So it had come to this..

Sharp had hoped it wouldn't, but Big Mac had called him out, and challenged him. Tonight, the two stallions would go out and settle this once and for all. While the big guy hadn't provided him with answers, or clues to where they were going, or what exactly they were going to do, Sharp prepared himself mentally.

Dinner was kind of awkward. While there was no bad blood between the two stallions, the tension between them was so thick that you could almost cut it with a knife!

They sat across from one another, silently eating their dinner. Applejack and Apple Bloom had long ago noticed something was up, but what exactly it was they had no idea. Granny was the only one who seemed totally unaware of the tension, or if she noticed she did not comment on it.

Despite the two stallions not talking, either to them, or to each other, they both still eyed the other. They were almost glaring, and Applejack was starting to worry if the two had a falling out, she'd never seen her brother, or Sharp, acting this way.

Sharp mostly felt like punching Macintosh, he was a big red hypocrite, and no pony called him a coward. On the opposite end, Macintosh glared back at Sharp. He was as stubborn as a mule, and as thick as a fencepost. Mac wanted to knock some sense into him, but they had both agreed to settle this his way, and that would have to wait until after dinner.

Finally, Applejack had enough. "Alright you two, would you mind telling me what the hay is going on between you two?"

"Nothing, Applejack.. Nothin at all, right Mac?"

"Eeyup."

Even though they replied, none of them looked at her, much to her frustration. She was just about to get up and voice that frustration, Sharp stood. "That was very delicious Granny Smith, thank you for another great dinner." He said almost stiffly, still keeping his glare on Mac.

"Eeyup." Agreed Mac, standing up too.

"Aww, thank you, boys." The old mare smiled, as if she didn't sense something was wrong. "Do you want some apple pie?"

"No thank you." Both said in unison, and then without another word, the two left the kitchen, and made their way out of the house.

Applejack was dumbstruck, looking after the two stallions as they left the kitchen. After a few seconds of confused silence, Applejack whirled around in her chair, looking at a still calm Granny, pointed towards the door and asked in a confused tone. "What in tarnation is going on here, Granny?"

Granny looked up from her plate, at first a bit confused, but then she smiled gently. "Don't mind them, Applejack. It's just stallion stuff."

"Stallion stuff?" Repeated Apple Bloom, slightly confused. "Is Big Mac and Sharp fighting?"

Granny shrugged. "If they are, they are taking care of it right now." Both the filly and the mare looked even more confused, stared in silence at Granny. She didn't elaborate, instead she just let out a wishful sigh. "Reminds me of when I was young.. You should have seen ya grandpa! He could throw a left hook before the other stallion had time to flinch!"

Now the two sisters looked at each other, exchanging worried looks.

The sun was slowly vanishing in the horizon, Ponyville slowly becoming quiet. So far neither Sharp or Mac had spoken, both just kept following the dirt road. Sharp of course followed Mac, as he was the only one knowing where this little duel would take place.

"You can still back out," Mac then said, still looking ahead with a determined look in his eyes.

Sharp snorted. "And back down from a challenge? I didn't get through a war to back down when insulted."

Neither of them were really in the mood for a compromise at this point. No words could be spoken that would soothe their frustrations, or tame their dispute. No amount of rational thinking, or clever points would stop what was about to happen. They both knew this, and both accepted the necessity, and the stupidity of all this.

The two made their way through the streets of Ponyville, and Sharp got a feeling this would not be a private confrontation, the kind you would see in the army. If you had a problem with a fellow soldier you would talk to them in private, if that didn't work they would usually take the matter behind a tent and fight it out. Sharp doubted this was what Mac had in mind, he imagined you really had to overstep to get some pony like Mac to beat you up.

They trotted for about ten minutes, moving between cottages, through streets, until they stopped at a building. Sharp could hear laughter, music, and talking. The smell of booze hung in the air, and one look at the wooden sign above the door told him all he needed to know. "The Golden Mare?" Sharp looked at Mac, who smirked slightly, and Sharp found himself smirking back.

"A bar?"

"No better place to settle this."

The tension eased slightly, but that didn't mean the challenge was off the table. Without any more words exchanged between them, the two stallions had an understanding. Whoever won, there would be no bad blood between them. This was more about honor now, while the terms of the challenge were still very much in place.

They made their way inside, many patrons eyed the newcomers, some probably recognizing Sharp, while all knew of Mac. Some waved, greeted him, or just gave him a polite nod as he passed. Most however, just eyed them. Not with unfriendly eyes, but enough that Sharp could gather that they knew something was up.

Sharp just followed, keeping his head high, his eyes fixed forward. He noticed Mac gain eye contact with a stallion behind the bar, then nod towards Sharp. through some inaudible understanding, the bartender understood instantly. Sharp decided not to comment on it, letting Mac handle whatever preparations he saw fit.

Mac soon found them a table, and the two stallions sat down. Once again they sat across from one another, just like they had done at the dinner table. This time however, the mood between them was more light. For the first few seconds, none spoke, they just eyed one another, sitting in silence. It wasn't until the bartender trotted up to them, placing two mugs of beer on their table that one spoke to the other.

"So, this is your idea?" Sharp asked, nodding down towards the mugs. "Drinking me under the table?"

A low chuckle escaped the red stallion. "Nope." He took the mug, and in one movement, he downed the beverage in one go.

Sharp was impressed, but would not let himself fall behind, and so he did the same. Having been away for two years had changed his tastes, before the war he could never see himself drinking like this. But after two years of fighting, living amongst so many stallions, he had changed, and once in a while you just needed to drink. Mac would have made for a great soldier, and truth be told, he would not mind having someone like him in his squad.

On the other hoof, with Sharp having changed so much, he dreaded thinking about what the war would do to Mac. Not because Mac was weak, heck, strength had nothing to do with it, being physical or mentally. You never knew how someone would react once the bullets started flying. Take the best recruit you have, put him in a combat zone, and only then will you see what he is truly made of.

When the mugs had been emptied the bartender got them two knew one, as if understanding whatever Mac was doing, it needed booze. "So." Said Sharp, eying his friend. "If this is not about drinking, then what do you have in mind?" Without another word, Mac put his foreleg up on the table. Sharp raised an eyebrow. "Hoof wrestling?"

"Eeyup."

Sharp smirked, knowing full well this could go both ways. "And if I win, I decide when I tell Applejack?"

"Eeyup."

"And if you win, I tell her at the harvest party?"

"Eeyup."

"Alright," Shrugged Sharp. "I'm game." He placed his foreleg on the table as well, and the two stallions locked their fetlocks in place. None of them started to push yet, both of them just looked into each other's eyes, both gaining a serious expression.

"Ready?" Asked Mac, and Sharp nodded.

Without another word, the two stallions tensed their muscles, and started to push. The table under them groaned slightly, and the pressure from the top got stronger. The first few seconds surprised both stallions, as none of them were able to move the other's foreleg. Both were locked in place, and their muscles pressed and pressed in the hopes of gaining some ground.

Their forelegs shook a little, tiny vibrations as they increased the pressure. The two stallions started to glare at one another, neither of them willing to back down. The table shook again, and by this time a crowd had started to gather. They were not used to seeing any pony hold their own against Big Mac, at least not for this long.

In the end however, Sharp knew he could not hold out. When push came to show, Mac was simply the stronger pony, and Sharp knew he did not stand a chance. The only reason he had held out for as long as he was, was because of the tricks he had picked up during his time in the army.

However, his endurance was failing him, and it was only a matter of time before Mac would win. The two of them gave another push, grunting as they increased the push. The ponies around them marveled at the display of strength, both stallions refusing to give up, sweat moving down their foreheads, and the table shaking beneath them.

What happened next lasted maybe only a second, Sharp didn't even fully realize what happened before he was on the floor. His strength was failing, and just as he felt Mac gaining ground, the table suddenly snapped, the leg somehow broke in two, sending the whole table crashing down, with the two stallions following right after.

First the two smacked into one another, then they fell to the floor. The mugs spilled beer, and the whole scene was total chaos. When the two finally sat up, blinking a few times as they tried to realize what had just happened. A few seconds of silence followed, but soon enough, the crowd of ponies who had been watching them started to laugh.

Took Mac and Sharp a moment to catch up, but when they looked at each other, and the mess around them, they too started to laugh.

Soon enough they had the table cleared, and helped clean up the mess they had made. Once done, the two friends trotted up to the bar, and ordered a new round. They pushed the mugs together in a cheer, and then downed the contents.

"I got to say, you're stronger than you look." Said Mac, smiling as he clearly was impressed. "Never had any pony hold out for so long."

"Well, if the table hadn't broken, I would not have been able to hold out for much longer." Replied Sharp, taking another sip of beer. "At any rate, you won, Mac. You won fair and square."

Mac looked slightly surprised. "But we didn't finish? It wasn't decided."

Sharp waved him off. "No, I knew I was going to lose. Had the table withstood the pressure for just a few seconds longer, my hoof would have slammed into it. I know when I'm out of league. You won."

"That's mighty honest of you."

Again, Sharp waved him off. "Fair is fair, I'm not gonna be a bad sport about it. Only, I just don't know if I can do it. What should I say to her?" His ears flattened, as the thought of confessing to Applejack made him nervous. It wasn't like he hadn't been with a mare before, but he had never really been in a proper relationship before.

"Just be honest with her." Mac pushed another mug of beer to him. "But let's not think about that now. Drink up, it's on me."

Sharp shook his head, smirking. Picking up the mug, the two stallions cheered once again, and started to drink. With the challenge over, the two friends could finally relax and go back to normal.

It was past midnight, Ponyville had gone quiet, and so had most of Equestria. That however didn't stop Mac or Sharp from singing as they trotted down the dirt road back to Sweet Apple Acres.

At this point the two stallions had been drinking for hours, laughing, sharing stories, and interests. As of now, they were very drunk, and very happy. This whole experience had helped them bond, and right now, Sharp had to admit he felt as close to Mac as if he was his brother.

Sharp decided to tell Mac just that, although it came out less elegant when he spoke the words. "Yor fucing.. Fucking grape, grabe.. Great! M-Mac!"

Mac replied, his words just as unclear as Sharp's. "You're greath, too!"

The two of them laughed, trotting down the road, wobbling, and swaying with each step they took. They continued to move, but more than once they stumbled, trotted into the wooden fence, or simply took a wrong turn. They just laughed it off, enjoying the cool night air.

Soon enough the two stallions passed the gate to Sweet Apple Acres, and the two giggled as they tried to make their way inside the house silently. The whole house was dark and silent, and as the two stallions tried to navigate the dark house, they more than a few times bumped into one another, or into something else that made a noise.

"Hehe, shhh! Shut the fuck up.."

"I'm trying, but I can't see.."

A small wooden table was pushed to the side, and Mac fell down. Both of them snickered. "You okay?" Sharp asked.

"Eeyup.."

Suddenly the light came on, blinding both the stallions momentarily. "What in tarnation is going on here?" Both of them looked up to face the voice. It was Applejack, standing at the stairs with a serious expression.

"Oh, oops.." Both of them said in a lone tone.

"What time do you call this?" She asked, looking both cross and annoyed.

Sharp narrowed his eyes, thinking about the question carefully. Once he thought he got the answer, he tried giving it a go. "Late..?"

Mac nodded. "Eeyup.."

Applejack sent them a deadpanned look. "You're drunk." It wasn't a question, but rather, a statement.

"Only a little," replied Sharp.

The farm mare sighed, knowing there was no reasoning with these two tonight. They would get an earful tomorrow morning, no point in doing it now. "Alright, we'll talk about this tomorrow, now both of you, get up to bed."

Neither Sharp, or Mac, argued, they knew it was safer not to tempt destiny, and just go along and get to bed. Though both of them were wobbling, and swaying, not looking like they were gonna make it up the stairs, not without help anyway. Mac was not going to be easy to get up there, so there was only one option for him.

"Gosh darn it, Mac. You're gonna have to sleep downstairs tonight." At first it looked like Mac wanted to protest, but seemed to think better of it and just nodded. "And you!" She turned towards Sharp, who jumped a little in surprise. "You're coming with me."

"Yes, ma'am.." He tried to take a step, but was about to fall.

Seeing the accident happen before it could develop, Applejack hurried to his side and steadied him before the fall. "Easy there, partner."

"Wow.. I think.. I think I had one too many.."

"I know, sugarcube." Replied Applejack, a small smile appearing as she helped him upstairs. She wasn't really angry, just a bit disappointed that her brother and her friend came home drunk, Apple Bloom didn't need to see this. Granny had explained stallions sometimes needed to blow off steam in their own ways. This just seemed... Excessive.

"Whoops!" Sharp took a wrong step, but was quickly steadied by Applejack.

"You're really drunk."

"Thanks!"

Applejack snorted a small laugh, clearly he wasn't all there yet. Soon enough they were all the way up the stairs, and making their way towards his room. Now that they had more room to trot, Sharp became more steady. Although he still bumped into her from time to time, Applejack didn't really mind.

The two made their way into his room, and Applejack prepared his bed for him. "Now get on in, you need to sleep."

"Yes, ma'am.. I do as ordered by my superiors..."

Sharp let out a small chuckle, then with as little grace as possible, he managed to get into bed. Once in, Applejack tucked him in, making sure he was comfortable. Normally she wouldn't do this for any stallion, but this was different, somehow. She didn't really know why she did it, she just felt like it.

"You have pretty eyes.."

Applejack looked up, a little startled. "What?"

"You have very pretty eyes.." He smiled, looking more or less normal now. She could see his eyes running over her, and for the first time she was with him, she felt slightly exposed. "I like your mane free like that.. It suits you.." His head laid back against the pillow. "You know, you have a great family.."

Applejack smiled, though blushed after the sudden compliment. "I know.. I love them very much."

Sharp nodded. "Mac is great, Apple Bloom is cute, Granny is wise, and you... You are the most beautiful and amazing mare I've ever met.."

"Sharp.."

Her heart raced a little faster, and her cheeks warmed up. Was this it, was this the time that they would confess to the feelings that had been building up these past few months? No, this wasn't the time, nor was it the place.

"Thank you, Sharp.." She said with a gentle smile, stroking his mane.

"You really are.." Applejack interrupted him with a hoof over his lips.

"Shhhh, hush now, try and get some sleep.."

Sharp nodded, and Applejack removed her hoof. "Goodnight, Applejack.."

"Goodnight." She leaned forward, placing a small peck on his forehead. "Sugarcube.."

Soon enough Sharp started snoring lightly, and Applejack made for the door. Her heart was still racing, and her cheeks still warm. She had been that close to take the next step, but she refused to do it like this. If Sharp felt something for her, then he should come to her when the time was right, and when he was clear headed. If their hearts were really connected, then she wanted to do this the right way.

She glanced back at him, smiling slightly as she saw him sleep soundly. With a little giggle, she trotted out of the room, and closed the door.

Author's Note

Sorry for the short chapter, and sorry for the wait. I had a bit of writer's block, and I did not want to stretch the chapter more than it needed to.

Special thanks to my editor, Jason Monroe, and my amazing artist, Hoodwinked MCShelster!!