Second installment! This is the story of how best friends Apollo and Big Macintosh met! I thought it was really cute, hope you enjoy it too. (If enough people like the sister, I'll do a snippet where she visits Apollo).
"Here's your new home Apollo. I'm sorry I can't do more." Princess Celestia mourned, as she stood in front of a library/house that was to be Apollo's new home.
Apollo scuffed his hooves across the ground, but held back his tears. He was just a young colt, but always tried to keep up an upbeat attitude. But how was a tiny Pegasus supposed to live on his own? But his parents were gone, and his older sister didn't want to take care of him. So living on his own was the only option. His sister was a superficial Pegasus, having an all white male Pegasus around would supposedly ruin her image.
"Thank you Princess. This is more than enough," Apollo whispered, forcing a watery smile onto his face.
The Princess sighed sadly and shook her head. Even though Apollo was a strong young colt, she knew that he was breaking down on the inside. She nuzzled him, but was disappointed when he stiffened up. He was too young to remember any attention or love his family had given him. His time in the foster families hadn't done him any good either. They didn't do anything bad, but every home he went to had too many kids for them to give each one individual attention.
"If you ever need anything Apollo, just blow this whistle," she slipped a silver whistle over his neck as she concluded her promise.
The young colt looked at her and nodded. Tears gathered in his eyes but he stayed strong. He gave the Princess one last nuzzle before walking into his new home. After he had closed the door, and after he knew that Princess Celestia was gone, he broke down. He climbed the ladder and snuck under the covers. He cried because he was alone, because his parents were gone, but mostly because he couldn't remember his parents love or affections. He didn't like this at all. It just wasn't fair.
For the first week, Apollo just stayed inside his house, going over all the books that looked interesting to him. He even read the books that he held no interest in at all. But soon he became bored, and there was no food left in his house. He picked up the money that the Princess had provided for him, and set out with a bag for the groceries. As he went through Pony-Ville he didn't think it was so bad. Well, except for the stares he got. Those weren't too pleasant. After he had got all the groceries, he was set on going back home and rereading all of his books.
A pleasant smell of apple's wafted through the air though. Against his own judgment, he trotted towards the smell. He soon found himself at Sweet Apple Acres. He stood by the gate and was about to leave when a yell frightened him. He jumped up in the air and narrowly avoided a stampede of little filly's, younger than himself he was sure of.
"You better not cause trouble in town ya' hear me!" Apollo jumped at the voice and turned to see a Red Colt about his age with a harness around his neck.
"Um…sorry, I was just…" Before Apollo could leave, and older horse came up to the red colts side.
She smiled kindly at him, making wrinkles on her face. Apollo blushed. She was the first pony to smile at him since arriving here. He looked down and started to stir the dirt.
"Why, you must be Apollo. Princess Celestia told me all about you, do you want to come inside?" the old pony offered, and Apollo faintly noticed that the red colts eyes lit up.
Apollo, not one to be rude, shyly nodded. He soon found himself being pushed through the gate by the red colt.
"Mac, be gentler and introduce yourself. I'm granny smith by the way darlin'" the old pony said before she disappeared down the path.
"Whoops, sorry," the colt turned to him "My names Big Macintosh, but you can call me Big Mac or Mac if you want ta'" the young colt finished, a smile stretched across his face.
Apollo mutely nodded. He noticed Mac's silence and figured he should say something.
"My name's Apollo. Nice to meet you…Mac," Apollo tried to smile, he really did, but he was sure it came out crooked cause Mac started to giggle. "Sorry,"
"What are you sorry for? I like your smile, a bit funny, but I like it. You want to come in for some apple…anything? I don't know what Granny smiths making, but I reckon it must be good,"
Apollo blushed as his stomach growled, but nodded nonetheless. Big Mac grabbed his tail and gently dragged him down the path. When he entered Granny Smiths kitchen he was assaulted by that apple aroma that guided him here. As soon as he and Big mac sat down, Granny smith loaded the table with Apple dishes. Big Mac dug in, while Apollo just stared in wonder.
"Go on…gulp…dig in!" Big Mac managed to say while chewing.
"Go on honey. You're much too thin."
With that Apollo dug in, politely and less fast than Mac. Once he was finished he felt pleasantly full. He spent the rest of the day playing with Mac in the orchard, meeting his siblings, and listening to Granny Smith's tales of olden times. It started to get dark and Apollo knew that he should head home soon. Everything was going fine until Granny Smith asked the question.
"Aren't your parents worried about you? Oh dear I should have called. Do you want me to call them?"
Apollo felt his heart clench, and he froze. Mac noticed and nudged the colt, but he wouldn't unfreeze. Mac looked to granny with worry.
"Um…my parents are gone Ms. Granny Smith. i….i live alone in the library condo room on mare street. But I should be getting home. Hopefully I can find my way…" But as Apollo was walking out the door, someone grabbed him by the tail.
He turned to see Mac, eyes filled with determination. He pulled Apollo back and slung himself over his back sideways like beanbag.
"Can Apollo sleepover? Please granny? Oh please, oh please, oh please, OH PLEASE!" Big Mac whined.
Apollo's eyes widened to the size of saucers, and he felt something tug at his heart. Friendship? Nah, they had just met. But looking in Big Mac's eyes, he knew that Mac considered him his friend. So maybe…
"That sounds like an excellent idea Macintosh. But we have to see if Apollo agrees,"
She set her gentle gaze on Apollo and smiled.
"Would you like to sleep over?"
Apollo smiled and nodded, eliciting a whoop of joy from Mac. Soon, Granny had tucked the two into Mac's bed and had kissed them both good-night on the forehead. Apollo felt tears fill his eyes. And no matter how hard he tried, they started to leak out. He felt a small hoof brush away his tears.
"Whats wrong? Are you afraid of the dark?" Mac asked, scooching closer to his new friend.
Apollo shook his head and tried desperately to bury his face in the pillow. He did not succeed, mainly because Mac kept poking him. He looked at Mac and hurriedly wiped away his tears, which were soon replaced by others.
"I…my parents died when I was really young. So I can't remember them kissing me goodnight or saying I love you. And the foster herds were nice, and they tried really hard, but they could never really give me individual love. So…this feels weird. To have someone caring for me, to kiss me good night, and to have someone look out for me. No one's really done that for me…sorry for crying I know its baby like…" But Apollo was quickly cut off.
Big Mac wrapped one arm around the other and held him close.
"That's gonna change buddy. We're your family now ya' hear? We are always gonna look out for you, worry about you and care for you okay?"
"But Granny Smith…"
"Shoot, the second you walked through that door you were already labeled as her second favorite grandson."
"wow…wait, whos the first?"
"Why, me of course!"
Apollo looked at Mac before giggling. Then that giggling turned into laughter. He laughed and laughed, till tears leaked out of his eyes. Mac smiled, liking that he made his new friend laugh. It was a better sight than him crying.
"Boys, settle down and get to bed. I want you to be well rested for tomorrow!"
"Yes Granny!" Big Mac yelled, a smile on his face.
"….Yes Granny!" Apollo replied after a few moments.
"Love you two boys,"
It was then that Apollo felt his heart burst. Not from pain, but from love. He cried, and Mac held him close until they both fell asleep.
(The next morning)
After a full breakfast of apples on top of grain, Big Mac took him out to see the good parts of pony-ville. As they entered the village, Apollo felt more at ease with his friend. Until some older colts came up. Their eyes went from Apollo to Mac until they set themselves on the young red colt.
"Well, well, well. Look what we have hear. Its Big Doffus!"
"Hahaha. You can't blame him though. Being raise on an Apple farm does that to a pony."
"Are we talking to fast for ya? Sorry we'll slow down. Hows…this…for…ya…doofus?"
They group continued to laugh at Big Mac, of whom had kept his head down during this whole encounter. Many ponies, young and old looked on at the scene, but chose to do nothing. Apollo felt fury rise up within him, but knew that yelling would make everything worse and embarrass Big Mac. He took a stand, setting himself between Mac and the older colts. At first the colts were confused, but then confusion turned to bitterness and anger.
"Hey, shrimp puff get out of the way!"
Apollo shook his head, before staring the brown colt straight in the eyes.
"Apologize to my friend now," his voice was firm, set with resolution.
The older colts laughed. Mac whispered stuff like 'let it go' 'they'll never listen to you' 'lets go home'. But Apollo shook his head.
"He's not dumb. He knows certain stuff that you don't" Apollo reasoned.
"oh yeah, like what?" the yellow colt demanded, snorting in Apollo's face.
"He knows how to plant seeds and how to stir up the dirt just right. He knows when an apple is just right, or when it needs another day or so. He also knows what branches to cut off the tree so the rest of the plant won't get infected. He knows when it's gonna rain, or when a storm is gonna come, and covers up his apple trees. He knows a lot of things, so he's not dumb. Do you know that stuff?" Apollo challenged, staring the three down.
The older colts shook their heads before looking down at the ground. Apollo sighed before smiling.
"But that doesn't make you dumb, does it? It just means that you know things that Big Mac doesn't know, and he knows stuff you don't know either." Apollo reasoned, looking back at Mac who was standing proudly.
"Ye…yeah! I know how to kick a ball into the net every time!" the yellow colt nodded.
"And I can do math real fast. My teacher thinks I'm great at it!" the Blue colt blushed.
"And..and…and I can memorize any word just by looking at it," the brown colt admitted.
Apollo smiled before stepping out.
"Now apologize to Mac please. You guys are all smart in your own way. If everyone knew everything, what fun would that be?"
The older colts nodded and apologized to Mac, who eagerly accepted their apologies. They even set plans to play hoofball sometime. The crowd stared in amazement and crowded around the two colts.
"That was amazing!"
"You're really something kid!"
"Whats your name?"
"When'd you get here?"
"Are you new?"
Luckily Apollo was able to answer all the questions and the crowd soon dispersed. Apollo breathed a sigh of relief before he felt a nudge. He turned to see a happy Big Mac, who gave him another playful shove.
"Thanks for that," he thanked, blushing a bit.
"Anything for my best friend," and Apollo meant it, even if he just met Mac, he knew that this was his best friend.
"Apollo, your cutie mark!"
Apollo turned and beamed at the heart surrounded by olive branches marked his cutie mark area. He reared and neighed in happiness. But blushed as he realized Mac was still there.
"um…do you want to see my house?"
"SURE! Lead the way"
As Big Mac and Apollo made their way to the white colts house, they knew that this was the start of a huge friendship.
Ok. So the rest of the story/stories (if enough people like this) are just going to be snippet stories of Apollo's life in Pony-Ville. You may even send me requests for a story. Heaven knows I need ideas!
Ok! Remember, I will take requests for oneshots