9 Ponyville - part 1.

//I'm posting this chapter at one o'clock in the morning as it's technically the next day already XD//

"Wha- Where are we?" Asked a groggy Twilight as she returned to consciousness.

"A few minutes from Ponyville. Look! We can see it from here." Pointed out Starfall with his hoof raised towards the horizon.

"Looks pretty cool if you ask me." Said Spike from the other seat where he was looking at the sights beside Phoebe.

They looked over the edge of the flying carriage and saw a large village surrounded from one direction by an enormous forest, from the second by an apple orchard and from the third by some fields that grew different Vegetables and fruits, and a number of animal farms.

Starfall could guess the identify of the first two, but the sight of the fields and farms was a surprise for him, even though he should have expected that since Ponyville is in the end a countryside...

The Everfree Forest just like the name suggested very 'ever' and very 'free'. It easily reached the horizon and was completely filled with untouched wildlife.

The apple orchard could only belong to a single family, namely the Apple family. It was very large, and that made Starfall remember the fact that the apple Family belonged to the founders of the village. Despite their supposedly low budget, they were actually the owners of the largest piece of land in Ponyville...

The carriage finally landed and the two ponies plus a dragon and a phoenix jumped onto the ground after thanking the drivers.

"We're finally here!" Said Starfall.

"Yeah... You know... I'm still worried about this prophecy even though the Princess told us not to..."

" Don't be. Even if she returns, we will get through it together" He said with a smile, causing Twilight to relax and snuggle to his side.

"I'm so happy you're here with me" She said.

"Always." He replied.

"Ughh, get a room you two!" Said Spike from the sight and Phoebe nodes her beak in agreement.

The duo blushed and separated from each other.

"So...where to go now?" Asked Starfall.

"I'll ask someone!" Said Twilight before walking towards a familiar looking pink Pony.

It was already seventeen years since he last saw an episode of My little Pony but some things were impossible to forget and the identity of the Elements of Harmony and the 'main six' was one of them.

There she was! Pinkie Pie! The most eccentric of the six ponies that were supposed to wield the Elements of Harmony!

She was currently screaming in shock as her gaze rapidly jumped from Twilight to Starfall and back again. Then she suddenly jumped into full gallop and disappeared from their sight in seconds.

Konrad laughed with Spike as they teased Twilight's social skills and she pouted cutely in response. Phoebe and Spike decided to use Starfall's back as a mount and he didn't object. They weren't really heavy and he wouldn't feel alright if Twilight had to carry them.

'Lets go to see the Apple Orchards. It shouldn't be hard to locate them And they are responsible for the catering." Said Starfall and everyone agreed.

"I can't wait for this day to be over...We are staying in a library right?" Asked spike curiously as they were walking towards the Apple Orchard.

"Yep. The Golden Oak Library! I heard that it was build inside a giant Oak Tree, hence the name! It's really curious and I'd love to know hot it was achieved." Replied Twilight enthusiastically.

"Maybe someone had a really good hands with plants?" Proposed Spike.

"Or maybe he figured out a magic of manipulating plant's growth! I'd have to look into it! I have a similar spell but I don't think it would be enough to grow a house sized tree. I'd have to tweak the spell a little..." Starfall already fell into contemplation about magic and everyone just smiled seeing this. It was such a normal thing for the Stallions and one of the reasons Twilight liked him so much...

"Oh look! Apples!" Exclaimed Spike as they were walking on the road surrounded by apple trees.

He jumped down and started picking up apples that fallen on the ground and Starfall had a sense of deja Vu when he heard Spike one by one discarding the wormy ones...

He finally found one really good looking apple but before he could eat it, the apple was snatched by a certain hungry Phoenix.

"Hey! That was mine!" Shouted Spike before starting to chase behind the phoenix who sat on a tree branch and started to chomp on the apple in earnest.

That scene really amused the two ponies who were already deep in the topic of plant focused spells...

________

It was only a few minutes later when they found the Pony they were looking for.

A strong looking Earth Pony Mare with orange coat and straw coloured mane was giving orders to other ponies, which Starfall assumed to be the Apple Family members that came over to help with the Celebration.

"Hey there! Could we interrupt you for a minute Miss?" Asked Starfall as they approached.

"Yep! It's Quiet alright there!" Replied The Mare. She had three red apples as her cutie mark so Starfall already knew the identity of the other party.

"Yes, perfect...Then first let us say Good morning. My name is Starfall Blueblood and This' is Twilight Sparkle." Introduced them Starfall with his hoof held for a greeting that the other pony returned in earnest.

He was already prepared for the strong hoofshake but damn...even with his strengthening magic he was still nowhere as strong as the Mare. He would have to examine her magic when he has some free time.

"Tis really nice ta meet ya! Name's AppleJack! And I Love to make new Friends! Whatcha need from the little old me for you to go this far into the Apple Territory?" She asked still shaking his hoof.

When she finally let go, he still felt numb for a bit, but his magic easily took care of it.

"Yes...It's really nice to meet you Apple Jack. As for our purpose for coming here..."Started Starfall.

"We were send from Canterlot to overlook the Summer Sun Celebration and we came here to check the state and quality of the catering." Finished Twilight with a smile.

"Exactly! Could you tell us how is everything going so far?" Asked Starfall with a smile and Apple family was soon in their element as before they knew what happened Twilight and Starfall were served a mountain of apple treats...

When they were finally done with the food, Twilight looked at Starfall with a shocked expression. He didn't look at all as if he ate three times her share yet she clearly saw him do it!

"How can you still stand! I can barely walk and I ate just a fraction of what you did!" She exclaimed.

They already agreed that the food was super a and relied the same to the Apple Family. Apple Jack was a very pleasant Pony and Starfall would have happily met her again even if she wasn't one of the 'main six'...

"I don't know what you're talking about. I certainly didn't use magic to quicken my metabolism..." Said Starfall with a smug grin and Twilight groaned. She knew that magic! but now it's too late, and she has to wait until her stomach settles...

"Ah there you are! Please help me catch this cursed bird Starfall! She is stealing all my apples!" Exclaimed Spike when he saw the two approaching.

"Hahaha! If you didn't stay here to chase after Phoebe, you would have had a feast of apple treats already. And Phoebe! Leave his apples alone. You had your fun! Remember that there's a line between being funny and being mean!" Called Starfall and the white phoenix lowered her head apologetically before plucking a large apple from the tree and bringing it to Spike.

The Ponies smiled seeing this and soon everyone were on their way to Ponyville...

________

"So, what's next on the list?" Asked Twilight.

Starfall checked on the list he took out oh his saddlebag.

"Well...We have to check with the weather Pony, and then it's decorations." He said and looked into the sky which didn't seem to have been cleared out yet.

"Well, the weather pony is certainly not doing a very good job..." Muttered Twilight.

"Watch out!!!" The duo could only hear the shout, but the couldn't react as a colorful blur slammed into them causing Twilight to land in a puddle, while Starfall found himself under a pretty blue pony in a quiet questionable position...

He could clearly see the sacred garden right above his face and the blue pegasus with a rainbow mane also just realized the thing right in front of her face and her face started to turn crimson.

She quickly jumped from Starfall and started to laugh to mask her embarrassment.

"Hahaha! I'm sorry! Didn't see you there." She said looking at the two ponies that she colided with. Then she realized the state that Twilight was in and said-

"Oh right! Let me take care of it!" She quickly cleaned Twilight using a rain cloud and a tornado... giving her the unruly mane of the century.

Neither Starfall, nor Spike, Phoebe or Rainbow Dash could help but burst out laughing when they saw the state that Twilight was in.

"Hey that's not funny!" She pouted, but suddenly she felt her hair unraveling and straightening out. They were still far from decent but it was better that that monstrosity of a mane she just had.

She smiled at Starfall appreciatively and turned to the other mare.

"Let me guess, Rainbow Dash?" She asked remembering the name on the list.

"The one and only! Why? Do you know me from somewhere?" She asked curiously.

"I know that you were supposed to take care of the weather for the Celebration. But it seems like you are not up to the challenge after all..." Said Twilight and Starfall could tell what was going to happen next.

"Me not up to the challenge?! Ha! I can take care of those clouds in ten seconds!" She confidently replied.

Twilight smirked

"Yeah sure..."

Rainbow narrowed her eyes and suddenly exploded into the air, leaving only a rainbow afterimage. Ten seconds of awesome flying later and she was back with the sky completely cleared out.

"You see!? Ten seconds flat!" She said with her head held high.

Starfall smiled. despite her flaws, she was an awesome pony no matter what anyone says.

"So...who are you Ponies anyway? I don't think I've ever saw you in Ponyville." She asked and Starfall decided to reply this time.

"I'm Starfall Blueblood but you can call me Starfall. This is Twilight Sparkle and those are Spike And Phoebe. We came here from Canterlot to overlook the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration. Hope we can get along. He said and shook Rainbow's hoof in greetings.

"Ha! nice to meet you. Now excuse me, I need to go back to train. I wish to join the Wonderbolts so I can't slack of with my training." She said.

"Yes, See You around Dash. And thanks for the delicious sight when you crashed with me." He added the last part in a whisper to her ear. Rainbow became red and 'Dashed' into the sky once again after shouting a 'see ya'.

"Well, that was certainly an interesting meeting." Said Starfall.

"What did you tell her at the end?" Asked Twilight curiously.

"Oh...nothing..." He tried to deflect the question but he felt Twilight brushing his side and moving her head close to his ear. He felt her warm breath as she said...

"You know that I don't mind sharing right? Just be honest with me..."

Starfall heart started to beat faster. What was she saying. They weren't even a couple yet! It was close but still...

"Wha-what do you mean?' He replied.

She grinned at him mischievously.

"Of course I mean that I don't mind you having other friends, Just please don't lie to me." She said with a wink, but he knew that she meant something else. He can have other mares beside her, but she wants to know first...

"He decided to humor her so he replied.

"Of course. You're the most important to me anyway Twily, so I'll tell you if I decide to have any more 'friends'" That seemed to have satisfied the mare as she smiled with a blush.

"You're going to get a reward for that Starfall. Just wait until we're alone." She once again whispered into his ear, and he couldn't shake off the feeling that he really wanted to know what she meant.

"Hey! I told you to get a room once today already!" Shouted Spike and Starfall felt that he wouldn't mind getting one now...

________