Here and new

Never and I mean never in my life have I seen such a huge herd of ponies at once in one place of all colors and weird tattoos. Applejack quickly headed down to meet her huge family, some of them seemed to crowd around her telling her how long it's been since they last met, apparently I hear Applejack say it's only been since last year's family reunion since they last met. I was approaching her from behind chuckling at what she said; all of a sudden their attention goes from Applejack to me. They all looked terrified while backing away at the sight of me, Applejack just stood there wondering why her kin was behaving this way, she turns her head to me and she just starts to chuckle and faces back at her siblings.

"Oh don't ya’ll worry, that’s just a human and a friend of mine. He may look scary but he’s a sweet heart, saved me and mah friend's life a few days ago from two Timberwolves." Applejack said as her siblings looked in shock.

"You were attacked by Timberwolves?!" A grey stallion with a red mane said with a very worried expression.

"How exactly did you get yourself in that situation?" An elderly green mare with a green hat asked.

"Well you see it started with Mah new friend here...." Applejack went on for about fifteen minutes about our encounter and what followed after wards when she and her friends chased me into the ever free forest and she finally got to the part where I went head to head against two ravenous Timberwolves with nothing but two rocks and a strategy of making it up as I went along.

After she had finished, she got nothing but stares of shock from her siblings. It was quiet for too long before I could break the silence a small filly with a dark orange coat and a reddish mane with a Boston accent.

"Is that really what happened?! Is that why you have those scars on you?" She pointed at my chest and fore arm.

"Yeah’ but they're just scars and I'm all better now after a few days of recovering." I said with a smile.

"What's that thing on yer head, some sort of mane?" She points with her hoof.

"This?" I said as I point at my head. "It's my hair, it's like a mane but not so long." I combed my hair a little, I hear Applejack clearing her throat catching mine and her siblings attention.

"Ahem, anyway our friend here Leon will be joining our family reunion, it's the least Ah can do  for his heroic deed, Ah mean his resourcefulness’ is amazing; using only two rocks as weapons." She said as she patted my side.

"Uh Applejack, maybe we should just get this reunion celebration under way."

"Huh, oh right! Follow me every pony!" She said as she headed down to where we had set everything. Everyone else had followed her while I followed them, they kept glancing at me, I think it was because they thought I was going to pounce and eat them.

"Oh jeez look at all the fritters! Looks as good as last year" the little filly said as she ran up to grab a plate but not before running into Applebloom.

"Cousin Babs!"

"AppleBloom how ya doing cuz it’s been ages." She said as they went in for a hug.

"Actually, it's only been year Babs"

I chuckled as I made my way to the fillies, which then turned their heads to me.

"Oh, have you meet Leon? He's the one who saved mah sister." She said proudly

"Yea, the ape creature who fought off two Timber wolves with only rocks to save your sis"

"Well I'm close to ape but I am not one, my species is called human and..." I was then cut off by AppleJack who pulled me away from the fillies.

"Hey Leon-" I cut her off.

"Just call me Leo, I never liked the name Leon" Applejacks just shook her head slowly.

"Yeaaa...any way what ya doing just standing? Here, have a fritter." She gestured her hoof to the table filled with cider, fritters and apple pie. It all looked tempting that I just couldn’t help myself; I bet Apple fritters with cider would be great.

I grabbed a few fritters with some cider and noticed a yellow mare with green hair and three green apples on her flank standing next to me just staring at the table blankly, I think she was zoning out. I gave her a little poke which quickly snapped her out shaking her head and just looked at me.

"Oh, sorry..." She said a little embarrassed looking away.

"No, no it's fine you're good." I said with a smile, she glanced at me a couple times until she had the courage to speak.

"Did...did you really fight two Timber wolves without magic, is that why you're scarred?" she asked a little eager to know the answer.

"Uh, yea I did with these bare hands." I show her my hands and she just looks at them with amazement as she pokes my fingers with her hooves.

"I guess these little limbs on your hands help grip stuff?"

"Yea, that’s how I grabbed the rocks to bash two Timber wolves"

"Wow that amazing, are your species all like this?"

"Yes, as a last resort when confronted with danger my species will use whatever we can as a weapon to fight off danger."

"Oh mah word, If Ah didn't know any better Ah would have thought that your species was made only to fight." She said with excitement in her voice.

That comment sort of made me a bummed, because it was true. My species was made for fighting since the beginning of time, it just made me feel more ashamed of my kind that it just got me lost in thought of what my kind is capable of that I didn't notice the mare trying to snap me out of it waving her hoof at my face.

"Hello? Mister Are you okay?"

"Huh, yea I'm fine I was just thinking...excuse me..." I grabbed the fritters and cider as I walked far away as possible. Applejacks noticed me shuffle away with my head hanging.

"Leo?" She trots right next to me trying to get my attention. “Is everything alright?"

"Yea, I'm fine...just fine" I then took a huge bite out of one of my apple fritter and a swig of my cider nearly finishing it all.

"Whoa, easy there partner, Ah know our chow is good but go slow down or you'll choke." She said as she put a hoof on my fore arm with my mug pulling it away.

"Sorry, I just needed something to get my mind off some things that’s all." I was massaging my fore head with my eyes clamped shut.

"Well if that’s the case then why don’t you participate in our events?" She smiled.

Maybe that would lift my spirits, I quickly nod and I follow her to the first event. It seemed that it was an obstacle course, it had a mud pit, and a hay wall to jump over that was five feet tall, and a dirt path that was twenty meters so you can pull a huge cart full of hay and apples. It seemed that this family focuses on their physical attributes, mainly strength.

I positioned myself in the starting line with the other ponies, who were mainly stallions including Big Mac. I saw another stallion that was normal size with a brown coat and yellow mane that seemed to be staring me down with narrow eyes, I've seen that look one too many times at school, it was the stare of competitiveness.

"Ah hope yer ready ape, because Im’a win this!" I was a little intimidated, but not enough to back down, and because the spell Twilight cast on me I felt an enormous amount of energy that needed to be used. It made me feel the need to boast.

"Oh yea, Just wait until you see the possibilities’ that this body of mine can do! And by the way I'm a human!" I got into a ready to run positioned. I could hear Granny Smith yelling through the micro phone.

"All right every pony...and ape." I stuck up to yell.

"Human!" I yelled.

"Whatever, now get in yer ready positions. On yer mark, get set, GO!"

I quickly dashed as fast as my feet could take off which kind of surprised me, I quickly jumped over the huge mud puddle and made a firm landing. I then took off again setting my sights on the hay of wall, I then took a huge leap over and I felt like I was light as a feather, literally! After landing I quickly made my way to the cart's and started pulling. It was when I looked back to see some have fallen in the mud puddle, and others barley leaping over the hay wall. Big mac however had made it and grabbed a cart and started pulling as everyone or every pony started cheering. Big Mac was quickly catching up to me so I started using more of my strength but it felt like I was using barely any effort. I never felt this strong and I have so much stamina left to spare.

This was becoming close; Big Mac was ahead by an inch. I started to pull even harder catching up to Big Mac and getting ahead of him, I finally reached the finish line along with Mac tying; as I release myself from the cart I could hear cheering. And Granny smith trots up to the both of us.

"Ahem, seeing as how this is a tie I'll have to score ya on yer performance, Leo! Step forward." I did just so. "For yer performance on the obstacle course, you win with those crazy moves and such." She says patting my chest.

"For real’ no fooling?" I leap up in the air in victory as I hear the rest the ponies cheer for me.

"That was a mighty good performance ya did there Leo, good game" He said holding out a hoof, I quickly place my hand and shake on it.

"Good game Big Mac." I said with a smile.

All of a sudden I started to tremble and feel weak, I fell on one knee trying not to collapse as my vision started to blur and seeing double, Applejack Rushed to me asking if I was alright. I lied and told her yes, I mean why Applejack’s family reunion should be ruined because of me.

"Leo, don't lie to me." She gave me a serious look.

"I'm fine I just over did it is all" I said getting back on my feet.

"Maybe you should sit down" Big Mac said.

"Yea I guess that be for the best." I said as I leaned on Big Mac taking me to ne nearest chair.

I quickly sat my bum down breathing heavily as my head started to hurt and all of a sudden I felt a huge shock of pain in my muscles that caused me to grunt loudly making every pony directs their attention to me. I look at the ponies who were staring at me wide eyed as if something was wrong, I just smile and told them that everything was fine I told them that I just got a splinter on my butt from the chair.

Sitting next to the table of food and drinks I grab a mug of apple cider and start drinking as much as I can to cool down and maybe relieve the pain. All of a sudden I notice Babs along with AppleBloom approach me with worried faces.

"Leo, are you alright?" Babs asked which was followed by AppleBloom.

"Yea, you seem like you were gonna pass out." Babs said.

"Its fine, I'm fine I just pushed myself a little too hard..." I shook my head to regain my clear vision.

"Are yea sure?" She said putting her hoof on my lap.

"Yea, I'll be fine in a couple of minutes."

"Ah hope so, cause in a few minutes were gonna take the family photo that we do every year!" AppleBloom said with glee.

"Oh that's great AppleBloom, I hope you fillies look great in it." I said as I smiled.

"Yer gonna be in it too silly." Babs said which surprised me.

"What, but I'm not even part of your family." I said a little shocked.

"Maybe, but you saved Mah sister's life. And for that the Apple family is eternally grateful, besides AppleJack insisted on it." I was touched, never in my life has anyone or any pony showed me this much gratitude, enough to include me in their family picture, I swear I wanted to cry a little.

"You know what?" I said as I got up. “I’m feeling much better now, let's go and get ready." I said with a smile as the little fillies followed me.

As we gather in front of the barn I notice Applejacks telling every pony where to take their positions, as for me she tells me to sit up front with her and her siblings. She asked me to sit on my knees so I don't block any pony from the picture. While Applejacks goes and sets up the camera to the correct angle AppleBloom quickly jumps on my lap surprising me, looking down at AppleBloom she smiles at me with those adorable eyes. I can't help but just smile back at her cuteness.

"Alright every pony smile!" She said as she quickly positioned herself with me and AppleBloom.

The flash went off as we gave our best smiles, I have to admit I never had anything like this before, it felt great, like actually having a good a family.

After the reunion had finally ended all the ponies that came got their things gathered and ready, they had all departed but not before saying goodbye to all of Applejacks siblings. After that we cleaned everything up, we chatted while we were putting everything we had set up away about how well the reunion went. I even went inside to clean the plates and mugs.

"You know Applejack..." I said as I washed the dishes.

"What?"

"I never in my life had such a great day as this one, you and your family are perfect."

"Aw shucks yer just saying that." She says in a bashful manner.

"No I mean it; I kinda wish I had something like that..." I said staring down at the dishes.

"What do ya mean?" She says.

"Uh, nothing, I was lost in thought for a second." I turn my head to her and fake a smile.

She stares at me for a while with suspicion until she looks over to the window on my right and notices its getting dark.

"Shoot, it's getting late. Why don't ya head home while I finish up the dishes here?"

"Are you sure?" I asked.

"Yea, besides Ah think we can survive the dishes." We both chuckle.

"Well okay, but I'm not leaving without giving you something." I said as I walked to her.

"Oh, and what’s that?" She asked

"This." I kneeled down to give her a big hug, at first she was completely surprised, but after a few seconds she returned the hug.

We break from our embrace as she tells me to be careful at night, I waved goodbye as I walked out, but not before she tells me to come and visit again.

After walking back to Twilight's in such a beautiful night with a full moon enjoying the scenery, I barely notice I'm back in town making my way to Twilight's tree. I finally make it after trying to figure out this town, I nock a few times and quickly the door opens showing not Twilight, but Spike.

"Oh hey Leo, how was the reunion?" Spike asked as he steps aside to let me walk in.

"It was awesome, there was cider and fritter and Applejack’s family is just wonderful ponies." I said as I made my way to the bed room.

"You turning in already?" Spike asked.

"Yea, after helping Applejacks set up the reunion party and being in the party running in an obstacle course I figured it was time for me to get some rest." I said but slowly making my way up as my body still ached after the obstacle course.

"Oh, okay."

"Oh hey where’s Twilight?" I asked.

"She's in the basement estimating at the results of your body."

"Really Sheesh, any longer and she'll have her brain fried."

"That's what I said."

"Oh well what can you do?" We both shrugged.

After finally making it to bed I fall over and lie there kicking off my shoes and taking off my socks. I then notice that I smelled awful as I forgot that I was wearing the same thing for a few days. I call out to Spike asking him where the bathroom is. He tells me it's to my right, I quickly head in and notice a small bath but not small enough that I didn't fit in, I get the bath ready and remove my pants as I throw them on the rack. I slowly get in the hot water sticking in one foot first and then completely having my whole body in there, well almost in there, my knees were sticking out but that didn't stop me from grabbing the soap and cleaning myself from head to toe.

While I was enjoying a hot bath, Twilight is at her basement doing estimations and research on my results. She was very anxious with a worried expression.

"How can this be, how can he be filled with magic without me sensing it, It just doesn't make sense." She thought to herself sweating. "If what these results and estimations show me are correct then the spell I cast on him this morning will surly alter him. And if he uses his improved body with the magic lying dormant it will be very, very bad." She then levitates the brain scan results to her. “And judging by his emotions he keeps well hidden he’s unstable, according to his anger it seems to be off the chart yet he doesn't show it. He must have it in check, but what the chart shows me he has had it this way for a very long time. It's not healthy at all to keep so much anger bottled up. And according to my formula his emotions along with his alterations only spell disaster. I can't reverse the spell...all I can do is hope he never reaches to the point where he'll go berserk." She then sets the paper down sighing; she turns and heads up stairs.

"I need to tell the others and Celestia, to be cautious around him."