The Adventures of James Stallion, Book 1: The Gift of New Life

Chapter 1

I awoke to blinding sunlight streaming through thick leaves of a massive oak tree. I grunted and closed my eyes tightly in shock as the unexpected rays of light hit my tired eyes and momentarily blinded me. I rolled over onto my stomach and slowly opened my eyes so that they could adjust to the brightness of my surroundings.

“What, where am I?” I muttered as I tried to stand up. I managed to rise up onto my elbows, but I quickly found that I couldn’t stand up onto my hind legs. I was so busy looking at my surroundings that I didn’t notice that there was something different about me. I looked down at my hands, and my mouth dropped when I saw that they weren’t actually hands, but hooves!

“What in the world?!” I exclaimed as I unsteadily rose up onto all fours. I had a tough time adjusting to my new posture; but once I was sure I wouldn’t lose my footing and fall, I took a look at myself. Indeed I was standing on four hooves; and from what I could see, I was also covered in brown fur. I looked back at my flank and found that my neck was infinitely more flexible than what it used to be. Once I saw that I had a black tail that seemed to move on its own.

“I’m a… a…” I stammered to myself in disbelief. My mind was still trying to wrap itself around the situation, despite the evidence that was so clearly in front of me.

“A stallion…” I said quietly to myself. “But does that mean?” I started but trailed off as I tried to maneuver my legs so I could turn around and see my surrounding area more clearly.

After about a minute of trying to adjust to my posture, I managed to turn myself around without tripping. When I finally turned around, I beheld it; there, just over the grassy plains that lay before me, was the town of Ponyville. I was hit with a barrage of different emotions all at once. Immediately I fell down and began to cry tears of joy. God had heard my prayers and gave me that which I wanted most in life. I prayed, giving thanks and blessing His name; all in the joy that I was feeling at that moment. I felt as though I was hit with a realization, as if my eyes were suddenly opened and I had finally come home.

Once I regained my composure, I once again unsteadily rose onto my feet, or I should say hooves, and looked towards Ponyville. I was on top of a big hill overlooking the village and, even though my vision was partially obscured by trees, I still got a good look down into the city. Ponyville looked just like it did on television. It was a beautifully colored town with buildings of all different shapes and sizes, all of which were nestled under the summit of a grand mountain range. I gazed over to my left and saw rows of apple trees, and I guessed that they were the beginning part of Sweet Apple Acres. As I looked at the trees, I also noticed that there was a road that led from Ponyville and entered into the rows of apple trees and continued to head towards the center of the farm.

The sight of the apples made my stomach grumble and I took noticed that I was really hungry. Confused as to why I was suddenly hit by hunger, I took a look at the sun, and I saw that it was way past the center of the sky. If the sun worked as it had when I was on Earth, then from its current position I figured that it was well past midday already.

“No wonder I’m hungry,” I said aloud to myself as I went to take a step towards the apple trees, but when I lifted my hoof up, however, I lost my balance and fell over onto my side and began to tumble down the hill I was on.

Along my way down, I had the misfortune of hitting an unearthed part of a root that was part of the giant oak tree, and the sudden impact caused me to let out a yelp of surprise and pain. A heartbeat later I hit the trunk of another tree, and I had the breath completely knocked out of me. I lay there gagging for a few seconds until finally I gasped and filled my lungs full needed oxygen. Once I could breathe again, I lay there for a few moments until I got my breath back, and then I slowly tried to rise up back onto my hooves.

I let out a groan as my back popped in a few places when I got up on all fours. I looked back up at the hill that I fallen down from and saw the uncovered root that I had fallen onto on my way down.

“Ouch…” is all I managed to say as I lifted my front right hoof and shook it a little to relieve some of the pressure that was on it. I carefully put my hoof back down on the ground, glad that I didn’t lose my balance again, and I cringed as my ankle cracked a few times as I put weight back on it. I took some time to stretch my sore body; and while I was stretching, I got used to being on four legs. Once I was sure that nothing was broken, and when the pain started to subside, I gazed back over towards Sweet Apple Acres. Again the site of the apples made my stomach let out another growl.

“Ok…” I said getting ready to try to take another step. “Let’s try this again.”

I carefully took one step forward, then another, followed by yet another, and before I knew it I was walking straight. A bit unsteadily, but never-the-less I was still making my way forward.

I slowly walked toward the apple trees; and on my way there, I took in the beauty of the world around me. A slight breeze started to blow, making gentle waves on the grass as I walked through the field, and all around me I could see wildlife roaming all throughout the landscape. Birds flew freely through the air, singing beautiful songs as they floated in the sky. Rabbits went to and fro in the fields eating flowers and grass and as they did so occasional deer would come out and join them and bask in the life giving sunlight. Equestria was more beautiful than I ever dreamed it would be.

I eventually came to the dirt road that led to Ponyville. I stopped for a moment and took a look at where the other direction of the road led. The road came out from the town and split into two different directions; one of which that led into the center of Sweet Apple Acres, and the other path led into a vast expanse of  farmland and grassy fields. In the distance, I saw snow covered mountain ranges and vast, elegant looking clouds. There was one giant cloud that especially caught my eye, one that looked as though it was physically designed, not made naturally. I wasn’t sure if my mind was playing tricks on me, but it appeared as though the cloud was a city of sorts. It was really far away, and I couldn’t really make out much of the details; but it was elegantly crafted and looked astonishing from what I could see.

I looked away from the cloud city and back towards Sweet Apple Acres. I felt a deep happiness within me once more as I looked upon the pristine landscape of Equestria. Words couldn’t describe the emotion that I felt at that moment. It was a sense or harmony, a realization of sorts. I felt as though that I had made it home after a lifetime of torment and betrayal. No longer did I have to worry about the evils of the old life that I had left behind; and for the first time, I truly felt at peace. I said another prayer of thanks as I continued onward.

I crossed the road and took the path that lead to the first row of apple trees. I noticed that there was fencing that encircled the entire boarder around the premises of the property, and I took time to go around it. I wanted to savor every moment of being there in Equestria.

As I approached the apple trees, I noticed that there were baskets scattered around the base of each tree. Some trees were already harvested and the baskets underneath them were completely full, while others still had their fruits still attached.

I looked further down the path into the heart of Sweet Apple Acres and was astonished to see how far back it went. The property went on for miles on end and in the distance a little speck on the horizon was the farm itself. All around the farm in every direction was nothing but apple trees as well as additional fields that contained additional produce. The property went on as far as the eye could see, so much so that I couldn’t even see the end of it. I shook my head at the thought of how long it would take anyone, actually a whole army for that matter, just to harvest all of the crops that were on this one farm.

My thoughts were interrupted by another rumble from my stomach; and without another thought, I approached the nearest harvested tree and began to eat out of one of the baskets that lay beneath it.

The apples were the sweetest things that I had ever tasted before in my life. Their mouth watering goodness topped even the juiciest of fruits that were on Earth.

“Oh my, these are the best apples I’ve ever tasted!” I exclaimed as I continued to eat. I wasn’t sure if it was because of how hungry I was, or if it was because the apples were so delicious, but either way I couldn’t seem to get enough of them.

“What in tarnation are you doing eating my apples?!” a voice demanded from behind me.

I froze and almost choked in surprise. I recognized the voice immediately.

“Well, are you deaf or what? I asked you a question.” the voice said sounding more irritated.

I swallowed the last bit of apple that I still had in my mouth and turned to face the pony that was behind me. When I saw who it was, I nearly gasped-- it was none other than Applejack herself. Applejack looked exactly like she had in the show. She had a light brown coat as well as a yellow colored mane. Her mane was braided into a long ponytail, which hung down over her side. She even had the same signature cowboy hat that fit perfectly on her head and really complimented her looks. Everything about her was exactly the same even down to the same distinguishable freckles on her muzzle. I would have jumped in joy at the sight of her if it wasn’t for one thing; she looked furious.

“Who do you think you are coming onto my farm and eating my family’s apples without permission?” she yelled while stomping a hoof on the ground.

“I uh… You see I was hungry and I thought that-” I stammered trying to come up with a good excuse, but she interrupted me before I could finish.

“You thought what? That you could just come over here and eat without paying, is that it, huh?”

“No I didn’t, I just-”

“Well you thought wrong buster. We worked really hard to grow these apples and I’m not about to let some thief walk over here and just take them and get away with it. Now pay up!” She demanded holding out a hoof.

“Pay? I can’t pay, I don’t have any money. I just got here and I-”

Applejack slammed the hoof that she extended out to me on the ground, and I took a step back in surprise. I never saw her get this mad before on the show. She looked like she was about to murder me.

“I suggest you leave boy,” she said through gritted teeth, “If I catch you here again, I’ll get Big Macintosh and we will personally rip your head clean off your shoulders. Is that understood?!”

I nodded and took another step back.

“Good. Now get out of here!” she snapped.

She didn’t need to tell me twice. I instinctively reared back and galloped past her and didn’t bother to look back. I was so focused on trying to get away that I didn’t take the extra few seconds to go around the fence, instead I jumped right over it and kept running. I didn’t stop until I was sure that Applejack wasn’t following me; and when I felt relatively safe, I slowed to a trot.

I couldn’t believe what had just happened. I had literally just met an actual character from the show!  Unfortunately, however, I made her mad before I could even introduce myself. What’s worse is that I had made her believe that I was nothing more than a worthless thief.

After about a minute later, I stopped trotting and looked back towards Sweet Apple Acre and saw that Applejack was still there. She was standing over the basket that I was eating from, and I watched her as she threw out the apples that I had taken bites out of. She stood there a few minutes picking out the bad apples and once she finished she shook her head and hoisted the basket onto her back and began to walk down the trail that lead to her farm.

I let out a sad sigh and looked away towards the oak tree that I woke up under. It was a massive tree that was easily hundreds of years old. Its massive branches blocked out the sun, casting a big shadow over the landscape. I marveled about this world that I now lived in. All my life prior to the miracle that had brought me there I had lived in a dying world that was full of corruption. However there in Equestria, life was abundant and the world was perfect. I no longer had to live in fear ever again. Being there truly was the greatest thing that could’ve ever happened to me.

My thoughts suddenly returned to Applejack. I looked back towards Sweet Apple Acres and found that she was already completely out of sight; however, I caught sight of another mare starting to walk down the trail towards the farm. She was an average sized pony that had jet black fur. Her mane and tail was a dark blue in color, as well as her hooves. The pony wore a black backpack that was secured around her neck and was resting on her back. The pony was just casually walking down the trail and a moment later I lost sight of her as she disappeared behind the trees.

I started to wonder about the strange mare but a shadow flying overhead pulled me away from my thoughts. I gazed upward and saw a beautifully designed golden chariot being pulled toward Ponyville by two white pegasi who were dressed with fabulous golden armor.

I listened closely, and I caught sound of two voices emanating from within the chariot. I couldn’t physically see the occupants because of it being so high up, but I caught sight of part of a purple mane flowing in the wind over the side.

“Look on the bright side, Twilight. The princess arranged for you to stay at a library. Doesn’t that make you happy?”

“Yes! Yes, it does. You know why? Because I’m right. I’ll check on the preparations as fast as I can, then get to the library-” It was all I managed to hear before the chariot got too far away but despite this I still knew who it was. It was Twilight Sparkle and Spike the dragon on their way to Ponyville! Princess Celestia must have sent them from Cantralot to check on the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration. Maybe this was my chance to introduce myself properly to somepony after all.

I took a look back towards Sweet Apple Acres once more. Applejack or that other strange mare was already long gone. I felt really bad about how my encounter with Applejack had turned out, but deep down inside I knew that I would have another chance to fix things. I shook my head in contempt and looked back towards Ponyville. The chariot was about to cross over top of the first set of buildings and head to the center of town. Without waiting another second, I started to gallop towards Ponyville with the knowledge of what I was going to do; I was going to meet Twilight Sparkle.