Game Over

Observe, Applejack found. Was a quite handy ability to posses, especially when you were too embarrassed to look at someone at his face. Which was her case, as she walked toward school with an equally shy McIntosh at her side.

Tangerine had been quite explicit of what she was willing to permit between them now that both had actually accepted to explore the possibility of a relationship.

The adult mare had been actually so explicit. That Applejack was horrified to know more about sex right now, than she did on her original world. Which, was pretty basic to begin with, as she was usually too busy on the farm to actually care about romance.

She had been certainly approached several times, by different stallions and even some mares. But frankly, no one had interested her, or been enough to take her attention from where it mattered the most to her.

Her family.

The palomino gazed lightly at the colt, while he was big compared to her. He was still a runt compared to what he would become in the future, as both of them were barely over their puberty and entering their teens. She was barely two years older than the Applebloom of her native world.

Contrary to her original self, she hasn't gone to the city to find herself, knowing pretty well that farming was her life, her destiny.

So it wasn't a surprise that like almost all farmers, she developed an Cutie Mark focused on it. Though, she had noticed that she hasn't the level to actually fully use the unique ability that such a mark would bring her. Even Mac wasn't powerful enough to use his innate ability. So it would take some time to fully know what exactly she was capable of doing, that nopony else in the world could replicate.

“Are... are you mad at me, Mac?” Applejack had to know, he had been so quiet since he accepted the chance to explore something more between them.

He looked at her, his deep green eyes looking back at hers. How had she not noticed that despite the color, his had been of a different shade than her own?

“Enope,” He answered, falling back into his southern accent that she knew their mother deeply disliked, as she hated how ponies often mistook such a thing with ignorance and illiteracy. Which wasn't the real deal with them.

He often fell back into it when he was nervous, or playful.

“Ah'm sorry...” So did Applejack.

McIntosh immediately stopped his march, his eyes deeply focused on hers:

“There's nothing to be sorry for, Jackie. I also like the idea... It's just... I'm worried how will the town take it, how would our friends take it?”

Applejack sighed, already knowing that it wouldn't be an easy transition. Ponies loved to talk, especially about the failures of others, it probably made them feel less bad about their own fails, but it didn't mattered. Things could be ugly for them, and the friendships would be put to a harsh test.

She knew that some of her Social Links might turn negative once they found about it.

Public opinion could shape or redefine relationships by mere peer pressure, so this was a test that both of them weren't sure to take.

“If they're our real friends, they will come to accept it. I mean, we're just testing the waters... It isn't as if I'm madly in love with you...” The palomino laughed awkwardly at what she was saying, looking down at the ground, suddenly noticing that it was instantly quite more interesting that she thought possible.

He chuckled too taken by surprise by what she had said. Applejack was quite happy that he hasn't sputtered something idiotic that would ruin the moment.

Your bond has strengthened...

They both gasped when the message appeared, both blushing madly when they found that yes, despite some of their fears and reserves, they actually liked the other for more than just the pheromones.

For Applejack, who had been in denial far longer than him, this had lifted a huge weight off her back, that she hasn't know was there until it was now completely gone... as if something on her mind had simply changed at that moment.

Maybe it was just puppy love, maybe not. Only time would tell if her fantasy was just that, a fantasy. Or something far more complex and fulfilling.

Fifteen minutes later, and a lot more of blushing. They both were at the school with their respective age peers. So it wasn't a surprise to her when her Observe ability, found to her surprise that she was the stronger fighter of her grad.

Rarity Level 25
Carrot Top Level 22
Cherry Bunch Level 20
Rose Bud Level 18

“Oh my, Applejack. You look radiant this day!” Offered Rarity, as she quickly trotted toward the palomino, an huge smile on her face.

“Howdy, Rares... girls!” Answered Applejack, as she proceeded to do an complex and silly 'secret' dance with the unicorn, a testimony of how close they both were.

The other mares just waited for their routine to finally reach its end, before they approached.

“As you might see, Rarity learned a new word today, and she had been dying to use it...” Offered Rose Bud to the Palomino. As they just shook their hooves and patted their backs. “But now that I look at you closely, I must admit that Rarity is certainly right. You look different Applejack.”

“It must be because little Applejack finally reached her first estrus...” Added Carrot Top a bit haughtily, as apparently the girl wasn't particularly enamored of the fragrance. “I really hope that you drank the herbs to appease it, because if not. It's going to be a long and really frustrating day...”

In the past, Applejack had hated Carrot haughtiness, always believing that the mare thought herself and her family much better than her own. But thankfully, with age had come experience, then wisdom. And she had understood that the mare was just like that, and that you only needed to see beneath her mask to find a mare that usually was as frank as Applejack used to be.

So this time, the palomino hasn't committed the mistake to shun the mare, or regard her as an bitter rival as she had.

“Do I hear a hint of longing there, Carrot? Do not tell me that you're going to send me an date request soon?”

“On your dreams... Applejack. Only on your dreams.”

“Girls, girls, please desist from your bartering and let us be at peace... you two can resume your feeble attempts at courting later, when we wouldn't be running the risk of being late...” Interrupted Rarity, an huge smile on her face thanks to their reactions, followed closely by laughter from Rose and Cherry. Who ran behind the unicorn, as she giggled madly at the now furiously red mares that menaced to end her life right there on the spot.

Once classes began, it was a matter of spending mere two hours of learning through grinding, which make studying basic concepts ridiculously easy at first. The Novice pamphlets, usually offered the information and they just proceeded to grind said knowledge until they reached Medium levels.

It was mandatory that all colts and fillies had at least all their knowledge set on Middle in all of their basic areas. Creating there a more balanced being that could later specialize on whatever he or she wanted for the future. This basically reduced learning time to a total of four years. One year to learn their low Novice Pamphlets, and three years to grind them into Middle. Applejack's class was one year behind McIntosh Class, which would graduate this year. Making him legally an 'adult' citizen of their nation, as usually, said colts were now just young stallions and mares.

It was a system that encouraged reproduction, as the cruelty of this world was that not many ponies had the patience and the luck to reach the Advanced class. As it took years of hard studying and grinding to actually reach such levels in knowledge. Which usually, sacrificed a lot of time that could be used to increase their physical fitness, which was a need if you wanted to survive the most violent and powerful beasts that the world could offer against you.

It was an unfair system, which many ponies most often than not, said only favored the unicorns in the long run. Which, Applejack knew was pretty false. Unicorns were academic by nature, their horns made them capable of magics that other ponies couldn't even grasp or think about.

They were indeed quite powerful creatures. But they could be easily defeated by a well armed Earth pony, as their physical endurance was quite low, as it had been sacrificed to increase the magical power through knowledge, which could only be increased by studying and reaching a “Mastery”.

Maybe it was because she hasn't been born to this world that she didn't saw things as the naturals often did. But to Applejack, all ponies had high and low stats depending on the race.

Earth ponies were physically the stronger and the more endurable breed, but they're weak against magic attacks, so they depended on enchanted armor and weapons to protect themselves. And even with it, it didn't always helped in the least if the equipment wasn't in the same level as the magical opponent.

Unicorns were magically gifted, but the search for said power most often than not left them too physically weak to use more advanced and heavy armors. So their defense was quite lacking. A well equipped Earth or Pegasi could take upon any Unicorn and defeat it easily by forcing it to waste its magic on defense, leaving them most often than not, at the mercy of others when it ran its course if they didn't have others to support or back them up in their time of weakness.

And then, there were the Pegasi, who were awfully fast and capable of harnessing the natural elements to their whims. Quite powerful creatures indeed. But too physically frail due to the constitution of their bones and bodies, pegasi were forever condemned to be long range supporters, as any attack could easily break through their nimble magical defenses, knocking them out or simply killing them on the spot if the hit was powerful enough, but to do so, you had to catch them first which was the problem.

Despite all of this, ponies still thought that the system was unfairly created to satisfy Unicorn needs.

On her mind, Applejack knew that she wouldn't change the prejudice of this world by herself. And was glad that Ponyville was such a mixed village that supported themselves as much as they could, despite the differences between the races.

She knew that not many cities held such an scheme, as her studies had shown her that usually, the big cities were mainly unicorn domain.

It had been almost similar to her original world, with unicorns living in great numbers on cities as Canterlot, Fillydelphia and Manehattan. Easily doubling the numbers of Earth Ponies and pegasi.

A status that would only begin to truly change when the elements of Harmony re-appeared. And showed everypony that your race didn't matter in the long run...

You've failed to advance the Book: Medium Mathematics.

“Miss Apple! I suggest you to focus more on your grinding than on daydreaming, young mare!” The severe voice of Tomes Trigger, as he reprimanded Applejack brought quickly the laughter of the entire class.

“Sorry, Mr. Trigger...” Answered The palomino, a little red on her cheeks for committing such a rookie's mistake. Quickly engaging upon the book again to ignore the still chuckling voices of her schoolmates.

One thing hasn't changed for sure, even when school was relatively easy on this world... it didn't meant that school was always an enjoyable experience.

XxX

The end of classes was the respite that all children in the world learned to enjoy to the max. In this world, recess was basically the end of knowledge classes. And the beginning of a day of whatever activities that they choose to do on the magically enchanted backyard. This place was basically, a secure room for children on the village, as the monsters that routinely attacked and roamed the town at this hours were just too powerful for anyone here to deal against, as you had to be at least level 50, to fight against the most weakest of them.

Here foals were watched and protected carefully. So that meant that the teachers not only needed to be strong, but actually quite dexterous on their hooves too. As they most often than not, had to defend the perimeter from overly interested monsters.

But for Applejack, there wasn't anyone that could help her against her now curious friends.

“OK, spill it Applejack! What got your tail twisted the whole day?”

There, this was the moment that the palomino had been dreading the whole day. Not sure of how they would react to such news.

“Ah'm...” She cleared her throat, which was rather dry at the moment. “I'm engaged...”

The silence reigned for a few seconds, before to her surprise it had been Berry Bunch who broke it.

“Congratulation, Applejack!”

The mare smiled weakly at her friends, knowing that on this world, an engagement at her age wasn't that rare or unusual. Berry for example, had been engaged two years ago. Though, all of them even Berry herself, doubted that the attempt at a relationship would actually work, as both lovers had grown and found that so far, things weren't working as their families had hoped.

Berry liked Flan, and quite a lot. But Flan had some... doubts lately. So it was a matter of time if the colt about to turn stallion decided to fully accept the engagement, or not. The fact that Flan had been quite close to a quite flamboyantly gay colt, had convinced Berry that things simply wouldn't come to pass between them, they were friends, but nothing else was going to happen there...

“Congratulations, dear... who's the lucky colt or mare?” Asked Rarity, a huge smile on her face as she hugged the palomino tenderly. Noticing how nervous she was about the deal. “Poor thing, you're trembling!”

“There's nothing to be afraid of, Applejack. It's not a marriage, much less a herd. Its just an engagement... think of it as a test, to see if you can get along with your future partner.” Offered Rose Bud, who got a nod from Berry.

Carrot Top was looking at her closely, almost scrutinizingly. But didn't comment anything more from that point, just waiting. With a sigh, Applejack knew that she couldn't hide anything from them, even if she wanted to.

“It's Big Mac...” After hearing the horrified gasps, Applejack explained the situation, and found herself at ease when their faces quickly changed from disgusted, to attentive and then delighted... as if something had just clicked on them.

To her surprise the most relieved of them, seemed to be Carrot Top.

“I've been watching you, Applejack. For a long time...” The mare frowned at the chuckles and sound kisses that Berry and Rose gave her after hearing that, followed by the giggles of Rarity. “Despite what this airheads might think, I'm not attracted to mares, at all. I just like to watch... a lot. You can learn a lot from a pony by just watching them, and letting them be themselves...”

“Carrot, darling. If I didn't knew that your cutie mark was about farming and carrots. I would be quite distraught, as you seem to be an natural stalker.” Added Rarity, her face serious for a few seconds at the gaping expression of the farmer and friends... before she snorted, then guffawed. Not able to resist it anymore. “Oh, dear —hahaha—, Celestia... —haha —, the l-look on your face... haha!”.

Applejack chuckled a little, especially as Carrot huffed haughtily, her cheeks completely rosy from a few seconds, before she continued.

“As I was saying... —before I was rudely interrupted! — I've been watching you, Applejack... Specially your interactions with McIntosh. And yes, I must admit that this revelation wasn't a surprise to me, or many others. As it was quite obvious at some points.”

It was to say that Applejack found to her relief, that while initially surprised and disgusted. Her friends had accepted the deal, maybe too easily for her tastes... Which was later confirmed when to her horror, only two of them increased their Rank on the Social Link.

Maybe she was being overly dramatic, maybe don't. But something deep inside of her knew that in that instance, her friendship with Rose Bud and Berry Punch had changed.

Only time would say if it was for the better, or worst.

XxX

Tangerine Apple knew the instant that she saw her foals, that not everything was right with them.

Applejack was looking at McIntosh, who was unusually down. It seemed that she knew then, whose friend had shown their true colors and whose not.

So the first thing that she did when they were in front of her, was to hug them. Soothing their pain as much as she could, knowing that it was just the beginning of a long road for them. She wasn't entirely sure with this deal, and if she was to be honest with herself, she was uncomfortable with it.

They might not be blood related, but they had been raised as brothers. So, it was mightily unfair that a bunch of pheromones created a breach on such a routine and belief, that could later break the rather inseparable pair.

But estrus was like that, and it usually worked well for the ponies involved. But sometimes, it was only a sexual attraction. Still, both of them were quite responsible foals, no... Young adults... as they worked hard on the farm, much harder than they should, but that didn't dismiss their contribution.

So it wasn't a surprise that the way to make them happy was to procure a way for them to make their work even easier at the farm, and enjoy it.

“Hello there, Heavy Hammer. How is the business doing?” She greeted the old stallion, who smiled widely at them, and quickly moved its body toward them.

“Look who's here, then! What a wonderful surprise. Tangerine, as beautiful as ever... Thank you for helping my daughter out there in her last mission.” Said the gray stallion, who quickly shook her hoof effusively.

With a chuckle, Tangerine just smiled, before she added: “It was my pleasure... after all, she's such a sweet mare.” Flor was quite an artisan when weapons and armors were involved. But sadly, she was and awful warrior. Like always, there was a bunch of creatures that enjoyed to mess with ponies, among them were the Diamond Dogs, who had enslaved the mare when they found of her ability with the hammer.

Tangerine was sent to recover her, and ended up annihilating the pack as they had been building up their forces to attack Ponyville in mass. Hoping to capture a huge amount of slaves and workers on the process.

Not all Diamond Dogs were like that, but that pack was simply rotten to the core. So she dealt with them. Gaining a lot of precious gems and metals that later, were simply given to the Smith, so he and his family could recover and help equip the village.

“Indeed... Though, I wouldn't mind if you took her as an apprentice for a few months, to teach her how to defend herself when I'm gone...” The old stallion smiled at her, winking. Which brought a laugh from the mare.

“We'll see, old man. We'll see. For now, I have my hoof completely full with this rapscallions, and another one to come.” She patted her belly, then smiled wistfully.

Chuckling, and nodding, the gray stallion looked at the teenagers, and examined the equipment that both of them had put on the counter when he was talking with their mother.

He frowned when he saw the state, not satisfied with what he was seen.

“I'm afraid that this things are worthless, youngsters... especially the Shieldmore.”

Tangerine nodded, now truly seeing the state of the objects. Then looking at her foals, seeing their distraught faces, but saying nothing. Knowing that they would only learn with the experience. Hammer touched the Shieldmore, and examined it for a few seconds before he put it back on the counter, then looked at the hooves protectors and the lasso.

“From this pile, only the lasso is salvageable. But it's in desperate need of an upgrade... Huum... yes, you use it to lift heavy objects young lady... and interesting use for a lasso. But it had weakened the fabric, and it's a few months from breaking... I think it's time for you to use a more adequate weapon to your style.”

“I've seen her style, Hammer. I think that she's ready for the beads... and if she master those as well, I think that we might have in front of us a Whipsword user in the making. An a darn good one, I might tell...” Added suddenly Tangerine, enjoying the squirming and blushing frame of her daughter.

“Yeah, a lasso of magical beads would fit very well with her style. Quite resilient, and can also be used to slash and cut. It's slightly more dangerous to use on the first days, but once your magic adapts to it, you will be immune to the weapon sharp edges. Have in mind that I said you, not your party partners. So be careful...” With ease, the stallion brought out of his inventory some magical objects and materials, hammering in a matter of minutes a new weapon.

At first glance, the rosary just looked like an passive equipment. One that was merely aesthetic, but it was far from the truth. This was a dangerous weapon that would take quite a lot of grinding to master, which was why it was awfully expensive...

“But Ma... its...”

“Shush, Applejack. Like I said before, its a gift, think nothing of the price, as it's quite cheap compared to my own equipment, honey.”

Applejack and McIntosh just gulped, not seeing how so many zeros could be considered in any way, cheap.

“Take it easy, youngsters. Once you reach the three digits on your level, you will understand of what we're talking about.” Said Hammer as he walked passively toward the palomino, he put the rosary in front of her. Which was left untouched for the moment, then quickly took the Shieldmore and said: “It seems that your son it's quite powerful for its age and level, Tangerine. This poor object was barely holding by the seams. He needs a new one, reinforced... probably a level 40 armor. Which he cannot equip at his current level. So I will reinforce the old one so he could level up and change it. Remember son, this Shieldmore is done, be careful who you fight against from now on as it could fall apart in the middle of a battle...”

Now on the counter were two sets of armors, one of them was floating slightly as it was heavily enchanted to do exactly that.

“This new armor would be blank, then. You would need to teach it some techniques in the process. So it could upgrade itself, it will serve you well until you reach level 54. Then you would need to upgrade her... be careful though, this new armor haves a magical Glaive. Like your sister, you need to learn to use your new weapon with responsibility.”

“Hum, Mr. Hammer, I would like a Shieldmore too. If that isn't a problem?” Added Applejack, getting an quite fierce look from her mother, who looked contemplative before she nodded after a few seconds. The old stallion looked startled for a while at the odd petition, until he noticed that the mare was actually one level above the required one to use it.

“Children this days, I mean, I was barely twenty at her age... let's see. If you want to use the Rosary well, you need one that doesn't limit your movements. So this one will do, be careful though, even when its classified as medium weight, it stills weights a lot. I suggest you train a lot with it until you get accustomed on a safe environment before you try to fight any monster your lady...”

Applejack looked at her new armor, then at Big Mac and nodded... they would do their best to make this equipment as useless as their last one.