//------------------------------// // We Are (Apples) Family // Story: Dragonfire 🐲 Enter The Dragon Hero 🐲 // by Phantom-Dragon //------------------------------// After his training with Rainbow Dash, Spike's next training in the Training Dimension is with Applejack. The country girl was bucking some apple trees, in pony form, when Spike walked in, as a human. "Howdy Spike!" Applejack greeted. "Hey AJ!" Spike greeted, before he took notice of the girl's action. "What are you doing?" "Apple bucking," Applejack continued to buck the trees. "Quickest way to harvesting apples. And it really does a number to strengthen the horsepowers. Y'know, if yer a pony that is." "Apple bucking?" Spike turned to a tree nearby, before he shouted in a war cry and kicked the tree. This action left an imprint of a shoe on the tree's bark, while causing a whole pile of apples to rain down on Spike. "You okay there Spike?" Applejack asked, as she dug her way through the apples. "Yeah, I'm okay," Spike replied, shaking the apples off, before he kicked another tree to harvest the apples. After awhile, all of the trees were clear of apples. Applejack turned back into a human, as she took her hat off to wipe the sweats off her brow, "Well Spike," Applejack began. "From the looks of it. I'd say you've got the chops, and the form of an apple. We'll be having lots of apples for dinners tonight." "So, is this all for today?" Spike asked. "Nope," Applejack answered, as she brought Spike over to a barn. Once inside, the lights dimmed down, before the girl turned and asked, "Ready to get started?" "Yeah! Let's do this!" With that, Spike concentrated, before he dragons up in a burst of green fire. In a flash of light, the girl changes back in pony form, "Yee-haw!" Applejack hollered, before she stepped on a hidden switch, and the two were surrounded by chains, all which formed a giant cage around them. [Fighting Is Magic - Applejack Theme] The two both charged at each other, with Applejack throwing a flying kick, while Spike ducked down, slithers beneath the pony, jumps up and spins his tail around for a whip, which Applejack blocked. Applejack retaliated with a stomp of her fore hooves, resulting in a slight tremor that knocked Spike off his feet, before she rocketed herself towards the dragon, while screaming, "YEEEE-HAAAAAW!!" landing an impact on his chest and forced Spike a few feet away. "Whoa!" Spike exclaimed, catching his breath. "You're strong!" "Sorry," Applejack frowned. "Should I take it down a notch?" "No, no!" Spike shook his head. "I'm up for a challenge!" Applejack smiled, as she resumes her fighting stance, "Now that's what I like to hear from the Dragon Prince." With that, the two resumed their fight. Spike breathed a jet of fire from the mouth, before Applejack pulled out a rope from her hat, and lassoed his jaw shut. In retaliation, Spike grabbed the rope with his claws and swung Applejack around, until she got really dizzy and lost her grip on the rope. Applejack flew to one of the chain bars, kicked off and flew back at Spike, throwing a punch, which Spike managed to block. Spike then retaliated as he spins and sweeps the floor with his tail, tripping Applejack, before lunging towards the mare and pins her down. With a smirk, Applejack kicked her leg into Spike's stomach, forcing him off, did a flip, and was engulfed in a flash of light. Once the lights died down, there she stood, in her anthro form. "Ok, before we can resume, what do you call this?" Spike inquired about the girl's new form. "Oh right," Applejack scratched her head. "Guess we forget to explain you about our battle forms." "Battle forms?" "Yup," Applejack nodded. "They're basically the kind of forms we take to have enhanced senses, and reflexes, when it comes to fighting." "Fascinating," Spike commented, before he got into his fighting stance. "Well, show me what you got!" Applejack complied, as she threw out several fast punches, to which Spike blocked a few, while receiving the majority to the chest. "Oh," Spike groaned. "That smarts." "Told ya how strong I could be," Applejack replied. "Now the fun can really begin." "Bring it partner." With that, Spike and Applejack resumed their fight, landing several punches, chops, and kicks. While sparring, Spike decided to chew the fat. "So, about your battle forms," he began, while blocking a punch. "How'd you girls learn to fight like this?" "About 9 years back," Applejack replied, while also blocking a strike. "After you and Scorpan left, Twilight got us all together with the princess. And during the talk, we've all agreed that while you're staying on Earth to recuperate, the least we can do is get stronger, for Equestria, and for you." "Me?" "But of course sugarcube. You've inspired us all with your heroism and friendship, that we ended up becoming heroes in your honor." Applejack stopped sparring for a moment to catch her breath and looked up in nostalgia. "So with Princess Celestia's approval, we started training together, learning how to fight, use magics, and we've had many adventures together. And that's how our battle forms were made." "Wow," Spike awed. "The girls have told me how much of an impact I've made on them, but I never knew it would go that far." "More than you know," Applejack said, as they continued with their sparring session. After about an hour later, Spike and Applejack were both lying on the floor, exhausted and back in human forms. "Well now," Applejack began. "Looks like ya got the forms to fighting there Spike." "You've got good forms too," Spike panted. "And I don't mean pony or battle forms." Applejack smiled, until they both hear the sound of Spike's stomach growling. "Wow, all that sparring's really worked up an appetite." Soon, it was Applejack's turn to have a grumbling stomach. "I'll say, c'mon sugarcube. I've got some apple treats for us, over here." With that, the two walked over to a door nearby, opening it to reveal a small dining room, with only a few chairs surrounding a square table, and a refrigerator. Applejack walked over to the fridge, before she pulls out a various apple treats for her and Spike to snack on. "Here you are sugarcube," Applejack smiled. "Eat up." Spike took a whiff and smiled, "Don't mind if I do." With that, he happily munches the foods away. While snacking, Applejack looked lovingly at the young boy, who took notice. "What?" he asked. "I'm just remembering the first time we met, sugarcube," Applejack sighed. "And that would be?" Past It was back at the Grand Galloping Gala, when Applejack came with the her brother, Big Mac, and cousin, Braeburn, in hopes of promoting their business. Their only costumer was a Wonderbolt named Soarin, who immediately bought an apple pie. Since then, the three didn't have much luck in selling anymore of their apple products. "AJ," Big Mac began. "Not gonna ramble on or anything but, I'm afraid no pony else is gonna buy our food." Applejack groaned miserably, "As much as I hate to admit it, you're probably right. What was I thinking? Selling our apples here." "There there cuz," Braeburn comforted. "At least ya tried." "We all did," Big Mac added. Just then, a young Spike came passing by, "Phew, greeting the guests with mom sure is tiring," he sighed, just as his stomach growled. "Oh, I'm so hungry, I could eat a whole mountain of apple fritters right now." Hearing this, Applejack instantly perked up, along with her renewed hopes, as she smiled before the prince, "Did I hear ya hankering for some apple fritters? Because we've got just the thing for ya!" Spike looked at the foods on display, which clearly made his stomach growling even louder, "I'll eat just about anything right now," After paying his meal, Spike took a quick bite from an apple fritter which sets off some fireworks in his mind. "Wow!" he exclaimed. "This is really good!" He ate the whole fritter. "Where've you been all my life?" He moaned. "Just down in Ponyville, working day and night at Sweet Apple Acres," Applejack answered. "Oh! You guys must be the apple families! Mom's told me a lot about you ponies. She said the foods you made were great!" "Why thank you," Applejack smiled. "Name's Applejack by the way. And this here is my brother Big Mac and my cousin Braeburn." "Howdy," the boys greeted. "Nice to meet you all," Spike smiled. "I'm Prince Spike. But...." "Oh mah stars!" Applejack gasped as she bowed. "Forgive us your highness! We didn't know it was you!" "Yeah," Braeburn panicked, as he and Big Mac both followed AJ. "What she said." "Eeyup." "Don't worry," Spike replied forgivingly. "I get that a lot from new ponies in Canterlot. Please, rise up." The three little ponies complied, as Applejack began, "Again, I'm really sorry, yer highness. I know you're a Dragon Prince and all, but I was kinda expecting-" "What? That I'd look like this?" Spike asked, changing into his dragon form for visual aid. "Yeah." Applejack frowned ashamedly. "It's okay. Like I said, I get that a lot." Spike smiled cooly. "Though, I would like to ask for you ponies for a favor." "But of course, anything your highness!" "Well, is it alright if I could have an apple pie, some apple fritters, and a couple of your apple fries?" Spike asked. "I'm gonna share them with some friends of mine. And I'm sure they'll pass the words off to their friends." "Sure thing, Sugarcube," Applejack smiled as she got the said foods, put them in a bag, and gave them to young Spike, who paid the bits. "Oh, no need young prince," Applejack smiled, handing the bits back. "These are on us." "No, I insist," Spike replied, handing the money back. "I have a feeling you folks need it more than me." "How do you know?" Applejack asked. "I've seen a lot of families working really hard for a living, in all of Equestria," Spike replied. "Yours included. And mom has always been telling me that we're all family, and families look out for each other. So, I want to look out for you guys." Touched by his words, Applejack smiled, "Thanks, your highness," she said, finally accepting the money. "Please, just call me Spike," With that, Spike took his leave, just as Prince Blueblood arrived, with a miserable Rarity in tow. Spike and a young Pinkie Pie were in the ballroom, putting on a show, when Applejack, Big Mac, and Braeburn all wheeled in a cart, with a huge cake on top. "Okay, all you high-class ponies," Applejack said. "Here's a highfalutin apple cake for your hoity-toity taste buds." Just then, Pinkie Pie jumped off the stage, shouting "Stage diiiive!!" Pinkie ended up landing on Applejack's cart, causing the country pony's cake to be sent flying in the air, and almost landed on a unicorn, named Fleur-De-Lis, who was conversing with some other ponies, named Fancy Pants, Sandalwood, Trenderhoof, Lemony Gems, and Taralicious. Luckily, Spike intervened with a tremendous leap, followed by a flip, and caught the cake in mid-air. "Phew," Spike breathed a sigh of relief. "Every pony okay?" he asked. The ponies in the room all cheered as they stomped their hooves, applauding for the young prince's heroics. "Whoo-wee, Spike," Applejack smiled. "You've got some springs in your steps there sugarcube!" "HE DEFINITELY DOES!!" Pinkie cheered, jumpscaring the young prince, causing him to repeatedly beat his chest, while also sending the cake to fly in the air again, out of the ballroom, and onto a certain unhappy couple. "Pinkie!" Spike panted. "Don't do that!" Applejack let out a light chuckle, "I see you've met Pinkie Pie." "Oh, you two know each other?" Spike asked. "Oh sure," Pinkie smiled. "We're both from Ponyville. We're best friends. But who knows? I could possibly be Applejack's fourth cousin, twice removed by a fifth cousin. But it's exactly like being a sister!!! IT'S THE BEST SINCE CHOCOLATE MILK RAINING FROM COTTON CANDY CLOUDS!!!" She answered with a squee. Speechless, Spike turned to Applejack, "Don't ask," Applejack advised the prince. Composing himself, Spike was on his way out of the ballroom, "Well, I hope you girls have a good time for the rest of the evening. I'll go and check up on the other guests. Good night." "Good night Spike," Applejack and Pinkie Pie waved happily. Applejack couldn't help but blush, "Y'know, for a prince who lives in a society of hoity toities, he's certainly a decent kind of a fella." "Yeah," Pinkie smiled. "And he's a lot of fun, too!" For the next few days, after the Gala, Applejack, Big Mac, and Braeburn began to drum up some apple businesses for their family, during their stays in Canterlot. Then, one fateful day, a horde of magical creatures were lose in the city, and the three Apple ponies were caught in the middle of it. "What the hay is going on here?" AJ asked, before she noticed a swarm of Vampire Fruit Bats, diving in for their food. "Eenope!" Big Mac said, as he started to buck the bats in vain. "Shoo! Shoo! Get off, go away! Go on! Shoo!" "Get out of here!" Braeburn struggled, swatting at some of the bats with his hat. Then, as if things couldn't get any worse, the three ponies smelled a horrid stench, as a giant timberwolf appeared. The wolf let out a bloodcurdling howl at the three frightened ponies. "RUUUUUUUNN!!!" Big Mac screamed, as the three took their leave, with the wolf running after them. Applejack wasn't looking where she was going and tripped over a slingtail's tail, and into a huge spider web. Big Mac and Braeburn stopped in their tracks, turned around to see Applejack entangled in the web. "AJ!!" the colts cried, running back to free the filly. The timberwolf soon towered over the little ponies, about to swallow them in one gulp, when a bolt of magic was shot, hitting the monstrous dog in the snout. The wolf turned its head to see Spike and Flare Heart, running towards it. Angered at the interference, the timberwolf turned its attention and lunges towards the boys, claws stretched out. Conjuring up a rope, Flare Heart tossed the other end to Spike, and together, the boys both tripped the wolf, causing it to fall on the ground, losing a few pieces of itself in the process. Spike quickly ran to Applejack, breathing a bit of fire, burning away the spider's web, freeing the filly. "Thanks Spike," Applejack smiled, grateful at the dragon's heroism. "Don't thank me yet," Spike replied, shoving the filly away, just as the timberwolf got up and snapped the boy in its jaws. "SPIIIIKE!!" Applejack screamed. "Release him at once, you cur!!" Flare Heart roared, jumping up and did a blazing spin kick to the timberwolf's jaw. But the wolf could only smack the colt away. Applejack, with a look of determination, looked around and spotted a pile of ropes lying around. With an idea, she filled it in with Big Mac and Braeburn, and together, the three apples all tied the wolf's legs together with the rope, forcing it down, before they repeatedly bucked it's stomach. "Let him go!" Applejack demanded angrily, until the wolf complied, spitting the boy out. "Yuck," Spike groaned. "Guess Fluttershy wasn't exaggerating about a timberwolf's breath." Turning to Applejack, Spike gave her a thumb's up. "Thanks AJ." "Don't mention it sugarcube," Applejack smiled, before the wolf came at them again. Spike and Flare both got out their shields, and started beating them repeatedly with their blades, producing an irritating sound that made the giant timberwolf backing down. Just then, a young Fluttershy jumped out with Newt Chimera's magic saddlebag and caught the monstrous canine. "Got him," Fluttershy panted. "Is every pony alright?" Spike asked. "Yeah," Applejack began. "We're alright. But can some pony explain what's going on here?" "Long story short," Flare Heart began. "Newt Chimera's beasts got lose and we're trying to get them back." "And we're currently missing a red bull, a blue rhino, and a pink panther," Fluttershy stated. "Then let's get going!" Spike began. "Well, if ya got some critters that need rounding, then let us lend some helping hooves," Applejack declared. "Me too," Braeburn said. "Eeyup," Big Mac agreed. Spike nodded, along with Flare and Fluttershy, "Thanks you guys. We'll need all the help we can get." "Then let's ride!" Applejack hollered. After all of the creatures were captured and put back into Newt Chimera's saddlebag, Spike was later walking Fluttershy out of Canterlot Castle, with the rewards they had received from Newt Chimera. On their way out, there stood Applejack, Big Mac, and Braeburn. "Hey AJ," Spike greeted. "Howdy Spike," Applejack smiled as she and the boys trotted up to the young prince and filly. "Listen, I just wanted to say, thank you for saving me and my kins back there." "Ya really saved our flanks," Braeburn exclaimed. "Eeyup," Big Mac agreed. "Oh, it was nothing," Spike replied modestly. "Besides, if any pony deserves the credits, it's Fluttershy right here. She caught the creatures. We're just only making it easier for her," the said pegasus couldn't help but blush a light shade of pink, hiding behind her mane. "Oh, I don't know," Fluttershy replied modestly. "I mean, I-I did caught all of the c-c-c-creatures. But I couldn't have done it alone." Spike smiled at the pegasus, before turning his attentions back at the apples, "Well, see you around." Spike hadn't gone very far, when Applejack stopped him. "Wait Spike!" Applejack began, earning his attention. The country pony began to stutter, as she draw circles around with her front hoof, "I-I-I was wondering...since y-ya liked our apple treats so much, t-t-then....p-p-perhaps ya could...." Applejack quickly lost her voice, and failed to bring herself to say it. "What?" Spike asked. "If I could what?" When Applejack was incapable of answering again, Big Mac took over, "AJ was just wondering if ya could come over to our home in Ponyville, at Sweet Apple Acres, whenever yer free. We'd love to have you over." "Eeyup," Applejack blushed, which she hid behind her hat. Spike pondered for a moment, before he asked, "Will I get apple pies?" "Eeyup," Big Mac answered. "Apple fritters?" "Of course," Applejack smiled. "And apple fries, caramel apples, apple dumplings, and our famous Zap Apple Jams!" Spike licked his lips in delight, before he answered, "Well I'm there!" Applejack and the boys smiled happily at the prince's answer, while Fluttershy looked on with jealousy, concealed by her mane, along with Flare Heart, who was secretly spying on them from the shadows. Since then, on some occasions, whenever Spike's in Ponyville, he would come over to Sweet Apple Acres, either for a friendly visit, or to lend the apple family a helping hand. During his time there, he would take the occasion to bond more with Big Mac, as well as getting himself acquainted with Applejack's little sister, Apple Bloom, and their grandmother, Granny Smith. Their family dog, Winona, too took an immediate liking to the prince. Needless to say, Spike hit it off quite well with the Apple Family, both in Ponyville and beyond. Applejack even considered Spike to be a part of the family. Spike and Applejack were later sitting on a hill, looking over all of Sweet Apple Acres. "Spike," Applejack began hesitantly. "I was, just wondering...." Applejack started to blush a storm. "That is....when you're not too busy....would you...consider...comingtotheAppleFamilyReunionthisweekened?" Applejack spoke too fast at the last part. "What's that?" Spike asked. Applejack repeated it, but was still too shy to speak it loudly and slowly enough. "Pardon?" Taking a deep breath, Applejack asked, "Would you like to come to my family's reunion this weekend? Y'know, if you're not busy then?" Spike pondered, before he replied, "A chance to try out all the apple treats? To mingle with the Apple family? To spend a day with you?" Applejack looked on in hope as Spike answered, "I'm there." Applejack smiled widely, "Ya mean it?!" she asked excitedly. "On my honor," Spike raised his hand. "Cross my heart, hope to fly. Stick a cupcake in my eye." He recited the chant Pinkie Pie had once taught him. Applejack was nothing but a blur of orange as she tackled the Dragon Prince in a loving hug, "Thank ya, Spike," she smiled. "Anytime AJ," Spike smiled, returning the embrace. Just then, Winona jumped out of a bush and tackled both the Dragon Prince and her owner, licking their faces affectionately. Present "Whoa, whoa, wait," Spike interrupted. "Pinkie promise?" Applejack chuckled, "It was something Pinkie made," AJ explained. "And trust me," she began in a frightened tone. "You do not want to break it!" "Why?" "Because ah said so!" Applejack exclaimed, scaring the boy out of his seat. "Okay okay," Spike repeated, getting back up. "No breaking a pinkie promise. Got it!" Applejack took a deep breath, before a certain event came to her mind. Applejack looked glumly as she said, "Though, Pinkie and I don't blame ya if couldn't keep that promise you made back then." Past Before preparations of the reunion could even take place, tragedy struck. When words of attempts made on Spike's life, reached Applejack in Ponyville, she, along with Pinkie Pie, took the next train to Canterlot. However, much to their dismay, they arrived too late, and were greeted with sight that can make any mothers and loved ones cry. Applejack just stood with looks of dreads on her face, before she collapsed on the floor, and cried, no matter how hard she tried to suppress it. Pinkie soon followed, with her mane deflating completely, and her color losing its radiance. After seeing Spike and Scorpan off, Applejack returned to Ponyville, along with Pinkie Pie. Once back in Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack locked herself in her room to cry. Lying before her, on her desk, was a single pie with rainbow fillings, slices of apples circling around a syrup writing engraved on the crust which reads: "To Spike, the Noble Dragon." Applejack cried harder, with her tears soaking into the pie, "I made this just for him." She continued crying throughout the night, with the sound of Winona's mournful howl, echoing through all of Sweet Apple Acres. Present The former tough girl was hiding her face behind her stetson hat, so as to not let Spike see her cry. "Our family didn't got the chance to meet you in person," Applejack cried. "You were lost to us, and to me. All because I couldn't be there for ya." "It's not your fault, Applejack," Spike replied. "Yes it is. Like you said, we're all family. You've looked out for us, but I just couldn't do the same for ya, when you needed it the most." "But I'm sure your family needed you more than I did at the time." Applejack stopped for a moment, feeling even more confused, and stricken with grief. Not wasting another second, Spike got out of his chair and went over, pulling the girl in a comforting hug, "It's okay AJ," Spike said, tightening his hug with the girl. "We're together again." The girl stopped her uncontrollable crying, as she listens to what the boy had to say. "The stuffs that happened to us in the past just doesn't matter anymore. For now, I'm looking forward to the future, with the friends who're helping to complete me." Applejack smiled, with tears of joy, as she returned the embrace, "Thanks Spike," she sighed. "I really needed to hear that." Spike was blushing up a storm, considering how close Applejack was holding him, not to mention how strong her grip is making him close to faint from his lack of air. The country girl brought his face up, and kisses Spike on the cheek, resulting in an even brighter blush, and his eyes to flash orange. Applejack failed to suppress a giggle at the boy's face, "Shoot! I almost forgot!" Applejack looked in the fridge and pulled out a slice of pie with rainbow fillings in it. "I've been saving this for ya." She handed the plate over to the boy, who looked curiously at the slice. "What is it?" he asked. "Zap Apple Pie," Applejack answered. "Made it for ya. Well, after the last one got spoiled that is." She pushed the plate, beckoning for the boy to try it. "Go on, it's delicious." Taking her word for it, Spike picked up the slice and ate a piece of it. His reaction was just as priceless as the first time, years ago. Spike's eyes widen with his pupils shrunken to a dot, fires bursting out of his nose, and fireworks cracking in his mind. "OMIGOSH!!" Spike screamed, as he happily wolfs the whole thing down. If he can turn himself into a wolf, that is. Applejack laughed at the boy's reaction, until his watch beeps, "Oh, sweet apples!" Applejack exclaimed. "It's time for your next training with Pinkie Pie. Don't keep her waiting." "I won't," Spike replied, opening a nearby exit. "See ya, AJ!" Spike called, as he left. "Bye," Applejack waved. Once Spike was out of sight, the country girl got up and leaned against a wall, putting her hands over her heart, "Oh Spike. If only you knew what you did to me."