//------------------------------// // Trouble // Story: The Crusader // by Kasune //------------------------------// The clinic's office was deafeningly quiet, as if all the sound was being consumed by the large red stallion sitting in one of the chairs. Next to him, almost unnoticeable next to his sheer size, sat a small, yellow filly with a red mane, holding an ice pack against her eye as she directed her attention at the floor. “Are ya mad at me?” she croaked, her uncovered eye looking about ready to tear up. “Nope.” When no further answer came, she chanced a look up at the larger pony, to find him just staring ahead. “But...Ah'm still in trouble?” “Eeyup.” He replied, not breaking his gaze to whatever held his attention. The little filly's hoof drooped a little, revealing her covered eye had already started bruising up. “But why, Big Mac?” She pouted, looking back at the floor. “She started it!” The stallion turned his gaze to the filly, grimacing at her. “It don' matter who started it. Ya took a part in it. And that's just as bad.” “Oh...” The filly replied, lifting the ice pack back up to her eyes. Big Macintosh returned his gaze upwards. “Ah'm proud of ya fer standing up ta bullies. But there are better ways than getting' inta fights with 'em.” “Are ya gonna tell Applejack?” “Eeyup.” “Darn” The filly groaned. Silence returned to the office as the two ponies sat quietly, waiting for the nurse. It wasn't too long until the interior clinic door had opened, and a white mare with a pink mane escorted a gray filly wearing glasses out of the office, one of her ears wrapped in a bandage. “Remember, you're going to need to change those bandages before you go to bed tonight, and have your parents apply a little more healing salve when you do that, but you should be right as rain by morning.” The mare smiled. “I'll be sending your mom a message to let her know as well.” The gray filly nodded in response. “Thank you, ma'am.” She states, before starting to walk for the clinic's door. Big Macintosh nudged the yellow filly, indicating for her to go make amends. The filly groaned, but set down the ice pack and trotted towards the other filly. Noticing the approach, the gray filly rolled her eyes. “What do you want?” The yellow filly faltered, looking at the floor, her red mane falling in front of her face. “Ah wanted ta apologize. Ah shouldn't've bit your ear.” “Yeah, whatever.” She snarled in response. “Just don't let it happen again, blank flank.” She walked out the door before the yellow filly could respond. The filly's jaw dropped open, struggling for some way to respond. “But Ah...” She turned back to look at Big Macintosh, who had stood up and started to walk towards her. “What just happened?” “Ya did the right thing.” He said, smiling at the small filly as he walked past her towards the door. “C'mon.” The filly scurried out the door after the large stallion. The pair of ponies peregrinate the Ponyville plaza, passing plentiful produce stands. The yellow filly followed the taller stallion absentmindedly, her mouth running a mile a minute. “Ah just don' get it. Why's she gotta be so me ta me? Ah've never done nothing to her and she just keeps bullyin' me an all mah friends. What am Ah gonna do, Big Mac? Ah cain't jus-” She came to a stop mentally and physically as she ran into the stallion's hind leg. Backing up, she smiled sheepishly. “Sorry 'bout that.” Looking beyond the pony in front of her, she saw the sign of the Ponyville General Store. “Why're we here? Ah thought Ah was in trouble.” “Eeyup.” The filly scowled at the lack of a more protracted answer. “But, you're gonna let me see Diamond Tiara?”” “Nope.” “But-huh?” The small filly struggled to get her jaw to put forth words. “Ah'm confused...” “Eeyup.” The red stallion smiled, walking into the store. The filly scurried to keep up with him. “Macintosh, my lad.” A brown stallion leaning against the stores counter smiled as the two ponies enter the shop. “Good to see you. Though I can't say I'm surprised by the visit.” The yellow filly hopped up, leaning against the counter. “Is Diamond Tiara okay?” “Sure is.” The stallion frowned as he pointed at the filly's black eye. “In fact, looks to me like you got the worst of it.” “Nope.” The brown stallion glanced up at Big Macintosh, before giving a confused look to the little filly. “Ah, uh...bit Silver Spoon's ear.” She dropped to the ground, looking down at the floor. “Hard...” “Well, I can see how that's no good.” The stallion returned his gaze to the larger pony. “I take it Bloomy's in a bit of trouble then.” “Eeyup.” Big Macintosh nodded. “Shouldn't be fightin' dirty when ya cain't avoid fightin'. Ya need ta know how ta do the right thing, not just when.” He cast a gaze around the shop. “Do ya have any notebooks in stock?” “Sure do.” He gave a big grin. “It's even on the house for the hero. Just don't let it go to your head.” The filly looked up from the floor. “Thanks, Mr. Rich.” “Nope.” “Won't take that for an answer. While you're right to punish her for going about it the wrong way, at least she tried to do what's right and she should be rewarded for that. What your dad would have done.” He looked down, winking at the filly. Then he turned his attention back to Big Macintosh. “If you really feel the need to pay me back, you could try convincing your sister to sell me a barrel of her special cider every now and then.” He turned around, bending down to pick up a notebook. Setting it down on the counter, he smiled. “Deal?” “Eeyup.” Big Macintosh picked up the book, laying it on his back. “Thank you, Mr. Rich.” “Think nothing of it.” He reached over the counter, tussling the filly's red mane. “And don't be too hard on Bloomy. From the sounds of it, she was just trying to help my little princess.” “Eeyup.” He replied with a smile as the two ponies walk out of the store. The door creaked open as the little filly trudged into the room, slowly making her way towards the bed. “Ya cin stay up here 'til supper time and think 'bout what ya did.” Big Macintosh stated as he followed her into the room. Reaching behind himself, he grabbed the notebook and set it down on the desk. “Yes, Big Mac.” The filly responded sullenly, flopping onto the bed. “Applebloom.” Big Macintosh stood still for a moment, waiting for a response. Realizing none was forthcoming, he stepped forward and sat down next to the bed. “Applebloom, Ah know Ah ain't Dad, an Applejack ain't Ma.” She craned her neck to look at Big Macintosh. “Ah know that.” “Let me finish.” He grimaced. Taking a deep breath, he continued. “Ah'm not very good at being emotionally open an Ah know yer sister cin be...overprotective sometimes. Things ain't 'xactly been perfect lately and Ah know we ain't always helpful. But, ya gotta stop actin' out.” He looked back to catch his sister's eye. “It'll get ya into some real trouble one day.” He glanced over at the notebook he had put on the desk. “Ah think, if'n it'll help, ya should take up writin' or drawin'. Even if ya just use it as a diary ta collect yer thoughts.” “Is that mah punishment?” Applebloom asked confusedly. “Ta write about mah day?” “Nope.” She cast a glance outside her door. “Applejack gonna say Ah cain't have dessert?” “Maybe.” Big Macintosh smiled as he trotted out of the room. “Dang.” Applebloom scowled, letting her head drop to the mattress. She rests there for a bit, before looking over at her desk. Hopping off her bed, she trotted over to the desk, taking a better look at the notebook. “Ah reckon Ah should.” Applebloom opened the notebook and picked up a pencil.