Applejack and Quentin walked through the sunset filled town. Everywhere as far as the eye could see, different ponies were still enjoying the sunlight they had left. Some shops were getting ready to close in the next few hours. Some ponies carried saddlebags on their backs, while others, usually unicorn ponies, used their magic to levitate them. Though as Quentin gazed around, he couldn't help but feel like he'd seen this before...back on Earth. Was it from pictures, or maybe a television show?

On their way to Applejack's home, she told Quentin that there are three kinds of ponies in Equestria, Unicorn ponies, who has magic like Twilight and Rarity, Pegasus ponies, like Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, and Earth ponies, like herself, and Pinkie Pie.

"Wow, so I would be a...earth pony then?'' Quentin asked intrigued.

"Looks like it,'' Applejack smiled. "An' a good, strong one too if I do say so myself.''

Quentin smirk and looked down shyly.

"So, where are the Pegasus ponies? The only ones I've seen were Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy,'' the newly transformed earth pony asked.

Applejack chuckled, "Oh those fellers stay up there in Cloudsdale,'' Applejack answered.

Quentin did a double take. "Cloudsdale?'' he asked, surprised.

"Yup, it's a city up yonder in the skies,'' Applejack explained. "Only Pegasi can live there, on the count o' Cloudsdale is made up o' clouds an only Pegasi can walk on em'.''

Quentin stared in awe. This place was getting more interesting to him by the minute. "Wow... and Earth ponies farm?''

"Yes sir, well not all of em do. "Some, like Pinkie Pie fer instance, work at Surgarcube Corner, a bakery. Any who, though Earth ponies are typically more in tune to the land than the other races, they can do an assortment of jobs, usually havin' somethin ta do with their cutie marks an' their destined callin,'' Applejack informed Quentin as he listened.

"Yup been a farm gal ever since I was young. Me, my brother Big Macintosh, my little sister Apple Bloom, and ol Granny Smith, bless her heart,'' Applejack added proudly.

"So that's what Sweet Apple Acres is, a farm?'' Quentin asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Darn tootin it is Quentin!'' Applejack said excitedly.

"As the name insists, it's mostly an apple orchard just west of Ponyville. But we do grow corn an carrots an' such.''

As she told her new friend this, they had walked past the cottages and along a white, wooden fence and were approaching a large, arched entrance covered in flowers and leaves.

"Trust me Quentin, yur goin to love Sweet Apple Acres, why I wouldn't be surprised that you will feel like yur right at home!'' Applejack beamed.

Quentin smiled softly but to his surprise, Applejack had opened her mouth and started to sing as they came to the archway to see that it lead to a vast farmland and orchards. The stallion's jaw dropped at the site.

I know a place,

Pretty as pie,

Out where the riverbend

Hits up with the end of the sky.

It's west of this town here

And over a crest,

On a little patch of heaven

Way out west.

Quentin was surprised and puzzled. He looked around awkwardly. Was Applejack really...singing? Though actually she had a nice voice, a lovely voice, but to him it was like he had just stepped into a cartoon musical intervention.

Ev'rything's green-

Know what I mean?

Darlin' it's quite the sweetest sight

Thatcha ever done seen.

Ain't nothin' much out there-

Just life at its best,

On that little patch of heaven

Way out west.

Bees by the dozen

Are buzzin'

Real peaceful.

Ev'ry bluebonnet,

Doggone it,

Smells nice.

Even the tumblin' tumbleweed

Slows down to match ter speed

On my tiny half-an-acre

Of paradise!

As Applejack sang, she showed Quentin around the farm, he decided to surrender even pondering the experience that was happening before him and to just roll with it. This whole day had been strange.

Ev'ry which way,

Buttercups sway.

Out on the hill, the daffodills

Are enjoyin' the day.

What could be better

Than settin' to rest,

On a little patch of heaven

Way out west?

Applejack by this time had taken Quentin to the orchards. It was vast, all the trees' limbs were covered with fresh apples. Applejack graced Quentin a demonstration of the 'applebucking' she usually do. She bucked a tree with great strength that instantly, almost a dozen apples fell from their branches and into the waiting barrels. Quentin stared in awe but then grinned impressed. That was one of the coolest things he'd ever saw. Applejack smirked, leaning on the tree as she continued her song.

Hummin' birds flutter

In utter

Contentment.

Ev'ry dark daisy

Feels lazy,

You bet.

Even the skeeters an' the fleas

Say "May,I," "Thanks"

and "Please"-

Why, it's just as close to perfect

As you can get!

Applejack now took Quentin to where they keep the pigs and chickens. That's where they found Apple Bloom and Big Macintosh. No wonder they called him big, the burly farm pony was bit bigger than Quentin. He was a huge, strong, red stallion with a yoke around his neck and orange mane and tail. The scene was interesting Apple Bloom and Big Mac and all the animals started to dance along with Applejack's song, like they've rehearsed it or something. The pigs and chickens bowed to their partners and began to softly do a square dance with each other, with Big Mac and Apple Bloom square dancing happily with each other.

Darlin', I swear-

Once you been there,

There aint a view

Beneath the blue

That could ever compare!

The only thing missin'

Is you as my guest

On that little patch of heaven

Way out west...

Why don'tcha come visit?

There's room in my nest-(short pause)

On that little patch of heaven

Way out west!

As Applejack finished her song, all the pigs and chickens were put safely in their pins and coops. All the farm equipment were put neatly in their places and the full barrels of apples were stored safely in the sheds. With another, hard working day done, Applejack, Big Mac, and Apple Bloom looked around their beautiful farm in pride. All Quentin could do was smile, even though this was a farm, there really was something special about this place.

The sun was almost completely set, the sky was now a dark bluish purple with a faint orange of the sun in the east. With everything put in order for the night, Quentin was invited into the Apple's farm house. It was a cozy, charming place. It was like a barn combined with a house.

Inside, Quentin properly met the rest of Applejack's family.

"Everypony, I like to introduce yall to my new friend, Quentin,'' Applejack announced happily.

"Why howdy there young feller!'' Granny Smith greeted, walking slowly to the newcomer.

"Quentin, this here is Granny Smith,'' Applejack smiled.

"H-hello ma'am,'' Quentin greeted politely, though a bit timidly.

"This is a nice farm you have here Mrs. Smith.''

"Aw fiddlesticks call me Granny Smith, everypony does here in ol Ponyville!''

Quentin merely smiled.

"An Quentin this here is my big brother Big Macintosh, or Big Mac fer short,'' Applejack said, introducing the human to her big brother.

"Eeyup,'' Big Mac responded friendly, smiling with calm, half shut eyes.

"He don't talk much but he can be the best friend a pony could ask fer,'' Applejack nodded with a loving smile, putting a hoof around her brother.

"Hi there Big Macintosh,'' Quentin greeted, extending a hoof for a hoof shake.

"Yall can jus' call me Big Mac Quentin,'' Big Mac responded with a southern drawl much like her sister , grabbing Quentin's hoof and started to shake it vigorously, causing his entire body to shake.

Big Mac quickly noticed this and immediately withdrew his hoof and smiled sheepishness. Quentin's eyes rolled from the shake but he shook out of it and smiled awkwardly.

"Wow, that's strong grip you have there Big Mac,'' Quentin said with a half chuckle.

"Eeyup,''Big Mac said embarrassingly.

Applejack shook her head playfully. "An last, but certainly not least, little Apple Bloom,'' Applejack smiled down at the little filly.

Apple Bloom was a cute little filly. She had a light yellow coat with a cheery colored mane that fell nicely down over her shoulder and with a bang over her forehead, with a cute, large red bow on the back of her head.

"Hi Mr. Quentin, welcome to Sweet Apple Acres,'' Apple Bloom greeted sweetly.

Like her brother and sister, she also had a southern accent, albeit lighter.

"Thanks Apple Bloom, I'm... um glad to be here,'' Quentin answered, smiling warmly.

"I don't think I've seen you around Ponyville before, are ya new here?'' Apple Bloom asked the new stallion, circling him once.

The question surprised Quentin, but he didn't falter. "Yeah I've just arrived here today,'' Quentin answered, smiling tightly.

"Cool, where did you come from?'' Apple Bloom asked, her eyes shining with curiosity.

Quentin really wasn't prepared for that question, but thankfully Applejack butt in. "Why Quentin came here from Fillydelphia Apple Bloom. Ain't that right Quentin?'' Applejack asked him giving a wink.

Fillydelphia? Really? "There's actually a place in this world with the same name as a city back on Earth?'' Quentin thought to himself in disbelief, but quickly answered the question.

"Yup that's right, all the way from good old Fillydelphia,'' Quentin lied, smiling nervously.

The lie worked, Apple Bloom was about to asked another question, but Applejack caught her.

"WHOO-WEE sure was a long, day o' applebuckin'. I'm sure am hungry, how bout' you Quentin?'' Applejack asked, rubbing her belly with a nervous smile.

"Oh yeah, it really was a long day of traveling,'' Quentin said, it was a lie at the same time wasn't a lie. He really was hungry.

Applejack smiled, relieved that he kept on with the ruse.

"Granny Smith, yall, is it alright if Quentin joined us fer supper?'' Applejack asked hopefully.

"Why of course it's alright Applejack,'' Granny Smith said kindly.

"Yeah we love having guests!'' Apple Bloom agreed enthusiastically.

"Eeyup,'' Big Mac smiled softly.

''Then it's settled. C'mon everypony let's not just sit here with our bellies rumblin'!'' Granny Smith called and she, Apple Bloom, and Big Mac walked across the living room and into the kitchen.

Applejack let out a sigh of relief.

"Shoot, that was close,'' Applejack breathed softy.

"Tell me about it, good thing you stepped in just in time,'' Quentin agreed.

Applejack nodded in agreement. "Yeah, maybe it'd be right if we jus' keep you comin from another world just between us?''

Quentin nodded understandingly. Apple Bloom trotted into the living room from the kitchen.

"What are yall two waiting for? Let's eat!'' Apple Bloom said playfully.

Applejack and Quentin both chuckled.

"Hold yur horses Apple Bloom we're comin,'' Applejack said.

"Well, shall we?'' Quentin laughed.

"Yes, let's shall,'' Applejack responded with a cool smirk.

They all had an enjoyable dinner, of vegetable stew with bread. The stew had carrots, potatoes, celery, and corn all mixed in a delicious brawl. It must have been Quentin's new equine taste buds because never had vegetables tasted so wonderful. For dessert, they had the best apple pie that Quentin had ever tasted and the whipped cream just made it better. The pie would just melt in your mouth, sending your taste buds to a sweet, apple cinnamon heaven.

Quentin and the Apple Family also had a nice conversation at the table. Applejack and Quentin came up with a story that he'd come to Ponyville looking for work, until he had found some other commitment that comes up, and that Applejack offered Quentin to work here on the farm, to which the rest happily agreed, allowing him to stay in a spare bedroom.

With Granny Smith too old to work and Apple Bloom too young, they could use all the help they could get on the farm. Quentin really wasn't counting on working on a farm, he was praying that he would find some means to get home. Although this interesting, colorful world had warmed its way into Quentin's heart to an extent, he longed to be back in his own world.

After dinner, Applejack showed Quentin to the room where he would sleep for the night. It was a simple but cozy room. There was a bed with red and a green checkered cover neat over the bed. Against a wall was a brown dresser with a round mirror over it. In a corner was a rocking chair. Beside the bed was another but smaller dresser with a lamp on top of its surface and a window that gave Quentin the best view of the orchard outside. It wasn't much, but it was certainly satisfying.

"Well I hope supper was mighty fine fer ya?'' Applejack asked, leaning coolly on the door posts with her front right hoof crossed over the left.

"It was more than fine, that was one of the best vegetable soups I've ever ate!" Quentin responded, smiling.

Applejack chuckled. "Well we Apples sure know our way around a kitchen.''

"And that apple pie, was the best. Nothing beats apple pie,'' Quentin added.

Applejack beamed. "Whoo-wee I'm liking more you every moment Quentin. Granny Smith knows how to make 'em pies.''

Quentin laughed.

"Hey Applejack, I can't thank you enough for letting stay the night here,'' Quentin thanked graciously.

"Aw shucks Quentin, I'm always happy ta help anypony that needs it. Even if that pony was really a human,'' she added quietly, so no one in the next rooms could hear them.

Quentin smiled softly, but then his face fell sadly and he looked out the window. Applejack noticed this and walked over to him.

"You alright sugarcube?'' Applejack asked softly, concern in her eyes.

At first Quentin said nothing, then he spoke.

"I-I was just thinking about my home,'' Quentin confessed quietly.

Applejack nodded in understanding.

"I was just wandering if I would ever see it again.''

Quentin looked at Applejack who gave him a sympathetic look and he added on an expression quickly like he had offended her.

"Oh I mean, Ponyville is amazing really, it's just-'' Quentin trailed off, but Applejack smiled kindly.

"Aw I understand, hun. Home is home no matter what,'' she said gently to which Quentin nodded solemnly.

"Don't you fret now Quentin,'' Applejack, said softly, putting a reassuring hoof on her friend's shoulder.

"Ev'rything's gonna be alright. If ya just keep yur chin up an stay positive, then things will be put right. That's the honest truth.''

Quentin gazed into Applejack's kind eyes and honest smile.

Quentin smiled softly, but gratefully, "Yeah…thanks Applejack.''

"Don't mention it hun, 'Applejack smiled.

A clock on the wall chimed, reading 8:00 pm. "Well here look at the time. I better be hittin the hay,'' Applejack announced.

Quentin looked at her confused, but then he thought of something and smirked. "Oh I get it, early to bed early to rise right?''

"Darn tootin, you worked on a farm before?'' Applejack asked, intrigued.

"Oh no," Quentin laughed. "But I've heard plenty of farmers said that before.''

"Well that's some pretty handy advice. Early ta bed, early ta rise makes a pony strong, healthy, an wise,'' Applejack chuckled.

"Well I better get then. Ya need anythin' Quentin?''

"Oh no Applejack, you've helped plenty enough,'' Quentin answered gratefully.

Applejack smiled and nodded. "Well then g'night Quentin. Don't let the bed bugs bite.''

"Goodnight, Applejack,'' Quentin responded softly.

With a last smile, Applejack closed the door behind her. Quentin walked over to the bed and sat down on it and sighed deeply.

"Applejack's right, everything will be ok,'' Quentin thought to himself.

"I'm sure that tomorrow, I'll find a way to get back to my own world. I just need to hang in there.''

Quentin then took his pendant into his hooves. With a few minutes of difficulty, he finally was able to open the pendant with his new hooves. He gazed at the picture of his parents, reading the quote that's written on the back in his head.

"Never lose faith…I just need to keep believing that things will turn out for the best,'' Quentin muttered.

With one last look at his parents, he kissed the picture lightly before closing the pendant. Quentin let out a yawn. It may have been only eight o clock, but he had a pretty weird, but exhausting day. Quentin blue out the lantern, immediately the room was dark, save for the shine of the moon. Quentin pulled back the covers and dug snuggly beneath them. It wasn't long that his eyelids became heavy and he drifted off to sleep.

Far way among a ragged, mountainous terrain, Queen Chrysalis laughed gleefully in her castle. The castle stood over a gorge and was actually a massive, gem landscape with numerous venom green chrysalis embedded all over the castle, giving it a real, and insect like look. The lands were black with no vegetation and the skies were a dark purple.

There in her massive, tavern like throne room, Chrysalis rejoiced in wicked pleasure with were Changeling minions, which looked like fearsome, black, pony insect hybrids with light blue, empty eyes, grinning evilly as they watched.

"Behold my Changelings, the first of the six. Marvel at its power!'' Chrysalis cried out, levitating the glowing, blood red gem.

The Changelings murmured with hisses amongst themselves at the great relic. "Yes…YES! I can feel the power of the gem! As long as I wield it, I can feel my power increase greatly with each passing second. Pure, strengthening, unlimited power. Such as been told by the Book of Omniscience!'' Chrysalis remarked greedily, her pupil slit eyes rolling to the back of her head as she felt the power of the mysterious gem coursing through her veins.

"Forgive me Your Imminence,'' one of the Changelings said, fear in its unnatural voice.

Chrysalis leered down at him.

"B-But if the gem can give you seemingly limitless power, why don't you just use it to defeat Celestia and take over Equestria?''

"Flawless logic my little minion,'' Chrysalis said venomously. "True with this gem, I COULD overthrow that fool Celestia and her sister and easily control Canterlot...and Equestria for that matter. "But according to the book, the red gem is part of five other incredibly powerful gems. One gem could crumble kingdoms, just imagine if one such as myself controlled all six of the Cosmic Gems. This all of Equestria and the lands beyond it shall kneel before me!''

The Changelings snickered malevolently at this.

"And to this end is why seeking the five remaining gems is imperative. And fortunately still my pets, I have already discovered the location of another gem!'' Chrysalis announced."And when I have found the other Cosmic gems, ultimate power shall be mine and with it...THE WORLD!''

The Changelings cheered with their unnatural, hissing voices and stamped their hooves on the ground, causing a slight tremor. Chrysalis chuckled poisonously to herself and levitated the red gem in front of her. The gem glowed and shined in her emerald, slit-pupil eyes, visions of dominance and grandeur rushing through her mind.

Author's Notes:

The song I used is called Little Patch of Heaven from Disney's Home on the Range, though with slightly different lyrics to match the setting of the world. As Quentin drifts off into the world of sleep, what will await him when he wakes up?