When I worked in the Apple farm, I felt accepted into this world. The first days of farming apples from the trees made me quite relaxed. I carried the apples from the field to the apple cellar which didn't really bother me. None of the barrels upon barrels didn't really phase me. These apples were surprisingly very light and I continued to work without a sweat. Applejack was impress and Big Mac was dumbfounded that I could pull three carts full of apples at once. Not that it made him jealous it would mean that he would have to get stronger.

This strength that I gathered was because of my family. They forced me into football and I didn't like it at all. They made me go to high school football, made me go through college football, got me through a Sports degree in a university and were going to sign me up for the NFL. I never wanted any of it; I just wanted a relaxed life and not care about anything. When Frank offered for me to live with him; I took the opportunity and now I am living the quiet life with the Apple Family.

When I was carrying some barrels of Apple-cider I ran into somepony who I never thought I would fall for. I bumped into her and she fell to the ground. I put my barrel down and offered a hand. She was at first nervous, but grabbed my hand with her hoof and got to her feet. From then on we became friends, but overtime had feelings for one another. By the next Apple Family reunion she became my first girlfriend or mare-friend.

After dating for a few days Goldie Delicious, one of the elders of the Apple Family, was furious and disapproved me dating Apple Honey. I got done with a carrying the last batch of apples and just ran into them in a heated argument.

"Why can't I date Aston?!" AH shouted.

"You can date anypony just not anything that isn't a pony!" She argued.

I cringed when she said 'anything that isn't a pony.' I decided to leave because I wasn't wanted in this argument and Apple Honey was getting upset. I made my way towards the barn and saw the Applejack, Granny Smith, Apple Bloom and Big Mac were making Apple Cider for the next apple cider season. Big mac was walking on a treadmill turning a stone wheel which was crushing the apples into a fine juice. Granny Smith and Apple Bloom were inspecting apples to see which are good and threw away the bad ones. I saw Applejack trotting towards me and wiped away the sweat away from her forehead.

"What's wrong Sugarcube?" She asked.

I sighed, "Goldie Delicious is trying to convince Apple Honey to not date me because I am not a pony."

She frowned, "Oh... It's that bad?"

I nodded.

"I think she woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning." Granny quipped.

"You want my honest opinion? I honestly don't care if any of my family members dates you because your a nice guy. I don't care if your a different species, you're a great friend." She said tipping her hat.

I smiled. 'At least I have support behind me.' I thought. I saw Apple Bloom from the corner of my eye and she was sitting next to me. I ruffled her mane.

"What's up Apple Bloom?" I asked.

"I was wondering if you could help us make Apple-cider." She wondered.

"I was hoping to make my own kind of Apple-cider." I said.

Applejack raised an eye brow, "You're not going to pull a Flim and Flam brother incident?"

I remembered what Applejack told me about those two. Flim and Flam tried to take over the Apple-cider business, but failed miserably. They tried to make a Miracle Curable Tonic to cure ponies, but it was a scam. I haven't seen them anywhere, but I hope karma is getting them back for what they did.

I shook my head, "I looked at your recipe and I made some changes. I am going to crush my own apples and make some cider."

"Alright, just don't get to carried away. If your cider is better than ours I'll make some batches for customers to taste." Granny Smith said.

"Thanks Granny. I'll get to work." I said grabbing two buckets full of apples.

I made my way to the Apple cellar which held all the tools to make Apple-cider. I grabbed the paper and quill out of my backpack and set them on an available table. I looked at the title and smirked away. The title said: 'Apple Honey Cider' I cracked my joints and back. 'Time to work.' I thought.

-King Giroghtha point of view-

"What do you mean he refused!?" I shouted.

Discord shrugged, "He said he has nothing against Griffons, but he has taken a liking to a certain Princess and decided to stay even with your offer."

I sighed and tried to think about the relations between Equestria and the Empire I grew up in. I just don't understand why this person, Jayden, would not take my offer of getting rich beyond his dreams. I guess his heart was somewhere else which made me very disgusted.

"You are dismissed Discord." I said.

"What about negotiations?" he asked.

I got my claw to rub my temples, "It's on hold until tomorrow."

Discord nodded, "Alright your Majesty."

In a flash Discord was gone and I sighed. I sensed another presence in the room.

"You can come out now." I said.

A dark figure was standing in the shadows of the shade provided by the light. I could sense that he was not pleased by this result.

"What are you going to do now that the Royal Strategist is at Canterlot?" I asked.

He chuckled, "I know him too well and I have my ways to get him to cross sides. I'll have him here in about a week and a half."

"Why so long?!" I shouted, "I am at a pickle with these negotiations."

"Just say your on a vacation for about a week. You'll have Jayden by then and you know what to do then." He said.

"I just hope you know what you are doing." I said.

He laughed, "I wouldn't be here if I didn't."

I blinked and he was gone. I look to Monsoon who didn't sleep for weeks and had bags on his eyes. Looking at him made me tired which made me yawn.

"Monsoon tell Discord that I'll be on a vacation and you'll be going to a different one as well. You deserve it." I informed.

He bowed, "Thank you, your majesty."

He left the room without a word and I slumped back on my chair. I looked out the window and saw the sun setting in the distance.

'I hope we're doing the right thing for our kingdom.' I thought.

-Aston's point of view-

I think I pulled an all-nighter; judging from the light shining through boards of the door, it must be morning. I look at what I created, the Apple Honey Cider was complete. I got a cup and poured a sample. Thats when I heard Applejack walk inside the cellar.

"You're still up?" She asked.

I nod, "Yeah and I finished." I held out the cup, "Would you like to be my first taste tester?"

"Sure."

I put the cup on the table next to her and put a straw in it so she wouldn't have to pick it up. She took a swig and her pupils dilated to pin point needles. Her body was shaking and it caused her to shake her head. It all ended when Applejack did something that she hasn't done since her filly-hood: She burped. When she came to, she looked at the cup then at me.

"Holy horse apples. That was delicious!" She praised.

"Thanks it took be about 20 tries to figure out the sweet taste of cider with the right amount of honey." I said.

"You got the recipe already done and I think the whole Apple Family and customers would like to taste your... What's it called?" She asked.

"Apple Honey Cider or A.H.C. for short."

"You go get some rest and I'll get everypony up and ready for your cider." She beamed.

I nodded and headed towards the exit, but Applejack said something.

"You did all this for Apple Honey, didn't you?" She said.

I sighed and opened the door, "Yes. It was all for her. I needed to show Goldie Delicious that I can be important to the family as well."

Before Applejack could say anything I shut the door behind me and headed towards my room.

"Where am I?" I ask.

Everything was in darkness and I could hear water dropping down making drips. I look to my left and the sound was nowhere to be seen only heard. The dripping stopped and my breathing became shallow. The air was getting heavily humid and I could barely breathe. I look to my right arm and it was turning into molten lava. I try to shout, but it was all muffled. I fell to my knees and soon on my chest. The burning sensation was running up my skin into my brain and there was nothing I could do to stop it. I turn my head to the right and saw a big monstrous figure crouching down. When it turned to me with it's blood red eyes and it smiled revealing its sharp fangs.

"It's almost time for lunch." It growled.

It walked towards me and that is when I realized that the monster was in fact...

I awaken with cold sweat on my forehead and I look at my right arm. My wrist had a cutie mark and I was informed by Frank that for some reason humans get pain when getting cutie marks. The cutie mark was an Apple pouring juice into a cup which made me smile. 'It looks like my destiny is being an Apple' I thought.

I felt very groggy when I tried to get out of bed and I was trying to remember what kind of dream I was having. The only thing I could remember was a monstrous figure that had red eyes and terrifying sharp fangs, but that was about it. I shrug it off and hear a knock on the door.

"Aston?" it was Apple Honey.

"Yes Apple Honey?"

"Can I come in?"

"Sure, but I just got done with a nightmare and getting a cutie mark."

She opens the door and looked happy. She practically jumped into my arms and hugged the living hell out of me. I realize that she was nuzzling my chest and was shedding tears.

"What's wrong Honey?" I asked.

She sniffed, "Goldie finally approved you for me to date you because of your cider you named after me."

Without a word she lands her lips on mine and I put my hand on the back of her head. It reassured her and I made my tongue go inside her mouth. It was sweet from the cider that she drank as I explored her mouth. She moaned from that and did the same to my mouth. We continue to do this and when we both stopped to get fresh air and a strain of saliva came out of our mouths. We were practically panting when we were finished, but it was interrupted by Frank clearing his throat.

"Hey you two. I hope everything was all settled?" He asked.

Apple Honey nodded, "More than you know."

"Good. Apple Honey, Applejack wants to see you for some reason and I need to speak to Aston."

She nods and pecks me on the cheek, "See you later big boy."

She sways her hips on the way out of the room which got me to smile. I turn my attention to Frank who was smirking.

"What did you want to talk about?" I asked.

"For one, you have a cutie mark and two I have to scan you just real quick." He said snapping his fingers.

In a flash Frank got his check board and nodded which I asked, "What do you got doc?"

Frank sighed, "Connor, Jayden, Logan, Ryan and you got cutie marks and have magic radiating inside you."

"Does that mean I have to do lessons?" I asked.

"No it means I can use my spell on you that allows you to use spells without the teaching."

"I'd rather have that, because I barely have enough time to have any kind of lessons."

Frank got his two fingertips and touched my forehead. I was filled with all sorts of basic spells and some very important spells. When it stopped every little piece of information got stored into my brain.

"Do you feel alright?" He asked.

I look at the bucket behind Frank and I snapped my fingers. The bucket was upside down and landed on Frank's head.

I chuckled, "I think it works just fine."

His sigh echoed through the bucket, "I need to get back to Twilight. You have fun with the Apple Family, especially with Apple Honey."

I blushed and before I had anything to say he vanished making the bucket land in my head. The same kind sigh echoed through the bucket that was now on my head.

"You bastard."

I recollected myself and came down the stairs when Applejack called for me. In the living room was a stallion with a blue collar with a green tie that had a money symbol on it. The guy had three money bags as his cutie mark and what I can tell here is that he must be a rich pony. Beside him was a filly who didn't seemed to be impressed by coming here; she had a diamond tiara and it was the same for her cutie mark. Immediately I could see that she was a spoiled brat because I knew those kind of kids when I went through college and University.

"Are you Aston?" He asked.

"Yes I am. Who are you?" I asked.

The brat scoffed, "You don't know who he is?! You must be a stupid monkey to not know who my father is."

'Yep right on the money.' I thought. I ignored her comment and her father just shook his head. He puts his hoof down and glares at her and she backed down. He then turns his attention to me.

"I'm sorry for my daughter, Diamond Tiara, for being rude. My name is Filthy Rich and I was wanting to ask you if you would like to sell your product Apple Honey Cider at a bar joint." He said.

"Sorry what now?"

Applejack spoke, "He means that he wants to by a property that is down the road from Sugarcube corner and make it a bar for you to sell your product and ours."

"Oh... Is there a catch?"

"You're going to have to sell your product to us, but mostly me." Diamond Tiara said.

'You need to get punished and if you don't, karma is waiting for you.' I thought.

"TIARA!" Filthy Rich stood up and shouted, "Go home this instant!"

"But daddy?!" She pleaded.

"NOW!" He gritted.

She flinched and walked out of the house. Filthy Rich sighed and sat back down on his seat.

"I'm sorry. I'll scold her later." He said.

"It's fine. To my surprise, she isn't worse than what I see at my world." I smiled.

"You have those type of guys too?" Applejack said.

I nodded, "So we were talking about the catch?"

Filthy Rich cleared his throat, "Only one catch is that you sell under the company and we add advertisements to the bar when its refurbished."

I crossed my arms, "No strings attached?"

He grabbed a contract out of his saddle bag, "Just read over it and get back with me."

I got a hold of the contract; led Applejack and Apple Honey to the dinning room. Granny Smith was in there making dinner and caught what Applejack and I were doing.

"We want your approval Granny. If we let this through we can have a better profit." Applejack said as I read the contract.

"This seems legit. It's all because of the Apple Honey Cider I made and I'll take care of the business." I said putting the contract on the table.

Granny got her glasses on and read the contract. When finished she sighed.

"The profits go to us and we only pay 15% to Filthy Rich and his company. He will only take 15% of profits and in return he makes ad revenue." Granny said.

"Does that mean you approve your cider and Aston's cider to be sold at a refurbished joint?" Apple Honey asked.

Without a word Granny Smith grabbed a quill and ink. "This is the only time I'll be doing this." She said signing the contract.

I grabbed the quill and signed; Applejack signed for a witness and Apple Honey did as well. We headed back to the living room area and gave the signed contract to Filthy Rich.

"Wonderful! The bar joint will be done in a week." He said shaking my hand.

"In a week? Wow, you work fast." I said.

"Well I see potential in your drink and I just can't wait for your future customers to come at... What are you going to name it?" He asked.

I put my hand on my chin and smirked, "The Prancing Pony."

He wrote that down on the paper and headed out the door, "I'll mail you the address when its all done."

Present time (When Logan showed up with Rainbow)

"Filthy Rich promised everything and now I am in charge of this bar. Applejack and Apple Honey are my assistants and are waitresses." I finished.

Logan was very impressed the way that I handled everything and Rainbow was just sucking down all the cider I gave her. She had around four cups of cider and I was surprised that she could pay for it.

"Could I have a sample of your Apple Honey Cider?" Rainbow asked.

"It's not finished, but I have the samples that were left over from yesterday." I said pulling out two small cups, "This one is on me."

"Thanks dude." Logan said taking the drink like a shot.

Rainbow sniffed it and drank it all with one gulp. Both of their face expressions melted and they almost fell off their seat. Applejack, Apple Honey and I laughed at their reactions. Their taste buds, just like the other first timers, went to heaven. It made me happy that they and other ponies were liking what I made. I look out the window to see the moon was shining down in the night and I wondered what else this world would be holding for me, my friends and my mare-friend.

Author's Notes:

18 out of 18? There must be something going on?

Frank's chapter is last before my version of a valentines day special. Hope you guys are enjoying this story! Just after the valentines day special, the arc will truly begin!