//------------------------------// // Strength of Heart // Story: One Soul, Two Worlds // by Sparkleman //------------------------------// "You wanna what now?" Applejack asked. "You heard me, I wanna buck some damn apples." "Well sugarcube, seeing as ya'll don't have any hind quarters to buck them with, how ya'll going to buck one?" "You'll see if you let me." "Well, sure, but don't saw ah didn't warn ya." "Wait, wait, wait," Yelled a frantic Rarity, "I can't just leave Greg here all alone. What if some diamond dogs get him?" "Don't worry Rarity," Twilight responded, "I'll just teleport 'him' back to the boutique." "Oh thank you darling thank you." Twilight walked over to the large gem that I somehow crafted and closed her eyes. Her horn started to glow with a large amount of magical energy surrounding it. After a few seconds she and the gem popped away only leaving an indent in the grass were they recently stood. Not even a second later Twilight reappeared panting and gem-less. "It's back. At the. Boutique. In the. Main room," Said Twilight between gasps for air. "Oh dear, I hope I didn't ask to much of you." "Not. At all." "Ok, so now that that's taken care of. Lets head on over to Sweet Apple Acres!" I said as I turned and started walking away. "Ah, sugar, the farm the other way." I turned around with a look of embarrassment on my face. "I knew that." Rainbowdash, Pinkie and Spike proceed to laugh at my mistake only making me blush harder. I could tell Fluttershy was holding back to not hurt my feelings while Rarity was too busy tending over a gasping Twilight to take any notice. I turned to Applejack, but she knew what i was going to ask. "Yea, yea. I'll lead the way. Come on everypony, lets go see our new guest buck some apples." Sweet, I was going to buck some apples and test out a theory I had developed. We had to wait a few minutes for Dash to stop laughing and Twilight to regain her breath, but were soon on our way. I decided to walk along side Applejack at the front and talk a little. "So, Applejack, you really don't think I can buck an apple-tree?" "Well, sure hun. If you do it right, just 'bout anypony can buck an apple tree." "Thanks for the encouragement. Hey, I've been wondering, how come you have a country accent while every other pony here doesn't?" "Well, sugarcube, I reckon I don't really know that answer myself. I was just kind born with it just like the rest of mah family." That wasn't the answer I was expecting but hey, lots of things don't make sense in this world, Pinkie proves that almost every minute. I decided no to ask any more personal questions for a while. About an hour later as out little troop reached the top of a hill that separated Fluttershy's cottage from Ponyville, what I saw took my breath away. Ponyville sat right in front of me looking even grander, though maybe not Canterlot grand, than I ever imaged. The colors were brighter than the show and the homes look nice and neat. It made my heart skip a little with joy knowing that I had reached what every brony dreamed of. "Let's get going!" I almost shouted that part but was able to keep some control over myself. The group began to pick up the pace until we hit the outskirts of town. By now we were walking/trotting at a reasonable pace. I could see an assortment of colorful ponies ahead of me walking and going about their daily lives. All of a sudden I heard a scream. I looked up fast enough to see a terrified Bon-Bon ahead of me pointing a hoof at me. "A monster! Everyone run or it will eat you where you stand!" Bon-Bon shouted loud enough to hurt my eardrums and I was standing a good one hundred feet away. It didn't take a second for the rest of the town to start panicking after the outburst. Within seconds the streets were deserted and housed sealed up like when Zecora used to come to town. I took me by surprise that the town would act this way. I looked at the mane six around me and saw Twilight face hoofing. "Um, Twi, why is everyone hiding?" I asked with a rather confused look on my face. She groans and looked up at me. "They're hiding because your new. When I mean new I mean strange an somewhat scary to everypony. Before you ask, we weren't scared because we have seen a lot, and I mean a lot of scary creatures and could tell you weren't one of them." "Ok, so how do I make them unafraid of me then?" "Well sugar, you just gotta get into their hearts hearts some how." "So, be kind to them?" "Or you could throw a super-duper big party." *Gasp* "Oh my gosh I never threw you a welcome to Equestria party! I have to go set one up right now and invite everyone! Then they will get to know you for who you are!" With that Pinkie disappeared in a blink of an eye. We all just looked dumbfounded at where Pinkie was just standing. Applejack just shook her head and signaled us to continue onward. As we walked through town Twilight pointed out were everything was. I saw where the library was and Carousal Boutique. Dash showed me her home in the clouds, although all I could see was the bottom of the cloud that her home was on. We passed by Sugarcube Corner and I thought I saw Pinkie Pie inside decorating. After a few minutes we reached the other end of town ending my brief tour. I could see the edge of Sweet Apple Acres ahead of me and a large red barn-house on a hill in the middle of if. A few moments later we were entering the front gate walking by rows of apple trees. "Hey, Applejack. Can I met your family?" "Well, ah don't see any harm in it. Just don't spook 'em too bad." "I'll try not too, but after the incident in town I don't know." "Oh we apples are a hard bunch to spoke." "I'll take your word for it." As we walked towards the barn I saw a big red pony walk out. Before i could say anything Applejack yelled out, "Hey, Big Mac, we got some company, some oh 'em new. Come introduce yourself." Big Mac just casually walked over to us. When he saw me his eyes got as big as a plate but quickly went back to their normal size as he recomposed himself. I was a little surprised just how fast he recovered. "You're, not afraid of me?" I just had to ask. "Nope." Great, his one word wonder answers. At least they got to the point. "Well, thats good." I replied, "I guess i should introduce myself. I'm Dylan Sparks, and I presume you're Big Mac based on what your sister yelled out early." "Yee-up." "Ok then, nice to meet you." "Ok, now that the introductions have gone under way," Applejack interrupted, "lets go see yah buck an apple tree." The lot of us, now including Big Mac, began to walk over to the nearest apple tree with a full batch of apples in it. We gathered some buckets on the way and placed them under the tree when we got there. After placing the final bucket I noticed just how thick the trunk of this tree was. It had to be at least six feet in diameter. I gulped a little realizing what I just got myself into. "Well, get going hotshot." Applejack wasted no time in getting my motivation going. "Ok, here goes nothing." I turned around and brought my leg up into kicking position. I took a quick practice kick to make sure I had my aim right to hit the center of the tree trunk. I brought my leg back and released at full strength. The tree shook a little, but no apples fell down. I could hear Rainbow Dash holding in her laughter. I turned to face Dash, shrugged, and said, "Ta-da!" As soon as the words left my mouth Dash, along with Spike, bursted out laughing. Applejack just slowly walked up to me shacking her head. "Bucking apples just ain't for all of us sugarcube." "Give me one more chance, I think I can do it this time." "All right then, try again," Applejack stated, "but don't hurt yourself no yah hear." "Will do." I faced the tree again, but this time gathered my thoughts around me. If I could just cast magic that could fortify my arms into steel. Wait, maybe I can. "Hey, Twilight, is there a way to use magic to fortify oneself into something stronger." She thought for a second before responding, "I haven't heard or read of any spells that can. I'm sorry." "That's ok, thanks though." I replied. I just have to make one then. I closed my eyes and pictured iron bars forming on my right arm. All of a sudden my arm got a lot heavier and my concentration broke and the weight disappeared. Ok, so I have to factor in the weight also. I began again but this time imaging the iron to be as light as a feather while keeping their strength. I finished imaging the spell and applied it to my arm. I began to pull back my arm to punch the tree but Applejack interrupted me. "I don't think your arms will do any better sugar." "Just watch." I said a little sharped than I wanted to. Applejack shrunk back a little bit because of my sharp reply but I was trying to concentrate. I shot my hand forward into the tree with a large cracking sound. The tree shook violently from my punch and all the apples proceeded to fall from the trees branches. I turned to see six ponies and a dragon opened mouthed behind me from what I just did. "Wha....bu...how in tarnations did yah do that?" Applejack said rather dumbfounded. "I just created a fortifying spell that made my punch as strong as an iron beam. Not much to it actually." I shrugged. "Amazing," said a newly composed Twilight, "can you teach me how you did it?" "Sure, I guess, but later." Twilight got a little deflated from that. I finally noticed that after recomposing herself Fluttershy seemed scared of me. "Hey Shy, what's wrong?" I asked. She let out a little yelp and flew behind Dash. Ok, that hurt me a little inside. Everyone's attention was now on Fluttershy and me. Dash quickly got out of the way to reveal a cowering Fluttershy. "Fluttershy, we can't help you if you don't tell us what's wrong." I said slowly inching myself closer to her trying not to look scary or intimidating. "Just tell us what's wrong." "Y-y-you're st-st-strong." She replied in a tiny, scared voice, "and you m-m-might h-h-hurt me." "I'm not always strong, and I would never hurt you." I said kindly. Man, did I really scare her that much. I had to choose my next words carefully or this could get ugly. "You, along with everpony here and Pinkie, already have a special place in my heart. I would go through great lengths to protect you with my strength , but never to harm you." Her shaking stopped and she looked up with wet eyes. "Really?" She asked. "Really. I will protect you, all of you," I turned to the others, now facing all the ponies together, "and I vow never to use my strength or magic if it could harm anypony unless need be." Fluttershy uncurled herself from her ball with a smile on her face approving what I just said. I opened my arms as a gestured for a forgiveness hug and was meet with five ponies tackling me to the ground with a giant group hug. Spike and Big Mac decided to stay back at laugh at the scene in front of them. Suddenly a bright pink blur shot out of the trees and landed on group. 'Party's ready everypony!" Shouted an enthusiast Pinkie Pie. -------------------------------- Sorry for the long release, but I had been sick the past week along with my birthday over the weekend so in short; I had been awfully busy and could spend much time writing this story as I would like. I can promise to all of you who are reading this my originally sheculde of getting a chapter out every two to three days will begin anew this week. Also, thank you all for waiting patiently for this chapter. P.S. I am still open to any ideas or changes you can offer.