Big (Mac) Love

Big Macintosh was a humble apple farmer. He never sought for notoriety. He was content to buck apples with his sisters on Sweet Apple Acres, but even Big Mac knew that one does not simply refuse a commandment from Celestia.

“But why you, for pony's sake?” Applejack asked as she and her brother carted apple to their barn.
“I couldn't say,” Big Mac replied, “I just know you don't question an order from the Princess.”

“But nopony has been commanded to practice polygamy for generations,” Applejack said, “I'm worried 'bout what folks'll say.”

“Whatcha all gonna' be practicin,' big brother?” Apple Bloom asked as she skipped beside her siblings.

“Polygamous marriage,” Big Mac said, matter-of-factly.

“What's polygonal marriage?” Apple Bloom asked, clearly confused.

“It means your brother's gonna' be takin' more than one wife,” Applejack said, a note of disapproval in her voice.

“Ya'll mean yer gonna' have several special someponies?!” Apple Bloom asked excitedly, “How come you can do that? I thought you couldn't have more than one special somepony.”

“It's the will of Celestia that I have several mares,” Big Mac said, somberly.

The three Apple siblings continued to move towards their barn, as the afternoon sun started to set in the west. Over the hill, Apple Bloom's two friends came roaring up on Scootaloo's scooter.

“Hey, Apple Bloom!” Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle said, “What's goin' on?”

“Big Mac's telling me all about polygonal marriage!” Apple Bloom said, excitedly.

“What's that?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Ya'll remember your scripture stories?” Big Mac asked, “You remember reading about the Prophet Moseys who parted the Red Sea?”

“Yeah,” Apple Bloom said, “Twist's parents taught me all about him last year when she invited me over for Ha-neigh-kah dinner.”

“Well what most ponies don't know is, Moseys was also commanded to practice plural marriage,” Big Mac said, “The Prophet A-bray-ham also had multiple wives. Over the centuries, Celestia has commanded certain stallions to be polygamists.”

“Gosh, Big Mac,” Sweetie Belle said, impressed, “Does that mean you're a Prophet of Celestia, too?”

“Nope,” Big Mac said humbly, “I'm just a simple work horse who's been given a new task to perform.”

“Hey!” Scootaloo said, “What if being polygonalist is our special talent?”
“The three of us could all share one special somepony!” Apple Bloom said, getting excited.
“Cutie Mark Crusaders Polygonal Wives, Yah!” the CMC cheered.

“Now hold your horseshoes,” Applejack said, “Ya'll three can't go getting' hitched to the same colt, jus' 'cause ya' feel like it.”
“Aww,” the CMC said, looking crestfallen.
“Eeyup,” Big Mac said, “You'd need Celestia to command you to do it.”

“So who are your wives gonna' be?” Apple Bloom asked.
“Don't know,” Big Mac replied, “I'm gonna' just have to wait and see.”

Several months had gone by, and a lot had changed on Sweet Apple Acres. Three new homes had been built next to each other, on what was once a vacant field beside the Apple family barn. These cottages housed Big Mac's three wives.

From left to right there was a newly-built yellow house with a butterfly painted above the door, a purple house with a flower over the door, and a white house with a diamond above the door.

Rarity was helping Fluttershy unpack her things.
“I'm so nervous,” Fluttershy said, as she stacked her boxes of animal food, “I can't believe Celestia chose me to be one of Big Mac's wives.”
“You'll adjust dear,” Rarity said, “I remember when Cheerilee arrived. It felt like I was being replaced. As time went on though, she and I became the best of friends. It will be even easier with you, Fluttershy, because we're already best friends!” Rarity leaned in to give Fluttershy a hug.

Fluttershy whimpered.
“Darling, what's wrong?” Rarity asked, pulling away from the hug.
“It's just,” Fluttershy said, “I've never been with a stallion before. It Big Mac...nice?”
“You want to know if our husband's a gentle lover?” Rarity asked, smiling, “Let's just say Big Mac excels at being...subservient to your needs.”

Once school had let out for the day, Cheerilee headed home to her little cottage on the farm. Rarity and Fluttershy had just finished getting the new house in order, when Cheerilee walked inside.

“This place looks great!” the purple mare said as she surveyed Fluttershy's newly-furnished cottage.
“How was school?” Rarity asked.
“Oh, the children were wonderful,” Cheerilee said, “Sweetie Belle says hello, by the way.”

Fluttershy sat and listened. Not having any school-aged children in her life, the yellow mare never had much of a reason to get to know the school teacher better. Now she was sitting here with Cheerilee, a stranger. The pegasus felt her usual shy self. Fluttershy suddenly felt very grateful that one of Big Mac's wives was Rarity. At least the yellow mare already had somepony here she knew well.

“So Fluttershy,” Cheerilee asked, “What is it that you do?”
“Oh,” the yellow mare said, blushing, “I...uh...take...um...”
She was embarassed. Compared to Cheerilee's profession as a teacher, her job of grooming animals seemed unimportant. Sensing her friend's shyness, Rarity stepped in.

“Fluttershy is excellent with animals,” the unicorn said.
“An animal expert is certain to come in handy on a farm,” Cheerilee added, beaming. Fluttershy smiled.

“I can see why we were all chosen,” Cheerilee continued, “With my teaching abilities, I'll be able to instruct the fillies and colts Big Mac will give us. Rarity's love of fashion and attention to detail will help keep the farm looking beautiful. And Fluttershy can care for the animals, while being a wonderful, nurturing mother at the same time.”

The three mares then went next door and set to work preparing dinner in anticipation of their husband's return.
"Cheerilee, check the temperature on the stove!" Rarity said as she filled cups by levitating a pitcher, "Fluttershy, lay out the table settings!" The white unicorn was barking orders like a drill sergeant.
"Rarity's so organized," Fluttershy thought as she tried folding the napkins, "She's always willing to take control."
Cheerilee saw that Fluttershy was struggling with her job, so she came over to help.
"Watch me, Fluttershy, and do what I do," the purple pony said, "This will make setting the table easier."
"Cheerilee's such a good teacher," Futtershy thought, smiling, "She lowers herself to raise other ponies up."
"Thank you," Fluttershy said timidly.
"Happy to help," Cheerilee said, "As wives, we need to be there for each other."
While the three mares set about completing their tasks, Fluttershy started to feel better about this whole situation.
"Maybe being one of Big Mac's wives won't be so bad," Fluttershy thought.

Sweat dripped down Big Mac's brow as the work horse returned after a long day of applebucking. As he approached the cottages, the lights were on in Cheerilee's home and Big Mac saw three mares milling about; making last minute preparations.

The red stallion smiled. He was ready to eat.