Friday
“Are ya okay, Sugarcube? You took a nasty fall from… nowhere. Great, now ahm confused.”
The blue pony opened his eyes as he felt a sharp pain on his flank. Storm had really never had this happen when he was Yu, but he was now a Technicolor stallion with a much sexualized cover name. Anything was possible in this instance. When he opened his eyes, he was greeted by the visage of an orange pony with a blonde mane tied up with a small band as well as a Stetson hat. She had adorable freckles and bright green eyes, and she was looking confused.
“He’s an Earth Pony… but he fell from the clouds. The only time that a Pegasus had their wings taken away was in that hedge maze with- Oh! Yer up. How’re ya feelin’, Sugarcube?” The orange pony checked, offering a hoof to the downed Stallion.
{“I’m fine, thank you.”
>”A bit bruised, but I’ll live.”
“IT HURTS SO MUCH!”}
“I’m a bit bruised, but I’ll live. May I ask where I am right now?” The blue pony said, taking the offered hoof and wobbling a bit.
The orange cowgirl pony snickered at the new stallion’s attempts at standing on four hooves and trotting. She put her arm around the blue pony and smiled. “Ah can tell you are a bit wobbly from the fall an’ everythin’. Why don’t you stay at our place? And to answer your question, this is Sweet Apple Acres, the best producer of apples around.”
The stallion proceeded to essentially learn how to walk again to the barn with the . The barn was your typical American stereotype of a farm house, only with a bell on top. The orange pony stopped him just before the entrance and turned to him.
“This is where ya’ll can stay until ya can get on yer feet. Literally in this case, I suppose. By the way, name’s Applejack. You?”
The mare’s hoof made a gesture similar to a handshake offer. The stallion took it and smiled. “I’m Nar- Musterstud Storm.” He said, catching himself on his actual name, but not the order that the Southern American pony would know. He didn’t catch this before applejack, however.
“Why y’all talkin’ funny? You from Japoni or what? That’s the only place I heard them do that kinda introduction.” Applejack said, looking at Storm with a bit of intrigue and possibly blushing as well.
“You… could say that.” Storm said, nervously scratching his neck.
“Ah! Well, y’all be restin’ now! I’ll call ya when dinner’s ready.” Applejack said, walking away from the stallion to let him get adjusted to things.
Storm searched around the barn and found some farm tools, a few birthday party supplies, and a hay pile fashioned into the shape of a bed. The party supplies made sense if they held large parties in here, especially if they were ponies, which took more standing room than people usually did. But he was aching all over, so he took the mares’ advice and slept it off.
That Night…
“Wake up, sleepy. Its dinner time. Ya don’t wanna miss dinner, now, do ya?” Applejack said, knocking on the barn door as she spoke.
The blue stallion awoke groggily, getting up to walk towards the exit of the barn. He was not used to sleeping all day for anybody. And if he did, it would be lazy of him. But it was upon the insistence of a Southern pony with a Technicolor scheme, so he decided to go with the flow on this one. He felt a familiar type of homey-ness with this pony. Storm walked across the farm with Applejack, keeping close. He was still a bit wobbly on his four hooves, but he was definitely getting better.
When the two reached the actual house, Applejack opened the door for him. He wasn’t sure about the other people in this woman’s family, but he was sure that they were good people at the very least. He entered, and was greeted by an older green pony, who was looking me over with prying eyes. He didn’t know who she was, but because of the picture on her backside, he knew that she was some kinda baker or something along those lines.
“Hmm… Yah must be this… Storm that Applejack informed me about. Well, ya do look as lanky as I thought ya would, bein’ yer from Japony and everythin’. C’mon, join us at th’ table and tell us about yerself. I’m Granny Smith, and it’s nice ta meet ya.” She said, giving a wink to the silver-haired cobalt pony.
When he reached said table, he saw two other ponies in addition to Applejack and Granny Smith. One was a little girl pony, who was yellow with pinkish red hair and tail styled wildly, and the other was a big, red, male, and brawny farmhand with an orange mullet and short tail. He sat down and smiled sheepishly.
{>“Hello.”
“Watashi wa…”
“Howdy, ya’ll.”}
“Hello. I’m Musterstud Storm. Nice to meet you all.” The blue stallion bowed his head a little.
“C’mon, Mac. Introduce yourself.” Applejack said, nudging the red stallion in the side, two which he reacted, most likely on impulse, by raising his left knees. Applejack blushed at this as she turned away, whistling a nondescript tune that... he remembered Kanji humming at one time. He cleared his throat and spoke in a deep, syrupy country voice.
“Ahm Big MacIntosh. Pleasure ta meet ya.” The red stallion said, using his hoof to gesture.
“And I’m Applebloom. Ahm glad ta meetcha!” The yellow filly said, then noticing his the blue stallion’s cutie mark. “Ooo… What’s yer Cutie Mark mean?”
Storm looked confused, but then remembered the lyre on Lyra’s butt. That must be what a cutie mark is. A butt mark. This kind of thing would get you labeled a pervert on Earth, but whatever.
“Oh, you mean this? Well…”
{“It’s about Personas…”
“It’s about Theatre…”
>“It’s about the Tarot…”}
“…I’m an expert in the Tarot. I can predict the future, if only vaguely, in the cards. But I lost them. I was thinking about getting a new one, but I think I’ll take a break from it while I’m here.” The blue Stallion smiled convincingly. He was an expert at lying, but only outside of his Social Links. And none of these people were any of the Arcana, so he needn’t worry. Applejack was a bit suspicious, but dropped the look she gave the Wild Card and served dinner all around.
Applejack then hugged Applebloom by wrapping here hoof around the yellow filly's back. "So how was school today? Did that meanie Diamond Tiara and her friend pick on you and yer friends again?"
Applebloom frowned. "Not more than usual. Ah can tell Ms. Cheerilee isn't too happy with us fightin', but since Babs was here, she's been doin' it less. She still does, though."
Applejack then snuggled her little sister, when Big MacIntosh's thick voice sweetened this family moment as he embraced the filly and the mare. "Just know that ya can count on us. Just tell us yer problems, and we'll see what we can do."
That’s when Storm had a bit of a hallucination. On Applebloom, a slightly translucent version of the face of Nanako, his “little sis” and cousin, was superimposed onto her, and on Big MacIntosh was the very weathered face of Dojima, his uncle, both of which appeared only temporarily. He shook his head quickly and sighed. This was either really good or really bad. He munched on some salad as he tried to calm himself.
Saturday
Storm yawned as he stretched as he got up from his hay pile. He was now used to the physical aspect of being a pony, now to see what he could do. He wanted to check on his room and board providers, because he might need some help around town. Applejack seemed like a reliable pony, and being the first pony he met when his Velvet Room assistant was an ass and dumped him here in this farm. When he entered, he saw a happy Applebloom wave at him and eat some oats that were in a bowl, as well as a jovial Applejack sitting alongside her.
“Howdy, pardner! Have ah nice nap?” The orange mare chuckled, tipping her Stetson up with her hoof.
{> “It was fine.”
“Got a bit.”
“Slept like a baby.”}
“It was fine. Listen, I don’t want to be a burden, but I could use someone to show me around this area. I’m new, after all.” Storm grinned sheepishly.
Applejack immediately became suspicious, yet again, of the terminology that the stallion used. Usually, ponies used ‘somepony’ as the ‘someone’ usage, but there were times when ponies from mixed race cities visited, and they couldn’t exactly use the word. She smiled and nodded instead.
“Well, ah suppose it wouldn’t be too much trouble. Big MacIntosh has a handle o’ the fields for now, and ah can come in a little later. I still have some responsibility, though, so don’t ya be getting any ideas that ahm a Lazypony, y’hear?” Applejack said, pointing a hoof at him. She walked toward him, guiding him to the door.
The trek he took with AJ led to a gaudily candy-colored town known as Ponyville. Storm could already feel his teeth rotting from all the sweetness. Applejack gave the new stallion a crash course in the Layout of Ponyville, starting with the marketplace, going to the other specialty stores.
“That is Caramel’s Metalworks, which sells things tha’ require smeltin’ and things, though he’s been making other things, sayin’ it was his ‘passion’ or somethin’. The one next t’ it is Bon Bon’s Boutique, where she sells candy and other weird confections that’s she’s been experimentin’ with. On the other side o’ the workshop is Berry Punch’s Juice Box, which sells juice… on the days that she doesn’t get drunk on ‘er own product.” Applejack paused to take a breath and then trotted to the next place.
“An’ this is… Well, that ain’t right. This is the Sofa and Quill store, but he’s selling… something called a television. Ah wonder what it is…”
Storm’s eyes went wide. A television? He knew his experience with televisions, and it wasn’t pretty. He had to-
“’Scuse me? Mr. Davenport? Might ah ask what a… television is?” Applejack asked the salespony, genuinely curious.
“Ah, the Princess’ friend! Well, it’s a new product that Twilight entrusted me to sell. After all, she is my number one customer of quills. She said it was inspired by a private session with Celestia, which I don’t get, but I’ll trust her. It’s a box with a magical screen that broadcasts both entertainment and education, at least in theory. That said, do you want one? Only 20 bits.” The well-dressed vendor said, raising his eyebrows in a gesture of enticement.
“Oh? Maybe it can be good…” The orange pony said, contemplating the offer.
“I don’t think it’s such a good idea-” Storm tried to say, hoping to stop what he thought was going to happen from happening.
“If Twi came up with it, ahm sure its worth a try. Ahll take it.”
Storm looked at the mare agape as the exchange took place. This isn’t good… and way too convenient to be happening. They just happened to make a television, thus opening this place up to the T.V. World. This may not be good at all.
Applejack and Davenport exchanged the bits and then the television. The Apple mare put the television onto her back, making sure that the large magical device didn’t suffer a major fall right after purchase. She motioned to the blue stallion, hoping that he would follow her home.
“Ah know it don’ seem right for a country mare like me ta be interested in silly stuff like this, but ah respect Twi and wan’ ta support her in all that ah can do. We’re true, true friends, after all. Besides, there might be somethin’ for Macintosh or Applebloom. Heck, maybe even Granny Smith could get some use outta this.” Applejack continued walking, nudging the heavy television back onto her back.
{“I don’t think this is a good idea…”
>“Is this the best for the family?”
“You’re the boss.”}
“Is this the best for your family? I just want to make sure.” Storm said, trying to approach the topic as best as he felt he should. He knew from the way Applejack interacted with her immediate family that it was supremely important, so talking about a subject through those goggles might be the best way to approach her. Might be useful to remember that in case she becomes a Social Link later, which I think I’ll have to do again from what Lyra said.
"Ahm not sure, but ah can take a shot at it, right? Besides, it's my friend Twilight's invention. No way ah could pass it up." The orange mare smiled, regarding to the cobalt pony.
When the pair got back to the farm, Big Mac and Applebloom were there to greet them. Applebloom immediately wondered what the heck it was, and Big Mac was prepping for the immanent transfer to his back, making him gulp as he remembered the cake he had to carry. Applejack tried her best to stay strong, however, as she walked back to the house portion of the Apple Farm, Big Mac nudging the TV back onto her back along the way. Then he took it off of her back and placed it in the Living Room.
Granny Smith looked at the new device with a great deal of skepticism. "This ain't one o' them 'Flim Flam' type conveniences, is it?"
"Nah, Granny. Its an invention by Twilight. It'll let's us be entertained after we work, and it may help Applebloom in her studies." Applejack said, pressing a big black button, turning on the picture to reveal a Stallion doing a Special Report on Sweet Apple Acres and the main mare, Applejack.
...and Applejack, the superstar of Sweet Apple Acres and winner of the Pony of Ponyville Award for 3 straight years. She is a young, spunky mare who has recently become more well known due to her appearances at several high society gatherings such as the Grand Galloping Gala and the Coronation of Princess Twilight Sparkle. She is known for her strength in the...
That was when the orange mare blushed. She definately wasn't expecting to have the first thing she and her family to see to be about her. She tipped her Stetson down over her face. The rest of her family laughed, taking pride in the mare's success.
Later that night, when Storm was fast asleep, he heard a large but firm scream. It was definitely an older female, which could only mean one thing on this farm.
"APPLEJACK!" The cobalt pony shouted, getting up and galloping out of the barn toward the now completely lit up Main House. He entered the door, almost bursting the door off of it's hinges. "I heard screaming. Is everyone okay?!"
"Ah heard a scream but...when ah checked on everyone, I saw no Applejack!" Applebloom said, crying her eyes out. "Where is she?!"
Big MacIntosh entered, looking panicked. "Ah couldn't find her, but then the telewatsis came on and she was on it! She was very sleepy, an' was on some kinda... prank show on our farm! Ah tried turning it off, but when ah did, it turned on!"
This is what I was afraid of. The Midnight Channel... but it's so well timed... Why is this one faster than last time? I don't understand this world of Equestria, but I get the feeling that the rules have changed. But I still know what I have to do.
"I have to go." Storm said, galloping out of the Main house.