//------------------------------// // Applesauce // Story: A Mare's tale // by MapleTreeway //------------------------------// “Oh Spike, you’ll never believe it!” Twilight shouted bursting into her home. Spike, with a blanket around him and a thermometer in his mouth, came down the stairs. His eyes were drooping and his mouth was chapped and he just looked plain awful. He coughed before asking in a raspy voice, “What is it Twi?” “You’ll never believe it!” “I know!” The baby dragon coughed. “ You know?” Twilight stopped smiling and walked over to her assistant. She levitated the bed from up the stairs right next to Spike and told him to lie down. Lying down, he shook his head. Twilight’s face lit up like a firework. “Oh good! Well, I have a date with a Stallion next week at twelve!” Spike rolled his eyes, “Hard to believe.” Twilight punched him playfully, but soft. “And do you know who it is?” “Rainbow Dash?” “Spike cut it out! Rainbow Dash is a Mare-Pegasus.” “Meaning?” “She is a girl Pegasus. A female?” she asked sarcastically. Spike sighed and closed his eyes. “Then who is it?” “Big Macintosh,” Twilight said in a matter-of-fact tone. The baby dragon’s eyes flew open. “Applejack is not going to be happy, Twilight.” He said. “She’ll just have to get used to it then.” Spike sat up and sneezed, only to make Twilight to tell him to lie down while she’ll get some Rubies for him to eat. Once back, he warned her of all the possible ways Applejack would kill her, or worse – not be her friend anymore and leave The Elements of Harmony stranded. But Twilight just shook away the warnings saying Applejack would never do any of those. Spike looked doubtful while he started to nibble on the biggest Ruby. … …... …. …. ….. …. ….. The night came and Spike slept while Twilight brushed her black and purple mane. She looked out into the cold, black sky. The night was beautiful; crickets and frogs chirping, the Moon glowing with radiance, an occasional hoot from an owl, stars sparkling. Princess Luna had outdone herself – as always. But this one, this one night, Twilight thought the Princess did it all for her - all the biggest details to the smallest ones; everything. The purple Unicorn sighed when she heard a knock on her door. Startled, she opened the wooden door to see Applejack furious. The blonde-haired pony burst into the room screaming, “Twilight, how could ya?” Twilight jumped, “Shush Applejack, Spike’s sleeping.” “I don’ care – how could ya?” “How could I what?” Applejack got into Twilight’s face, eyes burning. “How could ya go on a date with my brother an’ not tell me ‘bout it?” “I didn’t go on a date with him!” Twilight defended. “Course ya did! Big Mac told me that ya did!” “We just had lunch together, nothing serious.” “Do ya love my brother?” “What?” the Unicorn asked dumbfounded. Applejack raised her voice, “Do ya like my brother?” “Y-yes?” Applejack hugged Twilight so hard Twilight couldn’t breathe. Letting go, she took a step back and said really proud, “Yes! I’m gonna have ya as a sister-in-law!” “Wait, what?” “Stick ‘round, ya’ll see,” Applejack winked at her friend beaming before going out the door. Spike woke up just in time to see Applejack’s tail slip out the door. “Wha-what happened?” he asked yawning. Twilight looked back at him and sternly said to go back to sleep. … …... …. …. ….. …. ….. The next day went alright for Twilight, although when somepony knocked or when she went into Town she kept looking for one certain pony – Big Macintosh. Sadly, she didn’t see him all day. For dinner, the Unicorn wanted to make some Applesauce, but found she was out of Apples. “Shoot,” she muttered. “I’ll have to go to Sweet Apple Acre Farm.” Then remembering that she hadn’t seen her special Stallion, she grew excited. This is only a coincidence – nothing more. Twilight thought. “Spike, I’ll be back in half-an-hour. Don’t exert yourself too much!” she hollered over her shoulder before going out the door. Twilight could have just appeared at the Farm but she felt like walking in the dark, crisp air. How good she felt, all the freshness sprayed in her coat and mane and tail. She felt… renewed, in a way. Time went by, and the wind seemed to lead to Sweet Apple Acres Farm, and Twilight followed it. She soon found herself in front of the white gate. Looking around, she spotted the lights on in the house. Trotting to the front door, she thought of a way to put it delicately that she needed some Apples to make some Applesauce at this late hour. “Oaf!” Twilight said when she ran in the door. What an entrance… “Who’s there?” come the scratchy voice of Granny Smith. “One of Applejack’s friends,” Twilight hollered. “Big Macintosh, go see what she wants,” ordered the old Mare. There were heavy steps before the Red Stallion opened the door. “Twilight?” “Hi… I just came here, because all of the stores are closed and I needed some Apples to make Applesauce…. If you don’t mind, that is.” “No, no. I’ll just go an’ get ya some. Wait right there.” Twilight gave him a dazzling smile at him before he walked away. When he returned, he gave her a basket of Apples. “Oh, Big Mac,” she breathed. “This is more than enough, surely.” “Saves ya a trip fer walkin’ a long way sooner,” he said shrugging. “Many thanks. I’ll just be going now,” Twilight stated before pecking him on the cheek. “Thank you.” Turning around slightly embarrassed, she set out for her house with the basket levitated next to her. Suddenly she heard a shout, “I’ll walk ya home if ya want!” Twilight turned again to see the big pony – her special pony – galloping toward her. She grinned, “That would be lovely.”