Chapter 75: Family Appreciation Day
It took Spyro nearly a week trying to wrap his head around the fact that Rosy was his daughter, one he adopted who knows when, and who came into the past for some unknown reason, but all of it was giving him a massive migraine and caused him to nearly take a one way trip to Ponyville's Psych ward. Thankfully, he managed to get over the initial shock and managed to accept it, but he was still probably going to need some time to fully process everything, but for the time being, he spent as much time as he could with Rosy, the two actually finding they had a lot in common when it came to combat techniques, ship maneuvers, and even some of the spells, most of which he taught her, according to his adopted daughter. Every now and then, she would come by to the farm to help out when she wasn't too busy doing everything Twilight needed her to do, bucking some of the apples, much to the Apple Families surprise as she was blind, she managed to find the trees like she lived there.
A little while later, it was the middle of the night and everyone was asleep, Spyro peacefully sleeping in his bed and was looking forward to tomorrow, but all of a sudden he heard something that sounded like the clattering of pots and pans outside, waking him up and looking out the window right as the rest of the family looked out, finding Granny Smith was outside running around. He was about to ask why she was making such a ratchet when they heard what sounded like wolf howling, looking out to see a creature made of wood howling to the moon.
"The Timber Wolves are a howling!" Granny Smith shouted. "The Timber Wolves are a howling!"
Big Mac came into Spyro's room, looking out the window as the wolf howled again, everyone listening to the sound of the howls.
"Yup." Big Mac said.
"Right, leave them to me." Spyro said, calling his Keyblade.
"The Zap Apples are coming!" Granny Smith shouted. "The Zap Apples are coming!"
As she said that, the entire family cheered with glee, repeating what Granny Smith had said, but left Spyro and Scootaloo confused.
"The what?" Scootaloo asked, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.
"The Zap Apples are coming." Applejack replied. "They're magical apples that grow in only two places; the Everfree Forest and right here in Sweet Apple Acres. We collect them apples and sell them as they are one of the major parts of the family's profits. We turn the apples into jam and sell them to everypony in Ponyville. It's some of the best tasting jam you could ever taste."
"And why is granny waking us up in the middle of the night?" Spyro asked, the pans banging getting on his nerves.
"It's the first sign!" Apple Bloom replied. "When the Timber Wolves start howling, it means that Zap Apple season has come."
"For five days, the apples grow on special trees." Big Mac said. "And for a single day, we have to harvest as many Zap Apples as possible, making Zap Apple Jam."
"Well, that's something I'd like to try." Spyro said, letting out a big yawn. "But, let's get some sleep first. I get very cranky when I don't get a good nights sleep."
Everyone was still cheering as they eagerly awaited Zap Apple season, but when Apple Bloom looked back at Granny Smith, she noticed a Timber Wolf was getting ready to pounce, instantly fearing for her grandmothers life.
"Granny, behind you!" Apple Bloom shouted.
The old mare turned around to see the hungry wolf lunge towards her, but before it could do anything, it suddenly exploded into dozens of branches and broken pieces, followed by a loud bang that spooked everyone, wondering what happened.
"BUCK YOU!" Spyro shouted. The family turned to his window and saw he had his Keyblade out, smoking as it was fired. "I AIN'T HAVING THAT SHTICK!"
Dismissing his Keyblade, he went straight back to bed, leaving the Apples and Scootaloo spooked as they all starred at him or at the window to his room, wondering if that's what he meant by him being cranky if he didn't get a good nights sleep. The next morning, Spyro got to work helping Applejack and Big Mac set up the baskets under some trees that didn't have any leaves, being told those trees were where the Zap Apples would be growing from, so he used the Force to set up the baskets under the trees just like he usually does when he get's apples from the regular apple trees, however the regular apples weren't quite ripe yet, so harvesting them would need to wait. After putting Baskets in his section of the magical orchard, Spyro sensed a great disturbance in the Force, looking to the sky and noticing that the wind was picking up and dark clouds were coming in on their own, knowing this wasn't normal in Equestria, Spyro braced himself as he heard thunder coming from the clouds, watching as electricity came off of the trees and after a little bit, leaves popped out of the trees, startling him.
"There's the Zap Apple leaves." Applejack said. "Right on time."
"Talk about ominous." Spyro said. "But, I take it this is the second sign of when the Zap Apples arrive?"
"Yup." Big Mac replied.
"That means we need to get to work preparing for the next one." Applejack said. "Come on hun, we got a lot more preparations to do."
"Right behind ya my little Appleseed." Spyro replied.
The three of them made their way back to the barn to get some more things they needed, but failed to notice that the clouds had returned, a rift opening above as a cloaked pony fell out of the portal, falling to the ground before flipping herself over and landing without injuring herself, looking up to make sure no one was around before she made her way into the orchard to hide before someone saw her. Back at the farm, Spyro was asked to pick up some more baskets as there were still plenty of trees needing to be prepared, and as he was making his way, he saw Granny Smith, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo dressed up in bunny outfits hoping around some watering cans singing the alphabet, confusing him, but he just decided to get the baskets and head back out, but as soon as he was walking out, he heard someone laughing and looked to see it was Diamond Tiara and she was with her father, Filthy Rich. He didn't have a problem with Filthy Rich as he was a nice guy despite the name, but his daughter, he didn't much care for her and was hoping that getting coal on Christmas was enough of a lesson to teach her to behave, obviously it wasn't.
"Well, howdy do there Filthy Rich." Granny Smith said.
"Hello there Mrs. Smith." Filthy Rich said, looking up and noticing Spyro. "Your majesty, hello to you as well."
"Hello there Mr. Rich." Spyro said. "What brings you to the farm?"
"Well, I just heard there was a Zap Apple harvest coming in a few days and came to check on its progress." Filthy Rich replied.
"It'll be here in four days to be exact." Granny Smith said.
"Excellent news." Filthy Rich said. "And as usual, I get your first hundred jars, correct?"
"A hundred jars!?" Spyro asked. "Wow, someone likes their jam."
"It's a business deal we made with his ancestor long ago Spyro." Granny Smith said. "We give him the first hundred jars and he gives us a percentage of the proceeds from the sales."
After a small explanation, Granny Smith and Filthy Riches walked away from the group and Spyro was returning to the Zap Apple Orchard to continue preparing for the apples when he noticed Rosy was walking up the dirt road and towards him as he was about to enter the Zap Apple Orchard.
"Rosy." Spyro said, excited to see her.
"Dad." Rosy replied, running up and hugging him.
"Still getting used to being called that." Spyro said, the two ending the hug. "What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to ask if you have free time today for lunch." She replied. "I know it's only been a day, but... I missed you so much and want to spend as much time with you as possible."
"Sorry Rosy, not this time." Spyro replied. "It's Zap Apple season, so it's all hooves on deck."
"Really!? Already?" Rosy asked. "When I was only a filly, Apple Bloom taught me everything about how to make Zap Apple Jam in the future. Maybe I can help out as Twilight is away for a few days."
Before he could say anything, he heard Granny Smith's creaking bones and hoof steps coming up from behind him, seeing her and Apple Bloom wearing bonnets as they were heading into town.
"Oh, hello Rosy dear." Granny Smith said.
"Hey Granny Smith." Rosy said. "I heard Zap Apple Season has come. Wanted to see if I could help out."
"Why thank you dearie." Granny Smith responded. "We could use an extra set of hooves, especially from another fancy magic Force pony like you."
As Rosy and Granny started to walk into town, he noticed how unhappy Apple Bloom was, sensing she was upset about something and possibly had an idea of what it might be.
"Diamond Tiara picking on you again?" Spyro asked.
"Well... sort of." Apple Bloom replied. "She says it was embarrassing to be with Granny Smith and to go along with her on doing everything to make the Zap Apple Jam, wearing the costumes, how forgetful she is and..."
"I think I get it." Spyro said, interrupting her. "AB, you shouldn't let Diamond Tiara get to you. She knows you're easily upset over anything that involves you and your family, so she does this to try and rile you up. Do you love your granny?"
"Ah do." Apple Bloom replied.
"Then you have nothing to be embarrassed about." Spyro replied. "She might be old, but that means she is wise and knows things the younger generation doesn't. Her antics maybe strange, but she might have a good reason for it, especially in this world. Just ignore Diamond Tiara and don't let her get to you, go with Granny and help her get everything she needs for the Zap Apples, I'd really like to try that jam."
The filly smiled and gave him a hug, feeling better after the talk and ran after Granny Smith, though Spyro knew the filly all to well and went into the orchard to finished up his tasks while Scootaloo came out a little later to help with the preparations, helping out with setting up all the baskets and buckets, placing them in the assigned areas that Applejack and Big Mac said they needed to go. The next day, the fillies were at school talking about their families and Spyro knew Scootaloo would probably want him to talk about being a Keyblade Bearer, which Granny Smith said he could go as it was his little sister they were talking about as they have an extra set of hooves helping out as Granny Smith liked her, so she was more than happy to have Rosy Hearts helping out. As the four of them were busy watering the trees while Granny Smith was busy playing drill sergeant to some glass jars while Apple Bloom was trying to convince one of her siblings to go in place of Granny Smith, but Applejack said she was busy with preparing everything for the harvest.
After a little while, the wind started it pick up again, the dark clouds returning as it meant another stage of the Zap Apples was starting, everyone looked to the sky and saw a murder of crows, which is the actual name for a flock or gathering of crows, fly above them and fly in the shape of an apple, finding this behaviors to be the strangest for some of the smartest birds in existence.
"The third sign!" Granny Smith shouted. "Right on time!"
A moment later, the same electricity that brought the leaves to the trees went up the trunk right as flowers bloomed from in the trees, everyone starring in amazement when they saw the flowers and how beautiful they were.
"Has the third sign come?" Rosy asked, running up to them.
"It has come." Applejack replied. "But how did ya know about the third sign?"
"Oh, er, Granny Smith explained it to me." Rosy replied, looking nervously to Spyro, who indicated her not to be nervous.
"Did Ah?" She asked, clearly confused. "Hm, guess I must have. How else would ya have known about the third sign? Alright you lazy doggies, move your caboose!"
Granny Smith then walked away from the group and back towards the farm house, leaving the rest of the Apple Family and their friends alone in the field to keep watering the trees.
"Ah'm sorry Apple Bloom." Applejack said. "I can't take a break from harvesting the Zap Apples, but don't you fret, Granny Smith has no shortage of entertaining stories to tell."
"Ah know." Apple Bloom replied. "That's what Ah'm worried about."
Apple Bloom then walked away from the Zap Apple trees, heading for the crusaders clubhouse followed closely by Scootaloo, wanting to catch up with her and possibly do something to find their Cutie Marks. He knew that what Diamond Tiara said had gotten to her, despite what he had said, but decided to worry about that later as he had a lot of work ahead of him with watering the trees so the apples can grow. After a full day of watering and preparing, they all went to bed, waking up the next day and was heading out to continue watering the trees when he caught sight of Granny Smith playing drill sergeant again, shacking his head and leaning against the entry way into the kitchen, watching as she lectured the jars about not whining or cracking under pressure, slamming her hoof into the table and caused one of the jars to crack.
"COURT MARSHALL!" She shouted, tossing the cracked jar into the trash can.
"And down goes a good soldier." Spyro said, getting her attention.
"Oh, good morning Spyro." Granny Smith said.
"Morning Granny Smith." Spyro replied. "Are the troops ready for action?"
"Almost sonny." She replied. "Just giving them their instructions for the time to come."
"Well, good luck to them." Spyro said. "I'm heading out to make finish watering the trees and see if there are other preparations needed for the Zap Apples arrival."
Spyro went out to see what else was needed for the Zap Apples, helping the others with finishing up watering the trees and other preparations needed for the Zap Apples when he decided to take a break, heading back to the farm house when he noticed the crusaders were sneaking in, Sweetie Belle carrying what appeared to be a bowl of something green. Curious, he followed them into the house right as Granny Smith was heading up the stairs, the two of them heading up and found that's Apple Bloom's face was green with a thermometer in her mouth and the other two next to her bed side.
"What in the hay seed is going on in there silly filly?" Granny Smith asked.
"Oh, Granny Smith, we were just about to come get you." Scootaloo said, sounding kinda guilty.
"Apple Blooms sick." Sweetie Belle said. "Looks like she's going to need to stay home all week."
Spyro didn't believe that as he saw the filly not too long ago healthy and walking around, so both he and Granny Smith walked in and the old mare took the thermometer out of the fillies mouth, both examining it to show it was at 110 degrees, which they both looked at each other, knowing that it was physically impossible for someone to have that high of a fever. So Spyro reached over to feel her forehead, but caught whiff of a familiar scent, instantly knowing what it was and giving the fillies a disapproving look.
"Seriously?" Spyro asked, the fillies knowing the jig was up. "You think you're the first one to try the old 'Smear peas on your face' routine? I did that a couple of times just to avoid going to school during math tests just to give me a chance to study. Plus, the thermometer shows its at 110 degrees, if she had a fever that high, we'd have to rush her to the hospital. And, I saw you three sneaking around outside and you looked perfectly healthy."
"Dang it!" Apple Bloom said. "Ah knew this wasn't gonna to work."
"Yeah, kinda forgot how smart my brother is." Scootaloo said.
"Look AB, I know you're worried about what Diamond Tiara said, but you can't let it get to you." Spyro said. "Granny Smith is one of the best ponies I've ever met, and the most unpredictable. Just give her a chance, I'm sure she'll surprise you."
With that, both he and Granny Smith left the fillies room and left the crusaders alone, Apple Bloom pulling the covers over her head as she groaned to herself.
"Now what?" She asked.
While the crusaders were trying to figure out another way to keep Granny Smith from going to their school on Monday, Spyro was finishing up preparations for the Zap Apples, heading back to the house with Big Mac and Applejack while Rosy returned to the library when he noticed that there was a meteor shower, watching it right as Applejack came up next to him, dazzled by the display until the flowers on the Zap Apples started to shake and from them, gray colored apples appeared from them.
"YEEHAW!" Applejack exclaimed. "The Zap Apples have appeared!"
"They seem a bit... dull." Spyro said.
"That's because they haven't ripened yet." Applejack said. "They always appear gray before the last sign appears. Once the Zap Apples are ripe, we can begin the harvest."
"And knowing him, he'd be able to harvest the whole thing in less than an hour." Big Mac said, making everyone laugh at the comment.
The three of them were walking back to the farm house to put the watering cans away for the night, but that was when Spyro noticed something, looking to his left, he noticed a bush was moving on it's own, wondering what was going on, he kept watching until he noticed the crusaders popping their heads out, instantly knowing what they were up to, so he did the one thing he could do, sit back and let them learn the lesson the hard way. He watched Sweetie Belle walk up to the tree, barely hearing them, but still able to make out what they were saying thanks to his dragon hearing, the white filly asking how different Zap Apple trees are as compared to regular apple trees and instantly got her answer as she kicked the tree and electricity went up the trunk, but then back down, electrocuting the poor unicorn filly and sending her flying into a nearby bush. Now knowing they couldn't buck the apples it of the trees, they tried picking them, Apple Bloom climbing up and grabbing one of them with her teeth and tried dropping down, but ended up dangling in the tree for a little bit, Scootaloo then tried to help, jumping up and bitting her friends tail to help pull the apple down, but ended up also dangling, so Sweetie Belle then tried to help, biting Scootaloo's tail and pulling them back.
However, she ended up stepping into a puddle of water and slipped, the prince watching as the fillies were sent flying in the air and followed their trajectory, finding their intended course was sending them into the plug pen, crash landing in the mud filled area and winced, walking over to find them covered in mud and grim.
"Any other bright ideas?" Apple Bloom asked.
"I have one." Spyro said, startling them. "It's called a bath."
"Oh ha, ha, very funny Spyro." Scootaloo said, shaking some of the mud off. "You knew that was going to happen, didn't you?"
"Well, common sense told me that the apples weren't quite ripe yet." Spyro answered. "And since these trees are magical, it's safe to assume that trying to buck or pick them early would be futile."
"Ya coulda warned us, ya know." Apple Bloom said.
"And miss the part where you filled went flying?" He asked, ruffling their already messed up manes. "Besides, the best lessons are learned the hard way. Now let's get you girls cleaned up, dinners almost ready."
After getting the fillies cleaned up and Sweetie belle back home, they went to bed for the night and the next morning, everyone was up and about, getting ready for the final day of the Zap Apple harvest when Spyro noticed Cheerilee walking up the road towards the farm.
"Ms. Cheerilee, what are you doing here?" Spyro asked.
"Apple Bloom came to me." She replied. "She said Granny Smith wanted to talk to me."
"She did, did she?" Spyro asked, wondering what they were up to this time. "Wonder what's wrong?"
Spyro walked with Cheerilee to the farm house, which the school teacher knocked on the door, but there was no answer, which Spyro thought was normal as she was probably taking a nap, but when they looked in, he saw that Granny looked to be away and seemed to be wearing glasses, si he didn't think much of it until he saw her forelegs tied up with rope, instantly understanding what was going on.
"Granny Smith?" Cheerilee asked.
"Well howdy do!" The sleeping pony said, the voice sounding like Apple Bloom.
"Hi, uh, Granny Smith." Cheerilee said. "Is uh, everything ok?
"Of course it is." Apple Bloom replied, trying to sound and act like the old farm mare. "Why wouldn't it be?"
"Oh brother." Spyro whispered to himself.
A moment later, the mares head fell to the side and revealed she was still asleep, confirming Spyro's suspicions that it was Apple Bloom trying to get Granny Smith out of Family Appreciation day again, making him shake his head. Although the teacher didn't notice, Spyro watched Apple Bloom put the glasses back on the old mare while the ropes moved her forelegs, sighing in disappointment at his sister and her friends.
"Oh, excuse me." Apple Bloom said, still pretending to be Granny Smith. "Pickles gives me the hiccups. Ah'm afraid Ah need to tell you, Ah'm afraid Ah can't make the presentation on Monday after all."
"Oh no, is that so?" Cheerilee asked.
"No doubts about it." Apple Bloom replied. "Ah gotta shear the flowers and water the sheep! No, I mean, water the flowers and shear the sheep."
"Oh, that's too bad." Cheerilee replied. "We can reschedule."
"Might want to wait here a moment." Spyro said, the cover to his bracer moving up.
"Why?" She asked.
"Wait for it." Spyro replied, looking down to see the time. "Five... four... three... two... one."
At that moment, Granny Smith went flying into the air and her head hit the rafter, waking her up instantly as she looked around, babbling a bit before she saw Spyro and Cheerilee outside and instantly burst through the door.
"Well howdy Ms. Cheerilee!" Granny Smith said. "Howdy Spyro!"
"Hey granny, had a good nap?" Spyro asked.
"A very good nap." She replied. "And how may Ah help you Ms. Cheerilee? Ya window shopping?"
"Uh, no." She replied, backing away as one of the fillies tried to used the old mares hoof to rub the teachers cheek. "You asked me here to tell me you couldn't make it to Family Appreciation day tomorrow."
"Fittle sticks!" Granny Smith said. "Ah wouldn't miss it for the tea in Canterlot!"
"But, didn't you just say..." Cheerilee tried to say
"See you Monday!" Granny Smith said, being dragged up by the ropes on her legs, making the both of them shake their heads.
"Honestly, I don't know who's more random." Cheerilee said. "Pinkie Pie or Granny Smith?"
"Pinkie by a long shot." Spyro replied. "She's more random than the Cheshire Cat."
"Who?" She asked.
"Uh, one of my friends." He replied. "See you tomorrow."
After that, Spyro went back in to see what the fillies were trying to do now, wondering what else they had up their sleeves when he noticed the old farm mare was painting the kitchen in a polka dot pattern with pink paint, wondering what the need for this was when he heard the other two crusaders coming down the stairs and hearing Apple Bloom hit the floor, groaning at her misfortune.
"Ah can't believe she woke up from her nap!" Apple Bloom said. "She never wakes up from her naps."
"Tends to happen when you bonk her in the head." Spyro said, walking up. "Apple Bloom, why are you trying to keep your granny from going to your school?"
"Because... because..." Apple Bloom tried to say, but couldn't get the words out.
"Apple Bloom, are you still dwelling on what Diamond Tiara said?" Spyro asked, the filly nodding her head. "Look Apple Bloom, your granny loves you, I see that everyday. Going to your school and talking about your families history is just a way for others to get to know your family history and how much you love them. Look at me and Scootaloo. We aren't related by blood, but we love each other like family does and I'm going to talk about myself, minus the fact that I'm a human in a ponies body."
"But... but..." Apple Bloom tried to say, but stopped.
"Apple Bloom, just stop." Spyro said. "Trust me, your granny is the best relative you can take with you to Family Appreciation day as she has been around longer, so she must know a lot more about your families history. You shouldn't be ashamed of your family if they do anything to show how much they love you, no matter what anyone says."
He then left the house, knowing that Apple Bloom wasn't going to listen to him and went out to see what he could do, which was just more watering until night, which after it was all done, went to bed to prepare for tomorrow, which he could sense Apple Blooms anxiety spiking as she was running out of time to think of a way to keep her granny from going to the school house. When morning came, it was storming outside, but it wasn't controlled by the Pegasus, but was the final sign, the rain coming down hard and the wind blowing until it suddenly stopped, everyone coming out and watched a rainbow appear above the trees, one of the Zap Apples then turned into a rainbow, colors appearing all over it as it became ripe when the same rainbow shot out from the apple and into another, each time it bounced around the apples like a mirror reflecting light until all the apples became ripe enough to pick and buck.
"The Zap Apple Harvest has begun!" Applejack said.
"Alright!" Spyro said. "I'll get busy and-"
"Now hold on there sugarcube." Applejack said. "Shouldn't ya be getting to the school house for Family Appreciation day?"
"Doesn't mean I can't buck a few trees before I need to go." Spyro said. "And by a few, I mean the whole stinking thing."
"Ya'll are too much hun." Applejack said, walking over and leaning into him. "Guess that's the one thing Ah love about ya."
"Same here little Appleseed." Spyro said, the two hugging. "Same here." He looked up and Saw that Rosy was standing in front of them, smiling as if she could see them and felt awkward. "Hey Rosy, here to help?"
"Like always." She replied, walking over to them. "AJ told me you were needed at the Schoolhouse, so I came here to take your place, help with picking the Zap Apples."
"And with yer Force abilities, ya'll will be able to pick a large majority in no time like Spyro here." Applejack said, giving him a peck on the cheek.
"Aw shucks AJ." Spyro said. "Anyway, guess I better get to the girls school, talk a bit about my history as Keyblade bearer and about being a prince."
"Good luck hun." Applejack said. "See ya in a little bit."
After Spyro gave Applejack a goodbye kiss, he walked past Rosy, placing his hoof on her shoulder and nodded, smiling at his daughter as he walked away, but in the nearby trees, a pair of indigo eyes was watching them from the leaves, keeping her distance and remained hidden as he walked out of the farm. When he reached the schoolhouse, he walked in and saw that all the fillies and colts were talking to each other, having fun and playing a few games when Ms. Cheerilee tapped her ruler on her desk, getting them to stop and look to their teacher.
"Attention students." Cheerilee said. "We have a special guest today for Family Appreciation Day. Scootaloo's big brother, the Prince of Light and Darkness, Spyro!"
They all turned to Spyro and some of the foals clapped for him while only one, Diamond Tiara, refused to, rolling her eyes as she put her chin onto her hoof.
"Thank you for the introduction Ms. Cheerilee." Spyro said, walking up. "So, you want to know a bit about the history of myself and my family, do you? Well, to understand our family, you need to understand the history of the Keyblade." He then brought out his Keyblade, showing it to the class, who most never got to see one before and were all excited to see one up close. "The Keyblade is a magical weapon made of pure light, a weapon against the darkness. It holds the power to lock and unlock any lock, this way darkness cannot have the power to destroy any world out there."
"What do you mean by any world?" Diamond Tiara asked, now interested.
"Good question." Spyro replied. "You see, there are many other worlds out there that the those who carry a Keyblade are charged with protecting, preventing the darkness from destroying and devouring. When one carries a Keyblade, it is their duty to protect all the worlds and to vanquish the darkness while also protecting the one world that is the heart of all worlds; Kingdom Hearts."
"What's Kingdom Hearts?" Pipsqueak asked.
"It is the heart of all worlds." Spyro replied. "The light in every world and in every heart that refuses to go out as all hearts are made of light, but darkness always creeps in. As back then, there was a war, the Keyblade War. It was when a group of Keyblade bearers tried to keep the light for themselves, plunging all the worlds into a destructive conflict that threatened to destroy everything, trying to seize control of it and the X-blade, a special Keyblade that can access Kingdom Hearts full power, the power to create worlds and harness the full power of light and darkness."
"Kinda like you." Apple Bloom said, everyone nodding their heads.
"In a way, I guess you might be right." Spyro continued. "The two sides fought in order to have control of this weapon, Keyblade bearers who fought for the light, and the ones who fought for the darkness, fought to have this legendary weapon, only for it to be destroyed, scattered into twenty pieces, seven of those pieces made of light, and the remaining thirteen made of darkness. Only when seven lights and thirteen darkness fight one another can all the pieces be brought together to reforge the weapon, but the chances of that happening are slim, but not impossible."
"So, where does the prince come in?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"An excellent question Sweetie Belle." Spyro replied. "The Prince of Light and Darkness is a special Keyblade Bearer, his heart equal parts light and dark and is able to access that power without the X-Blade, making him the most powerful Keyblade Bearer in all existence, passing their power down to a worthy successor when they find one. As the Prince of Light and Darkness, it's my duty and responsibility to protect Kingdom Hearts and to protect the worlds from those who threaten them, much like the other Keyblade Bearers who are out there now patrolling while I have the responsibility to defend this world."
"Why's that?" Silver Spoon asked.
"Because, this world is closest to Kingdom Hearts." Spyro replied, a collective gasp coming from the class. "You see, Equestria is closest because it is full of light, making it the purest world in all of existence. And as the Prince, I am responsible for protecting this world and its inhabitants, ensuring that no harm comes to it and none comes to any of you."
Though his presentation was a bit short, it was something that the class seemed to have really liked it as everyone clapped for him, all looking very excited as Spyro took a bow.
"Thank you Spyro for that wonderful presentation." Cheerilee said. "And up next is, Granny Smith." They all looked to the entry way, but found that she wasn't there, the students wondering where she was. "Um, Apple Bloom, is Granny Smith here?"
"Oh, I'm sorry Ms. Cheerilee." Apple Bloom said. "Granny Smith was called out of town on account of a family emergency."
"Wait for it." Spyro said, everyone looking to him as he was looking down at his bracers. "Three... two... one."
"Well howdy my little ponies!" Granny Smith said, Apple Bloom beyond shocked as her jaw dropped, covering her head to try and hide.
"How did you do that?" Cheerilee asked Spyro as he slid the cover back on his bracer.
"When you have the power of the Force, you can sense what's coming before it comes." Spyro answered.
"Howdy ya'll!" Granny said again. "I'm as happy as a pig in a fresh mud pile to be here today."
"Granny, what are you doing here?" Apple Bloom asked. "Did ya miss the train?"
"Train?" Spyro asked, raising an eyebrow to the filly.
"No, the train came." Granny Smith replied. "And Uncle Apple Strudel was on it."
They looked to see an elderly brown stallion wearing German lederhosen with some kind of apple desert on the clothing near the flank, who gave the desperate filly a nuggie, which he filly looked defeated and returned to her desk.
"I can't wait to hear Granny Smith's presentation." Diamond Tiara said. "If she can remember any of it."
Spyro looked to the two bullies, only to find that Diamond Tiara was laughing, but Silver Spoon didn't laugh of giggle, but instead looked apologetically to Apple Bloom and returned her attention to the old mare. Uncle Apple Strudel brought a chair over for the old farm mare to sit in, which she tried to, but ended up making it fly as she tried to sit down.
"Long ago, when I was a little pony, things were very different here in Ponyville." Granny Smith said. "Because there was no Ponyville." She then brought out a map and it showed Canterlot, Cloudsdale, and the Everfree forest, but Ponyville wasn't on it. "That's right my little ponies, me and my family were pilgrim folk when I was a little filly. We ventured far, collecting new seeds and selling the old, but my pa was the finest seed collector in all of Equestria. Then, one day, we found ourselves in the most beautiful, most grand, most magnificent of all cities. A place called... Canterlot."
Spyro looked around the class room and saw how interested the foals were as they listened to her story, even Apple Bloom who appeared to be surprised, even more surprised than her class.
"Why Ah bet your hooves to hindquarters I have never seen anything like it before in my life." She continued. "And if the beauty of the city wasn't enough, suddenly, she appeared. Princess Celestia, the most regal of all ponies, when lo and behold, she came over and looked at my paws seed collection. She then saw that we were plum tuckered out and hankering to find our forever home. Being a royal princess you know, she knew exactly the place for us to lay down our stakes. My pa gave her a mighty thanks."
"And your mother probably clobbered him afterwards." Spyro said, making the foals giggle.
"Don't interrupt!" She snapped, making him zip his lip up, literally and he made a zipper appear over his mouth. "Ya'll been hanging around Pinkie Pie too long. Anyway, we quickly found that land near the Everfree forest and we built our first home and we then planted our first orchard. However, an orchard don't grow overnight and we were getting mighty short on food. Now mind you, we were cautioned about the forest and knew it was not fit to enter, but I knew that critters live there, so there must be something to eat. It was dark and musty and Ah won't lie, it was scary, but every inch was covered in plant life, and before Ah knew it, I was standing in front of the most incredible apple trees."
"You mean... the Zap Apple trees?" Spyro asked, now realizing how she found them.
"You betcha Spyro." She replied. "I had never seen such a colorful fruit, nor anything that bore them before, so I started picking them apples quick as a whip. But I wasn't the only one who liked those apples as they were guarded by... Timber Wolves. So I bolted out of there faster than hound with it's tail on fire, never have Ah ran so fast in mah life, but knew Ah needed to do something, so Ah did the only thing Ah could think of, grabbing the nearby pot and hit it against the cauldron, making sounds that spooked them Timber Wolves away."
"So that's why she hit the pots and pans together at night." Spyro whispered to himself.
"Of course my ma and pa were a little steamed, but when Ah showed them the apples Ah brought home, they were fascinated by the colorful fruit as much as Ah was." Granny Smith continued. "So, my pa and I planted those special apple seeds and before our eyes, they grew like wildfire. While we had full grown trees faster than you could say lickety-split. Then, each year, I pay attention to each of the signs of the Zap Apple special harvesting time, how the weather comes form the Everfree forest, how the Timber Wolves howl when the Zap Apples first start growing and how they zap away if you don't pick them all in one day. And the fruits of our labor were the best fruits we ever tasted."
"Now those recipes I gotta try." Spyro said to himself.
"Soon enough, I was making Zap Apple Jam." Granny continued. "And just like harvesting Zap Apples had its special rules, so did making Zap Apple Jam. I learned you gotta be extra friendly with the bees, otherwise their honey won't taste right and sweet to mix in with the zap apples. And who'd have thought that glass jars needed talking to, or that Zap Apples liked pink polka dots, but magic is as magic does, it's funny that way. And before we knew it, ponies came far and wide to get a taste of mah Zap Apple Jam. Some even decided to stay, like Filthy Riche's grandfather, Stink-in Rich. As a matter of fact, the first thing he sold was my Zap Apple Jam and before we knew it, we had ourselves a nice little town, busting with all kinds of ponies and this, my little ponies, was how Ponyville was founded."
"Wow." Spyro said, amazed by the story.
He then heard someone clapping, everyone looking to find that Silver Spoon was clapping and before he knew it, everyone but Diamond Tiara was clapping, even Spyro as he enjoyed the story just as much as the foals did.
"Oh, thank ya kindly." Granny Smith said. "Settle down now."
"So if it weren't for you and the Zap Apples, Ponyville wouldn't even exist?" Scootaloo asked.
"Darn tootin little filly!" Granny Smith replied.
"And if it weren't for mah Granny Smith, your daddy wouldn't have Barnyard Bargains." Apple Bloom said, gloating in front of Diamond Tiara.
"But... but..." Diamond Tiara tried to say, watching as Granny Smith licked the blackboard. "But she's just a kooky old lady!"
Everyone gasped at what diamond Tiara, even Silver Spoon looked disgusted with what her friend just said while Spyro wanted to give her a good old spanking for what she just said, but had something else in mind.
"She is not a Kooky old lady!" Apple Bloom shouted, instantly running to her grandmother. "She is the most amazing pony in all of Ponyville!"
Apple Bloom then hugged her grandmother, smiling to have someone like her as the school day ended, but the fillies and foals didn't go home, but instead went Sweet Apple Acres where they waited for Granny Smith and Apple Bloom to make the Zap Apple Jam while Spyro helped with collecting the Zap Apples, moving quickly to collect as much as possible so he could try those recipes Granny Smith had besides the jam and while he was collecting them, he heard what sounded like a disgruntled filly and looked to see Diamond Tiara wearing bunny ears, yelling at her dad she didn't want to do it, but was being force to as a punishment for what she said. He couldn't help but snicker as he was the one who told Filthy Rich what his daughter said and was also the one who suggested the punishment, which he was more than happy to comply.
"Looks like someone learned a valuable lesson today." Spyro said.
"Ah sure did." Apple Bloom replied, making him look down to her. "I forgot how special mah Granny Smith was because of what Diamond Tiara said. I let her get to me again and forgot that."
"All members of the family are special in their own way AB." Spyro said. "Doesn't matter who they are or where they live at, always cherish your family as they cherish you, no matter what." He then looked around and saw that Rosy wasn't in sight, which got him curious. "Applejack, where's Rosy at?"
"Oh, she's in the orchard picking up the last of the Zap Apples." Applejack replied. "She should be back any minute now."
In the Zap Apple Orchard, Rosy was using her magic to pick up the remaining baskets of Zap Apples, taking them to Applejack and Granny Smith when she felt a sudden disturbance in the Force, taking a deep breath as she set the baskets down, standing where she was as she turned around.
"I know you're there." Rosy said. "I can sense you are nearby, so come out of hiding if you're looking for a fight."
A moment later, the cloaked mare jumped down from the nearby Zap Apple trees, removing the hood of her cloak to reveal it was Midnight, smiling at Rosy as she walked forward.
"Been a while, little rose bud." Midnight said. "I missed you."
"So did I old friend." Rosy replied. "Did the overlord send you to destroy me?"
"He did." Midnight replied. "Which is a shame actually. I really liked you, you know? You were my one and only friend when we were together."
"Then turn away from him." Rosy suggested. "You know what he's capable of, you know he doesn't care for his people, only about himself. He is corrupt and his heart is full of darkness, no light whatsoever. Help me to keep the Prince safe and we can change that."
"Rosy, I can't." Midnight replied. "He took me in, when others just passed me by, like all the young children who run away or are abandoned on the streets, no one cared! Only he cared. He gave me a home, clothed me, taught me, he was the father I always wanted, I always needed."
"Spyro could be that for you." Rosy said. "You were only a filly when the found you, no older than ten, same age as me back then. You must realize he is only causing suffering."
"The world deserves to burn for what it has done!" Midnight shouted. "I'm sorry Rosy, but I can't let you destroy the future."
She then called her Keyblade, matching the one on her flank and rushed towards Rosy, who summoned hers at the last second and blocked the attack, the two locking their blades against one another before Midnight broke the lock, leaping back and releasing bolts of dark lighting towards the blind mare, which she used her Keyblade and redirected them back to her opponent, which she conjured a dark barrier around herself and blocked it. As Midnight landed on the ground, it erupted with massive tree roots and earth, wrapping around her as flames shot out, entering the prison to do some damage, but a second later, the tree roots exploded as black flames shot out, catching Rosy off guard as she deflected large bits and pieces of wood until a torrent of black fire hit her in the chest, sending her flying backwards into a tree, sliding down as she groaned.
"Seriously Rosy?" Midnight asked, looking amused. "You did that to me last time we fought. A good warrior always learns from their enemies."
She then reared up, lifting her front half up as dark mist surrounded her hooves and slammed down onto the ground, sending a shockwave of dark energy into the ground and outward until chunks of earth shot out, flying towards the blind mare, but through the Force she could sense the incoming danger, dodging the attacks and deflecting one massive rock back to Midnight, which she just punched it and turned it to pebbles. The two then rushed at each other, both trying to land a hit on one another, but they ended up clashing their Keyblades together, sparks flying as they exchanged blows, only for Midnight to use her magic and trip Rosy, getting a solid hit in the gut, making her face contort in pain as the air left her body, flying up before being struck again in the head, flying backwards into the trees as her head hit the trunk of the Zap Apple tree, falling to the ground and not moving, a small amount of blood coming out of her nose.
"Wow, and I thought you were tougher than that." Midnight said. "Last time we fought, you managed to defeat me in two minutes, but now, you're nothing."
"D-d-d..." Rosy tried to say, but her voice failed her, a tear going down her cheek.
"Yes?" Midnight asked, wondering if she was going to plead for her life as she raised her Keyblade to finish the job.
"Dad..." Rosy said, closing her eyes as she fell unconscious. "...Help."
Midnight was about to bring her Keyblade down onto Rosy, finishing her off, but as she did, the wind blew in her direction and before she knew it, she received a hit to the chest from a Keyblade, her vision growing dark as she gasped in pain, flying backwards into a nearby trees and heard ringing in her ears as she hit her head hard enough to see stars going around her head. She then shook her head, clearing her vision and rubbed her ears to get the ringing to stop and looked up, finding Spyro was now standing over Rosy, his Keyblade next to him and his eyes turned to Sith eyes, receiving a murderous glare as he growled.
"You keep your hooves away from my daughter!" Spyro shouted, dark mist coming off his body.
"How?" Midnight asked, shakily getting back up. "We were too far away for you to hear or sense our battle. How did you know she was in danger?"
"Smell." Spyro replied. "Dragon senses are ten to twenty times stronger than a humans. I could hear the fight and smell the blood, that is how I know Rosy was in danger." He then looked back and saw she wasn't moving, feeling his heart drop into his stomach as he put his attention back to his daughter's assailant. "You're going to pay for what you did to her."
"Next time." Midnight replied.
A corridor opened up behind her and he back into it, the passage way closing and left Spyro alone with his unconscious daughter, immediately rushing over to her and putting his hoof on her shoulder and could see the green chaos energy go down his foreleg and through his hoof into her body, watching the energy trail all the way to her injuries, her head, chest, even her nose as the bruising slowly disappeared and the blood rolled back up the nose, leaving no trace it had ever bled, watching as she started to stir until her eyes opened up, seeing the green glow in her eyes, but the chaos energy failed to heal her eyes, disappointing him as he wanted her to see him at least give her the gift of sight.
"Dad..." Rosy said weakly. "You... heard me."
"It's ok Rosy, I'm here." Spyro replied. "Try not to move, I'm almost done. Who was that?"
"Midnight, Midnight Sky." Rosy replied. "The Dark Overlords favorite."
"Dark Overlord?" Spyro asked.
"The future isn't very bright dad." Rosy replied. "When I turned five, you disappeared, leaving me with Twilight and Luna, saying you'd be back. But after a couple of weeks, the Dark Overlord came. He commanded an army of Heartless and Grublins, claiming to have destroyed Malefor and the Organization, even you, showing your Keyblade as proof. I came here to keep you safe, and figure out what had happened."
"Well, you're about five years early." Spyro said, finishing up her healing. "So, how did he defeat Malefor and the Organization anyway?"
"No one knows." She replied, reaching up and grabbing his hoof. "All I know is that Twilight sent me to this point in time, so maybe I was meant to arrive here."
"Well, for whatever reason, you're here now." Spyro said, helping her up. "And it looks like you could use some training as your former friend got the better of you."
"She's not initially evil." Rosy replied. "I think I can reach her."
"Rosy, I tried, it doesn't work that way." Spyro said. "My friend, May, she-"
"She is defeated by you." Rosy said. "It's during some kind of event in Canterlot you strike her down. Twilight told me that was when you started to change, distancing yourself, saying you could have reached her." She then looked up to Spyro, though she couldn't see, she could tell he was starring at her. "I know I can reach her, I know I can save her. No heart is ever truly dark, only misguided. Even the most darkest of hearts still has a spark of light, you just need to know how to reignite it."
"Who told you that?" Spyro asked, walking with Rosy as he helped her carry the last of the Zap Apples.
"You did." She replied, confusing him. "You told me that as they were your last words before you left. You shouldn't give up on May as I won't give up on Midnight, no matter what."
He froze right on the spot, letting Rosy get ahead of him as he contemplated what she said, remembering that he didn't give up on her being alive while trapped under a pile of rubble, still believing she was alive and how happy he was when she was found. He looked down, finding a pebble of water as he looked in his reflection, wondering if she could be saved, wondering if his daughter from the future was right and he gave up so easily on saving her, believing she couldn't be saved while there was still a chance. He soon walked towards the direction of where his daughter went, his mind still going through what she said and wondering if there was a chase to save May from the darkness that consumed her.