Fallen Eagle

Chapter IV: Meeting the Apples

Before we begin, it's time for another author's note. Just, man you guys are AWESOME! No other word to describe this. Doubling the amount of favorites and adding five more followers? It's just so awesome of you guys. I'm so glad that you all love this story already, but we're just getting started. I want at least 40 chapters MINIMUM for this story, so you can all enjoy it. And if there's anything you guys don't like, don't hesitate to tell me so I can fix the problem. If I can get at least 50 reviews for this story by its end, I'll be extremely happy. Also, if anyone is curious as to exactly what Cougar's Drive to End Hunger cap actually looks like, just Google 'Jeff Gordon 2011 Drive to End Hunger Pit Cap' and you'll find it.

And without further ado, let's kick off Chapter IV!

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(Normal POV.)

Cougar readjusted the strap on his duffel bag as he got back up from his bow to Princess Celestia and turned back to the group. "So, where is this royal chariot?" He asked. Princess Celestia cleared her throat and two pegasus guards stepped aside to open a set of doors which revealed a large golden chariot encrusted with gems and other jewels. It was large enough to hold all non-flying ponies and one 6'2" human male. The two guards trotted quickly to the front of the chariot and hooked themselves up, ready to pull the group to Ponyville.

"I trust you'll all have a safe flight?" Celestia smiled.

"Of course Princess," Twilight smiled back and gestured for Cougar to take a seat first. The Air Force pilot took a deep breath in through his nose and climbed aboard, setting his duffel bag down on the floor.

"Wow," he whispered as he traced his fingers over the shiny golden surface, "I've never seen this much gold in my entire life," he commented and relaxed back onto the cushioned seats. Pinkie Pie hopped up and down until she landed right next to Cougar and stretched out with him.

"Princess Celestia sure knows how to ride in style, if only this chariot had a cupcake dispenser, I'd never leave it!" She exclaimed and tapped her fore hooves together. Cougar chuckled and looked behind him.

"Well, you guys coming or not?" He called. Rainbow and Soarin' stretched out their wings and flapped them until they were hovering in the air.

"Nah, we'll just fly along side you guys," Rainbow saluted.

"Yeah, haven't flown in about two days, these babies need some exercise," Soarin' added and did a few loops. Soon enough, Rarity, Fluttershy, Twilight, Applejack and Spike joined in the chariot with Pinkie and Cougar. Being the gentleman that he was, Cougar held out his hand and helped the ponies and dragon into their respective seats. Twilight and Spike both sat down in the front seat while Rarity, Fluttershy and Applejack joined Pinkie and Cougar in the back. Rarity was a little hesitant at having her hoof held by whatever was on Cougar's arm, that and she was still skeptical of him.

"I won't bite," Cougar smirked and motioned with the long curling devices on the end of his hoof. Rarity whined slightly and placed her hoof on Cougar's and the things wrapped around her hoof.

"Oh my!" The White unicorn shrieked while Cougar led her to her seat. "Thank you, but what in Celestia's name are those things on the end of your arm?" Rarity asked. Cougar looked at his hand and curled his fingers several times.

"You mean my fingers?" Cougar questioned.

"Yes, they feel, very weird," Rarity kept inspecting her hoof. Cougar chuckled and sat back down in between Pinkie Pie and Applejack. Up ahead, the two Pegasus guards both turned around and cleared their throats.

"If you are all ready?" The guard on the left asked. Everybody in the chariot nodded and the two guards sprouted their wings. They flapped their wings mightily and the golden chariot lurched forward.

"Weeeeeeee!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed happily exclaimed when the group was soon flying above Canterlot and over the valley. Applejack held onto her hat tightly so it wouldn't fall off while Fluttershy shook and covered her eyes. Cougar took notice and tapped Applejack on her shoulder.

"Hey Applejack, what's wrong with Fluttershy?" Cougar asked the apple farmer. The orange mare's emerald eyes darted from Cougar to Fluttershy and smiled a little.

"Oh, don't worry none 'bout Fluttershy, she's jest got uh fear uh heights is all," Applejack explained. Cougar raised an eyebrow, trying to figure out how that was possible.

"But isn't she a pegasus?" Cougar questioned. Applejack chuckled and rested her arm on the side of the chariot.

"Ya, we can't figure it out either, but once she's on thu ground, Fluttershy is the kindest pony y'all ever meet," the farmer replied. Meanwhile, Soarin and Rainbow were flying directly next to the chariot, all while doing various loops and barrel rolls.

"Oh man does it feel good to be back in the air!" Rainbow shouted and started flying on her back. The wind whipped through her mane and she rested her head on her arm. On the other side, Soarin was just chilling while taking in deep breaths.

"Ah, now this is relaxing," Soarin sighed and looked down at the scenery below him. "Hey Cougar, how does it feel to be back in the air again?" Soarin called. Cougar looked up and over to Soarin and clicked his tongue.

"Well, I wish I was in control, but this is nice," Cougar replied. He sat back down and tried to get a good look at what wonders lied on the ground, but was stuck in the middle seat.

"Hey Pinkie, could you switch me for a sec? I want to just see what everything looks like," he asked politely. The poofy maned pony grinned like the joker and picked up Cougar and scooted him to the side.

"Now, will you meet Gummy later on?" Pinkie asked.

"Who is Gummy?" Cougar replied before getting a chance to look at the landscape.

"My pet Alligator of course! He's the cutest and cuddliest little reptile you'll ever meet in your life!" Pinkie exclaimed and squeezed the air around her. Cougar turned his eyes away from Pinkie and shuddered at how overly-hyper she was. Ignoring her for just a brief moment, Cougar leaned over the side of the chariot and gazed upon the land before him.

"Wow," he whispered, "this is beautiful." Nestled in a valley was a quaint little village surrounded by acres upon acres of green hills and fields and various streams. Down below, he could spot numerous colors of different ponies on the ground, unaware that he was above them. He looked up ahead further and saw something he didn't expect to see in this land of ponies. "You guys have trains?" He asked in a curious tone.

"Yep!" Twilight replied from the front seat, "you sound surprised, do you have them back on your world?" She asked, sneaking in a question for her journal studying.

"Of course we have them on my world, I just didn't expect you guys to have them here, I thought you could just gallop or in some cases fly!" He pointed to the two pegasi flying next to the chariot.

"Well, Earth Ponies and unicorns can't fly Cougar, and some places are very far away!" Twilight explained. Suddenly, Twilight felt herself be pulled down on her seat by a clawed hand. "Spike!" Twilight scolded, "what are you doing?" She demanded as she fixed her mane.

"I just need to talk to you for a second Twi," Spike explained.

"You could just tap me on the shoulder instead of yanking down on my mane!" Twilight annoyingly exclaimed.

"Sorry, it's just that I don't like this guy Twilight," Spike admitted, "I think he's here to find our weaknesses and bring his species here to he can overthrow us." For another time that day, Twilight's wing slapped Spike upside the head.

"You listen here Spike," Twilight glowered, "Applejack can sense when someone is lying, and she hasn't said one word about him not telling the truth, and he looked so helpless and scared in the infirmary. He doesn't want to hurt anypony and he wants all of us to earn his trust and that's exactly what we're going to do, even if it does take awhile," Twilight scolded Spike.

"Fine, just don't complain if this all backfires on us," Spike pulled a comic book out of nowhere. Twilight rolled her eyes and breathed a sigh. 'I can't wait to tell Shining Armor and Cadence about this. I wonder if we can take Cougar to the Crystal Empire someday?' She thought to herself. Finally, the chariot began to slow down and descend upon Ponyville.

"Spike, do you still have that letter that Princess Celestia gave you to give to the Mayor?" Twilight asked. Still reading his comic book, Spike held up the rolled up scroll and set it down next to Twilight. "Alright now Cougar, we're about to land, how are you feeling?" The purple Alicorn asked. Looking up from admiring the town, Cougar blinked hard several times and gulped.

"I have an idea on what will happen, but I've only seen it happen in Monster movies," Cougar replied. Applejack scooted past Pinkie and placed her hoof on his shoulder.

"Come on now Cougar, yer not a monster. Sure yer different, but that don't mean anything as long as yer heart and mind are in the right place. Like fer you, these other ponies might take some time to get used to ya," Applejack replied.

"I know Applejack, but what about you guys?" He asked, "I don't want every other pony to shame you guys or ostracize you all just because of me," Cougar admitted. Now Rainbow and Soarin flew closer to the chariot so as to get a better listen to the conversation.

"Pfft, don't sweat it Coug, we already know you're not dangerous to us, and besides if they mock and shame Twilight, they'll be shaming a Princess and Twilight can take care of them," Rainbow rubbed her hooves together evilly.

"Rainbow, you know I'm not going to use my Princess status to abuse my power just because other ponies have a different opinion," Twilight glared at her friend.

"Oh come on, I'm just saying once isn't gonna kill you, and haven't you always wondered what it would be like to always have the final say?" Rainbow asked.

"Try living with her and you'd understand," Spike remarked in a smart aleck tone. Twilight ignored Spike and braced herself as the Chariot touched down on the ground.

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(Cougar POV)

This was it. I finally get to reveal myself to more than a dozen ponies now. I was dreading it more than looking forward to it. I couldn't care less about how they reacted to me, I was far more worried about how the others would get treated. I wouldn't call them my friends just yet, but they had saved my life and I wanted to try and at least make new friends. The Chariot touched ground and the two guards pulling said chariot galloped until they came to a complete stop in front of what I guessed was the Town or City Hall. Immediately, ponies of all colors, species, sizes, ages and genders were wide eyed at the royal chariot landing in Ponyville. I could hear various voices talking to one another about what the royal chariot was doing in their town.

"Okay, I've got the letter for the Mayor, do you have everything Cougar?" Twilight asked me. I couldn't speak. Not a word, not a sound, but I nodded slowly. The two guards opened the doors to the chariot and we all stepped out. A hushed silence fell upon the crowd as I stepped out with my duffel bag hanging from my shoulder. Dozens upon dozens of ponies' eyes were as big as dinner plates staring at me.

"Come on Coug, just ignore them for now," Soarin' tried to get my spirits up. I made sure to not make a sound for fear of there being a large panic ensuing.

"What is that thing?" I heard a voice ask. I turned slightly to see a little filly that was pink and had a tiara on her head and on her hindquarters. That I'm gonna have to ask about. Another filly that was silver and had a tattoo of a spoon on her rear stood next to her.

"It looks like a monkey and a minotaur had a baby, and an ugly one at that," the two snickered at the comment. Thankfully, I had learned to not give a crap of what negative opinions others had of me a long time ago, so I easily ignored the two brats. I allowed Twilight to lead the way since she was the Princess of this group. Her hoof knocked on the front door of the town hall and a Mare with a gray mane and a pair of glasses on her face answered.

"Oh hello Princess Twil- OH MY!" She shrieked when she saw me, "your highness, what is this creature that is with you?" The Mare Mayor asked. I just realized the pun there if there was one.

"Hello Madame Mare, this is Cougar, we found him near Canterlot unconscious, injured and without a place to stay," Twilight covered up where I was truly found, "so we decided to take him in at Ponyville and Princess Celestia sent us this letter for you," Twilight explained. She levitated the scroll into the hooves of the Mayor whom promptly opened it and read it aloud.

"Dear Madame Mayor, we found this poor human who calls himself Cougar injured and alone near our castle in Canterlot. We know not how he arrived here or why, but we took him in at the royal infirmary and now the Elements of Harmony have taken it upon themselves to give him a loving home in Ponyville. I know this is all sudden and that Cougar is vastly different than any of our creatures in our realm, so please give him a kind and warm welcome, for he promised us he is not here to harm us, and my sister has already made his acquaintance, so he is a kind soul." The Mayor ceased reading the letter and set the scroll down on the table.

"We couldn't have just told her that ourselves?" Rainbow questioned.

"Or that he was really found-" Pinkie started before Applejack shoved an apple in her mouth. I chuckled at Pinkie's reaction.

"Well, this is strange, do you talk Cougar?" The Mayor asked me.

"Unless you have a different word for it, but yes I am," I joked. She looked like she had seen a ghost after I talked. She calmed herself and took a sip of water from a paper cup before resuming.

"It is a pleasure to meet you then if the Princesses trusts you, but I must warn you, other ponies may not take your presence here lightly," she warned me.

"Don't worry, I kinda figured that," I replied, "as the letter said, I don't know how I got here, but I'm here and I will make the most of it, but I don't want to hurt any of your citizens okay?" I asked her. She cocked her eyebrow and slowly stuck her hoof out to me. I shook it and she had the same reaction Rarity had earlier.

"If you have any questions I'm sure one of the Elements can help you or you can come talk to me," she informed, "and I will hold a conference with the town later on to ease the town's mind," she added and showed us the door.

"Wait, is that it?" I asked.

"Yes, I am very busy today and it was nice meeting you, but you have to go," she shoved us out the door and shut it.

"That went better than expected," I commented before looking at the sea of ponies all surrounding us, "and we're surrounded," I said.

"Okay, let's back it up ponies, we gotta get our friend out of here," Rainbow floated in the air and motioned for everyone to move.

"Yeh, jest move outta our way so we can git on home," Applejack joined in. The sea of ponies parted ways, leaving a thin aisle for us to walk through. It felt weird being stared at like I was an animal in a zoo, but I trudged forward, ignoring the stares.

"I must simply get back to the boutique!" Rarity exclaimed, "Sapphire Shores is beginning her tour in a month for the summer and I have to make a different outfit for her and her dancers!" Rarity galloped away.

"And I better get back to SugarCube Corner and help out the Cakes make goodies," Pinkie licked her lips, "stop by any time for a cupcake or a milkshake Cougar!" Pinkie hopped away just like Pepe La Pew.

"Cougar? That is not a cougar, have these ponies gone mad?" I heard another voice ask. I turned and it belonged to a tanned stallion with a black mane and three bags of money on his hindquarters.

"It's just a nickname buddy," I replied without thinking.

"IT TALKS?!" Several dozen voices asked at the same time. A good majority of the crowd vanished into different buildings while some stayed behind.

"Well, I've got to get back to the library and start on my report," Twilight said as Spike followed her.

"Report fer whut?" Applejack asked Twilight.

"Oh, nothing," Twilight hid her face and disappeared with a flash of pink light. I turned around to not see Fluttershy anymore, except a cloud of dust where she was.

"I'll go get ready for tonight Rainbow, I'll pick you up around seven?" Soarin' asked her.

"Sounds good, you're paying right?" She asked.

"As a good stallion would for his amazingly awesome and beautiful mare!" Soarin replied and took off after hugging Rainbow.

"At least he's not all icky and mushy about it," Rainbow shrugged after turning back to Applejack and myself.

"So, are you gonna come with me and Applejack then Rainbow?" I asked the lightning fast mare. She cracked her neck and stretched out her arms some more before answering.

"Nah, I've gotta read up the last two Daring Do books before the next one comes out, and maybe take a little nap before my date with Soarin," she replied with a smirk.

"Yet you complained about being confined to a hospital bed for two days," I reminded her.

"Yeah, but naps happen when I decide, and plus my bed is comfier than a hospital bed," she said while sticking her tongue out.

"Whatever floats yer cloud Rainbow," Applejack chuckled. Rainbow crouched down like a Tiger stalking its prey and launched into the air like a freakin' space shuttle. She even left behind rainbow contrails.

"Okay, that was pretty cool," I admitted as Rainbow disappeared into the sky. Applejack and I soon found ourselves leaving the staring eyes of the towns ponies and walking along a dirt road.

"Yeah, Rainbow is cool, yet sometimes she can sometimes be a pain in the neck, but she's also a pretty good friend," Applejack replied to me, "she ain't the element o' loyalty fer no reason," she added.

"Elements? Are you all like heroes or something?" I asked, knowing that it was kind of unfair since I requested that no one else ask me any more questions. However, Applejack smiled and replied.

"You could say that, Ah mean we've all defeated several different villains in the past five years," Applejack explained. "Ah'm the element 'o honesty, which means I never lie and I can tell when someone is lyin'," she explained, "and despite you not wanting to tell us much, I can tell you ain't lyin' Cougar," she added. She adjusted her hat so it wouldn't slip down ever her eyes as we ascended a small hill in the dirt road and I was greeted with a beautiful sight. "Here we are, Sweet Apple Acres," Applejack raised her hoof and gestured to the view in front of us.

There were thousands upon thousands of tall apple trees with various colored apples growing on the branches. A large red barn sat in the middle of the farm with dozens of hay bales nestled inside. A chicken coop sat perched about twenty yards away from the barn and a nice two story house sat about forty yards to the left of the barn. Several animal pens were sitting a few hundred yards away from the chicken coop with sheep, cows and pigs living inside them. I saw a large red stallion with a dirty blonde mane and a large half green apple on his hindquarters hauling a cart full of farming equipment.

"Well, whut do ya think Cougar?" Applejack asked me after lightly pressing her hoof on my foot to get me out of my daydream.

"This place is beautiful," I replied and sniffed rather loudly, "and it smells delicious, like apples," I pointed out the obvious.

"Haha, Ah'm glad ya like it, now let's go meet mah family," Applejack chuckled. She led the way as continued down the dirt road. I didn't notice how warm it was until the shade from the apple trees covered our bodies.

"So, do you guys harvest these apples?" I asked.

"We sure do Cougar, every beginnin' o' Summer we buck these apples off the trees and make 'em into pies, cider, apple sauce, cobbler or we just sell 'em at the Ponyville market every Saturday, which just so happens to be today," Applejack told me.

"Oh, do you need any help getting the apples?" I offered, ready to work.

"I like yer enthusiasm, but no, harvest don't begin for another week," she replied, "looks like you got here just in time," she joked. I smirked at the joke and swapped my duffel bag strap to my other shoulder. "There's Big Mac, he's my big brother." I looked up at the big red Stallion who just disconnected himself from the cart and was taking a breather. "Hey, Big Macintosh!" Apple called to him. The stallion looked up at us and froze when he saw me.

"Hello there Big-" I started before Big Mac was immediately in front of us and was glaring at me. I wasn't much taller than him, I guess that's why his name was Big Mac, though Celestia was obviously taller.

"Big Mac, this here is Cougar, you wanna say hello?" Applejack asked her brother.

"Nnnope," Big Mac said slowly. Applejack sighed and shook her head. "What're ya and what're ya doin' with ma sister?" Big Mac demanded from me.

"My name is Cougar and I'm a human, I woke up here when my craft crash and I have no way to get home," I explained, giving him the abridged version.

"So, what're ya doin' here Cougar? If that is yer real name, ya don't look like a Cougar ta me," Big Mac growled. Applejack got in between us and glared at her brother.

"I decided that we'll take him in while he's here Big Mac. He didn't have any uther place ta go so I volunteered to take him in, and you're gonna be fine with it right?" Applejack glared.

"But why sis? Aren't ya worried he could just be usin' us to plan an invasion for his species?" the large stallion asked.

"Now you listen right here Big Mac," Applejack stood on her hind legs to look straight into his eyes, "Cougar is mah guest and he's going to be staying here with us for the foreseeable future, yah got that?" She pointed her hoof in his chest.

"Eeyup," Big Mac grumbled and turned around to go inside the house. Applejack sighed and turned back to me.

"Sorry 'bout that Cougar, Big Mac can get a li'l stubborn sometimes," Applejack apologized.

"It's no big deal, I was actually ready for him to knock me on my ass," I reassured her. She led me inside the house where an older pony that was green and had an apple pie on her hindquarters was napping in a chair.

"That there is Granny Smith, she's a good pony and still a hard worker, even at her age," Applejack said as she nudged the old pony. "Granny Smith, wake up, Ah've got a surprise fer ya," Applejack whispered. The old pony suddenly sprang to life on her legs and started shouting random things.

"Hey, where's mah walker? What in tarnation happened to mah glass o' milk on the table?" Granny Smith shouted before shaking her head and turning to Applejack. "Oh hello dearie, and who's yer friend here? Don't reckon Ah've seen somethin' like him before," she got real close to my face and squinted.

"Uh Granny, this here is Cougar, he's gonna be our guest for awhile," Applejack replied.

"Oh and where'd ya find him at? Didja meet in town at the restaurant?" Granny asked and nudged myself and Applejack whom blushed. I knew what that meant, and I quickly extinguished that idea.

"No Granny Smith, we're uh acquaintances, no romantic interests here," I shook my hands. "I'm actually surprised you're not afraid of me like nearly everyone else has been," I added. Granny Smith chuckled and placed her hoof on my shoulder, or tried to anyways.

"Ah don't believe in judgin' Celestia's creatures based on their outer appearance young feller, Ah believe in getting to know somepony before ya go off and judge them," she advised me.

"Well, thank you, and I'm also here to help your farm with harvesting apples and other chores," I explained.

"Can't have too many helpers that's fer sure, Ah think I'll fix up some lunch, ya hungry?" She asked us.

"Actually, I think I could eat," I replied.

"Me too," Applejack seconded and we all headed into the kitchen where I set my bag down on the floor near a chair and took off my hat after Applejack. Big Mac headed back outside after rinsing out a glass. I soon heard the pattering of tiny hooves on the wooden floor and a little yellow filly with big orange eyes, a red mane and a pink bow in her mane scampered into the kitchen.

"Applejack, how is Rainbow doin'? Why were ya gone fer two days-" She began until she saw me sitting at the end of the table.

"Hello," I said. The little filly froze and hid behind Applejack's chair, away from me.

"Applebloom!" Applejack scolded, "that's no way to treat our guest, you come out here and say hello young lady," Applejack ordered. Applebloom slowly stepped out from behind the chair, looking down at the floor. She looked up at me and then flinched away.

"He's not gonna hurt me is he?" Applebloom asked Applejack.

"'O course not Applebloom, he's very nice and just needed uh place to stay," Applejack replied, "now please come out and say hi, ya might like him," she added. I could hear Applebloom breath deeply and step out from behind the chair again.

"Hello, Ah'm Applebloom, what's your name?" The little filly asked me.

"Cougar," I replied, "and let me say, you have got to be the cutest thing I've ever seen!" I reached out and petted her head. She shook in fear slightly, but let me pet her head.

"Thanks, are you friends with mah sister?" Applebloom asked.

"More like acquaintances AB," Applejack replied. Applebloom pulled out a chair next to Applejack and waited patiently for lunch.

"Applejack, are there any rooms left for me in here?" I asked her.

"Right, no there ain't but we do have an old storage shed that's been empty fer about five or six years now, but it may need a little fixin' up," Applejack grimaced.

"Well, let's go see it while we're waiting for lunch," I offered.

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(Outside near the house)

Myself, Applejack and Applebloom were standing outside the shed that Applejack talked about. Fixing up was an understatement. The walls were old and rotting away and the only window had a hole in it from what I could only guess was from a rock or a baseball. The roof seemed fine, but I would take a look at that. The frame looked to be in good shape as well, just the siding and the window needed a lot of attention. "Well, here it is," Applejack announced, "Ah know it ain't much, but it's somethin'," she apologized.

"No, it's fine. I've always dreamed of having my own place to fix up," I said and grabbed the door handle. I pulled on the door and the door came off the hinges and the rotted wood fell into a crumbled pile until all I was holding was a rusty handle. "Hmm, faulty door handle," I joked.

End Chapter IV

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Phew, this one took awhile. So, Cougar has been introduced to the Apple family, Ponyville chapter. I know some parts where Cougar met someone was rushed, but I didn't want to make it boring as hell where he'd always say the same thing. And now Cougar has a place to stay, he just needs to fix it up and that is where Applebloom will really come into the story because I want her and Cougar to be good friends. Who wouldn't want to be friends with an adorable little filly like Applebloom?