Silver slow raised her for hoof, swiping away the sweet that had built up. She new that working a farm was something old to her but the way AppleJack dose it nearly caused her mind to crash. The fact there was heat and a 'Sun' but to buck a tree to pick apples, that nearly over did it. Shalin's had always been hoofed pick in a mass line as to keep quality control. She never had to work the line but she could see the tired faces of all the workers. Shacking her head to clear their image from her mind, she read up give the next apple tree in line a good buck. Nearly most of the apples fell into the respectable bins that laid below.
“Wo'we, never seen a pony pick it up like you had. Y'er wernt kidding about working on a farm before.” Silver turn to see AppleJack walking up. The thoughts of panic that once pained her mind was mostly gone. It wasn't long till she figured out from what Lunar told her about that nuts experiments that she was now in a different world. She still feared that they may fallow them here and for the fack Shadow still hasn't shone up yet. “Lets call it a day, this field is pretty much done an the others won't be ripe till two weeks from now.” sounded like music to her ears.
“Okay, I need to go pick up Lunar from her magic lessons. I have to thank you again for asking her to teach her. I was a bit surprised when you did.”
“I told ya, it's all right. It what friends do.” ….Friends, the word rang hollow in Silver's mind. The only one she had is now missing and she saying she is one. It made her heart fell a little bit warmer think she did. “Anyway lets get back to the house to cool off for a sec, then well head out again” Silver nodded in approval and waltz pass AppleJack, headed to the main homestead. As she past AJ was hit with the smell of peaches which she breathed it in, 'Some pony smells nice.' the thought nearly threw her a loop but she quickly shrugged off the idea and fallowed.
It's been a weird few days since she got here. The fact she was helping out on Applejack's farm since it wasn't hard picking up the differences between worlds. Even from what she found out from Lunar, it still felt strange with how things are done here. Heck if it wasn't for the Applejack and her friend she might have been worse off. But she's glad, heck lucky that she was the first pony she met. Still Silver worries about what Shadow and what had happened to him. Not a single word and all she had to go off was the letter she still held. Stashed away in the spare room they were letting her use.
“Actually let's call it a day, the rest of the fields can be done tomorrow if I reckon. I honestly didn't think we git done as much as we did, your were tell the truth that you used to work on a farm.”
The compliment made her blush a little bit. It wasn't that hard of work apple bucking was due to the fact to the military training she got back in Shalin. The endless drills on push-up and marathon runs made her legs strong as steal but sadly her wing are not as power full. She had gotten a odd statement from Applejack when she asked to work on the farm. 'wouldn't you rather try out for the weather team?' she lied and said due to a condition she had since a child that kept he wing mussels from properly forming. She felt bad but its embarrassing to say you can't fly because it would have ended you frozen solid an dead.
“You mind if I take the first shower then?” Silver asked as the enter through the back kitchen door which she fixed.
“Nah, go ahead. I'll just prepare dinner.” Applejack answered back, looking in the flap of the stove as Silver head up stairs to the washroom.
'darn, need more wood. I think there was some stashed up in the spare room.' Applejack thought as she headed for the stairs as well. The sound of the washroom shower started as she reached the second floor. The image of silver with the water slipping off her main pooped into her head. She quickly shook the thought from her mind, feeling that some what off about. Not knowing what to think of it, she pushed it to the back of her mind as she made her way to the spare bedroom.
Standing just in front of the bedroom or more what it really was, a storage room. Most of the space equipment and farming supplies were stored. Applejack doubted it made a uncomfortable bedroom but its all she had for room and oddly enough Silver took it as if it was five star accommodations. As she pushed open the door, the first thing she took notice was how much cleaner the room was from the last time Applejack saw it. The random pile of wood, gardening tools and heavy farm equipment was all neatly pack agents the walls to allow the most space possible. Which surprised her, she never took Silver for a neat mare with how she was working the out on the farm. She quickly grabbed some of the wood and headed back down too the kitchen, only to find Silver waiting.
“Well that was quick, an I haven't even decided what to make yet?” Applejack's comment spurred a questionable look.
“I only took a fifteen minute shower. As to eat, how about some corn mush?”
“You sure, I could make something a bit more tasteful?” Corn mush not being Applejacks first choice due to its bland taste and grainy texture. Its a filling meal but it lacks flavor of a Apple's cooking.
“If the taste you worry about, just add cheese. I got some Parmesan from the market yesterday and just add butter. I'll work trust me.”
With nothing else in mind, she got to making the corn mush. Which to her surprised to find it actual smelled good. With a slight taste test, she found it creamy but sweet with the cheese Silver said to add. Through all the cooking, Silver just watch Applejack create to her was comfort food. But some thing about Applejack cooking made her slightly flustered. She chalked it up to being happy about the food that Applejack is making for her. She figured a few more minutes till she would leave to pick up Lunar.
They ate in silence with the with a cool breeze blowing through the opened window by the kitchen sink. To Applejacks surprise, the butter and cheese made all the differences. It was odd combination to her but then again she tried every thing from apple sauce to apple vinegar to make it taste better. “You know,” Silver said in a plain toned voice spoke. “You probably think I'm weird for being the way I am.” where did this come from, Applejack thought but didn't interrupt her. “It’s just been a long time since I've been any where that reminded me of him. My father I mean. Him and shadow is the whole reason I'm in this whole problem in the first place.”
“Wait, why that? I though you here because you ran away with Lunar because you were traveling with that Shadow guy?”
“Well that’s mostly true,look Applejack, I haven't been totally truthful with you . In fact it's been eating away at me for a while now. From your kindness and your friends being understanding, I just just can't help but feel guilty.”
True, silver been acting weird ever since she started working on the farm. Always asking question about some obvious things like why she used wood instead of coal to cook and that thing about a 'green house', what ever that is. It was then she stepped down from her chair, quickly made her way to the stairs. Applejack tried to fallow but she was back with a piece a paper in her teeth. It looked like a letter. “Read this,” she said handing her letter.
Applejack gave it a questionable look before reading it. As her eyes read each letter, anxiety build in Silver. Why did I just do that? I could just go on mislead to her. But that been bugging her ever since Applejack gave her a job on the farm, no, ever since she saved her from the timberwolfs. Well the cat is out of the bag now or did it rip it to shreds? Silver pondered.
It was a good ten minutes before Applejack put down the paper. The look she had was as solid as a stone wall. “Is this a joke or your sell grapes at a apple stand? This is nothing but none sense, so are you going to tell what wrong or what?” she said tossing the letter aside.
It took a sec for Silver realized what was wrong, He coded the letter to,why dose he make thing difficult without him even being here. “Okay, I'll tell you but not without Lunar. This involves her as well.” With that Applejack gave a nod in agreement. I just hope this doesn’t end badly.
….
“Miss Sparkle my head hurts, can we stop for the day? Lunar asked after a long magical strength training session. To twilight's surprise the filly was way beyond the level for a normal filly her age. What ever he was teaching her seemed to be better then what she her self was taught. She tried to fallow some of the instruction in the book that Lunar's old teacher left behind but it made as much sense to as and apple becoming an orange.
It was even harder to teach than she originally thought possible. Mostly due to the explanations in that blasted book were beyond infuriating. It was likely written by some mad pony who had no idea who magic worked but it dose because that’s how Lunar seems to do it. So she decided to do strength training as she comes up with something teach. Twilight wondered if this is how it was with Princess Celestia was teaching her.
“Yes we can, Silver will be here soon to pick you up. Would you like a snack while we wait?” This got the small filly excited as she jumped off the chair she was sitting on. Twilight check the clock on the wall before heading to the kitchen.
Star will being getting out of school soon,Twilight thought as she searched the pantry for ingredients to make a PB&J sandwich. Not wanting to fill her up before her super later at AJ's place. Taking in Silver an Lunar in had been AJ's idea simply because there the only one to have room and the fact Silver volunteered to work on the farm to pay for boarding and food. Though AJ refused it, she still accepted the extra help with the farm work in the form of a job.
Twilight still found it odd that she chose work on a farm instead a spot on the weather team. Being a Pegasuses, usually they love flying but Silver seemed to be the opposite. That and the evasive answers of her back ground, with that book on magic was beyond odd. She has been meanig to get some stright answers form her but just haven't found the time. Twilight thought she could get some insite as to who they were when she took Lunar a student. Sadly that hasn't paned out well with Lunar lack of common equestrian knowledge and that infernal book.
“What was it you wanted me to ask Silver about?” Twilight heard the filly ask as she handed her the sandwich. Lunar's question stirred a question she nearly forgot to ask.
“Right, there was. I wanted to ask her if she would be willing to put you in the public school system. You seemed to be lacking in some key areas like history and science and plus you'll get to socialize with ponies around your age.” This prompted a smile on the young filly face but I easily shifted to sad.
“But that would mean less time for you to teach me magic,” Lunar said after swallowing the last bight of the sandwich. She was enjoying all the time she was spending with miss Twilight and didn't feel like giving it up for school. Twilight could read the disapproval on the filly's face.
“But that would leave me more time to think even funner lessons to give and you might ended up with a study partner.” The thought of having a study partner seemed to perk the young filly up. It was a going thing she wasn't lying. Cause ever since she took Lunar as a student, Ditzy Hooves has been bugging her to teach her child Dinky the fine art of magic. Going so far to offer money and a morning muffin each day. It was then Twilight heard a distinct knock and then voice call out to her.
“Eh' Twi, me and Silver are here to pick up Lunar.” This caused the Lunar to quickly jump from her chair, landing to the floor with a thump rushing trowed the voices in the main room. Twilight fallowed only after depositing the used plate in the sink.
“Right on time,” Twilight started to say entering the room. “Silver there is...” She trailed off as she took in the look on the mares face. She wore a face sorrow and pain, a complete contrast to what she had come to know the mare for. Gone was the confident gleam from her eye's, replace with those of a pent up secret. “Whats wrong? Did something happened?” was the next words to come out of her mouth.
“That I don't know, she has something to tell us but got all sour on the way here. It's got me worried.” Applejack said as she gave Silver a look concern.
“Lunar, there something we need to talk about. It involves what we first discuses when we first got to Ponyville.” Twilight watched her walk to Lunar with a long face, before she whispered something into her ear. The smile that once laid on her face, fell into sadness. Twilight looked on with concern and curiosity as Lunar nodded to what ever silver said.
“You two have been so kind to us, giving us a pace to stay, eat, and a place to be safe.” Silver turned, looking both Applejack and Twilight in the eyes. She gave the a solemn smile before saying, “I have here a letter that Lunar's teacher gave me, my friend gave me before he ran off. I would like you to read it, ill explain why after.” Slowly she pulled out the note from her main. In the same instant Twilight levitated it to her, hesitantly she began to read.
Silver mauled over each second Twilight read, knowing the answers she would have to give. The fact she hasn't told them the truth at first was her precarious side but as each day past, a whole of guilt began to form. Her first priority was Lunars safety but something nagged at her core, a feeling of give up the peaceful life to warn them of a coming storm.
It was instantly thought of a mission to complete but just being around all these ponies has cracked the solider pony persona she had built all those years ago. Now he willing to be seen as a threat, spy if they will go that far. It was this what scared Silver so much as Twilight read with Applejack reading over her shoulder. In a instant the regret reached a all time as twilight put the letter down. All she did was stare at Silver, as if wanting to ask a question but not knowing what to ask. With a dry mouth she swallowed, Here we go.
“As the letter says, the reason were her in the first place is to hide in tell Shadow, Lunar's teacher, shows up to explain the next step. Also that were from some place other than Equestria.”
“But that doesn’t explain where this Shalin place is. I've study nearly all the worlds cultures just in case I ever had to visit one of them.” Twilight said interrupting Silver mid sentence. Applejack just looked on with a nonjudgmental look. Silver swallowed the lump that started to form in her throat. As she spoke now, every word fell like a weight being pressed down on her very being.
“You wont find it on any map, for it's from some place far away and technically impossible to reach.”
“What do you mean 'technically impossible to reach?” Applejack quipped in the surprise of both ponies.
“Well, I don't understand it my self and from what Lunar's know help a little. Were from another world, not like a planet but a parallel world. We shouldn't even be here but Shadow found a way to connect the two with some sort of bridge. I can't even fathom how he succeeded and doing it but he did. Now the country of shalin is trying to do the same. There a military powered nation willing to do any thing to survive. Our world is that of hard ship, for we have no sun. no warmth form the harsh winters that plege our land. Its the reason I cant fly, the winds are beyond freezing. The could freeze a pony solid” she finished in a low whisper.
“but that doesn’t make sense, if there was another world out there. A parallel would be know to the princess and a connection is sufficiently impossible. The amount of energy-”
“I know you you'll wouldn't believe me but its the truth!”
“I believe you.” Applejack said looking deadpan, straight into Silvers face. “I can tell a lie a mile away. Perks on being the most honest pony around. Twilight, she telling the truth, its written clear as day.”
Applejack's statement clearly baffled Twilight for she seemed lost for words. It was obvious that logic was battling the faith in her friend inside her mind. It rage for a few second before giving into the faith in Applejack and went along with what Silver said.
“Fine, say what she said was true, that mean with a impossible amount of magic was used to open a portal with another world with a military willing to do what?”
“That's what I don't know. Only shadow would know what they were planing but he's missing and I have really no idea what to do!” As Silver finished a silence feel over the room. Her last words hung over the room in a veil of insecurity and disbelieve. The three mares and filly, stood there looking for the next one to speak. It wasn't till Twilight cleared her throat to talk.
“I can send a letter to the princess about what you just told us but you need to tell me more about your... world.” She said still seemingly in denial but didn't push the subject.
“Don't you worry sugar cube, will get this sorted out. Come sit down,” Applejack said leading her toward the coach. “Spike can you make some coffee?”
“Sure thing AJ.”
“So what kinda place is your home really?”