You didn't sleep well that night.

The entire night was plagued with thoughts of how you would eventually have to come clean about your past, and how you would tell Twilight and Rainbow Dash that you didn't know how to fly.

To top all that off, that same strange dream returned. You awoke in your apartment, the streets of New York were empty, the sky was blood red and the clouds were black, just like last time.
The muffled voice wasn't any clearer either.

Brushing it off as just a reoccurring dream, you hopped out of bed and made you way to the bathroom.

You washed your face again, but this time decided it would be best to take a shower. You hadn't washed properly since you arrived here.

Turning the shower on, you felt the warm water dripping down your body, and it felt amazing. The temperature was spot on, something that rarely happened first try on Earth.

Afterwards, you get out of the shower and dry off with a blue towel before making your way down the stairs. Thankfully, clothes were not a necessity on Equestria, so showering didn't take too long.

"Morning Twilight! Morning Spike!" you greeted the two with a yawn. Despite not getting too much sleep, you still felt better than you did the day before.

Twilight and Spike were both busy doing there own things, the same things they had been doing the prior day. Twilight was reading a book and Spike was stacking the shelves.

"Morning, Storm!" they both replied.

"How'd you sleep? You didn't seem so good last night." Twilight asked, her ears drooping slightly.

"Pretty good, I suppose. I mean, as long as you feel rested you can't ask for much more, right?" That was a lie. You liked sleep a lot, so the more you got, the happier of a perso- pony you'd be in the morning.

"I don't know about you, but the more sleep I get the better I feel," Spike added, climbing down from his ladder, "That's why I love sleeping!"

You and Twilight both laughed. You knew how much Spike loved his sleep.

"Me and Spike have gotta run some errands around Ponyville for a while. We'll be leaving pretty soon." Twilight explained as Spike joined her on the couch.

"Is there anything I can do?" you asked, feeling the need to help out.

"No, it's ok! But if you get bored you can-" Before Twilight could finish that sentence, Spike interrupts with his own preposition.

"You can find some gems for me to eat!" he suggested, half joking, half not.

Twilight glared at him sternly.

"You can always go into town and meet with some other ponies!" she finishes.

She didn't need to tell you twice. You already had plans to meet with Rainbow Dash, even though you couldn't fly. As much as you did want to hang out with Rainbow, you thought it best to not do that until your wings are healed and you can fly.
There was somepony else you had the intention of talking to though.

"Huh. Maybe I will." you replied, now knowing exactly what you were gonna do today.

Both Twilight and Spike smiled happily upon hearing this, before realising the time. How did they even do that? You haven't noticed a clock on any of the walls.
Nevertheless, Spike hopped on to Twilight's back as she hopped off the couch and sprinted over to the door.

"Oh, no, we're gonna be late! Have a good day, Storm, bye!" Twilight shouts before slamming the door shut hurriedly with her unicorn magic.

Normally, you would have been at a loss as to what to do. But thanks to the party last night, you knew exactly what you were going to do now.

————————————————————

After a long walk through Ponyville, you eventually reached the vast stretch of land name Sweet Apple Acres. The underpopulation of the area was soothing, and you realised that it must be how the apple family maintain their constant work schedule.

Walking through the large orchard, you couldn't help but appreciate the quantity of apple trees that were growing here. There were so many it'd likely be enough to keep the town fed for years. Even then, though, you knew the Apple families business went a lot further than just Ponyville, although it was where most of their efforts were located.

Soon enough, you reached the farm house, and knocked on the front door with a hoof. Much to your surprise, it wasn't Applejack who answered, but rather Sweet Apple Acres' very own Granny Smith.

"Well, hey there, sonny!" she said, cheerfully, "What can I do for ya?"

"Actually, I came by to see if their was any work I could help you with!" you replied just as cheerfully.

A look of realisation suddenly dawned on Granny Smith's face.

"Oh, you must be that new pony AJ was tellin' me about!"

She already knew about you. You didn't think you were important enough for ponies to tell others about you, but then again, the population of Ponyville was quite small.

"Speaking of Applejack, where is she anyway?" you asked. You figured if anypony could get you some work around here, it would be her.

"She's just over that way, dearie. I'm sure if your looking for work, she'll have plenty for ya!" the elderly pony laughed, pointing over at one of the many orchards.

Honestly, as rude as it sounds, you were surprised Granny Smith could still raise a hoof to point.
Nevertheless, you thanked the old mare and began to make your way over to the orchard where Applejack was supposedly working.

It didn't take long before you found her bucking some trees. You watched contently as apples fell from the tree and piled up in the baskets placed below.

"Hey, Applejack!" you said, slightly scaring her as she turned around suddenly.

"Oh, howdy, Storm! Didn't see ya there!" she replied, continuing to buck the tree, "Here for work or just for a chat?"

"Work, actually." you said as if it was a surprise. She did offer it to you after all.

Applejack finally stopped bucking the tree upon realising that no more apples were falling, and turns around to face you. She looked pretty tired out from all the work she had been doing.

"Well, if that's the case then we've got plenty for ya'll to do!" she said, enthusiastically, "You can start by ploughing that there field!"

Applejack raised a hoof, pointing at a somewhat large plough positioned next to an even larger field. You simply stared in disbelief as you thought back to your injured wings.

Noticing your silence, Applejack noticed the cause of your hesitation.
"Oh, right... Your wings," she says, breaking the awkward silence as her ears droop, "How about you come with me and ah'll show ya how to buck a tree?"

"Sure!" you reply, happy that there was actually something you could do.

You follow her through a large field of trees, until you come to stop. You were confused as to why you didn't just stop at any tree, but you figured this tree must have the most apples.

"Ever done anythin' in this business before, sugarcube?" Applejack asked you.

"Not that I can remember." For once you could actually be honest without having to come up with some convoluted lie.

"Well how about you give it a try on this here tree?" she suggested, hitting the trunk of the tree you both stood besides.

Despite never bucking a tree before, you had a vague idea of how it was done from watching it on the show.
Attempting to balance yourself on your front legs, you raised your hind legs, keeping yourself held up by the tree. And then, as hard as you could, you moved your hind legs back and kicked with full force.

A measly single apple fell from the tree. You used as much energy as you could, and only one apple fell. Staring in disbelief, your thoughts were interrupted by Applejack.

"Not bad for a first time, if ah do say so mahself," she said, encouragingly, "But there's a much easier way of bucking a tree."

Applejack approached the tree you had previously 'bucked', and balanced on her fore legs. Without the need to balance her hind legs, she simply swung them at the tree at full force, colliding with the apple tree like a bullet.
You could have sworn you heard the tree cry with pain at the force it was kicked.

Apples rained from the green leaves of the tree, piling up in the conveniently place baskets.

"Woah." you said in awe, watching the mountain of red fruits growing before you.

"Eeyup. Simple and effective. Now how about ya try it out and that tree over there?" she said, pointing at a tree plentiful with juicy apples.

You approached the tree cautiously, like it was a supervillain that you had unfinished business with. Staring at the tree with narrowed eyes, you dug your front legs into the ground, securing yourself in place. You turned yourself around so that your hind legs faced the tree, and focused all your energy into the next swing.

Raising your hind legs, you quickly spun around, slamming them into the tree's trunk as hard as you possibly could. So much force was used that it hurt slightly when impact was made.
Much to your delight, however, you looked up to see fresh apples raining down onto you, filling the baskets.

"Nice job, sugarcube!" Applejack said, congratulating you.

You couldn't believe how many apples you had just bucked from the tree. It was practically picked clean.

"Granny's gonna have a field day with these!" she added, picking up the basket.

"Anything else I can do?" you ask, before she can leave for the house.

"Sure is! Just keep bucking them trees and me and mah brother Big Mac will come and take 'em back to Granny Smith!"

You didn't need to be told twice. Applejack made her way back to the house, carrying the mountains of apples you had just created, as you continued bucking trees.
Before long, Big Macintosh finally came out to help take back some baskets of apple, and introduce himself to you.

"Howdy. Ah'm Big Mac." he said in his usual deep voice.

"Hey, I'm Storm Strike," you reply, continuing to buck the tree you stood before, "You taking those apples back to the house?"

Big Mac reached down and picked up the basket of apples below the tree you had previously bucked.

"Eeyup." You remember that Big Mac was never really one for conversation.

Before you had the chance to continue the conversation, the large pony simply walked off, leaving you to continue bucking the many apple trees.

————————————————————

The sun was beginning to set over Ponyville, coating Sweet Apple Acres in a warm orange glow. Your hooves were hurting slightly. You had been bucking trees the entire day, but finally it was time to stop.
There were no unbucked trees in sight.

"Hoo-wee! You gone and done a right good job, Storm!" Applejack congratulates you, walking up behind you, "We have enough apples to last through the whole of the apple cider season!"

You had no idea it was apple cider season. Maybe you really would be able to get a taste of it.

"Hey, Applejack, when does the season start?" you asked, curiously. You weren't missing out on the chance to try some of the beverage Rainbow Dash loves so much.

"In a week, as a matter of fact," she says, happily, "Anyway, you better get headin' home. Ya must be exhausted after all that apple buckin' you've been doin'"

"Yeah, thanks Applejack." you replied before turning to make your way across the vast expanse of Sweet Apple Acres.

"Oh, wait!" you hear her call out to you, "Almost forgot your pay!"

She handed you a bag of bits, which as far as you can remember, is the form of currency used in Equestria.

"Don't spend it all in one place, now, ya hear?"

Before walking off again, you decided to ask one more question.
"Can I work here again? Like tomorrow?"

Applejack smiled, her ears perking up.

"Sure, sugarcube! Like ah said, we could always use an extra helping hoof!" she says, happily.

"Thanks, Applejack." you reply, contently, before turning around and leaving the scene.

The rolling fields of Sweet Apple Acres looked even more majestic with the orange glow of the setting sun coating them. Rarely on Earth had you seen such a beautiful sight, due to you living in the big city.

The town of Ponyville was a lot quieter than it was this morning, with far less ponies going about their business. Despite this, many ponies were still walking around the streets, some presumably lost while others were making their way to the famous club of DJ Pon-3.

You would've gotten lost too due to every building seeming the same, but the large, familiar structure of the Golden Oak Library was all to memorable.

Opening the door of the grand library, you noticed Twilight and Spike both in their usual positions, only for once Spike was sat contently on the couch, staring at the door. Maybe he was waiting for you to get back.

"Storm!" he shouted, getting up and running over to you. The baby dragon hugged your leg, which was something you really were not expecting.

“Hey... Uh...” is all you could respond with. What did you do to make Spike this sensitive?

“”Storm, where’ve you been all day?” Twilight asked with a worried expression.

You were surprised they didn’t know. If somepony went missing, you figured Sweet Apple Acres would be the first place they looked.

“You told me to go meet with some ponies, so I did just that!” you reply, slightly proud.

Twilight’s looks of worry quickly changes into a smile.

“Really? Who’d you meet with?” she asked.

“Oh, I just did some work at Applejack’s farm.”

This time, Spike is the one to answer you.
“What’d you get in return?” he asked.

As much as you would’ve liked to show off the bag of bits you had draped over your bandaged wing, you come out with something rather cheesy.
“Friendship.” you said with a smile.

“Dude, when did you get so cheesy?” Spike asked before slumping back onto the couch he was previously sat on.

All three of you laughed, before Twilight suddenly remembered that it was time to check up on your wings. She was supposed to do this every night, but you were too tired to stay up for long enough the night prior.

“Oh, I almost forgot, I have to check your wings,” she said, leaping up from the couch and flinging her book onto the floor untidily, “Rainbow Dash asked how they were.”

For some reason, your ears perked up at the mention of her name. Twilight clearly noticed this, as she let out a slight giggle at that exact instant.

“You saw Rainbow Dash?” you ask, curiously.

“Not intentionally. She kinda crashed into us.” Spike replied, lazily rolling on to his side and now facing the back of the couch.

You could feel your wings fall as the magical bandages were removed. They felt a lot more free than the last time they had been unattended, and most of the pain had subsided. Attempting to move them still caused pain, but you could now fold them in and out.

“I hear you challenged her to a race!” Twilight laughed, knowing that it was a grave mistake.

“I did not! She challenged me! And I accepted...” The thought of not being able to fly once again entered your head, reminding you of the many inevitable conversations you would have to have.

“Well your wings seem a lot better! They’ll probably heal fully within a day or two without the bandages.” Twilight stated, happily.

You thank Twilight over the faint snores that had recently began emanating from where Spike lay.

“I think it’s time we head to bed. Are you coming too?” The Alicorn asked you as she lifted Spike gently onto her back.
You were feeling incredibly tired after that long day of bucking trees.

“Sure.” you replied as you hopped up from the couch and began following her up the stairs.

Both you and Twilight opened your door simultaneously, stepping into the doorways in sync.

“Goodnight, Storm.” she said, gently, the faint snores of Spike hiding underneath her voice.

“Goodnight, Twilight.” you replied, just as gently.

And with that, both of your doors shut with a light tap, closing this day off with silence.

Author's Notes:

So yeah, having Storm work at Sweet Apple Acres might seem pretty unoriginal, but then again the whole ‘human in Equestria’ thing is too, but it’s honestly a lot of fun to write.
And, don’t lie to yourself, you can’t deny having an OC work at Sweet Apple Acres is pretty damn convenient. It gives your OC work, and gives you free excuses to introduce side characters like Granny Smith, Big Mac and Apple Bloom (who I didn’t introduce in this chapter), as well as more opportunities to interact with Applejack
More chapters coming your way soon!