Living so close to the Everfree Forest, it's been necessary since Ponyville's founding to establish a watch over the wild, mystical forest. After a few generations, that practice has grown into a tradition. Now ponies on the verge of adulthood are drafted into Everfree Duty, and for colts especially, this has become a rite of passage toward stallionhood.

At last, it's Young Macintosh's turn to carry on the tradition started by his grandfather and become a stallion at last. But his classmate Junebug won't let him go without helping him really become a stallion, and setting into motion the events that will lead to him being known as Big Macintosh.

A spiritual prequel to my story Big. Birthday gift for Moorsheadfalling.