We made our way down a dirt path with fields of apple-filled trees on each side surrounding us. I looked to Applejack as I asked.

"So AJ, what exactly are we going to be doing?" She looked at me and smiled.

"We're gonna be fucking apples." I looked at her in shock as I blurted.

"We're doing WHAT NOW?!" She looked at me awkwardly as she repeated more slowly.

"We're. Bucking. Apples. What ya'll think ah said?" I sighed in relief as I heard her clearly this time. I honestly thought she said something else, but I decided to play dumb and just steer away from telling her what I thought she had said.

"I didn't exactly hear you." I lied, hoping she will buy it and…

"Ah don't believe ya."

"Fuck." I flinched as I faced her and saw she was waiting to hear what I had to say. I cast my eyes away as I said.

It's not important. So how much further is it?" She grinned as she replied.

"We're already here." I looked to see more trees, nothing really different except there were two carts off to the side and each tree had three bushels under them.

"So we just gotta pick them all and that's it?" I asked. AJ looked at me unamused as she stated.

"We ain't gonna pick em, we're buckin' em'." I raised my eyebrows in confusion as I asked.

"What's the difference?" She only smiled as she approached a tree.

"Let me show ya." She said as she now stood in front of a tree. She then quickly twisted her body around and back kicks the tree, shaking the entire thing with great force as apples fell from said tree to the bushels below. I stood there with my mouth hanging wide open, staring in disbelief at the now apple-ridden tree. Applejack was now beside me as she chuckled and snapped my mouth shut.

"And that's how it's done 'round 'ere. Ya try now Sugarcube." She urged to me. I gulped as I slowly approached another tree.

"Y-yeah, hehe. No problem." I stated nervously as I looked up at the tree with gleaming, red delicious apples, then looked back down at the three wooden bushels. I turned back at AJ as she waved me expectantly.

"Go on now." She said as I gave her a toothy smile before facing the tree once more. "This won't be so bad, right?" I got into position, ready to deliver a kick. I stepped forward with my back foot behind my lead then applying my weight to the back foot, I thrust my lead foot forward into a side kick aimed at the tree.

~CRACK~

I scrounged my face at that sickening sound as Applejack hurried beside me in a panic.

"Are ya'll alright Sugarcube?" She asked with worry. I lowered my outstretched leg and smiled as the tree violently shook, ridding the apples off its branches as they dropped into the awaiting bushels. I faced Applejack with a gleaming smile as I answered confidently.

"I'm good." Her face turned to a more serious look as she exclaimed.

"No ya'll ain't, now let me see that leg so we can fix it up." I looked at her with confusion as she reeled my leg to her and rolled my pant legging up to examine the leg.

"AJ, w-what are you doing?" I asked as AJ continued examining until she became confused herself for some reason.

"What the hay? Y-ya'll leg is fine." She blurted in confusion. I chuckled as I replied.

"Of course it's fine. What made you think otherwise?"

"Ah heard something crack and thought ya'll hurt yourself. But ya leg is perfectly fine. So…if that sound weren't ya leg…then what was it?" She wondered in thought as both our eyes shot wide open as we turned to face the tree I kicked. Her mouth dropped as she stammered, lost in words to say for what we saw before us.

"Dayum." I uttered as we were staring into a foot-size hole cracked into the tree. How I didn't notice that before is beyond me, but there it was plain as day.

"Well shoot, look at the size of that thing." AJ stated.

"I-I'm so sorry AJ. I didn't think I can actually damage your tree." I apologized as I felt guilt washing all over me. AJ faced me with a smile as she stated.

"What're ya'll sorry for? Ya'll should be proud of yourself. Ah've only seen one stallion in mah life do something like this, and that's mah big brother Mac, and on a bad day. This here is mighty respectable partna'. Good job." I blinked a couple times in surprise from her streams of compliments. I saw her brother, and that guy was BIG. I can't believe I managed to do something he can do with my first try.

"So…you're not mad?" I nervously asked.

"Why would ah be mad? Nah, I'm mighty proud of ya. In fact, after we're done harvesting, let's celebrate. So until then, let's get to it…and try not to crack any more of the trees." AJ teased with a wink as she made her way to the tree she kicked earlier and hauled one of the bushels to a cart. I looked down at my work and decided to follow along by carrying my bushels to the same cart.

As we loaded all six to the cart, we approached another pair of trees as we readied ourselves for another 'bucking'. I didn't want to damage another tree and was trying to think of a solution that may benefit without slacking towards my training, and that's when I got an idea.

I looked down at my left arm and concentrated on creating the Conductor as the black mist slowly drew from my pores like before.

"What in tarnation are ya doing?" Applejack exclaimed in an objective tone.

"I'm trying to create my Conductor for my training while I work." I replied.

"Are ya'll tryin' to use magic?" She questioned.

"Kinda…Not exactly." I answered warily.

"Look Vincent, around here we don't use magic to handle our job. We keep things traditional round here." Applejack stated.

"Well what if I told you I'm not using magic to do my job, but merely doing two things at once?" I questioned, drawing an interested glance from AJ.

"Explain."

"Alright. This thing called a 'Conductor' is something I use to help channel my magic. But I'm not going to use it for magic. It'll be like putting on gloves, no magic, just pure physical labor." I explained as simply put as I can. AJ took a moment to think it over as she cast her eyes down in thought. After a short while, she looked up at me as she said.

"Okay, ah wanna see ya demonstrate your method so ah can better understand your intention." I smiled as I raised my arm and replied.

"Fair enough." I concentrated once more as the shadow expelled from my arm in its mist form before it compressed to create my plated Conductor like before. AJ's eyes opened wide in amazement at the sight before she chuckled and stated.

"I thought it was supposed to be a 'glove'."

"I said it's 'like' putting on a glove." I corrected.

"So, that's the um…'Constructor'?" I chuckled as I corrected.

"It's my 'Conductor'. I would think it's the same as a unicorn's horn." AJ glared at me as I quickly stated, "but I'm not gonna use magic. It takes some energy outta me just to keep it up, so while I'm working, I'm gonna try to sustain its form. Knocking two birds with one stone." AJ looked disgusted as she said.

"Why in tarnation would ya wanna hurt birds?" I raised my hands up defensively as I clarified.

“I don't, it's just an expression meaning taking care of two things at once." AJ sighed as she slightly scowled.

"Well ah don't like it. Try an watch what ya'll say, okay?" I nodded in understanding before AJ resumed. "Ah'll let ya use your thingamabob. Just remember: No magic. Ya hear?" I raised my hand up to give her a thumbs up as I state.

"No problem." She smiled as she turned to resume her work as I turned and got into a fighting stance. I cocked my left hand back and delivered a punch, though not at my full strength in case I cracked it again. As I made contact, the Conductor served as protection to not hurt my hand as the tree shook with the apples falling into place within each bushel.

"Sweet." I mumbled, seeing that this plan is going to work out just fine. Even though keeping the Conductor up does take some energy, it's not as bad as trying to create it.

We kept working for a while, it's been a few hours since we started and the sun was coming up, bringing in the morning heat. I was starting to sweat and didn't want to stink up my clothes as I removed my shirt and hung them on the cart. Feeling the subtle breeze felt relieving, even if it is a slight touch of its coolness.

I walked back to another tree, as I noticed a red hue burning on AJ's freckled cheeks. I smiled as I figured what she may be blushing for. I passed by AJ and went to a tree close by and stood to the side, just enough to see her and the tree. I began doing some stretches to loosen up, but mostly to see if my assumption was on target. Sure enough, AJ stopped what she was doing and was now watching me with great interest.

I took a fighting stance as I was ready to deliver a punch. AJ continued to watch, simply enthralled as she breathed heavily while biting her lower lip. I cocked my arm back and punched the tree like all the rest as apples fell once more, and I began to carry a filled bushel to the cart.

As I faced towards AJ, she quickly turned and went back to work as if nothing happened. I played dumb and passed by her as I loaded the bushel in the cart. I turned my hand slightly to see Applejack gaze once more. I smirked at her, which she soon realized I was watching her as she quickly turned, beet red in embarrassment as she kicked the tree, but slipped a bit as only a few apples dropped. I approached her as she took another swing at the tree, leaned forward and whispered in her ear.

"You seem distracted, saw something you like?" She stiffened up before she slowly turned to see me close to her. She sheepishly smiled as she replied.

"A-ah don't know whatcha talking' about." She slowly backed away as she bumped into a full bushel, then turned to pick it up and carry it to the cart. I smiled and picked up another and carried it to the same cart. I approached the back where she was and placed the cargo inside as I said.

"I think you do know AJ." She turns and says.

"Ah told ya ah don't." She was about to walk away before I grasped her hand. She froze in place and turned to face me as I gave her a gentle teasing look.

"I thought you don't lie, Miss Honesty." I teased. She cast her eyes away as she softly said.

"Ya such a tease." I chuckled before feeling her grip tightened. It wasn't crushing, but it was enough to know she didn't want to let go. Feeling her strong but soft hands while seeing her clearly hiding something was actually attractive. It only drove me to want to know what she was thinking, what she was hiding, and why.

"Vincent?" AJ called, gaining my attention. She took a moment before she turned her hand to face me as she continued.

"What if…um…" I looked at her comfortingly as I tried to hear her words.

"What if?" I gently repeated. She took a deep breath as she tried again.

"What if ah…"

~FWISH~

"What the…" She exclaimed, interrupted as a strong gust of wind blew by with a slight rainbow streak. I barely even saw what had transpired as AJ raised her hand and felt the top of her head. She frowned as she discovered her hat went missing…again. I laughed as AJ spoke.

"What's with everypony and mah hat today?"

"Oh lighten up Applejack, it's all in good fun." A tomboyish voice spoke from above us. As we looked up to the source, we saw Rainbow Dash hovering with AJ's hat on her head. She had a showing display of character as she looked down upon us with a toothy grin and her arms crossed. I smiled as I waved to her.

"Hey Dash, whatcha been up to?" I happily said.

"Nothing much. Just thought I'd stop by and kick it with Applejack for a bit. I didn't expect to see you here though." Dash replied.

"Yeah, I asked AJ if she needed some working hands and she offered me a job working with her. Didn't I mention this at the party?" Rainbow facepalmed when she remembered yesterday's event.

"Yeah that's right. You were pretty stressed out with everything going on. Heh, aren't ya glad to have friends like us?" She joked with a grin.

"Ahem." AJ sounded, getting Dashes attention.

"Sorry to interrupt ya'll, but can ya'll give me mah hat back?" AJ wasn't amused to say the least as she seemed used to dashes antics, heck this may not be the first time this happened between the two.

"Oh yeah, ya want it, then come and get it." Dash challenged. Applejack approached the cart and reached inside, ready to grab a bushel while Dash was waiting with a competitive grin, waiting for the onslaught of flying apples. I reached out and grabbed AJ's arm, stopping her from lifting the ammo out the cart. She looked at me questioningly as I gave her a smirk.

"Why don't you save your apples and let me get your hat. Besides, Dash and I have a score to settle." I turned to face Dash as she was simply glowing with amusement.

"Heh, so ya wanna have a race huh. Alright then, if you can get this hat off my head, you win. But I doubt that's gonna happen while you're chasing me on foot." Dash stated. But she doesn't realize I have a trick up my sleeve, and only smirked as I said.

"We'll see about that. Hope you're ready." She stretched her hand out and beckoned me to her as she replied.

"Bring it." I concentrated on creating my wings like before, it was a bit more tasking with my other Conductor still up, but I was able to manage as my wings were conjured and unfurled. Applejack only stared as my wings were outstretched within her arms reach as Dashes jaws dropped with dilated eyes. I smiled as I readied to take off.

"Game on." I kicked off to the air, AJ covering her eyes as I blew a gust from my wings, propelling me up to Dash. Dash was now beaming as she took off away from me, and with that we were now in a chase.

As I flew after her, she left this translucent Rainbow trail that when I flew in contact with it, it scattered to small sparkling colors, like twinkling stars in the bright day sky. Yet for me, I looked back to see only a subtle trail of black smoke. I looked back to see I was slowly catching up with Dash. She turned her head to see me, and she was having a blast, laughing with exhilaration as she picked up her speed. I noticed her gaining distance from me and gave my wings more of a thrust as I tried to catch up.

"Come on Vincent, let's see what you can do." Rainbow shouted over the rushing wind as she dove low to the ground and into the mist of trees.

"No fair, my wings aren't small like yours." I said as I dove after her and tried my best to avoid hitting the trees as we rushed past them, blowing apples off these branches from our speed.

"Hey, my wings aren't small. Yours is just really huge." She countered.

"That's what she said." I joked, chuckling at my own comment.

"Uh huh, that or your wings are over compensating." She joked back. We were zigzagging from tree to tree as Dash tried to elude me with all the twist, turns, and tight spaces. But I only proved to her otherwise and was still on to her, and slowly coming closer.

"Yeah, you won't be saying that once I finally catch ya." I stated.

"Pfft, is that all ya got? If so, then you don't stand a chance." She teased. I had an idea that'll make this more fun and interesting.

"Wanna see what I got? Well then, let me show ya." My arm glowed black as black tendrils appeared from the shadows of the trees ahead of us. I maneuvered them to try to capture Dash, but she only dodged them as they caught only air, but at least it was slowing her down, if only by a little.

"Are we getting desperate Vincent?" She smirks as she resumes avoiding the tendrils.

"Says the one who wanted a challenge in an orchard." I replied. I then focused on the tendrils to create a barricade in Dashes path. She smiled as she flew ahead towards them.

"What is she thinking?" I thought as I continued to catch up to her. She neared the barricade and in a last moment of attempt, she flew straight up towards the sky. I almost flew into the wall, and braced myself as I positioned my body to land feet first on the barricade. It bent forward until I was upright as I launched myself upwards, using the shadow as a vault. I rocketed towards Dash, and she saw me approaching but only grinned.

"That was pretty awesome. But now for the big finale." She announced as she arched backwards and dove past me with a blinding speed. I stopped and dove after her, but she was cutting through the air at an alarming rate. I feared for the both of us but continued after her before I heard a pounding sound resonate from her.

~BOOM~

A huge circle of rainbow trails spread away from Rainbow Dash as she increased her speed dramatically. The colors began spreading far out across the farm, even to Ponyville and perhaps beyond. I was so distracted by its sight that I didn't realize Dash pulled up, flying alongside the ground as I came too close and was about to crash face first on land.

"OH SHIT!" In an act of desperation, I thought of the first thing that came to mind and as I came to the ground, I expected to crash and only clenched my eyes shut.

When nothing happened, no impact, no sound, nor the feel of broken dirt or bones, I opened my eyes to find myself in a familiar black void. There were lights scattered everywhere and had a chilling atmosphere. But I felt a warmth wrap itself around me, like the darkness was embracing me in a tender hug. I looked around in fascination before a thought occurred.

"Where am I, and how do I get out of here?" I looked around to see a place that was like a polar opposite of the Mindscape, save for the floating lights scattered in the distance. I looked behind me to see a light that shined like a window, revealing the sight of the open sky inside its pool of brightness.

I stepped back, or rather floated back, feeling confused and uncomfortable before a discomforting feeling washed over me. I felt like I was being squeezed as the warmth began to grow cold and somehow, violent.

I looked around in panic as I felt myself losing air, near close to choking from the sudden change that made no sense to me whatsoever.

In my panicked search, I spotted Rainbow Dash, slowly flying like time slowed itself in one of the light window things. I quickly flew to her in a desperate attempt, hoping to be saved from this place. I drew near and dove through the light as a ripple of coldness and the elements of the outside world washed past me. Rainbow Dash saw me as her eyes dilate in shock. I flew into her, throwing us off course as we approached the ground. I held onto her and curled up to take the impact as we rolled our way on the ground before we crashed against a tree with Dash in my arms.

I was a little dazed and began coughing for air as I tried to collect myself, shivering as my body adjusted to the warmth of the sun. Rainbow Dash looked up at me as she said.

"Damn Vincent, where did you come from? I thought you were behind me?" I continued coughing, but was feeling a little better from having fresh air in my lungs Dash noticed my involuntary actions and asked out of concern.

"Hey are you okay? You don't look so good. What happened?" I slowly looked down at Dash, feeling capable now to speak after my coughing spree.

"I don't…I don't know. I followed you to the ground, was about to crash and found myself in some…dark place. It was like space or something, just a pitch black area with floating lights everywhere." Rainbow Dash looked up at me with disbelief, and honestly I don't blame her. It seems pretty weird, even to me, and I actually went through it.

"Okay? So why are you choking up and everything?"

"It…It felt like I was being suffocated or something. At first it felt…warm and comforting, then it just…I don't know, got cold and I couldn't breathe. But then I saw you in one of the lights and rushed towards you. I'm just glad I made it out." I explained while shaking, from the cold and from explaining what had transpired in that…whatever it was.

Rainbow Dash looked at me sympathetically as she said.

"That sounds pretty…grim. How did all that happen in less than a few seconds?" I was shocked to hear her.

"Is she serious?! Everything that I saw and went through…was only less than a few seconds?!" I thought for a moment, as a thought sparked, though it seems weird but then again, so was that whole event.

"I think wherever I was, time may have been slowed. Because when I saw you, you were barely moving."

"What?! That's crazy. I was going as fast as I can. Heck, I did the Sonic Rainboom!"

"The what?"

"The Sonic Rainboom. I go so fast, I break the sky in a huge wave of rainbow colors. It's my signature move." She explained.

"So you pretty much broke the sound barrier and expelled a rainbow shockwave that stretched in a huge radius?" She blinked a couple times before she chuckled and said.

"You sound just like Twilight. Haha don't tell me you're an egghead too."

"Hey, who're you calling an egghead Miss Skittles?"

"I'm calling you an egghead ya egghead, and what's a 'Skittles'?" She asked in wonder.

"You are." I teased.

"So…Skittles are awesome?" She asked. I smiled as I responded.

"Yeah, that's right." She beamed as she said.

"Well if that's the case, then I'm the biggest Skittles ever!" I couldn't contain myself as I burst in a fit of laughter. She lost her smile as I laughed at her statement, and she was now glaring at me as she said.

"You lied to me, didn't you?" I tried to contain myself as I replied.

"Not exactly." I stuck my tongue out in a joking manner. She scrounged her face as she punched me on my left shoulder.

~CLANK~

Rainbow's face clenched as she accidentally punched the Conductor running up my arm. "I think that was a bad move. Guess it stretched out even to my shoulders. Good to know."

"Aaahahaha…What the hay was that?!" Rainbow bellowed while holding her fist to soothe her pain.

"Oh right, you didn't get the memo, hehe. That was my Conductor. It's kinda like an arm guard and a unicorns horn put together." I explained as I raised my arm in demonstration. She only stared intensely at it before she lifted my shoulder sleeve up, revealing the coal black metal surface of the Conductor. She touched it in fascination as her fingers gently ran down the smooth surface of my arm, coming down to my hand, feeling the edges of its plated designs.

"How did I not see this earlier? It's awesome." She complimented. I shrugged at her statement, I had no idea how she didn't see it, a black metal arm on my body doesn't really strike as normal…then again, neither does a human surrounded by colorful bipedal ponies. Just then, an orange hand swiped the hat off of Rainbow Dashes head as Applejack placed the Stetson back on. Once satisfied, she looked at me with concern and asked.

"Are ya'll alright sugarcube? Ah saw ya crash into Dash and took a nasty tumble."

"I think we're okay. I took the beating but I think my wings soaked up the damage." I stated as I unfurled y wings, but then winced as I felt it strenuous to stretch them out. Rainbow Dash looked up from my Conductor to examine my wings while on top of me.

"Your wings are hurt, maybe you should give em a rest and keep off them." I smiled at her concern, for a tough little mare, she can be pretty thoughtful.

"Don't worry about it. I think I can fix this." I said as I concentrated to release my wings. They scattered into small black dust that dissipated in the air. I felt the agitating pain fade away from my backside as I relieved myself from the extra limb.

"See, all better now." I said with a smile as Dash returned a smile back. Applejack giggled as she teased.

"Should ah leave ya'll alone?" Rainbow Dash and I realized the position we were in. Dash cradled in my arms on top of me while I lay against the tree I crashed into. Dash quickly flew off of me as our faces were burning red.

"Sh-shut up AJ. Vincent was just taking the hit for me. That's all." Dash explained, her eyes cast aside.

"Y-yeah. I was just helping a friend over my mistake. N-nothing else." I added. AJ was clearly amused with her antagonizing us.

"Well, I gotta go. We should totally do this again next time. Also, you should show Twilight that weird magic you were doing, she'll definitely like talking about it…buuut I think you should have a few hours open for her, just in case. Later." Dash bids as I replied.

"See ya Skittles." I joked as she playfully rolled her eyes and flew off.

"Come on Vincent. Let's finish haulin' them apples so we can call it a day." Applejack beckoned to me.

"Alright boss." Within a couple hours, we knocked down as much trees as possible and wheeled back all the remaining carts. Apparently further down the road there were a couple more carts waiting for us.

We brought in the last of the carts and I began to offload them into the barn. A big, burly red stallion with wheat brown crop hair walked out of the barn with his white tank top drenched in sweat. I never really properly introduced myself to him but I recalled AJ calling him 'Big Mac'.

He was pretty cut compared to other stallions I've seen, wearing a white tank top, navy jeans with half of a green apple for a cutie mark, and brown wristbands on each wrist. But despite his intimidating figure, he had this gentle gaze with soulful green eyes that made him seem more…welcoming and not off-putting.

As he approached, I decided to be considerate and at least try talking to the guy, he may not be so bad.

"Hey there Mac, ya calling it a day?" I waved to him, gaining his attention as he looked my way with a smile.

"Eeyup." He said shortly with a deep tone. Honestly I was expecting a little more than that, but maybe he didn't trust me yet. I took it upon myself to try to be friendly with the guy and maybe strike a short conversation.

"Yeah, we just finished up ourselves and loading the last of the cargo before calling it. You got anything planned for today?" I asked. He nodded his head as he responded.

"Eeyup."
"Surely this guy's dictionary doesn't consist of just one word." I pressed on with my attempt.

"That sounds cool. I was just curious, and was thinking maybe if you have a day off, we can hang out sometime. Ya know, have some guy time and just kick it." I suggested. He smiled for a moment as he replied.

"Okay."

"Ha, I knew he can say more than just one thing." I was quite happy to hear this guy was okay to hang out with me. It'll be a nice change of pace, considering my only friends around here are all girls.

"Right on, well I'll let you get back to your free time. I'll talk to ya later. Take care Mac." I waved as I bid him farewell. He nods his head as he replies.

"You too. Take care new guy." He walked away towards the house as I continued to offload the cargo, but then I noticed AJ walk by me. She placed a hand on my shoulder, gaining my attention as she said.

"Ah'll be right back sugarcube. Just keep haulin' them apples inside the barn while ah get your pay." She gave my shoulder a couple taps as she made her way in. I replied to her just to give her acknowledgment.

"No prob, I'll be done here in a bit." She looked back with a sweet smile as she made her way up her porch and in her house. I turned back to the work at hand and resumed to carry each bushel in both carts inside the barn.

After a short moment, everything was out as I carried the last of the bushels inside the barn, piling them into a little corner. I went to a water spicket off to the side and pumped some water in a small bucket, cupped my hands inside and splashed the cool water on my face. It felt good after a hard day's work to revel in your achievements and earning a relaxing day off.

I felt proud knowing that even in an alien world inhabited by other species, I still strive to be a better man to survive in each passing day. Plus working here is helping me get stronger both physically and magically, although I recalled Davian mentioning stuff about 'Natural Magic'. Maybe I can talk to Twilight about it. But before that, I still have to head over to Rarity's to pick up my clothes, hopefully I earned enough to pay it off. If not, I can arrange some kind of payment plan with her.

I hear the jingle of metal as I turn to see Applejack coming in the barn with an old fashioned looking coin bag.

"Here you are sugarcube. One hundred fifty bits." AJ said as she held the bag out to me. I stared in surprise at the amount she paid me for.

"Why so much? I mean I appreciate it but is it really okay?" She giggled at my question as she replied.

"Ya earned every bit. Ya worked hard, were very diligent and ya'll were great company." I smiled as I accepted her payment before I stated.

"You know me spending time with you doesn't have a cost right? I do it because I like to. After all, we're friends." Applejack blushed as I made my way to the cart to grab my things and put them on. I released my Conductor from my arm, revealing the bandaged and sealed arm as I slipped on my shirts and began fastening Salvation on my back. I tied the coin bag on my belt and walked back into the barn as I approached Applejack.

"Hey AJ."

"Yeah sugarcube?"

"What were you trying to tell me earlier?" She looked at me slightly confused as she asked.

"What'ya mean?"

"You had something on your mind earlier and were about to tell me something before Rainbow Dash came in." I recalled. AJ looked pretty nervous after a moment, finding it difficult to speak or look at me directly.

"It's nothin' important. Just curious about somethin' was all." She stated while facing away from me.

"Well I'm curious about what you were curious about." I replied, earning a sigh as she looked up at me.

"Say that ya had a friend who was a mare, and you like this mare as a friend, but the mare may like ya as…more than just a friend, and the mare decides to confess to ya her feelings for ya. What would you do?" She expressed. Though I can understand where she was getting at, I figured I'd be honest to her question.

"Well, I personally wouldn't try to jump into a relationship so quickly right then and there." As I stated, AJ's face became saddened as she asked.

"Are…Are ya'll not interested in a mare? Is it because we're…different?"

"What?! No! No, that's not it at all." I quickly corrected. AJ gained a more hopeful look as I resumed.

"It's just that I'd like to get to know a mare first. I don't want to break her heart if things don't work out and then it ends up getting awkward later. Ya know?" I explained. AJ nodded in understanding with a smile on her face.

"That makes sense. So what kinda mares do ya like?" AJ asked nervously. I smiled as I teased.

"Why are you so curious about what I like? Haha, do you have a crush on me?" She blushed profusely as she cast her eyes away and went silent. It was that moment that solidified my assumptions, what I thought was mere desperate thoughts trying to surface. But these questions, her words, her body's reactions. It was now evident that she had feelings for me. But why? When did this come to be, and what am I going to do about it? I can't simply ignore her feelings, it's either I accept it, reciprocate them, or deny her entirely, and I refuse to deny her for I cherish her as a friend. But is it just as a friend or maybe, just maybe, it could be more?

"Ah'm sorry Sugarcube. Ah…Ah should go." Applejack made her way out the barn door as I called out.

"Wait! Applejack!" But she already left. I made my way to follow her, to try to set things straight. I couldn't just leave her like that wondering about the 'what if's'. She needs to know how I felt, no…I want her to know.

As I only made a couple steps onward after Applejack, I felt a strange shifting pressure around me as the environment surrounding me changed dramatically. I was no longer in the barn, but in the throne room, the Throne room back at Canterlot.

"What the hell. What am I doing here?" I stood there in confusion of my sudden arrival back at the Royal Castle of Canterlot. But then…

"Vincent Valor!" A dynamic female voice echoed in the room. I turned to see an angered Princess Celestia with a bashful Luna behind her. If I wasn't confused before, I sure as hell was now. Why was Celestia infuriated, and why do I have the impression it involves me?

"We need to talk." Celestia stated with a serious tone. I was a little wary and figured to choose my words carefully to not upset her further then she already appeared to be.

"What did you wish to speak about Celestia?" I asked politely, trying to calm her down. She stepped down from her throne she sat upon and approached me with an assertive gait before she stood in front of me, staring into me with a hardened gaze.

"Is it true you have kissed my dear sister and have wooed her heart?" She asked almost with a venomous tone.

"Oh fuck, did Luna tell her what…oh right, mind reading." She glared at me coldly as I took a deep breath to reply.

"Yes, I kissed Luna, and she also confessed to having feelings for me." Celestia leaned forward further, her nose inches away from mine.

"And what of you? Do you love her as well?" I was afraid she was going to ask me that. But now, it would seem I have no choice but to answer her with honesty, for my sake, as well as for Luna's heart.

This moment, I thought hard on Luna herself, nopony else but her, as I collected all my feelings towards her true individuality. If I truly felt a connection with her, being happy in her presence and feeling that sense of…wanting. With this in mind, I answered, tall and confident before Celestia.

"Yes. Yes I do."