The First Part
"Goodness, big bro, I ain't sure what to think about this message at all," Applejack said, pushing the scroll across the kitchen table. Her eyes flickered down along the newly appeared letter, signed from Zecora a few hours ago, and over to her huge glass of pulp-filled orange juice.
Mac said nothing. He simply leaned up against the side wall of the kitchen, listening as Granny Smith's snoring boomed through the next room. He had on his own usual, flat expression. Applejack sipped her drink and sat down on the floor. She had a low, sinking sort of feeling coursing inside her, although she didn't know why. She had never seen Zecora mislead anypony, and she had no real reason to suspect anything. Yet it all felt so strange.
Mac finally walked over, and he picked up the scroll with a hoof. He eyed another glass of juice for himself. He then delicately rolled the scroll back up, glancing through it once again. He pointed out Zecora's hoofprint to himself. Why is Applejack so worried about this? It's like a dream come true. Isn't it? Just an easy, quick job.
Dear Apple Family,
A dear friend of mine from the Zebra tribe, Zapata, has had to move back over to Coltsville to sort out some family issues on a short notice. Thus, I'm now in a tight spot. I need a new gardener to assist me with these special flowers known as cotius hortus siccus, which look like some of the most beautiful tulips that anypony will ever seen. The next two days will be especially important, and I'd be very grateful if you can help me.
I've yet to find another male Zebra in the immediate area to pollinate the flowers. Fortunately, a stallion with the size, strength, and build of dear mister Big Mac will do nicely. If he can help me, then I'll share my bushels of the bright white pearl-like and jewel-like beads produced by the flowers. Just one of these rare collectibles is worth two-hundred apples. The actual pollination itself will be very easy, and caring for the flowers afterward will be as easy as pie. You can stay in my new guest hut besides my own hut.
Thanks once again. If you can come over to my hut, then please leave as soon as possible. I'd also much appreciate it if you keep this message between us.
Sincerely,
Zecora
=> Written with assistance of Zapata <=
"You know what this means, lil' 'sis," said Big Mac.
She took a big swig of her juice. "Yes, I know."
"Whatever horrible disease is ravaging our Apple trees," he said, looking over at the set of dishes in the sink, "it wouldn't matter anymore. Rather than have a poor season, we'll--" He took a gulp. "We might even be able to save this season, putting some bits into Applebloom's college fund. That would be so amazing."
"Zecora, or whatever feller that actually wrote that there note, didn't say how many of those beady things she share with you, did they?" Applejack locked eyes with her brother, shifting her head to the side. "It seems so, well, cryptic and such."
"Has Zecora ever been anything but a dear friend to us?" Mac replied, walking closer. Applejack shook her head 'no', even though concern almost seemed to drip off of her face. "It's her message. Her hoofprint. I know it sounds weird, goodness knows, and I wonder what she exactly means by 'pollinate'." He nudged closer and put a hoof against his sister's shoulder. "But I'm not going to leave somepony like Zecora out in the cold when they need help."
"I know, I know," she said, closing her eyes and looking right down at the floor.
"Hey," he said, moving her head up with his hoof and gazing into her adorable features. "Nopony, and I mean nopony--" He playfully bonked her on the chest. "Is going to feed me to a blasted flower. Alright?" He twirled his head around. "Something wrong, and I'll go first." He bit into the empty air.
She giggled, finally smiling. He felt such a surge of joy at that. Girl, you haven't smiled for the longest time.
"It'll only take me a little while to get ready to go," he said, turning away very slowly and heading towards the stairs. She nodded at him, waving a hoof.
"Sorry to get so emotional, big bro," she said, sniffing. "It's just been so hard. Dealing with all this, I've been trying to stay strong, but I can't take it. I suppose I should tell you the rest of the story now, or at least what I had heard from Twilight this mornin'."
Mac froze, halfway out the door into the other room. "Eeeeeyup."
"It's not a magical disease," Applejack said, sighing wistfully. She started tending to the dishes. "It's actually a magical-resistant parasite, of all things. Without a doubt, it came from some of these new 'humans' that've been poppin' up like daises." She almost bit her lip. "Sure as hay was an accident, and I ain't gonna blame 'em one bit. Twilight says it might of been crawling 'round that tall peachy-skinned feller's backpack before he almost lost it around these parts. I know that kind and carin' feller will be crushed when she tells 'em."
"What does all that mean?" He ran a hoof through his long, flowing mane.
"It means, sugarcube," she said, taking a very deep breath, "that there's nothing to stop it. Twilight says it'll turn nine out of ten apples into mush. Then, it'll probably die out, being all isolated from it's own planet and stuff." She held back a tear. "That still doesn't change the one big thing. We're going to be wiped out." She leaned her head up against the kitchen counter, looking out into blank space.
"I'll get ready to go," Mac said, determination building in his voice, "I'll do this job. I'll come back, and I'll make things better."
"Better," she repeated without thinking.
"Eeeeeyup." They locked eyes once again. She seemed to understand as a silent pulse of emotion went through them both, and she knew that she had total confidence in him. She always had, even though she couldn't help but worry.
He scurried up the stairs and opened up his room. He picked up a big saddlebag with his teeth and neatly placed item after item inside. A little shampoo, a little toothpaste, some tissues, the lucky mad scientist doll that Applebloom had made for him in class a few days ago, the special edition of The Canterlot Times that he had vowed to look at, and other things all fit together like puzzle pieces.
Finally, Mac made his way over to Applebloom at the barn, playing with the rest of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. She treated it like nothing that out of the ordinary, giving him a big hug and asking him to bring back something fun from Zecora. Maybe I'm looking way too much into this. It's just a short stay. Nothing serious. Why do I feel like I'm going on some kind of grand exposition? If only I knew more about that odd flower. It's no name that I've ever heard before.
He said goodbye to Applejack. She gave him another, more passionate hug. He still tried to keep himself in high spirits. I shouldn't let little worries get me down. Granny Smith gave a very uncharacteristic little message of "seeing you again the day after tomorrow or such then, sonny, stay safe" before falling back asleep. Well, I suppose it's time to head on down into the Everfree.
As he trotted through Ponvyille, drinking in the bright sunshine and soothing, calm breeze, he thanked goodness that Twilight and her new human friends had built a formal path through the dangerous forest. He still had to keep his wits up, hoping not to become a meal for some gigantic slithery creature, but he at least had a solid space of gravel with wide spaces besides it to walk on. Several rustling and screeching nosies gave him pause, but he kept on staring forwards. He moved step by step like a wind-up town.
Just don't think about the horrible, despicable things creeping about over there. Just don't even let it enter your mind. His eyes darted along the piles of mossy rock along to the gangling weeping willows and the thick black stretches of tall bushes. Some kind of dark purple claw rubbed up the tips of a nearby branch before withdrawing back into the darkness. Keep walking, Big Mac! He spotted sets of red eyes from within mats of leaves up and to his left. He blinked. Those other eyes vanished. Seriously, keep walking!
He put on some speed, trying not to show any sort of panic but hoping to cut the trip short. A rippling noise sounded up far above him-- followed by a low moan. His fast walk broke into a trot. He saw more mysterious eyes adjacent to the path, and he kept on moving. He finally closed his eyes as he heard something like a large snap, and he ran. He blinked to keep from crashing into something, not wanting to see anything more than he had to. He went up a small hill, and he spotted Zecora's hut up ahead. He glanced over to the side, and he spotted the new guest hut built just nearby.
"Ah, it looks so nice," he said, taking off his saddlebags. He sucked in a deep breath, and she smiled. "Just take a gander at that new, long--"
"It is so fortunate for you to be here!" Zecora said, hopping out from behind a bush and giving Mac a huge scare. He jerked to the side, smashing his body against a big oak, and he wiggled his head around. Zecora broke out a huge smile, looking happier than he had ever saw her. "Yes, indeed, I had otherwise had much to fear!"
"Eeeeeyup." He brushed off leaves from his coat as he staggered back onto the path, putting his saddlebag back on. "I always wanna be there when a friend needs help."
She offered him a helpful hoof, and he took it, letting himself take in her infectious smile. She lead him over in the direction of the guest hut. He tried not to gaze at her huge flanks, her tail shifting from side to side seductively. Come on, you. Act appropriately. You're trying to do a job for her. Zecora had her own odd preferences in the bedroom, things that Mac had heard about second-hoofed from various ponies as well as human, and he didn't want to get involved with any of that. He was, though, still a red-blooded stallion that hadn't had any since Cheerilee broke up with him three weeks ago.
They walked right past the guest hut and headed into a shallow riverbed, which seemed to lead nowhere. He glanced all around overhead. The Everfree looked a lot more like a generic forest with tall maples and oaks arranged haphazardly along with just the occasional bird overhead as well as a pleasant lack of spooky noises.
He felt totally confused, but she simply waved him forwards. He shrugged, and he stepped through the slippery riverbed. He stuck out a hoof and slid his head around, trying to keep his balance. He almost bit his lip as he nearly fell flat on her face. Zecora kept on walking in front of him. She seemed to have the grace of a ballerina. I can see why the humans like her. Zecora suddenly ducked to the side, looking for a second as if she had completely disappeared.
He blinked. He heard a happy exclamation, something in another language that he didn't understand, and he trotted forwards. He found himself standing besides a huge cave, totally black inside. He heard more weird chattering inside. Well, I've made it this far, haven't I? He headed inside.
In just a matter of seconds, he found himself standing inside a massive clearing. The clean, bright green grass all around him looked like something from a Canterlot tycoon's lawn. He stepped along the moist expanse, trying to spot Zecora. It seemed almost like one of those optical illusions from The Canterlot Times. What had been a cave was then just a big hole, almost like a rabbit hole, over in a corner of the clearing. Despite being so short, inky blackness filled the hole as if it stretched for mile after mile.
I feel like I'm in some kind of magical zone or something. The sky is bluer. The grass is greener. The forests bordering this little clearing look like something from a storybook. It's not real. It's like 'hyper-real'. He blinked. Am I? "Hello, Zecora?" Mac called out.
"A-ha!" Zecora replied.
Mac twirled around. He eyed Zecora lying down on the ground far across from him over his right, and he trotted over. As he moved closer, he saw a gigantic patch of flowers besides the curvy gray zebra. Ah, so there's what I'll be tending to! He seemed to immediately fall in love with the beautiful plant. Row after row of bright pink tulip-like flowers shone out in the bright sun. The petals had pretty yellow stripes going across in intricate curls-- like something Rarity would carefully plan out at the lacey end of her dresses. Stretches of dark green vines laid down underneath and behind the flowers. Zecora ran a hoof alongside them, and she stood up straight.
"Ah, so we can see that she does like you," Zecora said, pointing over at Big Mac. "She only loses her invisibility to a select few."
"Cotius hortus siccus, I presume," Mac said, scratching his chin. "Very beautiful." He stepped even closer, his eyes dancing along the various petals, sepals, stems, and everything else before him. Hey, wait a minute... He blinked. "Are you seriously telling me that they're usually invisible?"
She nodded, letting out a little laugh.
"And this whole area that we're standing in here," he said, gesturing towards the air above him, "somethin' is special about it."
"Nature in the Everfree Forest is always in balance, my friend," she replied, stepping out away from them. "Magical danger on one side of the expanse implies magical love at the other end."
"Magical love?" he repeated. He didn't like the naughty expression going across Zecora's face. "This is gettin' rather, uh, philosophical for a discussion about gardening, ain't it?"
Zecora did an impromptu dance, flipping herself on her hind hooves and waving around her front ones. Mac watched with wide open eyes. She twirled over and kicked against the ground. She flew about in a circle. He took a gulp as she spun both her head and her flanks widely.
"Zecora, please, what exactly can I do now? I'm here to help. What can I do first? I'm 'pollinating', but how?" he asked. She kept on spinning, her mane streaking through the air like a whip. "Zecora!"
*Blam!*
A gigantic purple cloud burst out from underneath Zecora's body as a booming noise rocked the whole clearing. Mac staggered backwards, falling onto the corner of the huge plant. He watched as Zecora popped up into the air, something like hundreds of bright blue magical sparks coursing between her and the ground. He opened his mouth up, but he couldn't begin to think of what to say.
"Mac!" Zecora screamed out, looking over at him. Her eyes seemed to glow with this alien, blue aura. "Listen, you must! In my words, you must trust!"
He nodded. He felt what seemed like the plant's vines moving slightly underneath his back, but he put that down to just his nerves. "Yes, please. Don't be so cryptic. Just tell me what to do and how to do it."
"I must leave, Mac," she called out, closing her eyes and moving slowly towards the hole where they had came in. "Later today, I shall be back." She held up a hoof, making a circle. "Her pearl-like beads, my friend, shall be all yours... magically forming the day after tomorrow, beneath the vines, in pairs of fours."
"Zecora..."
"Her life is growing short! Offspring, she must create and support! You must pollinate her! The magical consummation must occur!" Although Zecora stepped farther and farther from him, her voice grew deeper and deeper.
"With what?" Mac felt exasperated, still knocked on his back besides the flowers and trying his best to stand up. Something seemed to still hold him. "Don't I need a spray or something? Or something powdery to sow? Where are my gardening supplies? I'm so confused!"
"She requires nothing that you would hang from a tool shed's pegs!" Zecora yelled before disappearing. "Mac, the only supplies you need you shall find right between your legs!"
Mac blinked. He stared out at the open expanse. I'm not in the mood for riddles. He sneered, wiggling his body from side to side. He tried to stand back up. He pulled his back hooves forwards, but something moist moved up along his legs. He tugged for a moment. What the hay is going on! He stopped, and he swung his head down to the ground, looking straight underneath him.
"Oh, my leg is just caught in the vines," he muttered, seeing green curls going along his bright red fur. He prepared to grip his legs together, tugging harder. The vines held him back. He blinked. One of the vines actually moved right before his eyes.
Oh... my... Celestia... He froze. He saw one of the vines stretching up over to his cutie mark. He moved his head up and to the left, now looking back over his shoulder. A particularly big tulip nudged up against the big apple on his flank. The petals opened up a little. His heart raced like Rainbow Dash trying to break a record. The moist pink petals made a circle along his cutie mark, those soft things feeling like a mare's tongue.
"Then, I guess she wants... I guess she needs..." he groaned, his head shaking. Vines snaked along his legs and started up his belly. He couldn't bear to force himself to move, his body going numb as countless thoughts warred against each other in his subconscious. "I guess you want..." He felt himself being rolled over on his back.
Can I even talk to this thing? Can it understand me? Could it talk back somehow? He looked up at the empty sky as the plant slid him gently across the grass over towards itself. His bottom hooves brushed up against a mat of leaves, and he felt the vines growing looser and looser. He looked down. Most of the flowers simply bobbed left to right slightly, still looking like ordinary tulips than some kind of Everfree Forest monster. Vines massed around underneath them, crawling in ways that seemed to make no rhyme or reason.
"Oh, Celestia help me," Mac groaned, looking back up at the sky. He made a huge sigh. "I'm being propositioned by greenery."
A single tulip moved up his belly and chest. It tickled his chin for a moment, making him reach out and try to swat it. The tulip hovered in the air right in front of his face. He closed his eyes. Oh, gosh, I can't believe what's happened. I can't believe I'm here. It's all like a dream or something. He opened his eyes again, and he stared straight into the flower.
Rather than seeing the stigma, anther, stamen, and pistil that he expected, he saw the pretty pink and yellow petals of the flower leading on the inside to some kind of yellowish white folds doused in a glittery grey powder. Looks almost like a set of lips inside, almost. I guess this species has only a stigma and that's it? The petals bent forwards, closing the flower somewhat. Is she... is she... showing me her stigma? The flower bent down closer to him, lining up perfectly with his lips. An awkward ten seconds of nothingness happened.
"Oh, Celestia," he said, making a pained moan, "you want a kiss, don't you?"
The tulip didn't say anything in response, but the vine behind the tulip moved up and down like a mare shaking her head 'yes'.
Mac's head shivered back and forth. No! No! What the hay is wrong with me! Why would I ever kiss a bucking flower just like a would kiss Cheerilee or Rarity or Fluttershy? Gross! He didn't know whether to laugh, cry, or scream out. He saw the tulip opening up a little once again, it's petals looking even more moist than before. His eyes took in the intricate yellow stripes along the pink body. On plant terms, the thing looked rather beautiful. But it's still... wow!
"You're not my species, not my genus, not my family, not my class, not my order! You're not even my phylum, for crying out loud!" Mac called out.
The flower simply moved in closer. The tips of its petals curled up a little. Every part of it looked to be soaking wet.
Is this really so bad? It's got to be literally the weirdest thing I've ever heard in my entire life. Still, all I have to do is to give it... give 'her', I guess... my body. And then Applejack, Applebloom, Granny Smith, and all the rest are set for the whole season-- if not for years. He gazed at the flower. He knew that it was the kind of soft, delicate, and adorable thing that he'd search far and wide for to give to a sweetheart-- having never seen a prettier plant. Oh, buck it! Mac closed his eyes. He stuck out his lips, sucking in a big breath through his nose.
And then they kissed.
To Be Continued...