The Four Seasons

Today was the day that Big Macintosh had feared for the past week. It was the day he departed for canterlot. He was standing at the  train station with his suitcase sitting beside him. Granny Smith, The Crusaders, Spike, and the mane six had come to see him off. The train station was dead silent, the only sound that could be heard was the clock tower in the distance.This was going to be the first time Big Macintosh had left ponyville in his entire life.

The lingering silence was interrupted when a pony walked on to the platform. He was a green stallion with a yellow mane. He had a bulky build just like Big Macintosh and was wearing a conductors hat and jacket. He reached his hoof inside his jacket and pulled out a pocket watch flipped it open and looked at it before closing it again.

"THE TRAIN FOR CANTERLOT WILL ARRIVE IN TEN MINUTES"  He yelled at the top of his lungs.

Big Macintosh started to give his goodbyes. He first looked to his siblings, Apple bloom was teary eyed and looking at the ground. Her fellow crusaders next to her each trying to comfort her. Applejack was standing behind her sister with her own friends beside her, She was obviously holding back tears but was trying to stay strong for her younger sister. Big Macintosh was thankful that since he wasn't going to be here , at least they would have their friends to turn to. And last but not least was Granny Smith. she was sitting on an old bench that looked a hundred years old humming a tune to herself.

From the horizon puffs of smoke could be seen as the train neared. it was time to say his goodbye's to his friends and family. He looked at his older sibling first and saw her trying to fight back her tears, to be strong for Apple bloom. He walked over to her and put a hoof on her shoulder.

"Ah guess this is goodbye for now." He said glumly

all of a sudden applejack rushed forward and buried her face in his chest, letting all the tears flow free. She then looked up at him with her tear stained face.

"Ah sure am gonna miss you." she said trying to regain control of her tears.

"Ah'm gonna miss you to A.J." He was now struggling to try and control his own emotions.

After a very long embrace with his sister he then looked to his grandmother who was trying to reassure him with a smile. He didn't know when the next time he would see his family would be, but he was going to make every second right now count.

"Ah sure will miss having you around the house" she said her calm smile never leaving her face.

"Don't worry none granny ah'll visit every chance ah get, ah promise".

"Ah know you will sonny" she said giving him one last hug.

The puffs of smoke got closer and closer until the train came screeching in. As the old medal machine came to a stop the conductor checked his pocket watch once again. After giving a satisfied nod he got everyponys attention.

"THE TRAIN FOR CANTERLOT DEPARTS IN FIVE MINUTES"

Big Macintosh then went to his younger sister who was now in tears, It pained Big Macintosh to see his sister crying, but she would soon get over it.

"Ah s-sure will miss you big bro " she said still sobbing.

"Ah am gonna miss ya to" He said giving her a hug.

"Do ya promise to write every chance ya get?"

"Ah promise as long as you take care of Granny and Applejack for me" He said ending the hug.

He turned around to face the train that was now at the station. It had eight passenger carts hooked up to the coach engine. It was also painted a brownish tan. He started to slowly walk towards the train to board. Each step was more agonizing then the last but he eventually made it to the door where he looked back. He smiled at his family members and their friends.

"Well wish me luck guys" He said loud enough for them to hear.

"Don't worry you'll do great!" shouted Twilight who had up until now remained silent.

"Thanks"

"Oh my brother is going to meet you at the train station, so that way you wont get lost in canterlot"

"Ah sure do appreciate it" He then proceeded to get on the train.

Big Macintosh walked up to the door of the cart. This was the hardest step he was going to have to take all day. If he stepped over there was no turning back around, but if he stayed he would be on a farm his whole life.

Without thinking about it he took a step forward onto the train. He had decided his future. This was his new life now he was now a pony who lived in canterlot. It was a startling realization and he didn't know how to feel about it.

He walked into the cart which was completely empty. It had five rows each made to seat four ponies. The seats were all made of expensive looking leather. He had decided to take the seat closest to the front. He looked out the window to see the scenery zooming by the window. The train had apparently already started it journey to canterlot. Big Macintosh keep his eyes on ponyville as the train got further and further away.

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Prince Blueblood awoke to  rays of sun assaulting his eye's. He sat up in his bed as the memory's of last night came storming back into his mind. He was angry at his aunt for recruiting a pony who is nothing less then a commoner in his eye's. He had scheduled an appointment with his aunt to talk about this matter. A knocking on his wooden door interrupted his thoughts. He rolled out of bed and opened the door. When he opened the door Shadow Hoof was revealed.

"I am truly sorry for disturbing you at this early hour my lord, but I am here to tell you your aunt is ready for your discussion." He said bowing down.

"Very well I shall be joining her momentarily."

"Yes my lord." He said before walking away down the hall.

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      Half an hour later he was standing at his aunts study door. He knocked on the door, and a few moments later the door opened revealing none other then princess Celestia.

"hello nephew, please come in" She said gesturing for him to come in.

They both walked in to the surprisingly clean study where she sat at the desk. Prince Blueblood sat across from her and begun pouring tea for the both of them. He was trying to find the best approach for subject.

"So the reason I asked you here is about your new choice of guard." He said getting right to the point.

"What about him?" she said quizzically

"Well for starters, why did you choose him when he is not a pony of importance"

"Blueblood the royal guard are responsible for protecting me and my sister. So that being said we may choose who we wish."

"But..." He begun before being cut off be his aunt.

"There are no buts here." She said sternly.

"Very well then I shall excuse myself." He said before storming out and slamming the door.

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Later that day he was in his study talking to Shadow hoof. Shadow Hoof remained silent as Prince Blueblood continued to ramble on about his aunts poor choice of guard. Finally Prince Blueblood had talked most of his anger out at shadow hoof.

He went to sit behind his wooden polished desk and thought of a plan. Several minutes passed as Shadow Hoof stood there patiently. Finally blueblood stood up with a wide grin on his face.

"Shadow Hoof, I think My aunt has ruled long enough what do you think" He said still smirking.

"U-uum I don't know I guess." He said nervously

"Well I have a plan. Can I trust you?" He said obviously trying to get under his skin.

"Yes Sir" He said puffing his chest out.

"Great well do you want to know what it is before you leave"

Shadow hoof was walking to the door , but then stopped at his words. He turned around to face him.

"What is your plan sir" He asked a hint of annoyance in his voice.

"I am going to hire an assassin to kill my aunt"