Disclaimer: I do not own any of My little Pony, Hasbro and co do

Author's note: the OC ponies name was something I found cute, and she isn't related to the Apple family of the show.

Going Home

Chapter One

Moon Apple was certainly not the most noteworthy pony in the long varied history of ponies. She kept her hair cut relatively short, considering the long manes found on other mares far too girly and improper. She was not gifted with wings, or the power of magic, she was just a normal earth pony. She found her own name to be deeply embarrassing, but was far too fond of her family to ever consider changing it.

And now she found herself going home. She had been working hard in this strange new town for some time; helping various stores in the marketplace improve their income (even her job was unimpressive). For the first time in several years she actually found herself looking forward to the holiday period- though of course she still had a particular disdain for snow. That white stuff was so disruptive!

She stepped through the train station doorway, holding her case close to her as she approached one of the station ponies.

"Do you have a ticket?" asked the young stallion at the train station kiosk.

"Yes, right here," she said holding up the ticket for the stallion to see. "A one way trip home for the next few months."

"How nice," said the kiosk worker in a bored manner.

Moon Apple gave a faint huff of disapproval as she trotted away from the kiosk, hoping the worker would hear her. She was quick to reach the station platform which was surprisingly empty- she hadn't been expecting manic rush hour, but she had thought there would be more ponies present. The carriages and train were in place, resting as the train operator stocked up on various fuel supplies up front.

She gave the briefest nod to the conductor and stepped on board the train, again holding up her ticket to show off clearly. She didn't want any misunderstandings; she just wanted to go home. She walked along the narrow footway, passing several empty compartments as she trotted along the carriage. Finally she chose the cabin with the nicest looking beds and stepped inside, closing the door behind herself.

She sat down and pulled her suitcase up onto the bed, opening it and starting to shift through the contents. Having been carrying the suitcase with her mouth, she found it a pleasure to finally be free of that weight. She looked down and sighed- so much paperwork to deal with. She'd have to make a dent in this work before she arrived or she would have to ignore her family for at least a solid week!

As she sat there on the bed, trying to comprehend the unclear hoofwriting of somepony from work she became aware of a clip-clopping sound outside. She didn't glance up as she heard the cabin door slide open.

"I have a ticket, I showed it to the conductor," she said in a muffled voice, holding a piece of paper in her mouth.

"Is that bed taken?" asked a high pitched voice.

Shocked, this time Moon Apple did look up from her suitcase. A pink pony with a tiny backpack stared back at her. After a few seconds pause she again directed her attention towards the empty bed opposite Moon Apple.

"There is a whole load of empty sections next door, and along the rest of the carriage," said Moon Apple.

"Where's the fun in that? Travelling is boring if you're all by yourself. You get lonely!"

"Well actually I'm fine with it, there's really no-," said Moon Apple as the newcomer promptly dumped her backpack onto the empty bed.

"Huh," she said to herself, more than slightly annoyed at being ignored. So much for having some private time.

"What's your name? Mine's Pinkie Pie, nice to meet you, isn't this a cool train?"

"Yes, I guess so," said Moon Apple, shoving the piece of paper back into her suitcase as Pinkie leaned over to try and look at it.

"Working hard huh?" asked the newcomer.

"Well that was what I wanted to do…"

"You don't want to work too hard now," said Pinkie. "It is the holiday season now…well almost now. Time for families and friends and fun! Not boring old work."

"Yes of course." This pony wasn't going to take the hint and leave was she?

"Oooo you still haven't told me your name. I bet it's pretty," said Pinkie.

"Moon Apple," she muttered in reply.

"Moon Apple? That's an odd combination," said Pinkie. She suddenly had a shocked look cross her face. "Do you think there are actually apples on the moon?"

"I wouldn't know."

"But then again would there actually be apples up there? The moon is all grey and stuff and not blue or green. Apples would need water wouldn't they?"

"I guess so."

"And air too I guess, that would probably be important," said Pinkie, now deeply enthralled in the conversation. "And I don't think there are any farmers up there, so how would they be harvested? One of my best friends worked on an apple farm but I bet she never worked on the moon!"

"That wouldn't be a surprise," said Moon Apple sarcastically. She guessed now all she could hope for was that this 'Pinkie Pie' would be getting off at the next stop and then she could get some peace. She was almost about to ask Pinkie's destination when the pony started talking again.

"Actually I doubt there'd be any apples on the moon, I mean Nightmare Moon lived up there for so long, no other pony would get anywhere near the moon would they? And Luna never mentioned anything about apples- but I did once see her eat one!"

"Ok…then…," was Moon Apple's slightly puzzled reply. What was a Nightmare Moon? Was it some kind of folk tale from one of the smaller villages in Equestria? Yet at the same time it did sound a little bit familiar. She tried to think where she had heard it before, she was starting to get a tingling, a recollection, it was coming back-

"Hey, can you hear that the train's starting!" said Pinkie, interrupting her thoughts. Again.

Annoyed at the interruption Moon Apple was at least grateful that the train had finally started moving. The sooner they left the station, the sooner this other pony would get off the train, and the sooner she would have some peace and quiet to work.

Hopefully.

"Bye-bye station!" called out Pinkie as the train left the town and entered the countryside.

"Why don't you try and sleep?" suggested Moon Apple hopefully.

"Boooring!" came the reply.