This is what we do ch 12
By Foxgear
A cold wind blew through the trees, the multicolor leaves of fall twirl from their branches to the ground as grey skies block out the sun. Apples, ripe and juicy hung on the branches. Below said branches rests a large wooden basket waiting to catch them. At the base of the soon to be picked Apple tree stood Mac, no ladder, no loader tractor, or basket lift to aid him in his harvest. Only a clenched fist.
“HRAGH!” With a mighty yell and a strong magic infused blow Mac punches the trunk of the tree. Watching the orange ripples of his magic travel through the bark like a stone thrown in the water. He steps back watching in awe as the apples fell perfectly from their branches into the baskets below, only one or two apples missing their mark.
“Now this is how you harvest apples,” He said laughing at how easy magic made the usual painstaking task of picking each individual apple. It was the last week in the harvest and he was still amazed by it. Granting he had been a wee bit skeptical when Sixes told him how the Apple family in Equestria harvest their apples. He hadn’t known how ponies pick apples, especially ones without horns or wings, but kicking the trunk of the tree wasn’t what he was expecting. Course it was much more than that. They sent a shockwave of magic up the tree’s nervous system, willing the stem of the apple to break and the fruit to fall. At least that was the gist of it.
Speaking of Sixes.
Mac looks over across the clearing to where the Night Patroller was instructing Sunset Shimmer on how to levitate an apple with her magic. Well, not so much he was instructing her as more of the two of them trying to further understand the magic of this world. Mostly it was just some Grandfather/Granddaughter bonding.
Over east of him, being much handier, was Applejack. She stood before her select tree, arms cocked back and primed with magic, she gave the trunk one solid straight punch. A volley of red/yellow apples fell only to be quickly caught by one of Rarity’s flying blue shields and gently lowered into a basket.
To the west was Twilight Sparkle, the human one, using her telekinesis to pick apples from her own tree and lowering them into a basket. Next to Twilight was Fluttershy asking/commanding a horde of squirrels to collect the apples from the tree and bring them to the basket of her choice. He didn’t know how to feel about that one. The help was nice, but he didn’t like the squirrels handing his product. Course all the apples were going to rinsed anyway, so some extra squirrel germs probably won’t matter. At least it better not.
Finally, the last of his apple picking force was Sonata, Aria, and Maddie. Sonata and Aria rather than punch the trees, use a focus sonic scream to knock the apples down. How that worked he had no idea, but it did and they were making good progress, so he didn’t care how it worked.
Maddie… she was doing some sort of parkour thing. Using the same method as him and AJ, hopping from tree to tree like Tarzan, kicking and punching trees left and right at a pace that made them all look bad.
After her leg finally recovered Maddie took up a workout routine. Currently, she wore a black tank top and baggy pants, normally anyone stupid enough to dress like that on a cold day would be shivering in their boots. Maddie, however, was hot. Not in the physical sense, she did look good, but she was literary steaming. Actual steam rolling off her shoulders from how much magic she was burning to not only enhance her strength but to keep herself warm. She said it was part of her workout. So, he just left it at that.
There were two more helpers but in a different sense. Applebloom and Adagio sat by a small table filled with lunch and drinks for them all. The youngest Apple excited by all the magic on display, her gushing about how she can’t wait to learn how to do this or that filling the cold air.
Adagio… well, Adagio wasn’t looking very happy about sitting on the sidelines playing lunch lady as she sat bundled up with several heavy blankets. Her now four-month pregnant belly hidden underneath. Under doctors… well, Nyx’s orders, who wasn’t a legal doctor, Adagio wasn't supposed to do anything strenuous, which she already knew, but Nyx also restricted magic. As heavy magic use could cause stress on the body too. So Adagio wasn’t allowed to help pick apples.
Normally most people would be happy about not having to work, but the yellow siren was feeling…
“I feel so useless,” She said to Applebloom while holding up a thermos full of coffee. “Anyone want a coffee break? Or a cookie? We have like a billion left after Sonata’s bake sale thing. Please eat them before I do. Please?”
Mac chuckles, whistling loudly enough for everyone to hear, “Break time!” Everyone eagerly ran for the food table. Even Maddie who was keeping her body steaming, making a nice space heater for them all as they sat on the lawn chairs around the table.
“I never quite realized how much fun it was to use magic for such mundane things. Most of the time we only get to use them for battling evil or something. Though I guess there was the bridge at camp we helped build,” Said Rarity as she pours herself a cup of tea, Twilight levitating her a cookie.
“It is nice to be able to practice magic in a more, subdued, non-life-threatening settling.” Twilight agreed while passing out cookies to everyone with her magic. “It’s kind of fun too.”
“It is,” Sunset agreed while laughing, her hand glowing with yellow magic as she tries levitating a cookie off the table. “It’s like relearning magic all over again. Kind of irritating, yet refreshing, it like I’m back in magic school again. Except I’m the student and the teacher.”
“It’s a shame Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie couldn’t join us. I’m sure they would have loved to practice their magic too.” Fluttershy said…well normally? Normal as in she wasn’t talking quietly or meekly. None of her friends seem to notice, but it made Mac raise a brow. But he quickly shrugs it off as he doesn’t see her day to day, so she could have simply changed over time and he just didn’t notice.
“Well, I’m just glad Granny’s letting me off the hook after the harvest is done.” Applejack chimed in with a lamenting sigh. “I miss my truck. This last month been hell having to ride with Granny to school every day. Oldies radio every morning and a lecture about this and that every afternoon.”
The chatter continues for another fifteen minutes. Mac checking his watch and the rapidly disappearing daylight. It was five o’clock, it'll be dark in less than two hours. October was fun like that.
“Let’s get back to work,” Mac said raising from his chair. “Got a lot of trees to pick and it’ll be getting dark soon. Not to mention you girls have school tomorrow.” It was Thursday today. Another good two days like this they could hopefully wrap up the rest of the season before the end of the week. A collective groan escape from his would-be helpers, none the less they shovel off back to work.
“I guess we’ll get going too,” Said Adagio packing up the leftovers. “Supper will be ready when you come in. Make sure you’re not late, but if you’re going to be at least call me. So, I know whether to leave it on the stove or pack it up.”
“Alright, I will Honey,” Mac said giving Adagio a quick peck on the lips. “Next week when things settle down and harvest is over, how about I take you out for dinner?”
“Saffron's would be nice.” She replied wiggling her arms around his muscular torso. Nuzzling her cheek against his chest. She’s been feeling a lot more affectionate lately. She was a bit grabby before, but lately, she’s been feeling the need to be as close to Mac as possible. Maybe it was another part of her Siren instincts.
“Saffron's it is,” Mac said with a laugh, peeling Adagio’s arms from his waist. “I gotta get back to work. I’ll see you later tonight.”
“Right… tonight…” Gathering up the table, chairs, and food. Adagio and Applebloom leave for the warmth of the farmhouse.
For the next two hours, they worked, the sun disappearing below the horizon casting the orchard into darkness. Sunset Shimmer creates a great orb of light in her hands and Sixes creates torches to help prolong the work, buying them another hour. However, the chilling winds groaning through the trees and buzzing of phones brought everything to a halt.
“Oh, TreeHugger needs me at the Animal Shelter,” Quivered Fluttershy, her small frame shaking from the cold. “Rarity can you take me back to town?”
“Of Course, darling,” The fashionista replies, looking at her own phone. “Seems Sweetie had made a mess of my workstation… again. And I must return to fix it before morning.”
“I gotta go then too Mac,” Applejack added regretfully, “Rarity’s kind of my ride home. Granny’s wanting me back anyways too.”
“I should probably be getting back to Equestria as well, sorry I wasn’t more of help.” Stated Sixes, his hand firmly on Sunset’s shoulder, grinning down at his granddaughter. “This one has a very important appointment this weekend too. It would benefit her to be well rested.”
Sunset Shimmer’s cheeks turned scarlet as all eyes look curiously at her, “I’m going to visit Princess Celestia… I mean my grandmother for the weekend, in Equestria. I’ll be sure to tell Princess Twilight hi for you. Sorry I won’t be able to help this weekend.”
Mac waves her off, “Think nothing of it. You all have been more than enough help this past week. Between Aria, Sonata, Maddie and I we’ll have things wrapped up ourselves before Monday.”
Maddie snorts, “You make it sound like I don’t have better things to do.”
“Do you?”
“…”
“I’ll see you this weekend then. As for the rest of you, goodnight and drive home safely.” The girls and Sixes said their goodbyes and left. Leaving Mac alone with Aria, Sonata, and Maddie. “You three can go and start showering. I’ll get things cleaned up here.”
“It’ll be faster if we all help,” Sonata points out, but he waves off her concerns.
“It’ll be fine. I’m just going to put the last of the baskets in the barn. It won’t take long and besides, I need some time to think to myself.” The girls all shrug, taking their leave. Leaving him alone.
Magicking his muscles Mac carries the wooden baskets of apples two by two into the barn. His thoughts swirling. His first thought was reflecting on all the crazy things that happened last month, the multiple monster attacks, training in Equestria and that big fight with that Grau guy. And now the last four weeks have been quiet. Really quiet. He couldn’t even remember the last time a portal opened. Maybe defeating Grau had something to do with it? Could he have been the source of the portals?
(That doesn’t seem right.) Muses Mac as he continues to load the apples into the barn. (The portals are supposed to be connected to Dad and Madhoof. Grau seems more like what dad was talking about what Applejack and her friends would have to face. Maybe I should ask Maddie what the portals have been doing these past few weeks. She hasn’t reported anything but with her working out again… maybe she was fighting monsters alone?)
No, that didn’t sound like Maddie. Besides she still had the seal, she couldn’t leave the farm without permission. On that note, he hasn’t seen any Timberwolves around either.
As he stacks the baskets on the shelves Mac hears the creaking of footsteps. Turning towards the door he sees Maddie carrying a pair of baskets. Silently she sets them down, staring at him.
“These are the last of them,” She says crossing her arms. Suddenly Maddie closes the distance between them, her fist aglow with magic. Mac does the same, countering her blow with his, the collision creating a shock wave that made the barn shake. Maddie steps back with her arms open and looking pleased with herself, “Looks like I finally got back to where I was in strength when we first met. So, you got time to talk or do you need to think some more?”
The surprise attack aside, Maddie didn’t seek out conversation well… ever, “I can talk or would you rather I listen?”
“Both,” Maddie sucks in a breath, her cheeks flush as she kicks around a fallen apple. Not meeting his eyes. “I guess, I should start by saying thanks. I don’t think I ever actually properly thanked you for saving me from the Gore.”
“Well, I wasn’t just going to leave you there. You helped me out too remember?”
“Yeah, I did. But I didn’t even know I was going to help you until I did. I could have just as easily left you and Kira to die.” Maddie shook her head, a painful smile spreading across her lips. “Not that it would have mattered. Sixes would have killed me the moment he found I left you to die. So maybe that’s why I saved you.”
“Or maybe. Despite how you were before, maybe your actually be a good person?” Mac counters. Surprised to see Maddie shiver at his words.
“I doubt that,” She retorted back. “I don’t think I can ever be considered ‘good’ even if I were to become a nun. Not only that I still have the urges from time to time. The need, the want, to rip things apart and put them back together the way I please. So, in summary, I would urge you to keep your eye on me.”
“Fair enough. Is there anything else? Cause if not, I got supper waiting for me.” Mac checks watch, frowning at the time. Seems he’s eating a cold supper, again.
“No, that’s all I wanted to for now.” Maddie turns and leaves. Mac follows suit after locking up the barn. As he turns the lock on the door he couldn’t help but feel Maddie had wanted to say more than she did. “She’ll talk when she’s ready.” He concludes, snapping the final lock closed.
Adagio stood in her nighty at the door of her bedroom. Her big puffy hair tied into a loose braid that hung over her shoulder. Walking to the kitchen, her slipper covered feet making no sound on the hardwood floor, she passes the blue glow of the TV screen, Mac asleep on the lazy boy while the news continues to play across the screen.
Ducking into the kitchen Adagio grabs her late-night snack, ice cream, and anchovies, from the refrigerator. Standing in the entryway she ate her latest craving while watching the news her husband was missing. So far there was nothing interesting, the news cutting to commercials with news anchor saying they’d be right back with their top news of the day. Grabbing the blanket off the couch Adagio climbs on top of Mac and slips between the little crevice between him and armrest of the chair. It was snug little fit, but one she enjoyed as she was pressed against his warmth. Throwing the blanket on top of them she snuggles even closer.
“You know we have a bed, right?” Mac mumbles tiredly, cracking his eyes open. He reads the clock on the TV and realizing he was still in his chair. He curses softly, “Shit, did I fall asleep watching the news again?”
“Yep,” Adagio replies making a ‘pop’ noise with her lips as she snuggles closer to Mac. “You know I don’t like sleeping alone. I need my warm teddy to keep me warm.”
“Ok, that was more creepy than cute.”
“Too much Sonata?”
“More like too much Pinkie with Fluttershy.” Mac wraps his arm around her. “Either way, not enough you.”
“So, I should add an evil smirk?”
He chuckles, “That might help.” The anchor comes back on the TV. “Let’s finish watching this segment and then we’ll move to the bed.”
“I like the sound of that,” Adagio smirks nuzzling against him. “Are we going to use the bed too?”
“Maybe,” He answers coyly before giving attention to the news anchor.
“Tonight, on Channel 13 news. Our top story in the local news is the conviction of the Gilda Griffon attackers. Who last month during a soccer game attacked the Griffon Stone star player with chunks of frozen ice they had made and put in a cooler. After the game when Gilda had left the crowd they attacked her from the tree line, throwing ice at her legs and badly injuring her.” An image of Gilda’s legs appears on screen, looking just a bad as Mac remembered when he saved her. “Thanks to a passing by attendee. Gilda was able to escape before any more damage could be done. The five girls, all residents Firehorn and attendees of Firehorn Public school. Are all noted troublemakers and maybe believed to be part of local gangs. During their testimony, they said they were getting revenge for Gilda leading her team to victory in their last game, which forced the Firestone Dragons out the running for the state championships as their star kicker was injured with a broken leg in the match. The five are to attend court this week. They will be trialed as adults as they are all eighteen.”
“I have a feeling that’s not what actually happened?” Adagio said as Mac’s face contorts into a deep frown.
“Nope, those hailstones were coming from the sky. Magic was defiantly involved in Gilda’s attack. This is all a cover-up or at least a way to pin the blame on somebody for a crime with no suspects and no logical way of happening. I bet someone sent Gilda to shrink and they’ve been convincing her was imaging the hail chasing her and stuff like that.”
“I feel sorry for her. She’s probably thinking she’s gone crazy. Course that’s only par for the course with magic to normal people. By now even she must be questioning what really happened that night.”
“Yeah,” He bitterly bit out, “Unfortunately we can’t really do much to help her. Not that we could do anything that would really help.”
“We could at least assure her she isn’t going crazy,” Suggests Adagio.
Mac remained tight-lipped, unsure if that was the right course. It would draw attention to them and that’s not something they could afford. But, maybe there was something they could do now that he thought about it more. “We could have Maddie go talk to her. She does have a degree in Psychology. Maybe she could be of some help.”
“Wow, Maddie? Really?” Adagio retorts with surprise. “If we’re going to do that why don’t we send her to Nyx? She’s a licensed nurse at least.”
“Somehow I doubt Nyx would be willing to do that.” Mac counters as the news switched to their next big story.
“Now in others news. Authorities look into The Cloudsdale massacre last September. The case has been handed over to Detectives in Central CPD. Unfortunately, the leading investigators refused to speak at this time. Attorney General Chrysalis, what do you have to say about the investigation?”
The camera turns a luscious looking black woman with green hair in a suit and skirt. She smiles at the camera in a natural, yet clearly practiced way. The same way someone at good playing politics does.
“Thank you, Joy, and let me say on behalf of the families and CPD I would like to thank you for your fair coverage over this matter. It’s heartbreaking that such a thing happened in our community and I want everyone watching to know the very best detectives are on the case.”
Joy smiles faulters, clearly annoyed at her question not being answered, “Right, now what can you tell us about the investigation so far? The CPD has been very tight-lipped, but some interviews with the officers on the scene have resulted in some very varied stories. Things from bear attacks, a car malfunction resulting in a police cruiser exploding, to terrorist attacks and gang violence and even monsters. Tell me and our viewers, what is the truth?”
Chrysalis smiles, her eyes closed, probably hiding her annoyance at Joy’s prodding. “Of course, we have been facing that same issue. Everybody seems to tell a different story, so let me put those rumors to rest. Now please note this is not confirmed, but initial lab results show there are signs of strange drug/gas residue on the cars of the officers. From the contents of the residue, it seems to be a sort of psychotic drug that affects the brain. We believe this is the cause of the officers varied stories, but we are also taking into account PTSD caused by the attack. At the moment we believe this gas used is the result of gang Del Rio Toro which is believed to have terrorist ties. This gas could be a test product of sorts given to the gang. Unfortunately, we are not able to confirm this as most of the Del Rio Toro hideout have been wiped by a rival gang.”
“I see, well that’s all the time we have tonight folks. Thank you for tuning in, I’m Joy Gold Showers and this is Channel 13 news. Up next Golf.”
“Gangs, drugs and terrorists, I suppose that’s the only thing that would make sense.” Mac drawls, turning off the TV. Rising from his chair he scoops Adagio into his arms, carrying her towards their bedroom. “Come on, let’s go to bed, Hun…” The soft snores of Adagio clearly indicate she beat him to the punch. Chuckling softly Mac laid her down on the bed, pulling the sheets over her body before climbing in himself. Planting one last kiss on her cheek before settling down himself.
“Goodnight, love,” Mac whispers turning over in the bed. His mind plagued of what was to come. Hopefully, this peace could last a little longer.
--break
Fluttershy hums a soft tune as she pours food pellets into the respected animals bowls. She loved working at the shelter, but her boss’s flakiness tends to lead to some strange hours. Especially when TreeHugger had to go to one of her out of town vet trips. That weren’t actually vet trips. More than once Fluttershy found a block of ‘Organic chopped Weeds’ in a food bag.
“What TreeHugger does isn’t our business right guys?” She says cutely to the puppies. As she pours the food a soft hissing sound catches her attention. Setting the bag of food down Fluttershy follows the sound to small crack between the cages. “Um hello? Is a little snake lose back there?”
Extending her hand Fluttershy reaches into the shadows, a flash of pink and black strikes out from the shadow. Fluttershy let out a yelp, pulling her hand back with two punctures marks. Nursing her hand, she whimpers as she rushes to the first aid, applying ointment to the wound. Tears threaten to fall as she bit her lip to keep from cursing at the animal.
The bell on the front door rings. Forcing her to sniffle and deal with the pain. The shelter had no official hours, as they take in strays at any time of day. It was unusual for anyone to come in after ten though, it was nearly eleven now. None the less Fluttershy bandages her hand and goes to the counter. She puts on a pleasant smile, but it quickly shatters as she looks at the man loitering around the reception area.
Now Fluttershy wasn’t one to judge, but the man’s scruffy unkept beard, messy hair, clearly worn more than two days in row clothing and his bloodshot eyes didn’t really show off his good side. The constant scratching of his left arm wasn’t doing him any favors either.
“Um… can I help you?” She asked meekly. The man turning to her as if just now noticing her, despite her standing there for well over a minute. The man approached the counter, his eye twitching restlessly.
“Yes… yes… I need… no, I would like to adopt a dog, maybe two or three. Any age is fine.”
“Oh, that’s so nice of you, do you have a specific breed in mind?”
“Yeah, yeah, Boxer, Rottweiler, Pitbull, anything like that.” The man placed a huge and by huge, as tall as her fist, stack of bills on the counter. “No paperwork, like usual and make sure they’re mean.”
“Um… I’m sorry?” Fluttershy looks confusingly at the stack of money to the man, who was really starting to twitch.
“I said no paperwork! Just give me the dogs and I’ll be on my way! God! TreeHugger never makes this much of fuss!” The man leaves the stack on the counter and storms to the back. Fluttershy right on his tail.
“Um, sir you can’t be back here!”
“Shut up!” He sneers slapping away her hand. Storming up the cages he kicks the gate of a Boxer hound, the dog running to the back of the cage and whimpering. “Tch, too meek.” Moving the next cage, a Rottweiler, he does the same thing. This time the dog snarls, attacking the gate, trying to get to the man. “Huh, nice. I’ll take him.”
Fluttershy clenches her fists storming up to the man. “What is it you think you’re doing! These are rescues dogs! They’ve been abused enough!” The man snarls and backhands her in the side of the face! Fluttershy screams as she falls against the wall, the man grabbing her wrist and pressing his body forcibly against hers.
“Stupid bitch! You need to be put in your place! If you’d been a quiet little bitch! I wouldn’t need to do this!” The man throws her against a stack of cages, tearing her shirt off her shoulder. He looks lustfully at her as he swaggers towards her, leaning in so his face was right next to hers. His breath smelling of smoke and alcohol. “Haha, you smell just like TreeHugger before I set her straight.”
“Get off me!” Fluttershy screams wildly flailing her arms against the man’s chest. The blows have no effect as he grabs her wrists and pressed against her again, his tongue trailing along her neck, making her shiver in disgust and fear. Her right hand, the one with the snake bite trembles, a sharp shooting pain traveling up her wrist. “I said, get off me,” Fluttershy said again, this time much calmer, her voice low and husky.
“Your sounding kind of sexy,” The man says grinning as he pressed harder against Fluttershy. His smile wavers when Fluttershy’s hand, covered in black veins, pulls him down with greater strength the lanky girl could ever possibly manage so they were face to face. Giving him a clear view of her blood red eyes and enlarged canine teeth. “What the fuck!” He screams breaking away from her.
The doors of the cages open, all of them, the caged animals wonder out of the cages, their eyes glowing green as they stalk towards the man, growling and foaming at the mouth. Fluttershy, her voice deep and commanding points towards the man, “Get him.”
The man turns and flees, but the horde of dogs, cats, snakes, and other creatures chase after him. First, they bite his legs, next his arms, falling upon him like savage beasts they rip flesh from bone his screams escalating and then falling mute. The animals move away leaving only a few bones, scraps of cloth and a bloody smear on the floor.
“That’s a good boy,” Fluttershy praising, scratching the Rottweiler under the chin. The man’s femur in its mouth. “Now all of you, back to your cages.” The animal whines. Fluttershy stomps her foot and points at the cages. Shouting “Now!” The animals whimper, causing her to sigh and roll her eyes, “Fine, please.” The animals perk up and happily return to their cages. With a wave of her hand, Fluttershy locks all the doors.
Eyes still red she turns to the bloody stain on the floor. “Now, how to clean this up?” A churning in her stomach makes her fall to her knees. She dry heaves. Something rising from the pits of her stomach! She begins to choke as whatever was coming up got caught in her throat, with one last push she heaves again, black vile spilling onto the tile floor. A black egg in the center of it.
With her eyes blurry with tears and panting heavily from almost suffocating. Fluttershy watches as the black egg uncurls into a black/green snake with light green eyes. The snake swims around the vile, absorbing it and growing larger and spouting green wings.
Fluttershy blinks at the green snake and the snake blinks back. “Um… what’s your name?”
“Envy,” the snake answers. Fluttershy hears the snake’s voice, not through her powers, but actually hearing it with her ears. The snake could talk!
Envy slithers towards her, nuzzling its head on Fluttershy’s thigh, “Mother…” Envy hisses lovingly.
“Oh… ok, I guess I can be your mother,” Fluttershy says as Envy slithers up her shirt, coiling around her neck like a scarf. “Now I need to clean up this mess.”
“Leave it to me,” Envy volunteers rising her head. Her eyes flash and the blood-stained tile is bleached white.
“Good girl, Envy, um… you are a girl, right?” Envy nods nuzzling against Fluttershy’s cheek.
The sound of a van pulling up in back signaled the return of TreeHugger. Stroking Envy’s head, Fluttershy walks to the back of the shelter, figuring on asking her boss about her ‘side business’ whether Tree Hugger wanted to talk about it or not.
Midnight in front of Canterlot School stands Rainbow Dash, her hand bushing the surface of the portal. She steps back, admiring her picture in the mirror. Her usual mishmash of clothes replaced with a black jacket with a gold stripe down the sleeves and black pants with a gold stripe. Her new look as of late.
“Well Ebony? Do you think it’s time?” She asks the black snake coiled around her neck like a scarf. The snake shutters traveling deeper into her clothes to escape the cold air. Ebony’s head pokes out under Rainbow’s ear and she let out series of hisses. Rainbow nods, listening intently. “Hmm, your right. It’s too soon. Shame.” Black lightning arcs between Rainbow’s fingers. “I was hoping to tryout my new techniques. But your right, I can wait a little bit longer. Wouldn’t want to blow it and have everyone on my back.”
In a flash of black Rainbow disappears into the night.