Butterfly in the Orchard

Chapters

chapter 2: dark past
Caring for Big Mac
Chapter 4: Distracted
Chapter 5: Mare From The Past
Chapter 6: the date
Chapter 7: The Storm, Part 1
Chapter 8: The Storm part 2
Chapter 9: Say Yes (Finale) v02
Chapter 1: the ticket

chapter 2: dark past

It is the night before the Winter's Heart ball, Fluttershy is trotting through Ponyville heading in the direction of Carrousel Boutique. She is care free only thinking about the upcoming dance that she was invited to. She had made plans to stay and enjoy the ball with spike and Rarity, she even made preparations as to where to go afterwards.

As she turned the corner she notices something that brings her to a sudden stop, two stallions, one beige coated with orange mane and the other light blue with a brown mane in a short tail. the beige one had a visible scar cutting across the cheek from under his eye to the edge of his mouth. The two were looking of towards the market laughing with eyes of that of a lion seeking for prey.

"is it really them?" Fluttershy asked herself turning back in seek of a detour. "oh my, I hope they didn't see me." Suddenly she hears their laughter become louder. She panicked and jumped behind some barrels.

"Man, I hope we could find some nice flank at the shindig tomorrow," said the Blue colt.

"Yeah, hopefully we'll find some ditzy ones that we wouldn't even need to threaten." Replied the beige one

"Exactly, those only need two pints and they'll be ready for action," Replied the blue one with a chuckle. As they trotted off Fluttershy, who had began to recede into fear went flying off to Rarity's in seek of help.

She frantically opened the door, Rarity turned around to answer the door, "welcome, may I……." she saw Fluttershy enter, her face as pale as a blank canvas. "My dear, are you alright?" she asked.

"I… I… I…" Fluttershy fumbled her words. Slowly she had begun to bring them to a full statement. " I saw… the … per… perverted colts." With that statement Rarity gasped and began to think of how to comfort her. She quickly grabbed a cloth and began to wrap Fluttershy in it, but Fluttershy's mind had already begun to recall all the things they had tried to do to her.

It was a warm summer night, around three years ago. Fluttershy was out alone, looking for Angel, worried that the rabbit was still mad at her dropping him. She checked every bush that she knew he would run off to when he didn't want to be found. Franticly she called out, "Angel, please come out, I'm sorry for hurting you, come out, it's late" but they were not answered by the rabbit.

Suddenly two stallions came to her, they stood behind her and smiled at her, "are you okay?" asked the blue one. Fluttershy was wary about them, but seeing that she was worried about her Angel she felt she could trust them.

"my bunny is lost, and I'm trying to find him," she said with a worried look on her face. She decided she could use their help and offered, "Could you help me"

"no prob'," said the beige one, "we'll help you," he had a suspicious smirk on his face, but Fluttershy didn't think much of it. They stayed with her until she began to stick her head in the bushes. One took a branch from a nearby felled tree and swung it as hard as he could, striking Fluttershy on the head.

She fell to the ground, the two colts got on top of her one holding her front hooves down, the other prying her hind ones apart. She began to whimper, trying to find the strength to let out a scream, but the beige one stuck a branch in her mouth telling her, "if you scream we will hurt you more." She couldn't do anything, she was at her most powerless state. She closed her eyes hoping that it will end soon.

Her will was not yet broken, she still tried her best to keep her hind legs together, but that only angered the colts more. They began to beat on her, blow after blow, hitting her stomach, chest and face. Her whimpers were louder that they wanted and this angered them more.

When it seemed as if she was about to lose her will, there was a rustling in the bushes. Angel had arrived and threw a rock at the blue colt, getting his attention. As the colt glanced at the rabbit, Angel whistled, summoning a bear to aid Fluttershy. The blue colt jumped back to dodge the swipe of the Bear's claw, but the beige one was struck in the face at full force. The claw slashed the colt's face and started a stream of blood coming down his face. "Let's get out of here," shouted the blue colt as he turned to evade the Bear's rampage. The two colts ran off, leaving behind a splash of blood and a traumatized mare curling up in the fetal position, tears rushing down her face.

"Don't worry my dear;" assured Rarity, "those ruffians probably don't even remember you. It has been four years."

"they probably do," worried Fluttershy, "and even want to hurt me for what the bear did to them." she began to cry again, "what if they hurt you for trying to help me if they show up at the dance. What if they have a knife and stab me rather than just……."

She continued to think of different things that could happen when the door opened. She jumped and rushed to the next room believing that it was one of the colts she was hiding from. Rarity looked to see who had come in…

"hello Big Mac," said Rarity to the red stallion that just entered, "what can I help you with today?"

"well miss Rarity, I came to pick up my suit," he said while trying to peek over to the other room.

"why of course, I just packaged it was about to send it over." Rarity said, looking at him suspiciously. "is there something more you wanted?" she asked in a worried voice.

"was somepony crying in here?" he asked still looking over to the door, seeing only the tip of a mane creeping down the side of the door frame.

"that was, uh.. me," Rarity tried to come up with an excuse "I … I just thought I ruined a dress… and worked myself to tears trying to get it fixed." She then gave a grin and looked at him hoping the excuse worked.

Big Mac just looked at her and thought to himself that maybe it wasn't his place to get involved. But he had this urge to bring comfort to the crying mare. "listen, if you have a problem," he said, aiming his words to the mare behind the wall, "you can trust the ponies around you, I… they can help you get through anything."

"why sure thing," said Rarity, "I have many things to do, so I'll be busy for the rest of the day." She looked at him awkwardly as he stared past her. "well, here is your suit, and I hope to see you at the ball tomorrow"

"thanks," he replied as he placed it on his back and headed off towards home. As he through town he kept wondering to himself, "who could have made her so upset?" his thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of an angry mare.

"what kind of mare do you think I am?" she said as she threw an apple at a two colts, one blue and the other beige. "Like, I would ever do those things, especially with you two!"

"come on," said the beige one, "you can't deny the truth, it's better to let it happen." He continued to be persistent.

Big Mac could not stand seeing this, he does not want to see any pony to be treated that way. He stepped in, "I suggest you leave her alone" he said in a stern voice. The colts turned to see him standing over them with an angered look in his face. The mare had enough time to prance away without them noticing.

"you got some nerve getting between us."

"I don't like seeing mares get hassled by colts.," he said bracing himself on the firm ground, "you better quit and make your leave." The two stallions tried to stand their ground, but after looking around, the beige one looked around to see a crowd of ponies glaring at them. some with a shadow of action coming over their eyes. He tugged on the collar of the blue one and suggested they walked away. With their tails between their legs rode they off towards the outskirts of town.

Big Mac believing he did right walked the opposite direction towards the farm, heading over to prepare for the ball.

The day of the Winter's Heart Ball has finally come, everypony who had tickets were showing up at the door to be let in. last minute touches were being made and the doors were closed until they were done. In the crowd stood Rarity with Fluttershy and spike, the cold snow at their hooves but patiently waiting.

"my, isn't this divine?" asked Rarity, " I can't imagine what the ball will be like," she looked over to Fluttershy, seeing her shiver, "is something wrong, my dear?"

Fluttershy turned to her, "I … it's nothing, I'm just cold"

"I could make a small fire if you like" stated Spike,

"fire? Near a well dressed pony? It will ruin the dress." Remarked Rarity at spike, spike bowed his head in embarrassment. Rarity reassured that it was nothing big, by lifting his head and bopping his snout.

The cold was not bothering the frail yellow mare, it was the large mixed crowd. Fluttershy looked at the large crowd; her fear began to swallow her. "What if they are going to hurt me?" was the biggest of the questions swarming her mind, entranced by figments of her mind coming over her. She continued to shiver in her boots, but her fears were soothed by a familiar voice.

"good evening miss shy," said Big Mac. He was recognizable by voice, but not much by appearance. His mane was combed into one large ponytail, his tail was braided to keep from tangling, and the smell of apple scented musk was heavy in him. Fluttershy was surprised by his apearence, while Spike tried to dam up the laughter. She stared at him for a while, at which point he stated, "Granny Smith and Applejack spent three hours making me look presentable."

"I, uh think you look nice." Said Fluttershy.

"thank you, but I still feel like a donkey in chains," he understood her hood intentions, and was happy about it, but he was not comfortable in the suit.

Finally the doors opened, the mayor greeted the guests. As they entered the dance the fun had begun. Fluttershy gazed around at the ball, her mind began to settle as the warm setting cuddled her. the three then began socializing with other patrons, well mostly Rarity and spike, Fluttershy just stood by. The night seemed magical, especially for Rarity and Spike, who had been invited to dance together by another couple. Fluttershy had been left alone at the table, watching them and the other couples dance. Her mind began to recede to the darkness of being alone and the target for a perverted stallion.

On the other side of the room Big Mac had found his friend, he had come with his wife, Ditzy.

"Hello, Big Mac" said Dr. Whooves getting his attention.

"how you doing doc? And you too Miss Doo" he responded.

"I'm doing well, I got Sparkler to sit Dinky and got the night off." He stated "so who did you come with?"

Big Mac blushed at the statement, "I didn't come with any special pony." He said looking off to the side.

Fluttershy sat by at the table eating her pastry when she felt a slight disturbance, then heard the voice she had been dreading to hear all night. "hello, little mare" she stopped in her tracks to look over and see two stallions. "remember us."

"so you came here alone?"

"well, not exactly….." replied Big Mac trying not to get himself too deep in the conversation. "i came with some friends."

"and where are they, it must be sad to be in this dance alone"

the two stallions made an impression in her mind with their appearance, one Beige and the other blue with a scar going down his cheek. She tried to look away, hoping they would leave her alone. The two were persistent. "whats the matter, you having trouble remembering us?"

"uh… sorry but, could you leave me alone? … if that's not too much trouble?" she replied hoping her words would work, they did not.

"if it' not too much trouble?" mocked the beige stallion

"they're around." Said Big Mac, hoping he will stop soon.

"well then, bring them over, maybe we could have a chat" teased the Doctor.

"I thought you had a special pony around by now?" interrupted Ditzy. Big Mac blushed at the thought. As he paned his view to the left in embarrassment something had caught his eye.

"look you owe us," said the beige Stallion, "look what your bear did to my friend." He pointed to the blue stallion.

"the mark would not go away," he said "it made me hideous to look at. You know what that's like, do yah?"

"well … I'm … uh… sorry" fumbled Fluttershy, "I could not control what he did…."

"what is it?" asked the Doctor,

"it's them two colts," replied Big Mac.

"Oh, Those two.." he replied after looking over, "those two are a big nuisance, they are always picking on mares, trying to get in bed with them." Big Mac turned to him, "I hear they tried to force themselves on a mare once."

Big Mac took a closer look and noticed the mare they were with. He headed over.

"so what do you say, are you going to apologize properly" said the blue stallion.

"I uh… well…" she continued to fumble.

"I think we know how she could make it up to us," Giggled the beige one.

"excuse me, miss Shy." Said the towering red stallion, "are these colts bothering you?"

"you have some nerve coming here." Said the beige stallion, felling belittled by the statement. The blue one poked him in the side. He pointed out the guard glaring at them. he turned back at Big Mac as they began to retreat, "this isn't over."

As they shrank from their view Fluttershy regained her feeling of safety. "Big Mac…" she said "um… thank you."

"it's nothing," he replied, "them colts are nothing but trouble." He then turned to her to see her shivering frail body, "do you think you will be alright?"

Fluttershy trembled as she looked at him, she was grateful that he had come to her rescue, but she feared they would come back if she were ever alone. Slowly she responded, "could I … stay with… uh," she stated, "I can't find Rarity." Big Mac didn't ask want to ask her to stay close, but after thinking for a bit, he believed it would be for the best. She walked close to him, trying to feel safe.

As they headed over to the snack table for a calming drink Fluttershy felt as if they were still being watched by the stallions. In fear she walked much closer to Big Mac to regain security. She looked at him trying to get her eyes away from the big crowd, seeing his red fur, shining under the lights. She blushed.

They reached the snack table. Caramel, who was hired to dispense the snacks, saw them approaching. He pasted on his smug look and opened his mouth. "I see you did ask her out." He said to Big Mac, he poured the juices and glanced at him with his joking eyes. Big Mac was not in the mood to joke around.

"it's not what you think caramel," he stated, "some bad apples made their way in, they have been picking on Miss Shy." He stared at him, to be assured that the understood the gravity of the situation.

"bad apples?" he replied as he looked at the expression on Fluttershy, "well you wouldn't want you good time spoiled by some bad apples now." He gazes around to see how he could help them. looking at Fluttershy he thought that they need to have fun, not just prance around being paranoid. Big Mac had worked hard to be here and having to work as guard pony all night would just get tiresome. 'He needs relax more' he thought to himself as he looked around for a more fun way to stay safe. He then noticed the large gap on the dance floor. "you should go somewhere and stay in plain sight of the guards and other ponies," he cleverly stated, "the dance floor is the perfect place, no coward would strike where they could be seen."

Big Mac looked out to the floor and began to see what Caramel meant. Fluttershy on the other hoof was too shy to go to the floor and be seen by so many others. After several moments of fright her fear of being attacked was greater than her shyness, she made her decision. "That … doesn't seem like such a bad idea" she stated to Big Mac. He took notice of her thought and was more sure that they would be safe out there.

They headed on over to the floor. Caramel, head clouded by his plan, loudly said, "have fun you two." Big Mac's face grew warm after that bold statement; he is starting to believe Caramel didn't hear a word he just told him. Their distractions the two walked without taking notice of the attention they have been attracting. It wasn't until a camera wielding Pegasus stopped in their way; he snapped a picture of them and flew off. The flash brought them out of their self-induced trances, and let them notice the eyes of the crowd around them. They awkwardly moved ahead to the spot they were headed and slowly started dancing.

The music started to play, the crowd began to pay more attention to each other rather than them. the music was slow and romantic, the couples came out to dance. the setting was perfect for a couple, but Big Mac and Fluttershy could cut the awkwardness surrounding them with a knife; neither of them wanted to be with the other this way, they just want to stay safe.

Big Mac continued to look around at the crowd, in search of the bad apples, he could not see them, all he could see were the couples in each other's hooves, dancing, and enjoying the dance, carefree and with only each other in their eyes. With their joy in his view, he looked at Fluttershy who was looking at her feet and cowering in the thought of being in danger. He could see she was upset, he couldn't stand to see her like his.

"miss Shy?" he asked her,

"um…. Yes?"

"you don't need to be afraid," he assured her, "you can have fun, while I watch." She looked into his eyes for a moment, seeing if he was being truthful. She saw his heart was in the right place.

Their moment was interrupted by the mayor on stage. "Fillies and Gentlecolts, the time has come for our surprise for the night." The crowd became excited by the idea of a surprise for the dance. to resent the surprise, I will now introduce you to Photo Finish."

A well dressed pony came on stage from behind the curtain. She looked down at the crowd from her stage and spoke in her accented voice, "as you may have noticed we had some photographer taking photos of all the couples. And we have spent time choosing the most beautiful couple, to be on the cover of my magazine for the Hearts and Hooves day."

The crowd was ecstatic, they all wanted to be part of a magazine made by Photo Finish. They waited for her to say who was chosen. Fluttershy was afraid that she would be chosen, she did not want the attention. She slowly headed to the back, hoping nopony noticed her. Big Mac was paying too much attention to notice Fluttershy.

"Will the following pair come oop to the stage for all pony to see" Said Photo Finish to the crowd, leaving a large pause for dramatic effect. The crowd became inpatient, Big Mac looked around to find that Fluttershy was missing. He began to run around to find her.

Fluttershy was in the back, hoping nopony noticed her. she then was surrounded by two familiar stallions. "come with us or else," Said the beige one. Fluttershy became frightened, she didn't want to be harmed, but she didn't want to go with them either.

Big Mac found the elegant dress of Fluttershy heading out the side door, accompanied by the foulminded colts. He galloped over to them.

Photo Finish waited longer, since she had forgotten who it was that she had chosen. With all the ponies she comes in contact with, she was not accustomed to remembering names. The anticipation was growing on the crowd even further.

Big Mac exited to the patio to see the two colts threatening Fluttershy. He stepped in to stop them, "I thought I told you to leave her alone…"

"you think you scare us." They said as they turned around him. "you think you can take us on. We can kick your plank up and down the street."

"I am warning you, leave her alone or I will break a barrel over your heads." Said Big Mac, hoping to scare them. as soon as he finished his sentence he was hit in the face by a flying hoof. This was the sign that he dreaded to get, there is no turning back now.

Photo Finish received the envelope, and continued her announcement. "the pair is…."

The two stallions continued to beat on Big Mac. With one big movement Big Mac struck back and bucked one of them in the chest. The blow knocked the wind out of him, leaving him gasping for breath. He aimed at the other one and missed the chest, hitting his front leg and shattering it. They were injured but not out, they had a few trick up their sleeves. The blue one, snuck up behind him, took out a blade, and struck him in the thigh. As Big Mac screamed in pain the other one grabbed a rock and began to beat him on the back, crackling his rib and bruising the muscle. Big Mac continued to fight, even as they broke his leg. He bucked and bucked hitting them in the head neck and chest, until he could no longer move, and they fight had stopped.

The guards heard the screams of the two stallions and ran in to see what they could do. The guards saw the two stallions around Big Mac, who was unconscious. They knew what they did and using their horns they detained the stallions, placing them under arrest. The Pegasus guards flew to the hospital to get a doctor and wagon to take the injured.

As the investigation began the guards asked Fluttershy what had happened. Fluttershy stood by, watching the fight as it unfolded. Helplessly she whimpered, hoping Big Mac would not get too badly hurt. She was ashamed. The guard assured her that it was better, because she was not hurt.

Two hours in the investigation the guards have their conclusion and made their leave. Fluttershy and the crowd were finally let go. Rarity came over to ask her what happened. She explained and began to cry. Rarity comforted her saying, "it is not your fault. You can always heal wounds, but seeing you cry would be more upsetting than any wound." She began to take into consideration what Rarity said, off to the side she noticed a flower cart.

Big Mac began to open his eyes and saw Applejack along side of the bed. She had a smile on her face, but the smile began to fade as she opened her mouth.

"what in the hay were yuh thinking getting into a fight." She yelled at him. He knew she would not let this go, so he did not answer. "Did you really think it would be worth it."

He looked over to the nightstand and found a bouquet, with a note that read, "thank you" he gave one final answer to Applejack's question.

"eeyup."

Caring for Big Mac

Chapter 3 caring for Big Mac

__________

Five days have passed since the incident, Fluttershy still felt badly for the pain she had put Big Macintosh through. She talked with her bunny friends Angel, looking for a way to ease the guilt.

“oh angel,” she said with a sense of worry in her tone of voice, “Big Mac comes out of the hospital today, he was in such pain when I was him just a few days ago, who knows how he feels right now?” she turned to the window, “I worry,… if this was really all my fault”

The rabbit then tosses a pillow at her for attention and began to talk in his little bunny way. Fluttershy understood his gestures, but her face turned red.

“What….” She exclaimed, “I can't do that, what if he is mad at me.” Angel began to gesture again. Fluttershy’s choice started to waver, she saw in his point of view, although he just wanted her out of the house. “Okay angel, I … I'll try,” as she exited the house she worried how this would turn out.

Applejack entered the kitchen, hoping to get a good breakfast, what she did not expect to see her injured bother there. He attempted to get a box of cereal out of the cupboard. He climbed up a chair, groaning and moaning from the pain that he was left in.

Finally Applejack had seen enough, “Big Macintosh!!” she screamed in the top of her lungs, “What in the hay are yuh doing out of bed?” Big Mac fell, bringing the box of cereal spilling over the counter. “didn't the doc tell you not to be out of bed.

“Now sis,” said Big Mac, groaning as he tries to get up, “I'm fine. I don't need to rest.”

Applejack sighed. She knew Big Mac doesn't like to be seen as weak, not since the incident. “Well remember how long the doc said you need to heal.”

Big Mac rolled his eyes, “uh… five weeks”

“FIVE WEEKS” remarked Applejack “that's just one week more ‘till winter wrap up, and look at this list of what the doc prescribed for you to heal with.” She took out the list began to read from it, “take pain tea every five hours, place prescribed lotion on morning and night after bathing, massage muscles every morning. The patient must not strain himself” The list went on and so did she as she read every little detail. “now how in the hay are we going to do all these things in time for Winter Wrap up when you are going against what the doctor says?” she scolded “are we gonna have to get a nanny?”

A knock came at the door, applejack walked over thinking of Big Mac's safety. She opened the door and was surprised to see who it was.

“Fluttershy?” said Applejack, “what are yuh doin here?”

“Oh … um” Fluttershy looked at her feet, as to not feel threatened, “I came to see how Big Mac was doing. I heard he came out of the hospital today… and i…”

Applejack felt as if she needed to be truthful with her, “Big Mac is fine” she interrupted “he's just bein' a little stubborn with what the doctor told him.”

Fluttershy saw this as a moment to ask what concerned her, “is there… um… something I could do”

Applejack looked at her questionably. She didn't understand why she would ask that. He was hurt on his own watch. Maybe she was just being kind. “Fluttershy, ya'll don't need to do help,” she said, “Big Mac is a big pony, he just needs to learn to care for himself. ‘Sides, it was his own fault he was hurt.”

“But it wasn’t,” cried Fluttershy, “He was trying to protect me from those two mean stallions. If it wasn't for me, he wouldn't have gotten hurt.” Applejack was astonished by her cries and claims. She had never heard this side of the story, at least not from Big Mac. Looking down at the crying mare she could tell she felt guilt.

“yuh know what Fluttershy, why don't yuh help with a few things” applejack said, trying to calm her down, “he needs his medicine picked up from the pharmacy, while ah get him ready” Fluttershy smiled, prancing away from the farmhouse. Applejack sighed, she almost made her friend cry, but she was more worried over the guilt she sensed from her tone. She couldn't stay thinking; she had to prepare her brother for the new nanny.

She entered the kitchen to see Big Mac trying to lift the milk carton, the sight enraged her. Big Mac looked at her and placed the carton back in the fridge.

“Big Mac, we need to talk.” Applejack said to the in pain stallion, “we managed to find a pony to take care of yuh.”

Big Mac’s sat in the chair left open for him. “I don't need a maid; I can take care of myself.” He said as he slowly and painfully lifted his limbs in place.

Applejack could see through his poorly placed mask, “ah can see otherwise,” she said hoof in face, “ah just talked with a pony who feels bad over what happened and wants tuh help you get better.” She said getting back on track.

Big Mac was curious, “pony, what pony” he asked.

“Fluttershy” applejack said looking at him, expecting to see a reaction. Big Mac delivered. His eyes widened and he began to sweat. Whit what she saw she knew there was something he wasn't telling her. “Mind telling me what happened between yuh two.” Big Mac had never told her what happened; he thought it was best she thought it was a random fight.

“I, uh,” he hesitated. “I saw the two stallions giving mares a hard time…” he tried to explain, hoping it did sound like a lie to her “I heard Fluttershy had a bad deal with them ponies and didn't want them to hurt her. so I guarded her in the dance and well… they got me” he closed his eyes not knowing what to expect. His sister is known for taking things out of proportion, but there is a chance things will come out better.

“Well,” she stated, breaking the silence. “Now I understand how this heck of allot more.” Big Mac was surprised, she wasn’t angry or even remotely upset. She continued, “yuh were just being a gentlecolt and protecting her, well it's obvious why she feels like she owes yuh.” She chuckled for a second, then let out a sigh. “but don't think ah forgot what happened with you other mare-friend.” She said with a frown on her face, she would always bring up that incident whenever it came to dealing with a mare, Big Mac sighed having to hear it again. “Listen here, ya'll are gonna have my good friend visiting. She's shy so anything yuh try will spook her, and ah won't tolerate yuh making her uncomfortable, so no funny business, got it.” The scold was more than he expected, but still foreseeable. She got up, still with that disapproving frown and walked off to the front door.

He sat there thinking of what she said, hoping that the next few weeks wouldn't be as bad as he thinks.

The first few days were awkward, Big Mac had AJ's lecture fresh in his head, he did not want to get on her bad side again, so he kept his mouth shut.

Fluttershy came in with the medicine early in the morning. She was scared that she would do something wrong, but she needed to help Big Mac, fell like she accomplished something good. She was directed to his room.

The therapy started with a light wash, the sponge lightly pressed on his aching muscles, cleaning any dirt that may have gotten caught in his coat. Big Mac was embarrassed by this part the most, he feels awkward being washed by anypony other than his mother or granny smith. The knife wounds had to be undressed and have an antibiotic applied lightly. The wounds were dressed again, next came the pain medicine in two forms, a tea and a rub. The tea was not sweetened; Big Mac had to drink it all. He opened his mouth to drink; the flavor was comparable to a sour cactus soaked in vinegar, which might be the recipe.

The day ended with a massage of the medicine. Big Mac bean to feel better, but the pain was still unbearable. There was still the idea that the mare giving him the massage was his sister's friend, the very one she told him not to mess with. He did his best to not seem overly interested in her. He has been having some thoughts of her, so he doesn't even look at her to make things less awkward.

Fluttershy could see his face, as if he refused to even acknowledge her. She felt confused, so she asked him, “Are you okay? I'm not hurting you too much, am I?”

Big Mac looked at her, face red, and responded. “Why are you doing this?” he asked, hoping to drive her away. He did not want her near, since her presence both poked at his interest and made him feel weak. “Am I just a hurt bunny to you?” he enforced his statement.

“everypony needs to be picked up,” she open heartedly stated, “I just, well feel I need to help you for what you did for me…..” she stopped moving her hooves, a tear came to her eye, “nopony ever stood up for me like that, and I just … wanted to thank you”

Big Mac's heart sank. He had never thought it would mean so much for her. He looked at her, “it's okay, you can keep going.” He turned over hoping she wouldn't cry more and get him in trouble. It seemed to him she didn’t have any feelings for him, she just wanted to fell like she doesn't owe him anymore.

The rest of the session went on great. they had little awkwardness as she left. Big Mac felt bad for the sad for the mare, she really wanted to make up for the incident. Big Mac saw her walking slowly to the door, head hanging low, and hooves scraping the wood floor.

“miss shy,” he called over to her. “Would you… like some tarts, maybe.” Fluttershy turned and smiled, accepting his offer.

The next few days came by the same. Fluttershy would arrive in the morning for the treatment. Afterwards they had a snack together. Snack time was short since they didn't want applejack to notice, she would go mad. Still the sessions were keeping them fulfilled, in their own ways.

Days then turned to weeks and trouble came as the medicine depleted Fluttershy went to the pharmacy to refill on the ointment. The pharmacist wasn't a problem, the ponies in line were. Roseluck was the biggest problem. Though her talent was botany she had a knack for having loose lips.

“I swear she has been going to the apple farm for a few weeks,” Roseluck started,“ I wonder what they’re doing in there.”

“she must have something for that stallion” replied Lily the conversation was between two, but as bystanders catch wind of the gossip. A mare heard and told her friends “I was in line and heard the medicine was for Big Macintosh.” And another mare told her friends, “that lotion must be for something else” and in turn another, “can you believe those two together?” it all went along until the fourth week of Big Mac's treatment when Fluttershy sensed some strong vibes from a crowd of ponies. She managed to over hear some conversations. “is she that open?” “Big Mac is lucky or just stupid.” “she doesn't look like a mare he would like” The words pierced through her, opening her mind to their words.

The sessions came and she felt awkward. Her movements were slower. Her eyes stared blankly gazed at his back as she thought of the mares speaking of them. Big Mac noticed and asked about it, but she responded with, “it’s nothing.”

The rumors spread like a swarm of Parasprites but did not last long. After three weeks the ponies did not care for this tired gossip, they needed something new. But for Fluttershy the damage was done, the rumor cut so deep. They had brought forth some old memories she didn't want see again. It came back to her in a dream.

______

Fluttershy was crying in the dark, with a scrap of paper at her hooves. She was just a filly at the time, and having a bad time. Surrounding her were the school-fillies, pointing and laughing. “no colt wants a filly who can not fly” they said as they snickered at the yellow mare.

Fluttershy looked at the note, now soaked in her tears. “do you like me?” said the top line in pink letters. As the note had the boxes underneath, Y or N, the blue pen only stated, “like I would want a flightless dodo like you”

The words were harsh both from the fillies and the colt she liked. Her heart was broken, she felt as if she would never love, seeing as nopony wanted her. the taunts and laughter continued, she sank deeper into her darkness. The light was sweeping away from her. Her eyes dripped like an overflowed bucket. Her whimpers echoed in the darkness.

“You don't have to be afraid anymore, miss,” Said a familiar voice. The voice was deep

Suddenly there came a light, pierced through the blanket of black. Ahead of her was the path to a tree. I called to her, saying “come over.” She stood up and followed the light, growing as she walked. The darkness continued to recede as she climbed the hill to the single tree. Beside the tree she could make shape of the pony calling to her. His golden orange mane, and red coat glistening in with the sun behind him. He looked down into her eyes and said, “it will be alright, I will protect you”

______

Fluttershy woke up, holding Angel and kissing him. The rabbit was not amused. He pushed himself away from her in disgust.

“sorry angel,” she said to the angry rabbit. “I just had that dream again.” Angel squeaked and gestured, in his little bunny way, replying to Fluttershy. “yes that one. But it was different,” she explained, “it ended differently” she got off her bed and looked out towards the farm.

Angel squeaked in confusion. It took a while for his bunny mind to register the feeling she was expressing. He then spoke again, getting Fluttershy's attention. “Oh my, I couldn't,” she replied, seeing that she gestured to confront him. He then gestured to her, holding his paw over his head. Fluttershy looked out the window again. “Maybe you right,” she said sighing against the glass. “I just hope he doesn't take it the wrong way”

Big Mac was in a good mood, today as the last day of the prescribed treatment. He laid in bed expecting Fluttershy to show up, this time he had a full pie for her to take home, as thanks for helping him get better.

Fluttershy arrived, letting herself in and heading to Big Mac's room. Applejack was still asleep, or it seemed since the house was dead quiet. She knocked on the door, “you can come in now” said the voice behind the door. Big Mac turned over happy to see her, seeing that they became good friends these past few weeks. He noticed the look on her face, a look of confusion and sadness. He believed she had something troubling her, he just couldn't put his hoof on it. “should we get started?” he said in a calm voice as to not spook her even more.

Fluttershy grabbed the sponge and started to wash the wounds. Her hooves shaking she pressed the sponge against the nearly invisible scars. She couldn't keep her mind off the Big Mac, thinking of what would occur if she asked him.

The ponies in town had interesting thoughts on the rumors, she couldn't decide who to believe. Some of them saying they would be great for each other, they were cute, a match made by Celestia. Others see their pairing as disgusting, incompatible, and idiotic. Both sides gave a great push into Fluttershy’s decision. She cant decide now.

“what should I do” she thought to herself “is it right to just ask him? Will he say yes”

Big mac noticed her dazing into a trance, looking down on the bed, as she washed the same spot for a minute. He could see her face showing a sense of confusion and sadness. He couldn’t let her stay like that, it is never good to leave a pony with bad thoughts. “is something wrong, miss Shy” he said to her.

She looked up to him, trying to answer his question. Nothing came to mind, all she could think was whether or not to ask him to be with her. “you have to show him how you feel” one side said while an equally loud voice said “you don’t belong together”.

Big mac turned over in hopes of getting her to speak of her problems. “miss shy, is something wrong,” he stated, “is something bothering you.”

She looked down as the arguments continued to lash in her head, “you should” and “you shouldn't”, “its cute,” and “its stupid”. Her mind was a train wreck that could not be picked up. Looking into those eyes made her believe she could do it, face the demons that she had been facing. One final thought came before she acted. “do you want to be alone forever?”

The room was silent. She had closed her eyed to not see the outcome of the event. All she could feel was the warm soft pressure on her lips, the breath from his nose blowing on her face. For those brief seconds her mind was blank. Her anxieties were held back by a dam. Unfortunately the dam broke.

Fluttershy jumped back and covered her face. Her eyes watering and voice whimpering she silently panicked. “what did I do, what did I do?” she frantically thought to herself. She backed away from the bed. “oh my goodness, oh my goodness.” Her thoughts repeated themselves. Her heart raced,

She ran out crying, leaving a confused Big Mac sitting on his bed. Running out half blinded by tears she knocked over a table, lamp, and chair. The crashes summoned the now irritated Applejack. She pounded through Big Mac's door to see him.

“what the hay happened?” she questioned him without a second's thought.

Big mac stood there still trying to comprehend what had just occurred. 'was it even real, did she really just…’ it took time to wrap his head around what happened but then it just brought him to wonder why?

Applejack became even more irritated with his trance. Though she had never seen him like this she believes whatever it was it was his own fault. “Hey, Big Mac!” she shouted to get his attention. “what happened in here” she asked him with the glare of a thousand judgments flashing from her eyes.

Big Mac was shocked out of the trance to realize her sister wanted an explanation. He couldn't tell her what had happened, Applejack can’t seem to let go the Lyra incident. “I… I…” he stuttered, trying to come up with something. “I… accidentally… touched her…” he tried to come up with an incident that would make him seem at fault, Fluttershy was too innocent to have to face the never ending rage of Applejack. “Touched her flank,” he finished the statement “She panicked”

Applejack was not amused, yet took his word for it. It was a plausible cause for Fluttershy to run out in a hurry, yet anything might be, but she still had doubts in his words. “alright,” she said with a distrusting look in his face, “but ya'll better start working today.” She changed her tone “we need to start working hard, Winter Wrap-up is in three days.”

“right” he replied trying to keep a straight face, he didn't want to show anything that goes against the lie he wove.

______

In Fluttershy’s cottage silence was the first thing you notice. The windows were shut and the door locked. It seems she is not home, but from upstairs a light whimpering. The whimpering was silent, muzzled by the blankets and pillows.

Several hours have passed and Fluttershy was deep in a pool of regret over the incident with Big Mac. Just the thought of it happening was enough to get her eyes watering. She whimpers on thinking negative thoughts, thoughts of not being together and hate and being labeled as open legged. Open legged, if that were to go around even more the stallions would keep propositioning her. The mares would not want to be anywhere near her. She would be an outcast if it weren't for her friends being there for her.

“Fluttershy dear,” sounded a familiar voice. “I hope it's alright, but I let myself in.” the classy tone of the voice was quickly recognized. “Applejack sent me.”

Fluttershy could feel the hoofsteps climbing up the stairs. She peeked between the covers and could see the white unicorn.

“L-leave me alone” whimpered Fluttershy. “I… I… don't want to t…talk” she covered her face, hiding her shame.

“why Fluttershy dear,” said the worried unicorn, “I'm not going to hurt you.” She assured her. the frightened yellow Pegasus peaked over the mound of pillows, her hair drooping over her face soaked in tears. “Applejack sent me to see what I could do to make you feel better. Apparently her brother did something horrid.” The statement stopped her heart. She couldn’t comprehend what she just said.

“She said that?” she asked in disbelief.

“She was a little fuzzy on the details,” said Rarity, “all I know is that she is upset with Big Mac. It must have been so uncouth, it surprised me. Did he touch you?”

“Actually….” Stammered Fluttershy, voice breaking, opening herself, and scared. “it… was me.”

Rarity was shocked by her statement. “what?”

“It wasn’t Big Mac, I did it, I kissed him” she looked at the floor to hide her eyes from the look of disapproval. She believed she needed to clear up the incident, but will they believe her.

“oh,” said Rarity, surprised, “oh dear,” she tried to comprehend what Fluttershy just told her. “so you… kissed… him.” Fluttershy nodded. It took a moment to bring her mind around it. How could it have been her who would kiss him, unless… it clicked. Rarity wrapped a grin over her face. “you like him, don't you Fluttershy?”

Fluttershy gave a whimper, her eyes glued to the floor. Then she gave a light nod. She began to tear up.

She grabbed hold of Fluttershy, brushing her hoof on her messy mane. “It's fine my dear, you did nothing wrong.”

“I... I… probably looked o…open legged,” she cried into her shoulder.

“Please dear, don't be so hard on yourself. Big Mac is a gentlecolt, he would never think such things about you”

“Really?” she asked Rarity, getting out of her shoulder. Rarity gave a nod. She sat up again and began to wipe her tears. Her mind was recovering from that fear, but one thing came to her mind. “what would Applejack think of this.” She screamed covering herself with the blanket again.

Rarity gave it some thought. “I believe you need to tell her yourself.”

“What!?” the phrase shocked her. “I can't do that”

“Dear, listen,” she tried reasoning with her. “Applejack is probably going to punish Big Mac for what she believes he did. It could be bad for him, you wouldn't want that for him would you?”

Fluttershy got back up, cleaning the tears from her eyes. “N..no.” she responded. Fluttershy started to think of what could happen to Big Mac as punishment for a misunderstanding. ‘He may be put to do more chores than he can withstand. He has just gotten out of bed rest, it may hurt him more.’

She worried more. Rarity could notice it. She opened a window to let some light in. the sun came in directly onto the bed, it was setting. She thought of the situation. “Fluttershy dear, why don't you get some rest, maybe think of what to tell applejack. You can go tomorrow.”

Fluttershy looked at her, “okay Rarity.” she replied. She gave a sigh of relief, she still had time to set things right. But she just hopes it works out for the better.

Chapter 4: Distracted

The new day started, just one more day until Winter Wrap Up, and a lot of work had to be done. Things needed to be tallied, organized, and cleaned before the day arrives.

“Big Mac, wake up,” said his still irate sister. “Winter wrap up is tomorrow and we still got work to catch up on.”

Big Mac was upset as well, he laid in bed wondering what it was that made Fluttershy act the way she did.

“C’mon now,” she said as she pulled the blanket off. Big Mac was now forced to get up.

He was sure that Applejack was going to punish him somehow, probably by making him take a shorter break than usual and give him twice the amount of work. It is usually what she does when she is upset with him, but this time he didn’t mind, as long as Fluttershy didn’t have to face the wrath of his sister.

Applejack walked down the hall barely glancing at her brother. Big Mac could feel it. He now felts more sure of the upcoming punishment. Once they reached outside she stopped. “Twilight said that we need more bushels of twigs for the animal nesting team. I need yuh to collect a couple cartfuls.” She said abruptly.

“Eyyup” Big Mac replied, accepting that this was going to be the start of his punishment. He went to the cart to start off. “Maybe this will give me some time to think.” He thought to himself. And he did have much to think about.

Twilight arrived, her list ready for checking and tallying. She noticed Big Mac heading towards the orchard. The distraught look on his face caught her attention. As he disappeared into the forest of bare trees she couldn’t help but wonder if that rumor she heard was true.

“Howdy,” called the orange mare to Twilight.

“Oh, good morning Applejack,” she replied while still glancing over to the orchard.

“What’s the matter Twilight?” asked the concerned mare, “did yuh see something?”

Twilight thought about it for a second, thinking it wasn’t her place to ask. “I, uh, just saw Big Mac heading into the orchard.” She said knowing it wouldn’t lead anywhere good. “He looked upset.” She thought of the rumors that she had heard, them being together.

“He’s fine,” Applejack blurted out, trying to change the topic, “he just has a lot’a work to do.”

“Good, I thought something happened with Fluttershy” she abruptly replied. Not knowing what she just said she saw Applejack pause and turn with an angry face. The pure frustration that fumed off of her could have been enough to turn the snow into mist. Twilight now sensed the trouble heading towards her, she had to act fast. “Oh, I didn’t mean to say that.” unfortunately it wasn’t the best thing to say.

“Big Mac done said he didn’t mean to do it” she replied still gripping her teeth, “Ah still don’t believe him.” Her face suddenly drooped down, gazing at the ground as if it had the answers, “at least ah wish ah did believe him.”

Twilight felt for her friend, she couldn’t stand to see any of her friends moping. She felt as if she needed to do something to calm her. “Applejack, I… I don’t know what happened, but I’m sure you will forget about it with work.” She wanted her to get her mind off whatever was troubling her, which is what the book had told her. Unfortunately a book can’t teach you how to do it properly. Applejack was still pouting as they headed over to the barn.

The time Twilight was there she couldn’t help but wonder what had transpired. What could have Big Mac done to anger her friend? Of course having him come into the barn brought an uneasy feeling for all of them. Twilight could not stop thinking what had happened. “it must have been something bad” she kept thinking to herself. She was still too afraid to ask.

The pressure was too much; Twilight made finally took the dive and finally asked. “Applejack, what happened with your brother?”

“Nothing happened,” she snapped at her, lip quivering from the lie she just said. “It was just uhhhh…..” she stopped to think. Lying to her friend was upsetting her more than the Big Mac problem. Twilight had always helped her with her problems in the past, maybe she could use her help this time. “somethin’ happened with Fluttershy,” she explained, “Ah was just getting up when ah heard her run out of Big Mac’s room. Ah could tell something happened, so ‘ah confronted him, he just told me he touched her and she overreacted. Ah know it was an understatement, he ain’t telling me the full truth…”

Twilight was unsure how to react. She had read of situations worse than these being resolved in the “Romance” section of the library but this specific situation was new to her. What could she tell her? “I, I think you should ask Fluttershy what happened.” Was the first thing that came out of her mouth, “only she could tell you what really happened?” she went on to explain, “it is safer to know the truth when something happens, and it is best to get it from the primary source.”

She gave an awkward smile, she felt as if she pulled the help out at the last minute. Would it work? She did not know. Applejack looked at her blindly for a few second and then went back to work. Twilight continued tallying the bales.

Time had passed and Twilight finished her final tallies, she now needed to enter them into the books. Applejack walked into the barn, probably trying to get her mind in check. Twilight trotted off, her head still facing the barn. The thought of applejack hurting over something she did not know was troubling her. She became distracted from the direction she was walking and suddenly …Thump… she collided with a soft maned pony, which let out a quiet yelp.

“Um… sorry” the mare was quick to apologize. Her soft voice was easily recognizable, it was Fluttershy.

“Ah, Fluttershy, sorry for running into you.” Twilight replied. “I was just a little bit distracted.”

“Umm, me too” she softly replied. She looked around, as if she was looking for someone. Twilight remembered the conversation she had with Applejack, she knew why she came.

“is something wrong?” she asked as to not make assumptions that would scare her.

“I, uh… well,” she felt a bit embarrassed. Twilight probably heard what happened. “have you, um, seen Applejack?”

“Applejack?” she was right, but didn’t try to show it out loud. “she just went into the barn.” She pointed the way with the horn. Fluttershy hesitated at first, a look of worry on her face caught Twilight’s eye.

She watched her off, heading to the barn. One thing came to her head, “should she stay to help mend this friendship, if it goes south.” Or, “is it none of her business.” She pondered it for a moment, until finally she thought, “maybe I should check and see if they’re fine.”

At the barn Applejack was organizing the bales. She sensed somepony had entered the barn, it annoyed her that they did not respond. “Well, are yuh gonn’ stand there or help me with this?” she said in an annoyed tone. All she got in response was a startled yelp. She turned to see who it was. She was embarrassed to see a scared Fluttershy cowering in the corner. “ahg! Sorry Fluttershy, ah thought you were somepony else.” she tried to apologize, managing to calm her down a bit.

“Uh… no problem.. Applejack.” Fluttershy replied, trying to stand her ground.

“Why did yuh come here anyway?” asked Applejack, hoping she didn’t already know the answer.

“Actually, I, umm… wanted to talk to you.” She timidly said

Applejack had an idea what she wanted to talk about, but she needed to be sure. “Sure, what about?”

Fluttershy kicked the dirt under her front left hoof and tried to force out the reply. “B-b… Big Mac”

Just hearing the name made Applejack jump, she had thousands of thoughts whip through her head. The words shot out of her mouth. “Big Mac ‘sa good stallion, but he makes some mistakes and gets himself into trouble. But ah want to know, what it is exactly that he did to yuh.”

Fluttershy felt frightened, the sudden accusation on Big Mac made her quiver. “Well… I” She could barely respond. Not like Applejack let her any way.

“Did he do somethin’ to you?”

“He... umm.”

“Did he touch yuh?”

“No… he…”

“Did he try to force himself on……”

Suddenly Fluttershy had enough. She took in a breath and let it out in an unexpected shout. “He didn’t do anything!” it was enough to silence Applejack. Fluttershy took a step back trying not to be intimidating. “I… I…” she looked at applejack, trying to work up the courage for the next statement. “I kissed him.”

Applejack was confused. She did not expect to hear that. “Wait, yuh kissed him?”

Fluttershy responded with a light squeak.

“Kissed him, on the cheek?”

Fluttershy shook her head, saying no to the last question.

“On the lips then,” she tried to wrap her head around it. Then she began to blush. Her face was red like the barn itself. “yuh.. like mah brother?” she asked, her eyes locked on the timid mare.

Fluttershy nodded.

“And not just like him,” she added, “but Like him like him?”

Fluttershy cringed. The truth being told to her the sister of the stallion she had her eye on. She looked at applejack changing her expression every few seconds, anger to sadness to query. The rush of emotion was too much, she did not know which face she would stop with and begin her shouting frenzy.

Finally she chose one. She chuckled at herself. “Ah can’t believe I thought mah brother would do somethin’ that terrible”

Fluttershy was confused, chuckling was the last thing she expected to see applejack do in this situation. “Aren’t you… upset?” she asked trying to clear he confusion.

“Well, a bit,” she replied, “mostly at mah self”

“I, I mean at me… having for kissing him.”

“Well, ah didn’t expect that. But, how could I be mad at yuh two. You’re mah friend, ah can sure trust yuh with him.” She thought about it for a bit and something came to her mind. “when was it exactly that yuh told him”

Fluttershy blushed. “well… I…uh, haven’t”

Applejack’s face seemed to flatten into an annoyed expression, “Yuh haven’t.” she could see why Big Mac was acting weird, “Yuh do know how to be kissed without knowing why” she wanted to explain to her. “When yuh kissed him yuh left him in a daze, he didn’t know what tuh say when I barged in the room” she continued to explain the most logical scenario. She thought about it some more, glancing at the timid mare. His obviously needs to be said. “Fluttershy, yuh need to tell him the truth.”

“What?!”

“mah brother is airheaded, he doesn’t understand things unless they hit him on the head” she explained.

“I can’t,” protested Fluttershy, “what if he doesn’t feel the same way” the stress brought her to tears. She obviously can’t handle the thought of being rejected. Applejack could see this.

“Listen Fluttershy,” she said, attempting to calm her tears, “I’m sure mah big bro cares for yuh too, he’s just, yuh know, a bit quiet about it.” She told her a she what she was sure about. “Tell yuh what; think about it for a while, maybe after Winter Wrap-up you will feel sure enough to tell him.”

Fluttershy slowly lifted her head, cleaning he tears, and let out a smile towards Applejack. She then turned and headed out. She stopped at half way to the door, turned her head and said, “thank you for understanding”

“You’re welcome, Sugarcube” responded Applejack.

She went out the door bumping into Twilight. Twilight heard most of what happened. She gave a big smile, “I have just the thing that could help you.” She said, “follow me.”

-A few moments earlier-

Big Mac was deep in the orchard, deep in thought. “what have I gotten myself into?” he muttered to himself as he picked up and sorted the twigs. He couldn’t help but think of what he did to get that kiss. “There was only one pony that kissed me like that, and she now hates me.” The thought fumbled in his head. Then the thought of what he started some complications between Fluttlershy and his sister Applejack. The guilt was starting to get to him. He paused from his work and broke down, pleading for the one pony that he had a strong connection to.

“Pa…. could you help me” he said staring into the orchard.

_____________________

“Pa…” said a young red colt walking towards a dark green stallion. “pa…”

“Had a bad day huh?” replied the stallion. After bucking a tree the stallion turned to his son, “what happened?” with an open heart he asked the colt.

The red colt smiled in his interest. “pa, the boys in school said I was never gonn’ get married because I was just a farmerboy.”

The stallion got closer to the colt assuring his caring for him. “oh son, that is a big problem.” He looked up at the sun, checking the time. “you know son, follow me, there’s something I want to show you” the colt was confused, but he wanted to see what his father had in store.

The two walked deep into the orchard, the colt had never been this deep. They came to a sudden stop. The stallion lowered his head to the colt’s level, and then began to speak. “when I was your age I had some boys in town said the same thing about me,” Said the stallion, “I too went to my ma and she told me, ‘you are beautiful no matter what. And when you find a special somepony you have make it special for her.” he then looked forward, “then I met your mother, and one day after in spring I brought her here.” He walked over the hill and waited for his son to see the hill overlooking the lake, a hidden lake lost in the orchard. The sun made the lake sparkle like a mist of unicorn magic.

The sight stunted the colt; his words were lost in the beauty of the lake. His troubles seemed to have vanished. He took notice of a curved tree just atop the hill overlooking the scene.

“Son, maybe someday you can bring your special pony here,” continued the stallion, “then you can be sure that you can prove those boys wrong.”

As the colt stood there awestruck, he hear the voice of his special pony. “Macintosh… Applesmith, Time for dinner.” The sound of her voice gave him a smile, one that can be explained through the understandings of love.

_____________________

Big Mac’s memories of his wise father helped him get through the tough times he faced before, now he is not sure how it can help.

He headed back to the barn with his wagon of twigs. He thought to himself, ‘maybe if I stop seeing her it will pass, I wouldn’t want to keep getting her into trouble.’ His thoughts brought him around to one thought. ‘Why did she kiss me?’ On his walk back he couldn’t help but think that maybe, just maybe she liked him. The thought shocked him; it was too good to be true. ‘It was just an accident she meant nothing out of it, did she?’

As he tried to wrap his head around this he glanced on ahead and noticed a certain yellow mare come out of the barn. ‘This can’t be good’ he thought to himself. He waited at the orchard entrance until he knew she had left. ‘What was that about?’ he thought as he came closer to the barn. Then he came to the view of his sister, who was now in a better mood, but not by much. ‘What did she tell her.’

Big Mac pulled the cart next to the bales. Nonchalantly he grabbed bundles, piling them next to the box and rope used for bales. ‘Maybe if I keep working she will forget what happened’ he thought to himself. How wrong he was.

Unfortunately his sister turned to him. The grin on her face gave Big Mac an uneasy feeling in his stomach.

Applejack was still uneasy over why Big Mac had lied to her, and also why he hadn’t told herr about their feelings. But she was willing to pressure it out of him.

“So, what do yuh feel ‘bout the mares in town?” she starts off, not an exciting topic seeing as he is the most sought after stallion in town. He didn’t care much though. “I’m sure yuh still got some special one in your eye.”

“Eenope” he responded, his eyes focused on the task he started.

Applejack flinched from his response, she plunked around her mind for another subtle way to get what she wanted. “so, yuh would think nothin’ when a pony, makes certain gestures at yuh?” Big Mac stopped in his tracks. “yuh know, from a certain yellow mare?” she added

Big Mac became more nervous with the line of questioning his sister was getting to. “eenope” was all he could respond.

“Really? So a kiss don’t mean nothin?” she said in an irritated tone. The word caused Big Mac to fumble his work. The twigs spilled out of his mouth.

The silence was eerie. Big Mac stared at the ground, avoiding eye contact with his sister. He could sense the burning gaze of Applejack’s scorn. Moments passed and still no movement.

Finally he responded. “you know?” he asked. Applejack nodded. “how long?” he rebutted.

“Not long, Fluttershy just told me” she confessed. Big Mac panned his eyes away from his irritated sister.

“Are you mad at me for kissing her?” he asked with a trembling voice.

“Well ah am a bit peeved, but not cause of the kiss,” she clarified, “ahm mostly upset cause yuh lied to me over something so innocent.”

Big Mac was confused, “I thought you would be upset over me getting friendly with your friend?” he remembered what she had told him when he was at the bar just two months before. “you got upset when I asked her to the dance”

Applejack recalls the words she said, she is not proud of that moment. “listen big bro, ah know ah could be a bit hard to talk to, but this is different, ah know she has feelings for yuh, ah know yuh care for her as well.” Big Mac looked away, focusing on the ground rather than the face of his now confused sister, “right?”

The silence spoke very clear. Big Mac refused to see what expression his sister had on her face. To him it could be any of the five degrees of rage she had. It would not be pretty. He silence was getting worse. From what he knows silence is never a good sign.

“Wait, do yuh have feelings fur her?” she asked in a confused manner.

“Well…” Big Mac replied, “I just don’t know how to react to that”

Applejack bounces between embarrassment of telling him something he didn’t know and anger for his reaction. “ah shouldn’t be the one to talk with yuh ‘bout this.” She said with her hoof in her face. “look, yuh have till after Winter Wrap up to figure this out, ah need yuh head strong for work.” She began to walk away still holding her head. She paused at the door. “also, let her down easy, ah don’t wanna have tuh lose a relationship over you. Not again atleast.” She continued towards the house leaving Big Macintosh to do his work.

__________________

The girls had finally reached the library. Twilight rushed to find the help she wanted for Fluttershy all afternoon.

“Umm, Twilight?” asked Fluttershy as Twilight rummaged through her books, “uh… what is it that you are looking for exactly?”

“I had a book delivered to me from Canterlot, written by the master romance writer Love Brace.” Twilight answered.

“I don’t see how a work of fiction could help me.” she replied, just as Twilight found the book.

“It’s not fiction,” corrected Twilight, “it’s ‘Of Stallions and Mares: a Guide to First Time Romance’ a book with all you need to know about stallions and romance.”

“Is… it really useful?”

“It helped me get out of a date with Caramel. I’m sure it will help you get to know his feelings.”

“Um, Twilight…” Fluttershy tried to get words in as Twilight rushed through the pages of the book.

“Here we are” she said lifting the book in Fluttershy’s face. “Chapter 3 is what you need.”

Fluttershy peaked in to read the book, “does he feel the same way?” she read the words carefully. Analyzing the age she noticed the image embedded in the age, a large stallion with his mane flowing in the breeze. The image vaguely resembled Big Macintosh; her heart sank at the image.

Twilight pulled the book away, “now according to what I’ve heard you two spent quite some time alone”

Fluttershy blushed at the statement.

“You helped him heal his wounds, is that correct?”

Fluttershy gave a silent “yes”

“And did he do anything to thank you in return?”

“Well…” she thought about it, she remembered the snacks they had for those six weeks. “we had a snack afterwards.”

“Mm hmm” Twilight mumbled as she took out a chalkboard and ran the numbers. The more she pounded on the board Fluttershy became even more nervous. She peeked to try and decipher the scribbles on the board, but the Algebra and calculus was too much for her to understand. “Aha,” she blurted as she finished.

“What is that?” asked Fluttershy.

“It’s the probability equation for finding if Big Mac likes you.” She then lifted the book opened a few pages into the chapter. “the equation is all in here,”

Fluttershy read the equation, she was surprised by what it said.

“You have a 74.39% chance of Big Mac liking you Fluttershy.” She read aloud, “not a bad number if you ask me.” She boasted in her number crunching. “now, I have some more books you should read before the you ask Big Mac….” She continued to rummage her shelves for more books.

Fluttershy began to get nervous, she had not expected this much studying went into just one question. “Um.. Twilight…” she tried to get her attention, but twilight went on piling books for her. “Twilight?” as she asked again she could feel a warm touch in her heart. ‘What was this?’ she asked herself. ‘I feel like I can do anything’ she looked at the books, knowing that she didn’t need them. “Twilight!” she let out in a burst.

“Oh my,” Twilight heard her at last, but was surprised. “Did I do something wrong?” she saw the yellow mare panting, holding a look of assertiveness.

“Twilight…” she receded back to her timid self, “thank you for trying to help me,” she said, hoping not to offend her friend. “but I don’t think I need this,” she let on a smile, “I feel I can do this just by asking him. If that’s okay with you” she blushed and turned her eyes to the ground.

Twilight opened her mind and saw what she was doing. “Sorry Fluttershy, I didn’t mean to force the books on you, I just wanted to help.” her apology was sincere; she had not expected to be so intrusive.

Fluttershy felt guilty of being assertive, the sweat on her brow showed it. “I, um, better get going now,” she said as she headed for the door, “we have a lot of work to do… eh he” she excused herself and darted out. On her way passed several homes and businesses she could feel them judging, as if they doubted her decision.

She had reached her home. She collapsed on her doorstep, gasping for breath. She began to wonder “what have I gotten myself into?”

-The next day-

Winter Wrap up had passed without a hitch this year, well except for the usual missing seeds, thanks to Caramel’s “foolproof” organization system. Now the routine after duty cleanup is taking place. The townsponies are taking their tools and storing them for next year. Big Macintosh catches up with his friends, hoping to get some advice.

“That’s quite a predicament” said Doctor Whooves after hearing the story of the past few days.

“Yeah, I would be confused too if she did that to me.” Added Caramel

“The worst part is that I don’t know if I should go and get together with her.” claimed Big Mac.

“Well I should tell you starting out is never easy,” said Whooves, bringing another experience, “I mean it was awkward when I had to ask my boss for time to go meet with Ditzy, she even made the mistake of bringin mail rather than snacks, but I knew it would be worth it.”

Caramel looked at him not understanding a single word he said. “Yeeaah… from my experience with the various mares I had it can get awkward asking them out, but your time with them is fun.” He paraphrased the previous statement.

“I’m not worried about asking,” Big Mac clarified, “I’m worried that I will mess this up like I did with Lyra.”

The three went silent. They looked at each other awkwardly. The thought of what happened made them see what he was afraid of.

“Listen, no two relationships are the same.” Caramel said. “I should know, I’ve been in several. An each one had its set of troubles.”

“Why yes,” Whooves interjected, “and those troubles can be overcome in many ways. But they are worth fighting for.”

Big Mac took their words in and began to think. ‘maybe I could do this, maybe their right.’ But as long as the thought about Fluttershy the troubling thoughts rushed back. He had to find a quiet place to think. “Excuse me,” he said to his friends, “thank you for your help, but I need some time to think.”

“Going to your usual spot?”Asked Caramel

“eeyup.” He replied, “if Miss Shy comes looking for me, could you send her, please”

“Can do” answered Whooves.

Big Mac smiled and headed into the orchard.

Across the farm the Fluttershy was cleaning with Applebloom, working up the courage to see Big Mac. She saw Big Mac out the barn door. She stopped in her tracks and just stared out. Applebloom noticed, she asked her “is something wrong?” Fluttershy didn’t respond. Fluttershy dropped her things and headed out.

Applejack walks in, along with her friends. “Howdy Applebloom,” she said looking around, “say, where’s Fluttershy? We were gonna ask her if she wanted come along to Sugarcube Corner with us”

“she just left,” she replied, “headed towards the orchard.”

“wait,” she pondered, she then remembered seeing Big Mac going in there a while ago, “oh my gosh, she going to ask him now?”

The rest of the girls were surprised. Pinkie pie was most excited with what she heard. Twilight was worried with what the outcome would be. Rainbow dash was curious, “what are we waiting for? Don’t you all want to see what happens?” she exclaimed urging the others to come along. It didn’t take long for the others to come to agreement. ‘

“Common girls,” ordered applejack “follow me, ah think ah know where they’re going.”

The group headed deep into the orchard, following after Big Mac and Fluttershy.

The sun was ready to set, Big Macintosh had reached the lake. He had done some thinking along the way, but this is where he plans to make his decision. He laid down on the shady hill and peered off into the lake watching the shimmer of the water. He could only think of one thing, his father.

“What am I gonna do, pa” he mumbled to himself. He looked at his memories to find a moment in which he gave could find comfort from this. All came back to one thing, one voice that could tell him how he should react.

“Umm, Big Mac?” quietly said the sweet voice he was dreading to hear. “I… uh, sorry to trouble you, but…” she tried to get the words out, but she was too nervous. “i… well… I need to…”

Big Mac knows how she feels, he too has trouble expressing himself under pressure. He feels he need to talk, explain his side, but he doesn’t know when.

“You see… when I… k-k-k… pushed myself… on you, I may have left you… confused…”

____________

-Meanwhile in the bushes-

“Oh my” said Twilight pressing her hoof onto her forehead.

“This is like watching a train crash at snail speed” Said Rainbow Dash.

“shush,” said Pinkie Pie while munching on her popcorn “I can’t hear”

“that stallion better hurry up and help her, this is getting tiresome.” Complained Applejack.

“Patience, girls” said rarity, these things take time.

____________

“well…” continued Fluttershy “I wanted to tell you…..” she began to tear up, her voice started to crack. She hadn’t felt this much pressure since flight camp.

“actually Miss Shy” interrupted the Red stallion. “I already know.”

The statement froze Fluttershy. “you do?”

“Eyyup”

She blushed with a look of worry on her face. “so do you…..”

Big Mac had a crucial moment of choice now. He looked into his heart, and only one word came up. “Eyyup”

There was shock for everypony involved. The girls in bushes were speechless. Then a nasaly voice was heard. “Unbelievable” it said, then the sound of galloping getting softer.

Big Mac wiped the tears from Fluttershy’s cheeks. His heart opened up with he could only think of one thing that would make this moment better. “Want to get some apple pie?”

Fluttershy giggled at the silly question. She looked into his eyes and could only say a joyful “yes”

Chapter 5: Mare From The Past

It is officially the second day of spring and Fluttershy is feeling great. She skips merrily through town humming a familiar tune. Unfortunately she does not notice the ponies staring at her from the shops.

The rumors have started again, and this time they’ve been confirmed by an anonymous mare. Murmuring passed through the streets of Ponyville like a swarm of Parasprites. Everypony knows what has occurred the previous night in the lake by the orchard, and the ponies were back to their gossip.

Some ponies had ideas of what happened, “A night of passion that sparked interest between them”. “could it have been a pregnancy scare?” the thing is that many ponies couldn’t understand why he would choose her.

The jealousy was enough to bring some of them to their knees. Big Mac was a big catch for many mares, even if they only did watch. They couldn’t believe that he would choose her. “What’s she got that I don’t,” then they remembered, she did save equestrian and Ponyville a few times, and there was the time she was a model. Rather than looking at her good qualities, they picked at her quirks.

Yet there is one mare that has a unique view of the situation. One teal unicorn.

“How you doing Fluttershy?” said the unicorn, stopping the Yellow Pegasus in her tracks. The tone in which the mare spoke was one in a curious manner.

“Oh hello Lyra,” responded Fluttershy, “is there something you need? “

“Just tell me this…” Lyra said, “Are you really together with Macintosh?”

Fluttershy blushed, “oh my… it already got out?”

The look of curiosity on Lyra’s face was displaced by a look of fierce disapproval. “yes, and if you want my advice, end it now.”

Fluttershy became confused with the statement. “What?”

“Macintosh is a very bad stallion.” She continued, “He just wants to use you and then throw you on the curve.”

The assertiveness from her voice brought fear to Fluttershy’s heart. “wha… what do you mean?”

“He will tell you that he loves you now, but once you get vulnerable he will take what he wants out of you.” She shouted at the frightened mare, “he doesn’t care about you; he just wants to use you.”

Fluttershy’s eyes watered as the words sank in. she ran off in direction she was headed earlier.

“What did you say that for” said a cream coated mare with purple and pink hair.

“She needed to know what she was getting herself into, Bon-Bon.” Replied Lyra

Down at the park Rarity and Applejack were watching their sisters and their friend play. The three little fillies had made a play date and wanted their sisters involved.

“Such a lovely day” Rarity said aloud,

“Sure is” replied Applejack kicking the ball back to the fillies, “ah just hope Fluttershy gets here, so these games can really start” she eagerly anticipates playing hoofball, they just need even teams.

“I’m sure these games can’t get too rough, I’m expecting a spa day after this.”

“yuh need to get in the dirt more,” giggled Applejack, “its good for yuh”

“The only time I get in the dirt will be in the mud bath.” Protested Rarity. “I just want a nice clean game”

Just before they could get into another clean versus dirty argument the sobbing of a familiar mare got closer. They turned to see their friend crying and galloping to them in seek of comfort. The yellow pegasus fell to the ground at their hooves.

“Fluttershy dear, what’s wrong?” asked Rarity.

“I.. I..” Fluttershy couldn’t speak through the tears.

“What is it sugarcube?” asked Applejack, with growing concern.

“I… met with L-Lyra, a-and…” She cried out. Applejack’s face exploded into shock.

“What happened with Lyra?” asked Rarity.

“She... told me to break up with Big Mac,” Answered Fluttershy, still fighting the tears. “why would she say that?”

“Why In Equestria would she say that?” Rarity wondered aloud. Rarity looked over to Applejack, who was cringing her lips and looking off to the left. “You seem awfully suspicious, Applejack. Is there something you’re not telling us?”

She let off a nervous grin. “Well this is uh…” she backed away slowly, increasing the space between them. “My, I gotta go” she attempted to run backwards and tripped over the ball.

Rarity, using her magic, stopped her from moving any further. “What is the matter with you?” she shouted, “keeping something that a friend needs to know is uncouth, even for you.” The fillies stopped to see what was happening. They looked over to the older mares, noticing Fluttershy sniffling and Applejack pinned to the ground.

“What’s going on” asked Sweetie Bell looking over to Rarity for answers.

Applejack looked over to the fillies, her mind looking for a way to explain this. “I’ll tell yuh,” she fnally cracked, “but not in front of the young’uns.”

Rarity’s curiosity was piqued, she was expecting some minor Ex-marefriend problem but if a filly wasn’t allowed to hear it… “Run along and play without us, girls. The grownups have to talk.”

The three were disappointed by the fact that they couldn’t hear it, but at least they could still play. They rushed over to the Hoofball field and took the ball with them. Applejack followed them off with her eyes. She stood up and faced her two friends. “Now then, there was something that happened between mah brother and Lyra…” she started.

Fluttershy paid especially close attention.

“It was around five years ago, Lyra and Big Macintosh were quite a lovely couple. She was just outta college in Canterlot, but she was visiting family when they first met. Then they just hit it off after two weeks. They were always together that summer. It seemed nothin’ could separate them…” she hesitated for the last part. The tension was getting to Rarity, who was leaning in to get the full story clear. “ah saw Lyra crying and galloping out of the barn at full speed. The next thing ah know they are accusing mah brother of tryin to… to… take advantage of her.” the girls Gasped in surprise.

“Unbelievable” said Rarity, in a whispering voice.

“She.. She said that?” sniffled Fluttershy, now understanding what had happened.

“Did he really do such a horrid thing?” Rarity asked. It was the biggest thought I both their minds.

“Ah.. Ah don’t know,” Confessed Applejack. “Between mah brother not talking and Lyra not having memory we never got the full story. But Lyra had a black eye and Big Mac reeked of hooch, who were they gonna believe.”

Fluttershy was devastated, she could not believe such a horrible accusation. This was one side that she had never heard about Big Mac, her new coltfriend.

“So I assume its official now?” Asked Caramel, setting up the apple stand.

“Eyyup” Big Macintosh replied, “I even got a good feeling about her, I didn’t expect that.”

“She has to be one of the cutest mares I’ve ever seen you with.”

“Remember, I haven’t been with many mares,” hoarsely replied Big Mac, “just two. Three if you count that prank on me and Cheerilee.”

The phrase brought silence to the two stallions. Caramel remembers the incident, “Do you still see her around town?”

“Miss Cherilee is my sister’s teacher. Of course I see her often.”

“No” he corrected, “I mean Lyra.”

“Oh, her” Big Mac responded half hearted, “I see her around, but never talk to her. she still holds a grudge. I got a break when she moved to Canterlot weeks after the incident, but I hear she came back not too long ago.” he paused his work for a moment, “she stopped bothering me about it, but I fear it may start again”

Caramel could sense the hole he opened with the question. He thought to himself that he must change the subject. “The mares ought to be disappointed that you’re off the market now?” he said with a false smile. Caramel’s statement made Big Mac let off a nervous giggle.

“I guess they will be,” he said, “but knowing them they probably let off a mighty rumor about us already.”

“Yeah, I heard plenty from after the Ball, but what can be said……” he was stopped by the image of a cream mare with purple and pink colored mane. “How are you doing Miss Bon Bon? Would you care for some apples?”

“Hello Caramel,” she said in a friendly tone, “no thanks, I just came to talk with Big Macintosh.”

Big Mac turned to her, confused over what she could possibly want with him. “Yes Miss Bon Bon?” from her friendliness she showed him in the past it wasn’t something too serious.

“It’s Lyra,” she said leaving a shiver in Big Mac’s spine, “she heard from Lily about you and Fluttershy, and she went ballistic.”

Big Mac took a moment to take it in, “she… she still holds that grudge, doesn’t she?”

“I’m afraid so.” She takes a step closer to him, “she already threatened Fluttershy this morning.”

“She did what?!” he gasped. He looked at them with confusion, seeking for a way to react to this.

“She still has it in her head that you’re a horrible stallion for mares to be with.” she looked down at his hooves, tearing up from the frustration. She wasn’t mad at Lyra as much as she was with herself. “I should have told her sooner, then maybe she wouldn’t have been so destructive.”

“It’s not your fault,” said Big Mac trying to comfort the mare, “it’s mine also for not telling her my story.”

“I’m confused here” interrupted Caramel.

“It’s nothing,” said Big Mac trying to keep him out of it. He couldn’t tell him what happened especially now that he has noticed a certain pink mare hiding around a corner. “You know I see you there” he said aloud, trying to get her attention. The mare winced and dove back behind the wall. “Lily, come out here”

The mare came out, her head low, ashamed of being caught eavesdropping. “how are you doing Big Mac?” she said in her nasally voice.

“How much did you hear?”

“Not much, but I hear you are keeping a secret” Lily said jokingly with a smile lapped over her face.

Big Mac wasn't amused. “You are aware of what happens when a rumor is spread about, don't you”

“I just thought everypony would want to hear about your relationship” she claimed trying to prove her innocence with a smile.

“but some ponies don’t want to hear about other ponies’ lives,” Intruded Caramel “they feel better not knowing what color pajamas a pony wears, or whether or not they are a sloppy kisser!” he became louder as he said the last part, as if he were talking from personal experience.

“Look, I said I was sorry for that, you just stood me up for the theater and I had to go alone…. For the third time”

“I was busy and….”

“Enough!” interrupted Bon Bon and Big Macintosh. The ex couple looked away in embarrassment, clearly they had some issues to work out.

“Lily, you caused enough trouble today” explained Big Mac “now I need to fix this before it gets worse.”

“Fluttershy?” asked the orange farm mare. “Are yuh alright?” she noticed the banana colored Pegasus was staring into the ground, blank faced.

“Uwah,” she came out in a shock. “Sorry, Applejack” she was deep in thought about what Applejack told them about Big Mac. The idea of her Coltfriend being a rapist, after having saved her from some, made her sick to her stomach. The tears that have run down her cheeks earlier had soaked into her coat, leaving a visible trail from her eyes. Applejack could see those trails.

“Listen, sugarcube,” she replied, “ah know it is difficult to understand, but Big Mac made a decision that made his relationships, well, complicated,” she tried to think of a way to get her to not worry, “but he is with you now and only wants what’s best for yuh”

Fluttershy looked at her, her eyes filled with confusion. She loved Big Mac, but the rumor was getting to her head. she needed to clear up the mess in her head and find an answer now. “I…” she tried to speak, “I want to talk with Big Mac.”

“Talk to b…” Applejack whispered. “Are yuh sure you need to?”

“Big Mac, is the only one who can tell me what happened.” She sniffled, “I want to hear his side, and know what happened” she shook from her own statement. Her curiosity and worry for the stallion of his life is what drives her to know. ‘Hopefully,’ she thought to herself, 'it is all a misunderstanding.’

“Alright now sugarcube, if yuh need to know, I'll take yuh to him” applejack had a feeling that he might finally open up and explain what had occurred five years ago. He might, shes not too sure about this.

The two mares headed off to town square, in hopes of finding Big Mac to get the record straight. If she knew her brother, he should still be at his post in the market. When coming across the apple stand they noticed the stallion standing there, alone.

“Caramel?” applejack called out, getting his attention, “where the hay is mah brother?”

“He didn't tell me where he was headed, he just went off with Bon Bon looking for Lyra” he answered, “mumbling something about settling something”

Applejack went into shock, “he went to do what now?” she exclaimed.

Fluttershy covered her mouth; she began to think the worst possible outcomes of this situation.

“C’mon Fluttershy, we gotta catch up to them.” applejack demanded. They headed off into the direction of residential Ponyville, in hopes of stopping a bad situation.

________

“Applejack, the problem I have is with your brother, not you” said a Teal Stallion. He was accompanied by a young teal mare and a cream mare of the same age

“But ah don't understand what the problem is,” replied a young Applejack.

The teal stallion pointed over to a young mare wearing a swollen eye, “this is the problem, your brother did this to my cousin Lyra. Not only that, but he got her drunk and tried to force himself on her.”

Applejack was astonished by the accusations. She could not comprehend these words which assaulted the honor of her family. “Big Macintosh! Granny Smith!!” she called into the house.

Soon out came the lime green old mare followed by the red young stallion.

One look at the red stallion and the teal stallion let loose in a loud fit of rage. “You understand what you put my daughter through? You even care what it felt like for her? You scumbag!!”

The red stallion did not respond, he stood there with a look of shame.

“Now, now, what happened to the little mare?” asked the Green old mare.

“Your grandson gave my cousin alcohol and tried to force himself on her” the stallion repeated.

The green mare came into shock, the anger rose inside of her. “Now hold on a minute,” she protested, “my grandson could not have done something so vile. We don't even keep alcohol on this here farm, seeing as we have some minors here. And secondly, I have taught my colts how to treat a mare properly.”

“Well maybe some stallions tend to stray from the path their parents teach, if they have any..” that statement appalled the apple family.

“How… how dare you speak about my son and grandson that way, coming here with your disgusting accusations and you less than respectful treatment for those who past.” The Green mare was enraged with the statement; she had lost her son several years ago and did not want anypony to mock him.

“Y'all better leave.” Demanded Applejack, she didn't want anypony to do anything they regret.

The before teal stallion made his retreat, he hesitated, turned and said, “keep him away from my cousin, or I will have to call the guard on your grabby grandson. Just be warned, her parents live in Canterlot, they will get the guards down on you”

The Green mare took the red stallion by the ear and dragged him off into the house. Applejack followed. “We are gon’ have a long talk about this,” said the Green Mare.

________

A knock came to the door; the teal unicorn mare was slouching on her couch rifling through some old memories. She sprung up and headed to the front door of the apartment, hearing a familiar but faint voice, “you didn’t have to knock, I live here.”

“Bon Bon, why are you outside,” Lyra asked as she used her magic to open the door. As the light pierced through the crack she noticed a tall muscular shadow next to her friend. The figure received an outline of red fur. “You!” she shouted, “what are you doing here!” Lyra jumped back and prepared for a fight.

“Lyra please, he's not here to hurt you” Bon Bon pleaded,

“Yeah right, he promised to not hurt me then and look where that led to.” Lyra shouted at the two.

“Listen, I'm here to talk about what happened those years ago, Miss Lyra.” Big Mac interjected.

Lyra raised an eyebrow at his proclamation, “talk, you didn’t talk then, so why would you talk now?”

“Because of what you told Miss Shy this morning”

“Miss Shy… Fluttershy? That harlot?”

“She's a very respectable mare, and” Big Mac hesitated a bit, “my Marefriend”

“is that so,” she questioned his statement, “you don't seem too sure about it.”

Big Mac was caught in a predicament, he stuttered as he realized his spur of the moment yes may not have been as certain as he thought. He knew he had feelings for her, but he didn't know if the feelings were serious or just another passing phase. “look, this isn't about me, it”

“it is about you,” interrupted Lyra, “what's the matter, you didn't want your little squeeze to know about your affairs from the past? Your little secret with me was the talk of the town then, so how did he not hear.” Her face slapped on a smirk, “or maybe she wants you to make the moves on her, I heard she didn't even put up a fight at the Ball six weeks ago.”

“Enough!!” Big Mac was just about to break, “Miss Shy is not like that, you don't know anything about her”

“So you already slept with her, didn't you?”

Big Mac turned a bright red. He did not know how to follow that statement,

“Were not here to talk about Fluttershy,” Bon Bon intervened, “were here to clarify the past we kept burying” she was not good with words

“What about it, did I miss something about the rape?”

“There wasn't one,”

“WHAT?!” screamed Lyra “how dare you come here and tell me I wasn't raped by this bull of a pony”

“But its true you weren't” insisted Big Mac, “I didn't give you the alcohol”

“Then where did the alcohol come from?”

“You got it from my father's cabinet.” Bon Bon answered. “You took a very potent bottle called Manehattan Rum,”

“But why did I take that?”

“You wanted it to be special, so you looked for a drink for the two of you”

“it was our six month anniversary, I still remember” explained Big Mac, we were planning on having a nice lunch….” Big Mac went on as he retold what he remembers.

________

The day was young and Big Mac was working in the orchard. he noticed his sister come up to him with a grin on her face. He recognized that grin; she had been doing it ever since she started dating Lyra. She came up to him to tell him his marefriend had been waiting for him in the barn.

He took a break while applejack did his work. He made his way to find what Lyra drinking heavily out of her glass.

“good day Lyra,” he greeted her.

“how you doing Mac” she responded, but something was off, her voice was louder than usual. “sit down have a drink.”

Big Mac was wary, but he still sat next to the bale of hay being used as a table. Lyra used her magic to pour him a glass of this questionably clear beverage. Big Mac took a whiff of the glass and noticed it had a scent similar to that of cleaning product. “Lyra,” he asked “what is this?”

“Don' worry,” she replied not being able to pronounce the “T” correctly. “jus' drink”

Big Mac took a the glass and played with it, noticing that Lyra had chugged her whole glass down in second. She slumped forward, landing on Big Mac's hooves. “Are you alright?”

“I'm fine” she said as she climbed up Big Mac's front legs, collapsing again onto his chest. She took a big whiff of his chest, and let out an aroused sigh. “I never noticed how strong your body feels,” Big Mac was confused, “and that stallion scent of yours, mmmm, makes me want to hold you tight”

“Lyra, I think I know what's going on” said Big Mac as he tried to get out of her grip, “your drunk, and…” he was silenced by a kiss,

“C’mon Mackie no one has to know” pleaded Lyra, her drunken state had led her to a swing of arousal. Big Mac didn't want to get with her in this state.

“It wouldn't be fair, you won't remember a thing” he tried reasoning with her, but all in futility. She tried to get her way towards Big Mac's piece, but he pushed her away. In her state she had become incredibly insistent and kept climbing on him. She would not stop. Until the moment his hoof slipped and slammed into her eye.

The barn went silent as the mare curled up into a ball, holding her ever swelling eye. She began to weep for a few seconds. Big Mac felt guilty, he walked up to her to see if everything was okay. He wanted to apologize and he noticed her horn glow. “you… you ASSHOLE!!” she shouted in the top of her lungs, swinging the bottle at the stallion. The blow broke the bottle soaking him in the beverage. Lyra galloped out of the barn and headed into town. Big Mac stood in the barn, trying to hold on to his dignity.

Applejack came walking in to the barn confused and worried, “big bro, what happened, ah just saw Lyra galloping outta here like a bat outta Tartarus.” She stepped closer and noticed the smell and the bottle “is that alcohol?” she looked at her brother who was standing still. “big mac? What happened?”

“just a big mistake,” he finally responded, “I’m gonna clean this up, tell granny we may have trouble coming our way.”

__________

“The next thing I know is your cousin accusing me of molesting you” ended Big Mac.

“Lies!!” protested Lyra, “nothing but lies,” she refused to look at them.

“But my the bottle was my father's drink you took. The Apples don't keep alcohol around their barn at any time. Even their cider I mildly alcoholic”

Lyra began to shake, her legs couldn't support her anymore and sat back. “then, if that was how it happened,” her eyes watered and her voice crackled, “then why now, why wait five years to tell me this?” she began to doubt what she believed ended their relationship.

“I didn't want rumors to start about you” Big Mac confessed. Lyra looked up at him in surprise. “if word got out that you were a horny drunk, who know how the stallion would react. So I took the fall to protect you from them”

“You still didn't do anything to try to defend yourself. You kept living with that rumor on your head.” Lyra continued to cry.

“I have been called many things here, but I couldn't bear giving the title of floozy to a dear friend.”

Lyra now saw what had really happened that day five years ago. He had ended their relationship but tried to protect her. Lyra jumped to his hooves crying out for forgiveness. Her friend Bon Bon came to her to ask for forgiveness in return.

Out the door Fluttershy and Applejack were listening. The two heard much of the story.

“so that's why he didn't want tuh talk ‘bout it..” Applejack came to realization. She looked over to Fluttershy who was tearing up from the emotion striking her heart. “yuh see, mah brother isn’t a bad stallion,” she assured her, “Ah’m sure you two will be happy together.

Fluttershy smiled and looked at the red stallion, looking back at her now, who she is proud to call her coltfriend, her love, her Very Special Somepony.

Chapter 6: the date

Entering upon the third week of spring the flowers are sprouting and budding. The lilies sprout before the roses, and roses before the daisies, each on their own time. But there comes a day when the flowers all bloom simultaneously. The florists take this time to sell harvest the beauty of the flowers and spread them around town to market the essence of romance that comes to Equestria. To many this day follows along a holiday, a day to represent the romance, this day is known as…

“Heart and Hooves day is coming every pony,” Said Rarity in entering the library in a dramatic fashion. Twilight and Fluttershy were inside, doing a little spring cleaning. Nopony paid attention to Rarity’s outburst. Rarity cleared her throat to get her friend’s attention.

“oh,” said Twilight, finally realizing that her friend was here. “Yes Rarity? What is it?”

Rarity slapped on a smile, “Hearts and Hooves day is coming, my dears,” she said in a sly voice, “and I came to see what a certain somepony had planned”

“I was just going to catch up on some reading,” said twilight, “don’t know why, but some stallions have been hounding me for a date after the fiasco at the Watering Hole last month.” Rarity remembered that incident. All she can say is that Twilight is very different when she drinks.

“I meant my Spikie,” Rarity clarified, looking around for her favorite little dragon. “um, where I he?”

“Spike is in Canterlot taking a penmanship test.” Twilight answered, “His last few letters were sloppy, the Princess didn’t think he was taking his job seriously.”

Rarity gave a disappointed sigh. She laid on the ground playing with a towel left on the ground. Looking around she remembered Fluttershy was helping clean the bookshelves. She immediately grew a smile on her face. “Fluttershy, what are you and Big Mac for Hearts and Hooves Day.”

Fluttershy dropped the rag in suspense. “Oh, um, well, you see…” Fluttershy quietly answered Rarity.

“Rarity, it isn’t you place to ask.” Stated Twilight.

“I was just making conversation darling” She replied, “I wanted to know what her plans were.” Rarity gave an innocent smile. She glanced back at Fluttershy who was being, well, shy. “did you have something special?”

“Well, I was sort of planning of having a picnic in the park.” Fluttershy answered.

Rarity looked into Fluttershy’s eyes, raising an eyebrow. “A picnic?” she asked in disbelief, “with all the specials in the shops and eateries?”

“I’m sorry, what specials?”

“Sugarcube corner’s couple’s cupcake, Mane street diners Special Somepony Spaghetti platters, the rose deals at Roseluck’s and Lilly’s flower shop, To name a few.”

“But I just want a quiet meal with Big Mac” Fluttershy calmly stated.

“So you’re telling me you don’t want to miss this opportunity to have a fabulous time with your coltfriend?”

“RARITY!” Twilight interrupted, “if she doesn’t want to do something you can’t force her.” she scolded, “some ponies prefer simple gestures rather than expensive outings.”

Rarity felt shame in her actions, “sorry Fluttershy,” she bowed her head, “I didn’t mean to yell at you, I hope I didn’t offend you.” She looked up to see a smiling Fluttershy facing her.

“No offense taken rarity,” she chirped making her friend rise from her shame, “I had thought of going to one of those restaurants, but the thought of all those ponies looking at me and Big Mac…” she shook from just thinking about it. It was suddenly clear to Rarity, she felt like an idiot not thinking about it before.

“Well then, I just hope you enjoy your picnic.”

“A picnic?” exclaimed a rainbow maned Pegasus who sat on a hoof placed cloud, “that’s it? A boring picnic?”

“Well I suggested it as something calm for a first Hearts and Hooves day.” Replied Big Mac as he pulled the plow across the field. “It seemed like good idea, Miss Dash”

“Well that idea is so~ boring.” Rainbow dash remarked, “I thought you of all stallions would do something with an extra kick. What were you planning on eating anyway?”

“A few daisy sandwiches and a salad”

“A salad,” she responded in an annoyed grunt, “if I took her out, I would do something more enjoyable.”

“If you took her out, huh?” the red stallion smirked.

The Pegasus looked at him with a face of a million grimaces. She flew off her cloud and slammed into Big Mac’s view. “Look, I am getting tired of all the stallions making that suggestion. I am NOT a Filly-fooler, nor have I ever been or want to be” she huffed in his face stopping the plow in its tracks.

The stallion shed some sweat in embarrassment. The rainbow maned mare had gotten upset at his words and he couldn’t deal with it well.

“I’ve known Fluttershy since flight school,” she continued in a calm manner “I know she can be shy about trying new things, but all she needs is a little push. And before you know it she is having fun too.”

“a little push…” he pondered to himself. He has always seen her as a fragile mare but if he could break her from that to become more intimate he might grow to like her more. He thinks he sees the reasoning behind Rainbow’s words. “What do you have in mind?” he came to ask.

“Well…,” she begins to think hard, “how’s about you take her to that fancy restaurant near the post office, what’s it called again?”

He understood where she was referring. The only problem was, could he afford it? He opened his mouth in protest, “gee Miss Dash, don’t you think that is mighty expensive?”

“Are you chickening out on me?” she huffed at him, “are you saying Fluttershy is not worth a few extra bits?” she rammed herself in his face bringing an uncomfortable twist in the back of his neck. “Listen here, Fluttershy has been my friend since flight camp, and I believe I know her better than you do. I know she is shy in the outside, but inside she wants to have a good time, so give her the best time she can have, or you will be answering to me.”

Rainbow Dash’s words sank in. The only conflict he sees is the big one, the money. He came to think of ways to get the money, one major one came. In his room he has a lockbox hidden in his closet. There he has been saving bits to buy himself a new mini-fridge for his barn, one to keep cold drinks while working in the summer. He has quite a bit saved up, half way to be exact. Don’t get him wrong he’s not selfish, he does want her to be happy, but he just wanted that fridge for the past few years.

“Well?” she grunted at his long pause.

He took a big gulp, “you got any recommendations”

Rainbow dash leaned back and smiled, “I hear the grilled eggplant is a crowd pleaser.”

The day had come, Big Mac told Fluttershy they would eat in town, she didn’t respond. Well not negatively at least. The stroll through town was one that made their faces warm with awkwardness. The townsponies had yet to get used to this high profile couple. The mares were green to the idea of the handsome farm-pony having a mare that was not themselves. Some stallions on the other hand remembered Fluttershy from several incidents, especially when she worked for Photo Finish. No pony could keep from looking at them.

“Big Mac?” called Fluttershy, hoping to ask if he notices the eyes. Big Mac looked at her with a questionable look, hoping the stares weren’t bothering her. “Oh, nothing”

They arrived at the restaurant, Big Mac wearing the second nicest vest he owned, and Fluttershy a simple dress. Big Mac heard the restaurant required formal wear. So far from the ponies entering they needed more.

They stood in the doorway, hesitant of their entry. The red stallion turned to the Pegasus, gazing at her fear of something new. The words of her friend came rushing to his head. He acted. “Let’s head on in.” he said as he opened the door. The yellow Pegasus headed in, wary of her surroundings. They stopped by the podium alongside a sign that read, “Wait to be seated.”

A white earth pony with a black combed over mane and a thin mustache trotted over with a foreleg holding a clipboard. He walked with his eyes half closed, and his chin in the air, the kind of arrogance a Canterlotian unicorn is known to have. “May I help you” he asked with a questionably flat tone

“We would like a table for two,” Big Mac answered, sensing something wrong. The waiter seemed to be looking at Fluttershy, this made him uncomfortable.

“We will have a table for you in” he glances at his clipboard, “30 minutes.”

Big Mac felt disappointment and relieved. He looked at Fluttershy, who had a distraught look upon her face. He felt sorrow for her. “Miss Shy, if you don’t want to wait we could still go have a pic...”

The waiter interrupted, “wait, Miss shy? As in, Fluttershy?”

“Um yes,” Fluttershy shivered. She couldn’t think of any positive outcome.

The waiter looked around, points to a poster, and continues. “You were the model, am I right?”

Fluttershy nods her head wary of what might come next. She flashes back to that day the cameras followed her around Ponyville, her crying, and her fears of being watched by thousands of perverse eyes. The mere thought of it made her eyes water.

“Oh my, I never thought I would get a chance to meet you, I was a big fan when you were active.” said the waiter. He looks over to a separate room, “I may have a spare table for you in the reservations room, a client dropped theirs not too long ago.” He then looked at Fluttershy and smiled, “If you can do something for me.”

Big Mac did not feel comfortable with the way he was looking at her. he felt like he might need to buck him in the face. He looked over to Fluttershy to check if he should and was her coming out of her defensive shell.

“Can you take a photograph with me and sign it?” he offered. To Big Mac this didn’t seem like a big deal. Fluttershy was still in a defensive position, ‘how will she react’, he thought to himself. The Waiter just smiled, staring at her like a nervous fanatic. Big Mac felt he may need to buck his face for sure.

“Sh..sure,” she responded with a shiver and a shake. “If it’s not too much trouble, I mean.”

The waiter gave a smile and replied, “No trouble at all, I’ll just talk to the manager and you’ll be on your way.” He then walked towards the back room.

The red stallion gazed at his date to see how she was doing. Seeing as she looked at the ground he noticed a shiver coming from the back of her neck, similar to one his sister had after realizing they made a mistake. “You didn’t have to do this,” he instinctively said.

Fluttershy looked up to him, noticing a calming smile shining on her. “It’s fine. I just… didn’t expect that”.

Big Mac continues to have doubts. He had just witnessed his marefriend get a free ride to a dinner table, something he had not expected. There was also the Model thing he had never heard of before.

Finally the waiter comes back with the manager. He was a light gray stallion, elderly but not by much. He wore a chef’s hat and an apron, but with no mark on it. He inspected the yellow Pegasus, making sure she truly was the model known as, “Flootershy” he said aloud. “Come, sit and eat.” He signaled them to enter the “reservations” room.

They were seated in the center of the room, the only table left available. The waiter, who tried to keep calm, asked for their drinks. “What would you like as a refreshment.”

The couple opened their menus to check the beverages. They varied from punch to wines, juices to teas and coffee. Fluttershy ordered a mint tea, a sweet warm beverage. Big Mac just ordered a glass of water, not wanting to spend too much.

As soon as the waiter left a silence bathed the two ponies. The stallion had never been to one of these restaurants, he never learned proper etiquette for these places. The mare looked down at her menu to escape the fact that she was in clear view from the other attendees, the chills were almost too much for her.

“can we talk?” Big Mac kept asking himself. He looked around and noticed the other couples were chatting up. He felt calmer with himself, but what subject should he start with, he asked. He’s not much of a big talker. He only talked when he was addressed to. This was far out of his comfort zone. Suddenly he remembered something he could start with.

“I didn’t know you were a model” he started. The reaction of his marefriend was unsettling, the way she flinched into her menu. Big Mac knew this was off to a bad start.

“I… was, for about a week.” She said, shaking like a leaf.

“It must have been nice”

“Actually…” she tried to explain, as she was interrupted by the waiter bringing their drinks.

“Here are your drinks,” he said with glee in his voice. “Are you two ready to order?”

Fluttershy closed her menu, showing that she had made her choice. “I would like the apple cream salad. If that’s okay” looking at Big Mac for approval.

“I’ll have the grilled Eggplant” said Big Mac.

Big Mac had forgotten to look in the menu. He looked for the salad she ordered, 18 bits. He had expected more. Looking for his order of the Fried Eggplant, His eyes could have shot out of his skull seeing the price.

The waiter took the menus from their hooves, leaving a shocked Farm pony and a frightened pegasus as he left to arrange the meals. They stayed silent for a few awkward minutes. When the blankness of the stallion’s head washed away he took notice of the situation. He had just ordered what seemed like the most expensive thing on the menu, and his marefriend was having a hard time adjusting to the surroundings. He could still save this. He could still have a good time.

“So, you didn’t tell me what it was like being a model,” he hastily stated.

“Well…” she started, trying to get a sentence out. She panned her eyes around the room, “well, it…” she staggered more until she looked into his eyes. “It was the scariest time of my life.” She bluntly said.

“The scariest time?” Big Mac asked, confused and curious.

“Well, other than that Nightmare Night when I was a filly, but yes, the worst two weeks of my life.” She shook in her seat as she told the summarized version of her modeling career. “They put me in these tight outfits. They pampered me too much. They never let me see my friends. And the cameras, all the cameras pointed at me, all day and night, flashing, everywhere I turned. Plus it almost ruined my relationship with Rarity.” She stopped to take a breath.

Big Mac could feel this was a touchy subject for her. “So you are happier now?” he asked without thinking.

“I would say so,” she said while turning a smile, “I now appreciate my time with friends more, and the money lasted me a while on my debts…” she paused for a moment, looked at the stallion across the table.

The silence was eerie. They looked blankly at each other.

“I’ve been meaning to ask you something, if it’s okay with you that is…” she looked away slightly, “what was your time like with Lyra?” she quickly turned and bit her lip in embarrassment.

“Huh?” Big Mac gasped in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“If it’s not too personal, I mean”

The stallion turned a brighter red as she understood the question. “Well we had an understanding about each other. We hadn’t spent too much time together…” he looked awkwardly at her. She was blushing and looking off to the side.

“I meant, um, what did you do… together?”

Big Macintosh’s mind opened to a new realization. “You never really had a coltfriend, have you?”

“Well, I, always wanted one,” she responded softly, “but yes, you’re my first.” She looked at him with her eyes wide. “I never thought I would feel like this about a stallion.” That smile, that small but powerful smile. It was enough to bring the farm stallion’s red face to a dark maroon flush.

The food had arrived. Fluttershy’s salad topped with a cream and an apple sliced into wedged around the lettuce looked beautiful. While the Grilled Eggplant looked like a plate of grilled bit coins covered in sauce. He hopes he has enough bits to pay for all of this in the end. But one thing that keeps his mind off the inevitable payment was the face of his marefriend. The cute, dare he say, adorable pegasus sitting across the table. Looking at her helped him smile, something he hasn’t done with a mare in years.

As the meal passed and they exchanged awkward looks while they stuffed their mouths they had forgotten of the world. All they knew was each other and the exciting flavors they were experiencing. Soon the meal was done, and the waiter was sent their way to collect two things.

“Sir, here’s the bill,” he said to the stallion, handing a small portfolio with a scrap of paper and two toffees, probably covering the bitter with sweets. He turns to the mare, “we have the camera ready over here for you.”

She headed off towards the kitchen wall, when she looked back at her date heading off alone to pay the bill. Her mind sparked, she stopped and calmly spoke, “I can’t do it,”

“Excuse me ma’am, but you made a promise,”

“I know, but I mean, not without him… if that’s okay with you.” she rebutted, the waiter was confused. “You see we came here together, and you didn’t specify it only had to be me.” She spoke as if she had read and signed a contract. The waiter hesitated. He spoke to the camera-pony briefly and headed on to the front register.

Big Mac opened his bag of bits and paid the amount due, which wasn’t as much as he expected, 25% off for it being Hearts and Hooves day. He received a tap on his shoulder. He did not expect it to be the waiter.

“The lady wants you to be in the photograph.” He told Big Mac.

The red stallion could not believe what he heard, but he couldn’t keep thinking it. He trotted over to the back to see Fluttershy waiting for him.

It was time to take the photo. The waiter and the Manager stood on the outer edges of the group, leaving the couple in the center. The preparations took two minutes, the camera shot and the photo came out of the camera. Then unexpectedly, the camera shot again. The second photo captured the ponies relaxing and leaning off to the sides.

“Well, this picture is useless,” said the camera pony. Fluttershy took notice. The picture had the other two stallions’ faces cut. All that was in focus was the two of them standing, eyes panned to each other.

“Can I keep it” interrupted the yellow mare. The group looked to her. She had a timid smile, but the sternness of a bull. “I mean, if it’s not too much trouble.”

After leaving the restaurant they headed back to the outskirts of town. Big Mac had his mind busy with the extra savings he needed for his minifridge. He began to think of all the small thing he bought with the money. Hospital visits, tools, smithing help, that diamond ring he bought last Hearts and Hooves day, all minor necessities. But this time it seemed different, as if this one was more important. He snaps back into reality as he realizes Fluttershy is still walking beside her.

“Did ya have a nice time?” he asked her.

The mare blushed and looked at the ground, “well… it was a nice dinner…” she timidly said, “but the ponies in there scared me”

He could feel she didn’t like it. “Well I hadn’t planned this beforehand, it sorta popped in my head after talking to one of your friends” he confessed

She looked questionably at him, and then in the blink of an eye her face showed the realization. “Rainbow Dash always tries to get me to try new things.” She said, “She tries to be like a sister to me at times, ever since Flight Camp.” She confessed. “Her loyalty to me is outstanding. But sometimes…” she stops in her tracks. Big Mac looked at her “Sometimes I like things simple and clean”

Big Mac smiled. They continued to walk on home leaving behind the restaurant around the corner. Suddenly Big Mac had one last comment. “Miss Dash can be really persistent sometimes, can’t she?”

Fluttershy giggled.

Chapter 7: The Storm, Part 1

(Warning: innuendo)

All around Ponyville the preparations for an upcoming storm were being made. This storm, though, wasn’t one like the pegasi made to catch up with needed rains. This was the Everfree hurricane, a storm which emerges from the Everfree Fforest every five springs like clockwork. Somewhere within the forest the winds gather, clouds collect, and friction rises to create an unstoppable storm. The rains last for one day in a given area, then it proceeds to move on, but the damage is drastic.

All towns that neighbor the Everfree forest prepare their homes with barred windows and up to specs roofing. The wagons and carts are placed in a garage as to keep them from flying into buildings. The town’s weather team is placed on preparations control duty to inspect the readiness of the town. The towns ponies are set to do all the preparations needed before the storm comes.

The town is set and there is one last patrol made for the outer areas of town, and two farm sibling accompany the rainbow maned pegasus to her last minute duties.

“yuh should’uf gotten this done sooner, Rainbow,” said the slightly annoyed orange pony, “it’s starting to drizzle”

“It’s not my fault,” protested the pegasus, “Mr. Waddle was slowing me down again, he made me lift him five meters to bar a window on the retirement home.”

“Well, I’ll give you that,” she replied “That kooky old stallion still thinks he’s as strong and reliable as mah bro here.” She jokingly said while pointing a hoof at the large red stallion next to her.

“Now, now applejack, sometimes a stallion still feels young at heart, even if they lack the strength from their youth.” He said.

“Just like you and Twilight’s smarty pants doll?” Rainbow Dash brought up. Big Macintosh looked slyly away from the mares knowing how his sister would look at him if she found out he still had the doll. “What did Twilight tell you after that day anyways.”

Big Mac blushed a bit giving Applejack a look of suspicion. “Well, she said I could keep her, as long as she could still see her.”

After a quick chuckle they realized the rain was getting harder. The pelting of droplets felt like stones being dropped from the heavens. They took shelter underneath the awning of a kiosk. The rain sounded of a thousand galloping ponies rushing around them at full speed, not much could be heard, except the sound of a nearby lightning strike. The sound spooked all three ponies.

“That one sounded close,” Applejack stated the obvious.

“I sure hope Fluttershy’s okay,” added Rainbow Dash. “She always hated storms like these.”

Big Mac’s ears perked at the mention of Fluttershy. He looked to the south east, the direction of Fluttershy’s Cottage.

“Last storm she told me she spent it locked in her room with some of her… hey Big Mac, where are you going.” She said as the red stallion galloped through the rain. The two mares stood waiting underneath the shelter bewildered by the fact he ran off as they talked about… “Oh now I get it.” Rainbow Dash realized.

“What Rainbow?”

“He got worried about Fluttershy and ran off to keep her safe,” she said in a lovingly sing song tone.

“Got worr…” she shook her head, “that sono’va snake better not try anythin’ funny on her,” she spat out at the now invisible red spec in the white stinging rain.

“Like any of that would ever happen, Fluttershy says he’s a real Gentlecolt.” She stopped to see Applejack’s blank stare into the haze. “Now come on, Rarity’s can’t be far from here.”

As they sprinted off in the rain, direction opposite of which Big Mac headed, Applejack asked, “yuh really think mah bro wouldn’t try somethin’?”

“Don’t worry about it Applejack, what’s the worst that can happen.”

______________

A day has passed and the storm with it, leaving behind a trail of branches and debris for the ponies to clean. The medical team has made a tent in town square to attend to those who were injured in any way. The local apartment complex suffered great injuries as a neighboring tree collapsed onto it. The medics had their hooves busy. Pinkie pie was there to help the injured, with laughter of course.

Pinkie hopped from bed to bed telling joke after joke. She wore a lab coat with a colorful napkin hanging from the left pocket, long shoes, colored glasses and a rubber nose. It was the typical wear for the legendary Doctor Patch. To the foals it was entertaining, but well some of the grown ponies had difficulty.

“hey you got a branch in your thigh. he he,” Pinkie said to Raindrop, who had a branch stabbed into her left foreleg’

“I know what you’re going to say and dear Celestia if y…”

“Don’t worry life will turn over a new leaf” the mare slammed her right hoof onto her forehead, trying to not believe what she said.

After getting booted from the tent she sits on a rock pondering what she did wrong. She notices a conversation close by. The voices were familiar, A deep, slow male voice and a more rapid and nasal voice. She peaked over to be sure. She saw Big Mac talking to Doctor stable, the background noises were drowning out the conversation but she caught some key points.

“She had a pretty painful time; I didn’t think her hip could withstand it…” Big Mac said, “I don’t think she will be walking right for a while”

“I am too busy here, (…) I’ll send somepony over to check on miss Flutter…” he said constantly stopped by the moans and clatter of the tent. Big Mac left the area heading into town.

“What did he say?” Pinkie asked herself as she checked the random connections she called a memory. She begins to remember some phrases from a rather adult book she read.

_______

Her frail body came close to his. The air was getting hot and humid. The hotel room sparkled with the lights of their candles and the steam from their backs. The window was open, not just to let a breeze in but let the city know of their love. She was a virgin, yet she understood what was going on and knew where this was going to lead.

“I’m scared, are you sure this is not going to hurt?” she asked as she breathed heavily on his face. I mean, will there be a lot of pain?” her innocence was cute, it humored her experienced lover.

Red Libido stole a kiss from her mouth to keep her calm and in the mood. “your first time will hurt, neigh, painful, I believe your hips will feel like they can’t withstand it.” He moved closer to her, holding her hooves, “but I think the pleasure will outweigh the pain.”

“Oh Red…”

(scene deleted)

“That was wonderful” she said as she tried to step up from her love soaked sheets. She fumbled on the floor, her hind legs weren’t agreeing with her.

“I should have warned you,” said Red “you wouldn’t be walking straight for about a week.”

_______

Pinkie came back from her mind, her filthy, filthy mind with a new idea of what was happening. She tries remembered the last name they called out, “fritter, no, Flitter, Flutter. Fluttershy.” She gasped “Fluttershy? Did he do the happy couples alone time with Fluttershy?” she quickly galloped into town in search of someone to talk to.

Rarity walked through town angrily as she mumbled to herself. “Dumb Applejack and Rainbow Dash, barging into my home unannounced, drinking all my wine and making a mockery of my dress making in front of my Sweetie Belle and now making me collect herb for their hangovers. What was it again that they needed.” Arriving at the herb store she rummaged through her bag trying to find the note with the three herbs scribbled on it.

In the process of finding the note she dropped her wallet. As she exclaimed a womanly curse, seeing as her custom made wallet fell into a puddle, she attracted the attention of a certain stallion. His shorn fetlocks were unmistakable.

“Need some help Miss Rarity?” said the deep voice.

“Oh Big Mac,” she said, embarrassed in his presence, “I didn’t expect to see you here, do you mind picking up my wallet?”

“No problem Miss.” She said with a smile reaching down with his mouth. He picked the wallet out of the puddle and placed it on a wooden table.

“Thank you kindly Big Mac,” she said with gratitude, just before turning sour. “if only your sister was as educated as you”

“What happened now, Miss?”

“Well your sister and Rainbow Dash came running into my home, leaving puddles on my carpet floors.”

“Well…I…” he stammered trying to see the problem.

“And then of all things they broke into my wine rack and drank every last drop of my most potent bottles; which left them intoxicated, IN FRONT OF Sweetie Belle none the less. I had to send her to her room for the night while I attempted to keep your sister at bay. Oh, the things she spouted out.”

Big Mac was amazed by all this, well except how rowdy she gets while under the influence. “I’m guessing they have a mighty hangover, am I right?”

“Well yes, now she sent me over to collect some herbs for that. if only I could remember the names of those herbs.”

“Willow bark,”

“Excuse me?”

“Willow bark, thyme and ginger, That’s the remedy my family uses for headaches and nausea, mostly caused by drinkin’ or morning sickness.”

“Really? I didn’t expect you to know so much about herbs, I mean not that I thought you were uneducated or anything.” She blushed in embarrassment.

“When you live on a farm, you kinda have to know this stuff.” He said rubbing his neck, “you know I got some spare thyme and willow bark, you could probably use this for their headache.”

“You have friends feeling the morning after as well?” asked rarity as he gave the bark to her.

Big Mac halted, “not exactly, well she had a…” she hesitated to say even more, “I’ve said too much, I gotta go” he said as he galloped off out of Rarity’s view.

Rarity headed off back to her house with a grumpy Pegasus and earth pony waiting for her. Their heads hanging low, and the ground and on the table off to the side of the room, Eyes blood shot and rolling in a black sack. She entered lightly tapping the door in closing.

“Couldn’t you be much quieter?” groaned Rainbow Dash. “You didn’t have to slam it”

“Quit you’re talkin’ Rainbow, my head hurts too,” said Applejack.

“Quit complaining,” interrupted Rarity, “after what you put me through last night I was starting to get a head ache.”

“Yap, yap, yap, did yah get the root?” asked Applejack.

“I got it, you were lucky that your brother gave me some Willow bark. I didn’t have to spend too much”

Applejack’s ears sparked interest. Her ears shot up. “Did yuh say he had Root?” she asked.

“Well he showed me which roots to use.”

“But why did he have it?” she asked again, “did he have a hangover?”

“Not exactly, he said it was for a friend, he didn’t exactly tell me what she had…” their interest sparked, as she finished that statement. “Where did you say he went?”

“He went south west,” Rainbow Dash said waving her hoof in the air, towards f…” Rainbow Dash paused, suddenly everyone was thinking. “No, he couldn’t have… they couldn’t have”

“Mah bro would never stoop so low.” She said loudly just before holding he head from the self induced headache.

“Calm down, he couldn’t have done something like that, could he?” rarity turned red from the

Applejack, still rubbing her head, was getting frustrated with the fact his brother could have had special alone time with her best friend. But he was still irritated by the sharp pain in her head, “boil the bark first, then we’ll talk about this later”

As Rainbow Dash laid on the ground, trying to keep a straight thought, she couldn’t help but wonder what happened to Fluttershy. Things piled in to create a scene that would seem plausible. The fact of the matter, Fluttershy is afraid of lightning…

__________

Crash, Boom, The lightning struck breaking over the sound of the heavy sloshing of the rain. Crash, boom, again the lightning stuck. The storm was getting stronger minute by minute. The tree cottage was alone, surrounded by a wall of falling water and wind. Inside was a frail, shivering yellow Pegasus. Her whimpers, while loud in her room, were washed into nothingness by the rain. She was alone. Nopony could hear her.

The crash of the thunder, the flash of light, these things were the only sights and sounds she was aware of. Then came a pounding on the door, Thump, thump, thump. The mare was frightened. Thump, thump, thump again. The frightened mare crept slowly downstairs. Step by step she went down to the living room, where she could hear a voice.

“Fluttershy!” it called a familiar tone a rusty voice, one which comes from a fairly big stallion.

The mare moved closer to get a good listen to the voice.

It called again, “Fluttershy, are you in there?” this time she was sure who the voice belonged to.

“Big Macintosh” she cried out, rattling the locks and chains from her door. The door swung open letting in a soaked stallion. He shook himself off, leaving a puddle on the floor, and pats of water on the living room furniture. “What are you doing here?” she asked in confusion.

“I heard you don’t like lightning storms.” The red stallion trotted closer to her. “I came to see if you were fine”

“You will catch a cold.” She said in worry, let me turn on the fireplace so you can dry off” the red stallion looked at his back, still drenched in rain. He agrees to the offer.

The heater was crackling. It was a wood fire heater, not like the fancy ones the towns ponies had, but it made do for her needs. The stallion laid nearby, letting the heat dry his coat. The mare watched him as he laid there looking back at her, glance by glance. The waving light from the heater rubbed the red coat of the stallion leaving an orange glow. A blush came to both their faces.

Crash! Came another strike. The mare shot up and ran for cover. the stallion took notice of the situation. He stepped forward and placed a hoof on her back. “it’s okay doll, I’m here to protect you.”

Her eyes began to glimmer. her eyes began to close halfway with a feeling of love and arousal. She slowly moved towards his face, slowly saying his name. “Big… Mac…”

The kiss sealed their night. They walked back over to the warmth of the flame and lay next to each other. Their tongues played. Their bodies moistened. Their hearts melted. Then slowly he reached down to her… “RAINBOW DASH!”

___________

“Rainbow Dash!” shouted Applejack. Rainbow had a weird look on her face, a smile with streams of drool hanging from both corners, a streak of red glowing over her nose and cheeks. It was a face applejack remembers all too well. “Were yuh fantasizing ‘bout mah brother again?”

Rainbow snapped out of it. “No I wasn’t,” she protested.

“Ah can see the erect wings, yuh know” she pointed at the hard wings on her back, the clear sign of arousal for pegasi, second to the uncontrolled horn sparkles from a unicorn.

“Well, I…” she tried to create an excuse “it’s not like I’ the only one who does.”

“Yeah, well ah didn’t expect mah friends to have them.” she said in defence of the acusation. She turned o Rarity, who was looking down, kicking her hooves. “Not you too” she cried

“Even Twilight said she had the same feelings,” Applejack’s head began to spin more.

“Relax,” said Rarity, “it just means your brother is a very well liked stallion in the female community.”

She continued to get her head around the fact every mare she knows has feelings for her brother. Then her head came around to Fluttershy. What state could she be in? What did Big Macintosh do? There was only one way to find out.

“Drink your tea girls,” Applejack shot up, just before crashing down from a pain in her head, “we’re goin’ tuh Fluttershy’s house”

“But you two were the ones having the drinking contest.” Rarity quietly protested to her inclusion.

Pinkie Pie was on a quest, a quest to see if Big Mac really did the “hanky panky”(not to be confused with the earth pony Hanky Panky, the town’s seedy magazine distributer) with Fluttershy. She had followed him around, from the hospital to the herb store. Now she followed him to the pharmacy. She stayed in the shadows, gazing at him. Trying to find proof of the, as she put it, “hankying and pankying”

Inside she stood behind the shelve wearing a disguise, the doctor Patch costume from the tent. In her eyes she was a ninja, a colorful ninja who entertained foals by dressing as a clown and chopping the piñata with an oversized scalpel. She imagined the picture. The foals are sad, the music stopped, the cake fell on the floor. Then comes in Doctor Pinkie the party ninja, bringing not pain but piñatas filled with candy, and what’s this from her coat fly out cupcakes. She takes out her ninja scalpel-sword and chops the cupcakes revealing more candy. The children are happy, the party is saved.

By the time pinkie opens her eyes Big Mac is gone.

She rushes outside, trying to find a sign to see where he went. But with all the cleaning it is hard to find a path in the muddy streets. But she sees a red spec turning the corner near city hall. She rushes on over to see him conversing with a familiar orange stallion. There was too much noise to get a clear sound of their conversations. This time she made sure to get close enough, so she jumped in a barrel and rolled in.

“She got hurt real bad last night. She started to bleed” said the red stallion.

“So you spent the whole night with her then,” replied the other stallion “I’m amazed, I would have left when I got the first chance.”

“Well I’m not like that, I prefer to stay with a friend until times get better.” He paused for a moment, “which reminds me, I gotta go check on her” he said his farewell and trotted off.

As soon as she heard the clopping of his hooves get softer she jumped out of the barrel, giving Caramel a little fright. “Aha,” she said in exposition, “now we will see the guilt of your crimes”

“I thought you were a balloon,” caramel gasped, “those things give me quite a fright.”

The time came. Big Mac came to the bridge leading to the cottage made out of a hollowed oak. He slowly trotted over to keep clear of the debris. Reaching the door he was halted by the bellowing of a familiar mare.

“Big Macintosh!” she shouted. “What did yuh did with Fluttershy?”

“Well… I…” he was startled by the line of questioning.

“Did you do it?!” shouted pinkie pie as she dropped from a tree. “did you do the Hanky Panky with her?”

“The hanky pank…? I would never…” he was suddenly interrupted.

“Did you use the storm as an excuse to put your cucumber in her buns? Because if you did, you will have to answer to me,” Said the cyan Pegasus waiving her hoof at him.

“You don’t have to be so crude Rainbow Dash” scorned Rarity, “but still if you, bunked with our friend Fluttershy you have to tell us. Not in detail though.”

“I know yuh think you’re older than me by ‘lot, but sometimes we still need tuh make sure our decisions are final, but the matter is ah don’t want to be an auntie yet.”

That statement dropped Big Mac back on his flank. “A little one? Me?” she said to himself.

Suddenly the door came to an open. Zecora stepped out, “your voices, lowered could you please keep; dear Fluttershy Is trying to sleep,”

“Sleep? Was she hurt that bad?” asked Rarity

“Her fever is hot, but I needed Willow for the pain; I need a clean splint, for her sprain.”

“Huh” was the only thing Rainbow Dash could say

“You see, Fluttershy was tending to the animals when a branch fell from a nearby tree, it hit her hard, and with a cut she caught a mighty fever.” Big Mac explained “why on earth would you think I impregnated her?”

Pinkie pie and Dash turned red and panned their eye to the side.

“you didn’t actually explain why she needed the Willow Bark,” confessed Rarity, “and you only explained the use for morning sickness and hangovers, it was obvious what we would think.” She tried to defend herself.

“I heard fractions of your conversations,” said pinkie abruptly, “and I have been reading too many of twilight’s adult shelf in her room.” She giggled in embarrassment as she rubbed her head.

Applejack just pointed at Rainbow Dash, “she’s got a dirty mind.

“And I think that is quite understandable” said a familiar librarian. “I hope you all learned a lesson.”

“Twilight what are you doing here?” asked Rarity

“I was helping Zecora” she answered, "I was doing a study on the storm with Zecora when Big Mac ran to us for help Fluttershy early this morning. Good thing I read up on first aid, and Zecora had some herb ready in case of fevers.”

“After rains, when a fever I feel; I take a whiff of brewed Goldseal.” added Zecora.

The girls felt guilty, and worried for the mare that was in bed, ill from the symptoms previously stated. They headed off to the town, leaving the zebra and the stallion.

“Miss Zecora?” called Big Mac, the zebra turned to him, “I haven’t the heart to tell them what really happened last night,” his smiled turned around, “how helpless I was.” He started to shiver from the pain his heart was taking.

Chapter 8: The Storm part 2

Ker-clop, Ker-clop, Ker-clop, the galloping of the large stallion penetrated through the thick rain. He rushed through the heavy storm with worry for the yellow mare. Earlier his sister and her friend talked about the frail mare’s fear of lightning, among other things. The stallion knew of her fears, and of her weak heart, and not until now did he feel it to be important. He has to protect her, maybe show that he takes her seriously, and not laugh at her timid ways like other ponies do. He has to show he is a good stallion, maybe a great coltfriend.

As he reached the entry way to the cottages he noticed a white fur-ball rushing past him. As he looked at the ball it looked back at him and stopped. He could get a clear look at the critter, his thin wet body and long white ears, it was Angel. The rabbit ran to him, and tugged on his hairs, the stallion knew something was wrong.

The rabbit led the way. Following him, the red stallion worried more and more for hat may have happened. The closer to the cottage he came, the clearer of an image he had gotten. He saw a yellow figure lying under a large branch. There was one word that came to mind, “no”.

The stallion stopped over the mare reaching down to lift the heavy branch. The lifting was hard, seeing as he caught something with the branch, a slight sliding noise, along with the smell of iron coming from the branch. The mare flinched, with a flick of the leg. He noticed a small red stream coming from a hole on the upper thigh. This cannot be good. Looking down he called her name, “Fluttershy,” again “Fluttershy”.

She moved her head up and looked him in the eyes. “Big Mac, is that you?” she said with the rain hazing her vision. Her voice was weak.

“Can you move your leg?” the stallion asked. She tried to move her rear leg, the trembling showed a great amount of pain surging through her body. The sight made the stallion shiver. He instinctively lifted her up with his neck, the neck accustomed to lifting barrels full of apples back at the farm. The lifting was easy, but the balancing of the mare was much more difficult, though being a Pegasus she is lighter than the regular earth pony.

They headed to the cottage, the heavy rain making each step difficult. With the guidance of Angel, they made it through. As he carried her he noticed a slight chill coming from her body. This worried him. Reaching inside he noticed the rabbit’s expression. It was different from his usual cynical look, it was a look of worry and fear.

“Help me light the heater”, he told the rabbit. Big Mac said to keep him busy. One thing he learned from his foalhood was ‘a busy mind is a calm mind’, an expression his father taught him. He watched as Angel took the thickest log he could find and pulled it from the tinder stack. He pulled the log across the floor and dropped it at the base of the iron pot belly heater. Feeling sorry for the little critter, Big Mac gave him a hoof.

With the heater ready, Angel lit a match and the wood ignited. The three were ready to warm up. Big Mac headed to the bathroom to retrieve some towels to dry off themselves. Returning to Fluttershy he noticed some sneezing and coughing coming from her. He fears he took too long. The coughing was violent, strong like the snarls of a cougar. The sneezes shot out like a cannon. Symptoms he had seen before, usually caused by an infection. He remembered the wound on her leg.

“Miss shy are you feeling well?” asked the stallion, the tone of worry flooding his vocal chords.

She looked at him, her drenched face failing to show any other expression than pain. “Don’t worry about me,” she tried to hide it, “It’s just a cold, nothing to worry about.” She rubbed on a smile, one that still had the corner of her mouth going down as the pain shot through her.

“You’re not very good at hiding it” Big Mac scorned her slightly. He placed his pastern on her head, feeling a searing heat. “There’s no doubt about it,” he said with a frown, “you have a fever.” Those words came to him in a shunt to the belly, the only other fever this bad he could remember was that which… he doesn’t want to remember it, not even acknowledge that memory. The important thing was to get that fever down. “Do you have any fever suppressors?” he asked without haste.

“Check the bathroom,” she said, letting of a large cough afterwards. Angel upon hearing this ran upstairs. Big Mac slowly followed.

While entering the bathroom he heard some clanging and crashing. Angel used a trash bin to climb up to the cabinet. There he tossed out every pill bottle and lotion that was not useful to find the medicine he was looking for. The angry squeaking of the little critter showed his frustration.

“Need some help?” Big Mac asked trying not to trip on the bottles. The critter stopped, pulled out a bottle and jumped of the sink, looking at him with content. “is something wrong?” the rabbit shot right past him with the bottle in mouth.

Downstairs Angel reached Fluttershy and attempted to open the pill bottle. He gripped it with his little paws and turned with all his might. Urn as he could he couldn’t get the cap, designed for equestrian hooves, to budge. Big Mac arrived looking at the little bunny, gazing at his futile attempts. The bunny soon gave in, glaring at the stallion and handed him the bottle. The bottle was simple to open, just a push and turn with the base of the hoof. He handed the open bottle to Angel, as he ripped it out of his grip.

“Thank you, [cough] Angel” said Fluttershy as her little bunny gave her the pill. He looked over to him and stuck out his tongue.

‘Something is wrong with this bunny,’ Big Mac thought to himself. ‘I don’t even think he likes me’

Big Mac took some towels and began to dry off the fallen mare. “thank you Big Mac,” thanked Fluttershy, the bunny took notice. He rushed to the restroom, brought back a bandage and placed it on the wound. “Thank you so much angel.” Angel stood with pride.

He doesn’t know why, but Big Mac feels like the bunny doesn’t like him.

Crash, another lightning strike. Angel was startled and rushed under the couch. Fluttershy squealed rolled into a ball shivering in fear. Big Mac saw this and laid his neck over her speaking comforting things. The mare calmed down a bit, something Angel was never able to do. He started showing his green side.

An hour had passed and it seemed to be getting worse. The rain turned to hail, the lightning was more frequent. But worst of all the fever worsened. Fluttershy’s body had begun to show instances of convulsing, sometimes a kick or a flick of the neck, other times a shiver down her spine. The things she was seeing were not there, but she spoke as if they were.

She saw images of her friends laughing at her. Applejack looking down at her as she couldn’t even lift a basket of apples, “what a weak little filly this one turned out to be” she sang out to the world. Rainbow dash shunned her for not being able to keep up with her. Pinkie Pie refused to give her any good party favors. It was an awful sight, but worst came when her coltfriend saw her.

“Big Mac, come back,” she mumbled to herself.

“I’m right here, I haven’t gone anywhere” he replied, confused with her words.

“Come back, come back,” she repeated. “Why won’t you love me, nopony loves me”

“Wha…” he became even more confused. “What are you saying, of course we love you,”

“Please say you love me, Big Mac” she had begun to cry from the images in her head. “I love you, Why won’t you.”

“b-but I do, I do love you” he couldn’t get the words right, he had never felt this would last, not since what happened with Lyra. He had always said he liked her, but never thought it was love. He began to think of all the times he could have said it. The kiss, the start of their relationship, hearts and Hooves day, they were all missed opportunities. But he never felt the need to say it.

“Say it” she cried softly.

“I… I l-love you” saying it he felt a weight lifted off his back. He felt like he wasn’t just saying it to calm her down, now those three words felt meaning. “I love you, I love you” the more he said it the better he felt. He began to tear up, as he remembered the last time he had used those words. A time he does not want to relate to this moment.

Big Mac walked to the kitchen, to get a drink. Something about saying that phrase made him tired. As he opened the fridge he felt a figure watching him, judging his reason for being in the house. He turned his head, looking at that figure of judgment, the white long eared figure.

“Oh, hi angel” he said softly. The bunny looked at him coldly. “is something wrong?”

The bunny pointed at him and then kicked him on the hoof.

“Now that was uncalled for, what did I do wrong?”

The bunny acted out a scene in which he portrayed a hero coming in to save a princess, ending with him kissing the air.

“Now angel, it’s not like that, I just was worried.”

The bunny continued by adding himself as a harmless peasant boy being pushed around by the knight.

“I would never upstage you. I just felt I was more able to help her.”

The bunny looked at him still with contempt in his eyes.

“I am her colfriend, you will be seeing a lot more of me around here.” Big Mac thought of what he could do to make this critter see that he is not taking his position. He gave him a juice bottle, “why don’t you make sure she has enough fluids in her,” he said with a warm smile. Angel took the juicebox and hopped on over to the living room.

The walk back to the downed mare he couldn’t help but think, the signs are becoming clearer, the loud coughing and the hallucinations, just like… “NO” he snapped at himself, he wouldn’t dare think of that, not now.

Fluttershy lay near the heater, groaning and coughing. Big Mac had done all he could do in this situation. He kept her warm, gave her medicine, treated her wounds and made sure she kept her fluids. Now all he had to do was waiting.

Fluttershy seemed to be out of it. Her cheeks were blushed, her nose red, and her mind still seeing things. The mare was coughing up mucus at this point, showing that her Fever had worsened further. These things made him worry for her condition more and more, just like the last time a loved one d… “it won’t happen again” he told himself

“I’m cold,” those words triggered the memory. Big Mac’s ears perked up in alert as he rushed over to her aid.

“Angel, bring a blanket!” he shouted to the bunny. The stallion pressed his head over her stomach, it felt like a chilled bottle of cider. “No” he whispered to himself as the memory he had repressed so much flooded his mind.

_____________

The hospital hallways were as cold as ever. The smell of the sick filled the lungs of the trio being led by the nurse. It felt awkward to the foals, to just have been here months ago to see their father, and that didn’t end well either.

“Orange Marmalade is in this room,” said the nurse, “try to keep it short, she’s in tough condition, we don’t know how much longer she has.” The foals had heard this before, the younger filly had accepted it, but the older colt did not. The elderly green mare led them in.

Waiting for them was an orange mare with dark green mane on a bad hooked up to a sort of wires and IV drip. The mare was one they loved very much, for she was their mother.

“How you holding up, Orange.” The older mare started.

“I’m… not doing so well.” The sick mare, “the doctor said my liver is failing.” She turned her head to see her children. “So, how is my little Apple Bloom doing?”

“She’s doing fine” replied the green mare, “she’s the spitting image of her father.”

“She, will be my greatest asset to our family, I just hope she doesn’t obsess over her cutie mark like I did.” She then started coughing.

“Ma, are you alright,” said the colt.

“I’m fine Little Mac,” his mother lied, “my you aren’t so little anymore are you” he mind went to happy memories. “

“He’s big enough to plow the fields now” said the orange filly with a smile.

“Still being my little honest apple, as your father named you.” She said, hiding the tear coming from her eye. “Remember that the truth will keep you happy.” She turned her head forward, looking blindly at the wall, a weak smile across her face. On the wall an image of an open field lit up her mind. Memories began to return. Suddenly she was lost in them. Tears rolled down her check as she said, “Apple Smith, we raised such a beautiful family.”

“Ma, are you feeling well?” the colt placed his hoof on her foreleg and felt a great chill. “Ma?”

“It’s cold, my Big Apple, can I have a blanket?” she spoke to nonexistent stallion. “Is that your famous apple tea I smell?”

The family looked at her distraught. Granny knew what was coming. “Come along children, let your mother rest.” The filly followed the old mare, but the red colt stayed behind.

“I can see it, darling.” The mare rambled on.

“see what Ma?” the colt asked in worry.

“I can see it” she repeated, her body now shivering even though she had a thick blanket covering her. “I can see it” her eyes began to dilate and her mouth leaked drool, “I can see it.” She rambled on until her head turned to the left as she mumbled incoherently.

The room turned silent, as the only sound was the EKG, making three last slow beeps, “beep… beep…beep… Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee…”

“Ma?” the colt said, just realizing what had happened. “MA?”

The crash cart was pushed into the room by the nurses and one of the doctors herself. They began to make preperations for an emergency revival. The doctor noticed the colt crying next to the patient, “get him out of here” she demanded.

One of the nurses pulled him away from the bed.

“Ma! MA!” he cried out to her as he saw the team doing their futile work. “Maaaaaaa!”

_____________

“NO!” he shouted at himself “I won’t let this happen again” he rushed to her side, keeping her warm with his body. He began to cry. “Don’t leave me Miss Shy, I’ll do anything if you don’t go” he bargained, “I’ll come to your house more often. I’ll bring you a cupboard full if my apple jam every fall. I’ll… I’ll” he hesitated as he brought out the big one, “I’ll Marry you next spring.” His heart warmed up as he said those last few words, and it seemed hers did as well.

Angel hopped back down when he the stallion laid over her. he took the blanket and covered both of them. He looked pathetically at the crying stallion as he tucked them both in. But his silently judging eyes couldn’t get through to him, so he just took a spot between them and laid there to keep them accompanied.

The worst of the storm seemed to have passed. The lightning was striking now every ten minutes or more. The hail had long since gone. So they were finally able to get a good night’s sleep. Big Mac continued to think of his promise. She responded more to the offer of marriage than to the cupboard of jam. Should he do this? Spring is a year away; he could prepare everything before then. These thoughts rushed in his mind before he fell asleep from exhaustion.

The next morning the rain was light, and the lightning was not heard. Big Mac awoke first to see how the day was. It was perfect enough to get help. He gave a kiss on the cheek to the sleeping mare. She winced a bit, but couldn’t comprehend what happened.

He exited the cottage, looking back every once in a while worrying or her. He galloped through the damaged streets of the cottage district searching for the nearest help. He came across two figures in the rain, a striped tall mare and a shorter purple mare. He went down to get their attention.

“So the storm is magical, similar to that of the discords chocolate rain clouds?” said the purple mare.

“For years I have lived under these types of storm; their nature are that of a quite quizzical form” the striped mare replied.

“This will be a great addition for my report on non-equestrian powered weather.” The mare took notes before noticing the sloshy hoof steps rushing towards her. “Oh, hello Big Mac.” She said

“I need your help,” he said out of breath, “Miss Shy was injured, she’s got a bad fever, I’ve done all I could, but she needs somepony with more knowledge to help me, but the doctor’s office is closed.”

“Fear not for her fever, my Big Mac; for I carry helpful herbs in the bag on my back” said Zecora trying to calm him down.

“And I read some books on first aid; I might help her before we take her to a doctor.” Added Twilight.

They rushed to the cottage to find the mare finally awake from her sleep. The zebra began brewing her teas over the holes on the heater. The purple unicorn began to inspect the leg. Fluttershy was surprised to see her friends in her house.

“I’m confused,” she said, “Angel was the only one with me last night. How do you know what’s wrong?”

“Don’t you remember?” Asked Twilight, “Big Mac was here all night helping you in your time of need.”

“But all I remember was Angel giving me my medicine and some juice, I didn’t see Big Mac.”

“Hmmm, from the looks of things you were pretty out of it, maybe the fever made you hallucinate?”

“I did hear some voice calming me down as I slept, and some crying.” The two mares looked at Big Mac, he looked back at them with a flat look on his face.

As twilight finished up big mac walked up to her, “can I talk to you in private?” Twilight was confused, but she followed him outside. Big Mac opened up, “Since you planned that wedding in canterlot and all, I need your opinion on the cost of certain things…”

Chapter 9: Say Yes (Finale) v02

Time passed, memories were made. The next few months are made for us and are made for them. the couple spent the week after the storm healing the wounds and creating new memories. The stallion helped the week trying to tend to the animals in her cottage. A few laughs were exchanged as follies and mishaps occurred. After the mare’s left was healed and she could walk well, they spent a day in the park, watching the clouds pass by. It was their first intimate kiss not caused by a mishap. Memories were made.

Time passed, memories were made. Weeks later, the stallion is in need of help picking the gardens while his sister ails from a bad stomach. The carrots are plentiful and the mare in charge of them is on vacation. The Fluttershy brought some of her ferrets to help the harvest. They help the business in a time of need. Memories were made.

Time passed, memories were made, the late summer days are here and the apple family reunion has arrived, Fluttershy comes to visit Big Mac, she meets his extended family. The Apples treat her like a guest. She feels comfortable, though shy with new ponies. Memories were made.

Time passed, memories were made. Nightmare Might came and Big Mac carried the children in hi wagon, like every year. Fluttershy hid in her home again, but received a visit from the cutely dressed fillies, being led by Big Mac and her friends. They made a simple costume for her to wear, though she didn’t accept it. But still memories were made.

It wasn’t until the last few weeks of fall that things began to change. Slowly the mare started seeing less of her loved one. It didn’t seem like much at first, seeing as it was Apple season, but when it came to a close she noticed he would disappear before she would come to his door. One day she waited for him on his doorstep, hoping to get an answer. All she saw was a tired stallion coming home, smelling of sweat and perfumes. He passed her with only a kiss on her cheek. Nothing was said. His sister came down and promised to talk to him. Days later Applejack wouldn’t tell what he said. Time passes memories are made.

Fall passed and the snow came, bringing a halt to most of the agricultural work. Weeks in and the worry grew further like an untreated fungus. To calm herself, Fluttershy sought to treat this fungus with the topical cream known as her friends.

“Rarity,” called Fluttershy to her fashionista friend as she knocked on her door. “can I ask you something?”

The door opened, with a red-nosed white unicorn coming to wearing a white robe with lines of purple coming around the edges. “Can I help you?” she asked. She took one glance at the pony and retorted her previous statement, “oh Fluttershy, I didn’t expect to see you here, can you come in” she gestured inwards, “The cold air is tickling my cold.”

The yellow Pegasus floated in, her mind heavy with though. She sat down on the floor. Rarity came to her offering a cup of tea. Fluttershy took the cup in her hooves and took a sip to calm her nerves.

“I’m sorry but what is it you wanted to ask me?” Rarity asked with her napkin at the ready.

“Well,” Fluttershy started, “you know how I have been going out with Big Mac?” she paused to get assurance that Rarity was still listening.

“My dear, that’s old news,” she answered in a nasal voice, “every pony already knows you two are an item”

“Right,” she continued, “and you know how we have been, together constantly,” paused again for assurance, “until recently” she muttered. “And how he said he loved me,” pause, “and how we’ve never had sex” Rarity’s ears perked up to listen to this. “my question is, do you think Big Mac would go off with another mare behind my back?”

Rarity’s eyes opened up as she saw her friend stare sadly into her tea. “Oh my,” was all she could say. She rummaged her mind to find some peaceful words. “Are you finding him under suspicion?” she asked.

“Well, a few weeks back, when I was seeing less and less of him, I went to Sweet Apple Acres to talk with him,”

“And?” Rarity asked her to continue as she wiped her nose.

“He came back late, smelling of sweat and flower products.”

Rarity gasped, following was a cough, which killed the moment a bit. “Oh my, did you confront him?”

“Well…” she tried to explain, “I talked with Applejack, she promised to talk with him…” she stopped to bring herself to recall the moment.

“Well…” pushed Rarity.

“She didn’t talk about it afterwards.” She let out a cry. “She tried to avoid the conversation,” she sniffed, “even told me to forget it ever happened.”

Rarity covered her mouth, not to cover a sneeze but in suspense. “Fluttershy, my dear, that is just awful,” she sat back looking for comforting words. “You know, I will have a talk with Appl, ap, aaaaa.” She sneezed before she could finish that sentence, “sorry, I guess I can’t, not in this condition.” She looked over to the saddened mare. “How’s about you talk with somepony else, I feel pretty useless here.”

“Okay,” the yellow Pegasus replied. Heading out the door she began to wonder who she can talk to. ‘Pinkie was too playful to take this seriously.’ She thought to herself, ‘that only leaves Rainbow dash and Twilight, but Rainbow might over react and hurt Big Mac.’ she thought of this quickly, she wanted to solve this as soon as possible. "Twilight with her books could bring me to a speedy conclusion" she thought aloud as she faced the eastern district. "to Twilight's"

Upon arriving at the large oak tree library she noticed the door was open. Quietly she entered, only to see a green baby dragon cleaning the bookshelves. She stealthily walked over to him hearing him mumble on about how he should be at the Boutique with Rarity.

“Um, hello” Fluttershy timidly called,

“What? Oh, hi Fluttershy,” he answered, “did you just come in?” he looked at her with curiosity as she looked around.

“Is, uh, Twilight in?” she asked with slight hesitation.

The baby dragon answered, “She’s up in her room comparing books with her coltfriend.”

“Is it okay if I wait for her, it’s really important.”

Spike went back to his pet, feeding it gingersnaps. A noise came from upstairs, a laughter of some sort that brought down Fluttershy. The bedroom door swung open as the exited purple mare and her companion, a light brown earth stallion with dark brown mane with a streak of rust orange, walk down stairs giggling and chortling. The mare looks at the library book table and sees the saddened butter colored Pegasus.

“I’ll meet you in the kitchen Rusty,” she called out to the stallion. He listened and headed into the kitchen by himself. “Is something wrong?” she asked the Pegasus.

“Oh, um… I hope I’m not intruding on anything.” The Pegasus shuffled into a defensive position.

“Oh that? It’s nothing, we were just having a discussion on the works of Daring Do. He just felt a bit hungry.” Twilight looked at the kitchen entry way and smiled.

“How did you meet him?”

“Well it was weird, but he came into the library and rummaged books out of the fiction section. He came n to read away the frustrations of his day and we ended up discussing the books he was reading. He kept on coming here every week after work to discuss literature.” She realized she stared talking about herself again, “But it wasn’t as romantic as you and Big Mac.”

Fluttershy lowered her head in and gave a big sigh. The purple mare could sense her words did more harm than good.

“Oh my, did I say something wrong?” she asked with worry.

The Pegasus gave a light squeak. “I-its fine,” she said softly, “I’m just worried about…” she shook.

Twilight looked at her. she fears something may have happened to her relationship. Using her magic she brought out a book on relationships titled ‘From First Sight to Final Vows: Resolving Problems in Your Ship.’ Not the most elegant title, but it might work.

“Let’s take a look at the book,” she said with a look of pride in helping her friend. “Now, what problems are you having?”

“Well, I haven’t seen much of him recently. I think he may be avoiding me.”

The unicorn took a look in the section titled ‘neglect’ and read through the first section. “When a stallion starts to find time for himself, it may mean that the mare is strangling their relationship, the mare might be smothering the stallion and not giving him enough space. This could also happen when the stallion grows tired of the everyday routine and wants to spice up their life. This could also be used in vise versa.” She continued to think about what circumstances she was going through. “What have you been noticing in his behavior?”

“Well, he would stay out late and get home tired, and sometimes smelling of oils and fumes.” Fluttershy hesitantly explained.

Twilight searched through the reference guide to find the solution to the problem. Her face sparked as she found the page, but then came to a drop when the truth was reveled. She looked between the book and her friend to find out what to tell her. “Uh,” she mumbled as she came to terms that this was one thing she didn’t need to hear, not yet.

Fluttershy leaned in as she saw the unicorn closed the book. An awkward smile washed over her face. “I’m sorry, Fluttershy, there was nothing I could find that could help you” she lied. The yellow Pegasus dropped her head and headed out the door. The stallion came out of the kitchen, having heard the short conversation. He took the time to ask what had occurred, he was surprised by what she told him.

The Pegasus, now several meters away, looked back at the library, “you too Twilight?” she said in a soft, broken hearted voice. The mare headed north.

She hopes to find somepony that could help her, but three of her friends are useless. One by illness, and the others took are omitting the truth. The two left are her oldest friend and an extremely hyperactive mare. One she knows would try to protect her at any, cost causing damage along the way, and the other would lead her through an adventure filled with silly puns and confetti. "rainbow dash, then." she whispered to herself. she hoped to bring some light to the problem she was facing. "She has always helped me with my problems, it would be a great help. I'm sure she won't over do things again."

She headed over to the weather team’s office to find Rainbow Dash. On her way onto the doorstep, she heard a shout inside. the medium pitched voice was easily recognizable. Fluttershy stopped and tried to listen to the conversation.

“When have you ever seen somepony leave a mug of hot cocoa on a table just for you?” shouted the female voice.

“Well, my ma would leave me one when I came ho…” replied a scared male.

“Do I look like your mom?”

“Well, uh”

“That was the last bag of cocoa, Thunderlane, the last bag, and that was also a turnover I brought back from home, which was made by my good friend.”

“I didn’t kno…”

“Well you should have asked, now I have to go out and buy both hot cocoa and a pastry, two things I would have gotten free if some ungrateful ox didn’t eat them. I woke up late this morning, that was technically my breakfast.”

“But it though it was…”

“How would you like it if your lunch was taken by some big lummox that didn’t care for your feelings?” the crowd began to murmur.

“That’s enough’ interrupted a voice of reason, “Rainbow, I’m giving you the day off, you obviously aren’t fit to work today. Go eat and go do whatever; I just don’t want you scaring the others, again.”

“Fine!” she gave one last shout before she stormed out finding a frightened mare at the doorstep. “he-ya, Fluttershy?” she looked at her expression, feeling worried. “You hear that didn’t you?”

The yellow mare gave a nod.

“Don’t worry. I doubt they would fire me. I'm supervisor.” She turns to her growling stomach and gives a giggle. “Wanna go eat? I forgot breakfast… and lost my lunch.”

They made their way to the diner. the waitress, pumpkin turnover, was busy tat day, taking orders for the lunch rush. The cyan mare ordered the large stack of pancakes, the yellow one ordered some toast. Rainbow Dash was in a chipper mood, she had not noticed the sorrow on Fluttershy’s expression. She tried to hide it as best she can.

“I got lucky this place still serves breakfast at this hour.” Said Rainbow Dash.

Fluttershy nodded with a half hearted smile. Rainbow Dash took notice.

She dropped her fork slowly and straightened her back, raising her neck. “fluttershy?” she asked in a calm tone, “I’ve known you for how long?”

“Since flight camp” Fluttershy replied.

“And, even though I am younger than you by almost a year, I took you in like a little sister. Correct?”

“Ten months to be exact, but yes”

“And as my pegisister, I helped you solve whatever problems you faced, bullies, tests, your first estrus, when that bird died… any problem, right?”

She gave a nod,

"Then why won’t you tell me your current problem?”

The yellow Pegasus was shocked, “how could you tell?”

“After fifteen years of knowing you I can see the signs of when you are in trouble” she said while raising an eyebrow in a semi-annoyed expression. “I know when something is bugging you, well more than the usual things.”

“Well… I, uh”

"Are you having money problems again?” Rainbow asked with flat emotion, “I thought we solved that when they declared your ‘animal control’ and pet adoption as a nontaxable service to the community”

“It’s not that… it’s, uh,”

“Is somepony hurting you again?”

“Well, yes… in a way”

“Who is it?” she got up as if interrogating her.

“Well it’s, Bbbb” she was getting shaky, “bbb, Big mm, Mac”

The cyan Pegasus sat down in surprise. “Big Mac is hurting you?” he rubbed her head in ponder. “How is he doing it? Is he hitting you?”

“Well, he keeps avoiding me, I think he may be seeing somepony else,” she twiddled her hooves under the table.

“Somepony else? You mean cheating on you?”

“Maybe it’s because I haven’t put out”

“Have you talked with AJ about this?”

“She… didn’t want to tell me.” He ears drooped.

“That no good a, have you at least looked for help with Twilight?”

“She wasn’t too helpful.”

The rainbow maned mare placed her hooves on her temples and growled in frustration, getting the attention of the restaurant patrons. The waitress trots on over, worried that it has to do with their service. “Oh my, were the flapjacks too heavy on you?” she asked.

Rainbow Dash calmed herself down as much as she could, “it’s nothing, I got it under control.”

The waitress smiled and walked off whispering to herself.

“First we eat Pancakes,” Rainbow states in a serious tone, “then we have a chat with your Coltfriend.”

After finishing pancakes, and choking on a few of them, Rainbow Dash led Fluttershy through the frigid air over Ponyville. The two then conversed on the possible culprits for the reverse cuckoldry.

“I have followed Big Mac these past few weeks when I got a chance through my weather duties” Rainbow explained, “I saw him go to four different places constantly. The Jewelry store, the flower shop, the Sugar Cube Corner, and the park”

“Why the park?”

“He meets somepony there, I couldn’t tell who it was since I was so high up, but whoever they are they were pink with a yellow mane,” she let the deepness of the situation seep in, “and had something red on their head”

Fluttershy sulked in as her friend pulled her to the Jewelry store. Reaching the street they noticed the door swing open, out came the tall red stallion in question.

“Right on time” whispered Rainbow Dash as she and Fluttershy hid on the adjacent roof. They follow the stallion across town. he led them to the flower shop where he went inside, he came out with a small bag, which he hooked to his yoke. The two mares grew impatient as he headed into Sugar Cube Corner. They peaked in through the window, watching him drink a milkshake, cherry flavored. The two stepped back as Rainbow dash came up with a plan.

“He might be here for a while,” she declared, “I suggest we find out who that mystery pony is?”

“What pony?” said a high pitched voice that resembled the squeak of a clean window.

The two jumped, they were not expecting to see Pinkie pie. “What are you doing here?” asked Rainbow,

“I just saw you two out here looking in and I though, hey why not invite them in and share our new hot chocolate with them? But then I heard you talking about a mystery pony, and knowing all ponies in town I thought I could help them, I mean unless it’s a pony I haven’t met before, but then I would need to give them a great big party and a welcome from my Welcome Wagon…” she saw the serious look on their faces, “so who is this mystery pony?”

“Well,” started Fluttershy, “they have a pink coat and blonde mane”

“That’s the opposite of you” she said with a giggle, Fluttershy was not amused, “ahem, that would be Cherry Twist,”

“Cherry Twist?” the two said simultaneously.

“Uh-huh, she has a big red bow on her mane and offers her services to all Stallions in need of help.”

“Sounds like a glorified prostitute to me,” Rainbow groaned.

“Excuse Me?” said a mare heading past them, “I am not a prostitute.” The two fell to see the pink pony in question.

“Oh yeah, and what are you then?”

“Tha… that is none of your business.” She stammered, “my business is with stallions and stallions only. Speaking of which i am meeting a client in here” she pointed at the bakery.

“That’s cause you are not a filly-fooler” Rainbow continued to batter the mare, “do you like colts as well?”

“Oh like you aren’t one?” the mare was getting annoyed.

“What?”

“Everypony knows you have feelings for that farm mare. We could feel it since that Running of the Leaves a few years ago. You two have been awfully chummy ever since.”

Rainbow growled at the ever tiresome pony. Before she jumped up and declaring a duel to the death, Fluttershy stepped forth, with hopefully a voice of reason. “Um, excuse me, if I may interrupt, I would like to say something” she trotted up to the light pink mare with her head high. Pinkie Pie had her popcorn ready. He opened her eyes and said, “Now listen here missy, you do not take another mare’s stallion, even if it is for business. Your business, though legal, is not a proper form for a lady to behave herself, flapping her hole at every stallion that crosses her path.” She started to give her The Stare, “now leave, and never let me catch you around my stallion again, or I will send my friend Harry the bear to give you a special bear hug. And guess what, it’s painful!”

The stare was super effective. The mare was fumbling on her steps. “You’re crazy, I’m out of here. you can tell Big Mac he can solve this himself” she ran off.

Fluttershy barely let out a huff when she heard the ting-a-ling of the door to the shop. “What is going on out here?” said the voice of a stallion coming out. the voice had gotten the attention of the ponies inside.

Fluttershy turned to him, still steaming with anger, “and you, what do you think you’re doing?”

The stallion walked over to her, “what do you mean? What are you so angry?” he asked in confusion.

“Don’t play dumb, you were seeing that harlot behind my back.”

“Harlot? She was helping me with something,”

“What skills that would prove you good in bed?”

Once Fluttershy started she couldn’t stop. The two spectators now became plenty as the ponies of the street stood to watch. Rainbow dash became uncomfortable with the chaos she had just caused. Pinkie was opening another bag of popcorn stating that this was the “most entertaining argument she has witnessed, more entertaining when the cakes messed up an order.”

“Miss Shy, what are you talking about?”

“Why don’t you tell me,” she replied with a sarcastic tone. “You leave me wondering where you were these past weeks and you didn’t think about how I would feel?”

“But I was…”

“What! Are you finally going to drop me?”

“I was going to Propose to you!” he finally got some words in. Fluttershy and the spectators stopped in shock. He reached into his bag, pulling out a small box. He placed on the ground, as he placed his front knees on the ground.

The mare took the box and opened it. Inside was a butterfly shaped gem attached to a hoof sized clip. The mare was in tears. Her frown turned over and she let out an embarrassed squeak.

“I was working hard to afford the changes to the gem I already had. I even took a job testing deodorants for Lotus and Aloe. Cherry twist is a relationship specialist, she was helping me find the best time and place for this,” he digressed, “this was going to be for a few weeks, but what do you say.

The mare leapt and gave the stallion a big kiss. "i wish you could have told me something." she said, "then i wouldn't have gone crazy."

"and then what, ruin the surprise," the stallion, "I had to tell my sister to lie for me, she would be in charge of the cake if she did."

the two laughed. Soon the crowd joined in. these two ponies have just stopped dating, but they opened a new chapter in their lives, one that Celestia has written on her own.

time passed, memories were made, as the day came closer the Mare of the hour made a letter to Celestia writing her thoughts on what had transpired the time she spent with her Special Somepony.

_________________________________

Dear Princess Celestia.

It has been one crazy year and a half, and I have heard a lot. As you may have heard, I started dating one of my friend's brother, Big Macintosh, and things were never the same. At first my friends were skeptical about the relationship, along with many mares and stallions in town, but soon they came to accept it. Rumors have also made their way through us, but we learned that they are not worth listening. He helped me pulling over my fears that had to do with the assault I sustained all those years ago, along with other problems, and this has also taught me that all relationships have troubles, whether they are about money or miss heard conversations, when you are together you can solve them with a quiet conversation and some love. Oh, and I am writing to you because my wedding is in a few days. I am nervous about it, but what will keep me going will be the thought that my life would be with him, and it would be forever. I can’t wait to tell him those words, “I do.”

Your loyal servant,

Fluttershy

The End

Chapter 1: the ticket

"Okay everypony, remember the theme," said the mayor to the crowd of worker ponies and volunteers. "Warmth in Ice, everypony, make everything look cozy and warm, Like we must huddle up together." The preparations for the Winter's Heart Ball had begun. The Ponies of Ponyville had started to make the Community center this year's location and are trying their best to make it better this year than last.

"I'm Heeeeeeeeere," said the cheering voice of the pink party pony known as Pinkie Pie, followed by Big Macintosh pulling the cart of supplies.

"Pinkie, I'm so glad you made it." Says the mayor as she looks questionably at the oversized cart, "what exactly did you bring?"

"we brought the Ribbons, mats, balloons, streamers, screamers, plates, forks, and my personal favorite, the Party Cannon!!!" shouted Pinkie with a joyful pitch as she pulls out the cannon and aims it at the mayor.

"Pinkie, we said no cannon this year." Exclaimed the Mayor, "Remember what happened last year at Vinyl's concert."

"That wasn't my fault," protested pinkie, "I wasn't the one who mixed soda in with the confetti." She said with an innocent smile on her face, eyes pacing back and forth.

The mayor looked at her sternly, "no cannon" she said, passing her.

"Come on, just one pony gets a broken jaw and everypony is afraid of the party cannon," Grumbled pinkie as she pushed the cannon back home.

"Anyway, thanks for bringing the supplies Big Mac. We couldn't get it done without you," Said the mayor, while making sure Pinkie didn't turn back.

"t'ain't nothin' miss mayor, anything to help you ponyfolk." Replied Mac as he unstrapped the cart and stepped forth with a sigh. Looking at the decorations being put up, he thought of the fancy dancing that would happen in this hall in just two days.

The mayor sees the look on his face and asks, "is something wrong." She saw him as if he was worried for something.

"It's nothing," he said "this looks like it'll be a mighty fine dance here, fancy actually."

The mayor sees his distraught expression as he looks around at the other ponies decorating and having fun. Then she begins to recall something, she has never seen Big Mac at a Ball or any parties outside of sweet Apple acres. She feels his pain and thinks she needs to do something, she can't stand to see any pony not benefit from the hard work they do.

Suddenly, a young Pale purple unicorn filly with a ribbon in her hooves begins to shout, "mommy, mommy, look at the Bow I made," then a blue gray Pegasus wearing new glasses looks down "it's very nice, dinky." But as she looked down the glasses fall, frantically the Pegasus moves back trying to catch the glasses and slams into a pillar. The pillar, having been placed for decoration begins to topple and fall over in the direction of the filly. She screams at the top of her lungs. The crowd hears her and are too shocked to move. Then the galloping of a colt breaks the silence. He gallops to the filly and gets to her just as a cloud of dust and debris fills the dance floor. The crowd is silent as they wait for the dust to settle. They waited, and waited paralyzed in suspense. Then they see the orange mane of Big Mac trotting out of the dust and towards the wall, with the blonde filly on his hoof. The crowd was surprised, and relieved.

"Mommy!" said the filly, as she hopped onto the ground trotted towards her mother, "he saved me!"

The crowd cheered for Big Mac. "hurrah, hurrah, Big Mac is a Hero!"

"thank you, Big Macintosh, you have saved this young filly and stopped what would have been a horrible accident." Gleefully said the mayor.

The ponies continued to cheer. "hurrah," The Blue gray pony then stood up with her daughter in her wing and expressed her thanks, "I wish there was some way we could repay you for your bravery"

The mayor then struck a golden idea, she rushed into the ticket booth and under the stand picked up two scraps of paper and trotted back to Big Mac. She placed them at his feet, clears her throat and as if she were giving a speech she spoke in her loud voice "In honor of your brave act and saving these ponies, as mayor, I am proud to award you with a ticket to the Winter's Heart Ball for you and a guest." The crowd though it was a good idea. They remarked on how they think it is fit to give him tickets to the dance he saved. "so will you come?"

Big Mac was surprised by the tickets, but seeing as they were a gift it was not in his nature to deny it, plus he had always wanted to come to a fancy ball. His pride had his confusion at bay so he answered the question in the most modest way he can "Eeyup."

While returning the cart to sweet apple acres Big Mac was confronted by his sister, "howdy Big Brother, how's it like being the big hero now" she had heard of the news, seeing as when gossip comes it spreads like wildfire through Ponyville. "I Hope the fame don't get to your big head," she teased.

Big Mac rolled his eyes as he prepared for another round of her sisterly antics. He walked past her trying to shake off the comment that Applejack had made, but then just as he expected the second round had come.

"woowee, would you look at that," said Applejack, looking in the cart. "tickets to the Winter's Heart Ball. That's what they gave you?"

"Eeyup" replied Big Mac, Trying to get out of the subject, he knew where this would go.

"Two tickets, though, who's the other one fur?" she asked, in her sisterly teasing voice. "yuh got, somepony you're eyein?"

Big Mac blushed, but under his red coat it was hardly noticeable. He had to think of something quick so that Applejack won't keep taunting him. "ya'll can have that ticket, if yah like,"

Applejack looked at him, "that is mighty fine of yah," she said, "but I'm helping Zecora collect Flowers in the Everfree forest that night." Big Mac had forgotten about that commitment she had made for that night. The Wintereed does only bloom on that night. "Why don't you ask some of your other friends?"

"Right," said Big Mac with a quivering lip "I'll see if they want it." He grabbed the ticket and placed them in his jacket and hurried out of Applejacks view.

He hadn't told her but he has only two friends, Whooves and Caramel. But unfortunately they were already going, so he had no one to give the ticket to.

Big Mac walked into town thinking to himself. "who am I gunn' invite, if it was just one ticket, Applejack is busy and can't really give it to one of her friends, she would kill me." He thought and thought, but one thing came to mind, "I know, I'll just give the ticket to the first pony I see. That's right the first pony I see, I'll tell them I mean nothing by it and it'll be okay." He stopped at the market center and began looking around. He kept thinking, "What if somepony thinks I'm trying something sneaky."

He began to imagine the scenario, he gives the ticket to a pony, heir friends begin to think tat he is trying to get in bed with her, he gets scorned, Granny smith and Applejack gives him another lecture on treating mares the right way.

Suddenly he heard the sound of a cartwheel snapping, followed by the high pitched yelp of a mare. He turns towards the sound and sees a Golden Pegasus with long pink mane. She was pulling a cart with cart with a bag of carrots and a bucket of fish. The cart had tipped over, probably from a broken wheel. Big Mac looked at her for a few seconds and noticed that nopony had stopped to help her. He watched her trot around trying to find a solution; it was too much for him, he had to do something.

"'xcuse me miss," he said whilst prancing up to her, "yah need some help?" the mare looks at him for one second then looks away, stumbling for words. Big Mac, seeing her reaction pulls back thinking he was too forward with his statement. "sorry miss, but I just saw yuh havin trouble and thought I could help."

The mare then looked at the cart and back at him, tripping on her own words. She tried to get a statement out but her fear had stopped her. Big Mac took action and began inspecting the cart. He went to the side it had tipped over and saw the wheel had snapped in half. The spokes on the bottom half had broken here but the top had stayed attached to the axel. Big Mac had dealt with this problem before.

"miss, I could help yuh, it's just a split wheel" he said carefully as to not upset her any more. "I could help yuh carry it home, If yuh don't mind."

The mare had then begun to feel safe and replied, "uh, uh, sure, I …. Uh.. don't mind."

Having been given permission Big Mac used his Yoke to lift the cart from the broken wheel, and waited for the mare to begin pulling. As they took the cart Big Mac began to try having a conversation with the mare.

"Nice cold day we got here" he started, but the mare just gazed back at him and looked forward avoiding conversation.

"These sure are lots of carrots an fish," he said trying to get something out of her. "What yall need em for?"

"I …. Uh …. Need to …..feed my…. rabbits and ferrets." She spoke softly and hesitantly. She continued to look forward, head down and eyessafely scanning back and forth. She repeatedly gazed back at him when she thought he wasn't looking, but when she saw him looking at he she tried to make it seem as she did nothing. Big Mac was surprised, he had never seen a mare quite like her.

"Rabbits?" he asked, trying to find the right words as to not spook her even more. "I thought thay hibernated in this time a year,"

"Actually… they don't," she said peeking out of her shell, "they still come out, same with ferrets."

"I didn't know that" he responded, "yuh sure know lots about little critters."

"I uh….. well.." she then stopped with her eyes forward, "oh look, were here." She said having arrived at her cottage. "well thank you for the help. I don't know what I would have done without you."

"Any time miss…" he paused for a moment realizing something, "I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name."

The mare looked down at his feet to not feel intimidated, she hesitated on her words. "I'm …. I'm Fluttershy." She said in her sweet voice as she looked to his feet, to make sure he hadn't left.

"well Miss Shy" he said in a with a smile, it was not a surprise to him that a mare like her would have such a sweet name, he had remembered what he was planning on doing, "I was fixin on givin you somethin" he said as he reached into his coat pocket.

Fluttershy flinched when she saw him pull something out, closing her eyes for a second. Once the whimpers went to silence she opened her eyes and saw a scrap of glitter covered paper hung from the mouth of the muscular red colt. She stood from her defensive position and read the sheet. "admission to the Winters heart ball"

"Oh," she said in a surprise "well … ," she didn't know what else to say. She had expected something else. "I…. uh…"

"I got this extra ticket and wondering if yah wanted it."

Her head was spinning she had recently thought of going to the ball seeing as she wanted to get over the gala incident and thought it would be nice to be in a quiet ball again. But on the other hand she felt as if It would be a bad idea to accept a gift from a colt she didn't know very well. She felt as if she had to accept this gift, seeing as it would embarrass the colt if she didn't accept.

She had made up her mind. "Thank you," she said as she looked down, "I'd like the ticket." She then gave a gaze at the ticket and looked back down. Big Mac then knew what she was waiting for, it was not nice for a colt to have a mare get close to his mouth without permission. He placed the ticket on the cart and turned around. "Thank you for helping me with the cart,"

"You're welcome," he said proudly "well, I best be off. I'm expected by some friends." He then walked off, leaving only a trail of hoofprints in the snow. As he headed over to the Watering Hole he began to ponder on the name, "Fluttershy, where have I heard that name before?"

Fluttershy was confused, and didn't know why her fiend's brother would give her a ticket to the ball. She left the food inside and headed over to Rarity's for advice. "If there's anypony who knows about confrontations It's rarity." She thought to herself quietly. Rarity had been going out with Spike for a few months now, and Fluttershy sees them as a happy couple and sees her as a good source of advice

As Fluttershy walked into the Carrousel Boutique she noticed rarity working on a dress., she mumbled to herself as she tried get the dress in a presentable. She gasped as she got inspiration and grunted as it didn't work out and took the scraps off the seemingly never perfect dress. Fluttershy's entrance gave a ringing that broke Rarity's concentration.

"Who is it?" she asked in a monotone voice, upset that her vibe had been disrupted, she turned to see the yellow mare standing at the door way. "ah, it's you."

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything important." She replied in her soft voice.

"Not at all," said rarity, "I was just preparing my dress for the ball on Friday. What did you need, darling?"

"Actually,…." Fluttershy stumbled on her words, "I came to ask you about …….the ball"

"The ball is looking fabulous; I just got my ticket from spike, and am hoping it will be a wonderful night." Said rarity as she looked at her picture of spike, "did you get a ticket?"

"I… uh….. just got one," she paused for a moment, with her face turning red.

"Really? How? The tickets are only being sold to colts right now……" rarity stopped in her tracks, giving thought to the last statement. She gasped and gave a big grin that seem to scare Fluttershy. "oh, my" said Rarity as she prepared her words. "Who is the lucky colt?" she said in a lovingly aggressive voice.

"Well….. i….." Fluttershy was stunned and could not find an answer. She waited for a miracle to happen.

Ting-a-ling, went the bell at the door. Fluttershy turned to look and saw Applejack with a smile on her face. Fluttershy's face turned red.

"How yall doing" said Applejack as she walked up to them.

"Hello Applejack," said rarity, still grinning at Fluttershy. "do you need something special?"

"I'm just here to order a suit for my big bro. he got two free tickets to the bal…" she then looks at Fluttershy and notices her acting especially shy today. Questions raced to her head as she noticed Fluttershy look at her and then look back at the ground. "is something wrong with ya'll Fluttershy?" she asked, then she put her hoof on Fluttershy's forehead, "ya'll feelin alright? You don't have a fever do you?"

Rarity stood back looking at her with a sly look o her face, she couldn't stand it. "Fluttershy got invited to the Winter's heart ball, by some stallion"

Applejack stood in shock, Fluttershy face went from a pink to dark red. "really now…." Applejack replied in a sly voice "who's the lucky fellow?" she bluntly asked.

Fluttershy tried to speak, but the shear presence of Applejack made her uncomfortable, and couldn't give she kept mumbling on her words and every moment she stayed silent, Applejack grew more suspicious.

It didn't take long for apple jack to piece it together. "wait a minute," said Applejack as she put two and two together. "it was Big Macintosh who gave you the ticket, wasn't it?"

Fluttershy was shocked. Putting her fears in check she gave one quiet answer. "um .. yes" she looked at Applejack's feet trying to hide her fear. She then glanced to see her face just in time to see the rage growing in her eyes.

"Why that no good son of a snake in a barrel," Shouted Applejack, cursing Big Mac in every word, "how dare he ask trick me and go ask my friend to the dance behind my back!!!!"

"Applejack, calm down" said Fluttershy, "I'm sure he didn't mean anything by it."

"why when I find him, I'm gunn' give him a piece of my mind." She said storming out the door. Fluttershy, hoping to calm apple jack down follows her and begins trying to reason with her.

"Sorry, I'm late" said Big Mac as he enters the Watering Hole, "I got caught up with somethin'."

"It's alright," said caramel, "I'm sure it was important." He said snickering under his alcohol ridden breath.

"What's that about?" asked Big Mac

"He was hitting the rum harder today," said Whooves. "he just broke up with his marefriend."

"What, again"

"tain't mah fault, she just didn't like mah persunalituh" Caramel said as he took yet another chug from the bottle.

"What did he do?" asked Big Mac

"He laughed at an old lady as his marefriend tried to help her back at her feet" Said Whooves as he took the bottle away.

"To be fair, the banana slip was always funny," he said trying to reach for the bottle. Whooves knew that there was more to the story so he glared at him until he fesed up. "fine, I was the one who tossed the banana"

"When are you gonna give up those antics" said Big Mac, "most mares like a grown colt who doesn't play tricks on ponies."

"Really, like that yellow mare you were with earlier?" Caramel drunkenly said. Big Mac blushed at the statement, "we saw you bein friendly with her. I knew you liked them shy" he said waving his bottle back and forth.

"it wasn't like that." Defended Big Mac, "I just… helpin her with her broken cart."

"Settle down Big Mac" said Whooves "I believe it is time for you to settle down, I was your age when I got together with Ditzy, it started with something simple, a returned package."

Big Mac was getting embarrassed, he couldn't believe that his friends would think that, "It's not like that, nopony was helping her and I helped her get her groceries home."

"you kidin me," interrupted Caramel spilling the ale from his cheeks "you gotta step up your game, get together with this mare, she's a hard win, and you've got a chance with her."

"Well…." Said Big Mac suddenly interrupted by the sound of the door being kicked open.

"Big Macintosh!!" said an incredibly familiar voice. Big Mac looked and saw the orange mare, dripping with rage, and breathing heavily. She was followed by the yellow mare that the colts were talking about. "Ya'll better explain yourself now."

"What are yah yelling about." Replied Big Mac with a quivering voice, he has had to deal with his sister's legendary rages, and they never end pretty.

"Can you explain why you gave your ticket to my friend, yuh sneaky serpent." She shouted getting the attention of the bar patrons. "are yuh tryin to get her to like you, need I remind you what happened between you and Lyra?"

"Look I was just givin her a hand with her…"

"You was just tryin to be fresh with her, ain't yah? Why how do yuh think granny would feel when she hears you was preyin on innocent ponies…" yelled Applejack, as Fluttershy tried to get her to calm down, with no progress.

"Look lil'sis," Big Mac attempted to say, finding an opportunity to speak whilst Applejack took a breath to shout at him again "I was just helping her with her cart. It got a broken tire, and I lifted it home…"

"Then, what in tarnation did yuh give her the ticket fuhr? are yuh tryin to get'er in your cot?" she said abruptly. The bar went silent, Big Mac was astonished by not only the remark, but by the fact she said it in such a public place. Fluttershy looked at Big Mac her eyes swelling with confusion and fear. She had never seen Applejack this angry before. She knew that she was just being protective, but she may have taken it a bit too far.

"I had no one to give the ticket to," protested Big Mac "I saw her, and thought she may need some cheering up, it's not like I want her, I was just being friendly" he thought back at his statement and believed he may have upset the yellow mare, but to him he was already in as deep as he could be, he couldn't possibly get any deeper.

Applejack was seething with rage, and the orange mare was snorting like an enraged bull trying to get out of its pen. She was just about ready to go for another round when the soft voice that had tried to reason with her suddenly gave it all her go. "that's enough!" Applejack turned stopped in her tracks as the yellow mare flew into her way, blocking the red stallion from her view with her frail torso. "now listen, you took this the wrong way." She said sternly, "he did help me with my cart, in fact he was the only pony that even offered, and the ticket might as well just been a friendly gesture, sure you can confront him and ask him what it was about." She then turned and pointed at the crowd, "but to embarrass him in front of all these ponies, it… it just seem un-sisterly, and even unkind to accuse him of such vile things when ponies are watching." Applejack's rage turned into confusion, then as she looked at the patrons, fearful, curious, and a little tipsy, judging her and Applejack with their daggering eyes. Her confusion had then evolved into sorrow, and embarrassment. Her face turned redder than her brother's coat, she gave a grin and then ran off. She shot off out the door, fumbling and ran off towards the outskirts of town.

Big Mac was relieved and yet sad that it had to go like this. The yellow mare stood in front of him, shaking off her serious face and beginning to feel sorrow as well. Big Mac tapped her on the shoulder as to talk to her. As she turned to look at him, her eyes glistening from the tears that had begun to roll out like an overflowing glass of cider, the words he was looking for had begun o choke him tiring to recede back into his heart. After taking a gulp, he finally let out a few words, "thank you miss."

She had then begun to cry, letting the tears pour down her cheeks. She felt fear that her friend would hate her for telling her off in front of so many ponies. Big Mac could sense this, he had to deal with Applebloom having the same situation with her classmates. He instinctively did what a brother would do.

"don't fret little miss," he said, wiping tears away from her face, "Applejack might be soar, but her heart is in the right place, she will forgive you, just give'er some time." He tried to keep a smile but he began to rethink his words and hoped that his actions don't make things worse. He looked at the mare, and her eyes became round again, and she gave a smile as she gripped the hoof that was on her face. Luckily for Big Mac his face could not show its redness. The mare then stood up and headed out the door, looking for Applejack. The stallion stood there looking at the door, hoping the mare would come back. The silence was eerie but to Big Mac it all seemed worth it.

Twilight was walking through town when something caught her attention. She noticed Applejack laying on a hill, sniffling and sobbing. Twilight, being a good friend went to her to see what had happened. She pranced on over to the hill and asked Applejack a simple question. "Applejack, what's wrong?" Applejack was too distraught to even look at Twilight, she continued to sniffle on. "if something happened you can trust in me and tell me."

Applejack finally gave an answer, or at least tried, her sobbing had given her crying hiccups. "I, …. I yelled at .. at Big Mac … and … and embarrassed him .. and … flutt …. Fluttershy in front of every … everypony."

Twilight was confused; she had never seen Applejack this upset before. She had to comfort her somehow, she can't stand her friends being like this. She began to look for the right words that would calm her down, maybe even keep her from rolling out more tears. "It's okay Applejack, we all have moments when we do things that we regret." She tried to assure her, hoping it would calm her down, "I'm sure it wasn't that bad."

Applejack looked up at Twilight, "I accused Big Mac of tryin to take advantage of Fluttershy." She said covering her head "it was the most…. Embarrassing thing I did." She continued to groan in shame. She tears continued to roll down. Twilight placed her hoof on Applejack's back trying to comfort her. Applejack was filled with regret, her head believing that she would not be forgiven.

"Applejack," spoke a soft voice. Applejack turned to see the yellow mare trotting up the hill. "i… wanted to apologize for what happened at the watering hole."

Applejack was surprised to see her. "No, Fluttershy, I should be the one to apologize," she protested, "I was acting under anger, not letting mah mind resolve the issue," she looked down in shame. "i…. I was …. I was." She began to sniffle. Fluttershy felt sorry for her friend, she felt for her but needed to make her feel better. Fluttershy moved forward and held Applejack, in hopes that she would settle down. It worked. Apple jack let out a big sigh and said "I'm sorry"

"It happens to all of us," Responded Fluttershy.

"I think you two have it settled here," said Twilight, "I'll just let you two be." She then walked away, looking back at the two as they continued to talk and apologize for their behavior.

The two friends knew they could get over this situation. Applejack calmed from her fragile state and began to accept that it was just a bump that they could go over. Big Mac passed them to peek at them and seeing that they have made progress he walked on home to get some rest. As he goes on, he begins to think of the Ball. He knows it is coming soon and he does not know what will happen there. He hopes they will have a good time, and not be a blunder like the gala applejack went to, but only time will tell.