Torn

Chapter 1:

As the Train nears its destination I wiped a bead of sweat that had formed on my brow… It’s been so long since I've last been to Ponyville. I don't even know if they're still looking for me. Will anypony even remember me? Probably not… I mean my family wasn't exactly the talk of the town, but then again I have no idea what’s been happening since I left.  Looking out the window I see the Village closing in… it would only take a few minutes now.

‘So Red, what’s the plan when we arrive? Are we going to get a job right off the bat, or can he hit the local bar?’

Actually, I think I’m going to look around, see what the place looks like nowadays.

‘Aw… I never get to have any fun.’

Catching back up to reality, the doors opened and the train car was almost empty spare a few families struggling with their luggage. Slowly I levitated my bag and exited onto the platform, and at first my view was filled with a crowd of ponies of all shapes and sizes, but as the crowd dispersed I could finally see ponyville with my own eyes.

The endless blue sky was filled with painted clouds, parting ways for the rise of the golden sun. A cool breeze was a welcome respite from the summer heat. Birds harmonized in a beautiful chorus as they flew overhead. The townsfolk themselves beamed with joy; in fact I would find it hard not to be… considering how today was just… perfect.

‘Yes, you can paint a million-bit masterpiece later, just get a move on.’

“If you don't want to enjoy the scenery for even a little bit, fine by me” I muttered under my breath. It always felt easier to actually speak to Acid Tongue; it always felt like he was right next to me. Sometimes I slip, however, and speak to him out loud in public. Usually I go unnoticed, but sometimes I get a strange glance from a passerby. I don't care much though, seeing as I usually keep to myself.

Shaking my head I start walking, I want to see how much has changed since then. The town certainly has grown, but everything feels as if it had been here forever. The more recently built cottages looked Identical to the ones from 20 years ago. The library, town hall, Sugar Cube Corner, it was all the same. As I glanced into the window of the shop I suddenly met eyes with a pink mare, and as our eyes met I could see some kind of… sparkle in hers. She raced out of the door faster than a wonderbolt and came, literally bouncing, towards me.

‘Oh Celestia… this can’t be good.’

Shut It

‘What, you afraid I’ll offend her?’

No it’s just…

I was unable to finish my thought as the mare landed three feet from my face, that same sparkle in her eye as she started talking. “Hi, I saw and I didn’t recognize you from around town so that must mean your new here because I know everypony around here. So I raced out here and thought I’d say hi Hi HI! I’m always glad to meet a new friend, my names Pinkie Pie, what’s yours?” She stopped for just a moment and began eagerly awaiting my answer.

“Um… Red…” I managed to stammer out, caught off guard by her energy “Red Jekyll”.

Before I could continue she began cut me off, as she continued she began to talk faster and faster, eventually words strung together until I could barely make them out. “OhHIRedgladtomeetyamaybeI’llthrowyouagreetingpartylatersothatyou’llfeelwelcomeandsoyoucanmeeteveryponyYeahthatseemslikeagreatideaItwouldbeagreatwayforyoutomakeawholeBUNCHofnewfriendsINfactImgonnagostartplanningthingsrightNOW!Comestopbysugarcubecornerlater!” When she finished she raced off, leaving me dumbfounded in the middle of the street. “OOOH I’m so excited!”

‘Well, that was ear wrenching and annoying… and so much for keeping a low profile.’

Wait, you understood some of that?!

‘One of us has to pay attention around here; honestly why can't I be the one in control?’

Because you would land us in jail the second you were.

‘Guilty as charged.’

Letting out a long sigh I resumed my tour of ponyville, hoping to avoid another encounter like that. As I walked I passed into a street that had more new buildings, like one shop I just couldn’t recognize. Stopping I looked over its sign that read “Carousel Boutique”. Looking it over I shrugged and continued onward, the day was still young so I had plenty of time to find a job and accommodations. Besides, if worse came to worse I still had some money saved up, I could buy a hotel room for a day or two.

‘So now, about that job… what do you have in mind?’

I was thinking that I might be able to get a job as a store hand or maybe-

‘Yeah no, we are NOT working anywhere near that pink freak.’

Fine, if you're going to whine like that how about we check to see if we can get a job at the library. Better?

‘Better.’

When I arrived at the giant tree that served as the local library I knocked a few times and waited patiently. Time passed without answer so I began to look around at the ponies as they passed, none of them were really paying me any mind, and a after a few minutes I began to hum a merry little tune. Suddenly I saw a brown stallion sitting at a nearby diner with a grey Pegasus. He was staring directly at me, but when he noticed that I was looking he turned back to his companion (who looked a bit funny herself) and began talking to her as if nothing had happened.

‘Great, not two hours here and you have a girlfriend on fast forward AND a delightfully creepy stalker. How long until you think somepony chains you to a wall? I give you three days.’

Honestly shut… wait what was that about a girlfriend?!

‘Oh nothing.’

At that moment the door to the library opened, cutting us both off.

“Yes? How can I help you?” Standing in the doorway was a Purple unicorn; she was using her magic to flip through a few books while she waited for me to answer her.

“Oh, hello, I’m new in town and... was hoping I could find some work. you wouldn’t have any openings, would you?”

“Sorry, I have all the help I need with my number one assistant over there.” Looking past her I saw a baby dragon struggling with a load of books, attempting to get them all onto the shelf at once.

‘Ouch, talk about adding insult to injury. She not only shot you down, she would rather have that pipsqueak as a helper.’

“But I'm sure you Applejack over at Sweet Apple Acres could always use another helping hand.”She happily gave me directions to the farm and turned back to her “Number 1 Helper”, levitating the books out of his hand and placing them on the shelf, shutting the door behind her.

‘You're going with manual labor? You know you aren't exactly the strongest around.’

We’ll come to that when we come to that, it’s still a job, why waste the chance?

‘Because you’re going to make a fool of yourself, and by extent me.’

And you’re worried about your public image?

‘More like OUR public image, damnit… you're getting a drink after this…’

If I promise you that will you calm down?

‘…’

I’ll be sure to get the strong stuff

‘Fine.’

--later, at Sweet apple acres—

It took a little longer than I had expected, but I finally reached the farm without any other sidetracks. I could see several ponies of all ages working hard plowing in the field and applebucking in the orchard. One Ancient green pony was sitting in a rocking chair, I would take three guesses she was in charge. Walking up to her I cleared my throat and asked “Hello, I’m new in town and was wondering if I could get a job…” Without a word she hushed me and began looking me over.

“Ya don’t quite look the type… but then again ya can never quite tell with the whippersnappers these days…” She called over an orange mare in a cowboy hat. “Applejack, could ya come over here?!” As Applejack finished the tree she was on she trotted over as the granny came back to me. “Yer welcome to give it a shot… now of course you’ll be paid in bed and breakfast… If ya make the cut.”

‘What?!’

“R-really?”

“Course, lunch and dinner if too. We’re always happy to have another pair of hooves around to help.”

“Um… Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.” She finished as Applejack finally came in.

“What’s all the hollerin’ about Granny?”

“This here rascal would like to help out around here, thought ya might be able ta show… er…”

“Red.”

“Show Blue here the ropes. See if he’s up to the task.”

Applejack chuckled as we walked away from Granny (who I’m pretty sure had immediately fallen asleep) and towards the Apple orchards that surrounded the farm. She grabbed one of the many large buckets that were lying around and picked out a good tree.

“Ah-K sugarcube, just to test your mettle we’re gonna start off easy. Just see how many apples you can buck from the tree is all.”

“That’s all?”

“Eeyup” a male voice answered from behind me. Caught off guard I turned around to see a red earth pony with an emotionless face staring directly at me.

"Creepy..."

Neither of us moved for several seconds until Applejack broke the silence.“Oh, that’s Big Mac; he’s not much of a talker.”

“Nope” Big Mac turned around and walked back to the fields he had been plowing. Shaking off the surprise I turned back to the tree and got into position. I began pulling back my hind legs, gathering as much strength as I could muster into this upcoming kick.

‘TEST YOUR MIGHT’

Ignoring Acid’s thoughts on the situation I kicked the tree as hard as I could. I had put all of my strength into that kick, so I eagerly turned back to see how I did... and was surprised with the results.