It had been a couple days since that eventful day. The Crystal Empire's return, Sombra's death, reuniting with my mother, meeting a good changeling, learning that Chrysalis was under what was practically a curse, and finding out Brook was here. Damn, a lot happened that day. Thankfully, Cheerilee was nice enough to let me have a few days to unwind after such an eventful day.

My mother decided to stay in Canterlot for a while to catch up with Celestia and Luna. I could understand seeing as how there was two new Princesses in Equestria and she had been gone for a thousand years. I didn't really mind, since I was just glad that she was alive and that I had found her again.

As we had expected, when we returned to Ponyville with Brook and Heart the ponies started freaking out. Twilight and I managed to get them to calm down and told Mayor Mare to set up a town meeting. While hesitant, she quickly did as we requested and everypony was gathered in front of Town Hall. We told them all that Heart and Brook wouldn't cause them any harm. The ponies were rather skeptical, but when Fleetfoot and Eclipse told the town that they knew Heart, they calmed down slightly. Even they were on edge about Brook being a skeleton, but said that they trusted all of us on our judgement.

Twilight explained Heart's situation to Trixie and the two decided to let the changeling stay in their guest room. Brook was, surprisingly, staying with Rarity. Despite how he acted toward Nightmare Moon, she saw that he was usually a gentleman. Not to mention that, after the initial shock of him being a skeleton, him and Sweetie Belle got along rather well.

We managed to convince Pinkie to wait a couple weeks before giving the two a welcoming party. How did we manage that? We asked her what kind of welcoming party would it be if most of the town didn't show up because of the two guests they were supposed to be welcoming. She didn't like it, but saw our point and postponed it. Though I don't know if she'll be able to put it off that long.

Right now, I had woken up before the sun had even risen and was taking a nice early morning stroll. As I was approaching Sweet Apple Acres, I heard howling and pots being banged together. I rushed toward the Apple's home and saw Granny Smith running around smacking pots.

She was shouting, "The timberwolves are a-howlin'! The timberwolves are a-howlin'!"

"Eeyup," I heard Big Mac say. I turned to their home and saw Applejack, Big Mac, Apple Bloom, Spartan, and Anna were looking out of their windows.

I felt my face heat up when I saw the mares were wearing nightgowns. I quickly turned back to Granny Smith who was, oddly, completely dressed despite the time of night.

She shouted again, "The zap apples are comin'! The zap apples are comin'!"

The Apple's cheered, "Yay, the zap apples are comin'!"

"That's what I said," Granny Smith stated, smacking the pots a few more times. She noticed me and asked, "Sean? What in Equestria are ya doin' up this early?"

"I could ask you the same," I responded. "I'm pretty sure this is early even for farmers. And what was that howling I heard?"

"It's the time for zap apples to be growin'," she said. "Timberwolves howling is the first sign they are about to grow."

"Don't you mean when they're ripe?" I questioned. "And isn't it kind of late in the year for them to be ripe? Isn't it nearing winter?"

"It is, but these apples are different," she said. "These one's have magic in 'em."

"I see. Would you mind if I helped?" I asked. "I'd like to see them if possible."

She gained a thoughtful look, "It'll be a few days before they need pickin', but I don't see the harm in another helper. Now, you go on and git back and get a bit more sleep before you help us out."

I nodded and started to make my way back to Ditzy's house.

When I got back, I opened the door as quietly as I could. Before I could even try to head up the stairs, the lights were flicked on. I spun around in shock and was surprised to see Dinky standing on the stairs in her pajamas while rubbing her eyes sleepily.

"What are you doing Sean?" she asked, weariness and a little fear in her voice.

"I just woke up really early and couldn't fall back to sleep," I told her before walking up to her and picking her up. I then headed over to the couch. "So I went for an early morning stroll. Why are you up?"

"I had a nightmare and woke up. Then, I thought I heard something. I was scared, but came down to see what it was," she said.

"And you found me," I said, getting a nod from her. "Hang on a moment." I headed upstairs as quickly and quietly as I could. I slowed down momentarily when I felt like I walked passed somepony, but shrugged it off and entered the room me and Ashley were sharing. I walked over to the nightstand and opened the drawer. Grabbing what was inside I glanced at Ashley and whispered, "Thanks Ash." I then went back downstairs and sat back down next to Dinky.

"A flute?" she asked in surprise and confusion.

I nodded, "I figured you were still a little frightened, so I'm going to try and help you relax." I brought the instrument to my lips and softly began to play.

As I played the relaxing melody, I saw Dinky's eyes start to flutter as sleep began to claim her. Eventually, her soft even breathing told me that she had fallen asleep. I played a little more to make sure she was completely relaxed before lowering the flute and smiling at the filly next to me. She was leaning against my shoulder and, not wanting to wake her up again, I set the flute on the end table and leaned back on the couch. I slowly fell asleep.

[POV Change: Amethyst]

I smiled to myself as I stood at the top of the stairs. I had heard the door opening and was rather worried at who it might be. I was about to investigate when I saw Dinky walking downstairs. Since she didn't panic at whoever entered, I decided to hang back. I heard Sean talking to her and I calmed down immensely. I heard Dinky say that she had a nightmare which explained why she was up this early.

I then heard Sean making his way upstairs and used my illusion magic to make me see-through. I was nervous when he had paused and glanced at me, but relaxed when he continued what he was doing. I was shocked when he walked back out of his room carrying a flute. Dinky had told me that he played the drums, so seeing him carrying that instrument shocked me.

I was even more surprised when he started playing such a soothing song. When he finished playing, I waited a few minutes before quietly walking down the stairs and checking on them. I smiled warmly when I saw Dinky leaning against Sean and the peaceful look on her face. I silently made my way back to my room, glad that Sean helped Dinky even with a small thing like this.

[POV Change: Ashley]

When I woke up I found myself alone in bed. Confused, I quickly got dressed and went downstairs to look for Sean. When I walked into the living room, I had to hold myself back from squealing at the sight before me. Sean was laying on the couch with Dinky laying on top of him, his arms wrapped protectively around her. I heard hoofsteps behind me and turned to see Ditzy coming down. She was about to say something when I put my finger to my lips while gesturing to walk over. She looked at me in confusion, but did as I asked.

When she looked into the room, she cooed at the sight. "That's adorable," she whispered.

"It sure is. It's really a shame we have to wake them up," I whispered back. I was about to move forward when Ditzy grabbed my shoulder.

"Wait, do you have a camera?" she asked, a wide grin on her face.

I smiled back and snapped my fingers as quietly as I could, summoning our iPad and a camera. Ditzy took the camera while I grabbed the iPad. The noise made the two stir and we froze. Fortunately, Sean just pulled the filly closer and Dinky cuddled into to him.

Ditzy and I cooed at the sight and took several pictures of the two. Once done, Ditzy took the photos and iPad upstairs while I walked up to them.

I gently shook Sean's shoulder, "Sean, it's morning."

His eyes slowly opened and he looked at me, "Good morning Ash."

"Morning," I said, glancing at Dinky.

He followed my gaze and smiled softly at the little filly. He gently nudged her, "Dinky, it's time to get up."

She stirred a little, mumbling slightly, "A little longer."

I giggled, while Sean chuckled. "Sorry, but that's not possible," he said, slowly sitting up. Dinky groaned and got up. She pouted slightly, making him chuckle, before tussling her mane. "Sorry Dinky, but I'm going to be helping the Apples with the zap apples."

"So we didn't miss that?" I mumbled to myself.

"What do you mean?" Sean asked.

"There was an episode involving the zap apples, but it happened before the wedding and the Crystal Empires reappearance," I explained. "Granted the episodes could really be watched in any order, I'm pretty sure each season would happen before the other."

He shrugged, "Who knows. Maybe it's like you said and actually happened after those events or it's just different here."

"You're probably right," I said, nodding. Ditzy came back down and walked up to her daughter.

"Good morning, Dinky," she said with a smile.

"Morning mom," Dinky said, smiling back.

As Ditzy straightened, she noticed the flute on the end table. "You play the flute too?" she asked in surprise.

"Well, you can't exactly help children relax with drums now can you?" he asked with a smirk.

"I suppose not," she said.

He started to head out, "I'll see you ladies later. I'm going to see when the Apples will need my help."

"Goodbye!" we all called out to him. He waved back at us.

Ditzy then turned around, "Why exactly did he need his flute?"

"I woke up because I had a nightmare," Dinky said. "Then heard something and went to check it out and saw Sean walking in. He played the flute to help me relax and fall back asleep."

"Why was he up so late?" I asked.

"He said that he just woke up and decided to go for a walk," she told me.

"Ah. He would do that from time to time back home," I said. I walked to the kitchen, "So how about breakfast?"

[POV Change: Sean]

As I approached the Apples home, I saw Applejack, Big Mac, Spartan and Anna placing buckets around a bunch of trees that didn't even have leaves let alone apples.

I walked up to them and asked, "Why are you putting buckets around these?"

Suddenly the wind picked up and Spartan said, "You'll see in a moment."

Clouds started appearing in the sky, which confused me slightly. Didn't the pegasi manipulate the weather here? I couldn't see even one pegasus in the air. I then heard electricity crackling. Looking around, I saw bolts arcing around the trees. After a moment the electricity stopped and leaves instantly appeared on the branches.

"Holy-- I guess Granny Smith wasn't joking about there being magic involved with these apples," I said in surprise.

"Nope. These apples are one of a kind and only grow at certain time and during a short time frame," Anna said. "It's one of the reasons Granny said we could use your help."

"They disappear or something?" I questioned, jokingly.

"Eeyup," they all said seriously.

I snorted, "Nice synchronization. I'll be glad to help you get as much as I can."

"We'll be sure to give ya some so you can try them yourself," Spartan promised.

I grinned at the stallion, "Thanks. You need any help now?"

"Nah. Until they actually show up we can handle everythin' ourselves," Applejack said.

I shrugged, "Alright, but let me know if you do need some help." I turned around and froze at what I saw. Granny Smith and Applebloom were wearing fluffy bunny costumes and jumping over watering cans while singing the ABC's. "What in the world?" I asked in absolute confusion.

"Oh, that's just somethin' for the zap apples," Anna told me. At my bemused expression, she elaborated, "The zap apples, being magical fruits, need specific, and altogether strange, requirements met. Especially when making zap apple jam."

"Huh," I said. Before I could say anything else, I heard a mocking laughter. I turned around to see Diamond Tiara and a light brown stallion with a slick black mane and wearing a blue business suit approaching Apple Bloom and Granny Smith. Having a bad feeling I walked over to them.

"Well, howdy there, Filthy Rich," Granny Smith greeted the stallion.

"Hello, Mrs. Smith," he greeted back. "Did I hear correctly that there's a zap apple harvest coming in a few days?"

"Yes siree," she confirmed. "Four to be exact."

He smiled, "That's excellent news. I get your first hundred jars, as usual, right?"

"'Course Filthy," Granny Smith said.

"Uh, I prefer Rich," he corrected with a smile.

I then walked up to the pair. "Hello, Mrs. Smith," I said.

"Oh, hello, Sean. None of that Mrs. stuff, just call me Granny, everypony does." She paused and glanced at the stallion, "Well, those who we don't do business with. Now, uh what are ya doin' here?" she asked.

"Just thought I'd see if you and your family needed any help," I told her.

"Aw, that's mighty nice of ya, but we can handle everythin' until the harvest," she said.

"Yes, your family told me," I said. "And like I said to them, just let me know if you need anything before then."

"You're a mighty sweet boy, ya know that?" Granny Smith said with a warm smile.

I blushed slightly, but smiled back, "Thank you Granny Smith." I turned to the stallion, "I believe she said your name was Filthy Rich?"

"Indeed and you are Sean, one of the humans who moved here a couple weeks ago correct?" he questioned.

"That's right. It's nice to meet you sir," I said, holding my hand out to him.

To my slight surprise he took my hand and gave it a firm shake that, to my shock, I felt. "It's good to formally meet you as well," he said.

I relaxed a little, seeing he didn't seem to be anything like Blueblood. "So Mr. Rich, you seem to do a great deal of business with the Apple family," I said, striking up a conversation with the stallion.

"You can just call me Rich and yes I do. They grow the best apples in Equestria after all," he said, smiling.

"Oh, I couldn't agree with you more. I haven't had any others while here, but compared to my world's apples these are absolutely delicious," I agreed.

"Thank ya kindly you two," Granny Smith said. Though for some reason her voice was slightly muffled. I turned to her and was shocked to see her wearing the cauldron on her head. "Uh, Rich would ya mind?" she requested holding out a wooden spoon.

"Of course, Mrs. Smith," he said taking the wooden utensil. Before I could ask what she wanted done, Rich gave the huge pot a good whack with the spoon. I stared at him in shock, but before I could say anything Granny spoke again.

"Thank ya kindly Filthy," she said in a slight daze.

"She ask you to do that every time?" I asked, noticing his willingness.

He nodded, "Yes, she does. I'm not really sure why, but she says it's essential to make the jam so good, so I humor her."

'Must be another requirement for the jam,' I thought to myself. Before I could speak again, Granny Smith suddenly spoke up.

"Sean there actually is somethin' ya could help with," she said.

"Yes?"

"Me and Apple Bloom are goin' shoppin' and we will probably need some help," she said.

"I'd be happy to help," I said.

Apple Bloom, Granny Smith, and I were walking through the market, the bags we had weighed down with a good deal of items. Interestingly, Granny Smith and Apple Bloom had headwear making it to where we were all wearing something on our heads. I was wearing my normal fedora, Granny Smith's hat was more eccentric, it being a purple hat with orange polka dots, with a green ribbon wrapped around it and a white flower, and Apple Bloom was wearing a bonnet.

"Shake a leg there, slowpokes! We got a gaggle's worth of goods to gather before the harvest. Come on!" Granny Smith urged us and started to, surprisingly skip through the market and sing to the tune of Skip to My Lou. Apple Bloom looked down in embarrassment. The elder mare soon came to a stop at a pots and pans stall. She picked one up and muttered, "They don't make 'em like they used to." To my and Apple Bloom's shock Granny Smith bit down on the pan.

"Hey, you bite it you bought it," the pony vendor yelled in annoyance.

Granny Smith took the pan out of her mouth, her dentures staying attached to it, and walked away. Apple Bloom and I glanced at each other and she grabbed the teeth before following her grandmother. I looked at the pony behind the stall and handed them fifteen bits.

"Sorry about that," I said, before following them. When I caught up I was shocked to see that Granny Smith had a beard of bees and was talking to them while getting honey from their hives. After getting over the shock, I chuckled slightly.

"Granny, isn't there a less... silly way to get the honey?" Apple Bloom asked pleadingly. She suddenly gasped and hid behind me.

I arched a brow before turning where she had been looking and saw Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. I was rather irritated with Diamond Tiara, she was the typically portrayed rich girl and constantly made fun of the CMC and Dinky when she thought I wasn't paying attention. Although they told me it's gotten much better since I started working at the school. They told me that even before then, Silver Spoon pretty much stopped when I showed up in Ponyville. I was still rather worried about how she acted when I talked to her, but it had been a couple weeks and she didn't come to speak to me, so maybe it wasn't serious or anything.

"Oh, isn't this just precious?" Granny Smith said.

"Granny please stop," Apple Bloom begged. I heard Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon laughing at Apple Bloom, though Silver Spoon's seemed rather halfhearted. Like she was only doing it because Diamond was there. The young Apple didn't seem to notice though, as she said, "Granny please! Those ponies over there are watchin' me."

"What?" Granny Smith questioned and looked over to the two fillies. "Aren't they your friends? Hello half-pints friends!" she called out.

"Hiii, Granny Smith. Hiii, half-pint!" Diamond Tiara said, saying the last part mockingly.

I frowned at the spoiled brat. She really tested my patience with her mocking of the CMC and Dinky. Granny Smith seemed oblivious to the mocking tone in Diamond's voice.

"What dolls. Why, when I was little, ponies didn't come that purdy," she said.

I rolled my eyes, "Is there anything else Granny or do you have everything?"

"All done, Seany-boy," she said, surprising me. She started skipping and singing again before I could say anything.

Apple Bloom looked at me and asked, "Something wrong Sean?"

Shaking my head, I said, "No. Just no one other than my mother called me Seany before."

"Are ya upset that she called ya that?" she asked, as we started following her back to the farm.

"That's not it. She just surprised me is all," I told her.

When we returned to their home I helped them put away the items they bought before Apple Bloom and I headed to the school. When school started I was surprised that it was Family Appreciation Day. Cheerilee told me that during day I had gone to the Crystal Empire and the days I had off, Family Appreciation Day had come around. Although from what she explained it sound more like Family Appreciation Week as each day a family member from several of the foals family would come in and take about something involving them.

Right now Filthy Rich, who turned out to be Diamond Tiara's father which explained why the two were together on the Apple family's farm, was giving a speech on how his business had become the cornerstone of retail in Ponyville. And it was boring as all hell. Seriously, I was half asleep and half of the class was completely asleep, heck even Silver Spoon was out. When he finished, Diamond Tiara was the only to clap, waking the ponies who fell asleep and got me to snap back to attention.

"Well, thank you Mr. Filthy--" Cheerilee started, but received a small glare from the stallion. "I mean, Mr. Rich. What a wonderful day of sharing! And thank you for being a part of Family Appreciation Day! Now, uh, let's see who will be bringing in a family member for next Monday's Family Appreciation Day. Um... Oh! Apple Bloom!"

Apple Bloom looked up and said, "But Ms. Cheerilee, the zap apples are harvested on Monday, and all of my family will be busy."

"Well, is there anypony else in your family that could come?" Cheerilee asked, causing Apple Bloom to shake her head vigorously. However, Diamond Tiara suddenly butted in.

"Ms. Cheerilee. Granny Smith isn't working on the harvest, she could come," she suggested with a slight smirk.

Seriously, this brat was getting on my nerves. I knew what she was doing, but it was a legitimate suggestion, so I couldn't do anything about it. Apple Bloom tried to make something up on why Granny Smith couldn't come, but she was not able to think of something and Cheerilee thought it was a good idea for Granny to show up. The bell rang dismissing the class. As everyone left I walked up to the school mare.

"Cheerilee," I started getting her attention. "I hate to do this, but I offered the Apple family my help with the harvest."

"And you're wondering if I don't mind you not coming Monday?" she guessed. I nodded in confirmation. She chuckled slightly, "Maybe I should have been clear on this, but you don't have to come everyday Sean. If you were an assistant teacher then yes this would be a problem, but all I'm asking you to do is keep an eye on the students."

"So it's OK?" I asked wanting to be clear.

"Yes, Sean it's fine. I would like you to notify me though when you do plan on not coming," she said.

I nodded, "Of course."

The next couple of days went by rather quickly and I went to Sweet Apple Acres to see all of the signs of the zap apples arrival. The third sign was a murder of crows flying in the pattern of apples above the trees and blue flowers immediately bloomed. The fourth sign were shooting stars, which is when the apples finally appeared, but they were a sickly gray. It was during this day that I saw more proof that these were magic trees.

For some reason, I saw the Cutie Mark Crusaders standing around one of the trees. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but Sweetie Belle walked up to the tree and gave it a rather solid kick. I guess since they were ponies, even unicorns had a decent kick despite most of them being less physical than the other races. What happened next shocked me greatly, no pun intended. When Sweetie kicked the tree electricity arced up the tree then back down and gave the little filly a rather nasty shock, knocking her away from the tree. The three fillies then tried to pick the apple, only for the stem to stretch and even the tree to bend, unyielding in giving up the fruit before it was ripe.

Unfortunately for the three, a puddle from the Apples watering the trees was next to Sweetie Belle and she stepped in it causing her to lose her footing and them all being launched into the air. Worried about their safety, I rushed after them to see the three had landed in the pigs pen. I sighed in relief at seeing they were OK.

I walked up to them and asked, "What in Equestria are you three up to?"

They jumped slightly and quickly exclaimed, 'Nothing!' before taking off. I stared after them for a minute before moving on.

'Apple Bloom's probably still worried about Granny Smith going to school and talking to her classmates,' I thought. 'I hope she comes to terms with it soon. She's family after all.'

The next day I was surprised to see Cheerilee leaving the farm. "Cheerilee? What were you doing here?" I asked.

"Granny Smith asked to see me and when I saw her inside she said that she wasn't going to be able to make it Family Appreciation Day when something strange happened," she said.

"Strange?"

Cheerilee nodded, "She suddenly shot up and hit her head on the ceiling and then said that she wouldn't miss coming to the school today."

"That is strange," I said, having a good idea what had happened. "Well, I'll see you tomorrow Cheerilee."

She smiled, "See you tomorrow, Sean." She left the farm just as the wind began to pick up.

I saw Granny Smith and Applejack standing near the trees and I walked up to them. It suddenly began to rain for several minutes before it stopped and the clouds parted to reveal a rainbow. I saw a rainbow appear on an apple before a rainbow shot from apple to apple, all of them gaining rainbow colors to them.

"Yee-haw!" Granny Smith shouted, jumping higher than I thought possible.

"The zap apple harvest has begun!" Applejack exclaimed as Granny Smith landed with a loud thud. I winced as she landed, but she jumped to her hooves easily.

"And tomorrow we will be makin' some zap apple jam," she declared walking back to the house.

I turned to Applejack, as her brother and parents started picking the apples from the trees. To my slight surprise they were hand picking them instead of applebucking.

Noticing my expression, Applejack said, "These trees like to buck back if ya know what I mean."

"Oh, I saw what happens when you buck them," I said, gaining a confused look from her. "So, you just hand pick them huh?"

"That's right. It's one of the reasons it's hard to get them all off before they disappear," she said.

"Well, I think that I have a solution. I thought of it when you said that they disappear," I said, getting her interest. I activated Second Gear causing her to step back in mild shock. "I can move at great speeds like this, so I can pick a great deal of apples in a short period of time."

Applejack looked rather hesitant, "It would be mighty helpful, but your temperature skyrockets when you're like that right? It's the reason you have steam comin' off of ya."

I nodded, "Yes, but I'd only be holding them for a couple seconds before placing them in the basket. I'm sure it'd take at least a minute for the heat to affect them."

"Normally, I'd agree with ya Sean, but with the magic in the zap apples I'm not sure how they would react to it," she said.

"A fair point," I conceded, letting the gear defuse. "I have another idea if you'd be willing to hear it."

"Sure, pardner. What is it?" Applejack asked.

I grabbed two buckets and walked in front of several of the apple trees. I placed the buckets next to me and proceeded to throw my arms forward rapidly using the Gum-Gum Gatling. However, instead of punching, I grabbed the apples and dropped them in the wooden buckets. After about ten seconds, I had cleared three trees of their zap apples. Applejack and the other Apples were staring at me in shock for a moment before wide smiles spread across their faces.

"That's mighty impressive Sean," Applejack said. "If ya keep that up we'll have even more zap apples then last year."

I spent the rest of the day repeating what I'd done, while the others picked the apples normally. By the time the apples disappeared we had picked practically all of them.

"Hoowee! That's the most zap apples we've ever picked," Applejack cheered.

"That's for sure," Spartan agreed. "Can't remember the last time we picked so many." He clapped me over the shoulder, which, just like with Filthy Rich, I actually felt. Earth pony magic must be similar to haki. "We can't thank you enough for your help Sean."

Anna walked up to me with a warm smile, "Yes, thank you Sean."

"It wasn't a problem," I said smiling back, rolling my shoulder. "I'm glad I could help."

She held out a basket of zap apples. "Here you go Sean. So that you, and Ashley, can try them yourselves," she said. "And if you come back later we can let you try some of the things we make with these apples." She then gained a cheeky smile, "And be sure to bring your wife and marefriend."

I blushed, while she and Applejack giggled and Spartan and Big Mac chuckled. Still blushing, I shook myself and said, "I'll be sure to do that thank you. And I'm sure that these will taste amazing."

As I headed back to Ditzy's home I took a bite out of one of the zap apples. The taste was incredible and I swear that I felt a jolt through my body when I bit down. When I got back I told Ditzy, Ashley, Amethyst, and Dinky about Anna's offer. They all happily agreed to it.

The next day after school had let out, I walked Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, Dinky, and several foals over to Sweet Apple Acres. When we reached the farm Anna waved us over, Ditzy, Amethyst, and Ashley were already there. I headed over to them, the foals following behind me.

"You don't mind if mah friends try the jam do ya ma?" Apple Bloom asked.

Anna smiled, "Of course not, sweetie. Your friends can have some." She put a jar of rainbow colored jam and a plate of toast on a table for the foals. As the children gathered around the table, Anna handed me a slice of toast with the jam on it. "Here you go, Sean. The ladies have already had some."

"Thanks," I said, before taking the bread and taking a bite. The taste of the jam was absolutely delicious. I had to hold myself back from just tossing the whole thing in my mouth. "This so good."

"Glad you like it," Anna said. I then heard a voice behind me.

"Diamond Tiara." I turned to see Filthy Rich pushing his daughter forward with a pair of bunny ears on her head.

"But dad," she whined. Rich didn't say anything and continued to push his daughter toward Granny Smith and the other foals, who were jumping over the watering cans singing the alphabet.

I heard Apple Bloom and Applejack chuckling. I rolled my eyes and turned around to see Silver Spoon standing nearby. I walked up to the little filly. She noticed me approaching her and looked up.

"So, Silver Spoon, since you haven't come speak to me does that mean that everything's alright?" I asked.

"...Y-yes, everything is OK," she said.

"You hesitated a little Silver. Are you sure?" She looked at me with a conflicted look in her eyes. I sighed slightly, "You don't have to tell me Silver Spoon, I just want to help you."

She was silent for a moment before sighing, "OK, but can we go somewhere nopony will overhear us?"

"Sure," I agreed and walked over to Ashley. Silver Spoon hesitated, wondering what I was doing, but soon followed me. I tapped my wife on her shoulder, "Ash, you mind sending me and Silver Spoon back to Ditzy's? She wants to talk about something without fear of somepony overhearing her."

"Alright. We'll be back in probably an hour or so," she told me before snapping her fingers and teleporting us back

I sat down on the couch before asking, "Alright, Silver Spoon, so what is it that you don't want anypony to know?" She took a deep breath before her arms took on a metallic like color and she formed them into hammers. I stared at her in astonishment, "Did you eat a fruit that had spirals all over it and a curled stem?"

"How did you know that?" she asked in shock.

"You ate what's known as a Devil Fruit, Silver Spoon," I told her. "It's what allows me and Ashley to do what we can do."

"So it was just an accident that I got these abilities?" she questioned.

"I suppose," I said. "And it seems you're a Logia."

She tilted her head in confusion, "Logia?"

"It's one of the three types of Devil Fruits. Logias are able to will themselves into the element they wield," I explained.

"Well, that's not it then," Silver Spoon said. "I'm always metallic."

"That would mean that you were a Paramecia like I am, but I'm pretty sure you shouldn't have that kind of control over your powers if you are," I said. My eyes widened, "Unless you Awakened your Devil Fruit powers."

"Awakened?" she asked.

I looked around the room and saw a blank piece of paper. I grabbed it and held it out to her. "Focus your powers on this," I instructed.

"Why?" she questioned taking the paper.

"If I'm right, you'll see," I said. She shrugged and began to concentrate on the piece of paper. After a moment, it suddenly turned to a sheet of metal. We both stared at it in absolute shock. "You did. You Awakened your Devil Fruit powers."

"What exactly does that mean?"

"Just like you saw, you are able to affect your surroundings other than just your body. You are able to turn whatever you want into metal, making it stronger," I said. I took the metallic paper. "For example," I ran the metal across my boot leaving a small cut in it. Silver Spoon stared at the cut in astonishment. "You could turn something seemingly harmless into something you could use for offense or even defense."

"Whoa," Silver Spoon said, stunned.

"So does anypony know about this?" I asked. "Considering how hesitant you were I can't imagine very many, if any, ponies know about it."

"My parents know of course, along with one of our servants," she told me, sitting on the couch with a rather sad look on her face.

"Why only one?" I asked in confusion.

"It was kind of an accident that she found out," she said. "She and I always got along and one day she went to give me a hug and felt my metallic body. Thankfully she was willing to hide it from the others."

"Why were you hiding it?"

"We didn't know what it was or why I had it," she started to explain. "So in fear of how others might react we kept it hidden from others."

I nodded in understanding, "A reasonable concern for something unknown like this. But what are you going to do now?"

She looked up at me, "What do you mean?"

"Well, these things are becoming rather common now," I said. "I mean, three of the guards have eaten a Devil Fruit and even the Princesses have."

"The Princesses?" she questioned in shock.

I nodded, "While before it might have caused some concern, now it's not unheard of for a pony to have powers."

"But what about Diamond Tiara?" she asked. "I mean she makes fun of the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Dinky for not having cutie marks. How is she going to react to me having powers?"

I sighed heavily, "Silver Spoon, I hate to say this, but if she stops being your friend over this, then she isn't a real friend. Real friends stick with you through things like this."

"I-I know, but we've been friends for so long," Silver Spoon said, a few tears in her eyes.

I patted the filly's head, "I know it's hard Silver, but do you really enjoy making fun of others like she does?"

"Not really," she confessed. "Seeing how she made fun of others, I was always worried how she would react if she found out about what I could do."

"Just give what I told you some thought alright?" I asked her. "Believe me when I say that it would be better for this to be out in the open instead of you trying to hide it. Better for you to reveal it then it being discovered while you were practicing or something, you know?" Silver Spoon hesitated before nodding. "Good. You can head home if you want." She stood up and started walking to the door. "And Silver Spoon?" I called, making her turn back to me. "Just know that if you ever need it, you can always talk to me or, if you need a womanly touch, Ashley about this alright?"

Silver Spoon smiled slightly and nodded before walking out of the house. I leaned back on the couch, letting what I had just learned to sink in. One of the fillies in town had eaten a Devil Fruit. This was exactly why I didn't want to tell the town about them.

'At least she didn't go seeking it out. Although I don't know if that's better or worse,' I thought. I sighed before laying on the couch and quickly falling asleep.

[POV Change: Silver Spoon]

I was walking home after talking with Sean about my abilities that, for almost all my life, were a mystery to me and my family. My powers were actually from something called a Devil Fruit that I unknowingly ate. The fruit made it to where my body was made of metal.

It was hard on me and my parents that I had gained some kind of strange ability that earth ponies weren't able to have. So, out of fear for my safety, we kept it a secret from everypony. Now, several ponies had abilities similar to mine. He was right that now would be the perfect time to come clean about what I could do and that it would be better to tell everypony rather than them stumble upon it.

I shook my head, unable to decide at the moment and decided to give it a good long consideration. I entered my house and went to my room to get some sleep.