Butterfly in the Orchard

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."