//------------------------------// // A Home // Story: A Dark Shade of the Past // by InfinityBreach //------------------------------// A Dark Shade of the Past by InfinityBreach Chapter 12: A Home When I entered the farm, I was surprised at how bare it was. Minus the mound of hay in the middle of it, it was completely empty. The walls were a tan color, completely different from the black that was outside. There was a ladder that went up to a sort of second floor, however it was more like a loft, that overlooked the barn. On the loft I could see the light from a window coming through, brightening up the barn ever so slightly. "This here's yer home fer now." Applejack said, waving her hoof throughout the area. "Thank you, Applejack. I think I'll try and get some sleep now, since I need to be up early." I said. "Well how about I getcha a bed or somethin? Sleepin on the floor aint to good for ya." Applejack suggested. "No thank you. I'll be fine on my own here, you've done enough to help me out already." I smiled at Applejack. Apparently that wasn't what she wanted to hear, because she continued looking at me with a worried look on her face. "Ya sure bout that, sugarcube?" she asked. I nodded my head, not wanting to impose anymore then I already had. "Well… okay then. I'll be off. Ya take care of yerself, got it?" she said, still a little worried. I watched her leave, and decided to go up on the loft. As I finished going up the ladder, I noticed just how far I was able to see through the window up there. I stared out in amazement at the glittering stars, brightened only further by the shining moon, which left a soft pale glow across the land. It was so peaceful, looking out into the horizon, and seeing the beauty of the landscape. I sighed. 'I should probably be getting to bed now…' I thought to myself. I decided if I was to go to sleep right now, the last thing I want to see is this amazing scenery. I slowly closed my eyes, letting my dreams overtake me. ::::: Luna opened her eyes widely, looking out towards Ponyville. She could feel a familiar presence asleep there. The best pony to ask about something like this would be Celestia, no doubt. Carefully, Luna creaked open the door to Celestia's room. "Tia? Can I ask you something?" Celestia looked up from the book she was reading, to see her sister looking at her, seemingly worried over something. "Why of course you may, dear sister. Whatever do you need?" Celestia asked, smiling, happy that Luna would come to her to speak of issues. "I felt something strange in Ponyville." Celestia's smile flickered. "Do you know of anything out of the ordinary happening in Ponyville?" "There was just the storm the other day. Your probably feeling some unrest from the animals of the Everfree forest. I wouldn't worry about it too much, Luna." Celestia responded. "Is… is there something bothering you sister?" Luna asked, quietly. "W-why of course not Luna! I'm probably just tired… I've been up too many nights reading these books, but they entertain me so! I don't want to stop reading!" Celestia let out a small laugh, which sounded fake in itself, and left her sister with a brow raised. "Well… okay then. I'll go back to performing my duties. Be sure to get some sleep, Tia." Luna said, exiting the room. 'Something still doesn't feel right. It's almost like Tia's been too tired lately.' Luna thought to herself. 'I'll need to figure this out later… but for now I need to continue work.' So she sighed, and flew off to the Night Court. ::::: I began nuzzling into something soft and warm. I opened my eyes a little bit, only to see that a blanket had been draped over me. I sighed inwardly, knowing it must have been Applejack. 'Oh well. The sun's almost up, so I guess I'd better get up too.' I walked out of the barn, feeling quite rested from the night. I decided it would be best to wait outside Applejack's house for her to teach me what it was I was supposed to do. As soon as I walked up to the front, a red pony stepped out. He had an orange mane, and knowledgeable green eyes. He seemed as though he was analyzing me. "I reckon yer Eclipsal?" he asked me. I nodded my head lightly. "Name's Big Macintosh. Ya can call me Big Mac or Mac, if ya want. I'm Applejack's brother." He said, reaching his hoof out for a hoofshake. I shook it, and said, "It's pleased to meet you. I was going to wait for Applejack to come out so I could learn how to help around here, but since you're up first, would you mind helping me out?" He nodded, telling me to stay there while he got something. He walked in and out of the barn, but when he walked out, he had some brown thing around his neck. "What's that for?" I asked, pointing at it. "It helps me." Mac said, rather simply. I nodded my head, not really understanding it, but accepting it nonetheless. He motioned for me to follow him towards a tree. Mac walked up to it, and turned backwards, and kicked it, making apples fall out of the tree, and into the buckets, perfectly. I stood amazed that he was able to knock down all of them. Mac turned to me, and said, "All ya gotta do is aim at the base of the tree, and buck it as hard as you can." I nodded my head, feeling like I could do this. I walked up to an apple tree, watched it. I turned around, making sure I knew exactly where to hit the tree. I slowly moved forwards, and then bucked the tree as hard as I could. As soon as I did, I heard the noise of rattling, however I wasn't able to turn around, as I had slipped and fallen onto the ground. "D-did I do good?" I asked, trying to get up. I got no answer from Mac, and was finally able to turn around and see for myself. When I realized what I was seeing, I stood there as shocked in silence as he was. I watched as the tree I had just bucked was still flying away, now merely a speck in the distance.