The moon hung high in the late-night sky as my invisible astral form flew towards the Canterlot Royal Garden. After the meeting at the Library had ended, I'd gone back to Sweet Apple Acres with everyone, since Applejack had wanted to plant the core herself and see what happened.

Celestia had been right about what was needed to make the tree grow, of course. I poured magic into the core and soil around the newly planted seeds, and mere minutes later, the new Younger Golden apple tree was full height and had already begun producing apples. Applejack had marveled at the taste and I knew she would be dreaming tonight about what she could do with an entire crop of those apples.

My mind, however, was elsewhere. I was still conflicted about everything. I didn't feel qualified to rule anything, and it felt wrong to accept just because two apples fell in my presence. I knew that if were to do anything about ruling, I needed to seriously earn that right.

For some reason, my musings led me back to the Elder Apple Tree. The golden fruits on the tree shimmered in the silvery glow of Luna's moon. I floated down, looking around. Seeing no guards, I made myself visible and sat in front of the tree. There was no breeze, and the silence pressed in around me.

I wasn't sure how long I stared at the apple tree, but when I finally broke away, the moon had moved in its celestial dance and was now moving to set. Despite the maria and craters being different, the presence of a moon comforted me. "So…how the hell do I even go about this?" I said, talking quietly just in case there was a nearby guard. "Why is this so difficult?"

I began pacing the garden, eventually ending up at the table where I'd spoken with Celestia and Luna about this very topic and others. I sat down and looked out at the nighttime landscape. A few lights were still on in Canterlot, lamps were lit on sidewalks and a few Ponies walked down the streets, either heading home or just enjoying the night. I looked up at the stars and let my mind wander for a bit, allowing myself to think about whatever I wanted. Something to distract me was all I wanted at the time.

I was so lost in thought I didn't hear any indication of an approaching anything until a melodious voice spoke."So, I finally have a visitor I can speak to."

I jumped up out of the seat, floating away from the voice. The being I saw before me was unlike anything I'd ever seen before. The fact that this being was female wasn't in question, but the fact that she was somewhat humanoid further surprised me. Her legs resembled apple tree trunks, which led up to very feminine hips. She wore a long flowing dress made of what looked like miniature apple leaves, some of which were colored gold and had the shape of apples. Her arms were slender apple branches as well, with five long fingers. Her general figure was absolutely perfect, a large bust, thin but not skinny waist, and a gorgeous feminine face with pointed ears made out of what looked carved wood. She had flowing and very thin green grasslike hair. Her eyes were remarkably human as well, with irises that resembled golden apples. Her entire body was semi-transparent and as she pulled one of the chairs out and sat down, I could see the silvery chair design through her.

"What…are you?" I asked, floating somewhat out of reach with my hands in a defensive position, ready to use my Morphean magic to retaliate in case of danger.

"My my, ever the inquisitive but defensive one, aren't we?" she spoke, and I saw golden shaded teeth in her mouth. I felt a great deal of magic emanating from her. "Oh, relax, Jethro Bethridge. I'm not here to harm you."

Something about the way she said it made me want to believe her, but I knew better than to do that. "I take it you're…a Dryad?"

"Now, that's a new name for my kind," she said. "What does it mean?"

"It's a mythical being from my world, a spirit who guards and lives inside trees."

She smiled excitedly. "Our kind were once called Treeguards, but I like the name Dryad better. I'll start calling myself that from now on." She leaned forward, placing her chin on her hands. "It is incredibly agreeable to be able to speak to another living being after so long."

I slowly floated back down. "Well…glad to help," I said, still unsure as to this Dryad's intentions. "Can I ask what you want with me?"

"I've been alone for millennia," she said. "I haven't spoken to a single being ever since the Alicorn Midnight Breeze was lost."

"Oh…you knew Morpheus," I said.

"Morpheus?" she tilted her head inquisitively.

Floating back down, surer now that this Dryad wasn't as much of a threat, I sat back down in the chair. "Midnight Breeze was the name he had in Equestria. When he was sent to my Earth, his name became Morpheus, Greek god of dreams."

"God? Now that sounds like an interesting tale," she said.

I sighed. "It's not a really happy one."

She looked at me confused. "Could you tell me? I'd like to know. He was a very good friend of mine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," she said. With the resolute Dryad's urging, I told her what Obsidian Star had told me. By the time I was finished, I saw what looked like sap forming around the Dryad's eyes. "I never got to say goodbye…"

"I'm sorry," I said, and I meant it. I wasn't sure how else I could comfort this Dryad, but I felt that saying anything more would have meant little to the grieving woman.

"Don't be," she said, wiping the sap tears from her eyes as she cleared her throat. "I can grieve him later. I'm here to help you, not the other way around."

"Help me? With that?"

"I'm the Dryad of the Elder Apple tree," she said, pointing towards the tree with a small smile. "I'm the one who dropped those two apples. I'm here to talk to you about it."

"It is not just her, my friend," a familiar voice said from behind me. I whirled and saw, to my surprise, the semi-transparent form of the anthropomorphic Zecora from our date hovering behind me. As she approached and took another seat, I saw that miniature stars surrounded her and were a part of her entire body. Not only that, but there was something unnatural about her eyes. They were too perfectly happy, it seemed. "Greetings to you, Jethro Bethridge of the planet Earth."

"Um…Zecora?" I asked, wondering how in the world she was here.

"No, I am not Zecora," she said, "I have just taken her form to better speak to you."

I looked between the two strange beings. "Okay, Jethro is very lost. Jethro would very much appreciate an explanation before he loses his mind and flies back to his house and enters another dreamless sleep."

"I am the spirit of the Tree of Harmony," the Zecora lookalike said in explanation.

"Okay…magical Ponyland, sure, why the hell not?" I muttered as I leaned back in my chair.

"You are troubled," 'Zecora' said, leaning forward. "I sense hesitation and mistrust in yourself and your abilities."

"I didn't drop those two apples for no reason," the Dryad said. "Surely Cellie told you about my tree being special," she said. "Those apples that fell don't fall unless I wish them, or unless their time as Elder Apples ends."

"No, she did tell me that," I said. "And she said the tree had intelligence. I just didn't expect a Dryad of all things. Now I'm in my astral form talking to a Dryad and tree spirit."

'Zecora' gave me a warm and tender smile. Despite knowing she wasn't my Zecora, the action still made my heart warm. "I can see the turmoil within your mind," she said. "You are afraid of failing if you choose the path of a leader."

"You don't need to be a genius spirit from a crystal tree to figure that out," I snarked. "Of course I'm scared!"

"You weren't the only one," the Dryad said. "The three who came before you who succeeded in becoming rulers of Equestria were absolutely petrified when they were chosen. I thought that poor Lulu would have a nervous breakdown."

"Yeah, Celestia did tell me about that," I said. "Certainly sounds like her. She's a bit more uptight than Celestia is."

"Jethro, you have not been in Equestria a year," 'Zecora' said, "and yet you have shown yourself as having the great potential of displaying all of the Tenets of Harmony, the basis for the foundation of this kingdom's beliefs."

"Basis? You do realize I was nearly killed when I first actually met Ponies, right?" I replied.

'Zecora's' expression became one of sadness. "Unfortunately, the Ponies of this day and age have become complacent and so set in their ways that they have a hard time finding the true meaning behind Harmony within themselves. They might not be at odds with each other as they once were before finally banishing the Wendigos, but they are a species who harbor fear of the unknown within their souls. In that sense, they are not unlike humanity."

"I won't deny that," I said, leaning back and leaning against my hands, staring at the familiar autumn constellations. "It's just a survival trait we humans have. But then again," I said, sitting back up and staring at the anthro Zebra, "we were the only species capable of sapience on our world. That's not the case here."

"You are correct," 'Zecora' admitted. "I am not here to defend their actions or accuse them. I am afraid even those of higher power have forgotten or started to forget what true harmony must be and what it must represent in the world. For example, how can there be true harmony without chaos?"

I stiffened. "Don't mention chaos…not with that cunt around."

Both women bristled a bit, but softened and gave me both sympathetic looks. "I grieve with you," 'Zecora' said. "I never knew the other Alicorns, but I did see how two of the former bearers grieved their loss. I felt their sorrow when they banished their friends and allies after being corrupted by Eris."

"I appreciate the sentiment," I said, "but can we get back on topic for a bit? I've seen how another Discord is freed, and I want to reign in my emotions around her."

"Jethro," the Dryad began, "I've only dropped Elder apples from the tree five times, and I stand by my decisions each time. You have great potential."

"Really? A bipedal being from a warlike species who terrifies any new Pony he sees?" I asked.

"No species is perfect," she continued. "Your arrival in this world might not have been planned, but it could very well be a blessing in disguise. Especially since your world has glimpsed this one."

"She is quite correct," 'Zecora' agreed.

"Why am I not surprised that you two know about My Little Pony," I sighed. "I'm still waiting to be convinced, here."

"We are not here to convince you of anything," 'Zecora' said. "We are here to listen and offer counsel."

"You'd better be prepared then," I said.

"We're ready," the Dryad said.

"Speak your mind," 'Zecora' added.

"Fine then." I stood and began pacing around. "First of all, how the hell can I justify accepting a position of royalty in a country I haven't even lived in for a year? Second, what are my goddamn qualifications?! What would I do as a ruler? I don't think I could handle the delicacies of internal politics and the drudgeries of day-to-day life as a ruler! Not to mention the massive resistance and upheaval a non-Pony prince will cause, and not just among nobility but the common Pony!"

"You have many valid concerns that every good ruler fears," 'Zecora' said. "But if the Ponies of Equestria are to truly embrace harmony, they must be willing to accept a different way of thinking. A stagnant society will eventually fall."

"So that's your reasoning?" I turned to the two. "Jump-start an entire civilization? And give them what? Air travel for anyone without wings? Nuclear power? Their own version of the internet?"

"Not entirely," the Dryad said. "It's a bonus, I'll grant you that, but the true reason I feel as if you have potential is much more than that. Celestia probably told you her reasons for even considering you, correct?"

"And how," I sighed. "I'm glad this version of her isn't like the ones from all those Conversion Bureau TV Tropes pages I read, but even so, how the hell do I even exemplify qualities of good ruler? I've been alone for years."

"While it is quite true that you have much to learn about this world and how the power structure works," 'Zecora' said, "you are very much capable of creating great change in this world, not just for the Ponies, but for all who live here."

"Now you're just buttering me up," I said, but a small smirk formed on my face.

"That is not true," 'Zecora' said, crossing her arms. "I only speak the truth."

"And what about Sunset Shimmer?" I asked. "Celestia said an apple dropped for her, but she betrayed Celestia and fled to another world."

"I never said apples dropping from me means ascension was a certainty," the Dryad said. "I merely said it means they have potential. I stand by my judgement of that young mare."

"Oh, great. That makes things much easier," I said sarcastically as I plopped down in the chair again.

"Nopony said that this decision was going to be an easy one for you," 'Zecora' explained kindly. "That is why we are here, to help make it easier. You are alone in this world, the only human being. You have already surrounded yourself with friends, Ponies and others who care so much for you they have sacrificed enough to save you from the Lycans. And these are the Elements of Harmony who did this. Them, and the Princesses, and the Zebra I emulate."

"That's only a handful of individuals. There's an entire nation to consider," I said in retort. "God, I can't believe I'm even considering this…am I really that desperate for power?"

"It's in the nature of any sapient being to want power," the Dryad said. "When a child is born, they are always born powerless and have to be taken care of by their parents."

"Everycreature seeks power for their own purposes," 'Zecora' said. "For those who are true believers of the Tenets of Harmony, they desire power to protect, not only themselves, but those they care for. Others choose to accumulate power in order to control their destiny. Others to control their fellow Ponies, humans and other creatures. None enjoy feeling powerless."

"That is a scary thought," I agreed,

"Tell us, if you are so against the idea of following the path of princehood, why consider it at all?" 'Zecora' asked.

She raised a good point. Earlier, I'd felt so adamantly about not ruling. It felt wrong. But now that Celestia had said I might have that kind of potential as well as the Dryad and the spirit of the Tree of Harmony, I'd actually begun to consider this. Why? Why the hell am I considering this? "I don't…I don't really know," I admitted. "I think that's my biggest worry."

"You are afraid you seek power for the wrong reasons," 'Zecora' stated.

"There's a saying on Earth, 'Absolute power corrupts absolutely'," I replied. "That, and I'm from a nation which rebelled against a corrupt monarchy."

"Then learn what it means to be a good ruler," the Dryad said. "Look up the histories. Ask others. Not just you, but also Twilight Sparkle. Make it into a subset of her Celestia-given mission in Ponyville."

I snorted at first. "Become a student again, huh…" However, the more I thought about it, the more I realized the idea had merit. "A self-studying student…I mean…I guess I could do that."

"Just do not become much of a recluse like Twilight Sparkle once was," 'Zecora' chuckled.

"My schedule wouldn't allow that," I replied with a small grin. "I bet Twilight would actually love to sit down with me a couple times a week or more just to study Equestrian and Earth history on good and bad leadership."

"Do not overwork yourself," 'Zecora' cautioned. "Harmony is also knowing when to work and when to relax."

"Learned that the hard way," I chuckled.

"Are you closer to an answer?" the Dryad asked.

"Not an official one, but maybe a step in that direction, just to see if I would actually be a decent ruler," I replied.

"Nopony becomes a ruler overnight, Jethro Bethridge," 'Zecora' added.

"Heh, I am no Pony," I smirked, "but I get your point. I'm just glad Celestia chose to actually tell Twilight this time around."

"You could easily have told Twilight yourself," 'Zecora' said.

"I do my best not to jump the gun on certain things," I said. "That leads to assumptions, and assumptions, as the saying goes, makes an ass out of you and me."

The Dryad chuckled, whereas 'Zecora' simply nodded in agreement, a small smile on her face. "A crude way of looking at that, but accurate nonetheless."

"Well…I've made assumptions as a teen that really got me in trouble," I admitted. "I'm not perfect, obviously, but I had to know what Celestia's reasons were. I'm surprised she agreed with me so easily."

"She's no fool," the Dryad said. "She's willing to listen to other opinions and weigh them based on her experiences and the experiences of others."

"A sign of a worthy ruler," 'Zecora' said.

"Sure, she isn't perfect, but what ruler is?" the Dryad added.

"Point taken," I said.

'Zecora' stood and walked over to me. Leaning down, she put a hand on my shoulder, her eyes wide with mirth. "For what it is worth, I am in agreement with my friend. You have immense potential." To my surprise, she leaned in and kissed my cheek chastely before she began floating up. "I will see you again someday, Jethro Bethridge," she called out as she faded out of existence.

"She certainly knows how to make an exit," I said, rubbing my cheek where she'd kissed it. I felt immediately guilty about it, like I was cheating on Zecora.

"Yeah, well, that's apparently her style," the Dryad said. She stood as well and I followed suite. Walking up to me, she poked my chest gently with her finger. "You have a long journey ahead of you, no matter what pathway you take. I wish you the best of luck."

"I'm gonna need it," I replied. "But after tonight's conversations and the ones from earlier today, at least I have a first step in mind."

"The first of many," the Dryad said. "But for now, I must head back. I can only be outside of my home for so long."

"Before you go, what's your name?" I asked curiously.

"I don't have a name," she said. "Would you like to give me one?"

"Well…hang on." I held up my hand and in a small flash, my iPhone was in my hand. Opening Google, I typed in names that mean apple tree. I opened the first hit, and grinned. "I have the perfect one. Melora."

The Dryad raised her eyebrow, which on her were two little bits of moss. "Why that one?"

"Because the name means golden apple," I explained.

The Dryad's eyes widened and she grinned. "I like that name! Melora…I'll gladly take that name as my own."

"Well then, Melora, thank you for your time tonight. You and the other spirit were helpful."

"Think nothing of it," the newly named Melora smiled at me. "I'll see you again as well!"

And with that, she was gone. Snapping, I teleported my phone back to where it had come from, then began floating up, heading back to Ponyville. Before tonight, I had no idea where to begin, but now I felt foolish for not having thought of the solution before.

Starting tomorrow, the study sessions with Twilight would begin…