and Luna strike me down, is it so much to ask to finish one measly sentence? We turn and once again I find myself positively baffled. The blue pegasus that held the speech now stands at the apple family stand, smiling gently at Spike.

‘Farsér,’ Spike simply responds. The blue pegasus nods politely as he scans our group, Miss Rarity keeping an eager look fixated on his robes.

‘I didn’t expect to find you here, Archmage,’ he continues after his eyes settled on the Spike again.

‘And I didn’t expect you to join the New Lunar Republic. Is there a story behind that I should know about?’ Spike asks sternly. He isn’t talking to the pegasus as a friend, but as a superior. They are both involved in Royal Canterlot business, I remind myself. Farsér smiles warmly.

‘Nothing too impressive, I’m afraid. A simple desire for justice.’

Spike squints his eyes. ‘And what exactly did you mean by “time to act”? We don’t want a repeat of the infamous Summer Sun Celebration, do we?’

‘Trust me, we are the last ponies that want that. You have to understand, we have cut ties with those who sought to simply disrupt Princess Celestia. We respect her right and position to rule, and simply request the same for Luna.’ He holds his smile as Spike keeps him locked in a judging gaze. Eventually, the dragon lets out a sigh.

‘I’m sorry, but you understand my concern, don’t you? The Republic is a delicate topic, one most thought gone. I know you Farsér, and I trust you, but I’m not alone when I say the name “New Lunar Republic” leaves a bad taste in my mouth.’ He runs a claw over the spikes on the back of his neck. ‘Couldn’t you have chosen a different name?’

The pegasus’ smile slightly stiffens. ‘It saddens me that this is a point, but I understand. Yet to change our banners would undermine our actions.’

A silence falls. Suddenly, Bramsley deftly marches toward the pegasus. He halts in front of him and points a little hoof right at his face.

‘You’re weird,’ he announces.

‘Bramsley!’ Apple Blossom cries in dismay, ‘I’m sorry! I don’t know what’s gotten into him!’

Nopony speaks or moves and several anxious stares lock onto the blue pegasus. He simply looks at the colt, his face impossible to read. Even Bramsley himself seems to regret his action. Farsér raises a hoof and everyone holds their breath.

Then he places it on Bramsley’s head and ruffles his mane. ‘A brave young stallion, aren’t you?’ By Celestia, does he ever stop smiling? He lowers his hoof again and nods at Spike. ‘It’s been a pleasure, Archmage, but the Republic needs me. The Eclipse will leave by sundown.’

After a surprisingly polite goodbye, the pegasus flies off towards the airship, leaving me to ponder.

The New Lunar Republic… they used to be a few hairs short of a terrorist organisation. But this Farsér person seems respectable. Of course, it could also just be a ploy. The Canterlot court is rather infamous for its intrigues and deceit. But at the same time… as much as I hate to admit it, he kind of has a point. I don’t remember the last time Princess Luna made a public announcement of any merit, and the griffins don’t take kindly to her either. In my conflicted state, I do the one thing I know will help me ease my mind.

I let out a long sigh.

‘You said you were leaving, sugarcube?’ Miss Applejack asks, snapping me out of my thoughts.

‘We planned on doing so, but Spike has other plans it seems,’ I say more to the dragon than to Miss Applejack. He gives me a grin that despite his draconic features I can’t describe as anything other than cheeky.

‘I think that with the latest… distraction, it should be appropriate to leave now,’ he tells me in that cryptic voice. Great, more mysteries.

‘You’d think, being Archmage, he’d speak Equestrian…’ I mutter.

Then Miss Applejack surprises me by placing a hoof on my shoulder. ‘Ah know you know the forest is dangerous, so Ah won’t try and talk you out of it. We lost more to those woods than you think, so all Ah can say is be careful.’

I look in her eyes and find genuine concern. Not just concern you’d feel for a stranger, but for a friend. Looking around at the looks we get from the Apple family, Miss Rarity, Miss Pinkie and even Spike, the feeling of internal conflict only intensifies.

Objectively, our time in Ponyville can be categorized under “disaster”. Both my friends got abducted, we had to postpone our journey to work for the apples we lost, something I was still getting the blame for. We met a dragon insisting on speaking in riddles, a pink mare nopony bothered to tell what the word “age” means and a stallion that somehow manages to tell Werk amazing stories using only two words.

And yet… ‘Thank you.’ I smile at the ponies – and dragon. ‘When we came here, we never expected to be treated with such kindness and generosity. Despite some… mishaps… I know I’m going to miss Ponyville.’

‘Aw shucks. This ain’t a farewell, sugarcube. Y’all are welcome at Sweet Apple Acres when you get back. And you will get back, you hear?’ she grins.

‘Same for Sugarcube Corner!’ Miss Pinkie adds with a beaming face.

‘And I simply insist you visit Carousel Boutique after you come back from that forest. Celestia knows anypony who’s been there looks worse for wear.’ Miss Rarity gives Werk an extra-long look at those words, and Stratos suppresses a giggle.

‘Thank ya so much, we’ll make sure t’ stop by on our way back!’

‘You bet! You still owe me the last part of that story, Big Macintosh,’ Werk adds.

‘Eeyup.’ The stallion follows this up with a chuckle that almost seems to rumble.

‘Well then, this is a goodbye,’ I say, nodding at the group of ponies – and dragon. ‘Until the next time.’

‘Looking forward to it, sugarcube. Y’all take care now.’

‘Don’t forget to smile at least three times a day!’

‘And do take care of that mane, darling.’

Werk’s frown tells me he will be missing some inhabitants of Ponyville more than others. Grinning, I wave in final goodbye and we finally, after way too much delay, start our adventure eight friends richer.

That was not as bittersweet as I had thought it would be. The idea we made friends like this, combined with the promise we’ll see them again just doesn’t allow me to be sad about leaving. Believe it or not, I think Werk’s enthusiasm for this adventure is starting to rub off on me; I’m actually looking forward to the forest. However…

‘There’s one thing still bothering me…’ I say as we trot onwards.

‘Wha’? Ya forgot sumthin’?’ Stratos asks, walking backwards to face me as she does so. I raise an eyebrow at how weird that looks.

‘No… It’s just, why did Spike want us to wait? I don’t see how we gained anything, or would have missed something crucial.’

Werk shrugs as he hovers besides me. ‘Maybe he just liked us?’

To my surprise, I actually contemplate that possibility before dismissing it. ‘I doubt his reasons were purely sentimental. No, there must be some special reason…’ I tap my chin with a hoof as I think. When no thought occurs, I throw them in the air in frustration. ‘Gah! I’m seriously considering running back and demanding him to explain himself. Stupid mysteries…’

‘Excuse me.’ I jolt as a voice behind me calls out. Just great! Not only am I getting swamped in mysteries, today seems to be “let’s sneak up on Waren” day. I turn around to tell this pony I just about had enough of mysteries and surprises.

‘Is it really so hard to just…’ I trail off as I stare at the stranger.

‘A friend told me to meet three ponies here. You wouldn’t happen to know Spike, would you?’ She asks as she looks at me. As I fail to say anything, she sighs and presents me with a black hoof. My eyes trail along it and watch as her black coat turns white, and black again, and white once more, until I stare straight into the zebra’s magenta eyes, which she proceeds to roll at my behaviour.

I finally regain the common sense to shake her hoof. ‘I’m Waren.’

‘Mstiri,’ she says, giving me a nod.

Of course. Somewhere, I imagine there to be purple dragon with a doctorate giggling profusely at setting up this meeting.