//------------------------------// // Thank You Apples // Story: Polished Hooves And Big Apples // by Colt_Cuddler_4eva //------------------------------// After rounding the corner, Miamore slid to a stop, panting as he leaned against the nearest well. Miamore had been running around all day to get a little information about the Apples. He planned to have a little party thrown for them, and had even gotten a few gifts for them. The purple unicorn wanted to surprise the little family with all this, in hopes they would see his appreciation to them for letting him stay with them. He felt he had almost been caught when he saw Big Macintosh. The purple stallion had been at Sugarcube Corner learning how to bake a pie. He felt it would be more special if he baked an apple pie himself. And as he stepped out, he saw Big Macintosh and some tan colt. Miamore probably came off as rude though. The unicorn mentally slapped himself. What reason did he have to run? How would Big Mac find out he was throwing a party? Then again, Miamore was never good at keeping certain things secret. Only little things, like parties. He always got a twitch in his right eye. The purple stallion sighed, finally catching his breath. It was probably for the best that he ran. Wouldn’t want the secret to be out. Once the unicorn caught his breath, he trotted down the road. He was heading to Rarity’s for the second time today. Her place was the closest thing to home here so he enjoyed her company. Plus, maybe she could provide a place to have the party he wanted to throw. Not that he had a problem with Sugarcube Corner. He just thought it would be nice to have a change of location with the party. It seemed most of the parties around here were thrown at the cake shop. Miamore knocked on the door before going through a check-over of his appearance. Luckily, his hair stayed in place with all the products that was used on it. He was a little sweaty but he didn’t give off an odor. The stallion stretched a little before the door was opened. Miamore smiled at the three little fillies that answered the door. “Well, good afternoon… And what are the Cutie Mark Crusaders up to today?” He asked the three cute fillies. The three beamed at him. “Good afternoon, Mister Miamore,” the trio said simultaneously. “We were just trying to figure out what else we could do to get our cutie marks,” Sweetie Belle added, answering the stallion’s question. “We’ve tried so much, it’s hard to figure out what else is out there,” Scootaloo said, giving a look of downheartedness as the other two followed suit. Miamore’s heart dropped at the sight. He didn’t think he could ever feel more depressed than he normally was. And he was usually able to hide his depression. The sad fillies made him frown. He wanted to scoop all three of them up and nuzzle them until they smiled. “Come now, my little ponies. Don’t look so miserable. Such looks could bring the toughest stallion to his knees and bring tears to his eyes. You three have blazing fires of passion roaring in your hearts, and I have no doubt that you will each find that special talent of yours,” the purple unicorn said with a nod and huff of certainty. The fillies perked up, smiling at the stallion before giving him a hug. “Thank you, Mister Miamore,” Applebloom said sweetly. Miamore nodded. “I just couldn’t stand even the thought of you three being so sad… Hm. Girls, could you assist me?” The three looked at the stallion with curiosity. “First of all, Sweetie Belle, is your sister busy?” “I don’t think so…” “Could you ask if I could borrow her lovely boutique?” The white filly nodded before trotting off to find Rarity. She returned within a few moments. “She doesn’t mind but she does want to know why…” “I’ll tell you in a moment. Applebloom, my dear, would you be kind enough to go home and get your siblings and Granny Smith. That’s if she’s not sleeping that is. Hurry on now.” “Yessir,” the yellow filly said before galloping out the door and towards Sweet Apple Acres. Miamore waited until she was out of eye sight. “Okay, you two. I’m throwing a little party. I’ve tried to make sure word didn’t get around…” “Did someone say party?!” A familiar pink pony popped out of nowhere, confetti springing up with her and a noise maker in her mouth. How did she do that? “Please keep it down, Miss Pie. It’s a surprise party for the Apples. You may assist me as well. Now, as I was saying… Scootaloo, I want you to tell everypony about this party. An oral invitation since I decided not to make invitations. Miss Pie, Sweetie Belle, I want you two will help me decorate. I’m hoping Miss Rarity will help as well.” “Of course I will! Anything for you, Miamore,” the beautiful white mare said as she trotted to the group. Miamore smiled at Rarity. “Thank you… Now, Scootaloo, scoot along. I want everyone to be here before the Apples.” The orange pegasus nodded before going off herself. She put on her helmet, hopped on her scooter, and buzzed off to fulfill her task. Miamore walked into the boutique, closing the door. The four other ponies went to work on making the Carousel Boutique a lovely party place. As soon as they were finished with arranging streamers and setting up tables for snacks, a knock came to the door. Miamore answered to see it was Mr. and Mrs. Cake with the twins. They had a wagon of treats, including the pie Miamore had made. Pinkie Pie made punch as Miamore and Mr. Cake set out the treats. Rarity made sure everything was just perfect. Sweetie Belle kept the twins occupied. Miamore smiled as he looked everything over. Now he just needed to retrieve the gifts he'd gotten for the Apples. He excused himself from the group and made his way to his carriage to get the gifts he had bought for the Apples. If only he was able to buy gifts for everypony. Really, he needed to thank them all for their hospitality and for welcoming him into this lovely town. Maybe a few words of thanks would do. Most of his gratitude was due to the Apple family since they let him stay at their farm. The purple unicorn hummed softly as he trotted to the purple and red carriage. Upon the door opening, four wrapped boxes of different sizes hovered out. He really hoped they liked their gifts. It took the stallion almost all day to get as much information about the ponies as he could. He got some shiny new horseshoes for Applejack and Big Macintosh. They were strong for apple bucking. He got a nice purple bow for Applebloom. She looked so adorable with a big bow in her mane and he thought she might like a change of color. He ended up getting Big Mac a second gift. A new plow for tilling up the land. Twilight Sparkle had told him how Applejack wanted to buy him one but was short on bits for such a thing. He understood why too. A new plow could get pretty expensive, depending on the metal it was made with. Miamore bought a steel one, guaranteed to last a lifetime. Now, Granny Smith was the hardest one to find a gift for. He couldn’t possibly get her hip replaced. That was more of a family matter. He really couldn’t figure out what to get her. So he got what a gentleman always got for a lady when he couldn’t think of anything. He bought her flowers, but not just any ordinary flowers. Well, when he bought them from Rose, they were ordinary. Being a unicorn, Miamore did look into different spells. One he found was a way to give flowers eternal life. He hated to see flowers wilt so he wanted them to last forever. That’s when he found that spell. He used that very spell on the variety of flowers he bought for Granny Smith. The stallion really hoped the elderly mare liked them. Along with those gifts, a separate bouquet of roses drifted along. Once the purple unicorn rounded up the gifts, he trotted his way back to the Carousel Boutique. Ponies were already starting to fill the place. “Good evening, everypony,” the stallion said as he came into the building. Everypony turned towards the unicorn, greeted him, and then went back to their conversations. Miamore then located Scootaloo who was a bit tuckered out. “Thank you very much, Scootaloo darling. As a token of my gratitude, here’s a rose.” A single rose separated from the bouquet then landed in the filly’s mane. Scootaloo blushed before galloping off, feeling embarrassed. Miamore chuckled before continuing on his walk. He planned on giving a rose to Rarity, Pinkie, and Sweetie Belle as well. The three also blushed and either galloped away or giggled. The stallion never would fully understand mares. Soon enough, it came time to surprise the Apples. The lights were turned off, everypony huddling to hide. The voices of three of the family could be heard. “I jes’ don’t get it, Applebloom. Why did Mister Miamore want us ta come ta Rarity’s boutique?” Applejack asked. “I… I don’t rightly know. He jes asked me to get you,” Applebloom answered. “I didn’t think ta ask why.” “True. Any mare would follow any directions that stallion gives without askin’ why.” Applejack chuckled a bit. Big Macintosh remained silent as usual. The three –Granny Smith unable to come because of a schedule nap- were soon at the boutique. Applejack opened the door and the three were bombarded by a barrage of confetti and a loud “surprise!” by everypony. Miamore was in front of the whole group, smiling sweetly. Applejack’s hat was scared right off her head. Applebloom ended up behind her big brother. Big Macintosh only went wide-eyed. “Good evening, Apples,” the purple unicorn said charmingly. “Sorry about the sudden scare. I wanted to thank you for the hospitality you’ve shown me.” He pointed towards the big banner that read THANK YOU APPLES. “In truth, I want to thank all of you. This town is just wonderful. I wish there was more I could do to thank you all.” “Oh, please, Mister Miamore. Just a simple thank you is enough from a stallion like you,” Rarity said. “She’s right. We are more than happy to have you here, Miamore,” Twilight added. The remaining of the Elements of Harmony agreed, surrounding the matchmaking stallion. “I am very flattered you all think that. Now, let’s continue with the festivities. Miss Vinyl Scratch, if you please.” The DJ pony nodded before starting the music. As usual, ponies danced and mingled while enjoying the delicious treats that Mr. and Mrs. Cake create. Miamore walked around and made sure everyone was having a good time. It seemed a mare was always at his side too. The longer he stayed here, the more his charm seemed to captivate the mares of this town. Miamore was rather oblivious to this power of his. After a while, Miamore located the three Apples. “I have gifts for you three. Please, come with me.” Applejack and Applebloom happily followed. Big Macintosh just shrugged and went along. Miamore distributed the gifts to each. “I do hope you like them. I tried my best to give you something nice.” “A new bow?! Thank you, Mister Miamore,” sweet Applebloom said, changing her bows. Miamore nodded. “You look so adorable,” Miamore commented. The filly smiled before trotting off to show her friends. The purple unicorn looked to the older Apples. “I hope those will shoes fit. They’re strong so they can last through years of apple bucking.” “They’re perfect. I’ve been needin’ to get new horseshoes. Right, Big Mac?” AJ asked her brother. “Ayup,” the red stallion agreed before opening the second gift Miamore had given him. He blinked at what was concealed within the big box. A new plow. “Someone told me you needed a new one. This plow should help you get your work done much more quickly, and you'll have more time to goof off. You work too much,” Miamore said with a chuckle. Big Mac grinned a bit. This was the nicest gift anypony had ever given him. “I’ll take that as a thank you. I’ll move it to the farm myself. Miss Applejack, would you give these flowers to Granny Smith after the party?” AJ nodded, setting the flowers somewhere she would remember where they were. “Please enjoy the rest of the party.” Big Macintosh went to admiring his gift. Miamore chuckled again before trotting off to get some punch. Then a soft voice met his ears. “Uh, Mister Miamore… Sir… I was wondering… if it was okay with you if… um… if you would like to maybe… dance with me… I mean… Only if you want to… But you look busy… I should just go…” “Miss Fluttershy, my dear. No need to be so shy with me. I’ll gladly have this dance with you,” the stallion answered. Fluttershy smiled before walking with Miamore to where all the ponies were dancing. It wasn’t long after the song was over that Miamore was asked to dance again. This time by Derpy Hooves. She was a fun pegasus. The two had a rather in-depth conversation about muffins. Miamore felt like he had danced with all the mares and fillies of Ponyville. He was exhausted by the end of the party. He personally thanks everypony as they exited the boutique, doing his best to stay awake and look presentable. He stayed behind to clean Rarity’s boutique along with the cutie mark crusaders and the wonderful six mares that welcomed him first as well as Big Macintosh. “My, my. Parties here are quite something, aren’t they? Better than anything I’ve have go on in Canterlot. Miss Pie, you surely are a party expert,” Miamore said as he disposed of the last of rubbish. “Please, call me Pinky. All my friends do,” the pink pony said with a big smile. Miamore nodded, making note of that. “I’m honored to be considered your friend, Miss—Pinky… Well, it seemed everything is restored to where it once was, Miss Rarity. Thank you again for allowing me to have this little party in your boutique.” “It was no problem at all, darling. Anything for you,” Rarity responded with a musical laugh. Miamore laughed along before letting out a yawn, bringing his hoof to his mouth. “Oh dear. Excuse me. Seems I’ve tuckered myself out. Better get moving before I fall asleep.” Miamore’s horn glowed its purple aura, the plow levitated to him, only barely lifting above the ground. It was taking a good bit of energy out of the stallion to use his magic. Without meaning to, Miamore drifted to sleep, the plow softly landing on the ground. “Mister Miamore,” Applebloom said, nudging the stallion. He was out like a light. The group laughed a bit. “I’ll carry the plow,” Twilight said, using her magic. “Could you carry Mister Miamore, Big Mac?” AJ asked her brother. “Ayup,” Big Macintosh said before getting the other stallion onto his back. Miamore snored softly, shifting only a little in his sleep before settling where he was on Big Mac’s back. The Apples, along with Twilight Sparkle, returned to the farm, Princess Luna’s moon giving them enough light to get there. Applejack help Twilight put Big Mac’s new plow away. AppleBloom went to put away Granny Smith’s flowers. And Big Mac put Miamore in his bed. As he pulled the blanket over the purple stallion, Big Mac got a really good look of Miamore. He really was a handsome unicorn. No wonder the mares wanted to dance with him so badly. The matchmaker looked very peaceful as he slept. Not wanting to disturb that tranquility, Big Mac did his best to sneak out the room. The floors creaked a bit but it did not seem to bother the sleeping stallion. As Big Mac made it down the stairs to his little pallet on the floor, he couldn’t help but want to try out his new plow. Miamore didn’t have to get him that plow though. He would have been happy with a simple ‘thank you’ as the others were.