As with everything, the events came and the events went and yet another day had passed. A day turned into more days and more days eventually turned into a week. It was about noon and after some hard work in the morning it seemed like things were actually starting to cool down, albeit slowly. Big Mac was bucking apples out in the orchard around the rear of the farm but then he heard one of the most terrifying things a brother could ever hear. He heard his smallest sister, Applebloom, scream out and start crying. As anypony would do, Big Mac dropped what he was doing and took off towards the sounds as quickly as he could. He had never run so hard in his entire life.

When he soared out of the orchard, none other than Applejack came dashing to his side. All of the awkwardness and the feelings for each other that were now starting to develop past a sibling state were cast aside as the two of them put Applebloom and her safety first. As they ran alongside each other their eyes met only for a brief moment. The both of them were moving too fast to notice, but Applejack blushed deeply and lust flashed in Big Mac’s eyes, but on the inside, for a brief moment, all returned to how it was before: as if it none of it had never happened.

The two of them came flying around the corner to the back of the barn, the location of the animal pen, and heaved a sigh of relief in the midst of catching their breaths when they saw that Applebloom was not in danger. However, they did find her sniffling over a little baby chick that had somehow managed to hurt itself. It looked of a bad sort and Applejack tried her best to talk some sense into Applebloom while Big McIntosh merely knelt down and looked over the little bird. Applebloom was adamant that the little bird could be saved though, and pressed on and on that action be taken. Eventually, just to humor their little sister and to perhaps acknowledge the little glimmer of hope that the bird could be saved, decided to task Big McIntosh with taking the bird to be looked at. He intended on taking it to a veterinarian, but both Applejack and Applebloom told him otherwise and that he should take it to Fluttershy. “No!” Applebloom had exclaimed through her tears, “Take him to Fluttershy! She knows more about animals than anypony else in Ponyville.”

Applejack agreed, “She’s right big brother. If there’s one thing Fluttershy knows, it’s how to take care of a critter.” She patted Applebloom on the back and stroked her mane gently, trying to calm her. Meanwhile, Big McIntosh set off for Ponyville and for Fluttershy’s cottage. She lived all the way on the other side of town, directly on the outskirts much like the farm, and thus it would take him some time to get over there. He didn’t feel like running, was sure that the little bird would die by the time he got it to her, and was really only doing this to make his little sister feel better. The thought of just stopping and allowing the bird to die and then burying it just off the side of the road crossed into his mind several times, but that would mean that he would have to return to the farm sooner than would take and that would set off alarm bells to Applebloom and she would know that he didn’t really try. That’s all that he wanted to do for his sister though, because he loved her so much, show her that he tried.

Surprisingly though, the little bird stayed alive. He stayed alive when Big Mac crossed the bridge and went into Ponyville, he stayed alive when Big Mac crossed all the way through Ponyville and over another bridge leading to the outskirts of Ponyville, and he even stayed alive when Big Mac caught his first glimpses of Fluttershy’s quaint little cottage on the distance. He just had the little bird sitting atop his back, and he could feel its breathing vary at different points along the journey, ranging from rapid and afraid to slow and near-lifeless. One time even, it got to the point of where Big McIntosh thought that the chicken had died because its breathing had been so slow and light that he hadn’t been able to feel it. His eyes watered up even as he slowed to a stop and glanced back it; he actually hoped that the little thing would make it.

Thankfully, that only happened once before he arrived at Fluttershy’s cottage. He knocked on the door and waited until a timid and blushing Fluttershy opened the door and peeked outside. When she saw that it was only Big McIntosh, a sense of relief overcame her and she opened the door all the way. “H-hi Big McIntosh,” Fluttershy said. She smiled at him and then looked down at the ground. She was quiet for a moment but then continued on, “Is there something I can do for you?” When he turned just slightly to show her the baby chick, that was all the explaining that she needed. Upon seeing it, her entire demeanor changed instantly from reserved and surprised at the visit to concerned and prepared to help. She ushered Big McIntosh in as she hovered just over him, her eyes keenly focused on the bird.

Once inside, she scooped the chicken into her hooves as gently as she possibly could and then began to comfort it. “Can ya help it?” Big McIntosh asked, “Applebloom is really worried…”

Fluttershy stopped her whispering and stroked the bird gently a few times. Afterwards, she told Big McIntosh, “W-Well, I can’t be too sure of anything until I’ve gotten to look closer at the little dear, but at least he’s breathing.” Big McIntosh was struck with surprise at how Fluttershy was able to tell the gender of the animal in such a short time. “But, you’re very welcome to stay here if you’d like. It shouldn’t take me too long.” She smiled at him and then hovered off behind a door as she snuggled her head to the bird.

Big McIntosh felt that he should probably get back to the farm and get back to work, but again, Applebloom was depending on him and he didn’t want to scare her by showing up without the baby chick. Not to mention, all it would do if he was to leave now was create a whole bunch of trouble for Fluttershy and for whoever else might be tasked with coming to get the baby chicken, whether it be alive or otherwise. He sat down on the sofa and waited until Fluttershy returned, watching the door intently and hoping that she could do something to help it.

It seemed like hours had passed by, but luckily enough Big McIntosh was a master of patience. He was able to sit there and be patient as he waited for whatever it was that he was waiting for, just like Fluttershy. He thought that she was a very, very cute and sweet mare, smart too. He used to have a crush on her even, but he had never acted on it because of fear, a lack of confidence, and a realization that it might be awkward for them both because while they were acquainted, they weren’t really friends. In any event, Big McIntosh was in a committed relationship with Twilight…and Rarity… and Rainbow Dash (to a certain extent anyway), and then of course there was his sister whom he felt that he was starting to develop feelings for. Four mares, now that was too much for one stallion. In the midst of everything anymore, he hadn’t really been allowed to just sit down and reflect on all of his relationships, but at least now was the perfect opportunity for him to. Whatever the case, he just hoped that an end was near at hoof to his relationship troubles.