Sugar and the Mac

Chapters

Prologue
The Party/The Enchantress's Curse
Sugar Belle/Encountering Feather Bangs
Gingersnap/Off to the Dessert Competition
Lost in the Woods/Arriving at the Castle
Feather Bang's Failed Proposal/Sugar Belle (reprise)
Sugar Belle Arrives at the Castle/Taking Gingersnap's Place
Sugar Belle In Her New Home
Feather Bangs/Gingersnap Asks for Help
The Dinner Argument

Prologue

Author's Note

Welcome to my AU 'Sugar and the Mac' story. Inspired partly by 'Hard to Say Anything' and the recent Beauty and the Beast live action adaption (with elements from the 1991 film and the Broadway musical). This is not a direct copy of the story and I may need help working on song parodies.

Otherwise, enjoy!

Prologue

11 years earlier,

On a quiet little apple farm, 3 foals, a fifteen year old colt named Big Macintosh, a twelve year old filly named Applejack, and a three month old little foal named Applebloom watched helplessly as their grandmother was being taken away to a debtor's prison.

"Let me go! Ah need be there to take care my grandfoals!" protested their grandmother, Granny Smith, as she was being dragged away by police officers.

One of the police officers said, "Well you should've paid off those debts you've owed the bank for the past 2 months. Otherwise, you wouldn't be going to prison and the bank wouldn't be repossessing your farm."

"But my grandfoals have no parents anymore! They need me! Let me go!"

"That's none of our concern ma'am," said the officer, "Foal services will be here any minute to take the children to foster homes."

As they reached the police cart, she kept protesting, "You can't split them up! They depend on each other! Let me go to them! I-"

Her pleas were cut short by the slamming of the cart door and it quickly driving away.

Big Mac hugged his two sisters, "Don't worry. I promise nothing will break us apart. No Foal Services will be splitting us up."

Unfortunately, things didn't turned out well for the three siblings.

3 different carts pulled up to the house, a fancy looking cart held a rich couple, a taxi cart held a taxi driver, and the third cart was driven by the owner of the Ponyville orphanage.

A unicorn with a tan coat, a grey mane, and a black suit jacket came out with a clipboard.

"Hello there. You must be Big Macintosh, Applejack, and Applebloom." said the unicorn, "I am Sole Guardian from Foal Protection Services. Because you have no parents and your grandmother is in the debtor's prison, I sent three different carts to take you and your siblings to your new homes. The eldest child will be adopted by Pearly Gems and Garnet Fire, the richest couple in Canterlot. The taxi will be going to Manehattan where the eldest daughter will be living with your Aunt and uncle in Manehattan. And finally, the little foal is going straight to the orphanage and will hopefully be adopted into a loving family one day."

Big Mac gasped, "You're splitting us up? That's not fair, we need each other! We can't go to different foster families! I won't allow it."

"I'm sorry kids." Sole Guardian said, "It's for your own good."

He had two of his associates come for each siblings and ordered them into their respective carts.

Big Mac covered his sisters, "No! You can't do this! We've been through everything together and you're not tearing us apart!"

Sole Guardian sighed, "I've tried being nice but now you leave me with no choice." He whistled with his hooves and sent his associates to the foals.

The siblings were forcefully torn from each other and placed into their carts kicking and screaming.

Baby Applebloom was bawling in the orphanage cart and Applejack was banging on the taxi windows, "NO! I'll never see my family again!"

The sibling the most upset was Big Mac. As the carts drove away from each other, Big Mac just sat there in silence, not knowing of the future ahead of him.

Pearly Gems and Garnet Fire became the adoptive parents of Big Mac. But they were rude, snobby and emotionally abusive towards him.

A few months later,

15 year old Big Mac looked out at all of the teenage stallions playing hoofball with each other.

He turned to Pearly Gems and Garnet Fire, who were by the fire place reading the paper, "Why can't I go outside and play hoofball with them?"

The couple did a haughty laugh and they stopped immediately.

"Us nobles are so much better than those improper lowlife scums." said Garnet Fire, "You should be focused on maintaining your wealthy appearance and not getting dirty playing peasant games."

"But I wanna join them. It's been so boring since I got adopted, I want to go outside, make some real friends, and have some fun."

He tried to go outside but Garnet Fire blocked the door, "No son of mine will play with the poor! They are ugly, hideous burdens that take up space! Even the princesses look down on them!"

"But Father, you haven't let me go out and make one friend since I came here."

Garnet stroked his mustache, "That's because I want to keep the family pure. And you're just an orphan we were forced to take in for free money!"

As the verbal abuse continued, a group of servants eavesdropped in another room, but were afraid to intervene as it could cost them their jobs.

"And as of now, my wife and I are going to mold you into a proper noble. No more thinking about hanging around peasants anymore!"

"But-"

"END OF DISCUSSION! YOU WILL REPORT TO THE MAIN HALL IN ONE HOUR FOR MANNERS TRAINING!"

He and Pearly Gems stormed off leaving Big Mac to sit by the window and cry.

This was the cue for one of the servants to come out and check on him.

Big Mac turned over to see a unicorn with an orange coat, a red and yellow mane, a maroon vest over a puffy shirt, and a candelabra for a cutie mark went up to comfort Big Mac.

The young stallion turned over, "Oh hi Flamethrower. Did you hear everything?"

"I'm afraid I did." he said in a slight French accent, "They are just obsessed with being rich. You mustn't let them break your spirit."

Big Mac sniffled, "I wish you would've helped me earlier. I don't want to be a gentlemen, I want to be with my family again. I just wish things could go back to the way they used to be before, before-"

He began to cry as the unicorn servant comforted him.

"I am so sorry mon amie, but I can't go back in time and stop your parents from dying. I can only advise you to stay strong and hopefully pray that you can see your family.”

The moment was interrupted by Pearly Gems calling, "Big Macintosh, it's time for your makeover! If you're going to be living with rich ponies, you need to look like a rich pony."

Big Mac sighed and left to see his adoptive mother.

Six years went by and the couple succeeded in making Big Mac a handsome and charming upper class stallion.

But this came with a major attitude change; Big Mac began to look down on everyone who was a lower class than he was, even his servants. He shut out his past entirely and became spoiled, selfish, and unkind.

This would eventually lead to problems...

The Party/The Enchantress's Curse

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Sugar Belle/Encountering Feather Bangs

Five years later,

In a little village not too far from the fallen castle, ponies were getting up to start their daily routines.

In a small house by a grassy hillside, a young unicorn mare named Sugar Belle left her home waving to her grandfather Gingersnap so she can open her bakery for the day.

She began to sing as she walked to her bakery:

What a town
It's a lovely village.
For today and forevermore.

Such a town
and its lovely ponies
Coming out to say

One by one ponies came out of their homes on onto the streets.

Hi there!

Good day!

What's up?

Hi how are you?

Sugar Belle observed the ponies of different ages and jobs.

There's Party Favor with balloons like always.

Fun decorations he will sell.

Everyday is just the same

since the first time that I came

To this little pony town-

"Hi Sugar Belle!" Party Favor called.

Sugar Belle went up to her friend, "Hi Party Favor. Off to sell your party supplies in the market?"

"Sure thing? Off to sell your baked goods?"

"I sure am." said Sugar Belle.

"Alright. You make a mean coconut cream pie-" Party Favor said before he noticed his balloons were floating away.

"My balloons! Come back!"

Sugar Belle waved to her friend as he ran after his balloons. "Thanks Party Favor! Good luck!"

Sugar Belle continued on her way and didn't notice some of the other villagers staring at her:

Look there's that mare I think she's somewhat stuck in
her own little world, I can tell.

She spends all of her free time
Making sweets that cost a dime.

She's really quite a beauty Sugar Belle.

Hello young man. How is your business?

Hello, my friend. How's your good life?

I want some pears. We're out of stock ma'am.

Sugar Belle looked at all of the business in the market:

I wish there was more than this village life!

She went to her stand and put up the open sign.

Sugar Belle's assistant, a unicorn by the name of Dough Mixer, was waiting for Sugar Belle at his desk. He had a light purple coat and a dirty blonde mane. He wore an apron and had a mixing bowl for a cutie mark. He had been hired at the bakery several years earlier and even though he was a good baking assistant, in the past few years he always felt like he was forgetting something.

"Hi Dough Mixer, how are you today?"

"Pretty good," said Dough Mixer, "But everyday I can't help but feeling that I lost something very important in my life. But I don't remember what."

Sugar Belle put her hoof around her assistant, "Well I hope you find it soon, I'll be very happy when you do. Now come on, our first customer's here."

The bell on the front door rang and the town gossip, Juicy Gossip, came up to Sugar Belle at her desk with a magazine.

"Hi Sugar Belle!"

"Hi Juicy. What's the 411?"

She planted a magazine on the desk, "This week's issue of Pony magazine is all about the newest season of the Pony Dating Vacation and which stallion they think Heartsong should end up with! You have to read it!"

Sugar Belle picked up the magazine, "I'll get around to it."

"And I'd also like to buy a bag of your delicious sugar cookies." said Juicy Gossip as she took a bag and put five bits in the pay jar.

"Thank you!"

That Sugar Belle is very kind and gentle
Could she under any spell?

She is really never really dull.
Has a heart strong as a bull.

But sometimes she's quite confusing, Sugar Belle

At her bakery stand as customers kept flocking in, Sugar Belle began singing while reading the magazine Juicy Gossip gave her.

Oh, this is so romantic!
It's my favorite trope I love to see.
She wants her own Prince Charming.
But we never know who that handsome pony will be!

It's no surprise that her last name means Beauty,
She's always looking very well.

But sometimes she's rather shy
and we always wonder why

The most beautiful of all of us.
There never really was a fuss.

The prettiest in our town Sugar Belle!

Suddenly, a voice called, "Make way for Feather Bangs!"

Everypony got out of the way to make room for the town hunk, Feather Bangs and his posse.

Feather Bangs took in the admiration and one of his friends, Dropped Beat, said, "Dude! This whole village loves you!"

"I know!"

"Every mare wants to date you!" exclaimed Boombox, another friend.

"And all the colts want to be you!" added the fourth member of Feather Bangs's man-posse, Freestyle.

"It's true guys," said Feather Bangs, "And I want that mare!" he pointed to Sugar Belle at her shop.

"She's the one. The hottest mare in Equestria. I want to make her my princess!"

"Are you sure?" asked Freestyle.

Feather Bangs said, "I'm positive!" Then he began to sing:

From the first time that I laid eyes upon her.
She was so perfect and I fell

Out of everypony she's
just as beautiful like me.

So I plan to woo and marry Sugar Belle.

Feather's three groupies, Fond Feather, Swoon Song, and Dear Darling watched their idol from afar:

There's Feather Bangs,
That colt is dreamy.

He looks our way,
Oh he's so hot!

He stole our hearts
We're hardly breathing!

He's such a perfect, young, and handsome hunk!

Sugar Belle was walking around town reading her magazine, ignoring the hustle and bustle around her.

I wish there was more than this village life!

Watch and I'll make Sugar Belle my bride!

There's Sugar Belle a mare who's very special.
And everypony knows so well.

And we know one things for sure
Her looks are an allure.

She's a beautiful and lovely mare
(Beautiful and lovely mare)
Beautiful and lovely mare!

Sugar Belle!

Sugar Belle heard everyone and turned but they stopped singing.

When she looked away, they all went back to their normal business.

As Sugar Belle reached a small cafe, Feather Bangs jumped in front of her.

"Hey toots, whatcha got here?" said Feather Bangs as he took the magazine out of Sugar Belle's hoofs.

"Feather Bangs, I want my magazine back. Can I please have it?"

Feather Bangs flipped his mane and eyed the magazine oddly, "This article is boring. It just talks about a bunch of guys fighting over one girl on an Equestrian tour."

Sugar Belle giggled, "Maybe if you watched the show, you would understand what was going on."

Feather set the magazine on the table, "Sugar babe. I think it's time you put your baking tools on a shelf, ditch those friends of yours, and start hanging around me more."

Feather's groupies sighed romantically.

"Everypony knows you're the kindest and most beautiful mare in our village. But you should be more focused on dating stallions like me instead of having your nose in a cookbook."

"I can make my own decisions, thank you very much," An annoyed Sugar Belle replied, grabbing her magazine as she walked out the door.

Feather and his posse blocked her again, "Want to go to Flip's Diner and look at the shrine they built of me? We can also order a milkshake with two straws."

"I can't." Sugar Belle said, "My grandfather wants me home. He's trying out some recipies for the National Dessert Competition in Canterlot tomorrow."

"You prefer that old guy over us?" Boombox sneered.

"Don't talk about my grandfather like that!"

Feather Bangs nudged Boombox in the stomach, "Yeah what she said!"

"I'm leaving." Sugar Belle headed for her house leaving Feather Bangs and his friends to playfully wrestle with each other.

Author's Note

The Pony Dating Vacation is a parody of The Bachelor/Bachelorette

Gingersnap/Off to the Dessert Competition

Gingersnap was an elderly unicorn stallion with a light brown coat, a brown-grey mane, and a Gingersnap cookie for a cutie mark. He wore small round glasses used for reading, a green vest, and a white apron.

He, along with Sugar Belle's late grandmother, Cinnamon Roll, had been her legal guardians ever since Sugar Belle's parents died while on a couple's vacation when she was only two years old, leaving her in the care of her grandparents, who raised her as if she was their own daughter.

They had both taught Sugar Belle how to make yummy treats using their own family recipes and, when she was old enough, Cinnamon Roll allowed her to help her around in their village bakery. When she died of pneumonia three years earlier, Sugar Belle inherited the bakery and continued the family legacy.

Today, Gingersnap was in his kitchen looking at recipies for various pies, cakes, and other desserts in order to decide which one he would bring to the annual Canterlot National Dessert Competition the next day.

It was an event he had been looking forward to all year. If he won the contest and received the grand prize of 500,000 bits, he and Sugar Belle would leave their village and move to Canterlot to open a new bakery where they would share their desserts with the finest ponies in Equestria.

But it was one day before the competition, and he was having baker's block.

Sugar Belle, still reading the magazine Juicy Gossip gave her, walked into the house kitchen and sat down on the stool next to her grandfather.

"Hi Sugar Belle." Gingersnap said as he waved from the table, "How did the bakery do today?"

Sugar Belle smiled, "We've had so many customers today. Juicy Gossip gave a magazine about the newest season of The Pony Dating Vacation. It's amazing but it gets me thinking."

"Thinking about what?"

"Grandpa," Sugar Belle asked, "do you think I'll ever find that very special somepony in my life? Everyone in the village says I'm really kind and beautiful, but I've never really had the time to talk to any other stallions because I'm too busy baking."

Gingersnap replied, "What about Feather Bangs? He’s always trying to get you to go out with him. Just last week, he showed up in the middle of the night and tried to serenade you. Right before I chased him off our property."

Sugar Belle cringed at the memory: he blasted loud music in the middle of the night, waking up her and Gingersnap. He had only sang a few bars of Royal Diva's 'Zany with Love' before Gingersnap chased him away, threatening to call the police if he didn't leave. "I would never date him even if we were the last two ponies in Equestria! He's always making passes at me and invading my personal space. He's arrogant and rude."

She then changed the subject, "Anyway, have you decided which of our recipes you're going to use in the National Dessert Competition?"

"Not yet." replied Gingersnap. "I had been doing research the other competitors at the contest and I saw all of the elaborate cakes they show off in their fancy bakeries. They're professionals and I'm just a humble baker who can't even make desserts twice as good as them. Princess Celestia will never eat my treats! She'll be too busy enjoying the desserts of those fancy chefs instead of eating mine."

Sugar Belle got close, "That's not true. You make great desserts. Everypony knows that. And do you remember what Cinnamon Roll used to say about desserts?"

"It's not the appearance that matters," answered Gingersnap, "but how it tastes."

"That's right. No matter who ugly the dessert looked after it came out of the oven or how freaky I frosted the cookies when I was a filly, they always tasted wonderful. Now let me help you out." Sugar Belle joined her grandfather at his table and put down a cookbook.

"Let's get started."

Soon, the pair got started baking on the treats to go to the Competition.

"Grandpa?" Sugar Belle asked, "What do you want to bake?"

"Anything we want."

When the flour settled, they had made a dessert set consisting of a chocolate flower cake with pink frosting swirled to look like roses, a set of fancy decorated sugar cookies, some cinnamon rolls (in Cinnamon's memory), and the family's world famous coconut cream pie.

"These look so good!" exclaimed Sugar Belle as she levitated a towel to wipe some flour off of her face, "You're sure to win first prize at the Dessert Competiton! That way we'll finally get our own bakery in Canterlot!"

"And your grandmother and parents would be so proud of us for sharing our recipies with the world." said Gingersnap. "I bet they're looking down from the Elysians, feeling very happy that they've raised a beautiful baker."

Gingersnap looked at his creations, "I can't decide what to bring to Canterlot for the contest. What do you think Sugar Belle?"

"Bring all of them! I'm the princesses and judges won't mind. I'll help you load them into your cart and put them in a little display.

Soon they were at the front of house loading all of their homemade treats into Gingersnap's cart.

"Sugar Belle, are you sure you don't want to come with me? You've always wanted to see Canterlot ever since you were little."

"I'd really love to grandpa but I can't go." said Sugar Belle. "I have to stay in the village and manage the bakery. And tomorrow, I'm going to the lake with Double Diamond and Night Glider to support them in their water sports show. But I can provide something for you. It's in the house. Wait right here, I'll be back."

Sugar Belle went into the her bedroom to rummrage through her closet.

She stopped when she held up a knitted green and red scarf that had belonged to her mother.

"Aha! Here it is!"

She hurried back outside to Gingersnap, who was still loading in the treats.

"Grandpa, I'm really sorry I can't go the dessert competition with you. But I will give you mom's scarf for good luck."

Gingersnap used his magic to wrap the scarf around his neck.

"Thank you Sugar Belle. This is really nice. Well I must be on my way if I want to reach Canterlot as soon as possible."

As he began to take off, Sugar Belle called, "Are you sure you don't want to go to the train station? It will be easier to transport your entry if you're not waking."

"Nonsense!" Ginger called back, "Walking with a load is great exercise! It will be so easy if I follow my map's directions! Don't worry, I'll be okay. Even if I don't win, I'll have had the privilege of being able to showcase my work among Equestria's finest bakers!"

"Bye Grandpa! I'll take care of the bakery and the house while you're gone!"

Sugar Belle watched as Gingersnap and his cart took off into the distance.

But little did both of them know that fate had other plans in mind...

Author's Note

Royal Diva's 'Zany with Love'=Beyoncé's 'Crazy in Love'

Lost in the Woods/Arriving at the Castle

Gingersnap was off to the National Dessert Competition in hopes of winning and using the prize money to open his own bakery in Canterlot with Sugar Belle.

He had made sure that he directly followed the map's instructions so he wouldn't get lost. However, he ran into a problem when he removed the map from his face and saw that he had entered the woods.

"What the hay? I must have taken a wrong turn. I guess I'll have to find a different way to Canterlot. I hope the map will help-"

But a sudden gust of wind appeared and the map blew away. Gingersnap tried to chase after it but the map went into the darkening sky and was lost forever.

Gingersnap began to curse under his breath. "Now I have to find a new way to Canterlot. And now it's getting dark so I'll hardly be able to see! This is just great!"

He decided to press on and hope that his journey would be quick.

But the walking in the woods alone at night was a pretty scary ordeal, especially for an old pony like Gingersnap. He would stop every few minutes if he heard the hoot of an owl or accidentally stepped on a twig.

AAAWWWOOOOOO!!!!!

The unexpected howl caused Gingersnap to stop right in his tracks.

"Who's there?" asked Gingersnap as he levitated his lantern.

"Please I'm just a simple baker pony lost on his way to the National Dessert Competition. I don't want to hurt you."

But the creature started to howl again and soon more of these howls started sounding.

Then one by one, a group of timberwolves came out of the shadows and surrounded thr cart.

"Uh oh!"

The timberwolves charged at the old unicorn, causing him to unhook himself from his cart, losing his lucky scarf in the process, and run for his dear life as they chased him through the woods.

"Please don't eat my desserts! They're for the competition!"

But the timberwolves didn't want his desserts, they wanted to eat fresh pony meat.

Eventually, Gingersnap tripped on a rock and fell down just as the timberwolves got closer to his body.

"Oh no! This is the end!"

Just when it looked like it was over for Gingersnap, he looked up to see a big gate in the distance.

"That must be home to a castle. I can take shelter there for the night."

He quickly ran to the gates with the timberwolves not too far behind him and pushed the gates open. He quickly ran in and closed them, blocking the timberwolves.

Gingersnap panted and sighed dejectedly, "So much for opening up a bakery in Canterlot. But at least I'm safe at this mysterious castle. I just hope the pony who lives here will let me spend the night."

He opened the doors of the castle and looked around the dark hallway.

"Is anypony here?"

What he didn't know was that a candelabra and a small clock where on a table near him

The candelabra whispered, "A visitor! Poor fella must have gotten lost."

"Shut up! Maybe he won't stay if he doesn't hear us." whispered the clock.

"Who's there?" asked Gingersnap "I was on my way to Canterlot for the National Dessert Competition but I ended up taking a wrong turn and got chased my timberwolves. I need a place to stay for the night."

"Absolutely not!" said the clock.

"S'il vous plaît Clockwork? It's just for one night."

"Flamethrower, I said no and that's final!"

The angry candelabra burned the clock's hand, causing him to leap around in pain."

"Don't worry about my friend monsuier," Flamethrower said, "He's just a little wound up."

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"You can stay for as long as you like."

Gingersnap levitated Flamethrower, "Who said that? Come out! I need to see you!"

"I'm over here!"

He turned around with the candelabra but saw that nopony was there.

Flamethrower tapped Gingersnap in his forehead, "You're holding me right now!"

Gingersnap screamed and dropped Flamethrower on the ground.

Clockwork hopped over, "Nice going Flamethrower. We've been expos-AH!" He was levitated up by Gingersnap.

"You're an interesting little gizmo!" Gingersnap said as he began touching Clockwork all over his little body, much to the amusement of Flamethrower.

"Ow! Don't touch me! Put me down this instant!"

Gingersnap stopped playing with Clockwork, "Sorry, I-I-I-I-" then he sneezed all over Clockwork's face, causing him to use his little clock hands to wipe his eyes like windshield wipers.

"Monseiur, you must be freezing!" said Flamethrower "Follow me to the fireplace where you will soon be warmed up." He led the old unicorn away.

Clockwork chased after them, "No! If the master finds you here, he won't be happy!"

Flamethrower ignored him and set Gingersnap in an armchair by the fireplace.

"No not the master's chair!"

Flamethrower looked at a nearby violin, "Bow String? Will you please play some music for our guest?"

The violin nodded its bow and started playing classic violin music.

Fifi, a footstool that had similar mannerisms to a dog ran over to greet Gingersnap.

"Hi there. You're such a cute little fella."

The footstool dog went under Gingersnap's hooves while a moving coat rack put a blanket on Gingersnap's lap.

"This is the best service I've ever experienced."

Clockwork was furious, "Everybody stop! This has gone too far! I want this pony- OW!"

He had been run over by a cart carrying a medium sized fancy cup of whipped cream, a frosting drizzle tool, and a plate of cookies.

"When I heard that we had a guest, I just had to have the chefs make some homemade cookies for you. My name is Sweet Cream and this is my son Drizzle."

She put some of the whipped cream on a cookie and Drizzle added a smiley face on it.

Gingersnap levitated the cookie and ate it, "Not as good as my treats. But this is still delicious."

Suddenly, there was a loud roar and everyone stopped what they were doing.

The door swung open and everything went dark.

"Um master?" said Flamethrower, "Don't be angry. This pony was all alone in the woods and-"

Beast Mac roared in his face.

Clockwork got out from hiding under the carpet, "It's all Flamethrower's fault! I tried to stop him but he didn't listen! Blame him not me!"

Beast Mac roared again and charged at Gingersnap's chair.

A panicked Gingersnap looked to see the horror that Beast Mac had turned into:

He was now a hairy beast pony wearing a red cape, and dark blue pants. Though he had the shape of a pony, he stood on his backhooves. He had the claws of a wolverine, razor sharp teeth in his mouth, and buffalo horns on his head.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY CASTLE?!" Beast Mac roared

Gingersnap was stammering with fear as he crawled out of the armchair, "I-I-I-"

"Stop staring at me! You've come to mock my looks!"

"No!" Gingersnap pleaded, "I was on my way to the National Dessert Competition but I ended up getting lost and I need a place to stay!"

Beast Mac used his powerful claws to grab Gingersnap, "Oh i have the perfect place for you."

He stormed off with Gingersnap and the enchanted objects could only stare in shock and horror as the door slammed and they heard Gingersnap's screams of fright fade into the distance.

Feather Bang's Failed Proposal/Sugar Belle (reprise)

The next day, back in the village, Feather Bangs and his friends were hiding in a bush behind Sugar Belle's house.

Feather Bangs had taken the time to dress in a fancy tuxedo jacket that his mother had bought him and put his friends in groomsmen suit jackets.

"I am so excited! Today is the I propose to Sugar Belle and we tie the knot! I even got her a wedding dress, shoes, and a veil from Canterlot Boutique! And the finest flowers in Equestria."

"Sugar Belle will never know what hit her!" Boombox said excitedly.

"Now let's go get the backyard ready." Feather Bangs led his friends out of the bush.

In just 12 hours, Feather Bangs had set up a wedding venue in Sugar Belle's lawn with a priest, decorations, champagne, a wedding cake, and a sound-surround stereo system for Boombox to blast a dubstep remix of 'Here Comes the Bride' and lots of EDM for the reception. All of Feather Bangs's guests had already arrived and were setting up the wedding.

Feather Bangs came onto the scene and cleared his throat, "Thank you all so much for coming to my wedding ceremony and reception. Before I can get started, I have to go inside and propose to Sugar Belle."

At the champagne table, Fond Feather, Swoon Song, and Dear Darling were drinking some of the champagne and crying because their biggest fan was getting married to someone else.

"Noooooo!!!!!! Feather Bangs is marrying somepony else!" bawled Fond Feather.

"WWWWHHHHHYYYYYYY?????!!!!!!" Dear Darling cried as she blew her nose on the tablecloth.

"I wanted to marry Feather Bangs! Now thanks to Sugar Belle, I'm gonna die all alone!!!!" wailed Swoon Song.

The three groupies continued to cry and indulge in champagne as guests awkwardly stared at them.

Feather Bangs pointed to Boombox, "Okay dude," he said, "Do you remember what to do as I walk out that door with Sugar Belle?"

Boombox nodded, "You got it! I start up the music and the party!"

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Feather Bangs turned off the stereo, "Don't play it yet you idiot! Wait until I'm ready with Sugar Belle!"

"Sorry."

Inside, Sugar Belle was in her kitchen taking a freshly baked cherry pie out of the oven when she heard Feather Bangs banging on the door.

"Feather Bangs," Sugar Belle groaned as she stormed from the kitchen to the front door, "Grandpa said you're not allowed at our house anymore! Go away!"

But Feather Bangs let himself in anyway.

"Sugar Belle, baby, aren't you happy to see me?"

"No. I'd be happy if you left and don't call me baby."

Feather Bangs ignored her, "You know. There's no other mare in this whole that wouldn't kill to be in your position right now. Today, I'm going to make all of your dreams come true. Let's sit down in your living room in chat."

Sugar Belle led Feather into the living room and sat him down on a chair, "I really doubt that you know all of my hopes and dreams."

Feather Bangs pulled Sugar Belle into a side hug, "Babe, imagine this. A ritzy penthouse in Manehattan, I'm going to be a big musician and my music will be playing on radio stations all over Equestria, I'll have a beautiful wife to cook for and pamper me, and the foals will play on the floor with our dogs."

He got close to Sugar Belle, "We'll have 6."

Sugar Belle was confused, "Six dogs?"

"No Sugar Belle, handsome colts with shaggy hair and beautiful singing voices like me."

"What are you trying to say?"

Feather Bangs got down on one knee and held out a shiny diamond ring, "Sugar Belle, I want you to make me the happiest stallion in the world. Will you marry me?"

Sugar Belle's look of disgust turned into a look of anger, "No way!"

"Yes! I'd knew you accept- WHAT?! No?"

"Why should I say yes to you?" Sugar Belle retorted.

Feather Bangs nervously pulled a picture out of his tuxedo pocket. It was a photograph of Applejack in a tattered cowgirl hat and rags carrying a hobo bindle and selling apples to customers on a busy street.

"You need me Sugar Belle, Gingersnap won't be around forever and I need someone to be my wife, caretaker, and mother to our foals. Mares who refuse to tie the knot end up in bad positions. Take this Applejack for instance. According to the magazine I got her picture from, she lost her parents at 12, was torn from her siblings, and moved in with her aunt and uncle in Manehattan. They tried to mold her into an upper-class pony and planned to marry her off when she was old enough, but she refused. So she ran away and has been living on the streets since. She has been going from to city where Applejack has been selling apples and giving psychic readings to scrape out a living for herself. But lately she's been so desperate, she turned to magic to- HEY! Put me down!"

Sugar Belle interrupted the story and levitated Feather Bangs's tail and led him to the door, "I'm sorry Feather Bangs but you're just not my type, I don't deserve a husband who doesn't think I can survive on my own. There are plenty of unmarried mares out there who lead very successful lives."

"Oh yeah, name one." challenged Feather Bangs.

"Mane Austen, Cloperah Winny, and Lousia Neigh Foalcott."

Feather Bangs didn't listen to her, "But baby I-"

Sugar Belle ignored him and continued, "Also, most successful celebponies who do end up getting married have husbands who support them in their fields of interest and will sometimes help them out. I want a pony will love me for who I am and will understand my dream to be a successful baker. I'm not your little maid and nanny, I want to be successful and not be put down by you. So my answer is 'no', I won't be your bride. But we can still be friends."

She used her magic to launch Feather Bangs out of the house and into the wedding cake.

Everypony, including Feather's groupies, started laughing at the sight.

Boombox turned on the techno music and began dancing.

"And take your wedding dress with with you!" Sugar Belle shouted as she flung her potential wedding clothes out onto the grass outside.

Freestyle pulled his friend out of the cake, "So, how'd it go? Did she say yes?"

An angry Feather Bangs grabbed Freestyle by the tail, and did the same thing to Dropped Beat and Boombox.

He turned off the music and yelled, "EVERYPONY OUT NOW! AND TAKE DOWN THE WEDDING DECORATIONS TOO!"

All of the guests piled out, taking part of the wedding with them.

"Are you okay dude?" Dropped Beat asked Feather Bangs.

Feather Bangs, now with his face red and covered in frosting, growled, "I'll have Sugar Belle marry me whether she wants it or not! Make no mistake about that!" He stormed home to take a shower.

Boombox, Freestyle, and Dropped Beat looked at each other.

"He must have taken that rejection pretty hard." said Freestyle.

"When Feather Bangs is all calm, let's take him to Flip's to get his mind off of things." Boombox suggested.

"Great idea."

The three friends left the property taking the last remaining bits of the wedding cake with them.

When all of the guests were gone and the backyard was empty, Sugar Belle stepped outside.

"Me? Marry Feather Bang? Over my dead body! I can't imagine being married to some shaggy haired, airheaded showoff!

Ms. Sugar Bangs, I can't accept this!
Ms. Sugar Bangs, I'm not his wife!

No way! Not me!
I'll never do this!

I want much more than this old village life!
I'll

She ran up to a grassy area behind her house looking over a meadow and continued singing:

I want to go out in this great world somewhere!
I crave it more than anything!

And for once it would be grand
if my friends could understand

I want so much more that what's been planned.

Sugar Belle blew on a dandelion and watched the remnants blow into the air.

"I'm going inside to call Double Diamond and tell him I won't make it to the lake today. This last hour's been crazy and I need time to myself."

She then sighed and went back into her house.

About a half a hour later, there was another knocks at the door.

"Huh? I hope it's not Feather Bangs again."

Sugar Belle opened the door to find not Feather Bangs, but three young fillies, a yellow earth pony with a pink bow in her mane, a white unicorn with a lavender mane, and an orange pegasus with a magenta mane. They had similar looking cutie marks and were wearing filly guide uniforms and the pegasus was dragging a wagon

"Hi there." the little earth pony said, "I'm Applebloom and these are my best friends and adoptive sisters Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. We're here selling these filly guide desserts we found in the woods. Would you like to buy one? We have sugar cookies, chocolate flour cake, and coconut cream pie."

Sugar Belle gasped and looked at the wagon, "Wait? Did you say that you found these desserts in the woods?"

"Yes we did." Scootaloo said while scratching her mane, "We found them by some empty cart along with this scarf."

Sugar Belle gasped, "Oh my Celestia! Gingersnap must not have made it to Canterlot! Something really bad must have happened! Can you girls lead me to where he went?"

"Sure." said Sweetie Belle, "We'd be more than willing to help you. Scootaloo can ride us there on her scooter. And you can ride with us on skis."

Scootaloo got into her scooter and the other 3 put on helmets and safety gear and put their backhooves into their skis.

"Let's hurry!" cried Sugar Belle, "We have to save my grandpa!"

At those words, the scooter took off and they rode off into the distance.

Author's Note

It's off to the castle!

And know you know the CMC will fit in to the story.

Also unmarried females referenced were Jane Austen, Oprah, and Louisa May Alcott.

Sugar Belle Arrives at the Castle/Taking Gingersnap's Place

Scootaloo was riding Sugar Belle and the other CMC on her scooter through the forest.

"So how did you guys meet?" Sugar Belle asked Applebloom.

"It all began when I came to the Ponyville Orphanage as a baby when my Ma and Pa died." said Applebloom, "I always thought that they had went on a lengthy vacation and were stuck there but I ended finding out the truth when I was 3."

"I'm so sorry about your parents dying, I lost mine when I was two and I've been living with my grandfather Gingersnap ever since then." said Sugar Belle.

"Then, I was moved into a foster home with other fillies shortly after my 5th birthday. That's where I met Scoots and Sweetie Belle. Scootaloo's mom had her pretty young and put her up for adoption. Sweetie Belle wasn't an orphan, she just frequently visited there when she volunteered with her family."

Sweetie Belle added, "When I first met the them, I told my older sister Rarity all about them and that I wanted to take them home with me. It took a lot of begging because she was unsure. So we decided to talk to our parents about it and they thought that this was a great idea having two new additions to the family."

"So Applebloom and I got adopted that's how the three of us came to be." said Applebloom with a big smile on her face.

"Well that was a wonderful story." Sugar Belle said. "I'm so happy you three found each other and are very good friends."

The girls nodded and suddenly everyone was knocked down when Scootaloo pulled up to the castle entrance.

"This is strange." said Sweetie Belle, "I didn't know that there was a castle here."

"Neither did I sweets, I don't even know who lives here."

"But is where Grandpa is being held. I have to go in and get him." Sugar Belle said as she removed her helmet and safety gear, "Thank you so much for the ride and you can keep the treats."

"Thank you!" The scooter took off and Sugar Belle waved goodbye to them.

Sugar Belle then opened the door and looked inside the castle.

"Grandpa? Are you here?"

Meanwhile, Clockwork and Flamethrower were arguing.

"You just had to let that old colt in here. You had to have Sweet Cream feed him and let him sit in the master's chair and now he's in the dungeon all thanks to your idiocy!" Clockwork complained to Flamethrower.

"But the unicorn was lost! I just wanted to be nice!" Flamethrower said back.

They both stopped when they saw Sugar Belle, "Hello? Is anypony here? I'm looking for my grandpa, have you seen him?"

In a little corner, Drizzle noticed Sugar Belle and hopped over to Sweet Cream, "Mommy, there's a mare in our castle. She's very pretty!"

Sweet Cream wasn't buying it, "Drizzle, you're too old to be making up these kinds of stories."

"But mommy, I saw her. She's a pink unicorn and she just walked through the door, ask anyone!"

"I still don't believe it."

A feather duster named Clean Sweep hopped over excitedly, "Sweet Cream, Drizzle, there's a mare in the castle!"

"See mommy? I told you!" Drizzle said as he hopped around excitedly.

Even Clockwork and Flamethrower noticed Sugar Belle.

"Celestia no! Not another visitor!" Clockwork groaned as he face palmed.

"But Clockwork. This is a mare! She's the one who could finally break the spell! I'm going over to her."

He hopped away as Clockwork sighed. "This won't end well, I just know it."

Sugar Belle was still walking and calling for Gingersnap when Flamethrower stopped in her tracks.

"Bonjour mon chèri, my name is Flamethrower."

Sugar Belle was confused, "You're a talking candle."

"It's a long story." said Flamethrower, "But if you follow me, I'll lead you to your grandfather."

"Thank you so much." replied Sugar Belle. She levitated Flamethrower and he led her all the way to the castle dungeon.

As soon as she saw Gingersnap in his cell, Sugar Belle dropped Flamethrower and ran up to the door.

"Grandpa! Are you okay?"

"Sugar Belle, you have to get out of here! It isn't safe!"

Sugar Belle felt Gingersnap's hooves, "Your hooves are cold. Who locked you up in here?"

Gingersnap was about to speak when Beast Mac roared.

"Who are you? I want to see you in the light."

Beast Mac came out of the shadows and into the light, causing Sugar Belle to gasp at his appearance.

"I am Beast Mac, the master of this castle. Who are you and what are you doing here?!"

"My name's Sugar Belle and I'm here for my grandfather. Please let him out."

"No!" barked Beast Mac.

Sugar Belle got onto her knees, "Please you have to let him out! He could catch his death of a cold in here."

"Well it's his fault for trespassing in my castle! He will stay here forever in the dungeon and there's nothing you can do about it."

"But maybe there is," said Sugar Belle, "Let me take his place. Please. If I do will you release Gingersnap for me?"

Beast Mac was confused, "You would actually do that for him?"

Gingersnap shook the bars, "Sugar Belle, what are you doing?!"

"Saving your life."

"Alright, but only on one condition. If you're going to take your father's place, you have to promise to stay here forever." said Beast Mac.

Sugar Belle gasped and Gingersnap ran out of the cage to protect his granddaughter, "Sugar Belle, no! Don't do this! I can't lose you like I lost your grandmother and your parents!"

"I'll be okay, take care of the bakery and tell my friends and Dough Mixer that I'll miss them." Sugar Belle said before she turned towards Beast Mac.

"You have my word."

"Good." Beast Mac grabbed Gingersnap and dragged him out of the castle.

"Wait!" Sugar Belle called, “I want to say goodbye to him! Come back!”

At the entrance, Beast Mac placed Gingersnap in a carriage cart that walked on wooden planks like a spider.

"Take Gingersnap back to his home."

As the carriage went off, Gingersnap yelled, "No! Sugar Belle!"

Beast Mac went back inside to be alive but Flamethrower hopped in front of him.

"Master, since we have a new permanent guest in the castle, you should probably give her a comfortable room to stay in so she doesn't have to sleep in the cold dungeon."

Beast Mac growled at him. "Why should I do that after her grandfather showed up without permission?"

Flamethrower trembled away, "It will be a good way for you to make her feel welcome and potentially break the curse."

Beast Mac pushed him aside, "Fine. I'll go get her right now."

Sugar Belle In Her New Home

Beast Mac stormed up all the way to the dungeon where he found Sugar Belle where he had left her, on the ground an in tears.

"Why did you do that?! I never got a chance to say goodbye, now I'll never see again!"

Beast Mac rolled his eyes, "Well I never got a chance to say goodbye to my family when they were taken from-" he put his hoof on his mouth, realizing he said too much.

Sugar Belle asked, "What did you say?"

"Nothing! Just forget it!" said Beast Mac before he changed the subject, "If you follow me, I'll show you to your new room."

"My new room?" Sugar Belle asked. "But I'm a prisoner here."

"Do you want to rot in the dungeon for the rest of your life?"

"No, I don't."

"Then come with me," Beast Mac led Sugar Belle out of the castle dungeon.

As Beast Mac led her through a hallway, she looked around at the unnerving decorations on the walls.

She stopped for a minute to look at three gargoyle heads carved into the wall. When a shadow cast a spooky glow, Sugar Belle quickly ran over to Beast Mac's side.

"You have an interesting taste in castle decorations." Sugar Belle said, trying to make conversation, "None of the mansions I've seen on Canterlot Lifestyle Channel look anything compared to this. It's very... original."

Flamethrower hopped into Beast Mac's hoof, "She just gave you a compliment, reply to her."

"Thanks? I'm glad you like it. You should see the Crystal Gem collection on the lower floor. It contains some of the finest in Equestria, I could take it to you sometime."

This put a faint smile on Sugar Belle's face, "Thanks."

"Now say something else."

Beast Mac continued, "Since this is your new home, you can go anywhere you want except for the West Wing in the castle. It's forbidden to everyone except for me."

Sugar Belle got curious, "What's in the West Wing that you don't want to tell me about?"

"It's none of your business!" Beast Mac roared, startling Sugar Belle.

Beast Mac led Sugar Belle down the hall to a large door.

"This is your room, open the door."

Sugar Belle opened the doors to find a large, fancy bedroom. She flipped on the light switch and looked at her new home.

The walls were painted a beautiful pink topaz and there was a crystal chandelier hanging on the ceiling. There was a vanity with lots of makeup, a mirror, and a hairbrush.

"By the way, none of those are alive. I ordered them from Zamorpha and the TCPony catalog." Beast Mac chimed in.

There was another door that led to a fancy personal bathroom with a toilet, a sink, a stack of hand towels, body towels, wash cloths, in the center of the room was a fancy bathtub with hot tub jets and mini lights, and overhead was a bar that would sprout a fancy waterfall shower. On the corner near the bath, there were fancy soaps, shampoos, conditioners, body washes, and boxes full of bath bombs.

Sugar Belle asked, "Are any of them-"

"No and be glad they're not."

Beast Mac quickly shut the bathroom door.

In the center of the room was a big canopy bed with soft purple bedding and lots of fluffy pink and purple pillows. On one side of the bed was a nightstand with an alarm clock and a plug in lamp. On the other side of the bed was a large pink and white wardrobe.

There was a couch at the end of the room with a coffee table and some issues of Pogue, the Equestrian Enquirer, and Pony Magazine.

Beast Mac got towards a table with a coffee maker, a Peezy-Bake Oven, a microwave, and a little mini-fridge.

"This originally was a guest suite, but since we no longer get any company, this is your new room."

"Wow, I really appreciate this, but-"

Beast Mac interrupted her as he headed for the door, "If you need anything like laundry or extra food for the mini fridge, you can call for the servants and they'll tend to your every need."

Flamethrower tapped Beast Mac on the shoulder, "Invite her to dinner."

"Also, you will have dinner with me, and that is an order!"

He slammed the door, leaving Sugar Belle alone in unfamiliar territory.

She sat down on her bed and began singing:

Yes this was my choice,
my Grandpa's place I'll take
but I never wanted to
experience heartbreak
like this...

If the master says this is
my fate well then,
he is wrong!
try again

Am I home?
Will this be where I'll spend a lifetime

Never wanted to
be all alone sad and cold

I've been told
ever since my fillyhood
even as I got old

Home has been where the heart is
Never was that so true.

My heart's so far away
my life's too.

Am I home?
Is this something I have to adjust to?
Will I find
happiness in this strange new place

now that I
will be stuck here forever
away from my friend's embrace?

This won't be very easy
and now I know just why;

my heart's so far away
from this lie.

I'd give much to go back
to the life I knew so greatly
and to think I bemoaned
my old, mundane village life.

Am I home,
will I stay in this strange world forever,
closed off from the outside until who knows when?

Well but then,
if my life gets all mixed up
it could change yet again.

Close up the world around me,
hide from everypony

Love won't last,
love can't hold all of me,

My heart's so far away,
far and free

Sugar Belle buried her face in her pillow and started to cry, not holding anything back.

Outside, Sweet Cream and Drizzle heard Sugar Belle crying.

"Mommy, can we go in and see her?" Drizzle asked, hopping up and down trying to peep through the doorway.

"Of course we can dear, I even prepared some treats for her. I'm sure they'll make her feel better."

Sugar Belle was still on her bed, looking at old photos consisting of a very young version of herself and her parents, one with her and her grandparents in front of the village bakery, and another one featuring her, Party Favor, Double Diamond, and Night Glider at the village's annual Sunset Festival.

"I miss you all so much."

*knock* *knock* *knock*

Sugar Belle looked up, "Who's at the door?"

The door opened and Sweet Cream and Drizzle rolled in with a cart of fresh cookies and a small latte.

"Hello dear, I'm Sweet Cream. My son Drizzle and I prepared some cookies and a latte for you. I made them myself."

Sugar Belle looked at the creamer and frosting drizzler, "You're talking objects!"

"Of course we are dear."

Drizzle hopped next to Sugar Belle, "Hi, you're really pretty."

Sugar Belle jumped back and bumped into the wardrobe, who suddenly sprang to life.

"Who are you?" Sugar Belle asked the wardrobe as she bounced back onto her bed.

"Who am I? I'm the one and only Operetta Soul!" The wardrobe exclaimed, "I've been the leading mare of Hiya, Marley! and Funny Mare! I won countless awards for my many performances and contributions to the theatre! Now, everypony has forgotten I ever existed, thanks to that stupid cur-"

Sweet Cream quickly shushed Operreta, not wanting to arouse curiousity in Sugar Belle.

Operetta calmed down, "Anyway, what do you want to wear for dinner? I have the perfect dress for you to wear."

She pulled out a purple gown with a ruffled skirt, rhinestone decals, and lavender slippers.

"I wore this dress the last time I performed at the Grand Galloping Gala! It was a lovely night, I sang my signature song 'Don't Pour on my Festival', that won me a Bridley award and two Phammies!"

Sugar Belle interrupted, "I appreciate you trying to get me to have dinner with Beast Mac, but I'm not going,"

"But you have to go, the master said so." said Sweet Cream.

"He may be in charge of you, but he can't tell me what to do!"

Sugar Belle then calmed down, "I'm sorry, this is just too overwhelming, I've just lost my grandfather, I'm far away from my bakery and my friends."

Sweet Cream tried to reassure her, "What you did for your father was a very brave thing. We all think so."

"I've lost everything I've ever loved!" Sugar Belle fell onto her pillow.

Sweet Cream hopped up to Sugar Belle, "Please don't cry dear, things may not be looking good now, but things will turn up, trust me.

I hope we'll become friends
though we've only just met,

If anypony can adjust to living here
than, Sugar Belle, it's you.

And somehow,
you could find,
a home here too."

Sweet Cream gave Sugar Belle a cookie to munch on.

"These cookies taste really good. If you want, I could come to the kitchen with you and we'll bake some desserts I made back home."

Sweet Cream smiled, "See? I told you it wouldn't be so bad dear,"

Author's Note

REFERENCES:

Zamorpha=Sephora

TCPony=JCPenney

Peezy-Bake Oven=Easy Bake Oven

Pogue=Vogue

Equestrian Enquirer=National Enquirer

Hiya, Marley=Hello, Dolly!

Bridely Award=Tony Award

Phammy=Grammy

Funny Mare=Funny Girl

Don't Pour on My Festival=Don't Rain On My Parade

Feather Bangs/Gingersnap Asks for Help

Back in the village, Feather Bangs was in his house pouting over his failure to get Sugar Belle to marry him.

"350,000 bits wasted on a stupid wedding that never happened!" He threw his tuxedo into a nearby garbage can and fell onto his bed.

*knock* *knock* *knock*

"Feather Bangs, it's us! Let us in!" called Freestyle.

"Just open the door, it's unlocked."

Freestyle came in Boombox, Dropped Beat, Swoon Song, Dear Darling, Fond Feather, and several other of Feather's fans.

"We felt bad about what had happened earlier, so we thought about inviting you to Flip's." said Dropped Beat. "But then we figured you'd be in too much of a sour mood to leave your house, so we invited ourselves and all of your friends over for a cheer up party."

Feather sighed, "Whatever, just come in. I don't even care."

Everypony ran into the house and set up music, food, and drinks.

Meanwhile at the village entrance, Scootaloo stopped her scooter and Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Gingersnap came to a screeching halt.

Halfway through the woods, the CMC was riding by on their scooter when they noticed Gingersnap screaming from the mutant carriage cart.

Scootaloo went up to the carriage and ordered him to release Gingersnap, and he was free.

When Gingersnap had explained what had happened to the girls and that he needed to go back to the village to get help, they were shocked but more than happy to assist Gingersnap and give him a ride back.

Gingersnap panted and removed his safety gear, "Thanks for the ride back."

"No problem!"

"We need to find my employee Dough Mixer and Sugar Belle's friends, she's still out there!"

"Don't worry Gingersnap!" said Applebloom, "We'll go find Dough Mixer and you can look for Sugar Belle's friends."

The three quickly ran off.

Gingersnap called, "Hurry back! Who knows what that awful Beast Mac could be doing to my beloved granddaughter?"

His thoughts were interrupted by a beach ball.

"Oh, sorry Gingersnap! Didn't see you there." Gingersnap looked over and saw Double Diamond, Night Glider, and Party Favor in swimming attire and Double was holding a 'MOST X-TREME ROUTINE' trophy in a satchel.

Gingersnap ran up to the three, "You guys, something really horrible happened to Sugar Belle!"

"I thought something was up with her," said Double Diamond, "When she called me earlier telling me she couldn't go to the lake with us, we figured something was troubling her. Do you think you know what happened to her?"

"I was on my way to the Canterlot Dessert Competition and I ended up getting lost and attacked by Timberwolves, so I stumbled upon a castle and I-"

Party Favor interrupted, "There's a castle nearby?" Night Glider nudged him. "Please continue."

Meanwhile at Feather Bang's house, his party was in full swing but he was having none of it. Instead he sat on a couch whining like an annoying teenager.

"I can't believe Sugar Belle! She made a huge mistake by rejecting me! No one ever says no to me! Am I right?"

Freestyle responded, "That is very true."

"The pain, the rejection, the utter humiliation! It's so overwhelming it hurts!"

Feather Bangs whined as he threw his fifth cup of cider into the wall.

"Does somepony need another cider?" Freestyle asked, trying to be friendly.

"I don't want another one!" Feather Bangs tossed the drink away, "Nothing will help me get rid of my heartbreak! I'm so disgraced!"

"No way!" said Dropped Beat, "Feather Bangs, you need to stop feeling sorry for yourselves and get your act together!

It upsets me to see you Feather Bangs
looking so sad and so glum.

Feather Bangs shoved him away and Freestyle continued the song,

All these guys look up to you Feather Bangs
you make their boring lives fun!

There's no colt in town who's popular as you,
you're everypony's favorite guy!

We are in awe at the things that you do,
and it's not all that hard to see why!!

Feather Bangs's groupies sighed and crowded Feather Bangs.

Freestyle began hopping around the living room and singing:

No one's like Feather Bangs
is hot like Feather Bangs
No pony else can flip their hair like Feather Bangs!

There's no one in town quite charming!

Feather Bangs, Swoon Song, and Dear Darling lifted up Feather:

You're perfect in every way!

Boombox ran around to rally the other guests:

You can ask all the guests at this party
and they'll tell you just just how you brighten up their days!

Who drives carts like Feather Bangs?
Warms hearts like Feather Bangs?

Who's more than a handsome face than Feather Bangs?

Feather Bangs, feeling a little better (mostly because of the cider), sang:

I'm an awesome colt and I'm intimidating!

You're such a guy Feather Bangs!

Feather Bangs gathered his friends together:

I feel so much better, I love you guys!

Freestyle pulled the boys jnto a group hug:

There's no pony as easy to cheer up as you!

"Okay, let me go now. This is getting awkward."

The hug split up.

The crowd joined in:

Who fights like Feather Bangs?
Flies kites like a Feather Bangs?

In a dance battle,
you're no match for Feather Bangs!

Feather Bangs climbed onto a table holding onto his groupies:

There's nopony we love to fawn over!

Feather Bangs pushed them off the table:

Because I always get what I want!
Not a part of me's ugly and nerdy
for my charm and talent I always do flaunt!

Who's hot like Feather Bangs?
Kisses like Feather Bangs?

When it comes to mares no one flirts like Feather Bangs!

Feather Bangs picked up a random earth pony mare:

I am awesomely good at making them love me!

She kissed the random mare on the lips and pushed her away.

Yay for Feather Bangs!

Feather Bangs pulled down a spotlight from a lamp stand:

When I was a colt, I put fancy mane cream
in my manedo to give it some flounce.

And now that I'm grown I have the perfect mane
so now I flip my bangs and they bounce!!

"Dance solo!"

Feather Bangs started to do a merry Irish jig on the table.

"Everypony dance with me!"

The guests started slapping their forehooves and clinking their drinks together.

Freestyle, Boom Box, and Dropped Beat paired up with the groupies and started square dancing.

"Yee-haw!"

Soon everypony joined in and when they were done, Freestyle jumped all the way up onto the chandelier and swung around on it singing as the crowd sang along:

We love you Feather Bangs!
You're the best Feather Bangs!
We can go all day with this whole song Feather Bangs!

Feather Bangs hopped into the lap of the mate he kissed earlier:

I have posters of boy bands inside my bedroom!

The crowd laughed for a minute but Boombox made them stop and led them in finishing the song:

He gives us a jolt!
The best colt of all colts!

He's an awesome success!
No question he's the best!

You can ask all his friends
They'll never lie!
He's the the greatest guy!

Feather Bangs!

Everypony was cheering and clinking glasses. Freestyle jumped off of the chandelier and landed in the arms of Dear Darling.

"I feel better already! Nothing can spoil this day!"

Suddenly, Gingersnap opened the door in a panicked frenzy,

"Help! Somepony help me!" He began to run up a to guests shaking them, trying to get their attention.

"Gingersnap, what happened?" asked Feather Bangs.

"He's got my Sugar Belle locked away in a dungeon! We have to go save her now!"

"Who?"

"A horrible beast who lives in a castle with anthropomorphic furniture! Please help me!"

All of the guests stared in disbelief before bursting out laughing at these words.

One guest was confused: "There's a castle?"

Gingersnap ran up to the guest, "Yes there is! I've got a search party of Sugar Belle's friends waiting near the woods! I need other ponies to join me! Please!"

Feather Bangs looked at his friends, hoping to make fun of the situation.

"Was this beast hairy?" asked Dropped Beat.

"Very hairy with big horns like Lord Tirek! He had razor sharp claws and fangs and he even stood on two legs! Feather Bangs, you have to help me rescue her!"

"Let me think, no. There is no castle and there is no beast living in it with his animatronic friends. You and your amateur search party are on your own."

Freestyle whispered in Feather's ear, "Dude, if you do this, Sugar Belle will finally agree to marry you."

Feather Bangs looked at Gingersnap, "Alright, Freestyle and I will go with you, but if you are lying to me about this, there will be consequences."

Gingersnap bent down on his knees, "Thank you." He ran out of the house.

"Feather Bangs, why can't Dropped Beat and I come with you?" asked Boombox.

"Shut up! This is a two man job! You guys keep partying. Freestyle and I will deal with the old man."

Feather Bangs grabbed his bow and arrow and a rope and Freestyle grabbed a frying pan and they left the house to put their plan into action.

The Dinner Argument

Back at the castle, Clockwork was in the kitchen where he was supervising the cooking staff finishing up dinner for Beast Mac and Sugar Belle

"After five years of having the staff bringing our food up to the master's chambers." said Grill Fire, the talking kitchen stove, "He's finally requested to have a nice family meal in the dining room with his new marefriend. I know nothing about this mare so I've had the staff make everything on the menu so everypony can enjoy what we have to offer."

"This will be perfect. I'll go fetch the master and our guest." said Clockwork as he hopped away.

He hopped all the upstairs to see Sweet Cream, Flamethrower, and Clean Sweep come out of Sugar Belle's room.

"Since we have company, the kitchen staff has made everything so hopefully she'll find something she can enjoy." said Clockwork.

He hopped around, shocking his friends when they discovered a wind up handle on his back.

"Um, Clockwork? There's something on your back."

"What are you talking abou- AAHH!" Clockwork turned around and saw the handle on his back. "Why is this happening to me?"

"It's because of the curse." said Sweet Cream, "Every day it makes us more less human and eventually we'll be inanimate objects."

"Ugh! It's all Pearl and Garnet's faults!" groaned Clockwork, "They're the ones who transformed the master into the pony he is today! If we had somehow prevented them for being mean to Big Mac, this curse wouldn't have happened!"

"I know you're still angry about failing to protect Big Mac from Pearl and Garnet and the fact that you're upset about this curse." said Flamethrower, "But we can only get through this if we work together to help Big Mac. Sweet Cream and I will go fetch him while you talk to Sugar Belle."

Meanwhile in his chambers, Beast Mac was standing at the enchanted apple tree alone.

Over the past five years, the little tree had been placed in an enchanted indoor plant holder where it grew and sprouted apples. But a few months earlier, the apples had started to fall from the tree, signaling that there wasn't that much time left to break the curse.

"If I had just been a better person and let Applejack in, none of this would have happened." thought Beast Mac.

"Um, monsieur Macintosh?" Flamethrower asked as he knocked on the door, "How are you feeling?"

Beast Mac opened the door, knocking the candlestick towards the other objects.

"Where's Sugar Belle? It's time for supper? Is she ready yet? IS SHE?!"

Sweet Cream tried to calm him down, "Please take it easy on the girl master. The poor mare hasn't been doing well for the past few hours, try to give her some space."

"BUT I SPECIFICALLY ASKED HER TO EAT WITH ME!! WHY ISN'T SHE HERE?!"

"Calm down!" said Flamethrower, "If you chase her away, you'd be missing out on a golden opportunity. This Sugar Belle could be the one to break the spell. Have you ever thought about that?"

"Yes, I know she could potentially break this curse. I may be a beast but I'm not stupid."

"Perfect, you two can have dinner together, you'll fall in love, get married and *BOOM* we'll be back to our old selves in no time! This is going to be perfect."

"But Flamethrower, relationships take time and patience-"

"We don't have that! Our apple tree is starting to lose apples, we have until the final apple falls to break this curse!"

Beast Mac sighed, "Forget it. Sugar Belle is so beautiful. I'm a hideous monster. She could never fall for someone as ugly as me."

"You're not ugly master." said Clockwork, "You're just... just,"

"hairy," said Flamethrower.

"Short tempered." added Sweet Cream.

"And somewhat broody." said Flamethrower, "But you can fix all of that by taking advice from us. First, you should stop being so morose all the time. Try smiling more often."

"And have a good posture. Mares love stallions with excellent posture, act like a gentlecolt."

"Stand on all fours, shower her with compliments, and most of all,"

"Keep your temper under control!" both of the objects said.

Clockwork nervously hopped over.

"Clockwork," said Beast Mac, "Is Sugar Belle coming to dinner with me or what?"

"Well she's currently getting ready for... uh, she's currently-"

"CURRENTLY WHAT?!"

"She's not coming down at all!" Clockwork spontaneously blurted out.

"SHE WHAT?!" Beast Mac ran to Sugar Belle's room while Flamethrower, Clockwork, and Sweet Cream followed him.

"Master please! Do you remember any of our conversation?!"

In her room, Sugar Belle was on her bed looking at an Equestrian Enquirer magazine when Beast Mac loudly banged on the door.

"OPEN THIS DOOR!"

Sugar Belle looked up, "No! You can't make me open the door! It's my room."

"Well I'm the master of this castle and I have the right to go into any room I want to!"

"Good luck getting in, I locked the door."

Beast Mac sighed.

Flamethrower ran to the front door, "Monsieur, please don't-"

"Stay out of this!" He threw Flamethrower to the wall and kicked the door open, startling Sugar Belle and the others.

"I ASKED YOU NICELY TO JOIN ME FOR DINNER!" Beast Mac yelled in Sugar Belle's face.

"I'm not hungry!" Sugar Belle replied.

"I don't care if you're hungry or not, you're coming to dinner with me!"

"I told you I don't want to go!" Sugar Belle retorted back.

"If you don't come down with me, I'm going to-"

"MASTER STOP!" Flamethrower called, "This is an E rated story! You can't win over the girl with threats of physical violence!"

"Please try and be nice to her." said Clockwork, "Be a gentlecolt."

"But she's acting like a spoiled teenager!" complained Beast Mac.

"Well maybe that's because you aren't being very nice to me," Sugar Belle said through the door.

Beast Mac was furious, "I WANT YOU TO COME TO DINNER! I SWEAR I'M GOING TO BREAK DOWN THAT DOOR!"

He charged toward the door as the objects tried to hold him back.

"Master, for Celestia's sake stop it!" ordered Sweet Cream as she managed to calm down the angry beast pony,

"I know that you're really upset that Sugar Belle is refusing to comply with your demands, but maybe she will go with you if you say it nicely. So try again. But this time be a gentlemen."

Beast Mac went up to the door to try again, "Will you please join me for dinner?"

But Sugar Belle was still standing by her word, "I'm sorry but no thank you."

"You can't lock yourself in that room forever!"

"Yes I can, I have everything I need!"

"FINE! THEN STAY IN YOUR ROOM AND WASTE AWAY! SEE IF I CARE!" Beast Mac roared.

He stormed away and Flamethrower got into his way, "Beast Mac please-"

"SHE DOESN'T WANT TO EAT WITH ME, SHE WILL NEVER EAT AT ALL!" Beast Mac knocked Flamethrower into a wall and stormed back to his chambers and slammed the door so loudly a plant fell on Clockwork.

"Well that worked well," said Flamethrower, "NOT!"

"This is going to be very difficult," said Sweet Cream.

Clockwork sighed and hopped away, "Ill go and tell the waiting staff to clean up dinner."

Inside Sugar Belle's room, she threw herself into her bed, exhausted over her argument.

Operetta Soul leaned over to the bed, "I heard everything that must have been some argument you and the master had."

"It sure was," said Sugar Belle, "And you know what I think of Beast Mac?"

Meanwhile back at Beast Mac's room, he sighed, "I hope she didn't take it too hard."

He picked up his enchanted mirror lying on an adjacent dresser.

"Mirror, please show me Sugar Belle."

The mirror's reflection transformed into Sugar Belle in her room talking with Operetta Soul.

"You can't stay mad at the master forever sweetheart," said Operetta Soul, "He may seem rough and mean but he's very cordial once you get past his temper."

"He's so annoying! I don't want anything to do with him! I'd rather go on a date with Feather Bangs than spend the rest of my life in the castle with that abusive psychopath!"

"But-"

"I don't wanna talk anymore." Sugar Belle cut off Operetta.

Beast Mac was shocked as he heard the conversation.

He put the mirror down, "What was I thinking?" Beast Mac said to himself, "Shell never love me. To her and to everyone, I'll always be a monster."

He walked away and went over to his nightstand where a picture of Big Mac, his parents, Granny Smith, Applejack, and Applebloom was lying in a picture frame.

"Ma, pa. I wish you were still here, then I wouldn't be like this."

He began to cry and across the room, the little apple tree started to drop two little apples, signaling that there wasn't much time left.