"It's a peaceful, little town, ain't it, mate? Well...at least NOW it is...or was before...yesterday." Mac was walking towards the constabulary with Steelheart.

He had to agree...it was a quaint, little place. Charming even. It was about noontime. The sun was casting it's unrelenting rays of golden glory down upon the little town. The two massive stallions were walking along one of the cobbled sidewalks on Mane Street. They could see the modest, little police station down the way. For noontime, it was strangely quiet. Not a whole lot of ponies were out and about, and the few that actually were looked pale and skittish...they looked exhausted. Mac wondered what was wrong with them. But he was too tired to pay them any mind. He had been running himself ragged lately.

"Eeyup. So how you been, man? Ain't seen ya' in over three weeks."

He'd met up with Rainbow earlier that morning for a grueling and tortuously long session of wind sprints...she had looked pretty down when he met her, but he was able to cheer her up a bit. The strenuous speed conditioning had Mac fairly enervated. And of course, he still had to finish the last of the plowing later in the day. He'd barely had time to milk the cows and do the other basic chores that morning. And he was behind schedule...he should've been done plowing by now and just starting to plant the western field. AJ was trying to make up the extra slack, but she wasn't superequine. She couldn't do everything by herself. After the business yesterday with the colt and bear, Mac was reminded of the fragility of the average pony...his sister included.

"Bored off me arse mostly. You know how much crime goes on in Ponyville? Not much. If it weren't for Colgate, I'd bail on the lot of ya'." Mac grinned. He knew his old friend couldn't leave.

"Eenope. Ain't like you. If ya' had gotten here 'bout a year ago, ya'd be up to your taint in fuckin' problems, brother. 'Member 'bout that Trixie? An' what all with...well...pretty much everthin' else? 'Sides...you couldn't leave me...I'm too pretty." Mac fluttered his eyelashes at his old squadmate. The white stallion laughed. Ponyville had only just gotten a constabulary in the past few months. Before that, everypony was on their own.

"Hah! What bollocks! You ain't half as pretty as you think you are, mate. But anyway...fuck...yesterday was pretty eventful, yeah?" It had indeed been eventful.

"Eeyup." The two of them approached the newly built police station.

"Well...come on in, my friend! Offer you a drink an' all that. Least I can do."

"Sure. Lead on." They opened the door to the grey, concrete building and stepped inside the cool, dim interior. Directly in front of them lay the duty sergeant's desk. A fresh-faced, white-coated Pegasus colt wearing the same uniform as Steel was sitting behind the desk. He had just noticed the two of them. He hopped to his hooves and snapped to attention.

"Uhhh...afternoon, Captain! Nothing to report."

"Yeah, yeah...enough of that shite. You ain't gotta do that every time I walk in, Brolly. Is Berry sober enough to leave yet? No sense keepin' her around, if we don't have to. She's a bother to deal with." Mac knew the young deputy's name was Brolly Raindancer. Mac knew "brolly" was a term used for an umbrella...which was the boy's Cutie Mark.

"Aye aye, Cap'n. She should be good to go...a little wobbly but overall good to go."

"Right. Thanks, mate. So, you standin' in for Sgt. Cosmic, yeah?"

"Yes, sir. He's still checking into those runes like you asked with Cpl. Bright Bulb." Steelheart nodded and beckoned Mac to follow him.

"Perfect. Carry on." The young Pegasus saluted, prompting the constable to begrudgingly return the salute. Mac knew that police and military officers alike weren't usually too keen on their subordinates reporting in and saluting them every time they walked by. At least the ones that weren't assholes didn't. They entered the tiny detainment area. It only had four cells total. In one of them, a pink-coated, plum-maned Earth mare was lying on the sparse, green cot. She perked up at the sound of their approach.

"Hello, hello, Miss Punch. Enjoy your nap? Or more accurately defined as your "drunken stupor?" Berry Punch was well-known as the town's worst alcoholic...even Pinkie Pie couldn't match her tolerance for booze.

"Heeeeyyy...how's it goin', Constable? Oh? Who's yer friend? Dayumnnn, baby. Yer pretty fine. You gonna' throw 'im in here with me? I hope so. I been havin' a dry spell." Mac felt a bit uncomfortable. But hey...she was pretty cute for a drunk.

"Not a chance. You'd eat this bloke alive. An' you ain't been dry in a long time...in any meanin' of the word. You ready to go home, love?" The mare nodded, stepping up to the bars and posing suggestively for Mac's benefit. He could smell the cheap vodka on her breath.

"Okay...whatever..." Mac felt sorry for her. He knew she had emotional problems...but then again, maybe he wasn't one to judge. Steelheart unlocked the cell door with one of the oversized keys on his belt and slid it open.

"You gonna' make it home alright, sweetheart?"

"Yeah...yeah...not like anyone gives a shit..." The constable just sighed.

"I'm sure that ain't true, love. Be careful. Try an' cut back a bit." The mare just scoffed.

"Sure, man. Whatever...seeya'..." She haphazardly walked out of the cell and left. The constable shook his head.

"Sad story, that one. I try to help the girl, but she don't give a toss about herself."

"Sounds familiar."

"Heh. Yeah. Alright...come on into me office. Fancy a nip? I know I do.." The two of them entered the nearby office. Steel closed the door behind them and locked it. He walked behind his modest desk and opened one of the drawers, procuring a small bottle of scotch. Mac chuckled.

"Ain't it a bit hypocritical after what we done saw with Berry an' all?"

"No. I don't. There's a difference 'tween drinkin' to forget about your shit life an' takin' a nip to settle the ole' nerves. That girl's pissed up good an' proper every other day." Fair enough. Mac and Steel both had the jitters. Combat veterans often did.

"Alright. Hit me. Anyway, why didn't you fully debrief me yesterday evening?" The constable procured two shot glasses and began pouring the scotch.

"Figured ya' needed a little time to cool off...what you saw wasn't pretty. I know ya' tried yer damnedest to save the poor lad, bruv. I know you. You gone an' took it personal...I can tell. I was tryin' to be sensitive, is all, mate." Mac scoffed. Steel and Mac had both seen much worse.

"Awww...ain't you sweet? But it don't make much sense considerin' we ain't yer typical ponies. I mighta' fergotten some details overnight or somethin'."

"I know better. You ain't forgot a single detail. Well...along similar lines...I got me lads out around town checkin' on the wardin' runes." The big, white stallion procured a large cigar and lit it with a nearby table lighter. He leaned back in his chair, casually taking puffs with his right hoof while holding his glass of scotch in his left hoof. Mac knew it was illegal to smoke within 50 feet of an Imperial government building...but Steel had full run of the place.

"Any news yet?"

"Nada. Not so much as a mouse's fart. It'll take 'em while to get back to me. Cosmic knows what he's doin', but the rest of my lot are thicker than pig shite." Mac laughed.

"So, we're just gonna' sit on our asses 'till them mouthbreathers report back in?"

"That's about the gist of it, yeah. I only got one Unicorn deputy...Bright Bulb...hehehe...ironic moniker on that one...he's the densest of the lot. It'll take a while for 'im to check everythin'...I'm shocked the little git can even put his cap on straight.

"Hehehehe....you got some all-stars on yer payroll, I tell ya' what, Steely."

"Fuck no, I don't. Fuck me life." Steelheart took a sip of his drink and cracked his forehooves behind his desk. Mac took a seat in the chair across from him.

"That was sarcasm, ya' Coltney idjit."

"What's this..."sore chasm" yer on about, mate? Sounds like a female venereal disease." Mac roared with laughter.

"Hahahah...oh...man...I reckon if it weren't fer you, me, an' Princess Twilight, this fuckin' town'd be a goddamn crater by now."

"'Tween the two of us, I'm bloody surprised we ain't leveled it ourselves. It'd be a right mercy to some of this lot. This town's got some sad cases, mate. Sad."

"How d'ya' mean, Steel?"

"Well...you know one of our little, local celebrities? Rainbow Dash?" Mac perked up. He didn't want to give himself away...Steel might withhold information. The constable wouldn't give up anything exceedingly personal, but it was a chance to learn a bit more about the bombastic, little filly.

"Yeah...I heard of her. Met her a few times, too. She's friends with my sister. Heard she done one a' them "Sonic Rainbooms." Technically, it wasn't a lie.

"Yeah. That's her. Poor kid. Anger problems, that one. Keeps gettin' into fights over nothin'."

"Hmm? Didn't think she was that ornery." Mac took a sip of his scotch. It was imported from his old friend's hometown. Good stuff.

"Yeah. She's a gutted, little thing, she is. Had a rough life as a filly. Never got over it, I'll wager. I try to go easy on the girl, but she's makin' it harder an' harder for me." Mac wondered what had happened to his newfound dream girl. But he knew better than to ask. Steel wouldn't tell him anything Rainbow wouldn't want him to tell beyond vast generalities. His Dappleshore friend had always been cool like that.

"What's she been doin'?"

"What AIN'T she been doin' is more like it, bruv! A few weeks ago, she done had herself a row with Carrot Top. Drew a giant, black cock on the side of her house with spraypaint...hehehe...had to make the girl wash it off. No sense nickin' somepony if ya' can settle it then and there." Mac laughed heartily. It sounded about right. She was the type to do that sort of thing...but they were far off topic. Neither of them wanted to talk about the real reason for their current discussion. But they wouldn't be able to put it off forever.

"Heheheh...oh...shit...that's somethin' else, man. But you said she gettin' into fights, too?" Steel finished his scotch and began pouring another. Steel was too much like Mac himself for his comfort.

"Oh, yeah, brother." Steel pronounced the word "brother" as "bruv-ver." "Brother Knight" was a term their unit used to refer to one another...often sarcastically. It was a remnant of the old, chivalrous origins of the Malleis Irae.

"Example? Somethin' recent?" Steel raised an eyebrow.

"Curious today, ain't we, Red? Well...yesterday fer example...she knocked some old codger arse over tit fer bashin' her dad. He was one them loonie cultists. I already told the old nutter to sod off, but he keeps comin' back to yell his nonsense at everypony. Rainbow done a bang up job on that one...it was nasty. He lost some teeth an' got a broken nose. Little filly can throw down like you wouldn't believe, mate." Mac was indeed surprised.

"Damn...is she alright? She ain't hurt or nothin', right?" Mac had poorly disguised the concern in his voice.

"Ahhhhh...I know that look, Red...you fancy her, yeah?" Steel was wearing a broad grin. He'd figured it out.

"Ain't like that. Just a friend." Technically, it wasn't a lie.

"Ya' can't fool me, bruv. You always did like the fiery ones. You know her better than you let on, didn't ya'?"

"Yeah...we been trainin' together fer this.....Iron Pony competition..."

"I knew it. But just a heads up, mate: That girl is damaged goods. But then again, aren't we all? Still... Be careful." She couldn't be more fucked up than Mac was. Still...he'd had a suspicion that something terrible had happened to her...she seemed the type. Maybe he could get her to open up a bit? But he knew he wouldn't have the courage to tell the little filly how he felt anyway, so it was a moot point. It was a discouraging thought.

"Roger that...pour me another one...I'mma' need it." The constable complied. Alcohol had always helped Mac to drown his discontent. His fears. His rage.

"What happened with you an' Cherilee?"

"Nothin', really, man. We only got together fer 'bout two months after Bloom poisoned us...didn't have much in common is all. Parted ways. It was mutual." Partially...he had hurt Cherilee and vice versa. Mac had made a rather textbook error while dating her. It hadn't ended well.

"Don't that just fuck all? But yer doin' that competition fer the bones, ain't ya'? Why haven't ya' asked me fer the money? Me an' Colgate got more'n enough quid to share." Mac shook his head.

"Ya' know I can't ask ya' fer money, Bobby. It ain't like me. Gotta' earn it. Pride an' all." Robert Steelheart shot him an annoyed expression.

"Balls to you an' yer pride, mate! You never let me help you. I could've moved fuckin' anywhere in the Empire after I got out. But I came here to be with me best mate. What's the point, if you don't ask fer me help?" The constable was on his third glass of scotch.

"I still need yer help. When I get all worked up, you can calm me down. I always been there fer you...and you fer me. 50/50 all 'cross the board. Way I see it, we're square an' even, Bobby. Just 'cause I ain't whinin' fer ya' to bail me outta' every goddang problem I get into, don't mean I don't 'ppreciate ya'. Don't pull this fuckin' guilt trip on me again." The irritation in Mac's voice cowed his friend.

"Alright, Red. I'm sorry. I just wanna' help is all. You an' Colgate are all I got left. We're the last two, you an' I." It was true.

"Yeah. S'alright, man." Suddenly, Steel's radio had started emitting static. The constable answered it and listened to one of his deputy's report in. Steel nodded grimly in response. He cut off the radio and turned to Mac.

"We need to talk about what happened yesterday." Mac had been dreading this inevitability.

"Yeah...we do...I done told ya' most a' what I know last night."

"Humor me. You gave me a brief summary. I'm compilin' a report to the Castle, an' I need all the info I can get. This whole bleedin' fiasco is too convenient. You were right. That bear didn't have no rabies like you said. And me boy Cosmic just got back to me. The wards are down by 40 percent strength, Red. Know what that means?"

"That yer a massive faggot?" The big, white stallion laughed.

"Hah!! Oh, you'd love that wouldn't you, Red? But...seriously..." Mac knew he was delaying the inevitable.

"Yeah, I know. Somethin' magical done interfered with 'em. Bad news."

"Right fuckin' o', it's bad news, mate. An' I got another tidbit for ya'. Cosmic got a hold of the Castle and found out somethin'."

"What?"

"This is happenin' all over Equestria. This was intentional. What's happened to our wards weren't no coincidence."

"Oh...fuck..." Mac knew what that meant.

"Yeah. It's a Matriarch." Bad news...bad news...

"We need to be sure, Bobby."

"Yeah. You can go do some trackin' on yer own...get a fix on the cunt's trail...I'll wager she's holed up in the Everfree. I'll follow up on those runes an' all that. If we get a positive fix on it bein' an honest-to-God mater, then you an' me can track her down. I know my lot wouldn't last five bloody seconds against one of those things."

"Mmm-hmm. Gotcha'. We're gonna' need some pneumatic crossbows with frag bolts...I'll bring along a horn to draw the countersign...an' we're gonna' need to bring along the ole' great swords." Matriarchs were tough. Not incredibly so...but they were very dangerous. Steel pointed his cigar towards a large sword in a black scabbard that was propped against one of his file cabinets.

"Got me great sword right behind the desk here. Sharp as ever. But it's a no-go on those pneumatics, bruv. An' we got no 'splosive quarrels...the armory here is as bare bones as ya' can get. But I can make some powder charges. That'll give the bitch a shock, I'm sure. Still got me ole' single action crossbow, too. Maybe we can make some some 'splodin' bolts outta' them charges an' the few bolts we do got." It wasn't great news that they didn't have the right gear...but they were well-trained to make do.

"Ain't gonna' be easy."

"Never is, is it, bruv?"

"You sure you wanna' do this? You got a foal on the way, man."

"That's why I'm doin' it. You think I want me foal an' wife mauled to death? But you got family, too, Red. What about yer sisters and ole' nan?"

"Same reason...but not all of the reason."

"An excuse, yeah? To fight again?" Steel was onto him again.

"Partially. Think we can get a reward offa' the mayor fer this?"

"I'll see what I can do...but John..."

"Bobby?"

"Don't you fuckin' dare go fight that bloody thing on yer own."

"I ain't plannin' on it."

"So you say! You're just like the LT, mate. By the way...how you doin' on that? Ya' know...the letter..." Mac knew which letter he meant. He'd gotten it a month ago. Mac hadn't so much as finished the first two lines of it...he didn't need to...he knew what the letter meant.

"What letter? The one I done got offa' yer sister? Man, she just can't get enough of me, I tell ya' what." Steel chortled. But Mac knew how stunning his younger sister was. She was still living in Dappleshore. He'd considered it...but he loved his old friend too much to betray his trust like that.

"You bag of arse...heheheh...you know what I meant. You alright, Red?"

"Yeah. You?"

"Fine. In fact, I'm great! I got Colgate...an' this spiffy, little hat! Ain't it grand?" The constable took off his patrol cap, presenting it to Mac.

"Hehehe...yeah. Amazin'. This is a big chance for us, Steely. A chance to be important again."

"Woah, woah! Hey! Watch the feelin's, mate! Ya' just made me job sound irrelevant. An' I been workin' real hard, too! What am I? A limp dick?" Mac laughed.

"Hahaha...eeyup...you sure are. You done said there ain't hardly no crime in Ponyville."

"Well...yeah, true. But it still ain't polite to point it out, Red. But...still...you...weren't plannin' on goin' all "Valhalla" on me with this, were you? Be honest." It was a term the SF knew well. Warriors of the Old Horse tribes could only enter the golden halls of Valhalla if they died in battle. "Going Valhalla" held a self-evident context.

"Goddangit, Bobby!! I done said "no!" It's goddang asinine to keep askin' the same question but worded different. Ya' shouldn't be worried 'bout me anyway. Worry 'bout yerself an' that fuckin' beer gut yer workin' on."

"Hey! Feelin's! Watch 'em. But alright. Just wanted to be sure. But...think about this for a bit, Red..."

"I know what yer thinkin'..."

"Yeah."

"It ain't the Matriarch that's gotcha' worried...it's who's powerful enough to summon it. Let alone bind it to his or her will."

"Exactly, mate. If this does turn out to be the genuine article, then it means Equestria's got itself a bloody powerful enemy."

"Eeyup."

Rainbow and Big Mac were both a bit tired and demotivated. Rainbow hadn't any desire to train that morning, but she couldn't let down her friend like that. They were both inside Mac's rather spacious shed...Rainbow could see various weapons and tools lined up on the wall. But the reason they were here was for the intimidating set of weights sitting on a rectangular, white rack at the far end of the shed. Mac had called it a "power rack." A large barbell was sitting on top the rack, fully loaded with heavy, black 45 lbs. plates. Rainbow swallowed nervously...she'd never used this sort of thing before...the only strength training she'd ever done was relative. Like push ups and pull ups. Mac was going to show her a few things and incorporate a strength regimen into their training. Rainbow knew the extra muscle would greatly help her overall fitness and better prevent injuries...but she still wasn't enthused. This stuff looked fucking heavy...REALLY heavy...

"You ready to get started, sugarcube?" She wasn't.

"Uhh...y-yeah. Like always! Let's fuckin' rock this shit, bro!" Mac chuckled. She knew he liked her. But she wanted him to see her in a different light. Like how she wanted him to for so long. She wouldn't let a bunch of heavy, metal stuff get between them.

"Like yer attitude, Rainbow. First, we're gonna' do the back squat...then bench press...then dead row. Just three lifts total. Real simple. Lemme' show ya' the technique. Real important."

Rainbow watched as the powerful, red stallion walked up to the rack and up underneath the barbell...Rainbow was bad at math, but she could tell by there being eight plates total...plus a 45 lbs. bar...no way. Impossible. Even for him. That was 405 lbs.! Mac was big for a pony...most stallions maxed out at about 140 lbs...but even he couldn't do this! The big stallion sauntered up to the barbell, as though he'd done this before...Rainbow was scared for him. She was going to watch him get hurt...crushed under this massive weight. Mac positioned himself under the bar on his hind two legs, holding the bar steady across the back of his shoulder blades.

He stood all the way up...the great weight lifted with seemingly no effort...she watched in amazement as the huge stallion of her desires squatted the heavy barbell with pristine form. He made it look so easy! Mac racked the weight after performing several repetitions. He explained all the kinesiology and mechanics to her...squatting parallel...proper stance...all that shit while using complicated words she didn't quite understand. Rainbow suddenly wished she'd paid more attention in school. Mac had cleared the barbell, leaving just the 45 lbs. bar itself. It was her turn...she was nervous...

"Alright...that should about do fer form, sugarcube. Your turn. Don't be scared. Ain't gonna' hurtcha'. I'm right here an' them pegs on the rack'll catch the bar if ya' drop it." It was a bit reassuring but not by much. Well...it was now or never. (You can do this...you can do this...)

She stepped up the rack...Mac had adjusted it to her height...she stood up on her hind legs. She wasn't all that familiar with standing up like this...she'd only done it a few times before. She gripped the bar with her forehooves as Mac had shown her and emulated his previous technique and stance with a bit of his guidance. She lifted the bar. It was...lighter than she'd thought! She could do this!! She squatted down...her knees were sore, but she was doing it! She hit below parallel...an uncomfortable position for equines...Mac had told her that minotaurs had spread weightlifting throughout Equestria. She performed two more reps. Mac approved...he said her form was pretty good...her cheeks burned at the compliment...she had two reps left, though. She performed the last two reps with some degree of strain. But she had done it!! Maybe she wasn't as weak as she'd thought! Well...she'd been strong enough to kick that old preacher's ass...that was something.

"Hot damn! Good job, baby girl! Yer a natural. Ya' just got four more sets o' five an' yer all done squattin'." Rainbow had just noticed a stereo sitting in the corner.

"Yeah...thanks, man...hey, you got any music on that thing?" Mac look embarrassed.

"Uhh...yeah...but it's kinda' like an acquired taste."

"Well, lemme' acquire a taste for it then. It's too friggin' quiet in here, dude." She didn't like the silence. It was like her dream. The echoes. The dripping.

"Alright, then. I'll put somethin' on..." Mac moved over to the stereo.

He had a cassette tape in the tray. After rewinding it back for a bit, he tapped the play button with his hoof. The first track was...some sort of...pipe organ music. It sounded foreboding and gothic. The powerful organ was playing a dark, churning melody. It was pretty unnerving. Rainbow was reminded of her excursion with AJ to the Royal Princesses' old castle...Pinkie had scared the daylights out of them with that old organ in the chapel.

"Jeez, man! What are ya'? A vampire? Hehehhe..." Mac shrugged.

"What can I say? I like dramatic stuff."

"Hey, I ain't knockin' it. It's pretty cool...just kinda'...creepy."

"Uhh...I guess. I think the dissonance and counterpoints make it an interestin' piece, though. Well, let's get on with it...we got work to do..." Rainbow had no idea what a "counterpoint" or "dissonance" were. Once again, she wished she'd paid more attention in school.

Rainbow had finished the last of her squats...her hind legs were aching. She was legitimately worried that they would give out on her...she would be embarrassed...in front of him. But they had moved onto the bench press. No more hind legs, thankfully. Forelegs and chest muscles. Mac had shown her the proper technique again...with the same 405 lbs. he'd squatted earlier...Rainbow couldn't believe it. How could anypony be this strong?! Her roided out buddy, Buff Biceps, was nowhere near this powerful! She watched Mac...his tendons...muscles pushing the titanic weight up and down with seemingly little effort. The big lug had kept his hat on, too! With a lit cigarette in mouth no less! She could see every inch of his masculine perfection. She had to admit...it was pretty hot. Her wings were twitching with arousal, threatening to "pop feather" at any moment. But the display had ended sadly...it was her turn again. He explained it all to her again.

"An' that's all there is to it, sugarcube. Now 'member to keep yer latissimus dorsi contracted as tight as ya' can when ya' lay down on the bench. Ya' need a tight back fer a stable base to lift the weight. You ready?" She wasn't.

"Yeah. I got this." She tightened her back and laid on the bench. The churning organ music had been playing for almost thirty minutes. Apparently, it had several movements. Great. As though she weren't nervous enough already...

She unracked the weight with Mac's help...the bar seemed so much heavier now! Mac had explained how she was using smaller muscles for the bench than for the squat...she performed one repetition...barely...she was embarrassed. She tried for two....she made it!! Mac was encouraging her. She could do it...she could...she would. She pressed with all her might...she got the third rep! Two more. The churning organ was making her nervous, though. She wished something else would start playing. She tried for four...she strained...she couldn't do it. The bar began to sink towards her chest...her forehooves had lost their strength to keep control of the bar. Mac lifted the bar off her chest. She had failed...her cheeks were burning red with embarrassment. This was just like when she'd lost at hoof wrestling with AJ. She felt weak...he didn't like weak ponies. She had learned this from AJ...he would think she was lame. Like Fluttershy.

"Ah. Found yer limit. That's alright, though. You can just take a rest an' try again in a bit. Ain't no big thing, sugarcube. We'll just keep with this weight next time. You'll get the hang of it." She wasn't fully reassured.

"I hope so, dude. This is friggin' hard...uhh...but I'll get it! Rainbow Dash don't lose to no pony or nothin', yo! But lemme' ask you a question..." He chuckled at her. But her question had been going through her mind for a while now.

"Sure. Bite."

"How're you that strong? AJ said you pulled an entire building off it's foundation or some shit once. Is that true?" That was too much for even her to believe...

"Hmm...yeah. I guess it's true. That's back when Bloom an' her little friends done poisoned me an' Cherilee. Don't 'member much of it." Rainbow narrowed her eyes. Despite her best efforts, she would always reserve a special loathing for Cherilee for having dated Mac. She knew Cherilee was nice and all, but she couldn't help it.

"So...like...are you a mutant or something?" That had come out wrong.

"Sorta'. I got a physiological assessment a while back. Doc said I had abnormally low amounts of myostatin...it's a protein that controls muscle growth. 'Pparently, I also got excess levels of testosterone; I got 'bout twelve times the muscle mass an' four times the bone density of normal ponies. So...yeah...I guess I'm kinda' like a mutant." Rainbow was shocked. But Mac seemed embarrassed.

"That's awesome, dude! You're gonna' own everypony in three months! Hey...you alright, big guy?" Mac looked perturbed about something.

"Huh? Oh...uhh...it ain't nothin'. I'm fine. Wanna' do yer next set?" She didn't especially.

"Yeah." She took her position back on the bench.

She had struggled but had been able to get four reps on her second and third sets. But her overall performance had been poor. She had also performed poorly when they had switched over to dead rows. She didn't understand why she was having such a hard time with this. She could do tons of pull ups and push ups after all. Why couldn't she move a 45 lbs. bar? Mac had noticed her discouragement and tried to reassure her.

"Hey, don't get all down, sugarcube. Everypony's gotta' start somewhere. An' yer already a lot stronger than some Pegasi." What?

"Woah! Whaddya' mean by that?!"

"Nothin'. It's just that y'all got them hollow bones to support yerselves in flight. Yer made fer speed. Not strength."

"Dude...that is so racist."

"Ain't racist. Just a fact. An' yer a mare to boot. That bar weighs more'n half of what you do." Hold on. Had he just...dropped the gender card? Oh, hell no! It was one of her pet peeves.

"So what!? What does me being a girl have to do with being weak and stuff?!" She was getting angry.

"Calm down, Rainbow! I didn't mean nothin' by it. Mares just don't got as much testosterone as stallions, so y'all can't develop yer muscles as quick. Just evolution."

"Dude! Fuck that! You shouldn't lower your standards for me just 'cuz I'm a mare! That's fucking garbo, and you know it!!" She knew he was right. But she still pressed the issue. She wasn't sure why. She was yelling at him...at John.

"It's yer FIRST time liftin' weights. Ever. You gotta' work your way up."

"Oh, no, no, no! You ain't backin' outta' this now, man! You said I couldn't do this stuff 'cuz I'm a girl!" Why couldn't she stop?

"What's gotten inta' you, Rainbow? I'm just sayi-"

"That I'm weak? A fragile, little flower or some shit?" Stop. Stop. Why?

"I-"

"Maybe we all can't be an overgrown meathead like you, but that doesn't give you the right to fuckin' insult me!!" She knew it wasn't an insult...it had been an innocent assessment. But she couldn't stop.

"That ain-"

"Do you have any idea? ANY idea at all how hard it is to be a female athlete?! Do you know how I get treated everyday?! I gotta' work twice as hard for the same shit that you guys tak-"

"ENOUGH!!" The big stallion had roared at her...cutting her off completely.

"Hey...don't yell at m-"

"I said that's enough! Listen. I know ya' gotta' work twice as hard as a stallion...but that's just a limitation of nature. Not society. That bar weighs 45 lbs., Rainbow. You don't weigh 80 lbs. hardly. It don't matter how much ya' rant an' rave 'bout gender inequality. It's an uncompromisin' reality. You ain't got the ideal conditions fer weightliftin'. But I didn't say ya' couldn't improve." She knew he was right.

"Yeah, you did!" Had he?

"No...I didn't. I was gonna' say that yer gonna' hafta' work a lot harder than a stallion to see any results. An' ya' ain't got the ideal bone structure fer supportin' all this weight. Just like how I ain't very flexible. You weren't born for it. It's just a fact, Rainbow. But ya' can always compensate with trainin'. If I didn't think ya' couldn't get any better, then why am I wastin' my time tryin' to help ya'? Why'n the hell are you pickin' a fight, when I'm just tryin' to help ya'?" Rainbow's anger dissipated. Embarrassment slowly filled the void it left.

"Oh...shit...sorry, man. I guess....I just...sorry..."

"It's alright, sugarcube. But...you said somethin' 'bout how you get treated everyday, bein' who ya' are? Whaddja' mean by that?" Rainbow face turned a bright red.

"Uhh...I didn't mean to say all that...it's just that someponies have this...uhh...."theory" about me. I guess it just got to me after a while." She wasn't sure why she was telling him all this. She hadn't told anypony about this.

"What "theory", Rainbow?"

"N-nothin'! Don't worry about it. Forget I mentioned it." She saw his left eyebrow raise. He knew something was up, but he probably knew he wasn't going to get much out of her on the subject.

"If ya' don't wanna' talk about it, I understand."

"Um...thanks, dude. Sorry about all that. I don't know why I jumped on ya' like that. I kinda' got this...temper problem..." He smiled gently at her. She wanted to tell him everything...why couldn't she stop babbling?

"S'alright, sweetheart."

"It's just...I fucking HATE when someponies patronize me for being a chick. It's total bullshit." (Shut up...stop talking, you idiot!)

"I weren't patronizin' ya', Rainbow."

"Yeah...I know. I just don't want you to think I'm weak or something..." Shit. She realized the severity of her error. Why couldn't she stop? But to her surprise, the big stallion laughed!

"Hahahaha!!! You gotta' be kiddin' me, girl!...hehehe...man...the fuck?!" Her ears burned red. Was he actually mocking her?! After she'd opened up like this?!!

"Hey! It's not funny!!"

"Yeah, it is...heheh....how in the sam hell are YOU of all ponies worried about lookin' weak?! How could I ever think YOU were weak?! Yer a goddamn legend 'round here, Rainbow!" He hadn't been mocking her...he'd been mocking...something else..

"W-what are you talking about?"

"You ain't weak, Rainbow. Just 'cuz ya' can't lift a fuckin' piece a' iron don't make ya' weak. Princess Celestia ain't physically strong...but she's got some crazy magic. An' she's a leader. She an' her little sister done took a handful of villages an' made an empire outta' them. She commands respect with a different kinda' strength. She's got strength of will. Just like you." She blushed. He had no idea...no idea how weak she was. How her cockiness was just a cover. But...he believed in her.

"Dude...seriously? You mean...uhh...y-yeah!! You're right! I AM pretty awesome, huh?!" Cover it up. Conceal it. Push it back down.

"Hehehe...an' also incredibly modest..."

"Damn straight! Ain't no pony more modest tha-oh...oh...my bad." Mac laughed.

"Still warranted, sugarcube. I mean...I'm actually shocked that you even care what I think 'bout ya'. Like I done said before: yer a legend 'round these parts. Element of Loyalty an' fastest flyer in Equestria? You got a right to be a 'lil bit cocky now and then." He smiled at her again. He had a cute smile. He had no idea how much his opinion meant to her...

"Jeez...thanks, dude." She rubbed the back of her head with embarrassment.

"I ain't gonna' just lie to ya'. I meant it. I already owe ya' fer everythin' ya' done fer the farm an' AJ...but I never thanked ya' fer helpin' me with this competition. You done helped save Sweet Apple Acres twice now...if we win that prize money. Thank you." He was...sincere...

"Uhh...thanks, man...but isn't that a bit much? Remember that whole "temper" thing? C'mon! I'm great, but not THAT great!...hehehehe" She giggled. She couldn't stop. He was looking at her. With fondness. He cared. He liked her. But did he like her how she wanted?

"Eenope...you ARE. Don't ever let no pony tell ya' otherwise. You don't let nothin' beatcha' down. You never stop tryin'. It's...inspirin'. Gettin' to just...know ya' is worth dealin' with yer temper. Yer somethin' special, Rainbow....yer a damn good friend. I'm glad I met ya'." He told her this with a straight face. Sincere. She could tell. She was beet red in the face now.

He was so sweet. So understanding. He rested his hoof on her shoulder. He was so close to her now...she could smell his cologne...mixed with the smell of sweat and tobacco. Masculine. Intoxicating...her mind was clouded with need. Desire. At that moment, if he'd asked her to jump off a skyscraper with her wings tied, she'd do it. She could see that his face was etched with legitimate concern. Not pity. He cared. He was close...too close. She could almost feel the heat of his breath. He was so...cute. His freckles...those little ears that were flattened down with worry. Handsome. She was worried she might actually try to kiss him involuntarily. She looked at the ground...the ground was sturdy. Safe. It didn't make her so nervous. If she looked up...into those beautiful eyes...she might force herself on him. Do something stupid. Then he would think she was weird. It would destroy her chances with him...he would think she was a slut. Too soon. A disgusting...fucking...wretched thing. (I am already...) Controlled by lust. He'd lose respect for her. He wouldn't love her. He might not even fuck her...what would be the point?

"U-uh...l-let's...umm...get back to training, Red...okay?" He nodded. He suddenly seemed shaken. Why?

"Y-yeah...yer right. Back to work."

They turned back towards the rack and barbell. They still had a lot of work to do.

"