For the Love of Apples: Prologue

Prologue: A Chance to Make Right

The yellow pony watched the ground as she placed one hoof in front of the other, intent on not bothering anyone. Unfortunately the focus she placed into keeping her eyes on the ground kept her from seeing the pony before her.

"Oof," she exhaled as she smashed into the broad red chest of the stallion. Moving backwards quickly she looked up to see Big Macintosh. A blush rapidly spread across her face. "Oh, oh I'm so sorry Big Mac."

"Nothing to worry 'bout Fluttershy," he replied, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Where yah goin' in such a hurry?"

"Oh, well Twilight invited me over, said she had a surprise for me," replied Fluttershy softly keeping her head down. "I should really be going, I don't want to be late."

"Eeyup," replied Big Mac his smile falling slightly. "Say hi tah Spark for me. Haven't seen him in a while."

"I will," she said and headed off at a brisk trot being careful to watch for other ponies in her path.

Big Mac sighed as he watched her go, regretting that he hadn't told her how he felt…again.

***********

The door to the library swung open. "I'm not late am I?" asked Fluttershy.

Twilight, who was lying on one of the plush couches with a book, looked up. "Of course not Fluttershy, we didn't even set a time to meet," said Twilight smiling at her friend.

All the noise had caught the attention of Energy Spark. Leaving his toys he stood on wobbly legs and tottered his way towards Fluttershy. Fluttershy rushed forward to meet him, scooping up the young colt in her hooves.

"You've gotten so big," she cooed placing a soft kiss on his ear as the young colt giggled.

"Not like you didn't see him yesterday," Twilight laughed closing her book. "Anyway I had something I wanted to give you." Twilight levitated something off the shelf and towards Fluttershy who had put Spark down on the floor.

"A ticket to the Gala!" gasped Fluttershy. "But aren't you going with Flim?"

"No, Energy Spark is keeping us busy and I know how much you wanted to go back," said Twilight, hooking a hoof underneath Spark and pulling him to her.

"I did feel so bad about yelling at those poor animals," Fluttershy said softly. "I was so mean to them. I really need to apologize."

"And this is your chance, enjoy it," she said.

"Oh, I will. Thank you Twilight. You are such a good friend, and the animals thank you too. I need a dress! Do you think Rarity will make one for me? I don't want to impose, but I don't quite feel confident in my designing skills…." Fluttershy droned.

"Fluttershy," Twilight said snapping her friend back to the real world. "I'm sure Rarity will love to make you a dress. Its going to be a wonderful time so stop worrying."

"Sorry," Fluttershy replied blushing. "And thank you again. I have a feeling its going to be really good this year."