Diffrent Paths

Ownership to My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is credited to Hasbro only.

After the events at the old ruins where the Elements of Harmony were used to free Luna from her evil persona and in turn set the Ruler of the day free from her imprisonment, did they depart back to the sleepy town known as Ponyville.

To the Ponies relief, they didn’t need to trek back thru the Everfree Forest and were teleported to a road leading back to town, curtsy of the Sun Monarchy herself. She did not stay long after, saying she wanted to fix Luna up a bit before introducing her to those who inhabited Ponyville.

So with the two sisters off, the intrepid group of seven made there way back to town to freshen up themselves before the events that would happen.

“You know…” Mark began tapping his chin in thought as he and the newly elected Elements made there way to town “I just thought of something.”

Turning a curious eye to the lone Stallion in the group, Twilight asked “And what would that be?”

With a shrug he answered “I have no place to stay.” As if he was talking about the weather.

“Wait, Ya’ll don’t have a place ta sleep under?” Applejack asked in surprise.

With a roll of his eyes he said “Things like that tend to happen when one gets lost.”

Looking to him with a slightly annoyed look Rarity said “Must you say smart comments at every turn?” Losing some patients over the Stallions smart-alecky remarks.

“I’m willing to tone it down if you asked.” He told her simply “I just do it because it’s a way of relieving emotions like stress.”

“Isn’t there another way for you to relive stress without all your snide comments?” Spoke Rarity massaging her head a bit.

With a thoughtful look he replied “There are,” Getting a few sighs around him “But none are around me at the moment so, no.” And was met with a chorus of groans and one giggling pinkie.

“Umm…Mark?” Rang a soft voice that was Fluttershys.

“Yes?” He snapped his head towards her at full attention.

The kind Pegasus shied away at his attentive gaze a moment before stuttering out “C-could you p-please…um…b-be more quiet?”

“Say no more!” He grinned while lowering his voice a bit “I’ll only talk if asked a question or something for the rest of the walk.”

With that out of the way they continued on in silence, with the exception of Pinkie who would ramble on about something now and then or ask Mark a question that he would answer.

“Red or Yellow?” She shoot.

“I’d say… orange!” He replied.

“But that wasn’t one of them!” She argued.

“Your right, it’s both.” He smirked and getting her to scrunch up her face.

With his only talk when asked idea, Pinkie had been asking questions every now and then before trying to find one that he couldn’t weasel himself around. So far, no successes. But she did almost got him when it came to why the chicken walked a crossed the road.

Rainbow on the other hoof, had to ask something “Say Mark…why were you in the Everfree Forest?”

This question alone made him go silent, making them all look at him as he seemed to think something over. Finally after thirty seconds or so contemplating what to say he asked “Would you believe me if I told you it was an accident involving my boredom, a skate board, a revolving door and a strange magical mirror that was being moved?”

They all looked at him rather confused before saying “Forget I said anything, because I don’t get it either.” With another one of his Shrugs.

As they walked on in silence Twilight asked “Your lost because of some magical mirror?” Watching as Mark tipped his head from side to side.

“I think so.” He confirmed, still racking his head from side to side “But it’s a bit confusing as I sort of, more or less, lost conciseness after…” He paused looking for the word.

“Crashing?” Rainbow supplied.

“I can work with that.” He nodded as an acceptable reason.

“Alright, I can accept that you don’t know how you got here.” Twilight nodded before saying “But that brings us back to where you plan to stay!”

Bouncing up beside Mark, Pinkie waved “Oh, oh, oh! Pick me! Pick Me!” Getting the hat loving Stallion to point to her saying “Alright Pinks, your up.” Chuckling at her antics once more.

“You could stay with me!” She ecstatically said, throwing both hooves up and letting confetti float down.

“Pinkie, I know ya wanna help, bu’ do you have the room fer ‘em?” Applejack asked the hyper pink Pony that stopped bouncing for a moment.

“Well, I do have a few cushions on the floor, and I don’t think the Cake’s will mind. Oh, and when we do get back then we can have cake, play games- and we cant forget about the party-” She babbled on before Mark cut her off with a “The who’s?”

The way the pink Pony said the word Cake’s gave him the impression it was a family name and not he’d hoped to eat latter on. And if so, what made pinkie think she could invite him in just like that?

‘Daughter maybe?’ Was one thought, but shoot down before it took off ‘No, then she would of said Mom & Dad or something.’ And went on with thinking ‘Perhaps relatives?’ And shook the thought aside ‘Then she would of said Cousins, Aunt’s & Uncles.’

“The Cakes are a couple that own Sugarcube corner, where I work too!” Pinkie happily told Mark bouncing around him. Once again he was left to ponder briefly how she could get so close to him without his notice. “We make all sorts of things, like Lemmon Pies, Banista’s, Fig roll’s, Gozleme’s, Baklava-”

“Please tell me you got Doughnuts.” He asked in a pleading manner “If its one thing I like, it’s a good ol’ cake doughnut. With maybe some strawberry icing and a dash of sprinkles.” He next to drooled while talking.

He could hear them giggling mares around him and them saying something about getting to a Stallions heart was thru food, but he ignored it in favor for his little doughnut dream.

Still chuckling herself Applejack said “As good as tha’ maybe, I still don’ think it’s roomy ‘nuf for ‘em.”

“I don’t know, what do you have to offer that can top a good Doughnut?” Mark asked, snapping out of his thoughts and back at the matter at han- er…hoof.

Smiling proudly she said “I’ma proud owner ta half of Sweet Apple Acers.”

“As in a large plantation of sorts?” He asked curiously.

“That’s righ’.” The farmer nodded “We’ve got room ta spare, plenty of food an’ have a roof over yer head.”

That did sound better then Pinkie’s invitation, but it sounded like she was pitching out one of those commercial adds on TV.

“What’s the catch?” And almost regretting the words he spoke.

“Well, ya’ll earn ya keep by woken.” She told him without room for further negotiation. Then again, he liked how she said it nice and simple.

‘You work for us, and you get a to stay like the rest of us do.’ Looking between the two thinking over a few details in his mind he smiled and chose “Thanks for the offer Pinkie, but I think Applejacks offer would do be better.”

With that out of the way and closely getting too town, all Ponies bid farewell to one another and break off in there own direction and prepare for the party Pinkie Pie was going to set up latter that day.

For Applejack, she was heading home to introduce Mark to the family and let them know she was ok after the whole mess. Then there was getting Mark settled into a room that wasn’t currently in use with what relatives were over at there place and also getting the family to possibly pitch in with the pink Pony’s party.

The brown Stallion himself was going over a few things himself, mostly with what has happened and what to do now. Thankfully Applejack had helped with keeping him busy with the whole ‘work for your stay’ deal, so he didn’t need to worry about that. He wondered if he needed to find a way home, but shot that down as there wasn’t really anything to go back to.

Well, maybe his cat, but in all reality it was just a stray he let around his home to deal with rodents and to pet when around. The Nabors liked that cat too, so no worries for the black feline.

His old boss will more then likely fire him for not being in for so long, but the guy always cut his pay for no real reason anyways so no negatives there.

Thinking with that in mind he concluded ‘Life there wasn’t all that great. Too much stress, too much anger, too much taxes.’ Shaking his head and then taking in the area around him he could only smile ‘You know, besides the whole new body thing, I think I’ll like it here.’

“Well, what’s go’ you smil’en?” Applejack asked, liking the softer smile he seemed to have on then his others.

“Just thinking of possibilities Applejack, that’s all.” Was all he said walking ahead a bit seeing the entrance to the apple orchard.

‘Mystery, tha’ one is.’ She chuckled to herself keeping pace with him.

-(Different Paths)-

From there things seemed to have taken off. Mark met the Apple’s and some of there relatives that made up the Apple Clan. Pinkies party was set up in no time, giving the two Princesses time to prep before coming to join them. During such a time, Mark was able to get somewhat close to Luna before losing sight of her at some point in time. It was also around this time he heard Celestia make a decree that Twilight Sparkle would be staying to learn the “Magic of Friendship”

Though a bit childish at its sounding, he wasn’t going to argue with a ‘Alicorn’ that could ‘Move the Sun’.

Then, things slowed down. The Apples were a friendly bunch, working hard and relaxing at the end of each day. It was nice to say the least, being able to just take it a bit slower then he needed, unlike back home where getting work done fast was the need.

As for the Family itself, he found them…homey in some way.

First was there oldest, Granny Smith. A light green Mare with white mane and tail tied up into buns. She was the Apple Clans monarchy from what he was told and helped establish Ponyville in the first place. The old Mare still had some spunk in her despite her age, and was a well of wisdom. Although, she could get ornery at times with her stubbornness or mischievous when teasing her grandchildren. These were only extra brownie points to her, getting Mark to like her even more. Plus, she baked a mean Apple Pie. He concluded it had to do something with the pie mark on her hunches.

Next up was Big Macintosh, or Big Mac. A big red stallion that put did him in size and high by a quite a bit. Besides his impressive build and height, he had shortly cut orange mane and tail with a harness around his neck and a wheat stalk being chewed. Unlike his younger siblings, he seemed quiet, and didn’t talk much. When ever Mark looked at him, he could almost see a constant thoughtful look in his eyes. Almost like looking at one of those expert chess players that had just planed out twenty ways on crushing you at there game. He decided to see what goes on in that head of his. What he found was one smart guy that he could hold a decent conversation with while working, though the mathematics flew over his head and overly complicated ideas the others, it still worked out. His mark was a green apple cut in half.

Then came the Mare that invited him over, Applejack. The Mare was stubborn at times, and just plan hard to please at times. In some sense, she was like a younger version of her granny. But, she was a hard worker, and equally as good salesmen. Then came her strength. She wasn’t at her brothers level, but she sure was strong and seemed to have a certain control her brother didn’t when it came to harvesting the trees. Her mark, not to fare off from her Element‘s look, were three red apples.

The final Apple was the youngest and most energetic of them, Apple Bloom. A yellow, red tail and mane filly with a large dark pink bow in her mane. He only saw her half the day compared to the others, but did see her and enjoyed her company. The child’s always playful demeanor and curious mind never cease to amuse Mark, even more so when working. What got him was she didn’t have a mark on her hunches, making him wonder.

He decided to look at his rear one day and find that like Apple Bloom, he was blank. He needed to look that up, maybe at some library in town the next chance he got. So, it was a pleasant surprise when he found out about Applejack’s and Mac’s little bet.

“So, let me get this straight.” Mark started, making sure he heard right “You are letting me have a day off today, because by your calculations, Applejack cant get all the golden delicious into the barn by lunch time.”

“Eeyep.” He nodded.

“But, she could if given help, ergo, your letting me off the hook so I might not give her a higher success rate and you don’t have to wear granny‘s girdle.” Mark continued.

“Eeyep.” Mac nodded again.

“Alright.” Mark nodded “If that’s the case, do you mind telling me where I can find the library in town and who runs it?”

Blinking a few times he asked “Don’t ya know Miss Sparkle lives there?”

Blinking himself he replied “I did not know that.” And thought for a moment “In any case, where is it?”

Pointing passed Mark and into town said “Should be near th’ market district an’ a bit off from Quills n’ sofas.”

Looking where the taller Stallion was pointing, Mark grinned and said “Thanks Mac. Looking for any books while I’m there?”

With a shake of his head and a “Nope.” Mark turned about and headed out to town for the first time in a few days.

The last time he was in town was during that whole calibration for Luna’s return. Since then he’s been staying at the Apples to readjust to life. Applejack had tried to get him to go out into town with her a few times, be he told her he needed a bit of time to get use to things a bit, not use to the new life style.

At first she didn’t believe him, and probably still doesn’t, but did let the matter go for the time being. Thing was, he was still getting use to having only hooves, and missed his hands greatly. During any time to eat, he had to resort to using his face. Or doing anything for that matter. What was worse was the other Ponies he was with could use there hooves half the time!

‘You know, that’s not the only oddity.’ He remembered, seeing as how they all had this strange connection with there farm. They buck a tree, and it drops its apples into there baskets.

He has yet to get that to work right for himself.

And then there was pulling things along, though it should have been to heavy even for them, they still walked along like it was nothing. Same cant be said for him, as every time he tried to do something similar, he’d just have no traction.

So he was left with more basic work of lifting, pushing and even a bit of seeing what needed to be done. But otherwise, couldn’t do much.

‘Then again, me doing all the carrying and Applejack doing the harvesting has worked fine.’ But soon scrunched up his brow ‘But it’s still hard trying to get those baskets off. Note to self: find way to speed up the grab and go with moving apples.’

After going into town, getting a little lost, asking for directions and get moving again, he came into view of the library. That was also a tree.

‘Well when people said to not to kill the tree’s, I don’t think they had this in mind.’ Ignoring his inner monolog, he headed up to the door and readied to open it-

“Closed” Was read in the window, making him hang his head.

With a sigh he turned around and walked off, thinking of what to do. Maybe find Twilight and ask for entry or something? Deciding that with a no, he shrugged and just went with enjoying the sights.

Looking around, he could find nothing but clam and relaxing peace. Building were more colorful then needed, and some looked straight out from a kids story book, enhanced by it all looking cartoonish anyways, made it all the more interesting.

All around Ponies waved and smiled warmly in his direction while he trotted by. For every greeting he would nod his head back, not really vocalizing anything out too them.

“I CANT DECIDE!!!” Yelled a voice that got a few heads to turn towards a restraint.

‘Wasn’t that Twilights voice?’ The Stallion asked himself, trotting over to a table where Twilight sat with a…purple lizard with green spikes sat?

“Ok” He said blankly “Now I’m curious.” And walked right up to them and over hearing them.

“-I mean, I like grass just fine, but would it hurt for anybody to offer up some gem stones?” The lizard complained with a sort of younger brother voice.

“I mean about the Gala and ticket and who I should take!” She corrected with some concern in her voice.

“Who-da-what-da now?” A voice interrupted the two as Mark came walking up “Something abut a ticket?”

Suddenly, Twilight felt like she was going to have a even bigger headache. Out of everypony that could come waltzing up to her, Mark had to be the one. She was readying herself for another “Why you should give me the ticket” Speech.

“Who are you?” The lizard asked the new comer.

“Spike, this is Mark, the Stallion that tagged along with me and the others?” Twilight introduced before looking back to the Stallion himself “Mark, this is my Number one assistant Spike.”

Grinning he said “Yo!” Waving his hoof as he did.

“Hey.” Spike waved back before getting back on subject, with Mark being the one asking again.

With a sigh, the librarian asked “You know about the Grand Galloping Gala, right?”

With a big smile and hoof raised, he took in a big breath and said “Nope.” Still smiling as he did.

He was met with two sets of wide eyes he asked “What?”

“How could you not know?” Spike asked with a slightly gapping mouth as Twilight continued “It’s the most biggest party in Equstria! I cant fathom how you don’t know about it!”

“Humor me, and pretend for a moment I don’t.” He shrugged.

With an even heavier sigh then before, the Unicorn explained “Well, you see…I was given two tickets to the Gala by Princess Celestia and cant figure out who to give the extra ticket, or both to!”

Seeing as this may take some time, Mark wisely chose to lay down and listen while she talked “They all have reasons to go, Applejack told me she could use this chance to get more money too fix up the farm while I was helping her-”

‘You might want to find a bonnet to go with that girdle, Mac.’ He thought, not interrupting Twilight “-Then Rainbow comes by and finds out, asking me for it so she might get a chance to join her hero’s, the Wonderbolts!”

“Pinkie soon fallows and wants a chance to go the greatest party  she’s ever known, Rarity wants to go and meet her true love and Fluttershy wants to see all the rare and unique array of animal’s that can be found at the canter lot gardens!”

Turning to him, making him want to squirm away she almost shouted “And I just cant chose, as it would hurt them no matter what I do!”

Blinking a few times, he got up steadily and told her “I can see where your coming from Twilight, and admittedly, it’s a hard dissension for any person.”

She seemed to smile a bit at that, so he decided to tip-toe a bit further “But I should warn you that you need to decided sooner or latter.”

“But how?!” She asked only to get a shrug from him “That’s not my call. My suggestion would be look at all options, there pros and cons.”

Turning away from the two, readying to walk off he said one last thing “Normally I would give you the best option I can, but I don’t feel its my place to, as it might make things worse for you and your friends.”

He waited for Twilight to say something before moving on and heard “I-I think I understand…Thanks.”

“No trouble.” He waved off before remembering “Say, you don’t mind if I take a look for a book in your library do you?”

With a dry laugh she replied “Sure, go for it. Just remember not to break anything or make to much noise.”

-(Different Paths)-

Silence was a nice thing.

It was something that was soothing and relaxing as one could poor over a nice book and glean all the information they could. For mark, it was informative. Looking for the right book was hard at first, but when he found what he was looking for, did he start going over each page he could. Albeit, with some difficulty, but managed.

Cute Marks, History, Magic stuff that made no sense, some random book on paint and 99 ways too use a door. The last one he didn’t get, but just had to look at.

‘Method fifty-five, spring board use.’

Admittedly, some of them were creative.

With a few hours passing, and the mixture of reading in a quiet place that was relaxing and comfy, Mark fell asleep. As the hours passed by his still sleeping form, so did a few visitors that had completely overlooked him. It didn’t help that he was silent, unmoving and hard to wake.

So, it wasn’t a surprise he heard not a thing when Twilights stomach grumbled once more for food as soon as she was done reading the letter to her friends, making her laugh sheepishly.

“Don’t worry Twilight, allow us to treat you to dinner.” Rarity told her, turning to leave.

“Wait!” Called Pinkie Pie who was now standing on one of the tables “What about Mark?”

Flying next to the baker Rainbow asked “What about him?”

“Shouldn’t we bring him along to?” She asked, pointing down to a sleeping Stallion that was completely out, making all present wonder how they could of missed him.

Making her way to him Rarity looked him over a bit astonished “He slept thru all that?” Watching him peacefully sleep.

It was strange, when they had seen him awake, he didn’t seem to hold completely still and seemed at least a bit active. But now, he was as still as could be.

“I’d reckon he’d sleep thru a tornados if’en it hit us.” Applejack sighed looking at his prone form.

Rolling her eyes Rainbow laughed “He cant be that herd to wake up.”

Looking at her blankly the farmer said “Yes, he is.” Then remembering “Ey Twi?”

Looking away from the sleeping Mark and to one Applejack, she listen as she said “Would ya’ll have read anything’ ‘bout Earth Ponies not being able to use ther’ hooves?”

Raising a brow she asked simply “Why?”

“It’s Mark ‘ere.” She Pointed “Colt cant seem to grip a thing with’em.” And began to tap her chin in thought “Fact, He cant do much a’ all, like a norm’ Pony should.”

“Do you think the dear has a defect?” Rarity asked Fluttershy, who was now looking at Mark with some concern.

With a shake of her head she replied “I d-don’t know Rarity.” Unsure herself.

“If he’s awake I probably could find out.” Twilgiht said after some thought “I know a simple scanning spell, but the target has to be awake for it.”

With one glance to her Dragon assistant, he was off “On it!” And began to shake the Stallion awake.

But nothing.

“Hey, Mark! Wake up!” Rainbow yelled, yielding the same result.

“Mark?” Fluttershy curiously poked the Stallion who seemed to be dead to the world.

Losing some patients, the brash Pegasus lifted his ear and shouted “WAKE UP!” getting the others to cover there ears and leave one still asleep Pony.

“None tha’s gonna work RD.” Applejack voiced while walking back with a glass with a tiny bit of water in hoof.

Looking at Applejack confused Pinkie said “Why’d you bring that? Arn’t we trying to get Markey up?” As she continued to poke Marks belly, trying to tickle him awake.

“Ah have found out, tha’ no fall, smack, screamin’ or yoller’n will wake that Colt.” She told them coming to a stop before the sleeping Stallion. “An’ since it’d take too long ta cook something’ up, this’ll have ta do.”

“Really now, how can you be sure?” Rarity asked, unconvinced.

She only shrugged saying “Don’ know why, bu’ he hates water. Wont go near a puddle of it.” Before waving them away “Now Stand back, first time ah did this he was sent on a panic attack an‘ griped the ceilin’ ‘fer falling back down, screamen’ bloody murder.”

With the warning given to them all, and Twilight moving any books away, Applejack pulled back her foreleg before splashing the water out to Mark.

“MAN OVERBOARD! GET THE LIFE BOATS, LOBSTER’S AND CHEASSBALL’S FIRST!!” He screamed before falling off his position from the table he fell asleep on and to the wooden floor with a thud.

“Told ya it’d wake ‘em. Always do’s fer some reason.” Came Applejacks voice from somewhere outside his vision.

“M-mark, are you alright?” Spoke a timid voice that he could only guess belonged to Fluttershy.

Mumbling incoherently to her and himself, Mark got up off the floor shaking and looked up to six Ponies, plus one Liz- Dragon.

Locking his gaze on Applejack and trying all he could to stay calm he stuttered out “W-was that n-neces-ssary?” Fixing a pathetic glare at her.

“Sorry sugar cube, Bu’ all I could ge’ was a cup.” She said, waving a now empty glass of water.

It was at this point Rainbow seemed to finally burst out laughing at Mark gasping out “Y-you actually we-were scared from that?” Finding his predicament funny.

“Rainbow!” Twilight tried to scold, but couldn’t seem to be heard.

Taking a deep breath to calm himself down, he calmly stated “It’s alright Twilight.” And raising a hoof to stop her “I probably should of left when I got tired.”

“No, no, it’s fine! It wouldn’t of been any trouble!” She told him reassuringly.

“Only because you do the same.” Spike remarked behind her, getting a glare from the Unicorn Mare and a chuckle from Earthen Stallion.

“Well.” Mark stretched, letting a few bones snap and crack, making the others suddenly winch at each sound “I think I’ll be heading back to the farm Applejack. Long day tomorrow.”

With that he turned to leave, but felt a hoof grip his shoulder. Looking to the said hoof and up to its owner being Applejack “Me an’ the girls we’re ‘bout ta grab some grub. You up fer goin’?”

Looking between her and the others he shrug “Sure, why not?” The day was bland after all, a little excursion to a restaurant might be a good way to end the day.

“To Sugar Cube Corner!” Pinkie Pie proclaimed, standing on two legs and pointing ahead with one hoof in a dramatic pose.

“Yes, let us charge forth into the sugary goodness of thy eating establishment!” Mark mimicked the pink Mare for a moment before running ahead yelling “Last one there’s a rotten egg!”

Laughing wholeheartedly, Pinkie charged with him, Rainbow close at hoof.

Giggling to herself, Rarity commented “That Stallion is like Pinkie Pie at times, don’t you agree girls?”

Giving a small chuckle herself, Applejack nodded “Colts like tha’. One moment he’s all proper an’ wha’ not. Next, he’s rollen on the floor wi’ my sis giggling like a foal.”

They all continued to laugh and giggle at Marks expense while walking out themselves and to there next destination.