“So, this is the famous Ponikyo Tower… it’s the tallest tower in all of Equnia. It was damaged during the war, but in time, it was repaired,” Posey explained as she and her cousin took Twilight and the others on a tour of Neighpon, the group standings before a tower.
“Wow…” Dash gawked as the group looked up.
“I can’t even see the top,” Scootaloo awed.
Posey nodded as she guided them onwards to a dock, “Here, is where fish are caught and turned into one of our best delicacies, sushi.”
“Why do you use meat anyway?” Twilight asked.
“Yeah. I mean, isn’t that considered being a…” Pinkie paused as she looked around before whispered ,”Carnivor?”
“...Uh. Well…technically, we don’t eat them. We return them to the ocean.”
“...But what abo-”
“We use mostly vegetables and a fish substitute, mainly tofu to replace the fish part of sushi. We do occasionally use a small bit of fish skin, but it’s duplicate off of the fish by unicorn magic. us actually eating the fish is just a common misconception,” Posey informed.
“Ooh...” Pinkie nodded.
The group continued to walk along, the group looking around the sights of the city before Fluttershy stopped, seeing a large school before her.
“...Is something wrong, dear?” Rarity asked as she was the first to notice the shy mare staring at the school
Posey turned around, seeing the two standing there, she walked over and put a comforting hand on Fluttershy’s shoulder.
“...I didn’t think I’d see this place again,” Fluttershy admitted with a slight whisper, the shy mare looking down as her hair hid her eyes.
“...This is the school me and Butterfly went to when we were fillies,” Posey informed.
“Really?”
“Yes. We-”
“Let’s move on,” Fluttershy whispered as she began to walk away.
“...’Butterfly’? I don’t see any butterflies,” Pinkie commented as she looked around.
Fluttershy came to a stop as she took a deep breath, “It’s...my old name.”
“Huh?”
“...Butterfly is my birth name,” Fluttershy spoke once more, “I changed it to my current name after I came to Equestria. It was changed due to ponies calling me that by mistake. Heart Butterfly Misaki is my full name.”
“Wow really?” Pinkie asked, earning a slight nod from the shy pinkette, “...That’s cool. Kinda like how my full name is Pinkamena Diane Pie.”
“Well to me, it doesn’t matter,” Dash informed, going over to Fluttershy, “I don’t mind if it’s Heart Butterfly, or Fluttershy Heart. To me, she’s still the same shy mare I grew up with in Cloudsdale.”
Fluttershy blushed and hugged Dash, “...Thank you.”
“Heh, no prob,” Rainbow smiled a bit as Fluttershy released the hug, “So… where to next?”
“To the hotel you all are staying at,” Posey spoke up, “Don’t worry. I helped pay for your rooms in advance. And while you girls unpack, me and my itoko will spend the rest of the day together.”
---
The others all began to unpack while Fluttershy walked along with her cousin outside.
“...Posey, I missed you so much,” Fluttershy informed, tears forming in her eyes.
“Same here, itoko-chan. But I read all your letters, and… apart from...a certain accident involving your assertiveness, you seem to live a happy life in Equestria,” Posey said as the two sat down on a nearby bench, “So, what’s that rainbow haired girl’s deal with you?”
“Ara?”
“You two seem close. Are you two… an item or something?”
“Oh no. Rainbow Dash is like a big sister to me. She and her mom sort of watched me when Grandma couldn’t. And… Rainbow’s mom sort of thought I’d be a good influence on her,” Fluttershy replied.
“Really?”
“If I wasn’t with Grandma, I was with Rainbow and her mom. We played a lot, we shared secrets, we played games, and she… sort of became my defender. Even after I moved, bullying didn’t stop,” FLuttershy admitted sadly, “There were these two colts that liked to pick on me, but Rainbow stepped in to defend me. Plus...well,” Fluttershy paused as she moved her hand to one of thighs, “It’s thanks to her I got my Cutie Mark.”
“Neat.” Posey smiled, “...I got my Cutie Mark in gardening, but I like to take photographs from time to time.”
“That’s nice to hear,” Fluttershy smiled back.
Posey nodded as she took out her camera and smiled at it.
“So…do you have anypony special?”
“...No. Demo…um. I think I kind of like Rarity and Sunset, but I don’t know if it’s love or not. Plus…” the shy pinkette paused as she held her hands over her heart, “I… want to see ‘him’ again, but… mou, I’m just so confused right now.”
Posey gave a small nod, before hugging her cousin, “...All those stupid bullies were wrong about you. You’re beautiful in every single way.“
“...Thank you, itoko-chan,” Fluttershy smiled a bit as she returned the hug before blushing a bit, “Th-though...wh-what do you think of how...S-silver would react if he saw me?”
‘If she only knew’ Posey thought, hiding a mischievous smirk with her hair before giving a smile, “I think he’d think you’re beautiful. Because… you are,”
Fluttershy giggled a little bit, the shy mare blushing still before she shook it off, “Well, we have the rest of the day by ourselves, so what should we do?”
“...There is one place I know you’ve wanted to go to very badly.” Posey smiled, guiding Fluttershy somewhere as the two arrived at an onsen(hot spring).
“The onsen?”
“Hai. I knew you wanted to come here once we were old enough when we were fillies, so I figured since you’ll be here for a while, we can head here to unwind.”
Fluttershy gave a giddy and happy smiled as they walked in.
---
“....I’m bored,” Scootaloo admitted in a dull tone as she, Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, and Spike had a room to themselves, “Why can’t we go out and explore some more?”
“Cause we were told not ta, and after runnin’ off twice already… Ah think Ah’m actually gonna listen and stay put,” Applebloom replied.
“I guess you mean by circumstances since Applejack said you ran off at least four or five times…” Spike spoke as he looked up from his comic book, the young dragon laying on one of the beds.
“...Ah would want to ignore ya, but whatever. Ah’m just gonna look out a window,” Applebloom shrugged, looking outside.
“...I’m so glad to get away from Ponyville. No more of Rarity kicking me out of my own room to work, no more homework for a little while, and above all else, no more Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon!” Sweetie Belle smiled happily.
“Agreed,” Scootaloo and Applebloom nodded in agreement.
“...I had a civilized conversation with Silver Spoon on the way back from the flag carrying contest. She even got me an ice cream,” Scootaloo informed.
“...and Sweeetie Belle, if ya just jinxed it, and those two twit heads show up, ah’m blamin’ you fer it.”
“I really hope they don't’ come,” Sweetie belle sighed a bit, “...Silver Spoon maybe, but Diamond Tiara? No.”
Scootaloo looked up at the ceiling for a moment before they heard the door that connected their room to the room of the others, the three fillies and young dragon overhearing the voice of a certain shy mare greetings her friends.
---
“I feel so relaxed,” Fluttershy sighed blissfully as she laid down on her bed, her mane spread out as she looked up at the ceiling, “It was so worth waiting…”
“Where’d you go?” Rarity asked.
“A Japanese spa of sorts,” Posey informed, “It was so relaxing…”
“I see. Well maybe next time you go, you can invite me along as well?” Rarity asked hopefully, the mare wanting to try a Japanese Spa.
“We will…I’ve never felt more relaxed,” Fluttershy admitted, “It’s as if my worries have been washed away.”
Rarity sat down by Fluttershy, the shy mare giggling happily.
“Hey uh… Posey, can Ah ask ya somethin’?” Applejack began.
“Sure.” Posey nodded.
“That strawberry farm around here. Ah sorta wanted to go and see it.”
“Strawberry farm?” Applebloom asked, walking in as she looked at her sister, “Why do ya want t’ go to a strawberry farm, Applejack?”
“Fluttershy said it’s like Sweet Apple Acers, “Applejack replied, “Ah figured since we’re here, we’d go check it out and stuff.”
“Oh, you must mean Hikari Kazoku Ichigo Nojo. It’s supplies all of Ponikyo strawberries,” Posey spoke up, “Once you’ve had a bite of one… mmm~ My mouth's watering just thinking about it.”
“Can we go there?” Applebloom asked.
“Sure, I can take you both there,” she nodded.
----
Posey had brought them to a bit more of a rustic part of Ponikyo, a few cherry blossom trees around the area as they walked down a small dirt road.
“...Why are these trees pink, Miss Posey?” Applebloom asked as she looked up at the trees, seeing the pink leaves.
“Oh. Those are cherry blossom trees,” Posey explained, ”They’re native to Neighpon, and look absolutely beautiful at night. They’re also considered very romantic.”
“Really? These are considered romantic?” Applejack asked.
Posey nodded as the three continued to walk before they came across a sign writen in Nieghponese writting.
“It’s the Hikari Kazoku Ichigo Nojo,” Posey told them, “Fun fact, I’m actually a friend of the son of the owners,”
“Really?” Applejack blinked, as they walked down to it.
They saw a male pegasus working on picking strawberries. He had blue skin, teal eyes, and a black mane with purple highlights in it. He was wearing a light blue shirt with a white jacket, green cargo shorts, blue and black shoes, and a pair of black goggles with blue lenses.
“That’s the son of the owner, Hikari Kota,” Posey informed,
Applejack just watched him work, a small, unnoticeable blush beginning to form on her face. Posey walked over to Kota and began to chat with him in Neghiponese, while Applebloom looked around at the farm.
“It looks really amazing, doesn’t it sis?! "Applebloom asked, getting no response as she looked up at her sister, "Uh…are you feelin’ okay? Yer lookin’... red.”
“Uh...ahem, A-ah’m fine,” Applejack cleared her throat, her small blush disappearing as she walked with her sister.
“Hey,” Posey waved, getting the apple sibling’s attention, “Go on, he speaks your language.”
Applebloom nodded as she walked over with a smile, “Hi. Ah’m Applebloom, and this is mah sister, Applejack.”
“Nice t’ meet ya,” Applejack tipped her hat a bit.
“Nice to meet you both as well,” Kota smiled as he rubbed some sweat away from his head, ”Sorry you caught me like this. I probably look like a mess from working the field all day.”
“It’s cool,” Applejack smiled, looking at the goggles resting on Kota’s forehead, “Cool goggles.”
“Thanks,” Kota smiled as he adjusted his goggles a bit, “I’ve had them since I was just a colt.”
“I can vouch for that,” Posey added.
“Why don’t you all come on in and have something to eat?” Kota offered.
“Y’all sure? Ah mean, ya were kinda workin’ before we interuptted y’all,” Applejack said.
“I just finished my work for today anyhow. Go on, I insist,” Kota smiled.
Applejack just smiled back, “Alright. Ah guess a quick bite wouldn’t hurt nopony.”
---
The three sat inside and waited for Kota to come back with some food for them to try. Applejack noticed how rustic, yet homey the house that Kota lived in was… and yet, it seemed sort of big for just one pony to be in.
“Hey Kota-san, how have you been anyway?” Posey asked.
“I’ve been good. Farm’s been doing good, and so have sales. And Ai’s been doing great as well,” Kota told her.
“Where is she anyway?” Posey asked.
“She’s in the living room napping,” Kota told her as he turned towards the Apple siblnigs, “And before you ask, Ai’s my little sister.”
“Does she have a Cutie Mark?” Applebloom asked quickly.
Before Kota could respond, he heard somepony softly moan. He turned to see a pink pegasus filly on the couch as she began to wake up. She had a yellow and light blue mane and tail, and was currently wearing a cyan and white female school outfit.
“No, not yet. But I’m sure she will soon enough,” Kota told Applebloom before turning to Ai, “Hey. You feeling okay?”
“Yea… I am.” Ai smiled with Kota helping her off and guiding her to a seat at the table.
“These are Applejack and Applebloom. They’re actually from Equestria,” Kota told Ai.
“Wow. I heard about Equestria from one of my teachers,” Ai awed a bit as she looked at the youngest Apple sibling, “Is there really an empire made purely of crystals?”
“Eeyup. Ah’ve been there before,” Applebloom nodded in response.
“Really?!” Ai asked with stars in her eyes, earning a slight nod from Applebloom, “Sugei~!”
Suddenly, Ai began to cough rather badly, her brother immediately handing her a glass of water as he patted her back.
“Th...thank you, onii-chan,” Ai panted a bit as she drank the water.
Kota then walked over and took out a strawberry pie from the oven.
“Is she alright, Kota?” Applejack asked as the male pegasus sat down, “That was a rather nasty cough she was givin’ off.”
“...I’ve always been a bit sick,” Ai informed, “Coughing fits, dizzy spells, nausea, and exhaustion. The doctors said they don’t know if there’s any sort of cure, and….” she paused as she looked down at her cup sadly, “...I’ve just… been here, being a burden.”
“You’re no burden,” Kota told her as he hugged her, “You’re my little sister. Don’t ever think yourself as a burden…”
Ai gave a nod as Applejack looked over at Kota for a moment, being sort of reminded of herself and Applebloom. Kota began to slice the pie, dividing into pieces for everypony as he put the first slice on a plate.
“Here, Nee-chan,” Kota smiled as he put the plate down in front of his sister, “I know you had a tiring day at school today.”
“Arigato,” Ai smiled, as she took a fork and slowly began to eat it a little bit.
“Speaking of school, how was it today?”
“....Timid-chan got bullied again,” Ai sighed sadly, “She just ran and hid after school, but she calmed down a bit when I talked to her.”
“...Ugh, was it Tomoe and her friends again?” Kota asked with a sigh, earning a nod from his little sister, “...Mou…”
“What’s wrong?” Applebloom asked as she and her sister overheard this.
“Ai gets bullied for not having a Cutie Mark. Same with her friend, Timid Swallow,” Kota replied with another sigh,”You see, Tomoe’s the daughter of one of Neighpon’s wealthiest ponies. I tried to talk to some of the teachers of her bad behavior, but they say nothing’s wrong, and that Ai and her friend were the ones that started it.” He then frowned a little, “If you ask me, Tomoe’s father is most likely paying them off.”
“Deja vu…” Applebloom stated with a small eye roll.
“...Have ya’ll tried talkin’ t’ the principal about it?” Applejack couldn’t help but ask.
“I tried. But…he won’t see me, claiming I’m just a dumb kid,” Kota sighed, making AJ frown a bit in response.
“...Ah’m sorry about that,” Applejack apologized as Kota handed her a slice of the pie.
“It’s fine. But…” Kota paused as he put another slice of pie down on a plate, “I just wish I can help Ai and her friend out and get them out of that school.”
Posey simply sighed, “...They go to the same school me and Fluttershy went to when we were fillies.”
“You mean that school we passed bah earlier today?” Applejack asked, earning a nod from the pinkette, “...I see.”
“Let’s just eat,” Applebloom told them, Kota handing her the third slice of pie as she began to eat.
---
They had all soon finished the pie, the apple siblings having enjoyed it.
“Heh, boy that was good,” Applejack chuckled a bit as she patted her full belly.
“Ya were right about this place Posey… it’s good,” Applebloom giggled.
“I know,” Posey giggled a bit before she noticed the time, “Oh my! I didn’t realize how long we were gone!”
“What time is it?” Applebloom asked.
“It’s about 8 Am.”
“Well that’s not so b-” AJ began before Posey motioned to the window, the farmpony turning her head to see it was starting to get dark out, “..What in tarnation? Why’s it gettin’ dark out?”
“It’s because of our location compare to Equestria,” Posey explained, “You see, since it’s morning over in Equestria, it’s night over here in Neighpon.”
“...This place can be so confusin’ at times,” Applejack admitted, scratching the back of her head a bit.
“Ah agree,” Applebloom spoke up.
“Anyhow…” Posey began as she stood up, “I guess we’ll be on our way.” She then turned towards Kota and gave him a slight bow, “Thank you again, Kota.”
“No prob,” Kota nodded with a small smile, “Feel free to stop on by again when you have the chance.”
Posey began to head out, before Kota turned to Applejack.
“Here," he told her, handing her a slip of paper with a phone number on it, “It’s my number.”
“Oh. Uh...thank ya kindly,” Applejack nodded with a slight, unnoticable blush before she shook it off, “But, why y’all givin’ me this?”
“...Uh...N-no reason,” Kota replied, the pegasus blushing a bit as well, “J-just figured you could use it in case you needed some help.”
Applejack smiled before taking out some paper and writing down her own number and handing it to Kota. She tipped her hat, and the Apple siblings took their leave.
---
“Ya like that Kota fella, don’t ya Applejack?” Applebloom asked with a small, teasing grin as the group left the farm.
“...Ah… Ah have no idea what yer talkin’ ‘bout, Applebloom,” Applejack replied, turning her face away as she began to blush a little more.
“Yer blushin’ as red as an apple.”
“...”
“...Y’all do l-”
“Applebloom, if y’all don’t be quiet, Ah’ll ground ya fer a week,” AJ warned with a slight frown, though the blush on her face says otherwise.
---
“Onii-chan, do you like Applejack?”
“E-eh?!” Kota shouted, blushing brightly as he nearly dropped the dishes, “Wh-what’re you talking about, Ai?! We just met today!”
“I’m just asking…” Ai shrugged a bit.
“Oh.”
Ai just began to cough, the filly starting to get a bit tired as Kota helped her up.
“Let’s get you to bed, Nee-chan. You need your rest after all.”
“Hai,” she nodded as her brother helped her up to her room.
---
“Welcome back, Applejack,” Pinkie greeted as the farmpony returned to her shared hotel room, “How was your mini-tour?”
“It was good,” Applejack replied as she sat down on her bed, “Met some of th’ ponies that live at th’ strawberryfarm. And ah gotta say, th' owner’s son is pretty nice,” she then took her stetson off and put it to the side.
“And I think Applejack may-” Applebloom began.
Applejack glared at her sister before she could finish.
“...Nevermind," Applebloom squeaked a bit as she ran off to her room.
“...What was she about to say?” Pinkie asked.
“Nothin’,” Applejack replied as she picked out some clothes from the drawer, “Ah’m gonna get in th’ shower, then head fer bed.”
“Alright,” Pinkie nodded as AJ left for the shower, leaving Pinkie by herself as she laid back on her bed, “...I wonder what the others are up to?”
---
“So how was the farm?” Scootaloo asked in a yawn.
“It was good. Me and mah sis met some of th’ ponies livin’ there,” Applebloom replied as she climbed onto her bed, “Ah think mah sister likes that Kota fella, one of th’ ponies we met.”
“Really?” Sweetie Belle asked as Spike slept.
“Yup. She’s denyin’ it like crazah,” Applebloom replied with a slight nod, “Ah’ve never seen her act this way around anypony before.”
“...Huh,” Scootaloo blinked, “I see...come to think of it, Dash has been acting weird lately around Twilight.”
“What do you mean?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“...Hard to say, But…” Scootaloo began before she yawned, “Why don't’ we talk tomorrow?”
“Good idea,” Applebloom agreed as she yawned as well, “Ah’m gettin’ pretty tired.”
“Night…” they all waved.
---
Sometime later, Applejack had poked Rarity awake and they walked over to a balcony to speak privately.
“*yawn* So what do you want to talk about, Applejack?” Rarity yawned.
“First off… promise me this stays between us.”
“...Why of course, dear. But...what is it exactly?”
“...Alright,” Applejack began as she took a deep breath, “Ah need some advice on romance.”
“....Excuse me?” Rarity blinked, not sure she heard her friend right.
“Dang it. Ah said Ah need some advice on romance.”
Rarity was taken a little bit back by this, “...Why sure but...if I may ask, why?”
“...”
“Wait. You met somepony, didn’t you?” Rarity asked with slightly wide eyes.
“...Yeah,” Applejack nodded, blushing a bit.
Rarity gave a quiet, yet excited cheer at that ,”Oh that’s wonderful, dear! What’s he like?”
“He’s kind, and a bit sweet. He cares a lot for his littler sister, and… well…” Applejack paused as her blush increased a bit, “Ah have t’ admit, but he’s kinda cute.”
“I see…Well starting tomorrow, I will tell you everything I know about romance. By the time I’m done with you, the stallion you have your eye on won’t know what hit him!”
“...Just remember, don’t tell nopony,” Applejack said in a serious tone, “Okay?”
“I promise I won’t.”
"Thanks Rarity," Applejack smiled before she yawned, "Well, Ah'm gonna go back t' bed. G'night, Rarity."
"Good night Applejack."