Chapter 24: Welcome Home Mac

Walking up the winding dirt path to the farm house without a disguise felt liberating. Over the past year Mac had made this walk several times a day, but it had never felt right. Something always felt off. Now that he was Macintosh again, the path welcomed his hooves and beckoned him forwards. With Applejack there, along with Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, it nearly felt like the good old days.

Of course, in those days he hadn’t been blinded in one eye, or limped due to the son of the Devil using him as a demented scratching post.

Still, Mac felt more at peace with himself than anytime in the last six years. Even with the trial of being reintroduced to his family again looming over him, Mac couldn't help but feel renewed.

“Nervous?” Mac’s ears perked up at the question, turning his head to the right to see Rainbow Dash flying next to him. “Sorry,” she added, performing a barrel roll over him so she could be in Mac’s peripheral vision. Mac chuckled at her, lazily shaking his head.

“S’nothin’. Still gettin’ used ta it maself.” Mac chuckled. “But to yer earlier question, just a bit.”

“Only a bit?”

“Tellin’ Applejack was always gonna be the hardest part,” Mac said in a voice just above a whisper, glancing up at his sister leading the way home. “Everypony else will be easy.” He winked at Dash, though he wasn’t sure if he could wink anymore with just one eye. “Besides... they’re family.”

Rainbow Dash just rolled her eyes, as she punched his shoulder playfully. “You Apples and family; I'll never understand it.” She laughed, flying besides Mac with incredible ease.

“Well ya better start understandin’, yer practically one of us.” Mac smirked as Rainbow’s eyes widened, her cheeks turning red.

“Wh- what?” Rainbow stammered out, staring at Mac.

“Ah have been livin’ here fer most of the year. Between eatin’ supper at the house nearly every night and actin’ like a second mother ta Little Macky, yer practically family now,” Mac said, watching Rainbow Dash as he spoke.

“Oh, right,” Rainbow said, scratching the back of her head, letting out a nervous laugh.

“And on the account bein’ mah fillyfriend,” Mac added, nudging Rainbow Dash back. Rainbow’s face darkened through crimson as she tried to glare at the stallion, but it came off too cute in Mac’s eyes to be anything but adorable.

“Ah don't recall given either of ya mah blessin’ ta date one another,” Applejack hollered , not even glancing back at the pair. “Ah am the head of the family, ya know.” Mac saw the gears grinding in Rainbow's head as she looked between the two siblings.

“Isn't the head of the family usually the oldest member?” Rainbow Dash asked, eyeing Applejack, smirking as she spoke.

“Still am,” Applejack said, never breaking stride. “By all accounts, the pony next ta ya’s dead. So till that is sorted out, Ah’m in charge,”

“She's got a point,” Mac said, looking towards Applejack. “Besides, if what Discord said is right, Ah’m gonna be the eldest Apple fer a mighty long time.” Mac chuckled. “And Ah don't want the headache that goes along with bein’ the head. Much rather be plowin’ than that.”

“Heck yeah you do!” Rainbow exclaimed, slapping Mac’s flank. Mac yelped, rising up on his hind legs with surprise. Applejack whipped around to face the two, as Fluttershy gasped from behind, her cheeks aflame. Mac fell back onto all four hooves and turned his gaze on Rainbow Dash, whose eyes refused to meet his own. “Uh… not the time to mention that?”

“What do ya think, Sugarcube?” Applejack asked through gritted teeth. Rainbow merely chuckled in a nervous fit, avoiding the glare Applejack was sending her way. Mac watched as Applejack’s eyes flicked between the two of them before letting out a breath. “Ah wanna know how this happened as well,” she said, tapping the ground. “But not anytime soon!” she added quickly, her own cheeks flushing. That was something the large stallion had no problem putting off for quite some time. Forever seemed like a suitable option; that whole night still sent shivers down his spine.

Thankfully for Mac, that time would be postponed quite a bit as they reached the Apple family home. Mac could just imagine Soarin holding Little Mac in his wings, the colt sleeping peacefully there, unaware of his father’s racing heart. Apple Bloom would be not too far away from the two of them, trying to keep calm but her face just as pallid and haunted as Soarin’s must be over the missing Apple. Butterflies stormed in Mac’s stomach as he looked up at the old house. He had been inside so many times, but he was finally going to be walking through that front door as himself again—maybe not entirely, but at least he could resemble the stallion he once was. Applejack had one hoof on the stairs leading up to the porch.

“Anyway ya wanna go about this?” Applejack asked, her voice just above a whisper. Mac stared at the glowing windows, pressing his lips together in thought.

“Thinkin’ they already had a rough night. Better ease them into it,” Mac said, glancing back at Applejack. “How about the three of ya’ll head in first, and then git me.” Applejack nodded slowly at Mac, while Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy passed the large stallion to meet Applejack at the stairs.

“Yet not gonna run away… are ya?” Applejack asked, her voice cracking as she spoke. Mac didn’t need brotherly instincts to hear the hurt in Applejack’s voice; the fear that minute she turned her back on him, where she could not see him, he would disappear again and she would wake up from a dream. Their lack of necessity did not stop those instincts from raging at him. Mac smiled at her, raising one hoof and pointing at Rainbow Dash.

“Ah’d seen many a terrible creature, become one maself, but the last thin’ Ah wanna do is make her angry.” The prismatic pegasus straightened up at Mac’s words, a smirk spreading across her lips like the cat that had caught the canary.

“Damn straight!” she said, tossing her mane over her shoulder. Unlike the others, Rainbow hadn’t bothered to whisper, and the scraping of hooves on hardwood floor could be heard, followed by a very enthusiastic-

“Aunt Dash!” Applejack’s head flicked towards Rainbow Dash so fast, Mac would have thought the sudden movement might have broken her neck. Applejack fixated on Rainbow Dash with a scowl so intense, Mac watched as Rainbow Dash visibly shrank under the pressure of it; itwas the glare only a mother could give and that no living creature could ever escape from.

“Come on, let’s git in before he ruins the surprise,” Applejack said, opening the door far enough to let her slip in without showing anyone on the other side who she had with him. The instant AJ walked through the front door, the unmistakeable happy screams of a child echoed through the halls as Applejack laughed, presumably catching her son in a hug by the sounds of things. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash followed her in, Little Macky screaming out in delight to see two of his aunts along with his mother.

The door closed behind the trio, but Mac could still hear all that was going on inside the home. Little Macky’s cheerful screams were soon echoed by his father, calling out to his wife and asking a million questions. From the sound of Little Macky going Ew over and over, he was also kissing his wife out of sheer relief she was alright. Mac couldn't help but shake his head, not bothering to curb the smile spreading across his lips. Even after all that time as Wild Blaze, the fact his sister was married and had a foal of her own was just so surreal, not to mention the foal had been named for him. That might get confusing down the road, especially if the little colt took after his uncle at all.

The happy reunion of one Apple Family was drowned out by the hollering of the next branch of Ponyville Apples as Braeburn clattered into the main hallway as well. Mac couldn't tell if his cousin had actually entered the hall or just saw his wife to be, as the stallion had always been loud enough that you could hear him a county over. A half a second later Mac heard the yelp of Fluttershy as Braeburn must have run up to her and smothered her with one of his bone crushing hugs, a bit of hysteria in his voice.

Pfft… family, came the all familiar raspy voice of Ghost Rider, his presence weighing upon Mac’s mind.

“That it is,” Mac replied, keeping his voice low, even though he didn’t need to with all the sound coming from within the home. Mac looked up at the front door, a warmth growing in his chest as he heard the sounds from inside, an old familiar sound of ponies connected through blood or marriage coming together and rejoicing to see one another yet again. “Nothin’ like it,”

Rider tutted, an impressive feet Mac found since Ghost Rider had no lips or tongue to make such a sound naturally.

Mortals and families, I will never understand it, Ghost Rider growled. Mac couldn't help but let out a bark of laughter at the words, unable to control himself, his head thrown back in a genuine belly laugh. Ghost Rider remained silent through Mac’s sudden storm of laughter, Mac could clearly see Ghost Rider within his mind cocking his head back and forth like a dog trying to make out a new word, only causing Mac to laugh harder. And what is so funny, Macintosh?

“Ya sound like Dashie there,” Mac said, trying to choke back a few laughs and wiping a tear from his eye.

I know, but I don’t understand why you are laughing over the matter.

“Because,” Mac started, still trying to control himself, “While she’s practically family due ta eatin’ with us and such, yer already family.” Mac said, listening to what was going on inside. The sounds of hooves on the floor moved toward the parlor.

How am I family? I know nothing of them, nor do I care to, Ghost Rider growled, his temper flaring.

“Yer bound ta me, numbskull,” Mac said, smirking as he spoke. “Bein’ a part of me means yer a part of this family, no matter how much ya kick and scream over it.” Mac eyes roamed around, finding a nearby puddle. He stepped towards the edge, the rising sun giving him just enough light to see clearly into the water, and the Ghost Rider’s face reflected back.

Mac had been used to seeing Ghost Rider in his reflection for years: hellish flames blazing around his head in triumph or amusement, or dim blue flames in empty eye sockets when he was exhausted. When looking at the reflection this time, Ghost Rider had changed. The flames around his skull were now a bright orange, and his right eye socket had claw marks that mimicked Mac’s own scars as far as the stallion could tell. In fact, wherever Blackheart had left scars on Mac’s body, they were mirrored on Ghost Rider.

“Hell, yer like a brother now, meanin’ ya got two little sisters, a brother-in-law, a cousin, and a nephew. Welcome to bein’ an Apple,” Mac said, smiling broadly at the reflection. Ghost Rider scowled up at Mac, another impressive effort on Rider’s behalf considering he had no face to make it with. Rider broke off first, turning his gaze from Mac with a retch. Mac just kept smiling; it was not often he got to have a win against the demon in his head. Or was that now the Alicorn in his head?

“Any memories comin’ back to ya?” Mac asked, remembering what part of the deal had been with Discord, gaining more of Ghost Rider’s powers and memories from before.

Some… Rider said, his voice a low rumble. Still… sorting through… lots of memories of my other hosts and of myself. My true self. Mac raised an eyebrow at that, he glanced over at the house again, they were taking their time to bring him back into everypony’s life but that was needed.

“You mean as an Alicorn?” Rider nodded in the reflection, the flames around his skull shifting.

Yes. Pendragon, but that is all I know. Ghost Rider huffed out, turning to Mac again. Tonight. You know what we must do. Mac nodded at Ghost Rider, knowing what he meant.

“Ah know. We’ll leave after everypony is asleep, don’t want complications,” Mac said, his voice pitched low again. Rider gave a slight nod, before casting his glance over to the front of the house.

Till tonight … brother. Ghost Rider said, his reflection fading out, leaving only Mac’s behind. He hadn’t had time to see the damage done to himself after Blackheart had toyed with him.

Mac almost didn’t recognize the pony looking back at him; dark magic didn’t leave kind looking scars. Four jagged scars crossed his right eye, the eyelid looked deformed though nothing was under it, and Mac was not curious enough to see if there was anything left. Across his muzzle was another cleaved scar that went the whole way across, with smaller scars covering his cheeks and chin. The scars looked deep and to have been cauterized to heal the wounds, and fur would mostly likely never grow there again. All together the scars definitely gave him a certain roguish look. Mac chuffed over a growing smirk: not that Dashie would ever use that word.

On a whim of pure curiosity Mac brought forth a small amount of will and imagined Wild Blaze. Golden flames rippled out of Mac’s body, though this time he felt nothing. Any previous time he had to transformed himself into Wild Blaze there had been an burning sensation, yet this time all he could feel was the mild dawn air. Opening his eyes, he looked down at his reflection.

An maroon stallion with a black mane looked back up at him. There was no evidence of scars on the pony at all, the only thing that could be said that was off about the stallion was that he had his right eye closed. He didn’t dare open his eye still, not sure how far the illusion would go. Turning his head from side to side he examined himself, looking for anything that might give himself away. The magic held strong, however, leaving him able to disguise himself once again. Which might come in handy for his meeting that night.

“I got him!” called a voice from behind, followed by the creaking of a screen door. Mac turned to find Rainbow Dash exiting the house, still looking back through the door. As she turned to face Mac she was smiling ear to ear. “Alright, big guy, ready to meet your fam—” Rainbow’s words died mid sentence as she found the large maroon stallion, instead of the large red one she had been expecting. “Really?”

Mac smirked at her, the mannerisms and attitude of Wild Blaze flowing into him as as easy as a creek flows into a river. “Really,” Mac replied, his voice that of Blaze. “Wanted to try it out. Besides,” he continued walking towards her, “might make things easier to understand,” he said, still smirking at her.

Rainbow rolled her eyes and huffed. “You know I hate Wild Blaze, right?” she growled as he passed her.

“I know,” Mac replied, as he made his way into the parlor where the Apple family had gathered. It didn't take a detective to figure out that nearly no one there had gotten much sleep that night.

Soarin and Braeburn looked the worst out of the bunch, the dark bags under their eyes a clear indicator that they hadn't slept at all. Their faces had been drawn with worry, only now loosening into pallid, haggard emptiness, too exhausted to even manage relieved smiles. Both of them pressed right up to their missing loved ones; Soarin had Applejack wrapped in one of his wings, as Braeburn kept his uninjured foreleg around Fluttershy.

Mac paused for a second, which gave Braeburn enough time to squeeze Fluttershy and draw in her scent, as if to assure himself that she was still there. This was a good fifteen minutes after their reunion; he could only imagine what they must have looked like when they had no idea where they were.

Between Soarin and Applejack was Little Macky, curled up between his parents, fighting a losing battle with the Sandmare. He snuggled into his light blue Wonderbolt onesie, the one with Auntie Dash’s beaming face on the front declaring him to be ‘Best Young Flier’. The little colt was probably blissfully unaware of the dangers that had happened last night, and how close an apocalypse had been.

Apple Bloom looked about the same, though her tousled mane being flat on one side showing that she had maybe chanced a few hours of sleep at least. She'd most likely been taking care of Little Macky during all the confusion. Her coat was a mess, probably having no time to properly prepare herself for the day. Upon seeing Blaze she started to straighten herself up, trying to look presentable to the stallion.

Mac was all to ready to pull that rug out from underneath her.

Little Macky stirred a little at Wild Blaze entering the room, a smile spreading across his lips as he saw his idol. His head then cocked like a dog wondering why master didn’t want to play. He turned his bright green eyes up to his mother.

“What's the surprise, Mama?” Macky asked, looking back to Wild Blaze. “We know him.”

“Not that he is an unwelcome surprise,” Apple Bloom added, fluttering her eyelashes at him.

Applejack looked at Wild Blaze then to Apple Bloom, a smile making its way on her face. “Oh Luna, no wonder ya always looked so uncomfortable.” Applejack laughed, running a hoof through Macky’s dark blue mane.

“You have no idea,” Mac grumbled, “So what did you tell them?”

“That Ah have a surprise fer ‘em: an old friend stayin’ here fer a bit,” Applejack said, still running her hoof through her son’s mane while leaning into her husband. Nodding at that, Mac looked around the room. His gaze rested for a moment on Rainbow Dash, leaning against the door frame, waiting expectedly.

“Well... better to tell you all this now before they get here. There isn'ta real easy way to explain this,” he began, looking around. “But I'm not really Wild Blaze. I've been lying to you all about that.” Both Braeburn and Soarin leaned in at that, their grips on their loved ones tightening, tired eyes narrowing dangerously at him. Little Macky cocked his head almost horizontal, while Apple Bloom scooted back into her seat some.

The three other mares didn’t seem the least be perturbed, as they all already knew what was coming. Fluttershy seemed to be enjoying Braeburn’s overprotective side, leaning more into his embrace with a soft sigh. Applejack didn’t notice her husband as she kept rubbing Macky’s head, her other hoof over stomach, though her smile twitched when his own hoof joined hers on the bump. Rainbow Dash just yawned, having grown tired of the reveal.

“Lying is bad,” Little Macky said, as he continued to stare at the stallion. “Who are you?” Mac grinned at the colt. Definitely his sister’s son.

Instead of answering, Mac spread his legs apart and shook himself off as though he had just come in from a heavy rain. He didn’t have to do this, but a part of him wanted to add the extra flair. Golden fire consumed Wild Blaze, sparks flew out in all directions, though nothing that would set the house aflame. Breaking the illusion felt right, breaking through those last few bindings that hid him from his family.

As the flames died down, Mac smiled at his nephew. “Ah’m yer Uncle Mac, and namesake.”

“Sweet Celestia, Luna, and Cadance!” Braeburn yelped nearly falling out of his seat. “What in tarnation?!” Fluttershy wrapped her forelegs around Braeburn to keep him toppling over.

Apple Bloom made a sound somewhere between a squeak and a shriek at the appearance of her brother; covering her mouth with her hooves. Her eyes were wide and were already brimming with tears.

Soarin sat stock still, his eyes flicking between Mac and Applejack, trying to grasp the situation as the gears in his head ground together.

The only pony that moved was Little Macky. He fluttered down from the couch and onto the floor. He took a few steps towards Mac, eyeing him up and down, like when he first met him as Wild Blaze. His green eyes moved from Mac to the portrait above the fireplace; it was the last picture that had been taken of Granny, Mac, Applejack and AppleBloom before the accident. His beady eyes moved between the two, squinting as his face scrunched up in concentration.

“Yer not my Uncle Mac,” Little Macky declared, looking up at Mac. “Uncle Mac doesn't have any scars… and you do.”

Mac looked down at the little colt. Out of everything he could have used to argue against his uncle’s return, he went for that. He couldn't help but laugh. The colt didn’t seem to care about the fact his Uncle Mac was supposed to be dead, only that he wasn't supposed to have any scars. Shaking his head as he laughed, Mac looked down at the nephew that was named after him and just grinned.

“Reckon yer right,” Mac said, Little Macky looking up at him. “Don’t like em’?”

“You kidding!” Little Macky shouted, his tiny wings fluttering like a hummingbird, circling Mac as he spoke. “You look really awesome! More awesome than you were as Wild Blaze!” he said, looking over Mac as though he was a large action figure. As Mac followed the progress of Little Macky, his attention was brought back to the others in the room.

Braeburn looked as though he was ready to faint if not for Fluttershy holding him upright, his mouth shamelessly hanging open as he just stared at Mac, utter disbelief written across his face. Mac smiled at his cousin as Little Macky continued to fly circles around Mac. Braeburn rubbed his eyes, blinking several times before meeting Mac’s stare. Mac watched as Braeburn’s gawp moved between Mac’s left eye and shut right eye.

“Yer… yer missing yer right eye… in case ya didn’t know,” Braeburn said softly, so unsure of this reality that it was much softer than any other time Mac had spoken with his cousin. Ever. Mac lifted a hoof up to his right eye, tracing the scars there.

“Well, looky there! Didn’t notice that. Thanks, cousin,” Mac deadpanned, rolling his remaining eye, smile never faltering.

In a flash of movement Braeburn had jumped from the sofa—leaving Fluttershy to fall on her side. For a second, Mac tensed, fearing that Braeburn was going to be like AJ and attack him for lying for most of a year and been gone for so long; instead, he was wrapped in a stallion hug and lifted off the ground. Mac could only groan in protest as Braeburn swung him around laughing like a stallion possessed. “Thank the Sisters! Mah cousin is alive!” Braeburn laughed, spinning Mac around as though he weighed nothing.

“Braeburn! Your shoulder!” Fluttershy called out, the same time Braeburn gave out a hiss of pain and dropped Mac unceremoniously. Mac let out grunt as Braeburn fell back onto the sofa, gripping his bad shoulder with one hoof. Fluttershy was already at his side, looking the wound over, testing the perimeter of his burn with light touches.

“Mah… cousin is… alive,” Braeburn grunted out, pain obvious in his face, but the wide smile showed that he hadn’t regretted going forth and hugging his cousin. “Stars and Garters… mah cousin is alive!” Braeburn chuckled to himself, looking up to Mac as he started to rise. “Oh we need ta celebrate this… Applejack, lets break out the cider!”

“I second that!” Rainbow Dash chimed in, still leaning in the doorway, watching everything unfold.

“Ya could’ve helped me up,” Mac grunted, rolling his neck before glaring at Rainbow Dash. She simply raised a hoof and examined it, not bothering to look up at Mac for a second.

“You're a big stallion. You can handle it,” Rainbow said dryly.

Mac let out a huff. “Some fillyfriend you are,” he grumbled, turning his gaze to Apple Bloom; she was still sitting on the opposite sofa, tears rolling down her eyes. “Bringin’ me ta yer flirting tactics, Bloom.” The shock of the return of her brother vanished off Apple Boom’s face, replaced by the wide-eyed, stiff-eared horror that was unfolding.

“Wh- what?” was all Apple Bloom was able to squeak out, amber eyes darting from Mac to Applejack. Mac just watched her, letting her squirm there for a bit, waiting for that golden moment. Luckily for him, he didn’t need to wait too long till Bloom’s eyes widened to the size of supper plates.

“Oh, Oh Celestia! Ah’ve been flirtin’ with mah brother! Mah dead brother!” Apple Bloom shouted, the realization sinking in; what she had done to show Wild Blaze she was interested when she hed thought they were alone. “Ah… Ah can explain,” she said, a bit to quickly as her face turned a shade of red that could match Mac’s coat, her eyes darting around the room as though she was looking for a place to hide.

“Ah’m sure ya can,” Mac said, looking to Applejack. His sister merely shrugged, turning back to her husband, who was still frozen in place. “You, yer sister, and Ah will be havin’ a long discussion about it,” he added, making her groan in the way only teenagers could. “Till then, git yer flank over here,” he said with a smile, opening one foreleg to her.

Apple Bloom didn’t have to be told twice as she practically flew across the ground between them and wrapped her gangly forelegs around his thick neck. Mac gave a ‘oof’ upon impact, breath catching for a moment as he pulled his baby sister in close. She wasn’t the same filly he had left behind. She was nearly a full grown mare now, not needing her big brother to read her bedtime stories, nor to protect her from imaginary monsters in her closet.

Now he had to protect her from the monsters known as teenage colts.

“Ah can't believe yer back,” Apple Bloom whispered, half choked in sobs. “Ah missed ya so much, big brother,” she cried, hot tears making their way onto Mac’s coat through the cuts in his jacket. Mac held her gently, letting a few tears escape his functional eye.

“Ah missed you too, Bloom. So much” he whispered, patting her back with one massive hoof.

He was finally home, surrounded by the ones he loved, hugging his little sister. All the torment he had gone through, the pain, Rider’s constant talking, and the overpowering loneliness had finally ended. No longer did he need to hide, to cut off all ties around him; he could finally love again. In that moment everything was perfect, still possessed by the Ghost Rider but he was home.

“Now I get it! Rainbow’s been in a good mood because they hooked up!”

Of course somepony had to go and ruin it.

Mac looked up from the warm, comforting red of his littlest sister’s mane to find his other sister’s husband sitting up straight and looking around, dopey grin firmly back in its rightful place. It didn’t waver under strange looks around him—or the death glare Mac was giving him— and if anything it grew as he looked to his wife.

“Remember? You were trying to figure out if Dash was dating somepony because she perked right up all of a sudden? She must have found out who Wild Blaze was and…” Soarin’s voice died out as he took notice of Applejack’s face. Her eyes were closed and her entire face was scrunched up, a hoof pressed against the spot between her eyebrows. He made an audible gulp, looking around the room at all the faces.

“Uh… not the time?” Soarin asked, looking down at Applejack.

She gave out a slow breath, her eyes opening to bore right through his green pair. “What do ya think, Featherbrain?” Soarin gave her a weak smile, turning to Mac with the same expression.

“Uh… so I guess we're brothers… now?” Mac continued to glare at Soarin. By the fading smile and nervous, shaky chuckle from the blue stallion, Mac still had an impressive one for having one eye.

“Soarin…” Mac said in a low growl. Soarin made another gulping sound, never breaking eye contact with Mac.

“Y-yes?” Mac let go of his sister and began walking over to Soarin, never easing his glare. To give the pegasus credit, he didn’t shrink as Mac drew closer. Instead, he straightened up; he had been a Wonderbolt at one point. Obviously he wasn’t going to let some stallion intimate him in his own home—even if had been Mac’s home first.

“Ya’ve been mah brother the day ya married Applejack!” Mac said in a booming laugh, enveloping Soarin in a bear hug. It only took Soarin half a second to register what was happening, wrapping his forelegs around Mac while laughing.

“But ever hurt mah sister,” Mac whispered only loud enough for Soarin to hear. “Ah’ll kill ya.” Mac felt Soarin stiffen under him, but then he adjusted himself so his muzzle was close to Mac’s ear.

“Rainbow Dash is like a sister to me,” Soarin replied in the same hushed tone. “Hurt her, or my wife, or Bloom again... and I'll kill you,” Soarin said. The way he said it didn't sound like a threat; just a simple fact, and Mac felt like the stallion could pull it off.

“Yer definitely AJ’s husband,” Mac laughed, patting Soarin’s back. The two smiled at one another, till a small voice broke the silence.

“Mama, Papa, what does hooked up mean?” All eyes turned to Little Macky, tugging at his mother’s foreleg.

“Oh that's all you, Papa,” Applejack said, her voice not one bit amused.

At that, Mac threw his head back in laughter. He was home.

Author's Notes:

Thank you to Arbarano for all the edits and my insanity. Without him this chapter would not be.

Would have more to say, but might have ruined laptop.