Chapter 3: Drown
The next day was a very warm day in Ponyville. Twilight Sparkle and her friends went along to Sweet Apple Acres to lend a hoof to the Apple family with their chores. Everypony on the farm was doing their fair share of the work and even more. This included Twilight's assistant, Spike, who wanted to help out in anyway he could. During the long and hot day, the baby dragon was given the task of helping Big Macintosh of plowing and tilling the fields to plant crops. While he was puzzled that he was given the task, he didn't argue.
It was no easy task for the small dragon. He had great difficulty to get started on his plowing, even with Big Mac helping him. However, Spike wanted to do his best after the mishap of the night before.
As the blue sky began to turn warmer colors, Big Mac and Spike started to make their way back to the barn. The red stallion looked at purple dragon next to him as they walked.
"Say Spike," the stallion spoke in his low and familiar tone.
"Huh? Y-Yes, Big Mac?" Spike was a bit startled that Big Mac was speaking to him and actually starting the conversation.
"Jus' wanted to thank ya fer helpin' me all the way out here. Seems ya got the short end of the stick when it came to jobs today."
"Oh, not a problem. I'm a bit sore, but the chores I'm used to doing aren't exactly rough and tiring like yours," Spike spoke, rubbing one of his claws against a part of his arm where he was sore.
Big Mac smiled and softly chuckled, "Ya get used to it with time. But it was mighty kind of ya to help me in the fields. Most of the time it's jus' me. Nice to have some help every so often."
Spike smiled back, "Again, no big deal. Always happy to help my friends."
Big Mac added one last comment, "I have ta say that Miss Twilight is lucky to have somepony as helpful as yerself."
Spike looked down at the ground as they continued to the barn. He didn't know what to say from there and the two went along in silence.
As they arrived to the barn, they saw that all the other ponies, such as Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash, were enjoying refreshments after a long day.
"Well, howdy there Big Mac and Spike!" Applejack greeted the two males as they arrived, "We had some refreshments for afterwards, and, heh, guess we couldn't help but start without ya. Sorry about that."
Big Mac smiled, "Not a problem."
Pinkie Pie bounced from out of what seem to be nowhere to place a hoof on both Spike and Big Mac, "But that's okay, because we have cupcakes courtesy of Sugar Cube Corner! But you need to hurry before they are all gone!"
The thought of a cupcake sounded wonderful to Spike. Moving as fast as his sore body could take him, he headed to the table where the food was. He saw that there was still three left on the table. But he was not fast enough, as three fillies rushed in front of him to get the sweets. It was the Cutie Mark Crusaders. As they left, Spike saw that the table was empty.
"Well, thanks everypony for helpin' out around the farm today! It's quite helpful for all of us here!" Applejack called out, dismissing those who had visited to help around the farm.
"We are always happy to help, Applejack," Rarity smiled as she bid farewell.
"It was my pleasure to help out," Fluttershy spoke meekly with a smile.
"Glad to have helped ya, AJ. Now if you excuse me, I got some Wonderbolts to watch!" Rainbow Dash spoke before literally dashing off into the sky.
Finally Twilight spoke, "It was a not a problem to help, Applejack. And I have to say it was really nice that Pinkie was able to get some refreshments for us."
"Still, it was might nice of you and Spike ta come out and lend a hoof around the farm," Applejack replied.
"Our pleasure. Now I do have some studying to do, so just let us know if you need any help," Twilight spoke before calling out to her assistant, "Ready Spike?"
Spike didn't speak. Instead, he pushed himself to continue moving, walking over to Twilight's side.
On the way back, Spike could hear the purple mare speak, but he didn't focus. He was too sore from working to do anything but walk forward. Instead, he just remembered what Big Mac said about Twilight being lucky to have him around to help her.