//------------------------------//
// Chapter 16 - New Information 
// Story: A World Without Princesses 
// by PonyTom 
//------------------------------//

	Twilight had spent an hour with Macintosh the previous night trying to comfort him.  She stayed with him until he finally fell asleep, making sure he had somepony to speak to if he needed it.  It was not something she was used to, comforting a hurt pony, but she felt a little proud of herself for at least calming him down.  If nothing else, she thought, she might have a future in psychology.

When she woke up the next day, however, Twilight was surprised to find the entire Apple family already up and about.  She supposed it made sense, seeing that they were a farming family, though the very moment she saw Macintosh she could see the uneasy look on his face.  He had washed his hooves and dressed in clean clothes, but the look on his face was one that said that he still felt unclean.  Twilight would see him steal glances at a clock once in a while, and anytime anypony asked him what was on his mind, he would simply say 'nothing' and be done with it.

After breakfast (which Granny had insisted she eat), Twilight was back in the guest room trying to decide her next move.  When Macintosh seemed ready to talk, she would approach him for his own ideas on the matter.  While she wanted to return to her house, she was a bit terrified of the prospect, fearful that if she did return, they would be waiting for her again.  A knock at her door drew her attention, so she made her way towards it and pulled it open, revealing a nervous Big Mac.

"Macintosh," she said as politely as she could with a nod, "is there something I can assist you with?"

Big Mac was quiet for a bit, looking at the nearby wall.  "About last night," he started, grimacing hard at the thought of it.  Twilight smirked, shaking her head at the stallion.

"It's okay, think nothing of it."

"No," he said, shaking his own head in response, "you... you helped comfort me while I was in a bad place... an' I appreciate that highly... and please don't be offended, but I also didn't really expect it of you."

Twilight couldn't help but chuckle at this.  Sure, it sort of assumed she was cold and heartless, but she supposed that given their past interactions she hadn't given him much reason to believe otherwise.  "It's okay," she said, placing a hoof on his shoulder.  "As long as you're feeling better, that's all that matters."

"Actually," said Big Mac, clearing his throat.  "... I... was kind of hoping that you'd follow me to see the filly?" Twilight seemed confused by the question, raising a brow at the stallion who seemed almost unsure of himself.  "... I... I'll be honest... I'm scared..."

Twilight frowned at this.  "... You're afraid she won't be alright?" Macintosh didn't say anything, but his defeated expression told her she was right on the money.  Twilight mulled her head over, trying to think of the right thing to say; she wanted to comfort him, but she did not want to give him false hope.  After all, cruel though it was to think, it was entirely possible that the poor filly did not make it through the night for all she knew.  "I'll come with you," she said.  She wanted to add the rest about planning for their quest, but decided against it for the time being.  He needed this, and she knew it.

Macintosh smiled, even if it wasn't a happy smile.  "Thank you," he said to her quietly.  Twilight simply nodded in response.  Macintosh turned to leave, but stopped.  "I'm thinkin' of goin' to check on 'er in an hour.  Meet me at the farm's entrance."  The stallion took his leave, leaving Twilight alone.  The mare let out a sigh, shaking her head and sitting on the bed that she had slept in the night before.

"Well, Twilight," she said quietly to herself, "seems like you picked up quite a bit of drama you had not anticipated."  Twilight did not consider herself heartless, but there was a level of guilt in her for the fact she didn't honestly feel too worried about the filly.  Perhaps it was her own separation from the incident, but she knew in her heart of hearts her life would continue as normal regardless of the foal's condition.  When she considered this, she also considered how, despite his own kindness, the same could be said for Big Mac.  She barely knew the stallion, and they were friendly acquaintances at best; he could keel over today and her life really wouldn't be effected.

'Except the fact that you're afraid of it being your fault.'

Twilight sighed, placing her hooves on her face and dragging them.  She almost wondered if maybe she was heartless? She looked at the door where Macintosh had stood  seconds earlier, thinking about the subject.  That dream she had was very surreal, but it was a dream.  She had been very stressed lately, so it's possible that the dream was entirely constructed of her worries and fears mixed with what she knew of other ponies, right? Maybe not even knew, simply assumptions.  It was possible that dream meant nothing at all.  But what if it did? After all, the only real reason she had to not take him with her right now was to keep his death off her conscience.  If it was possible such a thing would happen anyway, would it not be better to bring him with her and increase the odds of survival? On that note, it might be better to bring as many ponies as she could.

Twilight considered this for a moment.  'Fluttershy is very polite and gentle, and seems to have a proclivity towards animals that could come in handy.  Pinkie Pie is fairly unpredictable, and surprises me almost constantly with how resourceful she can be.  Braeburn is a hopeless lech, but he... well, he makes another pony?' Internally, she considered that in the off chance she encountered those thieves again, it might do her some good to have as many ponies available to her as possible.

At least it was something to consider.  With a sigh, Twilight reached into a nearby bag and withdrew from it a book.  After all, she had something important to learn before she went into potentially risky territory.







Macintosh chewed on a twig as he stood near the front gate of the farm, waiting for Twilight.  It had been ten minutes and she still hadn't come down.  He half considered going back to the house to see what she was up to, but just as he turned his head, he caught sight of her running down the dirt trail towards him.  'Better late than never,' he thought as she eventually caught up to him, panting and heaving.

"S-sorry," she gasped, hanging her head, "I was... I was caught up in reading something and lost track of time..."

Macintosh smiled and nodded towards the mare, figuring she was only a few minutes late.  Nothing would likely change with being a little tardy; indeed, that might have given more time for the filly to wake up.  "Sokay.  No harm done."

The two ponies strode through Ponyville together in relative silence.  Macintosh would occasionally glance sideways at the mare, feeling a little awkward.  He had never been much of a social pony, but at this particular moment, he was on edge.  There was so much to worry about, so much to consider.  Talking would at least allow him to distract himself.  "So," he said at length, looking back towards the streets, "dawned on me I don't really know much about you."

Twilight merely shrugged.  "I've not said much about myself."

"Mhm," said Macintosh.  It was silent for a few seconds.  "Anything to tell?"

Twilight shook her head.  "Not much, I'm afraid."

Macintosh pursed his lips together, keeping his eyes on the streets.  He didn't want to pry, he just wanted conversation.  "Where'd you grow up?" Twilight was quiet for a bit, so Macintosh looked back at her.  She was frowning slightly, and seemed a bit tense.

"I'd rather not get into my history, if it's all the same to you," she said.  The two remained quiet, Big Mac silently chastising himself for prying and possibly drudging up memories best left forgotten.  He wanted to apologize, but he knew doing so might only make things worse, so he decided it probably best to remain quiet or change the subject.  Any thought he had, however, dissipated as he and Twilight approached the home of the doctor.  Macintosh felt his heart beat faster, and his chest tighten, and a slight tremble.  This could be the moment of truth.  This could be a moment that plunges him in guilt or redeems him.  He wanted so desperately to turn around and run, to return when he had more time... but he had to know.  He took a deep breath, raised a hoof, and knocked.

After a few minutes, the door clicked, and then opened.  The doctor stood before him, and Macintosh was quick to notice that he looked tired and worn, and had a frown.  His heart froze, and his mouth trembled.  His eyes began to burn, and he felt the world crumble.

"Wha? Oh, hi Macintosh," said the doctor, his frown turning to a smile.  "You're here! Thank goodness..."

Big Mac swallowed hard, afraid to ask that all important question.  The question he had come to have answered.  The question that could make or break him.  "D-doc... is... is she--?"

The doctor smiled a bit and nodded.  "She's fine."

Those words left Macintosh's heart joyous.  A tremendous weight was lifted, and his spirit soared with relief of the news he had hoped to hear.  He was so caught up he laughed and grabbed and hugged Twilight, who stiffened in his grip (and might have been having a little trouble breathing) before he set her down.  "That's wonderful news!"

"Yes, yes" said the doctor with a sigh.  "Come in?" Big Mac and Twilight stepped into the doctor's home, and he shut the door behind himself.  There on the couch was the little orange filly eating a bowl of oats hungrily, her mane frazzled, and a cover on her legs.  As soon as she noticed him though, she paused for a moment.  It was tense, and he knew why.  She knew why.  After all, up 'til then they hadn't shared much in the way of healthy interaction.

"Woke up in the middle of the night when she knocked over a vase trying to get out.  Gotta give 'er credit for makin' the effort, but she was runnin' on fumes as was so I had to come down here and help 'er back into the bed an' explain the situation."  The doctor stepped next to her.  "Also, resew some of the stitches she'd torn."

Scootaloo grimaced.  "I said I was sorry..."

"Yes, and then you tried to do it again."

Scootaloo scrunched her nose.  "Had to be sure."

"And I had to restitch you again."  The doctor looked to Macintosh, who was quiet for a bit.  "Though, to be fair, I think the pony you really want to thank is mister Apple here."

This only seemed to draw attention to the silence.  Neither Scootaloo or Macintosh could look at the other.  Thrilled though he was to find that she was okay, he had not anticipated how awkward it would be for her in this situation.  The doctor stepped to Macintosh, placing a hoof on his shoulder.  "The dog got her pretty good, and it may take a while for her to heal.  Even then, the damage was pretty severe.  She might make a complete recovery, but it's possible she might end up with a limp in her gait."  Big Mac grimaced a bit at that.  Sure, she was alive, but it seemed such a shame to have to be alive and injured in such a way one would have to carry for the rest of their lives, especially so young.  "But..." he said with a sigh, looking back at Scootaloo and leaning close to Big Mac, "I'm afraid that's not my biggest fear right now."  Macintosh leaned closer, curious.  The doctor frowned, looking back at the filly one more time.  "This filly has no family."  This much Macintosh had learned already, even if it was only last night.  "Talked with the girl... learned that she's an orphan.  No aunts, uncles, siblings, nothing.  Nowhere to go."

"I see," said Macintosh quietly.

"Thing is," said the doctor, pausing as if trying to choose his words.  "I'm afraid I've no idea what to do with her.  Where to send her.  While I can keep her here while she heals, It's been a long time since I've had a drifter in here, and never before an orphan."  Macintosh looked past the doctor at the little filly for a moment.  He hadn't really thought of that.  He certainly couldn't send her back to that little hovel and leave her to the mercy of the world.  Similarly, he had always heard cruel tales about orphanages being careless with their charges... and downright merciless with pegasi.

"I... suppose I can keep 'er on th' farm until I figure somethin' out," he said uncertainly.

"Alright," said the doctor with a nod.  "I'd like to keep her here for another day if it's all the same to you though.  Make sure there's no complications that arise from the admittedly hasty work I had to do."  Macintosh nodded in agreement; it would certainly be better for him to know as soon as possible if something like that happened.  There certainly wasn't much Macintosh himself could do in such a scenario.

"I'll see you tomorrow then," said Macintosh with a nod.

"You too," said the doctor.

Big Mac looked to Twilight and nodded, and the two ponies turned about and made their way to the door.  Macintosh placed his hoof on it, but stopped when he heard "Excuse me?" Turning, he looked to see Scootaloo looking at him.  The expression on her face was one with a hint of guilt and shame, and she was trying to avoid eye contact.  "... Thank you... for saving me..."

It was as sincere a thanks as he had ever heard.  In that moment, Macintosh had remembered their past.  Her stealing his apples, leading him around town, making him destroy (and subsequently repair) another pony's cart, sneaking into his home, eating his food, conspiring to steal a pie from Pinkie... and then he thought of that face.  He turned around, and made his way towards the filly, who seemed to be uncertain of his intention.  Big Mac sat on his haunches before her and lowered his head.

"Never try to take food from a hungry animal," he said his eyes staring into hers, no malice in them, only a deadly seriousness.

Scootaloo nodded.  "Y-yeah... okay..."

Macintosh continued to look at the little filly, who suddenly seemed so sullen.  He sighed, closing his eyes, and gave a soft nod.  "You're welcome.  Listen to the doctor, because he knows what he's sayin'.  Come tomorrow, you'll be stayin' with my family on the farm until we can sort somethin' out."

"What?" replied Scootaloo, her expression both confused and a bit disbelieving, "Why do you think you can tell me what to do?"

Macintosh pursed his lips a little, nodding as if in acknowledgement of her argument.  "Good point.  Suppose I can't."  Macintosh turned to Twilight and nodded at the confused mare as he made his way towards her.  "Well, Twilight, let's head on back to the farm--"

"Wait!"

Macintosh stopped by Twilight and looked back at the filly with a sideways glance.  "Hm? You say somethin'?"

"I-I'll do it..." said Scootaloo, her gaze downcast as if trying to avoid eye contact.

The red-coated stallion smiled at the little filly and gave a nod.  "Okay then."  He looked towards the doctor who seemed to have a smirk on his face at what had transpired.  "I'll be by to pick 'er up tomorrow."  The doctor nodded in acknowledgment, and Big Mac turned back to the door, opening it and turning to Twilight, who stood, watching him as he waited for nothing in particular, looking at her, until she realized he was holding the door open for her.  The lavender mare seemed to jump a bit upon the realization before she stepped out of the house, clearly embarrassed she had missed the gesture for even a second.   Big Mac gave a nod to the doctor and Scootaloo, exchanged final goodbyes, and stepped outside.

As the two ponies made their way back towards the farm, Twilight cast a sideways glance to Big Mac.  "Would you really have let her just go?"

Big Mac shrugged.  "No idea.  Was hopin' she wouldn't make me find out."

This seemed to surprise the mare, who hurried in front of Macintosh and blocked his path.  "What? You don't know? You were counting on her bluffing you or something?"

"Pretty much," he said matter-of-factly.  "Not the best plan in the world, but best I had at the moment."

"But what if she didn't agree to it? What if she decided to go her own way?" Twilight almost seemed indignant.  "With that injury her life would no doubt be so much more difficult, especially if she really is homeless!"

Big Mac sighed and shook his head.  "What would you have done?"

Twilight stared at him for a moment.  She opened her mouth to speak, but paused.  Her eyes stared into his, clearly trying to come up with an answer.  Twilight frowned, looking to the side.  "I... I don't know."

Big Mac nodded.  "I figured she'd pick what she needs over what she wants."

"But how do you know?" Twilight shook her head, looking past him at the little house a distance away.  "She's a foal, and foals are not known for good decision-making skills!"

"Yes, but she's also homeless.  I doubt she's as spoiled as most foals."  Twilight did not respond, and a glance at the torn look on her told Big Mac she wanted to argue, that she might not be satisfied with his answer, and yet could not actually contradict what he said.  Reluctantly, she stepped aside so Big Mac could continue his walk, and she resumed following him.  It was quiet for a bit, and Big Mac looked off to the mare, smiling weakly.  "Thanks for coming with me," he said just loud enough for her to hear.

"You're welcome," said Twilight with a nod and little else.  The two ponies' walk continued in silence, both ponies staring forward at the path ahead of them.  Several minutes passed, and Macintosh was convinced the little mare had nothing more to say, likely as satisfied as she would get with his answer and the little thank you he offered.

"Zauberstadt."

The phrase confused Macintosh, so he gave a sideways glance at Twilight, his ears perked up.  "What's that?"

"The town I grew up in," said Twilight, her tone as stoic and casual as it ever was.  "It's called Zauberstadt."

Macintosh hummed to himself as he poured his knowledge for something to pin the name to, although it proved fruitless.  "Never heard of it."

Twilight sighed and nodded.  "It's... isolated," said the lavender mare, the tone in her voice almost seeming uncertain, as if the information might be sensitive.  Macintosh looked to her from the side, and he could see that while she tried to mask it, there was a level of sadness in her eyes.  "Not a lot of ponies know about it, and it's so out of the way it's unlikely you'd come across it unless you were wandering aimlessly..."

"Homesick?"

Twilight smiled mirthlessly and sighed, shaking her head.  "There's not much there for me to miss, really.  Whatever family I have is scattered, so all I'd have to go back to is an empty house."  Macintosh fell quiet, not sure how to respond to that.  What did that mean? Did she lose her family? It was something he would have to look into later, but for now he decided it best to switch to focusing on the road.  He knew it wouldn't be long before they could see the fence that led to Sweet Apple Acres.  It bugged him really.  He couldn't imagine not having somepony you'd miss, or a place to go back to for comfort and respite.  The idea just seemed so foreign to him, so unusual.

So lonely.

"Maybe," he said with a smile, "you can go back there sometime? Me an' Braeburn could come with ya if ya like."  This seemed to make Twilight chuckle, though he wasn't sure what she had found so funny; he was  being serious.  There was part of him that was curious to see what this mare called home, and she seemed to miss it, even if her words said otherwise.

"Twilight! Big Mac! Oh! Over here! Over here!"

Twilight and Big Mac turned to see a familiar face bounding towards them.  Pinkie had decided to forgo her usual method of travel - bouncing - and was running towards them, although she tripped over her hoof, face-planted, and then picked herself up and made the rest of the trip towards the duo as if nothing had happened.  "Oh! Thank goodness I found you two! I went to Twilight's place, but she wasn't there! I knocked on the door for fifteen minutes, passed out for five, and then remembered that Spike was with me and that Twilight said she was going to stay in town, so I went to Mister Rich's house and knocked on his door, and he said he hadn't seen you, so I ran by Sweet Apple Acres and they said you two had left, so I ran all the way here and I tripped and fell on my face (it didn't hurt, I'm fine I promise!) and then I started telling you this story, and here we are!"

The two ponies stared at Pinkie Pie, Big Mac as stoic as ever, and Twilight rubbing the bridge of her nose.  "So," said Big Mac with a nod, "What did ya want?"

"Hm?" Pinkie blinked a few times, confused.  "Oh! Yeah! Well, when we went to that spooky castle and got that rock, I thought it looked really familiar! Like, super familiar! I mean, I remembered how it smelled, how it looked, and how it felt to brush it with a comb and everything! While I was baking one day, I remembered, and said, 'Oh wait! My family has a rock just like that!'"

This caught their attention, though Twilight's more than Big Mac's, who took Pinkie's face in her hooves, whisper-shouting at her.  "What!? Your family has an element!?"

"Maybe?" Pinkie seemed to ponder on that for a moment.  "Not sure! But it was similar enough!" Pinkie frowned some, shaking her head.  "It's a family heirloom that my mama got from her mama, and so on, and so forth, aaaalll the way back to when my great great great great grandmother, stole it from her family and eloped with my great great great great grandfather!"

Twilight stared at Pinkie for a few moments, as if trying to piece something together.  "B-but... you're not from Cloudsdale... don't seem like royalty..."

Pinkie shrugged.  "I was told Great Great Great Great Grandma Pecan Pie was a gypsy, and that's why I can sing and dance so well!" To make her point, Pinkie pulled a tambourine from no where, stood on her hind legs and danced a bit, tapping the instrument on her hoof and hip, then shaking it, looking to the two confused ponies for a reaction.  When all they did was seem... well... confused, she decided she'd made her point and shoved the tambourine back in her mane and fell back to her hooves, smiling.  "Six generations removed and I still got the magic!"

Twilight and Big Mac shared a look.  Macintosh had a light-hearted smirk on his face, though Twilight seemed more astonished by their luck than anything.  She looked to Pinkie, swallowing her anxiety, and smiling in what seemed to be excitement/relief.  "P-pinkie, this is amazing! Do you know what this means?"

"Oh Twilight, don't worry, I won't put any curses on you!"

"What?" Twilight blinked a few times confusedly at the pink mare, then shook her head.  "No! Pinkie, I need you to take me to see this! I need to see the Element!"

Pinkie paused and hummed, tapping her hoof to her chin.  "I don't know," she said, squinting her eyes.  "Papa maybe married, but he's prone to being really flirty with younger mares!" Pinkie giggle-snorted at the very thought.  "Mama acts jealous, but she knows she's number one in his heart, so she never minds, but it's soooo embarrassing!" She groaned at the last part, putting her hooves over her eyes.  "Stallions can be so weird sometimes!"

Twilight turned away, trotting a short distance, looking at the ground as she spoke to nopony in particular.  "B-but we already have two! Two of the five! If what you're telling us is substantial, that means we'll have three! Three Elements of Magic!" She looked back at them, and Macintosh saw the little purple mare wearing a grin bigger than he had ever seen her with before.  "Pinkie, when do you think you can take us?"

Pinkie seemed to consider this for a moment, though she seemed uncertain of herself.  "Well, I suppose it's been a while since I've visited them... I guess if I disappear for a day or so nothing too bad can happen..."

"It's settled then!" Twilight clopped her hooves together, grinning excitedly, looking at both Macintosh and Pinkie.  "We're making such quick progress, it's almost unreal! I theorized it would take at least another half a month to find any leads on where to begin looking for the next element! That we might already know where it is? We could have the entire set within the next two months!"

This seemed to give Big Macintosh pause, who seemed to stop to look into himself.  "Two months? That long?"

"Well, yeah," said Twilight, her grin dissolving into a simple smile, "you didn't think we'd just get it done and over with, did you?" Macintosh didn't respond, only looked off to the side as if caught with his hoof in the cookie jar.  Twilight sighed, shaking her head.  "I know it's frustrating, but these things take time.  Even what I estimated could be wildly off! Unlikely though it maybe, we could find every remaining Element in an antique store tomorrow!" Macintosh seemed to smile at the idea; it certainly would make his life a little less difficult to find them that easily.  "Or," said Twilight, bringing Macintosh's day dreaming to a screeching halt, "it could take us longer.  Months, years even."  Macintosh's eyes widened at that; clearly, he didn't like the idea of their little venture taking that long.  Truth was, neither did Twilight, but there was precious little in her power to change that.

"Which is why," Twilight added, trying to think up some silver lining to boost morale, "you should just go on about your life as normal until something comes up.  After all, even I take a break once in a while to read a book."

Macintosh raised an eyebrow at the mare.  "You take breaks from reading books... to read books?"

Twilight blinked confusedly at the stallion, almost as if uncertain why he would ask.  "Uhh... yeah? Isn't that what most ponies do?" The stallion sighed, closing his eyes and shaking his head.  "What? What did I say?"

"Pinkie," said Big Mac, smiling towards the pink mare who, up until this point, was occupying herself with a bit of string she had found, "can ya take this one?"

Pinkie nodded, stepping forward and clearing her throat.  "Twilight," she said with a smile, "that is no way to have fun and enjoy yourself!" This seemed to confuse the lavender mare even more, though Pinkie was clearly not done.  "Remember how I keep telling you you need to go out more often? Meet other ponies? Live a little?"

"Y-yes," said Twilight, frowning a bit and suddenly seeming tense, "but Pinkie, you know why that's not such a good idea..."

"I know why you think it's not such a good idea," said Pinkie, holding a hoof up as if she were lecturing Twilight; the mere idea making Big Mac smirk a little.  "But that doesn't mean you can't have some fun! Live a little! You don't have to go around telling everypony in the world all your secrets or anything!"

"Pinkie, I appreciate the gesture," said Twilight with a somewhat nervous look on her face, "but if it's all the same to you, I'd rather just keep to myself as much as possible, okay?" Pinkie Pie stared Twilight down for a moment, who in turned looked her back in the eyes.  The pink mare sighed and relented.

"Alright," she said sadly, shaking her head.  "If you say so."

"It's not that I don't appreciate the thought," added Twilight, clearing her throat, "it's just that, as you know, I'm not very good with ponies."  Pinkie simply sighed an exasperated sigh, pouting her lips at Twilight like a sad child.  Twilight made a point not to avoid her eyes and instead cleared her throat, turning her attention to Big Mac.  "As I was saying... just go about your business, unless you feel inclined to do otherwise.  I've fortified my house, so nopony should be breaking into it a second time, but I can't be certain."  She looked back to Pinkie.  "I'll be stopping by later to pick up Spike, if you wouldn't mind?"

Pinkie's poorly veiled attempt at acting depressed continued with a glum 'Alright Twilight,' which she ended with yet another sad sigh.  Twilight was currently at odds as to if it was more funny or annoying.

"Well, I'm glad that's settled," she said with a nod, turning her attention back to Big Mac.  "I'll be heading back to your house to pick up my things, if that's okay with you? I don't want to impose upon your family any further than I already have."

Big Mac merely chuckled, shaking his head with a smile.  "Not imposin' at all, Twilight."  This seemed to make the mare smile a bit, though she seemed to catch herself and revert to her somewhat stoic behavior.  Big Mac, however, couldn't help but smirk to himself.  'Not so stone cold as ya like to act like ya are, are ya Twilight?' The world spun, however, and Mac suddenly found himself face to face with his maybe-cousin.

"We can't let her go home without doing something fun!" This seemed to confuse the stallion, who looked back at Twilight as she continued down the path towards Sweet Apple Acres, then back to Pinkie.  "She smiled! She smiles now! I've never seen Twilight smile where a book or secret wasn't involved!"

"So?"

"So!?" Pinkie pressed her face to Big Mac's so her eyes were staring right into his.  "That girl is about as isolated as  a cherry on the top of an ice cream sundae! Sure it's tasty, but it's lonely up there on the top of that hill of delicious sweetness!"

"Well," said Big Mac, his expression remaining the very image of stoicism, "I suppose that explains why you been puttin' two to three cherries on yer ice creams..."

"This is serious!" Pinkie shook Big Mac mercilessly, leaving the stallion dazed.  "This maybe Twilight's chance to get to know other ponies! To see what it's like to actually be one of a group instead of living outside of society! This is her chance to be a pony!"

Macintosh sighed a bit, pulling Pinkie's hooves from his face.  "Pinkie, it's her decision."

"What!?"

"If she don't want it, you can't force 'er" said Macintosh with a nod.  "It'd only upset 'er an' make 'er nervous.  You gotta do things on her terms."

Pinkie Pie scrunched her nose and crossed her forelegs, clearly disappointed in the answer.  "... But she'd be happier..."

"Maybe, given time," said Big Mac with a shrug, "but she's still havin' trouble jus' talkin' with us.  You can't expect 'er to be a social butterfly so quickly."

Pinkie remained quiet, the unamused look on her face almost comical, though Macintosh kept a straight face.  Finally, she sighed, responding with a clearly disappointed "Fiiiiine..."  Pinkie stood up and huffed, glaring at Big Mac.  "But she will get a party one day! A big one! Lots of ponies! Lots of friends! And she.  Will.  Like it."

Big Mac chuckled a bit at Pinkie's declaration and shook his head.  "Alright, Pinkie, but do me a favor and talk to me about it first?"

Pinkie snorted, but she nodded to acknowledge him.  He supposed she wouldn't have relented if she didn't see the logic, so he accepted it with a smile and a nod of his own.  "Gotta get home.  Throat's hurtin', need a drink, too much talkin'."

"Okay," said Pinkie with a sigh.  "Oh, when Twilight comes to get Spike, will you be coming along as well?" Macintosh simply shrugged in response.  He hadn't thought of it, after all, he figured Twilight knew her way around Ponyville well enough.  Though, he considered for a moment at how this had all started to begin with, and wondered if maybe she should have somepony with her when she went back?

"I'll likely escort 'er back home," he said with a nod, "but that's all I know to say."

"Okie Dokie Lokie," said Pinkie with a nod of her head.  "Well, I gotta go, Big Mac! The Cakes are probably worried sick about me!"  With a final farewell, the two ponies parted ways, and Big Mac headed home once more.  The day wasn't even half done and already he felt like he had a lot on his plate; another potential adventure, a possible enemy that seems to be paying attention to them, and Scootaloo having to stay with his family while she healed.

That last thought, however, gave him pause; what about after she got better? What would Big Mac do then? He couldn't very well say 'Glad you're better, now hit the road', could he? He groaned and put a hoof on his aching head.  Things had happened so fast he didn't even think it all out.  He considered the possibility of sending her to an orphanage, but the horror stories of how those places worked (especially in regards to pegasi) suggested the poor filly might be better off in the cottage he found her in.  Big Mac wasn't sure their orchards were doing well enough to feed another hungry mouth.

Before he had realized it, Big Mac had made his way all the way back to the acres, and was already nearing his doorstep.  He opened the door and stepped into his home, taking his coat off and hanging it from a nearby coat hanger.  The stallion made his way up the stairs, intent on making it to his room, though he stopped when he heard something strange.  It sounded... unusual.  Like a pop, maybe, though he wasn't sure that was the right way to describe it, simply the best way he knew.  He pinpointed that the noise had come from around the bedrooms, though he wasn't sure which.  The next thing he knew, the guest room door opened and Twilight stepped out, turning to him and then jumping in surprise.  "Big Mac!? Wha--how long were you there!"

"Just a minute," said Big Mac, tilting his head and looking around a bit.  "You hear a noise? Like a pop?"

"Noise? I-I-I have no idea what you're talking about..." Twilight tried to hide her concern, though Big Mac could see that she was worried about something.  For an instant, Big Mac felt a strange tingle, and the hairs on his body stand on end.

"Twi," he said, looking at her inquisitively, "what did you do?"

"Nothing!" said Twilight, though she cleared her throat and put on her most straight face.  "Absolutely nothing.  Why do you ask?" Macintosh, however, didn't seem convinced.  He looked towards the little mare for a moment, pursing his lips in thought.

"You didn't break the mattress in there, did ya?"

"N-no," she said, biting her lip.  "Not at all."  Suddenly, there was a ripping noise from the guest room, and a loud twang of a spring letting loose of it's confines.  She stared silently at the stallion for a moment, before sighing and lowering her head.  "I may have... fallen on it with a tad too much force and accidentally damaged something though... went in there, was so exhausted from the walk that I threw myself on the bed..."

Big Mac sighed, shaking his head and stepping past her, looking into the room.  There, he saw the mattress with a single spring sticking out from it.  "Salright.  Just gonna have to patch it up is all."  He heard Twilight sigh in relief and smiled a bit inwardly.  'Poor mare stresses herself out too much over lil' things.  She needs to lighten up.'

"S-so, Big Mac," said Twilight, as if trying to change the subject, "I was thinking that when I go to Pinkie's, you should come with me.  We need to discuss the next Element of Magic and what we're going to do, weather her parents have it or not."

"Eeyup," said Big Mac with a nod.  He supposed that was a perfectly reasonable request, although he had no idea what he could contribute to their plans.  He was good with business and farm management, but this whole 'magical artifact' thing seemed to be her area of expertise.  Still, he figured she knew enough of what she was doing.  She made her way back into the guest room and closed the door, and Macintosh continued his trek towards his room, stepping inside and shutting the door behind him.

Big Mac lay in his bed and sighed, staring up at the ceiling as if it held  all the answers to all the questions he could ever ask.  Things seemed to be in motion once more, and he had no idea where they were being pulled; at one time, he had assumed that it would be like some sort of scavenger hunt.  But those thoughts disappeared with that creature from their last trip to the castle.  'Wonder if that thing is still in there?' It was a strange thought; what does a horrific, giant monster do when it's treasure is gone? Come looking for it? 'Well, I suppose if it does it won't be hard to notice.'

Mac chuckled to himself lightly, letting out a soft sigh before closing his eyes.  Scootaloo, the Elements... things seemed so topsy turvy right now.  Big Mac pondered on this a moment, before getting out of his bed and making his way towards the door.  'Well, better talk to the family, get things sorted out for Scootaloo when she gets here.





Another night passed, welcoming in a new day.  A new day of promise, of hope, of life.

And hopefully, the beginning of a new life for a little orphan filly, though a certain somepony secretly hoped it would not hit too close to home.

'Even if Apple Bloom would absolutely love it.'

It was almost surreal, Macintosh thought to himself, that he would be bringing the very filly he once despised and chased away back to his home that she might heal.  Maybe despised was too big a word; Macintosh didn't like to think he could feel so negatively to a mere foal.  Of course, the more he thought of it, the less he could think up a better description, and the more shameful he felt of himself.  Still, what's done is done, and now Scootaloo was going to be coming home with his family to recuperate.

Granny Smith and Apple Bloom were with him at the time, with Granny making sure young Scootaloo (who was riding on Big Macintosh's back) was comfortable the whole way back.  Apple Bloom, meanwhile, kept talking to her about all the fun stuff they'd do while she stayed over; once in a while, the two foals would need a reminder that Scootaloo was currently crippled and would be unable to move around too much, which would force them to contemplate activities less strenuous on the foal's injured leg.

Macintosh had originally planned to set Scootaloo up in the spare room, but Apple Bloom had begged she be allowed to share her room with her.  Granny insisted it was a good idea, seeing as she never got to spend time with Applejack, and that it might be like an extended sleepover.  Macintosh inwardly cringed at the thought, realizing that if something didn't happen it could end up being an impromptu adoption, but kept it to himself.  Still, he supposed he couldn't argue with his grandmother (even if he did have to put the spare bed in there anyway and place a cot in the spare room).  Hopefully, he'd figure something out soon so that little Scootaloo would be able to find a family.

Back home, he was setting Scootaloo in her new bed as Granny went over the details.  "Apple Bloom wakes up every weekday at about seven o' clock fer school, which is about when we have breakfast.  If'n ya need anythin', there's a bell on the nightstand fer ya to ring, an' one of us'll get it fer ya.  Doc says you shouldn't strain yerself too much, so if ya need to use the bathroom or anythin', me or Apple Bloom'll help ya get there.  We have dinner 'round five or six every day, an' we can bring ya yer meals.  Any questions?"

Scootaloo shook her head.  "No ma'am," she said, being courteous enough that it was almost surprising.  Granny smiled and ruffled the filly's mane.

"Alrighty! Well, jus' give that there bell a ring if ya need anything! I'm gonna go downstairs and fix ya up some lunch."  Granny Smith left the room, with Macintosh following after her.  Apple Bloom stayed with her, and once the door was shut, it wasn't long before the two were getting into a spirited conversation.

Macintosh made his way into the kitchen below, pouring a glass of water and mixing some honey in with it to soothe his throat.  He made his way out of the house, taking a seat on a chair on the porch and staring out into the orchards as he took a sip of his drink.  He had already finished his work for the day before fetching Scootaloo, so there was nothing for him to do for the day.  No work.  No chores.  No tasks.  No Twilight Sparkle.  No Nightingale.  No crazy adventures.  The rest of the day was his to do with as he pleased.  And so, Macintosh smiled, staring out into the calming, soul cleansing orchard, letting the scenery take his cares away.

Then he saw a familiar shape trotting down the path to his home.

'No.'

The closer it got, the more he could see; purple, a hat of some sort.  Macintosh frowned.

'I just sat down.'

It got closer; a mare, a familiar mare, with a saddlebag over her back.

'If we live in a fair world where good things happen to good ponies and every dog has its day, you will not be dragging me away from home.  At least not for another day or so.'

Twilight Sparkle approached Big Mac, a smile on her face.  "Macintosh? Pack your bags, we're going on a trip!"  Twilight was about to turn around, but stopped herself.  "Hm? Macintosh? Are you crying?"


TO BE CONTINUED....