Kasey walked down the road in a random direction. The meeting with that pink pony, Pinkie Pie, was way too much for him to handle. One second she was all happy and welcoming, the next she pushed him out onto the street to get his party started. Why was she doing this? He was nothing special, or at least as far as they knew. Shrugging his shoulders he continued on his way.
As he walked, he looked around and saw that the ponies were staring at him. Each one was giving him a curious look, then after a few they would smile and wave, then move on with their business. Strange to say the least, but they were welcoming and that was a good thing.
The farmer looked up and saw that it was a little bit after midday. As he looked back down, something caught his attention. It was a tree, but no ordinary tree he has ever seen. This tree was huge, with a door, some windows, a balcony, and many other items that suggested that it was literally a tree house.
As he got closer, there was a sign that read “Golden Oaks Library”
‘A library?’
Confused as to why someone would build a library within a tree, and for the tree to be completely healthy was beyond him. Still, first looks mean nothing anymore now that he is going to be living in this world.
He opened the door and walked inside.
The inside was hollowed out, with shelves upon shelves of books everywhere. The middle of the room he was currently in had a golden bust on top of round table. Behind that was a staircase that led to the upper floor. To the right of the stairs was a doorway that led to another room.
“I’ll be down in a sec!” Called a voice from upstairs. By the sound of it, the voice was high pitched, indicating that it was female. Or in this worlds case, a mare.
After standing in the doorway, feeling awkward as he waited. The sound of hooves on wood came from the stairs as the owner of the voice was coming down.
Down the stairs emerged a purple pony with dark purple mane and tail with a pink streak going through it. A horn protruded from her head indicating that she was a unicorn.
“Hello there, welcome to the Golden Oaks Library. Is there something I can help you with?” She asked with a smile.
Kasey tilted his head in confusion, “Aren’t you going to ask who I am? What I am? And all other things?”
“That won’t be necessary, Kasey.” she said.
Kasey’s eyes widened, “How do you know my name?”
The purple pony walked across the room and sat down on a green sofa with a small coffee table in front of it, “I received a letter from Princess Celestia telling me of your arrival.”
Kasey just stood there with a confused expression, “Okay?”
“Allow me to explain. My name is Twilight Sparkle, I am the personal student of Princess Celestia. She sent me here to Ponyville a few months ago to set up this event called the Summer Sun Celebration. Things didn’t go as planned, but I made some amazing friends along the way.”
Kasey sat silently as he listened to Twilight's story of how she ended up in Ponyville and befriending five amazing mares. Together they found the “Elements of Harmony” and defeated Nightmare Moon. In doing so, they freed the younger sister of Princess Celestia, Princess Luna.
All throughout the conversation, or in this case, a one sided story, Kasey saw that mysterious shine again. Of course it wasn’t a mystery anymore. He figured out what it meant after meeting that Pink sugar blast.
“Did you hear what I said?” Twilight says with a little pout.
Kasey blinks a few times and realizes that he stopped listening to Twilight.
“Sorry about that,” he says, “I was just thinking about something.”
Twilight raises an eyebrow at him, but doesn’t push the matter.
“It’s starting to get late, I should get going.” Kasey says as he stands up to stretch.
The purple unicorn nods at his statement and leads him to the door, “It was nice to meet you, Kasey.” Twilight says.
“And you as well.”
The two shook hands as Kasey parted from the library. The sun was now setting for the evening time and Kasey decided it was time to head back to Sweet Apple Acres.
The road back seemed longer than the way to town. On the walk back, he had plenty of time to think. The place he was in didn’t seem like it was dying. It was quite the opposite. The land was green all around. The trees were alive and well. The animals that dotted the land and sky continued to do as they please.
The foreign rancher was so caught up in his head that he didn’t notice he was walking right into the fence that separated the town from Sweet Apple Acres.
Kasey walks right into it, flips over the top and lands upside down.
Ow
The sound of something moving towards the human fills his ears. He turns his head and sees that its Applejack. She is carrying a basket of apples on her side as she tries to hold back a laugh from bursting forth.
“Are you alright?” The orange mare asks.
Kasey grumbles something to himself as he gets up and dusts himself off.
Applejack grabs and apple from the basket and hands it to him. “Here, eat this. You’ll feel better.”
The rancher smiles and accepts the fruit. He takes a bite and freezes. It takes him a moment to make sure he gets an actual taste before spitting out the fowl fruit.
Taking a closer look at the apple, he can see that it is shriveled up and losing its color.
“How long has this apple been like this?” he questions.
Applejack looks down with a sad face. “All the apples are like that. This has been going on for quite a while. If something isn’t done fast, my family will lose the farm.”
Tears stained her fur as she tries to hold them back.
Kasey looks at Applejack with sympathy. He can see a lot of himself in her.
He places a hand on her shoulder, causing her to look at him. He has a small smile on his face and a glint of determination in his eye.
“Don’t worry Applejack. I’ll help you save your farm.”
Applejacks eyes widen. The way the setting sun in the background makes the light around Kasey shine. His golden eyes glowed brilliantly and his features seemed pure.
Applejacks face turns red as a cherry.
Kasey notices her face turning a different color. “Are you alright?” he asks as he puts his hand on her forehead. “Your burning up!”
The poor little mare's face grew even redder.
“Ah...ah got tah go.” She says in a haste and takes off towards the house. “I’ll see you at dinner!” Applejack calls back to the confused rancher.
“Did I do something wrong?” he questions himself.
Kasey shrugs his shoulders and follows casually behind Applejack, who was already at the house by this point.
When the outlandish farmer enters the house, a heavenly aroma of food fills his nostrils and makes him slightly drool. He follows the scent into the kitchen and sees Applebloom, Granny Smith and Applejack all cooking together.
“Well howdy there Kasey!” The elder green mare says, “Supper will be done shortly, why don’t you go wash up?”
The human rancher nods his head and looks for the bathroom. Ascending the stairs to the second floor, he finds the room he is looking for in the middle of a hallway between two doors, with another door directly across from it.
He opens the door, washes his hands and face and wipes them off with a towel hanging near by.
Once done he descends back down to the main floor and is greeted with a buffet of food set across the table.
A little foal like bullet hits him with a hug out of nowhere, “Thank you!” Applebloom says.
Kasey is confused by her actions but returns the hug nonetheless.
Applejack chuckles at the scene, “I told them about your promise and dedication. This is our way of saying thank you.”
Looking around, Kasey is awestruck with what they are providing him. With a gleeful smile, he picks up Applebloom with ease, “Let’s eat!”
They all cheer and turn towards the table to see Big Mac sitting down already with food halfway to his mouth.
He looks back at them, slowly putting the food into his mouth. “I’m hungry” he simply says.
Everyone, including Big Mac, laugh and soon join him for the feast.
After stuffing his face full and chatting at the table, Kasey returns to the spare bedroom he is temporarily using and gets ready for bed.
He changes into his pajamas and sits on the bed, looking out the window and at the moon. Its slight glow illuminating enough of the orchard, glinting with red apples.
Somehow, he finds himself frowning. All those trees, or at least a vast majority, are dying and the ponies don’t know the cause.
His frown soon turns into a smirk, his chance at a new life has been given to him. And this time, he will find someone.
With that last thought Kasey lays down and within minutes is taken into dream land. Where he dreams of home, his old ranch and his closest friend.