Meeting The Apple Clan...

Chapter 4 - Meeting The Apple Clan...

To start off the tour Naruto began leading Twilight and Spike through the trail that led towards Ponyville farm lands. They traveled down a dirt path enshrouded by tall trees with rays of sunlight peering through the leaves of the Birch and Oak trees. Many of the trees had been planted the last few years to add some decoration of the winding paths that made up the community. "The two of you are going to love Sweet Apple Acres. The Apples are famed in these parts for their various apple recipes. Members of their ancestry pioneered the creation of many famous apple recipes not to mention they handle many of the local exports such as wool and milk. " Naruto informed them as they approached the farm.

The walk to the Orchard had raised Spike's spirits, the little dragon enjoying the view offered was new to his and from his small day-bag the checklist Twilight had put together. They passed under a sign that announced they were entering 'Sweet Apple Acres'. Towering Apple trees lined the road on both sides' ripe apples hung from almost every tree a showpiece of the farmers' dedication and how healthy the Orchard really was Spike taking his turn to speak up again, reading from the Checklist once more. "Summer Sun Festival official overseer's checklist. Number one, banquet preparations: Sweet Apple Acres."

A loud Yee-haw could be heard along with the sound of dropping apples. They were soon approached by none other than Applejack. "Hey there Sugarcube," she greeted Naruto with a warm welcoming smile. "Thought ya weren't joining us till later."

''Hey there AJ, I had to adjust my plasn a bit seeing as we have some newcomers in town and I volunteered to tour them around town." Naruto answered as he stepped aside to reveal the newcomers.

Twilight stepped forward and began to formally introduce herself. She couldn't help but be a bit startled by how noticeably taller and large the other mare was. With the exception of the guards and Celestia it was uncommon for her to see other ponies of this size. Then again Canterlot was a city where the majority of the population compromised of Unicorns so she hadn't met many Earth Ponies or Pegasi to make a comparison. "Hello, my name is Twilight Sparkle, and I'm-" she was suddenly cut off in the middle of her introduction.

"Howdy there, name's Applejack, proud member of the Apple family," Applejack introduced herself as she shook Twilight's hand vigorously. "Nice to meet you so, what can I do you for? "

Twilight Sparkle cleared her throat. "Well, I am in fact here to supervise preparations for the Summer Sun Festival are you the one in in charge of the food?"

"Sure am!" Applejack proudly declared and then offered. "Would you care to try a sample?"

"As long as it doesn't take too long... " Twilight Sparkle found herself covering her ears as the loud sound of a triangle ringing soon filled the area. Applejack turned towards the farm and took a deep breath. "Soup's on, everypony!" her voice rung out through the acre. "Y'all lucky ta come here first," said Applejack. "Yer just in time fer the Apple family reunion! Now, why don't I introduce y'all to the Apple family? "

"Thanks, but I really need to hurry…" she tried to kindly rebuff but Applejack wasn't taking no for an answer.

"This here's Apple Fritter. Apple Bumpkin. Red Gala. Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Caramel Apple, Apple Strudel, Apple Tart, Baked Apples, Apple Brioche, Apple Cinnamon Crisp... " she paused, taking a deep breath and hollered to the ponies she lived with..

"Big McIntosh, Apple Bloom and Granny Smith. Up'n'attem, Granny Smith, we got guests."

Sitting on the porch in a rocking chair was a mare with light lime green coat and a light gray mane. "What…? Soup's on?" she slowly stirred then yawned. Her light brilliant orange eyes began to stir before she grabbed her cane. "I'm up, here I come, ah'm comin'... "

"Trust me Twilight, you haven't had pie till you had an Apple family pie." Naruto gushed as he eagerly went over to where the family was gathering.

"Okay, well, I can see the food situation is handled, so we'll be on our way." Twilight Sparkle reacted with a nervous laugh. The sheer number of ponies, noise and such were overwhelming. Twilight wasn't a sociable pony so she wasn't used to such gatherings. Despite how appetizing the gathering of food was on the table Twilight steeled her resolve. "I have many things to do so I really can't stay. "

The Apple family made an "Awww" of disappointment. The filly known as Applebloom walked up to her. She was a little filly with amaranth colored mane with a bow on it with a pale, light grayish olive coat. She was dressed in a pair of jean overalls with a lime green shirt underneath it and looked no older than seven or eight years old.

"Aren'tcha gonna stay fer brunch?" she said with big, teary gamboge eyes. Twilight Sparkle looked into those eyes. Those soul-crushing eyes of sadness.

"Fine, I suppose I can stay for a bit." Twilight admitted in defeat. After the meal the three of them left Sweet Apple Acres.

"Man that was good. Not as good as gems but good." Spike said as he pat his stomach.

"Like I said, the food is great." Naruto paised.

"So how'd you manage to meet the Apples. " Twilight, made content by the delicious of the food decided to make some small talk. "You seem to know them pretty well."

A sigh escaped Naruto's lips as a memory of the earlier days came to his mind. "It happened around the time I first arrived to Ponyville." He said as he began thinking back to when he first arrived.

[i]Naruto had woken up one morning and decided that it was time for him to start training. No matter how he tried to deal with it he couldn't stand being so sluggish in this new body. It had been a few weeks since he arrived to this world and his chakra remained weak. After talking with many of the inhabitants in the town he learned about the Everfree Forest.

From what he could gather from the details the inhabitants were willing to share the unnaturalness used to describe it he took note of the places behavior similar to how nature worked back home. The deeper he went into it the more familiar it became, making him realize this was the place he had woken up here a few days ago. The foliage while familiar to what he was used to there was differences.

Among them was trees with monstrous-like jagged structures that came together to shape monster-like faces. As he continued on his trek he would often come across dried twigs and leaves that would crunch under his hooves. He even found himself coming across a large river to which he traveled along it.

A sigh escaped his lips as he couldn't recognize any familiar signs of the exact place where he woke up. Arriving at a small cliff, he stopped to see if he could catch a glimpse of some sort of movement. Suddenly, he heard what sounded like a stampede beneath him, actually causing him to lose a bit of his balance.

Naruto stumbled and fell over the edge. After tumbling down and landing with a thud he let out a groan and began coughing. He exhaled and clutched his side from the pain. He was a little bruised but no worse for wear.

Suddenly a loud high pitched scream echoed throughout the forest. ''AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" the cry rang from a far out distance. "SOMEPONY HELP ME!"

The cry caused Naruto's head to jolt up. Regardless of his situation it wasn't in his nature to ignore someone in help. He ran to the source of the voice to see a young girl being pursued by a wolf-like creature. It had glowing slime green eyes and its body was made out of wood.

Looking over the side, Naruto saw he was far too high up to climb down in time. He took a few steps back and took a leap, landing on the creature. It let out a yelp just as Naruto let out a hiss. The pain coursing through his leg definitely felt like he sprained it from the force of the jump. He leaped up off the creature and hobbled to the little pony.

"You alright little one?" he asked as the little pony nodded? Tears were flowing down her face and she was downright terrified. "Come on, let's get out of here before he wakes up?" he suggested. "What's your name little one?"

"A-Applebloom mister." she answered.

"What are you doing out here this far?"

"Ah…ah was playing near mah home and the log broke and ah went tumbling into the forest and got lost." She explained as her tail continued to quiver. "I've never seen ya before mister. Are you new to town?"

"Indeed I am. How far is your place?" as long as he kept her mind off their current situation, the little filly would realize. He wasn't sure what kind of animals were in this world, but the animals he encountered had a sixth sense to fear.

A piercing howl echoed through the air causing the little pony to let out a cry and cling to him. Out from behind the trees several Timberwolves began to appear. They definitely had a pack-like mentality like the wolves he knew. "Applebloom run."

"But Mister."

"Run now!" he ordered her. As hurt as his leg was, or was it hoof? It didn't matter; he wasn't in much of a condition to run. "Go now!" the filly hesitated before taking off. Some of the wolves attempted to chase after the smaller meal only for Naruto to charge forward and ran into the wolves. He let out a grunt, a resounding pain coursing through his head. He recovered rolling away as the creatures nipped at him.

"I may be part equine now, but I can still fight!" the declaration was more for himself than the animals. Some of the wolves charged and Naruto attempted to punch them with his good hand only to meet with a solid thud as a pair of claws tore through his back. He hissed as blood began to mat his back fur and he landed on his hooves.

He jumped back on his hind legs narrowly avoiding teeth sinking into his neck. The pack began to thin out and surround him. He was barely missing being pounced on as they tightened the circle and began driving him deeper into the forest. What could he do in this unfamiliar body? What good was his stamina if he couldn't properly utilize its strength? The wolves took charge and leaped.

If he couldn't overpower them maybe he could out run them? Right when they were about to tear him apart Naruto replaced himself with another one of the wolves. He nearly dropped from the sudden bout of exhaustion. Damn. Even his chakra control was off. He didn't bother to wait, taking off at break neck speed. He turned, seeing that the Timberwolves were not going to quit in their hunt so easily.

One wolf leaped and Naruto catching sight out of the corner of his eye reacted out of instinct and shot his back feet out. He unlike most people had used to animal like instincts so it was almost natural that he would react to them. The force of the blow nearly broke apart the body of the creature. Using his agility, Naruto took any opportunity he could to strike. After all, he may not have been a scholar, but he was a battle genius and his experience in fighting allowed him to stay ahead of the creatures. As their numbers dwindled so did his stamina.

Naruto felt like he his limbs were on fire. At this rate if he kept going he was going to be seriously injured or worse. "Even after all this time. I'm still a stubborn idiot but…" an image of the village came to the mind as well as his family. "I lived a good life and accomplished quite a few things. I've always managed to survive and I sure as hell don't plan on dying to wild animals."

Just as the creatures charged two figures leaped over him. A mare in a Stetson hat and the other wearing some sort of object he didn't recognize. One had a crimson coat and the other was orange like him, both with a gamboge colored hair or manes as they were called on equines. With impressive strength they sent two of the creatures flying with the female throwing a kick and the male launching a punch respectively.

The creatures seemed to rethink their strategy from having to deal with one injured adult to having to deal with him and the addition of two other healthy and strong adult ponies. The creatures found themselves driven back and away as the two Earth Ponies proved to be more formidable than the pack was willing to deal with.

Try as he might Naruto couldn't keep consciousness as he succumbed to his injuries.

Naruto slowly began to stir as he realized he was no longer in the forest. He was staring at the wooden roof of a room. He turned his head slightly as his blurry vision made out a room of sorts with rays of sunlight peeking through curtains. He let out a soft exhale and began to set up. His body seized up and he let out a yelp of pain.

"Whoa there pardner." A voice with a thick accent called out as a hand was placed on his chest. The accent was kind of familiar to the people who lived in the outer rim of water country that he had encountered during his training trip with Jiraiya. Naruto's vision began to clear as he made out the outline of its owner. It was a mare with a hat. "Ya'll plenty injured, need ta take it easy."

Naruto still a bit dazed glanced down and noticed his body was bandaged. His eyes focused and he noticed the hand of his caretaker was bandaged as well. He couldn't help but wondered what happened?

"Thank you," he whispered his voice raspy thanks to the dryness of his mouth.

As if instantly recognizing his mare brought up a cup to the blond's lips to which Naruto instantly began drinking from it. He paid no mind from the fact that droplets were spilling from his lips and down his chins.

"Ah should be thanking you. If it weren't for you, ah wouldn't know what would have happened to mah dear little sister… So thank ya…" she said as she removed his name. "Name's Applejack."

"Naruto…" he introduced himself. Her reaction was one of perplex.

"That's a rather unusual name if ya don't mind me saying. What's a Naruto?"

Before the blond could respond an aged voice called down from the hallway. "Applejack! How's our guest? He up yet?"

"Yeah granny!" she hollered.

"Hey there sonny glad ta see ya up and attem!" greeted an elderly male as she entered the room using a cane. From what Naruto could gauge she was in at least her seventies, wearing a white shawl of sorts over her shoulders. She was wearing an old checker pattern dress of a dark blue color.

Following behind her was a rather tall pony of intimating stature. "Them varmints roughed ya up pretty nadly though nothing we hadn't dealt with before so will have you fit as a fiddle in no time. Names Apple Smith, but folks round these parts call me granny apple and the fellar next to me is my grandson Big Mcintosh. Ah see ya already met my eldest granddaughter."

"Indeed I have mam. I owe your family a great gratitude for saving my life and tending to my injuries."

"Nonsense," the elderly mare began with a wheezing exhale. "Ya saved the life of mah youngest grandbaby if anything we're indebted to ya." As the elderly mare finished Naruto something a bow peeked out from behind her. "Come now, don't by shy child." She ushered the little one forward.

Naruto instantly recognized the little mare from the forest. He noticed that she looked plenty sad and her ears even seem to droop.

"Ah'm sorry mister," she began with a dejected sniff. "Its mah fault ya got hurt coming ta rescue me."

"Nonsense," Naruto said as he gave the child his warmest smile. "I was the fool charging right into the Everfree knowing full and well I wasn't in top condition. If anything little one you really helped me out. I don't think I would have made it if I wasn't drawn so close to the farm. So don't be sad anymore ok?"

"O-ok." The filly replied, feeling less torn up then earlier. When she saw the nice stallion that saved her being carried in by her brother looking like a right mess she was really upset. Hearing that he didn't blame her helped her feel better. The others watched on warmly as this kind stranger assuaged the guilt of the youngest apple.

"Hey mister, what's your name?"

"Naruto…Naruto Uzumaki." He introduced himself as the other members of the Apple Clan shared a look, wondering if they had misheard him. "I…I've been told my name's unusual. It means maelstrom." He added, hoping that they wouldn't push the issue furthered.

The Apples wondered if maybe Naruto was from one of the distant settlements that broke off from the main pony societies some time ago. That would explain his name and his willingness to wonder into the Everfree like that.

"Well then Mister Naruto ah hope ya hungry cuz supper's about ready and ya gonna need to build up your strength."

Naruto would soon come to learn in the following days what it meant to be an apple. As he recovered from his injuries he began to adjust to the diet of a pony. He missed meat sure, but at least this body found vegetables and fruit far more agreeable then his human form. Not to mention Applebloom silently appointed herself to the role of Naruto's companion. With the exception of school and having to turn in early because of her young age one would hardly find one without the other.

One evening proved to be the exception. Naruto found himself wandering the grounds when he caught site of Applejack at work. Sweat stained the cotton white shirt she was wearing signifying that she was hard at work. Naruto watched as the mare bolted forward suddenly towards an apple tree. He watched in awe as she took to the air and with a single solid kick sent a solid force strong enough to dislodge all the apples from the branches into the buckets below. She wasn't so much as fazed or affected by the action.

That much strength and control and she treated the feat like it was nothing. It was at that moment Naruto knew what he was going to do. After seeing how casually Big Mac could pull a cart full of apples the other day indicating that he had immense strength Naruto made the decision to ask the Apple siblings to train him.

It was a hard pill to swallow, but Naruto was never going to get back to his former level of strength without starting over. He was going to have to start from the basics and work his way up.[/i]

At that point Naruto finished his story.

"That was pretty courageous of you to charge in like that. Weren't you scared?" Twilight wondered.

"I was more scared for the voice calling out then my own safety. Its been quite a while since that time of course and I'm more then fit to fight off the Timberwolves if I ever encounter them again. So are you ready to go?"

Twilight sighed contentedly, patting her full stomach. "I might need a minute," She said. "That was probably the greatest meal I have had in my entire life."

"Glad you liked it, sugarcube," Applejack said, as she came over and took a seat. "Don't get that many new folks around these parts nowadays. Always nice ta see a new and friendly face. Glad ta see you enjoyed yourself."

"I was just… following the atmosphere," Twilight said. "You have a very nice family."

"Why, thank you," Applejack said. "What about yourself? Got any family back in Camelot?"

"Yes actually," Twilight said. "My mom's a novelist, and my dad sits on the Canterlot council and my brother's second-in-command of the Royal Guard."

Applejack whistled. "The Royal Guard, huh? Protectin' the Princess 'erself? Heck, I bet you get ta see her all the time."

"I actually spoke with her last evening," Twilight responded casually.

"You've met the Princess?" Applejack asked staring wide-eyed at Twilight.

"More times than I can count," Twilight boasted with a hint or pride. "I've been her protégé for over thirteen years now, learning all I can about Magic."

Applejack laughed boisterously, slapping Twilight on the back. "Had ah known the Princess's prized apprentice be showing up ah brought out the that would have brought out the good silverware!"

"Oh, that's alright," Twilight said. "I've never really been fond of fancy parties and the like."

"Me neither!" Applejack laughed. "Looks like we got a lot in common."

"Sorry if this comes off as rude, but we really have to go." She said, grabbing Spike's shoulder and shaking awake the dazed dragon. The food was so delicious the little dragon was hit with the It is during mid-meal. "Well, it has been a lovely meal, and I thank you for your hospitality. I believe I can cross 'food' off the list of things that I need to check off," She said without emotion, not even noticing that she had practically repeated herself.

She turned to Naruto who had been oddly quiet during the exchange. "For the next item on our list I need to speak with a Miss Rainbow Dash about the weather." She glanced up at the sky, which had become cloudier and cloudier over the course of the hour-long lunch. "And I can assume she's not the best at her job."

"Actually Rain's pretty good at her job. She can be a bit lazy so once we find her the weather should be taken care of in not time." Naruto reassured her.

Twilight was a bit doubtful but she kept the opinion to herself.

"Ah'll be seeing you later Naruto." Applejack bid the blond a good bye with a wink, careful to make sure Twilight didn't notice.

A smile tugged at his lips, "It surprises me how fast Pinks can be sometimes." Naruto thought as he returned the wink.

"Alright Miss Sparkle we'll have to head back in town. I have a good idea where Rainbow Dash is." He said as he led her and the lumbering dragon back to town.