Applejack's Stetson Hat

Chapters

Prologue
Pinkie's Advice
The Meeting
Preparations
According to Plan...
Under the Cover of Crimson
For Whom the Belle Tolls
Cavernous Melancholy
Absolution

Prologue

Applejack awoke. She could see the sun just starting to rise over the mountains in the east. It appeared today was going to be another beautiful day over Sweet Apple Acres, which, as always, meant the same thing. There was work to be done. Though it was quite a bit earlier than when most ponies woke up, the Apple family needed as much time as possible for the ongoing apple harvest season. Applejack trotted out of her room, past the sleeping Apple Bloom's room and down the stairs to the kitchen, where Big Macintosh was already sitting at the table and eating his oatmeal breakfast.

"Good mornin’ to ya, Big Mac. It's sure lookin' ta be a fine day today, don'cha reckon?"

"Eeyup!"

"Y'all ready for some more applebuckin'?"

"Eeyup!"

Applejack sat down at the table with Big Macintosh where she dug into her own bowl of oatmeal, always exquisitely prepared by Granny Smith.

"We're almost done with the harvest; just a few more days 'fore we can finally sell these apples and call it a season!"

Applejack made her way over to the apple orchard, carrying several buckets on her back. "This sure is heaven, even if it is hard work! Ah couldn't imagine doin’ anythin' else."

She thought about her time in Manehattan and how wrong it felt. She knew her place was here at the farm, with her family, not as some pretty city girl. Life without Big Mac, Granny Smith, and even her mischievous sister Apple Bloom just seemed unbearable. She loved who she was, and she wore her light-brown Stetson hat proud. Her Stetson hat. Oh, how Applejack loved it, wore it everywhere she went, practically slept with it. Applejack couldn't imagine life without her hat, and she felt proud to wear it as she bucked a tree, every single apple falling effortlessly into the large wooden buckets below. Soon after, Big Macintosh joined her, carrying the apples she collected back to the farm. Everything was perfect.

Sometime in the late afternoon, as the sun began to turn orange with the oncoming sunset, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were heading home from their tree house headquarters in the woods when they ran into Applejack, who was still bucking apples for the harvest.

"Howdy Applejack! Are y'all almost done with applebuckin’ for the day?"

"Sure is, sis! Just a few more trees and Ah'll be ready to hit the hay."

"Ah wanna be just like you when A'hm older, Applejack. Ah wanna wear a hat just like you, and Ah wanna buck apples just like you. Ah think that's how Ah can earn my cutie mark!"

"Yeah, let's try it!" an eager Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle stated.

"Well, all right, then. Say, would you girls like to try on my hat right now?"

"Oh, yes!" the three crusaders blurted all at once.

Applejack then gave her hat to Apple Bloom, but the other two crusaders did not respond well; each filly wanted to wear the hat first.

"Hey, I wanna wear it first!" announced Scootaloo.

"No, I should wear it first!" Sweetie Belle retorted.

"Applejack gave it t' me first!" Apple Bloom screeched.

Before Applejack could react, she watched in horror as the three crusaders all got their hooves on her precious hat, trying to wrestle it away from one another. A ball of dust formed as the girls tumultuously wrestled for the hat. Applejack heard a sound she had hoped she would never hear: a loud ripping sound. The crusaders then stopped fighting and looked at what they had done. Applejack's precious brown Stetson hat had a large tear in it, almost dividing the hat into two pieces. Applejack was mortified at what the girls had done.

"Lookit what y'all did to mah sister’s hat!" Apple Bloom yelled.

"I didn't do anything, it was you and Sweetie Belle!" answered Scootaloo answered.

"No, it was you and Scootaloo!" Sweetie Belle hollered.

Once again, the girls were back to fighting amongst themselves over the blame. Applejack just shook her head, picked up what was left of her hat, and walked back to the farmhouse.

Applejack thought to herself, Ah should never've let 'em put their hooves on mah hat. Of course somethin’ like that was goin’ t' happen. They've got ta be the worst-behaved fillies in all of Equestria!

Applejack walked into the farmhouse, where she was greeted by Big Macintosh eating his dinner at the table. He stared at Applejack's torn hat.

"Now what in tarnation happened ta yer hat, Applejack?"

"The Cutie Mark Crusaders, that's what happened. Ah don't know when I'm ever goin’ to get this repaired, A'hm just too darn busy! Ah dunno where Ah'll find the time t' go ta Rarity's boutique!"

"Ah have t' go inta town early tomorrow mornin'. Ah reckon Ah could take it to be repaired then, but that means Ah'm goin’ t' have take extra time off from the harvesting, and y'all’ll have ta make that up fer me."

A large grin amassed itself on the mare's face. "Oh, that's just wonderful, Big Mac! Of course Ah'll take whatever work y'all miss, they don't call me the most athletic pony in Ponyville fer nothin'!"

Deep down inside, Big Macintosh was really looking forward to going to Rarity's boutique, as he always kind of had a crush on her, and never really got the chance to be around her other than when Applejack had her friends over. This would undoubtedly be a great opportunity to meet and talk to her... alone.

Pinkie's Advice

Big Macintosh woke up early the next morning, even before the early-rising Applejack and Granny Smith. As always, he went through each thing in his head like a checklist of what he had to do for the day.

Big Macintosh thought to himself:

Ah need t' make apple cider deliveries to Sugarcube corner and town hall, and then Ah--

A small grin appeared on Big Mac's face as he remembered.

Ah need t' go t' the boutique in town where that purty filly Rarity will fix Applejack's torn hat.

The big red stallion had really been looking forward to this since he learned about it the night before. It was a chance to interact with the mare of his dreams. He never got to see her normally, other than when Applejack invited her over. The few times Rarity was at Sweet Apple Acres, his eyes were always fixated on her, but Big Macintosh was simply too shy to approach and talk to her, the only dialogue being a simple "howdy" or "so long."

Why would the purtiest filly in all of Equestria want t' talk to a dirty farm pony like me?

But today was different. Big Macintosh could feel confidence surge through his body like a wildfire sweeping through the forest. Today would be the day. He would express his feelings for Rarity and hope for the best. He wasn't sure how we was going to do it, or what he was going to say... but it felt like the right thing to do. There would never be a better opportunity than this.

“Ah'll probably never be able t' talk t' her alone again....” Big Macintosh said aloud in a worried tone.

Big Macintosh was almost proud of the Cutie Mark Crusaders' mischief. If it wasn't for them, he wouldn't be getting this opportunity.

The big red stallion walked over to the barn, hitched his horse-collar to a wagon carrying two barrels of apple cider, tossed Applejack's ripped hat into the wagon, and took off down the road towards Ponyville.

A little while later, Big Macintosh arrived in town and made his cider delivery to the Mayor's office without incident. When Big Macintosh arrived at Sugarcube Corner to make his delivery there, he knocked on the door and was immediately greeted by Pinkie Pie.

"Hi Big Macintosh, how are you? What are you doing here? How is--" Big Macintosh just put his hoof over the hyper pink mare's snout, as was standard to do when she talked.

"A'hm fine, Pinkie Pie... and so is Applejack and the rest of the family. A'hm also here t' make this cider delivery t' ya."

"Oh, thanks Big Mac! Here's your bits for the cider. I guess you'll be on your way back to the farm, then?"

"Eeyup, Ah reckon Ah should. There's always work t' be done around the farm. Bye now!"

The stallion turned around and started to trot away from Pinkie Pie, his real destination still in mind; then he stopped and thought for a second. Maybe he should talk to Pinkie Pie about this. Pinkie Pie knew everything about everypony in town; she could possibly know a better way to approach Rarity. He was only going to have one shot at this, and he wanted to know the best way to approach it.

Big Macintosh turned around and headed back to Sugarcube Corner. Pinkie Pie, who was still outside, hopped around randomly with no particular destination in mind.

When Pinkie Pie saw Big Macintosh walking back towards her, she giggled and pointed her hoof in the direction of Big Macintosh's home. "Hey silly, Sweet Apple Acres is the other way!"

"Ah know, but Ah came back t' talk t' y'all about somethin'. Y' have ta promise not t' tell anypony about it, all right?"

"Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!"

Big Macintosh was surprised to see Pinkie Pie actually stick one of her hooves into her eye. "Doesn't that hurt ya?"

Pinkie Pie grinned. "Nah, I'm used to it! So what's this super-amazing secret of yours?"

Big Macintosh just rolled his eyes and let it go. He had heard from Applejack about 'Pinkie just being Pinkie.' "All right... so, ya know everything about everypony in town, right?"

"Of course, silly! I'm not friends with everypony for no reason!"

"Well, here's the thing... Ah kind of… have feelin's for somepony. And Ah'm no good at this sort of thing, so Ah'm not really sure how to approach her. I was hopin' y'all could help me out."

"Ooooh, you have a crush on somepony? I could totally help you! Who is the lucky filly?"

"Lucky filly? It's me who'd be lucky ta have her. Ah feel so undeserving... Ah'm goin' ta see her right now t' get Applejack's hat all fixed up."

Pinkie Pie saw Applejack's ripped Stetson hat in the back of Big Macintosh's wagon he was pulling and instantly knew.

"Oh my goodness, OH MY GOODNESS! You have a crush on Rarity! Oh, this is just wonderful! You two would make such a cute couple!" Pinkie Pie nearly yelled. Luckily, it was still early, so there was still hardly anypony out there to hear her.

"Shhhhh! Remember what Ah said 'bout keepin' it a secret?" Big Mac whispered.

"Oh yeah, silly me!" Pinkie whispered back with a giggle.

"Well, how do y'all reckon Ah should approach her?"

"Well, like all fillies, she wants to feel wanted and appreciated, so make sure you do that. You need to remind her all the time that she's at the center of your world, and that you think she's the most beautiful mare in Equestria. If you do, I can almost guarantee she will return your affections."

"All right, Ah guess that shouldn't be too hard."

"Oh, and Big Macintosh! Don't doubt yourself. You are a big, strong, handsome stallion, so be confident. Tell her how you feel! I know of several fillies that would love to be with you."

"Ah, uh... thanks, Pinkie Pie. Ah really owe ya one, This has really helped me out a lot, Ah think I can do this now."

"Don't mention it! Oooooh, Big Mac and Rarity! I'm going to throw a party for you and Rarity when you're together! Go to her now and talk to her!"

"All right, bye now Pinkie Pie! Thanks for everything!"

With that, Big Macintosh turned around and headed in the direction of Rarity's shop, the very luxurious-looking Carousel Boutique with the large purple front door. Big Macintosh had never placed a hoof inside the shop, but had heard many things about how darn "fancy" it was from Applejack.

Even with Pinkie's advice and encouragement, Big Macintosh couldn't help but feel nervous. 'When you're together,' he repeated over and over again in his head. Pinkie Pie seems t' think Ah have a good chance...

Ah sure hope she's right.

The Meeting

It was still morning as Big Macintosh trotted through the streets of Ponyville towards the Carousel Boutique. The big red stallion couldn't stop thinking about what Pinkie Pie said.

"Don't doubt yourself!"

"Be confident!"

"Tell her how you feel!"

Those three things kept going through Big Macintosh's head like a broken record. Big Macintosh turned around a corner; he could see the boutique at the end of the long street. As he trotted, he passed a group of mares, all of whom smiled and waved at the stallion and giggled at the same time. It was obvious that they were all... attracted to him.

Maybe Pinkie Pie was right 'bout that, too... maybe Ah am handsome. Those mares over there seem to like me just fine... maybe Rarity will feel the same way 'bout me.

Big Macintosh arrived at his destination. He stopped right in front of the purple front door of the large purple and white building. Big Mac thought about turning back, thinking he would mess this all up in a fit of nervousness and making Rarity reject him for good.

No, Ah've come too far. This is mah only chance ta talk ta her alone.

The big red stallion unhooked himself from the wagon, walked over to the back to retrieve Applejack's ripped hat, and walked up to the door. He placed his right hoof on the door and tapped on it three times. For about fifteen seconds, there was no response, and Big Macintosh started to believe no one was home.

Ah reckon she's out somewhere with her friends...

Suddenly, the door was thrust open, and standing in doorway was a small filly that looked similar to Rarity in many ways, but much smaller, with green eyes, and hair that was a lighter shade of purple. Big Macintosh remembered seeing this unicorn with Apple Bloom and that other orange pegasus filly, but couldn't quite remember the names of his little sister's friends. He did, however, remember she was partially responsible for the destruction of Applejack's hat.

"Hi Big Macintosh! what brings you to Carousel Boutique? You don't seem like the kind of pony who would want a makeover!"

"Ah came here to get mah sister's hat repaired, which Ah believe y'all and yer friends helped destroy in the first place."

Big Macintosh showed her the ripped beige hat.

"Oh... sorry," replied the little filly with a sheepish grin

"Sweetie Belle, who are you talking—oh, hello, Big Macintosh! What a pleasant surprise. What brings you here on this fine morning, darling?"

Rarity came out from another room into the front chamber of the boutique and trotted over to where Big Mac and Sweetie Belle were standing. Just hearing Rarity talk nearly made Big Macintosh's knees buckle, her sweet voice like the most beautiful country song he had ever heard.

"Howdy Rarity, y'all”—he braced himself for the disappointment—“look lovely as ever today. Ah'm here to get Applejack's hat repaired, and Ah reckon you more'n anypony in this town'd be fit fer the job."

Big Macintosh showed Rarity the ripped Stetson hat.

"Why, thank you for the compliment Big Macintosh! That... means a lot to me... to hear that from a nice stallion like yourself. And of course I'll be able to repair it! It should only take me a few days. But may I ask, how did something like this happen? As I'm sure you know, Applejack is very protective of her hat; I never believed something of that magnitude could ever happen!"

Big Macintosh gazed down at the little filly. "Ah reckon Sweetie Belle here can tell you what happened."

Both Big Macintosh and Rarity shifted their attention to Sweetie Belle, who was still standing next to both of them listening.

"Umm... I kind of... may have... fought over it with Scootaloo and Apple Bloom when Applejack let us try it on. I didn't mean to rip it! I promise Rarity! Honest!" blurted a suddenly frightened Sweetie Belle.

Big Macintosh gently placed his hoof on the filly's back and grinned."Ah reckon that won't be necessary. It was an accident, y'all just all really wanted t' get yer cutie mark. Ah understand how y'all must feel... Ah was the last t' get mah cutie mark in mah class when Ah was around your age, and it was really frustratin' seein' all the other fillies and colts with theirs. Ah got made fun of and bullied plenty, bein' called names like "blank flank," which really hurt inside, but Ah was patient and eventually it came when Ah realized workin' on the apple farm was what Ah was meant to do... and lemme tell ya, Ah was happy as any colt could be! Y'all and yer friends really should learn t' share more and be patient. Ah promise y'all will all get yer cutie marks soon enough, and when it does, y'all will understand it was worth the wait to truly find out what yer special talent really is."

Both Sweetie Belle and Rarity were taken aback by Big Macintosh's statement. Neither of them had ever heard Big Macintosh speak like that, and neither had ever believed the stallion possessed that kind of insight on cutie marks.

"Th—Thanks Big Mac! I never knew you went through the same things Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and I have to go through. That really makes me feel better about the whole situation! I wish I could have a big brother like you Big Mac! Apple Bloom is really lucky to have you around!"

With that statement, Sweetie Belle walked up and hugged one of Big Macintosh's massive forelegs, then trotted into another room, leaving Rarity and Big Macintosh alone together by the front door. When Sweetie Belle hugged him, he felt a tingling feeling in his stomach that he had never felt before... it was amazing.

Rarity peered up at the massive stallion. "Big Macintosh... I never knew you had to go through what Sweetie Belle and her friends have to go through. I guess I wouldn't understand because I was one of the first in my class to get my cutie mark, since I knew from the start fashion designing was my special talent. Sweetie Belle complains all the time to me about not having her cutie mark, and I never seem to be able to really get through to her like you just did.... That was very sweet of you, Big Mac."

With that, Rarity leaned over and gave Big Macintosh a small peck on the cheek.

If Sweetie Belle's hug had felt amazing, words couldn't describe the euphoria that Big Macintosh felt when Rarity kissed him. This was not the way he planned to do it, but he knew deep inside that he had gained Rarity's affection.

"Ah—just thought it was mah duty to let 'er know there's somepony else who went through what she's goin' through, and that she just needs to persevere. I don't want her or mah sister or that pegasus filly Scootaloo to feel all alone, that's all." Big Macintosh now had a massive grin plastered on his face, the stallion still remaining euphoric from Rarity's kiss on cheek.

For a moment there was silence, and Big Macintosh couldn't help but just stare into Rarity's beautiful dark azure eyes. Rarity also couldn't help but stare deep into Big Macintosh's green eyes.

"So... I guess I should start working on Applejack's hat, then, dear."

"Yeeup, ah reckon ya should. Here's yer bits fer it."

Rarity pushed Big Macintosh's hoof away. "Oh that won't be necessary. For a good friend, it's on the house."

"Why that's mighty kind of ya, Rarity. I really appreciate that, since money is always tight down on the farm."

"Of course! Any time, Big Macintosh."

A couple seconds of silence passed, and Big Macintosh took a deep gulp. This was the moment he had waited for. "Say Rarity, would... ya... maybe like t' have dinner sometime with me? Ya know, so we can get to know each other better as friends? I feel like—"

Rarity's eyes lit up, almost like she was expecting the question. "I would love to, darling! Learning more about yourself and your work at Sweet Apple Acres sounds simply delightful! How does tomorrow night at around 7 sound?"

"That sounds great! Ah'll come by and pick ya up then!"

"Marvelous, darling, I'll see you then!"

With that, Big Macintosh turned his massive frame and walked out the door, hitched himself back up to the wagon, and started the fairly long trot back towards Sweet Apple Acres with the same ecstasy he experienced when Rarity kissed him.

Ah did it! the big red stallion thought to himself. A'hm goin' on a date with the most beautiful mare in Ponyville!

As Rarity trotted over to her sewing machine to work on Applejack's hat, she too felt a similar euphoria as Big Macintosh. The mare had really begun to take a liking to the big red stallion.

He may not be prince charming, but his heart sure is in the right place, Rarity thought to herself

Sweetie Belle walked back into the room with a big smile across her face. She'd secretly watched the whole event unfold, and loved the idea of Rarity and Big Macintosh going on a date.

"You and Big Macintosh would make such a cute couple, don't you think Rarity?" giggled Sweetie Belle.

"Were you spying on us, Sweetie Belle?" asserted Rarity in a serious manner, even though she already knew the answer.

"Umm... I'm sorry, sister, I just really wanted to see what you two were talking about."

Rarity's serious face changed into a smile.

"I guess I didn't ever tell you to leave us... it's just as well. You should know if your own sister is going on a date with the brother of one of your friends. But for right now, just consider Big Macintosh and I friends."

Both Sweetie Belle and Rarity giggled. The mare had a hunch she was going to enjoy her time with that sweet stallion tomorrow.

Preparations

Big Macintosh had never gone on a date before, but tonight most certainly wasn't his first opportunity. Being the large bulky stallion he was, there was always strong interest in him from fillies and mares, beginning all the way back in elementary school. Many of them were even desperate enough to ask Big Macintosh to dinner themselves, but he always turned them down, stating too much work needed to be done on the farm.

And this was the truth. Big Macintosh had always been selflessly devoted to his work at Sweet Apple Acres, especially after the passing of his folks. He believed it was his duty to the Apple family not to dawdle in something so minuscule... such as mares. The farm and the family were his only true loves, and he dared not deviate away from that idea.

That all changed for the stallion, however, in the blink of an eye. The first time Applejack invited a certain mare over for dinner, and Big Macintosh laid his green eyes on that same certain mare's dazzling white coat, unusual gleaming curly purple mane and tail, and sparkling azure eyes, all his previous inhibitions seemed to evaporate. The stallion was simply mesmerized by her raw beauty, and discovered it nearly impossible to impede his staring at the dinner table, only looking away when the mare happened to gaze back at him.

Big Macintosh and the mare conversed only once that night, at the beginning of dinner, when she asked the stallion for his name. For some reason he simply couldn't explain, Big Macintosh had a surreal amount of trouble attempting to remember his own name. He had become nervous ever since the mare cantered in the front door. When he finally managed to give his name, the mare identified herself as Rarity.

The next day, and many days after, whilst the stallion worked on the farm, the mare's name repeated in his head like a broken record. The way she looked, the way she spoke, she truly was like no other mare Big Macintosh had ever interacted with. An exceptional rarity of a pony in his eyes. On the occasion that she came to visit the farm again, the stallion always made an effort to steal a glance at her and experience that delightful yet strange feeling he could only describe as flying insects brushing the sides of his stomach with their wings.

Big Macintosh kept his infatuation with Rarity a complete secret from his family. He wasn't sure how they, especially Applejack, would respond to it. The stallion deduced it as almost shameful at times, fearing disapproval from the ones he loved. He wasn't too concerned about Apple Bloom, since she obviously was much too young to understand such principles. However, Applejack was just as devoted to the farm as he was, with limited time for friends, and as far as Big Macintosh knew, the thought of stallions never once even crossed her mind. She would inevitably be disappointed in her brother. And how would Granny Smith react? Big Macintosh tried not to think about it.

Thus, Rarity remained just a fantasy for the big red stallion. He also realized the unlikelihood of a beautiful, sophisticated, outgoing, and, most importantly, fancy unicorn mare such as Rarity going for a shy workhorse of few words such as himself. She was a prestigious fashion designer, and he was just an... apple farmer. This idea had always saddened him.

It wasn't until one day when Apple Bloom and her friends happened to tear Applejack's Stetson hat that he received the chance of a lifetime. He needed to act on it. And, with a little help from an unlikely and somewhat crazy pink pony source, the stallion scored the impossible with the only mare he truly wished to be with.

A date with Rarity.

After this greatest of achievements, his continuous feelings of ecstatic euphoria lasted throughout the rest of the day. However, he still needed to keep it a secret from his family. Big Macintosh didn't want to risk losing this wonderful opportunity through family intervention.

He would deal with them later, for the next day had come, and the stallion felt it essential to prepare himself, to the greatest extent of his abilities, for the mare of his dreams.

Big Macintosh gazed at his own reflection in the bedroom mirror. Using one of his front hooves, the stallion brushed back his carrot mane as far as it would go, trying to keep the hair out of his eyes.

He had removed the large wooden yoke that was nearly always situated around his neck, replacing it with the most formal clothing the stallion owned: a simplistic sport-coat suit and bow-tie.

Ah reckon a lady like Rarity would prefer a nicely dressed stallion, since she loves her fancy clothes n' all, thought Big Macintosh.

The stallion had only worn the suit once before, at a cousin's wedding he had attended a few years earlier. Thus, he had a little trouble placing the clothes around his head and broad shoulders. He had received help from Applejack before the wedding, but obviously couldn't ask for assistance now.

Big Macintosh peered down at his outfit once again, trying to perfect it as best he could. When it finally looked similar to what he remembered, he gazed over at the clock on the wall.

6:30

“Ponyfeathers, Ah need t' get goin'!” bellowed the stallion out loud.

Big Macintosh galloped out of his bedroom, down the stairs, and out the front door. Luckily for him, both Applejack and Apple Bloom weren't around to question him, as they had both left earlier to spend time with friends. Granny Smith was home, but she was nothing to worry about. The old mare was always fast asleep by this time.

Just as Celestia's sun was beginning to set, Big Macintosh galloped with a surge of confidence past the animal pastures and exited out the front gate of Sweet Apple Acres.

As Big Macintosh quickly trotted down the road towards Ponyville, it was truly amazing how rapidly his excitement over the date disappeared. It was soon replaced with anxiety, the exact same anxiety he experienced the day before whilst taking Applejack's hat to the boutique. Once again, nervous thoughts began to quickly overrun his mind.

Where should Ah even take her?

What should Ah say?

Did Ah dress well enough?

Big Macintosh began to realize just how ill-prepared he was for this date. He hadn't even thought about where to take Rarity, never mind trying to think of what possible common interests the two could share and talk about.

The stallion's anxiety had now transformed into an unrelenting sinking feeling, as if all of Equestria was crashing down around him due to his ignorance. He felt as if he had already ruined the most important evening of his life before it even commenced.

“Eeyup. Nice goin', Big Mac,” croaked the stallion under his breath as he dismally sauntered into Ponyville.

Big Macintosh could now view his destination at the end of the road. There it was, Carousel Boutique, appearing as glamorous and magnificent as he remembered it.

One could say otherwise about the stallion's feelings, however. He tried to remember and believe what Pinkie Pie explained to him yesterday, but his nerves continued to increase tenfold. The poor stallion felt as if somepony was trying poke a hole through his stomach, for he knew this date with Rarity, the one and only mare he shared feelings with in Equestria, could very well also be his last.

Big Macintosh contemplated turning back. Ah could pretend Ah was sick, and we could do it another time! But reality hit the stallion like crashing head-first into an apple tree. That was impossible. He couldn't have somepony else like Applejack tell her! And even if he could cancel, would she even give the big red stallion another chance? Probably not.

Big Macintosh elicited many stares from other passing ponies as he deliberated this decision in his mind. Ignoring them completely, he only stared down at the ground, shaking and nodding his head as each possible solution entered his mind.

This was his only shot. He could turn around and likely regret this moment for the rest of his life, or he could trot up to that boutique, knock on that purple door, and sweep the mare of his dreams off her hooves. But he could also embarrass himself and his family.

Big Macintosh didn't have much time to make a final decision, since before he knew it, he stood directly outside the purple door that was the main entrance to the boutique. The stallion took a deep gulp and made up his mind.

“Here goes nothin',” he mumbled under his breath.

Against every nerve in his trembling body, Big Macintosh slowly lifted his front hoof and tapped on the door.

To the stallion's complete and utter horror, the entire door fell off its hinges and collapsed straight backwards onto the boutique floor behind it.

For a split second, Big Macintosh was absolutely mortified and frozen in fear. He had just used his strength to break down his dream mare's front door. What a lovely thing to do on a first date.

Eeyup, now ya really did it, Big Macintosh scolded himself as peered around to see if anypony else around had witnessed his idiocy. Luckily for him, there wasn't, as the sun was beginning to set set and it was beginning to grow dark.

However, his extreme angst quickly converted to extreme perplexity as he lifted his head and gazed at the scene within the boutique.

Everything was in complete disarray. Ponequins lay scattered across the floor, as well as cloth and fabric rolls dispersed across all the furniture. It appeared as if a large group of parasprites had visited the area. However, he was even more puzzled by what appeared to be a massive hole in the ground with several large empty open chests around it.

Big Macintosh couldn't decide whether to investigate or not; Rarity may have just had a dispute with her little sister. And she dug a hole because of it.

Those thoughts immediately dissolved when he heard the most awful, blood-curdling scream coming from the next room. Forgetting his fears, Big Macintosh galloped across the room, around the hole, and attempted to open the door leading to the next room. Realizing it was locked and hearing another deafening scream, the stallion felt there was no other choice but to break this door down as well.

He barged the door in with his front hooves, stared for a few moments, and was astounded by the sight before him. There, across the room, stood three massive bluish-grey... dogs? But these dogs looked nothing like Winona. A couple were nearly as large as Big Macintosh himself. They stood on two legs, and all three wore jewel-encrusted collars and vests. They also had what appeared to be earplugs situated in their ears.

"What the—?!" screeched one of them in a high, raspy voice as all three creatures spun around to acknowledge the red stallion in the doorway. Behind the creatures lay Rarity, who was wearing a gorgeous purple and maroon dress and golden tiara adorned with jewels. It was obvious she had been preparing for the date before these... things showed up.

When Rarity witnessed Big Macintosh break the door down, she wasted no time in shrieking, “Big Mac! Help! These dreadful excuses for canines are Diamond Dogs, and they're trying to ponynap me and my gems— again!”

One of the so called "Diamond Dogs" pointed at Big Macintosh. The other two suddenly commenced in slowly ambling towards the stallion, their large "claws" raised over their heads.

"Again?" he muttered, his protective instincts beginning to overshadow the humble stallion's psyche. Big Macintosh was prepared for anything these crazy mutts might throw at him, and they weren't going to lay a claw on Rarity.

According to Plan...

The two Diamond Dogs slowly approached Big Macintosh, their paws ready to subdue the big red stallion.

Big Macintosh was quite frightened, as the stallion had never encountered any such creatures in his life. He could hardly believe these things qualified as "dogs," since they were enormous and could apparently speak, unlike Winona back home.

He peered between the creatures and observed the white mare Rarity cowering in her dress along the purple wall as the third creature neared her. He could make out the dog's lustful grin as he attempted to seize the mare with his massive grey paws. Big Macintosh watched as the dog picked Rarity up amidst her flailing hooves and hoisted her up over his head.

Rarity was now screaming quite furiously. "Put me down, you big ugly brute! Can't you see you're scratching my gown?" She then focused on her hopeful savior, and their eyes met. "Big Macintosh! Do something! I simply cannot return to that horrid filthy place!"

She continued to wail as the abhorrent Diamond Dog leader carried her towards the exit doorway. Big Macintosh, with a new sense of urgency, knew he needed to act now, or Celestia knows what the creatures would do to Rarity.

He wasn't about to let that happen.

At that very moment, as he gazed at the leader walk through the door with a frantic Rarity over his shoulder, something clicked in the stallion's mind. His fears and anxieties completely evaporated. Rarity's safety was the only thing that mattered to him now, and he focused on the task of protecting her like nothing he had wanted in his life.

The other two Diamond Dogs were nearly on top of him. Their combined mass was nearly twice that of Big Macintosh's.

He looked down at the floor and huffed in and out. These two creatures were standing between him and his mare, and that wasn't okay.

"Ah gotta do what's necessary... fer her," muttered Big Macintosh under his breath.

As the smaller Diamond Dog nearly placed his massive paws on the stallion, Big Macintosh quickly raised his head, spun around, and bucked the dog square in the chest harder than any tree he'd bucked before with his hind legs.

The creature flew straight through the air, eventually colliding with some white ponequins at the opposite end of the room.

The determined stallion didn't waste any time. Before the other dog could so much as react, Big Macintosh aimed his back legs at him as well and fired. Like his accomplice, this larger dog was catapulted with such force that he zipped across the dressing room, eventually landing in a pile of discarded multi-color fabric.

Big Macintosh didn't hesitate after defeating his enemies. He galloped towards the doorway Rarity and the leader had gone through fifteen seconds prior.

Upon reaching the exitway and peering through it, the stallion was mortified to see the dog, with Rarity still over his shoulder, standing at the threshold of the massive gaping hole he'd trotted around on the way into the boutique. They faced the opposite direction, and Rarity fiercely continued the struggling to break free, with little effect. His massive paws were simply too powerful.

Realizing it pivotal to stop the dog right then and there, Big Macintosh charged at the pony-napper.

The Diamond Dog leader was astounded when he turned and discovered the stallion had surmounted his two henchdogs, but Rarity was ecstatic to see her savior galloping towards her.

"Ah'm comin' for ya, Rarity!"

However, as Big Macintosh neared, a devious smile crept onto the dog's face.

"You're too late, pony!" sneered the Diamond Dog leader.

To Big Macintosh's utter horror, the dog placed one hind leg backwards and quickly dropped backwards into the hole. Big Macintosh listened to Rarity's desperate scream as her voice faded whilst dropping deeper into the hole.

Before the stallion even had a chance to make a decision on his next action, he quickly realized he was galloping too fast towards the aperture in the ground. Big Macintosh slid across the floor as he attempted to apply the brakes with his front hooves, but to no avail.

Big Macintosh slid head-first into the dark abyss directly behind the Diamond Dog leader and Rarity.

However, he was zooming at such a high velocity that his head immediately struck something hard along the opposite crevice wall.

A huge white flash entered the big red stallion's vision, and he felt and saw nothing but the darkest of blacks. And everything was... peaceful.

"Wheeeeeeee! Whoopeeeeee!" Sweetie Belle rejoiced as Big Macintosh tossed her up and down on his back.

"Come on, ain't it my turn now, Big Mac?" questioned Apple Bloom as the little filly tugged at one her older brother's massive hind legs.

Big Macintosh grinned. "Oh Apple Bloom, don't ya be silly. We're all family now, and Sweetie Belle deserves just as many turns as ya."

The filly didn't budge, however. She just continued to gently tug at his back right leg. He knew what she wanted.

Defeated, he lowered his hind legs. "Alright, hop on. Ah guess we can celebrate your becomin' of sisters by me tossin' the both of ya."

Big Macintosh engaged in slowly bending his hind legs, then quickly thrusting the two fillies straight into the air. He repeated the process several times.

"Girls! Big Macintosh! Time for dinner!"

Big Macintosh swung his head to the left and gazed at the source of the heavenly voice. There, fixed to the right of the magnificent setting sun amongst the mountains, stood the white and purple mare of his dreams standing by the front door.

"Come on Sweetie Belle, Ah reckon Rarity and Applejack made cookies!" squawked Apple Bloom as she and Sweetie Belle galloped with their tiny hooves towards the farmhouse.

Big Macintosh smiled and rolled his eyes, unable to help but think how adorable the two little filly sisters looked galloping side-by-side. He could get used to this.

"You too, Big Macintosh. I believe a handsome young stallion like yourself could help me find my way to the dinner table. I seem to be lost," chuckled Rarity.

"Ah reckon that'd be a fantastic idea, mah fair lady." Big Macintosh played along with the tease as he cantered over toward his mare.

As Big Macintosh approached Rarity, the mare opened her front hooves invitingly. Big Macintosh did the same, and the two ponies shared a deep and comforting hug.

"I love you," Rarity whispered into her stallion's ear.

"Ah lov—"

Out of nowhere, Rarity started to shake Big Macintosh with her hooves wildy.

"Big Macintosh, wake up!" said Rarity in a suddenly worried tone.

"What in tarnatio—"

"Wake up I say!"

Big Macintosh's head shot straight up into the air. He quickly realized he was was lying in a dirty, dark, poorly-lit stone room.

"Big Macintosh! Thank goodness you're alright!"

His head was in pain, and his mind was in a daze; thus, a few seconds passed before he apprehended the familiar sound in his mind. The stallion's head darted to the right. There was Rarity, sitting on the dusty ground, still dressed in her now ruined dress, and apparently crying.

"Miss Rarity, thank Celestia nothin's happened to ya!" Big Macintosh wrapped his front hooves around the mare in a deep hug, which Rarity returned.

"And you as well. I was greatly dreading the possibility of you not waking. You must have received a mighty blow to the head. I have been simply beside myself for the past several hours while attempting to wake you."

They broke the hug, and Big Macintosh gazed at his surroundings for the first time. Rock walls were present on all sides of him, except for a brown barred-door with a couple of small torches on either side of it.

"Miss Rarity, are we where Ah think we are?"

Rarity sighed. "We most certainly are... and this horrid, putrid place hasn't changed one bit since the last time I was here."

Suddenly, they heard footsteps. The two ponies gazed alertly at the sound and saw the three Diamond Dogs on the opposite side of the barred door. The leader dog was in front, and his two accomplices stood behind him. Both dogs had bandages on their chests where Big Macintosh had bucked them.

"Good, you're awake. Now you two ponies can find the rest of the precious gems in our great cave," sneered the leader.

Under the Cover of Crimson

“Get up ponies, you have much work to do!”

The leader of the Diamond Dogs reached into the pocket of his shirt and withdrew a ring of keys. Taking a few seconds to fidget around with the keys, the canine eventually found the right one. He proceeded to open the gate and walk inside the prison cell.

Big Macintosh, releasing a colossal puff of air with his nostrils, glared with disgust at the fiend who had abducted his precious Rarity. The stallion raised to all fours and initiated in lifting his front hooves up and down, as if to stretch for a sheep-herding run. He glanced over at Rarity, who stared back at him with a look of trepidation.

He turned back to face his enemy. The Diamond Dog stood there all alone, walking towards him in the cell. How could he be so darn foolish? Ah could charge him right now, take care of the other two, and Miss Rarity and Ah will be home free, thought Big Macintosh as he focused in on his foe.

“Come out ponies, we have some nice carts waiting outside for you to pull—Ahh!”

Without warning, Big Macintosh charged at the canine as fast as his massive hooves could carry him.

“Big Mac! Stop!” Rarity screamed. “There’s—”

“Guards!”

Out of seemingly nowhere, three massive bulldog-type dogs shot through the cell door. Their coats were composed of completely brown fur, and they each wore iron chest armor and helmets covered in spikes. They each held a spear with their massive forearms.

“Guard dogs....” Rarity mumbled.

Not a foot away from the Diamond Dog leader, Big Macintosh froze, his heart sinking into his stomach. Rarity watched in horror as the three dogs pounced on top of the stallion.

Big Macintosh headbutted one of them into the stone prison wall, but the other two were able to grab ahold of him. Despite the dogs’ considerably larger frames than the big red stallion’s, they struggled for several minutes to contain the workhorse’s bucking. Only once the headbutted guard dog regained its senses and rejoined the other two did they finally subdue their rebellious charge.

Once Big Macintosh was on the ground, the guard dogs quickly leapt into standing positions and rapidly pointed their rock spears in the stallion’s direction.

Soon after, the other two Diamond Dogs scurried in through the cell door. “Well, well, well... looks like he’s trying to protect his marefriend.” sneered the leader dog to his minions. “How pathetic!”

Though invisible due to his red coat, he blushed and glanced over at Rarity. He was surprised to see a slight tint of red on her cheeks as she gazed back at the big red stallion. Was she also... blushing?

He didn’t have much time to think about it, however, as two of the guard dogs lifted the stallion and held him firmly. The big red stallion attempted to resist once again, but the guard dogs were simply too strong. The Diamond Dog leader motioned towards the exit, and the two dogs proceeded to carry Big Macintosh out the cell door. He looked back in dismay as the third guard dog hoisted Rarity onto its back, the mare flailing wildly about, before he turned a corner and lost sight of her.

Big Macintosh’s heart sank. Here he was, this great hulking stallion, being carried away so helplessly, and there was absolutely nothing he could do to help himself, or, of much greater importance, the mare of his affection. This wasn’t how it was supposed to happen. All he needed to do was chase the dog down the hole, buck him to kingdom come, place his lady Rarity on his back, and gallop out the cave entrance like a hero.

Nope, a couple of oversized mutts were dragging him away from his mare in what had to be one of the most pathetic rescue attempts of all time.

“Ah... Ah failed her,” apprehended the stallion. Helplessness and shame was all that penetrated his mind now. They were taking him away from her, possibly for good.

After a few minutes of being extremely uncomfortably lugged through an utterly discombobulating maze of tunnels and shafts, Big Macintosh finally arrived at the entrance of a large cavity. Stalagmites rose from the ground and stalactites dropped from the ceiling everywhere, and small fragments of gems could be seen in the grey stone walls everywhere.

Finally, the dogs released Big Macintosh, simply dropping the mighty stallion onto the hard ground. Upon contact, the entire cavern shook slightly, sending many droplets of water from the stalactites to drip down onto him.

Before Big Mac could gather his thoughts, he felt something being fastened around his midsection. He turned his head and realized that he was now attached to a large cart of some sort. He gazed forward again, and there stood two of the guards, their spears pointed directly at his face.

Suddenly, he heard a voice, a whiny voice that he had been longing to hear, originating from the same place.

“Put me down, you big brute! You’re continuing to ruin my already dreadful hooficure!”

It was her. They were bringing her to the same place he was. Despite her disheveled state, and only being apart for a few minutes, when he first glimpsed the mare coming around the corner on the guard dog’s back, she was the most beautiful sight Big Macintosh had ever laid eyes on.

When Rarity noticed Big Macintosh standing dead ahead, her eyes seemed to light up with surprise as the two made eye contact. She hadn’t been expecting to see Big Macintosh so soon either.

Once Rarity entered the large open cavern, the ear-plug adorned guard dog just dropped her onto the hard, dirty ground like the others did with Big Macintosh.

“That is no way to treat a lady!” muttered the opulent mare as she rose to all fours. She turned to face the stallion.

Big Macintosh, whose instincts screamed at him to go comfort the poor mare, reluctantly could do absolutely nothing, since there was a spear pointed at him on both sides. Thus, all Big Macintosh and Rarity could do was stare into one another’s eyes, and await their fates.

A few seconds later, the three earplug-adorned Diamond Dogs entered the cavern through another entrance. The leader immediately noticed the scene in front of him. Big Macintosh and Rarity broke eye contact as he ambled into view.

"Well, well well,” the Diamond Dog leader sneered, “look at what we’ve got here.”

He walked over to Big Macintosh, whose face was one of extreme rage.

“Nopony treats Miss Rarity like that, ya hear? Y’all're gonna be sorry fer that!”

The big red stallion and the Diamond Dog leader glared at one another for a few gauche seconds before he erupted into laughter.

The dog spun around to face his two partners in crime. “Did you hear that? He thinks we’re going to be sorry!”

All three of the canines disgorged a rather obnoxious laughter, nearly falling onto the dirty ground.

“Yeah boss, he thinks he can save his marefriend from us!” bellowed the larger of the leader’s two accomplices. “What a silly pony!”

Though nopony could see it due to the stallion’s deep crimson coat, Big Mac was blushing immensely. Despite the circumstances, he couldn’t help it. Just the thought of somepony else describing the love of his life as his marefriend in the same sentence made him once again blush redder than the reddest apple in Sweet Apple Acres.

His feelings having shifted from anger to sentiment and even a little embarrassment, the stallion gazed over at the beauteous white mare in front of him. He was shocked to see she was also blushing again, and staring straight down at the ground as if she were purposely trying not to make eye contact with the stallion. Her blushing was once again quite obvious since the color of her coat was paler than a cloud.

He couldn’t help but let the thought creep into his mind. Maybe... she does have some feelin's for me. But how? We've barely even talked. All Ah’ve done is just let her down..

Once the dogs’ odious cacophony of laughter finally subsided, the leader and his accomplices trotted directly between the two ponies, then stopped.

“You two are going to find us all the precious gems in this entire cave," the leader stared at Rarity and then pointed at his earplugs,"and your whining won't work this time pony!"

The leader sauntered over to Rarity, patting the defenseless unicorn on the head. “You already know the drill, don’t you?
You’re going to use your fancy magic to find them—” the canine leader spun around to face Big Mac, “—and you’re going to dig them for us!”

The dogs all began to voraciously laugh again as they proceeded to saunter over towards the center of the cavern, the leader motioning for the guards to follow.

The guard dogs pointed their spears at Rarity and Big Macintosh, obviously indicating they wished for the ponies to follow.

As Big Macintosh walked further towards the center of the cavern, he happened to gaze up and noticed a gem chandelier lighting the room above and in front of the stallion.

An idea suddenly popped into his mind. Maybe a way to get out.

All Ah need is...

He glanced over at Rarity, who was also being followed by two guard dogs with spears. His heart sank. Their chance was coming up, but he couldn’t just tell his plan to her.

He needed to think of something, and fast.

However, it was to no avail. An overwhelming sense of futility overcame the stallion as without incident, he and the mare were led at spear-point out of the chamber and into another tunnel.

For Whom the Belle Tolls

Strolling out the front door of Sugarcube Corner, Spike tossed his new prized possession up and down in his claws. Conceived as another rather unconventional pastry treat by Mr. and Mrs. Cake, the “Azurite Delight” as they called it consisted of a typical pie’s ingredients, with the exception of azurite gem sprinkles mixed in with blueberries as the filling. Naturally, the cakes wanted Spike to taste test such an eccentric and rather lapidarian new product. Pinkie Pie was also quick to remind Spike that she helped in the process of baking it.

Twilight had given Spike the rest of the evening off, something normally consisting of many tedious chores. Almost instinctively, Spike walked in the direction of where else? Carousel Boutique of course, in order to discern what he might be able to do for the mare of his affections. The dragon whistled a little tune to himself, contemplating the delectations the evening had to offer. The warm twilight of the sunset seemed full of potential and possibilities.

Impressed with himself, Spike grinned as he tossed his pie up and down. Just wait until Rarity sees this baby! The filling totally matches her eyes! The dragon knew ponies didn’t care for eating gemstones, but it was the thought that counted nonetheless in his mind. Spike would do almost anything in attempt to win over the unicorn fashionista’s heart, including giving up precious gemstones.

He had done it before, and by now Spike and Rarity shared a long history. A relationship that included Spike graciously presenting her with his prized fire ruby, an act that eventually saved the overgrown greedy dragon after destroying much of Ponyville. His affinities for the mare went as far as helping her win the heart of another rather Swanky stallion at the last Ponyville Days festival. He even helped Rarity after she went a bit cooky with the power of a dark magic spellbook he found, before eventually absolving her of it.

Rarity, however, had never done much to return any feelings. Sure Spike received a kiss from her every once in awhile for a good deed, but nothing much more than that. The unicorn almost always referred to Spike as a “good” and “supportive” friend, but Spike was tired of being designated to basically the ‘friend-zone’. Twilight had mentioned to the dragon several times of their age difference, but it didn’t register. He was determined.

As Spike strolled down a busy ponyville street, daydreaming about his elegant fashionista, he failed to notice the lilac-maned filly walking in front of him in a perpendicular manner. To his complete horror, the collision resulted in his pie being launched into the air in an unknown trajectory. Falling backwards, the dragon quickly rebounded his head and gazed around for his esteemed pastry. To his relief, he quickly found and observed it land unharmed on top of, coincidentally, a blue sofa outside of the Quills and Sofas store.

Rising to his feet, he quickly realized his other blunder. There in front of him lay Sweetie Belle, with googly eyes rubbing her side with a hoof.

Big Macintosh bucked the metal iron-barred door again and again, but to no avail. Not even the strongest stallion in Ponyville could move the ironclad door an inch. The Diamond Dogs had made several improvements and upgrades to their lair since the last time Rarity was imprisoned, including obtaining magically sealed bolts for all their doors begrudgingly in exchange for some jewels. There was no way out from the inside.

The stallion shook his head. “Ah’m awful sorry Rarity, Ah gave it all I got. It simply won’t budge a bit,” he lowered his head in shame, “some stallion Ah am…”

When he gazed up again, Big Macintosh was bewildered to notice a slight grin on the mare’s face. Like the big red stallion, Rarity was covered from head to tail with dust and dirt. Earlier the two had been led to another large chamber, where they were forced at the bulldog guards’ spear points to find and dig up gems for several hours. Rarity tried to whine and complain her way out like last time, but the guards’ earplugs portended she wasn’t so fortunate this time.

“Oh, it’s alright Big Mac, it’ll be okay. Before long somepony will notice our absence and come looking for us—” she paused before sadly gazing down at her ruined purple and maroon layered formal attire and letting out a discontented sigh,“—even if this has put a bit of a damper on our plans for the night.”

A bit of a damper.

Big Macintosh fixated on those words. A bit of a damper, that’s all she thinks this is?

The stallion spun around and sat down on the dirty soot-covered ground; he simply gazed at the iron gate in front of him. Right through those bars was his salvation, a chance at a way out and save the mare of his dreams. He could see the other side, smell it, almost touch it, and yet it was agonizingly out of reach.

Tonight was m’ah chance t’ really woo her, go to a nice restaurant, take a stroll in the park, give her a nice time. Who knows what could’a happened. But just m’ah luck. Now all Ah I look like’s a big baffoon who can’t rescue nopony. This ain’t what was suppose’ to happen.

His eyes still fixated outside the door, Big Macintosh laid down on the musty floor; his thoughts only consisting of the wallowing associated with the night’s failure. In it he failed to notice the unicorn slowly approach him from behind.

Spike gasped in shock at the sight in front of him. “Oh my gosh, Sweetie Belle! I’m so so sorry! I didn’t see you there.”

The dragon offered his claw to the filly, laying haphazardly on the ground. After a couple moments, Sweetie Belle regained her composure, smiled, and gladly accepted Spike’s helping hand. Unbeknownst to the dragon, a slight blush materialized on the filly’s cheeks.

“Oh that’s okay Spike, no harm done I think,” with Spike’s help she rose to her hooves, “what was that thing you were carrying though? And where did it go?”

Spike smiled sheepishly and diverted his eyes from Sweetie Belle to the blue sofa to his left where his pie sat a few feet away, only happy to divert attention away from his recent gaffe. Miraculously it had landed completely intact right side up on the couch after being launched through the air like a Wonderbolt being shot out of a cannon. “Oh that…,” the dragon scampered over to his prize and promptly picked up it, “this is the newest amazing treat from Sugarcube Corner, Mr. and Mrs. Cake call it an Azurite Delight pie! It has pieces of Azurite gems and blueberry filling in it."

Rubbing her head with a hoof, Sweetie Belle trotted over to gaze at the exalted pie.

“Oh wow Spike, I’m sure you’ll find that delicious. That’s so nice of the Cakes to give you something like that.”

Spike grinned. “I know. Today I’m a lucky dragon. Twilight also gave me the rest of the evening off. I was just on my way to see if your sister Rarity had anything for me to do.”

Sweetie Belle’s heart sank a little at this. Spike obviously wasn’t aware of the plans Rarity had that night.

“Oh, uh, I’m sorry Spike, but my sister actually has plans tonight…”

The dragon’s smile vanished. “She does?”

Sweetie Belle looked down. “Uh… yeah. She’s kinda… going on a date with Big Macintosh.”

Spike nearly dropped the pie in sheer disappointment. His night off was now basically ruined, and the mare of his affection now obviously interested in somepony else. Again.

“Oh… well, I guess I’ll head back home to Twilight then. Thanks for letting me know Sweetie Belle. Sorry again for bumping into you.”

The dragon spun around and started in the opposite direction.

After a few moments, the filly called out,“Wait!”

Spike flipped around again.

“I was on my way to see if Apple Bloom and Scootaloo had some crusading plans tonight, but maybe… we could hang out instead. You shouldn’t have to go back home.”

The darkness of the fading twilight light concealed the intense blush on Sweetie Belle’s cheeks.

Spike didn’t know what to say. Sure he knew and was acquainted with Sweetie Belle, but they had never hung out together alone. Feeling somewhat of an obligation to the filly after what happened earlier, Spike made up his mind.

“Uh, alright, what do you wanna do? It’s almost dark so not much to do outside.”

Sweetie Belle smiled in delight. For a while now she had wanted to spend a little time with the young dragon one-on-one… especially after seeing her own sister make plans for a date.

“We could still go back to Carousel Boutique, there’s always some fun stuff to do there.”

Spike ambled back over to Sweetie Belle, the pie carefully remaining in his claws. “Sounds good to me”.

The two young subjects strolled through the town, chit-chatting about mostly ordinary and mundane topics such as school, the latest Cutie Mark Crusader endeavors, and Twilight’s studies. Sweetie conveniently avoided the topic surrounding the events of Applejack’s stetson hat, however.

By now the sunlight mostly had disappeared, and the lights of windows illuminated the streets. The two could see the silhouettes of other ponies going about their daily business, whether it be preparing dinner, socializing with other ponies, or simply relaxing and enjoying the very pleasant evening. However as a spring evening, a slight chill made itself known in the air. Thus, Spike and Sweetie Belle picked up the pace a little in order to reach the now seemingly very cozy boutique. Located in a somewhat isolated location at the edge of town, the elegant building was almost in sight. They could not ever have been prepared for what lay ahead.

Sweetie Belle rounded a corner and stopped abruptly, a confused look surfacing on her face. Spike stopped too, perplexed at the filly’s sudden halt.

“What’s wrong, Sweetie Belle?”

Sweetie’s eyes were still glued in front of her. She didn’t mutter a word as Spike rotated his head in the direction the filly was staring. He was shocked to see Carousel Boutique with the door frame wide open, and the front door clearly lying on the ground behind it. The lights of the boutique were on, but from afar they could not see anypony inside.

Without saying a word, the two raced the one-hundred feet or so toward the front, and entered through the broken door frame. The sight inside was even more distressing. Everything was in complete disarray, as if a tornado had formed inside the building. However, the most confusing matter involved the large breach in the floor in the center of the room. Only about a foot deep with a circumference of maybe ten feet at most, the bottom consisted of mulchy wet dirt that seemed recently moved. An even weirder site consisted of the empty open chests surrounding the hole.

“Rarity? Rarity? Big Macintosh?”

There were no answers to the filly’s calls. Only a deafening silence.

Spike walked out and stepped onto the dirt within the depression, the pie still in his clutches. “What happened here? It looks like Discord went through this place.”

Sweetie Belle cantered to the side of the hole. She carried a worried face. “I don’t know, but we should probably go get help. Or at least try to find Rarity and Big Macintosh.”

“Maybe… Rarity and Big Macintosh tried to go digging for buried treasure or something as part of their date,” pondered Spike.

Sweetie Belle gazed around at the chests. “I don’t think so, these are Rarity’s jewel chests. It definitely didn’t seem like she needed anymore earlier today, these were all full of jewels,” The filly stepped towards Spike in the hole, “and besides, Rarity hates getting DIRT…”

The exact moment Sweetie Belle’s front hoof made contact with the dirty bottom of the depression, a loud “whoosh” sound startled the two, instantly followed by the ground giving way. Sweetie Belle and Spike screamed as they tumbled into the dark abyss below.

Author's Note

I know... this is wayyyyyy overdue. I'm sorry everyone for the super long hiatus. I feel this story has a lot of potential so I really would like to finish it as the first thing I do in my return to writing.

Cavernous Melancholy

Tiny water droplets fell from the large, pointy stalactites clinging to the ceiling of the hallway outside Big Macintosh’s dark cell, and their sound filled his ears as he sat on the cell’s dirt-laden floor. A single torch dimly glowed outside of the metal-barred door of the cell across the hallway. Although it was impossible to tell for sure, it seemed to be late at night, as evidenced by Rarity, who lay a few feet away, snoozing on the remains of her now tattered dress.

How could Ah let this happen?

For some time now, those were the only words circulating through the big red stallion’s mind.

All his efforts at saving the mare of his dreams and himself had failed. Even the force of the strong stallion’s kicks were incapable of moving the magically locked cell door. They were now completely at the mercy of the Diamond Dogs, and Big Macintosh knew it. One after another, crushing waves of defeat filled the stallion’s soul as he stared at the burning torch across the hall. A sniffle almost escaped his nose, but he suppressed it. He couldn’t do that, not in front of Rarity.

At this point Big Mac didn’t even care much about his own welfare. Rarity was his only concern now. Perhaps he could sacrifice himself for her freedom.

Maybe the dogs can be reasonable…

The stallion sat there tirelessly for perhaps hours, pondering possible negotiation strategies to bargain with the dogs for Rarity’s freedom. He couldn’t sleep, not at a time like this. Eventually, however, even his vigilance began to falter as his eyes grew heavier and he started to doze off…

Abruptly, a very audible crashing sound reverberated through the hallway and into the cell, rudely tremoring both the stallion and the mare wide awake.

They looked at one another briefly before alternating their gaze towards the cell door. The sounds of footsteps could be heard, immediately followed by the three Diamond Dogs. Two bulldog guards wielding spears were also present, one on each side. Naturally, they were all wearing their special earplugs to protect themselves from Rarity’s incredibly vexatious whining.

The posse rather lazily approached the cell door, each sporting a pompous grin on their face.

The medium-sized ringleader Diamond Dog spoke first in his distinctly screechy voice.

“Good morning, ponies. I hope your sleeping arrangements were comfortable.” The three dogs looked at each other and snickered. “We have plenty of fun activities for you to do today, starting with you digging us a new connecting chamber.”

Big Macintosh gulped before looking to Rarity, whose expression was simply blank.

Sweetie Belle’s eyes twitched slowly. The sounds of water droplets hitting the ground, not too dissimilar from the sounds of a leaky faucet, could be heard all around.

The unicorn blinked a few times, raising her head as she gradually came to. She gazed around through her now bedraggled dirt-laden mane in a daze, not really sure where she was or what had happened. She was now in a dimly lit, dome-shaped cavern, the only light emanating from a small hole high up on the jagged ceiling. There were also several dark oval-shaped crevices all around that exited the cavern.

Then her gaze arrived at a motionless baby dragon lying a couple feet away to her left. Almost instantly memories of what had happened flooded into the filly’s mind.

Stumbling into her sister’s home, the distress at the sight inside. The large hole in the middle of the floor. Falling. Spike…

Sweetie Belle attempted to rise to her hooves;, however, the filly squeaked as a sharp pain shot up from her left hind hoof. She collapsed back onto the dirt ground, wincing in pain and breathing heavily.

After a few moments of weathering the intense pain, it finally subsided. But the filly realized, with a sense of dread, there was something very wrong with her back hoof.

Sweetie Belle reached out with her front left hoof, wincing again as she attempted to not move her injured back hoof. Just barely being able to reach, the filly prodded his back.

“S-Spike?”

No response. A chill ran down the back of Sweetie’s spine.

She prodded him again, this time a little harder. “Spike?!”

Spike abruptly squirmed and jumped to his feet, causing the filly to jump in surprise. He peered up at the cave walls, a look of confusion present on his face. “What? What just happened? Where am I? Where’s Rarity?”

Sweetie Belle breathed a small sigh of relief as the dragon spun around and noticed her lying next to him.

The drake stepped towards her with a shocked expression.

“Sweetie Belle! Are you alright?”

The unicorn, despite her pain, attempted to crack a smile. “I-I don’t know, Spike. I-I think there might be something wrong with my back hoof,” Sweetie cringed again as she turned her head to gaze at her injured appendage, ” I can’t move it without a lot of pain. I don’t think I can even walk right now...”

Spike placed his claws on his cheeks as his own memories flooded back. “Oh no! You’re hurt?” The drake looked up at the ceiling, a few rays of light originating from a hole in the ceiling. “We must have fallen a pretty long way down here. Wherever here is.”

Sweetie Belle nodded, trying her best to keep her composure.

“Yeah… it’s good you don’t seem to be hurt, too. But why in Celestia’s name was there a hole in the middle of the boutique?”

Spike checked his own legs with a claw, making sure he had suffered no major injuries himself. “I really don’t know. That was very weird…”

A few moments of silence passed; the two stared at one another as the gravity of their new current situation began to sink in.

“What do we do now?” Spike inquired as he gazed around the potential exits to the cavern in the dim light. .

“I-I don’t know,” Sweetie Belle murmured with a worried tone, “who knows how long it will be before somepony else might come by my sister’s boutique. It was getting dark when we went inside.”

Spike sat down in front of Sweetie Belle. “Well, who knows. Maybe your sister and Big Macintosh are down here, too, and can help us. I just hope they’re not also in trouble.”

Once again, the thought of Rarity on a date with somepony else irked the drake’s mind. But now was not the time for that. He and an injured Sweetie Belle were now seemingly trapped alone in a dark, cavernous labyrinth with no means of escape.

Some evening off this turned out to be! At least I’m not alone though… Spike thought as he turned his attention back towards the filly and grinned slightly.

“Yeah, let’s hope not. Whatever happens, though, we’ll stick together. Even if you can’t walk on that hoof, I’ll figure out a way for you to move. It’ll be okay; we’ll get out of here, I’m sure.”

Despite the sudden burst of confidence, deep down, Spike remained quite unsure of their situation. Sweetie Belle, on the other hoof, despite the pain and potential major trouble she was in, could not help but blush a little at the drake’s bold statement.

Big Macintosh and Rarity approached a large rock wall that composed one side of what Rarity remembered was the cave’s large main chamber. In the chamber were several carts for hauling jewels. Several barred exit doors and lit torches dotted the walls. Like in a couple other caverns they had passed through, a large chandelier adorned with several jews hung from the ceiling. Several small openings and crevices dotted the walls, and several columns of rock stretched from the ground to the ceiling. Disregarding these aspects, the cavern was basically featureless like the rest of the caves.

They were led at spearpoint by the two guard dogs, who were, in turn, followed by the three sneering Diamond Dogs. They stopped in front of the wall, where the two ponies were instructed to turn around and face their captors.

The ringleader dog stepped forward, a smirk on his face. “Here is your first task of the day, ponies.” He pointed at the wall. “We are tired of walking around through other tunnels to get here. We want a new tunnel leading straight to our bedrooms!”

The dog then pointed to a couple of pickaxes leaning against the wall to the right.

“You ponies will dig it for us!” The dog glared at Rarity. “And this time, you can’t stop us!”

The three dogs shared a rather maniacal laugh in unison, whilst Rarity and Big Macintosh made eye contact. They continued to stare at one another with hopeless expressions as the two guard dogs directed them with spears towards the pickaxes.

“Ah’m sorry, Miss Rarity,” the big red stallion mumbled as he reached down and grabbed one of the pickaxes with his mouth.

“It’s not your fault,” Rarity countered as she picked up her own.

That was true. It wasn’t his fault that Rarity had been kidnapped. And yet, Big Macintosh couldn’t help but feel responsible for everything that had happened. He, furthermore, had failed to rescue the mare of his dreams, and now the two might be doomed to a lifetime of servitude in this awful place. The stallion could not sink any lower.

Silently the two ponies slowly ambled to the wall, the stallion on the left and the mare on the right, and began to chip away at the wall. Big Macintosh attempted to relieve Rarity’s work as best he could by hitting the wall with all his strength. After a few minutes of snickering as they watched, the three Diamond Dogs left the cavern through one of the barred doors, leaving the ponies behind with just the guard dogs.

After about an hour of digging, having reached a couple feet deep into the wall, the stallion gazed to his left and quickly noticed something peculiar about one of the nearby columns. It seemed rather skinny, almost as if it might break with a good tap. The makings of an idea formed in Big Mac’s head as he continued to dig…

Author's Note

Sorry again for the long wait to those of you who still may remember this story. As I truly wish to finish this before starting anything else new that is multi-chapter, this will be updated much more frequently now. I probably have about 3-4 more chapters planned for this fic.

Also, special thanks to my new proofreader TheDizzyDan for now helping me with this resurrected story.

Absolution

Spike ambled down one of the caverns, barely able to gauge his steps in the extremely dim light. The drake could barely make out his claw as he brought it to his face, for the only light available emanated from a few tiny cracks in the ceiling.

Having fallen from the boutique onto the hard subterrain and knowing poor Sweetie Belle was injured, Spike was now on a mission. Sweetie Belle’s back hoof had been rendered useless by the fall, and the filly could not walk. It was up to him to get her out now.

They had tried everything they could to avoid being separated. Spike had tried carrying Sweetie Belle on his back, wrapping his arm around her to give her stability, even slowly dragging her. Each attempt was in vain, for the pain was simply too great for Sweetie Belle to bear.

Despite their situation and the pain, both could not refrain from blushing occasionally from all the physical contact.

However, to the trepidation of both, they ultimately decided it would be best for Spike to seek help on his own. It went against Spike’s instincts as a friend and now caretaker to leave Sweetie Belle behind all alone and defenseless, but it seemed like their best bid for escape.

The drake promised he would return with help. As they parted, a feeling of intense dread overcame the filly as Spike headed down the cavern with the most light. Being hurt and all alone in a place like this was not exactly Sweetie Belle’s or most ponies’ idea of a good time.

The dragon drew a line in the musty dirt with his tail as he walked so that he could retrace his steps.

Several minutes had passed since their separation, and Spike was now plainly lost in the dark, maze-like cave system. He wandered aimlessly in the extreme dimness, searching for any sign of an exit or other friendly ponies or creatures. He used his fire breath to create small bursts of illumination, but the transient flames were of little help. After a short while, his throat became too sore sustain them.

“Youch!” Spike uttered as he walked face-first into a stalactite, falling backwards before returning to his feet and rubbing his head. “Gotta be more careful.”

This occurred several more times, however, as the dragon continued to wander. His thoughts would sometimes turn to darker places.

What if I never find my way out? What will happen to Sweetie Belle? I have to get her out. I promised her I would!

A strange and unexpected feeling crept over Spike as he continued to think about the filly, a sensation he had only felt regarding one other stylish mare related to her he kind of had a thing for, who to his knowledge might also be in trouble, yet he couldn’t quite place a finger on it. There were too many other issues at hand to contemplate. For the moment, Spike simply needed to keep pushing on.

Spike ambled up a small rocky incline and then rounded a corner, and to his pleasant surprise, at the end of an elongated tunnel shone a bright light. The exact origin of the light was still nebulous to the drake at his current distance, but strong feelings of relief quickly overtook him.

“Please, please, please be the exit,” Spike mumbled.

His pace quickened as he trudged on towards the light.

Big Macintosh hammered away at the rock wall, slowly chipping away at the firm surface. A few hoof lengths away, Rarity mimicked the stallion’s actions; however, the mare’s diminutive strikes hardly dented the wall in comparison. The big red stallion, feeling penitent and completely responsible for her, was just fine with this.

It had been a couple hours since they had begun, and the two ponies had only excavated about five feet of the solid rock. Even with the stallion’s ferocious thrusts, the old, shoddy pickaxes did little to break apart the wall in front of them. They were still accompanied by the two guard dogs, who stood idly as the ponies labored on.

In the back of Big Macintosh’s mind, the formations of an idea were beginning to take shape.

As he worked, the stallion would periodically steal a glance to his left towards a large rock column nearby, which stood tall next to the guard dogs. The column stood wide near the roof of the cave;, however, closer to the ground it thinned out before widening again somewhat just above the ground.

Just one buck...

One of the dogs noticed one of the big red stallions’ deviations from his work, rising up and pointing his spear at the wall with a rather irritated expression. Big Macintosh quickly turned his head with pickaxe in mouth back towards the wall and hit it again with tremendous force and continued to do so. Rarity turned her head and gawked a worried expression, but feelings of confidence suddenly filled the stallion as he struck the wall.

Now is m’ah chance to save her. Ah just need a way to get behind it…

Suddenly, a thought struck the stallion. Perhaps it was a long shot, but it was worth a try. Rarity was a bit confused to have her expression returned with a wink

He spun and around, dropping the pickaxe onto the sooty ground. Rarity halted the digging but did not move.

“Excuse me, uh, Mr. Dogs, but Ah find myself in desperate need of relieving m’ahself at the moment,” the stallion briefly gazed toward the column before returning eye contact with guards, “Ah can’t work as effectively otherwise.”

The guard dogs, initially pointing their spears at the stallion, gazed at one another and then the column momentarily and muttered a few words in indecipherable canine before returning their attention to him. The guard dog on the right eventually nodded, and just as Big Macintosh had hoped, pointed his spear at the column to their right. It was clear they wished for the stallion to do his business out of sight behind it.

So far, so good.

Big Macintosh glanced over at a now clearly bewildered Rarity, before slowly trotting over to the left and out of sight behind the column. The stallion quickly positioned himself, with his powerful hind legs facing the middle of the column. Without hesitation, he raised his hind quarters and swiftly delivered a massive buck at the skinniest section of the column with all his might in the direction of the guards.

The column emitted a massive cracking sound;, however, the results were not what the stallion had hoped for.

Only a large crack had formed where the impact occurred, and the stallion’s heart sank as the two guard dogs abruptly jumped around the column with spears pointed directly at his head. Their anger was as they quickly came to realize the stallion’s true intentions. They inched closer to Big Macintosh, the big red stallion now powerless to defend himself.

He gulped. This is it. Now Ah’ve completely failed her and myself.

Big Macintosh closed his eyes.

Woosh! Clank!

He opened one eye, suddenly flabbergasted to peer at the two motionless dogs on the ground in front of him, knocked out cold. A large gem-sized rock lay on the side of each dog’s head.

The stallion was even in greater shock to notice Rarity to his left walking his way, a smile apparent on the mare’s face as she ceased her magic.

Rarity winked at him. “I had a feeling you were up to something.”

After a few moments of silence, Big Macintosh could not help but grin back in relief. “Well, it didn’t exactly go as Ah had hoped.”

He gazed down at the knocked-out guard dogs lying in front of him. “Thank ya kindly, it’s a good thing y’all are a smart unicorn.”

Both ponies blushed slightly, before Rarity approached the stallion and wrapped her front hooves around him in an embrace. “You had the wit and bravery to actually try something to help us in this seemingly impossible situation. I think you deserve more thanks, Big Mac.”

The ponies’ blushes’ deepened as Big Macintosh wrapped his own hooves around the pony of his dreams.

Their embrace was short-lived, however, as a deep rumbling sound became audible. The crack in the column spread rapidly, reaching up to the ceiling before the whole structure collapsed to the side.

The two ponies’ expressions changed back to shock and worry as they realized that the entire room they stood in might be on the brink of collapse. Without another word, the two galloped towards one of the exit tunnels, dodging several boulders as the cavern collapsed around them. In desperation they leaped over one last fallen boulder and into a tunnel as the area collapsed behind them, sealing them inside.

Spike approached the light at the end of the tunnel, making sure to continue dragging his tail along the ground. Feelings of hope filled the dragon as he trudged towards the light.

He rounded a corner, and there in front of him was the source of the light.

It was not the sun, but was instead a small room featuring a small torch-chandelier hanging from the ceiling in the center. Along the left wall of the cavern were three thatched beds, each a few hoof lengths apart. Across from him was an exit to another tunnel. Along the right wall…

Spike’s jaw nearly dropped to the floor, his tongue hanging out.

There lay three ginormous piles of some of the largest and shiniest gems the dragon had ever lay eyes on. Sapphires, emeralds, rubies…his belly rumbled, and desire suddenly supplanted the feelings of hope as some invisible force seemed to push Spike in the delectable gems’ direction.

Spike approached the closest pile of gems and licked his lips as he picked up a large and incredibly shiny emerald, but something in the corner of his eyes halted him from taking his first bite. There to his right sat a small black pull cart with four wheels, presumably for hauling these gems.

A light bulb seemed to go off in Spike’s head as he returned to rational thought. He couldn’t believe his luck.

I’m sure Sweetie Belle could fit in that… and a few gems.

Unexpectedly, Spike heard a deep rumble followed by the chandelier and everything else in the cavern beginning to shake with increasing violence.

The dragon had no idea what was going on, but fearing the worst with regards to Sweetie Belle, he dropped the gem and dashed over to grab the pull cart. He then sprinted out the way he came in, summoning more fire breath in order to see the line in the dirt despite the intense pain it caused his throat. He traversed the dark and now seemingly unstable tunnels and caverns with surprising efficiency. He needed to get back to the filly helpless and alone.

He had to save her.

Author's Note

Oh look another update, this time within a relatively reasonable amount time. I should try that more often XD. I have one more longer chapter planned as probably the finale of this short story. As the first story I ever uploaded to this site, it's nice knowing I'll finally be able to finish it.

Thanks for reading!