Fading to the Heart

As Mash was running through the marketplace, regardless of the possible outcomes of meeting this pony, he was excited to meet this mysterious stallion or mare. Mash continued on through and he saw something in the air. "Huh?" he says to himself as he noticed Royal Guards flying a chariot, in the chariot was a purple-lavender unicorn mare with a dark purple mane and tail with a pink streak, she seems a little young, but that didn't matter right now, what mattered was how beautiful the mare looked in Mash's eyes. "Oh somepony pinch me, I'm dreaming..." he says to no one in particular as he tries to straighten himself out, clearing his throat and making himself look fashionable to the Canterlot mare, he begins practicing his lines. "Hello there, ma'am, my name is Matrish Averine Potato and I will be your guide today." he says to himself.

He snickers softly. "Got this in the bag..." he says silently to himself as the chariot finally lands next to the farm stallion, out came the gorgeous mare in question and a baby dr-- 'A BABY DRAGON!?' he says in his mind as he goes into 'MILD PANIC' mode. "Maybe the ponies in Ponyville have interesting things to talk about. Come on, Twilight, just try!" said the baby dragon in question, Mash looks away in hopes he tries his best not to panic, he heard a gasp and looks back to see Pinkie Pie zoning off. "Well, that was interesting all right..." Mash then took this opportunity and clears his throat, Twilight looks over to Mash as she tilts her head. "Huh? What's with that get up?" she said to Mash, to which Mash ignored or didn't hear. "H-Hello there, ma'am, my name is ... Matrish Averine Potato and.." his legs were giving way. 'Oh sweet Celestia, she's looking right at me...' he said in his mind as he was sweating nervously, Twilight sighs and looks away. "That's nice, Mr Matrish, but I'm looking for my guide, Princess Celestia told me there was a guide waiting for me."

Mash was trying to calm down. "E-err, I uh-" Twilight looks back at Mash with a quirked eyebrow. "Wait, you're our guide?" To which Mash nodded, his tongue was too busy getting tied from this wonderful looking mare, he could barely hear it, but there was a sigh coming from her mouth. "Princess Celestia sure knows how to pick them..." she said with a bit of disappointment under her breath, to which Mash stopped shaking his legs and just stared at her in question. "Huh?" Twilight shook her head. "Nothing... My name is Twilight Sparkle, and this here is my assistant Spike." she said pointing to her dragon companion. A simple "Sup?" came from Spike's mouth, but Mash shook his head. "Uhm, nice to meet the... both of ya.." he said inbetween nervous shakes in his sentence. "Uhm, so..." Twilight interrupted Mash, knowing what he was about to say. "Do you know where 'Sweet Apple Acres' is?"

Mash nods enthusiastically. "It's this way, follow me!" he said as he began walking on his 4 hooves back to Sweet Apple Acres, Twilight and Spike gave each other a look and they shrug, they just followed the easily nerved colt, though ahead of them, Mash looks like he was having an internal war with himself. 'D'oh, you foal! She's beautiful! Ask her out! What if she rejects me?! She IS a Canterlot mare! OH CELESTIA!!' He then looked normal in their eyes. 'Wait, no... I'll just ask Zecora if she knows what to do, Mash Potato cannot be easily persuaded by the beauty of a mare!' he said slowing down a tad, Twilight and Spike ahead of him. "Uh, are you alright?" Mash nods by muttering out. "I love you..." softly enough for her to not hear it. "Huh? What was that?" she said looking back questioningly, Mash realized his mistake, his entire face flashes of a cherry shade of red. "Uhm, I said: I'm perfectly fine!" he said as Twilight thought this was getting a bit creepy.

They eventually make it to Sweet Apple Acres with Twilight checking the list. "Summer Sun Celebration official overseer's checklist. Number one, banquet preparations: Sweet Apple Acres." a sharp "Yee-haw!" was heard along with the sounds of apples dropping into a basket or rather, multiple baskets, Mash smirked as he recognizes that 'Yee-haw' anywhere, his landlord and adoptive sister. They were soon approached by an earth pony mare with a creamy beige mane that was a bit tasseled.  Her eyes were that of a sap green eye colour with a light orange-like coat. She was wearing a Stetson hat and adorned on each of her flank sides held three apples, her cutie mark. ”Hey there Sugarcube!" she says to Mash. "Ah thought you'd be joinin us later." Mash smiled and looks at Twilight. "Sorry AJ, but their list was of banquet checking, This is --" Twilight interrupted and formally introduced herself. "Hello, my name is Twilight Sparkle, and I’m-"

She was cut off with AJ grabbing her hoof. “Howdy there, name’s Applejack, proud member of the Apple family,” Applejack introduced herself as she shook Twilight's hoof vigorously. “Nice to meet you. So, what can Ah do you for?“

Twilight Sparkle cleared her throat and replied. “Well, I am in fact here to supervise preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration. And you're in charge of the food?”

“We sure as sugar are!”  Applejack proudly declared, she then looks at all three of them and offered. “Would you care to sample some?"

Mash couldn't help but drool that he was about to have one of Applejack's famous pies, it was one of his favourite foods and he would live off the stuff. "Would we ever!!" he said excitedly with Twilight saying. "As long as it doesn't take too long.." Twilight Sparkle found herself covering her ears as the loud sound of a triangular instrument ringing filled the area. Applejack turned towards the farm and took a deep breath. “Soup's on, everypony!“  her voice rung out through the ENTIRE acre. “Y’all lucky ta come here first,” Applejack said to the 3 and continues. “Yer just in time fer the Apple family reunion! Now, why don't I introduce y'all to the Apple family? “

Twilight looked a little sad to say but. “Thanks, but I really need to hurry…” but she didn't know Applejack as she NEVER takes no for an answer.

“This here's Apple Fritter. Apple Bumpkin. Red Gala. Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Caramel Apple, Apple Strudel, Apple Tart, Baked Apples, Apple Brioche, Apple Cinnamon Crisp... “ she paused, taking a deep breath. “Big McIntosh, Apple Bloom, Mash Potato AND Granny Smith. Up'n'attem, Granny Smith, we got guests.” she hollers to the other members of the Apple Family.

On the porch sat a rocking chair with an elderly mare wearing a light lime green coat and a light gray mane. “What…? Soup’s on?” she says as she was stirring then had a yawn. Her experienced and well-toned orange eyes stir as she grabbed her cane. “I'm up, here I come, ahm comin'. “

Mash was so excited. "Twilight, you HAVE to try their apple pie, it's gorgeous!" he said as he happily trots to where the apple family was gathering.

“Okay, well, I can see the food situation is handled, so we'll be on our way.” Twilight said with a nervous laugh as she tries backing away, an audible "Aww" of disappointment was heard from the family, but Mash was too busy eying the food to react, if his mind wasn't plagued with a mare he had a crush on, it was food's turn. He didn't notice Applebloom walk on over to Twilight, She was a little filly with amaranth colored mane with a pretty red bow on it, her coat a pale, light grayish olive that was a deadly mixture of adorable cuteness.

“Aren’tcha gonna stay fer brunch?” said the mare peering at Twilight with soul-crushing sadness that made Twilight gave way. “Fine, I suppose I can stay for a bit.” she said with the cheer of everypony at the table.

Minutes later, Twilight, Spike and Mash was walking back for the next on Twilight's list, Mash burped only a tad and covered his muzzle with a slight 'scuse me'. "Hoo my, that was awesome!" Mash said with a laugh as he looks over at Spike and Twilight. "Man that was good. Not as good as gems but good.” Mash had a smirk on his muzzle. "See what I told ya? Apple Pie is like, the ambrosia among foods!" Twilight's groans a bit. "I think I ate too much of it..." she then looks at Mash with a quizzed look. "I honestly never seen a pony down 4 slices of apple pie, 10 apple fritters and an entire plate of Apple Strudel in the same meal, where are you putting it all?!" Mash just gave a cocky grin. "Matrish never back down on a challenge! Especially Food!" he said as he does a comical pose of a 'good guy' pose, in which Twilight tried to stifle a giggle.

Twilight looks up at the sky and groans. "Why is there clouds still here?!" Mash looks up. "Oh, Rainbow Dash hasn't cleared them up yet, don't worry, she'll clean it up in a bit," Mash's ears perked up. "Speaking of which..." he eyed around to try and find Rainbow Dash. "Try to look out for her, she seems to--" Mash was cut off from a tackle by Rainbow Dash, bumping into Twilight, resulting all three of them to be covered in dirt, but Mash was on top of Twilight as Rainbow was on Mash's back, Mash opened his eyes to see Twilight blushing furiously. "H-huh?" he then realized. "! OH SWEET CELESTIA! I'm so sorry!" he said as he jumped off of Twilight and shook himself clean. Rainbow Dash recovered with a sheepish laugh. "Uh, 'scuse me? Lemme help you." she says as she helps Twilight up who was still blushing like mad.

Rainbow Dash dove up into the clouds and jumped on it, causing it to shower rain on the unicorn. "Heh, kinda overdid it again. Sorry bout that." she used her powerful wings to cause a dry wave, making Twilight all nice and try, but her mane poofs up. "My very own patented Rain-Blow Dry! No no. Don't thank me. You're quite welcome." She replied with a burst of laughter.

Spike joined in on the laughter, but Mash was still blushing like crazy, he kinda hated himself for doing that to a mare, but Twilight seemed to forgot all about it and instead said. "Let me guess. You're Rainbow Dash." Rainbow Dash started to pamper herself as she smirked. "The one and only. Why, you heard of me?" she said with a smug look on her face. "I heard you were supposed to be keeping the sky clear." she replies and sighs. "I'm Twilight Sparkle, and the Princess sent me to check on the weather."

Rainbow Dash smiled and looked at her. "Yeah, yeah, that'll be a snap. I'll do it in a jiffy. Just as soon as I'm done practicing." Twilight quirks her eyebrow. "Practicing for what?" Rainbow smiled and got excited. "The Wonderbolts! They're gonna perform at the Celebration tomorrow, and I'm gonna show 'em my stuff!" Twilight looks at Rainbow in disbelief. "The Wonderbolts." Rainbow Dash nods excitedly. "mmhm!" Twilight sighs. "The most talented flyers in all of Equestria?" she said in disinterest, she never cared much about the Wonderbolts or any other sport event for that matter.

Rainbow Dash could only nod once again in excitement as she was flying around them in a circle. "Yep!" Twilight scoffs. "Please. They'd never accept a Pegasus who can't even keep the sky clear for one measly day." Rainbow Dash had another look of smugness on her muzzle. "Oh please, I can clear these clouds in ten seconds flat!" Once again, Twilight had a look of disbelief. "Prove it..." she said simply, oh if only she knew.

10 seconds flat later...

Rainbow Dash proved herself as she cleared the clouds, with the look of awe on Twilight and Spike's faces. "Shouldn't of said that, Twilight..." Mash said with a sigh. "She takes any challenge seriously." And with that Rainbow Dash floats beside Mash. "So, Mashy, how ya doin?" He groans and looks at Rainbow. "Doing well, Rainbow Dash, what about you?" he said with such nonchalance, that made Rainbow's eyebrow quirk. "What's up with you? Aren't you ready for today?" Mash shook his head. "Nothing, hey, I can't do that challenge today, Dash..." Rainbow had a look of annoyance on her face. "I KNEW IT! I knew you were gonna decline on the last minute! It's so like you!" she said but then smirks. "Don't blame ya, I'd wipe the floor with ya." Mash sighs. "No, it's not that, it's the fact that I'm always busy and today I'm guiding miss Sparkle around Ponyville for the SUMMER SUN CELEBRATION!" he said with annoyance clear in his tone.

Rainbow sighs. "Whatever, you're such a loser. You're always too busy to hang around with me." Mash looked a little guilty as she said that. "I - I prom--" Rainbow Interrupts. "NO! Don't you even dare! You promised last time and you BROKE it, what happens if you break ANOTHER promise?" Mash was feeling more guilt pinging down his chest. "Hey, I'm trying my best to-" Rainbow interrupts once more. "Hmph, and you're always on those 'BUSINESS' trips of yours, what BUSINESS do you have in the Everfree forest anyways?" Mash just looks down. "I can't tell --" Rainbow growls. "You know what, don't bother, I KNOW what you're gonna say, save it... I'm done with this." she says as she just blasts off away from Mash.

This made Mash felt guilt to the max, he was trying his best not to break down crying, and he was doing a good job of it thankfully, he sighs and sucks up his gut to seeing Twilight and Spike, the two of them were staring in concern, then Mash smiles and reassures them. "This happens all the time, heh... Don't worry." he said as he quickly gallops off. "I... Have business to take care of, and I'll meet you back at the library, okay?!" he said not specifying a time. Twilight was positive that she saw tears down the stallions eyes, which made her feel sorry for him.

Mash was back in his farm, trying his hardest not to cry, not to show weakness like his boss: 'Onyx Blaze' told him so, his boss would warn him that he'd lose friends along the way with his Dreamcatcher job, but not of this magnitude. "She's right, totally right, I'm a promise breaker, but I'm doing it because of her protection, I CANNOT stress this ANY further!" he sighs as he looks down, feeling tears down his cheek, he sniffles and wipes his face with his foreleg. "I suck as a friend, I shouldn't even be here in ponyville, AJ currently hates my guts for something I didn't do, Rainbow doesn't like me anymore, and Pinkie Pie... Well, I don't know what Pinkie thinks of me, but..." he sighs and sits down on his bed. "I should of just stayed well away from Ponyville..." he said bitterly to himself, sighing.

The colt looks over his mother's picture, a beautiful farm mare with a long crimson mane and tail, wearing farm clothing, around her neck was an ocarina, though she never really needed it, her voice was soothing and she could sing like an angel, Mash sighs as it was her last wish to stay in Ponyville, if it wasn't for her wish, Mash would of just left ages ago and stay in manehatten, but she always wanted a change of scenery, and she got it. Mash never knew his father, though he doesn't care, he left when he was just but a tiny foal, wherever his father is, he hopes he's rotting somewhere... "Sheesh, that's pretty dark, don't ya think?" he said to literally no one in particular but himself with concern of his own mental well-being, he then looks at the Ocarina his mother left hanging on the wall, he grabs it and sighs to himself. "... Should I REALLY be playing this?"

He shook his head as he then puts the recorder end into his mouth and with his hooves, he starts pushing in and out of different holes to test it out, it still works perfectly despite all these years. "...Hmm..." he then starts to play a tune that he just comes to him randomly.

~Interval until end of ocarina song~

As he plays through the song, he felt it being a familiar tune that was played by his mother, she said that it was called: "Hikari" which was Neighponese for: "Light" this was kind of like a lullaby to him, he was happy once more as he heard his mother's tune perfectly toned, he was practicing it for years, and he finally learned it, before he ends the song, he felt his eyes drying up as he was getting into it, little did he know, he had somepony listening in, in fact, he drew in a crowd throughout his window, was animals of different kinds: birds, bunnies, squirrels and even a buttery yellow pony with a long pink mane, but before he could get a good look at the pony, she cowers and zooms off with a cute 'eep!' and all the animals dispersed quickly.

Mash was genually confused but he shrugged as he noticed that it was almost time for Celestia to bring up the moon, so he sighs and lays down on the bed and got some good sleep for the Summer Sun Celebration, with AJ away, this could probably be the only time he gets any more rest.