//------------------------------//
// Who I Protect 
// Story: Immovable 
// by Purplescales42 
//------------------------------//

	Another month had come and gone. Iron had gotten the hang of apple bucking and also learned how to do the plowing. He had grown fond of Ponyville and the Apple family during his stay. It was nice to finally have a place he could stay in for more than a couple weeks and not be kicked out. He actually found himself looking forward to each new day.
Except this day. This day could go rot in Tartarus. 
It was hot. No, hot was too weak a word. Perhaps unrelenting blistering heat that could melt solid steel was more appropriate. A little overdramatic but appropriate. To top it off, it was humid as well. Iron fanned himself with his hat and dabbed the sweat off his brow with his bandanna. However, the bandanna was so soaked, wiping the sweat off was a moot point. Out of curiosity, he took a quick whiff of the bandanna and immediately felt like gagging.  He tossed the hat and bandanna aside and went back to bucking the tree he was working on with one of his hind legs. His eyepatch was starting to stick to his fur tempting him to pull it off. However, the desire to not gross out Applejack and Big Mac outweighed his desire to be comfortable. 
Speaking of the Apple siblings, the two didn’t look like they were fairing much better. Big Mac trudged along carrying a large basket of apples. Normally, it wouldn’t have been a problem but the heat and humidity made him feel like collapsing under the weight. AJ, on the other hoof, was sitting under a tree sipping the last drops from her water bottle.  She grumbled in irritation and crushed the bottle in her hooves. Looking out of the corner of her eye, she saw Iron bucking the tree.
“Iron,” she said deadpanned. 
“What?” asked Iron a little annoyed. 
“Ya’ll have been buckin’ that same tree for five minutes.”
“What?” Iron looked up and noticed the apples had already fallen out of the tree. “You couldn’t have mentioned that earlier?”
“I thought ya was excercisin’ or something.’”
“That doesn’t make any sense!” snapped Iron.
“Neither does buckin’ a tree fer five minutes straight!” retorted AJ. 
“I’m tired, alright?”
“Well, so am Ah!”
“Says the mare who’s just sitting in the shade!” The two ponies were soon in each other’s faces staring daggers into each other’s eyes.
“Are you implyin’ that I’m bein’ lazy?!”
“If the horseshoe fits!” 
“Why you little-”
“Enough!” shouted Big Mac separating the two. “Ah think we ought to take a break perhaps.”
“Sounds good to me,” agreed Iron.
“Now who’s bein’ lazy?” asked AJ. 
“The pony who was working all day,” Iron countered. Big Mac groaned and stuck his hooves in the two ponies’ mouths to keep them from arguing. 
“Ah’m not puttin’ up with this anymore,” he growled. “Swimmin’ hole. Now.”

***

Iron was immediately refreshed as he entered the water. Granny Smith, Apple Bloom, and her friends had joined in the trip to the swimming hole. The Apples were off playing and splashing while Iron was leaned up against a rock letting the water cool him off. 
“Ribbit,” croaked a toad on top of the rock. Iron looked up and noticed the dark green toad. 
“Hey, little guy,” greeted Iron. “Nasty heat out, huh?”
“Ribbit.”
“I’ll just assume you’re agreeing with me.”
“Ribbit.”
“Hey, Iron Ore!” shouted Apple Bloom as she and her friend swam up to him. The toad panicked and jumped into the water. “Come play with us.”
“Yeah, we’re going to race some laps around the swimming hole,” said Scootaloo. 
“I don’t know,” said Iron. 
“Aw, c’mon, Iron,” shouted AJ. “Scared to lose against a couple fillies?” Iron growled.
“What about you, AJ?” asked Iron as he swam past the fillies to the orange mare. “I don’t see you wanting to race.” 
“Is that a challenge?” asked the cowpony. Iron stopped in front of her and nodded.
“It is. Unless you’re not feeling up to it from all that work you weren’t doing.” Now it was AJ’s turn to growl. 
“First one to make three laps-”
“Excuse me,” called a voice. All the ponies in the water looked over to see two pale yellow unicorn stallions with red and white manes and tails approaching them. One of the stallions had a mustache. “Oh, well hello there Apples and friends,” greeted the mustached stallion. All the Apples, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Bell glared at the twins while Iron looked confused.
“Friends of yours?” asked Iron.
“Hardly!” snapped AJ. She got out of the water and stormed up to the twins. “What are you two scammers doing here?”
“Why, Applejack,” said Flim sounding hurt, “is that anyway to greet one of your old business partners?”
“Somepony hold me back before somepony gets hurt,” warned AJ. Iron bolted out of the water and stood between her and the twins. 
“Can somepony explain what’s going on?” asked Iron.
“These two are Flim and Flam,” explained Granny Smith walking up to the group. “They’ve been to Ponyville twice before. The first time, they tried to take our farm away and the second, they went around sellin’ some fake ol’ miracle tonic. They ain’t nothin’ but trouble!”
“Eeyup!” agreed Big Mac from inside the swimming hole. 
“I see,” said Iron with a nod. He looked at the twins. “And what brings you two here again?”
“Well, we seem to have run into a little trouble,” explained Flim.
“One of our customers wasn’t satisfied with a deal we made with him,” added Flam. “He is trying to register a complaint.”
“Why does that bring you to Ponyville?” asked Iron.
“Because by ‘register a complaint’ I mean ‘rip off your tails and feed them to you,’” said Flam. Iron winced a little.
“It’d serve you swindlers right!” shouted AJ. Iron looked at her surprised.
“Now, now, Applejack,” said Flim. “Surely you couldn’t wish such a harsh punishment on such on business ponies.”
“It’s a lot nicer than what Ah’ve thought about doin’ to ya.”
“So you do think about us then!” said Flim with a smug smile. Iron stood firm as he blocked AJ's attempts to charge at the twins. 
“Tell us what you fellers want before my granddaughter bucks yer sorry flanks across town,” said Granny. 
“Straight to the point, Granny,” said Flam. “I always liked that about you.”
“Get to the point!” snapped Iron still holding AJ back. 
“Right. We were wondering if we could perhaps lodge with you fine ponies until our pursuer stops giving chase.” It was quiet as all the Apples glared at the twins. 
“NO!” they all shouted in unison. 
“Why not?” asked Iron. All the glares were transferred to him. “What?”
“Whaddya mean ‘why not’?” asked Applejack stepping back from him.
“Well, what could it hurt to just let them stay for a little while?”
“I am not lettin’ these two stay with us! Especially fer free.”
“Can’t you just make them work for it?”
“No!”
“You’re letting me.”
“That’s business.”
“And this isn’t?”
“No!” shouted Applejack. “Our decision is made!” She walked off before Iron could say anything else. He looked at the other members of the Apple family. 
“And what about you three?” asked Iron.
“Ah’m with AJ,” said Apple Bloom as she and her friends got out of the water to follow AJ. 
“Those two will have to look somewhere else,” said Granny.
“Eeyup,” followed up Big Mac. They both left as well leaving Iron alone with the twins. 
“Geez, you two must have really done a number on them,” said Iron looking at the twins. 
“We have differing business philosophies,” said Flam. Soon, both twins were by Iron’s side putting their hooves around his shoulders. “So, think you can convince your fillyfriend to let us stay with you all.”
“We’re not together,” stated Iron bluntly. “And I don’t think I’ll be able to talk them into it. Sorry, fellas.” He started to walk off but was cut off by the twins.
“But you seem willing to help us,” said Flim. “How about we make you an offer?”
“What kind of offer?”
“You’re a strong stallion,” said Flam. “The one chasing us is pretty tough but you could probably take him.”
“What’s your point?” asked Iron getting annoyed.
“We need a body guard. Interested? We can pay you when this all tides over.” Iron just gave them a blank stare.
“Sure.” The twins grinned and Flim opened his mouth to speak. “But pay me now.”
“What?” asked Flim. 
“Just because I’m willing to trust you doesn’t mean I trust you,” explained Iron. “So let’s talk pay.”

***

Applejack ran through the town like a crazed madpony. She burst into Sugar Cube Corner to find Iron Ore drinking milkshakes with Flim and Flam. She stormed up to Iron glaring daggers into him.
“What do you think ya’ll are doin’?” she shouted getting in his face. 
“Having a milkshake,” he answered matter of factly. “Got it with the bits I’m being paid by these two.” He shot a smirk at the twins who just looked irritated.
“Why are you workin’ for them?” asked AJ stepping back a bit. 
“Well, you weren’t exactly jumping at the chance to help.” AJ narrowed her eyes at him. 
“You and me. Outside.” She walked out of the bakery followed by an irritated Iron. For a moment, AJ stood with her back turned to Iron. He had half a mind to turn around and go back inside. It was still way too hot. “What are you thinking?” she finally asked still not facing him.
“They’re in a bind” replied Iron. “I can’t just stand aside and not do anything. It just isn’t in my nature to look the other way when somepony needs me.”
“As long as they pay?”
“Well, I’m just doing that because they’re jerks,” said Iron with a smug grin. Applejack didn’t respond. She still wasn’t even looking at him. “I get the feeling that they did something a lot worse than you’re letting on.” Applejack finally turned around and looked at him. Her gaze had softened some but she still looked upset.
“That second time they visited,” she started. “You know, with the fake tonic?” Iron nodded. “When they came, Granny Smith tried some thinkin’ it would give her the strength she had when she was younger. However, it was just some kinda juice or somethin.’ It seemed to work though and when I tried to get Flim and Flam to put a stop to their scheme.” She stopped and looked away still holding a frustrated look on her face.
“You couldn’t do it, could you?” finished Iron.
“It was worse than that,” said AJ. “Ah ended up practically endorsin’ them. Soon the whole town was buyin’ the tonic just solely because Ah said it worked. Those two made a liar out of me and conned a lot of ponies out of their bits!”
“I see,” said Iron.
“Ya can’t trust those two.”
“I don’t.”
“Then why help them?”
“I already told you I can’t just look the other way.” He showed her this Cutie Mark. “See that?” AJ nodded. “A mountain is a natural barrier. It protects everything around it and defies any who would try and make it do otherwise. It stands no matter what. That’s what I do. I protect anypony who needs me. I know these two are bad news, AJ, I’m not an idiot. However, somepony sounds like he’s out for their blood. There’s got to be another way to deal with this other than violence but until that solution is found, I’m standing guard. I know this upsets you, and I’m sorry about that, but this is who I am.” He turned around leaving Applejack outside. She sighed and headed home.
“Stubborn ol’ mule.” She looked over and saw a mule staring at her. “Uh, no offense.” The old mule just smiled.
“None taken,” he said. AJ smiled and started to leave when she bumped into a large green stallion. 
“Excuse me,” he said. “Could you tell me where I could find two ponies named Flim and Flam?”

***

“So, is how is our favorite apple farmer?” asked Flim as Iron took back his seat.
“Still upset,” he answered. “I’ll admit, I’m starting to like you two less as well.”
“You’re not going to back out of our deal are you?” asked Flam nervously.
“Relax. Unlike you two, I keep my promises.” The twins didn’t answer. They were two busy looking in horror at the stallion who just walked into the bakery. Iron looked over and saw a dark green stallion with a blue mane and tail and a Cutie Mark of a boulder.
“Stonehead?” asked Iron. The stallion looked at Iron.
“Iron Ore?” he asked. The two stallions approached each other. “Been a while.” 
“Yeah,” said Iron surprised. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m looking for-” he looked past Iron’s shoulder and noticed the twins. “Them!” He pushed Iron aside an approached the twins backing them into a corner.
“H-Hey there, Stonehead!” greeted Flim. 
“How have you been?” asked Flam.
“Let’s see,” said Stonehead. “You scam my family out of their life savings and then cost me and brother our jobs. How do you think I’m doing?!”  He slammed a hoof on the ground and leaned forward to the twins clenching his teeth.
“Stonehead!” shouted Iron. The green stallion looked back at Iron.
“What?” he asked.
“Back off.”
“Pardon me?” Stonehead face Iron and approached him. “Are you protecting them?”
“I am.” The two stallions stood face to face. AJ entered the bakery and look at them. Iron and Stonehead were equal in height and build. If they were to fight, it wouldn’t be pretty. 
“You were never too bright, Iron,” began Stonehead, “but this is a new level of stupidity.”
“Now hold on a sec,” started AJ.
“And you were always a lot wiser than this,” said Iron ignoring his friend. “I can’t remember a time where you even thought of punching a pony let alone hunt them down.”
“They ruined my family!” shouted Stonehead.
“I know, but what does this solve?” asked Iron. 
“I’ll certainly feel a lot better,” said Stonehead glaring back at the twins. 
“But you’ll still be without a job and your family will still be without money.” Stonehead didn’t reply. “They need you there not wasting your time hunting these fools down. They can’t even pay you back. Trust me. They barely had enough to pay me to protect them.”
“You charge now?” asked Stonehead.
“Long story. My point is that this isn’t you. I know what they did to you was terrible and it won’t be easy to fix but I know you. If anypony can guide your family through this, it’s you. But you have to actually be there to help them.” Stonehead glared at Iron for a moment, then at the cowering twins, and then back at Iron.
“You make a good point,” he finally said. Iron smiled.  Stonehead took one last look at the twins. “You aren’t worth the time anyway.”
“Well, I’m glad you feel that way,” said Flim. 
“Yes, I’m glad this worked out,” said Flam. “Now I’m sure we can strike a deal that-”
“You two,” interrupted Iron. The twins looked at him. “Beat it.”
“But-”
“Yeah,” Stonehead followed up. “I don’t need your help.”
“Well, fair enough,” said Flim.
“We’re take our leave,” said Flam. The two bolted out of the bakery.
“Hmph. Typical,” muttered Applejack.

***

“Are you sure you don’t want to come back with me?” asked Stonehead. He and Iron stood on the path just outside of town.
“You really think my family will be okay with that?” asked Iron.
“True.”
“H-How are they?” asked Iron.
“I’m not sure I should say,” said Stonehead.
“Are they at least safe?”
“Gold Nugget is fine. Your dad, however. . .”
“It’s bad isn’t it?”
“I don’t think they expect him to live over a year.”
“I see.”
“You can still come with me,” offered Stonehead. “If anypony gives you trouble, I’ll make them back off.” Iron shook his head. 
“Thanks, but it’s best I stay away.” Stonehad nodded.
“Alright. Take care of yourself.”
“You as well.” Stonehead nodded and trotted down the path. Iron watched him go until he was out of sight. Applejack walked up next to him. The two were silent for a long time.
“Weird day, huh?” asked AJ.
“Yeah,” sighed Iron. 
“Are you sure you want to stay?” Iron looked up at the sky. The stars were starting to come out.
“Sometimes I look up there and wonder if they can see the same stars,” he said. Applejack didn’t say anything. “I think about them and wonder if they think of me as well. I hope they think of fond and happy memories but then I remember. They have no happy memories of me.”
“That can’t be true,” said AJ. 
“I can’t go home, Applejack. Not anymore. There’s too much bitterness between my family and me.” AJ was quiet again. She didn’t really know what to say to him. She decided to change the subject.
“I’m sorry about earlier,” she said. “Today just wasn’t a good day.”
“Nope,” said Iron. “I’m sorry too. You deserve better than me getting under your skin.”
“You stood by what you believe in and managed to help everypony involved. Nothin’ to be sorry about.”
“We could go back and forth all night about who’s to blame. Want to say we’re both at fault?” AJ  chuckled.
“Fine by me. You know, I’m surprised that you were able to talk Stonehead down.”
“I had to,” said Iron. “I couldn’t let him become something he wasn’t.”
“Sounds like you were protecting him just as much as you were Flim and Flam,” observed AJ. Iron smiled.
“I guess so.” He looked at AJ. “So, you and I are cool right?”
“Yeah. And fer the record, I never thought you were an idiot fer helpin’ Flim and Flam.” 
“Thanks.” Iron started to walk away. 
“Hey, w’re ya goin?’” AJ called after him.
“I never got to enjoy that dip in the swimming hole,” he explained. “I’m going for a swim. I’ll be back later.”
“Don’t stay out too long,” said AJ. “We still got lots of work tomorrow.”
“Yeah, yeah.”

***

Iron sat in the water against the same rock he had earlier that day. It was nice to finally be able to relax. 
“Ribbit,” came a croak. Iron looked up and saw the same toad from before.
“Oh, it’s you again. You’re still here?”
“Ribbit.”
“Don’t you have a family, little buddy?”
“Ribbit,” croaked the toad sadly.
“All alone, huh?” No reply. “I know the feeling. I’m alone too.” Immediately, mental images of all the ponies he had met came to his mind. The last was of Applejack smiling at him. “Well, maybe not as alone as I used to be.”
“Ribbit,” croaked the toad still sounding depressed.
“I guess that doesn’t make you feel much better, huh?” The toad shook his head. Iron stood up and faced the toad. “Well, that won’t stand with me.” 
“Ribbit?” asked the toad. Iron scooped the toad up and put him on top of his head. 
“You can hang with me, little guy,” said Iron. “It’s no fun being alone. I gotta name you though.” He thought for a moment. “How about ‘Ribbit?’”
“Ribbit,” croaked the toad.
“Yeah, too obvious,” said Iron as he headed home. “Mr. Toadykins?”
“Ribbit!”
“No, I’m not serious, I’m just brainstorming.” He mulled over some more ideas. “Well, I found you on a rock and you’re green so how about, ‘Moss?’”
“Ribbit.”
“No? What about ‘Rock?’ You like that?” The toad rubbed his chin before nodding.
“Ribbit!”
“Rock it is then!” Iron and Rock looked at the stars as they headed home. “I tell you, Rock, what a day. Crazy stuff, dude.”
“Ribbit?”
“Oh, you have no idea.”
“Ribbit?”
“Would I change it? Hmm. . .no, I don’t think so. Days like this remind you of who you are. I think I needed that.”
“Ribbit.”
“Took the words right out of my mouth.”