//------------------------------// // Growing Bonds // Story: AJ and the Dragon // by MiraculousDragonMaster //------------------------------// AJ and the Dragon Chapter 13 Growing Bonds A couple of days later, Applejack was out in the snow-covered castle gardens with Fluttershy and Winona. Today, AJ was wearing one of Rarity's creations along with a red cloak: a green tunic, jeans with bursts of red on the sides, and brown combat boots. Her blonde hair was pulled up into a higher ponytail and a headband with an apple on the side was on top of her head instead of her usual Stetson hat. Fluttershy was also wearing a Rarity design: a pink tunic, purple pants, and black boots. Her pink hair was up into a high ponytail, and she wore a lime green cloak over her attire. The birds that didn't fly south for winter fluttered and chirped all around the girls. One even landed on Fluttershy's finger, and allowed her and Applejack to pet it. Winona was having fun, jumping into snow banks. She yipped happily as she then jumped towards AJ and sent them both tumbling in the snow. Applejack and Fluttershy laughed as the cowgirl played with her dog. Meanwhile, up on a balcony, Spike was watching the girls and the dog playing and laughing. Rarity and Twilight were up with him, wearing cloaks of their favorite colors; Twilight purple and Rarity dark blue. Spike looked down at AJ, seeing her emerald eyes sparkle with delight as she threw handfuls of snow at Winona and Fluttershy. Hearing her angelic laugh made his heart beat a little faster than normal. He looked at his bandaged arm, remembering that she risked herself to help him. I never felt this way about anyone before. He thought. "Spike, is everything okay?" Twilight asked, seeing the distant look on his face. "I want to do something for Applejack. You know, to thank her for what she has done for me." He said. "But, what can I do?" Rarity then came up to Spike. "Well, there's the usual: flowers, chocolates-" Just then, Rainbow Dash swooped by, stopping in her flight with Soarin'. "Uh, no offense, Rarity, but we all know that AJ isn't that type of girl." "Exactly." Twilight said as she turned to Spike. "If you want to do something for her, let it be something that appeals to her." Pinkie then popped outside. "Hey, weren't we going to show her those apple trees before all the drama that happened?" She asked. Spike then had an idea. Later that day, Spike led Applejack to a simple door down a hallway. "Okay, Spike. What is this about?" AJ asked teasingly, remembering how excited he was earlier that he grabbed her hands and ran with her all the way. Spike chuckled. "Relax, Applejack. I just want to show you something." He was about to open the door, but then closed it. "But, it's a surprise." AJ playfully rolled her eyes, then closed them. Spike then opened the door and led her inside. She felt a sharp coolness hit her bare skin. "Spike, are we outside?" Applejack asked. The huge dragon laughed again. "Sort of." He led her a little more, until they stopped. "Okay, now you can open your eyes." AJ complied, and opened them. She gasped in surprise when she saw that she was inside a huge greenhouse filled with the most healthiest apple trees she had ever seen. Bright red and ripe apples decorated the lush green leaves of every tree. Once in every few trees, she saw swirled apples of all colors. "Oh!" She breathed. "Spike, this is amazing!" "These are now yours to care for." Spike said. Applejack turned to him and hugged his neck tightly. "Thank you!" She cried happily, then ran into the trees. "These apples look just right for bucking." Spike was a little stunned by AJ's hug, then ran to catch up with her. He grabbed a basket and watched as Applejack kicked hard at some trees to make the apples fall. He then used the basket to catch them. As they harvested apples, the others were watching them having fun. They smiled. So far, so good. During the next few weeks, Spike and AJ began getting closer and closer. Once, Applejack showed him how to make apple fritters. The result was a messy kitchen and one batch. Later, they went outside in the gardens for an afternoon stroll. AJ softly chuckled when she saw Spike making a snow-dragon in the cold white wet powder. In her mind, she was starting to sing. Applejack: There's something sweet And almost kind. But he was mean and he was coarse And unrefined. And now, he's dear And so unsure. I wonder why I didn't see it there before. She then joined him in making snow-angels. When they had finished, Applejack helped the huge dragon back up on his feet. In his mind, while singing, he was impressed either by her strength, or that she wasn't frightened by his claws. Spike: She glanced this way, I thought I saw. And when we touched, She didn't shudder at my claw. No, it can't be. I'll just ignore, But then, she's never Looked at me that way before. Seeing that they were still holding each other's hand or claw, for some reason, AJ began feeling a little shy. She let go and pretended to see something behind a tree. She then went over there and went behind it. Applejack: New and a bit alarming. Who had ever thought that this could be? True that he's no Prince Charming, But there's something in him that I simply didn't see. Applejack then decided to have some fun. She packed a handful of snow and molded it into a tight ball. She then swung the snowball at Spike, which hit him square in the face. She laughed uncontrollably as she watched the dragon wipe off the wet powder off his face. "Oh, it's on, AJ!" Spike said as he began making a bigger snowball. "Come and get me, dragon boy!" Applejack challenged as she began packing another snowball. Watching from inside, everyone was laughing and singing as the snowball fight went on. Discord: Well, who'd had thought? Rarity: Well, bless my soul. Rainbow Dash: Well, who'd had known? Fluttershy: Well, who indeed? Pinkie Pie: And who'd had guessed They'd come together on their own? Twilight: It's so peculiar. All: Well, wait and see a few days more. There may be something there that wasn't there before. Rarity: Well, perhaps there's something there that wasn't there before. Fluttershy: There may be something there that wasn't there before. "Hey, guys!" AJ called out to them. "Come on out and join!" The others immediately came running or flying outside and joined in the snowball fight. For the first time, the castle didn't seem so cold and lonely. It had friends who were having a wonderful time together.