Fallen Eagle

Chapter XI: A Royal Proposition

Thank you guy so much. I'm not going flip out like a fanboy like before, but I am SO grateful that so many people enjoy my story so much. 52 followers? I've never even given that number a thought before, and I thought thirty was a big number. I really hope you guys love what I have planned, and I apologize for Chapter X taking a while to come out, I kept rewriting a few key scenes and taking a while to decide whether or not to end the chapter with what I ended it with or continuing.

OBSERVER01: Yeah it was. I like to go for emotional endings or situations between characters. Cougar looking at a past picture of his friends was an homage to Maverick looking at an old picture from 20 years prior in Top Gun.

ninjagofangirlrb: I'm both sorry and glad that it made you cry. I don't like cheap emotional jabs at the audience, I like to dig deeper and make an impact worthwhile. And thank you for the compliment :)

adhdLuke: Thank you, and sorry it took me awhile to get it out.

Furi Poi: Thank you, but I'm a little confused by your question. Cougar is an OC of mine, he just happens to have the same Callsign as Cougar from Top Gun (1986).

Brony At War: I know what you mean. Just because she's a Princess doesn't mean she has to act all regal and proper 24/7. Plus, I think we can all understand swearing in that situation.

Dixie Darlin: Well Discord is still kinda new at this friendship thing. And Luna is Cougar's closest friend next to Applejack, so a good friend should have good advice. And I wanted a scene were a pony was acting Racist towards Cougar at one point and this seemed like a good point for it to take place.

PRR Gangsta: Wow, two times already? I don't know what I'm doing that you like so much, but thanks for that compliment. I hope you'll keep reading when it's over.

AndJrew76: I'm both sorry and happy you cried. When I write an emotional scene, I feel bad when people don't cry.

I hope there are some ZZ Top Fans in the audience...

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(Rarity's Boutique. 2:00 PM. Cougar's POV)

I stood in front of Rarity's business, nervous about going in. Applejack said that Rarity called it "Carousel Boutique," and I can see why. But the name and the appearance weren't the reasons why I was nervous about entering the dress maker's shop. I don't particularly like people, or ponies for the matter, being that close to me, with the exception of medical doctors. Plus, I don't like the idea that she's never measured a human before, and I didn't want to get stabbed with that fucking needle, especially in that tender area.

As I reached out and touched the door handle, the image of coming clean earlier that morning came back to mind.

*FlashBack*

I had actually slept in until seven that morning, though Applejack didn't seem to mind. I had awoken to a hoof resting on my shoulder and gently shaking me awake. "C'mon Cougar, time ta get up now," Applejack's voice soothed. I snapped my head up and looked up at the emerald eyes of the working pony staring down at me. "Didja sleep good there Cowboy?" she nudged me to get up and out of bed.

"Y-yeah, I did," I replied and stretched as I sat up on my cot. The orange mare stepped back and gave me room as I stood up and dropped the blanket off of me and neatly made my cot in no time. Thankfully, Celestia's sun was nice and warm even this early in the morning, so my shirtless torso wasn't too chilly.

"Oh, Ah'll uh, give ya a sec," Applejack turned around and looked outside the door, leaving me momentarily confused, until I looked down. I quickly bent down and yanked my cargo pants off the floor and I heard my phone clatter onto the wooden floor.

"Sorry about that," I apologized as I pulled my pants over my boxers and buttoned them up. When the zipper went up, Applejack turned back around with a shy smile painted on her face. "So, breakfast and then explaining what we've been through?" I suggested and patted her head. She chuckled as we both jogged/trotted our way over to the house where the delicious aromas of Granny Smith's breakfast were wafting over the farm.

"Sounds good Cougar, now don't be nervous 'bout Big Mac alright?" She reassured me whilst opening the kitchen door, "Ah'll make sure he don't turn yer brains into mush," she joked, at least I was hoping. "Here, mah cousin Braeburn left one 'o his vests here awhile back, maybe it'll fit ya," she offered me from the coat rack.

"Thanks," I said as I put on the vest. It was a little snug, but it covered up most of my scars near my collarbone and neck, " Though I'm more worried about Bloomin' Onion not talking to me anymore to be honest," I replied just as I sat down at the table. Applejack trotted into the living room, opened up a closet and pulled out a brand new hat and placed it on her head. I heard her sigh happily before trotting back into the kitchen.

"Soups on!" Granny Smith declared and set the breakfast of Buttermilk Biscuits with country gravy, coffee, pancakes and eggs on the table. "So, how was yer campin' trip? Didja have a hip swingin' time?" The elderly pony asked us. I was about to answer when Applejack cut in for me.

"Ah'd like ta explain when everypony is here Granny," Applejack explained to her Grandmother as Big Mac trotted happily down the stairs and into the kitchen.

"Explain what AJ?" The big red stallion sat down and dumped about three biscuits onto his plate. That was when his eyes drifted down to AJ's right rear leg and saw the stitches over her scar. "WHAT IN CELESTIA'S NAME DIDJA DO TO MAH SISTER!?" He bellowed out at me and slammed his hooves onto the table, almost breaking it in half. Some of the dishes clattered as they shook violently from Big Mac's slam. I could see the steam emitting from Big Mac's nose as he snorted at me.

"What are ya on about Big Mac?" Granny Smith asked. Big Mac raised a hoof and pointed towards Applejack's leg. The elderly pony got off her chair and strolled her way over to check out what her Grandson was on about while the red stallion kept his eyes glued on me.

"Now, we were in a bit of an accident Granny," Applejack started to explain.

"Good Gravy, looks like sumthin' tried to bite yer leg off!" Granny exclaimed as she prodded the stitching. She looked up at her eldest Granddaughter, "what kinda trouble did y'all run into up at them falls Applejack?" Right when Applejack was going to finish her explanation when Applebloom walked into the room, albeit with a pissed off expression on her face.

"What's goin' on everypony?" She asked as she poured herself a cup of milk and studied the situation. She looked down to see AJ's injury and gasped, "oh my gosh! Applejack, is that what that Timberwolf did to ya?!" She exclaimed in fear for her sister.

"Timberwolf!? I thought you said you were gonna hike up to Winsome Falls?" Big Mac questioned and got his hooves off the table, allowing me to breath when his gaze turned from me to AJ.

"Well, now that everypony is here, we can explain," Applejack's hoof gestured towards me, "everythin' was goin' fine with thu trip. Unfortunately, after we told sum scary stories, a pair 'o Timberwolves appeared in our site." This statement generated gasps from Big Mac and Granny Smith, though Applebloom still didn't know exactly went down after Rarity teleported her out of there.

"My first priority was to get the kids out of there, so AJ and I had Rarity teleport them back to Ponyville where it was safe. Rainbow got her wing injured and had to be evacuated out too, but Applejack and I stayed behind to lure the wolves away from the rest of the group."

"So, you just hid while mah sister let herself git injured, is that it!?" Big Mac shot at me. Applejack lifted her hoof and smacked Big Mac away from me just when I thought he was going to pound me.

"He fought his ass off to make sure Ah was safe Big Mac," Applejack clenched her jaw, "Ah tried to kick one in the jaw after it scratched up Cougar's shoulder, but the second one bit mah leg," she explained and removed part of the vest covering my shoulder.

"That's gross," Applebloom held her mouth shut.

"You fought two Timberwolves, well how in the wide, wide world of Equestria didja git away?" Granny Smith asked me.

"I killed them, one with my gun, the other by, more gruesome means," I replied and put my vest back on. "I'd go into detail, but I don't want you guys to lose your breakfasts," I apologized. Granny Smith gently touched my shoulder and spun me around on my chair.

"Lemme git this straight Cougar, you sacrificed yerself, just to save mah Granddaughter?" I replied with a simple nod, but that was enough to have Granny throw her forelegs around my neck and hugged me tightly. "Yer a blessin' from sumthin' far greater than Celestia herself Cougar," the elder mare smiled at me.

"Thank you, that means a lot to me," I smiled back.

"Luckily though," Applejack continued the rest of the story, "we bunkered down in the 'ol abandoned castle fer the night 'n were picked up by Luna the next mornin'. We spent all 'o yesterday in the Royal Infirmary gettin' all patched up," she playfully slapped my back.

"Them doctors are gettin' used to ya Cougar," Bloomin' Onion joked, forgetting for a brief second she was mad at myself and AJ.

"Yeah, let's hope it'll be years before I have to see another doctor," I replied. We all sat back down at the table to eat, but Applejack cleared her throat and raised her eyebrows at me. "Right, Granny, Applebloom and Big Mac, I have something else I need to tell you guys."

"Ah'm listenin'," Big Mac replied while keeping a stern eye on me. My mouth refused to open, no matter how hard I tried, my lips stayed tightly sealed. I cleared my throat and took a swig of coffee, but no words could escape. Applejack laced one of her orange hooves over my hand and lightly rubbed circles around the top and smiled warmly at me. Even though she didn't speak either, her eyes said, 'I'm with ya.'

"I don't eat just fruits, veggies and dairy," I blurted out, "I also eat, uh, meat," I exclaimed and looked down at my plate. A pair of silver forks clattered onto the plates of the table loudly, jolting myself out of my seat. Six eyes stared at me as I attempted to gather my composure to explain. "I'm an omnivore, I can eat just about anything edible, but I haven't been tempted to eat any meat since I've been here."

"Why didn't ya tell us this from the beginnin' Cougar?" Big Mac asked me, but not in a threatening tone.

"He was scared, 'n rightfully so," Applejack replied for me, "at first, Ah was madder than a hornet that he kept the truth in the dark, but the more Ah thought about it, 'n after explainin' more to me, Ah understand why he was scared, especially with how you jump to conclusions Mac," she pointed her hoof towards her big bro.

"Me?" The red stallion replied.

"Yes you Big Brother," AJ said, "ever since Cougar first came here, ya never did like him, 'n you always think the worst 'o him without even gettin' ta know him. He's kind 'n he cares fer the betterment 'o everypony.

"Ah'm jest tryin' to look out fer mah family," Big Mac said as he stuffed a biscuit in his mouth.

"We appreciate that Grandson," Granny Smith patted his dirty blonde mane, "but we Apples can take care 'o ourselves. Now Cougar, do ya NEED to eat meat, or is it optional fer yer species?" I couldn't believe how well they were taking it. Then again, these folks took me in when no one else could, and I have been pretty helpful to them, so maybe they were willing to cut me some slack on this.

"I've gone for about a month without meat and I feel fine, I guess your home cooking does wonders for the body," I chuckled.

"That's what Ah like ta hear Cougar. Now then, let's quit jibber-jabberin' 'n chow down, we got a festival to start preparin' fer!" She declared and started to wolf down her breakfast. Applejack leaned over to my ear and whispered inside.

"That wasn't so bad was it now?" She teased me.

"Guess not, now I only have to help you guys prepare for the Celebration and then get some new clothes made up for me," I shuddered. Her hoof patted my back again and she teased me even more.

"Have fun parter."

*End Flashback*

After all that, the rest of the morning was pretty uneventful, just baking and setting out decorations for the Summer Sun Celebration. Thankfully, Applejack allowed me to keep the vest on so I wouldn't attract any unwanted attention to my scarring and stitches on my shoulder. But now I found myself standing outside of Rarity's place of business, nervous about going in.

"Oh, hey Cougar," I heard a sweet sounding young voice call to me. Turning my head, I found the pale green eyes and multi-colored mane of Sweetie Belle, "are you here for your new clothes?" She asked me. Rarity must've sent her to get a few things from the market. She had a saddle bag on filled with supplies.

"Yeah I am, is she home right now?" I replied, releasing my hand from the door handle.

"She should be, she was up super early preparing for the Summer Sun Celebration and for designing your clothes," her magic aura opened up the door for the both of us. I felt out of place almost immediately. Fashion magazines and numerous pictures and drawings of different dresses and tuxedos adorned the walls and tables of what I assumed to be the waiting area. And of course, the aroma in here was of fancy smelling perfumes and something that would make Febreze jealous. I spotted a tray of tea and crumpets on the counter of the kitchen area. The only time I have ever eaten tea and crumpets was when I was stationed in the UK for about a month with the Royal Air Force during a joint operation.

"This place is too fancy for me," I uncomfortably scratched my neck. And everything was so, shiny. I liked to have a clean barrack to live in, but this was too much.

"You'll be fine, Spike loves to come in here all the time," Sweetie Belle put her saddlebag on the kitchen counter and motioned for me to follow her up the stairs. "Rarity! You have a guest!" She called to her older sister.

"Oh, do come up Cougar! I've been waiting all morning for this," the fashion insane pony enveloped me in her magic and thrust me inside her room, which was a giant mess. Now this room was more like my speed, not too fancy, but manageable. "I do hope you're ready Cougar, I have so many visions for you, my little project," she produced a measuring tape and measured me all over. After taking the measurements, she put on a pair of red glasses and a whole shit load of things began to hover above her.

"Do you really need all of that?" I gulped as I stood on top of a stool. A pen started to scribble something onto a piece of parchment while some pieces of fabric floated over to me and laced themselves onto my torso.

"Quiet, I am in the zone," Rarity shushed me and showed me the picture she drew. "Now, this is what you called a 'T-Shirt' correct?" She asked me. I nodded which made her giggle, "Simple enough Cougar." Suddenly, the fabric around my torso tightened and a pair of scissors flew towards me. My eyes clenched shut as I prepared for the worst, but the scissors jumped over my head and cut the fabric into two large pieces.

"For the pants, please just use my cargo pants as a reference," I begged, not wanting sharp scissors to come anywhere close to, there.

"Of course, though that will require you to take them off," she warned me, "luckily I have a privacy screen over there." I looked up to see the two dark blue pieces of fabric cut into two sides of a T-Shirt! Then came the sewing part. Unfortunately for me, the pieces of fabric had to be hovering over my torso so the measurements would hold up. The invisible hands holding the needles and threads quickly went to work and sewed up a plain dark blue T-Shirt for me. "There, how is that? Too snug, too loose? I need to know darling," Rarity begged me to let her know.

"It's perfect Rarity," I admired myself in the mirror, "I've never had a T-Shirt fit so well right away, usually I have to break them in," I explained.

"Well, you haven't worn any of my designs Cougar," Rarity bragged.

"So, is that it? You can just use those measurements as a reference right?" I asked as I tried to walk out of the room. But, Rarity had other plans as her magic yanked me back to the stool.

"Ah, you're not going anywhere, we're just getting started," she grinned evilly and raised her fabrics, threads, needles and parchments. "I told you Cougar, you would be my ticket to fashion history, and one piece of clothing won't get me there," she narrowed her eyes. I have never been so scared in my life.

"Have fun Cougar," Sweetie Belle left the room.

"Beginning?" I gulped

Clean shirt, new shoes
And I don't know where I am goin' to.

After a little bit of planning and scrapping other ideas, Rarity made me a new outfit and had me stand in front of a mirror. "So, what do you think Cougar? I think you pull off the Greaser look nicely."

She had me with slicked back hair, blue jeans, a white T-Shirt and a black leather jacket. Before I could say anything, she stuck a cigarette in my mouth and stepped back. I coughed as I smoked the cancer stick, "I like the jacket, but I'm not a big fan of the Greaser look," I explained. She snapped a quick picture before tearing the outfit away.

"Fine, Mr. Picky Pants, we'll try it again," She ripped the jacket from me, "and no, you cannot keep the jacket!" She shouted. That hurt a bit.

Silk suit, black tie,
I don't need a reason why.

Again, Rarity spent a while thinking of a new look for me and remeasuring me while sewing up the new outfit. This was painful for me; I can't stand in one spot for too long, and plus this was both boring and terrifying. "While I don't condone this type of business, I think the Pimp look is quite dapper for you," she batted her eyelashes at me and stood me in front of her mirror.

"Gah!" I exclaimed. She put a zebra patterned hat on my head with a purple feather, a fur coat with no shirt and skin tight leopard print pants on me. "Get this off me now!" The white unicorn huffed and had me take off the clothes, but not before snapping another picture. "How about just a windbreaker and some blue jeans?" I offered.

"Much too simple Cougar, I know!" She gasped.

They come runnin' just as fast as they can
'Cause every girl crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man.

Gold watch, diamond ring,
I ain't missin' not a single thing.

"I think, we have our championship look sweetie," Rarity held my shoulders in front of the mirror. "I don't appreciate the 'Death Metal' music genre, but I do like how bold some of the musicians are with their outfits." Staring back at me, was an exact duplicate of Gene Simmons, but without the long tongue. Even the makeup was pretty damn close. Rarity snapped another picture before grinning like an insane person, "What do you think?" She asked me.

"I don't like death metal, and I like the look, but I'm not going to be wearing this, any time soon," I took all the heavy metal gear off.

And cuff links, stick pin,
When I step out I'm gonna do you in.

They come runnin' just as fast as they can
'Cause every girl crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man.

"Now, anything wrong with this look?" Rarity asked me as sweat was forming on her forehead. In the mirror, I saw the reflection of, me. I had on a nice plain shirt with boots, a brown belt and blue jeans.

"I love it, this is my look," I flexed my muscles in the mirror. "You're a genius Rarity," I complimented. Rarity snapped another picture, but she wasn't too pleased with the outfit. "I have an idea," I chimed in.

Top coat, top hat,
I don't worry 'cause my wallet's fat.
Black shades, white gloves,
Lookin' sharp and lookin' for love.

"There, now this is perfect," I said. I had Rarity make me a dark brown leather jacket with some stuffing on the collar of said jacket. And I even showed her some pictures of my patches that I wanted sewn onto the jacket. Grumbling, Rarity made the jacket, but she herself was pleased with the outcome.

"Oh my, that jacket does indeed fit your physique and personality," Rarity studied my look. "IDEEEEA!" She sang and snapped numerous pictures of me. "I shall call this, 'The Military Fashion Sqaud,' Cougar. Oh, Military enthusiasts will love this look, especially Wonderbolt fans," she grinned.

They come runnin' just as fast as they can
'Cause every girl crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man.

"Glad I could help," I shook my head as my vision cleared up from the flashes.

"Now, these will take some time to develop, but you may wear that out of the shop," Rarity explained.

"Thanks, how much do I owe you?" I asked.

"It's on the house darling, this will take me to newer levels and I can't thank you enough for the opportunity," she thanked me. "Now then, it's almost time for the celebration to start," she looked at her clock which read 8:00. It wasn't even that dark out, but then again, it was the longest day of the year.

"You're too kind, how much?" I repeated the question.

"Cougar dear, if you don't put that money away, I'll find a nice snug little place for it," she smiled. I quickly stuffed the money back into my new pockets and began to head out the door to help Applejack. "Oh before you go, I have a treat for you," Rarity called out to me just as I pushed open the door.

"What is it?" I questioned, fearing that it was a makeup kit or something.

"I remembered your predicament at the lake so I whipped these up while you were in the bathroom," She tossed me a bag. Wondering the fuck she meant, I reached down and pulled out a pair of swimming trunks.

"But, how did you-" I began.

"They're made of the same material that I use for my swim suits for the summer swim suit competition in Las Pegasus, and I used your measurements, easy peasy."

"Swim suit competition?" I wanted to know, but she shoved me out the door.

"Sorry about this, but I still have work to do before the celebration starts!" She shouted and slammed the door, leaving me outside holding the bags of my new clothes.

I thought I would look a little strange carrying bags of clothes with me through town, but I realized practically everypony had bags of clothes or food with them. The town square did look nice I have to admit. Pegasi were flying up and tying golden colored streamers to the lamp posts surrounding the town hall and connecting them to the top of Town Hall. "Perfect My Little Ponies, keep up the good work!" Mayor Mare called to the working Pegasi. I looked up to see if I could spot Rainbow or Soarin, but they were probably still at their Academy training. That reminded me that hopefully the duo would bring me a pair of new sunglasses; the sun was blinding.

"HEADS UP!" I heard a voice shout. Looking back up at the baby blue sky, I saw a grey missile heading straight for me. Clutching my bags close, I leapt out of the way and landed on top of a bush just as the missile hit the ground. The resulting shockwaves knocked one of the lamp posts over and tore one of the streamers clean off the roof of Town Hall, which in turn ripped an entire row of shingles off the roof.

"Holy shit, are you okay?" I asked as I dropped my bags under the bush and rushed towards the missile pony. She had a dirty blonde main, grey fur and a couple bubbles on her flank. And her eyes were crossed too.

"Yeah, I'm fine," the mare pegasus replied and brushed off her wing that was covered in dirt and dust. "I just don't know what went wrong," she added and hopped back onto her feet. I know saw the mailbag hooked around her neck and the mailman hat atop her head.

"You took a nasty fall, are you sure you're alright there Miss?" I asked the mare.

"Oh sure, I've taken harder falls from higher heights. By the way, my name is Ditzy Doo, or Derpy for short," she saluted me. "Say, you look like a Military Pony, but you're that one Cougar Monkey guy right?!" She exclaimed in excitement and stared at me, at least I thought she was staring at me.

"If you say you're alright," I replied. "But yes, I'm Cougar, nice to meet you uh Derpy," I stuck out my hand to shake her hoof, but she waved her hoof around trying to find my hand. I eventually held her hoof with my other hand and shook it, finally getting the awkward meeting out of the way.

"So, how'd you get the name Cougar anyway?" She asked me.

"It's kind of a long story Derpy, and it looks like you have mail to deliver?" I asked.

"Nope, just finished the last letter of the day; now I get to go home and see my daughter Dinky and eat muffins before the Summer Sun Celebration!" She said excitedly and clapped her hooves together.

"Well, take care Derpy, please," I silently begged her. She sprouted her grey wings and took off, only to have another streamer catch on her left rear leg and be yanked off the roof again, ripping off more tiles.

"SORRY MADAME MARE!" Derpy shouted while flying away. I adjusted my Drive To End Hunger Cap and picked up my bags from under the bush. As I walked through town and back home, I waved hello to all the ponies I had met so far, even ones I would call my friends. Apparently Vinyl Scratch had been hired to play some music during the celebration, and she was stoked about it. Along with Applejack and Pinkie Pie bringing baked goods, Bon Bon was going to bring some of her famous chocolate candies to the celebration, and that was big honor that Princess Celestia chose her candy shoppe to bring candy, though I was positive Celestia had other plans, all involving eating Pinkie's cake.

Eventually, I had made it back to Sweet Apple Acres where the smells of Apple Pie, Apple Cobbler, Apple Fritter, Apple Brown Betty and cider greeted me. "Now tasting is something I can help with," I wiped my mouth with my jacket sleeve as I knocked on the front door. Bloomin' Onion opened the door for me and let me inside as she admired my new jacket and pants.

"Wow, cool jacket Cougar!" she exclaimed and starting dancing circles around me to get a good look.

"I had Rarity make it. She made it look exactly like my old Air Force jacket back home," I explained and set the bags of clothes near the door to pick up later. "So, how goes the dessert making Bloomin' Onion?" I asked the little Filly.

"We got enough desserts to last until Hearth's Warming Eve!" Applebloom showed me all the different desserts the Apple Family cooked up while I was away. I looked around to make sure no one else besides Applebloom was watching. After determining the coast was clear, I leaned forward to take a tiny piece of Apple cobbler for a quick snack when suddenly a wooden spoon smacked down on my hand. I groaned in pain and bit my finger to keep me from screaming.

"Not until later Coguar, nopony is gonna eat mah desserts till Ah say so!" Granny Smith shook her wooden spoon at me.

"Y-yes ma'am," I replied and shook my throbbing hand. The elderly mare smiled at me and continued to pack up the desserts into tins and pans. Applebloom snickered at my injury and went back to mixing up some apple butter. I took off my jacket and put it on the coat rack along with Braeburn's old vest. I then put on one of my newest T-Shirts and turned back to Bloomin' Onion and Granny.

"So, where's Applejack at?" I asked.

"She's jest feedin' the chickens since she can't buck Apples fer a while," Applebloom replied.

"If you need any help, just ask me," I opened the kitchen door and left to head towards the chicken coop. The dirt made my boots give off a thumping sound as I trudged my way over to the orange mare that was throwing chicken feed around near the chicken coop.

"Alright, come 'n git it Chickees, nice 'n fresh food fer ya!" Applejack called. Several chickens walked out of the chicken coop and began to peck at their food on the ground. I smiled at how Applejack patted the heads of every single chicken, letting them know they were loved and an important part of the farm.

"Which one's the pet of the family?" I joked, causing AJ to slightly jolt at the sudden surprise. She turned around and adjusted her cowgirl hat atop her head and trotted over to the part of the fence I was leaning against.

"What brings you out here Cowboy?" Applejack leaned up close to me, "did Rarity drive you nuts, or did she lose her mind 'n give up?" AJ opened and shut the gate to the chicken coop and we both started to walk along the farm.

"She drove me nuts, but she let me go, after eight hours of my life I'll never get back," I stared off into an Abyss of nothingness. Applejack chuckled and slapped her hoof on my back.

"Yeh, but she means well, Ah do like them new boots she made ya," AJ pointed out to me, "'n that shirt fits ya real good," she added. "Ah remember fer the first Grand Galloping Gala thu six 'o us plus Spike went to, Rarity designed six new dresses fer us."

"How'd that turn out? Were you guys okay with how they turned out?"

"Nah, the rest 'o us were foolish into thinkin' we knew what we wanted in a dress when Rarity knew all along 'n we took advantage 'o her. Not this cowgirl's finest hour Ah'll admit; then we learned jest how much Rarity cared 'bout someone when she spends hours 'n hours on end jest to make a new outfit fer them," Applejack explained.

"I guess that makes sense," I sat down on the front porch of the house, "so, what do we do at the Summer Sun Celebration anyway Applejack? Do we just watch Luna lower the moon and Celestia raise the sun or what?" I questioned for like the millionth time. I was still in a strange world; I wanted to minimize the risk of upsetting anypony, especially Luna and Celesita should I make a mistake. Applejack popped a piece of wheat stalk into her mouth and started chewing on it, reminding me of so many Western movies I saw as a kid.

"Well, we wait around thu town square, jest drinkin' cider, eatin' food, have a good time 'till Luna lowers thu moon 'N Celestia raises thu sun," the wheat stalk bobbed up and down as AJ spoke, "then we usually swim or jest party to welcome in thu longest day 'o the year," she finished explaining.

"Sounds like fun AJ, we don't have to dress up though, do we?" I replied and readjusted my hat to wipe the sweat from my brow. Even though it was late at night, I still had a sweat working up from my hat being on all day.

"Pfft, no 'o course not Cougar, jest wear that getup that yer wearin', it suits ya," the wheat stalk bobbed up and down again. Finally, Luna's moon overtook the good night sky, but I knew it would be gone in just a matter of a few hours rather than eight or nine. "We best be goin' soon Cougar," Applejack patted my leg and we both stood up.

"So, what do you want me to do to help you guys?" I asked her. AJ turned around to face me and leaned close to me, even though she was about three heads shorter than myself. She placed her hooves on my chest and stood up, looking into my eyes.

"Ya can go take a shower, please, ya stink," she said and fell back onto her four legs and walked back inside. Feeling surprised, I bent my head down and sniffed my arm, only to be met with the foul stench of sweat. I grimaced and went back inside to grab another shirt to wear after my shower. After grabbing my shirt, I went up to the hall closet and grabbed a white cotton towel from the closet and swung it around my neck before walking back downstairs. The entire Apple family trio was standing in the kitchen, putting on last minute preparations for their food.

"Can we help ya Cougar?" Granny Smith asked me while wrapping up a pan of apple fritters in tin foil.

"I'm just letting you guys know I'll be in the shower if you need me, I shouldn't be long," I let them know.

"We should be good to go for the celebration Cougar," Applebloom replied to while balancing a plate of apple crisp cookies on her head. I waved to the family before departing for the bathroom.

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(At the Celebration Several Hours Later. Cougar's POV)

This was a pretty magical celebration as many ponies I talked to claimed. Vinyl was playing some pop/dubstep music on her turntables while many ponies were swaying to the music and drinking Applejack's famous cider and eating Pinkie's pastries. The streamers had fortunately been repaired from Derpy's crash landing and golden lights were wrapped around them, giving off a heavenly golden glow and atmosphere surrounding the celebration.

"Oh my, this music is certainly giving me a pounding headache," I heard Rarity whine while drinking some of Applejack's cider. "Couldn't they have gotten he string quartet that plays during the Gala? Some classical music would surely give more sophistication to this celebration." On cue, me and everypony that heard the outcry rolled their eyes, save for one certain purple dragon.

"An aspirin pill for you most beautiful?" Spike so cheesily offered to Rarity. The unicorn smiled and popped the white pill into her mouth.

"Always the thoughtful one my little Spikey-Wikey," Rarity cooed and rubbed his head like one who loved their dog, "if only more ponies shared our enthusiasm for music that makes one think." Twilight rolled her eyes and levitated Spike away from Rarity as she had begun to speak to another pony about an outfit for the fall Gala.

"Dude, why are you acting like a puppy dog to her?" I asked Spike.

"Pfft, what do you know about love Cougar? Have you ever had a girlfriend?" Spike replied with crossed arms. I didn't speak for a moment; the memories of always being the single guy at school or at base came flooding back to me, but I shrugged them off.

"Firstly, no I haven't Spike, but come on, if you keep acting like this, Rarity will only think of you like a little brother. Just say that you're happy to help or it's not a problem. With the way you're speaking, she's pretty much got you wrapped around her hoof," I explained.

"If you haven't had a girlfriend before, then I don't have to listen to you, human. Now why don't you stay out of my business, I'm doing just fine," Spike turned around and flicked his tail at me. I flicked my hands up and turned around to.

"Fine, be that way you ungrateful lizard," I said under my breath.

"Cougar, you shouldn't just give up on the little guy," a meek voice cut into the air. I almost couldn't hear it under the penetrating beats of Vinyl's music. Looking behind me, I saw the creme colored fur and pink mane of Fluttershy. Her little rabbit Angel was perched atop her head, munching on a carrot.

"Look, I don't mean to be a jerk Fluttershy, but if he doesn't want any advice on how to win Rarity's attention, then why should I help him?"

"I have something else to explain, you know, if you still want to hear it Cougar? But if-if you don't want to, I understand," she whispered softly. I nodded my head, wanting to get this conversation over with. A small smile spread across the mare's face as she was given the permission to speak, "Spike has had a crush on Rarity ever since he arrived in Ponyville, and he hasn't really wanted any help in winning Rarity's heart, his dragon code won't allow help with finding a mate, or as he calls it, 'His beautiful Princess.' It gets really serious with him, so we just keep letting him flirt with her," she explained.

"That's interesting Fluttershy, but listen to me. He's setting himself up for heartbreak. If he thinks she likes him the way he likes her with her cute compliments, it's gonna hurt him even more than if he actually asks her out and she says no. He could wind up walking into her boutique to see her accepting a dinner invite with another stallion; that's gonna kill him," I retorted. Before Fluttershy could reply, Twilight cut in.

"He's getting more mature everyday Cougar; he's going to have to learn things like love the hard way," Twilight looked at her dragon assistant with motherly eyes. I was in complete shock. These ponies knew that Spike was going about his crush for Rarity the wrong way, yet they were going to let his heart break just to force him to live the harsh realities? I understand, most sentient beings will have to live harsh realities, but their friends and family can help them take steps so they won't have their hearts broken as hard.

"Fluttershy, you're the nicest pony or person I've ever met, you have to admit that what you're allowing Spike to go through is wrong?" I exclaimed to the shy pegasus. Said pegasus drug her hoof through the ground and looked down, apparently hating being put on the spot.

"Uh, well, uh I think that Spike, oh would you look at that, a poor beaver needs help getting his uh tail out of a log," Fluttershy pointed to a happy beaver waving towards her. Suddenly, Fluttershy was gone in a flash and the ground was sort of smoking where she once stood. I shook my head in shame and turned around to see none other than Luna standing before us.

"Hello Cougar, I hear you are fearing for Spike's heart?" she questioned me. I looked around to see the rest of the gang just standing around while Luna approached me.

"Yeah, but let's just push that aside for now, this is a party right?" I asked with a grin and handed Luna a cup of cider. The midnight blue alicorn happily accepted her cup and took a nice long sip from the plastic device.

"So, how are things holding up with your injuries? I fear your collar bone may be hurting severely from the extents of the injury," she asked me with concern.

"Oh, it's feeling fine. I haven't really pushed it too far yet," I took a sip of my cider.

"Good to hear. Now then, I was wondering Cougar, with your military experience and the way you handled those Timberwolves, have you given any consideration on becoming a royal guard for Canterlot?" Luna asked me. I lowered the cup from my mouth and let it rest next to my side.

"Cougar, a royal guard?" Rainbow looked back and forth from myself to Luna.

"Are you sure he can handle that?" Twilight questioned.

"An Earth Pony has NEVER been a royal guard yer highness," Applejack said, "'N Cougar is about thu same, he don't have wings or magic."

"Yes, but he has brute strength and cunning smarts when it comes to combat," Luna responded, "I have a feeling he could become even a royal body guard, or maybe Captain with his past military experience." I quickly refilled my cider from a punch bowl and took a quick but large sip.

"Luna, I may have hand to hand and weapons combat training, but I'm more qualified to fly jets, more specifically an F-15. And since mine is permanently out of commission and you guys are not even close to that technology, I'm afraid I may not be able to help you," I delineated. Luna raised an eyebrow and sipped her cider until the cup was empty.

"You should think about it Cougar. A man of your honor and military training could prove quite useful as a guard, or even help training some new guards in hoof to hoof combat. Some of the new recruits rely far too much on either their magic or their wings, and with Shining Armor now the Prince of the Crystal Empire, we have nopony good enough to train our recruits." I pondered on the idea of training the recruits for guards for a brief moment. This was an interesting idea albeit an out of the blue proposition. Would my training even help pegasi and unicorns? Would they even listen to me?

"I'll give it some thought, but I think Sweet Apple Acres needs me a little bit more right now Princess," I replied and patted Luna's shoulder.

"Keep thinking Cougar, and if you change your mind, well you should know what to do by now," she winked at me.

"I will Luna," I shook her hoof and then saw a flash of white light as Princess Celestia appeared on stage, "oh and I'm sorry you have to lower the moon early tonight," I quickly apologized while everypony went silent.

"Welcome one and all to the 1005th annual Summer Sun Celebration!" Celestia announced. Everypony in the audience started to stamp their hooves on the ground, sort of their own version of applause. "Thank you thank you all, but remember, this is also a celebration for my sister Luna!" Celestia cast a golden light over Luna, "for now she gets to bless us with her beautiful night earlier and earlier as the year goes on!" The sun princess announced. More stomping followed her statement. I started applauding with my hands so I wouldn't disrespect anyone.

"If I may, fair sister?" Luna questioned as she teleported onto the stage next to her elder sister. Applebloom was starting to jump up and down as she tried to see Celestia and Luna perform their duties. I bent down, grasped her forelegs and plopped her on top of my 6'2" shoulders.

"Enjoying the view?" I smirked. Applebloom hugged around my head and then placed her fore hooves on top of my head. Suddenly, both Celestia's and Luna's horns spurt out (like the Death Star laser) their respective colors into the night sky. The moon soon started to lower under the brim line of the horizon while the sun followed suit, except staying in the sky. The loudest stomping occurred and I joined in with my clapping as the duo ended their spell and took a bow on top of the stage. The warm rays of the sun beat down on my skin as the moon completely disappeared from view.

"Now, enjoy the day my little ponies!" Celestia announced as she trotted off stage and approached Twilight. I took Applebloom off my shoulders and placed her on Applejack's back.

"That was awesome Cougar! Thanks!" The little filly thanked me as she hopped off her sister's back.

"Boy that little filly jest loves thu Summer Sun Celebration," Applejack smiled.

"I can tell, she must get it from her sister."

"We do both enjoy plannin' our Family Reunions," Applejack pointed out, "Ah guess it jest rubs off on other celebrations. Speakin' 'o which, when is yer birthday? Ah'd be happy to git Pinkie Pie ta throw you a party," she offered. Before I could answer, I saw Big Mac talking with Cheerilee near the back of the audience.

"Hold that thought Applejack," I said and jogged over to the red stallion. "Excuse me Cheerilee, can I borrow your Stallionfriend for a minute?" I asked her.

"Oh, uh, of course Cougar," she allowed me and Big Mac some space and went to grab a snack.

"What do you want, Cougar?" Big Mac asked me, clearly in an upset tone. I'd be to if someone I didn't care for that much interrupted me and my girlfriend.

"Look, I just wanted to talk, man to stallion alright?" I asked. The red stallion's eyes looked me over, but he gave me a contented sigh and bowed his head down.

"Eeyup," he replied.

"I care for your family Big Mac. You guys took me in and allowed me to stay in your home and work at your home, but why don't you like me? I've lived with you and your family for damned near a month now, but you're the only one that doesn't like or trust me, what's up?" I asked him.

"We've had ponies give us the same fancy song 'n dance before about bein' hard workers and they won't hurt us. But several times, we've hired ponies that are lazy as buck or some that have stolen from us. Applejack has nearly been raped before too in the barn," Big Mac explained, "'N since our Mom and Dad are gone, Ah've been the Stallion 'o the house to keep mah family safe. Ah jest didn't want to trust anypony anymore, we can get by on our own Cougar, 'N I want mah sisters 'N mah grandma to be safe from freeloaders 'N sickos that won't take no fer an answer. Especially Applejack, she's taken a real shine to ya as a friend 'N I don't want her to be hurt again." I stood in shock in front of Big Mac. It wasn't because I wasn't a pony, Big Mac just didn't want his family to be hurt, which was understandable, but to think Applejack had almost been raped? That made me sick to my stomach and pissed off at the same time.

"That gives me a lot to think about Big Mac," I replied.

"Ah'm sorry I jumped to conclusions this mornin' though," Big Mac apologized.

"I get it, your baby sister was injured and the guy you trust the least was with her when it happened," I explained for him. "Big Mac, I'm sorry if I placed a lot of stress on you or made you think you weren't being a good brother."

"Ah'm sorry fer being an ass," he apologized a second time. I stuck out my hand and shook his hoof.

"Look, let's just start over. We don't have to be friends, we can just not verbally attack each other, how does that sound?" I asked.

"Good 'nuff fer me Cougar," Big Mac actually smiled at me.

"Now get out of here, I'm sure your Marefriend is missing ya," I smacked his side.

"Jest don't let me catch ya peepin' again. Applejack has a mean right hook," Big Mac replied while trotting back to Cheerilee. I leaned against a tree and looked over to see my friends enjoying the new day. I was thinking just how far Big Mac and I got in the span of about five minutes, though I'm sure Applejack helped my case by talking to him before.

"Cougar, come on!" I heard Applejack call, "we're 'bout to start the pie eatin' contest!" I smiled again and got off the tree and started walking back to my friends.

End Chapter XI

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So, Cougar has new clothes and enjoyed a night partying with his friends. And will Cougar take the proposition Luna gave him? Anyway, the next chapter, prepare to have your heart strings tugged.

Also I do NOT Own Sharp Dressed Man by ZZ Top