Unchained

•Some friends bonding•

•Steel P.O.V•

Me, and Mac walk with the wagon behind us to the apple stall they have, and set up the stand. I sat on the cart as I watched the residents come, and go buying what they needed from the red stallion while I handed him baskets from time to time.
A few fillies stopped, and gawked at me as I moved. Some were too nervous to look at me, others were ushered by their parents to get further from me.
I worked handing apples off to the red stallion in front of me. I looked over the horizon barely making out the now more busy than ever sugarcube corner.

I looked down at Mac, and gave him a pat on the shoulder.
"Hey kid, no one is here right now. You want to run to sugarcube corner. I heard they have a new cake".

Mac looked back at me, then looked around sighing before reluctantly nodding his head.
I restacked all of the product we were selling, making sure no one could steal anything, and we made our way to the sweets shop. I looked around at the place taking on what used to be just a field now a flourishing town full of life, and sound.
As I looked around I could feel Mac's heart beating with every step we took his heart beat faster, and faster. I looked towards him, and noticed he was looking at someone. I followed his eyes, then saw what got his heart going. It was a pretty lady with a tail, and hair a very light shape of pink, and fur that was a deep shade that had a more red hue to it.

I gave him a nudge on the arm, and a grin.
"Hey Mac, who's the pretty lady that got your eye there buddy".

He jumped a bit as he felt the cold bone on his arm, but settled down only to be made nervous at the question.
"Miss Cheerilee".

I chuckled at the way his heart rate increased even more at the mention of her name, and decided to push it.
"Oho so is she your girlfriend, or somethin".

His heart started beating like crazy before slowing down some.
"Nope".

I grinned, and turned to look at her.
"Well I guess I oughta go, an' see if she'd like a coffee with me sometime".

Mac looked over at me as his heart rate jumped he stormed past me, and to the mare I stood, and watched him approach her they talked for a bit, then he walked up to me with a puffed out chest. I stood, and looked into his prideful eyes until the jetlag of what he just did caught up to him, and his face quickly changed to one of pure fear.

"What in tartarus did I do".
He grabbed his face, and slowly tried to calm himself down.

I chuckled, and pat him on the shoulder leading him to the sweets shop.
"Based on what I heard you my boy got a coffee date with that pretty lady".

He looked up at me, and shook his head trying to wrap it around what he just did.
"You bucker you mean the whole time".

"Abso-fuckin'l-utely kid I knew you had a hard on for th' girl I just needed to give you a excute to grow a set of balls, and be a man I'll treat you to a special drink on our way back".
I pulled him close, and gave him a shake as we continued our trip I could feel him calm down, and nod his head.

They continued on their way until they noticed some ponies lined up on a sidewalk not far from the bakery they walked around the corner, and saw the whole side of the place was filled ponies lined up straight to the bakery. The two walked, and followed the line up to the bakery in question, and saw it bustling with life ponies coming, and going every so often. They all left with similar boxes talking happily, and continuing with their day the two were about to approach to see what all the excitement was until they were approached by the little filly that Jimmy met the day prior.

"Hello there Sir are you here to make more of those tasty cakes again".
She bounced a little as she talked to him.

"Not today little one I'm here to treat Mr. MacInosh a sweet treat what brings you here today anyhow".
He kneeled down, and pet the little filly not paying attendance to the pink pony, and the patrons l0 that were gawking at him.

"I'm here for the same reason as everypony else that tasty cake of you the kladakaka kladikeaka".
She continued to try to pronounce the word.

"It's Kladdkaka, and thanks it's been a while since I did anything like that anyhow thanks for the info".
He stood up, and got ready to head to the bakery but was stopped by big blue set of eyes that made him jump, but keep his smile.

"Hi Big Mac, hi Jimmy what brings you two here"?
She bounced like crazy in place while she stared into the demon's eye.

"Well howdy there Pinkie I'm here to treat Mac here to a slice of that cake I showed you anyway we can purchase a piece?"
He did a nodding motion with hi head as he looked at her Mac stood behind him just listening.

Her face dropped, then perked up again as she got a idea.
"I can't get you a piece of that cake, but if you can teach me more recipes I'll see if the cakes would be willing to trade bits for your treats".

He shook his head, and pat Pinkie on the shoulder.
"I would not mine that a business partnership between two people, and besides cakes aren't the only thing I learned how to make I can make all kinds of stuff".

Pinkie jumped excitedly, and grabbed their arms dragging the two men into the bakery past the other ponies some grunted in discomfort being bear the living corpse, but also that they were cutting in line. The two were brought to the owners who were struggling to keep up with all of the orders.
"Pinkie thank Celestia coumd you help us make more of those cakes we have more orders than cakes".
The pink mare saluted, and disappeared into the kitchen to start baking more of the chocolatey confections.

The husband, and wife looked at the two men, and smiled when they saw the skull of Steel Ms. Cake looked towards him, and gave him a wave.
"Hello Jimmy can you do us a favor, and hand those to the ones who ordered they are the pony's sitting at booths right now, and the mare with the papers".

He nodded with a smile, and grabbed the several boxes with his hands, and chain then began to distribute the snacks to their respective buyers before returning to the counter to be asked to distribute even more boxes of confections some of the patrons watched in amazement at the metal links working like appendages. After some time Big Mac had sat down on a chair waiting for eventhing to slow down they had run out of supplies to make more of the confections ponies grumbled, but bought whatever else the cakes had, and moved on with their day. Mr, and Mrs. Cake closed shop early to get some extra rest for the next day.

Ms. Cake looked to Mac who the demon had began to about what they were going to do next she walked over with a smile.
"Thank Celestia you showed up Jimmy we would have never do this without your help, but what brought you, and Big Mac here today"?

He looked over at Mrs. Cake with a small smile.
"Actually Mrs. Cake I brought him here to try a slice, but we saw the line however Pinkie over there had mentioned she wanted to speak with you, and your husband about a little trade".

As if on cue Pinkie pie popped up, and started talking excitedly.
"Yeah I wanted to see if you, and Mr. Cake would like see if Jimmy here wanted to sell some more cake recipes from his world to you".

Jimmy was about to say something, but was interrupted by Mrs. Cake.
"Actually that's not a bad idea I mean we just made a profit off of just selling his cakes alone".

Him, and Mac watched the two mares bounce back, and forth to each other until Mrs. Cake looked to him.
"Would you be willing to sell recipes from your world to us if you're ok with that"?

He stopped, and thought for a second, then nodded his head.
"Ok, but since I'm out of date as to how currency works here I'll let you three discuss the price in the mean time I'm going to write down what I can remember, but be warned they all come from different country, and have ingredients different to this world now if you don't mind me, and Mac here have a little something to talk, about, so we better leave before it gets dark".

The two mares nodded before started to talk about their new partner as Big Mac, and Jimmy walked out of the place. Mac followed the demon to wherever he was headed, but started getting a bit unnerved when they started walking into the everfree forest Mac stayed close, but just far enough behind that if something happened he could get away, but his suspicions were cut short when he saw light in the direction they were headed.
They approached, and Mac saw the Lunar guard, and a couple unicorns from the solar guard walking in, and out of the old castle of the two sisters with barrels the top stood just above the carts floor, and as wide as Mac's forearm was long, along with many relics he'd never knew existed. He was about to ask what was going on, but wasn't able to when he watched Jimmy walk over to one of the guards, and start talking to him the guard pointed over to the many barrels sitting off close to a carriage they were being loaded onto. The large demon nodded, and walked over grabbing one of the barrels putting it over his shoulder like it was nothing when it took two of the guards to get it on the cart Jimmy walked over, and gave a thumbs up walking towards him the sound of a sloshing liquid.

The man stopped in front of him with a grin.
"Ready for a special drink"?

Mac looked at him skeptically, but nodded nonetheless, and followed him back to the farm more curious than anything about what was in the barrel. A short time passed when they arrived back at the farm sitting in the barn Jimmy pulled the cork from the wood lid with a audible pop, and soon enough the barn was filled with a strong order of alcohol, but it was nothing like Mac had smelled before whatever this was it was stronger than anything he's had before.

"Big Mac I want to introduce you to the strongest booze you'll ever drink Moonshine".
Jimmy smiled at Mac with the biggest grin he's seen on any pony before.

"What in tarnation is moonshine"?
Mac asked leaning closer, and taking a sniff only to pull back quickly almost tipping over.

"Moonshine is a liquor made from something called corn mash, and when made properly will knock your dick in th' dirt now run inside, and grab a couple glasses for me, an' you we're gonna get fucked up".
He grabbed barrel, and dipped a bony finger into the barrel, and licked the liquid from it he shuddered a bit looking at it. At the same time Big mac ran in, and quickly grabbed two glasses trying not to wake the others up, then snuck back to the barn. He handed over a glass to Jimmy who then picked up the barrel, and began to pour in the clear liquid into the glass handing it over to Mac, then filling one for himself they toasted, and tossed it back they both let out a gasped of air from the taste, and burn, but continued to drink the night away.
They sat in the barn drinking, and talking about their lives Mac talked about granny, and his sisters while Jimmy sat, and listened drinking away letting his mind wander around a bit as he listened to Mac's stories, and the such. He'd share a tale with Mac every so often of his time in the trenches, and all of the mama things he did, the things he learned, and the people he met through his time, traveling the earth.
He told Mac about the scenery, and all of the beautiful things the world offered during his time, the advancements in technology, and the conveniences that were introduced. They kept drinking, and joking with each other. At some point Mac asked him what was going to be done about the bodies outside the barn, and was answered with a laugh, then a wave for him to follow. The two walked outside, and around the barn dragging the barrel with them still drinking out of it over to the stack of hay where they hid the bodies still fresh, and succulent Jimmy looked to the house for a second.

He looked at Mac, and grinned his sharp teeth gleaming in the moonlight.
"Hey Mac tink ah can eat dis guysh hand whole"?

The red stallion looked at his new drinking buddy, and slurred back the alcohol strong on both of their breaths.
"D'know les find out if ya can I'm bettin' ten bits you can't".

"Yer on bish now shtand back don' wanna get ya covered in blood".
He grabbed the nearest body, and tore off it's arm. He looked it over, then opened his mouth as wide as he could, snuck a glance at Big Mac, and bit the hand clean off before swallowing it whole.
Mac watched in shock, and pulled out a handful of bits, setting them on a nearby hay bale he grumbled as Jimmy ate away at the bodies while the two kept on drinking, and talking some more until they eventually passed out on the ground.

Crack of dawn…

The dawn came, and Celestia's morning sun shone through the window in Applejack's room. She stretched, making her night clothes tighten against her body she let out a groan. After her morning stretch she heard her door get knocked on, and her little sister's voice followed. She called out to Applebloom confirming she woke up, and was on her way down for breakfast.
She hopped out of bed, and got herself dressed to ready up for the day of work she had ahead of her. She thought to herself which trees they were going to harvest up that day until she was snatched from her thoughts by a scream. She got up, and rushed outside Granny Smith was out there already holding a shaking Applebloom. Applejack looked towards where the two were looking, and saw Big Mac laying on the ground asleep, and their guest as well, but he himself was covered in blood. Granny handed Applebloom over to Applejack as she walked over to the two sleeping men when she was close enough she looked down at them both as she raised her cane over her head, and smacked them both on the side of the head waking up Big Mac with a Yelp of pain as his new drinking buddy sat up looking around from Mac's yell before receiving another hit to the side of the head with little to no reaction except his head moving with the motion of the hit.
"Huh? Oh hello Ms. Smith how are you this beautiful mornin"?

She hit him in the side of the head again to receive no response, but a slight head movement.
"First off you can call me Granny, second why are you covered in blood"?

He looked at the old mare confused before looking down, and seeing all of the blood before shrugging.
"No clue maybe Big Mac punched me, or somethin' I don't know, but what's more important is why is the little one still here, and not at school"?

Granny met him on the other side of his head.
"That ain't none of yer business, but Applebloom he's right head on off to school now, and as for you two what were you two doin"?

They both pointed to the barrel off to their side as they both attempted to stand, but instead fell to the ground laughing.
Applejack walked over to the barrel in question, and instantly her senses were assaulted by the unmistakably strong smell of alcohol.
"Sweet Celestia Mac, what in tartarus is that"?

"Hey you gotta try that a thousand years, and it's still good"?
Mac nodded his head in agreement looking at Applejack.

"What is it"?
Granny walked over, and took a sniff of it tearing her head back almost feeling a buzz from the smell alone.

"Moonshine".
The two men slope in unison just as Twilight rounded the corner seeing Mac, and Jimmy sitting on the floor while Granny, and Applejack were inspecting a strange barrel with a large symbol on it that looked like a skull with a blade between it's teeth, and a snake running through it's eye sockets.

"What's going on everypony"?
Everyone present turned their heads to the purple alicorn, then the entire Apple family pointed their fingers at the blood soaked man in front of them.

"What"?
He shrugged his shoulders as he looked at Twilight.

"Why are you covered in blood"?
The man looked straight into her eyes with a straight face Twilight stood waiting for his answer.

"It was accident probably I was to shitfaced to remember".
He rubbed the back of his head as he looked her.

"Big mac I've heard rumors you have a date with Ms. Cheerily".
The alicorn looked a Mac with a smirk, and a raised brow as he got a sudden look of realization on his face as he ran to the house.

"Let's stop somewhere I can get new clothes, and shower I don't think she wants to see me blood soaked".
He grabbed his shirt, and took a sniff as he reached a hand back to the barrel behind him.

"Fortunately for you Rarity is the next one of my friends you're meeting today she can help with your clothes. What's that"?
She pointed to the barrel he was touching.

"This is my gift to the Apple family for their kindness, and my emblem has something very special I hope they enjoy".
He gave the barrel a few pats, then walked to Twilight she waited until he got close, and teleported them to Rarity's.