Chapters A crisp autumn chill rushes through the golden red, and brown leaves of Sweet Apple acres. The last of the apples has already been harvested, Big Mac takes the harvest into town to be sold. AppleBloom and her friends, SweetieBelle and Scootaloo are off playing with their classmates. All the while AppleJack is in her room a letter is on her night stand covered with the strong smell of a cedar cologne on the envelope.
Dear AppleJack,
It is with great jubilance that I inform you that I am coming to Ponyville in a few days. I can't wait to see you for the first time! I hope I don't disappoint such an upstanding pony such as yourself. Until the rays of the morning sun brings us together I say count the days.
Yours Truly,
Cinno.
Applejack was unsure how to feel about her letter friend coming to Ponyville. They were old penpals from her school days that kept in touch but never actually met. She had never even thought to ask him for a picture of him. Although she wanted to reply to the letter by the time it would be delivered to the address he would be in Ponyville. So she puts the letter in her chest that she keeps all her letters in and sets out to Ponyville to ask for some help.
Applejack first stops at princess Twilight Sparkles palace. The warm smell of freshly baked pancakes ,and berries fills her nostrils as she enters the dining hall. Making her stomach growl with hunger to which she satisfies with a great big helping.
"Hoo boy Twi these pancakes sure do taste good!(belches) Pardon."
"It is quite alright Applejack I'm just happy you enjoyed them. What brings you over though? You are usually busy with farm work this early in the morning." Smiles Twilight
" Well you see you know about my penpal friend right?" Twilight nods "He's coming to Ponyville in a couple of days and I'm not exactly sure what to make of it."
"This is so not like you Applejack you always know what to do. Why are you so unsure about meeting him for the first time?" Twilight asks concerned
" I wish I knew Twi. I think it will just be wierd to put a face to the letters is all."
"That is understandable after all you've never seen him, but think about it like this. Its like reuniting with an old friend."
"I...never thought about it like that! Wow I already feel better thanks sugarcube." Applejack face gleams with revelation about the situation.
"Glad I could help. Now what are you going to do about his arrival?" Beams Twilight
"I know how about a party!" Pinkie Pie pops out of nowhere making the two mares jump out of their seats. The mares look at each other then laugh as they agree that that would be a good idea.
So on the day of the known arrival is spent with Pinkie Pie coordinating a welcome to Ponyville party. There is a: bounty of beautiful bright colorful balloons on every corner, several stringy streamers striping the scaffoldings and a big welcome to Ponyville banner in the center of town. A usual spectacle of super duper party planning by Ponyville's own party planner Pinkie Pie. Eyes of both young and old alike beam with joy as they see the sight that laid before them they always looked forward to one of Pinkie's parties. As Pinkie Pie planned the party Applejack and Twilight Sparkle awaited the arrival of the train that Cinno is on. A loud horn sounds as the train pulls into the station several ponies get off of the train none of them greet the two mares waiting.
"Do you think he missed the train?" asks Applejack
"I don't no. Maybe there are still some on board?" Replies Twilight.
Just as Twilight says this a lone stallion with a sand colored coat and scarlet mane gets off the train and slowly walks towards the mares. Several small scars adorn his muscular body as well as a somewhat tired expression on his very handsome face. His brilliant amber eyes told the tale of some pony who has seen too much strife. The mares noticed that the stallion walked with a slight limp. Just as he got closer they saw why; a large jagged scar ran down the length of his right hindleg starting from his cutie mark of two cinnamon sticks in an x all the way down to his hoof.
"Are you Cinno?" asks Twilight Sparkle
"I am indeed your highness princess Twilight Sparkle." Cinno bows awkwardly
"How do you know how I am? We've never met before have we?"
"I was one of princess Celestia's royal guards at your coordination as well as your brother's wedding. So I know who you are your highness, but no we have never met in person." answers Cinno
"You never mentioned you're a royal guard Cinno." Exclaims Applejack.
"You never asked what I do for a living Applejack. Besides I am not a royal guard anymore since my injury." Cinno gingerly looks back at his scar.
A dull thud makes the three look back at the train where a small earth pony filly with a soft white pink coat and a bright pink mane drops her luggage. "Sorry uncle Cinno I lost my grip." States the small filly
"Oh where are my manners princess Twilight Sparkle, Applejack my niece Sugarcane. Sugarcane this is my old penpal Applejack and her royal highness princess Twilight sparkle."
" Oooooh are you really a princess? You are so pretty. Do you think I could become as pretty as you one day?" Sugarcane asks with big shiny green eyes.
"Awe thank you. I'm sure you will grow into a beautiful mare but if you ask me you are already pretty." Sugarcane grins really wide as she giggles and starts to jump up and down around the grown ups. Cinno mouths a small 'thank you' to Twilight.
"Do you need any help with your bags?" asks Applejack
"No thanks I got it. Besides it won't do to have a mare carry a stallion's napsack while he is able." Cinno answers as he puts all of the luggage on his back. His hindleg buckles a little but he quickly recovers he gives a faint smile. Applejack wanted to object but could see that conversation would take all day. Sugarcane stops bouncing and grabs her own luggage and sticks close to Cinno's injured leg acting as a brace.
The small group enters the town square as Pinkie Pie jumps out of a cake with confetti shouting "Welcome to Ponyville!" both Cinno and Sugarcane give a great big smile as they walk towards the party. Sugarcane runs to the group of fillies leaving Cinno to converse with the adults.
"So darling tell us a little about yourself?" Inquires Rarity already half buzzed from Berry Punch's special spiced punch.
"Ok well my name is Cinnamon Snap but every pony calls me Cinno for short. I was a corporal in Celestia's royal guard not long after I graduated from high school. That was until I was injured in battle during the Canterlot royal wedding invasion, a changeling gored me with it's horn while I was protecting civilians. The healers were able to save my leg but I was unfit for duty so I was given an honorable discharge. Since then I've been helping my sister with her spice farm near Fillydelphia. Mostly just patrolling the fields with Sugarcane, teaching her how to be a soldier. I was presented with an opportunity to come to Ponyville so here I am. I had to bring Sugarcane with me since she's been dying to meet a princess and she knew that I knew there was a princess in Ponyville, and here we are. We that suffice ma'am?"
The mane six look at Cinno with awe as he told his story. "Wow so like you're a war hero? That is so cool!" exclaims Rainbow Dash
"Thank ye kindly ma'am but I'm no war hero just a soldier doing his duty to protect and serve." Cinno's southern accent breaks from it's earlier demeanor.
"Oh wow I thought you were a Canterlotian?" States Twilight Sparkle
"Well no. I am originally from a small village down south. I had to hide my accent in the guard you see we're supos'd look and sound alike that way the enemy can't tell if they took us down or another. Sorry if my ruse fooled ya I am so used to it I sometimes forget all about it and break character and resort to my natural voice."
`"Oh that's why all the guards look the same! I thought it was weird." Rainbow Dash
"That's right ya see there's a glamour charm inbedded into the armor so that the stallions that put it on look identical. That's why ya only see two coat colors and they'r all the same size. In reality they're just like the rest of us." replies Cinno
The group continues the conversation until sunset. A tired little Sugarcane lets out a yawn as she approaches the group of adults. Seeing this Applejack tells Pinkie Pie its time to end the welcome party. As the party dies down Applejack leads Cinno and Sugarcane to Sweet Apple Acres and to their rooms. Since Applejack didn't know about Sugarcane coming she makes a bed for her in Applebloom's room. Cinno gently places the sleeping filly into it and kisses her forehead, Applebloom was already asleep but Applejack brushes back her mane and does the same to her. The two quietly leave the room closing the door. Once the fillies were taken care of Applejack gets to the task of making up the guest bedroom. It was just big enough for a fully grown stallion to be comfortable, but not for a stallion and an energetic filly.
"Sorry about the accommodations. It has been awhile since we've had a guest here at Sweet Apple Acres." Applejack blushes as she places fresh sheets on the bed.
"It is lovely Applejack. I am awfully sorry about brining my niece with me without notice it was a last minute thing and I had no time to tell you."
"Oh shucks its quite alright she's a cute little filly. Besides it looks like Applebloom had fun playing with her. Well I think that is it. Let me know if there's anything I can do for ya."
"Will do and thank you for the room. Good night Applejack may you have pleasant dreams."
The blush returns deeply into Applejack's cheeks at this. "You too fella." she leaves.
The morning light shines in Applejack's eyes forcing her wake up. "time to start the chores." She goes downstairs to see Granny smith eating a huge helping of waffles. There was a large assortment of breakfast delicacies on the table. Big Mac, Applebloom and Sugarcane were already stuffed with their third helpings. Applejack looks around for her guests but Granny tells her that he already finished and were outside waiting for her to finish breakfast. So Applejack sits down to eat she hated eating without her guests, but she also couldn't resist the aroma of the hot waffles. After breakfast Sugarcane takes the dishes and starts washing them Applejack insists that she could do it, but Sugarcane says that is the polite thing to do when you are at another's home. So Applejack heads outside to see Cinno doing some kind of training with a strange looking stick the ends were much larger then the rest of it. She could feel the whiplash of air as Cinno spun the staff with great speed. His muscles were glistening with sweat in the morning light. He slams one end of the staff into the ground making a rather large pit where it struck panting hard he looks at Applejack with satisfaction.
"Thought I'd get some pole arm training in while I waited. Don't worry about your chores I already got them done before daybreak." Cinno states as he takes some loose soil out of a bag and fills the hole he just made. His hindleg twitches making him grit his teeth while grabbing the staff for support. Applejack rushes towards him but he recovers by the time she gets to him. "And don't you worry about me either. I've been dealing with this fur awhile just overworked it a little is all." Cinno states as he looks at the concern on Applejack's face. Once he catches his breath he takes apart the training staff and puts it up into its carrying case.
"Ya know ya could a waited until after we had breakfast together to do whatever that was."
"Sorry. Years of military training puts one on a short sleep cycle. Didn't want ta bother ya so I ate first and then got things ready for the rest of ya."
"Well ok. So what are your plans for the day?"
"I'm hear in Ponyville for business but that can wait. How about a tour? I could use the company of a beautiful mare such as yourself. What do you say Applejack?"
"I think I can manage tha... Wait you think I'm beautiful?"
"Course. No pony ever tell ya that before?"
"No can't say they have."
"Well that's a crying shame. Such indignities must be remedied! Applejack you are a young beautiful mare and it would be a great pleasure if you could accompany me for the day." Cinno smiles as he bows.
Applejack chortles but quickly corrects herself and with a southern belle accent "Why good Sir Cinnamon Snap it would be my greatest pleasure to accompany you on this fine day. However I do insist that you make yourself decent. After all it would be a travesty if such a fine and upstanding stallion such as yourself were to be seen covered in grime in the presence of a lady." both of them laugh to which Cinno replies.
"My fair lady you are too right give me but a moment to cleanse myself of this unsightly filth and I will be with you."
"Please do make haste good gentlecolt after all it is most uncouth to keep a lady waiting" with that Cinno bows and makes his way to the bathroom but not without Applejack looking at his firm glistening haunches.
Soon after Cinno cleaned himself up the two went into town to meet with the other girls and one by one the group became larger. The mares showed Cinno the more interesting parts of town from the town bell to the market and everything in between. Eventually the group arrived at the Everfree forest. They told stories of how dangerous their adventures in the dark forest were and how they overcame challenging obstacles that strengthened their bonds of friendship. Cinno in turn tells the mares of his own adventures of how he himself had to overcome similar challenges while he was on various missions for princess Celestia. The most interesting story was of him and a scouting party getting lost in a sandstorm, while in Saddle Arabia and wound up having to defend themselves from a horde of giant scorpions and sand wolves.
"Wow! How did you manage to fight both giant scorpions and sand wolves?" asked Rainbow Dash
"Well ya se miss Dash we originally ran into the pack of sand wolves while looking fur a source of clean drinking water. While we'r dealing with them we riled up a nest of sleeping giant scorpions. Thankfully we had an accomplished unicorn in the group that was good with fire spells; so we didn't lose any pony just a few scrapes and bruises."
"That is amazing! Do you think you could tell us about Saddle Arabia's infamous sand wolves? I've always to see them." noted Fluttershy with a most cheerful tone.
"Not much to tell miss Shy. Only that they are bout the same size of them timberwolves, and hard to kill since they're made of sand and all. I will say that they are quite beautiful when not trying to tear yer face off." answered Cinno
An ear piercing scream filled the air. It was coming from the Everfree Forest. The scream was soon followed by more screams accompanying the first they were the screams of fillies. Before the group could even look at each other Cinno went sprinting like a mad pony into the forest making a beeline towards the screams. The mares follow suit chasing the stallion into the forest.
Soon after Applejack and Cinno left the farmhouse that morning Applebloom and Sugarcane went out on their own to go and play with the other cutie mark crusaders. They quickly found Scootaloo doing tricks on her scooter in the market place.
"Hey Scoots! What's up?" asked Applebloom
"Not much just out practicing being awesome on my scooter. Gotta get better if I want to impress Rainbow Dash the next time I see her."
"Well if that's the case I doubt you would want to come and join us on an adventure would ya?" asks Sugarcane with a coy grin.
"Huh? What are you talking about there Suggs?" Asks Applebloom
" I was going to wait until we went and got SweetieBelle as well, but ya see I once heard of a flower that supposedly grows in the Everfree forest. Legend has it that the flower can heal any kind of wound even old ones. Ya see that is the real reason fur me coming along on this trip. My uncle won't say it but he is in terrible pain every waking second. If ya stand real close to him like I do ya can hear him scream through his teeth. I was hopin that while he was off doing whatever business he was sent hear to do I could get the flower, and mix up the potion that it is used in. I was also hopin that since ya girls know about the forest that ya could help me find it."
"Awe that sure is sweet of you but I don't recall of hearing about a flower like that. You sure it exists?"
"I'm sure! I've seen a picture of it in my Mom's Botany book! It is bright blue with glitter stripes and grows where there is a lot of water. Please! I beg of ya girls please help me heal my uncle! All he ever does is give to every pony even if it nearly kills him. I just want to help him fur once."
The two fillies stare at each other then give a firm nod of their heads go about of finding SweetieBelle. They find her in her sister's boutique and quickly recap what Sugarcane told them. With a tear in her eye she agrees to help as well, and the small group of fillies set off to search for the flower in the Everfree forset. They went deep into the forest careful not to run into any cockatrices or timberwolves. Soon they found themselves in a change in scenery; the trees themselves changed from the usual deciduous trees to mangrove trees as an entire plain was submerged in water. There were also several different types of flora as well but the most alarming thing was seeing a massive group of rockidiles swimming throughout the free space. Some of them were massive the size of a small house, but most of them were just small enough to swim through the roots of the mangrove trees.
"I don't know about you gals but this looks to be a might foolish to go further. Lets go back." whispers Applebloom
"What?! But we've come so far! Besides we must be close look at all this water it has to be close." retorts Sugarcane.
"Maybe but I don't feel like playing hopscotch across roots above several rockidiles. Lets just see if we can go around shall we?" answers SweetieBelle. Scootaloo nods her head in agreement. Just as she says that a very large rockidile shot straight up out of the air and snapped a bird in it's maw. It was clearly the alpha male seeing as it was almost three times the size of any of the other rockidiles. At that moment all the fillies rapidly shake their heads and decide to follow SweetieBelle's advice to go around.
Taking the scenic route the fillies keep their heads on a swivel knowing very well that they were in heavy predator territory. Their journey lengthened by having travel across a flooded terrain their hooves getting stuck with every step in the thick mud. Eventually they came across solid ground to which they happily opted to take. Now on firm ground they could see all kinds of plants around them but not the one they were looking for. The disheartened Sugarcane begins to cry.
"Hey hey what's with the water works? Ya not giving up are ya?" asks Applebloom
"I...just thought th...at we'd of found it by know. Just look it is almost sunset even if we do somehow manage to find it we wont be able to find our way back in the dark. How am I supposed to help my uncle if all I manage to do is get all of us killed by some nocturnal predator?"
"Geeze way to make it sound like you went and killed us there. Look there is still time for us to head back before nightfall. We can then get help from Rainbow Dash and the others in looking for the flower tomorrow. Ok?" answers Scootaloo
"O...ok but I think it would be faster if we cut through this area since it is dry. If we keep our wits about us we should be able to maneuver around any rockdiles that we come across. Alright?" Sugarcane says trying to stop her crying.
"Ok that's probably best since we can move faster on dry land then in the water. Lets hurry." SweetieBelle says with a worried expression on her face as she looks at the skyline.
The fillies hastely begin their march through the area of dry ground all the while making sure that they don't run into any rockidiles. Their journey is long but eventually they get to the end of the firm ground which they were using as a guide. Much to their horror the solid ground they were following led to a cliff, and at the bottom was the alpha male sleeping in field of the flowers they were looking for.
"Oh come on!" yells SweetieBelle
"Shhhh. Keep quiet look he's sleeping and I don't think we would want to wake him up. Right?" Applebloom says as she puts a hoof up to SweetieBelle's muzzle. A loud snore rattles the nearby trees.
"Look it is the flower I am sure of it!" Sugarcane proclaims pointing to the field of flowers the beast is laying on top of.
"Are you nuts! We are not going any where near that thing! It could swallow us whole" SweetieBelle's vioce cracks as she talks.
Crumble! The ledge the fillies were standing on gives way and they all slide down the cliff. The young fillies stifle their screams as they land but a few inches away from they monster's snout dust fills it's nostrils. Ahh ahh Snhht the giant rockidile sneezes covering the girls in snot. It gingerly opens it's eyes to see what all the noise was about. The fillies froze hoping that it would not see them; it slowly closes it's eyes again and begins to snore once more. A small quiet sigh of relief emits from the fillies as three of them start to tiptoe around the gargantuan. Applebloom looks back to see Sugarcane collecting a hoof full of flowers.
"Come on Sugar! we's gotta sceedaddle before this big guy wakes up fur a late night snack." whispers Applebloom
"Coming I just needed to get some flowers since that is what we are all risking our necks fur." Sugarcane makes her way around the rockidile's snout slightly brushing it with her bushy tail. Aaaaaaa choooo! A very loud sneeze erupts from the rockidile; his eyes shoot wide open as an angry growl emits from it's maw. Now the scared fillies run for their lives screaming as the large rockidile chases them. Unable to make it to the exit the fillies begin to look for a hiding place.
"Look over there! There is an opening!" Yells Scootaloo as she points to a rock formation where there was a small opening. They scramble to the only safe haven first Scootaloo makes it in followed by SweetieBelle then Applebloom.
"Hurry! he is right on top of you!" Screams Applebloom as the rockidile just misses snatching up Sugarcane. Out of instinct Sugarcane bucks the rockidile right in the snout as it misses her stunning it for a split second. She makes it to the rock formation; squeezing in just in the nick of time as the beast snapped it's jaws shut right behind her. A stream of frothing saliva covers the girls.
"Oh come on!" SweetieBelle yells at the rockidile to which it growls at her making her squeak.
"You just had to go and pick some flowers didn't you? You just couldn't leave well enough alone?" Scootaloo asks with more then a bit of venom.
Sugarcane starts crying full blown waterfalls streaming her face as well as snot from her nose. "I...just wanted to help Cinno. Everyday since he was gored by that changeling he has been in soo much pain. Most of the time he can't even walk and the other times he is in so much pain that he can't go very far without having to stop to catch his breath. I just thought that if I could heal him he could be happy again, but all I've done is get us killed. I'm... so...sorry girl for getting you all mixed up in this."
The other two look at Scootaloo giving her a guilt look. "Hey we'r not dead yet. Now are we? Listen I remember your uncle tellen miss Rarity that he taught you how to be a soldier. Is that right?" Applebloom says as she tries to console Sugarcane. Sugarcane gives a shaky nod in agreement. " Well then. What does your training tell you to do now?" The sound of stones breaking interrupts the conversation as the girls look to see that the rockidile just smacked it's armor covered tail against the stone making the hole just a little bit bigger. "Come on think!"
"Well there is really only one thing we can do." states Sugarcane as she rubs the snot off of her face. She then rummages through her mud covered backpack. Grabbing a makeshift megaphone that her uncle showed her how to make. " We call for backup."
His leg burned but he didn't care all that was on his mind was the direction of the screams emanating from the Everfree forest. He was running so fast that he was nothing more then a blur to those that looked at him. He quickly gets to the waterlogged swamp but he doesn't take the detour. Bounding from mangrove to mangrove his leaps are so powerful that the roots that he launches himself off of shatter into tiny pieces from the sear force. Several rockidiles try to snap at him from underneath angry that they were disturbed from sleep by the exploding wood; but catch nothing but air.A loud roar echoes from the direction of the screams forcing him to go faster. As he zero's in on the screams for help he sees a very large rockidile trying to dig through the rock to get to it's prey. Cinno doesn't slow down or yells he simply rams himself right into the beast's rib cage. The force of the impact sends it sprawling across the enclosed area like a ragdoll. The air is filled with shredded petals and grass. An audible pop resonates from Cinno's right shoulder as it dislocates from the impact. The beast shakes it's head and roar's furiously at Cinno, and Cinno grunts as he pops his shoulder back into place.
The two now stand off in the center of the field each looking of the right opportunity to strike. The beast charges toward Cinno and tries to snap him in two, but Cinno back steps just as the jaws close he then punches the beast's snout with enough force to launch the rockidile's head straight up into the air; an arc of blood shoots over the length of it's body. The ground shakes as it's forelegs come crashing back down; blood now flowing freely from it's nostril. The beast roars as it turns viciously around to sweep it's tail. However Cinno anticipates this and does a summersault timed perfectly now with an opportunity to retaliate Cinno jumps onto its back. He starts to strike various points along the spine. The force of his blows shatters the rocky scales and tear through the exposed flesh underneath. Cinno's grip becomes nearly impossible as blood covers his hooves so he sinks his teeth into the bleeding flesh. A feeble attempt since he has no canine teeth to sink in; he quickly lets go unable to stand the taste of blood filling his mouth. Instead he decides to attach himself to one of larger scales on the upper back.
The rockidile begins to thrash about the field trying to knock off Cinno from it's bloodied back: from bucking to body slams but no matter what it tries Cinno remains clung to it's scaley back. Screams could be heard over the alpha's enraged roars as fountains of blood stream from it's wounds every time it stops. Eventually the beast runs to the water using it's powerful muscles to swim through the swamp; at breakneck speed tearing up the mangroves in the process as well as scaring off the rest of the smaller rockidiles. Still Cinno clings to it's back; desperate to get him off the alpha begins the infamous deathroll in the water churning it like violent rapids. Cinno unable to hold on to the bloody surface is finally launched off of it's back and into the air like a geyser. The alpha notices this and stops its roll to turn it into a vertical jump.
Cinno's eyes slowly open as he free falls towards the ground he sees a pair of massive jaws leaping at him. With nothing to stop him from falling into it's mouth he quickly turns his body making it spin like a windmill the jaws once again barely miss him. The sound of a thunderclap explodes in the air as both of Cinno's hind legs come crashing down between the rockidile's eyes landing on a rock covered brow shattering it. A large splash floods the area as both bodies come crashing down into the water. The alpha is now belly up in a pool of it's blood and chunks of brain matter; Cinno struggles to stand as bone is extruding from his right hindleg and both skin and muscle were torn from the other just hanging there like a butchered cow in a freezer.
He slowly makes his way to the fillies covered in both his blood and the now dead beast's blood a faint smile crosses his face as he looks over the fillies to see that they were unharmed. The mane six finally catch up to Cinno and the girls just as Cinno collapses from exhaustion and blacks out.
The sound of a rooster cawing wakes up Cinno as he finds himself back in the guest bedroom at Sweet Apple acres. He slowly sits himself up and removes the covers his entire bottom half is covered in blood soaked bandages as well as his right shoulder. A faint knock at the door alarms Cinno. "En...enter." The door slowly opens up to Applejack with a tray of fresh baked apple goods. Behind her comes Twilight with some fresh bandages and her assistant Spike with various medicines. " Awe well this is a good way to start one's day if ya ask me. Hehehe"
"Well ya deserve it after what ya did to save my litta sister and her friends." replies Applejack as she starts to feed Cinno piping hot apple fritters. Twilight Sparkle immediately starts to change Cinno's bandages. What he saw was horrifying his left hindleg was a sickly blue green and in rough cut stitches whoever did it clearly doesn't know how to sow a leg back together. He didn't get to look for long though as Spike started to clean the wounds with rubbing alcohol forcing him to close his eyes from the pain.
"Sorry but we have to keep it clean before the infection takes claim of the leg. At least until we can get nurse Redheart out here to redue the stitches." says Spike as he notices Cinno wince.
"What are you talking about Spike? They look good to me." answers Twilight as she applies the fresh bandages.
"Ah Twi I hate to be the bearer of bad news but the only thing uglier then your stitch job is a female diamond dog."
"What?! Its not that bad is it?"
"Yes yes it is but don't worry about it. It is fine for an emergency patch job I'll be just fine until we can get more practiced hooves." answers Cinno.
"I still don't know why we didn't have Rarity do the stitching in the first place. After all there is no pony that knows their way around a thread and needle then that fastionistia." asks Applejack as she stuffs another apple fritter into Cinno's mouth.
"Don't you remember Aj? Rarity fainted the moment she saw the state of his legs; there is no way she could of sowed him back up. Not to mention I was able to reconnect the muscle to the bone and pushed the bone back into it's proper place in the other leg. I was in too much of a frenzied state to do a proper stitch job on his leg." retorts Twilight Sparkle as finishes up tieing up the bandages with a delicate bow.
"So you not only had to carry me back but also Rarity? What about the girls?" asks Cinno as he fully sits up and reties the bandages.
"They are just fine a bit rattled but fine. It seems that Sugarcane convinced them to go and look for a miracle cure flower in the Everfree that is where they ran into the rockidile nest." answers Twilight Sparkle ignoring the death stare from Applejack.
Cinno lets out a long sigh" So my niece endangered the lives of your sister and her friends." Cinno gets out of bed and bows deeply to the mares his forehead resting on the ground. " Please forgive her?" This course of action stuns the mares as he lays there motionless at their hooves.
"Of course we forgive her. From what Applebloom and the others told us she did to save you from your injuries." answers Twilight. Hearing this Cinno starts to cry profusely his body shakes with tremors. This happened for over five minutes the mare leave him be. Spike however places a claw on Cinno and gives him a small smile before he to leaves.
"That foolish little filly." Cinno finally raises from his position he grits his teeth as his legs spasm. "Well I guess I have to take care of you first huh." Cinno staggers his way through the halls every pony was busy with chores so he was able to move around without causing a fuss. He eventually finds a needle and thread and the other essentials that he needed and heads back to the guest room. He places the needle in a bowl of rubbing alcohol as he goes about boiling some water. He then removes the already bloody bandages and takes a pair of scissors to cut and remove the crude stitching.With the now open gash on his once good leg Cinno takes a swig of moonshine and sprays it into the wound to sterilize it. It takes all of his will power not to scream from the pain. Pressing the now open flesh together he starts to pierce his tender flesh with the sterilized needle and thread. A small cry escapes his mouth as his starts to stitch up his leg. When he finishes the last stitch he ties and cuts the thread a little bit longer then it is supposed to be so that it could be redone by a doctor when they eventually arrived. Weakly he then starts to apply a salve he had stored in his napsack just in the unlikely case something happened. The warm tingly sensation embraces his leg immediately helping him calm down. All that was left was to apply the bandages once they were dried from being boiled. A long content sigh leaves him as he looks at his handy work. " Well that is much better. Princess Twilight might be good with magic but she should leave the medical practices to the professionals." The stitching looked a lot better; not quite as good as a doctor's ability but still good enough to work. With his legs now properly tended to he could easily stand. So he gets to the task of cleaning up the room making sure that not so much as a spec of dust was left. The moment he finishes there comes a knock on the door. "Come in."
It was Applejack with more hot food." I brought ya dinner."
"Thank ya kindly Aj. Say why don't ya join me? This is a lot of food fur one stallion to eat by his lonesome. Plus the company would be nice."
A blush graces Aj's cheeks " I um don't see why not." Aj sits next to Cinno on the bed resting the food on the desk. They eat the food in relative silence sneaking glances at eachother between bites. Applebloom and the cutie mark crusaders walk into the open doorframe a big sparkling thank you card in hoof.
"Mister Cinno we would just like to say thank you for saving us from that rockidile last night." They say in unison as they present the blinding bright card
"Awe you're most welcome cutie mark crusaders. I am just sorry that my niece put you in that situation in the first place. Do you know where Sugarcane is? I need to talk to her."
The three fillies look at each other " Well um she's been sulking in our clubhouse since this morning. We've been trying all day to get her to come to see ya but yeah." answers Applebloom.
"I see. Well thanks for the card it is real nice, but leave Sugarcane to me." Cinno says as he gets off of the bed.
"Hey! You need your rest mister stay in bed. I'll go and talk some sense into her." demands Applejack. Cinno stares at Applejack but relents and sits back down
The sound of crickets fills the cool air Applejack stands just outside of the cutie mark crusader's clubhouse. She could hear the crying coming from the clubhouse making her heart clinch. Applejack takes a deep breath and slowly enters the clubhouse and sure enough there was Sugarcane in the center of the room a small pool of tears laid under hear head. Tremors could easily be seen on her body after all she has been crying all day. Applejack places a tender hoof on Sugarcane's shoulder making the young filly look up at her. Looking up at the loving expression on Applejack's face Suagarcane turns around and embraces her crying into her bosom. Caressing Suagarcane's mane Applejack starts singing a comforting lullaby which sooths the turbulent little filly.
"There there sugarcube your uncle is going to be fine just needs sum rest is all."
Sugarcane smiles hearing this" Re...really? That's good I thought I had killed him...(sniffles)but I lost the flowers that were going to heal him."
"Your safety is more important to your uncle than some flower. Ya should a seen how he charged into the Everfree forest the way he did. I ain't seen not'n like that before like a force of enraged nature!"
"Yeah and ya should of seen the way he fought that big O' meanie it was scary like a waking nightmare. I wasn't even sure that is was uncle Cinno not until it was over and he came to check on us. When I saw his injuries I threw up all over SweetieBelle's mane she was not amused at that."
Applejack laughs "Yeah can't imagine she would be. It looked like she had a rough night all covered in various liquids the way she was." A small moment of silence ensues. " So ready to come back to the farm? I know your uncle is worried sick about you." Sugarcane nods.
The two girls walk towards the farmhouse Applejack holding a hoof of Sugarcane as they do. Applebloom welcomes them as they enter the living room Sugarcane smiles back at her but her mind is on her uncle as she walks upstairs to the guest room. Much to her dismay Cinno was already fast asleep she looks at his bandaged legs a look of concern crosses her face but remembers what Applejack told her. She places a gentle and loving kiss on his leg and leaves the room. Applebloom was there waiting for her with a plate of food. Sugarcane accepts the food and heads down to the kitchen. She eats the cold food cleans the plates and heads back to Applebloom's bedroom and off to sleep she goes.
The is a large group of ponies in outside the room as nurse RedHeart undoes the bandages. "Oh wow!" exclaims the nurse
"What?! What?!" Asks Twilight Sparkle who is helping her.
"The infection is gone and look at those stitches! They are almost perfect." answers nurse RedHeart. The flesh was no longer a sickly green but more of a reddish pink and the stitches were holding up just fine.
"Oh really? She I told you Applejack that I was good with a needle." proclaims Twilight Sparkle.
"Well actually your highness I redid them when you left. They were too poorly done to be effective. Sorry if this hurts your feelings princess but I'd rather keep my leg." retorts Cinno making every other pony laugh as Twilight Sparkle makes a sour face.
"Well it looks like you did a masterful job sir. Were you in the guard? All I need to do is change the thread to the right kind. It will take but a moment." RedHeart inquires as she examines the stitching.
"Yes ma'am as a matter of fact I was in the guard; so being able to treat the wound was of little consequence once I was awake." Cinno answers while looking at nurse RedHeart do her thing. She quickly applies better thread and injects some antibiotics into his thigh. The speed at which she was going was remarkable Cinno didn't even have time to flinch from the sterile needle piecing his extremely tender flesh. Before any pony could bat an eyelash nurse RedHeart puts some fresh bandages on and puts up her instruments that she brought with her.
"Well that about does it just keep the wound clean and make sure you change the bandages often ok." states nurse RedHeart as she gives Cinno a folded piece of paper. Cinno opens it up and the only thing that is on it is a local phone number and an address.
"Ah ma'am what's with this number? If ya don't mind my asking."
"Oh that's my home phone number call me some time. I would love to talk medical procedures with you some time." nurse RedHeart answers as she gives Cinno a playfull wink then walks out the door.
"Oooooo some pony's got a crush on ya uncle." chortles Sugarcane the others chime in with haughty laughter.
"Sugarcane!" Cinno says in an authoritative voice.
Sugarcane recognizes the tone and stands at attention "Sir!"
"While I appreciate your candor you still have to make up for your blunder the other day. So as of now you are to assist the Apple family with their farm work until my business here in Ponyville is concluded. Do I make myself clear?"
"Y...yes sir." Sugarcane answers
"You are dismissed soldier." with that Sugarcane turns on her heels and walks out of the room. The other ponies look at Cinno in confusion.
"I know what you are thinking but this is the only way she will truly forgive herself. She wants to be a great soldier when she gets older so by treating her like one she will learn. However since she is still a filly I'm not going to lash her for knowingly endangering the lives of civilians. So really the only thing I can really do is make her do manual labor. Please don't coddle her any more otherwise she wont learn."
The group looks at him with bewilderment but one by one they begrudgingly agree all accept the cutie mark crusaders and Applejack who just stood there. Eventually the group disperses returning to their lives. Applejack staring deeply into Cinno's eyes; a few timeless seconds pass by before she eventually concedes and closes the door behind her. She heads straight to her bedroom and looks out the window to see Sugarcane vigorously working around the farm. Applejack could just barely see a smile on the filly's straining body she in turns smiles grabs her hat and gets to work.
It has been two weeks since the incident and nurse RedHeart has been coming over the Apple's farmhouse every day to check up on her new favorite patient. Sometimes she would even bring a treat or two with her. Sugarcane did as she was told and continued to help around the farm; her endurance was surprising as she was not only able to keep up with Applejack but in some cases outpace her. Today was the last day he needed his stitching; nurse RedHeart volunteered to remove the stitches herself (to ensure that they are removed properly) was her excuse. Sure enough the nurse shows up right on time.
"And how is my favorite patient today?" asks RedHeart as she sits right next to Cinno's chest.
"Ah well I'll be better once I can get out of this bed."
"One thing at a time dearie." RedHeart places her bag on the nightstand brushing against Cinno. The smell of her subtle perfume can now be smelled; like cherry blossoms in the rain. She grabs some scissors and cuts the knot in the thread and then slowly pulls the thread out careful not to cause any tears in the tender pink and white flesh. Time stands still as she takes her time removing the thread but finally she pulls the last of it out. "Not done yet." she goes for her bag again this time brushing even deeper into Cinno; he could feel her warmth through her nurse's uniform. She pulls out some cotton bolls and some alcohol; using the gentle care of a mother she cleans each small hole with love and precision. Once she is done with cleaning she gives a smile and leans down her mouth not even an inch away from his leg. With a long and slow exhale she gently blows on the wound creeping her way all the way upwards to the end of the wound. Unfortunately for Cinno the sensation of nurse RedHeart's warm breath blowing on his wound was more intoxicating the further up she went stopping at the top of the wound; which stops just before reaching the groin region. As she reaches the end of her trail she gives a devilish grin to her patient and sits back up pressing her chest against Cinno's. "You know you never did call me." A deep red stains Cinno's cheeks as he just sits there dumbfounded. Nurse RedHeart giggles as she leans even closer just mere inches away from Cinno's muzzle. Just as she is about make contact she turns her head ,and grabs her bag off of the nightstand and places it in her saddlebag and heads for the door. She turns back around and gives a playful wink and visibly sways her flank as she leaves showing off her feminine curves. Once she is out of sight Cinno's finally recovers from his initial shock.
"Hooo Boy! That was close! She's friskier than a cat in a dairy farm when they open up the cream vats." A small twitch in his groin reacts to that verbal response. "Oh quiet you. You've gotten me in enough trouble to last a life time. Especially that one summer when we traveled through that one town where all the mares heat cycles had somehow synchronized themselves." Another twitch answers more aggressively." I don't care if felt amazing! I couldn't walk right fur over a month! And you were so used up that you were black and blue by the end!" a small twitch complies but is still insistent." Well shucks if you're going to keep riling up a fuss there's only one thing to do." His crotch shivers in retaliation." Nope! Not have any off that!" Cinno gets up and heads into the hall.
"Where you headin off to in such a hurry?" asks Aj when Cinno rushes past her.
"Of't take a cold shower!"
It was now the day of the running of the leaves Applejack decided to take part of the race this year as well as Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle. Aj wanted to show Cinno a good time during the festival, but Cinno had to refuse simply saying that he had an appointment to keep and he already rescheduled twice prior and it would be rude to do it again. So Aj slightly disappointed relents her plans and made a mental note to make it up him later. Sugercane runs up to Aj with a candy apple stuck in her mane.
"Sugarcube! How'd ya get that stuck in your mane?"
"Huh? What?! Where?! Did some pony put something in my mane?! Get it out!" Sugarcane cries prancing in place.
"Ok ok hold ya britches!" Applejack pulls out the candied apple.
"Thank you miss Applejack. Hey do think I could join in yall's race?"
"Well I don't know sugarcube it's usually for grown ups but let me see if I can speak with the judges." Sugarcane's eyes shine bright. Applejack does as she said and the judges agreed much to the filly's delight.
The runners line up at the starting line and sure enough Sugarcane is the only filly. Most of the runners were mares from around Ponyville like Rainbow Dash and Applejack, but there were a few stallions as well like Caramel.
"Nervous?" asks Twilight Sparkle as she walks next to Sugarcane.
"Nervous? Me? Hardly just wish uncle Cinno could watch me leave every pony in the dust."
" Confident aren't we? You'll need it if you think I'll take it easy on you. Just because your a filly." says Rainbow Dash as she lines up next
"My mother says that is better to be confident rather than arrogant. Besides I wouldn't want you to take it easy on me anyway. I don't want you to spoil my victory." smirks Sugarcane which makes Rainbow Dash smirk.
"That's the spirit sugarcube. Just give it your all." says Applejack who takes her place on the otherside of Rainbow Dash.
"Oh I intend to." Sugarcane states as the rest of the runners take their places on the line.
"Runners on your mark" all of them get in a ready position. "Get set" Sugarcane smiles as she stomps the ground with her right forleg and lets out a snort. "Go!" All the runners burst off Rainbow Dash and Applejack lead the charge. All except for Twilight Sparkle and Sugarcane who take up the rear. The leaves were amazing like dancing flames Sugarcane marveled at their beauty both her and Twilight Sparkle take their time galloping through the race making sure that they are not left too far behind the others. Soon enough came the home stretch and before you could blink an eye Sugarcane and Twilight bolt. Rainbow Dash was leading the charge with Applejack right on her tail. It looks like it could be a close call between the two rivals. When a pinkish white blur passes both of them and crosses the finish line with the rest of the group several meters behind. Suragercane is panting hard when the rest of the runners finally cross the finish line she gives a victorious smile towards Rainbow Dash.
"What took ya so long? Slow poke." says Sugarcane
"H...ow can you move that fast?" asks Rainbow Dash as she pants out of breath
"My uncle isn't the only one who can run really fast. Thanks to his training regime that he puts me through I can make quick bursts of speed like that. However I can't maintain it as long as my uncle." answers Sugarcane as she rolls over; her chest rising up and falling as she tries to catch her breath.
Once all the runners had a chance to catch their breath the winners take their place on stage. Applejack placed 3rd, Rainbow Dash 2nd and Sugarcane 1st; soon the princess of the sun princess Celestia herself comes to present the medals. Surprisingly Cinno is with her a somber expression on his face as he struggles to keep pace; his limp is now much more noticeable as tremors could be seen by all in attendance. The town ponies who saw him looked at him with sympathy and one nurse in attendance giving him a sultry look. While the guards that were there saluted him acknowledging him as a hero and his bravery to overcome his injuries. When princess Celestia reaches the stage she gives a warm smile seeing the young filly on the first place stage.
"Your majesty may I present you my niece Sugarcane daughter of my sister Lemon Tart." Cinno states as he bows Sugarcane also bows.
"Oh so this is the niece you spoke so highly of sir Cinnamon Snap? I must say she is promising." Celestia smiles as she places the first place medal around Sugarcane's neck making her beam with pride.
"Thank you your majesty." Cinno bows again.
The festival ends and the ponies slowly disperse; several of the younger guard that were there swarmed Cinno talking up a storm about all the stories they heard of him. While the more seasoned guards keep watch over the princesses. As the sun begins to set Applejack, and Cinno walk side by side back to the farmhouse. While Applebloom and Sugarcane playfully race their way back leading the group. They walk in silence enjoying the piece of nature when they get back to the farm Applejack breaks the silence.
"So your meeting was with the princess huh?"
"Well actually no. I had a meeting with the mayor and met with the princess prior."
"Why did ya have a meeting with the mayor? If ya don't mind my asking."
"Ok just don't tell Sugarcane but her mom's spice farm isn't doing so well. She's had a run of bad luck recently: lost a lot of contracts
"And what is plan B?"
"I'm going to a remote island tomorrow to gather rare spices. Can you look after Sugarcane for me? I'm going to be gone for at least a week."
"Ofcourse I can look after Sugarcane for ya. Is the island dangerous?"
"Not before that little incident in the forest now it will be a bit more complicated."
"Could ya do with an extra pair of hooves?" smiles Applejack
"It would help." smiles Cinno
"Well why don't I come along?"
" But what about your farm?"
"Big Mac can hold down the fort for a week. Besides I've seen how hard Sugarcane works the farm will be fine."
"Well how can I say no to having a lovely mare all to myself for a week." smiles Cinno. Applejack smiles in turn.
The smell of the sea fills the nostrils of the ponies as Cinno guides them around the harbor until they got to a large royal flagship fully crewed with seaponies. One of the sailors salutes Cinno and grabs his and Applejack's luggage and brings it on board.
"How did you manage this?" Asks Twilight Sparkle doe eyed
"I didn't princess Celestia did said it was the least she could do after all my years of service." answered Cinno as he looks to the horizon.
"Do ya have to go uncle Cinno?" asks Sugarcane with a concerned look
"Yeah I do be brave little one for me. Ok?" says Cinno as he hugs his niece in a tight embrace.
"I will but I still don't understand why you have to go on some trip without me."
"Oh Sugarcane what would your mother say if I took you out into the open sea. Just stay here and be good me and Applejack will be back before ya know it." Cinno smiles
"All aboard! We'll be setting sail shortly!" yells the captain making the rest of the crew work double time.
"Well that's us. Time to go. You ready Applejack?"
"As ready as I'll ever be. Big Mac take care of the farm while I'm away."
"Ye..app" answers Big Mac.
The two ponies walk the plank and step onto the impressive flagship. As soon as they do a sailor pulls the plank aboard and unties the secure knots. With that the sail unfurls and is quickly filled by a strong gust; pulling the ship away from the harbor. Applejack waves to her friends who are waving back; while Sugarcane salutes. After a few minutes in open waters Applejack quickly finds herself at a loss as she winds up getting in the way of one sailor or another. That is until she looks up to see the captain and Cinno laughing at her making her turn red. She joins them at the helm where an impressive assortment of treats were laid out on a table. Her mouth drooled at the site there was all kinds of delicious foods on the table. To her astonishment Cinno and the captain were sitting there with strange drinks in hoof reminiscing; she had thought that they were laughing at her but turns out they were just telling eachother jokes.
"Oh Aj come sit! This here is the saltiest captain under the princesses command. Let me introduce you to captain North Wind." states Cinno with a flush to his cheeks.
"Ah so this is the infamous Applejack! A pleasure to make your acquaintance ma'am." says North Wind.
"The pleasure is mine captain." answers Applejack. She couldn't help but notice that the captain was considerably older then the rest of the crew. His salt and pepper mane was slicked back and he had a rather unkempt beard that flapped in the wind. He was also much more muscular then any of the other sailors it looked like he was about the same size as Cinno; which is impressive for a stallion well past his prime.
"Here have some of this it'll take the chill of ye bones." says captain North Wind as he pours Applejack an amber liquid.
"Ah what is it?" asks Applejack as she sniffs it but can't tell what it is.
"It's good that's what just try some." says Cinno as he tries to hold back a smile.
Applejack takes a deep breath as she takes a sip. "What (cough cough) was that! (Cough)"
"Spiced Rum!" the two stallions say in unison as they laugh and clank their mugs and take a large gulp.
"Spiced Rum! Why in tarnations are you giving me spiced rum!" demands Applejack as she tries to catch her breath.
"Well you will see in about three...two...and one." says Cinno as a powerful swell blasts the ship on the side and covers the mare in icy cold water.
"Brrrr. What was that!" asks Applejack as she looks at the two stallions who slam the rest of their mugs.
"Look up Aj." states Cinno with a blank expression.
What she saw wasn't pleasing at what was nothing but clear skies when they set sail was now a massive cumulonimbus cloud. She looks to her right and sees nothing but swells beginning to form. However the ship was not yet rocking she looks at the two stallions with utter confusion.
"Ye see miss the rum will keep ye nice and warm while we seaponies deal with our mistress. Don't ye worry though this ship is the finest flagship in all of Equestria she wont sink in a drizzle like this haha!" The captain says as he puts on his hat and begins to bark orders at his crew. Cinno gets up and grabs Applejack by the hoof and leads her to her quarters.
Applejack finds herself struggling to keep down her lunch as the ship is rocked back and forth by the large swells. All the while Cinno is laying in a hammock nearby playing a mandolin and singing a sea shanty. The song was about a mare who waits faithfully for her sailor to return to her but doesn't know that he died. The song made Applejack feel a little better but still did nothing for her stomach. Cinno seeing that Applejack is about to throw up points to a drawer nearby to where Applejack was. She opens the drawer to see a large bottle of rum she gives Cinno a malicious look to which he just shrugs and continues to play. Applejack uncorks the glass bottle the smell of spiced rum fills the room making Applejack's stomach churn, but she simply plugs her nose and takes a gulp. She didn't gag this time she only tasted the spices and alcohol. As she continued to drink the rum her belly starts to feel warm and fuzzy a red tint roses her cheeks. Before she knows it she has emptied the bottle and is drunk dancing to the new song Cinno was playing. She dances while he plays the swells no longer bother her in her drunken stupor all she cares about is having fun.
Applejack slightly wakes she was in a warm comfortable position. She didn't want to move, but she found that despite staying still she was in fact moving. She looks down to see that she is sleeping on top of Cinno. She is now fully awke as she panics and scrambles off of him making him fall out of the hammock face first. This was a mistake moving so fast as her head so generously reminded her that she was hungover and began to pound mercilessly.
"What the hell was that fur Aj?!" Cinno says as he rubs his head.
"You know exactly why! You took advantage of me while I was drunk! Didn't ya?" yells Aj who regrets that decision.
"Take advantage? No. I fell asleep before you did. Last thing I saw was you dancing on the desk. Ya must have crawled into my hammock after I fell asleep." Cinno answers as he goes to grab another bottle this one had a clear liquid in it.
"You really expect me to believe tha... ah my head."
"Here don't worry its water. Help to deal with that hangover." Cinno gives her the bottle. Then walks out the door.
It was now later in the day the water Cinno gave Applejack helped with the hangover. So now that the majority of the hangover was over she decides to go out side what she saw was amazing. A beautiful rainbow streamed across the top of a tropical island that was in the distance. The sailors showed signs of fatigue but were still moving with precision. The main sail had several small tears in it but was still salvageable. Aj walks up to the helm were once again Cinno and the captain were together, but at least this time they weren't drinking.
"Ah glad ye could join us lass! We will be reaching Whore's Mouth Island shortly. Didn't want ye to miss a hot meal before ye set off." North Wind says as he gives Aj a hot plate of food.
"Whore's Mouth Island? Who would give the island a name like that?" asks Applejack as she accepts the food thankfully.
"The island is notorious for all kinds of exotic plants and insects all of them poisonous. Not to mention that the bay looks like a mare with her mouth open when you get to the top of the dormant volcano." answers Cinno while he takes a sip of hot tea.
"Wait if all the plants are poisonous then why in tarnations are we going there to get spices?!"
"The spices themselves aren't poisonous but there are plants that look like the spices we are collecting. That is why I am going; I am one of the few ponies in all of Equestria that can identify which is which."
One of the sailors approaches the captain and gives a nod to which the captain nods in response. Both Cinno and Applejack are escorted to a long boat that is stocked with supplies. A sailor gives a hoof to Applejack to help her steady herself into the boat while Cinno simply gets in with no help at all. Once both of them are situated the long boat is lowered into the crystal clear blue water. Applejack marvels at the site of being able to see all kinds of tropical fish and the colorful reef that laid several feet underneath them. Cinno places the oars into their slots and begins to row the two to shore. Applejack jumps out of the boat when it gets to the shore but Cinno got out one hoof at a time. She looks at the surroundings taking in the site when a thud behind her gets her attention. Cinno was in the surf struggling to stand in the sand. Applejack carries him to more solid footing.
"Thanks Aj I guess I can't go for long walks on the beach any more."
"Ya sure you can manage?"
"Yeah it's not like we are here on a vacation. Although being on a secluded island with a mare is tempting."
"Oh hush you we're here on business. So where do we start?"
"First you are going to have to get the supplies off of the long boat. After that we head inland to the marsh to get some mushroom spores."
"Mushroom spores? I thought we were hear for spices not mushrooms."
"Plants wont make the trip so we have to gather seeds. As for the mushrooms they are a delicacy and quite rare. Trust me if you eat one of these mushrooms you'll consider it a spice." winks Cinno.
Soon enough the two head inland to a small marsh there were fallen trees covered in bright red and orange mushrooms; that looked like small globes of lava. Cinno trudges into the water and with a stick gently pats one mushroom after another until he fills a glass jar with white spores, and hands it over to Applejack while grapping another jar. Cinno fills three jars with the spores once done he gets out of the water and grabs one of the smaller shrooms.
"Here try it if you're brave." smiles Cinno as he presents the mushroom to Applejack. She puts the whole thing in her mouth and soon enough her face turns red.
"Spicy!" cries Applejack. which elicits a laugh from Cinno who grabs another mushroom and eats it.
They take the three jars of what Cinno later tells Applejack are called lavashrooms to the campsite, and place the jars into a crate. They grab some more empty jars and head off to their next destination. This time they traveled to a prairie filled with several different colored flowers Cinno states that they are collecting the seeds of what is known as frozen mint. He states that it only blooms in the winter which is lucky for them that winter just started. The unique mint proved difficult for Applejack, but Cinno simply says that she has to wait. A sudden gust of wind rushes over the prairie and then sure enough strange seeds shoot up into the air. Cinno wastes no time in pursuit he collects them while telling Applejack not to let them touch the ground. She was confused at this remark but quickly found out why when a seed landed near her, and the ground froze immediately around where the seed landed. Where the seeds land a white plant rapidly grew and filled the air with the smell of mint. It was overpowering Applejack's other senses each time she took a breath it felt like she was breathing in artic air. At least the cold sensation made the burning sensation of the mushroom go away. Cinno danced around the field as he gathers seeds in the air while avoiding where the plants popped up. This took the rest of day but they were able to collect another three jars of the strange seeds.
The night air is filled with sound of insects, and birds chirping, and the crashing of the ocean to shore. Cinno plays the mandolin while waiting for their supper to finish cooking. A stew of various vegetables boils over the camp fire Applejack sits on in hammock staring at the beauty of the clear night sky. A sea of stars could be seen glistening in the night sky. The smell of the stew was mouth watering as it perfumed the air making Applejack's stomach growl.
"Is dinner ready yet? Don't know how much longer I can hold out." asks Aj
Cinno sniffs the air waits then a loud pop comes from the pot. "Now it is." answers Cinno as he puts the mandolin down and heads to the pot.
"What was that?" asks Aj startled from the noise
"That Aj would be the lavashroom bursting open into the stew don't worry it won't be too spicy." answers Cinno smiling.
He hands her a bowl of stew she grimaced at the thought of eating another lavashroom, but takes a small sip. It was delicious; light with just enough kick to wake you up; Applejack devours the stew with a renewed vigor making Cinno chuckle as he makes himself a serving. After her third helping of the stew Aj's stomach was now flowing over into a pudge she couldn't mve if she wanted. So Cinno picks her up and places her into the hammock puts a blanket over her and sings her a song about two friends who get separated and reunite when they are old. He smiles as he looks down at the sleeping mare in front of him she looked like an angel.
Sugarcane wakes up bright and early well before daybreak she sneaks out of the room careful not to wake up Applebloom. Making her way down stairs she opens the front door and goes outside. With a small lantern tied around her neck she goes about doing the morning chores. She just finishes when the rest of the Apples wake up so she joins them for breakfast. It was a rather good breakfast: waffles with heavy maple syrup, fresh squeezed apple juice, toast with zap apple jam and an assortment of fruits and berries. Applebloom is the first to finish followed by Granny smith Big Mac and Sugarcane wind up turning breakfast into an eating contest. All though she did admirably the young filly was no match for a fully grown farm stallion the size of Big Mac who continues to eat long after every other pony stopped. She heads into town to meet up with the cutie mark crusaders. She rather likes Ponyville ponies here are much more friendly then back home. She really likes that virtually every pony has a genuine smile on their face. This makes her sad a little thinking about how she would probably be leaving once Cinno returns. She has made a lot of friends here and doesn't want to leave but at the same time she knows that she is needed back at her mom's spice farm. Seemingly out of nowhere Pinkie pops out startling the young filly.
"Hi!" says Pinkie Pie in her shrill voice.
"Oh hi there miss Pinkie."
"Whats with loooong face?" asks Pinkie as she stretches the filly's face
" Its nothing really."
Pinkie Pie gives the filly a sympathetic look." Is it because your happy that you've made a whole bunch of new friends here, but are also sad because you are going to have to leave soon, and are afraid that once you leave that (takes a deep breath) no pony is going to miss you like you will them? Or is it that you are feeling guilty for potentially making it impossible for your uncle to walk like a normal pony again? Or is it that you are angry at yourself for being unable to fight off that huuuuge rockidile awhile back? And wound up destroying that field of extremely rare flowers nearly wiping them out! NEVER TO BE SEEN AGAIN!"
"Pinkie!" A swat of a rolled up newsletter smacks her in the head as Rarity trotts up next to her.
"What?!" asks Pinkie Pie. Rarity points down to Sugarcane who was now crying. "Oops. Sorry."
"It's (sniffs) ok ya hit the nail on the head. You should show me how ya do that sometime." replies sugarcane once she settles down.
"Okey dokey lokie!" says Pinkie Pie with a great big smile. The two pink ponies hug each other and go their separate ways.
Sugarcane felt better now harsh her tactics maybe but Pinkie really did help her sort out her swarm of emotions. She felt lighter now like she used to before her uncle's injury. With the new source of joy Sugarcane begins to mimic Pinkie Pie and hops along the road humming a joyful little tune. That is until she runs face first into another pony.
"Owe! Hey! Why don't ya watch where yall going! Miss Red Heart?" says Sugarcane as she rubs her snout.
"Oh my! Are you alright there?" asks nurse Red Heart as she looks down at the filly. groceries splayed across the ground.
"A...yeah I'm all right. Just smashed my face into yer chest is all."
"Well you seem to be fine but still it looked like you took a nasty spill there. Let me look at you alright?"
"Um.. ok?" answers Sugarcane with a pinkish blush.
Red Heart examines the filly with tender hooves. The smell of her perfume makes Sugarcane feel awkward. "She smells real nice! Like cherry blossoms in the rain."
"Well you seems to be fine, but still I feel awful. Why don't you and your uncle join me for dinner tonight to make up for the collision?"
"Well um that sounds fine and all, but uncle Cinno isn't here."
"What?! Where did he go?"
"He and Applejack took a boat to an island for some important mission or something."
"Oh really? How interesting. Well my offer still stands when he comes back. Ok?"
"Um..Ok. I'm sure that would be just fine with my uncle once he gets back."
Red Heart smiles and struts away after picking up her shopping while Sugarcane just stood there a few moments then dashes off. The cutie mark crusaders were waiting for her when she finally made it. The girls go and have a day filled with fun! Soon enough the day comes to an end Sugarcane and Applebloom have to leave and make their way back to the farmhouse. After dinner which turned into yet another eating contest between Sugarcane and Big mac this time however it was a tie. She had a wonderful day despite the earlier emotional breakdown; she was determined to make the best of her situation, and make everyday count with her new friends. Sugarcane sings a lovely lullaby before laying her head down to sleep. She dreams about taking her friends back to the spice farm and showing them around; a smile crosses her lips.
Before long a week had passed and Applejack was dumbfounded at just how much they have collected. It was amazing just how many different and rare plants grew on the island; if it wasn't for Cinno's knowledge of herbology she would have eaten lethal plants several times over. They had collected three boats worth of crates by the end Cinno finally decided that they had gathered enough seeds. This relieved Applejack though she was happy to help him she really missed her farm. Thankfully the trip back to the mainland was nothing but smooth sailing. A pair of hooves greeted Aj when she stepped off of the ship and onto the docks making her smile. It seems Pinkie's sixth sense was able to determine their arrival, and she was able to make up a welcome back to the mainland party on the docks; much to the dismay of the disgruntled harbormaster and his workers.
"Did ya get what ya went for uncle?" asks Sugarcane once she finally lets go of him
"Look for your self." Cinno answers as he points over his shoulder to several crates being carried off the ship and into a wagon.
"Huh? whats all that?" Sugarcane asks
" They're a surprise for your mother." Cinno smiles.
" A surprise?! Ooo I love surprises! What kind of surprise?" shrills Pinkie Pie.
"A secret surprise Pinkie that what kind."
"Awe that's no fun" Pinkie Pie's mane deflates a little but quickly reflates when Cinno gives her a wink and a silent shhh. "Oh!(giggles)"
"Corporal Cinnamon Snap!" a voice commands makes Cinno stand at immediate attention. It was princess Luna calling him from the air as she lands on the dock with her accompanying guards. " My sister tells me that you were in need of some help and has told us of your dilemma. Since she has offered you the service of our finest flagship; I shall offer you the best of my royal guards to protect the valuable spices." Luna smiles as her guards salute at their mention.
"Thank you your majesty." Cinno replies in a Canterlot accent. The guards take positions around the wagon and it's carriers once they were in position they begin the long journey. Luna says her farewells and leaves to attend her other duties.
"Wait? Why are they leaving without us uncle Cinno? And what did she mean by spices?" asks Sugarcane once she unfreezes from shock.
" I didn't want to worry you but your mother has had some bad luck recently, and was in need of some help. As for why they are leaving without us is because I have some loose ends to take care of in Ponyville, and it will take a few extra days. So you can relax you will be able to say goodbye to your new friends " Cinno smiles as he sees a smile cross her face at that remark.
The group heads back to Ponyville laughing all the while as they tell eachother of events while they were gone. A flaming sunset was dancing in the sky by the time they had reached the town's border. The group breaks up and head to their respective homes. Sugarcane was now sleeping on Cinno's back as they walked back to the farmhouse, and Applebloom was just walking quietly along side her big sister. Soon enough they reached their destination the fillies were put to bed. However Applejack and Cinno decide to head outside into the night air for a bit.
The sound of crickets chirping is all that could be heard within the awkward silence as the two ponies sit next to each other just inches apart. The cool air feels great on their sweat covered skin Cinno gives a slight shiver when a passing breeze hits them. Before long Applejack breaks the silence with a long drawn out sigh.
"Hey listen Cinno I's got te tell ya something that I've been meaning to fur a while now."
"Me too Aj."
"You first then just in case it is the same thing."
"It could be. Listen when I first wrote you that letter saying that I was coming to Ponyville. I was terrified that when I met you for the first time that you would treat me like so many others and only see my scar. However you didn't well not as much as others anyway (hehe) you treated me like a stallion and not a victim of circumstance. You treated me with love and respect as if I were family. Before anything else happens I just want to say thank you for being my friend all these years it means a lot to me. Thank you."
Applejack was speechless her heart ached at those words this was not how she was expecting to spend her evening. She wanted to tell him how she felt about him; how he made her feel like she could do anything. All she could do was stare into his brilliant amber eyes as they shine with gratitude. After what seemed like hours she is finally able to speak.
"Awe shucks your welcome there big fella." Applejack pulls her hat over her crimson face.
After a few seconds pass Cinno asks "So what is it that you wanted to tell me?"
"Oh a nothing it's not important."
"Ok? Well then if it's all right with you I'm gonna head to bed goodnight Aj."
"You too." Applejack just sits there for several more minutes a wrinkled hoof rests on her shoulder. She turns to she Granny Smith with an understanding look on her face they both go back inside and go to sleep.
It is now the following day; Cinno left early in the morning to take care of loose ends while Sugarcane spends the day with the cutie mark crusaders making every second count. Pinkie Pie put herself in charge of the farewell party while Fluttershy orchestrates a song bird orchestra to perform. Rarity insisted on making a spectacular dress for Sugarcane and a galiant suit for Cinno as a gift. Rainbow Dash prepares to do an amazing aerial acrobatic display with the rest of the Ponyville Pegisi as the main source of entertainment. While Twilight writes a way too long speech and oversees everypony. Cinno walks out of townhall when he runs into of course nurse Red Heart.
"Oh hey you! How is my favorite patient been?"
"Ah miss Red Heart I have been just fine thank you for asking."
"I hear you've been on a secluded island. How did your leg hold up?"
"Just fine as long as I stayed off of loose soil like sand."
" Really that sounds so rough." she licks her lips as she smiles. "Do you want me to...take a look at it?"
"That's kind of you to offer but I'm fine."
"No? well alright. Hey did Sugarcane tell you of my offer?" she says as she moves just a bit closer to him.
"What offer would that be?"
" I asked if the two of you would like to come over to my house for dinner, but she said you were gone. My offer still stands of course."
" Well that is mighty fine of you we would be delighted to accept your offer."
"Great! I will see you tonight! Bye" Red Heart gives a wink as she struts away.
With the day coming close to an end Cinno goes to find Sugarcane at the farmhouse to inquire about nurse Red Heart's invitation. She tells Cinno about the incident and how nurse Red Heart offered dinner for them. However with tomorrow being her last day in Ponyville she would rather spend it with Applebloom then Red Heart. After an hour of arguing Cinno gives up and decides to go by himself.
There he is standing in front of nurse Red Heart's house; like the other houses of Ponyville the outside is plainly decorated. He knocks on the front door which is answered with a "Come in". When he enters a rich aroma of spices fills his nostrils making him smile. Nurse Red Heart enters the living room from the kitchen wearing an apron. She gives a warm smile to her guest. "Glad you could make it! If I may ask where is Sugarcane? I was hoping that she would join us."
"She was having too much fun with her friends and didn't want to leave. So it's just me I hope you aren't too disappointed."
"Oh not at all! Just means there will be more food for us. I hope you like Italian?"
"I love Italian!"
"That's good give me a moment to get dressed and I will be right with you. Ok?"
"Ok."
Nurse Red Heart heads upstairs to her room shaking her hips like she always does when she is around him. It takes only a few minutes before she returns dawned in a stunning red dress with ruby red slippers. A pair of gold earrings gently dangle underneath her mane which is let down from it's usual bun; it waved to and fro like a gust of wind across tall grass. A dazzling diamond necklace finished the piece; glistening like a star in the night sky. She looks like a model as she gracefully descends the stairs never leaving Cinno's gaze. She gives beautiful smile accentuated by her matching lipstick.
"How do I look?"
"Like one of those fashion models miss Rarity designs for."
"Awe thank you! Well shall we?"
" Yes lets."
The two enjoy the delicious meal as they converse. It was quite a relaxing atmosphere with the smell of herbs and soft music filling the air. Before long Cinno's cheeks were flushed he had unintentionally had more wine than what he thought. The rest of the night is a blur.
Cinno is woken up by sun light shining in his eyes and a vicious pounding in his head. He slowly opens his eyes he is alarmed when he sees that he has no idea where he is. That is when he hears light snoring next to him. He slowly turns to see nurse Red Heart snuggled up next to him. "Oh horse apples!" Cinno mentally screams. He looks down to his groin as if waiting for him to look it gives a smug twitch as a white hoof was cusping it. " You just can't help yourself can you?!" another twitch answers. A small yawn comes from the mare as she flutters her eyes open. "Oh crap!"
"Why hello there! Did you enjoy dessert?" She chuckles as she snuggles even closer.
"Dessert? To tell ya the truth I don't really remember much of last night. I hope I didn't do or say something that I might regret. Did I?"
"Well if you can't remember then let's take a look. Shall we?" she points to a corner of the bedroom where a camera was just so conveniently placed facing the bed. His crotch pulsates with joy at the prospect of watching while he just goes pale. Sure enough he did do something that he regretted he asked. The scene that he was watching was incredible hot; at least that is what his crotch told him as it quickly rose to full mast. The sounds alone were more than enough to cause arousal, but seeing the act as well was the coup de grace. She turns off the camera and looks at his crotch twitching in the air she licks her lips. " Do you want me to make it feel better?"
"You've done enough! I have to go!" Cinno bolts out of the room leaps over the railing and rushes outside and runs.
He runs and runs and runs his heart racing from the adrenaline. Thankfully he was no longer at full mast but more or less half; as it would have been quite awkward running in front of any young onlookers, but only being half erect was easier to conceal. By the time he had calmed down he was on the outer edge of sweet apple acres furthest most field. Panting like a dog his hindlegs buckle and he drops to the soft grass. By the time he catches his breath it is already past noon the farewell party would be starting soon so he braces himself and heads back into town.
The party was very similar to the welcoming party, but this time the cake was designed in the shape of a defeated rockidile and Cinno standing on top it in a heroic pose. Several town's folk came to wish him luck and say their farewells. One pony in particular was waiting for her turn to talk to him. Soon enough it was her turn.
"Hey there Cinno."
"Hey there Aj."
"Listen remember when we had that little talk the other night?"
"Yeah."
"Well in truth there was something that I wanted to say but couldn't find the words. (deep inhale) So the thing is...."
"YOU BASTARD!" every pony turned to see nurse Red Heart in a disheveled state. " YOU THINK THAT YOU CAN JUST RUT A MARE AND LEAVE?! WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT I AM SOME KIND OF WHORE?!" She runs up to Cinno and slaps him hard. The crowd was now dead quiet. Cinno looks at her with apologetic eyes and tries to speak only to be followed by another slap.
" Woah there missy hold your britches. This is not the time nor the place to be having this kind of talk. There are fillies here." Applejack says as she tries to calm everyone down.
"STAY OUT OF THIS YOU INDBRED COUNTRY TRAMP!" shouts Red Heart. Aj is just about to hit her when a hoof grabs her's. She looks at Cinno who stares at Red Heart with stern eyes.
"You need to leave now." the seriousness in his voice quells both of the mares anger. Nurse Red Heart spits in his face and walks
"Alright." She huffs as she to walks away.
The rest of the party goes by rather quickly mostly because the adults avoid even making eye contact with him; a few of the single
"Listen Aj about earlier."
"Stow it perv."
" It was a mistake she invited me ,and my niece over for dinner, but Sugarcane didn't want to go so I went by myself. She must of spiked the wine or something because the last thing I remember was the dinner itself. Next thing I know I am in her bed with her next to me and a camera pointed right at us. Please trust me when I say that it was nothing but a mistake."
"That is a pretty lousy excuse."
"It's the truth, lousy but true."
" Here I was about to confess my feelings for ya and I get embarrassed by that little debucle in front of all my friends."
"You were about to what?"
"You heard me!"
"Oh Aj I am so sorry that things turned out like this. If we are both being honest I really do care for you. If things were different I would I don't know ask you out or something. However things are what they are I must go back to my sister she needs my help. Even though it won't change a thing I am truly sorry from the deepest part of my heart."
They stare at each other for what seems like eternity but soon enough Aj smiles at Cinno and slugs him in the shoulder knocking him over. The two walk back to the party where their friends were waiting on them. Cinno ruffles Sugarcane's mane as they all laugh at the awkward situation. After the party Applejack and company go back to the farmhouse where Cinno and Sugarcane pack up their belongings.
The following morning Aj and company are at the train station saying their good byes. Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo give Sugarcane a cutie mark Crusader cape and their mailing address. While Cinno gives each mare a hug and a kiss on the cheek. When he gets to Aj there was extreme awkwardness but they eventually give each other a hug good bye.
"I look forward to your letter ya perv." Aj says as she slugs Cinno in the shoulder again making him wince.
"You really gotta let up on the love taps there I only got two good legs now don't need to make it one." Cinno states as he rubs his
"Yall lucky that I'm pulling back after last night."
"Haha very funny. I will have to tell you about this crazy mare I met in Ponyville in my next letter."
"I look forward to it."
Cinno and Sugarcane get on the train and wave good bye as the train pulls away.
It is now spring after Winter Wrap up Applebloom goes off to play with her friends. While Big Mac tills the soil and Granny Smith is off baking pies. A letter lays on Applejack's night stand covered in cedar cologne and a large bag of bits.
Dear Aj,
With the passing of winter I am happy to say that the spices we collected have indeed saved my sister's farm. We are now the only viable farm able to grow those rare spices in all of Equestria. Needless to say we've have made a bundle here is payment for your assistance in the matter and for your hospitality. I would also like to inform you that I met a special orange mare in Ponyville and that I would like invite her and her family to come to my sister's farm in the near future. That is if you can find her. Until the rays of the sun bring us together I shall count the days.
Yours forever,
Retired Corporal Cinnamon Snap.
Aj smiles as she reads the letter puts it down and grabs her own parchment and writes but one word on it.
Yes.
Finn.
Author's Note
Holy crap this was long! Sorry about how it is written it kind of wrote itself. Hope you enjoyed the ride.