Dragons; majestic, terrifying, and powerful creatures who vary with every region and each legend. The classic fire-breathed behemoth, to the fabled bone dragon, and even the relatively small forest dragon are not a rarity in the land of Equestria. Their diamond-like scales can also resist some of the strongest magic spells, making them a terrifying force that can level forests when agitated and cities when enraged. However, no creature exists without its own personal weakness. For dragons, still reptiles at their core, the cold is one of the most dangerous and terrifying obstacles they could ever face. To slowly have your body fail you to the point of utter uselessness, all while the inner fire dormant in all dragons slowly dies within, is the subject of many draconian legends of suffering and a perceived punishment the gods administer on dragons for their sins. Well, except for the ice dragons in the far north, the freaks. Unfortunately for them, recent studies of those subspecies of dragons have revealed they are extremely susceptible to sounds, which have led to the natives of the north using the power of their voices and amplifiers to quickly put an end to the draconian threat in that area. Even now, a powerful shout can make a dragon's blood shiver.
Spike knew all this after reading some books borrowed to him from the Canterlot library, as a favor from Celestia. Even if he realized his friends should be enough, he still felt the need to know some things about his kind and how the world views him. Why did he recall of this information at that moment?
He felt so cold. So very cold. Unable to move and just watched as the world moved around him. Standing on the hill leaving Sweet Apple Acres, he received a beautiful view of a typical, sunny day in Ponyville. He saw the public pool filled with laughing foals, he saw rookie parents strolling through the park with their kids, ice cream vendors wreaking havoc on pony's teeth and reaping profits. Why did he feel so cold then? Why did his blood feel so cold when everyone else felt warm? Perhaps it was because of how Applejack just yelled at him. She had never been dishonest in her actions, and from what Spike gathered, he had just pried into her life more than he should. It also could have been the fact of having his fears confirmed; that he was right. Spike found this hilarious, in a twisted kind of way, since Twilight was always right and it never seemed she had to deal with this kind of shiver.
A shiver that fills someone completely with an unpleasant feeling; responsibility. A feeling most ponies think they can handle, until the day when a tough decision comes to play. Spike was always bugging Twilight about giving him more responsibility and more freedom to prove he was worthy of her trust. Now, unfortunately, he didn't have to deal with sorting a few books around, or making sure he didn't eat all the ice cream when Twilight wasn't looking. He held the possible fate of two of his closest friends and the thread of their family in his claws. In his weak, shaking, freezing claws. The obvious thing would be too ignore this, to let Applebloom keep living as an apple and hope either she never found out or AJ would come clean on her own.
With a grim chuckle, he knew that his friends weren't that lucky. Spike was a baby dragon. He could be immature, selfish, easily carried away, lie to save his own scales, and even play the coward from time to time. However, Spike was not stupid, he knew that much about himself. One could not be the number one assistant to Twilight Sparkle if they were stupid. The truth would come out and it would be a disaster, just like every cheap romance novel (not that he read any girly books like that). So, he could do the logical thing and tell Twilight, in hopes she would find a way to handle this, but he knew he didn't have enough evidence. To ask for the help of Twilight Sparkle with something as serious as this, and not have any evidence, would be the worst mistake Spike could make in this situation. He remembered the time Twilight got the Royal Doctor to give him a thorough checkup when he pretended to have a cold, just so he could sleep in.
"So, where do I even begin looking for evidence, if AJ isn't going to comply?" Spike kept looking out at the town, trying to grasp at anything that could help him in this endeavor. His reptilian eye suddenly focused on Carrot Top, Berry Punch, Colgate, and Doctor Whooves leaving Sugarcube Corner with an object that was, ironically, easy to make out as a cake under some sort of tarp. It was Derpy Hooves's birthday and they were planning to celebrate it by...
At that moment, Spike did a quick count with his claws (score one for opposable thumbs) and found that Derpy was a bit older than Applejack. He soon realized a fact that hit him so hard, it made Rainbow Dash flying into the library look like a scrape. A good majority of the adults in the town were around AJ's age, meaning they could have some information about Applebloom's origin. He could make up a story that Twilight asked him to gather some information about her friends, such as genealogy, or something along those lines. Besides, Rarity always says that talking about others isn't gossip, it's simply "making polite conversation by expressing intrigue in your friend's endeavors." With a revitalized vigor, Spike felt the fire of motivation reignite and started to walk around Ponyville, trying to think who would be most willing to "converse" about the Apple Family. He kept wandering until he found himself right in the middle of the town market.
While the town of Ponyville was passionately tied to the values of friendship, love, and kindness, none of those values meant jack squash in the town market. This could have been due to the vendors being from varied roots or time is money and not buying anything gets you as little regard from the vendors as possible. As Spike made his way through the market, trying to stay calm as dozens of ponies seemed to bump into him from left and right, he spotted a carrot orange mane mare with a goldenrod coat. The pony, aptly named Carrot Top, was a farmer like the Apple family and was friends with the clan. Spotting his opportunity, Spike decided to try his luck.
"Hey Carrot Top," Spike said with a friendly wave. Turning her head and giving a friendly smile, Carrot Top replied automatically.
"Hey Spike. What's going on?"
"Oh nothing," Spike replied coyly. "Hey, do you have a minute or two to talk?"
"Sure. I just finished getting my groceries. Did you want to talk about something?" Spike hid a devious smile as he went in for the kill.
"Well, you see, Twilight's doing some sort of genealogy research, trying to trace the origins of Ponyville and how it was formed and what not, and she needs some info about the Apple family." Carrot Top looked confused and decided to voice her confusion.
"I don't understand. If you want to know about the Apple family, why don't you ask Applejack or Granny Smith or Big Mac?"
"I was, but Applejack is busy doing farm work, I really don't want to remember all that information walking back from Sweet Apple Acres, and Big Mac...well, I don't think he can give an informative lesson, if you catch my drift. But, seeing as your friends with the Apple family, you can fill me in on a few things." Spike hid a smug look, hoping Carrot Top fell for it.
"Hmm. That make sense. What do you need to know about?"
"Thanks for helping me out. It won't take long, I promise." Spike took a moment to decide how to word this next part carefully. "I only need a semi-brief description of previous generation of Apples in Ponyville, AJ's and Big Mac's parents." Carrot Top began to get a bit suspicious when Spike didn't mention Applebloom, but decided to drop it.
After going over when they were born, how they met, their contributions to Ponyville, and their marriage, Carrot Top was wrapping up on how AJ and Big Mac were born. "...they were all surprised to find filly AJ hiding under the table, snout coated with Apple Fritters. Granny Smith has the most embarrassing pictures." Carrot Top gave a chuckle and Spike, deciding to keep playing along, gave a weak one in exchange.
"And...that's about all I know." Carrot Top finished with a pause in between. Spike adopted a curious look as he decide to press his questions.
"Wait. What about Applebloom? How was she born?" Carrot Top didn't reply immediately and instead decided to inspect Spike's behavior. He noticed her examination and was beginning to lose his cool, fidgeting with his claws.
"W-why are you looking at me look that? Do I have something in my fangs?" After an uncomfortable pause, she decided to start her own interrogation.
"Spike, you know Applejack and Applebloom are sisters, right?" Spike tried to look as calm as possible, but he withered under her gaze.
"W-why of course! W-who doesn't," he said after breaking eye contact, which was all the evidence Carrot Top needed.
"You know, don't you?" Spike, with a sigh, saw that he wasn't getting out of this one and decided to come clean.
"Kinda. I know it's not possible that AJ and AB are biological sisters. That's really it though." Carrot Top, with a sigh, warned Spike.
"Spike. Listen to me. Don't. Push. This. It's nopony’s business, but the Apples." He knew he wouldn't get much more out of Carrot Top, but he did find out one thing and confronted Carrot about it.
"So. Other ponies know too, huh? I knew I couldn't be the only one to connect the dots. This town is too small for that to be overlooked." Carrot started glaring at Spike.
"Yes. Other's know too. But let me tell you more Ponyville history. The Apple family practically FOUNDED Ponyville. They helped set it up, helped it grow, and give it many of the traditions we hold dear today. Plus, Applejack is the living example of Ponyville life and our premier community member. It's an honor to be her friend and to be friends with the Apple family. If you keep meddling into others business, Spike, you won't only hurt Applebloom, you won't only tear apart their family, but you'll also be hurting all of Ponyville and its people. Have you thought about that?" Spike looked bewildered. He realized what he was doing was risky, but he didn't know it was THAT risky. However, Spike still knew one thing.
It didn't change a Celestia-damned thing.
"I know," Spike replied. "Maybe not to that extent, but I do know. The truth is going to come out. Everyone will still be hurt and it will be too late. It not my business as an individual to meddle with the Apple's life. It is my business, however, as a friend." Carrot shook her head in frustration and decided to walk away, saying one last thing before she departed.
"Just remember what I told you. Just remember that this isn't about you." Spike looked downcast after hearing that statement, unsure how to respond.
"Am I really taking this too personally? Applebloom is happy, I don't need to destroy what she has just because I would like to know my origin." Spike's fist clenched and shook with anger as he brushed away those thoughts. "No. That's ridiculous. This is about Applebloom. I know it and just because other ponies are happy with the way things are, doesn't mean she will when she finds out for herself." Spike brought his head up high, only to jump back three hooves when he saw Big Mac staring down at him. The silence in the air was nauseating as both Spike and Big Mac shared a war of looks, with Big Mac as a general and Spike as the worm in the dirt. Eventually, Spike broke the silence.
"Sooo...do we need to talk about something?"
"Eeyup."
"Rrrriggghhttt...." Spike said while stretching his words. With a spin, Spike took off in a flash. Big Mac looked stunned, only to give a sigh and began running after Spike. Spike ducked and weaved around corners he knew Big Mac was too...well, big, to make cleanly and managed to get right on the edge of Everfree forest, deciding to duck behind a bush. Big Mac finally caught up, looking around for where the lucky reptile went.
"Spike! Come on out! I ain't gonna hurt ya! I just want to talk is all!" Big Mac shouted into the forest. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a purple tail sticking out of a bush. Rolling his eyes, he dashed to the bush before Spike had time to react and used his mouth to hold him by the scruff of his neck. After a few moments of resistance, Spike resignated himself to his fate.
"Now Spike. You are going to listen to what I have to say. I'm going to let you go now, but I don't want you running off. Ya hear?" Spike, seeing no other option, decided to comply.
"Sorry Big Mac. I overacted. I'll listen."
"Good." With that, Big Mac set Spike on the ground, facing him.
"Now." Big Mac took a moment to compose himself and think about his words carefully, knowing full well how much an influence words can have on children. "I don't know what you know. I don't know why you know. I don't even care who you found out from. What I do care about is why you keep wanting to know more?" Spike looked unsure, only to find the words he recited in his mind coming back to him.
"It's because this isn't about you. It isn't about Ponyville or Applejack or me. It's about Applebloom. It's because I know how she will feel WHEN the truth comes out. To feel she's in a place where everyone puts on a smile and makes you feel LIKE you belong, but never knowing if you really do. It's something I wouldn't wish on anybody, but it will happen and it’s better she knows now rather than later. That way she can realize she does because she has you guys. Her family. And that makes all the difference in the world." Spike was sure of his answer, despite his solemn expression. Big Mac was pleasantly surprised to know Spike shared some of his sentiments, but he spotted something deeper in Spike that he knew pushed him forward.
"Spike. I don't know, to what extent, how you feel or how Applebloom will feel. I never have. I always had my family by side, even at our worst. I've always had ponies to be grateful for. But, for some reason, I think everypony does, they're just too stuck in pity to see it. It's hard to get out of the muck, I'll admit it. But I've never been one to let the past get me down for too long, because I know I have a future to raise me up with the ponies I love. For whatever reason, ponies can't see that because they are too busy being ashamed at their reflection. Everypony will always get sick of themselves. However, what makes somepony appreciate themselves, is being themselves and being surrounded by others who appreciate it as well." Big Mac took a moment to let Spike digest that information, the revelation hitting him hard. It was especially eye-opening coming from Big Mac.
"That's what I think this is about, Spike," Big Mac started with knowing concern. "You lost sight about what you do have. Who you have. Applebloom is just a way to avoid that feeling for you." Spike's look of shock became one of rage.
"Hey! This is not about me! It's about Applebloom! It's about Applejack withholding the truth from her and lying to her face! If she finds out on her own, she'll always feel like an outcast!" Big Mac took a deep breath and responded calmly.
"Celestia's sake, boy, I know that better than anypony. I'm AJ's AND Applebloom's brother. And I know AJ isn't being true to Bloom or herself. That's what gets on my nerves. The more time goes by, the worse my fears that I'll lose both my sisters. But that ain't going to happen, ya hear? Both of them have always been my sisters and they always will be. Ain't nothing going to change that."
"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that you’re right." Spike looked shocked and was about interrupt him, but Big Mac went on. "It is going to happen. If I learned anything from AJ, it's that the truth will always come. I'd rather Bloom hear it from her family though. I can't tell her because then I'll lose AJ. Only AJ can tell her now. You can find out for yourself what happened, I ain't going to stop ya. But before you continue and confront anypony about it, let me tell you what you need to do first. Stop and think who you’re REALLY doing this for. If it's for Applebloom, everything WILL work out. I believe that. But if even the smallest fraction of your efforts are about you or your insecurities, it won't and all of it will come back to you." Spike looked down in shame, unsure of where his motivation came from. Big Mac turned towards Ponyville and started moving.
"Come on Spike. It's not safe here. I'll walk with you back to Ponyville." Spike gave a solemn nod as he tagged along Big Mac, beginning a silent journey home.
"I feel ashamed. I don't know why. Big Mac's words felt honest, but it doesn't make me feel better. They just make me feel like I got something's twisting my heart in grinding it against my bones."
"We're here." Spike shook out of his daze and saw he and Big Mac were back. Big Mac cleared his throat and said a few more things to Spike. "Spike, I know the truth isn't easy, but it's the reality we gotta accept. The biggest lie is fooling ourselves into thinking lies are the easy way out." With those words, Big Mac began to walk away, only to warn one more thing. "Oh. I forgot. If you hurt either of my sisters and I know you could've avoid it, ya'll going to straight to the moon." Spike's look of fear was enough to satisfy the big brother complex in Big Mac and he walked away. Alone, Spike knew he needed to see somepony.
"Fluttershy's too nervous, Rainbow's isn't subtle, Pinkie wouldn't take it seriously, and I'm not ready to face Twilight." He thought long and hard about who was delicate, wise, and beautiful enough to help him in this situation. "Rarity it is."
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(*Other side of Ponyville, Private Residence Area*)
A small, earth pony filly walked up to her house and awaited the door to open. As soon as it did, her maid, Whinniefred, greeted her inside.
"Why hello Miss Tiara, back so soon from Sugarcube Corner?" The pink filly with a ridiculously expensive tiara, aptly named Diamond Tiara, responded to the question.
"Why yes, Whinniefred. Me and Silver Spoon were walking through the market and decided to call it a day. Where's daddy?"
"Why, he is in his study room, brushing up on his foreign languages."
"Thank you, Whinniefred. That is all." The filly made her way to the Rich's study room and peered inside, only to find her father snoring on the couch with a half-eaten hayburger on his stomach.
"Oh daddy," Diamond sang. The orchestra responded with a snore.
"Daddy?" The snoring answered with gusto.
"Daddy!!!" Filthy jumped off the couch after having his eardrums barrage with a high shrill shout. He saw his daughter and calmed himself down.
"What is it, my little Diamond?"
"Oh, me and Silver Spoon were just walking around, when we heard the most interesting things being said about a friend of mine."
"What friend? You have more?" Filthy began to get excited that his daughter was becoming more social with others her age. Diamond was not amused.
"Yesss... Daddy," Diamond said with a slither. "It was about Applebloom. Anyway, I didn't like what was being said about her, but I don't know if it's true or not. If I ask her, she may get offended or mad at me. Can you tell me?"
"Why of course, my gem. The Apples are our friends and I would be happy to help them." Diamond's eye held a sinister glint at the compliance of her father.
"Good. Thank you Daddy."