Two thousand years ago humans and ponies lived in peace. The land of Avalon was pure and rich with life, humans built a great kingdom within the mountains of Othrys. They claimed the Goddess Lucy watched over the lands and protected the kingdom of Avalon. It is said this mountain was the birthplace of humans and where humans were given magic.

Humans lived happily within their kingdom when one day the ponies of Equestria declared war.

With the war, sides were taken, the griffins allied with the humans and aided them while the dragons allied with the ponies. The hippogriffs remained neutral in the war and keeping to themselves.

After three long years of war the griffin army changed alliances and betrayed the humans. With one final push from the new alliance the humans were defeated within a month and their stronghold was brought to its knees.

With the defeat of the humans they were forced into slavery. Those who had magical powers were forced to wear magical devices to suppress their magic powers.

Avalon was left in ruins as the centuries went by.

Two thousand years later with King Solar Heart ruling over Equestria with an iron fist over the humans. King Solar Heart's daughters, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were being taught in the ways of ruling Equestria. Celestia and Luna were not happy with how their world was being ran. Humans being forced to work to death to build their roads and houses and plow their fields and pick their crops. To them it wasn’t right, their studies they hated.

However Celestia was given a chance to teach a student named Twilight Sparkle in magical studies. This allowed Celestia to try and have a student understand human ways.

Luna took another course. She formed the night children which helped the humans be freed from their chains.

Yet our story shall focus on a young man named Matthew, born into slavery and forced to wear a magical collar around his wrist. His story will connect with a young mare whose farm will be one that will start the true freedom of humans.

This is where our story begins ladies and gentlemen.

Chapter 1. Apple Family Reunion.

An elderly pony walked through the busy streets of Canterlot. The ponies around her were being escorted by their human slaves carrying their things around.

However this elderly mare walked alone in the streets. She carried her own bags and felt no need to have others carry her things.

She found herself standing at her door, she opened the door to her home and saw the young man Matthew standing by the living room doorway “Matthew, is everything alright?” She asked shutting the door and walking over to Matthew.

“Ah see ya finally home Sawdust.” An elderly mare said walking from the living room and towards the two.

“Granny Smith, what brings you to my neck of the woods?” Sawdust asked hugging her old friend.

“Ah came to personally invite ya to the Apple Family Reunion.” Granny Smith said “Ah always sends ya an invite but ya never show up.”

“I always send my reasons Granny.” Sawdust said.

“Well this time ya comin’, Ah have everythin’ set for ya ta come join us.” Granny said “Matthew here has already packed everythin’ you both will need.”

Sawdust looked at Matthew who looked away “It’s alright Matthew, Granny is a stubborn old girl, she would have done it herself if you didn’t do it.” Sawdust said chuckling “I take it you already have train tickets ready?”

“Ah do indeed.” Granny Smith said with a smile.

“Alright, I guess I can’t fight you on this.” Sawdust said chuckling.

After getting a taxi wagon and loading up their luggage they left for the train station.

They arrived at the train station and made their way inside.

“Alright Matthew, I know the train car for humans is nasty but it’s only for four hours, just remember what I told you about finding a happy place and time will fly and we will be there soon enough.” Sawdust said.

Matthew gave her a smile and went with the other humans to be put into the train car.

“Never thought you would buy a slave Sawdust.” Granny Smith said.

“My kids bought him to keep an eye on me and to help me out, I fought them on it till I meet him.” Sawdust said looking at Granny Smith “I sensed such pain in this boy’s life, I know there are many out there just like him, yet, his light in his heart was telling me he needed a break from this cruel world.”

“Ya always had a good heart Sawdust, ah can’t be mad at you for that.” Granny Smith said as they boarded the train.

The two mares were catching up on lost times “So, how has the Apple Family been?” Sawdust asked.

“The Apple family have been doin’ great, however, Braeburn has started putting his hands into the slave business, most of the family is up in arms about it while others just don’t care.” Granny Smith said a bit mad.

“There’s been a big call for slaves these days, some big project going on in the west.” Sawdust said “I’ve seen humans who are owned by ponies in Canterlot being bought by business ponies for something big.”

“I’ve been seeing the same thing in Ponyville.” Granny said “This Matthew fella, how long have ya had him?”

“About a year now.” Sawdust said “I’ve been teaching him how to read and write.”

“Ya know you could go ta jail for that.” Granny said.

“Would rather rot in a jail cell then deny him his right to read and write.” Sawdust said.

“You claim Ah’m stubborn.” Granny chuckled “My granddaughter Applejack isn’t gonna be happy that Ah’m bringin’ ya back with a slave as well, but Ah think she can get over it.” Granny said.

“Your granddaughter has every right to be angry, what we do to these poor humans isn’t right.”

“Ah know dear, it’s up to the children of today to make a change, for better or for worse.”

Applejack sat on a bench with her good friend Rainbow Dash. The two were waiting for Granny Smith to return with her mystery guest.

“I still don’t see why we have to wait for her, she can get back to the farm without us.” Dash said annoyed.

“Ah ain’t gonna let them walk back to the farm with all their luggage.” Applejack said “Ah also wanna see who this pony is.”

“Whatever, I’m gonna go get something to eat.” Dash said getting up “Want anything?”

“Ah’m good Dashie.” Applejack said “Just be back before they get here.”

“Will do!” With that Dash flew off into the sky to go get some food.

Applejack relaxed on the bench as she waited for the train. She wondered who this mystery guest of Granny was, Granny had a lot of secrets she hadn’t told her family and this was one secret they would soon find out about. Every single family reunion she would mail off an invite to her secret friend. For years she tried to find out who this friend was and now she shall see who it is once and for all.

Applejack pulled her hat down in front of her eyes and she decided to take a nap.

Matthew looked at his fellow humans in the train car. Each one wearing torn clothes and looked as if they had been working in the mines under Canterlot.

He felt the train starting to slow down “I guess we are here.” Matthew thought.

The train came to a halt and the train cars door opened up and saw three pony guards “Alright, everyone off the cart now!” A stallion yelled.

The humans got to their feets and made their way to the guards as they were being unloaded from the car.

Matthew remained calmed as he followed the other humans off the train “Check their wrists for their owners I.D’s.” A stallion said as the guards check the humans wrists.

Matthew felt his arm get yanked up by a guard pony as they checked the band on his wrist “Owner is Sawdust sir.”

“Put him in the waiting area so she can get him.” One guard pony said.

Matthew was taken from the rest of the ponies and put inside the building. He stood with two other humans, one was a small female and the other was a very tall man.

Matthew notices the many ponies walking around the train station. He notices a mare sound asleep on a bench with her hat covering her face. That's when he notices Sawdust and Granny Smith walking into the station “Matthew, I hope they weren’t too rough with you.” Sawdust said walking over to Matthew.

“I’m fine Sawdust.” Matthew said as he followed Sawdust.

“Alright, it’s just about a half hour walk ta the farm.” Granny Smith said “Ah can carry some of the luggage.”

“I can carry everything Ma’am.” Matthew said already getting the luggage.

“Ya a guest stayin’ at mah farm, ya can take it easy.” Granny Smith said.

“I’m afraid Granny, Matthew won’t budge on that one.” Sawdust said sighing “This is why I keep him at home when I go out shopping.”

“If ya get tired let me know.” Granny said as they walked out of the train station.

Matthew followed the two mares out of the train station and through Ponyville.

A stallion with jet black hair with light blue eyes was sitting in a chair with a cigar in his hands.

“Now Mr Braeburn, this town you speak of in the south, why should I invest in such a place?” The stallion asked.

“This town, Appleloosa will be the greatest place ta grow apples and ta have slaves work.” Braeburn said “Ah’ve already got slaves ready ta work on the train line to this town.”

“Again, why should I invest?” The Stallion said again.

“Ah’ve got three ponies ready ta invest, they want ya ta back the funding as well.” He said “If ya invest Ah can double the money.”

The stallion looked at Braeburn and chuckled “I’m one of the richest ponies in all of Equestria, I do not need my money doubled when I’m already making billions on my railroad.”

“Sir Ah can only offer you stocks to my company.” Braeburn said.

The stallion stood and made his way over to the map of Equestria “These lands haven’t been touched for over a hundred years.” The stallion said “I will fund this town Mr Braeburn, but I want regular reports, my railroad will help in anyway they can, but I will be putting my best stallion on this job, he's the toughes son of a bitch I’ve ever met.”

“You're not talkin’ about former general Iron Hoofs?”

“The very stallion, he has been getting the job done faster than anypony I’ve hired.” The stallion walked back over towards Braeburn “I can have everything ready for you in a week or two.”

“Why a week sir?” Braeburn asked.

“Right now most of my team is in the north finishing up the railroad to the Crystal Empire, ever since it’s returned my railroad bought the rights to get our rails up there.” The stallion took a seat in his chair “If this is an issue I can back out right now.”

“N-No! It’s fine, Ah have a family reunion Ah have ta go to, that should take me about a week or two.” Braeburn said.

“Leave my secretary your address so I can send you the paperwork.” The stallion said.

“Thank you Filthy Rich, I promise you, this town will be the first of many.” Braeburn said leaving Filthy Rich alone in his room.

“Once I’ve reached the south, I will then focus my sights on those mountains and break through it and see what is on the other side.” Filthy Rich said smiling.

Matthew was in awe as they reached Sweet Apple Acres. The many fields of apple trees, each one of them already filled with apples. The first thing that came to Matthew’s mind was painting this farm and the land around it.

“Since ya the first two ta arrive, Matthew can have his own room on the second floor of the guest house.” Granny Smith said “Let’s get ya both setup and we can get dinner goin’.”

Matthew followed Granny Smith towards their guest house.

Dash landed just outside of the train station. She notices the train pulling out of the station causing her to quickly rush inside. She saw Applejack sound asleep on the bench she left her on and quickly rushed over to her “Applejack! You fell asleep!”

Applejack’s eyes shot open and she sat up “D-Did we miss them?”

“I think they might have headed home.” Dash said.

“Dang it!” Applejack got onto her feet “Let’s get to the horses and head back home.”

“I think I’m gonna head home, I’ll catch you later Aj.” Dash said leaving Applejack.

Applejack made her way out of the train station and towards the wagon.

Sawdust saw Matthew standing near the bed in his room “Did you bring your paint kit?” Sawdust asked stepping into his room.

“No, I only packed my sketchbook.” Matthew said “I didn’t know if I would be able to paint here.”

“You could have brought it, the Apple family is one of kindness and wouldn’t deny you something you like.” She said “If you want to get a paint set I’ll ask Granny if there is any place that sells them.”

“I’m fine with my sketchbook Sawdust.” Matthew said looking at her “It’s all I really need for now.”

“If you change your mind just let me know.” Sawdust said “I’m gonna go visit Granny for a bit, you can explore the farm if you want.”

“I think I’ll just remain in my room for now Sawdust.” He said looking back at his sketchbook “I wanted to draw a few things.”

“Alright.” Sawdust closed Matthew door leaving him alone in his room.

Sawdust looked at the room “Hopefully he can relax.” She thought as she walked down the stairs and headed outside.

She notices Granny Smith outside talking with a mare with long blond hair and emerald green eyes, that’s when she saw Granny start laughing as the mare glared at her “Ah got tired of waitin’ thought it would be fine ta take a nap!” She huffed.

“Ah wish Ah saw ya, then poor Matthew wouldn’t have ta carry their luggage.” Granny said calming down from her laughter “But ya fell asleep so no harm done.”

“Who’s Matthew?” The mare asked.

“Matthew is my slave.” The two looked at Sawdust who came walking up “He carried our things here so we wouldn’t have too. He’s stubborn when it comes to that.” Sawdust said chuckling.

The mare shot her eyes at Granny “Ya let her bring a human slave to our farm!?” She nearly yelled.

“I wouldn’t leave him alone with my children.” Sawdust said “My kids wouldn’t treat him with the respect he rightfully deserves.” The mare looked back at Sawdust “I know how your family looks down at people who own slaves, Matthew isn’t a slave to me, he is a person with rights and I have been giving him everything he needs.”

“Applejack, why don’t ya find your sister and tell her to get ready for dinner. More of our family should be showin’ up soon.” Granny said looking at her.

“Alright.” Applejack said walking away leaving the two old mares alone.

“Ah’m sorry about her.” Granny said.

“It’s fine, I was expecting she would be a bit harsh.” Sawdust said watching Applejack walk away.

“How’s Matthew doin’?” Granny asked.

“He’s up in his room sketching, I think he saw something on the way here he wanted to draw.” Sawdust said chuckling.

“He’s an artist?” Granny asked surprised.

“Natural skills, he’s really good.” Sawdust said “I saw him doodling when I first got him on a napkin and that’s when I bought him everything he needs.”

“Well Ah’m glad he’s doin’ somethin’ ta pass the time.” Granny said “If Ah remember right, ya make the best spaghetti.”

Sawdust chuckled “If that’s your way of asking me to make it, next time just ask.”

Matthew placed his sketchbook down on the bed as she stretched “Maybe I should see if Sawdust need anything.” He thought as he looked at the sun slowly starting to set. He decided to head out and check on Sawdust.

He walked out of the guest house and notices a group of ponies walking towards the farm.

“Oh a human!” A stallion with jet black hair with light blue eyes said walking up to him and handing him bags “Why don’t you take these to the guest house and be quick about it, we will have more waiting for you.” The stallion said.

Matthew was about to do as he was told when Applejack came walking up “Ya can put those down.” She said looking at the stallion “This human is a guest here on my farm, ya won’t treat him like a slave Braeburn, he’ll be free ta do whatever he feels like doin’.” She said.

“So you bought a human just so you can let him roam free on this farm? He could be doing other things to better our country.” Braeburn said looking at Matthew with a grin that made Matthew want to run.

“Ah didn’t buy him, he belongs to a guest stayin’ here.” Applejack said looking back at Matthew who was still holding the bags that Braeburn handed him. Applejack took the bags from Matthew and handed them back to Braeburn “Ah already have a room setup for ya in the barn tanight.”

“What about my room in the guest house?” Braeburn asked shocked.

“With our two new guest stayin’ they needed two rooms, sadly we had to give away your room.” Applejack said grinning.

Braeburn glared at his cousin and walked away while the other family members were smiling.

“I-I d-don’t mind carrying his things.” Matthew said looking at Applejack.

“You are a guest on my farm, ya don’t have to be treated like a slave here.” Applejack said with a smile “If ya lookin’ for Sawdust she’s in the house with Granny cookin’.”

“T-Thank.” Matthew said walking away.

Braeburn slammed his things into the empty horse stall and slammed his fist onto the side of the stall “I bet that human is staying in the room I should be staying it!” Braeburn glared at the wall. Then a wicked idea formed in his mind and he smiled.

To Be Continued.

Author's Note

I hope you all enjoy the first chapter!