"Oh, I’m so gonna miss this the most," Blueblood whispered, tightening the hug he had with his aunt Celestia as she did the same, milking the moment as much as she could while chuckling.
"Come on, sweetie, no need to overreact. You will only be gone for two weeks," Celestia told him with her eyes closed.
"Says the mare who is refusing to let him go," Luna remarked with a deadpan look and a raised eyebrow.
"If it's a crime caring for my nephew, then arrest me." Celestia snapped back, ending the hug as he went and did the same to Luna, much to her surprise, "Don't worry, auntie, I'm gonna miss you too." Recovering from her initial shock, she smiled and returned the gesture. However, hers was a shorter hug, "As if the coolest aunt in Equestria would ever lose touch with her nephew. We can talk every night when you sleep." She whispered, but then she saw the smirk on her sister's face, resulting in Luna glaring at her. "Shut up"
Chuckling again, Celestia shook her head before levitating and securing Blueblood's backpack on him. "Do you have anything ready, sweetie? Extra blankets? Some travel rations? Feather and quills? Reading material?"
"Come on, auntie, I'm just visiting Ponyville for a week and then off to a hotel in Las Pegasus for another one. It's not like I'm going out on a camping trip. I'm pretty sure I'm not even going to need half of what you packed in here." He commented, tapping his backpack, before looking back up to see her giving him a lethal dose of puppy eyes "…but yes, all checked and ready, auntie, thank you for helping me pack."
"That's my boy" She kissed his forehead. "Have fun with your cousin, listen to every piece of advice she and her friends might have, and oh! While you are there. Would you check on a friend of mine that has been staying with Fluttershy for a while now? Her name is Philomena, and I don't think you two have formally met yet. This sounds like an excellent opportunity for you two to meet while making sure she is ok."
"Consider it done, auntie, and you too, have fun on your two-day trip to the spa with aunt Tempo. Tell her I said hi when you see her."
"Will do" They waved goodbye as the sisters watched their nephew go to the waiting chariot outside the castle and headed off to Ponyville. Once gone, Luna dropped her smile and sighed. "And with that, the easy part is over."
"Are you sure you will be ok, Luna? If you wish, I could cancel my trip so we could look into the case…." Luna stopped her before she could finish.
"I'm sure I can handle it, Tia. I'm so close to finding the killer on my own." She looked forward in determination before turning her head and looked at Celestia. "And you said it yourself. Something needs to be done with Crossfire Tempo right now before whatever is affecting her condition at that spa of hers worsens or becomes an even bigger issue. I mean, nonuplets? I find it hard to believe that a single mare could still be alive after birthing nine identical fillies at the same time…or not breaking headlines with the act itself. For them to also decide to work at Tempo's spa and don't have any form of visible individuality other than agreeing to become her elite flying squad while remaining anonymous? That is quite possibly the weakest excuse I have ever heard in my life, which only keeps adding questions to the pile if they aren't changelings. If not that, then what else could they possibly be? No, it would be best if you went there, Tia. Go and solve whatever is going on at that spa. Save your friend. I will solve this regicide once and for all."
They both nodded and took different paths until Celestia stopped to look at her sister. "If anything happens, don't hesitate to call me. My link is always open, Lulu."
"You will be the first one to know Tia, I promise, but for now, there are a couple of pointed questions I need to ask certain maids." Luna replied before disappearing around a corner down another hallway as Celestia resumed her march as well.
Don't worry, old friend. I'm on my way.
Later that day at Sweet Apple Acres
Wiping some sweat from her forehead, Applejack admired the ring of baskets filled with apples from a well-placed buck at the tree before noticing a chariot descending and making its way towards the farm entrance.
Ah, right on time. AJ smiled once she saw the figure of Blueblood disembark and wave goodbye to the pegasi that brought him as they made their way back to Canterlot. He then turned and headed to the front gate to the farm.
It's time for some good old-fashioned Apple hospitality. "Howdy, Blueblood! Welcome back to Sweet Apple Acres. I hope you're ready to experience the Apple family's well-known hospitality and some of our more famous dishes." She then noticed his backpack and cocked her head in confusion for a moment, "Uh, you know that a sleepover is not the same as a camping trip, right?"
Blueblood chuckled at her comment, "I know it's a bit much, but Aunt Celestia insisted, and what can I say? She wanted me to be well prepared, so she decided to pack a bit extra for the sleepover."
"Hate to break to you partner, but not even Rarity would consider THAT 'a bit extra'. Are you sure she didn't hide a kitchen sink in there?"
Blueblood can't help but laugh. "Good one, AJ, and come on is not that much. Yeah, she might have gotten a little carried away, but well, you know how aunts can get at times."
"Aunts? Yeah, Princess aunts? Not so much, but hey, I'll just mark this one down as her still having a bit of a 'mommy fever.'" She finished with a smile before turning around and heading to the door. "Now, let's go get you settled and say hi to the rest of the family, sugar cube."
"Lead the way" Blueblood followed along. Sure enough, once inside, he was greeted by Applejack's pet dog, Winona. She didn't waste time barking and circling around the Prince, seeking his attention and sniffing his hooves in equal measure while wagging her tail in excitement.
"Looks like Winona still remembers you." AJ said warmly with a chuckle as he stopped to pet the dog on the head.
"What can I say? Animals like me."
"Blueblood!" Applebloom called as she rushed into the room before hugging his chest, making him laugh.
"Hi Applebloom, been a while, hasn't it?"
"Uh-huh, did you come to have more lessons with the crusaders and me and Ms. Cheerlie? Oh, will you use that fancy necklace of yours to turn yourself into a colt again? Oh! We can invite you up to the clubhouse! It will be fun!" He smiled and patted her head.
"I'll admit, that sounds like fun. Maybe we can do that some other time, though." Looking up, he saw AJ standing with a raised eyebrow. "Don't worry. I have been practicing some meditation techniques. So no, sorry, Applebloom, but today I'm just here to have a sleepover with Applejack. Also, to ask for some friendly advice for a meeting I will be having with other princes and princesses, and lastly, to spend time with her without needing to have an emergency for us to talk, that is all."
"Aww?" Applebloom let him go dejected before seeing between the two.
"That is right, Applebloom. I wanted to show him our famous Apple family hospitality and, as he said, just spend time without needing to be in the middle of a crisis to do so." As she approached the pair, Applejack confirmed. Neither mare noticed how when their shadows merged with the Princes, a small pink heart shape appeared quickly before vanishing.
Applebloom then gasped and held her cheeks before looking at AJ, much to her confusion, "Is it because you want him to be your colt friend, sis!?"
"What!? No, I…" AJ tried to stop her, but Applebloom was already gone. "Granny Smith! Big Mac! Come quickly! Applejack got a coltfriend!"
"She did?!" The rest of the family screamed from the other room as Applebloom kept calling and rushed inside with Winona chasing her, Applejack not far behind, blushing profusely. "No, I didn't! She is lying! Don't believe her!" Applejack tried to protest while chasing her little sister.
Blueblood can only blink in surprise at what he just observed for a couple of moments before shrugging and chuckling a little.
Earth or Equestria, it looks like siblings will always be siblings. Oh well, better clear the air before the rest of the family gets the wrong impression.
Following the sisters, the Prince headed to where there seemed to be a commotion in the household. To try and help put out any metaphorical fires that might have sprung up, all while his shadow smirked briefly before turning to normal.
The rest of the day went by as usual. After clearing the air and saying hi to Applejack's grandma Granny Smith an elderly green pony, and her brother, Big Macintosh, a broad and tall red pony, things went back to normal. Applejack and her guest enjoyed the rest of the day in peace while only being teased on occasion, primarily by her sister and granny. In comparison, Big Mac decided to settle with giving murderous glares to the Prince while gluing himself to Applejack's side to her exhaustion… and at one-time chagrin when he almost followed her into the bathroom.
"For pony's sake, Big Mac, give me some space!" Blueblood heard from the bottom floor how AJ screamed before hearing what sounded like a kick, followed by a loud tod and a groan of pain and air leaving the lungs from Big Mac. Moments later, AJ walked downstairs and grabbed Blueblood's hoof, practically dragging him outside. "We are going for some air Granny. Big Mac needs a bag of frozen beans for his eggs." AJ informed without looking, causing both Bloom and the Prince to flinch while Granny only shrugged.
"Eh, serves him right, never irk a mare or follow her to the toilet. It's creepy, and now he knows what will happen." Granny commented, taking out a bag of said beans.
"So sorry about my family." Applejack finally said in embarrassment with a hint of pink on her cheeks as they strolled through the apple trees in an attempt to escape her family's relentless teasing. "Normally, they are a lot calmer with guests. I have no idea why they are suddenly all over my flank about my romantic life." That comment made the prince stop and look at her confused and with a raised eyebrow.
"That came out wrong! That's not what this is! I mean, they never care who I date, I mean! They never wanted to know about the subject!" She was quick to correct herself twice before grunting in frustration. "What in tarnation is happening to me!" she yelled at herself.
"Applejack, Applejack calm down!" The Prince was quick to react. "Relax, I understand. Families will always be like that, enjoying the teasing and whatnot. I imagine it's their way of adjusting to you having your first boy/girl sleepover, right?"
"You might be onto something, partner. I simply just don't get it. What's the big deal with having one with a stallion? Why the all of the sudden jumps to conclusions?"
"Beats me. One would think they would have more faith in you." Blueblood replied with a shrug. "Better not overthink it. I'm sure they will calm down once the surprise wears off."
"Yeah, you are right. Let's just keep this thing going." AJ nodded and smiled before they resumed their walk, "You said something about asking me for some advice?"
"Yeah, you could call it a semi-crash course in friendship before I go off to meet with other royals like me wanting to improve their nations."
"Hmm, I'm not sure I could be of much help to you with that partner. That sounds more like Twilight's field of expertise."
"I understand, but what I'm talking about needs a bit of all six elements. In your case, how much should I tell them." The Prince clarified
"What do you mean sugar cube?" She asked as they reached a good spot to sit and observe the farm from afar on top of a hill
Blueblood looked around them to make sure no one was listening before focusing his attention on Applejack. "AJ, what I'm about to tell you is something you have to promise that you will not tell a soul. This is something I didn't even dare tell the rulers of the other nations for fear of causing a catastrophe."
"Wow, sounds big. You can count on me, partner. My lips are sealed."
"Thanks, ok, here it goes. That trick you've probably heard that I pulled in Manehattan? The truth is that it was a combination of two factors: One is that the criminals I was facing were complete morons with no sense or idea on how to keep their money safe, and the second was that I used some tricks and marketing strategies from my previous life."
"So you broke the law?"
"It's…kind of a gray area." He confessed with a degree of uncertainty. "I mean…if you commit a crime that doesn't have a law for it yet, is it considered a crime? You could consider this being more like payback to those that wanted to destroy the businesses of anyone who wanted to earn an honest living."
"That sounds like a good thing on my book, sugar cube, you should share those fancy tricks of yours, so those snakes think twice before messing around with ponies who only want to make an honest earning."
"Trust me, Applejack, nothing would make me happier, but therein lies the problem."
"Huh?"
He sighed and looked ahead. "It's a long and complicated story from my previous world, but the short version is that a long time ago, Earth had this terrible, years-long disaster call the great depression where people lost their money, work, and even houses. The price for food?… Well, it skyrocketed to insane amounts. for example…." He looked around until he found and pointed out an apple on the ground "That apple over there having to go from costing, say two bits, to two thousand each."
"2 thousand bits for a single apple?!" AJ screeched in terror, standing bolt upright.
"I know it's horrible, and that was life for years. As a result, laws and regulations were invented and implemented to avoid repeating that disaster. This, however, forced those who wished to trick ponies out of their bits or make them work for them until they were sucked completely dry of everything they had to get smarter and more powerful. And that is the root of my plight, Applejack. On one hoof, I found out how what I know can be used for good. To combat those that would oppress others, to help small businesses thrive in the face of adversity. It may even help the entire world become prosperous and have what you and your family already have." He stood up and gestured over the farm.
"A cozy and warm house, a table full of food, a secure way of living, doing what you love in honest earning. A family that doesn't have to struggle, that is my dream Applejack, is what I wish for Equestria, what I want for the world, a future where the word 'homeless' becomes a term to refer to someone that likes to camp or live outdoors by choice alone. It is this ideology that I wish to share with other rulers and spread worldwide," He tells in enthusiasm before looking down.
"But what if this is just wishful thinking? What if I'm right and honest provoke a chain reaction that ends in a great depression…or, even worse, give rise to the kind of individuals that raised me in my previous world? I would never be able to live with myself if I caused that. Applejack, what should I do? Should I be honest and share everything I know? Or would it be best if this remained a secret?"
The farmer remained silent, deep in thought, before reaching a conclusion and regarding the Prince neutrality. "I think you should keep doing what you did in Manehattan with those rulers." She replied without hesitation.
"You mean lie to them?"
"No, I mean to share what you know gradually and just when and what needs to be shared, partner." She elaborated, "You said it yourself. What you know can and will work, but only if you introduce it step by step. And teach it to the right ponies." She started to walk until reaching the base of an apple tree. "Think of it like this, that fancy economic mumbo jumbo you just told me sounds a lot like bucking apple trees, and hitting it is like sharing what you know. You hit too soft…." She barely tapped it, and other than some leaves, just one apple fell. one that was already rotten and barely hanging. "…and you barely get anything, a gamble where you could even get a rotten apple." She picked it up and tossed the bad apple into a compost barrel. "You hit too hard, and you get all of what you told me about." She bucked a nearby boulder, and Blueblood was about to stop her only to see the rock shatter into pieces by the sheer force of the kick.
Bless that brutal earth pony strength. I don't even want to know what her brother is capable of doing. Blueblood pondered in surprise by the display.
"But you hit it just right" she bucks the tree once more with a modest amount of force, making all the apples fell in the barrel below. Before she steps forward, she plucks out two. "And you get the juiciest and most delicious of the harvest." She said with confidence passing him one of the apples "you get it now?" She smirked, taking a bite of the remaining apple.
The Prince smiled and nodded before taking a bite as well before replying, "I do, thanks, Applejack."
"Anytime sugar cube, and hey, if you are still unsure if you should share something, just invite me over so I can rat out any no good lying varmints in the crowd."
"You would do that for me?"
"Sure I would. I like that idea of yours partner, a world where everyone can enjoy the fruits of their labor without worrying about rattlesnakes and be proud of a hard day of honest work? That sounds like an Equestria I would love to live on."
"Thank you, AJ. You're a good friend, and if you or your family ever need some help with crunching numbers or wanting to earn some more, don't be afraid to ask. I would be more than happy to help." He smiled and extended his hoof as AJ completed the gesture. "I will keep that in mind, partner, those numbers can be a real pain in the flank, so having some extra help would be appreciated." The moment Applejack touched his hooves, she went stiff as she felt a strange jolt of electricity flow through her body.
What in tarnation was that just now?! AJ looked at their hooves and couldn't help but stare at Blueblood, before shifting her gaze to look at the rest of his body. Wow, I never noticed before, but it sure shows how much he trains. I bet he could buck appletrees like no other. I think I'm starting to see what the whole deal was with Coco and…wait, what?!
"Applejack?" Blueblood's voice snapped her back to reality, and she noticed how he was looking at her with concern. "Everything alright?"
"Y…Yeah, yeah! I just ah got lost in thought for a second there, not sure why though?" She ended the gesture and looked down in thought before shrugging. "Ah, it's probably nothing. Now let's go. It's almost dinner time, and you don't want to miss Granny's famous apple pie."
"Sure, but before we go, I was wondering, do you mind if I…." He pointed to another apple tree, causing her to smile and roll her eyes "…sure, knock yourself out, but be careful ok? I don't want you breaking a leg now."
"Thanks!" He went and stood behind the tree. "Ok, so how does it work?"
"Eh, there's not much science behind it, just reach down, wiggle your hips, and try to aim for the center and get as close as possible."
"Got it, ok here goes nothing" He did as instructed and lined up his back legs before giving the three a good buck that shook it up pretty good and let loose a respectable number of apples, although it didn't get them all. "Hey! Not bad"
Not bad indeed. Unicorns don't usually bother to train their bodies all that much, not when they have that fancy horn of theirs. But he doesn't seem afraid of getting his hooves dirty, and those legs of him sure are something. AJ's thoughts confused her once more, surprising her before she shook her head. "You lack a bit of force, but hey, that is more of an earth pony thing. How are your legs?"
"Not going to lie, they feel a bit numb. Do you do this every day repeatedly?"
"Eeyup, from dawn to dusk"
"Wow, no wonder you could pulverize that boulder like it was made of butter, Applejack you are amazing!"
She chuckles and scratches the back of her head with some pink in her cheeks. "Ah shucks, don't start with that now, Blueblood. Now come on, before Granny sends Big Mac and I have to deck him again." She half-joked as they resumed their walk.
"Right behind you" Blueblood caught up with her, and the rest of the way, they spent in silence as Applejack kept taking occasional glances at him.
Ok, seriously, what is going on with me?! Since when do I get all flustered like a filly from a simple compliment? And why do I keep looking at his body like he is some kind of apple fritter? I must have been working under the sun for too long to be acting like this. Taking another glance, she gulped when she found herself ogling at his frame, making her shake her head once more. Yeah, I've been under the sun for way too long. I need to drink some water… some frigid ice water.
They continued marching, neither noticing how in Applejack shadow the heart from earlier appeared and pulsated, enveloping the silhouette before vanishing in a burst of low pink light. In the distance, the shadowy head of a dragon with antlers watched everything unfold hidden inside of one of the three tops, tittered lightly before starting to vanish
~you are lying to yourself, ~ She thought before disappearing completely.