“So, what do ya think she wants ta talk about?” I ask Shadow as we walk to my farm. I wanted to ask earlier, but it didn’t seem right to bring it up around ponies she doesn’t know that well.

“I don’t know,” she says dejectedly, lowering her head. “She’s always bossing me around! For whatever reason, she’s determined to keep me away from anything she does! Usually she just tells me not to do something and I just listen, so she probably wants to tell me off.”

“… wait, ya stood up ta Diamond?”

“Not directly. She told me not to go to the air ball game, and I did.”

“… an why did ya go to the air ball game?” I ask, knowing the answer already.

“… well… I told Rumble I would.” She says quietly, using her bangs to hide her face from me. I take a deep breath and get ready to see what exactly Shadow knows about Rumble.

“Did ya’ll know Diamond and Rumble used ta be a thing?” She looks up to me with a slightly confused look.

“No, but why… you don’t think she’s mad at me for being with him… do you?”

“If there is one thing Diamond can’t do, its share. Shadow my friend; you are now in the middle of a fight fer a stallion. Welcome ta the glorious life of high school drama.”

“I should have been home schooled.” I laugh at that, patting Shadow on the back to cheer her up. “What should I do?”

“Mmm… well, the normal thing ta do would talk ta Rumble about this and let him know about yer concerns.”

“… and why can’t I do that?”

“Oh, yer gonna do that. But somethin is gonna happen and blow all of this back in our faces. It always has, it always will. Maybe not right away, but it’ll happen. Not sure why though, but that’s life ah guess.” Shadow shrugs and accepts it at that. It sucks that that’s what’s going to happen, but it is. I don’t think we’d be as good as friends if things happened normally between us.

We keep quiet the rest of the walk home. I keep glancing back to check if anypony is following us, but never see anypony. When we make it into the apple orchard we pass dozens of different… people. Bears, griffins, zebras, all kinds of different people are working the farm right now. The only consistent thing about them is that they all wear goggles, for whatever reason.

“So… looks like work has been easy around here.” Shadow comments.

“It’s been more of a hassle than a blessin. Half these folk don’t know a thing about apple buckin, AH’M TALKING ABOUT YOU Wǎnshàng yàjūn!” I yell out at a certain chimp, who then hides from me by climbing up the tree. “Ah swear, Apple Slice needs ta grow up so we can kick them out already.”

“But I’m sure the help is appreciated.”

“Well… it is, but at the same time, it aint. This is our farm, and we like to work our land. But, they won’t listen to us. They’re under strict orders from Hammer to help out-“

“Have you guys told him this?”

“Pfft, ha! Please, he’s probably the more stubborn than Applejack. It’s worse actually. He’s more stubborn, in a passive aggressive sense! Big Mac and I need ta corner him alone and do it. Applejack is too soft on him.”

“Well… they are married.” I roll my eyes at that and hurry home. Hammer is a good stallion and all, I’m just tired of all these people working our land. It… just feels wrong.

I walk through the door and call out that I’m here with Shadow. Applejack yells back her greeting from upstairs. I drop my bag off on the couch and head into the kitchen, looking for Big Mac. He isn’t here, so he’s probably out in the fields or something. I grab an apple juice for me and Shad before taking a seat at the table, having Shad join me at the table.

“So, ya gonna have yer talk with Rumble today, or procrastinate like usual?” I ask, giving her the juice.

“I don’t procrastinate-“

“I took ya’ll two years to tell Miles yer last name is Knight.”

“He never asked! Plus… I didn’t want to be rude and correct him-“

“Ya took forever ta tell us how ya got yer cutie mark!”

“It never came up!”

“And have ya told yer parents how loud they are at night yet?” She goes red in the cheeks and fumbles over her response. As she tries to find the right response, the back door opens as Fluttershy steps in.

“Oh, I didn’t know we had company. Hello Shadow. I’m not interrupting anything, am I?”

“No! I mean, no. And hello, I was just-“

“Shadow’s havin colt problems-“

“Am not!”

“Oh… my.” Fluttershy starts to back out of the room as Shadow glares at me. I just shrug and take a drink from my apple juice. “Um… I’m just going to go get Rampant from school-“

“Ah can get him fer ya iffin ya like. IIt’ll give us some time ta talk things over.” I offer to Fluttershy.

“Oh… you don’t have to-“

“Alrighty then, let’s go Shadow.” I jump out of my seat and start to walk off, but stop at the door way to wait for Shadow.

“I think I’ll let you handle this on your own-“

“Don’t make me force ya.” I say flatly.

“I have magic,” she warns.

“Ah have rope.” I warn back, giving her an even glare. We stare each other down for a few moments before she finally folds.

“Fine. Bye Fluttershy,” she says with a grumble as she gets out of her seat. I smile and lead her out of the house, yelling back to Fluttershy that we’ll be back soon. She mutters a response, but I couldn’t quite here it.

“So, ya haven’t done it with him yet, have ya?” I ask Shadow, making her trip and land on her face. “Ah’ll get Applejacks shotgun.”

I let a long sigh as I sit in the colts locker room shower, letting the warm water wash down my mane and over the rest of me. I don’t know what I’m going to tell Diamond that will actually get her to listen. I really doubt any words will actually get through to her, and I don’t want to… use my usual means. I’d to have at least one relationship where it didn’t revolve around that!

“Did you here? The aggies and the preps nearly went at it earlier.” My ears perk up at that. I lean back and try to listen in on the conversation a few rows down.

“No way! What happened?”

“I dunno, but some preps went to the school farm and were going to throw down! But the teacher down there stopped them before anything could happen.”

“Awesome! Wait… colts or fillies?” Why is that important?

“Fillies.”

“Nice.” … um… what?

“I know right! Good thing they were stopped. I wanna see some mare on mare action!” I stop listening at this point and shake my head at them. What could possibly be attractive about two mare fighting with each other!? I mean, I guess seeing two mares rubbing up on each other would be enough for some… but I just don’t see it.

I finish up my shower and dry off as quickly as possible. Hopefully I can still find Shadow before anything goes wrong. I grab my things and dart out the locker room, giving a quick goodbye to my friends as I take off for the schools farm. It doesn’t take me long to get there, but sadly I don’t see Shadow here.

“Need help finding something?” some mare asks from the red barn.

“Uh… no, well… I’m looking for Shadow. Have you seen her? Black coat, grey and blue mane-“

“Yeah, she was here earlier with Applebloom. Nearly got in a fight with that Diamond skank too. I believe they went to Sweet Apple Acres-“

“Thanks!” Before she could say anything else I take back off into the sky and head for Sweet Apple Acres. Luckily it’s one of the more well-known farms, so finding it won’t be a problem.

Okay, so there are a lot of… different people working on this farm. I didn’t know they were so… diverse. Nothing against the Apples, but… I guess farmer stereotypes got the better of me. Anyway, I head towards the nearest building where I see the first pony working here. She’s a Pegasus mare with a light yellow coat and pink hair. Not bad on the eyes to be honest.

“Excuse me!” I call out to her. She lets out a yelp and darts inside the barn, slamming the door shut. “Oh… sorry?” I say while landing confused.
“Ya’ll have ta forgive that one. She’s a bit jumpy.” Another mare walks out from the far side of the barn and greets me. “Names Applejack, can ah help ya?”

“Yes, please. I’m Rumble and I’m looking Shadow. I was told she was here-“

“She was here earlier, but left with Applebloom ta pick up the youngin from school. Ya’ll can wait here until they get back. “

“Oh, thank you-“

“Don’t mention it! So, who are ya ta Shadow anyway?” Her question comes out rather blunt and makes me pause for a second.

“Well… I’d like to think I’m her coltfriend, but I don’t know if we’re quite there yet.” I answer her cautiously for her some reason. I think she’s trying to pry information from me, but then again, she could just be making conversation.

“Huh, ah didn’t know Shadow was inta colts. Well, not with her parents at least. Well, ah have ta head inside. Feel free to wait in the living room, and mind the orcs. They don’t like it when ya stare.” I pause again when she tells me that. I’m not entirely sure what an Orc is, but I have a feeling I’m going to stare.

I follow her inside and take a seat in the living room. The room is basically what I was expecting it to be, only with a few toys littering the floor. I guess there’s a foal in the family. Applejack comes back down with a foal in her saddle. He has an orange coat with white hair that has a streak of red going through it.

“So… is that your nephew?” I ask.

“Don’t ya’ll try an butter me up with all that flattery. This is my son, Apple Slice.” Oh… she does not look quite… old enough to be a mother. Like, she’s a very young mother. And I doubt she’s had multiple kids either. I apologize and go back to sitting here quietly. She offers me a smile before heading towards the back. Apple Slice waved to me, I found that a little adorable.

A few minutes goes by before anything really happens. Applejack fed Apple Slice and I just sat here, waiting. Eventually a large grey-green beast, walking on two legs, entered the house. It has a pigs face, a lizard like tail, and… to put it simply, it was freaking huge. It had to bend over to stand in the room.

“Something wrong, little morsel?” It asks in a deep voice, glaring down at me. Only now did I notice the two tusk like teeth protruding from its mouth.

“… uh…”

“Leave him alone Brosh and come tell me how the southern field is coming along!” Applejack yells from the back. He gives me one more look over before turning away from me. So… that’s an orc. Terrifying.

“… and that’s why you don’t snort the glue at school. Who’s that guy?” A little colt walks in. He’s red with light yellow hair and wears a vest. Applebloom and Shadow walk in after him and stare at me.

“Um… hi? I’m Rumble-“

“You here to help buck apples?” The colt asks shortly.

“Uh… no-“

“Then I don’t care. MOOOOOM? ARE YOU HOME?” He yells out while walking towards the back. “Hey Brosh! Did you meet quota today… no? What do you mean no?”

“We should head outside.” Applejack suggests.

“What do you mean there are too many apples!? It’s only fifty square acres!” I nod and quickly follow them out as the kid starts to go off on the giant terrifying… thing.

“So… how did it go?” I ask nervously when we can’t hear the kid anymore.

“Well-“

“Yer ex-floozy nearly jumped Shadow! That’s how it went!” Applebloom yells at me.

“Um… can we talk in private?” I ask, staring at Applebloom.

“I think-“

“Since ah nearly had ta get in a fight with Diamond, ah think ah get ta be here.” Applebloom says, putting her hoof down. She can’t be serious. I mean, I appreciate what she did… but this is just intrusive.

“Applebloom! Ah need ya real quick!” Applejack, my saving grace, yells from the front door. Applebloom glares at me for a second before walking back to the house, muttering something about floozies.

“So-“

“Follow me. I… want to go somewhere private too.” Shadow tells me quietly. I nod to her and follow after her.

We walk through the tree line and enter the orchard in the back. There aren’t any workers here at the moment, but she keeps on walking. I wanted to ask her where she was taking me, but… it didn’t feel right to talk right now. Something is troubling her at the moment, and I have a feeling it’s something more than almost getting into a fight.

We come up to an opening where we find a tree house. It’s a bit old, but clean and well used. We take the ramp up and enter the small room. There isn’t much in here, just some papers with rough drawings and basic furniture. She walks over to a window and takes a seat by it, staring out at the orchard below. I join her at her side and drape a wing over her, waiting for her to start.

“Applebloom tells me you used to date Diamond,” she starts after a small amount of time.

“Yeah, is that what has you worried?” I ask slowly.

“A little. Does she know about us?” she asks, looking away from me slightly.

“Well… what are we?” I ask, getting her to look at me. “I haven’t told anypony anything, but… if I did, what would I tell them? What are we?”

“Rumble… I…” She looks away again, unable to find an answer. “I’m sorry. This… is all new to me. I don’t know how to answer that question.”

“Why not? What aren’t you clear about?” I ask calmly. She takes a moment to think to herself, and I just wait patiently for her.

“I guess I’m just worried about what will happen when you meet my family. I love my family, very dearly. I put a lot of value in what they say and think.”

“Is that all?” I ask with almost a chuckle. She shakes her head and looks at me with a very serious look about her.

“You don’t understand. Some of my family members are… very different, to say the least. The Spartans have a mentality that very few get along with-“

“The who?” I ask, confused.

“My father is the leader of a very advance military group, and one of my mother’s is a private as well. We’re all very close, even the new recruits being trained are close to me. If they don’t like you… well, I’m not saying that I would suddenly stop being with you, but their opinions mean a lot to me.”

“And you’re worried that they won’t like me?”

“Partially. I’m mostly worried that you won’t like them. They aren’t normal people Rumble. They come from different walks of life and have been through tremendous ordeals. Some of them are… difficult, to get along with.” I nod and think for a moment. Her dad is a special, high ranking guard that works with various other special guards.

“Is your dad one of those night ponies at the castle?”

“Rumble… would you like to come to my place for dinner and meet some of them. It will just be easier that way.” She seems really nervous about this, but I think she’s just over thinking it. Everypony thinks that their family is weird, I mean, look at mine! Plus, I’ve handled guard ponies before. Being in sports helps with that. I give her a squeeze with my wing and a small peck on the cheek.

“I’d love to. But, just so you know, I think you’re just over thinking things. Everypony has family issues. Given, they don’t normally involve alicorns, but I’m sure your family will work the same.”

“… This isn’t going to end well,” she says meekly.

“Don’t worry so much! I’m sure everything will turn out alright. I mean, what’s- *THWUMP*” Before I could finish, she shoves her hoof in my mouth.

“Don’t say that. It’s a… family thing. You don’t say those words.” I give her a look, but nod when I see how serious she is. Okay, maybe her family won’t be like everypony else’s, but I think I can handle it.

“Can ya’ll watch Apple Slice while I go out and do some damage control? Apparently those beavers are back and have stared flooding the southern field again. Shy and ah shouldn’t be long.” I ask Applebloom. She gives me a look before nodding and heading in. “Hey,” I call out to her, getting her to stop. “What’s the matter?”

“It’s nuthin… well… can we talk when ya get back?” I give her a look over before smiling to her.

“Couse little sis. Now ah shouldn’t be too long, but if he gets fussy just give him that darn bag.”

“Hammers old bag?”

“Yeah… that one.” I don’t know why, but that bag… there’s something about that bag I just don’t like. It used to be Hammers, but he said it wants to be with Apple Slice now. Whatever that means. “Ah have ta go, take care!”

I step outside and take a deep breath, enjoying the fresh air. With that, I take off for the southern fields. Several of the workers Hammer sent pause to wave goodbye or just stare, but I just ignore them and gallop off to fix the problem. It’s odd how we can get all this extra help, but there’s always something to keep us busy. Given, their work is really up to par with our standards, but the help is still appreciated.

It takes a while, but I eventually find the source of the problem. Those damn beavers are building their dam in our irrigation river again. Fluttershy is here with her apple bucking staff that Miles made for her. She’s trying to talk to one of the beavers, but it doesn’t seem to be listening.

“Hey there Shy, how’re thing here?” I ask, shooting a dirty look to the beaver.

“Oh, not so good. My. Beverton wants to build here because of all the loud activity that’s happening near his old home.” Fluttershy explains, getting an approving nod from the beaver.

“Noise… he’s makin a noise complaint?” I deadpan, getting a happy nod from Fluttershy.

“Yes. It seems the Spartan training has grown too close to his river, and it’s simply too loud for them to sleep peacefully. I apologized to him about that and asked if he would consider moving to the river in White Tail Woods, but he simply refuses.”

“… because?”

“*Squeak squeak squeak sq***k squeak squeak sq***k!” The beaver starts mouthing off at Fluttershy, making her cover her mouth.

“My word, what languages!” she scolds.

“Uh, Fluttershy, can ah have a word with ya over here?” I ask her, stepping aside. She excuses herself from the beaver and follows me to the side.

“Yes Applejack?”

“Ah don’t want ta sound rude, but that dang beaver needs ta git off mah property.” I tell Fluttershy, putting her on end a bit.

“Oh, I’m sorry. It’s just… they don’t want to leave, and-“

“Fluttershy, ah know yer trying to make a compromise fer everypony, but it aint happenin here. Ah already get five acres a orchard fer those bats, ah aint letting the entire southern fields go to some beavers that don’t want ta cooperate.”

“Applejack, I’m sorry that this isn’t as simple as it used to be, but it’s how things have to go for the time being. We can’t just get rid of the beavers! They’re an essential part of the eco system here. And so are the bats!” she says defensively. I shake my head at that and glace over at the water. It hasn’t risen much yet, but it’ll start flowing over the banks soon enough.

“Fluttershy. Ya know ah love ya ta death, but this isn’t something we can really negotiate on at the moment. A lot of ponies rely on these apples. We don’t have the money or the time to replace an entire section of the orchard. They need to leave, or ponies –and griffins- will go hungry. This orchard is in the next rotation. We need it. Ah’m sorry, but they have to go. No compromises.”

She looks down and holds the staff closer to herself. I know I’m being a bit harsh with her, but I have to be. If it was in a different field I wouldn’t be, but this field is in the next rotation, so I have to. I put a hoof on her shoulder and give her a reassuring look. She looks up to me for a moment before looking back down and nods. I step aside and watch her talk to the beaver. It doesn’t take kindly to what she has to say, but after a while of talking back and forth it finally agrees. It pulls out a twig and undoes all the work it had done in a matter of seconds. I sigh in relief, but Fluttershy still looks down.

“Ah’m sorry Fluttershy, but that’s how things work right now. We don’t have the luxury ta be kind ta everypony right now. Not while others are suffering.” I tell her, pulling her in for a quick hug.

“I know. But that doesn’t make it any easier,” she tells me, hugging me back.

“How about ah go back and get my cart ta help them move?” I offer, but she shakes her head slowly.

“The Beaverton’s are moving away from Ponyville. They say it’s becoming to industrious here for them.” I almost yell out in joy from that, but stop when I see how much it’s affecting Fluttershy.

“Shy… it’ll be okay. Ah’m sure they’re just sore about things right now.” I try to offer, but she continues to shake her head.

“No, they’re right. Times are changing around here. I don’t think it’ll happen immediately, but… they are the first woodland family to leave Ponyville.”

“Oh… ah’m sorry Shy. Ah didn’t know.” She wipes a tear away and tries to collect herself.

“It’s nothing big, just a murder of crows, but I’m afraid that is something isn’t done soon there won’t be any room for all the creatures to coexist with ponies. Not openly at least. Times are becoming too different right now. Sorry for worrying you.”

“Hey, don’t forget that yer mah sister now. If something is troubling you, you come straight to me and tell me. Ah may not always be able ta help, but ah will always be there fer ya. Now c’mon, Rampant came home and ah think he’s still chewing out Brosh.”

“Not again!” Fluttershy exclaims, taking off without me. I laugh a bit and start to take off, but stop to glance back at the beavers. True to what Fluttershy said, they’re all scurrying off west. Ah’m not sure what this means fer us, but ah do agree with Fluttershy. Times are changing.

Next Chapter: Chapter 210 Dinner In Moosden Estimated time remaining: 25 Hours, 23 Minutes