Heart Of Gold Ch.2

Heart Of Gold
Written By Closer-To-The-Sun (Joseph Noblit)
Chapter 2: Please Ask For Help

The next day, Celestia's sun rose over the land to wake its inhabitants. In the outskirts of town, Fluttershy was doing her normal morning ritual in her cottage. The yellow pegasus was feeding all of the residents in her home, from the birds to the rabbits, and to the chickens to the cats. She hummed a simple song, to which all of her friends joined in. However, their tune was interrupted by an unexpected knock at her door.

"Oh, I wonder who that could be?" the mare asked herself meekly as she trotted towards the door to open it.

On the other side of the door, there was a nervous and frantic orange earth pony with a brown hat on her blonde mane. It was Fluttershy's good friend Applejack. She seemed on edge.

"Oh, hello there, Applejack. This is a pleasant surprise," Fluttershy began with a smile, "would you like to come in for breakfast?"

Applejack wasted no time with her words, "Fluttershy! Ah need yer help an' fast!"

"Wha-?" Fluttershy was a bit taken back by Applejack's sudden outburst.

Applejack grabbed one of the pegasus's front limbs and pulled her out of the doorway, "C'mon, we need ta get to the farm an' now! Big Mac is in trouble!"

The yellow pegasus's ears perked at the name. She spread her wings and flew to keep with the pace that Applejack was setting, "Big Mac in trouble, oh my….what happened?"

Applejack was quick with her words as she sped up, "Big Mac got himself hurt when he was buckin' the trees. A big branch fell down and landed right on his back harder than a ton of bricks," she turned her head as she talked every so often to make sure Fluttershy was behind her. She would turn her head back and leap over any obstacles in her path, "Ah rushed to find Nurse Redheart, but I can't find her nowhere, so ah figured ah should ask ya."

Flying close behind, the pegasus covered her mouth with a hoof when she heard what had happened, "Oh my….we really should hurry."

"Like yer readin' my mind, let's go!" Applejack said as they sped up towards the farm.

Upon arriving at the farm, Applejack wasted no time showing Fluttershy where Big Mac was. The two arrived into a groove of trees where the strong red stallion was laying on his stomach on the ground in pain. Fluttershy was astonished to see Big Mac hurt. Taking a moment to address the situation in her head, she turned to Applejack.

"Um, Applejack? I will need a bucket of hot water, some rags, and a cart….um….if that's okay with you…." Fluttershy gave an order, but was quick to return to her meek and gentle voice.

"Can do, Fluttershy!" the orange mare saluted and disappeared quickly.

Fluttershy returned to assessing the situation. She saw that Applejack moved the branch aside and off of her brother. She then noticed exactly where the large branch had fallen on the stallion; square in the back. The pegasus then spoke.

"Um, Big Mac? Can you move your any of your hooves at all?" The pegasus with her pink mane came into Big Mac's sight.

"Eeyup," he spoke with some pain reflecting in his voice.

"Okay, um, please don't move them right now. But I do have some good news, there is no open wound on your back, and I don't think there is any internal bleeding or broken bones, just a bruise," she gave a reassuring smile.

The smile Fluttershy gave Big Mac made a smile appear on his face as well, despite being hurt, "That's mighty nice to hear. Thank ya fer this, Miss Fluttershy."

"Oh, you really don't have to, Big Mac," Fluttershy spoke "I just want to get you back on your hooves again."

Applejack returned as quickly as she came with a saddlebag on her back and a bucket in her mouth. Placing both down next the yellow mare, she spoke before galloping away again, "Ah'll be back with the cart shortly, go on ahead with what ya need ta do."

Fluttershy nodded as she opened the saddlebag and grabbed a few rags with her mouth. She dropped them into the bucket, allowing them to soak. She then turned to look at Big Mac and gave a warm smile, "Um….this might sting a bit for a couple seconds, but I do promise it will help you."

"Alright, Miss Fluttershy," Big Mac replied in his low voice.

Fluttershy grabbed the soaked rags and one by one laid them across Big Mac's back. She felt a little embarrassed about performing this type of bedside manner with anypony, much less at stallion. Her cheeks flushed a light pink as she placed each wet rag on his back. It seemed to already be helping Big Mac's back muscles to relax.

"How are you feeling, Big Mac?" she asked after laying the final rag down.

Big Mac's voice seemed more relaxed, "Better fer sure, thank ya kindly, Fluttershy."

The pegasus's face burned red at his comment. She felt she should say something, but her voice gone due to her being flustered. She thanked Celestia that he couldn't see her red face. Fluttershy turned to see Applejack was returning the cart.

Applejack stopped the cart near her brother, "Alright, Fluttershy, now what?"

"Well," she spoke softly, "we should get him back to your home so he can rest. Can you help me assist getting him in?"

Applejack nodded and the two mares helped the stallion into the cart. Applejack pulled the cart back to the house while Fluttershy trotted along side her.

"So, how bad is it?" Applejack asked as they walked back.

"Oh, it's not too bad. I mean, it could have been worse, opening a wound or breaking a bone," Fluttershy shivered at the idea happening.

"Well, what should we do now with him?"

"He should have his rags replaced in about an hour, and then you should bandage all of the affected area."

Applejack turned to Fluttershy as she continued to trot, "Ya want me ta wrap him up?"

"Um….yes….if you don't mind….." Fluttershy said.

"Ah guess ah could, though ah was hopin' ya would do that fer him."

The low voice of Big Mac came from the back, "Ya know I can hear ya, Applejack."

"Don't take it personal none, Mac," she called back to her brother.

"Don't worry, Applejack. I'll be back tomorrow to check up on him. He should be fine in a couple days," Fluttershy reassured her friend.

"Perhaps less, Big Mac is quite quick with jumpin' back from injuries like this," Applejack predicted.

Fluttershy smiled, "Well, I do hope he makes a speedy recovery. I should get back home though, my animals are probably worried about me."

"Alright then. Thanks a lot fer helpin' out here, Fluttershy. We both owe ya one each," Applejack said.

"Eeyup, thank ya kindly, Miss Fluttershy," Big Mac added in from his laid down position in the cart.

The pegasus flapped her wings and began to soar away, "I'll be back tomorrow to check up on you! Be safe!"