Newcomers and veterans alike, welcome to the world of ponies!

[aie_mods]

Who: YOU. And you. And you. And everyone!
What: What just happened!? You've been transported into the world of ponies, that's what.
When: November 10th
Where: Smack dab in the middle of Ponyville. And around Ponyville. And maybe a little outside Ponyville too.
Rating: You know you.

(Pssst. Check out the story so far to get an idea for what's happened prior to this point!)

It all happened in a flash. Short earthquakes and aftershocks rocked some of the buildings in Ponyville as a magical explosion wreaked its own brand of havoc across Equestria. Once the dust settled, however, the Ponyville ponies realized that there were some newcomers in their midst. Ones that were definitely not there before the explosion. So where did they come from, and how did they get here? Did the explosion bring them here?

Luckily, the actual damage from the earthquakes was minor, and there were no actual downed buildings, just some that were now slightly cracked and in need of repairs.

The natives slowly closed in on the newcomers, warily eyeing them and wondering what their intentions were. But rather than looking angry or upset, they just looked confused and curious. Why not introduce yourselves to them, and to each other?

The official royal welcome wagon might even show up soon!

Comments

[the_perfect_pear]

Likewise, Pear was gathering the courage to go into her home when she heard the low surprised tone. Turning around, her breath caught in her throat.

There she was, the face, the freckles, the blonde hair, oh my stars her cutie mark was even apples. "I'm sorry," whispered Pear, lowering her head. "I'm sorry, I'M SORRY FOR LEAVING YOU APPLEJACK!"

Yeah that's a fully grown mare crying as she dashed over to Applejack to give her a hug.

[appletastic]

"Oh, Mama..." Applejack's hooves raised hesitantly, the shock still clear on her face. How the hay was this happening? Hadn't she...oh, she remembered those nights with Granny. Finding ways to tell Apple Bloom. Remembering them however she could. And here she was.

She tucked her head over her mother's shoulder, tears filling her eyes.

"It wasn't your fault, Mama. We're okay...but Stars, we missed you something fierce."

[the_perfect_pear]

"I'm still so sorry," sobbed Pear into her daughters shoulder before pulling away to look at her, tracing a tear away from Applejack's eyes.

"You're so big...! When I last held you, you were just a tiny filly. You hadn't even gotten your cutie mark yet, and your brother... is he here? And little Applebloom?"

Pear's eyes were full of tears as she rubbed them. "I'm sorry but you look just like your father and I... It's hard to take in that tiny filly I held is now a full grown mare."

[appletastic]

"You'll find 'em, Ma, but...I'm afraid it's a bit complicated." She heaved a sigh, winding their forelegs together.

"This ain't the Equestria I come from. There's a whole bushelful of Equestrias that are all mostly alike, but just a bit different. And this is the third one I've been to. So there's the Applejack who's supposed to be here...and then there's me. But there's only one of each of 'em so far as I know."

Maybe they weren't from the same Equestria, but...she was still her mother. She sniffled a little. "But no matter what...I'm here now."

[the_perfect_pear]

"I'm starting to realize that," said Pear with a shake of her head. "It's all beeswax to me but... I'll take your word for it. I mean, you're both my daughter, like I am your mother. And I'm sorry that I left all of you."

She hugged Applejack. "I won't leave for as long as you need me."

[appletastic]

Applejack grinned sheepishly, pulling them upright with a gentle sigh.

"We're Apples, Ma. We stick together like pigs and mud. I mean...we all still live on the farm with Granny Smith! Ponyville might be a bit different than you remember, but I'll tell you anything you want to know. Uh, assuming I know it."

[the_perfect_pear]

"I won't lie, I almost got lost getting to the main street. The town is so big now, compared to when I was young."

And Applejack, oh my stars was she so big and healthy. It made her smile as Pear asked, "Does Granny tell you about me and your pa when you ask?"

Because she wasn't even certain if Applejack knew about her half heritage either. She certainly never got a chance to talk about it.

[appletastic]

That prompted her ears to droop a little. "To be honest...not too much. Of course it's sad, we've missed you, but...it feels like there's a lot nopony's willing to tell us."

She heaved a sigh. "I know that's probably not what you want to hear."

[the_perfect_pear]

"I suppose it's still a bit of a bitter pear to swallow," joked Pear weakly as she sighed.

"I'll sit you and your sisters and brother down for this later, but the story of your father and I getting together is a rough one. It's romantic, but it's a story which has a lot of sadness behind it. Your grandfather is estranged right now, due to our relationship."

Pear bit her lip. "Your grandfather is a Pear."

[appletastic]

Of all the things...

She gaped. Her jaw might've come close to hitting the ground.

"What? You mean...we're half-Pear? But the Pears and the Apples hate each other! Have done for longer than any of us can remember."

[the_perfect_pear]

"Not all of us," said Pear Butter, blushing. "Years ago, when your father and I met, we were small, children. We never stopped loving each other until we wed, against your family's wishes, and mine."

Pear blinked back tears. "Your father, Bright Mac and I, Pear Butter, married in secret. At least, until our parents found out. I stayed with your father, and your grandfather moved to Vanhoover."

[appletastic]

Applejack could picture it, funny enough. But she sure didn't like it.

"Grandfather left you just like that? But family's all we've really got! Oh, I'm so sorry Ma."

[the_perfect_pear]

"It was a rough period in my life," said Pear with a sigh. "Your father wanted me to write him, but he would return all of our letters."

"But... I had you, and your brother and your sister. I wouldn't trade that for anything." said Pear, touching Applejack's face with a hoof. "Oh my dear Applejack, you're so big, and it just reminds me of how out of time I am..."

[appletastic]

"Maybe someday we'll meet him and mend the fence," Applejack nuzzled her face against her mother's hoof, blinking back the last of her tears.

"We'll help you catch up," she promised. "And it ain't like I know all that much more than you, seeing as I'm not from here either. But there's a few small things you should probably know."

She blushed. "For starters, the mare in the moon's no more, and that old pony tale about the Elements of Harmony? It's true. And me and my friends are the bearers...or, we were."

[the_perfect_pear]

"I hope so too. I could write him, tell him I'm here but... that's a bit of an awkward conversation." said Pear, smiling at Applejack.

"Oh?" Looking up into the sky at the faint outline of the moon, she said, "Well that's amazing, I never realized that could happen. Elements of Harmony? That's quite the story I feel is coming." said Pear with a smile.

[appletastic]

"Hmm. Maybe I could have a look around..." Applejack wondered. It'd be weird, but...hey. No rush. Maybe some day.

"A while back, Nightmare Moon finally broke free, and she cast Equestria in eternal night. 'Round that time, Princess Celestia sent her magic student Twilight Sparkle to Ponyville, hoping a few of us could show her a good time, help her make some friends. It was pretty rough going at first, but we did. We found out that we could only use the Elements of Harmony together---and with all of us working together Nightmare Moon was set free. Now she's Princess Luna again, princess of the night."

She blushed. "And we might have had to stop a few more Ponyville takeovers after that. Some time later, Twilight created new magic and became a princess, and now the five of us sit in on her court."

[the_perfect_pear]

What a story. It was almost unbelievable, and yet, Pear was there, standing in surprise. And alive.

"That's amazing, oh Applejack you've come so far!" Exclaimed Pear with a smile. "Imagine, friends with the princesses. I know our home has had the princesses blessing for a long time, but this is a step up!"

[appletastic]

She laughed and kicked her hoof against the ground. "Aww shucks, Ma. It's really not all that---but they'll be pleased as punch to meet you," she offered.

[the_perfect_pear]

"I'd love to meet your friends," said Pear honestly, with a little hug for her daughter incoming.

"Oh my Applejack, you've done so well for everypony. I'm sure they love being your friend."

[appletastic]

"You will, Ma, but...there's somepony else you've gotta meet," she admitted sheepishly.

"A, uh. Special somepony."

[the_perfect_pear]

"Oh really?"

At this, Pear looked surprised as she smiled. "So, tell me who it is. I want to know."

[appletastic]

"You know how I just said I was in with Equestria's royalty?"

She paused.

"He's, ah, one of the new ones. Overlord Zetta. Red alicorn, you can't miss him."

[the_perfect_pear]

"Him?" Pear had seen him before but since he wasn't royalty she knew, she wasn't too enthralled with his shouting.

"I've seen him. I didn't realize he was a legitimate prince of Equestria. I thought he was just somepony from another land."

[appletastic]

Oh, this was going to be awkward. She sighed.

"He's not exactly a prince in this Equestria. He rose to the throne in another one---the one we were both in before we came here. And beneath all that bluster? He's actually a swell guy."

[the_perfect_pear]

"So... he's just some other prince from another land, and you got together with him? Well, I'll have to meet him. My first impression was that he was trying to lay claim to a throne."

Pear shrugged helplessly. "I mean, last I checked there was only one alicorn princess. Now I'm seeing others from this other world? It's a lot to take in."