//------------------------------// // Taste the Rainbow // Story: Business is Good // by Flint Easthoof //------------------------------// He refused to move. This was the best thing that ever happened to him, and if he was to have it his way, it would stay like this forever. Ascended Wings relished in the ecstasy of the moment, the tingling sensation on his lips and the faint taste or blueberries was almost too much for him. Lost in the moment and completely oblivious to everything around him, Ascended didn't realize that the mare in front of him was beginning to look more worried by the second. “I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me, I-” Ditzy Doo was cut short as she noticed the once perplexed expression on Ascended's muzzle change to that of a giddy colt. “Ascended Wings!” She half shouted, snapping him back to reality. “Huh?” “Nevermind, let's just get going.” Ditzy pushed forward motioning for Ascended to pick up the pace. Following closely behind, Ascended retreated to his thoughts to contemplate matters of a different level. He knew that somepony in Ponyville had to know about Flint aside from Ditzy, somepony that could get him evidence to subdue the rural ruffian. The question was, who? Who would be willing to walk into the lions den and emerge with a claw? It was then that the thought struck him, the one pony he cared about and trusted more than any other. But would she be willing to turn on an old friend? “Ditzy?” “Yes?” “Since I have no accommodations for the evening I'll be leaving tonight, I will be back within a week though.” “But I just met you.” she moped “what if I can't see you again?” “I know where you work, I'm certain I can find you when I get back.” “Oh...” sighing she trudged forward, she was obviously downtrodden which came across as odd to Ascended. “Is there something wrong?” “No. It's nothing.” If she wasn't a bad liar she sure wasn't a convincing actor. “Hold up. Tell me whats wrong.” Ascended trotted up to Ditzy and placed a hoof beneath her chin lifting her head. He took note of the few tears that had made their way down her cheek, although he didn't know what caused them, as a stallion, it was his job to help cheer her up and clear them away. She didn't want to tell him, but there was a part of her that felt he needed to know. Whether it effected the relationship they've built or not, she knew she would have to inform him eventually. Composng herself and taking a deep breath, Ditzy steeled herself for any reaction she might receive. “Ascended, I...” ~ “No dammit, just because she won some competition out in Stalliongrad, doesn't mean she's team material!” A rather plump unicorn pony dressed rather too formally, sat in his office taking a verbal assault relatively easy. “Don't give me that look, you know damn well it takes more than a couple of cool tricks to land a spot on Bravo Squad, let alone Alpha!” “Are you quite done Soarin? We need this pony on the team, she'll be a great addition and you know it.” “Doesn't mean I have to like it.” “Actually it does, or you're fired.” “If he's fired, I quit.” Spitfire had taken to standing off in the far side of the room quietly examining pictures and assorted Wonderbolts paraphernalia. “I can't work without Soarin and this team can't survive without the two of us, so there's your ultimatum. Take it or leave it.” “N-no need to be rash Spitfire, I believe we can work out some sort of deal to allow this new pegasus on the team right?” “Afraid not” Soarin interjected “This team relies on compatibility, not ability. We can't have just one fancy flying filly outshining the whole team. We are a team for a reason, we're in sync. This isn't a one trick pony kinda show, and until you realize that I'm not sure we want you around.” With a quick turn, Soarin headed for the door “Contact us when you pull your head out of your ass.” Outside the office, Soarin waited for Spitfire, he had some things to speak about with her as well but it would have to wait until they could speak in private. It wasn't the most important of matters, but due to the ponies it involved, she needed to know and she needed to be prepared to make decisions. He could hear the muffled voice of Spitfire talking to their manager, what she was saying her didn't know, it didn't really matter in the end as every decision that would affect the team came down to them and nopony else. “Way to stick it to him Soarin. He was in shock when you left.” Spitfire appeared next to Soarin , she continued walking down the hallway with Soarin quick to follow. “I need to talk to you about something Spits.” “Shoot.” “You remember Ascended Wings from Flight School yeah?” “Of course I do, he was one of my best friends.” Spitfire stopped and turned to look at Soarin. “What's going on?” “He went to Ponyville the other day.” “So? What's wrong with that?” “He's looking for Flint.” Soarin deadpanned “You and I both know how that's going to turn out.” “Yeah.” Spitfire sighed heavily. “Flint might just kill him. What ever happened between the two of them? I figured they would have grown up and patched things up like real stallions.” “I think it's mainly due to Flints upbringing, his step father wasn't the most, caring, of stallions.” He shook his head and continued down the corridor. “If he asks you to come to Ponyville for whatever reason, I think you should, there's a chance you might be able to get them to make amends.” Spitfire thought for a moment, it was true that she had a way of calming the two of them down long enough to talk things over, at least she used to. But with her being out of the picture for so long there was a good chance her leverage was no longer there. “I really hope I can get them to work it over.” “Me too Spits, me too.” ~ Two shot glasses, a flask of hard cider and a pack of Mareboro cigarettes sat on the table in front of Flint, they were mocking him, teasing him. They almost spoke to him, if the could, they would be saying things like 'smoke me!' and 'come on, take a sip, let the mare have a couple too.' Eventually his habits got the better of him as he stewed upon the request that had been thrust upon him. He poured a shot and threw it back just as fast as it had filled the glass and to top it off he lit a cigeratte and inhaled deeply. “So you want me to stop my operation and start working on the farm is that it?” Flint exhaled a plume of toxic smoke and eyed Applejack suspiciously, hoping that her suggestion was just a joke and not a legitimate suggestion. “Well yeah, Ah figure you'll do good out there with us. We can work together and build our relationship the good n' proper way. That and you're less likely to get into trouble buckin' apples.” “You have got to be kidding me, this is my life, this is what I'm good at. How about this, I work the farm and do this at the same time. It's more money and we both get what we want.” “Ah don't much like the sound of that Flint, what if ya'll get busted? Ah don't think it would make a very good impression on a youngin if'n his daddy's locked up.” With no argument in hand Flint sat pondering the request for a while. He knew that on one hand life wold be harder living on the farm, there'd be less money coming in and if it couldn't get more complicated he had a foal on the way. On the other hand, this is what he was used to, he'd grown accustomed to living a life of paranoia and criminal behavior. Despite his lifestyle he'd always tried to stay kind, honest and loyal no matter how hard it was. “Ah tell ya what, you can keep makin' your hard cider, just gotta do it the legal way. By getting' a license, payin' the taxes and selling it under the Apple family name.” There it was, the 'golden ticket' of sorts, the one idea that guaranteed a sway of opinion. “Well hell, if I can keep up my cider business without gettin' busted then lets do it.” Flint grinned wide. Something inside of him had changed for the better, he was going to be a father, a better one than his own even if it killed him. Another thought crept into his mind at the moment. “Is it a colt or a filly?” “Don't rightly know, Ah figure Twi could figure that out though.” “Got names picked out?” “No... Ah just found out today.” AJ looked away sheepishly, “But it's a pegasus.” “Well slap my flank an call me a filly, that's great!” “Ya reckon we should start workin' on names then?” “I think we can save that for later.” Flint sighed contendtedly and whispered to himself “A pegasus foal...” “Let's go see if Rainbow hasn't givin' Mac a stroke.” Applejack got up and motioned for Flint to follow. He made it to the door and opened it. The second it was open and he peered outside he was greeted with an odd but somehow appropriate sight. There on the ground before him lay Big Macintosh, above him a rainbow pegasus pony wings spread to their fullest extent. “Can ya taste the Rainbow Mac?” ~ 'Come on Rainbow, just do it. You're a hot mare, and he only wants you!' 'Don't act on emotion, if she wants to do anything she'll do it.' 'No, he'll come around when he's ready.' 'Dangit Mac, you've never had a good mare in your life, and if you don't act on your love life now, when will you?' 'Just do it Rainbow!' 'Kiss her Mac!' In a moment of lust and passion two hearts connected and two heads met with a resounding thump. “OW! Dang Mac, you've got one hard head!” “Ah'm sorry miss Dash, Ah don't know what got into me.” “Shut up and kiss me you big lug.” No more needed to be said as Big Macintosh leaned in for the first kiss of his life. A quick peck on the lips and nothing more. It wasn't enough for Rainbow, she tried to push Big Mac over, multiple times. Eventually he gave in and found himself pinned to the dirt with a hot and bothered mare above him grinning mischievously. Letting passion take control once more, Rainbow leaned downward pressing her lips to those of her big red source of affection. Not a second later did the door to the shed behind them open. Big Macintosh broke the kiss and looked to the doorway to find Flint on the verge of laughter. “Can ya taste the Rainbow Mac?”