THE APPLE OF MY EYE
CHAPTER 12
SPIKE's POV
He woke to the sudden movement of hooves shaking him. "Woah!" He sat upright, the words of the song Applejack had been singing slowly fading from his mind. "Jeez, you sure are a Deep sleeper Spike." Twilight frowned at him, removing her hooves form his side. "Y-yeah..." The dragon blinked a few times, he wasn't sure if he should tell Twilight about his dream, it was something he would Have to go over with a certain farm mare first. "You okay? You look like you've seen a ghost!" The alicorn giggled and Spike shook his head. "Yeah, I just have to do something, I'll be Back in an hour!" The dragon declared, before running out the door, sliding along the halls towards the exit. "Where do you think your going?" Twilight confusedly yelled after him, and frowned when her number one assistant didn't answer.
He pelted towards Sweet Apple Acres, little tail flagging behind him. As soon as he reached the little farmhouse he took a breather, he sure hoped Applejack was awake, she had still been dreaming when he had left. The dragon went up to the door and urgently knocked. It was answer by a sleepy looking orange Mare. "Great, your awake, can we talk?" Applejack stepped aside and Spike entered, the door shutting after him. "Yeah let's talk, ah' only just woke up mahself." The farm pony sat down on one end of the table, so Spike sat at the other. After a moment of silence the dragon broke it. "Do we tell anypony?" Spike asked Applejack, who seemed to be mulling it over in her mind already. "Ah don't think we should, that place was weird, even though it was our dream, we had no control..." Her lime green eyes flickered with unsureness. "Your right, we didn't have any control, but maybe we should alert someone about this, Twilight would know-" he was cut off by Applejack stopping him with a hoof. "Ah don't know..." The pony bit her lip, Spike couldn't help but see how distressed the mare looked, he wondered why... Maybe she was having nightmares like he was, didn't princess Luna say something like that? "We can always ask if it keeps happening." The dragon comforted the cowpony across from him, who seemed to relax slightly after his words. "Your right, no need to fuss over it now." The orange earth pony stood up, and started to walk towards the door. Spike followed and the pair walked outside. "Do you need help with anything? I told Twilight I would be back in an hour." The dragon asked, as the mare turned towards her orchard. "Ah don't really have anything ah need help with right now, ah'm sure somepony else could use your help." Applejack straightened her hat and stared down at the young dragon by her side, almost admiringly. "Ok, well I'll see you later!" He waved as he said goodbye and scurried off, racing back towards the crystal castle. But as he neared the bottom of the steep hill he stopped, and looked back up, realising Applejack was still watching him go, the sun behind her making her almost just a shadow against the sky. He shivered, despite it not being cold and fled.
APPLEJACK POV
Applejack watched him turn back around and scurry from the scene, no doubt returning to Twilight's. The orange mare sighed, she had work to do, she was already running behind schedule. Turning to the orchard she saw Big Mac appearing from the trees, a cart loaded with apples on his back. Applejack, without words, helped her sibling to get all the apples inside, putting them in storage where they would be sold in the next few days. "Big Mac..." She started, stopping the task at hoof to stare her brother in the eye. "Yes?" He stopped to, after realising his sister had stopped. "Have you ever felt weird around somepony?" The mare asked and the stallion, confused, asked. "Weird?" He cocked an eyebrow. "Ya'll know, weird thoughts, feelings... Blushing?" The earth pony had thought that sounded okay in her head but now it just sounded weird... The large red stallion started chuckling and Aj joined in, despite not knowing why he was laughing. "Sounds like love to me." He deadpanned and Applejack blushed with embarrassment, there she was again! She then remembered Luna's words from last night, maybe she... Nope, no, not going there! "So who's the lucky stallion?" Big Mac pestered curiously and she just frowned. "No pony, I was just wonderin'!" He chuckled again "you tell yourself that." He boomed and frustrated, Applejack snarled, and went to go do the thing she did best when she was angry. Buck apple trees.
Delivering a fierce kick to a tree it wobbled with the force and power behind her legs. Why- kick -did- kick -everypony- kick- keep- kick- telling- kick- her-kick- it- kick- was- kick- love! The tree teetered under the pressure that was being out under it. She, being the stubborn pony she was refused to admit it, it was just some minor blushing and other minor thoughts that's all! Oh who was she kidding herself. Moving to the next tree she hit it so hard it nearly tumbled from her kick. Spike was just her friend after all... Yeah... She bucked the tree again, this time it resulting in cracking. Shoot, she should have known better than to go on a rage. The tree started to tip and she cried "timber!" The tree fell over, luckily all the apples had already been collected from this one, but it was still no excuse for her reckless behaviour. "Woah, if that's what your like when your mad, then I defiantly don't want to see what your like when your on a complete rage!" Rainbowdash flew down from the sky, her magenta eyes in awe as she looked over the tree her friend had knocked down, with her own back hooves... "Rainbow!" Applejack grunted, swatting her friend with her hat. "Hey, I was just joking!"teased the blue Pegasus. "Just wanted to tell you how Rarity's afternoon tea yesterday went." The mare ruffled her feathers as she pulled her wings back in. AJ raised her eyebrow. "Okay you got me, not really I just came to see how your going, you seemed off yesterday morning." The element of loyalty chuckled as her friend guessed her cover right off the bat. "Why does everypony keep say in' that..." Applejack mumbled. "Maybe it's because your being a grump today, let's go do some thing, see our friends, I'm sure you can do your chores later!" The pegasus nudged her honest friend and took off into the sky, not letting the earth pony answer. "Confound you Rainbowdash!" The orange mare cried, before taking off after her. That pegasus sure knew how to keep her on her hooves. The two mares where good, if not best friends. They where always challenging each other on anything they did, and both had equal honesty, loyalty and equal stubbornness. Applejack raced harder, making sure she was directly under, or even ahead of the flying pony. And often equal speed and strength. "Damn you!" Applejack panted as She ran, and Rainbowdash panted back "no damn you!" Simultaneously the mares screeched to a stop, and RD flew back down, as they took big breaths. "What fun" the blue mare took a gasp. "Yeah" the orange mare simply answered, breathless. Both ponies straightened up as they looked around. "Where did you lead me exactly?" Applejack blinked, looking around. "Dunno, was just flying where my wings took me." Rainbowdash shrugged, looking around herself. They seemed to be on the outskirts of town. Applejack grinned deviously. "Race ya to town hall!" The orange mare suddenly took off, cantering towards her destination. "Hey!" Rainbowdash cried, tearing after her.
"Ah won!" She teased her Rainbow friend, who was striding up to her. "Only cause you had a head start!" The Pegasus complained. AJ suddenly felt a swish of air as a pony on a scooter, carrying a cart zoomed by. "I'll be back!" Rainbowdash burst after the scooter, soon returning with three enthusiastic fillies. "Applebloom, there is ya-" the elder who was strolling up beside The three foals caught sight of Applejack. "Applejack" Granny Smith said in her warning tone, and beckoned with her hoof over to the side. Shoot. Rainbowdash gave her a sympathetic look as she sullenly walked over to the side with her grandmother. "Ah saw the knocked down tree in the orchard..." The elder furiously whispered, her mouth set In a grim line, it was rare she had to tell her grandchildren off. "O-oh ya'll saw that..." Applejack nervously chuckled as she looked for an escape route. "Yup." The tea green mare simply said, giving an angry glare to her relative. Applejack took off her hat, holding it to her chest, sincerely . "Ah'm awful sorry granny, ah' let my rage get the best of me..." She weakly smiled, feeling guilty. Her Granny almost instantly softened up. "Aww, it's okay child, happens to everypony" the tea green mare smiled softly before turning back to Applebloom and her two mischievous friends. Placing her hat back on she smiled, that wasn't as nearly as bad as she had anticipated. "Hey Aj, get told off by your granny?" Rainbowdash strolled up and asked teasingly. "You shush!" Applejack playfully pushed her friend who Just laughed. "So, wanna go see our friends?" Rainbowdash started walking away. "I know Twilight, Fluttershy and Spike are at Rarity's and know doubt with us all there Pinkie will turn up." The blue mare headed towards carousel boutique, and the country pony quickly caught up with her. "Sure, why not?"
Upon arrival they where warmly welcomed and ushered inside. "Why hello girls, how lovely of you to join us!" Rarity giggled and gave both of her friends a friendly hug, one Aj and RD returned joyfully. "Sit down, sit down, anything I can get you guys?" The White unicorn generously asked, giving of a cheery smile. "No thanks." AJ replied, at the exact moment Rd said "cider." Both chuckled at each other before sitting down, Rarity fetching Rainbowdash a cup of cider. Twilight, Spike and Fluttershy sat across from them. "How's it going girls?" The bashful pegasus spoke first, a soft smile on her gentle face. "Great!" Rainbowdash replied immediately. "F-fine." Applejack paused before stuttering out,mstruggling not to lie, in all honesty she was confused, angry, and had a fluttery feeling that was lining her stomach. Fluttershy's teal eyes seem to bore in her own, as if she was unconvinced, before giving up and moving on. "Are you sure?" Twilight pestered the cowpony, and Applejack simply nodded, but the fluttery feeling was still there, intensified even as the dragon across from her tried to catch her eye. "I don't know about you mares, but my day has been fabulous!" Rarity squealed, before handing Rainbowdash's cup over and sitting down herself. "Why? another afternoon tea with Fancyshirt?" Rainbowdash asked after a sip of cider. rarity simply rolled her deep blue eyes, "it's Fancypants, Rainbowdash, and no, not another afternoon tea but..." She trailed off as Pinkie suddenly bounced into the room, smiling as per usual. "Hey everypony, couldn't help but but hear, and I have to agree with dash on this one, The Fancy guy doesn't even wear pants!" The bubbly mare giggled, and sat down on Applejack's other side, squishing the other three mares on the couch. Everypony blinked, since when did Pinkie have super hearing powers? Or maybe she had been in the room the whole time...spooky... "Yes well, besides that, him and I are having dinner tonight!" Rarity squealed again, fidgeting absentmindedly with her curly mane as she grinned so happily. This news was met with cheers and congratulations all around. "This deserves a congratulatory game!" Rainbowdash declared, grinning deviously. Uh oh. "Who's up for truth or dare?" The Pegasus stood up, and the other mares and dragon cheered as they stood up aswell, ready for an enjoyable game.
"I pinkie pie, challenge Twilight Sparkle, to a round of truth or dare!" The pink earth pony squealed in her shrill voice. "Ok.." Twilight nervously chuckled and Pinkie pie opened her mouth to ask the question when she was stopped by Rainbowdash. "Actually ladies, I think to honour our friend here, we should a have truth or truth game instead, y'know an afternoon where all secrets come loose." The Pegasus grinned. "Well that settles my choice then, truth Pinkie." Twilight giggled, the alicorn relaxing on the floor as they formed their game circle. "So, Princess, any cute colts?" Pinkie pie giggled, and everypony Leaned in, smirking. "Well..." They leaned in closer. "Does everypony remember the uh, guard I keep bumping into..." Twilight smiled embarrassedly but noPony was shocked. "Always knew you had a thing for that guy." Rainbow winked and the purple pony blushed. "Ok, um... Rainbow, your turn!" Twilight was quick to shift the attention to her attention loving friend who shrugged. "Nopony." She simply stated, shrugging. "Are you sure? Not even that wonderbolt, what was his name, Soarin?" Rarity teased, knowing she had hit a sensitive point. The blue mare scuffed the ground with a hoof at this. "Na" she closed her eyes and pretended to be cool, but they could all see past her facade. "So, *cough* any crushes Fluttershy?" Rainbowdash turned to her timid friend and knew almost instantly she had made a mistake. "No..." The mare whispered, sinking to the ground. Nopony insisted, but where left curious as they continued on. "Applejack?" The bashful pegasus asked. Applejack felt heads turn. "N-no pony..." She smiled, but her stutter and her flickering green eyes made it obvious to her friends. "AJ you should know by now not to lie, it just doesn't work." Rainbow chuckled. "Ah'm not l-Lying!" The mare snorted, but her stutter caught her again, what was the matter with her, she knew she didn't have a crush on anypony so why was it so hard to say it! "Come on!" The blue Pegasus nudged her friend beside her. "Ah've said it already, n-no pony!" Applejack rolled her eyes. "Right... Come on now, spill the beans!" Everypony leaned in curiously as Rainbowdash pestered her friend.
SPIKE POV
Spike watched as Rainbowdash relentlessly pestered Applejack. But that had been the final straw. The orange mare stood up, and the way her face was twisted with anger right now let the dragon know she was about to blow a fuse. "Ah said nopony! That's it end of story, got that?" The farm pony yelled and the ponies around her recoiled in shock, Applejack never yelled, never lost it, she was always the insanely calm one, well usually... but now she had blown her top off in anger and the group around her blinked in utter shock. Her green eyes flickered about furiously before they landed on his face, they then seemed to calm and the cowpony stood up straight, tearing her lime green gaze away from the dragon. "Ah'ma be sick."' The mare then silently and calmly strolled past the group towards the bathroom, leaving the remaining mares and dragon gathered to their shocked silence. "Well, AJ Finally lost it, everyone might as well pack up shop and head home,the world has ended." Rainbowdash guiltily said, looking at her hooves confusedly. "Oh my, do you think she's ok?" Fluttershy concernedly glanced towards the bathroom, that was strangely silent for somepony 'being sick'. Spike frowned, he had never seen the orange mare so upset before, and it was over a simple game. "No i don't, that pony's been acting odd for a while now, whatever is bothering her we'll get it out of her eventually." Twilight, took charge of the situation and the others nodded agree fully along with her. "But we must be patient, we know her, stubborn as a mule." Rarity added more reason to the situation. to this everypony simply 'mhhmed.'
APPLEJACK POV
Applejack felt so ashamed, she had yelled at her closest friends, but what made matters even worse was that fluttery feeling the pit of her stomach, it had returned the moment she had looked at Spike, she was now leaned over the toilet bowl, but nothing was coming out, nothing at all. Right now, hunched over the porcelain she felt so vulnerable, so fragile, and it made her feel sick. Applejack wasn't fragile, wasn't frail, she was strong and independent... And right now ashamed and embarrassed. The mare weakly stood up, she had to get back out there and apologise for her terrible behaviour. Flushing the toilet after her the mare quickly washed her hooves and made her way to the Living room, where everypony was silently watching her as she entered. after a moment of silence she couldn't bear the earth pony spoke up. "Look ah'm awful sorry ya'll ah' don't know what came over me-" she was cut off by her friends surrounding her and giving her a giant group hug. "You don't have to apologise dear, we where In the wrong for asking these silly questions." Rarity gently said as she nuzzled her friend. "Let's put the past behind us and go out for lunch." Fluttershy suggested, to which everypony nodded and agreed simultaneously. How odd. But she followed her friends out the door anyway.
They ate together around a mushroom, this was one of ponyville's best cafes.
"And for you madam?" The waiter asked and Applejack Waited until her friends had ordered before answering. "Nothing for me thanks." She gave a weak smile and the Waiter shrugged. "Suit yourself." He strolled off with their orders. "I love this place, these mushrooms are so cute!" Pinkie pie squealed and ran her hoof delicately over the table. "Yes they are, aren't they?" Rarity smiled at her friend, as she too admired the table. The food soon arrived and all ponies and dragon except Applejack dug in.
SPIKE
Spike ate his hay fries, extra crispy as always, but watched as his friend stole glances at their sullen country friend. He knew they were subtly going to bring it up soon, but right now they where like wolves picking out their prey, waiting for the right moment to pounce as they pranced around the outskirts of the topic. Luckily the orange mare didn't notice as Rainbow nodded her head and Twilight smiled. "So, Applejack, any nice restaurants in town?" The alicorn asked as The earth pony, took her head out of her hooves and blinked surprised, but quickly replied. "There's a couple a nice ones near the edge a town" she chuckled. And The rest of the group smiled as their plan started to work. "Been to any of them with anypony yet?" Twilight asked again, and this time the mare answered, her eyes narrowed in slight suspicion. "Not yet." Applejack briskly answered and they knew they would have to lightly dance around this, one wrong step and the brick wall would be up. "Planning to take anypony?" Twilight took a wrong step and the others groaned inwardly as the orange mare pouted. "Maybe..." Aaaand, the brick wall was up. Spike had no clue why she did it, but as soon as Applejack didn't want secrets out she limited her speech, her friends called it the brick wall when her back was turned. That pony told the truth 99% of the time, but with that one percent that she didn't tell, she either stuttered as she told the lie to cover it up, or used 'the brick wall', it was quite frustrating really. Silence fell and the dragon didn't look up from his Lunch as the silence turned awkward. "This has been lovely, but ah have a tree to clean up." Wait did she say a tree? Why would she have a tree to clean up? The orange mare gave a somewhat fake smile as she stood up, backed away, and trotted towards her home. As soon as he cowpony was out of earshot Rainbowdash spoke up. "This is hopeless! If AJ doesn't want a secret out, she'll be stubborn about it till the day she dies!" The blue Pegasus smacked her head against the table. "Maybe we should just leave her, she'll tell in her own time..." Fluttershy blinked at her friends, reasoning with them. "Yes, we probably should, it isn't our business, but sometimes her stubborn attitude just isn't good for her..." Twilight trailed off. "Yes, it probably something we don't need to know anyway..." Rarity agreed with her friends and Spike couldn't help but look at her dark blue eyes... He shook his head as if clearing his thoughts and the others got up to leave. "Let's stop gossiping, and return to what we where doing girls, back to your place Rarity" the alicorn smiled and the element of generosity lead the way to her boutique.
APPLEJACK
Applejack pulled the dead tree out of the orchard, pulling the dead weight behind her like it was but a twig. Many had admired her strength, but she always just shrugged it off with the 'it's in my genes' but right now she was grateful for her strength, and sure it was still hard to pull, but she was happy she hadn't needed help, she needed to be alone. To think. The branches scraped across the ground, leaving scratch marks in the dirt and making a sound that AJ desperately tried to block out by pulling her ears to the side of her head. Getting closer to where she would dump the tree off the mare watered to think, her brow creased with deep thought. Maybe she was just sick! That would explain her feeling fluttery and maybe the blushing, she could have been blushing from being hot... Nope. "Wow ah've never seen you carry something so big before sis!" Applejack could see her little sibling running up to her out of the corner of her eye. "Hehe eyup." The mare panted as she pulled the heavy plant another metre. "Ya'll sure you don't need Big Mac to help?" The little filly looked concernedly at her older sister. "Nope." The farm pony gasped out as she strained to keep moving the tree. Okay she had to admit, she was strong,but not nearly strong enough to pull a tree by herself. But of course being her stubborn self she continued. The small foal blinked, worried as she watched the cowpony haul the tree across the yard stubbornly. Just a little further... Suddenly, without warning Applejack's hoof caught on something hard, and she tripped, her whole world spinning. "AJ, AJ! are you alright?" Applebloom galloped over and held her hoof out for her older sister, the mare taking it gratefully. But as she stood her hoof sent a small strike of pain up her leg, one AJ silently gasped to. But this pain was nothing she couldn't handle. Oh wow, she had been so close to finishing the task at hoof, to being back to her usual, cheery, independent self, and she just had to mess it up. "Y-yep, just fine, lets get this tree over there!" The cowpony ruffled her little sisters adorable red mane and hooked her self place up to the rope that was pulling the as she tugged again, her hoof hit the ground and sent a missile of pain up her leg, almost causing her to collapse. Stupid rolled ankle. Applebloom seemed to pick up on her sister's distress and frowned. "Are you sure, your okay?" The foal looked up at her innocently and Applejack felt like pouring out everything to this little pony, so clam and trusting, so she did was she does best. Be honest. "No Applebloom, ah'm not okay! and I don't know why, or how, but everythin' is just, just, so stressful lately!" The orange mare got into a rant, and without her consent she sat, ignoring a small sliver of pain. And to her disapproval, warm tears filtered at the edge of her eyes, no, no, no, no, nope- oh too late. So much for crying on the inside. They poured over the edge, clouding her vision, and to her own dismay she was crying, she had officially broken down and to her horror, it was in front of her little sister, who looked up to her. A sob escaped and before She knew it she was enveloped in little filly arms, who held her with such care and worry it almost made Applejack smile, almost. "Do you need help?" The foal whispered and her bigger sister pulled her into an open hearted embrace. "Nope." AJ whispered back into her siblings ear, and the two sat in silence, no words where needed they where just two sisters there to comfort each other. After a long stretched out, but not uncomfortable silence, Applejack's tears had dried and she felt much better after her rant and break down. She pulled a little back from her hug and locked her gaze with Applebloom's. "So, lunch time?" The filly squirmed out of the hug and started trotting back to the farm house. Celestia, Applejack loved this adorable filly. She chuckled "eyup!" And followed.
Physical pain was easy to ignore, you just had to distract your mind from the signals going to it, easy as apple pie. Emotional pain wasn't nearly this easy, Applejack had learnt that a long time ago... But that didn't matter now, her cheery attitude couldn't be dampened with a little bit o' either pain, although she did try not to show her limp as she walked around the household. Her break down had finally made her feel so much better, and she had eaten lunch. with an actual smile. As she packed up lunch she held her injured hoof slightly off the ground, it was just a rolled ankle, it would heal overnight it was just a little stingy for the meantime. "Shouldn't you get that checked out?" The croaky voice behind her startled the earth pony, and she spun, seeing her Granny her rocking chair, all knowing as per usual. "How did you- never mind not gonna ask..." Applejack trailed off. "And no, it's fine." As if to prove it the cowpony out her hoof down on the ground, only a slight wince giving her away. "If you say so young un'" the elder chuckled before closing her eyes and softly rocking in her chair. AJ smiled at her granny's tired, but content face and continued washing up dishes, her thoughts wandering off despite their owners protests. And soon before she could comprehend what had happened the door had been hit won't some serious knocking. Who could it possibly be- she opened the door, and of course stood Pinkie Pie, with her other five friends behind her. "Howdy ya'll, what are you all doing here?" The orange mare questioned, both curious and surprised. "Just wanted to say hello, we had nothing to do anyway." Rainbowdash said as the five mares and dragon stepped back to let their friend outside. "So, wanna come for a run?" The blue Pegasus snorted, and ruffled her feathers as the group got ready to race off in all Good fun. How could she answer this... Hmm... 'Sorry no, I hurt my leg and I can't run' that didn't seem like the best answer, it would no doubt be met with pestering questions of if 'she was alright', and 'you poor thing', she didn't need sympathy so she simply nodded, and jogged as best as she could with the group.
This was weird, her friends had just turned up in the middle of the afternoon and asked for a run. Not that Applejack was complaining... Okay, inwardly she was, her leg was killing her and there was only so much pain she could take. She had trailed at the back of the group the whole way as they trotted about town, oblivious to her pain despite her frequent limp. "Look, ya'll can we stop for a rest?" The orange mare questioned, panting slightly. "We aren't even halfway through town AJ, can't you hold off for a min?" Rainbowdash answered back slightly annoyed, until she took a look at her friend. "I'm sure we can stop Soon." Twilight glared at the blue Pegasus, the mare shrugging.
SPIKE
He had been enjoying the ride on Twilight's back when the dragon decided to see why his friends kept glancing at Applejack. It was confusing. This was until he saw her, the usually bright orange mare was much paler than normal, a fresh row of sweat on her brow and she seemed to be grunting with each step, and was that a limp? As if sensing their eyes she put on a half smile, "come on, let's pick up the pace then!" Applejack started trotting faster and the others, with a small shared glance trotted faster as well. "Are you okay Applejack?" Spike asked, and watched as the mare stumbled slightly at his words before facing him. "Eyup." She simply smiled and continued on. She would tell if she wasn't fine... Right? With this the dragon lay back down on Twilight's back, although still unsure. They soon reached their resting point and each pony sat down on the soft grass, the only mare panting was the orange one, not to mention she was struggling to hold one of her hind hooves off the ground. Weird. " much happen at the farm from when you left?" The lavender alicorn started, and Spike could tell she was also trying to avert her eyes from the earth pony's ankle. "Yeah..." The mare trailed off, her green eyes flickering as she thought ,as if she was hiding something. "Ah nearly cleared the tree, then I rolled mah' ankle...no biggie!" She was quick to brush of the sympathy before it came. "Oh Applejack, you should have told us, you can't be running with a sore ankle!" Fluttershy's natural motherly instincts kicked in. The farm pony seemed a little sheepish as she replied "as ah' said it's no biggie" Spike didn't want to make a fuss over it, because the brick wall would be up soon by the sound of it.
APPLEJACK
It felt good to relax, of course it wouldn't be for long she had some work on the farm to get done, no doubt Fluttershy had some critters to take care of, Rainbowdash would have some 'napping' soon, She was sure Twilight would have some kind of book organising with Spike's help, and Rarity would have to get ready for tonight. Pinkie pie... Actually come to think of it Applejack had no clue what her bubbly friend did in her spare time, maybe bake? Plan parties? She did spend a lot of time in her basement... Besides that Applejack still had to walk the dog, and maybe clear the tree, her hoof was feeling a whole lot better now, although she would still ask for help...maybe... Suddenly as she stood, small claws tugged on her leg, and she glanced downwards and nearly jerked her hoof away. "Can ah' help you Hun'?" She blinked down at the dragon's dark green eyes as they shimmered. "Can I help you walk Winona, it was so much fun yesterday!" He asked hopefully, and Twilight smiled warmly at the dragon. She stood their blinking for a second, confused on what to think. "Sure! Especially with my sore leg!" She grinned down at him and felt fluttery again, but this time it felt good, worthwhile. He retracted his claws from her leg and they started walking back to the farm, everypony else heading their own ways as well. "Twilight's not comin'?" Applejack raised her eyebrow, Confused. "Na' had somethin' to do apparently, although I have no clue what..." Spike waved his claws around as he tried to explain. They strolled off and Applejack didn't even have to go under the sign, she simply whistled and Winona came running, loyal as always. The collie took a leap and landed beside the pair, slightly panting, her pink tongue hanging out. "Good girl Winona!" Applejack gave the canine an affectionate pat on the head. The orange mare turned around to go, the dog at her side. "Wait, we aren't taking the leash?" Spike questioned curiously and scampered to catch up with them. "Nope, it's just so she can stay on track, but Winona's not gonna go off track!" The cowpony explained and laughed as Spike got a long slobbery lick up the side of his cheek. "Right." The reptile gave Winona a pat in return and the trio walked side by side, Winona occasionally trotting ahead to sniff something, then padding back. The Collie's owner started up a conversation with the young library assistant by her side "ya'll doing much this afternoon?" She started the conversation awkwardly after a moment of silence. "Not yet, but hopefully I can just read comics!" He gave a hopeful little skip at this that made Applejack chuckle. Suddenly, the canine, with a shrill bark, took off into the bushes. "Winona!" Applejack called after her, walking towards where the dog had disappeared in the shrubbery. "Winona?" The orange mare peered downwards, trying to spot her pet in the leaves of a bush. "So much for not going off track!" Spike snorted, which received a glare in return. After a moment of frantic searching the padding of paws announced the return of the dog. "Winona, what where you doing!" Applejack scolded, but stopped as she realised the canine was stiff, her nose pointing in the direction of the bushes. Spike and Applejack shared a confused glance, stopping to stare at each other before walking into the shrubbery where Winona was currently pointing at. The canine swiftly bounded after them, leading them through the unusually high bushes. After a small walk through the brush Winona stopped sitting on her haunches proudly. Blinking concernedly Applejack moved some of the bushes apart, where Winona was sitting in front of. It was a shallow burrow, inside a couple of baby bunnies, barely able to open their eyes they where so young. Gasping the orange mare moved so Spike could see aswell. "Holy moly! Where's their parents?" He glanced around and after a quick search both of them confirmed the mother was missing, and judging by the lack of any paw prints nearby she had been gone for a while. "Good girl Winona, treats for you tonight..." The farm pony patted her companion admiringly before turning to Spike. "Can ya'll go fetch Fluttershy? she'll know what to do!" With a nod of confirmation the reptile swiftly fled from the bushes, the only trace he was there in the first place a couple of quivering plants. Glancing back down at the rabbits AJ realised they where shivering from the cold, shaking as they tried to snuggled together for warmth. The hole they were in looked like it had been a half hearted job, as the mother probably didn't have much time to make it. Sympathetically Applejack removed her hat, gently scooping the baby rodents inside, the little things gratefully snuggling into the warm material. Applejack new what it was like to live without parents, and therefore instantly felt connected with these poor rodentia. The Hare's let out a few pitiful squeaks and the orange mare curled around her hat trying to protect the small creatures from the small breeze she hadn't noticed before. "Poor things" she whispered and Winona let out a small whine, coming to curl beside her master and the bunnies.
SPIKE
Spike quickly ran towards Fluttershy's cottage, he wasn't even close to it, so he picked up his pace, stubby little legs running as fast as he could. Leaping over a rock in the path he nearly tripped but quickly righted himself, but nearly smacked into Twilight in the process. The lavender alicorn blinked as the dragon nearly bashed into her before frowning concerned. "Spike, aren't you supposed to be walking Winona-" she was cut off by the dragon. "No time, get me to Fluttershy's!" Spike leapt onto her back and with an eye roll Twilight reared, and cantered off In the direction her assistant had been heading in the first place. The alicorn was able to reach the woodland home much quicker than Spike could have done on his own. The reptile stumbled off the princess's back and ran to the cottage door, knocking furiously. "Coming!" The soft voice rang out like bells as hoofsteps where heard nearing the door. The door creaked open. "Oh! Spike, Twilight, what can I do for you guys?" The butter coloured Pegasus blinked at them curiously, Twilight just shrugged, nodding at Spike. "While me an Applejack where walking Winona we found some baby bunnies, all alone!" He waved his claws about as he explained and Fluttershy frowned concernedly.. "Oh my, give me a Minute." Fluttershy's shut the door again, and when she returned she had obtained a small kit. "Lead on!" She called and Spike hopped back on Twilight, the trio walking in the direction where Spike and AJ had started their walk.
"Okay, then we walked along here..." The reptile lead them along the trail they had, and stopped as he reached some bushes. Leaping of Twilight's back he looked around. "Those are the bushes!" He pointed towards the shrubbery but stopped when something else caught his eye. "Or maybe those ones?" He sheepishly bit his lip as he realised the bushes where all around. Twilight facehoofed. "Oh my..." Fluttershy trailed off, looking around herself. "Fluttershy can you do an ariel search?" The lavender princess took charge. With a certain nod the pegasus took to the skies, swooping Around the bushes. "Um, I can't see them..." The butter coloured mare came back to the ground, wings fluttering. Spike remembered. "That's right, the bushes nearby where very overgrown, you probably wouldn't be able to see them from the air..." He trailed off embarrassedly. "Great, we've lost them!" The princess facehoofed again. "We'll have to look through the bushes individually..." The mare sighed and started walking through a patch of bushes as the wind rattled them.
APPLEJACK
What was taking so long? It had been a while since the dragon had left and he still hasn't returned, AJ hoped he was okay, they where awfully close to the everfree... She returned from her thoughts when a bunny gave a small squeak, snuggling closer to it's litter mates. Poor things, the wind had picked up dramatically and it was quite cold out now and Applejack even felt herself shivering. She stood up, and dragged the hat to face a bush, the bunnies inside frantically squirming with surprise. Settling back down around her hat, Applejack made sure her back faced the wind, so now the bunnies where protected from both sides. Letting loose another whimper Winona snuggling in next to them, her fur getting pummelled by the a foreleg around her dog AJ's teeth chattered, how long would Spike and Fluttershy take to get here? She wasn't sure these small critters could last much longer in this cold... Another wind whistled past, blocking the mare's sound temporarily. And neither her or Winona could stay out her much longer either. Dark clouds blocked out the dim afternoon sun, jeez these pegasi sure had outdone themselves, there hadn't even been a hint of a storm this morning. Thunder rumbled in the distance. "Oh great! Please don't make it start raining-" the drops fell from the sky. "-Too late..." She finished with a sigh as the water started pelting down. Nope couldn't stay out here much longer at all... A rabbit squeaked and scrambled as a droplet hit it's brown fur. These bushes weren't cover enough, Applejack picked up her hat in her teeth, standing and carrying the baby rabbits in her beloved headpiece, Winona swiftly following her. Maybe if they left they could find Spike and Fluttershy and head back to her cottage. Applejack stopped startled as a bunny let out a strangled cough. She had to hurry or they wouldn't make it! She galloped as fast as she could without jiggling the bunnies, which of course couldn't be too fast... Her faded pain in her hoof was all but forgotten as she leapt over a rock, hurrying towards the closest safety, somewhere warm away from the cold. Applejack's eyes darted around for somewhere... There! A tree, not too far away and it had large branches spreading in all directions. She pelted across to it as the rain stained her fur, it raining buckets down on them now. Her hooves skidded across the slippery grass and the mare nearly tripped, but righted herself and made it to the large tree. Panting Aj settled down with a grunt, her dog huffing beside her. Without thinking the mare scooped some dirt between two of the large tree's roots, and fitted her hat in the shallow hole so only the edges of her hat were sitting above the ground, the small bunnies inside curling up with shivers. Sighing the farm pony curled up around the hat, Winona letting out a few whimpers as the canine shivered. "I know girl.." Applejack rubbed her dogs back, trying to warm her loyal companion up she Winona stared glumly out at the rain. She stopped when she felt a tug on her tail. Applejack looked down surprisingly at her tail and realised it had fallen into the hat, the bunnies gratefully squirming into the warmer hair. The mare softly smiled as the rodents made little nests in her blonde tail. When she had woken up that morning she had never imagined she would be here, under a large tree, shielding Winona and a bunch of baby bunnies from the rain... Just nope.
SPIKE
As rain poured down the trio fled, manes and tails flying. "Let's go, the rain is too heavy out here!" Twilight called over the sound of pattering rain and they raced towards a shelter. They hadn't found neither Winona or Applejack and the bunnies. "Oh but Twi, what about AJ, and the poor bunnies?" Fluttershy's soft voice was barely heard above the sound. "Applejack's not silly, she'll find some shelter, and hopefully she will be able to bring the rabbits with her!" Twilight yelled back, her navy purple blue mane rippling around her horn with the force of the wind. Spike bit his lip in worry but continued on, following the two mares to shelter. They eventually stumbled into town, where they blindly raced about until they found shelter under the front of a shop. Spike found himself shivering and Twilight unfolded a wing, wrapping the feathery appendage around him comfortingly trying to warm him up.
APPLEJACK
All AJ felt was the cold. The breathtaking, blinding, numb-stakingly cold. It wracked it's way down her spine making her shudder and her teeth chatter. Winona wrapped herself closer to her owner, trying to share body heat. Damn This was one storm. Thunder rumbled and the sky was alit with lightning for a second. It probably wasn't safe under this tree, but it was the only shelter there was nearby. Glancing down at the bunnies she saw they where burrowed deeply into her tail, wrapping themselves up as much as possible. Sighing again Applejack shuddered and curled closer around Winona and her hat filled with rodents. A rabbit gave a shrill squeal and some of the others copied. Applejack felt her heart melt despite the cool temperature. One hare picked it's way out of her tail, it's mouth open as if asking for food. So that's what they were squealing about... Although there was nothing Applejack could do about it, there was no food for miles, and if the rabbits hadn't noticed they where in the middle of a storm. A pellet of rain landed on her head where it had collected in a branch. Shaking her mane free of it she looked up, and eyes widened. Moving slightly she shook the tree with her front legs, a couple of leaves falling free from the branches, although sadly some rain fell down too. Winona shook her pelt free from water as Applejack collected up the leaves, and dumping them in her hat where some curious hungry bunnies nibbled at them. The earth pony sighed, and rested her head on the dirt, watching the small bunnies eat their leaves. What she had risked just for some small rodents... Applejack closed her lime green eyes, trying to sleep despite the cold wind and rain.
SPIKE
Finally after what seemed like an eternity of waiting, but was probably only an hour two, the pouring rain turned into a light drizzle, then started spitting. Twilight noticed and sighed, relieved, moving out from the cover, Spike at her heels. Fluttershy swiftly got onto her hooves following as the trio headed back towards the bushes.
Reaching their destination they continued their search, but stopped when they heard a shrill bark. Winona! "That way!" The dragon pointed out of the shrubbery where he saw the top of a tree on the horizon. Fluttershy and Twilight raced off, the reptile dashing after them. When they reached the massive tree they saw an orange form curled up next to the tree, her back facing them, Winona happily whining at the approaching ponies and dragon. "Applejack?" Twilight called out but the mare didn't seem to respond. Sharing a concerned Fluttershy went over to the orange huddle. "She's sleeping." The soft pegasus sighed with relief but gasped as her teal eyes caught sight of a bunch of baby bunnies, snuggled inside the blonde tail of their friend, half eaten leaves laying at their paws. Wow Spike hadn't expected Applejack to go that far for these rabbits, but lucky she had, by the looks of it they where still alive. Applejack let out a snort in her sleep and he chuckled as the mare's eyelids fluttered open. Catching the sight of the three of them she grinned gratefully, although her eyes were weary. "Great ya'll are here! Mind taking these little rascals off mah' hooves?" The cowpony nodded towards the bundles of fur inside her tail. "Of course!" Fluttershy smiled gently and began scooping the small bunnies into her hooves, a couple letting out small squeals of surprise. Applejack grunted and lifted herself off the ground, shaking off some dirt that clung from her pelt. The mare grabbed her hat out of the dirt hole, shaking off dirt and leaves out off it, placing it back on her head. "Should we head back home Winona?" She gestured towards her dog, the canine giving a confirming bark. Spike looked towards the sky as AJ and Winona started to leave, realising the sky was starting to sprinkle the first stars. Damn.
APPLEJACK
The orange mare lay in bed, snuggling under the warm covers. When she had returned home and explained where she had been, Granny and Big Mac demanded she go to bed, worrying she'd get a cold. Fair enough. But of course they had come in with dinner first, there is nothing like an apple pie to wash away your freezing temperature. Applejack rolled over, until she was facing the window. The stars twinkled in the night sky and reflected deep in her green eyes as the moon illuminated half of her face. Removing her hat the country mare closed her eyes, a soft smile playing on her lips.
Her eyes snapped open. She had no idea where she was. The sky was a baby blue topped off with a sparkling rainbow that no words could describe, the grass was green, but so pale, and off to the side was a lake, the sky's reflection shimmering in it's still waters. "Where are we?" Applejack jumped and spun, realising Spike was behind her. Wait what? She was... dreaming wasn't she? "Ah think this is our uh... 'Wonderland'..." Her mouth was set into a grim line, she hadn't expected to be here again... "Well let's have fun while we are here!" The dragon raced off towards the lake, and without question Applejack paced beside him although she was still cautious.