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Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Mac?

by Bed Head

Chapter 1

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Chapter 1

It was a dark and moonless night...

Fluttershy let out a whimper, her ears falling flat as the words ran through her head.

She had never really liked stories that started like that.  No matter how much she wished otherwise, they always seemed to go the exact same way:

It would always be nighttime.  There would always be a helpless filly wandering, alone, through a spooky forest.  Sometimes she was lost, sometimes she was looking for something.  It didn't really matter which.

Either way she was never aware of the monster stalking her, lurking in the shadows just off the path.

At least, not until it finally leapt out.

The yellow pegasus never knew what happened after that.  She'd usually stopped listening long before then.  Often by diving under her covers and pulling a pillow over her head until the sun finally rose.  An option that was seeming more and more appealing with each passing second.

Of course, there was one other thing she knew well.  Something that the chilly breeze blowing across the back of her neck served as a harsh reminder of.

The ponies in those stories never had the luxury of just hiding from what scared them.

"A... Aaa..." Fluttershy drew in a shuddering breath as she tried to raise her voice.  "Aaaangel..."

The feeble whimper barely made it past the end of her muzzle.  It was still enough to set her heart racing as she stared, wide-eyed, into the shadows that surrounded her.  The darkness driven aside only by the weak starlight that filtered through the tree branches overhead.

And with each revealing flicker, Fluttershy’s breath caught in her throat.  Silently, she wished the woods would simply remain dark.  The desire didn’t seem to matter to the creaking, claw-like branches, however.  Not with the way they seemed to move closer and closer with each glimpse of light, nets of vines swaying in their spindly fingers.  Eager to snatch up the mare and carry her into the unknown depths of the Everfree Forest—

Crack

Fluttershy's wings snapped straight out at the sound of snapping wood.  She spun around, just in time for her frantically twitching ears to catch a rustle of leaves.  Blue eyes going wide, she realized she could just make out the outline of a bush not far from her.  One that was shaking ever so slightly in the darkness.  Almost as though something were on the other side of it.

"A-Angel?"  Fluttershy couldn't stop the question.  Not even with every fiber of her being struggling to send her running in the other direction.  "A-Angel Bunny, i-is that you?"

The bush began to shake harder.  Fluttershy gasped as she stumbled back a step.

Whatever the foliage hid, it was not a tiny helpless bunny.

It was something much, much bigger.

The yellow mare twisted, trying to turn and run.  Her slender legs tangled however, sending her toppling to the ground.  With a squeak of pain she landed hard on her side, her terrified eyes still locked on the bush.

Something was pushing its way through.  A silhouette at least twice the pegasus pony's size.  Fluttershy couldn't even open her mouth to try and scream.

All she could do was close her eyes as the massive shape tore out of the undergrowth.

Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Mac?

A Flipverse Story

By Bed Head

"Miss Fluttershy?"

Hearing her name, the pegasus cautiously opened one eye.

The other quickly followed as she noticed a hoof hovering in front of her.  Even in the dark she could make out the bright-red coat covering it.  The exact same color she could feel her cheeks turning.  Slowly her gaze turned upward, following the limb to the face of the massive earth stallion attached to it.

"Oh... B-Big Mac..." Fluttershy said with a relieved sigh.  "I-it's just you..."

The red giant didn't say anything in response.  The worry, however, was clear in his green eyes as he looked down at her.  Her heartbeat finally slowing, Fluttershy managed to put on a small smile as she hooked her leg over the one he'd been offering.

"Yew alright?" Big Macintosh finally asked as she started to get up.

"Oh yes, I'm fine!" Fluttershy said.  "You just surprised me-eep!"

Her assurances cut out in a yelp as Big Mac tugged on her leg.  Rather gently, she had to admit, for a stallion his size.

It didn’t stop the soft grunt the spindly mare let out as she found herself stumbling into the farm pony’s broad chest.  Suddenly Fluttershy’s face was burning all the hotter.  She could almost feel it starting to glow, even as Mac carefully took a step back.

"Uh... mah 'pologies..."  Big Macintosh's voice cut out in a chorus of throat clearing, which only prompted Fluttershy to focus her own eyes even harder on the ground.  "Didn't mean to scare ya.  Just got worried when Ah lost track o' yew—"

"I-oh no, I mean—"  Fluttershy tried to breathe.  Never before had she been so thankful for her long, pink mane covering most of her face.  "P-please don't apologize.  I-I'm the one that ran ahead after all..."

"Th-that's... well... uh..."

As Mac's voice trailed off, Fluttershy chanced a glance back to the stallion.  It was hard to tell through the darkness and his own red coat, but somehow she could almost see a blush on his face as well.  His muzzle tilted downwards, prompting her gaze to follow.

It was then that Fluttershy noticed her hoof was still hooked over his.  With a small, embarrassed squeak she quickly withdrew it back to her chest.  Mac just cleared his throat once more, rubbing at the back of his head as his eyes wandered to the side.

 

"S-so... uh, yew sure Angel went this way?" Mac asked, finally breaking the silence between them.  "The Everfree's awful dangerous."

 

Fluttershy frowned as she felt her blush start to fade.

 

"Oh, um yes.  I know," she answered as her gaze fell to the forest floor.  "Angel just... likes to act up for attention sometimes..."

 

Slowly, her voice trailed off.

 

Silently, Fluttershy knew she should have been thankful for the change in topic.  Instead her chest suddenly felt as though it was trapped in a vice.  She barely even noticed the concerned way Big Macintosh was watching her as she looked back over her shoulder.  Her breath hitched in her throat and her wings slouched as she saw what awaited her.

 

Nothing but more shadows and darkened trees, with plenty of branches and vines dangling low over the path.

 

And not so much as a glimpse of white fur.

 

"H-he's hopped close to the entrance before."  Fluttershy tried to clear her throat, but the lump of dread sitting in it refused to budge.  "I n-never thought he'd actually go in, b-but he wasn't anywhere else and—"

 

A surprisingly gentle hoof fell over her shoulder, cutting her off.  Looking to the side, Fluttershy could feel her blush trying to return.  Big Macintosh stood right next to her, a calm smile on his face even as it started to blur.  Fluttershy sniffled, her shoulders starting to tremble as she tried to wipe away the tears rolling down her cheeks.

 

"Oh... this is all m-my fault..." she whimpered.  "I-I couldn't get those b-baby carrots he likes, so Angel... he..."

 

"Don't yew worry none, Miss Fluttershy."  Big Mac's voice was quiet but firm as his hoof patted against her withers.  "Yer bunny probably didn’t go too far.  We’ll find him.”

 

Fluttershy sniffled again, but slowly lifted her gaze.  Mac was still smiling down at her, and despite herself she could feel her own smile returning at his words.  The tears were slowing, at least, as she wiped her eyes one last time.

 

"Thank..." she paused for one final sniffle before finally managing to nod to the red giant.  "Thank you so much, Big Mac.  I'm just glad you—"

Snap

The sound of dry twigs breaking caused Fluttershy's voice to stutter to a halt.  Her eyes darted as more snaps and cracks sounded, settling further up the rough path she'd been walking.  Once again she could just make out something shaking up ahead.  Another patch of bushes, one that was rustling more and more with each passing moment.  Without thinking, Fluttershy lifted one hoof to take a step forward.

 

She froze just as quickly as one of Big Mac's legs suddenly forced itself into her path.  Before she could say a word, the massive stallion had put himself in front of her.  One of his hooves scraped against the ground as he lowered his head.  A tremble ran down Fluttershy's spine as Mac let out a snort, and the sounds of twigs and shaking leaves grew louder and louder...

 

And with one final rustle, something burst forth from the bush.  Fluttershy's heart immediately shot straight to her throat.

 

"ANGEL!"

 

Her own voice almost hurt her ears with how loud it was.  That didn't stop the pegasus however, as her wings flared out and sent her soaring past Big Macintosh with a single flap.  The rest of the forest was nothing but a black blur as Fluttershy scooped the tiny, white rabbit into her forelegs and clutched him tightly to her chest.

 

"Oh Angel!  You're alright!" she cheered, blinking away tears as she nuzzled the squirming bunny.  "I was so worried about you!  Are you okay?  What have you—"

 

Smack!

 

Fluttershy’s voice cut out once again.  This time thanks to the sting of Angel’s tiny paw across her cheek.  Her eyes were wide with shock as she simply stared, slack-jawed, at her beloved pet.

 

“A… Angel?” she muttered.

 

Something's wrong...

 

Even without her special talent with animals, Fluttershy could have told that much.  Angel Bunny's normally beady eyes were wide, his chest heaving in and out with rapid breaths.  He was waving his forepaws, frantically pointing back to the foliage he'd just hopped from.  The gestures and tiny noises he squeaked out were coming too fast, however.  Fluttershy could feel her head start to spin as she struggled to make sense of them.

"Miss Fluttershy..."

 

Big Mac's voice broke through her concentration, his voice sending a chill down her spine.  Cautiously, the yellow pegasus looked back over her shoulder.

 

The uneasy feeling in her stomach only intensified as she saw how wide Mac’s eyes were.  

 

"Glad yew found Angel," he said, his calm tone failing to hide the tremble in his voice as he beckoned to her with one hoof.  "Now just... come on back to me.  Nice and slow like, okay?"

 

Fluttershy just blinked.  Slowly, she turned her eyes back down to Angel.  His motions and voice were still frantic.  The message was coming through clearer however.  And Fluttershy could feel her body grow cold with each part that she understood.

 

Run!

 

It's coming!

 

DANGER!

 

RUN!  NOW!

 

And then a puff of warm air hit her right in the face.

 

Fluttershy's nose wrinkled as the foul scent of rotting wood washed over her senses.  Trembling, her gaze shot up to the source.  The tiniest, most terrified squeak imaginable escaped her throat as she found herself looking into a wooden muzzle filled with fang-like thorns.  All set into the face of a horrific, canine creature leering at her from just off the path.

 

"T-t-t..." she stammered as Angel clung tightly to her coat.

She wanted to run, but her legs refused to move.  Even as the beast before her let out a growl.  Fluttershy could only stand, paralyzed, as its burning yellow eyes narrowed on her.  The loosely gathered sticks that made up its body creaked threateningly as it crouched low.

 

"Timberwolf!" Fluttershy finally managed to squeak out.

 

With a vicious howl, the monster pounced.

 

At that same moment, something yanked hard on her tail.

 

WHAM

 

Fluttershy coughed, the wind knocked from her by her impact with the ground.  Her vision swam as she struggled to breathe.  She could just make out odd sounds in the distance.  Grunting and growling, coupled with the cracking of wood...

 

BAP

 

A desperate gasp forced its way down her throat as something soft and white bounced off her muzzle.  The world pulled itself back together, and Angel Bunny was hopping in place in front of her.  His fuzzy little fist reeled back, more than likely to bop the end of her nose again.  Fluttershy didn't wait for him to swing.  Her head snapped up, her mind managing to piece together what had just happened.

 

"Mister Macintosh!" she shouted, gasping in terror even as the words left her mouth.

 

Big Mac was still there.  Unfortunately, so was the timberwolf.  The wooden beast was snarling, one of its splintery paws swiping at the stallion as it circled the pair of ponies.  The hunger was radiating from its eyes as it glared past the red giant to Fluttershy and the bunny huddled by her fetlocks.

 

"Git ready..."

 

The pegasus blinked, barely managing to tear her eyes from the fearsome beast.  Big Mac was walking as well, carefully keeping pace with the timberwolf.  Each step was focused, keeping the stallion's mountainous frame between Fluttershy and the wolf.

 

His eyes, however, were locked solely on her.

 

"When I say so," Mac whispered, his rear hoof nudging her back a step.  "Run fer it."

 

"What!?"  Fluttershy squeaked out.  She almost regretted it as the timberwolf growled again, but couldn't stop her mouth from moving.  "B-but what about—"

 

AAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

 

She didn't have the chance to finish her question as a howl cut through the night.  The timberwolf pounced, claws and fangs bared.  With a furious cry of his own, Mac charged forward to meet the monster—

 

"Alright.  That's enough."

 

"Enough?!  Aw come on, Mac!—"

 


 

"—Ah'm not even at the best part yet!"

 

Big Mac could hardly hold back a groan as he rolled his eyes.

 

Normally he enjoyed mornings on Sweet Apple Acres.  The peace and calm as the sun slowly rose over the apple trees.  No sound but the chirping of birds flitting about their branches.  Absolutely nothing to keep a stallion from just closing his eyes and enjoying the scent of fresh apples, plowed earth, and the feeling of the sun slowly warming his coat.

 

“So like Ah was saying, the wolf started howlin’ up a storm—”

 

Mac let out a weary sigh as he realized it wasn’t going to be one of those mornings.

 

“AJ, please…” he muttered, his ears falling flat.

 

He already knew nothing would come from the pleading.  Despite his interruption, the orange earth mare walking next to him refused to drop her smile.

 

“What’s wrong?  Ah'm just tellin' yer buddy 'bout what happened last night," Applejack said, tilting her stetson back so she could cast her brother a quizzical look.  "Come to think of it, how come Ah’m the only one talkin’ ‘bout it?”

 

"Hey, yeah!"  Another voice chimed in from behind before Mac could even think of an answer.  "What's up with that, big guy?  You've barely said two words since I got here!"

 

Mac grit his teeth as he brought his hooves to a halt.  A tremor ran along his back, and the apple cart he was hitched to creaked in protest, threatening to spill its load of fresh-picked fruit at the sudden stop.  Both of which he ignored as he shot a look over his shoulder.

 

Thunk

 

Whatever glare Mac had been planning collapsed into a wince as the cart gave another shake.  One nowhere near as strong as what he'd just caused, but more than enough to make him realize just how suddenly he'd stopped.  Especially when paired with the pained yelp that came from behind the ancient conveyance.

 

Whoops...

 

One ear twitched as he heard Applejack stifle a laugh.  Mac didn't even bother glaring at her.  Not with his attention on the purple unicorn plodding from around the back of the cart, one hoof rubbing the now sore end of his muzzle.

 

"Ow..." he muttered, a spark of green magic fixing the fedora sitting on his head.

 

"Sorry," Mac said with a grimace.  "Yew alright, Spike?"

 

"Yeah," the unicorn answered as he gave his nose one final prod.  "Maybe give me a little warning next time though?"

 

A short chuckle fell from Spike’s mouth as Mac let out silent sigh of relief.  Partially from seeing the smaller stallion brush off the bump.  More so, he reluctantly realized, from the peace and quiet that was finally returning to the apple orchard as the bit of laughter died out.

 

"Well alright then!"  Mac's ears went flat again as his sister's voice shattered the silence.  "Now, just where was Ah with that story?"

 

"Oh yeah!  Uh..." Spike's brow furrowed, his horn sparking again as he looked over his shoulder.  "Hang on a sec!"

 

Big Mac bit down on his tongue as a quill and notepad floated from behind the cart.  Spike’s stumble seemed to have interrupted whatever spell he usually cast on them, but the pages of writing were still clearly visible.  Every word that any of the three of them had spoken since the unicorn’s arrival, magically recorded by the seemingly living writing instruments.  And Applejack’s eager smile had already returned as she trotted to Spike’s side, craning her neck to peer at the notes over his shoulder.

 

"Let me see," Spike said as his quill moved down the page.  "Ran into Fluttershy looking for her bunny, Mac said he'd help out, they headed into the forest..."

 

Tightening his jaw, Mac turned his gaze back down the path he'd been walking.  His eyes moved instinctively towards the end of the orchard.  A small, genuine grin came to his muzzle as he saw the farmhouse waiting up ahead, his gaze settling on one window in particular.  One with solid oak shutters and his comfy, hay-stuffed mattress waiting inside.  Ready and waiting to hide even the largest of ponies away from the rest of Equestria.

 

Mac took a deep breath as he glanced back over his shoulder.  Spike and Applejack were still huddled over the unicorn's notepad, pouring over the pages of conversation he'd already transcribed.  Neither of them were even looking his direction.

With the smallest grunt of effort and a tiny squeak from the apple cart's aged wheels, Mac started walking again.  The smile on his face only growing as he looked back ahead, watching as his goal drew closer and closer.

 

"Then they found Angel Bunny, the timberwolf showed up and Mac... Mac?"  The red stallion's smile quickly fell away as Spike's voice floated up from behind him.  "Hey Mac, wait up!"

 

For a moment, Mac wondered whether the old cart would survive him breaking into a gallop.  He didn't have the chance to try it before an orange hoof suddenly threw itself over his shoulders.

 

"Whoa there, big brother!" Applejack said with a chuckle, her leg forcing Mac's head down so he was eye-level with her.  "What's yer hurry?"

 

"Ain't hurryin'," Mac said, praying his sister wouldn't notice the way his eyes were darting away from hers.  "Ah… Ah just wanna finish mah chores, that's all."

 

Looking to his other side, the earth pony had to bite down on his tongue to keep from cursing.  Spike was already there, raising one eyebrow as he watched the larger stallion.  His writing implements were trailing behind him once more, looking rather like a pair of oversized fireflies thanks to the green aura surrounding them.

 

"What about the interview?" Spike asked, his enchanted quill already recording the words again.  "Come on, I still didn't hear about how you got away from the timberwolf!"

 

Mac glanced forward again.  The edge of the apple orchard was only a few yards away.  The farmhouse almost seemed to be mocking him with how close it was.

 

"Spike, Ah just..." Mac's voice trailed off, his brain grasping for some excuse to throw out.  "Ah'm just busy, that's all.  AJ can tell ya the rest—"

 

"But you've been avoiding my questions since I got here," Spike argued, his gaze softening a bit as he moved to walk a bit closer to the red giant.  "Is something wrong, Mac?"

 

"Nope!"

 

Mac flinched as Spike jumped back.  That and the feeling of Applejack’s hoof leaving his back told him he’d protested too quickly.  Before he could blink, the orange mare was standing right in his path and the apple cart was shuddering again as he stumbled to a halt.

 

"Now hold on thar.  Ah know that 'Nope'," Applejack said, digging her hooves stubbornly into the ground.  "Something's eatin' ya."

 

Now she notices...

 

The sarcastic thought quickly died under Applejack's probing glare.

 

“Come on, Mac,” Applejack prodded, taking a step closer and nudging his chest gently with her hoof.  “What’s the problem?”

 

Mac could feel his stomach knot slightly at the question.  Still, he drew in a slow deep breath.  Slowly, he turned his gaze to the side.

 

Spike still stood there, with quill still poised over his notepad waiting for the answer.

 

A moment of silence passed.  Followed by another.  Mac just bit down on his lip, watching as the confusion grew on the unicorn’s face as he glanced over his shoulder.  Mac’s voice felt caught in his throat, unwilling to say anything as he just waited for the purple stallion to realize exactly where he was looking.

 

"Wait... me?" Spike exclaimed, his eyes flying wide open with realization as he turned back around.

 

Reluctantly, Big Mac gave a single, short nod.

 

“I… but…” Spike sputtered before shaking his head, his hat nearly flying off in the process.  “What did I do?”

 

"Nothing… yet.  It’s just..."  Mac trailed off, his mouth drawing into a thin line.  He let out another sigh, one hoof rubbing against the side of his head as he forced the words out.  "Yer gonna write me up like Ah'm some kinda hero again, ain't ya Spike?"

 

"Wha-well I..."  Spike's brow furrowed, his hooves shuffling as he looked to his notepad before turning a hopeful smile back to Big Mac.  "Um... yes?"

 

The long-awaited groan finally slipped out.  Mac's tail drooped, his gaze falling to his ground thanks to the sudden headache he'd developed.  Even as his ears fell flat, though, he couldn't block out the sound of Spike's stammering voice.

 

"B-but I wanted to check on you too!"  The unicorn was talking very quickly, his hooves stumbling closer to the red giant.  "I heard what everypony in town was saying about you getting attacked and—"

 

"Alright, that's enough."

 

It was Applejack's voice that cut the other stallion off.  Mac grunted as one of his sister's hooves was suddenly under his chin, lifting his head and forcing him to look straight into her piercing, green eyes.

 

"Would you quit beatin' round the bush?" Applejack demanded as she released his face.  "So Spike wants to put you in his paper?  What's the big deal?"

 

Mac tried to turn away again, only to find his sister’s hooves on either side of his face stopping him.  Letting out a weary sigh, he gently pushed the orange-coated limbs away.

 

"The problem..." he grumbled, scuffing one hoof at the ground.  "Yew two remember that stampede from last week?"

"You bet I do!  When Daisy Jo and the other cows got spooked by that snake?" Spike answered with a grin, another notepad flying from his saddlebags.  "The way you and Applejack stopped that was awesome!  And all my readers went nuts over that article!"

 

"Ah know."  Mac bit off each word, his voice cutting out in a frustrated snort before he could stop it.

 

At the very least, Spike fell silent in response.  Even if it did send another guilty twist through Mac’s stomach.

 

“Shewt, Mac, what was wrong with that?”  Applejack asked with a chuckle.  “We had all sorts o’ ponies visitin’ just tryin’ to git a look at yew!”

That’s the problem,” Mac explained with a shake of his head.  “Ah didn’t even know half those ponies, and they were just mobbin’ me fer pictures and autographs—”

 

“Not to mention buyin' plenty o' apples to help out the 'local hero's' farm while they were at it!"

Mac's glare shot back to Applejack.  He could almost feel a hint of actual frustration at the angelic smile she was giving him.

 

"Heh, Ah'm just saying," she added with a shrug.

 

"Maybe that’s fine fer some ponies..." Mac grumbled, his mind already picturing just what sort of reaction he was about to receive.  "But Ah don't want ponies treatin’ me like some big hero.”

 

The orchard went quiet again.  Exactly as Mac had predicted, there was no enjoyment to take from the fact this time.  Not as long as he could feel the stares of the other two.

 

He didn’t bother trying to keep track of how long the silence lasted this time.  The soft crackle of discharging magic and thud of Spike’s notepads hitting the dirt were almost welcome if only for the fact that they confirmed for Mac that the other two had heard him.

 

Applejack’s light chuckling, however, was far less expected.  Mac clenched his jaw as he felt his cheeks starting to flush at the sound of it.

 

"Like… like a hero?" Spike finally said, shaking his head in disbelief.  "Didn't you save Fluttershy and her pet bunny from a vicious, pony-eating timberwolf?  How is that not heroic?!"

 

"Ah was just tryin' to be a good neighbor," Mac answered, trying very hard not to notice the bark of laughter that followed the statement.

 

"Mmmph-heh heh... Hooooo boy..." Applejack's voice chimed in, trying and failing to hide her giggles.  "Ah swear, Mac, they shoulda made yew the 'Element o' Humility' with that attitude..."

 

Mac's cheeks were practically glowing as he shot another glare at his sister.  Applejack didn't seem to notice.  Mostly thanks to the way her hat was pulled down over her face as she loudly cleared her throat from behind it.

 

"Come on now, big brother.  Spike wrote ‘bout both of us stoppin’ that stampede."  Applejack was still stifling chuckles, a smile stretching her face as she removed her stetson.  "It ain't his fault if the ponies that read it wanna focus on the guy that stopped Nightmare Moon, right?”

 

... She's got a point...

 

Even so, Big Mac let out a grunt in response as he tried to start walking again.  Applejack just snorted in response and shifted to the side, blocking his path anew.  Mac grunted, his eyes flicking from his sister to the farmhouse, searching for some way to get around the mare as he scraped one hoof along the ground...

 

"Geeze... I’m sorry, Mac."

 

He nearly stumbled upon hearing Spike's voice.  Looking back, Mac's glare softened as he saw the frown on the unicorn's face.  Only a dim glow shone from his horn, gently tucking his notepads and quill back into his saddlebags.

 

"I heard all the rumors going around town.  So, you know, I just had to come out and see if they were true before I..."  Spike let out a sigh as he adjusted his hat.  "I didn't know the stuff I wrote made you that uncomfortable."

 

"Now hold on thar," Applejack said, walking towards the other stallion.  "Yew ain't gotta 'pologize—"

 

"Actually, I kinda do if my articles were causing trouble," Spike interrupted, lifting his hoof to stop Applejack before looking back to Big Mac.  "Look, it’s fine.  I’ll just… find something else to write about instead.”

 

With that, the smaller stallion turned and started to walk away.

 

Mac stood still, teeth digging into his lip again.  For a moment, his gaze wandered down the now-clear trail to the farmhouse.  Inwardly, he could hear a small cheer rising up at Spike's words.

 

Letting out a final sigh, he quickly silenced the voice.  With a shrug of his mighty shoulders and a shake from the cart, he slid free from the harness and turned around.

 

"Hold on, Spike," he said, following the purple unicorn around the apple cart.  "It's fine, yew can write 'bout this—"

 

"Really?!"

 

Mac froze mid-step as he rounded the old cart.  Spike stood there, his notepad and quill already out again and an eager grin on his face.  The red giant did his best not to scowl as he reminded himself just how quick the unicorn was at pulling out his writing tools.

 

"Eeyup," Mac said as he slowly lowered his leg.  "Jus... please don’t make such a big deal out o' it this time?”

 

"Heh, no problem big guy!" Spike said, his smile widening as his quill moved back to the paper.

 

A moment passed.  Then another.  Mac tilted his head in confusion as Spike's smile quickly began to fade and the unicorn let out a small cough.

 

"Of course, I still need to hear the rest of what happened..." he said with a gentle wave of his hoof.

 

Oh.  Right.

 

"Heh, yew sure 'bout that?"  Mac didn't even have time to facehoof before Applejack sprang up next to him wearing a huge grin of her own.  "Might wanna strap yerself down to somethin' then, partner."

 

Mac just rolled his eyes as Applejack started the story again.  Picking up, he noticed, almost exactly where she’d left off.  The large stallion couldn’t help letting out a small chuckle as he noticed how wide Spike’s eyes were going.  Like a foal listening to an exciting bedtime story.  With a small smile on his face, Mac took a seat to watch.

 

Suppose this is fine...

 


 

“Forgive me Mayor Mare, but ‘fine’ isn’t the word I’d use to describe the situation.”

 

The beige earth mare let out a frustrated sigh in response.

 

The noise wasn’t something she was proud of.  With as long as she’d been in charge of Ponyville, patience was one of the major virtues Mayor Mare prided herself on.  A fact that she had to keep reminding herself of as she watched the brown stallion pacing in circles around her office.

“Time Turner, don’t you think you’re worrying about this a bit too much?” she asked, carefully pushing her glasses back up her nose.

 

Much to the gray-maned mare’s relief, her question had the desired effect.  The stallion’s hooves came to a halt, his blue eyes turning towards her.  Drawing in a slow, deep breath, Mayor Mare did her best to put on a small, reassuring smile.

 

“The timberwolves have been living in the Everfree Forest since long before Ponyville was founded,” she said, her voice calm and even.  “They’ve never crossed the borders of the forest before.”

 

"They've also never just attacked ponies that were just passing through," Time Turner pointed out with a shake of his head.  "I've been in there three times now and never so much as glimpsed one.  But now Fluttershy and Big Macintosh—"

 

“Are absolutely fine.”  Mayor Mare flinched, taking another deep breath as she tried not to think about how challenging keeping her voice at normal speaking level was.  Clearing her throat, she began to idly shuffle some of the papers sitting on her desk.  “I can understand your concern since your friend was involved, but I’m confident this is the last we’ll be hearing about the issue—”

 

Clink, clink, clink

 

The sound of something rapping on glass cut her off.  Looking up at her office window, the beige pony could barely hold back her sigh of relief.

 

“Well, I suppose we’re about to find out for certain,” she heard Time Turner comment.

 

Mayor Mare just nodded as she quickly trotted over to the window.  Taking a moment to brace herself, she pushed it open.

 

Then she leapt to the side as it swung out.

 

For a moment the older mare worried she’d hadn’t been quick enough.  She winced as her knees ached in protest from the sudden jump.  At the very least, however, she was clear of the open window before the multi-colored streak burst through it.  Even if she could feel the tips of its feathery wings almost clip the top of her ears as it turned a tight circle overhead.

 

“Boo ya!” cheered the blur as it finally came to a halt, collapsing into a light-blue pegasus mare hovering over the center of the room.  “Record time, just like I told you!”

Of course, we did have to send Rainbow Dash…

 

Mayor Mare frowned as she looked back to her desk and the paperwork that now lay scattered all around it.  A mess the pegasus mare overhead apparently didn’t notice given the midair celebratory dance she was performing.

 

“Wait a moment,” Time Turner said, casting a worried glance back to the window.  “Where’s Thunderlane?  Weren’t the two of you together?”

 

“Probably still trying to catch up,” Rainbow Dash explained with a flip of her colorful mane.  “I lapped that slowpoke’s flank twice while we were out patrolling!”

 

“I already said it wasn’t a race…” grumbled another voice.

 

Rainbow Dash just chuckled and stuck her tongue out in response as another pegasus flew in through the window.  This one, Mayor Mare noted with silent thanks, causing much less of a wind storm as he landed.  Not surprising seeing as the dark-gray stallion’s attention seemed more focused on glaring at the flying mare.

 

“All the same, we’re glad you’ve both finished so quickly,” Mayor Mare said, putting herself between the two pegasi before either could say anything more.  “I hope that means everything was alright around the forest?”

 

“Not even a branch out of place, Missus Mayor Ma’am!” Rainbow Dash answered, her tongue retreating in favor of snapping a salute.  “We even buzzed by Fluttershy’s house to check with her.”

 

“She hasn’t seen anything since last night.”  Thunderlane shrugged his wings as he looked to the only other stallion present.  “I think Mayor Mare’s right, TT.  Nothing, let alone a timberwolf, has come out of that forest.”

 

“I… see…” Time Turner said.

 

And that settles that.

 

Mayor Mare just gave herself a small nod as she started towards the door.  She did her best to ignore how much lighter her hooves suddenly felt.  As well as the sense of relief that seemed to be going through her body.  Almost as though it was finally accepting exactly what she’d been telling her scheduler since he’d started talking about timberwolves and the Everfree Forest...

 

“Well, thank you both very much for your time,” Mayor Mare said, pushing the thoughts from her mind as she opened the door.  “We can settle the overtime pay later this week, if that’s alright?”

 

“Fine by me,” Rainbow Dash said as she trotted out through the door.  “Hey, Thunderlane, how about a race back to the weather office to punch out?”

 

“I don’t really—” the pegasus stallion started to answer.

 

Dash didn’t seem to be listening as she crouched low to the ground.  “Three-two-one-go!”

With a loud BANG of displaced air the rainbow-haired mare was gone.  Thunderlane just let out a frustrated sigh as he trotted out after her, and the door swung shut behind him with a soft click.

 

“Well… this is somewhat embarrassing...”

 

The voice of her aide brought Mayor Mare’s attention back to the desk.  Time Turner was shuffling around the furniture, quietly gathering up the scattered papers.  The mayor could feel her eyebrow starting to arch, however, as she noticed the way his cheeks were starting to darken.

“I’m truly sorry about the fuss ma’am.  I just thought that…” Time Turner sighed as he set the papers back on the desk before turning around with a grimace on his face.  “Ponyville has seen quite a bit of excitement since the Summer Sun Celebration.  This whole timberwolf attack just sounded… well it sounded like—”

 

“A sign of worse things coming?” Mayor Mare guessed.

 

Time Turner’s frown deepened as he nodded his head.  “I’m rather hoping you’ll pardon my, er… paranoia?”

 

Surprising even herself, the greying mare let out a soft chuckle.

 

One hoof instinctively lifted to cover the smirk on her muzzle and stifle the laugh.  Far too late to avoid the confused eyebrow Time Turner was raising.  With a small shrug to herself, Mayor Mare let the mild laughter continue as she trotted over to the younger earth pony’s side.

“I think for the best aide I’ve ever had and a town hero, a little concern for Ponyville’s safety can be forgiven,” she said, one hoof straightening out the stallion’s tie before she patted him on the shoulder.  “This one time, at least.”

 

Much to her pleasure, a small smile finally appeared on Time Turner’s muzzle as well.  Letting out one final chuckle and humming a soft tune, Mayor Mare trotted around to the other side of her desk once more and began sorting through the freshly gathered papers.

 

“No more time to dilly-dally then!” she said, her grin growing as Time Turner snapped a quick salute.  “What’s next on the agenda?”

 

As her assistant set himself to checking the schedule, Mayor Mare glanced out the still-open window.  A soft breeze was blowing in, carrying in the sound of birds chirping and foals playing in the streets.  All as the sun shone bright in the blue sky overhead.

 

Just another perfect day in Ponyville.

 


 

"Ow..."

 

Big Mac winced as he plodded out of the barn.  A worried frown crossed his face as he looked down at his leg.  Somehow, despite the morning’s chores, the length of bandages wrapped around it was still there.  Uttering a silent prayer of thanks to Celestia that Spike either hadn’t noticed the covering or hadn’t thought to ask about it, Mac carefully lowered the limb and leaned on it.

 

He inhaled sharply through his teeth as an ache raced up his leg, stopping just below the knee.  Much more pronounced and far less easy to ignore than the the dull throbbing that had plagued the area since that morning.  Hobbling the few steps back into the barn, Mac propped the offending forelimb onto a nearby hay-bale.  With a quick tug of his teeth, the bandage came loose and fell away.

 

"Hmmm..." he muttered.

 

It don’t look bad...

 

Mac tilted his head as he peered closer at his leg.  Despite the discomfort it looked exactly the same as it usually did.  No sign of bleeding, no redness (at least none that didn’t belong to his coat), not even a trace of swelling as he carefully brushed aside the shaggy fur of his fetlocks.

 

Nothing but a barely visible set of tooth marks showing exactly where the timberwolf’s muzzle had clamped down the night before.

 

Next Chapter: Chapter 2 Estimated time remaining: 44 Minutes
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