An Orange Amongst Apples: Chapter 2

>A rooster crows as dawn breaks.

>You open your eyes to see sunlight pouring into the room.

>At first, you don't move.

>The warmth of the blanket and rough time from the night might have something to do with that.

>Looking around, you try to figure out where you are.

>There's plenty of hay stacks lying around, a few stables, and feeding bins.

>Putting piece by piece by piece together, its safe to say you're in a barn.

>The rooster crows again.

>You roll your eyes at how cliche that is.

>Grabbing your side, you feel your ribs.

>Something weird has happened; They're back to normal.

>Placing your hands to your sides you bring yourself to a sitting position.

>The heavy pain is no longer there and instead is replaced with soreness.

>That purple unicorn did a good job mending your ribs.

>You shudder, remembering the process of that last night.

>Looking back at it, you feel kind of bad for hitting her like you did.

>'But she deserved it!' a voice tells you in the back of its head.

>'She should have told you she was going to hurt you.'

>She still mended your ribs, so you shake your head to rid of the crazy voice.

>The soreness of your side makes it difficult to get up, but it was not impossible.

>You open the barn doors as the sun plasters your face.

>Shielding your eyes, you look around you.

>Apple trees spread far and wide cross your eyes.

>Splashes of green, red, and yellow cover the trees in a vast array.

>"It sure is something, isn't it?"

>You look down to see a little beige pony at your side and jump.

>No matter how long you been in this world, you'll never get used to them talking.

>She stares at you, awaiting an answer.

>You give her a simple nod and look back out into the field.

>She runs to the front of you and begins to boil up with excitement.

>"Mah name is Applebloom. This here is Sweet Apple Acres, the main source of Apples in Ponyville and all neighboring towns."

>She runs up to a tree and plants her front hooves in the dirt.

>Using all the force in her back legs, she kicks the tree.

>A few apples fall from the branches high branches above.

>You clap for her, impressed that a pony can do that, especially a filly.

>She beams with a smile that could melt the ice off the coldest of hearts.

>Slowly a smile creeps onto your face.

>"What's yer name?"

"My name is Anonymous."

>She crooks her head and try to sync your lip movements.

>"A-noon-uh-mouse?"

>You chuckle at the sight of her frustration.

"You can just call me Anon."

>She give a sigh of relief.

>Maybe that was too much for her?

>Whatever, it's best not to get too in depth with it.

>Something catches your eye.

>You look down at an apple at your foot.

>Bending down, you inspect it.

>No bugs, no bite mark, no sign of pests getting to the apple.

>That's strange, you're pretty sure they don't use pesticides in this world.

>If that was so, then how was this apple so ripe and undamaged?

>You pick up the apple and take a bite from it.

>It gives off a crisp crunch loud enough that would make Doritos jealous.

>Letting it settle in your mouth, you absorb the taste.

>It's the best damn apple you ever had.

>But you can't tell if its because it is really good, or because you're hungry as hell.

>Applebloom watches in horror as you mutilate the poor apple, leaving nothing but the stem and core.

>It feels so good to have something in your stomach after not eating for a while.

>"You gonna pay for that, right?"

>You turn around and see the hatted pony from last night with a bitter look on her face.

>Despair reaches your face.

>Reaching into your pocket, you feel nothing but lint.

"I don't have any money."

>She let's out a heavy sigh and stomps the ground.

>"Then yer gonna have to work for it by helping out in da farm!"

>She walks up to another tree and kicks it as well.

>Unlike Applebloom, a mass majority of the apples from the tree fall.

>A shower of green, yellow, and red fall upon you.

>They begin to hit you, and it doesn't feel like rain droplets; more like baseballs.

>Trying your best to dodge the downfall of pain, you begin to duck and weave from out of under the tree.

>The hatted pony begins to chuckle as she watches this comedic act.

>Suddenly, a sharp pain hits you and brings you to your knees almost instantly.

>Clenching you side, you fall over.

>Your bones may have been mended, but they still ached.

>Applebloom runs over to you to ensure that you are okay.

>"Are y'alright, Anon?!"

>"He'll be fine, Applebloom."

>The hatted pony walks over and hits your right set of ribs.

>You let up and scream in pain.

"What the hell was that for?!"

>She gives you a slick smile and tips her hat.

>"It made you forget the pain on your other side, didn't it?"

>She begins to chuckle and turns around.

>'What a bitch!'

>It's that fucking voice again.

>You shake your head and get up slowly.

>"I want ya to work the west field today. There's some baskets in the barn. I expect ya to be done by sunrise. That is..."

>She tilts her face towards your direction.

>"...Unless you have somewhere to be?"

>A sudden rush of realization hits you and you remember everything before the incident.

>You lived in the streets, nothing to your name.

>Ponies didn't want you working in their shops; they were afraid you would scare customers away.

>You didn't know a single thing about construction work, so that opted out.

>All around, you weren't welcome anywhere.

>But she didn't care how you looked, or what you were good at.

>She was will to give you a try, without looking at those things.

>You shake your head and sigh.

"I have no where to go."

>She begins to head to the house.

>"Good, git to work then. Applebloom, show him the ropes and let him do his job."

>Applebloom jumps up with glee.

>"You got it sis!"

>She scurries over to the barn and brings out a cart of baskets.

>You both begin to head towards the west field, a very small part compared to the rest.

>Applebloom begins to place the baskets around the tree underneath the parts with heavy bushels.

>You clear your throat and look towards her.

"Listen, I have a question to ask."

>She perks her head like a confused dog.

>This question had been eating at you since you started heading towards the field.

"Does that hatted pony hate me?"

>Her eyes lower and reach back to yours.

>"I don't think so. I think she might be upset that ya hurt Twilight last night, but she wouldn't hold that against ya. Ya was just merely pretectin' yerself."

>She takes another basket and places it under the tree.

>"She's usually is hard on colts. She says that's the only way ta make them inta stallions."

>Placing the last of basket down she turns to you and nods.

>"Enough of that though, time to git ta work!"

>You look at the tree and think.

>How are you supposed to get them down?

--------------------------------

>Your sister triumphantly enters the house.

>Taking another apple fritter, you bite into it.

>Applejack may be good at apple bucking, but damn was she a good cook as well.

>She walks up, grabs a piece and bites down.

>Turning to you, she sees you're staring at her and automatically gets frustrated.

>"What?"

>You turn back to your fritter and take another bite.

"What'd ya do with him?"

>She take another bite with an aggregated expression.

>"I put him ta work is what I did."

>You place the apple fritter on your plate and look at her.

"Ya sure ya should be doin' that? He just recovered from a bad injury."

>She slams the apple fritter down and glares at you.

>Her face scrunches up from it.

>"Big Mac, I ain't having no freeloaders on ma farm. He works, or he goes."

>You shake your head.

>Headstrong as always.

>You finish the fritter and leave your dish in the sink.

>As you're walking out, Applejack pipes up.

>"Can ya do me a favor, and check up on him and Applebloom? They're out in the West field. I don't want nothing to happen to 'em."

>You let out a smirk and nod.

>Headstrong, but caring.

>Making way down to the west field, you see Applebloom and the human in the distance.

>She already has the baskets set up and is explaining the ropes.

>You stay a distance so they can't see you.

>"All you gots ta do is hit the tree hard enough ta shake it. The apples will fall right down."

>The human lifts its leg up and kicks the tree.

>No success.

>Applebloom interjects.

>"No, ya gotta plant your in the ground and lean your weight inta the kick!"

>He gives Applebloom a bewildered look, but attempts anyway.

>The human gets down on his forelegs, lifts his backside up, and kicks the tree.

>A single apple falls into the basket.

>Applebloom looks at it and shrugs.

>"Well, it's a start..."

>You begin to make your way toward the two when Applebloom notices you.

>"Big Mac!"

>She hurries to you and bounces excitedly.

>"Can you show Anon how to buck?"

>You stand there and ponder.

>If you do, he might feel intimidated and not like you since you are clearly stronger.

>On the other hand, he might not be intimidated, but feel defeated.

"Nope."

>She looks at you with concern.

>"Why not?!"

>You shake your head and try to come up with something.

"Apple bucking ain't about kickin', it about gettin' apples."

>Applebloom looks at you and suddenly her face lights up.

>"So what yer sayin' is, Anon has to find his own way to get the apples. Something that works out his own way!"

>She wraps her forelegs around you and gives a hug.

>"Yer a genius Big Mac!"

>You nod your head and agree.

>You merely meant to say the apples have to hit the ground, but it made you look smarter if you went with what she said.

>Anon scratches his chin and looks up.

>He backs up and begins to run towards the tree.

>Using all the force in his legs, he kicks off the truck.

>Pieces of bark go flying along with himself as he gains air.

>He wraps his forelegs around the branch and holds himself.

>Using his weight, he shakes his body in a violent matter, release the apples from the branch.

>They begin to rain down on the floor and buckets.

>The human lets go and comes down to earth, but holds his side.

>Applebloom jumps up and down with excitement.

>"That was amazing, Anon! Right big brother?"

>It was creative, to say the least.

"Eeyup."

>"It sure was something."

>You all turn around to see Applejack lying across a tree.

>She always had a way of sneaking up on people.

>Laying her hat the ground, she gets up and walks over to Anon.

>"It may not be as fast as buckin' 'em, but it'll get the job done."

>She nudges him on the leg and suddenly her smile dissipates.

>"But ya still got a lot of work to get done. If ya can, get five trees done by the end of the day and bring the baskets ta the storage silo."

>She begins to walk back towards the barn again.

>"I'll consider that payment and let you be on your way."

>You shake your head and turn to Anon.

>He has his head fixed on the tree with a frown fixated on it.

>Shaking his head, he runs to the tree again and continues.

>He's got heart, gotta give 'em that.

--------------------------------

>You can't even see your hands.

>The night's moon is emitting brightly, but these trees just prevent you from see it.

>You're on the fifth tree, but this last branch is out of reach.

>No matter how fast you run, no matter how hard you kick, there's no way of reaching it.

>'You don't have to finish it. Just leave. They won't miss you. No one does.'

>Looking at the last branch, you think to yourself.

>Its like my past life; out of reach.

>Your friends, your family; none of them miss you.

>That's why you did it.

>That's why you're here.

>You lost the one thing in life that made you feel whole, and then it was taken from you in the blink of an eye.

>And now you're in this world, where there's nothing to live for as well.

>Falling on your ass, you look up and feel a tear roll down your face.

>No one to live for, not even yourself.

>'You should just end it, Anonymous. It will be no different.'

"What do I have to live for? No one will miss me."

>"We will."

>You turn to see Applebloom with Applejack.

>Applebloom has a look on her face that make the toughest of men cry.

>It's then you realize that you are, indeed, crying.

>Wiping the tears from your face, you slowly stand up.

>Turning your back to them, you let out a heavy sigh.

"Applejack, I can't do it. I'm a failure."

>She stares you down and shakes her head.

>"With that kind of attitude, ya won't make it anywhere."

She walks up to the tree and bucks it.

>The apples fall down and gently land in the basket.

>"How do ya expect ta do things that are impossible without the help of others?"

>She paces herself to you and places a hoof on your shoulder.

>You look up and are instantly mesmerized.

>Those eyes.

>Those deep green eyes.

>They warmed your heart to the core.

>A smile crawls on your face and one to hers.

>Applebloom, not wanting to be left out, jumps onto your lap and wraps her hooves around your neck.

>She gives a tight hug, one not expected from a small filly.

>Applejack pulls her hoof back and Applebloom releases her grip.

>"We still need ta get these apple back ta the barn."

>You place the baskets on the cart and grab both reigns.

>Walking back, as Applebloom continues you babble about cutie marks, Applejack walks along side of you.

>"We can use the extra help on the farm. I'll let ya stay in the barn and pay ya for your help. Sound like a deal?"

>You feel something you haven't felt in a very long time.

>A reason to live.

>Nodding your head, you grin from ear to ear.

"That would be great."