Equis Dreams.

When I finally fell asleep for the night I arrived just outside of Ponyville. I had decided it was finally time and had gone back to using my Earth pony body. It would be a good idea to stay out of the hive for a while, since I needed to give Chrissy some space. It was also time I visited the girls again. “Hmm I don’t look any different, that’s good but it feels strange not having wings or a horn.”

I stretched out and tried a few things while still on the outskirts of Ponyville Proper. “Looks like I can’t shapeshift, fly, or…” my hoof glowed and the grass around my hooves grew a few inches taller and a few pebbles floated up. I smiled at the sight. “Looks like I can still use a bit of active magic.” Having access to a hivemind had taught me quite a bit about this new world though I took it all with a grain of salt.

After a few more checks I began happily trotting towards town. When I arrived in the town proper, I then made my towards Sugarcube Corner for breakfast. One thing I won’t get tired of is getting good food over here. The hive has nothing good to eat, not that I needed to.

“Good morning and welcome to…” Pinkie started then gasped and ran over to give me a hug strong enough to lift me off my hooves. “Dreamy! You’re back, I was so worried when you disappeared.”

“Morning Pinkie.” I gave her a few pats on the back as we hugged. “Sorry for not coming back sooner.”

She set me down and gave me a serious look while holding me in her hooves. I pinned my ears back as none of the other customers paid us any mind, apparently chalking it up to Pinke’s antics. “Where have you been mister, Twilight has been freaking out about a missing pony, meaning you, all week.”

My tail instinctively tucked between my legs. “Sorry Pinkie I was busy and had to take care of a few things, like my parents funeral.” Her mane deflated and she just squeaked out an ‘oh’. “Yeah it happened just before that big mess with the vines and I only got a chance to tell AJ about it.”

“So, are you moving back to Ponyville for good?” She gave me a hopeful look and I smiled.

“I was always coming back but I may go on other adventures. Oh, let me tell you about my latest one and some new friends I made.” That got her to smile and her mane became poofy.

“New friends? Yay, let me just get us some food and fetch some ponies.” She rushed off after I gave her my order and told me to sit down.

It wasn’t long before she came back with the girls following behind her. They all gave me a look and became teary eyed.

“Hey girls.” I rubbed the back of my neck.

“You’re okay!” Fluttershy practically yelled, which was normal volume for most, and gave me a hug. “I’m so sorry to hear what happened.” She teared up and rubbed my mane like a foal.

“Welcome back partner.” Applejack gave me a hug next. “Pinkie mentioned you had to take care of your family business?”

I nodded. “Yeah, it’s taken care of now, so I’m back for good.”

“Well that’s lovely darling.” Rarity gave me a polite hoof bump then everypony sat down except Twilight.

“It’s you.” She whispered then suddenly rushed over and practically squished her face against mine. “You’re the seventh key. You went with us to put back the elements of harmony but why can I only remember you now?!? And where did you go?”

I leaned back nervously as the other girls watched with mixed looks of curiosity and trepidation at their friend’s behavior.

“Uh Twi. I think you’re scaring the poor stallion sugercube.” Applejack grabbed her friend’s tail and pulled her back.

“No, this makes no sense.” Twilight held her head between her hooves and began crying. “You, you died.” She looked right at me while the others gasped.

“Twilight, Darling I hate to ever disagree with you darling but how could a dead pony be sitting with us having breakfast.” Rarity nervously looked between her friends for assistance.

“No Twilight’s not exactly wrong, it probably did look like I died from her perspective. I have an~ enchantment on me so that any time I’m in a dangerous situation I just poof back to my home.” I looked at Twilight. “I’m sorry for worrying you, I know how that feels.” I pinned my ears back.

“A security enchantment?” She calmed down as I nodded. “That’s brilliant! I should do something like that for my friends and I.” The other girls breathed a sigh of relief and Pinkie brought all of us a big breakfast to celebrate and catch up.

“Oh darling I can’t believe you went through all that.” Rarity blew her nose into a handkerchief. I had just finished telling them about my parents funeral and all the things surrounding it. I was going to tell them all about my cute and slightly stupid bug friends, but at the first mention of ‘changelings’ Twilight got extremely hostile. Instead I switched to how I would be taking over the family farm.

“Now wait a second there partner. If you’re taking over your family’s farm why are you moving into Ponyville?” Applejack looked a bit confused considering the I hadn’t lied.

“Well Ponyville will be like my second home. Most of the actual farm work is done by our employees these days. As my parents got order they mostly did management work or ran the special operations like apple or pumpkin picking so I’ll be doing the same.” I explained.

“What’s so special about apple picking? AJ does that all the time.” Rainbow looked around the table and the girls shrugged.

“Oh it’s when we let guests onto the farm and they pay us to harvest their own apples.” I took another sip of my milkshake. Pinkie really makes these well.

“Now wait a second there Sugarcube. Why in Celestia’s name would ponies pay you to do work?” Applejack sounded highly skeptical.

“Well. City ~~pe~~-ponies like to bring their foals out for the experience of seeing a working farm and getting ‘straight from the farm’ apples they get to pick out themselves and eat straight from the tree, instead of leftovers from the bigger grocery stores like in Manehatten.” I tapped my chin. “So my parents decided it would be a great opportunity to have tourists or class trips come visit us. Granted they’re only allowed in specific areas, as the rest are for us to properly harvest. But we also do other events like ‘pick your own pumpkins’, ‘corn mazes’, and even weddings.”

AJ got a thoughtful look. “Huh. I never would’ve thought of something like that. I mean we do have cider season but not much else to get ponies visiting our farm.”

“It sounds like a great educational experience as well. Imagine if Canterlot foals came out to learn about farming.” Twilight looked starry eyed.

“Or imagine the dresses I could make for the brides.” Rarity got a similar loo.

“I don’t know if I’d want all those fancy unicorns out visiting constantly.” Applejack winced from the glare of Rarity and Twilight. “Uh, no offense girls.”

“None taken darling. I expect It would be a lot to deal with.” Rarity idly waved a hoof.

“Yeah. My parents had to go through quite a few legal issues at first to set up the farm for having guests visit like that. It was worth it in the end though, the farm might not have survived without the extra income.” I leaned back thinking about the few bad harvest seasons of other crops.

“Well you certainly gave me something to think about.” Applejack finished off her milkshake and stood up. “Speaking of farm work I best be getting back to it.”

“Oh. Maybe I could throw a party for the grand opening of your farm Aj.” Pinkie practically bounced in place making everypony laugh.

Applejack just tipped her hat with a thoughtful look as she walked out the door. It wasn’t long before the others got back to work leaving only myself and Twilight at the table.

“So. Got any plans today?” I casually asked. “I got nothing going on so want to hang out?”

I regret asking to hang out. I had been dragged to Twilight’s library, literally, so she could show off the box.

“So this is it. I think the tree gave it to me for a reason but I really don’t know. I mean it has spots for seven keys but nothing will open it. I tried unlocking spells, raw magic, and I even had the girls bring over all kinds of keys.” She touched her hoof to the box. “It’s definitely a unique kind of crystal but even when Spike tried to bite it he couldn’t make a scratch.” She looked at me hopefully and with a few stray mane hairs. “Any ideas? The girls didn’t really have any.”

I tapped my chin with a hoof. “You said it came from a magical tree right?” She nodded. “Then maybe you have to go on some kind of quest?” I thought about all the fantasy stories.

“Quest?” She tilted her head.

“Yeah. Like to prove yourself. From what I know there’s six main elements of harmony so something to show that off?” I shrugged.

“That sounds ridiculous/great.” Twilight and Spike spoke at the same time.

“Spike why would the tree send us on a quest?” Twilight huffed.

“It’s a magical tree Twilight and Dream has a good point. That’s normally how it goes in comics.” Spike puffed up.

Twilight waved a wing dismissively. “Comics aren’t real.”

“ Says the magical unicorn in pony land.” I laughed and Spike joined me. Twilight just rolled her eyes.

“Joke all you two want but I will figure this out. Besides it still doesn’t explain the extra keyhole. There’s only Six elements.” Twilight smugly crossed her forehooves.

“Fine you win Twilight. Hey Spike why not show me some of those comics.” I gave him a brohoof and we got to reading as Twilight went back to her research.