Author's Note

Sorry for the long delay but things haven't been going so great for a little while, money constraints, a foot of snow (the only intact pair of shoes I own are off-brand crocs), and other small personal things have had an effect on my mood, but I'm still slowly both working on my stories and my Game, Writer's block is annoying.

Chapter 5: The Golden Tickets

Chapter 5: The Golden Tickets

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=== The next morning at Sweet Apple Acres... ===

“Welcome to ma family’s farm Link, Sweet Apple Acres!” Apple Jack says as Michael, Twilight, and Spike follow her past the ranch’s entrance. “As you can probably tell by the name, We’re most famous for our delicious Apples,” She walks everypony through the farm past the Barn, the House, and into the Orchard, “And here’s where ya’ll will be helping today,” She stops next to an apple tree and turns to face the group, “Thanks again for agreeing to help this mornin’,” She looks at Michael, “I’m actually interested to see how strong you are Link,” She rears up and kicks the tree next to her causing a shower of apples to fall into the already placed baskets below the tree. “Apple buckin’ is easy for an earth pony, and Twi is great at Magic but, you Link, are a mystery, what are you really, are you some kind of Furless Earth Pony with weird ears?” Twilight’s eyes widen when Applejack asked that.

Twilight facepalms, “I can’t believe I forgot to ask you that same question...” Twilight summons a Quil and peace of parchment paper, “And to think you’ve been living in the same house as I have,” She paused and quietly added, “Maybe I do study too much...” Spike heard what she said and chuckles quietly.

Michael crosses his arm and thinks for a moment, “Let’s see, how do I explain this...” after a few moments of thinking he nods, “I am a human or at least sort of...” He paused for a moment, “In this form, I’m a Hylian, A type of Human that lives mainly in the country of Hyrule, but you won’t find Hyrule on any map because it’s not of this world,” The others look at Michael in confusion, “As It stands right now, I’m from another world or maybe even Dimension,”

Applejack narrows her eyes and stares into Michael’s eyes trying to find out if he’s lying. After a few moments, She speaks up, “He’s not lying... Even though what he said is really hard to believe,” She scratches her head, “Twi what do you think,” Twilight is frozen in place, Spike waves a hand in front of her face but nothing happens.

“I think you broke her Link,” Spike looks at Michael, “So you’re an alien?” Michael slowly nods causing Spike to beam with excitement, “That’s so cool!” Twilight blinks and shakes her head,

“You’re truly a new species on Equis, this is amazing, I must know everything about you!” Twilight gets too close to Michael, “When we get back to the Library we’re gonna have a long conversation about where you come from,” Applejack pulls Twilight away from Michael,

“Twi, you’re scarin’ him sugar cube,” Twilight chuckles and rubs the back of her head nervously, “Besides we have Apple buckin’ to do!” Applejack says enthusiastically, “Come on Everypony, Let’s buck some apples!” With that, they all started picking apples with Applejack keeping a close eye on Michael to see how he fairs.

Michael walks up to a tree and proceeds to kick it lightly, no apples fall, “Well that ain’t gonna work,” He thinks for a minute and comes up with a plan, “The megaton hammer shakes the screen in Ocarina, I wonder if it’ll work to drop these apples,” He grabs the air behind him and pulls out the [Megaton Hammer], “One solid hit should do,” He Swings the hammer like a baseball bat and gets a solid hit on the tree.

The ground around everypony shakes for a second making Spike take cover near Twilight, Applejack almost loses her hat, and all of the trees in a 50-foot radius drop all their apples shocking everypony. “What in tarnation?” Applejack questions and looks at Michael still holding the [Megaton Hammer] against the tree. “Link!” This scares the man into dropping the hammer making it disappear and turning toward Applejack, “What did you just do?” She looks slightly angry when asking that.

Michael gulps nervously and answers her, “I caused an earthquake to help harvest the apples faster?” She narrows her eyes at him and slowly nods, “I’ll start gathering the bushels now,” She nods again starts picking up the baskets of apples to carry them to the barn. Michael wipes sweat from his brow and goes to carry some baskets.

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=== A Boring hour of packing baskets later ===

Applejack, Twilight, and Spike are carrying back a basket each with Michael tailing them with 4 stacked on each arm. “Thank ya kindly guys,” Applejack says as they reach the barn, “I bet Big Macintosh I could get all these golden delicious in the barn by lunchtime,” She looks at Michael not even breaking a sweat carrying 8 baskets, “And thanks to you, Link, We got it done way quicker than I expected,” She moves her Basket to one hand so the other can open the barn door,

“No problem Applejack, you can always count on me to help if you just ask,” Michael said in a slightly southern accent, “And besides, back where I’m from, most people did this for fun, I should be able to help without any problems,” Applejack opens the door and they all place their baskets inside, A low growl is heard,

“What in tarnation was that?” Applejack looks at the tree line next to the farm searching for an animal about to breach the fence when Michael and Spike embarrassingly chuckle, “What’s so funny you two?” Applejack eyes them suspiciously,

“Well, I forgot breakfast and it’s been a while since I’ve eaten anything,” Michael rubs the back of his head embarrassed, Spike nods his head and rubs his empty belly. Applejack looks serious for a moment then starts laughing causing the group to all start laughing,

“Well then, I think it’s time we get some lunch,” Twilight says, Applejack nods as the laughing calms down, “How about the Hay Café?” Applejack nods, Michael slowly nods not liking the sound of Hay, and Spike starts hacking like a cat, “Spike what’s wrong with the Hay Café?” After a moment Spike burps up green smoke that materializes into a Letter with a golden seal on it, “A Letter from Princess Celestia?” Spike catches the Letter as it floats down to him.

“Ahem, hear yee hear yee, her grand royal highness, Princess Celestia of Equestria, Is pleased to announce the Grand Galloping Gala, to be held in the magnificent capital city of Canterlot, on the twenty-first day of...” Spike trails off, “Yada yada yada, cordially extends an invitation to Twilight Sparkle plus one guest, and Link plus one guest,” Spike Finishes.

Applejack and Twilight Gasp and say “The Grand Galloping Gala,” at the same time, they bounce around excited for the event while Michael looks confused and Spike looks annoyed at the jumping around, “The Grand Galloping Gala!” They yell at the same time again, after a moment though, Spike coughs up another cloud of green smoke that turns into 4 Golden Tickets to the Gala,

“Look,” He grabs the Tickets and shows them to Twilight, “4 Tickets!” Twilight beams with excitement,

“Wow great, I’ve never been to the gala, have you spike?” Twilight asks, Spike simply shakes his head, She looks toward Michael, She goes to speak but he cuts her off,

“I’ve never heard of this ‘Great Galloping Gala’ thing you’re talking about,” The girls gasp and look at Michael shocked, “What is it, some sort of race?” Spike even looks at Michael confused, “What...”

“Woah!” Rainbow Dash falls from the sky and lands on Applejack and Twilight, She gets up off the ground, “Are we talking about the Grand Galloping Gala?!” Applejack and Twilight stand back up and look at Rainbow angrily,

“Rainbow Dash,” Applejack starts, “You told me you were too busy to help me harvest apples,” She crosses her arms, “What were you busy doin’?” She paused for a second, “Spyin’?” Rainbow turns away from her,

“No, I was busy, napping.” A blanket and pillow slowly fall out of a tree next to everypony, “And I just happened to hear that you have an extra ticket,” She looks to Twilight,

“Well yeah but...” Rainbow cuts her off and flies into the sky cheering.

“Yes, this is so awesome!” She lands, “The Wonderbolts perform at the Grand Galloping Gala every year, I can see it now,” Michael grunts since his question wasn’t answered and looks at Spike.

“Spike, want to go grabs us some grub? Just slip Twilight’s tickets into her bag or pocket and let’s go bud,” Spike nods and slips 2 tickets into Twilight’s pant pocket and follows Michael to Ponyville letting the girls handle the ticket fiasco.

On their way to Ponyville Michael askes Spike a big question, “Hey Spike, I hate to pry but,” Spike looks up at Michael, “Is there any chance I can get some meat anywhere?” Spike visibly pales and freezes in his tracks when Michael Says this. “Uh... Spike, you ok buddy?” Michael Kneels down to Spike’s eye level and waves a hand in front of Spike’s face. “Yoohoo, Spike?” Michael stands back up and looks around spotting Rarity leaving her Boutique, “Hey Rarity!” He shouts waving his hand in the air catching her attention.

“Link, how are you this fine day,” She walks over to the boys then notices Spike acting weird, “Oh Spike, are you ok darling?” Hearing Rarity’s voice makes Spike come back to his senses and get between Rarity and Michael. “Oh, Whatever is the matter, Spike?”

“Stay back Rarity, I’ll protect you!” Spike stares at Michael with an angry and also scared look, Michael scratches his head,

“Spike, what’s wrong all I said was...” Spike cuts him off by breathing fire at him,

“Yeah, you wanted to know when you could eat everypony,” Rarity gasps and covers her mouth,

“What?” Michael looks at Spike a little hurt, “Bud, all I said was if I could get any meat around here,” Rarity backs away a tiny bit,

“Meat?” Rarity asks then looks at Michael with fear in her eyes, “Like Pony meat?!” Michael Shakes his head,

“No! Not Pony meat, that’s disgusting, I need fish or any non-sentient animal meat,” Rarity calms down, “I don’t want to harm anypony, I just need it to survive is all,” Rarity puts a hand on Spike’s shoulder and he calms down,

“I understand now Link, I’ll talk to Fluttershy about your,” She gulps nervously, “Meat... Issue...” She clears her throat, “So what are you two doing this fine morning?” Spike cautiously stands next to Michael again,

“We were just about to get some lunch,” Then something important hits Michael, “Wait, I don’t have any money...” He reaches back and grabs his wallet, “All I have are Rupees,” He pulls a Purple Rupee out of his wallet catching Rarity’s eye,

“My my Link, that gem is marvelous, where on equis did you get it?” Rarity asks, “A gem this fine would look lovely on one of my dresses as a centerpiece,”

“This the currency back where I’m from, it’s called a Rupee and They come in many colors and sizes,” He hands the Rupee to Rarity and she examines it closely, “This one is worth 50 Rupees, Green is worth 1, Blue is worth 5, Red is worth 20, Silver is worth 100, and Gold is worth 200,” Spike licks his lips,

“How do they taste?” Both Michael and Rarity look at spike reaching for Michael’s Wallet, “Can I try one?” Michael reaches in and grabs a green Rupee,

“Sure bud, try this one,” He hands it to Spike and spike tosses it in his mouth, “I’ve heard from Twilight that Dragons can eat gems so go ahead,” Spike munches on the Rupee.

“Yum, it tastes like grapes,” Spike enjoys the Rupee as Rarity continues to examine the Purple Rupee, Michael gives Spike another Green Rupee and he happily pops it into his mouth,

“Link, How about you let me have this gem and I take you two out to get some lunch, hows that sound?” Michael thinks for a second,

“How about I give you one of each color I have then you take us out?” Michael gets out a red, blue, and 2 green Rupees, tosses Spike another Green Rupee, and offers Rarity the others, “Seems fairer this way,” Rarity nods takes the Rupees, and stuffs them into her purse.

“Deal, come on boys let’s get you two fed,” Rarity turns toward town and walks away with Michael and Spike following her.

End of Chapter!