> Fluttermom
>  by Alex12
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Cocooned in her bubble of clouds, Fluttershy sobbed softly.  it had been the worst day she had ever had.  It was her eighteenth birthday, and still no Cutie Mark.  Everypony else her age had gotten theirs years ago.  Earlier that day, her father had sent her away, and his words still rang in her ears.

"You're an adult now, and you still don't have a Cutie Mark.  When I was your age, I was already on the fast track to be the forepony of the cloud factory, and you still don't know what you want to do with your life.  Well, I won't have a freeloader living in my house!  Pack your things and go!  And don't come back until you've got something to show for it."

And now Fluttershy was alone.  Not a friend in the world, nowhere to live, nothing.  Just a small bag with a few bits and a couple small items of sentimental value- a scrap of her favorite cloud, a battered Wonderbolts doll from her foalhood, and a small cheap wire necklace, a gift from her first and only coltfriend.  So lost in her sorrow was the mare that she didn't notice the muffled noises coming from outside her cloud-nest until it was far too late to do anything.


*WHAM!*

The brown-grey Pegasus colt cannoned through the cloud wall and slammed with bone-jarring force into Fluttershy's side.  The impact sent her flying out the other cloud wall, stunning her momentarily.  By the time she recovered her wits, she was plummeting toward the ground.  Instincts kicked in, and she spread her wings- she might not have been a particularly skilled flier, but she was certainly good enough to keep from falling to her death.

Or so she thought, right up until a red-hot lance of pain flared through her wing, right where the colt had impacted.  Useless right now, maybe even broken.

"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!"

The scream for help was ineffective.  Even if anypony had heard it, they would have been too far away to help.

The ground raced toward the plummeting pony, when suddenly, something amazing happened.  A cloud of creatures, tiny creatures with lovely pink wings, too numerous to count, flowed up between her and the ground, somehow arresting her fall.  For a moment, Fluttershy's sorrows faded.  She was alive!  She may have been in an unfamiliar landscape, full of strange creatures and formations, but she was alive!  Besides, the ground was beautiful, and the young mare couldn't imagine such a wonderful place being truly dangerous, for it was nothing at all like her father had told her.  The excitement of it was so overwhelming that she actually burst into a brief song, despair momentarily forgotten.

*KRA-BOOM!*

A halo of rainbow-colored light split the sky, with the accompanying groundshaking explosive noise, startling the mare and scaring away the animals surrounding her.  Feeling almost as if she was a passenger in her own body, Fluttershy found herself searching them out and reassuring them, ignorant of the fact that this should not have worked.  A warmth on her flanks and a flash of light caught her attention, and she turned to look.  Her cutie mark!  It had finally appeared!

***

Fluttershy huddled in woods, the shrubbery she was using as a makeshift blanket woefully inadequate to the task of protecting her from the rain.  After her wing had healed (thank Celestia it wasn't broken) she'd made her way back to her father's house, only to be kicked out again with the admonition not to come back because "you're not a Pegasus, you're an Earth Pony with wings!"

With that, she was reduced to this.  She hadn't the bits to obtain lodging, and had to make do with what shelter she could contrive in the woods.  She couldn't go into the town, since she would surely be spotted and recognized as the freak her father had called her.  Fortunately, grass and flowers were plentiful, and there was even an apple orchard nearby, though she had to make sure not to eat enough from any one spot to be noticeable.  Her animal friends were her only source of comfort.  She cared for them as best she could, and they, in turn, cared for her as best they could.

***

Macintosh was frustrated.  His younger sister had recently returned from Manehattan with the realization that working on the family farm was what she truly wanted to do, and that had taken some of the load off, but she was still just a filly, and physically couldn't take up too many of the chores that he had had to perform alone.  But this wasn't the source of his frustration.  He was frustrated because somepony was stealing apples from the south field.  Not too many-not enough to threaten the business-and not from the same trees, but enough that he knew they were going missing.  The discovery of a hoofprint under one of the trees, a print too small for his own feet, and too large for anypony else that had any business in the fields, proved it.  This was his day off, and Macintosh would get to the bottom of the mystery.

***

Hours later, Macintosh was wishing he was a Pegasus pony.  He had found the apple thief without too much trouble, but she was not what he had expected.  When he had found her, she had burst out in tears.  Macintosh, being a kind-hearted pony, had asked for an explanation.  Between sobs, she had told him the whole story.  At the moment, there was nothing he wanted more than to fly up to the bigoted jerk who had somehow managed to produce one of the most gentle-hearted (not to mention beautiful) ponies he had ever met, and buck the idiot as hard as he could.  But if wishes were apples, his family would be broke.  It was time for some problem solving.

"Eeyup, Miss Fluttershy, this shore is a tough one.  Hm.  Oh, Ah know!  Th' old cottage!"

Fluttershy looked at him questioningly, and Macintosh explained further

"There's an old cottage a bit of a walk from here.  It's a bit run-down raht now, on account of it's not been used since Old Moonshine died, oh, eight years ago now, but Ah'm perty shore it's okay.  And, if mem'ry serves, Ah think he had a garden- there maht still be somethin' there."

"Oh, that sounds lovely!...Or at least, better than this."

***

The cottage was not in great shape, but that was to be expected after having been left unattended for the better part of a decade.  None of the furnishings were left, since while nopony had wanted to claim the cottage so close to the Everfree Forest, the furniture was a different matter, and anything that hadn't been taken had long ago succumbed to the elements.  But there were good points.  The walls seemed sound, the roof was largely intact, and the cellar that had once stored the former inhabitant's eponymous beverage was surprisingly warm.  Macintosh sent a silent thanks to whichever of his ancestors had established Ponyville's incredibly strict building codes.  Best of all, while the garden was overgrown with weeds and brambles, they were edible weeds and brambles.  They weren't the tastiest things, but were far better than starving, and there were a few vegetable plants stubbornly clinging to life.

***

A few weeks later, Macintosh realized that he might possibly have a crush on the Pegasus he'd helped.  He'd spent every moment he had free helping her get established in the cottage- loaning her some of the furniture his family had in storage, helping fix up the house, even aiding her in fighting through the arcane legalese of the paperwork needed to formally move in.  But he'd been able to reason that away as just being neighborly, helping somepony who needed help.  It wasn't until Granny Smith said something that it hit him.

"Bye, Granny!  Ah'll be back this evenin'!"

"Heh.  You young whippersnapper, thinkin' y'kin pull the wool over ol' Granny's eyes!  Ah know where yer goin'!  Y'gotcherself a fillyfriend- it's as plain as the nose on yer face."

Macintosh sputtered, thanking Celestia that his red coat meant his blush would be invisible, and denied the absurd idea.

"Hah!  You think I'm blind, sonny?  Yer spendin' all yer time out off doin' who-knows-what, and when y'come back, ye've got a big silly grin on yer face.  Go on, git!  Yer fillyfriend is waitin for you, 'less Ah miss mah guess.  Ah won't tell anypony else as hasn't figgered it out.  Jest don't get her with foal 'less yer gonna marry her!"

Macintosh fled, mortified.  Fluttershy wasn't his fillyfriend!  She was just a friend.  Who was a beautiful young mare the same age he was.  And the sweetest pony he'd ever met.  And just the sight of her lifted his spirits.  And, now that he was thinking along those lines, when he experimentally thought of her with somepony else- say, Caramel- a combination of anger and jealousy surged.

Well, horseapples.

***

Fluttershy couldn't believe how her luck had turned around in the past few weeks.  She'd gone from having nothing and getting by eating grass and stealing apples to survive to living somewhat comfortably.  It wasn't an easy life- she worked hard every day, fixing her cottage (her own cottage!  She had the paperwork and everything!) and beating it into a semblance of a home, but she felt more fulfilled than she'd ever been in Cloudsdale.  She'd even braved going into town herself a couple of times, to get supplies and deal with paperwork for the cottage, and hadn't been mocked, insulted or anything!

But, she had to admit, Macintosh had been the biggest shock, and the most welcome.  All her life, her father had drilled into her that only the skies, and those who lived in it, were pure.  That those restricted to living in two dimensions were crude, uncultured, only fit to grow food for the races that knew the true freedom of the air.  Her father would proudly declare that he himself had never touched the ground, and never would.  And yet here was this Earth Pony, showing far more kindness for a total stranger than her own father had ever shown her.  He'd appeared like a knight in some tale, rescuing the maiden from her dismal fate and whisking her into a better life.

Fluttershy chided herself at the thought.  He'd hardly whisked her into nobility and riches.  What he had done was help her, through his own hard work and intelligence, find a place where she could make her own place in the world.  Just because he was handsome, and gentle, and kind, and nice to talk to, and understanding, didn't make him some brave rescuer from a fantasy story.  Besides, he was probably just being helpful.  A big, handsome stallion like that probably had all sorts of romantic options- he couldn't possibly be interested in plain old Fluttershy.

Ponyfeathers.

***

"Well, Fluttershy, Ah gotta be headin' home."

"Oh, um, alright.  And, uh, thank you.  For all your help, I mean.  I really appreciate it.  Um, do you, I mean, when will you be back?  I mean, if you are coming back?"

"Course Ah'm comin' back.  We still got a chunk a'work ta do, afterall.  Ah should be free 'round noon this Wednesday," an idea struck Macintosh, "'n Ah can bring a nahce lunch- we can have ourselves a picnic 'fore we get ta work."  

"Oh, that sounds lovely!"

"Eeyup.  Well, until Wednesday, then!"

As Macintosh turned to leave, a sudden impulse seized Fluttershy.

"Wait, Macintosh!"

"Hm-mmph?!"

As the stallion was turning, Fluttershy darted forward, blushing furiously, intending to kiss her crush on the cheek.  She missed.  Lips touched.  Macintosh's eyes shot open, and he stood stunned as Fluttershy backpedaled furiously, words tumbling out in a rush.

"OhmygoodnessI'msosorryImeanttokissyourcheekIdon'tknowwhatcameovermepleasedon'thateme!"

As she continued to apologize, the Earth pony slowly raised a hoof to his lips, as if checking to make sure they were still there.  He looked at the Pegasus, who was by this point trying to make herself small enough to be invisible, still apologizing without taking a breath.

"Fluttershy, wait."

She cut off midsentence.  Oh, no.  He hates me now.

"Ya don't need ta apologize fer kissin' me.  Y'meant t'do it on th'cheek, an' ya missed.  Simple as that."

Oh, thank goodness.  But Macintosh wasn't finished.

"Ah'm not gonna lie an' say Ah haven't thought 'bout kissin' you m'self a time'r two, but yer, well, Ah mean, yer...  What Ah mean ta say is yer awful pretty, an' jest about th' nicest girl Ah ever met.  Ah'll treasure that kiss ferever, but we both know y'kin do better'n some farmboy.  Ah mean...Aw, shucks, Ah'm screwin' this up, ain't Ah?  Ah don' want ta wreck our friendship.  Jest ferget Ah said anything."

Fluttershy stared in shock.  Had he just said that he had wanted to kiss her?  Boring old Fluttershy?  Before the doubts could coalesce into her typical timidity, she leaned in and kissed the stallion again.  Properly, this time.

If the previous, accidental kiss had been invigorating, this one was electrifying.  It felt right, like they were made for each other.

***

Fluttershy smiled in her sleep.  She knew it was time to get up, but she had been having such a wonderful dream.  She happily snuggled up against her pillow, resolving that she would savor the feeling just a moment more before facing the day.

Wait.  Her pillow wasn't that solid.  And it felt wrong.  Could it be?

Not daring to hope, Fluttershy opened her eyes and looked up.  A pair of emerald eyes met hers, and a smile split her face.

"Mornin', Fluttershy"

"Good morning, Macintosh,"  the Pegasus blushed, "I'm sorry for keeping you overnight.  I hope you don't get in trouble or anything for that."

The Earth pony kissed her gently on the forehead before reassuring her.

"Nope.  Granny kin take care a' Applejack jest fine without mah help.  Long as Ah get mah chores done, it should be fine."  He stroked her mane before continuing with a grin, "Besides, even if Ah do get inta a heap o'trouble, Ah spent the time with you, so it'd be worth it."

"R-really?  You really think so?"

"Eeyup."

"Oh, um...thank you.  Um...I need to get up now- the animals need feeding.  I mean, if that's alright with you?"  the sentence was punctuated by her stomach rumbling.  Macintosh grinned.

"An' it sounds like you need feedin' too, love.  Tell ya what, Ah'll make breakfast fer th' both of us."

"That sounds lovely!"

***

Macintosh made his way back to Sweet Apple Acres, a spring in his step.  Last night had been just perfect, and this morning had been more of the same.  Nothing could ruin today!

"Howdy, son!  Where ya been?" cried the older stallion with a sandy blond coat and red mane.

"Hi, pa."  Okay, almost nothing.  Just play it cool, and nopony will make a big deal.

"Is that all Ah get?  'Hi, pa?'  Ah tell ya, kids these days!  Hah!  Don’t'cha worry none, kiddo, Ah was young once too, ya know!"  At this, the older stallion lowered his voice and whispered conspiratorially to his son, "So, is she cute?"

Macintosh was dumbstruck.  Was it that obvious?

"Ah'm jest joshin' ya, boy!  What ya do on yer own time is yer own business, 'long as ya don' break any laws or hearts.  Anyway, yer ma and Ah jest got back from our trip, an' we got some big news!  We didn't tell anypony yet- we wanted ta tell everypony at the same time.  Meantime, lemme tell ya 'bout the Buffalo Plains!"

As his father chattered away about the trip as they made their way back to the house, Macintosh breathed a sigh of relief.  He'd had no idea his parents were coming home, but judging by his father's reaction, it wasn't a big deal.  He just wondered what could be such a big deal that they would cut their trip short and come home three months early.

***

"Now Ah'm sure yer all wonderin' why Ginger an' Ah cut our trip short t'come back home ta Ponyville an' Sweet Apple Acres.  What y'all don't get is how beautiful th' Buffalo Plains are- the sunsets, the wide open spaces, the-"

"Jonathan, please.  You're rambling again," said the light green mare with the sky-blue mane seated next to him.

"Ah am?  Sorry 'bout that, dear."

"Quite alright, love," the mare turned to the other three assembled family members, "anyway, what he's trying to say is that I'm pregnant."

***

The pronouncement was greeted with dead silence, which was broken by Applejack.

"Ya mean Ah'm gonna be a big sister?"

"Exactly, little one," Ginger Gold ruffled her daughter's mane affectionately, "in about nine months."

"Oh.  That's a long time."  The filly looked dejected, as if she had been expecting a new sibling tomorrow.  "And Ah am not a little one anymore!  Ah am a big pony now!  Ah even got mah Cutie Mark!"

"So I see.  My apologies."  It was at this point that Jonathan cut in.

"Ah, maybe we kin continue this talk this evenin'?  I know everypony's got plenty a' chores ta do, and we don't wanna waste daylight!" 

***

Macintosh was halfway through the area he needed to harvest for the day when his father showed up.

"Hey, there, son!  Need any help?"

"Nope."

"Oh.  Well, ya mind if Ah help anyway?"

"Nope."

"Alright, then!"

The next few minutes were consumed by the steady Thunk-thudthudthud of hooves striking trees and apples raining into buckets.

"So Granny says ya been gone more often these past few weeks."

"Eeyup."

"An' last night ya weren't home."

"Eeyup."

"So...what've ya been doin'?  Ah promise Ah won't get mad.  It's jest...Granny worries about ya, son.  Ah worry.  Ya hear 'bout these drugs 'n things that kin wreck a pony's life, an' Ah don't wanna see ya livin' under a bridge or anythin'."

"Nope"

"Then what?  Ah promise, Ah jest don' wanna see ya get hurt."

By this point, Macintosh's face would have been solid red even if it wasn't normally.  "There's a mare."

"Huh?  Ah didn't catch that."

"There's a mare, alraht?  Ah know.  'Mac's got a fillyfriend' an' all that.  Now yer gonna make fun an' tease me 'bout it.  Fahn, go 'head!"

Jonathan was shocked, as much by the length of the outburst from his normally laconic son as the intensity, but he recovered quickly.

"Wait, really?  Ya seriously got yerself a mare?  That's great!  Ah knew one a' them gals'd get through ta ya eventually!"

"Yer...yer not teasin' me?"

"Well, shucks, son, Ah'm yer pa!  Of course Ah'm gonna give ya a hard tahm 'bout it later, but Ah'm happy for ya!"

A slightly faroff look came to Macintosh's eyes, "Eeyup.  She's perfect.  Sweet, gentle, gorgeous...  Ah know Ah haven't known her fer long, but Ah really think she's the one."

"Really?  Ya think so?  What's this perfect mare's name, then?"

"Fluttershy."

***

"So Ah found out what's got Mac so busy lately."

"Oh?" Ginger Gold looked up at her husband entering the room.

"Eeyup!  He found hisself a fillyfriend!  Heh.  Seems he fell purty hard for 'er too.  Sayin' how he thinks she's the one an' all that."

"Really!"  The green mare's eyes widened, " I thought he'd never notice their advances.  So who was it?  That young clerk that's been making eyes at him since they were in school?"

"Nope!  She's some new pony in town, name o' Fluttershy.  Seems she was in somethin' of a heap o' trouble, an' he helped 'er out an' now they're datin'!"

"Really?  Hm.  Perhaps I should meet with this filly- Fluttershy, did you say?- and get to know her."

"Hon, ya read mah mind.  Ah already told Mac ta invite her over fer dinner Sunday."

***

Fluttershy was in a quandary.  As was a habit she had developed, she was discussing the problem with the animals she was caring for.

"I just don't know what to do, Neighpoleon.  I love him.  I know he's the one.  But I don't want to be too clingy.  That drives colts away.  And I don't know if I can do the things they like."  Half-remembered pieces of conversation she'd overheard were definite on the topic.

The rabbit she was addressing fixed her with a stare, as if to say he didn't care, and give him the carrot already.  Fluttershy complied, preoccupied with her worrying.

"I know, I know.  If he's the one, he won't think it's a problem, but still."

Neighpoleon shrugged and rolled his eyes before continuing to eat.  Fluttershy sighed.  Maybe she would come up with something.

***

"Howdy, Fluttershy!"

The Pegasus turned toward her coltfriend.  Alright, Fluttershy, this is it.

Putting on her best 'seductive' voice, she replied,"Oh, Macintosh, I'm so happy to see you."

Macintosh blinked.  What?  But before he could formulate a reply, the yellow mare was sidling up to him, pressing into him in some very pleasingly distracting ways.

"Come on inside, love.  I realized I never rewarded you properly for helping me."  Her tone of voice left absolutely no doubt as to what she had in mind.

With a supreme effort of will, Macintosh pulled away, "Fluttershy, stop.  Please.  This ain't you."  Fluttershy pulled back in confusion, and the stallion continued, "Ya don't need ta put on an act fer me like that.  Ah fell in love with you fer you."

"Oh.  Um..." By this point, the mare was blushing so hard her face looked orange. "Sorry?" she squeaked out.

"Don't worry none.  Ah'm jest wonderin' why ya thought ya had ta act like that?"

"Is...isn't that what colts like?"

Macintosh chuckled, "Nope.  Well, Ah guess some colts do, th' young, dumb ones especially.  But Ah prefer ya just the way ya are."  He gently kissed her forehead.  "Now, today is gonna be the best weather of the year, an' Ah brought us a lovely picnic lunch.  How 'bout we head over ta that meadow we found an' eat?"

***

The next day, Fluttershy slunk quietly into town.  She needed to buy more food and supplies for her animal friends, and that meant she needed to find a job to get the bits.  Fortunately, she and Macintosh had finally managed to get the cottage fully fixed up, so now she had time to do so.

"Okay, Fluttershy.  You can do this.  Just go in, find something, and get out," the timid Pegasus murmured to herself.

A few hours later, she was just about ready to admit defeat.  Every job opening she had seen was for something completely unsuitable.  The bakery assistant spot required somepony much more outgoing than she was, her flight skills were nowhere near good enough for the weather service, and the stockpony position at Blacksmithing and Weight Training Supplies required somepony with far more muscle.  She was passing by town hall, just about to give up and head home when she heard somepony yelling.  Before she could react, the door slammed open, and a tough-looking orange Unicorn stormed out, turning and yelling into the building.

"You can't fire me!  I quit!  This stupid town is way too close to the Everfree Forest!  I almost got my tail bitten off by a blasted Manticore last time I tried doing the frog census!  Find yourself another wildlife manager!"  With that, the Unicorn stomped away, heading toward the road to Canterlot.

Fluttershy blinked, shocked at the outburst.  From what she'd seen, Ponyville was normally such a quiet town.  The other townsfolk that had gathered out of curiosity started dispersing, with nothing more to interest them.  Fluttershy did not leave with them.

"Wildlife manager?  I wonder what that is?"

Slowly, tentatively, the yellow pony made her way into the town hall, where she saw a beige-colored mare with a grey mane scrambling to pick up papers- presumably sent flying by the unicorn before his exit- and muttering under her breath.

"Lousy no-good...idiot...be more careful...rabbit census..."

Fluttershy quietly cleared her throat, "Um, excuse me?" she asked in a very small voice

With a start, the other mare looked up, "Oh, I'm very sorry.  What can I do for you, Miss...?"

"Oh, um, Fluttershy.  Just Fluttershy."  She was already starting to regret coming in, but she needed the bits.

"Fluttershy?  Hm- Oh!  Yes, you're the one that moved into the old cottage!  How nice to meet you.  I'm Grey Mare, the mayor's secretary and head clerk.  How has living in Ponyville been for you?"

"It's...nice?"

"Good, good," the clerk finished putting the papers back in order, "was there something you needed?  The mayor took the week off, but I can help you if you need anything."

"Oh, um, well, I, um, I was wondering about, um, the wildlife management job.  I mean, I grew up in Cloudsdale, and, well..."

"I understand.  Not much wildlife up there, is there?  Down on the ground, we need to keep track of the animals, make sure they're not getting any diseases, that they're getting enough to eat and not getting into things they shouldn't, that sort of thing.  It's not an easy job, especially here in Ponyville- the Everfree forest makes it much harder to keep track of everything."

"Oh my.  Um.  Can I...can I apply for the job?"

This took the clerk by surprise.  She studied Fluttershy intently for a moment, before appearing to come to a decision.

"Ordinarily, I'd say no, but we need a wildlife manager fast.  The annual rabbit census is coming up, and we need it done by the end of the month.  So I'll make you a deal.  I'll make you the provisional wildlife manager for now.  If you can get the census done, and done well, by then, and you still want it, you can have it."

***

Fluttershy anxiously made her way to Sweet Apple Acres, worrying the whole way.  She had spent three indecisive hours preparing for dinner with her beloved's family, but in the end, had opted for simplicity.  After all, Macintosh had said his family wasn't the sort that was interested in fanciness.  She would just have to hope it was enough.  As she approached the house, however, her worries began to surface.  What if they didn't like her?  What if the fact that she was a Pegasus drove them away?  Or what if she said something wrong?  Or did something wrong?  Just as panic threatened to overwhelm her, a calming voice cut through.

"Fluttershy!  Ya made it!"

Macintosh was hailing her, his calm presence reassuring.  He thought the world of his family, so they couldn't be that bad.  She trotted up to the house, her steps lighter than they had been just seconds ago, and exchanged a quick kiss with him.

"Everypony, this is Fluttershy, mah fillyfriend.  Fluttershy, this is mah family.  Granny Smith, Ma, Pa, an' mah little sis Applejack."

Warm smiles greeted her, and Fluttershy felt...welcome.

***

After a delicious meal of apple-based foods (Fluttershy hadn't even known it was possible to make apple soup before), the conversation really got started.  The first topic was, naturally, Fluttershy herself.

"So, Fluttershy.  Ya recently moved ta Ponyville?  Why is that?"  Jonathan asked, oblivious to or ignorant of his son's attempts at silent warnings.

"My parents kicked me out." she squeaked out, looking down at the table.

"I'm sorry, dear?  I didn't quite catch that?"  Ginger chimed in.

"My...my father kicked me out.  He...he's an Empyreanist.  He said I'm...  Please, can we talk about something else?"  The Pegasus was almost in tears at the memory.

"Oh?  Oh!  Oh, I'm so sorry!  I didn't mean to bring up a painful topic!  It must have been terrible!"  The older mare moved to comfort her, while silently resolving to extract the full story from her son later.

"Y-yes.  But-"  Fluttershy paused for a moment, and with a visible effort of will, composed herself, "Macintosh has been such a big help.  If he hadn't shown up when he did, I don't know how I could have managed."

"I see.  And what have you been doing since then?"

"Mostly repairs on the cottage and taking care of the animals.  I'm also the provisional wildlife manager for Ponyville, which is wonderful!"  

***

Fluttershy entered the town hall nervously.  She had her census report ready in her saddlebag, and had committed the main points to memory, but she was still nervous, even beyond the worry that tinted thoughts of speaking with almost anypony.  She was pretty sure she had completed it properly, but she was also pretty sure Grey Mare had said it would be difficult.

"May I help you?"

"EEEP!"

"Um.  Miss?  Miss, are you alright?"

Fluttershy peeked up from between her hooves to see a pair of blue eyes regarding her with concern.  "Um...yes.  Um...I'm sorry.  You startled me."  She pawed the floor nervously.

Grey Mare answered quickly, "I'm terribly sorry about that.  So, Fluttershy, how may I help you?  Did you have any questions about the job?"

"Um, yes, I mean no!  I mean, um, I think I finished the rabbit census.  I just, um, I wanted to make sure I did it right.  It seemed...too easy."

"Too easy?  Really?  Well, let me see what you have."

Fluttershy opened her saddlebag and pulled out the census- a stack of over a hundred sheets of paper.  The total population of rabbits in the vicinity of Ponyville, broken down by age, gender, reproductive status, and location, all written out in Fluttershy's neat, precise script.  Grey mare's eyes widened.

"...Oh.  That looks...remarkably thorough.  You understand I'll have to read through it, but it certainly looks to me like you'll get to drop the 'provisional' part of the title.  Congratulations!"

***

Fluttershy had just left town hall and was beginning to head home when she heard somepony calling her name.  Turning to look, she saw Ginger Gold waving to her.

"Oh, hello, Mrs. Gold.  I, um, I didn't expect to see you today."

"Please, dear, call me Ginger.  I just had the most irresistible craving for strawberry pie."  She sighed, then smiled, "It comes from growing up in Manehattan, I suppose.  You can take the girl out of the city...  Come, walk with me, we'll have lunch.  My treat."

As Fluttershy fell in step with her coltfriend's mother, her mind was racing.  Was Ginger angry at her?  What did she want to talk about?

The silence wasn't broken until they were at Sugarcube corner.

"Have you eaten here before?  It's delightful- they have the most delectable strawberry pie I've ever tasted.  Apparently it's a family recipe."

Fluttershy nodded mutely in reply.  Ginger continued on, seemingly oblivious.

"Ponyville really is lovely, you know?  I know it was a shock when I first visited.  I had just graduated, and I wanted to see Equestria.  Trottingham, Prance, Stalliongrad...I wasn't even supposed to be in Ponyville, but there was some kind of problem with the rail line on the way to Canterlot, and we had to divert to Ponyville."  She sighed, a faroff look in her eyes, before continuing, "That was where I met Jonathan, you know.  We ran into each other.  Literally.  He offered to take me to dinner, as an apology.  We stayed in contact with each other throughout my trip, and, well, one thing led to another, and he proposed.  My parents weren't happy at first- they were hoping I would stay in Manehattan, be a high-society socialite like my brother.  But, they still loved me, and we managed to work things out in the end.  Ah, the pie is here!"

***

Fluttershy had to admit that it was delicious pie.  She was halfway through when Ginger broke the silence again.

"So, Fluttershy, I understand you're from Cloudsdale?  What was that like?"

"Oh, well, it was, um, bright.  I mean, all the buildings and roads and things are made of clouds, and it's closer to the sun, and most buildings don't have roofs.  And everything is white and blue.  I like being down here much more- there's much more color.  And ponies are nicer down on the ground too.  I never met anypony like you, or Macintosh, or anypony like that there."

"Does this have anything to do with your father being, what was it, an Imperianist?"

Fluttershy blushed, and tried to sink down into her seat.  "Did I really say that?  I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to be rude.  I just- I don't like talking about it."

"I understand, dear, really, I do.  It's hard to talk about.  But right now, I imagine that it's bottled up inside.  If you just let it sit and fester, it will turn sour.  Turn poisonous.  It's not healthy to just suppress everything.  I just want you to know that if you ever need somepony to talk to, I'm here."

Fluttershy lapsed into silence for a moment, focusing on finishing her pie.  Finally, she came to a decision.

"I...I don't think my father was a very nice pony. He didn't like the ground. He always said it's impure, and used to brag that he had never set hoof on it," Fluttershy looked down, shamefaced.

"That's what being an Empyreanist is. They think the sky is pure and clean, and the ground is corrupt. That's what he and his friends would always say, anyway," The yellow mare inhaled deeply before continuing in a quavery voice. 

"That's why he kicked me out the second time. Because my special talent is working with animals. Most animals live on the ground. When I told him, he...he kicked me out. He said I wasn't...that I'm not a real Pegasus. That I didn't deserve to live with him."

By this point, Fluttershy was crying softly.  Ginger wrapped her hooves around the yellow mare in a maternal embrace, patting her gently.

"It's alright, dear.  It's alright.  It's not your fault.  You're a wonderful pony, and anypony who says otherwise is wrong."

"Y-you mean it?"

"Absolutely.  I know I haven't known you for very long, but I can already see that you are a kind and gentle soul.  Anypony that talks to you for more than five minutes could tell you that much.  If anything, it's your father who doesn't deserve you, not the other way around."

Fluttershy sniffled, "Y-you mean it?"

"Absolutely.  I just have one question."

Fluttershy looked up at Ginger worriedly, "Y-yes?"

"You said he kicked you out a second time?  What was the first?"

Fluttershy's face fell, "It was- it was my eighteenth birthday when it happened.  I still didn't have my Cutie Mark.  He was angry at me for that.  He told me not to come back until I had gotten it.  I'd tried everything!  Weather patrol, cloudsculpting, stormscaping, even rainbow making and cloudberry farming.  And then..."

"I understand.  It wasn't until you were on the ground that you could discover your special talent, and then you get kicked out for what your special talent is, right?"

Fluttershy nodded mutely.

"None of us can help the way we're made, dear.  All we can do is the best we can with what we have.  And it sounds to me like you're doing very well indeed.  Keep it up."

"Thank you, Mrs. Gold- I mean Ginger.  And thank you for the pie.  It was lovely."

"It was a pleasure to speak with you as well, Fluttershy.  I know Jonathan means well, but just between us, he's not always the most delicate of ponies."

***

A few days later, Fluttershy was snuggled up next to Macintosh in a meadow, engaged in a highly enjoyable kissing session, with the remains of their picnic lunch around them.  By this point, they were seeing each other every day, with one of them coming to see the other.  But today, Fluttershy had something special in mind.  She'd come to a decision.  She broke away from her coltfriend, and met his emerald eyes with her own.

"Macintosh?"

"Eyup?"

"I...um...I want to go further.  I mean, um, if that's alright with you."  

"Further?" Macintosh blinked in surprise.

"Yes.  Um.  I mean, when ponies love each other, they, um...  And I love you, and, um, I think..."  The mare trailed off, but her expression made it clear what she was referring to.

Inside, Macintosh was jumping and squealing for joy like a schoolfilly, but he managed to restrain himself.  "Yer...yer sure about this?  Ah don't wanna pressure you inta doin' anything ya don't wanna do, an'..."  He trailed off, and looked down for a moment before meeting her gaze, "Ah jest...Ah mean... Ah don't wanna hurt you.  Ah don't want ya ta do anything you'll regret."

"No, um, I mean...I'm sure.  I want this.  If I don't do this, I think I'll regret it more."

"Well, uh...if yer sure.  Jest...if ya want me ta stop, jest tell me an' Ah'll stop."

"Just...please, be gentle.  It's my first time."

"First time fer both of us.  An' Ah wanna do this right."  With that, the crimson stallion pulled his fillyfriend into a searing kiss.

***

Later, the exhausted and happy couple were snuggled closely together, basking in the afterglow.  The words came unbidden to Macintosh's lips, but as soon as they left, he knew, beyond any shadow of doubt, that they were the right ones.

"Will you marry me, Fluttershy?"

"Oh!  Oh my goodness!  Oh, yes, Macintosh, absolutely!"

***

Macintosh didn't walk back to the farm that evening.  He bounced, a grin threatening to split his face.  I'm engaged!  To get married!  To Fluttershy!  I proposed to her and she said yes!  She's beautiful, and she's kind, and she's loving and gentle and sweet and she's mine!  Yesyesyesyesyes!

It wasn't until he actually entered the house that some of the euphoria evaporated, replaced by nerves.  How to tell his family?  Well, simplest was always best, he decided as the family sat down to eat.

"So, son, how was yer day?"  

Macintosh decided that was the best opening he would get.  "Ah proposed ta Fluttershy.  She said yes!"  An earsplitting grin accompanied this last sentence.

Silence, dead silence greeted the pronouncement.  Jonathan was the first to speak up.

"Really?  That's wonderful, son!"  He got up from the table.  "Now come with me.  We gotta talk.  Stallion stuff."

That sounded ominous.  But he didn't have any other choice, bar perhaps running away.  A brief fantasy of eloping with Fluttershy, running off to Dodge Junction or someplace, flitted through his head, but he dismissed it and followed his father outside.

Once they were well away from the house, and any prying ears, Jonathan turned to look at his son.

"Do ya really wanna marry her?  Ah mean really, really, from th' bottom a'yer heart an' soul wanna spend the rest o' yer days with her?  Yer not jest sayin' it 'cause she's pretty?"

"Eyup."  He didn't even need to think about the answer.

"An' yer not jest sayin' it 'cause the two o' you had...well, ya know...an' ya feel guilty?"  The older stallion colored at this.  Macintosh was himself glad that his coat hid his blush quite effectively.

"Nope."

"Ah...ya mean ya didn't...ya know...or ya don't feel guilty?"

Macintosh fixed his father with a flat look.

"Right.  Well.  Ah guess as long as th' two'o you are sure."

"Eyup."  Macintosh had never been more sure of anything in his life.

"Alright, then.  Ah dunno about you, son, but Ah'm starvin'!  Come on, let's go back inside.  Ah'm sure the womenfolk'll wanna hear all about it!"

***

"Macintosh Steven Apple!  Do you mean to tell me that you proposed to your fillyfriend without any jewelry?"

"Uh...Eyup?"

Ginger "tisk"ed at him in disappointment.  "Well, that just won't do.  Not at all.  I'll be right back.  Stay there and don't move."

A few minutes later, she was back, bearing a small box, which she set on the table.

"These are the earrings my father gave my mother.  I think they'll look very good on Fluttershy.  Go on, open it."

Macintosh did so, and his breath caught.  They were perfect.  Golden flowers, with a tiny pink ruby in the center of each, and an aquamarine teardrop below that perfectly matched the color of Fluttershy's eyes.  He looked up at his mother in thanks, and saw an odd look on her face.

"Fluttershy is a wonderful young mare, and you both deserve the utmost happiness.  Tomorrow, you go over there and you propose to her properly."

***

Macintosh had never really given much thought to what a wedding entailed.  It turned out that a romantic proposal was just the first step.  Invitations, flower and decoration arrangements, appropriate attire, food, and a dozen other things that he was assured were essential.  Fortunately, this was to be a small wedding, which apparently simplified things immensely.  Even more fortunately, his mother had volunteered for the position of wedding planner, explaining that she needed something to do to keep from being driven crazy by inactivity.  However, there were still things that he and Fluttershy needed to do themselves.  Most of these were relatively simple- picking out clothing, choosing a theme for the decorations, and the like.  Others...were less simple.

***

“Mornin’, Miss Mare!”

The beige mare looked up from her paperwork, a brilliant smile on her face, “Oh, good morning, Macintosh!  How are you on this wonderful day?”

“We’re doin’ well, thank ya.  An’ you?”

At this point, Grey Mare noticed that Macintosh wasn’t alone.  “Oh, I’m quite well.  And Fluttershy!  How are you doing?  Settling into the job alright?”

“Oh, um, yes.”

“So what can I do for you today?”

“Well, Fluttershy an’ Ah are gettin’ married, an’ we wanted ta get the paperwork an’ whatnot done.” Macintosh replied, beaming.  Neither pony noticed the clerk’s smile going brittle, nor the way her tone chilled.

“Married?  I see.  Hm.”  She opened a drawer and started rummaging through the contents before emerging with a sheaf of papers.  “Well, you’ll need to fill out these forms, and when you’re done with that, I’ll need you both to put your hooves on this paper to ensure you aren’t under some kind of magical compulsion.  And, of course, there’s the licensing fee.  45 bits.”

Once the paperwork was taken care of, and the happy couple was on their way, Grey Mare stared off into the distance.  “Macintosh and... Fluttershy?  I did not see that coming.”  She sighed, a faroff look in her eyes for a moment as she contemplated what might have been, before shaking her head and returning to the endless stacks of paperwork with a vengeance.

***

For some reason Macintosh didn’t entirely grasp, it was apparently essential that all the wedding invitations be written by the same pony.  And, because of his execrable mouthwriting, the task fell to Fluttershy.  That didn’t stop him from looking over the list of ponies to invite, and otherwise trying to help her in any way he could.

“Ya really want ta invite yer pa?  If ya don’t, Ah’ll back ya up on it.”

Fluttershy looked at him with determination.  “I’m not sure I want to, but... I think I have to.  At least send the invitation.  He is family.”

Macintosh nodded, understanding.  Family was important.  He put a hoof protectively around his fiancée, “Ah understand.  But if he tries ta wreck the wedding, Ah’ll buck his flank all the way back ta Cloudsdale.”

***

Unknown to the young couple, that particular invitation would go undelivered, due to a mishap involving the mailmare's coltfriend, a black hole, and an incomprehensible horror from beyond reality, but that’s a story for another time.

***

Fluttershy smiled nervously at Grey Mare as she finished her request.

"-So, um, I was hoping that, um, I could have that week off.  For my honeymoon.  If it's not too much trouble, I mean."  She looked down, scuffing at the floor with a hoof.

The clerk sighed before replying apologetically.

"I'm sorry, Fluttershy, I really am.  You've been doing a spectacular job, but you haven't been working long enough to get vacation time.  It's not my decision, it's in the rules.  After six months, you'll be entitled to two weeks' vacation time, but until then, we can't give you any."

"Oh."  Fluttershy's ears flattened, and she sagged.  "I understand.  I'm sorry to bother you.  I'll...I'll just go."

***

Macintosh hugged his softly-crying fiancée as she told him how she couldn't get the time off work for their honeymoon.

"It's alraht, love.  Ah understand.  We kin go ta Prance next year.  You'll have two weeks off then, raht?  So we kin stay longer.  If ya want, Ah mean."

"R-really?  You don't mind?"  She sniffed and looked up at him, a weak smile on her face.

"Fluttershy, as long as Ah'm with ya, Ah'm happy.  We don't need ta have a fancy honeymoon ta enjoy bein' married.  'Sides, we'll have the long weekend all ta ourselves."  At this, he ran his hooves down her sides, provoking a shiver of delight.  "We could even head ta Canterlot fer the weekend.  Get a hotel room, see th' big city, that kinda thing."  He trailed a line of kisses along her muzzle and down her neck.

The young couple melted into each other, and nothing more of consequence was said that evening.

***

It was the day before the wedding, and Macintosh was just finishing some last-minute preparations when he noticed another pony coming along the path to the house.  A yellow stallion with brown mane, nearly as large as Macintosh himself.

"Macintosh!  Good to see you!"

"Howdy, Caramel," Macintosh sighed, "What're ya here for?"  Caramel was the closest male friend Macintosh had, but that wasn't saying much.  He was loud and somewhat obnoxious, but he was a hard worker, and had worked as a farmhoof when Sweet Apple Acres needed help.

"Well, Mac, I thought to myself that today was your last day of freedom being single, and me and the guys decided you needed one last shot at what you'll be missing!  Come on!  We're gonna have such a great night, they'll hear us in Tartarus!  No arguing- you don't get to be whipped until you're hitched!"

Macintosh gulped.  He'd really hoped Caramel wouldn't come up with this idea.  Well, how bad could it be?  It wasn't like Ponyville was a big city like Manehattan or (Celestia forbid) New Horseleans.

***

"No, Caramel."

"What?  Oh, come on!  We already chipped in to pay for her!  You gotta!  Right, guys?"

Lucky, Breezy, and Snowflake all nodded assent.

"Ah don't care.  Ah went bar-crawlin' with ya-"

"It doesn't count when there are only two bars in Ponyville, and they're on opposite sides of town!"

"-an' Ah put up with yer draggin' me in here even after Ah realized th' kinda place it is, but Ah'm drawin' the line.  Ah ain't cheatin' on Fluttershy.  No way, no how."

"It's just a private dance!  That doesn't count as cheating, it's just...another kind of looking!"

"Nope.  It counts ta me."

Caramel facehoofed.  "Come on, Mac!  I promise you'll enjoy it!  Minty's the best girl here!"

"You'd know better'n me 'bout that kinda thing, Caramel.  But it's gettin' late, an' Ah wanna be rested up fer th' honeymoon.  G'night."  With that, Macintosh turned and left, heading back to Sweet Apple Acres.

The relative silence was broken by Lucky.

"So...we still paid for a private show, right?"  Caramel facehoofed once more.

***

The wedding itself flew past in a blur, and Macintosh was never able to remember all of it.  Other parts however, the most important parts, were seared into his brain, unforgettable.  Fluttershy, looking radiant in her wedding dress.  Promising that they would love each other forever.  The final vows of "I do."  The kiss, sealing the marriage magically as well as legally.  Dancing with Fluttershy to the sounds of 'Love is in Bloom.'

***

Fluttershy sighed dreamily.  The wedding had been everything she'd ever hoped for.  Her father hadn't attended, hadn't even sent a response to the invitation, but she had decided that that didn't matter.  Her new family had been there, accepting, loving, and supporting, almost overwhelmingly so.  It didn't seem to matter that she was a Pegasus.  And now, here she was, enjoying a romantic getaway to Canterlot with her new husband.  She wondered how she had been so lucky, before dismissing the thought.  She'd mentioned it to Macintosh earlier, and he'd responded that he was the lucky one.  Instead...

"Oh, look!  They're giving tours of the gardens today!  Do you want to go?"

"Eeyup."

***

Macintosh paced nervously through the cottage.  Fluttershy hadn't been feeling well this morning, and had gone to the hospital to make sure it wasn't anything serious.  She'd tried to reassure him that it was probably nothing, but that hadn't helped.  He'd rushed through his duties at the orchard and hurried home to see if she had returned yet, but no such luck.  He resolved to wait another five minutes before heading to the hospital himself to make sure she was okay.

Just before the five minutes were up, he spotted his beloved coming up the path to the cottage, a strange look on her face.  He hurried out to greet her.

"Fluttershy!  Are ya alright?  What'd th' doctor say?  Are ya sick?"

"Oh, no, nothing like that, no."  She paused, looking at him with those gorgeous turquoise eyes, and continued, "I'm, um, pregnant."

Macintosh felt his brain lock up for a moment.  Pregnant?  Fluttershy?  But that meant...  And they'd...

A smile spread across the Earth pony's face, and he pulled his wife into a hug.

"Ah'm gonna be a pa!"

***

The next ten months were a whirlwind of activity.  Macintosh added a new wing to the cottage for the upcoming foal (albeit helped by friends and family on this), helped his wife with her duties as wildlife manager as much as he was able, helped his parents redecorate his old room for their upcoming foal, and still somehow managed to find the time to keep up with his work in the apple orchards.  When his mother did give birth- to an adorable filly his parents named Applebloom- it further complicated things.  Apparently, there had been some unforeseen complications, though she had somehow managed to piggyback her own care onto her daughter-in-law's coverage to avert what could have been a crisis.  But the arrival of a newborn, needy foal nevertheless had an impact on the family.

Some days, Macintosh was the only one working in the orchards at Sweet Apple Acres, with everypony else busy either taking care of the foal or recovering from the pregnancy, and he privately wondered how his parents had managed when they were raising him.  Fortunately, while Fluttershy had been unable to get vacation time for the honeymoon, maternity leave and top-notch medical care was an entirely different matter.  However, that didn't mean it wasn't stressful.  When the day came, it was both a terror and a relief.

***

Macintosh paced nervously back and forth in the waiting room of the Ponyville General maternity ward.  The doctor had assured him that the delivery would go smoothly, but that had been hours ago, regardless of what the clock said.  Macintosh didn't smoke, but he was starting to see why a prospective father might.

"Mister Apple?  We're ready for you."

He hurried past the doctor into the room.  Fluttershy was on the bed, gently cradling the most beautiful foal Macintosh had ever laid eyes on.  She was a lovely orange color, with a light pinkish-purple mane, and when she opened her eyes, her father saw they were the same shade as her mane.  Macintosh felt his heart melt all over again as he gazed at his family.  His wife looked up at him, and he could tell that she felt the exact same way.

"She's perfect."

"She is.  Her name is Scootaloo."

Macintosh rolled the name around in his head.  It was perfect.

"Welcome ta th' family, Scootaloo."
	
> Chapter 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	"Hey, mom!  I'm home!"  Scootaloo trotted inside, pausing to deposit the mail on the kitchen table.

"Oh, hi, honey!  How was your day at school?"

Scootaloo grunted in disgust, dropping her saddlebags into the corner.

"Snips 'n Snails were being jerks again today.  They think they're so cool just 'cause they've got their cutie marks already.  Yeah, cutting manes.  That's a real useful special talent," the orange Pegasus rolled her eyes. "Anyway, can I go watch the weather team practice?  I heard Rainbow Dash has some cool new moves for cloud-wrangling."

"Well, did you finish your homework?"

"Aw, mom, it's really easy.  I'll get it done this evening, I promise!"

"You know the rule, honey.  No going out to play until your homework is done."

Scootaloo sighed dejectedly, picked up her saddlebags again, and headed to her room, pausing on the way to grab an apple from the fruit bowl.  Fluttershy, meanwhile, made her way to the table and started going through the mail.  Junk, junk, bill, junk, royal proclamation, junk...royal proclamation?

The mare flipped back until she saw the letter, unmistakably marked with the royal sunburst seal.  Trembling, she opened it, a series of scenarios running through her head, each more terrifying and improbable than the last.  Wildlife plague?  Tax audit?  Draft notification?  Suspicion of treason?

To: Ponyville Wildlife Manager
From: The Royal Department of Public Relations, Event Management Division

This letter is to inform you that Her Royal Highness, Princess Celestia, will be visiting Ponyville for the 1000th annual Summer Sun Celebration.  At these events, it is customary for the Regional Wildlife Manager to assemble a choir of local wildlife to sing the Royal Anthem.  A fund of 250 bits has been earmarked for the assemblage and training of this chorus.  Please be prepared to demonstrate this choir by the day before the summer solstice.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely
Red Carpet, Royal Event Manager

Fluttershy blinked, then reread the letter to make sure she hadn't misunderstood.  This wasn't so bad.  Three months to select and train some of the local birds to sing the royal anthem might have posed a problem for some ponies, but if there was one thing Fluttershy was confident in, it was her ability to work with animals.  It wouldn't be easy, especially given her other duties, but it was doable.

That evening, Macintosh returned to the cottage after a long day's work with a smile on his face.  That faded into a look of confusion when, as he opened the door, a flurry of feathered wings blew past him and into the evening sky.

"Oh, I'm so sorry about that, Macintosh.  I was holding auditions, and I suppose we ran late, and then you must have startled them."

The stallion looked at his wife in puzzlement.  By way of explanation, Fluttershy showed him the letter and smiled sheepishly.

"It was the birds.  I thought I'd get an early start, but I didn't expect so many volunteers."

"Makes sense.  Who wouldn't wanna help th' most gorgeous pony in Equestria out?"

Fluttershy blushed slightly at the compliment- even after all these years, she didn't feel she deserved them.  Macintosh continued his train of thought, "An' that'd explain why th' Apple family reunion's gonna be here in Ponyville this year.  Everypony wants ta get th' chance ta show off fer th' Princess."

Just then, Scootaloo walked in from her bedroom.

"Hey, Dad!  I finished my homework, can I go watch the weather team practice?  I'll be back by sundown."

"Well, Ah don' see why not, long as yer ma says it's okay an' yer back by dinner."

At Fluttershy's nod, the orange filly scampered out the door towards town.  Fluttershy sighed.

"Somethin' wrong, love?"

"Oh, no, I just worry.  I don't know if that Rainbow Dash is the best role model for her."

Macintosh smiled at that.

"Ah'm sure she'll be fahn.  Ah bet it's jest a phase, ya know how foals are.  Ah remember when Ah was that age, Ah wanted ta get offa th' farm an' never come back.  An' even if it ain't a phase, well, we gotta let 'er find her own way."

Fluttershy smiled- they'd had this conversation multiple times before, but hearing Macintosh say it always comforted her.

***

It was the day before the Summer Sun Celebration, and the Apple clan reunion was in full swing.  Over a dozen members of the extended family had made it to Sweet Apple Acres to trade news, recipes, seeds, and virtually everything else imaginable.  Jonathan and Ginger Gold had left the previous week to help cousin Braeburn get the orchards in Appleloosa going, and several other ponies had been unable to make it for one reason or another, but that still left a crowd of Apples on the farm.  It was this crowd that was making Fluttershy uncomfortable.

"I...I should really be with the birds.  They're going to be singing at midnight, and I don't want to make the princess angry.  I mean...they're doing very well, but I don't want anything to go wrong, and, and-"

"Come on, Mom!  You've been training the birds every day for the past... however long it's been.  They'll be fine!  Besides, you're the one who's always telling me how important family is and how I gotta be nicer to Applebloom.  This is the same thing."

Fluttershy blinked at that before smiling weakly.

"Alright, honey, you're right.  I'll go.  I do need to run through one last rehearsal with the birds, but that can wait until after lunch, I suppose."

***

"Now, why don't Ah introduce y'all ta the Apple Family!"

Fluttershy's eyes widened as she saw the strange unicorn.  This must be the representative from Canterlot!  As Applejack started rattling off names, she tried to slink away to assemble the birds.

"Big Macintosh an' Fluttershy, Applebloom, Scootaloo, aaaand: Granny Smith!  Up 'n' at 'em, Granny Smith!  We got guests!"

As the elderly mare made her way toward the visitor, Fluttershy gently nudged her husband.

"I should, um, I should go start making sure the birds are ready.  For when she comes to check."

"If ya really think you'll need all that time.  Ah'll come with ya.  AJ kin keep an eye on Scootaloo."

The stallion made his way over to his sister and murmured into her ear for a moment before making his way back, pausing to snag a plate of Apple Fritter's apple fritters.

Later that day, Fluttershy was going through one final rehearsal, with Macintosh watching and listening appreciatively.

"A one, a two, a one two three-"

"Hello!"

"Eep!"

"Oh my.  I'm so sorry.  I didn't mean to startle your birds.  I'm just here to check up on the music, and it's sounding beautiful."

"Oh, um, thank you.  Um."  Fluttershy landed in front of the purple unicorn and scuffed the ground nervously as she answered.  Macintosh came over to put his foreleg over her shoulders as the visitor smiled awkwardly.

"I'm Twilight Sparkle.  Didn't I... see you two at the farm?"

"Eeyup."  There was an awkward pause as Twilight waited for more details, before realizing none were forthcoming.

"I'm sorry, I didn't catch your names before?"

"Ah'm Macintosh, an' this here's mah wife, Fluttershy."  The Pegasus squeaked in agreement.

By this point, the avian choir had started to return to the tree they had abandoned.

"Well...um, it looks like your birds are back.  So, um, keep up the good work!"

As Twilight made her way back toward town, Fluttershy noticed the unicorn's companion for the first time.  She gasped and darted over.

"Is that a baby dragon?  Oh my, I've never seen a baby dragon before!  Oh, he's so cute!  Um, he is a he, right?"

"Yeah, I'm a boy dragon.  Sheesh.  Some ponies."  Hearing this, Fluttershy squealed in delight.

"Oh, he talks!  I didn't know dragons could talk!  You're the first dragon I've ever seen up close!  You're not scary at all!  What's your name?"

"I'm Spike."  At this, Twilight cut in, levitating Spike onto her back and heading back toward town.

"Yes, well, Spike, we'd better be going.  I'm sure Fluttershy has plenty of work to do, and we don't want to keep her from it."

"Oh, not at all!  I made sure that everything was ready for the Summer Sun Celebration so everypony could enjoy all the cutesy-wootsey animals.  So, Spike, what do talking dragons talk about?"

"Uh, what do you want to know?"  At this, the lavender unicorn let out an exasperated sigh that went completely unnoticed by the other two ponies and the dragon.

By the time the quartet had reached the library, Spike had already given an in-depth lecture on draconic biology, as well as outlining his own life.  Twilight finally managed to brush off the two ponies that had been hanging onto his every word by claiming that he needed his rest.

***

"That was amazing!  I had no idea that dragons ate gemstones!"

"Eeyup!"  Macintosh, while not as knowledgeable about wildlife as his wife, had still found the differences between dragons and more typical animals fascinating.  The mood was broken, however, when Scootaloo came running up.

"Mom!  Dad!  There you guys are!  I was looking everywhere for you!  Can I stay up to see the Princess with you?"

The couple glanced at each other, communicating volumes without words.

"Ah don' see why not.  Everypony else is.  'Long as ya behave th' rest of th' week.  Ya promise?"

"Yeah, yeah, I promise!  Thanks Dad!  Oh, this is gonna be so cool!"

Scootaloo's excitement at being permitted to stay up all night to join in with the festivities didn't wane.  The filly was almost bouncing up and down by the time everypony had assembled at the town hall, keeping herself in check only by telling herself that Rainbow Dash might see her if she started acting uncool.  Not that her parents weren't uncool by themselves, but parents were different.

"Okay, honey, I need to direct the birds.  You behave for your father now, alright?"

"Alright, mom.  I'll be good."

Fluttershy flew off to the side balcony set up for the choir and began making her preparations, while Macintosh and Scootaloo found someplace to stand with a good view.

"Howdy, Macintosh!  Howdy, Scootaloo!  Mind if we stand here?"  Applejack trotted up to her brother, Applebloom in tow.  The stallion acknowledged his siblings with a nod.

"Nope, go 'head."

"Oh, boy, this is so excitin'!  Ah mean, th' princess is gonna be here, an' there's all this food, an' there's gonna be games an' bobbin' fer apples an' oh, this is gonna be so much fun!"

Scootaloo sighed.  Applebloom was technically her aunt, but nopony would never guess it from looking at them.  She was about to say something in response when a spotlight snapped on, focusing on the lower balcony. Almost everypony shut up as Grey Mare stepped out from behind the curtains and began to speak.

"Fillies and gentlecolts, it is my great pleasure as mayor of Ponyville to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!  In just a few moments, our town will witness the magic of the sunrise, and celebrate this, the longest day of the year! And now, it is my great honor to introduce to you the ruler of our land, the pony who gives us the sun and the moon each and every day, the good, the wise, the bringer of Harmony to all of Equestria... "

The birds burst into song as the spotlight refocused on the upper balcony and the curtains opened to reveal...

"Princess Celestia!"

Nothing.

A wave of murmurs swept through the room as ponies were wondering what had happened.  The pony that had opened the curtains trotted over to investigate.

"She's gone!"

Nearly everypony gasped in surprise, then again in shock as some sort of blue mist began to rise from the floor.  The birds that had comprised the choir, demonstrating finely honed survival instincts, fled, and as the mist continued to flow upward, their conductor did as well, diving down to hide behind Macintosh's comforting bulk.  Applebloom and Scootaloo were clinging to each other in fear, and Applejack had shifted into more defensive stance.

Suddenly, there was a flash of light, and the mist solidified into the form of a mare- an alicorn, black as obsidian, with a mane the color of the night sky, wearing archaic-looking armor.  Her gaze swept regally across the assembled crowd as she spoke in a mocking tone.

"Oh, my beloved subjects. It's been so long since I've seen your precious, little sun-loving faces."It was at this point that Rainbow Dash cut in.

“What did you do with our Princess?!” The brash blue Pegasus charged toward the intruder, but was quickly enveloped in the dark blue glow of the alicorn’s telekinesis, halting her movement.

“Am I not royal enough for you? Don't you know who I am?”  She flew up toward the trapped Pegasus, making eye contact briefly before continuing around the auditorium, leaning in toward those nearest her to emphasize her points. “Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years?  Do you not recall the prophecy? Did you not see the signs?”

“I did.  I know who you are.  You’re the Mare in the Moon. Nightmare Moon.”  This was from the lavender unicorn from Canterlot, stepping forward from the crowd to face the alicorn.  Another wave of gasps rippled through the room at the revelation.

“Oh, somepony remembers me, excellent.  Then you should also know why I have returned.”

“You’re here to…to…” Twilight cut herself off with a gulp, as if the very prospect of Nightmare Moon’s plan was too terrifying to verbalize, as the alicorn began laughing evilly in confirmation.  This was enough for the pink Earth Pony standing next to her, whose babbling had up until this point been ignored, to come to the logical conclusion based on centuries of accumulated Nightmare Night stories.

“She’s gonna eat us!  Everypony run!”  Pinkie Pie then followed her own advice and fled, as did the majority of other ponies in the auditorium.  Fluttershy only paused long enough to grab Scootaloo before fleeing, not stopping until they and Macintosh were locked safely in the cottage.

***

"Mom, I'm sure it's fine.  If she were gonna eat us, why would she show up in front of everypony like that?  Why wouldn't she just dig in when everypony was watching the stage?  It's what I would do...I mean, uh..."  Scootaloo could tell that her attempt at persuading her mother to come out from hiding under the bed was failing miserably.  "Dad, come on, help me out here?"  

"Eeyup."  Macintosh knelt down and looked under the bed.  "Come on, love.  Ain't nopony gonna get in here.  Ya don't have'ta hide."

Fluttershy shivered and squeaked in response.  Macintosh thought for a moment.

"Well, alright then.  If ya don' wanna come out, Ah guess Ah'll jest come in." The stallion stood, put a hoof beneath the bed and lifted.  The weight of the bed was no match for his muscles, and tilted upward, exposing the yellow Pegasus.  With this, Macintosh stepped forward and curled protectively around his wife, before lowering the bed over them both.  As a hiding spot, it left something to be desired, since the legs of the bed weren't actually long enough to reach the floor with Macintosh's bulk underneath, and there was a clearly obvious bump betraying the presence of the two ponies.  Scootaloo rolled her eyes and groaned.  Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"Oh, she's coming for us.  Scootaloo, hide!"

Instead of listening to her mother, the orange filly made her way to the door.  Although she was almost certain that it wasn't Nightmare Moon, it was still best to check.

"Who is it?"

"It's me, Applejack!  Now could ya open up?"

"Yeah, no problem."  Turning, Scootaloo yelled toward her parents' bedroom.  "It's just aunt Applejack!  You guys can come out now!"  Then she opened the door, to see not only Applejack, but also Applebloom and some other ponies standing behind them.  Applejack spoke first.

"Howdy, squirt.  Ah jest wanted ta drop Applebloom off here.  Where's yer folks?"  As Applejack was asking, Macintosh and Fluttershy made their way from the bedroom, looking sheepish.  "Ah, there ya are."

It was at that moment that Scootaloo realized that her aunts weren't alone.  Four other ponies were behind her- that Unicorn from the Palace, Pinkie Pie, another unicorn that she vaguely remembered seeing around town, and Rainbow Dash.  Rainbow Dash!?  Oh no, Rainbow Dash was going to see how uncool her parents were and then she'd never take her under her wing!

As this was running through the filly's mind, Applejack was talking to Macintosh and Fluttershy.

"Nah, turns out she's not plannin' on eatin' anypony.  She wants ta make it night forever, but she ain't a cannibal."  Fluttershy let out a sigh of relief upon hearing that, as Applejack continued.  "O'course, that ain't much better, unless she's got some kinda magic ta make plants grow at night.  Anyway, Twilight here figures she knows how ta stop 'er, an' we're gonna help 'er.  But Ah can't jest leave Applebloom at the farm with jest Granny Smith ta keep an eye on 'er.  Ah was hopin' Ah could drop her off with you two until we get this whole thing settled."

"Oh, certainly!  You know we're always happy to look after Applebloom!"

"Thanks, Fluttershy.  Hopefully we kin get this all sorted out quick an' be back ta normal before too long."

Just over an hour later, both fillies were set up in Scootaloo's room, put to bed by Fluttershy.  This wasn't the first time Applebloom had stayed over, but it wasn't a common occurrence.  The two of them knew each other, of course, but hadn't conversed much, the awkwardness of their relationship causing some discomfort.  The fact that they both enjoyed needling each other about it only reinforced this.  However, this did nothing to prevent whispered conversation from taking place.

"Scootaloo, what're ya doin'?" Applebloom asked.

"Nothing!"  The Pegasus tried, and failed, to look innocent.

"Are you tryin' ta sneak out?"

"What?  No, of course not!  Why would I do that?  I mean, Nightmare Moon is out there, right?  It's dangerous out there."  Scootaloo smiled weakly at this.

"Right."  Applebloom's tone of voice left no doubt that she was unconvinced.  "Then why were ya tryin' ta open the window?"

"Oh, I, uh, I just needed some fresh air, that's all."

Applebloom didn't say anything, but her expression made it clear what she was thinking.

"Oh, alright, fine.  I wanted to watch Rainbow Dash kick Nightmare Moon's tail.  I mean come on, how awesome will that fight be!?"

"Ya do know Nightmare Moon is an alicorn, right?  Like Princess Celestia?  Ya really think Rainbow Dash can take 'er on alone?"

"Of course not!  That's why she's got the others with her.  I bet that pony from Canterlot is some kind of super-wizard or secret agent or something, and Applejack is almost as strong as Dad, and who knows what Pinkie Pie can do."  

Applebloom considered this reasoning for a moment before nodding.

"Ah guess that makes sense.  But what if one of 'em sees ya an' gets distracted durin' the fight?  Or what if one of 'em catches ya?  We'll both be grounded fer weeks!"

"Oh, please, " Scootaloo snorted, "when have you ever heard of that happening?  The young sidekick always tags along unknown to the heroes, and distracts the bad guy.  That's how this works!"

"Ah dunno, Scootaloo.  Ah don't think real life works like that."

"We'll be fine.  Besides, I bet if we do help beat Nightmare Moon, we could get evil princess-stopping cutie marks!  So come on, are you in?  Or are you a wimp?"

"Well..."  The Earth Pony hesitated for a moment before responding.  "Alright, Ah'll help.  But if we get caught, it was yer idea."

"Yeah, yeah, that's fine."  Scootaloo casually waved the possibility aside.  "Now, here's what we're gonna do..."

***

Fluttershy was worried.  This was not an abnormal state for the timid Pegasus, but this time, her worry was justified.  What if Applejack never came back?  What if that scary alicorn killed her, or the group got lost in the Everfree Forest and killed by one of the many hazards there?  What if Equestria really was plunged into eternal darkness, dooming everything to wither and die?  Macintosh had done the best he could to soothe his wife, but it was clear that he was worried too, and for much the same reasons.  The mare spoke up.

"I'm going to check on the fillies."  Macintosh quirked an eye up at her, and she tried to explain.  "They must be scared, with all this going on.  I shouldn't have left them alone to begin with."

Macintosh nodded at this.  He suspected that neither of the fillies was much worried about the situation, but he understood Fluttershy's fears.  As she left the main bedroom, he sighed.  How was he supposed to handle this?  Normal, everyday problems he could manage, but this, something completely outside his ability to do anything about?  Something that could destroy everything he loved, that he was powerless against?  That terrified the stallion.

Fluttershy's scream instantly cut off his musings, and he was out of bed and running toward Scootaloo's room in an instant.

"They're gone!  Oh, Macintosh, they're gone!  Nightmare Moon must have eaten them!  Oh, I should have been more careful.  I should have stayed with them!  Oh, I'm a terrible mother!"  With that, she burst out crying.

Macintosh pulled her into a hug, patting her gently, as his eyes swept the bedroom.  Scootaloo and Applebloom were indeed gone, the open window providing an obvious entry point for the villainous alicorn, but something didn't feel right.  Before he could verbalize his misgivings, however, something small and black flew in through the window and started squeaking frantically.  Fluttershy raised her head from her husband's chest to look at the bat.

"W-what was that?"

The bat repeated the chittering, making just as much sense to Macintosh as it had the first time, but by this point, he was used to his wife's strange ability to understand animals.  Fluttershy broke into a weak smile.

"Really?  Oh, thank you, Batholomew, I was so worried about them!  Where did they go?"

More chittering, and Fluttershy's face fell.

"The Everfree Forest!  Oh my goodness, oh my goodness, we have to find them!  The Everfree Forest is dangerous, especially at night!"

Pausing only to write a note out in case the fillies returned before their caretakers, Fluttershy and Macintosh set off.

Twenty minutes later, the duo was deep within the forest when a scream split the air.  Two voices responded in stereo.

"Applebloom!"  Macintosh took off, galloping toward the source of the noise, with Fluttershy following at his hooves.

After what felt like an eternity, but was actually only a few minutes, the couple burst into a clearing and saw the fillies.  They also saw the reason for the screams, as both Scootaloo and Applebloom were rushing back and forth, frantically evading the swipes of a manticore.  Acting on instinct, Macintosh charged, spinning at the last instant to lash out with his hooves.  Had the blow connected fully, the stallion's years of applebucking would have ended the battle right there.  However, the manticore had noted the interlopers, and shifted to meet them, turning what would have been a solid hit into a glancing blow.  The creature roared in anger and pain.  The scorpion tail stabbed out, and Macintosh was forced to dive to the ground to narrowly avoid the wicked stinger.

While this was going on, Fluttershy had darted in and grabbed Scootaloo and Applebloom, pulling them out of harm's way.

"You two just stay here.  I need to go stop this."  An instant after the words left her mouth, more ponies entered the clearing, momentarily distracting the manticore.

"Hold on there, Applebloom!  We're comin'!"

"It's alright, sis!  Fluttershy is right here!"

"Ah gotcha.  Mac!  We got this!"  With that, Applejack jumped up onto the manticore's back.  "Yeehaw!  Ya can't get me here!"

"Wait!" Fluttershy called out, but her quiet voice was drowned out by the sounds of the fight.

The beast snarled, roared, and reared, but the orange pony hung on.  She was too close for the manticore to risk trying to stab her, and it wasn't flexible enough to reach her with its claws.  However, such a state of affairs couldn't last.  A mighty shake dislodged Applejack and sent her flying.

"Wait!" Fluttershy's second attempt, like the first, went unheard or unheeded.

A volley of pebbles surrounded by a blue telekinetic glow struck the beast, accompanied by Rarity's exultant cry.  Before the manticore could collect itself, a rainbow streak blew past it, and started whirling around, beginning to form a cyclone.  This was interrupted by a lucky swipe by the manticore's tail, slamming the Pegasus into the ground.

"Rainbow!  Are you alright?" Twilight cried out.

"Ugh.  Yeah, yeah.  I'm fine."  The Pegasus hauled herself up and turned to face the manticore.  "Now come on, let's show this fleabag who's boss."

The five mares lowered their heads and charged at the beast.  The charge was brought up short, however, when Macintosh stepped into their path.

"Nope."

Just then, Fluttershy's soft, soothing voice drifted past the stallion, and the rest of the group saw she was approaching the manticore.

"It's okay.  It's alright.  I'm not going to hurt you.  I understand.  This was all just a big misunderstanding, wasn't it?  Just relax.  I can't help you if I don't know what's wrong."

Clearly hesitant, the manticore offered his paw to the pink-maned Pegasus, showing a large thorn jammed into the sensitive tissue between the pads.

"Oh my, you poor little baby!  I can see why you would be upset.  Now, this might hurt for just a second."

With that, Fluttershy leaned in, grasped the thorn between her teeth, and pulled.  The beast let out a tremendous roar, and Macintosh had halfway crossed the distance separating them before the manticore began licking his wife.

"Oh, you're just a big kitty, aren't you?  Yes you are!  Yes you are!"

Giving one more lick, the manticore bounded away into the forest, leaving the ponies alone.  Twilight approached the Pegasus.

"That was amazing!  You should come along with us- there are probably a lot more creatures living in this forest, and surely you could help us get past them."

"Oh, um, I'm very sorry, but we actually only came because the fillies snuck out into the forest.  We're going to go back home where it's nice and safe."  Just then, Scootaloo and Applebloom made their way over.

"Wow, mom!  That was awesome!  How did you know about the thorn?"

"I didn't.  Sometimes, you just need a little kindness."  Fluttershy paused for a moment before fixing her daughter with a stern look.  "And why were you two out in the Everfree Forest at night?"  Scootaloo looked down, shamefaced, scuffing the ground with a hoof.  

"I just wanted to watch the fight.  I mean, I thought maybe if we could help out or something, we could get our cutie marks."

"Yeah, an' it's not like it's safer inside, really.  Ah mean, plants can't grow without sun, an' if it's nighttime forever, we'll all starve!"  Overhearing the conversation, Applejack cut in.

"Ya may be right, Applebloom, but ya still ain't comin' with us.  Go on back with Mac an' Fluttershy.  We can't have ya distractin' us.  The Everfree Forest is too dangerous for fillies ta go wanderin' in."  

Macintosh walked up to stand beside Fluttershy.  His breathing was still labored, and his left side was scraped up from the battle.

"Fluttershy, love, Ah ain't sure goin' back is the best idea.  Ah'm beat up already, and Ah know how dangerous the Everfree Forest is, 'specially at night.  How many o' the critters'll smell blood?"

"Oh my goodness!  You're hurt!"

"It ain't bad, but Ah dunno if goin' back is safe."  The stallion hung his head.  "Ah already showed Ah can't protect us properly."

Fluttershy looked at the ponies surrounding her, from the despondent Macintosh to the hopeful Twilight, the excited Scootaloo, and the apprehensive Applejack.  She leaned into her husband, as if for support, before replying in a very small voice.

"You're...you're right.  We have to go on."  The yellow Pegasus inhaled deeply, as if steeling herself, before looking at Twilight.  "I mean, if that's okay with you."

"That's great!  Thank you, Fluttershy!"

Macintosh put his head over his wife protectively, and murmured into her ear.

"Ah'm sorry, sweetie.  Ah tried ta be the strong for ya, but Ah just wasn't good enough.  Ah mean, who ever heard of the knight getting beaten, an' then the duchess saving him?"

"Don't say that, dear.  You were very brave.  I could never have faced him the way you did.  I can't imagine what would have happened if you hadn't been there."

Scootaloo pretended to gag at the display of sap her parents were putting on, making Applebloom snicker, though both stopped at a stern look from Applejack. Rainbow Dash cut in.
"Yeah, yeah, alright.  Are we just gonna hang around here all day, or are we gonna get moving?"

Not long after setting off again, the nine ponies entered a particularly dense patch of forest, with the foliage overhead so thick that even the dim light of the moon was blocked.

"Oh heavens!  I can't see my hoof in front of my face!"

"Well, gee, Rarity, ya think that maybe ya ought ta keep yer hooves on the ground then, rather than in front of yer face?"

"It's a figure of speech, Applejack."

"Eeek!"

"Oh, sorry, mom.  I thought you were further ahead of me."

"Argh!  The castle could be right in front of our noses, and we'd never even see it!"

"Um, Miss Twilight?  Ah know this is probably a silly question, but, uh, don'cha have some kinda light spell or somethin'?"

The smack of hoof striking forehead was clearly audible.

"Of course.  Thank you, Applebloom."

With that, Twilight's horn lit up, bathing the area with violet light.

"AAAAAAHHHHHHH!"

The light went out, but now, the darkness was not complete.  Monsters were now visible, ominous red lines showing shapes.  Vicious-looking claws, angry-looking eyes, and mouths with entirely too many teeth were all in abundance.  Acting on instinct, the group huddled together, as if mere numbers would stop the horrors.  All but one member of the group, anyway.

"Hahahahahahaheeheehaha!"  Pinkie Pie was standing in front of one of the apparitions, giggling happily and making silly faces.  "Blagh!  Worp!  Heeheehaha!"

"Huh?  Pinkie, what are you doing!?  Run!"

"Oh, girls.  And boy, I guess.  Don't you see?"

Suddenly, the area seemed to become brighter, and music seemed to start playing, somehow bypassing the ears entirely and going directly into the brain.  

"When I was a little filly and the sun was going down..."

"Tell me she's not..."  Twilight's expression shifted from terrified to unamused in an instant as she tried to understand Pinkie Pie's antics.

"The darkness and the shadows, they would always make me frown..."

"She is." Rarity, as a lifelong resident of Ponyville, answered Twilight's question in a tone that could best be described as 'dull surprise.' 

The rest of the ponies watched with varying degrees of surprise as the pink Earth pony danced and sang.

"Just laugh, and make them disappear!  Ha! Ha! Ha!" 

With a poof of smoke and magic, one of the menacing forms was revealed to be merely a tree.  The other ponies all gasped as they realized what had happened.  As Pinkie continued to sing, the rest joined in the laughter.

By the end of the song and the dismissal of the illusionary monsters, all nine ponies were rolling on the ground, laughing happily.  The joyful mood persisted even as the party pulled themselves together and continued on their way.

An hour later, after having encountered and pacified an unhappy river serpent, the group reached their destination.  The ruins of an ancient palace loomed in the darkness, backlit perfectly by the full moon.  Unfortunately, a large chasm separated the party from the remnants of the castle.  At some point in the past, there had been a rope bridge spanning the crevasse, but now it dangled uselessly from the anchor posts.  Twilight smiled.

"There it is, the ruin that holds the Elements of Harmony.  We're almost there.  We just need to find some way to cross this gap."

"Hah!  No problem!"  Rainbow Dash fluttered her wings, then leapt off the edge and into the chasm. Grasping the end of the rope in her mouth, the cerulean Pegasus flew across.  Just as she landed on the other side, a thick bank of fog rolled in, obscuring vision and blocking sound.

"Huh.  Is it normal for fog to move that fast in the Everfree Forest?"

Nopony knew the answer to Twilight's question.

"Well, I guess we'll just have to wait.  I hope Rainbow doesn't take too long finding something to tie the bridge to."

"Relax, sugarcube.  Rainbow may not act like it, but she'll get the job done.  Ever since she's been the weather manager fer Ponyville, all the weather's been dead on time.  Ah mean, yeah, Winter Wrap-Up always takes too long, but that ain't her fault."

"Besides, this is Rainbow Dash we're talking about!  She'll be back before you know it!  I mean, she is the best flier in Ponyville.  A little fog won't be a problem for her."

"Alright, I believe you."  Twilight said, chuckling at the naked hero-worship in Scootaloo's voice.  "So, I suppose we just have to wait."

A few minutes later, the fog dispersed, and Rainbow returned, flying triumphantly over the now-fixed bridge.

"See!  I told you it'd be no sweat."  She fell back into her previous place, flying alongside the group as they walked single-file across the bridge.  "I mean, yeah, some weird ponies tried to get me to stop, but I think they were crazy or something.  I mean, they thought they were better than the Wonderbolts!  And then they wanted me to be their captain.  Hah!  No thanks!  And they wanted me to choose between you and them!  As if I'd ever abandon my friends to help a bunch of crazy ponies who think they're hot stuff!"

Twilight stopped in her tracks.

"Hold on, Rainbow.  You mean there were other ponies here?"

"Uh, yeah.  That's what I just said.  They called themselves the Shadowbolts."

Twilight started walking again, somewhat faster now as she neared the end of the bridge.

"And they just left when you told them no?"

"I... guess.  I wasn't really paying attention."

"Of course."  Twilight's tone was resigned.  "Everypony, keep an eye open!  Those ponies might still be around, and they might try something.  We can't afford to fail, especially since we're this close."

A chorus of assent rose from the rest of the ponies.

A few minutes later, the group had finished crossing the bridge and entered the ruins of the ancient castle.  Almost immediately, they found what they were looking for.  A pedestal with five arms radiating out from the center, stone spheres resting on each of the arms.  While they looked ordinary, the stones radiated an aura of power, somehow tempered by benevolence.

"The Elements!  There they are!  Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, could you bring those here?"

"But there's only five!"  Pinkie Pie piped up.  "Where's the sixth?"

"Well, the book said 'when the five are present, a spark will cause the sixth Element to be revealed.'  I'm not sure what that means, but I have an idea.  Stand back.  I'm going to try something."

The lavender unicorn closed her eyes and began to focus as the rest of the group backed away.  Applejack gestured them out of the chamber as Twilight's horn began to glow.

"Alright, come on, y'all.  She needs ta concentrate."

"Yeah!  We gotta make sure none of those Shadowbolts come and try to mess her up!" Scootaloo exclaimed.  "I bet they're, like, working with Nightmare Moon or something!"

Unnoticed in the darkness, a blue-tinted mist flowed into the room past the ponies and enveloped the Elements, engulfing them in a miniature cyclone.  Twilight opened her eyes and yelped in surprise.

"The Elements!"

Reacting quickly, she leapt into the whirlwind just before it collapsed into nothing, taking her and the Elements with it.  The remainder of the group reached the spot just a moment too late to do anything about it.  Consternation erupted.

"Oh no, what do we do, what do we do?"  Fluttershy was just beginning to get worked into a panic when Applejack's firm voice cut through the din.

"Alright, alright, everypony, calm down.  Panickin' never helped anypony."

"Look!"  All eyes turned to Rarity, who was pointing out the window at one of the castle's towers.  Brilliant lights were clearly visible.

"Well what are we waiting for?  Let's go!"  Rainbow Dash took off, with the rest quickly following.

Just over a minute later, the ponies entered the ruins of the tower to see something none of them expected.  Instead of a magical battle, or the aftermath of one, Twilight was talking to Nightmare Moon.

"The spirits of the Elements are right here!"

"Where?  Ah don't-mmph!"  Scootaloo covered Applebloom's mouth before she could ruin the dramatic moment.  Twilight continued talking, describing how Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity each embodied a specific element.  As she did so, the shards of stone that were lying at Nightmare Moon's feet rose up and surrounded the pony she was describing.

"You still don't have the sixth Element!"  A note of fear crept into the alicorn's voice.  "The spark didn't work!"

"Oh, but it did.  A different kind of spark."  Twilight turned around to address the rest of the ponies.  "I felt it the moment I realized how happy I was to hear you!  To see you."  The unicorn's voice took on a softer tone.

"Really?  That's what she's going for?"  Scootaloo whispered to Applebloom.  "We get it.  She's the last Element, no need to get all emotional about it."  The other filly chuckled.  Twilight continued talking, oblivious.

"It creates the sixth Element.  The Element of...Magic."  As Twilight said this, the glow from the shards redoubled.  A brilliant light filled the room, and when it cleared, she was wearing a golden tiara.  The other mares were similarly wearing necklaces, each marked with their Cutie Marks.

"Clever.  Very clever, little mare, but you've forgotten something."  A blue telekinetic glow enveloped Scootaloo and dragged her to the alicorn.  "A confrontation like this is no place for a little foal!"

Everypony else gasped.

"That's right.  You may have your precious Elements of Harmony, but you don't dare use them!"

"Argh!  Let me go, you big bully!"  Scootaloo flailed ineffectually against Nightmare Moon's magical grip.

"And give up a hostage?  Now why would I do that?"  An evil smirk crossed the dark goddess's face as she turned her attention to the six mares opposing her.  "After all-"

"You think I'm a hostage?  Fine."  Scootaloo set her jaw in what she imagined was a firm and tough expression as she looked over at her mother.  "Zap her anyway!  It's a good magic doohickey!  It probably won't hurt me much!"

The alicorn's face twisted in fury for a moment, before regaining the evil grin.  "That's not what I was referring to.  I simply meant that if I detected any buildup of power, any signs of the Elements activating, I would break your neck."

Scootaloo gulped.  Suddenly, imitating Hairy Trotter didn't seem like such a good idea.

Macintosh reacted on instinct.  Nightmare Moon was ignoring him completely in favor of gloating over her victory to the mares.  He charged the goddess, spun at the last possible moment, and lashed out as hard as he could with his hind legs.

The alicorn broke off mid-gloat with a grunt of pain as the blow connected.  Had she been mortal, bones would have been broken.  She was still sent reeling momentarily, her focus disrupted completely.  The glow around Scootaloo faded, and the filly dropped to the ground and scampered off, pride bruised, but otherwise uninjured.  

"Oh, the stallion rushes to help.  How touching."  Nightmare Moon picked herself up, sheer menace filling her voice.  "Futile, but touching.  You may be strong, but you can't possibly hope to defeat me."

The stallion glared at her, then made an expression that might be called a smirk.  "Don' need ta."  He jerked his head toward Twilight and the others.  The alicorn glanced over just in time to see an arc of multicolored energy surge toward her.  Now that Scootaloo was out of the way, the Elements were free to work.

"What?  No!  NOOOO!"

Polychromatic light enveloped her, and all nine observers felt a profound sense of peace overtake them.  A brilliant flash engulfed the room, blinding but somehow not painful.  Then, just as quickly as it started, the light show stopped.  Macintosh's heart almost did the same when he saw what had happened.  All six bearers of the Elements of Harmony were splayed on the ground, eyes closed.  A corner of his mind noted that they were wearing necklaces, but his primary concern was for his wife.

"Fluttershy!  Are ya alright?"

"Oh.  Ohh.  Oh.  Macintosh."  The Pegasus shook her head as she got up.  "I...yes.  I'm alright."

Similar statements were coming from the rest of the group as they got up.

"Wow!  That was awesome!  I'm sorry I ever thought you guys weren't cool!"  Scootaloo was practically vibrating from excitement.  Before she could continue, however, a shifting of light caught everypony's attention.  The sun was visible through the window, rising to announce the start of the new day.  Of more interest to the ponies, however, was the ball of light that entered the chamber and resolved into the figure of Princess Celestia.  Everypony knelt, except Twilight, who ran up to the Princess in delight.

"Twilight Sparkle, my faithful student."  The Princess’s voice was warm, like sunlight on a warm spring day.  "I knew you could do it."

"But…but you told me it was all an old pony tale."

"I told you that you needed to make some friends, nothing more. I saw the signs of Nightmare Moon's return.  I knew it was you who had the magic inside to defeat her, but you could not unleash it until you let true friendship into your heart. Now…"  The Princess looked mournful for a moment, before turning.  It was only then that the group noticed there was another pony in the room, who was just now beginning to stir as Celestia approached "If only another will as well. Princess Luna!"

The blue pony looked up and, upon seeing who was addressing her, gasped.

"It has been far too long since I have seen you like this. Time to put our differences behind us. We were meant to rule together, little sister."

"What?!"  All eyes locked onto the Pegasus filly.  "She overthrew you!  She was going to kill off everything!  She threatened to kill me!  And you're just, just making her a Princess?!"  Scootaloo suddenly remembered who she was talking to, and shrank down, blushing.  "I…uh, I just meant that, uh, it seems…kinda sudden!  Yeah, that's all!"  Before anypony else could respond, however, Luna herself spoke up.

"You speak the truth, young one.  We were...not ourselves at the time.  We humbly apologize."

"My sister was not in control of herself these past thousand years.  An evil force had taken control of her body and mind.  Only the full power of the Elements of Harmony, wielded by six appropriate ponies, could dispel it."

Thus mollified, Scootaloo quieted down.

A couple of hours later, the festivities in Ponyville were in full swing.  Princesses Celestia and Luna had departed for Canterlot, Twilight had decided to stay in Ponyville with her new friends, and all was right with Equestria.

"But I helped save the world!  If we hadn't gone, there'd be no Element of Kindness, and it would still be nighttime!  Shouldn't I be allowed to join the party?"

"Oh, alright, pumpkin."  Fluttershy sighed.  "You can go to the party today.  But starting tomorrow, you're grounded.  Your father and I were worried sick!"

"Eeyup."

"Oh, fine.  I'm sorry I snuck out into the Everfree Forest."

The family smiled at each other, before heading out to enjoy the celebration.
> Chapter 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a few days after the Nightmare Moon incident, and Ponyville had more or less returned to normal.  The library now had a full-time live-in librarian, Scootaloo and Applebloom were enjoying a somewhat greater level of popularity among their classmates for their role in the heroics, which almost balanced out being grounded, and some ponies had to work extra to make up for certain problems that the extended darkness had caused, but overall, everything seemed to have settled down with minimal fallout.  For the most part.

Macintosh walked down the path, eyes peeled for a specific pony.  Finally, he saw her, stretched out on a low branch.  He coughed.

"Miss Dash?  'Scuse me, Miss Dash?"  The polychromatic Pegasus looked up.

"Huh?  Oh, hey, what's up, big guy?"

"Ah jest, well, Ah wanted ta ask ya a favor."  The stallion pawed the ground nervously.  "Ah mean, ya don't have'ta, an' Ah could pay ya for it, but, well, it's kinda..."  He trailed off.  Rainbow scowled.

"No.  And I'm insulted that you thought I'd want to.  I mean, Element of Loyalty."  She turned and prepared to launch herself into the sky, as Macintosh tried to figure out what she was talking about.  "And I think I'd better go tell Fluttershy what a scumbag you apparently are."

With a start, Macintosh understood.

"Nope, nothin' like that!  Never!"  He tried to inject some measure of just how unthinkable he considered the possibility into his voice.  Apparently, it got through, as Rainbow landed and looked at him suspiciously.

"Alright, then what did you want?"

"Ah need ta learn how ta fight."  Rainbow blinked, not expecting that response at all.  Macintosh continued.  "That manticore near killed me 'cause Ah didn't know how ta fight.  Near killed mah family.  An Ah got lucky Nightmare Moon wasn't payin' me any mind.  Ah ain't dumb.  Th' six of ya have those Elements, an' that means yer prob'ly gonna face more dangers.  At th' party, Ah heard ya talkin' 'bout how ya had a black belt in some kinda Neighponnese fightin' style.  Ah wanted ta learn."

Rainbow blinked again.  She didn't know Macintosh very well, but she'd never heard him use that many words in one day, let alone one statement.

"Oh.  Uh, sorry about the misunderstanding.  And calling you a scumbag.  I thought...never mind."  The Pegasus scowled and muttered something about how it wouldn't have been the first time, before continuing in a more normal voice.  "Anyway, I'd love to teach you, but, well, it won't work.  It's a Pegasus style.  You'd need to be able to fly."  She looked apologetically at him.  "I mean, I can help get ponies in shape and stuff, but," the Pegasus prodded Macintosh's muscular shoulder for emphasis, "you don't need that."

"Oh.  Sorry ta bother ya, then."  As the stallion made to leave, Rainbow perked up with a realization.

"Hey, wait, hang on!  Maybe I can help you.  I mean, I can't teach you karaudo-fu, but I maybe I can still give you some pointers.  Come on!  Let's go to the gym!"

Less than half an hour later, the pair was standing in front of the striking bag.  Rainbow was wearing her workout gear, and a whistle for some reason, while Macintosh hadn't put anything on.

"Alright.  Hit the bag as hard as you can.  I wanna watch your form."

Macintosh struck.  Whipping around like lightning, his front hooves thumped on the floor as his rear legs lashed out.

WHUMP!

With a burst of sand, the bag exploded under the force of the blow.  Rainbow's jaw dropped.

***

"My Hero, by Sweetie Belle.  My hero is my big sister, Rarity.  She works very hard making dresses and clothing, but she is still always happy to spend time with me.  Also, she was very brave when she went out to fight Nightmare Moon.  She faced down a river serpent without being scared, and-"

"Hey, that's not how it happened!"  Scootaloo interrupted the white unicorn's recital.  Cheerilee looked sternly at the Pegasus.

"Scootaloo, we raise our hooves if we have something to say.  Now, Sweetie Belle is reading her paper, and you should listen.  There will be time for questions afterward."

"But-"  Scootaloo cut herself off at the teacher's look. "Fine."

Later, after school had let out, Sweetie Belle ran to catch up with Scootaloo.

"What did you mean, that's not how it happened?  Rarity told me she dealt with a big river serpent."

"Oh, the snake was all crying and stuff because his mustache got cut, and Rarity cut off her tail and did some kinda magic thing to make that into his mustache instead.  It wasn't like she fought him or anything."  Sweetie Belle slowly nodded as Scootaloo continued.  "I mean, can you imagine her, of all ponies, fighting?  She'd be all like," the filly put on a poor imitation of Rarity's voice, "'My stars, darling, I couldn't possibly do something as barbaric as fighting.  It would just ruin my mane!'"

Sweetie chuckled, easily imagining her sister saying exactly that, before realizing something else.

"Wait.  How could she have cut off her tail?  It didn't look any different when she came home."

"It grew back after they used the Elements.  I dunno why.  Anyway, I gotta get home.  If I'm not home in time, Mom'll freak out, and I'm already grounded."

"Okay.  Bye, Scootaloo, see you in school tomorrow!"

***

The next day, Fluttershy headed into town to pick up her animal care supplies and file some paperwork.  As she was making her way back, saddlebags bulging with medicines and dragging a small cart full of food, she found her path blocked by a pair of Unicorns, a baby dragon, and an over-excitable Earth Pony.  They were all positioned in just such a way as to completely block anypony who might have wished to pass through.

"Listen, Rarity, Pinkie," Twilight's voice was apologetic, "I haven't decided yet who I'm going to give the extra ticket to."

"YOU HAVEN'T!?"  Two voices asked in stereo, as both Rarity and Pinkie Pie leaned forward excitedly toward Twilight, who was slowly backing away from the pair.  Fluttershy quietly interjected.

"Um, excuse me.  Can I, um, may I just-"  Rarity cut her off, a note of disbelief in her voice.

"You?  You want to go to the Gala?"

"What?  Oh, no, I just wanted to ask if I could get through here.  If it's not too much trouble, I mean.  I'm very sorry to interrupt.  I mean, I don't even know what gala you're talking about, so..."  The Pegasus trailed off.

"Darling, we're talking about THE Gala.  Only the most sophisticated and elegant event of the year, the-"  Pinkie interrupted Rarity's rhapsodizing with a squeal of excitement.

"The biggest party in Equestria!  It's the Grand Galloping Gala!  There's streamers and balloons and ice cream and all sorts of fun!  Duh!  Why wouldn't anypony want to go?"

"Ugh!"  The exasperated sigh came from Twilight, who had been standing back and listening to the exchange.  "Fluttershy, I'm very sorry, I know you want to go to the Gala, but like I just said, I haven't decided yet who I'm going to give the extra ticket to."

"Oh, no, Twilight.  I'm not asking you to give me a ticket.  I mean, I'd love to go- Canterlot Castle has the most wondrous private gardens, and the night of the Grand Galloping Gala is the only night that all the flowers are in bloom, but I couldn't possibly go."  The Pegasus's voice was simultaneously wistful and apologetic.

"What do you mean?  It sure sounds like you want to go."

"Oh, I do!  I would love to go.  But I couldn't, I just couldn't.  If you gave me your spare ticket, Macintosh still wouldn't have one, and I'd just feel guilty."

"Oh, how romantic!"  Rarity placed her hooves together and sighed, overwhelmed by emotion.  Fluttershy continued, ignoring the fashion designer.

"No, Twilight, it's for the best.  Give the ticket to somepony else.  I'll just be on my way."  The yellow Pegasus eased the wagon through as the other ponies obligingly moved aside for her, and headed back to the cottage, disappointment written in every line of her body.

Later that day, Fluttershy was finishing up some of the endless paperwork that was absolutely necessary for wildlife management.  Just as she placed a stack of papers ("Five Year Analysis of Amphibian Reproductive Trends") into her Completed tray, there was a knock on the door.

"Just a moment!"  The Pegasus hurriedly shuffled her desk into a semblance of order, then went to answer the door.  "Yes?  Oh, hello, Applejack!"

"Howdy, Fluttershy!"  The orange Earth Pony grinned brightly at her sister-in-law.  "Ah just wanted ta drop by an' see how you were doin'.  Ah heard 'bout how ya don't want Twilight's Gala ticket 'cause ya couldn't take Mac with ya, an' Ah think that's mighty fine of ya.  So Ah had an idea.  If we could get some spare bits, Mac could maybe take a vacation, and the two of ya could enjoy yerselves a bit.  Ah figure if we can convince Twilight to give me the ticket, then Ah could go ta the Gala an' sell real Sweet Apple Acres apples!  That'd make us more'n enough money fer mah brother ta have some time off with his lovin' wife.  So whaddya say?"  This was all delivered in a single breath that would have made Pinkie Pie proud, accompanied by a proffered hoof.

Fluttershy spent a moment disentangling what Applejack had just said, and a further moment considering the offer.

"I don't know.  I mean, Twilight seemed, um, awfully frustrated.  I don't know if she would want anypony trying to convince her."

"Hm.  Ya know, ya might be right.  She was awful hungry when she yelled at us."  The cowpony frowned in thought before perking up suddenly.  "That's it!  Ah'll bring her some fresh food an' won't mention Gala tickets at all!  That's sure ta convince her ta help out!  Thanks Fluttershy, that's a great idea!"  The blonde-maned pony rushed off to implement the plan, leaving the deflating Pegasus standing in her doorway.

"But...that's not....Um.  Oh dear."

*Bzzzzzzz*

Fluttershy's ears perked up at the familiar humming noise approaching.

"Hey mom!"  Scootaloo appeared, buzzing up the path on her scooter.  "I brought a friend over!  You said I couldn't go out, but you didn't say anything about having other ponies here, and Miss Cheerilee has us doing a project, and so we figured we'd do it here!"

Sure enough, clinging tightly to Scootaloo's back, eyes tightly shut, was another filly, a white Unicorn with a two-toned purple mane.

"Is it safe yet?"  This was from the other filly, as Scootaloo slowed to a stop just outside the cottage.  The Pegasus filly rolled her eyes as she responded.

"It's fine, Sweetie Belle.  We're here.  We weren't even going all that fast."  She turned her attention back to her mother, suddenly looking more apprehensive.  "So is it okay?"  

"Of course it's okay, honey.  After all, it's for school.  Now come on in and have a snack, and then you can get started."

A few hours later, Macintosh returned to the cottage.  Shortly afterward, Sweetie Belle left so as to be home before nightfall.  Dinner was eaten, the animals that needed it were put away for the night, and the family prepared for bed, despite the protestations of a certain filly.

"But mom!  I'm not tired!"  This was immediately contradicted when Scootaloo yawned hugely.  Fluttershy simply fixed her daughter with a Look, a much less powerful variation of her infamous Stare.  The orange Pegasus wilted under her mother's gaze, coupled with the fact that she really was exhausted.  Within half an hour, the whole family was asleep.

***

Scootaloo thrashed helplessly against the alicorn's telekinetic grip.  A sibilant voice hissed from a fanged mouth as a wickedly serrated horn came a hairsbreadth from the filly's neck.

"You should never have come along, little foal.  All you are is a failure, and your failure is going to cost you your life."

A pair of slitted eyes, glowing green, pierced the Pegasus, and her struggles redoubled as she felt the magic holding her shifting, preparing to plunge her onto the dark goddess's horn.  Just before the spike penetrated flesh, however, a wave of indigo light swept into view.  The darkness, the sensation of telekinetic grip, and the coal-black alicorn faded away.  In place of the nightmare, Scootaloo found herself floating in an indigo void.

"H-hello?  Is anypony there?"  The filly asked, unsure which possibility would be worse.

"Do not fear, little one."  The voice started off as omnipresent, but quickly coalesced into a single source.  At the same time, a pony seemed to fade into view- a regal blue alicorn with a mane like midnight.  "I mean you no harm."

"Wh- Who are- Princess Luna?"

The mare nodded at Scootaloo's guess, before responding, her tone heavy with sorrow.

"I apologize for what my darker self did to thee.  I cannot express my regret enough to have damaged thee and thine loved ones so."

The Pegasus shrugged, forcing a smile onto her face.

"It was no big deal.  I'm fine.  You-"

"Nay."  The Princess shook her head firmly.  "Thine nightmares these past nights show that thou art not fine.  Thou hath the resilience of youth, true, but thou art not healed.  Dost thou understand?"

Scootaloo wasn't sure how to respond to this.  Since being threatened by Nightmare Moon, she had been having nightmares.  As she was trying to figure out what to say, the Princess spoke up again.

"My power is but a fraction of what it once was, but I can, nay, I must help thee.  For the fault of thine night terrors rests on my back, and thus, my duty is doubly clear."  The alicorn's eyes blazed white, and her horn glowed indigo.  When she spoke again, her voice carried an odd resonance, as if reality- or at least the dream-reality they were currently inhabiting- was echoing her words.

"Scootaloo Windfall Apple.  As the guardian of the Realms of Dreaming, I bless thee.  For e'ermore, thine dreams shall be joyous, and thou shalt be protected under my aegis within the Realms."  The glow faded, and Luna's voice returned to a more normal tone, though now it was somewhat more weary.

"'Tis all I can grant thee for now, young Scootaloo, but know that thou art owed a debt that shall be paid."

As she spoke the last, the alicorn faded away once again.  Scootaloo snuggled deeper into the covers, enjoying sound sleep and pleasant dreams for the first time in days.

***

The next morning, after Macintosh had left for Sweet Apple Acres and Scootaloo had headed off to school, Fluttershy was making her way around the front of the cottage.  She was ensuring that all the animals in her care were well-fed and in good health when she saw a familiar purple pony walking up the path.  Twilight perked up when she saw that her friend was up and about.

"Good morning, Fluttershy!"

"Oh, hello, Twilight."  The soft-spoken Pegasus trotted over.  "What brings you out here?"

"I actually wanted to give you these."  A pair of golden tickets levitated over to Fluttershy as Twilight continued.  "I realized that giving only one of my friends a ticket to the Gala would make everypony else unhappy, and would make it seem like I was favoring one of you girls over the others.  I didn't want to disappoint anypony, so I sent the tickets back to Princess Celestia and explained the situation.  She sent back tickets for all of us.  Now you and Macintosh can both go!"

The yellow Pegasus gasped.

"Oh, Twilight, you didn't have to do that!"

"Fluttershy, you and Macintosh are my friends.  You deserve these tickets."  The Unicorn paused for a moment before continuing, slightly more sheepishly.  "Besides, Princess Celestia was the one who sent them.  I'm just the messenger."

***

A few hours later, Macintosh returned to the cottage, moving much more carefully than usual.  Fluttershy, who could tell immediately if even a creature as small as a mouse was injured, had even less trouble when the injured creature was pony-sized, let alone one she knew as well as she did her husband.

"Oh my!  You're hurt!  What happened?!"  Even as she was asking, the mare supported him as best she could and led him to a chair.  Macintosh chuckled softly, wincing as he did.

"Ah underestimated AJ, that's what.  This mornin' she bet me she couldn't harvest all th' Golden Delicious an' get 'em in the barn by lunch.  Ah still say gettin' Twilight ta help was cheatin', but a bet's a bet.  Th' loser had ta put on one of Granny's girdles an' walk down Saddle Street."

Fluttershy's eyes widened at the mental image this produced as Macintosh continued.

"Eeyup.  Turns out Ah'm a mite too big ta fit.  Didn't stop AJ from tryin' ta force it, though."  The stallion winced in remembered pain.   "She cracked a couple ribs.  Ah'm stuck on light chores 'til Ah'm better.  Shouldn't be more'n a few days."

While the stallion was talking, Fluttershy got to work.  She retrieved the towel-wrapped bag of frozen peas from the ice box that she kept for just this sort of situation and placed them on the injured ribs.

"Now you just hold this there, and I'll brew up some nice hot chamomile tea for you.  I hope-"

Whatever the yellow mare hoped for went unsaid as, with a thumping of hooves and buzzing of wings, Scootaloo bounded into the kitchen.

"Hey dad!  Sorry I didn't hear you come home!"  The filly went to hug her father before noticing the ice pack and slightly pained expression.  "Are you alright?"

"Ah'll be fine.  Nothin' serious.  It ain't important.  How was yer school today?"

"It was awesome!"  Thus diverted, the orange Pegasus began talking enthusiastically about her day.  "We're learning about the water cycle, and Miss Cheerilee got Rainbow Dash to come in and talk about the weather!  And we had a group project, and..."  Scootaloo continued happily describing her day.

Two bowls of tea and a large salad later, Macintosh went to bed, with Scootaloo and Fluttershy following shortly after.

The next morning, Macintosh attempted to get out of bed before being pushed back in.

"What-?"  The stallion's question was cut off by a kiss.  Once she was satisfied that her husband would let her speak, Fluttershy pulled away.

"You're hurt, dear, and you can't strain yourself, or you'll just make it worse.  You're staying home today.  I'll go and help Applejack."

"But Ah...but..."  The stallion wilted at the expression on his wife's face.  "Eeyup.  Alright.  Ah'll stay home.  Yer right.  Ah'd try ta do too much too soon."

"Of course you would.  And I love you for that.  But you need to heal.  You just stay here and I'll bring you breakfast."

Two hours later, after Scootaloo had left for school and Fluttershy had headed over to Sweet Apple Acres, there was a loud crash as something solid slammed into the cottage door.  Macintosh, who had been doing some light reading (A Comprehensive Guide to Solar Magnetohydrodynamics, by Princess Celestia) answered, and found Rainbow Dash picking herself up off the ground, rubbing her forehead.

"Ow.  Buck me, what is that door even made of?"

"Reinforced oak."

The Pegasus jumped, not having noticed the door opening.

"Yah!  Oh, it's you.  What are you doing here, big guy?"

"...Ah live here."

"Oh, right."  Rainbow Dash said sheepishly, only just noticing where she was, "Sorry about the crash.  I wanted to practice some new tricks without anypony seeing, and, well, I kinda zigged when I should have zagged, clipped a cumulus, and, well..."  She shrugged, as if the events leading from there to the current situation were self-evident.

"Eeyup.  Are ya alright?"

"Only one way to find out!"  With that, the brash Pegasus leapt into the air and executed a dizzying corkscrew, before zooming back toward Ponyville.  Macintosh watched after her for a few minutes to make sure everything was okay before turning around and going back inside.

Half an hour later, a knock sounded at the door.  The stallion once again put his book down, got up, and opened the door to see Rarity at the threshold.

"Oh, good day, Macintosh.   Is Fluttershy in?  I wanted to apologize for my boarish behavior yesterday."

"Nope."

The fashion designer waited a moment for further explanation, but none was forthcoming.

"I see.  Then where is she?"

"Sweet Apple Acres."

***

"Good afternoon, Fluttershy!"  The indigo-maned mare smiled brilliantly at the Pegasus.  "I'm so glad I caught you.  I wanted to apologize for my dreadful rudeness toward you yesterday.  I was hoping I could make it up to you with a visit to the spa?  I go every Tuesday, and it's ever so much more relaxing with somepony else."

Fluttershy swallowed nervously.  She'd lived in Ponyville for almost a decade, but she still didn't know many ponies outside of the Apple family.  For somepony to invite her to go somewhere was a novel experience, and Fluttershy didn't care much for novel experiences.  The shy pony's first instinct was to refuse.

On the other hoof, this wasn't some random pony she'd just met.  Rarity had helped save Equestria, just like Fluttershy herself had, she couldn't be a bad pony.  Besides, a visit to the spa did sound nice.  Before she could dither further, the Pegasus forced herself to answer cheerfully.

"Of course I'll come!  Um…as soon as I finish here.  I mean, um, I promised Applejack I’d help, since Macintosh is hurt, and we’re not done yet, and…"  Fluttershy trailed off just as Applejack trotted up.

"Howdy, Rarity!  Decide ta get yer hooves dirty fer once, or didja need somethin’?"  The Earth pony smiled to indicate she was joking.  Rarity explained the situation, and suggested that Applejack accompany her as well.

"Nah.  Ah ain't really one fer all of that fru-fru stuff.  Fluttershy, you go on- it's mah own fault Mac's laid up, no reason you gotta work harder for that."

"R-really?"  Fluttershy looked at the orchards, stretching off into the distance, countless apple trees bearing fruit, "Are you sure you'll be alright?"

Applejack snorted.  "Fluttershy, ya know Ah love ya like a sister, so don't take this the wrong way, but yer not really cut out fer apple-buckin'.  Besides, Ah bet ya already put in a full day's work takin' care of all the critters, even before comin' here.  Go ahead, Ah'll be fine."

"Oh, okay, um, if you say so."  Fluttershy privately resolved to keep coming back to help her sister-in-law until Macintosh was back on his hooves.  Applejack may have been insistent that she didn't need anypony's help, but that didn't apply to family.

Fifteen minutes of inconsequential small talk, primarily from Rarity, later, the Unicorn and the Pegasus entered the spa.  Once they were ushered into the back and situated, Rarity turned to her companion.

"Now darling, I simply must know what you treat your mane with.  It looks truly gorgeous."  The fashion designer turned on a dazzling smile, an effect which was muted when one of the spa ponies slathered her with facial cream.

"Oh, um, I just use regular shampoo.  I don't do anything special with it."

Fluttershy could have sworn she heard a record screech to a halt as her statement registered.

"You WHAT?!"

> Chapter 4
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As Rarity and Fluttershy left the spa, the Unicorn couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy. The sort of beauty that the fashionista had to spend substantial time, money, and effort to achieve, the shy Pegasus apparently had naturally. Fluttershy bought her shampoo from Barnyard Bargains, for heavens’ sake!

Her train of thought was interrupted by a rumbling, felt more than heard.

“Fluttershy, did you feel that?”

The rumbling intensified. The ponies in the town square started looking around and murmuring to each other.

“Oh my, I hope it’s not an earthq-” Fluttershy began, before a familiar voice interrupted her.

“HEYRARITYHEYFLUTTERSHYWOWEVERYTHINGSALLBLURRYIWASTRYINGANEWRECIPEFORULTRADOUBLEDELUXESUGARSNACKSBUTTHEYWERESOGOODSOIATETWOBATCHESBUTTHEYMADEMETHIRSTYANDTHECAKESHAVEANEWCOFFEEMACHINEITHINKITSCALLEDEXPRESSOANDSOIMADESOMEBUTTHEREWASNTHARDLYANYSOIMADEFIVESERVINGSANDNOWITHINKICANSEETIME!!!”

Pinkie Pie was a blur, bouncing up and down incredibly fast as she darted back and forth. It was obvious that her vibration was the cause of the rumbling.

“Pinkie! Slow down, I can’t understand a word you’re saying!”

“WOWRARITYYOURVOICESOUNDSREALLYDEEPANDWHYAREYOUTALKINGSOSLOWICANTUNDERSTANDYOUOKAYIMGOINGTOGOSEEIFRAINBOWDASHWANTSTORACEANDTHENITHINKIMGOINGTOMAKEMOREEXPRESSOANDSUGARSNACKSIFEELREALLYGOODRIGHTNOW!!!” With that, the baker took off in a blur, leaving her friends staring after her.

“What just happened?”

***

Rainbow Dash finished washing up by pouring the bucket of water onto herself. Practicing done for the day, the polychromatic pegasus was looking forward to a nice nap. It was at that moment that a pink blur materialized in front of her.

“Huh?”

“HEYDASHIEWANNARACE?!?” Dash raised an eyebrow.

“Pinkie, you know I love to race, but I just finished my routine. I-”

“WHYISEVERYONETALKINGFUNNYTODAYISITTALKDEEPANDSLOWDAYANDNOPONYTOLDMENOITCANTBETHATISNTUNTILNEXTMONTHOHMYGOSHDIDITRAVELINTOTHEFUTURENOIFIDIDTHEDOCTORWOULDHAVESENTMEBACKLIKELASTTIMENOEVERYONESJUSTSLOWANDBORINGIMGOINGTOGOSEEIFAPPLEJACKNEEDSANYHELPOKAYOKAYBYEDASHIE!!!”

***

Thunk-thudthudthud. Thunk-thudthudthud. Applejack relaxed as she hit her stride. There was a certain rhythm to applebucking that most ponies didn’t seem to understand, that you could just settle into the rhythm and the apples would just fall straight into your buckets. Even Macintosh sometimes had trouble with it, substituting sheer brute strength to make up for any deficits in skill, but Applejack had never had any such trouble.

“What in tarnation?”

“HIAPPLEJACKHOWAREYOUYOULOOKREALLYBUSYANDYOUSOUNDFUNNYTOOISEVERYPONYSICKDOYOUNEEDANYHELPIREALLYWANNADOSOMETHINGFUNWHYISNTMACINTOSHHEREHELPINGYOUIMBOREDHUHIFEELFUNNYANDkinda...tired…” Like a switch had been thrown, the pink party pony collapsed to the ground.

“Uh, Pinkie?” Applejack gently poked her friend. “Are y’alright?” Another, harder poke. “Pinkie!” A shake, as the cowpony started to get nervous.

In response, Pinkie rolled onto her side and started snoring. Applejack facehoofed.

“Applejack!” It would have been a shout, except that Applejack wasn’t actually sure Fluttershy could raise her voice loud enough to be called a shout. If she could, Applejack had never heard it. “I don’t mean to bother you, but have you seen Pinkie Pie? We saw her coming in this direction and...oh.” She had clearly just caught sight of the sleeping pony. “Oh my. Is she okay?”

“Ah dunno.” Applejack shrugged. “She just appeared an’ started yellin’, an’ then she jest fell over an’ started snoozin’. Ya wanna help me get her ta th’ barn so she ain’t just lyin’ here?”

***

Pinkie Pie groggily fought her way back to consciousness.  That wasn't how it was supposed to happen, she was supposed to spring out of bed like a spring-loaded pony (though she'd forgiven Feather Stuffed at the mattress store for not having any spring mattresses that actually worked like that) and wide awake (though why they called it wide awake when she wasn't any wider than she usually was- maybe it had something to do with how Mrs. Cake sometimes complained about feeling fat in the mornings.  That was silly, how could you feel fat, you either were fat or you weren't, though obviously calling ponies fat was a good way to get them to be angry, so Pinkie didn't do that anymore).  She delivered an eloquent verbal summary of her train of thought, alongside an inquiry into the unusual nature of her waking.

"Mmphrgl"

That didn't work as well as it should have.

"Whrpnd?"

"Huh-Wha?  Oh, hey, you're waking up!"  That was Rainbow Dash!  And that was clearly a waking-up noise!  How come Rainbow Dash could wake up so fast?  Wait.  Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie?  Waking up?  Together?

Had they had a sleepover?  Had Pinkie Pie forgotten a sleepover?  A quick check of her memory banks (that was a good phrase, memory banks.  You were always making deposits into your memory bank, and then when you needed to remember something you withdrew it.  But what was interest?  Obviously it wasn't interest going on in the memories…unless…everypony knew if you were interested in something you paid attention to it…Ohmygosh!  I need to tell Rainbow Dash!  Hang on, wasn't there something-?) indicated that there hadn't been a sleepover, and that Pinkie had in fact fallen asleep while talking to Applejack (That had been rude.  Pinkie resolved to throw Applejack an apology party).  Oh well, somepony would surely explain things to her.

Shaking her head, the pink pony forced herself awake and upright.  She was in Applejack's barn, with Rainbow Dash looking curiously at her.

"Hiya, Rainbow Dash!  What happened?"  The Pegasus quirked an eyebrow at her friend.

"That's what we were wondering too.  You were zipping around like crazy and then you just fell asleep in front of Applejack, and then Rarity and Fluttershy and I were following you because you were acting funny."  She paused to consider this.  "Well, weirder than usual.  And you didn't even wake up when AJ threw a bucket of water on you, and we couldn't just leave you there.  I didn't have anything else to do, so they had me keep an eye on you, but then, well, I… guess I kinda sorta fell asleep myself."
Pinkie thought for a moment.

"Is today Talk Deep And Slow Day?"

"Uh…no?"

"Oh, okay!  It must have been me, then.  I ate a bunch of Ultra Double-Deluxe Sugar Snacks, and then I drank a bunch of the special coffee from the new coffee machine because I noticed I accidentally used the caffeinated sugar Mr. Cake ordered by mistake and told me never to use ever under any circumstances.  Expresso is like decaf, right?"
Both of Rainbow Dash's hooves met her face.