Author's Note

I know this Chapter is shorter than my most recent ones, it's only meant to be a bridge chapter. So enjoy this short break from all the hustle and bustle!

A Home for me. And my Family.

I was jolted awake as my train came to a stop. With a yawn and a stretch, I looked out the window to see Ponyville bustling with people. I got up and exited the car, making my way through town as I enjoyed the crisp morning air. It had been a few days since I had helped Mike and Jeff, and I still missed them. It had felt nice to have brothers for once. But I wasn’t sure that I’d get to see them again. Maybe I’d see Jeff, I had his token. But I had yet to find Mike’s. I remembered what he told me it was. The Fairy Ocarina from Ocarina of Time. I wondered where it could be found, or if it could. I shook my head and pushed the thought from my mind as I arrived at the shop I was headed to. I looked up and chuckled at the name on the sign. Lots of Lots,Plots and Homes! Realty Office it read. I pushed open the door as a little bell jingled, signaling my entrance. A dark gray Pony sitting behind a desk looked up and grinned, walking over and shaking my hand.

“Welcome sir. I am Plots, one of the proprietors of this Realty Office. How may I help you today?” He asked as he shook my hand. I blinked for a moment before smiling back.

“Yes, hello. I was wondering if you had any homes up for sale?” I asked as he nodded and gestured for me to sit at his desk.

“Of course, we have many houses for sale. What kind would you like?” He asked as he handed me a binder full of listings. I flipped through the pages, trying to see if there was one I liked. I made it all the way to the back of the book before I spotted it. A simple two bedroom home outside of Ponyville proper, surrounded by trees and a small river in the backyard.

“This one. It’s perfect.” I told him as I handed the binder back. He looked over the listing and looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

“Are you sure? It needs a lot of work.” He asked and I nodded.
“Very well then sir. Will you be paying in full or in installments?” He asked as I pulled my wallet out.

“In full if you please.” I answered as he checked the price.

“As you wish sir. That will be thirty two thousand bits, or three thousand two hundred rupees.” He said as I began pulling out the rupees. His face went slack as he watched the gems stack up. I placed the last one on the table and nodded.

“There you are. Three thousand and two hundred rupees.” I grinned as he slid a document over.

“This is the deed to the property. Just sign it, and the house is yours.” He said as I read it over. After a moment I took his pen and signed my name and he handed me the keys.
“Do you need to be shown the property sir?”

“No, I can look at it myself.” I smiled, shaking his hand before leaving. I followed the map Plot had given me, walking out of town and into a grove of maple trees. The path was severely overgrown, but I managed to push forward until I entered a small clearing. Sitting near the center was a small house. My house.

“Man… the girls are going to love this place…” I smiled to myself and I walked towards the home.

“Johnny, where the hay are you taking us?” Rainbow Dash asked as I led them down the path.

“Yeah Sugarcube, where are you taking us?” Applejack asked as I chuckled.

“Now if I told you it’d ruin the surprise.” I smiled and walked on, both of them giving each other a shrug and following after me. We walked through the trees for a moment in silence, the sounds of nature surrounding us like a fog as we entered the clearing.
“This is what I wanted to show you.” I said with a smile, gesturing to the house.

“Who’s dump is this?” Dash asked and AJ smacked her on the head. Dash looked over with a confused look before turning to me. I frowned and walked up to the door as it dawned on her.
“Oh man…”

“Yeah, you done messed up Dash.” AJ sighed as she followed after me. Dash looked at the ground and slowly walked up to the open front door. Inside was in better shape, but it was obvious it was going to need a lot of work.

“Wait.. This is your place? I.. I didn’t mean…” Dash tried to say as I gave her a hug.

“It’s ok. It may be a dump…” I sniffed as I pulled back to look at her.
“But it’s our dump.” I said as I managed to crack a smile. She smiled back and hugged me tight as AJ came over and hugged us both.

“Yer darn right.” AJ huffed with a smile. I sighed happily and let go, looking around the house.

“It’s in rough shape, but I know a few things about building houses. I figure I can have it fixed up in a few months.” I grinned as they looked around.

“A few months? Where are you gonna live until it’s finished?” Dash asked as I sat on a metal folding chair.

“Here. Might as well be close to the jobsite and all that.” I shrugged as they looked at each other.

“You know you’re welcome in our homes… right?” AJ asked as I looked up with a blush.

“Y-yea, it’s just… I know how we feel about each other.. And I didn’t really want anything… too intimate to happen till we’re… y’know… married.” I explained awkwardly as they both grinned and chuckled. They both walked up and hugged me.

“We get it hun. I know it’s a bit much at this point, so don’t you worry none.” AJ smiled as she kissed my cheek.

“Yea… it’s something you can’t rush. Ironic, coming from me.” Dash chuckled as she kissed my other cheek. I stood and smiled at them before looking around once more.

“We will make this a home. Together.” I grinned as they each took an arm.

“Together.” They both agreed.

The girls had left earlier for Canterlot, mostly because Twilight was helping Celestia keep everything organized. I had stayed behind for a bit to take care of a few errands for them as well as myself and was now getting ready to head to the station.

“You coming Link?” Spike asked as he rushed off towards the station, leaving me with our bags.

I chuckled and stowed them in my inventory, following after him at a more leisurely pace. I made sure to double check Rarity’s shop was locked up tight, as well as the Golden Oak Library. I had taken to living in my house while I was working on it, so I didn’t have to wake up early and travel. It was also beneficial to me to be here since it put more of my friends closer to me. I smiled to myself as I wandered towards the station, humming a few scattered verses of Van Halen’s Livin’ on a Prayer as I enjoyed the afternoon air. I eventually made my way to the station as the train pulled in and Spike ran up to me.

“Come on Link! We’re gonna miss the train!” He yelled to me as I sauntered up onto the platform, flashing my ID to the conductor. He checked it over and nodded, letting us in and we sat in an available private compartment.

“Ahhh… perks of the job…” I sighed as I sank into my soft seat. Spike sat across from me and looked out the window.

“I still can’t believe you get to ride for free. Is it just a military thing?” He asked as I nodded.

“Yea… Being a Captain sure does have its perks.” I chuckled as the train pulled out of the station, rumbling off towards Canterlot.