"Neverfree Forest"
By 8th-Sin (https://pastebin.com/u/8th-Sin)

URL: https://pastebin.com/we30x5Fq
Created on: Friday 23rd of October 2015 01:25:06 PM CDT
Retrieved on: Sunday 9 of May 2021 08:38:52 PM UTC


>You look over the clearing that you've been left in. 
>The land is quite large and just about flat, there's a water source further into the forest so you'll have quite a bit of digging to do if you want to bring that closer but it seems like an alright place to set up.
>"NONNY," squeals in sorrow the sprinting Pinkie.
>You turn around just in time to realise she's leaping at you. Firmly, her forehooves wrap around your neck in a tight embrace as she sobs loudly.
>"Anon, what in the hay did you do?" angrily asks Applejack.
"I'm banished. I can't even leave the Everfree thanks to this stupid thing."
>You lift a pant leg to show her the plan golden band attached to your leg that's magically keeping you trapped here.
>"What did you even do? Even Twilight is too ticked to come see you."
"I'd rather not get into it actually."
>"Anon-"
"Please AJ. Not right now."
>There's a moment of awkward silence, save for Pinkie's relentless sobbing, before AJ changes the subject.
>"Well, I got most of the the tools you would need to start a farm and build a house for yourself as well as a tent, seeds and things."
"Thanks, I really appreciate it."
>"Don't you worry Anon, we'll prove your innocence and then you can come home!"
>You try to pry Pinkie off you before you suffocate but it's no use, she's got more strength than you when she tries apparently.
"Pinkie, I'm here because I'm not innocent."
>"W-What? No Anon, you're my innocent little lamb," she coos while caressing your face.
"Can you help me with her?"
>"Nope. Not a chance," she replies with a shake of her head as she unhooks herself from the cart she was towing.
"Did the others not want to come?" You ask with a sigh.
>"Little Miss Upperclass didn't want to trek through all the mud but she promise to make you something warm because the nights are cold out here, Fluttershy is tending to her animals so she'll be here later, Dash has work to do and well, you know about why Twi' isn't here."
"I guess I better get to work, huh?"
>"Do you even know how to tend to a field or build shelter?"
"Uh, in theory."
>AJ just shakes her head in disbelief as she starts to walk away.
>"Come on Pinkie, we'll visit Anon sometime soon."
>"Don't panic Anon, we'll be right back."
"Alright Pinkie. Thanks for coming you two."
>Pinkie continues to wave and shout reassuring words at you until she's out of both sight and ear shot.
>Then you let out a huff before setting to work.
>You set the tent up first thing, just so you can climb in and pass out once you've done enough work.
>The house isn't exactly something you can do alone, so you're going to start on the farm.
>Grabbing some measuring tools and a shovel, you plot out a large area before turning over the soil to soften it up.
>You're not entirely sure of yourself, but this is what you're doing. Maybe you should have gotten advice from AJ earlier.
>There's a voice of disappointment ringing through your head as you till the ground. You weren't taking this seriously enough before and now that you're actually working, it shows.
-----
>In the middle of the day Fluttershy stops by, fluttering in the air with all her woodland critters crowding around her.
"Hey Shy, how are you?"
>"Oh, hi Anon. I'm... okay. How are you?"
"Guess I can't complain all things considered."
>"I, um, brought you some food," she states while holding out a little basket.
"Thanks."
>You place it in the cart then stand there awkwardly, unsure of what to talk about.
>"So I, ah, asked some of my animal friends to keep a look out for you."
"Oh, thanks. That's really nice of you."
>"You're welcome."
"Yeah."
>"I was thinking..."
"About?"
>"Well, you're probably going to be alone for a lot of the time out here. I-If you'd like I could... Find you a pet or something."
"Probably not a good idea just yet. I need to make sure I can care for myself before I worry about an animal."
>"Right. Okay."
>The silence continues until you notice Applejack has returned with Big Mac.
"Hey, what brings you two here?"
>"That," Big Mac says looking at your poor attempt at tilling the soil.
"I tried. That's all I can day."
>The plot of soil you worked on, is only half done and looks like a mess. You had no idea what you were doing, so you're incredibly grateful that the two Apples are here.
>They begin working the ground properly then planting seeds, instructing you on various things you need to do with the farm. You only wish you had a pen and paper to write all this down because there's just too much information to take in and remember at once.
>Fluttershy is currently weeding and clearing the ground. It's not something that really needs to be done but she's just trying to help out.
>While they're all doing that, you plot out the land for a canal leading from the river up in the forest.
>Then at Big Mac's request, you start working out the size of your house. You mark the size of each with some sticks and rope.
>You decide against building something big. The larger it is, the more work that'll need to be done. So just the essentials for now and you can always build upon it later.
>As you're working out the measurements of your bedroom, you recall a brief part of what Fluttershy said.
>You're going to be living alone out here.
>While you're somewhat of the reclusive type, the idea of not being able to have someone around unless they come visit you does fill you with a little loneliness already.
>Hopefully you'll be able to convince someone to move out here. 
-----
>The Apples finish all the farm work before sunset while Fluttershy left a long while ago.
>"So, do you think you can manage for a while?"
"I hope so. But if I die, I leave all I own to you."
>"Heh, and what would that be?"
"Well... This," you answer as you gesture to the land around you, "The Princess said this land is mine because of the whole not being magic thing. I wouldn't survive stone imprisonment or life on the moon."
>"That's not a bad deal," she remarks with an impressed whistle.
"Yeah, if only I new what I was doing with it. But I suppose I'll just have to learn how to be king."
>"King?"
"Or Emperor, I haven't quite decided on my title just yet."
>Applejack lets out a hearty laugh.
"But really, thanks for what you've done for me today. I'd probably have found a way to starve in a day if it weren't for you."
>"Well, you get some rest. You'll need all your energy for tomorrow, we're going to need plenty of resources for your home and you've got no bits to buy them."
"Oh, yeah... Great."
>"Buck up partner, I'll come around sometime tomorrow to lend a helping hoof. Big Mac will be tending the farm back home for the mean time."
"Really?"
>"Yeah. I can't just leave you be. Like you said, you wouldn't last a day if I did."
"Thanks again AJ."
>You kneel down and sweep her into a hug.
>It catches her off guard so she pats you on the back at first before warmly returning the hug.
>"Take care Anon. Don't let the timberwolves bite," she calls as she waves goodbye in a hasty attempt to catch up to Big Mac who decided to head home already.
"What's a timberwolf?" You ask but AJ is long gone.
