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Chapter Text

Odysseus stared into the sky, anticipation burning in the forefront of his mind. Something was about to happen – the clouds were darkening and all he could hear was the roar of thunder surrounding him and his ship. He had a vague enough guess as to what it could be, and with his luck so far, it was exactly what would happen.

Before he could fully process the situation, Zeus had appeared in the clouds with a flash of lightning. Odysseus shook his head, already going into a panic. He backed up as if that would do anything for him before putting his head in his hands and leaning against the ship railing. 

“Pride is a damsel in distress.” Zeus's booming voice overshadowed Odysseus's own thoughts. “Hiding away where only I can undress her~!” Zeus grabbed a cluster of clouds, shaping into the shape of a human and running his hands over it in ways that made Odysseus feel violated just from watching. “Try all she can not to confess,” Zeus waved the cloud away. “But it's all the same once I apply all the pressure!” He suddenly appeared on the ship itself leaning all his weight on Odysseus. 

As he continued on, the thunder continued to stir around them. “Thunder, bring her through the wringer – show her I’m the judgment call, the one who makes her kingdom fall.” He threw Odysseus away from the railing, his remaining men watching from the other end of the ship, and began to walk in a fairly close circle around him. He held himself tilted in towards Odysseus at the waist and with a smirk, though none of his face seemed to hold any positive outcomes for the mortal before him. “Lightning, wield her, use and yield her. Show her what she can’t conceal, for true nature will be revealed.”

“Tell me, Odysseus, if I were to make you choose the lives of your men and crew or your own,” he leaned in further toward him, “Why do I think they’d lose?”

Odysseus flinched as Zeus pinched his cheek and shook his face. “Enlighten me, king of Ithaca~!” Zeus said mockingly. “Since hunger was far too great, I wonder who'd take the weight of the damned and suffer a gruesome fate!” He pushed the man aside and turned his attention to Eurylochus. 

Eurylochus flinched as Zeus grabbed his shoulder.

“To the Thunder Bringer, here to ring your,” the god shoved the man down. “Ears until you're deaf with fear, and spear you while your death is near!” He turned into an eagle and soared up into the sky. “Time for you have passed your prime, sublime you for your act of crime!”

Odysseus flinched as the god suddenly appeared in front of him again. 

“Choose.”

The man looked up at him. “..Choose?”

“Someone’s gotta die today, and you have got the final say!” Zeus put an arm around his shoulders. “You?” He gestured to the others. “Or your crew?” 

Odysseus shook his head. “Please don't make me do this…” he fell to his knees as he begged. “Don't make me do this!” He stared down at the deck of the ship as he thought over the possible results of any choice he made.

“I can take the suffering from you.”

Odysseus’s head shot up. He was hallucinating. He has to be. Why else would his wife be standing there in front of him? “Pen..?” 

“Let me take the suffering from you…” the woman held his face before another flash of thunder and she vanished.

Odysseus slowly stood and stared at his feet.

“Captain?” Eurylochus asked.

“I… I have to see her.” Odysseus said, his voice on the verge of breaking.

“But… we’ll die.” Eurylochus said, staring at his captain.

Odysseus took a deep breath. “I know…” he turned to Eurylochus as a tear fell down his cheeks. As Zeus turned into his eagle form and shot into the clouds, Odysseus stumbled over to his brother-in-law and hugged him. “I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…” he whispered.

Eurylochus hesitated, but he hugged back. “Just… tell Ctimene that I love her, alright?” He asked, hugging the shorter tight.

Odysseus nodded and squeezed back, his eyes shut.

The last thing he remembered was seeing a flash of light before he fell into the water and blacked out.

Chapter Text

“Hey! Get back here!” Rarity yelled out, her delicate voice echoing through her boutique as she went after the pony who had just run off in the newest tailored suit, made to fit them perfectly.

They were a young pony, and had come to her asking for a suit for a dance held by their academy, and had just run off with her hard work without paying her a single bit!

As she raced after them, she found that they were running towards a large crowd.

“Get back here! Please!” she shouted, racing as fast as she could in her hopes to catch the pony.

They galloped into the crowd, disappearing from her sight almost immediately.

She huffed and stomped her hoof on the ground, unhappy with how four days worth of her work had just disappeared without a trace in only a moment.

Before she could begin to make her way back to her boutique however, the crowd in front of her began to stir, the sounds of their whispers blending together and creating a much louder sound than just whispers.

Intrigued by what the other Ponyville ponies were surrounded around, she decided to make her way through them and to the center, finding that they surrounded a pony who was lying on the ground, likely unconscious, in a puddle of mud.

The pony was wearing some garb that looked to be completely foreign to even her knowledge. It appeared to be a white cloth wrapped around them, with a cloak of sorts to cover more. The cloak had a hood, which was currently covering their head and face.

As they began to stir, the crowd got louder and the clamor of their voices together must have been what woke up the pony, seen as they jumped up and faced part of the crowd on relatively thin (and shaky) legs, their hood still covering their face from view.

“Stay back!” A slightly deep voice – the pony – shouted.

“What in the world?” Rarity walked closer. “Darling, get out of that disgusting puddle!” She said. “You're filthy enough.” She sniffed. “And smelly enough.” She added.

The other pony backed away, although clumsily. “Stay away!” He glanced around. “Oh gods… oh gods help me…” he mumbled.

“Calm down, I’m trying to help you.” Rarity huffed. She stopped walking towards him. “Look, if you come with me, I can help you get all cleaned up at least, alright?” She smiled. “I'm sure it would feel much better to get all that filth out of your fur.” 

“Fur..?” The other pony glanced down at his hooves. “Um.” Now that he realized it, it really wasn't that comfortable. “I…” he shook his head. “Fine.” He was desperate for help at this point. Even if this… person? Horse? Whatever the hell she was, was going to hurt him, at least she made the effort to be nice to him first. 

Rarity smiled brightly. “Come along now, dear. Let's get you cleaned up! Soon your fur will shine just as much as mine!” She said cheerfully. 

She started off back towards her boutique, looking back periodically to make sure the mystery pony continued to follow her there. Once they reached their destination, she turned around to face him.

“Please, come inside, dear. I'll set up a bath for you,” she said, turning back around and walking inside, holding open the door for the pony.

Once inside, she led him the way up to the boutique’s second floor, where she had a proper bathroom.

“If you'll get out of those clothes while I start the water—”

She paused as she heard the sound of her table, the one just outside the bathroom, moving. Slowly turning around and looking out of the bathroom, she saw the pony huddled beneath it and hiding his face, no longer covered by the hood, with his forelegs.

Rarity blinked.

“Dear, what are you doing under there?” Rarity asked, leaning her head down.

The stranger attempted to curl up into a tighter ball. 

“Oh dear…” Rarity’s ears lowered. She glanced around and sighed. “Look, if you come out and have a nice bath, I can get you some nicer, cleaner clothes. Wouldn't that be nice? To finally be rid of that filthy cloak?” She attempted to offer.

This only seemed to distress the other further. He shook his head and pushed himself against the wall behind him.

Rarity frowned. “Oh dear.” She shook her head. “I might need some help from the girls with this one…” she murmured.

Chapter Text

“He's been hiding under there for an hour.” Rarity said, looking at the pony hiding under the table.

Twilight hummed. “Have you learned anything about him?”

“Nothing. I don't know who he is or where he's from. I tried to help him, but he freaked out on me.” Rarity explained.

Rainbow Dash tried to forcibly pull him out by his cloak, but he wouldn't budge.

“Rainbow, you’ll only freak him out more if you keep doing that.” AppleJack told the pegasus.

Rainbow Dash moved away from the table. “How are we supposed to get him out?” 

Pinkie Pie sat by the table and started trying to talk to him. “If you come out, we can have a huge party! I always throw parties to celebrate new ponies in Ponyville! We can have cake, decorations, and streamers, and lots and lots of other ponies!” She said excitedly.

The stallion under the table only seemed to get more anxious. 

“Pinkie, I think you're scaring him.” Fluttershy said softly. “Let me have a try?” She offered.

Pinkie shrugged and trotted away. “His loss!”

Fluttershy sat down near the stallion, her front hooves tucked underneath her. “Hi there. I’m Fluttershy.” She said, her voice soft-spoken as ever. “Are you new around here?”

The stranger hesitated before nodding. He slowly lifted his head from behind his front hooves. 

“Oh my, your eyes are very nice!” Fluttershy commented on his different colored eyes. “I haven't seen anything like that in any other ponies. Maybe a bunny or two but never a pony.” She smiled sweetly.

“Um. Thank you.” The other said quietly. 

“What's your name?” The yellow pegasus asked.

“O-Odysseus.” He answered. “My name is Odysseus.”

“That's a very nice name.” Fluttershy complimented. “As I told you, my name is Fluttershy. These are my friends.” She gestured to the other five with her wing. “Rarity, Twilight, AppleJack, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie.”

Odysseus nervously looked over the group. “Um. Nice to meet you. I-I suppose…” he tucked his hooves underneath himself. 

“Where are you from, Stranger?” AppleJack asked.

Odysseus hesitated. “Somewhere far away from here. It's called Ithaca.” He answered. “Very… very far from here…” he looked down at the ground and lowered his head.

“Maybe I can ask the other pegasi if they’ve heard of it. Or maybe the griffins. They travel a lot.” Rainbow Dash said.

“I don't know, Dash. I’ve never heard of Ithaca. None of my books have mentioned it.” Twilight said. 

“Your books also don't say anything about the great war between dragons and unicorns.” Rainbow Dash said matter-of-factly.

“Because it didn't happen.” Twilight said, slightly annoyed.

“Did to!” Rainbow Dash argued.

“Did not!” Twilight argued back.

“That's enough, you two.” Rarity stood between them.

“Um.” Odysseus shifted a bit. “Can you tell me where I am?”

“Ponyville!” Pinkie Pie said happily. “Only the bestest place in the entire world!” She bounced up and down. 

“That's arguable…” Rarity muttered. “I’d much rather be in Canterlot.” 

“Canterlot..?” Odysseus tilted his head.

“Only the most beautiful and elegant place in all of Equestria!” Rarity said, her eyes shining as she spoke. “Oh what I’d give to visit there once more.” She sighed.

“Equestria..? What?” Odysseus shook his head. “Nevermind. I need to get home.” 

“I can ask my friends if they know anything.” Rainbow Dash turned and trotted out.

“I suppose I can try to find anything in my books, but… doubt I’ll find anything.” Twilight said.

“While you and Rainbow look for anything in this poor dear’s home, Fluttershy and I can take care of his hygiene.” Rarity said, trotting over next to Fluttershy.

“Me and Rarity won't bite. I promise!” Fluttershy said, smiling. She stood up and managed to coax Odysseus out from under the table.

Chapter Text

The yellow and pink winged horse (pony?), Fluttershy, continued to speak softly with Odysseus as she and Rarity had begun to help him clean up himself.

“What's Ithaca like?”

“Well,” Odysseus shifted anxiously in the bath water as Rarity began scrubbing his back now, “I haven't been there for a long time, but it was as beautiful as ever when I left.” His eyes had a wistful, almost bittersweet look in them.

Fluttershy hummed and smiled reassuringly. “I promise we will do our best to get you back home as soon as possible.”

She went back to scrubbing at the hooded cloak Penelope made for Odysseus before he left for Troy.

Odysseus tried his best to take deep breaths, trying to calm himself at the sight of the cloak being off of him and the memories that seeing it in the hands – hooves? – of another brought up.

Fluttershy was ever so delicate with his cloak, making sure to scrub only hard enough to get as much dirt and grime out of the cloth, but not hard enough to damage it. It was as if she understood how important the thing was to him.

Which, it was important to Odysseus. Incredibly so. It was the final physical reminder he had of his home. His reminder of Penelope.

“Thank you,” he finally said. “I can't begin to tell you how much I miss my home.”

“I can understand that. If I wasn't here for as long – or as far away – as you probably are, I would miss everything too.”

Odysseus hummed softly, thinking back to everything that led him to this moment, being cleaned and talked to by horses, and being without the friends and crew he had brought away from Ithaca with him. Six hundred men, all now in the realm of Hades. All of them died because of things he could've prevented.

A wave of guilt washed over him at the thoughts of his crew, his men, his friends. They were gone.

He felt especially guilty for the… interaction with Zeus, the very moment that ended his time on his ship. The moment the last of his crew was demolished, fried to a crisp. He could've prevented their deaths, had he just been more selfless; had he not had such a one track mind in that moment; had he just thought ahead like he used to.

Their deaths were his fault . He could've prevented it all, and so easily, too!

The blood on his hands was heavy, red and sticky and hardly close to drying any time soon. He could see it on the hooves in front of him. He could feel it all beginning to cover himself.

It spread upward, crawling along his forelegs, the thick, viscous liquid matting the fur there and making it increasingly uncomfortable to have any sense of feeling.

Soon enough, he felt it pour on his head and weigh him down, his head hanging low now as he closed his eyes to keep the sight away.

It dripped from his hair, into the pool of water below, staining it a dark red. He could still faintly hear the screams of his crew at each obstacle they faced, at each time they were brutally killed in front of him.

He heard Polites, singing his way about greeting the world with open arms, and then he saw him become flattened again, hoarsely and quietly calling out Odysseus’s title as Captain before the light fell from his eyes.

He heard Eurylochus, every word of argument and praise and agreement falling into his ears, his voice repeating his final words to him before the crack of thunder cut him off. He heard the quiet acceptance in his voice; he saw the anguish and angst of never being able to return to home again in his eyes.

He heard it all, repeating over and over and over again, the sounds and sights of the deaths of his closest friends absorbing his senses and overwhelming him.

He was snapped out of it when a bucket of water was poured over his head.

“All done!” Rarity said. “Now we’ll get you all dried off and brush your coat and mane.”

Odysseus looked down at his forelegs. The blood was gone. The water wasn't red. He shook his head and took a deep breath.

Rarity had him sit on a towel while she used her unicorn magic to dry him with what she called a blow dryer.

Odysseus flinched as the hot air started blowing in his face. He remembered the intensity of the wind in the storm from the bag Aeolus had given him. When his crew doomed themselves by opening that bag while he was asleep. He sighed. If it wasn't for his crew opening that bag, he would have made it home by now. It was only two more days away. He stayed awake for over a week, started hallucinating because of it, only to be betrayed when he closed his eyes. 

He swallowed down the memories and his related emotional turmoil in favor of controlling his breathing and focusing on his surroundings.

The bathroom he and the two ponies were in was extremely foreign and strange to look at. There were ornate pieces of a substance that looked similar to marble in color and yet smooth like obsidian. There was an object high above their heads, attached to the wall, and it had many holes – which he assumed were for smaller streams of water. The floor was a smooth tile, cold against his hooves that were just covered in warm water.

Dragged out of his thoughts by his name being said behind him, he turned around to find the white pony – Rarity, his mind supplied – with his cloak dripping water and floating above her head, now cleaned of the majority of the dirt and mud that had covered it before.

She nodded up towards the cloak. “Would you like me to repair it, dear? There's a few holes and I doubt it would be comfortable with those letting cold air in.”

When he hesitated, Fluttershy chimed in quietly at his side, “I promise she won't do anything to harm it. Rarity is an amazing seamstress.”

He swallowed, then gave a small nod.

Chapter Text

Athena helped Telemachus wipe the blood from his face, sitting across from him in his room.

“Tell me, Athena, why you came to my aid?” Telemachus asked. He rubbed his bruised cheek.

Athena paused. She sighed softly. “I had a friend before, and he was a lot like you.” She started. “I helped him fight through war but he had his demons too, and then we fell apart… then his light went dark…” she set aside the cloth she was cleaning Telemachus with.

Telemachus listened with interest. 

“And so I thought maybe if I made a different call… maybe if I hadn't missed it all, maybe he’d be fine. Maybe we'd unwind.” The goddess stood up and walked to the balcony.

Telemachus followed her.

“Maybe if I help another soul,” She looked at Telemachus. “Maybe if I helped you reach your goal, life could be that bright, I could sleep at night…” she smiled softly.

Telemachus looked up at her. “Athena,” he smiled. “I don't know who your friend is, I dunno what he's like-”

Athena smiled knowingly at him.

“But, my time with you’s been splendid!” Telemachus said happily. “The best day of my life! Cuz I got in a fight-” he punched the air a few times. “And I didn't die!” He pumped his fists. “I’ve never felt strong before,” he rubbed his arm. “You're my friend, I couldn't ask for more!”

Athena’s eyes widened slightly. Friend, huh?

“And so, I think maybe if life isn't spent as planned, maybe it's time that you lend a hand,” Telemachus sat on the balcony railing. “I don't think he’ll mind! If not his friend than mine!” 

“Maybe” Athena said in unison with Telemachus.

“To fall is to learn one way-!” Telemachus leaned back and accidentally fell off the railing.

In a flash, Athena was on the ground to catch him.

Telemachus smiled when he was caught. “Maybe it's all gonna turn out great!”

Athena set him down.

“I know we’ll be fine! I know it's light you'll find!” Telemachus held his hand up.

Athena smiled. She gently tapped her hand against his. “You're a good kid.”

Telemachus grinned. “Thanks!” 

Athena took a deep breath. “Old friend.” She waved her hand and an image of Odysseus, the last time she saw him, appeared before her. “It's been ten years since I last saw you.”

“REMEMBER ME! I AM THE INFAMOUS, ODYSSEUS!” 

Athena pinched her nose bridge. She shook her head and swiped the image. “Let's see where you've been.” She searched through Odysseus’ memories.

“Keep your friends close and your enemies closer!” Aeolus.

“RUTHLESSNESS IS MERCY UPON OURSELVES!” Poseidon. Athena rolled her eyes at that bit.

“One wrong move and you're done for!” Circe.

“Song of past romance!” Tiresias.

“We won't take more suffering from you!” Sirens.

“DROWN IN YOUR SORROWS AND FEARS!” Scylla.

“Captain?”

Athena paused.

“I have to see her.”

“But we'll die.”

“I know.”

Athena flinched slightly when a crack of thunder and a flash of lightning ended the memory. “Odysseus… where did you go?”

Chapter Text

“I haven't found anything on this Ithaca place.” Twilight said, flipping through a book before throwing it into a shelf in frustration. “UGH!” 

Spike looked at a map he had sprawled out on the floor. “Wait, Twilight, come look at this!”

Twilight walked over and looked at the map. “That's a map of the human world, Spike.” 

“Yes, but look here. In Greece.” Spike tapped the map with his claw.

“Wait. That has to be it! Ithaca!” Twilight looked at the map. “But… if he’s from the human world… Why is he in Equestria? There's no way he could have gotten here without the magic mirror.” 

“Rarity said she found him in the middle of Ponyville, right?” Spike asked.

“Yes, but the mirror is hidden away from most ponies. Not many know where it is. If he’s meant to be a human, it's nearly impossible that he should be here. He shouldn't be here at all!” Twilight stomped her hoof. “This is going to be tough to figure out.” 

“Twilight!” Rainbow Dash burst into the library. “I found some stuff on that Ithaca place!” 

“I did too!” Twilight said, gesturing to the map. “It's in the human world!” 

“One of my griffin friends said that he’s been to Ithaca before. It takes a long time, but it's possible to get there by flight.” Rainbow Dash explained. “But that Odysseus guy doesn't have wings, so I don't know how he got here on his own hooves.”

“That's what I'm trying to figure out. He obviously came from the human world, so he had to have been human before. But the only way to travel between worlds without wings is the magic mirror. How he could have gotten a hold of it is beyond me.”

“There has to be another way he got here.” Rainbow Dash said.

Twilight looked at the map again. “Hmm… I might need to study this some more."

Odysseus was watching Rarity’s every move. He was very worried about his cloak being ruined even more.

Rarity was careful to fix each hole and rip as much as she could. Once she finished she set it around Odysseus’ shoulders. “There! Good as new!”

Odysseus looked at his cloak. He smiled. “Thank you.” He bowed his head in appreciation. “You’ve both done much to help me. The gods have certainly blessed you.” 

“The gods?” Rarity asked. 

Odysseus looked at her. “Yes. The gods.”

“I don't believe I know of these gods.” Rarity said. 

“Oh. Um.” Odysseus shuffled his hooves. “It's a tad difficult to explain, but… they are divine beings that control the universe. Zeus is the king of gods. He is primarily the god of thunder and rain. And Athena is one of his children. She is known as the goddess of wisdom and war.”

“Fascinating.” Rarity said.

“How many gods are there?” Fluttershy said quietly as she made her way over to the other two.

“Oh, there's hundreds!” Odysseus said. “More than I can remember.” His tail swished. “Gods are the reasoning behind nearly everything in our world. Zeus controls the rain, Pan is the god of the wild, Artemis is the goddess of animals and hunting, Helios is the god of the sun,” he listed off.

“Is there a god of unicorns?” Rarity asked.

“Or Pegasi?” Fluttershy asked.

“Um. I'm not sure.” Odysseus answered. “But there is a god of horses…” he murmured. “Poseidon…”

“Poseidon?” Fluttershy said softly.

“He's also the god of the ocean. And Earthquakes.” Odysseus elaborated. He seemed a bit uncomfortable talking about the sea god.

“Girls! Uh- and Odysseus,” Rainbow Dash galloped in. “Me and Twilight found some information on Ithaca.”

Odysseus perked up. “Really?”

“Yeah- one moment-” Rainbow took a moment to catch her breath.

“Did you run all the way here?” Rarity asked.

“Yeah. I gotta stretch my legs too, y'know? If my legs aren't as strong as my wings I could fail to land and crash.” Rainbow Dash fluttered her wings. “Anyways. Ithaca is in the human world.” 

“Human world!?” Rarity stood up. “How in Equestria did he get here then!?” 

“We don't know.” Rainbow Dash shook her head. She looked at Odysseus. “Do you know how you got here?”

Odysseus shook his head. “No. I barely remember my last memory.” 

“Why don't you tell us what you can remember? It might give us some clues.” Fluttershy suggested.

Odysseus thought back to the scene with Zeus. “Well…” 

He was interrupted by Twilight entering the building. “AppleJack wants us to meet her at Sweet Apple Acres. She and Pinkie made some food for us and our guest.”

“Food?” Odysseus’ ears stood upright.

“You can explain on the way if you want.” Rainbow Dash said to him. “Running builds up an appetite.”

Odysseus went and followed the group to the farm.

“So, can you tell us what happened?” Fluttershy said, trotting up to walk beside Odysseus.

“Well, it's a bit violent.” Odysseus said. “I suppose I can explain…” he took a deep breath.

By the time Odysseus had finished explaining, they had reached the farm.

“That's an awfully long journey you went on.” Twilight said.

“Yeah.” Odysseus murmured.

“Welcome to Sweet Apple Acres!” AppleJack greeted the group. “Come on and take a seat! Me ‘n Pinkie just finished cooking!” She led the group inside.

Odysseus paused when he heard a dog barking. He looked in the direction and saw a brown and white dog chasing a rabbit. “Dog.”

“That's Winona!” AppleJack said.

Hearing her name, Winona stopped chasing the rabbit and ran up to the orange pony.

“I had a dog.” Odysseus said quietly.

“What was it's name?” ApplaJack asked.

“Argos.” Odysseus answered, looking at the dog, who was now sniffing him. “Hi, Winona.” He smiled.

Winona barked and wagged her tail.

“Well, I bet you're hungry! I mean look at you, you look like you haven't eaten in days!” AppleJack waved a hoof at him. 

Odysseus lowered his ears. “Days is… an understatement.” He followed AppleJack. He was hit with the scent of food. More specifically, apple scented food. His stomach growled. Gods, he was starving.

Pinkie Pie was in the middle of stuffing her face with an apple pie when she heard the group enter. “Oh, hey guys!” She said cheerfully. “Don't worry, there's still plenty of food! I only ate two pies!” 

“I am so fucking hungry.” Odysseus whispered.

Rainbow Dash whipped her head towards him. “Did you just curse?”

“Rainbow, no-” Rarity sighed.

“FUCKING FINALLY! SOMEONE I CAN CURSE WITH! THESE FUCKERS AVOID CUSSING LIKE THE PLAGUE!!” Rainbow Dash celebrated.

Odysseus flinched at the sudden excitement.

Fluttershy flinched slightly as well. “Rainbow, inside voice.” She said softly.

“I DONT FUCKING CARE, FLUTTERSHY THIS IS A MOMENT WORTH CELEBRATING!!” Rainbow Dash cackled.

“RAINBOW DASH!” AppleJack shouted, stomping her hoof.

Rainbow Dash paused. She lowered her head. “Sorry, AJ.” she said quietly.

“Apologize to Fluttershy.” AppleJack said.

“Sorry, Fluttershy.” Rainbow Dash apologized to the pegasus.

“It's okay, Rainbow.” Fluttershy smiled.

“Well, now that that's settled, let's eat!” AppleJack trotted over to the table.