After I finished working with Applejack here at the orchard, AJ and I had come to an understanding with each other and have learned to maintained a strong friendship while out in the Southern Fields. But now we made our way back to the barn after a good days work, with the cart filled with bushels of apples. Our bodies were drenched with sweat as the sun rose high, drawing closer to its peak whilst radiating its glorious heated rays upon the fresh green land. I assumed the position of taking the cart back to the barn, though Applejack was insistent that she does it, I stood by my decision with an adamant smile before she sighed and approaches me. I looked at her in wonder as her gleaming orange body drew nearer before she turned around and bumped me with her hip, nudging me over as she took the other hand and smirked.

"How about we both work together and haul the load, does that sound good partna'?" Applejack insisted with a...teasing tone. I looked at her as she gave me a tender smile, her hands ready as she gripped on the hand of the cart before she flicked my posterior with her tail, earning a yip to escape my lips.

"Come on Sugarcube, lets get movin' already." She urged me on as I rubbed my butt from her surprise attack with a groan, followed by a chuckled response.

"Alright, alright, I'm going." She giggled from my response as we both began pushing the cart down the dirt road back to the barn. As we were hauling our load for a short moment, I could feel her eyes staring at me, as if looking for something to say as I looked back at her.

"You okay AJ? You look like you''re in thought about something." I asked as she looked away with a blush, growing silent for a moment before she responded.

"It's nothing serious Sugarcube." I raised an eyebrow while giving her an inquisitive stare. She notices my inspection as her eyes dart from me to the road before she looked uneasy.

"Why are ya'll staring at me like that?" I smiled upon her question.

"Because you're not a good liar AJ. Talk to me here partner." She sighed heavily as she looked at me with hopeful eyes.

"Fine, we'll talk. But can we talk about it when we get back to the barn?" She asked with a defeated, yet agitated tone as I accepted her request, resuming our trip back to the barn until we arrived a while later.

Big Mac was making his way out, his large toned body sweating profusely as he gave us a welcoming smile.

"Howdy Sis', look's like ya'll got a hefty load there." He complimented while chewing on a wheat stem.

"Yep. Vincent and Ah've got a good days work put in, in fact Ah think we'll be able ta finish harvestin' earlier then expected." Applejack declared as Mac maintained his soulful gaze at us with his smile more prominent.

"That's good to know Sis'. Ah'll just leave ya to finishin' the load then. Take care ya'll." Big Mac bids to us as he continues his way from the barn's entrance back towards the inside of their house, leaving Applejack and I to ourselves. We looked at each other for a brief moment before making our way around the cart and grabbing the bushels filled with apples and bringing them in one at a time. As we were loading the bushels into the barn, I began to wondering, "What was it that AJ had on her mind? For some reason, this reminds me an awful lot of what happened yesterday when she was having trouble confronting me with her feelings. Does she still have feelings for me in that way?" I watched her as she lifted the bushels and continued to pile them up, her body glistening with sweat, her plaid button shirt was getting increasingly wet as she removed her hat, wiped her forehead before putting her hat back on and working some more. She had the strong beauty, and her scent was becoming more evident the more she worked. I looked down in thought once more, "But she wants a monogamous relationship and I'm with Luna and Rarity, I can't give her what she want's and betray my herdmates, they don't deserve that, and I'm certain Applejack doesn't want that." I looked up and made my way to Applejack as she sat down another bushel and heard a crunch from behind her as my feet crushed hay scattered on the floor. She turned around to face me as she gave me a smile, breathing heavily as her body was drenched in sweat.

"Hey...partna'. ~huff huff~ ya uh...ya'll okay there?" Applejack asked in between her heavy breathing as I faced her, hoping that if she is still troubled, that I can comfort her.

"AJ...about earlier, on our way here, you...you still have feelings for me don't you?" Applejack raised her eyebrows as she seemed to have forgotten, or probably hoped I have forgotten, about the event earlier. She began to blush with shifting eyes before they fixed on to me as she responded with a sigh.

"Of course I still do sugarcube. Ah mean, Ah'm happy knowing Rarity could be happy with a great stallion but..." She looked away feeling uneasy, or guilty.

"I know you want a monogamous relationship, and I'm not asking you to change your mind on that. But I want you to know that I really do care for you AJ, but because I don't wish to betray Rarity and Luna, we can only be friends, really good friends in fact." I stated compassionately as AJ looked down with a gloomy face.

"Ah know sugarcube..." She said in a soft and sadden tone. It hurts me to see her like that, and the only thing that I could think of was to comfort her. So I reached out my arms and pulled her towards me as she stuttered.

"Wh-what are ya..." She then found herself pressed against my chest, surprised before she clenched her hands on my shirt, her tail wrapped around my waist as she nuzzled her cheek deeper into my chest with a content sigh.

"Hmmm~. This feels nice." Applejack sighed happily against my chest. I looked down to see her with a peaceful glow as her heart beat steadily and her tail rubbed against my leg. I closed my eyes and relaxed as we were in each others embrace, enjoying this tender moment between two good friends. She had a strong grip, but it wasn't crushing despite her power, instead it felt nice and welcoming with a caring intent behind her action. I was so enthused in the moment that I didn't notice her heart was beating faster against my chest before I felt a pressure relieve itself from my chest as I slowly and lazily opened my eyes before soft lips pressed itself firmly against my own.

My eyes bolted wide open as I was staring down at Applejack kissing me in the lips. Her warm, soft lips enveloped my lips as she was massaging them, holding me close to her as her breasts were pressed against my chest. Her musky, sweaty scent filled my nostrils as I can taste a hint of apple fragrance from her kiss along with her scent. My mind was slowly drawing to it before I began to regain my composure and placed my hand on her chest to distance us as I heard her moan out in my mouth, drawing confusion from my face before I realized a soft, squishy texture inside my palms. Beads of sweat formed from my forehead as I looked down worriedly to see that my hands were grasping her round breasts. I gulped as I looked up to see her giving me half-lidded emerald eyes, making me increasingly worried. I tried to tell her it was an accident before she drove her lips back against mine as she then thrust her tongue past my surprised lips, ravaging the inside of my mouth. As wrong as this was, it felt so good feeling this mare's strong grip taking the lead and wanting me with such a burning passion. I could feel her fingers gripping my back as her tongue was exploring my mouth and savoring my flavor. My hands were unconsciously beginning to slide form her lower back and was drawing nearer to her firm posterior. The drive I felt to sink my fingers in to feel how firm her sweet apple cheeks were, but I stopped, my hands were shaking for a moment before I pulled away from her with a string of saliva connecting as we gasped for air, panting heavily from what we did as I looked away and feeling guilty for what happened. I placed my hands on her shoulder and distanced us both as I cast my eyes towards the ground.

"Applejack...I'm sorry but...we can't..." I stated softly, my heart feeling a heavy weight pulling me down to weakness. Applejack must have noticed as I felt her hands stroke my cheek with soft tenderness. I looked up at her as I was met with sadden eyes, but yet a comforting smile as she uttered.

"Ah know sugarcube but...just once...just this once, I wish to feel what its like for a stallion who really cares for meh to...ya know..." She cast her eyes away, almost in the brink of tears with a burning blush as I looked back at her. My heart feeling sympathy for poor AJ. She is such a strong individual, and I would have believed it if she would have stallion's galloping for her but...it seems more like she is distant or unappreciated for who she is, maybe...even intimidating to others out there to give her a chance.

My hands slide from her shoulders and moved to her back as I pulled her into my embrace, her body shook as she tried so hard to keep it in, to hold in her tears as I began petting the back of her head, feeling the soft strands of her hair and shushing her gently as I felt her hands gripping the back of my shirt.

"AJ, you can let it out. You don't need to put on a face to prove you are strong. Even the strongest cries from time to time, and you deserve to let out and embrace what you feel inside. So do it, just let it out." I spoke gently and encouragingly to her as I hear sniffling beside my ear. She gently sobs into my shoulder, her body shaking as her breathing becomes heavy, choking in her own tears as she tightens our embrace.

"What -hic- is wrong with m-m-meeee? ~sobs~ Am Ah not p-pretty enough? Am Ah...t-too strong?! Why can't Ah just...just...have SOMEPONY TO LOVE MEH?!" She stuttered as she cried against my shoulder as I continued to pet her hair and comfort her, holding her in my arms and being there for her as she finally let it out. It pained me to see her in such a way and for her to believe that she felt...unwanted.

"Applejack, listen..." I spoke gently to her, "You ARE loved, you have incredible friends who would give their own life for you and would always have your back. You are very strong, yes, but you are also very beautiful, dedicated, and a very considerate mare. You could give other 'mares' where I come from a run for their money because you show you are an independent mare who can handle herself and don't need a stallion to live. But I know how it feels to think like you aren't...appreciated. As if you can't find the love that you yearn for. It's tough, and you are beginning to doubt yourself when you have proven to be such an incredible mare. Don't change and beat yourself up as if you are in the wrong here, because if a stallion doesn't decide to step up for you, then they aren't the guy you are looking for. I would believe you would rather have a stallion who can handle what you do, be supportive, family oriented, and can keep up with what you got going on." I complimented as she gave a light chuckle before I resumed.

"I missed out on having somepony who would undoubtedly be faithful and a 'team player' when aiming for the future. It wasn't because I don't love or care for you, but simply because I...don't have the heart to hurt somepony and make a mistake I cannot undo. I'm sorry if I hurt you Applejack for not giving you the love that you wanted so dearly. But that won't mean that I still can't love you as an individual." I pulled back as I raised my hands, gently grasping her cheeks and wiping her tears away with my thumbs and giving her a caring smile.

"No matter what happens, you will always have me by your side and I will do anything I can to help make the times easier on you, until it comes to where you find what you are looking for, and even then I will be there for you. You are an incredible friend and I feel so honored to have met you and the girls." I looked into her emerald eyes as they glistened from not only her tears, but from my words reaching into her heart as I was drawing understanding from her and hopefully, maybe mending her wounded heart. Though with my words come's a thought that told me...I owed her in a way.

"You've all made my time here so much more manageable and are helping me through my own struggles, and... its only fair that I help you all as well." As Applejack grasp my hand with her own, caressing it for a moment until she opened her mouth to speak, but only was interrupted as I leaned forward and pressed my lips against hers. She gasped with opened eyes as my action shocked her, leaving her immobile for a moment as my lips massaged and caressed hers before she relaxed and reciprocated my action with her own with now-closed eyes. We were like this for maybe a couple minutes before our lips parted and I slowly realized that my eyes have closed before opening them to gradually meet with Applejack's. I gave her a soft smile as she was happy, but yet confused as her eyes shifted everywhere in wonder before looking at me.

"Why...Ah thought...didn't ya'll say that we can't do this?" AJ asked in confusion. I pulled my hand away from her cheek as her hand slipped from the back of mine and into my palm as I cupped it between now both of my hands and replied.

"Yes, I did mean it when I said 'we cant'. But yet...I decided to make this a...one time exception. But please don't get the wrong idea AJ. I do care for you very much, which is what made me decide to give you what you have yearned for, but what you may truly desire cannot be given by me. I'm with Rarity and Luna now, and I wish to keep our relationship honest and true so I'm sorry to say that if you are...seeking for more, I cannot do it. I hope you may understand and that this doesn't change anything between us. I cherish our friendship and I wish to maintain what we have." She stood there with this hint of...glow to her character, as if she was lifted from a burden of guilt. She touched her lips with her free hand, a reminder that which what had taken place has actually happened.

"Vincent, Ah..." She paused for a moment, her mind in thought as she was absorbing everything that has taking place before she looked at me with a hearty smile and reached out to give me a caring hug as she continued, "Thank ya Vincent. Ya don't know how happy Ah am to have a real good friend like you. ~sigh~ gosh darnit, now Ah feel like such a jerk."

"Applejack?"

"Ah'm sorry Vincent. Ah never thought Ah would ever lose control of mahself like that, but when Ah met ya...ya'll were so strong and passionate, Ah became gosh darn desperate to have ya with me, and Ah wanted ya'll to mahself. Even after knowing darn well that you are a good guy who is true at heart, Ah gave in to temptation and...and..."

"Shh...it's okay Applejack. We're way past that now, for I have already forgiven you because I care for you a lot, and I must admit, you are a really good kisser." She chuckled at my compliment as we held each other before I resumed, "nopony is perfect and we all tend to make our own little mistakes, but what you did...didn't feel so bad. I actually really liked it, but we both need to be responsible about our actions, and remember that nothing is really changing between us. So, I'm going to ask you a rather ridiculous question but...you still want us as good friends right?"

"Of course Ah do Vincent. It just wouldn't feel right if Ah didn't have ya around. Ya kinda made ya way under mah skin." Applejack answered, holding me tighter as I felt her mane brushing against my cheek as she nuzzled into me.

"I would really like that a lot. I'd hate to lose an amazing friend like you so...we good?" I asked with a sincere and friendly tone as she replied.

"Yeah, we're good. Thanks Vincent, Ah really needed that. It's a hassle sometimes not having that kind of figure around but...Ah have to ask, as a friend and as a favor." She earned my curiosity as I pulled back from our embrace as I looked at her eagerly.

"And what is it you wanted to ask?" I pressed to know what she had in store for me as AJ opened her mouth to answer.

"I want to keep ya around here and keep working with me. I don't usually get a lot of strong stallion's to help out besides my brother, but sometimes it can be a heavy load for the both of us and...it makes me wish that I did have a good able body to help out ya know? So..." I placed my hand gently over her lips to stop her as her eyes widen a little before looking up at me smiling at her.

"Sure. I never really intended on leaving this job, but I'll stick around for as long as I can. If ya need some help, anything at all, just give me a holler and I'll get to it." Her cheeks became more prominent from beyond my hand as she was smiling from my response as I lowered my hand from her lips.

"Ya really are something special Vincent. Now, lets get ya paid so ya'll can skidaddle and do what ya gotta do." AJ urged as she made her way out as I commented.

"Yeah, I got a little sidetracked that I forgot I had to meet of with Twilight for some lessons." She stopped at the doorway and looked back at me with interest.

"Oh wait, wasn't Twilight gonna teach ya a bit o' magic?" Applejack asked.

"Yeah, she wanted me to come over a little after noon to get started and see what I can do." I answered.

"Well if that's the case, ya'll need to get a move on then. Let me get ya bits so you can hurry on now." She urged as she walked out of the barn, hearing the door to her house as I waited patiently for her for a moment until the door closed and she came back in with a bag of bits in her hand which she handed them to me.

"There ya go Vincent, now ya'll get going before Twilight marks ya down for being late or somethin'." She joked as I chuckled while slipping the bits in my pocket and making my way out.

"Alright then, I'll catch ya later AJ. You take care and don't forget about me now." I teased back as I stepped out of the barn with Applejack giggling.

As I stepped out of the barn, I summoned my wings which was starting to make me really sweat to even do after all the rigorous work I had, flapped away in the sky and on my way to Twilight's.

As I flew away, Applejack came out of the barn and leaned against the frame with a sigh as she said quietly to herself.

"Believe me, Ah don't think I can forget ya...even if Ah tried."

As I soared into the bright blue sky with the wind rushing past me, I looked beyond the town to find the Golden Oak Library as I drew nearer to it. I fanned my wings out as the wind rushed to its flaps, decreasing my velocity as I let gravity take over for a nice landing at the front of the library. I looked up to see its sign and feeling a little anxious, but nervous at the same time, wondering how all this will fair, if its gonna be the same as learning Nether magic and if I am able to do it at all. I walked to the front doorstep and knocked on the door, and shortly after, Twilight opened the door as she saw me waving to her with a smile.

"Hey Twilight, I'm here for our lesson." She furrowed her eyebrows as I lost my smile and looked at her with concern.

"Is everything okay?"

"What do you mean 'Is everything okay?" You're LATE Vincent. If you're gonna be serious about your lessons and getting stronger, then you need to be more prompt for you to make progress." She lectured as I scratched the back of my head awkwardly.

"Yeah, I"m really sorry about that Twilight. I just got caught up with work and...things kinda happened that held me up." I stated to excuse myself from the position I was in as Twilight raised an eyebrow, curious of the statement I was making.

"Things like what? Did something happen at the Orchard again?" Twilight asked with a more worried tone as I shook my head and replied.

"Not necessarily, just Applejack was going through some hardship and I couldn't just leave her like that ya know? So I did what any good friend would do and helped her through it, and now everything is okay."

"But what exactly was wrong with Applejack?" Twilight pressed to know more of the story.

"Its...not really my place to say. I think it's better if you heard it from Applejack. I don't wanna say anything about her specifically without her knowledge." I replied as Twilight seemed to understand what I meant as she spoke.

"Well I'm glad that she is doing alright now at the very least, but in any case we need to get started with your lessons. Come inside Vincent." I did as she said as we walked inside of the large tree and into the library. I looked around to see the living room set up to where there was a chalk board against the wall and a stool with a counter stand across the other end facing said chalk board. I blinked a couple times as I felt like I was being back in school, and fearing that my lesson wasn't exactly the 'hands-on' lesson I was expecting like with Davian.

"Um...Twilight?"

"Yes, Vincent."

"What is with all of this? Were you having a lesson before I came by?" She chuckled at my question before she responded.

"Of course not, I planned my day to be teaching you the basics of using Equastrian magic." She walked towards a book shelf as I watched with wary eyes.

"Oh? So...what kind of lesson are we having again?" I watched as her horn glowed purple as it enveloped a book as it slides out of its containment and levitated into my hands as I looked at the cover reading, "History of Magic for Beginners."

"...Twilight, when I said lesson I was...kinda expecting it to be...ya know, more hands-on."

"You can't just expect me to give you a spell at the start and think you can just 'do it'. You need to understand how our magic works before you can even use it. It's very important to understanding the basics if you ever want to learn and master more advanced spells more effectively and efficiently." Twilight lectured as I looked at the book dauntingly as my brain was already hating me for what I've gotten myself into. I looked up at Twilight as I lifted the book and asked.

"So...today is just a study day?" Her face beamed with a big smile as she began grabbing more books.

"I was gonna make it for a couple hours, but that sounds like a great idea! The more you know, the better prepared you'll be to using magic. We can study for today and on our next meeting, we can actually start using basic magic." Twilight began ranting on what seemed more like to herself rather than to me as I already felt my body wearing down from my impending doom.

"But Twilight, what if I can't use magic at all? Then all of this would be a waste of time." I asked, more in hopes to try to avoid making this day all but reading. Personally I don't mind a good book every now and then, but I graduated high school so I didn't have to deal with this again. Twilight looked at me before she came closer and her horn glowed as she lightly tapped my chest, making a weird screen thing appear showing the inside of my body like some X-ray or something.

"Aww, hehe nope you got magic alright. But it's not that much, its almost like looking at a little filly's magical capacity." Twilight said in a strange baby tone as I blushed immensely and covered my chest with the book in my hand.

"H-Hey, this isn't funny Twilight, and I'm not a little filly!" I spouted as she chuckled.

"It's okay Vincent, a lot of new users are like that. I just thought it was adorable to see somepony mature and intellectual having such a capacity level. But don't worry, with me as your instructor, your magic will fully mature in no time at all. I mean, I even helped Rainbow Dash get an 'A' on her test for the Wonderbolt's." Twilight commented as I was in disbelief considering how Rainbow Dash is and how I can imagine she is like with her...attention span.

"R-Really?! How did you manage to do that?" I asked curiously, awaiting and eager to hear her answer.

"She just has her own way of...remembering things, so I used that as a method to help her study and passed with flying colors." I snorted as she looked at me confused for a moment until her eyes widen and she chuckled, realizing her choice of words before redirecting the attention to me.

"But enough with this stall tactics and lets get to studying. The longer you procrastinate, the longer it will take until we are done here." I groaned as I made my way to take a seat on the small stool as Twilight 'popped' in front of the chalk board with a flash as we began the lesson with her instructing me to open the book I was given as she held a copy of her own. We began to read together, aiming for me to learn about the basics of Equestrian Magic.

I was leaving Octavia and Vinyls place after a good jam session, feeling the hype expelling out of me as the drive made this night a very lively one. I was making my way back to my place while my mind ventured out a bit after that musical experience.

"Damn that felt good. Lets see here, I think Vinyl can watch my gear for tonight until I see her again tomorrow, and let's see... good, I didn't forget my house keys. ~Sigh~ can this night get any..." I stopped as I heard a commotion, like a group of guys or something as I dropped my arms with annoyance, " ~sigh~...better? Well, I guess that answers my question." I hurried my way over while keeping low as I saw a mare being hassled by some stallions. She was backing away on guard as the three guys were surrounding her.

"Hey you don't need to be scared babe. You're in good hands. We just wanna show you around and give ya a good time." Said one of the stallion's. I couldn't just stand by and watch from the sidelines while she was in trouble. So I stepped forward as the night basked me with an eerie shadowy stature.

"Boy, like I've never heard that one before." I spoke up and made my way to them.

"Hey come on. Don't do this to me and be a damn cockblock. Get outta here." He groaned in agitation as I continued to approach him.

"The lady doesn't look interested. So why don't you guys go and leave her be." I stated as they looked at one another before the talker looked back at me with an aggravated face.

"Tch. I guess the nights still young huh?" He commented as he walked by me with his guys as I watched them carefully, seeing him walk past me and then turned around to slug me. I read his action and intent soon enough to where I turned to see his assault, ducking down and sweeping him to the ground as I pulled out a knife from my belt that was hidden inside my black jacket, leaping on to him, placing my knee on his chest and arm as the knife was aimed at his throat. His eyes got big as his friends shifted to me with a worried haste.

"H-h-hey now, l-lets not get carried away." He spoke in a panic as I stared with a serious glare.

"Sorry, I'm just not from around here. Usually when someone strikes me from behind, their packing something and I rather be safe then sorry. So...we can handle this and make a real mess around here, or...you can have one last chance and back off." I threatened as I applied a little more pressure to the knife on his throat as his body shook a bit.

"Whoa whoa whoa, c-consider us gone then!" He hastily replied.

"Good to know." I lifted off of him as I kept my knife in hand as the guys backed up cautiously before turning tail. I sighed and flicked my knife away as I faced the mare with a smile.

"Sorry about that, some ponies aren't as friendly as others. Are you okay by chance?" I asked respectfully as she dusted herself off and flipped her hair to the side, smiling back at me.

"Oh? Well, that was a nice introduction.. it's just.. oh never mind. Thank you, my name is Clear Horizon, but you can call me Clear." She was a white coated mare with a snow white mane that underneath was a rainbow color that looked like.. if you touched it and pulled away, your hand would be covered in rainbow, with an unusually long tail that was fluffy at the end. She was pretty tall and slender, wearing a short, skin-tight, grayish pink dress.

"Anyways, are there...any inns around here or anyplace where I can stay for the night? I.. was just passing by and I have nowhere to go, and I'd rather not bump into those guys again." She gave me a sweet grin as I couldn't help but blush as she fiddled around with her hands while looking down as she continued, "and.. I'm also short on bits so.."

"Well...its a bit pricey for rooms around here. But don't worry about it, you seem like an okay mare, maybe I can spot you a room, if you're okay with it of course?" She gave me a funny look as I realized what my message may have meant to her as I waved it off with embarrassment. "N-no funny business or anything, I promise. I-I would feel bad if I just left ya with nowhere to go ya know. So...what do you say, would you be okay with that?"

"Yea.. if you don't mind.. I'd.. really appreciate it." With that said, we walked together through the dark quiet streets as I turned my attention to her and give her a smile.

"My name is Swiftriff by the way, but you can just call me Swift." I introduced politely as she chuckled and smiled back.

"Hehe, that's a cute name. Well it's nice to meet you Swift, and thank you for helping me like this." She thanked with a blush on her face as I veered my eyes straight ahead, trying to play it off cool.

"Hey, it's no problem. I ain't gonna leave a mare hanging in a tight spot like that so, it's the least I can do." I commented as we ventured our way across town back to my place. “Honestly she seems like a sweet mare, but I couldn't help but feel something was off about all this but, oh well, it's probably just my imagination.”