Chapter 4: Sweet Apple Acres
A warm wave of sun wrapped itself around the reddish brown colt. His golden mane and tail ruffle slightly in a warm breeze. The sun slowly rose over the eastern mountains; warming the world below. The adolescent colt quivered, as if coming to life. His eyes opened slowly, they had a deep golden sheen that brightened his face. He looked around him; his eyes searched the apple orchard around him. His eyes moved towards the pale blue sky, very little clouds were aimlessly floating about. He began to stand up, it didn’t feel natural to him but it came to him instinctively. He started trotting slowly toward the trees. He quickly became comfortable with the way he was now walking. He entered the trees and quickly darted from one place to another.
As the day went on the sun rose higher into the sky. Aurum trotted about the trees as the hours passed, this world was bright, colorful, and it wasn’t like his old world. His old world was dark and dreary, full of hate, trees were not the things that towered above his head; giant steel towers were. He couldn’t help but smile. He ran through the trees, they were beautiful, green bushy tops blotched with red morsels. He found a creek and splashed around like a filly! He pranced and played, something he had never done before in his life; ever.
After a long while he heard the sound of hooves heading toward him. He quickly hid in a nearby bush. The thorns poked at his skin, but he didn’t notice, he was too afraid. He peeked through the leaves and saw the pony. She was a Mare with orange fur and a blonde mane. She was beautiful. He felt his heart flutter; it was strange considering he was once a human, but he couldn’t help it. The way her bright green eyes scanned the area, it was beautiful. She had two wicker baskets on her back, both full of apples, but one had a black cowboy hat… his cowboy hat! She called out with a southern accent, “Hello? Is anypony there?” She turned toward him and her eyes widened. He began to feel his heart beat much faster; he looked up to see his horn was sticking from the bush. She called out once again,” Y’all should come right now or I’ll hav’ t’ get Big Macintosh!” There was no point in hiding anymore, he stepped out of the bush and she looked him dead in the eye and asked sternly, “What were y’ doin’ in my apple orchard, y’ should know not to trespass, y’ look old enough t’ know that.”
“I-I’m s-sorry…” He stuttered slowly and looked down.
“Is this your hat here fella’?”
“Y-yes i-it is.”
“Well here,” she said kindly, “I’m Applejack, and this is Sweet Apple Acres; here we grow the sweetest apples in all Equestria.”
“I’m sorry Miss Applejack, I’m…” His voice trailed off,” New here,” He finished.”
Her cheeks blushed,”Y’ don’t need t’ so polite there Sugar Cube, I ain’t no politician, just call me AJ.”
“Alright AJ, I’m Aurum, and I honestly have no clue where I am right now.”
“Well, I ain’t one for geography, but were west of Ponyville, which is west from Canterlot, but were in the southern part of East Equestria, and th’ Buffalo Nations are just a train ride away if y’ stop at Cherry Jubilee’s place they’re just two rides away. If go east of Canterlot, you’re at th’ eastern mountains, travel far enough west you’re at the Western mountains, but only a little bit of the Western Mountains are safe enough to cross into West Equestria… That’s about all I know.”
“Wow…” He paused, “Where can I find Princess Luna?”
“Why?” Applejack asked accusingly.
“She is responsible for me.”
“You know Luna!?”
“Yes, she sent me here.”
“Wow, she is in Canterlot, but wouldn’t that where you are from?”
“Well… No, where I’m from is a lot more complicated than that.”
“Tell y’ what, I’ll take y’ to Twilight Sparkle, she is all good with Princess stuff.”
“Alright,” He replied flatly. They began to walk together, when suddenly Applejack put his hat on his head and smiled at him.