Chapter 2

Iron Cross wandered through the streets of a ruined town, the stench of death and smoke heavy in the air. As he wandered through the ruined town he came across many of its dead citizens. Some of them were mere charred husks of their former selves others lay on the ground torn to shreds by small arms fire. One of the bodies appeared to be a young woman no more than twenty years old clutching the form of a small child. She had been gunned down by a machine gun, her body riddled with holes. Her face was wrinkled in an expression of pure agony and terror. The scene brought Iron Cross to tears as he stroked the silky blonde hair of the young mother.

Iron Cross whispered to himself. “Why…why must such atrocities exist? I joined the army to prevent these horrors. A young life so full of hope and promise, extinguished before it could blossom. If only I hadn’t been wounded.”

A familiar rasping voice spoke to Iron Cross, the very same voice that spoke to him while he was unconscious. “It seems that you know much of death warrior. Do not despair it defines you, much like it did to me.”

With a haggard choke Iron Cross yelled. “Who are you and what do you want from me!!???”

The rasping voice merely let out a long hissing chuckle. “Listen well warrior for I shall only say this once. Dreams and the unconscious mind are the only mediums with which I can communicate to mortals. Whether you like it or not it seems you and I have formed a telepathic bond. I assume this resulted from your use of my amulet.”

Iron Cross sat on the ground dumbfounded. “I knew something was off about that amulet, the Norse never represented unicorns in their legends. Do you mean to suggest the amulet is magic?”

“I do not merely suggest it warrior, it is fact!” the disembodied voice snapped.

“I suppose I can forgive your ignorance considering you came from the disgusting human world of Mundus. It amazes me how you can live in a world with no magic. I spent seven centuries on that dirtball of a world and finally I am back in Equestria. I can feel my magic returning to me.”

“Wait, so that amulet wasn’t even made on earth…that would certainly explain its strange design” Iron Cross responded.

“Of course it wasn’t made on Mundus. You hairless apes know nothing of magic and your world is devoid of it.”

“How did it get on earth in the first place, I’ve never heard mention of any sentient horses in any of the historical records?”

“That is a simple question to answer warrior. I used the amulet to teleport to Mundus but to my utter dismay it worked similarly to when you used it. When I arrived in Mundus I discovered I had transformed into a pathetic magic-less human. The amulet had another unforeseen side effect. Not only did my mortal form become human but part of my spirit was trapped within it, thus my spirit continued to live on despite my mortal body crumbling to dust. It matters not for soon I shall be resurrected and I can be rid of this accursed prison. Farewell warrior we shall speak again.”

The strange hissing voice dissipated leaving Iron Cross in the ruined town to contemplate his thoughts. The town started to shake and the colors became distorted and Iron Cross heard a faint accented voice saying “Git up sleepyhoves, it’s time fer breakfast!”

Iron Cross bolted up from the bead consciousness coming back to him. He was drenched in sweat, and there next to the bed stood Applejack with a concerned look on her face.

“Somethin’ wrong sugarcube? Ya look like you’ve seen a ghost” Applejack politely asked.

“Sorry Applejack I just had a bit of a nightmare. I’ll be ok I think.”

“If ya say so Iron. How’s about ya come down to the kitchen and eat some o’ mah famous apple pancakes? I reckon that’ll fix ya right up, plus ya can meet the rest of mah family.”

The rush of adrenaline that Iron Cross experienced immediately after his nightmare was beginning to wear off, replaced by grogginess and hunger. As Iron Cross made his way down the stairs with Applejack in tow he could smell the heavenly aroma of pancakes and coffee wafting through the air. He made his way to the kitchen to find a heaping stack of apple pancakes and a cup of coffee waiting for him at the table. Just as he was about to dig in he noticed a small filly sitting at the other side of the table. She had a butter colored coat with a bright red mane and tail. There also appeared to be a rather large bow on top of her head. The filly gave Iron Cross a confused look bordering on fear when suddenly she began to speak.

“Applejack who is this stallion and whut is he doin’ here and why is he eatin’ our food?”

“Be nice Applebloom, this here is Iron Cross and he’s gonna be helpin’ us round the farm from now on. Ah found him the other day lost as a foal in the Everfree Forest. Ah couldn’t in good conscience leave him to starve with nowhere to go.”

“Oh alright sis ah guess if ya think he’s friendly then ah don’t mind him” Applebloom answered with a hint of suspicion in her voice.

“Hi there Mr. Iron Cross mah name’s Applebloom, I’m Applejack’s sister.”

Iron Cross offered his hoof to Applebloom and she shook it furiously. “Why hello there Applebloom it’s a pleasure to meet you. I hope that we can get along from now on.”

“Mah sister says yer gonna help out around here. Whut’s she got ya doing?”

“Ermm…well I actually don’t know yet, your sister didn’t exactly say.”

A maniacal grin spread across Applejack’s face. “I’m gonna have ya buck apple trees of course. Why yer almost the same size as Big Mac, so ah reckon you can buck trees just as hard. Now Iron ya best eat up cause yer gonna need the energy fer all the work yer doin’ today.”

Iron Cross continued to eat his breakfast when a thought occurred to him. “Applejack you mentioned that you had a big brother and his name was Big Macintosh right? I see only Applebloom here, where is he?”

“Oh that big lug has been out in the field fer at least an hour. Mac likes to git up early and try to git everythin’ done as quickly as possible. Ah reckon you’ll meet him soon enough sugarcube.”

Iron Cross was just finishing up his cup of coffee when he noticed Applebloom had gobbled down all her pancakes. She looked as if she was in a hurry to go somewhere. Applebloom then went up to her sister and nuzzled her neck. “See ya later Applejack I’m off ta school.”

Applejack smiled and waved goodbye to the little filly. “Have a nice day at school Applebloom.”

Iron Cross raised his brow inquisitively. “Excuse me Applejack but did she just say school?”

“She most certainly did Iron. She’s just a filly so it’s important that she receives an education. Why most of the fillies ‘round here go to the schoolhouse in Ponyville.”

“Not to sound crazy Applejack, but what is Ponyville?”

Applejack proceeded to give herself a facehoof. “Oh right ah forgot ya weren’t from ‘round here. Ponyville is the nearest village from the farm; it’s where we sell our apples and such. Ah don’t
think we’ll be goin’ in town today Iron but ah promise we will soon.”

Iron Cross sat at the table deep in thought. “Hmm...well it does make sense that these horses would have some kind of education system, otherwise how would they learn to speak and know about the world around them. They are sentient creatures after all.”

“Uh heeellooo Equestria to Iron Cross anypony home in there?” Applejack asked as she waved a hoof in front of his face.

“Oh…umm yes sorry Applejack I was just thinking about something.”

Applejack let out a chuckle. “Ha alright sugarcube ah was just teasin’ ya. Ah think it’s high time we got started on the apple buckin’, considering all them apples ain’t gonna buck themselves off the trees.”

A few moments later Applejack and Iron Cross made their way out to the apple orchard. On the way Iron Cross noticed a large stallion with a deep red coat, not unlike the apples around them accompanied by an orange tail and mane. He appeared to be pulling along a plow, indicating he was working the fields. Applejack gave a slight jerk of her head towards the red stallion, so Iron Cross decided to follow.

“Iron Cross ah want ya to meet mah brother, Big Macintosh. Big Mac this here is Iron Cross he’ll be workin’ with us for a while, helpin’ to tend the fields and of course apple buckin’.

Big Macintosh simply stared at Iron Cross sizing him up continuing to chew on a piece of straw.

Iron cross went over to the red stallion and offered a hoof. “Good day to you Big Macintosh I’m Iron Cross, I hope that I can be of service to your beautiful farm and your family of course.”

Big Mac slowly took Iron Cross’s hoof and shook it firmly, saying one simple word in response. “Eyep”.

“Don’t mind Big Mac he doesn’t like to talk much. Always been the strong silent type, but he’s mah brother and ah love him. C’mon I’ll show ya where we’re gonna be buckin’ apples.”

Applejack led Iron Cross over to an orchard full of (ironically) Macintosh apples. The trees looked strong and healthy with vibrant, shiny red apples dangling from the branches. Iron Cross noticed a series of wooden baskets underneath some of the trees; he supposed those were for storing the apples once they fell off the trees.

“Now Iron Cross ah gotta go to the other side of the field and harvest the Granny Smith apples. Ah reckon ya know what to do with the apples, just make sure ya don’t buck the trees too hard or it’ll damage em. If we git done quick enough there might be time to go in town ta git a treat.”

As Iron Cross began to work on bucking all the Macintosh apples from his side of the field Applejack began to trot over to her side of the field. Applejack got through bucking about five trees when she heard a strange sound. It almost sounded like snoring. A grin formed on Applejack’s face as she realized the source of the snoring. Applejack proceeded to buck the snoring tree with a quick kick.

As Applejack bucked the tree a cyan colored pegasus with a multicolored mane and tail fell out of the tree with a hard thump. The cyan pegasus glared angrily at Applejack. “Hey AJ I was having a nice nap, what did ya do that for?”

“Ya sure are a lazy varmint Rainbow Dash. Don’t you got more important things to do, like ah dunno controllin’ the weather?”

Rainbow Dash merely rolled her eyes and scoffed. “Pfft, it’s not like I have to do that stuff immediately. I’ll have you know my nap is a very important part of my schedule. It’s essential to be able to perform my weather duties.”

Applejack shook her head with making a clicking noise with her tongue. “Well alright sleepin’ beauty if that’s how ya like to run yer day ah ain’t gonna put up a fuss about it. Just try to nap somewhere other than mah apple trees alright.”

“Oh fine AJ I’ll try and sleep on a cloud next time” Rainbow Dash replied.

Recovering from the pain to both her pride and rump, Rainbow Dash took a look at her surroundings and noticed a large black coated stallion bucking apples in the adjacent orchard. He was about as large as Big Mac but his muscles seemed to be more toned, and on top of that he had an exotic color scheme. His coat was completely jet black, both the mane and tail were silver. Rainbow Dash also noticed his deep emerald colored eyes set in concentration to the task at hand. She couldn’t help but stare as the black stallion continued to buck the apple trees.

It took a few seconds for Rainbow Dash to regain her composure and she proceeded to ask Applejack about the mysterious handsome stallion. “Uhmm…AJ who’s the stud?”

“Wait RD whut did ya just ask me?”

“Who’s the stallion over there bucking the Macintosh apple trees?” Rainbow Dash inquired.

“Oh that there’s Iron Cross, ah found him tryin’ ta steal some apples yesterday. He’s apparently from some far away nation called Germaneia and he got lost. He’s extremely polite and offered to work for Sweet Apple Acres to make up fer stealin’ the apples.

“Ah know RD why don’t ya go over there and introduce yerself, I’m sure Iron wouldn’t mind meetin’ ya.”

Rainbow Dash moved a pebble around with her hoof. “I dunno AJ it would be un-cool to interrupt a stallion from his work. I mean he looks pretty busy over there working up a sweat…using his big legs to…buck apples.”

*Pomf* As Rainbow Dash was talking her wings stood straight up, a slight blush spreading across her face but her eyes were that of a predator sizing up its prey.

“I’ll bet he’s good at bucking more than just apples” Rainbow Dash said huskily.

“Whut the hay? Yer friskier than Fluttershy’s rabbits durin’ spring. Dang it RD.”

“Oh come on AJ he’s totally HOT. You can’t mean to tell me you didn’t think about it once this WHOLE time?”

Applejack stammered. “Well…uhh ah…didn’t really…”

“Take a look at him AJ. I mean really take a look.”

Applejack watched as Iron Cross continued to buck the apple trees. It was then she noticed just how muscular he really was. Applejack had to admit that he had exotic coloring for an earth pony but it wasn’t in a bad way, it was simply stunning. Applejack’s tail started to twitch and she blushed slightly.

“AH HA! I knew it. You totally think he’s hot too AJ” Rainbow dash remarked smugly.

“You know what AJ; I think you should give him a go. He seems awesome from what I can tell and besides you need to do something for yourself at least once and a while.”

“Ah don’t know RD. There’s so much to do ‘round the farm, I’m not sure if ah have the time fer all that romance nonsense. Besides, ah ain’t the prettiest mare in Equestria. Ah mean Iron could have any mare he wanted, like Rarity who is a might prettier than me and she loves gentlecolts.”

Rainbow Dash trotted over to Applejack and gently wrapped her hooves around Applejack’s face. “AJ I won’t hear any of that load of horse feathers. Sure, you might be a bit rough around the edges but you are absolutely beautiful, which I’m sure Rarity has told you. I know that you have your farm but AJ you only have one life to live and you owe it to yourself to at least experience love once. I think you and Iron would make an awesome pair.”

Rainbow Dash then gave Applejack a quick hug and started to fly again. “Sorry AJ I gotta bolt, I just remembered I have to move a rainstorm towards Ponyville. Later!”

Applejack finished bucking the rest of the apple trees when she noticed that Iron Cross had finished his side as well. He was sitting near one the trees having a drink of water from a canteen.

“Ah must admit Iron ya did a fine job buckin’ those trees. Why yer almost as fast as ah am.”

“Thank you Applejack, I just decided to take a bit of a break. All that bucking has worn me out a bit.”

Applejack blushed slightly remembering how Iron Cross looked while he was working. “I’m certain it did…”

“Ah bet yer mighty hungry Iron Cross, how’s about we head out to Sugarcube Corner fer a treat. Ah think ya deserve one fer all the hard work ya did.”

“Sugarcube Corner…is that some kind of bakery or perhaps a candy store?” Iron Cross asked.

“Yeah it’s a bakery in Ponyville run by mah friend Pinkie Pie. She can make one mean cupcake.”

“Very well Applejack lead the way. Eating a cupcake sounds lovely right now.”

As Applejack and Iron Cross made their way to Sugarcube Corner, Iron Cross noticed that Applejack seemed to be a little bit more distant and seemed to be staring off into space. This wasn’t the Applejack he had met yesterday something was off.

“Applejack are you alright? You seem to be depressed about something.”

Iron Cross’s question broke Applejack out of her revery. “Oh I’m sorry sugarcube, just thinkin’ about some things. Ah have a tendency to git lost in thought on occasion.”

“You know Applejack if you ever have any problems you can talk to me about them. I am more than willing to lend an ear or a shoulder to cry on. It is the very least I can do.”

Applejack’s eyes softened slightly. “Thanks Iron, ah appreciate it. Alright enough of this mopin’ around let’s git some cupcakes.”

Applejack and Iron Cross had finally made it to what Applejack had referred to as Sugarcube Corner. It was quite possibly the most gaudily decorated building Iron Cross had ever seen. It looked like a giant gingerbread house with a huge pink cupcake on the top. Iron Cross hadn’t seen anything like this since the Christmases of his childhood. Despite the décor, the building left no doubt as to what goods it purveyed.

They entered the shop and it appeared to be a normal bakery at least on the inside with display cases full of various baked goods. One cupcake in particular caught Iron Cross’s eye. It was a chocolate cupcake with vanilla icing. The vanilla icing sported small pieces of coconut and cherries. It appeared to be a Black Forest cupcake. Iron Cross couldn’t believe his luck, here in this strange land of ponies there was a piece of his homeland staring right back at him.

Just as Iron Cross was about to ask about the cupcake a strange pink colored mare showed up behind the counter, seemingly out of nowhere. She had incredibly frizzy hair, blue eyes and a tattoo of balloons on her flank. Iron Cross couldn’t help but cry out in shock.

“Hiya there mister stallion. Oh I noticed that you were looking at the super duper yummy Germaneian chocolate cupcakes. I just baked those yesterday.”

The strange bouncy pink pony suddenly gasped and appeared to levitate a several centimeters above the floor. “A NEW PONY IN PONYVILLE!!!!”

The pink mare produced a large cart also seemingly out of nowhere and pressed a button on it. The cart opened up and started playing music. Then she started singing a jaunty tune. “Welcome, welcome, welcome a fine welcome to you. Welcome, welcome, welcome how do you do? Welcome, welcome, welcome I say hip hurray. Welcome, welcome, welcome to Ponyville today!!” The strange cart then exploded with confetti.

“Hi I’m Pinkie Pie what’s your name Mr. Stallion?”

“Uhmm…greetings my name is Iron Cross.”

“Ohhhhh that’s a nice name. I’m sorry I bet you wanted that extra special super awesome Germaneian chocolate cupcake. That’ll be 3 bits please.”

Iron Cross looked over at Applejack in desperation. “Sorry Pinkie Iron is new in town, he ain’t from around here. I’ll pay fer his cupcake.”

Pinkie Pie bounced up in the air a few times. “Oki doki loki!”

Applejack and Iron Cross left Sugarcube Corner and made their way back to Sweet Apple Acres. Iron Cross had just finished eating the delicious Germaneian chocolate cupcake when he started asking Applejack some questions.

“Just who was that strange Pink gypsy? She appeared to defy the very laws of physics. And what was that whole welcome song about?”

“Well that was Pinkie Pie Iron. She’s a bit whacky but that’s why we love her. As far as the song went she does that for anypony new in town, it’s kinda her thing.”

Iron Cross let out a huge yawn. “Alright Applejack I’ll take your word for it. I’m glad that we’re heading back, I must admit I am extremely tired.”

“It’s been a long day sugarcube. Ah reckon some sleep would do me some good, besides we gotta git up early tomorrow mornin’.”

Iron Cross crawled into his bed the covers feeling like the softest of clouds on his sore muscles. He was just about to drift to sleep when he noticed Applejack standing in the doorway. It was dark but Iron Cross swore he could see a slight blush on her face.

“Ah know a cupcake wasn’t much in the way of showin’ gratitude so I wanted to tell ya in person. Ah really do appreciate yer help Iron and I’m glad yer here.”

Iron Cross smiled. “Thank you Applejack that means a lot to me. I’m glad to be here as well because if you hadn’t taken me in, who knows where I would be now.”

“G’night Iron hope ya sleep well.”

“Goodnight Applejack.”

Iron Cross made himself comfortable once again thinking how pleasantly the day had gone. It was so unlike his previous life full of constant death and destruction. Applejack had been so kind and willing to take him in and while she was a horse he couldn’t help but feel attracted to her. She was a bit rough around the edges but was beautiful in a natural sort of way like a golden sunflower in the middle of a field. On that note Iron Cross slept as peacefully as a babe.