A/N: Sorry for the short chapter length, it just seemed like a good spot to end it. R&R, but please be gentle; this is my first fanfic.


"Seems like anyone with a dash of good sense would think twice before tussling with the Great Trixie." As Rainbow Dash staggered off the stage, Big Macintosh decided that he had had enough of Trixie's boasting. He slipped out of the crowd without anypony noticing, and, while Rarity was dazzling the audience with her pontificaiton about beauty, made his way up the stairs. When Rarity ran off the stage bemoaning her green hair, the red stallion brought his hoof down on the stage. Hard. The timber cracked.

"Enough." he said in his quiet, western drawl. "No more of your boasting and making fools of other ponies. You come to this town, and suddenly everyone has to bow down to you? I don't know how things work with those fancy ponies up in Canterlot, but down here respect is earned by the sweat of your back." A murmur rippled through the ponies watching. Nopony had never heard him say anything more than a few words at a stretch

Trixie looked disgusted. "You would lecture me about work? I have vanquished an Ursa Major single-hoofedly." Her horn glowed as she tried to pick Big Macintosh up. The large draft horse tensed, his muscles rippling as the magic flowed over his body. "Now, begone with you. I will not have such common filth tarnishing my stage. I have far more important matters to which I must attend."

"No." Came the quiet, but firm voice. It was not his usual, drawn-out nnope. It was, somehow, almost frightening. The red pony drew himself up to his full height, resisting the pale blue unicorn's efforts to throw him off the stage, grimacing with the effort. He brought his hoof down on the stage again, and this time, the plank snapped, bending sharply upward. "I will challenge you."

Trixie considered this for a moment. "What is your wager?"

"If you win, I will be your servant for a month. If I win, you will leave Ponyville and not return for a full year."

"And the challenge?"

Bic Mac grinned. "AJ, I reckon there's harvesting needs to be done."

The orange mare beamed. "Apple bucking?"

"Eeyup. You, Trixie, have one week to prepare."