//------------------------------// // The Fire Pt 3 // Story: Us Against the World // by Chelis //------------------------------// They spent the entire night huddled together on the boat, watching as the flames consume the forest around them. The forest they called theirs for since they were born, the forest that stood strong against the forces of man and its attempts to claim it, gone in a single night. Miles away, the forces of man fought off the flames that took down the forest, every minute or so they heard the helicopters buzz overhead. Not even an hour passed, and the heat of the flames dried off Big Macintosh. They would occasionally splash the lukewarm lake water on their face, to keep themselves from overheating. even if it was just them and the rabbit, there was still the giant elephant. "You never had your parents all this time?" he asked. "No. They... were never on the right side of the law. They taught me how to live off the land and left me to the commune, who taught me as well. When it was raided by the police, they hid me to keep me there, and hopefully, my parents can take me. "Wow." "So since I was a little girl, I've been on my own. I made a living taking care of the sick animals, the shelter pays me under the table, and I would secretly sell herbs that are from deep in the forest to Granny Smith since she couldn't go that deep in the forest and you and Applejack are too busy with chores. It didn't make me rich, but I never was in need. " "I didn't even know," Big Mac confessed "I didn't want anyone to. but now..." It was enough to set Fluttershy to tears, losing almost everything she had. all her hard work and perseverance, all gone by the fire. Big macintosh held on to her more tightly, which was enough to calm her down, knowing that he was there for her. "Ya more than welcome to stay with us," Big Macintosh offered. Fluttershy turned around and gave him a kiss. "Thank you," It was daybreak, and the land around them was pitch black from the fire. Not a single tree in the area was spared, there were spots in the forest that was still smoldering white smoke. The first to hear the whirll was Angel, who was awoken by it. Big Mac and Fluttershy heard it and turned too, and were relieved to see Applejack on a one seat watercraft. "Y'all gave us a fright! But I had ah feel'n y'all were here!" Applejack said joyously. She had a rope in her hand, which was tied to the back of her wave runner. She tossed the rope to Mac, who tied his end to the front of the boat. He gave the knot he made a tug or two to make sure it was sound and whistled to Applejack, who slowly towed them to the shore, where their old rustbucket was waiting, the trailer halfway into the water. As soon as applejack was all the way up the submerged trailer, she got off and pulled the boat to shore. Big Mac got off when the boat and helped Applejack secure the waverunner when the water was chest deep, trying to get the thing secured before the lake mud sucked the trailer down. Applejack rushed to the truck and fired it up, the trucking using every ounce of horsepower to move the trailer out of the lake. While that was happening, Big Mac carried Fluttershy and her belongings to shore, their frightful night finally over. It turned out that the winds shifted, sparing the town in the last minute, which spelled doom for the fire, being pushed to places already burned and devoid of fuel. The apple family lost a portion of their trees and the fire ruined most of their crop, they made it through the winter with an emergency fund they had put money away towards every year in a case of failed crop. Out of everyone in town, Fluttershy was the only one who lost her home, but she had a home with the Apples and Big Macintosh and would spend a year with them. A week after the fire ended, life began to return to normal. The apple girls took Fluttershy and got her new clothes. Big Macintosh had a large smile to see Fluttershy's new look: a white tank top, and a soft green skirt and boots with a pink frill. The butterfly hairpin became the topping to the cake. By the time spring had arrived, Fluttershy had enough to leave the apple farm and rebuild. That day, the apples and Fluttershy's friends were hard at work... with the help of some of the older farmhands. The work began a month earlier when the debris was removed, the concrete slab that was once the foundation of her home was scrubbed. Then came the house, which was almost exactly the same as the one that was there, but upgraded and newer materials. By the time sundown arrived, everyone had gone home, their part of the project completed. The trees surrounding the cabin were knocked down as well and would be good fertilizer for the new life that was to spring forth due to the devastation. Big mac, applejack, and Fluttershy were the last ones there. the young lovers were in the kitchen while Applejack gave the place one last look. "Ah like it." "Eeyp." big mac added. Fluttershy sighed. "I can't thank you enough for your help. it means so much," "Ah, no problem! we are glad to help. Now, I'm gonna go home and get some dinner, yall want to come with?" Applejack asked as the three walked outside in the crisp spring night. "Big Mac promised to take me to town for some dinner. How about next time?" "Sure!" She said as applejack got in the old truck and drove down the dirt road into the charred woods. "Uh, Fluttershy, I never said I was taking you to town," Big mac said. "I know," she said as she slammed the door. She slowly walked up to him, reached up to Big Macintosh and shared a deep kiss, it was unexpected, so when Fluttershy tripped, Big mac fell over with her, both laying on the floor in fits of laughter before continuing to kiss.