//------------------------------// // Devastation // Story: Forbidden Honesty // by Music4ever //------------------------------// Love isn't something that you find.Love is something that finds you~Loretta Young Gone............every single apple tree was destroyed. Some apples were in good shape, but it wasn't great. Other trees were torn from the root some were in a terrible state, or you could only see the trunk or what was left of it.I couldn't even think of Applejack she must be feeling horrible seeing all of her farm destroyed. "Applejack..."Spike stuttered as he came close to Applejack."I'm sorry." "What are ya sorry bout"Applejack growled, but was surprised as she felt a claw in her left shoulder.She quickly got up and pushed past Spike, not wanting to be near him and fear of hurting him."This isn't even your fault or your problem, you don't to care about this."Applejack sobbed. "But I do, because I'm your friend, and that's what friends do.I care about you Applejack."Spike said carefully, advancing to her. "Thanks Spike, but I don't need your pity."Applejack's answer came out, cold and plain. Angry, Spike stomped his foot."I don't pity you, I care about you and if you ever need some pony with you.I'll be glad if it's me."Spike exclaimed. Applejack turned to face him one more time."If I needed help, would you be there, even if there was no hope left?"Applejack stuttered, looking right into Spike's emerald eyes. "Anything for a friend like you, even if that means I had to go through the whole Everfree forest."Spike lifted a claw to caress Applejack's cheek, she responded by leaning closer to him. "Spike...I-I"instead of getting an answer, Applejack gave Spike a hug. It felt right after all, she was that just that.......his friend.After what seemed like hours, she let him go. "We should keep going."Applejack said as she composed herself."Do you know where those tunnels start." "Right this way."whispered Spike as he signalled to the barn.Spike was confused.......why did she hug him like that? It felt like she never wanted to let go of him or to loose him.Silly, why would Applejack have feeling for some pony like him?It was impossible. "It has been in the barn all this time?!"Applejack spoke rather loudly. Spike just nodded his head and headed to the orchid. They walked over broken branches and twigs that still had some apples in them. Others had smashed apple pieces on them. It was horrible, and it seemed impossible to bring this place back to life or to even make a single tree grow.The sky was just like the orchid, destroyed with not a single ray of light visible through the thick and black clouds that looked just like smoke. It was unbearable seeing Applejack's house and workplace demolished as if a hurricane had passed by and no pony had lived here.They got closer to the barn and Spike could tell Applejack got stiffer with every step and her breath got faster. "Applejack you alright?"asked Spike out of genuine worry. "Yeah I'm fine Spike.Come on, we better get inside before a changeling sees us."Applejack got in the barn before Spike to wipe some tears off her face. "So, the tunnels are hidden somewhere here right?" "Yes, it's in a corner.There has to be hay on it so no pony finds it." "Is it there?"Applejack pointed a hoof to a corner with lots of hay unorganized. "Yeah, now all we have to do it uncover, it come on."Applejack and Spike started digging all the hay out off the way until they reached the floor with loud thump.To their surprise, there was no latch or nob on the floor, and that made Spike jump with panic. "Spike yer sure it's in here?asked Applejack quite worried. "Yes I'm sure.Pinkie said it was right here after she-I almost forgot!" "Forgot?" "Yeah.......there is supposed to be a loose wood plank around here."Spike explained.He put a claw to the wall and pushed lightly on it until a piece came off.He pushed it and some stairs appeared on the floor that seemed to go deeper and deeper. "Is it safe?"asked Applejack. "Yes." "How do you know"Applejack locked eyes with Spike. Spike gave her a reassuring smile."Because no pony knows about this." "Then what are we waiting for partner!!!" They descended down the stairs and on the fifth step the door locked itself leaving them in total darkness with nothing to guide them in the dark.They stopped to hear for any suspicious sounds, but there were none so they continued going downstairs. As they reached the floor, the stairs disappear from the ground, something that made Applejack yelp with surprise. "This place is really weird."commented Applejack. "Well....Pinkie was the one who put this traps so no pony could enter that easy without her skills.Lucky for you, I am an expert."confessed Spike. "Oh really"Applejack spoke with sarcasm. "Yes indeed.In fact, I everything around here."Spike exclaimed with pride. "Well then, if you're an expert, I guess it wouldn't be a problem walking in the dark." "Stay here I won't go far. I'll be close."Spike's steps echo and then there was a click followed by candles lighting up, showing how far the tunnel went. "As I said, I'm an expert."satisfaction was heard on his voice. "A good one at that. By the way, how far do the tunnels go from here to the library?" Spike thought about it for a second."30 minutes or so." "Then we better pick up the pace."added Applejack, putting Spike on her back and galloping at full speed through the tunnel. Applejack was going at full speed and tried to ignore the sound of her beating heart. She was going so fast that everything else seemed a blur. The candles flickered as she passed by and some were blown out by the big amount of wind Applejack created as she ran, and the only sound that was heard was the clicking of her hooves. "Wait!"screamed Spike, and Applejack stopped just in time as she felt the cold water on her hooves. "What in tarnation?" "It's a river.I know it doesn't make any sense, but it's something to stop any pony who wants to pass without Pinkie's permission."stated Spike. "If ya ask me, it's kinda pointless to put a river here.A pegasus could easily go over it, and a unicorn could go to the side by using telekinesis."complained Applejack."By the way how are we gonna pass?" "There's a boat somewhere around here."then realization hit him."Oh no, I left the boat on the other side. I'm so sorry." "It's alright mistakes happen even to me."Applejack admitted. "But how are we gonna cross now?" "I guess we'll have to swim."Applejack gulped. "Ok then let's go."stated Spike with determination.