"Ah won't allow it! He can't leave the farm!" Shouted Applejack, her fur bristling as she leaned over my desk, Hands balled into fists and teeth clenched, fury in her eyes.

"It was his choice to join. It's not like I coerced him or anything. He showed up at my office and signed on, just like the others. He knows the risks." I replied calmly, holding back my temper. Big Mac had joined the ponyville guard, and she'd just found out. It reminded me of myself when I first got dragged into this crazy world with Jake...

"Let him outta that damn contract!" she said, Slamming her fists against my desk, cracking the wood. I stood up and got in her face, my cold blue eyes burning into her green ones.

"Do you even understand why he signed up? Do you understand how the Fuck it feels to watch your younger sibling run off on dangerous adventures, waiting with baited breath for news any GODDAMN NEWS ABOUT THEM? I FUCKING DO! THAT"S EXACTLY WHAT MAC FEELS WHEN HE WATCHES YOU RUN OFF WITH THE ELEMENTS!" I shouted, causing Applejack to flinch.

"B-But...I-" she started, trying to find her footing in the corner I'd metaphorically backed her into, anger fighting realization in her eyes as I kept up my hardened glare.

"No buts. You feel useless when you can't protect, or even help the ones you love. That's why I became a knight, and that's why mac joined the royal guards. War isn't pretty. It's fucking bloody and ugly, and damn if I don't just wish this would never have happened on your world. I told Macintosh that. He joined up anyway, Just so he could fight too. Just so he could protect YOU this time. I can't promise he won't be hurt, or killed, But I will go to hell and back to make sure everyone comes home. Even if it costs me whatever you would call my state of existence." I said, Still staring into Applejack's Emerald eyes. It would've been easy to get lost in them, but I steeled myself. There would be time to pursue possible relationships after i'm human again....If I survive that long....

Applejack just sat there numbly, tears starting to streak down her cheeks as she silently wept, her body shaking with held back sobs.

"....I'll send For mac...You two need to talk some. Take your time. ." I said, before leaving my office with a heavy sigh. I called sgt trotsky and had him collect Big Mac from the recruit barracks and bring him to Applejack as I retreated to my chambers, tired, and feeling a bit of nostalgia and loneliness....

Author's Note

Just a short bonus for y'all since you've been waiting so long