Chapter 1: Homeward Bound
Leaving Ponyville as a little filly mayhaps wasn't one of my greatest decisions, and I will admit that. I'd left behind an older brother, and a younger sister who doesn't even know who I am. I'd left behind the duties I'd sworn to do, I'd left behind my dog. But most importantly of all, I'd left behind the one thing that connected me to the small town. I left behind my name. I used to be an Apple. I still am in a way, but I used to be a strong, hardy worker, even if I was just a filly at the time of my departure. Heh, I suppose I just wanted a different scenery, a change in events, a change in faces. I just didn't want to live on a farm all of my life and I knew I wanted to leave.
And so, I did.
I used to go by another name when I lived there, Applejack Apple, but that was in the past. Now, as I live with my Auntie and Uncle, I am Jacqueline and I am an Orange. What I'm about to tell isn't the most interesting of stories, no, just a story on how I've met and made six intriguing friends, all of whom different from another. All of whom I'd disliked outright from the very beginning.
By carriage was one of the fastest and most efficient ways of travel within the borders of Equestria; by hoof, the exact opposite. It was no debate what I'd chosen, the former also being more comfortable, I was soon riding carriage towards my old home. I'd left Manehatten days prior, my departure lackluster in terms of sad goodbyes. Wouldn't put it beyond my Auntie and Uncle, the two were waiting for this moment for a while I'd suppose. I didn't mind it however, I was more intent on making my way home... No, home isn't the right term for Ponyville, I'd consider it more of a... a home away from home, for lack of a better word. No, Manehatten was my home, as it was where I was raised all of my young and adult life.
Auntie and Uncle Orange had called it seeing my roots and they'd wished me safe travels, they had said they wanted me to know the place where I was born. I knew the truth though, they just wanted some time alone and these next few weeks would be great for them. I was quite rambunctious in my teenaged years, I can still remember the unruly amounts of torture I've given them. I always shook my head in rememberance, that sort of behavior was behind me now. I am a fully grown mare, returning to a place I hadn't been for some time.
On the journey, I've often times found myself wondering how Brother Macintosh would feel about an unexpected visitation. Before I'd left I wrote a letter detailing my arrival, but had somehow forgotten to mail it out, hopefully they would be understanding of the situation. What about Grandmother though, assuming she is still with us, how would she act? Surely, given her age, she'd love to see her granddaughter once again? Then there was little Applebloom; shortly after she was brought into the family, mother and father had stopped sending letters. I hadn't received any updates or otherwise since, peculiar, but I will simply ask them when I make myself known.
It was amusing, how traveling alone was the one time where I could enter my own thoughts without being disturbed. My mind wandered throughout all different kinds of subjects, but the most occurring were of my family. Normally I would never have thought to entertain such notions as I'd known the Apple Farm was doing quite well last I was told, but something told me I must. The silent, still carriage I sat within kept me in my thoughts, for only a little while longer. I was waiting for the driver to open my door, it was common courtesy in Manehatten, and we've been travelling together for a few days time. Surely he mustn't have forgotten-
"You alright in there miss? We've arrived in Ponyville." A calm, yet accented voice spoke behind the windowed door. My thoughts now disturbed, I nodded before realizing he couldn't see me.
I scoot myself closer to the door, my suitcase seated directly across me, and gave a small attention grabbing cough. "Ehem, yes I'm fine thanks. Be a doll and get the door for me, would you kindly?" Even after all the years of voice training Auntie had put me through, my voice was not on her level of embellishment, mine sounding like a common Mule Yorker. He reacted in kind and opened the door for me, to my surprise I was nearly blinded by the sunlight. It was rather bright here, but then again I'm no longer surrounded by buildings the size of towers.
Bringing a shoe'd hoof to cover my eyes, my other to my suitcase's handle, I lowered my head to his gaze. As I look down at him, he straightens his back, tilts his newscolt hat upwards and smiles genuinely. "Thank you, Mister Bound." I say to him, awaiting for his form to move so I could make way out of the carriage's interior. He gave an embarrassed chuckle, in both realization and what he had to say in return.
"Oh please, Miss Orange, Mister Bound was my father's name. Just call me Homeward if you'd like." His response was curt, him moving off to the side, his magical aura still encasing the door's handle.
"Oh, if you so insist, but call me Jacqueline in return if you expect me to do the same." I give a lighthearted chuckle of my own, my eyes finally adapting enough to where I could put down my hoof. With my now free hoof, I pull up my sage collar as the true winds begin to hit me. It was nothing like what I was used to back in Manehatten, the constant passing of carriages were the only amount of aerial rush I'd felt then, this was new, though a little chilly. Luckily I had outgrown the need to wander in the buff, now I easily prefer the feel of cloth draped over my hide.
"I see we've stopped just out of town as per requested." I nod with an approving look in my eyes, my ears focusing on the birds chirping in the distance. And with that, I take my first step out of the carriage, the dirt road below me creating a small tuft of dust as I step downward. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Homeward, the apricot colored unicorn, was looking at me almost curiously. "It's so I don't make much of a scene, do not fret. You'll still get your pay." With a plop, my suitcase fell unceremoniously at my side. I roll my eyes as he gave another bout of chuckles. Even as I now stood directly in front of him, I still had to look downwards. He wasn't a short stallion by any means, no, I was just rather tall. My diet at home consisted of a lot more greens than it did proteins and I grew up rather lanky. I was sure if I'd have stayed here in Ponyville, I would instead be looking up at him in this situation.
He blinks, looking up at me now and straightens his back as he places the newspaper, which I hadn't noticed until now, on the ground next to his hooves. "Oh! Well, I was just curious on what you'd rate your experience." With that, he moved one of his forelegs behind his head and gave a nervous smile. "If you don't mind that is, I'm trying to see if I can make full fledged Taxi Carriage Driver." He adds and I give a knowing smirk.
I see his horn light up in a deep blue aura, the color of his eyes, and suddenly a small survey and quill is presented in my view. I raise a brow at him and with a shake of my head, take the floating quill with my teeth and begin to scribble my travels. It only took about a minute, but when I was done he gave me an expectant look. I grin, my teeth showing in a generous manner. "Well, I do hope to see your name branded upon your own carriage service then. Eight horseshoes out of ten, just make sure to take the less rutted path next time around." I give him a wink, letting go of my hold on the quill, and turn my attention to my suitcase. "As for your payment, it'll just be another second." As promised, I unzipped my portable case and pulled from it a small red velvet pouch.
Dispensing the golden coins into his awaiting magical aura, I see him wisp away the survey with a happy smile on his face along with the coins. I heard him mutter a "thank you", but I was too busy zipping up my suitcase again to reply. When I turned around to face him again, he was already walking by me to the front of his carriage, beginning to adorn the reins to it once more.
"Oh, please stay near the town for the time being. Or in it, if you'd rather. I'll send word for you when I am ready to leave within the next two weeks." I remind him of our agreement and he only nodded, his teeth now clenched around a leading stick as he started trotting away. I truly hoped he succeeded in his career choice, if I were to be honest, he would make a great Coach Driver one of these days. With that last thought in mind, I myself began making way into the small town of Ponyville.
The home away from home.
As I found myself within the town's center, a large fountain lying directly in front of me spewing its water, I've noticed a lot of other ponies were staring at me. Oddly, to tell the truth. If I'd have payed attention, which I was (albeit loosely), I noticed I was the only one who wore any clothes. While I was free to admit it wasn't a requirement, I found it strange, as in Manehatten it was uncommon to be naked. Kind of why I adapted to it as well. Were they all staring at me because I wore a coat? Was it my mane? I rose a brow in return to some of them, causing those ones to simply turn away, going back to whatever their business was. "What a strange lot." I murmur silently, my attention turning elsewhere.
I felt my freckled cheeks rise up in nostalgia, my eyes landing upon the one building Grandmother had taken Macintosh and me to when we were both foals. Sugarcube Corner, the best bakery in all of Equestria; self patented. I purse my lips in happy thought, a content sigh escaping my muzzle as my legs moved on their own to the building. Maybe a quick snack before I left to the farm.
I'd only taken several hoofsteps before the door in front of me had opened, a pink earth pony mare's back was turned to me as she stepped out. She was carrying a large box upon her back, likely for transferring a cake that was to be delivered. As she finally turned around, the door closing behind her, her eyes locked on mine for only a split second. Her cerulean eyes widened, her mane popped and she shot back into the bakery, I could only hear the last of whatever she said as the door opened and closed once more.
"... twice the party!"
Author's Note
Yeah, Applejack's OOC.
So what.
She's going to be like this literally the entire time.
Spoiler:
Jk, I don't give these 
Hope you enjoyed!
Chapter 2: Not Easily Forgotten
Luckily for me, I hadn't put much thought into the strange mare's behavior, my stomach growling easily distracted me from that. I stared at the door to Sugarcube Corner for only a few more seconds before my hooves started moving once more. Maybe she had forgotten something and simply wished to grab it? Though what did she mean by twice the party, was there one going on currently, or was she starting one? I couldn't fathom as she disappeared from sight. Soon, I entered into the building, the interior the same as it has been when I was younger. I unconsciously lick my lips as the sweet aroma of the bakery invades my nose, whatever was being made smelled amazing.
I see a light blue mare, somewhat plump with a frosting-esque pink mane, Cup Cake if I recall. Her eyes were looking downward behind the counter she stood at, inspecting something; she hadn't noticed when the bell dinged as I walked through the door. Looking around, I hadn't seen the pink mare from only seconds ago, where had she run off to? Looking past Cup Cake, I see a stairwell which wasn't there originally, must have been added when I was gone, leading upstairs. "Cup Cake?" I call out, testing if it was the daughter of the baker who used to live here. Her eyes catch mine as she looks up, her rosy orbs trying to see if they'd recognize my green ones. We didn't talk all that much in school as fillies, I wasn't exactly around for too long, but I knew her name and I was assuming she knows, erm, knew mine.
Her eyes were heavy lidded and she had some bagging under her eyes, she looked exhausted. She did not blink in the recognition I'd hoped for. Was I that easily forgotten? "Ah, welcome dear. See anything you like?" She sounded tired as well, her tone low with an inaudible yawn. "If there's nothing of your liking, our baker, when she gets back, could take your order. She's out on delivery right now." My eyes were glued down at the glass barrier between the pre-baked sweets and I, my mouth soon beginning to water. I mustn't have cared all that much for the pink mare, as I practically ignored the second half of her speech. Celestia knows I've missed this place above all else.
"Just an orange fritter would be fine, Cup." My eyes glance back upwards to hers and she looks at me with a tilted head and rose brow. Why was she confused all of a sudden?
"Oh heavens, dear. We haven't had anypony order anything with oranges in a long time! Let me go grab my husband, he can go out and grab some in the market if you'd like." Oh she's married now! I've truly missed a lot in my time away. However I don't voice that, instead I shake my head in her direction.
"No, no need for that. I'll just take an apple fritter in place, thank you." Luckily I hadn't returned my bit pouch back to my suitcase, merely had it placed inside of my coat's pocket. The mare across from me nodded and lowered her head to grab a tray, and with that I made my way to a table, not before placing what I thought the required bits upon the counter for her.
As I sit down on my haunches, now sitting at a table nearest a window, I turn my head and stare, rather bored, out into the somewhat crowded street. My stomach was grumbling silently and I could only wait. In my sights I see ponies go about their day, almost unaware of the world around them. Two sat alone upon a bench, enjoying the idle silence they shared and two more were standing next to the fountain. Everypony looked content in their place, they looked home. "Here ya go, though miss. You overpaid just a little." Her voice returns and I nearly jolt up, my eyes wide as I turn my head in her direction. She was looking at me with an apologetic smile as she stood next to my table.
"Oh, I apologize. You can go ahead and keep them, think of it as a tip." Though my response came out sounding more condescending and sarcastic, I truly did mean it. My thoughts moved away from how harshly I spoke and instead the thoughts were replaced with the object in my view. Now sitting on a napkin, placed in front of me was the most delectable fritter I've seen in some time. Even Feather Whisp's delights don't look this good, and that's saying something. The silver pegasus' treats were of the highest praise in Manehatten. I raise my head to hers, me sitting making me feel shorter than normal, and give a nod in thanks.
I heard her mutter something about out of townees and a sigh escapes my lips. I truly was forgotten. I shake my head, the breath turning into a soft chuckle, my eyes turning back to the window. Who am I kidding, mother and father couldn't forget me. Nor could Macintosh and Grandmother Smith. Applebloom, I could understand, but she'll get to know me soon enough. A smile forms on my muzzle as I thought of my little sister, of all of the bonding we could share within these two weeks. I gently pick up the fritter with my hoof, my hold on the suitcase that followed me soon forgotten, and place it at my lips. The smell was dangerously good, the sweet, familiar scent of apples making me feel even more nostalgic than I already was.
It was good to be home away from home.
After I'd left the bakery, no sight of the pink mare from before, I began making my way to the trail that led to Sweet Apple Acres. It was time to show my family I'm back, if only for the first half of the month. It was time to show them who I've become. "Hopefully they don't mind my cutie mark, heh. At this rate I could easily be mistaken for a true Orange." My small grin shrunk to an absent state as I turned my head back to look at my flank, it being covered by the lengthy bottom of my coat. I can see the trio of oranges taunting the family as I take off my jacket, their looks of disappointment. With another shake of the head, those thoughts leave me. Nonsense, I wasn't going to talk myself out of this visit, I'm unable to return home anyhow. I'm positive they'll still take me in with open hooves.
The walk was long and tedious, the outskirts of Ponyville now passing me by as I continued to stare down the aisles and aisles of apple trees. The farm has certainly grown from when I'd last seen it, each and every tree nearly twice as big as I'd left them. A short, low whistle escapes my lips as I continued down the path, my shoes protecting my hooves from the jagged rocks and bugs that it was riddle with. Soon a small barn-house came in sight, and after, a rural looking two story home. My old home. The grin from before came back fully and I had to force myself not to tear up at the sight.
Looking around the fields and fields of trees, the front door of the home, the barn-house wall, I struggled to find my brother. Even when we were younger he'd always stressed how he wanted to work the fields himself one day, yet here I am and he's nowhere to be seen. Maybe it was his day off and Father was working the field, who am I to know. Figuring I had to move in order to find out, I entered into a trot as I made my way to the house's front door, two lamps that had been lit were hanging on the frame on either side. As I came to a stop just on the porch, my hooves all planted firmly on the welcome mat, I had to release a shaky breath I didn't know I held in. This was it, I was here, I was... I was visiting. I had to remind myself that this was merely a visit and I'll be on my way almost as soon as I got here.
With a trembling hoof, it being raised at an incredibly slow rate, I brought it back down upon the door's sturdy wood. Three sounding knocks, silence, three more and I heard the dull thud of hooves behind it. "Who's there?" A gruff, burly voice sounded from the other side, nearly scaring me out of my wits as I stood outside.
"Jacqueline, Jacqueline Orange?" My answer was a little wavy and more quiet than I'd like to admit, but it was enough as I saw the somewhat large green door make way and open. It revealed none other than a large stallion on the other side, his hide was a deep red and his mane orange. He had a strand of wheat hanging from his lips as he looked down at me with low lids, an uninterested look settled upon his face. My own eyes widened somewhat as I realized he was staring down at me, even if he only stood several inches taller, it was still surprising to look up for a change. I take my earlier statement back, maybe I would have been the same height regardless if I moved away? I blinked.
What was more surprising was when I realized just who this was. He apparently had the same thoughts. His jaw dropped open as he stared, the little strand of wheat falling out of his mouth. In a second his eyelids rose up, his bored look changing swiftly into one of surprise. "A-Applejack? S'that you?" He stuttered out, probably didn't hear me add the Orange bit when he came to the door, his green eyes looking up and down my form. I had to suppress a chuckle as I nodded at him, his own head nodding dumbly in return.
"Hehe, yes. It sure is Macintosh." I didn't have the nerve to tell him Applejack was no longer who I was, but that time will come eventually. For now, it was just time to catch up. I rose a hoof and gently hit him in the shoulder with it as I give a soft smile, he blinked himself out of his stupor as he looked at me; who I've become.
"It's been a while, hasn't it brother?"
Ah buck, I couldn't keep my smile back any longer and I knew I was beaming at the stallion.
Author's Note
Bare with me on this.
Yeah, I know, it seems illogical that Applejack and Cup Cake would have gone to the same school given their possible age in canon, but you have to remember... this is a piece of fanfiction. I could just as easily say Spike's secretly just a fire breathing lizard as I can Cup Cake being roughly the same age as Applejack.
~Anyway~
Hope you all enjoyed!
