When A Good Apple Turns Sour
Today was like any other day at Sweet Apple Acres, Big Mcintosh Apple, or Big Mac to his friends and family woke up just before sunrise, showered, brushed his teeth then headed out to the field to get some plowing in before breakfast. AppleJack was the next of the Apple Family to wake up, she started her day of on the same start as her older brother Big Mac did, except she spent a little bit more time on her hair, though she would never admit it. However instead of heading to the field, AppleJack headed for the kitchen and began to distribute the chores for the day before she began working on breakfast. The next Apple to wake up was Apple Bloom, who would always get up to the smell of her sister Applejack's cooking. However she would always skip the morning routine and race down to the kitchen, only to be scolded by AppleJack and sent back up to go wash up, after she was washed up however she would be denied her breakfast again, as it was her job to wake up the eldest of the Apple family, Granny Smith. Apple Bloom would always groan about this task, but she would always comply and wake her up. Now waking up Granny Smith was always a challenge, but out of all the Apples on Sweet Apple Acres, Apple Bloom would always have the best luck at it. After Granny Smith would wake up, she would wash up and slowly make her way down the flight of stairs, usually with Apple Bloom's help, much to Granny Smith's dismay.
Once all the Apples at Sweet Apple Acres were woken up, AppleJack would always call her brother in for breakfast, by now he would have at least a quarter of the field done as he heads back into the Apple Family House, making sure to stop by the barn house and wipe off what sweat he had before coming into the kitchen to sit and enjoy some of Apple Jacks Famous, Apple Spiced Pancakes. The Apple Family would always eat breakfast together like this, and once they were all done, The three siblings would help do the dishes. AppleJack would always wash the dishes, Big Mac would dry them, while Apple Bloom would put them away. After the dishes were all done, AppleJack would hand out the chore list for Big Mac and Apple Bloom, Granny Smith however never received a list and would stay in the house, doing light cleaning and making her World Famous Apple style treats for her grandchildren to sell in the market later. Apple Bloom's list was split, half for her to do before school, and half to do after. Big Mac would usually always get the longest list, or more importantly, the hardest of the task, like plowing all the fields, or helping his sister buck the apple trees. Today however, Big Mac had an addition to his list, Take Apple Bloom to School, now usually, Apple Jack would take her to school, however, recently AppleJack has been trying to lighten the load on her older brother.
Doing the chores before school didn't take Apple Bloom long as she was accustomed to it, Feed the Chickens, Pour the slop for the Piggies, and help Granny Smith with whatever she needed to be done. After which Apple Bloom would run out to the field Big Mac was plowing and he would always stop no matter what, even when he had only a few rows left to take Apple Bloom to School. The walk into Ponyville was always pleasant for Big Mac. The fresh Dew on the Grass, the smell of sweets as they are prepared for the morning, it all felt so natural to Big Mac. On their walk to school, Big Mac took notice of other young fillies and colts. Big Mac saw Dinky with her mother Ditzy, most ponies called her Derpy, but Big mac made a habit to never call her that, not only was she a single mom, but she worked hard to, along with her, came the other single mom in Ponyville Berry Punch, with her daughter Berry Pinch, now Berry Punch, may be called the town drunk by some, she does an amazing job at raising her daughter. Big Mac then took notice of other ponies as they took their children to school. Big Mac made it there in Record time to see his old friend and Apple Blooms teacher Ms.Cheerilee. After he had dropped off Apple Bloom, he talked with Ms.Cheerilee for a moment, much to Apple Bloom's embarrassment.
After his discussion with Ms.Cheerilee, Big Mac made his way back to Sweet Apple Acres and would always go straight back to work plowing the fields, AppleJack would occasionally be able to convince him to take a break and enjoy the shade, but after about five minutes, he would be back to plowing the field, after the North field was completely done, Mac would move to the East and once that was done he would move onto the next field and so on until they were all plowed. Big Mac had managed to complete the North, East, and half of the South Field before Granny Smith rang the lunch bell, signaling the two Apple children to head back to the house and enjoy lunch before they headed to the market to open the Apple Family Stand. Big Mac and AppleJack entered the house around the same time, both heading to the bathroom sink, having a little sibling fun as they battled it out on who would wash their face first. Afterwords they both headed into the kitchen for their lunch, which consisted of some bright red apples, an apple pie, and some sandwiches. They both finished their meal quickly and left to go load the cart with all the merchandise they were hoping to sell that day.
After the cart was loaded Big Mac would begin to pull it, with a little help from AJ who wouldn't let him do it alone while she just watched. After a long trek into town, they wound the main square and could already see other vendors already setting up, Big mac wasted no time in assembling their stand, after which he would unload the cart, while Apple Jack would arrange them on the stand, after they were all set up they would wait there, ready for the lunch rush, and at exactly noon, it hit. The street became bustled with many ponies of all shape and size as they each visited the vendor of their choice, however since Big Mac was here, most of their business would come from the mares of the crowd, all wanting a chance to talk with him, as well as casually flirt with him, some more abrasive then others. After the lunch rush was over, or the Apple Family was sold out, they would head back to finish up what chores they had left, Big Mac would take the cart home, while AppleJack would go and with for Apple Bloom as she did some light shopping, because the Apple Family does eat other food items then Apples, although most ponies assume that's all they ate.
Big Mac would always be finishing up his plowing as his sisters would come into view over the horizon. Big Mac would always greet them with a wave as he headed to start bucking trees, Apple Bloom and AJ would always meet up with him to help buck trees as well, except for Apple Bloom who would help sort the apples out of the basket, they were a team together like that, instead of the three musketeers, they were the three Apples. As the day grew on, most the trees were bucked and the apples sorted, until they heard the dinner bell, the three siblings all headed over there at their own pace, with Apple Bloom being the fastest, followed by AppleJack who would jog there, while Big Mac picked up the rear, choosing to walk to the house. After they were all cleaned up, they all sat together to marvel before their dinner,however before they could eat, they all joined hands to thank Celestia for a bountiful harvest, however in the middle of their prayer, there was a knock at the door.
Big Mac, being closest to the door stood up and went to answer it, however instead of anypony they new, stood two royal guards in full armor,
"Yes, is this Sweet Apple Acres, home of the Apple Family," one of the guards asked, while the other gripped his gun. Big mac looked back at his family then back to the two guards.
"Eeyup," was all Big Mac could say as the other guard stepped forward.
"And does a Mister Mcintosh Apple live here," the same guard asked. Big Mac, now confused more then ever simply nodded.
"And may we assume that you are Mcintosh Apple," the other guard spoke up as he eyed Big Mac now.
The guard then un-fastened his gun as he took hold of it.
"Mister Mcintosh Apple, You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney present during questioning. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you. Do you understand these rights?" the guard spoke calmly as he stepped into the house and fastened large handcuffs onto Big mac. Big Mac could only freeze as the world seemed to go by fast as he was led out of the house, all he could hear now were the cries of his sisters as the other guard held them back.
When A Good Apple Turns Sour
Big Mac looked down at his hands only to see them cuffed together, he moved his hands slightly to test the hand-cuffs strength, as well as to see if they were really there, if all of this was really happening. Mac looked around the holding cell he was put in, it was mostly vacant except for the few ponies there that were arrested for drunkenness or another minor crime. Mac sighed, his eyes vacant as he recalled the night before, the smell of granny smiths cooking, the dinner table where his sister sat, ready for grace, and how the guards had taken him away from his family and the tears in their eyes as they saw him being put in hand-cuffs, and hauled away for a crime that he knew he did not commit. He sighs deeply as he notices one of the other ponies move to sit next to him, obviously drunk as he puts an arm over Mac's shoulder. Mac moves away from that pony who proceeds to fall onto the bench.
A few of the royal guard come down the hall and stop at Mac's cell as they open it up, most of the others there moving away from Mac as the guards grab him, throwing him to the ground now as they begin to beat him, mac can feel the cool concrete against him as he is beaten, nothing is really broken but the pain stays with him as bruises are left, blood coming from his head from where he was thrown. The guards then pick him up and begin to drag him out of that cold cell and down the hall, officers watching him as a few of the other ponies there watch him go, all wondering what he could have done to be treated like that. The guards begin heading for the main door, dragging mac with them as they push him out into the harsh afternoon sun.
Mac covers his eyes as he stands fully and looks down, he can see the streets crowded with reporters and a prison transport just below the steps, more guards there to escort him away. Mac sighs and shows no fear or any emotions at that as he walks down those steps, only to be flooded with questions about his crime as the royal guards around him fend them off as they throw him into the transport, two guards joining him before they shut the door and then lock it as another guard heads to sit next to the driver. The reporters swarm the vehicle as it begins to set off, heading for the capitol city of Canterlot, there Mac will be able to speak with his lawyer and await his trial.
The ride to Canterlot was eventless, the guards would talk amongst themselves, while Mac would remain quiet, simply listening to the world around him, to the guards as well as the nature he can make out. Once the transport had arrived in Canterlot Mac was forced out of the transport as he is taken into another holding cell, this one is vacant, making him the only pony there. Here, he just waits, after a while he can see another pony walking up, this one was an earth pony in a full white suit, with a bowline tie of a shiny red apple, a large white hat atop of his head as he stops and looks at Mac.
"Well Well Well, if it aint my nephew Macintosh Apple, now I don't want you to fret none." The strange pony smiles as he hands Mac a card, "Names Montgomery Apple, and I have been the apple family lawyer for a good many of years."
Mac takes the card and look at it for a good long while before he looks back up the man. "Then yall know im innocent, I aint never," before Mac can finish his plead, Montgomery Apple stops him as he shakes his finger in front of Mac.
"Now don't yall go and say anything yet, yall never know who could be listening, but I do declare that we will clear your name so you can go on back home. Mac smiles as he finally lets the tears fall as he falls to his knees, holding the bars to his cell as Montgomery Apple heads for the door to prepare for the trial tomorrow, one that would most likely drain them and last for most the day, with the end result hopefully being "Not Guilty!"
The Next Morning was a bleak one, the skies were covered in a thick grey layer of clouds, the rain soon imminent to pour down on this cool morning. Mac awoke from his cell to the loud "BOOM" of thunder outside his cell. He stood up groggily and shook himself free of the dust he had collected from having to sleep on the floor. The same guard that had taken him from his cell in ponyville came to get him again, this time they did not throw him to the ground, they instead simply picked him up and began to drag him outside and to face the harshness of the morning air as he is once again taken to a transport vehicle, this time however he is sat in the back without handcuffs. The ride was shorter than the first he took, the cart stopping shortly after they had gotten in. The guards grab him and lead him out of the cart, there Mac could see the true size of the capitals courthouse as all around there are reporters, all of which are capturing pictures of him, recording him as he is taken up the many steps, Montgomery Apple standing at the top of the steps, awaiting his cousin as well as his client. Montgomery Apple is still wearing the same white suit, but this time he is not wearing his red apple bowline, he instead chose a green apple with a shining gold trim, his hat missing, mostly because of the courtroom policy.
Montgomery takes Mac from the guards as he hurries him into the courtroom as to avoid the leeches that are journalists as to spare Mac any more grief from already having to come here and stand trial for a crime he knew he did not commit. When Mac entered the court room he noticed just how extravagant it was compared to the one in ponyville. The ceilings stretched high into the air, a large glass ceiling above them with marble pillars holding everything together. The polished floor clicked below him as he walked, echoing across the room as he is taken into the room that would decide his punishment. As Mac entered the room, many ponies there would turn their heads and watch him enter, heading for the defense side. As Mac sat down in his seat he noticed that their were not many that came into support him, as for the prosecution side, there was not a seat left empty, the prosecutor was an older Pegasus, who seemed to glare at Mac as he sat down to take his seat, readying his papers. mac glanced at his own attorney to see not a paper in sight. Montgomery seemed to notice this as he simply laughed.
"Now dont yall fret none, I don't need no blasted papers to tell me how to do my job, all it takes is good charisma and to have a good force behind your voice to show that you mean business." Montgomery smiled as he looked to the judges stand, ready for the trial to begin. Mac noticed a group of four unicorns, peguasi and earth ponies take a seat. Mac noticed an earth pony walk out as he coughed loudly.
"All rise for the honorable judge Elder Mane" The guard seemed to shout as the entire court room stood. The judge walked out shakily as he took his seat. The judge was an old unicorn, who seemed to be covered in wrinkles as he sat, groaning ever so slightly.
"Please be seated," Elder mane said as he looked at the papers before him, "The trial of Big Macintosh Apple will now begin." and with the slamming of a mallet, the trial had begun. "I will now here the opening statements from the Attorneys, the prosecution shall start."
The Prosecutor was the first to stand up as he made his way to the front and then to look at the jury as well as the crowd, "My name is Reginald Law, and I am here to prove that once and for all that Big Macintosh Apple, murdered our own dear Prince Blueblood." Reginald then looks to the Jury. "Our Prince was found murdered just last week in an alley. He was on his way home after attending a benefit event for Unicorns who have lost there horns. Prince Blueblood was found with a knife found lodged in his chest, a knife which had Macintosh Apple's finger prints on the weapon, as well as witnesses seeing Macintosh enter the same alley where our beloved prince was found. Today I would like for, no I DEMAND that Macintosh Apple have nothing less than Capitol Punishment ." Reginald then went back to his seat and sat down, a slight smirk showing as he looks over at Montgomery.
Montgomery stood up and went in front of the judge as well as the jury. "My name is Montgomery Apple, and my client Macintosh Apple is not guilty, and did not murder Prince Blueblood." Montgomery walks over to the jury as he looks at each and everyone of them now. "Now my client, although rather large and intimidating is bout as gentle as they come. He would never harm a fly on a slice of Apple Pie, let alone kill another pony. Macintosh Apple is from the proud line of Apples, all of which are honest and would not lie, so if my client said he did not kill him, then he did not kill him. I ask that all charges be dropped so we may focus on finding the true killer." Montgomery looks to the judge again as he walks to face him, he then turns around and takes his seat.
The judge leans back in his chair as he looks to both Attorneys. "Now that we have heard both opening statements we will now begin the questioning phase of this trial, as of now we have only one witness to the murder, seeing as how it was late at night, after both sides have questioned her, we will have a short recess, after which both sides will question Macintosh Apple, after that is down the Jury will leave and we will await our verdict." The judge slammed his gavel as to seal the deal.
A woman enters from the side door now, a Pegasus enters the room as she takes her seat, from how she came dressed, she looks like a royal guard fresh out of the academy, she still had that innocence in her eyes, meaning she has not yet experienced the true duties of being apart of the guard, as well as the risk that comes with it.
Reginald stood up first as he walked over to this young Pegasus, looking down as the bailiff walks in front of her, holding out a rather old book. "Do you swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you Celestia." The woman nods shaking ever so slightly as Reginald moves in front of her. "What is your name?"
"Um its Wisp," the woman looks around her, nervous to have all those eyes on her. Reginald nods as he looks in her eyes.
"What were you doing so late at night Ms.Wisp?" Reginald looks around now, choosing to start with the simple questions first.
"Um I was with my friends, we were celebrating the fact that I had just graduated from the Academy, the party ran rather late, and it was getting rather rowdy so I stepped out for a bit, to catch my breath and enjoy the crisp night air." Wisp smiled now as she remembered the party that her friends had thrown her.
"And when you were outside, what did you see Ms.Wisp?" Reginald smirks as he looks over to Mac.
Ms.Wisp gulps now as she shudders, remembering the event, "As I was enjoying the breeze I heard a commotion and decided to check it out, figuring it was nothing but a few drunk ponies having a good time, however when I went to see, I saw a rather large pony moving out of the alley, my instincts kicked in from the Academy so I went to check it out and when I did I saw," tears begin to appear in her eyes now, "Prince Blueblood was on the ground, so I turned him over only to see a knife in his chest."
Reginald nods as he walks over to the jury, "and did you see what this pony looked like?"
The woman nods as she looks down, "He was a rather tall pony, fairly muscular. It was an earth pony and he had a deep red fur coat, and deep emerald eyes that you could get lost in, and" before Wisp can continue, Reginald walks over to her and then the judge.
"No further questions your honor. Reginald took his seat as the jury talk amongst themselves as. Montgomery stood up and walked over to Wisp. He looked her up and down as he looked to the Jury.
"Ms.Wisp, ya'll seem like a respectable young lady, so I assume that you would not want to send an innocent pony to jail." The woman nods as Montgomery continues. "You said you were out partying with your friends correct." Wisp nods. "And you could say that at this party you had been drinking correct?" Wisp nods again. "Then you could say that you were intoxicated at the time of the incident?" the woman nods, slightly less than before. "And you did say that the suspect had dreamy emerald eyes that you could get lost in?" Wisp nods. "Then with the intoxication and the eyes then it can be said that the only valuable trait you can take from this witness is the fact that the killers eyes were green. Wisp doesn't say anything as she looks around the room at a lost for words as the bailiff escorts her out, a pound of the mallet symbolizing that recess has now begun.
Montgomery walks back to his seat as he rubs Macs back. "Don't ya'll fret, this trial here is as good as ours, and by the end of the day ya'll will be on the first train back home." Montgomery smiles, trying to reassure his client, and most importantly of all, his cousin. Mac only smiles and nods as he looks at his cousin, confident in him to make sure that he is sent home, and that this whole mess would be put behind him. The rest of the recess was un-eventful as the only one to really leave the room was the judge to go and grab a bite to eat. The judge returned shortly after with crumbs in his beard that he would be saving for later.
"We will now return to the trial of Macintosh Apple." The judge looks at Mac as he is gestured up to the stand, a few members in the stands glaring at him as he sits down, going through the same process as Wisp had, before Reginald moves over to him.
"Will you please state your name to the court." Reginald seemed to glare at Mac now.
"Big Macintosh Apple." Mac gulps as all eyes are now on him, which did not happen very often
"Where were you on the night that the Prince was found murdered." Reginald walks away a little bit, moving to the Jury.
"Ah was in Canterlot, meeting with a local shop owner about selling the Apple Family Apples in his store." Mac looked to see that more eyes were glaring at him now.
"And where were you that night Mr.Apple," Reginald did not turn away as he asked, still facing the jury.
"Ah decided to go on a walk around the city." Mac looked over to Montgomery now to see him nodding.
"Did you come into contact with the Prince?" Reginald looks over to see Mac nod slightly, "And did you two engage in any kind of confrontation?" Mac nods again as Montgomery looks down. "And would you say that there was tension in said confrontation?" Mac looks over to Montgomery only to nod. No further questions your honor." Reginald takes his seat as Montgomery walks over to Mac.
"Mac, if I may ask, what brought you to confront the prince" Montgomery looks over to the jury
"Ah saw that he as having a little trouble walking to I waked if he needed any assistance" Mac looks to the crowd again.
"So you would say that your intensions were good?" Mac nods as Montgomery continues, "What brought upon the tension?"
"As I was helping the prince, he informed me who he was and that he did not need help from a hick like me or my inbred family, now I can handle an insult, but I will not stand for a pony, whether they are a merchant or royalty to talk down to my family." Mac lets out a breath he had been holding in.
"And when you left, was Prince Blueblood alive?" Mac nods as Montgomery looks around "No further questions your honor."
Mac and Montgomery make there way back to their seats as the Jury exit the room. Mac looks to Montgomery now "Ya'll think they will find me innocent?" Montgomery laugh as he pats Mac on the back.
"From that last question and the look in your eyes, anypony could see that you were not lying." Montgomery smiles "Now we wait."
It seems like hours pass as everyone there waits for the jury to return, as the sun began to set, the sun casting its glow inside the court room as the light shines in, the Jury finally coming back in.
"We the jury, find the defendant Macintosh Apple.." the sun now seems to shine on Mac, the bright sun warming up his fur, making this the perfect end, the perfect end to his trial, and all that he had been through, so he could finally go home
"...Guilty, to serve life in prison in Canterlot Maximum Security Facility." Mac seems to freeze, as those words play back in his mind over and over, the rest of the worlds noise seems to not even matter as Mac can no longer here anything as the bailiff moves to Mac, cuffing his hands as he halls him outside, the media in a frenzy as they take pictures of him and record him, all throughout Mac keeps his stoic composure, the last thing he remembered is being put on a bus to his new home.
Author's Note
Hey everyone, I was wondering on who to ship mac with and im stuck between 2 ponies, Octavia and Viynal, so who do you think would suit the new mac
