B.B.B.F.F.B.R.

Chapters

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Epilogue

Chapter 1

Clad in a faded green shower curtain and adorned with a daisy-chain crown, Princess Twilight Sparkle sat atop the raised wooden dais in the centre of the Ponyville library and regarded the invisible pony who had not just walked through the door.

"Welcome to the court of Princess Twilight Sparkle. How may I help you?"

"No."

"Spike!"

"What?" said Spike, throwing up his arms. "You said you wanted criticism!"

Twilight groaned in exasperation. "I said constructive criticism."

"I was getting to that and then you...never mind. You can't say 'how may I help you.' It makes you sound like you work at Barnyard Bargains. I feel like I should be asking you where the cheese is right now."

Twilight groaned once more, and gave her dragon assistant an annoyed look. "Fine. What would you suggest as a good introduction?"

Spike just shrugged casually. "I dunno, you're the princess." He picked up his broom once more and nonchalantly resumed his sweeping. Twilight was certain she caught a small smug grin on his face. She resisted the urge to groan a third time.

During a recent trip to Canterlot, the Princesses had suggested that Twilight should start holding an open court in the library. A nice way to ease into her new responsibilities and begin helping the townsfolk with their problems. However that had immediately presented problems of its own. She couldn't hold a court until she knew how to make an appropriate introduction after all. She had to give just the right impression of approachableness and helpfulness, and practice made perfect.

Spike thought the whole thing was hilarious.

Twilight turned her attention back to the vacant spot in front of the door. "Welcome to the yadda yadda yadda. Um...do you have a problem with which I can help?"

"Seriously?"

The look he got told Spike he needed to start actually being helpful about now. "You need to just be yourself, Twilight. Don't over-complicate this. Folks are gonna come to you for help. Just ask what you can do for them."

I thought that's what I was doing, thought Twilight, but she drew breath, tried to relax, and prepared to give it another go.

"Hey, somepony's coming!" said Spike, looking out of the front window. He looked back at Twilight excitedly. "Wanna give it a try for real?"

A quick surge of panic erupted before Twilight steeled herself. It would have to happen sooner or later. Might as well be now. She closed her eyes and tried to make herself appear as regal as she could, given that she was sat on top of her table wearing a shower curtain. She waited for the door to open and then shut with its familiar squeak-and-thud. Then:

"Welcome to the court of Princess Twilight Sparkle. What can I help you with?"

For a moment there was only odd silence. Opening her eyes, Twilight was horrified to see Applejack stood hesitantly before her, glancing nervously left and right as though looking for the pony to whom Twilight was really speaking. Looking back at Twilight and coming to the conclusion that, no, it really had been her who'd been addressed, Applejack uncertainly bent her foreleg and began to bow.

"No!" Twilight yelled, leaping down from the table towards her friend at the speed of fear, sliding across the floor towards her and rolling on to her back, coming to rest beneath Applejack and using her hooves to press upwards into the farmpony's chin and chest, trying to keep them as far away from the ground as possible. "No bowing. Not you. Not my friends. Not ever."

Applejack stood perplexed for just a moment, then broke into a little grin and a quick chuckle before extending a foreleg and helping Twilight back to her hooves.

As soon as she was up, Twilight rounded on Spike.

"Spike! Why didn't you tell me it was one of our friends?"

"Are you kidding? I would have told you if it wasn't one of our friends. I wouldn't let you go embarrassing yourself in front of a stranger. Hi Applejack."

Applejack nodded and touched the brim of her hat in perfunctory greeting before looking back at Twilight with a quirked eyebrow. "Are ya'll wearing a shower curtain and a hat made out of flowers?"

"I’m trying to get my princess-ly introduction just right. The robe and the crown are for practice.”

A muffled guffaw from Spike's direction was all the proof, if proof were needed, that the illusion was not seamless.

Twilight ignored him. "I want to get it perfect for when my brother gets here this afternoon."

"Yer brother's comin' to visit?"

"Yes," said Twilight excitedly. "He's disguising it as a diplomatic visit, but really he's just coming to see me! And when he gets here I want to show him that I can be just as princelike as he is."

"Prince Twilight!" Another belly laugh from the insufferable purple sarcasm-machine.

Twilight made a face and used her magic to divest herself of her regal attire. That was enough practice for now. She took extra care with her daisy-chain crown though. She'd spent a while making that, and she was quite proud of it.

"What can I do for you, Applejack?"

Spike broke in again, more seriously this time. "That's good, Twilight. Use that one."

The two exchanged a quick glance. Then Twilight's attention was back with her friend, and Applejack missed a beat before realising that Twilight was now waiting for her to speak.

"Oh, right. Do ya have any books on the geology round these parts?"

Twilight stopped, realising she had subconsciously been making her way to the agricultural section – specifically the section that dealt with apples – and looked quizzically at her friend.

"Yeah, I know. Not my usual thing," admitted the farmpony. "See me an' Big Mac were out walking and looking at the mountains over yonder, and we got into an argument."

"Oh, goodness. You and Big Macintosh aren't fighting are you?"

Applejack chuckled. "Fightin'? Hah! Nah. When me and Big Macintosh get fightin', we go at it hammer an' hoof!" Applejack gazed upwards with a wistful expression, momentarily lost somewhere in memory. "Heh. We've had some real good set-to's in the past. Fierce as can be." She brought herself back to the present as Twilight floated her a copy of Mountains and Meanders: A Complete Guide to Geography and Geology. "This here's just a minor disagreement, and I'm about to prove I'm right!"

Taking the book to the table, Applejack began flipping through until she found a likely page. She eagerly began to read the text beneath the heading, "Mountains: Glacial, Tectonic or Volcanic?"

"Aha!" she exclaimed as she read the first paragraph. Then her smile slowly fell, and as she continued to read her face became a mask of concentration. By the time she'd finished the page she looked decidedly glum. She closed the book with a soft 'whump'.

"Dang."

"Were you wrong?"

"No..." she said turning back to face her friend. "But he's more right than I am." Then her expression improved and she found her usual cheery timbre. "Well, guess I'd better go tell him the good news." She made for the door and Twilight was about to let her go, but something stuck in her mind. Something that contradicted all logic.

"Applejack? You don't...enjoy fighting with your brother do you?"

Applejack looked back, confused. "Huh?"

"When you were talking about fighting, it sounded like...you had fond memories of it."

"Well...you've got an older brother. You know what it's like, right?"

Twilight just shook her head in mute confusion.

"Really?"

"Shining Armor and I have never had a fight. Not even a little one. How could having a fight possibly be a good thing?"

Applejack turned away from the door and sat opposite her friend. She thought for a moment, trying to find the right words, and then began. "It's not a good thing. Nopony likes fightin' sugarcube, but they happen. And for some reason, the fiercest fights ya have are always with the ponies you care the most about.

"It could be the most heated argument there ever was. It could be somethin' that you're so passionate and so angry about that at the time, you feel like winning is the most critical thing in the world. It don't matter. It never matters, because sooner or later, there's always a point when you both realise that what you're fighting about is nowhere near as important as the fact that you love and care about each other. And when that happens...that's a real special feelin'." Applejack's tone had turned wistful once more. "Me and Big Mac have had a few real good fights in our time, and I can hardly remember what any of 'em were about." She looked Twilight in the eyes. "But I can remember how each and every one ended: lots of crying, and always with us growing a little closer together."

"So...you're saying that to feel closer to your brother, you have to have a fight with him? That's..." she was about to use the word 'ridiculous', but considerately modified it to "...counterintuitive."

Applejack just smiled, closed her eyes and shook her head. Twilight wasn't quite getting it. She tried a different tack.

"You've seen it yourself with Celestia and Luna. That whole Nightmare Moon ruckus was basically just a big fight over how long the moon should stay up. You were there when that fight ended. And guess what? Lots of crying, and it brought 'em closer together."

Twilight paused. In fact she almost stopped working completely. The idea of conflict bringing two ponies closer was so illogical that she had just been about to file this conversation in her 'crazy things my friends say' folder. But now she couldn't. The scientific brain kicked in.

Applejack had posited a theory. She had made a reasoned argument. And, crucially, she had been able to provide supporting evidence – even if calling Luna's thousand-year banishment 'a fight over how long the moon should stay up' was something of an understatement.

She couldn't simply dismiss it now. Independent research was needed.

"Thanks Applejack. You've...given me something to think about."

Applejack looked suspicious for a moment, then decided that her reservations were unfounded. "No problem, Twi. Enjoy your afternoon with your brother. I'll see ya around. See ya later, Spike!"

"Bye AJ!"

And with that the stetson-wearing apple-farmer left the library, bound for her homestead.

As soon as she was gone, Twilight called for her assistant.

"Spike! I need parchment and quills, pronto." She raised a hoof to her chin, thinking as the little dragon raced to gather the requested items. She glanced at a clock on the wall. Her brother would be here in just over an hour.

Plenty of time to prepare.

The train ride from the Crystal Empire to Ponyville had felt like it would never end. It wouldn't have been so bad, Shining Armor thought, if he hadn't been accompanied by two of the castle guards. In full armour. Carrying spears.

They created a certain...atmosphere.

"Protection" had been cited as the reason. Protection from what, exactly was the question to which there was, suspiciously, no answer forthcoming.

Shining Armor had nearly had heart palpitations when the Express had finally arrived and the guards had made as if to step off the train with him.

"Protection," they'd said. But there was no way he was going to lead a pair of armed guards into Ponyville, much less to his sister's house! He'd told them in no uncertain terms that he was in one of the safest parts of the world and that there was absolutely no need. When they'd tried to protest he'd pulled rank on them and made sure they stayed on the train as it left back toward the Empire.

As he watched the locomotive vanish into the distance he breathed a quiet sigh of relief. Finally, he could relax. Officially this was a small diplomatic mission to Ponyville. In actual fact it was a holiday. A few days with no responsibilities and nothing to do except to unwind and pay a long-overdue visit to his little sister. He had been looking forward to it for a while.

He trotted casually through the town giving hello's and good afternoon's to all who crossed his path. He took a wrong turn a couple of times – he'd never actually been to Ponyville before – before finally coming upon the huge tree that could only be the town library and the home of his younger sibling.

He knocked eagerly at the door and patiently waited until it was opened a few moments later by Spike.

Shining Armor smiled, happy to see him, but instead of letting him in the small dragon blocked his entrance with the door half-closed.

In a low murmur, and with an embarrassed expression, Spike offered, "Look, just...go along with it okay?" Then he stepped back, pulling the door fully open with a flourish and turned to the side with a smart salute. "Announcing...Prince Shining Armor of the Crystal Empire!"

Shining Armor stepped into the library where he saw his younger sister...sat on top of a wooden table...wearing what looked for all the world like a shower curtain.

"Welcome to the court of Princess Twilight Sparkle. What can I do for you, Prince Shining Armor?"

Shining Armor cocked a smile and got with the program instantly. Bending his foreleg and neck in an exaggerated bow he replied, "Your majesty. I've travelled a great distance from the frozen north. Might I seek respite and shelter in your peaceful town for a few days?"

Twilight opened her mouth as if to reply with something equally as formal, but she was always going to be the one to crack first. Instead she burst into a fit of giggles and jumped to the floor, running over to her brother, throwing her hooves around him and nearly knocking him over. "Hiya big brother!"

Shining Armor just looked down at his little sister and grinned. "Hi there, Twiley."

Twilight released her brother and led him into the middle of the library as he removed his saddlebags with simple levitation and stowed them neatly against the wall.

Without warning, Twilight rounded on him. "I am very annoyed at you Shining Armor. You're a full ten minutes late! And you can't just toss your bags around wherever you feel like it. And...uh...you've trodden some dirt into my home! This is unacceptable. I really am very, very angry with you."

Shining Armor had paused in mid-step once the tirade had begun. Shock didn't even cover it.

"Whoa. Twilight, are you okay? Is something the matter?" he asked, worried.

"What's the matter is that I am not happy with you, Shining Armor. We are now having an argument. What do you have to say for yourself?"

He had no idea why his sister had got so upset so quickly, and he looked at her with a sympathetic expression. "Hey, Twiley..." He stepped up close and put his hoof under her chin. "I'm sorry, okay. If I've done something wrong, I'll make it up to you. Alright?"

Twilight's mood instantly changed from angry to tearful. She once again threw her hooves around her brother and hugged him tight. "Oh, I'm sorry too big brother. I didn't mean all those things. You don't need to make it up to me. Can we please just forgive each other?"

"Uh...of course we can." Shining Armor was clueless as to what he was supposed to forgive her for.

"Okay, good." And with that Twilight released her brother and took a couple of steps back, tearful expression vanishing in a flash. Instead she looked expectant, as though she were waiting for something to happen. After a moment, Shining Armor opened his mouth to speak but Twilight raised a foreleg to cut him off before he could say anything.

Twilight's expression gradually became more confused as the seconds wore on. "Hmm. I don't feel anything." She rubbed her chin with her hoof, deep in thought.

"What?"

"I don't understand. We established a conflict, had a heated argument, both offered apologies, forgave each other and brought the confrontation to an end. That's all the criteria needed for a successful fight."

Stunned, Shining Armor could only mouth, a successful fight? He didn't get the chance to speak again before Twilight was over by the table, surrounded by books and writing on parchment, muttering about needing to record the results. Then she was back before her brother, a checklist and quill poised and ready.

"Would you say that our fight just now has, A: brought us closer together; B: pushed us further apart; or C: kept our relationship about the same?"

"Um...about the same. Twilight what's going–?"

"Aha! I knew it. That's what I put too. See?" She excitedly turned the parchment to reveal two neatly ticked boxes in the column marked "C."

Shining Armor was reluctantly coming to the conclusion that his sister had gone nuts. He looked desperately at Spike for some kind of explanation as to what was happening.

"One of Twilight's friends mentioned that after every fight with her brother they felt a little closer together."

"Exactly! I thought it sounded odd, and now I have proof! Fighting doesn't have any measurable benefit on the relationship between two ponies."

Still at a loss for words, Shining Armor could only look from Twilight to Spike, who simply shrugged. Then Twilight spoke again.

"I've got to go report my findings. I'll be back soon. Make yourself at home while I'm gone." She trotted over to the door in a cheerful manner and left the library, closing it behind her.

Shining Armor looked at Spike. Spike looked at Shining Armor.

"Hey, Armor. 'Sup?"

"Spike, lil' bro? Please, please tell me my sister hasn't gone crazy."

Applejack was tending to the pigs when Twilight found her. She trotted up carrying the parchment under her wing, and without salutation exclaimed, "I was right!"

"Right about what?"

"Shining Armor and I just had a huge fight. And when we were finished we both felt exactly the same way as we had before. See?" She produced the scroll with the two ticked boxes in the column marked C.

"You? Had a fight with your brother? Just now?" It was evident that Applejack was unconvinced.

"Yes," said Twilight defensively, "And it was a real fight too. It qualified in every regard."

Applejack looked at Twilight with a deadpan expression. "And...what was this 'fight' about, Twi?"

Twilight did not appreciate the continued insinuation that the argument she had just had was anything other than a proper, genuine conflict. But she found she was hard-pressed to say what it was about at all. It had just been a fight.

"Well...it doesn't matter. We had a real fight, and we both apologised and forgave each other. Then we were right back to where we started. No closer together. No further apart." Using magic she waggled the talismanic parchment. "Clearly therefore, this is proof of my theory that fighting and conflict does not improve the relationship between two ponies," she finished with triumphant aplomb.

Applejack simply stood looking at her. A moment passed. Then, she turned her head to the side and called, "Big Macintosh!" as loudly as she could.

A few moments later the lumbering red stallion appeared and ambled his way over to where they were stood. He nodded at Twilight and looked at his sister.

"AJ?"

"Mac, d'you remember the last real big fight we had?"

Big Macintosh looked at the sky as he searched his memory. "Eight months, six days."

"You remember what it was about?"

The stallion now looked at the ground and concentrated. His recollection was usually excellent, but on this occasion it failed him. "Nope."

"You remember how it ended?"

Big Macintosh looked up into Applejack's eyes. Then his lips curled into a faint smile and his eyes began to water. Slowly, he stepped up beside his sister, gently placed a foreleg around her withers and pulled her into a close hug as he spoke quietly into her ear.

"Yup."

Applejack nuzzled him back in reply.

Twilight could only watch, stunned, as Applejack and Big Macintosh hugged, apparently on the verge of shedding tears. She could pretend that they were tragically reliving the memory of some huge bust-up that had nearly driven them apart. That would still fit her theory...but it was obvious from their smiles that it was not the case.

The hug persisted until the moment before it would have become awkward for Twilight to watch any longer. Big Macintosh gave his sister a final squeeze and released her.

"Thanks, Big Mac," said Applejack softly, hurriedly wiping something from her eye and catching a quick sniffle.

The stallion nodded and, his work apparently done, ambled off back towards the farmhouse to make himself productive once more.

Applejack looked back at Twilight. "How's yer theory now?"

Twilight struggled for a response. She now had two completely contradictory pieces of evidence, and as sometimes happened when trying to reconcile a tough problem, she found herself speaking out loud, words following thoughts as quickly as they entered her head.

First she tried to posit that Applejack's evidence wasn't valid since their fight wasn't as recent – but she dismissed that suggestion. The contemporaneousness of the fight wasn't the issue; its effects were, and she had just seen those effects firsthoof.

Then she considered whether there was something amiss with the fight she'd had with Shining Armor, but she couldn't figure out what that might be. By every measure she had read about, they had had a real fight. And yet she was certain that in months to come they wouldn't be looking back on it with enough fondness as to be almost moved to tears.

Since both pieces of evidence were concluded as valid, there weren't many other avenues to explore in relation to modifying the theory.

The most obvious point of interrogation was to assume that where results differed, it had something to do with the pre-existing relationships of the ponies involved. Perhaps those ponies with a weaker family bond were more given to feelings of togetherness after a fight, while that feeling was unnecessary in ponies who had stronger–

"What?!"

Twilight stopped, the freight train of thought in her head coming to a crashing halt. Applejack looked ready to spit snakes.

"What're you sayin'? That me and Big Macintosh ain't as close as you and your brother?"

Well...it was logical to assume that a greater number of fights between family members correlated to a poorer familial relationship. And by Applejack's own admission she and her brother had statistically had a far larger–

"Don't you go usin' yer fancy math to try and prove nothin' there, Twilight. There ain't no family in the world has got a stronger bond than the Apples, and that goes double for me an' my kin!"

Twilight tried to backpedal, stating that she didn't mean to imply–

But Applejack was on a roll. "How can you say ya'll're closer to your brother than I am to mine! I see my brother every day, morning, noon and night. You've seen yours, what, five or six times since you moved to Ponyville?"

That touched a nerve and Twilight, suddenly angry, abandoned all hope of scientific evaluation. "My brother is a prince. He has to be responsible for a whole empire, and just because I don't get to see him as often as I'd like doesn't mean we care any less about each other!"

"Oh? So how does bein' a prince make your brother better than mine?"

"Being a prince has nothing to do with it! Shining Armor was the best big brother in the world before he was ever a prince."

"Nothing' doin', Twilight. Big Macintosh is the best brother there ever was!"

From somewhere far back in her mind, behind the veil of anger that had descended like a suffocating wet blanket, Twilight managed to register disbelief. Had it really degenerated into this? The 'my brother can beat up your brother' argument heard in school playgrounds since time immemorial? What had happened to them both? Desperately her rational mind tried to claw its way free of the bitterness and vitriol that was continuing to take hold. But anger was in control for a precious few moments, and in that time it forced her to utter two words...

"Prove it!"

It went downhill fast after that.

It had taken longer than he thought it would, but Spike had finally convinced Shining Armor that Twilight didn't need to be carted off by the ponies in white coats. Instead he'd managed to get him to realise that, in typical Twilight fashion, a small thing said or done over there had once again had massive, unpredictable consequences over here. Twilight's brain was basically a model of chaos theory in action.

The shower curtain he hadn't been able to explain though.

But with the question of her sanity out of the way, and with seemingly nothing to do except wait until Twilight returned, Shining Armor and Spike had largely spent the remainder of the time relaxing and hanging out in the living area.

Shining Armor had always got on well with Spike, ever since the day Twilight had first brought him home after her entrance exam. He'd practically adopted him as his little brother on the spot.

It was fair to say that initially their parents had mixed feelings about the whole situation. In fact, even on that first day they had started looking for ways to re-home a potentially dangerous, potentially gigantic dragon. When little Twilight had found out and begged them not to, they'd made the sympathetic noises parents do and made as if to carry on anyway. It wasn't until Shining Armor had planted his flag in Twilight's camp and reasoned with them that they'd finally agreed to let Twilight keep her newly hatched companion.

So Spike owed a great deal to Shining Armor, and he knew it too. But to say it was a one-sided relationship would be doing the dragon a disservice. Spike had, for instance, thrown Shining Armor one heck of a bachelor party. Las Pegasus never knew what hit it, and the fact that it had been almost three weeks after his wedding ended up being rather beside the point. They treated each other as though they were brothers in a very real sense.

Which at the moment involved emptying Twilight's fridge, telling bad jokes, and playing outdoor sports indoors where any of a dozen fragile ornaments might suffer a catastrophic impact at any moment. All the while laughing and shouting together uproariously.

Dusk had set in – a symptom of the shortening days as autumn teetered upon the brink of winter – before the door downstairs opened and closed again with a slam.

As brothers do, Spike and Armor quickly made to hide all evidence of their afternoon indiscretions. Food wrappers were clumsily shoved behind books, cushions hastily rearranged on couches, hoofballs lobbed indiscriminately over there somewhere, and euphoric panic set in as they tried to make the room look presentable before Twilight's hoof beats reached the top of the stairs.

The nonchalant look they both gave when she reached them would have fooled no-one, but Twilight wasn't in the mood to give much attention as she stormed in with a growl.

Shining Armor and Spike exchanged a worried glance before saying in unison,

"Twiley?"

"Twilight?"

Twilight began pacing around the room, seemingly unable to decide whether she was angry, annoyed, upset, depressed, or a combination of some, all, or none of those emotions.

This went on a few moments too long and awkwardness set in before Shining Armor placed himself in her path, forcing her to either bump into him, or stop. She stopped, looked up at him with a fixed scowl, then her face softened.

"You are the best big brother in the world, aren't you?"

He looked down at her and smiled. "Only if you say so, sis."

A determined expression crossed Twilight's features. "Good. Because tomorrow, you're gonna prove it."

Chapter 2

A contest.

It was a ridiculous idea, Twilight now realised. But in the heat of the argument with Applejack the previous day it had seemed inspired: a series of athletic events that would put each brother through their paces. The pony that won would be worthy of being crowned the best big brother in the world.

No. Just no. Stupid.

Athleticism had almost nothing to do with the qualities that made a good big brother. Nor would winning in any way prove that that particular brother loved their sister more than the other.

She had reached all of these conclusions during her fitful sleep the previous night, and now, in the cold light of day, she could see the whole thing for the complete logical travesty that it was.

But she was still angry. Applejack had just been so arrogant to assume that her relationship with her brother must transcend all others. Twilight knew that family was important to her, yes, but she wasn't the only pony who cared about her siblings. And though Big Macintosh was a nice pony and a friend, he wasn't the pinnacle of brotherhood just because Applejack said so. When Shining Armor won, Applejack would have to accept that with a little humble pie.

And she was one-hundred-percent certain that Shining Armor would win.

Not that she didn't have respect for Big Macintosh's abilities of course. He was physically strong – almost impossibly so. But from what she'd seen, that was where his advantages would end.

Shining Armor on the other hand was a Canterlot Royal Guard with many years of military training behind him, and head coach of the Crystal Empire Equestria Games Athletics team. He would surely have the advantages in endurance, speed, dexterity and overall fitness, not to mention his trump card: magic.

They approached the large, flat field that was to be the venue for the contest, where Applejack was already waiting.

Various obstacles and apparatus littered the meadow that would be used for the upcoming games, which the farmpony had already taken to setting up. A small raised hillock overlooked the competition ground and would serve as the spot from which Twilight and Applejack would spectate and cheer their brothers on. Nearby at the edge of the field, one of the farm's older, smaller disused barns stood sentry, the paint peeling but otherwise in serviceable condition.

As they approached, Applejack caught sight of them and waved them over.

This was a dumb idea.

Applejack had spent the entire previous evening with that one thought stuck in her head. Even now as she dragged the last of the barrels into place, she knew that there was no way this contest was going to prove anything. But she’d seen red when she’d got into that fight with Twilight yesterday and she was still bitter even now. She had told Twilight how she could feel closer to somepony after a fight. Heck, she had demonstrated it. And then Twilight had just ignored her, like she thought she was making it up! Worse, she'd twisted it to say it showed how poor a relationship with her brother she must have. All because she couldn't accept she was wrong. The nerve!

So she had dutifully set up the events, and was looking forward to watching Twilight eat her words.

Because she was one-hundred-percent confident that Big Macintosh would win.

It wasn't that she didn't respect Shining Armor. He was a good leader and an honourable guy – she almost felt sorry for him being dragged in like this. But he'd been sat on a throne for a while now, and he was bound to have gone a bit soft and flabby. It was unavoidable when you were out of the swing of things. Big Macintosh on the other hand, he'd been working the farm every single day of his life. He was as tough as old boots, solid as a mountain and as powerful as a locomotive. Plus, he'd had experience of similar competitions from his younger days on the rodeo circuit, and that would give him the edge.

A noise brought her out of her thoughts. Two sets of hoofbeats approached from over the shallow rise and she looked up to see Twilight and her brother. She waved a hoof and beckoned them over.

Polite, if cool, greetings were exchanged between Applejack and Twilight, and Applejack bid Shining Armor a welcome to the farm. That left one competitor absent.

“Is Big Macintosh coming? Or does my brother win by default?” asked Twilight. She realised that a snarky tone had slipped in somewhere. She hadn't really meant it to and she tried to squash it.

Applejack gave Twilight a vexed look. “Hold yer horses, princess, he’ll be here.” She looked back in the general direction of the farmhouse, obscured though it was by the orchard and the gently rolling contours of the countryside. When no heavy hoofsteps could readily be heard she loudly called, “Big Macintosh!”

Almost immediately the sound of the workhorse’s heavy hoofbeats approached from beyond the low ridge. It was uncanny, Twilight found herself thinking. She wondered if this was a gift all earth-ponies shared. The ability to summon a family member on cue.

Big Macintosh approached with his usual languid gait. He dipped his head in greeting to Twilight and her brother before looking back at Applejack.

Something was wrong. There was a standoffishness in the air between his sister and her friend. He quickly looked up again, noted the field full of equipment, then looked back at Twilight and her brother, and finally back once more to Applejack, who was just now opening her mouth to speak.

He got there first.

“Nope.”

Applejack’s jaw hung open. He’d done it again. Her brother had somehow not only managed to get to four, he’d done so without being given either of the twos!

“Come on, Big Mac. Family honour is at stake!”

Big Macintosh closed his eyes, rolling them behind his eyelids. Applejack had a strange way, whenever she badly needed something from him, of trotting out a concept she called ‘family honour.’ It was a rare technique, and odd not least because it was entirely unnecessary.

There was no such thing as 'family honour' as far as Big Macintosh could see. It was an abstract construct superseded by simple fact: Applejack was his little sister, and he would always do everything he could to make her happy. But if she felt she had to invoke a mythical trump card to make her feel better about asking, so be it.

But as Big Macintosh looked around the field and deduced the purposes of the various apparatus, as well as the presence of the other two ponies, one fact was clear to him.

No good would come of this.

Unfortunately, it was also clear that Applejack's mind was set. So his options were: refuse and upset his sister now, or play along and watch as her friendship ended later.

What a great choice.

At least refusing now allowed Applejack to blame him. She would lose face and be angry beyond all reasoning, but she would be angry at him, not her friend. That was preferable. At least he would have a measure of control. He could probably fix their relationship given enough time. He could do far less if she ended up angry at Twilight.

He took a deep, reluctant breath, and prepared to become the worst brother in the world.

And then, for a moment, he made eye-contact with his opposite number. He'd never met Shining Armor, Captain of the Equestrian Royal Guard and Prince of the Crystal Empire, but he knew of him. The white-coated stallion was standing with a noble yet humble posture, but also with a look a vague uncertainty. He wasn’t blessed with his own almost prescient deductive skills, but he too was quickly coming to the realisation that all was not right. And in those seconds when they met each other's gaze, the beginnings of understanding passed between them.

A plan formed. Maybe, if Twilight's brother was the sort of stallion that look suggested, there might be a better option. It was a big risk, but something about the other stallion suggested it might be worth taking.

Unfortunately, even he couldn't tell what somepony was really like from looks alone. If this was to work he needed to know if Shining Armor was honest, honourable and trustworthy. And there were few better ways of judging a pony's character than by watching how they competed.

Big Macintosh looked down at his sister’s pleading face and reluctantly nodded.

“Eeyup.”

Applejack gave a little whoop of delight. She knew her big brother would come around. If anypony cared as much about family honour, it was him!

The Big Brother Best Friend Forever Battle Royale was underway.

There wasn’t even time for the two competitors to exchange greetings before they were forced into competition. Twilight and Applejack seemed determined to goad them into action as quickly as they could, and before they both could even stop to think, they were off and running.

There was an upset in the very first event – the barrel weave – traditionally one of Big Macintosh’s strongest rodeo competitions. Both stallions ran the gauntlet cleanly, but Shining Armor surprised everyone by posting a time of eighteen-point-nine seconds to Mac’s nineteen-point-five. Twilight’s theory about Armor’s military training standing him in good stead was holding true. There was some gloating. Applejack seethed quietly and bit her tongue.

Big Macintosh dominated the hay-bale toss, his bale travelling three meters further than Shining Armor's best throw. The tug-o-war was a similar affair, Big Macintosh using his immense strength to full effect as he inexorably pulled Shining Armor towards the boggy, smelly mud hole. When Shining Armor's hooves reached the very edge of the pit though, Big Macintosh simply stopped pulling and stood. A few token yanks failed to budge the farmpony even an inch before Shining Armor realised that Big Macintosh was actually choosing not to pull him straight into the muck, and allowing him the chance to concede graciously.

He gave a respectful nod for that, and got one in return.

Shining Armor went on to be victorious in the push-up contest, reaching one-hundred repetitions a full fifteen seconds ahead of Big Macintosh. He was also victorious – although just barely – in the ball-bouncing competition, in which neither stallion put on a particularly good showing.

After that came rope-tricking, and though Big Macintosh was a little rusty he quickly found his old form and showed all present why he’d once taken first place in the All-Equestria Rodeo. Without using magic Shining Armor put on a rather pitiful display, and though this was the one event on the roster in which victory could only be judged subjectively, Twilight had to concede that Big Macintosh was the winner. There was some gloating. Twilight seethed quietly and bit her tongue.

In fact it vexed Twilight considerably. She had noticed that throughout, Shining Armor hadn’t used his magic once, even though doing so would have meant easy victory in several events. In another time and place she would have respected his restraint and sense of fair play, but right here right now, she needed him to win!

Archery was next, and even eschewing magic and donning unfamiliar forehoof bracers, Shining Armor managed an almost-perfect one-hundred-and-forty points, a stray gust of wind the only reason his final arrow fell beyond the bullseye. Big Macintosh had never handled a bow in his life, and initially put the bracers on back-to-front until Shining Armor kindly corrected him. In the end he managed to put up a respectable score of ninety-five.

The events continued with the balance of power shifting constantly, and neither stallion able to pull out a real lead over the other. As the number of contests remaining dwindled and the scores remained almost even, the once-encouraging cheering of the two sisters gradually degenerated into insistent shouts and desperate screams for victory. Both brothers began to exchange awkward looks as the hysteria only seemed to increase.

In the penultimate competition, both Shining Armor and Big Macintosh took to the long-jump and posted identical distances. So identical they were, that there was then a heated argument between Applejack and Twilight which – Shining Armor couldn’t believe it – came down to them fighting over the placement of individual grains of sand in the pit. It was, apparently, crucial. Big Macintosh was one point behind. To have any hope of winning the competition, he needed to win this event and bring the scores level going into the final.

With the girls finally distracted, Big Macintosh made eye contact with his opponent who looked back and gave an embarrassed shrug. Everything he'd seen of Twilight's brother thus far gave him cause to hope a little. He had been fair, honest, and a very good sport. But he still needed his co-operation. Many things could yet go wrong.

Big Macintosh half-turned and cocked his head subtly towards the vacant barn a little way off.

Shining Armor, taking his meaning at once, followed quickly and pulled the door mostly-closed behind them once they were inside.

Hidden and out of earshot, they both visibly relaxed.

“Don’t think our sisters even introduced us," began the farmer. "Name's Big Macintosh.”

“I’m Shining Armor. Nice to meet you.”

Big Macintosh's optimism increased. It spoke volumes that the other pony had left both “Captain,” and “Prince” out of his introduction. But Shining Armor evidently wasn't interested in pompous airs and graces. In fact, he seemed fairly down-to-earth. That was one major worry allayed.

“Reckon our sisters have gotten a little too worked up over us.”

“Yeah,” said Armor glancing back through the mostly closed door. He could still make out both ponies hunched over the sand pit, arguing over whose hoofprint that had been. “It’s kind of embarrassing, but I think Twilight’s doing it because she thinks somehow this’ll prove I’m a better brother than you.” He looked back sheepishly at Big Macintosh. “Sorry about all this.”

Big Macintosh nodded, satisfied they were both on the same page. “Don’t think much good’s gonna come if one of us wins,” he ventured carefully. If Shining Armor had an ego, or a defensive desire to please Twilight in the short term...if he believed that victory in this tragic contest was still a worthwhile endeavour...there was no hope.

Shining Armor looked back and nodded gravely.

“No. It's not." He looked at the ground and his face became a mask of concentration. Big Macintosh was about to give him the next prompt, but Armor spoke up again. "If only we could show them...”

Big Macintosh nodded slowly and smiled a little. His new friend was getting to the end much more quickly than he’d expected. He'd hardly needed to steer him at all.

Shining Armor’s head raised slowly as inspiration struck. It was a crazy thought, and he hesitated to voice it lest the farmpony take offense. It was going to take some explanation and some convincing, but it might work.

“I’ve got an idea...”

“Eeyup.”

Shining Armor gawped at the large red stallion stood opposite him. He’d taken him to be a pleasant, honourable gentlefellow, but perhaps a little slow on the uptake. Now, with a dawning sense of awe, he realised that wasn’t the case at all. Applejack's brother had reached the same conclusion some time ago, and had led him there perfectly. You sly dog, he thought. He had a better grasp of strategy than some Generals he knew. Had it been an ambush, he would have walked right into it, but it was clear that Big Macintosh simply had no interest in getting one over on him. They both realised there were more important considerations afoot.

But there was a significant hurdle still to overcome. He looked seriously at Big Macintosh.

"Do we trust each other enough for this?"

The other stallion looked back at him with the same apparently-lazy expression he'd worn most of the day, but now Armor got the feeling that there was actually much more going on behind those eyes.

Big Macintosh allowed his gaze to travel from Shining Armor to the barn door, beyond which he was disappointed to hear the sounds of argument still forthcoming. There were very few other options, but he wasn't going to go through with this if he didn't have complete confidence in the other pony before him. He was going to be entrusting him with the most important thing in the world.

He looked back into Shining Armor's eyes once more, scrutinizing closely for any hint of deception, malice or cruelty.

And found none whatsoever.

Big Macintosh raised a forehoof, spat on it and extended it to Shining Armor.

It was not something a Prince would do. It was not something a Captain would do. But Shining Armor hesitated not a second in returning the gesture in kind.

Hoofbump.

"Reckon we do."

Stood on the opposite side of the long-jump pit from Applejack, Twilight was gradually beginning to accept that Big Macintosh may have won by what Pinkie Pie would have called a 'smidgeameter.' A smidgeameter was apparently defined as 'the smallest unit of measurement in existence, divided by two.'

It wouldn't matter though. Shining Armor would win the final event, Applejack would have to accept he was the best big brother, and then they would both apologise and go back to being friends. Just like her theory predicted would happen.

She hoped.

She was about to formally concede the long jump when from nowhere a blue-tipped white-coated hoof swept across the sand and obliterated all of the marks which for so long had been the subject of such intense argument.

She looked up, astonished to see Shining Armor stood next to Applejack, who instead looked up in fury.

"Why the hay'd you go and do that? Mac won that jump fair and square!"

"He sure did," reassured Armour, as Big Macintosh took up his position next to Twilight.

"Well finally, some sense! Looks like it's all come down to the final contest then."

"Nope."

"Huh?" said Applejack and Twilight together.

Applejack glanced suspiciously at Big Macintosh opposite her, then up at Shining Armor to her side.

"What's goin' on?"

"Ain't gonna be no more competin'. It's a tie."

"What?"

Shining Armor spoke up, addressing both mares. "Well, we got talking and both felt like a change, so we thought we'd switch for a while." He looked down at Applejack. "Gonna be your brother for a couple of days. Alright?"

"What?!" She looked incredulously at her real brother.

"Eeyup." He nodded slowly, a smile on his face.

Applejack was not impressed. "That's–!"

"Genius!" Exclaimed Twilight. "A chance to independently assess the different characteristics of another older sibling and determine if they are worthy of the level of admiration ascribed to them!" To hay with an athletics competition of dubious probative value, this was a much more scientific way of proving who had the best brother! Twilight was almost giddy. "That's such a good idea Shining Armor. Did you think of it?"

"Uh...Twiley, you're missing the–"

Big Macintosh met his gaze, smiled and shook his head slowly.

He was right. Let them work it out on their own.

Applejack looked to the sky where the sun was already threatening the horizon. The contest had lasted most of the day, and it had achieved exactly nothing. That only served to annoy her even more.

"Come on then, your princeliness. Back to the farmhouse. Big Macintosh's got chores to do this evening, which means now you do instead!"

Big Macintosh opened his mouth to admonish his sister for her rudeness, but now it was Shining Armor's turn to catch his eye, smile and shake his head slowly. Big Mac nodded.

As both brothers were led away they exchanged one final look. A promise, that each would take care of the other's sister as though they were their own, and that they would trust the other to do the same.

The walk back to the farmhouse passed in uncomfortable silence. Applejack knew she was being a poor host, but she just couldn't shake the foul mood she found herself in. Shining Armor didn't try to make awkward conversation, and instead simply walked amiably beside her until she deigned to speak.

But Applejack wasn't for speaking. Instead she was thinking.

She had to use this opportunity to prove that Shining Armor wasn't as good a brother as Big Macintosh, and she had to do it in a way that Twilight couldn't ignore. So, she would make a list. She would put Shining Armor, pampered Prince of the Crystal Empire, through an honest days work on the farm. He would do every chore and task that Big Macintosh did day in day out, and for every time he complained that he was too tired, or that his hooves were sore, or that his coat was getting dirty, she'd write it on the list. Then she'd present it as proof that he just didn't measure up. Twilight wouldn't be able to ignore that!

They reached home to the pleasant sounds and rich smells of wholesome home cooking. Applejack led Armor into the kitchen, where Granny Smith was even now beginning to serve up the evening meal while Apple Bloom sat quietly. Noticing the new arrival, the filly smiled and looked at him with bright, curious eyes, while Granny Smith greeted them warmly.

"Well howdy there, Applejack. Who's your new friend?"

Might as well introduce him.

"This here's Shining Armor. Big Mac's gonna be away from the farm for a day or two, and Shining here is gonna take over his chores."

Shining Armor exchanged friendly greetings with the Apple family.

"Yeah, don't get too attached," grumped Applejack under her breath, about to give Shining Armor a list of Big Mac's jobs to get started on.

Apple Bloom, though, had other ideas. "Welcome to the family! C'mon, lemme show ya around!" She leapt to Shining Armor's side, eager to give him the grand tour, and Shining Armor looked at Applejack as though for permission. A pang of anger struck and Applejack was about to emphatically refuse – he was here to work, not get comfortable with the family! – but found she simply couldn't.

Why was she acting like this? Why was she trying to be spiteful to a pony she knew had a good heart?

She looked at Armor with a carefully neutral expression and nodded. He nodded back with a gracious smile, and followed the enthusiastic young filly into the first room on the tour.

"Well, he seems like a real nice feller," Granny Smith said after their exit.

"Yeah. He is," admitted Applejack. Seeing her family welcome Shining Armor into their home had somehow stripped away most of her dour mood. "But he's no Big Macintosh."

Five minutes later, Shining Armor and Apple Bloom returned, both laughing and with delighted smiles. Apple Bloom looked at Applejack with the 'can we keep him?' expression that all young children knew how to perfect.

"So," said Shining Armor to Applejack. "You've got some chores that need doing?"

Applejack sighed. "Nothin' that can't wait till tomorrow. Come and eat up."

Big Macintosh hadn't been in the library for more than a minute before he was off and running. Using some kind of sixth sense he immediately noted the loose shelf that needed shoring up, the crack in the wall that needed to be re-sapped, a few obscure nooks and crannies that hadn't been cleaned in a good while – were those food wrappers hidden behind those books? – and the window where the seal had failed, letting in a slight draught.

Then, without any direction, he set about fixing all of them.

Spike was puzzled. Seeing Big Macintosh walk in and just start fixing things was quite surreal, and Twilight had to explain everything that had happened that day, including the temporary brother swap. Then he just shrugged and carried on. Surreal or not, crazier things had happened.

Twilight tried to make conversation as Big Mac worked, eager to begin delving into the mysteries of what apparently made him such a good brother. Try as she might though, she only managed to elicit his standard monosyllabic affirmative and negative responses as he consistently found yet another small job that required attention. Calling it 'talking' would have been generous.

It would have been frustrating if it weren't so confusing. Applejack's judgement was generally sound, but if this was Big Macintosh...if this was all he did, how could she possibly believe he was a better brother than Shining Armor?

After an hour, Spike couldn't take it any more. It really was surreal, and he began to get weirded out. Big Mac's quiet handyman routine was odd enough, but now he had to contend with Twilight's insistent questioning, and her desperate attempts at conversation so she could...well, he didn't even know what she was trying to do. Deciding he needed some fresh air and maybe a walk, he grabbed Shining Armor's saddlebags and left the library, heading for Sweet Apple Acres.

Forget the Crystal Empire. With food this good, Shining Armor was going to move Cadence to Ponyville and live on the farm! And it was so refreshing that the Apple family actually knew what a portion was supposed to be – not the two pieces of carrot and some parsley that the palace cooks deemed a meal. No, here his plate was generously piled high with the most delicious, hottest vegetable stew he'd ever had, not to mention warm crusty bread, cheeses, and then a luxurious freshly baked apple pie for dessert.

The fantastic cider didn't hurt either.

And Applejack's family were just wonderful. Granny Smith had some amazing stories, not to mention a sharp wit and a keen eye that belied her years. And Apple Bloom...well, she had a curiosity and enthusiasm that was so similar to his own sister at that age that every time she spoke a fond memory came floating to the surface.

Even Applejack, who'd been standoffish, was coming round. She was still a little cool, but she was at least talking to him now, and she'd even smiled once or twice.

With dinner over, Armor had cleared the table and washed the dishes without being asked. Then with that done, Applejack had invited him into the living room to sit for a spell with the family.

A knock at the door brought them both there first though. Shining Armor opened it and found Spike at the threshold, carrying his large saddlebags with a little difficulty.

"Hey Armor. Heard you were gonna be staying here, so I thought you'd want your stuff."

"Hey, bro. Thanks," he said, levitating the bags out of Spike's arms and settling them comfortably on his own back.

"You could have packed lighter, you know," the dragon admonished.

"Hey, you try travelling without an industrial strength hairdryer," joked Armor. "How's Twiley getting along?"

"It's...a little weird," admitted Spike. "Big Mac came in and started...fixing stuff up. Twilight's trying to talk to him and he's just...fixing. I think it's sending her a little nutty." He glanced furtively at Applejack stood at Shining Armor's side, who smiled a faint, distant smile. "How're you guys doing?"

Shining Armor glanced at Applejack. It seemed more appropriate to let her be the judge of that.

"We're gettin' along okay," she said.

"Oh, good." Spike looked a little anxious. "Look," he said looking at both ponies. "Whatever this is, can you guys just hurry and fix it so we can go back to normal?"

"Promise, Spike," said Applejack. Shining Armor nodded in agreement.

Spike turned as if to leave, prompting Applejack to speak up again. "Don't you wanna come in?"

"Uh...no. No, I think I've had enough weirdness for today. I'm gonna go find Pinkie Pie for something normal to do." And with that he was off, down the dirt track leading towards the street lamps of Ponyville, beneath the clear, cool night sky. They watched him go for a little way before Applejack had to close the door, lest the cosy warmth of the homestead escape into the evening.

"Do you think they'll be okay?" Shining Armor asked after a moment's pause.

"Spike and Pinkie Pie?" asked Applejack. She brought a hoof to her chin as though she genuinely wasn't sure. Literally anything could happen with Pinkie Pie.

"No, I mean my sister and your brother. It doesn't sound like they're getting along so well."

Applejack smiled a knowing smile. "Don't you worry none about them. They’ll be okay."

"Are you sure? I mean, Twiley can be a little...intense sometimes. And your brother...well...he seems kinda quiet."

Applejack's smile only increased and she let out a small chuckle.

"It's funny. Everypony who's met Big Macintosh takes one look and reckons they know everything there is to know about him. A hardworkin' pony, they'll tell ya, but quiet and a little slow in the head." Shining Armor opened his mouth as if to say that he didn't– but Applejack just chuckled again, taking no offense. When she spoke next, it was as though she was letting him in on a secret.

"Folks who know Big Macintosh – and there ain't many can truly say they do – know different. He might be a tad shy, but the main reason he don't talk much, is because he likes to listen. He listens, and he thinks. All the time. Honestly I don't know another pony in the world who does as much thinkin' as that stallion. He's even got books on thinkin'. And yet for all the thinkin' he does, he's never, not once, thought about himself.

"He reads too. A lot. He's always reading, always learning, always thinking, and always listening. That don't leave much time for talkin', so when he does...he says what's important." She faltered for a moment, apparently uncertain whether to continue. When she did, she spoke even more softly, as though she was addressing no-one but herself. "He's always given me good advice, and I wish I could say I've always taken it. But even when I haven't, and I've had to admit he was right, he's never said 'I told you so.'"

She looked up at Armor. "Your sister is the smartest pony I've ever met. But Big Macintosh? He's the wisest."

She paused a moment, allowing her speech pattern to reset to a more normal cadence.

"Big Macintosh and Twi'll get along just fine, you'll see. As for you and me..." Applejack gave Shining Armor a cheeky grin. "Fair warning, your majesty: I'm gonna put you through yer paces tomorrow. I'd get some rest if I were you. You're gonna need it."

Chapter 3

As ever, Applejack was awake just before the rooster crowed. Up and out of bed quickly, she tucked a blank piece of parchment and a pencil beneath her hat and made her way towards the guest bedroom ready to give a swift wake-up call to his royal highness. She had a list she needed to start writing.

He wasn't there.

Not only was he not there, the bed had been made immaculately. Every corner as sharp as a knife and every sheet folded with a precision that could only come from the military. It looked as though someone had taken a set-square to it.

The room itself was in impeccable order too. Shining Armor's saddlebags were stowed neatly at the foot of the bed, and every other item of furniture looked as though it had been placed at a slightly more ninety-degree angle than it had been the day before.

But Shining Armor was nowhere to be found. Were it not for the fact that his saddlebags were still there, Applejack would have assumed that he had snuck out in the middle of the night.

A faint noise from outside requested her attention, and she trotted to the window and looked out upon the flat patch of land at the front of the farmhouse.

And there he was, exercising. With the sun not even fully clear of the horizon, Shining Armor was out front running shuttles between the chicken coop and the water spigot, stopping every so often for a dozen or so push-ups before resuming his cantering. That earned him a measure of respect. Applejack wouldn't be putting 'lazy' on her list.

She called him to come inside and get breakfast. Ambling away from the window she made her way downstairs to the kitchen, only to find that breakfast was practically started already. Eggs, flour, butter, bread, oats, milk, jams, pots and pans were all arrayed ready for use, and as Shining Armor trotted in he didn't even break stride as he walked over to the counter-top and offered a friendly, "Morning. What would you like to eat?"

"Now you're just showin' off."

"Pancakes it is," he said with a smirk.

As breakfast was eaten, Applejack began listing all of the tasks they had to complete by the day's end. With applebuck season and cider season both over for this year, the chores mainly revolved around making the farm winter-proof before the first snows were due. Logs needed fetching and then cutting, bags of seed and grain needed to be stacked and stored so they wouldn't perish, farm equipment that wouldn't get much use in the coming months like plows, carts and harness-tractors needed to be stored out of the weather, and the general maintenance and fixing that was always needed had to be tended to as well.

And then there were the usual farming tasks that couldn't be neglected. Cows needed milking, pigs needed feeding, eggs needed collecting from the chickens...the list was a long one.

Shining Armor didn't seem fazed at all, listening attentively as they ate while Applejack finished her breakfast with a little more difficulty than usual. Shining Armor's pancakes were adequate, but slightly dry and irregular. Cooking clearly wasn't his strongest suit.

But he had made the effort and done the best he could. Applejack respected that. Nothing for her list there.

Breakfast over, the work began in earnest with Applejack and Shining Armor hauling and storing the heavy sacks of plant seed that would be needed once Winter Wrap Up rolled around in three months time. Shining Armor found that the labour, while tough, was strangely rewarding. There was a quiet satisfaction to be had and while he would be lying if he said he envisaged that this was how he would be spending his holiday, he was actually rather enjoying it. Though for some reason that seemed to irk Applejack slightly. He couldn't fathom why.

Well, if it was any consolation, he was certain he'd be aching tomorrow.

It took another hour to then round up the farm's collection of ploughs, tillers and dozers and store them safely from the weather, and once that was done it was time to fetch the firewood that would heat the home in the coming winter months.

Applejack and Shining Armor pulled a cart each down the narrow dirt track leading from the farmhouse about a hundred meters to the wood shed. On either side wide, soft grass verges greeted the treeline of the orchard, before giving way to the pitted, uneven path. It was only wide enough for the carts to pass in single file and the empty wagons bounced and jostled happily on their wooden wheels as they were merrily pulled along.

Once they reached the wood shed they each took to filling their carts with large, thick logs, ready to haul them back for chopping. Applejack insisted on filling both carts with nearly double the amount that they would usually take. Having the Prince pull an awkward, heavy cart back to the farm was sure to elicit a complaint or whine of some sort. In the end both carts were stacked almost farcically high and the weight was such that it took a fair effort to get them rolling.

They made their way back toward the farm proper, Shining Armor leading the way and Applejack pulling her cart close behind. She walked barely three feet behind the rear of the prince's wagon, urging him to keep up a brisk pace. The wooden walls of each cart creaked and protested at the excessive strain placed upon them, but they reached the half-way point without incident.

Then there was a crunch and a loud bang, Shining Armor's cart lurching violently as it struck a hidden rut in the track. As the cart's momentum carried it free the latch on the tailgate snapped, no longer able to cope with the sheer mass of wood shifting and pressing against it. The tailgate swung downwards and with a sound like furious thunder, scores of huge, heavy logs came crashing down straight at Applejack.

With no time to free herself from her harness, and with the weight of her own cart making it impossible to dodge or run, Applejack could only hunker down, shut her eyes tight and prepare for the worst.

This was going to hurt.

The rumbling subsided, but instead of the immediate and unrelenting pain of dozens of logs striking her body and burying her completely, Applejack felt only a pleasant, cool breeze ruffle her mane.

She dared to open her eyes and look up.

Suspended in the air inches from her, at least a hundred logs hung harmlessly in unnatural stillness. Then slowly they parted and descended to the ground, coming to rest quietly on the soft grass to either side of the track. It was only after the magical aura dissipated that Applejack realised it had been there at all, and her brain caught up to the reason why she had been spared a new bruise or three.

"Are you okay?" Shining Armor asked, genuine concern in his voice. He had already released his harness and walked hurriedly back to her, extending a hoof to help her up.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Ya got 'em all. Why don't you watch where you're pullin' that thing?"

"Sorry. These things are a little harder to pull than chariots."

Was that a complaint? Did that count for the purposes of the list?

Probably not, she decided. Especially given that he'd just saved her from being hurt, possibly quite badly, not to mention buried under a ton of wood. It would seem ungrateful somehow.

"Thanks." She looked up at him. "I appreciate it."

"Any time. Just glad you're alright," he smiled.

Shining Armor dipped his head and began gathering up the spilled wood one piece at a time, setting each log securely back on the bed of the cart. Applejack uncoupled her own harness and began to help him gather the wayward logs.

With both of them working together it didn't take long, and within sight of half an hour they had the cart filled again. A quick temporary repair to the latch secured the tailgate closed, and the two ponies pulled their cargo more carefully back to the farmhouse.

That was as good a time as any to take a break.

Twilight awoke to the sounds of more impromptu DIY wafting softly into her bedroom. He was still at it? It was unbelievable. For every little thing he fixed, he seemed to find three more jobs that needed doing. It was, frankly, ridiculous and Twilight had come to the conclusion last night that Big Macintosh was keeping himself busy so that he didn't have to talk to her at all. So she'd, rather huffily she admitted, left him to it and gone to bed.

She supposed it wouldn't do to start today on the same note as she'd left the previous evening, and she slowly roused herself and headed downstairs, ready to try and get things off on the right hoof. Big Macintosh was a tough nut to crack, but she'd think of something.

She made her way into the kitchen where she ate a quick breakfast of porridge and apple juice. Had she been a bit less bleary-eyed, she would have noticed that Spike still wasn't around, and yet the breakfast supplies were all out and ready.

Feeling a bit more chipper, she made her way to the library floor where Big Mac was now greasing the hinges on the front door.

"Good morning, Big Macintosh."

"Mornin'," he replied, not really diverting his attention from the task at hand.

"You haven't been up all night, have you?"

"Nope."

She'd forgotten that he was used to being late to bed and early to rise. Well, he didn't look tired so he must have slept. Although, she got the impression that Big Mac could probably go a week without sleep if he needed.

Big Macintosh finished with the oil can and gave the door a few motions back and forth to work the lubricant in. It made not a sound, and seemed much lighter on its hinges than it had ever been.

"That's...amazing," she blurted. "I've tried everything to get rid of that squeak!"

Big Macintosh merely dipped his head in a humble nod. Then he searched the room at large. Looking up at the ceiling, down at the floor, scanning each and every wall, shelf, fixture and fitting. Then he gave the tiniest of satisfied nods and looked at Twilight.

Twilight wasn't sure what she was expected to say. Evidently, Big Macintosh had run out of jobs to do. She didn't have any more to give him, and he still didn't seem in the mood for talking. She still didn't have a plan either, so she was at an awkward loss.

"Um...carry on, I guess. Whatever you would normally do."

Big Macintosh nodded deeply. He made his way over to one of the bookshelves and scanned it briefly. He had to stand on his hindlegs and reach with his teeth to retrieve the one he wanted. A blue-covered hardback, Twilight noted, but when she saw the title...

Aristotail on Philosophy.

Big Macintosh placed the book on the floor in front of him and flipped through as though looking for a specific page. Then he seemed to find it and settled himself, lying on his belly with his legs tucked underneath, and quietly began to read.

After a few moments he looked uncertainly up at Twilight. She was still standing there gawping, she realised. That book was one of her favourites on the subject, and it wasn't what you would call an easy read. Then she watched in horror as Big Macintosh developed a sheepish, apologetic expression, slowly closed the book and made to put it back on the shelf.

"Wait!" said Twilight, rushing over and practically flinging the book back open in front of him. "You're reading this?"

"Mine's at home," he said simply.

"But...you're reading Aristotail?"

Big Macintosh looked uncertain. It felt like he'd already answered that question. "Eeyup."

"That's amazing!" Twilight had never had anyone she could relate to philosophy with before. Pinkie Pie had tried once. It hadn't ended well. "What do you think of his theory on the disparity between a good pony and an honest one?"

Big Macintosh hesitated. He was going to have to answer that one, wasn't he? He drew a breath. "Just bein' honest don't make ya good. Needs more." Big Macintosh said, shaking his head slightly to emphasize the point.

"What? But what about..."

And so it began. A debate. Twilight was thrilled. She was talking and arguing philosophy with someone, and while Big Macintosh initially started with cagey, short answers, as she put forward more arguments he began to get more articulate, vocalising his own arguments to counter Twilight's, and Twilight would counter right back.

It went on for what seemed like hours, both ponies in full flow, and both with a full working knowledge of the subject. As they continued to match wits the topics of debate evolved in natural progression. The nature of honesty led to Truth, then Morality, Ethics, Hypothetics and even Jurisprudence were all considered at length and in detail. Yet somehow – which Twilight couldn't quite believe initially – they had differing views in almost every area. That was a first. She had, perhaps slightly arrogantly, believed that since she knew more about the subject than anypony else she knew, her views must logically have been the correct ones. But here and now, Big Macintosh was not only holding his own against her, he was – she couldn't quite believe this either – actually managing to get her to re-think some of her opinions and even change her mind!

It was wonderful.

Eventually, once the arguments had run their course, they reached a point upon which they simply opposed. They agreed to disagree and the argument finally ended. Twilight felt exhausted, as though she had just run a marathon with her brain. But she had actually learned. Her eyes had been opened to a new perspective and her views had improved. Thanks to Big Macintosh!

With the debate over, Big Macintosh turned his attention back to the book before him, threatening to retreat back into silence.

But Twilight wasn't ready to let him go. She had just started to get him to open up. They had had a real conversation. And while she was loathe to come between anypony and a good book, she felt she at least had to ask the one question that was now foremost in her mind.

"Big Macintosh?"

He looked up from the book.

"Why don't you talk more?"

Big Macintosh looked thoughtful for a moment. Then he spoke.

"Lotsa ponies talk. Ponies that talk the most're usually the ones least worth listenin' to."

"But if you don't talk at all...well...what if you need to tell somepony something?"

Big Macintosh smiled. "If somethin's worth sayin', usually ya don't need to talk to say it."

That sounded contradictory at first, then Twilight found his meaning. "You're...saying that actions speak louder than words?"

"Yup."

"Well, I suppose that makes...sense..." Twilight trailed off. As though on cue, her eye was drawn to the wall behind Big Macintosh, where a familiar crack was strangely absent. Her gaze travelled onward to the loose bookshelf she had been meaning to fix, now solid as a rock. Then her ears and her memory kicked in as she recalled the squeakless front door, and the creaky step on the staircase that, when she came down this morning, hadn't creaked.

Around and around the room she searched, her gaze travelling slowly upward in clockwise spirals, finding more and more subtle improvements. And then when she reached the ceiling, she stepped back and looked at the room as a whole.

And she saw it.

The library was immaculate. It hadn't been in poor repair before, that she'd noticed, but now it was absolutely pristine. And it wasn't just the cleanliness. Everything looked completely brand new, as though it had just been opened yesterday.

Big Macintosh hadn't done any one thing. In fact everything he'd done could easily have gone unnoticed. But every little detail – every nook cleaned and every hinge oiled – added up to make a huge difference that was a world away from the library she knew.

And the epiphany hit her.

This was her home. The place where she lived. The roof over her head that sheltered her and the walls that kept her warm. Where she had her most private thoughts and loudest tantrums. The site of her most accomplished successes and worst, tortured failures. When she was here she was happy. When she was here she was safe. When she was here she was the most content she could ever be.

Because it was home.

And what better way was there of showing somepony that you cared for them, than by doing everything you could to keep them safe. To keep them happy. To keep the roof over their heads, and the warmth in the walls. This was what Big Macintosh did. Yesterday she had said it was all he did, and she realised now what an unfair thought that had been. Because even if it only meant fixing a draughty window here, or a leaky pipe there, they were the most important jobs in the world.

And every day, morning, noon and night, he did it for Applejack and the rest of his family. Never stopping. Never tiring. He cared for them.

It suddenly made a lot more sense that Applejack thought him the best brother in the world.

Twilight looked in awe at Big Macintosh, who suddenly had a kind smile on his face, as though he knew exactly what she was thinking.

"I understand now," she said softly.

"Eeyup."

The elation that followed the epiphany made her want to shout, laugh and cry at the same time. She couldn't believe she hadn't seen it before. She had to tell someone. Scratch that, she had to tell Applejack!

"Nope."

"What?"

Big Macintosh walked over to Twilight and, placing his hoof on top of her rump, pushed gently but firmly down so that she ended up sitting. "AJ ain't quite done with yer brother. She'll get there. But when she gets stubborn, can take a while fer the blinkers to come off. She needs to see it on her own."

Twilight nodded. It was hard. She wanted nothing more than to go to Applejack and apologise over how silly she suddenly realised this whole thing was. But if Applejack was in for a revelation of her own, she would reluctantly wait it out.

As though prompted by Big Macintosh and Applejack being in her thoughts at the same time, her mind wandered back to the day before yesterday, and the beginning of this whole affair.

"Mind if I ask you a personal question?"

Big Mac shook his head.

"When you and Applejack fight...does it bring you closer together?"

Big Macintosh smiled kindly. He gave a slight nod, but then began, "'S not the fightin', it's more the forgivin'." He paused a moment. That wasn't quite the full explanation. Further elucidation was warranted. He looked down at Twilight.

"Me an' AJ've been through some tough times together. Long time ago...we both realised there was no fight in the world worth drivin' us apart. Can't change who we are though, so fights'll still happen time-to-time. But I'll always forgive her, because I can't stand to see her sad when I can make her happy. And when she forgives me...reminds me how lucky I am to have her for a sister."

Twilight looked at him. He was wearing the same faint smile she had seen the other day, as he and his sister had hugged on the verge of tears. She was quiet. Her brain processed. It made more sense now. It wasn't fighting itself that brought ponies together, but fighting was a pre-requisite. Why hadn't she made the connection before? She had the necessary modification to her theory, and she found the familiar sense of satisfaction that came from a problem finally solved.

But there was one more question.

"What...do you and Applejack fight about?"

For a moment, Big Macintosh's face became grave. "'S always different..." he said, a little weakly. Twilight began to manufacture a follow-up question but Big Macintosh must have noticed, because he then took a deep breath that was ever so slightly ragged, and began again.

"Honestly can't remember what the last fight we had was. But the fight before that...she comes home an' says she's gotta climb a mountain and fight a dragon with her new friends. I said no. We fought. She yelled. I yelled back louder.

"But she got that look in her eye she gets when there's no talkin' to her. She said you needed her help and there was no way she was gonna let you down. I...gave in. Put a brave face on. Even put the saddlebags on her myself." Big Macintosh's normally level voice was wavering, his face a picture of regret, and his eyes glistened with tears as he tried not to cry. "I sent her off, and honestly thought she wouldn't be comin' back."

There was a brief pause while he composed himself. Then he spoke again, his voice tinged with melancholic resignation. "AJ's always been one for adventurin'. She's always goin' off with y'all to fight manticores an' dragons an' demigods an' changelings. And so far she's always come back okay. But...one day, she won't."

His voice carried a quiet acceptance that Twilight found heart-wrenching. Big Macintosh's sole purpose was to keep his family safe...and he believed he was doomed to fail. That it was only a matter of time before he lost the most important thing in the world.

Twilight's memory began to engage. The journey up the mountain had been a long time ago, but one thing at least she remembered clear as a bell.

Everypony froze, no-one daring to move as Fluttershy's scream echoed into the distance. For a moment all was still, and Twilight nearly breathed a sigh of relief. Then...a dreadful, low rumble coursing through the very rock of the mountainside, causing the ground beneath their hooves to tremble. Instinctively she took a step back, and then another as the rocks began to fall.

Screams of fear issued from all around her as her friends frantically ran for their lives. Hundreds of boulders, some the size of houses, came crashing down the cliff face onto the mountain pass threatening to crush or bury any unlucky pony caught beneath.

Twilight ran, trying in vain to keep track of all of her friends as well as the falling rocks, barely managing to avoid several as they thundered down, throwing up clouds of blinding dust and causing the ground itself to crack and quake.

She looked up and saw it too late. A huge boulder tumbling towards her, blotting out the sky. There was nothing she could do. She had no time.

"Oh, No. NO!" she managed. This was it.

Oddly enough, though only a split second from certain doom, she felt no fear. Not really. Instead there was only an overwhelming sense of despondency.

She had failed. She had let her teacher down. She had let all of Equestria down. And her friends...her friends most of all. She had let them down.

She was going to miss them.

From nowhere, something warm and soft cannoned into her right flank, sending her flying sideways. She felt the impact of the huge rock close by, but she was tumbling now, spinning head over hooves, unable to see anything except a mass of orange and yellow.

She came to rest as a final few small stones careered happily down the mountainside to join their larger bretheren, and with much relief heard the sound of all five of her friends coughing and getting their breath. Directly opposite her lay Applejack, already looking around and doing her own pony head-count.

"Everypony okay?" asked Applejack before looking back to Twilight.

Twilight leaned forward and gave her friend a very grateful nuzzle.

"Thanks to you I am."

Applejack had saved her life that day, but Big Macintosh was right. None of her friends would even have been in danger if it weren't for her. "You wish she'd never met me...because I put her at risk..." Twilight concluded quietly. She'd never thought about it like that before.

"Nope." He shook his head firmly.

Twilight looked up with surprise at Big Macintosh. Tears were still in his eyes, but his smile was wider now.

"'M glad she met you. Bein' friends with you makes her happy," he said simply. Smiling he might be, but his eyes retained that sad look.

Twilight floundered, uncertain and morose for a moment. She wanted to be able to tell him that the days of taking her friends on dangerous adventures were over; that she would never again need Applejack's help in a risky endeavour. But she knew in her heart it wasn't the truth.

And then with sudden clarity she realised that, far from being the enemy, the truth was actually on her side. Twilight stood and fixed Big Macintosh with her most determined gaze. This was the truth:

"Applejack is special to me. I know how lucky I am to call her a friend, and I care about my friends more than anything in the world." Her face hardened, and steely resolve bolstered her tone. "And I promise I will never let my friends get hurt. I will never abandon them, or put them in danger. And I will always make sure they come home safely. Every. Single. Time!" She stamped her hoof to emphasize the point.

There was such conviction in her voice – such utter and total confidence – that Big Macintosh was taken aback with surprise.

He studied her closely for a moment. There were very few ponies who could keep such a promise, and had it come from anypony else he would have dismissed it as a hollow gesture. But here and now...

"Reckon I believe you."

Maybe he wasn't doomed to fail after all.

Chapter 4

The day had been long, and as it had worn on a feeling of unease had been building gradually in Applejack. Now with the light fading, as she and Shining Armor made their way back towards the farmhouse, that feeling had grown uncomfortably.

She had spent all day working with Twilight's brother, and working well it had to be said. They had accomplished a great deal and as the hours had passed they had even begun to have fun. When Shining Armor had made the scarecrow dance 'The Navigator' Applejack had laughed so hard she thought she was going to pass out.

But all the while, in every job they did together, in the back of her mind Applejack had always been searching for the complaints, the whines, the refusals to do certain tasks on the grounds that they were beneath him. Anything she could add to the list. And the discomfort had grown.

It had taken her a while to put a label on what she was doing, and when she found it she wished she hadn't.

Because what she was doing was dishonest.

Having fun and laughing with somepony, especially a good pony, while secretly searching for ways to undermine them was the epitome of treachery and two facedness, and as soon as she realised that she wished she'd stopped.

But she hadn't. She had to add things to the list. She had to prove Big Macintosh was a better brother.

Didn't she?

She tried to console herself that at least she had not been vindictive or spiteful. Every task they had done today was a task she would have done with her brother were he here. Nothing added, nothing taken away.

But that thought didn't make her feel any better. She was still dishonest.

They reached the farmhouse – both of them quite exhausted after the day's intensive labour – and Applejack decided that was that. The day was over. Draw a line under it, and add nothing more to the list. Try and settle her conscience.

Supper was eaten in the same fashion as the previous night, though Shining Armor took a more active part in the conversation. Apple Bloom eagerly wanted to hear his stories and he told them happily. Well, the less scary ones, thankfully. Then they had all settled into the living room where they had continued the lively chatting until late into the evening.

Apple Bloom and Granny Smith tottered up to bed first, though Shining Armor wasn't many minutes behind. That left Applejack alone with her thoughts. She was tired, but she knew she wouldn't sleep while her conscience weighed heavy.

She removed her hat, the hidden pencil clattering to the floor somewhere, and extricated the parchment upon which were written all of Shining Armor's failings as a brother.

It was, of course, blank.

Shining Armor had done everything she'd asked of him with enthusiasm, spirit and good humour. He hadn't been perfect, but where he'd made mistakes he apologised, and where he lacked skill – memories of milking the cows brought an impromptu chuckle – he'd at least been willing.

She looked at the blank paper on the floor before her, and felt a sudden weight lifted from her. The contest was over. Twilight would claim victory and Applejack would accept it. And she realised she was okay with that. It didn't mean she loved her brother any less after all. Big Macintosh was special. So what if nopony else realised it?

The sounds of soft voices from upstairs brought her out of her thoughts and back to the present. It sounded like Shining Armor was talking to Apple Bloom in her room. When it continued for several minutes curiosity got the best of her and, leaving the parchment, she stood and carefully made her way up the stairs.

She reached the landing where a spear of light spilled from Apple Bloom's door, slightly ajar. From within, Shining Armor's voice could be heard as he spoke to the young filly.

Well, speaking wasn't quite the right word Applejack realised, now that she could hear him clearly. He was reading to her. A bedtime story.

Unbelievable.

He had put his back into it today so much so that by the time they'd reached the farmhouse he'd looked ready to collapse. And yet here he was, using some unknown reserve of strength to read her little sister a story before bed.

Applejack pushed the door open and nosed into the room. Apple Bloom looked up, surprised, and so did Shining Armor for that matter, but he quickly diverted his eyes back to the page and managed to keep his flow until the end of the paragraph before pausing and looking up once more.

Out of curiosity she clocked the title of the book. Daring Do and the Fate of Aquastria. From the snippets she'd heard outside it sounded like they'd reached a point where Daring Do had been captured and thrown into the salt mines by the evil King of Aquastria, and was in the process of meeting the rightful Princess or some such. No doubt there was about to be a tense, action-packed escape followed by an eventual happy, moralising ending.

But not tonight.

"Time for bed, AB. It's way past as it is, and ya'll've got school tomorrow."

"But sis," she pleaded, "we're just about to get to the excitin' mine-cart escape!"

"Shh!" said Shining Armor in a stage-whisper, glancing obviously-furtively at Applejack. "You're not supposed to know that yet."

Apple Bloom just giggled at him like a filly half her age. Then her attention was back with Applejack. "Please? At least let us get to the end of the chapter?"

Shining Armor held up the book and flipped the next two pages over so Applejack could see just how soon that would be.

She sighed. "Okay. But then that's it for tonight, y'hear." The statement was addressed to both of them, and they shared the same happy grin. Then Applejack turned and left the room, heading downstairs once more. She wouldn’t deny it any more – Shining Armor really was a good brother.

One of the best.

Coming to the front door, she stepped outside and gazed up at the sky. She had hoped to see the moon or stars, but she couldn't. All afternoon the weather team had been working to cloud up the heavens in preparation for an overnight deluge, and the sky was overcast and uniform. With no light it was like gazing up into a perfect void and she found no solace there.

The first, light spots of rain chose that moment to fall and Applejack stepped backwards inside before lying down again. She kept the door open though, choosing to look out upon the peaceful farm as it rolled away into the inky black distance.

A couple of minutes later, and to her surprise, she heard heavy hoofsteps descending the stairs behind her. She'd expected Shining Armor to head straight to bed.

"Sorry," he said as he entered the lounge. "She got me with those eyes of hers. I couldn't say no."

Applejack laughed. She knew exactly which expression he meant. Apple Bloom really could turn on the cute when she needed to. "Daring Do, huh? Seems like that's all anypony's readin' these days."

"Well, I brought it back for Twiley," he explained. "I used to read them to her when she was little, and this one was always one of her favourites. I think I might have accidentally got her hooked," he said with a chuckle.

"Well, I reckon Daring's got herself a new fan now." She looked back at Armor. "Reckon you do too. Family's taken a real likin' to ya. You'll always be welcome round these parts, y'hear?" She couldn't quite find the warm tone that sentiment deserved. Her conscience was still weighing heavy.

He looked back bashfully. Then he noticed the parchment on the floor. "Hey, what's this?"

It was a blank piece of paper. Applejack could have said it was anything. She could have said it was nothing. She could have told any lie she wanted and got away with it.

So she told the truth.

"It's a list. Of all the reasons you ain't as good a brother as Big Macintosh. I've...been workin' on it all day." She found she couldn't look at him any longer. Shame forced her eyes to the floor.

Appearing confused, Shining Armor turned the paper this way and that, trying to figure out what the trick was.

"Oh. I get it," he said at last. Then he brought it over and lay down beside her, placing the paper in front of him. "You need some help filling it out."

He ignored the surprised look she gave him, and using his magic he found the discarded pencil and poised it over the parchment. Then he gazed out at the sky beyond the door as though deep in thought.

"Hmm, let's see. Has your brother ever been brainwashed by an evil queen? Or failed to stop an invasion of a city he was sworn to protect?"

"Huh?"

"No? Well they both sound pretty bad, so we'll put those down." He began scribbling with the pencil. "How about nearly losing an empire to an evil king made of shadow?" More scribbling. "Or maybe failing to notice that the pony he loved had been kidnapped and locked in a cave? Yeah, I'm pretty sure a good brother would realise that."

"Those things weren't your fault."

"Did he never make time to come and visit you when you moved away?" he said morosely, his attention still on the parchment. "Did your brother ever forget to tell you he was getting married? Or yell at you when you've tried to tell him something he's too blind to see for himse–"

"Shining!" Applejack snapped as she snatched up the parchment away from him.

He looked back at Applejack with a sad expression before gazing once more out into the night. He sighed heavily. "I'm not the great brother she thinks I am."

Applejack looked back in sympathy. Then, softly, she said, "Yes you are, sugarcube. How many ponies can rule a kingdom one day, work a farm the next, and would still make the effort to read a filly a bedtime story?" She smiled and looked back out to the night. "You should hear the way Twilight talks about ya. Far as she's concerned you're the best thing since sliced bananas. Sang a song about you an' everythin’. And you know what? It wasn’t about her brother the brave soldier, or her brother the noble prince," she said with a subtle shake of her head. "Was about the brother who she grew up with. Who always made time for her. Who she could tell any secret in the world to, and who she could always go to for help. Because when she needed him, he was always there."

She paused, noting Shining Armor’s face seemed to be stuck in an expression of vague puzzlement, as though uncertain how to react.

“I ain’t singin’ you the dang song!” said Applejack with a mock scowl. Shining Armor tried not to laugh – tried to disguise a chuckle as a cough, but it was a woeful performance. Applejack’s face softened again before she continued.

"My little sis thinks yer pretty special too. And I reckon so does Big Macintosh, otherwise he wouldn't have let you come here.” She looked up at Armor again. “Those three ponies right there are some o' the best judges of character I know. You sayin' they're all wrong?"

Shining Armor looked back into Applejack's eyes. She just smiled. "Me? I've been tryin' all day to find a bad word to say about ya." She used her hooves to scrunch up the parchment she held, then tossed it over her shoulder into the room somewhere. "It was blank for a reason, ya big galoot."

Shining Armor tried not to smile. He tried desperately to hold on to some vestige of his manly despondency. Tried to maintain his distant, sacrificial moodiness, but it was no good. That darned orange pony had made him feel better. The smile came, and the magical aura around the pencil he'd been using vanished.

For the second time that day, Applejack realised she hadn't noticed it until it was already gone.

Wait a second.

She gave Shining Armor a quizzical look.

"Ya'll've done some great work on the farm today...why the hay have you been makin' it so difficult for yourself?"

"What...do you mean?" The look on his face told Applejack he knew exactly what she meant. But she pointed it out anyway.

"That thing." She pointed an accusatory hoof at Shining Armor's horn. "That right there's strong enough to magic up a forcefield over a whole city, and it stopped me from gettin' squashed by a lotta heavy logs – which I’m still grateful for by the way. So why didn't ya use it to pick those logs up afterwards, or shift sacks of grain, or stack hay bales? You coulda magicked away half the jobs we did today and given yerself an easy ride. Instead, you're exhausted. Why?" she asked. "You tryin' to impress me or somethin'?"

It was meant as a joke, but the tiny flinch Shining Armor gave told Applejack that she was closer to the mark than she realised. She gave him a look that suggested he'd better start talking.

"Well, it's more like trying to repay you. I guess it wouldn't have felt like much of a gesture if I'd made it easy for myself."

"Repay me?" Applejack was incredulous. "And just what exactly does Prince Shining Armor think he owes a farmpony like me?"

Shining Armor looked once more out at the farm beyond the door. Rather than answer her question, he asked one. "You know what the most afraid I've ever been is?"

Applejack shook her head. He'd had several recent experiences that would qualify, but trying to pick between them was a fool's errand.

"It was the day Princess Celestia sent Twilight to live in Ponyville." He found a spot on the floor in front of him and gazed balefully at it. “My little sister, moving away to a strange town full of strange ponies. Anything could’ve happened. What if they didn't like her? What if she didn't make any friends? I felt helpless. It was the first time I couldn't be there for her, and it scared me."

He looked back up and when he did there was a faint smile on his lips. "A few days later I got a letter from her. I almost didn't open it because I knew what it would say. That she didn't like it. That none of the ponies would talk to her. That she was lonely and wanted to come home. I didn't think I could take it.

"But I forced myself to open it, because if Twilight was in trouble I needed to know. Then I read it, and instead she starts writing about how almost as soon as she arrived, she'd met the warmest, friendliest pony who, without knowing anything about her had invited her to stay, introduced her to her family, and made her feel so welcome. She said her name was Applejack. She said she trusted her, and she hoped she'd be friends with her forever. You have no idea how relieved I was to hear that."

There was a moment's pause while he met Applejack's gaze. "She’d never had a real friend before you. So, I guess I wanted to do something to say thank you. Thank you for making friends with my sister. Thank you for trusting her. Thank you for being there for her and for keeping her safe. And thank you for making her happy."

Applejack scowled and glared back. By any normal measure that was a compliment, yet she wore a dangerous expression.

"Do you know why I'm friends with Twilight?" she said deliberately.

Shining Armor shook his head slightly, worried. This was a reaction he had not expected.

"I'm friends with Twilight because she's one of the smartest, kindest, most hardworking and most caring ponies I've ever met. Because she's the kind of pony I wanna be friends with. She’s saved me from losin’ my farm and my family, and there is nothin’ I wouldn’t do for her if she asked! That’s why I’m friends with her. Not for any other reason, and certainly not because I'm doin' anypony a favour!" Her tone still suggested she was angry, but she'd actually cracked a grin now." So you can thank me all you want your majesty," she gave Shining Armor a good-natured shove into the shoulder. "But if yer expectin' a 'you're welcome', you can forget it!"

They shared a laugh at that, and Shining Armor gave a respectful nod followed by a well-intentioned "Fair enough."

A few quiet seconds passed. Then Applejack asked, "Why couldn't ya ever come to visit? It ain't that far to Canterlot."

Shining Armor sighed. "Time off," he said simply. "It sounds dumb, but when you're a Captain you don't get much free time at all. When you're a Prince you get even less, and when you're a husband..." he laughed, as though the very idea was ludicrous. "So yeah, when you're all three at once, it's tough to get away for a second, let alone three days."

Applejack quirked an eyebrow. "How can y'all be a Guard Captain an' a Prince at the same time? Didn't you have to give that up?"

Shining Armor chuckled. "I tried. Celestia wouldn't accept my resignation. Said if she ever needed the guard for anything big, she wanted to count on me to lead them. Even after everything, she said she still trusted me. So yeah, it's kind of an honorary thing, but technically I still..."

Applejack was looking at him with a face covered in shock.

"What? My pay goes to charit–

"Three days?!"

Shining Armor just looked blank.

"You get three days to come see your sister, and instead of spending time with her..." She trailed off. Then she stood up abruptly, and with an angry glare and a stamp of her hoof, she said, "Pack yer things, mister. You're leavin'. I want you off'a my farm right now!"

It was Shining Armor's turn to look shocked. "I don't understand. Did I do something wrong?"

Applejack's face softened, "Nope. But I did."

The rain had begun to fall steadily, though not yet heavily, and the constant white noise of raindrops falling onto leaves filtered faintly into the library.

Twilight and Big Macintosh sat comfortably opposite one another on warm, soft cushions, sharing a book, reading and exchanging thoughts and ideas quite happily. Ever since their conversation earlier in the day, Big Macintosh had opened up quite a bit. He wasn't shy anymore about expressing an opinion or a thought, and Twilight was eager to listen – because he had a lot of thoughts worth listening to. Yet somehow she knew that as soon as he left the library the spell would be broken. He would return to the same stoic pony he ever was, so she needed to get as many of those thoughts out of him as she could while there was still time.

Spike had returned too, and was pleased with the new vibe around the place, not to mention impressed with what appeared to him to be a totally refreshed library. He wasn't much for philosophy though, so he was currently busying himself in the kitchen, whipping up a batch of his famous cookies.

There was a sharp knock at the door, though Twilight didn't have time to make any move towards answering it before it opened, and in stepped a slightly bedraggled, but none-the-worse-for-wear pair of ponies whom she had been desperate to see all afternoon.

"Twiley!"

"Hey big brother!"

The stallion stepped into the library, shedding his saddlebags against the wall. Twilight rushed to meet him halfway and they hugged tightly and happily. Then she noticed Applejack still stood in the doorway. Finally! She would get to tell her about her epiphany. She would get to tell her how she understood–

"Alright Twi, I'm callin' it. You win. You can call your big brother the best ever and you'll get no argument from me. Don't get me wrong Big Mac," she looked past her at her own brother who hadn't moved from where he lay, "You're still number one in my book. But it ain't fair to let this go on any longer."

"Applejack," Twilight tried, "it doesn't matter anymo–"

But Applejack wasn't listening and cut her off. "I brought your brother back, and it's about time y'all spent some real time together." Once again she looked past her to Big Macintosh, who was about to get to his feet. "Don't you go gettin' up on my account. You look like you're havin' a good time so you stay here as long as Twilight can stand the sight of ya." She looked back at Twilight. "I ain't gonna stay and make things awkward, so I'll leave you be."

Applejack tugged the brim of her hat and turned. In the short time since she'd entered, the heavens had well and truly opened. Torrents of water bucketed down from the sky, making an almighty racket as they crashed into the leaves and ran off in streams. She made a face. The walk back home was going to be a lot less pleasant.

Twilight watched in horror as Applejack walked out of the door and into the downpour. "Wait!" She galloped after her and managed to catch her before she left the relative safety of the tree canopy. "Applejack, where are you–"

But Applejack cut her off once again. "I'm so sorry, Twi. I didn't mean to." Her face was suddenly anguished, her voice almost broken and Twilight couldn't tell if she was crying or if it was just the spots of rain on her face. "Your brother came to Ponyville so you could spend time together, and instead I took him away just so I could win the dumbest fight in the world. I hope you can forgive me someday, but right now you need to go spend as much time with him as you can before he has to leave."

She made as if to turn but Twilight caught her. Applejack wasn't being fair on herself. It wasn't as if she'd kidnapped him or anything. He'd gone quite willingly. Heck, it had – at least to an extent – been his idea! She couldn't let her friend walk away and leave with such a guilty conscience, and besides, she had an apology of her own to make.

"Applejack, I'm sorry too. I don't know what got into us. We were spending so much time arguing over who had the best brother, and they've been trying to show us that it just doesn't matter. All that matters is that you and I are friends, and I don't ever want that to change." Whether or not Applejack was crying, Twilight was certain that she was. "Of course I forgive you. But the fight was as much my fault. If I hadn't tried to prove you wrong just so I could have my theory..." With difficulty, she forced herself to look Applejack in the eyes. "Please...forgive me too?"

And suddenly there was a feeling of mixed dread and anticipation. She had gone out on a limb. She had forgiven Applejack because, how could she not? But there was no guarantee she would get forgiveness in return. What if Applejack was still angry? What if she said no, or said nothing and just left? What if this was the end of their friendship? She felt lightheaded and a little sick. She had no control. Everything rested on the reaction of the pony in front of her, and the moment before Applejack replied seemed to stretch into eternity.

But reply she did. With a hug and a whisper. "Course I do, sugarcube."

Twilight fiercely hugged her back. She cried into Applejack's neck, and in turn she felt her friend's chest spasm with quiet sobs. Slowly the roiling ocean of dread and anxiety in Twilight's stomach settled into a beautifully calm sunlit lake of elation and relief. There really was no other feeling like it. She was so happy. She had her friend back.

Applejack released her and wiped something from her eye. A raindrop, probably. Then she nodded toward the library. "Your brother's in there waiting." She turned once more to walk out into the torrent of water.

Twilight had to catch her yet again. "Applejack," she said with a smile, "A good friend once told me that you have the worst fights with the ponies that you care about the most..." She let the sentence hang and deliberately looked beyond her into the distance where the cacophonous rain made it difficult to see even the end of the street. Then back at Applejack. In a soft voice she said, "Don't go. Come inside where it's warm. Please?" She grinned. "Don't leave me here with three boys."

Applejack smiled at Twilight, not even trying to blink back the tears anymore. If the choice she was offering was getting drenched and cold, or spending time with her friends and family...well, it wasn't really a choice at all, was it?

She walked carefully inside as Twilight gently magically closed the door behind her.

Twilight felt such relief as Applejack walked inside with her. They settled themselves close together like the friends they were, almost opposite the two brothers who themselves had laid down side-by-side. She smiled as Applejack fixed Big Macintosh with a look.

"I hope you've been behavin' yourself, mister."

"Oh, he has," assured Twilight, launching the conversation. She told of stimulating philosophical debates, meticulous home-repairs generously undertaken, theories finally resolved, and the realisation she'd had that the stalwart crimson pony was far more than the sum of his parts. Applejack then tried to one-up her with tales of dancing scarecrows, milking cows in exactly the wrong way, and acts of impromptu log-based heroism on Shining Armor's part, topped off with a touching recap of him reading to Apple Bloom as she fell asleep.

As the two brothers listened to their sisters talk about their experiences, each gave the other increasingly respectful smiles and nods. If respect could be measured it was tough to tell which of them received the most. Certainly Shining Armor got a very healthy share for saving Applejack from being hurt. But Big Macintosh arguably got just as much for taking on Twilight in an intellectual debate and coming through unscathed.

While their sisters were distracted extolling their respective virtues, Shining Armor surreptitiously slid a hoof along the floor towards Big Macintosh. Seeing the movement from the corner of his eye, Big Mac smiled and slowly did the same.

Bump.

Smile.

Friends.

Brothers.

"So," Shining Armor asked his counterpart in conversational tone but conspiratorial expression. "Who do you think has the best sister ever?"

Big Macintosh deliberately didn't reply, choosing instead to look at Twilight even as she herself met Applejack's gaze.

"I think I do," said Twilight.

A lot of smiles adorned a lot of faces, and warm feelings flooded the room. The fight that had begun as an argument over who could claim to have the closest knit family had ended with the question itself becoming obsolete.

Because in the end, they were all family.

There had been lots of crying.

And they'd all grown closer together.

End

Epilogue

Rule the Roost was a board game played with two teams – girls versus boys, at Twilight's suggestion – on a colourful square board. About sixty-percent strategy and forty-percent luck, each pony moved a token on a dice-roll, working with their team-mate to round up as many chickens as possible into their coop before the other team got hold of them. A further element involved both teams having to protect their chickens from the Cunning Fox – played with appropriate levels of moustache-twirling evil cheesiness by Spike – who roamed the board trying to abduct chickens from the play area and either team's chicken coop.

The game lasted for over an hour, with everyone laughing, eating Spike's generously offered cookies, and enjoying the simple pleasure all the while. After the strange and emotional events of the days past, it was nice to just be together and do something normal.

Eventually, thanks to some lucky dice rolls and one inspired move on Twilight's part, the balance of power drifted inexorably towards Team Mare, and when Spike's next move stole another chicken from the board – complete with theatrical manic laughter – there were no longer enough left in play for Team Stallion to be able to win, and the game was over.

The girls were appropriately gracious in victory, but the losers had to pack the board and pieces away – that was the rule. Once all the bits were back in the box, Shining Armor carried it back to its appropriate spot, placed it neatly on the shelf, then returned to the group. He couldn't avoid a quick glance at the clock on the mantlepiece though, which was unfortunately noticed by Applejack, who began to look despondent.

"You really have to go back tomorrow mornin'?" she asked from where she was still laid next to Twilight. She hadn't quite gotten over her guilt, it seemed.

He just smiled a sympathetic smile and nodded as he settled himself back down next to Big Mac.

But Twilight had her thinking expression on. He'd seen it a million times before, and there was worse to come. Because then, her 'idea!' expression appeared. She lit her horn and from his peripheral vision Shining Armor saw her levitate what appeared to be a circlet made from daisies over to herself. He half expected her to eat it, but instead she placed it carefully atop her head, before whispering into Applejack's ear.

Applejack's face told a story of surprise, then shock, then horror and she looked back at Twilight in disbelief. In response, Twilight, not taking her eyes off Applejack, nodded deliberately to the side in his direction, with two short, jerky motions. Then with an expression that could only translate as, 'okay, if you're sure,' Applejack stood and stepped over to him. Adopting a position at his right hand side, and turning round to face Twilight, she stood over him, looked down at him, and placed her left forehoof lightly on his back.

"Um...I'm supposed to be arrestin' you."

Big Macintosh chuckled. Twilight grinned happily. Then she spoke.

"Thank you, Captain Applejack. Spike, take a letter..."

It was unusual for the guards to trouble Cadence in her private quarters once she had left the throne room for the morning. It usually suggested something was quite wrong, and the frantic pace of the knocking only served to unsettle her further.

She bid the caller come in, and through the door – in quite a hurry and with a flustered expression – entered her Guard Captain.

"Your highness!" Nervousness had served to increase his volume several decibels. He anxiously proffered her a letter. "We have just received this letter by mailmare from Ponyville. They have declared war on us!"

"What!?" Cadence nearly spilled her tea in shock.

"They have captured our Prince and are charging him with frivolous crimes! I knew he needed more protection..."

Cadence closed her eyes and took a breath. The Captain was a little excitable. Already this didn't sound like war.

"Do not worry, Princess. I am already canvassing volunteers for a rescue mission. We will get him back or die tr–"

"I think you had better let me see the letter, Captain."

"Of course your majesty!" He smartly held the letter out as Cadence took it in her magic and began to read. He adopted a confused expression as she read it through and began to laugh.

Dear Princess Mi Amore Cadenza.

I write to inform you that on his recent diplomatic visit, Prince Shining Armor has demonstrated complete disregard for the laws of our town.

His list of offences includes:

Treason – accusing the Princess of being "crazy";
Malicious damage – destroying a set of scientifically significant hoofprints;
Indecent assault upon Francesca the cow.

The penalties for these crimes are strict, and at my direction Shining Armor has been placed under arrest by Temporary Guard Captain Applejack and will, I'm afraid, have to remain in Ponyville until he has paid his debt to society.

However, in the light of certain acts of courageous heroism on his part, and in the interests of maintaining diplomatic relations, I have decided that the mandatory one-hundred-year jail sentence shall instead be reduced to two days in the Golden Oaks Maximum Security Library. Unless he wants to go outside, in which case he will be made to promise not to run away.

I trust you will have respect for our very serious, not-at-all-made-up laws in this matter, and I can promise that Shining Armor will be returned with all haste once his sentence is complete.

With warm regards,

--Twilight

It took nearly a full minute for Cadence to stop laughing. War indeed! Oh, she was looking forward to hearing this story. But it wouldn't be for a while yet...

"Is the mailmare still here?"

"Yes princess!"

"Send her up. She will be returning to Ponyville with another letter." She looked at the hesitant guard before her. She couldn't blame him for being overly cautious. Being cursed for a thousand years had that effect. "Do not worry, Captain," she reassured. "I will get our Prince back unharmed and without violence. Stand your men down. You've done very well."

The Captain snapped a salute and left as speedily as he'd entered, keen to bring the mailpony to the princess with all haste.

Cadence found a quill and parchment at her writing desk and, grinning, put pen to paper.

Dear Princess Twilight Sparkle

I am shocked by Prince Shining Armor's terrible behaviour. I do not believe that a mere two days will be sufficient time to allow him to learn the error of his ways, especially considering the serious nature of these crimes.

I think you had better keep him for the rest of the week.

--Cadence.

Author's Note

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you for reading the words I wrote down.

I’ll not trouble you long for you are busy and have important things to do, and I am merely your humble servant.

I hope you have enjoyed this story. This was the third ‘idea’ I had for a tale, after “Apples” and “Flight”. Kind of an unofficial 'trilogy of family' in my mind. I always feared it would be the weakest, but I wrote it anyway because I quite liked the idea.

So I tried to make it as engaging as I could, thought I’d throw it up on t’internet with my other flights of fancy, and figured it’d do about as well as my other stories. Maybe a few people would read it. Maybe some of those would like it. And that’d about do for me. Long as I can make someone happy. Besides, writing is fun, so, here we go. Looks about okay. Clean up the rough edges here and there. Try and get that dialogue right.

Publish.

Within 24 hours, Chapter 1 had more views than “Apples” had in eight months! In 36 hours it had more than all of my previous stories put together. People seemed to like it. People were expecting things from it.

My reaction.

If I hadn’t already finished writing it, I would totally have bottled it, run away and hidden under a table somewhere. I felt certain that as soon as the next chapter was published that all of that good feeling would go away. People would expose the story for the fraud it really was. A tragic attempt at writing fiction characterised by a promising start but which ultimately disappoints in every area.

And that’s a fear that accompanies every new chapter. (On reflection though, I'm still glad I didn't opt for the killing-spree ending.)

But, for better or worse, it’s over now. If you read it and enjoyed it, then I thank you. If you read it and did not enjoy it, then I apologise. To all of you I can only say this...

I hope I did not disappoint you too much.

Enjoy the new ponies.

Warm regards

–-The Author.