Chapter 2.

Applejack watched as Matthew helped Granny and Sawdust cook. Applejack's mind wandered to his right eye, it was a dark black with a red line around it, while his other eye was a dark brown. She’s never seen one with a eye like that. She then notices the bracelet on his right wrist. She knew what the bracelet was meant to keep humans who have magic powers from turning on their masters.

There came a knock at the door and Applejack made her way to the door, she opened the door and saw her good friend Twilight Sparkle “Hey Twi, what brings ya by?”

“I brought that book you requested.” Twilight said pulling out a book from her bag “Read it tonight, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.”

Applejack took the book “I shall read it tonight, thank you Twilight.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow Applejack, have a good night.” Twilight said leaving.

Matthew notices how the two were acting and found it strange. He looked back at Sawdust and Granny when he heard a new voice “Granny! Ah can’t find my history book for scho-” Matthew looked to see a filly with long red hair and bright colorful eyes. Her eyes were stuck on him and he found it weird.

“Apple Bloom, Ah put ya book in with the other school books ya leave around the house.” Granny said walking up to her “Ah want ya ta meet my guests, this is Sawdust and Matthew.”

Apple Bloom leaned forwards and whispered to Granny Smith “Why is there a human here?”

“He’s a guest Apple Bloom, he’s free here.” Granny said “If ya want talk with him, Sawdust says he’s a shy one so he might open up to ya.”

Apple Bloom looked at Matthew then back to Granny Smith “Alright, but first ah need ta hurry and get my school work done.”

“Run along and get it done, dinner should be done soon.” Granny said walking back to her friend Sawdust.

Applejack took a seat next to Matthew “So, what do ya like ta do?” Applejack asked.

Matthew looked at Sawdust “It’s alright Matt, you can tell her about your art.”

“Ya draw?” Applejack asked looking at him.

“Y-Yeah.” Matthew said stuttering.

“He won’t brag about it but he’s got a gift, can pretty much draw anything from memory.” Sawdust said with a smile “I think he would outdo Celestia herself.”

“I-I wouldn’t go that far.” Matthew said “S-She has much more talent then me.”

“You’ll have ta show me your work sometime.” Applejack said.

Dinner was soon served and everyone sat down to eat.

Dinner was a bit awkward as Braeburn just kept glaring at Applejack. Matthew felt awkward just sitting at a table full of ponies.

Once dinner was done most ponies spent their time chatting while others called it a night and headed off to bed. Sawdust made her way back to the guest house for the night and Matthew followed.

Braeburn however just stayed near the barn watching Applejack finish some late night work.

Big Mac however was watching Braeburn, he felt something wasn’t right about his cousin. After his time in the big city Braeburn changed from the loving guy he was to this slave owner making most of the family angry.

Matthew took a seat down on his bed and looked at his sketchbook and flipped through the few pages and stopped on the mare with her hat on her face as she napped “That’s why she looked familiar.” Matthew thought as he realized he drew Applejack sound asleep at the train station.

He tore the page from his sketchbook and made his way out of his room and made his way down the stairs and outside. He saw Applejack close by near a pen with some horses as she placed some hay bales inside the fence to feed the horses.

“Oh Matthew! What brings ya outside this late?” Applejack asked.

“I-I didn’t know this was you at the time but I drew you back at the train station earlier today.” Matthew said “I-I hope you like it.”

Applejack looked at the picture and was amazed at how detailed it was. She could even see the straw that was in her hat at the time “This is amazing Matthew, Sawdust wasn’t lying when she said you are talented with a pen.”

“T-Thank you.” Matthew said with a smile “Do you need some help?” He asked.

“No, I’ve got this Matthew. Thank you anyways.” Applejack said placing the picture neatly in her pocket “Why don’t you get some rest, the rest of the family will be here tomorrow and there will be a lot going on.”

“If you say so, I don’t mind helping out, used to always do farm work before being sold to Sawdust.” He said looking at the horses and giving them a smile.

“So you used to work on a farm?” She asked as Matthew pet one of the horses.

“Yeah, worked on a few before ending up with Sawdust. I loved working with the animals, they were soft and they always followed me wherever I went.” He chuckled at the memory of the goats and chickens following him.

“Were your former owners nice to you too?” She asked keeping her eyes on Matthew. However the moment she asked the question she could see pain in his eyes.

“T-They were something else.” Was all he said “I-If you don’t need anything I’ll get some sleep.”

“I-I’m sorry if my questions brought up some bad things in ya past. Ah didn’t mean that.” She said feeling bad.

“I-It’s fine, no worries.” He said trying to give her a light smile “Goodnight Miss Applejack.”

“Goodnight Matthew.”

Matthew made his way back to the guest house and back to his room. He looked out his window into the night sky and saw the moon shining bright into his room and he couldn’t help but smile as he got ready for bed.

Applejack snuck away from her farm as she made her way deep into the Everfree Forest. She stayed on the path and kept quiet as she made her way towards ruins of an old castle. She made her way inside the ruins and found a room full of old books.

“You finally made it! ” Twilight said stepping out from behind a bookshelf.

“Sorry it took me so long, had to do some last minute chores.” Applejack said taking a seat at the table “Where’s everyone else?”

“They should be here shortly.” Twilight said taking a seat “So how’s the family reunion going?”

“Well Ah got to meet Granny Smith’s friend finally.” Applejack said “And she brought a human slave here.”

“She brought a human to your farm? Do we need to sneak him out?” Twilight asked.

“From what I can tell he’s in good hands, she lets him draw from what I’ve seen.” Applejack said pulling out the drawing Matthew made.

Twilight looked at the picture and was amazed “Wow, he’s talented. He drew this?”

“Sawdust claims he had no training.” Applejack said.

“Did you say Sawdust!?” Twilight quickly jumped over towards Applejack making Applejack nearly fall backwards in her chair.

“Y-Yeah.” Applejack said puzzled.

“The Sawdust is staying with you! And she has a human!? There are so many questions!” Twilight was in Twilight mode rambling on about how could Sawdust own a human.

“Why are ya gettin’ so worked up?”

“Sawdust was a former undefeated chess master! She also has a record for breaking humans out of a train car and declaring war on the king.” Twilight said “Why she owns a human is something that doesn’t add up.”

“Granny says her kids bought him for her. That’s really all granny would tell me.”

Movement interrupted the two talking as two hooded figures walked into the room “I don’t understand why we need to wear these stupid robes when coming here.”

“I like wearing these robes Dashie! I feel super secret when wearing them!” One of the hooded figures said bouncing around.

“We don’t need anyone knowing what we are doing.” A hooded figure said walking out from behind a wall and stepping forwards “The elements of harmony must be kept neutral.” The hooded figure removed their hood revealing a young woman with brilliant amaranth hair with light apple green stripes vivid crimson with brilliant yellow stripes in her hair. She let out a smile as she took a seat “Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Applejack, I’m so glad you three could make it.”

“Where are Rarity and Fluttershy?” Dash asked.

“Rarity and Fluttershy are taking a trip to Manehattan to help Sunset’s people out.” Twilight said “Which only leaves us.”

“Luna gave me a mission however I cannot accept it right now, I have to make a trip to Saddle Arabia to speak with our allies there. So this mission I must pass on to you four, to the east is the Smokey Mountains, their is where humans once ruled. I need you four to go there and find their history.”

“If I remember right King Flare burned and smashed any written text made by the humans.” Twilight said.

“True however there was a vault that the king could never enter and so it was sealed off. If you four can figure out how to get inside we can get their lost knowledge.” Sunset spoke.

“I’m in!” Pinkie Pie said with a smile.

“I can’t go, I’ve got wonderbolt training all this week.” Dash said.

“Ah can’t go.” Applejack said “My family reunion is goin’ on and Ah gotta take care of everything.”

“Can’t Big Mac handle everything?” Pinkie Pie asked.

“No, he’ll goof off with Braeburn, whenever those two are left alone they are always getting into trouble.” Applejack sighed.

“With Dash and Applejack not being able to go I can spare two of my own to take their place.” Sunset said.

“Is that it?” Applejack asked.

“Since you're staying Applejack and Dash, could you take care of the library while I’m gone?” Twilight asked.

“Who even goes to the library anymore?” Rainbow Dash said crossing her arms.

“Ah still go.” Applejack said “Ah can keep an eye on the place while ya gone Twi.”

“Thanks Aj.” Twilight said.

“Well if that is it I’m off.” Dash said getting up “I have to be up bright and early for training.”

“Goodnight Dash.” The group said as she left.

“I’m gonna go pack! I’m so excited!” Pinkie said bouncing out of the castle.

“Before you go Applejack I couldn’t help over hear you talking about Sawdust and her owning a human.” Sunset said “Is he happy?”

“He seems to be happy, ah trust Granny on her friend’s choice.” Applejack said “He did draw me this.” She pulled out the piece of paper that Matthew had given her and handed it to Sunset.

Sunset looked at it with awe. The human’s she had in her care had many talents yet this human living with Sawdust had skills that only ponies had in the ways of art “He’s got talent.” He looked at Applejack “Keep an eye on him while he’s on your farm, if he is unhappy report it to us and we’ll get him out. However I have a feeling we won’t but just to be safe follow the protocol.”

“Ah will.” Applejack said as Sunset handed her back the picture and she left Twilight and Sunset alone.

“I better get going, gonna need to tell Spike we’re going on a trip!” Twilight was excited about her trip. Getting to see and learn more about what humans made excited her.

Celestia walked through the castle as she was getting ready to raised the sun and start the day. Every morning she walked these halls, each day she watched the human slaves working day after day without pay. It sickened her to see these humans used as tools.

She stopped in front of a wooden door and slowly opened the door to see a woman with long blue hair with stars in her hair “Mother? How are you feeling?”

“Hello sweetie.” She looked towards Celestia and smiled “I’m feeling fine sweetie, It’s just a cold I have.”

“I know I just wanna make sure you're alright.” Celestia said walking up to her mother and giving her a hug.

“I know sweetie, you have a good heart like me, you and Luna both spoil me too much.” She said chuckling.

Celestia chuckled “Ready to see the sun rise?”

“I am indeed ready to see the sun rise.”

Celestia’s horn began to glow and her eyes began to glow yellow as the sun slowly made its way up and like that the sun was up for a new day.

“Every time I see you raise the sun just shows me how strong you’ve become.”

“I’m not as strong as I want to be.” Celestia said sighing.

“You are much stronger than your father.” She said placing her hand on Celestia’s shoulders “You and Luna have become so much stronger then we were at your age.”

“You're still stronger than me and Luna, mother.”

“You are stronger than you think.” She said giving her daughter a hug “You will make a great Queen.”

“Not if father picks the wrong husband for me.” Celestia said sighing “Then I’ll just be held against my will.”

“Your father hasn’t found the right guy he wants, that is good news for you, he only has till the end of the year before he has to give you the throne.” She said.

A bell rung out making Celestia sigh “I gotta go mom, I’ll be back later for lunch.”

“Take your time dear, I’m not going anywhere.” She said with a smile as Celestia left leaving her alone.

She walked over towards her window and looked out at the humans in the garden doing their work “Your true king was taken from you, but maybe one day your king will return and free you all.” A tear ran down her cheek as she heard a baby crying.

Matthew yawned as she got up as the sun was starting to rise. He felt the sun’s rays and felt warm. With a quick shower and changing his clothes he made his way down the stairs and started making breakfast.

He pulled out some veggies and started chopping them up and then got a bowl and cracked some eggs and whipped them. Adding the veggies with the eggs he made sure the pan he had out was nice and heated up and poured the eggs onto the pan. The pan sizzled as the liquid hit the pan and started cooking the eggs and veggies.

“Cooking breakfast I see.” Sawdust said walking down the stairs slowly “Is that your famous omelets?”

“It is indeed with a bowl of oatmeal with a little honey in it for you.” Matthew said with a smile as he cooked.

There came a knock at the door “I’ll get it Matt, you keep cooking.” Sawdust said getting up and making her way towards the front door.
“Good morning Miss Sawdust! We haven’t fully met, my name is Braeburn and I have an off-” His words were cut off as the door shut in his face “That is just rude.” Braeburn said glaring at the door.

“Is everything alright Sawdust?” Matthew asked as he got plates ready.

“Everything is fine Matt, just an idiot knocking.” She said chuckling as she took a seat.

The door opened up making Sawdust angry “Listen I’m not one to just walk into a home but to talk with you face to face Sawdust, I want to make an offer on your human.”

“He ain’t for sale.” Sawdust said “Now if you could leave, we are trying to enjoy our breakfast.” She said annoyed.

“I won’t take much of your time Sawdust, you see I’m heading west on a big project and could use Matthew here by my side.” Braeburn said stepping forwards “I will pay whatever price you want.”

Sawdust placed her coffee down and looked at Matthew “Matt, what’s a good price?”

Matthew blinked and wondered what she meant then he remembered what she told him “I-I think all the money in the world will do.”

Braeburn blinked “W-What?”

“You heard him Braeburn, if you want him it will cost you all the money in the world.” Sawdust said “I doubt you have all the money in the world to buy him so he’ll be staying with me.”

“Come on there has to be a reasonable price for him.” Braeburn said.

“Like I said Mr Braeburn, he ain’t for sale.” Sawdust took a sip of her coffee “Now, please leave before I make you leave young man.”

“Now Braeburn Ah hope you aren’t bothering our guests now.” The three looked at the doorway to see Applejack standing in the doorway.

“I was just leaving cousin.” Braeburn said walking past her and outside.

“Sorry about him, hope he didn’t make you guys uncomfortable.” Applejacked asked walking fully in.

“It’s fine Applejack, just make sure he knows Matt here ain’t for sale.” Sawdust said.

“W-Would you like to join us for breakfast?” Matthew asked “It’s no bother to make another omelette and there is enough oatmeal.”

“Alright.” Applejack said taking a seat.

“Matt here is famous for his omelets.” Sawdust said with a smile.

“They aren’t that great Sawdust.” Matthew said smiling.

Applejack notices how his smile was real, she’s seen many humans give fake smiles and knew they were hurting yet Matthew’s was real.

“So what’s going on today?” Sawdust asked looking at Applejack.

“Gonna be settin’ up for the Apple fair tonight.” Applejack said.

“I-If you need any help I’m more than willing to help.” Matthew said placing a plate with omelettes in front of her.

“Ya don’t have ta worry Matt about helpin’, ya a guest here.” Applejack said as she took a bite of her omelette and her eyes widen.

“Told you he made the best omelettes.” Sawdust said grinning.

“Ya got talent Matt, ya can draw and cook, anythin’ else Ah should know?” Applejack said chuckling.

“M-My time on the farm with my old master I was taught how to fix and maintain things .” Matthew said as he took a seat to eat his meal.

“How many farms have you lived on?” Applejack asked.

“F-Four.” He said.

“Maybe you can help us out, I’ll pay you for ya help.” Applejack said.

“I-I couldn’t take your money.” Matthew said “B-But I’ll help with whatever you need.” He said giving her a smile which she felt was odd.

“Now Matt, you can accept payment, nothing wrong with saving your own money up for something you want.” Sawdust said “I know you’ve been keeping an eye on that art kit.”

“I’m happy with what I have Sawdust.” He said “W-We are staying in their home and it’s only right to help out.”

Sawdust sighed only to have Applejack speak up “You can still help us out but I’m gonna give you payment for your help, as you said, it’s only right.” She said making Matthew rub the back of his neck as he tried to think it over.

“A-Alright.” Matthew said agreeing with Applejack.

Once their meals were done Matthew quickly washed up the dishes and made sure things were tidied up before he left the house. The two walked outside and towards the barn, more of Applejack’s family showed up as Applejack gave everyone tasks they were going to be doing. Matt would be working with Applejack on going to build vender stalls to allow those wanting to sell baked goods and set up games.

It was around noon Applejack and Matthew decided to grab something to eat and get out of the heat. Granny Smith already had some lunch for the hungry group ready with the help of Apple Bloom. Applejack and Matthew found a spot near the trees where all the shade was.

The two talked about random things as they ate till a whipping sound rung out causing Matthew to jump to his feet so fast he knocked over his food off his lap causing Applejack to look at him in utter shock “A-Are ya alright?”

Again the whip crack kept Matthew from speaking and that’s when Applejack notices fear in his eyes. She quickly looked to see Big Mac goofing around with a whip and using it to knock over bottles “Big Mac! Stop what you're doing!” Applejack said as she quickly got to her feet and looked at Matthew who seemed to be frozen in time.

Big Mac looked at the person yelling at him and he notices Matthew frozen in place and Applejack trying to snap him out of his trance “What’s wrong with him?” Big Mac asked walking up to the two.

“A-Ah don’t know, ya cracked the whip and he’s frozen like this.” Applejack said getting worried “Go get Sawdust!”

Big Mac rushed to the guest house and grabbed Sawdust. Within moments Sawdust was by Matthew’s side “What happened?” She asked.

“Big Mac was crackin’ his whip and he just froze up.” Applejack said.

“I-I don’t know why he’s tensed like this.” Sawdust said worried.

Within Matthew’s mind.

Matthew pushed a small girl with blond hair out of the way as the whip cracked across his face cutting across his right eye causing him to fall to the ground as an angry pony came walking up to him and smacking him across the face and then tossing him to the side and cracking his whip on his back. Then another memory flashed of him a bit older standing chained to the wall with his face placed to the wall as he was being whipped. Another memory flashed to Matthew out in the rain as a whip cracked and dug deep into his back as rum was being poured onto his back causing more pain. More and more moments of his life with a whip was flashed before his eyes as he slowly broke out of his trance and notices a worried Sawdust and Applejack trying to snap him out of his trance “W-What happened?” Matthew asked coming out of his trance.

“You tell us, you were in some kind of trance after you heard a whip cracked.” Sawdust said.

“O-Oh, s-sorry just haven’t heard a whip in so long.” He said stuttering and trying to forget the memories he saw.

“Ya gonna be alright?” Applejack asked.

“Y-Yeah.” Matthew said nodding and trying to give a smile to the two to make them worry less.

Applejack could tell he was faking the smile and something about the whip caused him to go through something from his past “Why don’t you take it easy for a bit, I think the heat might be getting to you.” Applejack said.

“N-No I’m fine.” Matthew said. Big Mac snapped the whip causing Matthew to stiffen up a bit.

“Big Mac!” Applejack yelled at him.

“Ya not alright.” Big Mac said “Ya need ta rest for a bit.”

“I-I’m fine.” Matthew said stuttering.

Before anyone could say anything Caramel Apple came running up “Applejack! Apple Dumpling broke her arm and won’t be able to do the face paints and sketches!”

“How did she break her arm?” Applejack asked worried.

“She fell and broke her arm moving hay from the barn.” Caramel Apple said.

“We’ll need to find someone who can paint and sketch.” Applejack said sighing.

“I-I can do it.” Matthew said making them all look at him.

“You can sketch and paint?” Caramel Apple asked.
“Yeah he can.” Applejack said “Ah’ll let ya do it but you need to go rest for bit.”

“A-Alright.” Matthew said. Sawdust took Matthew back to the guest house leaving the three alone.

“Hide the whips and make sure they ain’t anywhere in sight.” Applejack said to Big Mac who nodded.

“Why are we hiding the whips?” Caramel Apple asked.

“Just a hunch.” Applejack said walking past her leaving her to sit there still wondering what happened.

Applejack made her way into the guest house and saw Matthew sitting in a chair drinking a glass of water “Mind if ah talk with ya for a moment?” Applejack asked as she took a seat in front of him.

“I-If it’s about what happened it’s nothing to worry about, I’m fine.” He said avoiding her eyes and keeping his head down making Applejack know something wasn’t right.

“You’ve been abused by a whip haven’t you?” She asked keeping her eyes on him.

“It’s alright Matt, you don’t have to worry about us not understanding.” Sawdust said walking out of the back room with a cold rag and placed it on the back of his neck “I’ve seen your scars on your neck, I know they aren’t normal scars.”

Matthew felt the tears coming on as he looked up at the two mares “I-I’ve been whipped for most of my life.” He fought back the tears as he spoke “T-The scar on my right eye was my first encounter with a whip, after that I was beaten then whipped, the three farms I-I lived at I was beaten and whipped.” He said as he felt the tears run down his cheeks, he felt a lump in his throat as the memories he fought to keep out of his mind came flooding back again.

“It’s alright, ya safe from those monsters.” Applejack said placing her hand on his shoulder “Ah made sure the whips we use are locked up and kept out of reach.”

“Y-You d-didn’t have t-to do that.” Matthew said stuttering through the lump in his through.

“It brought back some bad memories and we don’t need that happenin’ now.” Applejack said trying to comfort him.

Sawdust placed her hand on his other shoulder “I wish you would have told me sooner Matthew, I would have made sure this didn’t happen.”

“I-I’m sorry, I-I thought I would be fine.” He said feeling guilty for not telling her.

“I know now and that’s all that matters.” Sawdust said giving him a hug “Alright, your gonna just take it easy for now once you’ve calmed down then you can finish helping the others.”

After a while Matthew calmed down and was back outside working with Applejack and the others helping get the fair up and ready for tonight.

A royal carriage made its way down the dirt path towards the apple farm as the sun was beginning to set.

To Be Continued.

Author's Note

Enjoy!