Some would call it early morning others call it the crack of dawn, either way most would shy away from waking up this early in the day. Those who considered 6 a.m. as being the devil of the morning would chide Applejack for even considering waking up at this time. Whether or not work had to be done, this was as late as she could sleep. Occupational hazards…
Anyway she had a whole day to attempt to relax. That obviously wasn't going to fly. Maybe she could hang with someone? They'd all most likely be fast asleep. Well she couldn't sleep with how wired she felt. May as well get up and try to make something of her day. Her morning routine was the same and will always be the same; brush up the mane and tail and top em off with her favorite red hair tie, brush her chompers so no one can make the classic “farmer = teeth more rotten than a forgotten apple” joke -no one has made it yet but there’s always a possibility- and put a little mascara on. Makeup wasn't her thing but she liked the way her lashes and brows looked after a little bit of touching up.
“Yep,” she said to herself in the mirror. Suddenly there a loud boom followed by a deep groan. “What in tarnation??” With little cognition she sprinted downstairs and out the door whipping her head around looking for the source of the impact. She patrolled the perimeter of the house until she heard a faint womanly voice. She stealthily approached the corners at the back of the house and peeked around the corner. There was a dragon at least twice her size talking to someone.
“Are you okay?” the dragoness asked.
“Yeah, not one of my best landings huh?” a manly voice chuckled. She could only see a portion of his spade shaped tail.
“Well at least you can hit the broadside of a barn.”
“Oh ha ha…” he sighed as he got to his feet. Applejack could see him in full now.
“Spike?” Applejack called out.
“Whoa pony!” Tourmaline jumped. Spike looked at Applejack like a child who got caught smuggling food at midnight.
“Hey AJ… I'm home!” he said with a wide forced smile.
“Well I see that! What’s with ya headbutting my house?” Applejack approached him.
“I came in too hot. I meant to land in the orchard but stopping with another dragon on your back is no cakewalk.” Applejack looked at Tourmaline who stared at her with fixed slitted eyes.
“Speaking of that, who is she?” Applejack asked. “Pardon if I'm coming off as rude.” Spike looked to Tourmaline. She was frozen, not in fear or anxiety but something else. Like she's never seen a pony before.
“Tori… Tori… Tourmaline!”
“Huh?” she snapped out of her trance. “Sorry, hi I'm Tourmaline!” she waved.
“Applejack,” Applejack greeted with a tip of her hat.
“Heh,” Spike chuckled.
“What?” Tourmaline asked.
“I just thought of something; Earth Pony, and Earth Dragon.”
“Earth Dragon?” Applejack asked.
“Yah, I can control rocks and dirt and... Earth,” Tourmaline said with a nervous chuckle.
“That's pretty neat. I can't control no rocks or dirt or nothing. Heck, if you can move soil I just may need your help down the road.”
“Yeah, That can work.”
“It’s pretty early. I can whip y’all up something,” Applejack offered.
“Thank you Applejack…” Spike sighed, his mouth watering in anticipation of Applejacks cooking. “I was afraid to ask.”
“Why? You've always been welcome in my home. Now come on, I'm getting hungry too.”
“She knows how to cook meat?” Tourmaline quizzed with joy.
“No, but she can make some of the best pancakes and pies you’ve ever had!” Spike was obviously excited to eat whatever pony food a pancake was. She wondered if it was some vegetable ridden dish of nastiness. Her stomach growled fiercely at her. Whatever it was it had better be tasty.
As they followed Applejack inside, Tourmaline wondered why ponies built such weird dens. They were out in the open, and made of something as weak as wood. And it smelled, not a foul stench that diffused throughout the room, but an odd woody scent that seemed to rise through the floor. It clogged her nose bringing an onset of the sniffles. “Y'all go on and have a seat,” Applejack said. Spike sat at the table and Tourmaline copied him. This place was pretty roomy for small ponies to live in. Applejack was at least to the underside of Spike’s muzzle at best. This was all so alien to her. And to think a dragon like Spike grew up here…
“So,” Applejack started as the first drops of batter cooked on the skillet. “How were your travels?”
“Same as they usually are I guess? I don't stay in one place too long…”
“That's nice. Some of us weren't too happy with ya up and disappearing in the night.” She flipped the pancake,satisfied at the perfect caramel finish.
“I… I just…” He couldn't find the courage to apologize.
“Don't fret sugar cube. After Rarity told us what happened we came to understand why you ran away. What we didn't know is that you were bringing a friend.” She looked at Tourmaline who was gazing around in a curious daze.
“Well, about that,” Spike chuckled nervously. He nudged her side bringing her back to reality again.
“Huh? Oh… Sorry.” she sniffed the air, amazed by a delicious buttery scent. “What's that smell?” she asked.
“That's a pancake,” Spike answered simply. “And Applejack wants to know a little about you.”
“I didn't say that,” she poured more batter on the hot skillet. “It would be nice to know though.”
“There isn't much to tell. I was in a cave for longer than I can remember when I found Spike.”
“You found Spike?” Applejack asked before flipping the second pancake.
“Yup, he landed right next to my den,” Tourmaline chirped. “He offered to take me along with him.” Applejack noticed she looked at him with slight smile. “No more than a week or two and here we are!” Applejack noticed that she didn't have wings much like Spike did when he was still a little fellow. She also noticed the nubs on her back that causes her to hold her tongue out of respect for the past.
“That's good,” she placed the second pancake on the plate and poured more batter.
“Want me to make a few?” Spike asked as he got up.
“Thank you sugarcube, but you better wash your claws first,” Applejack demanded in a motherly tone. Spike nodded and left for the nearest restroom. Tourmaline watched the doorway long after he left the room wondering where he disappeared to. Applejack took this chance to scrutinize the dragoness in detail.
She noted the small scars that covered her scars contrasting against her pale pink scales. Her eyes were wide and a pinkish red and she looked more like a curious filly than a full grown dragon. She was out of her element. Applejack related all too well.
Tourmaline broke away from the door and peered deep into Applejack’s soul with those slim dragon eyes making Applejack jump. “Are you okay?”Tourmaline asked.
“Yeah. Ya just gave me a little fright is all,” Applejack said, keeping her tone free of as much offense as possible.
“Sorry if I keep staring…” Tourmaline said quietly. “I've never seen a pony up close before.”
“Staring? At me? You almost bore a hole in my wall with that gaze,” Applejack thought. “Don't worry, most dragons never associate with us pampered ponies,” Applejack chuckled, flipping another flapjack.
“Spike does…” she looked back to the doorway. That was when it clicked. Tourmaline wouldn't be here if not for him because she can't fly. Spike carried her all the way here. Pretty impressive, she looked like she weighed as much as Bulk Biceps.
“Yeah, he's a special one,” Applejack sighed, with a glance to Tourmaline. She looked absolutely in love. So, Applejack took a shot- “He’s been there for all of us. Especially Rarity…” -and hit. Tourmaline looked back to her with fear and confusion. “So she knows…”
“Well, he’s the nicest dragon I’ve met. And that's saying a whole lot since most dragon's are selfish jerks.”
“O’hoho we know,” Applejack laughed. Spike ducked into the kitchen walking on his hind legs.
“Did I miss something?” He asked.
“Nah, just girl talk,” Applejack said.
“Yeah, girl talk,” Tourmaline repeated. Spike tuned to the Stove and so did Applejack while Tourmaline watched tickled by the strange and lovely aroma filling the room.
Twilight woke up in her big castle at around eight or nine a.m. She stopped keeping track of her sleep cycle after she deduced that she was getting the eight hours that she needed give or take a few minutes. That and it got tedious to say the least. The sun came through her window full and bright showing the patchy cloudy sky. She didn't keep track of what the forecast for today was supposed to be so it was good that she might be able to stretch her wings without hitting her head on a cloud. How can something so soft leave that large of a lump?
Anyway, she had to get up. This festival wasn't going to arrange itself, she had to get Applejack and pinkie unto speed on the catering and talk to Rarity about the design and layout… So much to do. She often wondered why she took on so many tasks at once. Maybe she loved being a workaholic. You have to admit, there is no better reward than a job well done and the pride that comes with it. She did have at least a month to prepare so it wasn't like she was behind. That nervous tick still gnawed at her subconscious.
She walked through the crystalline walls surprised at how once she couldn't believe that she could call this home -it did feel like less of a home- but it was more like “okay, I live here… yay?”. Maybe it was the cold floors that jolted her awake compared to the warm wood floors of her library. Or the eardrum chiseling sound of her hooves on the hardened epoxy like floors compared to the soft creak of her old floors. Actually, she's a princess now. It's been years since she ascended. She could have had a new library made, but her old one was built into the oldest oak tree in this area. “Darn Tirek…” she cursed.
As she was heading to her restroom one of her guards came dashing towards her. “Princess! Princess!” he gasped.
“What is it Flicker?” she asked, wondering what could he urgent enough for him to be this winded.
“Spike is here!” he continued to breathe heavy.
“Thank you. And go take a seat, you sound like you need it.” Twilight started for the door.
“Thank you…” he walked away slowly. Not even knowing where he was going. He was a new transfer from the Crystal Empire. He doesn't say much and is very… committed to his position. Besides he was a cute gold Pegasus.
As she walked on she wondered what she was going to say to him. Would she be mad and scold him for leaving, be elated that he was home again after missing for what felt like forever, or would she be indifferent. To be honest she felt like she could do all three, but even though she knew why he left she felt as if she still had to ask “why?”. One thing was certain, she was not letting him go this time!
As he came up to the door she mentally cursed Spike for his timing. Her hair was frizzed, her eyes were still red, and she could taste her morning breath. Either way, she didn't want to keep him waiting, especially with what was in her mind. So she used her magic to comb her hair as best as she could, and she tried to appear to be less cadaverous.
The door opened revealing Spike in full glory with a pink dragoness peeking out from behind him. “Spike!” she said in mock surprise. “I didn't expect you to be back so soon.”
“Well I wanted to get back here as soon as possible,” Spike said as he hugged her.
“And you're Tourmaline right?” She looked to a visibly shocked Tourmaline.
“How does he know my name? How do you know my name??”
“Ponies have their ways,” Twilight said with a grin. Tourmaline went pale as she swallowed loud enough to be heard.
“Come in, we have a lot to talk about.” Twilight motioned for them to follow. Spike knew what she meant by talk. He was in for some interview level questions at the hand of his old mentor. Once they walked inside Tourmaline’s jaw dropped at the size of the castle and the tasty gems that made up the walls. She was about to take one but a pang of decent struck her before she pounced.
“Hey, Spike…” she whispered.
“Hm?”
“Will this pegacorn pony lady let us eat the gems in here…?”
“That's Alicorn, and no… Those gems make up the walls and I don't want to see what would happen if you ate one,” Twilight corrected her.
“Ponies have good ears…”
“Actually, you weren't being very quiet. There is a massive gem deposit just outside of town though. Anyway Spike, I have to talk to you about something.”
“Y-Yeah, sure. Anything Twilight.” Tourmaline was shocked at how nervous Spike sounded. He was easily twice that alley corn or whatever she was’ size, but he’s acting like she might eat him or something. She trusted that Spike knew these ponies and what they do. After all,she really like the orange one. She talked funny and made some very good food. This purple one might take some getting used to. That is, if she stays here.
Twilight led them to Spike’s old room. “Tourmaline, can you wait out here for a minute. I’d like to speak with Spike in private.” Tourmaline pouted at Spike.
“It'll only be a minute,” Spike said with a caring smile. Tourmaline’s heart pumped a little bit faster and she felt a blush coming on. “Okay...” she nodded, barely feeling the word pass her lips. Spike went through the doorway and a large slab came in between them.
Spike looked around at all of his old stuff. He didn't even think to come back here the last time he returned home. His bed was just slightly bigger than his claws now. Time really is the biggest agent for change. “Spike,” Twilight said in a reserved tone.
“Yes…?” he asked cautiously. With no warning he felt a solid smack connect with his cheek. He looked down at Twilight angry and confused. He wanted to ask why she magic slapped him but it would have been a rhetorical question. “That was for leaving again without even attempting to say goodbye!” Twilight's tone wavered as tears filled her eyes. She slowly came up to him and cried into his chest. “You come back for a day, and then you turn your back and run away… Do you know how happy I was when I saw you? When you left you were at my snout now you’re this big strong dragon. I even missed when your wings grew in!”
Spike looked at his wings then back to Twilight. He hated seeing her cry like this. And it was all his fault. He sat on the floor and held Twilight in his arms. She was surprised by the gesture, but she ultimately accepted it. “Rarity told everyone what happened, and I understand why you needed more time to yourself. But I still ask why? Why did you leave me?”
“I didn't want to put anyone in danger,” Spike spoke softly. His deep voice filled the room.
“I know you’d never hurt us,” Twilight spoke more calmly. “I missed you so much… The first few years after you left, I was lost. No one to help me, keep track of what I was doing or anything. I tried to hire help but they all couldn't live up to my standards. So when you came home I thought, ‘things can finally go back to the way they were’. Us working on some big project or experiment.”
“I miss those days too Twilight. And I regretted my decision from the very moment I left up until now… I didn't feel ready…” Spike sighed.
“Ready for what?” Twilight asked with a hint of annoyance.
“Ready to trust myself; love myself. You said Rarity told you what I did right?”
“Yes but that wasn't you Spike. You would never kill anyone or anything!” The lion corpses he left back at Tourmaline's den crossed his mind.
“The point is, that I can be used to cause great pain and suffering. Imagine if the next crackpot who wants Equestria in the palm of his or her hands takes control of me? I wouldn't want to live if anyone used me to hurt you.”
“Then I won't let it happen. If anyone wants you they'll have to get through all of us. We love you Spike. And we’ll help you no matter what…”
“I know you can't forgive me but I hope you can try,” Spike sighed.
“Of course I can forgive you!” Twilight looked him directly in his eyes. “Just know, this time you're not getting away,” she said in that scary tone that would shake the most battle hardened warriors to their cores.
“I won't leave…”
“No, that's not going to work. Pinkie promise,” She huffed.
“Aw, come one. You have my word. Honest!”
“Pinkie… Promise!” she hissed.
“Okay… Cross my heart, hope to fly. Stick a cupcake in my eye.”
“Good. Now, about Tourmaline…”
“What about her?” Spike asked.
“Nothing bad, I didn't expect for you to bring her along with you,” Twilight wiped away the tears stuck in the matter fur beneath her eyes.
“She didn't have a choice.”
“What do you mean?”
“Life outside of Equestrian borders is not for the faint of heart,” he growled slightly.
“I can imagine,” Twilight said while rubbing his scar. “Okay, I think I’ll be fine.” Her horn lit up and the slab ground back into the floor. Tourmaline was sitting in the doorway picking at the wall trying to free an exposed peridot.
“Hi! Hey, I was just waiting here. Like you asked pegaco- I mean alleycorn,” Tourmaline said with a guilty grin.
“Actually, it’s Twilight Tourmaline,” Twilight giggled.
“Hi Twilight,” Tourmaline waved. “You can call me Tori if you don’t want to say my full name.”
“You know. I haven't met that many dragons before. Where do you come from?” Twilight asked. Spike playfully rolled his eyes. Twilight was up to her old curious ways again.
“It’s been a while, but it’s almost a wild away from here. I used to live in mountains with other dragons like me.”
“What kind of dragon are you? Maybe you can shed some light on what kind of dragon Spike here is.”
“I'm an elemental. I can control anything that has to do with Earth…”
“You can? Can you show me?” Twilight giddily asked. Tourmaline put on a big toothy smile.
“Sure, I'll show ya all of my tricks!”
“Ooh, and I know the perfect place. It's just a short flight away,” Twilight took to the air expecting Tourmaline to follow. “What's wrong?” she stopped.
“I don't have wings anymore…” Tourmaline turned and wiggled the nubs of what her wings used to be.
“Oh my Celestia… Who did this to you??” Twilight was visibly horrified.
“I told you. Life outside of Equestria is harsh,” Spike spoke up.
“ No matter we can go anyway. I can teleport us there!”
“Teleport, what's that?” Tourmaline looked to Spike for an answer.
“You might love it. And you might hate it.” Twilight took hold of Tourmaline. “We’ll see you later Spike!” In a lavender electrical crackle they were gone.
“Yeah sure, leave me here with nothing to do... ‘Did you even consider bringing him along?’, nooo…” He was fortunate that they were gone for the moment. There was someone he needed to talk to, and he’d rather do that alone.