Big macintoshs day off

Applejack is such a wonderful pony. She honest, dependable, loyal to a fault. She's incredibly strong, able to buck all day long and barely show the exhaustion she feels on the inside. Her mind is simple, but not stupid. Instead, she likes to take the direct route, clash head to head with her problems. Yes, Applejack of the Apple Family is a pony no one would question her motives for anything. That is, until she sneaks into her bedroom window at two o'clock in the morning.

Applejack carefully closed the window behind her, smiling softly to herself. Yep, that was a great session. They always like it when Ah get a bit rough with 'em, Ah jest hope they'll be alright until next week. Suddenly the light turned on, and there was Big Macintosh, flicking his hay from one side of his mouth to the other. Applejack froze, half in, half out of bed.

"Hey there brother. Ah was jest getting ready to get the day started. Ah'm amazed Ah could pull mahself out of bed. Well, let's get going. Eheh."

She pursed her lips, looking from side to side shiftily. Big Macintosh sighed, but didn't say anything. He'll get the information he wanted AFTER he makes her work her hooves off all day on little sleep. Applejack squeezed by her brother, and dashed out to get started on the chores. Good, Ah'll have all day to think of an excuse. Ah don't know HOW he'd react to the truth...

Applejack spend the day pulling the firewood wagon, hauling apples, pressing and bottling juice, fixing the distillery, and in general all the really dirty/physical jobs. She was scrubbing the dirt off the market stand when the lack of sleep took over. She flopped across the counter and fell asleep in the suds.

She was awoken by a bucket of water splashing across her face. Blinking against the afternoon sun, she made out he figure of her massive sibling. In his mouth, an empty bucket.

"What the hay did you do that for?"

He set it down and took the scrub brush from her soapy bucket, wordlessly finishing the job she had started. Her face turned the same color as his through sheer anger. Is he saying Ah can't be counted on to do my part? Well! Sleepy or not, Ah'm going to do the rest of the farm while he's here playing maid.

But when she ran off to find work, she couldn't find a single thing to do. In the few hours she had slept, Macintosh had finished every last chore, duty, and "To Do" List item. He even finished all the paperwork! He doesn't normally get on that until after supper! Why is he... making the day shorter. Oh Celestia, and between everything, Ah haven't had time to think something up! As soon as he gets done washing the-

"Applejack."

She cursed her quiet kin mentally, before turning to face him. The look on his face was the normal bored stoicism, with the exception of a slightly raised eyebrow. Aw, hay, Macintosh, do Ah really have to tell you?

Her brother shifted his weight uncomfortably, unsure what to say next. Applejack, why are you out so late lately? What the hay have you been up to? Nnnnope. That won't do. She's probably trying to cope still herself, so I shouldn't be harsh on her. But what if it's something hurting her besides lack of sleep? I wish Words was here, he's good at this sort of thing.

"Applejack, I miss Granny too. If ya ever need to talk, you know I'll listen."

The look on her face made it clear he'd missed. He thinks this has to do with Granny's... well, Ah reckon it might. It has been a nice distraction from it. Well, if he's gonna get so worked up, Ah better come clean.

"Mac, it's not about Granny. Ah... got into something Ah'm not sure you'd enjoy. Now, it's nothing bad! But well... it's kinda embarrassing to talk about. Me and some of the ponies in town get together and um... well, come next week. It's easier to just show."

Applejack ran off to hide her shame. Macintosh tried to digest the words as best he could, hoping after some thought it wouldn't sound so bad. Nooo... did she just. Invite me to... what? No. Nonononono. My sister is an upstanding young mare, she wouldn't fall in for such... What did Granny call it? Um... nevermind.

The next week was a rough one for the Apple Family. Macintosh and Applejack could hardly make eye contact. Work suffered, and they had to use Caramel for things they normally would have been able to handle perfectly fine themselves. Which itself proved counter productive. More than once, Big Mac turned a corner to see them whispering to themselves.

The day of whatever "meeting" they were going to attend, the whispering got far worse. The pair giggled, the barely controlled mirth clear on their face. Anticipation was thick in the air around those two. The last time, he cactually caught a few words. "Leather", "chain", and "Constitution".

What the? Was I right to worry before? Applejack has never been this... chummy with Caramel before. Oh, I knew this would happen eventually, but why so soon after everything else? Can't my little sisters stay the innocent little fillies a little while longer?

This train of thought was derailed by Apple Bloom tapping him on the shoulder.

"Big Mac, can the Crusaders have a sleepover here tonight?"

"Me and Applejack have something to do tonight sugarcube, and we can't watch you..."

Big Mac chewed his lip, Apple Bloom already looking at him teary eyed. Well, Fluttershy should be alright watching the girls here. Shoot, it might be a lesson for them to be around a soon-to-be mother. Apple Bloom already knows a bit about the birds and the bees, sort to speak, since she's helped Applejack be midwife for the cows a few times.

"Well, alright. But first let me see about the sitter for you three."

Leaving the farm, he galloped over to Fluttershy's cottage just as Redheart was leaving. She was pushing along some sort of TV screen on wheels. The sight of the nurse put him on edge, but her cheerful smile reassured him everything was alright. She was just checking up on her. This IS her first pregnancy, I guess we're all on edge if our fragile little pegasus will be alright.

Walking inside, he saw his beloved curled on her couch, humming to herself. Her stomach was getting rather full, but to him she was just as lovely as always. He walked over and surprised the half-asleep flier with a kiss. Her eyes shot open, then her lips turned into a small smile despite the kiss. Breaking away, she beamed at the stallion.

"Oh, Macintosh, you won't believe the good news... that is, if you think it'll be ok. But, I think it's wonderful! And the girls are going to be so surprised and and.."

Macintosh put a hoof to her lips, cutting her short. While seeing her so ecstatic was adorable, he had come here with a purpose of his own. Still, her excitement was his own.

"Now then, just what are you getting so worked up over? That can't be good for the foal."

"Foals."

Big Mac stared at her for a moment, the one word causing a major shift in attitude. His jaw dropped, all but hitting the floor as she tapped her belly twice. His face broke into a wide grin, looking from her face to where the still growing babes were.

"Twins? There haven't been twins in the Apple Family for years! Is that what that thing was? An ultrasound?"

Fluttershy nodded, practically glowing from sheer joy.

"Yes. She thought I was getting a little too big for just one baby, so she went and got the monitor. It's still too early to tell much, but there are definitely two hearts beating in me besides my own!"

The pair embraced, and the stallion was so glad to have this gem to carry home with him. In all the excitement, he almost forgot to she if she'd be willing to come to Sweet Apple acres so Apple Bloom could have the sleepover. Fluttershy said it would be no problem at all, she wanted to go tell Applejack the news anyway.

Grabbing a cart, Macintosh insisted on her not walking all the way there. He hadn't wanted her to join in the show that hourglass colt was casting for either, but that was more stress than strain related. Besides, she's too meek to just say she doesn't like being on camera. Especially ever since the Photo Finish put her in the spotlight.

Once Fluttershy got to the farm and settled in, the girls' sleepover could begin. Applejack, Caramel and Big Macintosh left together. The pair were still whispering, and this time the word "Charisma" slipped in. What am I walking into here?

They went to Sugar Cube Corner, walking down, deep down into the basement. Spider webs hung over crates of stored away pans and other cooking equipment. At a table were several hooded figures, a single candle illuminating the room. From where they were, the hoods cast shadows over the ponies faces, hiding their identities.

One set down several tomes upon the table, another odd shaped trinkets, and another small figures of ponies and other creatures. This all feel sorta... occult... The head seat looked up at the farmers.

"It seems the warriors have arrived, shall we see if any survived?"

"Wait, Zecora? Miss Zecora is that you? Just what the hay sort of voodoo hocus pocus have you got my sister into?"

Several more candles were lit, and the zebra took down her hood. She smiled peacefully at Big Macintosh, and stood up to allow Applejack to take her place at the head of the table. His sister opened the tomes, looking over something as others took off their hoods. Besides Zecora, Caramel, and Applejack, there was Pinkie Pie, who was busy scarfing down some of the snacks laid on a table to the side, and to his surprise Lyra the unicorn.

"Just what the hay are you lot doing here?"

Applejack turned beet red, and held up a book. The cover had a picture of several ponies in armor, leather vests, chain mail, and special horn blades. Next to them were griffons and Diamond Dogs in similar outfits, and they were all looking ready to fight what looked like a floating eyeball with teeth.

"We've, sorta started playing Castles and Cretins. I don't know why we had them, but I found some books in the attic one day. You make up a character, work out what sort of stats they get. Ah'm the Master, so Ah tell the main story, give 'em story hooks that sort o' thing. Pinkie is a bard, she sings songs to heal or fight. Caramel here is our rogue, the little sneak will cut you down afore you know what kit ya. Zecora likes to be a druid, and Lyra, well... She just likes to bea Diamond Dog and pretend she has hands."

The unicorn held a cardboard sword up with her magic, holding it to her hoof like she could really wield it.

"And you fight big ole monsters. Only, it's rolling dice and paper, insteada putting yer body out to get hurt. Ah didn't want to tell you because... well you never were the type for make believe."

Her brother stared at her for a moment, before heaving a sigh of disappointment. Applejack looked ashamed of herself, doing something so silly and outright admitting it to her brother. Wait, the hay am Ah thinking? Ah love to do this, and by Celestia Ah'm good at it! If he don't like it he can-

Big Macintosh took the books and a piece of paper himself. The group watched in stunned silence as he looked over them, grunting in annoyance at some points. Applejack was even more confused by this, and her anger melted away.

"Big Mac, ain't you gonna say something about how.. childish this is?"

He nodded, putting down the pencil.

"Eeyup."

"Well?" Applejack leaned back, bracing herself for whatever came next.

"You forgot to have a Fighter or something to tank the damage. Mind if I use a Paladin? I always did like being Lawful Good."

He smiled at his utterly confused sister, and opened the book to the last page. Glued to the back was a drawing of a earth pony in full plate armor, divine light glowing around him as he stood big and strong. The artist had called it Smitehoof the Radiant, and signed it:

Big Macintosh, age 14.