It has been four years since Shadow was found on the outskirts of Ponyville. He was hospitalized from his wounds he recived from battle with the changlings. He was struck with amnesia. After his wounds were healed enough for him to leave the hospital, Fluttershy took him in and took care of him untill he could go on his own. Aftre he was healed completly he returned to Canterlot to see Princess Celestia and Luna, there he regained his memories. He then asked if he could take some leave from active duty to repay his dept.

One year later, after his return to Ponyville, he helped all he could. Soon all the citizens befriended him. The following year the black fured pegusas repaid his friends and fellow citizens of Ponyville, in return for his help, the citizens hosted a celebration in his honor. That day he was formally a member of Ponyville.

Now, Shadow spends his days in Ponyville helping his friends in anyway he can. They had become more than just friends, but his family that helped him in return. Whenever the citizens of Ponyville needed help, they always called to him; and he always gave his all to help.

Today, Apple Jack has asked him to help pick apples at Sweet Apple Achers. He showed up early, as he always did. He waited thirty minutes for Apple Jack, he passed the time by playing his ocerin. He played the melody that his father taught him when he was just a colt.

Apple Jack emerged from her home, listening to the happy melody played by Shadow's ocerina. "I am mitghty sorry wor keeping you waiting." She said staring at the ground.

"It is no problem, I didn't wake you with my playing did I ?" Shadow asked worriedly.

"Nah you didn't, I like that melody you were playing." she said smiling, "what is it called?'

"It is called The Forest's Call," Shadow said with a smile. "My father taught it to me when I was seven."

Apple Jack smiled," Your cutie mark should have been an ocarina, cuz you play it amazingly,"

Shadow blushed," Thanks AJ, but that would mean i wouldn't be much help around here."

"Yeah, but you are always a great help when we need it." She said smiling.

"What section of the orchard are we working on today?" Shadow asked smiling.

"The west side today," she replied and walked to the barn to get the baskets they needed.

Shadow followed close behind her. She gave him a stack of ten buckets and he took to the sky hovering a ten feet above the ground, waiting on her. She came out of the barn with a stack of her own and they headed to the west side of the orchard.

They reached teh west side orchard in a ten minutes, they laid their buckets on the ground around the apple trees they planned on picking. Shadow took flieght with one of the buckets in hoof, flying around his first tree picking apples with great speed. Apple Jack bucked her fist tree with her powerful hind legs, causing a lot of apples to fall from the tree. Her precise laid baskets caught all falling apples.

After picking three more trees, all the baskets were filled with sweet apples. At this time Big Mac came by pulling a cart with empty basket. Apple Jack and Shadow replaced their baskets with the empty ones and Mac pulled the cart back to the barn.

Author's Note

This is my first fic, so please give me feedback.