//------------------------------// // Chapter 6: good sleep, bad meetings // Story: Diablo // by StoneWare13 //------------------------------// A gust of morning air ruffled Applejack's blonde locks. Her mind began to wake, her capability to move slowly returning. As the earth mare did on most mornings, she raised her head and gave a long yawn, her emerald eyes still closed. A feeling of safety came from a warmth upon her back; a feather-like blanket. Regaining the feeling in her hind legs, she felt something fuzzy move on her right. Opening her eyes, Applejack turned to look at the source of the warmth. She gazed upon the bandage on Diablo’s leg, then up his long strong neck, to his muzzle and slow-blinking eyes. Applejack just smiled, realizing she had lain with him all night, if the tweeting birds were something to judge by. Yet another gust of wind ran through her mane and tail, which was strange as no windows had been left open that night, but that wasn't the only strange thing. Diablo’s face was frozen, his expression one of shock and terror. At first, Applejack was confused but thought nothing of it as she gave a chuckle. “Morning,” she said casually. “Ya look like ya seen a ghost." Diablo didn't reply. He just stared into the empty barn. Applejack started to worry. "What’cha lookin’ at?" She followed his gaze and her heart fell to her stomach. There, in the entrance to the old barn, wearing one of the most disapproving faces Applejack had ever seen, stood Big Macintosh. He was looking at Diablo with disgust and anger. The Shadowbolt was not in a good position for this situation. Applejack scampered to her hooves and shuffled upon uneasy legs to her brother’s side up. He never once looked at her, instead focusing his glare on Diablo. "Mac, please. It’s… It’s not what ya think." To be honest, she wasn't completely sure herself what her brother was thinking, but from what she understood Big Mac had seen her sleeping next to a strange stallion out in an old barn. Big Macintosh started forward, pushing his chest out and raising his head like the proud, hard-working stallion he was. If Diablo could stand, then there would be no doubt in Applejack’s mind that the two stallions would end up hurting each other or at least challenging each other. It was a dominance thing; a tradition that many stallion would subconsciously do and normally occurred when a mare like herself was involved. Applejack tried to loosen the tension. "Mac?...This is Diablo." Her bother simply raised an eyebrow before looking her way with a stern look. "Sis, a word." The three words were said with an emotion that Applejack couldn't place, though she felt it was somewhere between anger and concern. Either way it was not a good sign, so without being asked twice, she turned to leave. The siblings left the barn. Applejack was first to turn to look at her brother. A nervous scuffle of her hooves showed he worried feelings. Big Mac looked down at her. "Well?" he asked in his deep voice. Deeper than Diablo’s. Applejack closed her eyes. This time she would tell the truth and only the truth. Big Macintosh was family, and their ma and pa would be disappointed if she were to lie to her family. Maybe they would be disappointed if she lied to her friends, but she prayed they would understand her actions. "Look Mac, he fell in the orchard three days ago and he’s really hurt. And I thought he could stay just ‘til he’s healed, then he can leave!" She opened one eye, hoping not to see a look of anger, but her brother’s expression hadn’t changed; it was still the string conserved look he held so proudly "That's very kind of you, AJ,” he said slowly. “Shame you’re the Element of Honesty and not Kindness." Applejack was shocked by his sarcasm. It was clear he was unimpressed be her actions."I know, I know. I should have told ya but-" "No sis!” Big Macintosh interrupted. “What would Pa say to you?" They both knew the answer to that question. Their father had always told them not to tell lies, because a lie always turned into more lies. The ruby stallion shuffled closer to his regretful sister, slowly stroking her mane. He regretted reminding her of their lost family members. "Oh, Big Mac. Ah’m so sorry…." Applejack gazed into her brother’s eyes."Do you forgive me?" Big Macintosh regarded her for a moment more, then gave her a reassuring smile. "Eeyup!" The orange mare jumped up at Big Mac, hugging him close. He returned the hug. "How about we get that stallion into the house?" Applejack looked back in surprise. He couldn't possibly be serious! "Really? He can stay in the house?" She felt like a filly that’d just been given permission to have a sleep over for the first time. It was silly, but exciting. "Eeyup!" ------------------------------------------- Stumbling, Diablo walked carefully upon his 3 weak legs, occasionally leaning against Applejack for support. Shortly after reentering the barn, AJ had discovered Diablo examining his wing and leg, planning a skillful escape from the deadly clutches of Big Macintosh. The pair followed the steps of Big Mac as he too walked back into the farm house. "Is he your brother?" Diablo whispered to Applejack while slowly increasing the weight on his injured leg. "Eeyup" she replied in her typical country voice. A voice Diablo had become accustomed to hearing. The stallion gulped. "Does he hate me?" he asked nervously, a tone that was unknown to the ShadowBolts. Yes, many of his team would look down upon him for this betrayal of emotion and doubt, but before he would’ve fought back and not show any weakness. What would the ShadowBolts think of him now? The palomino mare had to chuckle. "Hate is a strong word, sugercube. But no, he doesn’t hate you." Diablo saw her kind, honest and reassuring smile and was almost put at ease. "Well, he sure keeps giving me funny looks." Big Mac’s ears flicked back, listening to the whispering of the two ponies behind him. "Do you blame him? He is the stallion of the house after all and he did just find his little sister sleeping in a barn with a strange stallion," Applejack said with a laugh. "Oh yeah... I didn't really think about that." "Just give him time,” Applejack comforted. “He's really a big softie." "Ah heard that!" Big Macintosh exclaimed in a jolly tone, causing all three ponies to burst out laughing. ------------------------------------------- "Howdy, Mac! Did ya find her?" asked the elderly mare as Big Macintosh entered the homey living room. Granny was gently swaying in her rocking chair, squeaks from the old wooden antique filling the room "Eeyup!" The stallion looked positively over his toned shoulder revealing a smiling palomino mare. Granny Smith gave her granddaughter a smile when a second face appeared in the door way. "Oh!?" The elderly mare stopped her rocking. "So this be the stallion y’all been hidin’." The old green mare shakily rose to her hooves and slowly walked on unsteady legs. "Nice to meet ya," she greeted the new stallion while eyeing him up in a protective, motherly way. The stallion smiled an honest smile, hoping the mare would let him be. "Hello. I am Diablo. It's very nice of you to—" "Granny!” A small red-maned filly bolted from the hall into the living room before skidding to a halt. “Have you seen my—" There was a moment of silence as the filly looked up at the new stallion, a surprised frown upon her little face. Diablo was worried; not only did he not know this filly but he didn’t want her to hate or fear him, especially since she was likely related to Applejack. The rest of the Apple Family waited patiently for a response from the yellow filly. After a few long seconds, her frown turned into the sweetest smile the little pony could muster. "Hi!" she giggled. Relief flooded into Diablo. I hope that’s a good sign. "Hello," he replied. Apple Bloom turned to her big sister, smirking."Hey, Applejack. Is this your new coltfriend?" "WHAT!?" Applejacks eyes widened in shock as blood flowed to her checks. The filly cantered out of the room, laughing at her sister’s expression. Applejack charged after her sister like a minotaur in a china shop. With a stumble she turned the corner, throwing herself at the filly who had made it to safety at the top of the stairs. "COME BACK HERE!" As the sisters continued to run through their home, Big Mac rolled his eyes. Heading into the kitchen, he left Diablo dumbstruck in the living room with Granny Smith. The apple-green mare smiled at the shocked and clearly embarrassed stallion. "That's Apple Bloom, mah youngest granddaughter.” Big Macintosh returned with a large metal box accessorized with a smile red cross, which he dropped onto the tabletop with a loud clank. "Here,” he said to the pegasus stallion. “Let’s get your leg sorted.” “Best let us. Looks nasty," Granny encouraged, being the motherly figure she was. Only now did Diablo truly feel the niggling pain in his leg. The Apple family's activity was like a distraction, helping him escape from the slight stinging. Diablo sat clumsily on his rump, presenting his leg to the now-sitting elderly pony. The injured stallion battled with instinct to pull away from the caring mare drawing slowly closer. Granny Smith gently removed the bandage from around Diablo’s leg, revealing a stain of dried blood. Diablo watched with an even eye as the old mare moved over to the first-aid box and began to delve through its contents. A few second later she pulled out a new cloth, which she then dipped into a bowl of water Big Macintosh had prepared. Diablo inspected his leg; it looked a little swollen still, but didn’t hurt even half as much as it did the hours after plummeting from the sky. The elder mare began wiping at his matted fur, removing any evidence of blood from his pale-blue coat. A few wipes later the hoof and cloth rose from Diablo’s leg, leaving a barely noticeable cut. It was a relief to the pegasus that no lasting damage had been caused from his failure to stay airborne and an equally relieved smile washed over his muzzle. "Well, your leg looks to have healed fast," a familiar voice said; one he had begun to care for. Diablo smiled up at her as Applejack leaned on her hind legs against the door frame. "The spare bedroom is ready. Ah’m off with Mac to work on the farm. Think you can look after Granny for us?" "Sure thing , Applejack," Diablo replied, glad that he could do something in return. With that, the mare and her brother left for a day of hard work.