//------------------------------// // Chapter 11 // Story: A Little Smarty Problem // by Sparknanator //------------------------------// A Little Smarty Problem By Sparknanator **** Twilight rubbed her tired eyes as she struggled to get out of bed. The night had been long and exhausting, thanks to the hyperactive children and Big Mac's unexpected visit. "What time is it?" she muttered, glancing at the clock. Without bothering to fix her messy mane and tail, she magically opened the door and hurried downstairs. She could hear Smarty and the others chatting among themselves as she wiped her brow, grateful that they hadn't destroyed the living room. "Time to start my morning off," she thought aloud, walking to the kitchen. Twilight's horn began to glow as she grabbed a mug from the cabinet. Turning around, she was startled by two golden eyes facing the opposite direction. "Gah!" she jumped back, almost dropping the mug in surprise. "Good morning," Ditzy said, pouring some hot coffee into Twilight's mug. "I know you like to wake up early, but I couldn't bring myself to wake you up after last night." She smiled, placing the coffee pot back on its stand. "Oh, it's no problem," Twilight said, taking a sip of the hot beverage. "Actually, it felt nice to sleep in for once," she added, recalling her early mornings when she had to catch a train or something else before the crack of dawn. Ditzy gave her a grin and handed her a plate with a fresh muffin on it. Twilight gladly accepted it and sat down to eat breakfast while chatting with Ditzy. They occasionally got up to refill their coffee, but their conversation was quickly interrupted by a knock on the door. "I'll get it," the mares said in unison, giggling. *** Applejack sat down and sipped on a mug of coffee. "Well, Twilight, Ih’m glad ya could sit down an’ talk to Big Mac like a grown ass mare an’ not a damn filly," she said bluntly, momentarily forgetting that she was the element of honesty. "And don't forget I was mediating here," Ditzy chimed in. "I am just happy they kept it civil." Twilight could feel her face going red at the comments being made in front of her. She looked at them both and muttered something under her breath. "BBut ah should be headin’ back to tha’ farm’," Applejack quickly downed the rest of her drink and went into the living room to retrieve Applebloom. "I'll see ya later, Twi!" she shouted before heading out the door. Ditzy followed suit but made sure to give Twilight a hug and let her know if she needs help, she should let her know. Twilight sat back down at the table, letting out a small sigh. She still had to take Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo home. "What the hell am I gonna do?" she thought. *** Twilight strolled through town, a contented smile on her face, while Smarty and Scootaloo trailed closely behind. Sweetie Belle had already been dropped off at Rarity's, where Rarity had taken Smarty's measurements for a new ensemble. Their next destination was Fluttershy's to drop off Scootaloo before Twilight headed out for some shopping. "Are you girls feeling peckish?" Twilight asked, turning to the fillies who were following her. They both nodded and resumed their conversation. Twilight led them to a charming little cafe that she frequented, and they settled in at an outdoor table. After placing their orders, Smarty and Scootaloo resumed their conversation, discussing aerodynamics and Scootaloo's chances of leaping over Froggy Bottom Bog. Twilight found their chatter amusing. *** The group quietly approached Fluttershy's cottage, but before they could knock, Scootaloo burst through the door. Twilight winced as she heard Fluttershy scream, but quickly greeted her and said her goodbyes to both her and Smarty, who trotted off back into town. They didn't want to stay and hear the conversation Fluttershy was going to have with Scootaloo about barging into her home. After a short while, Twilight and Smarty returned to town and began chatting about Smarty's aspirations for school and her admiration for Cheerilee. Twilight was delighted to hear the filly's excitement for learning. As they walked into a small shop, the owner greeted them. Twilight went over to a shelf and started browsing the items. "Sage," she whispered to herself, frustrated by the lack of organization on the owner's part. Finally, she found what she was looking for: a glass vial with a wooden cork labeled black salt. She paid for the item and they left for home, Twilight wondering how she could keep Smarty entertained long enough for her to get some research and work done. As they passed by a shop, Twilight was unexpectedly captivated by something, although she hated the idea. *** The music softly played in a dimly lit, smoke-filled room, as a stallion in a three-piece suit walked in. He took a short breath to adjust his lungs to the smoke before approaching a tall, slender mare who wore a veil to keep her face covered. "Have a seat," she said, motioning to a chair that moved itself to a spot right in front of her. "Yes, ma'am," the stallion replied quickly, taking a seat in the chair. The atmosphere was mixed with the mysteriousness of his boss, sure to frighten even the bravest and toughest of stallions. "I was recently in Ponyville," he began, clearing his throat. "And I think I've found something we may need to look into more," he said, with almost a slight air of confidence around him. The mare blew smoke in the stallion's face. "Is that so?" she asked, drawing out her words. "Well, then if you've found something, perhaps you should tell me more," she let out a small giggle, and to the stallion, the giggle was blood-chilling. But he began to explain everything he knew about what was going on in Ponyville. "So, this mare is the Element of Magic, you say?" She blew more smoke again. "Very well, I will grant you this chance to prove to that you are still of use to me. But be warned, I do not give second chances very often. Make sure to use it well," she said in a cold voice. The stallion gave a small nod before trying to quickly make his way out of the room. "Next stop, Ponyville," he said, walking back to his home to pack for what he hoped would be an extended trip. *** Big Mac entered a lively bar through a set of doors, where the clinking of glasses, the laughter of ponies, and the sound of darts being thrown filled the air. He quietly approached the bar and nodded at the bartender, who slid a large ice-cold mug towards him. "Eeyup," he said, taking a long swig from the mug. The bartender knew Big Mac well and could sense something was bothering him. "Baby momma trouble, Mac?" Whiskey Barrel asked, giving him a knowing look. "Come on now, I'm your bartender," she laughed, pouring two small shots of whiskey. She placed one of the shots in front of Big Mac using her pale orange aura. "Let's loosen those lips up," she said, downing her own shot of whiskey. After a sigh and a slight smile, Big Mac drank his shot of whisky and began to speak. "We had a talk last night," he said, looking at the silver mare. "Ah' don't know how it went, but ah' just know Twilight is being all kinds of bull-headed." He turned around and apologized to the bull behind him playing pool. "Ah' just don't understand that mare." Whiskey nodded and leaned on the bar, clapping her front hooves together. "Okay, Mac, I'm no doctor or anything, but it sounds like you need a prescription," she said with a smile, looking him in the eyes. "For two testicles, make sure when you get the script filled, you use them immediately." The pair erupted into laughter, but Big Mac's mood soon turned sour again. "Ah'm just hoping that Smarty can at least grow up and have a somewhat normal life," he said, finishing his beer before handing the glass back to his friend. "Let me get a few more shots of that whiskey," he said, already slurring slightly. *** Big Mac soon found himself leaning on one of the orchid's trees, steadying himself while he vomited. The stallion felt regret at the amount he had drunk, knowing that the next day he would be paying for it. "Fucking Twilight," he spat angrily while stumbling back home again. "Needs to keep her magic to er' damn self." Not paying attention to his surroundings, he burst through the front door and made a beeline for the kitchen. "Ah'll show her," he said in a loud tone while yanking the refrigerator door. He began rummaging, not noticing the yellow filly that was sleepily walking into the kitchen. "Big Mac," Applebloom said, her brother's name, while looking at him. "What are ya doin' up so late?" she asked. The large red stallion froze, not sure what to say. He knew that the moment he opened his mouth, his little sister would know he was drunk. "Go back to bed, Applebloom," he said in a low voice. "Mac, are ya sick? Ah can tell Smarty yer sick if ya want," Applebloom continued to look at her brother, hiding herself somewhat behind the refrigerator. "Applebloom! Ah said go to bed! Now scamper on!" he said in a somewhat angry tone. But before he could realize what he'd done, all he heard were hooves clopping and running upstairs. He took a moment to try and listen to the silence before continuing his rummaging. As soon as he closed the fridge, the stallion jumped back, doing everything he could to keep from shouting in surprise. A pair of angry green eyes looked at him with blond hair and an orange coat lit by moonlight. "What in the hell is wrong with you?" Applejack said, approaching her brother closer. "Have you been drinking?" she questioned, smelling his breath. "Because ah' know your narrow ass didn't just take that attitude with our little sister 'cause you're drunk off her ass." By that point, Applejack almost had him pinned on the wall and was making sure to punctuate every word by tapping her hoof into his chest. "Now what is this all about?" she said, motioning to her drunk brother. "Because ya wouldn't listen to me? Now it's biting you in the ass!" She kept glaring at her brother. "What are ya gonna do if your daughter-" Big Mac tried to open his mouth before Applejack cut him off. "Ah don't want to fuckin' hear it! Your DAUGHTER," she made sure to be as loud as she could get away with. "Gets in trouble? You gonna get drunk again? Take it out on somepony when you're drunk?" "Big Macintosh," she looked him in the eyes. "Ya need to grow up, otherwise ya ain't gonna need to be around Applebloom, let alone your damn filly." Applejack stomped off, leaving the stallion dumbfounded in the kitchen, drunk, confused, and still ever so slightly hungry. *** The morning came much faster than Big Mac had anticipated. As the sun rose, he was hit with a raging hangover. He reluctantly opened his eyes, praying to Celestia that his headache would subside. However, he knew that his prayers were unlikely to be answered. Suddenly, he felt a sharp knock on his head. "Get up now, boy!" came the voice of Granny, followed by another knock. "Come on now, breakfast is waiting for you." Big Mac moaned and complained like a colt who didn't want to go to school, but Granny was not going to let him off the hook so easily. She knew he had been out drinking again, but in her mind, if he had time to drink, he had time to work. She continued to knock his head, increasing in speed and intensity. "If you don't get up, Ah'll send the fillies in here!" she threatened, poking his head with her cane. "Ah mean business, Big Mac." *** "I'll kill her!" The mare shouted at the top of her lungs in anger. Her husband, a dark blue-coated unicorn, had been trying for hours to calm her down, but to no avail. She wasn't mad at him, but rather at their daughter, who had just had a filly and hadn't bothered to tell them. "We're getting on the first train! And I am going to meet my grand-filly!" she declared, still fired up. Her husband let out a small sigh and shook his head, following her in suit. "Velvet honey, please calm down. You're going to have a stroke if not," he said calmly, not wanting to provoke her further. He understood why she was so upset; all she had wanted was a grandfoal, and now that she finally had one, she wasn't informed. As they trotted towards the train station, Velvet remained fired up while Night Light casually greeted other ponies along the way. But soon enough, the train station came into view, and Night Light rubbed his temple, feeling a slight pain. "This is going to be a horrible ride," he muttered. Velvet turned her head back to her husband, giving him a glare. She was a mare on a mission, and nothing was going to stop her from meeting her grand-filly.