Red Fire

Chapters

Cold Cider
Warm Water
Hard Days Flight.
Rolling in the Hay
Dancing
Eclipse
Three Days Later

Cold Cider

Rainbow Dash stood atop the Apple's barn, tools and lumber scraps littered about the roof. Her sweat stained coat betrayed the gray winter day as being unseasonably warm. With another task finished she paced the roof, looking for her next project. Discovering a hoof-sized hole, she peered through it. She could see Big Mac dutifully working in the dim light of the barn. He had spent most of the morning replacing an old beam that had rotted out. "I see you in there!" Dash shouted.

Looking up from his task. "Let me get you some hot pitch and a patch for that.” Big Mac grunted. Rainbow Dash had been his personal miracle worker for the past few days. Quickly doing chores that would have taken him the better part of a day. Her ability to ignore gravity was an amazing asset. Now she had taken to finding work without being told what to do.

Dash winced a bit. "It’s hot enough on this roof without a bucket of hot tar. But, for free home-cooked meals for a month, I’ll deal. You're lucky Granny Smith is such a great cook"

Turning, he went out of Dash's sight. "At least we’re almost done. Thanks again for helping." His voice echoed from somewhere near, but unseen.

The top of a ladder cracked against the roof near her. She steadied it as Big Mac hefted a patching kit up to her "It is awfully warm for it to be before winter wrap-up. Not going to be much snow to push out." He said, once his mouth was free of the kit.

Rainbow took to fixing the hole as Mac surveyed the current state of the barn. He was glad the offer of food had been enough to get her to help him out for the week. The winter had been rough, and they needed an extra hoof to get everything ready for planting season. Rifling through a list of chores yet to be done, Mac settled on something that her infinite reach would be ideal for. "Got to paint the new wood. This old barn hasn't been painted since I was a foal. We may as well paint the whole thing"

"I'm sweating buckets, can we take a break first?" Rainbow panted.

Looking up at her, the poor thing was exhausted. Most ponies would have given out hours ago. But now that she mentioned it, he was a bit tired too. Cooling off and getting something to drink would be a good idea. Going thirsty for too long is bad for your health. "Sure. The old stone spring house over there is always cooler. The water from the spring is ice cold year round.

"YES!" Dash whooped, opening her wings for flight. Big Mac was worried she was going to try and fly through the old wood door as she made her name true. Fortunately, she managed to stop before hitting it. A few moments later Big Mac wandered into the small stone building.

The spring house was just big enough for two grown ponies to be in at the same time, and not get in each others way. Out of a stone fountain, cold water bubbled and flowed into a large basin. As the water flowed out of the basin it fell to the sandy ground where it traveled through a small arch in the building’s back wall and then resumed its natural path as a small creek.

Dash was drinking so deeply from the basin, she was caught off guard when Big Mac's nose almost touched hers when he joined her at the trough. As she looked up at him, something caught her eye. Deep in the shadow of a low shelf, in the back corner of the stone shack, the outline of a wood barrel jumped out at her. It was held in place by a thick layer of hay packed around it. The head of the barrel had the usual "Sweet Apple Acres - Sweet Cider" burned into in. Except the words Sweet had been struck off by some means.

"Is that a barrel of cider?!" She blurted out. Faster than Mac could reply, Rainbow leaped to the barrel and thumped it lightly with her hoof. "It's full! I thought you sold all the cider in the fall? And every drop was gone by the end of the week!"

"It's aged cider…” Big Mac murmured. “It’s different than sweet cider; made mostly from crab apples. I put away a barrel each year. My pa taught me how to make it the year he… he…" Mac went silent as a sadness fell across his face like a shadow.

"I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to bring up bad memories." Rainbow stammered. That was the most she had ever heard him speak of his parents. In the time she had known him, she could hardly recall him even mentioning them.

"No, it’s fine.” He took a deep breath and regained most of his composure. “You want some? I've never shared this with anypony. Not even Applejack. Granny Smith knows about it, but says it’s bad for her thin blood."

Taking two cups off their hooks Dash ceremoniously presented them to Big Mac. "It would be an honor to be the first to try your aged cider."

"This is supposed to be cold. That’s why I keep it in here." Reaching back into the corner Mac took hold of the hogshead and drug it forward till the spigot overhung the shelf.

Dash raised and eyebrow to the feat of strength. That one barrel weighed as much as five ponies and he had moved it without thought. He was smiling when he turned to take the cups from her, but his eyes still held a melancholy glaze.

Filling both cups, he handed one off to Dash. "It's great to cool you down and it relaxes your body and mind too. But if ya drink too much you’ll fall asleep. At least… I do." He mumbled into his cup.

They both finished off their cup in a few deep drinks. Dash was visibly impressed with this new cider. "Wow, it’s not as sweet, but it taste amazing."

Big Mac poured a second round. Finding a good spot to sit, he slowly enjoying this second cup, staring out the door as he did so. Early spring was the only time he had ever gotten to really work with his Pa. Nothing to do in the winter, and once planting season hit, he had been too young to keep up. He lost himself as old memories crept over him. His father had taught him two things; how to pull a yolk, and how to make aged cider. What would he have learned if he had just one more summer with him? He was snapped back to the present by the sound of Dash filling her cup. "I'll have a third, too." He muttered as he moved to go filled his cup again.

"Oh, I’m sorry, it’s so good… This is my fourth. But I won't drink any more!" Rainbow said bashfully.

Big Macintosh wasn’t upset at the loss of his cider. There was a lot in that barrel after all. The cider had been his private link to his father. But, for some reason he wanted to share this with her. Seeing her enjoy it so much cheered him up. “Drink up. I’m happy to share it with somepony that appreciates it so much”

Dash nursed her fourth cup. Enjoying it as long as she could. She watched Mac as he again gazed blankly into the fields. Occasionally taking thoughtless sips from his cup, his eyes never breaking from some far off point. ‘What is he thinking about’ she wondered.

With his cup about finished, Mac looked back at the barrel. Dash was standing next to it. His eyes met her worried stare. Giving her a meek smile, he rose to his hooves. Going over to the cider he topped off before pushing the barrel back into it resting place. Moving closer to Dash he poured some cider from his cup into hers; leaving them equally full.

“Do you know about what happened to my folks?” Mac said abruptly.

“No.. no I don’t” She said out of surprise

“I’d like to tell you. But, first I’m going to tell you a story. Do know why there are three types of ponies?” Mac said, setting his cup down.

Dash was confused by this random change in topic. “There were the three kingdoms, then they all settled in Equestria?”

Mac shook his head slowly, and began to recite a story that he knew by heart.

”Long before the three kingdoms. There were no ponies at all in creation. Celestia and Luna had no physical form. Other powerful beings walked in creation instead, some older, most younger than the Sisters.

One day the Sisters decided to fashion the most perfect creature they could. They agreed each would make three of a kind. Then compare what they made.

Luna stirred the sea and splashed it on the shore, and out walked three mares.

Celestia bent the trees of the forest, and out walked three stallions.

They brought them together to compare their work. But, found that neither was greater than the other. In fact they were not whole without the other. On first meeting, their creations fell in love. Immediately making three couples.

Seeing that together they had created something wonderful, they decided to grant a wish to each couple. Then set them to their own destiny in creation.

The first couple said, “We feel the wind and envy it. We want to be free above all other things.”

The Sisters called the element of wind to them, and took a single feather from it. Splitting it in two they place one on each, and they sprouted pegasus wings. The sisters then told them ”Though your children will have the gifts of the wind. Only one in a generation will hold the true element of wind. They will have a speed so great, that they can tear the very air into ribbons of color and sound.”

The second couple said: “We wish to create and change the world as you do”

Celestia kissed one upon the forehead and Luna kissed the other. Light and shadow erupted from the kiss and solidified into twisted horns. They were told by the Sisters “We leave a bit of ourselves with you. Though your children will bare our kiss, only one in a generation will have the day and the night. They will be known for their ability to command all magics.

The third couple told them: “We wish for freedom and creation. The will to see anything through its end. The drive to overcome any obstacle.”

With a grim expression the Sisters said. “You wish for passion. But, we warn you it is a power that even we can not control”

The two nonetheless insisted. So, the sisters took them to a high temple where the spirits of passion lived. The Sisters told them “Within this temple burns a great fire. It will destroy either of you alone. But if you both press into the source of the flame, to snuff it out, you will conquer it and the fire will be within you. Your children will have the gift of passion. But, one in a generation will have the fire of passion sealed within them. Like the others it will pass to a new host upon the death of the former. Unlike the others this will be as much a curse as a blessing. Though it will give them an unsurpassed strength, left unchecked it will burn them to ash.

Mac picked up his cup and took a long drink. Dash stood dumbfounded.

“How do you know this?” She said loudly in amazement. “You mean Twilight and I are... then who’s passion?”

“My father was. Who has it now, I don’t know. Pinky or my sister maybe. It took me years just to learn what I just told you, and that’s all I know” He said looking into his cup. He had no idea why he was telling her all this. He had never spoken a word to anypony about what had happened to his parents. Yet, for some reason he wanted to tell her, he was compelled to tell her. “That how my folks died. A great monster from the Everfree forest came looking for my Pa’. It killed Mother trying to get to him. It attacked Applejack and me too. But, Pa’ killed it... In his rage and sorrow the fire took him. We don’t talk about it, because it’s too hard to explain. If we have to say something we just say a monster from Everfree attacked, and they died protecting us.”

Dash was a bit overwhelmed with this strange confessional. “I’ll keep this to myself then. It’ll be my secret too”

“Thank you” Mac finished off his cup and gave her another meek smile. Taking Dash’s empty cup, he turned to replace them to their hooks. The cider was starting to takes its toll on him. His head was swimming a bit.

Dash wanted to give him a nuzzle, to show Mac she was there for him. He had just shared a deep wound with her, and she wanted to comfort him in some way. But when she took a step forward, her legs buckled and the room spun. Instead of a light touch, she landed against his side, face first… and hard! She tried to say something. But when he looked at her in confusion, his expression sent her rolling onto her back in a fit of giggling. Getting herself under control, she noticed Mac looking at her. His ears point forward and his gaze tightly fixed between her legs, that she still had splayed in the air.

She had caught him looking, before he even realized he was. Glad that his coat hid the beep blush that he nonetheless felt. "Mm sorry" He blurted out, quickly looking the opposite direction. Deciding that an old piece of ironwork was now the most fascinating thing in the world.

Reflexively she covered herself with her tail. Her modesty did not extend much further though. "What? no harm in lookin'. I'm hard not to look at!" She said proudly, her speech just slightly off.

Trying to get back in her hooves, she found all her movements slow and uncoordinated. She needed something to hold on to. Fortunately Mac's hind leg made a great surface to cling to while she clambered back upright. At some point in her usage of his flank he had blurted out a snicker. Testing out the same spot again the sound repeated. This time accompanied with a convulsion of the huge stallion. "You're ticklish!" She declared with malevolent intent.

Big Mac found himself besieged by the little Pegasus. She was deviously good at finding ticklish places and tenacious once she found them. His only recourse was to return the effort. It took a few tries, but he eventually discovered a spot under her wings that had the desired effect. Like two foals they scrambled about tickling each other.

Exhausted breath and aching sides eventually took their toll. Leaving the two half-toppled ponies panting for breath. Dash found herself leaning against Big Mac for balance. He was a strong handsome stallion. Why had she never noticed this before? And his smell! He smelled of something she wanted to bury her muzzle into. She normally went for the stunning Pegasus racers, but they never wanted a relationship -- just a wild night, or maybe a weekend. Big Mac, though… he was a family guy! Suddenly Big Mac struck her as a stallion she wanted. She looked up at his big tender eyes. When he returned her gaze, she kissed him.

Big Mac was shocked. A shiver went down his spine; his nose and ears burned. Rainbow was his sister's friend. He had never really thought of her as a mate. Sure, she was attractive… but he’d never thought of it as a possibility. Right now, though, she writhed with an energy that he found intoxicating. He met her lips, testing if she would kiss him again. She pressed into his kiss with an intensity that made him lose all thought. One of his forelegs reached out on it's own accord and pulled the mare closer. The soft touch of a wing brushed against his back. Their kiss paused a moment. He could still feel her lips brushing against his own. Opening his eyes he found himself encircled by cyan feathers. Her wings raised and cupped around them, framing a pair of piercing magenta irises set in half hooded eyes. His heart literally skipped a beat.

"You all right" Dash asked softly. She got a tiny silent nod in response. A firm hoof caress her back as he gently kissed her again. Nuzzling under his chin, she lowered her wings. Reaching up, her lips found his ear and so did her breath; she felt a quiver run through him. Taking the ear in her teeth she exhaled intently, to see what his response would be. She wasn't disappointed. Like he had been unleashed Big Mac dove into her, and that's exactly what she was wanting.

Furiously rubbing head and neck against each other like they were trying to permanently rub the others essence into their coat, they paused only to take a deep kiss. The two forms clambered around each other in a tight circle, trying to occupy the same space. Dash felt Big Mac's front leg pick up as if to swing over her several times. Each time he put it back down before completing the motion. It was a tease that made her body ache for his weight to be above her. She could tell he was holding back. This was as far as he would escalate things. She was going to have to take the lead.

Feeling his weight shift, she knew he was about to start the motion again. She put her martial arts skills to a different kind of use. Dropping her weight and widening her stance, she threw out a wing. Putting it under him and then lifting it up to bodily force him over her. He had to throw the leg over her, or risk falling. Both wings up and her posture straightened, she had him trapped above her. ‘That would have been a textbook throw, if I had wanted to.’ she thought.

Big Mac wasn't quite sure how they had gotten to this position. His mind was racing and his blood hot. Dash was giving him a mischievous grin, her head coming up from between his forelegs.

The massive barrel rose and fell above her with each titanic breath, not breathing so much as bellowing. His eyes were lit up with a maniac's desire. And all of this was focused on her. She was the absolute center of his existence right now and she knew it. Yet he was still sheathed. His self restraint was awe inspiring.

She pressed firm against his underside, giving him a teasing side to side motion as her spine rubbed against his member. He had been trying to not get an erection, but this was his limit. Dash squirmed, and took another nibble on his neck.

The sudden presence of his phallus made her ache, the pressure inside her was unbearable. The only cure was for Big Mac to mount her. He seemed to finally sense her desire. As she squirmed, he also moved bringing is erect member to hang between her thighs. Her tail lashed frantically at his underbelly. Shacking her head she presented her neck to the big red stallion that was covering her.

A spray of prismatic wonder filled his vision, while silky hair lashed at his face. When her mane fell straight again, he found her long toned neck out stretched before him. Something animal stirred withing him. He took mane and neck in his mouth and bit with a firm grasp. Rainbow's eyes rolled back as she let out something between a moan and a nicker. His hips pulled far back and soon his tip was placed against her mounds. Slowly he entered her, finding her eager moistness searing hot against his tender flesh. His heart was pounding. Each pulse had enough force to ring his body like a bell.

It occurred to her that he was a way bigger than any Pegasus she had ever been with. It hurt a little, but the pleasure was many times greater. As he sunk in she could feel him get even harder. She could feel his heart beat through his barrel pressed against her back, and throbbing within her. Her mind was swimming. He pulled most the way out. She panicked a bit. Was he leaving? She wanted more. But then, he thrust back with powerful intent. On this first full thrust his whole body shook with pleasure. He let out a deep moan while his neck was pressed against hers. The bellow reverberated through her body. She went into sympathetic quivers of pleasure.

Dash was lithe beneath him, reacting to every move he made. She was enjoying this no less than he was. The rhythm of the two bodies slowly increased until it hit a fury. Mac felt the mare beneath him start to stiffen. Her hips rocked in a sure tell that she was close. Short but deep strokes kept him at his edge. He pulled at her mane again with his teeth.

A wave of pleasure racked Dash. It dropped her to her front knees, leaving her flank pressed up into his. Every muscle seemed to twitch of its own accord; her mind went white with ecstasy. Big Mac leaned into dash when she took this new pose. He slipped in even deeper than before. Her body shook and clamp around his phallus. He had been close for a while, but seeing and feeling his lover in the throws of orgasm sent him over the edge. He shuddered and climaxed into dash, filling her completely, the excess ran down both their legs. The two toppled over, still holding each other tightly, seemingly unable to pull the other close enough.

The warm air, cool ground, physical exhaustion, and cider took its toll. A few fond kisses and the two were fast asleep on the floor of the spring house.

Author's Note

As a random note: here is the Spring House that inspired this whole fic. I was staring at it that winter from the back porch, and the story slowly crept into my brain.

Warm Water

Applejack had cleared most of the east field. But, its was getting late and she needed to go help Granny with dinner. She wanted to let her brother and Dash know that dinner was about an hour away before heading to the house.

She could tell they had just finished some work on the barn. “Where the hay are they?” Looking around, the spring house’s open door caught her attention. “O they went to cool off”

A mild fear built up in her as she approached the open door. Something wasn’t right. It was too quiet. They always kept the door shut unless somepony was inside. "Where are they?" she thought out loud. Solemnly looking into the little building she couldn’t make sense of what she saw. Her brother collapsed on the floor, curled around the equally lifeless Dash. Her breath faulted. Fear almost got the better of her before she realized they were breathing.

‘They're sleepn’?’ Her mild anxiety turned into full confusion. As her eyes adjusted to the dim of the room, she started to see the subtle, and not so subtle, signs of the two recently having been in the throes of passion. She was dumb struck. Wincing at seeing her brother and friend still covered in passion’s sweat. At the same time, they looked so loving she wanted to coo at them.

Turning quietly she left. Thinking to herself: ‘I’ll let the dinner bell wake them, no sense in embarrassing them. This could get messy... Err complicated. I can’t have them go through a bad break up. If either one hurts the other it’s gona be bad... Dash is the element of loyalty after all, and my brother, he ant much different. This could be a long haul thing too... O’ my. I need to think about this.’

Something had awakened Dash. She was tired, her body felt like she had just finished a cross country race. Her head was fuzzy and hurt a little. The trickling water of the spring sounded like the best thing ever. Big Mac was curled around her, one leg thrown over her wings and shoulder. If she wasn’t so thirsty, she would have been content to lay in his arms till he woke up. But, with the water teasing her so close by, she had every intent of getting up right now. Her attempt to pull free resulted in Mac mumbling and rolling over. She wasted no time getting to the shimmering pool. Her mind cleared as she drank the ice cold water. Standing by the basin she thought about what had happened; it didn’t make any sense.

She knew that she had instigated the sexual encounter, but why? Did she want to see where this could go? She knew that he was a long term type of guy. But, did she want to be in a committed relationship? Would Big Mac be someone she wanted to share her life with? Sure Big Mac is an attractive stallion, but it never had crossed her mind she wanted a relationship with him. Was this a result of her first summer heat coming on?

Her eyes light up as a thought shot through her mind. ‘O sweet Celestia, did my heat start today... No, I don’t feel like it, and It’s too early in the year. I have to get Twilight to cast that no-foal spell on me tomorrow!’

Dash shook her head “Gaa! Too much to think about!” she shouted in frustration.

Her outburst woke Big Mac. Rolling onto his hooves he gave her a soft smile. “Hello there.”

A thought sprang to Dash’s mind “Did Scooterloo drug us with that love potion?”

“Nope. That was crazy. No mistaking what it does to you.”

Big Mac plunged his muzzle into the spring and drank deeply. Dash was still thirsty and sipped along side him. Mac watched as she sipped at the water. She was miles away in her head. Eventually she met his gaze. Leaning forward he kissed her. She was taken off guard at first, but then pressed into it. The cold water contrasted his warm tongue. Making it feel as though it could leave burns, if it were to lay against the same spot too long.

Big Mac slowly pulled back from dash. “Lets clean up.” Walking outside and motioned for her to follow.

Taking the first steps outside Dash realized that she was in fact, quite sore. “Owe... Geez! Big Mac, You should warn girls about that thing!”

“You weren't complaining at the time.”

Before she could decide how to take that, Mac had taken up a bucket of sun-warm water, and was slowly pouring in over her. It felt good, but now she was soaked all the way through. “That feels good. But, what about a towel?”

“Shhh, relax” Big Mac produced a curry comb from somewhere and started wiping the water off her. The strong steady scrub of the curry comb felt wonderful. Dash couldn’t recall the last time she was curried. She had been a filly, probably by her mother. His movements were strong and intentional.

After he had dutifully tended to drying her, he broke the silence. “Granny hates it when I come in the house dirty. So, clean up down here before going in... There, all better?

The melted pegasus could only muster a "MmmHmm" and a meager nod of satisfaction. She watched as Big Mac took another bucket buy the rim with his teeth and swiftly looked straight up. Dumping the bucket’s contents over his entire body. He reached for the Curry comb, but Dash snatched it up before he reached it.

“My turn!” She blurted with a grin. It took her three times as long to dry Big Mac. As he was twice as big, and she took the excuse to feel the firm contours of his body. For probably the first time ever, she saw no reason to rush.

Soon the supper bell started its frantic chime. Big Mac stood still and enjoyed the last bit of attention from Dash and the curry comb. He thought that they must have let Applebloom ring the triangle bell tonight. As it was louder and longer going than normal. Big Mac went back in the spring house and straightened a few things inside before pulling the door shut as he walked out. “Lets go eat”

Dash hadn’t realized it till now, but she was starving. Taking to her wings she hovered over Big Mac as he plodded to the house. “I’ll come back the day after tomorrow, in the morning, to get that barn painted. I have some errands in Cloudsdale that need to be done tomorrow. Have to start getting ready for winter wrap-up”

“You can sleep here if you want” Mac said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“No I... I need to get an early start tomorrow. To get everything done. I have things at home that I have to take with me.” She felt awkward. While that was all true. Normally she would have just said no to such a question. She was talking herself out of it as much as she was trying not to hurt Big Mac.

Dash saw a little disappointment in his eyes. It pulled at her heart. The idea of sleeping in his arms sounded nice to her. But, no... This didn’t feel right. She had her own bed, her own house! Cuddling up in a stallion’s arms like she’s afraid of the dark just isn’t something in she did. She was frustrated with her own thoughts. Never had a sexual encounter take control of her emotions before. What was different this time?

The warm glow of the house and the smell of hot food broke her train of thought.

Dinner was a monster of a meal that left her so full she wanted to wait before trying to fly, lest she get a cramp in her side. She spent the time regaling Big Mac, Granny, and Applebloom with stories from her adventures.

The evening waxed and running short on stories she hadn't already told, Dash said her goodbyes to the family in the living room. Exchanging an awkward hug with Mac as she did so. She hadn’t seen Applejack since getting up from the table. Wanting to see her too before leaving she went looking for her. She found her sitting on the back porch, alone staring out into the starry night. It had turned cold, the air was sharp and the night sky perfectly clear.

Applejack had been thinking about the possible outcomes of this new situation. Playing out them out in her head. Some ended badly, some didn’t. She even got a snicker from the thought of Dash and a little red pegasus foal. Hearing her friends steps on the porch, she spoke somberly without breaking her gaze from the starry view. “Don’t hurt him Dash”

“You know?” Dash said in surprise. Suddenly feeling awkward.

“Yea, I kinda walked in on ya” Applejack replied in a deadpan tone.

“I’m sorry I don’t know... I” blushing with embarrassment. She couldn’t think what she should say.

Applejack cut her off. She was smiling, but a little sad too. “I’m not offended by what ya did. It’s just that. He’s my brother, almost a father to me. You can hurt him. You don’t really know him. Not yet. And you’re my friend. I don’t want to lose you, and I don’t want to see him hurt. You understand what I’m sayin right?”

“Yea” Dash sat down besides her on the edge of the porch and joined her in star gazing. “I really don’t want to hurt him. Something happened today that I don’t understand. I felt drawn to him like a moth to a flame. And the funny thing is, I don’t know how long I’ve felt like this.”

Applejack raised an eyebrow. “That never ends well for the moth ya know.”

The two friends snickered at the broken tension for a few moments. “I’m glad you got me to talk about this” Dash said, still smiling. “Saying that out loud helps. I’m going to head home to sleep on all this.” Dash hugged her friend and began the flight home.

Hard Days Flight.

Rainbow Dash had went to bed early, but was a long time falling asleep. The bed was cold and lonely. Thoughts kept returning to the big red pony that had become her new lover. She was second guessing herself and she hated it. Now the alarm was going off, and the Sun had not yet risen. Her first inclination was to pitch the alarm out the window onto the earth far below. “I need a shower.” She groaned out loud to herself.

The shower, mostly had the effect she was looking for. She was awake now. But the previous day still played through her mind. There was a hard day’s flying ahead of her. Not to mention more paperwork than she would care to see in a year, let alone in a day. Throwing a saddlebag full of documents on her back she left her house and flew off to take care of the morning weather before heading to towards Cloudsdale. ‘I just need to fly for a bit’ she assured herself. ‘Everything makes more sense with air under your wings.’

It had turned cold overnight. The wind was numbing. Her lungs ached to breath it in. On the ground it was still dark. But above the clouds, dawn was just breaking. Tall heavy clouds had rolled in over night. At her altitude the cold air was fantastically clear. She could see for a hundred miles in any direction. The sideways light of the dawning sun highlighted the towering clouds. Making a dream-scape she could have spent hours playing in. ‘I don’t have time to clear all this out.’ She thought to herself. Deciding to save time and take a little poetic license with the day’s weather, she spread the thick clouds into an even overcast and set them to raining. ‘They’ll deplete themselves by lunch. It’ll be a cold wet morning. Then when everypony goes to lunch, the sky will be clear and blue! It’s a good tease for spring.’

With the weather out of the way, it was off to cloudsdale to register her team with the weather factory. Next to Canterlot to file the spring weather plan with the Court. Then back to cloudsdale to submit any royal addendum to the factory. Finally to ponyville to hand the complete dossier to the mayor. It was a whirlwind day, but she prided herself on getting it all done in 10 hours. The mayor asked her to drop off one last thing to Twilight. Which was convenient enough, since that’s where she needed to go anyway.

Just has planned the afternoon was sunny and tepidly warm. She decided to walk the short distance and give her wings a much needed rest. Besides it was great walking weather. Doors and windows were open, everypony letting in the fresh air. Twilight’s library was no exception. As she approached, Twilight was tending to something on the other side of the open doorway.

“Hay Twilight” Dash yelled out

Twilight looked up with a smile “I didn’t expect to see you too today. Did you get everything done for winter wrap up like you planned?”

“Yep, last leg is to give you this.” Dash gestured with her head to the saddlebag she was wearing.

“Great! Come on inside, I just put on some tea.” Twilight left her task by the door, and went out of sight.

Following her, Dash stepped into the library. “I also need you to cast that no-foal spell on me again.” she said loud enough to be sure Twilight heard her, not quite sure where she had went off to.

An unexpected and familiar voice returned “Twilight, you never told me you can cast that. Save me the trouble and cast it on me too” It was Rarity.

Dash realized that the whole group was sitting around a small table looking over papers and enjoying an afternoon tea. She froze for a moment in embarrassment, but caught herself and played it off as a casual thing to ask for. “Yea, I asked her cast it on me last year when I was seeing that one pegasus. What are you girls up to?”

“We’re makn’ sure Twilight has everything she needs for the schedule.” Applejack replied. She paused for a moment and flashed a wicked smile. “Now you know Dash. Big Mac wants a family. Two or three foals running around the farm. Keep that in mind before you go getn’ used to that spell.”

Every jaw in the room dropped as the groups gaze traced from Applejack to Dash. There was a moment of quiet, then total cacophony as Twilight, Pinky, Rarity, and Fluttershy all performed their own freakout, congratulations, then followed quickly with a flurry of questions.

Applejack snickered at the commotion before coming to poor Dash’s rescue. “Alright girls. Leave her alone. You can pick her brain about it later one on one. I think you’re scaring her all ganged up like that.”

The group quieted as Twilight spoke up. “She’s right. Give a pony her space. She’ll tell us what she wants. Now let me go get that book with the no-foal spell in it. Everypony that want in, line up nose to tail. I have to touch your side.” It took awhile, but she found the book she was looking for “Foaling and Magic”. Levitating it in front of her she quickly found the spell. “I’ll cast it on myself first just so I can be sure I do it properly.” Looking over top the book, she realized that all five of them had lined up. “Well I guess we all have our personal lives”

Pinke grinned and nodded. While Fluttershy mumbled something at the floor.

An azure sphere formed at the tip of Twilight’s horn. Bending her neck around she touched her own flank and stopped the spell. Meditating for a moment she announced “Yep, that’s correct” Her horn once again lit up and she carefully touched each of the girls on their flank. “There, you’re all good for ten months.”

The informal line broke up as they returned to the makeshift workspace. Dash delivered her papers to Twilight, and the group began up mull over the task ahead.

The group finished up their business, and the conversations turned casual. Fluttershy had somehow been assigned “homework” a few weeks ago by Celestia. She was to host a per-spring garden party. Celestia and Luna were both going to be there. She was typically nervous about the ordeal. But, she had most of the details already firm in her mind. She wasn’t going to have to play hostess, so much has spruce up her grounds and have warm drinks and cold food. Fluttershy had even got Octavia to play for the evening. All the girls were excited about the event, it was just 2 days away now.

The afternoon turned into evening and Applejack realized the sky was starting to darken. “Well, I best be going. About supper time.” She announced “Dash do me a favor a rustle up Big Mac on your way.”

“Sure thing” Dash chirped back. “I’ll see you girls later. Thanks for the snack earlier Twilight!”

The two took their leave of the group at the same time. Closing the door as they left. Dash looked at Applejack “So we’re cool, right?”

Applejack hugged her friend. “I told ya I an’t mad... Just a little nervous”

Dash perked up “Good!” her smile faded into a look of deep thought. “Two or three foals? Really?”

Applejack nodded her head as she spoke. “O yea. He would be happy with a whole slew of little ones.”

Dash laughed and shook her head. “I have some good racing years ahead of me before I turn into a brood mare! But a family? I.. think that would be nice.” She paused in disbelief of what she had just said. “One day. Maybe. Anyway, I’ll catch up with you at the house. I’m going to go hunt down Mac.”

Dash flared her wings and leaped into the air. Her powerful flaps quickly carried her out of sight. Applejack watched her fade into the distance and started her trek home.

The day’s light was starting to fade and the air was taking a chill. Twilight shut the windows as Spike took to lighting a fire for the night. The others were cleaning up and gathering their things. Suddenly the door flung open with a bang. It was Zecora, she was winded and visibly shaken.

“I fear an ancient evil again stalks the night! Twilight, greater than your magic’s might. You bend the ear to gods, of day and night. If the whispers of the spirits be true. This may be the end of me and you. Now it is I that besiege you at your place. To ask you for your wisdom's grace.”

Rolling in the Hay

Dash glided through the sky. The air was getting cool, but the afternoon had warmed the ground enough that she could find updrafts to keep her airborn with almost no effort on her part. She found herself over the Apple farm in just a few minutes.

‘Now to find Big Mac’ Sweeping over the east field as high as she could, and still see. ‘Not here’ She recalled him saying something about pitching out the old straw. ‘Let see if he’s at the hay-barn’

As soon as she cleared the ridge she could see a large red pony throwing straw from a large pile into a cart. A mischievous grin spread across her face; she had an idea. Her altitude was pretty good. She should be able to glide all the way to him. In total silence.

Mac had spent the morning getting the old straw that had molded out of the barn. Now he was focused on loading it up and hauling it to the compost pile. He had gotten most of it. Just a few loads left. Feeling a strange breeze he looked to see what caused it. Dash had appeared right beside him with a simple “Boo”. He was startled to the point of screaming like a little filly. Dash burst out into laughing, rolling in her amusement.

Recovering his composure Mac joined in laughing at the scene. After Dash stopped laughing, she got back on her hooves. “Your sister told me to go find you for dinner.”

“That time already” He said a bit shocked at how quick the day had gone. “You get your errands done?”

“Sure did.” She said with the an air of a boast. Coming close to Mac she affectionately pressed her neck and shoulder against his. She had a momentary flashback to the encounter in the spring house; when she had used the throw technique to force him on top of her. The straw pile beside them caught her eye. Musing out loud. “Hmm, I wonder if..’” Dash shifter her weight.

“Wonder what?” was all he got out before he realized he was in midair, and upside down. The straw pile made for a soft landing. Dash appeared over him with a confident look. “Ha! I knew I could throw you!”

Mac returned her grin as he lunged up and wrapped his forelegs around her neck, pulling her into the straw pile with him.

She made sure to land on top of him. “Ha, I got you pinned too now.” Her hooves strategically placed to hold him down, despite his strength.

He was Impressed. She had a pretty good pin on him. He could brute force the both of them up at the same time, but he had other plans. “Now what are ya going to do with me?” He said with a teasing tone. Reaching his head forward he met her lips in gential kiss. Dash tilted her head and pressed into his mouth. As she relaxed her hold, he slipped his forelegs free and wrapped them around her. They spent a long moment in the caressing embrace.

Feeling Mac getting aroused she reached down and stroked his hardening phallus. Without breaking the kiss she lifted her body up. Placing the tip of his stallionhood just inside herself she lowered her hips back down. She grinned as Mac let out a little moan.

Breaking away from the kiss, she sat up; him still within her. From this position she could move however she wanted. Rocking herself around him she could hit all her favorite spots. Closing her eyes she focused on feeling every touch, movement, and sound. She lived within every strong and intentional caress Mac gave. Felt his every twitch and throb inside her. Her inner dialogue faded to a primal existence within the moment. She knew this primal energy. This is why she flew. When she pushed herself to the limit in the sky, she would let her mind go and simply exist.

Mac watched her every move as he felt the contours of her writhing form. Laying on his back he could see every inch of the gorgeous mare. Her wings had flared to their most extended position. They blocked the setting sun from his view and created a golden halo around her. She looked like one of the divine beings he had read about many years ago. Her gentle moans stuttered into a long exhale. He watched a quiver start at her wing tips and travel through her entire body. He again wrapped his forelegs around her as she slowly collapsed upon him.

The powerful orgasm left her feeling weak. Now she wanted Mac to hold her. He was still hard within her. She liked the feeling, and kept moving her hips slightly. He had one foreleg holding her head and the other around her wings and back. Pressing her firmly against himself he moved, rolling them both over. She suddenly found herself beneath him. Big Mac’s sudden initiative and looming presence over her made her feel delicate. She nuzzled into his muscled neck and wrapped her forelegs around him. Holding onto him by his withers.

He made a powerful thrust into her. A great moan escaped Dash’s clenched teeth. Louder and more animal than Mac had heard before. He paused a moment, pulling mostly out of Dash. A slight expression of worry on his face “You ok?” he asked though hurried breath.

“Yesss!” She hissed. Her head thrown back. All four of her legs worked in unison to pull the stallion back into her.

Mac gave a simple smile. Taking the hint, he gave her another thrust and was rewarded with another bestial moan. This time he did not stop. Instead he took a steady rhythm of strong full length thrusts into her. Dash knew he wouldn’t last long, and ached for him to release inside her. Looking up at him, they locked in a kiss. His thrusts literally shook her whole body. Feeling his back start to stiffen, she knew he was at the edge. He broke away from the kiss to press his forehead to hers and look deeply into her eyes. Clenching her even tighter as he quaked all over, but never broke their gaze. A warm tingle rolled over her body. She was lost in the dream-scape of his eyes while his phallus throbbed powerfully within her. Holding him tightly, his full weight relaxed upon her.

Lying there in exhaustion for a moment Mac interrupted the silence. “We should get to the house before the food gets cold.” Though he didn’t volunteer to make the first move.

“You’re going to have to move first” Dash responded.

Slowly getting up Mac found that his legs were a bit rubbery beneath him. Seeing his shaky stance, Dash smiled with satisfaction that she had turned the big guys legs wobbly.

“I’m afraid we’ll have to clean up when we get to the house.” Mac mused out loud

Dinner was just coming off the stove when they got back. They managed to keep a straight face walking into the house. Each excusing themselves to go “wash-up before eating”.

When everypony had eaten enough to happily complain about how full they were, the girls turned to talking about Fluttershy’s garden party. Mac perked up when he heard it mentioned. “O’ somepony mentioned that to me. She’s going to even have music and a dance floor. Rainbow, lets make it a date and go together.”

Dash surveyed the families reaction to the sudden declaration from Mac. Granny Smith, with a knowing grin, didn’t miss a beat in her rocking chair. She thought Applebloom was about to explode out of her own skull with pent-up excitement. While Applejack gave her a steady neutral look, with one eyebrow raised.

Raising her head in with an expression of pride. “I’d like that” She said smoothly.

The evening grew to night as they all chatted in the family room. She had a full stomach and the day had been long and tiring. Her best efforts couldn’t keep her eyes open. She fell asleep against Big Mac several times. Jolting awake again to rejoining whatever the new topic was. Half asleep she could hear Granny's voice come closer. “Poor things dead tired. Take her on up, and you two go to sleep for the night.” There was a fuzzy memory of being carried to a bed.

Getting Dash in bed, Mac came back down to the family room. Granny was alone in the living room, straightening a few things. “Applejack and Applebloom go to bed?” He asked a bit surprised by the sudden emptiness of the room.

“Applebloom went to bed. Applejack said she wanted to get something out of the attic for tomorrow.”

Mac sat down and took a breath. “Granny... Do you think...” His voice trailed off. He was searching for words that he just couldn’t find.

Laying down the blanket she had folded, Granny sat next to him. “Honey, You spent three days working in the field with that mare. Not once did you complain about her work. Other than your sister, she’s the first pony that I’ve ever known to keep up with you.” Pausing for a moment she got up to look out the window. “I know you love the farm. But, I also know you want to see other places. You’ll live more with a free-spirit like that in your life. And I think she’s looking for a place to call home, where she knows ponies are waiting for her.”

Mac nodded in silence. Giving his grandmother a hug goodnight he turned to go back upstairs.

The dawn light found Dash’s closed eyes and gently woke her. She felt refreshed, having slept better than normal. A thick blanket was pulled snug around her. Slowly opening her eyes she realized, she had no idea where she was. Her mind raced before feeling a large heavy foreleg pull her into a tender cuddle. It was Big Mac. Laying her head back down, she enjoyed the tender moment and looked around. Other than her basic weather duties, she had nothing to do today, but help Mac paint the barn. ‘It should be a good day.’ she thought.

Restlessness getting the better of her, she gently slipped out of the bed. Leaving Mac still asleep. Heading downstairs felt a bit strange. The sound and smells of breakfast filled the air. This wasn’t the first time she spent the night in a colt’s bedroom, in his parents house. But it was the first time she didn’t have to fly out the window so they wouldn’t know .

Walking into the kitchen she found Applejack and Granny Smith eating biscuits while flipping through a small pile of clothing. “Morning dear” Granny chimed. “Coffee and biscuits are on the stove. Help yourself” Applejack added. The two never fully taking their attention away from the pile of laundry.

“I think this one will do” Applejack held up a dress.

“What are you doing?” Dash asked between bites of the fresh biscuit.

“Well, Mac needs something nice to wear to the party tomorrow. So, we pulled down the old trunk to see if Rarity could alter one of dad’s suites real quick for him. Then I decided I’d do the same with one of mom’s dresses. Her coat was red like Mac’s. So a lot of these colors look sickly one me. But, this one will look good.” Applejack carefully laid a dress of blue and purple aside. Something caught her eye as an idea popped into her head. Pulling a gown of light burnt orange and red “Granny you think this would look good on Dash?”

Granny eyed the dress and Dash for a moment before giving a node on consent “Why I think it would. Tell ya what dear. While you’re out doing your weather rounds this morning. Would you drop these off to be altered for us.”

Dash nodded in bewilderment. “Sure thing.” It was pretty, but she was taken back by the sentiment of being given one of their mother’s dresses. Was this her way of saying welcome to the family? Finishing breakfast, Dash took up the clothing. “Tell Mac I’ll be back to help with the barns in a hour.”

Rarity was deep in thought, working on one of her creations when Dash walked in. “Hay Rarity. What ya working on.” Her Element of Harmony caught her eye, it was on one of the many mannequins in the room. Looking around, all six were in the room. Each on its own mannequin. Something serious was going on. “Why are all the Elements here?”

Laying down her tools, for a steamy cup of coffee, Rarity let out a sigh. “O’ Dash. Twilight thinks there is going to be trouble tomorrow. She need us all to be wearing our elements. So, I decided to make some simple dresses to blend them into. No sense causing a stir at poor Fluttershy’s party for nothing. Besides, it’s an interesting project.

Dash blinked with surprise. “Well, I can save you some time with Applejack, Big Mac, and myself.” Laying the bundle on the clearest of the tables in the room. “We were going to get you to alter these for us.”

Rarity scowled slightly as she opened up the package. Levitating three garments into the air, a small pouch thumped upon the floor. She ignored it as she examined the clothing, draping each one on its own mannequin. “I have no idea what Mac’s measurements are.” Rarity whined to herself. Turning to the pouch she opened it to find a note and a few bits. “They know they don’t have to pay me for this.” She placed the coins in a drawer and brought her attention to the note. “Good! his measurements are here.” She adjusted a seventh doll till it resembled Mac’s build.

Stepping back from the three mannequins, she gave them a moment of stern contemplation. Taking a sip from the coffee a smile spread across her face. ”Yes! This will do. I’ll save a lot of time this way. Thank you Dash. Get everyone to swing by after dinner time and I’ll have them ready to pick up.”

Dancing

“Thanks for helping me out so much” Fluttershy said, placing the last of the food on a table.

“No problem” Twilight sang, trotting around the dozen brazzers spaced out across the grounds. Her horn’s glow set them ablaze as she passed. Tea kettles hung rustically above each one. Bursts of disjointed music rolled through the air as Octavia tuned her instrument for the weather.

Rarity clapped and cleared her throat. “All right. We’re good out here. Let’s all go in, clean up and change. Luna and Celestia will be here in an hour, but guests should be showing up soon.”

Fluttershy’s main room had become her base of operation since getting the assignment.. Having done a fair amount of catering, Applejack drew up a diagram of where to put everything outside. Invoking a war room, the map still took up the dining table. Notes, receipts, and coffee cups holding it in place. Rounding out the strategic atmosphere: Twilight’s checklist sat on the writing desk nearby, and Pinky’s list of trusted party suppliers was pinned to the wall.

Rarity’s beachhead of femininity took over the other side of the room. Each outfit carefully laid out. Pinky examined her element before putting it on. “Do you really think we’ll need these?”

“I’d rather be on the safe side” Twilight responded “I’ve never seen Zecora so worked up, and when I wrote to Celestia she had the Elements sent to me straight away.”

“I guess it is serious then...” Fluttershy sighed.

“Come on Fluttershy.” Pinky cheered. “You’re the host. You have to set the mood for the party. Lets all get out there and have a great night!”

Mac found the suit a bit stiff. He had intended to be one of the first to show up, but it had taken longer than he thought to dress and he couldn’t exactly run in it either. It looked like most everypony was here already. Still on time though, the Sisters were not here yet. Walking amidst the garden party he searched for Dash. Coming around a corner, a conversation hushed and he noticed a couple of mares watch him from the corner of their eye. Walking past another group of ponies the same thing happened again. He started to feel a self conscious. Was something wrong? Stopping to look himself over. ‘Everything is how it’s supposed to be... I think.’ From behind a bush the flicker of a rainbow tail caught his eye. ‘There she is!”

Rainbow Dash and Rarity were talking when he rounded the hedge behind Dash. Rarity’s eyes went big and she stopped speaking mid sentence. “O’ my. Hello Big Mac” Rarity said in a flutter.

Dash turned around to see what had effected Rarity, only to find herself also taken aback. It had never occurred to her that the bad boy look could be pulled off in formal wear. The suit sat perfectly on Big Mac’s large muscled frame. Giving him an air of both civility and brutality. Refined, and a little dangerous. “Hey there handsome” She took a moment to examine the stallion. “Rarity, I think you outdid yourself.”

“Pinstripes, Never underestimate Pinstripes” She had just let the suit out to fit the doll. While having done the alteration with as much attention as she gave anything else, she had never imagined it would look so good on him. But, she intended to keep that to herself. Instead she made mental notes, as a new stallion’s-line flashed through her head.

The murmur of the party was stifled as trumpets filled the air with a chorus, announcing the arrival of the royal chariot, only to be redoubled as the onlookers cheered. Circling the grounds once to the fanfare, the chariot landed just outside the gate. Fluttershy had literally laid out the red carpet for them, leading from the gate to the seats of honor. A little raised pavilion with it’s own brazier and a good view of the event. The two guards stayed with the chariot as Fluttershy escorted Celestia and Luna to their seats.

Dash was impressed that Fluttershy handled their arrival so calmly. Even making small talk with them. ‘I guess after the incident with Philomena, she’s as desensitized about them as anypony can be.’

After the Sisters were settled, Octavia shifted the music to an energetic piece. Mac’s ears perked up when he recognized melody from the dance lessons he had endured as a colt. “Lets dance. Before the floor gets crowded.” He said eagerly. Taking a few steps towards the cleared area, and looking back for Dash to follow.

The invite caught her off guard. She hadn’t guessed Mac as much of a dancer. “Sure” Dash chirped. Stepping onto the dance space together, Mac raised up on his hind legs and presented his forelegs to her. When dash responded in kind he pulled her to him and said through a coy smile “Try to keep up with me.”

A witty retort pursed on her lips, but she did not have time to voice it. With a great long sweep he started to lead. She could follow his movements, but only with concentration. Her pegasus frame, many times lighter than that of an earth pony, would make it easy for him to perform some of the more difficult lifts and swings. He hoped she would use her athletic bent to make thing interesting.

“Up” was the only warning she got before being hefted and spun to the other side of him. “Good landing, now lets pick it up.” He said softly. The mischievous grin still on his face. He was pushing her buttons on purpose.

‘Now it’s a challenge!’ Dash was determined not to be outdone. Keeping her movements fluid she followed his lead, adding her own flourishes to the new elements he kept adding to the routine. The two became a whirl of color and motion, taking over a large part on the stone dance floor.

“My word, I never thought those two could dance like that.” Rarity said in wonder to Applejack as she walked up.

“Yep, Granny made him take dancing lessons when he was little. Even won some ribbons for it.”

The music changed again to a slow thoughtful melody. Mac pulled Dash in tight as he switched to a slow swagger of a dance. Still breathing hard, their foreheads pressed together as they sauntered across the stone floor. Dash’s jaw motioned to speak several times before gaining traction “Mac I...”

Weather her train of thought was derailed, or she had completed the sentence he would never know. Everypony there winced in unison as a deafening crash emanated form the nearby forest. Following the racket was a mass of wildlife fleeing the forest. Everypony stopped in their tracks to see what was happening. Though the animals passed through the garden with little actual upset, a dark presence loomed at the forest's edge. There was nothing to see. Yet nopony questioned that something dangerous was there.

Twilight took a high position and yelled above the din. “Quick girls. Line up. We’re ready. Lets make this quick.”

The ruckus had stopped their dance, but they were still holding each other. “Sorry, got called into work” Dash said giving Mac a quick kiss before flying to join the gathering Elements.

He watched her gather with the other girls. The chance to see them in action was too good to turn down. He knew getting too close be be dangerous, for her as well as himself. Distracting them or making the girls have to pull a plow, for fear of hurting bystanders, is the last thing he wanted. A large boulder looked far enough away not to be underhoof, and high enough to provide a view.

Twilight took the front, as the rest of the girls gathered behind her. This was starting to become a routine. They were ready for anything. Yet their nerve were tested when a line of trees was sundered to splinters and a huge creature stepped into the clearing. It walked upright, tall as a house, and had hulking limbs of untold strength.

Twilight realized that Celestia and Luna were just behind her. Having them in the group made her feel better. “What is that?” She asked calmly. Never taking her eyes off the threat.

“He is the antithesis of our mother. A spirit borne of the first-out-of-the-void. It is older than I, but younger than the Elements of Harmony. You have no name for it.”

Twilight nodded. She knew she had just learned something ponies were not normally privy to. Now was not the time to think about that though. The creature had brought its focused upon them and was charging. Gathering her resolve she weaved it into a primitive but powerful spell.

Mac was amazed. He stood starry eyed, watching them from the cover of the large bolder. A part of him chided himself for taking cover while girls faced something so dangerous. He knew in reality that they were much more capable in a fight that he was. Well, as a group anyway. The girls were as beautiful as they were powerful. Levitating into the air, the magical energy glowed softly around them. The beast was charging hard when they released a blinding ray of color at it.

Twilight watch in horror as the energy rolled off the beast like so much water. She thought it slowed him down a little, but not enough for them to avoid his attack. Flailing his arms he knocked the floating girls through the air, scattering them all directions.

Using magic to control her fall, Twilight landed near the Sisters who were using their magics to keep the others from landing too hard. They got a grip on everypony except Dash. She landed hard amongst the serving tables. Nurse Redheart ran to the tumbling rag doll with a first aid bag in grip. She had apparently readied herself for an emergency as soon as the chaos had started.

Twilight saw that the blast had taken a toll on the monster. It stood its ground a struck out in every direction, intermittently clawing at its own eyes. It was blinded, at least temporarily. Taking advantage of the creature’s blindness the Sisters and the Elements pulled back to check on their lifeless comrade.

The nightmare that he had woken up to so many times was replaying before his eyes. Mac shook his head violently, that always woke him from the dream. It didn’t work. The towering pile of muscle was still there. His sister was still crying. Mother heavy with foal laid lifeless in the mud. He screamed, but nothing came out; it never did. He smelled the fire. That meant Pa’ was about to kill the monster. That how the dream always went. He would be frozen in fear as his father battled the beast, then watch helplessly as he disappeared into ash. He shook his head again. ‘Why can’t I wake up?’ The beast threatened a lifeless form. ‘Where is Pa’? This is when he showed up.’ Mac willed himself to do something, like he always did in this dream, only this time he wasn’t frozen. He hesitated a moment to buck wildly at the air, to test his free will. Then he rushed at the monster. With every blow that he had never gotten to throw, he struck at the beast. With every scream he never got to voice he willed the monster to die.

They had just gathered when a new sound echoed through the clearing. Horrible cracking and powerful thuds shook the ground, and a heat like an open furnace scorched their backs. Gods and ponies alike turned with apprehension to see what was going on.

The creature was staggered to it’s knees, arms supporting it from falling over. An animated fire, a boiling inferno with many licking flames was attacking the monster. The smell of hot air and burnt flint filled their nostrils. The blows, though violent enough to stagger it, left no damage. The fire was another case. Everywhere it touched left a scorched pot mark.

Fear was in Luna’s eyes as she took a step away. “Eros! Sister, why is the fire of Eros here?”

Applejack shrieked “No, Big Mac!” Tears blinded and terror left her frozen in place.

Suddenly Twilight recognized Big Mac within the heart of the blaze. She leaped to go help her friend in the melee.

”NO CHILD!” boomed Celestia’s voice. The words rippled creation. Twilight's flesh arrested itself at the command. She knew she had just heard the voice of an elder god. Celestia had used no less power to stop her than was used to set the sun in motion.

With her normal caring tone Celestia told her “That fire would rend me to ash. You can not go near it. Only he can extinguish those flames. He must choose between rage and love.”

Twilight was at her wits end. All this, and now riddles? “What do you mean rage or love!”

Applejack spoke up in a steady focused voice. “Passion Twilight. That fire is Passion made physical. Rage makes it burn hotter, enough and it will burn him through. We have to make him snap out of it.” The last few words tested her resolve to calm herself.

Looking again, Twilight could see charred rags hanging from his forelegs. The tips of his mane were smoldering and patches of his coat were burnt off. If what they said was true, he was on the edge already.

The groups attention was snapped back to Rainbow Dash. She had flinched as a moan turned into a cough.

A foul smell filled Dash’s nose and pain racked her body. “Ahh, geez... where am I?” One eye was forcibly opened by a practiced hand. A blinding light filled her vision. The light hurt, but it was a familiar test. She knew she had just crashed, but her senses had yet to fully restore.

Nurse Redheart withdrew the smelling salts and pen-light as Dash winced away from her. “I’ve treated her for worse falls. I think she’ll be ok.”

The desperate sound of Applejack yelling out a plea to her brother raised Dash from her stupor with a startle. Setting up she could see the glowing fury, but her eyes were slow to focus. ‘what is that?’ The thought was answered quickly. The monster swung its great arm with murderous intent. Just as her vision cleared, Mac took the blow. A more casual attack had scattered six grown ponies across a field. Mac hardly took a step. The creature bellowed as a large part of his arm fell away as ash. Looking at her lover she saw the murder in his eyes redouble as the fire that enveloped him burn open a hole on his side.

It took all of them to stop Dash when she tried to bolt to Mac. As they drug her to the ground she screamed his name. The cry wrenched the hearts of everypony there.

A shrill sound pierced Mac’s consciousness. Looking to see if it was another threat, he saw a flourish of rainbow colors. It was Dash, she was moving, reaching for him, calling his name... He became aware of a second sound. His sisters voice “Remember father... snap out of it...” He shuddered as he realized what was happening. The dream faded, and the dream stayed. He wasn’t a colt protecting his family. He was a stallion venting half a lifetime's anger. Applejack was still crying, but Mother was nowhere around. She hadn’t been for twelve years. He could see the fire covering him; he could feel it burning away at him. It didn’t hurt, rather it was empowering. He inhaled the flames lapping around him and focused on the beast. Striking out, he left a trail of ash in his wake. He had a primordial element coursing through his veins. Even Celestia would cower at him right now. He took another swing that the beast, reveling in how the beast burned simple because he willed it to burn. A deaths head smile spread across his face; the creature suffered because he wanted it to suffer. Mac jolted, his own callous thoughts disgusted him. Still, the fire was exhilarating, intoxicating, it reminded him of his time with Rainbow. His eyes went wide as he froze in a moment of revelation. ‘This is how Pa’... If I let the fire take me, I’ll never see Rainbow again.’

With a blink the fire extinguished and Mac fell limp to the ground. “Go to him” Luna called out. Dash didn’t let her finish the sentence before she had crossed the field. The air roared and trembled as she shot across the field. She almost boomed despite the short distance. The monster was intending to exact revenge on the lifeless pony. Dash foiled his plan, dragging Mac a good distance away as she reached him.

The force of being drug across the ground roused Mac from his stupor. Opening his eyes he looked up to see Dash standing over him. He smiled when their eyes met. “I’ll be ok... your turn” Sleep called him more than he could resist and he went unconscious again. Yet somehow, even though the sleep, he knew dash was right there.

His breathing was strong, and the vein on his neck told her his heart was beating evenly. Dash looked to the wounded monster as it limped towards her. She stood straddling Mac like a mother protecting her foal. Her face held a look of determination that spoke of why you never backed an animal into a corner.

Rainbow Dash’s Element lit up, pulsing like a heartbeat. All the other Elements started to follow sympathetically. Dim at first, but quickly matching Loyalty’s rhythm and intensity. Twilight was caught off guard. Her’s had always been the Element to lead.

A heartbeat rang in their ears, but it was not their own. Feeling their Elements start to stir within them. The girls rushed to circle the monster, without a word they took position, by instinct.

Twilight felt something familiar going on between Dash and Mac. She reached out gently with her magic. An unimaginable amount of magic was being circulated between the two. She had seen this before, but where? ‘The wedding! When Cadence transferred love to my brother!’ She knew this was going to be a lot of extra power, in what way already the most powerful magic still performed in creation. ‘It’s going to take all I got to hold this together.’

She was glad she braced herself. As soon as the last Element had readied, Loyalty burst into streams of lightning. The bolts reached out to the other Elements, turning the pulsing gems into more lightning sources. It was all Twilight could do to shape the energy. Chains of white light shackled the monster. Arcs of elemental wind and fire jumped and danced from one girl to the next. Then reached out and licked at the creature, evaporating trails of flesh in their wake. In just a few seconds the only trace of the creature was the burn mark left where it had stood.

Convinced the creature was destroyed, Dash relaxed and all the elements faded to their inactive state. Looking down she saw a subtle smile on Mac's face, he was still alive. She was glad to see Celestia and Redheart running to her. The nurse started applying first aid, as Celestia used her magic. “He will be ok. Just take good care of him.” Celestia pronounced.

A sudden silence registered to them. Looking over to where the party had been, they realized that Octavia had just now stopped playing.

“You kept playing through all that?” Luna asked.

“Of course I did. It was my job”

Eclipse

Mother is the name of God on the lips of children, but what is Mother on the lips of Gods?

Green fire broke Twilight away from her studies. The scroll tumbled in the air a moment before being snatched up in Spike’s claws. “Letter for ya, Twilight,” he announced, walking across the room to hand it to her.

Snapping the wax, she unrolled the letter:

Twilight

Today at noon there will be a solar eclipse. Everything is fine, do not worry and please comfort any panic that this may cause. I will fill you in on the details in the coming days. The large dispatch of pegasus guards is for alerting the other cities and towns.

I apologize for the short notice.

Your friend

Princess Celestia

“A solar eclipse!?” Twilight balked. “Spike, there’s going to be an eclipse in...” looking to her mantel clock she checked the time, it was ten in the morning, “Two hours! There hasn’t been an eclipse in fifteen hundred years!”

The unicorn skittered around the library certain she needed to be doing something, but not sure what. Concluding no matter what, the first step would be going outside. She made for the door, opening it she paused halfway through and went back inside. Throwing on a saddlebag she tossed in, what appeared to Spike to be, a unrelated pile of junk. With her sidetrack finished she bolted out of the library with a bit more confidence.

Outside a gray streak caught her attention, it was a royal guard and he was heading straight for town hall. She could see a dozen others in the sky, heading in all directions.

Everypony in town was assembled around the town hall, the air buzzed with manic energy. Twilight and the Mayor stood atop the podium. “OK everypony!” Twilight yelled over the din. “It’s going to start soon. It will get dark slowly, until it’s like night, then it will fade at the same speed” She repeated for the eighth time in the past hour. They have to know what to expect. “Do not look directly at the sun while this is going on. It will do permanent damage to your eyes. Use either the smoked glass or the camera obscura I showed you how to make.”

There were no small number of ponies making the mentioned devices, with whatever they could get their hooves on. The lenses and boxes were being passed around to the various groups of friends and families, so they could witness the legendary event.

Twilight consulted the camera obscura she had made for herself earlier. The lesser orb was already well into the body of the sun. Soon it would hit the critical mark of ninety percent and the world would begin to darken.

Gasps announced the arrival of that critical mark, though no alarm, other than the sudden dimming of the world, was needed. The dimming continued till dusk fell upon them. Ponies stared through black glass in awe and the sun was slowly being consumed. The suns heat faded with its light.

Then the gloom winked out into utter darkness. Screams and gasps accompanied the violent transition. Twilight would have spoken up to calm everypony but the night of nights took her breath away; no stars, no moon, nothing, only a ring of fire writhing in the zenith of the heavens. The ring gave less light than a campfire would have and left the world a gray shadow outline. Twilight’s voice echoed through the void “Stay calm everypony. This will only last for five to ten minutes”

Raw magical power rippled out from the solar ring. Unseen, but felt by everypony there, unicorns wincing as if struck. All eyes turned towards Twilight for comfort and explanation. But, they found her lost in a thousand yard stare, her eyes luminescent orbs.

Twilight’s skin crawled at a wave of energy that overtook her. She had felt this once before. This was the power of the elder gods. Her vision went gray and when it cleared she found herself disembodied, a floating consciousness in an old room that she guessed to be in Canterlot.

Two horns touch at their tips; one darker than a midnight shadow, the other white as virgin snow. Idle static jumps between the points as they lightly brush against each other. “Mother,” two voices call as one. The voice is tender like a child seeking approval and terribly powerful like it’s will could reshape mountains.

Viscous day and night explode into the room, the two meeting but never mixing. Luna’s eyes burn with searing light, Celestia’s become pits of shadow. The two figures hold like statues while the dark and light swirled about the room like a tidal wave. The liquid luminescence and shadow fight until all their energies are spent on each other; leaving them pooled in equal measure.

Gods of sun and moon blinked in perfect unison. Their rigid stance broke when their eyes reopened. Gone was the room filled with ink and sunlight. They both let their posture slip into a casual pose. Looking around they find themselves in an endless sea of low rolling hills, covered in bright grass that tickles their barrels; the sky is a vibrant twilight. They knew this land. It is the eternal twilight of the everlasting summer equinox. The field of sweet grass stretch infinitely in all directions. No amount of running would ever bring you anywhere but to more of the same rolling prairie.

A speck on the horizon moved towards them. They watched with subtle smiles as its form became clear. A powerful mare galloping wildly through the grass, slightly larger than the elder sister, but with neither horn or wings. She exuded feral energy with every movement. The grass that she tramples grows taller in her wake.

“My children,” the world sings as the mustang stops before them.

The sisters press into the mare affectionately, all three rubbing heads and necks together. “Its been too long,” Luna coos.

“I’m so glad you two have reconciled,” the wind whispers to them.

Celestia smiled, watching her little sister melt to the ground under the attention of her mothers grooming. “I’m afraid we have come for your help mother. We have questions and little time to ask them.”

The grass waves and speaks to the eldest sister, “Lay beside me dear and ask what you need.”

The elder sister lays down in the grass, tucking her legs beneath her. “A first-borne attacked us Mother, it was your brother. We do not know what brought him forth and we fear his children may be stirring as well.”

The mustang turned her powerful head toward the eldest child and their eyes met. Her lips part and a sound rolls out that shakes the world. It is not loud, rather something like a babbling brook. Yet the whole of Elysium stands on end to obey it. “Yes my eldest, they stir. The spell that shackled them with in Tartarus is waning. I can not say for how much longer they will be held there.”

Luna and Celestia eyes go large as they look to each other. Things unspoken are shared between them. “But why?” Luna’s voice cracked.

Their mother looked gently upon the dark coated alicorn. “The Elements of Harmony and the Elements of Chaos are both primordial. Powers that make up the very fabric of creation. You forced the Elements of Harmony to take scions as the Chaos did long ago. Just as there was then, there are consequences.

Twilight feels an infinitely-loving embrace, despite her current lack of body. She watches the one they call Mother again rub necks with the two alicorns. “Now, you three, your time here is over. Go and do all the good you can”

The two sisters trade a puzzled look just as the world winks out around Twilight.

Gone were the endless fields, in there place was a huge crowd of ponies staring up at her. The sky was again a dim twilight. The sun slowly escaping from behind the moon.

Author's Note

I'm starting a new story in the Red Fire world. This is a bit of a teaser for that.

I also have a 4 or 5 years in the future sequel in mind, centering around RD and Mac. But, I have a few other stories to work through first.

Three Days Later

“Mac is stable and in good spirits. The burns are worse than the cracked ribs he says. He going to have to be in the hospital for a few weeks. The doctors were worried about infection...” Twilight put away the letter Applejack had written her the day before. She had read through it more than once, but the “stable and in good spirits” part made her feel better when she read it. She was on her way to visit Mac. Coming to the hall he was on she found Celestia outside his door, looking in through the window.

“I owe you an apology Twilight.” She said not looking away from the window. “You’re grown now, and a powerful mage too. I should start treating as such. If you had known what to expect or even what tools you actually had at your disposal” Celestia levitated an ancient tome from behind her and presented it to Twilight. “Read this. It will explain the secret behind you, Rainbow Dash and Big Mac. I have kept an eye on that family for hundreds of years. Unlike you and Rainbow Dash’s gifts, the fire stays in the bloodline if at all possible. Honestly I assumed Applejack had it. I know what I just said doesn't make sense to you now, but it will” She could tell her pupil was boiling with questions. “Read that book first. It will answer most of your questions. Then you can understand me better. There are even some notes in the margins, written by McIntosh from when he borrowed it.” Celestia paused and gave her student... her friend a hug before turning to leave.

Twilight was left speechless as she watched Celestia leave. Taking up the book she entered Mac’s room. Dash was reading the newest Daring Doo book to him.

Author's Note

This is the proper end to this story. The next chapter is less relevant to the story told and it is to the little extra world I'm building.

Will there be a sequel?

Well, 'Clastic Glow' and 'The Meek and the Brave' are set in the same world. M&B is in limbo for now as I derailed that story and had to delete a chapter. I'm just now after all these months figuring out where I want to take that story. There is a story that will be called 'Pandora" too. I'm about 5 chapters into that, but I want a few more before I start publishing it.

After all that I have a Twilight Derpy ship that will be in this world and finally a followup on Dash and Mac.