Beware of the Everfree Forest! Turn back Now!

I rolled my eyes, I knew where I was going despite the many signs telling me to turn around. I was a bit annoyed that nopony manged to care for this dirt path I was walking along, at least they could've done was trim the plants near the path, but sadly nopony had the gut to walk even close to the forest. Even the elderly stallion I had met before entering the forest told me that it was a stupid thing to do, which was pretty surprising to me that they treated this forest so badly.

Thankfully, I spotted a hut nearby hoping to Ceslestia that the pony there had some respect for nature. I walked into the clearing and admired the hut since I never saw a hut like it.

"Hello there my friend, what brings you to my den?" a rich exotic voice ringed out from the window. I looked and was surprised, in the window was a very friendly looking zebra.

"Sorry to intrude my dear zebra but I was wondering if you knew where Ponyvile is?" I spoke after walking closer to the window.

"Ah! Ponyvile is that way" She points toward another path that was, thankfully, clear of branches. "May I ask from where have you came, and your name? She said with a bit poetic passion and a nice smile.

"I'm from Canterlot" I said with a bit of pride "My name is Riddle, thank you miss." I went over to the path and went down it thankful for the nice zebra and realizing that I didn't ask for her name.

Welcome to Ponyvile!

I read the first sign that didn't tell me to turn around and go away which was nice for a change. Slowly, I walked around Ponyvile and looked around at everything. I had to admit, it was nice, really nice and homey.

I was walking past "Sugarcube Corner" when a bouncing pink mare ran right in front of me and we both fell over. Naturally, I got up first and helped her back up.

"Are you alright?" I was pretty worried since she looked a bit dizzy. But my fears were for nothing as she started laughing and giggling like a filly.

"Well of course I'm fine, what pony wouldn't be happy to meet a new friend?" I was shocked, I knocked her to the ground and she was fine with it? I just never heard of something like that.

"Um.... I meant if you were hurt." The pony giggled up again.

"I know that, I mean of course I am fine but I was wondering what a new unicorn was here by Sugarcube Corner?!" She gasps loudly. "You must try their cupcakes!"

Suddenly I was being pull by my collar into Sugarcube corner by the energetic pink mare before I could say a word. Well.... I was a bit hungry.

Sugarcube Corner

I read the sign as the crazed pink pony pulled me inside with strength I couldn't figure out where she got it from. Finally she plopped me in front of two elderly pony which I assumed were a couple.

"I brought you another customer!" The pink mare bounced around the store.

"Oh dear, I'm sorry about that sir, Pinky Pie can be an bit..... energetic." The wife pony said watching Pinky Pie bounce. "A bit?!" I was silently thinking.

"It's fine" I said getting up again. "Truthfully, I was kind of hungry. Could I get a batch strawberry cupcakes?" The couple looked a bit surprised but thankfully smiled.

"Yes sir" They went to work as I watched Pinky bounce off walls. ("How does she do that and still have energy?!")After a bit, a plate full of steaming hot cupcakes was put on the table in front of me, I had to admit, they smelled good!

I picked up the plate carefully with my magic and brought it to a table so I could start eating, Pinky decided to stop bouncing long enough to come over and start eating with me.

As we started to eat, I noticed that Pinky had no table manners as she chopped down each cupcake licking the frosting on her nose while I took small bites savoring the incredible taste.

While we were eating an orange mare walked in with an apple basket and put it on the counter.

"Here ya go, this weeks apples."

The husband nodded and put them away. "Thank you Applejack." Applejack turned to leave when she saw Pinky Pie and then saw me, our eyes met for a second and then she walked over to us.

"Howdy there, I see ya'll met Pinky." She said as she stood in front of us.

"Uh huh! He's new or I would've seen him before!" Pinky Pie said through her 7th cupcake as she got up for more.

I had to say it."Is she always-?" I started to ask Applejack.

"Yes." Applejack answered with a sigh. "But that's why she's interesting to be around."

I simple nodded, I knew that she was asked this a lot from her sigh.

"So..... what's your name?" Applejack said trying to change the subject.

"Riddle." I answered back biting into another cupcake I hide from Pinky Pie.

"Applejack, nice to meet ya." She said watching Pinky devour countless cupcakes and slices of cake.

After a little bit more me and Applejack left Pinky to eat in peace.

***

After a walk with Applejack

Applejack was teaching me about Apple-bucking.

"So you see, you simply kick the apples lose and they will fall into the baskets" She does a quick buck on an apple tree to prove the point, each apple falls in with precision.

"Wow, that's pretty cool." I said impressed. "Could I try?" Applejack looked unsure but smiled.

"Sure, just be careful." I saw a pretty good tree and followed Applejack's example only to find the apples falling in multiple directions while Applejack started to giggle.

"You had a pretty good start but work on where you hit. do it a few times while I get the apples put in the baskets."

I shook my head. "No need, here." I used my magic to lift the apples into the baskets, which Applejack shook her head.

"We don't use magic here on the farm to do work Riddle. We do things the old fashion way here." I was a bit confused why, but I stopped using magic since it was her farm and stop pressing the matter since she didn't want to talk about.

"Ok, sorry, I didn't know." I was honestly sorry, but she seemed to get even more mad.

She muttered something about "Unicorns who can't keep their magic under control" and started Apple-bucking again.

I joined her and we continued to Apple-buck until the job was done.

***

After we finished Apple-Bucking,

I was having dinner with the whole Apple family. I had to say it was one of the best meals I ever had, I ate whatever they put in front of me and they didn't seem to run out of food.

Big Macintosh was sitting next to me on my right while Applejack was on my left, both watching me in amusement as I packed my cheeks with sweet treats. It was a bit embarrassing since I bet I looked a lot like Pinky Pie when she was shoving food down her throat but the Apple-Bucking made me really hungry so I really didn't care.

"Better?" Applejack asked me after I slowed down my eating. I couldn't help but grin and lick my lips.

"Much." Suddenly I felt really tired as my eyes started to droop.

"First time Apple-buckers are always are tired afterwords, do you have anywhere to stay?" Applejack looked a bit worried for some reason.

I knew that I had no place to stay, except maybe a hotel, so I just shrugged.

"You could stay here if you want." Applejack said. The caused Big Mac to give his sister a quizzical look.

I felt that it was a bit weird to stay the night at their house when I didn't know them that well but they seemed nice so I thought it would be fine.

"Ok, sure. Where would I sleep?"

***

At Dawn the next morning

Applejack woke up in her bed as usual, her head telling her to stay in bed a bit longer instead of getting up to help around the farm. Slowly, she wiggled out of her bed and headed towards the bathroom when she saw the unicorn sleeping on the floor in front of her bed.

Then she remembered the unicorn was her guest and was confused why he was sleeping on the floor instead of the spare mat in the room, so she nudged him until he woke up.

"Unh?" I groaned as I woke up.

"Hey, why aren't you on the sleeping mat I gave you?" Riddle looked around before returning his gaze to Applejack.

"I thought I was." He got up and shook his mane, stretching his muscles. "It's fine Applejack, I've been worse. So is it okay if I help out some more today?"

Applejack shook her head. "I thank ya for helping yesterday, but really, I don't want to impose."

I just smiled. "Nonsense, I would be glad to help. After all, you did give me a place to stay for the night." He looked around for a bit. "Have you seen my hat? I could've sworn it was next to me."

Applejack looked around and saw it by the bed. "There it is."

Riddle walked over to the bed,picked up the stylist black hat with his magic and put it on. "Thanks, I'll leave you to get ready." He leaves the room as Applejack gets ready to take her shower.

Applejack stepped out of the house after getting dressed to see Riddle helping Big Mac apple bucking the other side of the farm's trees. She smiled and walked over to them but stopped and listened to them the second she heard her name.

".... So she knows other ponies in town well?" Riddle asked as Applejack tried to decide whether to stop eavesdropping or keep listening.

"Eeyup, she knows every pony in Ponyvile"

Riddle stopped to give Big Macintosh another basket. "So who are her friends? I know Pinky Pie, but I'm wondering if their all like her."

Big Mac had a good laugh. "Naw, their more relaxed... most of the time. Theirs Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, uh Rarity and um Twilight."

Riddle kept working and moving the baskets in and out of the way when they got filled with apples. "They definitely sound interesting, maybe after we finish, me and Applejack can go talk to them." He clears his throat and states loudly."That is if you want to go and see them Applejack, instead of hiding behind that apple tree"

Applejack could feel herself blushing as she stepped closer. "How long did you know?"

Riddle looks unsurprised but smiles. "Since you walked up, so what do you think?"

Applejack was confused. "About what?"

Big Mac chuckles. "About showing him to your friends little sis."

Applejack looked relieved. "Sure, they should be around town somewhere. So let's finish up here and go and look."

The trio continue the work until every tree was bare of apples.

***

Applejack and I walked around Ponyvile looking for a unicorn named "Rarity". I had to say, I heard about this pony from one of my old friends and he was going gaga over her designs. I wondered what she looked like and told Applejack my thoughts.

"Well, she's a unicorn with a white mane and purple hair."

I nodded and kept walking, I was after all going to see her. We walked up to the door of her shop, I was going to knock but Applejack already opened the door and waited for me in the doorway.

"Come on then! You don't need to be formal."

"OK." I walked in and was amazed at the outfits in her shop. There must have been at least half a hundred of the most stunning, amazing styles I saw since Canterlot.

"Rarity, y'all have guests" Applejack said as we walked into a room where a stunning mare was creating dresses.

"Ah, Applejack dear, could you give me a moment." The mare said keeping focused on the dress she was working on. After putting the finishing touches, she turned and faced us. "Oh, you brought a friend." She walked up to me with a bit of grace. "I'm Rarity, I run the store here in Ponyvile, keeping every pony fabulous!" She looked at my dirty clothes with delight. "You came in for a change! Oh how simply marvelous!"

"Um, I rather you didn't." I didn't want to dash her hopes but my clothes were just fine, old, but reliable. Besides, I didn't want to reveal my wings just yet.

"Oh....... are you sure? You might like the new you." Rarity said with the cutest look trying to make me break,I very nearly did but I held strong.

"I'm sure, maybe some other time."

Applejack coughed and got our attention. "I hate to be rude but I still need to show him around Rarity."

Rarity smiled. "I understand, see you two some other time."

We walked out of Rarity's store and continued to walk around. Applejack nudged me. "A bit for your thoughts?"

I shook my head "Nope, it's nothing."

Applejack couldn't help but grin. "Thinking about Rarity?"

I felt a ping of sadness as I told her. "No..., about my home."

She stopped grinning and we walked together in silence.