//------------------------------// // Chapter 15: Zap Apple Harvest // Story: Zaps Apple // by Electuroo //------------------------------// Zaps Apple Chapter 15: Zap Apple Harvest Twilight Sparkle Internal magic... I needed to know more about internal magic, this could answer so many questions I had about strange magics, perhaps even the mysterious Pinkie Sense. I pulled down shelf after shelf of books, checking through each of them one by one. I had read about ten since this morning when I got up but had found nothing. How could I know so little about the magic of the other ponies around me? I checked over the list again. It had my name on it, Rainbow Dash’s, Pinkie Pie's and finally Zaps. I decided to add Fluttershy, Applejack and Rarity to the list as well since they did also seem to have unique qualities to them. “Gah! Why could I never find anything when I wanted to!” I yelled out at no one in particular, throwing my front hooves into the air. “Then you’ve got Vinyl with her new found teleportation and sound proofing spells!” I added her to the list as urgent and continued searching through the library. “Now, let’s see... nope, this book won't do... not this one... not this one...” I was beginning to grow in frustration at this point. I flipped through book after book on unusual internal magical events and all I got was... “NOTHING!? There was nothing here about internal magic! Only the basic facts I already know! All it described was a natural variation in magic levels across ponies over generations! But this couldn’t possibly explain my findings here in Ponyville.” I placed the books back onto the shelf and stared out of the window at the sunlit morning. It was another beautiful morning in the little village. “I wonder if Spike is awake yet, maybe... No no no I can't do that.” I grumbled with a heavy sigh. “If I wake him up he’ll be grumpy all day. I might as well just get some fresh air.” Walking past Spike by my bed, I made my way down the steps. Suddenly, just as I was about to leave, I could hear him coughing. “Spike?” I asked in worry. He coughed a few more times and burped out a flame, summoning two scrolls before me. “Urg...” Spike groaned. “What is so important as to wake me up like that? I still feel terrible from the crystal ice cream...” Spike held his claws over his mouth and ran right by me to the bathroom, slamming it shut. I cringed at the sound behind the door. “What I would give for that sound proof spell.” I felt sick just hearing him being sick. I could easily blame Spike for eating all those treats but I didn’t. He was already regretting it enough. I turned to the scrolls he had left on the ground, I opened the first that had the seal from... “Princess Luna!? I’ve never received a letter directly from Princess Luna!” I gasped in surprise, I quickly opened it up to see what it said. “Dear Twilight Sparkle, It may be a surprise to receive a letter from the Princess of the Night, but I do so with a request for you. I have learned from what you have sent to my sister about the young colt Zaps and his unusually high levels of internal magic, though rare, it is not unheard of for some non-unicorn ponies to have such a large pool of magic within. I also wish to inform you that it was I who saved him from the darkness in his dreams. I did not know that he would not know of the world he woke into until I met him within his dreams. Using what fragments I have found within the young colt's dream, I put together a place of harmony within his mind from the nightmares he had feared for so long. I became his Guardian of the Night and his friend. Not for the crown I wear but for who I am. It made me feel happy as the first of Nightmare Night. Now to the reason I write to you, I wish to meet Zaps in pony, rather than in his dreams. I wish to invite him and his guardians to Canterlot for such a meeting. If you and your friends wish to accompany him, then do so with the knowledge this is not a formal meeting but rather a meeting between friends. I have included in the other scroll the documents for Big Macintosh's request that I received a few days ago. In addition is enclosed a golden train pass for the use of the Apples and an unlimited number of guests this weekend only for travel to Canterlot and back. If it wasn't for your help at Nightmare Night I may not have been so forward coming as I am now, I thank you for your friendship Twilight Sparkle and and that why I so openly became friends with the colt Zaps. Unfortunately I was not able to grant your request for research into the Colt’s internal magic as my sister and we believe that interference from scholars will put at risk the colthood that he has, until now, been denied. I wish you well Twilight Sparkle, my friend. I bid you well and look forward to seeing Zaps at Canterlot this weekend. Your friend,Luna.” I read the letter once more, then three more times to be sure that I had read it right, I frantically picked up the other scroll and upon opening it, fell a golden train ticket. I gasped at the sight of it. “Unlimited free access for train travel between Canterlot and Ponyville: Apples and company,” just like Luna had written in the letter. I pulled out the adoption papers for Zaps and the small letter containing the request that Big Macintosh made, I hadn’t been aware of this and most likely neither had Applejack. I sighed turning to the bathroom. “Spike, are you alright for a trip to Sweet Apple Acres? I have some important documents to take there.” Spike opened the door, holding his head. “If we don't teleport, my head still feels like it’s spinning.” “Sure thing Spike, I will take the wagon, just for you.” I smiled. “Thanks, Twilight.” Putting the letter and papers into my saddlebag, I got the wagon out for Spike to ride in. We were soon on our way from Golden Oak's Library to Sweet Apple Acres. I hate dropping a matter, however the internal magic research would have to go on hold indefinitely, until further notice. But I had one thing in mind as I walked, I had to figure out Vinyl Scratch before I could take any trip to Canterlot. I needed to know how she gained those spells. We soon arrived at Sweet Apple Acres, I noticed Applejack with many of the apple family, it was almost like the family reunion. There was no doubt that Big Macintosh and Granny Smith would be there. Zaps was resting his front hooves over the head of Big Macintosh, watching the trees. Along with them, were Braeburn, Apple Rose, Apple Cinnamon, Apple Split, Candy Apples and Red Gala if I remembered correctly, they must have been everyone who could come in short notice to help with the Zap Apple Harvest. My friends in Ponyville were all there too, where did I forget the memo on this? “Howdy Twi!” Applejack turn to me. “Ah see yer got mah letter, ah was afraid ya’ll wouldn't be able to help today.” “Letter? I didn't get any, in fact, I am here because Princess Luna sent me over the documents for Big Macintosh and you to sign to become the guardians of Zaps.” I replied to Applejack. Applejack glared at Big Macintosh “BIG MAC!” Oh boy... “Eeyup?” He stepped up to AJ. Applejack took the papers I pulled out of the saddlebag. “Care to explain!?” “Do yer really need an explanation for that, sis? Didn't we decide that he was now an honorary Apple?” Big Mac calmly responded. “This just sets it in black and white, nothin' more AJ.” Applejack groaned “Fine yer right... ah get it.” I brought up a ink well and quill. “Thanks Twi, so where do ah sign?” I pointed a hoof to the second line “Here, Big Mac signs just above since he is the pony who made the request.” Applejack took the quill with her mouth and signed her name, “done, yer turn, big brother.” Big Macintosh took the quill and signed his name. “Does that mean I am really part of the family?” Zaps asked, looking at the papers from above Big Macintosh's head. “Eeyup!” Big Mac smirked. Zaps hugged him as best he could from where he was on Big Macintosh with a warm smile. “Thank you, big brother.” I heard him whisper. I smiled seeing that they was really warming up to each other, no way I could continue something that would ruin something like this. I turn my head to Spike “Could you said this to Princess Celestia and Luna?” I raised the rolled up adoption paper. Spike took it with a smile. “Sure thing Twi, this is an important stage for Zaps anyway, he got a awesome family!” “Eeyup!” Big Macintosh replied rubbing a hoof on Zaps. “Mah little brother.” Spike blew his green flame and in a flash it was gone. “Looks like we’ve got a new cus’.” Braeburn spoke. “Let’s hear it for the newest member to our Apple Family!” “Hip hip hooray! Hip hip Hooray! Hip hip Hooray!” “And one for luck!” “Hip hip Hooray!” They gathered around cheering it out to Zaps making him really feel part of the family. Spike, the girls and I watched with warm smiles seeing how happy he was as he looked around them from his position on Big Macintosh’s. A very happy little colt now had somewhere he could call home. Applejack turned to see the storm moving in. “Right on time! And perfect for our newest and most wonderful moment!” The storm moved in with lightning and rain, sparks flew off the first apple and the grey colour changed to a beautiful rainbow coloured apple. I witnessed the magic at work first hoof and it was quite something, all of us watched with awe as the fruits, one by one, exploded with rainbow light, reflecting off each other. “Whoa look at them go! They’re changing so fast! Look at the awesome colours in the sky!!!!” Pinkie Pie was bouncing up and down with excitement. “Gotta admit, that is pretty sweet seeing the zap apples turn into their colours, since they match my awesomeness to a T!” Rainbow Dash said, showing off her mane and tail, I just rolled my eyes with a shake of the head. Fluttershy spoke pointing a hoof at something. “Erm not to be rude or anything... but those ones aren't changing.” “You’re right darling, they look like they're just sparking with electrical magical energy...” Rarity replied with a frown. “Whoa look at those! They’re really glowing!” Spike pointed at them. Applejack frowned. “What in tarnation is goin' on? Zap apple trees ain’t supposed to act like that!” I gulped seeing the sparks getting bigger and the energy build up around the trees. “I wonder what’s causing them to act like...” I didn't get to finish when the trees exploded with energy, rainbow beams of light came from each of them, shooting right up into the sky. “Whoa, that is awesome!!!!” Rainbow Dash was thrilled by the light show. The rainbow energy curved and all aimed for one tree. “Wee! This is fun!” Cried out Pinkie. The tree that got hit glowed with pulsing energy so bright that I had no choice but to cover my eyes, I tried to see what was happening but I couldn't. “The light is so intense!” I called out and then with a huge flash of light a wave of energy came from the tree and turned all the grey apples into zap apples. Passing right through us, the magical wave continued outwards before dying down. But what we all saw made us all gasp, standing in the middle of those zap apple trees was a huge zap apple tree bearing fruit on it branches... “No way!” Rainbow Dash spoke out first and zoomed up to the tree head of us flying up checking it out. “This is sooooo awesome! This tree is mega huge! It’s at least 100 feet tall!” We all slowly walked up to it, looking up at the huge tree before us, the tree trunk alone was three times the size of any of the other trees. I just couldn't believe what I was seeing. “Wow, look how big it is! It really cool right, Big brother?” Zaps spoke with excitement. Big Mac put a hoof to the tree trunk. “Eeyup, it sure is, ah’ve never seen magic work like that...” “I don't think any pony has... this is really amazing... this zap apple tree must have hundreds of apples ready to be picked.” I could see some of them, the tree was so thick with leaves and brimming with life. Rainbow Dash flew down to us “You’re right, Twilight, there are a lot of zap apples in this huge tree, they’re all glowing with sparkling energy though, the other ones look as normal as the ones in the field, as if they won't special at all.” “Ah know.” We all turned to Big Macintosh standing still by the tree with Zaps looking up at the apples hanging. “Please tell” Rarity asked. Big Macintosh put a hoof to the tree trunk again closing his eyes. “Ah believe this tree is the magic from those around it, the magic of each tree focused on one. This one.” He opened his eyes and turned to face us. “This is the one that bears the special zap apples that we been lookin' forward to seein’.” “Darn right ya are!” Granny Smith spoke out, she turned to Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and me. “Since yer all got wings, ya’ll be pickin' these fruits, Big Macintosh, Applejack, Apple Split, Spike, Pinkie Pie and Zaps’ll be helpin' to catch them. The rest of ya’ll be pickin' and gettin' the zap apples from the rest of the other trees, we have till sundown!” Granny Smith spoke out to us. “Ah’ll be in the house preparing to make zap apple jam! Ah’ll also be creatin' a new formula for these special ones, now get pickin'!” “Yes ma'am!” Rainbow Dash saluted. “Alright girls, let’s get picking!” Rainbow Dash zoomed up to the tree, I open my wings with a gulp. Fluttershy gulped. “It rather high but I did come to help... so here I go...” “Ok here go nothing...” I took off after Fluttershy, following her up to the tree to start picking those zap apples, the other ponies ready below to catch the zap apples we drop. Zaps Apple I jumped off Big Macintosh's back and watched him bring over a basket, the others brought over theirs ready to catch the zap apples that were ready to be picked. “Alright everypony, listen up!” Applejack called out to us. “We’re gonna make this a game, the ponies with the most zap apples caught wins!” “What do we win!” Pinkie Pie spoke bouncing up and down with joy. “Just a win, it’s a friendly contest Pinkie, yer know, a game for fun!” Applejack grinned. “Oh yes yes yes! I love those games! Friends playing to have fun! Catch them all!” Pinkie Pie pulled out a weird cone from her mane. I blinked a few times trying to understand how she storing all that stuff in there... “Uh oh...” Applejack gulped. “Not the megaphone Pinkie!” Pinkie Pie grinned. “Erm is that the thin' ah heard six or so months back from Rainbow Dash's home...” Big Macintosh gulped loudly. “Megaphone?” “Yer about to find out...” Applejack replied. Spike covered his head quickly with his claw hands. “Everpony cover your ears!!!” He screamed out. Rainbow Dash looked down and saw it. “Oh you’ve got to be kidding me!” “Oh my...” “Oh buck...” “GET READY TO PICK! READY STEADY GOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” I was thrown into a roll from the super explosive wave of sound from her megaphone, I slid on my back to a stop, laughing hard as soon as I saw the other ponies scattered all around dazed, I couldn't understand how or why that happened but the zap apples just sat there unharmed on the branches as if to tell Pinkie Pie they would not move, even for her megaphone thing, making her sigh and that caused me to laugh even harder. “Oh shoot I thought that might work, oh well, back to picking.” she turned to me seeing that I was still laughing, before finally looking around seeing what she had done. “Oopsy.” “Oopsy!? Yer crazy, mare! Look what yer did to everypony!” Applejack glared at her, but it didn’t last and a smile came to her snout and chuckled. “But good one Pinkie, ah’d take mah hat off if ah still had it,” she looked around. I got up and felt something in front of my hoof . I picked it up and put it over my head, “It’s here.” I was laughing a little, trying to keep it from falling over my eyes. Big Macintosh let out a hefty laugh, “that’s one way to start the zap apple pickin', hay AJ?” “Too right.” She chuckled, looking up and saw the two dazed pegasi and alicorn. “Ready to pick and drop?” Twilight rubbing her head. “Give us a second to get our bearings... that wasn't very fun...” “Sure thin' sugar.” “Here you go” I gave Applejack her hat back. Applejack rubbed her hoof on my head. “Good on yer Zaps, let’s get pickin'!” “Yay!” I yelled out back and she laughed. After a few minutes they were back in the air and starting to pick, dropping the zap apples down to us below, Big Macintosh, my awesome new big brother, and I worked together, catching them, he caught them in the baskets while I caught some with my head or hooves, bouncing them with a swift motion into the basket. Twilight was having some problems, almost crashing into the tree and landing on the branch with a thud. “Gah this is so annoying! I can't get my wings to work right!” She grumbled and aim her horn at one of the apples. “Don't Twilight!” Applejack called out but it was too late, we saw the magic from the zap apple react to her magic, backfiring into her. The results made us all burst out laughing at her, including spike. “Hehe... suga... hahahahahahaa!” Applejack fell over in uncontrolled amount of laughter. Twilight was looking around at Rainbow and Fluttershy to us on the ground. “What? What is it?” Pinkie Pie laughing hard. “Oh Twilight haha you hahaha look hahaha silly hahaha!” “Yeah, rainbow suits you!” Spike yelled out. “WHAT!?” Twilight, looked up at her, now spiky, mane and saw that it had rainbow coloured sparks shooting out of it. “AH!!! My mane! Get me a mirror fast!!!” Pinkie Pie, somehow, was on the branch by her all the sudden. I look to the basket then back up. “Whoa how did...” “Don't bother haha” Applejack chuckled. Pinkie Pie pulled out a mirror. “Here you go Twi” What she saw was what we were already seeing, her mane was sparking with rainbow colour shimmering off it, spiking too as if struck by a bolt of lightning. “My mane! It’s... it’s rainbow... what the hay!?” “Ah tried to warn ya sugarcube, unicorn magic against zap apples doesn't mix well and these ones are different to the normal ones so the results were kinda... well funny.” Applejack was trying not to laugh again. Twilight groaned “Will it wear off?” “Sure, by the morning ah’d guess...” “MORNING!? You’re telling me I have to look like this until morning!?” Twilight tapped her hoof on her mane to get a shock. “Ouch...” Pinkie Pie took a photo of it with a camera. “A keeper for sure!” She giggled. “PINKIE PIE!!!” Twilight launched at her but Pinkie Pie dodged her bounce. “Come back here!!!” Pinkie Pie slid down a branch and hopped into the next tree then jumped down on the ground. “When I get my hooves on you I am gonna get that camera!!!!!!!!” Twilight chased after the pink pony. “Catch me if you can!” She giggled. Rainbow Dash landed by me. “Who do you think’s going to win? Pinkie or Twilight?” “I say Pinkie” I ate one of the zap apples, munching on the tasty flesh. “Hmm yummy, like one?” I offered a zap apple. “No thanks, zap apples don't agree with me unless they are in jam form, thanks anyway, squirt.” Rainbow Dash waved her hoof. I shrugged and ate it. “It’s pretty awesome that you can eat them as they are, but you know we’re suppose to be picking them, not snacking on them.” I swallowed the apple licking my snout. “But they’re so tasty!” I complained. Applejack shook her head. “At this rate we’re not going to get anything done...” “Just relax Applejack, not everyday you get to watch something like this.” Rainbow Dash sat back against the large tree watching the purple alicorn dive bomb at Pinkie Pie. “Ah say it’s quite amusin' seein' this.” Big Macintosh held a bit up. “Ah bet on Pinkie Pie.” Twilight almost got Pinkie Pie but she ducked and all Twilight got was water, the shock from her sparking mane sent her flying up. “OW OW OW!” she was waving her hooves crazily on her mane. “That... hay it back to normal,” she grinned but the mane was still in the mess but the surge of water and magical electrical energy shorted it out. “Now where is...” Pinkie Pie lunged at her and landed in a roll to a stop by the ponies. “Gotcha!” she giggled. “I win!” Pinkie Pie hopped off and turn to everypony. “Who want’s to play next?” “Maybe later Pinkie” Applejack shook her head. “Let’s get back to work.” “Sure!” Twilight grumbled. “I am so not going to like that photo...” The rest of the time went on with the zap apple picking going smoothly, I went back to helping Big Macintosh catching the zap apples, soon Applebloom arrived with our friends and aided in picking the zap apples through the rest of the day before sundown. By that time, I saw the sun starting to vanish and so did the zap apples, each of them popping out of existence, one by one, with a flash of magical light. The wagons were loaded with so many zap apples it made my mouth water, they were so tasty and yummy... I wanted them all. “Can we keep some back please! I really love eating them as they are!” I pleaded, giving my cutest look possible to Applejack and Big Macintosh. Applejack turned to Big Mac “Ah don't know... do ya think we should?” “Maybe” “Please! PLEASE!!!!” I cried out to them. “Sure,” they said together. “YAY!” I cheered in delight. Scootaloo rolled her eyes. “You and those zap apples...” “But I like them sooooo much! They tasty, sweet and really yummy!” I bounced up and down on the spot. Scootaloo shook her head. “I rest my case...” Her gaze turned to the massive tree. “But I never thought the magic from those zap apple trees would do that though... that thing is HUGE! It the biggest tree I’ve ever seen!” “I do say it is darling, but it was because of you and Zaps that the tree came to be, if I am not mistaken.” Rarity replied. Scootaloo moaned. “But we did all that hard work and never got our cutie marks for it! Look how awesome it is! Even without the zap apples on it, it’s still huge and green as it can get!” Scootaloo pointed it out. “I am not even an earth pony and yet Zaps and I helped create it!” Rainbow Dash put her hoof on Scootaloo. “Think about it Scoots, you and Zaps somehow did that but now that tree will be part of Sweet Apple Acres forever, pretty awesome if you think about it, we can have snoozes all the way up on those thick branches, we could even create a new awesome tree house on it.” “What really!?” Scootaloo beamed turning to face Rainbow Dash. “Like thae clubhouse?” I asked with wonder looking to the tree in the distance. “But wouldn't that be all the way up there...” I looked up slightly with a gulp. “Isn't that a little dangerous?” “Only if it’s not built right.” Rainbow Dash replied. “But think about it, the view from up there in a big clubhouse for you crusaders will be awesome! You’ll even get to see me do my tricks without having to look up!” Rainbow Dash flew up and did a few spins and land. “Wouldn't you think that would be awesome?” “I’ll say!” Scootaloo was liking the idea a lot. Applebloom came over from the barn as Applejack and the other adults finished unloading a few wagons of zap apples into it. “Ah like that idea, a new mega high clubhouse, we could see Ponyville from there too!” “I know right? Pretty rad idea I thought of.” Rainbow Dash grinned. Big Macintosh stepped up to us, looking to the tree in the distance in the zap apple side of the orchid. “It would be some undertakin' but ah believe it could be done, but with care and understandin' so as not to damage the tree as well.” Big Macintosh said calmly to us. Rarity came over to us now. “I think it’d be a wonderful idea, something we all could help once a week. I wouldn't mind supplying you little ones with something to make it look fabulous!” “Really Rarity? You’d do that?” Asked Sweetie Belle. “Of course Sweetie Belle.” Rarity hugged her and she hugged Rarity back. “Thank you big sis!” Sweetie Belle beamed in delight. Twilight came up to them with Spike. “Care if we join?” We all look to see everypony that helped today gather around, looking up over the great tree as the last light of the sun vanished over the horizon. “What a day this was, hay everypony?” “Yer can say that again. Sugarcube” Applejack chuckled lightly. “But we did it, almost every zap apple picked, a new record on our account. Tomorrow we’ll give Granny a helping hoof.” Twilight slapped her head. “Ah I totally forgot!” Twilight pulled out the scroll and ticket. “I got a letter from Princess Luna, along with this train ticket to visit Canterlot this weekend!” “What? Sugarcube tomorrow is gonna be crazy! Yer can't expect...” Applejack began to talk but Big Mac spoke up as he took the ticket and looked at it. What Big Macintosh said seemed to startle them for some odd reason. “Ah’ll take him and anypony else who wishes to visit Canterlot for the weekend.” “WHAT!?” Applejack blurted out. “Big Mac! Ya’ve never done anything like that before! Yer always put work on the farm first! Ah’ve never seen yer take a day or weekend off!” Big Macintosh just stood there calmly. “Ah know sis, but the princess went out of her way to invite Zaps for a friendly meetin',” he pointed a hoof at the letter. “See?” Applejack looked at the letter now, I saw her face turn a shade of red all the sudden. “Rainbow Dash get me a horseshoe from the barn...” “Erm sure... why?” Rainbow Dash look rather nervous at the anger in her eyes. “Just do it please...” Rainbow Dash flies off and came back with a horseshoe. I wondered what was going on, and from what I could see, so did everypony else. “Applejack, something wrong?” Fluttershy asked. Applejack stared at the trees with her eyes looking around carefully. “There’s a freeloader on mah farm! Ah knew somethin' was not quite right when ah noticed some apples missing off the trees, it wasn’t those bats so it must’ve been a pony, and not just any pony.” Twilight eyes widen. “No Applejack, you can't! If you’re saying what I think you’re saying! You just can't!” “Try and stop me sugarcube.” Applejack stopped looking around. “There ya are! Yer pesky vermin!” Applejack toss the horseshoe in the air and with turn, she kicked it with her hind legs with all her might. “Whoa...” Rainbow Dash put a hoof over her eyes watching the horse shoe sail into the sky and soon descending on one of her apple trees. SMACK! CRACK! THUD! A dark grey bat pony with purple mane and tail spiky, wearing the royal armour of Princess Luna fell out of the tree, landing on his back with the horseshoe landing a few feet away. I blinked a few times... I somehow knew he was a bat pony? Wait, I remember seeing him in my dreams of course! Luna told me she was sending him to watch me... Oh... I kinda forgot to tell Applejack... I turned my eyes to her as she ran down towards the downed bat pony. “Applejack wait!” I cried out. She slid to a stop turning around. “Zaps?” I came running up to her putting both my front legs against her. “I am so sorry! I forgot to tell you that Luna was sending a pony called Night Spark to keep an eye on me! I didn't realise she meant here when I was awake! I thought she meant in my dreams!” I said to her trying to not get him in trouble. Applejack frowned. “That’s not like Princess Luna at all. Ah’ve met her a few times but never thought she’d be that protective... but...” The dazed bat pony slowly got up, his helmet lay on the ground bent and buckled by the force of the horseshoe impact. “Ow, what hit me?” His yellow slitted eyes met the green eyes of Applejack. “Aw buck...” “Language! We’ve got a colt here!” Applejack snapped, pointing to me. Then, she jabbed him in the armour chest plate with her hoof. “Mind tellin' me what yer been doin' here!” He step back a little. “Sorry my name is...” “Night Spark, yes, Zaps told me and told me about Luna wantin' ya to keep an eye on him, that’s why ah am askin' what yer doin' here!” “I do, apologise Miss Apple... Princess Luna gave me this assignment since she’d be unable to check on him all the time via dreams, she’s shown some unusual interest in the young colt. I was given a pay rise and instructions not be seen and to keep close at all times to Zaps. I’ve also been reporting to her every evening,” Night Spark explained. Applejack sighed, seeing the others at the barn close to the house, looking over to us. “Fine... ah accept yer apology, but yer goin' to pay back the bits for the apples yer’ve eaten, yer freeloader!” “I will and I have, I paid into your account at the bank at first light.” Night Spark replied. “What!? Yer did?” Applejack looked down with a heavy sigh. “Then I apologise for hitting yer in the head with the horse shoe.” “That’s what hit me? Wow, that some toss you've got Miss Apple.” He turned to see me sitting there looking at the damaged helmet. “But I had orders to follow... how did you find out?” Twilight came over with the letter seeing Applejack wave her over. “This,” Twilight replied. I jumped up on his back, he seem to react suddenly but he kept calm looking at the letter with his amazing cool slitted eyes. “Hey mister Light how can you see with your eyes like that?” “They’re normal for us bat ponies” he laughed softly. “I am surprised you’re not scared of me.” “Luna told me about you, but I mistook the dream guard for you Night Spark.” I explained. “Yeah, dreams are a tricky way to get messages across.” Night Spark chuckled. “Now about this letter...” He stopped at near the next. “Ah Luna, damnit! I can see now how you figured it out, the apples going missing and this, hehe, looks like the Princess busted me without even knowing it.” “Don't worry sugarcube, it’s good to know Princess Luna lookin' out for Zaps.” Applejack smiled in turn to the Luna guard. “How about yer join us all for somethin' to eat. Share in the Apple hospitality.” Night Spark bowed his head slightly with his hoof across his chest. “I’d be honoured, Miss Apple.” “It’s Applejack, call me Miss Apple one more time, and ah’ll buck ya where it don't shine.” Applejack replied. “Of course m... Applejack.” I tilted my head a little. “Buck where it don't shine? What do you mean by that big sis?” “Erm... nothin' sugarcube. Nothin' at all!” I saw her snout twist up and her eyes dart away from my own eyes. Is that what that lying thing was? Where they keeping something back? Guess she had a reason I guess... but it looked like she hated lying though. Twilight spoke up. “I am curious though, why would Princess Luna take such an interest of Zaps like this?” Night Spark shrugged. “Beats me Princess Twilight.” “Twilight, please or you know what might happen.” Night Spark gulped. “Yes of course... I mean I haven't got a clue... erm... Twilight...” He quickly turned a gaze to me. “Would you like a ride in the night sky before dinner? If permitted by Applejack.” “Yes please!” I turn to Applejack “Can I PLEASE!!!!” “Sure thing sugarcube, have fun, just don't be back too late, ok?” I yelled out in joy. “Hehe, have fun.” “Hold tight, little stallion, this will be a ride you will enjoy.” Night Spark smiled at me. “YAY!” I cheered as he took off into the sky, I look down to see them waving at me, the others already heading in. I looked around as the stars came out and the moon rose into the sky, the night in the sky was amazing! I could even see the mega size zap apple tree towering over the rest. I saw Ponyville below with the lights on, the night time look of the town was so different to that of the day and from so high above! In the distance I could see Canterlot and a strange city on a cloud. “What city is that?” “It’s Cloudsdale, the main home of the pegasi, funny thing is. I am from there too, before enlisting at a night guard I worked the night shift at the Weather Factory. It was a nice job, but nothing beats being a royal guard for Princess Luna.” I hugged the back of his neck as he sailed over the clouds, “Luna was my very first friend, she saved me from the darkness. I can't wait to see her for real.” “That I will tag along to make sure you get there, for now, I am your guard, young little stallion. How about we head back?” I nodded in reply and he flew back to Sweet Apple Acres, I really enjoyed today and couldn't be more happier then I really felt now. I had a home and tomorrow, I would see the guardian of the night, Princess Luna, my first ever friend. This day had just been perfect and I never wanted to forget it... Ever!