A Life Rebuilt

by Epicburst

Not broken- Just Fixable

Applejack stared at Spike, who adjusted the bed into more of a sitting position. For Twilight, the awkwardness was combustible, and it was her that was about to explode. Spike stared shyly at Applejack- the farm mare returning with a glare of her own. Before Twilight decided that her dangerously contagious cough had returned, Spike's voice pierced the silence.

“I’m glad you’re okay.” He stated, drawing circles on a pad of paper with his off claw. “I don’t know what I would have done if you got hurt.”

Applejack looked impatient. “Thank ya Spike, but ya know ya cause too much trouble with that Dragon Code nonsen-”

“It’s not nonsense!” Spike shouted, his rocky voice gave it more of a thunderous quality. His pencil shattered as anger surged through his body. His claw bled as pencil fragments easily penetrated his skin. How dare she call it nonsense! “I devote my life to those who -”

“Ah don’t need yer help! Send it to Tartarus for all I care!” Tears streamed down her face, her body shaking with anger. “Ya cost us so much Spike! All because of yer silly Dragon Code and ah don’ even want ta be a part of it!”

“Yes you do! You know hay well why you do!” Twilight chose this time to take her exit. Spike didn’t care.

Applejack shook even harder, trying to sustain at least a single bit of composure as she faced his wild accusations.

“Applejack,” Spike whispered urgently. The strain of his anger taking its toll, “you lied that day you came into the Everfree Forest. You went in there again because you were tired.” Spike watched the lines of blood spill down his claw and onto the parchment. “You had a fight with your family that day and you didn’t know what to do! Applejack, they drive you absolutely insane and you need help! Please, just talk to me!” Spike felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him and set his head back on his pillow.

“How dare you.” Her voice sounded cold. “You never talk about my family. Ever!” Applejack forced her muzzle in Spike’s face, her eyes hard. “I don’t know who ya think ya are, but yer not a noble dragon. Nopony needs yer help Spike! Yer just a child with a hopeless cause fueled by everyponies pity!”

He couldn’t help but chuckle. She was right, wasn’t she? He literally threw himself at Rarity’s hooves for years! What kind of chance did he have with a beautiful mare like her? He’s seen the articles she read on toying with stallions, it was just all a part of her game! He’s done so much for her . . . all for nothing. Then there was Twilight. He’s loved her for as long as he could remember. Everything he ever done was for that one mare. Was that all for nothing as well? With his luck, she was just playing with him like Rarity.

Spike didn’t realize that Applejack had stormed off. Nor did he realize the lavender mare that replaced her. She must have asked him a question, because he felt a warmth all over his body. Blinking, Spike realized that Twilight was cradling him like she used to. The dragon remembered times by the fire, not in the library, but in the Canterlot Citadel. The little filly would get bullied at school then lock herself away for the weekend. Back then, the dragon was able to wrap his claws around her and sway slowly until she fell asleep. Those were good times.

“Twilight?” The mare shifted slightly, he assumed she was looking at him. “Am I wasting everypony’s time . . . with the Code?”

“Spike,” Twilight sighed, “I always appreciate your help. You’ve been there for me since the very beginning, and I love you so much.” She hugged him. “But Applejack isn’t me Spike, and you’ve made it difficult for her.” Spike groaned.

“And Rarity?” Twilight gave him a questioning look. “I was just being childish wasn’t I?” Spike chuckled. “I should have known that a mare like her wouldn’t end up with a dragon like me.” Twilight nuzzled him softly as he continued. “You should get going Twi’, I’ll be here for a while.”

Going back to her studies took some adjusting, her mind continuously slipped back to the months of rehabilitation Spike would face before returning home. Being fully engaged in theoretical magic didn’t allow her to get preoccupied with the trivial things like hunger or exhaustion. Celestia’s sun turned into candlelight then back again. Her studies were the only thing keeping her mind off of what happened to- focus. She continued pouring over her data, unable to force herself to do anything else.

At one . . . point in time- whether it was day or night was lost on Twilight- Apple Bloom rushed into the library.

“Twilight!” The filly’s high pitched squeal made her lose her train of thought. With a sigh, she turned towards the obnoxious little- “Ah need a book!” Of course she needs a book! They all need books!

“Care to be more specific?” Twilight huffed irritably.

“Ah need ta find a book on metal!” She said proudly. “Ah want ta see if ah can do somethin’ ta help Spike!”

Twilight worked her way through her books. How long has it been since she searched for her own books? Eventually, she found three: Blacksmithing for Dummies, Hammer and Anvil, and Sword and the Shield.

The lavender mare watched as the young filly poured through the books for hours. Twilight couldn’t remember the last time she saw somepony study so urgently. Turning her focus back to her own studies, she returned to her theories. Once sunlight turned to candlelight once more, her train of thought was derailed by her growling stomach.

Yawning, she turned away from her desk for the first time in what felt like hours. She examined the library and she was surprised to see a filly slumbering over some books. What was she doing here? Out of the possible options, the less likely one was that she took on an apprentice. More likely was that she was having some type of slumber party with her. That doesn’t sound too weird does it? She shook it off and went into the kitchen to make herself a sandwich.

Before she could dig into her . . . breakfast? Lunch? What time is it anyway? Spike usually wound the clocks for her, as far as she knew, they stopped when Spike left the other day. Twilight sighed irritably as another knock stopped her tangent thinking.

“Twilight?” She opened the door to see an orange mare at the door. Applejack! That was her name!

“Oh hi Apple Pie! What can I do for you?”

“Uhh . . .” Applejack stared at her awkwardly. Was something on her face? “Have you seen Apple Bloom around here at all? Ah’ve searched for her everywhere an’ ah can’t find her.”

Twilight invited the mare inside and watched curiously she went straight towards the pony who was slumbering peacefully in the corner.

“Applejack! Your name is Applejack!” Twilight exclaimed at her sudden revelation. Relieved at the weight off her mind.

Applejack stared at her, clearly concerned. “Twi’ are ya alright?” She moved slowly towards the thin, boney mare, not wanting to spook her. “Yer so thin, and nopony has seen ya for weeks, ah’m just worried is all.”

The orange mare bound closer and closer towards her, poised to strike at any moment. Twilight backed away slowly, stopping only when a wall appeared against her flank, stopping her in her tracks. Everypony jumped as a vase on a shelf fell to the floor with a crash.

“A-Applejack?” The little filly in the corner sat up sluggishly. “What are ya doin’ here?” Her ears splayed back worriedly as the orange mare turned on her angrily. “D-did ah do somethin’ wrong?” When she received no insight to her mistake from the mare, her eyes widened. “What time is it? Applejack ah’m sorry! Ah didn’t mean ta stay out so late!”

“We were worried sick about you! All ya said was that yer goin’ crusading with yer friends! What the hay are ya doin here?”

Tears sprang to Apple Bloom’s eyes, clearly upset at disappointing her mother. “Ah’m sorry sis!” Sister? Twilight looked around the room awkwardly. Should she be listening to this? “We took a field trip to Canterlot to go see the Guard’s blacksmith, and they were talkin’ bout how everythin’ is fixable! So I thought that if I could make somethin’ for Spike that-” A strong hoof to the floor shook the building, making the filly cringe.

“Enough about that forsaken dragon!” Nopony dared to breathe, not knowing what would set Applejack off even farther. “He’s nothing but a broken meddler that has no idea what he’s talkin’ about!”

“He ain’t broken!” Apple Bloom glared at her older sister, dead in the eyes. “The blacksmith said that with the right metal, anythin’ can be fixed! Spike needs help, so ah’m gonna help him!”

“Get. Back. Home.” The filly grabbed her books and scrambled out the door. Twilight would bet that she made it back to their house in a matter of seconds. Left alone, Twilight could see that there was something more to the anger Applejack felt. She dare not ask any questions, fearing to evoke the orange mare's rage on her. Once again, Twilight was alone. She didn’t finish her sandwich before returning to her work.

The month of Spike’s absence passed quickly. For some reason, Celestia stopped giving her things to study, so instead she turned her time back to the library. It was in need for a lot more TLC then she remembered, but it didn’t take long at all for it to become as well tuned as a draft horse. Before long, she forgot all about trivial distractions like hospitals and whatever it was they contained.

“You’ve done well Spike.” The nurse said as the dragon trudged back from his rehabilitation. “You have gotten used to walking on threes, and your skin is healing nicely.” The nurse pulled back the blankets to Spike’s bed and waited patiently for him to climb in between, purring slightly as the blanket warmed his body. “The only worry we have is that your scales have yet to grow back.” Spike groaned, “You know how the nurses are about these kinds of things, I’ll be sure to talk to them. You should be able to leave here tomorrow.”

Spike laughed, relieved. “You certainly know how to work the system don’t you Emerald Strongbeat? I can’t wait to get out of here!”

Emerald chuckled. “If you leave, who would laugh at all my lame jokes?”

“Aw, don’t be like that Emmy!” The nurse shuddered at his nickname. “At least nopony would ask to watch you do nothing but walk in a circle for hours! Now just think about all the free time you have!” The nurse laughed, remembering how crazy the young dragon drove him, asking day after day to watch the nurse walk around until he was able to emulate the movements easily. “Besides, with all that walking you may be fit enough to do the Running of the Leaves!”

The nurse laughed once again as he gently lowered the blankets onto the dragon. “I just might take you up on that one day. Hopefully I won’t see you here tomorrow afternoon. Besides, Twilight must be buried in her own filth by now without her #1 assistant.”

Spike stretched, basking in the warm summer air. Everything looked so big now that he was closer to the ground! The rehabilitation helped him get used to his restricted movement, and even writing with his off claw. Walking, however, was just as awkward as the day he begun. He had yet to grow proficient on hopping on his front leg, often times ending in him lying on the ground prone with a sore muzzle. He discovered rather quickly that he was extremely self-conscious of his missing limb, primarily because nopony ever looked him in the eye anymore.

The library was a lot farther than Spike ever thought it would be. The sun already setting in the sky before he felt the familiarity of the worn, wooden steps on his claws. Now to open the door and for Twilight to come running for the aid of her #1 assistant. What he got was a nightmare scenario. Twilight couldn’t be seen anywhere, but there was a weak, elderly mare that sat at her old desk. Why was it so dark in here?

“Hey Twi’, I’m home.” The mare at the other side of the room grunted and nodded. She was so thin! Right away, Spike rushed into the kitchen. Fumbling with the ingredients, and settling for some of them cascading to the ground, Spike created a crude sandwich and brought it out to his friend.

Spike made sure she mechanically ate her meal. How long has it been since she’s done this? He’s only seen her like this once, years ago he was curious to see just how much Twilight needed him. After she finished being fed, Spike gave her an awkward bath with dry soap. There was so much . . . gunk! The rag he used came back absolutely black, and her coat was three shades brighter once he was finished. Once Spike managed to get a blanket over the mare, she gradually fell asleep at her desk, and he went to sleep right beside her. Everything was going to be fine now . . .

Come morning, the quality of his work was painfully different. As he was fixing breakfast, he burned his claw on the skillet. The fire wasn’t very big- Twilight put it out easily- but the food was ruined. He was beginning to feel bad, Twilight kept asking for books on the lowest shelf just to give him something to do . . . he was just being in the way.

“Twilight?”

“Oh, um . . . could you get me Zebras: An unknown creature for me please?”

Spike walked over to the bookshelf, falling back on his rump roughly. Without being able to use his tail to prop himself up, he fell on his back rather quickly. The speed of his fall, however, was seconded by how quickly he tried to cover up his mistake under the guise of looking for books on his stomach. Finding the book, he put it in his mouth awkwardly- desperate not burn the flammable papyrus.

Of course the only logical conclusion to his attempt is that he fell on his face and burned the book. Twilight sighed, sweeping away the ashes before Spike could make an attempt to do so himself. Spike sat there, dejected as she patted his head sympathetically. He hated it.

“Spike, listen.” Please don’t say it. “I know you want to help, but . . .” Please, Twilight! I’ll do anything! I can give you a tummy rub like when you were a filly! I can wrap you in your blanket when you’re cold! I’ll do anything you want just please don’t- “I think you should focus on getting better Spike.”

There sat Twilight, waiting for any type of response. Staring at the scaleless dragon with tears in his eyes. Of course she’s tired of me . . . I can’t do anything right, and I’m just slowing her down. I guess I should just go to Applejack’s and tell her she was right. Of course she was, she knows what it’s like to be important to a family. He’s nothing but a broken assistant that needs to be replaced.

The walk to Sweet Apple Acers was daunting. Not so much the physical toll, but more like an emotional gauntlet. Every couple of steps, he could see another thing that Spike tried to help out with. The 24,567,837 blades of grass, the botched apple bucking attempt resulting in three knocked over apple trees, the camp-fire-turned-wildfire that destroyed most of the east fields. All that was left was death. What made it worse was that there was still evidence of his failed fire fighter attempt that still flooded a part of the north fields. How could he do such a thing? All this damage? Finally, he found the orange mare he was looking for.

“Applejack, I’m so sorry about how I’ve been acting.” Applejack continued bucking apples, feigning disinterest. Spike continued anyway, it’s now or never. “I was just being stupid, worrying about things that aren’t my business. It’s just . . . I love you guys so much, but you aren’t always there in each other’s lives!” Tears flowed down his face, his body trembled in synch to Applejack’s bucks. “Most of you aren’t like Rainbow and Fluttershy, and you don’t always come to each other for a shoulder to cry on.

“I thought that maybe I could be that person.” Applejack paused. “I should’ve asked first instead of intruding on your life and ruining everything. I’m sorry.” Applejack turned towards the sobbing dragon. He wasn’t holding anything back, it reminded her of when Apple Bloom . . . oh sweet Celestia! She never apologized for to her sister! She’s been so riled about this entire thing that she hasn’t even spoken to her for days! “You were right Applejack! She got rid of me, just like you said she would! I’m nothing more to her now than a sick puppy! I’m no assistant!”

Applejack hugged him. She can’t believe how much she hurt him, and all for nothing. “Ah’m sorry Spike. Ah was just so upset and ah felt that ya were just somepony tellin’ me how ta raise mah family. Not somepony wantin’ ta help.” Spike continued to shake in her embrace. “Apple Bloom wants ta see ya. She says she has a surprise.”

He couldn’t believe how much better he felt. She didn’t hate him, or the Code, she just didn’t like how he was doing things. Spike found his way to the barn in which Apple Bloom was working on her surprise and knocked carefully. He never felt so many things around him with his scales. He felt a lot safer with them. After a brief pause, Spike entered the barn.

Poking his head inside, he recognized the scent of dried tears immediately. He expected to hear the well-known wails of his damsel in distress confide in him about the ever stressful politics of the fashion world, but none came. Instead, he heard a sharp pinging sound of steel on steel. Flashes of heat washed over him, wave after wave. What was she doing?

“Apple Bloom?” Spike called out cautiously, “Uh, Applejack said you had a surprise?”

The clanging stopped, and a soot covered filly appeared from the darkness. “Hi Spike!” She said cheerfully. Her eyes were filled with a type of exhaustion. Whether it was from working too hard or from the family problems Applejack told him about. “Walk backwards towards me!” She scrambled off. Sighing, Spike obliged and began walking backwards.

Spike felt something heavy drape upon his back, and wrap around his body. Reflecting off of rays of light that poked their way through the broken woodwork, the scale like armor he was equipped with glowed with a beautiful blue hue. He grinned wildly when it was all on. He felt whole again, he felt like a dragon. Tears swelled in Spike’s eyes as he turned towards Apple Bloom, sweeping her in a hug.

Apple Bloom giggled. “Ah spent months workin’ on it. The blacksmith at Canterlot was nice enough to give me a list of what I needed, and Twilight’s books showed me what to do!” Apple Bloom nuzzled his cheek. “Ah felt so sorry for ya Spike, losing everything after ya saved our lives. It’s like I keep telling everypony, Ya ain’t broken- just fixable.”

Apple Bloom and Spike sighed in each other’s embrace, basking in the warm glow of the afternoon sun. The new hammer symbol on the filly's flank going completely missed.

"Thank you Apple Bloom," Spike whispered into her mane. "With you, I'm finally whole."