//------------------------------//
// Chapter Nine: Orchard Blossom gets Exposed! 
// Story: Big Macy 
// by Foal Star 
//------------------------------//

Orchard Blossom was in shock as Apple Bloom peered up at her with that serious look in her eye, and she was somewhat unsure of what she was supposed to say in return. The entire world felt somewhat distant from her as she took in the feeling of fear washing over her like a wave. She never felt so nervous and scared, something she's never felt her entire life. She just stood there gaping like a fish and wondering what she was supposed to do. Orchard Blossom didn't notice, but tons of ponies surrounded her, just looking over at her with odd looks seeing how the mares were just staring at each other. Orchard Blossom had a small gulp down her throat as she said, "well, I…I…."

"I know ya did it for me, but there's no reason ya gotta do this to yourself," Apple Bloom sighed. "I mean, I'm glad we had fun and all…b..b…, but ya don't have to hide anymore."

Orchard Blossom wasn't too worried now about the judges knowing about her true identity. Still, she was also nervous, with others in Ponyville looking over and gossiping about her. The mare gulped, seeing there was no way out, and for now, she'll just say what felt most appropriate to the situation. "I don't know what ya talking about? Why don't we go somewhere and talk?"

"Nah, I think we're fine right here; ya lied ta me all week; it's about time ya tell me the truth!" Apple Bloom snapped, seeming to get somewhat flustered.

Orchard Blossom lowered her gaze, now feeling more flustered as more ponies gathered around, and she was feeling much more nervous about their situation. The mare was starting to realize that Apple Bloom wanted to make a scene; this was all a form of punishment on her for lying to her. She gulped and said, "Well, there are many reasons I can't just say it here?"

"Why not? I know ya did this for me? But why didn't ya trust meta know!? I wouldn't have said anything to anypony!" Apple Bloom shouted again.

This time this got the judges' attention as they came over with a look of concern. Orchard Blossom started to sweat even more profusely even though they had already competed; she was still nervous that ponies would find out her secret identity and expose her. She wouldn't even know how to explain to everypony why she went to such extremes to change her identity. The mare then turned her attention once again to her sister. "Please, can we discuss this somewhere else?"

"No! The Social is over anyways! Just tell me, why didn't ya tell me the truth!?"

Orchard Blossom saw that everypony around was circling them, and she was quivering like a leaf in the wind. The big mare didn't bother looking around. Still, she could feel the eyes from everypony staring at her burn into her back as they were all now interested in her and Apple Bloom's conversation. She had to end this fast she then looked her sister right in the eyes and explained, "because I didn't want us gettin' disqualified!? I know I can trust ya, but I just didn't want to take the risk?"

"Really, that's it?" Apple Bloom replied, looking somewhat surprised by the answer.

Big Macy flashed her a smile as she explained, "Hey, I'm sorry for lying to you, but I didn't do it because I didn't trust ya. I know how excited you get, and I was afraid the judges might hear…."

"Hear what?" the older mare with the purple eyeliner snapped as she trotted over with a rather snobbish look.

"We…Well…ya…ya see…." Orchard Blossom stammered as she saw the judges were now looking at him with stern glares; she could only imagine they were thinking she cheated somehow or broke the rules. 

The big mare was now full of anxiety, with his face turning bright pink, realizing she didn't have a lie ready. The more she stood there gaping like a fish, the higher the chance one of the judges would figure out the truth. Orchard Blossom gulped then continued to stammer, "well…w…well… ya see..I…well…um…."

"My aunt means to say that she was scared yall wouldn't let her compete because of a potion Zecora gave her. But it's just an energy drink," Apple Bloom quickly chimed in.

Orchard Blossom blinked, being somewhat surprised by Apple Bloom butting in and keeping her identity a secret. But she couldn't help but feel relieved she did so as despite the social being over, she really didn't want anypony to know she was really Big Mac.

The inquisitive judge then shrugged and said, "well, I would say that drinking an energy drink isn't something we would disqualify your aunt for. I thought it was something regarding your aunt being Big Mac in disguise. Even if that was the case, the Sisterhooves Social always had a loose definition of what a sister is and doesn't prohibit brothers from competing if a sister can't be found."

There was a moment of silence after what the mare had just said. Apple Bloom then suddenly burst into a fit of laughter while Orchard Blossom just went dead-eyed as the judge finished what she said. Orchard Blossom was stunned with her mouth agape as she thought. All this time, all that work and effort she, Zecora, and Rarity went through, all that stress and hours of work, and all the lies! All of it was for nothing!? The mare just wanted to scream at the top of her lungs and stomp off. But Orchard Bloom didn't lose her composure; her mouth slowly curved into a smile and said, "well, that's good to hear, but I'm a mare, not a stallion."

"Of course," the old mare snickered as she gave Orchard Blossom a wink as she trotted off. Most ponies from there also started to trot away. Most looked somewhat disappointed as they were hoping to see more drama unfold. The big mare then waited patiently as she saw them leave with the most cheering on Rainbow Dash for winning. When the last of the crowd dissipated, she gave a relieved sigh as he turned to his sister once more and asked, "can we talk somewhere private now?"

"Yeah, sure," Apple Bloom chirped, being rather cheerful; they were finally going somewhere to talk. As the two walked off Orchard, Blossom couldn't help to feel relieved that Apple Bloom knew the truth and that they were able to finally speak without anypony prying. It would be great to finally be able to talk to her sister and bond a little before she turns back into Big Mac.





It was now late in the evening watching the sunset together with Apple Bloom plopped right in Big Mac's lap. The former stallion held the filly as they watched the orange sky bleeding over the sky. The sun seemed somewhat distant, with the rays pouring over the apple orchard and the lovely smell of the apples wafting over the field. Big Mac was utterly engrossed in the atmosphere and instead admired the sunset. Despite all the physical activity, learning that he changed his gender for nothing, and almost having his identity blown, this was a perfect ending to a rather fun but stressful day. However, the energy drink Zecora made for him was wearing off, and he could feel himself getting rather tired. Big Mac's eyes began to droop, and he was about to fall into a deep sleep, but he then heard his sister ask.

"Hey Big Mac, I…I gotta ask…a…are ya gonna stay a mare?" Apple Bloom whispered rather faintly as she turned her face down as if she was embarrassed to be even asking the question.

"Ey'nope," Big Mac responded rather bluntly as he shook his head. He did enjoy his time as a mare, but he felt way more comfortable in the gender he was born with.

Apple Bloom looked somewhat disappointed by the answer as she then asked, "so..what about Orchard Blossom? Is she just gonna leave forever, never to be seen again?"

The former stallion gave his chin a few taps as he pondered Apple Bloom's question; he may not be comfortable being a mare forever, but if he were to turn into Auntie Orchard Blossom now and again, it actually would be rather fun. He then looked down at his sister once more and responded with a smile, "well, not really. I think that Orchard Blossom will come to visit from time to time."

The little filly beamed a smile at him and then hugged him as he threw his hooves over her. It was rather touching to have this moment with his younger sister, and he knew it was because Orchard Blossom had become a mother figure to the little filly. He held Apple Bloom right into his chest then held her close. Big Mac couldn't help but feel like despite getting last place, and through all the lies, Apple Bloom loved her and that she couldn't do anything to make Apple Bloom stop loving her. It was enough to have her eyes start to tear up as she was overwhelmed with this emotion, and they stayed like that hugging each other for quite some time. As the sun lowered in the sky and the moon rose, he heard Apple Bloom whisper, "I think it's about time we get going dun wana make Granny worry."

"Ey'yup."

"I'm sorry for gettin' upset with ya earlier. Are ya mad at me?"

"Ey'nope."

The two then started to trot down the hill heading to their quaint little house in the valley, and that was when Apple Bloom flashed her "aunt" a smirk then asked, "So, what about Applejack? Ya gotta stay like this until she comes back from her trip."

"Ey'yup," Big Mac chirped back rather promptly as he had an idea to prank Applejack with his disguise for some time. He continued to explain, "In fact, I'm gonna need your help; to pull the perfect prank on her."

As the words left his lips, Apple Bloom then started to bounce up and down, shouting, "oh, what's the plan! Tell me! Tell me!"

Despite loving seeing his sister being all excited and cheerful, he needed her to calm down abit so he could explain. Big Mac took out a hoof and snickered, "I love your excitement, but ya gotta calm down."

Apple Bloom settled down and then jumped up onto his back and whispered, "ok, tell me the plan?"

Big Mac then continued to trot down towards the house as he continued outlying his plan to the young filly, and Apple Bloom started to laugh, then she chimed in her own ideas. The two discussed the plan the rest of the night, even upon reaching his bedroom. Eventually, the two curled up together in his big bed. Apple Bloom snuggled up into his chest as he curled his hooves around her tiny body. Big Mac looked downward at Apple Bloom, seeing how happy and peaceful she looked. He felt that his mission of making sure she had a wonderful Sisters Social was a success. The stallion-turned-mare laid his head on his pillow and slowly closed his eyes, thinking about how Applejack would react when she saw Orchard Blossom.