Mulleb: Here more writing about ponies and for some reason I feel like I moving along slowly.

Sistine: Probably because there isn't any violence happening yet. Take a look at the last two stories you write and one would found that you have a violent mind.

Mulleb: *Smiles.* Hey, it not my fault people like violence.

Rainbow Dash: *Reading A Switch-A-Roo* Go Maka! Show those assholes who boss.

Sistine: Apparently, tomboyish ponies like it as well. You do know that Maka a villain in that story right?

Rainbow Dash: Who cares!? Crazy Maka is insane in a good way.

Mulleb: Does that even make sense? Oh well, I will admit that this new pace is a bit refreshing. Everything doesn't have to be fast and ferocious. Enjoy the read.

Chapter Two

In the past week Big Mac had made more excuses to make trips into town than he had at any point in his life. However, he also finished his mourning chores before the sun raise and hurriedly got the evening work done before anyone could complain. On the first couple of days Applejack didn't pay the sudden change of behavior much attention. Though she loved her big brother, she thought him lacking in the social department. Hardly had any friends and there isn't a mare to speak of. It wasn't right for a young stallion like her brother to slave away in the fields all day thinking that the farm was first to everything else.

To make matters worst she felt partly guilty for this behavior. While she does do her fair share of the work she also took a lot of time off to be with her friends. Sometimes there was something she wanted to do so badly she would ask her sweet brother if he could do her work for the day. Not once did he have to agree to take on her load, but every time he would give her an 'Eeyup'. No complaints, no favors, and no ill muttering came out of those lips. He was more than glad to take the extra work as long as she was happy.

So when he asked her if he could go into towns to sell apples again she was mildly surprise but pleased as well. Something or someone was attracting the stallion back into town. Whatever it was had her curious, but she didn't want to scare him or make him feel uncomfortable. So she gave a smile and a nod of her head. He didn't show it, but she could tell he was happy. After seeing him off, she spent the rest of her day tending to the farm.

Only time she took a break from her work was during lunch and when she fetched her sister from school. The moment she stepped into town she knew something was out of the usually. The streets were deserted and most of the stores were closed, but there no signs of danger. Glancing into several windows, she saw a few ponies home, but they didn't seemed distress.

She would have learned the reason of this if her path took her through town square. It wasn't until she met her sister at the little, red school house did she learn anything. Three young fillies were out on the playground, waiting for their legal guardians to pick them up. Apple bloom, a yellow earth pony wearing a red bow in her red mane, orange eyes was glued to her two companies.

A light gray unicorn with mulberry and grayish pink mane was lowering and raising her voice in a beautiful, melodic fashion. In front of her a blue doll dressed as a ballerina was dancing to the sound of her voice. Though the doll seemed to be made of a shiny glass substance its movements were as limber as that of flesh. To say its performance was anything short of amazing would be an insult.

Not to far away from the unicorn to her right an orange pegasus with fuchsia mane and purple eyes was concentrating her attention on a board under her hooves. The board was made from a dull gray plastic shaped into a large crescent. The pegasus forelegs were planted squarely on both sides of the board while her wings were spread out. Under her breath she said something that sound foreign. The board glow a bright orange and a gust of air propelled the pegasus upward.

For a moment Applejack nearly panic for she knew that the filly couldn't fly. However, the fear quickly subsided. She was only a little more than half a dozen yards in the air and instead of falling to the earth like a rock. Her wings were spread out so she could glide over a short distance. It wasn't flying, but it was the next best thing. Near the end of the flight the pegasus tried to do a somersault. There wasn't enough space between her and the ground and she landed hard on her back. Not hard enough to do any harm for she sprung right back onto her hooves with a massive grin plastered on her face.

As the pegasus dashed back toward the board Applejack announced her arrival. "Hey girls! Where you get the fancy toys?" They were so absorb with what they were doing the fillies were surprise to see her. The pegasus came to a halt in front of her board while the singing stopped abruptly. With the singing the doll came to a stop on one hoof while its two fore hooves were arched over its head.

"Hey big sis," Apple Bloom called out once she recognized who she was. "Do you mind if I stay a bit longer? Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo new toys are so fun to watch."

"Maybe for a few more minutes," replied the cowfilly as she took a closer examination of the doll. "I'm must say I never seen something like this before. How were you able to move it without using any magic Sweetie Belle?"

The grayish pony gave a shrug. "Beats me. Mr. Dollar said that this is a device European singers use to help with their singing. The better a pony sing the more elegant the movements became." To prove her point she started to sing a little piece that the cowfilly wasn't familiar with, but with the filly's voice it was delightful to listen to. The doll agreed for it started to move once more with fluid like movement. When she stopped singing the doll stopped as well. "Now you try."

Wanting to see if what Sweetie Belle said was true she sang a little folk tale off the top of her head. Her voice wasn't at all terrible but compare to the unicorn it was weak. The doll moved once more, but unlike before with its beautiful movements. It jerked it way across the grass with little grace.

"Guess it doesn't like my voice," she joked as she stopped.

"That what Mr. Dollar said," said the unicorn with a giggle. "He thought that I'll have more joy from it than he had."

Though Applejack wondered who this Mr. Dollar was, she turned her attention onto the pegasus. "And that thing would be?"

"A lunch pad," exclaimed Scootaloo as she bounced onto it. "It supposed to help pegasus fillies to get the feel of the air by lunching them up. All you do is put your legs out like this, spread your wings out, and say"- she shouted- "levantar!" A gust of wing tossed the pegasus once more into the sky. Like before she glided for a couple dozen feet. This time, however, she was able to execute a clumsy somersault before making a decent landing.

Running back over to them, she said, "I would offer you a try, but this thing is not really made for you."

Nodding her head, she said, "Pretty neat, but where do you get it?"

"Mr. Dollar gave it to me after Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and I helped him out this morning," she replied. A little too late she realized she might need to explain herself.

"This morning," Applejack asked sternly with a raise eyebrow to her little sister, "as in this morning when you should be in school."

"It was nothing like that," exclaimed Apple Bloom as she spun around to face her sister. "We didn't skip school or anything. My friends and I were heading straight for it when we run into Mr. Dollar. He was heading to town square and he bumped into us. He wanted our help to spread the word that he was in town, but we told him we needed to go to school. Instead of saying goodbye he asked where our school was and we take him here. After talking to Miss Cheerilee we were excused for the morning as long we make up for it later."

Pointing to the objects, she said, "And we told anyone who would listen to us about him. There were so many ponies at town square that he wanted to award us. We could either get paid in bits or get an item with equal value." Turning her neck around, she bent over and turn her head back to show a small cloth bag in her mouth. Putting it down, she continued, "Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo got new toys. I on the other hand went for the bits."

"If I were to asked Miss Cheerilee to validate this story would she agree that this is true?"

"Yes," exclaimed the Cutie Mark Crusaders in union.

"She still in the school house doing whatever teachers do after school," said Sweetie Belle, a little worried that the cowfilly wouldn't believe them.

After a few seconds of examining innocent faces, Applejack trotted into school to found the teacher where she should be. A quick hello and a little chat in how well Apple Bloom's grades were, was needed in order to be polite. Following that was a tale that confirmed the fillies' story. Yes, a charming, young stallion by the name of Mr. Dollar came in to ask if several of her students can assist him. At first she was a little suspicious of him, but he was just a kind pony. He even invited her for dinner if she had some time free to do so.

Intrigued by this stallion Applejack asked her what he wanted help with. Nothing much, just wanted them to spread word that he setting up shop in the town square. Of what he told her he was selling exotic items to help fund a trip he's about to make. He also was looking for anything that can only be found in Ponyville.

The cowfilly thanked the teacher for the information and headed back outside to tell her sister it was time to go. She put up some protest, but in the end she said goodbye to her friends. As they walked home Apple Bloom unknowingly dropped a bombshell. "Was Big Mac out selling apples today?" she asked.

"Last I check he should be," said the cowfilly with a small smile.

"Well, I saw him when we were in town square," she said as she shifted the bag of money on her back to a more stable position. "He had the stand with him, but he was right across from Mr. Dollar's store, staring at it." Pausing for a second, she added, "Did you know that Mr. Dollar is looking for ponies to go with him around the world?"

"No," she replied, "I did not."

For one more day she didn't bother with the thought as Big Mac for the third day in a row took the apple cart into town. Though, she did asked her sister if she could swing by town square to see how their brother was doing. What she reported was the same as the day before.

So when the farmer tried to take the cart into town the next day she simply refused the request. "Sorry Big Mac," she said as she feed the hogs. "I plan on going into town to meet up with Fluttershy and some of the fencing needs to be work on. Don't mind taking care of that do you?" He didn't say no, but she could feel he wanted to. "Maybe tomorrow," she added.

That day she did have something to do in town. Go see what the big fuss about this Silver Dollar was. Yesterday several of her friends came on by to see how she was doing. Though they did chat a little on different subject the topic would always return to the strange pony and his cart.

Twilight visited the business pony to expand the library's collection. To her surprise he had some of the rarest books that were ever printed, which now have a new home in her collection. Rarity found that the pony had a good taste in fashion. Though the clothing he wore was out of date, the clothing and fabric he was selling was so new and fascinating to her. That she paid a pretty penny to get here hooves on them. Fluttershy was somewhat conflict about the pony. In all right he was a kind pony, but she was appalled that he sold fur coats. Didn't help that he told her of a time he and his father tracked and killed a manticore.

One would either have to be deaf or living under a rock to not know by now on where the business pony was. At the crack of dawn he would leave his hotel to tow his wagon to town square. Form sun rise to sun set he would be working. As soon as the sun left the sky he would pack and head to the hotel to spend the rest of his day looking for a new employee.

Applejack tried to meet him personally while he was at the store, but by the time she got there most of the town had converge on him. It didn't matter if the pony was buying or not because in his own right Mr. Dollar was a show pony. She had to shove her way to the front of the crowd to see what got them all riled up. When she got there she was blinded momentarily by a quick flash of light.

Once her vision cleared she quickly spotted the object which had blinded her. Standing on his hind hooves, Mr. Dollar wielded a four feet long, curved steel sword in his mouth. Strap to his back was a black shiny sheath which seemed out of place with his working clothes. Set in front of him was a ten by four board being hold up by a purple glow. In one clean, smooth downward movement the sword cut through the wood with little resistance. Because of the magic the wood stayed in place, but whoever was holding it up pulled the two halves apart.

After he sheathed the blade, the business pony said, "There no doubt that the blade is sharp. Made to hack off flesh and bone, but it also make a nice decorated piece. Miss Sparkle, please draw the blade out for me and do be careful about it." From somewhere in the crowd Twilight appeared with a smile on her face.

"Yes sir," she said as her horn glow violet. The same glow gripped the sword by the hilt and slowly slid it out of the sheath.

"Thank you," he said out of habit. "This katana was made by a master sword smith back in sixteen hundreds. Before the island nation Uma closed off its border one of my grandmas managed to sneak in and buy it. Not sure why she bought it, but than again she the reason we have so much weaponry lying around the house. Would anyone like to take a look at it?" A few hooves went into the air. "Come forward and please be careful. These swords are extremely sharp and one wrong move could cause a terrible mess."

Several ponies made their ways up to take a look. One of them was Rainbow Dash who popped out of nowhere three ponies down from the cowfilly. Apparently she haven't spotted her yet nor thought that the preoccupied Twilight would see her. For a moment she wanted to walk right over to the pegasus and asked why she been avoiding her. However, knowing that the pegasus could easily fly away she chose to wait for another opportunity.

Turning her attention back on the business pony, she watched as the sword slowly hovered several inches from ponies' faces. When it came by her she could understand why it should be held with caution. The single edge looked to be well care for and based on what happen to the board. It wasn't hard to imagination it cutting through her skin as if it was paper.

A few more ponies examined it before it was placed back into its sheath. Getting back on his hind hooves, he took the sheath off his back. "As promise I had shown off one of my more dangerous items. If someone like to buy it be my guest, but be aware that it isn't a toy." Base on some of the faces the cowfilly could see they didn't take the warning to mind. Walking back over to his shop, he placed the sword away somewhere the crowd couldn't see.

"Now," he said as he lend on the counter, "may the next customer come up." One would think he was selling the last of the apple cinder at the end of the season by the way they swarm to be first. Applejack lost sight of both her friends and was nearly pulled along with the mob.

Deciding it was best to meet the Mr. Dollar later, she spent the rest of the day hanging around town. Somehow in the afternoon Rarity drafted her into trying out several of her new dresses. That ate up several hours that she didn't want to spend, but the white unicorn sure does like to talk when she work. This made this rather annoying task end faster than it would have felt.

Only reason she got away was because the sun had nearly set and Rarity had some business she needed to attend to. Once she was out of her friend's hair she went straight to Ponyville only hotel. The hotel was a large, green colored building called Wanderer Oasis. Though it was primarily a place to rent a room, it also served as a bar and a place of meeting. Usually, it wasn't terribly busy, but it obviously got enough business to keep a float.

Today there was a line just to get inside. Applejack knew Ponyville wasn't the biggest town in the world, but it can't have that many ponies. Not all of them could want to leave behind everything they knew for several years. It should be pointed out that most of the ponies were around her age. They were old enough to make their own lives, but young enough that they weren't deeply rooted to one place. Every last pony there had an air of apprehension and excitement.

Unless she wanted to stand all night outside she thought to try again another day. She stood there long enough to tell that the line won't last for how long the business pony would stay. Apparently, not just anyone can be hired for there were plenty of sad looking ponies leaving the place. Which was understandable for some of them she saw and or knew probably shouldn't consider the job in the first place.

There were tales of world that drift in from time to time and some of them weren't at all pleasant. If half of them were true than the ponies here were sheltered – sheltered being use loosely- compare to the rest of the world.

Though she couldn't meet Mr. Dollar, she saw enough that she was truly wondering if it was possible Big Mac was maybe drawn by the pony's charisma and promise. Nothing in the past would have indicated that he ever wanted to travel. However, since he was young it was pounded into his head that his duty was to his family and to the farm. It wouldn't surprise her if he kept what he believed a forbidden dream to himself.

For the last three days of the week Big Mac actions kept on proving this hypothesis. Working harder so there is time to go into town, bring their little sister back home from school so he can swing by town square, and once she suspected he broke some tools just to get away from the farm. On one of those days he somehow managed to talk to Mr. Dollar. He negotiated with him for the selling of a couple of barrels of the family's apple cinder. The cowfilly agreed it was a good idea to sell the cinder for the right price, but the closer the stallion came to that pony the more conflicted he seemed to be when he came home.

Tonight was the night that Applejack gets to the bottom of this. Whatever her brother wanted to admit it or not he wants something from that pony. And it was driving him somewhere that she wasn't sure what it was. When she was a filly she remembered one bitter old pony that came to town. The reason he was so bitter because he was too afraid of chasing a dream that was just in his reach. She didn't think that would happen to Big Mac, but she did wanted her brother to be happy.

Upstairs in his room, Big Mac sat quietly as he read through the pages of the book before him. The desk which the book laid on was much like its owner. It was plain, simple, and undecorated. However, the wood had been waxed to prolong its life. Beside the book, a single candle sat on the desk, illuminating the page's words. Unlike most books he came across this one had been hoof written. However, the words were written so neatly and clearly that anyone could read it.

Anyone who could read cursive writing that is. Before he was force to drop out of school so he can help out on the farm, he learned how to write and read cursive. It had been some time since he done so, but after working out the rust he could easily decipher the words. And the words had much to tell.

He could see why Twilight first thought it was an autobiography. The first half a dozen pages were spent describing some of the author own experiences. None of it was interesting and the author himself joked that he was probably boring the readers. On the last paragraph on the last page of the chapter there was one sentence that seemed out of place. Since time can't tell it own history it is time for me to tell a part of it for it.

From there he launched into lives of about a dozens different ponies that were all related in one way or another. The first several pages were dedicated to a short summary of the pony earlier life, but soon they describe the journeys which they took later on. It would seem that the author was careful to choose which pony he wrote about for none of them ever travel to the same place.

Some of the tales were about the first ponies who settled Equestria. Other was of far off lands over the seas. However, all of them braved a life that sounded similar to that of Daring Do, if not always that exciting.

There were plenty of pictures and maps just like Twilight said there would be. The author claimed that all the images were photo copies of the originals. Well, at less one could tell that the drawers were different ponies for none of the pictures looked exactly alike. He had yet to find the tiger that frighten him early, but he wasn't in a rush to found it.

For the past week he had closed himself off to the outside world by locking his door, turning out the lights, and used a candle to light the pages. He doesn't know why he does this, but it felt right somehow. At the moment he was reading about a stallion who was paddling down the Nile River. Good thing that Pinkie Pie's pet baby alligator is toothless. He may not be a crocodile, but since they were related he rather not have one chomp down on his flank.

A pounding on his door ripped him out of his reading. "Big Mac," Apple Bloom called out, "is you in there?"

"Eeyup," he shouted back.

"It's time for dinner."

Mentally sighing, he said, "Be there in a moment." He listened as her little sister's hooves cluttered away from his room. And I was getting to a good part, he thought as he marked his page by bending one of its corners. Up on his hooves he closed the book and blew the candle's flame out with one blow. For a moment or two he blindly walked through the dark- only light source was the moonlight that filtered through a lonely window. When he ran into the wall he started to use his hoof to feel his way around. Once he found the light switch he flipped it on.

The light turned on to an overall empty room. Its walls were painted a light shade of green. A queen size bed covered in sheets was position in the middle of the room. Next to the bed was the room only window which had a great view of the apple orchard and the mountains. Below that was a small square table where a lamp resided. On the right side of the room was his desk and the left was a bookshelf. There were several books on the bookshelf, but most of the space was occupied by old toys and a rag tag stuff animal which he should return to it rightful owner one of those days. To some ponies the room may seemed to be lifeless, but to him it was perfect the way it was.

As he looked the room over he felt as if he was taking it in for the last time. Why he needed to make a mental picture of it was beyond him, but it still felt a bit eerie. Ignoring the feeling, he unlocked his bedroom door and headed toward the dining area.

The dining area was a nice size room that was connected to the kitchen and living room by a narrow passageway. A maple wood floor that showed signs of wore were beneath one hooves. The walls were painted a seemly red and were covered with pictures of the Apple family. From the old gray photos of the founders of the farm to the more colorful one of recent inhabitants and relatives could be seen. More or less centered in the room was a nice, rounded table which can seat a dozen ponies when extended fully. However, since there was usually no more than four ponies in the house, parts of it had been taken out to make more room. There were only three chairs at the table for Big Mac rather not sit in one. Due to his bulk and size it was easier and more comfortable for him to sit down on a pillow than a chair.

The table had already been set. Four good size bowls accompanied by glasses sat in front of each chair. Napkins were right beside the bowls with a single spoon placed on top of them. A pot with a ladle sticking out of it was place near the center of the table. Salt and pepper shakers, crackers, and a bowl filled with shredded cheese were scattered all over the table's surface.

Already at the table were his little sister and Granny Smith. Granny Smith was an elderly mare who was well past her prime. Her white man and tail were pulled back into a bun, but a few strands of hair stuck out. Light lime green fur does little to hide the wrinkles, but her skin does tell of a time of a fit young mare. Eyelids drooped over light orange eyes that speak of wisdom. On her flank was an image of a baked pie in its pan.

At the moment those drooping eyes were a sign of sleep threatening to over take the old mare. Every once in a while they would close only to be open with a start and she would mutter gibberish. Some ponies think that she had gone a bit loony, but that wasn't so. She was just an old mare living with what life had given her.

Unlike her older counterpart, Apple Bloom was jumping on top of her chair trying to make conversion. It was on the line of her and her friends' new attempt of getting their cutie marks. Obviously, she was bored with sitting in one place, but she knew better than getting up and wondering off.

"Good evening," said the stallion as he walked into the room.

Glad that a livelier pony just walked in Apple Bloom faced her brother with a big smile. "Hey Big Mac, I was just telling Granny how we excavated Daisy backyard to found fossils."

"Did you found anything?" he asked, a little worried that he might be filling in holes soon.

"No," she said, that smiled fading away into a frown. "All we found were rocks, dirt, and some black, sticky liquid that was almost impossible to get out of my fur." Turning her head to look at her behind, she added, "I still think there a stain, but it's not noticeable."

"Did Daisy let you dig in her yard?"

"Of course she did," she said, a little offended. "I wouldn't dig somepony yard up without permission." Being on the receiving end of one of the Cutie Mark Crusaders' schemes, Big Mac would beg to differ. However, unless Daisy came over here and complain about it he'll give the filly a benefit of a doubt.

"Sit down in your chair," said the stallion. Happy that he wouldn't purse the matter Apple Bloom did as she was told.

Taking his seat at the table, he found that he was seating across an empty chair. Applejack was cooking tonight dinner so that wasn't so strange. She was probably just grabbing a loaf of bread to go with the vegetable stew. For a couple dozens seconds the three sat there with Apple Bloom doing most of the talking. She talked about what most fillies her ages would talk about. How things are in school, adventures with friends, some gossip, and a little about a classmate she wasn't all that thrill about.

The sound of hooves heading this way told of the chef arrival, but none of them give her much thought. Though, the large platter she put in front of them caused the raising of eyebrows. A jug of milk and water was where they should be, but the large jug of cinder was unexpected. "Milk and water for anyone who wants it and apple cinder for the adults," said Applejack with a queer smile.

"What's the occasion," asked Granny Smith, a little confuse. If her memories served her right nothing special have occur.

"Yeah," Apple Boom said, "and why can't I have some cinder?"

"Who said that something special have to happen for us to have a little treat? Besides, since everyone had been working so hard this week I think a treat is in order." Before her sister could complain, she added, "I have an apple pie in the oven as we speak. As soon as the timer goes off I'll go get it."

Mentioning of apple pie got the filly to settle down. Whatever real reasons for her sister to be nice it didn't matter as long she got a bit of sweet apple pie. Granny Smith and Big Mac on the other hand weren't so easily persuaded. However, they could see no wrong with her statement and since the cowfilly was an awful liar. They knew she was telling some truth. So the three decided her actions were that of generosity.

As soon as the cowfilly took her place at the table, dinner began. Each Apple got their respected portion of the meal and additives. Of choose of drink Big Mac and the eldest of his younger sisters got themselves a glass of cinder while the other two poured themselves some milk. As they ate their meals the three mares idly chatted about everyday life. Big Mac more or less kept to himself, pausing from his meal only to add a minor comment or when his opinion was wanted. As supper progress the stallion drunk several glasses of cinder. It wasn't enough alcohol to get him drunk, but he could feel the drink work its magic.

If he paid any attention at all to Applejack he would be questioning why she gave a satisfied glance each time he poured more cinder into his glass. He would also be wondering why she hadn't drunk more than half of her. None of the Apples were alcoholics, but they appropriated a good drink when they were given out. The older siblings would sometime get a little carry away, but that can happen to the best of ponies.

Sometime during the meal the ringing of a bell from the kitchen told that dessert was ready. "Be back in a sec," said the cowfilly as she sprinted out of her chair. A minute later she came back into the room on her hind legs, carrying a steaming pie in her gloved hooves. After setting the pie on the table, she went back into the kitchen to fetch a knife, four plates, and four forks. She quickly set each dish or silverware in their place before returning to her seat.

It went unsaid that until they finished their meals no one was getting a slice of pie. Apple Bloom wasn't breathing in her stew, but she was eating at a rapid rate which her sister had to tell her to slow down. Granny ate at her sluggish speed, her jaws moving as fast as she thought they should. Applejack had long since finish and was now talking just to pass the time. Big Mac had also finished, but he was sitting nonchalantly in silence - relaxed to the point of being near the land of dreams. Several drinks of cinder and a warm meal do have that effect.

Add the apple pie into the factor and tonight he could have easily gone off to bed and been out cold within minutes. As it was he was lazily taking out chunks of the dessert with his fork. Apple Bloom had already devoured here first slice and serving herself second. Granny got a few forkfuls down before she decided she was full. She would have escorted herself to her room, but the chair she was in would do for a quick nap.

Applejack, however, have hardly touch the pie that sat in front of her. Instead, a smile was plastered on her face as she watched her brother's guard go down. "Hope it's tasty," she said directly to her brother. "I tried some different apples from what I usually use. You know, mix things up a little."

"It tasted great!" shouted the filly as she devoured her second pie.

"Eeyup," said Big Mac in agreement.

"Are you sure?" Looking to her sister, she said, "Gulping it down without even tasting it doesn't count." The filly got the message and slowed her devouring to a more reasonable speed. "What about you Big Mac? Have any opinions on my baking?"

Since baking apple pastries was a family thing it was not uncommon to receive criticism. Already influence by a warm meal and alcohol Big Mac's tongue was free from his mind. "It taste great, but it a little too tart for me." Absentmindedly, he clanked his fork against the plate several time before he realize there wasn't anything there. Putting it down, he added, "Apple Bloom sure likes it and if Granny could stay up long enough she would agree. Though, may I ask what apples did you use?"

"The name escaped me," she replied as she took a forkful of the pie. After a lazily examination of it she place it in her mouth. As she chewed she said, "I got them off of Mr. Dollar when I visited him one day. Said those apples are only found in Europe and were made primary for cooking."

"Maybe someone can go back to him and ask what breed it was," said Big Mac, a little to slow to the see the backward glance of her sister's eyes. "If I could go to Europe I would be more than happy to get you some. However, I can't seem to recall Mr. Silver having any…" His mind finally jumped in to stop his mouth, but the words were already out. A bit of shock showed on his face as he stared at triumph smile of his sister. Its meaning was loud and clear.

"What I mean to say is... Um..." The stallion felt as if he was caught stealing sugar cubes form the sugar jar.

"My brother plan on traveling the world?" shouted the filly with clear excitement on her face. "That would be so cool! Big Mac, world class traveler, off to show the world what an Apple is made out of."

"Now who said I was going anywhere," snapped the stallion, more aggressively than he meant to be. He regretted it the moment Apple Bloom cringed away. "Sorry, what I meant to say is..."

"Mr. Dollar turned you down?" interrupted Applejack.

"No and I wasn't going to ask him."

The oldest sister arched an eyebrow as the younger said, "Why not? I thought that you want to travel the world?"

"And where did you get that idea?" asked the stallion with a stern frown.

"I took a peek at the book you were reading. The one you seem so protective about that you locked the door the keep me out." His face set into a stony look- only thing that showed he was nervous was the sweat that started to show up on his face.

As he promised himself, he got the book from Twilight the day after the strange pony arrived. That same day he had left his bedroom door unlocked for why wouldn't he when he felt comfortable at home. When he went out to the fields to start planting some seeds Apple Bloom went to his room to ask a question. Her brother wasn't there and instead of leaving right away she went right in to wait for him. She found the book and managed to get a good look at it before an anger stallion ordered her out of his room.

"What was it about?" Applejack asked of anyone, not sure who would be first to answer.

"A group of ponies who explored the world," answered Apple Bloom. The cowfilly gave a nod of her head as she peered into her brother's expressionless eyes.

"Just out of curiosity, how long have you been having those thoughts?"

A shrugged was the unwanted answer she got. "Frankly, several years now," he replied after several more seconds. He looked to the floor to hide the shame. "Haven't put much thought into it until recently."

"So what the problem," asked Apple Bloom. "I'm sure Mr. Dollar would be more than happy have you around. You're big, strong, and pretty smart too."

Shaking his head at the filly, he said, "I can't do that."

"And why not?" asked Applejack.

"Because I can't just leave the farm for you to handle alone," he said his voice raising until he was nearly shouting.

"What is that suppose to mean?" asked the cowfilly, coldly. Her eyes narrowed and she slammed her hooves into the table as she said, "I can reassure you that I am a grown mare. I can easily run this farm with you here or not."

Big Mac chuckled darkly. "Really? Who's going to pull the plow so we can plant the crops on time? Who's going to carry all the weight that you can't carry? Who's going to keep the finances in order so we can pay the bills?" Pointing an accusing hoof at the cowfilly, he said, "If it wasn't for me this place would hardly produce apples must less sell them."

"Guys," asked a worried Apple Bloom who was completely ignore.

"I can hire help if need be," Applejack countered. "Better yet, there is family and friends who are more than willing to lend a helping hoof. Once upon a time this farm may need you around, but now isn't that time."

The stallion knew he couldn't put up a solid defense, but he could be as stubborn, if not more, as his sister when he wanted to. "Still, I can't just leave."

"You want permission?" Applejack asked with a roll of her eyes. "Believe it or not I think you should at less try to get the job. If that pony doesn't think your good enough to travel, fine. However, to ignore a possible trip of your life is just plain stupid."

"I don't need your permission," said the stallion as he stood up, "and I can't just leave the farm."

As he turned to leave a crackled old voice spoke up. "You're right. You're a stallion who can make his own choices, but I do give my permission for you to leave." Stopping in his track, he turned around to a fully awake Granny Smith and she does not look happy.

"Granny," he tried to speak, but the old mare put a hoof out to silent him.

"Don't say a word. It's time for me to speak." Glancing over at the walls of pictures, her eyes focus on an old black and white photo of the farm when it first started. There wasn't much to look at. A single log cabin with the area around it cleared away was the only structure standing. In the background one can see apple trees, but they were more or less intermixed with the wild trees of the forest.

"Have I ever told you the story of how our family came over from the old world?" she asked with a dream like expression.

"Yes Granny," said Apple Bloom with a bored tone, "for like the billion time."

"Well, than you all must remember how hard it was for my pa and ma to leave their family behind to come here." There was a nod of heads. The Apple family origins were that of Terra, a nice size country located in Europe. When Granny's parents decided to leave the country it was facing difficult times. Famine, high crime rates, and threat of civil war were the reason they wanted to immigrate to the magical land called Equestria. However, it was still hard for them to leave everything they knew behind in hope to find a better life.

"Think about this. If my Ma and Pa didn't come here than I doubt any of you would be around today."

"Granny," said Big Mac, "I don't think..."

"Let me finished! I know that you don't want to go because you feel obliged to stay. Maybe you're even scare to do so, but don't let any of that stop you." A kind smile graced her face as she said, "Who knows what will happen over a period of three years. Just promise me that you'll come home when it is over and done."

For a moment, the stallion was speechless. Looking to his sisters, they both give him approving grins. "We'll be fine," said Applejack. "Think of this as pay back for the time I left home for Manhattan. I had been gone for a year or two so it should work out."

"Yeah," exclaimed Apple Bloom, "and while your away I'll help out with the farm more often."

"Don't think for a minute that your get out of school because of this," said Applejack with a suspicious look.

"I would never think of just a thing," said Apple Bloom as she sat up straight and put her hoof to her chest. However, she couldn't hide the trace of sorrow in her voice.

For another moment the stallion stood there uncertain to what to say. Slowly, but surely a small smile creep onto his face as he said, "Geez, with y'all pushing me to do so I guess I can't refuse."

"Good," said Applejack as she got up from the table, "because tomorrow you got the night off. No ifs and buts about it. Now go to bed and get some sleep. You got to be well rested for your interview." With no reason to protest he did just that. Though, due to restless thoughts he wasn't going to get much sleep that night.

Mulleb: Maybe we're moving a bit quickly, but I think things are going well.

Rainbow Dash: I can't understand that pony. Don't see why he need to stay at the farm so badly?

Mulleb: Can't say I quite understand either. For most of my life my family have been on the move.

Rainbow Dash: Parents in the military?

Mulleb: Nope, they moved where the job was and when they divorce their choices of lifestyle dragged me across the country. Can't say I hate it for it sure did give me more on an out look on life, but it does get tiring moving around all the time.

Sistine: Though, traveling is fun when one see something new. Ignoring this idiot personal outlook, we hope you enjoy the read. As always please leave a review. Good criticism, flames, and any nice comments are welcome. Now have a nice day.