One Night At The Barn – by VeganCheesecake
Or: The (mis)adventures of two members of the Apple Family and two other stallions

“Hurgh!”

Big Macintosh lifted the last barrel of cider onto his back. He looked about and made sure nopony was around, watching him, before he started to walk off, carrying the 30 gallons of Sweet Apple Acres' most delicious cider – this year was truly a banner year of crops. He wouldn't steal it usually. The Apple family was known for its generosity and kindness and they often under priced their products. But this was a very special occasion. No one was supposed to know what was going to happen tomorrow night, nor should anypony know about the barrel. After all, it was he who was doing the fancy mathematics here; nopony was ever going to notice that a barrel went missing.

He reached a small barn, far beyond the last hill of Sweet Apple Acres. Nopony ever came here, most likely nopony even knew of this place – nopony except him. He opened the door, walked in and nearly stepped on Smarty Pants.

“Must have forgotten to put her back again…”

Placing the barrel next to a huge pile of hay, which he used as his bed, he took a look around to see if anything had changed since his last visit. The barn didn't look any different to him: Besides from Smarty Pants lying on the floor, all of her dresses and brushes still rested on the shelf he once got from Twilight for helping her out. The books, underneath Smarty Pants' accessories and items, looked dusty as always. He didn't enjoy reading too much. Besides, Twilight gave him weird looks when he asked for books about pony anatomy, recent fashion styles and schmaltzy love poems. Not only did these books not go well together; Twilight had also been asking him tons of questions about them.

“The anatomy book, fair enough. But fashion and love poems? What do you need them for?”

Back then, he decided to remain silent most of the time and to be short with her, just as usual. Nopony must know. In the corner, rope was piled up; properly wound up and nicely arranged. On the wall, two of his favorite collars hung. Both were nicely polished. Hooks, carabineers and various other metal loops amongst chains were hanging from the ceiling and the walls. Only one thing seemed to be missing. Big Mac thought for a moment, then rifled through the hay – it didn’t solely provide a nice sleeping place for him. He grinned as he discovered 3 riding crops and a large wooden paddle nicely hidden under the soft hay. This truly was going to be the best night ever.

***

He hated rude awakenings like this; he also hated trains. His thoughts started to wander every time he was traveling by train and it was impossible for him to focus on anything real; he could never tell if he was dreaming or wide awake. Why was he even taking this stupid train again? Oh, right. Because of “it”. How could he forget about that? Not that it was his turn to visit; he would have simply ignored the invitation if that had been the case. But it was different a bit different from that. For the first time, his entire family, and not just one particular family member meant something to him.

When he entered the diner, the smell of marzipan and apple pie embraced him – a nice contrast to the musty smell inside his cabin. He wasn't here for eating though. Something else was on his mind – he needed a drink to clear his mind. The same old questions were running through his head, over and over again: Where was he going? Why the train, since he couldn’t stand it? Missing his town already, he sighed deeply. When he looked up from the counter, a young, blond mare had appeared out of nowhere. Her well-groomed hair was tied up with a red ribbon into a ponytail. The hat she was wearing spoke for itself. She smiled at him, the freckled cheeks flushing red. He couldn't believe his eyes. Startled and unsure about what to reply, he just smiled back at her.

A moment later, she was gone, along with the dinner. He hadn’t left his cabin – nor just met his cousin. Instead, somepony had brought him a pie while he was dozing. Still warm and steaming, its sweet smell of almonds tickled his nostrils. The tag on it read: “Welcome to Ponyville – Love, Pinkie”. How the pie got here, he didn't know. One thing for sure though: He was about to reach his destination. A week of fun was lying ahead of him.

***

It wasn’t that Twilight didn’t like welcomes, or goodbyes, or train stations, or trains, or her friends. She simply had better things to do today! The entire town was busy getting prepared for cider season – this didn’t mean they were getting ready to go camping in front of the Apple family’s farm to have wild cider parties with Pinkie, like last year. This time, it would be a way bigger cider party. Besides, Pinkie hadn’t prepared anything for camping. She was right here at this very moment, bouncing around in excitement. And there was Applejack, way too busy with getting things organized – you could clearly see how stressed and tired she was. It was a pity she had to stand here waiting, Twilight didn’t like to see her like this. Still Applejack couldn’t just leave right now. Twilight knew that and tried the best to ignore this fact. As her mind wandered, she started to double-check everything, on the imaginary checklist inside her head, which she had already done today.

Cider season was going to be quite special this year: The crop, exceptionally rich, with great tasting apples of all sorts, had caught the attention of the Royal family. Now they were having a cider week full of celebrations, music, ponies from everywhere and, obviously, tons of cider; fresh squeezed and ready for drinking. Twilight was especially excited about the star guest of this event: Princess Celestia decided to defer to her sister this time, giving her the permission to raise the moon in front of the crowd, in the same way as the sun was being raised every Summer Sun Celebration by Twilight’s mentor. Overcoming most of her social awkwardness, Luna agreed to do what her sister suggested. Twilight was happy to hear that. She couldn’t wait for the Princess of the Night to arrive tonight. The “Cider Festival” was starting tomorrow, but lots of things had to be prearranged. She had even made a checklist, just for the princess so that they wouldn’t forget about a single thing they had to do before the opening ceremony!

A voice to her left disrupted her thoughts.

“Train’s comin’!”

Twilight turned her head. At the horizon, Applejack spotted a cloud of smoke. Everypony knew what that meant.

“Ohmigosh, I hope I have my confetti ready and didn’t put it in the oven like last time when I welcomed Cranky with my wagon and it got all over me and Cranky and I had to take a 2 hour bath afterwards, that’d be crazy if that happened again especially since I think I gotta be nice to Applejack’s cousin because we are both friends already and I didn’t even send him anything for his birthday and so I want to make up for this now and I’m just so excited about this I can’t believe it!” Pinkie decided to stop talking for a moment and breathe so that she could continue on if need be.

Both Twilight and Applejack were kind of relieved that she had to breathe now and then. Pinkie Pie was a great friend – if she only didn’t talk so much and took things more seriously now and then, she’d be even greater! The two mares hoped she didn’t talk the guest to death…and they were about to find out if that’d happen. Squeaking brakes brought the train to a hold. The doors opened. Out walked, in full glory, wearing the finest jacket he owned and his hat for special occasions, Braeburn.

“Braeburn is here!” Pinkie squealed in excitement.

“Ah’m happy to see ya, cousin. Welcome to Ponyville!” Applejack said while offering him her hoof. Hesitantly, he shook hooves with her.

“It’s nice to see you too, cousin.”

Twilight decided to chime in before Pinkie Pie decided to: “Hello, my name is…”

“Twilight Sparkle, I suppose?” Braeburn interrupted. “We met before, but Big Macintosh told me lots of things about you as well. You’re the mare that is strangely obsessed with books and knowledge. I also heard you’re studying friendship…whatever that means…I still remember how you, your pink friend there, Applejack and 3 other ponies all came to Appleloosa to bring good ol’ Bloomberg to us. You’re one bunch of crazy folks, I tell ya’! You and your crazy pink friend are the ones I remember the best; I mean, your curiosity and her crazy singing and that costume she wore! She really thought she could prevent a fight with that? Haha, at least it was great entertainment! Now how do I get to the farm?”

Twilight blushed. Pinkie Pie was frozen to the spot, her jaw had dropped as soon as Braeburn started to describe her. Since then she seemed distressed. Braeburn left without another word. Applejack decided to run after him. She didn’t want to leave him alone in a town he barely knew.

“Pinkie, are you okay?”

Twilight was really worried about her pink friend. She didn’t need her to go Pinkamena tonight. Not while the princess was in town. Pinkie looked up to the book-obsessed mare.

“Wow, this is really one cold-hearted meanie pie mister! Nothing too hard for Pinkie Pie though. At the end of this festival, this pony is gonna smile smile smile; with or without my help.”

All worries vanished with Pinkie’s words, leaving Twilight confused. She lifted an eyebrow when she heard Pinkie’s last sentence. Perhaps she was just being Pinkie Pie…but what was up with the stallion they just met? He was part of Applejack’s family, sure, but why did he come here when he hated the ponies living in this town? Something had to be up with this guy, she just didn’t know what…

***

Author's Note

This might seem innocent at first before the whole story turns into something that won’t fit everybody’s taste. It involves lots of detail and not much sentimentally or sensuality. Proceed with caution if you’re usually into soft stuff.