SnowFlare, Pegasus of Ice.

Snowflare had decided to spend his extra time going into town, but to do what? Bump into another pony? He didn't even understand how he met so many ponies. If there's one thing i'm not, it's a social pony... but I suppose there's nothing better for me to do. He got to his hooves, trotting out of the house and into town again. Maybe that apple stand is still open...I am feeling kind of hungry after beating up a Cockatrice. he thought as he continued along the narrow, dusty path to where the cart stood. Oh, thank Celestia! They're open! he thought as he happily trotted down to the stand. Of course, Apple Bloom was there. I probably should've guessed.

"Howdy, mister!" The filly bore a goofy grin with resemblance to the pink mare he had seen recently.

"Hello yourself," he began, digging bits out of his saddlebags. "I came to buy another apple.

"Five, right?" he asked, counting the shining gold disks in his hoof.

"Right." Snowflare handed her the bits, and she pushed a bright red apple towards him. He took a bite, savoring the fresh, sweet taste.

"Hey, do you wanna visit the farm and mah big sister?" The filly suddenly piped up. Her eyes shone and she grinned even wider than before, if possible.

Snowflare almost choked on his apple. Visit the farm?! That was certainly a sudden request if he'd heard any.

More ponies TO MEET? No thank you. But...it's not like I have anything else to do, so what the heck?

"Sure, why not?" he said casually, pretending he hadn't had to mull it over. "Well great! Let's go!" She began to bounce away, her pink bow bobbing on her head.

"Wait! Don't you have to run the stand?!" he called out, galloping up to her.

"Mah big brother can handle that," she replied, waving a hoof in dismissal.

Snowflare had to run to keep up. For a filly, she was a fast runner, and her brightly colored mane streamed out behind her as the flew across the road. Thankfully, training with Celestia had benefited him with plenty of exercise, so he was able to keep up with her demanding pace.

After what seemed like a tireless amount of running, Snowflare was greeted by an incredible sight: rows upon rows of tall, healthy trees decorated with bright red fruit clinging to the branches. Apple trees! A path was cut through the maze of trees, and at the end of the path stood a proud red barn. In front of everything, a sign stuck up in the dirt, reading "Sweet Apple Acres."

Where have I heard that name before? He frowned as he SCANNED the sign. It sounds so familiar...

"Ooh! There's mah sister now!" Apple Bloom pointed with one hoof to a mare standing near one of the trees. Dirt caked her orange coat, and her scruffy blond mane was thrown over her shoulder in a ponytail. A weathered brown hat topped her head, and white freckles dotted her face. Though her eyes had circles underneath them, her green eyes shone brightly.

The mare crouched, her eyes taking on a determined light. She began to gallop towards the a tree, quickly becoming an orange blur, and as soon as she was in hoof's reach of the tree she spun around, her hind legs shooting out to collide with the tree. Each piece of dangling fruit dropped from the branches of the trees, all falling into the baskets surrounding the tree.

"Isn't mah sister amazing?" Applebloom whispered, breaking the silence.

"Huh? Oh. Yeah." He smiled to himself as he watched. Wow. That pony's pretty amazing...

Apple Bloom immediately ran over to the mare, an excited expression still on her face.

"Oh Celestia, what have I gotten into now?" he muttered to himself, nearly facehoofing.

The mare began to walk up to him, no emotion visible on her face except a hint of curiosity. Snowflare cringed, hoping that her reaction to him would be as warm as Apple Bloom's.

"Well, howdy there!" Snowflare blinked. The mare was now right in front of him, and replacing her emotionless mask was a huge grin. So that's where Apple Bloom got it.

"Oh! H-hi," he quickly replied. The mare already seemed friendly enough, but he was still wary, he studied his cyan hooves as the mare began to speak.

"Mah little sister told me about ya."

"Oh, she did?" he asked nervously, risking a quick glance into her big green eyes.

"Yeah! She told me all about how nice ya are!"

"Really?" he replied excitedly. Ponies rarely talked about him, as he had lived a secluded life with the Princess for years, so he was unused to being boasted about.

"O-Oh, um, right. My name's Snowflare." He said after a few minutes.

"I'm Applejack, nice to meet'cha!" Her voice was held GENUINE enthusiasm that brought a smile to his face. She stuck out her orange hoof, and Snowflare reluctantly took it, only for Applejack to pump his hoof up and down.

"It seems mah sister considers you her friend!"

"Really?" he asked, nervous again. He hadn't thought about friends much, but when he really considered to prospect, Apple Bloom was definately a friend, and the fact that she considered him her friend made his bashful grin grow.

"Anyways, it's getting to sundown, and Ah bet you're probably real tired," Applejack noted, glancing at the vibrant orange sunset.

"Oh! Y-yeah. I'll be on my way then." He turned, preparing to make his way back up the path.

"Come again soon!" Applejack and Applebloom called out, almost in perfect synchronization.

As Snowflare walked back to his house, he noticed that a certain Rainbow mare was clearing the clouds, allowing the fiery rays of sunlight to pour through. Smiling to himself, he entered his home once more, flopping on his bed.

As he fell asleep, he wondered what sort of challenges tomorrow would bring.