My New Life in Equestria.
Chapter 3:
"Mex?!" screamed Twilight.
"What's happening? Are you okay?" she continued.
Twilight and everypony else jumped up from their seats and rushed over to the colt. He was on the ground with a strange green glow around his head, and he was screaming in agony.
"Move back everypony," said Princess Celestia.
Celestia's horn began glowing as she closed her eyes and appeared to be concentrating. Mex began to glow a soothing yellow when Celestia shot her eyes open and stumbled backward a little.
"Sister! He is dreaming, but there is a strange interference in the way from me being able to help him."
"You are the master of the dream realm, and I cannot help him. Be careful"
Luna nods as her horn begins to glow and a dark blue tendril flows out of her horn and onto Mex's head.
"Princess Celestia! What happened?! Is Mex okay?" Sweetie Belle asked. As the other crusaders run up beside Sweetie Belle with confused and concerned faces.
"Oh, girls. I am not quite sure what is going on with the young colt. He appears to be sleeping but clearly in pain."
"We will just have to wait for Princess Luna to retrieve him from this nightmare."
Twilight and the others approach the cutie mark crusaders.
"It'll be okay girls" Applejack began.
"Princess Luna is there, and if anypony can help anypony in the dream world it's her."
"Yeah! Whatever is in there; the princess will kick its hide!" Rainbow Dash added.
"Is that all you got fugly?! Sweeper Bot did more damage to me with its broom when it accidentally hit me in the shin than what you've done to me!" I taunt as blast after blast is sent at my cover.
"Guardian! I will destroy you! No matter how long it takes! I WILL PREVAIL!" Pholmo screeches.
"Like I said before fugly. How are you gonna do that...?"
"When you're dead?!" I shouted as I rolled out of cover while drawing my rocket launcher and locked on.
I pull the trigger and a rocket as bright as the sun itself fires out of the wide tube of my launcher and barrels towards the wizard.
Pholmo floats to the side as fast as she can and fires a darkness blast towards me, striking my launcher, and destroying it.
"Whoa! She can do that here?!" I think to myself as I take cover again.
Pholmo launches barrage after barrage of darkness blasts at my cover which is starting to crack and crumble from the assault.
With one final barrage; my cover shatters as I roll out and begin to pepper Pholmo with gunfire while I'm strafing in the open searching for cover.
Pholmo screeches and begins to retaliate before a blinding dark blue light appears in the sky above our private battlefield drawing both of our attention.
"Princess Luna?! Is that you?!"
Luna looks over at me before narrowing her eyes before speaking.
"How do you know my name creature? I am looking for a little colt by the name of Mex, where is he?!"
I open my mouth to reply but shift my focus back to Pholmo as she launches another barrage of attacks towards me.
I roll out of the way and shout out to Luna.
"That's me! I'm Mex! This is the form I had before I died to that!" I gesture over to Pholmo.
Luna looks over to Pholmo as she floats down to me behind my new cover. Pholmo screeches and is winding up for another attack as I peak from my cover and open fire again, suppressing her attack.
Luna looks at me up and down and at my equipment.
"You are Mex?"
Out of breath, I look at her and nod.
"Yes, the little alicorn colt, how are you here...? Y-your majesty..."
"The dream realm is my dominion; I assist ponies with their nightmares but; this is unlike anything I've ever seen before."
"This is a dream! Of course, it is!" I say as I firmly facepalm.
"Wait, that should mean..." I trail off as I draw a sword from my back.
"Ha! Yes! I can access all of the weapons I can remember having in storage when I died." I think to myself. And store the blade again.
"That is pholmo? The one who took your final breath from you?" Luna asked.
"Yes," I reply with a nod and peaking back out with my rifle and opening fire again.
I turn to Luna and see her face contort into one of genuine anger.
"Princess Luna, I hate asking this of you, but would you mind lending me a hoof here?"
Luna looks at me and says.
"Yes, together we can rid you of this foul creature."
I smile and Luna steps outside of the cover and creates a barrier reminiscent of Kai's Ward of Dawn. Pholmo launches a barrage of darkness blasts at Luna which slams into the barrier and seemingly disappears.
"I will hold the creature's attention here while you cast it out!"
I look at the barrier and notice it begin to crack under the strain. I nod at Luna and begin to get ready to move when I hear Pholmo screech.
"Guardian! If you think this creature can hold me for long you are sorely mistaken! I will destroy her after I am done with you!"
Pholmo then lunges towards us and slams into the barrier that Luna had created shattering it. Pholmo then grips Luna in the same grip that I was in before I woke up in that meteor.
"NO!" I shout. As Luna creates another blinding bright blue flash with her horn which causes Pholmo to screech and shut her eyes.
"YOU WILL NOT HURT ANYONE ELSE EVER AGAIN!" I scream at the top of my lungs as I roll over the block providing cover, draw my sword and plunge it through Pholmo's chest and up through her head causing a deafening screech to ring out and fade into a distant echo.
Pholmo disintegrates in front of our eyes.
Luna has a look of shock as she catches her breath and looks over to me still in the position of my sword lunge gasping for air. Luna walks over to me and says.
"Mex? It's time to go."
I look over to her and nod.
I plunge the sword into the ground as a symbol of victory.
Without Pholmo's influence anymore, Luna pulls me back to the real world and into my pony body effortlessly.
With a sharp gasp, I open my eyes and sit up to the surprise of everypony crowded around me.
Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo rush to my side. As Luna opens her eyes and the tendril connecting to me disappears and her horn stops glowing.
"Mex! What happened? Are you okay?" They all asked at the same time.
I look at all of them and then at Luna and curl up into a ball and cry. The crusaders form a circle around me and embrace me into a group hug.
I stay that way for a few minutes before composing myself and standing up. The crusaders release their hug with tears and deep concern in their eyes and faces.
"H- How long was I gone?" I say through teary eyes.
"Bout 5 minutes." Apple Bloom replied.
"We were so scared" Sweetie Belle added.
"What happened Mex?" Scootaloo added.
"Girls?" said Fluttershy.
"I think we should let Mex rest a bit."
"Okay," said all three of them at the same time while lowering their heads.
I stood up and faced Luna and Celestia.
"Thank you, Luna, thank you for your help. And I'm sorry for what you saw in there."
Luna smiles before replying.
"Worry not little Mex, it was quite a shock but dreams are hardly ever predictable."
I nod and turn to face the others.
"I'm sorry if I caused anypony to worry, I am exhausted and must be going so I can get some sleep."
I politely bow my head before turning back to the crusaders and walking up to them.
"You girls have been so great; I don't think I've ever had such genuine full-bodied concern for me in... ever."
I close my eyes and put my hoof to my heart for emphasis.
"I'll see everypony around someday."
"Hold it mister!" said a particular purple alicorn.
"You still don't have a permanent place to stay and you are far too young to be on your own!"
She made a point to push that part.
"Yes darling, surely you didn't think we'd let you put yourself in danger" followed Rarity.
"But I don't have any family! I'm completely alone now. No one to house or care about me. I won't put any of you out for my sake, so that leaves me... alone."
Rainbow Dash flies up to me, hovering just above the floor.
"No way! You're our new friend now, and no way any friend of ours sleeps in dangerous places."
"You wouldn't want us to worry about you all night, would you? I don't know about anypony else, but I wouldn't sleep a wink!" added Fluttershy.
Everypony nodded their agreement.
"I- I suppose so," I said slowly resigning to my fate.
Princess Celestia walked up beside me and says.
"That's what I was going to say before what happened occurred" She started.
"I was going to suggest one of you girls take him in temporarily until something more permanent can be arranged."
At this, Sweetie Belle runs up to Rarity excitedly.
"He could stay with us at the Carousel Boutique! It would be like having a brother!"
Rarity smiles at Sweetie and replies.
"I don't mind at all but I don't think we have the room. How about with the Apples? I'm sure they have spare space, and with the harvest coming tomorrow I'm sure they could use a hoof."
Apple Bloom looked up at Applejack with a big smile and shimmering puppy eyes.
"Uh, what do you think Sugar Cube?" Applejack says after turning to me.
"Would you like to stay with us for a little while? We could show you what it's like to be part of our family"
A family? I haven't been a part of a loving family in... well... ever. Kai and Demi were my brother and sister in arms but. An actual loving family? What if I screw it up? What if the rest of their family hates me and sees me as an outsider?
There is only one way to know for sure. And I need to find some way to repay them for their kindness after all. If I can assist them on their farm then that's a start, I guess.
I turn to face Applejack and with tears of happiness in my eyes I say.
"I would like that Applejack, but won't I be intruding? As I said, I don't wanna be putting anypony out. I can find somewhere to sleep by myself if it's too much trouble"
I feel eyes staring at me and turn to see Twilight lightly glaring at me.
"It's no trouble at all sugar cube; us Apples you'll find; are always ready to help friends."
"I promise I'll make this up to you Applejack. I'll find a way."
Applejack chuckles ruffles my mane and says.
"There ain't nothin to it sugar cube"
Celestia steps forward and says.
"Well, that appears to be sorted. Luna and I will be on our way now. If there are any problems, we will be more than willing to assist. Good evening my little ponies."
The other ponies bow as the princesses depart and I hastily follow their example.
Discord appears in front of us again.
"Well, this has been fun, but I must be getting home as well. Mex, remember what we spoke about, I'll be checking up on you now and then."
The other ponies raise an eyebrow and look between Discord and I.
"Toodles!"
Discord snaps his lion paw and vanishes in an instant.
"Well girls, it's getting late and I need to get a certain filly and colt back home before sundown"
Everypony says their goodbyes to each other as Apple Bloom and I say goodbye to Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo.
"Apple Bloom? You and Mex are gonna meet us at the clubhouse tomorrow, right?" Scootaloo said.
Apple Bloom nods and replies.
"Of course! We got some crusading to do! But in the evening, we got Applebuck season tomorrow, so we're gonna be busy."
"Okay! We'll meet you guys at the clubhouse at say 2:00?" Sweetie says.
"Sounds great! See y'all then!" Apple Bloom replied.
"What do you mean by crusading?" I ask.
"I'll explain it on the way home" Apple Bloom replied.
"Home" I whisper to myself and smile.
"Okay kids, let's get home." Said Applejack.
"Uh, I'm actually-" I begin.
Eh, screw it. I kind of am a kid in this place, and I can feel my maturity wavering already. Before long I will be a kid.
"Never mind." I finish.
Applejack and Apple Bloom lead me towards their farm home situated right next to a beautiful and massive apple orchid. Apple Bloom spent half the trip enthusiastically explaining what the Cutie Mark Crusaders are.
"Huh. A society all about discovering yourself. I love that" I thought to myself.
When she was done explaining she turned to me.
"So, what do you think?" She asked with a smile.
"I love it. I have no idea who I am in this world and it sounds like you girls are exploring that exact thing. I would love to join you in your crusading, I mean, you know, if you'll have me, of course" I reply with a smile.
"Of course! That's why we wanted you to join us!" She replied very excited at the idea of having a new member.
Applejack chuckled as we continued walking.
As we walked the rest of the way in silence, I was for the first time calm and was able to relax enough to feel the magic of even the very ground I was walking on.
I take a nice deep breath in as the sun has nearly disappeared and the moon was starting to rise.
"Ahhh, that energy feels fantastic."
"What do you mean sugar cube?" Applejack asked.
"I mean, there is a kind of energy just floating in the air, and even in the ground. I think that could be magic that I'm feeling."
"It feels like you have a connection to the earth?" Applejack says.
"Yes! Exactly! I can feel everything in harmony. And it feels peaceful, unlike back where I came from."
"What does that mean?" Apple Bloom asked with a cocked head and a raised eyebrow.
"I mean, where I came from, everything is dead. Always looking over my shoulder waiting for the inevitable ambush with enemies waiting to kill us at any second. Yeah, we were immortal, but."
I close my eyes and lower my head as I am flooded with memories of the hundreds of missions I went on.
"I died hundreds if not thousands of times but-" I cut myself off before continuing.
"It still hurt the same every time. The world going dark, and then getting ripped out of it and gasping for breath again and again and again."
Applejack and Apple Bloom share a look between each other before Applejack puts a hoof on my shoulder.
"That sounds like a might awful place kiddo. But you don't have to ever worry about that ever again."
"And if you ever need to talk; we're here for you." She finished with a big smile.
"Th- thank you, Applejack."
"Hug time!" Apple Bloom said before zipping over to Applejack and embracing her in a hug.
I smile and wait for them to have their hug when I realise they were both looking at me with an open leg outstretched towards me.
"Oh, I wasn't sure that you wanted me to-" I was stopped as they both pulled me into a big hug.
We arrive at the house just as the sun disappears behind the horizon, where two ponies are inside apparently waiting for Applejack and Apple Bloom.
"Company Big Mac and Granny Smith!" Applejack called out.
"Huh? Company at this hour? What's going on Apple-" Granny started before seeing me and stopping.
"Oh!" She said before she and Big Mac bow in the same manner that I saw everypony else treat the princesses.
"No wait, please, I'm not royalty," I say a bit awkwardly.
Granny Smith and Big Mac look at each other with shocked expressions.
"Is- is that an alicorn colt?!" Granny Smith said exasperated.
"Yes Granny, this here is Mex, he'll be staying with us for a while." Applejack said raising a hoof towards me in an introductory manner.
"Mex? this here is my brother, Big Mac" Big Mac nods his head and smiles.
"And this is Granny Smith."
"Call me Granny, everypony does," Granny says after politely nodding as well.
After returning their head nods, Applejack turns to Apple Bloom.
"Apple Bloom, would you take Mex up to the spare room and get him situated while I talk to Big Mac and Granny?"
"Okay! Let's go Mex!" Apple Bloom replied while leading me up the stairs.
Applejack then relays a shortened story of what happened today to Granny and Big Mac.
"Oh, the poor thing, so even after he died in his world, this witch is still after him?!" Granny asked.
Big Mac looked upset like he was getting ready to buck Pholmo through the planet to the other side.
"Yes, that's why I think we can help him, after all, he's..." Applejack said
"A hero" Big Mac finished, earning a gaze from both Applejack and Granny who both nodded.
"Has the poor colt even eaten dinner yet?" Granny asked.
Applejack shook her head and says.
"I'm not sure, I don't think so."
"Well, go ahead and call those two down, dinner was ready just as you three got home, there's plenty! Big Mac; would you set another place at the table?"
Big Mac nodded and got to setting the table an extra spot.
Applejack went to the stairs and called out.
"Hey you two, soups on! Come an get it!"
"Come on Mex! Your room is right beside mine!" Apple Bloom said excitedly as she led me up the stairs.
"I'm coming Apple Bloom!" I reply.
"Oh yeah, by the way, bathrooms over there, Applejacks room is there, that's Granny's room, over there is Big Mac, and I'm here."
Apple Bloom said while pointing a hoof to the various doors upstairs.
"And this is yours now." Apple Bloom said with a big smile.
We walked into a bedroom, it was a simple room with a bed, some drawers and, a mirror, along with some photographs on the walls.
I stand there for a few moments just looking at my new room when Apple Bloom approaches.
"You okay Mex?"
I chuckle and turn to her.
"Yeah, I've just never had a bedroom before."
Apple Bloom puts a hoof around my shoulder and gives me a side hug.
"Well, you do now, and you've got friends." Apple Bloom says while squeezing a little tighter.
"Hey, you two! Soups on! Come an get it!" We heard Applejack call from the stairs.
"Ooh! Come on Mex! Let's go get something to eat. Big day tomorrow! I think we're having hay burgers and fries tonight with apple pie for dessert, Granny makes the best hay burgers!" Apple Bloom looks very excited.
Hay Burgers? Hay fries? Oh no... Maybe it won't be too bad, I mean I am a pony now.
"Yeah, something to eat sounds great right about now."
"Not that I've really earned it yet," I say quietly under my breath.
We make our way down the stairs and to the kitchen where what can only be described as a feast is set up.
Bowls full of salad, plates with burgers and fries at each place setting around the table. Along with the beautiful aroma of something sweet coming from the oven.
"Wow," I said with genuine wonder in my tone.
"You alright there sugar cube?" Applejack said while taking her seat.
"Yeah, I've just never eaten dinner at a table before" I replied, earning looks from the Apple family.
I jump up on my seat and wait for the others to start eating before eventually figuring out how to eat as a pony, wasn't easy at first, but I got the hang of it.
"Wow, this is really good," I think to myself.
It's not meat obviously, but the taste is kind of like seasoned roast potatoes if it was squeezed into a patty and then fried. Maybe that's the pony side of me being able to heat hay now but this is fantastic!
Throughout dinner, we made idle chat, and we got to the point Granny Smith was deligating tasks to do for tomorrow's harvest.
"Big Mac, you handle the animals for tomorrow, you'll be by yourself because Applejack will be bucking apples, Apple Bloom, you set up the catch baskets for Applejack, okay?"
Everypony agreed to their task and continued eating when I raised a hoof and said.
"Um, what about me Granny?"
Granny looked at me and then at Applejack before replying.
"Uh, well, I didn't think you'd want to... you know. Considering everything you went through today. And you're our guest, we wouldn't dream of asking a guest to work."
I look at Applejack whose face is a mix of agreement and concern.
"Please." I begin to reply while lowering my head.
"All I've ever known is war, combat tactics, weapon management. Being a soldier is all I have ever known how to do."
I raise my head and look at Granny Smith.
"It may be hard to believe but, I often daydreamed of having a simple life, away from constant war and combat. Life on a farm is that dream come true. Please, Granny, let me help."
The look on the Apple families' faces were ones of mainly shock and... is that... pride?
"I think you're gonna fit in round here just fine Mex" Granny replied.
"Okay, how bout you help Apple Bloom with the collection baskets?"
I nod enthusiastically and say.
"Okay! Thank you for taking me in! I promise I'll repay you all!"
Just as Applejack was about to say something, there was a knock on the door. Applejack got up and walked over to the door and said.
"Who is it?"
"Discord! I have something for Mex, I'll leave it on your stoop and head off. Good evening!"
That was followed by a flash that we all saw out of the window from the table. Applejack opened the door and retrieved a heavy chest from the front door with a note to it.
Applejack brings the note over to me and I read it out loud.
"Mex,
I have received this chest from a mysterious entity, no doubt the very same one that sent you here, with a request to pass it onto you. I'm not normally a delivery boy, but I made an exception just this once. If I had to guess, that entity converted all of your valuables from your world into Equestrian currency, not a very chatty entity, is it? Anyway, do with it what you will."
Your Favorite Lord of Chaos.
Discord.
I set the note down and stand up from the table. I walk over to the chest with the others following behind. I place my hoof on the lid and push it open. Inside were tens of thousands of gold coins along with hundreds of beautiful shimmering gems, the chest had been enchanted by Discord to have much more room.
The Apples gasp at the contents of the chest.
"Whoa-a-a-a-a, that's a lot of money!" came from Apple Bloom.
"Jumpin Junebug's Mex! That's a lot of gold and gems!" said Applejack.
Granny made a lot of "Ooo's" and "Ahhh's"
Big Mac's eyes went wide and simply said.
"Eyup!"
"Is this a lot?" I asked.
"A lot?!" All of the Apples replied at the same time.
"You could give Filthy Rich a run for his money with this" Replied Applejack.
"it's getting late everypony, and we have harvest day tomorrow, Big Mac, would you take Mex's chest up to his room for him?" Granny said
"Eyup" Big Mac replied.
"Hold on a second Big Mac. Applejack? Big Mac? Granny? Could I ask something of you?" I say.
"Of course, sugar cube, go ahead" Applejack replied while Granny looked over to me as well.
"Would you mind looking after that chest and its content for the time being?"
Both mare's jaw nearly fell off as they glanced at each other.
"We couldn't do that Mex, that's your money. Probably meant so you can have a good life here" Granny said.
"The problem is my age," I say flatly.
The others glance at each other before looking back at me.
"I mean, do you know of any colt or filly my age that has anywhere near that much money of their own?" I explain.
"Well, no." Applejack replies.
"And what would happen if say Apple Bloom came into possession of this much money? What would happen to it?"
"Well." Started Granny.
"We would hold it for her until she became of age."
"Exactly," I say.
"But only parents or official guardians can do that Mex." Applejack says.
I think on this for a moment before saying.
"Okay fine, but these funds are available in an emergency that requires instant access to money, I won't take no for an answer to that, you Apples were so kind to take me in and this is the least-"
I start tearing up and trail off. I rub away the tears from my eyes with my hooves as Granny walks up to me and gives me a hug.
"Okay sweet pie, you've got yourself a deal"
The other Apples join in on the hug.
"Is this what love feels like?" I think to myself as I embrace my temporary new family.
Author's Notes.
Hey everypony! A slightly shorter chapter this time around. I wanted to save the next chapter for the harvest, an adventure with the CMC, etc. So, this is the final chapter of Mex's first day in Equestria, and has begun to settle down, make new friends, and discover new things.
Some of you might be raising an eyebrow over the decision to have the chest in there, rest assured, I did it as mainly a formality and will rarely be used beyond maybe one day buying a house? Who knows? We'll see! Thank you for your time in reading my silly story. It truly means a lot.