MLP FIM Fan-Fiction: Starting from Scratch

Chapter 9

Aaron proved to be quite competent with getting the apples off the trees, though collecting the apples was another thing. The entire apple tree released all of its fruit. After some quick thinking, he used his magic and put a curved platform around the next tree he punched.

Aaron was wearing a set of gloves that were enchanted with reinforcement magic, reducing the damage that he'd take. The method he devised worked, as the platform delicately caught the apples, and gravity took over, letting them roll safely to the wooden bucket.

"Now that's somethin' I don't see every day," AppleJack commented, impressed, "You made the apples go to the bucket, rather than bringin' the bucket to where the apples would be! I hadn't thought of that."

Aaron shrugged, "After seeing what you're capable of, what happened when I tried my variation on it, and due to my structural composition, I figured that I won't be able to produce similar results, so I worked my way around the hindrance."

AppleJack took note of the spell that he used, "I noticed that you don't necessarily use magic the same way Twilight or Starlight does. It's interestin'."

"I tend to create an image of what I'm needing, like a blade made for the duel with Trixie, or the harvesting platform here; it's what I consider mix of telekinesis and three dimensional shape generation,"
he elaborated.

"Say, Aaron," AppleJack changed topics, trying to be careful about how she phrased things, "Ya know that Twilight's letting you stay at her place and gettin' you a shop ready for you?"

"Yeah, I'm honestly very grateful," Aaron replied, "She honestly didn't need to do that; I'm somewhat used to having to figure out how to find my own path."

"What do you think about her?" AppleJack asked, "If you two were the same species as an example?"

"If what you're trying to ask what I think about Miss Sparkle as a sentient being, that's honestly a good question," Aaron inferred, then took a moment to think, "Well, despite her title of Princess, I really think that she quite grounded: she keeps herself in check."

"Twilight can get carried away with some of her activities," AppleJack noted, "Most others don't understand why."

"I've seen her study be quite messy," Aaron admitted, "but the fact that it gets messy is a sign of an active mind. When she is cleaning it, her organization skills are astonishing."

"Fair enough," AppleJack conceded, "What else?"

"I can't deny the fact that she went above and beyond to integrate me into Equestrian society, which I found was very generous and responsible," Aaron continued, "I've seen more than my fair share of humans like me with far worse ethical initiation and responsibility than what I know here."

"That wasn't always the case, but she has grown into it," AppleJack agreed.

"I just find Miss Sparkle so comfortable to be around," Aaron admitted, sighing, "I don't know what's going on, or why, but I just feel that she's become part of my life."

"Well, I think that it makes sense," AppleJack determined.

"I'm sorry?" Aaron asked, confused, "What makes sense?"

"It's not important," AppleJack commented, "Let's finish these trees."

* * *

The four ponies and Aaron entered AppleJack's home, and Aaron saw a pony smaller than AppleJack, but was clearly part of the family.

"Apple Bloom," AppleJack introduced, "This is Aaron Deltian, a human resident."

Aaron and Apple Bloom looked at each other, and Aaron kneeled down, sitting on his knees and toes to try to appear less intimidating. "I presume you're AppleJack's sister?" he asked gently, smiling, "I've heard that you make quite the impression with your friends around Ponyville."

Apple Bloom asked, "How did you hear about it?"

"Let's just say that AppleJack, Miss Rarity and Miss Dash spoke very highly of you and your friends," he explained as he held his hand to shake her hoof.

Apple Bloom obliged, clearly nervous until she realized that the human was trying his best to be careful. "You were the thing that Trixie dueled with, weren't you?" Apple Bloom remembered, "You were flying when you returned to the ground; that was amazin'!"

Apple Bloom and Aaron continued to talk while Twilight approached AppleJack, "How did everything go?"

"Well, let's just say that he really does enjoy your company and sees you as an equal, despite your title and eccentricities," AppleJack summarized, "Perhaps Fluttershy and I should take him to see Zecora soon, get his mind cleared."

"Should I do the same?" Twilight asked.

"The sooner, the better," AppleJack agreed, "Looks like you could use it too."

Twilight took her leave, as Apple Bloom pulled some apple cider out.

"Does this contain alcohol?" Aaron queried.

"No, why do you ask?" AppleJack responded.

"It's not a good idea for me to consume alcohol," he explained while taking a bottle, and took a sip from it, "This is good! Tastes like a very strong sparkling apple juice!"

AppleJack and Apple Bloom looked at Big Mac. "Did you make it?" AppleJack asked.

"Eeyup," Big Mac replied, "First time tryin' it."

"About the strategy I used," Aaron started, "It might beneficial for you for your family to have some of those spells stored for when this situation comes again."

"Not a bad idea there, Aaron!" AppleJack responded, her face lighting up.

"Great!" Aaron nodded, "It'll take some time, but I should manage."

"One more thing," AppleJack commented, "Are you free after dinner? Fluttershy and I want you to meet someone."

"Sure, I guess," Aaron replied, "Meeting point?"

The entrance to the Everfree Forest," AppleJack informed.

Aaron nodded, said his goodbyes to the Apple family, and made his way to Twilight's Castle. Knowing that Twilight and Aaron had feelings for one another, AppleJack knew that there were going to be some big changes in the future. She only hoped that no major hostilities would barge in, causing Equestria more suffering than it already went through.

"What was all that about?" Apple Bloom asked.

"You'll find out soon enough," AppleJack replied, "We all will."