Zacon’s face scrunched up at the sight of the ‘meal’ that had just been set in front of him by Mr. Cake, the co-owner of Sugarcube Corner. Three plates, sporting a sandwich of daisies and a hay shake each, were laid out on the table. A small, frosted cake sat on a serving dish in the center, complimentary.
The table they were at was out of the way and near the far corner of the eatery. While waiting for their food, they been passed the time discussing the town’s features. Zacon had grumbled the entire time about how long it was taking for them to be served, but now that they had been, he looked as if he wouldn’t mind if the food had never come.
“This is some sort of sick joke.” He looked from one to the other, but both Cor and Jason remained straight faced.
Jason turned to his food without a word. He did not hesitate to eat and made no reaction to the unusual diet, so after watching for a moment, Cor joined in. He chewed slowly at first and gave his plate a curious look. Shrugging, he continued. Zacon stared at them both in disbelief.
“How can you even swallow that grass pulp? Is it because you tree climbers are already practically herbivores? I’ll have you know that a real warrior requires more hardy sustenance than…this.” He pushed the plate away.
“What do you propose they serve you?” Jason asked with exasperation. “This is the type of food they eat.”
Zacon looked around the café, giving everything a withering glare. He came to rest on one pony in particular.
“I wouldn’t mind a bit of meat,” he said, lazily licking his lips.
Cor followed his gaze and practically spit out his food. It was the pink pony that he’d run into before finding Jason.
“Zacon! You can’t even be serious!” He paused to lower his voice. “You’re not eating a pony.”
“Why not?” Zacon returned casually. “We Dragonites hunt much larger game back home. Even your people take prey of greater size.”
“If you hadn’t noticed, we aren’t back home and for all intents and purposes, you’re not even a Dragonite right now. You probably can’t eat meat anyway.”
Zacon stiffened. “What do you mean I can’t eat meat?”
Jason put his drink down. “He means that you’re a pony and ponies can’t eat meat. They’re vegetarian for the most part. The ones in this world seem to be able to handle a more complex diet, but none of it involves meat.”
Zacon grumbled for a moment, glancing from his food to his friends to anywhere else that allowed him to avoid their eyes. After a few muffled curses that caused Cor to look around in alarm to be sure they weren’t overheard, Zacon took a bite of the sandwich. He chewed with a look of disgust on his face, but as he did, it turned to a look of disappointment. He looked down at his plate almost sadly.
“Okay. So it isn’t that bad.” When he saw Cor and Jason exchange a quick smile, he added, “But when we get back to normal, I’m going hunting for some real food.”
“Hey there!”
The pink pony appeared beside Cor, nearly causing him to fall over in surprise. She was on the side of the table farthest from Zacon, but it was unclear if this was on purpose or by chance. Jason noticed that Zacon’s jaw tightened significantly.
“I hope you’re all having a good time and that you’re not busy like you were earlier. It’s not fun to be in such a hurry that you can’t even stop to talk. I’d rather spend time with friends than doing something that’s stressful and you both seemed like you were doing something super duper stressful. So what were you busy with anyway?”
She was talking at a mile a minute and Cor could hardly keep up, let alone form a response. Zacon was in danger of straining a muscle with the intensity of his glare. Jason cleared his throat.
“Actually, Pinkie, they were on their way to meet me. These are my friends, Cor and Zacon.” He gestured to them in turn.
Cor made an effort to shake the hoof she held out but was practically yanked out of his seat by her enthusiasm. Zacon didn’t even move and she made no attempt to approach him.
“Pleased to meet you! New friends are always a joy to see. They’re like old friends that you’ve never had a chance to look forward to yet. Well, have a sunshine-a-rific day! See you later Jason…Again!”
She cartwheeled away. Cor righted himself and stared after her.
“What was that?”
Jason smiled. “That was Pinkie Pie. She’s the town’s unofficial joy-maker. It’s her personal goal in life to make everyone she meets smile. And she’s persistent about it. Everyone in town knows her and is used to it. I met her just this morning myself. She made the introduction so fast that I didn’t see the surprise she had brought with her. I took a cannon-full of confetti to the face and we’ve been friends ever since.” He laughed.
“She shot you with a cannon?” Cor asked, his eyes widening. “And you’re okay with that?”
“Sure. She knows how far is too far…most times. She doesn’t do anything too dangerous. I’ve asked around and everyone I talk to says the same thing; she loves fun, smiles, and making everyone’s day better.”
They both watched her bounce around a party of ponies at a different table. Most were laughing along with her and the rest of the patrons were watching the merriment with amused smiles. Cor shrugged his acceptance and went back to his meal. Jason’s telekinesis lit up his saddlebag and produced a small cluster of golden coins which he laid on the table.
“Where’d you get that money?” Cor asked between mouthfuls.
“I’ve been lending myself to any task that could use another, um, hoof. Some of the ponies I helped insisted on paying me, and I needed some money, so I didn’t argue. They’re called Bits by the way.”
“Maybe we should go along next time. Having some money could be handy.”
Zacon snorted. “What could we possibly want to buy in this world?”
“How about the food we’re eating?” Jason fixed him with a sharp eye.
Zacon only grumbled.
“I know what I’d buy; a sling for my bow. Balancing it on my back is a pain and I can’t levitate it very long.” It was surrounded by a faint green aura as he lifted it slightly.
Jason glanced at his sword critically. He had to admit, Cor had a point. Carrying them around with magic was a strain and Jason physically couldn’t put the sword on his back. They would need to do something about that. And soon, he thought, noticing a few uneasy glances directed at them by the ponies at nearby tables. Carrying weapons in the open was drawing too much attention.
“So this world we’re in; is there anything else important we need to know about it? Or have we covered everything?”
“Only that Equestria isn’t the only country in this world, but it is by far the most prominent,” Jason said, turning his attention back to the original topic. “Its influence reaches to the farthest corners of the lands. The dealings with the surrounding lands and the creatures that dwell in them have been peaceful for the most part though, especially in the last several hundred years.”
“Hmm,” Cor murmured thoughtfully.
“Are we done here?” Zacon broke in. He was still eyeing Pinkie Pie warily.
“Not quite.” Jason held him off with a wave of his hoof. “We still have a few things to discuss. Like what we’ll be doing while we work on a way back.”
“You mean like jobs?”
“Well, yes. And a place to stay too.”
“We could always just do what you’ve been doing; odd jobs and random work.” Cor suggested.
“Maybe, but I was thinking something a little more consistent.”
“You’d be the one to know what that would be.”
They were silent for a moment. Suddenly, Jason slapped his hoof down on the table.
“I might have it. I already have a place to stay. I might be able to get them to let you two stay there too.”
“Where’s that?” Cor asked.
“Sweet Apple Acres. It’s a farm outside town.”
Zacon had already finished the food in front of him. He stood up and glanced around.
“Can we get going?”
Jason got up as well. “I suppose we could head out there now. Applejack and her family own it. She’s the one I’ve gotten most of my information from so if we’re going to answer any more of your questions about the town or this world, it’d be nice to have her around as a reference.”
They gathered their equipment and started for the door. Cor stuffed the last of his sandwich in his mouth and looked at the cake still in the center of the table. After a short pause, he levitated it with him.
~*~*~
The walk to Sweet Apple Acres was filled with question after question and Jason did all he could to answer them. Cor was the only one asking but Zacon was at least paying some attention. Most of them were random interesting quirks that Equestira offered.
“And they can just push clouds around? With their hooves?” Cor’s brow ruffled as he pictured it.
“Yes. And they are the only ponies who can stand on clouds without assistance. Some Unicorns can cast spells that will allow them to, but that’s only temporary.”
“How does one learn these spells? Is it different from our magic?”
“Not as far as I can tell. It’s a magic energy that you will into a form. I do know, however, that they use a different mana pool than ours.”
“Oh, very interesting.”
“Yes,” Zacon rumbled. “It’s so very interesting. Look, I don’t plan to build a summer home here so I don’t really care about any of this that doesn’t get us back. Please tell me if there is anything in your newfound knowledge that pertains to that. Otherwise, I think I’ll just tune it out.”
Jason and Cor watched Zacon kick pebbles moodily for a moment before picking up where they were as if he hadn’t said anything.
“And not only that, but it seems that the only real limits are the caster’s ability to concentrate on the spell.”
“Well, I bet you flipped when you found that out.” Cor laughed. “Does that mean that you can cast just about anything?”
“Not quite. My mental training makes it easier but I have my limits just like anyone. Besides, I’m not accustomed to using magic this way.”
Cor was about to bring up another question but they were interrupted by a voice to their right.
“Looks like ya’ll managed to find each other. How're you doin’ Jason?”
Applejack was leaning against the fence separating the orchards from the lane, watching their approach.
“Hey Applejack. I take it you’ve met my friends?”
“That I did. Helped ‘em find their way to town this mornin’.” She glanced at Cor and Zacon but ended up staring. “What in tarnation?! Is that some sort of armor? And are those weapons!?”
Cor looked at his bow guiltily. Zacon shifted his axe but made no other move. Jason looked at them for a moment and then down at his own sword.
Yep, they were drawing way too much attention.
“It would take some explaining.” He tried to smile but it felt more like a grimace.
“I’ll bet it’d make a first rate story over a campfire too.” She continued to eye the weapons warily.
“We’re in a bit of an unusual situation, alright? I don’t even know most of it yet. If I tried to explain it, it might raise more questions; questions that I really can’t answer. If you give me a chance, I’d try to…”
Applejack sighed deeply as she interrupted him.
“I don’t need to hear an explanation, Jason. I felt from the start that I could trust you and I’m gonna keep trustin’ you. I might want to know what you're all about and it might seem shifty from where I stand, but if it’s some sort of secret, I won’t push it.”
Jason was again grateful for her understanding, but this time he shook his head.
“I would actually like to try to explain. You’ve been so accepting that I feel you’ve earned the right to know. Perhaps we could talk it over after sorting out accommodations for my friends?”
“If they’re friends of yours, they’re welcome here. Ya’ll can head inside and find a room for each. Any one of the vacant ones will do. I’ll see how you're settlin’ in after I finish with today’s apple buckin’.”
“Hold up,” Jason called her back before she could trot off into the trees. “I seem to recall insisting I pay my way. And if I’m not mistaken, harvest was one of the work items that were proposed. My friends and I are ready to start if you have the time to show us the process.”
Applejack chuckled. “You did insist, didn’t you? Oh, alright. Follow me.”
She turned and started into the trees once more. Jason jumped the fence with a short running start. Cor hesitated for a moment before performing a similar stunt. Zacon jumped the fence easily with a look of boredom. The three then ran to catch up to Applejack.
They grouped around a tree that sat deep within the vast expanse of the orchard. All around, the fruit gleamed in the light, highlighting the branches’ green cover with pinpricks of red. Birds sang out of sight, filling the air with a spattering of intermittent song. Baskets were laid out at the base of every tree in this part of the orchard.
The baskets were the only visible sign that civilization had touched this place. Even the farm’s buildings were obscured by the tree-covered hills. Jason glanced at Cor and saw his shoulders relax visibly. Even Zacon’s eyes softened slightly as they took in the surroundings.
“Well, this is the area that ya’ll can start on. Now, the way you buck apples is to give ‘em a good…solid…buck!” She punctuated her words by rearing up on her forelegs and coiling her hind legs for a mighty kick. She delivered it to the trunk and was greeted by a shower of apples that fell into the baskets.
“You don’t need to worry too much about gettin’ ‘em done in a certain time,” she said as she picked up the few that had missed their targets and deposited them in the nearest basket. “We could finish on time even without your help. But with ya’ll cuttin’ harvest time down a bit, we can use that time for a few extra projects that have been neglected some.”
“Could you show me that again?” Jason asked, studying the tree intently.
“Well, sure. 'Tain’t nothin’ to it.” She approached another tree and kicked it squarely.
This time, Jason studied the effect closely. From the point of contact, a vibration was sent up the trunk. The branches made a sharp whipping motion as the vibration passed through them. The whipping motion was directed nearly straight down and caused the apples to fall neatly into the waiting baskets.
Jason nodded to himself and backed up to a tree. Taking aim, he struck with one precisely placed hoof. He watched as the vibrations passed through the tree and looked for any variations. There were none and, just as he’d planned, every apple that fell landed in a basket. He turned to see the others make their first attempts.
Cor planted both hooves on the trunk but his blow was only strong enough to shake half of the apples down from the branches. Zacon, who had removed his boots, scoffed at him and delivered a kick to his tree that caused splintered bark to fly in all directions.
“Careful now!” Applejack exclaimed. “We don’t want to damage the trees!”
Zacon looked at her and then back at the crushed bark of his sylvan victim. He muttered an apology that could barely be called halfhearted. Cor kicked his tree a second time and was greeted by the remainder of the apples pelting him mercilessly.
“We’ve got this now, I think.” Jason said.
Applejack smiled and trotted off. Jason turned back to the others. Zacon set his axe in the air, where it once again hovered. As he found another tree, Cor deposited his bow gently in the grass beneath the axe. Jason set his sword alongside them and the three began their work.
~*~*~
The light of the setting sun turned the whole hillside into the crimson and gold canvas of a master painter. Birds sailed lazily overhead, winging their way to their evening roosts. The rustling of the leaves in the soft breeze mixed with the sound of hooves striking bark.
As Applejack watched the three ponies working below, she shook her head in amazement. When she had told them to work this side of the orchard, she hadn’t expected to find them halfway through the entire north grove by the end of one day. She and Big Mac were on their way in for the day but these three were still forging ahead on the harvest. A line of full apple barrels had appeared along the trail leading back to the farmstead and it continued to grow as she watched.
They couldn’t have taken a single break all day with the amount of progress they’d made. In fact, the only word she’d had from them the whole time was Jason asking where they could find more barrels. When she saw them setting yet another barrel alongside the others, Applejack decided to go down to meet them.
When they saw her coming, they gathered together and waited for her. A sheen of sweat shown on their coats but they did not appear fatigued. Cor’s slightly labored breathing was the only sign of strain among the three of them.
“Well, I’ll be. Ya’ll have done a mighty fine job out here,” she said when she was near enough to speak. “I reckon you three could use a rest.”
“Yeah, I suppose we could,” Jason replied, smiling back at the others. Zacon and Cor nodded. “Where should we bring these barrels first, though?”
“We’ll take ‘em up to the barn. After that, we’ve got supper just about ready.”
After ten trips with the cart, they were able to get the last of the barrels stored away properly. The sun was now below the horizon. Deep pools of shadow draped themselves across the yard as they trotted inside. The smells of baking filled their nostrils the moment they were through the door.
“At least it’s real food this time.” Cor heard Zacon mutter when a pie was carried into the room and set prominently on the table.
Applejack went into the kitchen to help Granny Smith bring the meal out, refusing Jason’s offer to help. Though they were in another room and speaking with hushed voices, Cor had no trouble hearing them.
“Well now, ain’t they the finest bunch of strappin’ young stallions,” Granny Smith remarked after peering out at the three around the corner. “I imagined when you brought the one home ya’ll had gotten lucky findin’ him. Now, though, you’ve got your pick of fit stallions.”
“Well shoot, Granny. Don’t go ‘round actin’ like I’m shoppin’ for a new hat.” Applejack said, making shushing sounds. “They’re guests, not merchandise. Besides, it ain’t like I’m looking for somepony to settle down with just now.”
“Oh fiddlesticks! A young mare like you has got to find somepony.”
“Maybe, but I’ll do it on my own time.”
“You might want to make the time when the pickin’s this good.”
“Will you just let me do that myself?” Applejack came back into the room with a steaming loaf of bread and set it on the table. “Come and get it,” she called.
Cor glanced at Jason, but there was no sign on the other’s face that he’d heard any of it. He tried to ignore the awkwardness of it all as the meal began.
The rest of the Apple family gathered and Cor and Zacon were introduced. They didn’t give any details and, just as had been done for Jason, the subject wasn’t pursued. Conversation was limited because everyone was tired from the day’s work. As a result, Apple Bloom made up for the lack of diversity with quantity. Cor made the mistake of showing interest in the exploits of the group she and her friends had founded. Thus, he was the target of the entire fusillade of stories recounting their attempts to earn their Cutie Marks. Jason simply watched Cor’s face through the whole thing, trying not to laugh when Cor realized what he’d gotten himself into. Zacon seemed to thoroughly enjoy the meal, but afterward refused to admit it.
A compliment to the cooks, another refusal of their help with the dishes, and the three companions were making their way to their rooms. They had left their weapons and Zacon’s armor in the orchards to avoid alarming Applejack’s family. Zacon went to sleep upon finding his bed, so Cor and Jason met in Cor’s room to work out what they were about to do.
When they heard Applejack in the hall, Jason called her inside the room. She entered curiously.
“We hoped we’d be able to explain our situation, if you can spare a few moments?” Jason began.
“Oh, is that all? Sure, I’ll hear your story.”
“To start with," Cor said. “We’ve been changed from our actual forms into those of this country. You see, where we come from, we aren’t supposed to be ponies.”
Applejack’s eyes narrowed. “Then what are you supposed to be?”
“We are called Elves. We…” Jason hesitated, wondering how much to tell. “…are closely attuned to nature.”
“Zacon isn’t an Elf though,” Cor added. “Members of his race are known as Dragonites. Our two races are allies.”
“I thought as much. Him not bein’ close to nature I mean.” Applejack mused. “But I’ve never heard of Elves or Dragonites. Where’d you come from?”
“Well, you must understand that we don’t know everything about what’s happened yet either.” Jason said. “The way we got here wasn’t of our choosing. What we are sure of is that we have been sent here from another world.”
“Now, when you say another world…?” she said hesitantly.
“It was some kind of teleportation that brought us here.” Cor replied, shuffling his hooves awkwardly. “We’re still working on it.”
“We’re working with a Unicorn in town in fact.” Jason added. “A Miss Twilight Sparkle?”
“Twilight? Why, she’s one of my best friends!” Applejack’s face lit up. “To be honest, I was havin’ a time getting’ my head ‘round all this, but if she’s got her hoof in it, I suppose I’ll go along with it too.”
Cor let out a sigh of relief. Jason smiled in appreciation.
“You have our sincere thanks for that,” Cor said, grinning. “You have no idea how worried we were about how you’d respond.”
“You may have been worried,” Jason interjected. “But I had faith in her.”
They continued to smile all around until Jason cleared his throat.
“Did we miss anything?” he asked, turning to Cor.
“How ‘bout them weapons ya’ll had?” Applejack suggested. “Cor’s bow wasn’t so much when I first saw it but when ya’ll showed up with the rest, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy ‘bout it.”
“Yes, of course.” Jason sighed before explaining. “We are warriors. We were in the middle of a battle to protect our people when we ended up here.”
“Those are just the weapons that came with us,” Cor said. “The rest of our equipment must still be back in the cave where the battle was. The fighting may be going on even now but I'm sure they can manage without us for a while.”
“That means they may not know what’s become of us either,” Jason continued, nodding. “But it also means there isn’t much pressure to find a quick way home. In my case, staying here for a while is just fine. I’ve only seen a fraction of this world and already I find its beauty breathtaking.”
“I don’t know,” Cor rubbed a hoof under his chin. “I think keeping Zacon content, or at least restrained, is going to get harder the longer we’re here.”
“Hmm, I see your point. In any case, we’ve begun research with Twilight to find a way back and need a place to stay until answers can be found.” Jason bowed slightly to Applejack. “I feel I cannot say enough how much your hospitality and understanding are appreciated.”
“Likewise,” Cor said, with a similar bow.
“Well, shucks,” Applejack said, blushing slightly. “I’m just lendin’ a hoof where it’s needed is all.”
“I hope we’ve explained ourselves adequately,” Jason said. “I felt it would be wrong to keep such a secret from you after all the help you’ve given. Now, we’ve taken enough of your time and we could all use some rest.”
“Of course,” she replied, nodding as she backed out of the room. “G‘night then.”
“Good night to you.”
When the door closed, Cor turned to Jason. “That seemed to go well. Do you think she really believed us?”
“I would have had trouble believing us,” Jason said. “She did, but in large part due to the fact that we mentioned Twilight, I think.”
“You know,” Cor began wryly. “We really need to get a plan of action for meetings like this instead of just winging it. If we’d had the same luck as I did with the Dragonites…”
“Ah, yes.” Jason chuckled grimly. “And you remember my meeting with the Humans?”
Cor laughed. “That went okay by comparison; that is, after you woke up from getting hit by that car.”
“Even so, I don’t think we’ll get any of that sorted out tonight.” Jason said, heading for the door.
“Jason.” Cor said, stopping him. “I was thinking I’d go out into the forests, just in the morning for a while. You didn’t have any plans I need to be part of, did you?”
“No, just checking on Twilight’s progress and seeing if there’s some obscure way to help that I’ve missed thus far. Oh, and smuggling our weapons up here. To be honest though, I’d like to take an afternoon just to walk a wooded trail myself. It’d be nice to meditate somewhere so peaceful.”
“Well, maybe I can point you to a good spot when I get back. ‘Night.”
Jason nodded as he shut the door behind him.