Chapter 13

Ponyville, Equestria

Big Mac began his trek to Twilight’s tree house feeling a mixture of dread, excitement and a fluttery butterfly feeling he couldn’t quite put his hoof on. Maybe it was just because he was nervous, it wasn’t as if this was his first time seeing Twilight Sparkle after all but it certainly was the first time he intended speak with her beyond the “friendship” level. Mac was often times a soft-spoken stallion, preferring to give ponies a simple one word answer. He firmly believed that if answering a question didn’t require a complicated response, then a simple “Eeyup” or “Mnope” was all that was needed, after all talking too much wasted energy. In Big Mac’s mind wasting energy was just plain stupid, unless of course you were Pinkie Pie who just happened to have a seemingly limitless source of energy. Being such a big stallion, Mac could cover more ground with his massive gait than most ponies so it took him less time to get from place to place. Before he knew it, he was already at Twilight’s house.

“Alright Mac ya got this. It’s just Twilight…I’m sure she wouldn’t mind yer company right? Just knock on the door. Aww horse apples what if mah breath stinks? Dang it now ah think mah mouth is all dry. Why the hay am ah shakin’ like a leaf? WHAT IF SHE’S STIL MAD ABOUT THE DOLL???”

Twilight had just finished her shower and started reading a new philosophy book that had arrived a few days prior. She was familiar with many of the pony philosophers from the ancient Greek ponies all the way up to modern era. The particular book she was reading had been written by a Prench author by the name of Neighchelle de Montaigne, titled Essays on Thought and Philosophy. It was a rather mundane title to be sure, but if Twilight was certain about anything it was that you never judged a book by its title. The book was quite thick so maybe this Montaigne guy had a lot to say, hopefully not all of it was just hot air or entire discourses on “Oooh look it’s a butterfly…I wonder if butterflies have souls?” As she was just about to finish the third page, she heard a slight knock at the door. Normally Spike would be the one to open the door but he was gone for the week at some Neighponese Animare convention. Spike had always liked Animare and Manega probably because he envisioned himself as one of the ridiculous characters. He would always go on about transforming into “Super Stallion Three” probably so he could beat up the bad guys and save Rarity. She allowed herself a sigh, dragons will be dragons. Twilight opened the door to find one of the last ponies she expected to see at a library.

“Oh good morning Big Macintosh what brings you to the library?”

“Uhhh well howdy there Twilight. Fine weather we’re havin’. What the hay Mac is that all ya can talk about is the weather?”

“Yeah it seems like Princess Celestia really outdid herself today. Not a cloud in the sky.”

“Ah know this might sound a bit outta the blue, but I’ve been meanin’ ta give somethin’ back to ya.”

“Hmm really? I don’t recall you ever borrowing any books.”

“Nah ah don’t mean a book Twilight. Ah was referrin’ to yer doll. I’ve been meanin’ ta give it back to ya fer some time now, but I’ve just been so busy. Ah even went and patched it up fer ya.”

Twilight let out an audible squee. “Oohhhh my gosh Ms. Smartypants I thought I lost you!!!!”

Without thinking Twilight glomped Big Mac. It was a good thing that Mac’s coat was red because he blushed fiercely. “Errhemm…well…uhhh…yer welcome Twilight. Ah reckon that was mighty important to ya huh?”

Twilight realizing that she just shamelessly glomped Big Mac, quickly began to turn red herself. “Grrrr stupid Twi, stupid…STUPID STUPID!!! Big Mac was just trying to be nice to you and you just had to go do something completely dorky. Not to mention he’s one of the hottest stallions in town. Oh he had such big muscles…NO NO NO! Twi get your mind out of the gutter. “Hehe sorry Big Macintosh I was just glad to have Ms. Smartypants back. Tell you what, how about I brew some tea and get out the scones? It’s the least I can do for you, so come on inside.”

Big Mac found a pillow and planted himself in the middle of the room while Twilight fetched the tea and scones. “Holy horse apples! Ah never expected to get pounced on just fer repairin’ a little old doll. Ah gotta admit though it felt kinda nice. She also smelled mighty good…hmm almost like lavender.” With a distinct lack of anything better to do until Twilight returned, Mac looked around at all the wonderful books lining the walls. One book in particular caught his eye; it was sitting on a coffee table next to a lounge chair. He could tell right away what book it was, having read it himself. Mac had no idea that Twilight was reading Montaigne it was almost as if destiny was giving him a nod and a wink. Just as Mac was staring at the book, Twilight returned with a silver tray filled with assorted scones and a silver carafe full of green tea.

“I see you found my newest book Big Macintosh. It just arrived yesterday. I haven’t really read much of it yet but it seems like a decent book, hopefully that Prench guy will have some interesting things to say.”

“Well ya don’t say Twilight. Ah just happen to have read that book mahself not but a week ago. A mighty fine book ah must say, although Montaigne tends to ramble on a bit at certain parts. Ah guess that comes with bein’ part of the landed aristocracy.”

Twilight’s mouth looked like it was going to drop to the floor. Several seconds of awkward silence followed as she tried to regain her wits. “Wait. A. Minute. Big Macintosh, you mean to tell me that you read…philosophy?”

Big Mac let out a slightly annoyed sigh. He was used to ponies underestimating his intellect, but it still got on his nerves. “Ah reckon ah do. Spendin’ yer whole life farming can get a might boring, besides ah have a lot of time on mah hooves to think when I’m workin’. Ah read other books too like histories and occasionally botany. The botany books sure do help with the crop productions but philosophy is mah favorite. Oh and by the way Twilight ya can just call me Mac, cause Big Macintosh can be quite a mouthful.”

Twilight was dumbfounded. She had never expected such a blossoming intellect to be hidden behind such an austere farm stallion. He was brains and brawn all in one sexy red package. She blushed realizing that she had put poor Mac on the bottom of her “Eligible Bachelor” list. There was also a shred of anger in her blush with the knowledge that she had broken one of her cardinal rules. Twilight had judged a book by its cover.

“I’m sorry Mac I didn’t mean to be rude…I just didn’t expect you to be into reading so much. Most ponies only occasionally read or they just obsessively read a certain action adventure series involving an archeological pegasus mare. I must say I am pleasantly surprised.”

“Mah pa always said that anypony is capable of learnin’ no matter his age or station in life.”

“Your father seemed like a very learned stallion. I’m just lucky that my father was always supportive of my education, that’s why I was able to attend the School for Gifted Unicorns.”

“It probably helps that yer family lives in Canterlot and has got some high connections. Oh and I’m also forgettin’ that yer the personal protégé of the Princess. Helps ta get the bits rollin’ fer all the books and such am ah right?”

Twilight giggled. “Well yeah that certainly helps but I never really considered myself to be that important. I mean I realize that my parents are fairly wealthy and my brother is the captain of the guard but I just want ponies to recognize me for being Twilight not some rich aristocrat’s daughter. I’m just plain old Twilight Sparkle.”

“Now wait just an apple buckin’ minute yer anything but plain Twilight. Ah can’t say that ah enjoy it when ponies let their ego get the best of em’ like yer friend Rainbow Dash, but ah hate it even worse when they put themselves down. Ya got plenty of talent, yer the element of Magic fer Celestia’s sake. You’ve saved Equestria on several occasions and yer probably the smartest pony since Starswirl the Bearded. If nopony else is gonna say it then ah will: Yer one special, amazin’ mare Twilight. I’d be lucky if ah was even half the pony you are. Dang it that sounded an awful lot like a confession…ah sure how she doesn’t get too upset.”

Twilight sniffed and using her hoof to wipe away a few stray tears. She grabbed Big Mac’s hoof with both of her hooves and looked at him straight in the eyes with a warm smile spreading across her lips. Maybe it was a bit too forward to be having so much physical contact with Big Mac despite barely knowing him, but Twilight was never a pony to do things half-flanked. Besides she couldn’t help the fluttering sensation in her heart. In truth it was a feeling she had never felt before but knew what it was, having read it in so many books.

Big Mac was taken aback by Twilight’s lack of inhibition concerning physical contact. Mac himself was not a pony who minded it in the least because his family was always the type to unabashedly give out bear hugs or kisses regardless of who was watching. He had always figured Twilight to more of the skittish type but maybe he was just jumping to conclusions. “Aww great ah made her cry…but wait she’s smiling so maybe she’s happy? Ah I guess it wouldn’t hurt ta ask.”

“Twilight are ya alright? Ah didn’t mean ta upset ya…not that ah mind ya holdin’ mah hooves or nothin’.”

Twilight shook her head. “It’s ok Mac I’m not upset, I’m just happy that you care so much. You might have…umm…just possibly have made my heart melt like a puddle of butter. Rarity might like her knights in shining armor but sometimes even simple farm stallions can sweep you off your hooves.”

Big Mac shuffled one of his hooves on the floor taking a moment to think of what to say. “Ah didn’t realize ah had such a way with words and…wait a second. Did ya just say that ah made yer heart melt like butter?”

“Well yeah it almost sounded like a confession to me, not that I read any of those trashy romance novels Rarity is into. I mean I wouldn’t mind if…”

Twilights ramblings were interrupted by Big Mac’s laughter. “Ah didn’t think this would turn out this way. I’ll be honest with ya Twilight. Ah came over here because ah was interested in askin’ ya out and ah was of the opinion that ya wouldn’t be interested in me.”

Twilight started laughing again and gave Big Mac a peck on the cheek. “Mac I’m glad you like me because the funny thing is I started making a checklist of all the available stallions in Ponyville. When Iron Cross and I were coming back from Canterlot we had a talk about my…uhh non-existent love life. I guess everypony figured that I was only interested in books but you know what’s better than books? A stallion that likes books as much as I do. I just never expected you to even think of me in that light…I mean you’re Big Mac! Almost every mare in Ponyville would drool at the chance to be with you. You could have any mare you wanted but you chose me. Why?”

“Ah reckon ah could have any mare as you said but you ain’t just any mare. Ah like ya cause yer pretty and ya got a good head on yer shoulders. Ah want a mare ah can talk ta and read with and who can appreciate who ah am rather than just what ah am.”

Twilight gave Big Mac a light embrace. “I’m sorry Mac I…I may have judged you at least at first I did. I thought there was nothing more to you than just a simple farm stallion but you proved me wrong and I’m glad that you did. You know I’d like to make it up to you. How would you like it if I was your date to the Hearts and Hooves Gala”

“Really? Are ya serious? You’d want to take somepony like me to the Gala?”

Twilight pat Big Mac on the shoulder. “Of course I would, in fact nothing would please me more. So what do you say?”

“Twilight ah imagine you’ve just found yerself a date!”

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CMC Clubhouse, Sweet Apple Acres

It was a sunny morning, not a cloud in the sky. The perfect day for crusading, but as Applebloom made her way to the clubhouse she couldn’t help but shake off a feeling that a lot things, possible life alerting things, were going to happen today. Call it Apple family intuition, it was something that every Apple had. It was kind of like the Pinkie sense but less intense, just a gut feeling if you will. Rarely was it ever wrong and sometimes Applebloom wished it was. Applebloom put on her best smile and trotted into the clubhouse.

“Hiya girls what are we gonna do…WHAT IN THE HAY ARE Y’ALL DOIN’?”

The scene that greeted Applebloom was not something she was prepared to see. Despite being mature for her admittedly tender age she knew about the birds and the bees but that knowledge did little to harden her to what she was witnessing. There right in front of her sat Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo disengaging from an extremely sloppy Prench kiss. It was enough to fry Applebloom’s brain, and no she did not want to try her hoof at getting a fillyfooling cutie mark. She hoped that this was all just some joke or a silly misunderstanding, but it sure didn’t look like it.

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo looked at Applebloom with nervous grins accompanied with deep blushes that would put tomatoes to shame. Sweetie Belle was the first to speak. “Umm…so…yeah, Scootaloo and I have something important to tell you.”

Applebloom glared at her best friends with a look that could cut diamonds. “Oh well I’m sure whatever y’all got ta say is important enough ta stop swappin’ spit. Don’t mind me I’m just here ta do some crusadin’. Ah just sure hope this ain’t some stupid gimmick ta try out fer a fillyfoolin’ cutie mark, cause ah ain’t havin’ no part in it.”

Sweetie Belle looked like she was on the verge of tears when Scootaloo gently brushed her mane and stood in front of her. “Look Applebloom I know I’m not usually the one for mushy stuff but this is kinda different. Sweetie and I have been meaning to tell you about this but…we weren’t sure how you would handle it. Before you ask, no it’s not a gimmick, and no we aren’t trying to get fillyfooler cutiemarks. It’s sort of a long story you see…”

Applejack crossed her hooves still glaring. “Well seein’ how it’s still mornin’ ah got all day long.”

Scootaloo sighed and began again. “Alright then just remember that you asked for it. Do you remember that day about four months ago when you had to stay at the farm and help Applejack with some chores?”

“Yeah ah remember that just fine, and woo wee was it nasty ta clean out the pig pen. Ah also recall that y’all decided to come to the club house that day too.”

“Mhmm that’s right. Let’s just say that Sweetie and I got bored so we decided to go to Rarity’s house to find stuff to do before we came to the clubhouse. We ended up finding Rarity’s stash of magazines and she had the usual stuff. You know like some fashion catalogues, home decorating and Playmare that sorta stuff. We happened to find a Vanity Hoof magazine buried under all of em and decided to give it a look. There…was an article about how to kiss a colt and we…sorta tried it out and…liked it.”

“So lemme get this straight. Y’all decided to try Prench kissin’ because it was inside a magazine and liked it? Ah ain’t an expert in romance but the way you two were kissin’ not but a minute ago sure looked a lot further than just simple likin’.”

Sweetie Belle finally decided to speak up. “I know this is gonna sound weird but the kiss just felt so right Applebloom. Scooty, you and I have been best friends for a long time Applebloom. We were just hoping that you would understand. At first we didn’t understand what it was that we were feeling but I now know that it’s…love. Believe me Applebloom this came as a surprise to me too. I had to talk about it with my sister who just now started dating Fluttershy, so at least she knew what I was going through.”

Scootaloo gave Sweetie Belle a tight embrace. “I…may not be good at all this mushy stuff but I can say with one hundred percent certainty that I love Sweetie too.”

“Alright ah believe ya Scoots. It’s just gonna take me a while before ah get used to this…arrangement. Anyway why don’t we try and do some crusadin’ after all day light’s a wastin’.”

Sweetie Belle started jumping up and down. “Oh oh oh I know what we can do! Why don’t we try our luck at spelunking in the Everfree Forest? There’s bound to be some caves there!”

“That sounds totally awesome Sweetie!! Count me in.”

“Sounds alright ta me Sweetie but we better wear some helmets or mah sister will kill us.”

“CUTIE MARK SPELUNKERS!!! YAY!!!”

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Everfree Forest, Equestria

Frostmere was busy trying to wash his coat in a small pond when he heard the telltale noises of squeaky, excited fillies. Despite their annoying tone, he stroked his chin in thought realizing that it was unusual for any ponies to be this far out in the Everfree Forest. He then remembered the trick Chrysalis had employed to lure him into a trap. “Hmm this may present me with a unique opportunity to blend into the community. They are young, impressionable fillies it should not be difficult to gain their trust and friendship. I believe it is now time to put some of that changeling magic to good use.”

“Seems all I have to do is change myself into a colt. I think a unicorn colt should be appropriate, probably shouldn’t have a cutie mark either that would be too complex to simply make one.”

Frostmere’s horn glowed as his entire body was engulfed in blue flames. He stared at his reflection in the pond. He had been transformed into a dark green unicorn colt, roughly about the age of the three fillies he saw. His mane and tail were a combination stripe pattern of white and navy blue. Frostmere grinned at his reflection, pleased at the transformation. He had no idea how useful changeling magic was, of course he had never been a changeling prior to sucking the life out of Chrysalis but that was beside the point. There was only one small detail he had left to attend. He would have to make up some kind of back story as to why he was in the Everfree Forest.

Frostmere levitated some mud and mixed it into his mane and tail to make himself seem disheveled. He then ripped a tree branch in half and scrapped it against his left leg to make some cuts, giving the impression that he was injured. It was painful, but the more realistic he made his cover story the easier it would be to gain the fillies’ trust. Frostmere noticed that they were heading towards a rather large cave, gods knows for what reason but he realized the best story he could formulate was that he too wanted to explore the cave and had fallen, becoming injured. Frostmere chuckled while teleporting himself into the cave. “Oh yes, this plan will be just perfect.”

Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Applebloom crept their way into the depths of the cave. They were all wearing orange helmets and saddlebags to carry all their climbing equipment. The cave itself was deathly quiet, the only sounds were the occasional drips of water and the fillies’ hoof steps. The CMC had gotten far enough into the cave that there was no longer any natural light from the surface and Sweetie Belle had to resort to using her horn as a source of light in order to guide the way.

Scootaloo and Applebloom huddled close behind Sweetie Belle as they kept trotting along. Scootaloo spoke in a hushed tone, almost a whisper. “Umm I d-don’t mean to sound like a-a chicken but this is getting kinda scary.”

Sweetie Belle yelled in response, her voice cracking. “OH COME ON! Just a little scary you say!!?? IT’S DARK AND WET AND SCARY and…I…just want TO GO HOME!!!!”

“Now girls ah don’t think we should get ourselves all riled up, after all it’s only a cave.”

Sweetie Belle continued to shake on the verge of tears. “Applebloom I’m not like Scooty who won’t admit to being scared. I-I’m commm-pp-letely terrified. I hate the dark. Do you know that I can’t even sleep in the dark…I haven’t since I was a foal. I have to sleep with a night light. P-please j-just…can we please just go? I don’t care if we don’t get our cutie marks today.”

Scootaloo embraced Sweetie Belle from behind while stroking her mane. “Shhh it’s alright Sweetie, I’m with ya on this one. Applebloom let’s call it quits for the day, even I think this is starting to get creepy.”

“Alright ah guess we should get…wait did y’all hear that?”

Sweetie Belle stopped shaking and looked at Applebloom. “Yeah it almost sounded like somepony crying for help.”

“Hello is anypony down here? Mah name is Applebloom and me and mah friends are just doing a little explorin’ down here. If ya can hear me we can come git ya.”

The crusaders heard a strained voice answer them back. “Hello? Oh thank Celestia I thought I was going to be stuck down here, I’m so glad somepony decided to go exploring! I-I am afraid that while I was exploring I fell so I think I hurt my leg.”

“Ok just stay where ya are mister. I’m gonna come down there and hoist ya up with mah ropes. We’ll get ya outta here soon ah promise.”

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle slowly lowered Applebloom down to the injured colt. His coat was caked in dried mud; his eyes were bloodshot and had dark circles under them. The colt also appeared to have sustained some cuts on his left leg. Applebloom couldn’t figure out why this brash colt decided to go cave exploring all by himself, of course this particular line of thought was entirely hypocritical coming from a group of fillies who decided to do the same thing. Applebloom pushed such thoughts to the back of her mind, realizing that the colt just needed her compassion. Perhaps this would be an opportunity to add another member to the CMC.

The three fillies gave beaming smiles to the injured colt as Sweetie Belle tended to his injuries. “Hi my name is Sweetie Belle; just hold still while put these bandages on your legs. Scooty I’m glad you packed a first aid kit.”

Scootaloo blushed slightly. “Oh well it’s not really a big deal. I thought it would be a good idea. I always find myself getting cuts and bruises from riding my scooter.”

The injured colt nodded his thanks. “I’m glad your friends are so well prepared. My name is Emerald Gleam by the way. I was actually exploring this cave hoping to find some rare mineral deposits but no such luck. For all I know there still might be some down here but I can’t possibly hope to look for them in this condition.”

“Ah got an idea Emerald. Why don’t ya come back to the clubhouse with us? I’m sure mah sister wouldn’t mind us brining ya over, ya know considerin’ yer condition. Not ta be rude but ah couldn’t help but notice ya don’t have a cutie mark.”

Emerald gave Applebloom a roguish grin. “Yes…I have yet to earn mine but I’m not worried about it.”

“Oh well that’s fine, because we’re called the Cutie Mark Crusaders and we’re tryin’ ta earn our cutie marks too. Mah name is Applebloom and the pegasus over there is Scootaloo and ya already met Sweetie Belle. How would ya like ta join the CMC?”

“Why Applebloom it would be my pleasure to join.”

All three fillies jumped up and down excitedly, rubbing the mane of their newly inducted member. Frostmere smiled, reveling in how easy it had been to befriend them. He would join this club of theirs and when everypony was content that he posed no threat, he would strike. If the past seven hundred years had taught him anything, it was that subtly and patience were his greatest allies.