The group makes it out of the forest, and gives a sigh of relief. The eyes that have been staring at them had disappeared.
"I'm glad you were able to find AppleBloom" Fluttershy smiles.
"I'm glad too. It's all thanks to Charky with his quick thinkin'. Er... sorry about hittin' you" Applejack says blushingly. Charcoal gently rubs his hoof against the mark she left on his face. Big Mac looks at him and nods
"Maybe AppleBloom was right about you. Thanks for savin' mah sister."
"You were the one that got her out of that log" Charcoal said with a monotonic voice. Sure, he was flattered, but the pain still lingered on his face and he felt a bit disoriented.
Big Mac went on ahead towards the farm and Fluttershy went back home. Applejack walked Charcoal back to his house. She wasn't sure if he would collapse before he could even get back to Ponyville.
"Thanks again for savin' my sister Charky" she said with a mildly sweet tone.
"No problem" he said "I wonder where I left my ice pack though...” he trailed off. Applejack giggled and kissed him on the cheek. Aside from the pain, he felt happy, and flustered.
"I really like you Charky" she said "It's funny really. I've never fallen for any stallion this much before" Applejack began to fluster.
Charcoal couldn't help but smirk. "I already know" he said, chuckling.
Applejack's face turned red and her ears perked "H-how did you know?”
"Your sister told me. Apparently she saw the signs more clearly than I did."
Applejack stomped a hoof down and felt a bit bashful. "Oh horse apples! When I get my hoof on that sis of mine...” she grunted. Charcoal smiled and leaned in closer for a kiss. Her eyes widened in surprise and her face turned redder than an apple could ever go. He calmly pulled back and gave a sheepish smile
"I really like you too Applejay."
She was downright confused, and noticed the sudden nickname. "A-applejay...?" she said in surprise. Charcoal gave the same face she gave him when he said the same thing about his nickname.
"You... don't like the nickname?" he said jokingly.
Applejack chuckled and nuzzled up to him "I love it".
The next day Charcoal had returned to the farm. He saw AppleBloom with a bandage over her injured leg. They said she'll be fine in about a week or two. She greets the stallion with a smile and a brief hug.
"Mr. Charcoal! Thank you for saving me last night" she beamed.
"I don't think saved was the right word...” he trailed off.
”Aw shoot you don't have to be so modest about it. Applejack and Big Mac are waitin' for you inside!"
AppleBloom turns and slowly follows Charcoal inside the house. A sweet scent fills the air with the usual musk of apples that normally looms in their home.
"Well howdy there sugarcube" Applejack said, more cheerful after last night's event. Big Mac nods, placing what was the source of the smell on the table. It was an apple pie (obviously) and it's hot from the oven. Applejack trots up to Charcoal and checks the bump on his cheek. The mark is gone but you can clearly see the lump left behind.
"It's ok" he waves "I've suffered worse". Big Mac still has the wide grin on his face. To him it was satisfying, but Charcoal stood quiet to avoid any scuffles between the two of them. Big Mac looks at him
"Take good care of my sister ya hear?” It's as though they already knew without Applejack and Charcoal saying anything to one another about it. But he was fine with it. They had a long conversation and joked around back and forth throughout the day. Charcoal managed to completely fix the machine, which led to wonderful results for the apple family.
Later that night Charcoal was at home, standing in front of his countertop, prepping a letter to send to Celestia:
Dear Princess Celestia,
You were right after all about moving to Ponyville being a good thing for me. It really changed my perspective that not all ponies act the same way. In just a few days I managed to make a bunch of friends. I even found love... But that's beside the point. I've decided to stay here in Ponyville and continue my work as a mechanical handipony for everypony here in Ponyville. I have to thank you for helping me discover who I could be, and all the friends that would support me. I wonder what other adventures lie in wait for me?
Sincerely,
Charcoal Shift
[[ End of the 1st arc ]]