Chapter 8: Hard to Say Anything
One day at Sweet Apple Acres, Clay and Apple Bloom were working together to give the barn a new coat of paint. Clay was doing the red part while Apple Bloom was painting the white trimmings. Clay had just finished with all the red sections while Apple Bloom was about to finish her portion of the white sections.
"Great job, Apple Bloom," said Clay to his sister in law, "I reckon the new paint job is finally done!"
"Thanks for helping me out, Clay," said Apple Bloom as she wiped some sweat from her brow.
It was then that Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo arrived on the farm while the former was using her magic to carry a cardboard box.
"Hey, Apple Bloom! Hey, Clay!" said Sweetie Belle, "Rarity's reorganizing her shop, and look what she found! Old costumes from the talent show!"
The three fillies and Clay all peeked inside of the box.
"We thought they'd come in handy in case we ever help a pony out on a play or need to make a quick escape disguised as clowns," said Scootaloo as she put on a rainbow afro wig. Apple Bloom then put on a pirate's hat and Sweetie Belle put on some gaucho glasses. Clay then removed off his beret and put the stetson hat on his head.
It was then a green apple rolled over to Apple Bloom. The four ponies turned to see that Big Mac was loading up his wagons with lots of apples. It was then another apple fell out of a barrel the red stallion put it back into the barrel.
"Here ya go, Big Mac," said Apple Bloom as she and the rest of their group walked up to the red stallion. Big Mac took the apple and put into another barrel.
"Whoa, that sure is alot of apples!" Scootaloo remarked.
"I'll say," Clay added in agreement.
"Are you makin' another delivery to Starlight's old village?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Eeyup," said Big Mac.
"That's an awful long way for a pony to go, isn't it?" Sweetie Belle remarked.
"Eeyup," said Big Mac as he pushed a bucket loaded with apples onto his wagon.
"You've been goin' there alot lately," Apple Bloom remarked, "What is this, your fifth trip this week?"
"Yeah, Big Bro," said Clay, "I know I had asked you to go make a delivery there, but I didn't expect you to make so many. Is there something going on that we should know about?" Big Mac winced and then laughed nervously.
"Eeyup," said Big Mac, but then glared at Clay before adding, "Buzz off!" Clay blinked at Big Mac's defensive nature but then recovered.
"Fine," said Clay, raising his fore-hooves up in the air.
"Okay, well, have fun," said Apple Bloom to Big Mac went back to finish loading his cart. Apple Bloom the turned to Sweetie Belle, "So what other costumes did you being, Sweetie Belle?"
"Are you crazy?! We can't talk costumes at a time like this!"" Scootaloo interjected.
"Time like what?" Apple Bloom asked innocently.
"Your oldest brother is hiding something," said Scootaloo, "Did you see the way he was acting?"
"I certainly did," said Clay, "That red stallion only gets defensive when he's trying to keep something secret."
"Yeah," Sweetie Belle added, "He totally blushed when you brought up how often he's been going to Starlight's old village."
"I can't believe I missed that," said Clay, "but you're right, Sweetie Belle."
"Something is definitely going on," Scootaloo pointed out, "There can be only one reason a pony would travel so often."
"Well, what do you three think the reason could be?" Clay asked, curious to what the three fillies had in mind.
"He's taking private skiing lessons!" Scootaloo shouted.
"He's training for a marathon!" Sweetie Belle shouted at the same time as Scootaloo.
"I've been cooking a lot of broccoli and he wants to get away from the smell!" Apple Bloom said at the same time as her two friends.
The three fillies looked at each other and then laughed. Clay just rolled his eyes.
He had a good idea why Big Mac would be going to Starlight's old village and blushing about it. After all, he was the one who asked Big Mac to go make the first delivery.
*Main theme*
A few minutes later, Big Mac was placing a tarp over his wagon as the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Clay were watching from behind some hay bales.
"Maybe he's a spy on a mission to thwart an evil villain with a secret weapon: an apple cannon!" Scootaloo suggested. Clay blinked.
"Seriously?!" Clay remarked as he gave the orange filly a skeptical look.
"No, that's crazy!" said Apple Bloom, "I think it's my broccoli thing."
"Apple Bloom, the smell ain't that bad," Clay told her as a matter of fact.
"Why don't we just ask him?" said Sweetie Belle. Clay smiled at her.
"Always knew you were the sensible one," said Clay, which made Sweetie Belle giggle as Apple Bloom and Scootaloo shot glares that he didn't notice.
"You saw how shifty he was acting earlier," Scootaloo pointed out.
"Hey, that is a good point, Scoot," said Clay, "I asked him outright if there was another reason he was making so many trips and he told me to bud out. He knows he can confide in me so...why push me away?"
"Exactly," said Scootaloo, "There's no way he'll tell us what he's doing. Plus, I really wanna go undercover. We already have costumes." Clay pondered for a moment.
"You know what," said Clay and then gave them a determined smile, "Let's do it!" Apple Bloom smirked.
"This is why I call Clay the cool brother-in-law," said Apple Bloom as Clay chuckled and hugged her to say thank you.
Scootaloo then put her afro wig back on.
"Call me "Agent Rainbowhead"," said Scootaloo.
"I'll be "Shimmering Spectacles"," said Sweetie Belle, "a librarian with a mysterious past."
"And I'll be a pirate spy!" said Apple Bloom, "Arrgh! A spy-rate!"
Then the three fillies posed in a way that parodies the 1980s intro. Suddenly, a record scratch was heard when they saw Apple Bloom turn to see that Big Mac was already on his way with his wagon.
"Avast! Our ship be leavin' port!" Apple Bloom announced.
"Huh?" said Scootaloo as she and Sweetie Belle had puzzled looks on their faces.
"Big Mac's leavin'!" Apple Bloom snapped, "If we gonna be spies, we gotta go! Now!"
The three fillies charged off to catch up with Big Mac. Sweetie Belle was the first to make it as she jumped up and lifted the tarp so Apple Bloom and Scootaloo could crawl in. Then she crawled inside the wagon herself.
"Is everypony here?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"I think so...wait! Where's Clay?" said Apple Bloom.
"Hi there!" said Clay as he suddenly appeared behind a barrel of apples.
"YAH!" the three fillies yelped.
"Don't scare us like that!" Sweetie Belle snapped.
"Clay, how did you get in here before us?!" Scootaloo asked.
"I'm a highly trained martial artist. Being in the shadows is my specialty." Clay answered.
"Oh, yeah, heh," said Scootaloo, feeling rather silly she had forgotten about that.
Clay then sat down beside Apple Bloom and pulled her close with his right hoof. Apple Bloom then cuddled up his side and closed her eyes to get comfortable.
"I love you, sugarcube," said Clay in a gentle but sweet tone.
"I love you, too," Apple Bloom sighed comfortably.
Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle just exchanged smiles with each other. Sweetie Belle noticed that Clay wasn't wearing a costume.
"Aren't you gonna wear something to help us, Clay?" Sweetie Belle asked curiously.
"Don't worry. I'll just stick to the shadows. Chase taught it to me when we were kids." Clay replied back with a smile.
"Alright. If you say so." Scootaloo said in return.
(Scene changes)
Since it was a long trip, the four ponies had removed their disguises and were doing their best to stay busy. Sweetie Belle was grateful that she had brought along a book to read. Scootaloo was just sitting quietly looking rather bored, even as she lay comfortably on Clay's side. Apple Bloom had fallen asleep with Clay holding her close protectively with his leg. Sweetie Belle was just re-reading her book. Suddenly the wagon stopped and Apple Bloom woke when she heard Big Mac whistling outside.
"Big Mac's a-comin'!" said Apple Bloom, "Quick! Act like apples!"
"What? How?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"You tell me," Clay remarked.
"Grrrrrr!" Apple Bloom growled annoyingly.
"Alright! Alright!" Clay conceded, trying to think of a way he and the three fillies could be an apple.
Big Mac then removed the tarp from his wagon. He then grabbed the bucket of apples the four ponies were hiding behind. Scootaloo was just squatting low while Apple Boom, Sweetie Belle, and Clay smiled and stayed motionless with apples on top of their heads.
There's no way Big Mac won't see us Clay thought, He isn't that stupid.
To Clay's surprise, Big Mac didn't notice them at all. In fact, he looked rather lovesick as he walked from the wagon. Clay, followed by Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo ,all poked out of the collections of barrels.
"I can't believe that actually worked!" said Clay as Sweetie Belle pulled out some binoculars to scope around, "Then again...did Big Mac have...hearts in his eyes?!"
There was no reply as Sweetie Belle finally spotted Big Mac talking with a familiar magenta unicorn with purple mane and tail that were tied with a blue double beaded tie.
"Who's that pony," Sweetie Belle asked.
"Which one?" Clay asked.
"Let me see!" said Scootaloo as she peered into the binoculars and saw Big Mac talking to the unicorn, "I dunno. Shouldn't have taken the binoculars. I don't know anypony in this town."
Clay rolled his eyes in agreement as Sweetie Belle used her magic to put the binoculars away.
"That must be Sugar Belle," said Apple Bloom, "Applejack told me about her bakery. Obviously, she's just been orderin' a lot of apples."
It was then Big Mac knocked on the door to the house and Sugar Belle came out to say hello, giving Big Mac a flirty smile as she invited him inside.
"So nothing fishy's going on," Sweetie Belle remarked.
"No way!" said Scootaloo, "We came here to be spies! And no spy I know has ever solved a case that quick!"
"Mmm, how many spies do you know?" Sweetie Belle asked. Clay then instinctively looked away and whistled innocently. Fortunately, none of the three fillies noticed.
"That's...not important," said Scootaloo. "What's important is that we do more recon."
"Umm, what do you think, Clay?" Apple Bloom asked Clay, who was just pondering to himself.
"I think there's more going on here than just an apple delivery," said Clay, even thought he already had a pretty good idea what was going on. Sure, he could say it outright, but he found it more beneficial to have the three fillies figure it out, "I'm down for a little undercover investigation! So let's do it!"
Scootaloo smiled excitedly.
"I think you might have surpassed Rainbow Dash in being the coolest pony in Equestria," said Scootaloo before adding quickly, "but don't tell I ever said that!"
"I won't," said Clay as he chuckled, "So what do we do Agent Rainbowhead?"
"Follow my lead," said Scootaloo as she put her wig on and jumped out of the wagon.
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle put their disguises back on as well before they followed the orange filly to a nearby table that was set up just outside Sugar Belle's bakery window. Clay pressed his back against the outside wall. as he and the orange filly peered inside. As the two ponies peered inside, they saw Sugar Belle just smiling as Big Mac unloaded the last of what looked like a huge pile of apples into the main room.
"Whoa," said Apple Bloom as she appeared underneath Scootaloo, "She sure likes her apples."
Then Sweetie Belle appeared underneath Apple Bloom.
"What is she doing?" Sweetie Belle asked, "Making the biggest apple pie in Equestria?"
"I hope not," said Clay, "You know how stubborn Applejack is about the family keeping that world record."
The four ponies then began to focus on the conversation going on inside.
"Thanks for coming all this way, Big Mac," Sugar Belle told the red stallion. Big Mac just snorted and gave a whinnying laugh in reply.
"It sure is nice seeing you again so soon," Sugar Belle added.
"Eeyup," Big Mac replied, gigging as hearts floated above his head.
"All I used to bake were boring old muffins," said Sugar Belle, "but thanks to your apple deliveries, I get to make all kinds of delicious treats! Apple pies, apple fritters, apple turnovers, caramel apples, caramel apple cakes..." Sugar Belle sighed as she walked to her rather small and fully filled display case, "...I just wish I had more room to display it all. My shelves only hold so much."
Clay and the three fillies just watched and listened to the conversation with interest.
"I'm tellin' you," said Apple Bloom, "this pony reeeeaaally likes her apples." Sweetie Belle then gasped.
"Or Big Mac!" Sweetie Belle said.
"Huh?" said Apple Bloom and Scootaloo in surprise.
"That's the vibe I'm getting," Clay remarked.
"Just look!" Sweetie Belle told them. Sweetie Belle then turned around accidentally bumped her nose into Big Mac's.
"Ooh! Uh..." Sugar Belle giggled.
"Oh, I..." Big Mac replied as he giggled as well. Clay just smirked and shook his head.
"Sweetie Belle, Clay, I-I think you're right!" said Apple Bloom, "I think my brother has a crush!" Apple Bloom jumped into the air despite being in the middle of their filly stack.
"Shh!" said Sweetie Belle.
"Keep it down, Apple Bloom!" Clay said in a loud whisper.
Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle got off the table so they were all back on the ground. It was then the front door opened and a clearly lovesick Big Mac walked out of the building.
"Psst! Big Mac!" Apple Bloom called out.
This made Big Mac shake his head rapidly to snap himself out of his lovesick state. Apple Bloom turned to her fellow Crusaders and Clay.
"Now remember," Apple Bloom told the three ponies, "My brother's super shy, so he's probably gonna be embarrassed about his crush. Just try and make him feel comfortable."
"Sure thing, Apple Bloom," said Clay as Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle nodded in agreement. It was then Big Mac walked up to the group.
"Hey, Big Mac, it's me! Apple Bloom! And your little brother-in-law, Clay!" said the yellow filly as she removed her pirate hat disguise.
"Eeyup..." said Big Mac slowly.
"We're here, too!" said Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo as they removed their own disguises.
"Mm-hmm," said Big Mac with a nod and a smile.
"I'm gonna ask you a very personal question," said Apple Bloom to her oldest brother, "and I want you to answer honestly."
She then gestured for Big Mac to lean toward her, which he did.
"Do you have a crush on...Sugar Belle?" Apple Bloom asked Big Mac.
"Eeyup," said Big Mac with a big smile and hearts started floating around him.
"Well, that was easy," said Scootaloo.
"Yeah," Clay pondered, "Makes me wonder why he gave me such a hard time about it."
Big Mac then blinked and then blushed as he looked away and whistled. Clay smirked.
"You gave me such a hard time when I asked you to make this delivery in the first place!" Clay remarked.
"Wait! You asked Big Mac to make deliveries to Sugar Belle?!" Sweetie Bell exclaimed.
"Indeed," said Clay, "She sent me a letter a week ago saying that she needed an ingredient to help spark her baking creativity. I really wanted to help Sugar Belle out since I owed her one for saving my life."
"Is that when Starlight beat you up the first time?" Apple Bloom asked.
"It was," said Clay, "But all in the past. I figured Sweet Apple Acre apples could give Sugar Belle the inspiration she needed and I asked Big Mac to make the delivery."
"But why have Big Mac make the delivery and not you?" Scootaloo asked. Clay looked at Big Mac, who just looked away indignantly.
"I found out that Big Mac's been...resenting me," said Clay sadly. The three fillies blinked.
"Why?" the three fillies all asked at once.
"He told me he was feeling a bit jealous seeing Applejack and I together all the time," Clay replied, "It just reminded him of the fact he did feel lonely, but he didn't want anypony to help, or force him into a relationship. So rather than say Sugar Belle was a nice filly who would love to meet him or push him to ask her out. I told him to go and make a new friend. I told him nothing about Sugar Belle other than the fact she likes to bake, saying he can decide for himself what he thinks of her. He made it clear that he would do the delivery, be nice, and nothing more. But...I guess something changed when you got here, huh Big Mac?"
Big Mac blushed deeper and snorted.
"Okay fine!" Big Mac snapped, "It was love at first sight! Ya happy?" Clay just gave his brother-in-law a smile.
"Of course," said Clay, "I mean it was wishful thinking, but I hoped this would happen. You deserve to have a beautiful mare in your life too. And I guess we Apple stallions know how to pick 'em."
Clay gave Big Mac a wink. Big Mac chuckled.
"True," Big Mac replied as his eyes went back to being hearts as he thought about Sugar Belle once again.
"This is so excitin'!" said Apple Bloom, "My oldest brother has his very first crush!"
"First crush?" said Scootaloo, "What about Cheerilee?"
"It doesn't really count when you trick a pony into drinking a love potion, does it?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"Nnope!" Big Mac said angrily.
"I would agree," said Clay, "after all, you saw firsthand while they were gushing over each other. The love they shared wasn't anything genuine or sincere. Real love comes from the heart and you feel it the moment you lay your eyes on them. You just know they are the one because you feel something deep inside."
"Uh-huh," said Big Mac with a nod.
"Of course..." said Clay slyly, "I do recall Granny Smith telling me that you did have some feelings for Cheerilee way back..."
"One. Day," Big Mac threatened as he glared sternly at his younger brother to be quiet. Mario was taken aback and then looked annoyed.
"I've been wondering where Apple Bloom got that line from," said Clay as Big Mac rolled his eyes.
"My brother has a crush! My brother has a crush! My brother has a crush!" Apple Bloom sing-sang as she bounced over to a random pony reading a magazine, and two mares as she walked backwards across the main street before rear ending Big Mac's side.
"Apple Bloom, no need to tell all of Equestria about it," Clay remarked sternly, "You did that when I first told you about my crush on Applejack!"
"I said I was sorry!" Apple Bloom retorted and realized something as she looked at her oldest brother, "Wait! Does Sugar Belle even know you like her?"
"Uh-uh," said Big Mac with a shake of his head.
"Then you gotta tell her!" Apple Bloom told him.
"O-Oh...eh...ehhh..." Big Mac stuttered, mumbled, and gulped nervously.
"I don't think it's a good idea to push a pony to confessing their feelings," said Clay, "Chase has never done this before after he gotten over his crush on Twilight when they were foals."
"Eeyup," said Big Mac in agreement and worriedly.
"Clay, this is a completely different situation," said Apple Bloom, "Chase has always known to be more mature to move on even if it was the fact they didn't know Twilight liked him back and ignored the fact she was really nervous on that date. That's not the case here."
"We're pretty sure Sugar Belle likes you!" said Sweetie Belle, "She keeps ordering apples just so she can see you again."
"That is a good point," said Clay, "Sugar Belle really seems happy to see you and it certainly looks like more than just a friend. But that's just hopeful thinking on my part."
"Eeeyou think so?" Big Mac asked hopefully.
"Totally!" said Sweetie Belle, "But you'll never know if you don't try."
"She's right, Big bro," said Clay, "Despite what happened when I confessed, I don't regret doing it. You can't control how Sugar Belle will feel about it, but it doesn't hurt to be honest with her."
"Okay!" said Big Mac. He then plucked a nearby blue flower and headed back to the bakery.
"You got this, Big Bro!" Clay called out.
"Go get her, Big Mac!" Scootaloo shouted encouragingly.
Apple Bloom just smiled as Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo shared a hoofbump behind the yellow filly. Big Mac began to sweat nervously as he stood at the door.
He then took a deep breath, brushed back his mane, and knocked on the door. Sugar Belle opened and smiled cutely at Big Mac. Big Mac just looked lovesick.
Before he could find his words, a light tan stallion with a light brown mane and tail shoved him out of the way.
"Hey, girl," said the stallion in a rather smooth accent, "heh-heh. I was writin' poetry by the pond when I saw these flowers. I thought I'd show them how pretty you are." He then gave Sugar Belle a bouquet of roses in the shape of a heart.
"Oh! Heh. Thanks, Feather Bangs," said Sugar Belle as she accepted the flowers. Big Mac just felt his heart crack on two and walked off in defeat.
"Um, is it possible to have two crushes at once?" Scootaloo asked the others as they watched Big Mac walked sadly away, "Because it looks like Big Mac may not be the only pony that Sugar Belle likes."
In the background, Sugar Belle smiled as Feather Bangs flicked his mane and gave the unicorn a flirty smile. Apple Bloom winced. Sweetie Belle looked worried.
"Ya got me." Clay said with concern.
It was then they noticed that Big Mac was getting ready to leave.
"Hey, Big Mac," Apple Bloom called out as the four ponies caught up to the red stallion, "Where ya goin'?"
"Home!" said Big Mac in a firm but sad tone.
"Now hold on there, big brother," said Clay, "Just because there's somepony else after Sugar Belle's heart doesn't mean you gotta throw in the towel!"
"Clay's right," said Sweetie Belle, "You can't let that Feather fella get in the way of your one true love!"
"You gotta take him down!" Scootaloo added.
"What can he do that you can't?" Apple Bloom asked.
"That!" said Big Mac bitterly as he pointed behind him. There was Feather Bangs was juggling some red balls for Sugar Belle.
"Whoops! Heh-heh," Feather Bangs chuckled, "These balls are like you. I'll always catch you if you fall." It was then three fillies appeared behind him and sighed in a lovesick fashion. Apple Bloom just stared. Scootaloo, Big Mac, and Clay were most annoyed. Sweetie Belle...had apparently been swooned and had a lovesick smile on her face.
"Seriously? That line worked?" Scootaloo remarked.
"Only cause he's got the looks and smooth talk to pull it off," said Clay irritably when he noticed the lovesick smile on Sweetie Belle's face, "Ain't that right Sweetie Belle?"
Clay glared as the filly looked at Clay and then smiled sheepishly while her face turned completely pink.
"She'll never pick me," said Big Mac sadly.
"Never say never, Big Bro," said Clay, "Just cause that Feather dork can talk the talk doesn't mean he can walk the walk."
"Right!" said Scootaloo as they shared a fist bump.
"Uh...what?" Big Mac asked, not understanding what Clay was saying.
"Sure she will," said Apple Bloom to her oldest brother, "'cause we're gonna help you."
"You got that right," said Clay with determination, "No smooth talking dweeb is gonna get between my Big Brother and his special somepony!"
"No love potions!" Big Mac said sternly.
"Say what?!" said Clay puzzled when the three fillies laughed.
"Don't worry, Big Mac," said Apple Bloom, "We learned our lesson the hard way." Clay then remembered what Big Mac was talking about.
"Oh, right, I remember that story," said Clay.
"Yeah," said Scootaloo, "We're never gonna do that again."
"Besides, I know exactly what to do!" Sweetie Belle as she used her magic to hold up a book, "When I was younger, I read all the fairy tales."
"When you were "younger", huh?" Scootaloo teased since this was the same book Sweetie Belle had been reading on the ride here. Clay was now smirking as well.
"And this is the same filly who said she outgrew all of her little filly interests," Clay remarked.
"Well, I was younger on the way here!" Sweetie Belle pointed out defensively as Scootaloo and Clay kept smirking at her, wiggling her eyebrows at the white filly.
"It was a long ride!" Sweetie Belle snapped before she quickly recomposed herself, "Anyway, as long as we do what the book says, you're pretty much guaranteed a happy ending." She then opened the book and started to scan through it until she found a knight fighting a dragon to save a princess.
"Uh, how about this one?" Sweetie Belle suggested as Apple Bloom and Scootaloo stood beside her, ""Rescuing a damsel-pony in distress". That's perfect. Of course, we'll have to improvise without a dragon."
"Huh," said Apple Bloom, "Too bad Spike isn't here. Not that he's very threatening."
"True," said Clay, "Sugar Belle could defeat him by just tipping him over." The four ponies laughed.
"So what should we do?" said Scootaloo, "Wait around for Sugar Belle to get herself into a scary situation?"
"Or...we bring the danger to her," said Apple Bloom sly as Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo smiled slyly as well. Big Mac gulped nervously as Clay looked rather uneasy.
"Girls...what do you have in mind exactly?" Clay asked suspiciously. Apple Bloom then gestured for her brother-in-law to lean in as she whispered her idea to him. Clay's worry soon turned into a sly smile of his own.
"Apple Bloom, I like the way you think," said Clay. Big Mac just gave Clay an "are you kidding me?" look in the background.
(Scene changes)
A few minutes later, Sugar Belle left her bakery and was walking down the main street with her saddle bags on her back. Inside an alleyway was Big Mac, Clay, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom. They were in position to put their idea into action.
"All right," said Apple Bloom, "Scootaloo's gonna pretend to take Sugar Belle's things, then you swoop in and stop her. Ready?" Big Mac winced at the idea, but then smiled and nodded.
"Nnope," said Big Mac as he shook his head immediately and smiled nervously.
"Big Mac, this is not that difficult to understand," said Clay.
"Come on!" Sweetie Belle added, "You're gonna be her hero! In fairy tales, the knight in shining armor always gets the girl."
"At least that was true for Sokka," Clay remarked.
"Not helping!" Apple Boom said through her teeth.
"Sorry..." said Clay.
"Hmmm..." Big Mac sighed, "Mm-hmm."
He then gave a smile to say okay. Apple Bloom then peeked out from their hiding place and waved a fore-hoof for Scootaloo, who was hiding in a bush wearing the gaucho glasses and her rainbow wig.
The wave Apple Bloom made with her fore-leg was Scootaloo's cue to spring into action. Scootaloo gave Apple Bloom a nod and then charged for Sugar Belle, snatching her saddle bags and rushing off as fast as she could. Sugar Belle yelped as she was being robbed.
"Oh! Somepony, help!" Sugar Belle cried out as Scootaloo kept running away with the saddle bags. Big Mac then stood in Scootaloo's way and firmly raised a fore-hoof to stop her.
Scootaloo skidded to a stop so quickly that she tripped over a rock and tumbled forward. The momentum made her toss the saddle bags high into the air. Time slowed down as the saddle bags began to descend right into Big Mac's fore-hoof. But then out of nowhere, Feather Bangs appeared and intercepted the saddle bags.
Clay was shocked.
"What the...?!" Clay exclaimed, "where did he come from?!" Clay didn't get an answer as Feather Bangs returned the saddle bags to Sugar Belle.
"Here's your sugar, Sugar," said Feather Bangs in his usual smooth tone, "Though it is not as sweet..." He gave a chuckle and flicked his mane, "...as you." Nearby, the three mares that were following him gave a lovesick sigh.
"Oh give me a break..." Clay remarked in disgust. Sugar Belle just sighed with gratitude.
"Thank you, Feather!" said Sugar Belle. Feather Bangs smiled and then shot a smirk at Big Mac and the others, who were looking very annoyed.
"That smooth-talkin' pony stole our rescue!" Apple Bloom complained, "And it totally would've worked!"
"Eeyup," said Big Mac angrily.
"We're just gonna have to keep trying!" Sweetie Belle replied, "Big Mac, are you ready to take it up a notch?"
"Oh, yup!" said Big Mac with determination.
(Scene changes)
"Oh, nope," said Big Mac wearily as he was wearing a blue renaissance style shirt.
"Are you sure the shirt is really necessary?" Clay asked since they had asked him to quickly sew it up for the red stallion.
"Trust us!" said Sweetie Belle, "There's nothing more romantic than waking your special pony from a sleeping spell with a magical kiss."
Sweetie Belle then showed the two stallions a picture of the knight about to kiss the sleeping princess. In the distance was Sugar Belle, who was taking a peaceful nap on a hammock.
"See?" Sweetie Belle pointed out as she showed the knight and princess riding a carriage into the sunset, ""They rode off into the sunset"."
The three fillies sighed as hearts floated around them. Clay chuckled.
"That's nice in theory," said Clay, "But Sugar Belle is just taking a nap, not under the a sleeping spell that needs to be broken."
"Eh, just a minor detail, Clay," said Apple Bloom, "Any sign of Feather Bangs?" Scootaloo quickly scanned the area to make sure the smooth talking stallion was nowhere to be found.
"Negative!" said Scootaloo, "Coast is clear!"
"Good," said Clay.
"It's now or never, Big Mac!" said Apple Bloom.
Big Mac gulped nervously as he slowly marched up to Sugar Belle. He had just gotten in range when he bit his lower lip. Apple Bloom then took off toward the red stallion. Clay winced when he saw Apple Bloom rush up to him.
"Apple Bloom, what are you doing?" Clay called out in a loud whisper.
He watched as the yellow filly began to push Big Mac forward a bit so his head was towering the sleeping mare. Then Clay saw Apple Bloom climb on top of Big Mac as she pushed his head forward to go for the kiss. It was then Big Mac puckered up.
"No, stupid!" Clay bellowed in a loud whisper, "I told you to go for the cheek, not the lips!"
To make matters worse, just as Apple Bloom jumped off of Big Mac's back, Sugar Belle woke and up and gasped as she saw Big Mac puckering his lips at her. Clay could see that Sugar Belle was not only awake, but also looking very disturbed.
"Abort! Abort! Abort!" Clay called. Clay rushed over to block what was an oncoming carriage from reaching Big Mac and Sugar Belle.
SQUASH!
And the carriage flattened him in the process. Then it bashed Big Mac out of the way.
"Oh-ho-ho, girl, you been workin' hard all day," said Feather Bangs, "Allow me to treat you like the princess..." he chuckled and flipped his mane, "...you are."
Big Mac glared indignantly as the three fan ponies sighed in their lovesick fashion. At this point, Clay managed to get himself un-flattened and snarled at Feather Bangs. Sugar Belle just smiled as she hopped into the carriage and rode off into the background. Big Mac, Clay, and Apple Bloom just glared as they disappeared.
"Hey! That's our metaphorical sunset they're riding off into!" Sweetie Belle shouted.
"All right, this ends now," said Scootaloo, "Feather Bangs may have good timing, and...a good mane..."
Sweetie Belle looked swooned once again and just nodded in agreement about the good mane.
"Right." Clay said with a blunt look.
"Uh… but let's see him compete with a song!" Scootaloo suggested with a smirk.
"S-Say what now?" Big Mac stuttered and blinked.
"Of course!" said Apple Bloom, "Why didn't we think of it before?"
"Every great love story hinges on the romantic musical number," said Sweetie Belle as she showed a picture of a stallion and mare singing to each other, "Big Mac, you gotta write a song for Sugar Belle!"
"Eeyup," said Big Mac with determination as Clay blinked in surprise. The three fillies then shared a high hoof with each other.
"Uhh, Big Mac," said Clay uneasily, "Have you ever written a sing before?"
"Nnope," said Big Mac, but didn't lose the determination in his tone, "That's where you come in."
"WHAT?!" Clay exclaimed in shock. Sure he had helped composure music with Sweetie Belle in the past, but he had never written actual lyrics before.
(Scene changes)
It wasn't long before Sugar Belle was busy setting up her desserts on her display case. Big Mac, Clay, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders just watched her from the window. Apple Bloom then jumped off the table she and the other fillies were standing on.
"Come on, Big Mac!" said Apple Bloom.
"It's go time!" said Clay with a small hoof-pump. It was then the three fan fillies appeared in the fore-ground. It should be noted that they all had valley girl accents.
"Feather Bangs is sooo romantic," said the earth pony mare named Swoon Song.
"When he speaks," said the Pegasus mare named Fond Feather, "I pretend he's talking to me." Clay just glared at the three mares.
"That my friends is the fine line between being lovesick and being completely hopeless," said Clay.
Big Mac just sighed in defeat as the three fan ponies walked off.
"It's okay, Big Mac," said Clay, "You've got this!"
"Come on!" said Apple Bloom, "You can do better than him! Just like we practiced!" Big Mac just gulped since he was still feeling very nervous inside.
Sugar Belle was still busy arranging her desserts when Apple Bloom peeked in from the front door of the bakery and then gestured for Big Mac, Clay, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo quietly sneaked inside the bakery.
Once set up was complete, the lights to the bakery turned off, startling Sugar Belle as she looked around. There in the dark was a farm backdrop and Big Mac standing on a stage. It was then some country music began to play.
[Big Mac - A spotlight appeared as he began to sing. Then a cardboard sun was lowered just behind him. Apple Bloom, Clay, and Sweetie Belle smiled as they hid underneath a table. Apple Bloom held a robe that was holding up the cardboard sun. Scootlaoo was hanging above holding the spotlight on the red stallion. As Big Mac sang, Sugar Belle gave him a funny look but eventually smiled.]
We'll take a walk down by the river
Watch the sunset from the field
We'll plant the seeds of love together
And water'em right for a really good yield
[Big Mac - He then wrapped a fore-hoof around Sugar Belle as a lilac eye appeared with his cutie mark on the iris. Then a cherry blossom appeared in a rye field as Big Mac and Sugar Belle, each wearing a hat and shirt, walked across the farmland, past some cows and pigs. He then grabbed Sugar Belle's fore-hooves and gazed into her eyes as she smiled back.]
Sugar Belle, sweet as pie
You're the apple of my eye
A cherry blossom in a field of rye
And when the herder's milked and fed
And the pig are in the sly
Won't you be there by my side
Then the moment was ruined when the country music shifted into generic pop music and multicolored spotlights appeared as Feather Bangs started singing and dancing in a fashion similar to Justin Beiber. He had also brought along three backup dancer ponies to assist his performance. Clay jaw hit the floor when he saw the earth pony as Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were looking just as shocked.
"What the...?!" Clay replied.
[Feather Bangs - He danced and sang in the foreground while his support dancers danced in the background. Then they lifted him into the air.]
Oh, oh
Oh, ah-oh
When you appeared before me
My heart stopped beating
Stars crossed the sky
To come and see what I was seeing
You were the one
That made me believe I could fly
Whoa, whoa, whoa
[Feather Bangs - The scene changed to the shore of the beach as more red birds flew above him and across the foreground. Then he reclined in the beach before standing up and then drew a pink heart before him. Sugar Belle looked very uncomfortable and tried to sneak away, but she was quickly grabbed by the background dancers and tossed onto the stage, making her land hard on her stomach.]
Bird could not sing
A song that as beautiful
I'd do anything
That's irrefutable
'Cause you are the sun
Painting my heart in the sky (whoa-oh, oh)
[Feather Bangs - He held her fore-hooves as he sang to her, but Sugar Belle cringed uncomfortably as he leaned into her face. The Cutie Mark Crusaders, Big Mac, and Clay all gave long faces and glares at Feather Bangs. Then the three fan ponies appeared, one of them holding a banner with an eye, a heart, and a horseshoe (I-love-you). Clay then angrily used his kusarigama to whack them out of their way. Back on stage, Sugar Belle just sat on stage uncomfortably as Feather Bangs was carried off by the backup dancers on top of a giant candy cane. Sugar Belle looked very annoyed and then Feather Bangs grabbed her, twirled her around and then let go as he stood in his hind legs, sending the mare flying off screen.]
Sugar, Sugar Belle, whoa-oh
When will you tell me that you feel the same?
Like an angel on a candy cane
Or the sunlight shining through a drain
Big Mac then angrily stomped on stage and shoved Feather Bangs off the stage so Scootaloo could shine the normal spotlight on him. Clay was going to see if Sugar Belle was okay after being tossed so roughly, but Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle held him and shook their heads.
[Big Mac - He continued singing as Sugar Belle recovered and found Apple Bloom put on a pair of blue-colored glasses over her eyes. Sugar Belle shot the yellow filly a death glare, making Apple Bloom smiled sheepishly. Sugar Belle then stood up and dusted herself off, glaring at Big Mac, which made him stutter as he sang and ended up repeating himself at the end.]
Sugar Belle, when I look in your eyes
I see the color blue
"Aren't her eyes magenta?" Sweetie Belle whispered to Clay.
"Big Mac took over the rest of the writing when I asked the same question," Clay remarked as he groaned inwardly.
And it reminds me of the sky above
Uh, which is also...blue
Sweetie Belle just looked unamused.
"I can tell," Sweetie Belle remarked as Clay groaned.
"We need to pull the plug on this," Clay said worriedly.
"No! Why?" Apple Bloom asked as she rushed up to Clay.
It was then the backup dancers got in front of Big Mac, followed by a carriage, the fan ponies smirking, and then Feather Bangs was seen inside of the carriage. He was wearing sunglasses and had a very flirty smile on his face.
"That's why!" Clay pointed out irritably.
[Feather Bangs - As he sang, one of the backup dancers bit into a piece of watermelon. He then walked down the street and then stood on a stage as he danced some more with his backup dancers.]
Hey, hey, hey, yeah
Be my sugarplum
I will be your watermelon
Every time you smile
I can feel my heart a-swellin'
Blood is rushing from my head to my hooves, yeah
I start movin' when I'm feeling that groove, yeah
[Big Mac - he quickly buried Feather Bangs alive in a pile of apples while he sat on top of them. Sugar Belle just glared as Big Mac struggled to remember the rest of the song. The three fillies and Clay peeked out from a nearby barrel as they watched him. Apple Bloom the face-hoofed herself. Sugar Belle cringed, especially when Big Mac leaned in toward her.]
I've been writin' this song for you
Searchin' for the perfect rhyme
For the words I wanna say
Something...somethin', somethin', somethin'...Be mine
Mario had had enough
"That's it! Shows over!" said Clay as he tried to step forward, but Scootaloo held him back.
"I don't think you can stop this even if you tried," said Scootaloo.
Clay then saw Feather Bang appear on the right side of Sugar Belle and pulled her over so they were dancing on their hind legs together.
[Feather Bangs - As some Michael Jackson sounds were heard, he gave Sugar Belle a flirty smile as he sang with an autotune voice. Sugar Belle pulled away from him repulsively. As Feather Bangs kept singing, Sugar Belle irritably backed away from him. He then slid into a spotlight and kept walking after her. Then he as well as some of his backup dancers were reclining on a rotating daisy. Then he hopped from one flower to the next as his backup dancers gathered around him.]
Every day I see you
I know you could be the one for me
Feel my heart a-beating like
The rain upon a bumblebee
Don't you see that cloud, uh-oh, uh-oh
Whenever you are near me, I'm so...uh-oh
[Big Mac - the farm backdrop appeared in from of Feather Bangs and his crew as well as some hay bales. Big Mac say down, playing his banjo in an over the top tone.]
Sugar Belle!
Roses are red and violets are blue!
[Feather Bangs - He and his backup dancers got in front of Big Mac as he sat in a chair. He then leaned back and pulled a cord as gooey cheese sauce fell on top of him. Clay face palmed himself in annoyance as he thought this was getting ridiculous. Sugar Belle looked very disturbed.]
Sugar, Sugar!
My love is burning hot like a cheese fondue!
[Big Mac - He got into Sugar Belle's face.]
Sugar Belle!
[Feather Bangs - he also got into Sugar Belle's face. This made the magenta unicorn wince and cringe.]
Sugar Belle!
Clay couldn't stay silent any longer.
"Guys stop!" Clay called out, "You're overwhelming her!"
[Big Mac - He held a blue flower.]
Sugar Belle!
[Feather Bangs - He stood over Big Mac as he showed Sugar Belle the rose bouquet.]
Sugar Belle!
"Cut it out!" Clay yelled, "Both of you back off already!"
[Big Mac - he gave Sugar Belle a desperate look.]
Sugar Belle!
[Feather Bangs]
Sugar Belle!
[Big Mac and Feather Bangs - Big Mac stood on his hind legs as he tried to hold Feather Bangs back, but Feather Bangs used the help of his backup dancers to stay above him and dangle forward a bit. However, this made all the ponies tower dangerously over Sugar Belle. Sugar Belle was leaning away fearfully.]
Sugar Belle!
"STOP!" Clay screamed.
CRASH!
SPLAT!
Clay was too late. Big Mac and Feather Bangs, as well as the backup dancers, all lost their balance as they fell right on top of Sugar Belle. To make matter worse, they also smashed her display case to smithereens. To make matters even more worse, one of her pies smashed on top of her head. Big Mac cringed at the mess. Feather Bangs bit his lower lip,
"Now they've done it..." Clay groaned loudly as he took a step back nervously. The three fillies all winced as Apple Bloom face-hooved herself. As for Sugar Belle, her patience was obviously maxed out.
"What in Equestria has gotten into you two?!" Sugar Belle yelled, "If you think I'm the kind of pony who likes all this nonsense, then you clearly don't know me at all! I wish everypony would just...LEAVE. ME. ALONE!"
Feather Bangs whimpered before he and his backup dancers ran out of the bakery as quickly as they could. The Cutie Mark Crusaders just sadly left next. Big Mac watched as Sugar Belle sadly surveyed the damage to her display case and his destroyed desserts. Big Mac tried to step forward but Clay held him back with a fore-hoof.
"Don't," said Clay sadly, "Just give her some space for now."
Big Mac felt tears build up in his eyes so quickly that he couldn't stop himself crying before he ran out of the bakery as well. Clay just watched him disappear before looking back at Sugar Belle one more time.
"All I wanted to do was give Big Mac a special somepony," said Clay in a sad but soft tone.
Clay then sadly exited the bakery and closed the door. Sugar Belle gave a loud sigh before she hugged herself and began to cry to release all the frustration she was feeling inside. She didn't know that Clay could see and hear her from the window.
"I can't believe I was so stupid," Clay said to himself as a pair of tears left his eyes.
(Scene changes)
Later on, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were on the search. They had gone immediately to the wagon to wait for Big Mac and Clay to take them back home. But after a good half an hour of waiting. They found that neither stallion had returned. So they went to look for them, but were checking places that two large stallions wouldn't be hiding in. For example Scootaloo was looking under a vase that was on a table Party Favor and Night Glider were sitting at.
"Big Mac! Clay!" Apple Bloom called out as she looked through some binoculars. Sweetie Belle used her magic to lift a small rock to see if either two stallions were there. Of course they werent.
"Oh, Big Mac?! Oh, Clay?!" Apple Bloom called out again, but no answer.
"Well, nopony's seem them," said Scootaloo as Sweetie Belle joined up with them.
"Aw, I feel terrible," said Apple Bloom, "I've seen my brother and my in-law so upset before, and if I know Clay, he's probably off somewhere blaming himself for all of this! And that's not fair. Those ideas were ours and he was just trying to be the cool and supportive brother! Oh, Big Mac?! Oh, Clay?!"
Then Apple Bloom saw two familiar ponies in the distance sitting together. One was holding an acoustic guitar and the other was just looking glum as he looked through the fairy tale book. Clay was with his brother-in-law, playing a sad song at the red stallions request.
[Clay - just sang with an Elvis Presley tone as he did some blue style rifts on his guitar. Big Mac looked through the book with tears in his eyes.]
Last since my filly left me
I found a new place to dwell
It's down at the end of lonely street to
Heartbreak Hotel where you will be
I'm feelin' so lonely, baby
I'm feelin' so lonely
I'm feelin' so lonely you could cry
Clay then did a slow guitar solo and then finished the song. Big Mac just closed the book and sighed sadly.
"Big Mac! Clay!" Apple Bloom cried out as the three fillies walked up to him.
"Are you okay?" Sweetie Belle asked gently.
"Nnope," said Big Mac sadly.
"No..." Clay groaned silently.
"And what's with the sad song?" said Scootaloo, "thought the guitar rifts were pretty sweet."
"Big Mac asked me to play something that fit the mood," said Clay as he put his guitar away.
"Sorry it don't work out with Sugar Belle," said Apple Bloom.
"No thanks to me," Clay remarked.
"Clay, stop it!" Apple Bloom said sternly to her brother-in-law, "Those were all our ideas! You were just trying to support us like you've always done." Clay just sighed. Sweetie Belle then walked up to her book.
"We don't get it," said Sweetie Belle, "Big, grand gestures always work in the fairy tales."
"But Sugar Belle's not a fairy tale princess," said Big Mac, "She's a real pony. She's kind, and she works hard and she's sweeter then everything in her bakery."
"I still can't believe that I thought these ideas would work," said Clay, "I guess...seeing Feather Bangs upstage you just made me feel competitive and I...I wanted to make sure you got the girl no matter what it took. And by the time things got out of hand, I couldn't stop it. I'm so sorry, Big Mac." Big Mac just listened quietly and then smiled.
"I forgive you, little brother," said Big Mac, "It's my fault too. I went along with all these ideas when I should've known better." He then let out a big sigh, "But...what's done is done...and I can't take it back."
Clay gave his older brother-in-law a sad look.
"Hey, guys." A voice came from above them, making them turn to see none other than Chase Young flying down to them.
"Chase!" Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo said happily as they hugged him, making the alicorn prince chuckle as he wrapped a leg around the three fillies.
Once they broke it, Chase could see the sad looks on Clay and Big Mac.
"What's going on here?" Chase asked with a concern look.
"Oh, Big Mac says that Sugar Belle doesn't want anything to do with him or Feather Bangs." Apple Bloom explained sadly.
Chase blinked.
"Huh, I thought I might have known what was happening." Chase said. "Applejack told me that you guys were heading here to find out what Big Mac was up to."
Big Mac blinked in surprise.
"Wait a minute! Applejack told you I would be here?!" Big Mac asked with an accusing glare he sent to Chase.
"Easy, Big Mac. From the look on your face, it's clear you've tried every other way to impress Sugar Belle." Chase said calmly, making Big Mac stand down. "And I can tell that you've clearly did it the wrong way when you and Feather Bangs were competing for her attention."
"Yeah, well, you don't know what it feels like to get the love and attention from the pony you love." Clay said angrily.
"Did that stop you when you and Applejack were dating and got married?" Chase asked with a firm look.
Clay felt uneasy as he released a sigh.
"No." Clay replied back sadly.
"Well, sounds like you gotta do what is right in your heart instead of doing the wrong thing." Chase suggested with a smirk.
"What do you mean?" Big Mac asked curiously. Apple Bloom pondered for a second and then got an idea.
"That's it!" said Apple Bloom, startling everypony as she swatted Sweetie Belle's book away, "We shoulda been thinking about what would mean alot to Sugar Belle!"
"Exactly, sweetie," said Chase, "Once I gotten over my crush on Twilight, I realized that there was something that she needed. At the time it was a new saddle bag."
"I remember that story," said Sweetie Belle, "The store you tried to buy it from was closed and you tried to make her one."
"And despite it looking very bad, she loved it," said Scootaloo, "and she kissed you afterward!"
"That's right," said Chase, "Big Mac, is there anything you can think of that Sugar Belle wanted or needed?"
"Hmm..." Big Mac pondered and then gasped, "I know just the thing! But I'm gonna need your help! All of you!"
"Really?" said Apple Bloom as the two fillies and Clay gave him sad looks while Chase looked skeptical, "Even after we messed everything up before Chase came to us?"
"Eeyup," said Big Mac, "Come on!" Big Mac then took off.
"H-hey! Wait up!" Clay called out as he, Chase, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders followed after him.
(Scene changes)
A few minutes later, Scootaloo was outside the bakery wearing just her gaucho glasses as she peeked out from a potted plant. She saw Sugar Belle walking down the street. Scootaloo then rushed up to her.
"Hello!" said Scootaloo in a fake voice, "My name's Shimmering Spectacles, and I'm a librarian with a mysterious past!" She gave a chuckle.
"Oh, okay, I'm..." said Sugar Belle casually, but then something clicked in her head as she gave Scootaloo a skeptical look, "Wait a minute. You look familiar." Sugar Belle gave the filly a glare.
"I shouldn't," said Scootaloo as she began to sweat nervously, "Um, uh, I'm new in town. Mind showing me around?"
"Uh, sure," said Sugar Belle as the view zoomed out a bit, "That's the whole town. It's just the one street."
Sugar Belle then walked away. Scootaloo cringed as she tried to think of another way to get Sugar Belle's attention. She then saw a lose thread on her saddle bags and tugged it to make the bottom of one bag open up and spill out the banana the unicorn has purchased.
"Oh, no! Clumsy me!" said Scootaloo, "Here, let me help you clean it up!"
Sugar Belle glared and had an "You've gotta be kidding me?!" look on her face. Nearby was the bakery, where Sweetie Belle was peeking out from the front door and saw everything.
"I don't think Scootaloo can hold her off much longer," said Sweetie Belle to Big Mac, Apple Bloom, Clay, and Chase. They were busy building something when they gave each other panicked looks.
"Hiding time, everypony!" Chase called out as Big Mac, Clay, and Apple Bloom cringed.
The four ponies ducked down and began to work even faster. Outside, Sugar Belle and using her magic to carry her bananas. Scootaloo was trying her hardest to get Sugar Belle to stop heading to the bakery, but Sugar Belle was having none of it.
"Uh, n-now hold on a minute," said Scootaloo nervously as she walked backwards to keep ahead of Sugar Belle, "Are you sure I can't buy you a new bag?"
"I'm good," said Sugar Belle bluntly, "It's no big deal."
"But, u-um, umm..." Scootaloo stuttered when she rear ended the front door. She looked behind herself, gulped, and then smiled sheepishly as she stood on her hind legs to block Sugar Belle from getting inside.
"Okay, what's going on?" Sugar Belle asked as she glared at Scootaloo.
Inside the bakery, Sweetie Belle was just waiting nervously at the door when Chase and Clay walked up to her.
"How's she doing?" Chase asked the marshmallow filly. He got his answer when Scootaloo burst open the door.
"AHHH! THE CUPCAKE HAS LANDED! REPEAT - THE CUPCAKE HAS LANDED!" Scootaloo screamed. "Oof!"
Scootaloo curled up into a ball and rolled away.
Then Chase and Clay saw Sugar Belle walking in glaring at them.
"Oop! Heh-heh..." Clay chuckled sheepishly as Chase and Sweetie Belle just gave the magenta unicorn sheepishly smiled and walked away.
"Big Mac!" Sugar Belle said sternly when she saw the red stallion.
Big Mac just smiled and turned around to show her the completed project. Sugar Belle was shocked as a happy smile appeared on her face.
"You made me a new display case?" Sugar Belle said happily.
"Eeyup," said Big Mac bashfully as he blushed as well.
"And you made it bigger! You remembered!" Sugar Belle said excitedly and gasped, "Now I have twice as much room for all my desserts!" Sugar Belle then gasped again as she got a smile with anime eyes, "which means...I can make even more! I've been dying to try baking cream pies, whoopie pies, and icebox cakes and, of course, more apple treats!"
She gave Big Mac a flirty smile before walking up to him.
"Oh, Big Mac, thank you so much," Sugar Belle told him in a tone filled with gratitude, "This is the sweetest thing anypony's ever done for me."
Big Mac blushed and chuckled.
"Uh, y-y-yeah, or-or nope or..." Big Mac stuttered, trying to find his words, but then Sugar Belle put a fore-hoof to his mouth as she giggled.
"I like you, too," said Sugar Belle. Big Mac just sighed happily as the two shared a gentle nose nuzzle together.
"AWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!" The cutie mark crusaders and Clay cooed as they and Chase made themselves known. Big Mac and Sugar Belle looked down to see them.
"That was the most romantic thing ever!" said Apple Bloom while Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Clay, and Chase smiled with anime eyes.
"Wait a minute," said Sugar Belle, "I recognize you fillies and the fact you're with Master Chase Young!" She turned to Big Mac, "Have they been with you this whole time?" Big Mac nervously smiled.
"Ee-" Big Mac tried to say before Apple Bloom and Mario stood beside him.
"I'm Big Mac's little sister," said Apple Bloom.
"And I'm his brother-in-law," said Clay. Sugar Belle blinked.
"Uh...I had no idea you had a brother-in-law...and a sister too," said Sugar Belle in surprise.
"Yeah, I'm Applejack's husband." Clay introduced himself.
"Wait, if Clay's your brother-in-law..." said Sugar Belle, "Is he the reason Big Mac's been coming here this whole time?" Big Mac blinked.
"Only for the first trip," said Chase, "If he's being completely honest, he was actually hoping you two would connect with each other. But like you, Big Mac does not like being caught in the middle of any matchmaking. So Clay asked if he would at least make the delivery and make a new friend. You even said in your letter that sometimes you felt a little lonely so Clay thought he would recommend you a friend at least. But I guess once Big Mac saw your beautiful face, he kept wanting to see you again and again." Big Mac blushed and looked away as Sugar Belle giggled.
"Well, I do find Big Mac very attractive," Sugar Belle replied, battling her eyes and making the red stallion giggle giddily with hearts in his own eyes, "but I can't believe that Clay would even think I would like Big Mac trying to impress me."
Clay then blushed in embarrassment.
"Oh, um...w-w-well, y-y-you see..." Clay stuttered nervously, not sure how to explain his bitter feelings about Feather Bangs.
"That was our fault," said Sweetie Belle as she stepped in.
"We're sorry for everything we put you through today, Sugar Belle," said Apple Bloom, "Big Mac would have never gone through with all of those crazy..."
"...over-the-top..." Sweetie Belle added.
"...downright ridiculous..." Scootaloo added.
"...attempts to impress you if we hadn't put him up to it," said Apple Bloom, "and the reason Clay went along with it was because he so loving, caring, and supportive just like Chase. He'd rather try to make our wacky ideas work out and just telling us outright the idea is stupid. Either way, we learned our lesson and Clay was reminded by Chase about something he already knew. Romance isn't about impressing somepony. It's about doin' somethin' that means somethin' special to that pony you love-Heh..." Apple Bloom then cleared her throat, "...like a lot." Apple Bloom just smiled sheepishly.
"Uh, Apple Bloom, I think they get it," said Sweetie Belle.
As Apple Bloom was talking, Sugar Belle just faced Big Mac with a cute smile. Big Mac smiled back with a light blush as the two ponies walked back up to each other. As the three fillies, Clay, and Chase looked, they saw Big Mac and Sugar Belle sharing another nose nuzzle. Sugar and Big Mac chuckled to each other as the two ponies looked lovesick into each other's eyes. Clay couldn't resist a silent chuckle when he turned to the three fillies.
"Why'd you stop me from telling Sugar Belle about Feather Bangs?" Clay asked, "He's the reason I got so competitive that I thought impressing Sugar Belle could work. And I knew better too."
"Clay, it's okay," said Apple Bloom, "Just let us take this one for ya. Consider it thank you for being so sweet to us all the time."
Clay smiled as he pulled all three fillies in for a hug.
"I love you guys," said Clay softly as the three fillies smiled. Chase smiled at the sight.
"Well, if you guys don't need me anymore, I gotta get back home to my beautiful mare I love with all my heart." Chase said as he made his exit, taking off into the air to return home to Ponyville.
"Bye, Chase!" Clay, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Apple Bloom called out to Chase as they waved goodbye to the alicorn master.
Then they were interrupted when they turned to see Big Mac and Sugar Belle still sharing nose nuzzles with each other.
"I...think we should have those two alone," Clay whispered.
"Good idea," said Scootaloo as the four ponies slowly walked backwards out of the bakery.
"Sugar Be-eee-eee-elle...!" Feather Bangs sang as he held a phonograph above his head, "Oooooooooooooooooooooooooo...yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeah..."
"Oh, give me a break..." Clay groaned as he face-hoofed himself.
"Relax, cutie," said Sweetie Belle, "Just leave him to us." Clay gave the marshmallow filly a skeptical look as the three fillies walked up to Feather Bangs.
"Sorry Feather," said Scootaloo, "You're a little too late."
"Yeah!" said Apple Bloom, "Sugar Belle's already picked her special somepony!"
Feather Bangs looked to see Sugar Belle and Big Mac holding each other as hearts floated in the air above them. Feather Bangs looked a little heartbroken. Clay couldn't help but give him a sympathetic look.
"But don't worry," said Sweetie Belle, "You've got three not-so-secret admirers right behind you!"
The three fan ponies sighed and looked at him cutely. Feather Bang blushed at the attention, making it clear he had never noticed them until now.
"What should I say to them?" Feather Bangs asked with a nervous laugh.
"Say what?!" Clay asked, completely surprised.
"Uh, you're askin' us for advice?" Apple Bloom replied, just as stunned.
"Uh-huh," said Feather Bangs, "Look, I-I can mane flip, write poetry, and juggle, but actually talkin' to a pony? Oh, it scares me almost as much as loneliness."
"Seriously?!" Clay snapped, "Partner, you can capture the eyes of any girl without even trying that hard! And you're telling me you get insecure just talking to a girl?"
"Um...yeah?" Feather Bangs replied with a sheepishly smile on her face. Clay just stared at him in disbelief.
"Just goes to show ya," said Sweetie Belle, "That even smooth talking ponies can have doubts and insecurities."
Clay was still in disbelief when Feather Bangs looked nervously at the three fillies.
"Will you help me? Please?" Feather Bangs asked.
The three fillies turned away to confer. Apple Bloom was still getting over her shock over what they had just learned.
"Gee, I don't know about this," said Apple Bloom.
"He just needs a little help in the conversation department," said Scootaloo, "Besides, I don't think Big Mac is ready to leave just yet."
The three fillies and Clay, who was just listening to their conversation quietly, all turned to see Big Mac and Sugar were still giggling and nuzzling each other.
"Let's do it!" said Sweetie Belle as the three fillies turned to face Feather Bangs.
"Feather Bangs," said Apple Bloom, "the Cutie Mark Crusaders are..."
"...at your service!" said the three fillies together.
Feather Bangs did a mane flip. The three fillies each did a mane flip of their own. Then they all laughed as Feather Bangs gave a wink as an iris out in the shape of a heart appeared over him.
Author's note: Hey guys,
Sorry for the long wait. I had some time to spend with my family and I was caught up in my apartment finding. My schedule is just making so busy. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Peace out!