Whilst waking with a pain in your chest was unpleasant, the warm body pressed next to yours overwrote that stimulation, and you cracked open an eye to see the pegasus mare sleeping next to you, one of her wings across your chest. You reach out with your left hoof and try to push the wing away gently, but being one of the erogenous zones meant that... “Eep!”

You pull your hoof away, having woken the mare with your unintended stimulation. She looked at her full spread wings, then to you with a small glare on her face, which changed to one of concern as she saw you lightly shaking. Bringing her wings back to her side, she began to run a hoof through your mane, calming you down. “I-I'm sorry,” is all you manage to squeak out as the door swung open, the little unicorn filly from the day before entering.

“Fluttershy, Mrs Sparkle says breakfast is ready for her guest, if he feels up to eating.” Just then your stomach gave a rather loud rumble, reminding you that, with the exception of the ration food you had at the guard station, you had eaten only scraps for the past few days. The little filly giggled at you, before turning around. “I guess he is, hold on a minute.”

The pegasus sitting on the edge of your bed continued to let her hoof play with your mane, and you couldn't say you minded. After what had happened, you wanted to stay as far away from mares as possible, but it seemed like that wouldn't happen in this town. The sound of two ponies coming up the stairs drifted through the door, and Twilight walked in, followed by another mare. Your eyes went wide with horror as you instantly recognised her face.

“Well howdy, an' welcome t' Ponyvil...” The two of you stared at each other, before she turned and strode out of the room. “Ah'm leavin', an' the best thing you can do Twi... is hoof 'im over t' the guards!” How could she not know? Her Aunt Orange was your Aunt Orange as well, and it seemed the news had spread throughout the family even quicker. Twilight gently set the tray of food down on the table next to the bed, gave Fluttershy a concerned glance, then tore off after the leaving farm mare.

The pegasus mare pushed you into a sitting position and picked up a fork, sticking it into some fried apple slices and bringing it closer to your muzzle. You tried to to take it off her, but couldn't grip it properly. She started to giggle as you averted your gaze to the wall whilst she spoon-fed you.

Applejack was just about to enter the Mayor's office when the door slammed shut in a lavender glow, just enough force to give her a little tap on the nose. Rubbing her snout with a hoof, she turned to find Twilight glaring at her. “Ah don't car Twi, 'e needs 't go!”

“Applejack, do you know who that is?”

“Yeah, Ah do. He's mah second cousin, an' we don't want 'is kind round here!”

“Listen to yourself!! Can you even hear what you are saying? For starters, you obviously know what he's been through, and know that he was acquitted of all charges!” The lavender alicorn had to spread her wings and push them harder then Dash had ever trained her to catch the fleeing earth pony, sending them into a tumble as they rolled through the gates to Sweet Apple Acres. “What the hay is wrong with you, AJ?”

“Nothin' is wrong with me, Twi, but there is with you for lettin' that colt stay with you!”

“Applejack, get in the house, now.” The two mares turned to find Big Macintosh stood above them, and with a defeated sigh she trotted off towards her home. “Sorry about that, Twi. Now, can Ah assume that mah second cuz is stayin' with you?”

“Yes, he is. Why?”

“Ah'd like to seem 'im.”

“If you are looking to get into a fight with...”

“Nothin' like that, Ah want to make sure 'e's okay.”

“Oh... well, let's get going then.”

“Eeyup... one last thing though... Applebloom!” There was a blur of motion as the younger of the Apple sisters came charging over, leaping on to her brother's back and draping her forehooves around his neck. “Now we can go see 'im.”

You winced slightly as you turned the page of the book you were reading. Having decided you had been in bed long enough, and with copious amounts of begging towards the stern mare, she had helped you down the stairs and into the main room, where you were now reading through the latest edition of Daring Do available. “Does it still hurt?”

You looked over to the opposite couch, where Fluttershy was, grooming an owl that had been perched in the corner. Coming to the end of the next page, you gave her a weak smile as you turned the paper. “It's not so bad now, just a little twinge.”

“Oh... um, good, I think. So... um, where are you from?”

“I'm... I... I'd... rather not talk about that, if you don't mind.”

“Of course. I'm sorry I brought it up.” You went to smile at her again when the library door opened, a small pale yellow blur darting forward and wrapping it's small hooves around your chest, firmly and gently at the same time. “Applebloom, he's injured!”

You looked down, and sure enough, there was your youngest relative, her crimson bow still attached to her mane. You rolled over onto your right side and used your left hoof to pull her closer, feeling the filly relax in your grip. And then you felt it. It was hard not to, only one pony could seem to make the air want to leave the room. Looking over the back over the couch, you saw the crimson juggernaut that was Big Mac. “Long time no see, cuz, huh?”

“It is indeed, Mac. Erm... cousin AJ, is she...”

“Don't you fret about that. Ah'm gonna give her a stern talking to when we get home. But what are ya doing 'ere? Ah thought you'd be at...”

“Mac, over here please.” You silently thanked Twilight as she pulled him to the side and had a whispered conversation with him. You weren't sure if Applebloom knew, and you most certainly did not want Fluttershy to find out. Even in there was no substance to the claims, they still weighed heavily on your heart, and it pained you to realise that you wanted to push the kindness the mare had shown to you away.

“You're part of Applejack's family?” You looked over and saw the pegasus had stopped her brushing of the owl, and had moved closer, now sitting next to the coffee table. You struggled to answer, not wanting to say to much, but were saved from an unlikely source.

“Eeyup, our Aunt Orange is really our aunt-in-law, an' she's 'is actual aunt, so we're related by law.” You couldn't help but smile, Applebloom having grown since you last saw her, and in intelligence it seemed as well. “Can Ah stay with you tonight, cuz?”

“No, you can not, Applebloom.” That had come from another unexpected source, this time being the red stallion that had returned to the centre of the room. “'e's injured, and needs time t' rest. Maybe when 'e's feelin better, but not tonight. Besides, ya have chores t' do today. We'll get outta your mane now, cuz, an' Ah'll make sure AJ comes back t' apologise.”

“If it's going to cause an argument, then it can wait. And... Applebloom can come back later... if she's a good filly. Is that okay?” Mac rolled his customary stalk of hay around his mouth a few times, looking between you and his sister, before closing his eyes and nodding.

“Eeyup, but she's gotta do all 'er chores today... including 'er homework.”

“Aww...”

“Come one Bloom, Ah said you can come back later, now let's go t' work.” With one final squeeze, you let the filly go, and she jumped down, trotting out the door next to her brother. You went to return to reading your book, but found it held firmly in place by a yellow forehoof. You lifted your gaze and met with a muzzle smiling at you, Fluttershy also smiling at you with her eyes.

“Well, I think after a day of being around you, it would be nice to know your name?” You averted your gaze, staring at the floor in between you. You could see a blur moving in your peripheral vision, not knowing what it was until you felt Fluttershy's hoof on your shoulder. You turn your head slightly and look at her out of the corner of your eyes. “...please?”

It was almost heart attack inducing, the way she looked directly at you, but at the same time tilted her head away, and you couldn't find the strength to refuse her request. “I'm... Sky Runner.”

“I thought you were...” You turned to face the mare, who was now smiling at you. “Don't you remember? We met at a holiday camp south of Las Pegasus. Well... I was clumsy and knocked you from your cloud into the ocean, but...” You vaguely remembered the incident, all you were doing was napping on a cloud, and then a filly bumped into you, and you fell to the water below. Shame you couldn't swim at the time.

“It was a good job my sister was there, or I might've drowned.”

“Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't know! Are you okay?”

“Well, I'm here now, and all things considered... yeah. And don't worry, I know it was an accident.” Fluttershy's hoof rubbed at your shoulder a little, then she got off the couch and trotted towards the kitchen, where you assumed Twilight and Spike were making lunch. You could see the tip of her tail flicking around through the doorway, and with chuckle you went back to reading your selected book.

“Hmm... Ah'm not sure...”

“Please, Big Mac...”

“Explain t' cycle to me.” Applebloom stopped her mini tantrum and looked up to her brother with a raised eyebrow, bidding him to expand on his request. “The weather cycle.”

“There are reser-voirs all over Equestria, bigger ones near bigger cities. They take it in turns to provide for their local weather factories, which turn t' water into whatever is needed, be it just clouds, rain, or even snow. Once t’ desired weather has hit t' ground, it drains back into t' local rivers, which lead to t' reser-voirs, and t' process begins again. Can Ah go now?”

Mac just stared at her for moment before cracking into a smile. “Eeyup.” With that the filly jumped up and hugged her brother's neck, then tore off out of the door. The stallion shook his head with a chuckle, and began to tidy up the pile of papers left on the table. His smile dropped when the back door opened, and he turned to find the elder Apple sister glaring at him.

“An' jus' where in the hay is she off to this late at night, huh?”

“She's staying somewhere else tonight.”

“Where?”

“T' library.”

“What? Ah gotta go get her! She's in trouble! Mac, come...

“APPLEJACK!” Big Macintosh never shouted at her, and to do so at this time of night... The effect he wanted was what he got, his sister shrinking away from him. “Did ya even read the full letter?” She shook her head, not meeting his searing gaze and staring at the floor between her hooves. A piece of paper was slid in front of her, and she picked up from where she had left off.

“Oh... Celestia, what have Ah done? Ah gotta do somethin' about this. Ah gotta...”

“AJ... leave it till t' mornin'. T' only other one that knows is Princess Sparkle, an' she won't tell nopony. Now come on, it's been a long day an' it's time fer supper.”

You stroked your well filled stomach with a hoof, slouching back on the couch with a satisfied smile. Fluttershy had left just after lunch, and after giving you new dressings. You had spent the rest of the afternoon reading, much to Twilight's jubilation, even though she chided you for sticking to fiction. You just poked your tongue out at her, responding with the fact that everypony has different tastes, causing the alicorn mare to giggle.

The evening meal had been amazing, and it was even more of a surprise to find out Spike had done most of the cooking. Stifling a yawn with your hoof, you glance over to the clock and note the late time. You were about to head to bed when a knock on the door caused you both to look over. “Now who could that be this late at night?” You just smiled as Twilight trotted over to the door, looking down with a gasp of surprise. “Applebloom? What brings you here this late?”

“Ah'm allowed to stay with Sky tonight!” The mare glanced back over her shoulder at you, and you just responded with a sheepish smile and a shrug, causing her to turn away with a shake of her head. “Is that okay, Princess? If not, Ah'll go home.”

“Applebloom, how many times do I have to tell you to just call me Twilight? And no, it's not a problem, I just wish somepony had thought to inform me so I could set up another bed.”

“That's okay, Ah'll just sleep in t' same bed as Sky!”

“I... don't think that's a good id...”

“Twilight...” She turned to look at you once more, concern stamped on her muzzle. “...it's okay. Mac trust's me to look after her, and that's what I'm going to do. I can understand your trepidation, but you know I'm not like… that.”

“What's he talkin' about, Twilight?” The mare's ears splayed back, realising that Applebloom had heard the entire conversation. With a sweep of her hoof she brought the filly in, turning to lock the door.

“Adult stuff, nothing for you to worry about. Now, I think it's time we all went to bed. I see you've brought your wash kit, so you can have the bathroom first, Applebloom.” With a quick salute the filly tore off up the stairs, and about twenty minutes later you were both preparing to get under your covers when Twilight popped her head through the door. “I'll be upstairs if you require anything... either of you. Good night.”

“Thank you, Twilight, good night.”

“Night, Twi.” You climbed into bed and held the covers up as the filly joined you. Once you lay down, she pressed against your chest, but it didn't hurt. Whatever it was Fluttershy had forced down your throat at lunch, no matter how much you protested, seemed to be doing a good job of dulling the pain. You wait for Applebloom to stop fidgeting before draping your wing over her, pulling up the covers and blowing out the candle next to your bed.

Outside of your immediate family, the filly beginning to snore softly was your favourite, and she held a special place in your heart. You were there when she was born, had seen her a lot when she had grown up, even though it had gotten less and less as you both grew older, but you still had that special bond.

And there was that part of the back of your mind that wanted a filly just like her someday. You gave a quiet chuckle at that. What would your friends say if they heard you say that out loud? Not that you had friends any more. With a sigh you lay you head on the pillow, ready to sleep. Tomorrow was a new day, and you were in a new, seeming friendly, town... it was time for a new life.

Author's Note

Before the fire starts to rain down, remember from episode 04 of season 01 how stubborn Applejack is.

I'm pretty sure you've worked out what his supposed crime is now (Hush, TheMyth.), and she jumped to a conclusion without taking the time to peruse all the evidence. We've all done it, we'll all do it again, and we'll learn from her mistakes.

The others will find out... but not yet. I don't know when it will be just yet. Now, as it's 0045 where I am, and I gotta get up at 0630, I'm gonna take Twilight's advice from the last scene and get some sleep.

Good night everypony

and pleasant dreams.

Heh... not that kind Luna. Those are reserved for you and me...