Big macintoshs day off

It'd been several months since the party, and today our favorite couple was watching over three troublesome fillies. Big Macintosh didn't know how she did it, but Fluttershy could actually get the rabble known as the Cutie Mark Crusaders to behave. Now, Apple Bloom alone listens to me, but put her with her friends and normally she's a right terror. But she's quiet as a dormouse and busy as a bee for Fluttershy. All of them are. Cleaning, dusting, polish, feeding the animals, grooming them, she's got more work than I do most days. The stallion put down the feather duster clenched between his teeth.

He'd left the farm in Applejack's capable hooves. She told him she didn't think anything bad was going to happen to the farm for one night. But he persisted in asking her to have someone else over. He didn't say why, but he'd got a bad feeling about tonight, like something really bad was going to happen, and wanted her to have two others besides their granny for help. That's why Gilda and that writer unicorn, Words O'Wisdom, Wiz for short, came over. They were going to make a bit of a game night out of it, with board games like Monop-pony. Granny had enjoyed that idea. It had been years since she'd played, nopony foalish enough to challenge the old champion.

I hope they're alright. Gilda could fly for help if they need it, Applejack can buck like no other, and Wiz... well, I think he's there just to make sure the griffin doesn't mess up, but all else fails he's at least got some raw power from being so big, on top of the whole unicorn magic thing. Well, it's getting late, time for them to stop working.

"Well, Luna's bringing out the moon now. Time for baths and dinner, then bed time for young fillies."

This was met with groans and puppy dog eyes. Big Mac tried to resist, but it was futile. Consarnit... they're adorable. Must... maintain... authority... as...adult. Must... send them to wash. Fluttershy smiled sweetly at the girls.

"Now, if you do it quickly, I bet Big Mac would love to tell you a bed time story, then I'll sing you a lullaby. That sound fair?"

The trio grinned and dashed off to wash up. Fluttershy giggled at the shocked expression on Mac's face before she began to ladle out the vegetable stew she'd made into six bowls. Angel Bunny smacked his lips, noting his small bowl was getting more chunks of carrot than anypony's. When the girls got back to the table, Big Mac gave a small cough.

"Apple Bloom, would you like to say thanks tonight?"

The Crusader gave a proud grin, looking around the table as everyone bowed their heads and closed their eyes. She cleared her throat.

"We thank Celestia, fer makin' the sun come up and givin' the plants the energy they give us. We thank Luna fer the cool nights that make sure they don't get all dried up before they're done growin'. Thanks to the ponies who grew them, watered them, and made sure we had enough to eat."

Big Mac tilted his head towards Fluttershy. Apple Bloom facehoofed and added on.

"And thank Fluttershy fer workin' so hard cookin' this here meal. Let's eat."

The meal finished quickly, even with the girls asking for seconds. Nothing like a good day's work to give you an appetite, eh Apple Bloom? The girls were lead upstairs and tucked in. Big Macintosh tried to think of a good story. Finally one came to mind that would please the eager equines.

"Say, I never told you about the time Pawpaw Brown Snout saved the farm, did I Apple Bloom? Well, it was way back before you were born, before Applejack was born and I was small enough I'd stand on tiphooves just to see over an apple.

Any how, It was morning, in that time just before Celestia raises the sun, so the sky goes all grey with tinges of black still holding on to the night. Pawpaw and I were out wrapping up morning chores, gathering firewood at the edge of the property. Now, you know as well as I do what's at the borders of our Sweet Apple Acres.

The Everfree Forest, the same forest just outside this very house. You know about manticore and cockatrice, but in that forest is a terrible beast that puts them to shame. The Basilisk. It's a snake so venomous, every where it goes, the grass dies under it. If you look it directly in the eye, it'll do something far worse than the cockatrice. The basilisk will just steal your life away, and there's no spell or tonic to change that.

Now, Pawpaw always told me to never play with snakes, but he also said don't go about hurting them just because they can hurt me too. He said I should be as respectful of their own lives as they are of mine.

"You leave 'em be Macintosh, and pay 'em no mind. They'll do the same fer you. Neither of you ain't got nothing to gain by hurting each other. You're too big to eat, and besides, as long as they don't go after the chickens, they're as helpful as the spiders are. They eat the animals that would spoil our food, like flies, roaches, mice and rats. It sounds cruel, but I'd rather have a snake eat a rat than that rat spoil a bushel of apples that could have feed a family of ponies."

Well, when we went out to the edge of the acres, there was this odd pattern on the ground. It was thick as my waist is now, a long trail that slithered over the tree roots. Those trees actually died, and the fruit wrinkled and black. Pawpaw saw something move in the dim light, and he yelled at me.

"Macintosh, stay back! Some varmint is killing off our hard work, and it's looking for you next. A colt like you fill it right up with none of the fight. I'll handle this, you go get your Granny and tell her we need some weasels. Run back to the house, NOW!"

Well, I was scared out of my wits, and next thing I know, this huge snake rises off it's belly. I couldn't believe I hadn't seen it already. Pawpaw saw me looking and yelled again. He tackled me out of the way as the serpent whipped its tail at me, taking the hit instead. But Pawpaw Brown Snout ate lightning and used steel wool instead of soap. He was so tough, the blow didn't even stun him.

"Don't look it in the eye! This critter doesn't need to hit you to make you deader than a doornail. I told you to go!"

Well, I ran so fast I left my tail behind. While I was off getting Granny, your Pawpaw stayed behind, bucking apples right into the thing's face. All the pulp and juice covered its eyes.

"No yellow bellied, stomach crawling, poison using reptile is going to hurt the Apple Family on my watch!"

Well, Pawpaw bucked over one of the dead trees, and it rolled right over onto the basilisk's tail. It hollered so loud we heard it even running up with the weasels in tow. Now, I found out later, basilisks are scared stiff of weasels, and this one was no except. It smelled the air with it's big ole forked tongue and shot back into the woods. After that, we had the weasels walk around the fences, just to make sure the snake wouldn't come back. That's how Pawpaw Brown Snout saved me, the farm, and your futures."

Big Macintosh kissed the fillies on the tops of their heads, and Fluttershy sang "Hush Now" for them. Heaving big yawns, they drifted off, mumbling about how awesome Apple Bloom's grandfather was. Big Mac sighed, and the lovers went downstairs for some tea before dinner. Fluttershy had held back a question, but now it had to come out.

"How long did Brown Snout live after that?"

Big Macintosh kept his face blank. He was sure of it. By Celestia, it was his default expression, he knew he could hide his thoughts.

"What makes you think he died? He fought, he won, happily ever after..."

Fluttershy shook her head, looking hurt he was avoiding the answer.

"The poison. Nopony can survive direct contact with basilisk toxin."

The stallion cursed himself. I had to fall for the one pony with knowledge on the creatures of that forest...

"He... passed right in front of our eyes. He coughed up blood, but was trying to look strong leaning up against the knocked over tree. Granny was crying, and he told her not to worry. He looked right at me, and told her that there was another big strong Apple stallion that could take care of her. He asked me, do you promise to protect her, brave stallion? I held back my tears, and said yes. He smiled at that, me not crying around the fillyfolk like he'd taught me to. And that was it. His eyes clouded over, and he didn't move.

Ever since, I've tried to, Celestia and Luna know I have. But now... Granny's been Granny for a long time, and nopony lives forever. Her eyes are getting worse, hip's all but done for, it's getting hard for her to breath most nights, and I don't know what I'll do if anything happens to her..."

He was surprised to find he had been shaking during those last words, but was silenced by the sudden hug from Fluttershy topping them. They hugged for a long time, and Fluttershy kissed him on the cheek.

"Don't think about those sad things. I have some news that will cheer you right up... I went to Nurse Redheart and she told me I was preg-"

"BIG MACINTOSH! FLUTTERSHY! YOU NEED TO GET TO THE FARM HOUSE NOW!"

What the hay is Wiz doing out here? Big Macintosh opened the door to see the huffing unicorn. He stopped gasping for breath long enough to give a quick message.

"Granny... collapsed. Not responding. Applejack went to get the nurse. Come home."

But after the second word, Wiz was only talking to the pegasus. Big Macintosh was already a red blur. Ear laying flat against his head, the solid pony strained every muscle in his massive body, pushing forward with all his might. The only thought going through his head was getting back. Wiz and Fluttershy ran close behind at first, but his adrenaline pushed him beyond what they could manage.

Slamming through the front door, he saw the griffin sitting on the floor, Granny shaking on the couch. She was breathing shallowly, and Gilda had a claw on her neck. Looking up, all she saw was a red tornado slam her away and into the wall.

Dazed, but uninjured, Gilda could only look at the huffing stallion. She shook her head remorsefully.

"I was checking her pulse, she's alive, just barely..."

Big Macintosh opened his mouth, but didn't have time to apologize. The nurse rushed in, Applejack carrying the medical bag, Wiz and Fluttershy coming a split second later. The nurse listened to Granny's heart, the beating weak and irregular. Her lungs sounded congested, and shining a light into her eyes brought no change in in the pupil. The nurse cast a sad look to those present.

"There's nothing we can do... it's simply her time. At least we can make it comfortable for her."

A pillow and blanket were brought, and the old mare was tucked in. Soon, her shaking stilled. Everypony felt the room chill, and Redheart took out a piece of paper.

"Time of death 1:24 A.M..."

Big Macintosh was too stunned to think. He just stared at Granny, her form now enjoying the eternal sleep. Around him, everyone else was crying softly, the sorrow of fresh loss. Applejack wept harder than anyone, because she knew it would destroy Apple Bloom when she finally heard. But all this fell on deaf ears. Big Mac was dead to the world, lost in his thoughts.

She... she's gone. The mare who all but birthed me herself is gone. Granny, why did you leave like this? Now? Apple Bloom doesn't even have her cutie mark, didn't you want to see one last Apple filly grow up? How will the family go on with the Head?

The only thing he noticed was Gilda go to pick up the body. Rage, a fire fueled by anguish and loss, filled him. He screamed, turned around, and buck the griffin into the wall. There was a snap, and Gilda yelled in pain. Macintosh stood protectively in front of his Granny.

"STAY BACK YOU BIRDY BITCH! Just because Granny's dead doesn't mean she's free food for the likes of you!"

The nurse and Wiz rushed over to her. Helping her stand, the awkward angle of the wing was a sure sign it had broken. Gilda stared at the stallion, a pain far deeper than the damaged wing in her eyes.

"Applejack asked me to pick her up, so we could get her down to the doctor's to get the full cause and all. You... you honestly thought I would eat her? Or any pony? I... I thought you guys knew that was just a stupid myth."

Big Macintosh looked at everyone staring at him. Besides Gilda's hurt gaze, Applejack and Fluttershy were glancing back and forth, unsure of how to react. Redheart was just plain shocked. But Words, his eyes made Big Macintosh shudder despite his burning anger, the icy rage behind that look made snow seem outright tropical. The unicorn levitated the body with care onto Applejack's back.

"Everyone go ahead. I'll stay here with Big Mac until he calms down..."

The girls left, Gilda limping from the pain. The two stallions watched each other for a long time. Macintosh was breathing raggedly, chest heaving from the effort. He got into a charging stance, feeling that the unicorn wanted them alone to fight. Wiz's eyes narrowed.

"You best sit down Mac. If you even think about bringing more pain and suffering, even your own, to this evening so help me I will END YOU."

Big Mac didn't care for talking, a mindless yell filling the air as he pounced upon the unicorn. They kicked, and bit, and headbutt until Wiz finally pinned the maddened farmpony, his horn poking under Mac's chin. The pair were bleeding, bruised, and missing clumps of hair. Wiz finally removed his horn once they were calmed down. Big Macintosh yelled again, and Wiz prepared for round two, but the red stallion collapsed into a sobbing wreck. No fillyfolk here to see me cry. I'm keeping the promise Pawpaw...

Wiz led him to the bathroom where his privacy would be assured, and set about picking up the room. The furniture was tossed around, pictures fallen off the wall, and broken ceramics littered the floor. When he finished, Big Mac had boiled down to a silent weeping. At some point he'd vomited, and now could only manage dry heaves that hurt nearly as bad as everything else. Wiz pat him on the back.

"Listen, I'm going to go catch up with the girls. They'll be worried sick about us by now, and I'll tell them you're fine. Wash up, and stay here until you calm down. They need you to be strong, like you always have been. Granny is gone, but you still have Apple Bloom and Applejack to watch over. Not to mention Fluttershy and her... I better go now."

Wiz left the house at a stiff trot, and found them all sitting inside the small hospital's waiting room. Everyone gasped at his state, the dozen or so scrapes from the fight still bleeding. As Redheart bandaged him, he explained the fight. Gilda, already in cast, seemed the most confused.

"What did you mean there, C.M.F.I.S?"

Nurse Redheart began to give Wiz stitches on a cut above his eye. Professional she was, he educated while doing so.

"Cutie Mark Failure Insanity Syndrome is what it meant. It's what happens when a pony loses his or her purpose, or rather, thinks they have. I had it happen once, when I lost my first patient. I refused to touch another pony, afraid my hooves had become death, and wouldn't heal a soul until a huge accident forced every available member of the medical staff to work. It forced me back on the right track. Does anypony know what his cutie mark symbolizes?"

Applejack nodded, biting her lip.

"Well, he tole me it was fer growing up being the one to protect Granny. Now that she's gone..."

The door opening again signaled Macintosh's entrance. He was on the opposite end of everything now. His eyes were blood shot, his hair poking out everywhere, even the hay between his lips seemed to sag more than usual.

"Hey..."

Fluttershy ran over and hugged him, glad to see he was alright. Gilda looked ready to give him a piece of her mind, but Words held her back with a hoof. Macintosh was just as banged up as Wiz, and Gilda gave a nod. There would be no more words in the hospital, most of them falling asleep despite the uncomfortable chairs. Fluttershy and Big Macintosh, however, had stepped outside. He stared down at the ground, despite the close embrace. Fluttershy gave a small gulp.

"Macintosh, I know you're upset. I know you lost the one you promised your Pawpaw you'd protect. But ow you can't protect any one if you stay this way, especially not our..."

Macintosh stared at her, eyes widening as she placed his hoof to her stomach.

"Stay like you are, and you won't be able to protect our love, and what it has brought us."

The stallion looked into her eyes, sad but hopeful. He began crying softly, and hugged her close.

"I... I'm going to be a dad? And the girls, they'll be aunts?"

The news sunk in further, and he stared up into the night sky. The weight of the day was catching up, and sleep slammed over his head like a club. Despite the covering darkness, he remembered something Granny had told him once, when they buried Pawpaw.

The cycle of life and death, birth and breath bodies in the loam.

Bury us next to our trees, so that our souls won't roam.

An Apple has no headstone, but living mighty wood,

And lovers shall rest together, as they rightly should.

For love can last forever, upon the Apple ranches,

Lover's embrace for all time, with intertwining branches.

But death is not the end for us, o colt so young and bold,

New life springs up between the loss, replacing tiring old.

A foal is born, a foal grows up, tending to the tree

That will someday hold her body, and lets her soul fly free.

So laugh, and cry, and sing, and play, do not fear the en'

Because your stories must be told, so new ones can begin.

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