The flaring orb began to die down into the horizon, submitting to the glorious moon that soon would gaze at its residents above. As the sparkling stars matched his lover’s eyes, they leaned in for a light kiss. The warm sensation caused a flicker to the orange mare as her ears danced with the constant flow of air. Her mate gently played with her soft fur – soft and malleable which accompanied her delightful scent.

The mare pounced onto her prey as he acted defenceless, giving a weak but playful attempt to break free. Nuzzling his smooth face, he felt the furry texture surround him, in awe of the unbelievable smoothness she carried all day. She clamped her muzzle onto his lips until oxygen had to push their entrances away. They dived in for another passionate gesture and had their tongues intertwine, bringing them closer.

The moon began to fade away into the sun’s hiding spot as the familiar bright glow of dusk shone across the vast fields until a shrieking rooster called out to the world.

Applejack’s eyes burst open, jolting up from the bed and darting rapidly around the room as the cursed sun woke her from her delighted slumber – definitely one of the best rests she had in bed. Sighing, she shuffled to the bedside, clopping her hooves down and extending her limbs as she ensured her bucking legs were ready to work.

She yawned while small thuds pursued her down the creaking stairs, on the final step, wiping her teary eye. Gazing up at a few cracking sounds, Apple Bloom was up and early as pans began to sizzle with a common but tasty delicacy. Two bowls were strewn to the side of the stove while a jug of apple essence loomed idly next to the for matching cups, aged but useful.

Had Applejack not said anything, Apple Bloom might have fallen from shock, “Mornin’, sis!” She chirped, “Ah thought Ah’d do a li’l somethin’ for the family, since y’know ya’ll have a lot ta do today. Ah wish Ah could help but school’s in the way and-“

Applejack held her hoof up, silencing her sister but a reason was soon supplied, “We appreciate the help Apple Bloom, but don’t you worry ‘bout us. Y’know ya don’t have ta make us proud by doing extra jobs. Whatever you’re doing now is plenty enough. See you’ve finished, why don’t you go up and grab your school supplies?”

Apple Bloom gave a slight nod as she set the final stacks of fluffy pastries onto nearby trays. Applejack observed her not-so-little sister as she moved elegantly across the kitchen. Her height was much shorter than it was a couple of years ago. Unclipping the apron, her full stature came to view – her hind legs also seeing development as well as the rest of her body. She’s still as cute as a button, Applejack thought to herself.

As her canary-yellow sister trotted up the wooden floorboards, Applejack ruffled her mane a little bit until she was let go. Upon Apple Bloom climbing the steps, a half-lidded Big Mcintosh was roaming down the stairs. His hooves allowed him to find a chair as his nose was radiated by the sweet aroma of the pancakes.

“We better eat up before we head onto the farm,” Applejack stated, passing a plate of pastry. She carefully managed the jug and poured some of its contents into a new habitat.

“Apple Bloom’s grown so much, hasn’t she, Big Mac?” The stallion gave an agreeing sound as his muzzle dug into his food. Gripping his mug with both hooves, he downed the amber beverage, smacking his lips before a heavenly exhale escaped him. Proceeding to the sink, he flipped a switch as cool water flushed out of the nozzle and onto the somewhat dirty dishes. Applejack proceeded to sip lightly as to savour the drink as her ears flicked to eager hooves cantering down the stairs. A full saddlebag with a small apple trinket for its lock was equipped on her sister, looking ready to face the world. She looked just too formal though.

“Well, Ah see ya’ll by sundown,” Apple Bloom rushed towards the door until her sister’s gestures halted her movement.

A nervous look came on her face as trickling beads sped down from her bright mane and into her even brighter coat. Apple Bloom braced for the nerve-racking question, Why’s yer mane like that? Goin’ ta meet somepony special?

“Why are ya in a rush, sugarcube?” Applejack started, “The sun’s barely up. Have ya even had yer mornin’ meal? Ya know how Ah feel when you haven’t had enough energy for the day.”

Apple Bloom laughed half-heartedly, “Ah don’t think Ah’ve told ya this but a last-minute group project was assigned to us and my group wants it done before then – y’know to lighten the load until exams come in. Besides, Ah’ve already eaten – packed extra.” She gave a pleasant smile before Applejack let her sister trot off into the horizon.

Looking over the apple field, the trees were blooming with juicy, red ornaments as it signalled the brother and sister duo to begin the day. Both stared out onto the orchard, impending the excruciating work that was to come.

A cold breeze sept up her Stetson as her brother caught it in his jaw, locking until it reached Applejack’s bare head for release. As they tracked their path to the barn, a sudden noise echoed ominously from the barn. The crunches of grass had ceased and its sounds were more pronounced. Recapping yesterday, the two had placed the apple wagon inside the barn before heading inside for the night.

Somepony tryin’ ta steal our stuff? Applejack thought as she was about to creep on but her walking stopped by a hoof.

Big Mcintosh shook his head, using gestures to remain her sister in a safer environment, outside, to see who was in the barn. Peering their heads from the outer green, Big Mcintosh carefully crouched inside, gazing at every corner to triangulate the grunts and groans. The siblings had heard this sound before, but Applejack definitely pinpointed the voice to be someone she knew wholeheartedly.

As the red stallion pushed through bales of hay, the sound of effort was just in front of him: a human attempting to pull a carriage about six times his weight, “Hey, Brother Mac, little help here?”

Big Mcintosh chuckled to himself as he hefted Paul out of the vicinity as his clicked on the strap and shoved through all obstacles, excluding the fragile human. Once the wagon was exposed to the world, Paul followed suit as he was greeted formally by the siblings. Jokingly, Big Mac had told them about no ‘fooling around’ when harvesting the orchard so he didn’t do it alone. It was a week after Applejack’s intimate moment with her special creature, human thing and they haven’t felt closer since.

Paul had been sweating from pulling the wagon but Big Mcintosh hadn’t even breathed a heavy exhale, putting the human’s pitiful pain to shame. Applejack had found a couple of drops fall to the grass on Paul’s worn out body and reminded him of his next shift at Pinkie’s occupation.

“Don’t worry, Applejack, it may be a rough day because I’ll be working at Sugar Cube Corner, but I’ll be fine. Nothing will stand in my way!” Paul shot a courageous stance before being booped on his flat stomach by the mare’s hoof, slamming to the ground. She was swift to wink as she trotted to her brother who was already bucking down trees.

* * * * *

However, something major stood in the way of him being himself anymore.

“Sister?” Her voice, calm and subtle, projected through the halls of her castle. Golden jewels flowed with the noise.

Her warm light dawned with its comfort, chasing away most of the chilly presence in the hallway. The tiles were soothed by the glow, shining once more in the morning shine. The princess’s cautious eyes peered through each room, in hope to find her sibling as her face contorted with tense brows and a sad frown. As the rays flew passed each door, there was one that stood tall and cracked moonlight that bypassed the yellow, natural curtains.

Luna?, the celestial princess enquired as her horn creaked the door as it gradually revealed a pony inside.

Unknown clicks were rapidly being disturbed and indistinct grunts of effort snarled in the cascading room of darkness. Light soon followed to uncover the pony – or rather, a royal guard without his armour as he slammed his controller onto the ground as he muttered angry slurs at the broken object. Somehow, he failed to notice the door open as Princess Celestia reared it closed. She held a poker face before reaching yet another room of the same design – only with a midnight glow radiating inside. It was right next to the room she had just been.

Now, that’s Luna, she thought in hopes of it actually being her biological sister. Sparkling waves of auras flash through the room as Princess Celestia assumed she was working diligently on Paul’s situation. She was half right and half wrong.

Princess Celestia had her eyelids half closed as she had busted her sister in playing video games in the corner. The princess of the night had her research in one corner and another, a gaming console that showed expert skills in strategy and battle. A blanket of a starry night design covered her back as her horn illuminated above everything else.

“Luna?” Princess Celestia sounded annoyed at her paused progress. The midnight sister turned groggily as a pause menu displayed on the screen.

“It is not a fault of mine, sister. Technology and boisterous advertisements urged me to purchase such a device of fun.” Princess Luna whispered the last two words before, wiping her eyes and returned to her work station – a messy desk, several screens with many distinct details on each.

Princess Celestia analysed the situation, placing her attention on a column with a percentage displayed, sixty-eight percent. She had a look of uncertainty and concern.

Gazing at another monitor, there were tabs of dates, all during the evening and having Paul’s name in each. Reviewing one of many, Princess Celestia scanned as it revealed little information needed to slow Paul’s condition. A sudden flame of green appeared in front of the princess as a scroll of parchment came with recognisable writing.

“Another report from Twilight, I presume,” Princess Luna stated, never averting her sight from the constant moving of monitors.

Princess Celestia focussed on the letter, unravelling it to unfold its secrets:

Dear Princess Celestia,

As you have requested, I have selected a pony to be accompanying our subject, Paul Sevens, for the next three hours. The pony in question is Lyra Heartstrings and has decided to do active sports such as Hoofball, Archery, Sprints and Courses. A report from her will be documented below in detail.

-

Lyra Heartstrings’ Report

I know how essential this is for your research so every single description will be displayed. To begin, I was with several other ponies to have a match of Hoofball, Courses and Sprints while Archery was in a private practice. The importance of Paul being away from other ponies was clear in my instructions of play as I placed him in the furthest row (in Sprints/Courses) and requested for Pure Hoofball (no magic). There is also information about his diet throughout the day. Hopefully this will assist you.

Princess Celestia read through the entire notice, finding exemplary and crucial information throughout the whole document. She kept a mental note to have Lyra Heartstrings as a regular for Paul’s surveillance.

Princess Luna had addressed the note in her magical grasp, asking of its contents. Snatching its presence with her own powers, Princess Celestia sought refuge for more information on her sister’s monitors as the large column bar continued to bounce in a single spot. Gradually, it would flow down then back to the point of it actually being irritating since no progress was being made. Both princesses were thankful for that.

Aligning a pin, she clamped the letter into a notice board that was positioned next to the column monitor. Princess Celestia scratched her mind thoroughly, searching through endless possibilities of what could be causing the rising meter. She made faces only stressed examinations could give, sweat sneaking down her head swiftly.

“So it is a magical presence!” She eagerly shouted, attempting to keep her quiet voice, “We need to inform him immediately.” As Princess Celestia neared the door, her sister had shut it closed.

“No,” Princess Luna started, “We must know how to tell Sevens. He should be isolated, away from other ponies that could potentially hear. We must keep this knowledge to ourselves until we are prepared for the worst. We don’t want ponies in chaos and discord once rumours spread.”

A knock on the door frightened the two sisters, a familiar hyper voice had requested entry yet it remained low and dim. Princess Celestia gestured, having all the monitors to close but still retaining their information. The blue alicorn called out, the door creaked to an enlightened room. The sun peeked through as it revealed the two sisters arranging a few pieces of furniture.

Ball Point, the newspaper scribe from chapter eight, ambled into the room as he watched his majesties work on fixing the room as he made occasional glances to the game Princess Luna hadn’t switched off. Ball Point lost his concentration and was dazed for a couple of moments, hypnotised by the busy bunch.

Princess Luna tilted her head as she noticed Ball Point’s lack of emotion, which was strange since he was always joyful and frenetic. His behaviour was cold as though it ceased Celestia’s rays from piercing through his figure. Calling out once more, Ball Point’s eyes lit up, looking around as though he was in a trance. Princess Luna asked about his presence.

“Oh, uh, apologies princess,” His old self returned, “I heard something about Sevens. Do you mean to talk about Paul Sevens? I hope nothing bad has happened to him. Would be horrible for the papers, know what I mean?”

A shocked Princess Luna stared wide-eyed at her sister. They gazed back at Ball Point, still flamboyant as ever, Sevens must leave, Princess Luna thought.

Author's Note

It's been a while, and no I haven't given up on any of my works. And I've said the following statement for it to sound like I'm lying. I have been busy, honest and I'm really sorry for this long hiatus. There have just been more important things I have to get done.

-MrUser