> Heartaches By The Number > by ADRNEL > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Number 1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Another beautiful spring day in Ponyville, and at Sweet Apple Acres, a large red stallion puts away his Smarty Pants dolls under the bed, leaves the bed and walks to the bathroom to take his once daily shower. He opens the bathroom door only to find Applejack inside drying herself off. “GOSH DARN IT MAC! HAVEN’T YA HEARD OF KNOCKIN’!?” yelled his annoyed younger sister. “Whut’s th’ point?” grinned Big Mac, rolling his eyes. “Ah see ya’ naked every day!” he playfully states. “Still, ah deserve some privacy if ya’ don’t mind!” snapped the mare as she pushes Big Mac out of the bathroom before slamming the door shut on his snout. “GOOD MORNING, PONYVILLE!” yelled Cheerilee to her bedroom after waking up. She quickly takes her usual morning shower, gets her mane and face ready for the upcoming busy school day, and has her usual breakfast of a bagel and coffee. “Let’s see what I have planned for my students today.” The purple mare happily states, while flipping through her lesson plan. While flipping through the pages, a small photo falls out, Cheerilee notices it and gets down on the floor to pick it up, only to see that the photo is of her and Big Mac together at the Ponyville fair, with Big Mac kissing her cheek. A single tear forms in her eye and slowly rolls down the mare’s cheek from the flood of both happy and sad memories the photo created. She and Big Mac used to date last summer, to was the best 50 days of her life, her days and nights were spent with him. Unfortunately, the spark they had faded as Big Mac’s work load on the farm increased, until they just drifted apart and agreed to put a hold on the relationship and remain friends, much to their sadness, although she would later find out that night, that post break-up sex was better than the ‘regular’ kind. They never been together since then. “Oh Mackie,” mumbles and saddened Cheerilee. “Why did we have to break up?” “Oh Angel...please eat your food!” begged Fluttershy to her pet bunny, who is refusing to eat his breakfast. “I know it’s not your favorite, but it’s good for you!” Angel continues to resist, crossing his arms and giving her a dirty look. Fluttershy wanted to use ‘the stare’ at him, but she wasn’t in the mood, lately, she’s been depressed from how routine her life has become. Sure, she has her animals and friends, but that’s not enough, she wants...no...needs somepony to provide her for more than just that. A somepony who can comfort her, cheer her up when her friends are unable to. A somepony who is very kind, very honest and always puts loved ones and family first, like her cousin. But who can fill that role? Fluttershy just leaves Angel alone as she lays down on the living room couch to think. “I wonder what my friends are doing today?” she asks to herself, staring at the ceiling. “GOSH DARN IT MAC! YER GONNA PAY!” yelled an angry Applejack chasing after Big Mac around the farm, Granny Smith hobbles out from inside the farmhouse, sits down on her chair in the porch and sees her two grandkids chasing each other. “Looks like she caught Mac readin’ her diary again.” mused the old mare. She then takes a deep breath to prepare her lungs for what she’s going to do next. “APPLEJACK! MACINTOSH! STOP!” Granny Smith sternly yells. Both siblings stop in the tracks and assemble in front of the old mare. “Mac! Stop readin’ yer sister’s diary, ah knows it’s a... rather interestin’ read, but it’s fo’ her eyes only!”, yelled Granny to her grandson Big Mac. “AJ! Find a better hidin’ place fo’ that thin’ then yer jewelry box!” Applejack’s face gained a light crimson at the demand. “Ya’ know how craf’y an’ intellygant yer brother can be!” Both Big Mac and Applejack just give her guilty looks, before walking back to the fields to complete their chores. But then, they hear a set of hooves softly land on the ground, the siblings turn around to see Fluttershy standing before them. “Fluttershy?” exclaimed Applejack, not expecting her to be here. “What are ya’ doin’ here?” “Oh...sorry to bother you...it’s just that I’m running low on animal feed, and I was hoping you would let me borrow some...if you don’t mind of course.” nervously explained the pegasus to her best friend. “Of course ah don’t mind, sugarcube,” happily states the orange mare. “Big Mac, do ya mind takin’ Fluttershy t’th’ barn t’give her some feed?” she asks to her older brother. “Nnope.” nodded Big Mac, he then leads the pegasus to the barn while Applejack trots off to do her chores, and to find a better hiding place for her diary. As Fluttershy follows the stallion, she couldn’t help but stare at his flank. “So muscular”, thought the pegasus. She always had a crush on the red stallion, but was too afraid to tell him, especially since he was her best friend’s brother, she didn’t want to upset Applejack. But it wasn’t just his body that attracts the shy pegasus, but his personality, so kind, so honest, so devoted to his loved ones and family...he’s perfect. Big Mac and Fluttershy enter the barn where they see bags of animal feed neatly stacked up against the wall. “So...how many bags do ya need?” politely asked the stallion to Fluttershy. He always found the yellow pegasus kind of cute, and her shyness endearing, but usually stayed away from her and Applejack’s friends out of respect for his sister. Fluttershy was too nervous to answer, her eyes wide, she was starting to break out in cold sweats. “Come on Fluttershy! Say something! Stop proving your name right!” she yells in her head. “Fluttershy?” Her heart is racing, she can hear it getting louder and louder, she can’t take it anymore. “BIG MAC I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!” she quickly and impulsively shouts. She immediately realizes what she said and shuts her mouth with her hooves. “EEP!” “Whut?” was all Big Mac could say, trying to make sense of what he just heard. Without saying anything, Fluttershy grabs a bag of feed in her wing and rockets out of the barn. Leaving a stunned Big Mac alone. “Oh Fluttershy...why do you have to be such a loudmouth?” stated a disappointed Fluttershy to herself as she flies back to her home. “Now Big Mac will never love me.” At the farm, Big Mac has left the barn and is walking to the fields to do his chores, but he can’t help but think about Fluttershy’s outburst. Did she really mean it? How would Applejack handle the news that one of her close friends is in love with him? Will Applejack approve of him starting a relationship with the pegasus? He highly doubts that one. After Applejack made friends with Twilight, Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, his sister specifically warned him to stay away, all other mares are fair game, but not them. She doesn’t want things to get awkward between her and her friends, plus she’s worried about their well being and doesn’t want to see them heartbroken. He continues to think long and hard about this, until he accidentally bumps into somepony, shaking him from his thoughts. “Oh...I’m so sorry Mackie.” exclaimed a concerned voice. Big Mac immediately knows who that voice belongs to; Cheerilee. “Cheerilee?” asked a confused Big Mac. “Whut is ya doin’ here?” “I just wanted to check up on you, it’s been awhile since we last talked.” nervously explained Cheerilee. “Well,” started the stallion. “not much has changed, but it’s nice t’talk t’ya again.” he states. “Look,” proposed the purple mare. “I was thinking that maybe you would like to come over to my place for dinner this weekend, to catch up on old times, if you want.” she offers. “I'll hafta convince mah sister t'do some of mah chores on that day, but ah reckon ah can come on over.” stated Big Mac. “Great!” the mare exclaims. “It would be great to talk to you again after so long.” the mare couldn’t help but check the stallion out. “My goodness, I miss that body so much.” her mind begins to wander to the many times she has explored his fit and muscular body. She quickly refocuses herself. “Eeyup.” happily nodded the stallion. He still has some lingering feelings for the purple mare, but now sees her as a close friend. “Well, I have to get going home... I’ll see this weekend then, bye!” Cheerilee cheerfully exclaimed as she walks off, sashaying her hips. Big Mac immediately notices, and begins to remember all those times he kissed those three flowers that make up her cutie mark. He quickly shakes his head of those thoughts. “Take it easy there Mac...that ship has long sailed away. It was good while it lasted, but it’s best that we remain friends.” The stallion then goes off to complete his chores, not thinking about all the craziness he’ll encounter over the next few days. TO BE CONTINUED... > Number 2 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Dash! Are you in there? We need to talk!” pounded Fluttershy on the door of her best friend’s cloud home. The door opens to reveal a slightly irritable and blushing Rainbow Dash. “Fluttershy?” asked the pegasus to her friend. “What are you doing here?” Rainbow shifted her head from left to right in a rapid succession. “You came at a very bad time you know.” “I know,” stated Fluttershy, starting to get desperate. “but this is really important!” “If its about Angel bunny, I don’t want to hear-” “IT’S ABOUT BIG MAC!” Fluttershy blurts out. Awkward silence develops between them. Rainbow Dash knows that anything involving Big Mac must be serious, especially since Applejack declared that he’s off limits to them. “Dashie? Who’s at the door?” yelled a male Trottingham accent from inside the house. “It’s Fluttershy.” answered Dash back. “Cousin? By Discord, I haven’t seen her in days! Untie me from your bed and let me see her!” yelled the voice back. Fluttershy is confused by the conversation. “Joy Stick is here? And why is he tied to your bed?” “Uh...it’s not important, just make yourself comfortable in the living room, I’ll get your cousin and we’ll talk about this.” explained a nervous and embarrassed Dash, she then flies off to her bed to untie Fluttershy’s cousin from her bed. “I’ve never been so ashamed of myself.” stated an embarrassed Fluttershy, finishing her story on how she blurted out her confession to Big Mac the day before to her best friend and cousin. “Wait...Big Mac?” asked Joy Stick for confirmation. Fluttershy just nervously nods. “My cousin has the hots for my best bloke?” the stallions asks to nopony in particular, trying to process the information. Fluttershy nervously nods a second time. Joy Stick proceeds to talk to himself. “Why is that stallion called Big Mac anyhow? Is it to keep up the Apple tradition? No, he was a small lad in his childhood. Maybe he’s well endowed...” “I doubt it, because you should see Braeburn’s, I’m surprised he doesn’t pass out from lack of blood flow to his brain with that thing.” mused Dash. Both Fluttershy and Joy Stick give her awkward looks. “Or so I heard...” she states sheepishly. “Anyways...” stated Joy Stick, changing the subject. “I think you should go speak with Big Mac and set everything straight with him.” the stallion explains to his cousin. “But what if Applejack finds out about this?” stated Fluttershy, concerned. “I don’t want to offend her or hurt her feelings.” “She’s going to find out eventually.” chimed Dash. “I’m surprised she still doesn’t know that I once had a one-night stand with him.” “Yeah, she still- wait...” Realization in 3... 2... “WHAT!?! When did that happen?!” Flailing his forehooves around in the air at the speed of light. “Last year on Apple Cider day.” explained a blushing Rainbow Dash. “Wait...who else amongst our friends have been with Big Mac despite Applejack's orders?” asked a curious Fluttershy. “Rarity...don’t know about Twi or Pinkie though.” Dash answered. Fluttershy is in complete shock, two of her friends went behind Applejack’s back and have been with Big Mac. “Uh...sorry to have bothered you...but this is something I must take care of, bye Dash, see you later Joy.” she then gives both her friend and her cousin quick hugs before flying out the front door. Once Dash is sure Fluttershy is gone, she turns to Joy Stick. “Okay mister...mistress is now ordering you to get back on her bed...now march!” ordered Dash. “Yes, my mistress.” agreed Joy Stick, playing along. Cheerilee has always known that Big Mac has been with and rutted almost every single mare in Ponyville, he is the town’s most eligible bachelor. In fact, Cheerilee suspects that as long as its a mare, has a cutie mark and is not blood related to him, he’ll be glad start a relationship with said mare. The purple mare then begins to remember the time that Big Mac and Carrot Top were together, despite the fact that Carrot Top was still in a relationship with Written Script. Written Script went off to the Crystal Empire to sell his screenplay, leaving Carrot Top alone. It was very common for Written Script to be gone for weeks, sometimes months, at a time, and that started to annoy Carrot Top greatly, who started to feel that her needs were being ignored. Big Mac always had a habit of being polite, and that usually meant that he would never turn down a mare in need. As long she’s not one of Applejack’s friends, he’ll will mostly likely say “Eeyup” to her. Although there has been rumors that he secretly had one night stands with both Rainbow Dash and Rarity behind his sister’s back. In the end, Carrot Top began an affair with Big Mac, every time Written Script went away, and ended it without Written Script suspecting. Luckily, Big Mac was also loyal and honest, once he started dating Cheerilee, he never ONCE been with another mare except her. But he went back to his old ways once they broke-up. Cheerilee finally reaches her destination; Sugarcube Corner, to get a cake for the upcoming dinner with Big Mac. She enters the stores to find no one behind the counter, she just walks up to it and rings the bell that’s sitting on the counter. “Be right there...just finishing building a marzipan house for the foals!” announced Pinkie Pie from the kitchen in a cheerful sing-song voice. Luckily, Cheerilee didn’t have to wait long because a few seconds later, Pinkie just appears in front of her behind the counter. “So...the usual Miss Cheerilee?” cheerfully asked the pink mare. “Not this time Pinkie...I’m looking for a romantic cake for this weekend and-” “A romantic cake? Ooh this some super-duper news! Who’s the lucky stallion?” Pinkie excitedly asks, resting her face between her forelegs, fully listening. “Is it Colton?” “No-” “Davenport? High Score? Comet Tail? Time Turner? Colton?” Pinkie continues to ask. “It’s Big Mac.” admitted Cheerilee, not in the mood to play games. “BIG MAC?!” gasps the pinkie mare. “That’s so awesome! I knew you two will get back together again someday! You know what they say; ‘once you do Mac, you’ll always come back’.” “Did you and Big Mac-?” “Oh no...Applejack will burst a blood vessel if she finds out one of her super close friends has been rutting her big brother senseless behind her back. Although to be fair...I am pretty limber-” “Can you please give me the cake?” interrupted Cheerilee, wanting to get this over with. “Okie dokie Lokie! One sensual chocolate cake it is.” Pinkie takes the order and zooms off to the kitchen. A few seconds later, she comes out with the cake and gives it to Cheerilee. “And because it’s for Mackie, you can have it for free!” “Uh...thanks Pinkie.” states Cheerilee, nervously taking the cake and walking out of the store. “DON’T FORGET TO LIMBER UP!” yelled Pinkie just as the purple mare leaves the shop. “Big Mac, where is ya going off to?” yelled Applejack from inside as Big Mac leaves the farm house, it is evening. “Into town.” yelled Big Mac back. The stallion always goes into town to drink at a bar once a week with Joy Stick. He loves his family very much, but he needs a break from them every once in awhile to keep his sanity, especially his sister. “Don’t come back until ah have great-gran’kids ya hear!” yelled Granny Smith. Granny Smith always says that to him when he’s going into town for the night, although with all the mares he’s been with, it’s a miracle that he STILL didn't get a mare pregnant. Big Mac secretly believes that the only reason Granny is still alive is because she’s waiting for either him or his sister to have great-grandkids. He leaves the farm and begins his walk towards Ponyville, thinking about his upcoming dinner with Cheerilee. After the whole ‘love potion’ incident, he thought he genuinely had feelings for the mare and they had a very loving and passionate relationship. But for some reason, the spark disappeared as he began to see her more as a friend than a lover. Big Mac was so lost in his thoughts, he failed to notice a pony in front of him and they both bump into each other, falling to the ground. “Oh...I’m sorry, I’m so sorry-EEP!” apologized a soft voice. Big Mac gets up from the ground to see Fluttershy standing in front of him. The pegasus blushes from embarrassment and immediately gets ready to run away. “Wait! Don’t go!” yelled the stallion, stopping her in her tracks using only those words. “We need t’talk!” “I-I know...” nervously mumbled Fluttershy, turning around to face the stallion. “Is it true?” asked Big Mac, wanting confirmation. “W-what?” mumbled the pegasus, confused and nervous. “Whut ya said yesterday! Is it true that ya love me?” asked the stallion. The yellow pegasus is too nervous and shy to answer, she just blushes and begins to hide her face behind her mane. “...” “Well...do you?” asked the stallion more directly, he needs to know. “yes” softly mumbled Fluttershy, barely above a whisper. “What?” “yes” still softly, but a little more louder. “Come again” Fluttershy, getting desperate just takes a deep breath and says it. “YES!” she yells with all her strength. “Yes! I do love you! Always had...but I was so nervous...and afraid of hurting Applejack’s feelins...that I tried my best to ignore the feelings I had for you...especially after you started dating Cheerilee.” Big Mac just gives a satisfactory nod to what he just heard. “That all ah needed t’hear.” he begins to continue on his walk towards town. Fluttershy is shocked that he took the news so calmly. “WAIT!” yelled Fluttershy to the stallion. “Do you have feelings for me?” The stallions stops in his tracks and turns around to face her, unsure how to answer the question. So he decides to give the only answer he can think of. “Good night sugarcube.” he states, with a friendly smile on his face. He then goes back to his walk into town. Fluttershy is unsure what to say as she watches Big Mac disappear into the distance. Suddenly, she gets an epiphany. “Did he just called me ‘sugarcube’?” she mumbles to herself. “Maybe there’s a chance!” she happily states, a big grin forming in her face as she begins her hover back to her cottage. TO BE CONTINUED... > Number 3 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “So Mackie, do you love the apple pie I made?” said a mares voice. “Eeyup.” happily responded Big Mac, handing the mare the licked clean pie tin. “I love you so much Mackie, always had since I first met you.” admitted the mare. “I love you too sugarcube.” responded Big Mac. “MAC! WAKE UP!” Big Mac is suddenly awoken from his dream by his younger sister Applejack. “Mac, wake up! Ah knows yer a li’l hungover from last night, but ya have some chores t’do before goin’ off to Cheerilee’s!” exclaimed the orange mare, shaking her brother awake. Big Mac does as her sister ordered, and gets off his bed, he then grabs his towel and begins his daily shower. In the shower, the stallion begins to think about his dream, he’s been dreaming about the same mare since he broke up with Cheerilee, and he still doesn’t know who that mare is. It could be Cheerilee, or it could be, dare he say it, Fluttershy? Applejack must never know that he’s potentially dreaming about one of her friends. But for some reason, the fact that Applejack forbade him from starting a relationship with them, just makes him want to pursue them more. He begins to think about his nights with Dash and Rarity, and begins comparing them. When it comes to quality, Rarity wins hooves down. But when it comes to quantity and endurance, that honor will go to Dash, Big Mac managed to win 3-2 against the cyan pegasus during their only encounter during Apple Cider Day last year, good times. “Mac! What in tarnation took ya so long in th’ shower? Yer breakfast is gittin’ cold!” exclaimed Applejack as Big Mac takes his seat at the kitchen table for breakfast. Big Mac doesn’t say anything as he begins to eat his pancakes. His two sisters and granny also enjoying their breakfast. “So, Mac, met enny nice mares last night?” asked Granny to her grandson. Before Big Mac has a chance to answer, Applejack interjects. “He’s goin’ on a dinner date with Cheerilee this evenin’ at her home.” the mare explains. “Well, as long as ya gimme a gran’kid, ah doesn’t care if th’ mother is a harlot!” explained Granny. “What’s a ‘harlot’?” asked Apple Bloom. “Thet’s whut all th’ stallions called me durin’ mah yo’nger days. Ah loved it when they called me thet.” explained the old mare nostalgically. “But what does it mean?” asked the confused Apple Bloom. “THATS ENOUGH, GRANNY! APPLE BLOOM! SCHOOL! NOW!” exclaimed Applejack, not wanting her youngest sister to be exposed to the stories of Granny Smith’s younger days. “But school doesn’t start for another two hours!” “Th’ earlier th’ better! Now march!” exclaimed the orange mare. Apple Bloom does as told, with Applejack following her to walk her to school, leaving Granny and Big Mac alone. “So, enny of Applejack’s friends caught yer eye?” slyly asked Granny. “How did-?” “Ah may be old, but ah's not stoopid! Ah knows yo' rutted two of her friends already!” the old mare exclaims. Granny has the ability of picking up subtle hints and cues in her grandchildren, that can help her tell what they’ve been up to and with who. Big Mac just blushes, but the old mare probably didn’t notice for obvious reasons. “So, who is it?” asked Granny Smith. “Ah don’t know,” admitted the stallion. “a mare has indeed caught mah eye, but ah don’t know who.” Big Mac always dreamed of meeting the mare of his dreams, or in this case the mare IN his dream, still haunted by the fact that he doesn’t know who she is. Big Mac just wants to stop his philandering and heartbreaking ways and finally settle down into a stable relationship. But he hasn’t experienced that since his break-up with Cheerilee. “Oh! Dinner is almost done!” exclaimed Cheerilee trying to finish cooking before Big Mac arrives, she looks at the wall clock in her kitchen to see that he’ll be here in less than a hour. She plates and serves all of the food items and quickly places them on the dinner table. Also making sure that all the table settings are perfect. The mare then quickly sprints to the bathroom to get herself clean and smelling great for Big Mac, she always loved to smell like her cutie mark; like flowers. Big Mac is calmly walking towards town, on his way to Cheerilee’s house. Along the way, he begins to hear the sounds of birds chirping, followed by a beautiful voice. The stallion is intrigued, he never heard anything so calming, sweet and beautiful before. He begins to get curious of its origins and then begins to follow the voice. He manages to push through several bushes to reveal that the voice has a very unexpected source; Fluttershy. “Fluttershy?” Big Mac quietly mumbles to himself as he sees the yellow pegasus leading the bird choir through a song. “Okay, let’s take it from the top, but a little more sharp.” happily dictated Fluttershy to her bird friends. “And a 1 and a 2 and a...” on cue, the birds, along with Fluttershy began to sing their song. Big Mac never heard the song before, but it was beautiful. He decides to walk up to the pegasus. Soon, he is right behind her as he waits for the song to be finished. About a minute later, the song finally ends. Fluttershy happy with the results. “That was beautiful whut ya did thar, sugarcube.” complimented the stallion, startling Fluttershy and scaring away the birds. “Eep!” was all the pegasus exclaims before quickly turning around to see Big Mac standing in front of her. “Sorry, ah didn’t mean t’scare ya.” apologized the stallion. “Oh...t-that’s okay Mac, I just wasn’t expecting an audience.” meekly explained Fluttershy, her face blushing. “Did y-you really think it was beautiful?” she asks nervously, for confirmation. “The most gosh darned purdy thin’ I’ve evah heard.” admitted a smiling Big Mac, slowing walking up towards the pegasus. “o’ seen.” he continued. Fluttershy was too nervous to move as their faces start to inch closer and closer to each other, the both of them staring into each others eyes, Big Mac’s green to Fluttershy’s blue. “Y-you really think so?” quietly asked Fluttershy, knowing full well what the answer is going to be, as the space between their faces begins to narrow. “Eeyup.” he replied softly. Big Mac was about to kiss the pegasus on the lips, until he realizes that he has a dinner date to get to. “Sorry, but ah hafta go, ah have an appointment that ah’s already late to.” admitted a reluctant stallion, not wanting to go, but he never blew off an appointment before, and he will not start today. “Oh...okay...” sadly stated Fluttershy, feeling let down. “Maybe we should go on a date sometime?” she offers as the stallion begins to trot off. Big Mac stops in his tracks and turns around. “Thet’d be lovely.” nodded the stallion, he then waves the pegasus goodbye as he quickly goes off towards Cheerilee’s house. “Where is he?” pondered Cheerilee, waiting at the door for him. Big Mac is 10 minutes late. Suddenly, a knock on the door is heard. Cheerilee anxiously opens the door to reveal Big Mac. “Sorry ah was late.” apologized the stallion. “That’s okay, as long as you get here.” cheerfully stated the purple mare. Inviting him inside. The dinner between Cheerilee and Big Mac was mostly a quiet affair, aside from the occasional small talk, both of them just ate their meals in peace. That is until Cheerilee grew tired of the silence and finally decided to ask Big Mac the question that has been bothering her since the broke-up. “Why did you break-up with me?” blurted Cheerilee. Big Mac stops eating and looks at the mare. “Ah didn’t break-up with ya, we both agreed t’end or relationship.” Big Mac. “I know, Mac, but I just want to know why it ended, we had something magical between us, what happened to the magic?” asked Cheerilee, getting sadder and sadder by the moment. “It just lost its spark, it happens.” explained Big Mac, trying to comfort the mare, starting to feel sorry for her. “But you were my first and only coltfriend since I moved to Ponyville, you showed me that I can still feel loved and cared for.” explained Cheerilee, sad. The stallion can’t stand to see someone, especially a mare, in such a depressed mood. “Is there annythin’ ah can do fo’ ya?” he asks, trying to cheer the purple mare up. A big mischievous smile forms on Cheerilee’s face. This won’t end well, will it?... thought Big Mac to himself. Yeah, thats what I thought. > Number 4 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Big Mac is confused. Although he shouldn’t be, he is walking back to the farm after a mind-blowing night with Cheerilee, but the stallion couldn’t help but feel conflicted, especially since he’s in love with two different mares, possibly three if he counts the mare in his dream. Cheerilee, the cheerful school teacher who he never thought he’d start a relationship with and fall in love. It was the first time he ever experienced what it was like to be in a stable relationship, and he loved every minute of it while it lasted. Fluttershy, the shy animal caretaker, the mare he couldn’t help but be attracted to, her shyness and timidness very endearing to him, with her, he can see a very stable relationship, more so than any of the other mares in town, possibly even a family. Who should he choose? He doesn’t want to hurt their feelings, that’s not how he works, he just wants to aim to please. “Hey Mac! Where have ya been all night?” yelled Big Mac’s sister Applejack as he reaches the farm. Big Mac was not in the mood to deal with others, but goes along with it for his sister. “Wif Cheerilee.” he states in a deadpan tone. “Really?” exclaimed the orange mare, surprised at the answer. “Does that mean that ya an’ her are back together again?” Applejack secretly hopes that that is true. “Ah don’t no.” answered the stallion with shame. “WHAT IN TARNATION DOES YA MEAN YA DON’T KNOW!?” exclaimed a shocked Applejack. “There’s another mare-” “ANOTHER MARE?!” Applejack interrupts, “Gosh darn it Mac! When is ya a-gonna start thinking with whut’s between yer eyes instead of whut’s between yer hind legs!” she exclaims with annoyance. Big Mac refuses to stare directly at her sister out of shame. “Who’s t’other mare?” “Can’t tell ya.” was all Mac said before walking off towards the farm house. “Why not?” yelled Applejack, confused. “Yer mah sister, an’ ah care about ya.” cryptically answered the stallion before walking inside. Applejack hates it when he is cryptic. “And I never felt more happier in my life!” explained Fluttershy to her cousin Joy Stick, excitedly, while the both of them are drinking tea. “I’m so proud of you, Shy-shy!” exclaimed Joy. “My favorite cousin finally found love, and with my best bloke too!” Joy then moves to the subject at hoof. “So... when are you two gonna go out?” “I-I don’t know, he left before we could make any plans.” answered the yellow pegasus. “Perhaps you should go over to the farm and meet up with him.” suggested Joy. “I could” then Fluttershy quickly realizes something. “but what if Applejack catches me, I don’t want her to know that I’m in love with her brother, we promised her that we would stay away from him.” “That didn’t stop Rainbow Dash or Rarity from having their way with him.” stated Joy while sipping his tea. Those words trigger flashbacks for the yellow pegasus; “Hey Fluttershy! Something awesome just happened to me!” exclaimed Dash, stumbling into Fluttershy’s cottage, apparently unable to walk correctly and smelling of sex. “Are you okay Dash? Why are you having trouble walking?” asked a concerned Fluttershy, helping her friend up. “Never better! I never felt so happy and so satisfied losing!” the cyan pegasus exclaims. “What are you talking about?” Fluttershy is very confused. “I had sex with Big Mac! Five times! With him outlasting me three of five times!” she states. “I wanted to do a best out of seven, but I kind of passed out before he could agree.” sheepishly explained Dash. She then begins to feel light headed. “Oh uh...I guess I should rested a little longer before coming here...but I was just so excited-” she states before passing out in the middle of Fluttershy’s living room. “...to tell somepony.” completed the yellow pegasus as she watches her friend sleeping on the floor. “Oh Fluttershy, darling, you wouldn’t guess who I was with last night.” stated Rarity while relaxing in the hot tub with Fluttershy at the spa. “Who was it this time?” nervously asked the pegasus. “Why Big Mac of course! He really knows how to treat a lady.” gushed the unicorn. “Plus, I can finally see why he’s called ‘Big Mac’, it may be average in length, but it makes up for it in width.” she continues, not realizing that she’s making Fluttershy uncomfortable. The pegasus just blushes as she slowly sinks down into the hot tub. Fluttershy then begins to blush, her face deep red and her wings fully extended. “Uh...I have to go out on a walk, watch the cottage until I’m back.” she nervously states as she gives Joy a quick hug and walks out the door. “It’s official... Shy-shy needs a stallion, and quick.” stated Joy Stick, deadpan, while sipping his tea. Fluttershy is happily trotting down the path to Sweet Apple Acres. She is going to walk right up to Mac, kiss him deeply on the lips, ask him out on a date, tell him how much she loves him and then ‘roll around in the hay’, not necessarily in that order. “Oh hey Fluttershy!” greeted a voice. “It’s been awhile since I last talked to you!” The pegasus then sees, to her surprise Cheerilee, walking up next to her. “Hi, Cheerilee, what are you doing here?” asked the pegasus, wondering why the purple mare is suddenly walking next to her. “Why, I’m going to Sweet Apple Acres.” the mare cheerfully explains. “To do what?” nervously asked Fluttershy. “To talk to Big Mac.” “About what?” “It’s a personal matter.” stated Cheerilee, dodging the question. “How about you?” “I-I’m also going to Sweet Apple Acres t-talk t-to Big...Mac.” Fluttershy nervously stutters. They both stop in their tracks and stare at each other, the tension building between them. “Can I tell you something?” asked Cheerilee. Fluttershy just quietly nods her head. “Last night, Big Mac came over to my house for dinner, he showed up late, he didn’t tell me why though, then after some talking, we had sex...twice.” explained the purple mare. Fluttershy is really getting uncomfortable as she hides her face behind her mane to hide the fact that she’s blushing. “But during the second time...Big Mac did something unexpected.” “A-and w-w-what’s t-that?” the pegasus manages to stutter out. “He yelled out ‘Fluttershy’ instead of my name when we....” she trails off, her expression becoming serious. “I pretended that I didn’t hear him say that, but it got me thinking, why would he passionately yell out your name? Why was he late? Why did he seem distracted during our entire night together?” “I-I don’t know...” mumbled Fluttershy. Cheerilee then walks up to the pegasus and presses her nose up against Fluttershy’s, giving her a threatening look. “Stay away from him Fluttershy...because I had him first!” she growls. Fluttershy couldn’t believe what she’s hearing. Is what Cheerilee is saying true? Didn’t Mac say that he loved the pegasus? Why did he have sex with some mare who was not her? All these questions begin to flow through her head as the world around her collapses. Suddenly, something inside her snaps. “You heard me? Stay away from him!” continued Cheerilee. “No.” Fluttershy softly mumbles. “What did you say?” “No...I will not stay away from him you WHORSE!” spat Fluttershy to Cheerilee’s face, a determined look on the pegasus’ face. “Why not?” incredulously asked the purple mare. “Because if what you said is true...it means that he loves me and is regretting being with you!” pointed out the pegasus. “Well...okay then... FlutterSLUT! I guess we’ll just have to go talk to Big Mac and settle this with the three of us having a nice, calm, conversation as adults.” Cheerilee states. “I agree.” stated Fluttershy. They both just stand there, staring at each other in a stand off, both of them refusing to move. “Look at her...trying to be assertive, why would Big Mac fall in love with her?” thought Cheerilee. “She thinks she can make a move on my stallion, he’s MINE!” thought Fluttershy. “The moment she blinks...” “...I am going to make a run for it.” A minute of silence then passes after the completely necessary reference, before they both quickly sprint off towards Sweet Apple Acres, in a race to get there first. Joy Stick and Rainbow Dash watched the whole event from atop a cloud, both with amused faces. “Who do you think’ll win?” Rainbow asked her coltfriend. “I am not quite sure, Dashie.” Joy answers. “Both lasses are equally matched. l I know is, if Big Mac doesn’t choose Fluttershy, I am going to kick his arse.” Joy Stick turns his head back towards Rainbow, who had a look of soultry on her face. “Your accent is so hot...” she murmurs. “Damn right, it is.” Joy agrees, clearly not understanding Rainbow Dash’s implication. With a look of disappointment, Rainbow continued to watch the race with Joy Stick. TO BE CONTINUED... > Number 5 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Ah yes, today is going to be a great day!” mused Caramel, as he happily trots along the path, enjoying the day. He then sees in the distance a cloud of dust heading towards him. “What the-?” As the dust cloud gets closer, he sees two mares, one a yellow pegasus, and the other a purple Earth pony are sprinting towards him, kicking up the dirt from the path. “Two mares running towards me? Wow, this is going to be a great day!” stated a happy and hopeful Caramel to the sky. “Okay ladies, no need to compete, because you two can just tag team...” his voice trails off as a realizes that they’re not running towards him, they’re going to run through him. The stallion quickly dodges out of the way of the two mares, landing on a rose bush full of thorns. Once the two mares are out of sight, Caramel sticks his head out of the bush. “No one’s horny for Caramel.” he states disappointed. “This is not going to be a great day.” At Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack is in the barn getting several more baskets before heading off towards the fields. Once she walks out, she then sees a cloud of dust heading towards the farm. “Ah don’t remember thar bein’ a dust storm planned fo’ this month.” stated a confused Applejack, as the cloud gets closer and closer. The orange mare then quickly sees that it is not a dust storm, but two mares sprinting, kicking up dirt. But not just any two mares, but Cheerilee and, to the orange mare’s shock and horror, Fluttershy. The two mares quickly stop in their tracks in front of Applejack, both of them with serious looks on their faces. “WHERE’S BIG MAC?” they both yell at Applejack. Applejack is extremely confused. “What in tarnation is going on hyar?” she then turns to Fluttershy. “An’ why is ya so desperate in findin’ out whar mah brother is?” “Because she’s horny for him!” blurted out Cheerilee, not letting Fluttershy answer. “Whut?” “Don’t listen to her AJ, she’s just making me look bad so she can have him to herself.” snapped Fluttershy, extremely jealous of Cheerilee. “Ah’ve just gone cross-eyed.” stated a confused Applejack. “So...WHERE’S MY STALLION?” they both yell in unison. Applejack was then able to finally put the pieces together; they’re both in love with her brother. Both Fluttershy and Cheerilee are in love with her brother. Applejack then turns to Fluttershy again. “Is it true that yer in love with mah brother?” asked the orange mare to the pegasus. Fluttershy just nervously nods. “Even though ah specifically fo’bade ya an’ mah friends from doin’ so?” “That didn’t stop Dash and Rarity though.” mumbled Fluttershy. “DASH AN’ RARITY HAVE BEEN WIF MAH BROTHER?!” Applejack exclaims in shock. “Uh oh...” nervously mumbled Fluttershy, now realizing that she said too much. “You heard that Applejack? Your five friends a secretly conspiring to rut your brother!” blurted Cheerilee. “They can not be trusted.” Applejack’s body is slowly filling with rage, her own friends went against her word, her own brother went against his word. It is time for someone to pay. An idea the creeps up into her head as a mischievous smile forms on her face. “Okay ya two, calm down,” Applejack states getting in between the two. “mah brother is in town at th’ hardware store.” “I know where it is!” exclaimed Cheerilee, before she sprints off into town. Fluttershy, tired from running, decides instead to fly, but Applejack grabs Fluttershy’s tail with her mouth. “Whar is ya goin’ missy?” exclaimed the orange mare to her pegasus friend. “I need to stop Mackie from making a big mistake!” explained Fluttershy, desperate. Trying to get herself free from Applejack’s grip “Yer th’ one that’s makin’ a mistake!” exclaimed Applejack. “What?” Fluttershy stop struggling as she turns to her friend, confused. Applejack lets her go. “Thar’s a reason why ah forbade ya an’ our friends frum bein’ wif mah brother,” the orange mare explains. “ah doesn't want ya t'be th' next in a long line of mares that got their hearts broken by him.” she continues, feeling sorry for her pegasus friend. Fluttershy can understand where Applejack is coming from, but she also can’t sit back and watch as the stallion she loves gets taken away from her. “I understand that you’re worried about me, but this is something that I can handle myself. I’m deeply in love with your brother and I just can’t stand back and see him end up in a relationship that he’ll regret.” explained the pegasus. “Ah bet Cheerilee is thinkin’ th’ exact same thin’.” stated Applejack, rubbing the pegasus’ back in comfort. “But if he does break yer heart, don’t go cryin’ t’me.” Fluttershy silently agrees, leaves the farm, and slowly makes his way into town. Big Mac has just left the hardware store, carrying a saddlebag of new tools. “Ooh!...Mackie! Wait up!” yelled an excited voice. Big Mac turns around to see Pinkie Pie trotting up towards him, carrying a pie. “What can ah do fo’ ya Miss Pie?” politely asked the stallion. “I made this new apple pie using some zap apples, and seeing as you like apple pie so much, I thought you’d be the perfect pony to taste test them!” excitedly explained the pink pony. Pinkie Pie always insisted that Big Mac be the first one to try out all of her apple pie recipes, he doesn’t know why, but he just goes along with it, it’s free apple pie after all. Big Mac takes a slice and happily eats it. “So Mackie, do you love the apple pie I made?” asked the pink pony. Big Mac was about to answer before he suddenly gets the sensation that he’s experienced this situation before, like deja vu. “Eeyup.” answered the stallion with a smile. Why does it feel like he’s done this before? “MACKIE!” yelled a new voice. The stallion then sees Cheerilee happily trot up to him. “Ooh! Cheerilee! How was your date with Mackie? Did you limber up like I told you?” asked the pink pony with a smile on her face to Cheerilee. Big Mac just gives a stunned look when hearing that, that explains a lot actually. “Do you mind leaving the two of us alone Pinkie?” asked the purple mare, not in the mood to deal with Pinkie’s craziness. “Ookie dokie lokie!” saluted Pinkie before sprinting off. Cheerilee then turns to Big Mac. “What is ya doin’ hyar?” asked Big Mac, confused, not expecting to see the mare so soon. “Just wanted to tell you that last night was AMAZING and I was thinking that maybe we should get back together again.” explained Cheerilee, with a sultry look on her face. “Ah don’t know.” stated the stallion unsure, he would gladly love to get back together with her, but there’s someone else that he has feelings for. While Big Mac is focused on his thoughts, Cheerilee then sees Fluttershy walking towards them in the distance. “Oh no...not her!” she exclaims in her head. Thinking quickly, she grabs Big Mac’s head with her forelegs and deeply kisses the stallion, much to his shock. The stallion gladly accepts the kiss, his eyes closed from enjoying it. Cheerilee’s eyes were open so she can see the shocked look on Fluttershy’s face. Fluttershy saw the whole thing in front of her, Cheerilee’s eyes screaming “He’s mine, all mine, and you can’t have him!” at the yellow pegasus. The poor pegasus’ heart breaks as it seems as though Big Mac has made his decision, a single tear rolls down her cheek. “I’m sorry Mac, I’m sorry that I wasn’t good enough for you...” mumbled the pegasus as she sadly flies back to her cottage, leaving Big Mac and Cheerilee alone. Once Cheerilee is sure Fluttershy is out of sight, she breaks the kiss. Only to be met by the sight of a confused and guilty Big Mac. “Mackie? What’s wrong?” she asks, concerned. “Ah’s sorry...” stated Big Mac with sadness. “...but ah cain’t.” “Why not?” asked the mare, stunned. “Ah’s tryin’ t’figger that out mahself.” explained the stallion, as he walks off back to the farm. Cheerilee is completely shocked and hurt. “It’s about Fluttershy isn’t it?!” she spat, growing sadder by the second. Big Mac stops dead in his tracks and turns around. “How-?” “You yelled out her name last night...I pretended that I didn’t hear that because that’s how much I loved you!” she confesses, tears starting to roll down her cheeks. “Last night-” “Was a mistake!” interrupted Cheerilee, “Is that what you were going to say?” Big Mac didn’t say a word, he didn’t want to make the situation worse. “Then I guess the relationship we had was a mistake as well!” she exclaims, now crying tears of anger. “Why I guess being in a stable relationship really doesn’t compare to having one-night stands with random town sluts who want nothing but bragging rights about being rutted senseless by BIG MacIntosh! The stallion who would never turn you down!” the volume of the mare’s voice increasing. “LADIES!” she announces to the passing crowd around them, getting all the attention of all the mares. “RAISE YOUR HOOF IF YOU HAVE BEEN RUTTED BY BIG MACINTOSH!” she orders, raising her own hoof. About 75% of all the mares in the crowd do as told. Lyra, who was sitting on a nearby beach was about to raise her hoof, but a dirty look from Bon Bon, who did not raise her hoof, made her think otherwise. “Rainbow Dash, put your bloody hoof down!” panicked Joy Stick. “Mommy, what does ‘rut’ mean?” asked a small colt to his mother whom was raising her hoof. “Carrot Top? When?” exclaimed a male voice. Big Mac and Cheerilee turn to see Written Script, tears of sadness in his eyes as he sees his marefriend raise her hoof. “I’m sorry...but you’re gone on trips for months at a time...and I had needs.” sadly explained a guilty Carrot Top. Soon, all the stallions, especially Written Script, along with half the mares, all give Big Mac dirty looks. “You see what happens when you try to please, everypony hates you more.” stated an angry Cheerilee. “And if I can’t have you...then no one will.” Big Mac then nervously backs away as the crowd continues to give him dirty looks. Then once he’s sure he’s far away from them, quickly sprints back to the farm without looking back. Not only was his good standing in Ponyville ruined, but he never felt more guilty and humiliated in his life. “Never again...” he mumbles to himself. From an alleyway...Pinkie saw the whole the thing and felt sorry for Big Mac. “If only I wasn’t so afraid...this wouldn’t have happened Mackie.” TO BE CONTINUED... > Number 6 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Big Mac has never been so humiliated in his life, all those dirty looks he received pierced his soul. The sky begins to darken and gray as he finally makes it back to the farm, only to be met by the strange sight of Applejack, at the entrance, with a sad and disgusted look on her face. “AJ-” “How could ya Mac!” interrupted Applejack. “How could ya!” “AJ?” “Ah fo’bade ya from goin’ ennywhar near mah friends, an’ whut does ya do? Ya go an’ rut two of them!” spat an angry Applejack, tears in her eyes. “But-” “Ah don’t want t’hear it!” snapped the orange mare to her older brother. “Until ya fix this here mess wif Fluttershy, ah will not have ennythin’ t’do wif ya ennymore.” she states, with great pain and remorse. “Why?” was all Big Mac could bring himself to say, greatly hurt by what his sister is telling him. “On account o’ ah’s yer sister, an’ ah care about th’ well being of ya and mah friends.” she states, before turning to walk back to the farm house. “How menny mares?” she suddenly asks. Big Mac wanted to lie to her right then and there, but telling the truth has become an annoying habit for him. “65,” he sadly and reluctantly answers. “at least once.” Applejack was not expecting such a large number, she was expecting somewhere around 20. “Gosh darn it Mac! Th' thin' about ya is, is that when it comes t'mares...yer an extreme doormat. Ya can never turn down a mare!” she bluntly states before giving a disappointed sigh and walking off towards the farmhouse. Big Mac does nothing but watch her sister walk away without looking back. It is raining hard as Big Mac is alone, walking down a random path. He longer feels comfortable at the farm, especially with his sister not talking to him, and he decides to just wander aimlessly around the fields outside Ponyville, in the rain. What’s the point? “How did mah life come t’this?” he mumbles to himself. “SURPRISE!” yelled a group of ponies to a young Applejack, Big Mac standing at her side. “HAPPY BIRTHDAY APPLEJACK!” “Wow, all of this hyar fo’ me?” asked a stunned Applejack to the happy crowd. “Of course silly!” exclaimed Pinkie, sprinting up to the orange mare. “You only turn 16 once and we all need to make this count!” she explains. Almost all of Applejack’s friends and acquaintances were there, including cousin Braeburn. Pinkie being the one that invited them all. The party went well, the music, the gifts, Applejack’s first drink of cider, the perks of finally becoming a fully grown mare. While all that happened, Big Mac kept to himself, as usual, by standing next to the punch bowl. He prefers to be in the background, it is not his special day, so there’s no need to bring attention to himself. “Enjoying the party Mackie?” asked Pinkie, showing up out of nowhere, standing next to the stallion. “Eeyup.” Big Mac simply states. “That’s great to hear.” stated the pink pony, who seemed a little more nervous than usual, but Big Mac doesn’t notice. “Can I tell you something, something that has been on my mind for a long time?” she blurts out. “Whut is it?” the stallion calmly states. “Mackie...I-” “YOU WHAT!?” yelled a voice, interrupting Pinkie. The entire barn goes silent as all the partygoers, including Big Mac turn to the source, an angry and crying Lyra Heartstrings. “I’m sorry Lyra...but-” comforted Bon Bon, trying to explain herself. Only to be met by a slap from the unicorn. The mint unicorn sprints off crying into the fields. Nopony knowing what is going on between them. Applejack saw the whole thing and quickly decides to run after her, only to be stopped by Big Mac. “Nnope.” “But ah need t’make sho’ that Lyra is okay.” stated the orange mare to her brother. “It’s yer party, ya need t’stay hyar. Let me han’le Lyra.” Big Mac states. Applejack reluctantly agrees as she sees her brother leave the barn and walk into the fields. Pinkie just stands there in shock as the stallion leaves. “Maybe next time...” Big Mac is trotting along the fields of the apple orchid, following the sound of crying. He follows the sounds until he reaches the far fields, and sees Lyra crying underneath an apple tree. “Lyra?” asked a concerned Big Mac. The mint unicorn just gets up and wraps the stallion into a hug, crying on his shoulder. “Oh Mackie...how could Bon Bon do this to me!?” she exclaims through her tears. “Whut happened?” asked the stallion, trying to comfort her. “She confessed to me that she has been cheating on me with another stallion! The piano player no less! I thought she loved me!” she continued crying. The stallion feeling sorry for her and wanting to do anything to make her feel better. “Thet’s okay...let it all out...,” Big Mac whispers. “is thar ennythin’ ah can do fo’ ya?” Lyra immediately stops crying and lets the stallion go. A mischievous smile forms in her face. “Make me a mare.” she answers. “Whut?” asked a shocked and confused Big Mac. “You heard me...I want you to rut me senseless!” she continues slowly walking up towards him with a sultry look on her face. “Why?” said the stallion, nervous and slowly backing away from her. “To spite my now EX-marefriend!” she states. “If she can cheat on me with a stallion, than I can too!” “But yer a fillyfooler!” the stallion exclaims, his rump hitting a nearby apple tree, preventing him from moving back any further. “That doesn’t mean I enjoy a good rutting from a stallion every once in awhile.” the unicorn states, face to face with the stallion. “Besides, it will make me feel a lot better, it’s not like you to leave somepony in need behind.” “Will it make ya feel better if we do this?” nervously stated the stallion. “Like you wouldn’t believe.” was all Lyra said before pulling the stallion into a deep kiss. The stallion protesting at first. Anything to make her feel better. That day...that was the day that his life became what it is now. The day that made him known as “the stallion who would never turn you down”. Big Mac just continues walking through the rain, his fur and mane flat from being soaked. He then comes across an unexpected sight; Fluttershy’s cottage. Fluttershy is probably the only mare that he can face right now and so he slowly goes up to the cottage. The rain still pouring. The stallion finally reaches the front door, he’s about to knock until he starts to hear the sounds of sobbing coming from inside. Big Mac, curious, goes over to the living room window and peers inside, only to see a heartbreaking sight; Fluttershy sobbing on the couch, with all of her animals standing around her with sad looks on their faces. “Oh please...please!” she exclaims to her tears. “Make me stop loving him. Make my feelings for Mackie disappear! I don’t want them anymore!” Big Mac is even more saddened now. “Ah’s sorry, Ah’s so sorry.” he mumbles to himself. He then sees Fluttershy’s ears perk up, she heard him. “Mackie?” she asks towards the door, as she quickly gets off the couch and floats towards the door. The stallion wanted to walk away, but he couldn’t, he already hurt her enough. “Mackie?” asked the pegasus, opening the door to see Big Mac, outside, standing in front of the living room window, soaking wet from the rain and looking miserable. “Ah’s sorry.” was all the stallion could say. Fluttershy just walks up to him. “No need to apologize, you and Cheerilee were meant to be together.” she explains. “Ah don’t want Cheerilee.” explained the stallion. “Huh?” “But ah also don’t want ya either.” he continues with sadness in his voice. “Why not?” asked a shocked and confused Fluttershy. “Because ya deserve someone better.” stated Big Mac. “Ah’ll nevah be good enough fo’ ya.” “Mackie-” “Ya heard me, jest fo'git about me an' find another stallion who will treatcha like th' beautiful butterfly thet ya are. Somepony who kin fu'fill all of yer needs an' worship th' groun' ya walk on. Ah's not good inough t'be thet stallion.” he continues, beginning to cry. Fluttershy didn’t know what to say to what she heard. So she decides to let her actions do the talking. She grabs the stallion and pulls him into a deep kiss. The stallion fully accepts it. They both kiss each other passionately, tongues intertwining with each other’s, for what felt like minutes. Big Mac then breaks the kiss much to Fluttershy’s disappointment. “Good bye sugercube.” was all the stallion said, with sadness in his voice as he walks away. Fluttershy just stands there in shock. “Don’t worry Mackie...I’ll do what you said, and find that other stallion.” she mumbles to herself. She then goes back inside to dry off. TO BE CONTINUED... > Number 7 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Several years ago... It is another beautiful day in Ponyville, as the town center is bustling with activity, and for one young mare, this is a lot to comprehend. The mare just looks around in awe at her surrounds, never having been in such a large town before. She only had enough money to get a train ticket here and two saddlebags for her small amount of personal belongings. “E-excuse me?” “Uh-hello?” the mare would nervously say to all the other ponies who pass her on the street, but none of them seem to pay attention to her. “Do you know where-?” she would continue. She is lost and no one would help her. She continues walking random down the main street, too much in awe at her surroundings to notice what is in front of her. She then hits something firm, hard, and falls backwards to the ground. “Oh...I’m so sorry-” the nervous mare began to apologize until she sees...HIM. “Is ya okay miss?” politely asked the stranger in a deep voice, extending his hoof to her. The mare just grabs the hoof as the stranger lifts her back on her four legs. “Uh...thanks...mister...?” she thanked to him. “Apple...MacIntosh Apple.” answered the big red stallion. “An’ ya?” “Pie...Pinkamena Diane Pie, nice to meet you.” humbly greeted the pink mare. She couldn’t help but feel in awe around him. “Wow...you’re so big.” pointed out Pinkamena. “Ya muss be new aroun’ here, isn’t ya?” asked MacIntosh. “Yes...yes I am.” answered the pink pony. “I’m looking for Sugarcube corner, do you know where it is?” she asks. “Why it’s just down this here street t’yer left.” the stallion points out. “Why do ya ask?” “Because I’ve been accepted to be the Cake’s new apprentice.” she answers, a little anxious. “Ya muss be a great baker then.” mused the red stallion. “I’ll tell ya whut...Ya let me try out some of yer apple pie recipies...an I’ll personally escort ya thar, deal?” MacIntosh offered. “DEAL!” happily exclaimed Pinkamena, as they both begin their trot, side-by-side, to Sugarcube corner. Along the way, both of them got to know each other, although Pinkamena was the one that did all the talking. MacIntosh prefers to listen than talk, you get further in life if you listen more than you speak. “Yay! We’re here!” exclaimed Pinkamena as they finally reach Sugarcube corner. “Thank you so much Big Mac!” “Big Mac?” asked a confused MacIntosh, “No one outside mah sisters evah call me that.” stated the crimson stallion. “Oh I’m sorry...it’s just that I like to give ponies nicknames sometimes to help me remember them...I apologize if you don’t like it.” humbly explained the pink pony. “No need, it was actually better hearin’ it from ya than mah sisters.” Mac explained. The stallion then gets an idea. “But ah reckon it’s only fair that ah give ya a nickname in return though, Pinkamena is a little long an’ sounds too stuffy fo’ casual conversation.” “Ooh!” exclaimed an excited Pinkamena. “No one outside of my family has ever given me a nickname!” she said. “Okay Mac, tell me what my nickname should be!” Big Mac thinks about it for a minute before coming up with a name that sounds appropriate for the pink and happy-go-lucky pony. “How’s Pinkie sounds?” “Pinkie?” Pinkamena asks, confused. “On account that yer pink.” said the stallion with a cheeky smile on his face. Pinkamena thinks about, “Pinkie Pie...Pinkie Pie...” she mumbles over and over again to herself. “I LOVE IT! It has a nice ring to it!” From then on...Pinkamena Diane Pie will be forever known among her new Ponyville friends as simply Pinkie Pie. It was also at that moment that the seeds of romantic attraction for the red stallion where planted. As promised, every time Pinkie made a new apple pie recipe, she would go to Sweet Apple Acres to let Mac sample it for free, they would always have conversations with each other over pie, although Pinkie, naturally, did most of the talking. But she didn’t mind, she loves to talk and she never runs out of things to talk about. Pinkie then notices that unlike most ponies she talked too, she never once seen him get annoyed by constant blabbing. It was during those meetings that she also met Big Mac’s sisters; Applejack and Apple Bloom. She became quick friends with Applejack and eventually, she became her “bestest best friend.” Pinkie doesn’t know when it happened, or how, but she eventually feeling an attraction to the big red stallion. Possibly from the fact that unlike most ponies, he doesn’t seem to mind her craziness and randomness at all, nor questions her “pinkie sense” as well. Unfortunately, she was too afraid that telling him how she felt because she was afraid that it would ruin the friendships she made with Mac and her sister. Plus, she was afraid that dating Mac would make things awkward between her and Applejack and could constitute a betrayal of trust. Big Mac always liked Pinkie, her liveliness and apparent randomness was like a breath of fresh air for him. Every time they meet, it always felt different, and he kind of likes that. He loves to not know what happens next sometimes, it takes his mind off the constant drudgery that is farming, not that he doesn’t like farming, he enjoys it, it’s the routine that bothers him. With Pinkie, there is no routine, it’s always a different conversation, a different activity, a different way of saying things and a different tone, each and every time. It felt great to not know what she’ll do or say next. Unfortunately, due to the fact that she’s also Applejack’s friend, meant that any romantic feelings with her must never manifest, or face his sister’s wrath and ruin the dynamic they’ve built. Big Mac then reluctantly made a mental note stating that Pinkie will be his friend...and nothing more, for the sake of not ruining the friendship between the pink pony and his sister, and to respect his sister’s wishes. Then one day, Pinkie began to hear rumors that Big Mac has been going around rutting mares left and right. She couldn’t believe it at first, but her pinkie sense would tell her that they are in fact, unfortunately true. The pink pony felt heartbroken, she began to feel that if she had stopped worrying and told Big Mac her feelings for him sooner, he wouldn’t have developed this reputation that he’s now making for himself. “The stallion who would never turn you down.” Although, to be fair, Pinkie also did rut a lot of stallions, and an occasional mare, in her days, as many if not more so than Mac. But not because she enjoys it, or has feelings for them or the fact she has needs, no, she only had sex with them for the sake of making them happy, it is her duty to make anypony she encounters happy, not matter what it takes. In Pinkie Pie’s room, under her bed, sits a pink metal box. Inside the box, is a collection of all the poems, love letters and Heart and Hooves Day cards she wrote, all of them, every single one of them, for Big Mac. All because she was too afraid of giving them to him. > Number 8 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rain continued to fall over Ponyville as darkness descended across the town, which signaled night time. At Sugarcube Corner, Pinkie is up late, unable to sleep. Thoughts of what happened to Big Mac earlier in the day ran through her mind. “Why couldn’t I tell you my feelings sooner...why must I be afraid of what Applejack thinks?” mumbled the pink pony to herself as she gets everything ready to bake a fresh batch of cupcakes. She suddenly heard someone knock on the door. Curious, Pinkie cautiously walked to the front entrance only to see Big Mac outside in the rain. The pink pony unlocked the door. “Big Mac? What are you doing out in the rain?” she asks the red stallion, curious and confused. “Thinkin’ about my life.” answered the stallion. Pinkie lead him inside. The pink pony quickly zoomed in and out of the kitchen to grab a towel. “Here...dry yourself off...Mrs. Cake hates it when the floors gets wet.” She then threw Big Mac a towel. Big Mac proceeded to dry himself off. “So...why did you decided to come here?” Pinkie asked. “You’re t’ only mare ah can face right now.” sadly answered the stallion. “But what about your sister?” Pinkie asked. “Or Fluttershy?” “Ah can’t face mah sister right now...ah upset her enough as it is.” the red stallion explained. Pinkie decided to move on to a different subject. “Uh...Mac...I’m currently baking some delicious cupcakes right now...so maybe you could help me?” Big Mac just nodded in agreement. Anything to keep his mind off his bad day. They both walked into the kitchen. “Okay, I just need you to look in the cookbook and measure out all the ingredients for me...okay?” stated the pink pony, who hoped to cheer up the stallion. “Eeyup.” agreed Mac as he began to do as he was told. He went over to a country and began to look at the instructions in the cookbook. Pinkie couldn’t help but get an eye full of Mac’s big, muscular and tone rump. ”Such a large pony...but such a gentle heart too, a gentle giant.” she thought. Pinkie quickly regained her concentration and went back to the task at hoof; bake cupcakes. As the minutes pass, Big Mac was tasked with handling the dry ingredients while Pinkie mixed the wet. They both mixed their halves to make the cupcake batter before Pinkie poured it into the cupcake tray. “I’m sure they’ll be super duper delicious!” exclaimed Pinkie as she placed the tray into the oven to bake. “Eeyup.” nodded Big Mac in agreement. “So now we wait.” stated the pink pony as she sat down at the kitchen counter. Big Mac followed suit, who then set across from Pinkie at the counter. Several minutes of awkward silence passed between then. In a rare moment, Pinkie couldn’t immediately come up with a conversation topic. But she eventually thought up of one. “Do you remember the day we first met?” asked Pinkie. “Why o’ course ah do!” responded Big Mac. “It’s kind o’ hard NOT t’ remember meetin’ a pony as unique as yah.” he complimented. Pinkie blushed when she heard what the stallion said. “I remember too...it was one of my fondest memories of Ponyville, meeting the first pony in a new town that was so nice to me and made me feel welcomed.” stated the mare. “Ah shucks...ah was just bein’ polite...that’s all.” stated the stallion with a lot of humility. “Well...I’m glad you’re so polite, and nice, and gentle and...” Pinkie trailed off, as she began to realize something. “Why don’t we talk as much as we used to Mac?” she asked. Big Mac thought long and hard about the question before he shrugged his shoulders. “Ah don’t know...ah guess we just got busy an’ found new friends t’ talk to.” stated Mac. “But sometimes I miss our conversations...you would sit there and listen with a smile on your face while I blabbed on about something...you’re the only pony who never once complained about me doing that.” Pinkie stated. “Maybe it’s because ah always liked t’ listen...listenin’ is mah favorite thin’ t’ do.” explained Big Mac. “Especially when it’s with a mare that can endlessly speak about anythin’ she wants without fear of borin’ someone t’ death.” Pinkie blushed again...but even harder this time. “Can I show you something real quick?” asked Pinkie. Big Mac just silently nodded. “GREAT!” she exclaimed before she zoomed off to her bedroom. A few seconds later, she zoomed back down to the kitchen, now with a pink metal box. She placed the box on the counter in front of Big Mac. “What’s in the box?” asked a confused Mac. “The things I always wanted to say to you but was too afraid to ask.” explained Pinkie as she smiled. She opened the box to reveal a box filled to the brim with cards, photos and paper. She immediately then dumps all of the contents onto the counter much to Big Mac’s surprise. The first thing that grabbed Mac’s attention was a photo of himself, his sister and Pinkie together at Pinkie’s homecoming party that Big Mac threw for her. He picked up the photo and flipped it around to the back to see that Pinkie wrote “Best party ever!” on the back. He quickly noticed that everything in the pile all involved him. Suddenly, he received epiphany as he finally began to realize who the mare of his dreams was. “I love you Mac...always had...but I was just too nervous to tell you.” Pinkie admitted. “It was you.” mumbled Mac with shock. He then sees flashback of his times with Pinkie. From throwing her her homecoming party, to their many conversations over pie. All those laughs, all those smiles, all those happy moments suddenly makes the world around him seem brighter and a lot more sense. “What’s that?” asked Pinkie. “The mare of mah dreams...it was you!” stated Mac. “How could ah have been so stupid!” he exclaimed. “Ah have been too focused on th’ other mares that ah couldn’t notice the obvious.” “And that is?” “Ah was meant to be with you!” “Y-you mean that?” asked a confused Pinkie. “Of course! Ah’ve been thinkin’ with whut’s between mah hind lengs...that ah failed to notice yah had feelin’s fo me th’ entire time.” explained Mac as he grabbed Pinkie’s hoof and meets it with his. They both just stared into each other’s eyes, Pinkie’s blue to Mac’s green. “I-Is there anything I can do for you?” asked Pinkie, not sure what to do next. Suddenly, the sound of the oven bell rings, which signified that the cupcakes were done. “Hold that thought.” stated Pinkie before she sprinted to the oven and took out the hot and ready cupcakes. “Smells delicious!” she happily mused as she placed them on the cooling rack. She then returned back to her exact same spot and position before she was interrupted. “So...is there anything I can do for you?” she asked again. “T’ stop holdin’ up your feelin’s for me an’ love me.” Big Mac asked. Their faces inched closer and closer to each other until they met for a passionate kiss. Although Big Mac’s eyes shot wide open after he realized how large Pinkie’s tongue was, but he just went along with it. After about a minute, they broke their kiss. “Mmm...delicious.” mused Pinkie. “The most super duper most awesomest kiss ever!” she happily exclaimed. Big Mac just smiled at the excited pink pony mare in front of him. “It was nice.” humbly stated Mac. “Should we take this to my room?” slyly asked Pinkie. “Mr. and Mrs. Cake and the foals are on vacation and won’t be back until late tomorrow.” For the first time in a long time, Mac was finally using what’s between his eyes to think with. “Maybe we should take this slow.” said the stallion. “Ah love yah...but ah’s tired of relationships that start out with ruttin’ right off the gate.” “Okie dokie lokie!” saluted Pinkie, she doesn’t care what they do...as long as Mac is happy. “Can we at least cuddle? I would like that.” she offered. “Ah’s love to.” nodded Mac “Don’t forget th’ cupcakes”. They both walked out of the kitchen, Pinkie with the cupcakes, and headed upstairs, as they walked side-by-side. They fell asleep in each other’s embrace, stomachs filled with cupcakes and with smiles on their faces. > Final Number > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was a beautiful morning in Ponyville, although Fluttershy didn't seem to think so as she groggily got out of bed, her eyes puffy and red from all the crying she did before falling asleep. She absent-mindlessly went through the motions of her morning routine, get up, feed the animals, feed herself, take a bath, put on her tail extensions and get herself presentable for the day. After finishing her morning routine, she left her cottage to do her inspection of the forest and make sure all the animals are doing well. Although she couldn't help but feel empty inside, secretly accepting the fact that she'll be alone with nothing but her animals and friends, no special somepony, no foals, nothing. But regardless, she put on a brave face and continued on with her inspection. "HELP!!! SOMEPONY! ANYPONY! HELP!!!" yelled a voice in trouble. Fluttershy heard the cries and sprinted towards the source of the cries. What she saw surprised her, a black pegasus with a mohawk mane, tangled up in some vines hanging from a tree branch. "HELP!!! I'M STUCK!!!" Fluttershy flew up to the stallion and bit the vines loose, freeing him. The stallion gently floated down to the ground. "Thank you so much!" exclaimed the thankful stallion. "Oh...no problem, just doing the right thing." humbly stated Fluttershy. "Well thanks...uh...what's your name?" "Fluttershy." answered the mare, a little nervous. "Well thank you Fluttershy, you have no idea how long I've been stuck up there, thank you." Fluttershy blushes. "It's no problem really." "Is there any way I can repay you for helping me?" offered the stallion. "Oh...and my name is Thunderlane by the way." "Oh...gosh...I don't know...that's so kind of you." stammered and nervous and blushing Fluttershy. "That's okay, take your time." stated Thunderlane. "Well...uh...maybe you and I could go on a...uh...date...EEP!" the mare quickly covered her mouth in embarrassment. "If that's what you want...then yes...a date would be lovely." answered Thunderlane. "What?!" "Of course I'll go on a date with you, if you want of course." clarified the stallion. Fluttershy blushed even more. At the same time, Mac returned back to Sweet Apple Acres, now with a smile on his face. When he got there, he saw Applejack hauling hay bails into the barn. "MAC!" Yer back!" exclaimed Applejack as she ran up and hugged her brother in joy. "Where have ya been?" Mac just smiled. "Ah was soul searchin', tryin' t' figure out my life." he explained to his sister. "Well...whatever ya did...Ah'm just glad yer back, sorry ah was a little hard on ya back there." apologized Applejack. "An' ah'm sorry ah wasn't th' stallion ah should be." stated Mac. "From now on...no more ruttin' unless it's with mah special somepony." Applejack just hugged her brother. "Like ah said...ah'm just glad ya back." she broke the hug. "By the way, where did ya spend the night? It was too stormy out t' sleep outside." "Oh...just a special friend o' mine." smiled Mac. At Sugercube Corner, inside Pinkie's room, is a desk, and on that desk is a drawing that Pinkie just made. The drawing is of her and Mac holding hooves in front of a giant pink heart. Below it is a message reading: Pinkie + Mac 2 gether 4 ever THE END