I just have to thank you for the reviews! I'm still not used with the site, so sorry if there's any misunderstandings here. Again - thank you so very much, it keeps me going!

Twilight could recognize the sweet smell of apples from a mile away, especially the ones coming from Sweet Apple Acres. The Apple family sure did a good job keeping the place together, as well as the family. Big Macintosh was wandering around the place while carrying a barrel over his shoulder, and not far behind him Apple Bloom came dancing, happy as always. She was still just a little girl, and sometimes Twilight Sparkle had to admit she wished she were as well. The biggest problem you could have at that age was whether or not you should eat those cookies before dinner…

"Howdy there, Twilight!"

With her hair in a thick, blond ponytail, freckles under her green eyes and a cowgirls hat on her head – because she was indeed a cowgirl – there was no doubt about who had greeted her.

"Hi, Applejack!"

The cowgirl smiled, before running towards her. At the time she reached her book smart friend she sighed.

"Never thought somepony would visit me right now," she excused herself, while pointing at her clothes with a laugh. "I got mud all over me!"

Twilight Sparkle had to join in with her own laugh, when looking at the cowgirl. She had probably spent the day out in the fields with her brother. There was a lot to do at the farm, and Applejack was more than happy to do the job.

"I can come back later if you want?" Twilight wanted to be sure, just in case.

"Don't even think about it, Miss Twilight!" she said, and Twilight could remember her being called miss all the time when she first came to Ponyville.

"Speakin' of which, won't you come in and taste Granny Smiths new apple juice? All new, Sugarcube!" Applejack added, and put her hand on Twilights back, just to get her going. "Sure Apple Bloom would like to see your all fancy magic too!"

Twilight never liked to show off her magic, but sometimes it was hard to say no.

"Sounds great," she said with a grin that grew wider as she entered the house. Granny Smith were making apple-pie in the kitchen, while humming some old country-tune. Applejack started to hum along, before leading her friend into the living room.

"You just sit down, and I'll be with you in a moment or two!"

Twilight sat down in the sofa, looking curiously around while Applejack disappeared into the kitchen. It was surprisingly tidy in the house, while the western look in it made it really cosy. She always loved visiting the Apple Family, because of their way of being. They were kind towards every pony.

"Here you go, Sugarcube!"

Applejack gave her a glass filled up to the brim with fresh juice, and when she took a taste of it she smiled. Granny Smith knew how to get a good job done!

"It's great!" Twilight Sparkle said enthusiastic, hoping that the old one could hear her.

"Thank you, Miss Twilight!" she heard the old lady answer, and Applejack laughed of happiness.

"Glad you like it," she said, before sitting down beside her. "So, what's up with you nowadays?"

Twilight Sparkle smiled faintly. "Not much, really. I'm studying quite a lot, though."

"That's not new," Applejack laughed, but calmed her own laughter down. "Well, tomorrow is Pinkie's party, and a chance for you to have some fun beside studying. Sounds good?"

Twilight nodded, looking slightly to the side. "It does."

Applejack gave her a smile, before looking at the clock hanging on the wall.

"Should we go meet up with Rainbow Dash? I promised her to join her on her training today. I forgot about it when you turned up…" Applejack was as honest as ever. "She's been practicing to meet up with the Wonderbolts for weeks, but the Wonderbolts themselves have no idea. "

That was typical Rainbow Dash.

"Sounds like it's safer if I join you," Twilight said with a grin. They both stood up, and tiredly Applejack stretched her arms. She must've been working hard again, and Twilight hoped she got enough sleep.

"Come on, let's go!"
~~

"Spiiike!"

He turned around, and got to see the giggling face of Pinkie Pie. She seemed more happy than usual, and her blue eyes almost sparkled.

"There you are, little dragonboy!"

That nickname hadn't been used in a long name. But he was indeed a boy of the dragons. Somewhat. Born with special powers, which was awakened by Twilights magic when he as a young boy was placed in a room full of important folks. He hadn't known why he was placed there, only that the young girl next to him was supposed to do something. She was holding a wand in her hand, and both of her hands were trembling for some reason. She was waving with is for some time, until a rainbow appeared in the sky and her eyes gleamed. Magic surrounded him, and an unknown power came over him. Both of them were in this state for some time, until it all came to an end and -

"Spike?" Pinkie Pie almost shouted out, standing in front of him with her face just inches from his. "ARE YOU ALIVE?"

"Of course I am, Pinkie!" he screamed, totally shocked about the fact the crazy girl was standing so close to him. She never understood this thing they called 'private space', it seemed…

"I was just thinking about something," he mumbled after going a couple of steps backwards. Pinkie Pie seemed to be relieved over that fact, and suddenly her face exploded into a huge smile again.

"Did you know what theme my party is going to have tomorrow, Spike?" she giggled. "'Cause every party need a theme, you know!"

"It does?" he said, while wanting to laugh. She always had that about her. Making others laugh was you speciality.

"Of course, Silly!" she continued, still giggling like a child. "Anyways, it's going to be love-at-first-sight! Because everypony is going to fall in love, and I though, gosh, can't somepony fall in love at my party, or at least remember when they did, 'cause, that would be like so much fun!"

"You should try to breathe, Pinkie," Spike said, laughing a little to himself when the pink-haired girl tried to gasp after some air.

"I can't wait to see everypony falling in love! Maybe Fluttershy will dance with somepony, and Rainbow Dash forget about being cool and just dance with somepony cute, and, and…"

"OK, Pinkie Pie! I get it," Spike laughed, and Pinkie grinned even wider.

"Maybe Rarity will dance with you,Spike, and Twilight find somepony else that likes books like her, and they can talk for hours, and…"

Spike didn't know why, but he didn't like the thought about Twilight Sparkle talking to somepony else. It was like a knife stabbed his heart, even if it was just for an instant. But it made sure he didn't catch the rest of what Pinkie Pie told him.

Pinkie Pie blinked with her eyes, probably because she waited for an answer.

"It sounds like a great theme, Pinkie. I think everypony will have a great time…"

It was a weak answer, but good enough.

"Thanks, Spike! I really, really, really, really hope everypony will like it! You'll tell Twilight, right? I have to go tell everypony else, you see!" she almost sang, and danced back and forth to a melody that only she could hear.

"Yeah, I'll do that," Spike assured her. Pinkie Pie screamed of joy, before she leaped to the door.

"See ya later, Spike!"

She slammed the door.

"Pinkie Pie has left the building."

He had to laugh a little of her, though. It wouldn't be the same without her around. That was a fact. Just like it wouldn't be the same without the others.
~~

"There you are! Talk about late!"

Rainbow Dash set her eyes on them, Applejack and Twilight Sparkle, both standing on the ground under the cloud she was sitting on.

"Late? I'm one minute early, Sugarcube," Applejack replied, pleased with her answer. Dash wasn't as happy about as her, but she didn't argue.

"Alright, you win this time," she admitted, before jumping of the cloud and flying down to them. Her blue wings were just about the right size, and her hair were coloured in all the colours of the rainbow. Her eyes, however, were pink.

"Hi, Twilight, gonna watch?" Rainbow Dash said when she stood before them. "Just so you know, I'm going to win over Applejack – like always."

Applejack looked at the stubborn flyer.

"Win over me? Not a chance, flier or not! I got my speed on the ground, and with that alone I'll beat you!"

Twilight Sparkle smiled nervously, before she coughed.

"Maybe you should begin with the training?" she asked, trying to seem as innocent as possible. The two other girls looked at her, then each other – and nodded.

"Let the training begin!"
~~

"Didn't mean to crash into you."

"Hmf."

"Sorry, Applejack. Really!"

"…"

"But it was kinda funny, right, Twilight?"

Twilight Sparkle made a grimace when Rainbow Dash turned to her for support, while Applejack walked a little in front of them, halting a little. Her hair was all messed up, while her hat was held in one of her hands. She wasn't too happy, after Dash crashed into her by accident.

"Never. Again."

Rainbow Dash grinned nervously, looking over to Applejack.

"Well, thanks for the help today…?"

"Just don't talk to me, and I'll forgive you first thing in the mornin'."

Twilight Sparkle knew it was best to listen to Applejack this time.

"I advice you to do as she tells you to," she whispered to Dash. "Really."

The flier sighed, but seemed to take her advice in silence.
~~

Twilight Sparkle opened the door with an exhausted look on her face. She made sure to lock the door completely, and then hurry along up the stairs.

"I'm home, Spike!" she said to make sure he knew. She knew he was a good listener, but just in case.

"Welcome!" she heard someone mumble from downstairs, but she didn't bother to look after him. She just wanted to get into her nightgown, and continue to study for some hours before going to sleep. Spike wouldn't be too happy about it, but she didn't have a choice. Not that she knew about.

"How did it go today?" she asked him, but she only heard more mumbling. "Spike, how did it go today?" she repeated in hope he would answer. She went into the bathroom in the meantime.

"Pinkie Pie came. Again. She wanted me to tell you the theme to the party tomorrow. 'Love at first sight', she said."

Twilight Sparkle didn't know why, but she blushed. Irritated at herself, she went out of the bathroom as soon as she got her nightgown on.

"That's typical Pinkie Pie," she said, hurrying down the stairs just to get into the sofa as soon as possible – which meant in front of the fireplace.

Spike watched her as she sat down.

"Cold," she said with half a smile, just to excuse herself.

"I can see that," he replied, rolling his eyes. But he still grabbed a blanket, stood up, and put it over her. "There you go."

Twilight smile was now whole, and her eyes gleamed with gratefulness.

"I'm going to study before going to sleep. So don't worry if you hear some noises tonight, alright?" Twilight Sparkle said while looking into the fireplace.

"Again? Twi, you need some sleep, and tomorrows Pinkie's party!"

Spike stood up, once again, and looked at her as if he gave her a warning.

"Even more reason to study! More time will go to fun."

"Fun you need, and you actually study friendship, so it's a part of your education!"

She wasn't too happy when she understood he had a point.

"But…"

"No buts, come on, go to bed!" Spike said, while narrowing his eyes.

"Alright, you reptile!" she said, rather irritated. "I'll go to bed. Happy?"

She stood up, still with her blanket around her. But she stood up too fast, so she was about to fall when Spike helped her to stand on her two feet.

"As long as you manage to go up the stairs – yes."

Twilight Sparkle gave him nothing but a snarl; just to make him sure that she could handle this just fine on her own.

"I'm not a toddler. I can walk."

She was as stubborn as always, he knew that when she tried to take the first step, and failed to do so. She was about falling backwards when he came to her aid.

"I guess I'll help you up."

"Spike…"

"Don't start, or else you'll end up like Applejack when Big Macintosh were sick, and she had to do all the work herself."

That kept her mouth shut – for a while.

Twilight Sparkle yawned as soon as she lay in bed, looking at Spike with tired eyes.

"I guess I was a little more tired than I thought," she admitted. "Thanks."

Spike smiled faintly to her.

"No problem. Just get some sleep, alright?"

She yawned as respond.

"You're going at the party too, right?" she asked, without really thinking about it.

Spike looked a little uneasy, but he ended up grinning like a little child.

"Yeah, of course I will. Wouldn't miss the chance to see Rarity, you know," he lied, but Twilight believed him as always with a smile – then she fell asleep.

She looked peaceful. Like she didn't have a worry in the world. Spike smiled as he went out of the room, but with the picture of her in his mind. She hadn't been that calm in ages, besides when she was sleeping on the couch. He hoped she would have fun the next day at the party, though.

But the theme was still bothering him.