//------------------------------// // The Great River Horse // Story: The Lavender Arrow // by DisneyFanatic23 //------------------------------// It wasn't long before Spike and Applejack came out of the tall grass and onto another path. "Great," Spike said, shaking the brambles off his legs. "We're on the right path. In a little while we should be reaching the Great River Horse." Applejack's eyes widened. "There are river horses round here?" He rolled his eyes. "No. The river is called the Great River Horse. See, it's a river called Horse, but it's big, so it's great." "Well they shouldn't be callin' it that. It's very misleading." Sure enough, they soon heard the sound of running water. "We'll have to take a ferry across," Spike explained. "But don't worry. I'm real tight with the ferry pony who comes through here. He won't charge us mu—oh no!" "What?" Applejack asked. He pointed ahead to where the wide river lay. A small boathouse sat on the bank, a wooden rowboat bobbing beside it. Two yellow unicorn stallions were sprawled inside the boat, basking in the sunlight. Applejack figured the two of them were twins, as they had identical faces and wore identical blue-and-white-striped tunics and identical straw hats. Only difference between them was that one brother had a red mustache on his lip. "Not those two!" Spike said, smacking his forehead. "Who are they?" Applejack asked. "Flim and Flam," he said, narrowing his eyes. "Of all days, it had to be them! Usually this guy Silver Shill runs the ferry, but on some days it's these two charlatans." "What's so bad about 'em?" "They charge you extra! And what's worse, they make you feel good about being cheated!" "I see," Applejack said, looking back at the twins. "You know, I've dealt with plenty of salesponies before. I'm sure I can…" "Just let me do the talking," Spike said, holding up his claw. As he walked ahead, Applejack sent him a scowl. Meanwhile, the brother with the mustache had opened his eyes and was looking at the approaching customers. "Well, will you look at that, Flim?" he said to his brother. "I think these two wanna cross the river." "It would seem so, Flam," Flim said. "Too bad we're not doing any business today." Spike stopped in surprise. "What? Seriously? You guys aren't gonna try to rob me blind?" "Listen, Master de Dragon," Flim said, sitting up. "If you want our two cents…" "For your two cents!" Flam said, also sitting up. "No!" Spike said sternly. "Ah, we'll give it to ya anyway," Flim said. "See, there are some…unseemly characters on the other side of this river." "You'd be better off taking the bridge," Flam said. "But for a mere five bits, we'll point you in its direction!" "Even throw in this free map of the White Tail Wood," Flam said, holding up a map. "Or perhaps you'd be interested in some Great River Horse merchandise?" Flim asked, holding up a tunic that said: My brother went to the Great River Horse and all he got me was this stupid tunic. "Yeah, no," Spike said. "We'll just find the bridge on our own, thank you." "How far away is the bridge?" Applejack asked. "About five miles upstream," he said as he passed her. "Five miles?!" She looked up at the sky. "But it'll be dark by the time we get there!" "It may take longer, but at least it's free." Narrowing her eyes in determination, Applejack turned and stomped over to the twins in the boat. "Listen here, ya varmints," she said, giving the stallions a start as she tipped the edge of the boat with her hoof. "I've been havin' a really bad day, and I cannot afford to lose time! So, either y'all do your job and take us across this here river, or I show ya what happens when a young fill—colt from Applewood gets mad!" Flim and Flam stared at her with wide eyes and then nodded, saying, "Yes, ma'am!" "That's yes, sir!" she shouted. "Yes, sir!" they said. Flam scooted next to his brother so that they were both in the middle of the boat. "Welcome aboard!" Applejack looked over her shoulder and smiled at Spike. "Ya comin'?" His mouth was also wide open. Shaking his head, he followed her into the boat. Spike sat at the head while Applejack sat in the back. As Flim and Flam got out their oars, the latter whispered to Spike. "Your marefriend is pretty high-strung." Spike gawked. "W-What? He's not my…he's not even a mare!" "Uh-huh. If you say so." Flam looked back at Applejack and then whispered to his brother, "That's gotta be the most unconvincing disguise I've ever seen." "Who'd have thought young Master de Dragon would end up running off with a lover?" Flim said with a snicker. "You fillies done gossipin' or am I gonna halfta steer this thing?" Applejack asked. The brothers cast off the boat and began rowing across. When they reached an island surrounded by a thicket of willows in the middle of the river, sweat began dripping from Flam's brow and Flim kept glancing around anxiously. "Don't tell me y'all are worried about sea monsters or something," Applejack said, unamused. "Oh, if only that were so, little lady," Flim said. "Why do ya guys keep calling him that?" Spike asked. The brothers ignored his question. "We weren't supposed to bring you across, you see," Flam said. "Our orders were: no one from Lord Tirek's court is to cross this river, no matter how much they pay you." "Orders?" Applejack asked. "From whom?" "Brother, watch out!" Flam cried. Flim saw the obstacle too late. The boat caught itself in the thicket. "Oh no," Flim said as he attempted to push his oar against the willows. "We gotta get outta here!" "Before she finds us!" Flam exclaimed. "She who?" Spike demanded. Everyone stiffened as a rustling noise was heard. "Best get your bow out, boy," Flim said. "You too, miss," Flam said to Applejack, "if you have any weapons on you." There was movement in the island's shrubs. Spike prepared his bow while Applejack drew forth her dagger. The boat rocked as the twins tried to push the boat out of the thicket. Suddenly, a cloaked figure jumped out of the shrubs. Pink magic surrounded the bow that was now aimed at the travelers. "Who goes?" the figure demanded in a female voice. "Please, please, don't shoot!" Flim cried, raising his oar in defense. "That one there threatened us!" Flam shouted, tilting his head towards Applejack. "Who goes?" the figure asked impatiently. Spike puffed up his chest. "Spike de Dragon and Applejack…" He turned to her unsurely. "Um…" "Smith!" Applejack spouted. "Look, we mean ya no harm! We just wanna get to Applewood!" The mysterious mare stared awhile at Spike and then lowered her bow. "You shall pass, Master de Dragon. No harm shall come to you or your friend upon the road." She turned to the twins. "Back out, Masters Flim and Flam." The brothers nodded as they hastened to push their boat free. As the cloaked mare turned away, Spike squinted at the floating bow and arrow. Even through the pink magic, he could distinguish the color of the arrow's head and shaft. Gasping, he stood up. "YOU!" The mare spun around and the boat wobbled at Spike's sudden movement. The dragon raised his bow, aiming the arrow towards the figure. "The lavender arrow," he growled in hatred. "Spike, you don't understand…" she tried to say. "You won't get away from me this time!" he said as he drew back the bowstring. "I'll avenge the deaths of Sir Wind Rider and my father, Sir Spikus!" "Spike, what are ya…?" Applejack asked. "Spike, don't!" the figure cried, backing away. "Why are you running?" Spike shouted. "Draw your bow, coward!" She shook her head. "Don't make me hurt you, Spike." "Then die!" The second Spike released his arrow, the figure emitted a strong magical pulse from the horn beneath her hood. The arrow bounced off the shield as it surged towards the boat. Everyone cried out as the boat was knocked backwards out of the thicket before capsizing. The cloaked mare ran back into the foliage. Applejack sprang to the surface and clung to the upside-down boat. Flim and Flam resurfaced shortly afterward. After coughing up some water, Applejack glanced around anxiously. "Where's Spike?" The twins looked at each other and then at her. "He wasn't with you?" they said simultaneously. "HELP!" Applejack turned to see Spike's head bobbing above the water. His arms were flailing and splashing all about as he was pulled downstream. "He's caught in the current!" Flim cried. "Oh well," Flam said with a shrug. "He'll be fine. "I can't swim!" Spike yelled. Applejack gasped when she saw how much he was struggling to keep afloat. "Well, don't just stand there!" Applejack exclaimed as she gripped the edge of the boat. "We gotta get this boat back up!" "Now hold on," Flim said, raising his hoof. "Our contract clearly states we're only supposed to take you across the river, not downriver." She grunted angrily. "Fine! Who needs ya?" Taking a gulp of air, Applejack dove underwater. "Hey!" Flam called after her. "You haven't paid us yet!" She didn't hear him, for the rushing river had filled her ears. Applejack broke her head above the water to look for Spike. She could only see the top of his head. His hat was floating nearby. "Spike!" Applejack called out as she swam faster. "Your quiver's weighin' ya down! Ya gotta lose it!" Spike sputtered as he broke the surface again. His eyes were shut tight, and it didn't seem like he had heard her. Applejack's eyes widened when she saw large rocks coming up ahead. "Spike, watch out!" Spike struggled to open his eyes. "Wha—?" He realized the danger too late. His head hit a rock and he slid unconsciously underwater. Applejack gasped and dove in after him. The water was almost pitch black. All she could see were the fish swimming within five inches of her. She beat her legs hard against the water as she searched for Spike. Then she saw a purple blur and rocketed towards it. Soon Spike's unconscious figure was in sight. He was plummeting fast and Applejack's head throbbed from lack of air. Throwing her hooves around his neck, Applejack kicked her legs upwards. Soon they broke the surface and Applejack released her breath. Spotting a riverbank to her right, she began dragging Spike towards it, all the while keeping his head above the water. Panting heavily, she pushed him onto the bank and climbed up to his side. "Spike?" She put her ear to his chest. His heartbeat was there, but it was faint, and his chest was not moving. "Spike, breathe!" she cried, shaking him. "Breathe!" Her own hooves started shaking. Calm yourself, girl, she thought to herself. Panicking won't help him. Then she remembered something her Granny Smith had told her: If they ain't got air in 'em, ya gotta give 'em some air, if ya know what I mean. Applejack blushed as she looked down at Spike. No time to be squeamish, girl. His life is at stake. Biting her lip, she carefully tilted his head back, causing his mouth to open. Closing her eyes, she leaned towards him with an open mouth. Spike felt something warm touch his lips. It tasted like apples…and it tasted sweet. He figured he was dreaming, so he did not dare open his eyes. The thing then moved away, much to his disappointment, and then returned, giving him another taste of warm air. He moaned internally as he raised his claw to prevent the wonderful thing from leaving again. But that made the thing jerk away. He heard a cry and Spike's eyes popped open in confusion. Applejack was standing over him, her face filled with shock. Spike then understood what had been touching his lips. They both cried out as they jumped back. Spike spat on the ground in disgust, while Applejack dipped her hooves in the river so that she may splatter the water onto her tongue. "Why did…?" Spike said, spitting between words. "What was…?" "Ya weren't breathing, okay?!" Applejack shouted, her cheeks flushing red. "I was tryin' to get air into your lungs!" "Well, next time," he said, turning around, "could you ask me permission first?!" "Excuse me?!" She spun around to face him. "I was just tryin' to save yerr life here! You were the one who made it all…" Her hooves circled each other as she tried to find the right words. "Messy!" "Well I'm sorry! But it's not every day I wake up to someone…" He paused and looked out at the river. Then he looked down at his wet clothes and then at Applejack's wet clothes. "You…" he said, blinking in astonishment, "just…saved my life." Applejack rolled her eyes. "Glad ya finally figured it out!" "Thank you." She sighed. "'Twas nothin'." "No, really." He walked toward her. "Thank you." He caught her by surprise by wrapping his arms around her. Applejack blushed fiercely at his sudden touch. She softly pushed him away. "Really, it was…" "No, you don't understand," Spike said, placing his claw over his heart. "It's in the Dragon Code that when a dragon's life is saved, he owes a life debt to the one who saves him." Applejack blinked. "What's that supposed to mean?" Dropping to his knee, he lowered his head. "Applejack Smith of Applewood," he said, raising his head, "I am at your service. Whatever you ask of me, I shall do until the day I die." Applejack felt the heat rising to her cheeks again. "Uh…well," she said, holding out her hoof to help him up. "You're already helpin' me plenty by takin' me to Applewood. Which reminds me," she said, walking past him, "we better get goin'." "Hang on a second." Spike held up his claw as he searched the ground. "My bow." He started running to and fro. "Where's my bow?!" Applejack looked out at the river. "It…must be floatin' downstream right about now." "Oh no," he said, putting his claws to his head. "No, no, no, no, no!" "Hey, it's okay," she said, laying her hoof on his shoulder. "We can make ya a new one. I'm sure we can find a stick and some string some—" "You don't understand!" He shrugged her off. "My dad gave me that bow! It's all I have left of him!" She put her hoof to her mouth. "I…I'm sorry." "Maybe if we follow the river," Spike said as he began running along the water, "we'll catch up to it!" "Spike!" Applejack shouted, grabbing him. "It's gone." She sighed. "Look, I'm sorry about your dad's bow, but we gotta keep movin'." Spike sniffed as tears welled up in his eyes. "He gave that to me not long before he…" He hung his head. "Now how am I gonna avenge him?" Applejack then remembered what had caused the boat to capsize. "Spike, who was…?" She turned when she heard leaves rustling. What she saw made her gasp. "Spike, look!" Spike followed her gaze and also gasped. Sitting by a shrub was his bow! He ran towards it, picked it up and kissed it all over. Then he noticed Applejack staring at him and smiled awkwardly as he slung it over his shoulder. Applejack grinned at how happy he was, then frowned as she glanced around the riverbank. "Spike," she said slowly, "not that I'm not glad ya got your bow back, but…how did it even get here?" Spike's face fell too as he looked around. Neither of them noticed the cloaked figure concealing herself in the shrubbery, watching them.