//------------------------------// // Chapter 8: Black Sheep // Story: Wonderful // by Closer-To-The-Sun //------------------------------// Chapter 8: Black Sheep 5 MONTHS UNTIL DUE DATE It was late one evening on Sweet Apple Acres. Big Mac had just finished up a few of his daily tasks around the farm and was finally returning to the house. Trotting up onto the wooden floorboards, he noticed that the light in the living room was still on. Opening the front door, he saw an elderly green pony sitting in her rocking chair, slowly moving back and forth. It was apparent she had been waiting for his return. “Evenin’, Granny,” the red stallion greeted. Granny Smith nodded as she looked at her grandson, “Evenin’, Big Mac. Won’t ya take a seat? Ah wanna talk to ya ‘bout somethin’.” Big Mac did as he was instructed, taking a seat on the couch in the living room. Facing Granny Smith, he waited for her to start. “Ah want ta talk to ya ‘bout that blue pegasus that you’ve been seein’ a lot of lately. What’s her name….” Granny took a moment to try and think of the pony’s name. “Miss Rainbow Dash?” “Yes, her, Rainbow Dash.” The stallion nervously pushed the conversation forward, “What ‘bout her?” “Ah know that somethin’ has been goin’ on between the two of ya fer sometime now, but ah held mah tongue. But now ah jus’ can’t no more,” the green pony spoke. “What are ya sayin’, granny?” “Ah’m sayin’ ah don’t like ya bein’ with that pegasus. Ah can tell when a pony is a bad apple, an’ she’s a black sheep, no doubt ‘bout that,” Granny Smith explained. Big Mac replied, “Miss Rainbow Dash isn’t that bad of a pony, ah promise ya that.” “The pony is with child, fer Celestia’s sake!” Granny became more animated, “An’ if ah ain’t mistaken, it’s believed that yer the father.” Shamefully, Big Mac looked away to avoid eye contact with his grandmother. “Of course, the pony claims she can’t remember anythin’ happenin’, so who knows who might be the real father,” the elderly pony continued, “Fer all we know, it could be jus’ ‘bout any stallion in Ponyville!” “Don’t....don'tsay that, Granny….” Big Mac softly spoke. “What was that?” Granny Smith asked, leaning in to better hear what Big Mac said. The red stallion repeated, “Don’t say that ‘bout Miss Rainbow Dash. She’s a good pony, she really is. She has her faults like anypony else, but she tries her best. Miss Rainbow Dash admits what has happened is the consequence of her actions an’ she won’t run away from the problem. An’ ah wanna stand with her an’ her decision.” Granny Smith looked at Big Mac. While he was looking elsewhere, his expression showed that his words reflected how he felt, “Ah’m sorry fer raisin’ mah voice like that, Big Mac. Ah jus’ see that Rainbow Dash as trouble.” Big Mac couldn’t help but let out a chuckle, “She certainly is a hoofful….” Finally looking back toward his grandmother, he continued, “But ah care ‘bout her a lot. No, more than jus’ care….Granny Smith, ah love Miss Rainbow Dash. Ah really have never felt this way ‘bout any other pony before….ah really do love her.” Sitting in silence as she swayed back and forth on her rocking chair, Granny Smith thought for a few moments. She then replied, “Are ya sure this is how ya feel ‘bout her?” “Ah’ve never been more sure ‘bout anythin’ in mah life, Granny,” his words were determined and strong. “Are ya sure this isn’t jus’ because she might be carryin’ yer offspring?” a small smirk appeared on the elderly pony’s face. “Eenope. Even if she wasn’t with child, ah’d feel the same way.” “What if it isn’t yer offspring after all?” Big Mac paused at the statement. The thought really seemed to visibly bother him as he dwelled on it, but he quickly shook his head and replied, “Then ah’ll stick by her side, no matter what.” A warm smile appeared on Granny Smith’s face, “A strong scene of honor ta the pony ya love. Ya certainly are an Apple. Yer father an’ mother would be proud of ya, Big Mac. Jus’ like ah am.” Breathing a sigh of relief, Big Mac returned the smile back to the green pony. “It’s obvious that yer in love with that Rainbow Dash pony,” Granny spoke as she carefully got off of her rocking chair, “An’ ah think yer jus’ the pony she needs.” The red stallion smiled as his grandmother started to trot out of the room, “Thank ya, granny.” “Of course Big Mac. Besides, somepony’s gotta give ya a hard time,” she mused as she let the room, “even if yer followin’ a family tradition.”