Chapter 7: Snooping Scoop
Apple Bloom woke up, memories of yesterday rushing immediately back into her mind. This was her bed now. This was her room now. This was her husband now. Husband. Huzz-band.
It was going to take her a long time to get used to that word, she thought.
But waking up beside him like this, with one strong arm draped protectively over her; the smooth, warm scutes of his belly moving gently against her coat and his breath tickling her mane? That was something she could get used to. She snuggled against him, feeling the bulge in her tummy resist, but the baby was just going to have to deal with it. Right now was Mommy’s time.
It wasn’t long before his big green eyes flicked open.
“Good morning,” he said sleepily.
“Good mornin’ yerself.”
“How’re you feeling?
“Like I wanna stay right here like this all day.” She gave a little wriggle, eliciting a ticklish laugh.
“What do you think this is, our honeymoon?”
“Don’t I wish.” As much as they both would’ve liked to, there simply wasn’t time for both of them to go away and simply be together. “After the baby’s born, let’s have us a real honeymoon. Las Pegasus, or maybe the Crystal Empire. We’ll let somepony else take care of the baby and it’ll be just you an’ me an’ no worries about nothin’. ”
Spike smiled. “That sounds fantastic.”
“I’m gonna hold you to it, then.” They lay together for a while, not saying anything, just luxuriating in each others’ warmth and company.
“I had a really amazing dream,” Spike said. Apple Bloom adjusted her head on his shoulder.
“Tell me about it.”
“I was flying really high, over the whole world. I was looking for… it was this egg, made of ruby. It was really, really important. I found it and I picked it up and gave it to Twilight, and she was so happy. Then I found Rarity and gave it to her.”
“Twilight didn’t want it?”
“I just had another one. Only it was the same one. Dream, remember? And then I gave it to… I think Rarity, and Applejack, and a bunch of other ponies I don’t even remember. But every time I gave it to somepony it got… better, somehow. I don’t know. Shinier or more valuable or something. And then when it was so shiny it was like the sun, I gave it to you.”
“So I was yer last choice?” Apple Bloom smirked.
“I think it was just saving the best for last.” He kissed her, just under her ear.
She rolled her eyes, blushing despite herself. “We’ve got plenty of cheese in the pantry, we don’t need any more.”
Spike chuckled. “That sounds like breakfast to me.” He climbed out of bed, stood up and promptly fell down. “Ow!”
“What happened?” Apple Bloom stretched over to look at him. Her mouth silently dropped open.
“My back hurts. I guess I slept on it funny.” He stood up and wobbled on his feet. “That’s weird. I can’t-“he plopped down again. “I can’t keep my balance.”
“You… you prolly wanna check the mirror.” Apple Bloom said weakly.
“What? What is it?” On all fours, Spike crawled to the bathroom and craned his neck to look at his reflection. “I don’t…”
***
Applejack woke up at her accustomed early-morning hour. Oh, she thought, remembering why she was at Twilight’s. Right. The wedding. They’d left Spike and Apple Bloom alone to…
Applejack sighed inwardly, exasperated with herself. Don’t be such a prude, AJ. This ain’t no different from any other couple. Ain’t no different from what /you/ would be doin’ if things were right.
Then how come my stomach turns somersaults every time it crosses my mind?
Don’t matter. It is what it is, an’ yer gonna have to just get over it. Quit it crossin’ yer mind. Long as they’re both happy an’ safe, it ain’t yer business.
Applejack had a fair amount of time to sit and think before Twilight woke up.
‘Mornin’, Twi,” she said once she saw her friend stirring.
“Good morning,” Twilight yawned and stretched. “Sleep well?”
“Can’t complain,”
“You can stay for some breakfast, can’t you?”
“Sure. We got work to do, but I don’t wanna go back too early. Let the newlyweds have a morning in.” Twilight got out the ingredients, but by unspoken agreement it was Applejack who did the cooking. While she could follow a recipe, Twilight didn’t really have a chef’s touch.
“Does it feel strange, now that everything’s ‘official’?” Twilight asked, watching her cook and taking mental notes.
“Kinda. But I’d better just get used to it. What else am I gonna do, throw ‘em out in the cold?”
“It’s still summer.”
“You know what I mean. There ain’t nothin’ for it but suck it up.” They moved to the table and ate in silence for a while. When they were about halfway done, Applejack brought up something that had been on her mind all morning.
“But y’know, this whole thing kinda got me thinkin’.”
“What about?” Twilight tilted her head.
“Have ya ever noticed that none of us’re married?”
Twilight looked a bit surprised at this topic, but she nodded thoughtfully. “Well, we’re all busy with other things.”
“That’s what I kept tellin’ myself; that I was just too busy to think much about that, but I always kinda figgered I’d be a mom someday. Never imagined my lil’ sis would beat me to it. Makes me wonder if maybe I’ve been draggin’ my hooves on it for too long.”
“AJ, it’s not a race. There’s nothing wrong with any of us for wanting to take care of other things in our lives first.”
Applejack waved a hoof as though brushing aside the idea. “Oh, I know. Believe me, I got no intent of just hurryin’ out an’ gettin’ hitched. I know this stuff can’t be rushed, an’ helpin’ AB with her foal will probably be enough baby stuff for a while. But maybe once things settle down an’ we get ourselves a routine back… well, I’m gonna think about it some more.”
“That’s always smart.” Twilight smiled languidly and leaned a bit closer to her friend. “So… did you have a lucky stallion in mind?”
“I don’t-” AJ started, but a wisp of green flame suddenly burst over the table, startling them both. Twilight immediately grabbed the scroll it left behind and read it.
“It just says ‘Come quick’. Let’s go.”
Grabbing her remaining pancake in her mouth, Applejack moved next to Twilight and they vanished in a burst of purple light.
***
“Welcome to Carousel Boutique.” Rarity looked up from her work to see a fiery orange pegasus pony calmly saunter through the door.
“Good morning. Hot Scoop, freelance reporter.” The pegasus said, “I wanted to ask you a few questions about the event last night.”
“Of course,” Rarity said graciously, “Hot Scoop? I’ve heard of you. Though I must say, you’re a bit late to the party. If you’re curious about what Sweetie Belle was up to, she left hours ago.”
“I’m actually more interested in the event itself,” Scoop said, getting out pen and paper. “You said it was a mock wedding?”
“Oh, I just wanted an excuse to look at my projects under some different lighting and see how they move. The rest of the decorations and whatnot were just for fun. Really, all the fuss with Sweetie Belle showing up, it got a bit out of control.” Rarity kept her tone as light and flippant as possible. “Poor dear, she simply doesn’t know how to handle fame very well.”
“So somepony wore your dresses?”
“That’s the idea. There’s a whole element of motion that a poniquin simply can’t capture.”
“And you actually acted out a wedding?”
“Just the walk down the aisle, and of course we needed refreshments afterward. And some dancing. A wedding dress must continue to look good in a dance.”
“Hm.” Scoop frowned skeptically, and Rarity pretended not to notice or be worried.
“Would you mind telling me who played the bride and groom?”
Rarity paused for just a moment. “Oh for goodness’ sake, as if anypony cares about that! It was just a silly little thing we threw together, I can’t imagine that sort of detail being relevant.”
“Just for the sake of completeness, you know. I like to get all the information I can.”
Rarity’s head worked furiously. Why, oh why hadn’t they agreed on a cover story ahead of time? She decided to stick as close to the truth as possible. “Well… if it’s that important to you, my friend Applejack’s little sister Apple Bloom played the bride. She’s been feeling a bit down lately, the poor dear. I was hoping this would give her a boost of confidence. She still doesn’t have a cutie mark, and at her age it’s just wearing on her. ”
“And the groom?”
Rarity sucked in her breath. If only he’d somehow forgotten about this.
“Another dear friend of mine, named Spike.”
“… the dragon?” Scoop had heard of Spike before, obviously.
Rarity nodded and looked at something else, trying to seem bored.
“You were testing a clothing design for a dragon?”
Rarity felt sweat collecting under her mane. “An artist enjoys a challenge from time to time. Besides, it’s an untapped market. A risky market, true, but if there ever were a demand for such things, well, look who’s prepared.”
Hot Scoop stared at her for a long moment.
“And Apple Bloom agreed to this?”
“Oh, they’ve known each other since they were little; they’re good friends. Besides, what’s the harm in just walking down the middle of a barn together?”
Scoop frowned, remembering the photo he’d taken. Those two didn’t look like they’d just been in some game of pretend. They looked scared. He briefly considered confronting Rarity with it… but no, it wasn’t the right time. If there was something going on, it wouldn’t do to tip his hoof this early.
“Hm. Nothing, I suppose. What about Sweetie Belle breaking off her tour to model dresses? Doesn’t that seem just the tiniest bit odd to you?”
Rarity’s relief at the change of subject was clear. “Oh, don’t be too hard on Sweetie Belle. I think the touring was just getting to her, she wanted to come home and see some friendly faces. I’ve never had quite so intense a touring schedule, you know, but I’ve done my fair share of traveling and I know how rough it can be. And Sweetie was never that fond of the spotlight; she’d have been perfectly happy to stay right here and sing her heart out at home. What a waste that would be!”
“Hmm. Did she know the bride and groom as well?”
“There wasn’t really a ‘bride and groom’, it was all just going through the motions,” Rarity said, trying to sound uninterested. “But yes, practically everypony knows everypony here in Ponyville, it would be difficult for her not to know them. Now, not to be rude, but are you about done? I should be getting back to work.”
“Of course. That’s it for now, I think. Thank you for your time, Madame Rarity.”
“Any time.”
As Hot Scoop was leaving, Rarity made her way over to her fainting couch. As soon as the door closed behind him, she collapsed onto it.
***
To the utter astonishment of both Twilight and Applejack, Pinkie Pie was already at the farm, bouncing up and down excitedly as she spoke to a very dismayed-looking Apple Bloom. Spike was sitting on the floor, mostly obstructed from their view by her body. Not sitting – lying, on his belly.
“What’s goin’ on, is everything okay?” asked Applejack at once.
“Oooh, I don’t wanna spoil the surprise! You need to see for yourself!” Pinkie squeaked and nudged Apple Bloom to move her aside and give them an unimpeded look at the dragon.
A pair of wrinkled, slightly undersized wings had sprouted from Spike’s back.
Twilight and Applejacks’ mouths dropped open.
“Hey guys,” Spike said weakly. “I think they’ve been getting bigger.”
“They’ve definitely gotten bigger since I got here,” Pinkie announced happily. “Just a teensy-weensy little bit, but I’m totally positive they have.”
Applejack sat back on her haunches and threw both of her front hooves in the air in a gesture of surrender. “Well, ain’t never a dull moment with you two, is there?”
“Isn’t it great! This calls for a wings-getting party!” Pinkie announced gleefully.
“Pinkie, I think we’re all partied out,” chided Twilight. “We had a wedding yesterday, for goodness’ sake.” Pinkie stared at her like she’d suddenly sprouted an extra horn. “What were you even doing here in the first place?”
“Pinkie Sense, of course!”
“You have one for dragons getting wings?”
“Well, I’ve never felt that one before, but I used the process of elimination-“ (she seemed very proud of that) “and it was either that or Granny Smith was going to rise from her grave and create an undead army to overrun Equestria, and that didn’t seem like something she would do.”
Everypony decided that not responding to that was probably the best choice.
“Are they supposed to hurt this much?” Spike asked, wincing.
“Well, maybe,” Twilight said, examining them closely. “I’d thought they would just pop in magically like cutie marks do, but it could be they just grow in gradually like that.”
“Why would Spike suddenly get wings anyway?” Applejack asked.
“Oh, did we never tell you?” Twilight looked up. “Zecora said the dragons get their wings when they find out the one special thing they really love to hoard the most.”
“I thought dragons hoarded… y’know, everythin’.”
“Well, they do, but there’s usually something they’re especially fond of. Sometimes it’s not even a physical thing they collect; it can be something like spreading fear or setting fire to things. I’m sure Spike’s is nothing nasty like that though.” Twilight turned expectantly to her scaly friend. Spike blushed.
“It… it sounds really silly.”
“No it doesn’t,” Apple Bloom said, nudging him with her muzzle. “It’s really sweet.” Spike grasped his tail in his front claws, hesitant. “If you don’t tell ‘em I will.”
“Well… last night I was watching Apple Bloom sleep and… I just thought, I want her to be happy, no matter what. I promised myself I would do whatever I could.” He turned to her, and she blushed and looked away as he repeated the dream he’d had. “And then when I woke up…” Spike shrugged his shoulders, making his new wings rustle wetly.
“So your hoard is… makin’ Apple Bloom happy?” Applejack’s face twisted in confusion.
“It’s making everypony happy!” Twilight exclaimed, rearing gleefully. “That makes perfect sense!”
“It does?” Spike asked.
“You’ve always been such a great helper, to me and to everypony else! And when you really dedicated yourself to making Apple Bloom happy, that was the trigger!”
“Your dream gem sure made me happy!” Pinkie exclaimed, hugging him. “Thanks so much! And congratulations!”
“Yes, congratulations!” Twilight moved closer to nuzzle him on the cheek. “I’m really happy for you. You finally found your special something. You’re a real dragon now!” Even as she said it, her eyes landed on Apple Bloom, and she saw the younger pony’s expression tighten just slightly.
“’Scuse me,” Apple bloom said softly, and walked out of the room. Spike watched her anxiously for a moment before glaring at Twilight.
“I… I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking; you know I didn’t mean that she wasn’t...” Spike looked like he was going to shout at her, but he took a deep breath and followed his wife.
Apple Bloom had gone to the toilet, and Spike waited patiently for her to come out.
“Are you okay?” he asked when she finally did.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” He couldn’t tell if she was being sarcastic or not.
“Twilight wasn’t trying to hurt your feelings, she just wasn’t thinking and she put her hoof in her mouth.”
“I know,” she replied, “An’ I wasn’t that mad, I really did have to go.” She gave him a hug. “Don’t sweat it.”
“It really doesn’t feel fair. You wanted it so much more than I did – your cutie mark, I mean.”
“If wantin’ were all it took, I’d have got it a long time ago.” She let out a sigh, but put on a smile. “Don’t worry about me. You’d better ask somepony to help you break those in, though.” Spike winced at her choice of words. “Sorry, I meant like build ‘em up. I bet Rainbow Dash knows some good exercises. Now that you’ve got ‘em, you might as well make the most of ‘em.”
“I’ll make it up to you.” Spike took her hoof in his claw and squeezed gently. “When I’m good enough at flying, I’ll take you for a ride. Anytime you want, wherever you wanna go.”
Apple Bloom’s smile quickly turned to a sly grin. “Hmm. It ain’t so much where I wanna go, as what I wanna do.”
“Huh?” Apple Bloom leaned closer and whispered in his ear. Spike’s mouth went dry as his face went red. “I, uh, I think we can try that.”
***
The best thing about gossipy old mares, Hot Scoop thought, is that they know practically everything going on in town and are only too happy to share it.
“Miss Green, if I might return the topic to Sweet Apple Acres…” he ventured, trying to get the old mare back on track. He’d decided to do a bit more roundabout research about the Apple family and their reputation in Ponyville, and he’d figured an old mare sitting in the park was as good a place to start as any. Enter Marsh Green.
“Well, everypony in town knows the Apples. Family helped found Ponyville, y’know. Their Granny Smith passed on a few years back, but they’re a tough family, ain’t let nothin’ get ‘em down. But the youngest one, Apple Bloom? She still ain’t got her cutie mark yet. Cryin’ shame that is. When she was a little filly, she’d be zippin’ all over town with her little friends, tryin’ to figure it out. I think it’s gettin’ to her, I ain’t seen her around town as much, an’ she’s been puttin’ on some weight. You wanna know what I think, she was always just tryin’ too darn hard. Knew a colt like that when I was her age. He got it in the end, and she oughta do what he did. Quit worryin’ about it an’ just find herself a job. Heck, maybe find herself a special somepony. Just ‘cause she ain’t got a mark yet don’t mean she’s a baby. If there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s that you always find things when you don’t look for ‘em.” Marsh Green nodded sagely.
“Do you know anything about the event on their farm yesterday?”
“Eh? No, didn’t hear nothin’ about that. Last thing I heard about was a mud-wrasslin’ contest they had after the last big shower.”
“So nothing unusual out of Sweet Apple Acres lately?”
“Not to my knowledge. Though I hear that little dragon who always followed Twilight Sparkle around been spendin’ a lot of time down there.”
“Really? Any idea why?”
Marsh Green shrugged. “Nope. Between you an’ me, that little guy ain’t so little no more. If he’d moved to town today, don’t reckon we’d let him stay around. He’s a sweet thing, Spike is, but I get the heebie-jeebies if I see jest him out the corner of my eye.”
“Has he ever hurt anypony?”
“Not on purpose. Wrecked some houses years ago, accidentally knocks stuff over now an’ then. Ain’t too different from a stallion his age. Speaking of which, when Big Macintosh was younger…”
The worst thing about gossipy old mares, Hot Scoop thought, is that they know practically everything going on in town and are only too happy to share it.
By the time he’d made his excuses and left, it was getting dark. Well, there would be time tomorrow. He doubted they’d go anywhere.
***
“Afternoon!”
Applejack looked up, blinking at the bright sky. An unfamiliar pegasus stallion was casually descending towards her. Striking orange, an odd color for a Pegasus.
“Help ya with somethin’?” she called.
“I certainly hope so. My name is Hot Scoop; I’m a freelance reporter. Can I ask you a few questions?”
“Er… about what?”
“The event in your barn the other day, of course.”
Applejack rolled her eyes. “Weren’t ya here? Didn’t Rarity fill you in on whatever you wanted to know?”
“I thought perhaps as the hostess, you might be able to fill us in a little more. Why would Rarity use a barn for a fashion demo?”
She felt her teeth grinding. Perhaps if she just played along he’d go away. “It gets good natural light, an’ we use it for events all the time. It’s a good place to have a party.”
“Or a wedding?”
Applejack felt herself get cold. It’s just because he thinks it was a fashion show with a wedding theme, that’s all. “A few couples from town’ve gotten hitched in there. It ain’t a castle but it’s a nice enough settin’.”
“You really went all-out. I saw some lights and streamers through the door.”
“It was fun,” Applejack said flatly. “Look, you got a point with all this?”
“I’m just looking around for a new angle. If Sweetie Belle is so very fond of the place, there must be a reason, after all. I like to get to know the ponies I write about. Find their hidden depths.”
Applejack turned back towards her plow.
“Not much depth to find ‘round here. We’re simple farm ponies.”
“Don’t sell yourselves short,” Scoop flew around to the front of her. “ I’ve spoken to plenty of farm ponies with very interesting lives. You yourself have been involved in a quite a few adventures, haven’t you? Helped save Equestria a few times?”
“There’s public records of all that stuff, you can go look it up if it’s that big a deal to ya. I’ve really gotta be gettin’ back to work.”
“Just a few more questions; I’ll make them quick,” Scoop continued, “Regarding Sweetie Belle visiting the event, I find it rather curious that a young mare with such a bright future would run home over such a trivial matter as modeling a dress design, don’t you?”
Applejack shook her head dismissively. “Look, Mr. Scoop, me an’ Rarity are close, but there ain’t no sense in me tryin’ to explain their relationship to you. You talk to them about that.”
“I did already speak to Rarity, in fact. She mentioned something about your little sister being the one in the bride’s dress?”
Applejack tried to keep herself from going stiff. “Er… yeah, she was. Why?”
“Just curious.”
“Look, don’t you go botherin’ Apple Bloom, y’hear? She ain’t been feelin’ so well, she don’t need to be hassled by a lotta silly questions. Frankly, nopony here does. We all got work to do.”
“Is something wrong? You seem upset.”
“It ain’t none a yer business. Now shoo!”
As Scoop took off, he noticed Spike and a mare he recognized as the one from the picture walking along the trail back to the farm, and he hid behind a cloud to observe. He’d always wished he had a blue or white coat to blend in with the sky or clouds, it would have made his job much easier. As it was he had to surreptitiously maneuver a cloud into a better viewing position to use it as camouflage, and hope no weatherpony would find and yell at him.
Wait… was that Spike? It had to be, though he’d read that Spike was a wingless young dragon. That was very strange. But then it couldn’t exactly be anyone else, certainly a strange dragon wouldn’t have been so casually welcomed. He watched them chat with Applejack for a moment, then head inside; Spike resting one claw on Apple Bloom’s back the whole way. They went in together, and Spike came out a few minutes later and started assisting Applejack and her brother with their work.
The wings, he thought, would give him an excuse to talk to Spike. His opportunity came shortly when Applejack left the farm, leaving Spike pruning trees on his own.
“Lovely day, isn’t it?” Scoop asked. A cliché’d introduction, but he needed something.
“Er, yeah, I guess,” Spike answered, a little surprised. “Um, usually visitors come in at the front gate, even pegasi.” He gestured in that direction. “I guess you’re new in town.”
“Oh, I apologize for my intrusion. My name’s Hot Scoop, I came to town following the Sweetie Belle story and, well,” he shrugged, “now I’m looking for something else. And you’re Spike, of course, I know about you already. Or I thought I did at least.” He tilted his head towards Spike’s wings. “Those are new, aren’t they?”
“Yeah, they just came in a couple days ago.” Spike flexed and stretched them in the morning sun; they seemed to be growing more flexible and less stiff by the hour.
“Are they functional?”
“I haven’t tried yet. I think so though.”
“That’s wonderful!” A warm smile spread across Scoop’s face. “ I remember when I flew properly for the first time; it was one of the greatest experiences of my life.” He pulled a notepad and pen from his saddlebag. “So, what brought them on? I mean, what spurs a dragon to grow wings? Puberty?”
“It’s a little like a dragon’s cutie mark, I guess. When we learn what it is we like to hoard the most, our wings come in so we can pursue it better. That’s how it was explained to me, anyway.”
“Oh? So, what’s your hoard then?”
‘The skins of nosy reporters’ and ‘randy young mares in heat’ were two quips Spike thought of saying but didn’t.
“Happiness.”
“Happiness?” Scoop echoed, a bit incredulous.
“Gratitude might be a better word. I like being helpful and making ponies happy.” He sort of blurted it out; it still felt somehow silly to say out loud.
“Huh.” Scoop eyed him for a long moment and scribbled a note. “So what brought you to the farm? You were assistant to one Twilight Sparkle before, correct?”
“Well… you know… I couldn’t do that forever, I wanted to try something new. And they could always use some extra help.”
“What about that event in the barn the other day?”
“That…that was just a thing for Rarity. I don’t know why everypony’s making such a big fuss about it.”
“Sweetie Belle’s a hot up-and-comer; she’s going to have paparazzi on her tail. And when she does something weird like stop mid-tour and come down to model wedding dresses… Well, you can understand why it would get attention.”
“I know some performers who do weirder stuff. Wasn’t there an actress who nearly got her audience killed in a buffalo stampede a couple years back?”
“You mean Rising Star? I actually interviewed her; her role in that whole mess was badly exaggerated. She was…” Scoop shook his head. “Sorry, getting sidetracked. About the event in the barn, did you play a role?”
“Er… only sort of.” Spike said, thinking of a lie. “I was just doing little stuff to help out. You know, with the food and… stuff.” Spike felt a rush of panic: was that a triumphant smile that flashed across Scoop’s face, for just a moment?
“Stuff. I see. And nothing of interest happened?”
“Until you reporters showed up.”
“Can’t blame ponies for trying to earn a living.”
“Oh, Applejack, I’ve been meaning to talk to you!” Rarity said; as luck would have it, they passed each other in the street. Applejack tossed her head towards a side road and Rarity followed to where the two could speak in private.
“I jest got out of a conversation with some reporter feller. Hot Sauce?”
“Hot Scoop is still around? That’s unfortunate, I thought perhaps I’d satisfied his curiosity.”
“You know him?”
“I know of him, he’s not what you’d call famous but it’s not hard to find an article with his name on it. He’s never really ‘broken out’; he tends to be a bit on the mild and balanced side, doesn’t really stand-“
“He said you’d mentioned having AB in the weddin’ dress,” Applejack interrupted. “Why would you give him that?”
“I just thought that sticking as close to the truth as possible will make us look better when the whole story does eventually come out. Honestly we should have worked on our cover story more.”
“Yeah, I guess yer right. We should get together an’ talk about that some more.” Applejack gritted her teeth. “I don’t like it. I don’t like not bein’ able to tell the whole truth, an’ I don’t like him pesterin’ us.”
“I understand completely, dear, but it’s important that you stay calm,” Rarity said. “Acting like you have something to hide will only encourage him. Simply show him that you’re not worth his attention – er, sorry, that came out wrong.”
Applejack gave a half-smile. “No, I got it. Just show him that we’re simple farmin’ folks with nothin’ to report on.” AJ sighed. “I wish we could just… be honest about all this.”
“I know, dear. I do too. What? I do.” Rarity added defensively, seeing Applejack’s skeptical look. “If we could be honest about it, maybe nopony would have an issue. Even If there are going to be consequences I’d rather just get them over and done with. But of course your sister’s health must come first. The wedding wasn’t too much out of her, I hope?
“Nah, she seems fine. Hopefully she’ll stay that way.”Applejack replied, knocking a hoof against a nearby tree.
“Good to hear. Well, if Scoop ever makes too much of a nuisance of himself, feel free to send him my way. I can always use more publicity.”
***
Idly spying on Spike an Apple Bloom over the next couple of days revealed little, but it was an incident at the market that got Scoop’s attention. He’d happened to spot them in Ponyville’s open-air market buying groceries. He saw Spike hoisting a bag of groceries on one shoulder, carrying a bag of flour under one arm. Applebloom carried nothing in her saddlebag, which seemed a little odd to Scoop. As he watched, trying to look only casually interested, he saw them buy some cabbage at a stand. Spike reached over to grab the bag and Apple Bloom did the same, resulting in him poking her in the nose with his claws.
“Ow, Spike!” she said, eyes watering. “Let me get this one.”
“No, I’ve got it,” said Spike, hefting the bag with a light grunt.
“C’mon, you can put something in my saddlebag.”
“It’s no big deal, I’ve got it. You just take it easy,” Spike said, patting her mane reassuringly.
“I. Want. To. Carry. Something,” said Apple Bloom firmly.
Spike lowered his voice and said something Scoop couldn’t hear, and she stamped her hoof.
“Darnit, Spike, I ain’t made outta glass!” she exclaimed, loudly enough that a couple other shoppers turned their heads. “Put those groceries in my saddlebag now!”
Startled, Spike did as he was told, and she slammed her bits on the counter and stormed off huffily, shoving another mare out of the way. Spike followed her, clearly confused and alarmed. When they were far enough down the road to be out of earshot of the market he tried talking to her.
“Apple Bloom-“
She turned and snapped at him: “Quit treatin’ me like a foal! I ain’t that fragile!”
Spike held up his hands defensively. “I’m trying to help you!”
“Maybe I don’t want help! Maybe I wanna do some stuff on my own!”
“But…but the doctor said –“
“ ‘The doctor, the doctor’ mimed Apple Bloom angrily, “Shut up for two seconds about the stupid doctor! If she’d thought I was that delicate she’d never have let me out!”
“But what happens if you go back to the hospital again?” cried Spike. “If you push yourself too hard, even a little bit, you might have to go back and maybe this time there won’t be a potion that can help you!”
“You’re bein’ ridiculous!”
“I just don’t want to risk it. I care about you too much to-“
Apple Bloom made a frustrated cry in the back of her throat and stomped down the road. Spike just stood for a moment before picking up the bags and following her.
Hot Scoop hovered for a long moment. What was that?
“Um… Applejack, I think I made Apple Bloom mad.”
“Already?” Applejack grunted as she yanked her plow. “I knew it’d happen eventually, but y’all ain’t been married but a few days.”
“I know, I know.” Spike drooped his shoulders miserably.
Applejack stopped pulling the plow and looked at her brother-in-law. “Look, Spike, I think you two need to work stuff out between yourselves, but I’ll give ya my opinion if ya really want it. Can’t promise you’ll like what I’ve got to say though.”
Spike told her about the incident at the market.
“I don’t really understand why she got so upset. I just don’t want her to strain herself.”
“You gotta look at it from her angle. Apple Bloom’s used to bein’ able to do stuff for herself. She’s never been outta shape this long before, an’ I don’t reckon the doctors’ll tell her she can go back to work until after the baby’s born. Most ponies don’t ever have this much trouble, y’know. I remember when Ma was carryin’ her she barely even slowed down; weren’t a chore she couldn’t do. But Apple Bloom’s lookin’ at another six months, at least, of not bein’ able to do what she used to, an’ that’s hard on her. She’s gotta feel like she’s still useful, you understand?”
“Yeah, I do.” Spike looked at his claws, feeling a bit embarrassed for not seeing it sooner.
“Add that to the fact she still ain’t got her cutie mark an she’s wonderin’ if she has a point at all, an’ I can understand why she’d feel kinda snappy.” Applejack nudged Spike’s cheek with her muzzle, trying to be encouraging. “Just use a little common sense. A couple heads of cabbage never broke nopony’s back. Now, if she comes out here wantin’ to pull the plow, that’s another story.”
“Right, I hear you. Thanks, Applejack.”
“Thank me by makin’ up to my sister. I hate eatin’ dinner when there’s bad air over the table.”
“I’ll go talk to her now.” Spike went inside, slowly approaching their room, listening for stomps or crying or any hint that he should give her some space. Nothing. He cautiously opened the door to their room, seeing her laying on her belly, head down on the bed.
“Hey,” Spike said, tentatively.
“Hey,” replied Apple Bloom, looking up from their bed. Had she been crying? Spike couldn’t quite tell.
“Can we talk?”
“Yeah, I think we better,” Apple Bloom looked around the empty room, then shrugged. No need to go anyplace else for privacy.
“Listen...” Spike began, sitting next to her. “I’m sorry I went overboard on the helping thing. I was so caught up in taking care of you that I didn’t realize I was hurting you more.”
“I wanna do stuff for myself, okay? I gotta feel like I’m still good for somethin’.”
“Yeah, okay,” said Spike, gently touching her mane. “But will you let me hang around so I can pitch in? Just a little, when you do need it?”
“Deal. An’ I’m sorry too. I gotta stop goin’ off on you like that in public.”
Spike nuzzled her, to say all was forgiven. “Yeah, ponies might think we’re an old married couple.”
To Spike’s relief, Apple Bloom laughed.
***
“Hello again, Spike.” Scoop hovered just a few feet off the ground, a bit nervous. He wasn’t sure this was at all a good idea, but he had to know.
“Hot Scoop, I told you we really expect visitors to use the entrance.”
“Just a quick question and I’ll be out of your frills. You and Apple Bloom are pretty close, correct?”
Spike felt his spines stiffen with anxiety.
“Er… Well, depends on what you mean by close…”
“Do you know if she’s seeing anypony?”
His spines stiffened even more. “Why do you care?
“Well, she is very attractive; I was considering asking her out sometime while I was still in the neighborhood,” Scoop said casually.
“No.” Spike’s voice was a barely audible rumble
“I’m sorry?”
“No. You leave her alone. Don’t you dare go near her.”
“I’m not going to attack her or anything,” Hot Scoop said defensively. “I simply wanted to ask her to lunch, maybe get some coffee. I’m not that much older than she is, we could –“
Spike was in his face, his huge green eyes distorted into one, startlingly warm breath wreathing around Hot Scoop’s neck.
“I said leave. her. alone.” Spike growled in a low, angry tone that Scoop could feel in his guts.
“Okay, okay, I won’t. I mean, I will. Leave her alone.” said Scoop hastily. Spike glared into his eyes for another moment before turning away with a snort. Scoop decided he’d overstayed his welcome. He didn’t really think Spike would hurt him, of course – but there was no sense in pushing his buttons any further. Besides, he’d gotten what he wanted.
***
“Spike, is somethin’ botherin’ you?” asked Apple Bloom as they got in bed that night.
“Did that Scoop guy talk to you today?”
“No, I’ve seen him around but he ain’t said a word to me. Why?”
“Doesn’t matter. As long as he’s not bothering you.” Spike rolled over, but Apple Bloom nudged his shoulder.
“Nu-uh. You’re gonna tell me what this is about, an’ you’re gonna tell me now.”
Spike didn’t really want to go into it, but he also didn’t want Apple Bloom upset with him again, so he explained how he’d warned Scoop away from her.
“Spike… you shouldn’t have done that,” she said when he’d finished telling her.
“Why not?!”
“’Cause now he knows you get jealous about me. You shoulda just passed him over to me an’ let me turn him down.” She looked at him. “You know I’d have turned him down, right?”
Spike looked at the covers, a little angry and a little ashamed.
“Yeah… I know. It’s not like I don’t trust you, I just… I’m sorry. I keep messing up.”
“I know you’re tryin’.” She kissed his cheek. “It ain’t like there’s a guidebook for all this. I mean, if there were, Twilight would’ve given it to us by now, right?”
Spike chuckled, for the release more than anything. “Yeah. That’s… that’s true.”
“Let’s get some sleep. Tomorrow’s a new day.”
***
Hot Scoop’s head loudly banged against his desk. He was missing something; something in this story just didn’t make sense. It didn’t feel right; it tickled and tickled at the back of his brain, like he’d just solved a jigsaw puzzle but had no idea what the picture was supposed to be. He took a deep breath and started looking over his notes again.
The dragon and the young mare were enamored with each other, that much was obvious. Spike’s jealousy and Apple Bloom’s guarded manner were all the evidence he needed. Was that all there was to it? Had they simply fallen in love and married in secret to avoid trouble from their more conservative neighbors?
No, no, no. Even from his limited interaction with them, he could tell the Apples were an honest and straightforward bunch: guile was clearly not their strong point. If they felt that they were in the right, they wouldn’t hide it. Not unless they had a very good reason to.
Well, there was Apple Bloom’s “illness”, though she seemed fairly healthy to Scoop. They seemed to be treating her very delicately; perhaps they simply didn’t want to expose her to stress?
The timing of events still felt off, though. A strange illness, a dragon moving in, and a secret “wedding” all in the span of a couple weeks? Quite a coincidence.
It’s right there in front of you, you fool (his brain said.) You’re not seeing it because you don’t want to see it, but it’s so obvious you can’t get away from it. If this were a story only about ponies, you’d have guessed it days ago. If it had been two ponies, young and in love, and then suddenly they move in together and have a private wedding ceremony, what would you think? What would be your first guess?
No, he told himself. That’s impossible. That’s completely impossible.
Are you sure? Have you ever actually heard that it’s impossible?
Hot Scoop stared at his notes, suddenly realizing they weren’t what he needed right then. He headed towards the library.
“Twilight Sparkle? My name is Hot Scoop, I’m-“
“I know who you are,” Twilight said, her ears as flat as her voice. “Why are you still hanging around and bothering my friends?”
“Now, now, is that any way to talk to a library visitor?”
Twilight’s frown deepened. But then, she couldn’t really justify turning away somepony who was looking for a book.
“Can I help you find something, then?” she asked in her best grumpy librarian voice.
“Do you have anything about dragons?”
Twilight did her best to conceal her surprise. That was not a common topic. “I’m afraid the list of reliable books on dragons is very small.”
“What’s the most comprehensive tome you have?”
“Probably the one I’m still working on about my own experiences with Spike,” Twilight said matter-of-factly. “Very few ponies have ever tried to do intensive research on dragons, and not all of those made it back with their findings. Even Spike doesn’t have much insight into dragon culture.”
“So you don’t have anything?”
“I don’t have anything reliable. There’s some old bestiaries and things like that, but they’re not very scientific. The parts that aren’t misunderstandings are usually complete fiction. Is there some specific topic you’re looking for?”
“Any information you have on dragons’ breeding habits.”
Twilight’s pupils went wide. “Then you’re totally out of luck. Where did that come from, if you don’t mind my asking?”
“Just something I’ve gotten curious about. Tell me, do you think it would be possible for a dragon and another species to…conceive a child?”
He knows. Twilight thought her heart had stopped. She broke into what she hoped was a believable coughing fit while she tried to hastily think of a plan. “W-why would you even ask that?”
“Idle curiosity,” he replied in a tone that challenged her to question it.
“That… would be a very interesting idea, but I’m afraid without more research…” Twilight knew she was giving herself away with every word. “It MIGHT be, er, theoretically possible. In theory. Dragons are very magical. But there’s no real… research. Not here, at least.”
“Is that so.” Scoop seemed exactly as convinced as Twilight feared he would be: not at all. “Has Spike ever expressed any romantic interest in ponies?”
“That’s none of your business. Spike has the right to privacy just like everypony else.”
“What would you say if Spike did have a relationship with a pony?”
“If they had a healthy relationship and treated each other well, I would support them completely. IF that happened.”
“Even if that relationship came with children?”
“Especially then. Are you really trying to write an article out of silly questions like that?”
Scoop gave a little shrug. “Maybe.”
“Applejack’s told me how much you’ve been bothering her and her family and they’re very busy this time of year. Please, just leave them alone.”
“Don’t worry. I think I’m almost done here. I’ll be seeing you later.”
The library door had barely shut behind him before Twilight teleported away.
***
“I’ve got bad news. Hot Scoop knows.” Twilight said as soon as she got the Apple family together.
“Whaddya mean he knows?”
“I’m almost positive he knows about Apple Bloom and Spike’s baby.”
Applejack’s entire body went rigid. “HOW?”
“I don’t know how he figured it out, but he did.” Twilight quickly explained the exchange she’d just been part of.
“What should we do?” Spike asked worriedly
“What can we do?” Should we get the princesses involved?”
“I already know what they’ll say,” Twilight replied miserably. “They can’t censor the press, not even for something like this. It’d set a bad precedent.”
The ponies sat in silence for a while, trying to think of a solution.
“Well… maybe he won’t actually write anything that bad?” Applejack finally ventured hopefully.
“I was thinkin’ that maybe we should get ahead of the game and announce it ourselves.” Apple Bloom said.
“No!” Big Macintosh interjected forcefully, startling everypony.
“AB, I don’t think that’s a good idea, how’re the townsponies gonna react?”
“We’re all just assumin’ that they’re gonna react badly but don’t you think that’s unfair? I mean, these are our friends, they’ve known Spike an’ I forever. Outta y’all just Rarity had a problem an’ she’s over it now, or just about.”
“There’s more to it than that,” Twilight said quietly.
“Whaddya mean, Twi?”
“I… I’m sorry, I shouldn’t say more. Just… there might be bigger reasons than that. When the baby’s born we won’t have a choice but…” Twilight bit her lip. “
A knock at the door startled them. After a moment, Twilight opened it. There stood Scoop, and the air went thick with tension.
“I’m… sorry, am I interrupting something?” Scoop said, a bit taken aback by the feel in the air.
“Yes. Leave.” Applejack snapped immediately. Big Macintosh moved to get between him and the rest of the room.
“I wanted to talk with Spike and Apple Bloom. Privately.”
“Anything you wanna say to us you can say to everypony here,” Apple Bloom said firmly.
Scoop looked around the room, then shrugged.
“As you wish. I’ll just cut right to the chase. I know that wasn’t any fashion show. That was a real wedding, wasn’t it? It was a spur wedding. Because you’re pregnant. And you’re-“ he point to Spike “the father.”
There was no point in trying to deny it; their immediate expressions gave it all away.
“So you did figure it out.” Twilight said. “What tipped you off?”
“I snapped this picture.” Scoop took the photograph of the furtive, scared-looking newlyweds trying to keep out of sight. “Something seemed off, so I followed the clues. It’s my gift.”
“What do you want?” Twilight asked after a moment.
“Excuse me?”
“What do we have to give you to keep you from publishing this story? Apple Bloom’s health has been fragile from this pregnancy, she doesn’t need the kind of attention this will bring.”
“Listen, I think you have me all wrong,” said Scoop. “I’m not interested in writing a scandalous story to drag you both down. That kind of thing is bad press for me too; nopony would trust me with an interview again. But this is a major landmark in Equestrian history, and if I can be the pony to bring the news to the world…” Scoop made a little smile. “Well, there’s fame and profit to be had, for sure.” The smile vanished, and his tone got serious. “But there’s different kinds of fame and profit, and I want the good kind, the kind that means I’m remembered as a good pony, as well as a good reporter.”
“So you ain’t got a problem with Spike an’ I havin’ a baby?” Apple Bloom asked, almost not daring to believe him.
Scoop shook his head. “My personal feelings are irrelevant, I’m a professional. Besides, I’ve seen strange pairings before. I knew a coconut farmer and a seapony… never mind. I can see that your love for each other and your family is real. That much is very, very obvious. Equestria can always use more love in it, don’t you think?”
“I still don’t know about publishing this…” Spike said, “As soon as the word gets out, more reporters are gonna show up. Apple Bloom’s still…”
“Then how about this: I won’t publish the story yet. I’ll wait for her to be born. I can’t promise no other reporters will catch on in the meantime, but I’ll keep my ear to the wind and warn you if I think something will happen. In return, I get the first interview.”
Spike and Apple Bloom looked at each other.
“Is this okay with you?” he asked.
“Yeah, I think so. I think this is the best idea. We’re gonna have to start explainin’ eventually, might as well be to him.”
“Okay, Scoop, you’ve got a deal. But if you go back on your word…” Spike bared his fangs, flexed his wings and blew a little whiff of smoke from his nostrils. “I will find you. No matter where you go. Understand?”
“Perfectly,” Scoop said, a little shaken but not too disturbed. He took a card from his saddlebag. “My address in Las Pegasus. Please feel free to contact me any time. And… Well, I hope the rest of your pregnancy goes well.” He smiled, excused himself.
The door closed behind him and the room was tense for a solid minute.
“Is anypony else afraid some new mess is gonna come knockin’ any minute?” Applejack said at last. There were nods and murmurs of agreement.
“You know what," Apple Bloom said, "I ain’t waitin’ for it.” She went to the door and threw it open. There was nopony there. “I don’t care what’s comin’ next. I ain’t gonna let it stop me from doin’ what I wanna do.”
“And what is it you want to do?” Twilight asked gently.
“Right now? Go get some ice cream. An’ then later I wanna wear my weddin’ shoes in public and let everypony know I got hitched to someone wonderful. Better they think of me as bein’ married before they think of me as bein’ preggers.”
“I think both of those are good plans.” Twilight smiled. “We could all use a treat. Everypony coming?”
***
“You know Apple Bloom, right?” asked Roseluck as she sank into the spa’s mud bath.
“’Course I do,” Daisy responded, setting a hoof in the bath to join her.
“Well, did you hear about the thing in the market the other day?”
“I heard she got mad at Spike for something? It’s not like her to blow up like that…”
“Well, Bon Bon was there and she nearly got knocked over when Apple Bloom stormed off, and she said that she felt a rather distinctive bump in Apple Bloom’s belly.”
“NO!”
“Oh yes.” Roseluck nodded. “Look closely next time you see her, you can tell if you’re looking.”
“The poor thing. I wonder who the father is?
“I hope he’s going to be a real stallion about it, whoever he is.”
“Assuming it’s a he…” Daisy muttered conspiratorially.
“What are you implying? A hornfoal? That’s an urban legend.”
“No, no, it can really happen, it’s rare but it’s definitely possible. And she and Sweetie Belle are so close…”
“That’s ridiculous. You’ve been spending too much time at the Salty Spittoon.”
“Hm. Surely somepony else would have some ideas. We should ask.”
