"Ah mus’ say ya sure have done a fine job fixin’ things up ‘round here!” AJ stated as she glanced through the barn at the few carts and other several newly-repaired pieces of equipment.

“What’s that?” I poked my head out from underneath one of the two large apple juicers near the back of the barn, “Oh, yeah. Well I’m trying my best AJ!” I shrugged and slid back under the conveyor track of one of the large machines.

Only on my third day of work, and I had managed to overhaul most of the Apple Family’s equipment, mostly carts and simple, manually pony-powered machines. It wasn’t all easy work however; the Apple’s had three of these goddamn apple juicers, two of which badly needing all sorts of repairs. If something could go wrong on these things, it would; practically every bearing or cog needed replacing. Just when you think you’ve finally finished repairs on one of them, something else would fail.

Luckily the Apple’s had a working spare juicer to use, because I’ve spent the last couple days slaving away on these two. It was my duty to have these machines up and running to my standard, ensuring the Apple’s were making top productivity. With only one working juicer, their production rate was less than half of what it should be. I managed to actually finish repairs on one of them this morning, but who knows how long that will last before it needs to be fixed again. Hopefully I didn’t just jinx myself...

Considering how sow simple these machines actually were, the maintenance they required was frustrating as hell. Between figuring out how to comfortably and efficiently use my tools with hooves and constantly failing parts, it was taking me a considerably long time to conduct such simple repairs.

I was busy replacing bearings and races on the conveyor-like track; it was more-or-less a treadmill that a pony ran on to turn the massive wheel that crushed the apples into juice. Normally a repair job like this would take me less than an hour or so, but these quirky machines had me slaving away with this one job for over 3 hours.

Applejack knelt down and peeked at me underneath the apple juicer I was working on, “Y’all havin’ fun findin’ out the problem wit’ these dang things?”

“Oh, I’m thrilled AJ. I finally finished that one this morning, but this one’s been giving me nothing but trouble this afternoon.” I stated flatly as I pointed to the other apple juicer and began to turn a nut tight with a wrench. Just as I snugged the nut tight, the bolt snapped and the wrench fell to the ground with a hollow clang.

“Oh c’mon!” I groaned in frustration and picked up the wrench and set it into the toolbox, exchanging it for a rubber mallet to tap out the broken bolt; probably the fiftieth time that’s has happened today.

Applejack tried her best not to laugh, but she couldn’t help it. She giggled and put a hoof to her mouth, “My, sure looks like yer thrilled.” She giggled a bit louder and shook her head, “Ah’m sorry, can’t help myself.”

I looked at her and just shrugged. “Whatever, it happens.”

I struck the end of the broken bolt with the mallet, triggering a chain reaction; the entire conveyer assembly fell apart and fell to the floor. All my work this afternoon just crumbled right in front of my face. I grumbled and sunk my head. This freakin’ sucks. I’ve gotten practically nowhere this afternoon now!

Applejack’s mouth dropped as the dust settled, taking a look at the scattered parts across the barn floor. She looked at me and bit her bottom lip with some concern.

Despite how pissed off I now was, I actually laughed. “Ahh... Shit.” I knelt down and began gathering up the scattered parts of the conveyor.

AJ giggled along with me and put a hoof on my shoulder, stopping me from picking up the parts. “It’s 6 o’clock Dav. Don’t y’all think ya should jus’ leave this here ‘til tomorrow?”

“AJ, I’m so behind now, it’s not even funny. If I don’t stay late tonight and finish this thing, I’ll single-hoofedly ruin Cider Season for everypony.” I sighed and shook my head. I feel like such a failure right now.

“Now don’t ya worry none! Tomorrow is a new day.” She lightly jabbed me in the side with a hoof.

I sighed and accepted defeat for the day. “Fine. I’ll see ya tomorrow morning Applejack.”

The orange mare nodded her head in agreement, but put a hoof on my shoulder halting my leaving. “Jus’ hold yer horses for one second there, partner.” She opened her saddlebag with her teeth, pulling out a small bag of bits.

“Oh, right.” I chuckled lightly, “Thanks AJ.” I politely accepted the bag of bits from Applejack and set it into a pocket in my work vest.

“That’s the third time y’all fergot to collect yer pay for the day there, hayseed.” AJ raised a brow and shook her head. “Y’all run along now, ya got a date waitin’!”

“I do?” I looked back to the orange mare as I trotted my way through the barn doors.

Applejack rolled her eyes, “Yeah, ya do! Y’all say ah said ‘hi’ to Lyra fer me, ya hear?”

“Oh right!” I facehooved, “Alright I will. See ya later AJ!” I left the barn at a steady gallop, managing a wave goodbye to Braeburn and Big Macintosh, who was pulling a cart full of barrels of cider.

I guess getting caught up in work really did help with me getting my mind off things, not to mention making time fly by. It was Wednesday evening already, and I made plans to meet Lyra at Ponyville Café for dinner. Oh man, I hope tonight goes a little smoother than this afternoon has!

“Alright cuz, I’d say that’s an honest day’s work.” Big Mac came to a halt from running on the apple juicer, filling up the last barrel of freshly squeezed cider.

Braeburn pressed on the cap of the barrel, sealing it. Big Mac hopped off the conveyor, and picked up the barrel onto his back, carrying it over to a cart and placing it next to a few other full barrels.

“Ah can’t thank ya enough for comin’ all the way from Appleloosa to help us out with Cider Season this year, Braeburn.”

“I’m happy to help, cuz. I’m sure Appleloosa is doin’ jus’ fine without me.” Braeburn chuckled.

“Ah sure hope so.” Big Mac hooked himself up to the cart and began to pull it towards the barn.

“Now what ya s’pose his rush is?” Big Mac returned a wave of a hoof to the galloping off, blue hornless-unicorn stallion.

“Perfect...” Braeburn mumbled under his breath.

“What y’all jus’ say?” Big Mac lowered a brow, looking Braeburn in the eye.

“Uh, nothin’ cuz.” Braeburn tried not to return eye contact.

Big Macintosh shook his head, “Alright, well do ya mind takin’ care of the rest of these here barrels?”

“It’d be my pleasure, Big Mac!” Braeburn hooked himself up to the cart and pulled it into the barn, leaving Big Mac and closing both the barn doors after him.

Braeburn chuckled evilly as he unloaded the last of the few barrels from the cart next to the others produced earlier that day. He took a step back and took a deep breath, engulfing himself in a column of green flames.

The flames ceased to reveal a jet-black figure, with fangs, severely perforated hooves, and malicious blue eyes.

The Changeling held his head high, straining to conjure up the right dark magic spell. The stack of barrels of cider began to hum and glow in a bright green aura, and from the tip of the Changeling’s horn, a single, black perforated heart appeared. The heart floated away, into the green aura surrounding the barrels; in a brilliant flash of white and green light, the black heart and the green aura disappeared, leaving the barrels of cider looking completely untouched.

The Changeling’s job for the day was finally done. He surrounded himself in green flames once again, reassuming the shape of Braeburn.

“Want it, need it; with a good ol’ Changeling twist.” Braeburn’s attention was shifted from the evilly enchanted barrels of cider to the barn doors, where a knock and a voice of a mare called out to him.

“Braeburn? Are you in there, dear?” A voice and a knock on the barn doors turned the attention away from the darkly-enchanted apple juicers.

“Hey there!” Braeburn greeted Rarity as he slid the barn door open.

“What were you doing in there?” Rarity tilted her head in question and suspicion, pointing a hoof inside the barn.

“Jus’ storin’ away the last of the cider we made today!” he grinned, “What are y’all doin’ here Rarity?”

“Oh, I see.” Rarity nodded her head in understanding, “I just thought it’d be a lovely idea to come see you for a visit... and maybe a walk through the orchard?” She fluttered her eyes at the tan stallion.

Braeburn grinned and trotted off alongside Rarity into the vast orchards of apple trees, feeling more powerful than ever.

“Aww yeah, who’s awesome? You’re awesome! Yeah!” I talked to myself in the mirror, eyeing myself up and trying to boost my confidence just a bit before the date. I chuckled and rolled my eyes, “Pffft. What am I doing...” God, I'm so freaking random at times.

I flicked off the light and left the apartment for the Café. I didn’t make it 10 feet from the complex when I was crashed into by Rainbow Dash, hurdling me a few feet to my side.

She stood up and dusted herself off, “Oops, my bad.” She offered me a hoof up.

I glared at her for a moment, but sighed and accepted her hoof. She pulled me up from the ground rather abruptly; she was definitely a lot stronger than she looked. It almost startled me. I brushed the dust off myself and awaited her impending smart-ass comment.

“What’s up?” she asked in a tone as if she were making small talk with a good friend.

“Uh, just heading out to dinner, actually.” I pointed a hoof in the direction of town.

“Ooh, with Lyra?” Rainbow sniggered, bumping me teasingly with an elbow.

I sighed and rolled my eyes, resuming my quickly-interrupted hike to the café.

Jeez, how old are you Rainbow...

After a long pause, I finally decided to answer the Pegasus persistently hovering at my side. “Yeah, and I’m already late. How does everypony know about me and Lyra?”

“Uh, duh!” Rainbow pointed both her front hooves at the still-taped off wreckage of town hall.

“Oh right.”

“Braeburn! Braeburn wake up!” Braeburn opened one of his eyes to find himself still in the confines of his cold, damp, dark underground holding cell. Cherry Jubilee was grasping the bars between the two cells as she tried to wake him.

“Ughh...” he groaned as he got to his hooves, “What’s goin’ on, miss Jubilee?”

“I think I’ve figured it out, why we’re locked in here.” Cherry looked up from Braeburn into the depths of the cavern, to check for any Changeling guards.

“Well, you were telling me that they impersonated you, right?”

“Yes ma’am.” He rubbed an eye with a hoof.

“And we are both in love with somepony, which would make sense to why they took our place entirely.”

“What are ya gettin’ at, miss Jubilee?” Braeburn yawned as he spoke.

“Nopony even knows we’re gone.” She sunk her head, “They’re planning something, and they’re using us to put that plan into motion.”

“That still don’t answer why we’re locked up in here.” Braeburn lifted a hoof.

“We’re here because we’re the only ponies that know they’re up to something, and they don’t want us to mess anything up.” Cherry gestured a hoof outwards, toward the darkness of the cavern.

“That is quite correct, my little ponies...” Chuckled the Changeling Queen, now standing just outside Braeburn and Cherry Jubilee’s holding cells, startling them completely.

“...but there’s a few details you’re leaving out.” The Queen chuckled, “You see, we took your places because you each had the most powerful of feelings for somepony of your puny little towns, and we simply just couldn’t let that power go to waste. We struck gold with you, Braeburn.”

Cherry and Braeburn stared at each other wide-eyed in shock. Braeburn’s shock quickly turned to anger. He scowled and gritted his teeth, jumping at the bars of his cell between himself and the Changeling Queen.

“What are y’all plannin’?!” Braeburn lashed out at the Queen, who didn’t even flinch.

“Oh Braeburn, why so aggravated?” The Queen shook her head, “You should feel proud, knowing that you happened to be the key pony to allow us to start our invasion!”

“What are ya talkin’ about?!” Braeburn stomped a hoof on the hard rock ground, while Cherry only watched. “How in tarnation am I the key pony in all this?”

The Changeling Queen cackled manically. “Oh you see, after we first took your place, we learned that you had offered to help in Ponyville’s famous annual Cider Season harvest. When we found out that you, of all ponies, was in charge of the cider itself, we we’re given an extraordinary opportunity, and we thought up a brilliant plan.”

“I swear, if you hurt any of mah family or friends, I ain’t even explainin’ what I’ll do to ya!” Braeburn threatened through the bars of his cell.

The Queen laughed, “Oh, you’re hardly in any position to be making threats, Braeburn.”

Cherry scowled and stood up in her cell, and faced the Queen. “If you want to take over Equestria, why don’t you just start by invading Canterlot?!” She screamed behind the bars of her cell.

“Because we already tried that approach...” The queen lowered her head, stomping a hoof on the ground, “...and failed miserably! It took forever to rebuild my Changeling army! We needed to rethink our strategy. Soon enough, we came up with one; it was magnificently brilliant!”

Braeburn shook the bars of his cell, attempting to break them free from the solid rock ground and floor.

“Your pathetic efforts of trying to escape are beyond futile, Braeburn. Those cells are locked by your very desire to want to escape.” The Changeling Queen cackled, “The more you want out, the stronger the lock on your cell becomes. It’s a brilliant spell, thought up by us, no less.” She pointed a hoof to herself as she gloated.

Braeburn released himself from holding the bars, grumbling loudly. With a thud, he sat down on his flank, defeated.

“Oh, look at that. We’re here already.” Rainbow pointed and looked up to the Ponyville Café, now before us. “Alright, well good luck with your date!” Rainbow Dash finally flew off, but paused mid-air. “You’re going to need it!” she called from high above, laughing as she flew off.

There was her smart-ass quip I was expecting. Never fails.

I walked into the café, pushing the door open to a rather quaint, but fancy little place. Beyond the hostess’s counter, waiters in tuxes served silver platters to the few ponies already seated at their tables, while others chatted and laughed amongst themselves. To be completely honest, I’ve never went on a date where I’d actually go eat dinner at a fancy restaurant. Something about formality just makes me uncomfortable; perhaps just under too much pressure for trying to make a positive impression on someone. Back home if I’d actually happened to muster up the courage to ask a girl to go on a date, I’d take her for a cruise on the streets in my truck. She’d probably get to know me a lot better that way, rather than while I’m under tons of pressure in some fancy restaurant or something.

I walked up to the hostess at the front counter trying to look casual, but not too casual.

“E-Excuse me miss? I reserved a table for two, for 7:30 tonight. I-I’m a little bit early though.”

Ugh, I hate formal stuff.

The unicorn hostess studied me hard for a moment, probably due to the lack of a horn. “Um, yes of course.” She looked down into a planner on the counter, “And what is your name, sir?”

“Davin.” I tried to act as if I wasn’t bothered by her obvious disapproval of me.

Her eyes shot up from the planner, and she dropped the pen she was holding with her magic. I lifted a hoof off the ground as I took a step back, totally not expecting that kind of a reaction just from telling her my name.

Jeez, what the hell did I do wrong now?

“Davin? The Davin?!” she stared at me, wide eyed.

I took a quick shifting glance across the café, making sure no extra attention was being drawn towards me. Crap, a few other ponies shushed and looked my way.

“Uh... Yeah, unless there’s another pony around here by the name of Davin.” I chuckled a bit nervously as I tried to keep a grip on my confidence and positive frame of mind.

The hostess gasped and put a hoof over her mouth, stepping out from behind the counter. “Um, right this way sir.” There was a croak in her voice as she pointed a hoof towards the back of the café, staring at me as we trotted towards the table.

Ok, why the hell is she staring at me like that?

“Uh, is--” she interrupted.

“It’s an honor to have you dining here this evening, sir. I read about what you did in the paper.” She offered a hoof towards the table.

Oh jeez. How many times must I be reminded of that night?

“Oh,” I shortly chuckled, “I guess I just happened to be at the right place at the right time I suppose.” I shrugged.

Honestly, how is somepony supposed to answer to something like that? ‘Oh yea, It’s no big deal or anythin’, just lost my horn and almost died in my totally heroic attempt to save somepony.’ Yeah, no. As hilariously cocky of a thing that would be to say, I’d rather not.

“You did a good thing.” She smiled at me as I took a seat at the table. “When your date arrives, feel free to ask for anything. I’ll have the waiter bring it over to you immediately.” She set down two menus on the table; one in front of me and the other in Lyra’s spot.

Oh boy.

“Oh, no that’s quite alright, miss. No need for special treatment.” I raised a hoof and put on a forced smile through my awkwardness.

UGH!! This hero shit is getting on my nerves. I’m not a hero! I don’t even remember doing it! I know I should feel proud of myself, but I just don’t; honestly, I don’t really know why it pisses me off at all in the first place. I guess it’s mostly because I don’t want everypony to think I’m something that I know I can’t live up to.

“Such a gentlecolt...” The hostess smiled, “You’re date is a lucky pony.” She left back to the front counter.

I just answered her with a smile and a nod, and I rested my head on a hoof as I glanced down at the menu. I didn’t really read it though; I was just blankly staring at it. Good thing I picked up the pace after Rainbow crashed into me, otherwise I’d probably still be out there right now listening to her talk about her flying around and tricks and stuff.

“Hey, you.” Lyra trotted up and took a seat at the table.

“Oh, hey Lyra, how’s it going?”

“It’s going well.” She giggled, “How were your first few days of work?”

I sighed, “They went alright; Applejack has me working on these apple juicing machines, and they’ve caused me nothing but trouble since yesterday morning.”

Lyra cocked her head back, “Oh?”

“Yeah, they’re taking me forever to repair.” Ok, I’m already rambling too much. Stop. “But anyways, you do anything fun today?”

Lyra thought for a moment then shrugged, “No, not really. Bon Bon and I pretty much spent the whole afternoon together like usual. That was the highlight of my day so far.”

“Oh that’s cool.” I nodded my head, then glanced back down at the menu, both trying to decide what I would like to order, and what I should say next...

“So did you talk to Twilight about the other night?” Lyra raised a hoof, shifting her gaze from my horn, or rather, lack of horn.

“Oh, Yeah I did actually.” I almost completely forgot about that. “She has an idea that somehow I conjured up some kind of ‘repair spell’ or something.” I shrugged.

“A repair spell?” Lyra lowered her brow and tilted her head.

“Yeah or something like that. I can’t remember exactly what the spell was called though.” I scratched the back of my head.

God, I can’t remember the right name of that spell for the life of me... Ah well, it’ll come back to me some time, I'm sure.

“Excuse me masseur, are you and your date ready to order?” A white waiter pony in a tuxedo stood at our table, holding a pen and a notepad with his magic.

Whoops. Guess I should actually have read what was on the menu. Hmm, lets actually take a look this time. Let’s see... Hay fries? No thanks. Daisy and alfalfa sandwich? Hmm, maybe. Ooh, tomato soup. Now we’re talking my language! Heh, it's kinda funny... The first thing on the menu that doesn't sound completely ridiculous!

I didn't even need to continue down the menu. “Um, I’ll have the tomato soup, please!”

Hell, yeah! Now that’s something I haven’t had in a long time. Maybe this place wasn’t so bad after all!

Lyra looked up from her menu and giggled at me, then turned to the waiter. “I’ll have the same, please.”

“Excellent choice, Madame.” The waiter picked up both the menus with his magic and trotted off towards the kitchen at the back of the café.

I know tomato soup is nothing to get all that excited about, but other than work, it’s one of the things that just so happened to allow me to feel more at home in this world. Sure, I get along with most of the ponies here, but it still feels far from home. Having a meal I enjoyed back in my old life was sure to make me feel more comfortable here; to me, it was definitely something to be happy about.

In my excitement, I hoof-pumped the air, and Lyra totally saw me do it.

She gave me the ‘did you seriously just do that’ face and giggled.

I shrugged. “Heh, sorry. It’s just nice knowing I can still get the food I loved back home here too.”

Now only if they had a KFC...

Lyra giggled, “It’s okay.”

The next couple of hours went by almost a little too quickly. I was actually really enjoying this dinner date with Lyra.

“Well that that was great Davin, thank you. But you didn’t have to pay for me, you know.” Lyra wrapped a hoof around me as we came to a halt after walking out of the café.

“Oh no problem, I had fun too. And yeah I did have to! What kind of guy would I be if I made my date pay for her meal?” I playfully gave her a shove.

She managed a short chuckle, “Yeah I suppose. So what do you have planned for the rest of the night?”

“Well, it’s like 9:30, and I have to work tomorrow, so probably just sleep I guess.” I shrugged, taking a quick glance down the street.

“What, you mean... that’s it? The night’s still young!” Lyra flung both her hooves outward, sounding disappointed.

You know what, she’s right! Who am I kidding; I probably won’t get my ass into bed until midnight anyways.

“Well if you have nothing to do, I suppose I could bore you for a little while longer if you want.” I shrugged, probably wearing the stupidest half-smile.

Lyra giggled and gave me a peck on the cheek, “Come with me, I know a place just out of town that looks amazing this time of evening.”

We trotted a ways out of town, past Fluttershy’s cottage and into a grassy field near the Everfree forest, which had a spectacular view of the sunset against Canterlot and the Foal Mountains.

I was just lost in the sight I pretty much don’t even know how long I was staring until I noticed Lyra was looking at me. I turned my head and looked back at her; she looked fairly expressionless, other than the short smile she was wearing. Her eyes both said concern and admiration. I found myself lost in her eyes again... She has the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen...

“Lyra, you have--” she threw her hooves around me, tackling me with a kiss, knocking me off balance, onto my back.

Wait a minute; I should’ve hit the ground by now.

Are we falling? We’re falling! What the hell?

I finally hit solid ground, taking the full impact of both Lyra and myself.

“Ahh... Are you ok?” I croaked, keeping my eyes closed as I struggled to breathe after having the wind knocked out of me.

Lyra coughed, “Yeah, yeah. I’m ok.”

Finally opening my eyes, we found ourselves in some kind of underground cavern.

We must’ve fallen through a soft spot in the cavern’s ceiling.

I looked up through the hole where Lyra and I had fallen through. The light from up above began fading out, as the sun passed behind Canterlot and the Foal Mountains.

“Well, this isn’t good!”

Author's Note

Dont'cha just love cliffhangers?
Don't worry, It won't take another two weeks to post another chapter. That was rediculous. Writer's block and not finding the time to write sucks.
Hopefully there's a few of you that managed to hang around to see if this story would ever update again!
I'm always looking forward to any feedback you may have!