My Little Pony: The Entities of Emotion

by Michael_Ravencroft

Episode 10: Miracle Growth

It had been a long road to get here, but it was finally done. Applejack, Big Macintosh, Granny Smith, Apple Bloom, and Ion stood upon a hill that overlooked a plot of land. A vast emptiness that existed just a few ways from the east orchard, untapped fertile land that was good for planting a new field of apple trees. The Apple Family stood proud atop that hill, overlooking their newly acquired land, taking in the sight.

“It took us a few years, but now it’s ours,” said Applejack.

“Eeyup. Now we can expand the orchard and plant more trees, and canter to more clients,” said Big Macintosh.

Granny Smith dug her hoof into the lush ground and pulled up a pile of dirt, almost immediately a small flower sprung from the clod. “And right fertile ta boot! Them new trees will grow quicker than weed,” said Granny Smith.

“That’s gonna be a lot of trees to plant, ya really think we can do it,” asked Apple Bloom.

Ion placed a hoof on Apple Bloom’s head and ruffled her mane, eliciting a giggle from the little filly. “Of course we can, where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

“Precisely!” The five ponies turned around at the sound of the voice. A tan colored stallion with a black mane and a cutie mark of three money bags walked towards them. Beside him was a pink filly, sporting a bejeweled tiara and carrying herself with an air of superiority. “I must say, I was glad to hear that you were able to get this land, prime real estate it is. Of course I drove down the price, considerin’ that our families have done business for a long time.”

“And we thank ya kindly, Filthy,” said Granny.

Filthy Rich groaned in annoyance and rolled his eyes, knowing that he might never get Granny Smith to call him Mr. Rich. “Anyway, just came by to tell ya that the contracts are all ready to sign back at my office so we can finalize this purchase.”

“No problem Fil – ahem – Ah mean, Mr. Rich. We’ll head on back to Barnyard Bargains and sign’em right now,” said Applejack. “Big Macintosh, Ion, why don’t y’all get started on plowin’ the field, Ah’ll be back to lend ya a hoof soon as Ah can.”

“You got it Boss Mare,” said Ion.

Big Macintosh nodded an affirmative and followed Ion as they made their way to Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack, Granny Smith, and Filthy Rich began to head towards Ponyville, with Diamond Tiara and Apple Bloom in tow. The farm filly tried her best to keep from making direct eye contact with her archenemy, she knew how important this whole thing was and she didn’t want to mess it up by getting into a fight with Diamond Tiara. The good thing was that as long as Filthy Rich was around she was less likely to start calling her names or picking on her, not wanting her father to see her at her worst.

As they trotted towards Ponyville Filthy Rich leaned in closer to Applejack, and whispered to her quietly. “I hope you know that I’m takin’ a leap of faith with you on this deal, Applejack?”

“Don’t you worry nothin’ about that, it’s all planned out. Ah promise you won’t regret it,” whispered Applejack.

While this was going on, Apple Bloom was being engaged in a conversation with Diamond Tiara, one that she tried hard to ignore.

“You know this whole deal is going to hurt you more than it’ll hurt us, right Blank Flank,” asked Diamond Tiara.

“Ah have no idea what yer talkin’ about,” said Apple Bloom.

“Your sister pretty much swindled my Daddy into giving you that land.”

Apple Bloom knitted her eyebrows upon hearing that accusation, “Mah sister didn’t ‘swindle’ anythin’ from yer Dad! We saved up that money to buy that land, fair and square.”

Diamond Tiara scoffed at that, “Yeah right, there were a lot of buyers for that land. But your sister, like, totally came into my Daddy’s business and pretty much made him give it him, and that land wasn’t cheap.” At this a devious grin appeared upon her lips. “Oh well, if you and your hayseed family screw this up, you’ll be in big trouble.”

Apple Bloom gritted her teeth, holding back the multiple, so called, “bad words” and urges to push this obnoxious filly into the dirt. I swear to Celestia, Diamond, you just don’t know when to shut yer yap!

---

(3 Hours Later)

The stallions were making quick work of tilling and plowing the vast field. Ion and Big Mac had split the field into sectors, each one taking that portion assigned to them. They had set aside some for Applejack, but were fully prepared to take care of that portion should she be delayed. The work was a little bit more straining on Ion today, mostly because of his little secret.

Ever since that incident with the Running of the Leaves, Ion had been secretly using his power to stop natural disasters around Equestria. Taking on the form of that giant construct, now dubbed the Emerald Giant, and saving lives in the process. It was a bit hard to balance his hero life and simple farm life, but he found he could relax doing this, albeit, laborious work.

Maybe I should cut down on the hero work, if it’s going to be this much trouble. Ugh, how do Jordan and Ryner do it, thought Ion.

Having finished his sector, Ion reported back to the meeting spot to discuss with Big Macintosh how far they’ve gotten, and how much more they could get done today. When they arrived they saw Applejack, perusing the map of the field, beside her stood Apple Bloom, her face scrunched up into a frown.

“Hey y’all, seems like the two of ya’ve been givin’ it yer all,” said Applejack.

“Close to it,” said Ion.

“There’s still a lot more to go,” added Big Mac. He then moved closer to the table that they had brought with them to get a better look at the map. “We’ve pretty much worked this much of the land; we were hopin’ to get at least this far before sundown. The more we do today, the less we have to do later, and the more we can focus on the important stuff.”

Applejack looked over the map, indeed her brother and Ion had made tremendous ground in just a short amount of time. The blonde mare was starting to feel confident in this endeavor. Maybe this wasn’t such a long shot after all. “That’s good you two, Ah’ll start helpin’ out so we can get even more done. Apple Bloom, ya can head back home, nothin’ much fer ya to do right now.”

“Got yer plow over here, c’mon,” said Big Macintosh.

Big Mac led Applejack to the plow he brought for her. Ion was about to leave when he noticed that Apple Bloom hadn’t left, curious, the green stallion trotted up to the little filly. “Bit for your thoughts?”

“It’s…it’s nothin’,” she replied.

“Doesn’t sound like ‘nothing’ to me, what’s eating ya, kid?”

Apple Bloom didn’t respond, but there was a look in her eyes that was mixture of anger and nervousness that he didn’t quite understand. Applejack and Big Mac came back, with AJ sporting her plow and ready to get to work. Applejack noticed that her little sister hadn’t left yet and raised a curious eyebrow.

“Somethin’ wrong, sugarcube, did ya need somethin’,” she asked.

“Well…Ah –”

“She was wondering if she could help me with the plowing,” interjected Ion.

“Apple Bloom,” asked Applejack skeptically.

“Yeah, the sector I’m heading to has some hidden rocks in the dirt and it’d help if I had somepony to scout ahead of me. So I don’t chip the blade.”

“It’s true, almost chipped mine on a sneaky one,” explained Big Macintosh.

Applejack shifted her gaze between Ion and Apple Bloom. Though she did trust Ion a little more than she did months ago, Applejack was still a little apprehensive about leaving Apple Bloom alone with him. Applejack was about to protest, but she was cut off by none other than her little sister.

“Ah want to help him, sis. Please?” Apple Bloom asked.

“…Alright…you can go. Watch mah sister, Ion, ya hear?!”

Ion saluted Applejack, a serious expression adorning his face. “Yes ma’am!”

Apple Bloom giggled at his action and started to follow him to his sector of land to plow. Once they had arrived Apple Bloom had taken the lead, carefully examining the ground they walked upon as Ion pulled the plow behind her. The green stallion thought it cute how serious she took her assignment, and as much as he didn’t want to stop her, he had to have a talk with her. Ion pulled the plow harder, bringing him alongside Apple Bloom.

“Ion, what’re ya doin’? Ya need to stay behind meh so Ah can make sure ya don’t hit any rocks,” said Apple Bloom.

“Trust me, Apple Bloom; there are no rocks around here. Now, do you want to tell me what’s been eating you this whole time,” asked Ion.

Apple Bloom mentally slapped herself on the forehead; she couldn’t believe she was tricked that easily, although, if she was being honest, a part of her wanted to talk to somepony else besides her big brother and sister. With that in mind, Apple Bloom inhaled deeply and let out a long sigh.

“It’s…Diamond Tiara…”

Ion thought for a moment before he remembered the filly, “Oh, you mean that filly who was with Filthy Rich, the one that bullies you at and your friends at school?” Apple Bloom nodded a yes. “What happened, did she do something to you when you and AJ left?” The young filly was silent. “I can’t help if you don’t tell me something, Apple Bloom. You can tell me anything, I promise I won’t tell AJ or Big Mac if you don’t want me to.”

Apple Bloom looked up at the green stallion, he smile broad and full of confidence. It was kind of infectious, making Apple Bloom smile, a small one, but a smile all the same. “She was talkin’ ‘bout how Applejack tricked her Dad into giving us this land here. Ah just can’t stand it when she says stuff like that! Diamond doesn’t understand how much Applejack, Granny, and Big Macintosh have done to be able to get enough money together! It’s like Diamond Tiara has made it her personal mission in life to make my life miserable!”

“Hey, AB, don’t let her get to you. You and I both know how hard your family has worked to get this far, so long as you know the truth, Diamond can blow hot air all she wants, ‘cause y’know, she’s full it,” said Ion.

Apple Bloom couldn’t help but laugh at that. “Thanks, Ion, fer listenin’.”

“No problem, why don’t you go ahead run out of here, I’ll cover for you.”

“Nuh-uh, Ah wanna stay, in fact, why don’t’cha let me try!?”

Ion stopped in his tracks, he looked at Apple Bloom, and then glanced back to the, rather heavy, plow he had been lugging around most of the day. “I don’t know, Apple Bloom. This thing’s pretty dang heavy, I don’t want you hurting yourself…”

Apple Bloom blew a raspberry at that statement, “Please, Ah’m just as strong as you or meh sis, now let me at it!”
Ion just sighed, he knew that Apple Bloom was too stubborn to take no for an answer. So he unhitched himself from the plow and placed the apparatus on Apple Bloom, she let out an “oomph” sound upon feeling the weight of the yoke. Apple Bloom began to pull, her hooves digging into the dirt as she strained to get the plow moving.

“Hold on a sec, almost…got it…!”

Ion only shook his head, grinning at the little filly’s attempt to pull the plow. The green stallion glanced around the area, making sure that there was no one else around. Ion’s eyes then flashed with green light, from his left shoulder a long arm and hand construct formed. The hand gripped the plow handle and gave it a gentle push.

“Ha, told ya Ah could do it!” Apple Bloom began to trot proudly, believing she was pulling the plow under her own power. Ion had to stifle his chuckling, but was otherwise happy to give Apple Bloom this much. “By the way, Ion, Ah’ve been meanin’ to ask. What’s yer cutie mark mean?”

“Huh, oh, it’s a little complicated,” answered Ion.
“C’mon, Ah won’t tell anypony if it’s somethin’ yer embarrassed about. It might help me and the girls figure out new ways to earn ours,” said Apple Bloom.

“Maybe one day, AB. For now, why don’t you focus on pulling the plow?”

Mine…all…mine…

The green stallion stopped dead in his tracks. He quickly scanned the area, his body language indicating that he was prepared to fight. But there was nothing there, nothing except him and Apple Bloom. Ion was sure he had heard that voice before, and at that moment an impossible idea ran through his head, he quickly shook it from his mind.

Can’t be…

---

(1 ½ Months Later)

From then on the Apple Family, and Ion, had been working tirelessly to cultivate the new plot of land they had just purchased. From the early morning and into the wee hours of the night, never ending, never stopping. Planting the seeds, watering, fertilizing, all to see the fruits of their labor blossom forth.

And in just over a month and a half they saw it. The rows they had created had little saplings starting to sprout from the ground. When the group of Earth Pony farmers saw this they were as happy as can be, their hard work was already starting to payoff. There was only one thing to do in this situation, and that was to celebrate!

That night, Sweet Apple Acres was home to a grand time of celebration, thrown together by the premier party planner of Ponyville, Pinkie Pie. The barn was filled with the friends of the family, Twilight and Rainbow, along with Adara, Scootaloo, and Spike, Rarity and Sweetie Belle, Fluttershy and Proselyte, and even Miss Cheerilee, specially invited by Big Mac himself.

It was a private party, but one that was cause for rejoicing. A large table was set up, with numerous “apple-tastic” treats, and even some of the Sweet Apple Acres’ famous Cider was made for the occasion. A little makeshift stage was created, with a karaoke machine set up for those who felt like singing their hearts out. Above the stage was a banner that read: Congratulations on Your Apple Seeds Sprouting So Quickly Party. Applejack, who was all smiles, approached the stage and stood at its center. She then grabbed the mike and blew into it, making sure it was working.

“Howdy everypony, and thanks for comin’ to this party, I know it may not be that big a deal to ya, but it means a whole lot to have y’all’s support,” announced Applejack.

A hardy round of clopping hooves and whistles where heard in affirmation to her thanks.

“Ah’ll admit, it was a bit of a gamble taking on this project, but now, after seein’ what’s sprouted in just this short a time, Ah have no doubt that Sweet Apple Acres is going to be just fine, so party on everypony!”

Everyone cheered loudly for Applejack and her family; it was truly a night for celebration. As Applejack made her way down from the stage she noticed that somepony was messing from the fun, a certain green stallion. Eventually she found Ion standing near the barn door, talking to Adara. For some reason Applejack could’ve sworn she saw Ion’s and Adara’s coats shimmer a bit, but then she shook her head, thinking that it was just the moonlight or something.

“Hey, Ion,” she called out.

Ion and Adara’s heads turned and saw the orange mare approach them. With a nod, Adara left the two adult ponies. Applejack stood next to Ion, smiling at him.

“What’s goin’ on, not up to celebratin’?”

“Nah, just talking with Adara, she needed some advice about something,” said Ion.

“That filly treats ya like yer her big brother,” Ion gulped, “which is really nice. Since on account that she’s a runaway, Ah think havin’ a role model like yerself is a good thing for her.”

Ion let out a relieved sigh. “Uh, yeah, never really saw it that way.” The two of them sat on their haunches, side-by-side, as an awkward silence was starting to build between them. After a minute, Ion cleared his throat, gaining AJ’s attention. “So, wanna take a walk around? I’m kinda getting restless just sitting here.”

“Yeah…a walk sounds nice.”

Both Ion and Applejack got up from their sitting positions and started to take a light trot around the grounds. All the while, Ion couldn’t help but look at the happy grin that Applejack had plastered on her face. It was a sight that he found was growing on him, he liked seeing her smile. But, uh, that was totally natural, it’s perfectly normal to be admire your friend’s/boss’s smile, right?

“I’m glad this all worked out for you and your family, Applejack,” said Ion.

“Heh, heh, yeah, so am Ah. Ah just can’t stop grinnin’ like a darn schoolfilly! Ah mean this is really goin’ to drum up business for the farm! We’ll be able to take on more orders, and canter to more clients outside of Ponyville!” Applejack noticed how loud and excited she was getting and quickly went silent. “Sorry for ramblin’ like that.”

Ion shook his head, “No, don’t be, you deserve to be proud and happy about what you’ve achieved. All thanks to you, Applejack.”

The farmpony couldn’t help but blush a little at the praise. “Nah, not just me, Ion, it was everypony. Ah’ll admit Ah have a knack for the business part of runnin’ the farm, and for the work involved in maintainin’ it. But Big Macintosh is just as smart, if not more so, he just doesn’t like to admit it to anypony. Apple Bloom helps out a lot too, and she’ll be even more helpful when she finally figures out her special talent.”

Both ponies sighed heavily, knowing that Apple Bloom and her friends are so very close to finding their special talents, but somehow always manage to veer of course in pursuit of something wild and crazy.

“We’ll all be happy when that day comes,” said Ion.

“Ditto. Then of course there’s Granny Smith, she’s lived on Sweet Apple Acres ever since she was a filly, heck, she was the reason why it’s even here in the first place! She’s taught me and mah brother all we know about apple farmin’, and even when ya think there’s nothin’ left to learn, she’ll surprise ya with something new,” said Applejack.

Yeah, I’m still trying to figure out how she’s lived that long, but I will admit her stories are interesting, thought Ion.

“And then there’s you.”

Ion stopped in his tracks and looked at Applejack, her expression silently telling him that he had not heard wrong. “Me? I mean…I haven’t really done that much, Applejack.”

“No, ya have. You put up with mah suspicious attitude towards ya, did work that was sometimes a two pony job without complaint, paid a wage that would’ve made anypony in their right mind quit, and most importantly, you’ve been nothing but kind and considerate towards mah kin and friends.” Applejack placed her left hoof on Ion’s shoulder and looked him in the eye. “And that speaks volumes to the kind of stallion ya are. Thanks for all yer help, Ion.”

It was now Ion’s turn to blush. Thinking that he hadn’t really done anything worth such praise, “I’m just being me, Applejack. I like working on the farm with you and your family.”

“Well, don’t worry, once the sales come through, Ah’ll make sure you’re paid for everythin’ you’ve done for us,” said Applejack.

“Wait what?”

“Ah talked it over with Big Mac and Granny, and we all agreed that you should get a large portion of the profits we get from the apple sales when harvest comes around.”

Ion was struck speechless; he actually had to take a minute to let that sink into mind. “Applejack, you really don’t need to! You’ve been paying me with the meals at your family’s home and a place to stay. Besides, I know you were trying to buy that land, so I understand why you couldn’t.”

Applejack scoffed, “Yeah, well, that don’t make up for makin’ ya live in the upper part of the barn we’re partyin’ in. By the way, Ah’ll make sure everypony cleans up before the party’s over. No, Ion, you deserve it. Now keep in mind it may not be enough to buy yerself a home of yer own, but it’ll get ya started.”

Ion was about open his mouth to kindly decline the offer, but was quickly beat to it by Applejack.

“And Ah won’t take no fer an answer,” she said with finality.

With a frustrated sigh, the stallion agreed to the compensation, knowing full well that arguing the point with Applejack was like arguing with a boulder, it wouldn’t do any good and it was completely useless to do so.

“Anypony ever told you you’re as stubborn as a mule sometimes,” asked Ion, bumping his shoulder against Applejack’s.
AJ smirked, “Constantly, but they come ‘round.” She punctuated her point by returning the bump with a stronger one, making Ion stumble a bit.

“There ya are!” Both AJ and Ion turned around and saw Apple Bloom running towards them. “Everypony was wonderin’ where ya went and –!” Apple Bloom stopped for minute, taking in the sight before her. The relaxed demeanor of her sister and Ion, the two of them, alone, taking a stroll underneath the moon and stars. It was then that an impish grin graced the filly’s lips. “Oooh, now Ah get it.”

“Get what,” asked Applejack.

“Y’all tryin’ to get some privacy,” responded Apple Bloom.

“‘Privacy,’ what do you mean ‘priva –?”

At that moment the two older ponies understood what Apple Bloom meant. Applejack’s face was noticeably becoming as red as an apple, which only increased even more when she turned to look at Ion, who was also sporting a fierce blush of embarrassment.

“Apple Bloom it ain’t like that!” Applejack protested.

“Alright, alright, Ah believe ya, sis.” Apple Bloom turned around, still holding her impish grin as she glanced at them over her shoulder. “…Applejack and Ion sittin’ in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!”

“APPLE BLOOM!”

The little filly then took off into a gallop, with Applejack running right after her little sister. The whole time this was going, Ion couldn’t help but grin at the sight of the two sisters running around, a sight that made his heart beat just a bit faster after remembering what Apple Bloom accused the two of them of doing. Then his brain kicked in.

“APPLE BLOOM, we weren’t doing anything, I swear!”

---

(Northeast Orchard)

That night, while all were sound asleep, something was stirring. Towards the trees nearest the newly cultivated field, a strange occurrence was taking place. One of the apple trees, which seemed larger than the others, began to creak and groan. Its hanging red, luscious apples were beginning ripen, while the others around it started to wither and rot. But the trunk of the tree expanded, growing outward. The tree’s wood began to splinter as something began to push its way through. An ominous orange light glowed from the cracks in the tree’s wood.

*THUNK*

Something pounded at the tree, causing the bulge to crack.

*THUNK*

Yet again the unknown creature within struck, trying to free itself from the wooden confines of the apple tree.

*THU-CRASH!!!*

With one mighty strike the wooden bulge burst open, as orange light poured out from the hole like a gaping, bleeding wound. Something started to emerge from the opening, a large snake, with armor thick scales, and colored a bright vermillion. The snake slithered from the opening, its forked tongue licking at the air, getting familiar with its surroundings.

The snake had a strange symbol upon its head, that of a circle, with four lines coming in at angles, and one V like mark, like a spike, that pierced the top of the circle. Its slit, reptilian eyes gazed upon this new world it had just entered. The snake slithered forth, parting the trees as it pushed its way through and into the open field.

The snake looked upon this fertile land, seeing something it wanted. It could feel it, there was magic in the earth, along with Willpower. The snake grinned happily, he wanted the magic, and he wanted the power, for that was his way. It was the bases of his power, for he was Ophidian, the Entity of Avarice.

“Thisss isss mine… ”

The great serpent floated up into the air till he was a good one-hundred feet up. He then opened his great maw and unleashed a torrent of orange energy into the ground. Ophidian’s fangs dripped, his appetite whited from the taste and feeling of this lands energy. Soon something began to enter the torrent, a mixture of green light, and something shimmering and ethereal mixed with it. Ophidian greedily continued to syphon the energy, finding its taste quite delicious.

At the same time the land began to feel the effects of Ophidians drain. The saplings started to wither and the dirt turned red. When Ophidian ceased his syphoning, he looked upon his work and grinned evilly, his hunger satisfied, but only for the moment.
The Entity of Avarice rose higher into the air and gazed upon this new world he had entered. “Hmmm, I wonder if thisss isss the placcce that the Life Entity sssent you all? I feel your lightsss, they are ssstrong here, oh ssso very ssstrong and sssoon they’ll be mine. But for now, let thisss be a warning to you my brothersss and sssistersss. ”

Ophidian could indeed sense the powers of the positive emotional lights, they were strong in this world, but there were sparks of Avarice, he could sense them, both far and close by. With that, Ophidian shot through the air, disappearing on the horizon, for now…

---

(Northeast Orchard, the Next Morning)

The four Earth Ponies stood upon the hill dumbfounded. They couldn’t comprehend what they were seeing, or, it was more like they didn’t want to comprehend it. Because if they did, it would affirm that the land they had poured their blood, sweat, and tears into cultivating was dead and barren. Unfortunately, this was not a dream nor was it a nightmare, although, some of them wished it was.

“What…what happened,” asked Apple Bloom, in shock.

“It’s gone…all of it…gone…” Applejack felt weak kneed, swaying as if somepony had just struck her in the head with a two-by-four.

Ion saw this and quickly went to her side, making sure she didn’t fall. “Whoa now, stay with me AJ.”

“What coulda done this,” asked Big Macintosh.

Granny Smith trotted closer to the line that divided the dark-brown soil with the red dirt. She then thrust her hoof into it, grimacing at the feel of the earth upon her hoof. She then brought it up to her face, sniffing a bit and then examining it with an experienced and keen eye. Her expression did not encourage good news.

“Youngins, we have a problem,” said Granny Smith.

“Ya think Granny!?” Applejack snapped.

The elderly mare let it slide, knowing how distraught Applejack was on the inside. “This soil’s gone and lost its fertility. Mah Pa told me about this, but Ah never thought Ah see it here.” Granny Smith held the dirt up so that the others could get a better look at it. “This here’s Red Earth, back when Ah was a little filly; mah family had to move from our original stompin’ grounds because of this. When the dirt’s this color, it means it’s lost all the minerals and natural magic that keeps it nice, lush, and fertile. Ah’m sorry, but…ain’t nothin’ gonna grow here…ever.”

“THAT’S AH LIE!” Applejack stomped her hoof into ground, some it sinking in under her anger fueled strength. “This land was perfect! Ah staked it out for years! Ah’ve checked it over and over again, Ah made sure that this land – THIS CELESTIA FORSAKEN LAND – was good and ready for planting! It was fine a month ago, there’s no reason for this to be happenin’!”

Apple Bloom was starting to get a little scared of her sister, she’d seen Applejack angry before, but right now, she was beyond angry, she was furious, actually there were no words to accurately describe how ticked off she was.

“Applejack, calm down, we need to start thinking about how we can fix this,” said Ion.

“Oh don’t you worry about that, we are definitely goin’ to fix this! But first, Ah need to go have me a talk with Filthy Rich! Ah knew he gave me this land too easily, even for the amount of bits we paid him!”

Applejack stormed off, stomping rather than trotting towards Ponyville. “Oh boy, Ah think we better do somethin’ before AJ goes into Barnyard Bargains and destroys the place,” suggested Big Mac.

“Apple Bloom, Ah want ya to go and find Applejack’s friends, ya know, the real smart one, Ah got a feelin’ we’re goin to need a Princess to diffuse this if’n things get outta hoof,” ordered Granny Smith.

Big Macintosh and Granny Smith started to go after AJ, while Apple Bloom was about head in the direction of Twilight’s home. But she stopped momentarily when she noticed that Ion was still standing in the same spot, although, he seemed to be looking at something.

“Hey, Ion, aren’t’cha comein’, Ah think Granny and Big Mac are gonna need yer help with mah sis.”
Ion continued to stare in whatever direction he was staring, his eyes narrowing into intense slits, “No…no you go ahead. I’m going to look around; maybe I’ll be able to find out what happened.”

As much as her curiosity nagged at her to stay behind and find out what Ion was up to, she still had a mission to accomplish, and if she didn’t get Twilight to intervene, Apple Bloom knew that her big sister might do something she might regret later. So without another moment to lose, Apple Bloom hightailed it to Golden Oaks Library.

Now alone, Ion began his investigation. There was something wrong the moment he got near this place. It felt wrong, and heavy, like a great presence was once here. Ion noticed something strange in the ground, a large indention that seemed to indicate that something huge was slithering across the ground. The green stallion followed the trail into the orchard of apple trees. Many of them were pushed to the sides, as if something really big had forced its way through and created a path.

After some trotting, Ion happened upon a large apple tree. This tree was split open, as if something gigantic had emerged from it. The other trees within a ten foot radius were dead, the leaves had withered, and the fruit that they bore was rotted. But the destroyed tree’s fruit was not rotten, in fact, they were big and ripe, some easily the size of his head.

Ion touched the apple with his hoof and immediately the fruit reacted. The Entity of Willpower felt his energy being syphoned on contact. It was then that his suspicions was confirmed when he saw the apple glow with a familiar orange aura. Ion knitted his brow and gritted his teeth, knowing exactly who was to blame for all of this.

“Ophidian…!”

---

(Later That Afternoon)

Adara, Proselyte, and Ion stood before the tree that had ushered the Entity of Avarice into this world. Proselyte’s forehead glowed with the orange symbol of Avarice, his grimace prominent upon confirming this.

“There is no doubt, Ophidian has entered Equestria,” said Proselyte.

“This cannot be…Ophidian and the others were taken to dimensions where their light was ideal! Why would he be here, how did he even find Equestria,” asked Adara.

“I wish we knew where he was so we could ask him, because as it stands we have the Entity of Avarice loose in this peaceful world. I’m not about to let him infect these ponies with his greed, we’ve already seen the damage one wielder of the orange light can do,” said Ion.

“There’s still some hope here, Ion. The Life Entity weaved us into Equestria’s Life Web, and crafted our bodies. So he should be easy to find, concealing his true form will be difficult, especially with all four of us here,” said Adara.

“Proselyte, you should inform Predator about Ophidian, a place as shiny and rare as the Crystal Empire is bound to attract him at some point. Adara, can you neutralize the remaining Avarice energy from the land,” asked Ion.

Adara nodded her head, “I can, but, I’m not sure if I can restore what has been lost. Even with our synergistic power, brother, I can’t restore the magic that once flowed through it. But I can at least rid this portion of the orchard of Ophidian’s taint, so that the rest of trees are not affected.”

Ion snorted in frustration, but he then placed his hoof on Adara ruffled her mane playfully, “Thanks Adara, at least we can fix this much.”

“It’s fortunate that we were in town, had Applejack not made such a scene in Ponyville we wouldn’t have thought to come here,” said Proselyte.

Ion groaned upon hearing the details when the two pegasi Entities arrived. From what they said, Applejack had stormed her way into Barnyard Bargains and demanded to see Filthy Rich. After being told, multiple times, that he wasn’t there, the Earth Pony mare went on the hunt for the stallion. Unfortunately he was in town, with Diamond Tiara and her friend, Silver Spoon, apparently having had stopped by at Sugar Cube Corner for a treat after a shopping spree at the toy store.

Applejack, more or less, bucked the door down to the sweets shop and got right in Filthy Rich’s face, calling the stallion a con artist of the highest caliber, and that he’d put the Flim Flam Brothers to shame. Sufficed to say he didn’t take that very well. The two ponies got into a heated argument in the middle of the store, despite Pinkie Pie’s best efforts to calm them down and persuade them to possibly take it outside. Luckily, Big Mac was able to catch up with Applejack, with Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Fluttershy in toe. It took several hours, but the five friends, and her brother, were finally able to calm the raging mare, and to a lesser extent, Filthy Rich.

“AJ, what were you thinking,” said Ion.

“I sensed great rage within her, and fear as well, Ion. What’s happened here has hurt her, deeply, and now she worries.”

“I also sensed hopelessness…I didn’t like it.”

Great, can this day get any worse? Ion immediately winced upon thinking those words, if there’s one thing that he has learned throughout the cosmos; it was that when you tempt fate, she usually takes the bait.

“THIS IS WHAT YA SOLD MEH, YA THEVIN’ VARMINT!!!”

Oh great…

Ion galloped through the trees, with Adara and Proselyte following close behind him. The three Entities emerged from the trees and saw everpony standing on the hill that overlooked the field. Applejack was staring daggers at Filthy Rich, while the stallion just gawked at the state of the land, his brain unable to process what he was seeing before him.

The Entities quickly made their towards the crowd, Adara joined up with Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, who were doing their best to comfort their friend, despite the angry glares that Diamond and Silver were giving them when they thought no pony was looking. Proselyte rejoined Fluttershy; he could tell that she was very worried about AJ and her family. Twilight was standing between AJ and Filthy Rich, keeping both at a wing’s distance from each other; though she was ready to subdue them with her magic should this altercation get physical.

“What in the name of my great granddaddy Stinkin’ Rich happened here!?”

“What’s it look like!? Ya swindled me and mah family out of our hard earned money, and sold us a lemon!” Applejack shouted.

“I sold you a lemon! Missy, I’ll have you know, Barnyard Bargains prides itself on excellence and honesty! We insure that all our lands are healthy and viable farming land! Most likely, you did this!”

Applejack looked aghast at the accusation, “Now why would Ah do this to property that Ah paid that whole heap of money for!? It doesn’t make sense!?”

Filthy Rich snorted indignantly, “Oh it does Miss Applejack! You go and wreck the land and make it worthless and then comeback at me with a faulty claim that I conned you out of your money! Then later you sue me for all I’m worth, humph, well I wasn’t born yesterday, now own up to what you did!”

“Excuse me!?”

“And apologize to me and my daughter for causing a scene and frightening her the way you did,” demanded Filthy Rich.

As if on cue Diamond Tiara made the best pitiful, sad, and frightened face she could make, trying to help her Father’s case. This only earned them a double glare, one from Applejack, directed at Filthy Rich, and one from Apple Bloom, directed at Diamond Tiara for faking her expression.

“Ah won’t, and as for yer spoiled filly, Ah’ll apologize to her if she apologizes to mah sister and her friends for bullyin’ them all the damn time!”

“How dare you use such language in front of children, and accuse my daughter of such things! I should sue you for slander!”

“ENOUGH!!!” All went quite as Twilight flared her wings and glowered angrily at both Filthy Rich and Applejack, using the Royal Canterlot voice that she had been practicing for a while now to get their attention. “NO MORE ARGUING, THIS IS NOT GETTING US ANYWHERE! NOW YOU TWO WILL BE SILENT, OR SO HELP ME, I WILL USE THAT SPELL THAT TRIXIE USED TO TAKE PINKIE PIE’S MOUTH AWAY AND USE IT ON YOU TWO! DO YOU UNDERSTAND!!?”

Filthy and AJ immediately zipped their lips; everypony just stared at Twilight in surprise, fear, and a slight amount reverence to her use of the Voice. Rainbow Dash was giving her a different look, one that pretty much said, “She is so hot when she does that!” After calming herself down, Twilight looked between the two arguing ponies and then the land in question.

“There can be no arguing that something has happened to the field, Red Earth is not an uncommon affliction, extremely rare, yes, but not uncommon. Now I doubt Filthy Rich sold you this land knowing that this would happen, right Mr. Rich?”

“Of course,” said Filthy Rich, thinking it best to keep his answers short.

“And Applejack, I know a proud and dedicated farmer like yourself, and your family, would never willingly or purposefully do this to your own property and the land itself, correct?”

“Of course not!”

“Well then, it’s obvious that there is something wrong here. Now before anypony starts accusing OR suing, we need to find out the cause of this first,” said Twilight in a calm and dignified manner. “Mr. Rich, I would like you to please give me access to your records pertaining to this land. Everypony else, we need to look over the field and see what we can find, make note of everything, even if it might seem insignificant, every detail could be crucial into understanding why this happened,” ordered Twilight.

Applejack, although still angry, nodded her confirmation and proceeded to round up the others to do just that.

“Wait a moment now; I still require an apology for her violent outburst in front of my daughter and her friend! Such behavior cannot be excuse –!” At that moment Twilight shot the stallion a piercing glare, warning him to be silent.

“I believe that there are bigger problems at hoof here, such as the reputation of your business, and the satisfaction of your oldest, and best business partners, the Apples. Less you forget how it was your family became so fortunate in the first place.”

Filthy Rich opened and closed his mouth several times in vain attempt to argue with Princess Twilight, but the fact of the matter was he had no good argument, it was true, in the history books, passed down from generation to generation, that the Apple Family was the whole reason Ponyville even existed in the first place, and the reason why his family was so wealthy. To deny that now would make him look like the biggest plot on planet, and in front of a Princess and his daughter no less. So, with a bit of bile in his throat, he turned around and began trotting to his office back in Ponyville.

Meanwhile Diamond Tiara looked positively distraught, she couldn’t believe that her Daddy was taking that so easily and not getting, in her mind, a well-deserved apology. The pink filly ran up to her Father and looked up at him incredulously, “Daddy, aren’t you going to make them apologize!? That mean mare scared me and Silver Spoon!”

“Not now Diamond Tiara…as the Princess said, ‘there are bigger problems at hoof…’”

“B-But Daddy!”

“Not another word young lady, you and Silver Spoon head back to our house, until this matter is settle, and do so now,” he ordered in a stern voice.

Diamond Tiara couldn’t believe she just heard her Father say that, even worse, he was taking orders from a bookworm, egghead of a Princess, who was clearly siding with Apple Bloom’s family because they’re “friends”. The pink filly turned her head and glared at Apple Bloom, to which the yellow filly shot back one of her own. It was then that Diamond mouthed the word, “This isn’t over, Blank Flanks.”

When Filthy Rich and the two fillies left, Applejack and the rest of the Apples lead groups to search the land for any sign of wrongdoing or any natural cause for the Red Earth. Big Macintosh decided to team with AJ, figuring he could keep his sister calm for a bit. Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo teamed up, Rarity with Sweetie Belle, Fluttershy with Pinkie Pie, and Apple Bloom with Granny Smith. Twilight decided to follow Filthy Rich to make sure that he would keep up on his end of their arrangements, but only after prompting Applejack to inform her of their findings later. The three Entities formed their own party, so as to discuss privately what course of action they should take. All the teams fanned out across the field, eyes glued to the ground, searching for any minute detail as to why this had happened.
At this time Ion, Adara, and Proselyte started to discuss how to proceed in this situation.

“Do you think we should inform the Princesses of Ophidian’s arrival, his presence could upset the balance of this world,” asked Adara.

Ion thought hard about it. Informing the Princesses would be wise, but it wasn’t a good idea. “No, we should handle this ourselves.”
Proselyte raised a questioning eyebrow at that, “Ion, do not forget we are a guests in their world. And as such, we must respect their authority and rule so long as we continue to live amongst them.”

“You both know that Ophidian’s light can steal our light, and even magic, what do you think he’ll do when he finds out that there are two Princesses that can control the Sun and Moon, as well as others who can wield great Magic and Love? He’ll either capture them or syphon their power like he has done to this land. Or worse, he could steal their identity and make them his own construct Lantern Corps!”

Adara and Proselyte thought that over. It was true, the light of Avarice could syphon their power and turn the Princesses into his own construct army. If that were to occur, Equestria would lose its leaders, and be susceptible to all manner of attack and evil in the world, including Ophidian. With reluctance, they knew Ion was right.

“Okay, you have a point, brother. So what are we to do in the meantime,” asked Proselyte.

“For now we pretend like we’re looking. I’ll think of something to fix what he has destroyed. On that note, Adara, have you neutralized his taint?”

“I have been sending waves of Hope light into the ground since we’ve been walking upon it, and it’s mostly gone, another couple of minutes and all traces of Avarice energy will be gone. The fact that we’re both here helps the process go faster,” said Adara.

Well, that’s at least one other problem dealt with. I swear, Ophidian, if I can’t fix this, I’m going to take it out of your scaly hide!

The whole time that this was going on, unbeknownst to the three Entities, Apple Bloom watched them from the distance, noting the serious expression on Ion’s face, as well as the ones on Adara and Proselyte.

---

(Later That Night, Golden Oaks Library)

Twilight racked her brain as she peered over the various documents she had requested of Filthy Rich, as well as testing and retesting the samples of Red Earth in her basement laboratory. But no matter how many times she reread the papers, she could find no sign, legally, that Filthy Rich did anything to con Applejack out of her money. His data on the land was accurate, corresponding to the times that Applejack herself went out there to check. So, for the most part, it seemed that Filthy Rich could keep his good name and the reputation of Barnyard Bargains would not be tarnished.

However, Twilight was also showing zero results in the samples that were brought to her. Twilight had gathered every book on agriculture, farming, plants, and phenomenon associated with the Red Earth, including documented cases from other areas in Equestria, and the Griffon Empire. But yet, all her tests were inconclusive. It frustrated her to no end, and she made that stress vocal, letting out loud groans and moans from one failed test after another.

While this was going on, Adara and Scootaloo were listening by the door to the basement, having been told not to enter. At that moment Spike appeared behind them, carrying a tray filled with snacks and some tea, knowing his sister surrogate would be needing it.

“Hey, how come you can go down there, but we can’t,” asked Scootaloo.

“Well, maybe it’s because I’m her assistant, and that I have thick scales and am fireproof, you know, in case Twilight accidentally blows something up,” he explained. “Look, I know you two are worried about Apple Bloom and her family…I’m worried about her too…but we gotta give Twilight her space and hope she find an answer soon. She’s the smartest pony I know, don’t worry too much.”

With that said Spike gave a few knocks at the basement door to announce his arrival and then let himself in. Scootaloo sighed heavily, feeling helpless that she couldn’t do anything for one of her best friends. “Hope…Hope? HOPE! That’s it!”

“What’s ‘it,’” asked Adara.

“Your special talent, you can use it to heal the ground, like you healed my wings,” said Scootaloo excitedly.

Adara frowned upon hearing this, “I already tried, Scootaloo…”

“You…you did? When!?”

“When I got there, and a bit from when we were walking around, I was sending waves of my power, invisibly, through the ground, trying to see if the color would change, but it didn’t. Whatever did that, my power can’t fix it…”

“Sorry, Adara, I-I didn’t mean to put that all on you. It’s just…what if they can’t fix this? What will happen to Apple Bloom and her family? I heard that they paid a lot of money for it, will they be alright or will they…will they…?”

“Be like we were,” Adara finished, “homeless, with no place to call home?”

Scootaloo hung her head low, ears flat against her skull, “Yes…”

“That won’t happen, Scoots.” The two pegasi fillies turned towards the door and saw Rainbow Dash walking in, a smile upon her lips. “Even if Twi can’t fix this – which is impossible, because she’s an awesome egghead – no pony here will let the Apple Family go down like that. They’re the backbone of Ponyville, and they’re friends to pretty much everypony here. I mean, heck, look where you are now.”

Scootaloo took a moment to let Rainbow’s words sink in. She was right, she thought she would lose her wings and remain a homeless foal on the streets, but now she was living with a Princess, flying with her big sister figure, and having the filly who gave her all that staying with her. Rainbow Dash then came up to the two fillies, she sat on her haunches and drew them in close with her wings.

“Look, I’m about to say something really sappy so…”

“If anypony asks you’ll deny it,” said Scootaloo and Adara in unison, giggling at same time.

“I never really believed in miracles. I mean, yeah, I am an Element of Harmony, the only pony in Equestria who can do a Sonic Rainboom and friends with the best group of ponies I could ever ask for. But you know, I always saw that stuff as luck, you know, I thought I was just really, really lucky. But…” Rainbow Dash directed her gaze towards Scootaloo, “…After I found out what was wrong with you, I started to think how unfair it was, I almost felt like it was my fault. Like, ‘I’m the fastest flyer, but did that mean somepony else had to not be able to fly in order for that to happen?’ that’s what I thought. But then, you came bursting into Sugar Cube Corner, sporting these bad boys,” Rainbow poked at Scootaloo’s wings for emphasis. “Point is I didn’t used to believe in miracles, but…I do now. You’re proof of that Scoots. So, I believe that if it happened once, it can happen again. I mean, why not, right?”

Adara could sense it with her light; she could truly feel that Rainbow Dash believed that all would be well. And, it seemed it was infectious, because the light of Hope burned brighter in Scootaloo after hearing what Rainbow Dash said.

“Alright fillies, it’s getting late, we need to wake up early in morning to help out. C’mon I’ll tuck you guys in.”

---

(Sweet Apple Acres)

The mood in the Apple household was somber. The prospect of losing their newly acquired land was daunting. And it weighed heavily on Applejack’s mind; she couldn’t believe she did that, blowing all that saved up money like that, and for what? An acre of land that’s now worth as much as a rusty nail…The business and sales part of the farm was my responsibility, and look where Ah’ve gotten us into…

“AJ…?”

Applejack glanced over to the door and watched as her big brother entered her room, she snorted and turned her attention back to the ceiling.

“What, come to say how this whole endeavor was a fool’s errand?”

“Nope.”

“Well what then?”

“Ah came to check on mah little sister, who’s obviously blamin’ herself for somethin’ that was out of her control,” answered Big Macintosh.

Applejack laughed mockingly, “Oh really!? Ah checked and double checked that land mahself, there weren’t nothin’ wrong with it! As a matter of fact, everythin’ was right! Ah got too excited and overconfident that Ah obviously missed something, a sign, a hint, that this was goin’ to happen! It’s all mah fault!”

Big Mac sighed heavily, “No it ain’t, sis. This…this whole thing, is just a freak accident. Heck we should count our blessings that it’s only that patch of land and hasn’t spread to the other trees.”

“Oh great, thank you for puttin’ that in my mind,” Applejack threw her arms into air, flailing them angrily. “As if Ah didn’t have enough to worry about, now Ah got think of some way to quarantine that stuff so that it don’t mess up the rest of the orchard!”

“Applejack, it’s not all on you,” Big Mac moved closer and sat on his haunches at the edge of her bed. “We’re in this together, as a family, and we’ll get through this, as a family.”

“…You really don’t get it, do ya?” Applejack sat up, leaning on her forelegs for support. “Ah took into account how much we would need to keep going until the harvest came. The money we’ll make with just the normal harvest won’t help us, big brother, we might just lose the farm altogether! If not to the banks, then to Filthy once he comes at us with a lawsuit. No doubt he’ll blame us for what happened, and since it was in our care, he’ll probably win!” It was then that her thoughts turned dark, “Ah’ll probably have to find some…‘alternative’ ways to make sure we can keep a roof over our heads…”

It was then that Big Macintosh slammed his right hoof into the floor, causing it to splinter and cave under his tremendous strength. “Would ya please stop talkin’ like you’re the only one to blame!” The red stallion glared at his little sister. “Ah don’t ever want you to think or say stuff like that ever again! What if Apple Bloom heard you say that!? If anythin’ Ah’m the one who should be to blame! Ah’m the stallion of the house, all that should be MY responsibility not yours, AJ!”

Applejack was slightly taken aback by her brother’s response. He didn’t often raise his voice, or speak with a furious tone, but when he did, it made Applejack feel like she was a little filly being scolded by their father. Big Macintosh saw the fearful look in his sister’s eyes and looked away, disgusted with himself.

“…Pa would be ashamed of me…”

“Big Mac –”

“Don’t say it ain’t true. You shouldn’t have to shoulder all this responsibility. Ah know workin’ on the farm is your passion, but you should also be lookin’ for somepony ya like, someone who’ll treat ya right and look after ya. Somepony who’s just as passionate as yerself about the farm…”

“Big Mac…please…don’t go makin’ this about meh findin’ a special somepony. You deserve that more than meh, puttin’ up with me leavin’ the farm a long time ago, and mah stubbornness. You and Granny practically raised meh and Apple Bloom after…” Applejack couldn’t finish the sentence, even though it was a long time ago, the loss of their parents still hurt. It was gaping wound that she was sure wound never heal. “And for the record, Pa wouldn’t be ashamed of ya. If anythin’ he’d be proud of you for lookin’ after mah fool self, Granny, and Apple Bloom.”

“…Thanks, AJ…” Applejack leaned her head over and nuzzled her big brother comfortingly, with Big Mac returning the favor. “How is it that Ah came in her to comfort you, and you end up doing the comfortin’?”

“Ah’m good like that,” she said with a smug look.

Big Macintosh just bobbed her upside the head, making Applejack stick her tongue out at him. The large stallion got up onto his hooves and was prepared to leave, but he stopped when he felt Applejack’s hoof on his back. She had a pink blush on her face as she stared down at the floor.

“……Can ya…Can ya sleep in mah room tonight……Ah just…just don’t feel like being on mah own right now…at least until Ah fall asleep…?”

Big Macintosh smiled gently and turned to pat his little sister’s head. AJ turned around with her back facing him. Bag Mac snuffed out the light of the lamp and got into bed next to AJ. Despite his size, the bed was able to comfortably hold them both. He then pressed his back against Applejack’s, his way of saying that he was right there. She took comfort in the warmth and broadness of her big brother’s back, his presence alone helping her become more relaxed.

“G’night, AJ.”

“G’night…big brother.”

---

Ion lied awake in his bed. He couldn’t sleep, not with everything that has happened. The Entity of Willpower was waiting for the right time to leave, he had a plan, but he wasn’t sure if it was going to work or not. But still, Ion thought that it was better to try and fail then to not try at all. The green stallion got out from his bed and trotted over to the door; he opened it and saw that every light in the house was off. Judging by the position of the moon, he was fairly sure that all of the Apples had fallen asleep by now.

It’s time.

Ion leaped from the second story of the barn, and landed gently on the ground. He scanned the area, making sure that there was no pony around. Once sure that he was alone, Ion quickly went to work. He raided the shed where the apple seed bags were kept. He dragged at least ten of the large, heavy bags out of the shed and closed the door. Ion then quietly hitched himself to a wagon, pulling it and backing it up till it was close enough for him to put the bags of seed onto it.

Swiftly and silently he hauled the bags onto the wagon, being careful not make the wooden conveyance creak under the weight of the bags. On the ninth bag the wagon let out a creaking sound, along with some unknown rustling in the darkness. Ion went still, frozen in place, his eyes darting around and watching for any hit of movement from the house. After two tense minutes, Ion quickly put the last bag onto the wagon and proceeded to his destination.

While making the trek to the Northeast Orchard, Ion was having doubts about his plan. But he knew he had to try something, he owed it to the Apple Family, to Applejack. Ophidian was, in a sense, his family, and since this was his mess, Ion was obligated to clean it up. Soon the hill came into view, when he reached the top Ion unhitched himself from the wagon and looked over the vast field of Red Earth. It was going to take a lot of work, and he needed to be fast before anypony arrived here the next morning. Speaking of there not being anypony…

“Apple Bloom, come on out.” There was no response. “I know you’re hiding in the wagon, so if you don’t want me to take you back you’ll show yourself.”

There was another creaking sound coming from the wagon. At that moment Apple Bloom jumped out of the wagon and landed on the ground next to the wheel. “How’d you know Ah was there? Ah was quiet as a mouse.”

“I have my ways. So, care to explain why you’re up so late, and following me?”

“Ah couldn’t sleep, not with everythin’ that’s happened. Ah was just in mah bed, wide awake. Then Ah saw ya jump from the second story door, and land on the ground like you were a pegasus or somethin’, and then Ah saw ya gettin’ those bags of apple seeds, and the wagon. So I hitched a ride to see what yer doin’.”

Ion looked at Apple Bloom regarding her. Was it wise to reveal his powers to her? Adara had already told them about how she revealed her powers to Scootaloo when she healed her wings. And apparently Fluttershy saw Proselyte’s powers when they first met. So far, they are the only two ponies, outside of the Princesses, who are aware of their abilities, true forms aside. Well, if Adara and Proselyte were going to take a leap of faith with Scootaloo and Fluttershy, why not him too?

“Okay, I’ll tell you. But, you have to swear to me, Apple Bloom, that you won’t tell anypony about what you see here tonight,” he then gave Apple Bloom a stern look. “I mean it. Not even your sister or brother.”

Apple Bloom didn’t know what to say. This was the first time she had seen Ion so serious. “Well…what about mah friends, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Adara…?”

“…I’ll think about that, but for now, I need know that you won’t tell anypony.”
With a serious expression of her own, Apple Bloom made an unbreakable promise. “Cross mah heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in mah eye!”

Ion cracked a smile, recognizing the infamous Pinkie Promise. “Alright, well, Apple Bloom, I’m going to try and save this field and hopefully bring it back to the way it was.”

Apple Bloom’s eyes immediately grew wide and sparkling with renewed hope. “Ya are, ya can, how!?”

“You asked me almost two months ago what my cutie mark represented, do you remember?” Apple Bloom nodded vigorously. “I couldn’t tell you then, but I will now. My mark represents my ability to channel Willpower.”

Apple Bloom was now confused, “‘Willpower’, isn’t that that thing that ponies say when their tryin’ to diet or when their working hard at somethin’?”

Ion chuckled a bit at her description, “In a way, you’re not far off. Willpower comes from within. It’s a power based in courage and determination. The ability to overcome fear, to stand up against something you know in your heart of hearts is wrong. Willpower gives us the strength we need to push on, to live, and to fight. All living things have Willpower, Apple Bloom, from the ground that we stand on,” Ion stomped the ground, “to the plants and trees,” he then gestured to the orchard behind them, “even you and me.”

“Ah have Willpower too,” she asked.

“You and your friends do. Never giving up, no matter how many times you fail, you never stop trying to find your cutie mark, that’s not just Willpower, that’s also Hope, but we’ll talk about that later.” Ion held out his right hoof, extending it in front of him. “My special talent allows me tap into that great energy, and use it however I wish.”

At that moment a sphere of green light appeared around his hoof, lighting the darkness and bathing everything in its warm glow. Apple Bloom stared in fascination at the light; she then noticed how Ion’s cutie mark was glowing the same color as the orb, and his eyes shimmering with a brighter shade of green. As Apple Bloom continued to stare at Ion and the orb, a thought popped into her head, it was inconceivable, but she had to ask.

“Ion…are you…are you the Emerald Giant?” Ion smiled at Apple Bloom, he then dismissed the orb and simply nodded a yes. “OH MAH GOSH, you’re the Emerald Giant!”

Apple Bloom quickly latched onto his right foreleg, hugging it tightly. “Whoa, what’s this for?”

“Thank you for savin’ Applejack,” said Apple Bloom.

“You thanked me when I got out of the hospital, dozens of times.”

“Yeah, but Ah thanked Ion, not the Emerald Giant, so, thanks again!” Apple Bloom then let go of the hero’s leg and looked up at him with newfound respect and adoration. “So what’s the plan? What can Ah do to help?”

Ion looked to the wagon, his marks glowed again as he levitated the ten bags of apple seeds out of the wagon and onto the ground. “For starters, we need to open these bags of seeds up, and I’ll take care of the rest from there.”

“Yes sir!” Apple Bloom immediately went to work opening the bags, tearing off their tops with great haste.

Heh, I like her spirit. Now…Let’s see. Ion concentrated, a sphere of emerald light appeared a few feet in front him, he tried to create something that would quickly scatter the seeds and plant them. But it was no use, every time the sphere shattered, reforming, and shattering again. Just like I thought…my powers are limited in this form, that’s why I could only create that humanoid construct around myself. If I was in my true form…who am I kidding, I need someone with a strong imagination to create more complex constructs. Although I’d like to avoid possessing anypony, if possible.

“Ion, Ah finished openin’ the bags, what’s next? Ion, Ion, ya listenin’?”

Ion was snapped from his thoughts from hearing Apple Bloom, but it was then that a new idea popped into his mind. A crazy idea, but it was crazy enough to work. “Apple Bloom, I just thought of a way for you to help in a very big way.”

The excitement was building in the little filly, “Really, how!?”

“I’ve seen and heard about how creative you are Apple Bloom. The tree house you rebuilt, that float you built for the Summer Harvest Parade, the advice you gave your friend, Sweetie Belle, when you made your backgrounds for your talent show. You have a wonderful talent.”

Apple Bloom blushed upon hearing that, “No…it’s not anythin’ special, it’s just somethin’ Ah do sometimes.”

“Well, we’re going to put it to good use. My power is…limited in what I can use it for. All I can create are simple things, like the Giant. But, if someone with a more creative mind used my power, there’s no limit to what you can create.”

“Wait, what are ya sayin’?”

“I want you to use my power, Apple Bloom, create constructs that can take these seeds and plant them into the ground, can you do that?” Ion asked.

“What’s a ‘construct’?”

“Basically, it’s something that you see in your mind, or something that you build. Like my Emerald Giant. So, what do you say?” Ion held out his hoof to the filly. “All you need to do is hold my hoof and you’ll be able to wield Willpower.”

Apple Bloom looked at Ion’s hoof, skeptically. She was unsure if this would work, she was more unsure of herself and the confidence that Ion had in her. Apple Bloom gingerly reached out with her hoof, but stopped halfway. “What’ll happen to meh when I grab your hoof?”

“You’ll feel an intense surge of power coursing through your body. It may feel overwhelming, but I’ll be here to make sure you don’t get hurt.” Ion could see the hesitation in her eyes, he knew he was asking a lot of Apple Bloom, but it was only an idea, more from where that came from. “Apple Bloom, you don’t have to if you don’t want to. I’m not forcing you. I can find another way, I promise.”

The yellow filly looked up into Ion’s eyes, and saw nothing but sincerity and kindness within them. “No, Ah’ll do it, for Applejack, for mah family.”

Apple Bloom then grasped Ion’s hoof with her left. Almost immediately she felt a surge of power course through her veins. Energizing every cell, every molecule within her body, it was amazing. Apple Bloom felt strong, stronger than Big Macintosh and Applejack combined. A green light aura started to lap off of Ion and Apple Bloom, his eyes shining brightly with green energy, unknown to Apple Bloom. Her amber eye color had changed as well, now a stunning emerald color, the same as her sister’s eyes.

“You alright, Apple Bloom,” asked Ion.

“Y-Yeah, Ah am, it’s just a rush, but Ah’m okay,” said Apple Bloom.

“Okay, if it gets to be too much, let go, understand?” Apple Bloom nodded. “Alright, now try to imagine something to spread and plant the seeds, no matter how crazy or fantastical it may be, we can make it real. Picture it in your mind, and will it to be real.”

Apple Bloom took Ion’s advice to heart. She closed her eyes and began to concentrate hard on what she wanted to create. At that moment a sphere of emerald light appeared before them, it twisted and churned, as if uncertain what it wanted to become. Ion looked at Apple Bloom, he watched as she knitted her brow, straining to create a construct. It was then that Ion was starting to have second thoughts about having Apple Bloom do this.

It takes those Green Lantern recruits months of training to form a simple construct and even longer for something more complex, I know, I felt their struggle. To ask a child to do that which takes months of training and to do it in just a few minutes, what was I thinking?

“Apple Bloom…maybe we should stop –”

“No way,” she interrupted, “Mah sis wouldn’t give up, and Ah ain’t givin’ up either!”

Upon her declaration, the sphere burst forth into a myriad of light fragments, each fragment began to change its form, becoming something else. Some became nuts and bolt, others turned into panels, wires, and various other components. The pieces started to combine together into some sort of contraption. Ion didn’t know what it was he was looking at, but he trusted Apple Bloom knew what she was dong.

“Okay, the ‘Loader’ is ready; now let’s smooth out the field.”

High above the field another orb popped into existence. The orb then reformed into a giant flatiron. The giant construct then fell upon the field with a great THUD and began pressing down, smoothing out the rows that they had painstakingly made a month ago, and ridding the ground of the dead plants that weren’t weeded out earlier yesterday. After a minute the flatiron rose up and vanished, leaving behind a smooth and level ground, the field of Red Earth looked like a bad rash upon the land.

“Now for the rows,” said Apple Bloom.

Another orb formed above the field, transforming into a giant comb. But this comb was different. It had about twelve dozen teeth and at the ends were razor sharp blades. The comb lowered itself to the ground and gently raked itself across the field, in no time at all the rows that were erased reappeared, fresh, and ready for planting.

“You’re doing great Apple Bloom, you’re almost done,” said Ion.

Apple Bloom dismissed the last construct and gave her full concentration into creating this next one. The “Loader” that she had created before had two ports, one facing the field, and another one pointed up. A long apparatus formed at the port pointing towards the field, it snaked its way towards the field and rose high into the air, towering a good fifty feet above the ground. It then divided itself, creating a long bar that extended over each individual row. Long tubes then shot forth from the bars, halting just a mere three inches from the ground, many tubes continued to form till they reached end.

A new tube formed around the port pointed up on the Loader. It grew in length and weaved its way around Ion and Apple Bloom, stopping at the open seed bags. The Loader then activated, making mechanical noises as it whirred to life. A suction sound could be heard coming from the tube, the living tube then dove into the first bag, sucking up every last one of the apple seeds in the bag till it was empty. It proceeded to do the same with the other nine till all the bags were emptied of their contents. When that was done, the tube vanished and a lid capped off the port.

The device then went into high gear. Ion watched as the multitudes of apple seeds entered the tubes and filed into the individual ones over the field. Once Apple Bloom was sure that each tube had at least one seed, she gave the mental command to release. Fast as an arrow, the seeds sped down and were shot into the soft soil that awaited them below. Apple Bloom waited until all of the apple seeds had been planted, holding onto the construct so that it would not fall apart.

“We did it…the seeds are all planted…” Apple Bloom released Ion’s hoof and began to sway when the power left her body. Now fatigued and weak kneed from the loss of power.

Ion quickly caught her in a protective energy field to keep her from falling. “You did great Apple Bloom, told you, you were creative!”
Apple Bloom giggled weakly, “Thanks, but what now…? Ah mean, the seeds are in the ground, but Granny said the soil’s bad, they won’t grow.”

“Let me worry about that.” Ion turned the wagon around and had face towards the field; he then gently placed Apple Bloom on it, her legs tucked under her as she struggled to stay awake. “Apple Bloom, tell me, did you learn about the different types of magic that each of three different ponies have?”

“Uh-huh, Miss Cheerilee taught as a while back. Pegasus Ponies have magic that allows them to make weather, and that that magic becomes more re…re…oh what’s that word – refined, yeah, more refined when they get their cutie mark, which is how some pegasi can do different things. Same for unicorns, they all can use magic, but some are better at it than others.”

“And what about Earth Ponies like you and me?”

“Miss Cheerilee said our magic’s different. Fer one thing, we’re a bit stronger. Second we can help make plants and things grow bigger, better, and stronger,” answered Apple Bloom.

“Of course, it’s also refined based on ones cutie mark. Like your sister and brother with apples,” said Ion.

“Yeah, but what are ya gettin’ at? What’re ya tryin’ to do?”

Ion stood at the edge of field, where the ground transitioned into Red Earth. The Entity of Willpower sat on his haunches and raised his forehooves to eye level, staring at them intently. Green energy began to shimmer around them, sparkling as he tapped into another power, one that he had been using passively since he was incarnated into his Earth Pony form, but now he had to knowingly, will that passive magic to flow at his command. “We’re going to see what happens when you mix Earth Pony magic and Willpower!”

Ion then thrust his hooves into the Red Earth soil. At first there was nothing, but then something amazing happened. A green sparkling mist started to rise from the point of contact, the darkness of the night was illuminated with shimmering green light as it spread across the vast field, seeping into the soil. Apple Bloom shakily rose to her hooves, watching in awe as Ion’s power flowed through the ground. The red color of the soil started to fade, giving way to a lusher, dark brown color. Ion continued to pour his magic and light into the earth, healing it with his power. After a few more seconds the mist settled into the ground, and the night was once again dark. Ion removed his dirt covered hooves from the indentions he made, suddenly glad that he was sitting rather than standing.

“Ion…that…that was amazin’,” said Apple Bloom.

“Yeah, but it’s not enough, we need one more thing to really give it a kick start, something like…” Ion scanned the area, looking for that one something that would give the field the “kick start” that it needed. It was then that Ion spotted something strange in the sky, a dark blotch marring the moon. “What is that?”

Apple Bloom turned her gaze skywards and spotted the blotch. “Oh that’s a cloud; it musta drifted here from the Everfree Forest. Ah remember mah sis tellin’ meh that Rainbow Dash gets angry when a stray cloud wanders here, because it makes ponies think she’s lazy.”

Ion smirked at the fortuitous appearance of this stray cloud. “Well I’m glad either way, because that’s exactly what I need”

The Entity of Willpower stood on his hooves and locked his eyes on the cloud that hovered precariously over the field. He then took in a deep breath, pooling the same magic and light energy he used before. Ion then released his breath, but instead of air, he released a stream of sparkling green light that zoomed through air. The magical breath struck the small cloud, instantly it began to grow bigger and bigger, rumbling low and strong. In the next minute the cloud covered the entire field as green lightning arced through it. With one mighty thunder crash, the clouds unleashed a deluge of rain, pouring over the field in waves upon waves of rejuvenating water.
Ion had created a barrier around Apple Bloom and himself, keeping them nice and dry. Apple Bloom couldn’t believe all she had seen and done tonight. What Ion did was nothing short of fantastic and magical, even by alicorn standards.

“You did it Ion, you saved the field, the farm, and mah family,” said Apple Bloom.

“Well, we’ll know for sure tomorrow. I’ve never done anything like that, so all we can do is hope from here.” As Ion made his way to the wagon he smiled upon getting a closer look at Apple Bloom. “Oh and just so you know you earned that yourself, not because of my power, I was only a tool.”

“What the heck are ya talkin’ ‘bout, now,” she asked.

Though he had expanded his powers a lot already, he was sure he could at least create a simple mirror. And just like that it appeared, Ion angled the mirror towards Apple Bloom’s right flank and an image appeared in the reflection. It was an apple, but it was only the background to something else. A triangle straightedge, with a hammer balanced on the flat of the measuring tool. Apple Bloom was at a complete loss for words, after all the Crusades, after all the lessons about waiting for your cutie mark to appear, and there it was, not on one, both of her flanks!

“Congratulations, Apple Bloom.”

The little filly threw herself at Ion, wrapping her forelegs around his neck and hugging him fiercely, which was having the same effect as being strangled. All he could hear was Apple Bloom continuously repeating “thank you” over and over again, and he could’ve sworn that he felt warm tears on his coat, but decided not to ask. Ion then called upon his power to levitate Apple Bloom onto his back.

“C’mon, let’s get back before anypony notices we’re gone,” said Ion.

“But, what about the storm,” she asked.

“I gave it enough power to last for another hour or two, after that it’ll just break apart into nothing.”

Apple Bloom assisted Ion in hitching himself to the wagon, once secured the two of them made their way back to the farm. It was a long trek, like always, but now Ion wasn’t dragging a wagon full of apple seeds that weighed nearly a ton, minus the weight of one filly.

---

(The Next Morning)

Applejack groggily woke up; the fur around her face was matted from her crying during the night, she was vaguely aware of being in the embrace of a pair of strong forelegs. When her vision came into focus, Applejack saw that those forelegs belonged to Big Macintosh. Most likely sensing the distress of his little sister, Big Mac drew her in close to his chest and held her tight; it was something that she remembered their father doing for Applejack whenever she had a nightmare.

Applejack smiled at her big brother and stealthily wriggled out of his forelegs as to not disturb him. She stood at the edge of her bed, looking at the sleeping form of her big brother. After puttin’ up with mah nonsense last night, you deserve a little more sleep, Big Mac.

Applejack exited her room and decided to pay her little sister a visit. No doubt she was more worried than Applejack, foals often picked up on the nervous and negative emotions of their elders, and right now it must be scary for her. But Applejack was determined to make sure that her little sister didn’t worry, even if this did mess everything up, she’d be damned if she wasn’t going to make sure Apple Bloom still had future. Whether it be on the farm, or somewhere else, preferably the former, sense she wasn’t sure how long the farm would be the Apple Family’s.

Applejack gave a few light knocks to the door to Apple Bloom’s room to announce her presence; she then opened the door and quietly entered inside, “Apple Bloom, sugarcube, are ya awake? Ah wanted to talk to ya about –” Applejack cut herself off when she noticed that Apple Bloom’s bed was vacant. “What the hay? Oh great, she must’ve gone off to try and fix this mess Ah got us in. Hope Ion’s in the mood for a filly hunt.”

Applejack made her way outside, trotting up to the barn where Ion resided. On her way though, she couldn’t help notice that one of the wagons looked wet for some reason. Applejack looked up and saw that there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. Weird, Rainbow didn’t say there was storm scheduled until a couple a weeks from now. Oh well.

Applejack went inside barn and climbed the latter to the upper part of the barn. Once she was up, Applejack saw another strange thing. Ion wasn’t sleeping in his bed, but on a pile of hay, sprawled out, and snoring softly. Curious, Applejack got closer to the green stallion, she was about to nudge him to wake up, but stopped upon hearing a noise coming from behind her. The orange mare turned around and gasped upon what she saw, Apple Bloom, curled up in his bed. Wha-wait-what!? How – what the hay is my little sister doing sleeping in Ion’s bed!?

Apple Bloom began to mumble something incoherent. Applejack leaned in closer, trying to catch what she was saying, and possibly get an idea of why she was here. “Hmm… Ion…that…that was amazin’”

WHAT!?

“Ah can’t believe… we were able to do that…together…”

OH THAT TEARS IT!

Applejack glared at the stallion, still blissfully unaware of what was about to occur. Applejack turned around, she then balanced her weight on her forelegs and bent her hind legs. “RISE AND SHINE!”

At that moment a high pitched noise, strong enough to shatter even the Crystal Palace, resonated through the air and further out into Ponyville, where dozens of residents would wonder if some famous opera singer was practicing at an unreasonably early hour. It was this very sound that also startled Apple Bloom into full alertness, jumping out of the blankets and standing on the bed, her head swiveling every which way as her wide eyes searched for the source of the strange noise.

“Who, what, where, when!?”

“Apple Bloom!” Applejack cried out.

The older apple sibling wrapped her little sister in bone crushing hug, Apple Bloom didn’t know exactly how to react to this. “Uh, mornin’ sis…?”

“Apple Bloom, are ya alright, are ya hurtin’ anywhere!?”

“Uh…not really, Ah got a bit of headache though, but Ah’m fine,” said Apple Bloom. “Where am Ah anyway?”

“Morning Apple Bloom,” said a high falsetto voice.

“Who or what was that?” Apple Bloom wriggled free of her sister’s embrace and made her way to the edge of the bed. She then saw
Ion, on floor, his pupils the size of pinpricks, with tears in the corners of each eye. He was in a strange position; Ion was in a fetal position, his forelegs tucked between his hind legs. “What happened to ya, and why am Ah in your room?”

“Exactly what Ah want to know too! Think Apple Bloom, Ah know it might not seem like somethin’ bad, but ya got to tell me the truth, did Ion do…anything, to you!?”

“Um, no, I –” At that moment Apple Bloom recalled the events of last night. She remembered being really sleepy, and that Ion wasn’t able to get her back to her room without waking her sister, brother, or Granny. So he opted to let her sleep in his bed while he took the pile of hay. “Nothin’ happened.”

“Apple Bloom, ya remember when Miss Cheerilee was talkin’ to yer class about ‘Stranger Danger’ and how you should say no?”

“Yeah, but what does…” It finally clicked in her mind what Applejack was getting at and a fierce crimson blush colored her cheeks. “APPLEJACK HE DID NO SUCH THING! If you wanna know, he helped me get this!”

Apple Bloom angled her flank as to allow Applejack a glimpse of her cutie mark. Applejack looked upon the mark, her eyes growing wide with pride and happiness for her little sister, replacing the earlier anger she was feeling.

“Oh Apple Bloom, you got yer cutie mark! Ya got yer cutie mark!”

“Yeah, Ah did, and Ion helped meh! He didn’t do anythin’ weird! Ah couldn’t sleep last night and Ah didn’t want to wake ya. Ah came out
here because Ion was awake too, so we talked, and he helped me figure out what my special talent is! So, why’s he like that?”
It was now AJ’s turn to blush, mostly out of shame. “Well…um…you said some things in yer sleep…and Ah may’ve overreacted. And Ah might have…apple bucked him in a place that’s private…”

Suddenly, Ion’s position on the floor made a lot more sense. Apple Bloom quickly jumped off the bed and went to the injured stallion’s side. “Applejack are ya crazy!? Ya never kick a colt in that spot, you could really hurt’em!”

“Oh my gosh, Ion, Ah’m so sorry, are ya alright – okay poor choice of words – can you breathe,” she asked, genuinely concerned now.

“I’m in a catastrophic amount of pain…and I don’t think I can feel my hind legs,” said Ion in his falsetto voice.

Apple Bloom looked up at Applejack with an angry, yet disappointed look. In this moment, their roles were reversed, Applejack felt like a ten-year-old filly who just got caught fighting, and Apple Bloom was the big sister who was giving her a scolding stare.

I think I need to go to the hospital…

---

(Northeast Orchard, 3 Hours Later)

Laughter could be heard ringing out through the trees. It’s origin coming from two pegasi. One was Rainbow Dash, laughing like crazy to the point where she couldn’t fly, and that Twilight had to levitate the prismatic mare just so she wouldn’t get left behind. Applejack had her hat rim pulled down low, not wanting to make eye contact with anypony after the fiasco earlier this morning.

On the opposite end, Adara was laughing, although not as hard as Rainbow Dash, it was still hearty. Ion just continued to walk, awkwardly, forward, keeping his gaze focused straight ahead and doing his best to ignore Adara. Proselyte was walking beside Ion, having used his light to heal his, ahem, injury. The whole time the purple pegasus wore a bemused grin as the events of that morning played in his head for the fifth time, and still it was funny.

“Alright, Adara, it wasn’t that funny you know,” said Ion.

“Forgive me, brother, but…but…HA HA HA, oh my, I still can’t believe it. Applejack, apple bucked you between your –!”

“Yes, she kicked me there, okay!?”

“Well, at least that explains the strange sound that startled the animals this morning. I must say,” Proselyte started to chuckle, “the fact that you were assailed,” his chuckling grew stronger, “in that particular area, is quite hilarious.”

“Oh Proselyte, great Entity of Compassion, how little of your famous compassion I feel from you right now,” mocked Ion.

“Come now, Ion, I only jest. I healed you didn’t I?”

“And I thank you for that. None of you are to tell Predator about this, she’d have a field day with it.”

Adara took a few calming breathes, bringing herself back to the matter at hoof. “You have our word. So, did your plan work at all?”

“We’re about to find out.”

While they were walking, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle couldn’t help but batter Apple Bloom with dozens of questions about how she
acquired her cutie mark. As much as Apple Bloom wanted to tell them, she knew she couldn’t, especially after Pinkie Promising that she wouldn’t tell anypony unless Ion said it was okay. And after everything he did, she was determined not break it or risk losing him as a friend.

“FOR-EVERRRRRRR!”

Apple Bloom’s vision was suddenly filled with pink fur and piercing blue eyes. “Uh, is there somethin’ ya need Pinkie Pie?”

“Nope, said what I needed to say. La-la-la-la-la-la-la.” The Crusaders watched as Pinkie Pie hopped her way back to the head of the
group, acting as if nothing happened at all. Of course, by now they’ve just come to simply accept any Pinkie randomness.

“I’ve worked pretty much through the night coming up with different solutions to fix the Red Earth problem, herbal, and magical, so hopefully something is bound to work, I promise Applejack,” said Twilight.

“Don’t worry Twi, Ah was actin’ like a darn fool yesterday,” said Applejack.

“Well it’s understandable, darling, given what has occurred, one can hardly be expected to keep calm and rational. Goodness knows how many times that’s happened to me when I was filling a client order,” said Rarity.

“But don’t worry, Applejack, I’m sure we’ll be able to fix this. And if all else fails I might be able to ask Discord for help,” said Fluttershy.

The five mares cringed at the thought of asking Discord for help, let alone owing the Spirit of Chaos a debt like that. “Still, that might be a viable option…but we aren’t that desperate yet, are we?” Twilight asked as she looked at AJ.

“Nope, not that desperate, yet,” she agreed.

The hill was in sight, and everypony got ready to go to work on fixing the Red Earth problem. But when they reached the hill, they gasped. The barren red field was no longer red, or barren. Instead dozens, upon dozens of rows of apple trees stood tall and strong, as far as the eye could see. Many mouths were agape, except Apple Bloom and Ion, who were more overjoyed than surprised. The group slowly made its way towards the newly created orchard, Big Mac, Granny Smith, and Applejack gazed upon the trees, touching a few so as to insure that this was in fact reality, and not some elaborate dream they were having.

“How far along do ya reckon they are,” asked Applejack.

“If Ah had to guess, they’re just about the same age as the ones from east orchard,” said Granny Smith.

“Twilight…did you –?”

“No, Applejack, I haven’t done anything, this, this isn’t my doing,” said Twilight.

“Ah can’t believe it, we’ll be able to keep the farm, and still make it, we’ll be alright!” Applejack shouted.

Rainbow Dash trotted next to Scootaloo, she ruffled the young filly’s mane, causing her to smile. “What’d I tell ya? You gotta believe in miracles, Squirt.”

Applejack separated from the group, making her way back to the hill. She overlooked the vast canopy of apple trees. Yesterday the field was worthless, nothing would grow again according to Granny Smith, but now, apple trees were everywhere, and somehow they were now the same age as the trees in the orchard next to it. Applejack could hardly believe it; this was beyond what she had previously calculated. Now these new trees will be ready for harvest at the same time as the others.

“But how…?”

Applejack took a few steps and nearly tripped, after catching herself, she looked down to see what she tripped on. In the ground, right where the Red Earth transitioned into the normal soil was a pair of holes. They didn’t look like gopher holes, or anything an animal would make, but upon closer inspection, Applejack was able discern the hoofprints further in.

Whoever did this must’ve stuck most of their foreleg into the…ground…

It was then that her mind snapped back to that morning in the barn. When she saw Ion sprawled out on the pile of hay, and finding it strange that half his forelegs were covered in, what looked like, dirt.

“Ion, can ya come up here? Ah need to talk to ya!”

Ion heard Applejack’s call and was preparing to meet her up on the hill, until he heard Rainbow Dash snickering.

“Make sure she doesn’t buck your ‘apples’ a second time, Ion,” warned Rainbow.

“Hardy, har, har, that was so funny I forgot to laugh, Dash,” said Ion.

The green stallion walked up to the hill to where AJ was. A knowing look on her face as she stared at Ion, her eyes then traveled down, her gaze now fixated on his still dirty fetlocks and forelegs. Her head drifted back up to eyelevel and a smug smile formed.

“So, how’d ya do it?”

“Say what?”

“Ah’m askin’ how did ya save the field,” said Applejack, clarifying the question.

“Seriously, Applejack, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was busy helping Apple Bloom last night,” said Ion.

The orange mare eyed the stallion suspiciously. “Uh-huh, so, you helped mah sister figure out her special talent, and she gets her cutie mark last night. And now, this morning, the Red Earth is gone, and a field of full grown apple trees sprouts up. Mighty big coincidence that both happen not too far in between each other, especially considerin’ that your hooves are all dirtied with dried dirt and mud, and they seem to match those.”

Applejack pointed a hoof at the holes in the dirt, Ion followed her hoof to the holes, his eyes immediately went wide as he mentally facehoofed himself for not even bothering to cover his tracks, literally!

“Now, want to try and explain?”

“Applejack…it’s not that I don’t want to…It’s more like I can’t…” Ion noticed the skeptical look that Applejack was giving him. He knew that the only way to get out of this was by telling the truth, but something told him that the explanation that he gave Apple Bloom wouldn’t fully suffice when it came to Applejack; she had a knack for making you want to tell the truth. Ion sighed heavily, ready to spill his guts at that moment.

“Alright, Ah understand.”

Ion did a double take, “Excuse me?”

“Look, you’ve been nothing but helpful and supportive to mah family. Ya helped Apple Bloom get her cutie mark, and, even though it’ll confound me for the longest time, Ah know YOU had a hoof in fixin’ this mess.” Applejack watched as Ion was about to open his mouth, but she raised her hoof up, indicating that she wasn’t done speaking. “Ah know ya probably don’t want to say anythin’, and that’s fine.
Because, honestly, Ah think you’ve earned somethin’ that’s been a long time a comin’.”

“What’s that,” asked Ion.

“Mah trust…” Applejack rushed towards Ion and hugged the stallion. Ion froze in place, eyes wide, not exactly sure how to respond to this. Well, he had an inkling, but he was a little gun shy after what happened this morning. “Ah don’t know how ya did it, but Ah know you did. You’ve done so much for mah family already, thank you.”

It was then that Applejack did something unexpected, even for her. She released Ion but then she leaned forward and gave the stallion a peck on the cheek and quickly stepped back. Ion’s cheeks blushed crimson red, his left eye twitching by the fact that Applejack just kissed him. Applejack had pulled the rim of her hat down over her face, trying to hide the blush that was forming on her freckled cheeks. AJ then turned back to Ion and stared sternly at him.

“If ya tell anypony about that, Ah’ll have ya singin’ falsetto again,” she warned.
Ion simply nodded, satisfied that she had got her point across, Applejack walked down back to the newly created orchard only stopping momentarily to glance at him before continuing further down. Ion just continued to stare at Applejack’s retreating form, completely frozen in place.

“Well, that was somethin’.”

“Y-yeah, it was…Wait – what!?” Ion looked down to his left side and saw Apple Bloom standing next to him, smirking the whole time. “How long have you been there!?”

“Oh, Ah just got here, but Ah did see the whole thing,” teased Apple Bloom.

If it were possible for an Entity to blush harder, it was happening right now. “Not one word Apple Bloom,” said Ion as he began walking down to the orchard.

The little filly rolled her eyes playfully and trotted beside the stallion. “K-I-S-S-I-N-G.”

“Apple Bloom!”

“What, Ah spelled it, Ah didn’t say it.”

Author's Note:

The idea for the scene where Ion and Apple Bloom restore the field was inspired by an old movie called The Meteor Man. They both use green energy, and there's a scene where he creates a garden full of giant fruit and vegetables for the poor of his neighborhood. So I decided to incorporate it and make it the basis for this chapter. Also here's a link to the music for that particular scene, called Garden of Eatin'. Let me know if you think I should put a link to the music in the actual scene.

---

Next Time in MLP: The Entities of Emotion:

"Stop calling me a fillyfooler, Diamond!""

"If you weren't here, Scootaloo would like me, not you!"

"I can't see Adara...I just can't..."

"We need to talk, Scoots."

Episode 11: Crush

Comments

[VampDash]

So DT having a crush on Scootaloo eh? I can see that or I could be wrong and it's Sweetie Belle.

[DiscordDraconequus]

They're here…

[kyubbiman]

Awesome chapter. Avarice emerges and Willpower saves the day. Throw in a cutie mark and the day is won. Can't wait for the next chapter.

PS: first

[Spaceman006]

This needed a laughter warning lol
I think I just woke up everyone within a five block radius.

[Michael_Ravencroft]

4204188
Second choice , not the first.

4204757
Yes they are...

4204779
Oh trust me, that ain't nothing compared to Butcher's entrance. Two words: Titanic Duel

4206593
Thought that might get some lols going

[VampDash]

4208631 So is Sweetie going to be.... greedy?

[Michael_Ravencroft]

4208994 That would be telling now, wouldn't it?

[VampDash]

4209150

[Servant Phoenix]

After what Applejack did to Ion, any normal person would permanently severe any connection from Applejack and refuse to sleep anywhere unless every entrance is locked. Being awoken through that much pain caused by someone you love when you didn't deserve it at all is an almost guaranteed trauma with a permanent trust-loss in the person who caused it.

Seriously, the whole moment was just stupid, those "signs" that Applejack considered to be pedophilia is just massively overweighted by everything else. Like how Applebloom couldn't have enjoyed it because of her age despite making comments in her dream like she had, like why are they together in the barn instead of Ion running away after such an act, or how Ion was doing nothing else but helping them in the past months, etc.

EDIT: Pardon me, I just get angry when people seriously hurt those close to them because of stupidly jumping to the worst possible conclusions. Considering the state Applejack was in at that moment, making such a stupid emotional decision is actually perfectly in character and believable. And I guess Ion can "will himself out" of the trauma. The chapter itself was fun to read.

[Alphamon_Ouryuken]

7628651
Can't argue there, she's lucky that he doesn't hold grudges…