Six friends and a invader

Sweet Apple Acres

Sweet Apple Acres Barn

Morning hours

“I still can’t believe I’m doing this.” Twilight told to herself as she walked down the road leading to Applejack’s house. And more specifically. To the barn were they had her guest. She reached the front entrance marked by the vine with the red flowers around the white wood frame. And the apple sign hanging from there. She looked around but her fend was nowhere to be seen. Therefore she asked for her presence. “Applejack?”

“She will not come.” Somepony answered from inside a newly placed tent. Placed just outside the barn. Served like a porch before entering the main building.

“What have you done to her?”

“I told her to go around and bring me some specimens of each class of fruit in the farm. I was planning to start since you were taking your sweet, sweet time. But now she is the one delaying me.” He said as he stepped out the tent. He pushed aside the hanging section that served as a door and approached Twilight. “Now you are here and she is gone. What an inconvenience. Is not it?”

She could breath. At least for now. Up to this point she have only heard bad news from his mouth. “Oh, in that case we’ll have to wait for her then.”

“Or we could be somewhere else doing something. You know, making progress”. He demanded.

“You told me back there you have to explain something to me. You can use this time to do so.” She said in an effort to calm him down.

He pulled a hip flask from beneath his cloak, took a quick shot and hid it back inside. “Did you bring something to write?” Twilight levitated both. A notebook and a pen. “I prefer pencils. But anyway” He crouched in front of her with one of his elbow over the front knee. “First of all. Units. Name a unit of length and mass.”

“The foot and the pound.”

“Just as expected. Also, foot? Really?”

“Maybe they got from the same place they’ve got foam fingers on the sport store we passed by earlier.”

”Ok then. Listen up. Because I hate having to repeat things I have already said. One Vl is equivalent to 0.692ft,” Twilight wrote accordingly. “And one Vl is divided into sixteen equal parts called fr. One Mw is equivalent to 1.896lb. Which, by the way is ten times mv. The base mass unit. I do use the same units of angle as the gradian system. And one t is equivalent to 0.704s. To complete the next unit. We use 100 rather than 60. An octal systems replaces the decimal base you use. But you are not likely to require conversion in most of our studies. If you are as smart as you claim. You can figure out the rest of them.”

“May I ask you something?”

“You just did.” He answered quizzaciously.

She frowned “How do you know exact value of our system?”

“A very legitimate question. I was looking forward for more curiosity. Yet this is acceptable. You should answer. She looks like she can handle it.” How Louve did came to that conclusion. Will always be a mystery to him.

He frowned within the privacy of his mask and spoke. “Remember when I told we say your people from the sky?” She nodded affirmatively. “Something appeared very particular to us.” She raised an eyebrow. “So we compared the information we have got with the archeological data gathered from another distant planet. In fact, we have confirmed significant similarities between the two cultures and we were just scratching the surface. So we assumed the rest of you culture to be an exact replica. And if you omit minor variations. You are mostly a carbon copy. That is how I know you language. Among other things.”

“I am not completely sure why you thought this was a good idea. But if she freeze from the shock. Maybe it was worth it.”

“So, you cleared your doubts?”

“No” much contrary to his chafe “in fact. It raises many more question. Where is this place you say about? What it is? Do the ponies there are like us? Why…”

“Stop it!” He backed up suddenly. “If anyone here must be making any question must be me. The strange similarities does not bug me as much as the differences. Why you can levitate stuff being on top my head at the moment?”

“It’s because of my magic.”

“Is that really what you are rolling with?” First silence, then he freaked out. “Not shit. That is not an answer. That is an, anti-answer. I could have said to you: it is because science. I know you hate me but can at least stay professional?”

“I don’t hate you” She hesitated for a moment. “This is the way the things are here! Here unicorns can do magic, pegasi can fly and earth ponies are on the ground. So could you please calm down!  I’ve had enough of your temper.”

“When you asked me I was direct. Is asking for the same too much for you?”

“Let’s do something” The situation settled a bit. “I ask you then you ask me and we roll it on from there. Does that sounds good enough to you?”

He grabbed his chin as a sign of thinking. “As long as you don’t ask anything confidential. I believe we have an agreement.” He offered his hand. Twilight did the same with her hoof to close the negotiation. At least until the next time she need to. After tranquilized, he sat down back where he was before “So answer.” He demanded.

“Wasn’t it my turn to ask?” She protested.

“Maybe. But you did not gave me an answer. Remember?”

She grunted. Took a breath. Made her words and calmly explained. “Here there are three types of ponies. Earth ponies, pegasi and unicorn like myself. Unicorns are born with a horn that allows them to cast different types of spells. These spell are learn through rigorous studies, most spells are very simple and can be pulled off by almost any unicorn. Like the levitation spell you just saw.” Again, she lifted both object from the ground to show her point. “In some cases, like my own, where my special talent is magic. I can learn more complex types of spell.”

“Special?”

She stopped him before he could complete. “It’s my turn now.” She grinned.

“The question was: What is magic?”

“Don’t worry. We still have time. We’ll get there. One way or another.”

“You said you compared our culture with some archeological records. What do you mean?”

“Our land. Or in this case. Our space is vast. When you see the night sky. There are as star in the sky as sand in the desert.” He spoke as inspired like Rarity when she have one of her ideas fashion.

“What’s you point with all of this?”

“Sorry. I am digressing. Anyway, among all those planets. We found this little rock orbiting a nine planet solar system. It appears in the past it was populated with a sapient civilization. But something happened. I don’t care very much what. And they were no more. The site is now an excavation site. The studies revealed information about their culture and technology. The one I said. Match your own. Proof of that: I am speaking your language. Surprised yet?”

“I don’t know if this is amazing or tragic. You are saying they were other ponies like us and they were all wiped away?” She was very worried. “Without leaving a trace?”

“if that was the case. The situation here will be very different.” Making reference to the explanation he just gave. “And they were not exactly like you.” He clapped his hands breaking the whole mood. “Now, what you were saying about you special talent?”

She could not find word for this abrupt change of atmosphere. She tried to calm herself down again and replied. “At some point in his life. A filly finds what his or her special talent is. For example:” He tried to make himself comfortable. All this exposition was boring yet he needed to pay attention. She spoke about the Summer Sun Celebration. How this inspired her to study magic. And led her parents inscribe to the School for Talented Unicorns. Where a mishap happened during her admission test caused her to be discovered by the Princess of the Sun and the appearance of a mark at her flank. Symbolizing her talent with magic and love for star gazing. She concluded by repeatedly shouting the word yes ad whimsical and joyfully as possible. While hoping around the stranger in a similar matter.

He waited until she passed right beside him to deliver a quick backslap to her cheek. Bringing her back to reality. “Ouch!” she kvetched “That hurts!”

“Admit it. You needed it.”

She shrugged. “Sorry. A get a little emotional when I tell that story.” She blushed.

“That’s our Twilight” Applejack arrived. Along with two basket on her side. Filled base to top with an assortment of apples of different kinds.

“Where have you been? And more importantly. You told me she was still nowhere close.”

“Anyway. This conversation wasn’t a total waste as you though. I’ve already made the respective adjustments to our agenda.”

“We have even more questions than before.”

“But also you’re not as lost as before.”

“Ok mister. I’ve got your apples.”

“Thank you very much. You may leave them there. Twilek!” He most certainly pleased. “We will have to defer our interesting session.” Ordered Twilight as if she was one of his subordinates among his ranks. “The task of the day: We study alimentation. You may take me to the primary sources of food in this town. We take samples and we bring them here for analysis. Then I send the results to my superiors.” He ordered as like a vulture. Circled around his soon to dead bodies.

“Wait. What? Why?”

“No idea. My only guess is it have to do with the common expression: what you eat is what you are. Or something like that. I am a soldier not a scientist.”

“See. This is one of the main things that bugs me.” Twilight interjected. “If your mission here is to make scientific investigation. Why don’t send a scientist?”

“In case you were hostile. Is not the first planet we make contact with you know” He grinned back and her. He took one of the baskets and went to his tent. “Come in. we have work to do.”

“I still don’t trust him Twi.”

“I’ll be fine Applejack.” She comforted her friend. She was used to it. She had done it along the day.

“Yell if you need any help Twi.” She tipped her hat and headed back to do her shores. As well as Twilight. She turned around to follow him with the second basket sustained by her magic. Then entering the tent he build so fast between the incident at the hall and her arrival at the farm. Inside the waterproof fabric. He has mounted a small laboratory. Beakers, Bunsen burners and Erlenmeyer flask were some of the equipment she was able to identify. With the red dorn of the barn serving as the back wall.

“Come here.” She obeyed “Now. Here is the procedure. First, mark the apples. Pick a number and mark all the apple of the same kind with that number. Then, the second number indicate the number of apple of that type. We good until now?” She nodded in affirmation, so he continued. “You give them to me in order and I will place them in this box. This will take a volumetric picture or in other words. Take a picture from all possible angles at the same time. Then there is the spectrometer. Step four, there is the syringe. Extract the juice and place them in these test tubes. I will place them in the chemical analyzer after we finish. Then it is cutting time. Peel the fruit and place a small, thin section of the crust on the microscope stage and cover it. Obviously, of course. Place it in this slit and close the door. This is a microscope. Press this button to take a picture. I have previously calibrated the equipment and it works automatically. Repeat with the seeds and the peel. Got all that? Any questions?” She declined. “Then let us get started. You do the first and last step. And remember to wash the syringe between samples.”

He pointed to Twilight and as prevised. She found further inquiring to be unlikely. After her curiosity was left ignored. She temporally gave up. And did as instructed. She was no stranger to these procedures. As in the school for gifted unicorns. Lab class had had similar practices. And if the modus operandi was similar to the one she spent so many hours in Canterlot. And many more in her library in Ponyville. She may not get into trouble. She gave herself to the isolation habits. She had prior to her arrival at her new town. The closing off the self that allowed the concentration required for her studies and to exceed in every subject in the field. Before she noticed it. They we already done and cleaning their working area. Both left the tent and his improvised lab as she found it.

“Where are we going now?” He broke their taciturnity state. “I may take your suggestions.”

“We can head to sugar cube corner.” She answered. Coming back from her trance like state. “Is the closest to the farm and is frequented by almost everypony.”

“Very well then.” He nodded. “I will lead the way.”

“You know where it is?”

“After I traveled your streets. I have managed to remember most part of the town layout. But a building made out of food is hard to miss. Do not you think?” He went to the back of the tent and into the barn. Closing the door behind him. Where Twilight lost contact with him. She used this time to reflex. Still was too early to determine if his intentions were sincere. Still, she had the elements if she needed them. Right?  She sat down and used this time to think. In what happened in since yesterday’s dusk. Especially during the last hours. She took her notebook to make some annotations and reflex. Gilda came to mind. The last not pony visitor in town. Even with reference given by Rainbow Dash. Things didn’t turn out well. What about this one she knew nothing about.

“Let us go.” He came out with a duffle bag of medium size. Leading the charge like a cavalry commander. Twilight followed him not far behind. “We will concentrate on taking samples. As we did here.”

“Aren’t you taking a ride on. Eh.” She considered something somewhat ignored up this point. “What was that thing anyway? Does it even have a name?”

He vexed and tensed. “Damn it. It does not have a name.” He thought with anxiety.

“Well. Think of something. Is not THAT hard. And NOT that important so relax.”

“I used for transportation. Due to the self-sufficiency, agility and speed. But because this place is so small. We can go walking. Or trotting, in your case.” He pointed as they walked down the dirt road. “So I temporally dismissed from its tasks and let it to roam free into the Everfree forest. As you referred it earlier.”

“You freed it into the Everfree forest?” She was confused. Should her feeling be of care about the creature or relieve for her own and her village?

“Its strength match its size. Mauser is more than capable to taking care of its own.” He smiled.

“So, Mauser?”

“You talk as if you helped.”

They passed the school. As the foal were already in class. Was not excuse enough to ignore passing of these two. The kids pressed one another against the window in an effort to get a better look at the foreigner while Ms. Cheerilee. Despite her efforts. Ultimately, failed to regain their attention back. She gave up and joined the crowd in their affairs.

“What is this place?” He pointed at the red building.

“It’s a school” She waved back at their admirers. “Here we send our little children to learn.”

“Therefore. What is the purpose of those?” He pointed out at the playground adjacent.

“There is where the kids go to play.”

“Okay. This is my question. Why, if they are sent to do something, then you provide to do the exact opposite?”

“Playing is part of childhood. Don’t you remember being child?”

“I was built.” He corrected her. “Beside. The point of education is to guide and correct. The path the follow will determined who they will be. As far as I can see. You are encouraging them to become lazy adults.”

“What are you saying?” Said hypocrite Twilight. “That they should stick to their book the whole day? Without talking to anypony, playing with anypony…”

“You can do it at home during leisure time. It is like filling a library with loudspeakers playing dance music.”

Twilight rolled her eyes. She remembered the time Pinkie gave her a welcome party. The surprise, the unexpected, the rejection. Time changes and one changes with them. Now these days she would join her celebrations any time soon.

“Is important to have a good laugh every here and there. I think you must meet my friend Pinkie Pie more closely. I’m sure she’ll change that opinion of yours.” Just as she did with her and in the same way they first met. With a welcome party. “She’s at Sugar Cube Corner.”

“Would you mind if we rush forward? I am willing to debunk your hypothesis.”

“Not at all.” Knowing there is no point in arguing with Pinkie Pie.

They arrived to Sugar Cube Corner. As she claimed. The place was fairly crowded and the line reached the door.  As well as the smell of the sweetened good being baked at the moment by the experienced couple. The inventory for the exhibited samples were mostly gone and with Pinkie at the counter. The cooking speed of the oven was the main restrictor between the ponies and their meal.

“Twlek. Go and seek for the one in charge.  Tell him we need to have a word with him.”

“Hey. It’s my friend Zorky. Hi!” She waved with high pitched voice to the dark figure who stood up above the crowd. As for them. When they turned around to see who she was welcoming. They all became a little nervous.

“Pinkers. I assume.” He rushed his way to the cashier parallel to the waiting line. Ignoring the customers who were patiently waiting. “Greetings. Who is in charge?” He asked among the muttered complains of the other customers. “Mr. and Mrs. Cakes are in charge. But they are busy in the kitchen.” She wrapped one of the sweets with exceptional dexterity and velocity. Her experience in the field was more than evident. What was more impressive, was the relative young age to gather the required experience to acquire such skills.

“What are you and what are thy functions?”

“I’m an earth pony. Silly.” The pink pony smiled as she dispatched a package to one of the now pleased customer.

“He means what’s your name and occupation?” Twilight said. Still feeling awkward about the customers.

“I’m Pinkie Pie. Expert baker and professional party planner.” She claimed.

“For how long?” He asked twitching her hair in entertainment.

“I’ve being doing it all my life since I was just a little filly back at the rock farm.”

“Quarry” He corrected. “Mine if you prefer.”

“No silly. It’s rock farm. Like Applejack’s but with rock.”

“Zorskel” Twilight muttered. “Don’t argue with her. I know for experience there is no point.” She suggested being cautious about his temper. “Just go with it.” He nodded.

“So mistress rock farmer. Anything else I need to know about you?”

She got a distrustful frown. Looked around. In order to make sure not to be seen or heard by undesired listeners. She signaled with her hoof to come closer in order to murmur right to his ear. “Don’t tell anypony. But…” She whispered even closer. ”I have a surprise welcome party for you.”

He stared at Twilight in disbelief with a scowl hide behind his mask and a low volume growl to match. “I meant something important about you.” He contained. Knowing he was being observed by Twilight and Louve. Especially by Louve.

“I meant about yourself”

“There’s not much to it. Discord tuned me into a gray grumpy, I have a bay alligator named gummy, I know everypony in Ponyville, I can’t decide to which is better between chimicherry or…”

“Hold it!” He ordered. “You personally know every single one in this town?”

“Well of course. How else will I know their birthdays?”

His frown was replaced with a smirk in a fraction of a second. “If I ask you about someone. Will you show them to me?”

“Of course. Once I finish these orders. I’ll be happy to…”

“Worry do not. Twiliek will take your place until we return.”

“Wait what!?” Twilight opposed to the proposal. He extended behind the counter and grabbed the pink earth pony and pulled back to place her secure in his shoulder. “Twilek, please be serviceable and attend these clients.” He fled at the moment. Right away, Mr. Cake came out the kitchen with a plate saturated with fresh baked sweets.

“Twilight?” He was surprised to see her delivering the orders. “Where’s Pinkie Pie?”

“How could you do this to me?” As they leaved Sugar Cube Corner. An exhausted Twilight kvetch over her temporal employer after saying farewell to Pinkie Pie. “This was probably the busiest day besides Nightmare Night.”

“Nightmare Night?” He shook his head and got back on track. “This is a moment of joyful…ness. In the time you: “Invested” at your temporal job. Pinkers and I made some progress. And we have made arrangements for most of the remaining task. In no time you will no need to hear no more about us. And we will be back home.” He fist pumped as in victory.

Despite all the problems he put her in. Twilight found a sincere happiness in his voice. “You miss you home?” She asked as they headed back to the barn where he was staying.

“Will you not?”

“I guess.” She shrugged. “Since you don’t like to tell me where you come from. Will you at least tell me how it is?”

“You can.” Confirmed Louve.

“I am going to tell the same thing I told to Rars. It is cold, dark, cramped and smell like burnt oil.”

“That’s awful.”

“Add the fact everyone is indifferent about their neighbor and turns into almost pair-a-dice.” He taunted her.

“How can you say that!? It sound so cold, so hostile, so numb. How can you like a place like that?”

“I will allow yourself to answer. How will you feel if this land behave the way I just described you?”

“I think I’ll feel bad” She twitched her ears and lowered her head. “Y’kow,” She sounded like Applejack for a second “Once I used to be different. I locked myself. Immersed in my studies and cared little for everything else.” She sighed. “Then I came here and realized how important was to have friends in my life. And made me question. How could I live like that in the first place?”

He remembered the words said the day before at the farm. They speeches were almost identical and so well acted. He believed they both practiced them in advance. Or the so called school brainwashed them into this way of thinking.

During his field trip with Pinkie. They when to a variety of restaurants and gathered various samples to be classified later. When returning to were Twilight was abandoned as a replacement to the earth pony. The customer traffic was a thing of the past. And she convinced the couple to give some of their recipes to the stranger. Also, Pinkie permitted to holdup the party to a later day. He believed if h was lucky. He will be gone before the agreed date.

As was done with the apples before. They both spent the rest of the afternoon. Repeating the previously explained process. With only minor variations, depending of the aliment type. In most cases. It required to separate independent ingredients. Like the cupcake dressing for example. They also got samples from the local water supply, animal food from Fluttershy. Among other things.

Once they done. They both headed north to the Golden Oak Library. As with Pinkie’s home. A hollow tree was hard to miss. At a walking pace he was able to admire the infrastructure under the now amber sky and grey clouds. The structure stood lone and grand. Probably was there before the town itself. Carved out of the interior of a still living tree. The only thing he could thing about was the time needed to perform such a task. But if the unicorn claim was true. And the artist was a skillful magician. Such feat may not be seen with as much awe. The scenery didn’t lasted long. As with the dawn. The dusk was gone. And the moon raced up to the middle of the sky as if it was chased by the law.

“Here I live. Home sweet home.” She noticed her companion was trying to unravel the mysteries of its construction. “Would you like to come in?” She invited.

“Appreciated. But I will decline your generous…”

The door opened. A short, young purple reptilian came to welcome his master.

“Hello Twilight. How was your day?”

At the first sight of the infant reptile. He dashed forward. Tackling the little reptile and at the same time. Passing somehow through the door opening without tearing it apart from its respective hinge. Spike hit the ground. His body held in place by both of the attacker’s hands and his sheer mass.

“Spike!” She cried.

“You didn’t told me you had pests.” He replied in in monotone.

“Twilight. Help me!” The dragon begged for help.

Her horn lit up. She made an attempt to retrieve his friend from his tight grasp into safety. She summon the spell. A purple flash filled the room. With no change in the situation.

“Please. I don’t know what I did wrong but please. Don’t hurt me!” He continued his pray.

“Zorskel!” Twilight finally stopped him. “He’s my assistant. Release him at once.” She stomped.

Zorskel turned his head to give hear an incriminating stare as if was her fault. Charging her for a future guilt. He let go the terrified assistant. As who, like the mayor, fled in desperation.

“I have to tell you. I’m starting to get SICK of you attacking my friends.” She shouted.

“I was trying to protect you. When these things grow up. Will become fearsome beasts. We still have time to…”

“No.” She barked. “Whatever you’re going to say. No!” Her stare was firm. Her voice were direct. And her blood was probably boiling at this point. “I know you are new around here. But! You’ve almost kidnapped the mayor, almost steamrolled Fluttershy and almost killed one of my closest friends. And I swear,”

“♫and I swear♫”

“Shut up Louve.”

“I’ll not doubt for a second to use the elements to put an end to your rampage.” She beat her hood to his stomach as she couldn’t reach his chest. ”Was I clear Mr.?”

“Remember I do not want to spend more time than strictly necessary in this land. Prison is not among my goals in the near future.” He lied. “What is this place?” He pointed at the shelves that covered the walls, avoiding the question.

“It’s a library,” She explained. “Here books are kept for anypony to come and borrow them. Also, I live here and do my studies.”

He headed towards the rows of literatures that reached the ceiling. Picked one and opened. At first glance, Louve took a look at the symbols printed into the rustic paper resembling parchment. If the alphabet, grammar and words matched the speculation. Then they were on the right track. And as much as they could see. Most sentence do made sense. Good signal they were on track. This one in particular had a topographic map of a zone referred to as the Badlands. To his criteria, was greatly inaccurate when compared to satellite images Louve displayed.

“What are these book about?”

“They cover most topics. From history magic theory. And from poetry to geography. Like the one you have.”

He placed the book back where he picked up in the first place. “How much about you land is gathered in these pages?”

“Pretty much everything you need to know. Right now, a good read about manners will be useful.” The issue flew right at his chest propelled a violet glow around it.

He caught it just after it was dampened by his cloak. “Sleep well then. We will need to be ready early.” With nothing more to say. He waved his robes for add dramatic effect to his retreat. Passed the front door and left with the same velocity he used to attack Spike. Twilight closed the door behind with her magic. Worried, she went upstairs looking for Spike. Her predictions were proved right and she found his trembling under the sheet of his small bed.

“Spike,” She comforted. “It’s ok. He’s gone now.”

Slow and steady. The scared dragon took a peek out of his shelter. Until he finally felt safe enough to talk to his master. “Is he really gone? Why he attacked me?”

“Because he thinks you’ll become a big scary dragon that might eat him.” She caress the top of his head. Feeling much like a puppy. The baby dragon felt safe again under the guard of this motherly figure.  She headed to her own bed and introduced inside the coziness of her own sheets. Spike copied her actions as well. “Twilight, what will happen tomorrow?”

“I believe the same as today. We will have a study of Ponyville and if I’m lucky. We’ll finish and he’ll return to his homeland. Wherever it is.”

“Do you believe where he come from everypony is like him?”

Twilight remembered the words he said on their way to her home. “I guess he’s that way because eveypony threatened him that way.” This held her in meditation for a while. Until the sleep beat her and fell into the realms of Luna.