Dominant Species

Dominant Species.
15
...

The following conversation was taking place at Ponyville Library.

“But... Ah dun wanna be a filly again.” Apple Bloom whined at a certain lavender Unicorn.

Twilight had actually been fearing this. “But Apple Bloom, you ARE a filly. You were born one. What would you family think if you stayed a colt?”

“But Twi.” Again Bloom whined. “Ah've always been a tomcolt anyway. I dunno why, but this week's made me see things all different like. Ah mean, I feel right. An dun think Ah was meant t' be a filly.”

“Have you talked to Applejack and Big Mac about this?”

The young colt nodded. “Ah did, an' they were kinda freaked out 'bout it an' all, but in th' end, Applejack said that this was mah decision t' make.”

“But...”

“Nu-uh Twi. Ah wanna stay a colt. Ah was meant t' be one.” Apple Bloom shook his mane. “An' sides, Ah already thought a name an mah family agrees it's a good name.” The colt smiled. “Ah wanna be called Apple Rumble.”

“But...”

“Twilight, think 'bout this. Ah couldn't get mah cutie mark no matter what Ah tried, but when Ah became a colt, it was so easy t' realize what mah special talent was.” He looked at the nice mark on his hindquarters. “Ya'll can't turn me back if'n Ah dun want it.”

“Still...”

“An'...” He blushed. “Ah kinda got a crush of Sweetie Belle an' all... Ain't right I should be a filly. Ah couldn't never tell her how Ah felt cause she's a filly. Now Ah'm a colt, and eventually we can make a family all ah own. A real family, not just two mares foolin' round.”

Twilight could tell this young colt was dead set on this. She smiled in spite of her better judgment. “Well, if you are so certain. And what about Sweetie Belle? Have you told her about your feelings?”

Apple 'Rumble' blushed and nodded. “Ah have, and she likes me too.”

“Well... I guess that's settled...” She glanced at the door. “You can come in Applejack. I know you've been there the whole time.”

A somewhat embarrassed blond mare walked in. “Ah didn't mean t' eavesdrop. Sorry Apple Bloom, Ah mean Apple Rumble.”

“Ah knew you was there too Sis.” He hugged AJ tightly. “An' Ah'm happy ya'll didn't jump in and stop me.”

AJ chuckled and ruffled her little brother's mane. “Ya'll gonna have t' redecorate yer bedroom. Lot's ah girly stuff in there.”

Rumble nodded. “Ah've given a lot t' mah friends already, an' made some new stuff fer mahself. Ya'll haven't looked lately?”

“Not sense Ah went t' wake ya the first day back an' saw ya waken up with yer mornin' glory.” She released her little brother and guffawed. “Ya'll was redder than yer mane.”

“Applejaaaack!” Rumble fumed. “Ya'll promised ya wouldn't tell nopony 'bout that.”

“Ah did no such thing. Ah said ya'll better get up before Ah would tell everypony.”

“But I did get up... You know what I mean. Stop laughing Sis.”

AJ was rolling on the floor, having burst out laughing like there was no tomorrow. “Ya'll sure did get up.” Snicker. She did her best to regain 'some' composure. “Ah'm sorry Apple Rumble. Ah like yer name lots. Ah hope ya'll gonna be a gentlecolt with Sweetie Belle an' all.”

“Ah am. Ah'm plannin' on seein' Sweetie Belle an' Rarity later today an' askin' Rarity if it's ok if Ah date mah lil' Belle.” He blushed. “Please don't go tellin' Rarity.”

“Ah won't. Ah promise.”

“Yer th' best big sis anypony could evah ask fer.” The pair shared a hug again.

“What's a morning glory?' Twilight suddenly asked. “What? What's so funny?”
...

Applejack had finally left the library, where Apple Rumble had taken to visiting often to read books on not just carpentry and wood carving, but on a variety of other subjects. She couldn't be prouder of her little brother.

Honestly, she did feel a little odd seeing him as a colt, but this week had taught her much about having a little brother, and his gender had done nothing to effect their relationship. If anything, he seemed happier as a colt, and as long as her family was happy, she was happy.”

As she walked back toward Sweet Apple Acres, she spotted Peach Schnapps pulling a small wagon toward the farm.

“Hey there Peach. Long time no see.” She trotted toward the smaller Unicorn. “Whatcha got there?”

“Oh, hi Applejack” Peach beamed a huge smile. “I finally got some shed dragon leather and even a nice big load of wild peaches. They're a little tart compared to orchard grown ones, but they taste wonderful.” She unhitched herself and massaged her shoulders with her magic. “Hope you haven't been out sense I haven't been around to make you any cider or anything.”

“Ah'm fine. Thinkin' Ah was drinkin a bit much anyway.” She paused. “Ya'll dun have anythin' on ya, do ya?” She chuckled.

“Always. There's a whole big keg of sweet peach wine in the wagon.” She threw back the cover, revealing the baskets of small peaches, the keg, and even a couple of her infamous jugs of Peach Shine. There was also a neat stack of some light reddish brown material. There was even half a dozen small, wild peach trees with their roots wrapped up in sacks.

“Ah dun know what t' say. Peach wine?”

“It's a lot weaker than the shine or cider, but it's really tasty. Help me get this to the farm and I'll hook you up.”

“Ya'll got yerself a deal.” She smiled and paused. “Ya'll ok?” She noticed the small mare was looking a little ruffled.

“Oh, um... Yea. I've just been missing Big Mac a lot, if you catch my drift.” She grinned sheepishly.

Applejack laughed and hitched herself up. “Ah know what yer mean. He's been all antsy sense ya'll left t' get some ah that leather stuff. Caught im fappin in th' barn th' other day.”

Peach blushed. “R... Really?”

“Ya'll dun need to sound so excited Peach. Yer not gona be gettin much sleep t'night.” AJ laughed. (An neither am Ah... Damnit. Ah need a coltfriend, an Ditzy's not come by sense that incident 'cept t' deliver mail... Ah think Ah really spooked her bad.)

The pair reached the farm and unloaded. Peach took care of most of it, letting Applejack head off to do some apple bucking, after they had a few stiff shots of the Peach Shine.
...

Applejack was focusing on work. She had to get her mind out of the gutter. Catching Big Mac a couple days ago had not been healthy for her mind, or her urges.

“Consarnit...” She fumed, bucking a tree and filling the baskets. A stray apple bounced off her head and landed in a basket perfectly. “Ow.” She muttered, pulling her hat off and rubbing the spot. “Dagnamit... Ah need t' go fer a walk. Cool mah fool head.” She left the baskets and wagon, knowing she'd be back later to finish up her work.

A quick dip in the pond and she was washed up from her sweat, then she headed toward town.

As she entered, she spotted Dash and Pinkie exiting Sugar Cute Corner together.

“Oh Hey Applejack.” Pinkie flew over in the blink of an eye, Dash joining her a second later. “How've you been? Is it true that Apple Bloom wants to stay as a colt?”

“Ah dare say it's true. Dun bother me much. He's mah family, and as long as he's happy, Ah'm happy.” AJ grinned. “What 'bout th' two ah ya?”

“Oh, we're doing great.” Dash grinned. “In fact, we're heading out on a date right now.” She grinned at Pinkie Pie. “What are you doing? I thought today was going to be a busy day at the farm for you.”

“Ahh... Yea, 'bout that. Ah've been thinkin' bout things, how ya'll hookin up an th' likes... Ah've been feelin' lonely ah sorts.”

Pinkie blinked. “You want a colt or marefriend too? I have a cousin who's moving here to Ponyville.”

“Ah dun think so Pinkie Pie. Ah mean, Ah just... Oh Ah dunno...”

“He's a Unicorn Pony, and he's single.” Pinkie giggled teasingly. “And he's really cute.”

AJ chuckled. “Ah dunno...”

“He's at Sugar Cube Corner right now.” She winked. “Bye Bye. Dashie and I have our date to tend to.” She grinned at Dash. “And she's got a new toy she wants to try out.”

“HEY!!!” Dash blurted out before quieting down. “You don't have to tell everypony.” Her face was quite red.

Pinkie stuck her tongue out cutely. “We'll see you later Applejack. Come catch me Dashie.” Pinkie took off, nearly blowing AJ off her hooves.

“Catch you later AJ.” Dash grinned and shot off after the pink blur, this time blowing the farm pony off her hooves and into the fountain.

Applejack got out and shook herself off, then batted the water out of her hat before donning it. “Heh, they make a cute couple... Cute couple...” She looked toward the confectionery and sighed. “Well, Ah am feelin' a bit peckish.” She headed off to get something sweet too eat.

As she entered, she saw him. His coat was a light blue, and his mane a darker blue. His eyes were pink, almost like he was some sort of inverted mirror image of Pinkie Pie. His cutie mark was, to her delight, a bright red apple shaped like a heart. His mane and tail were wavy and long, reaching almost the the ground. They were tied up at the ends with a dark blue string.

And Pinkie had been right. He was cute.

Currently he was talking to Carrot Cake, otherwise known as Mr. Cake. “Yea, I'm pretty good at baking, though I love growing apples most of all.” He stated in a soft voice. “Sadly, my home orchard was bought out by a local rock farmer and that's the end of the farm there.”

Carrot Cake frowned a little. “I'm sorry to hear that. Well, I'm sure Pinkie Pie told you there's the most wonderful apple farm here in Ponyville.”

“Well, yea. She mentioned it, in all her letters.” He chuckled. “So I came here, thinking I might be able to sign on and work there.”

Applejack walked over to the counter and smiled. “Ya'll lookin' t' work up at Sweet Apple Acres?”

The blue colt looked at the mare that stood less than a length from him and blushed. He hung his head a little and backed away. “Um...”

“What?” AJ blinked. “Oh, Ah'm Applejack. Ah run Sweet Apple Acres. Ya'll ok Sugercube?”

He whimpered something.

Carrot Cake reached over the counter and placed a hoof on AJ's shoulder. “He's a bit shy around the fillies. He's fine with Pinkie Pie, because they're cousins.” He smiled. “Oh yea, this is Pinkie Pie's cousin, Moon Pie.”

Applejack noticed that he was a Unicorn Pony, the tip of his horn sticking out from his thick mane. She grinned sheepishly and backed away. “Ah'm sorry. Ah didn't mean to make ya nervous.” (Sheesh, he's like Fluttershy.) She thought to herself.

“Um... It... it's ok.” He spoke softly.

Applejack smiled softly. “If'n ya like, Ah can show ya around mah orchard. Ah heard ya like growin' apples.”

Moon Pie nodded a little, one bright pink eye peeking out from his mane while the other was hidden from view.

(HNNNG!!! He's SO cute...) AJ hid her reaction behind a slightly nervous smile. “But first, Ah'm hungry. Care t' join me? Mah treat.”

“I... I guess.”
...

Moon Pie watched as Applejack ate a whole pie by herself. He nibbled at a apple cinnamon roll and sipped some tea. He didn't say much, except to respond to the energetic mare.

(She's so beautiful... I wish I wasn't so nervous around mares.) Moon glanced up and saw AJ smiling at him.

“Ya'll keep sneaking peeks at me. Ya can't be that nervous.”

“I... Um... Sorry.” He blushed and looked away.

Applejack grinned. “Don't ya fret none. Ya finish up yer lunch an' Ah'll show ya up t' the farm.”

Moon nodded a little and continued nibbling and sipping.
...

The walk to the farm had mostly been AJ talking about the orchards and her family, with Moon nodding and shyly answering questions every now and again.

But the moment they came into view of the orchard, his eyes lit up. “Oh my.” He rushed ahead and stopped at a large apple tree. “These trees are wonderful. So well taken care of too.” He tapped the tree with his horn, a slight glow enveloping both for a few moment. “This tree's never been sick. Simply wonderful.”

(Consarnit... He's a male Fluttershy, but with apple trees...) She chuckled and approached. “An' we got hundreds ah trees. How ya'll with buckin' apples?”

“Oh, I'm not that good with that part.” He tapped his horn. “I use my magic of course, bein a Unicorn. But my talent is for making apples and apple trees grow.” He smiled shyly at Applejack. “An odd talent for a Unicorn, I know.”

“Well, Ah dare say ya'll gonna fit in here nice.” AJ paused. “Though we only got one guest room an' that's taken up by our lil' Peach.”

“Oh, Pinkie Pie said I can stay in her apartment till I can get settled.” He looked into Applejack's green eyes. “You really love growing apples too, don't you?”

“Mah love is this whole farm an' mah family. May big brother, Big Macintosh, and my lil' si... Ah mean lil' brother Apple Rumble.” She looked downright proud of her family and farm.

Moon Pie smiled a little and pawed at the ground. “Not much in the way of rocks in this ground, is there?”

“Nope. Ain't got much at all. Plenty ah rich soil, and lots ah tender lovin' care.”

Moon's smile increased a little. “Well, if you would like, I'd do what I can to help these beautiful trees grow better. Not that they're not already growing really well, I just mean...” He 'meeped' and hung his head.

Applejack rolled her eyes and chuckled. “Ah declare, ya'll just like a friend ah mine. She's real shy round everypony though.” She gestured her head toward the farm house. “Come along and let's get ya'll introduced t' mah family.” She paused. “Though mah lil' bro ain't here at the moment. Last Ah saw he was at the library readin' some books.”

“I see.” Moon nodded and followed the mare.

His eyes fell on her cutie mark. (She's a true apple pony. I'm an abnormality in my family, born a Unicorn while both mom and dad were Earth Ponies.) He sighed and kept following. (Maybe Pinkie was right, Applejack might be the one mare I'm not afraid of.)

Wait till he meets Granny Smith... “Meep”
...

To Be Continued...
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