As I flew my way into the open sky, feeling the cool morning wind brushing heavily against my face, my mind climbing into thought regarding earlier with Davian. That expression he had, it was...sad, longing, he looked like he really missed his home, but his home was not like anything I've ever seen on earth. Some similarities nature-wise, but the color scheme, the fresh but dampened smell, its obscure but fascinating natural beauty. It made me wonder, is Davian from another world, is he even human at all, just...what is he? As my mind was slowly cramping with questions about the resident inside of me, I came upon the orchard fields and saw the red barn as I smiled and touched down to the ground, running in place as I used my wings to slow down my speed before I came to a stop.

"Hehe, looks like my flying AND landing is getting better. But I need to work on my maneuvering and steering, aaaand my landing could use a little more work." I noted to myself as my wings dispersed with a poof in a black mist, stepping forward to the barn and was ready to knock on the door as it opened before coming face to face with Applejack and almost knocked on her forehead. "Boy that would have been a way to start the morning." I gave her a smile as I greeted.

"Morning Applejack, ya ready to get down and dirty in the fields?"

"Um...yea. I'm just seeing little Applebloom off to school first before I start. You can cover the south field for a bit until I get back and I'll join you." Applejack replied but, her tone seemed drained, as if she was in disappointment or bothered by something, and that look on her face. Clearly something is troubling her. As I was about to ask, little Applebloom came out. She was dressed in a green t-shirt and blue overalls covering her small body with a big pink ribbon wrapped around her cherry red hair. She ran out the house with a sweetened glee in each step as her yellowish face was glazed with cheerfulness. She looked to Applejack with those sunburst orange eyes, full of eagerness as she beckons her dear sister.

"Come on Sis, Ah'm gonna be late for school." Applebloom urged as she turned to face Applejack. "All my life I've NEVER heard a child being eager to actually going to school. I mean, it could be that she may just want to spend time with her friends, I mean that was my big incentive when I used to go to school. Back then, the only real friend I had was Shonato who I considered like a brother to me." I stood there for a moment thinking back about my friend, wondering if he is alright and if my home isn't...gone. "I've got to push myself and figure out a way to get back, before its too late. But...how? How am I supposed to get back to my home?"

"Vincent?"

"Huh? Um...yea, sorry about that." I was broken from my thoughts as Applejack gave me a concerned look.

"Are ya'll alright sugercube?" Applejack asked with sincerity in her tone, but yet she still had that look. Her expression was now tended to my well being, but I can see in her eyes that she was still bothered by something, that which she feels uncertain or sadden by her thoughts. I gave her a warm smile to help ease her mind as I replied.

"I'm fine, just thinking back. I'll go ahead and tend the southern fields for when you get back. Take care girls." I waved to them as Applebloom waved me back and Applejack nods with a small smile before they turned around and set off down the padded dirt road back into Ponyville. As I made my way towards the barn to grab the cart, bushels, and even a rake with bags, my mind was concerned about Applejack as I was trying to figure out what she could have been bothered by. "Even though I'm in question, I can't help but feel like I may already know the answer, like I was suppose to...to.." I stopped midway from the barn as my eyes opened wide, remembering what took place yesterday while I was inside this very barn with Applejack before I let out out of sheer stupidity for my negligence.

"FUUUUUUUUUUCK!" My face slammed into my open hands as I closed myself from everything in sight, cursing at myself before I heard a trot followed by Big Mac's voice.

"Hey Vincent, ya'll hurt ya'self in there?" I dropped my hands to not raise more concern as I looked up and opened my eyes to see the big burly stallion as he looked with a simple expression but with concerned eyes.

"~sigh~ Yea...I"m fine. Just...remembered something was all. Sorry for disturbing you Mac." He gave me a smile of understanding as he turned to walk away before I called out.

"Hey Mac." He stopped and turned to give me his attention once more as I continued, "Just wanted to inform you that Applejack tasked me with doing the Southern Fields until she returns from dropping Applebloom off at school, just wanted to let you know that its being taken cared of." Big Mac chewed on his wheat stem as he smiled.

"Sounds good Vincent. Ah'll leave ya to get to it then." And with that, he made his way to do his tasks as I lifted the cart full of supplies and hauled them down to my destination, making my way down the road deep enough to where its satisfactory as I put the cart on halt, locked the wheels and unloaded. I took off my nice jacket and shirt, looking around the open green and red field, inhaling deeply from the fresh sweet aroma and sighed in content. I give my arm a good flick as I summoned my Conductor, making it not a metallic equipment, but more like a heavy extra layer of flesh wrapped around my hands as I clenched my fist.

"Time to get down to work." Stating as I stepped towards the awaiting trees as I laid down the bushels in all their rightful places and began punching the apples out of the trees one at a time.

Later after a little over an hour of knocking apples out from the trees, I saw AJ making her way towards me as I gave her a wave and she waved back.

"Hey AJ, glad you could make it in time. I've already got quite few rows done." I beckoned and informed as she gave me a soft smile.

"Thanks sugarcube, but we aint gonna slack off just yet. We still got plenty of precious time before the sun peaks up and we really start sweating." Applejack stated as she walked by me and positioned herself to a tree across from me and kicked it with her hind legs, knocking down all the apples with perfection. I smiled at seeing her amazing dedication and work ethics as I followed in suit and continued to put in a lot more effort into my work to earn that rewarding break.

More time has gone by and I looked over at AJ, expecting her to give me a look of some sort as I saw her expression was still to herself and deep in thought. My mind went back to the night before, when AJ was beginning to open herself to me, to show me that she had feelings for me. But now things aren't exactly as confusing as it was yesterday, but instead it has become a little complicated since I'm now with Luna and Rarity. I don't wish to make it seem like the two aren't enough for me since they are wonderful mares and care for me very deeply, but who's to say that Applejack doesn't as well. Should I deny her something like that? Or a better question is, could I or do I see her as someone I can love and care for just like Rarity and Luna? I mean, true she's a good friend just like the other girls, and we tease each other every so often, but do we do it as a friendly manner of being playful, or do we do it as a sign of wanting affection? Perhaps this stream of questions is only me milking the advantage of having a polygamous relationship, and I shouldn't do that. Its not right and its unfair to those involved since doing so isn't giving them all of my dedication and care, but instead is merely an act of impulse.

"Alright sugarcube. Its break time. Ya'll been doing real good there Vincent, and Ah'm grateful that ya continue to help me out." She said kindly as I followed her to a shading and dispelling my Conductor to reveal my bandaged arm.

As she took off her hat and sat down on the base of the tree with her hat now resting beside her, she tipped her head back, looking up into the sky beyond the tree's leafy crown, inhaling the cool air before giving a sigh of content. I approached her with this growing intend to confront her, my body feeling heavy as my eyelids hang half lidded over my eyes in thought. As I stood before her, she lowered her head, facing me as she then tilted her head to the side with question.

"Somethin' on ya mind sugarcube?" I looked down at Applejack as she gave me a small, relaxed smile as I sighed and slumped beside her.

"Actually...it's about last night." I gained Applejack's attention as she looked at me with a worried wonder.

"O-oh? Wh-what about last night?" Applejack stammered as she was growing a bit nervous, reaching down and twiddling with her tail as she was petting it to help ease her nervousness.

"I know you were going through some tough emotions back there, like you wanted to say something but you were afraid, like maybe of hearing something you don't want to hear." I stated as my words seemed to have a heavy effect on her as she looked away.

"Vincent I...~sigh~ ah wanna say whats on mah mind but Ah honestly don't know if its true or not." I had a strong feeling on where she was coming from, and I figured she was afraid of what my reaction may be on what she has to say. I reached out and placed my hand on her shoulder to comfort her as she stopped petting her tail and looked up at me smiling at her.

"Well, we're not gonna find out if you keep locking it away inside of you. I'm not saying you have to tell me or anything, hell it may not even involve me. It could involve something like family problems or maybe something personal came up. But just know that you have a friend here who is always willing to listen and help you when you really need it." I expressed as I gave her a warm smile, hoping to comfort her as I see her looking down for a moment before giving a sigh and whispers.

"Ah li..." I blinked a couple times as I got a little closer to her.

"I'm sorry, I...I didn't catch that. Could you repeat for me?" I asked politely as she got a little red.

"Ah...like y..." She mumbled a little louder, but still was comprehensible to me as I urged.

"Sorry, I still didn't catch that." She clenched her eyes in what seemed like a mixture of nervousness and agitation as she shouted.

"AH LIKE YA! THERE, AH SAID IT!" I was taken aback by her outburst as I sat there for a moment just staring at her in surprise. I mean I kinda figured she liked me but...there was a fine line of difference between assuming it and then actually hearing it from her in person, and it really hit me hard when she said it too as I felt a little lost on what to say. She looked at me with a blush as she was hoping to hear something out of me and in the meanwhile, my mind was working over how I felt for her. "Its true I do like her, but do I like her in that way? Can I accept her as more then a friendly manner, but in a possible intimate relationship? Perhaps that question is a little too soon to be asking. After all, I do like her, but what is her view on this relationship between us? Are we really ready to take it a step ahead, or is it better to leave it as such? I feel...if she is willing to take the chance, then she needs to know what she's getting herself into then."

I looked at her in her dazzling emerald eye as the time she waits to hear me out is hurting her more and more by the second. I leaned forward as I grasped the side of her shoulders, holding her with a firm but caring grip as our eyes were locked on to one another.

"AJ...I do like you. You're a hard worker, you've helped me to get back on my feet in this wondrous new land, you've shown me kindness and you are a lot of fun to hang out with. But I think it's unfair to you if I was to lead you on without letting you know of what you would be getting yourself into, and I'm not going to take advantage of you like that." She smiled sweetly as she listened to my words as I found myself trying to build myself to say what needs to be said as she reached up and grasped my arms and slowly pulled them down and trailed her hands as she was now holding my hands in a comforting grip. She turned herself to face me as she was now sitting on her legs, her blonde tail swishing gracefully before wrapping around and under her knees as she looked down, caressing my knuckles before looking back up at me as she asked in a soothing tone with that country accent of hers.

"Then tell me sugarcube. If ya'll mean what ya say, then Ah promise I won't look at ya in a bad light." Her words hold sincerity to them as they hit me on the inside as I gave a sigh and responded.

"Okay. Applejack, I'm in a herd." Her expression changed as she looked at me in surprise as she asked.

"Ya...ya'll are in a...a herd? With who?" She had a slight hurt look in her eyes as I cast my gaze away and answered with guilt in my tone.

"With...Rarity and Luna."

"Wait...RARITY?!" Applejack leaned up towards me as she grabbed my shoulders and looked me straight in the eyes.

"Ya'll are in a herd with RARITY?!" I blinked a couple times, uncertain on how to take this question as I responded warily.

"Well...yeaaa~" I watched through the corner of my eye as I was faced away from Applejack's gaze, fearing the worst case scenario before I saw a smile spread on her face before she wrapped her arms around me.

"Thank ya sugarcube." My eyes were wide open from her shocking response as I was frozen in her grasp and extremely confused at this point. I shifted my head to look at her as I questioned.

"Wh-why are you thanking me, weren't you upset by this?" Applejack chuckled as she held me tighter before explaining.

"Ah was, yea. But ah was more upset with the thought that ya'll chose to be with some other random gal instead of being with those that were close to ya. But knowing that ya stuck with Rarity, Ah can be happy about that."

"But...why?" I asked in wonder.

"Because she needed somepony beside her. She's been so busy with work to find a good guy and the last few fellah's she had eyes on didn't treat her the way she wanted. Ah saw she had eyes for ya and ah was happy for her. Though Ah honestly wanted to maybe...ya know, be with ya myself but..." At this point, Applejack was blushing immensely as I grew curious as I decided to open up a bit to make it easier for her.

"Well, its not like you can't. I'm not saying we should rush to anything, but we can get to know one another better and see where it may lead us." Applejack looked up with a small smile as she placed her hand on my chest as my heart was beating against her palms.

"Its not really that Vincent. Ah do like ya a lot Vincent, but Ah...wanted ya to mahself. Ya see... mah family and Ah are...traditional, and when we want to be in a relationship and whatnot, we prefer to be in a single relationship." I was understanding what Applejack was saying as I asked for certainty.

"By that, you mean you want a strict monogamous relationship?"

"yea that." I chuckled as she said simply, but then cast my eyes down as I felt kinda bad that I may have broken her heart. She seemed to have noticed as she reached out and lifted my chin to face her smiling at me.

"Don't give me that glum look Vince. Ya'll are a swell guy, and Rarity needs somepony like that. Don't fret about me, alright? Ah'm a big gal who can handle herself, but Ah don't wanna lose a good guy like ya. Ya'll have done plenty as it is with helping each of us and Ah think Ah speak for everyone when Ah say that we are lucky to be your dear friend. So...chin up, okay sugarcube?" I couldn't help but smile at her encouraging words, even though it should be me cheering her up as I decided to do just that and wrapped my arms firmly around her, surprising her before she chuckled and hugged me back. I could smell a mixture of hay, apples, and even a salty-like sweat from her body, which wasn't bad and it suit her as we enjoyed our moment before I whispered.

"Thanks AJ for being a good friend. I hope...this doesn't change anything between us." She pulled back as she looked at me with a smirk.

"The only thing this changes is for the better. So come on you..." She states as she gives me a friendly slug on the arm. "Lets get back to work before that sun hit its peak." I nodded as we both stood up and I brushed the grass off of my pants as AJ walked away before stopping for a moment then turns around to me. As I stood up and looked out to follow her, I found her upon me as she grabs the back of my head and gives me a kiss on the cheek. I was blushing as she pulled away, her hands behind her back as she was walking away, turning around and getting back to work as I placed my hand on my cheek. I was smiling immensely and felt so much better with knowing how much of a good friend I had to work with as we both were now putting our backs into knocking down them apples and filling up the carts with bushels of the delicious fruits before taking the haul back to the barn.

I lay within the cover of the Everfree trees as I sat upon the grass, thinking about how best to approach my objective. "The Queen demands that I bring an end to the insolence of the Elements, and as her dear and loyal right hand, I shall do as such. No matter the task or obstacle lay ahead of me, I have always bested them throughout my many years of service to the Queen, and this shall prove no different then any others. It was foolish of my idiotic comrades to initiate against the Queen's orders and they shall be dealt with thoroughly, if not by her, then by my own hands. But until then, my time shall not be wasted upon petty matters as being their "nanny", but instead I must focus, for now I have uncovered a new obstacle that is very unnatural and unlike anything I have ever seen before. I do not know what has befallen my comrades within those walls, but they managed to barely escape as the creature himself came out glorified in his victory. Perhaps this creature isn't as passive as these pathetic ponies. He might prove to be rather annoying and may impede my mission...or..."

A malicious grin spread across my soot gray muzzle. I rose up and walked past the encampment of scattered remains of timberwolves, crushing through their fragile limbs with each step as I made my way to a small pond and looked down upon my form. Examining myself as I saw that if I wanted to get close, I have to...blend in. My long, golden horn glowed in a bright purple hue as my body began to change. My changeling features were filling out to alleviate the holes in my slim body, changing my coat from gray to a light cream color, and my short, luxor gold hair growing out long and wavy with volume as it shifted to match my coat, but with the underside shimmering with a rainbow hue. My body's figure was filling out as well as I lost my slim petite figure and have grown a few inches, my hips widening and my breasts growing larger as I had a nice hourglass shape. My translucent green wings retracting in my figure, with my small black tank top and skirt shifting to a flowing white dress as I spun around, expanding the ends with the wind as I looked back at my reflection with a wink.

"mmm, eat your heart out. Actually...that doesn't sound so bad. Maybe while I'm in town I can...pick up a snack." I walked down the path as I laughed, feeling determined and confident in the task ahead of me, walking my way into Ponyville.