The Four Seasons

THUMP

Big Macintosh's hooves struck the trunk of the tree with full power, followed by a dozen or so apples falling and hitting the damp ground .He then proceeded to bend down and pick up the apples with his mouth and then put them into the basket.Today he was going to take the day off from work, and use that free time to repair the roof of the barn.But Apple Jack went off to have a picnic with her friends, so he was doing her chores so they wouldn't fall behind on work.He didn't mind doing the work.He wanted his sister to enjoy her young life while she still had it.

He loaded the last bucket of apples onto the old cart,then got hooked up and started his slow walk to the farm house.

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                            ( Fifteen minutes later)

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Big Macintosh had just pulled up to the cellar door located at the back of the house. He unhooked himself from the wagon and proceeded to the back of the cart. He pulled the tail gate down and loaded the first bucket of apples onto his back. He suddenly froze when a odd smell reached his nose. He thought for a moment he smelled a perfume , but his sisters didn't wear perfume and neither did Granny Smith so he quickly dismissed the thought, and continued toward the cellar.He opened the door and made his way down the old stair case to the dimly lit cellar.

  He carried the apples to the back of the cellar and placed them on a shelf , where they will stay until the apple family needed them. Big Macintosh then returned up the stair case to get more apples . When he opened the cellar door he was immediately blinded by the sun beating down on him, but despite the sun he had a job to do so he continued to the back of the cart.

"Hello there" an unknown voice said from behind him.

"What the....." He said turning around revealing a white alicorn with a sun for a cutie mark standing before him.

At that moment he noticed how rude he addressed her and regretted it, so he immediately bowed down to show the proper respect she deserved.

"H-Hello y-your highness, may I be of your assistance today" He barely managed to stutter out.

The sun princess saw how shaky and and confused he was, so smiled to try and brighten the atmosphere. She new exactly why she was here but didn't want to be to straight forward with her proposition. She decided to take this conversation to a more comfortable environment for him.

"Mr. Apple would you mind having a chat inside with my sister and I" She said hopping that he would loosen up a bit.

"Um sure, ah guess that shouldn't be a problem" He said still a bit of confusion in his voice

Big Macintosh and princess Celestia then proceeded up the path leading to the farm house.Big Macintosh had his head lowered assuming that the sun and moon goddess's were there do to financial reasons. Princess Celestia noticed this and felt bad for making him feel uncomfortable at his own home, but knew that the situation but be explained inside.

As soon as they reached the porch they were greeted by a blue alicorn with a moon for a cutie mark.she saw Big Macintosh's slumped posture and looked at her sister and traded worried looks.

When they entered the house they noticed the were in the standing in the living room.to the left was a stair case leading up-stairs, and to the left was the entrance to the kitchen, but the most amazing feature of the house was a strong smell of apples.

"You guys can take a seat on the couch,ah will go fetch us some tea from the kitchen" He said before exiting the room.

The princess's proceeded to take a seat on the couch.Luna inspected the room to see a lot of pictures hanging off the wall, the one that caught her eye the most was one of  Big Macintosh, and Apple Jack as foals with their parents behind them.She noticed how happy the seem in the picture causing her to smile a bit.Her gazing was interrupted by her sister.

"Luna how should we ask him?" Her sister asked from beside her.

"I'm not sure,but things will turn out for the best" She said giving her sister a reassuring smile.

Big Macintosh then strolled in to the living room holding a tray of tea. He then set the tray on the coffee table in front of the couch,and sat in a chair across from them.As soon as he was settled and every pony had made themselves a cup of tea Princess celesta thought that it was the perfect time to start a conversation.

"So Macintosh you are probably curious why me and my sister have gathered you here today" she said before taking a sip of her tea.

"Oh-um yes actually I ah am just a bit curious" He said a little worried

"Well right now I can assure you that it has nothing to do with your finances or farm" she said hopping that would help him be a little less nervous

"Thank goodness" He sigh with relief

"So what is it about then if I may ask "He said noticeably less worried

     "Well Me and my sister have a proposition for you, and you may decline or accept, we are not trying to pressure you into anything".

She looked at her sister hopping for some back up. fortunately Luna noticed and came to her sister's rescue, hopping she could explain things a little better.

"Well Macintosh we both have a spot open on each of our guards, and we want to know if you want to fill one of the spots?" she asked not knowing what the response would be.

"You will have a choice to join my solar guard or my sister's lunar guard" Celestia quickly added in.

"O well I didn't expect you to ask that".He said with a shocked look on his face.

"Here is some information you will need to know if you accept"

she levitated a scroll to him. He opened it and saw what physical requirements were needed,but what caught his attention was how much he would be paid.

"Wow that's a bunch of zeros" He said in amazement

The princess of the sun smiled at this,but she knew the worst part was yet to come yet though

"However" Luna said "This position will require you to move to canterlot, but the good news is you will get a room in the castle".She said convincingly

"Well this is something I will have to talk over with my family. I hope that's okay with you" He said

"Of course we understand" said Luna standing up and walking to the door

"sister I am going to head back to the castle I will see you there later" she said shooting her sister a smile

She then left the house onto the front porch leaving Big Macintosh and celestia alone.she then stood up and slowly walked toward the door Macintosh walking beside her.He then opened the door and let her walk out first and then followed behind.

"Macintosh I want you to consider this offer. There are thousands of stallions who would kill to be in your position" she said not noticing the mane six standing behind her.

"Take a week to think this over then get back to me" She said before teleporting back to the castle before anything else could be said.

"Macintosh?" A worried Apple Jack called from the walkway

"What did they want they didn't come to talk about the farm's financial situation did they?"she asked almost choking halfway through her sentence.

"No" he said giving her a reassuring smile

"O than what for than?" she asked curiously

"They want me to join the guard" He said sternly

"WHAT?!?!" she and her friends said in unison.

"Come inside and I'll explain everything" he said as everypony followed him into the house

He had alot of thinking to do.