Fallen Eagle

Chapter XII: A Bruised Apple

Hey guys, I really can't thank you all enough for the positive response this story has gotten. Just reading how much you readers love this story warms my heart every time I sit down to write a new chapter. And SIXTY followers?! SIXTY!? Holy crap guys, I just don't know what to say. Never in a million years did I think any of my stories could get that many followers, or 43 favorites. I know that's not a lot considering how many stories have 100+ favorites and followers, but I feel blessed :). Thank you guys. BTW, I would have gotten this chapter out sooner, but a funny thing happened to me on the 20th, I turned 20! And before I forget, let's reply to some reviews.

Ljungberg: The thought never crossed my mind to have Discord invade Cougar's mind. I've got other plans for Discord.

Dixie Darlin: It was time for Big Mac and Cougar to wipe the slate clean and start over. That much tension from Big Mac couldn't be healthy for very long, especially since both his sisters and Grandmother like Cougar.

OBSERVER01: Thank you.

ninjangofangirlb: Well then, I hope you like this one!

Guest: PM me if you really want to know.

SquirtlePWN:Out of literally 13K+ MLP stories, THIS is the first one you've enjoyed reading? Wow, that's actually a very kind compliment. I don't know what I'm doing that makes you like it so much, but I'll keep it up! BTW, Squirtle was my third favorite Pokemon when I was a kid. Right behind Charzard and Pikachu.

Silence is Gold3n: I understand that capitalizing timber wolf is a grammatical error, but since it played the part of a villain and is referred to only by that name, I decided to bend the rules slightly. But thank you for caring enough to tell me! And I'm glad you enjoyed the musical montage!

Also, if there are any fimfiction authors reading this story, please PM me with information on the fimfiction website. I've gotten recommendations on joining it and adding this story to the site, but I am just curious at this point. Like, what makes it better than this website? Any information will be helpful.

Alright guys, a fair warning: If you cry so much your eyes dry up and you go blind, I am not responsible, please enjoy Chapter XII!

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(Three Weeks Later. Sweet Apple Acres, Cougar's POV)

I had woken up at the same time I had been for over two months now, but Applejack called me in to the kitchen before I could even start on my daily chores. Granny Smith already had breakfast all set up and Big Mac and AJ were waiting for me. "So, what's going on here?" I pulled a chair out, grabbed a buttermilk biscuit and mug of coffee and sat down.

"Well first, we gotta wait fer Applebloom Cougar," Big Mac replied as he began to stuff oatmeal in his face and downing the food with coffee. As if on cue, the cute little filly bounded down the stairs and happily hopped into a chair next to me. I just remembered that today was the day that her two week punishment was officially over. Applebloom happily sipped down on her cup of milk while waiting for the announcement from the rest of the family.

"Alright then, Cougar, Applebloom," Granny Smith began. Everyone at the table fell silent, "today, Ah have ta go 'N help out yer Aunt Apple Brown Betty with her illness. She's been feelin' under thu weather lately and wrote to me askin' fer help, so Ah'll be gone all day today, but Ah'll be back later tonight," Granny Smith explained. I quietly continued to sip my coffee as I tried to remember as many relatives as I could from when Applejack told me. Unfortunately, Babs Seed, Braeburn and her Aunt Apple Brown Betty were the only three I could remember.

"'N we've got pie deliveries ta make ya two," Applejack cut whilst setting down a map for herself and a map for Big Mac, "it's a day long trip fer the both 'o us," the orange mare looked at me. I was finally putting the pieces together: Applebloom and I were going to be left alone at the farm for a whole day, did that mean I was going to be in charge of the entire farm for the day, or would Bloomin' Onion be the one in charge? The latter made more sense to me, seeing as how she's lived on the farm her whole life while I've barely scraped by on almost two months. "Cougar? Didja hear me?" I heard AJ's voice cut into my thinking, causing me to jump slightly in my seat.

"I'm sorry what did you say Applejack? Is Bloomin' Onion going to be in charge for the day?" I asked her. This brought hearty chuckles from the three eldest members of the Apple clan sitting in the room.

"If she was the only one here, then yeah," Big Mac chuckled as he shoveled more food into his mouth.

"But since yer the oldest one here after Applejack," Granny Smith continued.

"Yer goin' ta be in charge 'o Applebloom today!" Applejack enthusiastically explained, for some reason. I started to sip nothing but air from the mug in my hand, so I set the mug down on the table softly. Applebloom had the same idea as me to ask why, getting to the point faster than myself.

"But why?" She asked not in a whining voice, but a curious and concerned voice, "Ah wouldn't mind spendin' the day with Cougar, but Ah can take care 'o myself if I need ta!" She countered.

"We know that lil sis," Applejack replied and wrapped an arm around Bloomin' Onion's neck in a hug, "but Ah figured if you'd stick around the farm the whole day with Cougar, he'd be in charge 'o ya, but ya can still go into town and hang out with Scootaloo 'N Sweetie Belle if ya want while Cougar watches over the farm," AJ explained to her little sis.

"Wait a minute, you just want me to watch over the farm?" I asked in shock, "no chores for me to do? Nothing to fix or errands to run?"

"Nope, jest relax fer the day Cougar, you've earned it with how hard ya worked the last two weeks, even after yer little escapade with them timberwolves," Granny Smith explained to me. No, this couldn't work for me at all. I can't be stuck with nothing to do; I get bored extremely easily and I feel like I'm lazy if I don't do anything all day long. Nonetheless, Big Mac, Granny Smith and Applejack left the dining room and began to prepare for their daily trips. Applebloom and I cleared the table together, though it was mostly silent, so I decided to try and strike up a conversation with the filly.

"So, do you want to do anything today Bloomin' Onion? We could go for ice cream or a milkshake, or we could watch movies on my iPad together and eat popcorn?" I offered to her. The yellow filly gave a mighty sigh as she stacked the dirty dishes from the morning's breakfast into the sink and she wiped her brow with her hoof.

"That sounds good; maybe Scootaloo 'N Sweetie Belle will meet us at Sugar Cube Corner," Applebloom tapped her chin with her hoof and ran water over the dirty dishes.

"Maybe I can hang out with Vinyl today to, and then probably come back and organize the barn a little."

"Ah said yer gunna take a break today and that means yer gunna take a break there youngin'," Granny Smith sternly slapped my back with her hoof.

"Yes ma'am," I replied and rubbed my back which I'm sure was red with a horseshoe print glowing. Granny had a duffel bag with a medical plus sign adorning the side and a sun hat on top of her grayish mane. Applejack and Big Mac appeared wearing saddle bags on their backs, presumably hosting water and food for their long treks.

"AJ, is your leg healed enough for you to go on this long of a trip?" I questioned. The mare in question narrowed her emerald eyes at me and trotted her way over to me, turned sideways and raised her rear leg only to rest her hoof on my knee cap.

"Ah can show ya that it's healed enough partner, or you can take mah word fer it," she threatened. I quickly and softly patted her leg until she lowered down onto the floor. "Good boy," she winked at me, "now Ah guess that's it, wanna help us hook up to our wagons?" Applejack asked me and Applebloom. The two of us then found ourselves outside with the two large pie wagons, ready to be hitched up.

Applebloom helped hitch up her sister while I helped hitch up Big Mac. Having hitched up Applejack before, hitching up Big Mac wasn't too hard. I tightened up the leather strap around the harness and patted his back. "That's it big guy, not too tight is it?" I asked. The red stallion rolled his back around a little and shook his head.

"Nnope, it's perfect Cougar," Big Mac replied to me, "you'll take good care 'o mah sister right? She can take care 'o herself, but I want ta know that if anythin' does happen to her, you can watch out for her," he explained to me. The statement caught me off guard, I could take care of Applebloom no problem, but I had no clue what could happen to her. Scraped knee? Twisted hoof? A cold?

"Yeah, of course Big Mac, she'll be just as you guys left her," I patted his shoulder.

"Good ta hear, we best be off!" Big Mac called to Applejack whom as hugging Bloomin' Onion tightly.

"Be good fer Cougar now Applebloom!" The older sister called as she and Big Mac set off for their pie delivers. I couldn't fathom just why her saddle bag had a whip and a chair poking out, or why she was wearing black leather leggings, but I decided not to dwell on it. The primitive technology of this planet was already giving me a headache.

"Ah will!" Applebloom called back, "bye Granny Smith!" Applebloom shouted while Granny casually walked her way to the train station and vanished behind the steam of a locomotive. And finally, Big Mac and Applejack disappeared behind the hill behind Sweet Apple Acres, leaving myself, Applebloom and of course, Winona. The little pup whined that Applejack left but Applebloom scratched behind her ear. "Don't fret now Winona, she'll be back in no time!" The filly comforted the dog.

"So, let's go back and finish up the dishes and then we can go for ice cream, my treat!" I ruffled Applebloom's red mane. The yellow filly jumped in the air and clapped her hooves before trotting inside. "Come on Winona, I'll give you some leftovers," I patted her belly. She barked in response and jogged with me back inside to the kitchen. Luckily, there weren't that many dishes left, so cleanup was a breeze. The rest of the eggs in the pan went straight into Winona's food bowl, which she happily gobbled up.

"Do you have a favorite ice cream flavor Cougar?" Applebloom asked me as she dried dishes to put back in the cupboards.

"Chocolate Fudge Brownie," I replied quickly, "even in the winter time, I could never get enough of it as a kid."

"Ah like strawberry ice cream mahself," Applebloom explained to me, "Ah especially like the little chunks of strawberries in the ice cream itself." She dried the final dish and set it in the cupboard. I dried off my hands and set the brush I was using behind the sink.

"Alright then, how about some ice cream?" I asked with the cheesiest green I could muster. Applebloom giggled and rushed over to the front door of the house. "Winona, you're in charge until Applebloom and I get back okay?" I asked the dog that was stretching out and chasing her tail around in the living room. I chuckled and followed Applebloom out the door and we took a little time on getting to town as we enjoyed the beautiful day, though pegasi moving the clouds around still creeped the hell out of me.

---

(In Town. Cougar's POV)

"Hey Pinkie Pie, how're you doing today?" I asked the pink mare as the little bell rang inside Sugar Cube Corner. The mare in question turned around from frosting and sprinkling doughnuts and a huge smile spread across her face.

"Hello Cougar, was your sugar sense tingling this morning?" Pinkie Pie questioned and thrust a box of chocolate chip cookies into my and Applebloom's face. I politely shoved the box down onto the counter and rested my elbow on said counter.

"You could say that; Applebloom and I just wanted some ice cream if you can handle ice cream of course," I teased Pinkie Pie. The mare gasped in shock and narrowed her eyes at me.

"I can handle any sweet, any time bub, you don't know who you're messing with here," she jabbed her hoof in my chest with a serious growl, though that really didn't faze me at all.

"Then I'll take a chocolate fudge brownie in a large waffle bowl," I growled right back. In no time flat, Pinkie Pie thrust a large waffle bowl full of my ice cream into my face. Impressed with her scooping skills, I took a bite of the ice cream and I froze. "Ah, ah, damned brain freeze," I rubbed my temples.

"Ha, Pinkie Pie 1, Cougar 0!" Pinkie did a little victory dance behind the counter. I rolled my eyes as best as I could with my brain freezing faster than Han Solo. Applebloom hopped on upwards towards the counter and pondered on what she wanted.

"Hmm, Ah'll take a medium strawberry shake please Pinkie," Applebloom politely asked. Pinkie ceased her victory dance over me and quickly made up Applebloom's requested milkshake.

"There ya go, that'll be six bits please," Pinkie stated to the yellow filly. Thankfully, by this point my brain freeze had gone away and I could think once again. Digging into my pants pocket, I produced the six gold coins and let them clatter onto the counter.

"Keep the change Pinkie; don't spend it all on one thing," I winked with a smart ass demeanor. Pinkie pouted her lower lip and lowered her eyebrows at me, but took the money and placed it into the cash register.

"Hope you're feeling better!" She called as Applebloom and I sat down at a table near the window and began to eat and drink our sweets. We both sat in silence for a few moments, just admiring the view outside the window and listening to the cheerful chatter the cafe held. Suddenly, a yellow stallion wearing an apron and a paper hat trotted up to the table and took off said hat.

"Hello, you're Cougar correct?" The stallion asked me politely and stuck out his hoof. I grasped it and shook it like normal.

"That's right, and you are?" I replied with a question.

"I am Mr. Cake, my wife and I own Sugar Cube Corner," the stallion replied as his wife approached the table, "Pinkie told us how you risked your life to save your friends, we're grateful to have you in our humble store," Mr. Cake bowed his head at me. I snapped my fingers at him, causing him to jolt his head back up to eye level with me.

"I was just doing what a friend and a soldier would do Mr. Cake, I'm nothing special," I added as I took a bite of my ice cream.

"Nonsense, Pinkie is lucky to have a friend like you," Mrs. Cake patted my head with her hoof. Pinkie then randomly jumped out from under the table with napkins for myself and Applebloom.

"Yep, we could always use a nice big strong set of muscles for security!" The pink mare hopped up and down. Mr. Cake produced a newspaper article from his apron pocket and stapled it upon the wall next to our table. I had become too familiar with the article. The Ponyville Gazette had done a front page article on how I had saved three of the elements of harmony and their sisters while putting my life on the line to do so. It was a tad embarrassing to be honest. I didn't want to be praised and showboated around like certain celebrities of Earth. Just a simple thank you would've been fine; lucky for me the Apple's respected that and didn't hang up the newspaper article like a trophy.

"Well, if there's anything we could do for ya, just let us know," Mr. Cake said as the trio left to make more sweets. Applebloom must've noticed how uncomfortable I was; she stopped sipping on her milkshake and looked my way.

"You alright there Cougar? Ah know ya don't like the praise ya get from ponies, but ya could at least enjoy a bit 'o bein' a hero," she asked me. Sighing, I set my near empty waffle bowl onto the table and wiped my mouth of the chocolate.

"Like I've explained before Bloomin' Onion, I didn't join the military just to bask in glory, or to be hero celebrity, I joined because of the honor I thought I could give my country and my species, and to do the right thing. I don't mind a thanks now and again, I just don't want to be put on a pedestal and glorified like a God."

"Ah get that, but ya don't have ta be shy 'bout it," the filly countered, "Applejack 'N Big Mac don't like ta be glorified either, but they deal with it until it dies down; it honestly ain't that bad either," she sipped on her milkshake once more.

"Yeah, but I don't like that. The only ones in my opinion who deserve praise like that are doctors, scientists and firefighters." I took the last bite out of my ice cream and started to munch on the waffle bowl.

"Soldiers too," Applebloom quickly added. Before I could retort, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo burst from the door and bounded up towards our table with huge grins on their faces.

"Applebloom, isn't today the day your punishment was lifted?" Scootaloo's wings vibrated and flapped constantly.

"Yep, sure is, so what plans do y'all have today?" Bloomin' Onion grinned back and scooted over on her bench to let her friends sit down. I wiped my mouth again as I finished my waffle bowl and Applebloom finished her milkshake.

"What happened to the ideas I gave you?" I asked the little orange pegasus. Her ears and wings drooped in embarrassment and a pink glow appeared on her cheeks.

"Well, Rainbow Dash did get me an opportunity to be a race announcer in Cloudsdale, but I apparently showed "too much favoritism," whatever that means," she rolled her eyes.

"I still haven't talked to Fluttershy yet," Sweetie Belle looked down at the table in shame. I didn't look at Applebloom; I already knew she hadn't done any cutie mark crusading for a fortnight.

"Well, whatever, you guys still have plenty of time to come up with new ideas," I chuckled, "anyway, can I get you two some ice cream or cookies?" I asked the unicorn and pegasus.

"No, we're cool Cougar, right Sweetie Belle?" Scootaloo asked. The little unicorn nodded in response.

"Alright then, Applebloom, are you going to go hang with your friends then?" I questioned. The three little fillies hopped up from their bench and opened the door, the little bell ringing in the process.

"Yep, Ah'll be home around 5:00 since mah family'll be home 'round seven," she replied and trotted out the door with her friends. I sat back in my chair and rested my head against the wall.

"Can I get you anything else Cougar?" Pinkie Pie asked me, "coffee? Soda? Cookies? Hot towel? The rest of the script?"

"The rest of the what?" I asked, but Pinkie bounded away to take somepony else's order. I shrugged it off as one of her "Pinkieisms" and left to go see what Vinyl Scratch was up to.

---

(4:30. Cougar's POV at Sweet Apple Acres.)

"Boy Winona, Vinyl sure likes my kind of music," I poured some kibble into the pup's food bowl and patted her head. The dog wasted no time in gobbling up the food like a rabid wolverine. I set the bag of kibble into the pantry and wiped the remaining sweat off my forehead from the jam session I had with Vinyl. She couldn't get enough of the music from my world; my phone was set to replay numerous times.

"Bark!" Winona replied to me.

"You're welcome," I smiled and poured water into her water bowl. I probably would've gotten bored out of my mind if Vinyl was too busy to hang out, there was nothing else to do at the farm today anyways. I wouldn't having a beer with Big Mac now that we've started over, though he was still gone and wouldn't be back for several more hours. My train of thought was disrupted with the front door bursting open and the sound of little hoof steps galloping through the house and up the stairs. "Applebloom, is that you?" I called out as I jogged over to the bottom of the stairs. When I didn't get an answer, I quickly hustled up the wooden stairs as the steps squeaked and creaked with my heavy footsteps.

Her door slammed shut just as I got halfway up the stairs, forcing me to stop momentarily. Fearing the worst, I hustled even faster upstairs and began to softly knock on her door. "Applebloom, is everything okay?" I asked her and leaned my ear against the door, only to hear muffled crying and wailing emitting from the room. "I'm coming in, okay?" I asked her. I reached for the golden door handle and turned it, slowly opening the door until I walked into the room. The yellow filly had her face buried in her pillow, crying hard.

"G-go, aw-away," she cried as I sat down on her bed.

"What happened Applebloom? Did you and your friends get into a fight?" I rubbed the back of her head softly. Her crying ceased, but the sniffling didn't.

"I d-don't want to talk about it," Applebloom quietly replied.

"Please, just tell me what's wrong Applebloom," I said, my voice cracking just a bit. It pained me so much to see Applebloom crying like this, it hurt knowing that she was so happy-go-lucky most of the time, yet here she was, crying her eyes out into her pillow. Instead of replying, Applebloom lifted her head off her pillow and turned to me. My hand shot up to my mouth and covered up a gasp. Her right eye was completely blackened and swollen like a baseball. I instantly wrapped my arms around her and squeezed her tightly.

"I hate her, I HATE her so much!" Applebloom wailed and buried her head into my stomach. She tried to choke back her sobs, but I couldn't let her bottle up her pain for very long, knowing how dangerous that was.

"Shh, just let it out, let it out Bloomin' Onion," I shushed her and rested my head atop hers as my own tears began to stream from my eyes. "Please tell me what's wrong," I whispered as I rubbed her back as tenderly and softly as I could as she continued to cry. When she couldn't respond, I just said, "It's okay, Cougar's here for you," I cooed like a big brother comforting his sister. My body froze as it realized what I had just said. 'Where is this coming from?' I thought to myself, but brushed it off.

We both sat on her bed for about thirty minutes before her crying finally stopped. "I hate her Cougar," she said for a third time and wiped her nose. I turned around and grabbed a box of kleenex off her nightstand and handed them to her. I wiped my own eyes so she wouldn't see I had been crying with her.

"Let me guess, Diamond Tiara?" I asked her as I sucked in a breath through my nose. Applebloom blew her nose and nodded, throwing the used tissue into the rubbish bin.

"Sh-she and Silver Spoon wouldn't leave us alone while we were tryin' ta earn our cutie marks," she explained, "'N she kept badgerin' us 'n badgerin' us until Ah said she was nothin' more than a spoiled little brat who has her daddy do everything for her." I mentally smiled; that was a good comeback for the little rich bitch.

"So, she hit you in response?" I asked.

"No, she called me out on my parents," Applebloom whispered as more tears threatened to make a comeback. Oh, fuck, no. That's the LOWEST someone can go. Mocking someone for their dead parents? "She shoved me as she said it, so Ah shoved her back. Silver Spoon, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle tried ta git us ta stop, but Diamond Tiara punched me right in thu eye and shoved me down onto thu ground 'N said, "You'll always be a useless piece of trash to society Blank Flank, ponies like you should be used as safety testing dummies, if we lose you, it wouldn't matter." Applebloom couldn't hold it back anymore and buried her face into my stomach and wailed again. I wrapped my arms around her again and kissed the top of her head.

"She's jealous of you Applebloom," I replied.

"W-what?" The filly wiped her eyes.

"Look at her. She's a spoiled rich girl who has everything handed to her and her cutie mark is a tiara. What the hell kind of cutie mark is that? I'll tell you: It means she's next to useless. All she'll EVER be is a rich girl. She's jealous that you're more independent and have a better opportunity to have a cutie mark that will make you better than her, she's afraid of you and she insults you to make herself feel better," I explained.

"D-do you really think that?" She asked me.

"I do Applebloom. You're a special pony. You're smart, funny, independent, witty and sweet, and you'll do great things one day and Diamond Tiara will be begging you to be her friend," I smiled. The filly wrapped her forelegs around my belly and snuggled close.

"Thanks Cougar," she whispered.

"And you'll make a lucky colt really happy too," I teased.

"Eww! No, I don't like boys like that!" She blushed.

"Ha, gotcha!" I ruffled her mane and laid her down on her pillow, "I'll be right back," I jogged downstairs and into my little house, grabbed my iPad from my bed and jogged back upstairs.

"Whatcha got yer iPad thingy fer?" She curiously asked me as I turned it on. I flicked the screen over to the movies app and clicked on it.

"I just need to take care of something really quick, just watch this and I'll come right back to watch it with you," I explained and clicked on a movie before hustling out the door.

"Hmm, Wreck-It Ralph?" I heard Bloomin' Onion say before I left.

---

"Hey, Lyra," I called to the aquamarine unicorn, "do you know where Flithy Rich's house is? I have a delivery slip I need him to sign," I lied to the unicorn. She gave me the directions I needed and I wasted no time in running on over there with the same expression Steve Rogers had in Captain America when his doctor friend was shot. "Here you are," I said as I found the address. From the street, I saw Filthy Rich sitting at the dinner table with Diamond Tiara and a light pink mare (lighter than Pinkie Pie) with a vanilla colored mane and an open book on her flank. Instead of ringing the doorbell like a gentleman, I banged on the door like a madman.

"Yes, can I-" the mare said as she opened the door for me.

"Hello, I am Cougar, and you are?" I asked politely, knowing this mare had no fire in this battle.

"I am Pennyblossom, what can I do for you Cougar?" She asked, "you're the human right?" she added.

"Yes, but I would love to speak with your husband and daughter," I said politely. She opened the door further to let me in and she trotted into the dining room.

"Rich, Tiara, there is that Cougar fellow here to see you," the mare said. I heard the distinct sound of chairs sliding across the hardwood floor and the two ponies in question appeared in front of me.

"I was wondering when one of you heathens would come by and apologize for Applebloom's behavior," Filthy Rich said to me.

"Excuse me?" I said and raised my eyebrows.

"My little girl told me all about how those pathetic crusaders wouldn't leave my angel and her friend alone and shoved them to the ground and spat on them! You're lucky I don't have Applebloom arrested for assault!" He jabbed his hoof in my chest. I lost it. I grabbed his collar with my hands and rammed him into the nearest wall, knocking a painting off and onto the floor.

"I've got a good mind to take your ass to a glue factory buddy," I gritted my teeth. "You know that's all a fucking lie," I added.

"Let go of my husband!" Pennyblossom shrieked. I ignored her and rammed Filthy back into the wall.

"You know your little spoiled brat started it and Applebloom just defended herself. ANSWER ME!" I shook him violently.

"Put my father down you brute!" Diamond Tiara tried to bite my leg.

"Now, you listen here human, if you don't put me down in five seconds, I WILL call the authorities and have you locked away in the zoo and the Apples will lose their biggest customer, me. They'll go out of business and it will be your fault," the stallion smiled evilly at me. I slowly caught my breath and let go of the stallion where he fell to the ground and dusted himself off. "Good human, and if you ever make false accusations of my perfect little girl, I can see to it personally that Applebloom's education ceases, understand?" He gave me a shit eating grin and got into my face.

"Let me see if YOU understand," I growled at him, "if Applebloom EVER comes back home and she has a similar injury like the one Diamond Twat gave her," I started and the trio gasped at my foul language, "I'm going to come back here with Big Mac and we'll beat the shit out of you," I threatened.

"What did you say?" Filthy Rich put on his macho pony act.

"We're gonna knock your dick in the dirt, your money can't protect you forever. Now be a stallion and raise your daughter right. If you want to come over and apologize for your daughter's behavior, you know where to find us," I got out of his face and slammed the door shut as I walked back outside. Sucking in a deep breath, I whistled a merry tune and walked back to Sweet Apple Acres. "Thanks Lyra, I was never here," I walked past her and Bon Bon.

"Applebloom, I'm back!" I called out when I got back home and walked up to her room with an icepack. Applebloom was giggling as she watched a movie on my iPad. "Hey, you enjoying your movie?" I asked and sat down next to her.

"This movie is awesome!" She replied as Wreck-It Ralph chased Vanellope through Sugar Rush covered in green goop. "But, where'd you go?" Applebloom paused the movie and looked up at me. I gulped, not wanting to tell anypony what really happened between myself and Filthy Rich.

"I just made sure Diamond Tiara won't bother you or your friends ever again," I replied and she cuddled up next to me.

"Really, how'd ya do that?" She looked at me dumbfounded.

"Military trick of persuasion," I didn't really lie. "Trust me, she won't bother you ever again, I give you my word," I assured her and hit play on my iPad. The last thing I remembered was shutting off my iPad as we both fell asleep several hours later.

---

(3rd Person POV. 7:00)

Granny Smith, Big Mac and Applejack all arrived back at the farm at relatively the same time, though Granny's train was a tad early. "So, didja git them pies delivered?" Granny asked her eldest grandchildren.

"Sure did."

"Eeyup," the two replied as they produced their bags of money to Granny Smith.

"Ah'm proud 'o you two, how 'bout we relax now with a nice cup 'o cocoa?" the green pony offered. Big Mac and Applejack unhitched themselves from their wagons and stretched their backs from the long journey they had just completed.

"How do you think Applebloom and Cougar faired today?" Applejack questioned.

"Nuthin' ta worry 'bout Applejack, Ah'm certain Cougar did a fine job watchin' her today," Granny opened the front door of the house, allowing Big Mac and AJ to walk inside.

"Cougar, AB, we're home!" Big Mac shouted. When he got no reply, he and Applejack headed upstairs to see if at least Applebloom was asleep. "Psst, yer not asleep are ya-" Big Mac began before he stopped mid sentence. "Applejack, git over her," Big Mac ordered.

"What's goin' on brother?" Applejack replied as she peered into her little sister's room. "Aww, isn't that the cutest thing?" Applejack held her hoof over her chest as she saw Cougar laying down asleep with Applebloom snuggled into his right arm. Soft snores emitted from both of them as the sand pony kept them in slumberland.

"It is cute, but why is he cuddlin' with our little sister?" Big Mac asked, concerned.

"Big Mac, ya worry too much," AJ poked Cougar in the chest.

"Ah, I'm up sir!" Cougar's eyes snapped open as he tried to salute, but only shifted Applebloom off his arm. "Oh geez, what time is it?" he stretched his back and arms.

"It's a little past seven," Applejack replied, "so, you 'N Applebloom were a cuddlin' huh?" her emerald eyes stared directly into Cougar's baby blues.

"Yeah," he sheepishly replied, "if that's okay, I know it's weird with the age difference," he explained.

"Ah shucks Cougar, it's alright, unless she says ya did sumthin' to her," Applejack narrowed her eyes.

"Woah, I'm not like that," Cougar defended.

"We're only jokin'," Applejack stuck her tongue out, "wanna join us fer some cocoa?" Applejack offered. Cougar nodded and silently shut Applebloom's door before heading downstairs.

"Guys, there is something I need to tell you," Cougar admitted after he sat down at the table.

"What's wrong boy? Did somethin' happen while we were away?" Granny Smith set down a mug for the human. Cougar sipped the warm chocolate milk before explaining the situation.

"Well, Diamond Tiara gave Applebloom one of the worst black eyes I've ever seen today," he explained. Big Mac stopped sipping his cocoa and let the liquid dribble down his red coat.

"She did WHAT to mah sister!?" Applejack flared her nostrils.

"Applebloom came home after we both did our own separate things and she had a black eye the size of a baseball. She told me that Diamond Tiara punched her and gave her the injury."

"So, what'd you do?" Granny Smith questioned and calmly sipped her drink.

"I comforted her and then went over to talk to her father," Cougar said, "and now I know I'm not a family member and I understand if you guys are mad at me for that, but I couldn't just let this slide by, so I went over to Filthy Rich and told him that if Applebloom came home with a similar injury again, then he would pay for it with dire consequences." The trio of Apples pulled up chairs around the table and stared at the human.

"You're tellin' us, you handled the situation and comforted Applebloom?" Applejack asked me.

"Yeah, and I'm sorry for doing your guys' job, but you were all out raising money for the farm, I'm sorry," Cougar apologized.

"Why in Celestia's world are ya sorry boy?" Granny Smith asked.

"Ya did the right thing, 'N what's this talk 'bout you not bein' 'o family member? Ya live her don't ya? Ya work as hard as us don't ya? Ah don't care if yer a pony or not Cougar, we're proud to have you in our family," Granny Smith patted Cougar's shoulder.

"So, you're not mad?" Cougar asked, flabbergasted.

"Ya took care of mah sister and comforted her when she needed it, there's absolutely no reason fer us ta be steamin' at ya," Big Mac explained.

"Yeah, Ah'm glad we have you around Cougar, Ah wish more ponies could be like ya," Applejack hugged him. Still dumbfounded, Cougar returned the hug and patted AJ's back.

"Well, it's getting late, I'm turning in for the night, I'll see you all in the morning," Cougar said as he stood up from his chair.

"G'night Cougar, we'll see ya later!" Granny Smith replied. Cougar walked outside and back into his little house where he collapsed onto his cot and rubbed his eyes.

"How did I dodge that bullet?" He asked himself. Cougar felt a strange sensation in his chest. He felt good that he had comforted Applebloom when she needed it the most, but perhaps he felt guilty about going a little overboard with Filthy Rich. "Maybe I should apologize to him and settle it man to stallion over a cup of coffee," Cougar turned off the light of his little house and shut his eyes. If only he knew, what the late August held for him.

End Chapter XII

---

Okay, so to make up for the sad, yet touching chapter, next chapter will be the host to many jokes to get your spirits up when Cougar is forced to spend a weekend with Spike! Why do you ask? Well, just find out next time.

And I am going to start another story here shortly. I recently watched Rainbow Rocks on Netflix and although I enjoyed the film, I really wish there was more 'Rocking' in the movie instead of pop music. So, I'm going to do an alternative version of the movie, soon.

Also, I want to wish all my friends, favorites, and followers a very merry Christmas as this is the last chapter I will write before December 25th, so without further ado, here's a song for you all! (I DO NOT OWN IT!)

Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Prospero Ano Felicidad

Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Prospero Ano Felicidad

I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
From the bottom of my heart

I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
with lots of presents to make you happy
I wanna wish you a merry christmas
From the bottom of my heart

Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Prospero Ano Felicidad

Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Prospero Ano Felicidad

I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
From the bottom of my heart

I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
with lots of presents to make you happy
I wanna wish you a terrible Christmas
From the bottom of my heart

Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Prospero Ano Felicidad.

Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Prospero Ano Felicidad.

I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
From the bottom of my heart

I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
with lots of presents to make you happy
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
From the bottom of my heart

Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Prospero Ano Felicidad.