//------------------------------// // Trouble in Canterlot Part I // Story: Spike's Apple Bloom // by Bronymind //------------------------------// The obsidian sky was dark and cold, and everypony was asleep, all but one. "Ah, what a beautiful night we have brought forth, if only somepony cared to see it," Luna sighed as she walked through the Canterlot gardens. "If only everypony had seen our night we would - oh? Who goes there?" "Oh, hey, Princess Luna. What brings you out here to the gardens?" a voice replied. The lunar princess watched as a small shadow rose to greet her. "Ah, it is thine, Spike the dragon. We hear thou is visiting Canterlot at our sister’s request,” Luna crooned, before glancing over his shoulder. “But thou hast brought company. May we ask her name?" "Oh, this is Apple Bloom," Spike replied, motioning to the sleeping filly behind him. "An Apple?” Luna hummed, “Dost thou imply she be a sibling of the Element of Honesty?” "Mmhm,” Spike nodded, “I wanted to bring her along. But why are you here anyway?" "We are the princess of the night, dost thou know not?" Luna humored the dragon, "We cross this garden each night, just as we did over a thousand year ago, but not once have we found the petunias in full bloom.” “Petunias?” Spike questioned. ”Why petunias?” “The reason for the flowers is because of our mother, she, passed away... many years ago,” Luna sighed. “It was a tragic and unfortunate time, and it was her favorite flower.” “I’m sorry if I reminded you of her,” Spike said softly. "No, you need not apologize, young drake,” Luna said suddenly, interrupting her own somber mood. “Let us take thou back to the castle. Thou shalt be safe there." "Sure. I'll just wake Apple bloom up," Spike said quietly and gently nudged Apple Bloom. The filly in question stirred slightly and murmured, “Aww C’mon, sis. It’s still dark, the roosters ain’t even up!” “Apple Bloom, it’s me, Spike,” Spike smiled. "Huh?” Apple Bloom asked with a yawn. "Luna said we should go back to the castle," Spike explained. "Oh,” Apple Bloom sighed, stealing a glance at the lunar princess. “Where's Twilight?" "She's asleep in the castle,” Spike replied. “She probably just forgot to come get us. She does that a lot when she starts reading," "Well? Art thou ready to leave?" Luna asked, impatiently. "Hehe, sorry, Princess,” Spike chuckled, “I think we are. Come on, Apple bloom." The filly scowled but silently followed Spike and Luna back towards Canterlot Castle. - “Spike!” a voiced yelled down the grand steps leading up to the castle. “Oh, thank Celestia you two are okay.” A purple unicorn ran down the steps to accompany the voice. “We were fine, Twilight,” Spike scowled. “And Princess Luna was with us the whole time. “We shall take our leave then,” Luna chuckled and nodded at her sister. Spike and Apple Bloom bowed, "Thank you, princess," they said. Spike watched as Luna smiled and flared her wings as she took off into the night. Suddenly the moment of silence that Luna had left in her wake was interrupted by Twilight, “And what time do you call this?” she scolded. "Is there a problem, Twilight?" Celestia called as she gracefully strode down the steps. "No, princess,” Twilight gushed, earning a faint smile from Celestia. “It's just that Spike and Apple Bloom have just come back from the gardens.” Twilight turned to the two miscreants. “Now for you two, it’s time for bed.” “But we just got back,” Spike complained. “It’s past midnight, and everypony's asleep,” Twilight exclaimed. Spike tried to scowl, but could only manage a long yawn. Taking that as an answer Twilight scooped him up in her magic and placed him on her back and the pair headed for their quarters. “Fine,” Spike murmured, unable to muster the energy to protest. - "Good morning, my little ponies,” Princess Celestia announced. “I hope you all slept peacefully? I’ve heard that today is Bakers Day." "Hmm? What's bakers day?" Twilight asked, "I haven't heard of such an occasion." "It isn't an official holiday, like the bakers competition. They gather in the gardens to show off their new confectionary." Celestia answered before licking her lips. “I must admit I do enjoy the royal tasting of the cakes.” "Hmm, that could explain Pinkie’s mysterious disappearance last year,” Twilight mused. “We almost organized a search party for her until we found her reading in the library. It was quite surprising to find her there. I didn’t know she liked to read.” "And that brings me to wonder to what were both of up to last night?" Celestia asked as she turned to face Spike and Apple bloom. "Oh, uhh," the duo said brainlessly, "Twilight forgot to pick us up." "Oh? Hmm, we must've lost track of time, and she must've forgotten," Celestia smiled. "Well we mustn't waste any more time, the bakers will arrive any moment." "Oh, we should go get dressed," Apple bloom exclaimed,. "Well, ok," Spike said, following Apple bloom. "Children. Aren't they are so precious?" Celestia giggled to herself as the two left. - "Wow, you look so, well, ah don't what to say, yah look so cute," Apple bloom giggled as spike finished puting on his tuxedo, "Aww Apple bloom," Spike blushed at the word, "You know she's right, you do look adorable," Twilight smiled, "Huh, I feel something," Spike the belched a letter out of fire, "Huh, usually the princess sends letters this way, it's addressed to, Apple bloom? "A letter fer me?" Apple bloom tilted her head in confusion, "Well what are ya waiting for? Read it!" "Ok, Ahem," Dear Apple bloom, daughter of Applejack- "Thats a lie!" Apple bloom interjected, "Ah am her sister, and she ain't my mom," "Apple bloom, he's just reading the letter," Twilight calmed her, "Oh, ok" Apple bloom sighed, "Continue," "Finally," Spike started again, You do not know who I am, but I know you, I have things to ask, but if spike is reading this, "How does it know?" Apple bloom asked "Shush," twilight snipped Do not read, Apple bloom must read this alone, AND DO NOT DISTERB HER! Your friend, Satton. "Here you go," Spoke gave Apple bloom the paper, "Alright?" Apple bloom went over to her bed and read it, "That was a shady letter," Twilight thought, "I wonder what it said," Spike thought as well, --