The Shining Descent

The Shining Descent

By: The Sentimentalism Brony

Prologue

It’s been 10 years since Fluttershy and Big McIntosh were bound in the sanctity of marriage. Within the period of 10 years Fluttershy and Big Mac had accomplished much for themselves: They have moved in with each other, at Fluttershy’s cottage. Big Mac, despite Fluttershy’s reluctance in his career change, supported him when he left his post at Sweet Apple Acres, to become an author. Publishing such works as, The Truth in the Matter; Home is where the Apple is; and If You Believe, You can Achieve. The books he had managed to publish, spanned various genres from, motivational, thriller, and even books with an element of extreme personalized state. Fluttershy on the other hoof, continued here Celestia given talent of taking care of, and communicating with the animals of Equestria.

Also, during this period of Celestial marriage, Fluttershy and Big Mac had been blessed with the gift of a young pegasus colt, which they named Big Apple. Big Apple was born 1 year after Fluttershy and Big Mac got married. He had a silky bright red coat of fur, with a brown mane slightly streaked with pink. He however, still, did not have his cutie mark and waited in great anticipation. Now Big Apple was 9 years old, and vary curious of the world. One of the things that made Big Apple so curious of the wide open space that was equestria, was his gift of telepathic communication. Despite rarely using his gift, Apple never told his parents of his great gift, scared of what they might think or say. Ponies don’t just hear other ponies’ thoughts. Or be able to send them full length sentences, as well as short phrases directly to their minds, reluctant of muzzle movement. Although sporting a mental advantage over other ponies, he hardly used the gift, until one night when a horrible accident occurred.

On one cool evening, at about 5:00 pm, Big Mac had stumbled home from an afternoon of drinking…Heavily. Upon stepping into the cottage, he had noticed his earlier days work scattered on the wooden floor amongst his son’s miscellaneous toys. The papers were strewn across the vast scope of the floor, all out of order, and out of context. To say the least, Mr. Macintosh was not in the best of moods considering his alcohol intake. And upon noticing his son in the haze of various papers, and the red mist of anger, he had placed his hoof on his son’s shoulder, grabbing it. Pulling his shoulder, a little harder than he should have, he dislodged it. At the wailing and out-forced crying of her son, Fluttershy ran into the living area of the cottage.

“What’s wrong, Apple,” she screams out in horror. As she reached the living quarters, she noticed her husband still had his hoof resting just above her son’s now dislocated shoulder. She yelled again, running over to Apple. “How could you, Big Mac! How could you do this to your son! Y-You Monster!” Sure their relationship had been slipping these past few months, but Monster? That was a little much. Regardless, Fluttershy, now coaxing her son to the door, began to comfort him. Filling his mind of promises of being “okay,” and that everything would be “alright.”

2…

Five months have passed since the accident; Fluttershy had forgiven Big Mac for his slight slip in vision. In the time since the incident Big Mac had vowed to never touch the drink again. Always reminding himself of what had happened last time, whenever the urge was too strong.

In the time since, Fluttershy has also changed somewhat. She now began to talk to her distant family, which resided on the outskirts of Canterlot. Her distant relatives owned an old hotel, which had been around for over 75 years. The Hotel’s name, ‘The Overlook Hotel’. It was in the time of October, that one night, when Fluttershy had contacted her aunt Tumble, that she had inquired that Fluttershy, and her husband come up for the 5 months of downtime the hotel would have during the winter season. As the hotel gets snowed in every year, somepony would have to reside up there the whole down period. And aunt Tumble thought Fluttershy, was the perfect candidate.  Fluttershy, reluctant at first, due to here immense responsibilities, agreed after asking Applejack if she would check up on the animals once every day. Applejack agreed, so Fluttershy agreed.

Upon receiving the good news, aunt and uncle Tumble got the building ready for closing, as Fluttershy, Big Mac, and Big Apple all prepared for their long stay at The Overlook Hotel.

3...

Arriving at The Overlook Hotel, the content family of three stepped down from the buggy that rode in on. “Finally,” Fluttershy stated stepping down from the pony powered form of transportation. We’re finally here.” She, now looking up at the monstrous building, stopped her regale.

“Wow, hon.  This place looks great, perfect inspiration for my new book!”

“I knew you’d like it, dear.” Fluttershy said, now nuzzling her head against her life bound mate's strong chest. “Now let’s go meet up with my aunt Tumble. She’ll be pleased were here, and so early too. C’mon.” Fluttershy, Big Mac, and Apple all took off to the giant hotel in search of Fluttershy’s aunt and uncle. Who all would find later, packing.

Walking into the giant hotel, Apple began to “ooh” and “ah” over the different array of amenities that covered the interior of the hotel. Polished marble floors, leather couches. But most of all, he noticed the giant games room just across the way. Grabbing his mothers, light green dress, she looked down to him. “Mom,” he started, “can I go check out the games room?”

Fluttershy looked to the games room, than back to Apple, before finally turning towards Big Mac and proceeding to ask the same question her son had just asked her. “Honey, Apple would like to go check out the games room. Would that be alright?” Fluttershy was always skeptical over leaving Apple alone, whereas Big Mac was not, so she always liked to make sure somepony else agreed with the action.

Big Mac turned around, facing Fluttershy and simply stated. “Eeyup! Sounds alright, as long as he promises to behave himself.” Big Mac than leaned down towards Apple, before he could muster up the energy to answer.

Finally gathering the energy to answer his towering father, Apple finally spoke. “Yes, yes I promise. I’ll be good.”

“Alrighty then, you may go. But just remember what I said, behave yourself.” Just as Big Mac was able to finish his statement Apple had sprung, and flown into the games room, with the speed of a colt in a candy store.  The confectionery of Sugar Cube Corners to be exact.

With Apple now gone into the other room, with the endless entertainment of arcade games, Flutters and McIntosh made their way for the receptions desk.

As Fluttershy and Big Mac approached the receptionists desk, a mare with a creamy white coat, and rose red mane greeted them. The whole time she kept he head down, scanning the guest registry in front of her. “Hello and good evening. I’m sorry, but we are not taking anymore guests due to the imminent closure of the building.”

Big Mac chuckled slightly at the comment, as the mare was clearly oblivious to who stood in front of her. After she heard the chuckle she raised her head before turning a bright shade of crimson, which seemed to cover her entire coat. “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Shy. I’ve terribly busy today.” Her voice wavering as she spoke so.

“It’s quite alright, Mrs. Scrolls. I was just wondering, where –“

“Where Mrs. and Mister Tumble are, yes. Well, they just left to pack their carriage, but… There they are. They’re back.” Mister and Mrs. Tumble approached the long awaiting group.

“Hello Fluttershy!” Mrs. Tumble yells over to the group, all while quickening her pace.

“Aunt and uncle Tumble it’s so nice to see you. It’s been so long.”

“Why, yes it has, dear Fluttershy – And Big Macintosh, it’s so nice to see you again to dear.” Mrs. Tumble trotted over and pecks Fluttershy and Big Mac on the cheeks respectively. “And where’s Apple, I want to see how big he’s gotten.”

“He’s in the games room at the moment,” Big Mac elaborates.

“Oh that’s quite alright dear,” Mr. Tumble states. “Big Mac and I need to discuss something anywho. So why don’t you and Fluttershy run along and go find Apple, while we have a chat.”

“Yes dear. C’mon Fluttershy, let’s go find Apple.” Mrs. Tumble then guides Fluttershy away with an extended wing, as they make their way into the games room.

“Okay, Mr. Macintosh. Now that’s it’s just the two of us, we can have a little talk.”