Four years have passed ever since Zhou was thrown into this world. And over that time, it hasn’t been so bad. The Apples had allowed him to stay with them. For months, he made his home outside in the barn in the hay loft. It was better than what he was used to staying in. At least it was nice and warm and the rain stayed out. But as time flew by, and he had become closer to the family, eventually becoming like a younger brother to both Big Mac and Applejack, and also becoming an older brother to Applebloom. Even Granny Smith thought of him as her own grandson. He was so helpful around the farm whenever he was needed. Being an earthbender. You train your body more physically than any other bending discipline. That meant he was able to lift many heavy objects with no issues. And if he couldn’t lift it with his bare hands, earthbending always did the trick. Soon enough, they all agreed to let Zhou move into the house itself. Giving him the guest bedroom upstairs where Applejack and her siblings slept. Over the years, it would appear that Zhou grew very close to Applejack. Zhou grew to love everyone in the Apple family and saw them as his new actual family. But he was fond of Applejack especially. Was it because she was just like him? Competitive and fun to be around yet, at the same time sweet and caring? And possibly her blunt honesty? Who knows. And now, the story comes to the present day, in which the earthbender’s unknown destiny will take its next step.

--Early Morning--

Zhou was outside in an open area that was cleared of dead trees. He had made it into a training ground/bending area so that he could improve on his abilities. He had created low inground but large pit. He did this so no rogue rocks would fly out and hit anyone. Not to mention it dulled the sounds of the constant crashing and smashing sound of the rocks and earth as well so he wouldn’t wake any of the still sleeping family members. As of what he had been working on for about a week now. It was something he had picked up back home. A little blind girl was known to possess this technique. She looked small and fragile, but he had seen her in action when the avatar came into Ba Sing Se. He was observing both the avatar and the girl in action during their raid on the earth kingdom palace before the fire nation took control of the city. And today, he finally found out her secret. It is an ability called ‘seismic sense’. He had achieved this through blindfolding himself, levitating rock and throwing it against the walls of the pit, listening and obtaining a sonar like sense. Now seeing with sound like a bat would. It was definitely a handy skill to obtain. And with a mind of a former thief and stealth user, it is only natural he would want to learn this skill for himself.

“Alright...now I need a test subject…”

He said to himself. Luckily enough he heard hoofsteps from above the pit, without even removing the blindfold, he knew exactly who it was.

“Morning AJ. Sleep well?”

Mornin’ Z. Out here again bright n’ early as usual, Ah see.”

“You know me. Gotta better my abilities till I know every single new skill from my father’s scrolls. But I actually perfected this new technique this morning. Mind if I borrow you as a sparring partner real quick? I need a live test run.”

Applejack arched a brow, but chuckled lowly and hopped down into the pit, crackle her knuckles and stretching her arms and legs a bit. Applejack had grown into a fine young mare. Very fit, but at the same time nice and ample in all the right places. Zhou knew she was no pushover when it came to physical strength, the girl can kick a tree and make every single apple fall from them after all.

“Ah was wonderin’ when we were gonna have another one of these…”

Zhou has grown up nicely as well. Tall and well built. Just like his father was. His hair had darkened slightly and he has even developed a slight beard. His constant training giving him a hardened body, but not to the point where he had muscle upon muscle bulging from his body. He didn’t want that kind of body, at all. He chuckles and made sure his blindfold was secured, taking his usual stance.

“The usual wager then…?”

He asked.

“Of course, and no usin’ your fancy earthbendin’ .You hear?”

He chuckled lightly.

“Well, considering I am fighting you blindfolded, I think it would be a bit unfair. But fine. It will make it all the sweeter when you lose.”

Applejack was the first to make the move, which is what exactly Zhou wanted. He could only describe the sense of seeing waves of sound coming from her hoofsteps. It was working. And with the new ability, Zhou felt lighter and quicker than he ever did. The spoke between punches and kicks, just like they were having a normal conversation.

“So...are you...goin’...to the sun...summer festival...tonight?”

She asked between breaths.

“I don’t...know AJ. I haven’t...gone...to any of the..others. I guess...since I am...not..a pony, I don’t...really feel...welcomed.”

He said as he blocked her strong legs with each kick she gave.

“Oh, now you..know that’s...not true! Plenty of...ponies...back in town...don’t see you as a stranger...anymore! And...are you sure...you ain’t peekin’....under that thing?!”

“Maybe...you aren’t as..good as you...think you are, AJ.”

He knew that taunt would rub her fur the wrong way. Which would cause her to get careless in situations like this. Her attacks were getting sloppy now. After a while of this, he finally decides to end the match by grabbing her arm in mid-swing. He yanks her forward and quickly pulls down. Applejack is sent into a flip. If there were any onlookers, they would see the final move in bullet time. Applejack hits the ground hard, letting out an ‘OOF!’ when she did. Zhou chuckled evilly and crouches down, looking over the exhausted mare.

“Good fight as always AJ. Big Mac can’t even keep up like you can. That said, though…”

He said as a wicked grin slowly spreads across his lips.

“I look forward to seeing you running down the road and into the lake buck naked tomorrow night.”

Applejack stared at him with an unamused face and a heavy blush. She growls at him.

“One of these days Ah am gonna be the one launghin’ at you runnin’ around naked...mark my words…”

He lets out a hardly laugh and offers a hand to help her up. She blinks at him. She knows it is all in good fun and shouldn’t let it upset her. After all, hardly anypony comes out this far from town. That is the only reason they both agreed on the terms a few years back. She takes his hand, he pulls her up onto her hooves, though she leans into him when she comes up. Though she quickly steps back. Zhou walks over to her hat and picks it up, for it had fallen off during the match. He slaps it on his legs to get the excess dirt off it, then places it on her head.

“There you go.”

He said with a big smile.

“Thank you kindly, Z.”

He nods to her before removing his blindfold, revealing his bright purple eyes that could pierce one’s soul if he ever looked into their eyes. He looks down at Applejack.

“So the rest of the family is coming by in about an hour to come and help set up the food arrangements, huh?”

Applejack nods firmly.

“They sure as sugar are.I know they will be happy to see you again. They have been writin’ to me askin’ about you a lot. You really have become part of this family, Z. You may not be a pony, but we all love you anyways.”

Zhou couldn’t help but smile to himself. He had gone from being a drifter and a thief in order to survive to a valued and loved member of a family that wasn’t even human. He wraps his arms around the farm pony, hugging her tightly. Her eyes widen and a blush comes across her cheek.

“Thank you, AJ. Thank you for everything. You, Mac, Applebloom and Granny. You all took me in and took care of me when you didn’t have to.”

Applejack closed her eyes and smiled to herself, wrapping him up in a hug.

“Think nothin’ of it sugarcube. You came here not knowin’. And we can’t fault you for that. Though Ah have to say, with you bein’ here and the abilities you possess, you have helped us a great deal. Especially with the harvestin’. I don’t know how you are able to use that fancy earthbendin’ of yours, but it sure is pretty neat. And you don’t even need magic to do it.”

Zhou releases her from the hug. They both step away from each other slightly.

“Well, we better go and get things prepared. We got a lot of work today.”

He nods in agreement.

“Indeed….bet I can knock down more apples than you can today.”

Applejack grins and glare playfully.

“You’re on…”

--A Few Hours Later--

“SOUP’S ON, EVERYPONY!!!”

Shouted Applejack. Suddenly a herd of family members rushes the area. All except for Zhou. who was back in his pit. Applejack looks around with an arched brow.

“Darn it all. Doesn’t he ever stop..?”

She looks back to the pony who had come to check on the preparation for the food for the festival. She introduces all of the family that was nearby. Then point to the pit that was a way away.

“That there is Zhou. He is the newest addition to the family.”

Sure turns and calls out to him.

Hey Z, Come meet our new guest! She has come by to check on the preparations!”

The pony in question shakes her head.

“Nono, I can see the food situation is handled. I...better get going.”

Applebloom walks up to the pony and gives her those big adorable eyes. It tugged on Zhou’s heartstrings every time she did that to him.

“Aren’tcha gonna stay for brunch?”

The pony thinks on it.

“Sorry, but I have an awful lot to do…”

Suddenly the sound of rumbling is heard and a rock juts out of the pit with a figure leaping from it. He lands on his feet and smiles to the new pony.

“Come on now. Just sample the food at least. They all worked really hard on it.”

“‘Bout time you came out of there. Twilight, this is Zhou. Zhou, Twilight.”

“A pleasure to meet you Twilight.”

He said as he reached out and offered his hand. The lavender unicorn was absolutely speechless at what she had just seen. Not only did she not know what he was, but he can control earth and stone?! Yeah, she was staying for brunch. She had tolearn more about this being.

--An Hour Later-

“And that is what earthbending is.”

Twilight smiled widely, her eyes sparkling quite a bit.

“You must let me watch and study you sometime...I would love to learn more about you and compile research data. but..I really must be going. I hope to see you around sometime!”

She did not think it, but she had unknowingly made a friend in the earthbender. And soon, his friendship would aid her in her own destiny, as would all the others that become intertwined with his and hers.

Author's Note

I feel like I made Zhou's and Applejack current relationship feel quite real with the beginning :)

Also, it's hard to find a decent picture to give visuals on AJ on my go-to site. She is still sexy, but her naughty bits are/.mostly covered. And yes I know, the gun isn't supposed to be there. But the picture is merely for body reference.

May the darkness grant you peace.