My Little Hero

Chapter Three

I must have been really tired, cause I fell into a deep sleep, one where I didn't dream. I guess that was a good thing since the last thing I needed was another nightmare. I got out of the bed the next morning, forgetting that I was a pony, and planting my face on the floor as I tried to stand up. I growled in annoyance as I made my way outside. I ached, but this because I slept in my coat and metal gear. I didn't even try to remove them nor was I even sure if I still could.

I trotted out of the house to find Applejack, Apple Bloom, and Big Mac already hard at work. Applejack and Big Mac were bucking the trees to knock the apples out of them. Most fell into the baskets they set around under the trees. Apple Bloom was running around, catching some with a basket on her back while collecting apples that didn't land in a basket. Once in a while, Big Mac would collect the baskets and move them to a wagon. I went down to meet them.

Applejack spotted me as I made my way towards them. "Well, looky what the cat dragged out of bed," she said. "Ya ready to do some work?"

"Yes, ma'am," I said, hesitating with the ma'am part. I wasn't much of a polite person.

"Now there's no need for that ma'am business. Just Applejack. Or ya can call me A.J. if you prefer. And before ya say anything about sleepin' in, don't threat over it. I knew ya were tired so I let ya get some extra sleep. But if ya plannin' to stay here for a while, ya goin' to have to be up bright and early next time." I nodded in understanding. "Now, ya ever done anythin' like this before."

"Nope," I said.

"Well, it's real easy. Just stand in front of the tree, plant your front hooves and give the tree a good bash with your rear hooves." She did so in a demonstration, knocking out almost all the apples in the tree. "Think ya can handle that?"

"Got it," I said, moving over to a tree that hadn't been done yet.

Applejack stared at me. "Ya not goin' to take off that coat and jewelry first?"

I didn't want to admit that I didn't know how to take the coat off. But, judging by the weight of the coat, it would be better to leave it on. "I much rather not," I told her. I planted my hooves, took a deep breath, and bucked. The tree shattered into splinters, wood chips, leaves, and apples flying everywhere. The only thing that remained was a jagged stump that was half out of the ground. I looked at it and then at the others. They were all staring at me in shock, their jaws hanging open.

"Opps," I said.

"Well...umm..." Applejack stammered, unsure what to say. "I wasn't expectin' that. I think we should have ya stick to collectin' duty."

"No, I can do this," I said, moving to the next tree. That first time I wasn't expecting how much strength I would be using. It was a different focus than what I'm use to.

"No, that's quite alright," she started to protest. "We don't need to lose another tree.

But I didn't listen. I got into my stance, closing my eyes and focused on my breathing. I heard them go silent as they watched. I took several deep breaths before I bucked. This time, the tree didn't explode. All the apples fell and the only damage to the tree were a couple of hoof marks. It was still too much strength, but a lot better than last time.

"See?" I said. "Got it."

"Well, I'll be," A.J. said. "Alright then. Just don't tear up anymore trees and we'll be in business. Just work on those trees there and then load the baskets up on the cart."

I nodded and started to work. For the next hour or so I worked on harvesting the apples and loading up the cart. A.J. was impressed and expressed that if I ever wanted to stay in Ponyville, she could use my help to harvest for each season. I politely declined. As much as it was actually enjoyable and relaxing, in the end, this land wasn't where I belonged.

After our hard work, it was time to go into town. Big Mac strapped the cart to himself and started pulling as A.J., Apple Bloom, and myself followed, though Apple Bloom ran off shortly after leaving the farm, saying something about the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Ponyville was a decent size town. The buildings were all colorful with a large tree that looked like it was made of crystal at one end of the village. Big Mac continued to pull the wagon, meeting up with Granny Smith who had came into town earlier.

"Alright, time to go see my friends," A.J. said. But we didn't get far. Pinkie Pie jumped out of nowhere and landed on A.J. I honestly don't know where she came from.

"Applejack! I'm glad I found you!" She looked at me and jumped off her to get to me. I narrowed my eyes, but kept my eyes down. "Hey! You're here too! That's great! So, I'm throwing you a welcoming party tonight! I know you didn't want one, but I decided to throw one anyway. And guess what! The whole town is going to be there! Are you excited! You must be excited. Say, can we do that freaky eye contact thing you did with Applejack! I want to know what that was about."

"Pinkie Pie," Applejack called. "Give the boy some room, will ya? We're goin' to go see Twilight."

"Oh, Twilight isn't here," she said. "She's up at Canterlot with Princess Celestia. But she'll be back in time for the party!"

"What's this commotion?" asked a new voice from behind me. I glanced behind me to see a white unicorn pony with purple mane that had been styled. She had a bag on her back with what looked like fabrics in them. Her mark was of three blue gems stones. "Oh, it's just you, Pinkie Pie. Good day, Applejack."

"Hay there, Rarity," A.J. said.

"Oh, is this the new pony you where talking about, Pinkie Pie?" she asked, moving up to me and looking me over. "Oh my. I hope you're not wearing that dreadful thing for your party tonight." Her horn glowed and I felt the coat flutter a bit. "What? What is that thing made of? Lead?"

"You could say something like that," I said.

"Rarity, this is Hero," A.J. said. "Hero, this here is Rarity."

"Oh yes, nice to meet you," Rarity said as she started looking at my metal jewelry. "You certainly like a lot of metal. Oh no, no, no. This certainly won't do. Here, I can make you up something nice for your welcoming party tonight." Her horn glowed more and I could see her strain as she tried to move my coat again.

"There's no need," I told her. "I like my coat where it is."

"Oh, but I must insist," she said, though she gave up on trying to lift the coat. "Come, come, let's go to my shop so I can take a look at you."

"Might as well go with her," A.J. said, following behind Rarity with Pinkie beside her. "Ya won't be able to see Twilight until tonight anyway." I growled and followed.

"Hay, guys!" called Rainbow Dash as she flew down beside us. "What's up?"

"Rarity is going to make a new outfit for Hero to wear for his party!" Pinkie Pie said, excited.

"Why?" Dash asked. "I think he looks cool the way he is."

"Thank you," I said.

"Oh, but this is a Welcome to Ponyville party!" Rarity protested. "He most certainly wants to make a good first impression."

"Actually, I rather not," I mumbled. "I rather talk with your friend," I looked at A.J. for clarity, "Twilight was it?" She nodded. "I rather talk with Twilight and get out of here."

"Well, you won't be able to see her until tonight at the party anyway," Rarity said. "You might as well enjoy yourself until then." I could enjoy myself just fine without all of these ponies around.

We made it to Rarity's place where I was pushed inside. I could see that she liked making elegant clothing and that she was a pony who likes perfection. The rare gem stones that she had was the clear reason for her mark too, though I think the mark was more for purity and perfection.

"Alright, now would you please take that coat off so I can get your measurements?" Rarity asked. I started to protest, but saw A.J. and sighed. It was no use in fighting this.

"I might need some help," I confessed. I raised up on my hinge legs, lost balance, and fell forward again. A.J. and Dash helped steady me as I tried again. I had to shrug the coat off, which I wish I didn't. It crashed to the floor with a load boom, falling through the floor and to the floor below, tearing up everything on its way down. I thought Rarity was going to faint.

A.J. and the others stared in shock. "That was so totally cool!" Dash shouted.

"Oh my god! That coat really was made of lead!" Pinkie Pie said. She rushed down to the coat and picked it up in her mouth. It was light as a feather now, which surprised her. "Hey! Look! I can lift it! I must be super strong!" She ran up with the coat in her mouth and threw it around herself. I quickly grabbed it in my mouth and pulled it off, dropping it on the floor. This time, it didn't crash to the floor.

"It's an enchanted coat," I said. "It's only heavy when it's being worn. But it takes it a second to become light again when it's pulled off." I gestured at the hole in the floor as indication. Then I looked at Rarity. "Sorry about the floor."

"Oh...That's quite alright, dear," she said. "At least no one got hurt."

"No, but it sure did give Fluttershy a scare!" Pinkie said.

"Fluttershy?" Dash questioned and flew down the hole.

"Ya, she must have just walked in cause I saw her standing in the doorway scared stiff," Pinkie said.

Dash flew back up with a yellow pony with wings and a pink straight mane and tail. The pony I assumed was Fluttershy was shaking uncontrollably in fear. I wouldn't blame her, walking into the place only to have something crashing through the ceiling and just missing her must be scary. Dash was trying to convert her as they landed beside Pinkie.

It was then that A.J. noticed the wings on my back. "Well, I'll be," she said. "Ya didn't mention ya was a Alicorn." That got everyone else's attention and they started to admire my wings, except Fluttershy who was still far too scared.

I had the impression that she was scared to meet me, being a pony that she hadn't met before. I did notice that she kept her head down and turned away so her mane covered her face. I also noticed the three butterflies cutie mark she had. I guess this meant she was an animal pony, as long as it wasn't another pony.

"Are you a prince or something?" asked Rarity.

I growled. "No," I said, flatly. "I'm not a prince."

"Say, what's with this cutie mark?" Dash asked.

"What?" I asked in surprise. I turned and looked at the mark on my ass. A black triangle was there. Actually, it was more like three triangles that was arranged into a triangle with a gap in the center. I recognized it as a symbol of my land. Only the symbol was suppose to be gold and pointing up. This was black and pointed down. "The Triforce?"