First Time Meeting (Patreon)

Princess Luna led her little herd Link across the Dream Realm in my Equestria dreamscape. Great multi-color veils of shimmering light flowed and ebbed across the vast area that was the realm. As a precaution Luna had the group travel line abreast with herself on the right flank and Applebloom anchoring the left flank. This placed the 2 most inexperienced ponies to this realm between them.

     Applejack was thoroughly lost within the first few minutes of travel. It was all very pretty, but she found it impossible to establish any permanent landmarks in her mind.

     For Stone Mane this was his longest journey across the Dream Realm. Soon he was as lost as Applejack. Luna was leading them to a part to the realm that the colt had never been. Eventually the colt noticed a region ahead of them that was different than the rest of the realm. It was a small area of what looked like dense fog. Alicorn changed course slightly and headed start for it. As they approached she called out to her party.

     "Everypony stay close to me. We're almost to our destination!" Then she entered the fog; cool, damp, darkness enveloped the group for a few seconds. Suddenly there was a brilliant burst of light and the party found themselves floating a foot or so above of a well maintained macadamed road. It was late morning and they were located amongst rolling hills of tall, green grass. Dotting the landscape was groves of oak trees that created island of shade beneath their boughs. A steady breeze caused the grass to hiss and undulate in great, rolling waves.

     Stone Mane looked around with a smile on his face. He didn't know where they were, but if Applebloom was comfortable with the place he was as well.

     Applejack looked around with an expression of confusion. After a second she spoke up. "Um, yer highness. Sugar Cube. What the hay? What's this place?"

     The dark blue alicorn smiled at the mare. Luna's mane and tail seemed to be undulating in time with waves of hissing grass. "This my fair Applejack is the realm of a very old, wise, loyal friend and sage. This is the realm of KingTrafalgar Maximilian Augustus Leopold the III. He was instrumental in instructing me in the ways of the Dream Realm. He's also been assisting your sister as well."

     Applebloom chimed in. "Yeah sis! He's an amazing, and Galapagos is really nice!"

     "Galupugus?" AJ tried pronouncing the name.

     Stone Mane had been scanning around the horizon since their arrival. He now looked over at filly. "Well where does he live? Is there a city or castle nearby? Because all I see is pastures."

     Luna smiled at the colt. "He's aware of our arrival, and will be here soon."

     "Um, if ya say so yer Highness." Applejack glanced up and frowned. "Ah nuts! I fergot my hat!I feel so underdressed this way!" She then looked down at her hooves floating about a foot or so above the ground. "And is there a way I can git my hooves back on the ground in proper earth pony fashion?!"

     The alicorn giggled. "Oh yes. If you want land please feel free to. But If you want to fly though that's fine as well."

     "Yeah I'd like ta land, but how?" Asked the mare as she randomly stretched out with her legs as if she was trying to grab hold of the ground pull herself toward it.

     Her sister giggled. "It's easy sis! Just think that ya want ta land and ya will."

     AJ looked down and stared intently at the ground. Slowly she settled into the deep grass. She closed her eyes and let a deep sigh. "Ah. Much better. Flying is fun, but having yerself on the ground is always better!" As if to reinforce this point she promptly laid down and started rolling in the grass.

     Luna landed as well, but the two foals remained floating and soon starting chasing each other around. This went on for a couple of minutes when suddenly in the distance there was a tinny fanfare of trumpets. Looking in that direction the ponies spied the surreal sight of a small castle perched atop a giant tortoise approaching them. Only the very top of the shell along with upper part of a black shako cap were visible above the grass, but the tortoise seemed to know where they needed to go. The tall, lush, green grass slowly parted like a bow wake as it moved. Finally the great tortoise stepped out of the grass and came to a halt in front of the ponies.

     There was another bit of tinny fanfare from various horns adorning the exterior of the castle; followed a few seconds later by a thunderous roar of chaotic noises from a pipe organ located somewhere from within the bowels of the structure.  Its acoustic detonation caused the numerous banners and pennants adorning the exterior of the castle to suddenly flap and flutter. Then the drawbridge dropped with a clatter.

     Strolling out onto the bridge was the ruler of Upper Lower Tortoisestan. King Trafalgar Maximilian Augustus Leopold the III.  As normal his wardrobe looked like an explosion in a theater prop room. A crimson, double-breasted, tailed coat with gold epaulettes kept company with dun-colored trousers, a frilly long sleeve shirt, tiny knee high black leather boots and a matching sword belt that tried in vain to keep a miniature saber from dragging along the ground. Pince-nez glasses rounded out his wardrobe. The new additions to his regular ensemble were the addition of a grease-stained apron, and pipe wrench about as big as him.

     For a second he stared at his visitors. Then muttered to himself. "Oh blast! Of course I'd have guests on the day I was tuning it. In rather cavalier manner he tossed the wrench back through the opening he'd emerged from. There was the crash of breaking china followed by an almost comical boing spring sound that came from within castle. Then he pulled off the apron and tossed it in as well. With that accomplished he looked back at the ponies and clapped his tiny hands together as he addressed his visitors.

     "Greetings and salutations my dear friends! I, King Trafalgar Maximilian Augustus Leopold the III welcome you back to the kingdom of Upper Lower Tortoisestan! For what reason do you grace my court with your ever lovely presence?"

     Princess Luna stepped forward and bowed while spreading her wings. "Greetings Trafalgar Maximilian Augustus Leopold the III. I, Luna Co-Ruler of Equestria, Princess of the Moon, and Defender of Dreams want to thank you for taking time out from your exhausting schedule to allow me to introduce you to a couple of ponies that I felt you would be most keen to meet!"

     She looked over at filly. "Of course you're familiar with my pupil Applebloom, but I wanted introduce to colt that has been at the center of many of her stories."

     She looked back at Stone Mane and gestured for him to come forward. "Your Majesty. This is Stone Mane of Baltimare. He is a brave, smart colt who I believe will be a pony of some importance some day, and of course he's the apple of my student's eye." She grinned impishly as she delivered this final line.

     The king whiskers twitched enthusiastically as he gestured the colt forward. "Oh splendid! Yes, yes. Please come forward at once! I have long wished to meet the young stallion who so much has been spoken of!"

     The foals had remained floating the whole they'd been here. Drifting forward with him came Applebloom who was gently resting her left front hoof on his right front leg. Stopping alongside Luna he bowed his head before speaking.

     "Ah, greetings your Highn..., um I mean your Majesty! Thank you for letting me visit you. Applebloom has spoken lots about you, and what a wonderful individual you are!"

     "And likewise your fine filly Applebloom has had nothing but praise for you as well! Welcome to my kingdom and realm!"

     Applebloom grinned and pointed down at the tortoise. "And Stone Mane this here is Galapagos! Don't ferget to ta say hi ta him as well!"

     The tortoise slowly looked up and smiled. "Oh, Applebloom, you're, too, kind, welcome, back."

     As the 2 foals lowered their heads and floated down a little to speak with the tortoise the king noticed Applejack standing behind them for first time. His eyes went wide and stood up as straight as as he could. In somewhat softer voice he spoke.

     "Oh my! And who is this wondrous maiden that stands before me? Forgive my inattentiveness in not seeing you immediately! I believe I've never had the honor of meeting you? Please, what's your name?"

     Applebloom up at the king and then back at AJ. "Oh that's my big sister! Applejack! Hey sis! Why dontcha come forward and intraduce yerself!"

     Luna smiled as AJ slowly stepped. "Yes. Allow me to formally introduce you your Majesty to Applejack of the Apple Family, and the bearer of the Element of Honesty. I owe much to her and the other Elements. Thanks to their actions I was freed from the grip of the being that turned me into Nightmare Moon. I consider myself lucky that our paths crossed!"

     AJ blushed. "Ah shucks! Tain't nothing! Me and my friends just did what had ta be dun!"

     The king gestured her forward with both of his hands. "Do not dismiss your bravery and actions in such a offhand manner! The bards should sing of your deeds for hundred generations! Let me thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you've done! And if I may be so bold. Rarely have I set eyes on such glorious golden creation as you!" He held his right hand as he spoke.

     The earth pony slowly placed her right front hoof. "Uh, thanks."

     Applebloom giggled. Stone Mane looked bewildered, and Luna sighed and rolled her eyes.

To be continued.