The morning light swept over the land of Equestria, and the sky was illuminated with bright orange colors. The sun’s light pierced through the windows of the Canterlot castle, brightening every room.

Carter awoke at what seemed to be the break of dawn. He sat up and rubbed his eyes as he let his body slowly get back into gear. He slowly got out of the bed and stretched out his limbs, hearing a couple snaps within his bones as he did so. He looked back at the bed and saw that he slept quite restlessly, as the covers and sheets were thrown about. He didn’t know if some maids would come in and clean it, but he went over and decided to make the bed to make it seem like there was at least some formality.

Carter finished with tidying up the bedroom and exited it through the door. He closed the door behind him and proceeded down the stairs and into the foyer. He was the only one there at the moment, which made him wonder if the other ponies were even awake. He figured - based on what Celestia told him - that if Twilight really was the one who raised and lowered the sun, then she’d be awake by now if the sun was already risen. He waited for about half an hour near a window, keeping himself occupied by looking off into the clouds. There were sounds of steps coming from the top of the staircase. He looked up to find Applejack and Twilight walking down the stairs while having a discussion with each other.

“What do ya think about Carter?” Applejack asked the lavender mare. Her words were too quiet for Carter to eavesdrop on their discussion.

“I enjoy his company, but I feel as though he is hiding something.” Twilight replied.

“What do ya mean?”

“I sense something inside him. I don’t know what it is about him, but I feel as though there is a dark side to him.”

“What?”

“I saw him looking at the stone formation encasing the Legion of Doom. He says that he heard voices coming from it, which I can believe, as some of my knights have reported the same.” Twilight stared down at the floor, almost feeling regret for saying those words.

“What’s so bad about that?” Applejack inquired.

“Those same knights went crazy, trying to free them out of their stone prison. I had no choice to banish them to Tartarus until they proved to be sane once more. None of them have done so, almost like they are cursed until the Legion of Doom is freed.” As Twilight continued talking, Applejack pieced together her words. The orange mare’s eyes widened in horror after realizing where the princess was leading her words.

“Yer worried that Carter will become that way, too. Or worse.” Applejack shuddered at the thought.

“It may be unlikely, but his backstory and everything leading up to this seems almost too pieced together to be merely coincidence.”

“What are ya going to do?”

“Keep an eye on him, Applejack. If he does anything that seems even slightly suspicious, then please report back to me. We can not allow their freedom. You know the destruction that they will bring if they are freed.”

“Good morning.” Carter said.

“Oh! Good morning, Carter.” Twilight replied. She put a wide smile on her face so as to not look suspicious.

“Didn’t expect ya of all ponies to be up so early.” Applejack said.

“It’s funny, really. I don’t remember being a naturally early waker at all.” Carter said. “I guess all my time in the military put that on me. Funny, too… feels like yesterday when I’d sleep in until noon.”

“Not that there's anything wrong with waking up early. I am the same way.” Twilight said. “Although I kinda have to, considering I raise the sun and all.” Carter shook his head at her words, still having trouble believing such a statement.

“Where are the others?” Carter asked.

“They should be coming down here pretty soon. I did tell them that I have a chariot outside for their return to Ponyville, right now.” Twilight said.

“I need to get back, ASAP. I have so many chores to do back on the farm. I doubt that Big Macintosh and Apple Bloom can do it all by themselves.” Applejack said.

“You seem like you are quite busy.” Carter said. “How long do you usually work?”

“It usually takes only a couple hours, which gives me plenty of free time in the later half of the day for other farm associated tasks. However, I have quite a load of work to do, today. If I’m at all lucky then I am sure that me and my family could get things done before nightfall.” Applejack stated.

“That much?” Carter wondered.

“But yeah… why do you ask?”

“Do you need any help?” Carter offered.

“Oh, you are too kind, Carter. There is no need, though. I am sure we can do it if we just put our hooves to work.” Applejack said.

“You sure? I’d be happy to help.” Carter said, insisting that he helped her with her chores. “Besides, I legitimately have nothing better to do. I’d rather be doing something productive than sitting at my house, staring at the walls.”

“Well fine, you’ve twisted my hoof. I guess I could use some help with my chores, anyway.” Applejack finally said.

“There you go, Applejack. Never turn down some good help with work. You only have the chance of getting something good out of it.” Carter said. “Coming from my experience, at least.”

The rest of the gang came flying down the stairs (Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash quite literally flying down) while Pinkie Pie just slid down the staircase rails. They met up with each other and proceeded to walk outside of the castle walls and towards the chariot that awaited to take them home. They got in and sat down.

“Thank you girls so much for coming.” Twilight said. “You too, Carter.”

“Pfft. I was ‘bouta say!” Carter replied sarcastically. The others laughed at his response.

“I’m sorry,” Twilight said, also laughing. “I am too used to having only girl friends.”

“Girlfriends!? Woah now, Twilight. That’s kind of messed up.” Carter said. Twilight snapped and reached inside the chariot, trying to playfully slap Carter’s leg. “Woah! Don’t do that, your grace. This isn’t what I planned at all!” She got a few slaps in, but nothing too much.

“Don’t ever talk like that to me ever again. I am the princess.” Twilight said, the light tone in her voice made the nearby guards know that she was just teasing, as they almost jumped Carter.

I think I just watched my life flash before me...

“Ok, ok. I’ll stop.” Carter said.

“Yes, do watch yourself, dear. She may look delicate from the surface, but she is a fighter within.” Rarity said.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Carter said, wiping the nervous sweat from his forehead. “Twilight, do tell Spike that I said goodbye.” The princess nodded to him, acknowledging his request.

With that, Twilight sent them off as she waived to the stallion to take them back. Her friends all said their goodbyes as they flew off towards Ponyville. The ride there was just like the last time; beautiful scenery, soft winds, and an overall fun experience. Carter looked over at Fluttershy, who was staring off into the distance while the others were having fun talking about girly stuff.

“Fluttershy. Are you doing okay?” Carter asked.

“Yes, I am fine. Thank you for asking.” She said, never turning her head to look at him. Carter thought that something was up with her, but he didn’t know what it was.

“Fluttershy,” Carter started. “I am very sorry for scaring you so much to the point where you passed out, last night. I should’ve listened to you more seriously.”

“Oh, that’s ok. I know I can be a bit of a whiny pony, but it is what it is. Can’t fix your past.” She said, finally turning towards him. Her face didn’t exactly show that she fully forgave Carter, as an aura of timidness was felt as she stared at him. “I hope you don’t think that I ruined the night by doing that.” Her eyes shifted focus to the ground.

“No, not at all. That’s the reason that I am apologizing.” Carter insisted.

“Well, I forgive you. But you really didn’t do anything wrong.” Fluttershy said. She began to perk a nervous smile at him.

“Listen, Fluttershy… I want to make it up to you.” Carter said.

“No, silly. You don’t have to do that.” She said.

“Ok... well if it isn’t to make up then I just want to hang out.” Carter began rambling on to try and not seem so weird, but it was doing him no good. “I hear that you host some pretty great tea parties. Though I can say that I have never been a part of one myself, I am intrigued by your tea skills, as I also hear that you make a pretty good tea.”

“You mean it?” She asked.

“Yes, I do.” Carter answered. He felt like his words were intentional, but immediately froze after thinking over what exactly he just told her. “Forgive me, I am not the best with my words…”

Did I really just invite myself to a tea party!?

“It’s ok. I am not the best with my words, either.” She said.

“D-d-do you accept?” Carter asked as sweat began to fall out of his mane. He was, by this moment, fully committed to sticking to his word, even though he completely regretted asking her. There was no going back. The only thing he could hope for is that she would say no.

“Well of course I do. I just need to think of a time that works for both of us.” Fluttershy said. “Would tomorrow work out?”

“Any day besides today would work, as I have already promised Applejack that I would help her around the farm.” Carter stated.

“Ok then. How about we plan for tomorrow in the afternoon?” Fluttershy offered.

“Tomorrow afternoon is a go.” Carter said. Fluttershy let out a soft cheer of excitement before looking back into the distance.

Carter was a nervous wreck. He felt so embarrassed and ashamed of himself for looking like such a fool. When in any man’s life would they invite themselves to a tea party? Besides being from Europe or something like that. He slouched in his seat and let out a small whimper of shame.

The rest of the ride was smooth and enjoyable, but eventually it had to end. The chariot came to a slow stop right in front of Carter’s house. Everypony got out and stretched their limbs. They thanked the chariot driver and went back to their respective households. Carter, meanwhile, went along with Applejack. They began their walk to Sweet Apple Acres, where Applejack lived.

“The farm is not too far from here. We should be able to make great time if we hurry.” Applejack said.

“Is that it over there?” Carter asked, pointing towards a big red barn out in the distance.

“Yep, that’s it.” Applejack answered. “Home sweet apple home.”

“You said hurry?” Carter got in a strange position. It was almost like he was getting ready for something.

“Yeah, but I don’t mean-” Applejack stopped talking as she watched Carter sprint towards the barn. “Oh, you are so on, partner!” She ran after him.

Carter was in a full sprint by the time he looked back to find Applejack. He was a bit slower than her, probably because he was still getting used to his pony-body, but it was definitely faster than what he could do as a human.

“Look out, Carter. Imma catchin’ up to ya!” Applejack shouted. Carter tried to go faster, which he managed to pull off, but not by much. He was about the same speed as Applejack by then, but knew that he hit his maximum speed.

Oh, if only I could fly. This would’ve been an easy win.

Carter began to feel completely exhausted. Still, he kept on going, trying to keep Applejack behind him. By the end of the run they were about the same distance from each other, going neck and neck. They both ran under the property sign and skidded to a stop.

“Yeehaw! I won!” Applejack cheered.

“Yeah… sure.” Carter said, panting heavily. “Oh… oh my gosh… *gasp* Oh my lungs!” He placed his right forehoof on a fence post and placed his other forehoof on his chest. “That was such a bad idea.”

“You started it.” Applejack said, prancing away from Carter and heading towards the barn.

How is she still able to run after that? She doesn’t even look remotely tired.

“I know… I just… ah my gosh!” He felt like he wanted to fall to the floor and just lay there, but knew he came here to work. He grabbed control of himself and followed her into the barn.

Applejack opened the barn doors and found three small fillies playing around in the hay. They seemed to have arranged the hay barrels into a fairly giant fort.

“Well what is going on here?” Applejack asked happily.

“Applejack, you’re back!” A yellow filly with a bright red mane and a pink bow announced with joy, running over to Applejack. “Me and the girls made a fort out of the hay. I hope ya don’t mind. We already planned on cleaning it up when we were done.”

“That’s fine and all, but did ya forget about how much work we have to do, today?” Applejack asked.

“Oh… right.” The filly said, looking down at the ground and frowning. Her friends did the same.

“But, Applejack! We just started playing! We can’t stop now!” A white unicorn filly with purple hair said, striking a very strong resemblance to Rarity.

“Yeah, we can’t quit now!” An orange pegasus filly added.

“I’m sorry, girls. But we are very busy. Though if we hurry then we might have time to relax and play later.” Applejack said. The yellow filly found Carter and stared him down.

“Can I help you?” She asked.

“Oh, right. Girls, this is my friend, Carter.” Applejack said. “Carter, this is the Cutie Mark Crusaders. The yellow one is my sister, Apple Bloom. The white one is Sweetie Belle, Rarity’s sister. And that orange pegasus there is Scootaloo.”

“Oh, so they have a special group name, do they?” Carter said, raising his eyebrow. “Well, it is an honor to be in the presence of the Cutie Mark Crusaders.” He bowed before them.

“Mmm. A stallion of respect.” Sweetie Belle said.

“Rise, faithful fan.” Apple Bloom said, playing along with Carter’s pompous behavior.

“Wait… is he an alicorn!?” Scootaloo shouted.

I swear. If another pony, or any creature for that matter, asks why I am an alicorn, I am going to snap.

“Nevermind that, girls. He just offered his aid to help us get done a little quicker, that’s all.” Applejack said. “Ain’t that right, Carter?”

“Yes… uh, yeah! Right.” Carter said, calming himself mid dialogue.

“That’s great, big sis! Then me and the girls can get back to playing in no time.” Apple Bloom said with a bright smile on her face.

“Yep. But it’s important that we all make sure that we each do our part.” Applejack said.

“Are you girls gonna help?” Apple Bloom asked her friends.

“Oh… you see, we’d love to… but…” Sweetie Belle started.

“We have… other things that we must do… right now, actually.” Scootaloo said.

“Oh… I see.” Apple Bloom said, distraught fell over her soul. Carter chuckled and shook his head, remembering the times he’d come up with cruddy excuses that usually failed or proved to be untrue in the end. “You girls will be back later, right?”

“Of course.” Sweetie Belle said.

“Just let us know when you’ll be done. Me and Sweetie Belle will be with Mr. and Mrs. Cake in their bakery.” Scootaloo said.

“Alrighty then. I will see you girls later.” The other two walked away as Apple Bloom turned around. “Alright, big sis. What am I to do?”

“Don’t ya remember? This is the season where we need to pick all the apples before the snow blows over the farm.” Applejack said, raising an eyebrow at the filly.

“What!? I can’t do all of that! Apple Bloom said, pouting on the floor. “That always takes days to finish!”

“Awe, cheer up, buttercup. The faster you get it done,”

“The more time I get in the end, I know.” Apple Bloom said, trotting out of the barn in a depressed manner. “Why do sisters always give the little one the most work.” She said, sure that no one could hear her.

“Siblings, ay?” Applejack said.

“Tell me about it.” Carter replied. “I’m sure that you’ve had to put up with this every year.”

“*sigh* Yes, I have.” Applejack said, taking her hat off and placing it against her chest with her hoof. “It’s almost winter. We need to get the last of the harvest before the trees die.” Applejack explained.

“Oh. That will do it.” Carter said.

“That snow ya passed through on your way to Canterlot, that isn’t there on any summer day.”

“Is that so?”

“Anywho, if ya want to, ya can join us right now. I’m gonna go and get started, myself.”

“Sure.”

“Ok, then.” Applejack began walking towards the apple orchard. “Thanks again for helping us, Carter. It means a lot.”

“Of course, Applejack. I think that Apple Bloom will get the most out of my labor.” Carter said.

“Alright then. Follow me and I’ll show you what to do.” Applejack said, leading him towards a massive field of trees. Carter just followed her down the path while he looked around at all of the trees. There were quite a multitude of them and he knew that he had his work cut out for him.

“You guys grow a whole lot of apples.” Carter said.

“Yep. We make sure that we get the most out of this land and its soil.” Applejack said.

“Huh, talk about it. A couple tens of acres at least.” Carter replied.

“Alright, this is where you will start.” Applejack said, pointing to the tree next to her. “Going down the row, make sure to get every apple in each tree into this here basket. You can use any method you choose, just make sure that you don’t kill the tree just yet, as we want them alive by the end of the harvest. Once the basket is full, just walk over to the barrels over by the barn and unload them.”

“Why not just chop it down and then pick them up?” Carter asked.

“The apples will be bruised on their way done, drastically decreasing the amount of apples that we can sell.” Applejack answered.

“Oh… duh!” Carter said, feeling stupid for asking a question with such an obvious answer.

“I know it might take quite a number of trips to get all the apples to the barrels and back, but I am afraid that a faster method has yet to be found.”

“All good. I am used to hard work. Or at least, I don’t mind it enough to get all emotionally overwhelmed over it.” Carter said.

“Welp, if ya understand the job then I’ll leave you to it.” Applejack said, heading back towards the barn. “I will be tending to the livestock. If ya need me just give me a holler.”

“Got it!” Carter said.

He looked at the apple tree in front of him, getting flashbacks of the previous night when he tried to get firewood from branches. He remembered Applejack’s style of getting things off of trees. He got down and began to try the kick again. He placed his forehooves on the ground and lifted his hindlegs to kick the tree at the base of the trunk. He managed to pull it off this time, but felt no power behind his kick. He got readied up and tried again, this time with a little more power and confidence. He hit the tree, this time sending one apple down and into the basket.

“There we go. Now we’ve got it, Carter.” He said to himself. He attempted another kick, using all his strength by this point. He struck the tree with all of his might and sent all of the apples down into the basket below. “Sweet! One down!” He cheered, picking up his basket and moving it to the next tree. He repeated the kick, and with one mighty strike, he got all of the apples off of their branches.

“Hah! At this rate I should be done by noon.” Carter said to himself before picking up his basket and looking for the next one. He saw all of the other trees far off in the distance. “Or you know, if I am lucky then perhaps I will be done before nightfall.” His smile turned into an exhausted frown. “Oh well… no help in wallowing.” He placed the basket down and proceeded to repeat the process with the trees that followed.

Every ten or so trees, Carter’s basket would fill to the top and he would make his way to the barn to unload the apples into a giant container for the harvest. He did this over and over again, and by the fourth trip he was bored. It was about noon, and he had only done one out of the seemingly endless rows of trees.

Good lord. This is no joke.

Carter sighed. He knew that he had to stay true to his word, but hated every minute that he spent doing the same work repeatedly. “It’s for a good cause.” He’d tell himself every minute or two. “It’s all for a good cause. It’s for a good cause. Heh… if this were a cartoon then I’m sure that I’d be singing a song out of nowhere.” He laughed at his own words, finding a little more enjoyment in his work and taking advantage of his mood to keep things moving.

Supper time came around and a loud bell was heard from the barn, along with the sound of Applejack’s yelling.

“Come on, everypony. Supper time!”

Thank God.

Carter was relieved to finally have some time to rest, let alone eat. He carried his basket over to the container and dumped the apples that he had into it before setting the basket down right beside the apple container. He made his way to the front porch of the house next to the barn.

“Am I allowed to come in?” Carter asked Applejack.

“Of course! Wouldn’t want ya working out there while you’re hungry.” She answered, gesturing him towards the door with her hoof. He nodded and walked inside the house. It smelled and looked like what he imagined a farm house to seem like. It had a rustic feel to it, reminding him of the parts of Earth that he was accustomed to living in. He wiped his hooves off on the doormat and made his way to the kitchen table. Carter pulled out a chair and sat down in it. The table was topped with plates of cornbread, mashed potatoes and grilled cheese sandwiches.

Alright! Something that actually looks appetizing!

Carter stared at the food that taunted his taste buds with every passing second. He looked around at all of the other ponies at the table. He recognized Applejack and Apple Bloom, but did not recognize a bright red stallion, a pink unicorn mare, and a much, much older green mare.

“Mind if you introduce me to these folks?” Carter whispered to Applejack as he leaned over to her ear.

“I got you.” She whispered back, winking at him to let him know that she heard him. “Hey, everypony. I’d like for y’all to meet Carter. He has been kind enough to help us get ready for winter.”

“Well I do say, it’s nice to see another face at the table.” The old mare said to Carter.

“This is Granny Smith.” Applejack said.

“Oh, so you are the owner of the farm.” Carter said. “Quite an honor to meet you.”

“Those two over there, the red one is my brother, Big Macintosh, and his wife, Sugar Belle.”

“I thank you guys for having me over for supper. It’s not easy working out there for so long. But I am sure that you guys and girls are used to that by now.” Carter said, trying to come across as someone always up for a conversation.

“Eeyep.” Big Macintosh said.

“Granny Smith is right. It is quite a joy to see another face in our home.” Sugar Belle said.

Don’t you dare say it.

“Well I’ll be, are ya a darn tootin’ alicorn?” Granny Smith asked.

Son of a-

“Yes, he is. Now if ya don’t mind, I am going to dish up. I am one hungry farm pony!” Applejack said.

“That makes two of us!” Granny Smith said.

“Eeyep.” Big Macintosh said.

Big Mac reminds me of myself when I used to be hella socially awkward… except he makes it seem, well, less awkward. Then again, his body proportions make me quiver at the very thought of telling him such words. One slip up and I’d be out for the count against him.

Big Macintosh passed around servings of food to each of the ponies as they got ready to eat. The food smelled absolutely amazing, like it was made by some great chef from some high class restaurant.

“Oh boy, I can’t wait to dig into this here meal!” Applejack shouted. She leaned over her plate and took a big bite of her mashed potatoes.

Carter took his first bite, starting with the cornbread. He immediately fell in love with it once it made contact with his taste buds and he knew that the rest of the food would taste just as good. He threw a small portion of each one in his mouth and savored the taste. He was in heaven by this point, thinking to himself that he had never tasted something as good as this. All of his work felt paid off after eating this.

“So tell us about yourself, Carter. Where are you from?” Sugar Belle asked, starting a conversation.

“I am not from Equestria, I can tell you that much.” Carter said.

“Really?” Granny Smith inquired.

“Yes. I am from a far away land. I am unaware about how exactly I found myself here, but Applejack and her friends have helped me find enjoyment here in Ponyville.” Carter said.

“Wow! So you are new to Equestria?” Apple Bloom asked.

“That’s right.” Carter said. “And before you ask, no, I don’t know how or why I am an alicorn.”

“Interesting. Such an intriguing backstory.” Sugar Belle said.

“Eeyep.” Big Macintosh said.

Eeyep. Eeyep. Eeyep. I simply cannot get annoyed by that.

“I too wish I could say more, but alas that is not the case. I am afraid I know very little about my past.” Carter said.

“Well, whatever it is that brought ya here, we are glad that ya found your way into our lives. I can’t begin to thank you for everything you have done for me and mah family during this short time that we’ve known ya for, Carter.” Applejack said. Carter felt very gracious for her kind words.

“Thank you for being so open.” Carter said, returning the compliment.

Supper passed by and everyone was cleaning up and getting ready to continue working. Everything was looking great, and it was just about time to head back outside to continue the apple picking. There was a loud crash that sounded like something fell onto the wooden floor.

“What was that?” Apple Bloom asked, thinking nothing of it.

A soft moan was heard. All of the Apple family’s eyes sprung open and rushed over to where the moaning was coming from.

Oh no!

“Granny Smith! Granny, are you ok?” Applejack shouted, running over to the elderly mare, trying to get her to answer. Granny Smith had fallen to the floor and was doing nothing but staggered breathing and moaning. Her health was not looking good, and they all knew it. They tried to help her back onto her hooves, but there was no energy left in her. That is until she got her conscious back in order.

“I’m ok, I’m ok. What happened? Why is everypony staring at me? Let me be!” She said, acting all cranky as if nothing happened.

“Granny, ya scared us.” Apple Bloom said.

“Yep.” Big Macintosh added, his voice sounding a lot more emotional.

“Y’all just a bunch of silly, millennial ponies. I will be fine. Just let me… *cough* *cough*” Granny Smith fell to the floor once more, coughing heavily as her throat sounded more and more hoarse after each one.

“Big Mac, help me get her back in bed.” Applejack said. “The rest of y’all, please just wait right where y’all at.” Her and Big Macintosh carefully picked up Granny Smith and carried the old mare away from the others and into her bedroom.

Carter was quite worried. He wanted to so desperately help them in any way he could, but knew that letting them take care of it was probably for the best. He got up on his hindlegs and propped himself against the wall, crossing his forelegs. He looked down at Apple Bloom, who he found to be on the verge of tears. She was so distraught, seeing her grandmother feeling so ill. It suddenly clicked into Carter’s mind. Grandmother? Where were the parents? Were they away for some harvest-associated occasion? He paid no mind to his unorthodox thoughts and shifted his focus on Sugar Belle.

“Is this becoming a regular event?” Carter asked her.

“No. This is the worst that it has ever been.” Sugar Belle answered, she too looking like she might cry.

“I see. How awful.” Carter said, not wanting to sound rude by asking too many questions.

After some time, Applejack walked out of the room and into the kitchen. She had a very gloomy look upon her face, and everypony in the area knew that something was wrong.

“Granny Smith ain’t feeling too well. We will have to continue work some other time.” Applejack said.

“What? But what about winter? We need to get prepared, still.” Apple Bloom said.

“We will worry about that later. Just go play with your friends in the meantime.”

“But… big sis.”

“Apple Bloom, do as you are told.” Applejack began to change moods from sad to anger.

“But-”

“Do not talk back to me!!!” Applejack snapped. The fury in her heart was unleashed upon her sister, and she knew immediately following her outburst that she had just made a grave mistake.

The room fell quiet. Apple Bloom nearly lost it, struggling to breathe normally as her emotions began to overwhelm her. With a large amount of tears in her eyes she ran to her room. Carter and Sugar Belle did nothing but stare at the floor as the events took place. Applejack felt an immense regret for how she had just acted. Tears began to fill her eyes, a couple of which fell out and onto the wooden floor. She stood there, softly crying. Everything was seeming to be against her at the moment.

Carter didn’t know what to do. He wanted to go up to her and give her a big hug to show her some sympathy, but figured that that was not the right thing to do in this situation. He just stayed where he was, leaning against the wall, not saying a single word.

“You can go, Carter. *sniff* Thank you for your help. *sniff*” Applejack said through her crying. Carter simply nodded and then left through the front door, closing it as he exited the house. He heard Applejack say something before the door fully shut.

“I can’t lose her, Sugar Belle. Not like I lost them.”

Those words rang in his head like a gong that had just been struck. He felt chills throughout his body, and his stomach dropped in horror. He had only the darkest of ideas about what that meant.

“Mom… *sniff* Dad.” The door shut.

Carter nearly lost his balance. His emotions made him feel like he was about to vomit, and his limbs trembled violently. He dropped to the floor, resting on his hindlegs. He looked down at his forehooves, getting flashbacks of that dark night of his. Though he physically saw hooves in front of him, he mentally saw hands. It was all too familiar to him. He trembled in fear, nearly losing his sanity. He fell to the ground.

Not her. She doesn’t deserve to have lost them.

Carter’s mind became mush, and his emotions were nothing but extreme fear and sadness. He breathed more quickly, trying to shake away the dark memories from his mind. He pounded his hoof against the dirt in anger. After a few moments to himself, his emotions were brought back to his control and he got up on his hooves, wiping the tears away from his eyes. He stared off into the distance with a stern look.

“Never… never again.” Carter said, pushing those words upon himself.

Carter was then put into a time where he didn't know what to do. He thought about going home, but the sun was still high in the sky. He knew that Applejack and her family still had work to do, but that they would not be able to get it done with Granny Smith’s current condition. He looked over at the barn, eyeing the container with the apples that he had delivered from the harvest.

“They are not going to be able to get this done. Not with their granny like that.” Carter said to himself. He then had a thought. He looked over at all of the trees. He eyed them down with a stern look on his face. “I must finish these, myself.”

He grabbed the apple basket and walked over to the next unpicked tree in the row. He placed the basket down with a bit of force. He said nothing and kicked the tree, making all of the apples fall into the basket. He then picked up the basket and continued down the line. Everytime the basket was full, he’d bring it over to the container and dump the apples. He did this for every tree, one by one, apple by apple.

Carter began to feel anger. It was an anger that he had rarely felt; one that was expressed for one's friends rather than their self. He felt horrible for Applejack and her family, and felt as though he didn’t do what he should’ve done to help them. His anger grew deep inside him. He was never one to accept defeat, but this was personal. He wanted to be the guy that people could count on, the one that people could depend on. He walked over to the next tree in line and stared at its trunk. With extreme anger still in his soul, Carter lifted his back legs and drove every bit of force he could into the tree.

Carter immediately felt pain shoot through his hooves. The tree absorbed his power and sent it back through his legs, resulting in an immense amount of suffering on his hooves. He merely grunted at the pain before taking his basket and placing the fallen apples inside it.

Carter caught himself in the act of displaying such anger. He was reminded of his actions on the day of his death by the IFRE. He remembered all of the horror and displeasement that he felt after seeing the things that he had done. He dropped the basket and took a deep breath. He gave himself some time to calm down, making sure that he wouldn’t do something that he would regret if he should choose to resort back to anger.

“It’s for a good cause.” He’d say with determination in his soul. “It’s for a good cause. It’s for a good cause.” He spent the entire night taking all of the apples and piling them up in the container. He kicked each tree with much force, never once letting up. The sweat that accumulated on his head was beginning to slow down after he felt parched, but he kept going at it, making sure that his work wasn’t done until every tree was free of apples.

Eventually, the time came when he finished piling up the last bit of apples into the container. The sun was just about to come up above the hills, and Carter was beyond tired.

Damn. I really just worked for about 24 hours on a farm, picking apples of all things. Talk about being honest with my word.

As the sun came up, Carter grabbed some of the animal food for each of the respected livestock. He filled the troughs with food and then moved on to the next one until each of the animals were fed.

Carter sat down on a small rock and wiped the sweat from his forehead. His job was finally done. He looked out at his work with a big smile on his face. Seeing the results of his labor and knowing that he himself accomplished something that would normally take days made him feel happy and proud of his hard work. His happiness, however, was immediately stripped away from him after he had a super dry cough. He began to see some fuzzy lights all around him.

Good gravy, I am thirsty, tired, and exhausted.

Carter got up and made his way back to Ponyville to find someplace to get a drink. He was not feeling too good, but knew that a simple drink of water should be enough to get his body back into shape. He made his way down the path, occasionally tripping over himself, nearly falling to the dirt floor beneath him.

One of these days you are going to kill yourself, Carter… again.

~

Back at the Apple family’s house, Applejack quietly came into Apple Bloom’s room. She saw the little filly in her bed with her pillow pressed against her face. The sound of soft sobbing was heard around the room, and Applejack knew why.

“Sugarcube?” Applejack whispered to her sister. The filly didn’t raise her head from the pillow. “I just wanted to say that I am so sorry about the way I lashed out at you. It’s just… I’m-”

“I’m scared, too.” Apple Bloom said, finally raising her head up to look back at Applejack. Her eyes were full of tears, some of which fell on the pillow. “I understand why you were how ya were, and I forgive you. But I don’t want her to go just as much as you don’t.”

“I know, Apple Bloom. We’re all scared, right now. But that doesn’t mean that we live in fear.” Applejack said. Apple Bloom looked at her big sister. “You are right, we still need to get ready for winter. It shouldn’t take too long, anyway. If we hurry then we can still have some free time. Big Mac is with Granny Smith, so it’ll just be me and you, today.”

“Ok.” Apple Bloom said.

“You go on ahead and get started. I’ll get ready and then join ya.” Applejack said. Apple Bloom nodded and headed outside.

Applejack went over to her room and found her cowpony hat. She took it from the hat stand and placed it on her head. She then opened up her dresser and pulled out a lasso. She placed it on her side and looked at herself through a mirror.

“I do this for you, Ma. You too, Pa.” Applejack walked over to the front door.

“Applejack! Come quick!” Apple Bloom shouted, bursting through the door before Applejack even had a chance to open it.

“Apple Bloom, what in the hay is going on!?” Applejack shouted, getting back on her hooves. “You better have a good reason for scaring me like that.”

“The trees have no more apples on them!” Apple Bloom shouted.

“What!?” Applejack was then with Apple Bloom. The two raced outside and looked at their farmland, which was empty from front to back. “Where in tarnation are our trees?”

“Where are all the apples!?” Apple Bloom said.

“Did something happen to them? Did timberwolves attack our farm?” Applejack asked, thinking out loud to herself.

“There aren’t any tracks anywhere.” Apple Bloom answered, pointing towards the soil.

“I can’t believe it.” Applejack said, chewing on her hoof. “*gasp* Did they steal the apples!?” She ran over to the apple container and opened the lid, trying to see if the suspect(s) stole the apples picked the day before.

“Well?” Apple Bloom inquired.

“Phew. They are still here. Full to the top.” Applejack said, letting out a sigh of relief after finding a container full of apples.

“Full?” Apple Bloom questioned. Applejack stopped in her tracks and swiftly flipped her head back. She opened the container again.

“It… it is full!” She shouted. Apple Bloom noticed something else out of the ordinary.

“Uh, sis. The animals are fed, too.”

“I don’t believe it. What could’ve possibly done this!?” Applejack said, trying to think of every possible explanation.

“You mean, who?” Apple Bloom said, correcting her sister’s words.

“Who? Whatever! How could this have possibly happened?” Applejack mumbled. She realized that perhaps somepony did do this. But who? “But… Big Mac is inside, and has been for the last couple hours. Sugar Belle couldn’t have done it, either.”

“I don’t get it, either, sis.” Apple Bloom said.

“What is going on?” Applejack was on the fence. She couldn’t figure it out. “... Wait!” Her brain then sparked with an idea. “Did… Carter?”

Friendship log #002

Today, I have learned that being a friend means more than just being there for someone. It also forces us to be honest with one another; the commitments we make, no matter how hard they may seem, must be followed through. Doing so boosts your trust between each other. This is what solidifies the difference between acquaintance and friend. Though it might not always be easy to be honest, it is important to remember that it isn’t always in your favor, but in favor of those you love.

Author's Note

Super fun and chill chapter!