//------------------------------//
// Chapter 15 
// Story: A Dragon's Selection 
// by CartoonNerd12 
//------------------------------//

When in Applejack's guest room, Apple Bloom said, "I can't believe he gave you that apple tree sapling." she pointed to Bloomberg in the corner of the room.

AJ stated, "Frankly, that still surprises me that he did that. That's why I said all those things about him during my interview."

AB bounced for joy, "He loves ya! He really loves ya!"

Applejack took hold of her sister as she calmed her down, "Now hold on there, filly he's hasn't said that yet."

"But why? He obviously cares for ya…"

"I know he does… but he can't say the words until I know where my own heart lies…"

"What do you mean?"

"Apple Bloom, think about it, if I marry him I'll have to go away and leave Equestria for the rest of my life… I may never see you, Big Mac, or Granny ever again…"

The filly's eyes widen, "You mean… we'll be parted…? Forever?"

The cowgirl sadly nodded.

"Oh gosh…" tears welled in Apple Bloom's eyes, "I guess I was all caught up in the all the excitement of you winning I didn't realize… that I might lose you forever…"

"And that's why it's so painful for me to choose… My family or Spike… I just don't know… It seems to me if Spike doesn't want to be a father then I can easily chose you and the family, but if he does and all of you approve of me being with him… then I can chose him..."

"That is so not fair… why do you have to choose between your family and the love of your life…?"

She sighed, "Life is not always a filly story, Bloom… Haven't I always taught you that life won't give you what you want but that you have work hard to get it?"

Apple Bloom sighed as well, "You're right… and I do want you to be happy Sis, even if it means you choosing the prince over me."

"Bloom… even if I do choose Spike, you know I'll never stop being your sister, right?"

"Of course I know that!" she gave a tiny smile and hugged her sister, "We'll always be sisters!"

"And I am never goin' to stop lovin' ya, no matter what."

"And I'm never goin' to stop lovin' you, Applejack. I'll be happy knowing you'll be happy with him." she smirked, "Sweetie Belle and I saw the way you two were lookin' at each other in the gardens…"

AJ rolled her eyes playfully and declared, "Come here you little squirt!" and started tickling the filly making her laugh. Oh, how she would miss the sound of her sister's cute laughter.

It's all up to you now, Spike… if you choose to be a father then I will agree to be your wife…




Spike was looking out of his balcony window when a voice said.

"Hey."

He turned to see his sister standing in his doorway before going to him.

"Hey." he repeated.

"So, how did it go with the mares' fathers?"

"Not bad, and you?"

"Not so horrible, I actually befriended a couple of Pinkie's sisters and had a talk with some of your mares. Gotta say, not a bad choice, I know they'll please Dad but I also know they'll make you happy as well. So any preference of who will be your wife?"

"There's one but I've yet to make a decision if I want to have children with her and we still need a seal of approval from one of her family members."

Ember was surprised to hear this but released a small smile, "Sounds to me like you're already trying to start a life with this mare…"

Spike smiled back, "Ever since we met, there was something about her that drew me to her. Even though she would've had a hard time choosing between me or her home. I kept hoping that she will say yes and lately she's been giving hints that she will if I decide to be the father to her children… And just today when playing with her and her little sister, I felt a joy I thought I would never experience if I had kids… What's more both Twilight and Shining Armor believe I can be a good father…"

"They're right."

Spike frowned, "But what if I'm like him, Ember! What if I somehow lash out on my kids for something they did wrong and I did something to them that I would regret later! What if I'm a terrible father?!" he said that last part with tears in his eyes.

Ember grabbed his shoulders and had him look her in the eye, "Spike, listen to me! That's not going to happen! I made sure that would never happen! I knew it was important to keep you away from Dad's behavior as much as possible when I saw how he had abandoned you at such a young age! Trust me when I say you are going to be twice the father he is! You will be great at it, this I swear to you."

He gapped at her words and uttered, "Really?"

She nodded, "Really."

Spike didn't know what to say. Twilight, Shining Armor, and now his sister all believe he could do this… And when he was playing with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle this afternoon he felt so happy that they were around him like that.

Without saying a word he ran out of the room.




Apple Bloom crawled into the bed and Applejack followed, they agreed to spend as much time as they could in case Applejack ended up marrying Spike. AJ wrapped her hooves around her little sis to make every moment count.

"Can you sing me your lullaby, sis?" AB asked with a yawn.

Applejack smiled tenderly, "Of course I will…" and sang softly, "Hush now little sister, you're loved by all you know… You'll never lose their friendship no matter where you go there ain't no call to worry so don't you cry or fret… No matter what choice I make, my love is what you get…"

"Hey, that's not how the last part of the song goes…"

AJ slightly chuckled, "It does now…" then she frowned, "Apple Bloom, if I do go with Spike, I want you to promise me that you will sing that song every night so you will remind yourself that I will always love you…"

"You got it, big sis… Good night, Applejack…"

"Good night, Apple Bloom…" she kissed the filly's head before falling asleep not aware of the dragon watching them through a crack in the door.

Spike had came by the room just in time to hear her sing and his heart pounded like crazy when he hear her voice and when she made her sister take that promise his heart was more than certain now. He wanted this. He wanted to be a father to his and Applejack's foals… His sister had faith in him and Applejack was sounding more sure than ever to be his… But there was still one problem. A problem he planned on remedying right now.

He rushed straight to the other guest rooms that were occupied by the families of the Elite and rapidly knocked on a door. Big Mac answered with a tired look on his face before looking confused upon seeing the prince.

Spike said in a low whisper to make sure he wouldn't disturb the other guests especially since he didn't want them to hear with what he was about to say.

"Look, I know it's late, but I had to talk to you about your sister."

Big Mac's brow rose up.

"From the start of this Selection I have been drawn to Applejack and with every moment we have spent together since, we have gotten close to the point where I wish to choose her as my wife."

Big Mac's eyes widen.

"And as you are the only father figure in her life it is only proper that I talk to you about her hoof in marriage."

The stallion gave a serious look and let out a, "Eeyup."

"If you have any reason to disapprove of me please say so. Then I will try to reassure you that Applejack means something to me and that I intend to make her happy."

Big Mac took a deep breath and said, "When Applejack said those things about you in the interview I found it hard to believe but since my sister doesn't lie like she used to…"

That surprised Spike, Applejack used to lie? I'll have to ask her about that later, since this is more important right now. He went back to listening to the stallion.

"And from what I've seen from you today, I am pleased to tell ya that I approve the two of ya together. All I ask is you keep your promise to make her happy."

That caused Spike to have a bright smile from hearing Big Mac's words. And grabbed the stallion's hoof to shake it. "You have my word, "Sir McBiggun"…" he smirked.

That made Big Mac smile as well and said, "I better, "Garbunkle"."

That made them laugh.

Then Spike was serious, stating, "Do me a favor and don't tell your sister we had this talk, I plan on surprising her tomorrow during the Nightmare Night party."

Big Mac kept smiling and pronounced, "Eeyup."

Spike had never felt such happiness in his life. He did it. He finally found the mare of his choosing and he could have her all to himself without any strings attached. The Selection was over.