Another day was gone, Princess Luna’s moon had taken the sky and blanketed Equestria in a beautiful night. One pony that was admiring it was Apple Bloom. Sitting on the roof of her family house, the filly was tracing stars with her hoof. Recounting things she learned about constellations from Cheerilee, Twilight, and Zecora. She could understand why Luna had become so bitter, it was like making a masterpiece every day that wouldn’t ever be seen.
A yawn soon escaped her maw though and she knew she should already be asleep. Applejack would always wake her early saying that crops make you wait for them but won’t wait for you. After a stretch, she started to head back to her room when she saw something strange.
At first, she thought it was a late-night carriage or maybe just a star but then it moved. It was getting bigger and closer. Apple Bloom shivered as the growing light approached. What if it was a meteor?! What if it damaged the farm!? Should she call for Applejack or Big Mac? She opened her mouth, but it was too late. The object was there. The resulting blast of wind from its speed nearly threw Apple Bloom from the roof but steadied herself and gasped at the sight of this… thing.
She couldn’t even see it clearly as light itself seemed to warp around it, shielding it from being properly seen. Apple bloom put a hoof over her face and tried not to move, not even breathing to call attention to herself. She watched as this thing just seemed to float there, a high pitch sound barely being heard by Apple Bloom before a sharp noise struck her for the barest of moments.
Suffering from the sudden headache, she heard a crack and saw the thing had torn one of their apple trees right from the ground!
“No!” She called out but it fell on deaf ears as the tree was taken and the thing was gone, speeding away just as fast as it arrived. Apple Bloom was left there, staring at the sky again but now in fear.
. . .
“I’m telling you Applejack! It was…. Something! Something huuuge! It flew faster than Rainbow Dash, stole the tree, and zoomed away!”
“Yeah yeah, not right now Apple Bloom! I need to finish this report or we’ll fall behind even more.” Apple Bloom sighed as her sister wasn’t listening, having to focus on the paperwork to report the tree stolen by… something that ripped it right out by the roots. The only thing Applejack could guess was strong enough to do it was a unicorn’s magic, a dragon, or maybe griffons. Apple Bloom knew better. It was that thing she saw.
“So they are back hmm?” Apple Bloom jumped to see her Granny in her rocking chair, staring over to where the tree once stood.
“They?”
“You say you saw something lil youngin? Wanna tell?” Apple Bloom smiled and nodded, happy that one member of her family would listen to her. She recounted her tale and Granny Smith never interrupted or laughed. Instead, she rocked and listened until the end. “Ahh, so you saw Them.”
“Them?”
“It’s what I called them all them years ago.”
“But what are they? Who are they?”
“I never did find that out, they never returned after that week. At least not that I know of.”
“But you saw them too? What happened?” Granny Smith opened her mouth but frowned.
“Darn this age. I can’t rightly remember the details, but I remember that I wrote about it in one of them diaries we have stored up in the attic. If you want, you can check there.” Apple Bloom nodded and headed off but was stopped by a hoof on her shoulder. “Just be careful, Bloom. They nearly doomed this farm once, but I don’t want them taking you from us.” She hugged her granny and promised to stay safe before running to the attic.
After an hour of digging through dozens of photo albums, a mess of knick-knacks, old toys, and hats, she found them. Hoof-written diaries of Granny Ann Smith Apple. Apple Bloom took the books to her room and remembered what her Granny had said.
“They were here a week… if this was the first day, then I just have to stop them before next week… I can do that!”
. . .
“Uhh, Apple Bloom? You been sleeping okay?” Sweetie Belle asked her friend, whose face was dangerously close to falling right into her applesauce.
“Huh? Yeah… course… Why do you ask?” She tried to glare her friend into agreeing but it just made her look even more tired. Scootaloo took the applesauce and began to eat it, ignoring Sweetie Belle’s glare.
“What? I’m helping! Besides, Bloom, she’s right. You look like this zompony movie I saw with Rainbow Dash. Oh gosh, Bloom! You haven’t been bitten by any pony moaning and talking about brains have you?” Sweetie Belle poked her with her horn and shook her head.
“Not helping! She’s just tired. Looks like she hasn’t been sleeping much, like Rarity right before a deadline.”
“Huh, Rainbow always is sleeping so I guess she doesn’t have that problem.” Several days had passed now with Applebloom not finding the week yet in her Granny’s journals, and staying up at night to spy on Them. She could really use her friends’ help and she even thought maybe they could make it a CMC activity, but her granny said that these strangers once stole an entire field of their trees. If they messed this up then the farm could be in danger or worse, her friends.
“I’m fine… yeah just been really tired lately. I will get some sleep soon. I just need to finish this book.”
“A book? Why not do what I do and ask Twilight to read it and just hear her lecture about it? You get a gist of stuff and you can even pass tests about it!” Scootaloo smiled while Sweetie Belle shook her head.
“That’s cheating!”
“Hey, I have more important things to do!”
“Like spying on Rainbow Dash?”
“Yes!” Apple Bloom ignored the argument and decided to go to Twilight and ask her to help find the entry she was looking for. Once school was over, she made an excuse and promised they would play together soon. After collecting the remaining journals, she headed straight to the crystal palace and knocked on the door.
“I’m coming!” Apple Bloom smiled when the door opened to show Spike, a comic in his free hand. “Apple Bloom? Is it Twilight Time?”
“No no, I’m here alone. I was hoping to ask Twilight for help?” Spike rubbed his head and leaned against the door.
“Sorry AB… she left with Starlight to the Crystal Empire. They will be gone a few days.”
“Oh… why didn’t you go? I thought you were a big shot there.”
“Yeah well, even the best of friends need a break sometimes and those two have been driving me up a wall. Always destroying something or making a mess. I needed some good ol Spike time.” Apple Bloom nodded but couldn’t help but sigh.
“Well… thanks anyway. I’ll figure things out on my own. Have a good Spike time.” She started off back to the farm, yawning as she did. Spike had noticed she was looking tired, something was bothering the filly. Something serious. His heart felt heavy and he bit his lip. He cast one last glance at the comic before tossing it aside.
“AB! Wait!” She paused and turned as Spike ran up to her, stopping in front of her, and blocking her way home.
“Yeah?”
“Umm… I know you came for Twilight but if you need it. I could help too.” Apple Bloom tilted her head. Why would he want to help? He just now seemed to be pretty excited about being on his own.
“What about Spike time?”
“Ehh, I like Bloom time better.” He laughed and Apple Bloom blushed a bit, giggling with him, and nodded. She gave him a small hug as thanks and headed for the castle, leaving a slightly red dragon behind.
“Alright! I need help finding a certain entree in one of these journals. Should be about a week’s worth. Spike joined her and opened up one of the journals.
“These are Granny Smith’s journals? Why are you reading these old things?”
“I… for a school project?” Spike glanced at her.
“She may not be as bad as your sister, but Twilight used to try her hoof at lying also. I can sniff out a lie easily and you are lying.” Apple Bloom thought about what to tell him but finally realized just how sleepy she was. She couldn’t face anything in this state. Having a dragon on her side could be a big help. After all, Spike did manage to keep up with her sister and the others when he was with them.
“Alright. I’ll tell you but Pinkie Promise to keep it a secret Spike. It’s important.” Spike nodded and recounted the chant, the two shivering when they swore they heard Pinkie’s voice. After that, Apple Bloom recounted what she had experienced and laid down on one of the beanbag chairs that littered the library. Spike listened and kept looking through the journal.
“Sounds like… an alien has visited Sweet Apple Acres!”
“A what?”
“A creature from another world! Visiting Equestria for something. I’m guessing the apples from your farm for some reason.”
“Why?”
“Who can say, but if it scares Granny Smith well that should be enough to scare any normal pony. What is the plan after finding the entry?”
“I’m gonna stop them! I won't let any Space Pony hurt my home!” She announced while standing but the filly’s legs wobbled.
“You won’t be able to do much like this. You need sleep AB. Take a nap while I look through these. Twilight has read so many books and I’ve picked up a number of quick reading tricks. I’ll handle it.”
“But Spike-”
“Trust me.” She stared at his large green eyes and sighed, smiling and giving a nod before yawning and relaxing on the chair.
“Thanks, Spike. I really appreciated it. I owe you one.” She immediately fell asleep, snoring as Spike rolled his eyes and smiled.
“Oh a big one, but we can handle that later.”
Apple Bloom slightly woke when she felt something in her mane but shot up suddenly when she felt something poking her cheek. Spike had a playful smirk on his face and Apple Bloom glared at him.
“Very funny Spike.”
“I thought so too.”
“You know waking up pretty mares the way you do won’t make you super popular with other mares!”
“Pfft come on, I treat pretty mares with more respect.” Apple Bloom stretched and tapped a hoof against his chest, making him sit down.
“You trying to make a comment about my looks, lil lizard.” Spike quickly stood back up.
“Dragon. Draaaagon! Not a lizard! We don’t do that tongue thing.” Apple Bloom rolled her eyes.
“Why did you wake me?” Spike pointed behind them, the moon was out and Apple Bloom noticed the room was only being illuminated by a crackling fire. She blushed at having spent all day there and more so, how cozy it was between the two.
“Oh, Big Mac and Applejack are gonna be so worried if I don’t get back.”
“Well, let’s go, I can walk you home.”
“You sure? Who will walk you back?”
“Hey, which one of us breathes fire? I can handle it.” With no better logic, she grabbed her books but saw Spike had kept two of them. “I read through the rest, more so skimmed them. Checked every page and what we are looking for isn’t in those.” She was shocked, even just skimming, how did he go through so many? He chuckled at her face and he shrugged. “You can thank Twilight for the skills, Celestia knows I’m not gonna do it. She’ll say I told you so.” Apple Bloom giggled.
“Applejack is the same way. She may be humble most of the time but she loooves to brag when she is right.” Spike walked her back to the farm, saying he would finish the remaining journals so she could actually rest up. After getting her home, eating dinner with the Apples, and receiving a scolding and thanks from Applejack. Spike would head home. He stopped at the gates of Sweet Apple Acres and shivered, glancing back at the farm. A place his friends called home.
“If Apple Bloom is right… we’ll think of something. We have to.” He left back to the castle for some rest and to wake up early.
. . .
Apple Bloom was up early and eager, feeling much better. She helped Applejack make breakfast and then went to school with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. Right as the bell rang for lunch, the three spotted Spike waiting outside the door, waving the journal in hand.
“Well looks like the Blank Flank found herself a fan, figures it’d be him.” Apple Bloom resisted the urge to kick Diamond Tiara.
“Uhh you girls get us a table, I just need to talk to Spike right quick!”
“Wait, Spike really is here for you?”
“Yup, be right back!” She ran out to meet the dragon while Sweetie Belle rubbed her chin in a similar way that Rarity would when looking over a dress.
“Hey Scoots, you don’t think that Apple Bloom and Spike…”
“What? Waaaait you mean… no way! They… well he’s a dragon.”
“So what? That’s just rude Scootaloo!”
“I didn’t mean it like that! Still, if she’s gonna date somepony uhh some creature. At least she chose someone kind of cool.”
“I think it’s cute!”
“You think everything is cute.” With that, the two headed for the tables. Apple Bloom rushed to Spike and bit his hand, pulling him behind a tree. She spat a bit as his hand tasted like paper.
“You need to wash your hands.” Spike rolled his eyes.
“Sure thing Twilight. Maybe we can focus on this, not how my hands taste.” He showed her the entry he had found. Apple Bloom read over it while Spike smelled his hand and licked it. The entry told about strange lights, how a tree was taken, and how it all led up to the entire western field being taken. Apple Bloom was in shock, an entire section of their trees being stolen like that… that kind of loss could end Sweet Apple Acres! She kept reading and learned that creatures would come from the thing in the sky to steal the trees and that they were afraid of lights and crystals.
“Huh, maybe I do need to wash my- hey!!” Spike called out as Apple Bloom hugged/tackled him.
“Thank you, Spike! Now I know what to do! I could kiss you right now!” Spike and Bloom blushed when her words really hit home. They stepped away from each other and Spike broke the silence as he played with his claws.
“G-glad to help AB… but what are we gonna do now?”
“I’m gonna collect some crystals, some other stuff, and save my home.” She started off back to her friends when Spike grabbed one of her legs.
“WE are gonna do that.”
“Spike, I’m not asking you to-”
“You don’t have to. You bought me on this and I’m seeing it to the end. We’re a team.” Apple Bloom glared but Spike just crossed his arms stubbornly. The boy was more annoying than Apple Bloom thought he would be about this, but deep deep down she was feeling better. Knowing he would be there with her.
“Fine. Tomorrow WE get everything ready and then we show them aliens what happens when you mess with the Apple Family!” Spike nodded. The two shared a smile before Bloom had to go eat. “We’ll talk later Spike!”
“Yeah! I’m gonna go get us some crystals!” He watched her leave and sighed before running to the gem field.
. . .
The weekend was here, the last day before the attack. Spike had collected a lot of crystals and helped fashion them into orbs the size of apples, eating the bits that weren’t needed of course. Apple Bloom, for her part, snuck into Sugarcube Corner to snatch Pinkie’s party cannon as her weapon of choice.
Apple Bloom trained with the cannon, using bad apples as ammo and doing her best to learn how to aim with the thing. Spike worked on blowing fire faster and worked on his aim also. They were trying to protect the farm, not burn it down so he needed to be careful.
Spending the whole day together, giving each other tips and encouragement slowly allowed them to get into a better place. Apple Bloom watched the sunset with Spike as he was able to convince her to get some rest over more training.
“If you are too tired to shoot then we already lost.” She hated when he was right and more so because his cocky smirk always made her want to argue.
“Hey, Spike… thanks. For everything.” Spike blinked and chuckled, lightly nudging her.
“What’s this? Gratitude? And here I thought that Apple Bloom Apple wasn’t a fan of thanking lowly ol me.” She scoffed and played his game, wiping a hoof off her coat, mimicking Diamond Tiara.
“I’m not, I just happen to have some manners, unlike some certain dragons that I could name. I mean, rubbing against me when you are all sweaty?! Disgusting.” Spike spit a small flame, rolling his eyes hard.
“Oh riiiight because you ponies never sweat. I don’t ever have to feel that. Also you are an Apple right? The family very well known for the hard work, long hours, and love for all things down and dirty?”
“Are you trying to say something bout my family?”
“Nothing that isn’t true~ Heh.” Apple Bloom turned away from him and Spike moved before putting the two back to back. Bloom shivered at feeling Spike’s rigid and protruding spines against her back but they felt good in a way. It’s how she imagined a back massage must feel. “Being serious though Bloom.”
“Didn’t know you knew the meaning of the word.” He chuckled.
“I just don’t care for it a lot… but seriously you don’t know how good that feels. To really be thanked and more so, to be trusted with something so big. I always get thanked by Twilight, Starlight, Rarity, and the others but it always feels like a formality. Plus, most of what I do there is just carry stuff, clean, or give an opinion. This whole thing is really giving a chance to show that… I don’t know…”
“To show you aren’t just a burden… to prove it to yourself…” Spike realized right then that the two of them were feeling the exact same. Different ways of getting here but they were in the same place. He laid a hand over hers as she continued. “I could maybe convince Applejack… with the evidence we have and your word helping. Maybe we could get others to help us.” She trembled as she wanted to finish, to say those words she needed too but was afraid of hearing them.
“But.” Spike used his tail to wrap around her other leg and even playfully tickled her underarm. She giggled through the serious moment and took a deep breath.
“But I wanna do this. I wanna be the one to save the farm. Even if Applejack and Big Mac never learn about it. This feels like… it’s my chance to show what kind of pony I am.” Spike nodded and Apple Bloom could hear the smile in his voice.
“Then let’s show Them who we are. Feel better?” She turned and hugged him.
“Shut up.”
“As you command, Madam Apple.”
“Huh manners, there may yet be hope for you sir Dragon.” The two blushed and laughed before watching the last bit of the sun disappear over the horizon. After getting her home and stashing the cannon in some hay, they would sleep to prepare for the battle of their young lives.
. . .
Apple Bloom was a bundle of nerves, helping Applejack and Big Mac with chores and work. She would talk and try to get the most out of every moment with her family, just in case things went bad.
‘No! We won’t even consider it! We will win. Me and… Spike.” Apple Bloom felt oddly warm inside at the thought of the dragon. She sighed and while she had a suspicion of this feeling, she couldn’t let it distract her. Even if it felt so good. It was often said that when you try to do a lot with your time, it races by, leaving you wondering where the time has gone.”
Spike knew he had read it somewhere that when you are waiting for something, it could feel like the world would slow to a crawl. If he didn’t know better he would say that Twilight or Starlight had once again done something to time but no. He had no excuse here, just the promise of a coming high-stakes adventure. Excitement and fear boiled in him along with something else he couldn’t say. It wasn’t a completely new feeling as he had crushes before and still does.
First, it had been Moondancer but that could be because he projected his love for Twilight onto the girl that was so similar. Then there was Minuette. The mare was just fun and seemed cool to Spike. Finally, his mind went to Rarity, the beautiful mare who had his heart since he arrived in town. Now to be fair much of that at first was based solely on looks. Now though he sees her as a generous and creative mare with ambition.
What he felt now though was different. Apple Bloom, even thinking of her was enough to make a goofy smile appear on his face. She was no Rarity, she was sassy and sarcastic, always seeming to want to pick a fight with the dragon. She was also fun and confident, at least when she was in public. Much like how Spike tried to be. Maybe that was it. He saw much of himself in her.
“It’s nearly time, I should head to the farm.” Spike pulled out a letter and blew it to a special pony. A backup plan in case things got sour. He gently washed his face, ate some remaining crystals, and rushed off. Apple Bloom was waiting on the roof outside her window when he arrived, dumping the bag of their crystal ammo on the ground.
“Spike, you were nearly late!”
“Nearly isn’t late! Are the others asleep already?”
“Yup. Convinced them to go to bed early, saying that Pinkie Pie needs their help early tomorrow with a welcome home party for Twilight and Starlight.”
“Huh… that is actually smart. Pinkie would do that.”
“Are you trying to call me dumb Spike?”
“Nooo. Never.” She rolled her eyes.
“Right. Now stay there.”
“Alright, what are you gonna- Apple Bloom!” She jumped off the roof and landed right on top of Spike.
“Thanks for the catch, Spike! Now let’s go!” She hopped off to go retrieve the cannon, leaving the dazed dragon to rub his head and grumble.
“Couldn't you just use the stairs?”
“Nope! Way less fun!” He grabbed the bag and followed her. The two made one last check over what they had and started for the south field. “So… nervous?”
“Me? Nervous about facing down creatures from a world other than this one that can steal entire fields of trees? Nah, we got this.” His sarcasm made her giggle. “What about you?”
“Course… but also a bit excited. Never really snuck out of the house to fight bad guys.”
“First time for everything. Are you ready with the cannon?” She nodded and found a nice clearing to start their defense. Spike would have to keep the creatures from reaching Bloom. “Just be careful to not hit me with that thing. Crystals like that could really hurt.”
“Oh yeah? I’ll try to avoid the dragon with the big ego.”
“Not my fault I know I’m awesome!” She shook her head when suddenly, that noise from before could be heard. Spike’s bravado disappeared but he gulped and prepared for a fight. “That noise… is it the same one you heard that night?”
“Yup. They are here.” With that, the two were blinded by a bright light above them. Apple Bloom aimed up but Spike stopped her.
“Too high up! That thing would come back at us!” She glared up at the ship.
“You want these trees then you have to go through us! You hear me!” The ship responded to the threat as around them, They appeared. They sure looked like something other than a pony. They floated for one but there were no wings. Their faces were shrouded by some kind of mask, at least Apple Bloom thought it was a mask as there were no real features. The only thing of note were the creatures’ talons, a strange head crest, and finally their eyes. Those eyes were large with no life in them, bright and acting like flashlights.
“Apple Bloom! Shoot!!” Spike’s voice knocked her back to her senses as she saw him blow a fireball at one of Them, blasting them back and the creature vanished. Seeing Spike hurt one, she gathered her nerve and began to shoot the crystal orbs as fast as she could. They soon found that while their attacks would stun and even knock away the intruders, they would soon enough reappear. They were slow moving. but always came back for more. Spike angrily tried to claw at one but he bounced off it as if it’s skin was metallic. It clawed at him back and he was shocked to find it cut right through his scales.
Forced to only rely on his flames, he stayed away best he could. When they eventually began to get too close, he wielded a stick and set it on fire. Apple Bloom was doing her best to fight also, shooting again and again. She even had to start bucking some of the orbs, mimicking her sister. When she ran out of orbs, she had to run into the fray to collect some.
“Apple Bloom look out!!” She had just gotten to some orbs when one of Them reached to slash at her but she used one of the orbs as a shield and Spike jumped over her, blasting the creature and the surrounding land. He helped her up and they took the orbs back to the cannon.
“Spike! We’ll be overrun at this rate!”
“Tell me something I don’t know!”
“We need to burn some of the trees!”
“Are you crazy?!” Apple Bloom shot her orbs into the base of some of the trees, cracking them so that Spike could push them down. Apple Bloom apologized to the trees as she ran over and told Spike to burn it. He did and the two used it to block the route of some of the creatures who retreated. After several more shots, they cheered as they thought they had won.
“W-we won! We did it!”
“Sunrise is coming soon… we just need a bit more time.” Their celebration stopped when the sound from the ship started again. The ship moved to a different section of trees and Apple Bloom recognized what it planned to do.
“No!!” She ran to the trees knowing which one was the target. Her parents. Spike just missed her as he tried to stop her. She reached the trees just as it began to steal them. She screamed as she was lifted along with them, being taken high into the air. “Spike!! Help!!” The dragon stared in fear, his eyes filling with water as he saw she was crying. Had it all been for nothing? Did he get this far just to watch her be taken? He punched the ground and felt something deep down. A fire.
“NO! She’s mine!!” He roared and glared at the ship, jumping into Pinkie’s cannon and shooting himself into the air. He clawed one of the trees to catch himself, running up trunks to reach Apple Bloom. He kept breathing in, again and again to grow one flame. One shot. He got to the last tree and jumped off with all his might. The two reached out for each other and Spike barely managed to grab her hoof. He pulled her down and propelled himself closer to the light.
“S-SPIKE!!” Apple Bloom spun around and stared at the silhouette of the dragon as he let go of one mighty fireball. The attack rocketed to the ship and for a few heart-wrenching moments; nothing.” Spike turned to see Apple Bloom and opened his mouth to apologize. He wasn’t even able to get a word out before the a shock wave sent him flying right into Apple Bloom. The two looked up to see the ship shaking, with the sounds of explosions.
Whatever magic or science that was being used to keep them in the air seemingly failed as they began to fall back to the ground. Spike quickly held Apple Bloom close and tried to land on his spikes. They smashed against the ground, Bloom being threw away from Spike as he rolled and his vision went black for a moment.
‘Was he dead? No… it wouldn’t be this painful if he was.’ Spike cursed and moved, shifting to laying on his back. He was afraid of opening his eyes and seeing Them. It was over. Apple Bloom and Spike had given it all they had. When his eyes opened though, all he could see was a vast night sky that slowly growing bright. Luna must have seen his letter. She was letting Celestia raise the sun early. He laughed even when it hurt, they had won. He looked for Apple Bloom when he saw her laying still a bit further than him.
‘No… no… come on AB… you can’t do this now!’ He forced himself to crawl to her, pulling himself along the ground before he finally reached her. ‘She’s breathing… she’s okay…’
He laid down on his back and finally allowed the pain and darkness to take him.
. . .
“Apple Bloom! I told you to wake up already! Twilight will be here soon and Pinkie wanted us there already!” Applejack groaned when she heard no reply and she opened the door without a second thought. “Apple Blo- w-what?” She felt her heart stop as the bed was empty and looked unused. She rushed to bathroom but no little sister was there. She raced downstairs and thought of where she could be, the window was open so maybe she snuck out? Why? “Maybe Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo will know something!”
“Applejack!” She skidded to a stop when she saw Twilight flying to her.
“Twilight! Sorry I wasn’t there for your party but I have a problem right now and I can’t-”
“Party? What are you talking about?”
“Apple Bloom told me… she lied to me!”
“Applejack, please tell me you’ve seen Spike?”
“Spike? No, not since yesterday. Wait is he missing too?” Twilight nodded and said how she and Starlight got back early and after a small nap, Starlight noticed Spike was missing. Twilight had sent her to search Ponyville while she came here. Applejack slowly started to piece things together and told Twilight to follow her as she led her toward the CMC clubhouse.
“I think they must all be together! Hopefully, they are all in the clubhouse. Whoa!!” Applejack tripped over something she thought was an apple and she almost kicked in annoyance but stared at the crystal orb. “What the hay?”
“A crystal?”
“My farm doesn’t grow crystals.”
“Are you sure?” Twilight pointed at more just a bit away and Twilight examined one, gasping. “These crystals are Spike’s! His fang marks are in it! They have to be this way!” They followed the orbs until they reached the clearing where it looks liked a battle had taken place. “What happened here?”
“Twilight look!” Applejack pointed to two figures nearby and they found Spike and Apple Bloom. Bloom must have moved in her sleep as she had wrapped herself to Spike’s arm and he was lightly snoring in the same place he was in when he blacked out. “Those two did this? Why I’m gonna-”
“Umm Applejack… I think they had a hard night as it is. Maybe we should just take them home… they aren’t… together are they?”
“No! Well… Bloom would have told me that!” Twilight smiled and walked to Spike, poking his cheek.
“Come on, Casanova.” He stirred and groaned, slowly opening his eyes and staring. “Morning Spike, care to explain what happened here?”
“A-aliens?” Applejack and Twilight gave him a deadpan expression and Applejack pointed next to him.
“And that?” He looked over and blushed seeing Apple Bloom.
“Oh! That! Right… uhh I got nothing…” Twilight apologized and promised that Spike would make it up to the Apples for the damage. By this point, Apple Bloom had stirred and woken up a bit. She blushed red as her mane and pushed Spike over before she noticed Applejack and gulped. She got a lecture from her sister and Twilight warned Spike would have one of his own coming up back at the castle. Both were immediately given the news that they would be grounded for a good long while. Spike and Bloom sighed. No good deed goes unpunished. The two shared a look and Spike smiled at her which she returned.
“That’s that then… thanks for a fun adventure AB.”
“No no thank you, Spike! Hey… umm…” Apple Bloom fidgeted in place and gathered her nerve. “Maybe once we’re out of being grounded we could…”
“Get a smoothie? Sugarcube Corner?”
“Y-yeah! Exactly!”
“S-sure! I mean… not like I don’t have other plans but I can fit you in!” Apple Bloom raised a brow at that.
“Oh, you have better things to do? Is that what I’m hearing?”
“Hey, you aren’t the only mare in my life!”
“Riiight because I’ve seen so many showing interest!” While the two argued, Twilight and Applejack shared a laugh.